Settling the Score

By: Eden Winters

Narrated by: Joseph Morgan

Length: 10 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

Outed and dumped on national television by his rising star boyfriend, Joey Nichols must face the bigotry of the locals in his small Southern town alone. His dreams of a happy-ever-after lie crushed at his feet. 

Novelist Troy Steele has an axe to grind against Hollywood heartbreaker types. Transforming Joey into a gorgeous, unobtainable hunk would be payback worthy of Troy’s poison pen. It's a brilliant way to get back at Joey’s image-obsessed ex-boyfriend and the movie producer who’s mutilating Troy’s novels. 

What begins as simple revenge may tangle them together in something far more complicated. Living well may be the best revenge, but Troy and Joey could rewrite that to loving well.

©2011, 2016 Eden Winters (P)2019 Eden Winters

Sweet, funny, decent narration

This book has charming, memorable characters. A big plus for me is that they were the kind of people I might actually enjoy meeting in real life. The dialogue is occasionally laugh out loud funny, and the supporting cast of characters are both memorable and entertaining.

The story itself is not at all action packed, in the way that Winters’ Diversion series is, but it is well paste and doesn’t drag. When I read the publishers summary I was a little concerned by the revenge plot. I didn’t want to read a book with negative and or vindictive overtones. Instead, this book focuses on the characters’ own reclamation of themselves, and redemption. There is some sex, but not nearly as much as you might expect. The focus here is on the characters’ growth, and how they come to care for each other emotionally.

The narration was a little bland, but I would almost rather have that than someone who overdramatizes. Joseph Morgan did a good job with a southern accents too, which not every narrator can pull off effectively.

Settling the Score was an easy listen. Not too steamy, not too emotionally taxing. But definitely heartwarming and entertaining.

Absolute amazing

This is the first time I have encountered this author. This audiobook has impressed me and I I will be reading and listening to more of their work. The narrator is also new to me and I found his narration engaging and a fantastic mindset of the characters!

amazing

amazing story. Joey and Troy are a cute couple. Ryker gets what he deserves.

Feel.Good Book

Joseph Morgan narrated this coming of age M/M story of young, naive Joey who learns the hard way who he can trust. Well known author, Troy Steel wants Joey to be his next muse. He takes him under his wing. Joey learns about life and what it means to live as an open guy man. I liked the characters from the beginning. Mr. Morgan conveyed the hardships of Joey and Troy well.

Sweet Slowburn Scores

Settling the Score is a sweet exploration of staying true to yourself and how nice guys don't always finish last. Small town mechanic Joey Nichols believes any day now, he'll be in Hollywood with his secret boyfriend, rising star Riker. Gathering his family to watch Riker's first big televised interview, Joey is horrified when Riker not only outs him, but dumps him as well. Writer Troy Steele need a muse for his next book and his assistant convinces him Joey is that muse. A little bit of time and My Fair Lady type meddling later, a deep bond starts between the men but can it go deeper that friendship? Settling the Score is slowburn at it's best. I stayed invested throughout. The narration by Joseph Morgan was excellent, all characters brought to a vibrant life.

Good Characters and Narration

Eden Winters is a new author to me, but the blurb from Settling the Score intrigued me since it's a common trope in most straight romances. Joey, who is a country boy at heart, moved to Hollywood and meets his first true boyfriend, Riker. It turns out the man only cares about himself and outs Joey on national TV in the worst way possible. Joey moves back home, licking his wounds.

Then Troy, a writer, comes to Joey's town and wants to interview him for his book. Joey's pain and humiliation is familiar to Troy, but what starts out as a project soon becomes a fight against his attraction for Joey. Although his motivations are less than pure, it's sweet how much Troy comes to care for Joey, although his secrets might destroy the relationship they are developing.

The narration is good, bringing the story to life and adding personality to Joey and Troy. Overall, it's a good, solid premise with memorable characters!!

enjoyed

I enjoyed the narration of Joseph Morgan

This book has heartbreak, revenge, and what true love really is. Two people who meet and enjoy each other .

Wonderful characters

I really enjoyed this story. It is a sort of double revenge story. I loved the character of Joey and also his family. I especially love his dad. Joey is outed and faces so much yet he keeps his integrity. Troy is a little more hardened to what life throws at him. When these two get together the relationship is moving. I loved how Joey brings out the original Troy. I really wanted a dad like Joe senior. I feel Joseph Morgan did a great job with his narration bringing all these diverse characters.

Amazing book

This one I wasn’t expecting to have such depth. I read the blurb and it certainly interested me but I thought it would be a light read/listen. However this one was brilliant with so much feeling/ emotions and I loved every second.

I certainly cant recommend this one any more

What a listen

This was a new author for me and I really didn’t know what to expect from their writing. Man was I blown away. The story is all about 2 people meeting each other and then having a good time between the sheets. It’s about heartbreak, revenge, find oneself, find out what true love really is. Yes the story was long but all filled with a story that was needed to really understand the main characters. And boy was there some amazing characters. I’m looking forward to listening to more books by this author.
Also the narrator did a brilliant job. An amazing voice to listen too.

Awww

Sweet, romantic and feel good.
Not my normal area of books but an enjoyable book that keeps you listening to what happens next.
I found myself feeling for the characters, rooting for them, crying and cheering them on.

A wonderful story of passion, growth, & healing!

🌟🌟🌟🌟 4.5 stars
🔥🔥🔥🔥 Heat Level: 4
🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 Narration: 4.5

A wonderful story of betrayal, growth, real love and a little sweet revenge!

I loved Troy (aka Oren) and Joey! Perfectly matched and a sweet and steamy connection that is a bit of an occasionally torturous slow-burn that helps each character become better and grow and heal!

My heart broke and I was so angry at Joey’s ex (Riker) at the start of this story. I was outraged at the injustice of such actions and easily hated the self-entitled d*^k and loved Joey’s growth, healing and sweet revenge (that wasn’t even needed but still great to witness and Eden delivers this perfectly!). I couldn’t believe Riker/a person could do something like this and felt for Joey as he was thrown aggressively out of the closet and the repercussions he and his family had to deal with were saddening. I loved the family support, love and united front in the face of such rampant homophobia.

Enter Troy and the spark of a new path for everyone. I loved Troy’s reclusive nature and bashful/embarrassed acceptance of praise and accolades. I enjoyed how he tried to keep Joey at a distance, while trying and helping him open up about his situation, life, love, and future all in the name of research. This ‘research’ very quickly began to feel like more and continually had enjoyable teasing and simmering undertones. I loved how matched Troy and Joey were and I loved seeing the grow Joey made in leaps and bounds as the story progressed.

This is a story of passion, growth, past healings and finding “the one” in a way and I just loved it!

Great narration by Joseph and I loved how each character had a different dialect and I could feel the hatred even more with his rendition of Riker and Ian. Great work, great story, great creation! A very enjoyable listen!

Thanks for reading!

wow

this narration was interesting.. some spots werent as fast paced as others.. but it was all around a good story.. and interesting story.. the narrator did a mostly good job with the emotions and personalities. i enjoyed this and would def listen to more by this narrator and author.