A Reluctant Queen

Good story - very good narrator

It's a lovestory. It's based on a story from the Bible, but I'd only heard a very short description of the source material previously. I think this book can stand on it's own as a semi-historical lovestory.

I liked the main female character more than the main male character. I actually liked the bad guy more than the main male character for almost half the book.

You do have to keep in mind that the main female character is deeply religious. She constantly worries about how her new life conflicts with her religious beliefs. It can get a bit irritating, but her religion is a big part of the plot.

You also need to remember that this is a historical novel. Women were not seen as equals. Rich and powerful men were expected to have large harems. Don't expect modern views or gender equality.

I liked the book. I really liked the voice of the narrator,

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Teenager voices!

I liked the story but the narrator made the characters sound like whiny 21st century teenagers. It was very distracting at times.

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The Worst Book I have ever had on audible

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

The only thing I can think of is that this must be for 13 year old girls. The prattle that goes on in dialogue is mind numbing. "Oh my God I can't believe he did that". and on and on. I suffered through the first 10 minute and then thought, I couldn't stand it when my daughters were that age, I certainly don't want to relive it. And then there is the problem of the dreadful history. Do not do not download this. Dreadful

What could Joan Wolf have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Better dialogue

Would you be willing to try another one of Brooke Sanford’s performances?

No she's dreadful.

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I wanted to like this book but it was boring

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I believe in the story and wanted to like the book. My wife and I listen to it on a trip to Mississippi but two thirds of the way through it she finally asked if we could listen to something else. I had felt the same way but didn't want to say anything. I can't place my finger on it but it was boring.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The culture of the times

What three words best describe Brooke Sanford’s performance?

uninspiring.

Did A Reluctant Queen inspire you to do anything?

no

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Beautiful Historical Romance!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I rarely write reviews on books because they are not exceptional. In my opinion, this book was exceptional.
As with any book, there are slow parts but overall it is a great read. The narrator is very good.
It really brings to life the biblical character of Esther. It is not entirely historically accurate but that is why it is fiction.
I've been listening for a few years and only one other book has made me cry.
The Reluctant Queen gets my vote for historical romance without being overly sappy.

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Enjoyable, but not historically accurate

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Yes. I enjoyed it, but the disclaimers presented at the end of the book should have been offered at the beginning.

What aspect of Brooke Sanford’s performance would you have changed?

I think she did fine.

Could you see A Reluctant Queen being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Was imagining it the entire time.

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Omitted some of the best parts

The story was enjoyable and the reader was well-chosen. However, the disclaimer at the end does not justify the author omitting some of the key (suspenseful) events.

Just ok

What made the experience of listening to A Reluctant Queen the most enjoyable?

I enjoyed the story but perhaps due to limitations with historical figures and time period character and relationship building were a bit lacking. Totally able to listen and enjoy it though. I guess I compare it to other historical characterization I have read by this author which engaged me far more - Born of the Son and The Edge of Light ...please can we get an audio of those book?

Any additional comments?

The one thing I found incredibly annoying and broke my flow with the story every time was the musical interlude at the start of each chapter. Ugh... Enough! Beginning and ending of book is fine but not at start of every flippin chapter!!!!

Love Designed by God for a Great Queen & Her King

The story was very good, biblical based and did not drag. It really kept my interest throughout the whole book! I had never read a bible story as a romance novel before. The Reluctant Queen (A love Story for Esther) is a book I would recommend to all ages,

great book, lousy reader

The reader grates on the ear by mispronouncing words and having poor changes of voice for characters. Sometimes she switches voices in mid character. She makes the strong heroine sound like a pathetic sort with her voice. I never realized how much a reader could ruin enjoyment of an otherwise great story.