Beyond Shame (Beyond, #1) in Audiobook Junkies

Oct 03, 2012 Darcy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2016, e-book, 2012, audio-book, listened-to-at-work, menage, erotica, bdsm, dystopian

When this one first started popping up all over GR I thought, huh, maybe, but as it kept getting high ratings and people raving about it, and then when I learned the author was a pen name of one that I already love I was sold!

I was instantly intrigued by the world in this one. I like the opposite nature of Eden and the Sectors. Eden seemed so cold, while the Sectors were all about hedonistic tendencies and brutality. You wouldn't think that those traits would go together, but they do and do so w When this one first started popping up all over GR I thought, huh, maybe, but as it kept getting high ratings and people raving about it, and then when I learned the author was a pen name of one that I already love I was sold!

I was instantly intrigued by the world in this one. I like the opposite nature of Eden and the Sectors. Eden seemed so cold, while the Sectors were all about hedonistic tendencies and brutality. You wouldn't think that those traits would go together, but they do and do so wonderfully!

I do wish that at the start of this one we would have gotten more with Noelle and her life at Eden so that we could see the cold, unfeeling world she came from and her behavior living in it. Noelle at the start was so innocent and naive, so much a fish out of water. It was funny watching her explain how she got kicked out of Eden and her reaction to what was going on around her.

I liked Lex right away, but can see why she would grate on some people. I am very curious about her relationship with Dallas. They haven't claimed each other, yet in some ways they act like they have and everyone treats Lex as the queen to Dallas's king. I loved how immediately Lex adopted Noelle, took her in, showed her the ropes, and was her friend. It was an odd relationship as it was more than friendship, yet not a romantic love.

I found myself getting frustrated with Jasper like Noelle. It seemed she knew she wanted him right from the start and he wanted her, but he also wanted her to know what the freedom of sector 4 was, to learn who she is going to be. But even as he did this he kept a hold on her, almost jerking her around. I was happy to see when Noelle put it on the line for him and after Jasper made his grand gesture she made him wait while she did the thinking he forced her into.

I can't wait to read more in this series. I loved the camaraderie in the gang, between the guys and between the girls. I loved how no one let all the sex going on ruin things, it was more a celebration and a way to share with those you cared about. ...more

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Oct 09, 2014 Bj marked it as to-read

Shelves: freebies-2014, conquer-my-tbr-in-2015, audiobooks, audible-tantor-downpour-library, 2020

Free on Amazon as of 10/9/14.

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Oct 09, 2012 Sunny rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: own

This is dystopian erotica done very well. Dirty, dark, with a hint of despair, Kit Rocha gives us an exploration on the notion of shame from a repressed society to a free one. Fantastic.

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Sep 16, 2012 Melanie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: z-2013, favorites, z-2013-audiobooks, 5-stars, 4-star-narration, erotica, dystopian

My review and an extended sample of the audiobook are posted at Hotlistens.com.

This is the first book in the Beyond series by Kit Rocha (a.k.a. Moria Rogers, a.k.a. Donna Herren and Bree Bridges). This series takes place in a dystopian world after solar flares took all technology on the planet. Electricity is not stable either. Eden is supposed to be a utopia, but with all its rules and restrictions, it is far from it. That is where is find Noelle Cunningham, the councilman's daughter, who was l My review and an extended sample of the audiobook are posted at Hotlistens.com.

This is the first book in the Beyond series by Kit Rocha (a.k.a. Moria Rogers, a.k.a. Donna Herren and Bree Bridges). This series takes place in a dystopian world after solar flares took all technology on the planet. Electricity is not stable either. Eden is supposed to be a utopia, but with all its rules and restrictions, it is far from it. That is where is find Noelle Cunningham, the councilman's daughter, who was living outside of those regulations. She is kicked out of the city and dumped into Sector Four to fend for herself.

The sectors surrounding Eden are known for their corruption and crime. They are run by gangs and street rules apply. Each sector is known for different "specialities". Sector Four is run by the infamous bootlegger Dallas O'Kane. He makes the best liquor in the area and makes tons of money at it. Sector Four is also known for its explicit extracurricular activities. Nothing is off limits as long as it is consensual.

When Noelle falls at the feet of Jasper McCray, right hand to the head of Sector Four. Jasper takes in Noelle who is on something and nurses her back to health. Jasper, even though he is a cage fighter and a thug, he has quite the soft spot and Noelle fits there perfect. They are perfect together. He is a natural dominant. Noelle is a natural submissive who wants nothing more than to experience life.

The characters in this book couldn't be better. They are hot, tattooed and share well, for the most part. There are some pretty elaborate sex parties in the sector. The people in the gang are loyal, sarcastic and cocky. Once you are part of the O'Kanes, you are one for life. You are even tattooed with cuffs around your wrists to prove you are part of the gang for life. It also offers you extra protection in the sector. Everyone knows that if you mess with one O'Kane, you will mess with them all.

The narration is good. Lucy Malone does a good job with each of the different characters. I don't think she does a bad job with the men. She makes Noelle's innocence sound believable. Each character has a distinct voice. The tone and pace is done well. ...more

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Jan 04, 2017 Melanie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, z-2017-audiobook, 5-stars, 4-star-narration, z-2017, dystopian

My review and an extended sample of the audiobook are posted at Hotlistens.com.

Beyond Shame is the first book in the Beyond series by Kit Rocha (a.k.a. Moria Rogers, a.k.a. Donna Herren and Bree Bridges). This series takes place in a dystopian world after solar flares took all technology on the planet. Electricity is not stable either. Eden is supposed to be a utopia, but with all its rules and restrictions, it is far from it. That is where is find Noelle Cunningham, the councilman’s daughter, My review and an extended sample of the audiobook are posted at Hotlistens.com.

Beyond Shame is the first book in the Beyond series by Kit Rocha (a.k.a. Moria Rogers, a.k.a. Donna Herren and Bree Bridges). This series takes place in a dystopian world after solar flares took all technology on the planet. Electricity is not stable either. Eden is supposed to be a utopia, but with all its rules and restrictions, it is far from it. That is where is find Noelle Cunningham, the councilman’s daughter, who was living outside of those regulations. She is kicked out of the city and dumped into Sector Four to fend for herself.

The sectors surrounding Eden are known for their corruption and crime. They are run by gangs and street rules apply. Each sector is known for different “specialties”. Sector Four is run by the infamous bootlegger Dallas O’Kane. He makes the best liquor in the area and makes tons of money at it. Sector Four is also known for its explicit extracurricular activities. Nothing is off limits as long as it is consensual.

When Noelle falls at the feet of Jasper McCray, right hand to the head of Sector Four. Jasper takes in Noelle who is on something and nurses her back to health. Jasper, even though he is a cage fighter and a thug, he has quite the soft spot and Noelle fits there perfect. They are perfect together. He is a natural dominant. Noelle is a natural submissive who wants nothing more than to experience life.

The characters in this book couldn’t be better. They are hot, tattooed and share well, for the most part. There are some pretty elaborate sex parties in the sector. The people in the gang are loyal, sarcastic and cocky. Once you are part of the O’Kanes, you are one for life. You are even tattooed with cuffs around your wrists to prove you are part of the gang for life. It also offers you extra protection in the sector. Everyone knows that if you mess with one O’Kane, you will mess with them all.

Narration
The narration is good. Lucy Malone does a good job with each of the different characters. I don’t think she does a bad job with the men. She makes Noelle’s innocence sound believable. Each character has a distinct voice. The tone and pace is done well. ...more

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Sep 26, 2012 Liza rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I had seen talk about this book on twitter and was lucky enough to get a review copy from NetGalley. The description of the book is dystopian erotic romance according to NetGalley, so I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect. However, so many of my reading friends raved about it, so I had to give it a try. All I can say is I’m so glad I did.

I was pulled into Beyond Shame from the very first chapter. Noelle is kicked out of Eden because she was found guilty of possession and consumption of alcohol an ...more

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Jan 31, 2013 Nichole ~Bookaholic~ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audio, romantica-erotica, wispersync-for-voice, z-2013

Wow! This book was quite a surprise. While I knew it had a lot of sex, m/f as well as f/f, m/f/m, and m/f/f/m. There is also exhibitionism, bondage and elements of D/s but it has a feel that matches the world and setting....I was uncertain of what to expect outside of that, as in was there an actual story or was it just about sex. I started with the audio to listen while at work and my commute and finished in the wee hours of the morning with the e-book..... I could not put it down and finished Wow! This book was quite a surprise. While I knew it had a lot of sex, m/f as well as f/f, m/f/m, and m/f/f/m. There is also exhibitionism, bondage and elements of D/s but it has a feel that matches the world and setting....I was uncertain of what to expect outside of that, as in was there an actual story or was it just about sex. I started with the audio to listen while at work and my commute and finished in the wee hours of the morning with the e-book..... I could not put it down and finished it the same day. I would like to add that the narrator for this one did a great job for the few chapters that I listened.

So, I'm not going to repeat the book blurb cause you can read that yourself and there are plenty of reviews that explain the premise of the book in depth and they have done a much better job then I could have. I'm just going to give you my thoughts for what it worth.

I really enjoyed all the characters we are introduced to but wish there was a bit more to the back story of how the world this is in became the way it was. Noelle, while frustrating at times was a very interesting character and it was amazing to watch her go from a somewhat helpless person thrust unknowingly into this new world to a person who finally understood her own worth. Jasper......Jasper,Jasper, Jasper.... While there were moments I thought he needed to be smacked over the head with a heavy blunt object...he was pretty hot and quite perfect for Noelle.

Dallas & Lex have quite the chemistry and most of their interactions are very heated, they push each others buttons as can only be done by those who love you...I can't wait to start their book.

So, all in all this was a pretty amazing story and it looks to be on of those that you either love or hate without a whole lot of middle ground.....I am on the love side and am going to leave you with some of my favorite lines:

"I know it's not a lot of comfort right now, but the bad reminds you just how good everything else is. You've got to have both."

His fingers tangled in her hair, but relaxed and slipped away without closing. "I want you." How many times had she heard those words in her dreams, memories mixed with a yearning fantasy that left her empty and wanting? "You had me," she whispered, clutching the package. "And you didn't just let me go. You shoved me away." Jasper nodded. "I did. I'm sorry. I think..." He looked away. "I didn't believe you were mine." "I was." She watched his profile, drinking in the sight of his face when she knew her next words might drive him away. "But I'm not anymore. I belong to myself, and I'm not going to give that up casually again."

"But no one can hurt you more than someone you love. So I guess you have to ask yourself if it's worth the risk."

She'd have to trust Jasper, knowing he was human. Knowing he could hurt her, even when he didn't mean to. She'd have to trust that he'd do his best, and make amends when his best wasn't enough. She'd have to trust herself to tell him when she needed something he couldn't possibly know to give.

love is trust and need and always feeling better when I'm with you...I love you."
...more

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