Preview
  • Smoky Mountain Dreams

  • By: Leta Blake
  • Narrated by: John Solo
  • Length: 14 hrs and 46 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (270 ratings)

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Smoky Mountain Dreams

By: Leta Blake
Narrated by: John Solo
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Publisher's summary

Sometimes holding on means letting go.

After giving up on his career as a country singer in Nashville, Christopher Ryder is happy enough performing at the Smoky Mountain Dreams theme park in Tennessee. But while his beloved Gran loves him the way he is, Christopher feels painfully invisible to everyone else. Even when he's center stage he aches for someone to see the real him.

Bisexual Jesse Birch has no room in his life for dating. Raising two kids and fighting with family after a tragic accident took his children's mother, he doesn't want more than an occasional hook-up. He sure as hell doesn't want to fall hard for his favorite local singer, but when Christopher walks into his jewelry studio, Jesse hears a new song in his heart.

©2014 Leta Blake (P)2017 Leta Blake
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: LGBTQ+
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What listeners say about Smoky Mountain Dreams

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    187
  • 4 Stars
    48
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    9
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Performance
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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    171
  • 4 Stars
    51
  • 3 Stars
    22
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

✫✫ 5 Stars ✫✫

I really enjoyed this audiobook. The characters were realistic & a little flawed, the love story was sweet and a little heartbreaking and the lives of each of these men were hard but it only made them better. This was a sweet but still a very emotional listen for me. I loved that one of the main characters has children, that always pulls on my heart strings.

The narration was fantastic. He really became these characters and did a fabulous job at giving everyone their own voices.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Love this emotional book by an amazing author!


I don't have enough stars for this review i need like a 1000 more!

This story is gripping, emotional and unique, the length of the book compliments the story and makes it that much better. Each character develops through the book and is depicted with so much life and realness. I was constantly at awe with each chapter, in a roller-coaster of feelings and lyrical writing that had me begging for more!
Christopher is such a sweet man and I love his very human faults, Jesse is a sexy man through and through yet he is also a father- that contrast makes him so appealing and thrilling to me. I love how each man has his own history, and how both the good and the bad are depicted. The way Leta describes Jesse's emotions regarding his wife, both how she looks physically and his marriage to her is so touching mostly because of how real it is. Her writing not only brings life to each word, but color, smell - this is a full body experience book.
And let's not forget the sexy bits, because let me tell you- you will need to call the fire department to put out the flames after reading this book. Both the eroticism in their physical relationship and the added emotions they have and build together is just pure magic!!! The complexity of Jesse's life, how they fight to make the relationship work and the rawness of feelings that you can just connect to because they are so very real-life. This story had high drama potential, and yet it cleverly kept it down to earth and, again for lack of a better word, real.

Now let's talk narration for a bit- this is the best audiobook I read EVER also because of John Solo. This man, is not one man but many, men and women that, that each has color, voice, hopes, fears and dreams. I have never felt more pure emotion listening to a book in my life. There are truly not enough words and ways I can say how the narration elevates this fantastic story. Solo can manipulate his voice to wring out every lest nuance from a scene, line, laugh and smile. I am still a bit starry eyed about this book and would gladly read any Leta Blake book I can get my hands on. Solo's narration was the cherry on top of the mountain. If you like MM, Romance or just like a story to touch your heart, you need this book!

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Amazing Story

Now I feel bad for having put off reading this story for so long. I listened to the audio in one go. And the sex was, hell, HOT, SWEET and a bit DIRTY. Did I say Hot and Dirty?

Plot wise - It was a unique setting. Given I've never been to the southeastern region, i'll take the author's words. I like the story's flow. Like how the two MC met to how they came together. Only reason I didn't give it a five star was due to the ending. I feel like a lot was going on towards the end and it just seemed rushed. Though it did have a calm conclusion, I feel like an epilogue was due. Not one with holy-matrimony and all but something to give a reader a little more into their future days. I know I'd have liked to see a bit more. Especially since I felt that Jesse and Christopher's big fight was glazed over too smoothly. Yeah there was all the sad drinking and crying but other than that they patched up without much angst. Though I guess the author felt there was enough of it with the story's background and all. Ah well, this story still touched me.

Characters:

Christopher has become one of my favorite. Despite the angst in his young adult life, the grownup him has such gentleness and patience, it was his greatest strength. He wasn't over the top or too lax. He had just the right amount of inner turmoil and perseverance in him. I bled with him during the nursing home scene and felt his heartbreak too. Very well done there Miss Blake.

Jesse, I liked as well. His attraction to Christopher is undeniable and wow does the guy bring out the sexiness in their love making. His character was also very well developed. And yeah though Christopher forgive him easily, I would have liked to see Jesse go a little more distance to gain that amazing man's forgiveness. Like I said, the nursing home scene was awful.

Narrator: Well if I wasn't a fan of Mr. Solo then, I am now. I've only listened to one other of his work but that story didn't stick with me. Who knows, could have been him or the story then but I'm definitely on board to listen to more of his work now. So yeah he did an excellent job at breathing life into the two MCs.

Overall: A very nice listen or read, which ever one prefers. This one is a keeper for me.


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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loving, losing and loving again

This is a great story of loving one person and then losing them while learning to love again as well! Christopher and Jesse find peace with each other and this whole audio book had me on the edge of my seat and near tears too many times while driving. It would be way to easy to spoil this story so I'm going to be very vague about the happenings without just giving you a synopsis. Just know that Jesse and Christopher have some struggles to find their HEA -- and even when you think it's a done deal, things sneak in and cause havoc again. Just take some time and listen to their story. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

a true love story

a love story that moves us all - love and tears, hopes and dreams - what more can you ask for

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Big Emotions

This was my first Leta Blake book, and I am certain it will not be my last. Well written and relatable characters. And the on page emotion became a living, breathing thing. I got so wrapped up, that I felt their love, I even unfortunately felt the bigots disgust😠. I laughed and I cried. And the spicy scenes? Oh. My. Wow!!!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Started slow but I'm glad I stuck with it.

This one took me a bit to get into. At first, I didn’t really care for the vocal performance and there were a couple of things in the story I didn’t like (which I’ll get to in a bit). I’m glad I stuck with it because I really liked the story!

The vocal performer underwhelmed me at the beginning…and it’s hard to describe but his voice just bugged me (sorry I know that’s not very descriptive). However, as the story progressed he changed my mind and I was pretty impressed with his performance. He had several voices – both male and female and I really felt the emotions of every character. His voice for Jesse was SEXY and perfect!

This story has several subplots so there is a lot going on. First and foremost are Jesse and Christopher forging a relationship however all the subplots touch and/or affect their relationship. Christopher broke my heart more than once. His parents were awful to him (and OTT holy rollers). His mom is unbelievable. He struggles with family issues until almost the end of the story. He’s never been anyone’s priority except his gran’s and he desperately wants that. He also has very low self-esteem and self-worth. He’s a super sweet guy and has a good outlook even though he’s been mistreated most of his life. Jesse is SMITTEN with Christopher from the beginning. He’s been a silent fan of his for a couple of years through his theme park performances. When they meet, the chemistry is off the charts. I hurt for him for what he’s going through with his wife and kids. He was pretty awful to Christopher at one point and I didn’t feel like he made amends sufficiently (but that’s my hang-up). I do love them together and think they make each other better and stronger. Jesse’s kids play a role in their relationship that goes through a huge struggle but Christopher actually ends up reaching Jesse’s daughter when Jesse couldn’t. Jesse’s in-laws are awesome. Gran is awesome.

Although I liked the story, I did have a couple of issues. My biggest issue is with Jesse and his wife. The flashback to how they got together was…frankly, terrible. And I didn’t like anything about that scene. I also would have liked to understand how things started to fall apart for them before the accident. That would have helped sell the ‘I’m actually gay, not bi’ storyline for me because Jesse seems to still be in love with her at times. Another issue is there was a super quick touch to the possibility of some bdsm between them that was completely abandoned. My last issue is the book is LONG and there are a couple of dangling plotlines that need to be finished.

Overall, I recommend the book – whether you read or listen to it.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

So sweet with abundance of entertainment.

I have to say that Mr. John Solo is one of those amazing narrators. And he did a fantastic joy with Christopher and Jesse's story. Their story was filled with so much emotions. It was heart felt to say the least. Totally enjoyable. I highly recommend. ENJOY!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A Great Listen

Highly recommended! Leta is an awesome storyteller and the characters will stay with you long after you finish the book. Very sweet and scorching hot! The narrator was perfect!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent story, superb performance

Some choices can change your life forever...
After trying his luck at Nashville and being told he lacks what is needed to succeed as a professional singer, Christopher Ryder is happy performing at Smoky Mountain Dreams theme park. A gift for his beloved gran brings jewel designer Jesse Birch into his life. Jesse turns out to be his greatest fan, and the spark of their instant connection soon changes into an all consuming flame…
Jesse Birch’s life turned out to be completely different from what he expected. Openly gay as a teen, he ended up marrying his best friend Marcy and having two kids with her. Then, a tragic accident ends up with Marcy in coma in a hospital. Jesse has been struggling to raise his kids and fighting to give Marcy a dignified death, not having time for himself. When Chris enters his life, Jesse realises sometimes life gives you second chances at love...
Wow! Beautiful, intense story here. There are really many things going on, all important. This is basically a hurt-comfort story, where both characters have deeply emotional issues they have to get over in order to find happiness. On Jesse’s side, his anger and his guilt at what’s happening to his wife is his main problem. On the other hand, Chris has attachment and self-esteem problems that come from a dysfunctional family environment, where his extremely religious step-father has always abased him. This brings out another of the topics in the story, the religious zeal of many of the characters and how it affects their views on life. There is a lot of opposing views and anguish related to this. Another interesting thing is the matter of Jesse’s bisexuality and how it is viewed by the people surrounding him, and even by himself. All this topics combine with a really intense romance to create a wonderful, unique story where feelings are raw and consuming.
John Solo’s narration is amazing, simply superb. His ability to bring those characters alive, to convey the feelings and intensity is incredible. I must recognise he made me blush, smile and even cry sometimes. His performance turns a very good story in a memorable experience I can’t recommend enough.
Excellent.

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4 people found this helpful