Griffin

By: S.M. West

Narrated by: Sarah Puckett, Jacob Morgan

Length: 9 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

After one electrifying kiss, I’ll risk everything to protect Cora Jennings.

I don’t know why I care about her; she’s a stranger. But something in her striking green eyes draws me in. She’s caught in a web of secrets and lies. A ruthless killer hunts her. He’ll stop at nothing to have her. And neither will I.

Together, on the run, our connection grows stronger. I’m not a man who falls easily, yet Cora has me on my knees. We’re opposites in every way. Evil always finds me. I’m a dangerous man and wrote off love long ago. Still, my darkness craves her sunshine. I’m no white knight, but Cora makes me want to be one.

*Contains sensitive and mature topics. Recommended for ages 18 and older.

©2022 SMW Books (P)2022 SMW Books

Critic reviews

Winner of the Pinnacle Book Achievement Award for Best Thriller, Gold Global eBook Award, and Global Book Award Silver. 

A 17th National Indie Excellence Award Finalist.

Fun ride!

When Cora says yes to her boss and friend, she thinks she's only delivering a package as a favor. She didn't expect to get sucked into a web of murder, lies and deceit. After witnessing the killing of the man she was supposed to deliver the package to, she runs into a bar trying to escape the murderer who is after her. That's when she meets our hero, Griffin, who comes to her rescue. 

Griffin is a loner. He works with his friend Zero putting away bad guys - a sort of vigilante who occasionally helps Law Enforcement, if you will. He also has a "hero complex" and Cora is definitely a damsel in distress. He helps her and they embark on a crazy, action-packed ride to save her life. 

This story hits the ground running from the first paragraph, It's non-stop action and they are also immediately attracted to each other despite the age gap that Griffin is deeply aware of. It's strangers to lovers, a little bit instalove-y (instalust-y was a given!) but it's easy to understand, considering their circumstances. I won't say anything more because spoilers. Fun ride! 

Narration: Sarah Puckett is a new narrator for me. Griffin is narrated by Jacob Morgan ... and broody, alpha, protective JM does things to a person, just sayin'... 

Maddening

I want to punch Cora (main female) in the throat! The character is dumb and annoying, she needs some sense smacked into her. I am 25 of 38 chapters through and I might have to skip her remaining chapters.

Great mystery

Great story of unlikely strangers. Plenty of suspense, mystery, and twists to keep me interested beyond their relationship.

Age Gap with Suspense

I was excited to finally listen to Griffin! I enjoyed this audio book and the story... I liked the suspense you get and protector that Griffin is to Cora.
This story is a great age gap with suspense and I love all the side characters too!

The narrators did a good job bringing this to life and it was an easy listen.

Yikes! Sorry, just honest.

The book is actually confusing and irritating, when a story holds too much of the secrets, it feels like I am devoting my time to something that may not have been worth it when I don’t like the characters. Something this fast paced keeps the characters from developing a closeness. We don’t get to enjoy the falling in love.

How dumb can Cora be? Turns out, a lot. She skips!!! *eye roll* She seems more upset for her friend’s betrayal than anything. She thinks she sees the killer and mouth-swaps a TikTac?!? Griffin has no grasp of socialization, no memories, they may be a perfect pair. Heat level….meh.

All I instantly heard was a slow speaking sorority girl accent. I immediately had to speed it up. This may be my first listen to Sarah Puckett, is this her natural narration voice? Eventually set it on 1.15 for the chapters she narrated. Jacob Morgan goodness.

Griffin!

This is the fourth story in the "Scarred Hearts" series. This is the first one in the series I have read and it can be enjoyed as a stand alone one. I did actually listened to the audio version and the narrators did a really good job. I like there were both male and female narrators. The story is a romantic suspense and keeps you captivated through all the action, danger and twists and turns. The story is about Griffin and Cora who first meet in a bar when she is running and he is waiting for his target. This story develops nicely and I LOVE Griffin! He is a man of few words but know how to deliver. Cora I wanted to tell to wake and get smarter but then there goes the story. It is an age gap read and it works. I am going to have to go back and read the first three books in the series.

Oh so many secrets!

The suspense starts on page 1 and Im instantly hooked. Sarah Puckett’s voice portrays danger, terror and determination and I have to find out more. Then comes the instant attraction when Griffin enters to rescue Cora and the well woven web of secrets, intrigue, passion and danger reveals itself and I just could not put it down till these wonderful characters got their HEA. Both angst and passion run high in this book and i enjoyed every minute! Jacob Morgan’s performance is fantastic. Must listen to this exciting romantic triller!

Heart-pounding and Steamy Romance!

Wow, what a thrilling, suspenseful, and steamy romance! Cora is helping a friend deliver a package when she witnesses a murder. Now she is on the run so she isn't next. She meets a sexy stranger who is at the right place at the right time, who helps her escape. Griffin abandons the job he worked on for months to help Cora disappear. He doesn't know what or who Cora is running from, but they always seem to be on their heels, making it hard for them to know who to trust. Their attraction at first sight is growing stronger and they know they will do whatever it takes to protect each other. But when a twist happens, it's a race against time to find the killer before they lose everything. This was a fast paced, exciting story. It challenged the imagination and was so thrilling to listen to thanks to Sarah Puckett, and Jacob Morgan's fabulous narration. They nailed all the characters so completely, making me see, and understand them so clearly, and helping me to empathize with them as well. They made this story even more exciting! This is my first listen to author S.M. West's work, and I loved this heart-pounding, and steamy romance.

A great listen

I really enjoyed this story. The suspense and drama are wonderful. I liked the characters and that I couldn't predict what would happen next. Overall a great read.

The narration was spot on. I loved the voices and the narrators really brought the characters and story to life.

Couldn't stop listening

Jacob Morgan is all I should need to say. His beautiful, sexy voice makes any book. I am addicted. Good story, captivating and steamy. I bindged listened to this one. Never put down once.

Exciting storyline

Although Cora got on my nerves at the beginning of the story, I found it a very exciting storyline. She definitely was a lucky girl to meet someone like Griffin when she needed him most.

I liked the performances of both Sarah Puckett and Jacob Morgan.

well done everyone

I absolutely loved this book I have not listened to this author work before, I will be looking out for more.
both norrators did a great job of bringing the characters together.
thanks to all involved

I would recommed this book.

Amazing

This is an action packed storyline. With great characters and brilliant chemistry I loved it. A fantastic performance from both narrators.

Strangers-To-Lovers Romance

Griffin by S.M. West is a strangers-to-lovers romance that I listened to on audio narrated by Sarah Puckett and Jacob Morgan. This is the fourth book in the Scarred Hearts series and can be read as a standalone.

I absolutely love Suzanne’s books! She does an amazing job pulling me into the story. I can't help but binge them in one sitting. I really enjoyed the relationship that bloomed between Griffin and Cora. I liked that we got both of their points of view throughout the book. It really brought the story to life.

I can't wait for the next book in the series Zero to be released on November 10, 2022.

Jacob and Sarah did an amazing job on the narration. They both really know how to bring a story to life. I look forward to listening to more of their work in the future.

I would recommend this book if you like strangers to lovers romances, age gap romances, or romantic suspense.

Ohh Griffin!

Griffin by S.M. West is such an exciting roller coaster! We first hear about Griffin in Nomad. From that moment I was intrigued.
Cora, asked by her boss Angel to deliver a package, finds herself in a bit of a rough spot. Insert no one's hero but the hero that Cora needs - Griffin.

Now on the run these two strangers have to learn to trust each other, communicate and figure out how to stay alive, all while trying not to fall for the insane pull of desire they have for each other.

Jacob Morgan - Whew. Smoking hot Griffin. The angst, raw emotion mixed with the warmth was the perfect Griffin. This was my first Sarah Puckett book! I am always excited to be introduced to a new narrator! Sarah did a great job portraying the growth from naivety and immaturity when you first meet Cora to becoming such a strong female lead. These two paired were paired great with each other!

This book was a wild ride for sure! I will admit I was not into the first 30% of the book but - When this story HITS it HIT hard! So much action, the chase, the angst, who to trust, it was so much fun to keep guessing at every turn!

brilliant

Brilliant narration from Sarah and Puckett, Jacob Morgan. Both bring the heat, action and pace. Perfect

Cora gets asked to deliver a package she never expected to witness a murder and be on the run for her life. Finding herself in a local bar, where Griffin rescues her and takes her home.
There are twists and turns along with danger, suspense, action, secrets. Great chemistry between Griffin and Cora.

Great audiobook

Griffin is a stand alone novel loosely connected to the characters in the previous Scarred Hearts series, but more connected to characters in S.M. West's New York Knights series. You don't have to read either series to enjoy this book. I like that the writing style is based on action that keeps the story moving quickly. It didn't have a lot of supporting descriptions, but I personally would rather have too little than too much. There is a huge age gap between the characters, but the youngest is still over 21. The difference was rarely mentioned in the story, but Cora often acted with less maturity than Griffin.

Jacob Morgan and Sarah Puckett did an amazing job with their performances, and I'm sure that I liked the story more because I listened to it. The voice for Cora sounded age appropriate, and both narrators were easy to listen to. I would recommend this audiobook to others who like a fast-paced romantic suspense story.

I received a copy of this audiobook at my request, and the opinions here are my own.

Brilliant!

Griffin and Cora are on the run in this well written, fast paced, romantic suspense that’s filled with a danger and darkness that had me hooked from the start! It’s both thrilling and exciting with fantastic narrators, and there’s cameo’s from some of my favourite New York Knights series characters. Perfection… that I couldn’t put down!

Intense, Passionate, and Suspenseful!

This is the fourth book in the Scarred Hearts series, an interconnected standalone series by S.M. West. Griffin and Cora's story is intense, passionate, action packed, and suspenseful, filled with mystery, and unpredictable twists and turns. The storyline is enthralling. I enjoyed it. I love this series! Sarah Puckett and Jacob Morgan did an excellent job with the narration. This is a great team author/narrators. #HomeCookedBooks

Fantastic romantic suspense!

SM West is one of my favorite romantic suspense authors, and Griffin and Cora's story is everything I love! Cora goes to deliver a package for her boss, and witnesses a murder. Now running for her life, she finds herself in the arms of Griffin. Griffin feels a need to protect Cora. But while running his own case, he is finding it difficult to determine if she is as innocent as she seems. With danger constantly lurking, a combustible chemistry between them, and family waiting at home for answers, I was on the edge of my seat! Griffin is my kind of hero. I love his protectiveness and the need to find the answers. Cora is a tough woman, but sometimes a little too naive. She proves her strength and will to survive. Twists and turns, spicy scenes and a fantastic ending leaving me wanting more all make this an amazing listen.

To enhance the story, West has Sarah Puckett and Jacob Morgan narrating our story. Both seasoned narrators know how to sink their teeth into their characters and create the best story telling. Puckett comes through as Cora, innocent, scared, passionate and strong. Griffin is brave, resilient, protective and loving, and Morgan gives him all the qualities. This is their first narration together, and it's one not to be missed. Fantastic!