Outside

Rock Stars, Surf and Second Chances #1

By: Michelle Mankin

Narrated by: Kai Kennicott, Wen Ross

Length: 10 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's Summary

When handsome California surf god Lincoln Savage suddenly rolls into Ocean Beach like a rogue wave, shy beauty Simone Bianchi's foundation is shaken. No longer under the thumb of her domineering father, she's made a simple, quiet life for herself and her fluffy, 14-pound Havanese pup running a surf shop in her hometown of OB. Long ago she gave up her dreams for a future with Linc.

But now the notorious lead singer of the Dirt Dogs has returned, and Simone is reluctant to admit that she's still vulnerable to his killer dimpled smile and easy charm. She finds that although she's stowed away the mementos, it hasn't been as easy to erase the memories of their epic summer love.

It seems he hasn't forgotten, either.

Is the recording contract he's offering merely a pretense?

Or does he have something more in mind?

Does he really believe that they can just pick up where they left off, despite all the bad luck and heartache?

And is she willing to risk everything again for one last chance at love?

©2015 Michelle Mankin (P)2015 Michelle Mankin

Take a chance... its worth it.

*Received for and honest review*

Mona feels trapped in her life, see is biding her time until she can get out of her house. She seems the timid sort but she be fierce when she needs to be. I was kind of surprised by that in a good way. I did find she was very jealous. And for the age it was kinda like chill but it made the story interesting.

Linc, to me seems so sure of him self. But his passed is nipping at his heels. He sure hasn't had an easy life. And he lives to surf. I kind of like his laid back attitude. He is so loyal but again he was so jealous even of those he didn't need to be.

When they meet again then for the first time and then we go back to the present you just felt the sparks between these two. I love how he showed her its OK to let loose and be her self. I also love that she make him more cautious.

Over all I really enjoyed the story, I was a little put off by the jealousy and I am not a fan of the present, passed, present but it worked.

Some of my favorite quotes :)

"You are my breath Mona, and you take it away every time you leave." - swoon

"See if you can find the rest of Christen." ... Yeah this cracked me up but only because of the context not because it could have been dangerous.

Final thoughts - I will never think of a Surf Board the same again......

LOST LOVE, BROKEN PROMISES & SECOND CHANCES

A second chance romance which is initially told in the present as two former lovers meet again after a brutal heartbreaking breakup. Simone (aka Mona) has made a life for herself despite being haunted by memories of the past as she looks out over the sand towards the sea to the surf and dreams, yearns and remembers her lost love.... even in her Surf Shop everything is a reminder of him. You really feel her sadness and melancholy over Lincoln (aka Linc) the young handsome Surfer who stole her heart, took her breath away and changed her life.... then he broke promises, shattered dreams and took Mona's heart with him. Then he's there, back in her life begging for another chance, after 15 years of fame and fortune as the Lead Rock Singer in the Dirt Dogs Band which included drugs, booze, groupies and absolutely no contact with Mona because of the guilt after finally breaking her heart.

Then the story flips back in time to their teenage beginning where attraction was instant, chemistry was combustible, sex was inevitable and love very quickly grew. But there was a lot of angst caused either by Linc's estranged Father's long ago words or Mona's overbearing controlling Father and her drunk of a Mother. Drama and more angst followed as a tragic accident changed their paths, left physical and mental scars, insecurities and it started the cracks that would ultimately break them apart. However, they tried, went blindly on and grabbed moments in time to love and be loved but, just as the Band started to make it big, a call came, choices were made and the fallout was catastrophic. And again, you felt the insecurities, the doubts, the betrayal, the pain and the cost it would have on them both.

Again, the story flips back to present day as Mona's walls around her heart are holding tight but Linc has all the right words, actions and sexual moves to gain entry to a heart that he had so callously broken but a heart that remained forever his..... he just had to make Mona realise it.

A beautiful yet tragic romance, young stupid love, insecurities and self-doubt ruined it, memories good and bad rekindled it and undying love and forgiveness brought it back to life. There were a few 'questionable' issues..... why the 15 yr wait?, threads of the story that wasn't followed through,15 yrs of their lives that wasn't told and Mona was too quick to forgive (as I'd of made him suffer and sweat a little longer for the time he wasted and the heartache he'd caused). However, that's the story and I loved it and also the misguided characters that made it a touching, tender, tragic, heartbreaking, romantic, sexy and beautiful love story. It was so well-written you could smell the Ocean, hear the waves and feel the breeze on your face. There were a few secondary characters.... however, Linc's best friend Ash stood out way above the rest.

Dual POV's, the impressive narrating team of Wen and Kai created the perfect synergy and they made the story flow so effortlessly, like a two-way conversation, with each of them sticking to their own gender's voice. Oh, and the beautiful love song at the end which they both sang was just the cherry on the top..... bravo to you both.

Worth a credit? I'm so glad I listened to this hauntingly tragic and beautiful love story of lost love, broken promises and second chances.... so YES, IMO, very creditworthy.

Take me to the beach!

Though a Jersey girl, I do not have a passion for the Jersey Shore. Yes, I enjoy going a couple times a year but on the average, it's not my choice of days off. This book may have changed my mind. Michelle Mankin has shown me that the water can the beach can be the perfect place to go to. Getting to know the characters of Linc and Simone has been heart wrenching, loving, full of despair and hope. A little instant attraction that leads to love, Mankin shows how the strength of that love no matter the circumstance can stand the test of time and when given the second chance, turns out to be even stronger. Starting off with surfing, Linc is on his way to being a champion, but tragedy happens changing his path. This change is drastic, leaving the question of whether their relationship will be able to stand it. Confidence and that feeling of being whole is tested over many years, and Mankin flawlessly switches back and forth between the past and present unraveling the story of this couple. It will leave you with that feeling that true love never dies.

Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross are the perfect narrators for this story. Their ability to sound young and slowly mature is amazing, it gives the story the texture it needs to build to Linc and Mona's future. The singing is also a plus! Have to love the talent of this narrating team's performance!

Rock Stars, Sufers and Second Chances! Perfect Mix

Where does Outside rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 10 all the way! It was an awesome book to listen to.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Outside?

When Ash opened up to Mona about his true feelings

What about Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross ’s performance did you like?

Kai and Wen are a couple of the best narrators I've ever listened to. They bring so much emotion to the story it's hard not to feel like you're a part of the story yourself.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Oh yes! I listen to it in 10 hours without stopping!

Any additional comments?

Love it and can't wait to listen to another one!

Heartstring pulling,tearjerking,romantic

What did you like best about this story?

The song at the end of the book had me in tears and I love it so much

Have you listened to any of Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

every performance is unique and brings something to each book that is uniquely its own

Hot, Gut-wrenching, Heartstring Pulling Romance!!!

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

The beautiful writing combined with the amazing narration made this book one of my favorites.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Outside?

I absolutely loved the song at the end of the book. It had me crying.

What does Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Kai and Wen are the best narrators I have ever listened to. They have truly spoiled me on other narrators. No one can compare to their amazing and beautiful storytelling. They bring so much emotion to the story it's hard not to feel like you're a part of the story yourself.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A second chance at love.

Any additional comments?

I can't say how much I love Michelle Mankin's books. Her writing is beautifully lyrical and Kai and Wen's narration fits perfectly with this story. A match made in heaven.

Outside by Michelle Malkin reviewed by k1terriw

The narration is sultry with just the right emotion and inflection to make the book come to life. I love the narration style that each character speaks like a back and forth conversation; not expecting the male and female to speak both genders within certain chapters. I loved the sound of ocean waves at the beginning of chapters and the guitar playing softly as the songs written in the book are sung in the end! My heart!

The love story of the beginning of a local band in Ocean Beach friends bonded with their love of music and surf. A professional surfer, Linc falls hard for second-year college student and local Restaurant owners’ daughter, Simone. Their journey begins as a flash flame that surges blistering hot and fast in the beginning, all the way through the band’s first west coast mini-tour. Dissonant family wedges between the two lovers that causes a 15-year separation and pain that shreds two hearts.

With a once in a lifetime movie deal where Linc needs Mona to sign off on the song they co-wrote gives a reason for Linc to seek out Mona after all the years.
Their passion flares consuming them, yet each hurting from the deep cutting shards that tore them apart so many years ago. The present sandwiches the story of the past to give the reader perspective on who happened to the once lovers. Smoking hot! Real-life emotions! Dysfunctional families driving choices. Gah! I loved this story of the local OB girl with Linc, the once professional surfer turned Dirty Dogs lead singer whose band exploded upon the music scene as a hot classic rock band over the past 15 years. The HEA ending was worth the ebb and flow of waves that envelope the reader completely in this Rockstar romance that is Book 1 in a series of 5 books, “Rock Stars, Surf and Second Chances”.

Make peace with the past!

The author has written a story that is heart-wrenching as well as heartwarming. This is a second chance love story that had a 15 year old empty gap between the beginning and the ending. When Linc and Mona meet there is instant chemistry between them. They are in their early 20's and fall in love. However, life's obstacles get in the way and tear them apart. The author takes the listener back and explains all of the problems they faced. Back in the present we find that they still love each other. But in order to move on they must put the past behind them. This is now their new obstacle. Wen and Kai are excellent storytellers. They give us youthful voices that eventually become mature ones. They portray the emotions that the characters are experiencing. We are even treated with a song at the end. I asked to receive this Audible book and voluntarily wrote this unbiased review. I highly recommend this Audible book.

Second Chance Love

The story begins in the present and then takes you back in time. Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross relaying the story in their usual excellent way. My first book by Michelle Mankin and will definitely read additional.

Worth the read and the signing duet at the end

Angst and second chance

I loved this book. Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross did such a wonderful job narrating this story. The narration gave the story this other dimension that worked for me. The authors words are so, so good. A definite must reading