Beauty from Pain

By: Georgia Cates

Narrated by: Bunny Warren, Robert Black

Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

They agreed on three months... but their love knew no boundaries.

Jack McLachlan is a winemaking magnate and easily one of Australia's most eligible bachelors. His success and wealth makes him no stranger to the complications of romantic relationships and that's why he goes to extreme measures to avoid the hassle. He prefers simplicity in the form of a beautiful female companion with no strings attached. He arranges relationships like business deals and they're always the same. No long term relationships. No real names.

It's his game and his rules. He's content to play as usual, but when Laurelyn Prescott enters his life, his strategy must change because this player is like none he's ever encountered. His world is turned on its head after he begins a three month affair with the beautiful American musician. Nothing goes according to plan and as he breaks more and more of his own rules for her, she's exceptionally close to becoming something he never thought possible. His ultimate game changer.

Beauty from Pain is an adult contemporary novel and is not intended for younger listeners due to mature content.

©2013 Georgia Cates (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

MY NEW GUILTY OBSESSION! LOVED THIS BOOK!

I had been searching audible for a new, exciting beautiful romance and I'm so glad I stumbled upon this series!

First of all, the dual narrators worked so well for this audiobook! I thoroughly enjoyed Robert Black's gorgeous, deep voice and his Australian accent was so delicious! Now, Bunny Warren took a bit of getting used to, as I wasn't too thrilled about her southern accent, but I got used to her in no time.

The proposition that Aussie multimillionaire, Jack McLachlan makes to Laurelyn Prescott, American sweetheart, is nothing new. I mean we've all read another book (or two) where a rich, hot man sets specific limits for a defined arrangement with a vulnerable girl with the expectation for a mature romp with no string attached…..well, just as this formula is destined to get complicated with the "right" woman, let me tell you, it does. This book was so delicious, amazing and simply intriguing because it's about an Aussie man and an American woman. That combination alone is alluring and quite combustible!

Overall, this book lends so much beauty, freshness and is simply intriguing because of the characters. It is very well written and I could not help but fall in love with Jack and Laurelyn's love story. Both Laurelyn and Jack have backgrounds that enhance and add dimension to this story. I loved their chemistry, and the tangible way Laurelyn drew Jack in. It's almost as though you can see Jack fall for Laurelyn. She imprints herself in his heart and how could she not?---She is beautiful, adorable, funny and so talented! I don't want to give any details away as any reader would savor to delve into this book and discover how perfectly compelling "Beauty from Pain" is for themselves.

I have to say that although the initial proposition had been done before, the "no sharing of true identities (including names)" was unique. At this point I had to turn off my critical mind as to how implausible anonymity is in our google-friendly world.---And, this helped open my heart to the full enjoyment of the story.

Even though I thought Jack was one hot, mesmerizing Aussie, I secretly could not wait till the part where his arrogant arse got what was coming to him. Yes, that's right, even from the beginning, I could not wait to see him suffer in love just because of his indifference toward women/relationships. Well, I got more than I bargained for in that respect because I'm the one suffering since it's 3:30 a.m. and I'm already downloading the next book in the series (and I'm not on vacation!!!).

Now, on to book #2!!!!!! (PLEASE AUDIBLE CAN YOU WORK ON GETTING BOOK #3????…PREFERABLY BY THE TIME I'M FINISHED READING/LISTENING TO BOOK #2--WHICH MEANS LIKE IN A FEW HOURS)

If you want to be a piece of meat

I really wanted to like this story but the heroine was just another piece of meat. It was hard to listen when the heroine was ok for being used. She might as well be an escorter, hence prostitute.

Totally Beautifully written !!

Any additional comments?

I loved this book! This book had everything…romance, strong hero/heroine, lust, sex and angst. This book was beautifully written and I’m now a fan of Ms. Cates. I read this book in one sitting and found the plot intriguing - it left me wanting more. I even loved the secondary characters and enjoyed how Ms. Cates made them interesting without detracting from the main hero/heroine. The witty banter and sexual tension between them was wonderful to read. Whether Jack knew it or not, his protective instincts came out with her. Whether worrying about her getting a sunburn or watching her suffer a migraine, he couldn't help himself from wanting to take care of her. Laurelyn was the parent, so to speak, with her mom, so this was sweet to see. I really liked both of the characters and found it interesting that Laurelyn, who had a troubled past was more open to her feelings than Jack, who had a stellar upbringing with loving parents. I'm already listening to the next book and its just as good as the first :)

I just can't....

What did you like best about Beauty from Pain? What did you like least?

Narration

Would you be willing to try another one of Bunny Warren and Robert Black ’s performances?

Absolutely not.

Any additional comments?

I'm going to read this as I had to stop listening. I am a narrator snob, I'll admit it and these people made my ears hurt.

love it

I can't wait to read the second part to this story. I loved it. Narration, characters and story line are all awesome.

Awful narration.

I've struggled to get to the 2hr mark but I can't take the god awful and grating attempt at an Australian male accent! Female southern accent wasn't great either but in no way impeded my enjoyment of this book like the male pov did. Going to have to read this one as the story is interesting.

Backfire!

Georgia Cates did a wonderful job developing this story plot. I’ve enjoyed listening to this story also because of the narration. Highly recommend for readers with a penchant for sweet love stories.

Great Love Story!!!

Would you listen to Beauty from Pain again? Why?

Yes, it was very entertaining

What did you like best about this story?

I love the mind game they played with each other - very cute

Which character – as performed by Bunny Warren and Robert Black – was your favorite?

They both played a great performance!

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

Hurt and sadness she felt when meeting her dad. I love how she can sing!!

Great Series 1

Good series. Romance scenes were good, although I sometimes you got the impression that they did "it" every singe day and we know that is not believable. I enjoyed how the narrators were broken up and they both did a good job. I heard one opinion that they thought that the male character sounded a little nassly (? spelling), but I thought they did a great job--everyone is entitled to their opinion. Glad I don't have to wait on the second book--I immediately downloaded it.

Beauty from Pain?

The writing was very simple, easy to read but I've been listening to the audio book and, well, I wasn't sure about the Aussie accent and all the terms... and the narrators almost killed it!
I did give it another go in a different speed, but the story was going nowhere fun... no plot to keep me curious at all, very predictable...

Maybe I'm wrong, I really wanted to love it based on the reviews,but I didn't, very frustrating instead.

Right, a love affair taking place for three months in Australia, do I want to be in bed all the time? Well he was called the cave man...

I wanted more story, more detail and the scenes could be great if they had developed and not end when it was getting fun!

I don't get the title of the book what it got to do with it?

The story feels empty and the end was not that surprising to get me all excited for the next book.

If I knew this story was so blah to me I wouldn't spend my credit at audible for it! :(