Off the Record

The Record, Book 1

By: K. A. Linde

Narrated by: Natalie Ross

Length: 12 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

It all started with a question.…

When Liz Dougherty’s first reporting assignment for her North Carolina college newspaper finds her covering a state senator’s impromptu press conference, she has no idea how drastically her life is about to change. Senator Brady Maxwell may look the part with his devastating good looks and impeccable style, but his politics rub Liz the wrong way, and she’s not going to let him off easy.

Liz’s hardball question catches Brady off guard and shows her editor, Hayden Lane, that she’s headed places as journalist. But to Liz’s surprise, she’s also headed for a secret, high-stakes romance with Brady Maxwell that could destroy the careers they each hold dear.

Unsatisfied with sneaking around and realizing things with Hayden might not be strictly platonic, Liz faces a difficult decision: Should she take things with Brady to the next level or call the whole thing off? They soon discover that in love, unlike politics, there’s rarely a clear winner.

©2014 K. A. Linde (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved

I absolutely loved it!

What did you love best about Off the Record?

I really enjoyed that it kept me guessing iOS thought the main character was going to do one thing and he would do something totally different and the ending was a huge surprise!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Off the Record?

Many memories to just pick one I can tell you that I could not put the book down I didn't sleep at all I listen to offer the night I'm tired as can be but it was totally worth it. The lessons are great not too graphic not too many not too little it was an all-around fabulous read I'm really excited for the next installment to come out.

What about Natalie Ross’s performance did you like?

She is a fabulous narrator she can do the males voice is the female voices and doesn't have a problem switching back-and-forth she's a flawless narrator.

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

I think the last two minutes of the book is what hit me the most.

Any additional comments?

Anyone likes romance should get this book, the price is fabulous you don't even have to use a credit and it's definitely worth the listen! I will definitely read/listen to this again and keep my eyes open for the next installment to come out!

outstanding turnout

Any additional comments?

Wasn't to sure about reading a book about politics and romance, but seeing who the narrator was I took a chance. I'm so glad I did, the overall story was outstanding. I can't wait for the second installment.

Not Awful but Don't Expect Much

Would you ever listen to anything by K. A. Linde again?

Yes, but only out of sheer annoyance at not knowing what happens when this first book ended. What a crapshoot experience for the audience for the next one.

What three words best describe Natalie Ross’s performance?

Does the job. I wasn't overly impressed, especially since there isn't much distinction between her male characters, and her non-Southern accents aren't great, but I've heard worse.

Any additional comments?

This is a really easy listen if you're looking for a romance that has little substance. The main characters aren't very interesting or likable, and their constant ambivalence about their relationship is often irritating and tedious. Minor characters don't add much to the plot and their presence is often ambiguous or distracting. The fact that this book ends on a complete cliffhanger is pretty heinous, so don't even bother with this one unless you are contented with not expecting much or, like me, obtained it with a massive deal. Had I paid more, I have a feeling I would have been more disenchanted by this listening experience and the author.

Loved the story, not sure about the narration

Would you consider the audio edition of Off the Record to be better than the print version?

I had not read the print edition. The audio version was okay. The narrator sounded in her early-mid thirties and she is supposed to be a 20 year old college student. Not sure that made sense. All the male voices except for maybe Justine sounded the same. I looked up the narrator to see how old she was but I really found little to no information on her age, etc. I see that she has done narration for other books, but I would never seek her out like I have other narrators.

What did you like best about this story?

I like how K.A. Linde did Brady's POV in the last chapter. I loved that. I really do not like dual POVs, but I love when an author just gives a glimpse of the other character's POV.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Not sure I can answer that.

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

K.A. Linde is the queen of angst. Her books are my guilty pleasure because half the time I am yelling at the heroine how stupid she is, but I can not stop reading. Sometimes the story frustrated me but I can not wait to see how the story unfolds.

Any additional comments?

Any chance I got, I did listen to the book. The narration was okay and every time I restarted listening to it, it took me a few minutes to get used to narrator's voice, but it made Christmas wrapping fly since I was into the story. I just bought book 2 and ready to listen to it.

Bringing a Congressman to his Knees...Yummmy!

If you could sum up Off the Record in three words, what would they be?

unique-ish, addicting and intriguing

Any additional comments?

I got this just because it was 'cheap'. I finished it and went to listen to another one I already had when for some reason I decided to get the second book...soooo glad I did! I'm now off to buy the third! :) Careful, these are addicting! haha

Loved it!!!

This story just sucks u in from the beginning. I have the to be continued sagas. But, with this on I can't wait to start the next one. Well worth the credit/money...

This is one of my favorite series!

I love how they fall in love and try to fight for their relationship but can not shake the obstacles in both their lives!

Really like the story, but...

Where does Off the Record rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I'm always a sucker for a good love story and I really am enjoying this one between Brady and Liz. It's not up there with Outlander or even Into the Wilderness series'. But I want to know what happens to Brady and Liz.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I like Victoria, Liz's friend, she just tells it like it is no matter what.

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

No, this was my first Natalie Ross performance. She did a very good job with the men's voices. I will look for more books read by her.

Any additional comments?

Now for my "but..." from the headline! The only negative thing about this book is the excessive use of the "F" word or even the use of it at all. I just don't think it is necessary in any content, in any story or even in life. It cheapen the relationship and story. I almost didn't buy the next book because of it. But in the end, my curiosity about Liz and Brady's relationship and where it was going and seeing Liz's character grow, won out. Plus, they were on sale!

Still my favorite.

I’ve always liked this book/ this will be my third time listening. The characters are well developed and it’s a good story line.

4.5 Stars for the Senator and Liz!

Being an Aussie I don't know much about American politics but I loved the West Wing TV series and reading about Brady the politician in this book reminded me of that and kept me interested.

Liz is a beautiful, career driven, very smart and opinionated journalism student who stumps Brady with a questions at a press conference.

Brandy is as young hot as hell State Senator, good looking, confident, tall dark, handsome, dominant, who always appears calm and in control - until he meets Liz and this is where their story begins.

Brady seeks Liz out after the press conference and offers her his number to call him. She doesn't but after a second meeting she relents and is swept away by this beautiful man. He sets all the rules about how this is going to play out and Liz agree - which is totally out of character for the rational and conservative girl she normally is.( Seriously I don't know whose brain wouldn't go to mush if Brady propositioned them).

Their secret meetings for hot casual sex turn into a secret summer romance and they both realise they want more from this seemingly impossible relationship. Liz is conflicted so many times and I felt her hurt, pain and joy each step of the way. She wanted more than he could give and was prepared to let him go each time she thought that's what he was going to do. Brady wanted it all and and couldn't let her go despite seeing how much it was hurting Liz. Like I said IMPOSSIBLE!!!

I liked the support characters in Hayden, Victoria , Chris and Clay, but Heather, Elliott and Calleigh not so much. I suspect that Hayden may play a bigger role in the next book and Calleigh is a snake in the grass but who knows.

This book doesn't end on a cliff hanger but nothing is clear or resolved and leaves you with more questions than answers regarding their relationship and where it will go.

I am really looking forward to reading the next book and hope that Liz and Brady get to spend more quality time together, get to know each other better and have more than just a few stolen moments as was the case here.

I loved this book but, if you are looking for warm and fuzzy hearts and flowers read this isn't what you are going to get.

Natalie Ross was outstanding with the delivery of thre story