Any Closer by Mary Calmes ~ Audiobook

AnyCloserAudLGTitle: Any Closer
Series: Dreamspinner 2011 Daily Dose – First Time for Everything
Author: Mary Calmes
Narrator: Greg Tremblay
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 1 hour and 51 minutes
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (01-18-2016)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5 Hearts
Blurb: Part of the First Time for Everything Daily Dose 2011 collection.

Charlie Ryder has a colorful past, painful memories, and an embarrassing secret. After three years working for Leo Foster’s construction company, Charlie’s worst fears are realized, and Leo finds out what Charlie has worked so hard to hide.

When Leo meets the revelation with absolute love and acceptance, Leo has to trust that Charlie’s love isn’t just gratitude, and Charlie has to learn to trust again, period.

It’s going to take a lot of work for these two men to get any closer.

Product Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7430

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Reviewer: Tams

Review: Charlie Ryder has been working for Leo Foster for four years. In the early days, Charlie was skittish, scared of his own shadow. The poor guy would flinch if Leo blinked, withdrew if confronted. Leo did not treat him with kid gloves though, explaining to Charlie he had to get a grip and deal with whatever it was that haunted him.

It was that honesty and the push from Leo to come to terms with his demons that helped Charlie make a life for himself after what had happened to him.

When Leo hears about Charlie’s past as a Gay porn star, there is no judgement, more resentment to the people in Charlie’s life at that time for betraying him. When Leo’s ex shows up in town, Charlie decides it’s time to stop sitting quietly in the shadows. The dependable, shy, hard worker becomes a demanding little sex kitten. And Leo is at a loss, what to do with the man.

This is not a light-hearted read guys, but it’s not dark either, somewhere in the middle. Intense and emotional, especially when Charlie is re-living the past. As soon as Leo’s friend starts telling him the story, Leo feels sick to his stomach, as did I. But Leo’s no-nonsense attitude and faith in Charlie over the last three years has given Charlie strength he thought long gone. When Charlie decides to stake his claim, it gets a bit funny.

Narrated by Greg Tremblay, have I mentioned I love his voice? Well, I love his voice, all six hundred of them. Seriously, he manages to give every character their own distinct tone. Early on, I could still hear hesitation and regret in Charlie’s voice when he talked. But by the end he knew exactly what he wanted and went after it by god. Leo was described as really tall and perhaps menacing looking, but getting to know him you would see he was assured not mean. He was exasperated a time or two and Tremblay captured that in his voice, it was hilarious.

I really enjoyed listening to this story, my only issue would be, and the ending was a little anticlimactic for me. Again, I can understand why Leo would hesitate given Charlie’s past. But it’s been four years, come on now. I needed a steamier ending. Not necessarily porn on paper, but a skoch bit more than was given.

Otherwise, fantastic story, definitely recommend it.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *