Release Me (The Stark Trilogy)

The Stark Series #1

By: J. Kenner

Narrated by: Sofia Willingham

Length: 12 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Finalist, Erotica, 2014

For fans of Fifty Shades of Gray and Bared to You comes an erotic, emotionally charged romance between a powerful man who’s never heard "no" and a fiery woman who says "yes" on her own terms.

He was the one man I couldn’t avoid. And the one man I couldn’t resist.

Damien Stark could have his way with any woman. He was sexy, confident, and commanding: Anything he wanted, he got. And what he wanted was me.

Our attraction was unmistakable, almost beyond control, but as much as I ached to be his, I feared the pressures of his demands. Submitting to Damien meant I had to bare the darkest truth about my past - and risk breaking us apart.

But Damien was haunted, too. And as our passion came to obsess us both, his secrets threatened to destroy him - and us - forever.

Release Me is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences.

©2013 J. Kenner (P)2013 Random House Audio

all I can say is MORE

This book draws you in. It's easy to relate to the characters. it's a fast read you don't want to put the book down you always want to know what's going to happen next I can't wait to recommend this book to my friends

Not bad

It seems like a lot of this type of book are out now so, my review is I will check out this author again at a later date. Good enough that I will listen to another book by her.

Great book, worth the listen!

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the female lead, Nikki, even when she made me angry by constantly assuming things and running over to yell at Damien about them. That bugged me but I know why the author did it and it just shows how well developed she was as a character. Damien was well done, nothing too spectacular but an interesting guy with kinks! Good amount of actual story mixed in with sex scenes, and while there were a few parts with filler that lost me, I still enjoyed listening to it. I won't be moving forward right now with the rest of the books though, it just seemed like the author could have answered a few questions and let them get their HEA. At any rate, I might try the next book another time on a rainy day. The one thing I was not fond of was the narration in some parts. Overall, I was okay with it. But I laughed so hard at how this woman pronounced areolas each time she said it that it just ruined the scene's feeling of immersion. Along with that was the sometimes extremely exasperating over-acting during the sex scenes. It sounded like she was in a porno, not a romance novel, does that make sense? I guess another way to say it would be that she just overdid it at times and it didn't feel sexy anymore, just kinda weird. Her male narration was average. Honestly, I think if someone like Muffy Newtown had narrated this, it would have easily kept me listening just because she's such a good narrator and has a way of drawing you in. Good narration is so important and this narrator's version just felt sorta flat. That being said, it's not nearly bad enough to tell someone not to get the book. The story speaks enough for itself that it's worth the credit.

Good story lots of passion

What made the experience of listening to Release Me the most enjoyable?

It was a steamy good time. I enjoy the winding love story and the kink. I enjoyed the flow of the story and the characters.I was sad that story ended and then found myself pleasantly surprised when found a second book. Can't wait for the third. I miss the passionate romance and the twist and turns.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Damien Stark, because beneath power are secrets that make him real and touchable.

Which character – as performed by Sofia Willingham – was your favorite?

It's hard to choose one character Sofia performed well. Because all of them were performed exceptionally well.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

A moving moment for me; was when Nikki realized her love for Damien was stronger than the demons that she faced.

Any additional comments?

Sofia is a fantastic narrator! My favorite by far.

Something Strange

Either this story inspired 50 Shades of Grey or vice versa. Liked Damien but found Nicky's character unbelievable . With the education, background and exposure she is said to have had, her childish, challenged actions don't sync. Found the heroine in 50 shades much more believable.

Almost didn't finish because this narrator is HORRIBLE!

The story is good, but I was NOT a fan of this narrator. I'm debating whether or not to even get the rest of the series b/c her voice annoys me 😕. I like to listen to the books while I do chores & I can get more done, but her voice made me want to rip me ears off.

Good story, not a fan of the narrator.

Would you listen to Release Me (The Stark Trilogy) again? Why?

No, in fact, I will probably be reading the rest of the series, not listening to the audio book because of the narrator. Her whispered "sexy" voice made my skin crawl and I had trouble enduring her male voices.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I liked the artist, he's personally was funky and really stood out. His story would be interesting....

Would you be willing to try another one of Sofia Willingham’s performances?

I don't think so. Sorry, but I barely endured my way through this book and only kept listening because the story was so interesting.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, if not for the narration.

Any additional comments?

I am grateful for audible's return policy which allowed me to return book 2- (before even listening to it) which I bought soon after book 1 before I figured out I couldn't tolerate the narrator's voice.

I guess I'm in for all 3 books!

First of all this book contains self-harm triggers and if you are sensitive to those you should choose another book.

I understand the comparisons to 50 shades and the Crossfire trilogy, oh wait now it's not a trilogy, the similarities are overwhelming and maybe I would care if I had downloaded this book looking for literary ingenuity that would blow me away. Instead I got what I expected a sexy and thrilling listen that kept me engaged and wanting more until the very end. I did feel connected to both protagonists but I am glad there are more books because I feel that there is more to both of them that was presented in this novel. The "likability" factor for both Damien and Nikki is high and for me that is important.

Why isn't this book in your library????

What a gem of a find! I don't read many books in a day (I'm a busy working mom) but I could not put this one down. It hooked me from the beginning and I just couldn't let it go.

As many other reviewers have said, if you enjoyed FSOG, Bared to You, Beautiful Bastard or If I Were You then you will enjoy this one too. It's the same formula but it doesn't feel like a rip-off. I'm not sure why this book isn't more popular but I'm glad I found this diamond in the rough.

I had no idea this was a trilogy but I'm looking forward to the 2nd and 3rd books!

4.5 stars for a Very Hot Listen!

AWESOME!

Would you consider the audio edition of Release Me to be better than the print version?

I read the book and loved sooo much I bought the audio and loved it also. I have listened to it multiple times.

What other book might you compare Release Me to and why?

On Dublin Street- Great story. Bared To You and Reflected in You. Love those too.

Which character – as performed by Sofia Willingham – was your favorite?

She did all great!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes but if I review it, it will ruin it for new readers. Just read and enjoy