Dominic Ramos is a twenty-something deeply closeted, deeply unhappy Premiership football player who meets Lucky through a furtive Grindr hookup. LuckyDominic Ramos is a twenty-something deeply closeted, deeply unhappy Premiership football player who meets Lucky through a furtive Grindr hookup. Lucky is a homeless young guy who has turned to drugs to get him past the lows too often. Their pre-arranged, one-time-only assignation somehow goes astray, and they find they have a chemistry that neither can deny.
This is a compelling coming out story and a romance between two apparently mismatched men that are just perfect for each other.
Garrett Leigh writes these gritty tale of gay life in and around London in a way that I've come to love. Unfortunately, the audiobook here is narrated by Shaun Grindell His narrative voice was just too jarring for the story I had playing in my mind to make the switch. I checked Garrett Leigh's Strays that I read a while back and that was narrated by Dan Calley. I'm note sure if it was because I started that one from the beginning as an audiobook or not, but Shaun's voice just made this one unlistenable. To be honest, I started reading this when I found that I had scooped up a free kindle copy quite sometime ago. I was several chapters in when I saw that it was also available as an audiobook available through Audible prime. ...more
I listened to this before but wasn't really in the right frame of mind to take it in fully. This time around the story is more meaningful. These two mI listened to this before but wasn't really in the right frame of mind to take it in fully. This time around the story is more meaningful. These two men are both wounded and broken in their own ways. They are both prickly and Stephen strikes most people as being surly and unloveable. Luke has been successful in business but is still wounded from his upbringing and has become something of an addict/drunk. Seeing these two come to trust and accommodate each other and lower their defenses makes for a touching romance.
Unlike so much of M/M fiction, the steamy bit here are integral to the plot development and seem so much more "organic" than is normal for this genre.
It's also a bit odd in the way that these guys do the whole "romance thing" backward. Move in together, have sex, then work up to actually sleeping together for the first time.
Hamish Long does the narration here but his talents aren't given as full a scope here as in other things of his that I've heard. This piece is more domestic and has a smaller cast of characters. Still, it's satisfying and an engaging thing to hear. ...more
First book I've encountered with a voice actor as a character. The idea of being embarrassed by hearinFamily of 10 with 4 gay parents and 5 gay kids?
First book I've encountered with a voice actor as a character. The idea of being embarrassed by hearing one's baby brother reading erotic passages was funny.
Definitely gonna have to check out baby brother's book when I finish this one.
The two main characters sound a bit too much alike and it made for some confusing spots.
I really enjoyed Eli's "John Barrowman as za za" moments but I didn't find the sub-dom play as compelling as others night.
A six hour seduction? This tale of two workmates trapped together over Christmas seemed like the perfect holiday listen. That it was narrated by HamisA six hour seduction? This tale of two workmates trapped together over Christmas seemed like the perfect holiday listen. That it was narrated by Hamish Long, made it a must listen.
Patrick is about a decade older than his younger workmate Kyle. He’s been tasked with “mentoring” the charming younger man. Though he’s tried to remain properly professional, the young and out gay man, comfortable with his casual sexual liaisons, pushes all Patrick’s buttons. The younger man is clearly aware of his charms and loves winding the older guy up. And while Kyle is pretty sure that Patrick is gay as well, the two of them clearly have different ideas. Not only about work, and about personal boundaries (Kyle’s a bit of a compulsive organizer) but also about casual sex and how useful Grindr can be. While not exactly enemies, their mutual annoyance with each other is just the beginning. Combative chemistry often leads to the most passionate romances, and this one is no exception.
Being locked in a confined space with these two due to a snowstorm makes this a teasing tale that will have you as horny as the two participants. Poor Patrick tries to stay professional while Kyle does his bratty best to cause the man to combust. The spanking that he receives partway though is richly deserved, and clearly, completely enjoyable for all three of us. This had to be one of the most organic, best integrated, spanking scenes I’ve ever encountered. That, and the equally hot subsequent sex scene, just worked in a way few erotic scenes outside of “friction fiction” have ever worked for me.
The “stranded at Christmas” theme makes this one a cinch for a perennial Christmas favorite and is actually Jay’s “second swing” at the stranded in a cabin together theme. In 2015 there was “Cold Feet” in which Sam gets snowed in in a cabin in Wales with his straight crush Ryan. That one’s been on my “want to Read” list for years now. In this one we have the added appeal of the Christmas theme. The duo’s growing relationship with each other has a good complement in their improving relationship with the aged, and initially stand-offish, old-lady host.
Listening to Hamish Long reminds me of Kevin Kline in A Fish Called Wanda. Remember how Kevin Kline’s character could be brought to an erotic frenzy by merely hearing Jamie Lee Curtis reciting nonsense? It’s probably a personal kink, but for this Yank, and admitted Anglophile, there is something about the “oh so British” way that Hamish says words like arse that just turns the titillation to ten. Hell, I’d get hard hearing him reading Ikea assembly instructions.
Mr. Long turns every text he reads into that smooth, “storyteller recounting a tale” pleasure with good timing and great vocal characterizations of pretty much all his characters. While the women’s dialogue doesn’t necessarily sound like women speaking, it certainly conveys the quality of a man recounting what a woman said. For all the character voices, Mr. Long captures a bit of the speaker’s personality as well as just the dialogue. This makes an already pleasurable tale just that little bit more delightful.
While I’m sure this would be a great Christmas read in its text form, I highly recommend the audio format. You’ll want to listen to this one every year around Christmas.
*** Note: I am voluntarily reviewing this after receiving a complimentary copy ***
This is the romantic story about the building relationship of an over earnest barrister and the truly messed up son of two musicians. Luc was raised bThis is the romantic story about the building relationship of an over earnest barrister and the truly messed up son of two musicians. Luc was raised by his mother after his rock-legend father abandoned them. He still bears the insecurities engendered by that betrayal. And after his last boyfriend sold him out to the tabloids, Luc’s been in a five year downward spiral, “living down” to his press.
Plagued by paparazzi always looking for the next chapter of shame, it’s become a hate hate relationship. Having grown up reading scandalous pieces about himself in the gossip rags, Luc’s self esteem and sense of self worth are about what you’d expect.
Problem is that his public notoriety has left him so stigmatized that he’s having trouble holding a job. When his latest debacle hits the tabloids, even his “CRAPPy” job won’t have him. No, that’s not exactly a scatological reference, but simply an acronym. He works as a fund-raiser for the Coleoptera Research and Preservation Project. It’s truly a CRAPP job… but Luc enjoys his somewhat loony workmates. Nevertheless, even the charity can no longer tolerate his press persona. His supervisor has given him an ultimatum; “Get a boyfriend, and become the “right kind” of gay, or get fired.
Enter stolid but boring (boorish?) Oliver. Oliver’s the seemingly perfect, put together, perennially principled boyfriend. Oliver’s all about mindfulness, and manners, and ethics. While being extremely fit and conscientious, Oliver’s the perfect complement to Luc’s overly chaotic life, Oliver has his own family issues and has been single for a while after being left by yet another boyfriend. With his parent’s 40th anniversary party coming up, Oliver can’t bear the opprobrium of going stag. So the two agree to this fake dating relationship to satisfy employers, donors, and demanding parents. But while they are fake dating, they discover that they like each other’s company.
Told primarily from Luc’s POV, this is a great fake boyfriends tale. In some ways it’s a much gayer, much less inebriated Arthur, without the Dudley Moore influences, and no faithful manservant. Both Luc and his “fake boyfriend” are both incredibly sympathetic characters and seeing them grow closer is a bit like watching the courtship of hedgehogs.
Luc (or Lucien as those who truly love him call him) is a modern little boy lost with more appeal and quicker wits than any paparazzi darling has a right to. Of course there will be a redeeming happy ending. There’s even a lot of jocularity along the way. There’s even one not so funny knock knock joke that manages to be the source of two laugh out loud guffaws and a chortle.
This title is available in audio form on HOOPLA and it’s even better when experienced as an audiobook as narrated by Joe Jameson.
Luc’s youthful voice is frequently self deprecating and at other times poignantly lacking in all self confidence. There are the “posh git” voices of his mostly upper crust workmates. There are several regional voices as well with a Welsh co-worker, Oliver’s upper middle class parentals, Luc’s loving but crazy mother, his deadbeat dad and a host of others.
Luc is the kind of guy that you find yourself pulling for even as early chapter one. The friends are all likable, the eccentric workmates are lovable.
Heck, I even liked the nice guy that tried chatting Luc up in chapter only to be disappointed by Luc’s paranoia. When he comes back later as something of a villain, I still liked him. So much so that I’m curious as to his story as well.
As with so many tales of childhood friends to lovers, this is tale of firsts. First kisses, first shags, and first heartbreaks. This is a tale of comiAs with so many tales of childhood friends to lovers, this is tale of firsts. First kisses, first shags, and first heartbreaks. This is a tale of coming outs, and coming to terms. There are misunderstandings. But you just know that these two mates have crossed the event horizon. There’s no escaping their mutual gravitational pull.
Yes, there are setbacks, Will and Jack’s separation while Will pursues his degree in Leeds, and Jack pursues his disco dreams in Ibiza. Will’s inability to believe that Jack might return his love is maddening. Jack’s reaction to Will’s gay dating life should be obvious to anyone who even mostly awake, but Will is somehow oblivious. And the two are terrible at communicating, despite their numerous social media connections.
The underlying story is sweet, but the main satisfaction to be found here is FINALLY being able to scratch what’s been itching since the first chapter. As that melancholic Dane put it… “”Tis a consummation devoutly to be wished.” And this time no one needs to be stabbed to see it done.
Narrator Dan Calley does a great job with the narration. But in this outing he has little scope for flaunting his skill with the varied realistic accents and voices that he’s demonstrated in other books.
Overall this is a thoroughly satisfying book to listen to. I’d not be averse to listening t it again at some point. But it lacks the convoluted plot elements necessary to make it into my frequent re-listen queue.
In this aptly named Strays, we have the second book in the Urban Soul series. Nero seems to have been an earlier stray taken in by Cass. Now he’s beinIn this aptly named Strays, we have the second book in the Urban Soul series. Nero seems to have been an earlier stray taken in by Cass. Now he’s being asked to return the favor by sheltering the waifish Lenny from a stalker. That means sharing the apartment above the Shepherd’s Bush restaurant that Nero runs.
The second book can be enjoyed entirely on its own. Nero has a haunted past that’s frequently referred to, but not fully explained, until late in the book. Having not read the first in the series, I found myself continually wondering about how much (if anything) I’d missed by not reading book 1. I’m now convinced that I hadn’t missed much. Nero is just so closed-off due to his life experiences that few ever learn his back-story. It’s really a satisfying relief when Lenny finally breaks through that hard shell.
However, a semi-spoilerish Trigger Warning is required: Nero is an ex-convict and a survivor of child abuse. These issues are recounted in some detail toward the end of this book and explain much of his behavior and attitudes. Despite the amount of time that has passed, some readers may still find this too intense.
Lenny on the other hand is much more open about his life and brings a good deal of light into what would otherwise be a pretty gloomy tale. Together the two make an amazingly romantic pair and their tale is surely as sweet as anything in the artisanal bakery they’re working so hard to open in Vauxhall.
Dan Calley narrates this, the second book in the series after the first was narrated by Craig Beck. I love Calley’s narration style, and I’ve enjoyed other books he’s read but for this one I find myself listening at a slightly reduced speed in order to understand the words. I’m guessing it’s the East-end London accent. As usual, Calley brings a good variety of local accents to the book which adds an element beyond what’s in the story itself. Professor Higgins wasn’t that far off when he lamented that “An Englishman’s way of speaking absolutely classifies him. The moment he talks, he makes some other Englishman despise him.”
***Note: I received a free copy of this title in hopes of an impartial and honest review***
As a kid, did you ever get a great big foil-wrapped chocolate bunny for Easter, only to bite one of the ears off and discover it was hollow? Sure, theAs a kid, did you ever get a great big foil-wrapped chocolate bunny for Easter, only to bite one of the ears off and discover it was hollow? Sure, the chocolate was still delicious, and you enjoyed it while it lasted. But remember somehow feeling disappointed because you’d expected more? This book sort of gave me that feeling. What’s here is delicious, but it left me somehow feeling let down that there wasn’t more to it. I think that my problem is that we learn almost nothing about the main characters beyond what we surmised whilst reading the blurb. The characters are superficially charming. The steps in the rom-com ritual are all here. But on some level, their lack of personal detail made it feel a bit like we were just going through the motions.
I still don’t really get the whole daddy/boy BDSM vibe, and parts still feel a bit silly to me, but this is a charming tale of an irrepressible ex child-star (13 movies by age 24) and a curmudgeonly retired ex-cop that may have once been a dom but is now quite literally gathering his rosebuds after taking early retirement.
Dan Calley does another credible role as narrator; ably voicing both Liam, the gruff retired detective, and Felix, the ever perky film star, hankering to have someone who’ll care enough to teach him to behave. Dan’s rendition of Felix’s agent Emma is a bit weird but for a British guy doing an American woman it’s not bad.
This tale is about as low-key, low angst as they come. Both main characters are likable and you’re rooting for them from chapter one. If the Hallmark channel were ever to do a BDSM Christmas movie, these are the guys they’d feature. Although how Hallmark would handle the frequent graphic scenes might be problematic.
Overall, this was a fun, care-free romp that I enjoyed, but it’s lack of depth will probably keep it out of my frequent replay list.
15 year old Leo and his deaf little sister Lila are in the foster care system following the murder of their mother by their abusive father. That he wi15 year old Leo and his deaf little sister Lila are in the foster care system following the murder of their mother by their abusive father. That he witnessed it, unable to do anything while protecting his little sister is just one source of his PTSD and his inability to trust any adult males. Added to the burns that he's still recovering from, and his night terrors, Leo is having a tough time of it.
When he meets his new “brother,” 15 year-old Charlie, the attraction is immediate and the boys quickly become aware that they interest each other in ways that girls never interested them.
Charlie, has been with the Poultons for a while now and seems well-adjusted, though he has the capacity to be a bratty teen at times. His confidence and feelings of being accepted, despite his unsettling feelings for Leo, is a great contrast to Leo’s panicked and 'wounded animal” lashing out. The connection between these two teenagers is not insta-love but more an organic understanding that they have a mutual concern in, and for, each other.
Told from the POVs of these two 15 year-olds, this is a tale of a young lad in crisis. It's heartbreaking and endearing from chapter 1. The wholesome goodness of the adoptive Poultons family is a balm to all the drama that Leo brings to the situation and all of the members of the Poulton household are well-drawn three dimensional, believable and distinct characters. I would have liked more of the back-stories on all of them, but this is really Leo's and Charlie's tale.
The upbeat ending to this tale is an affirmation that no matter how insurmountable the difficulties seem, we can get through them if we do it together.
Given that the boys are both under-age, this tale is pretty tame as to bedroom action but both boys are hormonal teen-agers and there are some very well written snogging scenes.
Narrator Dan Calley does a great job with the basic narration and with creating realistic accents and voices for the characters in this book. In some ways he “felt” the most at home in the voice of the foster father Reg. The quite competence of the man and the competence of the narrator seemed an ideal match.
I'm a sucker for “broken-winged bird” stories and this is clearly one of those, but it's also a bit more than that as well. Seeing the journey from maudlin to mended made this a heartwarming tale to listen to. I recommend it.
Jay Northcote Seems to write great stories about gay guys with doubts. Whether they're JUST coming out, or have been out for years, the principle dramJay Northcote Seems to write great stories about gay guys with doubts. Whether they're JUST coming out, or have been out for years, the principle dramatic tension in most of these stories could be eliminated with a bit of good communication. But where's the fun in that?
This time college freshman and apparently straight boy Louis meets and is smitten with Max an out boy who shares his 5 man flat. But our "straight-ish" protagonist flails about enough that Max may have moved on and found himself someone better. ...or maybe not.
Coming out stories are evergreen in that no matter how many times we've come out most of us are forced to do it repeatedly as new people enter our lives. There's nothing terribly new here but it's an easy listen, and both boys are charming enough that you enjoy it when they finally work past the difficulties they've seemed to inflict upon themselves.
This one also includes a lot of details about pool playing in the UK and it's a bit different than the standard pool game as played in the USA...more
Growing up, Idrys Bjornson's family and the Jackson family went camping together every year. When Idrys came out as a lad, he had to deal with the tauGrowing up, Idrys Bjornson's family and the Jackson family went camping together every year. When Idrys came out as a lad, he had to deal with the taunting of the three Jackson boys and even their homophobic father. But Idrys has gone off to college, grown into his exotic, model quality, good looks and is even a foot taller than the youngster that the Jackson boys used to torment. Idrys has been at pains to cultivate a confident if slutty, party boy persona, a close circle of friends and even a supportive inner circle of buddies with whom he regularly tricks.
This summer, after a hiatus of four years, Idrys is again going camping with the families and though things have changed, Idrys is worried that this vacation will just be a return to the purgatory of his earlier years. But Trystan Jackson, the oldest of the brothers and the cockiest, albeit the most strikingly sexy, of his tormentors seems to have become more accepting and perhaps a bit curious. Also Josh, the youngest Jackson, is clearly mooning after Idrys in ways that makes it clear, to Idrys at least, that the littlest Jackson isn't entirely straight.
If you like the enemies to lovers scenario and don't mind a bit of jail-bait making puppy-dog eyes at our MC, this might be the best book of the year. The cocky, possibly bi-curious, older brother with a physique that makes Italian statuary envious, the adorable interactions with the puppy-dog littlest Jackson, even Idrys's relationship with his straight best friend and his mouthy but lovable sister, all add up to a rollicking great read. There are reviewers that had problems with the persona that Idrys projects but those that can see it as a carefully crafted coping mechanism are gonna love this light hearted tale of angst where pretty much everyone is empathetically drawn and a joy to spend time with. ...more
While the original fanfic is great, it's even more fun to hear FayJay do her own audiobook version. Check it out.While the original fanfic is great, it's even more fun to hear FayJay do her own audiobook version. Check it out....more
In Regency England, Benjamin Parker, second son of an English Lord, decides to confront/test his feelings of self-suspected homosexuality in a disrepuIn Regency England, Benjamin Parker, second son of an English Lord, decides to confront/test his feelings of self-suspected homosexuality in a disreputable gambling club that he's been warned about and meets Cavin Fox, thief and rent-boy whose tender side belies his rough upbringing. Can the two bridge the divide that separates them and achieve the happy relationship that both want so desperately but feel they don't deserve?
I got this interesting bit of m/m historical fiction in audio-book format based on recommendations in response to a post I made on Goodreads. The writing was well crafted, the story was intriguing and the sex was a bit more graphic than I'm used to in audio-format.
The talented Charlie Belmont does an able rendition of this in audio form and his beguiling British accent adds to the overall effect, however in retrospect, I personally should have opted for the print version of this tale.
As I feared, there was too much prose forwarding the storyline to appeal to my randier moods and too much erotic prose to feel comfortable with outside those moods. But this is all subject to one's personal tastes and, as we can all appreciate, those do vary.
I do recommend the book to those with a romantic side who fancy m/m fiction but leave it to you to decide how comfortable you are with the audio version. ...more
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