A charming prince and a resolute princess are brought to life by narrator Heather Wilds. Dilys is determined to win the woman he believes is destined to be his wife, but Gabriella is reluctant to give in to his passion or persuasion. Wilds carefully balances the push and pull of their evolving relationship, giving equal attention to Dilys's patient efforts and Gabriella's hesitant acceptance. Wilds's portrayal of their slowly blossoming romance is deeply satisfying, and she is also adept at bringing the rest of the sprawling fantasy world of Mystral to life. However, some listeners may be disturbed by fetishized depictions of slavery and the use of sexual assault as a plot device. The best parts are the dashing heroes, regal monarchs, steadfast retainers, and devious villains.
Pub Date: Oct. 31, 2017
Duration: 20 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780062404817
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A model and a mogul get married in Vegas on a bet, and Diana Luke narrates their story with élan. While it would be easy to portray Leila Darling as a scheming caricature or Carter Bain as a ruthless businessman, Luke never crosses that line. Her portrayal of Leila is generous and encompasses the full range of her character--from the formidable professional at the top of her game to the vulnerable woman who is unsure if she can trust a man with her heart. Likewise, Luke's portrayal of Carter showcases both his business acumen and his emotional vulnerability as he opens himself up to Leila. While loosely connected to the previous Unconventional Brides volumes, this can easily stand alone.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 9 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781501968471
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
After her divorce, Roberta Jewett, with her three daughters, returns to Camden, Maine, to start a new life. Such an independent move in 1916 brings difficulties with her mother, her in-laws and the townspeople. Dukes's performance, while skillful, sometimes suffer in scenes of emotional content. His pace slows, and his reading acquires the peculiar emphasis of someone trying to get instructions across to a non-English-speaking person. The effect is disturbingly laughable. When he resumes his normal pace, the story revives and personalities emerge again, but the awkwardness remains as an odd interruption to Spencer's drama of pain and love, dispelling Dukes's carefully constructed characterizations.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Dove
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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