It could have been amazing.

I have yet to read a book by Sloane Kennedy that I did not liked, so I was super excited excited to listen to it because a good narrator can take a book from great to amazing. Unfortunately I was extremely disappointed. The narrators were very monotone. The ebb and flow of the sentences were so repetitive as were the lilts of the words. Every sentence ended on a down pitch. Instead of the narrators bringing this amazing book to life, they simply read it and sounded like Ben Stein in Ferris Beuler's Day Off. So disappointing.

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A One Sitting Read!!!

WELL HOT DAMN THAT WAS EPIC!!!

This Friends to Enemies to I can't get enough of you was not just steamy as all heck, but so emotionally filled that I couldn't stop reading.

You will have " ALL THE FEELS" for this one!

Amazing Naration 👏

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Yummy! 😋

Sloane Kennedy paired with Michael Dean is not something you want to miss! Beautiful HEA and all the steamy you crave! Well, ALMOST... the hints dropped about Jules and Flynn definitely left me craving more! I always adore Sloane's characters, and Michael Dean is amazing at bringing them to life. He so carefully and perfectly delivers each line. You can really feel every emotion and intent with each character. More from this pair please and thanks! ❤️

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Revisiting the past

Xavier and Brooks are only a year apart in age but the difference has always felt much larger. When Brooks was 15, he’d been an immature kid who struggled to fit in on a ranch. He wore trousers and didn’t know how to ride a horse. Then he met 16-year-old Xavier and he found someone who could not only teach him to ride, but someone who didn’t judge him for his love of math.

Then comes the night when everything changes. Both men have very different perspectives on what happened that fateful night, but their already divergent lives took completely different paths and both men believed they would never see each other again. Xavier went off to prison and Brooks moved away from Wyoming, back to the big city. Each was hurt because of the perceived actions of the other and the separation seemed permanent.

Ten years later, fate has other plans for the men.

Brooks’ uncle Curtis is running the ranch but things aren’t going well. Brooks, the math-oriented nephew with business experience, heads to Wyoming to see if he can help his uncle get back into the black. The last person he expects to see is Xavier.

Xavier did his time and although he wanted to put Wyoming in the rear-view mirror, obligations have brought him home. Desperate, he’s obtained a job at the old ranch working for Curtis, a man who doesn’t hold a grudge. Too bad his nephew doesn’t feel the same way.

When the men first see each other, ten years of resentments bubble to the surface. Assumptions are made and neither man wants to believe he might be wrong. Only when one needs desperate help do they come to an understanding – or sorts. There are a lot of hurt feelings in this book and neither man wants to back down – until they realize their stubbornness might be standing in the way of something much better.

Although I enjoyed the clashes, I preferred the loving. These two men were perfect for each other ten years ago and even more so now. And although they’ve hidden themselves away, part of them longs to be with the other. But neither man is out, so there’s that to contend with as well. Lessons of the older generation become clear and Brooks and Xavier realize they have to find their own truth.

This is a Sloane Kennedy book so there’s a bit of violence, a touch of angst, and lots of sexy times. I loved how Xavier discovered what Brooks enjoyed and instead of shaming him, showed him it was okay. There’s a lot to be said for someone who takes the time to teach. So, yeah, there are riding lessons as well. Of every variety.

Michael Pauley again helms this book and I’m so glad. He gives just the right note to each man, differentiating them well. He is one of my favorite narrators because he’s so consistent and always does a great job. I also like how the next book has been set up and I can’t wait to see where this series goes. Another great read.

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9 people found this helpful

Sweet second chance story

Always Mine started out kind of intense, with Brooks going back to Eden, the small town where he grew up in order to help his uncle with his ranch’s financial troubles. Only when he arrives he meets a man from his past. A man he hasn’t seen since he was 15 and had the biggest crush on. The man who went to prison for almost destroying his family; Xavier.

To say that emotions run high and sparks fly on that first meeting is putting it mildly. Brooks did not expect to see Xavier again and Xavier is not good with unexpected physical contact after spending 10 years in prison. After that both are determined to keep their distance from the other – but you know – intentions… Keeping the distance doesn’t last long and the two starts dancing around each other in every way possible. A dance that’s overcharged with sexual tension and hurt feelings.

This is a story that’s been told before. The misunderstandings that leads to separation and love growing into resentment or hate. Even the outside forces trying to keep them apart is the same, the evil father and a small minded town. It’s not new or different. On the other hand, it’s not bad either because Always Mine is a well written and narrated story that I’m sure will capture many hearts.

I’m not sure what I really feel about Brooks and Xavier. On the one hand I really enjoyed listening to their story. And they had a lot of history to work through. On the other, the non-communication and constant back and forth was drawn out too long for my liking. At times it felt like it was drawn out for the dramatic effect and didn’t really move the story or our MC forward. And the ending felt a bit too neat and wrapped up nicely and tied together with a shining red bow. I’m all for tying up loose ends and correcting past wrongs, but I don’t want it served on a silver platter. I want to work for it with the characters I’m living with.

Michael Pauley delivers as he always does. His narration was spot on. If I could, I could probably melt from his voice alone, so he’s definitely in the right profession. Xavier was the one he captured just right. You could truly feel his anxiety and fear of closed spaces, needing that fresh air. His fierce protectiveness of the things and people he loved. And not the least the longing for Brooks and the hurt associated with that night ten years ago. Your heart will ache and pound with Xavier’s and it makes this listen all the better for it.

Always Mine was a mostly sweet second chances story. Of finding love again, finding yourself and moving forward. It was about family and friendship and the myriad of possibilities that opens up if you are willing to take the chance and letting go of the past and work for a better future.

A copy of this book was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review for Love Bytes.

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5 people found this helpful

another good story by Sloane

Definitely a good read. I love Sloane Kennedy and Michael Dean narrating is becoming my favorite. Only slight drawback is the story ending. It felt... not enough. I didnt really like the forgive-and-forget ending but it is what it is. I know people complain about stories not being "realistic" enough but it's a work of fiction! they should have some level of extreme. story was sweet...and passive, even with the rough kinky-like sex. not my favorite but I would still recommend.

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1 person found this helpful

protect those you love

This book was so sweet. I love the passion between them. Even when they weren't on good terms, the passion still ran deep. & once all of the truths come out, it is just all so sweet (well...on their parts, obviously some people are just rotten eggs). The sexual chemistry was great too! hot and steamy. This book did not disappoint.

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2 people found this helpful

Great story...

Sloan Kennedy has become on of my favorite authors. Love the stories, and the characters. Especially the colorful ones that are always in each storyline.

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One of the best books I’ve ever read!

I absolutely loved this book and don’t know why I waited so long to read it! The story is original and the narration is perfect, obviously, because everything Michael narrates is. I highly recommend this book!

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1 person found this helpful

Couldn't stop listening

First off: Michael Dean has to be my favorite narrator. His pacing is perfect and he portrays emotion like nobody's business. Every single word he reads is driven with accute intention and care. Paired with that beautiful, deep, throaty voice - amazing 😙👌.
Story: Phrasing was sometimes a little repetitive, which gave me some Riley Hart vibes; this is either the first or one of the first Sloan Kennedy books I've read, so I don't know if that's her usual MO. The main characters, particularly Brooks, drove me fucking nuts with their stupidity throughout the whole book. THAT BEING SAID, I listened to this all day because I simply couldn't stop. Always Mine is exciting, sweet, anger-inducing, dramatic, and hot. I also appreciated the big reveal(s) and all of the secondary characters. This book had A LOT (and I mean a fucking lot) of similar elements to those in More Than Life by Mary Calmes (even the ranch being in Wyoming and one of the MC's being the ex-con foreman😶). Honestly, I'm not sure which book came first, but though I enjoyed More Than Life, I had several peeves with the story. Always Mine, by applying and compounding those similar elements to certain characters and plot points, along with its own story and flow, was a far more interesting read.

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