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

love it!

my second time reading it and can't get enough of this story and the characters

Enough with the cookie dough

The story was ok. Narrator was too breathy and dragged out every other sentence. I won't be buying anymore Kristen Ashley books.

love this book!!!! not a fan of the performance...

Kristen Ashley is one of my favorites! This book is no exception. However, the reading of this book had the wrong attitude behind most of it and way too much of it... I think with this one I'll stick to reading.

Good but not great

3-3.5 stars

This was a pretty good story but I will admit I had some issues getting in to it at times. TBH, I love Kristen Ashley and this is the first story of hers that I haven't given 5 stars. For me, this story was good but only reached 4 stars as I read the last part of the story, esp the epilogue (Overall, for me it rated around 3-3.5 stars so I'm giving it 3 stars).

Gwen is a cosmo girl. She isn't stupid and is very nice but tends to spend too much on cloths and drinks Cosmos with the girls a lot. For me, she seemed to be a little less than the other KA leading ladies I'm used to (less deep, less evolved, I don't know...). I liked Gwen's spirit but felt there were things she should have said or asked about that she didn't. I liked her but she didn't pull me in the way other leading ladies have in other KA stories.

Hawk is a macho commando and acts it. TBH at the beginning of the story I didn't really like him. There were some things he did that pissed me off and he was very one-sided in her relationship with Gwen (pushing her to give him all of her but not doing the same in return). However, he did grow on me and as some things got explained further and Gwen and Hawk spent more time together I liked him (and them together) more and more.

This story has a lot of action. Gwen is constantly getting hassled by bad guys who want her sister (Ginger). This puts her in contact with the pres of the Chaos MC, Tack and a police detective, Mitch Lawson (both of whom are smitten at once and try to get Gwen for themselves which I never really got but went with it). Hawk had been a night lover and nothing else but when she was in danger he came to see her acting supremely bossy and arrogant. Hawk tends to act this way a lot which causes Gwen to try to split up with him multiple times (which doesn't work) but gives Tack and Mitch opportunities to try to pull her away.

In with the love quadrangle (?) there are drive bys, firebombings and other issues to deal with. Along the way Gwen and Hawks relationship makes halting progress and then backslides and so on. Fortunately around 80% into the story things steady out for them and we get to see their relationship mature a bit. There is some more action and drama but it gets worked through the story ends pretty well. I really liked the epilogue, it really made the book and there were some happy tears as I finished. It was worth the read (regardless of any issues I had) and I will be reading the next in the series. :D

11/13 Just finished a reread, which was actually a re-listen because I bought the audiobook of it. The narrator did a good job and I think the book did well in audio format. I still had the mixed feelings about the book and Hawk and Gwen's relationship that I noted above but it does end well once they get past all the crap. :D

So disappointed!

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I would change the narrator. She did a horrible job with Hawk's voice. He sounded like either a Jersey boy or a surfer. Definitely not like a native of Denver.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I love Hawk. He is yummy, alpha commando.

What didn’t you like about Kate Russell’s performance?

Her male voices were very lacking.

Could you see Mystery Man being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Wow I would love to see it made into a show or movie. Not sure who should star.

Any additional comments?

I love the Dream Man series by Kristen Ashley! I really wanted to like this audio version. I would recommend reading it instead of listening especially for your first time. Just a warning, KA's books are like crack- addictive!!

awesome

another great book by Kristen Ashley. you won't be disappointed. liked the voice of the narrator

A complete roller coaster ride of emotions. 

The Dream Man series starts with Gwen and Hawk. While their year and half "romance" is not your standard fling, their passion and possession are off the charts. There is a lot of action in this book as well as great sex scenes. For me it was an emotional roller coaster and I loved every minute. I was completely sucked into this story. The plot was intriguing. Lots of twists and turns. If you like the ultimate dominant alpha male and a sexy sassy heroine with a love story filled with suspense then you need to listen to this book. Each character are hot and completely lovable. The love is beautiful, the plot fabulous. It was an excellent, fast paced, and action packed book. Kristen Ashley definitely has a fan for life. I hope audible starts to offer her Rock Chick series soon!

I love KA books! Hated the narrator!

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

No. I could not even fish the audio version of this book the narrator was so terrible ! She made everyone whiny! And would talk in a weird soft voice at random times!

What did you like best about this story?

Kristen Ashley is an amazing author and I would recommend everything she's written! Just not with this narrator!

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

Hell NO!

Do you think Mystery Man needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Sure! If it's not a Kate Russell's performance.

Any additional comments?

Just my opinion! I do love Kristen Ashley! I've read everything she Has written! I would just recommend reading this one by yourself! Ps. Sorry for any spelling mistakes I am extremely dyslexic!

LOVED THIS BOOK!!

This was my 1st Kristen Ashley. It certainly hasn't been my last! I've never read/listened to a writer like her. I loved the stories, and while I'm not sure I want a man like the ones she writes, I SURE DO LOVE READING ABOUT THEM. Her hero's are NOT politically correct and I have to say that's a refreshing change, they sound like they should be. If you like ALPHA males and strong women, then these books are for you. The NARRATOR IS GREAT!! HOPE THEY CONTINUE TO USE HER VOICE FOR MORE OF KA'S BOOKS!! I ONLY HOPE MORE KRISTEN ASHLEY BOOKS MAKE IT ON AUDIBLE!!!!

good book good narration

Would you consider the audio edition of Mystery Man to be better than the print version?

Yes because of Kate Russell and her narration

What did you like best about this story?

So many things to like -- good plot, great characters

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

Yes, she narrated Wild Man (another book in this series) and I really enjoy her narration of both books. I look forward to listening to other books she narrates.

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

I really enjoyed the part where Gwen finds out what Hawk's name is. I also liked their 1st meeting in the daytime in Gwen's house. And of course loved how Hawk said "Babe"!

Any additional comments?

Good book, great narration! Other books in the series are good too Wild Man, Law Man and Motorcycle Man.