Review: Foolish Puckboy

Foolish Puckboy by Eden Finley and Iggy Toma, Alexander Cendese
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

ALEKS
After my divorce, I’m ready to have fun, date around, and not get into anything serious. Then I meet Gabe Crosby, superhero firefighter and a disgrace to the Crosby name. He doesn’t even like hockey! Gabe turns me inside out and upside down in the best possible ways.

GABE
When I meet Aleksander Emerson during an emergency call-out, there are three things that catch my attention: his sexy tattoos, his kind eyes, and his drunken offer to have my babies. He’s new to Seattle and recently divorced, so I take him under my wing–and under my sheets. I’m showing him what the world of hookups is like, only those hookups turn into sleepovers and dates and public displays of jealousy.
 

I loved the humor in book #3 although the plot was not always believable. This next book had some funny moments and was more realistic but it did not grasp me. I was not captivated by the question of how they would solve their differences.
The narration was good.

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Review: Common Goal

Common Goal by Rachel Reid and Cooper North
My rating: 3 of 5 stars 

Veteran goaltender Eric Bennett has faced down some of the toughest shooters on the ice, but nothing prepared him for his latest challenge—life after hockey. It’s time to make some big changes, starting with finally dating men for the first time.

Graduate student Kyle Swift moved to New York nursing a broken heart. He’d sworn to find someone his own age to crush on (for once). Until he meets a gorgeous, distinguished silver fox hockey player. Despite their intense physical attraction, Kyle has no intention of getting emotionally involved.

So, I relistened this book to find out why it did not keep me focused, the first time. This is a so called 'slow burn' but there is no tension. For some reasons the protagonists decide not to make a move and that is it, for most of the book. I like to get offered a reason to finish a book. I mean, other than the question if the couple ends up together, which some authors make tantalizing, there is nothing here.

The narration was good but the sound quality eas not perfect. I regularly heard a low vibration buzzing underneath the low vowels. 

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Review: Breaking Point

Breaking Point by N.R. Walker and Sean Crisden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As guilt plagues him, Matthew Elliott’s world begins to spiral out of control. The harder he holds on, the more it slips through his fingers, and he’s helpless to stop it.

Entering into the underground cage-fighting scene, he starts out fighting for what’s right. The deeper he gets, the more guilt consumes him – the more pain he takes for his penance, and he’s soon fighting for more than justice.

This novel can't be read without listening to book #1, where Matt and Kira find love. In this novel, the mandatory trouble in paradise occurs. Sometimes, hurt is what I want to read about, and this is a favorite go-to. The fight scenes are harsh, so I skip parts.
Narration is good.
 

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Review: The Foxhole Court

The Foxhole Court by Nora Sakavic and Alexander Cendese
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Neil Josten is the newest addition to the Palmetto State University Exy team. He's short, he's fast, he's got a ton of potential—and he's the runaway son of the murderous crime lord known as The Butcher.

Signing a contract with the PSU Foxes is the last thing a guy like Neil should do. The team is high profile and he doesn't need sports crews broadcasting pictures of his face around the nation. One of Neil's new teammates is a friend from his old life, and Neil can't walk away from him a second time. Neil has survived the last eight years by running. Maybe he's finally found someone and something worth fighting for.

 

Nothing wrong but not my cuppa. Too much drama.

DNF at 50%

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Review: The Locker Room

The Locker Room by Amy Lane and Sean Crisden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Xander Karcek has only wanted two things in his life: Christian Edwards and basketball—the man he loves and the game that let him escape a childhood he’d rather forget. His two obsessions have served him well. He and Chris beat the odds and stayed together through high school, college, and right on to the NBA.

But life under fame’s microscope isn’t easy, especially when two men are pretending to be frat-buddies so the world doesn’t know they’re the next best thing to married. 

I listened to this gay romance over twenty times, and before that, it was one of my favorite e-books. The sound quality, though, is not good. It sounds like I hear it through a wall. The narration and story are marvelous together, but several stretches are monotonous. This audiobook would be better with a second pause between paragraphs. Or noise reduction in the musical intermezzos.

But the story wasn't less because of the audio. I wish Amy Lane always reaches this level. She wrote some of my favorites but is not an auto-buy writer to me.
What I love is the obvious attraction and care between the two well-developed main characters. This story spans fifteen years, which makes it varied and adds enough moments of drama.


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Review: The Front Runner

The Front Runner by Patricia Nell Warren and Christian Rummel
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

 

In 1975, coach Harlan Brown is hiding from his past at an obscure New York college, after he was fired from Penn State University on suspicion of being gay. A tough, lonely ex-Marine of 39, Harlan has never allowed himself to love another man.

Then Billy Sive, a brilliant young runner, shows up on his doorstep. He and his two comrades, Vince Matti and Jacques LaFont, were just thrown off a major team for admitting they are gay. Harlan knows that, with proper training, Billy could go to the '76 Olympics in Montreal. He agrees to coach the three boys under strict conditions that thwart Billy's growing attraction for his mature but compelling mentor.

This is one of the LGBT novels I chose because it is a classic. It is compelling and stays with you for the rest of your life. The focus on gay rights and injustice made this audiobook a slightly depressing lesson in history. Personally, I would have liked a happy ever after. 

The narration was all right.

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Review: Crashing Box Set

Crashing Box Set by Samantha Wayland and Michael Ferraiuolo
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the boxed set of the first three books in Samantha Wayland’s Crashing Series. 

Crashing the Net

Dumping gallons of lube on the new kid is just another day at the office for Alexei. He knows exactly who he is: a goalie on the ice, a prankster in the locker room, and a man who knows better than to share his private life with anyone. 

Mike is broke, bruised, and covered from head to toe in cheap lube. All he wants is to keep to himself and play for the Ice Cats. What he needs, though, is another matter entirely.

Checking It Twice 

After four years with Alexei, there are things Mike knows with absolute certainty: he loves Alexei, Alexei loves him, and Alexei gives the very best Christmas gifts. 

Alexei knows his gift this year is going to blow Mike’s mind, but in the meantime, it’s pretty hilarious watching Mike try to figure out what it is. Granted, 

Changing the Rules

Alexei and Mike have been together for a long time. They’re getting married. They can go a few nights not sleeping next to each other, right? For the sake of the team, Alexei is going to try.

Mike can’t stand not sleeping next to Alexei, and it turns out sleep deprivation makes him overthink things.

First of all: the narration was great.
I liked the first novella. The second was a weird hybrid. It was partly a Christmas special of Home And Away, and partly a sex scene of Crashing the Net. By the time I reached novella #3, I got bored of all the sex and hoped to finish the audiobook soon.

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Review: The Endgame

The Endgame by Riley Hart and Iggy Toma
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Weston
When I left home, I swore I'd never hide anything about myself again. From college, to law school, to the United States Senate representing California, I've done it all as an out gay man. So, when I'm in DC and see a beautiful guy at the hotel bar, I don't hesitate to proposition him...right before he runs out on me, leaving his sunglasses behind like my very own Cinderfella.

Anson
I've always known I'm gay, but never acted on it. Pretending isn't easy, but it means I can keep playing football. No one has ever guessed my secret until the gorgeous man at a bar in DC. At least he doesn't know who I am--the best tight end in the NFL, playing for the Atlanta Lightning. Though my identity doesn't stay a secret from him for long.
Between texts and late-night phone calls, we get to know each other. The odds are stacked against us, but if there's one thing I know, it's how to win. He's the endgame in the biggest challenge of my life, the one I'm banking my future happiness on.

I love audiobooks focusing on the relationship. Don't expect any football. We skip through 4 years of meeting up and both men expressing love and longing. The narration was good but the last chapters sounded a lot like summarizing.

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Review: Egotistical Puckboy

Egotistical Puckboy by Eden Finley, Alexander Cendese and Iggy Toma
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

EZRA

Partying, dudes, and hockey. What more could a gay NHL player want? If it weren't for Anton Hayes, my life would be perfect. Not that he affects my life in any way. At all. That would imply I care what the winger from Philly thinks of me. I hate him as much as he hates me.

ANTON

When it comes to hockey, I'm all about the game. I've worked for years to be one of the best in the league, and l've done it without splashing my orientation all over the tabloids. My hockey image is one I've carefully cultivated, and after one night with Ezra Palaszczuk, I risk it all.

 

This audiobook was nothing special. I have read it all before. Maybe by now I have read too much gay love stories? 

Both narrators did a good job.

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Review: Irresponsible Puckboy

Irresponsible Puckboy by Eden Finley, Alexander Cendese and Iggy Toma
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Tripp

Years of pining have left me exhausted, and I need a break from Dex. I need space to get over my feelings. But when his relationship falls apart and he turns to me for comfort, I cave immediately.If there’s one thing I hate more than being hurt, it’s seeing Dex struggle. I can’t leave him in a time of need, even if my friends say it’s my biggest downfall. 

Dex

I’ve always been the dumb one. It’s what I’m known for, and usually I don’t let it get to me. I have hockey, and I have my best friend, Tripp. What more do I need? To settle down? No thank you. Marriage? Hard pass. According to ex-girlfriends, that makes me “irresponsible.”
But the solution I come up with to get over my fear of commitment might be my dumbest idea yet.

Nothing special. I was not sold on the straight man suddenly falling for a gay friend. The rest was the same as every other mediocre audiobook I have listened to before. 

Both narrators did a good job.

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Review: Hummingbird Heartbreak

Hummingbird Heartbreak by Max Walker and Greg Boudreaux
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

DUSTY GOLD

College is weird. One second you’re studying for a huge exam in integrated physics and the next you’re secretly drooling over the sexy rugby player living in the dorm next door. Maybe inviting him to stay at my family’s house for the summer wasn’t the greatest idea I’ve ever had?

         BRANDON REED

I freakin’ loved college. Everything about it, minus the classes obviously. I loved being able to play rugby the most; losing myself to the game, watching the crowds in the stadium grow bigger with every win. Then Dusty Gold springs into my life. Literally. After we end up as surprise roomies, a spring busts on his bed and we go from roommates to snuggle buddies.
I’ve got a messy past, though, and Dusty’s got a bright future. Will my ghosts ruin us before we could ever really begin or will we both get a once-in-a-lifetime shot at a happy ending?

Enough happens, but I just don't care. There should be a problem to be solved or some tension or character development. Nope. Just everyday life, day after day. It makes this a tedious audiobook.
The narrator had nothing to work with, so the performance was bland but well-read.

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Review: Poetry in Motion

Poetry in Motion by Samantha Wayland and Michael Ferraiuolo
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Travis Campbell has been at this hockey thing for a while. He knows his days on the ice are numbered, but he’s happy with the Moncton Ice Cats and he’s still got some time to figure out what comes next. He’s been taking college classes online and thought he knew what he was doing, but then he made the ultimate rookie mistake. It turns out that the poetry class is not the easier way to get his required English credits.

Barnaby Birtwistle has exiled himself to the wilds of New Brunswick, leaving London, his so-called friends, and his cheating ex behind. His life is finally getting back on track, and he's going to keep it that way, even if it means living like a monk.

Travis is expecting a bookish nerd to help him pass his staggeringly boring class; Barnaby is expecting a meathead hockey player who struggles to string two words together, let alone appreciate poetry. Turns out that they both have something to learn.

This LGTBQ romance was nice but I struggled to keep listening. Several chapters I had to relisten more than once, because I immediately forgot what happened.
Narration was fine, but this audiobook was the worst of the M/M ones in this series. Nothing seemed to happen and the 'conflict' in the end was unimaginative and solved in a rush.

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Review: Bullheaded

Bullheaded by Catt Ford and Derrick McClain 
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Aging bull rider Cody Grainger needs bullfighter Johnny Arrow for more than just protection in the ring. Their bond of trust goes beyond the professional and into love, but while their relationship holds up to the need for discretion imposed by their sport and repeatedly having to watch each other put themselves in the way of dangerous animals, other barriers still tear them apart.

For one thing, Cody is ten years older than Johnny. But instead of contemplating retirement, he focuses on winning the championship, desperate to stay on top. Johnny is only beginning to find the professional recognition he craves. When frustration leads Johnny to walk away, Cody’s season slumps. While they’re apart, they both slowly realize they are meant to be together. But machismo abounds in the sport of bull riding, and their pride might be an obstacle too big for love to overcome.

The first 20% of this audiobook were kind of dull, with too much rodeo explanation for me. Then the story took off and I enjoyed every moment because of the great secondary characters. At 50% I had to bide my time when the Disney Cars trope unfolded. Fine for preschoolers, but too preachy for adults.
The narrator has a great voice. He could add more emotion to the story, but that does not lessen my enjoyment. A good addition to the M/M romance genre, but I wonder why it's not more popular.

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