Smoky Darling

Darling Series, Book 1

By: S.J. Tilly

Narrated by: Gomez Pugh, Callie Dalton

Elouise

I fell in love with Beckett when I was 7. He broke my heart when I was 15. When I was 18, I promised myself I'd forget about him. And I did. For a dozen years.

But now he's back home. Here. In Darling Lake. And I don't know if I should give in to the temptation swirling between us or run the other way.

Beckett

She had a crush on me when she was a kid. But she was my brother's best friend's little sister. I didn't see her like that. And even if I had, she was too young. Our age difference was too great.

But now I'm back home. And she's here. And she's all the way grown up.

It wouldn't have worked back then. But I'll be damned if I won't get a taste of her now.

©2022 S.J. Tilly LLC (P)2023 Podium Audio

Good Story

I love that the story began with a game of kickball when Eloise was 7 years old, continuing through her teens when she almost gave herself away. I adored her friendship with Maddie, from giggling little girls to laughing adults. You have to love Eloise from the very first chapter.
Some listeners may also love Beckett from the moment we see him. I did. I was glad to see how he took charge when he saw a scraped and bruised little Eloise sprawled on the pavement. But Beckett remains a bit brutish and punishing throughout the book. I see his pushing her other potential suitors around as over the top. And, no matter how much he loves Eloise and how satisfying it is to see her life long love answered, there is some behavior that goes beyond "take charge" that is not my idea of romantic.
IMHO, just because a woman willingly becomes your lover, that doesn't mean that everything you want to do is okay. So, just because I loved this story, doesn't mean it didn't make me squirm a few times and I haven't decided if I will listen to any more books by this author.
Excellent narrators!

SJ Tilly, Enough Said!

I am in LOVE with SJ Tilly's books! I usually read REALLY dark books, but this one was spectacular. It was cozy and sweet and a little tiny bit dark, but man... I hope she makes a thousand more books because I CANNOT get enough! (the novella at the end was adorable too)

I’m in love with SJ writing

The first book in the Darling duet and I’m in love with the writing style !! The over all performance was amazing and I’m on to book 2.
I would say this was somewhat of a slow Burn but once the burn start it’s no stopping it !!! Love it

Loved it as usual S J Tilly

I loved all of it. As I usually do! Funny and a couple steamy parts. The only thing that I would add is more steam. Ready for the next book.

it was good but there could have been more.

this book is hot, but it went too fast. the main character's fell for each other way to fast, spoiler, it took only weeks not months and there was not really a back story for the stalker. there needed to be more detail on that side, also it jumped around with out letting the listener know who was talking so when it is the Besties POV I was lost big time.

Not bad

This wasn’t bad.. Had a hard time getting into it but I ended up liking it and am happy I finished it.

Just ok.

Not a bad story just ok. Been listening to not so spicy romance novels so this was a lot of “smut”. Not a bad thing just different than I was used to. Didn’t love the male narrator he sounded too old for me. Overall. Good story

Loved them!

This audible has the book Smokey darling and the novella second bite. And honestly I love them both but Second bite needed to be full Length for sure. They were fire

Smoldering romance, overly sticky and sweet!

It is only 8pm right now, so if I write this review REALLY QUICK, I can hurry and download the next book and maybe finish it tonight! Yes, folks, that is how much I loved this one! I am super excited to jump into the next one!

I loved the audiobook of this, it was done really well! What I detest (and I have said this before as well!!!) is when the same series uses the same narrators to narrate the next book in the series but as different characters. Since book 2 focuses on new characters, book 2 needs new voices, no matter how award winning-ly amazing book 1's narrators did. I don't know where folks are getting their stats that people want the voices to remain the same, everyone I have ever talked with about this say they want NEW VOICES!!!

<b><i>"She might think this was a one-time thing, but I’m not done. I’m not even close to being done with Elouise Hall."</i></b>

And I am not done with this series either! This was my first book by SJ Tilly, and I am sad it has taken me this long to jump in! I want to binge the backlist!

Summary: Elouise has been pining for Beckett since she was 8 years old. She has loved him ever since he threw a dodge ball at Brandon’s stupid face after Brandon shoved her down on the road. Elouise is a hot adorable mess, she is always a bit awkward around Beckett, always stumbling over her words and being her quirky self. Their paths repeatedly cross, but since Beckett is 8 years older than her, the timing is never right.

When Elouise is 30 and Beckett is 38, they wind up together on a spring break camping trip for school children. Elouise, who always dreamed of being a school teacher, was there taming the wild children. And Beckett was there being a nature guide and expert. Immediately their chemistry is through the roof.

<b><i>"I don't know what I expected to happen when I saw her, but this thick layer of sexual tension was not it. And in just one afternoon she's managed to scale all my defenses. Now I can't think of anything else but Elouise."</i></b>

Quickly they start a relationship, and this pairing is so sweet together, I am in love with their connection! Tilly does an incredible job of writing a great balance of spice, romance, mystery, drama, and humor into this book!

One thing I have noticed in practically all edgy romance books lately is that authors feel the need to make their characters Alpha Doms in the bedroom. If you look closely at the best sellers lists, you will notice that many of the main characters perform some type of BDSM in the bedroom, or some kind of k1nk (with or without the consent or conversation from their partner) such as spanking, degradation, bondage, and more!! It is weird because that doesn't always fit the character profile, and this one is no exception.

Beckett is a caring and sweet boyfriend, but then all of a sudden he is supposed to be a dom, and bending her over his knee? When they kind of have never had any type of discussion about that type of thing? It just makes me feel ick... And frustrated because there are going to be a lot of would-be BDSM-ers who are going to read books like this and assume that this is how things are done, because it is how they are done in a lot of books. But most books are missing the fundamentals and the discussions that are paramount to this type of relationship. It's probably fine, I just don't like it, especially when the authors are all jumping on this D/S train and riding it full speed ahead right off a cliff.

okay story

the story is okay. the FMC never seems to grow up and is very whiny. the MMC character was enjoyable. I'm still not entirely sure what his company is.