Stoned

Wrecked, Book 1

By: Mandi Beck

Narrated by: Kai Kennicott, Wen Ross

"A rock star with no rhythm is a man with no soul." - Stone Lockhart

As the lead singer of one of the hottest bands to hit the rock scene, f--ks are free, drugs come easy, and music is life.

For as long as Stone can remember, Willow has been his music - the notes that weave his soul together. His rhythm.

Until he threw her away.

All he has left is a handful of pills and a few lines of powder to make him forget her. And he tries, over and over.

Clean and ready to make things right, he's faced with the fact that Willow's moved on. She's not the same girl he cast aside. Willow's a woman sure about her purpose in life. Sure about who she's meant to love.

Stone may be lost without his rhythm, but Willow has found so much more.

©2016 Mandi Beck (P)2016 Mandi Beck

5 Stoned Stars

I was apprehensive going in. I have read another book by Mandi Beck and liked it up until about a half way then I just couldn't connect. So I was hoping this wasn't like that and I am sooooo glad I gave this author a second chance because I lovvvvveeedd this BOOK!

Stone won me over, heck he will probably won every red blooded female who reads this book over. He fought and fought and fought never giving up on himself or his lady love. And it wasn't easy but he did what he felt he had to do. I LOVED that so freaking hard.

“Your words went from being my cure to my curse.” – Willow

Willow sure doesn't make it easy on Stone and why should she? He put her through the ringer, so I can’t blame her for not wanting to open herself up again only to hurt like that again. So she was guarded and for good cause. But he fought his way back in and it was just one of those romances where you are rooting for the guy because he is doing all he can to show her what he is made of not just with words but with actions how much she means to him.

I can’t say enough good things about the narration either, Wen and Kai do a phenomenal job bring this book to life in my ears. The emotions, the connections, it’s fantastic.

*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*

~Stone and Willow~

Where does Stoned rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It is most definitely one of my new favorites. I love this Duo for narration!

What other book might you compare Stoned to and why?

Its a book all it's own! There is nothing to compare it to.

Have you listened to any of Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not this is my first Kai and Wen narration and I fell in love with it and them!

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

This book made me feel so much. It was nice to see an addict come out on top of things!

True love

This was slow to start but was really good once it got going. Wish author had made it two books and told more of their history together. But so worth a credit.

A BREATHTAKING JOURNEY FROM BROKEN TO WHOLE AGAIN

I thought I was ready for this love story.. but I was so very wrong because once I started to listen to this emotionally epic rollercoaster, that is Willow and Stone's heartfelt love story, I just didn't want to stop.. and rarely did. Mandi Beck has written an awesome awesome awesome story about broken hearts, broken dreams, broken promises, the healing power of forgiveness and the joy of second chances.

Stone, the handsome lead singer of Wrecked, was out of control with drugs, drink and groupies and his long suffering long time girlfriend Willow had tried everything to get him to stop his destructive bad behaviour - but nothing had worked. She was a shell of her former self and, after one heartbreaking night too many, Willow finally had to admit defeat so walked away from the love of her life.. because this out of control hurtful junkie was nothing like the boy she had fallen deeply in love with all those years ago. But, as soon as Willow was gone, Stone foggily realized he'd f'ked up and hit the self-destruct button - however it was actually the best thing to happen because that got him admitted into rehab. And, 90 days later, a very different Stone walked out of there - a reformed clean bad boy determined to find, and win back, the love of his life.. no matter what. But if Stone does eventually find Willow he may not like what he sees because Willow has new friends, a new life, a career, a child.. and a man too.

This was such an emotionally gripping dual POV story because you feel for both of them and understand why Stone needs Willow and I respected the fact that he stood his ground, was determined but also gave her her space too. And I also understood that Willow wanted a 'safe' relationship but she learnt that she just couldn't fight the pull of their attraction, their chemistry, their history and the haunting memories of the things that they'd shared. There were sad times, heartbreaking times, a shocking twist, sex, no cheating after Willow left, drama, angst, good secondary characters, humor, great banter, sweet tender heartachily beautiful words and swoon-worthy actions as this pierced, tattooed, sexy, dirty talking, loving Alpha Rocker slowly won back his rhythm, his heart, his soul, his Muse, his music and his girls. And the oh so strong but oh so hurt Willow gave it a damned good try to live her life without Stone.. but once his sincerely sorry crazy ass hit town it was really game over for Willow.. even if she didn't yet know it.

Worth a credit? YES.. it was so well written, very enjoyable, addictive, deep, moving and it was a beautiful love story about making mistakes, learning from them, atonement, forgiveness.. and eventually second chances. Kai and Wen's smooth natural narrating style added reality, depth and brought about that all important human element.

Get lost in something beautiful

I am a huge fan of second chances and angst in romance books. Why?! For me it is what can be so true in everyday life of being in love.

Stone and Willow have past that is ridden with pain, yet they have a connection that is soul deep. This book hits some tough topic. But these topics are very normal for someone in the midst of trying to overcome them. This couple has a beautiful soul and song to tell and every word was perfect.

I can't wait for you to see my VLOG review on my A Day With Ethel YouTube channel.

A love that outlasts it all

I fell in love had my heart chewed to bits and then fell in love again. In life if there's one thing I've learned its that love is the hardest thing you'll ever do in your life. You love hard,fight harder and sometimes you get the shit kicked out of you. This is a definite must read!!!

excellent storyline

The storyline was great and I appreciated the truth behind addiction and rehab but the female narrator was a little too dramatic. He did great, very sexy. she did good when it was normal narrating but when it came time to talk with emotions, it was a little overboard.

Ive been wrecked

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

Wen and Kai brought Willow and Stone to life for me. I loved the print but I loved hearing Wen and Kai preform.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Willow. Willow is this amazingly strong and courageous women. She shows that sometime love is not enough and that we must make the most difficult decisions in our life to eventually have our HEA

What does Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Kai and Wen gave Stone and Willow a voice their performance gave you all the feels that you may miss when reading

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YESSSSS

Stone cold awesome

Stoned was so good but emotionally draining in a good way. If you read/listen to a book to feel a part of it, to be taken away to another world this is the story. There is so many different twists and turns that you don't expect you don't know what's coming. You don't want to put it down this was a great read/ listen. Kai kennicott and wen Ross again keeps you engrossed with their narration. Can't wait for the next books.

Emotionally Charged Rock Star Romance

What did you love best about Stoned?

The brutal honesty and raw emotion. Mandi Beck didn't shy away from the painful subject matter, but rather portrayed it in a thoughtful, realistic, and truthful way. Wen Ross and Kai Kennicott gave amazing performances as Stone and Willow.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I loved Stone and Willow, but Bear really stole the show for me. He brought some much needed humor to the story when things got too heavy and serious. He also had some awesomely hilarious dialogue with Stone and the band. I loved this protective lumbersexual and his wife Cora! ;)

Have you listened to any of Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, I am a huge fan of Kai and Wen! This was one of their best performances because it was so incredibly emotional. I cried and felt the tightness in my chest a lot during this book. Hearing the pain the characters were experiencing was almost too much at times.

Any additional comments?

This book deals with addiction, but also another issue that may be a trigger for some readers/listeners. I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but fair warning that this is not a flowery lighthearted love story. It's a story of redemption, forgiveness, and ultimately unconditional love.