The Imperfections

A Forbidden Romance

By: Sam Mariano

Narrated by: Aaron Shedlock, Ava Lucas

Length: 13 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

Brantley Morrison is a drinker of whiskey, a solver of problems, and a collector of mutts - the kind of loyal, hardworking guy you want on your side, and you’d best not get on the wrong side of.

Alyssa Walton never meant to find herself on Brant’s bad side and never even met the man until he showed up in her bedroom with a loaded gun and a plan to destroy her.

When Alyssa and Brant collide, his simple problem-solving mission gets a whole lot more complicated. Turns out, Alyssa is nothing like he expected, and she just might be everything he’s ever wanted. Sure, she’s a little afraid of him, but every relationship has its obstacles.

Brant’s never had anyone like Alyssa around, someone loyal and kind who can smoothen over his rough edges like she was born to do it. Alyssa’s never met a man like Brant, either, and while she admires the way he looks out for those he loves, she can’t help wondering, who’s looking out for Brant.

Now, faced with wanting the girl he was never supposed to keep, Brant has to make an impossible choice.

Does he give up the girl who has brought sunshine into his lonely life, or does he hold on tight, even if it might mean letting down the people he’s spent his whole life protecting?

The Imperfections is a full-length stand-alone novel that includes dark and sensitive themes.

©2019 Sam Mariano (P)2020 Sam Mariano

Great book!

I’ve been a Sam Mariano fan for a long time, and this book does not disappoint. Aaron Shedlock does such a perfect job with Brant and Ava Lucas is an awesome Alyssa. I wish Sam Mariano had more audiobooks out but for now this is a good start!

one of the best books I have heard in many years.

an amazing, unforgettable book. I wish this author had more audiobooks. In the meantime, I will read more of this author. If you like dark, sexy reads... Do not pause, purchase and play. You will not regret it.

5 Perfectly Imperfect STARS

Absolutely loved this book! It’s a little forbidden, a little dark and a whole lot of steamy. If you don’t mind flawed characters who may be a little crazy but are loyal to a fault you’ll enjoy this listen. I don’t know what else to say because I don’t want to spoil anything. Just know that Brant is not your typical hero but I still fell in love with him.

Narration was great! Aaron Shedlock was amazing as Brant. Ava Lucas also did a fantastic job!

The Imperfections

Brantley and Alyssa are a very unlikely couple, but sometimes fate, luck, trust and the will to live outweigh the odds! This story is fast paced and really hard to put down. Aaron Shedlock nailed the narration. And Ava Lucas did a fantastic job as Alyssa I was not a big fan of her Brantley though. The story was really good and I would highly recommend it!

Outstanding Story & Narration🎧 Riveting & Intense!

This is my first book written by Sam Mariano, I love trying out “new to me” authors especially when their book blows my mind with how good it is. She certainly is a gifted author, I enjoyed her writing style and the story and characters she created. The book grabbed my attention right from the start and held it captive straight to the end. The characters are complex and nicely developed, they are easy to connect with and/or relate with. I was not sure how I felt about Alyssa Walton, the lead female, but I wound up adoring her, she was naive in many ways but she was a good hearted person despite the mistakes she makes and the situation she finds herself in. That situation brings her Brantley “Brant” Morrison, I do not think I have ever come across a character like Brant, an alpha all the way, protective of those he loves and will anything for them and I mean anything. Brant can be intense and as you learn more about him you see his dark and twisted mind, he meets his match in Alyssa, she empathizes with him, does not judge him for his actions, does that make her just as twisted and warp minded as him or just a perfect match. This book is cleverly plotted and there is never a dull moment, the secondary characters play a big part of the story, Brent’s twin sister, Bri, and her dirtbag husband, Theo. The story may take you out of your comfort zone at times, but I felt the author did a great job with the dark subject matter and felt she balanced it out with all the other drama giving you so much more. She takes you on an emotional rollercoaster at times, there are some twists and turns, thrilling and suspenseful moments and an unexpected, unplanned romance. Sam Mariano, thank you for this awesome story, I loved all the layers to it and where you took your characters.

🎧📚🎧 And for the fabulous narration, Aaron Shedlock and Ava Lucas were perfectly casted to bring these characters and their story to life. They did an awesome job portraying the characters, grasping each persona and making the role their own. Aaron Shedlock’s Brant sounded just as I pictured him to sound, an alpha badass who was riding on the edge. Ava Lucas’s Aylssa was spot on too, she allowed you to hear her youthfulness and naivety. You could hear how much heart they put into their work as they captured their characters emotions and projected them into their performance. They are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another outstanding listen🎧

Imperfections Indeed 😍😍

Absolutely loved it! Except the cold feet portion… 🤐

Anyway, after reading so many annoying FMC this was a bit better… even though she gap isn’t my thing, I quite enjoyed the book.

It’s complicated, forbidden, crazy, eye brow raising and it felt so freakishly real… (I loooooove that aspect) the characters were so well developed (an 18 year old didn’t act like she was older with juvenile tendencies when it came to self preservation, she was what you’d think an 18 year old might act in the situation, although she was too accommodating… and the MMC, Brant Morrison, what can I say? Aaron Shedlock brought him to life in delicious ways… can I say I also appreciated most of this book was also Brant’s POV? I’ve been dying for this…

Can’t say exactly much without revealing the whole plot, go in blind like I did… I was just so excited Sam Mariano had an audio book and didn’t think twice… glad I did, sad I finished… 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ it was just the right amounts of everything and narration was also stellar…

Worth a credit? Absof ***enlutely!!!
(If you like dark and nature themes… if not, please skip. I’m glad I didn’t see the reviews)

3.5 Stars

I have owned this ebook and audio for a while now, but have put off reading it because I thought it was about cheating. Which I suppose it is, but not between the H and h. So I was pleasantly surprised as things progressed and I realized that I was wrong. I did expect it to be darker than it was, simply based on every other book that I've read by this author. And while there were some quick bits that are dark, I feel like the overall tone of the book was quite sweet.

That was a little different

I’m not quite sure how to review this one. It didn’t feel like Sam Mariano wrote it to be quite frank. Yeah, it had elements I’m used to reading from Sam but just lacked that pizzaz she has that adds a little somethin somethin to her stories. It WAS a good read, just not the usual amazing read.
The concept REALLY gripped me and that’s the part that drew me in! The direction it took was a bit less Alpha and I’m just realizing while I’m writing that THAT is what is missing from this story! The H just wasn’t “Alpha” enough. Not a bad story AT ALL, just not the I don’t give an F attitude I’m used to from Sam where her male leads are concerned. Yes, Brant cared but he was so stoic we didn’t get a ton of emotion outta him. He was pretty laid back, almost seemed to really feel his age and seemed to just flow through life and okay with his place in the world.

Whereas Alyssa was a very ditzy girl who just wanted to please people and put her needs on the back burner, for the most part, and let anyone do anything to her. She did hurt someone in the process which was the only real contradiction I didn’t feel was cleared up with her super caring personality.
If you did the audible version Ava Lucas was awesome as always but I didn’t like Aaron Shedlock, he sounded like a breathy “wise guy” who watched the movie Dick Tracy one too many times. He took me out of the story everytime he read but I did get used to it thankfully! Worth the read as is anything my Sam but not one of my favorites, by a long shot.

Fantastic listen!!

So, this is my first Sam Mariano book, and when I first started listening to it, I was in shock. The taboo, the forbidden had me wondering, do I go on? Of course I do! I want to know more! Alyssa is an 18 year old who has made some bad choices. As a result of these choices, Brant comes into her life. 17 years her senior with a dark past, he isn't there to be friends, but there is a desire he feels that he cannot deny. And now as a result, he has to make a choice. Does he keep her in his life or does he destroy those he loves? At first, I did not like Alyssa. No matter the circumstance, no matter her age, I was totally disenchanted....until I got to know her better. It was a forgiveness that just happened. Then there is Brant. He is all alpha protective, broody yet tender and so confused with his feelings, it was easy to love him, even with his darkness. The secondary characters just add more flavor to the story, letting us hate Theo and feel for Brant's sister. It's a book easily caught up in, making me cringe at times, wonder why people choose the decisions they do, and take me out of my comfort zone. It's all encompassing and the perfect diversion.

Aaron Shedlock and Ava Lucas team up to bring this story to life. A better casting could not have been chosen. Shedlock falls into character as Brant. He adds a element to his voice that gives Brant a thread of darkness. Playing the protector, he has an edginess and truly emulates Brant's personality. Lucas masks her normally sultry voice and gives Alyssa a young innocence with attitude. Her talent amazes me, falling from the young Alyssa to the scorned Bri flawlessly. Their performance enhanced this listen and made me love these characters!

Listen to this!!!

Soooooooooo gooooooood enjoy! Excellent performance by both narrators! 10 out of 10 would recommend and give it a re-listen. I <3 Sam Mariano