DNF @ 40%
I got this audio for free. Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media.
I am regrettably not feeling this book. I read the blurb and thought it sounded great. At first it was giving Rina Kent’s LOG vibes and I was here for it. And then Shantel Tessier LORDS vibes and I started to be less into it. It’s like the author took what is most popular now in dark romance and put it together. It didn’t all mesh that well. Plus I’m thinking there’s some CNC, which I’m okay with, but there was never an expressed WANT from the fmc. That gave major ick vibes. I’m just not that invested to keep going. The narration was okay but it felt forced when they had to voice the opposite sex.

A dark romance that I advice you check the tw. That being said if you are okay with that then it's a good read. The narrators the male narrator I enjoyed better than the female. While she was okay she was not my favorite. All in all they did a good job.

This is my first time trying audiobook and got this as ARC as well, so thanks a lot for that!

I did enjoyed the narration of both narrators, especially the Bel (FMC) part. This book is in dual pov (MMC & FMC) which I also like and preferred. English is actually not my first language, but listening to this audiobook is great, the narration are clear, love their effort with their tones and everything in order to make me enjoy listening to the story and didn’t even confuse or whatnot at all.

As for the story / plot itself, I gotta say it’s kinda typical but still enjoyable for me, since I do love some of the tropes contained in this book. It have : bad boy x good girl, secret society, dark college romance, JP MMC, millionaire / wealthy family of MMC, v-card FMC, stalking, and more. Do check the tropes & trigger warning first please before diving in into this book, as I know it’s not for everyone. It does contain degrading, violence, red flag MMC, dubcon / cnc, trauma, owd & omd (but no cheating), and more. If you have an ick for any of these, perhaps you better skip it.

It also ended with a cliffhanger - I kinda managed to guess / put my nose right on where it should towards the ending regarding some of the surprise / twist in the story, and despite the ending is a cliffhanger, still manage to make me wanna read the next book because I do wanna know the whole thing from the past. Some things kinda confuses me but I guess everything might be revealed / explain in the next book, so yeah looking forward for the next part too! Overall, I did enjoyed this audiobook, and great job to both narrators!

It's an adult-dark college romance novel; adults are clearly college students, but the plot takes serious turns and twists throughout the narrative. The story begins with Hero Drew (Andrew), a collegiate football team captain who is simply synonymous with the renowned, planning the hunt of the year with his equally famous friends Sebastian, Aires, and Lee, and it is their event to shine, control, and dominate.
Next, we have our heroine, Bel (Maybel), who is a financially suffering but brilliant studious student who manages to care for her mother. Drew once held out another student regarding an assignment and threatened him.
when Bel saw that and tried to stop; that's where she got his undivided.
So the story moves on to the famous hunt, when there are many conflicts, disagreements, dominance, extortion, and so on in order to capture Bel's entire attention, which Bel may not enjoy. That is how their push and pull, as well as emotional covering, begin unwittingly. When they realize they're playing their own games, Drew's duty pulls them in and kicks off the true game with interesting twists.

I give this book a four out of five stars. It's my first audiobook experience, and I've come to enjoy reading slowly in this format over time. The darkness of the story becomes more palpable when we hear the narration via humans; here is where the hunting scene or Bel's denial to Drew felt off. Aside from this point, I enjoy this author's work and have read many of her works. She is one of those authors whose books I will continue to read simply because of their name. The story construction near the conclusion is good, and we looking forward for next installment.

The Wallflower by JL Beck is a fun romp of dark seduction between Drew - a college football star with more money and power than most people can conceive of - and Bel, a struggling college student doing everything to help her sick-but-in-denial mother. Their worlds, lifestyles, and morals couldn’t be more different but they are matched by their sexual desires - him to chase and capture, and her to run and be taken.

What starts as a night of pain and pleasure when she is hunted during an event quickly escalates into more when he can’t help by obsess over her and twists take this story in a different direction than I anticipated. The story is dark and angsty, and it scratched my dark college romance itch - those stories aren’t for everyone but if they’re for you, you’ll have fun with this.

The audio for this was great - I don’t believe I’ve listened to these narrators before, but I really liked their voices. They matched the characters well and flowed smoothly. It’s dual narration but neither of the narrators tried to go beyond their pitch range in a way that sounded obviously fake, which I prefer if it’s going to be dual narration.

The ending left me craving book 2 desperately because I’m eager to see how it will all be resolved.

This story started out really strong and I was throughly enjoying it. After about half of the book the story felt redundant. I had a bit of a hard time connecting with these characters and their troubles. Excellent spicy scenes scattered throughout. Unfortunately, I don’t think I will continue this series.

Thank you to Netgally for providing this ARC.

The Wallflower- JL Beck
Narrated by Renee Thorn and Ryan Stone

Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Narration 🎧🎧🎧🎧

This book was WILD! The last 15% was sucker punch after sucker punch…literally. I need book 2, like yesterday. There were SO many questions left wide open at the end of book 1. There was still a lot of questions about what exactly Drew’s dad does, for what he’s grooming Drew to take over. It’s got mafia/secret society vibes, but that is kind of still let unanswered, and I’m not sure if it’s because it’s not necessary to know or if we’ll find out more in the next book. Drew and Bel’s connection is like a rollercoaster. They are toxic and volatile, but can’t seem to stay away from each other. They are at each other’s throats and in each other’s pants at every turn.

Ryan and Renee did a really great job. They are both new to me narrators and I look forward to hearing more work from them in the future, but their voices aren’t exactly what I had envisioned in my head for these characters.

This was a surprising audiobook. Dark Romance is not my go to genre but I am trying to read more of it and this was a great book to consume.

These narrators were amazing. The man sounded a lot older (which was perfect for me) and the woman did, in my opinion, a really great male voice when she did her chapters. Usually women doing male voices in romance books just isn't believable for me but she was excellent!

The story itself was great. I went through this audio fairly quickly. The only downfall for me was the ending. It felt really abrupt and I didn't feel like there were enough clues through the book to lead us where it went. Just felt rushed and last minute to me.

That being said I am curious where this story is going and would absolutely listen/read more from this author in the future.

Thank you so much to JL Beck, Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this audio ARC. I am leaving my review voluntarily and honestly.

First off, I want to say that the narrators, Renee Thorn and Ryan Stone, did a fantastic job. They fit their roles perfectly in my opinion and they were easy to listen to. That being said, I did feel like this audio was a bit too long and the story could have benefitted from being shorter and more concise. There were aspects I liked and a lot that I didn't like about this one. I knew going into it that it was going to be a dark, bully romance but I didn't expect that the MMC was going to be degrading basically the entire time and that the dubious consent was going to be very rapey in their first encounter. I didn't feel like they had much connection at all beyond her thinking he's good looking and him wanting her because she was innocent and would be 100% afraid of him. It also started off with him instantly being like "she's the one" with no real build up at all. Both MCs have moms who are severely ill but with no specification of with what. I think the writing style is good but there's a lot going on that didn't feel like it was fully fleshed out but will probably be cleared up in the next book. There are a lot of reveals at the end of the book and I was very confused because two of them are conflicting unless there's another reveal that is going to be in the next one. I won't spoil the ending but be prepared to not know what the heck is going on. I will say that without the ending I probably wouldn't have continued with the series but since I want to know what is going on and where all those reveals are going I will likely read/listen to the next book.

There are a lot of triggers and that is specified in the description so if that gives you pause, you'll probably want to skip this one. Some of the triggers include child abuse, stalking, attempted drugging, dubious consent, blackmail, domestic violence, chronic illness, and more. If you like dark romance, bully romance, dubious consent, bad boy x good girl, player x virgin, secret societies, etc. then this might be a good fit for you. This one wasn't a great fit for me and I don't read that many dark romance books, but I've seen a lot of rave reviews for it so I'd definitely recommend checking out some other opinions before deciding whether to read/listen to this one since you may agree more with them!

Thank you Dreamscape Media for the digital ALC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am not ok with how this book ended 😆😩 The last couple of chapters had me on edge and trying not to yell. I need the next book like now! The amount of emotions the book gave me was unreal! I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to finish a book so quickly!

Bel seemed to be a quiet, shy, keep-to-yourself type of girl. As the story developed that is not who she turned out to be! I loved her spitfire side. All she ever wanted to do was make sure her mom was ok.

Drew is wealthy, a jock, and arrogant but man did he win my heart by the end of the book. He did everything he had to for his mother. He put on the show that his dad needed for his mother. Drew only cared about being the perfect image so nothing happened to her. This was until a girl in the library decided to stand up to him! He didn’t know his whole life was about to change because of her.

This book was very well written! The character development was strong. You got to know each of the characters. Every emotion they went through you did too. The build-up in the book was needed to get you to feel all the feels! At first, I thought some wasn’t necessary but as you got closer to the end it all makes sense! Hands down one of my favorite books and I can’t wait for the next book to come out! I’ll be keeping my eyes open!

Thank you, NetGalley, for allowing me to read this book and review it! Thank you, J. L. Beck, for writing a book that I couldn’t put down! I can’t wait to read more from you! Thank you, Dreamscape Media, for publishing this book. And, thank you, Renee Thorn and Ryan Stone, for being the Narrators of this book! Both of you killed it and made the story come alive!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an advanced audio of this book.

I don’t know what I thought I was going into, but it wasn’t what I got. I’m no stranger to dark romances, but there were too many tropes here that made me ultimately not care about the plot. I felt like the blurb doesn’t effectively prepare the reader for what they’re actually going into. There’s dubcon and primal play, our hero has an abusive father, there’s two sick mothers (cancer??) and - surprise! - a weird family connection going. The ending thoroughly confused me with too many reveals.

Despite the weirdness of it all, I wasn’t a huge fan of either main character (they were both annoying and I’m still not sure why he was so obsessed with her), and the hunt was strange. I see that there’s a second book in the series that continues; I don’t plan to continue on, unless the curiosity starts to eat away at me (there’s a chance).

The narration was good. They were both new-to-me narrators. The female narrator’s voice threw me off at first, I think when she was voicing a male character or something at the beginning.

Ummm. What the hell just happened?!? I feel misled - this was absolutely not a standalone with a HEA! I need the next book now.

Bell is a sweet, innocent and hard-working college student who is trying to care for her sick mother. She stands up to a bully in the library and ends up being at the center of his obsession.

I’m not a fan of bullies, but Drew’s character drew me in. I felt so many emotions towards that man.

Check the trigger warnings! There’s definitely some dark stuff in this book. Dub-con (bordering non-con)and CNC… and the spice was definitely not the sweet and romantic kind - lots of primal play.

The narration is excellent.

Thanks so much to Dreamscape Media for the audiobook via Netgalley for review.

Speechless! I am so invested after devouring this book. I honestly wasn't sure how I would like this book, but I was sucked in by chapter 2. Our FMC is just trying to make it through and take care of her sick mother when she meets our domineering MMC. Their relationship is carnal, complicated, and sometimes brutal. The last few chapters had me on the edge of my seat with all the twists that are revealed, and now I need The Wildflower to pick up where this cliffhanger left me gasping for more.

4.5 ⭐️
Spice Rating : 3/5 🌶️

This was such a fun ride! I had the best time with this.

The book follows Drew and Maybell through Oakmount Elite as they navigate college, dark urges, situationships and drama within the high society.

I have to start by saying that themes in this book have their own special niche and will appeal only to those who like those. Check the content warnings before picking up the book.
For me, personally, I loved it. It was so spicy, over-the-top and absolutely entertaining. I breezed through the audiobook and couldn't wait to fall back into the world of Oakmount Elite each time I had to take breaks. I am thoroughly invested in this series now.

I have to add, Drew was just a little too mean at times, just a smidge over hot. Also, the plot twist at the end was just too unbelievable and very random. That being said, I am so excited for the next book and to see how the story unfolds from there.

About the audiobook specifically, this was narrated by Renee Thorn and Ryan Stone. Loved the narration, the enunciations and production. Very well done. I am an audiobook connoisseur through and through and this did not disappoint.

Overall, a great pick if you want a dark, bully romance set in an elite college where rules are broken and money is power!

I received an ARC of the Audiobook. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Thank you to Netgalley, the Author and the Publisher for providing an ARC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Holy plot twists!

Some parts I struggled to connect with and other parts I couldn’t read through fast enough.

I didn’t know it was a duet, off to find book 2.

The narrators were ABSOLUTELY AMAZING

What a rollercoaster of emotions this book put me through. When I started, I expected steam but not romance and I thought maybe the steam would be too dark for me. After the first couple of chapters, I didn’t think I would feel attached to the characters beyond a surface level because I could never sympathize with a dangerous bully or a girl who would give in to him.
By chapter 8, I admitted to myself that the spicy scenes were just my taste, even if it was turning out to be a newly acquired taste.
By chapter 19, I was falling in love with Drew and there was a chance he and Maybell could make a cute couple.
Around chapter 33, I needed them to have a happily ever after together because they were perfect for each other.
After chapter 36, I couldn’t believe the author played me like a fiddle then left me with broken bow strings.
I need that next book ASAP.

First and foremost, this book ends on a cliffhanger so why in the world does the description of this book on NetGalley say that it is a standalone and contains a happily ever after. That is a straight up lie. Besides the fact that I was mislead, this was a good listen. It’s not very unique in the story line but it was entertaining.

I went into this audiobook totally blind. I didn't realize it was a dark romance. Which is one of my favorites. Please check trigger warnings!! I really enjoyed it. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it was mine. I also didn't know this was going to end in a cliffhanger. J.L. Beck! Please, I need the next audiobook.
This was my first time hearing these two narrators. Renee Thorn does a great male voice. I really enjoyed Ryan Stone. I would definitely listen to them again.

This book! HOLY SHIT... I was hooked in immediately. I haven't picked up a dark romance in a hot minute and let me just say this baby did not disappoint. Not only was it hot as all get out, but I was also on the edge of my seat and suspicious of everyone. I did not see some of the twists coming at all but I did have major suspicions about the bestie however didn't see it going like that. I am desperate to get my hands on the next book!

Thank you #netgalley, the author and publishers for the ARC of the audio book. The Wallflower was enjoyable. This was the first things I’ve read by this author and it was good. The struggles Drew faces to try to be with Bel were hard. The relationship Drew has with Bel is toxic but you understand why as you read the book. Please be sure to check your trigger warnings before reading this. This is dark and there is CNC throughout the story. There was a lot of gaslighting thought this book with Drew to Bel and that would be why I have this book 3.5 starts rounded down to 3 and not up to 4. But regardless of that I will be reading the next as this does end if a pretty big cliff hanger and I want to know what happened next! I do look forward to the next book.