The Reluctant Bride

Arranged Marriage Trilogy, Book 1

By: Monica Murphy

Narrated by: Erik Bloomquist, Apple Young

Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

One moment I'm the forgotten daughter of one of the most wealthy families in the country, and the next I'm the blushing bride in an arranged marriage. My fate is sealed in my wedded union with a complete stranger.

In public, Perry Constantine is the life of the party. Easygoing. Adored. In private, he's brooding. Dark. Angry. But so am I. It's a contest of wills to see who will break in the bedroom first, and while I try to remain strong, I find myself craving the very man I swore to hate.

My husband.

Contains mature themes.

©2022 Monica Murphy (P)2022 Tantor

Narrators are hard to get past

The story was good. I almost did not listen because the female narrator was awful. Once I adjusted the speed it became tolerable. Glad I listened though because the story is good.

overuse of vulgarity detracts from story

overall, the story could have been written better, the characters could have been better developed . Instead, the author chose to regale the reader with repetitive vulgarity that was unnecessary to the plot. not only was the vulgarity repeated, ad nauseum, but the characters' thoughts and dialogue never really progressed, merely repeated.

the narration could have been better cast. many times I thought a female computerized voice was being used. the male narrator frankly sounded effeminate, in stark contrast to the character he was portraying.

Despite all the negatives, I did find myself invested in the story and finished the book. the question is if I am invested enough to buy books 2 and 3. kinda hate to throw good money after bad.

Good book but…

This isn’t a series, it’s a continuation… it stops mid story so you have to purchase the next book to see what happens. It’s like someone stops talking in the middle of the sentence and walks away.

EXCELLENT NARRATORS!!

EXCELLENT AUDIBLE NARRTION!!
Perry Constantine and Charlotte Lancaster have been told buy there very powerful and wealthy families that they have arranged for them to be married. The two have never meet and they protest. Their obligations to their families are strong. So, they meet and go along with what their families want.

What made give the 1st part of the 3rd part of Arranged Marriage trilogy 4 stars instead of 5. Well, it was the way Charlotte was written. Charlotte was mentally and physically abused by her very rich and powerful father. She wants to leave and decides she will willingly marry Perry. But changes her mind on so many things. She is not constant in what she what's to do. Even after Perry finds out how bad her father treats her and he tries to protect her she still hesitates too much. She soon gets it together. Of course, this type of trilogy ends on a cliffhanger which I hate.
Recommendation to those who read this review. Check Out Stella Gray Arranged Series Bk. 1 The Deal Its and Excellent trilogy!! Great Storyline and its very sensuous too!!

I should have known

I love her books but I do not like cliff hangers I should have know she would do this , but I am done not going to get 2nd book because there will probably be a 3 rd book and I just can’t I wish she would give the story in one book not 2 or 3 so disappointed

The male narrator is awful

The narrators are terrible. Especially the male. He sounds very feminine and not like he wants to marry a women.

Good read

I read the first book and lived enough to read the second. Now can’t wait to see how Perry and Charlotte end.

Definitely worth listening too….

Despite some reviews! This one was actually good! Honestly can’t wait for the next chapters of this story to unfold! Enjoyable listen!

Left me hanging!

It ended mid scene! Very frustrating! Meh...hadn't pulled me in enough to spend another credit.

Fairly good

I'm a fan of the arranged/forced marriage trope so when audible had their 80% statewide sale I picked the first 2 titles of this series up. This first title is my first Monica Murphy and I think it's fair to say I wasn't blown away but it was good...good enough to check out the 2nd book in this series. The performance also didn't blow me away but it was good....my only issue is that Erik Bloomquist sounded more suitable for an m/m romance and Apple Young sounded a bit robotic at times...but it didn't take away any enjoyment of following Charlotte and Perry's journey.

3 stars - not likely to listen to again