Hardwired

By: Meredith Wild

Narrated by: Jennifer Stark

Length: 8 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's Summary

Determined to overcome a difficult past, Erica Hathaway learns early on how to make it on her own. Days after her college graduation, she finds herself face to face with a panel of investors who will make or break her fledgling startup. The only thing she didn't prepare for was going weak in the knees over an arrogant and gorgeous investor who's seemingly determined to derail her presentation.

Billionaire and rumored hacker Blake Landon has already made his fortune in software, and he's used to getting what he wants with very little resistance. Captivated by Erica's drive and unassuming beauty, he's wanted nothing more since she stepped into his boardroom.

Determined to win her over, he breaks down her defenses and fights for her trust, even if that means sacrificing a level of control to which he's grown accustomed. But when Blake uncovers a dark secret from Erica's past, he threatens not just her trust but the life she's fought so hard to create.

©2013 Waterhouse Press LLC (P)2015 Audible Inc.

Goodbye 50 Shades! Didn't really like the narrator

Hardwired is the story of Erica Hathaway who is starting out in business and trying really hard to make a go of it. Into her life walks billionaire Blake Landon who already runs a very successful business and is used to control and getting what he wants.

I have to say that Erica is a strong willed heroine and goes for what she wants, but in some ways, Blake does try to mess things up for her because he wants total control.

There are some fabulous side characters which add to the story and help it along. The first book seems to pose questions that are as yet unanswered. The audio flows well and there wasn’t a gigantic cliff-hanger, but the story goes on for three more books.

There is a lot of talk about business in this audio which gives the book a sense of reality as Erica tries to get funding for her Clozpin online social media fashion website.

Erica pitches her proposal to a room full of investors hoping to have one of them invest in her company and help get it launched. Her interaction with Blake Landon in the meeting was interesting and you couldn’t help but notice the sparks between them. From then on Blake sets his sights on Erica and although he passes at the first meeting he busts his butt to try and make sure she makes it in the business world.

Once he sets his sights on her, you then see a dominant, controlling and the possessive side to him. Yummy!

Warning- if don't like hot sex scenes, a plot and two people who will fight to the death to be together then DON'T listen to this title.

3.5 Mixed Feelings

I've been looking forward to listening to this series since I found it on several "What to read after 50 Shades of Grey" lists. I found the first book on sale so I decided to listen and I have to say I'm a little disappointed. Part of it is my own fault for thinking it would be on the same level as a FSOG or Crossfire series. Shame on me for that. But in general, I didn't feel as connected to the characters as I would have liked. The conflict in the story-line wasn't very developed, but I was okay with that since it's the first book in a series and most likely setting the stage for upcoming books.
The sexy time steam level wasn't great for me, either...possibly due to me not connecting well with the characters, possibly because it eluded to a darker vibe and didn't deliver.

I felt the author took elements from previously published series starters like FSOG and Bared to You (Crossfire) and tried to incorporate them into the novel to ride the popularity train. While that might turn some people off or make them feel cheated, it gave me hope as I loved each of the previously mentioned books/series. Again, I just set myself up to fail when Hardwired fell a bit flat. However, I'm going to give book 2 a shot and cross my fingers this let down was just because this was a debut novel and the first in a series, and that it will pick up and be more of what I want in a book.

Jennifer Stark did a great job with the delivery of the story

Didn't keep my interest

The book started off decent but at some point it went flat, too much sex and no plot or character development made the story more and more uninteresting towards the end. Erica ends up coming off as overdramatic and ungrateful and Blake is neither here nor there. Summing it up: Dull version of the same "controlling millionaire falls for smart, independent girl" story you've all read oh so many times.

3.5 STARS... SIGH, EH, YADA YADA & BLAH BLAH

I was eagerly looking forward to this listen, saw the number of 5 star ratings climb and couldn't wait. But right from the start it just didn't hook me in, I couldn't picture the characters as very little character detail was given to describe them. Then, as the story progressed, I started to dislike the heroine because of her hot then cold attitude all the time towards the hero, her mood swings and her immaturity. I get that she had a strong personality but they never really talked.... it was just sex fixed everything.

College Grad/Entrepreneur Erica seeks funding from Investors and one of them is drop dead gorgeous billionaire Blake but he doesn't invest however he shows his interest in her. She held out til her "lust and greed" snapped at Chapter 5 (their first date) and it quickly developed from there. There are lots of conflicts, secrets, enemies that are slowly coming out of the shadows and the couple are constantly falling out which all doesn't bode well for their future.

I'm sure the sub plots will grow causing dramas and heartache but, IMO, this isn't as well written or have the depth as other 'similar' series like Crossfire, Fixed, Gabriel Emerson or 50 Shades. Told from Erica's POV by a narrator that sounded a bit young at times but Blake's voice was sexy.

Worth a credit? It was an ok listen and I won't moan about the credit but this series is in 5 parts and I didn't like it enough to want to use any more credits on it. Maybe if there's a sale I might be tempted.

Folks, it's PWP

Would you ever listen to anything by Meredith Wild again?

Nope.

Which character – as performed by Jennifer Stark – was your favorite?

None of them caught my attention.

Any additional comments?

So underwhelming. This reads like a wannabe Crossfire novel only I don't care about any of the characters. Blake is a pale imitation of Gideon Cross (okay, the controlling billionaire isn't my thing but Gideon reads like that kind of character - Blake doesn't) and Erica doesn't have any of Eva's fire. She's just sort of blah. I was actually skimming another book while the audio of this book was playing and didn't miss any plot points...because there really aren't any outside of "Woman, I will make you mine" and "No, you won't, but hey, here's alcohol and you have a nice view and let's just go ahead and do this." I'm not remotely interested in what happens next.

Unexpectedly great

Really interesting and smart story. Good chemistry which is essential for hero and heroine. Enjoyed so much that I immediately bought and started the next one.

Tantalizing!

Had me on edge the whole time! Left me wanting more. Left me eating my husband right now! He will be happy.

Enjoyable read

All of the Wild books by Meredith Wild are excellent and are connected to one another smoothly. I foresee a movie in the making for these books, better than Shades of Gray. I love all 3 of the books. Am keeping them so I can hear them over and over. Thank you for such a great hearing books

read the book 1st

i love this series. I have read it now I'm listening to it while i walk.

Please try this book!!

It took me awhile to actually go and and read this and now I'm mad I waited so long. It's a great story and really reminds me of The Crossfire series by Silvia Day. So if you loved that, you'll be heaven with this series!! Go get it now!! ;)

What are you waiting for??!! GET IT!!

What made the experience of listening to Hardwired the most enjoyable?

An amazing start to the series, I rarely write reviews but this book was brilliant. It's been quite a while since I became emotionally invested in the characters of a book but I certainly was with Blake and Erica. Sometimes erotic romance works of fiction can lack a story that is as interesting as the sex but this book has a brilliant story that is of equal stature to the sex. I can't recommend this highly enough.

Not what I expected

I had seen this title on a couple of booktoks and thought I would give it ago. I wish I hadn’t have bothered as the narrators voice just grates on me. I had to stop listening after a couple of chapters

struggle to finish

was disappointed at lack of observation in general, felt very rushed and just hard work.

hardwired

Very sexy, a little like 50 shades. A controlling man trying to dominate a beautiful woman. But will be downloading book 2