Seven Years by Dannika Dark

January 17th, 2017 Kimberly Review 53 Comments

17th Jan
Seven Years by Dannika Dark
Seven Years
by Dannika Dark
Series: Seven #1
Narrator: Nicole Poole
Length: 11 hours and 24 minutes
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Source: Won
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star
Narration: 4 cups

It's been seven years since Lexi Knight lost her brother in a tragic accident. On the anniversary of his death, her brother's best friend shows up unexpectedly-a man she hasn't seen since the funeral. He is no longer the boy Lexi once knew, but a dangerous-looking man with tattoos and dark secrets. He broke her trust and abandoned her family, yet what he reveals makes it impossible to stay angry. Lexi has been secretly infatuated with Austin since childhood, so finding out he's a Shifter just makes him sexier. Dammit. Austin Cole has returned to the city where he grew up, and just in time. He's lived a hard life these past seven years, and the shadows of his past are threatening to destroy Lexi's family. It's time that she learned the truth about her brother, but there is a shocking twist that Austin never saw coming. Now he must protect her family when her mother and sister wind up in mortal danger. Will Lexi learn to accept the truth about who he is, and can Austin salvage a relationship from the ruins of their past?

howlinggood paranormal yummy alpha

Seven Years by Dannika Dark is the first audiobook in the Seven series. The series features seven full-length novels and a few novellas. I had the eBook on my Kindle, but this year I won the complete set of audiobooks. I knew my friends loved the series, but I had forgotten the details, and as I often do I started the audio without reading the synopsis. Don’t laugh but I had totally forgotten this was a paranormal romance series and flipped when I realized there were shifters! Yippie!! It was the perfect listen over Thanksgiving week, and I quickly devoured it.

Coffee Dates with Seven Years

  • First Date: The tale takes place in a small town in Texas. Lexi Knight is feeling down on the anniversary of her brother Wes’s death. She is in her late twenties and works at the local candy store. She recently caught her boyfriend cheating on her in the backseat of her car. I liked Lexi right away especially when we learned she has a thing for Austin, her brother’s best friend whom she hasn’t seen since Wes died. She spends the anniversary of Wes’s death sitting graveside with a bottle of spirits.  Austin shows up, and oh my has he grown up. Narrator Nicole Poole was a good fit for Lexi and I quickly slipped into the story. Austin is a bit of a mystery, but Dark has me oh so curious.
  • Second Date: The story that unfolds is addictive! Lexi’s mother is kidnapped and we begin to learn more about Lexi’s family, her sister, and Austin. Dark weaves in paranormal elements with a variety of shifters. Austin Cole is a wolf and Alpha of his pack. When another pack leader shows an interest in Lexi, we get a bit of a love triangle, but no worries folks as it is resolved within this story. I completely enjoyed meeting all the brother’s within Austin’s pack and loved all the diverse personalities. We get a mix of angst, danger, humor and sexual tension all of which kept me listening.
  • Third Date: Dark did an excellent job of building suspense as she fleshed out both the world and characters. The tale had an excellent flow, and Poole gave each character their own unique voice. Her male voices weren’t raspy, and I easily visualized each character. Lexi’s Mom was a hoot, as were a few other key characters.  I enjoyed the way the humor and tender moments balanced out the danger and suspense. The relationship that develops felt genuine, and while I wouldn’t call our hero a smooth talker he managed to curl my toes.

Seven Years provided closure for the romantic and suspense aspect, so it looks like each book will deal with a new couple. I cannot wait to begin Six Months.

Seven Years by Dannika Dark delivered a fantastic paranormal romance on audio Click To Tweet
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

53 Responses to “Seven Years by Dannika Dark”

  1. Lizzy

    Well, this looks very sexy and possibly entertaining…hmm. Is it a good feel-good series? As in you can go into it pretty much knowing your couple is going to end up together no matter what?

  2. Melanie Simmons

    I need to try this series. I listened to her Mageri series (with the same narrator) when they were first added to audio. I also saw she has a new series coming out that looks great. I need more time to read. LOL

  3. Tanya

    I have been collecting these on audio and am dying to listen. I’ve heard such great things! Glad you liked it too!

  4. Lover Of Romance

    oh I am so glad you had a blast with this one. I love it when a story surprises you like that hehe I do need to get back to this author. Love her work, she is very easy to read.

  5. Megan Riverina Romantics

    Great series though I’m only three books in. Kinda mild sexually speaking compared to other PNRs. The best part of this one was his letter.

  6. Katherine

    The first date completely hooked me and then I got to the second date about him being a wolf and it completely surprised me. I had to go back up and read the blurb again! I’m still not completely sure about the whole wolf thing (I keep chickening out from trying the shape shifters) but I love the sound of Lexi and Austin.

  7. Kristin

    I”m like Lexi above – I’m super stoked you liked this series and Dannika’s writing, as well!!! I started reading Dannika years ago and got easily wrapped in the world she wrote for her other series. I need to get back to her stuff 🙂 YAY!!!!

  8. Braine

    I’ve seen this series around and I love how clever the titles are! Like that alone have me curious as to what it’s counting down to

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Right but honestly I thought it was a contemporary dealing with the same couple. I am on book 4 now Braine and have loved every one so far.

  9. kindlemom1

    So many people love this author and even though I’ve been saying this a lot lately, I really do need to try this one.

  10. Rowena

    My friend is reading this series and even though she’s not a really big fan of some of the books, she can’t stop reading it. I wasn’t all that interested in it but you’ve got me curious. Hmm..

  11. Dragonfly

    OMG YOU BEAT ME TO IT KIM!!! LOL! SMH! I have this review ready since last year but I keep postponing it to post other reviews. Besides I’m not sure if I want to post steamy romance review in my new family blog UGH SMH!!! I can only picture my Aunt face when she see it LOL. I also did the audiobook and I’m IN LOVE with the narrator 🙂 I’m glad I was not only one surprised there were shifters here. 🙂 Great review 🙂

  12. Sophia Rose

    Oh neat! I know Melanie and Lorna love this series. I think I have this first story and had forgotten about it until you tempted me with your review.

  13. Angela

    I’ve heard so many great things about this series but I’ve not really paid attention to it, now, thanks to your fabulous review, I need to read these!

  14. Lorna

    Doing my happy dance here! So glad you really liked 7 years! My favorite series by her is still her Mageri Series, but this one is a close second. I am reading her new series that came out yesterday. Keystone. It’s really good so far as well! Happy listening!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I have Keystone coming on audio for review and I am so excited. I am currently on Four Days and it is sooo good! I will be sure and check out her Mageri series as well.

  15. Maggie

    Kim I have had the kindle of this book for so long. After reading your review I think I need to bump it up on my list. I am ashamed to say I have had it for about a year lol.

  16. Maureen Beatrice

    Sounds like a fun series. I definitely love paranormal romance stories. I haven’t listened to many on audio yet though, so that might be a great idea! 😉

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I started listening to urban fantasy, mystery and paranormal first on audio. They lend themselves well to this format. Of course, now I listen to every dang genre 🙂

  17. Lexxie

    I can’t even begin to explain how happy I am you enjoyed Seven, Kim!! I love this series, and I think both Dark and Poole did amazingly well 🙂 It’s one of the very few series where I’ve listened to all of the audiobooks, too – and I can tell you this: it gets better with each book;)
    Great review 🙂