Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

I was excited to have a chance to listen to the audio of this new installment of a series I first started reading many years ago when I was new to MM romance. Unfortunately, the narrator’s style and pacing did not meet my expectations. In fact, at times, I cringed at a vocalization or at the way he rushed through a particular paragraph or dialogue. So, being the bookaholic I am, I got the e-book version and alternated reading with listening.

The story itself was complex and interesting. In fact, I had to pay attention carefully because many of the characters in this book appeared in the past, and while listening to the audio, I had to take “pause time” to recall old relationships—one more advantage to having the e-book(s) so I could double-check names and research past appearances. I should have reread the previous book before starting this one. I didn’t realize the first line in the blurb, which said this is a sequel to My Regelence Rake, was actually a strong hint. So, by all means, other readers should do that first. It may help with character recall.

This book features a sweet, innocent, virginal character, Blaise Thompson, one who reminded me of Aiden in My Fair Captain. Blaise fed my need for a revisit to this world. Smart as a whip, cute as a button, he was constantly trying to get his younger brother out of trouble. Enter Dalton Fairfax, a soldier between assignments and nephew of Raleigh, the King Consort. Estranged from his father and sire, Dalton doesn’t much care about his reputation, until he makes a deeper connection with Blaise than he thought he’d ever desire.

I like the universe the author has created, the complexities of the governments and off-planet entities that make their futuristic world so different. And I really love these sweet, innocent young men and the all-men society they live in. It’s refreshing to be there as they confront their first sexual attraction—usually a rake from whom they’ve been warned to stay away. But, in this case, I can’t recommend the audiobook format. E-book? Yes, by all means. The story is certainly worthwhile. But the pacing and interpretation of the story and narration of the character voices was very poorly done in audio.

The cover by Tiferet Designs features two young men standing back to back. Their attire and overall appearance represent the regency look of this story. It’s nicely done against a bright blue background.

Sales Links:   | Amazon | Audible

Audio Book Details:

Audiobook, Audible Audiobook
Published April 18th 2019 by Dreamspinner Press (first published February 19th 2019)
ASINB07Q5V7Q9M
Series Sci-Regency #4