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.
Roller Girl
With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting – pure magic! This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits – truly impressive. 🎶📚 Replacing melodies with literary symphonies – my ears are in love! 🎵📚 WiFi downloads save a lot of time. Great feature!
Minty Devil
With a vast genre selection, I've broadened my horizons and explored new topics. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's design is a true delight.
Cinder Coffee
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and seamless playback have made it my go-to app. 🔥 Elevating my reading routine to new heights – this app is a real page-turner! 📚🚀 Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a breeze to use. It's an intuitive experience. The ability to adjust the tone of the narrator's voice is a creative touch that adds depth to my listening. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
DARK HQ
💪 Flexing my reading muscles with this app's easy-to-use controls – I'm devouring books while managing my busy schedule. 💼📚 I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
Prof. Screw
ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Tomcat
This app has made me realize that there's always time for a good book. This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening experience. Decent audiobook but I think I would have enjoyed reading it more. Some of the more subtle humor didn't quite land in the audio format.
Dream Killer
🎉 Unlocking the door to imagination – this app is my key to endless stories and endless possibilities. 📚🔑 Savoring stories has never been this smooth – this app's functionality is genius. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my audiobook library. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
ByteBard
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with maximum comfort and convenience. 🎧 Satiate your reading cravings while managing household affairs – this app has it all! 📚💼
Winter Underdog
I can't believe how much time I've saved thanks to this efficient app! 🧘♂️ Finding zen through storytelling – this app makes meditation even more calming. 🧘♂️🎧 Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a perfect match. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
All Natural
ListenBook's extensive statistics feature adds a new level of insight to my audiobook habits. Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile. The bookmark feature is fantastic. I can easily pick up where I left off.
StarStrider
I'm amazed at how this app's narrators bring characters and stories to life. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality to a new level. The app is perfect for long commutes. It keeps me entertained for hours.
Swerve
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay has made my drives more informative. 🎧 Satiate your reading cravings while managing household affairs – this app has it all! 📚💼 Kudos to the developers for crafting an app that understands readers' needs. The smooth playback and sleek design are pure perfection. 📚👏 The app's performance is top-notch. It's stable, responsive, and optimized for a seamless audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers! ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve found. The interface is clean and easy to use.
Nola
I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way – while cooking, working out, or even gardening. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is a true gem.
Bat Magenta
Listening to audiobooks has become my daily ritual for relaxation and escape. Audiobooks have become my companion during long walks, transforming exercise into a pleasure. I've never been this excited about my daily commute – thank you, audiobooks! ListenBook has taken my audio content to new heights, making every moment more meaningful. 🏃♀️📖 Running with purpose – this app keeps my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals! 🏃♀️📚
Maple Destroyer
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a unique feature that adds a personal touch to my listening. With this app, I'm rediscovering the joy of reading in the most convenient way. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the joy of storytelling. A decent listen overall. The narration was clear, though some character voices sounded similar. The story was interesting but had moments where it dragged slightly. Still, it was a good way to pass the time.
Darkside Isis
ListenBook has become my go-to app for all things audio – from lectures to speeches, it's got it all. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. It's like getting a clear, immersive listening experience. I’ve tried several audiobook players, but ListenBook stands out for its reliability and ease of use. The equalizer and voice boost features make every book sound amazing. Plus, the dark mode is perfect for nighttime listening. Great job, developers!
Sylvester Eye
CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and enjoyable. High-quality playback even with complex formats like FLAC. Impressive! Smooth playback and great sound quality. ListenBook is my new favorite app! Auto-rewind feature is a lifesaver. I never lose my place!
Master Jetson
Listening to audiobooks with my kids has become a cherished bonding activity. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a versatile companion for my daily activities. The intuitive interface and seamless navigation make this app a joy to use.
Airport Hobo
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. With ListenBook, my iPhone and iPad have become a gateway to a world of captivating stories. 💼 Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background – love it! 💻🎧 The user-friendly interface and smooth navigation make this app a pleasure to use daily. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
NexusNomad
I'm blown away by how this app has made my commutes productive and my downtime entertaining. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is top-notch. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive offerings, from statistics tracking to immersive audio processing, have breathed new life into my reading. 📚✨ ListenBook is my trusted partner for all things audiobooks. It's reliable, intuitive, and user-friendly. With ListenBook Pro, long audiobooks are no problem. I love it!
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