I had really high hopes for this book because I lived the first one and was excited to listen to the audio. The book started out strong but as time went on a cycle between the mmc and fmc formed and after rerunning the cycle what felt like the five time I began to get bored. The male narrator's voice got monotone and a few time I had to relisten to a section because I zoned out. While I still liked the book it just fell a little short.

I love Michael Ferraiuolo's narration!

The story focused on the interpersonal relationship between Fleur and Bastien. I had expected it to be more of a mafia romance, but Bastien's profession really did not get featured until the very end of the book. I have not read the first book in the series, The Butcher, so I probably did not get the most out of The Carver. For example, Fleur and Bastien are already dating so the reader does not see them fall in love. The main characters' relationship revolved around sex. However, the sex scenes are not graphic.

This was a very quick listen. In fact, the ending was very abrupt. I would have liked to see more plot and action, but overall, it was an average book.

Book Review: The Carver (Fifth Republic book 2) by Penelope Sky

⭐️⭐️ | 🌶🌶

Format: Audiobook Copy

I listened to the audiobook of The Carver, I feel the female narrator did I great job, Im not the biggest fan of the male narrator.

As a mafia romance, The Carver definitely scratches that itch—there’s danger, desire, and a good dose of smut. Book 2 begins where book 1eft off. Its very much install love/lust which I'm not the biggest fan

One thing that really took me out of the story was the portrayal of Paris. It felt like the author had visited the city briefly and then tried to write from the perspective of a Parisian. Being from Europe myself, it didn’t feel authentic. On top of that, there were a lot of inconsistencies in language and measurement—things like using “football” instead of “soccer” and “km/hr,” which aligns with European norms, but then switching to “lbs” instead of “kg,” which felt jarring and out of place.

Overall, The Carver delivers on the steam and suspense expected from a mafia romance. I may consider continuing with the series but don't feel the need rush to read it.

I did not enjoy this book as much as I did the first one. But I still like it. There were parts of the story that just felt very repetitive in the main characters POV. She already has established how beautiful this man was in the first book and a few descriptions at the beginning is cool but i felt it was very over used, after our during every sex scene. But the story line was good, I liked the tension in the book with all the characters was good and I like the ending a lot. Looking forward to reading the next book.

I enjoyed this book. It was fast paced and interesting. The narrators were great at bringing the story and characters to life.

Thank You NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the Early Listening Copy of book two in the Fifth Republic Saga.....UGH after struggling thru the first book in the series The Butcher I was hoping this book would turn the series around..NOPE! It's just another book about Fluer, voiced by Romana Master, winning about being cheated on, not divorced and wanting but not wanting to be Baistens, voiced by Michael Ferraloulo, kept women. When in the plot that is exactly what she is A kept women., he got her a job at one of his companies and has sex with her when he wants then leaves her alone. The only positive of this book was the divorce is final and maybe in book three we won't have to read about it. The book ends with Fluer being saved from a grave of death because he ex has some list of buyers....finally some crime lord action, too late to save the plot.

This series installment picks up where the first book left off and set up a lot of potential plot events to take place in the next installment. Fleur and Bastien's story is still a hot read with secrets to still be revealed. I will say that I enjoy that Fleur is a strong character, but I am getting a little tired of her pride getting in the way of ending things with Adrien who also remains to be a selfish and deplorable person. Overall, this is still a good read, and I look forward to the next installment.

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me the audio book of the carver, After devouring The Butcher (book one), I had to jump straight into The Carver and wow I was not ready for how dark and addictive this ride would be.
Penelope Sky knows how to write a man who is equal parts terrifying and irresistible. The Carver Cold. Calculated. Completely unhinged in his obsession with Fleur and I loved every second of it. Bastians dynamic with the Fleur is explosive. She’s fierce,and refuses to bend even in the face of his intense control. Their chemistry……Off the charts. 🔥

I’m obsessed with this world danger, power, obsession, and twisted romance all wrapped into one. I couldn’t put it down.

Now I’m diving straight into book three because I need more of this brutal, beautiful madness.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a good book. I liked the MMC he was tough and seemed to stick to what he said. The FMC got on my nerves some always running away at any sign of trouble. I get having your safety in mind but he was upfront from the beginning and I feel she takes too long to make up her mind even after saying she is ok with his life. That may just be me. All in all it was a good story and I wouldn’t let my small problem with the FMC stop you from reading it.

I didn't realize that this was the second book in a series, and I wish I had. You need to read book one first. I think I would have liked this better if I had. I listened to the audiobook, which was narrated by Ramona Master and Michael Ferriauolo, and they did a great job.
This book continues the story of Bastien and Fleur, who met in a bar and have been on a whirlwind romance. Bastien is a mafia kingpin that everyone fears while Fleur is in the process of divorcing her cheating husband, Adrien.
There were parts of this that I enjoyed, and there was definitely a lot of heat and spice, but for me, it lacked in character development, which may have changed by reading book 1 first. I did find there were too many clichés for me.
Overall, it was okay, but I definitely read book one first.

Mafia vibes
Touch her and die
Man obsessed

Dual narration - Ramona Master & Michael Ferraiuolo
These two are great together. I think duet style would do this series so much more justice tho.

This is book 2 Fifth Republic series

In this one you get a lot more of Bastians back story and view into his life/mind. I do like that he is basically obsessed with Fleur. I wasn’t a huge fan of certain spicy moments. He seemed to “use” her more than care about Fleur. I enjoyed getting the back story on Bastain it helps understand him as a character more. I will continue this series and would recommend it to dark romance lovers.

I had high hopes for this one, the end of the first one did hook me in. However, this really fell flat for me. The plot didn’t pick up until the last half an hour. I wanted more from it. The spice was mediocre as well. 2.75 stars for me.

This book had potential. The audiobook was difficult to navigate. The talented narrators just were not a good match for the characteristics. At. ALL. It definitely needed something more to keep my attention for the storyline -- more depth to the characters, more spice, more steamy build up, more plot....just something more for sure.

4 ⭐
3 🌶️

Thank you Netgalley for an advanced listener copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is book 2 in the (Fifth Republic Series) I also had the privilege to listen to the first book, and I am enjoying this series so far. I think the narrators do a really good job. This continues on with Fleur and Bastians relationship, her dealing with her husband and trying to get a divorce, and him with his family business. I am newer to Mafia type books and this one is really good. Fleur drives me crazy with the way she talks down on herself and always talking about how Bastian is basically too good for her, and better looking and why would he want her! I do understand her husband really destroyed her self esteem, but it can get old and repetitive. I am hoping as the series continues that she starts to realize her worth, and that Bastian only has eyes for her. I love Bastians possessiveness over Fleur, and I do love how independent Fleur is, and doesn't care about how rich Bastian is, and just wants him for him. Definitely excited to continue on with this series.

What? Where is part 3? This book had me in chokehold.... I have never been so invested in a story in my life. I think I might be speechless because I need to know how the story ends!!!! I'm definitely looking forward to next chapter!

I did this by audio & the narration was done well. The sound quality was excellent & loved how clean the French accents were. Even at a higher speed I was able to understand the narrator well.
Now for the book. I do have mixed emotions. I did not love this as much as book one. Fleur with her continuous battle of why would anyone want me is too much. It's dragging on from book 1 & I'm over it. I understand her self confidence has been shattered by her shit ex-husband. But how much more does Bastien have to prove to her. The man literally killed someone for you. I need her to love herself again & fully accept the love from a man who is willing to do whatever for her.
Speaking of such man. I really enjoyed getting more background details on Bastien. We get to see how he came into power, as well as, why he & Godric are at odds. I also wish there was a bit more action. The book doesn't really pick up until the end & even with the action we get. It felt very rushed.
We are left with yet another cliffhanger, so I will be moving on to the next book.

I think what I like most about this series is that it's really more of a "day-in-the-life", type of a story rather than something that's really plot or world building heavy...but like if your day in the life included a gloriously possessive, emotionally available Frenchman who’s vacillated between delicious smutty stuff and a little bit of murder (one can only dream, amirite?...)

If I'm being completely honest, I have mixed feeling about the narration, because I think Michael Ferraiuolo nails Bastien’s cold-fire intensity, he has a voice that leans more of like an "aristocratic" tough guy vibe than a brute muscle, which I love, BUT this tone didn’t quite match the deep, gravelly look of heavily tattooed cover model Kally Grimmond in my mind. Like I said, Michael's voice and inflections absolutely worked for Bastien’s blend of control, power, and the unexpected tenderness he lets slip. I just sometimes have a tough time reconciling the two!

Ramona Master was equally solid, especially in emotionally charged moments. Both narrators committed to vocal details, the little laughter, scoffs, or sharp breaths, all of that elevated really just elevates the listening experience with a subtle, yet immersive flair. Also I have to give bonus points to both for those accents. Talk about dreamy French vibes, perfection in my opinion.

Plot-wise, I thought it really worked for a second instalment in a series. I will say it does get repetitive at times, especially regarding Fleur's self-confidence issues, however I think it actually makes her feel more realistic. Anyone that's been cheated on definitely has those same inner thoughts and doubts. Attempting to rebuild self-worth after a toxic relationship, and putting trust into someone new especially so soon after, really feels like the early stages of her recovery. She’s not healed yet, but she's trying.

I do feel the need to be clear, this book really does lean more toward the spice than an actual plot. While there’s definitely plot, I would put this in the smutty category based soley on the pure amount throughout (and for such a short book, there is a lot, like a lot a lot). This is really is about tension and desire, and allowing themselves to want what they want, and have it. Honestly it feels like a very French story, sexy, desire, indulgence.

I also love that while this did end on a small cliffhanger, the main incident was resolved within the book and I don't need to run myself ragged to go and find the complete resolution (I maintain that I am not and never will be a cliffhanger girl).

And can we talk about. quotes? I'm not one to really highlight a lot of quotes, but honestly you've got lines like:
“I don’t have time for you,” he said. “I make time for you.”
“You’re my priority, and it’s my job to make you feel like a priority.”

Like, hello? Yes please! But that’s honestly just Bastien in a nutshell. I love that he doesn't pull any BS. He's honest, even if it hurts, but he isn't honest to hurt. He's blunt and to the point and never pulls his punches. It's honestly so refreshing to see a character to consistent throughout the books in what they say and what they do. There is never a time when you raise an eye and go "Bastien would NEVER do that".

So to wrap it up. I love this series. I don't think it's necessarily the most well written I've ever read, but I am hooked, totally a guilty please for me! I know the Saint is already out, but I’m honestly counting the days until the audio drops (Yes the Calendar is Marked August 12, and I'm going to do everything in my power not to inhale the ebook in the meantime and be patient!).

As mentioned in the beginning, I received an ALC of this audiobook from NetGalley and Dreamscape Media in exchange for an honest review. Having said that, all thoughts are my own.

“I'm very fucking dangerous, sweetheart. But I’m not dangerous to you.”

TheCarver by PenelopeSky is book two in the FifthRepublic series, and is a 3 ⭐️ read.

Book two picks up from where we left the story in book one! Fleur, Adrien, and Bastien at odds trying to figure out what the world in this dark mafia romance is for them.

At time I wanted to throw the book out the window, but just then something would keep me coming back.

This book moved fast, just right for the way the story opened up. It was a good read for sure.


Favourite Quote: “You need to accept that I want all of you to myself, that I don’t want to share you or be shared. That I want more than just something casual and easy!”

Spicy Level - 🌶️🌶️🌶️

5⭐️ 3🌶️ 4🎧 I really enjoyed this story, even more than the 1st in the series (The Butcher)! I found this one to be a bit more suspenseful and active. This book picks up where The Butcher left, you will definitely want to read it before you start this.

Fluer is a strong women who has fallen hard in such a short amount of time. There is some conflict between her and her ex and with Bastian in this story that kept up the action. Bastian is the same hard ass in this book as he was in the first. We get a look into his past with his father and brother that I really enjoyed!

This audiobook was narrated by Ramona Master and Michael Ferraiuolo, I enjoyed this listen and I feel they did a good job bringing the characters to life. I loved how it was the same narrators as the 1st in series.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this advanced copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Bastien and Fleur’s story continues in The Carver and what a ride it is. This book picks up immediately where we left off in book 1. This series is made up of quick reads packed with spice and action. I loved learning more about Bastien’s backstory in this book and how it shaped the man he has become. He is ruthless but not without reason and not without mercy when necessary. Fleur begins to come to terms with her feelings and finally is able to fully let go of her cheating ex. These two are totally toxic but in the most perfect way for one another. That cliffhanger has me reeling for the next book!

While I love this story, I feel that the male narrator of the audiobook isn’t my favorite pick. He sounds to uppity and not growly enough. He does a nice job but I just wish his tone was a bit rougher. Overall, this is a quick and fun listen.

Thank you so much to Penelope, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for this ALC in return for my honest review. My opinions are my own.