Audio Review: Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas

This delightful story moved very quickly.
Secrets of a Summer Night
Written by Lisa Kleypas
Narrated by Rosalyn Landor

Run Time 8h 35min
Release Date: March 16, 2021
Publisher: HarperCollins
Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.5; Narration 4.75.

Publisher Description
The Wallflowers
Four young ladies at the side of the ballroom make a pact to help each other find husbands … no matter what it takes
Proud and beautiful Annabelle Peyton could have her pick of suitors—if only she had a dowry. Her family is on the brink of disaster, and the only way Annabelle can save them is to marry a wealthy man. Unfortunately her most persistent admirer is the brash Simon Hunt, a handsome and ambitious entrepreneur who wants her as his mistress.
Annabelle is determined to resist Simon’s wicked propositions, but she can’t deny her attraction to the boldly seductive rogue, any more than he can resist the challenge she presents. As they try to outmaneuver each other, they find themselves surrendering to a love more powerful than they could have ever imagined. But fate may have other plans—and it will take all of Annabelle’s courage to face a peril that could destroy everything she holds dear.

Review:
Beautiful Annabelle has struggled through several seasons but remains a wallflower because she has no dowry. She is being pushed by her mother to marry a wealthy suitor but she hasn’t found anyone suitable. Meanwhile, the men figure that eventually she will agree to become a mistress to save her mother and younger brother. Annabelle and three other wallflowers decide to band together to help each other find a husband. Annabelle sets her sights on a mild-mannered young man who is being besieged by many unwed debutantes.

One extremely wealthy man, Simon Hunt, continues to take an interest in Annabelle but he is an on the fringes of good society as an entrepreneur rather than titled nobility. Simon isn’t necessarily looking for marriage, but the more he is around Annabelle the more he is drawn to her caring nature. Annabelle is proud and not sure if society will really accept someone like Simon, in spite of his money and good looks. But as they spend time together she begins to wonder what it would be like to be more intimate with him.

I enjoyed the collaborations of the four wallflowers, but I enjoyed the ‘push and repel’ attraction between Annabelle and Simon. I’m not sure I agree that Annabelle should have remained silent as long as she did, but it fit the story plot. I had forgotten how much I enjoy this type of historical romance with its society intrigues and sensual romance. I am looking forward to the next book in the series for Autumn (It Happened One Autumn).

Audio Notes: Rosalyn Landor is a wonderful narrator for this genre. She presents engaging, distinct voices, and strong energy fitting the emotions. The audio enhanced my enjoyment of this story.

Source: July 2021 Purchase at Chirp for $1.99. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook, and 2021Season goals.

Audible Book Review: Red Winter, Book 1, by Annette Marie

I liked this engaging fantasy and plan to continue the series.
Red Winter
Red Winter, Book 1
By: Annette Marie
Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller

Length: 11 hrs and 21 mins
Release date: 01-03-17
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Asian Myth & Legend, Fairy Tale, Fantasy Teen & YA
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Emi is the kamigakari. In a few short months, her life as a mortal will end, and her new existence as the human host of a goddess will begin. Carefully hidden from those who would destroy her, she has prepared her mind, body, and soul to unite with the goddess - and not once has she doubted her chosen fate.
Shiro is a yokai, a spirit of the earth, an enemy of the goddess Emi will soon host. Mystery shrouds his every move, and his ruby eyes shine with cunning she can't match and dares not trust. But she saved his life, and until his debt is paid, he is hers to command - whether she wants him or not. On the day they meet, everything Emi believes comes undone, swept away like snow upon the winter wind. For the first time, she wants to change her fate - but how can she erase a destiny already wrought in stone? Against the power of the gods, Shiro is her only hope...and hope is all she has left. ©2016 Annette Marie (P)2017 Tantor

Review:
Emi is a special young woman. As a child she didn’t choose to be privileged but when she exhibited the mark of the goddess, she did choose to become a kamigakari. She shunned usual young girl past times and natural relationships as she was shut off from her family and trained to become the human host of a goddess. She ate a certain diet, trained her body and mind, did nothing that would endanger her life, and kept herself pure so that she would honor the destiny she was told she was chosen for. She has been moved from temple to temple to keep her safe from those who seek to kill any kamigagari before they can unite with the goddess who has been absent for a hundred years. Just weeks before Emi is to merge with the goddess, she learns a stunning secret. She doesn’t know if it is true, but it makes her question her fate for the first time.

In a moment of frustration and doubt, Emi dodges her guards for a short time alone. She impulsively decides to seek something she hasn’t been allowed – to sit on a horse. The horse bolts and runs off to the mountains, stranding Emi in the dark, dangerous forest where there are dark creatures which would seek to kill Emi and even more so if they knew who she was. She is frightened when she stumbles upon a white fox with ruby eyes. But that isn’t the creature to fear – it is the giant monster chasing the injured fox. Emi manages to save the fox and soon learns that it is Shiro, a yokai, a spirit of the earth whom she has been taught is an enemy of her goddess. Emi shouldn’t trust Shiro, but it appears that he is the only person she can turn to for help to learn the truth and maybe to escape her fate.

Emi’s character has a lot of strength and courage although she is clearly naïve due to her restrictive upbringing. I never perceived her as a snob or unkind to those around her. Sadly – she has spent her life staying aloof by the choices she made and the mentors who have trained her. I appreciated her character and her concerns about trusting a possible enemy. Shiro is a mysterious character who reminds me of Loki, a mischievous, cunning trickster. He also has a certain charm and likeability.

The story starts a little slower as the author introduces the reader to the history of the kamigakari. It is worth pushing through to get to the action, magic and the touch of romance. The story does have a YA vibe but it is interesting enough for more mature readers like me. I recommend this to fans of myths and fantasy.

Audio Notes: Emily Woo Zeller is an excellent narrator. Her character voices are distinct and fit the personalities. She also manages all of the unusual words. The audio enhanced my enjoyment of the story and I hope to listen to the rest of the trilogy.

There are apparently very nice illustrations in the print and kindle versions.

Source: May 2018 Audible Daily Deal for $3.95. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook, 2021Alphabet, 2021Season and 2021Color goals.