-
On the Rocks
- Narrated by: Michael Stellman
- Length: 1 hr and 46 mins
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
![Prime logo](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/G/01/Audible/Homestead/Prime_Logo_RGB.png)
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Buy for $6.95
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Publisher's summary
For years, Mal has given Aidan a little piece of the world for special occasions in the form of unique rocks and fossils - until the year he gives Aidan a piece of the moon instead. Aidan has treasured every gift: in a world of impersonal relationships, they're the one reminder he has that somebody out there cares about him for who he really is. Then through a twist of fate, their relationship goes beyond personal and into intimate, leaving Aidan shocked and set to run the other way. Despite his feelings for Mal, past experiences have convinced Aidan that he's a failure at relationships, and he's afraid to trust his heart. It just might take a Christmas miracle for Aidan to find the courage to love.
Related to this topic
-
The Glitch
- By: Leeanne Slade
- Narrated by: Sam Claflin, Daisy Edgar Jones
- Length: 11 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Five Years Earlier: Henry Dunne knows three things: that agreeing to host this raucous house party was a terrible idea, that he absolutely cannot show up to his nursing shift tomorrow with a hangover, and that the beautiful redhead in the corner will be sleeping in his bed tonight.
-
-
This is NOT a Romcom!
- By Amazon Customer on 08-16-24
By: Leeanne Slade
-
Drop Dead
- By: Lily Chu
- Narrated by: Phillipa Soo, John Cho
- Length: 11 hrs and 25 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Obituary writer Nadine Barbault doesn’t mind being called “Lady Death”. It suits the ice queen persona she’s cultivated to survive the fast-paced Toronto Herald. So when Nadine learns that famous (and reclusive) author Dot Voline has died, she doesn’t hesitate to run the obituary…only to discover that Dot is very much alive. Nadine’s screw-up has brought Wesley Chen of the rival Spear no end of joy—she’s been a thorn in his extremely ambitious side for years. But the renewed interest in Dot also surfaced chatter about a mysterious past scandal.
-
-
Clean and sweet
- By Momma Nae on 08-02-24
By: Lily Chu
-
Verity
- By: Colleen Hoover
- Narrated by: Vanessa Johansson, Amy Landon
- Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of best-selling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish. Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity's notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn't expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read.
-
-
intriguing but skip if triggered by child abuse
- By Amazon Customer on 05-16-19
By: Colleen Hoover
-
The Accidental Dating Experiment
- By: Lauren Blakely
- Narrated by: Andi Arndt, Jacob Morgan
- Length: 6 hrs and 55 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Eight years ago I fell into a secret summer fling with my best friend’s little sister before our lives went in different directions. Now, I’m the grumpy to Juliet’s sunshine on a popular dating podcast we host, and when a wealthy fan gives us a charming coastal cottage as the biggest thank you ever, we head to the town where I grew up to give it a makeover. And find the house has only one bed. Located under a mirrored ceiling.
-
-
The kind of Romance everyone needs in their collection!
- By M. Santos on 04-11-24
By: Lauren Blakely
-
Maybe This Time
- By: Cara Bastone
- Narrated by: Zoë Chao, Noah Reid, Josh Hurley, and others
- Length: 5 hrs and 45 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Romance can be a little complicated when you get sucked into a wormhole. Just ask high school English teacher June Flint. One little solar flare happens and suddenly you find yourself 85 years in the future. Eighty-five years from your dream job. Your ailing mother whose only companion in this world is you. Your favorite stuffed-crust pizza from DeLucia’s on Sunday nights. But when June’s cell phone inexplicably picks up a signal, she’s able to call back to the present—more specifically, four weeks before she accidentally time traveled.
-
-
Like a hug with mega dose of confidence
- By Amanda on 05-03-24
By: Cara Bastone
-
The Bonus
- By: T L Swan
- Narrated by: C J Bloom, Sean Masters
- Length: 14 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Gabriel Ferrara is tall and handsome, and most days she wants to stab her eyes out with a pencil, anything to stop her seeing his perfection. How any female could work in these conditions and not be completely besotted with him is beyond her. Then he opens his mouth and she remembers why. He's bossy and sarcastic, with a wit so sharp it could cut glass. Every weekend is the same . . . while he's off living his dream life, she's counting down the days until Monday when she sees him again.
-
-
Good book
- By Amazon Customer on 08-19-24
By: T L Swan
-
The Glitch
- By: Leeanne Slade
- Narrated by: Sam Claflin, Daisy Edgar Jones
- Length: 11 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Five Years Earlier: Henry Dunne knows three things: that agreeing to host this raucous house party was a terrible idea, that he absolutely cannot show up to his nursing shift tomorrow with a hangover, and that the beautiful redhead in the corner will be sleeping in his bed tonight.
-
-
This is NOT a Romcom!
- By Amazon Customer on 08-16-24
By: Leeanne Slade
-
Drop Dead
- By: Lily Chu
- Narrated by: Phillipa Soo, John Cho
- Length: 11 hrs and 25 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Obituary writer Nadine Barbault doesn’t mind being called “Lady Death”. It suits the ice queen persona she’s cultivated to survive the fast-paced Toronto Herald. So when Nadine learns that famous (and reclusive) author Dot Voline has died, she doesn’t hesitate to run the obituary…only to discover that Dot is very much alive. Nadine’s screw-up has brought Wesley Chen of the rival Spear no end of joy—she’s been a thorn in his extremely ambitious side for years. But the renewed interest in Dot also surfaced chatter about a mysterious past scandal.
-
-
Clean and sweet
- By Momma Nae on 08-02-24
By: Lily Chu
-
Verity
- By: Colleen Hoover
- Narrated by: Vanessa Johansson, Amy Landon
- Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of best-selling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish. Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity's notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn't expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read.
-
-
intriguing but skip if triggered by child abuse
- By Amazon Customer on 05-16-19
By: Colleen Hoover
-
The Accidental Dating Experiment
- By: Lauren Blakely
- Narrated by: Andi Arndt, Jacob Morgan
- Length: 6 hrs and 55 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Eight years ago I fell into a secret summer fling with my best friend’s little sister before our lives went in different directions. Now, I’m the grumpy to Juliet’s sunshine on a popular dating podcast we host, and when a wealthy fan gives us a charming coastal cottage as the biggest thank you ever, we head to the town where I grew up to give it a makeover. And find the house has only one bed. Located under a mirrored ceiling.
-
-
The kind of Romance everyone needs in their collection!
- By M. Santos on 04-11-24
By: Lauren Blakely
-
Maybe This Time
- By: Cara Bastone
- Narrated by: Zoë Chao, Noah Reid, Josh Hurley, and others
- Length: 5 hrs and 45 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Romance can be a little complicated when you get sucked into a wormhole. Just ask high school English teacher June Flint. One little solar flare happens and suddenly you find yourself 85 years in the future. Eighty-five years from your dream job. Your ailing mother whose only companion in this world is you. Your favorite stuffed-crust pizza from DeLucia’s on Sunday nights. But when June’s cell phone inexplicably picks up a signal, she’s able to call back to the present—more specifically, four weeks before she accidentally time traveled.
-
-
Like a hug with mega dose of confidence
- By Amanda on 05-03-24
By: Cara Bastone
-
The Bonus
- By: T L Swan
- Narrated by: C J Bloom, Sean Masters
- Length: 14 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Gabriel Ferrara is tall and handsome, and most days she wants to stab her eyes out with a pencil, anything to stop her seeing his perfection. How any female could work in these conditions and not be completely besotted with him is beyond her. Then he opens his mouth and she remembers why. He's bossy and sarcastic, with a wit so sharp it could cut glass. Every weekend is the same . . . while he's off living his dream life, she's counting down the days until Monday when she sees him again.
-
-
Good book
- By Amazon Customer on 08-19-24
By: T L Swan
What listeners say about On the Rocks
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Tammy M
- 06-28-15
Romance, on the rocks.
Would you listen to On the Rocks again? Why?
I don't know, maybe. It's an enjoyable read, but I'm not sure it's one to have on repeat.
If you’ve listened to books by Ari McKay before, how does this one compare?
I haven't this was my first.
What does Michael Stellman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
Energy.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
I did smile a few times, especially the necklace thing. That was a nice touch.
Any additional comments?
Mal and Aidan have been best friends for many years. They have shared the highs and lows life has thrown at them and they have no secrets. Well, aside from the little detail that Mal is in love with Aidan. Every year for birthdays and holidays, Mal brings Aidan a rock from wherever he happens to be on his latest trip for work, but this year he brings Aidan something a little bit different, something special.
Everything changes the night Mal and Aidan attend a Halloween themed Masquerade party and they are drawn to each other, not know who they are behind the masks. When the secret is revealed, Mal is hopeful that the passionate night they shared will lead to something more, something he has long held out hope for. But Aidan is used to being disappointed when he loves someone, so he pushes Mal away out of some sort of twisted self-preservation. When Aidan comes to terms with his own issues, will Mal still be there to help him pick up the pieces?
I had a few issues with this story when it was all said and done. First, if you’ve been best friends with someone for so many years, you are going to recognize that person regardless. So the whole not knowing each other when in costume aspect didn’t work for me. I also felt like I never got a real feel for Mal as a character. I’m not saying I disliked him or he was an unlikeable character, the opposite is true in fact. I just wish he’d had more character development in the story. I knew exactly what happened to Aidan and why he was so dead set on being in a relationship, a little more attention for Mal’s past would have been appreciated.
All that being said, Stellman really took the story and gave the characters a distinct voice with his narration. There were these little quirks in the story I enjoyed as well. The rocks Mal gives Aidan every year, and the special one this year in particular, how Aidan puts it on a chain to wear so he can keep a piece of Mal close when they are estranged, the case in his bedroom, the versatility in the characters. So while I had a couple issues with the storyline, overall I quite liked this book.
If you are a fan of short stories with a heart, characters that have to find their own way before they can be a couple and some pretty smexy make up sex, then you’ll probably enjoy this book as well.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- JC
- 06-24-15
Short friends-to-lovers holiday angst
This short story packed more angst than I was expecting for such a short tale.
I did like the chemistry between Amal and Aidan, though I would have been interested in seeing more of their dynamic as best friends since I'm a complete sucker for the in-love-with-my-best friend and friends-to-lovers tropes.
Michael Stellman did another great job narrating this shortie. There were times when it sounded like he was a bit too close to the microphone, but I love the sound of his voice, and it wasn't too noticeable.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Morgan A Skye
- 09-22-16
sweet if predictable
This is a fairly predictable, but sweet love story of two friends who have loved each other but have not acted on their impulses for various reasons. When they do act on it, Aidan runs and Mal is devastated. This forces Aidan to re-evaluate his life and luckily Mal takes him back.
I liked how the story arc included therapy and though it happened at lightning speed, it was at least a nod that some of life’s problems need more than “the love of a good man” to fix.
I also liked the symbolism of the rocks, they acted to truly ground Aidan in times of trouble.
The masked ball scene was a little much to swallow, but for the sake of the story I was willing to suspend my disbelief.
All in all I though the story was sweet, a little hot and very appropriate for a holiday short story.
3.5 stars – I liked it!
Audio:
Michael Stellman did a great job with the narration. He didn’t do much with the voices but did an excellent job with letting the story speak for itself and seemed to “get” the emotion behind the words. 4 stars - I really liked it!
Overall Impression:
4 stars – I really liked it
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- HaloLove
- 02-13-15
Sweet story!
A very short story of unrequited love, lost, then found. Both characters were well developed and the story well written with the perfect romantic happily ever after. ♥️
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!