Heart of Stone: The Stone Series, Volume 1

By: Dakota Willink

Narrated by: Lacy Laurel, Jeffrey Kafer

Length: 13 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

Krystina Cole was a girl on a mission. She had big dreams and aspirations, none of which included a man by her side. She knew better than that - at least until she met Alexander Stone, the New York billionaire real estate tycoon. She saw the way that he looked at her, and the dark promises in his eyes. She was curious about his world and all that it entailed. But the shadows of her past haunted her, making her afraid to explore possibilities that she could never before have imagined....

Alexander Stone was a man who knew how to get what he wanted. He understood the value of finesse, and the importance of patience and diligence to achieve the desired result. He was successful and wealthy, relying on his naturally sharp instincts to guide him through life. But a chance run-in with Krystina Cole quickly turned his world upside down. Her quick wit and firecracker attitude was the complete opposite of what he wanted in a woman, and his instincts failed him at every turn....

However, both Krystina and Alexander are clinging to the secrets of their past, and neither of them are willing to compromise. Krystina's hardened heart makes emotional surrender a hard limit. But for Alexander, revealing his past could have devastating results. Visit www.dakotawillink.com.

©2015 Dakota Willink (P)2023 Dakota Willink

Fantastic

I received this book as a gift and enjoyed it very much. Krystina and Alexander are so intense. Hope to read the second part of the story very soon.

Great story- tragically BAD narration.

I really hope this author is aware of how bad the female narration is and can get a better one for the next book in the series. The male narration was much better, and the only reason I finished listening. It was like being all dressed up and looking your best, down to the perfectly coordinated shoes, only to discover once you're already at work that the shoes are killing your feet, and there are gonna be nasty blisters before lunch. You look great, but the whole experience is ruined by those damned blisters. Yeah, it's that bad.

Letting go of the past.

Krystina Cole is a recent college grad who works in a dead end job. During a mishap at her place of employment she meets Alexander Stone and is lost in him from the word go. Alexander is a billionaire real estate investor who is looking to invest in the store where she works. He is equally in awe of her became he can't figure her out. She unnerves him because she does not fgit into any mold he has ever seen. Alexander brings her in for an interview for a marketing position to try to get into her head because he is all about control. There are strings attached to his offer and she must decide to except the position or not. They both have deep secrets that neither are forthcoming about. What started out as a simple situation turns into much more because of their feelings. Can they be honest with each other and overcome the past or will it sink their relationship before it gets started. Well written and worth the money. It had me hooked from page one. I can't wait to read book two.

Love

I loved this book both in print and eBook and now on audible as well. The story is emotional and gripping and keeps you hooked.

I wanted to love it.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

A controlling Alpha Billionaire with a penchant for BDSM. A young college graduate facing student loan debt, working in a dreary job, hoping to start her career in her chosen field. She makes a fool of herself in front of the most beautiful man ever and he becomes obsessed with her.

Sound familiar?

Unfortunately, this has been done before. I was really hoping to enjoy this book and was looking for any spark of originality - something that would give it distinction. The heroine's backstory did help with that, but it was too little too late. The book ends on a predictable cliffhanger and the second - and final - book in the series isn't available on audio yet, so consider yourself warned.

I really wanted to enjoy this book but wound up struggling. But others have enjoyed it and I'm sure there are more readers out there who will.

If you’ve listened to books by Dakota Willink before, how does this one compare?

She doesn't have any other audio books.

What aspect of Lacy Laurel and Jeffrey Kafer ’s performance would you have changed?

I also need to take a moment to address narration. Jeffrey Kafer was good and appropriate for the role. Lacy Laurel's voice worked for me, but her repeated mispronunciation of words was jarring. Some listeners won't mind. Unfortunately, I did.

Could you see Heart of Stone: The Stone Series, Volume 1 being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

I'll pass on this question.

This was interesting…...

So, when i started listening to it, I had no idea about what it was about. I choose this book for a challenge. While I might say that it was't grabing me at the begining, i kind of fell for it at some time. The female narrator, could have been better, i think that kind of made it a little less enjoyable. The male narrator was actually good, which compensated a little. And finally, i am defenitly hooked to read the next one. Still debating if I'll spend my credit on the áudio, or if i'll just read de ebook…. The truth is that after listening to it, i'm still not sure about my rating, but since i listened to it in less then 24 hours, i kinda of feel obligated to give it 3,75 stars!

enjoying the story, narration needs work

I enjoy the story line, and am enjoying my first audible book!!
I believe it would capture my attention more however, if the narrative was read as the difference in reading of female and male roles...I wish all the male roles were narrated by the male voice and vice-versa with female narration. You already have a female and make narrating the story, it kind of throws the characters off when the female tries to talk like the male character and the male trying to sound like the female.

Didn't want to stop listening

Loved listening to this book. I can't wait to start book two. Both voices in this book were spot on.

More Than Shades

Fifty Shades of Grey meets clubbing – you’ll understand more later in the book. If you are a fan of the series, you will for sure like “Heart of Stone”. Book one is quite amazing and even emotional at times. Both characters chatter unknown waters and this first part is an introduction and accommodation to their lifestyle.

Krystina Cole’s wish to put in practice her marketing diploma lands her a job with Stone Enterprise, not before knowing the rich businessman. Book one concentrates on how their romantic relationship evolves, from the moment they meet until they reveal their almost all their deepest and darkest secrets.

I mostly appreciated how the author has left Krystina with a part of her independence, even if her struggle to comply with Alex’s wishes is visible. They both try to meet half way, once they realize there may be more between them than one night stands. The backstory is there, each having their own drama, or their own issues to face or fears to conquer. I loved how the feelings transcend the written pages and how their relationship builds up. The alternation between our female character’s POV and the mace character’s is refreshing as well.

There were some items that did not stand well with me. The way Alex wanted to call Krystina for her full name and not Krys, but she could call him Alex was one of them and there may be a couple of really small items. But the major item for me was the narration. The male voice interpreted by Lacy Laurel comes in contrast with the actual male voice of Jeffrey Kafer. While his seems more dangerous and strong, Lacy’s is more kind. This was confusing at times.

All in all, I’m going with 4 stars for the audio edition of the story. This is for sure an intense series, with some elements that are definitely not for the light hearted. Let me know your thoughts on it, I myself, am going to the next part J Enjoy!

I think fans of 50 shades will love this book

I have struggled over this review, more than I ever have any others. I contemplated not reviewing it at all. Contrary to what some people believe reviewers/ bloggers don’t like to be negative, but we also don’t feel the need to give everything 5 stars. Which is why, in the end, I’ve decided to write this review, because I committed to it and I’ve always been honest and I hope fair, in my reviews.

Alexander Stone is a wealthy businessman who takes a shine to Krystina Cole, both have sworn off relationships but sex? They can do no strings sex, surely that’s ok? Only Alexander has certain expectations when it comes to sex that Krystina may not be able to deliver. The chemistry they feel for each other is enough to make them question everything. Will they be able to overcome the odds and make their unconventional relationship work or will their secrets ruin things before they can really start?

I have to start by saying this story was not my cup of tea, the subject yes, but not the execution. I felt the story had great promise and at the beginning, I enjoyed it and thought it was a book I was going to love, it pains me to say that it didn’t work out that way. I had so many issues with how certain elements were handled. That, of course, is personal opinion and I’m sure many will read or listen to it and enjoy it. It was well written and although I don’t like to compare books, I will say that I think if you’re a fan of Fifty Shades of Grey you’ll like this book.

Alexander and Krystina literally bump into one another and the chemistry is there, they meet again and flirting ensues. Krystina needs a job and that job comes in the form of an offer from Alexander… with perks, he’s a dominant not looking for love but a sub he can spend a few nights with. Krystina is not a sub, she’s not a sub when he suggests it, and she’s not a sub throughout the book, she’s a woman mesmerised by a man who doesn’t take the time to explain things to her properly; things he wants, things he expects, and then he gets upset when she doesn’t act like a sub and questions him.

When I started listening to this book I liked Alexander but as the story progressed I took a dislike to him. He kept talking about trust like it was something that he could demand and Krystina would give, without question and without it being a two-way street. I’m sorry but it doesn’t work that way. The more he demanded the more I started to dislike him. I didn’t understand his need to keep his secrets so close to his chest, especially with someone he was falling for.
I liked Krystina, for me, she was a light in this story. She was sweet, yet strong, and knew what she did and didn’t want. I did get frustrated a few times when I wanted her to be firmer and stand her ground. The reveal of her secret was a pivotal moment in the story and for her as a character and it touched my heart.

The relationship between them was baffling, it was like neither of them knew what they really wanted. So much happened, in such a short space of time, it was hard to keep track of all the ups and downs. The sex scenes were steamy, well written and played a pivotal role in the story.

Jeffrey Kafer was great in this book, his performance of Alexander was fantastic. He transitions smoothly from the male and female POV and really draws you into the story.
I enjoyed Lacy Laurel’s performance of Krystina, I thought she had a great voice for her. When it came to Alexander I did have to increase the speed, but once I did I found I could enjoy it that little bit more. The part of the performance that really stood out for me was when Krystina was revealing her secret, the emotion and determination conveyed in the performance was beautiful.
However, the contrast between Lacy and Jeffrey is so stark that I feel the narration would have been better as a duet or if the book had only one narrator. Because Jeffrey has a deep baritone, so the switch between the two was so shockingly different that it took away a little from the story.