Chrysalis

Gilded Love, Book 2

By: Kilby Blades

Narrated by: Sebastian York

Length: 7 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

From USA Today best-selling author Kilby Blades, the stunning sequel to Snapdragon....

When taking the promotion that means leaving Darby turns out to be the biggest mistake of Michael's life, crafting a second chance is his only redemption. He'll go to extremes to unravel their tangled web. But winning her heart may be the least of his worries. Darby's father is up to no good, a crooked senator whose dirty dealings are at cross-purposes with Michael's social justice work.

They are two powerful men, both vying for control over the future of Chicago's South Side, both vying for Darby's loyalty. Only Frank Christensen plays dangerous games. When Frank goes too far and places Darby in a bad situation with the mafia, how will Michael protect her from half a world away?

©2017 Kilby Blades (P)2021 Kilby Blades

✫✫ 5 Stars ✫✫

This book is the continuation of the Snapdragon story line with Michael & Darby. In the first book we got a to read about their relationship, getting to know each other and falling in love. In this book their story continues to develop but all the secondary storylines from book 1 come to the front so we get more than just the romance. This book has a lot more going on, a little more drama but not relationship drama which I loved. I also loved that these characters were adults, they created no unnecessary drama, there was no angst and they just worked on figuring out how to best be happy and not just happy together but what each of them needed as a person. When I finished this book I felt happy and carefree (maybe a little jealous too) which is exactly what I want from a romance book.

The narration was great, I love Sebastian York. He was a perfect casting choice for Michael.

Entertaining

Having just finished Snapdragon I looked forwarded to listening to Chrysalis which is Michael’s point of view. Narrated by Sebastian York who was perfectly cast as Michael in my opinion. To me his voice screams alpha determined, billionaire men which is Michael.

The story drew me in as Michael realized he has made the biggest mistake of his life when he chose the job over Darby. Now focused on making up for his decision and convincing Darby to take another chance on him, things become complicated as it appears he is about to go head to head with Darby’s father.
Who will win Darby’s support the man she has fallen for, or her father? Things are about to become very complicated. Will Michael be able to keep Darby safe when her father puts her in danger with the mafia?
You’ll have to one click to find out.

Good

Good conclusion to the story. Definite HEA which we all crave.
As for the audio, Sebastian York could read the phonebook and make it amazing!

Loved this sequel!!

I had hoped that book one didn't see the end of Michael and Darby, so this book totally hit the spot. I was so happy to see these two figure out how to have a relationship thousands of miles away from each other. Also i was really happy to see the bad guys get their comeuppance!!

This book was also from Michaels perspective which i thought really tied the story up in a bow!!

This book has all the feels.... love, romance, excitement, intrigue, and more!! I listened to this via an audio copy and the narrator did an amazing job telling the story and keeping my interest!! Loved it!!

I received an ALC for my honest review!

Fabulous story and narration

This is a great continuation of Snapdragon. These characters and their relationship continue to amaze me. I loved the added suspense aspect that kept the story moving along and kept you engaged in the story. Kilby does an amazing job bringing these characters to life.

Sebastian York does a fantastic job with the narration. His voice brings the emotion and love to the characters.

Great ending!

Snapdragon left me wanting more and this one certainly delivered. I could not put this book down, I just had to get to Michael and Darby's HEA.

Their long distance was hard, but, I loved being in Michael's POV in this book so we see where his head is at as he goes through that time apart from Darby. It also doesn't hurt that this audiobook was narrated by one of my all time faves, Sebastian York. I mean, who doesn't want him in their ears...

This second installment of Michael and Darby's story certainly brings some pain, but it also brings fun and cute moments between the two. I loved seeing them both find their passion for each other and their work in the end. This was such a fun listening experience.

Great Conclusion

I enjoyed listening to this story told from Michael's perspective. Picking up where book one ended, Micheal has some obstacles to remove to be with Darby. Secrets and the mystery presented in book one will be revealed, and it's satisfying to watch things fall into place. Sebastian York did a great job bringing all the emotion and turmoil Micheal endured.

LOVE

Absolutely loved this ending. Their love story is truly their own and so perfectly them. I am definitely a new fan of Kilby Blades!!!

The continuation of the story of personal growth..

So if you are reading this looking at this book let me start with saying first you must read Snapdragon. Now let's get to the heart of this.. I am heartbroken going into this book. Kilby is pulling my heart apart, but Michael has a plan...and a good plan it is. Now I wandered how the name of this book worked and let me just say it is ingenious.. I had no idea until Kilby gives us an explanation in the best way... this book doesn't disappoint.. definitely worth getting hands down.. so good I wanted more.

Wonderful, Exciting Ending

Chrysalis is a suspenseful billionaire second chance romance told in first-person POV from the hero’s perspective. It is the second book in the Gilded Love series and the final of a duet following this couple.

I absolutely love when a book (or in this case duet) is told in dual perspectives with a mid-story shift rather than alternating throughout; it is a style I encounter rarely but am always excited by. After experiencing Darby and Michael’s no-strings arrangement through to its end from her perspective, it was enticing to get inside Michael’s head for their separation and reconnection. The plot picked up a lot in this book, and I found myself captivated from the very start. Seeing all the different pieces of Michael and Darby’s lives come together was surprisingly exhilarating. While this installment was still steamy, it was understandably less so than the first book since they ended their arrangement at the end of Snapdragon and begin this book trying to nurture a long-distance friendship and sort out their true feelings.

This was my second audiobook narrated by Sebastian York, and I absolutely loved it! I connected with Michael immediately, and I think he did an excellent job portraying Michael’s mental health struggles as well as his turmoil surrounding his feelings for Darby. While I enjoyed listening to him, I will admit I missed Erin Mallon’s sexy male voice she used for Michael in Snapdragon! I was pleased to hear her again in the epilogue.

Chrysalis was the ending to what is one of my new favorite love stories following couples with unconventional starts!

Chrysalis

After reading the book, I also had to listen to the audiobook.
And as always: Sebastian did an amazing job with his narration.

The perfect second book after Snapdragon.
This time it's written in Michael's POV. We get to know his history a bit better, and of course his site how he feels about Darby.

In this book their story goes on and they experience a lot together and a part of each other.

A must-read when you liked book 1 in the Gilded Love series.

Second half of Darby and Michael's story

Part two of Michael and Darby's story. Told from Michael's POV, which was nice. I did sometimes get frustrated with his refusal to communicate completely with Darby. It's like he forgot what he told her at the beginning of the relationship. I think that is more just my own issue with the character. I would have liked to get a little more with Darby's father. I really enjoyed the other side characters and would love to get future books for some of them.

All in all, I enjoyed the second part of their story and was satisfied with the way their HEA played out.

Excellent Duet!

This is the second book in the Gilded Love series. I love, love this series! The story continues where the first book left off. Michael and Darby's duet is beautifully written, emotional, passionate, and enthralling, filled with secrets, and twists and turns. I loved the amazing characters, the sweet and sexy romance, and the little suspense. Sebastian York did an outstanding job with the narration. This is an excellent duet, and I HIGHLY recommend it.

This story will Gilde your heart

Book 2 in the series. Like how Kirby the author, wrote the male , Michael, POV . Michael loves Darby very much, he’s afraid if he says anything to her he will lose her . There are many twists and turns, lots of adventure for Michael to confince himself that the love is real .

Sebastian York performance was fantastic, smooth and very strong

A joy to listen to

Following on from Snapdragon, which left us with not quite a huge cliffie, but nevertheless left us with many questions with regard to Darby’s father, and his misdoings, and of course I had the overwhelming need for Darby and Michael to get their happy ever after. Their ‘not a love story’ rapidly becomes a long distance friendship with lots of video messaging, messaging and phone calls, with a huge possibility for it to become a forever love story, if they’d just stop their facade and admit to their feelings. A proper feel good love story with some added drama from the corrupt Chicago officials. This time the story is written from Michael’s point of view (great to find out about his struggles and insecurities), and Sebastian York narrates perfectly (as always), and there’s also a cameo from Erin Mallon for the epilogue. A joy to listen to.

Fantastic conclusion!

Picking up where Snapdragon lets off, we hear Michael in Australia and Darby in the states. Both miserable and now the contact is just beginning to heat up They both know they are in love, but neither will admit it to the other. Michael’s heart is in Chicago and Darby just wants to be with him. Realizing they both are in professions they are not passionate about, plans begin to develop, but Michael is still harboring a secret that could blow them up. What will happen when all is revealed? Will their love be able to stand the distance and the secrets? Kilby Blades finishes out this story with a bang. It’s an incredible build to the relationship and a deception that will blow your mind. I love this duet. It is everything i love with a little suspense, a twist I didn’t see coming and a romance that filled my heart.

Sebastian York gives us Michael's point of view in this s narration and he is fantastic. Always on point he creates Michael with that warm heart. Erin Mallon ha the epilogue wrapping it all up and giving me happiness.

Wow!

Reading Michael’s POV really changed the perspective. I enjoyed seeing this relationship in each book from both sides. I especially liked how the timeline continued— too many books do the same timeline from each perspective with so much repetition. This second book started where the first left off and that worked out great!!

4.25 stars

4.25* Once I got into this, I couldn't put it down. The only thing i didn't like about this is how much time Darby and Micheal spent apart. But this part of their story (told almost exclusively from Micheal's POV) ratchets up the drama and the plot moves a lot faster than the relationship does. I loved how the ending of this isn't what's "expected" from romance books these days and it's refreshing to see a couple who go down the path they did.

Nice wrap up

I certainly enjoyed part one of this duet more, simply because of the connection the characters forged. Everything in book one seemed more intense somehow.
While this addition wrapped up Darby and Michael's unusual story, I felt it was overshadowed by the wrongdoings of her father.

The relationship part of the story was beautiful, from the longing, the love—even the not so pleasant parts held a flicker of beauty.

Sebastian did a stellar job with narration, and it was ended beautifully by Erin.

Amazing!

The story of Michael and Darby continues from Michael's point of view in this, the second part of this stunning two parter.

With this, an understanding of the family feuds and all the other mysterious parts of Snapdragon is developed.

The way that the Kilby Blades manages to continue this relationship, and story, beyond the end if the 'arrangement' is just stunning.

All in all, a skillfully crafted and well deserved end for Darby and Michael.