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Without You cover art

Without You

Written by: Marley Valentine
Narrated by: Teddy Hamilton,Tim Paige
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Publisher's Summary

Tragedy brought us together, but something stronger made me want to stay.

Julian was the boy next door. My brother's best friend, he fit with my family in ways I never could. While he and Rhett went on to play house, I left the only life I knew, desperate for a fresh start. Until everything changed.

Heartache came along, and the aftermath of my brother's death was here to stay. I was now face to face with Julian more than I ever wanted to be.

Being around him brought up all my insecurities, forced me to deal with hard truths, and conjured up feelings I had no business entertaining. He wasn't the man I thought I knew. He was complex and layered, and inherently beautiful in all the ways I'd never noticed. Not on another person. Not on another man. Not until him.

Contains mature themes.

©2020 Marley Valentine (P)2020 Tantor
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: Romance

What listeners say about Without You

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Longingly beautiful

Loved this book. It was heartbreaking but also heart mending all in one. There were moments I laughed, wanted to cry and audibly gasped. Truly beautiful and one I’ll listen to again I’m sure.

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don't hesitate.

if you are a lover of love stories, regardless of the gender and want a deep, strong, love story, this is the book. I thought it was going to be long and drawn out, and I would be skipping chapters, but that was not the case. I love that it wasn't all rainbows and sunshine, and there was depth to all characters.

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

Liked, but didn't love.

Nothing wrong with the book. Just does not stick out as one of my favourites. Teddy Hamilton is (as always) the superior narrator.

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

Very very veryyyyy slow burn but oh so lovely

Don’t go in expecting a smutty flirty story.

They’re adorable and I loved it but I would’ve personally enjoyed more smutt.

The mom sucks.

I had a smile on my face while listening to the whole last 20% bc they’re just so freaking lovely.

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  • Overall
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Great story!!!!!!!!!

What a fantastic Rollercoaster!! The mother is beyond aggravating, but other than that, I absolutely loved this story!! The narration was perfect!! Highly recommended.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Sweet, true love

This was my first book by this author but I will look for more. Deacon and Julian’s story is the ultimate love story with passion and tenderness. They way they support and protect each other is inspiring and heartwarming. But don’t worry, their sex life is h-o-t hot!

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Fantastic story!

Love this book! Great story and narration! I especially liked that te story wasn't a "all wrapped up in a neat bow" type. There were real challenges and character development for both the main characters.

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You can't choose who you love.

I love everything about this story. Is kind of a forbidden MM romance but, these two were made for each other. It made my heart full watching these two find and heal each other throughout the story. I just wish Deacon's mother wasn't so stubborn. Please read this. It's a beautiful story to read. I honestly picked this because I love Teddy Hamilton's narration. Tim is new to me but he did a fantastic read.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Heartbreakingly and hearthealingly beautiful

This story is truly one of my favourites in the LGBTQ++ genre. Marley’s ability to skillfully develop a beautiful meaningful story, and multifaceted characters who are both flawed and loveable, coupled with the extraordinary story telling from Tim and Teddy (both at the top of my list of audio-performers), transported me out of my everyday life and into the deep meaningful love between these beautiful men. This is the book I recommend to anyone who is interested in queer love. I love love love this book.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Phenomenal!

You know a book is great when you feel huge feelings for the characters, not just Deacan or Julien, but the others too.

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  • Zell Oakley
  • 2020-07-31

Overwrought

I actually pre-ordered this title; I'll buy any m/m romance novel narrated by Teddy Hamilton, even though they're few and far between. And let me get it out of the way immediately: both Teddy Hamilton and Tim Paige were flawless. However, the novel itself, for me at least, left a lot to be desired. I had three main issues, one minor and two major.

The minor issue is that the book is written entirely in present tense. This may not bug some people, but it's a huge pet peeve of mine. Luckily, with a good narrator, I can get over it pretty easily, and as I previously mentioned, both narrators were superb here.

I think the most glaring issue for me is that the characters simply do not speak to each other or behave like actual men would. I'm not limiting this to Deacon and Julian, the two protagonists, either; Deacon's straight, mechanic friend talks like a woman in her forties giving her friends advice. And the dramatics! Both Deacon and Julian are inclined to get super melodramatic about the least little thing. There's a scene relatively early on where Deacon fights with his sister in a restaurant, and I had to rewind the book three or four times because for the life of me I couldn't understand what set off the fight. They were having a normal conversation and suddenly Deacon was in a rage for no apparent reason. This happens A TON throughout the novel. There's a lot of overwrought "I'm attracted to you, but I shouldn't be, but I am, but I can't be!" dialogue for a long time before the characters get together and then they talk to each other like... well, like romance novel heroines, to be honest.

The other issue that I have, and it's a hazard of the m/m genre, is the "gay for you" category the book is classified under. Now, GFY can work, if it's done well, and it can also crash and burn. This wasn't done well. For one thing, you shouldn't make the straight guy actually, literally "straight except for you." This is not how male sexuality works, as any gay man will tell you (or any straight one, for that matter). It's perfectly possible (though admittedly far-fetched) for someone who grew up in particular circumstances to repress their own sexuality, but Deacon is very clear here that he's attracted to women in general and also Julian for some reason. To be honest I find it borderline offensive, it's such an overused, unrealistic romance novel trope.

The book did have its good points. I liked Deacon's family dynamic. I liked the depiction of grief over the loss of Rhett. And I've already mentioned it twice, but I can't stress enough how fantastic these two narrators are. Glancing at the Amazon reviews, I notice that most people really loved the book, so chances are it just rubbed me the wrong way and you'll love it. But I can't personally recommend it, sorry.

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51 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • ❤️Cyndi Marie❤️🎧Audiobook Addicts🎧
  • 2020-08-05

✫✫ 5 Stars ✫✫

All I needed to see was the cover and the narrators and I knew I need this audiobook. What a great surprise that not only is the cover so hot and the narrators amazing, the story is also perfect. I enjoyed this book so much that I can't wait to listen again. Deacon & Julian were so right for each other and I loved the way their relationship started and grew. I was a little nervous in the beginning because I am not a big fan of the "GFY" trope but this was nothing like what I am used to when it comes to a straight & gay man relationship. I expect the straight man to fight his feelings and the gay man to try to turn the straight man gay and that is absolutely not anything like this book at all. Even though I can count on one hand the sex scenes in this book, it was super hot with all the chemistry and longing between them. The story line was heart breaking but it was handled so well in my opinion. This is the first I've heard of this Author but I will be looking for more for sure.

The narration was PERFECT!!!! Teddy was amazing as always but add Tim Paige and together they knocked this book out of the park!! They truly have the right voices to work together, there was no jarring change between chapters, they flowed so well you didn't even notice. I HOPE to see more of these two together!!!

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26 people found this helpful

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  • Cynthia Shepp
  • 2020-08-02

Oh the narration...

The story is absolutely beautiful, and the narration... What a dream team. I’d listen to Teddy and Tim all day, every day and be in heaven lol. Have a box of tissues handy.

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12 people found this helpful

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  • Kimberlie
  • 2020-08-01

Fabulous story and fabulous narration!

I LOVED Deacon and Julian's story! It was the perfect flow from grieving into grasping (to each other, to life, to just keep breathing,) into holding on, into holding tighter, into falling in love, into loving deeply, into loving beyond your past, into loving for your a lifetime.

Teddy Hamilton and Tim Paige do a wonderful job of bringing this story to life! Well worth the credit!

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  • KLW
  • 2020-08-10

Without You - These Narrators!

This is a beautiful love story, it is a story of two people who are broken and don't know if they can love.

Julian is grieving the loss of his boyfriend., Rhett was much more than just his boyfriend though. After years in the foster care system, Rhett was always Julian's family. Illness took him away too soon. Now Julian is lost and doesn't know how to live.

Deacon is grieving his brother's death. He's always felt like the outcast with his family and has issues with Julian, as Julian has always been more favored in his own family.

Through their shared experience, they grow closer, and learn to love. But the guilt, the family, oh and Deacon's not gay, all seem like hurdles for them to conquer. There are a lot of feelings in this story. There's something in there for everyone to identify with.

There's also a hotness level and Teddy Hamilton and Tim Paige can bring to this kind of story. You will not be disappointed by the narration at all.

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7 people found this helpful

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  • Kristin
  • 2020-08-02

Perfect

This is my favorite book ever and I just feel so lucky to have it as an audio book now. It turned out perfectly and the narrators did such a fantastic job. I loved it so much.

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6 people found this helpful

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  • Myhazeleyes
  • 2020-08-01

Without You

Epic love story!! I highly recommend this book and Teddy and Tim reading together gives it all the feels <3

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6 people found this helpful

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  • Robin White
  • 2020-11-15

Beautiful

This is a beautifully written love story. The author allows us to feel what each of the main characters feel without being overworked or sappy. I highly recommend!

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5 people found this helpful

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  • KSC
  • 2020-08-07

Just.... Wow.... I'm Emotionally Exhausted!!!

First, I must admit the hot as sin book cover caught my attention. Second, I read who the amazing dual narrators were. Third, I read the synopsis. Fourth, I purchased the audiobook lightening fast. I've never heard or read anything by this author before, but I'm so impressed with her ability to constantly swing my emotions all over the place throughout the book. Even with the HEA, she left me feeling raw and rung out at the end. I need a breather to recover, but I'll definitely be listening to this audiobook again in a few months. I hope to see more audiobooks of this quality from this author in the future. Narrator perfection.... I highly recommend!

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  • Lord_Theoden
  • 2020-08-05

Bittersweet

•Good Narration
•Good story
•Hits close to home with losing a loved one 😞

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5 people found this helpful