Cottage Hoe
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Keeper of Enchanted Rooms
- Whimbrel House, Book 1
- By: Charlie N. Holmberg
- Narrated by: Amanda Leigh Cobb, Graham Halstead, Nicholas Boulton
- Length: 10 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,095
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,866
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,860
Rhode Island, 1846. Estranged from his family, writer Merritt Fernsby is surprised when he inherits a remote estate in the Narragansett Bay. Though the property has been uninhabited for more than a century, Merritt is ready to call it home—until he realizes he has no choice. With its doors slamming shut and locking behind him, Whimbrel House is not about to let Merritt leave. Ever.
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3 out of 5 stars
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I don't know how to fairly review a book like this
- By Katelyn Standiford on 12-06-22
- Keeper of Enchanted Rooms
- Whimbrel House, Book 1
- By: Charlie N. Holmberg
- Narrated by: Amanda Leigh Cobb, Graham Halstead, Nicholas Boulton
Whimsical, ghibli-esque and fantastic!
Reviewed: 05-20-25
This was so good??? This feels like Howls moving castle with a dash of Mary Poppins (for troubled enchanted houses) and so much whimsy. The whole story was very ghibli-esque which was amazing!
honestly the book had me hooked from the start, where it just listed the different schools of magic and their uses.
the magic system was one of my favorite things in this novel, with the different side effects of each type and school of magic.
Besides the magic system the world building was also really interesting. seeing the different ways magic is used in every day life and how the prevalence of it differs in different countries and social classes.
The author does such a fantastic job setting the mood for this book.
the cozy parts feel so very cozy, the more suspenseful parts had me at the edge of my seat and the characters were so lovable in different ways.
The villains POVs were also really well done, I feel like it really put you in his head, observing the world and what he does through his lense. Which is pretty cool, when it contrasted against other characters POVs and how they perceive what he does.
Another plus is that the characters were in their 30s and that the female character is the one who is slightly older with a good head on her shoulders.
There was very little in way of complaints. I didn't love the miscommunication at the 80% mark, but since it wasn't drawn out and resolved quite quickly I didn't really have all that much issues. The only other things I can think of is that there is a very cringey line from the villain toward the end and there was a conversation that was a little silly.
the narrators were all fantastic in their roles!!
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The North Wind
- By: Alexandria Warwick
- Narrated by: Carlotta Brentan, Travis Tonn
- Length: 16 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 40
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Performance4 out of 5 stars 39
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Story4 out of 5 stars 39
Wren of Edgewood is no stranger to suffering. With her parents gone, it’s Wren’s responsibility to ensure she and her sister survive the harsh and endless winter, but if the legends are to be believed, their home may not be safe for much longer. For three hundred years, the land surrounding Edgewood has been encased in ice as the Shade, a magical barrier that protects the townsfolk from the Deadlands beyond, weakens. Only one thing can stop the Shade’s fall: the blood of a mortal woman bound in wedlock to the North Wind.
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5 out of 5 stars
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absolutely love it!
- By JennyJac on 10-01-24
- The North Wind
- By: Alexandria Warwick
- Narrated by: Carlotta Brentan, Travis Tonn
a nice solid 4 star listen
Reviewed: 02-06-25
I really enjoyed this. I think it would be perfect for people who like the IDEA of Acotar but didn't like the execution nor the writing.
the premise and overall story isn't anything crazy or new, but the writing was beautiful and I really liked the chemistry between the different characters.
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Forged by Blood
- A Novel (The Tainted Blood Duology, Book 1)
- By: Ehigbor Okosun
- Narrated by: Nneka Okoye
- Length: 14 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 75
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 70
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 70
In the midst of a tyrannical regime and political invasion, Dèmi just wants to survive: to avoid the suspicion of the nonmagical Ajes who occupy her ancestral homeland of Ife; to escape the King’s brutal genocide of her people—the darker skinned, magic wielding Oluso; and to live peacefully with her secretive mother while learning to control the terrifying blood magic that is her birthright.
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3 out of 5 stars
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Had a lot of potential but some weird chouces actively detracted from my enjoyment of the story
- By Cottage Hoe on 12-20-24
- Forged by Blood
- A Novel (The Tainted Blood Duology, Book 1)
- By: Ehigbor Okosun
- Narrated by: Nneka Okoye
Had a lot of potential but some weird chouces actively detracted from my enjoyment of the story
Reviewed: 12-20-24
Honestly I have mixed feelings on this book.
The writing itself is very beautiful and poetic. Initially I was super hooked, the world building was probably some of the most fascinating and inspired I've seen in a while. The narrator did a really good job imo
But then at times the book makes some really weird and cringy choices. we get a lot of annoying tropes that really end up detracting from the gravity of some of the subject matter in the book. A terrible love triangle, fated mates, "let's kiss as a distraction", knife to the throat etc etc. Like going through a laundey list of whats been popular in booktok books.
Will I buy the second book? Probably. But I definitely think this had so much potential that ended up going unused and squandered.
I have a lot more thoughts and issues, though I don't think I can say anything about that without spoilers, so be warned.
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So, the romance. This was by FAR the books weakest point and at times actively retracted from how good the story could have been.
First of all the attempt at a love triangle felt so pointless and contrived, because it was SO obvious from the very start who'd she end up with. which was very obviously Jonas who she is gushing over from the very first chapter. This was extra frustrating because Dèmi had genuinely fantastic chemistry with Colin, while she and Jonas pretty much just have insta love/attraction, that just doesn't feel earned. It was always about how he made her feel hot and bothered essentially.
Especially when you think about how before she kidnaps him, she legit only knew him for less than a SINGLE DAY.
Instead of a love triangle between Colin, Jonas and Dèmi, it would have been so much more impactful for the story (imo) if Dèmi and Jonas had developed a strong friendship/kinship, while Colin could have stayed a love interest.
This also would have solved the issue of this being a COLONIZER romance. I don't care if Jonas is Oluso or not, he is still a COLONIZER PRINCE. Which is kind of made worse by the fact that when the nobles don't want to accept that she won the crown later in the book she just kind of relinquishes it to Jonas 🙃
Dèmi I also have mixed feelings on, because at times she was such a wishy washy person about her convictions and opinions. One moment she's like "ew I don't like the gods deciding who my mate will be, I don't want a mate" but then the moment Jonas becomes her mate, she just unquestioningly accepts and welcomes it.
She also is really just leading both of the MLs on without really even attempting to make up her mind. It feels like Colin is just waiting in the wings until she can make up her mind about whether or not she actually hates Jonas, which she obviously doesn't.
Or how she literally witnesses a man about to have innocent people and CHILDREN slaughter each other to the death, like animals for the chance of 3 of them being able to live, stripped of their magic, FOR THE SAKE OF ENTERTAINMENT of nobles, just for when she has the chance to kill him (like she said she would) she goes all "oh no killing is wrong". Don't get me wrong, this CAN and HAS worked in media that I've liked. It worked in Avatar the last airbender for example. HOWEVER. this doesn't work after the reader witnesses a woman being dipped into molten iron in a sort of witch trial and then SET ON FIRE in front of her own child and family. It doesn't work when we've gotten very detailed information about how Oluso Women and children are raped and sold because of this man. How people are tortured and massacred for fun.
And when someone offers to kill the person for her SHE STOPS HIM because she wants him imprisoned instead, saying that his greatest punishment would be to see her people thrive. Girl. No. Nope. Nopedy Nope.
I feel like the only reason this is done is to set up conflict for the next book, which would have still worked even if she HAD killed him.
It just made Dèmi feel silly, naive and childish for her to not actually accept that there is literally way this conflict could be resolved without any bloodshed. Because Lord Ekwensi is kind of right and so is Colin. Liberty DOES come at a price.
like why are we protecting the perpetrator of the suffering of her people with more grace and mercy he was ever willing to extend to them? Like again, right before the showdown between him and Demi, he literally told the 300 innocent people he rounded up to massacre each other for entertainment, that he'd advise them to kill the children first out of "mercy". Yeah. no.
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The Hanging City
- By: Charlie N. Holmberg
- Narrated by: Amy Bentley
- Length: 13 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 256
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 238
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Story4 out of 5 stars 238
Seven years on the run from her abusive father, and with no hope of sanctuary among the dwindling pockets of human civilization, Lark is out of options. Her only leverage is a cursed power: she can thrust fear onto others, leaving all threats fleeing in terror. It’s a means of survival as she searches for a place to call home. If the campfire myths of her childhood are true, Lark’s sole chance for refuge could lie in Cagmar, the city of trolls—a brutal species and the sworn enemies of humanity.
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3 out of 5 stars
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Not what I expected
- By Gigien on 08-30-23
- The Hanging City
- By: Charlie N. Holmberg
- Narrated by: Amy Bentley
Disappointing
Reviewed: 10-23-24
Yeah, this was certainly a story?
Honestly I had such high hopes for this book because I've adored the 2 other Charlie N Holmberg books I've read. The premise was so interesting and unique, the cover is absolutely gorgeous.
Initially I was very drawn in the story, but once I was past the halfway mark I was just waiting for something to happen. This book is simultaneously too long and not long enough. So much drags on an on, but then certain interesting things are mentioned in throwaway lines that I wanted more info on.
The world building had so much potential, but I feel like so much was more a backdrop for the romance. I wanted to know more about the different cultures, the deities, the world overall.
Speaking of the romance, I was so very not invested in the romance. Neither Lark nor really any of the characters were particularly interesting, multifaceted or likable. Larks only defining feature was her being scared. Also being PAINFULLY naive and way too quick to trust for someone who has been on the run for nearly 10 years.
Some of her apprehension about her ability literally didn't make ANY sense. Why on earth would the trollus, a people who value strength over literally anything else, hate her for having an ability that can literally bring monsters and the most terrifying of foes to their knees??
At 70% I was literally thinking about DNFing the book because I was just bored. The story wasn't really going anywhere.
While the Trollus and their culture were interesting at first, they are just kind of the literal worst? Whoop whoop, they aren't sexist, but otherwise they are genuinely awful and Lark is way too accepting of their caste system. Humans are actual indentured servants, who have no right to currency, no right to arm themselves, no right to DEFEND themselves if attacked etc.
Lark being so cool and accepting of the trollus
I was hoping that maybe Lark could have been a bridge between Trollus and Humans, but in the end nothing changes and everything still sucks, except Lark and MMC are leaving.
Like Lark just saved ALL OF THEM and that's not gonna change the trollus perspective a little?? Not even an Epilogue to tie up some loose ends at least a LITTLE. There could have been so much unpacking of stereotypes between the two groups, showing the consequences of the romance and maybe show glimpses of the relationship between humans and troll us bettering but no, let's just completely skip that by having them skip town.
By the end of the book everything still sucks and nothing changed, besides yay rain.
A shame.
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Daughter of the Moon Goddess
- A Novel
- By: Sue Lynn Tan
- Narrated by: Natalie Naudus
- Length: 15 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,495
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,352
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,346
Growing up on the moon, Xingyin is accustomed to solitude, unaware that she is being hidden from the feared Celestial Emperor who exiled her mother for stealing his elixir of immortality. But when Xingyin’s magic flares and her existence is discovered, she is forced to flee her home, leaving her mother behind.
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1 out of 5 stars
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Yawn. Unable to Complete this Snoozer.
- By Patrick Egry on 01-17-22
- Daughter of the Moon Goddess
- A Novel
- By: Sue Lynn Tan
- Narrated by: Natalie Naudus
sp much potential, such a dissapointing ending
Reviewed: 07-11-24
I was so invested. but towards the last third I realized just how little nuance this story had. Somehow by the end I was supposed to not root for the villains, despite the fact we see again and again throughout the story how genuinely terrible the celestrial emperor and empress are. they are vindictive, egotistical tyrants, unfit to rule. we are supposed to be glad that in the end everything works out for Xingyin, but Im just left hollow, because the immortal worlds worst ruler is still in charge, still terrible and still an unopposed tyrant.
It sucks because the worldbuilding and writing were so beautiful.
the twist was pretty predictable imo and I really didnt care for the love triangle.
i liked Liwei initally, but kind of turns into an egoistic asshat, stringing Xingyin along, while he is literally betrothed to another. he is jealous and petty, when he has no right to be. the implication that he hoped Xingyin had asked for HIM in exchange for the royal favor (like that wouldnt have absolutepy set of his terrible parents) is so self cemtered. Wenzhi was a much better love interest, but is done SO dirty by the plot. betrayal this betrayal that. Oh no. he betrayed an aweful, despicable tyrant who would do much worse than him given the chance.
im just so dissapointed.
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One Dark Window
- By: Rachel Gillig
- Narrated by: Lisa Cordileone
- Length: 12 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 4,661
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 4,369
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 4,369
Elspeth Spindle needs more than luck to stay safe in the eerie, mist-locked kingdom of Blunder—she needs a monster. She calls him the Nightmare, an ancient, mercurial spirit trapped in her head. He protects her. He keeps her secrets. But nothing comes for free, especially magic. When Elspeth meets a mysterious highwayman on the forest road, her life takes a drastic turn. Thrust into a world of shadow and deception, she joins a dangerous quest to cure Blunder from the dark magic infecting it.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Unique magical world with an annoying HEERTH
- By April on 07-15-24
- One Dark Window
- By: Rachel Gillig
- Narrated by: Lisa Cordileone
A lovely dark fairytale
Reviewed: 05-02-24
Just up top I need tk mention that the narrator did and absolute stellar job! words cant even begin to describe how insanely good her narration was. She managed to give every notable character an entirely distinct voice. I always knew who was meant to be talking.
To the book itself. I adored the story and plot. As someone who grew up on most of the original versions of fairytales, I loved the vibe this had. I loved the nods to red riding hood and the wolf type of relationship that Elsbeth and the nightmare had.
The world building and plot felt really unique to me. it felt new and refreshing and yet so well developed that it almost felt like a forgotten old fairytale.
The romance was nice, it didn't take away from the plot at all.
Elsbeth felt flawed in believable ways. While her stubbornness could get frustrating at turns, it felt always believable and true to her character. She was a lot more interesting than Raven to me, who is a bit more cookie cutter. But the ensemble of characters was all very fun to follow. I loved the side characters and their motivations.
I loved how real so many of the characters felt. they were complicated all in their own right and I can't wait to see what they'll get up to in the next book.
The prose was beautiful to me. I adored the excerpts of the Old book of Alders being quoted at the beginning of chapter's. All the rhymes of poems were masterfully done and added to the old fairytale vibe. the imagery evoked by the prose and the providence cards war beautiful.
Overall the book was fantastic!
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The Voicemail
- By: Jack E. Davis
- Narrated by: Katie Hagaman
- Length: 7 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall3 out of 5 stars 7
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Performance4 out of 5 stars 7
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Story3 out of 5 stars 7
After listening to a brutal murder take place over her phone's voicemail, schoolteacher Samantha Harris sets out to discover who's responsible for the crime. Unfortunately, while trying to solve one murder, she inadvertently uncovers another. Now, pulled into the center of her normally quiet town's latest murder, Samantha begins to see her enigmatic friends as cold-blooded murderers.
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1 out of 5 stars
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Truly one of the most frustrating and insufferable books I ever had the misfortune to read.
- By Cottage Hoe on 03-06-24
- The Voicemail
- By: Jack E. Davis
- Narrated by: Katie Hagaman
Truly one of the most frustrating and insufferable books I ever had the misfortune to read.
Reviewed: 03-06-24
This book was truly awful. I bought it on sale for 7$ and even that feels like I was cheated.
First things first Samantha is probably the most insufferable PoV character in existence. She is a self important idiot with neither survival instinct or any sense of priorities.
This book truly felt like an overwritten, both over and under explained fever dream with not a single person actually feeling like a human being.
Also the author strikes me as misogynistic with his cartoonish character Suzy, the evil, mean, slutty Barbie Bimbo with even less depth as her description would lead you to believe. Her character literally has no other purpose besides making Samantha look like the "better" woman, but this book is so poorly written, that the author even fails at that.
this book gave me severe tonal whiplash several times, like when it goes from "let's confront a murderer" to "but first let's talk about how HOT this character looks in their skintight shirt"
the writing is incredibly repetitive during dialogues, with constant he/she verb adjective-ly. characters are constantly shouting and yelling or shrieking during regular conversations.
everything in the book is so painfully overwritten, as if the reader isn't trusted to understand ANYTHING. no you don't have to remind the reader Samantha saying something persuasively, when she's actively trying to persuade someone of something.
The entire book I spent frustrated and baffled at every persons behavior.
there is an honest to god "and everybody clapped" moment in this book. Sam arbitrariy puts people on her suspect list with no real rhyme or reason. Suzy she just puts on there because she's mean. and honestly? suzy has a point in disliking Sam Sam. I couldn't stand her the entire book.
the author loves dragging out so much of the story and every reveal. he gives so much information, but hardly any information that is actually important. people routinely forget a bunch of stuff to make plot happen.
I wouldn't listen to this again if someone paid me. I ended up putting it to 1.5x speed to just get through the book, since I read this for a book club. So disappointing, because the premise was genuinely a great one, but the execution was dreadful.
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Until I Get You
- Fairview Hockey, Book 1
- By: Claire Contreras
- Narrated by: Joe Arden, Kasha Kensington
- Length: 15 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 886
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 831
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 831
My reputation at Fairview University preceded me. I was the projected number-one pick in the NHL draft and the fan favorite at the rink. People wanted to be me or be with me. Except for Lyla James Marichal. She didn't look at me like I was her next meal. She eyed me with disdain. Instead of vying for my attention, she ignored me and pushed me away. She was completely unattainable, and I became obsessed with her. When I finally got her, it felt like I was on top of the world. I was going to help the team win another championship, going into the draft, and had Lyla by my side.
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1 out of 5 stars
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Tried so hard to keep listening
- By LINDA H. on 04-18-23
- Until I Get You
- Fairview Hockey, Book 1
- By: Claire Contreras
- Narrated by: Joe Arden, Kasha Kensington
Cliche, Cringy and Juvenile
Reviewed: 01-28-24
I really tried giving this story a try but Jesus. this is so bad. It's a typical "she's not like other girls" story with a male love interest that is so incredibly unlikable and who talks like a 14yo who just discovered the word fuck" for the first time.
Lachlan literally only becomes obsessively interested with Lyla because she didn't jump on his dick the first time they met, she wore baggy clothes and she was mildy sassy. that's it. it's so unrealistic that this man has never in his life met a woman who wasn't immediately into him. there are world famous actors known for their looks, who still encounter people who are just not attracted to them like that. Lachlan complains that the women he uses for sex at his convience, only want him for his looks and the bragging rights to have fucked him, but also says that they ALL get attached if they do it more than twice. Seriously which one is it?
He will over and over again claim that Lyla is just soooo different, when she really isn't, at all. there are countless sassy depressed girls who are into Taylor swift and Disney movies. And when we finally get her POV for the first time it's confirmed that she really only likes him for his looks, just like every other girl, she just is too occupied with trauma to let anyone in... Lyla tries to convince the listener that there is a deep connection somehow and that he puts her at ease but at that point they had a total of 4 fairly short conversations. By chapter 5 they are suddenly super touchy feely out of nowhere (again, after like 4 conversations)
the book tries to convince the reader/listener that a lot of things are happening that literally happening. multiple character state how "hard to get" Lyla is, but she really isn't. by chapter 5 she is internally swooning over the guy who called her beautiful twice.
off course he is a giant amongst men and she is smol, fragile and teeny tiny, but also perfect in every way conceivable with the face of a goddess, but also her beauty is understated.
The men in this book talk about women in an absolutely repulsing , hyper objectifying way. Lachlan will complain when other men do this but his own leering and sexualizing of Lyla is excused because he don't "ONLY" want her for her body, he has a superficial "interest " in her (again. this boils essentially down to Lachlan doing the surprised pikachu face when a woman who isn't a lesbian isn't into him immediately)
I'm so upset that I spend a credit on this and can't return the title.
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Until I Get You
- By: Claire Contreras
- Narrated by: Joe Arden, Kasha Kensington
- Length: 15 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 851
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 797
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 797
My reputation at Fairview University preceded me. I was the projected number-one pick in the NHL draft and the fan favorite at the rink. People wanted to be me or be with me. Except for Lyla James Marichal.
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1 out of 5 stars
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Tried so hard to keep listening
- By LINDA H. on 04-18-23
- Until I Get You
- By: Claire Contreras
- Narrated by: Joe Arden, Kasha Kensington
Cliche, Cringy and Juvenile
Reviewed: 01-28-24
I really tried giving this story a try but Jesus. this is so bad. It's a typical "she's not like other girls" story with a male love interest that is so incredibly unlikable and who talks like a 14yo who just discovered the word fuck" for the first time.
Lachlan literally only becomes obsessively interested with Lyla because she didn't jump on his dick the first time they met, she wore baggy clothes and she was mildy sassy. that's it. it's so unrealistic that this man has never in his life met a woman who wasn't immediately into him. there are world famous actors known for their looks, who still encounter people who are just not attracted to them like that. Lachlan complains that the women he uses for sex at his convience, only want him for his looks and the bragging rights to have fucked him, but also says that they ALL get attached if they do it more than twice. Seriously which one is it?
He will over and over again claim that Lyla is just soooo different, when she really isn't, at all. there are countless sassy depressed girls who are into Taylor swift and Disney movies. And when we finally get her POV for the first time it's confirmed that she really only likes him for his looks, just like every other girl, she just is too occupied with trauma to let anyone in... Lyla tries to convince the listener that there is a deep connection somehow and that he puts her at ease but at that point they had a total of 4 fairly short conversations. By chapter 5 they are suddenly super touchy feely out of nowhere (again, after like 4 conversations)
the book tries to convince the reader/listener that a lot of things are happening that literally happening. multiple character state how "hard to get" Lyla is, but she really isn't. by chapter 5 she is internally swooning over the guy who called her beautiful twice.
off course he is a giant amongst men and she is smol, fragile and teeny tiny, but also perfect in every way conceivable with the face of a goddess, but also her beauty is understated.
The men in this book talk about women in an absolutely repulsing , hyper objectifying way. Lachlan will complain when other men do this but his own leering and sexualizing of Lyla is excused because he don't "ONLY" want her for her body, he has a superficial "interest " in her (again. this boils essentially down to Lachlan doing the surprised pikachu face when a woman who isn't a lesbian isn't into him immediately)
I'm so upset that I spend a credit on this and can't return the title.
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Butcher & Blackbird
- The Ruinous Love Trilogy, Book 1
- By: Brynne Weaver
- Narrated by: Joe Arden, Lucy Rivers
- Length: 8 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 28,821
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 27,670
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 27,668
When a chance encounter sparks an unlikely bond between rival murderers Sloane and Rowan, the two find something elusive—the friendship of a like-minded, pitch-black soul. From small-town West Virginia to upscale California, from downtown Boston to rural Texas, the two hunters collide in an annual game of blood and suffering, one that pits them against the most dangerous monsters in the country.
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5 out of 5 stars
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A MUST LISTEN IN AUDIO
- By TiffanyPReads on 10-18-23
- Butcher & Blackbird
- The Ruinous Love Trilogy, Book 1
- By: Brynne Weaver
- Narrated by: Joe Arden, Lucy Rivers
A dark romance that doesnt take itself too seriously!
Reviewed: 01-18-24
first of all I really appreciated all the trigger warnings at the beginning. more books should do this to be honest.
I don't love a lot of popular dark romance titles because oftentimes the stories are really REALLY edgy, lack substance and take themselves way too seriously for what they are.
I bought this one on a recommendation of a friend and honestly the sample alone had me hooked. Sloan and Rowan have fantastic banter and are both really fun interesting characters. Rowan has depth and his day job adds a touch of groundedness to his character that I really appreciated.Just in general knowing what these two did for jobs was really fun I LOVE that the couple had a safe word and that clear consent was established. having both protagonists be morally not great was fun because the dark brooding devil and smol fragile virginal saint dichotomy gets really old, really fast. I think the story still dealt with Sloan and Rowan being bad people being aware of that themselves well.
the humor really made this book for me. These moments of levity and fucked up humor really turned this into a really really fun read.
and the narration was PERFECTION. Honestly so glad I bought the audio book rather than the paperback because the voice actors really hit it out of the park. their performances were stellar! I loved that we didn't have these awkward moments of male narrator doing a bad female narrator impression and vice versa. it made the experience a lot more immersive. I liked the sloeburn romance which made the smut scenes towards the end all the more rewarding.
I was a huge fan of the prose! Not overly flowery, but at times so so beautifully written, in scenes when it mattered.
overall a really fun listen!
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