Review: Chase in Shadow

Chase in Shadow by Amy Lane and Sean Crisden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Chase Summers: Golden boy. Beautiful girlfriend, good friends, and a promising future. Nobody knows the real Chase. Chase Summers has a razor blade to his wrist and the smell of his lover’s goodbye clinging to his skin. He has a door in his heart so frightening he’d rather die than open it, and the lies he’s used to block it shut are thinning with every forbidden touch. 

He may have met Tommy Halloran in the world of gay-for-pay—where the number of lovers doesn’t matter as long as the come-shot’s good—but if he wants the healing that Tommy’s love has to offer, he’ll need the courage to leave the shadows for the sunlight.

 
I listened to the audio book after reading the e-book several times. It is a sad story about two young adults with mental health issues. The official girlfriend plays a big part in it and she was this really annoying perfect super feminine cutie. I disliked the ending, where the story tried to fulfill some family norms I could have done without.
The narrator is better, nowadays. In this production he sometimes swallowed the last word and he made the tone a bit too friendly. Long stretches were read in a nice matter-of-fact tone, while the text described drama and suffering.

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Review: Dissonance

Dissonance by Shira Anthony and Nick J. Russo
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

British noble Cameron Sherrington has hit rock bottom. The love of his life, opera sensation Aiden Lind, is marrying another man, and Cam knows it’s his fault for pushing Aiden away. As if that’s not enough, someone is trying to take away his family business, and the US authorities are pursuing him on charges of money laundering. Desperate and betrayed by the people he thought cared about him, Cam takes refuge in the subway station where Galen Rusk plays his trumpet for tips.

 

The first part, where Cam is accused of money laundering, was captivating. After that, the focus changed to Galen and his issues and I just bided my time. This was no immersive novel, maybe caused by the third-person narration. I was not convinced by everything this story offered. Like, Cam being able to run a company and how easily he stepped over his mental health issues.
I chose this book based on the narrator, who did a good job, again. The sound was too harsh.

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Review: Face the Music

Face the Music by K.M. Neuhold and Kenneth Obi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lincoln
I thought there was only one thing I needed to make me happy. I was so sure becoming a rock star would heal the dark corners inside me. But every time I walk onto the stage, with a roaring crowd screaming my name, all I can think about is the boy I left behind.
Jace
I thought I hated Lincoln when he ghosted me ten years ago and destroyed my heart. But I’ve never hated him as much as I do right now, standing in front of me like he has every right to be in my world again.

I love story's with a well-researched mental illness theme. No, love does not cure all. And yes, both life partners can be equals, even if one is ill. With two points of view, you witness both their inner monolog and their memories of a better time. As one of my favorite relistens, I recommend this audiobook to everyone who loves MM romance.
The narrator did a good job. 

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Review: Invitation to the Blues

Invitation to the Blues by Roan Parrish and Greg Boudreaux
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Eight months ago Jude Lucen fled his partner, his career, and a hospital in Boston after a suicide attempt. Now back in Philadelphia, he feels like a complete failure. Piano has always been his passion and his only escape. Without it, he has nothing. Well, nothing except a pathetic crush on the most gorgeous man he's ever seen.

Faron Locklear came to Philly looking for a fresh start and has thrown himself into tattooing at Small Change. He's only met Jude a few times, but something about the red-haired man with the haunted eyes calls to him. Faron is blown away by Jude's talent.

 
This lacked plot, tension, and character development. At least 75% of this audiobook is Jude telling and thinking he is worthless. I have patience with that and won't call it whining, maybe because the narrator was great.
There was no place in his head for thinking how great Feron was or planning to change his ways. And that makes this not an LGTBQ romance.
Another shortcoming was the long monologs. That is not natural speech.

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