Until I Fall

By: Claudia Burgoa

Narrated by: Kai Kennicott, Wen Ross

Length: 9 hrs

Publisher's Summary

ER doctor Aspen Zimmerman is no stranger to pain and loss. The tragic death of her fiancé catapults her life into a promise of healing - of being the best damn ER doctor her hospital has ever encountered. After all, it makes her feel like she's making a difference when she couldn't so long ago. And when her most beloved patient suffers horrifically, all Aspen cares about is healing her - even though her son has a special way of igniting a fire she thought fizzled out long ago.

As a private security officer, Anderson Hawkins puts everyone's life before his own. With his mother fighting for her life in the hospital, Anderson is hell-bent on finding a way to save her. On the plus side, he gets to spend his time with a sexy and fiery ER doctor who would do anything for his mother. Though Aspen seems to be pulling back - away from any feelings she may have for him. Now, it's up to Anderson to prove that they can build a future together if they both let go of the past. Can Aspen trust her heart with someone when she already feels "dead on arrival"?

©2017 Claudia Burgoa (P)2018 Claudia Burgoa

The Aspen and the Hawk

This was a very emotional story, and according to the author's note, it was based on her great aunt's life, but with an added HEA. There should definitely be a tissue warning. The story line was complex, and there were a lot of passages that were thought-provoking. It combined romance with a chick-lit feel. It was suspenseful at times, especially during Anderson's missions. However, there were places where it dragged a little, and my attention wandered. I wish the story had followed Anderson's missions more in depth so I could understand them better, especially the different stages.

It was so wonderful to hear Kennicott's and Ross's voices again, but I was a little disappointed. They're my favorite narrators, but this audiobook was completely different from their others. Instead of Ross reading all the male parts and Kennicott reading all the female parts like in their normal duet narration, this was done as duo narration, with each of them reading all the parts in alternating chapters. In fact, Ross didn't even come in until the 5th chapter. I had to reread the description because I thought I'd misread that he was a narrator. I still loved their voices and the emotional depth they brought to the reading, but I had trouble telling the two main characters apart during the dialogue, and there is nothing like a scene where Kennicott and Ross play off each other in duet narration.

1 person found this helpful

I loved this raw, and emotional romance!

This story swallowed me whole and wouldn't let go even days after I finished listening to it. I was enthralled with Aspen and Andersen's tale from the very beginning. Aspen is smart, brave and caring, but she has never gotten over the heartbreak of losing her fiance eleven years ago. She keeps busy trying to help others in the ER and at the free clinic. She isn't ready to open her heart and take the chance of losing it again. She has been through so much hardship in her life and is determined to keep herself safe and away from change. Anderson is the mysterious, sexy, tattoo artist whose mother lives next door to Aspen. Aspen and her friends have grown close to their aging neighbor. They are happy to look after her when Anderson leaves for work, sometimes weeks at a time. But when he is home, he is determined to break down Aspen's walls and make her let go of all her fears. They are the perfect match for each other because they are both fighters. Anderson has also faced so much in his life and Aspen has become a source of strength for him and has shown him another path to love. Aspen is surprised at how safe she feels with Anderson. But is it worth the pain and heartache when secrets are revealed and danger is at your front door? Ms. Burgoa is brilliant at creating intriguing and poignant tales with multifaceted characters that make you experience every emotion. This story is fast paced with twists and turns that are suspenseful, raw, and emotional. But through it all, there is a connection between Anderson and Aspen that is pure and healing. We were also introduced to several compelling friends in this story and I hope to hear more about them soon.

Kai Kennicott, and Wen Ross did an amazing job bringing this world to life. The chemistry between them was so magnetic, and impassioned that I was helpless to stop listening. This is probably my favorite performance of theirs. They made me feel all the intense emotions of this story and also the fun parts too, which is the exact reason why I love to listen to audiobooks.

1 person found this helpful

Heartfelt

The broken is in this one! Claudia has brought the characters into so much emotion, I wanted to tell these people, “Let me give you a hug”. Wen Ross and Kai Kennicott were perfect for the narration. They have applied every one of the emotions to suck me into this story. I was sure I was the characters!

1 person found this helpful

Until I Fall

Would you consider the audio edition of Until I Fall to be better than the print version?

Both editions are priceless. Some authors write from the depths of their soul. Finally, one of her novels converted into an audiobook. The reader through the narrators' gift has given this story a voice, which comes to life and right off the pages.

Who was your favorite character and why?

All characters have an essential role in a story.

Which character – as performed by Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross – was your favorite?

Narrators Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross remain intent to masterly perfect the ranges of dialect range levels per character. The narration is perfection.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

"Among seven billion I'll always find you. I'll always choose you. Even before our souls branded each other, I knew we were meant to be together forever. I'm yours, yesterday, today, and always."
"I'd rather live one day with you by my side than a hundred years wondering if I had a soulmate."
"You aren't perfect, and you wear flaws as badges of honor."
" What if it doesnt work?" I like long-term challenges. We have a lifetime to fall in love over and over."

Any additional comments?

Aspen loses the love her life Michael… she has found a place where she goes in her vivid dreams and has stored the memories so she may never forget him. She fears she will begin to fail to remember him and triggers her to have specific panic attacks. Aspen and Anderson's characters encounter loss, life, and learning how to be in a relationship together. Will they both succeed despite all the difficulties life throws at them?
And to the Author; you continue to share and live another endless celebration with your loved ones you miss dearly with this novel. The memories will always live in your heart and on these pages. Your auntie was exceptional, but she only loved one person her true love and soulmate, Octavio. Our heritage is extraordinarily passionate and when we love we fall hard for that person. It's difficult to allow ourselves to find hope of every truly loving again. Your auntie Natalie found her happy ending through you with your excellent writing skills in this novel. You took bits of pieces and mixed them into your characters and brought them to life again and gave them a second chance.

1 person found this helpful

Amazing narration, but not duet style

Overall: 3 stars
Performance: 5 stars
Story: 2.5-3 stars

I really wanted to like this one, but unfortunately it was a miss for me. I just never felt fully invested in the characters or story, even though there wasn't anything in particular that I really disliked. I think there were too many subplots and characters for me to keep track of and I felt like the main story line got lost in the shuffle. The writing was good, but the book felt unfocused and unnecessarily long. The most emotional part and only time I felt really captivated by the story occurred in the heartbreaking Prologue.

The narration by Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross was fantastic as usual, but this is the first time I have listened to these narrators not perform in the duet style. Other titles I have enjoyed by them usually have Kai Kennicott performing all the female parts and Wen Ross all the male. They still did an amazing job and kept me listening, but this is definitely something to keep in mind if you are looking for a duet narration.

2 people found this helpful

Loved it!

Losing someone you love either makes you stronger, or breaks you. In Aspen's case, it broke her. When you thought everything was all right in the world, a drunk driver comes, and crushes your world. If not that, the big C would take away an important person in your life. Then you put a wall around you, busying yourself so as not to have a moment to think about anything, numbing yourself to the world around you. Then, one day someone walks into your life, breaks down your walls, making you live again. But the thought of losing him takes over, and you hide back inside yourself. Is it worth it? Do you feel again? Do you live again?

I've always been a fan of Ms. Burgoa's books, especially The Unexpected series. You will see some of the characters from the past books here. But this is a bit different! Different how? Her writing is slightly different–better! It spoke to me more. I may not have cried, but maybe I just didn't allow myself to. Though there are a few heart pinching moments! This is what happens when you write what you know, you write from experience, from the heart. The reader feels most of what the writer felt while depicting the story.

Though this might be a bit heartbreaking, do not fret! It does have a happy ending! A story of family, friendship, love, and loss. Get ready to ride the Burgoa express!

ljstalker

I enjoyed this book loved the characters, the way she added the truth on being a caretaker for the sick. from the beginning to the end a great book , thankyou

Great love

Great story
Love love love the narration.
There's a trigger FOR ME regarding Sophia (Anderson's Mom), which I'm watching the most important person in my life go through right now. So, needless to say this stung me a little. Although this story is not really about that so much.
This love story had its ups and some downs, but nothing plot twisting. It was told well, and narrated perfectly. Must read/listen.

Heartfelt Listen

Until I Fall by Claudia Burgoa is such a wonderful heartfelt romance. I was immediately pulled into the story of Aspen and Anderson, and thought it was awesome that the author wrote it based on one of her relatives. The narration by Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross is incredible. I was expecting them to perform it their duet style, and found this book to be different (dual narration) in a great way. The chemistry and emotions they brought to the characters was perfect.

Great listen!

Super emotional and moving story with fantastic narrators. I received a free review copy of this audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.

Emotionally raw and beautiful!

This book....this book...it took me by surprised. I had heard some buzz around it, but it was nothing like I expected. Aspen and Anderson's story is one book hangover that will stay with me for a while. Aspen is trudging through life. Her fiance, Michael's unexpected death years earlier has made her cautious and unwilling to love again. Anderson, a special ops man is home with his mom who just so happens to be Aspen's neighbor. And the sparks ignite. But that isn't enough to start their romance. It's sweet, slow burning, and passionate, heart wrenching, sad and full of pain. Emotional journeys taking me on that roller coaster of life, not just the falling love, but real life occurrences are so real, my heart is right there with them. Dealing with sick parents and bad family relationships, and how well developed this was in Until I Fall kept me enveloped in Aspen and Hawk's growing connection and how together they worked through life.

I love Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross and found this dual narration by them to be spectacular. It's the first time I have heard this from the duo and they worked it seamlessly. Both have such distinct styles and voices that even playing the opposite sex, it was easy to follow. I loved their emotional chemistry and fell in love with the characters with their narration.

Great action

Such a lovely book. Lots of emotion and great characters that will have you laughing, crying and everything in between. Well written. Fantastic performances from both Kai and Wen.

Falling in love never felt so hard

This was a great listen I loved the two main characters Aspen & Anderson. Aspen had had a rough time and was finding it almost impossible to move on with her life. She put all her efforts into becoming a great doctor and saving lives. I loved how Aspen and Anderson met and how the relationship developed you could almost feel the pain in every word but at the same the love as well. It must of been hard to give your heart again to someone who could be gone so easy but I am glad she gave Anderson a chance. This is a very different story for most I have listened to and I loved it so much. Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross are just fantastic they just pull you into the story and make it so easy to picture it in your head I just love Kai's voice it's so vulnerable almost girl next door I just love it she does angry so well. Wen Ross had such a great Alpha voice I could listen all day so together you always get something so special. This is a Duel narration I have never heard them do duel as I have only heard them do Duet at first I was a little disappointed but literally only for 5 minutes then I was drawn onto the story. I do hope more of Claudia Burgoa's books are made into Audio as I cant wait to listen.