Gods and Monsters

The Metamorphoses Series, Book Three

By: V.R. Christensen

Narrated by: Stacey Patrone

A stand-alone companion to Of Moths and Butterflies and Cry of the Peacock.

As a widower, Nathanial Durham has the monumental responsibility of finding suitable husbands for his two daughters. Flirtatious and changeable, Bethany might have nearly anyone, but she seems determined to toss her suitors away almost the moment they arrive. Laynie, on the other hand, far behind her sister in looks and charm, is of especial concern to her father. And so, when Harold Vaughn returns home to inherit, it seems the problem, at least for one of his daughters, is solved. Only which daughter will it be?

Even his girls cannot quite decide, and so, to cool the rivalry, the sisters are sent to an aunt’s, where they are thrown into the path of other young and eligible gentlemen - and a new rivalry begins.

Meanwhile, Mr. Durham, lonely for intelligent companionship, hires a gentleman to read to him several nights a week, but Mr. Holbrook is off limits to his coquettish girls. With varying degrees of reluctance, they honor the agreement. At least Beth does for herself, but if it's possible, Mr. Holbrook might provide a distraction for her sister while she decides which gentleman she prefers for herself. What harm can there be?

Some, it seems. When Laynie, accident prone and determined to get herself into any fix that comes her way, falls from a horse, she sets in motion a series of events that expose Mr. Holbrook as a man of questionable integrity. Is it possible Mr. Durham’s hired companion is capable of the wrongs laid at his door? Is it possible Laynie has been mistaken in esteeming him as a man of character?

Is it possible to know anyone truly?

Between the manufactured innocence of a young woman and the championed exploits of every man, what happens when the two opposing doctrines collide?

©2015 V.R. Christensen (P)2019 V.R. Christensen

Ok

The author did a great job of writing characters that acted appropriately to the time period, and didn't seem like modern people suddenly plopped into historical England. However, I didn't find the characters that compelling, and never got attached to any of them. Consequently, it was hard to maintain interest over such a long book. The narrator for the audiobook unfortunately really grated on me, which made it even more difficult to get into. It's hard to say how much the narrator affected my impressions, but I think I would have liked it better if I'd read it instead of listened to it.

Difficult to Listen to!

The story is great and if I could I'd rate it higher, but the narrator really spoils the whole thing ! Her phrasing is jerky and awkward. It's very difficult to listen to and it gets irritating. The narrator has a pleasant voice but her reading needs to flow better. People don't speak with jerks and pauses! I have the kindle version and I'm going to finish the book reading it instead.

nice story

a very nice historical romance.
it was a very cute book it was very very well described. I will not say the story was perfect, but the story was very well told you could feel this timeline and it was quite solid and quite interesting to listen to the narrator was a great one
and overall it was a nice listen

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review