The Poison Daughter Audiobook Review

What it's about

Harlow Carrenwell is a woman whose lips are deadly poison, a curse that has turned her into a weapon rather than a wife. As the youngest daughter of Lunameade’s magical founding family, she operates without a conscience, using her lethal touch to annihilate opposition and eliminate abusive men in her walled-off city. Her first husband is already dead, and her mysterious new betrothed is next on her list. Harlow has made herself a monster to ensure that men have something to fear, moonlighting as a vigilante while fulfilling her parents' whims for assassination. It is a life built on rage and retribution, where every man she meets ends up in the ground.

The dynamic shifts dramatically when Harlow kisses one of her marks and he does not die. Worse still, the man who survives her kiss is Henry Havenwood, her new betrothed. Henry is immune to her poison, a fact that complicates her plans for murder and exposes her double life as a killer. Because Henry knows her secret, Harlow realizes she cannot eliminate him. Instead, she must get close enough to him to uncover why the Havenwoods have reappeared after years of silence and determine what they have planned for the city. The stakes are high, as she is trapped in a fortress surrounded by vampire-infested woods, making survival a delicate balancing act.

To protect her secret and her city, Harlow faces the impossible task of making the man who knows she is a killer fall in love with her anyway. This setup creates a tense atmosphere of forced proximity and enemies-to-lovers tension, blending elements of feminine rage with primal fear play. The story explores the complexities of a marriage of inconvenience where trust is nonexistent and danger lurks both inside the walls and in the woods. With dual POV narration, listeners are invited to see how Harlow navigates this precarious relationship while hunting for answers about the Havenwoods' return.

Why the audiobook

This edition features narration by Laura Horowitz and Anthony Palmini, bringing the dual POV structure to life. Listening to this audiobook allows the audience to experience the contrasting perspectives of Harlow and Henry, enhancing the emotional weight of their forced proximity and enemies-to-lovers dynamic. The audio format also highlights the bonus chapter exclusive to the hardcover and audio editions, offering Henry’s POV which adds depth to the narrative. Additionally, the production complements the full-color illustrated case and designed endpapers of the physical book, creating a rich multimedia experience for fans of the genre.

Who it's for

This book is ideal for listeners who enjoy true enemies-to-lovers romantasy with strong tropes like marriage of inconvenience, touch her and die, and vigilantante protagonists. It will appeal to readers who appreciate dash-of-vampires paranormal elements and dual POV storytelling. However, it may not be for those seeking a slow-burn romance without immediate lethal stakes or listeners who prefer contemporary settings over magical founding families and walled-off cities. It is also not suitable for those uncomfortable with themes of feminine rage and primal fear play.

The verdict

The Poison Daughter delivers a must-have standalone romantasy that combines deadly poison with unexpected romance. With its engaging premise, dual POV structure, and exclusive bonus content, it offers a compelling listen for fans of the genre. The audiobook format enhances the tension and character dynamics, making it a worthy choice for your next Audible credit.