Seven Years

Seven, Book 1

By: Dannika Dark

Narrated by: Nicole Poole

Length: 11 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

It's been seven years since Lexi Knight lost her brother in a tragic accident. On the anniversary of his death, her brother's best friend shows up unexpectedly - a man she hasn't seen since the funeral. He is no longer the boy Lexi once knew, but a dangerous-looking man with tattoos and dark secrets. He broke her trust and abandoned her family, yet what he reveals makes it impossible to stay angry.

Lexi has been secretly infatuated with Austin since childhood, so finding out he's a Shifter just makes him sexier. Dammit. Austin Cole has returned to the city where he grew up, and just in time. He's lived a hard life these past seven years, and the shadows of his past are threatening to destroy Lexi's family. It's time that she learned the truth about her brother, but there is a shocking twist that Austin never saw coming. Now he must protect her family when her mother and sister wind up in mortal danger. Will Lexi learn to accept the truth about who he is, and can Austin salvage a relationship from the ruins of their past?

©2013 Dannika Dark (P)2014 Tantor

5 Seven Years Stars

Hmm this is my 4th re listen? Or more who knows. But I never reviewed this book because I didn’t think I could put into words how this book sparked my love of shifters.

Lexi is a character who isn’t sure of who or what she is, but throughout the book she gets the shock of a lifetime. But it’s more than that. She learns who she is and what she is.

She doesn’t accept it right away because it’s so far out of her realm of normal. But she knows deep down that what everyone is saying is true.

She is insecure of herself throughout a lot of this book. And sometimes I found her to be childish for a 28 year old, but what I liked is that Austin for all his awesomeness never once makes her feel childish.
He allows her to feel what she feels and for her to come to conclusions on her own.

I think I liked that best. I also love all the characters in this book, you get the sense of family and friends and that’s pretty cool.
Each character has a place and that place is within the pack/family. I love this series because of that each time I re listen I find new things I love.

This time it was how Denver takes a stance and is so very protective of Maze, but it was when he got jealous, that little step back he takes is what I loved about this listen. He is will to do what it takes for Maze. I Loved that.

I can’t say enough great things about Nicole Poole’s narration. She brings these characters to life in ways I have never heard before. She has a voice for every character in a way that its natural and effortless and that can’t be easy when you have so very many characters.

Fabulous book, amazing listening, definitely a must listen.

*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*

Weston Pack!!!!! Excellent !!!!

Would you listen to Seven Years again? Why?

Of course, because it's priceless.

What other book might you compare Seven Years to and why?

The Mageri Series by Dannika Dark. It consists of six books. Why? Dannika Dark wrote the series. Anything she writes is top notch perfection. I have to remember to breathe while reading her books.

Which character – as performed by Nicole Poole – was your favorite?

Which character? All of them. Excellent performance by Nicole Poole. She has a way of bringing the characters to life right off the pages as the author Dannika Dark intended when she wrote the book. I was blown away to finally hear the book on audio. To reminisce and relive the story I had already read the day it was released.

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

“In fact, I remember the exact moment I fell in love with you. It was June seventeenth, the summer before your senior year in high school. We went camping with a bunch of friends and I sat next to you by the lake while you hummed a Fleetwood Mac song, watching the moonlight shine on the water and wearing a silly pair of pajamas. We didn’t talk, but that’s the first time I really saw you as the woman you would someday become. You probably don’t even remember it, but I do. I always will.”Dark, Dannika (2013-10-20). Seven Years (Seven Series #1) (p. 312). . Kindle Edition.

Any additional comments?

Captivating series. Waiting patiently for the rest of the series on audio.

Incredible.

Would you consider the audio edition of Seven Years to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version but I do have the audible book and it was awesome.nsp in my bias opinion yes it was better.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Aside from the main characters I think Denver was my favorite because the way he took care of Mazy and how attentive he was with her. His character overall was full of humor and sarcasm I loved it.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene was when Austin and Lexi finally got together and the went from the floor to the wall to the recliner and back to the floor. The way everything happened was hilarious and then they got caught while she was in her wolf form and Austin still human hahaha hilarious.

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

Well at first I was skeptical about getting this book but after I got it and got past the first three chapters I was doomed. I listen to this book in 4 days every chance that's I got and couldn't put it down. It was everything I didn't think it would be. Well narrated, good story, and overall a good book I'm glad I didn't pass this book up.

Any additional comments?

I am so glad I got this book and was able to listen to it in audible it definitely wasn't what I expected it to be it turned out to be a well written and narrated story. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

A man after my own heart!

This was an amazing listen...I mean even the lust-filled, clothes-ripping moment was so hilarious that it just made this book so freaking good. "There is plenty of fish" in this book! I mean this book was that good that I was almost on team Lorenzo... His bad-boy persona was just so captivating! But alas, I have to say Austin hands down ultimately was the sizzling spark that gave this romance its worth! He was the perfect half to Lexi.... The characters are all different and independent and I can't wait for each brother's story...In short, when you think everything has been disclosed then BAM out comes another secret! It can only get better from here and which is why I would recommend this read.

Not your average shifter story

Any additional comments?

I had purchased this forever ago and didn’t remember what it was about.  But having it deal with the death of a brother was almost a deal breaker for me.  Thankfully I didn’t find it heartbreaking.  That is the only way I was able to continue.  It is weird that I would choose to listen to this now since this year will be the 7th year since my own brother passed.  

Seven Years wasn’t a typical shifter book.  It started more like a contemporary romance and I honestly thought that was what it was.  It took a while before the shifter aspect was introduced.  Dark’s mythos is different than other authors.  The animal and the human share a body but are separate; when the wolf takes over the person doesn’t remember it unless they are an Alpha.  Essentially they become a wild animal when they shift.  In human form, their senses are that of humans and they can’t really sense other shifters.  This isn’t like most novels where they can scent each other.  There also aren’t fated mates (so far).  To me, this makes Dark’s characters more human and more relatable.  They don’t have superhuman powers, they just have something extra.  Seven Years reads like a contemporary romance with a kick of suspense and paranormal tossed in to make it super fun and exciting.  

The suspenseful story was well thought out and I really like Lexi and Austin’s chemistry.  I wished Lexi didn’t cry at every turn, not of fan of that in female characters.  Despite that, I still really enjoyed the story and I have already purchased book 2.  I also loved Poole's narration.  I am giving this 4 Boundless stars I really enjoyed it.  

Not the typical shifter book

Very slow pace for your typical shifter romance novel. it was missing the raw animal sexuality.

Great book

I really enjoyed this book. Gotta love a feisty female lead. I laughed, sat on the edge in suspense, and teared up. Can't wait to start the next one.

So many emotions

While I will be the first to say I love the steamy parts of a great romance, which this book could have used another one or two of, I found the storyline kept me hooked. This book made me cry, made me laugh, and yes even got my imagination going at the right times (but my husband loves it). Nothing like listening to a book while grocery shopping and want to bust out laughing or worse break out into a bright rosy blush. I look forward to the next book in the series and from reading all the summaries I may be looking forward to the last one the most.

Awesome Book

Any additional comments?

My only complaint is the narrator could speak louder when she records the book. I am hard of hearing and in the car there were times that I couldn't hear what she was saying, when she did her low soft voice.

Fresh!

This story is told from Alexia's viewpoint. The Narration is somewhat acted and the narrator does a great job with the voices. It's a story that you haven't heard, and it will both give you chills and make you laugh out loud! I startled my dogs several times, laughing aloud when the humor struck me. It is sensual, sexy, intriguing, and FUN! I listened straight through and could barely stop long enough for real life!