The Love of My Next Life

Next Life Duet, Book 1

By: Brit Benson

Narrated by: JF Harding, Lidia Dornet

I calmed his demons. He created mine.

Macon Davis. My best friend’s brother. My tormentor. My least favorite person. Pothead. Delinquent. A careless, directionless loser.

That’s what I used to believe, but I didn’t really know him. And when I finally saw him, it was the best and worst thing to ever happen to me.

We burned hot and fast. Passion. Anger. Love. Pain. We were reckless. Naive. We were doomed from the start.

When I finally saw Macon Davis for who he was, we both went down in the flames.

***

The Love of My Next Life is part one of a duet. It is just as much a love story as it is a tale of ruin. While the duet will end in an HEA, book one does not.

©2022 Brit Benson Books (P)2025 Brit Benson Books

“Isn’t that how all the best love stories play out? It’s not love if it doesn’t hurt first.”

I'm gonna start by saying that I am so glad that I don't have to wait to listen to the rest of Lennon and Macon's story. This book was definitely a rollercoaster of emotions, and I loved every second of it.

Lennon and Macon both battle their own set of demons. Demons that their friends and family know nothing about. And I must say that Brit Benson did a fantastic job at bringing these battles to paper. Not only that, but JF Harding and Lidia Dornet were absolutely amazing in their performance.

I love the way that both MCs bring out a different side of each other and how this other side, depending on who you ask, could be considered the best or worst side of them. I personally loved how Lennon pushed back every time Macon riled her up and how we got to see how vulnerable Macon truly was, but when Lennon was involved.

Also, I don't think I've ever been angrier at a side character... I won't say anything else on that cause I'm looking forward to her story, lol.

Quote: “Every single second my hands aren’t on her is a wasted lifetime. Every minute I’m not kissing her is a silent, painful death.”

An Emotional Read

Brit Benson never disappoints me. I listened to this book in two days. It was so fast paced and I just kept wanting to know more. I love a good best friends brother story. Although in this book I did not like the best friend. Lennon deserved so much better. Macon wasn’t any better at times playing with her feelings but there were scenes in his POV that show how much he cares for her, he’s just not in the right mindset to show her real love. The cliffhanger at the end got me good and I can’t wait for book two.

Listening to this book was an emotional rollercoaster. I have never hard JF Harding or Lidia Dornet. Both told the story with such emotion you could feel the scenes especially where the Lennon was going through the unthinkable. She really went above and beyond to show it in her voice. I felt the same about JF Harding. Both narrators took each character and made them jump off the page.

I highly recommend this book.

5 star

this was a beautiful narration. well done. the guy did the guy parts and the girl did the girl parts. I finished this thing in one day. I couldn't get enough. ugh. my heart hurts in the bestway

My ears are on fire!!

W O W!! JF Harding you slayed Macon Davis, your voice gave me goosebumps and I’m ready to listen to everything you narrate from this point forward! A thousand thumbs up 👍🏻. And Lidia Dornet voice was pure gold when it came to narrating push over , Lennon Capri Washington. I loved these two characters and their narrators and now a true fan! I need more!

Audio is impeccable

I finished this in one day. I started and couldn't stop. The narrators are amazing. Top notch! Story is great. A lot of emotion, connection between the characters! I love it. Can't wait to start the next one tomorrow.

Ahhmazing

** Audio Review **

OVERALL: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟💫- All the Stars
•Storyline: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
▪︎Spice Level:  🌶🌶/ 5
•Narration: Duet Style- 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧👏/5 -JF Harding & Lidia Dornet
•Swoon level:🫠🫠🫠/5
•Bookshelf Worthy: 📚📚📚📚📚/5
•Platform: Audio and E-book
•Recommend: Yes!!!
▪︎Re-read/re-listen: Yes!!! Most definitely
•Trope: Enimies to lovers. Opposites attract.

Check your trigger warnings.

• Thoughts:
Have you ever read a story that has captured your whole heart, mind, body, and soul? This is one of those books! It was everything, I was so captivated and so in love with the heart, feelings, and words the author laid out in front of us. This book was so well done. We meet Lennon and Macon when they are elementary age and into their last year of high school. The level of understanding they have for one another, the type of love where their souls recognize each other. These stories are the ones that stay with me for a lifetime. I don't think this couple will ever leave me. I was so deeply touched and have the book hangover to prove it. Lol. This is a review where I will tell you after you verify this book won't trigger you. You need to read it. My words will not do this book justice. I wish I could write a review to do this book justice. Just read it.

•Narrator thoughts:
JF Harding and Lidia Dornet were 100 percent pure perfection!!! I loved their performance. I love them! These two narrators are incredible, and they brought Lennon and Macon to life. Fantastic job!!!

Amazing Start To This Duet!

I read The Love of My Next Life when it first came out so I thought I was prepared to listen to the audio book. But again I was completely blown away by this story. The audio version just brought it more to life and therefore made me more invested. Narrators Lidia Dornet & JF Harding did an amazing job as Macon & Lennon and I couldn't have loved it more!

If you haven't met Macon & Lennon yet what are you waiting for?!

Loved it!!

You know what they say about little boys that tease little girls…well, that is the story of Macon & Lennon’s entire relationship. As they get older, Lennon starts to see a different side to Mason. While Macon struggles with his demons, Lennon seems to be the other thing that soothes him. The angst in this book had my chest aching. I missed that feeling. Thank you Ms. Benson for bringing that feeling back. I am doing a marathon sprint of this series and the book I missed in the Hometown Heartless series before For Wrath & Redemption releases in less than 10 days. I am so happy this series is complete because after that ending, I would have been going insane waiting for the next one to release.

I am completely heartbroken

I think it’s best to prepare yourself.
The story is as beautifully written as it is devastating. It’s a page-turner, and I’m relieved that the second book is available because I couldn’t stand that cliffhanger.

Tropes:
Childhood enemies to lovers
High school
Nice girl/trouble boy
Multi faceted characters

Content warning:
Drug use
Drug abuse (OD on page)
Bullying
Suicide

Macon and Lennon’s story is filled with angst, passion, and toxicity. It’s the kind of book that frustrates you, breaks your heart, and keeps you hooked until the very end.

No one is entirely right, and no one is entirely to blame—except maybe Claire and Macon’s father. Every character, both main and side, exists in a morally grey area.

See you in the next life…

Second chance to get it right!

Macon and Lennon were childhood enemies. From the moment she showed up in elementary school, they clashed like no other. She was his sister's best friend. And then plot twist... and another plot twist... and yet another plot twist. The tension, the angst, the banter... all of it came through in living color with narrators Lidia Dornet and JF Harding. The personalities and emotions were palpable through their voices. I can't wait to dive into book 2.

I received an advance copy of the audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this review.