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Essential

By: Drethi Anis
Narrated by: Jill Cardoza,Jim Chapel
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Publisher's Summary

An extended epilogue book to conclude Milo and Raven's epic love story.

Milo:

Our lives have changed. 

Our worst moments and biggest secrets are used as leverage against us.

People want to force us apart in the name of the greater good.

Maybe they’re right; maybe we are each other’s villains, and not heroes.

But that doesn’t change anything, because it’s her or no one!

Raven:

Our past is catching up with us.

Our secrets are out, and our family is falling apart. 

Seeing my sister follow in my footsteps turns out to be the wake-up call I needed, but definitely didn’t want.

For better or worse, family sticks together. 

But at the end of the day, I’ve made my choice, because it’s him or no one! 

This is a dark romance. It contains discussions about mental health issues and dubious situations that some listeners might find offensive. Dark romance is subjective. Some listeners have found this book to be a light listen, while others were sensitive to the material. Milo isn’t a normal romance hero, and some might not consider him a hero at all. So please don’t listen to this if any of the above bothers you.

Please note that this is part of a series and not a stand-alone!

©2020 Drethi Anis (P)2022 Drethi Anis

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What listeners say about Essential

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I want more Raven and milo

It doesn’t matter what form it is I still say this has been the best forbidden story I’ve read. It’s like OG! I wasn’t mad about the slow burn. I was waking up in my sleep hearing Milo beg Raven to love him and take everything he has to give. Shoot I was begging for more😭 a million stars if I could give it and Netflix needs to do this trilogy! I said what I said

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Listener received this title free

happy ever after

Milo and Raven are both wonderful people. Put them together and sparks fly. Milo is possessive.Raven is independent. Happily ever after does not happen without a lot of work and compromise. Couldn't have been happier with this extended epilogue.
I received a free copy of the book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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Listener received this title free

Love love love

This will be one series that I re-listen to frequently. Love the plot & the dual narration. It is just fantastic... Can't say enough. I absolutely love it?!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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Dark Romance Trilogy

Last book in the series. Again if you have any triggers please read the warnings listed in the book. There are some dark themes people may find disturbing. These are very good and complex books so you should give them a chance. This book starts in the past with Mia finding out the secret that only Raven and Milo shared at that time. I will say if the family would've stayed out of their relationship and quit trying to fix everything thinking they knew best perhaps it wouldn't have taken so long for Raven and Milo to really come back together. Mia and Reid kept getting involved and making demands and decisions for Raven and Milo. Reid literally took Raven away for a year then he told Milo to move to California for a year or he would put him in jail. It kind of makes you realize how hard they had to work to try to come back together. I don't think there ever was anyone else for Milo or Raven. The way all the kids were raised has a lot to do with their relationships as well. That comes full circle with Mia. We see points in this book where Milo thinks he is toxic to everyone so he isolates himself like Raven did in the previous books. A year without each other they meet at Alexa's wedding. There are several sad points in this book. Reid received bad news. Then Reid decided he could no longer be involved with Raven or Milo if they want to be together. This poor family had so much stress on them. I did like the epilogue. It had me laughing because the first words were curse words

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Essential

This conclusion of this series was just. everything I could have asked for after the first two books. The narrators again did a wonderful job.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

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Essential

okay , okay, I freaking love ❤️ it. this is the best ending to a great series. man was it good. I just loved everything about it. it's crazy because there are ppl out there like that. but it is wonderful when it's there kinda crazy 🤪 😜. lol
Anyway you guys are going to enjoy this whole book well series. because I know I did. the narrator did a really good job too

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Gives you a sense of closure, even if you hate it

This is a series that is so dark it hurts. It ends with a HEA but not one that brings me pleasure, satisfaction, or happiness. I think I hate it. However, the journey was oh, so good. Twisted, and about as dark as I think I can go.

Narration was fantastic, story telling was beautiful.

#AudiobookObsessionReviewer

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Dark Romance!

This is the third and last book in the Quarantine series, a Dark Romance. You have to listen to this series in order. Milo and Raven's forbidden story is dark, intricate, intense, and enthralling. I liked to follow them in their unusual journey to love. Reid and Mia are interesting side characters, and I would love to know more about them. The back and forth past to present helps to understand the relationship and the dynamic between these unique and intriguing characters. This is an excellent conclusion to this Dark Romance. Jill Cardoza and Jim Chapel did a great job with the narration. #AudiobookObsession

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Dark Romance

Essential by Drethi Anis is a dark romance that I listened to on audio narrated by Jill Cardoza and Jim Chapel. This is the third and final book in the Quarantine series.

The book does come with a warning: "This is a DARK romance, that contains triggers, including non-consent and dubious consent scenes, outbreak, and mental health issues. Some readers might find the subject matter offensive."

This is the first series of Drethi's that I have read and it won't be my last. She did a great job wrapping up the series. I really enjoyed getting Mia, Reid, Raven, and Milo's point of view throughout this book.

Jill and Jim did a great job on the narration. I look forward to listening to more of their work in the future.

I would recommend this series if you like dark romances, forbidden romances, or friends to lovers to enemies romances.


Audiobook Obsession Reviewer

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Essential

This the final book in the Quarantine series. I really enjoyed this series as a whole. The flash backs from past to present really help show the growth in Raven and Mylo's relationship. I loved seeing the change from toxic and taboo into uncontrollable love.i really loved seeing their interaction with their children at the end. This series got better and better as the series continued. Jill Cardoza and Jim Chapel did a great job narrating this series.

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  • Sara B
  • 04-07-22
Listener received this title free

Great conclusion!

Drethi Anis has certainly left a lasting impression, pushing boundaries with her complex and psychologically flawed characters and twisted plots. I'm absolutely loving her and will be following her work. Essential is utterly captivating, gripping, and a phenomenal addition to the Quarantine Series. It was impossible not to become totally invested in Milo and Raven's gnarled dynamics and relationship. Milo and Raven's journey is intense, raw, emotionally charged, heart-wrenching, passionate, explosive, steamy, and utterly addictive. The trilogy has dealt with heavy subject matters, mental health, obsessive and controlling behaviours, stress caused by isolation and the pandemic, and other triggering issues. Anis's approach is to provide different points of view and perspectives and emotional and psychological impacts, which I found to be great. The ending was brilliant; I was definitely surprised and happy by the outcome. I seriously can't wait for Anis's next audiobook release.

Jill Cardoza and Jim Chapel have done an excellent job connecting their audience with the characters. They captured Raven and Milo's personalities, complex emotions, dynamics, and chemistry. Essential is a brilliant conclusion to a cleverly written trilogy and one I'm recommending.

🎧AudioBookObsessionReviewer🎧

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  • Vanessa Leighton
  • 10-12-22
Listener received this title free

Incredible

This was incredible, It was so dark and well written, it wasn't dark for the sake of dark it was swarm because that was how the story needed to be. An amazing book and series that was well thought out and well narrated. This was so worth a listen, but please do heed the triggers this was not for everyone.

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  • mangankillarney
  • 03-20-22

So Dark

I loved the dual narration of Jill Cardoza and Jim Chapel

These characters have been through so much e an amazing conclusion to this steamy, unpredictable story.
This romance, that contains triggers, This is an amazing conclusion to this steamy, unpredictable story

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  • Jacinta
  • 03-14-22

Great Series

This has been a great series. I enjoyed how well the story is performed and the great character development. The insights given on their past came in handy in understanding their angst. Raven and Milo have grown as a couple. I loved every minute of this series

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  • 🎧🎧Mari 🎧🎧
  • 02-05-22

My heart is happy

Man, if it wasn’t for that epilogue, I would have felt incomplete. These characters went through so very much and I was distraught they would not be able to make it. The narrators were amazing and the characters were multidimensional.

🎧🎧AudioBookObsessionReviewer🎧🎧

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  • TINA WILLIAMS
  • 02-03-22

Great Conclusion

This series has been dark and intense. These characters have been through so much emotional and physical trauma. I didn’t think this couple could find love amongst tragedy but this author pulled it off. I really enjoyed listening to this book and loved the epilogue.
AudiobookObsessionReviewer

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Profile Image for shedevilreads Bookstagram
  • shedevilreads Bookstagram
  • 01-31-22

Dark Romance

Essential by Drethi Anis is a dark romance that I listened to on audio narrated by Jill Cardoza and Jim Chapel. This is the third and final book in the Quarantine series.

The book does come with a warning: "This is a DARK romance, that contains triggers, including non-consent and dubious consent scenes, outbreak, and mental health issues. Some readers might find the subject matter offensive."

This is the first series of Drethi's that I have read and it won't be my last. She did a great job wrapping up the series. I really enjoyed getting Mia, Reid, Raven, and Milo's point of view throughout this book.

Jill and Jim did a great job on the narration. I look forward to listening to more of their work in the future.

I would recommend this series if you like dark romances, forbidden romances, or friends to lovers to enemies romances.


Audiobook Obsession Reviewer

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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  • PATRICIA
  • 01-23-22

The Finale!

Oh, I needed this! After the first two book, I needed to know what was going to happen to Milo and Raven! This extended epilogue gives it all to us. The understanding of dysfunctional families, emulating what they see and meddling where they are not wanted. Milo and Raven have been apart now, and I think this helped them learn and grow who they are and what they want. From past to present, we get to see the changes in all the family as they become independent. Mia is a woman now, Reid is becoming healthy, and we get a glimpse at the future of Milo and Raven. It's dark, and still addicting. I couldn't turn it off until the very end. I would love to hear Mia and Reid's stories too, as they move on and find their way. This is a fantastic, gritty, series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Fun to get lost in someone else's crazy life for a while!

Jill Cardoza and Jim Chapel finish out their narration of the series and it's wonderful. They have created this world and made these characters into the people they are in my mind. I enjoyed their performances.