Intimate Surrender

By: Laura Landon

Narrated by: Sarah Coomes

Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

A scandalous secret…

Hannah Bartlett was tossed out of her home at the tender age of 15, when a man of the cloth stole her innocence. To survive the streets, Hannah entered into a life that she never imagined. Now, known as Madam Genevieve - the owner of London’s most infamous bordello - she dedicates her life to rescuing young girls from the streets and protecting them from a shameful fate.

An unexpected attraction…

Vicar Rafe Waterford meets Hannah at one of his sister-in-law’s country gatherings…and immediately falls for the mysterious beauty. Despite his declarations of love, Hannah insists they cannot be together. But Rafe is like no other man…and he refuses to forget a love so passionate and consuming.

©2013 Laura Landon (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Not a clean romance novel

While I like how God is mentioned, I also feel that to imply that it is necessary to stoop to prostitution to support needy children is limiting solutions when you have 7 wealthy friends available, who look on you as a sister ,that could help in a charitable way. There is also the good clergyman, Without consideration to his chosen career, that turns to fornication. For this reason I give the novel rating a 4.

Over dramatic narration

I had a difficult time listening to this book. I actually kept switching to the Kindle version to see if that would improve the book.
The narrator was difficult to listen to. I felt she was overly dramatic. I have enjoyed other Laura Landon books but not this one.

Great book

One of the best regency romance books I've ever listened to. This book was my favorite in the series. Great performance also.

Read Intimate Deception first...then enjoy!

Reviews are a tricky thing. In this book's case, the reviews kept me from listening for a long time. Well that was a mistake! I thoroughly enjoyed this book, as I have many of Laura Landon's books.

To get some back story you should FIRST LISTEN to Intimate Deception! Having additional info on Hannah and some of the other characters made this book more complete. Characters are developed in Intimate Deception so although Intimate Surrender could be a standalone book.....it is a richer more enjoyable listen when read second.

This is a PG-13 listen. There is some violence in the beginning and then only one love scene. BUT the entire book is full of angst and blooming love.

I like Sarah Coomes as a narrator. She is one of those you either like or you don't. She is pretty dramatic, but I would rather that than no feeling at all.

The Price of Surrender

Any additional comments?

To read this book and to understand the characters you most read Intimate Deception where there is much explain about Hannah and her friends. This book gives a closer to her story and a happy ending for the horrid beginning she had to go through . Even though they did not group these books as series, they should so that you could get the background of the characters. The book is a story that shows that even when it seems bad, it can turn around to become good if we look for it and not to our own circumstance.

Lovely Story

This story was a delight. Laura's characters come to life within the pages and you won't want to put it down. One caution, don't read without tissues because you'll need them more than once!

Good One

I've read so many romance novels from this period that it was hard to believe that there isn't a story line that I haven't read before but this was an entirely different take on "two potential lovers who meet and the challenges they encounter"... who would have thought that a prostitute and a victor would manage to get together.

The plight of women; however, continues to anger me.

Victorian Era Survival Story

I really enjoy historical romance and Intimate Surrender does not disappoint. Set during Victorian England, it took me on an emotional roller coaster. I laughed and cried (sad to say, multiple times). This is a book of survival, where sometimes one does awful things to survive. It is also a book of standing up for what one believes in. I loved how our heroine Hannah stood up to Rafe and refused to quit her day job because in doing so Hannah would not only give up her own identity, but she would be letting countless children succumb to a life she had to endure as a young girl herself. She wouldn't wish that life on anyone.

After listening to Intimate Surrender, I found out that it is the second book in a duet, with Intimate Deception being the first book. Thankfully I didn't feel lost or like I was missing integral parts of the story. Simply put, if you like your stories to make you feel emotional while reading or listening to them, this one is for you!

I like the characters; the story is melodramatic

What did you love best about Intimate Surrender?

The characters are really enjoyable. I read about Lady Grace in the last book and I like the continuity.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The worst part of this book is that the author really removed from reality to make this book a little over the top dramatic. The part where Rafe gets shot and beaten was not really necessary, and it doesn't really make sense. In those days, as often in our own, your clothes and appearance reveals much about the person. Rafe is obviously a gentleman, and so he would have not been alone, as he would have a carriage. Also, all he had to do is threaten the thug by telling him who he was and that would have been the end of it. No one would attack him in real life as that was instant death for those people. I know its a small part, but it bothered me the whole time it was happening. I understand that the author wanted drama to move the main characters along, but in my opinion, it was just too much. And slightly ruined the book for me. I really love the character of Hannah and it bothers me that she ruined her story with over the top silliness.

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

I LOVE Sarah Coomes. I love her narration and the slight inflections in her voice. One of my favorites.

Narrator needs work

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Somewhat worth it. The story was good but the narrator had way too much drama and breathlessness in her voice. Sarah Cooms needs to tone down the drama in her voice.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

I would have given an overall 4-start rating if not for the narrators voice

What would have made this romance irresistible?

A better narrator