In Bed with a Stranger

Bruce Mann’s narration is the secret weapon of this audiobook, and he wields it like a scalpel. His Brodick isn’t just a gruff Scots earl; Mann gives him a voice that sounds like he’s been chewing on gravel for years, with a growl that drops an octave when he’s furious. The real triumph comes with Mary, whose sharp-tongued English nobility Mann nails with a nasally aristocratic rasp that’s perfect for her biting retorts. The pacing, however, stumbles in the final act. Wine packs the climax with so many revelations that the last two hours feel rushed, like a sprint to the finish instead of a slow burn. By contrast, the middle act lingers just right—a slow simmer of glances and half-truths that leaves you desperate for the payoff. The audio’s sound design is immaculate, with subtle Scottish brogue cues and period-appropriate sound effects (clinking glasses, creaking floorboards) that ground the story in its time without ever feeling gimmicky. My only real gripe? The love scenes lack the same tension as the earlier verbal sparring—they feel like obligatory concessions to genre rather than earned passion. Still, this is historical romance with teeth, and Mann’s performance makes it a standout.