Poisoned Ivy

Legacies, Book 1

By: Ava Rani

Narrated by: Connor Crais, Soneela Nankani

Performed in duet narration by Connor Crais & Soneela Nankani

Maxton Hall meets Rory Gilmore's college years in this decadent college romance that equal parts passion, privilege and mystery.

Malena Amin is two people.

At home, she the respectable, rule-abiding daughter that her controlling family expects. At her prestigious Ivy-League University, she's the risk-taking, adventurous woman that she wants to be. With parents who demand to know her location settings at all times, Malena uses a secret phone and secret bank account to make her double life possible.

But when her tutoring job falls through, she hits a snag in funding that double life. So, Malena sets her eyes on the prize money from a National feature-writing contest through the school paper. And when she intercepts an invitation to an ultra-exclusive secret society on campus-she has the perfect story.

She'll attend, lay low, and get an inside look.

Unfortunately, she's discovered early in the night by the notorious playboy and Hastings Media heir: Conrad Hastings.

The frustratingly attractive Conrad doesn't aspire to anything other than a good time. But when his newspaper-magnate father discovers that he's delinquent on work for the school paper, Conrad needs to complete it before his father can make good on an ultimatum. So, he agrees to let Malena into the secret society-temporarily- if she agrees to share a byline on the article they'll write together. Conrad fulfils his obligations, and Malena gets the inside look she needs for the contest.

But, the two soon discover an art world mystery hidden between lavish parties and Gothic libraries. And more concerningly: a palpable spark between them. With new clues unraveling before them, mounting desire they can't ignore and Malena's web of lies threatening to collapse-their partnership becomes a lot more than a simple deal.

©2024 Ava Rani (P)2025 Ava Rani

College. Secrets. Sleuthing. Parental Control.

Honestly, I wouldn't have bought this audiobook if Connor Crais (my fav) wasn't narrating -- the author (Ava Rani) and female narr ( Soneela Nankani) were both new to me, and I tend to prefer older/no longer in college MCs. That said, I did enjoy this very much -- esp. the secret society, sleuthing, and suspense aspects. The dysfunctional family/ parental control issues were a major theme and affected both MCs, though the situations were different, and made the story & characters more interesting. It made Conrad & Malena's sucesses/ happiness despite these obstacles even more rewarding, but also made the tone of the book more serious.
The DUET narration by Connor and Soneela was great. It was very easy/comfortable to listen to. ( I am sometimes leery of new narrators -- esp. female -- due to my sound sensitivity/neurological issues, but I liked Soneela's voice.) The acting was great by both narrators. I always like to hear Connor do accents, and this Asian one was a new one for me. I also love to hear Connor's signature growls 🫶, during the schmexy scenes, and I was NOT disappointed here!

Fun and Spicy College Romance

Hidden identities and secret societies serve as the catalysts in this fun and steamy college romance. Narrated in DUET by Soneela Nankani and Connor Crais, this was a great start to my audiobook journey in 2026!

Conrad Hastings is a legacy at Winchester college. While partying with his friends and avoiding school seem to be his only priorities in his final year, there is more to Conrad than he lets on as he cares for his mother in the midst of his father’s latest cheating scandal

Malena Amin has been living a double life while away at college, being the dutiful and obedient daughter on paper while also living the life of a regular college co-ed. When her double life catches up to her, she faces a difficult decision that could mean she loses out on a real chance at happiness and the opportunity to be her true self.

Poisoned Ivy is for readers who enjoy:
🧡 College Romance
💛 Opposites Attract
🧡 Interracial Romance
💛 Overachiever x Underachiever
🧡 Spicy time in library
💛 Secret Society
🧡 Campus Mystery
💛 Found Family

I loved this story and certainly saw myself in Malena as she struggled to please her parents while also trying to find her true self. It’s a classic story for us children of immigrants, to be made to feel like we owe our parents for the sacrifices they made for a “better life.” It’s a hard hill to climb and can certainly ruin many coming of age experiences as we grow older and seek our own identities. A lot of the time, we find true family in those who love us unconditionally like Conrad, Cora and Sabrina do Malena.

Soneela Nankani and Connor Crais are two of my favorite narrators I discovered in 2025, so listening to the audio for Poisoned Ivy was a no-brainer! Soneela is always very animated in the narration I hear from her. She always has these great “screw it” scenes where her character has just had it and she lets it all loose, serving the lines clearly and with bite behind them! Connor Crais is always smooth with his delivery and he played Conrad with a cockiness that was somehow charming.

This was my first book from Ava Rani and it won’t be my last! I have found my first auto-read/buy author for 2026, so I will be going back to read the Biotech Billionaries series and her new release this year, Out of Her League when it comes out in May!

Fun

Loved this! Great blend of college shenanigans, complex family dynamics, and a cozy mystery. Narration was fantastic. Looking forward to the next installment in the series.

Ohhhhh

A little mystery, banter, wit, and sports. Great fall vibey read. Love the girlhood just as much as the romance.
Narrators were perfection!