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Fragile Sanctuary
- By: Catherine Cowles
- Narrated by: Zachary Webber, Andi Arndt
- Length: 11 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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The scowl should’ve been my first clue to stay far away from Anson Hunt. The sexy smirk and the fact that he’s my brother’s best friend? Reasons two and three. Not to mention, he’s the new contractor working on my house. He’s everything I’m not: grumpy, rude, and more than a little attached to his solitude. It doesn’t matter how many times I try to kill him with kindness; the man simply won’t crack. Until he sees me shatter. Because when my world comes crashing down around me, Anson is the one catching me as I fall.
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If you don’t mind the f-word three or four times in a sentence . .
- By Connie J on 06-28-24
- Fragile Sanctuary
- By: Catherine Cowles
- Narrated by: Zachary Webber, Andi Arndt
Surprisingly good!
Reviewed: 03-31-25
I bought this on a whim for audible’s daily deal. Usually, I find those books to be lousy. But this one was very good! I plan to finish the series!
This is my first time reading this author, so I didn’t know what to expect. I mainly bought it because I love the narrators - and they didn’t disappoint.
It’s worth a listen.
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Rising Sun
- Elven Kingdoms, Book 1
- By: Donna Grant
- Narrated by: Shane East
- Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
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Nothing could make Yasmin return to Shaldorn, the place of nightmares. But when she's caught stealing, she's given an ultimatum: take Ravi over the Dangerous Peaks to the stronghold or face imprisonment. She has no choice but to agree, though she intends to escape the elf as soon as she reaches the mountains. Yet, as they battle nature itself, the two enemies find common ground-and an all-consuming passion.
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Fantastic spinoff series!
- By Phara Blair on 05-29-24
- Rising Sun
- Elven Kingdoms, Book 1
- By: Donna Grant
- Narrated by: Shane East
Meh
Reviewed: 03-26-25
Nothing special. The development is weak and the characters are weak. I usually love Shane East, but he fell flat for this book. Maybe it was because the book was weak?
It was just ok.
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Heat of the Everflame
- The Kindred's Curse Saga, Book 3
- By: Penn Cole
- Narrated by: Amanda Dolan, Will M. Watt
- Length: 34 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
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After her disastrous coronation, Diem finds herself at the center of the conflict between the Descended and the Guardians. With her newfound friends and the man she's falling for on one side, and the mortals she has vowed to protect on the other, Diem must walk a careful line to save the people she loves…even from each other.
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Needs A Movie
- By Beautiful Books! on 06-04-24
- Heat of the Everflame
- The Kindred's Curse Saga, Book 3
- By: Penn Cole
- Narrated by: Amanda Dolan, Will M. Watt
Terrible
Reviewed: 12-30-24
Edited review: it took forever to finish. The plot predictable every step of the way. Diem too naive. I rolled my eyes throughout. I don’t think I will finish the series.
The series is enjoyable overall, but Cole is a weak writer. Plot is predictable and Diem and the others are terribly characterized,
Cole relies upon everyone keeping secrets and speaking in riddles for no reason. Diem is too naive - at this point in her development she should be much smarter and aware of the world around her. Relying upon her age and mortal upbringing only worked for the first book - at this point, she should be more self aware and aware of others. Or, the reader should have the story told from multiple perspectives. Perhaps if the reader wasn’t purposely kept in the dark, the dramatic irony would be helpful and thoughtful. Instead, the reader is only meant to know what Diem knows, but the reader is smarter than her, and it is frustrating that Diem can’t get out of her own way. At each “clue” I am literally rolling my eyes — Yes, Cole, we get it, move on.
She also relies upon convenient “fixes.” These people are immortal, except for this rare metal that poisons them….etc etc.
In the world of Romantacy, she is no where near Maas, Yarros, or Armentrout.
And even though I find Cole’s writing weak, I still like the overall story. I just would like to see more finesse and character growth.
The narrator is mostly great. I think some of my frustration was based on how she read for Diem. Perhaps if she wasn’t weepy in some scenes, the self doubt might be more believable.
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Glow of the Everflame
- The Kindred's Curse Saga, Book 2
- By: Penn Cole
- Narrated by: Amanda Dolan
- Length: 20 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
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The threat of war has arrived at Diem's doorstep, along with a new discovery that could save her people. To use it, she must survive the next thirty days by forming a devil's bargain with the people she hates most: the royal family of House Corbois. As she dives into the world of the Descended elite, Diem quickly realizes good and evil aren't as simple as they seem. Old prejudices are challenged, and new loyalties blur the line between friend and foe.
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Almost a 5
- By Alison L. on 03-08-24
- Glow of the Everflame
- The Kindred's Curse Saga, Book 2
- By: Penn Cole
- Narrated by: Amanda Dolan
Very good - no SJM
Reviewed: 12-17-24
This is a fun series with some interesting characters. It definitely tries to be A Court of Thorn and Roses and Fourth Wing, but not as well executed as either. Diem is too ignorant and naive. It is established that she would be unaware of the world she’s entering, but it’s just too much that even not knowing isn’t enough to justify her actions.
Jumping tropes here - but she would not survive one chapter in Game of Thrones. That’s what I mean by - not as well executed. For example, it is clear she is being played by all the people who want the throne (hence the GoT comparison), and she knows it, but then a simple con throws her off. The connections are superficial and easy to figure out, yet diem can’t manage to stay level headed? And the slow burn between her and Luther is too basic. I like slow burn stories, but her reasons for not trusting him are so superficial and incredibly weak. She can’t trust him yet she will make a blood bond with his father who she clearly knows is manipulating her? Or Henry sees two men in a room and Diem assumes it’s Luther? Wouldn’t most people say, “which guy?” Just weak writing.
However, I still like it. I will finish the series. But Cole is no Maas, Martin, or Yarros.
This is my first time with this narrator and I really like her. I am not caught up on her voices at all - I believe each voice is a different person. Excellent narration!
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Until You
- Off Limits Series, Book 1
- By: Catharina Maura
- Narrated by: CJ Bloom, Teddy Hamilton
- Length: 9 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
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Left without a job and evicted from the house she so carefully turned into a home, Aria is offered two choices: move back in with her brother . . . or take the job her brother's best friend offers her.
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Bestfriend's Sister + secret identity = 💋
- By Kel on 08-26-22
- Until You
- Off Limits Series, Book 1
- By: Catharina Maura
- Narrated by: CJ Bloom, Teddy Hamilton
Insecurities became too much
Reviewed: 11-17-24
The story was meh. The FMC’s insecurities became way too much. And both characters became way too preachy. Their long drawn out monologues became too much. Towards the end, it shifted so that the MMC had to overcome some trauma, and it ended up being about the FMC’s insecurities. “Oh maybe he just doesn’t want me anymore…” Um, he’s going through some tough stuff, lady - maybe don’t make it about you. It really frustrated me how her insecurities ended up being so consuming that she became unlikeable.
I love Teddy - so he was great. But this was not a good one for CJ. I usually like her, but she did not do great in this story. But that could be the bad character development.
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Co-Wrecker
- Binghamton Series, Book 1
- By: Meghan Quinn
- Narrated by: Mia Madison, Tor Thom
- Length: 11 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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What do ice cream and Sadie Montgomery have in common? They're both ice cold, but one taste is never enough. I wanted to be friends - I would have even settled for her seeing me as anything but a nerd - but there was no getting through. So just like any hard-headed, red-blooded man out there, I made up my mind. I'd make my coworker fall for me.
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Hot nerd? Yes please.
- By Alaina Kay on 02-05-25
- Co-Wrecker
- Binghamton Series, Book 1
- By: Meghan Quinn
- Narrated by: Mia Madison, Tor Thom
Narration awful
Reviewed: 11-08-24
The writing was good. The narrators awful. Once it became clear that Andrew is similar to Ryan Reynolds, all the writing made sense. The lines matched exactly what I’d expect from a Ryan Reynolds performance. The narrators came no where near the delivery. Instead of coy and funny, they made him sound like an idiot.
I am also from Binghamton and went to the university. So that’s the main reason I listened - never saw Binghamton in a story before! Quinn was decently accurate too. Sure, some things were off (Binghamton is known for spiedies (true), carousel capital of the world (true), Nirchi’s pizza (hell no!) - how about the home of Rod Sterling or IBM!) Also, no one says I go to Binghamton University here in Binghamton. We just say The University or BU. And we often shorten Binghamton to Bingo. And Bingo is not in the tri-state area, that’s downstate where the state meets two other states (PA and NJ). There are some other small things like that — for the most part though - pretty accurate.
I just wanted to give a shout out to Bingo Pride. And that is the only reason I finished the book. The narration was just so terrible.
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Born of Blood and Ash
- Flesh and Fire, Book 4
- By: Jennifer L. Armentrout
- Narrated by: Stina Nielsen
- Length: 37 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
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While Sera is finally free of Kolis and back with those she loves, not everything is calm. Memories of all she’s endured still haunt her, but Sera finally has hope for a future with the other half of her heart and soul. Nyktos desires, loves, and accepts every part of her—even the monstrous bits she still battles.
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It ok
- By dayshawn nellon on 08-19-24
- Born of Blood and Ash
- Flesh and Fire, Book 4
- By: Jennifer L. Armentrout
- Narrated by: Stina Nielsen
It dragged
Reviewed: 08-26-24
All the reasons people loved it, I was so annoyed with.
First - tighter editing was needed. I zoned out for a good portion of the book. It was so hard to want to listen. So much dumb stuff just could have been removed or lessened. How long do people just stand around while Sera has a million internal thoughts? Cut it down! Or why do I need to know how the food tasted or the spread of food or the quality of the food? Just say “as we ate dinner… blah blah blah.” This kind of stuff just really got on my nerves.
Second - the trauma. People really seemed to like this — I hated it. I don’t read romance for trauma. And it got dark and long. Granted, in this regard it was well written, I’ll give the author credit, but I don’t want to read it. So, if you like that, be my guest. But I read romance for a lighter touch. Same with all the threats of sexual violence. Again, Game of Thrones? Sure — I expect that. Romance? No. It feels like Armentrout is trying to jump from romance to general fiction. I’m not here for that.
It took forever to get started. I didn’t like the story until there was about 9 hours remaining. So, back to tighter editing.
I love smut - but all the sex scenes were just dumb. So, we have a person dealing with sexual trauma, ok, awesome — let’s have sex. Really?
I also can’t stand the narrator. She is always so tough for me to listen to. She has Sera all wrong, and she can’t seem to act at all. Her lack of acting could be part of the problem I had with the book.
I loved this series. I feel like this book just could have been done better.
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Fangirl Down
- A Novel
- By: Tessa Bailey
- Narrated by: Callie Dalton
- Length: 11 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
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Wells Whitaker was once golf’s hottest rising star, but lately, all he has to show for his “promising” career is a killer hangover, a collection of broken clubs, and one remaining supporter. No matter how bad he plays, the beautiful, sunny redhead is always on the sidelines. He curses, she cheers. He scowls, she smiles. But when Wells quits in a blaze of glory and his fangirl finally goes home, he knows he made the greatest mistake of his life.
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Golf romance
- By Laura Markley on 02-15-24
- Fangirl Down
- A Novel
- By: Tessa Bailey
- Narrated by: Callie Dalton
Terrible narrator
Reviewed: 06-24-24
I found the book - meh. But I think that’s more because I did not like the narrator. She doesn’t act. Her voices were fine - nothing off putting there. But she just had no comedic timing, no charisma, and bland acting.
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Butcher & Blackbird
- The Ruinous Love Trilogy, Book 1
- By: Brynne Weaver
- Narrated by: Joe Arden, Lucy Rivers
- Length: 8 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
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When a chance encounter sparks an unlikely bond between rival murderers Sloane and Rowan, the two find something elusive—the friendship of a like-minded, pitch-black soul. From small-town West Virginia to upscale California, from downtown Boston to rural Texas, the two hunters collide in an annual game of blood and suffering, one that pits them against the most dangerous monsters in the country.
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Listen, I'm a 'sympathetic retcher'
- By J. Scarlyn on 10-25-23
- Butcher & Blackbird
- The Ruinous Love Trilogy, Book 1
- By: Brynne Weaver
- Narrated by: Joe Arden, Lucy Rivers
Just meh
Reviewed: 06-17-24
This book is widely raved about. And all the reviews here will talk about how amazing it is — well — I disagree. It’s just meh.
The story is too fast; there isn’t much development. And although I don’t like things to be too dark, I really didn’t find this to be all that dark. Sure, there is gore and they are serial killers, but that’s what makes it dark. There is no real villainy — it’s like following mafia bosses that fight drugs and get drug dealers off the streets. That isn’t really dark, just like this book.
Honestly, it’s just a reimagining of Dexter.
But I don’t really mind the lighter side of dark; the story just didn’t develop at all.
Narrators are fantastic. That’s why I even bought the book and why I finished. They can make any mediocre book interesting.
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Raven’s Hart
- Haven Hart Series, Book 7
- By: Davidson King
- Narrated by: Philip Alces, Joel Leslie
- Length: 6 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
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Haven Hart stands on the edge of good and evil. Having balance between the two is the only thing keeping the town from crumbling to the ground. For years, one man has been charged with maintaining that balance - Poe. The air of mystery surrounding Poe is one of necessity. He's the keeper of secrets, and for good reason. He's stood alone against the most ruthless men and women, always hiding behind the curtain to help his friends defeat what seeks to destroy them.
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Great Mystery&series ending - Brilliant!
- By padme35 on 06-06-20
- Raven’s Hart
- Haven Hart Series, Book 7
- By: Davidson King
- Narrated by: Philip Alces, Joel Leslie
The worst one
Reviewed: 06-12-24
I enjoyed the series. Nothing special, but an enjoyable listen. This one was the absolute worst. There was no story at all. There was potential, but nothing was developed. It was all surface stuff.
I have never really loved these narrators, but they didn’t bother me too much. Good God they were terrible for this one. In previous books, Poe was described as having a nondescript accent. I always found what these guys did to be annoying, but he wasn’t a major character, so I didn’t think much of it. Now, listening to this entire book and having the main character, who is Russian, sound like he has some sort of impediment drove me up a wall. What kind of accent was that??
This book is worth skipping. Nothing really happens and the closure that the series is given can be summed up in one sentence. I won’t put it here and spoil the worthless ending, but it is completely guessable.
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