STORY: 4 stars
PERFORMANCE: 5 stars
OVERALL: 4-4.5 stars
I received this audiobook free from the narrator in exchange for my honest review.
I wasn't expecting SINGLE to be anything extraordinary since the story is not an uncommon one...... Roxane VanBuren is a strong, intelligent, independent woman. She's wealthy and powerful, working 50+ hours a week as President of her family's company, VanBuren Investments. Roxane is beautiful, single and has sexual needs she is determined to have sated without having to delve into another unsuccessful relationship.
Each weekend Roxanne trades her business suit in for leather catsuits and Pretty Woman style hooker boots. With a best friend in the modeling industry with lots of connections, Roxane plays as hard on the weekends as she works during the week. Whatever she does, Roxane is always careful to keep her private life just that; private. News of her weekend sexual escapades would not only disappoint the elder VanBurens (Roxane's father and grandfather) but would also undermine her authority at work. She's never had difficulty keeping these two aspects of her life separate until now. Until she meets HIM. Roxane's long held beliefs about not mixing business with pleasure are suddenly not an option.
With talented author Lyra Parish creating exciting, taboo weekend adventures for Roxane (a masked swingers party? Yes please!) coupled with the powerful, believable voice of Lia Langola narrating, this book is far from boilerplate! From the moment I started listening, I was immediately hooked! I am not sure if it was the author's writing style or the authentic, genuine feel of the narration but I honestly felt like I was in the board room and at parties with Roxane! There is something very special about this audio book as I have only experienced this a handful of times despite having read hundreds of books.
Having listened to many audiobooks, I can say with certainty that Lia Langola is one of the best in the business. Her strong, confident voice made her the perfect fit for Roxane; I honestly can't think of another narrator that would have been a better fit. Because Ms. Langola is a master at adjusting her voice just the right amount, creating different voices for each character. Yes, most fiction narrators are capable of altering their voice to differentiate between characters yet Ms. Langola doesn't over do it. When I listen to a book narrated by her l, I know I won't have to force myself to listen to any ridiculous, overly exaggerated voices which to me are like nails on a chalkboard. It's refreshing to listen to a narrator like Ms. Langola who doesn't try to fake anything. For example, she doesn't speak in accents she hasn't fully mastered. Ms. Langola is natural and unpretentious which has a huge positive impact on whatever she is narrating.
I will definitely be waiting in line to purchase the next installment in this series, buying the audiobook if this format is available. I highly recommend this anyone over the age of 18 who likes erotic romance. Having listened to this on audiobook, I strongly suggest spending a few extra dollars to get the audiobook - you won't be sorry you did!