Burning the Midnight Oil

Copper Lake, Book 3

By: Ashley James

Narrated by: Gregory Salinas, Nick J. Russo

Rule number one: Don't fall for my brother-in-law. It should be easy, right?

Wrong.

When I moved in with my sister over summer break, I had no intention of returning to college in the fall. A work trip for her meant a lot of time alone for me with her husband. Boone Stanton. World famous bull rider and way, way off limits.

A few late-night deep conversations between the two of us, only the midnight sky our witness, and suddenly, I can't look away. Can't keep my mind off of him.

It's in the way he works around the yard, sweaty and shirtless. The way his eyes soften and he leans into his playful side around his daughter. And it's in the way he makes me feel seen. The way he's slowly chipping away at my exterior without even realizing it.

Then one night, I see something I shouldn't. Something that makes my mouth water and my heart race. Except when he catches me, instead of stopping and reprimanding me, he… keeps going.

Now, I have the opportunity of a lifetime, but it means going on the road with him. It means living in even closer quarters than before. It also means doubling down on keeping my hands to myself and my gaze away from his dark, observing eyes.

But I'm only human, and it's only a matter of time before I crack. Before I give in and do something I can't take back.

Something that could cost me everything.

©2024 Ashley James (P)2024 Podium Audio

Slow Burn Perfection

This was a delicious slow burn of a story that I just ate up. It felt so forbidden and taboo that Boone was Grady's ex brother-in-law, but these two were a delight together. I really enjoyed the sweet exploration that they did together and how Grady guided Boone through everything. I was also really impressed that while being with another man was all new to Boone, he wasn't indecisive about his actions. He trusted his attraction and acted on it despite being nervous to try something new.

Nick J Russo was a new to me narrator, but I thought he did a great job and that the voices of him and Gregory Salinas blended well together and created a really enjoyable listening experience.

Good Story

I enjoyed this, but did struggle a bit on their connection beyond the physical until the very end. Jades reaction felt very realistic and I liked the family dynamics and friendships throughout. The narration was excellent!

Ooooo, scandal!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

I love Boon so much- I mean “daddy-keep-it-in-the-family-Boone 😂

I love him and G together. They are a kinda grumpy sunshine mix but more- you are my person and I love you” mix!

4.5 stars

What an amazing story! It was so heartfelt, I didn't want to stop listening once I started! the narrators did an amazing job!

Throughout the book we see Boone and Grady put up walls to against each other to try and stop the feeling they are having and I loved every minute of watching those walls come down.

I loved the all of the chemistry and tension! It was so well done. Once they finally came together it was definitely explosive!

I've loved every book in the series and I can't wait to see what the next one brings!

Sweet story

I loved the sweet love story and the steamy sex scenes, they were hot and didn’t include any extreme kinks at least to me) . I am not a fan of a lot of internal dialogue. It tends to be repetitive and unnecessary. Besides that one thing, I loved the story and will continue on with the series.

it's a sweet slow burn

I thought it'd be slightly angsty but it was actually a very sweet slow burn

loved the funny moments too

both narrators were amazing as always

Loved it!

4.5 stars- I really enjoyed this beautiful story between Boone and Grady, their chemistry was so good, it was kind of a slow burn but it was worth it. The attraction and need they both had for each other was so hot! Shooter really made me laugh with how annoying he was, poor Boone lolol
Overall this was great, always a pleasure going back to Cooper Lake 🤠

Don’t bother!

The story is so utterly dull and poorly written with the most annoying, unlikely and uninteresting characters in the history of story. The narrators were good, pity about the material they had to work with.

Good Story, Excellent Performance!

I can honestly say that every book in the Copper Lake series has had excellent narrators. Both Gregory Salinas and Nick J. Russo are in my top 10 male performers list so I had real high hopes for "Burning The Midnight Oil". While I enjoy Ashley James' work in general, this series is just not doing to for me. I have had to struggle through each book because the storylines are just...okay. They haven't held up to the high standards that Ashley set for me especially with her Deepest Desires series.

3.5 starz - worthy of a repeat listen, but not for me.

Least favorite of the series so far

Really enjoy book 1 & 2, but this one was cheesy in the worst way. Don’t know what happened, it was awful. Didn’t feel the connection btw the MCs, and honestly, I think a big part of it was the narration for Grady’s voice - felt fake in the emotional parts and creepy sex scenes. About the story… The resolution is zero realistic and super rushed. I’m going to listen to the next one just for Teddy Hamilton and Aiden Snow.