Wild Man

By: Kristen Ashley

Narrated by: Kate Russell

Length: 13 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's Summary

She's about to walk on the wild side....

While filling the display case in her bakery, the bell over the door sounds and Tessa O'Hara looks up to see the man of her dreams. Within 30 seconds he asks her out for a beer. But after four months of dating, she discovers he's an undercover DEA agent - and he's investigating her possible role in her ex-husband's drug business. For Tess, this means their relationship is over.  

Brock disagrees. He's committed to his anti-drug mission, but he's fallen in love with the beautiful woman who's as sweet as her cupcakes - and he'll do anything to win her back. 

Standing between Tess and Brock are their own exes, one of them a drug lord who's determined to get what he wants. Now as danger threatens, can Brock break the rules he's lived by and let loose his wild side to protect the woman he loves? 

©2013 Kristen Ashley (P)2013 Hachette Audio

bad narrator

Kate Russell is good with womens voices, but all men sound like fast talking screaming banchies, really ruined the book.

The Dream Man Series is Irresistible

This was another great listen from Kristen Ashley’s Dream Man series. Although it started out a little slow, the overall story was fantastic. I loved the fact that both characters were a little bit older (in their 40’s) and more mature. They didn’t fight over stupid things and always managed to work things out by talking about their problems. Despite all the drama from ex-spouses, kids, etc. they had each other’s backs and were completely committed to one another. I could really relate to this couple.

Kristen Ashley is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I love her unique writing style and Kate Russell’s narration is spot on.

Another 5 star listen!

A Missed Opportunity

The publisher's summary leads one to believe this is a story about an undercover DEA agent falling in love with his innocent mark. Au contraire! That's just the short prologue. The reader gets to check in after all the good stuff has happened. We check in at the point where she's brought in for questioning, forgives him, then decides to give the relationship a try. The story is really all about how two people make a relationship work when they both have crazy ex-spouses bent on mayhem, meddlesome family and friends with tons of baggage, and their own terrible life experiences to contend with. I think the story would have been way more interesting if we got to be there from the get-go, right when the deception started. We didn't even get glimpses of their early relationship via flashbacks. I felt gypped! I also felt the f-bomb was extremely over-used. I'm not against the f-bomb when it fleshes out a character and makes sense within the context of the story, however; this was just f-bomb ridiculous! And f-bomb distracting! Plus, I found the sex scenes boring. I made good use of my fast forward button. Finally, the narrator decided a lot of the characters needed to have Joey the Thug, I hang out with Snookie on the Jersey shore accents even though we're in Colorado and nobody was an east coast transplant--another distraction. 2 stars seems a little harsh, and I almost gave it a 3 star rating, or an average rating. After all, I finished it without having to force myself. The characters were likeable and I did want to see them get their HEA. I'd say this one fell just a pinch short of average for the genre.

This book began with a bang...literally ;)

One moment Tessa is having hot sex with 'Jake' the man she's been dating for the past 4 months & the next she discovers 'Jake' is actually an undercover cop whose been investigating her. (Brock Lucas is a DEA agent that we originally met in book 1, Mystery Man.) During her interrogation we learn that Tessa O'Hara has had a rough past. For 10 years she was married to Damian Heller, whom turned out to be a drug criminal. The Denver Police Department thought she was involved in her ex's activities but instead hear a heartbreaking confession about the life she endured in the hands of her ex-husband. And of course, while the questioning was taking place, Brock was listening in and discovers the horrible dark secret she voices out loud. This was not the confession the cops expected & ultimately she is found innocent. Tess feels betrayed when she realizes that Jake/Brock was using her. She's so hurt because she finally had allowed herself to open up & trust a man again. Three months later, after giving her space to heal, Brock shows up and in his typical, no-bullshit, we-will-deal-with-this-properly attitude, demands she listen to him and hear his side of the story. The combination of her being reasonable and him not playing games and being completely honest about things leads them into a beautiful relationship. The sexual chemistry between Brock & Tess was smoking HOT!! Brock may have been rough around the edges but he was also very protective & he took great care of Tess, which was something she always needed. Tess's character made this book shine. She was simply fabulous! I admired her straightforwardness and simple honesty. She didn't play games with Brock either. She told him exactly what she felt, thought, and wanted. She was open, honest, and caring. Her character was a breath of fresh air and I adored her. Tess and Brock together are a fantastic couple. Their banter is hilarious. Plus, Tessa instantly & whole-heartedly accepted Brock's boys into her life. Even when her ex-husband and his crazy ex-wife attempt to cause lots of drama, they both refuse to ever let anything come between them. In fact, most of the time things just end up bringing them closer together as a family unit. Overall, I truly enjoyed and loved this story. It was different than book 1, less action-packed, more focused on relationship development, and family drama. Plus, its filled with yummy, hot, swoon/drool-worthy alpha men, strong heroines, and an engaging plot line. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

This Narrator Infuriates Me

How could the performance have been better?

They should have used a different narrator for this whole series. She USES A JERSEY SHORE ACCENT THAT IS TOTALLY WRONG FOR THESE BOOKS SET IN COLORADO. It must be her own accent slipping through and the director doesn't realize she has a New Yorker or Jersey Shore accent because that's where he's from too so he doesn't hear it and call her on it.

After all the negative reviews complaining about this narrator, you'd think they'd give us a different one, but it looks like they are not going to get rid of her, so WE SUFFER. The only people who aren't bothered by the inappropriate accent are people who actually have that accent. For everyone else in the US and Canada its extremely annoying and unattractive.

I love KAs books so I grit my teeth and suffer thru it. Sometimes at the really important parts I think to myself, how would my dream man say that line? so I pause the audio and say it again in my head with a sexy tone, husky pitch, and normal cadence. As I try to banish icky images of Joe Pesci or Danny DaVito from my mind and replace it with something much hotter. Needless to say, the male voices are just WRONG in so many ways. So the book is basically ruined because of the horrible, annoying narrator.

My advice: READ THIS BOOK INSTEAD, and don't buy or listen to any audiobooks narrated by Kate Russell.
GET A CLUE AND STOP USING THIS NARRATOR FOR KRISTEN ASHLEY'S BOOKS!

I love the story...

What did you love best about Wild Man?

I love the story and the characters...especially the way it's building into a circle of friends...

What didn’t you like about Kate Russell’s performance?

I have listened to this entire series and am completely baffled as to why the voices...set in Denver...are normal in the first book and somehow in the following books everyone ends up sounding like they are in New York. Especially when you've heard the character in the previous book and now he suddenly sounds like he is from Brooklyn or something. It's very distracting when you listen to books all the time and especially when you like the books so much and WANT to like the narration.

umm... Not as wild as I expected

After listen/reading mystery man, by Kristen Ashley... well I just expected more. I liked it.. but this was extremely calm by nature compared to other KA books. The action was extremely down played by the drama of Brock's ex-wife... Man that chick was crazy...

Brock, although undercover, in mystery man was way way way more bad ass hot guy. In this, ironically he was kinda mild, even though the title is Wild Man. I really didn't get the Wild feeling from him. Brock has a temper, yes.. but seriously... Olivia stole the show... Olivia being Brock's ex wife.

Tess was sweet, and remained kinda dense throughout the whole book...but it worked for Brock..

There was nothing per say wrong with the story... but I think my expectations of this book... had me on pins and needles for the crazy action to start...but it never did...so I was disappointed.

Where was the smex too... I mean it was there...but eh... it was just... eh...

I think this book sadly got a dose of "2nd book syndrome"... I really, really hope Mitch Lawson's book (book 3) is better.. Mitch was introduced along with Brock and Tack in book one... so my expectation, yet again... are set pretty high for Mitch's book. Maybe some redemption can be done for the disappointment of this book.

Again.. the book (this one) is not bad..well worth the listen/read, as any KA book is... but definitely, this book has a calmer feel to it compared to the other KA books on audible.

Use a credit on this... don't buy... This is worth the wait for the credit too, if by chance you don't have one handy dandy...

Narration was great... no issues there...

Not at all what I expected

I know many will not agree with me purely based on the four point something stars given to this book by other reviewers. I can only listen to half of this book. There is absolutely NO storyline behind this. This is what happened in the first half. The heroine is very weak, never stands up for herself. He doesn't have to do much at all for her to forgive him except looking hot and saying he got made hearing about her tragedy. And oh yes, the best part, the only reason she keeps stating for her non controllable draw to him is his "gorgeous looks". REALLY? she actually complains about how fiery his behavior is and how she tries to not make any comments at all when he is mad. So apparently looks is the only reason for her being with him. As for him, he states, again, that she never gets in his way no matter what he does and she does not complain. This translates into I am so hot and the only requirement I have is a woman who will not contradict me. Then all is good. My intelligence was badly insulted with this book and I was so sick of hearing "babe", "Eyes". I have read both in other books written by her but I did not mind it before since I enjoyed the book I was reading. This one has no redeeming qualities I could mention at all. All fluff and no substance. I normally like K Ashley, but with this book, don't waist your time.

Absolutely loved it!!

This book is a definite keeper and reread for me. The relationship between Brock and Tess felt very real and not forced or rushed. It was extremely refreshing that misunderstandings were immediately cleared up and there was no prolonged, unnecessary drama due to assumptions by either party. The tone of this book is a bit different from Mystery Man, no covert operative missions and secret lair but your average family man/woman with normal problems. It's no less as good and entertaining than the first in the series. Strongly recommend it and worth a credit!

Wow Hot!!!!!

Okay the book is Fantastic!!! All that and a bag of chips! Yes, this is wonderful book. Wonderful love affair. Wonderful relationship. Again......my house didn't get clean and the dinner didn't get cooked. And No I didn't care! But can I just say Elvira is a freakin' HOOT!!! Totally loved this chick in the first book and loved her again in this book. :) And no I am not finished with this book yet ....... but I have the biggest grin on my face just because it is just that kind of feel good book. It took me forever to get to this second book. But I can't wait to listen to the 3rd one.

KA and KR, ya'll are a totally awesome combination! Wow Slims voice and words just made me melt.

It was worth my credit and I think it will be worth yours too!

Not my favourite KA book

I am a huge fan of KA but didn’t find this book all that exciting and I actually struggled to finish it. It was quite slow, very repetitive at times and the story line wasn’t all that great. I normally love the character’s she creates but I didn’t connect with Brock or Tess all that much. It won’t put me off reading more of her books as I’m sure this was just a one off.

Really enjoyed it

I loved this book. Tessa and Slim story is a lovely second chance in love story. All the drama was entertaining and I, along with everyone else that read this book, hate Olivia.
The narrator is really good but she still mixes up the voices a few times.

Couldn't make it through

I just finished the Rock Chick series and thought I would try this. Though the story seems promising the narration is abysmal and I had to stop. The narrator reads the lead and internal monologue bearably but has given the male lead the most godawful voice which seems to be a cross between the Bronx and Boston. It totally kills him as a character.

Fun addition to the series

An addictive read. Tess is in love with a biker. They've taken it slow over months and she finally allows him into her bed only to have him rush off straight after. Tess's house is immediate raided by the police and she can only imagine it has something to do with her ex -husband. Very quickly everything unravels, she finds out she's been played and her wild man wasn't hers after all.

There are lies and deceit but always an explanation. Alpha dialogue is the name of this game but in this case it worked for me. Such a good read from start to finish.

Fantastic classic KA

Loved Brock & Tess , classic KA Alpha badass finds his girl .
Won’t give spoilers just buy and enjoy!

Very slow

I returned this book after sticking it out for 2to 3 hours. It was very slow and I found the use of bad language excessive and unnecessary

Another KA book let down by narrator

As with my previous review of "Law Man", I have the same problem with this book. This book is another of my Kristen Ashley favourites that I have read several times, however in this audio version, the narrator, although very good, simply cannot do an "alpha male" voice. Her males voices are very similar to her female voices and it does spoil the whole listening experience. As with "Law Man" I gave up at the first chapter, purely due to the narration spoiling the vibe for me. Recommend you read this in print form and avoid the audio.

Brilliant

I love this series so was very pleased with myself when I found it on audio Kristen ashley is my favourite author so getting to hear her books as well as read them is definitely a bonus

5 ALL ALPHA STARS

I love a tough hero who goes all out to win the heroine after he's acting like a prize prat, nobody writes alpha leads like KA and this is just yet another epic love story with a suspenseful and dramatic plot as well.
Great narration too!

Another winner

Wow. Brock's hot, a proper man's man, I knew it straight away. Although in book 1 he does come across as a complete a@%hole, we learn his reasons in this book, and it only endears me to him more. His one fault, I've got to say, is his very foul mouth! Swearing I have no problem with, but I wish he hadn't been quite so crude. That said, everything else about him is pretty perfect. Tess, is his equal in every way, and I love them as a couple. This story has it all.....love, passion, emotion, mystery, suspense, ex wives and husbands and a fab group of friends. Loved the writing and the story (the cop and the cup cake maker against the evil exes). Another winner for me.