Real, Raw, and Gritty

Garrett Leigh is quite possibly my favorite author out there. Every single thing she writes calls to my soul like she knows how I feel about angst and broken beyond measure characters finally getting their happy endings. Micah is no exception and I absolutely loved Sam and Micah. Most M/M romances are about the perfect guys with perfect bodies who have all their crap together and Garrett writes real gritty characters with flaws and mental illness and real life problems. Micah is messed up in so many ways but Sam was half in love with him within a week or two of him moving in, not giving a damn about about the fact that he’s a former famous footballer who is now ‘washed up and broken’ and Micah doesn’t think he’s worthy of love. Watching them navigate their tentative relationship and how Micah deals with or doesn’t actually deal with his mental illness is heartbreaking at points and also really freaking satisfying when they finally break through. We get to spend some time with Don again and also learn a bit more about Freddie, Micah’s former teammate and one of his only friends. I think he’ll get the next book in this universe and my interest is growing!

Sam and Micah don’t have it all together, but together they have everything they need to be happy, they just have to wade through the crap and get to their happy ending! Brilliantly written book with extremely well fleshed out characters and you can tell a lot of care was taken to research what Micah would be feeling and going through.

Dan Calley’s narration brings this book to life in the best of ways! His voice is amazing and his version just gives it another layer of perfection. He’s one of my all time favorite narrators and an absolute auto-buy for me!

5 huge stars from me :)

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Grabs you and won't let go!

Another great listen by Garrett Leigh and perfect narration by Dan Calley who is one of my all time favorite Narrators! He joins a very short list of favorites and I've listened to over seventy on Audible last count. I love when these two collaborate...it is pure alchemy! I fell head-over-heels for both Micah the ex-football hunk and Sam the beautiful student/bartender. Sam's loving and stable upbringing provided him a well-grounded foundation where his steadfast patience, loyalty and gentle nature flourished. All of which was needed when he developed feelings for the wounded man he found himself sharing his flat with. Throughout all of Micah's highs and lows with depression and PTSD Sam is a guiding light of unconditional love and support which is just the beacon Micah craves even if it takes him a while to realize and accept it. As with all of Garrett Leighs books, this had depth and emotional tugs on your heart that she never shys away from. Her novels are real, raw and gritty... and always with well created worlds that provide an undertone and atmosphere you can feel in your very bones. She brings us fabulous characters and I've come to expect and rely on a deep satisfying read with every one of her books. So grateful I discovered her...she is in my top three list of favorite authors!

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Some stories are best read and some are...

are as good or better enjoyed on audio and there are those...

that work incredibly well in either format and Garret Leigh seems to consistently achieve this with her stories.

I read Micah's story back in April of this year when it was first released and I knew back then that if there was an audio release that I wouldn't hesitate to revisit it in audio format.

"Falling For My Roommate" is a story of starting over, second chances, finding love, comfort and healing.

Of course it goes without saying that I've already reviewed this story and I admit I'm not above borrowing from that review in my efforts to once again explain why and how much I've enjoyed this audio book.

As I said in my original review "Falling For My Roommate" may not be my favorite Garrett Leigh book but given that I happily gave it 4 stars, I'd hardly call it anything less than enjoyable.

Micah's story is one that we've all seen to one degree or another in today's headlines...a well known athlete who looses his focus on his sport to the glitter and gloss of fame and all that it brings...sex, drugs, booze, parties, faceless and meaningless sex all combining in career ending tragedy.

Ready to restart his life as just another regular guy Micah finds himself sharing an apartment with Sam...a well packaged, gay, book-nerdish, bartending, English Lit student who doesn't see Micah the sports star. He sees Micah the man and he falls and falls hard. But Sam also recognizes that Micah's still fragile so he's determined to be the friend that Micah needs. While Micah sees himself as unworthy of someone as wonderful as Sam and is determined to keep his feelings to himself and just be Sam's roommate and hopefully a good friend.

Dan Calley was the narrator for this story and while he's not entirely a new to me narrator. I've also listened to 3 previous books of Ms Leigh's that he's narrated and I've found everyone of them to be well done and extremely enjoyable. Mr. Calley gives these characters depth and personality adding yet another layer to an already rich and evocative story.

"Falling For My Roommate" was neither a sweet nor fluffy story but it was a story with the best kind of HEA...one that could happen. Micah had to slay his own dragons and for as much as I appreciated Sam it wasn't because he was someone's white knight charging to the rescue. It was because he was strong enough to be there for someone he cared about, not just the man he loved but the man he considered to be his friend and he knew that he couldn't be Micah's salvation but rather a loving and supportive friend.

For me this story felt real...it's out there and one has only to look for it and some have already lived it.

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An audiobook of "Falling For My Roommate" was graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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When friendship becomes more

This is my third Garrett Leigh book in just a short period of time and I have to say I’m loving her work. The premise of this book was pretty straightforward – an ex-footballer with a career-ending injury moves in with a bartender/student who can’t cover all the expenses of the house he lives in. One had a reputation for bedding many different men and women, while one had lived a quite and unassuming life, going along with minimal stress and fuss. I kind of thought the book would be predictable and – gasp – boring. It’s a Garrett Leigh book – I bloody well should have known better.

Micah is one f’d up man. That injury? Obtained when he landed on the train tracks in the London Tube Station. As a reader, I found myself wondering how on earth did that happen? Eventually, when he finally opens up to Sam, he reveals his whole truth. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Both men are attracted to each other but neither wants to screw up the good thing they’ve got going. Finally, though, they give in to their feelings and have a great night together. Only that triggers a series of events that neither could have foreseen that culminates in Micah sitting at the breakfast bar in a friend’s apartment trying to sort out the mess he’s made of his life.

I shuddered. “I don’t know why I do anything. I feel…I don’t know how to explain it. Like my brain and myself are disconnected and I can’t trust any of my emotions – good or bad.”

I think that was the moment I truly related to Micah in a way I hadn’t before. I’d watched him decompressing and it was painful, butt when he finally admitted to himself that he needed help – that was a powerful moment. He also had to acknowledge that he’d driven Sam away and it was going to take serious work on his part to earn Sam’s trust back. The book is a romance so I knew I’d get my happy ending, but man did Ms. Leigh make these men work for it.

Dan Calley narrates this book and I have to say he brings a certain gravitas to it while also bringing humor. He has the perfect balance that works so well with Ms. Leigh’s books. This book is enjoyable on so many levels, I can highly recommend it. I can’t wait for more to come from both of them.

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Very realistic love story

This is a lovely, very honest love story. It's got all you need: the pining, the misunderstandings, the heat. But it has got something else: two realistic characters. They are two blokes like everybody else and they communicate like that. And the misunderstanding trope isn't overly used. They talk to each other, honestly, and that's a pretty good feat ;)
And the audiobook is narrated by the fantastic Dan Calley who has such an incredible british accent <3

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Sam and Micah need to communicate more.

I originally read and reviewed this book when the ebook was released back in March. I really enjoyed Dan Calley's performance of the story. He does great voices and accents for the different characters. There isn't much more I can say about it so I'm including the text of my original review of the ebook below.

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I enjoyed reading Falling for My Roommate but it didn't pack the same emotional punch for me as other books I've read by Garrett Leigh. As I was reading it felt like I'd read the story before but couldn't put my finger on what book of hers it might be similar to. In any case, it was still a good story in its own right.

Falling For My Roommate is told in first person POV, alternating between Sam and Micah. Take a look at the blurb for details about the story. The biggest issue I had with Sam and Micah is that they didn't communicate with each other the way they needed to. I guess that's really par for what happens in real life as well. They are attracted to each other but are afraid to tell.

Micah has suffered a terrible injury to his leg and it ended his football (soccer in the US) career. He loves living with Sam and wants to tell him how he feels but he can't seem to open up fully about his injury and other things that happened before he left football.

The fact that Micah is holding back something bothers Sam but he loves Micah so much that he won't push him because he's afraid it might make Micah run away.

Once these two finally decide to be honest with each other about their feelings I enjoyed the story more. There's a fair amount of angst due to all of the problems that Micah has but it seemed to be the right amount for the book. Having seen depression up close and personal, I appreciated the realistic way that Garrett Leigh treated Micah's illness in the story.

A copy of this audiobook was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.

***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com*** (Posting on May 24, 2020.)

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Narrator brought this story to life

I first read this book on Kindle, and though I liked it, I didn’t find it particularly memorable especially compared with some of her other books which are truly exceptional. I give it such a high rating mainly because of the awesome narration. The story of Sam and Mica is quite literally brought to life with Dan Cali’s incredible narration. The dialog between the two MCs was so realistic, and enriched by Cali’s talent with different accents. The reason why this story does not stand out as much as most of her others is that it is quite similar to a few of her other novels. This book as with many of her others, deals with mental illness and a difference in class and station, sort of. I still give it 4.5 stars because of the great writing and amazing narration. I really hope that Dan narrates her other books which have yet to be made into audio books.

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Entertaining and Disturbing in Equal Parts

The audiobook version of Falling for My Roommate, by Garrett Leigh and narrated by Dan Calley, is entertaining and disturbing in equal parts. Alleged unrequited romance and humor silhouette the tough stuff: how the heart and mind react to betrayal and psychological trauma.

Dan Calley’s narration truly brings this story to life, with all the emotional aspects reverberating through your soul. Each character’s voice is unique, wrought with inner their depth, compassion and struggle, enveloping you with complete empathy for them.

Sam & Micah have firmly established their roommate relationship, one that resembles an established couple as they unconsciously take care of one another, while harboring hidden desires. Sam identifies as gay but fears nothing will come of his attraction to Micah, who identifies as straight. However, there are the pesky tabloid articles spreading rumors that Micah is gay. These contribute to the demise of his football career.

Sam is quite the understanding individual and just the friend that Micah needs. He doesn’t see Micah as broken and he doesn’t try to fix Micah. But he has the uncanny ability to see beyond the complex, dark, and glum exterior Micah presents, to the caring loving person hidden within. Behind the tainted and PTSD stricken man, is another persona trying to break free, unsure how to breach the surface. We see it all through the little things Micah does, but covers with his harsh words and premeditated actions.

Micah’s fall from grace as a footballer, due to societal demands, takes a toll on his psyche. Coming out is a personal choice and being forced out by the media precipitates a series of unhealthy actions on his part. These actions result in a serious leg injury, ending his football career and swallowing him up in a cesspool of depression, with a dose of PTSD thrown in.

What impressed me most about Falling for My Roommate, is that it is real and gritty. Life doesn’t always have order. Micah has major issues and stumbles along the way to his recovery. Sam doesn’t swoop in and save Micah; he understands he can’t be his rescuer. But Sam has the strength to be there for his best friend and ultimate lover. He endures the ups and downs and, depending on what the situation requires, is kind and gentle or demanding and forceful. Yet, not once do you get the feeling that Sam is sacrificing himself to pacify Micah.

Falling for My Roommate is angst ridden and engrossing as a couple of roommates, beginning as random strangers, navigate a distressing past and negotiate life under their new norm. Sam and Micah connect through the basic need for housing. Little did either expect their chance meeting would provide closure and change the trajectory of their lives forever.

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Amazing Book & Narration

PREVIOUSLY REVIEWED~ CONTAINS AUDIO REVIEW



Falling for My Roommate by Garrett Leigh was an angst filled tale of two very different men who found each other at a low point and build a lasting relationship based on a friendship of love and understanding.
I adored both Sam and Micah. Ms. Leigh, one of my favorite authors, has a way of creating flawed and realistic characters that draw you in- suck the marrow from the bone- and deliver a transfusion of sensuality and awareness.
Depth of imperfection radiated throughout, with credible storyline and even more so, credible characters. Characters whose survival of the soul depended on each other and modern medicine- where mental distress could be overwhelming and not made light of. All problems are not fixed in a novel when the words The End are written, but continue to develop throughout with the knowledge that even when you finish the book, the characters evolution will continue, and transform them into something that only your imagination can conjure.
Ms. Leigh is a masterful artist and has honed her craft to the fullest. A story worthy of a read.
Definite S.E.X.
A five handcuff review

Audio Review - Dan Calley
Whenever I read a book, in my mind I create the voices of the characters as I envision them through the author's eyes. My musings did not do justice to the voice of narrator Dan Calley. His accent was amazing and I was catapulted across the sea to the U.K. and the lives of Sam and Micah. The distinction between the two men was palpable and the inflection resonated throughout as I listened.
Already a wonderful story, Mr. Calley's narration only enhanced and elevated Falling for My Roommate.
Definite S.E.X.
A five handcuff review

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