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A Dark Taboo Romance (Neighbors of Sapphire Valley, Book 1)

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About this listen

Calista

Everyone has a past, but mine is a storm that never stops chasing me. When my life goes up in flames by my own doing, I'm left with an impossible choice: lose everything I've built or hide out in a remote cabin with a killer. My plan is to rebuild the vacation home where my family once spent summers, hoping it will distract me from the chaos. But there's one major complication: my roommate is way too hot. And who is this too-hot roommate? My damn step-uncle. He's a convicted murderer with a history as dark as my own, and maybe this cabin isn't the only thing I'm desperate to repair.

Ronan

Fifteen years behind bars, and freedom tastes no sweeter than my old concrete cell. I figured I'd drink myself into an early grave or wind up back in prison. Then my little step-niece showed up, begging to stay at the place my brother let me live in. She's fixing up the cabin, but I can see it in her eyes that I'm also on the plans for repairs. But I don't need fixing; I'm not broken, just forgotten. She's a beautiful fighter with secrets she's not ready to share. But she's in a cage with a lion that's been starved too long, and now that I'm free, I've got an appetite that will only be satisfied by her.

©2025 M.L. Burns (P)2025 Blue Nose Publishing
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ALC REVIEW
5⭐️

The title says it all,
Yes this is a dark taboo romance but it is so much more.
This was so heartbreaking to lisen too
I sobbed at parts, Ronan no one deserves to have went through what he did, this traumatic child hood his family made my blood boil, id to take a break.

Calista with a traumatic past finds herself falling for the one man she shouldnt fall for.

Jasmine one sorry excuse for a mum, what Claista went thru because of her, theres no excuse addict or not.

That plot twist wasn't expecting that at all.

I like how this is a Taboo but with older Fmc, & yes hes older still. Full of spice And the daddy kink it was just right amount with out over doing it.

That bonfire scene 🔥 and im not talking about the flames.

Andi & Sebastian are such talented narrators but they were exceptional in this duet and I will definitely be looking out for more of them narrating together.


Parts of this is real life for so many.
Check Trigger Warnings

Top listen of October

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😆 as the title suggests I don't know if I was being totally gormless or just so engrossed in the story that I missed all the hints of the twist that comes along, I normally kind of guess but this one I didn't see coming, after listening to the Filthy Duet recently when this one popped up I couldn't wait to listen, although totally different it was just as good, raw, real characters with history and trauma but so likeable and paintfully beautiful, my heart ached for Ronan and Calista, and Ronan can take a spot on the book boyfriend list all day long! can't wait to listen to the next one.

Gormless or engrossed? I didn't see the twist,

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Listener received this title free

This is book one in The Neighbors of Sapphire Valley series.

This book was beyond any star rating infinite stars I wish I could rate it that way cause it was just everything.

This is a dark taboo romance full of trauma and secrets with forced proximity, age gap, only soft for HER (all of the goodness) . If ML Burns writes it I’m going to read it ok! There is something about her writing that just speaks to my soul like she completely breaks me and collects my tears but then heals everything back together so beautifully. She is a true mastermind! Her writing is truly beautiful and full of real raw feeling and omg i don’t know what more to say than it truly is everything. I need in my life. I also really love how the book title plays a part in this story.

I’m so glad I waited for the audio for this story it was brought to life in so a magical way. This story follows Ronan as he is freshly released from prison and needing a place to stay and Calista who also needs a place to stay and she had a recent house fire so they both end up at the same place. There is secrets that Calista keeps close to her chest which I guessed wrong every time. This story is full of raw vulnerability and really heartbreaking moments as well as some beautiful moments where both RoRo and Cal really connected.

This was performed in duet by Andi Eloise & Sebastian York. This narrating duo is SO GOOD OMG!

Andi has this ability to bring out all the emotion of the character she is performing. She really hit me in my feels. Calista has a lot of trauma in her past which is still impacting her and secrets she is hiding and Andi performed all this to perfection! She has was perfectly casted.

Sebastian as Ronan was just so incredible he brought all the anger and frustration that Ronan holds after all he has experienced as well as showing all the vulnerability Ronan truly has. They both were truly outstanding in this.

Taboo Romance at is best!!

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Incredible story, perfect narration.
It’s hot and steamy, and an emotional roller coaster! I was not ready but sooooo sad it’s over. This is defo one of my favs of 2025 ❤️

Just Wow

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Listener received this title free

This was my first M.L. Burns book, and it won’t be my last. This is the first book in the Neighbors of Sapphire Valley series. It's a dark, age-gap, taboo romance. Calista and Ronan’s story is well-paced, intense, raw, complex, emotional, dark, heartbreaking, and passionate—filled with intrigue, danger, tension, push and pull, and plenty of twists and turns. They’re two tortured souls—enigmatic, intriguing, and captivating. Ronan is ruthless, dominant, and protective. Calista is a beautiful, strong, and brave. The chemistry between them is sizzling hot, and some scenes are absolutely heart-wrenching. The plot is enthralling. Andi Eloise and Sebastian York did an outstanding job bringing these characters and their story to life. If you enjoy dark romance, with BDSM elements, this one’s for you. I’m looking forward to listening to the next in the series.

Intense, raw and complex!

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