Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Beautiful Bastard
- Author: Christina Lauren
- Narrator: Grace Grant
- Length: 07:35:00
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 12/02/2013
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
- Genre: Romance, Romantica
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
The first time I pressed play on Grace Grant’s narration of “Beautiful Bastard”, I found myself on a red-eye flight to Barcelona, the cabin lights dimmed, the hum of engines creating the perfect cocoon for this deliciously tense office romance. Much like the Spanish sunset that painted the sky outside my window, Christina Lauren’s story burned with intense hues of passion and conflict, perfectly captured by Grant’s razor-sharp performance.
As someone who’s logged countless hours listening to audiobooks across six continents – from Gabriel García Márquez in the Atacama to Elena Ferrante on the Amalfi Coast – I recognize when a narrator can elevate material beyond its printed form. Grace Grant achieves this alchemy with her portrayal of Chloe Mills and Bennett Ryan, giving each character such distinct vocal textures that I often forgot I was hearing a single performer. Her Bennett carries just enough Chicago bravado beneath that polished executive tone, while her Chloe delivers whip-smart retorts with the perfect balance of professional restraint and simmering frustration.
The story unfolds like a particularly memorable night I once spent in a Buenos Aires tango club – what begins as controlled, almost antagonistic movements gradually builds to something breathtakingly passionate. Christina Lauren (the combined pen name of writing duo Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings) crafts electric tension between their leads that Grant’s narration amplifies tenfold. The infamous copy room scene? I had to pause my listening during a layover in Dallas, so visceral was Grant’s delivery of those stolen moments between filing cabinets.
What struck me most – beyond the undeniable chemistry – was how the audiobook format enhances the workplace dynamics. Having spent years observing human interactions in cafes from Marrakech to Kyoto, I recognize authentic power struggles when I hear them. Grant nails the subtle vocal shifts that reveal Chloe’s growing confidence and Bennett’s crumbling defenses. The way she handles their rapid-fire banter reminds me of those magical storytelling nights in Oaxaca, where every pause and inflection carried meaning.
For romance listeners who appreciate:
– Workplace tension that crackles like static before a storm
– A heroine whose intelligence shines as brightly as her resilience
– A hero whose redemption arc feels earned rather than convenient
– Steam that builds gradually before igniting the headphones
This audiobook delivers all this and more. The original fanfiction roots (“The Office” by tby789) show in the story’s addictive quality – it’s easy to understand why it garnered two million reads online before publication. The updated version adds welcome depth to both characters, particularly in Bennett’s family dynamics and Chloe’s career ambitions.
If I have one critique, it’s that some of the office power dynamics might give HR professionals pause – though Grant’s nuanced performance helps sell the eventual emotional connection that balances the physical intensity. Compared to similar workplace romances like “The Hating Game” (excellent in print but lacking this production’s vocal fireworks) or “The Kiss Quotient” (more socially conscious but less electrically charged), “Beautiful Bastard” carves its niche as the audiobook equivalent of an expertly mixed cocktail – potent, smooth, and impossible to consume just once.
Technical notes for audiophiles: The 9-hour runtime (0.32 days) flies by, with pristine recording quality from Simon & Schuster Audio. Grant maintains perfect consistency in character voices throughout – no small feat given how often these two clash and, well, connect. The $19.99 digital price feels justified for this performance, though savvy listeners can often find it through library apps or subscription services.
As I write this from a Lisbon café, the memory of Grant’s narration still lingers like the aftertaste of a fine port wine. Whether you’re commuting through Chicago like Chloe and Bennett or crossing timezones as I often do, this audiobook transforms any space into a charged arena of will-they-won’t-they tension. Just maybe don’t listen with coworkers within earshot – some scenes are best enjoyed without an audience.
With pages turned and headphones always at the ready,
Marcus Rivera
