Beautiful Secret

By: Christina Lauren

Narrated by: Charlotte Penfield, Jonathan Cole

Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

The fourth full novel in the New York Times, USA Today, and number-one international best-selling author Christina Lauren's Beautiful series, which began with Beautiful Bastard.

©2015 Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings (P)2015 Simon & Schuster

Niall,.. You Are Such a Gentleman – SWOON

🛏

I read my 1st Christina Lauren book many years ago. BEAUTIFUL BASTARD was the beginning and I have picked up the entire series over time. I treat myself to one every once in a while. It's not that I don't want to devour them back to back, they are very good – I just want to space them out!

BEAUTIFUL SECRET is my favorite thus far, I think. Niall is a VERY British engineer and Ruby is a very American girl – intern – working at the same firm. Ruby has had stars in her eyes for Nialls' since she started with the firm.

Niall is very gun shy about romance. He was married to his childhood friend for 11 years and they have been divorced for almost a year.

Ruby's boss arranges a business trip, but at the last minute he is not able to go. So, Ruby and Niall are thrown together for the trip to New York for a five-week conference. I bet you can guess what happens next to this pair… Or can you?

I really enjoyed the twist in this book. Niall is absolutely endearing, in my opinion. He is so sweet and vulnerable throughout. Definitely my favorite hero of the series, thus far.

Narration: Charlotte Penfield is very good. Jonathan Cole performing Niall (British accent) is perfect, lovely and yummy.

Overall: Credit Worthy? Absolutely. This is one of the few audiobooks that I would pay MSRP (manufacturers suggested retail price.)

As of this writing BEAUTIFUL: THE BEAUTIFUL SERIES, BOOK 10 is all that I have left to read. I'm torn between diving right in or saving it. I hope there are more installments to come.


🛏 Thanks for taking the time to read my review. Please select – yes – below if you found my review helpful. Consider following me on Audible, my preferred genres are: 1) CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE and 2) ESPIONAGE/THRILLERS. However, I have many opportunities to listen and review books from almost every genre. Thanks again!

Simply Stunning

I have been indulged in the Beautiful series from book 1-I can't get enough- a must read- I truly recommended this novel- I could not stop listening!

Can't get enough

Love this writing duo. My only issue is that I can't get enough. Write faster! Super sexy (and creative, not your generic sex scenes) witty with great characters. I read and reread anything by Christina Lauren. Absolutely one of my favorites. I loved this story but I don't think anyone could replace Max, he's my favorite.

so so good

this is just what I was looking for and would highly recommend this to anyone and everyone

Best one in the series!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Because it's a great book! I love that the main male character! So different then what you get in most books. It was refreshing :0)

What was one of the most memorable moments of Beautiful Secret?

The very last chapter! After he finds her waiting on his steps after 4 hours, and reluctantly waits for her answer as to why she is there. The same second she is able to get the words out, he has he lifted up and pinned against the wall with his face in her neck asking for her to say it again, and again between kisses to he neck. I melted into a puddle!

What about Charlotte Penfield and Jonathan Cole ’s performance did you like?

Cole's accent, and tone!!!

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

It would be the same as the memorable moment. Best scene in the book for me personally.

Pretty awesome

Really loved this book - content, performance, believability - simply outstanding. Stopped counting how many times I listened to it.

Was iffy

Was iffy & wasn’t sure I’d make it. So partial to Grace and missed her. I felt Charlotte was a bit robotic/hooked on phonics sounding but then finally fell in with her some time during chapter 6 and got wrapped up and all in. Love this series. Can’t wait for the rest that I already bought up and have waiting for download. Jonathan is perfection. Missing the rest of the group though too. On to the next!

Loved this soooo much

I loved Beautiful Secret in book form, but the audiobook enhanced the experience that much more. Jonathan & Charlotte were amazing. I would love for them to narrate my life.

Can't get enough of this series!!

Narrators are 5🌟 superb. Just love the wit and charm and sass. A great love story I wanted to listen straight through to finish. Just as smashing as the rest of this brilliant series!

LOVE the British Accent!

Where does Beautiful Secret rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

As an audio book, it’s a very good audio book. I thought the two main narrators were the perfect match. I thought the length of book was perfect as well.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I liked the main characters. I found Ruby very empowering and cute. I loved that she had a crush on Niall and she didn’t know how to act around him. I liked Niall even though he’s not “strong”, but he’s a good guy with good intentions. He’s not the typical Hero.

Which character – as performed by Charlotte Penfield and Jonathan Cole – was your favorite?

This is my first performance by Charlotte and I loved her. I thought she played Ruby perfectly. I loved her character transitions and she even spoke in a British accent when she was speaking as Niall. I felt her emotions as I was listening to her.

This was my first Jonathan narration and I found his voice not as deep as I am use to when I listen to a male narrator. I did love his British accent and it was very easy to listen to. I know some people find accents hard to listen to, but that wasn’t the case for me. He also did the voice transitions very well too.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A sexy British tale…

Any additional comments?

Full Book Review:

4 British Stars

I got the audio version because of the British accent! Some people find it hard to listen to an accent, but I loved it. If you haven’t listened to an accent, you need to try it!

Beautiful Secret is a standalone and is part of the Beautiful B series. I didn’t read the spin-off, but I did read the first three books in this series. I’ve had my hits and misses with this one. I always give the series a shot, even if one of the books doesn’t hit the mark with me.
It’s Ruby and Niall’s story.

I love the way Beautiful Secret started. Ruby has a mega crush on Niall. Niall works in the UK office and Ruby is currently working there. I love listening to Ruby’s inner monologue, it was too cute! She crushes on Niall super hard and she acts like a cute little fool in front of him.

Niall is recently divorced and he’s not the typical alpha Hero. If you ever had a thing for sweet guys, then Niall is your man. He’s not very sexual and he doesn’t go around playing on girls. So when Ruby starts to show interest in him, it kind of throws Niall off.

I found Niall very different. I’m use to my alpha males, so when I met someone who isn’t very experienced and so like I said, it threw me off. In his relationship with his ex-wife, he only has sex once a week and it doesn’t change up much. Ruby kind of introduces him to the slightly kinkier side of sex. It’s nothing super kinky, so don’t think BDSM or bondage, just good old fashion BJ’s and butt slapping.

Beautiful Secret is super tame and it’s very different from the previous books. I found the relationship between Niall and Ruby very mature and realistic. I kind of like how older they are because well, I’m older and I like how relatable it was. I wouldn’t say they keep the relationship a mega secret, but it’s very low key. There’s plenty of steam to keep you entertain.

Overall, if you are a fan of the series, you will not be disappointed.