Permission To Breathe Denied

Permission to Breath Denied by Laura Greenwood is a dystopian reverse harem that I listened to on audio narrated by Nicole Payten-Betts.

I just love Laura’s books! They always leave me begging for more. I love the fact that they are quick reads but she does such an amazing job I wish they were full length novels. She has such great ideas for stories.

Nicole did an amazing job on the narration. I love that she uses different tones/voices for each character. She really brings the story the story to life.

AudiobookObsession
AudiobookObsessionReviewer

Nicole Payten-Betts narrates this really well. The characters spring to life.

I loved the setting of this story, somewhere familiar yet kinda also not. The idea really intrigued me and I actually didn’t guess the twists which worked really well. I liked the characters and I was rooting for them all the way through. I know I say it a lot but I would love be to spend more time with them. A short, yet fully formed story that is sweet and enjoyable.

This wasn’t my favorite audiobook by Laura Greenewood but it certainly wasn’t bad! I enjoyed the storyline, I loved the concept and thought it was clever how Laura pulled it off. I wish it wasn’t so rushed/had more depth at the end but I understand what Laura was going for. This one had a lot of potential and its sad sometimes to see it not met/cut short. But I enjoyed listening and will listen again at some point.

I will say I think the narration had even more potential and Nicole rushed it too much. I couldn’t get over her narration…sometimes Zel had a British accent and sometimes she sounded more American. Not sure if that was just because of Nicole’s own accent or not. I also thought she needed to slow down some sentences, allow for inflections and inherent pauses and not try to speak a thousand words in one breath haha. I liked her voice and I can be picky so I would listen to her again, but I think she kinda sped read parts and had some breathing issues that can be improved upon with future recordings.

AudiobookObsessionReviewer

The whole book, there was only one real kiss with Asher. Good storyline, just totally lacking in the hot and steamy content. This has been the mildest reverse harem story I’ve read. I wanted more.

This is a dystopian reverse harem retelling of the Rapunzel fairytale, but it’s done in a way that you may not make that connection. It’s actually an interesting concept that absolutely keeps the reader interested to see how it all played out!

Zel Matthews had spent her entire life inside the penthouse because she was told she would be poisoned on the unbreathable air otherwise. Yet she made it her daily ritual to request access, which was always denied. What kept her going was her online friend, Asher. He was only available online during the day, never at night. But she didn’t know why. With the chip her mother finally allowed her to get, she didn’t have to type her responses to him – she just thought the words and they appeared. She really wanted to go outside. She wanted to feel the sun on her skin and the open space around her. She wasn’t allowed to get a job, even though she could do it from inside.

Asher came back online and Zel said “Hi”, noting it was short and sweet like her. But was she sweet? She had no interactions with anyone so she really didn’t know. Maybe she was someone they wouldn’t like? It was better not to meet anyone, she guessed. Zel was constructing a scuba mask with plans she had found when a building worker delivered trash to her to explore. She thought maybe a scuba mask would let her go outside without being poisoned. Asher sensed her mood and she told him her latest project needed 3 parts she didn’t have. He told her those parts were very expensive, and then he had to go to whatever it was he did at night.

The next morning, Asher asked again about her project and she admitted she was giving it up. But he told her to look outside her door – he had overridden the codes and she had 3 minutes to look before the door closed. He was telling the truth, and she found a box outside the door which opened onto a hallway. She dragged it inside and opened it to find the parts she needed! He had gotten them for her! But then he had to leave – even though it was morning and not evening when he usually worked. When her mother went to bed, she climbed out of a window she had found years ago which opened. The mask was working so far and she climbed out and up to the roof. It was overcast, so there were no stars to see. But a voice greeted her and she spun around to see a tall, handsome man in front of her! He approached and asked if she had made the mask. Why would he wonder? He gave her the parts just that morning? Something seemed off. He told her they shouldn’t be out there, then pulled her to him in a tender hug while she rested her head on his chest. He asked her to meet him again the next night.

When Zel greeted Asher online the next day, he said he heard she would be meeting him! Why did he say it like that?? What’s going on with him?

This was such an original approach to the story! Zel, never socializing with others, truly needs people in her life. She is smart and amuses herself with projects and mechanical things. Asher is her lifeline to reach beyond just the confines of her apartment. But things are not what they seem. Asher is unusual somehow but Zel has bonded with him and could never give him up. What is the secret? And what will it mean for her as she puts her brilliant mind to the mystery? The story line picks up and the twists and turns start to take the reader in several directions! Don’t miss this short story! The author packs quite a bit into this tale and it is well worth reading!

I feel like this story could use a lot more. The world and Zel’s part in it are fascinating, but it barely touched on the possibilities. I also wish there was more on the romance side of things. There are 3 love interests, but their relationships seemed to barely get enough words to make me invested in the outccome. I’d love to at least see a sequel featuring the 4 of them.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

All her life has been in the tower with everything she could desire except freedom. She has a connection online but what will she do when her life is turned upside down. See how she will get on

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Hidden is a short retelling of Rapunzel with a dystopian futuristic twist. I really like Zel she’s a likeable character with smarts and wit. I like the way Zel and Asher communicated and the mask Zel created that allowed her to breathe outside. This book has a unique storyline with interesting characters and I look forward to reading more books written by this author who has an amazing imagination.

Wow, this futuristic, slightly dystopian book was unexpected, original, and entertaining. A twist on Repunzel we find that Zel has been locked up her entire life and told by her mother that she can never go out because she is unable to breathe the air. While this story was a short read I would love to see something more done with Zel and Ash.