Really Short Reviews: Audios of Beautiful Bastard Novellas

I've been listening to the Beautiful Bastard series on audio and I must admit, this series is turning around all my previous feelings about contemporary erotic romance. I'm reviewing the full-length books as I listen to them and I'm reviewing the novellas here, in our Really Short Reviews format. 

Have you started this series yet?

Beautiful Bitch

(Beautiful Bastard #1.5)

Author: Christina Lauren
Narrator: Grace Grant, Kirby Heybourne

Release: July 9, 2013

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Audible

Really Short Review: 
This novella did not do it for me like the full length book that preceded it. I gave Beautiful Bastard a solid four star review, but this one falls a little flat for me. The focus here is a much-needed vacation that Bennett and Chloe decide to take but the focus is more on the sweet side of their relationship than their panty ripping sex. As much as I enjoyed all of the sweetness, I still could have used more of the hotness and tension that makes their relationship so enjoyable. The other drawback here was the addition of Kirby Heybourne as the voice for Bennett. Not only was this completely unnecessary, but it just plain didn't work. Kirby's voice is NOT EVEN CLOSE to how I would have imagined Bennett sounding. His voice is smooth and "everyday guy", not Bennett worthy at all. It should be noted that clearly I wasn't the only one who felt this way because in later novellas Kirby is replaced by another narrator who does a MUCH better job. This novella is a must listen, as it furthers the series and the relationship of these two, but I'd recommend reading it in print or in ebook format before starting the next full-length book in the series.

 1/2

2.5 / 5 stars

Beautiful Bombshell
(Beautiful Bastard #2.5)
Author: Christina Lauren
Narrator: Jonathan Cole, Sebastian York
Release: September 3, 2013
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Audible

Really Short Review: 
Remember my issues with that first novella? My lackluster review? WELL. This second novella is on the completely opposite end of the spectrum. Not only was Beautiful Bombshell spectacular, it was actually my favorite book in the Beautiful Bastard series so far! I wish this somehow could have been made into a full-length novel, but at 160 pages it is a decent length for what it is. Beautiful Bombshell is dually narrated by Bennett and Max. In this one the boys travel to Vegas for Bennett's bachelor party but - surprise! - the ladies are secretly there too! Feisty, hot, intense, romantic, surprising sex ensues! Fun for everyone! The best thing about this novella? That male narrator for Bennett Ryan whom I did not enjoy has been replaced by perhaps the sexiest voice ever. Bennett's voice here is deep. Extremely deep. And a bit gravelly and smooth at the same time. Whoever was in charge of finding this guy gets a big BRAVO from me. And Jonathan Cole is back with his sexy British accent, of course. The other great thing about this novella? Seeing how both men adore their women so damn much. They genuinely see themselves as unbelievably lucky to be with them and they melted my hearts. Beautiful Bombshell was absolutely delightful, super super dirty, and completely wonderful. I might have to go back and listen to this one again.

  

5 / 5 stars

Audio Review: Beautiful Stranger by Christina Lauren

Beautiful Stranger
(Beautiful Bastard #2)
Author: Christina Lauren
Narrator:Grace Grant and Jonathan R. Cole
Release: April 16, 2013
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Audible

Escaping a cheating ex, finance whiz Sara Dillon’s moved to New York City and is looking for excitement and passion without a lot of strings attached. So meeting the irresistible, sexy Brit at a dance club should have meant nothing more than a night’s fun. But the manner—and speed—with which he melts her inhibitions turns him from a one-time hookup and into her Beautiful Stranger.
The whole city knows that Max Stella loves women, not that he’s ever found one he particularly wants to keep around. Despite pulling in plenty with his Wall Street bad boy charm, it’s not until Sara—and the wild photos she lets him take of her—that he starts wondering if there’s someone for him outside of the bedroom.
Hooking up in places where anybody could catch them, the only thing scarier for Sara than getting caught in public is having Max get too close in private.

Review:

Here's all I really need to say in this review: This is a sexy erotic romance where the man is British and the male narrator's accent is British. The narrator's accent is British. Did you just add it to your TBR pile? That's what I thought.

Beautiful Stranger is the second full-length novel in Christina Lauren's Beautiful Bastard series, which is shaping up to be a super sexy and super fun series so far. In this one we get to actually meet Max Stella, who we were briefly introduced to in the novella between books one and two when Bennet had a phone conversation with him. Max meets Chloe's good friend Sara while they are all out at a night club, and wonderful spur-of-the-moment sex ensues. You might remember that Sara was in a relationship in book one, but here some time has passed and she has since broken it off with that boyfriend - under not so great circumstances.

Sara is a good leading lady, smart and successful with a great personality but a bit of a guarded fragility at times due to her past relationship. What's really wonderful is seeing her through Max's eyes. Even when its just sex between them in the early stages of their relationship, Max sees Sara as an absolutely stunning beauty who has an inner beauty as well. His nickname for her, "Petal", rolls out of the mouth of the male narrator in the most delicious way, and Max's affection for Sara is adorable.

Max and Stella have a lot of roadblocks in the way of their relationship. Unlike Bennett and Chloe, who knew each other for a while before beginning their sexual relationship, Max and Sara meet for the first time in this book. Max is a bit of a local celebrity who the local paparazzi love to photograph and Sara wants to avoid the limelight at all costs (and for very good, understandable reasons). I also felt like the climax in this book that led to the inevitable drama toward the book's end was better and more realistic than the one in book one. Although I felt like Sara was a bit quick to jump to conclusions, her past and the situation made her reaction make sense to me.

And, OH, the sex! Both Max and Sara realize together that they are both exhibitionists that enjoy having sex in public where people might see. This leads to some creative locations for their sexual encounters. A little fooling around in a cab while a cabbie is driving, anyone? Sex on a rooftop during a fireworks show? And always, the pictures! Max likes to take pictures during sex as well! Geez, could these two have more inventive things going on during their sex? I loved them. I loved all of Max's British words and phrases and the obvious love he had for Sara. I loved how Sara was interesting and mysterious and a worthy match for Max. Beautiful Stranger was another knock out of the park for the Beautiful Bastard series!

Notes on the Narrator: Beautiful Stranger has the same female narrator as book one, Grace Grant. However a male narrator was added for Max's POV in this one, Jonathan R. Cole. His British accent was spectacular. At first it sounded like he was having difficulty deciding is Max was English or Scottish, but as the book went on his accent smoothed out. He nailed everything he said. My especially favorite words of his were when he said Sara's name and when he called her "Petal"......and everything sweet and dirty he said to Sara when they were having sex.......

Recommended for fans of: Beautiful Bastard, erotic romance with fully fleshed out characters, hot British guys, and public sex.

    

  4 / 5 stars

My reviews of other books in this series:
Beautiful Bastard (Beautiful Bastard #1)

Audio Review: Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren

Beautiful Bastard
(Beautiful Bastard #1)
Christina Lauren
Release: February 12, 2013
Goodreads  Amazon
Audible

An ambitious intern. A perfectionist executive. And a whole lot of name calling.

Whip-smart, hardworking, and on her way to an MBA, Chloe Mills has only one problem: her boss, Bennett Ryan. He's exacting, blunt, inconsiderate—and completely irresistible. A Beautiful Bastard.
Bennett has returned to Chicago from France to take a vital role in his family's massive media business. He never expected that the assistant who'd been helping him from abroad was the gorgeous, innocently provocative—completely infuriating—creature he now has to see every day. Despite the rumors, he's never been one for a workplace hookup. But Chloe's so tempting he's willing to bend the rules—or outright smash them—if it means he can have her. All over the office.

As their appetites for one another increase to a breaking point, Bennett and Chloe must decide exactly what they're willing to lose in order to win each other.

Review:

Anyone who knows me as a reader knows that #1 - I hardcore prefer paranormal over contemporary and #2 - I don't really enjoy erotic romance. Well, #1 is always going to be my preference, but after starting the Beautiful Bastard series I can't really say #2 anymore! Beautiful Bastard was sexy, fast paced, and has terrific characters.

In Beautiful Bastard we meet Bennett Ryan, the bastard in question, and his intern Chloe Mills. Their story is told in alternating POVs that give readers insights into how each character feels. Their situation goes from office coworkers that don't care for each other to hot and heavy office sex prettttttttyy quickly. This is always one of my complaints about this type of story but I guess its just a trope of the genre I have to roll with. After that initial sexual encounter Bennett and Chloe develop an obsession with having sex with each other. The twist? They still can't stand each other! I felt like this was the aspect of this book I enjoyed the most. Bennett and Chloe are having some dirty, steamy romps and they still can't help trading verbal barbs before, during, and after.

Chloe:
"I had never felt this way. And I had never expected to feel this way about him. I wanted to slap him, and then pull him up by his shirt and lick his neck."

“If only he would keep his mouth shut, he'd be perfect. A piece of duct tape would do the trick. I had some in my desk that I'd occasionally pull out and fondle, hoping someday I could put it to good use.”

The author manages to keep up the heavy sexual tension between Bennett and Chloe even after they've been having sex for weeks. Their constant back and forth kept up the pace of the story and made things interesting even when it started becoming clear that this relationship was turning into more than just sex. Seeing the change in Bennett, albeit against his own will, as he started to realize his true feelings for her just drew me more into him as a character. He managed to maintain his "bastardness" while also showing a softer side.

Bennett:
“You have very Grace Kelly-like tendencies about you. I hear Grace Kelly had a filthy mouth too," he added.
"You love my filthy mouth."
"True. But I like it better when its full," he said, meaningful smirk in place.
"You know, if you would shut up once in a while you'd be damn near perfect."
"But I'd be a silent panty ripper, which I think is a lot creepier than the angry-boss panty ripper.”

Oh yes. The panty ripping. The panty ripping. I found this to be QUITE hot and sexy. All of Bennett's growling and ripping of Chloe's various panties and lingerie...WHEW!

All in all, this was a naughty romance with tons of sex that just got better and better. Bennett and Chloe were hot, tantalizing, funny, sweet, and steamy. I absolutely adored these two characters and this book made me curious what other contemporary erotic romances I might be missing out on. But for now, I'm on to book two!

Notes on the narrator: This first one was narrated only by Grace Grant. I know that the remainder of the audios for this series add a male voice but honestly Grace Grant did a phenomenal job. She expressed Bennett's snark and growliness perfectly. In fact, I often forgot this wasn't dually narrated! If you're thinking of trying out this series I would highly recommend it on audio. It added a whole other layer that I think would have been missing if I read the story in print.

Recommended for fans of: erotica, sassy women and bastard guys who fall for them, office romance, and panty ripping stairwell sex.

    

  4 / 5 stars