Ally

Was highly recommended but fell flat for me

Reviewed: 05-30-24

So this book came highly recommended by so many persons who said it was “the steamiest book they’ve ever read” for me, I have listened to hotter books than this so here is my review.

The story line was good but it was a bit lackluster for me as it needed more development. Felt like there were parts that could have been more cohesive and would have been more interesting in the overall story. Without giving anything away, the characters could have been given a bit more background, a little more context for a book that was to be 16hrs.

The narration was severely monotone and felt like the narrator was just reading without any feelings to pull in the listener. It wasn’t read with no level of interest that could pull me in. The sex scenes while good fell flat based on how the narrator read the story. There was no depth in the reading and made it not so enjoyable for me. Reading needed depth.

Another thing that I didn’t like was how rushed the ending of the book felt, like it was a haste to get the story done with the plot. A nice development all the way to the end would have been nice (maybe that’s just me).

Overall the storyline was different and could have been an amazing book if there was a little bit more development and dimension to the characters. It is an ok listen, maybe I would have felt different if I read the book. Give it a try if you want to see what the fuss is about - you may or may not like it.

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Entertaining……….but I’m going to hell

Reviewed: 10-01-23

I don’t have usually write reviews but this book definitely had me doing this. Let me tell you that I finished this book in one sitting! No breaks has it held my attention. The story line was super fresh and the plot had me hooked. I even got scared at some points.

This is my first book from Sierra Simone and I will definitely be looking for more from her. The narration was on point as Jacob Morgan can do no wrong for me. He embodied the book and brought his character to life. The snippet of female character was great and was a bit different which I also found refreshing. Overall if you’re thinking about getting this book, this review right here is your sign to tell you that it is worth it!

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Found a new fave 😍

Reviewed: 04-03-23

Had my doubts at first when I read the description but took the plunge and gave it a try and I was not disappointed! I must say that I had my reservations on the age gap but once I got over that I was all in. This was worth the credit and the narrators made it extra special…..Troy Duran is my new fave 😍😍😍

PS: I must say if you have a problem with age gap relationships (~20 years) then this is not for you

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1 person found this helpful

Riveting Rendition ❤️

Reviewed: 12-02-22

I consume a lot of autobiographical content but this one, right here had me in a world wind of emotions. I experienced every emotion possible - sadness, happiness, anger and joy. I saw sooo much of myself in Viola’s story that it brought to life memories that were suppressed for a long time. Emotional capacity I never experienced before started materializing and made me realize I am human too. This story was balls of peeling onion as I discovered the actress Viola and coming face to face with the woman behind it all. She laid it all out and I connected with her in so many ways. She gave the good, the bad and the in between. Thank you Viola for showing us who you are. ❤️❤️❤️

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A Dammm Good Collection

Reviewed: 08-31-22

I rarely write reviews but I had to take the time out to do one on this collection. The credit was more than worth it I must say. The stories were so well written and I have to give props to both authors for bringing to life these amazing stories. The characters were well developed and that carried the story so well for me. Aside from the well written stories, the narration was on point! Joel Leslie has weaved his way in my top 5 male voices with this one. I was amazed at how he switched between characters with ease and kept me hooked the entire 23h 14m. Thank you for this one will definitely be looking out for more from both the authors and narrator.

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LOVED EVERY SECOND!!!!

Reviewed: 07-16-20

So I have to say I was a bit daunted by the length of this book and was skeptical to purchase it, but I took the plunge and went ahead.

At the start, I was at first annoyed at the slow pace but then the story build and I was drawn in and hooked - line and sinker! The buildup of this story was amazing and I think Mariana Zapata outdid herself in writing this one. This is my first book from her and I must say I love her writing style! She gave extensive details which enhanced the plot and brought out a brilliant story. I love details because it brings me inside the character's mind even more. The concept of the story is new and refreshing and was a pleasure to listen to. I could find myself laughing and snickering throughout the night as I listened. It took me on a ride and I couldn't stop listening. I even went grocery shopping with headphones to how impatient I was with knowing how the next chapter was going. The only thing I wish this book had was a perspective of the male character as I would have loved to know what was going on in Kulti's head sometimes.

NOTE: This book is not for persons who are not willing to wait for the buildup. Because of how lengthy and slow the buildup is, it can deter readers from wanting to listen to this book. It is not a steamy, hot, sex-filled book; it is more of a realistic mannered love story mixed with a little bit of fantasy. DO NOT GO READING THIS FOR SEX!

Callie Dalton was a fresh narrator for me and she did an amazing job of the various voices. She has definitely made it on. my favourite narrator's list and will definitely be looking out for more books narrated by her.

Overall, I give this book 5 stars!!!
I am going to look up other books by the author....going for "The Wall of Winnipeg and Me" next (hope it is just as good 😉 ).

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STRUGGLED TO FINISH!

Reviewed: 06-21-20

I read the first book in this series (Dirty Sexy Player) and it was pretty ok. It had a few loopholes that had me questioning the storyline but they weren't so crazy that would make me stop listening. After the end of that book, I steamrolled into the second without even thinking (mark you this is not my first book from the author so I was excited).

This book was just a bunch of fluff!! I was so angry 😡 😡 at the characters at so many points that I had to stop listening to just get a grip. It even got annoying to how the characters were just......I cannot even find words! I just had to stop totally and didn't even know how the book ended because I could not take anymore. I was extremely disappointed in this book.

The ONLY THING GOOD about this book was the narrators. Jacob Morgan and Elena Wolfe were amazing as always and were the only thing that made me reach as far as I did in this book. They brought these dreary characters to life but that alone was not enough for me to continue or even finish the book. They are also the reason the performance got 4 stars.

I love you Laurelin but this one was a disaster for me. This will not deter me from continuing to read/listen to your work.

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1 person found this helpful

Nearly had heart failure!!

Reviewed: 06-03-20

R.K. Lilley has done it again! She made my heart literally stopped listening to this book!

I read one review that said this book was made specifically for someone who desperately had trouble with addiction and they were so right. This book was so raw in the depiction of addiction that it drew me in. I could not stop listening, wanting to find out how everything unfolds. I had surging waves of emotions - sadness, anger, happiness, numbness, love - it was just a whole rollercoaster of emotions going through me while listening.

I got mad at Danika and Tristan sooooooo many times!!! They irritated me on so many levels. I, however, love the raw passion of Tristan and how he loves Danika. Danika took so many shits from Tristan that it made me go ballistic at times. I wanted her to be stronger so many times and I felt like Tristan used sex to just get over every single decent conversation - He is like a caveman.

To read this book you have to have a strong heart as it will take you on a journey where there is no coming back. lt took me to a dark place that had me sitting in the dark for nearly 3 hours trying to get my mind to calm down. The goosebumps, the chills I got from just contemplating how real this story is for so many women out there had me in tears. The last hour of the book broke me!
Some may say it is just a book but I could not take it any more. I listened to the last hour of the book with tears rolling down my face - I could understand on a personal level maybe that's why I felt it so much.

I am going to read the third book in the series to see how it all turned out but I am going to give myself a break before I do so.

R.K. Lilley really captivated me with this one from start to end. It was intense on so many levels and the rawness of it all was exuded in every single chapter.

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CAPTIVATING SERIES......LISTEN WORTHY!!!

Reviewed: 06-01-20

I must applaud R.L. Lilley for wrting such an amazing series that had me on the edge of my seat for days.....I literally did not sleep between reading this series. I was captivated by the story and loved the narrator Elizabeth Powers - she brought the book to life and did a superb joy. She pulled me in with her voice and held me throughour the entire book. I was laughing and crying throughout the book. The ending had me literally in tears! I was hollering and couldn't finish the book fast enough to find out what happened. It has been a long time since a series held me so captivated. The book had so many cliffhangers that grabbed me and had my emotions fluctuating. There was so many things I loved about the book that it is hard to say here. It is a mixture of BDSM, friendships, hatred, living through the past, survival, action and most of all love. The author wrapped so many things in one and the level of research done for this book showed in the different scenarios written about.

This is my first book by R.L. Lilley and I am not disappointed. I borrowed them on Audible escape but didnt hesitate to purchase every single book for my collection. Thank you for this.

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This book had me in legit tear

Reviewed: 03-22-20

I had gotten this book as a gift and didn't think much of it until one day I decided to take the plunge and read. My first impression was that "ok cool this is different let me see what it has in store". I grew a bit tired and annoyed for a while because of Amir's behaviour in the book so I gave it a rest for about a week.

When I took back up the book again, I put aside my indifference towards Amir's character and listened intently. Let me tell you this....from I started listening back I was not able to stop! The story grabbed me and sucked me in for the rest of the night. Sleep evaded my eyes because I was adamant to see where this story was going. The twist in plot were coming out at me from all angles. I must say I am an avid reader/listener and it has been years since a book has left me crying cuz this one has tears streaming down my face in the wee hours of the morning. I had to grab tissue to finish the book and that is saying a whole lot.

The story felt so real to me like I was in all the places outlined in the book. I was taken on an adventure through a time that we only saw on the news and it jerked me to the core. This story is real and raw and it holds a special place in my heart. It made me happy and sad all at once and even days after listening I still get teary eyed when I think of the characters. I think of the realness of the events and how true they are and if these are the things happening to the children in that part of the world.

The writer did a fabulous job in taking us on this journey. The realness was brought to life by the narrator and it came together in a beautiful master piece. I am very happy I got this book and it holds a special place in my heart.

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