Fun and smexy.

This was a great pick-me-up read over the last few days as I've been raking leaves for hours at a time. I nabbed it unabridged on audio for precisely that reason: chores are so much less chore-like if I have a fun story to listen to.

Max Vos puts together one of the most unique meet-cutes I've read in a quite a while. As a young(er) man, Rich, a lifeguard, rescues a kid from the local pool. Years later, as a college student, Rich literally runs into a huge burly hairy hulk of a football player and figures, welp, I'm about to get smacked down, hard. But instead, that big guy is kind, the two chat, and Rich learns that the big guy is the kid he once saved.

Johnny comes off as an adorable lug most of the time - he's a big guy, burly and hairy, a football jock, and has a temper when it comes to defending those he cares about. He's also quite conflicted by the feelings he starts to have for Rich. You all know I'm not a huge fan of "gay for you" plots, but there's enough internal conflict here with Johnny that it managed to feel natural, and - praise the author! - the word "bisexual" is even used. Nothing annoys me more than the polarizing "does this mean he's gay now?" binary, and though characters have conversations like that a little bit, they're way more bi-inclusive than most of the discussions I've seen in this sub-sub-genre. Johnny does make quite a few mistakes, but they're organic.

Rich is a great counterpoint character. A little bumped and bruised, he's an olympic hopeful with a strained relationship with his father (his mother has passed) and just as flummoxed by Johnny's attention as Johnny himself, at first. I loved Rich's awareness that he was likely making a really big mistake even as he made it, and I also liked the progression of his relationships outside of the one he has with Johnny. Rich's father, Johnny's parents and cousin, and Rich's best friend - they were living, breathing characters and really well-written.

Also, the sexy parts? Sexy indeed. I'll never look at a powdered donut quite the same way, and I can't praise Vos enough for including some actual body hair with his characters.

I should also mention I quite enjoyed the audio narrator. The right voice actor can make or break a story, and this one definitely added the flavour to his performances. Johnny, especially, had such a perfect "big lug" voice (and I laughed at the scenes where he was speaking with his mouth full), and the various other secondary characters had unique voices, too. All around, this was solid. I love audiobooks, and I try very hard to find LGBT authors on audio to support - I'm glad I found this one.

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Hero's abound in this one!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mr Millaway, as Johnny's father, he is that wonderful cross between classic man's man and accepting role model. His easy going nature and wise words were a lovely counterbalance to the underlying "teen angst" that is expected with young lovers.

Which character – as performed by Jared Bradford – was your favorite?

Johnny was brilliantly depicted. Jared Bradford used dramatic reading to perfection to bring this character to life. The addition of believable snotty crying and breathlessness was wonderful.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Rich's dad explains his lack of support for his son, this was an emotional and believable moment.

Any additional comments?

Max Vos's well loved story My Hero has been brilliantly adapted to audio by Jared Bradford. Jared brings a truly dramatic reading to this book. (That isn't always seen in audio books- and I appreciated his take on the characters). This is a college romance with all the foibles and dram that that entails with the added steaminess that only Max can offer. Well done fella's. Great listening pleasure.

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3 people found this helpful

Gay for you story with a raunchy edge.

What did you love best about My Hero?

The slightly raunchy edge Vos gave the story that sets it apart from other GFY type stories.

What did you like best about this story?

The way the two characters were with each other for the most part.

Which character – as performed by Jared Bradford – was your favorite?

Johnny's mom, that woman was a spitfire! And his cousin Anita, I want to be her best friend.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It was and I came close. I couldn't put it down or focus on anything else, this book had all my attention.

Any additional comments?

When Rich Miller, the dorky, openly gay, Olympic hopeful diver is befriended by Johnny Milloway, star football player slash super jock… Rich is a bit dumbfounded. Until Rich learns that the big, burly football player is the same lanky teenager Rich saved at the local pool when they were teenagers. Johnny is overly protective of Rich from the start, and Rich doesn’t quite know how to act around him. The two become fast friends, taking trips home together and working out in the mornings at school. One kiss changes everything.

Johnny is confused and curious all at once. He doesn’t understand his body’s reaction to Rich, but he wants to explore it. Rich is conscious enough to realize this is an ill-advised adventure; but he is already falling hard for the big, burly, hairy, super sweet jock. The two make a pact; they will explore the mutual attraction only if they remain friends regardless of the outcome. When one heart is certain while the other is clouded in a haze of confusion, someone is bound to get hurt.

I procured a copy of this audio for a review not really sure I would enjoy it in the end. Let me tell you, I was lured in after the intro and Bradford’s retelling of Vos’s words kept me engaged throughout. I am a huge fan of gay for you stories and I really enjoyed how Vos gave this particular story his own rusty edge. Rich is older, more established, and confident and smart. While Johnny may be younger and oddly, a bit naïve, he is massive and intimidating. His team mates gave him the nickname ‘The Dragon’ and I can assure you, it fits. They are inexplicably drawn to each other and I found myself rooting for them to really make it work.

I could have done without the cheating, well, let me correct that a bit, I could have done without the way it played out. I’m also not a fan of angst and I found myself at one point toward the end rolling my eyes, it was that bad. And Rich’s best friend Ruthie, I wanted to strangle the life out of her, she drove me insane. Aside from that I really loved every dirty, filthy, raunchy passionate tryst these two had. I loved watching Johnny grow throughout the story, aside from a few lapses in judgement, and I especially loved that Rich gave him hell for it.

And now for the narration portion of my repertoire, Jared Bradford, I am loving his voice. Both young men had a touch of southern in their roots, to be expected given where they lived, with Johnny’s a bit more pronounced. Even if the story hadn’t been clear on attitude, mood and demeanor for the characters, I would have known their mindset by the different tones and inflections in Bradford’s voice. I think my personal favorite though was Johnny’s mom, she was a spitfire. And his cousin Anita, I want to be her best friend.

If you are looking for a gay for you story with a raunchy edge that is so well voiced, grab a copy of My Hero. I’m on pins and needles now hearing that there will be a sequel, My Olympian, out soon. Write faster Max!!!

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3 people found this helpful

An ok book, a little disappointing

The story started out pretty well, but the further into it you get the more inconsistencies start to pop up. The whole butt plug thing for example, what happened to it? Where did it go during the heart to heart thing with father and son? Wish the story was a little more consistent, would have made it a little more believable. All in all an ok listen.

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Will warm your heart!

OK...so there were just a few parts of this book that were a bit of a stretch but this is an HEA kinda book after all. That said, it was a fun read as well as listen (I almost always buy the kindle book and use whispersync in order to enjoy both). It is a story of trust, honesty, mistakes, forgiveness, and love. In addition to the author writing a pretty good story, I must say I was impressed with the voice artist, Jared Bradford. I've never heard of Mr. Bradford but very much enjoyed his enthusiasm. I am getting so tired of buying an audible book, only to have the narrator "read" the story. Thas was definitely not the case with Mr. Bradford. His female voices were not perfect but you can tell he really got into every character. Kudos to him as well as the author.

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My Hero

Great book. I read it first then I read the audiobook. After reading it the listening to it really brought the book M Her by Max Vos to life.

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1 person found this helpful

Fabulous!

Any additional comments?

Two things I love are audio books and Max Vos books and when you combine the two you have brilliance. Jared Bradford does an amazing job narrating My Hero. His voice changes perfectly to suit the characters and his female voices are great. This book flows well and is a fabulous listen.

I have listened to the book a couple of times now and I have been transported to back to Tennessee, to college and into the world of jocks. The characters are genuine and well written. The audio brings life to the words. I loved every moment of this audio book. Thanks Max and Jared, this is truly wonderful.

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1 person found this helpful

An amazing experience

What did you love best about My Hero?

The progression of Rich's and Johnny friendship to love

Who was your favorite character and why?

Rich grabbed me from the start, because he was a great student, devoted to his beloved sport and so yearning of love

Which scene was your favorite?

When Johnny went after the jock that kicked Rich and agreed that they were boyfriends after paying back for kicking Rich

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It almost made me cry

Any additional comments?

Before I start my review, I must confess that this book was the first from Max Vos that I read (or listened in this case) but, oh boy, definitely won’t be the last...I was introduced to Audiobooks just a while ago, and now I’m shameless to confess that I’m totally hooked! The experience of Listening to My Hero in Audiobook was amazing!!! Jared Bradford did such a stunning job giving life to Johnny and Rich! I could practically see Johnny blushing during his shy moments, or feel the steamy passion on the hottest parts… (and wow… they were soooo HOT together – Thanks Max!!!! hehehe).Rich is such a sweet but at the same time, troubled guy… He has his studies, his friend, his passion – Olympic Diving… but he wishes his father would support him and his choices, instead of being a stranger in his life.When Rich meets Johnny, I mean, when they actually stumble into each other, Johnny remembers Rich as his savior from years ago and they hit a friendship from the start. When being best friends is not enough for Johnny anymore, and he wants a relationship with Rich, that’s when Rich gets uncertain in what to do… because… you know… Johnny is straight… so how can that work?I so loved those two together… It’s heartwarming to see their dedication and love to each other. But if they really want to be happy together, they’ll have to find a way to get over their uncertainties, mistakes and heartbreaks.I was really happy to know that we’ll get to see them again in the sequel Max is writing… So, give those guys a chance and read or listen to their story – you’ll fall in love with them as I did!

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Really enjoyable story!

I first read this book, then had the pleasure of listening to the audio version, narrated by Jared Bradford.

Here are my original thoughts from when I first read the story... Max Vos is my hero - I was craving a sweet story with sexy athletes at it's heart and he delivered!

This is a college story. Rich is a champion diver and Johnny is a star football layer, a few years younger than Rich. An incident in their past, where Rich saved Johnny's life, provides a bond that starts their friendship when they meet again years later.

This story packs a lot in, from Rich being bullied (and Johnny of course standing up for him!), Rich's issues with his father, Johnny's awakening sexuality and some really dumb (and totally annoying) stuff done by Johnny. Yes, Johnny did something really stupid!

There is obviously a deep emotional connection between Rich and Johnny, well before they acknowledge it to each other. And the sex...let's just say that for two sweet characters, the sex can get downright dirty!

I adored cousin Anita - every family needs someone who pulls no punches and gets straight to the point - honest, funny and accepting! And Mr and Mrs Milloway Johnny's parents, were wonderful as well. They seemed to know more about Johnny than he knew himself.

This book has it's sweet moments and it's intense sex and a lovely emotional happy ending. It might be a bit over the top in places for some but I was totally in the mood for the emotional romantic bits! "He propelled himself off the tower over the shimmering water into a swan dive, his body, mind and spirit free. Free to love and be loved. And he flew higher than he had ever flown before, with love uplifting him, keeping him in flight. Free."

So what did I think when I listened to the audio version? Did it change my opinion of the story?

I enjoyed Jared's narration. He did a great job of bringing the characters to life. It was more than pure reading of the story, he captured the characters and emotions well. Sometimes I worry about female voices but there was no need in this case. Jared did a fine job of voicing Mrs Milloway and Anita. I loved Anita! Mrs Milloway's accent was unusual, but I have a crap ear for accents so I was never going to pick what country it was anyway (I think it was meant to be Greek). I smiled when Jared spoke Johnny's lines, with his mouth full of pizza. I could picture the narrator munching away while he was recording but I'm sure there's a secret narrator trick to capturing that particular effect, otherwise Jared would weight a ton :)

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Good Story! Positive message

Positive message and supportive characters. Good story overall. Worth the listen. One to listen multiple times to.

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