The Time in Between by Kristen Ashley

Narrated by Erin Mallon

I can always count on getting my money’s worth with a Kristen Ashley (KA) audiobook. At over 19 hours in length, The Time in Between is at least the length of two average length romance audiobooks. Moreover, KA can always be counted on to deliver an intricate storyline with complex secondary characters who are sure to weave in a whole other element to the story above and beyond just the featured romance (which in this case follows the second chance at romance trope). The Time In Between was no exception and worked as the perfect choice for a solo long car trip that I recently took as it allowed me to get engrossed in the story, helping the monotonous driving time to fly by. As a bonus, new-to-me narrator Erin Mallon did a magnificent job with the narration, making this title a must listen.

As this is the third book in the Magdalene series, I want to confirm that a reading or listening of the prior titles is not necessary because this story functions well as a complete standalone. In fact, this is the first book that I have read or listened to in this series, and I had no trouble following the storyline even with its KA/characteristically large cast.

The blurb for this story is admittedly vague, and no doubt it’s for a reason, as the beauty of this story lies in part in its unfolding. That being the case, I will keep my background of the story brief, so as not to taint or spoil the experience for you. Suffice it to say that Cady Moreland has not had an easy life. She was always looking for acceptance from her family that never seemed to come. Then one day she met the perfect man, even if the exact specifics of his situation were less than ideal. Cady accepted him and grew to feel love for the first time, until an unexpected revelation pulls the rug from under her and causes her to flee that situation.

Fortunately for Cady she was able to find true acceptance and love in the time thereafter, even if her heart still longed for Coert Yeager. Then when her life takes another life changing turn many years later, she decides to move to Magdalene Maine, where Coert has relocated and serves as the town’s sheriff. Only problem is: Coert hasn’t forgiven Cady for leaving all those years ago.

Why did Cady leave? Was their love all those years ago an act? Even if not, with all the time that passed in between, including all the life experiences that have further molded who they are today, could there possibly be a second chance at a HEA?

I must admit that I picked this book because of my love for Kristen Ashley’s writing. I had never listened to Erin Mallon before, so I didn’t know what to expect. Well, I’m sure glad I gave Ms. Mallon’s narration a try because she really impressed me with her narration. Not only did she have a smooth sounding voice that pulled me into the story, especially with the way that she communicated emotion, but she also had a good rhythm to her narration which ebbed and flowed depending on the scene being enacted.

Ms. Mallon also had a good amount of differentiation between her characters’ voices. She gave Cady a sweet but confident and loyal sounding voice which perfectly fit the personality traits that KA penned for her. Additionally, she lowered her voice sufficiently to sound genuinely like the alpha male that Coert Yeager is. I will definitely be looking for more of Ms. Mallon’s narrations in the future.

All in all, The Time in Between was a classic Kristen Ashley romantic suspense title (similar to the other stories that I have read of hers in the Colorado Mountain series). This story was exactly the engaging and heartfelt romance that I was looking for to entertain me on my long road trip.

BJ