Heart of Stone: The Stone Series, Volume 1

By: Dakota Willink

Narrated by: Lacy Laurel, Jeffrey Kafer

Krystina Cole was a girl on a mission. She had big dreams and aspirations, none of which included a man by her side. She knew better than that - at least until she met Alexander Stone, the New York billionaire real estate tycoon. She saw the way that he looked at her, and the dark promises in his eyes. She was curious about his world and all that it entailed. But the shadows of her past haunted her, making her afraid to explore possibilities that she could never before have imagined....

Alexander Stone was a man who knew how to get what he wanted. He understood the value of finesse, and the importance of patience and diligence to achieve the desired result. He was successful and wealthy, relying on his naturally sharp instincts to guide him through life. But a chance run-in with Krystina Cole quickly turned his world upside down. Her quick wit and firecracker attitude was the complete opposite of what he wanted in a woman, and his instincts failed him at every turn....

However, both Krystina and Alexander are clinging to the secrets of their past, and neither of them are willing to compromise. Krystina's hardened heart makes emotional surrender a hard limit. But for Alexander, revealing his past could have devastating results. Visit www.dakotawillink.com.

©2015 Dakota Willink (P)2024 Dakota Willink

Fantastic

I received this book as a gift and enjoyed it very much. Krystina and Alexander are so intense. Hope to read the second part of the story very soon.

Great story- tragically BAD narration.

I really hope this author is aware of how bad the female narration is and can get a better one for the next book in the series. The male narration was much better, and the only reason I finished listening. It was like being all dressed up and looking your best, down to the perfectly coordinated shoes, only to discover once you're already at work that the shoes are killing your feet, and there are gonna be nasty blisters before lunch. You look great, but the whole experience is ruined by those damned blisters. Yeah, it's that bad.

Letting go of the past.

Krystina Cole is a recent college grad who works in a dead end job. During a mishap at her place of employment she meets Alexander Stone and is lost in him from the word go. Alexander is a billionaire real estate investor who is looking to invest in the store where she works. He is equally in awe of her became he can't figure her out. She unnerves him because she does not fgit into any mold he has ever seen. Alexander brings her in for an interview for a marketing position to try to get into her head because he is all about control. There are strings attached to his offer and she must decide to except the position or not. They both have deep secrets that neither are forthcoming about. What started out as a simple situation turns into much more because of their feelings. Can they be honest with each other and overcome the past or will it sink their relationship before it gets started. Well written and worth the money. It had me hooked from page one. I can't wait to read book two.

Love

I loved this book both in print and eBook and now on audible as well. The story is emotional and gripping and keeps you hooked.

I wanted to love it.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

A controlling Alpha Billionaire with a penchant for BDSM. A young college graduate facing student loan debt, working in a dreary job, hoping to start her career in her chosen field. She makes a fool of herself in front of the most beautiful man ever and he becomes obsessed with her.

Sound familiar?

Unfortunately, this has been done before. I was really hoping to enjoy this book and was looking for any spark of originality - something that would give it distinction. The heroine's backstory did help with that, but it was too little too late. The book ends on a predictable cliffhanger and the second - and final - book in the series isn't available on audio yet, so consider yourself warned.

I really wanted to enjoy this book but wound up struggling. But others have enjoyed it and I'm sure there are more readers out there who will.

If you’ve listened to books by Dakota Willink before, how does this one compare?

She doesn't have any other audio books.

What aspect of Lacy Laurel and Jeffrey Kafer ’s performance would you have changed?

I also need to take a moment to address narration. Jeffrey Kafer was good and appropriate for the role. Lacy Laurel's voice worked for me, but her repeated mispronunciation of words was jarring. Some listeners won't mind. Unfortunately, I did.

Could you see Heart of Stone: The Stone Series, Volume 1 being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

I'll pass on this question.

This was interesting…...

So, when i started listening to it, I had no idea about what it was about. I choose this book for a challenge. While I might say that it was't grabing me at the begining, i kind of fell for it at some time. The female narrator, could have been better, i think that kind of made it a little less enjoyable. The male narrator was actually good, which compensated a little. And finally, i am defenitly hooked to read the next one. Still debating if I'll spend my credit on the áudio, or if i'll just read de ebook…. The truth is that after listening to it, i'm still not sure about my rating, but since i listened to it in less then 24 hours, i kinda of feel obligated to give it 3,75 stars!

enjoying the story, narration needs work

I enjoy the story line, and am enjoying my first audible book!!
I believe it would capture my attention more however, if the narrative was read as the difference in reading of female and male roles...I wish all the male roles were narrated by the male voice and vice-versa with female narration. You already have a female and make narrating the story, it kind of throws the characters off when the female tries to talk like the male character and the male trying to sound like the female.

Didn't want to stop listening

Loved listening to this book. I can't wait to start book two. Both voices in this book were spot on.

Lucy Laurel was amazing & Jeffery Kafer sexy mascu

Was I prepared for the impact of this read? I think not. Was I prepared to experience this ride with Krys and Alex? Oh, yes in deed. There was that taste of intense connection from their first meeting on the floor of the display aisle in the grocer. All the way to that sweet, gentle touch in the front seat of his car. This was a deeper more intense read than I expected, but still loved the ride. I wanted so many time to lash out at so many of those encountered, run from Alex or at the least turn my back and walk away, slap Krys and tell her to get with it. This read demanded to be heard. It screamed and escape from the everyday and gave me that something extra that I was looking for.

For a few hours a day for several days, I was pulled in to the world of Krys and Alex. New, exciting, pain, loss, fear, uncertainty, anger, regret, retreat, unfamiliar. Krys’ demons are exposed. Her pain exploited. Her realization of where things really were going. Painful. Sad. Real. Heartbreaking. I’m looking for the next step for Alex and Krys. How will this be resolve? When will Trevor pain? What did Jim decide? Now, what really happened in Alex’s past that has him so. . . ? I want to know so much and then so more. Much I don’t expect to have answered every because they are inconsequential things.

I found me a very good read that kept me up and down. Looking forward to getting to the next chapter and what was next to be put before me. Alex and Krys show age is only a number, class is a barrier not a complete hindrance, life experiences can be binding and bonding, connections makes an impact across time. I do so recommend this read for something with a task of BDSM, conflict, strain, stress, romance, and insight.

Narrator Review of . . . HEART OF STONE (Stone, #1) . . . I must give many and much props to Lucy Laurel. She was amazing. She pulled it off and then some. She could have done the whole read herself and I would not have been disappointed. She did very good with both male and female voices. Her diction clear, strong, and held that hint of allure that drew me in to her voice.

Jeffery Kafer had that total sexy masculine voice that made Alex sound even sexier. I lost just a bit with Krys but the strength of his vocal talents was still there and still pleasant.

The clarity and the smooth flow of the audio was there. I found no hiccups in the recording and no issues with the speed controls. This will be an audio that will get repeat play time.

Wow

I got this ARC via audio book boom the story reminded me of the fifty shades series the way it ended was not something that seemed correct I hate cliffhangers and that is how it ended as if something was missing the narration was done well with duel narrators I liked the male better than the female