Great story Awesome performance

So my first exposure to this series was this book, which is book 9 in the series. Obviously they are stand alone, but I did feel a little pang that I didn't know the stories of some of the referenced couples. And I really want more of Grandma, she is an AWESOME character. So I don't think I can wait until they are on audible, although I'd love to because the Greg Tremblay really did an awesome job, especially with Grandma. That said, this can listened to as a stand alone and has a great story. Chance was forced into prostitution when he felt he had to leave his small town in Wyoming. He sends most of his money back to his mother and brother. He is also a talented photographer and apparently meets one of the previous couples in an earlier book and befriends them. They ask him to photograph their wedding and he sees one of the groom's brother (a closeted cop) and sparks fly. There is much angst and drama, but it doesn't last the whole book, which is great. Some of the drama with Grandma is hysterical. Think geriatric pole dancing with a hot gay teacher (another previous book couple). This is almost an epic story because it really doesn't end when the couple gets together. I can't say enough about what Greg Tremblay brings to this story. He gives another amazing performance. I really hope the other books come to audio and he continue to perform them.

12 people found this helpful

Greg is AMAZING in this - we need MORE!

Chance left home at 14 after being molested by a prominent citizen (and his mother’s boss) in his small town. When nobody – even his mother – stands behind him, he decides to cut his losses and moves to San Francisco. There, like so many runaways, he finds only prostitution to help him pay the bills.

Now, 12 years later, he’s still a rent boy, and figures that’s all he’s good for. When he meets Finn at a party of a mutual friend, nothing strikes up between them. It’s not until Finn hires Chance to be his “first time” that the two really become acquainted and it’s clear from the beginning that they’ll never just be john and rent boy to one another.

Finn is in the closet and on the fence about his sexuality. He’s seen what happens in his house when his brother came out to his parents and he worries about being an out police officer, even in San Francisco. Something about Chance captivates him and he can’t resist both his company and helping him.

Chance has just decided that the relationship that is brewing between Finn and himself is getting too “real” when his life takes a nose-dive. He ends up calling on Finn for help and from that point forward their lives are inextricably entwined.

**

I’m not sure why they started the audiobook series on book 9, but… It’s a good book and technically you don’t have to have read the series to like and appreciate this story. (Though it’s a great series and I do recommend reading them in order simply for the nuances.)

The hallmark of this series is both humor and usually something of an underdog story. Usually one, if not both MCs have a seriously hard life and the presence of the other MC helps one or both of them to rise above their problems.

In the meantime they usually have lots of hot sex, interact with the crazy Nana, find themselves in love and always in a HEA.

Chance’s and Finn’s story is really lovely. Both have some growing to do and when Chance’s story bleeds into Wyoming, there’s even more healing to be done.

I loved these guys as a couple and always enjoy seeing the previous MCs and catching up with them.

Audio
Greg Tremblay does a TREMENDOUS job of voicing all the many, many different male characters in this story – there’s a LOT. I love the southern accent he gives Chance’s brother and his boyfriend as well as the ridiculousness that is Nana.

I highly recommend this series and this audiobook and give it 4.5 of 5 stars.

8 people found this helpful

I am blown away

Any additional comments?

4.5 Stars

So I almost made a huge mistake. I almost passed this up.

Why? Because it's book #9 in the Firsts and Forever series. I thought, "Why would I start so far into a series? I won't know what's going on, will I?" But...this was the first audio book added (yes, that's a head scratcher, because it's not chronologically before the others in the series). And...it's Greg Tremblay narrating! I mean, who can pass up Greg? Not me!).

Finally though, I remembered I read Skye Blue which is actually book #6 in the series, and enjoyed it, without ever feeling like I was missing anything...so I decided to click and try. Boy am I happy I did! This gave me all the good, squiggly feelings I love from a rent boy trope story.

Twenty-six year old Chance Matthews has been a whore for twelve years. When Finn Nolan, cop and friend of a friend's brother, approaches Chance to teach him about sex - it opens an opportunity for both of them once they're willing to trust each other.

~~~
He shook his head. “No. I, um...I want to hire you to do this job.” He gestured at our surroundings awkwardly.
“You want to take me to bed?”
“Oh God.” He turned away from me, but then he nodded.
“I’m going to go ahead and guess you don’t have a lot of experience hiring prostitutes,” I said.
“Absolutely none. I’ve thought about it before, but I could never go through with it. Between my job, my family....” He turned to look at me. “You could destroy me, Chance, and I’m not being dramatic. You could tear down my world if you chose to. But...somehow, I don’t think you will.”
“Why would you take that risk?”
“Because I want this so damn bad. It’s all I can think about. Please, tell me I can trust you.”
“You can.”
~~~

I really enjoyed this - from top to bottom, I enjoyed the characters, the humor, the hurt/comfort, the flow, and the narration thoroughly. I was consistently happy with the directions the story took, if not surprised by them, and didn't stop listening until it was finished. That's right! I listened to all 9 hours and 50 minutes in a single stretch with nary a break. Except for one meeting. Damn meetings! Always breaking into my reading time...*grumbles* With only one exception in the story I loved every other minute.

Then there's the narration - Greg once again brings the heat and the humor and the love...I love you, Greg Tremblay!

This is surprisingly fluffy for a story about a whore - but totally worth ever fluff-filled second. It's got some angst, but in the end it's all kittens and rainbows! It's terrific!!

Recommended!

7 people found this helpful

make this into a damn movie!

This book is absolutely brilliant. It made me so mad at times and it's the first book in a long while to make me cry.

5 people found this helpful

what a book!

loved it!_ hope more of this series gets recorded. this book was so much fun.

5 people found this helpful

Exceptional Story

Great story with enough harsh reality to keep the story real and still have a positive ending.

3 people found this helpful

In my top 5

This is my first book by this author add it is amazing! Just the right mix of humor and drama :). Loved the narrator!

3 people found this helpful

Coming Home an amazing love story

After three books with a less than stellar narrator I returned to Greg Tremblay and this unknown to me author. From the opening painful scene Greg nails the emotion required and the author with Greg T's help spins from one scene to another in an ever expanding family love story.
From the big city street life to small town angst Ms Land nails the feelings and shaky relationships that she successfully turns into an ever expanding and quirky family. Having been there I loved the phrase, "looking at life through a camera lense." I found the major characters true to life and some of the others a total hoot. I loved Chance and Finn and Colt and Elijah.
I can't wait for the next Audble book by this author and only hope that she pairs with Mr, Tremblay again.

3 people found this helpful

Another perfect novel by Alexa Land

Wonderful. This book is funny, sweet, and sexy just like all of the First and Forever books. It's made even better by being narrated by the amazingly talented Greg Tremblay.

3 people found this helpful

fantastic story, amazing narration

What a wonderful story and Greg trembly did just a fantastic job bringing all the characters to life. he truly is one of the best narrators out there.

3 people found this helpful