Audiobook Review: The Master Will Appear by L.A. Witt, narrated by Michael Ferraiuolo
Note: A review copy was provided by the author.
No wonder I’d never been able to make things work with anyone else—I’d been waiting my whole life for him.
I almost laughed at the absurdity. Not that Ryan was such a perfect match for me, but at how adamant I’d been all along that I knew exactly what I wanted. The universe had a sense of humor, apparently, because it had taken everything I’d ever wanted and wrapped it up in the last place I’d ever think to look—a kid half my age and still trying to find his way.
After reading The Master Will Appear in May of 2017, it quickly became one of my all-time favorite M/M romances and one of the very best BDSM romances considering I actually didn't skim through the kinkier parts. I dare say that this novel is L.A. Witt at her most brilliant. So, you can imagine how much I was looking forward to listening to the audiobook. While I was already familiar with Witt's writing, Michael Ferraiuolo was a new-to-me narrator going into this, but talk about an introduction that left one hell of a lasting impression! Witt was already a favorite go-to author prior to this title, and Ferraiuolo earned himself a spot on my list of favorite go-to narrators, a spot that's been solidified given that I've read quite a few more audiobooks he lent his voice talents to since listening to this.
Dr. Mikhail Budnikov is a forty-five-year-old university professor who is known for his prowess inside a classroom and within the limited area of the piste. When he observes twenty-six-year-old college sophomore Ryan O'Connor wreaking his own brand of havoc against other fencers, Misha decides to put Ryan in his place. It becomes immediately clear that Misha is in a league that Ryan can only wish to be on the periphery of. He unexpectedly asks Misha to coach him and Misha, in turn, surprises them both by agreeing. Over time, though, the lessons go from the fencing strip to the bedroom. Ryan has learned to submit to the wisdom and experience of Misha in both realms, but while Ryan has opened himself up to discipline from Misha, his mentor and master realizes that showing the younger man he sees as his lover and submissive that he is worthy of love and more won't be simple.
Le sigh. This audiobook is in a class all its own. The story may have been familiar, but listening to Michael Ferraiuolo breathe life into L.A. Witt's masterpiece took it to a level I didn't even know existed. What do I mean? Well, I'm a hopeless romantic who also happens to be a hopeful cynic--weird and somewhat ironic, I know--so I try to keep any and all my expectations as realistic as possible. However, this dream team of Witt and Ferraiuolo made me see that it was, indeed, quite possible to have the perfect audiobook. Not all BDSM stories click with me, but this one had that wonderfully fine balance of kink and romance that I want and it was headlined by two of the most mesmerizing main characters I've come across in a really long time. I sat back and allowed the narrator's voice and the author's words sweep me into a tale of love and acceptance, oftrust and self-belief. If I could only suggest one audiobook for a newbie to the format to listen to, The Master Will Appear would be it. Five-plus stars. ♥
Date Listened to: 04 March 2018
Learn more about L.A. Witt.
Learn more about Michael Ferraiuolo.
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