Title: Six of crows: book 1
author: Leigh bardugo
narrator(s): jay snyder, brandon rubin, fred berman, lauren fortgang, roger clark, elizabeth evans, tristan morris
rating: 5 beans
synopsis:
Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price – and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can’t pull it off alone.
A convict with a thirst for revenge. A sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager. A runaway with a privileged past. A spy known as the Wraith. A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums. A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes. Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz’s crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction – if they don’t kill each other first.
my impression: I read this duology prior to reading the trilogy. i had heard so much about this kaz that i needed to see for myself what the story was about. I absolutely loved this book. inej is my home girl though nina definitely comes up a close second. i loved the twists and turns, the badass of so many of the characters and how heart breaking but real the stories of struggle were for everyone involved! the large cast of narrators/performers made this one even better. it was almost like watching a movie!
audiobook link: *HERE*
Title: crooked kingdom: book 2
author: leigh bardugo
narrator(s): roger clark, jay snyder, elizabeth evans, fred berman, brandon rubin, kevin t. collins, lauren fortgang, peter ganim
rating: 5 beans
synopsis:
The highly anticipated sequel to the thrilling New York Times best-selling Six of Crows.
Kaz Brekker and his crew have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn’t think they’d survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they’re right back to fighting for their lives. Double-crossed and badly weakened, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz’s cunning and test the team’s fragile loyalties. A war will be waged on the city’s dark and twisting streets – a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of the Grisha world.
my impression: book 2 did not disappoint! It was epic and a wonderful conclusion to this duology. i’m guessing with the new release of the next book that is grishaverse related that we hopefully get to catch up with some of these characters. *fingers crossed* As was the case with book 1 lots of twists and turns and just when it seems like the team was toast they find a way out or around or were one step ahead all along. i loved the large cast of narrators once again and would just love to see this group running various jobs. I could read about their pursuits forever!
audiobook link: *HERE*
Title: Shadow and bone: The grisha book 1
author: leigh bardugo
narrator(s): lauren fortgang
rating: 4 beans
synopsis:
Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.
Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves her life-a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.
Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha… and the secrets of her heart.
my impression: this book started off really slow and i see why some suggested that even if the six of crows is what you came in contact with first that you either read this first or do not read it as you will feel the major differences in the work. I am two books through and it is just not as gripping or engaging as the six of crows series. I really enjoy the darkling in this book. THere are definitely twists and turns but i also felt that there was a great deal of filler to get to the last part of the book where our cliff-hanger/action finally happens. i felt the same way with book 2 as well. the narrator did a good job with some characters but i did notice some inconsistencies at times. not an awful read and that is why it got 4 beans because i recognize my criticism would probably have been a great deal different if i read this trilogy first.
audiobook link: *HERE*
Title: siege and storm: the grisha book 2
author: leigh bardugo
narrator(s): lauren fortgang
rating: 3 beans
synopsis:
Darkness never dies.
Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land, all while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. But she can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.
The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her – or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.
my impression: this second book also started off somewhat slow and had a big ending to it. the middle however was rather lacking. the ending was good enough to convince me to read book 3 as i now just need to know how it all ends. the narration was solid overall.
audiobook link: *HERE*
Title: Misadventures of a curvy girl
author: sierra simone
narrator(s): natalie easton, teddy hamilton, william leroy
rating: 4 beans
synopsis:
******Misadventures are standalone romances that can be listened to in any order***
For the first time in her life, Ireland Mills is happy with her body. No more fad diets, no more hiding from every camera in the room, no more low self-esteem. She’d rather be alone than with someone who’ll only love her if she’s skinny.
Caleb Carpenter and Ben Weber are everything Ireland and the Kansas Chamber of Commerce dreamed of when conceptualizing the “Real Kansas” promotional campaign. They’re handsome, young, educated, and totally dedicated to their small prairie town.
When Ireland’s Prius gets stuck on a Kansas dirt road and a massive storm rips through town, she’s left stranded with nowhere to turn but to Caleb and Ben. These two hunky country boys are impossible to ignore, but could they ever be interested in her as well?
Caleb and Ben are more than interested…and they’re willing to share. After their first night together, they know this has to be more than a one-time thing. They need to make her theirs forever. But can they convince Ireland they love her, curves and all?
****
Misadventures is a romantic series of spicy standalone novels, each written or co-written by some of the best names in romance. The stories are scandalous, refreshing, and, of course, incredibly sexy. They’re the perfect bedside listen, a ‘quick blush’ for the listener who loves a pause-resisting romance.
my impression: i loved this story! there was an awesome and quirky curvy girl who had the makings to be a self-confident queen but needed that little push and to be treated kindly and lovingly to fully get there. if you are a fan of sierra simone then you probably know what to expect in this little hot goodie. if you are not a fan of sierra simone yet then i would say this story is right up the alley of those that love maya banks work. hot steamy and also aww inducing in the amount of genuine love the characters have for one another. the narration was wonderful and definitely added to the heat in this one!
audiobook link: *HERE*
Title: A Nordic King
author: Karina Halle
narrator(s): Stephanie Wyles and Jeremy York
rating: 4 Beans
synopsis:
A widowed father of two little girls.
The beautiful nanny he’s hired to raise them.
A forbidden romance unlike any other.
A Nordic King is the newest standalone royal romance from the New York Times Bestselling author of The Pact and The Swedish Prince.
When I first applied for the job I thought it would be like all the others: working as a nanny for an aristocratic family.
Then I got the job and found out how wrong I was.
Now I’m the new nanny for two adorable little girls who happen to be princesses.
Their father is the widowed King of Denmark.
And my new home? The royal palace in Copenhagen.
Adjusting to my new life isn’t easy but the hardest part hasn’t been the girls who still grieve over the loss of their mother.
It’s their father.
Cold, mysterious and moody, with an icy stare that seems to penetrate your soul, King Aksel may have hired me to take care of his daughters but he wants as little to do with me as possible.
Yet the longer I share these palace walls with this man, the more that I’m drawn to him. His chiseled face and sexual swagger are only part of the package. It’s in the long, intense glances at the dinner table, the way we’ll brush up against each other in the halls, the rare glimpses of the man deep inside, like the sun passing through clouds.
But no matter how I feel about him, we can never be together.
You think it’s bad enough being in love with your boss?
Try falling in love with a king.
A Nordic King is a 100% complete standalone story and a spinoff of The Swedish Prince and The Wild Heir. If you wish to read in the order they are published, start with The Swedish Prince, then read The Wild Heir and then A Nordic King. Each book is a standalone and can be read without spoiling another.
This book contains GRAPHIC SEX SCENES AND FOUL LANGUAGE – reader discretion is advised
my impression: I really enjoyed this one from karina halle! the narration was solid and the story had depth and was interesting. it definitely had fairy tale vibes with an adult spin, lol! i really enjoyed the relationship that developed between the two main characters and the daughters were so awesome and added just the right amount of levity and comic relief when it was needed with their shenanigans. it had some seriously smoking hot sexy times as well which is never a bad thing with a solid story.
audiobook link: *HERE*
Title: Lucky Suit
author: lauren blakely
narrator(s): andy arndt and zachary webber
rating: 5 beans
synopsis:
Don’t miss this charming new romantic comedy novella from number one New York Times best-selling author Lauren Blakely – available in audio first!
I’m breaking up with setups. No more “you should meet my son, nephew, grandson, the butcher, the guy down the street who mows my lawn.” People mean well, but machines know better, so I’ll rely on the great dating algorithms of the web to find my ideal man, thank you very much.
Soon enough, it looks like I’ve found him – his screen name is Lucky Suit, and he’s hilarious, quick-witted, and full of heart. But when we finally get together in person, I have the distinct feeling I’ve met him before. Funny enough – he says the same thing about me.
Turns out, there’s something fishy about our meetup, and when we find out what truly brought us together, all bets are off as to whether we can trust our hearts over our heads. Can you fall in love with someone you’re not sure you really know?
my impression: i cannot say enough good things about this book! it was so incredibly funny and cute! the main characters bantered together so well. i loved every minute of it and the twist was so good and unexpected. that is all i will say as not to spoil. i loved the side characters as well and it was just a really fun read. if you’re in a book funk or if you just need something that is well written and gives you the feel goods about love this is your listen! plus you cannot go wrong with andi arndt or zachary webber!
audiobook link: *HERE*
Title: birthday suit
author: lauren blakely
narrator(s): full cast including: andi arndt, sebastian york, joe arden, rc bray, jason clarke, shane east, dion graham, january lavoy, erin mallon, robin miles, savannah peachwood & julia whelan
rating: 5 beans
synopsis:
An all-star production of a brand new stand-alone romance from number one New York Times best-selling author Lauren Blakely, performed by a full cast of 12 narrators. The star-studded cast includes award winners and fan favorites: Andi Arndt and Sebastian York, with Joe Arden, RC Bray, Jason Clarke, Shane East, Dion Graham, January LaVoy, Erin Mallon, Robin Miles, Savannah Peachwood, and Julia Whelan. This audiobook also includes an exclusive backstage conversation between Andi Arndt and Sebastian York!
There is no rule in the Man Code as unbreakable as this: No matter how beautiful, smart, clever, and witty she is, do not – under any circumstances – fall in love with your best friend’s woman. Yeah. So there’s that. Look, it’s not like I didn’t know I screwed up by falling for her.
Also, for the record, unrequited love sucks big time. And, I might have cut myself some slack by now, given everything that went down in the last few years, but Lulu just walked back into my life in a big way.
There are three things I’ve never been able to resist – my friends, my family, and chocolate. Leo Hennessy? He was nowhere on that list. He’s been a true friend – a friend who walked through hell and back with me. Now, I’m stepping into my new future. I didn’t expect it to include a riddle-filled, race-against-the-clock scavenger hunt across New York City. With Leo.
Suddenly, I’m looking at this man with new eyes… But my life spun out because of a man once before, and I can’t risk my fresh start, no matter what the temptation. And Leo is most definitely a temptation of the sexiest, sweetest, and most dangerous variety. More irresistibly delicious than chocolate….
Performed by Andi Arndt and Sebastian York as Lulu and Leo. Supporting cast: Ginny: Erin Mallon, George: R.C. Bray, Kingsley: January Lavoy, Cameron: Dion Graham, Dean: Shane East, Tripp: Jason Clarke, Noah: Joe Arden, Tabitha: Julia Whelan, Mariana: Robin Miles, RaeLynn: Savannah Peachwood, Vivian: Robin Miles.
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