A swoony, romantic love story

This is by far the swooniest, most beautiful love story I've listened to by this author. I didn't think it was possible for me to be swept off my feet by Shakespeare and astrophysics, but Julian and Archer had this way of speaking, like they were pouring out their entire hearts and souls for each other, and I was lost to it all. Oliver's narration completely sold me on their romance, and what could have been a lighthearted story about an accidental escort turned into an epic journey of acceptance and love.

Sweet Julian never really lived up to his mother's expectations, and his hurt over being deemed expendable was only made worse after his scummy ex-husband cheated on him. Archer grew up feeling isolated from his peers, and while he threw himself into his research with a fiery passion, he never planned to find romantic love of his own. At a glance, it seems ridiculous that these two would somehow end up falling for each other, but what a perfect fit they ended up being. I certainly wouldn't have guessed it after their first awkward car ride, but during the days leading up to the wedding these two drifted from a contractual obligation to something warm and genuine.

As the family drama escalated for Julian, Archer remained supportive and fiercely protective without being overbearing. What sold me on his character more than anything was the loving way he treated Papa. Julian, in turn, had the freedom to be himself without worrying that he wasn't enough exactly the way he is. Every time Archer earnestly insisted that Julian was worthy and important and amazing I found myself melting a little more. By the time Julian and Archer turned their emotional connection to the bedroom, I was breathless with longing. Their magnetic chemistry lit me on fire, and I felt like I was coming undone right alongside both of them.

In a story full of such eloquent words, even the harsh and unexpected breaking point between Archer and Julian was almost poetic. I felt their sorrow and pain in the deepest parts of my heart, and while I had faith that Elaine would write them back together again, it didn't stop me from being devastated every day they were apart. Their reunion was every bit as romantic as I could have hoped for, and that glorious epilogue only made me more sure that these men have forever to spend together.

**I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions. 

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2 people found this helpful

An entertaining opposites attract!

I absolutely loved this opposites attract, low angst contemporary age romance.

The characters were likeable and the storyline was compelling.

The narration was enjoyable and appealed to me.

Overall an enjoyable listen with a solid plot.

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2 people found this helpful

Great performance for an average story

I was given a free audio copy from the author and the GRR arc team for review.

I'm struggling with how to rate this. The first 2 hours I was bored. There's all these names and backgrounds and just piles of information thrown out that I kept drifting off. I almost gave in and DNF and my only advice is once the 2 MCs are actually on their trip together it gets better you just gotta get to that point. I did enjoy the overall plot throughout the book and it kept my interest once the plot got going. I loved both the MCs and thought they were a cute couple. It was mild on the angst and medium on the steaminess. What ruined it for me was how horrible the family was. Particularly the mother. I've read some doozy bad mothers in the past but this one tops all. I would not recommend reading this if you would be offended by a mother who treats her child who happens to have physical limitations like a hindrance or in her words equivalent to a monster and throughout the whole book. I seriously wanted to just throttle her and while I enjoyed the overall story I don't really understand why anyone would go to an exes wedding especially if you hate your family and there's no plus side. it just didn't make sense to me. I'll rate this down the little cause I just really don't know how I feel about it. Will I read it again? No. Would I recommend it? No. Would I read the author again? Yes. The writing is good and I've heard good things about the author even though they are new to me so I would read them again.

Narrator used different voices for the characters which is always a plus. He had a pleasant reading voice. I did speed it up but just a tiny bit. He gave a great performance expressing all the emotions.

I had a slight issue with how the voice for Julien was portrayed. At first I just wondered why it sounded nasal (I hadn't read any of the characters blurb ahead of time). As it went on we learn he is deaf (I don't even know if that's PC to say). There was a line somewhere near the beginning that basically said his voice sounds that way cause he's deaf and that statement made me cringe a bit. I don't know if that's a true fact or just a stereotype but it made me cringe to hear such a broad statement to lump everyone the same nonetheless. I don't blame the narrator for this portrayal as I am guessing he did as instructed or went with the vibe of the book which was mostly cringy. So overall with that in mind that it prob wasn't his his fault. I'd give him the benefit of the doubt and rate it as a 5 star performance.

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1 person found this helpful

Stole my heart!

This book hit my trope sweet spot. I absolutely loved the MCs! Loved how they came together and how the slight mix up became the best thing that could have happened! The HEA was really fulfilling. This is my first book narrated by Oliver Gunn and I’m def looking forward to hearing more from him!

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outstanding!!

This was a phenomenal, beautifully romantic, love story!! Julian needs a boyfriend. His best friend hires him an escort. Archer is an astrophysicist who agrees to be Julian’s escort. Both men are genuine, raw and gritty. I loved everything about this story!! So many secondary characters, some were amazing, and some were horrible. I hated Julian’s mom with a passion!!! I loved how Archer could out snark Bryce. This was such a beautiful, swoon worthy, romantic love story!! This was the first time I had ever listened to Oliver Guinn, he did a fantastic job!!

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The narrator ruined it.

I can’t get through the rest of this book because the narrator just destroyed a main character. I know he is “nerdy” but making him sound like Steve Urchil (sp?) was just so awful I could not continue. Whatever you do- don’t LISTEN to this book, read it.

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Great story. Excellent Narration

I’ve really enjoyed this excellent audiobook. The narrator’s performance was excellent and the story was wonderful. A beautiful love story, great writing.

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Good story. Good narration.

i was thoroughly entertained by this story. I picked it up because, well, astrophysicist! Few things in this world appeal to me more than physics in any format. No. I am not kidding. That said, the entire plot was as unbelievable as my statement probably is to most people.

I felt like I was reading/listening to an improbable daytime soap opera. I was waiting for a long lost love to come back from the dead. As improbable as the plot was, the execution made the story entertaining. I also appreciate how Lindsey works to incorporate diversity into books. I would have liked the villains of the story to have a chance to explain their motivations, but maybe that will happen in another volume?

Definitely an entertaining story with a few interesting viewpoints and some obvious groundwork for future books.

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Secrets Abound!

I really enjoyed this story, it was great, steamy, and romantic. Julian has to go to his ex-husband's wedding and says he's attending with his boyfriend so his best friend hires an escort to go with him and pose as his boyfriend. That's how Julian meets Archer and off they go. They truly are great together and get along so well but Archer is keeping secrets of his own. When all truths are revealed, will the tenuous connection they have built be able to withstand. The narrator did a great job with the story and the characters. I voluntarily reviewed a gifted copy of this audio book.

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Fake BF to real

The relationship started out as a fake story but it became so real. The story had so many emotions and feelings. I seriously loved every second of it! I couldn’t stop listening and needed to know what would happen next for these characters. They tugged at my heart so much. I also seriously loved the ending. Archer and Julian had both been abandoned and both have their own scars. They made an amazing couple from the moment it began.

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