This one was a bit of a struggle. It mainly focused on providing background info on Bastian. Which was ok but otherwise not much happened in this book until the end. Not sure where The Carver title comes from since it doesn’t really connect with any of the characters for me. Bastian kept PMO with his need to ignore her when he didn’t get what he wanted and would up and leave for the shower and go watch sports after spicy scenes. Overall yes I know Fleur hasn’t known Bastian long at this point but their relationship is giving me the ick.

3.5/5
Book 2 of a series. I did not read book 1 first.

Bastian is a mafia born man who tried to get out when he was young after a bad experience, but he fell into drugs/using and entered back into the Mafia but in his own way. Fleur is just out of her marriage (not divorced) when she meets Bastian and falls for him. But she keeps her guard up, not wanting to be back in the same situation she is leaving. But she also doesn't know if she can be in Bastian's world and all that it entails.

Spice level 2/5

Mafia
He fell First
Touch her and Die

I received an advance review copy audio version. Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media, for the opportunity to listen to this book. Ramona Master and Michael Ferraiuolo did an amazing job narrating this audiobook.

A continuation of The Butcher, this book fell short on the relationship front. It seemed to me that Fluer was being a little petulant and childlike. I loved that Bastien had her groveling :)

There is a lack of depth, both in characters and romance. It seemed more like a I want you, be my mistress, yes I'm a gangsta and I'll take care of you etc...

The narration was fine. Yes only Adriens voice is accented, but that works for me. I really don't want to be listening to an English book with highly accented characters.

Delicious!!!! I loved tjis ALC so much ! Sebastian was just enough possessive , and sweet ! And the spicy was absolutely finger licking good 👍🏼 10/10

After reading the blurb for this book, I thought it would be one I could enjoy. I received the ALC, and it didn't really hit the way I hoped it would. The story seemed like a lot of fluff with more spice than action. The good stuff doesn't start until closer to the end, which was a bit of a disappointment. I didn't read the first book, so I didn't have any idea who the characters were. This could be read as a standalone, however, it might be a little difficult to grasp.
Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Penelope Sky for this ALC.

This is a continuation of the butcher. I really like that it has the same characters and the same narrators. It does bother me that they are in France but only one character has a French accent? Also the male narrator sounds like Stanley Tucci

First off I want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an early audio copy in exchange for an honest review. I wasn't a big fan. The beginning was a little slow. It's started getting good towards the end and was a little disappointed but it was an okay book, also the narrator, I couldn't connect with the male narrator, the female was fine. Again thanks for this opportunity.

ARC Audiobook Review: The Carver by Penelope Sky
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5

This dark, gritty romance had its intense moments, and I appreciated the dual narration—it helped bring the story’s emotional tension to life. However, I didn’t particularly connect with the female narrator, which pulled me out of the experience at times. Still, the overall performance kept the pacing engaging enough to follow through.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the audiobook ARC!

Starting off strong — Fleur needs better descriptions, Bastien deserves so much more than to be called “the hottest piece of man meat” lmao. Her character also grates on my nerves a little. She needs more personality and less whining, she comes across very juvenile. I also think my dislike for Fleur is more or less just because I prefer a strong willed, take-no-shit FMC and she just doesn’t foot the bill.

Book two was a bit of a redemption for Bastian, as far as I’m concerned. I wasn’t very partial to him in book one, but I really appreciated getting some of his back story. It explains a lot of his “quirks” and I’m finding myself less constantly annoyed with him. Also, his relationship with his mom!! I LOVE

Adrien has always been and will always be a loser.

All of this to say, I’m excited for the audio of The Saint to release in the near future! I think the narrators have been phenomenal at portraying these characters. I’ve enjoyed listening to them. Also, the cliffhanger!!!! I’m committed, I need to know what happens next.

A big, big thank you to Dreamscape Media, NetGalley & Penelope Sky for giving me the chance to listen to this ALC.

3.5? stars...Hmm.... I'm just not sure about this series. I obviously had to read The Butcher first since this is a continuation rather than interconnected stand-alones. I like Fleur; I think she's in it for the right reasons and I totally understand most of her choices; she felt reasonable in a very wild world.

Let me preface by saying, I'm very open minded with my smut or romance reading, but this one just didn't totally fit in the dark or mafia type romance for me, like it didn't go hard enough. The thought was there and there were some great one liners (fold me like a hot pretzel from the mall, or don't fuck anyone else and you'll save lives, for example). Bastien definitely has the history to fit into a dark romance or mafia romance... there was some backstory and lots of action in this one compared to The Butcher, but I just wanted more.

I'll finish the series because it is who I am. The smut was decent, not super connected to the plot, but more just there to be there. This book did make me question why oral sex on a woman is "eating" and on a man is "sucking," as they use "eating" for a man and it totally caught me off guard.

Bastien's physicality was built up so much between both books that I couldn't mentally cast a celeb for him; the cover model is all I can see (and not complaining).

Thank you to Net Galley and Dreamscape Media for the chance to read!

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. DNF at about 50%. I found this book to be poorly written, with basic vocabulary for descriptors. The plot was seriously lacking, and I felt no chemistry between the main characters.

I binged a whole Penelope Sky mafia series last week and honestly? No regrets. Her books are dark, and completely addictive…and The Carver pulled me right in.
It’s definitely on the heavier side when it comes to triggers, but if you’re looking for a fast-paced intro to the mafia romance world, this is a great place to start.

Bastien is that perfect storm of dangerous and devoted, and the tension in this book? Constant. The story moves quick, the chemistry is 🔥, and I was all in from the get-go.

The narrators were brilliant too; super engaging and full of emotion. They really brought the whole thing to life. Highly recommend the audio

🐍 Mafia/organised crime
🐍 He falls first
🐍 The ex that won’t go away
🐍 Possessive vibes for days
🐍 Right-hand man energy
🐍 Over-the-top protective



Big thanks to Dreamscape Media and Penelope Sky for the ALC in exchange for an honest review

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW:
Story: 4 stars Narration: 5 stars Overall: 4 stars

The Carver is the second book in the Fifth Republic series. The love story between Bastien and Fleur continues. Adrien is still causing problems with the divorce. Bastien and his brother are still at odds. Luckily, this time Bastien saves Fleur and …….
The narration by Ramona Master and Michael Ferraiuolo was brilliant. Their intense chemistry and love for each other is evident in their voices. Michael Ferraiuolo has a beautiful French accent.

DNF @ ~25% can’t get over the cringe diction and don’t like either narrator. I would have also liked knowing this is the second in a series and seems like you’d need to read them in order to enjoy them.

The Carver is another addictive mafia romance from Penelope Sky. This audiobook had me hooked from the start! It’s fast-paced & has the perfect balance of spice and suspense. Bastien is ruthless, powerful, and impossibly protective. Obviously a morally gray hero I can’t resist.

The dual narration by Ramona Master and Michael Ferraiuolo added so much to the experience. Ferraiuolo’s performance as Bastien was especially captivating, bringing the right mix of edge and emotion to the character.

A solid addition to the Fifth Republic series! And that cliffhanger? Brutal in the best way. A must-listen for dark romance fans.

This continues where we left off from book two. Still not really getting dark romance from this story. We get a little more action towards the end but still not exactly what I was expecting out of this series. We focus a lot on the will they, won’t they, but we know they will scenario. There’s so much focus on her divorce and her soon to be ex husband. I feel like that should’ve been resolved in book one so we could get more action in this book. I’m going to finish the series because I want to know what happens.

Again I’m at a 3.5 for the story and 3 for the spice. Rounding up to 4 stars for rating because I do like the audiobook narrators.

I received the ALC for this book.
Performance 4.25⭐️
Book 3.5⭐️

This is a continuation of the first book and does leave you on a cliffhanger. Nothing really exciting happened until the last 10% of the book. Will I continue this series, yes but it’s just because I need to see if Bastien can redeem himself. Hoping he can change the below things.

Things that got on my nerves.
- how many times she talks about how hot he is. Every chapter multiple times.
- How she can’t tell him anything. She is scared she will enrage him. Ex. Why he didn’t want someone younger? Just the normal insecurities.
- He plays with her emotions. Ex. Tells her he still mad at her just because.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media.
#TheCarver #NetGalley

Hold onto your hats ladies and gentlemen - you are about to be taken on a wild ride. Bastien and Fleur's second installment will leave you with bated breath as the cliffhanger was in your face fantastic. Just as you think their love affair will lead them down an easy path, Penelope Sky pulls the floor out from underneath you. I cannot wait for installment #3. These narrators were perfect - they brought the characters to life.

I will willingly admit I got thirst trapped by the cover on this one.

No complaints from me about the narration of the ALC I received, however, I got ick early on in the read feeling dead triggered by the image of a man yelling at sports on a tv (and that's on me).

If you like some toxic behaviour and relationship jumping in your spice this could be for you, so don't let me yuck your yum, you're absolutely welcome to find out for yourself.

For me though, it's giving big make believe underground narrative. It's giving he's angry and she's flailing. Ultimately, I think the way we talk about power in the context of female roles can be indulged and highlighted in more consistent ways. A champagne bubble bath doesn't smell quite as good when it's a demand and it's screaming you're going to make her grovel for a guilded cage?

I was granted an arc from the publisher so I wanted to first thank them for granting me a teaser for another author I need to keep an eye on.

Being completely transparent, the cover of the book alone grabbed me ;) when I read the description I knew I needed more.

I didn’t realize this was the second book in the series. While I am certain the story connects better when you know what happened in the first book, I didn’t have a problem following along.

I do have a soft spot for mafia archetypes and I appreciated the subtle changes in the typical story. I don’t know much about the author but setting this story in Paris was a fantastic choice. It gives the story some soft edges to a darker plot.

I don’t want to give too much away but as always, I judge a book on the fact I want to read more of the author and the series and I say yes to both :)

Side note: The narrators are newer to me as well and can’t wait to hear more from them.