Unperfect

Unperfect, Book 1

By: Susie Tate

Narrated by: Zara Hampton-Brown, Shane East

Length: 10 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

When Mia shows up for the interview at a well-known architecture firm, she only has 27p, a squashed loaf of bread, and a jar of peanut butter to her name.

She needs this job, even if she is scared to death of the owner of the company.

Max has made a name for himself as that grumpy northern architect off Dreams Homes (the most popular property design program in the UK) after he told the famous host that designing affordable, environmentally friendly homes "wasn't rocket science" and that most of the other projects featured on the program were for "right poncy bastards who want to spend a grand on a shite tap." It turned out that the whole gorgeous-but-rough-around-the-edges-Yorkshire-man vibe was just what the country was looking for. The episode had gone viral, and Max was the extremely reluctant new pin-up of the building industry.

To Mia, huge, grumpy men aren't sexy; they're simply terrifying. She knows from experience that even men of average size can be dangerous. If she weren't so desperate, she'd run. She's used to running. Running away is Mia's special talent, together with invisibility—survival techniques she's perfected over the years. So, she'll put up with Max and his moods, ignore him calling her a teen emo freak (he's not to know that her black hair used to be honey blonde or her heavy eyeliner isn't by choice), and just bloody well jog on. Just try to survive. Try to hide.

It's easy to hide when nobody really sees you. But what happens when Max finally opens his eyes?

Unperfect is a full-length, contemporary, grumpy boss office romance.

©2021 Susie Tate (P)2023 Podium Audio

Great Book

This was such a sweet story. Love the characters, great story line. Would highly recommend reading.

Good story

It was a good story, I love hearing both narrators. Can’t wait to listen to any other series.

Powerful story of fear, strength and sheer will.

This powerful story of a courageous and vulnerable, woman who escaped a life of domestic abuse is both heart wrenching and inspiring. Paired with exceptional narration, this audiobook journey is amazing.

This book was able to capture the fear, the doubt and fragility of Mia as she skillfully navigates a new world rebuilding and overcoming her horrific past all while trying to keep that life hidden from her new boss, Max and his caring yet nosy, friends and family.

The narrators deserves praise for an outstanding performance. Their voices conveyed, the raw emotions, fears, and the hopes of the characters with such authenticity. The chapter where Mia goes to the hair salon with the girls brought me to tears. Mia’s vulnerability and strength, Max’s compassion and determination, their families’ warmth and acceptance it all came through.

The relationship that develops between Mia, Max and Teddy is both tender and empowering. Max’s unwavering support, care and patience become a beacon of light in her dark world. The evolution of their connection is very skillfully depicted, portraying the intricacies of vulnerability, and trust the involvement of his family and her journey adds another layer to the story, creating a sense of belonging and security something that Mia so desperately needs.

While I do wish, something else could’ve happened to Mia’s husband in the end, the story is wrapped up beautifully, and I’m so happy I took the journey to listen to this book.

Great characters in a suspenseful romance

I loved this storyline. Great characters that really fit the story. I felt like a friend of the characters because of all the information and emotion derived from the different situations everyone went through. And how all of it intertwined in their everyday lives. It was fantastic that the author found no need to input explicit sex acts. Don’t misunderstand I love the intimacy and love making. Although when there is too much of it over and over the story gets lost and it seems the author is filling empty space. Bringing out great personalities and telling their different thought processes makes it a good read. If I got interrupted and couldn’t continue, I did everything possible to get back to it. Read some chapters several times because the situation was so good.

Heartbreakingly Refreshing

I had to stop listening to audio books for a while because I was in a rut. Everything I listened to sounds similar or just bored me. I am so glad I came across this one. The story captured my attention, the voices were amazing and the characters were very likable. Usual I like strong female leads not damsel in distress but I actually found the female lead to be one of my favorite characters. She was strong in spite of all she had gone through. I even loved her self reflection and growth. It is hard to look back and see that what we thought was important was not especially after pursuing it so fiercely and neglecting what is really important like family and friends. This was my first book by Susie Tate but I like her style and will look for more of her books and audiobooks. I like the secondary characters so much that I want to hear the next book in this series. I hope it is just as good. I nearly finished this in one weekend because I couldn't stop listening and wanted to know what would happen next. I felt like it would be predictable and yet it still played out a bit different than I thought it would. It was Heartbreakingly Refreshing. Perfect timing too since I was maxed out on audio book credits and needed to use at least one before I lost it. I am glad I used the credit on this one. Thanks!

The narrators were great!

I’ve already read the entire series but listening to the first book was like experiencing it for the first time again. The narrators were great actors and made me fall in love with the story even more. Even when I knew what was coming with Mia’s background, the emotion her narrator portrayed made me tear up! Max’s narrator really brought him to life with his grumpiness and sarcasm. Even if you’ve read the book I encourage you to listen to this story.

Be prepared

This is a great book, but it is also very emotional. Have some tissue ready!! Narration is absolutely wonderful. ❤️

Less office romance, more a story of learning to trust again after abuse

Be sure to have some tissues handy. This is a very well written story of survival after abuse, and the journey towards healing.

Mia is a fearful, yet determined woman who barely made it out alive from an abusive relationship. She is able to get work with an architectural company where she finds a support network she didn't know she needed, even with the grumpy boss, Max, who is large and loud and more bark than bite.

There are a lot of difficult moments in this book regarding Mia's abuse and her PTSD. This is not a fluffy romance. This is an emotional story. It doesn't have a sappy happy ever after, because trauma never goes away, but Mia does find the strength to not just survive, but to live and accept the support of those who love her.

The narration was outstanding. Shane and Zara are both excellent voices for this book.

Hits you in the feels…

Ms. Brown delivers perfectly as Mia, reaching out and grabbing you as
she maneuvers her life after being a victim - and survivor - of domestic abuse. I couldn’t help but be emotionally moved by some of the scenes where Mia struggled with her PTSD. I’m thankful that I’ve never had to live with domestic violence but this story and the performances bring you close to how horrific those experiences can be - both as they’re happening and then after the fact. Very humbling.

Such a great story!!

Loved this book so much! The narrators were so wonderful! Definitely worth the credit… get it!!!!