Title: Out of the Shadows
Series: Dreamspun Desires 20
Author: KC Wells
Narrator: Finn Sterling
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 6 hrs 6 mins
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press LLC
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts
Blurb: Can he step out of the shadows and into love’s light?
Eight years ago, Christian Hernandez moved to Jamaica Plain in southern Boston, took refuge in his apartment, and cut himself off from the outside world. And that’s how he’d like it to stay.
Josh Wendell has heard his co-workers gossip about the occupant of apartment number one. No one sees the mystery man, and Josh loves a mystery. So when he is hired to refurbish the apartment’s kitchen and bathrooms, Josh is eager to discover the truth behind the rumors.
When he comes face-to-face with Christian, Josh understands why Christian hides from prying eyes. As the two men bond, Josh sees past his exterior to the man within, and he likes what he sees. But can Christian find the courage to emerge from the darkness of his lonely existence for the man who has claimed his heart?
Product Link: Audible AU | Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK
Reviewer: Prime
Review: I loved the plot of this book. I love KC Well’s writing. I also read the book and wondered how much my opinion would change between formats. Often I find that a narrator adds the right tone and emotion to the characters that allows me to enjoy stories more. Unfortunately that was not the case. However, that is not to say I didn’t not like the narration. On the contrary, I really enjoyed listening to the narration of Finn Sterling, the first time I’ve had the pleasure to hear his narration.
This is a book for those that like a bit of insta-love, are all for a Phantom of the Opera type of disfigurement and a smoking hot, young handy man who seems a tad naiveté or too good to be true. My only criticism is that I desperately wished that it had a lot more depth of emotion, particularly from Christian’s side and part of me wanted more trepidation, more dating because Christian is agoraphobic and if there had been a chance to develop the emotion and plot a little more would have made the characters more believable and more relatable.
Christian Hernandez moved Jamaica Plain – an idyllic housing development south of Boston – eight years ago from Colorado. He learnt a hard lesson when he became disfigured and then decided to hide away from the world.
Honestly, I can’t say much more without blowing his entire back story. I suppose you can call him agoraphobic, he refuses to leave his apartment but it all comes down to vanity and hating the stares his looks usually attracts. (This dude needs to go back to counselor or psychologist, stat). He has everything delivered to his and works from home. Everything is ordered in his little world until he finds out that his kitchen and bathroom is going to undergo a much needed renovation. That means the handyman that does a lot of the work around his building needs to enter his home. Something that Christian can’t have, even if that handyman is the hot guy he often admires from his window.
Josh Wendell is young and idealistic in many ways. But he is the handyman that is going to renovate Christian’s apartment. There have been many rumors about the occupant of apartment 1, but nothing could prepare Josh for what happens. This is especially because his first impression is that Christian had locked himself in his bedroom all day while Josh was working (unknown to Josh at first). Josh has just the right amount of sweetness and understanding to help Christian get out of his shell. A little bit of romance doesn’t hurt either!