Jagged Harts

De: Katelyn Taylor

Narrado por: Michelle Sparks, Tor Thom

I’m a survivor. A fighter down to my blood. I need the release that comes when I step in that octagon, I crave it.

I spent too long being beat down and broken in every sense of the word, and I almost didn’t make it.

Fighting saved me though, and then I saved myself.

When I am offered a full ride scholarship to a college in the middle of nowhere Alabama over 2000 miles away, I grab the chance with both hands and run like hell.

What I didn’t expect to find when I got there was a local underground brawler that has more likeness to a local celebrity than the arrogant broody bastard who seems to be everywhere I turn.

Dax Hart.

Every man wants to be him, and every woman wants to be under him.

Except for me.

I have no intention of getting caught up with the short tempered sexy as sin asshole.

Even if his broken jagged pieces are a mirror image of mine.

©2022 Katelyn Taylor (P)2025 Blue Nose Publishing

Jagged Hearts

I have been quite on the Katelyn Taylor kick as of late- I just love her over the top leading men, her delicious spice, and how she effortlessly fuses dark heartstopping action with heartpounding epic romance. So, I was excited to dive into this and listen on audio, particularly since I've found her audios so well done. This story seeemed like it would be on the lighter end of the darkness spectrum comparatively with her other works, and it most certainly was. It's still got plenty of her trademark grit and drama, just not quite as dark in the stakes.

Like so many heroines, Aubrey is full of fire and sass, with an amble dash of buried trauma. She's strong willed and quick to fight- which she does straight into meeting hero Dax, a local MMA fighter with his own anger issues and cutting attitude. Sparks fly straight away, but these two circle around each other (and Aubrey entertains other options) as they initially bicker and then become hesitant friends thanks to a few moments of unexpected empathy and vulnerability between them. Dax is deliciously possessive and alpha- but he can also be really sweet. He's got like a pitbull persona but under it all he's plenty of golden retriever when it comes to Aubrey.

Story wise there were certainly some points of frustration in our characters' immature choices- but they are college students, after all. I just adored sweet Cole, so I didn't love him bring strung along, and lord help me with the end of book break-up (and plot device used to facilitate it)- it felt a bit nostalgic for all those new adult romances I read 20 years ago. And the ending felt very rushed- it takes a long time to get to the heart of Aubrey's issues, and then things escalate very fast after what felt like a very slow beginning to the story. I could tell this was an earlier story for Katelyn- the story elements, writing style, pacing, and syntax didn't quite have the same polish and creative finesse I've loved in all her other works. Where I felt this the most in the audio was actually in not using contractions - it not only feels unnatural for characters (especially southern drawlers) to not use them, but it made the audio performances feel choppy and jilty in places. So, in terms of story, not my favorite of hers, but still very entertaining and full of lovable characters.

The audio production itself was pretty solid. Michelle Sparks was fantastic as Aubrey - she had all the feistiness and scrappy charisma of the character and she delivered so much emotional range. Tor Thom was good in the Dax chapters themselves, where he used his normal speaking voice. He had edge and heart and was easy to listen to. The audio is a duet (yay!), and so while I loved Tor in Dax's chapters, I didn't love him as much in the Aubrey ones- when he used a southern accent. I'll admit, as a Southern person, I'm particularly sensitive to the archetypal representation of Southern accents (a la Clampett style). This is part of the story itself as Aubrey mentions many times the accent of the guys, so I get what he was going for even if I didn't love the accent- but I'm grateful he stuck to his normal narration in the other chapters.

Story: 3 stars
Audio: 4 stars
Overall: 3.5 rounded up to 4

Amazing Story & Narration🎧Compelling & Heartfelt!

Katelyn Taylor pens another amazing novel, an original MMA sports romance with interesting storylines that captivates your attention and tugs at your heartstrings the entire time. The two lead characters, Aubrey Davis and Dax Hart, are the stars of this story, broken souls from hardships and tragedies in their past and the two connect like no other. One of my favorite lines, which is so fitting, is “his broken jagged pieces are a mirror image of mine”, because they understood each other, but were they meant for each other? It was great to watch these two go back-and-forth, with plenty of push-and-pull, until they got their acts together. Hearing their backstories was heartbreaking, especially Aubrey’s, when she finally opens up and shares, but she came out of it and is absolutely amazing for it. Besides the two lead characters there were several side and secondary characters, with Kayla and Cole two of my favorites, both also playing meaningful parts in Aubrey’s new life in Alabama. The complexity of the characters is brilliant, and I loved all the layers of this story and how it all played out, with plenty of drama, angst, heartfelt emotions, and steamy romance. The writing, plot and world building are phenomenal, as are the character growth and development. Katelyn Taylor, thank you for another amazing novel and emotional rollercoaster ride.

🎧📚🎧 Michelle Sparks and Tor Thom did a fantastic job voicing these characters and delivering a perfect portrayal of each. I loved how they made each role their own, sounding believable and just as I imagine the characters would sound. Both were impressive as the two leads, grasping every aspect of their character’s personality and their every emotion. Tor Thom’s Dax was perfection, from his angsty arrogance and alpha side to his vulnerabilities and caring side. Michelle Sparks was just as fantastic in Aubrey’s role, showcasing her fierceness, strength and determination, as well as her insecurities. They were fantastic performing the roles of the side/secondary characters too. These two made a great narration team, with voices and talent that complement each other and a performance that is both entertaining and enthralling, keeping you riveted to the story.