Enlightened

Enlightenment, Book 3

By: Joanna Chambers

Narrated by: Hamish Mckinlay

Length: 6 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's Summary

This is a second edition of a book previously published by Samhain Publishing.

David Lauriston has been recuperating at Lord Murdo Balfour’s Laverock estate for the last five months. At Laverock, he has regained his health and confidence and has found - with Murdo - more happiness and contentment than he has never known before.

David is all too aware that some day soon he will have to leave Laverock - and Murdo - and return to his legal practice in Edinburgh, just as Murdo will have to return to his life in London. But when David’s mentor, Patrick Chalmers, asks David to return to Edinburgh to visit him on his deathbed, it seems that day has come sooner than either David or Murdo would have wished.

Chalmers begs David to undertake one last piece of business for him: to secure the future of Chalmers’s daughter Elizabeth. But to carry out his old mentor’s wishes, David must travel to London, with Murdo.

No sooner have the two men arrived in the capital than they encounter Murdo’s ruthlessly manipulative father, who reveals a shocking secret that rocks David to his foundations. What’s more, when David discovers Elizabeth is facing far greater danger than even her father feared, he is determined to help her, no matter the cost to his own safety.

As the stakes rise, it is Murdo who must choose what he is prepared to sacrifice to keep David at his side, and ask whether there is any possibility of lasting happiness for men like them.

©2014, 2017 Joanna Chambers (P)2017 Joanna Chambers

The perfect ending for an unforgettable series

Not only have I, enjoyed listening Hamish McKinley voice actor extraordinaire , narrate Beguiled ; I have savored every single minute of it.

With Beguiled , Joanna Chambers ties up nicely all the plotlines. She kept it true to the time period and it's a very satisfying , HEA ending.

I loved to listening Murdo and David finally opening up and sharing their feelings for each other. The growth these characters have gone through out the 3 books , feels true to life , and it was a glorious experience being a witness of it.

The Enlightenment Series have destroyed me IN the BEST possible WAY. And, I predict , will be re-listening it time and time again.

#BooksILove🎧💖 #Listened🎧On2020 #KindleFire #Audible #AudioCreditWellSpent # Amazon

The ending I was hoping for! This book awed me!!!

I was so happy to finally get to the last book in this fantastic series, and if the first two blew me away this one was so good I am literally beyond words now.
I absolutely, whole heartedly LOVE these books and this story, for ANY historical Romance lovers this is the perfect series!!!

Hamish Mckinlay's narration is perfection! There could not have been a better narrator- not only for his mastery of accents and dialects but the depth of emotion he poured into every syllable. I distinctly remember a scene were Murdo is shouting at an innkeeper, most narrators would add anger to their voice but not really yell the lines. He really brought Murdo's aristocratic supremacy and his anger and yelled those lines in such a real way- and yet not painful to listen to for the audio reader. In other parts of the story he whispers softly lines of endearment and passion that are just heart clenching and gut wrenchingly good. It would have been a crime to give this series to any other narrator and I would gladly isten to ANY book narrated by him.

We first meet David and Murdo about three years before the events of this book, and the path they shared together since then was as bumpy as the road to Laverock estate, Murdo's countryside home where David has been recuperating from the leg injury he suffered in the end of the second book while helping Elizabeth escape her abusive husband.

In the following months they have been living in a bubble, isolated, but free to express their feeling for each other in the safety of Murdo's wealth and the privacy of their rooms in Laverock. Now that David has healed enough they must face the impending end of their romance, each going back to former obligations and lives. The struggles they face are so real, time accurate and identifiable this story really is unlike any other Historical Romance I read before (and I have read many, it's one of my favorite genres). I love the time it takes them to fall in love, which reflects the time period very well to me and also their personalities. Same sex relationships, while probably widely conducted in secret, were not a feasible thing in the 19th century. The slow build of it, the sacrifices they each make for the other and the lengths they go for Elizabeth's sake are staggering. I also loved the unfolding of Murdo's past, his fragility beneath the aristocratic façade and the trust he puts in David to understand and respect him.

Elizabeth's story is a wonderful connective thread throughout all three books, confronting David with his life choices and Murdo with his aspirations for the future. The thrilling unfolding of the story and the danger they all face to help her is interesting, suspenseful and frustratingly painful to read. It really emphasizes the difference between the 1800's and our life today while still being relatable (as many women still face domestic violence and go unnoticed in our time as well). The limitations of the time period they live in and the details of that life is accurately written, a must in any good Historical in my view. I liked the thoughtful way Joanna Chambers constructed the ending, making it believable and securing Elizabeth's safety while still sticking to the time period. I love each character in the books, how they come to play and add depth to the love David and Murdo share. This is a story of who one can overcome cultural boundaries and hindrances to have the life one chooses. It's a story of love worth experiencing and protecting, acceptance and friendship.

This is an amazing love story you do not want to miss!!!

Perfect

I have listened to a lot of books. But this trio of books were the best. I’m sorry there isn’t another in the series. I love the characters and the performance. I highly recommend this series. I look forward to listening to other books by this author.

Outstanding trilogy!!!

As others gave said you have to read all three for the whole story, buts it's so, very worth it!

The Excellence continues

This time I want to acknowledge Hamish Mckinlay. This dude can read the Oxford dictionary and I would be mesmerized. His narration makes me blush, smile and look around to see if anyone else is listening in on those fabulously intimate moments that are part of any relationship. He is just wonderful.
I am also enjoying the exquisite writing that immerses me in this series. I started with the kindle added the audio version and at this point i'm just going to get the actual book.
Thank you so much Hamish and Joanna. You are both so talented

Fantastic Historical Series

I'm sorry I waited so long to continue this series. Great characters and Joanna Chambers does a fantastic job with the historical aspects, she creates quite a mood. And Murdo and David get their happy ending!

Hamish Mckinlay does the narration with this series and he's wonderful.

Awesome series

Why cant there be more historical m/m romances like this one. I’m so tired of the same romances told in a slightly different way. Either about mc clubs or shape shifters,or moving away to a cute town to change their life,or hearts hardened by past relationship ....etc etc etc. this was so beautiful and refreshing. What a talent Joanna chambers has. Hamish Mckinlay is the perfect narrator for this style of books. So worth the time and credits. Just wonderful.

The Highlight of this Series - Perfectly Narrated

In ‘Enlightened’ by Joanna Chambers, the final volume of her Enlightenment series, David Lauriston and Lord Murdo Balfour survive one daunting test to their relationship after another.

As perfectly narrated by Hamish McKinlay, the conclusion of this series is everything the listener could hope for.

David, Murdo, Elizabeth, Ian, and Euan all achieve the happiness they each deserve.

While I’m not typically a fan of ‘series’ that require sequential reads (or listens), Chambers has certainly created one that I thoroughly enjoyed.

I’ll definitely miss hearing Hamish McKinlay’s voice, and my next endeavor will be to find other audiobooks he’s narrated.

Entertaining

Note: Review is for all three books in the series.
I totally enjoyed this trilogy. The couple are equal points hot, frustrating and engaging. Historical facts seemed right in. Narrator was perfect.

I was given these audiobooks in exchange for honest reviews.

Perfection!

And this is how you write a trilogy!

The plotting was amazing, the way in which the threads come together here is simply gorgeous, and the solution, when it finally comes, is no magical: it's painful, it comes to a great cost, but it's perfect.

There was nothing that felt forced or farfetched, the story flowed seamlessly and the characters' journey was difficult, yes, but it was a necessary one.

I can say that this trilogy as a whole is one of the best historical romances I have ever read. And yes, it is better if you do as I did: one book after the other, no stops, just... keep reading (or listening)

And if you are going to listen to them, then you have the extra gift of Hamish McKinlay's fabulous narration.

Hand me the matches to burn down this bridge

This tale resorts to more and more shenanigans, misunderstandings and missteps to create drama. David reveals more of his naivety and inability to think through his actions and decisions, sending those involved with him into mortal danger, amazing when he is supposed to be a smart worldly lawyer. He is a suitable match for Lord Murdo who seems equally dumb.

The descriptions of scenery, clothing and interiors are good, but does little to lift the direction the conclusion of this book went. I did not enjoy Book 3 of this series apart from the excellent narration. Based on the other comments, I expected so much more.
UNSATISFACTORY. The best book I have had in a similar genre is Any old Diamonds by KJ Charles, or if you like tales of the old west Robby Riverton: Mail Order Bride.

A thoroughly satisfying conclusion to the trilogy!

David Lauriston slowly recovers from his injuries but his sacrifice may not have rescued Elizabeth from danger. Balfour seeks to extricate himself from his father’s machinations. This bookend to the Enlightenment trilogy was extremely engrossing and satisfying. As well as a strong regency period drama with an authentic feel, Joanna Chambers has produced a gratifying romance. Over the books we’ve watched David slowly shed his self-loathing and we’ve watch David & Balfour grow closer together, despite the attitudes and morals of the time. 🎧 Hamish Mckinlay produced an outstanding narration, constantly drawing me into the story.

A Brilliant ending to this trilogy.....

All the stars for this perfect, PERFECT narration of the story by Hamish McKinlay. He is SO expressive, he really gets involved and brings the characters audibly to life....he IS David Lauriston, he IS Lord Murdo Balfour with all of their feelings; their heated anger, their unbridled joy, their passionate desire [chapter 14...phew!!]. He's an actor, but in no way theatrical if that makes any sense...he doesn't detract from the story in favour of his acting abilities; instead of making himself sound good, he applies his talents to the story and WHAT a story it was!! I've upgraded it on my Goodreads bookshelves to my Creme-de-la-Creme shelf..it was that good!! Everything ended just as I wanted it to [other than Patrick Chalmers death of course], lots of puddle of goo moments...and I WILL be listening to this wonderful series again in 2018.

Superb!

LOVE this series so much and this final book brought the story arc to a deeply heartfelt and satisfying conclusion.

The narrator is wonderful. His narration seems so effortless - his delivery is so smooth. He narrates at just the right pace for me and all of the characters’ voices are unique. I LOVE his reading of Murdo. ❤️ He really has spoilt me for other narrators!

Wonderful end to the trilogy

This is not the trashy smutfest I expexted. It is such a loved and loving story, beautifully read by the narrator. So much depth to plot and character. Really quite wonderful.