Audiobook Review – Easy Magic by Kristen Proby

Easy Magic (Boudreaux #5) by Kristen Proby

Narrated by Rachel Fulginiti and Zachary Webber

Stands Alone Easily. 5th in an interrelated series. Contemporary Romance with Paranormal Elements. 

Now I understand why everyone raves about Kristen Proby! As a rule, I don’t start series in the middle, but I was told that Easy Magic by Kristen Proby stood completely alone, and I wanted to read Kristen Proby, so I grabbed it. Easy Magic is the 5th in the Boudreaux series, but if I didn’t know that, I don’t think I would have ever realized it. If you have read the previous four in the NOLA based series though, you’ll be pleased to know there are a few lovely family gatherings where you will visit with what I assume are couples from previous books in the series.

I have to start this review by saying I loved everything about the Easy Magic audiobook, from the story to the romance to the accents that narrators used, I loved it all. My favorite thing about it though, is that it’s a contemporary romance with strong paranormal/psychic elements, but I don’t think it’s enough to call it a totally paranormal book, nor do I think it will turn off traditional romance readers who have never touched paranormal. In fact, I think it may open those people up to a whole new world of books. New Orleans has always been known as a hotbed of magical, psychic and ghostly activity, so I don’t think it’s too much of a stretch to find this in a NOLA based series, and to me, it was a refreshing and welcome change from the same old stories.

Mallory Adams is the granddaughter of a powerful and well-known psychic who often helped police find missing children. She was raised by the psychic, and when Mallory realized that those psychic abilities are also what killed her grandmother, she locked down her own abilities as much as possible and refused to have anything to do with them. But it’s not something easily turned off. While Mallory can’t find living people, she can communicate with the dead, and whenever she touches anyone she can read their mind and emotions. She therefore hates being touched; but Beau Boudreaux is the first man she can’t read when she touches.

Mallory owns a shop that sells essential oils and natural cures. She rents the shop from Beau, who lives in the loft above while his home is being built. When Mallory is woken in the middle of the night by a dream that her store was flooding, she races to her shop, and sure enough, three inches of water cover the floor. So she has to wake up her hot landlord.

“I’ve met the man exactly twice, including right now, but what he does to my libido is ridiculous.”

Beau is a no-nonsense, workaholic kind of guy. He is also very observant, especially of Mallory. He notices everything about her. He notices she doesn’t like to be touched by other people, but doesn’t know why. But believe me, he plans on finding out that and a lot more from Mallory.

“Well, don’t get me wrong, every woman wants to be told she’s pretty.”
“I didn’t say pretty,” I reply and lean in, resting my elbows on her desk. “‘Pretty’ is too dull of a word to describe you.”

I loved that the characters were mature, and even though the relationship developed quickly, it didn’t seem like instalove, more like they were old enough, smart enough and experienced enough to know that the connection they share was unique and special.

“I’m savoring this,” I whisper and kiss her collarbone. “I’ll only ever get to see you naked for the first time once. I don’t want to rush it.”

The sex was totally hot, and I loved how she was not some virgin who was scared ‘it wouldn’t fit’, nor did she second guess the lust she felt for this man.

“I’m going to take you back to your place this evening, strip you naked, and tie your hands with this scarf. Then I’m going to fuck you blind.”

I loved that there was some danger and excitement and a little bit of angst to keep you listening or turning pages. Seriously, I think Easy Magic was a great ride.

Likes:

• Excellent pacing.
• Stands alone perfectly well.
• I loved the paranormal aspect, even though I would still call it a contemporary romance since the rest of the series doesn’t have this.
• I loved all the side characters and now I’d like to read all of their stories.
• The hero and heroine were mature adults who knew what they wanted.
• I loved Beau so much.
• Hot and sexy times.
• Mallory was mature and I loved her snark and her abilities.

Dislikes:

• I wish it were a bit longer, I loved it so much, I didn’t want it to end. At 6.5 hours, it is a bit shorter than many of the audiobooks I listen to.

Narration:

This is the first book I have listened to that was narrated by Rachel Fulginiti. She had a very strong Southern accent, and though I usually hate fake accents, I honestly have no clue if this was fake or real, and I thought she did a great job. Zachary Webber, as always was great, and the slight NOLA accent he used really worked, though since both characters grew up the same area, you would think they both would have a similar accent. But that’s OK, it worked fine. I loved the fact that her voice was a little more mature than some I have listened to recently.

The Down & Dirty:

Rating: 4.5-5 stars, 4.25 Heat, 4.5 Narration

Purchase Easy Magic by Kristen Proby

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kristen Proby is the author of the bestselling With Me In Seattle and Love Under the Big Sky series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong, humorous characters with a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type; fiercely protective and a bit bossy, and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves.

Kristen lives in Montana, where she enjoys coffee, chocolate and sunshine. And naps.

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