We ate the dessert first...

So I finish the Fifty Shades trilogy... Oh the tragedy! Fortunately I can and will listen to all three books over and over. I just can't get enough Fifty. I think my inner goddess is a pervert ;).

Narration: By now Becca Batoe's remastered recording (the-I-just-drank-half-a-bottle-of-wine-and-started-reading) is growing on me. She's ok but I still prefered the original recording were she sounded young but her male voices were much better.

Fifty Shades Freed starts with Christian and Anastacia enjoying their honeymoon. It includes more kinky lovery, more vanilla wonders and more Christian going sicko possessive. By now this drags a bit because it is a repeat of situations: Christian jealous, Ana challenges them, they fight, the have steamy sex and so on and so forth. Christians skeletons keep coming out of the closet and threatening his dear Ana. There is some suspense that brings some spice to the book but it never lives up to the mesmerizing stories we got on the first two books. Oh, and Ana calls RED on fifty. I was waiting for that!

I believe that listeners will be happy with the ending. Definitely the epilogue and the Shades of grey chapters are the absolute best in the whole book. It was exactly what I wanted to listen to in this story. This trilogy is in a class of its own. I've never read anything like it and will treasure it for years to come.

116 people found this helpful

Do the right thing!-Random House

The story is fabulous! The audio is NOT! I gave one star but it doesnt even deserve that. My favorite part is (Spoiler alert) where Christian is drunk and talk to Ana's tummy "And we have an invader in here". I'm quoting from the book since I couldn’t even finish this one.
I would never listen or purchase another book with Becca Battoe as the narrator, let me rephrase that, OH HELL NO! After listening to the first 2, I couldn't stomach the third narration. I had enough to last me a lifetime. Advice to Becca "RETIRE from doing audio books unless Random House is foolish enough to pay you to do another one, then take their money and run". I was so looking forward to the audio after reading the books, but I don’t even want them in my library anymore.
I thought Random House was going to fix it since they received horrible reviews about the audio (snort) but again, what was I thinking, they did all 3 using the same narrator even after the horrible reviews they got and continue to get on Audible, I can tell they are probably laughing all the way to the bank since I don't think I can get my money back which I would like very much. I can see how much Random House value the opinion of their listeners. Random House owes all their listeners a do over with another narrator for all 3 books or give us our money back, Do the right thing! I'm sure I'm not the only one who would like their money back.

71 people found this helpful

Oh My Indeed

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

I found the readers interpration of the characters laughable at best. She really got on my nerves. I was already dealing with a book that was not exactly what you call great writing but i wanted to see what all the hype was about...Oh good lord...

This book would have been better if every other page wasn't some weird "Kinky F-kery" I believe she called it. It was a lot too much!

Has Fifty Shades Freed turned you off from other books in this genre?

If it's written by James...then for sure!

How did the narrator detract from the book?

She was annoying

Could you see Fifty Shades Freed being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Not unless it was NC-17! And it starred porn stars!

Any additional comments?

I hate I spent money on this but, oh well. I wanted to catch up and see what all my girlfriends where gushing about. Now I think they all need to have their heads examined.

70 people found this helpful

Thank goodness the torture is over

Yes I must have some masochist tendency's as I tortured myself through the whole series - audible even! Mainly to see if the author and narrator could possibly be so consistently bad through to the bitter end.


My emotions? Frustrated there was no improvement in the writing skills of the author or narration skills of the reader. Disappointment that Ana never matures from her naive, malleable and subservient behaviors. There are times throughout the series that Ana thinks she's acting strongly and standing up defiantly for herself, against Christian, to protect her civil rights. What a bunch of horse pucky! It's sad how she so deludes herself. There are specific items/actions she considers deal breakers but will debase herself for the other 98% of time. She lets Christian roll over her like a freight train, coming and going. I lost track of the times she's trying to figure out how "not to make him so mad or so upset" - over and over. She constantly supplants her own needs for his wants and desires.

The book is grand example of how abusive and controlling behaviors can be exhibited and some classic victim thinking to go along with it.

70 people found this helpful

MORE! I need more Fifty Shades!!!

If you could sum up Fifty Shades Freed in three words, what would they be?

This book was AWESOME, EROTIC, and well written.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ana...she was funny and innocent and naughty.

Have you listened to any of Becca Battoe’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

She's always great!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Chistian opened up to Ana about Elena.

Any additional comments?

I hope this author writes MORE!!!!

40 people found this helpful

I really enjoyed this trilogy!

Where does Fifty Shades Freed rank among all the audiobooks you???ve listened to so far?

This trilogy came at a great time in my life.

What about Becca Battoe???s performance did you like?

I liked Becca Battoe's voice, although her Latin/Mexican accent was not good.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes! I did not want to stop listening to this book and I did not want it to end.

Any additional comments?

LOVED IT!

40 people found this helpful

Fail

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

If Random House hadn't "remastered" the recordings and stripped them of all emotional connection.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Fifty Shades Freed?

In the book, I think the hospital scene where Ana is climbing out of her unconscious state is probably my favorite. I didn't get that far on the audiobook because of the horrible "remastering" of the recording.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

I don't blame Becca. I think they took what probably was a good recording and made her voice deeper and ruined it.

What character would you cut from Fifty Shades Freed?

NONE.

Any additional comments?

AGAIN, I IMPLORE Random House to go back to the tone of the original release of the first book. And yes, I realize I am using SHOUTY CAPITALS!

27 people found this helpful

I NEED MORE

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book over and over again. I hope E L james makes a trilogy based on what Mr. Gray was thinking.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Christian. He had me so hot and bothered. I loved him.

Which character – as performed by Becca Battoe – was your favorite?

I think she did a great job with all the characters.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When christian thought she was going leave him again and he became the Submissive.

Any additional comments?

This book was so awesome. I hope E L James takes my advice and PLEASE make books based on what Christian was thinking.

24 people found this helpful

These books are great, I don't want it to end!

Any additional comments?

I am starting my second time through on this series. It still leaves me breathless. Such erotica but with a tender love story. Great ending (though I wish it would go on) with Christian finally happy. I would love to hear the whole story from Christian's point of view. The small excerpt we get tells a whole other story in a new and exciting way. This series is not only well written, but Becca Battoe did an amazing job! Her characters really came to life and I could see everything happening in my mind's eye. A truly amazing experience! I will read anything E. L. James writes.

20 people found this helpful

Heated

What disappointed you about Fifty Shades Freed?

The narrator, she was HORRIBLE!! Sounded like a teenager with an annoying voice and the writing was equally HORRIBLE!! Unrealistic scenarios & characters!! What prompted me to listen to all three books you might ask...the erotica...it was the only part that was well written...other than that I wouldn't recommend any of the 3 books!!

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Made the situations and characters more believable (a 21 yr old getting ready to graduate college is a virgin, doesn't own a computer or cell phone?! yeah right), and the main character is 28, was an abused child, adopted by a dr...becomes a piano prodigist & multi-billionaire. Is EXTREMELY controlling (outside of the bedroom) in a condensending, parently way and the female is always cowering to him like a child! I wanted to slap her on many occassions and if she said...'oh my' & 'my inner goddess' one more time I thought I'd pull my hair out!!

What didn’t you like about Becca Battoe’s performance?

her voice, her intonation, and the fact that EVERYTIME she read an email she read the time, date, salutation, etc which typiclally was longer than the content of the email. If I have to listen to her one more time I'll SCREAM

18 people found this helpful