Darling Venom

A Standalone Best Friend’s Brother Romance

By: Parker S. Huntington

Narrated by: Sebastian York, Jacob Morgan, Ava Erickson

Length: 15 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

My first love ended in tragedy.

My second began with his brother.

From Wall Street Journal best seller Parker S. Huntington comes a broken love story laced with angst and forbidden romance.

I wasn’t supposed to be on that roof on Valentine’s Day.

Neither was Kellan Marchetti, the school’s designated freak.

We met on the verge of ending our lives.

Somehow, the tattered strings of our tragedies tangled and tightened into an unlikely bond.

We decided not to take the plunge and agreed to check on each other every Valentine’s Day until school ended.

Same time.

One roof.

Two restless souls.

We kept our promise for three years.

On the fourth, Kellan made a decision, and I was left to deal with the consequences.

Just when I thought our story ended, another one began.

They say all love stories look the same and taste different.

Mine was venomous, disgraceful, and written in scarlet scars.

My name is Charlotte Richards, but you can call me Venom.

©2021 Parker S. Huntington (P)2021 Parker S. Huntington

Captivating and Emotional Romance!

This was so beautifully raw, poignant and breathtaking! I was captivated from the start and moved by the struggle these flawed and wounded characters endured. It begins with Kellan and Charlotte, as young teens, meeting just when they needed each other the most. They connect instantly in their pain, and even though they are in different social circles, they make a pact to check in with each other every year at the same time. Secretly, Kellan slips Charlotte little stories that help to give her strength throughout the year. Their friendship continues to grow with it's ups and downs until one fateful night. Now Charlotte must learn how to move on, and live with another heartbreak. Years later, she unexpectedly meets Kellans' brother, Tate, and their father, Terry. She only has the memory of what Kellan told her, so at first she is angry with them. But Tate is still reeling from losing his brother, and he needs answers only Charlotte can give him. As they spend time together, and slowly unravel and re-assemble the pieces of Kellan's world, they must look deep within themselves, find redemption, forgiveness, hope, and healing, while learning to love again. I was completely riveted from beginning to end with how the lives of Kellan, Charlotte, Tate, and Terry unfolded. I loved the way Parker tells this story. She expertly weaved a heartbreakingly beautiful tale of second chances at life, and all the emotions that go with surviving loss, and learning to live and love again. She tackled a very sensitive subject matter with such honesty and empathy. I really cared for Kellan, Charlotte, Tate, and even Terry, and Charlotte's sister, Leah as they did the best with what they had at the time, making them feel so genuine and perfectly imperfect.
I was blown away by Sebastian York, Jacob Morgan, and Ava Erickson's stunning narration. They are so perfect as Tate, Kellan, and Charlotte, and their brilliant delivery gripped my imagination and compelled me to feel everything these characters think and experience. They embodied these characters perfectly making my heart race from beginning to end. This is storytelling at it's absolute finest and I loved every moment of this beautiful, raw, poignant and unforgettable story of love, hope, and forgiveness!

Wow, just WOW!!

I’ve sat on this review for several hours now, Just trying to get my emotions together. This book was so much more than just a story and characters it was so heartfelt. THIS BOOK IS A MUST!

The narration was perfection, Ava, Sebastian & Jacob Took this book to another level.

hmm

A story of suicide grief loss and redemption. Starts off very strong and contains scenes (throughout the book) that are very good but the book seemed very drawn out and the character development was odd (maybe even incomplete) and there were places in the book where I got lost due to abrupt changes in character behavior. I think the author had a really good idea and outline but the execution wasn't as good as it could have been. Also it could have really used more jacob morgan! Sebastian York did well in the beginning but lost steam by the middle and end of the book which made it difficult to get submerged in the book when the narrator falls out of character.

HIGHLY Recommended!

This is an EXCELLENT and heartrending forbidden best friend’s brother romance. Charlotte, Kellen, and Tate's story is mesmerizing, and grippingly well written, filled with drama, grief, lost, guilt, and angst. My heart broke into a million pieces for them. Kellen was disillusioned, and beyond broken. Charlotte is a strong survivor, beautiful, selfless, caring, and supportive. Tate is handsome, enigmatic, and sarcastic. His conflictual and unfinished relationship with his brother left him broken. In this story, fate brings together two tortured souls, then destiny worked its healing magic reuniting two broken souls. The sadness is balanced with some sexy moments, and humorous scenes, which is great. The ending is beautiful. The characters (main and secondary) are complex, and impressively well developed. I liked Leah (the reclusive and resentful sister), Jonas (the caring and supportive neighbor), and Terry (the nebulous and flawed father). The narration is outstanding. Ava Erickson is fantastic as Charlotte. Jacob Morgan did a heartfelt and emotional reading as Kellen. Sebastian York is magnificent as Tate. This is an amazing team author/narrators. I HIGHLY recommend it (triggers warning).

Wow!

This book will tear you apart (emotionally) and then slowly put you back together. There is so much more going on than a simple forbidden romance that it is hard to review without giving too much away. But take a chance on this book and you will not be disappointed.

Didn't live up to the hype for me

On a fateful night on Valentine's Day, Charlotte finds herself on the rooftop of her fancy school she attends via scholarship contemplating jumping. It's her birthday, her sister forgot it, and she's carrying the guilt of an accident that killed her parents and scarred her sister. Kellan Marchetti, the school's designated weirdo, is there with the same intent. Both come from unimaginable tragedies in their lives and they form a bond: they'll meet again, same time, same roof, every year. They did this for three years and on the fourth Charlotte is late... and Kellan doesn't wait for her. He takes a decision that will change her life forever. He was her first love and she couldn't save him.

Now, at 22, she finds herself meeting another Marchetti, Tate - the evil brother Kellan hated and she's incredibly attracted to him. Secrets will come out, old wounds will reopen. Will Charlie and Tate be able to find love under Kellan's ever-present shadow?

This was equal parts hit and miss for me. The topic of suicide, which seemed to be central point of the story, is not. It's a story of grief, acceptance, forgiveness and love. I confess I was expecting more attention to the topic, considering that, although Kellan's is the spark that ignites all the other plots, nowhere is it addressed that Charlie also had suicidal thoughts. 

I liked how we piece together who Kellan was from the few chapters told through his POV, but I rolled my eyes a little when he managed to pen a "great American novel" in his teens (and there is a big reveal at the end that just left me "Really?!")

There's the overly hyped sex scene at the brother's office (he's an OBGYN and he's giving Charlie a pelvic exam... Oy...) but there's very little spice in this book. The doc who's painted as a player (to the point where he's having sex with a woman in his office and the secretary finds it "normal") and all of a sudden he's a monk. Yeah, no. Makes no sense. 

The book was just OK for me. Didn't live up to the hype. 

Narration: Jacob is amazing as teenager Kellan. With the little parts he has in this, he makes you want to root for Kellan, even though you know what's going to happen. SebYo and Ava are great as usual. Thanks to the narration I managed to finish this 15-hour marathon.

Possible Triggers: suicidal ideation, suicide, feelings of guilt,  living with a permanent scar, grief, mentions of alcohol and drug abuse, detailed description of a gynecological exam

This book is so brilliant you’d be insane not to read it

Part of me wants to hate the book because Kellan is one of the best characters I have ever read. I am in love with the writing. It’s about grief, loss, and love. Unlike the other books in the genre it doesn’t peg love as a thing H can’t achieve but eases you into the pain of loving someone who left you and not being able to take another chance at it. This book gutted me and I doubt I’d ever stop thinking of the teenager who gave himself to the world in more ways than he understood. Read this book, because it truly does capture the ugliness of love.

This book broke me and healed me. *suicide trigger warning*

I wasn’t sure if I would like this one, based on the trigger warnings and reviews, but wow. I felt my heart shattering and then healing right along with these characters. Definitely have a book hangover after this one…. I did not want to put it down. I was legit feeling stressed out waiting for the HEA, but it did not disappoint. The writing was phenomenal and the performance was fantastic.

Emotional!

I don't even know where to start with this review. I am still lost in the story, the incredibly emotional journey of Kellen until his unexpected death and all of it's aftermath. While the story focuses on Charlie and Tate and their budding relationship, I was completely invested in their reason for meeting and their chance for healing. Kellen and Charlie met when they were freshman in high school, both on top of a building, both ready to jump. But their chance meeting changed both of their lives. Now meeting back there once a year let them check in and talk about where they were in life, until the fateful day Kellen didn't come. Now we take a look into the darkness and see what happened, the possible why and how it's effected lives afterwards. Charlie is mature for her age. She deals with her own issues and as we get to know her better, it's easy to see how she met Kellen. Tate carries a lot of guilt and anger, not only when it comes to the death of his brother, but for his father too. And Terry, Kellen's dad is imperative, as we learn and understand the hows and why for him, Kellen and Tate. This is an emotional listen, a thought provoking listen and one that will resonate with me for a long time. Romance? Yes, Tate and Charlie do have a definite attraction, but it's only part of the story! Give this one a listen. You will love it.

This cast just enhances the story. Ava Erickson knows how to tug at my heart with her voice. She lets Charlotte bleed and heal and it's incredible. Sebastian York finds the core of Tate, lets us in and has us wanting to help his stubborn self. And Zachary Webber as Kellen just brings it all home with his own words, letting the people he loves know exactly where they stand. Amazing listen with an amazing cast.

Love Tate and Charlie

Parker does another amazing job with Tate and Charlie’s story. Well written, incredible storytelling, heartbreak, angst and beautiful all wrapped up in one.

Wow! What a beautiful story!

(13/12/21) I start this audiobook yesterday afternoon at 5pm, OMG! I couldnt stop listening, in the end I had to make myself pause it at 2am
This book is a beautiful story of 3 people, 2 bothers and a woman, with heartache, coping with suicide, grief, family struggles and an amazing love story
Kallen, Tate and Charlotte. If I could, I'd give this more than 5 stars.
Narration: Sebastian York, Jacob Morgan and Ava Erickson were on the ball with this. Absolutely out of this world.

Wrecked

This book WRECKED ME!
an amazing story from start to finish. I would not classify this as your 'normal' romamce book. To be honest for me the romance took a back seat... Its so much more. I have never cried so much when reading or listening to a book. Narrators were amazing with a book that will stick with me forever. My very own imperfections.

Heart breaking!!

Ok so this is based around suicide and that’s a though subject for me. That’s not the reason for the 4 ⭐️
The only reason I’ve given this book four stars is I really think it was a bit long and felt it could have still been really good if made shorter. I found myself skipping some chapters as it just seemed to repeat itself. It’s still a lovely story and I did cry and was worth a listen even if I skipped chapters.

Heartbreaking, therapeutic and beautiful.

This is one of those stories that will stick with me. It is so much more than a romance novel, it's a story about broken people learning to heal themselves and each other.

This book is everything.

One of the best books I've ever read! It made me laugh, ugly cry (Tip: don't read if you're hormonal) and fall in love. 'Darling Venom' is THAT book that will definitely stay with me for very long time to come.

WARNING!

Reading the blurb of this book did it no justice. I read it and thought gosh this sounds blah do I really want to waste my time! NO I really didnt so anyway whilst looking at it again my phone slipped and I accidentally bought it... on Christmas day no less soooooo I thought I may aswell listen to it now.... if it is really shocking I will return it!!!!!! This book is about suicide which put me off big time but I downloaded and pressed play...OMG

I cried from the first chapter it hit me in the chest I listened I cried, my heart hurt for a lot of reasons even my soul hurt reading this book bit it was captivating from the first word to the last. I am left feeling raw, open and in awe of someone's capacity to be able to write a book that can provoke so many emotions.

I'm not saying this is a sad book that will leave you broke..... I am saying this is a journey of 4 people lives the ups the downs the shit the great it will strip you and rebuild you and make you believe that love is out their and isnt that the journey we want when reading a fiction romance book!!! make your own mind up you wont be sorry for purchasing it!!!!!

Darling Venom

loved this story, the narrators did a great job bringing the characters to life.

Amazing!!!!

I was drawn in from the first page, and couldn't put it down. I adore the characters and how they develop throughout the story. It is one of those books you know you can pick up and read again and again. This will definitely be one of my go to books from now on. Well worth reading x

5 Stars

I’m so glad I took the recommendation from fellow listers to try this book. It was so so good! Although there are hot and steamy moments, that’s not the focal of this story. It is so dimensional and draws you in. Definitely will be a book I think of for years to come.

The best audiobook of 2021

in my opinion this is the best audiobook of this year. this book deals with sensitive issues like you suicide, redemption. it's rolerkoster emotion that make me Cry and smile at the same time.