Mystery Man

By: Kristen Ashley

Narrated by: Kate Russell

Length: 14 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

A headstrong woman and a protective man with an Alpha attitude are sharing passionate nights together . . . but is their relationship beyond physical?

Night time is the right time….

Gwendolyn Kidd has met the man of her dreams. He's hot, he's sexy, and what started as a no-names-exchanged night of passion has blossomed into a year and a half-long pleasure fest. Sure, it's a little strange that he only appears in her bed at night, but Gwen is so sure he's the one, she just can't turn him away….

Hawk Delgado knows more about Gwen than she could ever imagine. She's gorgeous, headstrong, and skittish about relationships. But Hawk is facing his own demons, demons that keep him from connecting with anyone. Yet when Gwen is drawn into Denver's lethal underground scene, Hawk's protective nature comes out full force. The problem is, when Gwen gets a dose of Hawk's Alpha attitude in the daylight, she's not so sure he's the one anymore….

©2012 Kristen Ashley (P)2013 Hachette Audio

Great Intro to the Dream Man Trilogy

What did you love best about Mystery Man?

The story is wonderful. Having read all the books before, it made me excited to be able to listen to them all in the future.

Who was your favorite character and why?

When I'm actually reading the books, Elvira is one of my favorites. I think that Gwen is my favorite listening to it. The narrator does the best job with her voice.

Would you be willing to try another one of Kate Russell’s performances?

I really hope she's not doing the rest of the books in the trilogy (or any other books for KA). She mumbled, she ran sentences together (no, not in a way that made sense to the text - just ran it all together) and she would break up sentences awkwardly. She got better the further along you were listening but it just wasn't that good. Also, I don't know if it was the production of the audio or not, but when she whispers, the audio is really low so you turn it up ... then she talks in a normal tone for another voice and you have to quickly turn the audio down or get your ears blasted out.

Just not enjoyable.

Any additional comments?

If you've already read KA's books, I don't think that any bad audio performance can keep you away - her characters and the stories she tells stand on their own. Just know that another one of KA's audio performers doesn't do her novel justice.

Let's hope the next one is better.

Maybe 3 ½ stars if reading this,

but 4 ½ stars due to the narrator making the heroine so enjoyable and entertaining.

I was “blown away” by Kate Russell narrating Mystery Man. It made me realize how much I put my own mind set into heroines. I don’t recall laughing with other Kristen Ashley books. But this narrator had me smiling and chuckling - a lot. It’s not comedy, but it’s being surprised due to her emotions and tone. I loved her interpretation of the heroine’s lusty feelings. I might not have liked the heroine as much if I were reading this. She’s kind of flaky. She’s into clothes, expensive shoes, cosmos with the girls, hot guys and their rides. But the narrator had me liking her. It showed me how limiting “my own mind” was.

Most of my laughter and smiling was in the first third of the book when Gwen was being smart-alecky toward Hawk. A favorite line: Hawk pointed at her and said “You. Stay.” She said “I’m not a dog.”

The last third of the book is all lovey-dovey-sweet-words to each other. It’s a sumptuous relationship. Sometimes I complain authors don’t give me enough couple interaction. Well this is way at the other end. He gives her unbelievable gifts, they have lots of great sex, lots of cuddling, meeting the families, getting along great with the families.

There’s some good romantic suspense going on from Gwen’s sister Ginger. Ginger is the wild child thief con woman who has bad guys and good guys after her. The bad guys do bad things to Gwen and her family in their search for Ginger. That part was good in the beginning. But toward the end it was less unusual - kind of been done before. I’d say read this for the lovey dovey and hot sexy relationship - not the suspense plot.

Hawk is hunky gorgeous and sooo sexy. There’s some but not a lot of sexual language. Her golden spot is a phrase used. Regarding swearing, the f-word and sh** are used a lot.

NARRATOR:
5 stars for Kate Russell. I want to read every thing she does.

Genre: contemporary romance

So happy to have Kristen Ashley on Audible!

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

If you are a Kristen Ashley fan, you will love her on Audio. So far, she has 2 books on Audible and I am so hoping for more. Loved the narration by Katie Russell. Her characterizations and different voice tones were great.

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

Yes!

Any additional comments?

Please please have more of her books on Audible.

I could listen to this book over and over.

What did you love best about Mystery Man?

I love the narrator. Kate Russell created a persona for each of the characters Kristen Ashley developed. The story was gripping and introduced a wonderful stream of characters to follow in other books.

What other book might you compare Mystery Man to and why?

The Rock Chick series that is mentioned in this book is amazing!!! Kristen Ashley brings the characters to life and makes you feel all of them.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene is when Cabe comes clean and tells Gwen how he feels about her. Second would have to be their first real date, the one with the Jimmy Choos. Then again I liked all of the scenes and it's too hard to choose just one.

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

I laughed and drew in breath and held it for most of this book.

Won my attention

Would you listen to Mystery Man again? Why?

There are few books I would listen to more than once. There are so many to listen to. But I am keeping this one close.

What did you like best about this story?

The author didn't hurry through the story, and there was a great deal going on. It was a clear and easy listen packed with action.

What does Kate Russell bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her voices and expressions were exceptional. I saw each character and was thoroughly entertained.

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

Yes. Before I knew it the time was on the far side of midnight and even though I had to get up early I shrugged off sleep until I had to put on my sleep timer.

Any additional comments?

I don't usually write comments, but I want listeners to know that even though it starts out a little slow, if you hang in there it will be well with it.

Exciting listen from start to finish

Any additional comments?

Had this title sitting in my wish list and one day decided to get it. So glad I did. Had never read or listened to Kristen Ashley and have since read all her Dream Man series and 2 Chaos novels. Love them all. Well worth the credit/cost.

LOVE!!!

I loved this book! It was my first listen and it kept me so engaged with the story that it was hard to stop listening to it! Very romantic and very exciting story line. The narrator is also great. Thank you!

Wow, love this book!

This is a real story with memorable characters that the narrator brings to life. Gwen is the main character in a captivating and often funny love story, and the narrator who brings her to life , makes you feel her fall for her mystery man. I keep all of this ladys books and I think I have just about every one she has written . (this will be posted under my husband's name)

Love Hawk!

Seriously enjoyed this book, though the narrative was just okay. I freaking love Hawk. Just love him!

Great Standalone

I really enjoyed this book. Although it is a series, the story between Gwen and Hawk is complete in this book. Gwen's secret man comes out of the shadows. The sex is great, but what is he like in the real world. Gwen is a sweet, naive young woman and Hawk is a strong man. However, he has competition with some pretty bad guys. This thriller romance will keep you on the edge. The narrator did a great job with the characters.