Empire of Desire: Empire Series Book 1

PERFORMANCE REVIEW:

The story is told mostly in Nate & Gwyneth’s POV which make our main narrators Aiden Snow & Callie Dalton. King was narrated by Connor Crais.

All three narrators did an excellent job of bringing the story to life, but Callie Dalton stood out for me the most because she narrated Gwyneth’s character spectacularly. She captured her age, status, naivete, and overall sheltered view of the world ridiculously well and it just awed me!

STORY REVIEW:

I experienced my first Rina Kent story just last year (2022) and it was so well done that I immediately wanted to jump back and read all about the people and world these kids came from! I was so impressed with her style that I honestly just wanted to experience more, no matter what world it was, so when the opportunity to listen to Empire of Desire came up, I jumped!

I’m not going to lie and say I did not have some serious eyeroll and #twitchy moments over this plot, but for the most part, I found it to be just the kind of crazy passionate, age-gap romance, I like. There’s a whole lot more going on in this story other than Nate & Gwyneth’s romance journey and for the most part, it all moved the story forward but some of it still has me thinking “but why, though?” and that’s a feeling I don’t like. The one that stands out the most is King’s awakening and its aftermath. I can’t go into detail because, spoiler, but suffice it to say my eye is still twitching so do with that information what you will LOL On the flip side of this, I found the entire Aspen circumstance to be well played and honestly took me by complete surprise. It was twisted and messy and right under their noses and yet I was as surprised as everyone in the book was when it unfolded. Again, that’s as much as I can say because, spoiler, but again, well done!

Sidenote (and this is really only for its ridiculously humorous nature): Gwyneth likes vanilla. That is vital information you should know. Ask me why. No, seriously, ask me. (I am cry laughing so hard right now) Okay, I’ll tell you. This is only an assumption on my part, but I assume it is vital information because we are told 63 times. *blink* Specifically, vanilla milkshakes (31 times) and vanilla ice cream (20 times). But wait, that’s not really how I know she likes vanilla. I know she truly likes it because … wait for it … vanilla-colored panties *rapid blinking laughing hysterically*

Okay, so overall, Empire of Desire turned out to be sexy, passionate, a little twitchy here and there, captivating, and surprising, all surrounded by the scent of vanilla! :) 4 Stars all around!

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Amazing age gap listen

Loved this story so much! Age Gap, Father’s Best Friend & marriage of convenience/forced proximity all rolled into one great story. Gwen & Nathaniel’s chemistry was crazy hot. So many twists & turns. I didn’t want the book to end! Excellent narration by Callie Dalton, Aiden Snow & Connor Crais.

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1 person found this helpful

❤️🔥 Great Love Story 🔥❤️

I think I'm in love with Nathaniel, he's like the perfect guy. This story has been a real joy to listen to. I wasn't bored once and I was engaged throughout. The chemistry was on fire in this book. First time I’ve ever listened to anything by this author and it won’t be the last. I love the style of writing and the way the story is captured.

The narrators were fantastic and brought this story to life.

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Age-Gap and Forbidden Romance!

This is the first book in the Empire series, a standalone romance. Nathaniel (Nat) and Gwyneth (Gwyn)’s story is well written and captivating. Nat is handsome and protective. Gwyn is young, naive, and impulsive. They share a sizzling hot chemistry, and a push and pull relationship. Gwyn's dad Kingsley is an enigmatic character, and a fantastic single dad. I would love to read his story. This is a great age-gap, father’s best friend, and taboo/forbidden romance. Aiden Snow, Callie Dalton and Connor Crais did an outstanding job with the narration. I enjoyed it! Rina Kent never disappoints!

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A steamy forbidden love with great narration.

This is a forbidden age-gap romance which I do love to read and it was a cracker. Gwen kisses her dad’s best friend on her 18th birthday when he’s 18 years older than her, but he doesn’t like it one bit, and then promptly goes about trying to get over her crush. Cue life changing event that has them getting married to secure her financial future and Nathaniel
resists for the longest time, until he doesn’t!

Oh the chemistry between these two bubbles beneath the surface and then when it finally breaks free it is combustible. Nate is an arrogant, high-powered lawyer with his heart surrounded by a fortress but works magic with the good dick. Gwen is his best friend’s daughter who is quite clearly a stunning adult now and all woman.

Rina writes a romance with some interesting plot elements. I loved the character development and the dynamics between the main and side characters that chop and change throughout the book. There’s a wait….what moment when a truth is revealed and I didn’t see it coming. Love it when an author can surprise me. The heat was tastier than the vanilla cupcakes Gwen likes to bake and dirtier than the trails they hiked together.

Callie has a young quality to her voice, so I could absolutely see her as Gwen. She showed us just how frustrated she was with her crush but also how desperate she became once he caved and took her. She was thirsting after him like water in the desert. In contrast Aiden’s deep timbre made you believe Nate was much older than her. I’d forgotten how much I love listening to him narrate. His performance was completely well rounded giving us a front row seat to Nate’s emotions. Connor plays Callie’s dad King and again his voice felt mature enough to play the role of Gwen’s dad. He gave us total papa bear vibes when he realises what’s going on between the two and although he doesn’t get as many chapters as Callie and Aiden, the ones he does get are great.

The perfect intro to Rina’s writing.

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Good erotica here

I liked it, due in large part to the narration, though there were many elements I enjoyed.

Let’s start with my main complaint. I’m kind of tired of the “alpha male who never loved anyone but who finally falls in love” trope–I mean, people can love multiple times in their life. It’s especially annoying with the cold hearted alpha. Why has this particular person touched you and changed your heart? Usually, it’s because they “aren’t like the others”. Yeah, right. That’s the case for everyone. But whatever. I just had to accept it as it was and move on.

The main characters were interesting. On one hand, there was Nate, the broken older guy–in his thirties, not a senior–who never experienced love in any way, even in his close relationships. He even kept his colleague Aspen at arm’s distance, and his friendship with King was tainted with violence and anger. And let’s not talk about his relationship with his family. He only accepted the role of mentor because that kept him above the others. And on the other hand, bratty Gwyneth, King’s daughter. Damn she was a handful, so annoying that she became endearing, because she forced Nathaniel outside of his boundaries. Plus, her mental health troubles were dealt with with some respect, though I could have done without Gwyneth calling herself crazy.

The author develops nicely how they slowly move toward each other, Gwyneth becoming more reliable and a real support for Nate, while he discovers he has a heart and can use it. It’s very sexual at first, which maintains a barrier between them, until they can’t deny their deeper feelings.

On top of their inner struggles, there’s another reason their relationship isn’t supposed to work: Nate is Gwyneth’s father’s best friend. He’s much older than her, he’s known her since she was an infant, and she’s called him uncle for as long as they’ve known each other. Talk about forbidden, almost incestuous even. Which makes for a couple of interesting confrontations once their relationship is out in the open. And of course it forces them to prove their feelings for each other, which is always quite romantic.

So yeah, there’s definitely some sweet romantic stuff, but it’s mostly scorching hot! Nate and Gwyneth have an explosive relationship. Keep a cold beverage on hand, or even a cigarette. Good erotica here.

Though source of a couple of twists and revelations that keep the book interesting, I felt the plot was a bit loose, full of unbelievable coincidences. The romance part was well done, the family stuff not so much. It felt like watching a bad soap opera.

With King getting some chapters, it was nice to have three narrators. Three really good narrators, should I add. Gwyneth’s bratty attitude was spot on, while the male narrators brought Nate’s and King’s colder behavior to life with an even tone speckeled with deeper emotions.

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A perfect taboo romance filled with desire

Empire of Desire is book one in the Empire series and is the complete standalone, forbidden age-gap, fathers’ best friend, marriage of convenience romance story of Nathaniel Weaver and Gwyneth Shaw.
Gwyneth was infatuated with Nathaniel, her dad’s best friend, since she was fifteen years old. All her life Nathaniel had been Uncle Nate until somewhere along the way he became Nate, the man of her dreams and on her eighteenth birthday, she shoors her shot and kisses him which goes down like a lead balloon. For two long years Nate and Gwen avoid each other, until an accident turns their lives upside down and forces them together in the form of a marriage of convenience.
Nate is devastatingly sexy and his closed off, impenetrable persona would deter even the strongest of people, yet he’s not prepared for the storm that is Gwen and the forbidden temptation she tangles in front of him. Seeing Nate’s control snap and his possessive side come to the forefront was panty melting hot and I could die a happy woman if Nate was to repeat “you’re truly fucked, baby girl” for the rest of my days.
Aiden Snow brings Nate to life and quite honestly, I can’t think of a better person who could’ve done this character justice quite like Aiden. His deep voice was simply perfect for this super-hot, dirty talking, sexually experienced alpha. Callie Dalton’s sweet, lilting tone was perfect to portray the sassy and utterly besotted Gwen. Callie really sold me that Gwen was not only wounded but was also initially suffering from unrequited love and finally bags herself the man she’s wanted for a long time. Connor Crais’ performance as Kingsley Shaw, father of Gwen and best friend of Nate. Even though King is a small part in this book, Connor’s portrayal of the doting father is amazing.
I loved this story, the characters, the tropes, Ms Kents writing style, the dirty talk and steamy times, the fact that it’s focused around desire, whether that is something that has been present but not reciprocated or a growing, slow burn desire and the anticipation contributed to make this an incredible story. I cannot wait to get lost in more from this fabulous author, especially Knox’s story in Empire of Sin.

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Age gap, taboo romance

I absolutely loved this age gap, contemporary, taboo romance!

This was intense, dark and so very compelling

The characters were well fleshed out, real and relatable.

I absolutely loved the chemistry between the characters!!

This was hot, sexy and spicy.

The narrators performed an amazing audio delivery and narration


Definitely recommend

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2 people found this helpful

This book is 🔥!!!

At first I was like 🤔 but then I was 😱🫣🤩🤩🤩🤩.
Uncle Nate man. 🥵
I love the “suspense” added in. All the steamy scenes were super hot. Really enjoyed this listen. Great start to this new author for me.

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A must listen!

I just finished this audiobook and I loved it. The narration made the story come to life. Rina Kent gives the reader an age gap, father’s best friend romance packed with emotion, angst, longing and so much steam with Empire of Desire. I loved every beautiful word and the quirky Gwen stole my heart. She had loved Nate for years but was dejected and determined to move on. However, circumstances changed. Can this quirky and smart little vixen bring his cold heart to life? The writing is excellent as always, filled with great characters and a complex plot. What more to you need? A must read/listen five star experience.

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