Snapdragon

Gilded Love, Book 1

De: Kilby Blades

Narrado por: Erin Mallon

From USA Today best-selling author Kilby Blades, the smoking-hot book that started it all....

The rules are simple: unattached companionship, toe-curling sex, and a clean break whenever it ends. And either one of us can say the single word that will break it off: Snapdragon.

Falling in love is a luxury people like us don’t have.

He’s at the top of his field, and I’m at the top of mine.

It’s only a matter of time before ambition calls and one of us walks away.

But I can feel myself slipping, falling for him, every time he unchains me from my desk; every time he plots against my boss for making my life hell; with every tender touch in the dark of night.

I know I ought to be the one to say the word. I've already broken the rules. I know I ought to say it. But I can’t.

©2017 Kilby Blades (P)2021 Kilby Blades

Witty, Emotional, and Sizzling Romance!

I really enjoyed this story! I didn't know what to expect and it really took me by surprise and it turned out to be a real GEM of a book! It was fun reading this witty, emotional, and sizzling romance. Darby is a hardworking Doctor who's patients and research are her life. Michael is a sexy, driven, successful architect who has an unwavering plan for his future. When they meet at a mutual friends wedding, their attraction is electric. When they realize neither has time or the desire for a relationship, they agree to an uncomplicated, no strings arrangement. It starts out perfect for them both, and their chemistry is explosive. When a horrible boss, and a dirty politician father complicate Darby's life, Michael is there with unconditional support, and help. Darby's heart starts to soften for the kind hearted, sexy man who she never saw coming. But Michael is full of secrets, and when his work sends to the other side of the world, it breaks both their hearts. I loved the journey this story took. I loved the progression and growth of Darby and Michael's relationship. They took time to really get to know each other, making me want to cheer for their HEA. This story had the perfect balance of fun, emotion, suspense, and steamy.
Erin Mallon does a terrific job capturing each characters personality. I love the excitement, emotion, and passion she brings to her performances. I was so enthralled from beginning to end, and was totally invested in Darby and Michael. I can't wait to find out what happens next in bk #2 of Gilded Love, Chrysalis!

Great start to the Gilded Love Duet

Kilby Blades has created a fantastic duet in Snapdragon and Chrysalis. Darby and Michael's relationship really took a lot of twists and turns, and I was so glad to be there through it all. Snapdragon is told from Darby's perspective

Both Darby and Michael were complex characters with so many layers, and they both were not looking for a relationship. They wanted no strings. But wow did fate have more in store for these two. Snapdragon does not end happily - you get their happy-ever-after in Chrysalis. But trust me when I say it is totally worth the investment of you time to get to know these two.

The audio of Snapdragon was wonderful. Narrated by Erin Mallon, the audio really gave me a sense of Darby's changing emotions, the vulnerability that she tries to hide from the world, and how she lets herself be more free and open with Michael.

Book 1 of 2

This book had me hooked, I was just waiting for the declaration of love.

Cliffhanger Ending, told from her point of view. Next book is Chrysalis told from his point of view and hopefully an ending.

What happens when two busy people agree to no strings monogamous sex until it gets complicated? Everything, life IS complicated.

I loved both Darby (strong, smart, hard working woman) and Michael (gentleman, smart, and protective). They made sex with friendship but not love seem easy, but life never comes easy. Lots of work and her family drama.  

I listened to this on Audible and Erin Mallon did a great job.

Compelling story, standout narration... 4.5 stars!

Kilby Blades kicks off her Gilded Love series with the two books that make up a duet. Snapdragon introduces listeners to Michael Blaine and Darby Christensen, two people who share a once-in-a-lifetime connection but choose to enter a no-strings-attached arrangement that ends once one of them utters a single word: snapdragon. But as is the case with arrangements like this, very real feelings get in the way, as do secrets and complications.

Blades impresses with a well-written story and two very intriguing characters. It's clear from the get-go that Michael is the more romantic one while Darby comes off as the one who is able to keep her emotions in check. They're both career-driven and meeting each other slowly but surely goes from being an expected passing fancy to more yet no one's willing to admit to it. The story is told from Darby's perspective, and with a narrator as exemplary as Erin Mallon, everything is raised to a much higher level. Mallon's talent seems to know no bounds, and her ability to make a listener like me want to lean back and simply listen to her highlights exactly that.

Four stars for the story, five stars for the narration, with an average rating of 4.5 stars for Snapdragon.

Waiting to hear those 3words

This is part one of a duet and holy moley what good start it was.

Cliffhanger ending, but it leaves me wanting to immediately binge into book two.

I will say this concept of one narrative for each book is interesting but as wonderful a job Erin always does, I found myself missing the second voice. Diving into book two now so we’ll see if my mind changes on this.