Shiver

By: Brooke Blaine, Ella Frank

Narrated by: Biff Summers

Length: 9 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

Wide-eyed and innocent, you stumbled into my world, never knowing the danger that lurked within. The Wolfe’s Den is no place for a little lamb, but you came anyway, and from the moment you stepped inside, you were mine.

In my life there are no happy accidents. Every move is carefully orchestrated. Every situation premeditated. That’s what makes the hunt so intoxicating. What you need, I become. What you crave, I will give. Except the one thing you desire above all else - love.

Everything I told you is true - I’m not a good man, but you choose what you want to hear. You shouldn’t have come that night. Maybe then you’d be safe. But it’s too late now. I want you because you remind me of him. I need you to give me back what I lost.

Warning: This is not a love story. It is not a romance. This is an obsessive stalker lust story that contains darker themes that may serve as a trigger to some readers. Shiver is a standalone novel.

©2017 Ella Frank and Brooke Blaine (P)2017 Ella Frank and Brooke Blaine

Warning - disturbing and weirdly engaging...

When this book dropped a little while ago, it immediately went to the top of my want-to-read list. Now, I don’t like to read anything about the book before I listen to it. I like going in without preconceived ideas.

That being said – to potential listeners – READ THE SUMMARY. I have read dark erotic m/m BDSM with dubious consent before, but I wasn’t really prepared for this book. And just to be clear, I never blame the author because I choose not to find out what I’m reading.

This is the first book I’ve read by either Brooke Blaine or Ella Frank. The book was well-written and Biff Summers certainly did a competent job of narrating the book. The contrast between the two main characters was unquestionable as Wolfe is described as having a deep voice. So Biff was a good choice for this book.

So, that leaves content. Specifically, the non-consent consent. This occurs when the submissive agrees to let the dominant do whatever he (or she) wants. It is growing in popularity as writers push the envelope of what is acceptable.

The thing is, in BDSM, consent is critical and you could argue Jesse provided consent, but it wasn’t informed consent. I’m specifically thinking of the scene with edge play, although several others come to mind. And why does this matter? Most readers would feel it doesn’t – because this is fiction. And as long as the reader and writer agree to that distinction, keeping these activities on the pages of the books, then there is no real harm.

So why does Jesse subject himself to this? Over and over it’s about Wolfe’s magnetism. There is a bit of the ‘wounded soul’, but that hardly justifies how Wolf treats Jesse, whom he refers to as his ‘lamb’. We all know the story of the big bad wolf and the innocent lamb. This just happens to be an extreme example.

The other disturbing aspect of this story is Wolfe pushing Jesse and isolating him, impressing him with his 5-level BDSM club/dungeon, as well as his obscene wealth. Fortunately, Jesse isn’t swayed or impressed by money and he also maintains his friendship with Brayden. Another tenet of BDSM is that isolating a submissive can be dangerous. Subs need to have people outside the relationship who can view it for what it is. And Brayden sees Wolfe for what he is – a predator. But Jesse is too dazzled by the sexual prowess and enjoys the pain infliction, which is totally legit. There are plenty of masochists who derive great pleasure from being in pain. Often, though, there is so much going on that Jesse can’t process everything.

So while Wolfe is protective of the subs in his club, his obsession with Jesse blinds him to his own inappropriate behaviour. Manipulating people and growling at them are not acceptable behaviours.

But that is the point of this book.

Back to the blurb. Wolfe admits he isn’t a good guy and is, in fact, a stalker. So readers who have encountered someone like Wolfe in real life may find this story distressing.

And, as promised, this book does NOT have a happy ending. In fact, the ending is as disturbing as the rest of the book. Will there be another book? It is a stand-alone, but it leaves the question open. Brooke and Ella swear not, but I, for one, am saying I wouldn’t mind seeing more.

So why am I giving the audio 10 Pots of Gold? Because the book is pretty much as advertised and for all its faults, it is an interesting read. Fun? Absolutely not. Disturbing? Very much. And there are times when that is what listeners are looking for.

So if you’re willing to heed the warning, enjoy. I’m interested in finding out if we haven’t seen the end of Wolfe and Jesse.

Innocence meets terrifying

When I read Shiver the first time around, I thought it was brilliantly written with an underlining flow of sexy suspense, totally out of the box writing, and unbelievably intense. Yes, I loved it. Now that I have listened to it on audiobook, it was over the top amazing. The ever-changing narration from the vocal talents of Biff Summers was perfect. You truly captured the innocence and naive side of Jesse. You voiced perfectly the dominance total alpha male for Salvatore. If Ella and Brooke decide to change their minds and decide to write more for the Shiver characters, you must lend your talents once again. THIS WAS FABULOUS!!!

Wish I'd never picked it up

I strongly recommend you not even begin this story -
I just finished and am having trouble identifying my feelings. I think I've narrowed it down to frustrated and disappointed. This story had a truly crapfastic 'ending'. The whole book was a let down but the ending down right pissed me off. What a cop out. I wouldn't let my 5th graders get away with ending a story that way. I should be able to reasonably expect more from two experienced writers than I could front a class full of 5th graders. As soon as this review is approved I'm returning this sorry excuse for a completed story.

Holy Stalkers Batman! *(SPOILERS)*

Wow, this was way more than I was expecting. The whole time I tried to keep it chill, like Jesse, but near the end I was "oh my god!" and then "oh thank god!", and in the end I just "no way! oh no, no, please don't"
It can't end there? what will happen? because it won't end here, this messed up man will present himself again into Jesse's life when the situation calls him to do so

I must say bravo to Ella Frank and Brooke Blaine, both did amazing! The whole time I was feeling the threatening vibes of the story as it was been unfold

I must know what happens next! There must be something else to be realised! A continuation would be great to finish it for god and to know that Jesse's life will be safe

💔OUTSTANDING!💔

💔I read ''Shiver,'' a few years back and was blown away by the story of Salvatore/Wolfe/Tor and Jesse. I was too excited to have found their unique, beautifully, dark, story being read on audible. I had to purchased it. It was a must for me to hear their voices. I must say, I was blown away again with the outstanding narration. Biff Summers did an above job reading this outstanding story created by Brooke Blaine and Ella Frank. Salvatore's voice was sexy, deeply dark and smooth like butter. Jesse's voice was innocent and sweet. The narrator brought the characters to live. This story is so intriguing. I totally, highly, recommend. You will not be disappointed. ''Shiver,'' enjoy! 💔

Slow burn thriller not romance

Pretty good story. Reminds me a great deal of 50 shades of grey with a dose of reality. The wounded dominate is treated like a stalker as he should be. The ending of the story makes you wish there was a part two.

ENJOYED

really enjoyed this book, I loved how it didn't end in tragic stupidity..... the majority of these books completely ignore what someone would do in an honest situation , and I liked that it happened in this story.

Could not make myself finish

I was really looking forward to this, but I couldn't finish it. Even though the blurb makes it sound dark and thrilling, the delivery is certainly lacking. I felt like I was reading the MM version of Fifty Shades of Grey. Jesse is pretty and naive, but manages to catch the big bad wolf's eye, and now Salvatore " i don't love, I just f**" Wolffe wants to eat his "little lamb." I became sick and tired of the "I am a wolf and you're a lamb, and I eat lambs" refrain. And Jesse went from naive to downright gullible, "I like him, does he like me? He doesn't love! But maybe I love him?" The wolf and lamb "will he, won't he?" was repetitive and boring, and not even the sex scenes could keep me entertained, and that's saying a lot because there was a lot of sex, and that's usually one of the fun parts of reading MM romance. I was bored by all of it. The characters were shallow and the premise too predictable. The audio performance was alright, but Jesse's voice became softer and higher as the chapters went on, to the point of sounding like Michael Jackson, and though the performer tried his best to make Salvatore sound dark and menacing, it didn't quite work out. Overall, a big ol' hard pass for me, couldn't make myself finish.

love it!

I need a ending to this! I hate being left hanging! I need to know how Jesse and tor either end or get back together. please ladies put us out of our misery!!

Good book- but I need another book to end this story!

I liked this I did not find it at all dark and sinister and the stalker part was not disturbing either. The Dom/sub part is very vanilla. This could have been a kick ass journey if it had continued after Wolf was on his knees. From reviews I knew it was not a HEA but was still very disappointed that there is not another follow up book ending their story with HEA. I LOVE these two authors and will read everything they write.

This is really badly written book, made worse

The reader has a sweet, camp, sibilant voice, which is quite suitable for the 'little lamb'. But when 'the wolf' gets the same treatment, the true comical value of the writing is really funny.
It's cartoon worthy. The Duck family gets laid.

Interesting book

I had a little trouble getting into the book in the beginning. The final chapters were very interesting. I think I would like a sequel to find out what Jesse would do after learning what Wolfe has been doing at the end. :)

Omg omg

I shouldn't maybe have loved this book the way I did, book hangover Alert ⚠️..... But Ella And Brooke, you can't leave it like that WE NEED A BOOK 2 PLEEEAAAASSSEEEE!!!! Loved it cheers darls, oh and Biff did a cracking job well done Biff x

Wow

This is a fantastic book. The suspense of what is happening next keeps you on your toes. Biff is a new narrator who was very enjoyable to listen to. Loved his Wolfe