Finding Fraser

By: KC Dyer

Narrated by: Romy Nordlinger

Length: 11 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's Summary

I met Jamie Fraser when I was 19 years old. He was tall, redheaded, and, at our first meeting at least, a virgin. I fell in love hard, fast, and completely. He knew how to ride a horse, wield a sword, and stitch a wound. He was, in fact, the perfect man.

That he was fictional hardly entered into it.

At 29 Emma Sheridan's life is a disaster, and she's tired of waiting for the perfect boyfriend to step from the pages of her favorite book. There's only one place to look, and it means selling everything and leaving her world behind. With the aid of an unexpected collection of allies, can Emma face down a naked fishmonger, a randy gnome, a perfidious thief, and even her own abdominal muscles on the journey to find her Fraser?

Contains mature themes.

©2015 KC Dyer (P)2015 Tantor

Quirky romantic adventure

Entertaining romantic adventure for an Outlander fan, but you don’t have to be. Heroine is charmingly flawed, full of insecurities but full of spirit. Some surprise twists. As cute as this is in a way, this could happen to anyone, and that makes it all the more charming.

The narrator really hit the mark on being sassy and vulnerable at the same time, and got the quirky feel of the writing. Having been to Scotland, I can say that the accents have just the right mix of authenticity and being able to understand them. Great mix of voices and characters.

Highly entertaining, great characters

A cute romantic caper in the highlands, funky characters that are full of surprises, and a pretty good story. I liked Emma a lot and found myself relating to her more than I expected, for such a light hearted romp. It’s not my usual kind of thing, but I’m glad I gave it a listen. Particularly for the narrator Romy Nordlinger, who really shines in this one. You can tell she’s having fun with the ironic romantic ups and downs, and a host of diverse characters. She did a great job.

Horrible Narrating

I was looking forward to listening to this book, after having finished the big eight narrated by the wonderful Davina Porter.
Unfortunately, I can't even get through the first chapter. Narrator Romy Nordinger has a sharp pitched nasal voice that is just plain irritating. Also, the performance was so poor I felt like she was reading a story to a group of kids rather than embodying the character. I couldn't get past the sound of her voice or her delivery to listen and enjoy the story. I know this is very critical, but honestly I was so put off I won't be listening to any of her other narrations. Time to get the book in print :(

Appalling "Scottish" accent, irritating narrator

What disappointed you about Finding Fraser?

The production was impossible to listen to - the "Scottish" accent was so bad, I couldn't get past the first few hours of the book. If the story hadn't revolved around a trip to Scotland, I would have struggled to place the accent - it's an extraordinary and grating blend of all four United Kingdom countries, plus a bizarre selection of Caribbean, Egyptian, Middle Eastern and Australian. And the American accent was just as irritating, if at least natively so - sorority-girl perky, vapid and breathy, all while making even the most banal sentence into a wide-eyed question. I finally gave up on the book altogether when the main character met someone who was supposed to be Irish...

A fun trip, enjoyable listen

This book is just plain fun. I love the character of Emma, and her looking to find her own Fraser. It’s both funny and touching and makes me want to go to Scotland. I particularly liked the narrator, Romy, who has just the right mix of sensitivity and humor, she’s one of my favorites. If anybody’s looking for Outlander with this, that’s not what it is. But I thought the ride was thoroughly enjoyable.

Disappointed

A thin plot. After listening to the entire Outlander series this was light weight twaddle. The Scottish accent was by and large massacred by the performer.

Better in print?

As a fan of the Outlander audiobooks and Starz series, I was delighted to learn about this offering - fluffy for fun, with something of a nod from "herself" to boot! I struggled with the narration - just too enthusiastic and syrup for me personally. I stuck with it to the end realizing this could probably be more enjoyable on the page. Also, I was so surprised to listen and think of how closely this felt like a cousin-in-concept to Nora Ephron's Julie & Julia in '09.

Good, worth a credit

I didn’t really believe the plot as much as I would have liked, but overall this was very enjoyable, and I liked the narrator and all the characters. The main character was very funny, good dry delivery.

Fun romp in search of love. Go Emma!

I was cheering Emma on, and laughed out loud quite a few times at some of the situations – not to mention her insecurities. It’s never too late to chase your dream, right? The narrator did a fine wee job of all those accents, which must have been tough. She really sank her teeth into some pretty out there characters, but most of all I appreciated the likable tone she has, for such a fun book. Some books are too dry to listen to when they should be fun, but I recommend this. It's a good story, but most of all just a fun romp through the highlands in search of love. Why the hell not?

riding on coat tails

Lovers of the Outlander series might be drawn to this book, however this book lacks any sophistication in writing. It reads as something a high school student has written; it's simplistic, predictable and weak. It's not even particularly romantic. Or believable. The author of this book alludes to Diana Gabaldon throughout, calling her, "herself" and revering her writing. And yet KC Dyer, doesn't even come close, making me wonder if legal teams were involved in blocking the use of "herself's" name.

And that's just the story. The narrator's voice is annoying, and her accents are laughable. They are so not even close to Scots.

I gave it 2 stars as I was able to listen to it all the way to then end, and there have been other books that I haven't.

Awful accents

Didnt like the narration. An annoying American putting on awful Scottish accents made it painful to listen to at points. I enjoyed the story though. I would rather have read it than listen to the narration.

A fine wee story

Is there anything you would change about this book?

It's fine, worth listening to if you understand the Outlander fandom. However I felt the main character spent too long zinging about in America before getting to Scotland. The number of references to the main character not having enough money got tiresome. Fair enough to run out half way through and after being robbed but she is bleeting about cash the whole way thru'.

Would you be willing to try another book from KC Dyer? Why or why not?

I guard my credits jealously so no, but I would READ another. However, I stuck with it,which is a compliment given the woeful narration.

How could the performance have been better?

Where do I begin.....The narrator's American accent is fine. The British accents are just a jumbled mess, with Northern English errupting in the middle of Scottish speech. There are sounds I have never heard British people emit. I had to to just tune it out and listen to the story. (I am Scottish living in England so I do know how it should have sounded)

If this book were a film would you go see it?

Possibly, as films set in Scotland tend to have a quirky charm.

The book may be fine but the accents are awful!

I don't think I can listen to anymore of the audiobook. The main protagonist is setting off to go to Scotland and before she's even left America she's encountered a Scot whose accent is such a horrifying melange of American, Irish, faint Scot and a good smattering of Russian that I'm too scared to go to Scotland with her! I may continue reading it as an ebook but I'm not sure I can be bothered.