Fascinating & Moving! Amazing Story & Narration🎧

Rick R. Reed is a gifted author and that gift truly shined in this novel, an original story that enthralled me from start to end. I enjoy his writing style, and it is great to see another side of of his brilliant mind, a fantasy or, in his own words, magical realism. The characters are realistic, facing real-life issues, including domestic violence and drug issues. It is best to go into this book with an open mind and to just roll with it. I do not want to say much because the less you know going in, the better it will be. That said, the story drew me in like no other, it was thought-provoking and captivated my attention from start to end. My heart went out to Winslow Birkel, who was stuck in an abusive relationship with Chad Loveless, a very fitting last name. When Winslow finally gets fed up enough, he stands up to him and tells him he is leaving. It may have been his new friendship with Darren Maxwell who helped him realize he deserves better, but Chad will not Winslow go. The events that follow are fascinating and mystical. There is never a dull moment in this original and uniquely told and plotted story. Rick R. Reed, thank you for another amazing story and emotional rollercoaster ride. 

🎧📚🎧 And for the wonderful narration, David Allen Vargo does an amazing job bringing these characters and their story to life. His portrayal of the characters is spot on, gives each a voice that fits that character’s persona and his believable in every role he plays. He sets the perfect tone for the story, captures the character’s emotions and projects them into his performance and has you feeling every single one. Vargo is a versatile voice artist and an entertaining storyteller, and his narration and sound effects enhance the story to another level. Thank you for another exceptional listen. 

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Different than expected

This isn’t quite what I expected but it ends up being a good story. I wish there had been more background about Darryn and a little more relationship development but for a short story I think the author got the important things there. Winslow enters into a relationship with Chad but as time goes on the relationship becomes abusive. Winslow while trying to get away things don’t go as planned. The story seems to cut out on Winslow and center on Julie until later when things come together. The narration by David Allen Vargo was good. I had a hard time listening to his voice with all the background going on but I feel he did good with these characters.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Winslow and Darryn

Winslow is dating Chad, who is violent, when he gets away from a fight he meets Darryn its his 21st Birthday, they hit it off and Darryn helps try and get him away, but an accident ensues and Winslow ends up in the river. We then here all about Seaspray and the wonderful place it is. A place where you may never leave, he thinks of Darryn and what happened to him, but you are not sure why until later in the book when you get Darryn's perspective. Abuse is mentioned throughout the book. Narration would have been better if the music wasn't always in the background it was a distraction it could have been used wisely at dramatic points, but otherwise really good.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

A surprising story

I liked the writing style and the story was original. I was captivated by the narrative fairly quickly.
Winslow is stuck in an abusive relationship with Chad. Chad has had a messy childhood and really didn't want to be who he is.
And at some point, Winslow decides to leave, because he's had enough of Chad. Only he didn't reckon with Chad. And there's the likable boy Darren, whom Winslow met in a bar and who has his own problems.
The domestic violence and drug problems were realistically portrayed and I was able to quickly empathize with the protagonists. And if you're into a little magical realism, you'll like this story just fine. I suspected what it was about fairly quickly, but I don't want to give too much away at this point.

David Allen Vargo did an excellent job, he deserves 5 stars. He brought the characters to life and gave each character an appropriate voice.
I generally like sound effects in an audio book, but this was a bit too much for me. I like it when music is played briefly, that wasn't my problem. But there were passages where the music was played while the narrator read aloud. Unfortunately, I could not concentrate at these points at all, because I either listen to music or an audio book. Too bad, therefore one star less. The idea was good, but I did not like the implementation quite as much.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Wonderful story and narration

Trigger warning ⚠️

On page violet domestic abuse

I loved this story from start to finish. It was so whimsical, like Dorothy in Oz but with much more awful surrounding circumstances. This is also a romance but very low key in the background and there is zero heat. The plot of the story is the main character escaping an abusive partner and waking in this fantasy world where everyone is sweet and everything is pwrfect and where I just like the main character didn't know what was going on and was in suspense til the very end to find out. This was a wonderful original story but a bit intense at times with so.e flashback scenes. The romance is very instalove and unbelievable but the rest of the story is just so neat that I had to give this book 5 stars.

I am so glad I got to listen to this story. The Narration was a pleasure to listen to. He expressed all the emotions and brought the story to life. He gave each of the characters their own distinct voice that suited each of them perfectly. He went above and beyond by adding sound effects and music. I don't always like that it could drown out the words or distract from the story but in this case everything was timed perfectly and it gave even more life to this wonderful story.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Powerful Book, Marvelous Performance by Vargo

Seaspray is just as beautifully written as all of Rick R. Reed's novels. Poignant, emotional, and very heartfelt, these are very powerful characters!

I enjoyed the audio edition of Seaspray which is narrated by David Allen Vargo who delivers a marvelous performance. This is a large and varied cast, and Vargo has created a unique and appropriate voice for each of them.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Awesome Romance and Mystery

This was the first book by this author that I listened to. I really enjoyed his writing style. Well paced and interesting enough to keep me hooked :)
The story is about Winslow and his relationship with his abusive partner and, having had enough of that situation, how he left and ended up in Seapray. The plot was very well developed and it felt very real to me. I could sense the emotional state of the character from reading it.
The narrator did an amazing job, giving life to the characters and so much emotion. Well done!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Love is...

Love is...
Kindness
Heart
Courage
Understanding
Forgiveness
Love

This novel by Rick R. Reed is absolutely AMAZING! It is a bit confusing at first. until the pieces start falling into place, but it is always compelling, poignant, heart-breaking, and hopeful. It's a very powerful and emotional listen, and all the characterizations had depth and meaning. I loved everyone except Chad, and even he had reasons for the way he was. No excuse for his behavior, but reasons nonetheless. I felt invested in all the characters. I wanted peace, freedom, and love for Winslow; I hoped when Darryn’s mother was potentially faced with a choice between her beliefs and her son that she would choose her son; I honestly wasn't sure what I wanted for Chad – punishment or redemption, forgiveness or condemnation. Rick gave them all the ending they deserved. It was beautiful and perfect. I was touched and I will remember this story for a long time.

I liked the narration, The emotions, personalities. and voices were spot on for the story. The only thing that bothered me was that Mr. Vargo often seemed to come to the end of a section out of breath, like he needed to take a breath sooner. That distracted me from the story a little, but I would still recommend the audiobook.

I received a free copy of this audiobook and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Mmm, where to start, audio review

Lots of good, plus a few bits that didn't do it for me.

It took me four attempts to get into the audio, to the point I listened to 2 more in between the stops and starts.

My main issue was the background noises on the recording, the music, and the sound effects. It distracted me from the story. Also, it took me a while to cope with the back and forth in the story.
Saying all that, in the end, I thought this was an incredible story and was completely glad I persevered,

I loved the characters, their back story and the story.
It's only at the end, like in every well-written book, that all the missing pieces come together.
It is such a moving book that causes all your emotions to the surface, and I would highly recommend it.

David Allen Vargo was great at distinguishing between characters. The narration was excellent until the background noises were just a distraction I didn't need, but I did speed up to 1.15 on audible, which was usual for me.

Seaspray
By: Rick R. Reed
Narrated by: David Allen Vargo
Length: 6 hrs and 10 mins

❤❤❤❤ Overall
🎧🎧🎧 Narration
📚📚📚📚 Story
Read at 1.35 speed on Audible

I received this audiobook for free from GRR at my request. My review is my opinion and an honest review - neither the author nor GRR influenced my opinion.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Unique and Poignant

Seaspray is a standalone contemporary romance with dash of magic and surrealism. I thought it was beautifully written and a wonderfully unique story that touched my heart. The story is a little confusing at first, we, the readers, are not quite sure what’s going on, but things quickly become apparent and finding out HOW it all happened and HOW it will resolve, becomes extremely gripping. Winslow is a delightful young man who has to come to terms with emotional baggage from his past and present while carving out a future that he can be truly loved in. There is angst, but there’s also hope and strength that makes the human condition so appealing. Darryn was such a sweet and noble young man who I instantly fell in love with. His courage and faith was the touchstone Winslow needed and watching them find and fight for each other was lovely.

The audiobook was narrated by David Allen Vargo who does a fantastic job. David really created a beautiful performance that was heightened by the strategic and well-placed use of music and background elements. This really made it easy for me to sink into the audiobook and feel transported into the story. The audiobook production was extremely well done.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!