Engaging characters; fantastic narration!

“Confessions From the Heart” is presented as a prequel to “The Confessions Series”. I’m not sure why the series is numbered 0,1,2 instead of 1,2,3…but as long as we read/listen in the correct order it probably doesn’t matter…though I am almost curious enough to ask the author. But, I digress. More on point - this is a very enjoyable book, with absolutely wonderful narration by Lori Prince.

I know, I know, I always applaud Lori’s narration…but she deserves it, and I want to do my part to let author T.B. Markinson know that the choice of narrator can absolutely make or break an audiobook. In “Confessions”, Lori’s range is showcased particularly well: MC Kat the artist purrs with a sultry sex-kitten voice, former jock MC Cori has a perfectly wry voice, sort of MC Annie has the perfect “no R Boston accent”, and other characters, both male and female, are given voices individually and terrifically as well.

Well, as my Goodreads friend know, I LOVE audiobooks, and it pains me when a bad narrator ruins a great story, so I enjoy a great story all the more when a narrator absolutely enhances the story. But even a great narrator can’t save a poor story, so I’m glad to let you know that Markinson provided a wonderful story; they make a great combination!

The book is filled with wonderful banter between characters, much of it will cause people around you to look at you oddly as you laugh while walking around with headphones. Oh…and do be sure to wear headphones in public…the sex scenes are erotic and wonderful, and you just may rewind and replay a few parts once or twice….you may.

The showcase romance is between Cori and Kat, but as in real life, there are complications. Cori has a Friends With Benefits relationship with BFF Annie, and as mutual friend Sheila observes, sometimes mixing sex with friendship can become messy. And, sometimes, one friend/lover falls in love while the other doesn’t even notice. Uh oh. I liked that tension between characters felt completely realistic and natural. So often lately, even lesfic books with HEA endings introduce some completely unnatural character behavior, or unnecessary new character, just to create turmoil that we are expected to accept and then be glad for the make up after the break up.

I really liked Sheila, by the way; she’s very caring as well as smart. Cori’s family members are included in the book, and her attitude toward relationships is influenced by them, of course. Kat’s parents are included only through Kat’s POV, and we learn how they have influenced who she is, and how she views self and relationships. The family members are realistically nuanced.

Cori’s path to participating fully in a relationship….a relationship she wants….is sometimes frustrating, and I felt she was sending mixed messages to Kat for too long. Kat is described in the blurb as “mysterious”, and I found her very interesting. She’s sexy and sensual, playful and serious. She teases, and she participates. There is major chemistry between Kat and Cori, and as dominant as Cori appears…Kat clearly is in control!

“Confessions” could have been made into a standalone book, with a typical HEA or HFN ending, and with some of the family issues that were raised left as unresolved, having been important only to the behaviors of Cori and Kat. But….it’s not a standalone, it’s the “prequel” to two more books, neither of which are currently available on Audible. (I do hope that Lori Prince is chosen once again as narrator!) I applaud T.B. Markinson for continuing with these characters, and I look forward to the sequels….but….reading the blurbs does make the next two sound much darker than did this first….sorry, prequel….book.

But, as much as I’m not a fan of angst in my lesfic, even for me it would become boring if all stories featured rainbows and unicorns. If any fictional couple can weather some real life drama…I’d bet on Cori and Kat. Markinson has created characters to care about, and I look forward to continuing their story. 5* for the prequel, “Confessions From the Heart”!

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

My rating and my review was not in anyway affected by my having been provided a review copy.

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3 people found this helpful

Excellent!

I really enjoyed this audio book. I highly recommend it.The narrator did an amazing job with all the accents.Looking forward to the next installment.I provided this review in exchange for a complimentary copy of the audiobook from the author, narrator, or publisher.

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Amazing story!

If you aren’t familiar T. B. Markinson’s Confessions series, now is the perfect time to get acquainted! Lori Prince does a great job narrating this story. In this prequel to the Confessions series, Markinson introduces us to Cori and Kat. We see how they met and fell in love. Additionally, this new novel gives us insight into Cori’s quirky and loveable family. We also begin to understand more about Kat and her family. This new prequel hints at how complex and complicated Kat’s relationship with her parents is, especially her relationship with her father. Both Cori and Kat’s backstories shed much light on who they are as individuals and as a couple.

Markinson’s characters are always fun; they are so multi-dimensional and rich. The relationships they build with the support characters enhance the plot and make the storytelling so much more enjoyable. She artfully develops characters that are flawed and have shortcomings, but yet they are so likeable. Her ability to do this lends itself to an authentic storytelling that never disappoints.

If you haven’t listened to one of Markinson’s books, I strongly recommend that you do. Markinson is a master storyteller. Her stories never disappoint.

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A Perfect Collaboration as Always 🤩

Once again the team of Markinson and Prince hit the bullseye.
I almost gave the novel a 4, because the main character Corey, often behaved selfishly in many of her relationships, especially with her closest friend Annie. She seems to be self-absorbed and unaware of the harm she can do to other people whether they care about her or not.
However, the story hits a bull’s-eye, with the introduction of a very special character, named Cat.
Her immediate connection and patience with Corey Brings out the absolute best in her character.
Cat, is one of the nicest, most patient, and loving characters I have come across in a romcom.
Her specialness would make anyone fall in love with her.
The characters that surround and support Corey, especially her family and friends serve an important role in letting you know why Corey is the way she is.
One of the things that fleshes out the story, and builds a connection between the reader and Corey, is accomplished through the magnificent reading done by Miss Prince.
On those occasions, when I am not sure whether I want to invest my time listening to a book, just the fact that Lori Prince is the narrator, helps me to make up my mind.
I know I will never meet her, but I have an auditory crush on Miss Prince, and thank her for making, listening such a pleasure.

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Fantastic

T.B. Markinson has a way of pulling me in and keeping me captivated. The story hits every emotion and left me wanting more. My love of baseball and Boston made it even better. Lori Prince is fantastic as always! One of my favorite narrators.

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Excellent!

Another fantastic story by T.B. Markinson and another incredible narration by Lori Prince! Well done!

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How much is enough

In a beautiful reading by Lori Prince in a good family there is a heart of sorrow of sorts. To find love for even the hardened of hearts, there a scared little child who doesn't want to hurt others. In this fun wotty and banter of family life and friendships bonding.

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1 person found this helpful

Definitely a winner in my audio book library

T.B. Markinson created a wonderful beginning to what I am sure will prove an incredible series with this novel. Lori Prince does an outstanding job with the narration. The characters are surely believable and engaging. The relationship issues among all of them are developed in such a intertwining way that this is one of those audio books that is hard to pause. There are equal measure humor, sensuality, conflict, compassion and meddling. I would include that there is intimate activity that is hot....just saying. I would suggest this novel to anybody looking for some fun, angst and feisty lesbian behavior.

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Left me wanting more

I was hooked from the start...maybe because it's set in Boston and the Red Sox are mentioned quite a bit. Cori, the self-assured, and witty but intimacy-phobic main character evolves before our eyes through her relationships with her friends, family and ultimately with Kat, her smart, intuitive, creative and beautiful love interest. The characters are fun, from the fiery Annie, who is Cori's best friend..with benefits to Cori's famous mother who doesn't let her get away with much. It has everything you want in a romance novel: fate bumps these two together, sparks fly, intimacy begins, not with sex but with quite an erotic scene and inevitably love blossoms. Lori Prince's performance is exquisite.

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3 people found this helpful

loved it

great story and included the Red Sox! narration was almost perfect (hard to find these days) and nice dialog balance. only one tiny complaint is, I almost got whiplash as I hit the ending. still, I recommend this listen.

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