ElenaRigg

Great Premise but Boring

Reviewed: 08-18-24

As a fan of Nora Phoenix, the majority of her books I really love. I skip her paranormal and BDSM as those are not genres I enjoy. This book sounded like my favorite tropes; contemporary, grumpy vs sunshine, bi-sexual awakening. I was disappointed. First, it’s not grumpy vs sunshine but instead grumpy vs something else. Second, it was boring. After a break of several weeks, I made myself complete the whole book, though I skipped some explicit scenes. Nora is great at world building and I normally get sucked in. But this was just boring. Third, it had non-sensical logistics but that is forgivable in a romance genre.

I liked the veterans with disabilities theme. I liked the Creek character, but did not relate to Heath’s character at all.

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Probably great but DNF

Reviewed: 05-11-24

I’m sure this is a really good, well written story. However, I could not get past the first hour. I’m more of a sweet, slow burn, romance person and I realize, now, I should stay away from mob stories. The first s*x scene included a knife, and not just as a prop; the knife was actually used. I’ll let you use your imagination on what part of the body. I’m sure there are people who would enjoy that, but it’s not something I am comfortable with. Despite Declan’s awesome accents, I could not continue.

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Not a ‘69 Rambler but still good

Reviewed: 05-02-24

When his sister is about to get married, introverted Sam is afraid to attend the wedding. He’s estranged from his family. His best friend, who is always the life of the party, talks him into going on a road trip, in a classic car, to get to the wedding. On the way, they discover important things about each other.

I purchased this book for the narrator and the car. I liked the narrator but think he needs more experience. He will, one day, be epically good.

The car on the cover is NOT the ‘69 Rambler as described in the book. My husband restores classic American cars as a hobby and he said this is closest to a ‘59, but the bumper and trim and front end are wrong. He said the car on the cover is either an artist’s rendition or AI generated.

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Redefining Family

Reviewed: 04-01-24

Walker’s life was in the process of changing, whether his parents liked it or not. They never supported his dream of being a teacher, a low paying, not very respectable job in their eyes. They expected him to run one of their tire shops; not waste time and money on a college degree. They were not happy when he cut his hours at their business to take his dream teaching job and volunteer for a youth home. They were especially not happy when he appeared to have feelings for another man. How far of lengths will they go to to steer his life back to where it should belong in their minds?

Very far lengths. You will not believe. Read the trigger warnings.

I apologize for writing this review about Walker when he is not the man on the cover. Ozzie was so understanding and patient with Walker; the perfect soul mate.

This is book 2, my favorite of the Lost Boys series. In the town of Seguin Texas, high school teacher, Mr Paige, started an LGBTQ student group before those were a thing. He called them his Lost Boys. After tragedy strikes, the original lost boys reunite in their hometown. The series is about the town’s recent changes, the lost boys finding their way, and discovering love. I have listened to 500+ MM romance books and I can tell you; this series is something special. It should win awards.

I am a huge fan of Declan Winters and he did an amazing job. His voice for Walker is my favorite of all voices I have ever heard him perform; the deep baritone, Texas twang, and uncertainness that is Walker.

I cannot explain the depth of the scenes in this book. Very emotional.

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Series finishes with a bang (chemical reaction)

Reviewed: 03-31-24

In the previous book, the four teacher friends ran into Seb and Anton, two former students and athletes. They were stocking the vending machines because they had started/owned a vending machine business. Chase, the socially awkward Chemistry teacher, was oblivious to Seb and Anton’s overt flirting with him. They gave him their business card, saying they could resolve the issues of the school vending machines. When they walked away, the teacher friends asked if Chase would call the former students. “Of course” said Chase. “The break room vending machine is holding my Sprites hostage.” Will Chase realize they are interested and consider being more than friends with his former hot jock students?

I respectfully disagree with some of the book’s reviewers who felt like Seb was the outsider to a relationship between Chase and Anton. My perspective is that each of the three equally thought they were the outsider but they weren’t.

Although it wasn’t mentioned in the book, I feel that Chase was probably on the autism spectrum and I loved Iggy’s voice for him. I do not think those 3 guys would be together in real life but I wish it was REAL.

This series was really fun. I counted down the days till the last audiobook was available. Though not accurate in the details, the author did a fantastic job keeping to a theme (like football vs theater). Book 3 was my favorite because I related more to the MCs’ personal struggles and because I loved Iggy’s New York accent for Seamus. I laughed a lot from these books; Book 3 probably more than any other book ever. Not counting the prequel novella, all four books were jock/nerd trope, the first three were fake boyfriend trope and love between fellow teachers. I am so thankful Iggy was the narrator for the series. He was perfect.

There is a prequel novella worth purchasing due to the swoony scene at Principal Aguilara’s car. Book 3 has hilarious side characters that were main characters from book 1 of the author’s Browerton University series. I think it’s cool that at a bunch of readers like me went back and listened/read at least the first book because of this series. South Rock High rocked!

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1 person found this helpful

Forgive me, Father, for I’m about to sin

Reviewed: 03-26-24

A seminary school dropout, Beckett has decided being a priest is not for him. He gets back on his feet back home where Mr. Paige, his former high school teacher and mentor, finds him an apartment and nudges him toward ministry on his own terms. Sparks fly for Beckett when Mr, Paige’s hot nerd son, Holden, moves back in town. Will tragedy bring Holden, Beckett, and family together or push them apart?

This is book 1 of the Lost Boys series. In the town of Seguin Texas, high school teacher, Mr Paige, started an LGBTQ student group before those were a thing. He called them his Lost Boys. After tragedy strikes, the original lost boys reunite in their hometown. The series is about the town’s recent changes, the lost boys finding their way, and discovering love. I have listened to 500+ MM romance books and I can tell you; this series is something special. It should win awards.

This book has the most shockingly good prologue scene I have ever read. Priest kink is included, if you are into that. Be sure to check the trigger warnings.

Declan Winters was excellent.

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Suit vs Punk God

Reviewed: 03-26-24

After Punk Rocker, Hen (Hendrix), collapses on stage, he barely escapes exhaustion to make it back home, to Seguin, Texas. He ends up being nursed back to health by his friend, Sawyer, who is so fastidious, he wears a _suit_ to work from home. The more Hen feels better, the more he pushes Sawyer’s buttons. Are these opposites destined to attract or implode?

This is book 3 of the Lost Boys series. In the town of Seguin Texas, high school teacher, Mr Paige, started an LGBTQ student group before those were a thing. He called them his Lost Boys. After tragedy strikes, the original lost boys reunite in their hometown. The series is about the town’s recent changes, the lost boys finding their way, and discovering love. I have listened to 500+ MM romance books and I can tell you; this series is something special. It should win awards.

Declan is the best MM narrator and could not have done a better job.

Be sure to mind the trigger warnings.

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Dark

Reviewed: 03-06-24

If you are into dark mm romance stories that include abuse and violence against an MC by a secondary character, then this book is for you.

The dream team of narrators brought me to this book. They were great. I was not familiar with the author. The dark themes are not for me. I don’t feel comfortable writing a summary of the story because I don’t want to recommend the book to the general mm romance audience. I will not continue with the series.

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Worth Reading

Reviewed: 02-25-24

Studious Ethan arrives late to a class and the only seat open is next to an obnoxious frat boy, Greg. Sitting together through the semester, they are like oil and water. Until something changes.

This was an opposites attract and bisexual awakening (or FTG) troupe. I agreed with the book reviews that say the book would have been better if we could have seen Greg’s point of view; dual POV. I liked the story and will probably listen to the rest of the series.

Narration is subjective. One person could dislike a certain narrator, even if they are a fantastic actor. Having said that, I do not know why anyone would hire this narrator for anything other than cartoon voice acting, at which he would be excellent. I honestly do not understand why someone would write a book, a labour of love, and then hire someone to play the characters as if they are cartoons.

I avoided this series, as well as many other books, because of this narrator. But then, I became obsessed with South Rock High, book 3 which takes place after this book. The two MCs, Greg and Ethan, are hilarious as secondary characters in the South Rock High book. So I finally listened to this one. I guess my dislike of the narrator is less than my dislike of actually reading.

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Since when was high school so funny?

Reviewed: 01-04-24

Julian, the Southrock High French teacher, has a crush on Seamus, the Spanish teacher, and base ball coach, across the hall. They run into each other outside of school after Julian just finished a date from hell. While taking Julian for drinks to cheer him up, Julian confesses his darkest secret. He is a virgin. Seamus, a straight man, offers to de-flower him before his 35th birthday in a month. Why is Seamus willing to do this? What secrets does the coach have? (It’s more than just the obvious).

A.J. Truman’s books are cute, fluffy, unrealistic, and really enjoyable. This book made me laugh more than any other book. Seamus lives with friends, the same age as him, who pretend to be his Dads. They, along with Julian’s sassy grandmother, are a hoot!

Iggy’s such a good actor that his voice for Seamus didn’t sound like Iggy. The book is written in first person and his voices for the two MCs are so distinct. There is no confusion on who is talking. I loved Seamus’s New York accent, though Iggy was not consistent with it.
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update: I have become obsessed with this series (except book 1 which made me uncomfortable). This book has become a comfort book I re-listen to.

There is a scene where Seamus starts to undress Julian and Julian freaks out and runs into the bathroom. Seamus coaxes him out and hugs him and says all these sweet things to him. His words and sincerity are so touching. The scene is meaningful to me.

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