Poorly written fifty shades of grey wannabe

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Nothing, this book is hard to listen to it is so poorly written.

What was most disappointing about Sandi Lynn’s story?

The story tries to mimic 50 shades of grey but is lacking in all aspects and just falls short.

What didn’t you like about Kasha Kensington’s performance?

Narrators voice was not enjoyable.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Lie Next to Me?

I would tell the author to start fresh and not imitate someone else's story line.

3 people found this helpful

Not believable

I didn't believe they fell in love. Sure Rory did but Ian treated her horribly throughout the entire book until the last 2 chapters

2 people found this helpful

Terrible

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Better story.. Better character development.

What was most disappointing about Sandi Lynn’s story?

Everything is disappointing. The beginning is too far fetched. He saves her and all the sudden they have a love/hate relationship and she is living in his house spending his money? The dialogue is I want you/stay away from me/I love you . It is too much back and forth with no reason for it. Rory says she is trying to save her twin brother but never goes looking for him? The twin brother is schizophrenic but sounds like a little child?

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Kasha Kensington?

Narration wasn't bad but the writing and story were so bad it ruined the entire thing.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Absolutely none. Couldn't finish it.

Any additional comments?

Don't waste a credit or any money on this story it is a poorly written bipolar soap opera.

2 people found this helpful

Simplistic, one dimensional, unbelievable

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Seriously, I can't imagine who would enjoy this book. Perhaps someone using heavy power tools who wants to be confident they haven't missed anything important when the noise prevents them from hearing the narration?

Would you ever listen to anything by Sandi Lynn again?

I would approach this author's work with a great deal of skepticism.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

The narrator can't do much if the writing is dreadful. It may have been better if she refused the job but perhaps she needed the money.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Lie Next to Me?

Uhmmm, the beginning? The end? everything in between? I skipped a large part of the book.

Any additional comments?

The characters are unbelievable, the dialogue is simplistic, there is no tension, the plot is....well...childish.

2 people found this helpful

Disappointing

Would you try another book from Sandi Lynn and/or Kasha Kensington?

I would try another book by this author because I try 2 books before I decide an author is just not for me.

What was most disappointing about Sandi Lynn’s story?

This book was so disappointing because it has great reviews on Amazon. I don’t see what the other readers got out of this story. It’s clear the author is riding the wave of Fifty Shades of Gray. That is not too bad because we all get inspiration from something. My problem is the book includes aspects of Fifty Shades of Gray unnecessarily, it adds nothing to the plot. What is the point of mentioning he has a sex room when it wasn’t used in the story, to point out that Rory is so special he won’t take her there? There are other ways to show that to the reader without adding the sex room. In addition the story just starts bad. She gets stabbed and instead of taking her to the hospital he takes her home, where in the world do people do that? On top of that Rory is so annoying but she’s much like many women which was the only believable part of the story. One of the reason men lie to women is because women can’t deal with the truth. Ian was very up front with Rory about his views on relationships but could she handle that, NO! Her mission was to change him and this story only drives home the myth that women have, you can change any man and make him fall in love with you. This book was just bad all around.

Which scene was your favorite?

When she stood up to Ian's father.

What character would you cut from Lie Next to Me?

The main character Rory

7 people found this helpful

I JUST LOVE SANDI LYNN'S BOOKS

Yes, I'll admit Ian's a sexy, handsome and drool worthy millionaire but he's also a womanising douche-bag who's arrogant, demanding and all Alpha so it's kinda hard to like him at first. But, as time went on, his feelings grew for poor Rory who's had a lot of hardship in her life and a mentally challenged twin to look after but that has just made her stronger. Thankfully, she didn't take Ian's bullsh*t and as a result of this he became much more likeable as his character did a 180 degree turn and so could Rory actually be 'the one' to finally catch this rich Playboy's heart..... and will she then be able to keep him.

Total implausible plot..... but so what this is romantic FICTION and I love it. Right from the start it captured me, held my attention and I was desperate to find out if they were going to get their much deserved HEA. But, as there's a book 2 I doubt whether things are going to run smoothly for long. Instant chemistry, sizzling sex and dirty talk, angst, a cast of likeable (and a couple of nasty) secondary individuals and great character development makes this a very enjoyable and entertaining listen.

Told from Rory's POV and the narrator was great at both the female (and perhaps more importantly) the male voices.

Worth a credit? Rory is definitely a damsel in distress but will Ian turn out to be her knight in shining armour and save her or perhaps it will be the other way round? Only time and the second book will reveal the answers to that question.... so this is actually a 2 credit listen and I'm happily off to listen to book 2 knowing that this was a credit well spent and hoping book 2 won't disappoint.

6 people found this helpful

so good!

The angst in this one almost killed me but I really enjoyed this story! Great narration!


I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. The fact that I was gifted this book had no influence over my opinion of it.

Powerful story with angst and emotion

I am always as amazed at the narrator's ability to capture the essence and flavor of characters as I am at how well author's bring characters so vividly into you as you read or listen to the story. Me Kensington was awesome at slipping in and out of each person a as you heard the intricacy of the relationship between Ian and Aurora (Rory) swirl into a rollercoaster of emotions. Ian was undoubtedly a total assets who fought with all he had his growing love for Rory. I often thought Rory was just too darn easy with Ian, but it truly was her useless love for him that broke through his every barrier. I say bravo to both author and narrator for a great romance experience.

Terribly written and read.

Would you try another book from Sandi Lynn and/or Kasha Kensington?

I would not recommend this book. The writing style is poor and the reader is even worse. I may have been able to get through the book if the reader had been better but as it stands, I only listened to maybe 3 chapters before I couldn't take it any longer. Unfortunately I could not exchange this book because I had had it in my library for over 2 years. Audible has a 1 year policy on exchanges. I would not read/listen to another book by Sandi Lynn.

Has Lie Next to Me turned you off from other books in this genre?

No

How could the performance have been better?

I did not like this reader at all.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

No

Any additional comments?

Wish I could exchange it for something better!! :-)

Ain't Gonna Lie... Didn't Love This

I didn't love this book. The writing was weak, which surprised me since I've read other of Lynn's books and liked them. Maybe the narration helped it a bit but even that wasn't so great.

If you listen to this, you will want to also listen to book two to get the full story. Good news... ive read both and the second book is better. In the end, I was satisfied with the series.

I review for Guilty Indulgence Review Site.