Haunting Adeline

Cat and Mouse Duet, Book 1

By: H. D. Carlton

Narrated by: Teddy Hamilton, Michelle Sparks

Length: 15 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

The Manipulator

I can manipulate the emotions of anyone who lets me.

I will make you hurt, make you cry, make you laugh and sigh.

But my words don't affect him. Especially not when I plead for him to leave.

He's always there, watching and waiting.

And I can never look away.

Not when I want him to come closer.

The Shadow

I didn't mean to fall in love.

But now that I have, I can't stay away.

I'm mesmerized by her smile, by her eyes, and the way she moves.

The way she undresses...

I'll keep watching and waiting. Until I can make her mine.

And once she is, I'll never let her go.

Not even when she begs me to.

While not required, it is highly suggested to listen to the novella Satan's Affair first.

Author's Note: This book ends on a cliff-hanger. For CWs, please check the author's website.

©2021 H. D. Carlton (P)2022 H. D. Carlton

Very “Twilight”-esque Plot with romanticized stalking

the book can be split up into three parts: 1, crazy stalker; 2, learning more about crazy stalker, 3, falling in love with crazy stalker. The author tries to make you like the stalker even though everything he does is very similar if not the same to the exact people he’s supposed to be stopping... by the time Adeline started falling in love with Z, he had already done so much messed up stuff to her while thinking what he was doing, was justifiable, but at the same time, Z was disgusted by, and actively working to thwart pedophile, human traffickers, and rapists. He stalks her, rapes her, sexually assaults her, manipulates her and more. By the time she started falling in love with him, I already hated him, and saw no justification for the way he treated her. His character is irredeemable.

Separately, I had an issue with the way the male voice actor said “pussy“. It always sounds like he saying poo-sea lmao

obviously not for everyone

So obviously there will be those who enjoy the taboo dark fantasy of this book despite some story flaws. I personally lost interest pretty quick although kept listening to see what would happen. The story kept dropping off, whenever I started to get caught up in the story building it was like the smutty sex scenes would actually ruin it. Which is not how that should work in well done smutty books. They became repetitive and almost annoying which is unusual for me.
I adored Michelle's narrating despite not particularly caring for Addie as a character. Although I should really know by now that I hate Teddy's narrating. Maybe it's just that his voice is not my type but his reading is almost monotone in a way in that he literally always sounds angry. Doesn't add much depth to the character and makes him sound punchable and childish. it is always too over the top which leads to the tenser moments in the story just sounding the exact same. I listed to the sample without looking at the narrators before getting this book and only heard Michelle so I unfortunately made the assumption it was just her. That's my bad.
I persevered through almost all of this book but I read the reviews for the next book as I am getting to the end of this one and realized it will be more of the same if not worse so I feel no need to fully finish it.
Personally this was a waste of a credit

Girllllll

The author put her foot in this story! I like how Teddy represented the main characters and Michelle represented the women characters

seriously good

love this story though it definitely could be triggering for some people I would use caution if you are sensitive

Fire

Wow what a Steamy and dark! I couldn't put it down, can't wait for the next one!

I am changed

I cannot believe I loved this book so much! The narration, the heat, the grey morals. I’m obsessed!! I wish book 2 was in audiobook!!!

Outstanding!!

So I really liked this book when I read it but now I want to go back and revise my earlier review. Something about this narration that opened my eyes to the book even more. The characters were incredible. The story impeccable. And the narration…it gave me goosebumps it was so good. I can’t wait for Hunting Adeline.

🔥🔥🔥🫠🫠🫠

I am not even finished listening to this yet, I had to just say this now because I couldn't keep it in any longer. I have read a lot. a lot of romance books I also have listened to a lot of romance which I'm extremely picky about voices and all that when it comes to audible. but damn girl can you write a love scene!! I mean I don't even know what to say. Not to take away anything from your storytelling because the plot is amazing. definitely a double combo because although I love a book with a lot of hotness, there has to be a good plot. I love Adelines and Z's bedroom talk with their bickering and all. although this book has some issues that may be hard for some people to deal with, it does have some of the best comedic lines I've read. Especially the friendship between the two girls had me laughing out loud with their banter. anyway, I'm getting back to the book now but this was a first time author, read for me and I definitely will be reading her other books.

damn

loved it. teddy Hamilton is probably my favorite male narrator. will listen to this again lol

Not for healthy people

While I'm torn whether I like the story or not, I think that was what the author was aiming for. The story is really well written ( the MF does do a lot of stupid things) and its captivating. The relationship between them is not nice, he isn't misunderstood or wearing a mask. The is genuinely an unhealthy relationship, but you start to like it while wanting to hate it. I keep waiting for him to be sad to see her tears or not wanting cause her pain (like every other love story), but he stays the villian he is throughout the story.