The Countess

By: Lynsay Sands

Narrated by: Sarah Coomes

Length: 9 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

The fairy tale courtship did not turn into a happily-ever-after....

Not until her husband dropped dead, that is. He had been horrible enough to Christiana during their short marriage, and she was not going to allow the traditional period of mourning to ruin her sisters' debuts as well. So she decides to put him on ice and go on as if nothing's happened....

Until the real earl appears. Richard Fairgrave had every intention of confronting his villainous twin who had robbed him of his name and title - only to discover that he had died. Quietly assuming his identity, Richard must now deal with a maddening desire for his ravishing inherited "wife" - certainly a gold digger and possibly a murderess. And Christiana must deal with an unwanted new "husband"... and they both must figure out what to do before the ice melts!

©2011 Lynsay Sands (P)2011 HarperCollins Publishers

Sarah Coomes made this book HILARIOUS & enjoyable

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, as long as they have a sense of humor and they're not looking for the "usual" historical fiction.

Would you be willing to try another book from Lynsay Sands? Why or why not?

Yes. I have many books by Lynsay Sands, just nothing like this one. Sands would have lost me on this one, if not for Sarah. I truly hope the next book really isn't a retelling of this one, I hate when that happens.

What does Sarah Coomes bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Sarah Coomes performance doesn't allow you to take the book seriously and that's the only way this book works, would ever work for me. I LOVE to read and have a great imagination, but I couldn't have read this book.I would not have made it through chapter two. The Countess is close to ludicrous parody of an historical romance and I admit, if it wasn't for Sarah's delivery/performance, I would have given up. Sarah Coomes performance totally MADE this book! I confess to "eye rolling" in the beginning, but Sarah not only kept me listening, but laughing out loud. Perhaps she read it in the way it written. It's like a farce and her delivery makes it hilarious instead of annoying. I actually laughed to tears a couple of times. Thanks Sarah =)
This book will join Helen's Babies read Kara Shallenberg as my go to pick me up, when I need a laugh.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

OMGoodness! I laughed to tears. Yes, I had extreme reactions, but honestly my first was "you've got to be kidding me," but forget the negative reviews and just listen. If you would rather read than watch TV (read for entertainment) and do not expect the usual romance, you may just may enjoy.

Any additional comments?

I have found very few book that are not predictable, but just because you know where you're going doesn't mean you can't enjoy the trip. I am not one of those readers/listeners that looks for meaning or messages in works of fiction, but that doesn't mean I can't, don't, or won't see them if/when they occur.Christiana was emotionally/verbally abused during the year of her marriage to the so called earl. The self doubt and trust issue she has when her fortune change is very real and isn't overcome in less than 2 weeks, but that's why I read fiction. I'm definitely happy with the ending and the tiny small glimpse into a very real struggle, it beats having it skipped or glossed over.

Must Read!!

I first thought the narrator was over doing it with her dramatics but soon came to love and relish her voice for this book. It was wonderfully funny and had a great story line as well. Its the first historical romance my fiance is interested in hearing about! He laughed as much as I did and he thinks they are sappy nonsense! Great story! Get this book!

laughed out loud

the story was extremely funny. listened to it all the way through. I'm glad I gave sands another chance and learned the first bite was bad because of the narrator and not the author. can't wait to listen to more of sands books

The narration ruined it !

This was my first book by this author . I liked the story very much . But the narrator ruined it for me ! I guess I should have read the book in kindle instead !

Loved it!!!

What made the experience of listening to The Countess the most enjoyable?

The fact that I laughed out loud several times made this book very enjoyable. The story was very good and I liked the narrator. I thought the narrator did a good job with the Madison sister's although I think she almost gave them a speech impediment when saying their "R's".

Which character – as performed by Sarah Coomes – was your favorite?

I liked all but her characterization of Daniel. I thought the voice she gave him was a little weird.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I laughed out loud when Christiana was trying to see the strawberry on Richard's behind and he shuffled across the room to the window with his family jewels hanging below his waist coat.

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to listen to the next in the series. I'm starting it next.

Reader was terrible

Will avoid any books read by her. All the voices were awful. Like nails on a chalkboard.

Loved it..

Any additional comments?

I really don't care what the 1 and 2 star reviews say on Amazon I absolutely loved this book. You have to have a sense of humor to like this book, you have to want to laugh instead of wanting all the drama in most historical novels. I happen to like a little laughter in my books. So, if you don't, or know how to, laugh this book isn't for you.
I truly loved Richard and Christiana. Dicky was just, well, a dick. Loved Daniel, Robert, Suzette and Lisa, and good-old Haversham. And the sex was awesome.

As to the narrator? She did a wonderful job! So many different voices it was easy to figure out who was talking. Just the way a narrator should be! Unlike many who just read the book in their own voices so even the men sound like women. UGH!!

The narrator did not know how to read the book !

The story was funny, as I'm finding most of Lynsay Sands books - and I liked it. She writes sort of in the vein of Oscar Wilde when he wrote "The Importance of Being Earnest". I always laugh a lot when I read Lynsay Sands books!
The narrator, Sarah Coomes, on the other hand, was awful. She did not know how to read this fine author's style of writing correctly. Sarah Coomes had a very loud voice which she NEVER moderated - it was loud and annoying throughout the entire book, and actually made me quite angry. She mutilated the story altogether. If you are going to read this book, which is very funny, then read it yourself in a book version - but do not get this book in Audible recorded version, as the narrator is very grating and you will regret it.

Cute Story

I liked the story. Not something I had heard before so I was entertained. However, I did not care for how the Hero's voice was portrayed. His voice sounded like a sniveling idiot when talking to his friend. not a strong bodied man who had to work on a farm in the colonies to survive.

Hilarious!

Funniest quote: "Here lies George Caanan Fairgrave. Thank God he's dead. Amen."
"That works for me. Short, sweet, and honest."