Saint Baptiste 2

I’ll admit, I side-eyed the premise at first—another cold, wealthy man thawed by love? But *Saint Baptiste 2* subverts the trope by making Saint’s resistance the *point*. This isn’t a man who’s emotionally stunted because of a tragic backstory (though, yes, there’s some of that); it’s a man who’s *good* at being closed-off, who’s built an empire on detachment, and watching him scramble as Naoki dismantles his walls is deliciously uncomfortable. The audiobook’s strength lies in its narration: Winston James’ Saint is a masterclass in restraint, his voice a low, controlled rumble that makes his rare outbursts of frustration or longing hit like a physical blow. iiKane’s Naoki, meanwhile, is all honeyed sarcasm and hidden steel—her delivery sells the character’s confidence without tipping into caricature. The production choices are smart but not flawless. The use of silence to underscore tension works brilliantly in most scenes, but there are moments—particularly in the first act—where the pauses drag just a beat too long, making the pacing feel uneven. And while the chemistry between narrators is undeniable, a few of Naoki’s lines in heated exchanges border on *too* breathy, a minor but noticeable directorial misstep. Still, the story’s emotional core lands hard. The flashbacks to Saint and Naoki’s first meeting are woven in seamlessly, and the way Miss Candice writes their dynamic—equal parts intellectual rivalry and smoldering attraction—keeps the romance feeling fresh. If you loved the first book, this sequel deepens the stakes; if you’re new, you’ll want to start at the beginning. Just know: this isn’t a love story that coddles. It’s one that *earns* its happy ending, and the audiobook’s raw, unpolished edges are part of why it works.