Book description
Imagine a Victorian drawing room where the air crackles with unspoken longing, not from scandal, but from the quiet ache of two wounded hearts finding solace. That's the magic of The Widower and the Wet Nurse as an audiobook, where Elizabeth Roubaix's prose comes alive in the most intimate way. Hugh Carnifex, a fifty-year-old Earl still wrapped in the grief of his late wife, feels utterly adrift-no heir, no warmth, just the weight of solitude. Then, his orphaned heir arrives, accompanied by Isabel, the young wet nurse whose presence is a quiet storm.
The brilliance here is how the audiobook captures Hugh's internal struggle-the way his voice, when narrated, holds that deep, aching tenderness beneath his stoic exterior. You hear the hesitation in his thoughts as he watches Isabel, her simple actions (parting her bodice, a gesture of pure, unguarded care) becoming the most potent temptation he's ever known. The narrator doesn't shout the longing; they whisper it, making every glance, every accidental brush of hands feel like a shared secret. You're not just hearing the story-you're feeling the heat of that denied connection, the tension thick enough to touch.
Isabel's voice, warm and grounded, contrasts perfectly with Hugh's quiet sorrow. Her dialogue, delivered with a gentle strength, makes you believe in her quiet resilience, her refusal to be defined by her role. The audiobook shines in these small moments: the softness in her voice when she speaks to the child, the subtle shift in Hugh's tone when he finally allows himself to see her, not just as a nurse, but as a woman. There's no rushed romance here-just the slow, beautiful unfolding of trust, the way two people, each carrying their own scars, begin to heal together.
What truly elevates this short tale (a perfect bite-sized escape) is how it avoids cliché. This isn't just a forbidden affair; it's about two people rebuilding their capacity to love after loss, finding family in the most unexpected places. The audiobook's pacing is flawless-slow enough to savor the emotional depth, quick enough to keep you turning pages (or pressing play). You'll find yourself leaning in, captivated by the quiet power of their connection, the way a single touch, a shared glance, becomes a lifeline.
And yes, it stands perfectly fine alone-no need to dive into the series first. This is a complete, emotionally resonant journey in under two hours. If you love stories where love blooms not in grand gestures, but in the tender, everyday moments of healing, this audiobook is pure, unadulterated comfort. It's the sound of hearts mending, whispered in the quietest, most beautiful way possible. Trust me: you'll want to press play again the moment it ends.
Essex
Being able to download audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. ListenBook's absence of synchronization requirements adds to its convenience and flexibility. Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its functionality, from seamless downloads to binaural audio processing, has truly raised the bar. 📱📖 Supports a wide range of formats flawlessly. Very happy with it.
Devil Bread
The ability to change playback speed and audio volume on ListenBook gives me full control over my listening experience. The fact that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats without DRM protection is a huge win. ListenBook's innovative features, from audio filters to statistics, make it a standout app. Listening to audiobooks on my iPad has never been easier. Highly recommend ListenBook!
DollFaceKillah
ListenBook’s interface is sleek and user-friendly. Finding and playing my audiobooks has never been easier. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Wiccan Thunder
This app has transformed my long flights into productive and enjoyable experiences. With this app, I've unlocked the secret to reading even on the busiest days. ListenBook has enriched my life with a world of captivating stories and knowledge. It's not just an app; it's a portal to endless possibilities.
Sweet Manhattan
I never thought I'd enjoy audiobooks as much as I do now – all thanks to this app. ListenBook's support for chapters and bookmarks ensures that I never lose my place in a story. ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. I'm hooked on this app's sleek design and seamless performance – it's a must-have for any reader. This app's convenience has turned me into an avid audiobook listener.
Jigsaw
I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. 🎉 Rekindling my literary flame – this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. 📖🚀 Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true winner. Discovering new literary worlds has never been this easy. This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audiobook library is at my fingertips. 📚🔊 An audiobook I’ll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narrator’s performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
Fadey
The layout of ListenBook is so beautiful and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use. Book groups help me keep series together and navigate my collection more efficiently. A great feature! I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy.
Potato Sub
Listening to audiobooks has become a ritual, thanks to this incredible app. I'm on a literary adventure wherever I go, all thanks to this app. Its extensive format support and effortless navigation make audiobook listening a breeze. 🌟📚 Navigating through chapters is a breeze. I can easily jump to the parts I want to listen to.
McDreamy
💼 Making work hours fly by with captivating stories – a true work-life balance! 💻📖 The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Lounge Master
I'm blown away by how this app has made my commutes productive and my downtime entertaining. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Shadow Gal
This app has transformed my daily walks into exciting literary adventures. I've never been so excited about my daily commute – thanks to this app. The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. 🔥 Adding a spark of excitement to my daily routine – this app is my secret weapon! ✨📖
Universe Bullet
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. 🚶♀️🎧 Walking has never been this productive – exploring new worlds while I exercise! 🏞️💫 Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is a true gem. I love the ability to change the font size. It makes reading the titles so easy.
Solo Kill
Efficient audiobook enjoyment – this app's functionality is a revelation. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful feature. Sharing is caring! With ListenBook Pro, I'm no longer limited by audiobook length. It's a liberating experience! The app never crashes. It’s reliable and stable.
Airport Hobo
🧘♀️☕ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories – the ultimate way to unwind! 🍵📖 💼 Juggling tasks while exploring narratives – this app is my multitasking hero! 💻📖 Audiobook lovers, you need this app in your life. The innovative features, from audio filters to compatibility, enhance my reading journey. 🎉🎧
Runway Darling
Simplifying audiobook adventures – this app's ease of use is a delight. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
Dark Burn
I'm addicted to the personalized recommendations – it's like the app knows me! The narrators' voices on this app are so soothing – it's my relaxation therapy. This app has made my daily walks a time for both exercise and learning. Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features redefine audiobook joy. 📱📖 Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide.
Trixie Doodle
Listening to audiobooks has never been this convenient and enjoyable! ListenBook is hands down the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The interface is clean, intuitive, and packed with features like customizable playback speed and sleep timers. It supports all formats, which is a huge plus for me. Highly recommend! I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks and this narrator is now in my top 5. Their timing and inflection were masterful. Never a dull moment in the entire performance.
Lucky Aurora
I'm amazed at ListenBook's intuitive interface and precise controls – it's a joy to navigate. Highly engaging! The combination of a well-written story and skilled narration made this audiobook hard to pause. I finished it much faster than I expected because I just couldn’t stop listening.
Miss Rum Punch
This app is a true gift for book lovers – it's like having a personal library wherever I go. With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one convenient app.
Solo Kill
Audiobooks anytime, anywhere – this app's functionality is a reader's delight. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature turns any environment into a cozy listening haven. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature for those who enjoy organized and structured listening. Sharing audiobooks via AirDrop is incredibly convenient. Great feature! This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience