Given

I’ll admit, I rolled my eyes when I saw *another* wealthy-hero romance—but *Given* surprised me by being far more interested in psychology than penthouses. The audiobook’s strength lies in its narration: Douglas Berger’s performance as the antihero is *electric*, all dark honey and menace. He doesn’t just read the lines; he *weapons* them, making even throwaway remarks feel like threats wrapped in charm. Brooke Hayden, as the female lead, grounds the story with a performance that’s wry and weary, her sarcasm cutting through the glamour like a knife. Their chemistry is the real MVP—you can *hear* the unspoken challenges in their exchanges. That said, the first hour tests your patience. Landish takes her time establishing the world, and while the slow burn works thematically (this *is* a story about control, after all), the audiobook’s pacing suffers slightly in translation. The middle act, though, is where it shines: a cat-and-mouse game where the power shifts are as erotic as the sex scenes. My only real critique? The ending leans a touch too neatly into convention after such a morally gray setup. Still, the narration sells every beat, and the production quality—no awkward edits, consistent volume—makes it an easy listen. If you’re tired of romance heroes who are all bark and no bite, or heroines who exist just to be saved, this one’s worth your time. Just be prepared to side-eye the male lead *a lot*.