Waking Olivia

By: Elizabeth O'Roark

Narrated by: Rock Engle, Stephanie Wyles

A failing farm. His father's debt. And a struggling college track team.

Will Langstrom has too many responsibilities, and the last thing he needs is Olivia Finnegan, a beautiful but troubled new transfer student.

A smart mouth. A strong right hook. And a secret that could destroy her.

Olivia is her own worst enemy, with a past she can't seem to escape, and the last person she wants help from is a cocky track coach she can never seem to please.

Refusing to be pushed away, Will is determined to save her. And determined to resist an attraction that could destroy them both.

Contains mature themes.

©2016 Elizabeth O’Roark (P)2018 Tantor

Good but issue with male narrator

I loved this. It’s such a cute story and so funny. I’m partial to Brendon, the MMCs brother. He never said something that didn’t make me laugh.

The only downsides:

I don’t think the Male narrator was a good choice for this character. His voice was fine and his reading was.. but just NOT for Will lol. What is Will? Like.. 25, 26? This dude sounded like a dorky dad instead of a tough-love coach. He was just... way to excitable..

I have to this story is that the H is a fkn pussy and only acts on his lust out of jealousy, fear or coercion - never out of courage. It was a huge turnoff and a strong female like Olivia deserves a strong male who does nothing but make her know how wanted she is. At the very least, she deserved some open communication where his hesitation was concerned. He is well aware of her insecurities and where they stem from — why she doesn’t want anyone close. It just blew my mind that Will, who wanted to “save” her, could overlook this.

HUGE PLUS! The characters are all extremely well developed!

Wow

Now, let me tell you that I don't write reviews and you've probably heard this before. Even my favorite books, new and old, I have never felt the need to respond. This book gave me the urge to.

The story was gripping and real. The character detail and progress are amazing. I've been rut recently trying to a book that entices me, keeps me locked in. Finally, I found a great romance that I didn't want to end. (So glad that I'm out of this rut.)

The romance between Will and Olivia is spectacular and swoon worthy. With enough push and pull to keep your heart racing and frustrated at the same time.

Olivia as a woman is strong and after all she has been through, she still has a innocence to her.
Will progresses in into a real man, instead of just a boy with model body.

I give the narration 4 stars because sometimes the voices bugged me. They occasionally became monotonous and their opposite sex voices could use a little work, but really it was still good. I would listen to their voices again.

Hope you read it and enjoy it as much as I did. I'm off to read my next O'Roark book. Hope I'm completely out of my rut on stale books.

K. P.

So very good

This book had me hooked from the beginning. Great listen looking to read more books by Elizabeth.

Overall Cute

The story was a slow-burn, hate to love novel. The male narrator didn’t do it for me.

Good female narrator. Hated the male one.

I-loved this book but the male narrator’s over acting ruined the story for me.

An Emotional Read

This was a great read, and I was worried since I worry when a book is overhyped. Olivia had a lot of issues and trauma from her past, leasing her to sleep run. She got kicked out of D1 program and had to transfer to this school. Her coach did not want her there, but he learns about her sleep running and tries to help and support her.

I enjoyed the slow evolution of their relationship. From coach/athlete to friends, to lovers. His support for Olivia was beautiful, but they had to hide everything. He also had a girlfriend for most of the book, who was extra annoying. Beware of OW drama.

Stephanie Wyles and Rock Engle brought the characters and story to life. I loved this audiobook!!!

Not her best book

I wanted to like it but unfortunately it didn't work for me...
Where I expected the author to put more emphasis, she didn't and in the least important moments she did give more "screen time".
I really liked her Devils series and I expected this to be amazing like that series, unfortunately I felt like she missed and it really could be such a great book like other books she wrote.
3 ⭐

Will suck you in!

Absolutely LOVED Olivia and Will. This story will just pull you in! Yes a bit forbidden but the attraction is instant. The trauma of Olivias past haunts her. When her dream is on the line Will can’t help but feel drawn to help her.

MMC unpleasant

MMC's voice is so whiney. I loved reading this book and it was written by one of my favorite authors, but the male narrator's voice is very unpleasant to listen to when he gets upset or annoyed.

These Narrators are HORRIBLE

What in the world? First, please don't let Rock Engle ever narrate a romance book again. Stephanie Wyles sounds like she is in front of a speech coach. Just terrible.