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Sweet Dreams  By  cover art

Sweet Dreams

By: Kristen Ashley
Narrated by: Emma Taylor
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Publisher's summary

Goodreads Author of the Year 2012, Nominee.

2012, Goodreads Reader's Choice Nominee, Best Romance.

She's ready for the ride of her life....

Lauren Grahame is looking for her bit of peace. After leaving her cheating husband, Lauren moves to Carnal, Colorado, and gets a job as a waitress in a biker bar called Bubba's. It's a nothing job in a nowhere joint...until Tatum Jackson walks in.

Lauren has never seen a man with such looks and attitude. But Tate does something Lauren doesn't much like and she doesn't want anything to do with him. Too bad for Lauren he's also the bar's part-owner and bartender. When the rough-around-the-edges Tate meets the high-class Lauren, he thinks she won't fit in at Bubba's.

Yet there's more to Lauren than meets the eye, and Tate soon sets his mind on claiming her as his own. Before long, they can't deny the attraction that's pulling them together. But when violence strikes the town, threatening the women in it, their sweet dreams may come to an end.

©2012 Kristen Ashley (P)2014 Hachette Audio

What listeners say about Sweet Dreams

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    2,199
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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Struggled again with a KA book--I am done.

What would have made Sweet Dreams better?

I read The Gamble and I really liked the story but had the same notes on it. The book could have been much shorter without all of the repetitiveness by the female character. She is constantly stating I am sorry and making people repeat themselves. Also the repetitive name calling by both the H and h is just too much. Tate, Lori, Ace, Captain--just have a conversation please and please do not make me feel like I am pulling teeth to get to the dialogue. I might have added a star if the author could have just fixed this issue--who is doing her editing? Also overuse of Ummmm..... That is just lazy and annoying in an Audio format.

What was most disappointing about Kristen Ashley’s story?

The lead characters---I do not mind the polished female characters she creates. It is because they are different that I like them and have read more that one book of hers. In the end, this one was just trying too hard. If I heard the phrase bad ass biker babe one more time in reference to herself I was going to throw my Kindle. Let's be clear on this. She was no more a bad ass biker babe because she rode on the back of Tate's bike then I am Giada De Laurentiis because I make pasta. She was an ex-Executive who wanted to do something more down to Earth. That I could understand. Her becoming a woman who would shut it just because some Bad-Ass Biker Bounty Hunter Hot Guy told her to was ridiculous. You can be alpha without dragging your knuckles and Tate was very much that guy. When Lauren had justified grievances he told her to get over it, let it go, or shut it. I don't care how alpha and good looking a guy may be every woman deserves better than that.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

It disappointed me. As I read what I have written so far in this review I also realize it made me angry and caused me to roll my eyes a lot. I literally had to talk myself into finishing this book at least 3 times. This is supposed to be enjoyable and this was not.

Any additional comments?

This book had a lot of potential. Lauren was the ultimate underdog in how the book started. Then over time you see that she becomes subservient to Tate all so she can hold onto him. I am sorry but that is not the message that I want to see from any book. I did not get into Tate because I don't care how hot you are physically--being an asshole is not hot. More often than not, he was an asshole. Give him credit for getting her to her family during a medical crisis with her Dad and that is something that you really should not need to give credit for--that she be a given.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great story!!!!

Great story kept my attention from start to finish. Wonderful job by the narrator. She brought the story to life.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

first read by Kristen Ashley

Fabulous! Finally, a 5 star review! This romance kept me hooked from page 1. Believable, actually has a plot with amazing bedroom scenes. For those who enjoy books which contain just enough conflict, a struggle to solve them, and a happy ending, you will love this book!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

WOW!!!

HOT, HOT, HOT!!! A truly great listen with awesome characters. I have found that a poor job in narration can ruin a phenomenal book, this does not happen as Emma Taylor does a fantastic job pulling you in and keeping you there with her inflections, tone, cadence. She did so well that I found myself engrossed so thoroughly that I wasn't "jonesing" for a hard copy in hand.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

UGH!! Awful characters and lame story!!

What would have made Sweet Dreams better?

A complete re-write of the main male character, and a serious re-think of the female leads speech pattern. Hugely annoying.

Would you ever listen to anything by Kristen Ashley again?

Never.

Would you be willing to try another one of Emma Taylor’s performances?

Unlikely. Her female voices were fine, but her male portrayal is abysmal. Its so overdone, low, slow, and gravelly the "hot" male lead sounded about 80 years old. That combined with the accent she put on it just brought to mind a bearded, redneck grandpa, sitting on the porch of his trailer with his shotgun at his side, chewing on some grass. Totally unfair stereotype I know, but that is what I keep seeing listening to this book!!

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Anger, disappointment, frustration, annoyance. The female lead (Lauren) is spineless, and constantly says "sorry..? sorry? SORRY?!" instead of: "pardon me?" "what did you just say to me!?" "I dont understand." 'WHAT?!" Perhaps the constant, neverending "sorrys" are a regional thing for the author. Regardless, it's very annoying!! The character is not deaf, and hears what people say just fine. No need to "sorry?" them into repeating things over and over again.

I like a good alpha male lead, but this guy (Tate) did not cut it. The character has a bad habit of acting and speaking like a total a$$, including calling the woman names and berating her, and then telling Lauren to "shake it off, babe." "Just let it go Lauren." "Get over it!" And she DOES!! There is a line between being a hot, sexy alpha lead and being a domineering, insensitive, pig-headed, thick-skulled jerk. This character is the latter.

This book is misclassified as Erotica. It is not. It is a poorly thought out romance with a few sex scenes. Short, rather boring sex scenes.

Any additional comments?

I've listened to over 1200 hours of audio books and I've returned 2 books for being so terrible I just couldn't waste a credit on them. THIS was one of these books. Save your credits and pass on this one!!

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

I may have to delete the rest!

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Stop the F***! Oh my gosh the opening of the first chapter every other word was the F*** this and F*** that, long with F***ing Christ! I mean this was ridiculous! I have been in Colorado in the mountains many, many times and they do not talk like that. Needs to be more creative in her vocabulary. I loved her last story and tolerated the over use of the F*** word, but I had to stop before the first chapter was over. I am a teacher and I do not want to accidentally use that word at school.

What do you think your next listen will be?

I may have to move along from this series. Janet Evanovich, Sherryl Woods, Susan Wiggs, or Debbie Macomber all are excellent authors that I enjoy.

How could the performance have been better?

Save the F*** for occasional use.

Any additional comments?

I haven't decided whether I will continue with this series or any other of this authors books if they all have the same limited vocabulary.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
  • E
  • 11-22-14

The Problem with Kristen Ashley

In Sweet Dreams, the main characters were a challenge for me to enjoy.

Tate was a good guy at heart but his personality was very abrasive and he was unapologetically rude. Lauren, really struggled with finding her voice and standing her ground. For example, it is never, never ok for a man to announce the details of his girlfriends sexual behaviors to her ex in the presence of her coworkers and other various strangers at her place of employment. NEVER. Lauren was initially angry, but then in true Lauren fashion she allowed Tate to make light of it. Lauren repeatedly allowed Tate to devalue her anger, but what bothered me the most was her gradual acceptance of his distasteful behavior.

It is important to note that at some point the book becomes less romantic and more about sex. So if you are into reading lots of graphic sex scenes, by all means, click buy...If your tastes are more conservative, keep browsing.

As usual, Emma Taylor is a great narrator.

Happy reading!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Yet another favorite!!

Where does Sweet Dreams rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

After reading Kristen Ashley's books, I have seriously decided to move to Colorado! I wish I could just jump into the pages of her stories and be there!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Awesome

Would you listen to Sweet Dreams again? Why?

Great read. Love the story line. My favorite couple so far

What other book might you compare Sweet Dreams to and why?

Love this author

Have you listened to any of Emma Taylor’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Ok

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

All extreme reaction ..laugh , cry , smile

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

This story is about abuse masked as love!

The female lead character leaves an abusive/neglectful relationship to go to a tiny town and get involved with a man who is verbally, and almost physically abusive. He uses his power to overwhelm her to have sex with him. She routinely tries to set boundaries, and he throws a fit and traps her. She ultimately succumbs to his verbal abuse and stays. After a few chapters I returned this book. It's not sexy in any way shape or form.

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