Snapdragon

Gilded Love, Book 1

By: Kilby Blades

Narrated by: Erin Mallon

Length: 9 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's Summary

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

✫✫ 5 Stars ✫✫

This is only my second book by this author and i have to say I really enjoyed that this book felt like a true romance book to me. So many books have so much drama that it takes over the love story but this book felt like it was 100% about the couple meeting, getting to know each other and falling in love, all of the other things going on are very much secondary. This was a breath of fresh air for me since I don't love all of the drama and angst in my book that most do. I really enjoyed that they were both adults with professional jobs and acted like it throughout the book. And man this book was steamy!!! With that said I have to warn every one that this book ends in a cliffhanger so you need book 2 for sure. Thankfully both are coming out the same day so we don't have to wait. I am starting book 2 right away because I can't wait to see how this couple's love story turns out.

The narration was perfect! I love Erin Mallon and she is the reason I listened to this book to begin with.

❤️ THIS AUTHOR GAVE & GAVE.. & DELIVERED BIG TIME ❤️

When I got this, I thought I knew what sort of a story it was going to be.. but boy I was totally wrong!!.. this is a unique and full-bodied romance told over a two book Duet with layers and all sorts of wonderful and delicious things I just wasn’t expecting. The love story that grows and develops between the boundaries set by very independent career focussed Michael and Darby happens one sexy liaison at a time and it’s so well-written and paced as their ‘casual’ relationship organically morphs into more. But more wasn’t what either one was ever looking for in their lives - hence the ‘stringless’ agreement.. yet care, respect, compassion, companionship, compatibility, deep love and a life-changing forever partnership is what they happily got. However, it will only happen after the emotional struggles.. after the slow character growth.. after the walls on both sides are taken down brick by painful brick.. and, after the old scars and present damage caused by two self-centered Fathers are finally put to rest.

Worth a credit? Absolutely, this story grew.. and grew.. and grew in depth and in magnitude to become a spectacular listen and gave me much much more than I was ever expecting. In book 1, Erin’s wonderful narration as Darby gives us their first meet.. the laying down of a simple ‘sex only’ agreement and the boundaries that came written within it.. of her growing attraction and the sizzles between the sheets was all perfect. And, in Book 2, Sebastian’s narration as Michael telling of his realizations.. his dilemmas.. and his life-altering plans to woo his woman back was sooo romantic and sigh-worthy. This is a new (to me) talented author I’m definitely going to be looking out for from now on.

A Book The Misses the Mark

Snapdragon features a clever set-up and includes some really refreshing feminism vibes. However, I would note that this book reads quite a bit like women's fiction rather than a romance, The couple lacks the essential chemistry and the intimate scenes feel rather rushed.

Amazing narration and an unique story.

⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 Snapdragons stars!

This is my first experience with this author, and I liked the idea of this story after reading the blurb, and I'm glad that i took a chance on it.

I've been reading different things lately and this one brought me back to the traditional contemporary romance side.
I was hooked by their story since the very beginning...
Both were so engrossed in their work fields and their growth as a professional, that they missed the companionship of a lover, without all the responsibilities and duties of a relationship. So then it started their "arrangement" as each other escape.
I've felt like a voyeur, looking inside their inner and most vulnerable moments together and apart.

The evolution of their "relationship", their agreement, their chemistry, their doubts, their undeniably connection... I loved everything about them!

Right now I just need more of Michael... I've got Darby's thoughts, fears and emotions and I love how passionate and fierce she is, but now I'm in deep with her about Michael and I just need his POV!

I'm starting Chrysalis right now, because they're too good to each other to be left apart!

🎧 About the Audiobook Narration 🎧

Erin Mallon is the narrator of this first part and she does an incredible job bringing up all the emotions and the feels that Darby is feeling... I freaking love it!

Awesome beginning!

“Snapdragon” was a fun and spicy read that had me hooked from the very first chapter.
When Darby and Michael first meet, the attraction between the two is instant. Darby is a hard working doctor and researcher. Michael is an architect who is always thinking about his next project. The two are both super busy and decide that a no strings attached relationship is exactly what both need. But as this arrangement progresses, feelings neither was expecting begin to develop.

I loved Darby. She’s smart, independent and knows what she wants. With a scumbag of a father, she works hard at her research job and helps people beat their addiction. Michael is a cinnamon roll of guy with a dirty side that was a delightful surprise. It’s always the quiet ones you’ve got to watch out for, they’ll surprise you the most. The story is witty, smart, and makes you feel all kinds of emotions. “Snapdragon” is a duet and “Chrysalis” is out now. I’m starting it right away because I need more of Darby and Michael.

Erin Mallon is a rockstar narrating the story solo. As usual, she brings all the emotions perfectly to life. Erin was the perfect choice to narrate Darby and “Snapdragon”.

What a start!!

Snapdragon is the first book in the Gilded Love Duet. And wow, the chemistry between these two was amazing. I couldn’t stop listening. Erin Mallon captured all the emotions. She brought this amazing story to life, I felt all the indecision, frustrations, confusion, lust, love and tension. The ending left me ready to dive into the second book without hesitation. I can’t wait to see what’s next.

Great Story

Loved everything. can't wait for Chrysalis I bet it's even better. Loved the characters and how they progressed throughout the story

Good

Good story and good narrative. Took me a bit to get into it, but worth it!

Hanging on every word

Wow! One thing's for sure: I won't ever be able to look at a snapdragon again without thinking about Michael and Darby. I haven't had characters get this far under my skin in a good while. Michael is a completely swoon-worthy romantic, and Darby does a fair amount of swooning no matter how unattached they claim to be.
When I read the blurb for Snapdragon, I expected a fun romance with a bit of feels - because we know they have to fall in love, right? What I didn't expect was how caught up in the story I would be. From the very first meeting, I was hanging on every word. The story has a little bit of a friends-to-lovers vibe or maybe a friends with benefits - however you want to classify it, Michael and Darby have fantastic chemistry, and I love how Kilby Blades builds the relationship between them. The emotion feels real enough to touch as it grows from lovers to friends to something more.
I also didn't expect a cliffy, but I sure got one. The closer I got to the end, the more I worried about how things were gonna come together for these two. I knew this was the first in a series, but so many romance series are built around a new couple in each book. Not so with this one, and if the cliffy doesn't get you right in the heart, I'd be so bold as to say you might need to go back and reread because I think you missed something.
I had the pleasure of listening to Snapdragon, and Erin Mallon is one talented narrator. The story is told from Darby's point of view, and the author made an excellent choice with Erin Mallon. The combination of Mallon's performance and Blades' writing makes for one impossible to hit the pause button story. And since I have to know what's next for these characters, I've already got book 2 loaded up and ready to go.

Holy Cow... what a journey!!

This was the first book that I'd read/ listened to by this author and i was blown away. The story has so many different elements. Darby and Michael are both extremely busy in their chosen fields... too busy to have regular relationships with people that take too much work. But when they meet at a mutual friends wedding, they connect and decide to try the friends with bennies route.

Of course, feelings always occur when things like this happen... except they put a safe word in place in case those feelings ever did start or it got complicated - aka Snapdragon.

The ending was kinda sorta sad... BUT i saw that there is a follow up to this book, so I'm ready to start reading/ listening now!!!

Loved this... and the narrator, Erin Malone, did a great job telling the story and keeping me interested!!! Great job!

I received an ALC for my honest review!

An outstanding start to the series

Snapdragon is book one in the Gilded Love duet and is the story of Darby and Michael.
Darby is a successful doctor, a psychiatrist and psychopharmacologist who is fed up with the dating game. She’s sick of being made to feel there is something wrong with her because she wants nothing more than sex from a man and only when she can fit him in around her busy schedule. So, when she meets Michael and finds he wants the same, companionship and pleasure with no strings attached. So, they come to an agreement knowing that it can end at any time with just one word by either of them. SNAPDRAGON.
Michael, despite growing up in poverty is just as successful as Darby. He is a world renowned, globetrotting architect and a benevolent philanthropist. He doesn’t have time for conventional dating or relationships so this friends with benefits arrangement with Darby is perfect. I love the way Michael helps Darby every way he can and becomes her rock and confidante and in turn he goes out of his way to ensure any obstacles in her way are cleared.
The incredibly talented Erin Mallon takes this story from page to audio solo and my goodness, what a performance it is by the woman who can do it all. I love how Erin brings Darby to life, how she manages to show that you can be career focused and in charge of your own pleasure without being ashamed of asking for what you want. Erin’s male voice is one of the best in the business and her portrayal of Michael is magnificent (even is we only get glimpses of him), Erin managed to convey his wants, needs and vulnerabilities and that having a friends with benefits arrangement is great until one or both parties want more. I love Erin’s work and will always one click her work.
I truly loved this audiobook, from the trope and the single POV, to the story, characters, and narrator, Kilby got everything right, even the cliff-hanger that will have you gasping and running to purchase Chrysalis to find out what’s next for Michael and Darby.
Grab yourself a copy of Snapdragon, you won’t be disappointed, just ensure you have book two to hand to dive straight in to.

Snapdragon

A great written story about 2 people in their 30s, who are totally concentrated on their careers, but start an unattached relationship.
The book is written in Darby's POV, so I'm really happy, that book 2 is written in Michael's POV, because his I was missing a bit.
But now I'm looking forward to read the next book.

Erin did a great job with her narration.

Great Introduction to Michael and Darby's story!

This is the first book in the Gilded Love series, and the first part in Michael and Darby's story. Darby is a psychiatrist, smart, and independent. Michael is a successful architect, and real estate mogul. He is handsome, charming, and enigmatic. They are both career oriented, and they only are interested in a casual relationship. The are complex characters, with a strong personality. They share an instant attraction, and a sizzling chemistry. They definitely complement each other. This is a beautiful slow burn romance. Their story is slow paced, filled with secrets, and multiple twists and turns. I am looking forward to listening to Chrysalis, the next book in the series to know what happens next. Erin Mallon did a great job with the narration.

A story to fill your heart

Book 1 in the series. Kirby the author wrote a very detailed story with strong characters, that you won’t be able to fall in love with . It’s very detailed that it seems your right in the story.

Heroine is Darby. Hero is Michael .
Both Michael and Darby are strong willed characters , very carrier driven . They both don’t believe that they will find love . Once they meet each other , that’s when sparks fly

What can I say about Erin Mallon performance, her voice is swoon worthy , very smooth, and strong

4.5 Stars - Part One of a Duet

Snapdragon is a very sexy story about Darby and Michael. They meet at wedding and begin a friends-with-benefits arrangement with lots of rules. Kilby Blades used a common trope to tell a story that is unique and original. These are two very driven people with real problems. Workplace issues, family issues, mental health issues. It's so very relatable despite the fact that these are two very successful, talented and wealthy people.
Snapdragon is part one of a duet and is narrated solo by Erin Mallon. She is, as always, amazing.
I am excited to get started on part two of this duet and the continuing story of Darby and Michael.

A Brilliantly Entrancing Story! Fantastic Listen🎧

This novel is absolutely amazing, and I loved everything about it, from Kilby Blades’ wonderful writing style to the interesting and original characters and storylines she created to the perfectly cast narrator, Erin Mallon, who brings it all to life from the pages to your ears. The story drew me right in, immediately grabbing my attention and captivating it the entire book. The character development and their complexity is phenomenal.I adored both lead characters, Darby Christensen and Michael Blaine, two independent, career focused go-getters, neither one is looking for a relationship but after hitting it off a mutual friend’s wedding they come up with a “friends with benefits” agreement. Darby is a Psychiatrist at Northwestern Memorial, the hospital is also funding her psychopharmacological research study, a study that is close to her heart. Michael is an architect, but he also has other interests and talents that keep him busy, he is not a forthcoming as Darby, something she picks up on and realizes he knows way more about her than she of him, but their relationship works and they agreed on a relationship with no complications. I loved how everything played out in this book, it is a beautifully written and plotted story, these two were great together and for each other, the chemistry between them was through the roof, but their relationship or rather non-relationship was doomed from the start and it came with an end date, both knew it but is that what they really wanted. This book had it all, workplace drama, family drama, political drama, relationship drama, some mystery, twists and turns, heartfelt and emotional moments and some steamy romance. Kilby Blades, thank you for this wonderful story, I could not tear myself away from the book and I can not give it enough praise.

🎧📚🎧 And for the brilliant narration, Erin Mallon is a talented narrator and a versatile voice artist. She is amazing at covering both the male and female roles, giving each a voice that fits the character’s persona to a tee, sounding believable in every role she plays and just as I picture the character to sound. Her portrayal of Darby was spot on, as was her Michael. She handled the back-and-forth dialogue with ease, switched roles flawlessly, never missing a beat. Her pacing is spot on and she set the perfect tone for the story, captured all the characters emotions, their passion and projected it all into her performance. Erin Mallon is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another exceptional listen.

Cant' wait for part 2!

Michael and Darby are a special couple. Meeting at a wedding, the two have an instant attraction, and realize that with their demanding careers their best bet would be to enjoy a friends with benefits arrangement. Kilby Blades takes us on a low angst, easy driving romance as we take the journey of Darby and Michael. Darby’s demanding job as a doctor has her going 24 hours a day, but in those 24 hours, we see how much time Michael begins to monopolize her thoughts. Michael, a real estate mogul, is similar with his compassion towards Darby. But he holds secrets that may destroy even the slightest of relationship they are building. Now with the chance to relocate to Australia, the two heartbroken people learn just how much they have come to mean to each other. Will they be able to survive the split? Will Darby find out the truth? Will Michael be able to find the truth he is seeking and keep Darby safe? The book leaves us on a cliffhanger, making us want to know where this couple will end up With the safe word spoken, it may just have been the end!

Erin Mallon gives us this amazing story with her wonderful voices. I can never get enough of her, each time her story telling is spot on. Voices perfect for each character and the right amount of emotion to brings us through it knowing exactly where everything stands. I can’t wait for the next book!

Wowzers - intense romance -4.5 stars

I had a little taster of Kilby Blades’s writing with Loaded (funnily enough Gilded Love book 4), and knew I wanted more. Intense characters and sexy storylines seem to be the theme in this series. No complaints from me. Michael Blaine is the epitome of rich and successful, and of course he’s sexy, he has no trouble attracting female attention. The problem is, he doesn’t want a relationship. What better way to keep the ladies at bay than with a fake relationship that has ALL the benefits of a relationship, the only thing missing is love. This is way more than a fake relationship romance, not your normal, sex, no love, romance. Both Darby and Michael are both sincere and true to each other from the get-go. I had all the feels, in fact I think I was probably more emotional about their relationship than they were, my heart broke at times. This is part one of a duet written totally from Darby’s viewpoint and narrated by Erin Mallon (I love her voice, she totally commits to the character). Not at all the ending I was expecting, and yes it’s a cliffie. I’m jumping straight into book 2 now - and a total win for me - book two is told from Michael’s point of view - I get to listen to Sebastian York. Yay me.

A page turner

My 3rd read by this author and it was every bit the page turner the other two reads have been. I was on the edge of my seat from chapter one and even though I almost certainly knew how this would end, the journey had more twists and turns than I saw coming. Darby and Micheal both have high pressure, time consuming careers, so you'd think their arrangement would work...but it's more than just feelings that get in the way. While this doesn't end in the conventional HEA or cliffhanger, you'll quickly want to pick up Chrysalis for more of this story. Would have loved an insight into Michael's POV, but I loved how this flowed.