Number 2: Very Enjoyable...

Number two in the series and I must admit that the mystery plot was a bit less obvious than the first book and the budding relationship between Adrien and Jake was tantalizing, to say the least. The twinge of jealousy from Jake was a welcomed surprise and certainly opened the door for hope. On a side note, I have been more careful checking my mailbox since reading this story! Another great tale by Josh Lanyon and again Chris Patton’s narration was excellent and added to the story. Looking forward to reading the next in the series! Recommend!!

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4 people found this helpful

Story good, yet beware of the prurient interest

This is a well-plotted story. It moves along in a contrived, written for the movies pace. The mind of the author is inventive, and the scenes it describes are full, and complete. The reader/listener feels part of the plot.

But perhaps I can complain about the explicit nature of some descriptions. I felt, while listening, that I was meant to enjoy this, and to feel more connected with the characters as a result, but I only felt that the author was pushing this too far, and that it was too much information,and put into the book as a hook for shock value.

Some subtlety would be welcome here. I love the characters, and would want to hear more from them.

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Another winner!

Loved it. Great narration! Josh Lanyon is the only author I've listend to in the last 3 months. Can't wait to finish all of his books.

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AMAZING narration is what made the story!

I enjoyed listening to the narration and Chris Patton is probably why I keep coming back to listen to this story over and over. I love this series! I really do but what keeps it from being the BEST ever is the fact that the conflict between Adrien and Jake are left open in some sense and there just isn't enough closure in the scenes. Lanyon leaves too much unsaid and it seems a rug is pulled over some of the resentment that Adrien feels towards Jake and essentially, he "allows" Jake's behavior to just simply be. I often wondered if the writer's opinion of man on man kissing became apparent in the scene between Jake and Adrien when Jake told Adrien that he could see all his pores up close "unlike the soft skin of a girls". There just wasn't any closure to alleviate the insult and it was frustrating as hell. The first time scene which is a big milestone for the two is turned into some sort of joke with the use of sunscreen as lubricant. Suncreen? Really? After all the amazing and heavy heart-string tugs of angst these two go through, this is the comfort the anticipating readers are finally rewarded with- a Forest Gump type of offer to "f**k", sunscreen lubricant, and the clumsy bumping of heads. This story has so much more potential on top of how great it is already. I wished Lanyon would go back and clarify or add additional details so that so much isn't left up the imaginations of the readers. Other than the non-closure issues, the story is really, really good b/c I seem to keep coming back to listen; despite its short comings.

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Continuing to love this series!

"Aren't you the guy who told me a cop's gut instinct is one of his best tools?"
"You're not a cop, baby. You're a bookseller. You don't have a gut instinct. You have knack for nearly getting yourself killed."

I love the blend of quick wit and humour with the intrigue of the murder mystery. But as good as the mystery is, of course I'm really only reading to see to the evolution of the relationship between Adrien and Jake.

I adore Adrien! He's the sort of guy I would love to have as a friend and as a friend, I want him to be happy. His admission (to himself) of love for Jake is painful because we know loving Jake won't be easy. Oh, but the first kiss with Jake - just beautiful!

I have been continuing to 'read' this series by listening to the audio version......Chris Patton does a stellar job of narrating this series. I loved the way he voiced Adrien - his inflection, his tone, the quality of his voice - and the sexy, gruffness of Jake is perfect!

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2 people found this helpful

A dangerous thing - definitely recommended

I was lucky enough to win a copy of this and I have spent the last couple of driving trips listening to the story. I was so lucky.
Firstly, I have all of Josh's books both as ebooks and in print as well. I'm now going to add audio books to my collection. When driving long distances listening to an ebook is a great way to pass the time. The story is interesting and Chris Patton does a great job at narrator.
I can't recommend this author, this story or this format highly enough.

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1 person found this helpful

And with that, I'm a Josh Lanyon fan.

The second in the Adrien English series is definitely a great book. I've got a couple of his books in my library - good thing, because these are the types of stories you end up going back to.
I've really begun to appreciate Lanyon's style, primarily because he doesn't have an overt style. Seamlessly he adapts to the narrative, each book unique in it's own way. I listened to this book right after "Come Onto These Yellow Sands" expecting the same, and it took me a little time to adjust to the style of the first Adrien English book. Both books are excellent - this man has literary chops!
Oh, and incase you missed it, the hottest sex scene bar none.

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With an E

"the battle rages eternal, through the race, religion, gender or sexual orientation of those discriminated against changes regularly. Maybe man's need to scapegoat is genetically programmed into him"

Story: 9
First MC: 10
Second MC: 9
Secondary characters: 7
Mystery: 8
Sexual tension: 6
Humor: 4
Hotness: 6
Product placement: 5
Ridiculousness: 5
Annoying: 5
Audio: 10 (6h 14min)
To re-read: 10
Suspence: 9

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Adrien & Jake just get better

Overall Series 5th Re-Read 2019:
Adrien with an "e", what can I say that I haven't already said? Nothing really because I absolutely adore Adrien and Jake. Yes, there are multiple times I want to whack Jake upside the head but he's learning, albeit slowly sometimes but still learning. There's heartbreak, there's joy, there's murder, and well there's plenty of love(even if it takes Jake a little longer to accept).

All but the final Christmas novella is narrated by Chris Patton and his voice is perfect for these two. I couldn't imagine listening to anyone else bring life to the pair but then when I listened to So This is Christmas, read by Kale Williams, he too is . . . well for the lack of a better word(and not to sound redundant😉) . . . brilliant. Obviously there is a difference between the two narrators but since Adrien and Jake are settled, or as settled as they can be considering Adrien's knack for stumbling into mayhem, which changes people and so the difference in narrators kind of reflects that I thought. So I say spot on to all involved bringing Adrien English and Jake Riordan to life.

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Engaging

The narrator is quite good, although I prefer it when the voices are more different. The story is engaging, although I didn't find it as original as the first book in the series. The character of Adrian, from whose POV the story is told, is likable and worthy of respect. I have no idea though, what it is he sees in Jake. It's not that Jake is unlikable, is more that at this point a) we still don't know much about him. He's like a well developed side character--still fairly 2 dimensional. B) He either doesn't get Adrien like we do, is a total player douchecanoe, is in complete denial about Everything, or some mix of the above. Consequently, it's hard to ship A and J. That means the book has to stand on its own as a mystery in a series of mysteries...and it does.

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