Counterbalance

By: Kelly Moran

Narrated by: Kory Getman

She's a beauty, but he's just a geek.

The world might think billionaire Xavier Gaines has it all, but he's got a big problem. His successful software company is about to sign a government contract that'll land him smack in the glare of the public limelight, and his lifelong battle with social anxiety has marked him as a cold, uncaring bastard in the eyes of the press. To dispel the unflattering image, he needs help, and there's only one person he trusts with the job - Peyton Smoke. Gorgeous, kind, and funny, she agrees to be his media relations director and soon imbeds herself so deeply in his life, his world will crumble if anything upsets the balance. He cannot screw up their solid unit. No matter how achingly he desires her. Yet, how is he supposed to resist when she tugs emotions from him he didn't think he was capable of experiencing? Especially since it appears he's not the only one fighting their undeniable attraction.

Ever-after just might be possible...if he can convince her to believe in love again.

Peyton Smoke is looking for a change, and working at Gaines Industries has given her the boost she needs to fill the empty void in her life. Xavier is the perfect boss. Under his seemingly callous, frigid demeanor lies a compassionate man who cares about causes and those precious few he lets into his inner circle. What she wasn't prepared for is the smoldering passion suddenly flaring between them, nor the hot-as-sin alpha side beneath the layer of sexy nerd. Getting involved with him puts more than her job at risk. She's been trampled one too many times, and she vowed never to leave herself vulnerable again. But the heart wants what the heart wants. If only she can figure out whether his feelings are genuine or if this is a mistaken case of gratitude wrapped in lust, then their shot at forever may not seem like such a fruitless hope.

©2017 Kelly Moran (P)2017 Kelly Moran

The Only One For Him

If you could sum up Counterbalance in three words, what would they be?

Prolonged Sexual Tension

What did you like best about this story?

The fact that Xavier and Peyton both were committed to each other as partners, friends, colleagues for so long.

Which character – as performed by Kory Getman – was your favorite?

Peyton was such a strong, intelligent and caring woman

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I so wanted Xavier to trust himself and his relationship with Peyton. He was so afraid to give in to his feelings. I believe that this character is developed as though he has Aspergers or a similar development where social cues are not appreciated.

Any additional comments?

I thought the voice actor did an excellent job and I absolutely didn't appreciate that there was only one person talking. The charactors were entirely believable. There was some sort of a little glitch at chapter 13 where there was a bit of an echo or difference in sound but this was not too distracting. Excellent presentation.

Terrible narration and editing

The story may be good but the narration was bad. I only listened to first chapter. His voice puts you to sleep and you can hear background noise.

Narrator was ok

This book won me over with Xavier! Xavier had always been socially awkward. As a smart geek he had been bullied in school. He could seem so cold and aloof but seemed to be actually suffering from social anxiety and in fact, had a huge and altruistic heart. I adored Xavier and Peyton. Peyton had already experienced far too many significant losses. She lost her entire family and fiancé over a short period. They were so sweet to each other, so considerate. I loved the heat they shared. as well as the underlying heat to their attraction, which later bloomed into steamy sensuality. I loved that we got to see this social awkward geek turn into a romantic alpha and was pure seduction.

My star removal was to do with the narrator and not the story. Getman's reading was a bit flat. I guess I wanted some more emotion, more infliction. There was also some odd bit with the audio in the middle. I'm sure it has been noted previously.

Great Story!

This was a great story about a geek gone billionaire who reaches out to his friend for help. Although Xavier had the brains and the looks to run a successful high tech company In San Francisco, he lacked the personality to carry it off. He reaches out to Peyton, an old high school friend who is a PR wizard to help him deal with his social anxiety.

The pace of this story surprised me. I didn't expect to do a two year leap but it worked and made sense. It's what made this story different from the rest. I liked that you got to see their relationship truly develop and to see Xavier come into his own. Being able to handle his anxiety. Where Peyton was the master of public relations, Xavier was the master of private relations. He was an alpha in the bedroom and that was hot. It's always the quiet ones.

I enjoyed this story and it was well performed. I only 4 stars for my overall rating due to some editing and sound issues that occur in the middle of the book. These things did not take away from the story. I was still fully engulfed in this story despite these things. Great story and one I will revisit.

Wonderful story

Is there anything you would change about this book?

No, I truly enjoyed the story itself. I like the way Xavier and Payton developed their relationship and really supported the each other's quirks. It's such a small thing, but the use of the word "honey" was refreshing. I feel like I hear the same endearments repeated in book after book after book.

Would you be willing to try another one of Kory Getman’s performances?

Unfortunately, no. The narration was entirely too flat, coupled with mispronunciations and over pronunciations. There was also an odd editing error in the middle.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Sure! In typical Kelly fashion, she has built up the minor characters to be engaging as well. I'd love to see them depicted on the screen.

Any additional comments?

I would love to read a follow-up book, but will probably read rather than listen in order to correct more deeply with the characters.

The geek & his publicist

Xavier is a computer genius but suffers from social anxiety. He needs someone to clean up his corporate image. Peyton is a publicist who knew Xavier back in high school. She’s had lots of loss in her 30yrs...her parents, her only brother & her fiancé. Peyton goes to work for Xavier & the pair become friends. Over the years, the friendship grows inti something more but will it last? Can Peyton open her heart or will all of her past losses force her to protect herself? This is a sweet story about two ppl dealing w loss and insecurities and learning to let go so they can love. Sweet HEA.

Counterbalance

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

The story is the most enjoyable part. I didn't enjoy the narrator as much as I'd have liked to. For some reason there were too many mouth noises. (taking a breath, hesitating at times, almost like he had something in his mouth to keep it from getting dry etc.) It also seemed like there wasn't enough emotion and he was just reading it.

What did you like best about this story?

This story is so good. My emotions were all over the place. Written so well, it smoothly moved me from tears one moment, laughing out loud the next, swooning , holding my breath and then tense. A beautiful, heartwarming romantic story. Secondary characters were also entertaining and enjoyable.. The charity that they form, will pull at your heartstrings.

Did Kory Getman do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Sorry, I really didn't care much for his reading of the characters. It was just average and not anything really exciting. :(

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes, when I read the book I felt several emotional moments,but honestly not when I listened to the audio.

Any additional comments?

Xavier and Peyton knew each other in high school. He was the class math geek and she was the class sweetheart that was nice to him even though nobody else was. They both went their own way after school and didn’t see each other for many years .Xavier went on to run his own company and become a billionaire but had major social anxiety and needed to try to convince Peyton to work for him because he knew she was just what the company needed. People misunderstood him. With her marketing talent, she could help him and the company.Kelly Moran has always been one of my MUST READ authors and this one is another excellent story she has given us.

One of my favorite authors!

Would you consider the audio edition of Counterbalance to be better than the print version?

I really like Kory's voice. It's sweet and quirky—a little young—but he has the right inflections for this type of geek gone billionaire story.

But just because you have a killer voice doesn't mean you have a killer performance. It happens to the best, and unfortunately, Counterbalance doesn't showcase Kory's strengths as a narrator.

In the beginning I really liked the monotonous tempo. This is one of my favorite Kelly Moran books, and I always pictured Xavier being this way. As I transitioned to the end of the book, I was craving a different style of narration; something with more emotion and vulnerability. I had a difficult time assimilating with Kory's interpretation of the characters near the climax even though the voices were done well.

There are some sound quality issues particularly background noise and I could hear Kory swallowing throughout the audiobook. In fact, maybe the sound quality is too good on this one. Kory also sounded thirsty... which made me really thirsty!... Hur hur. Thirsty for LOVE!

Kory Getman is a YES, but this isn't my favorite narration.