Great Dark Listen

I enjoyed this narrator and this story. Both together make one delicious audiobook. It will be put on my list for relisten. This one is not and will never be for everyone it’s very dark and may contain abuse triggers.
I received a free copy of this and am voluntarily reviewing it.

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This kept me on the edge of my seat

I read Don't by Jack L Pyke a couple of years ago and loved it. I gave it a five star rating on Goodreads.
When I was offered a free copy of the story in audio I jumped at the chance. I listen to audiobooks when driving long distance and I was really sorry when I had to get out of the car. The story was as good as I remembered and it kept me on the edge of my seat. The narration by Dan Calley was perfect for both this book and the subject matter.
Highly recommended.

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Speechless!

I loved this book and couldn't stop listening. Made my head spin in all the right ways.

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Breathtaking

Absolutely loved this book and really looking forward to hearing more in the series.
The story kept my attention all the way through and the twists and turns in the plot kept me guessing right to the end.
The sex is unapologetic, rough and raw...just as it should be. It is also very exciting and erotic and evocative.
Dan Calley, the narrator, does an incredible job. His depiction of the various characters is spot on and his accents are amazing.
I can't rate this highly enough and eagerly await the next book.

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Dan Calley brings these characters to life!

This series, which absolutely must be read in order, is at the top of my favorites list and has been there from day one. It is rare that I reread books, but I did not hesitate to do so here when they were re-released, and it was like falling in love all over again. 

It is everything I love in a story, though it for sure won’t be for everyone. It is a psychological thriller with a side of BDSM and love (and a tiny bit of romance if you pay attention to see it). The characters are extremely layered and complex, each one in a different way. This is not the typical any kind of story, i.e. not the typical BDSM, Menage, etc. Jack and Gray share a long history, and to say their relationship is a complicated one would be an understatement. Their relationship works in a way that each of them needs, but it isn’t until Jan comes into Jack’s life that it all comes together. It is like Jack and Gray are stitched loosely together – secure but somewhat separated – and Jan is the one who tightens the string – closes the gap and fills in the empty space between each of them. There is mystery and communication issues, and Jack doesn’t find love and magically his issues are all cleared up and he is cured. They are human, and they learn the best ways to deal.

As for the audio aspects of this – Dan Calley is a new narrator for me. Given my love for these guys and this story, I was extremely hesitant to take the chance that I would be disappointed or that it would somehow change my feelings. I should not have worried though. I should have trusted that Ms. Pyke would do nothing less than find the perfect voice for her men. Mr. Calley brings these guys to life in spectacular fashion. Each and every character has a distinct voice leaving no doubt as to who is talking. He manages to capture the nuances of each, and I found myself waiting for him to trip up or disappoint in one area or another. I was waiting for that first “mukka” from Jack, and Gray’s “stunner.” Would they elicit the same emotions from me? Would he be able to convey the depth of feelings between Jack and Gray? How about how Jack falls for Jan – a vanilla guy totally on the outside of Jack’s world – or how it is that very reason Jack is able to fall for him? Will he show how Jan is so easily captivated by Jack, or more importantly, the effect Gray has on Jack and eventually Jan as well? Yes, yes, yes he can and yes he does, and I never wanted it to end. Mr. Calley brings us this story with such ease and comfort that it was difficult to not picture him as having a piece of each character in him as well. I know I won’t hesitate to grab another story if he is at the wheel, not doubting he will take me on another fabulous ride.

Fair warning though – these characters are British and Welsh and who knows what else. So, if you have trouble with accents, you might have to backtrack here and there to really catch some things. I found that it helped me to already know the story which may have contributed to my overall enjoyment of the audio. For these guys to have sounded any different would not have rang true, so I highly recommend you read the book if you find you are having any trouble listening

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Takes psychological thriller to a new level

This book is a true mind mess. In every sense of the word.

And I loved it.

When I saw the tag a ‘Gay BDSM thriller’, I was intrigued and I snapped up the book when I had the chance. I went in blind – as in I didn’t even read the synopsis. I was glad I didn’t because it meant I was unprepared for each twist and turn. And there were a lot of both. Every time I thought I had an understanding of the characters, something would change and I’d be standing on quick sand, trying to get my bearings. Each time I thought I understood where the plot was heading, something would come along and throw all those ideas out the window. I loved that.

This book is a psychological thriller. So much of the book takes place in characters’ minds. Jack is the central protagonist and his mind is a dark place. He’s got ODD – oppositional defiance disorder. If you tell him not to do something he’ll do it. (Sound like some children you know…or maybe an adult or two?) He owns a garage and makes a decent living but it’s what he does in his spare time that is so dangerous. Only when his extracurricular activities start to impinge on his work does he begin to think maybe there’s a problem.

There are two men in Jack’s life – both very different and yet united in their desire to see Jack happy and healthy. Not an easy feat by any stretch of the imagination. Jan is a gentle soul who sees his only way into Jack’s life as from a position of force. Not violence, just force. Gray, on the other hand, has known Jack for more than ten years and therefore believes he has a good grasp on Jack’s psyche and his problems. As the book progresses and their twisted relationship unravels things aren’t so clear.

Not for the faint of heart, this book challenges the understanding of what a healthy relationship should look like and what love means. I was satisfied at the end but wow, what a ride.

Dan Calley is a new narrator to me and one I won’t hesitate to listen to again. The story takes place in England and Dan’s accent is perfect. He also has a very deep voice that works with these characters although he is able to vary the pitch according to the age of the secondary characters.

If you’re looking for a mind mess, this is the book for you. Be warned, though, because you won’t want to put it down. So don’t…

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Gripping story- fresh, intelligent look at BDSM

I am not in the scene, but this seems like a great portrayal of it. The actual sex and Scene took a back seat to respect, communication and trust. The main character has a personality disorder that I knew very little about and when you learn it, it brings some of the more confusing things together. This happens early enough in the book that I wasn't distracted with my own questions about what was happening. There are a lot of moving parts and history, which I appreciated because sometimes stories are too in the present without regard to how the past informs and influences our choices. I was just enthralled and listened whenever possible. The actor giving voice to the story was incredibly talented and I am going to have to search out anything else he has done. Now I wish the rest of the series was in audible, but I just have to read the books instead! highly recommend

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Extraordinary

Superbly written book and fantastic narration by Dan Calley. He brought the characters to life

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Who What Where When How? Huh?

Mel’s Blue Rose review:
Genre: M/M, BDSM, Fiction
Was it interesting? Yes
Strengths: Keeps you guessing
Weaknesses: Disorientating
Blue Roses: 3.5, leaning towards 4

What in the ever fucking hell?

This was an absolute waste of time for me. I don't know what the author tried. Surely, someone else will find this intriguing, but not me. No, I was not fooled at all. I see this thriller as a sick fail. It was in plain words a stupid attempt to mind fuck the reader. I’m still disorientated. Maybe I was mind fucked, but still don’t know it. I have listened to this audiobook for 12 agonising hours.
As soon as I thought “OK, this is the direction we go, come on everybody follow me I know the way out of this cesspool of BDSM weird ass trickery.

Many times I wanted to jump up and throw my earbuds away forever. Far away. With two hours left to go I gave up, I surrendered and floated to the end with the hope something making sense to me. I mean other reviewers promised me treat like no other.
In the end I was disappointed, thinking something sensible will happen, I will find my way out of this maze and maybe find a HEA with some substance.

But once again, after I turned the last corner in my mind's maze, there is more fucking and cock teasing before we swing another 180°.

I gave this audiobook 3.5 Blue Roses. I do recommend listening to this if you need a good mind fuck. It leaves you dizzy in the end with no satisfaction. Don’t expect any warm or fuzzy feelings after this. You will end up needing a hard and fast one after this one to recover.

The narrator is new to me. I had some trouble at time distinguishing between characters. I listened at 1.5 speed to make the cadence bearble. He was OK, not the best, nor the worst I had to listen to.

Happy listening.

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Edge of my seat.

Now in the beginning of this story I was like what is going on. However as the story continue I just couldn't stop. So much is going on in the story and I was just at the edge of my seat. Now Dan Calley is a new narrated to me and I think he did a great job in bring this story to life. He definitely put me at the edge of my seat even more with just listening to this story.

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5 people found this helpful