Just the beginning

The Mate Games have started once again, but this time do any of the players even know they are playing?
Dahlia is such a fabulous character, she is snarky, socially awkward, & curvy what more could you ask for?
Tor, Cain, Kai & Caspian all have their work cut out for them. They all feel the pull, the desire, but will any of them make the first move? What happens when chains are loosened and the monsters that have been carefully locked down start to break free?

This was a phenomenal start to another series, with extraordinary performances by all the narrators.

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I laughed more than I expected to!

This has a bit of everything; mystery, suspense, steam and humour. The dialogue is funny on its own but the delivery and the performances across the board just elevated it that little bit higher. I genuinely laughed so much while I was listening. Every time Kai got an acronym, every time Caspian tried to sweet talk Dahlia and every time the dog did something to anyone apart from Dahlia. And the majority of Kiki's scenes; she is such a breath of fresh air and I loved her character. There are still some dark plotlines in this though so its not all fun and games for the characters; the ripper storyline has me intrigued and I'm wondering how that is all going to play out.

There are elements of insta lust/love but its not a straight forward fated mates tale and is on the slow burn side. I liked the fact that this is multi POV as Dahlia's inner monologues give you an insight into her self esteem but her interactions with the other characters through their eyes show how witty and confident she can be. Her relationships are all happening at difference paces too rather than straight up dominoes with Cain in particular holding back (and I love the reason why he is doing so as it speaks volumes about his character). His storyline is the one that engaged me the most after Dahlia herself.

I haven't read the other books in the series (and only one of the companion series) but Tor broke my heart and I loved his backstory; although this is a standalone I will be going back to read the other series for context as I love an Easter egg.

I really enjoyed the multi cast production especially as its in duet style; at this point Jason Clarke and JF Harding could read a menu to me and I'd be hanging on every word. James Joseph, John Hartley, Stella Hunter and Samantha Brentmoor were all new to me narrators and the chemistry between them all was on point throughout. The only small nitpick I have is that there was one character's accent which took me out a little but its only as I am Scottish myself. However as the character wasn't that prevalent it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment and I will definitely be continuing the series.

My interpretation of the star system;
3 stars - I enjoyed it; would read the author again
4 stars - I really liked it; I am invested and definitely want more from this author/series
5 stars - I loved it; I engaged with this book completely until I finished it and it is one I will re-read.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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The whole package

Ever wonder what would be like if you fell into some of the fantasy stories you read? Thats what this book is, just like you fell into all of the romantasy books at once and i loved every moment of it! And so much spice 🌶🌶🌶🌶 . Once i started this,i couldn't put it down and nearly finished the whole thing in 1 day. I'm so eager for the next book.

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Haunting Beauty

Good book from the very beginning. This book was really fun. I normally do not care for reverse harem or why choose, but I enjoyed this one. It was also very smexy. The narrators were outstanding in bringing the story to life. Each narrator was perfect for their role. I received this free copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

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Fantastic fun and sexy as hell

WOW! An absolute powerhouse of voice actors here! This is a quality recording for a top notch PNR story. Having read the book I can say you really need to listen to this on audio. The way the characters are brought to life with their sexy accents and perfectly matched voices is a treat your senses will thank you for! The book is great but the audio will blow your socks off!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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OMG!!!!!!

OMG!!!! That was beyond amazing. I’m so glad I preordered this. Absolutely outstanding!!! Narrated to perfection.

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Why Choose Paranormal Romance

Haunting Beauty by Meg Anne and K. Loraine is a why choose paranormal romance that I listened to on audio narrated by Stella Hunter, J.F. Harding, Jason Clarke, John Hartley, James Joseph, and Samantha Brentmoor. This is the first book in The Mate Games: Death series.

I absolutely love the Mate Games World! Meg and Kim do an amazing job pulling me into the story. I am loving the chemistry between Dahlia, Tor, Hook, Kai, and Cain. I loved that we got all of their points of views throughout the book. It really brought the story to life.

The book ended on an amazing cliffhanger that left me begging for more. I can't wait for the next book in the series Hunted Beast to be released on February 19, 2024.

I absolutely love that they do a full cast of narrators for this series. It really brings the story to life.

I would recommend this series if you like paranormal romances, why choose romances, or fated mate's romances.

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#bestroundyet - Bring on the villains!!!!

To say I was excited for this new series in the Mate Games universe would be a dramatic understatement. As soon as it was hinted during the Pestilence series that Death would be the next round and the clues as to who would be the players.....I was HOOKED (pardon the pun). It is fair to say for the last few months I have been thinking about little else and pestering the creative geniuses K Loraine and Meg Anne for details and hints as to the casting.

They continue to level up on themselves and this story just shows how effortlessly they can create this beautifully evocative and sexy paranormal why choose romance that also has so much classic humour but also earnest heart to it. For this round we find ourselves whisked away to the entrancing but menacing Blackwood Asylum in the beautiful Highlands of Scotland and a backdrop of a sinister looming threat of a supernatural "Ripper" serial killer.

Its an absorbing and fascinating story which is threaded through with so many easter eggs and links to K Loraine and Meg Anne's other works and characters that this really is one for the fans. It is also a love letter for all those who fell in love with the villains and wanted to run off with them instead. But there is also an added extra to this story which immersive audio drama nerds will love, with audio effects in little extracts sprinkled throughout the book to really drill in the unsettling foreshadowing environment of this new world we are living in for this series.

They have once again managed to create a superb ensemble of characters you instantly relate to and get drawn in by, aided expertly by their stellar audio cast. Dahlia is probably my favourite of the main female characters so far in the Mate Games universe. She is effortlessly relatable as the adorable funny, sweet but awkward recluse writer who is tormented by her past and her ability to see ghosts. Of course, Queen Stella Hunter is the only one able to take on the mantle with her effortless charisma and talent and I just always want to listen to her. However, I was deliriously happy when Samantha Brentmoor made her debut in the universe and joined the cast in a delicious complement to Stella, by playing Dahlia's confident, sassy, slightly manic best friend and editor Kiki and as the mysterious Dr Masterson running the Blackwood Asylum. I have such an unashamedly hard girl crush on Samantha and it is not helped one bit listening to her in this. Sigh.

But it wouldn't be a Mate Games without the boys. And they don't slack on this one with the Jason Clarke finally getting to play the Beast of Novasgard, aka Tor Nordson twin of Alek. Anyone who ever obsessed about the Beast from Beauty and the Beast well....this one is for you. With his trademark deep gravely voice and an English accent and playing the giant softie desperately trying to battle control with his inner demon for his fated mate. Its everything.

James Joseph being given free reign once again to just run with it and create a larger than life instant fan favourite with his turn as the devilishly charming rouge fae pirate, Caspian Hook. He is a trickster but a seductive one and will lay waste to an array of fans.

John Hartley, the definition of method audio actor if I ever heard one, playing the tormented artist Scottish fae dragon Kai is something you just NEED in your life. He gives Tor a run for his money as an overly possessive slightly out of control beast who wants to lay siege to Dahlia's heart and take his gem back to his hoard.

J.F Harding gets to showcase a completely different weapon in his acting arsenal in this series by playing a completely different character than usual. He is the mysterious stranger Cain, with a lethal Southern drawl and lost memory but that doesn't stop him from being probably the most villainous of the whole harem.

All of this mixed together in a deliciously enticing cocktail of intriguing mystery, spinetingling suspense, four dominant alpha guys vying for the attentions of our lovely Dahlia, a sprinkling of intense heat and topped with wicked humour...you will never want it to stop.

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Yes just yes😍

Definitely a 5 star read for me!
I would recommend reading the CWs first to see if this book is right for you as there are some darker themes!

The cast were amazing, and really helped me visualise how the characters sounded.

Whenever Tor was present it actually made me wanna giggle like a teenager because holy cow he’s my fave 🥵.

The spicy scenes were hot as hell and I can’t wait to see more in the next book. I’m so enraptured by this series already and I cannot wait to continue reading!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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A Fascinating New Series! Amazing Story & Listen🎧

Meg Anne and K. Loraine unite again for another amazing collaboration and start of a new series set in their fascinating “Mate Games” world. These two make a great team, two gifted authors with brilliant minds that are imaginative, and they create stories that consume your entire being, ones you can not get enough of and keep you coming back for more. “Haunting Beauty” grabbed my attention right from the start and held it for the entire book. As the first book of the series, it lays down the foundation for what is coming and introduces you to the key characters and wow, what a lineup of characters, each one as intriguing as the other, starting with Dahlia Moore. Dahlia is an author, an introvert who prefers to stay home, but she has to do some public appearances, including the red carpet event for a movie premier based on one of her books. She loses it at that event and all heII breaks loose, and while she does not remember much of what happens it is recommended that she spend some time at a rehab facility in Scotland, Blackwood Asylum, except it is no ordinary rehab and it turns out Dahlia is no ordinary human. And she is met with some of the most extraordinary men, and all want her attention. If you read or listened to the original “Mating Games” you will remember Alek’s brother Tor Nordson, a Norse demigod, Prince of Novasgard, a berserker and a beast. Then we have Caspian Hook, the pirate aka Captain Hook, a FAE with magical powers, Kai (Malakai) the dragon shifter and the mysterious Cain Alexander. Keeping these patients in line is the good doctor Masterson, and she has her work cut out for her with this crew. I absolutely loved how everything played out in this book, it is a cleverly plotted story with non-stop drama and plenty of things going on, intriguing things including putting their own unique spin on classic fairytales. And that ending, holy moly, I need the next book pronto! Meg Anne and K. Lorraine, thank you for another amazing story and wild ride.    

🎧📚🎧 And for the exceptional narration performed in duet style by this amazing lineup of talent, Stella Hunter, J.F. Harding, Jason Clarke, John Hartley, James Joseph, Samantha Brentmoor and a guest appearance by Aaron Shedlock in a cameo as Alek. These industry greats were fantastic in their roles and I loved how they owned their roles, sounding believable and just as imagined how the characters would sound. Each one stood out and they truly shined in their performance, starting with Stella Hunter as Dahlia, grasping her with and eccentrics, Jason Clarke as Tor the Berserker who nails it as the growly beast, James Joseph as the smart-alecky and full of himself Hook, J.F. Harding as the mysterious Cain, and John Hartley as the possessive Kai, these four men are alpha’s in their own right, portrayed perfectly according to their personality. Samantha Brentmoor’s Dr. Masterson was perfection, loved how she delivered her dialogue, her Kiki was just as amazing too. These versatile voice artists are entertaining storytellers and their performance enhances the story to another level. Thank you for another amazing listen.

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