The Private Rehearsal

Caught Up In Love, Book 4

By: Lauren Blakely

Narrated by: Sebastian York, Ava Erickson

Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

From number-one New York Times best-selling author Lauren Blakely comes a scintillating forbidden romance between a director and his actress, performed by Sebastian York and Ava Erickson! 

The first rule of directing is simple: Never fall for your leading lady. 

The second? Don’t let it get to you when she stage-kisses another man. 

Looks like I’ve already broken both. Now my jealous, possessive heart wants all of her - the ingenue who’s the star of my next show. I’m captivated by her raw talent, her addictive charm, and her desperate need for me. 

Soon we’re staying late in the empty theater, our private rehearsals spiraling into forbidden territory. 

Exactly where I can’t go. Because then I’d break the most dangerous rule of all. 

Don’t give her your heart. 

Because how can I be sure that what she feels is real and not a part of the play? 

Author’s Note: The Private Rehearsal was previously titled Playing with Her Heart (that version is no longer available). The Private Rehearsal has been significantly revised and updated, and recorded with all-new narration. I hope you enjoy this new edition of one of my first novels!

©2013 Lauren Blakely Books (P)2020 Lauren Blakely

✫✫ 4 Stars ✫✫

Another great love story by Lauren Blakely! I listened to the original no too long ago but this felt like a whole new book. I love that she is refreshing some of the older books because that just gives me a reason to revisit some of the great couples from the past. This couple are like magnets, they can not stay away from each other and that is my favorite thing about this story.

Sebastian and Ava were perfect as always.

Sexy Forbidden Romance

Overall 4 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 3.5 stars

I really enjoyed this revised and updated forbidden romance. Jill and Davis had red hot chemistry and though I'm not normally a fan of instalove/lust, this one worked. The always amazing narration by Sebastian York and Ava Erickson was a treat as well. York was perfect as Davis, the dirty talking alpha director, and Erickson was just the right amount of sweet and vulnerable to pull off Jill. There were some serious moments mixed in with the sexy and fun, and I appreciated how Lauren Blakely balanced it all so well. I did find Davis a little over the top at times with his possessiveness and jealousy, but I loved that once he was in, he was all in. It's always fun to see Blakely's other characters make surprise appearances and fans are sure to enjoy Davis and Jill's updated romance.

Please Note: The Private Rehearsal was previously titled Playing with Her Heart, but has been significantly revised and updated.

*I voluntarily listened to a review copy of this book*

The Private Rehearsal

I loved the way they couldn't stay away from each other Jill and Davis have this connection and its hella hot. I like that she knows who and what she wants. I like the way they fall for each other. It was drama free and sweet but also with that hint of mystery.
I like that some of the other characters make an appearance in this book it makes you feel connected to their circle of friends.

Jill's past is tragic and you can tell she has some wounds that still need mending, to go through what she does that leaves scares and they don't fade just because we want them to. That kind of pain takes help.

I loved the way Davis was when he found out he treated her exactly how she needed to be treated.

Great narration as always. These are a few of my favorite narrators.

One of my favorite from Lauren!

The Private Rehearsal by Lauren Blakely is a revised and updated version of the original, Playing with Her Heart. I loved the original and was excited to get my hands on the new version. Davis is directing a Broadway play and Jill is staring in her first. As soon as he sees and hears her, he knows she perfect for this role. He also knows he's going to have to fight the feelings he has for her. He can not get involved with an actress. Never again. Jill is so excited for the opportunity to be in this play. She's professional, gorgeous and extremely talented. When she and Davis end up having private rehearsals, the line between director/actor and man/women get blurred. There's an undeniable attraction between them that they both try to fight. But it's just too strong. Can Davis break his rule about dating actresses? Will Jill be able to trust that he's not just telling her what she wants to hear? I love this story so much! It felt new and fresh to me and I can't wait for fans of Lauren's who never read the original to fall in love with Davis and Jill!
I had the pleasure of listening to the audio and it felt like a new story to me. Sebastian was great, as always. He always seems to change his voice for every character he narrates and he was Davis. And Ava was Jill. Exactly how I pictured her sounding! The fun, flirty singer and the emotional woman. Ava killed it!

Great update to an earlier story

This revival audio book includes terrific performances by Ava Erickson and Sebastian York and a solid story about young singer/actress with a tragic dating past and a hot shot young director who has had his heart Brocken by an actress and is very skittish about falling for anyone. Their chemistry works magic though as they prepare to open a new broadway musical. The original for this story was good but the refreshed script and new performance makes this a winner.

Story fell shot for me

I had trouble staying interested in this story because the only emotions were self doubt, sex and more sex.

Loved it!!

This is Lauren’s updated version of Playing With Her Heart. I absolutely loved Jill and Davis in the original and Lauren Blakely gave us even more to love. Who doesn’t love a good forbidden romance? Hot director and broadway actress set the scripts on fire. You won’t want to stop listening. Sebastian York and Ava Erickson we’re perfect for Jill and Davis.

A tough act to follow!

Each and every Lauren Blakely has a hero I fall in love with and a story that captures my heart. This one is so good, it will be a hard act to follow! Davis Milo is casting for a new production he is directing. Jill is the one that he wants to cast, but a more well known actress would bring in the crowds. Casting Jill as the understudy will get her in though, and with a few private rehearsals, he will not only get her acting as a star, but his growing need to be near her will be quenched. Burnt before by an actress, he has no interest in a relationship. Jill is thrilled to be part of the cast, and when Davis takes a personal interest in her, the lines between work and love begin to blur. So many questions come up. Will this just be a fling? Does he help her just to sleep with her? Will he give in and begin to trust in their relationship? Where will they end up at the end of the run? These two are definitely made for each other, but there are obstacles in their way. It's fun and flirty, at times a little angsty and gives us all those wonderful feels. Jill is incredibly sweet, but not innocent. She knows the perception of being with the director. Davis is wonderful, at times frustrating but is easy to understand and relate to. I was totally caught up in this rewrite of Playing With Her Heart!

As always, Blakely casts her books perfectly. Ava Erickson has one of the best new adult voices, and she gives Jill a voice that fits her personality. She lets us in with her different inflections, allowing us to know exactly how she is feeling. Sebastian York is smooth as silk as Davis, giving him that charm. It's impossible not to be taken in by his voice. Another great listen!

Broadway and competition

Ava's story is compelling in how she had dealt with her grief over a high school boyfriend's death for year's believing that she didn't do enough to stop it. The suicide took year's of her life and love life to get over. The love of her director is what brings her back and also the understanding of her family. Lauren Blakely is not afraid to hit on sensitive topics.

The Private Rehearsal

LOVE Lauren Blakely. Adore Sebastian York. Ava Erickson is new to me but definitely had a great voice. But for me, the book was njx.....o.k. Some will love it I was just ready for it to end.

Sign me up!

I love the fact that Lauren is refreshing her old stories, Jill and Davis had so much chemistry it was scorching hot!

A forbidden romance between a hot director and a gorgeous Broadway actress, sign me up please!!

Sebastian York and Ava Erickson were both just perfect for these roles, and the narration by them was as always perfect!