• Playing the Odds

  • The MacGregors, Book 1
  • By: Nora Roberts
  • Narrated by: Angela Dawe
  • Length: 6 hrs and 31 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (1,188 ratings)

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Playing the Odds  By  cover art

Playing the Odds

By: Nora Roberts
Narrated by: Angela Dawe
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Publisher's summary

#1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Nora Roberts enchants again with this beloved classic about the passionate and headstrong MacGregor family.

Serena MacGregor had been looking for a little independence and some much-needed adventure, but Justin Blade was not what she had in mind. The stakes were high, and Justin was betting on changing Serena's mind about him. But when this fiery heiress upped the ante on the cool Comanche gambler, steamy didn't begin to describe the results....

©1985 Nora Roberts (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

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What listeners say about Playing the Odds

Average customer ratings
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    1 out of 5 stars
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Just couldn't listen to this narrator

I have no idea how I would rate this story, because I couldn't listen to Angela Dawe long enough to know...I really tried. The sample must not have given me enough to go on, because I would not have downloaded this recording. There are so many wonderful narrators out there, it was disappointing.

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22 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Robotic narration

Typical early Nora Roberts novel, beautiful people with perfect lives having perfect sex. Story line was tolerable however the narrator came across as angry and robotic. Her character voices were impressive but the rest of the story reading was disappointing. Will definitely avoid anything else by this narrator!!!

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13 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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Hated it!

I've listened to several Nora Robert's books in the past few weeks and have enjoyed all of them. and then I get this one...it was terrible! the storyline was almost non existent, characters shallow and the narrator was terrible. she read it as if she was in a hurry. Very disappointed.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Narrator

I do not like the harsh sounding voice of Angela Dawe. She speaks too fast and I can not slow her voice down. She does not have a nice speaking voice and does not know how to inflect properly. I almost canceled the entire series.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Awful narrator

Could not finish narrator was so bad, her voice was so bad. Her voice was sharp and volume descended throughout sentence. Weird and unpleasant.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great Story - Terrible Narrator

I found the story well written and fun but the narrator sounds loud and angry. I don't understand the positive praise. For me, she ruined the experience.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another Nora Roberts Hit

Loved the storyline. Not too crazy about the reader. Her voice and lilt seemed more suited to historical romances where a touch of arrogance is required. Again, the book itself was very enjoyable.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Still a good read after 30 years

What did you love best about Playing the Odds?

I loved the introduction to the MacGregor family. I read this many years ago and wanted to hear it with the characters performed. I look forward to to other books in the series.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Playing the Odds?

When Blade discovered that Daniel had set him up with the cruise.

Did Angela Dawe do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Yes. She did a passible job with the male voices and accents. There is something about her inflections that I don't really care for at the end of sentences but while she is not my favorite narrator she is far superior to others.

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

Yes

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6 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Love

Great storyline was pleasantly surprised with twist at the end. Another enjoyable read. Looking forward to the other books in the series.

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5 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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Horrible

The narrator of this book was awful.
The voice impersonations were so ridiculous I couldn't finish listening.
I

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4 people found this helpful

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  • Crafty Cate
  • 07-07-16

Good story - poor narration

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator's voice was very sharp, stilted and very difficult to listen to. I enjoy Nora Roberts stories and particularly like her series however I'm very disappointed that I won't be able to listen to the remainder of this series. The narrator is just too difficult to listen to.

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2 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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  • Pauline
  • 02-25-16

Reasonable Book, poor narrator

I am only half way through this book, I find the narrators voice, brash and a bit loud which makes listening to the story a bit hard. Unfortunately what may of been a good book is spoiled by the narrator.

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2 people found this helpful

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  • Allayne Catlin
  • 10-17-21

worthwhile entertainment

worth listening to twice and I can recommend this author many books. thank you

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  • Catherine
  • 08-01-18

Excellent

I loved the story line with the suspense and intrigue and excellent love scenes. Captivating and had me to the end.

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