Erryn Barratt

They’re boyfriends!

Revisado: 04-14-25 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Tallus and Diem are back! Woohoo!

Every time Nicky James publishes a new audiobook, I kind of lose my mind. I binge the book and soak myself in her men. Then I sit down to write a review and struggle to find the right words to convey how amazing the experience of listening to her audiobooks is.

So…Tallus is studying for his PI licence. And is just 10 hours away from completion – as he reminds Diem every 10 minutes when trying to justify his actions. Diem, for his part, has nabbed a job in a small-town outside of Toronto – too far to commute. It’s clear there’s no case. It’s also clear he needs the money. Since his new client is willing to pay…he goes. And brings Tallus with him.

Okay – quick aside. The description of the B&B had me in stitches because that was basically my grandmother’s house minus the clocks. Sorry, Nanny, had to be said. I hadn’t been comfortable in her place and I sure wouldn’t have been in the B&B. So Diem had my complete empathy.

Aside over.

Tallus is more empathetic to the victim’s mother than Diem is capable of being (or at least so Diem contends). Which is why Diem brought his boyfriend in the first place. Yes, they’ve actually upgraded from f- buddies to boyfriends. Half the time I don’t think Diem can believe this either.

Now, this case is all about high school students. They’re better than 8th graders – but not by much. I don’t miss high school and these mouthy teens give Tallus and Diem a run for their money.

But all is not as it seems and it’s up to the two sleuths to solve the mystery.

I’ll be honest and say I did guess at one element early on, but the rest came as a surprise to me. Again, as with all of Nicky’s mysteries, this was well done. I loved it.

Nick J. Russo is brilliant in his portrayal of the two men – especially Diem’s rough voice. Everything about these stories just clicks and I’m thrilled to see there’s another one coming! Woohoo. So yes, you want to grab this one. And all the others if you haven’t and thank you for the Valor and Doyle cameo. More please!

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Powerful and meaningful

Revisado: 02-06-25 El oyente recibió este título gratis

I always start my Nicky James reviews by saying I love Nicky James. I do – as a person and as a writer and as a master storyteller. This book was absolutely up to the high standards I expect from her. She delivered another stellar story.

I’d met Niles previously, in Promises of Forever, and hadn’t entirely loved him. But nothing is better than a redemption arc and he sure redeems himself in this book. He’s accepted his ex-boyfriend Koa is now in a loving relationship – with the wonderful Jersey. He’s now consigned to never feeling good enough at work and being alone – possibly for the rest of his life. He has his music. He has friends. Most importantly, he has his students. His parents expected great things from him (medicine, law) and his decision to study music at the University of Toronto resulted in zero financial assistance and just about the same amount of emotional support from his entire family.

Boo. Shame on them.

Teaching is truly a noble profession and having a great teacher can make all the difference in a child’s life. Niles’s newest student is a case in point.

Constance is a virtuoso at just about every instrument she plays. A health crisis has left her with an issue that her father cannot – or will not – cope with. She comes to Timber Creek Academy to try to settle into a ‘normal’ life. Only her situation makes her different. Fortunately, she’s got Niles to support her through this rough time. For the record – high school is brutal enough without being ‘different’ in any way. So total empathy for her.

The problem? Her father, Maestro August Castellanos has come with her. Ostensibly to ensure she settles in. Except he’s been offered a position at the Academy, forcing Niles to face his own demons. To say these two men get off on the wrong foot right away is an understatement. But August has some dark demons of his own – not the least is his approach to parenting. He feels he has a lot to make up for and even he can see he’s not doing a great job.

This is where Nicky’s genius comes in. She gives us glimpses – and then deep dives – into both men. Their approach to education, their beliefs in child rearing…oh, and that simmering sexual tension I’ve come to expect.

This was one of those books where the resolution looked truly impossible. That one man would have to give up something he held so dear. Alas, Nicky found a solution. One I adored.

I’ll say Nick J. Russo again did a bang-up job with this emotionally challenging novel. There are some dark issues addressed, but there are also moments of levity. Overall, just a brilliant book.

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Stunning

Revisado: 12-21-24

I knew nothing about this novel when I picked it up. Well, something about France and champagne. But I knew this author could pull of a masterpiece, even if she was writing in a new genre and under a new pen name.

I wasn’t disappointed.

Who can’t relate to Natalie? Or at least empathize with her? Discovering her husband of more than twenty years is having an affair? Leaving that marriage with half of the belongings and downsizing from a house to a condo? Knowing those around her, including her best friend Molly, all feel sorry for her?

She needs out.

If only for a break.

So she heads to France. A misunderstanding lands her in a lovely hotel room with a new friend who is dedicated to helping her start fresh. So what if all this is based on that misunderstanding? Natalie’s entitled to some happiness, right?

As she’s perusing a book store, she finds the letters of Barbe-Nicole Clicquot. A widow whose story began more than 200 years ago. Yet whose experiences as a widow, making her way in the world, are so relevant and near to Natalie’s own journey of self-awareness. Barbe-Nicole defined herself as a wife for years. Natalie did everything to be the best wife to the husband she later discovered had cheated. Both women found themselves alone at times in their lives they didn’t predict. And while Natalie has modern conveniences and the women’s movement to thank for her relative independence, Barbe-Nicole was very much stuck in the patriarchal world where women were defined by the men in their lives.

She fought against that her entire life.

When Natalie’s fresh start turns into more, a reader might be forgiven for expecting the story to go a certain way.

Ah, but Kate’s got something up her sleeve.

I won’t say more except I couldn’t have been more pleased with the end of the story. How both women – Natalie and Barbe-Nicole – forged their own paths. The book left me breathless.

Cassandra Campbell and Jackie Saunders were truly two phenomenal narrators. From Natalie’s subtle American to Barbe-Nicole’s lyrical French accent, I was swept away by the talents of the women. From Napoleon’s France through to modern day Paris and the French countryside, I enjoyed a rich tapestry that made me want to visit this wonderful country.

This book is a must listen. I know I’m a better person for having done it.

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I love this series!

Revisado: 11-07-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

CF’s series has been a wonderful journey around the world – Australia, Greece, Spain, Jersey, Scotland, Ireland, and France. Now we wind up in America. Not just America, but California and Hollywood specifically. We’ve got British actor Eddie who has landed a leading role in a new film. He’s excited but is also facing the reality that threats have been made against his life. His father is prosecuting a case back in England and certain criminal elements aren’t happy about that. They want to kidnap Eddie as leverage to get Eddie’s father to back down.

Enter Lee. Lee has been Eddie’s father (Rupert) best friend forever. Lee’s newly divorced, out of the Met, and in need of direction. He’s not thrilled about being hired as a bodyguard but he’ll do anything to keep Rupert’s son safe. What Lee doesn’t expect, as he and Eddie head to America, is the attraction he feels toward the younger man.

Eddie, on the other hand, has had a crush on Lee his entire life pretty much. Or at least as long as he’s known he was gay. Eddie’s mum, who died tragically, even warned him to be less obvious about his lust for Lee. Now Eddie, still in the closet for the sake of his career, is 24/7 with the man he’s always wanted and never thought he could have.

Except what happens in America stays in America…right?

This is a CF White romance, so I suspect you know the answer. Lee and Eddie have plenty of obstacles to overcome and I loved watching them do it.

I’ll say Piers Ryman has become a favorite narrator of mine since he and CF started putting out audios. He’s done a great job with this series. I didn’t love his American accent, but I’ve heard much worse. In all, he did a fantastic job. It seems this is the last book – which is disappointing - but I’ve certainly enjoyed the ride across the world. Thank you, CF.

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Loving Tallus and Diem

Revisado: 10-21-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

So with every time Nicky James drops and audio, I get a happy feeling. Like, joy. I’ve been waiting (not so) patiently for this book. In the last one, Tallus and Diem solved the last crime, but they hadn’t reconciled their feelings for each other. Hadn’t found a happy medium between their, uh, sex sessions, and completely ignoring each other.

If one can ignore the man in the vehicle outside staring in. A little creepy. But Tallus is biding his time until Diem comes to his senses and sees they’re meant to be together.

I haven’t been holding my breath. I mean, Nicky will (likely) get these two together in the end. Exactly how many books that will take remains a mystery. That’s fine. I love the couple and enjoy the books so she’s free to just keep going.

Okay – so the mystery in this book. Tallus’s friend Memphis wants to see a psychic. He’s got reasons – most of them pretty thin. Tallus isn’t convinced this is a good idea, so he googles the woman. Thus begins his trip down one massive rabbit hole. One that has him showing up on Diem’s doorstep. Tallus wants to take the lead on the investigation. Diem can’t figure out for the life of him what they’re actually investigating. He has a paying client having him do rather boring work, but the key is they’re paying him. If he spends time with Tallus on this wild goose chase, then he’s not getting paid.

Except Tallus is a dog with a bone and it’s clear he’s not letting go.

So Diem humors the man. And tries not to get too close – even though, yeah, close quarters. Pretty soon they’ve got something to work with – both in and out of the bedroom.

Diem’s still got tons of baggage and Tallus doesn’t know how to get through the man’s fortress walls. Then he needs help from the Toronto Police – including his cousin as well as – wait for it – Valor and Doyle. Thank you, Nicky, for giving me a quick update on them.

I’ll leave it up to listeners to see if they can figure out the mystery before Tallus and Diem do. To see if they can figure out what the hell is going on with the men’s relationship. To decide if the ending is really just the beginning of something new. (Cryptic enough, you’ll just have to listen…)

As always, Nick J. Russo does an amazing job with this series. His Diem is especially notable as it’s so gruff. So perfect. And…waiting (im)patiently for the next book…

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Unexpected

Revisado: 10-07-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

I’m always up to trying a new author and although I don’t listen to much fantasy, this book piqued my curiosity. We have an innkeeper. A man who lives apart. He has the women in the kitchen and the tavern who do the work, but he doesn’t have anyone in his bed. The inn is so isolated that travellers who find their way to him are often on their way elsewhere.

Thus is the case of the Queen’s guardsman who enters the inn one night. The innkeeper could have sent the man on his way, but they shared one passionate night. In the morning, the gorgeous guardsman, who is fae, disappears. As the drums of war beat, though, the guardsman returns. There is an attempted assassination. The old queen passes. And still the guardsman will appear for yet another night of passion.

This could have been a repetitive and boring book, yet it wasn’t. I truly enjoyed it. Something different. I’ve spotted another book and so will be interested to see the progression of the relationship of the innkeeper and the guardsman…

Nick Johnson is a new-to-me narrator and I thought he was just amazing. I can’t wait to hear more of his work.

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Second Chances are worth taking

Revisado: 07-22-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Wow, what a great story! I love CF White and the Flying into Love is quickly becoming one of my favorite series. This story takes Londoner Jesse to Greece for his mother’s funeral. In doing this, he has to confront his past. He made choices all those years ago and he’s certainly come to regret some – like never reconciling with his mother. He also hasn’t dealt with others – like walking away from his first love.

The book starts with Jesse waking up from a hangover, with a stranger in his bed, no memory of how the bloke got there, and already late for the airport. Then he steps on his designer frames and shatters the lenses of his glasses. I might not relate to most of that – but stepping on glasses hit home for me.

Jesse’s expecting someone to join him at the airport. Instead, he’s sitting next to an empty seat. Thus begins his heartache anew.

Demetrios – Deme – has lost his step-mother. But his grief is nothing compared to Jesse’s pain as he lost his estranged mother. That being said, Deme is confused about his feelings when Jesse shows up for the funeral. Jesse was his first – first kiss, first fumble…first love. But forces beyond their control yanked them apart just as they were coming together. All this time has passed, but Deme feels the same attraction he always has.

Those outside forces haven’t necessarily gone away. Jesse’s still got a bitter father. Deme’s father isn’t thrilled about the young men rekindling their relationship again either. So the question is – are these guys strong enough to overcome such strident familial objections? Can they be more than a fling? Especially given Jesse’s pain. Are they going to get a second chance at love?

I’ll leave it up to listeners to discover for themselves. Except it’s a CF White romance. With all her Flying into Love books, it’s more a question of where rather than if. This was another book that caught me off guard with its ending. And I love that.

Piers Ryman is an exceptional narrator and he did a bang-up job of bringing this great book to life. I hope he and CF have many more projects to come!

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So good!

Revisado: 07-04-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

I’m a massive Nicky James fan. I know, I know, I keep saying that. But it bears repeating. I still want more Valor and Doyle – even after seven books. So when I heard she was doing a spin-off series with my favorite records clerk with the Toronto Police Department, I was in. I love that Nicky’s books are set in Canadian cities. I’m sort of from Toronto (okay, my parents were and I lived there for a bit). Toronto has always felt like home and her version is so true to form. I love Canadian stories because they celebrate my country. A country I’m proud of.

Okay, enough of that waxing poetical about all things True North.

Tallus and Diem.

Now, I love me some damaged characters. Tallus has disappointments and some pretty horrible, homophobic family members. That stuff sticks with a guy. Diem has real trauma as well. Abusive jerk father who I just wanted to take out behind the woodshed – and I’m not prone to violence. My stomach churned at what Diem has gone – and is still going – through. Okay, enough spoilers on that. This is a series, so I know there are more heartache moments to come.

Diem is a private investigator and I was pleased he has a real PI licence. Of course, breaking rules seems to come easy to him – especially when it comes to Tallus. They had a hot hookup for a nanosecond six months ago and it appears neither has forgotten the other. Although one is a touch more obsessed than the other. Again, I like realism. Toronto is a damn expensive city. Diem lives in his office. Tallus has a car and an apartment…and lives paycheque to paycheque (yes, Canadian spelling!).

Oh, and there’s a mystery simmering beneath all this angst that’s going on (will they or won’t they? How would that work? What about the physical damage?). The mystery had me guessing until the end – as would be expected from a Nicky James book in this vein. Anyway, I won’t give it all away. But, like I said, soooooooooooo good.

Finally, Nick J. Russo narrates all of Nicky’s books these days and he’s just fantastic. I’m loving his work and I can’t wait for more Tallus and Diem.

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I fell in love with Scotland a little bit more

Revisado: 06-28-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

I fell in love with Scotland a little bit more (an audio review)

Dean’s had an interesting few years since graduating high school. He’s been in a relationship for most of that with a guy who struggles with being a good boyfriend. He’s helped take care of his twin sister who has Down’s Syndrome. He helps out at the diner his parents run. He’s part of a gay football league all the while bemoaning the loss of his own professional career due to an unlucky, but ultimately devastating, injury.

One night, drowned in drink, he sent in an application to be part of a contest. To be head chef at a castle in Scotland. A premier destination where the food is some of the best in the world. He’s determined to win.

And then he meets the owner, Ewan.

Ewan’s got his own baggage to deal with. He left things undone and now he believes he has to leave the castle to complete someone else’s bucket list. Those places he plans to visit all sound exciting…but his heart is in the highlands.

And so we have the conflict of the book – Dean wants to stay while Ewan believes he must go for some misplaced sense of guilt. Dean wants to win. Ewan…wants Dean to win as well. Dean is the least conventional candidate with the most talent. The attraction? Off the charts. But that gives Dean an unfair advantage. He might be the best chef…but he’s also the one with the most intimate knowledge of the judge.

I didn’t know how things would go. I wanted Dean to win as well. But if he won, that meant he could stay and Ewan would go. Or he might lose and…? Go back to Essex? I just didn’t know. Also, for the record, I might’ve shed a few tears. This is NOT a sad book, but man, does CF love to toy with my emotions. My sensitive underbelly that I try to keep hidden.

So…I can’t tell you the ending because it’s the best ever. I can tell you this book makes another great addition to the Flying Into Love series and I’m super excited to encourage you to go out and listen. If only for Piers Ryman’s amazing Scottish brogue that was totally understandable while being SUPER sexy. Well done with this amazing due. Off to the next book which is, thank God, available today!

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When you love both figure skating and hot men…

Revisado: 03-30-24

I’m a huge Keira Andrews fan and she can do no wrong, as far as I’m concerned. I used to be a figure skater, back in the day, managing to land a loop. Once. Still, a full rotation was something to be proud of. Then my family pulled me out of skating. I wasn’t going to be a champion, and the lessons were damn expensive. I never forgot, though, the amazing feeling of gliding across the smooth surface of fresh ice. And would love to put on the blades one more time for the sake of remembering the dream.

But I digress. Clearly Keira knows her stuff. She understands skating in a way that makes it accessible to the average reader. For those in the know, though, there’s that added layer. Also, she doesn’t sugar coat things. This sport is so expensive – as are most, especially at the elite level. Getting to the top of the podium is damn near impossible, and having the resources to compete is half the battle.

Then there’s the competitive aspect of the sport, which Keira nails perfectly. I loved how Alex and Matt had a love-hate relationship that exploded into very, very, very hot sex. Through the roller coaster of competition, they fought the attraction right up until the moment they realized they couldn’t live without each other. I really enjoyed the story.

As for Dev and Mikhail…even more competition. The story was written before the Ukraine war, so I had to set that aside and just focus on Mikhail – Mischa, as Dev gets to know him as. They’re both pairs’ skaters and they both have a chance to be the best. But only one man – with his partner – can. Right? Well, you have to read the story to find out and I have to say I loved my happy ending.

Tristan James is a fantastic narrator and I thought he did a great job with both these audios. He’s a favorite of mine and I hope to see him do more of Keira’s stories in the future.

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