Freak Show by Crystal Ash

Freak Show

Love in a World of Wonders

Written byCrystal Ash
Length4h14m
Release dateAugust 23, 2024
LanguageEnglish
★★★★☆ 4.8 (56 ratings)

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Quick Facts

AuthorCrystal Ash
NarratorJess Trepanier, Daryl Mayfield
Runtime4h14m
PublishedAugust 23, 2024
Rating★★★★☆ 4.8 / 5 (56 ratings)
CategoriesRomance, Paranormal
FormatAudiobook (Digital)
PlatformAudible

About This Audiobook

Freak Show isn’t your average paranormal romance—it’s a gritty, emotionally charged dive into a hidden carnival where the performers aren’t faking their otherworldly traits. The story follows a young woman fleeing a bleak upbringing, drawn back to the only place she ever felt magic: a traveling circus brimming with real witches, shifters, and seers. Crystal Ash grounds the fantastical with raw emotional realism, painting love as something earned through scars and trust. This isn’t about instant soulmates—it’s about broken people finding sanctuary in each other, and in the bizarre, glitter-dusted world they inhabit. Jess Trepanier and Daryl Mayfield deliver a tandem narration that elevates the material with striking intimacy. Trepanier captures the protagonist’s cautious vulnerability with a voice that trembles at just the right moments, while Mayfield brings a smoldering restraint to the male lead. Their chemistry bleeds into the audio performance, making whispered confessions and late-night encounters feel dangerously real. The production leans into atmospheric sound cues—distant calliope music, muffled crowd murmurs—adding depth without overdoing it. For listeners who want paranormal romance with emotional stakes and a sense of place, this audiobook carves its own niche.

Tags: paranormal romancecarnival settingdual narrationemotional romancesupernatural love storyslow burn

Why Listen to Freak Show?

  • Expert narration by Jess Trepanier, Daryl Mayfield brings every character and scene to life across 4h14m of immersive audio.
  • Highly rated at 4.8 stars by 56 listeners.
  • Free with your Audible trial — keep the audiobook forever even if you cancel.
  • Perfect for commutes, workouts, and relaxation. Listen anywhere, anytime.
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Editor's Review ★★★★☆

AudioBook Atlas

I went in expecting another glittery supernatural romance, but Freak Show surprised me with its emotional weight and grounded characters. Trepanier and Mayfield don’t just read—they inhabit their roles. Trepanier’s voice cracks with restraint during early scenes of survival and fear, making her gradual opening to love feel earned. Mayfield, meanwhile, nails the quiet intensity of a man hiding deep trauma behind a stoic facade. When their voices harmonize during shared chapters, the tension is electric. The pacing starts slow, almost too slow—some of the middle drags as worldbuilding piles on without forward momentum. And while the carnival setting is richly imagined, a few secondary characters blur together, their voices not quite distinct enough in the audio mix. That said, the final act delivers with a rush of emotion and action that makes the earlier sluggishness worth enduring. The sound design is subtle but effective—faint carnival music in the background, the rustle of tents in wind—but never distracts from the performances. This isn’t escapism for the faint of heart; it’s romance forged in pain, and the audiobook format, with its layered voices and mood, makes it unforgettable.

Download: Freak Show

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Freak Show by Crystal Ash is an immersive listening experience. Performed by Jess Trepanier, Daryl Mayfield with a runtime of 4h14m, you can start with a free trial that you can cancel at any time. The audiobook remains yours forever, even if you end the trial.