Not the usual cliched book. Really liked it.

Where does Axel's Pup rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In the top half

What did you like best about this story?

It's not the usual fare, Baydon is tough, prickly and not very sub like. Axel is having to work hard to find his way through to becoming Baydon's Dom.

Any additional comments?

Just really an excellent read.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

🥳 The Best Dom/Sub Depiction. Ever!!

The world building in Axel’s Pup is absolutely phenomenal. Kim Dare creates a lore, language, culture, value system around werewolves and then positions them as second-class citizens. The implications reverberate in the relationship between Axel and Bayden. This story is about how our protagonists choose to communicate oh so slowly and agonizingly and painstakingly to bridge their inter-species divide, class divide and Dom/Sub divide. With Axel’s maturity and Bayden’s trust, together they develop a very engaging relationship. This is a long, slow burn romance but hold on for the final three chapters because you had best believe that they are beyond gratifying?!? Yas! Nuanced. Elegant. Edited to Perfection. The author absolutely stuck the landing!! Kink is most definitely not my thing but the way that Ms Dare explores it in AP is emotional: I felt it! I appreciate the pleasure in ‘kinky’ sex for those who play, the desire for the restraints, denials, gear, accessories etc. and the attitude and sub-culture surrounding BDSM. No, I am no expert but I am richer from reading about it!

🎧 I found this book because I was searching for everything narrated by Chris Clog – I do enjoy his voices particularly a ‘bright’ baritone (though he did not use that voice for Axel as l had hoped!) However, he absolutely and assuredly nailed Axel and Bayden: I just cannot over emphasise how perfectly pitched his performance was. CC's vocal acting conveyed the different emotions – negative, positive, sensual, heartbreaking - and listen for Bayden's growth in confidence in the final chapters! Mr Clog's narration is damn near flawless.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Oh. my. Oh. my!

This is one of the most epic tales I've read/listened to in a very very long time. The start is slow and the pace takes minute details into consideration because it absolutely has to.

As the story progresses, the author makes you sink slowly into the minds of the leading men and sweet Lord, she is good at it. I flinch when Baden takes a hit. My heart rate sky rockets when Axel panics. I am enraged when narrow minded cowards take pot shots. She writes this so well that I'm there. Maybe being part of a minority group helps me to empathise with Baden more but the story is written so well, I can understand Axel's confusion as he comes from the opposite side of the divide too.

And then there's the sex... get yourself some ice cubes, a good AC, and warn your partner that you may require some 'assistance' later. Don't say I didn't warn you!

Lastly, the narrator is likely one of the best narrator's I've come across on Audible. His ability to stay in character, make it clear which character is speaking, create the right mood for a scene with just his voice. So talented!

This book ended and I literally sighed. I sighed because it was a long ride and finally it was over. I sighed because I will miss these characters I've come to love. And I sighed because I don't know when next I'll find a book as dedicated to drawing you in deep as this one did.

I wonder if we'll ever see this world evolve, especially if we'll see more of the changing of the pack laws. Absolutely beautifully written Ms Dare.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

Enjoyable Story

The concept is interesting and well written. The characters are likeable and the narration is good.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Nice but WAY too long

I enjoyed the first 15hrs of this audiobook, however it became really repetitive and the last 5hours was a struggle. To be honest , if i'd have read the ebook i'd have skipped a lot. However the great narrator kept me listening.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

Great performance!

I loved this story when I read it last year. Chris Clog is a new narrator to me, but I felt he did a stellar job with this. It was always very clear who was speaking, or even if they weren't speaking, just thinking. He imbued the story with plenty of emotion, and I think he was the perfect choice. Will definitely listen to this again.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

i love it

i love the moment when you're walking along and forget the headphones are in and nobody else is listening and a line is delivered so week that you burst out laughing and everyone looks at you like you've escaped from the loony bin or you actually say oh no and cover your mouth.. that's how this book had me feeling totally recommend it x

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

Hum

Not much research here. Never heard any serious biker use the term 'Motorbikes' - that's worried mummy's term for them.

The story hold's your interest but the repeat dialogue can be a distraction. If this is set in South Wales then the pub is not only improbable, it's prepostrous. Fantasy needs some kind of tenuous attachment to make the story 'live'. Reset to the seedy backlot Los Angeles and you're on a winner.

As an exploration of, forgive me, love in harness, this is interesting.

That said...

I enjoyed it.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

My favourite in the genre by far!!!

If you could sum up Axel's Pup in three words, what would they be?

I loved the book itself by Kim Dare, the characters are so perfectly flawed and engrossing and enthralling and the world the author builds grips you from the start, instantly making you want to learn more. The story isn't broken with it either, you find out pieces of the world as you go so naturally and i love both the main characters. Hope there is a sequel one day!!! The reader really brings them to life, the accents are spot on and so stunning you almost think they're two different people reading. I couldn't fault his voice for this book, i was tentative to listen because i loved the book so much but he really did it justice! This story knocks any others even remotely similar out of the park, the perfect mix of steamy scenes, storyline and intimacy between two men without making either of them effeminate or weak or any of the other cliches that some less talented authors do. Just perfect. All of it.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Probably Axel, he's just the perfect top/Dom (whatever you want to call it). He's rough without being a total arse you can't relate to and the voicing was just spot on for him. Loved immensely! The reader gave me chills in some of his parts.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Probably just after the 'punishment'. Where they really connect and realise all that's important.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Same as above, i think that's why i liked it.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

So good!

What made the experience of listening to Axel's Pup the most enjoyable?

I squealed in excitement when I saw this book appear on audible and had to have it instantly! It is my all time favourite book, made better by the performance! I loved that it was narrated by an English narrator so the accents matched with the characters.

Which character – as performed by Chris Clog – was your favourite?

Chris Clog's version of the characters didn't match up with the voices in my head - Axel sounded rougher and older than I would have placed, and Bayden sounded younger and more high pitched. In saying that, I grew to enjoy Chris' narration so much that by the end of the book, I was completely absorbed and didn't notice the difference at all.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful