better than I expected after reading some reviews.

I loved the first book and bought this one straight away. I happened on some critical reviews of this book on goodreads before I started the book, which made me think I wouldn't enjoy it. all I can say is, if you're going to be that critical of a book maybe you shouldn't be reading fiction. I enjoyed the book, yes it has some issues but both characters are dealing with overwhelming grief in there own way and nobody is perfect.
Vandal is unconsciously looking for distraction while in his own, all be it misinformed way, thinking he can help Tabie, while desperately but not admitting to himself, his need to be loved and accepted. you can't lose sight of the fact he had a very troubled childhood and adolescence and never learnt how to be taken care of and only had a very short time with his daughter to learn how to take care of another person, while also not self destructing at the same time.
like many who have had a troubled upbringing, he has turned to BDSM to bring structure and control to his life. he has never had a proper/healthy dom/sub relationship before Tabie, so yes he makes odd mistakes along the way while he's learning to become what it's means to be in a healthy D/S relationship. however he's also dealing with the unfamiliar feelings and emotions of falling in love for the first time in his life, while coping with his grief and torn between trying to do what he thinks is the right thing to help, while knowing he's also deceiving Tabi.
Tabi has her own agenda which goes to shit when she falls in love with Vandal, while trying to deal with her grief and feelings of guilt knowing that Vandal despite his flaws is helping her. the story is about growth, leaning to heal, finding yourself again after loss and a really cute blind cat.
there is content around the grief that some people may find upsetting, so I advise you to check these before you embark on the book. I'm glad I ignored the hate as I really enjoyed the book, if like me you're looking to escape the 'real life' scenario and lose yourself in a book, then I'm sure you'll enjoy it too.
the performance from both narrator's was excellent, bringing both the characters and book to life.

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1 person found this helpful

really nice book

loved all the books...all the series are great....that was my favourite though....I really enjoyed it a lot...and the performance was great ...

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Wow

Wow what a twist at the last chapter, never saw that coming , brilliant book glad it was a happy ending.

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Great listen

If you think Storm is good then this is even better if thats possible very unexpected story with a relationship built on lies that develops so well and the unexpected twist well who would have guessed .
I can't recommend this listen enough Joe and Maxine perform there narration so well and I am looking forward to Lucas
5 big stars all the way

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3 people found this helpful

Wow, the feels are strong with this one

The first couple of chapters were tough going, bleeding heart stuff but the second half got a bit convoluted and ending could have been a bigger scene.

Very good bedroom scenes 👍😜❤️

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Love it!

Fantastic book and fantastic narrators.

I will say however that the kindle book has a very different ending! It was updated by the author this year. Tabitha comes over in a very different light because of that. I don't want to add any spoilers however.

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darker than book one.

Vandal is book 2 within the Ashes and Embers series.
I really didn't know what to expect with this story because Vandal was a bit of a mystery to me...This book spills out all the ugly truth of Vandals life.
This book broke me from the start as it begins with a tragedy and my heart was hurting for Vandal as he lost the most important person in his life and blames himself for it all.
Tabitha is a widow and she is consumed with grief and is at the point where she no longer wants to live.
These two meet at the cemetery and Vandal offers to take her for a ride to escape her sadness...taking them to his cabin ,one motorcycle ride turns into a 30 day arrangement.
For 30 days Tabitha must give herself to Vandal submit complete control to him and he will make her forget all the sadness and grief.
But unbeknowst to Tabitha her and Vandals life is entangled in more ways than she could even imagine..Vandal knows about this complication and keeps it a secret from her.
What will happen when she finds out the devestating reality that Vandal has decieved her from the beginning.
This story has some BDSM which is not really my thing so I did find Vandals dominance and anger cruel sometimes and uncomfortable.
Tabitha was new to the sub life and so acted defiant at times and would rouse Vandals anger..But what was only supposed to be a 30 day arrangement turns into two characters falling in love and healing one anothers broken parts.
I Love Carian Coles words and they were brought to life perfectly by Joe Arden and Maxine Mitchell's flawless narration.
This is a real emotional rollercoster...with lots of steam.
I did enjoy listening to it ..an interesting story.
5 Stars.

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Not for me

A little weird got me I’m afraid, ending was particularly left field.. no comparison to Storm or Lukas for that matter!

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Dom/Sub relationship

This is the dark side of the series, so watch out for triggers! Vandal is well named with his dark personality but I'm sorry, I found it hard to warm to him!

I'm pleased he found his match in Tabby and they completed each other. The twist at the end though was completely unexpected!

The narration was great, except Cordin Bleu is pronounced "blur" and not "blue"

#DomSub
#BdSM
#Childdeath
#Grief
#Steamy
#Selfharming
#Tattooist
#Musician

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Not as good as the first one… pretty toxic

The story is pretty sick and very toxic. Honestly no romance novel ever shows a proper dom-sub relationship. It’s the same as fifty shades, the woman is reluctant and the guy pushes her into it, it’s not at all voluntary on her side, she’s completely vulnerable and wanting to die from grief and this sick guy is taking advantage of her. Just no. Makes people who like S&M sound abusive when in reality this can be done with both parties being equally into it and not bullied into it. The woman here totally gets into this because of the toxic gas lighting and manipulation and then she develops feelings and she does whatever he wants to please him but not because she’s into being a sub. Not to mention he’s deceiving her the entire time. Ugh just no.

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