My Beautiful Enemy

By: Sherry Thomas

Narrated by: Charlotte Anne Dore

Catherine Blade's uncommon beauty and daring have taken her far in the world, but she still doesn't have the freedom to live life as she chooses. Finally given the chance to earn her independence, who should be standing in her way but the only man she's ever loved - the only person to ever betray her. Despite the scars Catherine left him, Captain Leighton Atwood has never been able to forget the mysterious girl who once so thoroughly captivated him. When she unexpectedly reappears in his life, he refuses to get close to her. But he cannot deny the yearning she reignites in his heart.

Their reunion, however, plunges them into a web of espionage, treachery, and deadly foes. With everything at stake, Leighton and Catherine are forced to work together to find a way out. If they are ever to find safety and happiness, they must first forgive and learn to trust each other again.

©2014 Sherry Thomas (P)2014 Tantor

I just couldn't connect to the story

I thought it was dull. I finished it but I was hoping it got more engaging as it went along, it did not. I did like that the lead female character was strong of mind, character and efficient in defensive fighting skills but it just wasn't for me. I'm sure others liked it very much so don't let me stop you 😁

Beautifully written, intense romance

This is an extraordinarily well written book. It was indeed a romance but the feel of the story, the descriptions of the places, the adventure and the strength of the characters made it head and shoulders above your average regency romance. The main characters, Catherine (while in England)/Ying-Ying (while in China) and Leighton, are both extremely strong but I found it refreshing that the Ying-Ying was depicted even more physically adept than Leighten. He, however, had the emotional stability and strength of a man comfortable in his masculinity and supported Ying-Ying even when she brought him pain. Their relationship was intense; their story epic! The narrator didn't bother me as it did some other readers. What I would change is the picture on the cover of the book. It in no way relates to the story or even hints at how the fascinating Ying-Ying would look.

my least favorite from this author, and still good

Would you listen to My Beautiful Enemy again? Why?

As I stated in the headline, this was my least favorite of Sherry Thomas's books, but it was still a very well written story. It is difficult to know if I would have enjoyed the book if there was a different reader. The reader was very poor which reduced my enjoyment many fold. She mispronounced words, accented the wrong syllables. I was disappointed. I won't get another book where she is the narrarator.

Good story, mediocre narration

Sherry Thomas really deserves a dedicated, over-the-top amazing narrator. I've listened to several of her books, and of all of them, I thought Delicious, narrated by Virginia Leishman, was probably the best audio version. I don't enjoy Kate Reading at all. I like Jenny Sterlin, but she's a little clinical and precise for a romance novel narrator. Charlotte Anne Dore is not for me - she's definitely saying the words in the order in which Sherry Thomas wrote them, but that's about the extent of it. When she reads the hero's voice, it sounds like she's reading an all-caps email, which is so frustrating when there are these amazing descriptions of his voice ("the timbre of that quiet voice was like the caress of a ghost." Except it's the ghost of an angry person caressing an all-caps email). In short, if you just want to hear the words, with very little characterization, an awkward, stilted cadence, and no passion whatsoever, this one is for you. Otherwise, just read it with your eyeballs and make up your own voices.

Great story, poor narrator

Great story but a disappointing narration. Poor distinction between voices and many Mis-pronunciations. Will try the author again but not the narrator.