Passionate Addiction

By: Eden Summers

Narrated by: D. C. Cole, Josie Minor

Length: 9 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's Summary

He's been her ultimate untouchable desire.

Nothing says happy birthday like a rock god flying thousands of miles to surprise a woman he's never met. But that's exactly what happens to Gabi Smith when she gives her long distance best friend a flippant invitation to her laid back girls' night out. She never expected to turn on the dance floor and find Blake Kennedy's gaze holding her body captive.

She's his everything and he's never laid eyes on her.

Gabi means more to Blake than life itself. She's his strength, his savior, and the only person who helped to vanquish his demons. No one means more to him than his angel. So when things between them start to sizzle, he's ready to fight for the future he never thought he would deserve.

Skeletons from his past will threaten his only chance at love....

Blake has come a long way - with Gabi's help - to leave the hell of his youth behind him, but sometimes memories don't want to stay buried. Determined to stand on his own for once, Blake is willing to stretch the truth to keep his troubles from burdening the woman he adores.

Little white lies can create black holes in any relationship. Only time will tell if an Aussie with a heart of gold will forgive her bad-boy boyfriend or if the deceit will end his passionate addiction.

©2013 Eden Summers (P)2017 Eden Summers

Rock Star Romance Reality Escape

This is a nice continuation in the "Reckless Beat" series. Each book focuses on a band member and "Passionate Addiction" shows the love story of Blake and Gabi. I liked that this couple built a "friend" relationship before becoming a couple. Their story is built on friendship, forgiveness, and trust.

This book (as well as book 1) is the type of book that I call a "reality escape". It's written well, keeps your attention, has likable characters, and yet is very predictable and has circumstances that feel a bit askew. Despite this, it held my in interest. Each of the characters have such unique personalities and this enhances the story.

The narrators read this book very well. I enjoyed the dual narration. Their accents weren't "spot on" but I can deal with that, however I get a kick out of the way D.C. Cole says the word "didn't". Most of us pronounce it like 'did-ent' he pronounces it like 'did-nent'. Very unique. I smiled every time he said it. Lol. 😋

Note: This book (and series) is definitely for adults only because of the sexual content and language.

My thanks to the author for providing me this audio book. It was a pleasure to review.

9 of 11 people found this review helpful

3 Star

I liked the plot, the bad boy rocker and the regular girl and I liked that he was so broken in the beginning and he is looking for help (from the intro). I am not a fan of insta-love and I know these two have been talking for 4 year and just haven't actually met but it still felt like insta-love but not in an really bad way. This book has a lot of emotional ups and downs and this couple has a lot of issues that I felt should have been dealt with before the I loves you's started flying.

Eight minutes into this audiobook and I hated Blake. I knew it would take a complete 100% change for this character would redeem himself for me and honestly he got better and I felt for him because of what he had been through but I just couldn't come back from my initial opinion of him. He starts off as an arrogant douche,seriously! For example, he is contemplating the girl he's never met in person and says he's head over heals in love with her "someone who may likely be a 500lb yeti"and "Yeti or not he would always love her although his interest may change from the sexually charged emotions that kept him hard at night to a brotherly affection if she resembled an NFL linebacker". Sorry but I need a likable male lead and that is not the way to my heart. I know that I may be being a bit harsh on his characters and I do believe I might have felt different if I had read the book and not listened to the audiobook. Gabi was a fun and sweet character. I loved that she was from Australia and her past was heartbreaking. So in the end I have to say everything about this book is 50/50 for me and I truly believe the narration had a huge part in that. Maybe with a change in narration I would have felt completely different.

I thought Josie Minor did a great job. I enjoyed her accent and her male voice too. BUT... yes there is a but (remember 50/50) D.C. Cole in my opinion was the wrong casting choice for Blake. He sounds almost like an older cowboy (which is awesome) but not for a young hot rock star and his Gabi was not good, yes I'm sorry I had to say it (i'm usually not so harsh in my reviews of narration but I honestly couldn't come up with a nice word to describe how I feel about it) because I don't know what kind of accent he was trying to give her "WHEN" he gave her one but it was not Australian. While he is a really good narrator I just think he was the wrong choice for this book.

I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

7 of 9 people found this review helpful

Best Friends to Lovers?

Gabi has been Blake’s secret source of strength while battling his addition. Her support leads to a long distance friendship that lasts years without them meeting. Blake’s rockstar status keeps him busy and in the public eye but he decides to surprise Gabi for her birthday and shows up in her hometown in Australia while she thinks he's somewhere else.

Blake and Gabi navigate their new relationship with heart swooning actions and several major bumps in the road. Sometimes I wanted to shake Blake and tell him to wake up but I understand his desire to stand on his own two feet.

This is book 2 in the Reckless Beat series but I believe it can be read as a stand alone. I have listened to book 1 in the series and as much as I liked that book, this one was even better!

DC Cole delivers a stellar sexy musician voice as usual. But he doesn’t master a feminine Australian accent very well. Luckily he performs well enough in the rest of the roles that we can forgive that bit. This was my first time listening to a book narrated by Josie Minor but I enjoyed her performance and would listen to her work again.

I voluntarily provided a review in exchange for a free copy of this audiobook.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Yowza!!

What made the experience of listening to Passionate Addiction the most enjoyable?

DC Cole! He has the sexiest voice...makes me wonder if he has the face & body to go with that voice! :)

What was one of the most memorable moments of Passionate Addiction?

When Gabi saw the angel that Blake is sporting. Its the moment she realizes just how much she means to Blake.
I also liked when Blake admitted to himself that Gabi was more important to him than his position in the band & in the process Blake found out how much the guys in the band supported him...that they were a real "family"

Which character – as performed by D. C. Cole and Josie Minor – was your favorite?

Both narrators were really good but I would have to say DC Cole as Blake...I already see him in my mind as the tattooed rocker but putting a sexy rugged voice to it made it so much...more!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I really liked the end when they were all together at Christmas & Gabi moved her ring from her necklace to her finger without telling Blake & someone else commented on it...just by listening to it, it almost sounded like his heart was in his throat & that he was scared to believe it could be real.

Any additional comments?

“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”

I have not read/listened to the first book but I will certainly be listening to it now!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I'm liking this series so far

This is the 2nd book in the Reckless Beats Series. I absolutely loved the first one. The band mates have this fun brotherly bond and the females can handle the guys really well. On that note let's get to my review. This book you go into Blake's story line.You also get to meet Gabby who is Blake's everything. I won't lie the book was very slow with the build up. Everything was going smooth which made it hard to keep interested. But once I got to the 50% mark there was finally something to throw a wrench into the happy go lucky mood. Blake ends up having to deal with a major issue, but instead of telling Gabby what's going on he keeps it to himself. He doesn't share any info with her until it's to late. I feel like if he would have told her she would have understood. Yeah she would be a little hurt but it would have saved them breaking each other's hearts. But kudos to Eden for having Gabby stick to her guns. I'm sure it was hard. Especially with the description of Blake and DC Cole's voice. It's a HEA but I'm sure you will hear more about Blake and Gabby in the other books. I enjoyed finding out how Mitch and Alana's relationship had developed more. Can't wait to read about the rest of the guys.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

In need of book 3!

I am loving this series. Eden Summers has a cast of band members that is hot, sexy, funny and incredibly normal for the life they lead. This book brings us Blake, who secretly overcome a drug addiction. This is how he met the love of his life, Gabi, online as his confidant and drug addiction counselor. Gabi living around the world in Australia had no bearing on his feelings. From the start, this book had your emotions going. From the birthday party all the way back to the states, you feel the love, pain and genuine angst that both Gabi and Blake go through to get their relationship on track. Throw in a crazy ex-girlfriend and you have the perfect storm. The banter between band members had me laughing out loud at times. We get to see Mitch and Alana again, but I really enjoyed getting to know Mason better. His cocky attitude just brought a smile to my face each time he spoke.

The narration of this book was nothing short of perfection. Both Josie Minor and D.C. Cole provide us with the sensuality and emotion that the book provokes. The flawless transfer between Aussie and American accents was incredible and you couldn't help but want to keep listening.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Refreshing Rocker Romance

I loved this as much as the first in the series. I totally dug the love between Gabby and Blake and how they both really trusted each other from the beginning. Now, of course, there needs to be drama, so enter the ex-from-hell. She's a poor little rich girl you'll love to hate in this refreshing love story set in the world of sex, drugs and rock and roll. It was nice to experience a story where the "dumb move" wasn't "Who the hell would do that?" stupid, and the reaction to it wasn't a ridiculously inappropriate freak out. The love story is a bit fairy-tale-ish while still maintaining a grip on reality. I also love the supporting characters, and I'm intrigued about what might be coming around the bend. I am really looking forward to more in this series!

DC Cole keeps getting better and better. He gives great gritty rock star, though I am sure he is awesome in other genres as well. I loved Josie Minor as Gabby. She was perfect. I liked the two as a team. Their voices complemented each other nicely. Overall, a great listening experience.

4 of 6 people found this review helpful

Rocker and Best Friend Become Lovers

The book begins with Blake in crisis...soon to be pulled back upon speaking to Gabor on the phone. A very interesting love story where the H and the h becomes friends first...with the h knowing secrets about the H not even his closest friends know. Problems with addictions Blake has depended on Gabi, who,lives in Australia but is a sop port to him by phone. Funny how they know each other for years before Blake goes to see her on her birthday.
Blake never felt like he deserved Gabi and this was the biggest part of their issues. Gabi was strong and when Blakes's return into his life and the way he dealt with her and failed to explain what was going on to Gabi their relationship fell apart.
I like that Gabi was stronger and didn't allow Blake to run roughshod over her. He was a great guy, but he had to figure somethings out on his own.
I loved the narrator's Autrailian accent..she did a great job with her emotions, pacing, timing and providing emotion. D.C. Cole has an incredible voice and sounds like a rocker..perfect.
This is the second book in the series and I have listened to the first book as well.mmHighly recommend this series!
I received a copy for an honest review.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Great picks for narrators!

D.C. Cole is back as the narrator for the second book of the Reckless Beat series, and I’m fast becoming a fan of his! Blake’s sex appeal is more apparent in audio than in print and that has to do with picking the right narrator. When I originally read Passionate Addiction I imagined that Blake’s voice sounded exactly like Mr. Cole’s. He really brought Blake to life. My only issue with Mr. Cole’s narration is his Australian accent. It was a bit off and in case you’re wondering how an American would know that, well I have friends who are from Australia and I’ve grown very used to the accent. Other than that there’s nothing I would change at all. Just like in the first book, Passionate Addiction has two narrators and this is the first time I’ve heard Josie Minor, let alone an Australian character (Yes I know, I haven’t heard all that many audio books, I’m working on it!) in a book. She totally nailed Gabby’s voice and personality. After this I’m totally down for hearing more of Josie’s work.

Overall, I’m surprised and please with both D.C. Cole and Josie Minor’s narration of an already amazing book. They captured the personalities of the characters and really brought this romance to life.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Passionate Addiction

The narration on this was amazing! First time hearing Josie Minor and wow! Her and DC Cole were just gold together. I tend to be very cautious with dual narrations because they don't always work for me. When you have narrators that create such realistic and vivid characters, they need a co-narrator to do the same, yet stay true to the characters personality, and match. And, these two definitely did that. Just really good. I really can't say enough about what a great job they did.
I enjoyed this story better than the first, enjoyed listening to the whole thing even when I wanted to shake the characters at times. But, Josie and DC really brought the characters to life and made you like them.

5 of 8 people found this review helpful

BEWARE YOU MAY NEED TO HAVE A TISSUE ON HAND

Blake base guitarist for Reckless Beat & Gabi who he meet over the internet when he needed a drug guidance person & they had gotten to know each other and not just become great friends but they had fallen in love with each other, even though they hadn't met. So it's her birthday and the anniversary of her brother's death & here he comes & surprises her adverb he arrived a couple of days ahead from the rest of the Band.
Their connection you just see is full straight on & they just have to have each other. This we see how quick and intense things are in the space of a couple of days, which also takes a drastic turn of events when Blake's ex & the one who got him hooked onto Cocaine decides to blackmail him & send evidence to the media of his past, but the stupid ejit decides he will deal with it by himself and not tell Gabi anything about it & then he Fricken distance himself & makes matters worse he ignores her and this is where the tears where silently falling down my cheeks for the second half of this beautiful book & I just wanted to shake the ejit to tell him to waken up as he's going to spoil NOT just their relationship but their friendship.
Really Recommend PASSIONATE ADDICTION

1 of 1 people found this review helpful