Arouse: A Spiral of Bliss Novel, Book 1

Just "Eh"... Sadly Predictable

The book's main characters were shallow, predictable and frustratingly uninteresting. The main female character, Olivia West, was self-deprecating, depressed, and, even in her strongest times when she confronted her husband, non-committal in her attempts at contention. The character had a difficult childhood – one in which she had to learn to fend for herself, but she requires her husband, Dean, to fight her battles for her lest she have a panic attack (example: the scene in the bookstore and the three male college students). The husband is overbearing and ridiculously over-protective to the point of expecting her to do as he expects or instructs.

Jay Crow, the voice of Dean West, used appropriate inflection and accurate change of emotion to make the scenarios in which Dean was involved more tolerable, albeit not more pleasurable, which was through no fault of his own. I would very likely listen to other books narrated by Mr. Crow.

Eliza Grace, as the voice of Olivia West, only made the character more pathetic. Her voice was frail and whiney and when the author gave the character the opportunity to show strength, as in standing up to her husband, her conviction was sorely lacking. Her voice got louder, but the emotion required to develop the believability of the scene never manifested.

Finally, the intimate moments between Oliva and Dean were painstakingly identical in each instance (save the first two - somewhat). After about the sixth or seventh bedroom/couch scene, I just fast-forwarded through it. I didn’t see the need in rehashing what I’d already heard. Basically, it was the same scene, different page.

Nevertheless, I believe in giving authors, like Ms. Lane, whose books aren’t familiar to me, second chances. I will purchase and listen to the other two books in the series in the hope that the story will become one on which I would gladly spend credits. I look forward to better staging, diversification of similar, repeated scenarios (reference the intimate moments mentioned in the paragraph above) and more complete development of the characters in the consecutive books in this series.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Dean and Olivia❤️

Dean and Olivia. The perfect couple right? Their marriage was as strong as it could be, their love for each other as deep as it could get until the talk about family, and a secrete Dean’s been holding on to is revealed, threatens to break their bond.

When Olivia suggests that they could start a family Dean’s reaction startles her. His reluctance to talk about it and his change in personally has her puzzled and slowly they seem to be drifting apart.

What happens when Olivia finds out the real reason for Dean’s sudden change in behavior? Will their marriage be salvageable? Follow their journey of letdown, disappointment, temptation and how they overcome what’s threatening to break them apart. A wonderful story of true love and trust.

I liked the narrators. I thought they fit the characters well.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Most favorite series ever

I was so excited when I learned that my most favorite book had finally been released as an audiobook! Finally I could hear my beloved Professor West as he spoke to his Beauty with so much love. And I was so happy when I heard the narrator's voices- they're perfect! I've read and loved sooo many other books, but this book/series will always be my most favorite.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Ok, but not what I expected.

Book was alright. Tons of erotica, which at times wasn't plausible. Didn't really care for the narrators. Overall the book was ok.

An amazing narration of an amazing book!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Most definitely, especially if they loved romance novels and series as I do. The narration of Eliza Grace and Jay Crow totally nailed Liv and Dean.

What other book might you compare Arouse: A Spiral of Bliss Novel, Book 1 to and why?

I don't know if there is one to compare. This was a story of mature adults rather than high school or college age young folk. It is a story of two people who floundered through life never have a connection to anyone or believing they would ever have that connection and then find each other and the connection.

Which character – as performed by Eliza Grace and Jay Crow – was your favorite?

Eliza Grace was probably favored for me because so much of the story was from Liv's point of view; however, Jay Crow, whom I didn't immediately latch onto but later grew to love his portrayal of Dean, totally nailed Dean with all of his insecurities and his deep and abiding love for Liv.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Probably after Dean learned of Liv being attracted to another man enough to kiss him. Instead of being angry at her for betraying him, he was disgusted with himself for failing her somehow to the point that she turned to another man. That was so pivotal in this story, their marriage, and in relationships in general. Dean often wondered, "why do I keep failing my wife," and Jay Crow portrayed that anguish expertly.

Any additional comments?

I loved the whole narration and the way the narrators obviously read and studied the books to learn and "become" Liv and Dean.

Jay Crow's narration excellent

Any additional comments?

I read this book before I listened to the audio book. I really like this book and series but not the audio book. The female narrator was annoying and because of her I don't think I'll spend anymore time listening to the series on audio book. The male narrator did an excellent job bringing the character's personality to life. He always does a great job. Unfortunately the male pov is infrequent in the entire series so he won't have much opportunity to turn the situation around.

Great listen even better read

Any additional comments?

This was the first Nina Lane novel that I have read, and I couldn't put it down. Lust, Love, Betrayal, Affairs, this book has it all. Dean and Liv have the perfect marriage, they love each other more than anything in the world but when the communication stops, accusations occur, feeling get hurt and mistakes happen. Dean and Liv have been through a lot both apart and together, but they have never done anything to hurt each other. Though most of the pain that is caused is unintentional, it still lingers on hurting. Their relationship is being ripped apart and neither knows how to fix what is going on. I loved this book so much because not only was it wildly hot and sexy but it was realistic. It's not all the glamorized romance that a lot of novels are, it has issues that couples could actually fall into. I promise if your read this one you won't be disappointed and you will want to jump into Nina Lane's next novel Allure!!!