Marriage Games by CD Reiss

Narrated by Elena Wolfe and Sebastian York

Marriage Games is unlike any other book I’ve ever listened to. Unique both in its plot and narration, it will no doubt be one of my top 5 listens of 2016. The factors that made this a top listen for me from a story point of view include that it pushed my comfort level, kept me constantly on the edge of my seat without a clue as to where the story would ultimately lead, and left me in deep contemplation about a number of questions raised by its unusual perspective on what has become a highly predictable and trite romance sub-genre.

From an audiobook perspective, what absolutely thrilled me about this listen is that it employed an unusual narration style that I have long hoped might become the norm for dual narrations, but which, other than in the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning, I have not seen employed. This narration style has the male narrator, in this case Sebastian York, whose sexy baritone voice was absolutely perfect for the hero in this book, narrate all of the hero’s thoughts and all of the male voices in the book, while the female narrator, Elena Wolfe, narrates the heroine’s point of view and all of the female voices. The effect of this technique is that it sounds like two people having a conversation in the scenes containing dialogues and makes it absolutely seamless to know whose thoughts are being shared. I simply cannot express how much this style adds to the overall effect and the chemistry between the characters.

Now, with that said, this book is not for everyone. Although Audible presently lists this as “Literary – Fiction”, it is erotica. Moreover, this book contains consensual BDSM scenes, so it’s an erotic romance (but for those familiar with this sub-genre, not a dark romance). Interestingly, however, I find it to be completely different from the tried trope so frequently copied from the Fifty Shades of Grey series. Quite to the opposite, this is actually a story of a man who lived as a dominant until he meets the love of his life, a woman he decides to forego the lifestyle for. In fact, he believes he is incapable of loving a sub, so he believes it essential to forego even minimal elements of his former lifestyle.

Adam Steinbeck, a corporate raider, meets Diana on the other side of the deal table when he negotiates the takeover of her family’s publishing business. When he knows that he wants so much more from her, attracted by her strong and confident will, he falls in love with and determines to leave the lifestyle for her. Knowing that she is too strong-willed to ever agree to be a submissive, and not wanting to lose the woman he loves, he marries her and starts a totally new life without ever divulging his past. Together they jointly rebuild her father’s previously failing publishing business. Adam believes he has found true happiness, each year growing more in love with his wife and willing to do absolutely anything to protect and cherish her. Then she delivers a bombshell: she wants a divorce and the business to be fully signed over to her.

Adam is crushed and tries everything imaginable to win her back. When it becomes clear that her strong will is resolute, he does the only thing imaginable to save his heart. He gives her an ultimatum: thirty days in a remote cottage in upstate New York with him – no questions asked. If she can fully trust him and stays the entire 30 days, he’ll grant her the divorce and sign over the business.

The dual narration by Sebastian York and Elena Wolfe is simply superb. Beyond the unique narration method previously explained in this review, both narrators do a marvelous job of telling this story, allowing the listener to sit back and enjoy the plot without any need to search for dialogue tags. Moreover, both narrators are expertly attuned to the themes of the plot being enacted and do a marvelous job of setting up each scene no matter what the emotions being portrayed. From the emotional, conflict-driven scenes, which portray genuine anger and frustration, to the passionate ones which are sure to leave you with a warm and spine-tingling feeling, Mr. York’s and Ms. Wolfe’s intricately woven narration further heightens the effect of this one of a kind book.

If you enjoy erotic romances, and are looking for an emotionally complex and totally fresh perspective on this sub-genre, then I simply cannot recommend Marriage Games highly enough. Moreover, this is a title that must be listened to – even if you’ve already read it, the narration is just that extraordinary. Now I’m anxiously awaiting the early January 2017 release of the conclusion to Adam’s and Diana’s story in Separation Games.

BJ

Narration: A+

Book Content: A

Steam Factor: For your burning ears only

Violence Rating: Minimal

Genre: Contemporary/Erotic Romance

Publisher: Flip City Media, Inc

Marriage Games was provided to AudioGals for a review.