Our Year in Cria

The Mating Grounds

By: Ciree Hawthorn

Narrated by: Laura Horowitz

Quinn and Leo have been chosen to represent their zones at the Mating Grounds—a genetic diversity breeding program run by the government. Can they choose a mate before their year is up or will they be assigned to someone and lose out on their chance at a love match?

Quinn has been waiting for years to escape her father’s house. Now that she’s one of the Chosen she has the perfect opportunity to cast off her broken family and finally find happiness. When she arrives at the Mating Grounds can she open herself up to a partner knowing how vulnerable it may leave her? This may be her only chance to start fresh and make her heart whole again.

Leo has led a privileged life as the son of a Governor when his scheming father finds a way to get him chosen. As Leo settles into his new reality can he focus on his happiness or will politics continue to rule his world? One look at the girl his father would loathe has him questioning his priorities. Power or pleasure?

If you enjoy dystopian romances (like Katniss and Peeta’s), a race to partner up (are they your type ‘on paper’?) and a shot of heavy angst, then you’ll love Our Year in Cria.

Previously published as Our Year in Cria: The Mating Grounds [Episodes 1-10] on Kindle Vella.

©2023 Ciree Hawthorn (P)2023 Ciree Hawthorn

1 Year

I enjoyed this story. It is an excellent subject, and one I find extremely interesting. I felt so much info was provided in too short a story. This could easily be expanded on, and it would be better. I listened to the audio version. It was hard to follow along at times. The book covers a year, so much happens in the year that there are jumps in info which I would love to have learned more of. Overall, a good story. I received a free coy of this audiobook from Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Good

I enjoyed this book. I liked the premise behind the Mating Grounds where each zone has to send two (or four if ruling zone) people- one male and one female- to spend a year together and chose a mate from a different zone from their own to have children with. The downside for me is that this is a short story with a lot of characters to remember who's who and since I am listening to it instead of reading it, it's get hard for me to keep track and remember names to their personalities and where they are from. Since each chapter is a time jump, you don't get much character development or relationship building. I liked Leo. Quinn half and half. She's an introvert and has suffered abuse, so I understand that aspect. But she was also cold and could be nasty unnecessarily.

I thought Laura Horowitz did a good job bringing this book to life and differentiating the character's voices. This is my first listen to her.

Overall: 3.5 stars
Performance: 4 stars
Story: 3.5 stars

Short and sweet

Super cute, short and sweet. The time jumped a bit more than I usually like but still a good story.

Spill the tea darling 😉😘

Love all the books of the Mating Grounds Dystopian series!
Meet Quinn with family trauma, she was excited to be chosen for the Mating Grounds. Her character was really relatable and trying to pull down the walls she’s build. She then meets Leo, a son of a governor. He’s everything we all want in a man, respectful, kind, compassionate and patient. He falls first and loved how he waited for Quinn to open up. He was so patient and thoughtful putting ice cubes in her tea every day. It’s the kind of peristent love she needed, knowing he will always be there for her. Quinn and Leo are quite the couple that you’re rooting for! Absolutely love all of Ciree’s spicy and forced proximity novellas! Looking forward to reading more!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Excellent

This is an entertaining audiobook in a matchmaking scenario where males and females are considered chosen to go to this close proximity grounds to find their mate. The storyline is intriguing as the couples interact and try to find their person. The characters are well written with interesting personalities. I enjoyed this audiobook.