Once Perfect

By: Cecy Robson

Narrated by: Mercedes Moreno

Length: 7 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

His life was never easy. Hers wasn't supposed to be this hard. They come from different worlds, but fate lures them together in a way neither expected in Cecy Robson's raw, steamy series debut - perfect for fans of Monica Murphy and J. Lynn.

Evelyn Preston's future once looked perfect - until her wealthy father was caught in an embezzlement scandal and took his own life. Alone and struggling to pay her college tuition and bills, Evelyn finds a job as a waitress at the ultra-hip nightclub Excess, where she used to have more in common with the privileged private-school clientele than her fellow staff members. But something attracts her to the sexy six-foot-four bouncer and ex-army MMA fighter Mateo Tres Santos. Although they've led different lives, their troubled pasts bonds them in both survival and love.

Mateo wound up in prison for assaulting the man who harmed his sister. Now he's feeling the same protective impulse for this petite blond waitress. When Evelyn experiences a panic attack at the club, Mateo comes to her rescue. And when Mateo is wounded shielding her from a brawl, Evelyn returns the favor and comes to his aid. As their attraction intensifies, Mateo is determined to find out what nightmares are lurking in Evelyn's past - even if that means tackling his own to save her.

©2014 Cecy Robson, LLC (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Narrator Mercedes Moreno's blend of serious and seductive tones brings out the complexities of the characters' lives in this spicy adult novel. Evelyn Preston is no longer one of those spoiled rich kids who party at the nightclub Excess. Nowadays, she's hanging onto whatever pride she has by working hard to pay her tuition bills and get through nursing school. Moreno portrays Evelyn in tones of tension and fear, which are caused by her ex-boyfriend and memories of her father, who committed suicide. In contrast to this angst, Moreno uses soft seductive tones whenever Evelyn is thinking of, or in the arms of, Matteo Tres Santos - the nightclub's handsome and commanding bouncer. In her portrayal of Matteo, Moreno provides another balance of tender and tough. His protectiveness of his sisters and Evelyn is contrasted effectively with the tough nature of his job and the demons of his past. Moreno fully succeeds at capturing the provocative moods of this racy novel." (AudioFile Magazine)

Once perfect

Story too long or the narrator is just boring you just want to say get on with it

Likeable Characters. Abrupt Ending.

Very likeable characters. story flowed well, but ending was abrupt and not very cohesive. Will give second book a chance at redemption.

The best I've liked in a while

It was good. I loved Mateo and stayed interested. im ready for the next one.

My truth

Over all it was good. She did good separating each character. But she reads the main character like she’s reading the book for the first time. Not much life to the main characters emotions. But I stuck it out and will continue to listen because the story is so good!!!

Great story

The narrator sounds like a young teen and it make the intimate scenes weard to listen to her voice makes it sound juvenile. The story is great thee real life drama was sareal.

Overall a good book

Overall, I enjoyed this book. The narration wasn’t my favorite, but wasn’t terrible. I think I would have enjoyed the book more if we got to hear both POVs. I was disappointed by large gaps in the time line, as some chapters started out with “it had been a few weeks” or “it’s now February” when the last chapter left off in January.

I keep going back

I have listened to this book so many times. and I still love it. The story is good, the narrator is good.

Hit Home

Great story! Thank you for getting a Latina narrator. The Spanish parts were spot on!

Mateo and Evelyn

An emotionally heartfelt and endearing tale of two people fighting traumatic past but find that they can heal together. Evelyn and Mateo are perfect one another, they bring out another side to the the other. The connection and friendship they develop is simply beautiful. I enjoyed this story.
Narration is great.

loved it

Loved it so much. Wish it wasnt over so soon. finished it in less than a day.