The Imperfections

A Forbidden Romance

By: Sam Mariano

Narrated by: Aaron Shedlock, Ava Lucas

Brantley Morrison is a drinker of whiskey, a solver of problems, and a collector of mutts - the kind of loyal, hardworking guy you want on your side, and you’d best not get on the wrong side of.

Alyssa Walton never meant to find herself on Brant’s bad side and never even met the man until he showed up in her bedroom with a loaded gun and a plan to destroy her.

When Alyssa and Brant collide, his simple problem-solving mission gets a whole lot more complicated. Turns out, Alyssa is nothing like he expected, and she just might be everything he’s ever wanted. Sure, she’s a little afraid of him, but every relationship has its obstacles.

Brant’s never had anyone like Alyssa around, someone loyal and kind who can smoothen over his rough edges like she was born to do it. Alyssa’s never met a man like Brant, either, and while she admires the way he looks out for those he loves, she can’t help wondering, who’s looking out for Brant.

Now, faced with wanting the girl he was never supposed to keep, Brant has to make an impossible choice.

Does he give up the girl who has brought sunshine into his lonely life, or does he hold on tight, even if it might mean letting down the people he’s spent his whole life protecting?

The Imperfections is a full-length stand-alone novel that includes dark and sensitive themes.

©2019 Sam Mariano (P)2020 Sam Mariano

Great book!

I’ve been a Sam Mariano fan for a long time, and this book does not disappoint. Aaron Shedlock does such a perfect job with Brant and Ava Lucas is an awesome Alyssa. I wish Sam Mariano had more audiobooks out but for now this is a good start!

one of the best books I have heard in many years.

an amazing, unforgettable book. I wish this author had more audiobooks. In the meantime, I will read more of this author. If you like dark, sexy reads... Do not pause, purchase and play. You will not regret it.

5 Perfectly Imperfect STARS

Absolutely loved this book! It’s a little forbidden, a little dark and a whole lot of steamy. If you don’t mind flawed characters who may be a little crazy but are loyal to a fault you’ll enjoy this listen. I don’t know what else to say because I don’t want to spoil anything. Just know that Brant is not your typical hero but I still fell in love with him.

Narration was great! Aaron Shedlock was amazing as Brant. Ava Lucas also did a fantastic job!

That was a little different

I’m not quite sure how to review this one. It didn’t feel like Sam Mariano wrote it to be quite frank. Yeah, it had elements I’m used to reading from Sam but just lacked that pizzaz she has that adds a little somethin somethin to her stories. It WAS a good read, just not the usual amazing read.
The concept REALLY gripped me and that’s the part that drew me in! The direction it took was a bit less Alpha and I’m just realizing while I’m writing that THAT is what is missing from this story! The H just wasn’t “Alpha” enough. Not a bad story AT ALL, just not the I don’t give an F attitude I’m used to from Sam where her male leads are concerned. Yes, Brant cared but he was so stoic we didn’t get a ton of emotion outta him. He was pretty laid back, almost seemed to really feel his age and seemed to just flow through life and okay with his place in the world.

Whereas Alyssa was a very ditzy girl who just wanted to please people and put her needs on the back burner, for the most part, and let anyone do anything to her. She did hurt someone in the process which was the only real contradiction I didn’t feel was cleared up with her super caring personality.
If you did the audible version Ava Lucas was awesome as always but I didn’t like Aaron Shedlock, he sounded like a breathy “wise guy” who watched the movie Dick Tracy one too many times. He took me out of the story everytime he read but I did get used to it thankfully! Worth the read as is anything my Sam but not one of my favorites, by a long shot.

Fantastic listen!!

So, this is my first Sam Mariano book, and when I first started listening to it, I was in shock. The taboo, the forbidden had me wondering, do I go on? Of course I do! I want to know more! Alyssa is an 18 year old who has made some bad choices. As a result of these choices, Brant comes into her life. 17 years her senior with a dark past, he isn't there to be friends, but there is a desire he feels that he cannot deny. And now as a result, he has to make a choice. Does he keep her in his life or does he destroy those he loves? At first, I did not like Alyssa. No matter the circumstance, no matter her age, I was totally disenchanted....until I got to know her better. It was a forgiveness that just happened. Then there is Brant. He is all alpha protective, broody yet tender and so confused with his feelings, it was easy to love him, even with his darkness. The secondary characters just add more flavor to the story, letting us hate Theo and feel for Brant's sister. It's a book easily caught up in, making me cringe at times, wonder why people choose the decisions they do, and take me out of my comfort zone. It's all encompassing and the perfect diversion.

Aaron Shedlock and Ava Lucas team up to bring this story to life. A better casting could not have been chosen. Shedlock falls into character as Brant. He adds a element to his voice that gives Brant a thread of darkness. Playing the protector, he has an edginess and truly emulates Brant's personality. Lucas masks her normally sultry voice and gives Alyssa a young innocence with attitude. Her talent amazes me, falling from the young Alyssa to the scorned Bri flawlessly. Their performance enhanced this listen and made me love these characters!

The Imperfections

Brantley and Alyssa are a very unlikely couple, but sometimes fate, luck, trust and the will to live outweigh the odds! This story is fast paced and really hard to put down. Aaron Shedlock nailed the narration. And Ava Lucas did a fantastic job as Alyssa I was not a big fan of her Brantley though. The story was really good and I would highly recommend it!

Oh well

It's weird now. I liked it, but then some parts were unfathomable, so it's a conundrum
The nubile nanny gets sexulaly manipulated by the father of her wards and she falls pregnant.
Here's the thing, she knew he was married, and after multiple times, she's still lying the wife to her face.
That is icky
Secondly she falls pregnant and the man sends his brother in law to "take care" of the problem.
He goes to the dump of a place to kill her. Ends up having sex with her, then taking her home!!
All through their "situationship", the Hero is lying to his sister and brother-in-law, Having regular sex with a pregnant girl half his age, Then finds the solution in marrying her.
Make it make sense.!!
What I liked was that this bizarre scenario was written well. So I DID like it. So you can see my Dilemma!
It's a hotch-potch mess, with baby-daddy coming back to grape the poor girl too.
The end was satisfying in a creepy way.
The heroine was another big irritating factor. Selfish, moronic and very very short.sighted. But I guess dirt poor, 18 year old, pregnant girl has blood rushing to her feet more than her head. And the two cells were busy dreaming up sex positions.
Oh well. Saving grace - narrators aaron shedlock and Ava Lucas
4 stars

Listen to this!!!

Soooooooooo gooooooood enjoy! Excellent performance by both narrators! 10 out of 10 would recommend and give it a re-listen. I <3 Sam Mariano

The Best Emotional Rollercoaster

This book is the best emotional rollercoaster ever. No one can write romance novels featuring two imperfect people whose screwed-up-ness perfectly matches together like Sam Mariano, and this book does not disappoint. Brant and Alyssa are perfect for each other, but circumstances outside their control are keeping them from being together. But when they are together, they have explosive chemistry. I absolutely loved this book and 10/10 would highly recommend it. And the narrators are awesome too. Both of them.

Murderous Romance

If you like a dark romance and can get through the trigger warnings you are in for a good ride! Brantley is all alpha, sexy, possessive and dangerous. Alyssa is innocent and perfectly matched as she loved Brantley for who he is, no hesitation. Add in all the smexcy scenes and it’s perfect! It does have an HEA and perfect epilogue ❤️
Narrators did a good job. I didn’t like the female when she did the male voice but her parts were good. I always prefer a duet narration but this was still a good listen.
⚠️ Spoilers Ahead
I was so annoyed by Brant’s sister Bre. She knew all he would do for her yet still judged him, even when she had the bad taste for men!
Alyssa is innocent and accommodating. I don’t like how she seemed to fall for anyone. She let Theo take her virginity and even started day reading about Dirk possibly being a good guy. You can’t even blame Brantley for being jealous and cautious. Plus when she almost didn’t want to go through with the wedding, I couldn’t believe it! I mean yes Brantley was cold to her but she did lie to him. She knows he can’t stand lying what did she expect!?
Brantley is just dangerous perfection! I love how he has no problem being himself and always steps up for family. Even taking Alyssa’s sister under his wing.