Beat

By: Vi Keeland

Narrated by: Sebastian York, Molly Glenmore

Length: 7 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's Summary

From New York Times and USA Today best seller Vi Keeland comes a steamy new standalone novel about a rockstar. Or two.

Dimpled smile of a boy
Hard body of a man
Sings like an angel
F***s like the devil

I was stuck between a rock(star) and a hard place. At 15, his poster hung on my bedroom wall. At 25 his body hovered over mine. Every girl's fantasy became my reality. I was dating a rockstar. Yet I was slowly falling for another man. The problem was - the two men - they shared a tour bus.

Flynn Beckham was the opening act.
Dylan Ryder was the headliner.

What happens when the opening act begins to shine so bright, it seems to dim everything else in its wake?

I'll tell you what happens. Things get ugly.

©2015 Vi Keeland (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Ugh! FIX YOUR FILTERING SYSTEM Audible!

I only finished this story while I did all my gift wrapping so I could give a fair review.

This was another freebie from the romance package. I didn’t get 45 minutes into the listen before I almost removed it from my library. This is ANOTHER mislabeled category!! 😡

I found Beat in the RP after applying the filter for African American stories but it is not. This heroine is auburn haired with pale skin and green eyes. Certainly NOT African American! 🙄

I’m not sure why these books are showing up in the list when I select the category for AA reads under the Romance Package when they are utterly lacking in any AA characters, but I wish audible would correct this error.

If you are like me and desperately seeking series that have stories that feature women of color (black, Hispanic, Indian, middle eastern, east Asian...) then bypass this one. I imagine it’s like a vegan going to a restaurant and ordering a dish only to swallow a few forkfuls before biting into a chunk of beef. *Insert appropriate reaction*

I’ll say it again, FIX THE SYSTEM AUDIBLE!!! Unacceptable!

If you’ve read any of my previous reviews you should understand my frustration. I’ve been asking for authors to be more inclusive/representative/diverse etc in their casts for a long while. As a black woman who is an avid reader and more recently, listener, who spends probably too much time and money on books in all formats, it drives me mad! And to be misled by a mislabeled category is absolutely disappointing.

Honestly, I’m at a point where I almost want to give up on it all-kindle and audiobooks. I’m so tired of reading all these books that don’t have a single character of color in them let alone a MC of color.

And I’m not even going to get on the soapbox regarding cultural appropriation when it comes to authors like JR Ward and her BDB series which is also completely lacking in diversity. I’ll just say that audible needs to really look into their filtration system and make sure that customers aren’t misled into spending time on something they did not want.


As for the story itself, I did like it once I got past my initial anger at not getting what I ordered so to speak. I was interested to see how it would all play out-of course you know which one Lucky is going to pick but seeing how the H’s got there was fun to witness.

I’m not generally a fan of stories where there’s infidelity but the author made it work in this story and wrote it in a way that I didn’t hate the cheaters.

The narration was good. It wasn’t the best I’ve ever heard (Robert Petkoff is without a doubt, hands down, unquestionably #1) but both of these narrators did a good job with the characters. I love SY’s voice-even his female characterizations (lol) despite it being so deep and rich. I do wish more audiobooks were recorded with the male narrator voicing all of the male characters’ dialogue and the female narrator doing the same... A la Cherise Sinclair’s MOTS series.

As for Molly Glenmore (a new narrator for me), I liked her performance well enough and wouldn’t have a problem trying another of her reads.

Bottom line, will I read another from this author? Probably not. Why? 😒 Come on, you know why. I looked at the other audiobook in this series which actually precedes this one and also features Flynn, but for reasons already made clear I will not be listening even though it’s also a freebie through the RP. 3.5 stars for Beat.

With a grain of salt...

Good listening!

Another Rockstar Romance

This was a cute story, not all that hot in the romance department, so if you are looking for explicit love scenes, look elsewhere. A very good story that kept my interest even without having those scenes however. Another Rockstar romance book that's worth a credit for sure.

I SAID "JUST 1 MORE CHAPTER"... OVER & OVER AGAIN

Lucky is part owner of Lucky's - a Bar that has a small stage and famous and not so famous Musicians make unscheduled appearances to perform or just drink there and where people can enjoy embarrassing themselves at Karaoke too. That's where Lucky first gave the oh so beautiful and dimpled Flynn a screaming orgasm (a drink ladies!!) and they were immediately drawn to each other but, as tempting as Flynn was... especially when he sang to Lucky, and as sweet as he asked her out, Lucky had to resist his many many charms.

The next time they met Lucky's in the arms of the world famous lead singer Dylan Ryder of the Rock Band Easy Ryder.... and Flynn's Band is hoping to go on tour with them (Oops). But first, kFlynn finds himself standing in for one of the Musicians and sharing a Tour Bus with Lucky, the woman of his dreams and her arrogant boyfriend and it's sheer torture for him. From then on the mutual attraction continues to simmer and sizzle... first they agree to become friends because Lucky's been brought on tour to be Voice Coach for Flynn as he has a slight problem and they spend lots of time together - all of it is very tender, touching and romantic. However over time, their compatibility along with the pull, chemistry and sizzles whenever they touched, ended up to be too great a temptation for both of them to resist anymore.... but yes, Lucky did try over and over again to resist.

Lucky didn't want to be a cheater, she kept making excuses up so not to nhave sex with her boyfriend Dylan but behind the scenes Dylan was no Saint.... whereas Flynn was - never giving in to Groupie temptation which was all around because his focus, only desire and goal was Lucky. And so it went on - Lucky was in a relationship that she had once thought was great (despite the age difference), but now her heart's torn - the overwhelming feelings for Flynn has totally confused her and made her look at the relationship again.... which was first stemmed from her love of a Rock Legend when she was just 15. Whereas, when she's with Flynn it feels like it's truly the real deal - but she's been with Dylan for a year and many careers are riding on her to not rock the boat (including Flynn's). So, even though Flynn has been patient and given her time then tried ultimatums, Lucky doesn't know what's best for everybody. However, in the end it's jealous Dylan who takes charge and splits the lovers up.... and then got some very sensational pictures about himself and Lucky splashed all over the media - which nearly destroyed a heartbroken Flynn.

I really enjoyed this riveting listen and I thought I liked Alpha bad boys.... until Flynn came along who was (hold on coz I'm about to gush here) kind, thoughtful, patient, sexy,
sweet, understanding, hot, talented, sexy, handsome, tattooed, loyal, sexy, loving and a very very good Uncle too. Lucky did annoy me the way she strung Flynn on and lied to Dylan, who I admit was a scumbag, but it WAS his show. There were very tender intimate moments and sexy times too but the greatest strength in this book was the undeniable passion and chemistry between Flynn and Lucky which came out loud and clear all through the listen. Dual POV's, standalone and good narration.

Worth a credit? Vi Keeland wrote a wonderful story that was all-consuming and enjoyable about a torturous heartbreaking forbidden love that Fate had a hand in turning it into a sweet HEA.... and Destiny weaved it's magic for the beautiful Epilogue.

Love Flynn, Lucky was so ANNOYING!

This book should've been more about Flynn and less about Lucky. On and on about her past and dumb anxiety. Lucky was a coward throughout the entire book. Never saying exactly what she meant always saying "I'm sorry" instead of womaning-up. Carrying on with Dillion and Flynn and expecting Flynn to just stand around and wait for her to get it together. Urghhh. This is the type of pansy, gutless woman men should run from not fall in love with.

Flynn knew what he wanted and went after her but not very alpha the way he let her play him. Like I said Flynn is a keeper but Lucky should go fly a kite.

Sebastian was Sebastian which is always a good thing and Molly was good.

GREAT Narration ----- story line left me cold!

I was so excited that Flynn was getting his own story when this came out. I really enjoyed the first in the series. However, I may be in the minority here; but I could not feel the "angst" that Luci (Lucky) had in fighting her attraction/feelings for Flynn when she was intimately involved with Dillon. Keeland tried very hard (successfully) for me not to like Dillon, but I am a firm believer that if you are "with" someone you don't stray. EVER. You woman up---break it off and explore. This didn't happen in this story line. The both cheated. Lucky was ambivalent in how to handle things... blah, blah. Sebastian York gave a stellar narration/performance as did Ms Glenmore. I would not use a credit... perhaps a sale.

Hate the heroine, hero deserve better

SPOILERS






Can't stand a cheating heroine. I hate this type of story line. Flynn should have dumped her.

Not a fan

I was annoyed that a majority of the story is played out with Lucky sticking with her boyfriend rather than just dumping him and getting it over with and moving on to Flynn. But I guess you have to have many pages to create a whole book and this was justification to have her waffle for pages on end. I’ve enjoyed other books by Vi Keeland but this just wasn’t one of them.

Great quick listen...

Story about the hot & sexy up and coming rocker Flynn and Lucky, who is the girlfriend of rock star Dylan. Flynn first meets Lucky in the bar she owns and then after a couple more meet-ups he ends up on tour with Lucky's boyfriend's band. If you don't like the "cheating books", this one does involve some cheating but not to the point where it'll make you hate this book or the main character. There are some great secondary characters including Flynn's niece and his bandmates that were funny and sweet, and I wish they would've been included more throughout the book. There is also the storyline of Lucky's stage fright that does bring another level of intrigue to the book.
The narrators Sebastian York and Molly Glenmore who do a great job. Definitely fit the characters and add to the story.
Would definitely recommend this as a quick, not to angsty listen.

A huge disappointment.

This audiobook was a huge disappointment. The story is weak, the female character is incapable of making decisions and she cheats on her current boyfriend who is an arrogant bully. I didn’t like him either. I love listening to Sebastian York’s narration but in the end even his fabulous work couldn’t make up for the monotone narration of Molly Glenmore.

The Rockstar not Rockstar

Performance was perfect I never have a complaint about these voice actors, and the story is not the typical he was a Rockstar and she made him into the good guy story so the twist and unexpected situations where refreshing definitely one I recommend.

Love Flynn Beckham and love Sebastian York. Win win

Wow. I'm really loving this series, I sure hope there is more to come. This story follows Lucky, who is dating the guy of her dreams, but ends up falling for someone else. As much as I loved the book I was a little uncomfortable with Lucky going behind Dylan's back. I initially felt a little sorry for Dylan, he seemed to be trying so hard to have Lucky be a part of his life. He did however turn out to be a douche, I'm not sure he deserved to be treated so badly though. Lucky wound me up due to her lack of consideration for both men. I loved Flynn so much, much more in Beat than Throb, and loved that he got his own story and we could see what a genuinely nice guy he actually is. Another well written, light, easy read.

Easy listen

Overall a enjoyable easy listen, i liked the story but there wasn't much of the witty banter Vi Keeland has put in to her other books and I missed that. Not enough Sebastian York for me either.

Brilliant

Another really good book by Vi Keeland to listen to , the narrators are absolutely perfect.

Loved this fabulous story

I really loved the characters, story and personality of this audio book!! Both narrators were matched to the characters well and gave great performances, in fact when does Sebastian York not give a fabulous performance he's a star !!