Great story, awful awful narration

TL:DR - Text to speech engines make for a better listening experience than this narrator.

First of all, this was a really great read. The FH and MH were so charming and funny and the whole narrative has a lot of character and levity and wit. When I read it, I could understand why the mains fell for each other and the plot stayed consistently interesting.

I really, really liked this story, so much so that I knew I needed an audio version. However, the narration was so bad that it sapped all the character and tone out of the story. The delivery really did not do this story any justice, and I found it to be so insufferable that I couldn't make it past the first 'page' before I had to turn it off.

Since the publishers are unlikely to record this with another narrator, I'll be using my phone's text to speech to listen to this book. Shame.

6 people found this helpful

Story wrapped up well, narration was poor

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Only if he or she had read the previous Spindle Cove novels. I had been anticipating this book, as it crossed over to her Castles Ever After series as well. However, it felt contrived in the beginning (especially the little boy's weird obsession with murder). Once the story got going, it was a little better. The romance was nice and steamy and ended on a high, though the book felt a little short to me.

What other book might you compare Do You Want to Start a Scandal to and why?

It's hard to say. My first inclination would be to compare it to the other Spindle Cove books, but this one felt different because the characters didn't actually have a history with each other like the other couples did. I guess the novella with Diana is the closest comparison.

What three words best describe Carmen Rose’s voice?

Not my favorite. Where did Carolyn Morris go? She did such a lovely job as Charlotte in the other books-- warm, optimistic, conversational. Carmen Rose didn't embody any of those traits. I felt confused listening to her during emotional scenes because of her matter-of-fact delivery. I'm going to have to buy the book now so I can experience the emotions as the author intended.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

"The only thing he can't keep a secret is his heart."

Any additional comments?

As weird as it sounds, I wish the author would re-read Minerva and Colin's story. It was the perfect blend of sweetness, sex, action, and comedy. Go back to your roots and stop trying to put so many puzzle pieces together at one time. Write what feels natural!

5 people found this helpful

Great read, terrible narration..

I loved the Spindle Cove books and this was a good addition. I absolutely loved Charlotte. She was such a crazy character and funny and positive and she had the most ridiculously insane ways of solving puzzles, sometimes they made sense and sometimes you just wanted to scratch your head. She was awesome. And Piers was just as awesome. And the fact that he was a spy was great in itself, since I love spy historicals more than any other kind of book.

This was such a good book but not much of a mystery. When I read a spy mystery I expect going out at night, knife fights, guns going off but none of that ever happened. The players were good, though. I liked Delia but her sister, Frances, was such a jerk. I liked Lord and Lady Parkhurst, but Edmond was my favorite, he was hysterical. I think he was eight and was just a fabulous addition to the story. And as goofy as Mrs. Highwood was I liked her, too.

As to the narration: So, Piers said "huskily,” and Piers said "in his DEEP aristocratic voice.” It’s just too bad his voice was soooo feminine when he said anything. And Ms. Rose didn’t read with any kind of emotions at all. The book had several really funny parts to it but Carmen Rose didn’t laugh except one time near the very end of the book, and you had to listen carefully to hear that laugh. I’ve listened to Ms. Rose a few times and can’t say I liked her either time. The books were good but not her narration. She just can’t do a man’s voice and doesn’t even try.

7 people found this helpful

Fun Story and decent narration.

This was a fun story. I really liked the Charlotte, the heroine. She was strong, spunky, smart, witty and outspoken. Piers was great too. Handsome, strong smart, rich and a spy. The two had some good chemistry together and there were some hot and steamy, nicely written sex scenes.

The story line and plot was interesting. I liked the mystery and trying to figure out who the tuppers were. LOL There was a lot of great dialogue throughout the entire book. I love lots of dialogue. Even though they weren't in Spindle Cove, we did see a few characters pop in.

As for the narration, it was decent. Carmen Rose has gotten better with her narrations. Still needs to do a little work in the monotone reading and put a bit more emotion where it belongs. And a little more work on the men's voices would be good. She is not bad, not great either.

Carolyn Morris would have been a superb choice in narrators since she did all the previous Spindle Cove books. (and she is one of my favorites!)

3 people found this helpful

great reader

already a great book, this reader made the book come alive, I thoroughly enjoyed it

1 person found this helpful

Made me go "awwwww"

This was a cute classic Tessa Dare. Both hero and heroine are very likable. Charlotte fancies herself a 19th Century Nancy Drew. Piers doesn't believe in love but Charlotte sniffs out his heart in a jiffy. I found it very sweet and romantic with a minimum of misunderstanding and angst. Just like I like 'em! Worth a credit! Get it now! Now! Right NOW!

1 person found this helpful

Funny, romantic, intriguing, and sexy!

So good! So funny! So romantic! So intriguing! So sexy! Piers is so hot and mysterious (though he messed up a little in the end and had to make up for it with a grand gesture, which was absolutely perfect), and Charlotte is so charming and smart and lovable. Such a perfect couple! One of Tessa Dare's best works yet! Loved it!

1 person found this helpful

I laughed so much!

This book has everything I was looking for in a light hearted romance. Love, humor, and a bit of steam!

I honestly don't understand why people complain about the narrator. I thought she did a fantastic job of bringing the characters to life. The "monotone" you hear in the excerpt is the worst it gets and it gets much much better.

I'm usually very critical of heroines in stories, I don't enjoy whiny or bratty, so I was happy with this heroine. She was smart, funny, and loving. I felt she was a very good compliment to the hero's personality. I felt they both grew throughout the book.

Overall, I highly recommend this book if you're looking for a humorous and light hearted romance!

1 person found this helpful

An absolute Favorite

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

See below. Yes, I would highly recommend it

Any additional comments?

I was so excited for this release. Ms. Dare is one of my favorite historical romance writers so couldn't wait. Once my obligations for the week were over, I found things to do that would allow me to listen to this story without many interruptions. I just finished and it was wonderful. Funny at times, intrigue, really great personalities for male and female lead, everything was good, good, good. An all around enjoyable listen that I highly recommend. Ms. Rose did a great job too and seemed to interpret the personalities of the characters perfectly. Now to wait for the next.....

1 person found this helpful

Story was excellent, performance was robotic

I loved the story but unfortunately the narrator has a very robotic and fast sounding telling of the story. The story would be much better if it was red by Rosalyn Landor