The Black Sheep and the Rotten Apple

Gay Historical Romance

By: K. A. Merikan

Narrated by: James Reily

Length: 15 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

“How does one start a relationship with another man when it is forbidden?”

“One needs to decide that the other man is worth dying for."

Cornwall, 1785

Sir Evan Penhart. Baronet. Highwayman. Scoundrel.

Julian Reece. Writer. Wastrel. Penniless.

No one forces Julian Reece to marry. Not his father, not his brother. No one.

When he is thrust into a carriage heading for London to meet his future bride, his way out comes in the form of an imposing highwayman, riding a horse as black as night. Julian makes a deal with the criminal, but what he doesn’t expect is that despite the title of baronet, the robber turns out to be no gentleman.

Sir Evan Penhart is pushed into crime out of desperation, but the pact with a pretty, young merchant’s son turns out to have disastrous consequences. Not only is Evan left broke, but worse yet, Julian opens up a Pandora’s box of passions that are dark, needy, and too wild to tame. With no way to lock them back in, rash decisions and greedy desire lead to a tide that wrecks everything in its way.

But Julian might actually like all the sinful, carnal passion unleashed on him. How can he admit this though, even to himself, when a taste of the forbidden fruit could have him end up with a noose around his neck? And with highway robbery being a hanging offense and the local constable on their back, Julian could lose Evan before he can decide anything about the nature of his desires.

Themes: highwayman, abduction, ransom, forbidden love, self-discovery, danger, crime, Cornwal, Britain, England, Georgian

WARNING: Steamy content. Contains violence, distressing scenes, abuse, offensive language, and morally ambiguous protagonists.

©2017 Acerbi & Villani Ltd. (P)2020 Acerbi & Villani Ltd.

Epic tale

This is an epic historical tale. It is massive. So much happens. Evan and Julian are great together and have to go thru so much. I usually don't like longer audios, but this one just flows, so much action and suspense and hotness. This was a new narrator for me, and when it first started I wasn't sure if I liked him, but by the end of the first chapter I thought he was perfect for this book.

Excellent

This book was better than I expected. The story didn't lag and the ending was so good. If you are looking for a regency story you will love this one.

Good if you can get past poor choices by the MC's.

If you can get past the lack of judgement made at times by the characters, the book does have redeeming qualities.
As with other books by these two talented women you can look forward to interesting characters, lovely world building and lots of🔥🔥🔥 sex!
*Spoilers*
While I enjoyed the story overall I really hate it when characters that should know better make obviously stupid choices. While I'd like to blame the characters for these flaws, sadly I cannot. Which of course leaves only the authors to be frustrated with. It drove me crazy that after losing one lover to a horrific fate Evan chose to fool around with Julienne in places where they could so easily have been caught. Then, falsely believing that Julienne had escaped but with no evidence to the contrary, Evan outright tells the coppers that Julienne was his lover. BEYOND stupid! Maybe it's just me, but I have little tolerance for this kind of B.S. in novels that I read. Maybe it's my advancing age that ever finds me less tolerant of idiots.
These authors have so many other books that thankfully don't have such completely stupid M.C.'s, "Feel my Pain", "The Kings of Hell MC", etc., that it was a real shame to have been sooooo let down with this one.

Amazing Historical!

This is such an amazing historical listen. I love Evan and Julian. They are so HOT and I just love listening to their story. James Reily has done such an amazing job with this narration. This is the first time I listen to one of his narration and I absolutely love. He definitely pulled me into this story and I just love the way he does these characters voices.

Fantastic!

This one was absolutely bloody fantastic!! KA Merikan wrote a masterpiece with this novel. I felt as though I was there...it was full of intrigue and action...just lovely all the way through! I also loves this narrator...he was new to me but he did a great job!

An MM opposites attract Historical romance!

I loved this Historical themed MM novel.
It was very different from K.A Merikan's work and I can't help craving for more.

The setting of the story and the plot was engaging and pretty authentic.

Sir Evan was dashing, tall dark and Handsome and I loved the mysterious vibe about him.

Julian was the definition of a pretty canary. I loved his personality and how well he completed Evan.

This has been one of my favorite reads by this author and listening to this has been a whole new experience.

The narration was enjoyable and brilliant!

it's an up and down

her books always have a great ending but the The journey is always a ride.

Entertaining

**Trigger warning** On page dub/con or non/con, depending on your personal opinion.

I think the idea of the story is kind of unique because of the original highwayman. Sir Evan is a recluse, trying to save the family home his brother almost lost, and keep his few retainers. Julien has been living a life of leisure, gaming and drinking, with the occasional prostitute thrown in. He's never been satisfied with the latter, so he mainly sticks with the former.

Julien strikes an unusual bargain with the highwayman that attacks the carriage carrying him off to a future he abhorres. The two men strike up an uneasy friendship after one unfortunate evening. Julien finds himself worrying more about the man who has introduced him to new ideas than his old aspirations.

Overall, the story was entertaining, and the romance was paced well.

The narration was jarring at first. I really did not like it at first, as I am used to a more calm and maybe quieter? voice with historical British stories. I did become accustomed to the narrator after a while, and still enjoyed the story.

*I received a free copy of this audiobook from grr.reviews and I am leaving my honest opinion.*

Interesting Historical

I enjoyed the character growth in this book. The historical setting was well executed. Great narration. Julian really grew up on the page. The commitment between the characters was lovely. Both had strong motivation for their not always smart actions throughout. Great read. The first sexual encounter between the two leads was a bit dubcon, so there are some readers who might not enjoy that, but the characters did work through the issue together and it wasn't swept away as inconsequential. Overall a great read.

A double whammy !!

5 Blue roses
5 Blue Flames

Narrator James Reily delivered this awesome fucking work of art on a shiny silver platter! I gobbled up every crumb off his beautiful English cadence. My God, where has he been? I couldn’t get enough of him. Kudo’s to the authors for choosing such a fitting narrator.

Aaand, here is where I get lyrical. Bla, Bla, Bla, fishpaste, it was good. Get the audiobook or suffer a bleak existence. Done!

Additionally, to show you my enthusiasm, I am choosing this audiobook as the Audiobook of the month!

Hooray! Thanks Mel,, I am sure Master will love this audiobook.
You know, he likes to use candles on my ass. He buggers me now and then with them until I scream, and my ass can profess that. Master also loves a good hanging,,, the erotic kind. Not what happened to poor Sir Evan Penhart, though.
Stay tuned to see if Master rewards me!

(March 2020 audiobook of the month – Straight as a Wheel also by K.A. Merikan – This is not favouritism, they are just that good. So, no jealousy)

Happy Listening