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Title: Splendid
Subtitle: Blydon, Book 1
Author: Julia Quinn
Narrator: Lucy Rayner
Format: Unabridged
Length: 13 hrs and 25 mins
Language: English
Release date: 12-13-16
Publisher: HarperAudio
Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 109 votes
Genres: Romance, Historical
Publisher's Summary:
Based on the phenomenal growth of Quinn's popularity and her four-week stint on the New York Times best-seller list with Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, it's the perfect time to revisit Ms. Quinn's "splendid" storytelling.
American heiress Emma Dunster has always been fun-loving and independent, with no wish to settle into marriage. She plans to enjoy her Season in London in more unconventional ways than husband hunting. But this time Emma's high jinks lead her into dangerous temptation.
Alexander Ridgely, the Duke of Ashbourne, is a notorious rake who carefully avoids the risk of love until he plants one reckless kiss on the sensuous lips of this high-spirited innocent and condemns himself to delicious torment. Little does he know that his passion has touched the very soul of the lovely enchantress and committed them both to a lifetime of splendid ecstasy.
Members Reviews:
Murdered by Horrible Narration
Would you try another book from Julia Quinn and/or Lucy Rayner?
Julia Quinn, certainly. Lucy Rainer, no way.
What did you like best about this story?
Couldn't listen. I will dig out my print version.
What didnt you like about Lucy Rayners performance?
Da da da dah. Da da da dah. Add a completely unnatural pattern of intonation with some underlying shrieking, and you've got the fingernails on blackboard performance of Lucy Rayner. Was her producer even listening as she recorded this? The narrator has no ear for narrative. Maybe she can sing. Or mime.
What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?
Irritation that a book I had looked forward to hearing was destroyed by poor narration. Who hired this woman?
Dreadful narrator ruins the story
I love Julia Quinn's books, including this one, but I had to stop listening because the narrator was so awful. I'm sorry to say bad things about Ms. Raynor, but OMG, I just couldn't continue. I stopped after wincing through about seven chapters. What is so upsetting is that this same narrator has done all three Blydon books (Splendid, Dancing at Midnight, and Minx) all of which I bought before realizing how annoying her voice is. Julia - how could you have chosen her? It appears I wasted three credits.
Narrator Ruins All!!!
SHAME on Audible !!! Good trilogy, Incredibly Substandard narration. C'mon, how about some Quality Control???
Narrator is awful.
Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?
I had a very hard time finishing this book mainly because of the narration. I was also disappointed in the dialog. I have enjoyed all of Julie Quins other books but this one is disappointing. I bought all 3 in the series but I don't think I can listen to the other 2 because of the narrator.
Has Splendid turned you off from other books in this genre?
no
Would you be willing to try another one of Lucy Rayners performances?
No
If this book were a movie would you go see it?
no
horrible narrator, could not get through it
How could the performance have been better?
change the narrator
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
no
Any additional comments?
I'm buying the hard copy to read myself as the narrator was terrible.