Marley

A Carnage Novel, Book 3

By: Lesley Jones

Narrated by: John Sackville, Sophie Hunter Scott

Length: 14 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

Marley is a companion novel to Carnage 1 and 2 and both of those books should be listened to first. It tells the story of Carnage from Marley Layton’s point of view and sheds light on the missing years.

‘So, they want me to write a book? They want to know about my band, my life, my loves and my losses. But they have no idea what they’re asking for. If I give them what they want, they’ll get so much more than the sex and drugs and the rock and roll they’re expecting. They’ll get the secrets that I’ve kept for so long, they’ll get an insight into the person I really am, or at least was. They think they know my story, they know nothing. If I do this, if I write honestly and give them the ugly truth, people will get hurt. People that I love, people that have already suffered in the worst possible ways. Do I do this, or do I walk away? Taking my secrets to the grave.’

Marley is an adult contemporary romance. It contains content suitable only for adults with an open mind.

©2015 Lesley Jones (P)2023 Cherry Hill Publishing

Amazing!!

Amazing story with fantastic narration! Love love love it!! Recommend the first two books in the series first!!

Marls❤️‍🩹

I absolutely oved Marley’s view…I was definitely nervous about any scandalous secrets coming out but it wasn’t too bad. Gotta keep Maca’s memory a good one…even with that song 😩 but he was frustrated at his situation.

Ugh it still gutted me though 😭 but I’m so glad he made the decision he made about the book🥲


…the letters😭 TWIWASTB

Heartbreakingly Beautiful

This entire series lives in my heart, always. It absolutely breaks your heart, but helps to heal it at the same time. I can’t express my love enough. The narration helps bring it to life in a way that reading it on my own, just couldn’t. Now I’m patiently waiting to the next generation to tell their stories. Please let that happen. 💕

OMG!!!! The most passionate story!!!!!

This is the audiobook I’ve been waiting so long to hear! You can read a book and think you understand but until the inflection is there you don’t get it at all. Lesley is an incredible author that had us 3 words into the story. Marley’s words explain so much more about what happened. This amazing narration brought it all home.
Now let’s get John and Sophie started on The Letters!!

Marley’s story and the novellas rock!

Although these still bring tears, at least it isn’t snot bubbles! Marley holds so much guilt for the events that caused the breakup. I loved reading his take on the events. Now when he ran, he
Got what he deserved when he came back!!!

I loved it!

*****SPOILER ALERT*****

Marley by Lesley Jones (audiobook). Carnage series, books 3, 4, and 5. Audiobook review. Read 'The Story of Us' and 'The Story of Me' first, otherwise you won't get the full benefit of this story. The audiobook includes Marley, The Letters, and A Different Kind of December. My review is broken down by book. While I don't consider this a spoiler review, I have added a spoiler warning to the two novellas just incase some may not have read the first two books in the 5 book Carnage series. There is a song that plays as an intro and finalé to the audiobook. The total audiobook is listed as 14 hours 44 minutes; I listened at speed 2.00 for 7 hours 22 minutes. Narrators Jeff Leach and Nikki Delgado do a great job. I love this story. TEARJERKER. Content warnings: BETRAYAL; child loss; death of 2 spouses; grief journey; su¡c¡de and su¡c¡de attempts; alcohol and drug abuse; mental illness; FF, MFFMFF; MFM with DP; MFF; and @n@l play.

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Marley Joseph Layton (49) and Ashley (Morrison) Layton

Marley by Lesley Jones, Carnage series book 3 of 5. Audiobook review. Single POV (Marley's). Marley details: chapters 1-25, 4 hours 49 minutes at speed 2.00. Check for content warnings and be prepared to experience every emotion.

The audiobook is PHENOMENAL! John Sackville's narration of this book is perfection. It is single POV, but it is exactly what this story needed. While I do recommend reading this series in order, this book could be read as a standalone or even first, but it will spoil books one and two. You do not need to re-read the first two books if you needed a break before beginning Marley.

Marley has written a book telling his side of the Carnage journey. This portion of the series is a revelation and answered questions I didn't even know I had. The audiobook does include 'The Letters' and 'A Different Kind of December'.

3.5 out of 5 on my spice scale

1st listen 07-20-23
2nd listen 01-17-24

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Cameron and Georgia

*****SPOILER ALERT*****

The Letters by Lesley Jones, Carnage series book 4. Audiobook review. Dual POV. The Letters details: chapters 26-36, 1 hour 36 minutes at speed 2.00. Dual narration by John Sackville and Sophie Hunter Scott. This novella is included in the 'Marley' audiobook along with 'A Different Kind of December'. Check for content warnings.

When I discover a series I enjoy, I search and read every book, novella, and all of the bonus content I can find related to it. I often find that the extra content falls short of the original story and adds no additional value, but that is not true of this series. This novella adds a lot of insight into both Sean and Georgia's time apart, time together, and Georgia's present. Then, when you remember it is told from both Cameron's and Georgia's adult perspective, it adds even more depth to the story. For me, it's very healing, and I love the way Lesley Jones wrote Cameron as both the hero of the story and the heroine's biggest supporter. The way Lesley Jones writes Jamie (aka Jimmie) and Ashley makes me long for best friends just like them. They're honest and supportive, but they call Georgia out when she needs it.

I often see discussions about readers who stop after book two in the Carnage series because books one and two are such an emotional journey but in 'Marley', 'The Letters', and 'A Different Kind of December' you meet the characters through a mature lens that helps soothe, heal, and soften the edges of their past. JP

Well done, LJ!

3 out of 5 on my spice scale

1st listen 07-23-2023
2nd listen 01-17-24

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Cameron and Georgia
Lennon and Jamie (aka Jimmie)
Marley and Ashley

*****SPOILER ALERT*****

A Different Kind of December by Lesley Jones, Carnage series book 5. Audiobook review. A Different Kind of December details: chapters 37-43, 50 minutes at speed 2.00. Multiple POV (5 chapters of Georgia's POV and one chapter with 4 POV: Cameron's, Lennon's, Marley's, and Georgia's). Dual narration. Narrated by Sophie Hunter Scott (chapters 1-5 and Georgia's POV in chapter 6) and John Sackville (chapter 6, the 3 male POV). This novella is included in the 'Marley' audiobook along with 'The Letters'. Check for content warnings.

This novella takes place in December seventeen years after book one ended. We get a peek of what everyone is up to now.

Although there is no current estimated release date for it, the ebook includes an excerpt from The Definition Of Insanity (Paige Layton's story).

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Chapter 44 is the glossary of terms and a song. It lasts 6 minutes total. JP

3 out of 5 on my spice scale

1st listen 07-23-23
2nd listen 01-18-24

You can’t change narrators!!!!

I love the Carnage series, but this audio version of the letters is so disappointing I could t finish. The Narrators from The story of Me (especially Cam) are perfection. I was so excited to listen to this after reading it awhile ago…I couldn’t get through the Georgia narrator and sadly couldn’t finish this audio version! I almost exclusively listen to books, but if you have listened to the other 2, I recommend reading this one.