Narrated by Sophie Eastlake
The Fletcher family of North Carolina’s outer banks is the focus of the Dare Island series, and Luke is the youngest of the Fletcher sons and a Marine. The family retired here, with their three adult sons, after a long military career had them moving all over the world when the boys were young. In Carolina Man, Luke comes home to Dare Island on leave to spend time with the ten-year-old daughter Taylor he only recently learned he had after the child’s mother died and named him in the will as father/guardian. It’s pretty clear to the reader that Taylor’s mother knew her own brother was sexually molesting the child, although it takes a while for this to be revealed in the book to the characters, which is part of the mild suspense.
Kate Dolan is the local lawyer who represents Taylor – like Luke, hers was a military family, but dysfunctional, her father abusive, with serious anger management problems. She has intimacy issues as a result – she is pretty uptight, even when she is trying to put Taylor’s needs first and foremost. Luke spends a lot of time breaking down Kate’s barriers. The whole Fletcher family steps in to help raise Luke’s daughter while he is deployed and even after he comes home. It’s a heartwarming story with them taking in not only Taylor but also Kate, making Kate feel accepted and like family, all banding together to protect Taylor from her abusive uncle.
Sophie Eastlake was exceptional as narrator. She has a believable, low pitch for Luke that is very appealing, with a soft Carolina drawl, and a higher pitched, no-nonsense tone for Kate. She also developed complete characters for all of the others as well, including the secondary family members and other various townsfolk. Her pacing and delivery was perfect for the suspense as well as in the intimate scenes. I read the first two of the series in print but I think I’ll go back and do a listen of them as well – her narration was that compelling.
Melinda
Narration: A
Book Content: A
Steam Factor: Glad I had my earbuds in
Violence: Minimal – some offstage domestic violence is hinted
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Audible Studios
Now I’m sorry I read your review due to the spoiler about Taylor’s uncle. I’m on Chapter Three. That said I agree with your A grade for Sophie Eastlake’s narration. I really am enjoying this series. Well written and well read.
I really apologize if I messed up the book for you – as I said, it was pretty clear to me the entire time, so I didn’t consider it a spoiler.
Two North Carolina authors reviewed in one day! Yay! I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Kanata and Ms. Ashe and they are both delightful people as well as talented writers. Great review!
thanks! I’ve had Sophie Eastlake in my ears for hours in the past couple of months and she is truly gifted! And I think Kantra is starting to be a favorite author too.
I think Kantra is a bit like Nora Roberts. Do you?
I hadn’t made that connection – I was thinking more about Robyn Carr, but NR also writes great family series, so yeah, I can see it.
@Melinda I love Sophie Eastlake’s narrations too.
As I’m listening to Carolina Man which I am enjoying immensely due to Sophie Eastlake’s excellent narration nad Virginia Kantra’s writing, I thought too thought of Robyn Carr, but also of Susan Mallery more than the great Nora Roberts