The Gals Best 2014 Romance Listens

What are the Gals Best Romance Listens from 2014? We asked all of our reviewers to join in this year and choose their top three romance listens. Although some of us chose the same audio, the selections still vary greatly and you’ll find twenty-three Best of 2014 listens on this year’s list.

1. Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase

Narrated by Kate Reading

Lord of Scoundrels (LOS) was overwhelmingly the number one audiobook of the year at AudioGals with seven of us choosing it as one of our Best of 2014 listens.

Brenda – After so many years of pining for this Loretta Chase classic – then nervously biting my nails wondering who the narrator would be – then counting down the days for the release Lord of Scoundrels – it was a dream come true. A flawless narration by Kate Reading, she didn’t miss the smallest nuance of attitude, feeling, or personalities and brought the much loved written word to life perfectly. It was indeed a dream come true listen. Released only two months into the year, I knew unless a miracle occurred, LOS was going to be my absolute favorite listen of 2014.

BJ – The combination of Kate Reading’s off the charts narration and the fantastic chemistry between this witty couple, make Lord of Scoundrels a must listen for all romance audiobook lovers. I would classify LOS as a must listen classic.

Kaetrin – One of my favourite historical romances, the choice of Kate Reading for narrator made this a delight to listen to. The characterisations were superb and the story is still a delight.

Caz – Given that we’ve just celebrated the 20^th anniversary of the first publication of Loretta Chase’s Lord of Scoundrels, it seems fitting to mention that first.  The story is a perennial favourite, a wonderfully witty yet deeply insightful romance in which the author turns a number of tropes on their heads as she tells the story of a seriously mixed-up young man whose miserable childhood has left him believing himself to be unlovable and the determined young woman who turns his life and everything he had believed about himself upside down. Thankfully, Blackstone Audio chose an incredible narrator to bring this beloved book to life, and Kate Reading does it proud and then some.  Her performance is nothing short of masterful; the characterisations are brilliant and she has a wonderful way with Ms Chase’s dry wit and deadpan humour.

Jessica – I loved the audio because Kate Reading performed both of our lead characters with great skill, highlighting their nuances (the sassy yet proper Jessica and the disenchanted then frustrated Lord Dain). I don’t speak Italian, but Reading sounded authentic and Dain seductive when he spoke to Jessica.

Melinda – Chase’s writing and storytelling are superb – she is a craftsman and an artist with words, her characters finely detailed, her plotting perfection personified. This has long been a book we have all wished for fervently in audio, and thank the audio gods, it has been recorded by one of the very best narrators – Kate Reading.

Lea – At the top of my wish list for years, I was thrilled to see Lord of Scoundrels not only released in audio format but superbly performed and produced! It’s a romance audio enthusiast’s dream come true and I knew when listening that it would become an audio romance classic. And the proof is in – listeners love it!

2. It Happened One Wedding by Julie James

Narrated by Karen White

Our number two Best 2014 Listen was It Happened One Wedding with three of our reviewers including it in their top three.

Diana – Julie James writes some of the best contemporary romances out there.  Her characters are real, charming, and witty and her writing flows so beautifully.  Karen White knows James’ writing well and nails the comedic timing perfect every time.

Melinda – It Happened One Wedding is the epitome of everything I love about romance audiobooks. It’s a stellar story by Julie James rendered with perfect delivery by Karen White. I laughed, I cried, I fell in love with them all. Thank you, Julie and Karen, for making my whole weekend. Maybe my whole year.

Carrie – Julie James and Karen White are another great author/narrator pairing. James writes well-rounded characters and great dialogue. White’s narrative style makes the listener feel like a good friend is telling them the story.

Our number three Best Listen is a tie between Karina Halle’s Sins and Needles and Jeaniene Frost’s Up from the Grave.

3. Sins and Needles by Karina Halle

Narrated by Veronica Den

Shannon – This first book in the Artists trilogy captures everything I love in a good book. The plot was riveting. The characters were well-developed and grew throughout the story. Ms. Halle did a wonderful job creating characters who are flawed, broken, and incredibly real. The narration of Ms. Den was nearly perfect.

BJ – (BJ actually chose the entire series) Without a doubt, the Artists trilogy this is one of the most memorable romantic suspense series I have ever listened to or read!  Karina Halle’s fresh, edgy style kept me on my toes throughout. I became so addicted to this series, that I could not stop until I had finished all four books–the three books in the trilogy and the prequel, On Every Street. The narration got better and better as the series went on too, so much so, that the narrators’ voices became synonymous in my head with the characters.

3. Up from the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

Narrated by Tavia Gilbert

Jessica – Up from the Grave isn’t my favorite of the Night Huntress novels, but it does wrap up the ongoing story well and left me feeling satisfied with the ending and the future in store for Cat and Bones. Tavia Gilbert delivers yet again and I was wrapped up in the story completely.

Megan – The final Bones and Cat. This pick for me was really because of how Ms Gilbert immortalized this series – pun intended.

Our other Best of 2014 Listens are listed in alphabetical order by author.

Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews

Narrated by Renee Raudman

Lea – A new series from the Andrews/Raudman team! Love, love, love. With superb worldbuilding, heart-pounding suspense, and outstanding narration, I’m completely vested in Nevada and Rogan’s relationship although we only see the beginnings here. Renee brings every little detail to life, fleshes out each character, highlights each bit of humor perfectly, and her pacing for the suspense scenes only adds to the excitement.

Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews

Narrated by Renee Raudman

Brenda – As I’m totally invested in the Kate Daniels series, the seventh entry, Magic Breaks, wins out over Andrews’ other (high on my list) 2014 release, Burn For Me. Both titles are narrated by the amazing Renee Raudman. In Magic Breaks, the initial story arc is finally played out which was gratifying to experience while leaving open very interesting possibilities making the listen totally engrossing. A winner in the quest for the top three of 2014 for sure.

The Gamble by Kristen Ashley

Carnal Gift by Pamela Clare

Narrated by Kaleo Griffith

Jessica – Pamela Clare always delivers an entertaining yet romantic story. She adds a fair amount of violence which makes it less sweet and more realistic. Kaleo Griffith does a beautiful job – voices are distinctive with accents that match the characters’ homelands and upbringings.

 

 

 

Air Bound by Christine Feehan

Narrated by Phil Gigante

Diana – Phil Gigante has mad skills when it comes to narration with a particular talent for accents. He can perform a British woman and then a Russian male and make me believe they are two separate people. Combine this extraordinary talent with Feehan’s magically suspense filled story and you have a winner of an audiobook.

 

 

Written in My Own Heart’s Blood by Diana Gabaldon

Narrated by Davina Porter

Melinda – I was pleased that MOBY was an incredibly fascinating story without the narrow plot twists and turns and non-stop heart-racing adventure of the original Outlander. Once again, Davina Porter was magic with Gabaldon’s world. Her narration skills are superb, with pacing and accents and such making it a true joy to listen to.

 

 

A Different Blue by Amy Harmon

Narrated by Tavia Gilbert

Shannon – A magical story about a young woman’s search for the secrets of her past. Ms. Harmon’s prose is eloquent, and Ms. Gilbert’s narration brings it to life. Everything about this book was beautiful.

 

 

 

How to Run with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper

Narrated by Amanda Ronconi

Carrie – I’ve loved Harper’s lighter take urban fantasy genre from the first book I listened to, How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf. Pairing Harper’s well-written and entertaining stories with Amanda Ronconi’s slightly snarky narration is genius. I’ve never been disappointed in a Molly Harper audiobook.

 

 

Venetia by Georgette Heyer

Narrated by Phillida Nash

Carrie – I could list a dozen books by Heyer as a “Best of the Year,” every year. Georgette Heyer on audio, especially with the original narrators, are fantastic. Phillida Nash is excellent and delivers the story with impeccable style. Venetia has a different kind of heroine than most Regency romances and Lord Damerel is the perfect foil for her determined plans.

 

 

Sight Unseen by Iris Johansen and Roy Johansen

Narrated by Elisabeth Rodgers

Diana – I was surprised at how much I enjoyed Sight Unseen. Normally I don’t listen to suspense titles – I’m a weeny! – but this book captivated and kept me glued to my headphones. The heroine was like Sherlock Holmes; I loved how she knew things about a person based on observing them. And Rodgers! She had the perfect tone for suspense, keeping pace with the tension in the story very well.