Eighteen (18)

Based on a True Story

By: JA Huss

Narrated by: Ava Erickson

Length: 7 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's Summary

Eighteen is hard. And so is Mateo Alesci. Hard to read, hard to predict, hard in every way that counts.

He wants things from me. Dirty things, nasty things, forbidden things. And I have to give in. His attention is completely inappropriate, but I can't say no. The way he looks at me...the way he watches me through my bedroom window...the way he drags me deeper and deeper into his completely forbidden fantasy just...turns me on. He knows it turns me on. He holds all the power. He holds all the cards. He holds my entire future in his hands.

And I have to give in. Because Mr. Alesci is my teacher. And I need everything he's offering.

©2015 JA Huss (P)2016 Oh My Audiobooks

Critic Reviews

• Nominated: 2017 Audie Award for Erotica

JA Huss is on point!

Yet another slam audio-dunk for JA Huss. A teacher/student story that was so gripping and enthralling, I had to stay up late just to finish. The story never slowed, the pace was absolutely perfect.

Ava Erickson was a fantastic narrator in this book, she was able to pull off the male character voices and have a different tone for each person.

Yes, Mr. Alesci

Any additional comments?

This book rocked! Seriously. So,where should I begin?

~I need more. A HEA story of Mateo, Shannon, and Olivia. You know, the cute stuff you do for the hot men in your life. We got short stories for Ford and Spencer. I need another for Mateo.
~For the love of Christ, I want more Sunday! He was perfect! Have you ever written a more perfect male character? Yeah, he was a small time drug dealer, but he was kind and considerate and awesomesauce. Give that man a book.
~W.T.F?
~I secretly wished he really had snuck in and did dirty, dirty things to Shannon. Does that make me sick? *shrugs

Some inconsistencies

Very, very hot but the second time around I picked up on a few rough edges that should have been cleaned up by an editor of no one else. Otherwise, a great story.

I had tears in my eyes as she described the cramping stomach as she starved, and the elicit sex scenes never repeated themselves. When the plot started to thicken, the sex scenes petered out altogether. I like that.

Ava did a good job but I often had difficulty differentiating between the characters' thoughts and dialogue. Otherwise, a very good job.

I'm quite sad I didn't like it

Any additional comments?

So for me, this was a difficult read. I can't say that I enjoyed it.
There is absolutely no romance here. So if you're after a forbidden love/taboo romance, there's a lot of sex here, written in explicit detail....but very little chemistry or romance to justify the risks the two main characters take.
I truly dislike the heroine in this book. She was blind to everything else but her own sorry self. And even then, her awareness was murky at best.

Pass on this one

I have a dozen JA Huss books in my library currently. This was the 13th and so maybe that was my unlucky number?. This is the only one that I am disappointed in and didn't want to finish. The story just isn't good. It doesn't grab you and make you want to listen to it at all -- I just didn't believe the characters in the story this time. I read through others opinions on books and I am perplexed on how so many reviewed this as a good book? Ava Erickson did a great job reading what she had to work with so that was a plus but, I honestly wouldn't use your credits on this one. There are SO MANY other JA Huss books that are better. If you haven't yet read her Turning Point books I'd highly recommend those! :)

What A Story!

Would you consider the audio edition of Eighteen (18) to be better than the print version?

I think this is a bogus question. It is the story that determines how good or bad the experience is. This story is captivating. It is captivating to read and it is captivating to listen. I can't say one is better than the other because they both fill a need. I have not purchased one audio until I read the story. I like to have my imagination create the scenes in my head. This audio edition of Eighteen helps me tweak my imaginary world and understand the characters and events more clearly.

What other book might you compare Eighteen (18) to and why?

I don't think I can compare Eighteen, or any of JA Huss' stories to any others I've read. It is her unique vision and storytelling skills that make me buy her books. This is a good coming of age story but even narrowing the focus to that genre, the story is one-of-a-kind.

Have you listened to any of Ava Erickson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the first time I've heard Ava Erickson but I will look for other audio books that she narrates. She did an excellent job bringing Shannon Drake to life.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I felt Shannon's pain and loss several times. A young girl who lost her family and often didn't know who to trust. I hurt with her and I felt her betrayal.

Any additional comments?

This is an excellent audiobook with a great story. It is well worth getting and, if you are like me, you will listen to it more than once.

Good Narration but the story.....

it just wasn't my thing. I never really felt the love between the 2 main characters until the very end

fantastic!!

I love JA Huss, her books flow so well. She always surprises her reader with a twist. The narrator was awesome. so talented. I wish all of Julie's books were on Audible. I love to read them then listen to them.

Another hot & steamy book by JA Huss

Wow, another crazy JA Huss story. A hot & steamy teacher-student romance. The steaminess comes quickly in this book, just the way I like it! Mateo & Shannon left me wanting more. You definitely need to read/listen to this book. Excellent narration by Ava Erickson!

5 Smoking Hot Stars!!

What made the experience of listening to Eighteen (18) the most enjoyable?

Other than the fact that J.A Huss is very talented and knocked it out of the park, Ava Erickson"s narration was perfect.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I have to go with Mateo, he's just so demanding (I like the alphas) and I like that he pushes Shannon even when she doesn't want to be pushed.

Have you listened to any of Ava Erickson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened to several and this one was just as great. One thing that I love about her aside from really drawing you into the story is that her voice is able to switch between male and female seamlessly.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I really wanted to, but real life was calling.

Any additional comments?

I didn't think that J.A Huss could top 321 (my first audio of hers) but boy was I wrong! While 18 is a forbidden story it's also so much more. I was able to connect not only with the characters but the story as a whole. Shannon just wants to skate by on life, too bad for her Mateo has other plans. It's hot and sexy so be sure your headphones are on properly if listening in public!

Fantastic!

Eighteen has everything I love in a romance and more. Matteo is as sexy as they come, and Shannon with her sassy mouth was a joy to read. This well written coming of age storyline has sex and drugs, angst and loss, and a teenager who’s just trying to find her way in the world. It’s brilliant and Ava Erickson being the amazing narrator she is, brought the story to life! I highly recommend it.

Julie at her best

Love love love this book . It has it all. Characters have great depth. Story is twisted and sweet. Can’t wait to read more

Another 5 stars for Julie

loved it. Love everything she writes, and the fact that its autobiographical makes me love her more.

good read

good read when I first started reading this book I thought it was going to be just a quick romance and not much background to it but it turned out not to be and I didn't suspect that surprise twist would recommend

Disturbing but worth the journey

Some touchy topics here but as it's based on some true events it has so much more impact.
Although a taboo subject and some hot scenes the book is much more than the scandal and more about how Shannon deals with life.
Great characters loved Sunday - top bloke.