Jul
I received this book for free from the Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Beyond the Thistles by Samantha Young Narrator: Shane East, Stella Hunter
Length: 10 hours and 12 minutes
Series: The Highlands #1
Published by Samantha Young
on June 16, 2023
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Format: Audiobook
Source: the Author
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He's a brooding bodyguard. She's a single mom on the run. And in a town this small, they can't hide from their fierce attraction....
It’s been a long time since Walker Ironside left behind Scotland and the memories that haunt him. Yet after years of traveling the world as a bodyguard, Walker misses his homeland enough to return. To a village in the Scottish Highlands that plays host to an exclusive members-only club, Ardnoch Estate. If not happy, Walker is content working with the elite security at the club and maintaining his bachelor lifestyle. What he doesn’t need is distraction in the form of the enticing but too-young newcomer, single mother Sloane Harrow.
Sloane never imagined she’d get pregnant at sixteen. Or that a decade later she’d escape from California with her daughter, Callie, to start over in the Scottish Highlands. Hidden and safe from Callie’s dangerous father, Sloane is satisfied with their new lives. Her daughter is happy. Sloane has a stable job, a quaint cottage, a passion for baking that might just be turning into a business, and a huge crush on brooding security guard Walker Ironside. Unfortunately, the grumpy Scot seems immune to Sloane’s charm, but she can’t help but try to seduce him with cupcakes and baked treats whenever the opportunity arises.
However, when someone arrives in Ardnoch intent on destroying Sloane’s life, Walker is the first to step forward to protect her and Callie. Even if it means giving into temptation and awakening his own demons. Because in doing so, Walker faces failing not only to shield Sloane from her past, but to safeguard her against his own.
Anyone who knows me, knows I’m a huge Samantha Young fan. And I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of her ARC team for a while now. In April I read and reviewed ‘Beyond The Thistles’ and I absolutely loved that book. So when they were looking for people to listen to the audiobook of ‘Beyond The Thistles’ I got super excited. I’ve been enjoying audiobooks more and more these last few months, so listening to one of my favorite books sounded perfect. And lucky me, I got send the Audiobook of ‘Beyond The Thistles’ a few weeks ago.
Let’s start by the story of ‘Beyond The Thistles’. ‘Beyond The Thistles’ was one of my most anticipated reads and boy did this book excel all my expectations! I loved ‘Beyond The Thistles’ from the moment I started reading and even though I read it a few weeks back, now being able to listen to it felt like magic. The slow-burn between Sloane and Walker was so good and I loved the intensity between those two.
Next to some toe-curling romance, there was plenty of suspense in this book. Add some fun and amazing friendships, a sweet and endearing little girl and I couldn’t get enough of this read. Even now I knew how this story went, it kept me sitting on the edge of my seat.
Now let me tell you about this book as an audiobook. I was a bit scared about listening to a story that is set in the Scottish Highlands. Would the narrators be able to do the book and the Scottish accents justice? Well, I shouldn’t have worried. Shane West and Stella Hunter did a great job in narrating this story and I enjoyed every moment of this book through their voices.
The narration of Walker by Shane West was amazing. His dark voice with a Scottish accent was something else! It definitely made me swoon, and it fitted the character of Walker to perfection. I simple couldn’t get enough of listening to him talk. And Stella definitely worked as the American Sloan as well.
‘Beyond The Thistles’ is a great read, and listening to it as an audiobook was just a damn great bonus in my opinion.
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About Samantha Young
Samantha Young is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. She's been nominated for several Goodreads Choice Awards. Samantha writes adult contemporary and paranormal romance, YA urban fantasy and YA contemporary fiction and is currently published in 31 countries. She resides in Scotland.
About Shane East
Having acted on stage, in TV & film, and dabbled in voice work since graduating drama school, Shane moved to Los Angeles a whopping ten years ago (how time flies!) and after several years of more work in TV, commercials and independent film he found his love of voice acting – and its love of him – actually made for a pretty dynamite partnership.
About Stella Hunter
Stella Hunter is a classically trained vocalist and a lifelong performer who loves being both on stage and behind the mic. Her voice is described as a blend of sensual and sweet, with a girl-next-door feel. She enjoys bringing to life all kinds of characters and performing all genres, from romance to paranormal/fantasy.
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Maureen is a mom, wife, nurse, and Ravenclaw living in the Netherlands. She spends her days juggling mom-life, reading, blogging, planning date nights with her husband and working as a nurse. Maureen also is a big Anglophile, loves cooking, Gilmore Girls, Bridgerton and Harry Potter.. Always! Facebook | Instagram
Great review you have there. I am glad you ended up enjoying this one so much, and yes the narration was just right for this one.
Thanks. It was perfect!
I haven’t read from this author in a long while, but that blurb… your words… I might have to dip my toes in again 🙂
Great review! XO
Thanks Natalie. And yes!! You really should read her books again. They are soooo good!
Shane East is such an amazing narrator – one of my favorites. I’m not surprised he really handled the accent well and did such a great job voicing Walker.
I can definitely understand why he is your favorite! I loved listening to his voice.