Audiobook Review: The Worst Best Man by M.J. O'Shea

It was her special day... but his worst nightmare.

A rekindled romance wasn’t part of the plan.

Despite his American background, August O’Leary is the most sought-after wedding planner in London. Naturally, Libby and Edward come to him for a wedding the city will never forget. But Edward is an international businessman, so the details are left to Libby and her best friend—who happens to be the love of August’s life and the one who broke his heart eight years ago: Christopher Burke.

How’s August supposed to pull off the event of the year with Christopher distracting him and old feelings crashing the party uninvited?

Christopher has let money and status dictate his life, but no more. His failure to stand up to others’ expectations cost him his future with August—one he hoped would include marriage. Now he has to face August’s hurt and anger and prove he’s still the best man to make August happy.

Listening Length: 5 hours and 20 minutes
Narrator: Dorian Bane

Reviewer: R *A Reader Obsessed*

This was my first Dreamspun Desires book, and I have to say on a whole, it was pretty good with just some niggles.

Way back when in college, August and Christopher were fabulously in love. They were inseparable and believed they’d never be apart. However, they were from vastly different worlds, with most likely hundreds of millions of dollars separating them in social status, and ultimately, Christopher was pressured by his parents to break things off with August. Ever since then, Christopher hasn’t forgiven himself and has regretted his decision, never having moved on. So, when happenstance allows him to meet up with August years later, he’s determined to right some wrongs and get his man back. August understandably, is still hurt. He too hasn’t found someone to measure up to what he had with Christopher, but he’s hesitant and wary, not trusting Christopher to carry things through.

Admittedly, there was some initial angst, especially when these two first meet back up again, but the gradual wooing and winning August over was very sweet and enjoyable. I admit, I was hesitant to read this due to the preconceived notion that this was smexy-light but was oh-so pleasantly surprised. Granted, there isn’t act after act after act, but what we got was nice and steamy. Things progress smoothly until that requisite misunderstanding inevitably occurs, a tactic that I feel is overly used and is often tiresome...  

SPOILER: It’s basically one big miscommunication that seemed to me, a bit blown out of proportion, and while forgivable, it dragged out way too long. Then the conflict was rectified so quickly it made me wonder what all the fuss was about in the first place.

However, this is O’Shea and she typically writes easy breezy, sweet romance, which this delivered on except that last 15% or so. I think this DSP series definitely has its pros, and I’m not opposed to more!

On a side note, I listened to this story narrated by Dorian Bane. This was my first from this narrator, and I’m not completely sold. His voice is consistently raspy/husky which made it hard at first to differentiate between all the characters, but luckily, the MC’s were distinct - August having a Boston accent, Christopher a British one. I was a bit tickled though, because Christopher sounded exactly like Jude Law to me, so if you like his voice, then you’ll surely enjoy this. Overall, this narration was just “okay”.