Well done

I wasn’t planning to purchase this so soon but I made the mistake of listening to the sample and I was hooked. The premise isn’t new but it was done in an original way; a very emotional way. Well done.

Teddy Hamilton should win an award for his performance. This is a step above, Even for him.

12 people found this helpful

perfect love story

Marley Valentine has become my go-to for excellent angst-y emotional MM, and Ache doesn't disappoint. Part friends to lovers, part forbidden love. My second time diving into Jordan & Gael's world, and the narration adds so much.

8 people found this helpful

50% Perfection

Long story short:
The first half of this story is absolutely flawless. The characters are compelling, the performances are exciting and dynamic, the sex is so hot. Then an incident occurs (no spoilers but it's a huge trope) that makes the second half feel like a slog. Still, I recommend you give this a read. I HATE love triangles and despite that, this story won me over.


Long story Long (spoilers included):
First off Teddy Hamilton and Gomez Pugh did a spectacular job with their performances. Their emotion was so raw, the tension so visceral I was on the edge of my seat every second. The voice actor's commitment to their role was so complete everything else fell away and I was right there with them.

(SPOILERS Below )

However, nothing could make up for that second act surprise.
He got into a car accident and got MEMORY LOSS!?!? Are you flipping kidding me with this sawdust (curse word alternative)?
Up until this point, "Ache" was an M/M romance that was emotionally compelling, it challenged the reader's ideas about right and wrong, every moment of them together was painfully sensual. But most importantly it was so very human. Both Gael and Jordan were two very imperfect people whose flaws made the story feel so real.
So when that car came careening down the track it wasn't just the car that broke to pieces, it was the second half of the book. (in my opinion only of course)
Suddenly the whole story becomes some kind of parody of an old soap opera "what would happen if your lover had an accident and couldn't remember you anymore?" It was so outlandish it completely broke the spell for me, I can't tell you how disappointed I was.
The second act (post-accident) had basically no sex or sexually charged scenes like the first half. There was no excitement like in the first half. Now the story was exclusively a family drama, which was hard to put up with at times because of the ridiculous situation.

HOWEVER, the first half is so freaking good I still recommend you read this. Especially if you have a spare credit, I frequently will go back to re-read this one but only the first half.

4 people found this helpful

Good Story but also torn

I thought the premise behind the story was very good and well thought out unrequited/friends to lovers story, however the narration for Gomez Pugh as Gael was decent but his other voice inflections were very hard to listen too, the Hispanic accent just wasn't good at all, he tried too hard to change his voice to the different characters which made his performance suffer to me. When he was just Gael he was good and Teddy Hamilton was great, if it had not been for Teddy's performance I probably would not have finished the story based on narration only.

4 people found this helpful

Loved it! A Must Listen!

Another amazing book by Marley Valentine. Perfect unrequited love/friends to lovers story. I absolutely loved Gael & Jordan’s story. There were so many highs & so many lows. I throughly enjoyed the journey into their world. I’m sad the book is over. I’m already missing them both! Amazing Narration by Teddy Hamilton, Gomez Pugh & Emma Eilder.

4 people found this helpful

Seriously??? My pet peeves at their worst!!!!

Spoilers (and ranting) ahead....



Oooh no no no no noooooo!!! Why didnt I read the spoilers before hand?! I never would've spent my credit with this book 😭 Cheating (both MCs, with no guilt whatsoever) and then amnesia? Worst plot devices ever!
What a waste of great narrators! Now i want my credit back 🤨

1 person found this helpful

A book true to its name

Ache is very true to its name. This book was emotionally gripping, morally confusing and a wonderfully torturous love story. I really enjoyed this book, the narration by Teddy Hamilton and Gomez Pugh was fantastic. Gomez Pugh's accent work was fantastic! Some of his narration was a little slow, but not unappealing. He is definitely a narrator I would listen to again. Teddy breaks my heart in the best way, and Emma's narration is a great addition to this story. This is definitely a love triangle, and it was nice seeing all 3 perspectives. This book was one I read for bookclub and there was much discussion. I think it raises a lot of ideas from different perspectives about love and relationships. I definitely think this one is worth a listen.

I don’t have enough words

I cannot put into words the emotions I get throughout this book. I read it directly after reading Without You 3 times. Ache was definitely the best title it could have been given. I love Marley Valentines style of writing and wish she had 100 m/m romances that I could could listen to in my car. The storyline was phenomenal and it hit home with my and many areas of my life. I wish I could give more than 5 stars. You won’t be disappointed. There are a lot of ups and downs but worth every word and tear.

Ache is a good title

So much slow angsty agonizing. The story finally gets brighter and finds some forward motion, and then *bam* tragedy! Eventually there is an HEA , but you really have to pay your dues to get there. I was really rooting for these characters from the beginning, but it was a hard listen. If you’re looking for light and feel-good, maybe skip this one.

Teddy’s narration is great, as usual. Small part by Emma is as well. Gomez is slower and flatter. Was an ok listen, balanced by Teddy’s parts. I don’t think I could have made it through an entire novel with only Gomez Pugh narration.

Exceptional performances!

This maybe my new favorite Teddy audio he was just absolute perfection in this. Every single moment he had me. I just loved him as Jordan.

Gomez is new to me, but he is being added to my list. I also really appreciate the care taken in finding someone who can narrate a Hispanic character. I find that accents and proper pronunciation is forgotten in romance books. But he did a fantastic job. I absolutely adored him. He brought so many levels to Gael and his entire family.

Even more incredible is the portrayal of a Hispanic family. How large and involved we are. Also how we bring people in like family. La familia is everything in the Hispanic culture and that was truly felt.

This story was so beautiful with the love these two felt for each other. They just fit so flawlessly. They were absolutely magnetic. The intimate scenes absolute fire. Fire fire everything melted down.

Mad props to the legend my fave the goddess Emma Wilder. She came in for 2 chapters and she was absolutely exceptional.