Shalia C

Steam+Great Narration

Revisado: 01-30-25 El oyente recibió este título gratis

The Unplanned Wedding is a take on Beauty and the Beast with a billionaire, a sheltered assistant, and a lot of BDSM steam. Knox is a grumpy CEO who can’t keep an assistant. So when June, who is desperate for a job, ends up as the latest in a line of assistants who has been scared off, she is not deterred. What follows is a push and pull of attraction and angst.

I loved this book. At the beginning, June seemed to be fierce and determined to stay and do a great job. June is drawn toward Knox even when he’s being horrible to her which seems totally off brand and makes her seem like a pushover. The more you read, the more June’s actions begin to make sense as she falls deeper in love with Knox and Knox with June. Knox fights his attraction to June and its in those moments you are reminded that June is fierce and won’t be a doormat even if she submits to Knox in other ways. I loved those moments. I haven’t read much L. Steele and I have clearly been missing out. The book is so much more than a take on a fairytale. I am hooked and I can’t wait to read more in this series.

Duet Narration made the story so much better. These narrators bring Knox and June to life in the best way.

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48 hours of steam, angsts, twists and turns

Revisado: 01-02-25 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Redemption Hills Complete Collection

Give Me A Reason

Eden is a private school teacher in Redemption Hills and she is the daughter of the preacher who runs the school. When her estranged sister comes home for a short time to “make amends” then runs off again but this time with money needed at the school Eden decides to help her dad and the school in any way she can. That means going to work at the local club where she can make a lot of money fast. Club owner Trent takes one look at Eden and sees her goodness and tries to keep her from his darkness. Little to they both know that the pull between them is too strong.

So I wish I could give this book different ratings. I will say I loved the story, the premise and the characters but I found myself wanting to skip some of their inner dialogue. I enjoyed it overall I think because I listened to it on audio. I think if I had been reading it I would have skipped ahead a lot. I loved the background insights into both characters lives and relationships with their siblings. I have to say I wasn’t surprised by the twist but it was a good one even if I did guess it. Loved the story, could stand to be a bit shorter. Definitely opt for the Audio if you can the narrators are great!

Say It’s Forever

Jud Lawson finds a woman, Salem, stranded on the side of the road. She is distrustful but allows him to take he to his place for some reason and she stays because of the storm. They are instantly attracted to each other and Jud wants her. He feels he is too broken to be with anyone and has been pining for the wife that left him with their daughter for years. Salem is also running from her past with a little girl. Lots of angst and protectiveness follows.

In contrast to a lot of the reviews I liked this story. AL Jackson’s writing style is not for everyone but I find the stories farm more enjoyable if I listen on audio. This story much like most of her books has a couple of twists that you may o may not see coming. I liked the way both characters were able to heal a part of each other in a way that made them both stronger people. Overall good story great narration and if you like angsty bad boy reads then this should be added to your TBR.

Never Look Back

Aster and Logan have a complicated history. So when Logan runs into her at a card game with her husband he decides to finally get some revenge and he suggests her as a wager and wins her. What follow is Aster’s decision to finally try to gain her freedom and Logan coming to grips with what happened between them a long time ago. Neither of them really has a clue how much of a rollercoaster they are in for as they get to know each other again and finally break down the walls they have built to protect themselves from each other.

I loved this book. It is probably the most angsty and emotional of all 4 of these books. Logan and Aster’s story is tragic and they each got caught up in the designs of others and a series of tragic events drives them apart. You might want to check the trigger warnings. If you like a good enemies to lovers second chance with high spice and all the feels as two people find their way back to each other this book is for you. The narrators really brought this story to life.


Promise Me Always

Tessa is finally breaking up with her boyfriend after emotional abuse that has lead to physical abuse. After a confrontation at the club, Milo finds Tessa outside not knowing what to do because she can’t go home and her world is falling apart. Milo is a bouncer at the club but doesn’t feel he has ever been worthy of Tessa even though they have shared an attraction since they met. He is dealing with guilt over the death of his wife and trying desperately to get custody of his kids back from his in-laws. While Tessa is trying to make a break from her abusive ex, Milo’s past might be back to haunt him.

I loved Tessa and Milo’s story. It was much different than I expected and there were several twists and turns I didn’t expect. I loved how Tessa wanted to immediately step in to help Milo get his kids back and worked hard to see the good in Milo even when he didn’t see it himself. I loved a lot about this book. It was a little slower than the previous 3 but still a good story and made better by the narration.

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Billionaire Fights Pull of his Younger Assistant

Revisado: 10-30-24

Max Sutton is a Alphahole for sure. He comes back after a sabbatical to resume his spot as one of the heads of his family marketing company to find his ultimate temptation… Summer Madison. They have an awkward first meeting made worse by the fact that Max is fighting his instant attraction to Summer hard. When he starts making new company policies and meddling in her life by popping up at her dates, he knows he has lost it, but he can’t stop himself. When he finally gives in to his attraction, there is no going back.

Summer and Max are hilarious and once they finally get it together they are full on couple goals. Max is the ultimate OTT alpha male and once he falls he falls hard and in typical alpha fashion he doesn’t take no for an answer. He is ultra possessive even before he admits to himself that he wants her. They have some cringy interactions that make Summer want to slap him, which she eventually does. Max and Summer’s chemistry is explosive and the steam in this book is next level. Even better, the supportive characters are amazing and Book 2 with David and Delaney is also a must read (coming soon to audio).

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Fake Engagement Agreement, Slow Burn, Great HEA

Revisado: 10-11-24

While on the surface this seems like a typical fake engagement read, it is so much more. Leo and Jules both carry some heavy baggage. Leo, despite his success, continues to feel like he is not enough and Jules is dealing with some extreme abandonment issues stemming from her relationship with her dad. This story was a slow burn but it was so satisfying to see Leo and Jules stumble into a relationship. I loved how they slowly let their walls down. This was my first book by Louise Bay but ti won’t by my last. I really enjoyed this story and Leo and Jules are everything! The narrators were fantastic. They meshed well together and made the story more interesting. Loved this audio and this story. Can't wait for the next story

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Kennedy meets meets her match with Dae

Revisado: 10-09-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

This is a slow burn romance in the Townsend legacy series. A chance meeting at a crucial time, changes the direction of Dae’s life. 10 years ago, Dae has given up and is being beaten in an alley, he comes face to face with Kennedy who’s determination to save him even at a young age leaves an impression. In present day, when Dae has made himself into a person he thinks is deserving of Kennedy, their paths cross in an unlikely way and Dae decides now is the time to claim is girl.

This was a fantastic listen. If you are fan of Tiffany Patterson, it has elements of what makes her story telling great. Couple that will some fantastic narration that really brings these characters to life. If you read the book previously, you will be happy to know that the audio enhances the story. I loved the story, the narration is great and Kennedy and Dae are couples goals.

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Fake Engagement/Suspense/Great Narration

Revisado: 08-07-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Kaya Reynolds and Jasper Saint have an unexpected meeting that leads to an attraction and a fake engagement. Saint is a member of the Gentlemen Rogues, a secret spy agency that takes on special missions and is made up of a group of actual Billionaires so their cover is more believable. Kaya is a college student whose mother went missing more than 5 years ago and she has been looking for her ever since. She finally has a lead and goes about investigating on her own when she runs into Saint and his mission and her curiosity collide. They have a few more run ins before Kaya becomes someone the Rouges want to protect. Saint is drawn to Kaya but tries to deny his feelings. When her life is in danger he decides the best way to protect her is to stage a fake engagement.

I listened to this book on Audio, it was the first book I have read in this series and only my second Nana Malone book. I now want to go back and read book 1. This book worked well as a stand alone and I loved both narrators. Great book, great listen, lots of steam and just the right amount of suspense to keep you listening/reading. I loved it.

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Great Book, Great Listen

Revisado: 07-01-24

This is officially my favorite of the series. This is Roan's story. If you have read the previous books you know that Roan is closed off and the least talkative of the siblings. He keeps to himself but he sees everything. So when Roan meets Aspen he knows something is up. Aspen has been a bit of a mystery since the early books in this series. She's a friend but often avoids questions of her past and doesn't get too close. You also meet her cute daughter Katie, who Roan starts to affectionately call "tiny dancer" and is best friends with Charlie, Roan's nephew. Aspen has secrets that she is desparetly trying to keep hidden, but Roan breaks down her walls.

I loved this book. It is my favorite in the series. It has some interesting twists and its a very believable story. I love all of Catherince Cowles books but this one is a stand out. Even more swoony than Roan and Aspen's relationship is Roan's and Katie's relationship. I have not read a more heartfelt stand in dad relationship than Roan and his "tiny dancer". Its probably the main reason I keep reading this bookk over and over again. Definately check out the entire series, but this is definately my favorite hands down. I have listened to this entire series on audio and the narrators do a great job of bringing these characters to life.

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Fantastic Conclusion to Enzo and Aurora's Story

Revisado: 05-24-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Light SPOILERS Included for Fallen Raven Book 1.

This book opens with Aurora and Enzo meeting in a chance encounter where Aurora is being sold at a submissive auction. It’s 10 years after the events at the end of book 1 and Enzo is now the head of his family but has spent years mourning the death of “Aurora” and chasing down her “killer.” Enzo is definitely shocked to see ghost Aurora and he in fact does think she is straight out of his dreams. He is angry and so shocked that she is purchased by someone else. That will not stand and Enzo buys her contract set on getting to the bottom of where she has been for the past decade and more importantly making her pay for tormenting him all these years.

This book is very topsy turvy and twisty, there are lot of references to previous books so there are spoilers to the previous duets, but more importantly you get bits and pieces of exactly what has happened in the past 10 years and both Enzo and Aurora’s life apart. You also finally get the whole sorted tale unraveled and you get to the heart of why Enzo and Aurora were kept apart and eventually all the players involved in their lives and their motivations.

I loved how this book turned out, it was unpredictable in a lot of ways. It also kept me fully engaged and I wanted to keep reading so I could get it all figured out. This duet was definitely worth the read if you like a mystery within a mystery with a Second Chance Romance with a dark edge. Fantastic conclusion to the epic love story of Enzo and Aurora.

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Hogwarts Meets Gossip Girl Meets Mafia

Revisado: 05-24-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

This book is the story of Aurora, who is suddenly moved from all she’s know in Las Vegas to New York with her family (Father, Mother, Twin Younger Brothers). Aurora’s life was not great in Vegas and her father constantly got them into trouble but it was a life she was used to. Being sudden thrust into a world she doesn’t understand surrounded by people she doesn’t really trust is a shock. Little does she know that when finds out about what her parents have gotten her into, she is shocked that there exists a world she didn’t know exist in the form of the Society which is made up of 5 mafia crime families. Because Mafia sons and daughters have to attend school they do so at the elite high school that is spit into the 5 mafia houses. There she meets the Royals - they are all next in line in the mafia hierarchy. One of the Royals is Enzo. He has problems of his own but is for some reason drawn to the innocent Aurora. Despite their desires both her parents and the Society has an agenda that will not allow them to be together. They vow to move forward TOGETHER no matter the cost.

Fallen Raven is high drama, high glitz, and high suspense. There is a story behind the story that you see unravel right along with the characters discoveries. This is a true romantic suspense set in high school. Despite their behavior, at the heart of this book is the decisions teenagers make when they are brought up in an adult world with absentee parents. It is an entertaining read/listen and I was excited to dive into book 2 to see what happened net. Cliffhangers abound so definitely grab both books in the duet at the same time. Trust me you will want to dive right into book 2.

I did not read the previous 4 books (2 Duets) in this series before reading the Fallen Raven Duet. Fallen Raven can be read as a stand alone Duet without feeling like you are left out (Note: There will of course be spoilers for the other books in book 2 of this duet). This book does end in a bit of a cliffhanger, it has an ending but it’s more like a first act ending.

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Great Story, not great narration

Revisado: 12-08-23

Fantastic story. First time listening this author and I’m hooked and plan to read more of this series. Key word is read. The narration is terrible. There is no real distinction between male and female characters. Still worth the credit for the story but here’s hoping the next book does dual narration or chooses someone who can do better distinction between multiple characters.

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