Source: Audiobook Review, Physical Book PurchaseFormat: Audiobook
Last Kiss Goodnight by Gena Showalter
Narrator: George Newbern
Date Read: April 2013
Genre: PNR, Romance
More Information:The breathtaking first novel in New York Times best selling author Gena Showalter’s new paranormal romance series, Otherworld Assassins, featuring a black ops agent who is captured and enslaved…and the beautiful deaf girl who holds the key to his salvation…
THE SWEETEST TEMPTATION…
Black ops agent Solomon Judah awakens caged and bound in a twisted zoo where otherworlders are the main attraction. Vika Lukas, the owner’s daughter, is tasked with Solo’s care and feeding. The monster inside him yearns to kill her on sight, even though she holds the key to his escape. But the human side of him realizes the beautiful deaf girl is more than she seems—she’s his.
THE ULTIMATE PRICE…
Vika endures the captives’ taunts and loathing, hoping to keep them alive even if she can’t free them. Only, Solo is different—he protects her. But as hostility turns to forbidden romance, his feelings for her will be used against him…and he’ll be put to a killer test.
Series: Otherworld Assassin #1
Also by this author: Enslave Me Sweetly, Black and Blue, Savor Me Slowly
Also in this series: Black and Blue
Read from March 31 to April 03, 2013
Read for Fun/Listened for Review (Paperback/Simon & Schuster Audio)
Overall Rating: 4.00
Story Rating: 3.50
Character Rating: 4.50
Audio Rating: 4.50 (Not Part of the Overall Rating)
First Thought When Finished: Last Kiss Goodnight is a tough read but in the end worth every minute of it!
Story Thoughts: I really wish that I could divide this review down to pre-choice and post-choice ratings. There is something that just CLICKS about 1/2 of the way through. The characters, the story, the action, the love, the suspense, and your heart just combine to reach a perfect storm. At that moment, I knew that sticking out the emotional rawness of the first half was well worth the wait. As Kelly would say: THINGS HAPPEN Y’ALL (ok she wouldn’t say y’all but I am a Texan)!
Character Thoughts: The characters in Last Kiss Goodnight (all of them) are really intense. The good guys, the bad guys, the circus performers, and the men of books to come are all very in your face with how they are. I actually like when a character is almost unapologetic about who they are and their motivations for doing things. That being said there were times when Solo and Vika got in their own way because of their fierce knowledge in who they were. I really liked Vika even when she had to make choices that I didn’t agree with. She was a character that had to fight tooth and nail for everything. She did so without loosing herself and that makes her worthy of happiness.
Audio Thoughts:
Narrated by George Newbern/Running Time 10 hrs and 12 mins
I have a new narrator to add to my list because George Newbern is as good as Luke Daniels. Seriously, I was amazed at how easily I was transported into this story and his effortless telling of it. The voices, nuances, pacing, and emotions were spot on for the tone of this story. Just call me gobsmacked because there are very few guys that are on my favorites list and he just made it!
Final Thoughts: This book has a very rough beginning that not everyone will like or read through. If you do stick with it though I can almost guarantee that you will be looking forward to the next one in the series as much as I am!
NOTE: Thank you Kelly for telling me to stick with it!
Felicia S
During her non-reading time you can find her hanging with her rescue furr children named after book characters: Lizzie a beautiful cattle dog mix (Pound Pup), Cinder a beautiful Shep/Pitt mix (Pound Pup), and Minerva a beautiful Shep/Pitt mix (Foster Fail). Gathering with friends and family, attending conventions, watching movies/tv shows, rooting for the 49rs, and crocheting.
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Karen
Twitter: teamsheltie
A friend is sending this book to me soon! Yay – because it sounds so good y’all. Yeah…um I’m not Texan so that was lame lol
Felicia The Geeky Blogger
Twitter: thegeekyblogger
It is good! Anyone can use Y’all and Fixin! They are words we Texans like to spread around 🙂
Midnyte Reader
Twitter: midnytereader
I’ve never read anything by Gena S. I can handle a lot so I think I could get through the start of this story for the big payoff you speak of. I love the cover too!
Felicia The Geeky Blogger
Twitter: thegeekyblogger
It is an emotionally raw story and a little bit more horror than normal PNRs are. I actually think of all the people I know, you would have the most patience with it.
Diana Leigh
Twitter: bookofsecrets
It’s good you stuck with it! I usually abandon ship around 30% if the story is not working for me.
Felicia The Geeky Blogger
Twitter: thegeekyblogger
I was going to but Kelly made me see the error of my ways. It wasn’t bad (by any means) but the first part was so emotionally raw that it was hard for a mostly “fluff” reader like me.
aurian
Twitter: xAurianx
Glad you enjoyed it, Gena is not one of my favourite authors.
Felicia The Geeky Blogger
Twitter: thegeekyblogger
Her books are hit/miss with me sometimes so I completely understand that!
Amy
Twitter: bookgoonie
Love a good audiobook. It leaves you all a glow. This cover is gorgeous. This sounds really interesting. Zoo? And things happen ;D
Felicia The Geeky Blogger
Twitter: thegeekyblogger
Zoo and things do happen. Let me just audiobook–the mans voice was sex on a stick and then just wonderful!
Amy
Twitter: bookgoonie
Sex on a stick. I’m kind of drueling over the idea.
kimbacaffeinate
Twitter: kimbacaffeinate
Ya know I kind of have a love/hate thing going with Showalter. Some of her books I frigging adore and others I fumble with. I love the cover and I am so glad I read your review, because i know to stick with it at the beginning. So glad this worked for you.
Felicia The Geeky Blogger
Twitter: thegeekyblogger
I do too! Not every book of her’s is a win for me. I have even DNF’d one by her. This was a win in the end for me but it is very different (darker) than her other stuff I have read.
Mary
Twitter: MaryBrebner
Yeah, this really was a tough read. I hated the amount of abuse Vika takes — I just wanted her to RUN, even though she’d tried it multiple times and each time, her horrible sperm donor (he’s not a father, not by a long shot) brought her back and punished her. Sick, sick, sick. Good…but so damn hard to get through.
Felicia The Geeky Blogger
Twitter: thegeekyblogger
Vika was an amazing character and so damaged. I wanted her to run too but was so proud of her ability to want to save others too!
Melissa (Books and Things)
Twitter: BooksThings
Oh I’ll remember that about the beginning. Although I may stick with it anyway since I do like this author. So need to read more by her!
Felicia The Geeky Blogger
Twitter: thegeekyblogger
Animal Lover Alert: the first 10 pages will make you want to put the book down. I did and had to come back. I just need to warn you so you are prepared.
Melissa (Books and Things)
Twitter: BooksThings
Okay, now I’m SO nervous! *bites nails* 🙁
blodeuedd
I am not got at sticking with a book if I do not fall at once
Felicia The Geeky Blogger
Twitter: thegeekyblogger
Most of the time I am that way 🙂
Tanya
Twitter: ReadingAddicted
I have this since it was released, but haven’t read it. I saw so many lukewarm reviews that I didn’t consider it a priority. Maybe I should give it a shot!
Felicia The Geeky Blogger
Twitter: thegeekyblogger
It is a rough read and I can see why it isn’t widely liked. I almost didn’t stick with it but I am glad that I did!
Heidi
What?? You found someone as good as Luke? Luke and I have been together all week we are doing Trapped right now. I should get this audio to see if George compares! I also need to read a Showalter book anyway. I have a really cute book on the blog on Saturday that I kept thinking about you while reading. A chick lit book that takes place in Texas y’all.
Felicia The Geeky Blogger
Twitter: thegeekyblogger
OH I will be looking out for it. Yes he is as good as Luke even I was stunned. Luke and Phil G are my favorite guy narrators and now there is another.
This is a tough listen and not a typical Gena S book. It has a very dark subject matter. That said, I really did enjoy (for lack of a better word) the story!
Tara SG (25 Hour Books)
Twitter: 25hrbooks
OMG cannot wait to read this!! And very glad for the warning that the beginning will be rough but worth it 🙂
Felicia The Geeky Blogger
Twitter: thegeekyblogger
For animal lovers the first 10 pages are brutal and after that it is rough (emotionally) for awhile. You really do have to put yourself in a “what would I do if constant abuse is really all I know”! It was a ballsy book for Gena to write that is for sure!
Kelly
Twitter: soulswallo
You’re welcome, Felicia! I’ve seen several people say that they couldn’t get past the beginning and it definitely is rough. The moment that cemented it for me and made it all worthwhile is when Vika was talking about how she refuses to let the bad things in the world turn her into one of them. It was this *moment*. And it worked. I was all O.O Yesssssss!
THINGS HAPPEN, Y’ALL! THINGS HAPPEN! LOL!
Felicia The Geeky Blogger
Twitter: thegeekyblogger
That was right around my moment too. I think for me it was when she told him that she wouldn’t become that person and would not perpetuate the abuse cycle! I was like WOWZER you are strong!
Things do happen! Things most def happen!
Christi
Twitter: ChristiSnow
I have this one, but now am thinking maybe I should listen to it on Audio. I don’t have my next audio book planned right now….hmmm…. Great review!
Felicia The Geeky Blogger
Twitter: thegeekyblogger
I really enjoyed the audio (like really really) but the first part deals with some very hard subject matter. The audio drives that home and I cringed. That being said, he knocked my socks off with his narration.