Audiobook Review: Stepbrother Dearest by Penelope Ward, Narrated by Simone Lewis

I'd forgotten how much I loved Elec and Greta's story until I listened to the audiobook. I had been itching for a reread and this was the perfect way for me to fit it into my schedule. Not only did I get to enjoy Penelope Ward's amazing story, but I also got to hear narration by Simone Lewis for the first time. She was a great choice for this story and I look forward to more from her in the future. 

Being forced to stay with his father, Elec is not looking forward to being around his new stepmother and stepsister. He sets out to punish all of them and does what he can to irritate Greta, his stepsister. But Greta and Elec find themselves drawn to one another despite their circumstances. They spend one forbidden night together before Elec heads back home to California. Years go by without contact, but when tragedy strikes they are reunited and soon realize that things between them are far from over. 

Elec and Greta are characters that have so much chemistry and connection between them, that nothing else matters. They shouldn't work, and yet not only do the, but they are so undeniable that you can't help but fall right along with them. I love that time and distance couldn't touch their feelings and that Greta wouldn't let Elec push her away though he did try at times. I thought that Simone Lewis did a great job of bringing these characters to life in a way that wasn't possible simply by reading their story.

I still have a few issues with the story itself that keep this one from being a perfect book for me. But I do love this story and the characters despite the few criticisms I had. I really enjoyed experiencing this story in a whole new way and I definitely recommend this book in any form. Penelope Ward is a great writer and I think that Simone Lewis was a great choice to give these characters and story life. I look forward to more from both Penelope Ward and Simone Lewis in the future.

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Audiobook Review: Gemini by Penelope Ward, Narrated by Eric Michael Summerer and Therese Plummer

I can't believe I am just now getting to the first books in Penelope Ward's Gemini series, and I probably went about this whole thing the wrong way. While each book is a standalone story and can be read out of order, I have learned so much about characters after going back and reading the books in which they were first introduced. I started with Jake's story and then read Skylar's, just now getting to Gemini. The one thing I can tell you is that regardless of the order I have experienced them in, I absolutely adore this world that Penelope Ward has created and I love each of these characters so much! 

Eric Michael Summerer and Therese Plummer did such a great job of bringing both Cedric and Allison alive in their interpretation of Gemini, and I could not stop listening as they told this beautiful story. Allison is a waitress working at the Stardust diner while hoping to one day get back to school to fulfill her passion of working with special needs children. One day a beautiful man with the bluest eyes walks in and her world changes. As Cedric and Allison get to know one another, the pull between them is like nothing either of them has ever experienced before and soon they are unable to stay away from one another. But Cedric is keeping a secret that changes everything once it is finally revealed. 

Allison and Cedric's connection was instant, and their chemistry explosive. These two had so much between them right away, but it was so natural and genuine. You could see that it was so much more than anything they had felt before, and I didn't feel as though things happened too quickly. These two were meant to be together, and they had so much that threatened to stand in their way. Allison was so sweet and kind, the kind of heroine that is good through and through. It was clear why Cedric fell in love with her and couldn't help feeling as drawn to her as he was. Cedric was sexy and sweet, and although he made some questionable decisions, I felt like I understood him. His love for Allison was clear in everything he did, even if I didn't always agree with his choices. The kind of connection that these two had is so rare and special, and I couldn't get enough. 

Overall, I honestly wasn't sure that I would have much interest in these characters as they didn't really stand out to me in Jake's story. While I liked them, they were such a minor part that I really only started this one because I wanted to see how things happened for them and all that led up to Jake's book. But once I started listening I was instantly hooked and I ended up loving their story every bit as much as Jake's. While I recommend all of Penelope's books, Gemini now holds such a special place in my heart and will always be one of my favorites. These narrators were fantastic and I can't imagine experiencing this story for the first time in any other way. Each spoke clearly and brought so much personality to each of the characters with their performances. I was amazed at their ability to differentiate so clearly between them that I was always able to tell exactly who was in each scene. I honestly cannot recommend this book or these narrators enough, and I cannot wait to listen to more from each of them. Penelope Ward is a great writer that I recommend checking out immediately if you haven't already, and Eric and Therese are now two of my favorite narrators I have ever listened to.

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Audiobook Review: The Deal by Elle Kennedy, Narrated by Lorelei Avalon

I absolutely love the Off-Campus series from Elle Kennedy, and I couldn't wait to listen to The Deal narrated by Lorelei Avalon. This was my first experience with her as a narrator, so while I knew what to expect when it came the story I didn't know what I was in for as far as a listening experience. Though Lorelei Avalon wasn't my favorite narrator I have listened to, I love this story so much that I still enjoyed the experience. I have to say that I'm not convinced she was the right choice for this book though, and I wish that there had been a different narrator chosen to bring this story to life. 

Hannah Wells is surprised to finally have found a guy that makes her hot after a horrible incident in her past. The only problem is that he has no idea she's alive. When the star of the hockey team Garrett Graham asks for her help, at first she says no. But when he figures out that she is hot for a football player, he proposes a deal where in exchange for tutoring he will pretend date her to get her crush to notice her. Hannah finally agrees, and she begins spending more time with Garrett in order to help him pass their midterm. But soon they are both starting to feel the lines blur between pretend and real, and Garrett starts to realize that he needs to convince her that what she really wants is him. 

I absolutely love Garrett and Hannah! Garrett is sexy and charming. He is cocky in a likable way and I love that he isn't a jerk. Not only is he a talented athlete though, but he is super smart. I really like that he isn't your typical jock. He is more than just the sexy guy that is a great hockey player, and there is a lot more to him. He is such a well rounded character and I think that Elle Kennedy did a great job of giving him a ton of depth and making him easy to feel invested in. Hannah is smart and witty, and easy to relate to. She made Garret work for it and it was so fun to watch these two. The tension and chemistry between them is so strong and the sparks were flying between them right from the start. 

The one thing that I will say though is that I felt like the narrator wasn't able to really convey the witty banter and how fun and flirty these two could be. This didn't have the same feel as reading the book did, and I think a lot of that was because the voice didn't fit the story. Not only did the narrator do both the male and female POVs, but her voice was older and too robotic for this story. I really like when audiobooks use a male and female narrator for a dual POV story, so I was really disappointed that this audiobook did not. I felt like that was a huge missed opportunity and it really hurt my enjoyment here. Lorelei Avalon's voice was already older than the college/NA aged characters and came off as robotic, so when you have her doing a male's voice and her tone goes even deeper it just came off as odd. Usually I love audiobook versions of my favorite stories since they bring the books alive in a way that simply reading them can't. But unfortunately this wasn't what I had hoped for with The Deal. While I didn't necessarily care for this narrator or version of the audiobook, I found myself lost in the story regardless. The Deal is one of my all-time favorites and no matter what it is just such a fun and enjoyable read that it is impossible to ruin the experience. I highly recommend this book and if you prefer to listen to your books, then I would still give the audiobook a shot. But if you have the choice, I think that this book is much better read traditionally since the audiobook doesn't do the story justice in my opinion.

**Audiobook Provided by Publisher**

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Audiobook Review: Reasonable Doubt by Whiney Garcia Williams, Narrated by Sebastian York and Erin Mallon

RIDICULOUS!! “Reasonable Doubt” by Whitney G was phenomenal. I started this audiobook on Tuesday Morning and finished it Tuesday afternoon. I was obsessed, addicted and completely intrigued with the storyline, the characters and the narrators! I took any chance I could to listen to this fantastic story.

Since “Reasonable Doubt” has been reviewed already, and I utterly and completely agree with my fellow reviewers, I will say I was captivated by Andrew Hamilton and Audrey. Andrew is ridiculous. He is so hilarious I found myself laughing-out-loud. If I had read this book I would have ended up high lightening half the book. I found myself stopping the audio and listening to some parts over and over because some parts were so hilarious and other times (mostly Andrew’s dialogue) was so shocking. His take- no- prisoners, do-whatever-I-want-attitude made him irritating and at the same time fascinating. Luckily Aubrey can hold her own. When she meets Andrew she is young, ten years younger. I loved the tension between them even before they come face to face. I know that this story comes in different parts but I can’t imagine having to wait for the different segments! I was anticipating the corresponding parts of this story. This became one of my favorite stories. I loved the way Williams revealed Andrew’s past. There were moments when I was heartbroken. There were moments I hated Andrew. Really, just a phenomenal story! I also loved Aubrey. She was a character that started out in college, pre-law and very young but she quickly matured. I only had one little complaint about the storyline. Other than Andrew’s life in New York we never knew anything else about him.

Sebastian York was phenomenal as Andrew. He really brought him to life. He really got Andrew and was able to convey all his emotions so effectively. Erin Mallon was equally fantastic. She made Audrey come alive and made her real. I thought both narratives were fantastic. They were perfect for these two parts. Needless to say, “Reasonable Doubt” narrated by Sebastian York and Erin Mallon is as good as it gets!

**Audiobook provided by Audible**

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Audiobook Review: The Devil in Denim by Melanie Scott, Narrated by Julie Frances

“The Devil in Denim” was my first experience with anything by Melanie Scott. There were some things I liked about the story and some I think needed more work.

In this story Maggie Jameson is drunk at a bar because she just found out her father sold his team the New York Saints' a New York baseball team and according to Maggie, her inheritance. The team was bought out by Alex Winters. Alex himself was a baseball player but because of an injury he was forced to end his career. Life was not unfair to him though, and he is now a rich business man and also very handsome.

So I really like the idea of Alex buying the team from Maggie’s father and them working together. I also like Alex. Even though the title depicts him as a devil he was really a great guy. He was self-assured but not arrogant. He was very fair and a very smart businessman. The character that fell short for me was Maggie. It was so hard to 1) empathized with her and 2) like her. From the very beginning she is angry at Alex because he bought the team. This is unclear to me because her father obviously wanted to sell it. Although the team has been a part of Maggie’s family the team is in financial trouble and her father ends up selling it. This, in Maggie’s eyes makes Alex a “devil.” She was so rude and nasty to him all because he bought the team. Which was completely puzzling to me. Then she is angry at her father because after graduating from business school she was supposed to have a very comfortable job as CEO for the Saints. I mean cry me a river, Maggie. Alex understanding that the Saints are a family business wants to hire Maggie as an effort to help him win over the team and the fans. Maggie is angry and resistant to this idea. Why? I have no idea, I didn’t see a string of job offers even though she was apparently incredibly talented. So I get what the author was trying to do but Maggie just came off as a self-absorbed pampered –entitled princess. Besides Maggie’s unlikeability, I also found the dialogue between the adults to be very childish. The way Maggie spoke with some of her friends reminded me of a group of high school friends not grown and mature women.

Even though I didn’t care for Maggie I did really like Alex and I really liked his chemistry with Maggie. This would have been a four star for me if the heroine had more depth. Also, the narrator Julie Frances made most of the women sound very whiney especially Maggie. Once I got past my dislike of Maggie I enjoyed the sports world and the loyalty of the team. I also enjoyed watching the hero and heroine fall in love. I also plan to read more stories by Scott.

**Audiobook provided by Audible.com**

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