Marianne H.

The Glow Up!

Revisado: 01-11-23 El oyente recibió este título gratis

I'm going to keep this review simple and sweet, just like the story!

First, A.M. Johnson isn't new to me, I've read their work before and have enjoyed it so it's no surprise that I enjoyed listening to Tedddy and Michael bring Chris Delaney and Aiden Russo to life. I love dual narration or duo, whatever the correct term is, and it's a bonus because I love Teddy Hamilton! He's a one-click narrator for me and Michael Crouch isn't half bad, he's new to me. The Glow Up is part of the Franklin U universe that can be read alone but I'm not gonna lie, after reading, I went back and started with book 1 and now I'm 7 stories down and waiting for book 8; it's that good! I enjoyed the two MCs' own personal struggles and back story but I mostly enjoyed how in the end they managed to battle their obstcles and be together. The one thing that bothered me the most was Aiden's approach to wanting to help his father, although admirable, he shouldn't have to do all the work per say, but still, my heart broke for him, having to 'grow up' fast and put their social lives on hold.

Overall, I enjoyed every minute of this story with their great narrators and HEA. Happy listening all!

I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.

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Short/Sweet MM novella

Revisado: 01-03-23 El oyente recibió este título gratis

I'm uncertain where to start on how much I wanted to love this novella but really, it felt as if there were holes or missing key events that would explain Dickens' irrational dislike of Spike?  I gave it a second listen because fortunately, I love Michael Dean, he's one of my top narrators.  Any who, so I gave it a second listen and I still felt like so much was missing.  I mean it made Dickens super judgey and annoying almost so I was automatically turned off.  But I love novellas because nine times out of ten, they're short and sweet.  With this story, it wasn't as sweet as I would like but to each their own.  The saving grace was the narration, I'll listen to anything narrated by Michael Dean.  Although it was instant, I felt as though their pairing was forced and that they weren't compatible or like their chemistry wasn't hot.  This is a first-for-me author, but my first experience won't stop me from picking up another Gabbi Grey story; I give second chances. Happy listening all! 

I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.

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Switch-Hitter....No Hitter

Revisado: 05-02-22 El oyente recibió este título gratis

I'm uncertain where to start on how much I wanted to love this story but really, it felt as if it was all over the place, thus really making it hard for me to finish.  Nonetheless, I pushed through and finished listening to it. I've read books by E.M. Lindsey and I have heard John Solo and have enjoyed his narration but Switchhitter was a no hitter for me.  For starters, I'm not keen on the single names, maybe that's me being petty but the solo names left me uninterested in the characters, whom at first I thought were well written but fell flat in the chemistry department.  I could appreciate the challenging obstacles and troubled past but it just led me to believe that Pietro and Thierry were not truly attracted to one another, or at the very least share a connection that wasn't an ex.  I guess what I'm trying to say is that yes they're well written characters but just not for each other. 

As for the narration, I think John Solo did a great job; I love how narrators differentiate between characters, giving them more of a real feel to it, that he was actually Thierry and Pietro.  I didn't have a problem with him narrating, just a problem with the story.  Although this is a MM Sports Romance, it lacked romance, at least for me it did.  The few romances it did have, I didn't feel like they had a connection.  Overall, I enjoyed John Solo and because of that I endured the story, so I do not see myself continuing this series. Happy listening all! 

I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.

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Could have been more...something

Revisado: 06-04-21 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Maybe it was the pace of the story or the unnecessary characters but I couldn't follow Gunner and Logan's story at all.  The narrator did a good job, didn't really differentiate between as much between the main characters but he was okay.   I think if the author removed the little sister and the guy called 'Rat' from the plot, it leaves the story more open to better ideas for Gunner and Logan to cross paths.  I thought Logan would be fine being a 'delivery guy' for the club rather than being a delivery guy for the club as well as a dance teacher and former dancer or what not.  It was just too much for my taste.  I think I'd like the story a little if I read it first, maybe then listening to it would drag on as it felt like it did.  I do love that the main characters had disabilities that they've learned to overcome.  I did enjoy Gunner's club member family as well.  All in all, Tidal Wave was okay for me so I'm giving it 3.8 stars.  Happy listening all!

"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."

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A trip down Memory Lane

Revisado: 05-24-21 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Memory Lane by HJ Welch, narrated by Nick J. Russo, is a sweet mm, friends to lovers, GFY, slow burn romance story of Jay and Angel, childhood friends who in their early 20s grow apart but fate brings them together a little later on. Jay is secretly in love with his straight best friend Angel, who ends up getting injured on a film set and given the circumstances believes Jay is his boyfriend. This doesn’t shock or disgust him but being the best friend that Jay is tells him the truth. However, Angel still feels a strong pull to Jay and well one thing leads to another. As sweet as the story is and the narrator was good, I really couldn’t get into it? For starters every time the narrator says Jay Cole I think of the musician J. Cole, silly I know but couldn’t help it. Also, the semi drama with the ex didn’t make me like it any more or less just an added scene to make it more interesting but failed. Again, a sweet story but not something I’ll listen to again but don’t let that deter you, if you enjoy the sweet, slow burn, somewhat annoying gay swooning over their “straight” best friend. Sorry Jay! I did love Angel though, and how he took his awakening in stride. All in all 3.8 stars for Memory Lane; happy listening all!

I received an audio arc, in exchanged for my honest review, of this title for Gay Romance Reviews.

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The story didn’t really draw me in.

Revisado: 04-17-21 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Gay Indeed sounded like a story I might have enjoyed but it was too noisy, as in there was a lot going on and I feel like it might have ruined the plot of the story. It’s a GFY kind and as much as I love those kinds of MM romance stories, Gay Indeed did not make my list. The narrator was okay, didn’t really different between the main characters as much as I would like and also, they slept with other people which is a big turn off for me. Also I was confused as to who was exactly Gay when the author made both characters seem bisexual? So yeah, that one threw me off a bit. Nothing to really write home about this one, just that is was okay.

I received an audio arc, in exchanged for my honest review, of this title for Gay Romance Reviews.

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YA/MM Bully Romance

Revisado: 12-07-20

Not Like Other Boys by K.. Merikan, narrated by Tyler Kent is my first for both actually and it was okay. It had it's quirky moments, some laughs, and in my opinion at the end of the story, I kinda felt like the main character, Ethan being more of a bully than his crush Rob but that's my view on it. Not Like Other Boys is the story of two boys, seniors, who are complete opposites; Rob is a star football player and Ethan, a taxidermy enthusiast. They couldn't be any more different and unfortunately, after one night of typical high school fun that involved alcohol and stupidity, Ethan and Rob's lives change. Eventually the two get to know each other better and share one important thing in common: they're both gay. it's a YA, coming out, falling for the bully, coming of age story that was well narrated by Tyler Kent. His youthful narration fit perfectly for the characters. Overall, a nice story, not really my cup of tea (not into YA unless the plot intrigues me), but I enjoyed it. Happy listening all!

I received an audio arc, in exchanged for my honest review, of this title for Gay Romance Reviews.

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Touch and Go...or stay?

Revisado: 12-07-20 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Touch and Go, book one of the Vanguard Towers series, by Austin Bates is the story of two complete opposites who meet under unfortunate circumstances.  We meet the ever so handsome and caring Dr. Derek Carlisle who is then struck by the beauty of our computer hacker Sebastian (aka Seb) in the ER with a wrist injury.  It's no surprise that Derek feels some kind of protectiveness when he meets Seb, and for good reasons!  Poor Seb has been cursed with a brother who could care less about him and a soon to be ex husband who abuses him.  It's not easy for Seb to trust Derek, so with the help of his 7 brothers, Derek does all he can to protect Seb because whether he likes it or not, he's going to accept it.  Touch and Go was an okay story.  I didn't enjoy the narration as much as I'd like to since I couldn't differentiate between the characters but it wasn't too bad, this is my first Joseph Thorson audio.  Overall I enjoyed the audiobook, it was a sweet story with some drama to keep you interested.  Happy listening all!

I received an audio arc, in exchanged for my honest review, of this title for Gay Romance Reviews.  

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Enemies to Lovers MM romance

Revisado: 12-01-20 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Gunnar’s Guardian is the first book in the Protect and Serve Series. It features sexy, gruff cop Kennedy, his young annoying but totally attractive neighbor Gunner, hot firefighters (yum!), and an arsonist on the loose! Yikes!

I'm not new to Pandora's books and I was happy she continues to pen great stories. I didn't think Gunnar's Guardian was going to have me hooked on page one and have me finish it in one sitting but it did! Kennedy is your average cop, lives a lonely and quiet life and he's okay with that. His next door neighbor Gunnar, eh not so much. Aside from being on his own too, he's the opposite of Kennedy in all ways but there's something about Gunnar that pushes Kennedy's buttons and they can't deny the attraction anymore! From enemies, to friends, to lovers and finally to family, Gunnar's Guardian ticked all my MM romance boxes.

I've listened to the talented John Solo in the past and was excited he was chosen to narrate this story. I'm spoiled and love when its two different narrators but John Solo did a good job!

There were so many moments in the book where I was laughing my behind off, and I literally cried in the second half (no spoilers!). The supporting characters in the book are my absolute favorite! I loved everything about it and cannot wait for the second book in the series to be released! I have no doubt that the Protect and Serve series will definitely be a series I'll want to continue to read. Five stars for Gunnar's Guardian. Happy reading all!

I received an audio arc, in exchanged for my honest review, of this title for Gay Romance Reviews.

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MM Sports Romance

Revisado: 09-21-20

I love Sports romances (especially football!) So I was all too excited to start listening to Beth Bolden's The Rivalry, the story of Heath and Sam.  Maybe 30 minutes into the story, I was slowly losing interest.  Maybe it was the narration or the quick shift in the chapters, but I was completely lost for the start.  There were maybe three times I told myself to stop and restart but then I bit the bullet and stuck it out to the very end.  This is my first for the narrator and although he did an okay job, it was hard for me to follow; I wasn't sure if he was narrating Heath or Sam.

Overall, this was an okay listen.  It's your typical sports romance story about two quarterbacks who meet and sparks obviously fly but turns out one is closeted and the other is a rookie who is now on the same team, so both have conflicting stances on how or if they can even pursue this sudden attraction that won't go away. The Rivalry also plays in the enemy to lovers trope too so that's a plus for some.  I give it 3.5 stars, but this doesn't mean I've been deterred from MM sports romance.  Happy listening all!

I received an audio code, in exchanged for my honest review, of this audio book for Gay Romance Reviews.   

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