For 100 Reasons by Lara Adrian
100 Series #3
Narrated by: Alexander Cendese and Summer Morton
Release Date: January 16, 2017
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy from Tantor Audio. This did not affect my rating and my review is voluntarily provided.
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #AudioChallenge, #ShelfLove, #TravelingtotheTerminus
Goodreads
Synopsis
Billionaire Dominic Baine stepped into Avery Ross's life when it was at its lowest. Obsessed with the beautiful, struggling artist, Nick was determined to have her. What began as a scorching seduction soon burned out of control, exploding into a white-hot passion neither of them could deny. Yet Nick and Avery are two damaged people, both haunted by dark secrets with the power to destroy them. And for Nick, the ugly past that shaped him cannot compare the the unforgivable deception that drives Avery from his arms, from his life. Now the man accustomed to having everything he desires must find a way to redeem himself to the only woman he has ever loved. Avery Ross has known heartbreak. She has known betrayal and loss, but nothing like the pain that loving Dominic Baine has brought into her life. Reeling from the aftermath of his devastating revelation, instead of allowing despair to break her, she builds herself into something stronger - the fearless woman and gifted artist that Nick's passion has taught her to be. Yet her heart is in pieces, and despite everything she has, the one thing she needs is the man whose possessive desires and consuming love holds the power to either save them both or shatter her forever...Contains mature themes.
For 100 Reasons was the perfect way to wrap up the love affair between Nick and Avery - to convey the strength of the bond and the relationship they now have. And the addition of Alexander Cendese to narrate Nick's POV ROCKED!
This installment picks up where For 100 Nights ended and then jumps ahead in time a year. The revelations brought to light in Paris regarding how Nick and Avery met were more than Avery could handle. And Nick made a very unselfish move by letting her go.
One year later, neither has moved on so a chance encounter provides the possibility of a second chance. But this time, Nick has to be completely honest, bare himself in all ways and it's difficult for him to make himself that vulnerable.
I enjoyed that For 100 Reasons focused on Nick's past and the things he fears revealing to Avery. His childhood was every bit as traumatic as Avery's and if he reveals his truths, he worries Avery will turn away from him. That it was Avery's turn to prove she'd love him no matter what was a pleasure to experience. Being a fan of character growth and having seen Avery grow and mature over the course of the last two installments. I'm also a sucker for a hero who is flawed but has redeeming qualities. I was thrilled to see Nick do some growing and redeeming himself.
Samantha Morton once again embodied Avery. Her pacing and voices kept me engaged even if there were times when I felt her narration drifted to almost monotone. Alexander Cendese, however, was phenomenal! He truly brought Nick to life. His delivery made for more exciting listening as he was able to incite tension. His voices for female characters were surprisingly varied and well-done and I point this out since his voice is a cross between Sebastian York and Christian Fox. The emotion he evoked was impressive. His narration is more of a dramatic interpretation and I'm a fan! I have already sought out more books narrated by him.
In the end, For 100 Reasons was a wonderful ending for Avery and Nick. I knew I liked Adrian's storytelling capabilities being familiar with her PNR series. After giving this trilogy a go, I'll be sure to pick up more of her contemporaries.
For 100 Nights by Lara Adrian
100 Series #2
Narrated by: Summer Morton
Release Date: January 16, 2017
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy from Tantor Audio. This did not affect my rating and my review is voluntarily provided.
Rating: 3.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #AudioChallenge, #2017NewRelease
Goodreads
Synopsis
Avery Ross is living a dream. After struggling all of her life to make ends meet, a chance meeting with a powerful, darkly handsome man has catapulted her into a dazzling new world of penthouse luxury, elegant parties, and a wild, consuming passion with her billionaire lover, Dominic Baine. Nothing is out of his reach in business or in pleasure, yet the only woman he wants is her. Nick sweeps her to sensual heights she has never dared explore, commanding her body the same way he commands her heart. Yet Avery knows the fantasy she's living cannot last. With dark secrets and a dangerous enemy haunting her past, Avery must find a way to trust Nick with the truth before it destroys everything they share. But Nick is harboring secrets of his own as well. And when they come to light, Avery will be forced to decide if the love she feels for Nick is strong enough to endure a betrayal she may never be able to forgive. Contains mature themes.
So For 100 Nights picks up where For 100 Days ended, continuing Nick and Avery's story. While I'm still invested in the outcome, there was something missing in this installment for me.
Nick made a deal with Avery - for every day they'd been together on her terms, he got a night on his terms. Since Avery's housesitting gig is up, this means she's essentially living with and being supported by Nick. This was something that was hard for me to swallow since Avery's a strong, independent woman who's been taking care of herself for awhile. But whatever.
Things seem to be going well for them as individuals as well as a couple. Nick has a pet project that's gotten approval and Avery's art seems to be reaching new heights. As a couple they're getting closer and seemingly stronger. But there are still so many secrets and something from Avery's past is haunting her - literally.
Okay, there were a lot of things I liked about For 100 Nights. With the exception of them keeping things from each other, I really like Nick and Avery together. Their chemistry is explosive and For 100 Nights has lots of steamy good times. I liked Avery's friend, Tasha, and her new artist friends. I liked seeing a compassionate side of Nick. But there were things I didn't like - mostly that I felt Nick used sex where words would have been better. And the past - things were too easily resolved.
And then that ending! Wowza!! I honestly didn't see that coming. I had inklings but nothing to this magnitude. I'm eager to see where these two land.
This is only a 3.5 star read because while I like my steam, I like it as a side dish to the story. And while For 100 Nights had story, it seemed to arrive late. In my opinion.
Summer Morton once again impressed me with her delivery, voices, and pacing. And the steam, y'all! The steam!! *fans self* I'll be checking out her other work.
For 100 Days by Lara Adrian
100 Series #1
Narrated by: Summer Morton
Release Date: August 16, 2016
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy from Tantor Audio. This did not affect my rating and my review is voluntarily provided.
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #AudioChallenge, #BloggerShame
Goodreads
Synopsis
Struggling artist Avery Ross is barely scraping by. Bartending at a trendy New York City restaurant for an overbearing boss and two weeks away from losing her apartment to a condo developer, she's desperate for a break. So when she's offered a temporary housesitting job, she takes it. Living in one of the poshest addresses in Manhattan is like entering a new world-one that catapults her into the orbit of billionaire Dominic Baine, the darkly handsome, arrogantly alpha resident of the building's penthouse. What begins as a powerful attraction soon explodes into a white-hot passion neither can deny. Yet as scorching as their need for each other is, Avery doesn't expect Nick's interest in her to last. Nor does she dare to dream that the desire she feels for this scarred, emotionally remote man could deepen into something real. For Avery has secrets of her own-and a past that could destroy her and shatter everything she and Nick share.
Contains mature themes.
For 100 Days was a riveting listen and I was thrilled to have a twelve hour day in my car to indulge in it!
I've read Adrian's vampires a long time ago but never finished that series nor read anymore of her work. Why? I have no idea but I intend to add more of her to my reading diet. She delivered an erotic romance with a story and y'all know I like a good story with my steam. *wink*
Avery is an artist trying to get her foot in the door. Meanwhile she's tending bar at a trendy restaurant. Unfortunately, she can't seem to catch a break...not for a long time. Just as she finds out some bad news regarding her art, she also learns she's about to lose her apartment. Then her luck changes...in very big and life-altering ways.
Enter Nick Baine. This man...well, he draws Avery in like a planet orbits the sun. And the pull is mutual. These two have chemistry and it ignites something in them both. But they both have secrets and since Avery feels it's all very temporary, she's not inclined to expose herself.
I see both Avery and Nick changing - growing emotionally - as their connection strengthens. And I'm eager to see where they go from here. I like Avery's loyalty to her best friend, Tasha, and her close relationship with her mom. She's protective of those close to her. But she's also protective of herself - with reason - and it's a show of great trust to open up to Nick.
I kinda adore Nick. Yes he's total alpha and enigmatic. But once he seems all in with Avery, I like the way he treats her - chivalrously - and the things he says... "Don't compare yourself to any other women. I don't. What's between us is just you and me." He even extends the treatment to her friends.
Revelations occurred at the end but more more questions were raised as well. Therefore, I'm stoked I have book 2 queued up in audio. Unfortunately, I don't have a long drive ahead of me so it'll take me more than one day to finish it.
Summer Morton is a new-to-me narrator and I'll be looking for more from her. Her bio says she specializes in steamy and I understand...she's good. So good I was second-thinking my decision to listen while on a road trip. *wink* She not only conveys the passion well though. She did well with all the emotion and she has a great range for both female and male voices as well as accents.
For 100 Reasons by Lara Adrian
