Dark and Sexy

What did you love best about Dishonorable?

I loved the transformation of the characters throughout the story. It starts off pretty rough and gritty and is definitely darker than my normal books, but it kept me captivated and wanting more. I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much if I had simply read the story. Michael Pauley's narration really made this book.

What other book might you compare Dishonorable to and why?

Honestly, I have never listened to/read a book like this, so I have nothing to compare it to. I wasn't sure if I was going to like it based solely on the blurb, but I'm so glad I went for it because Michael Pauley was phenomenal as Raphael.

Which character – as performed by Michael Pauley – was your favorite?

No question - Raphael. Michael Pauley was amazing and his narration was incredible, especially during some of the more emotional scenes. Raphael is such a complex anti-hero and there was so much emotion and feeling in Michael Pauley's performance. I couldn't wait to get back to Raphael's chapters.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I don't want to be too spoilery, but the cellar scene was both terrifying and extremely emotional. It was like a car crash that you can't turn away from.

Any additional comments?

Michael Pauley performing Sofia was OK, but I really don't think it's possible for a man with such a deep and masculine voice to pull it off well. His Raphael though is definitely worth the credit!

7 people found this helpful

Starts nasty so grit your teeth!

To start off, I did very much enjoy this book from about the middle of the book on to the end. The first half you really do have to grit your teeth to get through the very graphic descriptions of abusive behavior as well as pathetic stupid girl behavior. I almost gave up on the book right around the half way mark because I was getting frustrated with all the deplorable behavior the main male character has as well as the self deprecating behavior of the female. If sexual degradation isn't your thing, just maybe pull out the vacuum in a few parts. By the middle though things finally start to look like something may happen. I hope there is another book to follow this on the brother. But all in all, I was glad that I persevered and finished. Michael Pauly is amazing. I look forward to more books read by him. Very few narrators put in as much feeling as he does. This way you get way more out of it. Yes some have said his female voice could be better but to those I say get real. How can a man with a deeper sexy voice then turn around and sound like a sweet high toned female. Yes worth a credit.

5 people found this helpful

An epic journey full of hurt, betrayal and passion

Any additional comments?

Natasha Knight is one of those authors I heard everyone rave about, and with DISHONORABLE I finally took the plunge. And OMG, what a ride it was!! Sinful and dark; captivating and gritty; emotional and suspenseful. My, my, such an intense and riveting story! …that kind of story that makes it unable to pull away and participate in the real world. I didn’t want to stop listening to the audio book. And now I’m sad it’s over already – letting go of these characters definitely is not easy.

Raphael Amado embodies everything I love about a dark male character. Complex, demanding, possessive and primal – all while being sexy as hell. A man that went from ranging hot to ice-cold in a blink of an eye – first having you swoon over him and then hating him with all your heart within an instant. I felt inexplicably drawn to him from the start, even without knowing his intentions. He is pained and agonized and had gone to his own personal hell the last six years. His soul blackened over this period of time, all of his light evaporated with the horror he had to endure – and now he is out for one thing only: revenge. He is out for blood and goes for the purest possible soul. Never in a million years would he have guessed that this pure and innocent girl will ultimately be the one that brings him to his knees.

Sofia Guardia may be young and sheltered, even somewhat naïve, but do not make the mistake thinking of her as easily breakable, because she is not. She herself had felt terrible loss in her short life, but that does not deter her from her positive outlook on life – until an overheard conversation informs her that her life is going to change drastically – and forever.

While Sofia and Raphael’s path is anything but conventional, spiked with pain and even more heartbreak, it also holds a sliver of hope and passion – and maybe even … love?
Secrets are revealed, slowly and methodically, countless ups and downs have to be endured, but one thing soon becomes obvious: These two were made for one another.

Raphael fulfills needs Sofia never even realized she had and she slowly reveals the good that is still left in him, who thinks himself to be an evil monster, showing and giving him the love he desperately craves. She has to bend a lot for Raphael, but she never breaks, always on a quest to solve the mystery that surrounds him, to lessen the pain that drives him. And Raphael, truly domineering with his take-no-prisoners ways, wants her, more than he first realized – and he is going to do everything in his might to keep her.

The sexual tension is off the charts, their passion palpable, all the while the emotional connection becomes stronger and stronger and turns something forbidden and ugly into something beautiful.

Taking place between vineyards of two different families, this book takes you on a journey full of hurt, betrayal, passion and nail-biting suspense. The story is dangerous and cuts deep.

The audio book the dual POV is narrated by Michael Pauley in a beautiful and powerful way. Listening to his deep rumbling voice adds another intoxicating layer to the story, which brings to life the characters in the most perfect way.

Now I am hoping that the audio book for DISGRACED will be published soon after the release of the book itself, which is due mid-May. I cannot wait!!

3 people found this helpful

WOW... JUST WOW

What an intense, gripping and touching story Natasha Knight has written about - there's a hero with a dark broken tortured soul who goes on a twisted campaign of revenge.. and part of his plan involves an innocent naive virgin who will be sacrificed for greed, betrayed for love and nearly killed for revenge.

The journey for Sophia would be dark, harrowing, dangerous, sensual and chilling when her Grandfather so easily signs her over to Raphael - the handsome brooding manipulative Italian who whisks her away as soon as she's 18. And Sophia would have to work hard to see the good behind Raphael's dark impenetrable mask - a mask that's been forged from cruelty, pain, anger, regrets and loss. Sophia was torn.. who to trust, who to believe, who to confide in and who was the enemy.. but, amongst all the emotional twists, love flourished. But could love be enough to stop the course of destruction her new husband and Grandfather were determined to finish.. or would they destroy everything.. including Sophia?

Raphael was deep.. and he was also calculating - but what he didn't expect on his journey of revenge was to feel love.. because Sophia was meant to be nothing more than an innocent pawn to be sacrificed in his plan against her Grandfather. But her Grandfather was twice as cunning and twice as manipulative as Raphael - and a dangerous enemy also lurked spewing threats, ultimatums and some ugly truths. And a heartbreaking nightmare would become a reality for Raphael - who hadn't wanted to feel again, hope again.. and love again.

What an emotional tsunami Raphael was as he stormed in, took, claimed and coveted in his headstrong powerful way and Sophia bent but never broke as she desperately tried to understand this complex man.. because she saw the pain that drove the monster, she'd glimpsed his heart.. and she hoped for something more. It was chilling and thrilling as Raphael went from cold to hot.. and back - and there was suspense, passion, intrigue, very steamy scenes and nail-biting action and you never knew what wild wickedry would come next. Well written, gritty, raw, dark and very well-paced.. I didn't know whether to savor it slowly or devour it in one sitting. Dual POV and Michael Pauley's emotional, intoxicating and powerful narration brought scenes, images and characters to life.

Worth a credit? Yes.. this for me was a memorable masterpiece that I'll happily listen to again and again.

6 people found this helpful

Missed the mark...2 stars is perhaps more than is deserved

The "romantic hero" with the abusive childhood was never redeemable in this story. He started off abusive and,while declaring his love, remained abusive.

Every sex scene in the book, which was perhaps meant to be passionate, was abusive and degrading each and every time.

The timeline was unclear, and the moment each realizes their love for one another makes no sense.

The narrator was awful and over the top in his dramatization of the story. His approach made the negative aspects of the story even more repugnant.

I'm sorry for the harsh review, but "truth is truth."

4 people found this helpful

EPIC AND INTENSE!!!!!!👍👍👍❤❤❤

OMG!!!!! This book is so intense! The romance is 12/10 and the story line is E...P...I...C!!!!! Unfolding with you seeing it coming! It's INSANE! I loved it really did! I love 50shades and this book is its rival! I hope we get another book on the story of Daymond and Lina, I wonder what they'll face!
The narrator is A...MAZING!!!!!! He brought the intensity to a whole different level! Excellent job! I want him to narrate more books like tbis❤️
Natasha is a mind blowing writer, tip favs

1 person found this helpful

Nope!

I don't mind when the main female character starts out a little meek, what I mind is when you listen or read through a book and she doesn't ever get a backbone! There are a slight few times in this book when you think she might obtain some semblance of a backbone, but nope, not a chance! The narrator continually makes her have this whiny, helpless voice, which only added to my frustration. The lead guy gets kinda better ish throughout. I just didn't enjoy this at all.

3 people found this helpful

Ho-ly Hell..

Dark, mysterious, & damaged Raphael Amado has suffered a cruel childhood and has served time in jail for crimes he saw as fit. Fast forward 6 yrs later, he demands restitution for all that's happen to his family and himself. That comes in the form of pure and innocent Sofia Guardia, his enemy's granddaughter. Secrets, truths, betrayal, honor, vengeance, and dark dark passion is all served in Dishonorable. Natasha Knight does not disappoint in this dark romance and Michael Pauley narrates with raw and beautiful passion that not only clenches as your heart (& between the thighs) but he reveals Raphael and Sofia in a light that you fall in love with. I enjoyed this audiobook and so will you!

1 person found this helpful

Debts Must Be Paid

I know it seems like an outdated concept but marrying off the young virgins in the family to settle a debt, especially mafia debt, never goes quite as intended. So this is sorta kinda a mafia romance but not really, there is some indirect mafia interaction. But it certainly is a dark romance and a really good one. Natasha Knight is amazing at weaving complex love stories that requires a little twistedness to really get into. So I guess I am one twisted sister because I like her books and I really like this one. Raphael has his demons he's battling while also fighting his attraction to the very young and innocent sofia who has agreed to marry him to settle her Grandfather's debt. Now how's a guy suppose to resist a young, sweet, innocent girl with a heart of gold? Sofia makes awfully difficult for Raphael to use her for his revenge.

Michael Pauley is a good narrator and sometimes gets really dramatic -- which I totally love -- at intense moments. He is just not very good at the female voices, but he's so good emoting I'll forgive him for that.

This listen is absolutely worth every penny I spent. Can't wait for the next dark romance from Ms. Knight.

3 people found this helpful

Electrifying!

Natasha Knight never ceases to amaze me with the characters and story she can create and bring to us. The emotions and feelings that make you live in the moment with those characters is rare coming from an author. This story of Raphael and Sofia is so captivating, I could not take my earbuds off! Sofia at the age of 18, is set to graduate and marry a man, Raphael, she knows nothing about. He seems to know a lot more about her, and has nothing on his mind but to have her and the family she has to meet their demise. He forgot though, with this marriage comes getting to know her and that his feelings would then come in to play. Sofia, so naive in some instances is so mature in others. She is able to see Raphael for who he really is, the pain he has suffered throughout his life and falls in love with him anyway. While this fairy tale has been written before, Natasha Knight puts a few twists in turns throughout the story which will cause your gut to wrench, your anger to rise, your eyes to cry and your heart to swell. I don't know how many emotions I had gone through, but every second was was entrancing.

Michael Pauley narrates this story to perfection. His voice as Raphael is so strong and dominant that you can't help but keep and listen to him, just so you can find out what is going to happen next. Grab this book, you will not regret it!

2 people found this helpful