Jerry B.

I loved that Arthur and Ben kept trying

Revisado: 07-14-22

Great Narration!

I am such a baby boomer. I almost quit several times because I just didn't get the guys and their friends and situations. Maybe because I grew up when you had to hide who you truly are from your parents, teachers and friends and I resented that these kids could be open? It definitely challenged me and my perceptions, which is why I persevered and finished it.

I loved several scenes and situations for the boys. I loved that the parents got together with their sons for a dinner at home. I loved that Arthur and Ben kept trying. I loved that they influenced each other in positive and hopeful ways. Even though their relationship did not survive long distance and teen angst, their friendship did survive. That was very cool.

I thought this was a good take on teenage romantic longing in the 2020's.

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Locke & Key, a dick story...inside joke, 3rd book.

Revisado: 07-14-22

Story: 4.5 almost 5 stars.
Narration: I want to say that I am not from the south, although my mother was born in New Orleans and I have family in the south. I have been to a lot of southern states. My ear and brain told me that the accents used by Tristan James was not quite authentic. Which knocked off a number of points for this audible book. Also I think Mr. James does not do any favors to female characters whatsoever. Some male narrators can convince me a female is speaking with how they modulate their voice without resorting to falsetto and convey a feminine quality. Not so in this book.

Nice to have all 3 books in a boxed set as the first two definitely do not even aim to be stand alone stories. Your basic enemies to lovers story and each book takes the guys to the next level of commitment. All kinds of calamities occur to them and yet their solid, innate character and devotion to each other get them through every event. Some of their cases seem very far fetched, yet real life is so bizarre that almost anything is believable nowadays.

There is a fair amount of sex, some of which was really good to listen to, and some I wanted to skip because the story was more interesting than another sex scene. This could also be my own mood in just not wanting to hear about sex at the moment.

The ending chapters tie most things up and you know there is a HEA to be had, although it doesn't spell it out in black and white.

If you can get past the questionable southern accents, I thought it was good entertainment.

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Drama, love, seduction, endurance and poetry

Revisado: 02-09-22

I have been to Japan more than 50 times, mostly for business. I fell in love with Japan on my first visit. I love the beauty of the countryside and the cities and most of all the friends I made and still keep. During my work there I made it as far north as Onikobe and Sendai and south to Kobe, Kyoto and Osaka. I regularly kept up with current politics so I could have deeper conversations with my Japanese friends. There were many things I did not understand about the big industrial leading companies and families of Japan even with explanations by my friends. I regret that I have not yet delved into Japan's history. This book has seduced me into researching more. In fact, I plan to read it in written form so I can research all of the terms, places and see if I can find art for the period. This book showed me some of how the big Japanese companies came from families of the Shogunate period. I read Shōgun 40 years ago, maybe there is more in my memory than I currently can recall. Anyway I am now hooked and will do further research.

I love historical books that allow me to be immersed in that time period and culture. The narrator also has a charming Japanese accent when speaking English that adds immeasurably to the beauty of the audio book. His Japanese is flawless.

The plot is very unique, I cannot think of any book remotely like this. All 4 of the main characters grow immensely because of all that befalls them over the course of action. MC, low-ranking samurai Uchida Tomonosuke starts out very handsome, stoic and non verbal. You at least like him at the start, and I came to love him when he finally takes charge of their situation and leads. MC Ichi is a beautiful young man, blinded by a childhood illness. He was trained to be a masseuse and musician by the Todoza and is fully independent and productive member of society. These improbable guys fall head over heals for each other. Supporting characters are Tomanosuke's wife Okyo and her maid Ri. These women where harder for me to form attachments to, but I eventually loved them as well.

Ms Lennox skillfully shows the strict class system of Edo period Japan. At first this keeps all MC's apart. The more I have traveled the world, the more I see this is true even now for all cultures, or at least all I have come into contact with. A major earthquake and fire cause an instant change of circumstances for this newly formed family and all have to grow and change and improve themselves to just survive. Through it all, Ms Lennox adds poetry and prose that gives grace to important milestones. At the lowest low, I wished I was reading actual words, so I could skip ahead to assure myself of a decent end. Even though a HEA is part of this genre, the dire straits made me very concerned.

I think this would make an amazing movie or mini-series. Costumes, fireworks, earthquake, swords, theater, music, imperious dragon lady (Tomo's mother), etc.....

At the close of the book, the author gives a tremendous listing of English translations for the poetry, almanac for Edo era women, etc... A true gift for those who want to continue to research.

I think I will visit this book both written and narrated for many years to come.

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6/15/2020 Sup Crt rules LGBT protected rights

Revisado: 07-26-20

At the 50% mark it was kind of surreal to be listening to this book when the Supreme Court decision came down. The court said the language of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits sex discrimination, applies to discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. I grew up with an atmosphere of needing to hide I was gay from my parents and teachers and most of my friends. I could sense things were changing, but never in my wildest imagination did I think I would see same sex marriage legalized and now sex discrimination declared illegal.

As an out gay man who has been bullied, listening about Kamany standing up to the government is thrilling. As thrilling as this is, the book has an immense amount of information and a lot of it is kind of repetitive. If it were a novel, the editor would have urged the author to shorten it. Because it is almost a biography the facts are what they are. There is much tedious work required to fight the US Government and the milestones we appreciate today were made on the achievements of Kamany and others that stood up so many decades ago.

The narrator made all the difference in keeping my interest in the book. His inflection and urgency made everything seem real.

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esto le resultó útil a 4 personas

TJ Klune to the "nth" degree, BEWARE

Revisado: 07-26-20

Michael Lesley is the most amazing narrator I have ever listened to. He does not just read the words, he becomes each character and gives the amazing words of TJ Klune full life.

All of the many characters that populate this tome are eccentric and amazing, but we expect that from TJ.

Of all the characters I have listened to in an audio book, Ryan Foxheart, (aka Knight Delicious Face) has the most alluring/sexy voice that calls to me. Many years ago, an Italian tile representative called at my office to promote her product. I was physically struck by her voice. I am gay, not interested in females, yet I heard her voice and I was mesmerized and bewitched. Whenever I heard her voice, even from the farthest depths of the office, I would be drawn to her presentations. I have now had this experience with Mr. Lesley's vocalization of Knight Delicious Face. I totally wanted to push Sam away and bone Ryan Foxheart myself. OK, enough fanboy.

I listen to this book while walking my dog in my neighborhood. Many many people gave me wide berth as I would suddenly double over in laughter and as they were not hearing the incredible story, they just thought I was possessed.

Another marvelous hugely long, satisfying tome by one of my most favorite authors.

But unfortunately I read all the blurbs of the next books in the series and I am afraid of going on. I think I might carry on, but obviously need to have book 4 in hand before even starting book 3.

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Opposites attract in 19th cent England

Revisado: 07-25-20

Opposites attract. Charming story set in 19th century England. Interesting that a young gay man wants to escape his eccentric theater family for a less raucous life. Blah, timid Gentleman allows himself to fall for his employee. An issue of identity causes trust to be questioned and the just begun romance is almost lost. Family and true love saves the day.

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Creepy, hellish world, excellent story & portrayal

Revisado: 07-25-20

Aleron is sentenced here to basically die and his only thought is to do whatever he can to escape. He has always done whatever he can to survive without a thought for anyone else.
Jasak knows that by allowing himself to take full responsibility for his actions, that he is doomed. He believes he has to do his best in order to live an honorable life.
Jasak's honor causes him to save and protect Aleron from other guards and prisoners. Everything that comes after this changes their behavior and eventually brings them together. A fascinating exploration of how they change individually and each other. Their bond is created without them realizing it until the climax of the story.
It has taken a while for me to get around to write this and I am now very tempted to relisten as it is such a good story and I would probably catch more detail that I missed on the first time.
The narration is amazingly good.

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Low angst, sweet story forcused on the baby

Revisado: 07-23-20

Jenny Urban gave a mediocre narration performance. Sometimes her voice sounded almost mechanical with not much emotion. It seemed weird sometimes for a woman to voice a gay sex scene.

I read this book in written form back in 2013. I did not remember the book the way it was actually written. I had remembered more conflict and a harder time of them becoming a couple, yet the reality is things were pretty easy for the men to achieve their family. A very interesting pairing with Indian and Mexican heritage. I wished their had been more engagement with their cultures. A solid story, lots of baby rearing scenes. 4 stars overall.

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Karma has red heels

Revisado: 07-19-20

4.5 stars, Very funny, very well narrated.

I started out life being much more femme than I am now. I would not call me butch, but I know in my business life I tried to be as butch as possible and that changed my non business personality as well. So I kind of gravitate to those books that explore the more femme side of things.....living vicariously I guess. This met my expectations in a very funny way.

Sometimes I wonder if masc gay men look for femme gay men because they are wired to like a more femme presentation...like straight guys. This is not the case here. I know I have a physical type that turns me on which is masc, but in reality, its not the physical look that creates a relationship but one's personality. I think that is what starts this book off. Dog does not want to be seen by his masc friends as someone who likes femme boys. It is through his growth in realizing that Lionel is truly who he wants to have a relationship with and that being femme is who Lionel is and that Dog actually likes that about Lionel.
I look forward to reading Masc

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I wanted it to be longer... more blue planet

Revisado: 06-28-20

Great story and great narration.
I love stories that make you think and this does that.
The MC is part of a gay couple and they are fostering a brother and sister. The gay part is not very important and I think the author put it in for the straight reader to understand how normal gay people are.
The real story is the "dream" that vast segments of earth has the same night as they sleep. Only a few people are receptive enough to allow the dream to take them off planet. Yes it is one of those utopian alien species that initiate contact. But the universal truths the author expresses are the captivating part. Although the book is complete including a long epilogue, I wanted it to be longer with more contact....especially at the end.
This author has a lot of science fiction and I think I will try out a lot more of his work.

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