‘Pulse’ by Adriana Locke, narrated by CJ Bloom and Connor Brown, is a unique, quick, and steamy read with a promising premise. However, it falls short in several key areas, particularly due to its brevity. This audiobook rushes through the plot, making it difficult to become fully invested in the story.
One of the biggest disappointments is that it takes almost five chapters to get into the storyline. When you start understanding the plot, it feels like half the book is already over. Despite their two-year working history, Tory and Dahlia’s romance could have been more compelling, lacking the gradual development that makes love stories truly engaging. Their relationship could have significantly benefited from flashback scenes or more inner monologues to better understand their feelings towards each other. This missing depth left me feeling disconnected from their supposedly deep bond.
The heart of the book is a suspenseful story with a twist, peppered with plenty of steamy moments. However, just as the suspense and excitement built up and I became truly invested in the story, it abruptly ended. This conclusion was incredibly frustrating, leaving me with a sense of dissatisfaction and a desire for more.
The narration by CJ Bloom and Connor Brown was decent but not exceptional. While they competently told the story, no moments in their performance stood out or enhanced the listening experience.
Overall, while ‘Pulse’ had some enjoyable moments and a promising setup, it ultimately felt rushed and lacking in emotional depth. However, the potential for a more satisfying ending was undeniably there, leaving me hopeful and intrigued for what could have been. I’ll still look forward to exploring more of Adriana Locke’s work, hoping for a more fulfilling experience next time.
I received an advanced copy from Valentine PR to listen to and review; all thoughts and opinions are mine.