Notorious

By: Nicola Cornick

Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren

Dangerously seductive and sinfully beautiful, Susanna Burney is society’s most sought after matchbreaker. Paid by wealthy parents to part unsuitable couples, she’s never yet failed to accomplish her mission of diverting a groom-to-be - until her final assignment brings her face-to-face with the man who’d once taught her an intimate lesson in heartache….

James Devlin has everything he’s always wanted: a title, a rich fiancée, and a place in society. But the woman who’s just met his eyes across a crowded ballroom threatens it all. Not because she’d once claimed his heart or that every sinuous swirl of her ball gown takes his breath away... but because the secrets she carries could cost him everything. To put the past to rest once and for all, Dev just might have to play Susanna at her own wicked game.

©2011 Nicola Cornick (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Katherine Kellgren delivers a calm, cool narration as Susanna and Devlin dance around each other and their feelings. Kellgren’s voice rises and falls as the two are pulled together by desire and then push each other away.” ( AudioFile)

Even better the second time around!

This book is a delight…fabulous narration by Katherine Kellgren, fun plot twists, and characters that grow and change, not your average lovers. Notorious dovetails with the others in the series, but stands alone nicely. I'll certainly listen to it a third time eventually, but try it if you haven't, it's well worth a credit!

Rack Meets Adventurous

Hired by wealthy parents to break the match of their son to a penniless young woman, Susanna Barney must walk a treacherous course to reach her goal of gaining the money needed to keep her adopted twins and clear her debts. The problem in her path is the love of her youth from whom she ran so many years ago.

Will Sir James Devlin manage to thwart the Susanna’s plans and ensue his and his sisters futures? Or will Susanna get the purse she so desperately needs? The passion and tension between Susanna and Devlin build to explosive levels as their pasts catch up to both of them.

The performance perfectly presented the sexual tension and passionate descriptions that my sisters said taught them how to pleasure their marriage beds.

So-So

Katherine Kellgren's performance was supurb, improving the listening pleasure, but the book itself was too slow...love scenes too long. The story was unique in that instead of featuring a "match-maker" it featured a "match-breaker", but I found it difficult to finish--it was depressing despite the happy ending.

I would not recommend it.

Not your mother's romance novel!

What did you love best about Notorious?

I am new to audible, and my experience with this genre has been my mothers Victoria Holt books. Wow-adulthood does have it's advantages! Steamy love scenes with a story-line that held my interest until the very end...The female narration of an American male voice took an adjustment, but glad I overcame it. Great "read"!

What did you like best about this story?

The plot twists-great story.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Had some trouble with the male accents, otherwise perfect.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Notorious-nothing is what it seems...

Any additional comments?

At times the theme was a little dark, but wonderful ending!

Great listen for Historical Romance Fans!

Nicola Cornick has done a great job with character develop in this book and has a couple of different sub-stories in addition to the main story. I really liked this as it brings more depth to the book. This books is very sensual so if you like a good sexy listen in addition to a good story, then this is the book for you.

The narrator, Katherine Kellgren is excellent. There are a couple of audio mixing errors in this books, but they are very minor and do not distract from the story.