Wayward

By: Mary Calmes

Narrated by: Nick J. Russo

Length: 7 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Maksim Lenkov is certain he’s not a good man. His father isn’t, and since Maks is his second in command, then certainly, he’s just as evil. The list of sins is long, and there’s no getting around that. What’s messing him up is that despite all that, in the midst of life and death, his only friend tells him he’s been a blessing, law enforcement is treating him like he prevented more bloodshed than he caused, and everyone is concerned with doing right by him. Why? And how is Maks supposed to figure out who he is when everything he thought he knew is suddenly turned upside down?

It only gets weirder once he begins his new life in witness protection. Because if he’s a guardian angel of women and children, dogs, and one eccentric heiress, can he really be a bad man? Added into the mix is a handsome, loyal deputy chief of police, who lives next door and thinks Maks hangs the moon. Is it possible that living in hell never actually made him into the devil? Perhaps it was only a wayward life, and now it’s time to chart a new course.

©2023 Mary Calmes (P)2023 Dreamscape Media

I really liked this...but felt incomplete

I enjoyed following Macks in his journey of going from mob enforcement in a big city to caretaker in a small town who wins the hearts and minds of the townspeople effortlessly.... like a lot of Mary Calmes Heroes tend to do. The only drawback of 1st person single POV is that you don't get into the heads of other characters...and so in a way the book feels incomplete or like it is missing something. I really wanted to see how Macks' father and former employee/friends felt and reacted when they realized Macks was still alive and turning them all in. It kind of felt too easy...all wrapped up in a neat bow tie - I thought that when Lev escaped he would be the other shoe waiting to drop...the boogie man out to get Macks...but alas he was caught by the law later on. So no muss or fuss really - Macks really was able to start a new life without any drama. Nick J. Russo was impressive as usual - his Russian accent has improved over the years as his performance has. If you have him at the helm he only enhances what is already there.

4 stars - worthy of a repeat listen

Totally engaging!

great captivating story. Narration is on point. I've been enjoying her writing again, as I had kind of gone off her. but this one is terrific

Really enjoyed this one.

A Novel With the Charm of Calmes

The writing of Mary Calmes is truly charming and has the elegance and grace bestowed to only the most amazing novels.

Loved wayward reading!

I really enjoyed Nick’s performance of Wayward. I enjoyed the Russian accents and character portrayals.

Love the story

Mary once again you have blown my mind great work. And Nick Russo awesome performance love the accent.

Good

This was good, not her best. I wish there had been more development with renovations. Nick was super.

What a sweet killer.

I loved the return to Rune. In this town we know some fun will be had. This book is a nice read. I hope we get more books set in Rune.

Missed potential

It started off very slow and sort of odd, no real hook in the beginning. When I did get hooked and the setting started, it felt scene under developed and it hopped around and ended quickly. There was so much potential and it get unfinished and unrefined. Like the author was on a deadline and they said just throw in some sex scenes and turn it in. So much missed potential. It was just okay.

Solid Calmes Story

3.5⭐️
Audio: 4.5⭐️

Wayward is right on brand for a Calmes story, though more focused and with less extraneous detail. Maks is the POV character, and it is clear from the beginning that the life he's stuck leading is a lonely, empty shell he wants no part of but participates in bc the other option is death. Part I is establishing Maks as a ruthless mobster with a heart. He's his father second-in-command of a mob family that is supposedly trying to go legit, but Maks has to put his foot down about things like no trafficking, drugs or guns.

Part II is him creating a new life for himself after righting some wrongs but still being a kick ass, no-nonsense badass...just, you know, for good now. He’s not even in the town before he’s saving animals and then ppl as you have to show how good he is despite the bad things he’s done, and it totally works. He’s never established as a monster in the beginning and does good things within the limits of being in the mob so it’s not out of character for him to hero it up in the second half.

It's pretty insta-lovely like most of her books that aren't bff's pining for each other, but Gale is just fleshed out enough to not be completely one note. However, the MCs are well-matched and one isn't constantly yelling at the other so bonus! There’s the typical inconsistencies, such as Maks's brother Pasha knows nothing about the family business but he saw Maks put a bullet in someone's brain for hurting horses? Also there's the odd turns of phrase and non-sequiturs, but it’s part and parcel of the Calmes experience. As usual the book is populated with memorable secondary characters, random events and an adorable dog that makes it all work. An entertaining, quick read full of second chances, building community and meeting "the one".