Kismet

By: Ashley James

Narrated by: Oliver Highpoint, Silas Hart

Length: 11 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

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

Soooo so sweet.

My first read by this author and I liked it.


Forbidden trope (professor / student relations.)
Road trip.
Cheating.
Frat boy lead.
Age gap (10 years).
Forced proximity (an unexpectedly bad storm).
Lots of steamy scenes (m/m).
Minor MC involvement (secondary character is a member, some of their endeavors are shown).
Light bondage.


There were a few little things that I found to be a bit of a stretch and there were a couple of minor continuity issues. Mostly decent writing, minus very minor occurrences of things like “five a.m. in the morning”, and the characters could feel a bit juvenile at times, despite being around 27 and 37 respectively.

Overall it held my attention, I liked the male leads for the most part and liked the bulk of it. Would explore more from this author.

3.5. stars
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️


Audio:
The narration and overall sound quality were both fantastic. 🦩
5 stars.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Yes, YES on every SINGLE level!!!

I can't keep saying good things about this book. It's impressive on every level. The heat starts very quickly without disrupting the plot. The performance is perfect. I was so obsessed with it that I've re-listened to it several times. The storyline is very intriguing, and I love how the entire "Universe will make it be if it is to be"kind of mentality. This is about an affair, so if you have a trigger warning, either check it out or grow up (sorry, not sorry). It was super steamy; it had me laughing, it had me at the edge of my seat, and then, of course, I swooned multiple times. Sue me.

I can't recommend it enough. If you're on the fence, just do it, you'll enjoy it.

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.

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.

Such a good story!

5/5 ⭐️
3/5 🌶️
5/5 🎧

This was my first Ashley James book and I DEVOURED it. This is an MM forbidden age gap romance.

Stone is this broody smexy professor and I absolutely loved his character. He is in a loveless marriage and we see him struggle to get out of it. I didn’t love the mild cheating, but also understood it as the story went on as well. As long as the main characters don’t cheat on each other it’s not a trigger for me 😅 when we find out what happened my heart broke for him. I can completely relate to not being yourself and needing to escape even for a few months. I was rooting for him the second half of the book.

Cash is just the sweetest guy. I fell in love with his character from the beginning. I love how carefree and genuine he is. When Stone hurt him it broke my heart. I loved that he didn’t forgive Stone easily. I also felt like he was very understanding once he found out what happened and I loved that part of the story. Their love truly was one for the ages and the heartbreak and everything leading to the HEA were perfect.

The audio was top notch. I legitimately loved Silas Hart and Oliver Highpoint and I felt like they portrayed these characters really well!

Stone and Cash

𝙄 𝙙𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚'𝙨 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙖 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙢𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙖𝙨𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙮 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣'𝙩 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙬𝙚'𝙙 𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙪𝙥 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧. 𝙃𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙬𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙢, 𝙪𝙣𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙚𝙛𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙙, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙬𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙛𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩, 𝙄'𝙫𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙯𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙣 𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙪𝙨 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚.

Kɪsᴍᴇᴛ | Ashley James
4 Maple Leafs | 5 Flames

An emotionally and painfully sweet and spicy rollercoaster ride about two people destined to find their way back to each other.

Stone and Cash have an instant attraction to each other and a connection so strong that causes them to struggle to stay away from each other, no matter how forbidden it is to be together.

Stone and Cash have a great connection that can be felt right from the beginning and their banter had me giggling. The chemistry between them is off the charts and had me fanning myself. They have a rough and hard-fought battle to reach their happily ever after.

I enjoyed this story as a whole but would have probably enjoyed it more if it was broken into a duet or condensed a little as I found there were a few spots where the book dragged a little.

Audio → Silas Hart and Oliver Highpoint did an amazing job bringing Stone, Cash and their story to life and made it hard to pause the book.

Get ready for…

MM | Age Gap | Right Person/Wrong Time | Second Chance | Forbidden | Bisexual Rep | First-Person (Dual)

Be mindful that this book contains triggers that may affect your reading enjoyment, all triggers can be found on the author's website.

MM Second Chance Romance

Kismet by Ashley James is a second chance MM romance that I listened to on audio narrated by Oliver Highpoint and Silas Hart.

This is the second book of Ashley's that I have read, and it definitely won't be my last. I loved the relationship that bloomed between Cash and Stone. Their relationship was messy, but you couldn't help but root for them. I really enjoyed getting both of their points of views throughout the book. It really brought the story to life.

Oliver and Silas 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're looking for a MM romance, second chance romance, forbidden romance, or contemporary romance.


The Flock Team

Kismet

Well this book was everything and that ending was amazing. I love 2nd chance Romance Especially when they end up like this book. The start of there relationship was hot and fast. but when her left that even broke my heart, and I have to give it up to the Ashley girl I had no clue that you where going to make Stone Disappear. The way he left cash with no letter, no call nothing. Oh, my God, it broke my heart. I cried with cash.
And when he got his new job and. Stone was his boss. That was a shock to me. But I'm so glad that they ended up working things out that Indian Ashley. I have to say was the best and the narrators. They did an amazing job narrating this book. I felt everything they put so much feeling into these characters. That you can feel all the hurt the pain. The heartache everything even the joy at the end good job guys.

Kismet and 2nd chances

This book is a teacher/student, age gap, about second chances, and MM steamy romance. Stone Phillips is the college professor. Stone is also known as professor hottie. Cash DeMarco has been his student for several years before becoming his teachers assistant. Cash is also known as the tempting frat boy. At first, their attraction is kept hidden. Eventually, they both give into temptation. But, what happens when you meet the right person at the wrong time and under the wrong circumstances? Will fate bring you back together? I will tell you Stone has a lot he will need to be forgiven for. The one thing missing? Cash doing the dominating.

Sweet

What a sweet read. I loved how they slowly fall for each other and how they make their way to each other again. Oliver and Silas did an excellent job at narrating