Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Finch
SERIES: Forbidden Desires
AUTHORS: Piper Scott & Virginia Kelly
NARRATOR: Michael Ferraiuolo
LENGTH: 7 hours and 3 minutes
RELEASE DATE: October 29, 2020
BLURB:
Hugh Drake, the most whimsical member of the Drake family, wants a clutch badly…and despite his sanctioned period to reproduce nearing its end, he just might get his wish.
New information has emerged that suggests Disgraces are dragons and able to bear eggs. All that’s left to do is find one Hugh can tolerate, and who better to help him find his perfect match than his steadfast and faithful secretary, Finch?
If only Finch were a Disgrace, but alas, some things simply aren’t meant to be.
Sensible and straightforward, Finch has served as Hugh Drake’s secretary for more than a decade and secretly loved him for just as long. Hugh is the light of his life, but he’s also entirely too gullible, which is why Finch refuses to believe his claim that Disgraces are dragons. They’re not. Finch would know, since he is one. But that little fact will have to stay a secret because Finch would rather his love go unnoticed than be the one who breaks his dragon’s heart when he fails to produce a clutch.
Finch is a hilarious omegaverse mpreg-ish romance set following the events of the Forbidden Desires series. It contains an adorably clueless dragon, a faithful secretary whose heart is invested in more than just his job, the best Funfetti cake ever, “slippery” situations, and a single amethyst cufflink. For maximum enjoyment, Finch is best listened to following the events of Clutch, Bond, Mate, Swallow, and Magpie.
REVIEW:
Note: This book is a spin-off of the main series and has major spoilers for all the preceding books. Therefore, it’s recommended that this series be read in order.
Finch is happy with his job as Hugh Drake’s secretary. He’s been with Hugh for years and alas, has suffered an unrequited love for is boss for the majority of that time period. Hugh really is most reliant on Finch though. But Hugh is also quite unhappy that all of his brothers have found mates and reproduced – the one thing he wants most of all! Even his father at his advanced age, has found a mate and is expecting more offspring. It’s really distressing that he seems to always be left out and he’s really quite pouty about it But now that he’s learned from Everard’s mate that Disgraces are really dragonettes and can reproduce with Dragons, he’s decided he will just take matters into his own hands and find his own mate.
Of course the ever steadfast Finch is his go-to guy to help him find a suitable mate. The first attempt is an absolute disaster, but leads to some pretty funny moments between Finch, Hugh and Finch’s pets 😀 Since this first try is not successful, Hugh comes up with another plan to hold a ball so that he can meet all the potential mates at once – that way he’s SURE to find the one with whom he’ll successfully have a family! UGH! Poor Finch then has to find and invite all of these people – one of whom will become his Dragon’s mate 🙁 Because he’s Finch, he of course is most efficient in making this happen. Hugh is overjoyed that his Finch is so wonderful to help him get his hearts desire, of course.
During the planning phase for this Ball, there are of course other family obligations to be met. Everard is his usual self, ignoring boundaries and showing up unannounced and uninvited. Hugh also has to visit his father to meet his new mate, Walter. Hugh is overwhelmed with his sad and angry feelings about literally everyone getting to have a family except for him – when he’s the one who really really wants that! Alistair didn’t, Everard didn’t and yet they both have children and mates they adore. He feels quite left out. Walter also seems to be a bit of enigma – and of course he can see Hugh and Finch’s secret desires 😉
The most hilarious part of this story involved another family obligation around a birthday party for Sebastian’s children. All I can say is, this whole scenario – from the car ride to the very end is worth the price of this audio book! So so very funny and creative and sweet and I could just go on and on. Trust me when I say you’ll never look at Funfetti the same way again 😉 Many laugh out loud moments -truly the gift that keeps on giving.
Of course you know things cannot go smoothly though, and as the Ball is about to kick off, Bertrand, the last Drake brother appears. Finch has no idea why he is there and neither does Hugh or so it seems. Bertrand is the most secretive of the Drakes – nobody seems to know what it is he does or where he is most of the time. But he happens to get there in time to save the day 🙂 And Hugh finally discovers Finch’s secret – that he is indeed an Omega Disgrace. He’s thrilled with this news, although Finch is terribly worried that he cannot give Hugh the family he desires, but things seem to be a bit out of his control – and when things don’t turn out exactly as he wishes, where there is trouble in paradise. Thankfully the rest of the Drakes provide some support as Hugh and Finch try to figure things out.
So let me just say, this is probably the funniest book in this series (and that’s saying something) with a bit less trauma and drama than some of the others. Hugh is, I believe, the most entertaining of the Drake brothers 🙂 Finch, as is typical of many of the Drake mates, is somewhat reticent about his background. He’s unhappy about his Disgrace status and parentage and thus he’s not been forthcoming with Hugh. Hugh is such a completely naive innocent in so many ways 😉 Finch has always been far more than his secretary. He literally keeps Hugh’s life on track. And because of this, Hugh is easily distracted and believes Finch’s somewhat outlandish explanations for some things. The children’s birthday party, Hugh’s interaction with Finch’s pets and many other parts of this story are just so hilarious – really just laugh out loud funny. Some bonus scenes with Alistair and Nate and their children add a whole other level of comedy gold. I loved every single part of this one. And Michael Ferraiuolo, the voices!!! My god man, I do not know how you do it! The accents, the voice choices, everything is just so perfect. And now I’m dying to have Bertrand’s book! I hope it’s coming soon – hint, hint. This has truly been one of my most favorite audiobook series and quite a find for this year. Highly recommended!
RATING: 
BUY LINKS:
Audible