Outside

Rock Stars, Surf and Second Chances #1

De: Michelle Mankin

Narrado por: Kai Kennicott, Wen Ross

When handsome California surf god Lincoln Savage suddenly rolls into Ocean Beach like a rogue wave, shy beauty Simone Bianchi's foundation is shaken. No longer under the thumb of her domineering father, she's made a simple, quiet life for herself and her fluffy, 14-pound Havanese pup running a surf shop in her hometown of OB. Long ago she gave up her dreams for a future with Linc.

But now the notorious lead singer of the Dirt Dogs has returned, and Simone is reluctant to admit that she's still vulnerable to his killer dimpled smile and easy charm. She finds that although she's stowed away the mementos, it hasn't been as easy to erase the memories of their epic summer love.

It seems he hasn't forgotten, either.

Is the recording contract he's offering merely a pretense?

Or does he have something more in mind?

Does he really believe that they can just pick up where they left off, despite all the bad luck and heartache?

And is she willing to risk everything again for one last chance at love?

©2015 Michelle Mankin (P)2015 Michelle Mankin

Fantastic Story & Narration🎧 Beautiful & Heartfelt

Wow, this is such a beautiful and heartfelt story. Michelle Mankin has a wonderful writing style, she grabbed my attention right from the start and held to the end. I adored the characters she created, they were realistic and easily relatable. Both Simone “Mona” and Lincoln “Linc” were far from perfect each having their own issues and struggles in life. But they were so good together and for each other. Sadly life and their own insecurities got in their way and Linc went and screwed it all up breaking Mona’s heart. Fifteen years later Linc returns to OB and tries to make amends with Mona, whom he still loves. After all that time can she forgive him and give him another chance? I was happy that Linc finally came to his senses, sure did take him long enough to wise up. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I loved the way the time frame was plotted, starting with the now, the past in the middle and ending in the now. It is like a glimpse into the whole picture that goes full circle. Thank you Michelle Mankin for this wonderful story and the emotional rollercoaster ride.

I listened to the Audible edition, narrated by the mega talented Kai Kennicott and Wenn Ross. They bring these characters to life, give each their own voice and personality. They did a great job projecting the emotions of the characters, as well as the drama of the story into their performance. I just loved the ending and that magnificent duet, consider me wowed! This dynamic duo are always a pleasure to listen to, they are amazing storytellers who’s performance enhances a great story another level. Thank you for another great listen🎧

Enjoyable Summer Read

This was a 3.5 star read for me. It had a descent storyline that I enjoyed but nothing spectacular.
This story starts out in present tense and then switches to the past. It tells about Simone and Lincoln's Summer of love that starts when he is just a surfer. When he gets hurt on his board he turns toward being lead singer in the band The Dirt Dogs. Between Simone's abusive relationship with her father, Linc's rise to stardom and his lingering thoughts that he's not good enough for Simone things ultimately end badly.
Fast forward 15 years and Linc is back with a pretense of recording a song of a duet they once sang together. She could definitely use the money because things aren't running as smoothly as they once were at her surf shop. And there's no denying the intense chemistry they still have for each other. But can she trust him not to hurt her again?
I would definitely check out more by this author. I listened to the audible version and the narrators did an awesome job!!

Hot, Gut-wrenching, Heartstring Pulling Romance!!!

What made the experience of listening to Outside the most enjoyable?

The beautiful writing combined with the amazing narration made this book one of my favorites.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Outside?

I absolutely loved the song at the end of the book. It had me crying.

What does Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Kai and Wen are the best narrators I have ever listened to. They have truly spoiled me on other narrators. No one can compare to their amazing and beautiful storytelling. They bring so much emotion to the story it's hard not to feel like you're a part of the story yourself.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A second chance at love.

Any additional comments?

I can't say how much I love Michelle Mankin's books. Her writing is beautifully lyrical and Kai and Wen's narration fits perfectly with this story. A match made in heaven.

Second wave for love

Simone and Linc a couple of strong headed lovers who have lost their way. This is a great story and has great supporting characters. Narration is on point as well.

Second chances.

Overall Outside was good but I'm not a fan of flashbacks. Two people damaged from their previous & current life experiences along with stresses of starting high pressure careers and finding themselves is the story line. With many years separating them, it was a good second chance happily ever after. The narrators are two of my favorite and this was a first time for this author, which I will look for again.

So many emotions

I loved how you got pretty much the whole story. It was cool how it started out in the present and then flashed back and started at the beginning. Lincoln and Simone's story is a it of a roller coaster, but I loved how it showed that true love is worth and must be fought for even if it's years later. Kai and Wen did an amazing hob with this story and really helped the emotions breathe into our world.

Take me to the beach!

Though a Jersey girl, I do not have a passion for the Jersey Shore. Yes, I enjoy going a couple times a year but on the average, it's not my choice of days off. This book may have changed my mind. Michelle Mankin has shown me that the water can the beach can be the perfect place to go to. Getting to know the characters of Linc and Simone has been heart wrenching, loving, full of despair and hope. A little instant attraction that leads to love, Mankin shows how the strength of that love no matter the circumstance can stand the test of time and when given the second chance, turns out to be even stronger. Starting off with surfing, Linc is on his way to being a champion, but tragedy happens changing his path. This change is drastic, leaving the question of whether their relationship will be able to stand it. Confidence and that feeling of being whole is tested over many years, and Mankin flawlessly switches back and forth between the past and present unraveling the story of this couple. It will leave you with that feeling that true love never dies.

Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross are the perfect narrators for this story. Their ability to sound young and slowly mature is amazing, it gives the story the texture it needs to build to Linc and Mona's future. The singing is also a plus! Have to love the talent of this narrating team's performance!

outside

Kia and Wen did it again, bring the character's to life. Loved the song at the end of the story.

Outside by Michelle Malkin reviewed by k1terriw

The narration is sultry with just the right emotion and inflection to make the book come to life. I love the narration style that each character speaks like a back and forth conversation; not expecting the male and female to speak both genders within certain chapters. I loved the sound of ocean waves at the beginning of chapters and the guitar playing softly as the songs written in the book are sung in the end! My heart!

The love story of the beginning of a local band in Ocean Beach friends bonded with their love of music and surf. A professional surfer, Linc falls hard for second-year college student and local Restaurant owners’ daughter, Simone. Their journey begins as a flash flame that surges blistering hot and fast in the beginning, all the way through the band’s first west coast mini-tour. Dissonant family wedges between the two lovers that causes a 15-year separation and pain that shreds two hearts.

With a once in a lifetime movie deal where Linc needs Mona to sign off on the song they co-wrote gives a reason for Linc to seek out Mona after all the years.
Their passion flares consuming them, yet each hurting from the deep cutting shards that tore them apart so many years ago. The present sandwiches the story of the past to give the reader perspective on who happened to the once lovers. Smoking hot! Real-life emotions! Dysfunctional families driving choices. Gah! I loved this story of the local OB girl with Linc, the once professional surfer turned Dirty Dogs lead singer whose band exploded upon the music scene as a hot classic rock band over the past 15 years. The HEA ending was worth the ebb and flow of waves that envelope the reader completely in this Rockstar romance that is Book 1 in a series of 5 books, “Rock Stars, Surf and Second Chances”.

Great Characters

What did you love best about Outside?

I loved the characters. Mankin's a terrific writer whose characters really draw you in.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Outside?

The motel scene where Linc walked in on Ash and Simone. The entire scene and conversation leading up to it were pretty intense.

Which character – as performed by Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross – was your favorite?

I had two: Simone as performed by Kai Kennicott and Ash as performed by Wen Ross.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Ash's discussion with Simone near the end of the book was really moving. So was Linc's confession of his feelings for her at the end.

Any additional comments?

Mankin is an incredible writer, but I didn't enjoy this book quite as much as her Raging Tempest series, largely because it was more relationship-driven with less conflict. I like more of a plot, but it's a testimony to her wonderful writing and Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross's narration that I still loved this book.