Kismet

By: Ashley James

Narrated by: Oliver Highpoint, Silas Hart

Cash DeMarco

Five years ago, I gave my heart and soul to my professor. He made me fall for him, only to destroy me with his silence. I've never been the same. I finally have the chance to leave this town, start over, and try to move on with my life. But what happens when fate insists the chapter of your life that haunts you isn't over?

Stone Philips

He was the temptation I shouldn't have indulged in. The secret that ruined everything. He was the beginning to my end, and when I left, I left as the shell of the man I once was. Just like with the angriest of storms, when he walks back into my life, destruction and chaos are never far behind. The universe has a funny way of bringing everything full circle, opening old wounds, and forcing you to face your destiny.

Kismet is a full-length, stand-alone MM romance novel about missed opportunity, right person/wrong time, heartbreak, and second chances.

©2022 Ashley James (P)2023 Pink Flamingo Productions

Wonderful Story & Narration🎧Gripping & Heartfelt!

Ashley James blows me away with another wonderful romance novel, a second chance romance like no other. The story drew me in immediately, not only grabbing my attention and captivating it the entire time, but it tugged on my heartstrings, too. I adored the two lead characters, college student Cash DeMarco and Professor Stone Philips. Cash had seen Professor Stone around and he developed a crush on him, but knew he had never stood a chance since he was married. What he does not know is Stone feels that same attraction and when Cash becomes his T.A., the chemistry between them is stronger than ever, and they can only deny each other for so long before giving in. They were planning for more, but the only thing that happened was Stone breaking Cash’s heart. The story jumps to when Cash finishes grad school to become an English professor and took a teaching position in Texas college. To his surprise, Stone is the dean of that college and Cash is not happy to see him again. Stone has a lot to say to Cash, but Cash is not interested, nor does he trust him, afraid if he lets him back in he will only break his heart. I loved how everything played out in this book, the story has a perfect balance of drama, angst, heartfelt emotions, and steamy romance. The writing, plotting and world building are fantastic, as are the character growth and development. Ashley James, thank you for another fabulous story and emotional rollercoaster ride. 

🎧📚🎧And for the fantastic narration, Ashely James cast the perfect narrators to bring her characters and story to life. Oliver Highpoint and Silas Hart did an excellent job portraying the characters, giving each a voice that was fitting, sounding believable and just as I imagined the characters to sound. They set the perfect tone for the story, captured all the characters’ emotions’ and projected them into their performance, having you feel them all. These wonderfully talented voice artists are entertaining storytellers and they make this fabulous story even more enjoyable. Thank you for another fantastic listen.

Yeesh. I have such mixed emotions about this book

There’s no way to write this review without some spoilers, so be warned. They aren’t detailed spoilers, but don’t read this if you want to be one hundred percent surprised by the story.

The narration was excellent. I was loving the story. It was angsty and smoking hot and had me on the edge of my seat until the Big Reveal, and I was…appalled..at what Stone did. His actions were written as things that were acceptable under the circumstances and forgivable, but I disagree. What he did was so spineless and self-absorbed, he’s damn lucky to have Cash, because he doesn’t deserve him.

The fact that Stone just melted into a non-functioning puddle of jello due to some misguided guilt was an insult to people who live with things like that every day. It wasn’t a “mistake,” it wasn’t a “bad decision,” it’s a pretty substantial character flaw, and it nearly destroyed Cash. Character is already formed by the time someone reaches thirty, so my warning to Cash would be that if Stone abandoned you once, he’ll do it again if circumstances dictate. It’s in his character.

The reason I’m giving four stars instead of five is that it turns out I have no respect for Stone at all after finishing this, in spite of how well-written it was.

These two broke my heart!

•professor/student
•age gap
•forbidden
•second chance
•spicy 🥵

Second chances are one of my absolute least favorite tropes to read but there’s always something so bittersweet when things work out a second time around. These two made the tears worth it lol.

I loved these narrators together! They definitely are the reason I had so many tears. Felt that I was there witnessing everything they were going through together.

Second chance

Second chance isn’t usually my favorite but this one was done well! The characters were great and narration was good. Stone and Cash were well done I loved their chemistry together! Some nice spice!

Great listening

It was a great listening but gosh the angst! I’m not a fan of angst and I started the book thinking it would not be so bad but it was! If you are into it, it is a great book. I wish the happy ending wasn’t as hard won as this was. Would also be good to have more of the secondary characters appear more often. Overall it was okay.