Heather

excellent writing/narration lacked

Reviewed: 12-16-21

This book was recommended in a Facebook book group. I whispersynched so I could both read and listen. So my review will be both written word of a new to me author and narration by 2 new to me narrators.

The book was extremely well written. It flowed smoothly. Character development was robust. Many have classified this as dark. Even the author notes she contemplated a pen name with the dark taboo content. This made me realize what is dark for one reader may not be for another. To me, with my experience, this was not dark at all. Even basement times scratched the surface and faded to black. The author handled that classy, but there could have been more depth to contribute there.. At times I felt a little more grit may have solidified the bond between Dean and Cora in that moment. But....recognize the bond formed well before their abduction as well. All in all, the written word was great. I liked the realness factor. Fiction- yes, but the events could definitely occur in today's world. (Sadly.)

The narration......the female narrator was painful at times. So monotone. There were a few moments she brought extreme life to the story, but would quickly returned to a flatness. I read more of her chapters than listened. The male held his own quite well. As an audiobook lover I cant help but to feel the book would soar at a whole new level with some top notch voice actors helping out ad all the words were there for the taking.

Over all, the book is excellent. Not dark in my opinion. The sexy times were intimate and erotic. The narration would do in a pinch if listening is your preference. I would def recommend it.

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struugled to finish

Reviewed: 11-28-21

Aiden Snow was about all this audio book had going for it. sorry to the author (who was new to me.).....you win some and lose some. this was not my kind of angst. immaturity, assumptions, and a whiney FMC. I ended up eventually skipping Aidens POV and went to skimming the text in KU. predictable and drug out. I couldn't wait til the end and skipped to the epilogue. I'm glad this was a $5 sale item.

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1 person found this helpful

worth the READ

Reviewed: 11-15-21

This book was highly recommended on a much loved Facebook group. I was warned you either love it or hate it, not much in between. I love taboo. love age gaps. so that didn't bother me. I liked the story. it was heart felt and had a meaningful theme. the male narrators were wonderful! the female was robotic. I hate to speak negatively, but when the cost of the audiobook is weighed, id recommend reading not listening. there are a handful of narrated male POV chapters. female voice dominates the dialogue. I ended up reading her chapters. but an excellent read.

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BRILLIANT

Reviewed: 10-11-21

Julie never disappoints. NEVER. Shes just a one click you trust to your core. A beautiful love story of survival. Narration is superb. One thing I love about each of Julie's books is the meaningful underlying theme - whether its survival, family, redemption there's meaning and depth that can be applied. I just LOVE AND ADMIRE HER.

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2 people found this helpful

COMPLETE

Reviewed: 09-20-21

having been a fan of this series I was excited for this story. (I hope Sean and even Jordan may be so kucky?) the story was complete.....tender, passionate in meaning. I felt it was slow moving at times, and even through my impatience it was necessary for the completeness to bear weight. the authors education and research of Catholic theology is masterful. I would recommend if you love slow burns with serious soul.

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sadly disappointed 😞

Reviewed: 04-27-21

I love Lauren Rowe. She's a one click. Multiple reads and listens to every one of her books over and over. Jacob Morgan carried this book for me. Andi fell short. The songs were great as in Fish. I applaud the brilliance in LR's artistic music ability and meshing it into the story. I can only imagine the time and studio effort it took to layer all of that together, so bravo on that note. The story was repetitive. Non stop repetitive. Shall I say repetitive one more time? Predictable. Lacked the plot line and character depth I expect and worship Ms. Rowe for. Too much of the same events repeated through out and explained to other characters. I actually struggled to finish it, but did out of respect and so much love for this author. It pains me to even write this, but I'm being true to myself in my review and took several days to ponder. I think the story was forgotten in the midst of the music genius and new ground breaking territory there. Maybe it was just me- others loved it.

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sadly disappointed 😞

Reviewed: 04-27-21

I love Lauren Rowe. She's a one click. Multiple reads and listens to every one of her books over and over. Jacob Morgan carried this book for me. Andi fell short. The songs were great as in Fish. I applaud the brilliance in LR's artistic music ability and meshing it into the story. I can only imagine the time and studio effort it took to layer all of that together, so bravo on that note. The story was repetitive. Non stop repetitive. Shall I say repetitive one more time? Predictable. Lacked the plot line and character depth I expect and worship Ms. Rowe for. Too much of the same events repeated through out and explained to other characters. I actually struggled to finish it, but did out of respect and so much love for this author. It pains me to even write this, but I'm being true to myself in my review and took several days to ponder. I think the story was forgotten in the midst of the music genius and new ground breaking territory there. Maybe it was just me- others loved it.

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2 people found this helpful

FANTASTIC

Reviewed: 02-14-21

Stepped out and spent that credit on a new author! It was superb. Ticked all the boxes for me. I absolutely LOVED Josh....so alpha but yet a cuddling sweet tip of nose kisser. He rocked it. loved how his affection and warmth transformed Michael in every way. Gary Furlong is phenomenal. the man is gifted. no doubt. I did have to read along at times because the third person present confused me sometimes, especially Michael's inner dialogue in a NZ accent when he is a California guy and speaks American. other than that, not one criticism of the book. Great plot, flowed nicely, character development, and some seriously detailed steam.

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I enjoyed this!

Reviewed: 02-12-21

I liked the premise, plot a lot. I could imagine historically the problems faced with M/M relationships and rhe forbidenness of it all. the narrator was phenomenal. I wish he had more listens available!

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just OK

Reviewed: 02-12-21

Merikan team was new to me. I LOVED The Art of Mutual Pleasure, so I carried on with the Black Sheep and the Rotten Apple, which opemed strong, but then slowly fizzled. it was a little repetitive and began to ramble and be repetitive.......I found that was the case here as well. The reviews were great......dark mc.....this wasn't dark in my opinion. Internal emotions were repetitive and rambly.....to the point it became just kinda corny. The narrator (whispersynched) was new to me and he was fair.

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