Perfect Story, Marvelous Joby by I. Toma

What a fantastic story! The way it unfolds so perfectly sets the stage for the development of Sam, the mc, and to watch him grow and change throughout the story is so wonderful. Mitch is so amazing - he sounds sexy as hell and oh so wonderfully kinky - loved him! Only Randy creeped me out, I didn't really buy the way his character developed (and I know the second in the series is his story so I'm on the fence about reading that one...).

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WOW steamy...just WOW

Heidi Cullinan has done it again! This story was so different with a truck driver and a college student as the MC'S. I enjoyed the cross country trip with them and how they got to know one another. Their Vegas stop is so steamy I'm still smiling. I think I cried every time he parted with his mom's ashes. I loved this book and as always Iggy Toma you are my favorite narrator. I am in love with your voice!!!

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3 people found this helpful

Five stars is not enough

Five stars is not enough, this books is amazing. Funny, sweet, hot and adorable... absolutely loved it.
And Iggy had the perfect voice to narrate this. Amazing and very enjoyable listen.

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enjoyed it

[Review: 02/2024] Heid Cullinan is a new author for me and I was delightfully surprised.
Writing styles have changed over the years and I was pleasantly surprised to find, that despite having a release date of 2016 her writing style doesn't contain all the dialog tags (he said / she said) that were common during the last decade.

📖 Story comment: good pace, likeable characters, interesting plot.
I enjoyed both main characters, Sam is sweet and funny and brave enough to explore his kinky side. Mitch is a trucker, genuine good guy and someone trustworthy enough to help Sam flourish. I liked that these characters were able to talk about some not so easy topics (like the non-monogamy), and I liked the way Randy was written in as a third.

🎧 Narrator comment: Iggy Toma was a good choice for this series, he suits the characters from the serious to cheeky and heart warming moments. He has good cadence, inflections and intonations and it's easy to distinguish the characters from each other. Overall an enjoyable performance and he bought Special Delivery to life

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📌 Where does it fall on my personal scale? 7
[Note to self: contains a Polyamorous relationship - all consensual - not cheating]
• 1 not my thing • 2 didn't like the narration • 3 didn't keep my attention • 4 was good, but once was enough • 5 enjoyed it • 6 will listen again if i'm in the mood for the narrator • 7 goes on the "re-listen" list [4⭐] • 8 kept me up past bed-time [4.5⭐] • 9 recommended to family/friends [4.75⭐] • 10 own it in multiple formats [5⭐] • 11 keep a copy with me at all times [5⭐]

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The Feels

I have read this series at least 15 times and the addition of audio to a story both familiar and beloved is astounding. The range of Iggy's narration is incredible. I cannot recommend this entire series enough. Get the books but stay for the smoothly sexy voice of Iggy Toma.

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1 person found this helpful

Unexpected Goodness

What made the experience of listening to Special Delivery: Special Delivery, Book 1 the most enjoyable?

I found this book by listening to another of the author's series Love lessons where these characters have a cameo. They drew me in enough I decided to give them a try. Great narrator. So glad I decided to try the series.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The interaction between the characters in this books is written so thoroughly that you feel with me. I even teared up some but laughed more than anything. The Vegas portion is hot and I am so glad this isn't a single title.

Any additional comments?

I hadn't thought about this book because trucker fantasy hasn't been an interest. Oh, how I had been missing out. Sam is sweet, funny. and kinky. Mitch is another great character. Oh, and Randy... his book is next. Woo Hoo!

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There Really is Something Special Here

I came into this series after Love Lessons, and specifically right after Short Stay, and I think it almost works best having that cameo of these character there first, and then rewinding into their history.

I have been looking for something for a long time, through over 200 books, all queer romance, and all highly rated; anything even slightly non-monogamous. When that came with a side of kink... Well, let me tell you, Heidi delivered.

With regard to the kink, I would say it's pretty decent. It's definitely way, way more a private matter that these individuals have all built with each other over time, and nothing to do with the community at all, and that perfectly fine. I think Heidi even purposefully puts it in that place when the newer members try to label it and both Mitch and Randy pull away from the structure of that label. But I saw a lot of really good facets of kink displayed in the book, and some good internal conflict to come to terms with those kinks. It was a really healthy and solid foray into that world. It's limited in regard to what these individuals are looking for, and that's also realistic, especially with the newness of it all through Sam.

I notice a lot of reviews also mention how much they hate Randy. I'm the complete opposite. I love Randy. I loved Randy from the cameo. I loved his attitude and his voice. And that's probably because I identify a lot more with Randy than most of the others. He's closer to my age (especially considering all of Love Lessons was little babies compared to my millennial ass) and we have a fair amount in common. I think he's great. He's complex and interesting. He's not so easy to read, yet can read others exceptionally well. Yes, he's got some edges and he messes with people. He plays mental poker for a pot only he has decided on. But he knows when he's brushing up against that line or gone just that touch too far, and he stops on a dime. I just felt like Randy needed a little support up in here with all the bad press he's getting. He may not be to everyone's tastes, but don't fold on him before the river.

With regard to the non-monogamy. Chef's kiss. So natural. No judgements even with Sam being a bit confused early on. Even though Mitch is so cautious because he doesn't want to screw things up, he and Sam talk about so many of these things with total honesty. Mitch might time things a little, and hold some topics tighter to his chest than others, but overall the amount of good communication displayed between them is so great to see. When things start getting sexual and Mitch gets Sam to pick a safeword, then proceeds to not only adhere to it, but does so gladly and with zero shame sent Sam's way--so nice to see, and done so naturally without pointing it out obnoxiously. Sure, it's a bit easier to have that all go smoothly when they are your characters and it's your book. But the number of times subs can feel ashamed for having to use a safeword or bad doms try to shame their subs for using their words... Nah. Good examples need to be out there too.

This book is really, really good. It's a little more complex than your average gay romance, and sure, the kink might be a bit too much for people. But it's an excellent, excellent read or listen.

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1 person found this helpful

The perfect balance of kink and emotion

I read this book years ago and thought it was worth a listen. It was as perfect as I remember, actually better due to wonderful narration. If you're looking for hot and steamy with a real story, you'll love this book!

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Non-conventional relationships - Ho!

I read this story before it had been made available as an audio book and really enjoyed it. I have found that Heidi Cullinan does a really good job of exploring non-conventional kinks/relationships while still making the characters sympathetic and likable. In particular I think it could be difficult to deal with the subjugation/humiliation element - Sam's desire for it and Mitch's reservations about exploring and possibly exploiting that desire are handled well.

I love Iggy Toma as a narrator - and I love him as a narrator for this book. That said, there is *something* about this book in audio.

When reading the book I didn't like Randy at the beginning, but by the end he'd grown on me. In the audio - even by the end, I was not a huge fan of the Randy character, at least the first listen through. (I have since listened to all 3 Special Delivery books through multiple times, and have a different perspective - but as a stand alone, and on first listen I found Randy off-putting all the way through, which was not true when I actually *read* the book.)

This book is kinky, steamy, and non-conventional and may be a pass for some people because of that - but for me - it's gone on the repeated re-listen list and is imho well worth the time and credit/purchase.

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I keep returning

I can’t let go of the people in this series and keep coming back, just to hang some more. And Iggy Toma is an amazing narrator.

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