Lovely Story 🔆 Narration!

The protagonists have obvious differences in status, wealth, lifestyle to David’s runner slightness and Murdo’s muscular heft. What I love though was the author showing rather than telling us their deep significant differences: from David's celibacy because he feels he is an abomination compared to Murdo’s self-accepting hedonism; by David’s cool manner of sincere speech compared to Murdo’s teasing vivacity; and in their physical intimacy, David is brusque efficiency while Murdo is slow sensuality. Though the protagonists provoke each other no end, it was my happy job just to observe how drawn they are to the other regardless. 🤣 As part of a Trilogy, plots are introduced and paced leisurely but not quite resolved in Provoked. Luckily, David + Murdo are thoughtfully realised that I am invested until their HEA.

🎧 There are different Scottish accents and I really, truly enjoy the narrator’s dialect work here! ✨️ The narrator effectively evokes mood and atmosphere: listen to how he ramps up the anxious unrest in the opening chapter and compare it to the tender feeling of David’s conversation with his father in the last chapter. Hamish’s best was vocalizing David’s guardedness in contrast to Murdo's 'x' factor, charismatic confidence. ✨️ Mr. McKinlay narrates female voices well and as there are plenty of them – mothers, matriarch, shrew, siblings, debutantes, prostitute etc. - it is just lovely to hear them portrayed as the author wrote them.

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Great story, looking forward to reading book 2

this book was amazing and now looking forward to continuing the story in book 2.

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Excellent but no happy ending.

This was one of the rare occasions where I listened to a book I hadn't yet read, and both the author and the narrator did an excellent job of holding my attention.
The narrator is excellent, with perfectly differentiated voices for the MCs and a great tone to his voice.
The story doesn't have a happy ending for our MCs, but there are two more books in the series before their story is finally finished so I guess I'll just have to dig them out of my TBR pile.

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A 5+ Star Listen

What made the experience of listening to Provoked the most enjoyable?

Joanna Chambers storytelling is spot on, I listened to this in one sitting and it's going to be one that I'll listen to again.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I think it has to be David, I love his voice, his insecurities and his strength, the way he always wants to do the right thing.

Which character – as performed by Hamish McKinlay – was your favourite?

Again I'm going with David although Hamish was wonderful with all of the characters.

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

The moment with David and his father, it's very touching.

Any additional comments?

I can't wait for the rest of the series, highly recommended.

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I'm a harsh critic, it was nearly a five

Honestly so enjoyable. Offered to me as a gay romance, I expected simple, cheese, not much depth. But this is genuinely a STORY first and foremost, historically accurate seeming views of homosexuality, and then a little passion more than romance at this point. But it's a trilogy, thankfully!

Onto the next!

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Brilliant start to a magnificent trilogy

So good! Story is interesting - characters engaging - historical background clearly delineated.

Narrator is wonderful. Voice is perfect for both main characters. Loved it!

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Set in Scotland, British writer, Scottish narrator

Plenty of historical back-story which sets up the two characters who have little life experience in common but understand each other nevertheless. The events in which both protagonists are enmeshed are just as important as their relationship but the balance between romance and history is fine, neither dominating while each aspect enhances the other. Well-written and brilliantly narrated with a range of accents. Makes most sense if you listen also to parts 2 and 3 for full development of characters and romance.

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Great narration from Hamish, really good story....

I've been putting off reading this series for quite some time, but thought I'd take a chance on the first audio...and am SO happy I did. Hamish McKinlay's narration was just superb, and yes, he's really Scottish, not someone pretending to be. 5 stars.

Davie is a wonderfully sympathetic character who always tries to see everything from all sides except when his own happiness is involved. He's ashamed of his feelings for men, and until he meets Lord Murdo Balfour, has only done the basics where uncomplicated things are involved. I can see further down the road that he and Miss Chalmers will become firm friends [once he's persuaded her that he's not the marrying kind of course]. As for Lord Murdo...well, I sense he's halfway to being in love with David Lauriston already, he just won't accept it, but time is a funny thing....

The secondary story regarding the weavers and Government agents was well done, and maybe we'll get to catch up with Ewan in subsequent stories?? Now onto to Beguiled...after I've finished Seven Summer Nights of course.

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Great story, fantastic narrator

The writing is brilliant, but McKinlay's voice acting is phenomenal. I really hope this voice actor works on more audio books because his intonation and expression is amazing.

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Really a gem

Really enjoyed listening to this book. With great narration by Hamish McKinlay whose voice was a great bonus.
This book is set in Edinburgh. David is trying to rebuild his reputation in the legal world. Murdo is determined to wed one day. But to a woman as back in those day Same sex was a taboo subject. But Murdo thinks he can keep his true feeling for men quite,
This is part of a series. It was wonderfully written with great care put into the characters. What's not to like. Waiting for the next audible.

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2 people found this helpful