OYENTE

Karen Desira

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Emotional Read

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 02-12-25

Deadly Illusion by Kathy Lockheart is an emotional read with themes of domestic abuse, resilience, and unexpected love. The story follows Jenna, a woman trapped in an abusive relationship, whose life takes a turn when she meets Damian, an MMA fighter with his own dark past. As Jenna’s abuser becomes more dangerous, putting not only her but also those she loves at risk, Damian steps in to protect her, offering her strength and support, even as he battles his own demons.

Lockheart portrays the complexities of abusive relationships in a way that feels both raw and heart-wrenching. Toward the end, a shocking twist adds a tragic element to the story. While the turn of events is unexpected and dramatic, it still captures the harsh realities of domestic violence and its devastating consequences. This story is not only an emotional read, but also sheds light on the impact of abuse and the immense strength it takes to break free.

Sarah Puckett and Michael Norman Johnson deliver a fantastic audiobook performance, bringing all the characters to life. Their narration captures Jenna and Damian’s struggles, making the tension, fear, and resilience feel even more real.

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Small town must read mfm!

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 01-18-25

While this is not the first BDSM book I've read (or listened to), the topic is still very new to me. Lexi Blake does a fantastic job of breaking down the subject, so it gives us readers a better understanding of how that world works.

In The Accidental Siren, Nicole arrives in Willow Fork with secrets she’s desperate to keep. On the run from a dangerous past, she hopes to disappear quietly, but she quickly catches the attention of Joshua and Grim. Joshua, the charming heir to a multimillion-dollar company, and Grim, a veterinarian with a troubled history, are drawn to her and try to keep her in town. Introducing her to their world and their family, they work to uncover her secrets, not only to protect her but also to ensure she stays.

I love that Joshua and Grim never turn on each other when it comes to Nicole. Despite both being doms, it’s clear that Joshua is fiercely protective of Grim, willing to set aside his own happiness to ensure that Grim finds his. The bond they share is definitely one of the story's highlights, showing the depth of their loyalty and care.

The only downside for me was adjusting to the third-person POV. With the audiobook narrated by three different narrators, I found myself occasionally confused about who was narrating Joshua and Grim’s parts, though the distinct voices did help differentiate them.

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Fantastic Hockey Romance!

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 05-06-24

This is the second book in the 'Holt Hockey' series. It can be read as a standalone. Judging by this book, I'm sure the first one was just as fantastic, and I definitely plan to read it!

Rylan Keller dreads starting a new semester at a different school, especially with her dad as the head coach of the hockey team no less. To help her fit in and make friends, her dad asks her to tutor one of the hockey players.

Enter Aidan Phillips, a smart yet carefree and somewhat reckless hockey player with quite the reputation. With his sights set on a championship, he has no choice but to accept tutoring from his coach's daughter.

Their first lessons turns into quite the surprise when they are both recognise each other from an unforgettable night not long ago. Despite Rylan's determination to focus on school and ignore their undeniable chemistry, she can't help but have fun whenever she's around Aidan.

This is a slow-burn story, allowing both characters time to undergo personal growth and bring out the best in each other. If you enjoy audiobooks, I highly recommend listening to the version narrated by Connor Crais and Erin Mallon. With a runtime of just over 10 hours, the fast pace of the story will have you breezing through the audiobook. Overall, iif you're in your hockey romance era, you have to pick up this series!

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One of the best audiobooks!!

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 03-19-24

This is the third book in the 'Brutal Billionaires' series, but it can be read as a standalone. The Sebastian family is extensive, with numerous brothers and cousins mentioned throughout, but they can be easily distinguished, even for readers like myself who haven't yet read the preceding books (though I highly recommend doing so!).

Riah is dating billionaire Hunter Sebastian, who is essential in helping her rise to fame. However, his reputation as a womanizer proves to be accurate when she catches him cheating. Despite this, they choose to maintain the facade of their relationship to preserve Hunter's wholesome image in front of the board while assisting Riah in reaching stardom through his connections. With their relationship almost always functioning as more of a business arrangement, it's unsurprising that Alex, Hunter's brother, manages to capture Riah's attention.

Initially, Alex appears to make Riah's life unbearable as her brand manager. But Riah soon realizes that his methods are exactly what she needs. Alex and Hunter have opposing views on Riah's public image. While Hunter leans towards a conservative appearance and discourages provocative dancing, Alex advocates for authenticity and empowerment. He encourages Riah to embrace her true self, dressing in a way that empowers her and reflects the themes of her songs.

While I wouldn't say this is a love triangle, there are times when both men vie for Riah's attention. However, it's evident from the start with whom Riah shares a genuine connection. There is a lot of tension between Riah and Alex, and while there were times when Alex's treatment of her left much to be desired, his underlying intentions quickly become apparent. By the end, the once brutal billionaire transforms into the perfect partner for Riah. Hunter may not come out as a fan favorite in this story, but I'm sure he will redeem himself when he gets his own story!

The audiobook version was phenomenal! The cast of four narrators was exceptionally well-suited for their roles. Elena Wolfe's portrayal of Riah was impressive, capturing her range of emotions flawlessly - from happiness to anger to frustration - along with her singing moments. J.F. Harding embodied Hunter's laid-back demeanor, while Robert Hatcher exuded Alex's arrogance and dominance to perfection. Sarah Pederson brought Whitney, Riah's younger sister, to life with her youthful voice. Overall, you could not have asked for a more impeccably chosen cast.

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Loved it!!

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 03-16-24

Well, this book turned out to be quite unexpected. Despite the hints in the blurb about a dom/sub relationship, they flew right over my head, and I was surprised to discover that it wasn't your typical romcom. However, I must clarify that I wasn't disappointed!

Gaby has dutifully played the role of Cal's submissive for three years, longing for something more meaningful in their relationship. But when Cal is unwilling to stray from their contract, Gaby is left with no choice but to walk away.

Months later, Cal encounters Gaby for the first time since their breakup. She looks different, and it turns out that she had been keeping a secret from him. As Cal learns about her secret, he starts to pursue her in the hopes that they rekindle their relationship under the same terms. Only this time, Gaby refuses to give in to his demands unless he acknowledges his true feelings for her.

Despite being a novella, it really packed a punch. Sufficient time was given for the characters to evolve, allowing their relationship to develop into something beautiful. The inclusion of light BDSM added an extra layer of spice, which only further enhanced the chemistry between them.

As for the audiobook, this wasn't my first encounter with Sebastian York's narration. Even if I had opted to read the book instead of listening to the audiobook, I would have still envisioned Cal with his voice. His gruff voice perfectly represents the character of a Master in a sub/dom relationship.

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Another five star read in this series!

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 01-12-24

This book differs from the others in the series by going into a somewhat taboo theme, yet maintains the villain aspect. Inspired by 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame', the story follows Father Cade Frédéric, a devout holy man burdened by childhood trauma, who takes it upon himself to rid the world of evil. When he is relocated from Paris to Festivalé, Vermont, he frequents a strip club to uncover any evil lurking about. There, he encounters Esmeralda, a beautiful exotic dancer. Captivated by her alluring movements, he designates her as his next target, leading him to an unexpected obsession. He soon discovers her real name is Amaya Paquette, and starts to stalk her relentlessly.

Amaya, deemed a witch by Festivalé residents, faces one hurdle after the next. She finds comfort in her relationship with Father Cade, and as their connection grows, the temptation starts to escalate. Father Cade struggles with the conflict between his priestly duties and growing feelings for Amaya, attempting to distance himself from her, yet the pull towards her persists, and ultimately prevails.

Just like the previous books in the series, I opted for the audiobook format, this time narrated by Ellory Lane and Elliot Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick skillfully captures Cade's French accent, ans his occasional French dialogue comes across as authentic. Ellory Lane delivers an excellent portrayal of Amaya. Her rendition of a male voice, mostly Cade's, is also done really well, along with his French accent.

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Love this series!

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 01-03-24

Just when I thought nothing could beat Cade Eaton, in swoops Jasper Gervais to steal the title of the Ultimate Book Boyfriend for the Chestnut Springs series!

Jasper and Sloane have known each other for almost two decades, and she has been crushing on him since their first encounter all those years ago. She had always assumed her feelings for him would go unreciprocated. But after running out of her wedding with his help, they become even closer, and Sloane realises he might actually be looking at her differently! They end up on a roadtrip together, emotions emerge, and things finally take off for their relationship.

Elsie has created the perfect world of small town romances, wide a wide array of characters. In this particular book, two broken souls fit perfectly together like pieces of a puzzle. Jasper, burdened by self-loathing, believes he'll never be good enough for her, while Sloane, strung like a puppet doing her father's bidding, discovers the courage to finally break free.

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A great Aladdin retelling!

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 01-03-24

Another outstanding addition to the series, featuring meticulously chosen narrators for each audiobook. Marcio Catalano's portrayal of Julian's Italian heritage is seamless, especially when Julian speaks Italian. Meanwhile, Sandi Hunts adopts an accent that brings Yasmin's Middle Eastern descent to life.

Yasmin Karam, the heiress to the Sultan Diamond Company, faces an unexpected dilemma. As Ali Karam's only daughter, his dying wish is for her to marry someone who will manage the company for her. Enter Julian Faraci, Ali's right-hand man, who sees this as an opportunity to control the Sultan empire by marrying Yasmin. However, Yasmin is in love with Aidan, whose social status as a servant's son prevents her father's approval. Julian manipulates Yasmin into sending Aidan on an impossible quest for a jewel-encrusted gold lamp to win her father's favour. Seizing the opportunity, Julian persuades Yasmin into a marriage until Aidan's return.

Thus ensues an arranged marriage between Yasmin and Julian, bridging an age gap (23F, 36M), and transforming their relationship from enemies to lovers. While I do not remember much of the Aladdin movie, McIntire definitely weaves in elements of the classic tale into this story.

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Not quite a retelling, but a great mafia story

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 01-01-24

I wasn't familiar with 'The Wizard of Oz', so I struggled to connect with the characters, unlike in the previous books in the series. This felt more like a mafia story than a retelling.

Nonetheless, it was a great story. Nick is sent to work as an undercover agent to infiltrate the Westerly family and uncover their drug supplier. Before his assignment, he goes to a bar and has a one-night stand with Evelina. Upon arriving for the job, he's shocked to find her as the youngest daughter of the Westerlys. He finds himself in a predicament, torn between developing feelings for her and grappling with the harsh reality of her wretched and violent behaviour that comes with being part of the Westerly family.

I was not sure where Evelina and Nick's relationship was heading, but I was pleased to see Evelina still got her revenge in the end, and both she and Nick got their happily ever after.

Once again, the narrators, Vivian Bradford and Robert Hatchet, delivered exceptional performances. Vivian's voice, low and husky, portrayed Evelina's character perfectly, while Robert's voice portrayed Nick's tone impeccably, especially during moments of seduction or panic throughout the story.

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Loved this!

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 01-01-24

Emily McIntire works wonders with this series. I love how she portrays villains without redemption, yet their perspectives remain compelling, revealing complexities beyond the initial impressions.

Sara Beatreaux, fueled by the belief that King Michael is responsible for her father's death, seizes an opportunity to marry him for revenge. That is until she meets the King's brother, Prince Tristan, blurring the lines between animosity and desire until she's uncertain whom to trust anymore.

I absolutely loved this and couldn't stop listening to the audiobook. Ella Lynch, the female narrator, did an amazing job at bringing Lady Sara Beatreaux to life, while Paul Woodson, the male narrator, embodied Prince Tristan astonishingly well. His voice, mirroring what I'd imagine Tristan's to be - erotic, almost purring - perfectly matched Tristan's persona.

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