Expressive and poignant. An all-time favorite.

I read this story when it was first released, and was deeply moved by Daniel's awakening heart. This audio version, featuring superb narration by Robert Nieman, tripled my pleasure. In The Middle of Somewhere is first and foremost Daniel's story. It's told in first person present tense, with much of the running commentary occuring soley in Daniel's head, so it was crucial that the voice for this story be convincing. No worries here. For me, Mr. Nieman IS Daniel. He captured the character to perfection, and crafted every minute of this 13 hour story into pure listening pleasure. I don't know if it was a conscious decision, but the voice of the other characters are performed as being not very distinguishable from Daniel's. I believe it was done this way because the reader/listener is purposely submersed in Daniel's take on the world around him. I realize not all first person narratives are performed this way, but it worked for me in this case. Who said what was still perfectly distinguishable. Daniel was telling me everything.


This book grabbed me by the gut and wrapped itself around my heart. It has become one of my favorite reads of this year. Daniel and Rex are incredible, intriguing leading men. I absolutely fell in love with Daniel’s inner voice, as well as his outer one. Writing this story from his POV, really worked for me as his impressions of the world around him, his new town, the people, the atmosphere, even Rex, made me feel as though I were experiencing them myself. The added mix of a fated dog, good cooking, musical references, and a setting in my native Michigan didn’t hurt. ;-)

The basic plot for ‘In The Middle of Somewhere’ seems fairly simple. Two “opposite” type men meet in an unlikely location, are attracted to each other, get to know each other, and end up realizing they are as necessary to each other as the air they breathe. Thing is, this story, this author’s writing, is anything but simple. As with most people, Daniel and Rex are both products of their pasts -their childhoods, their family dynamics, their personal successes, struggles, and deepest hurts. They have both built walls around their true emotions. They share the trait of making judgements about others based on pre-conceived notions, and acting defensively out of self- preservation. Subconscious it may be, but it sure plays havoc on their budding relationship – whatever it may be. As I was reading, there were occasions which made me sit up with my mouth gaping, thinking “oh crap, that’s what has been going on with him/them.” Seems I had been guilty of preconceptions too. Brilliant writing.

Daniel and Rex are attracted to each other, and okay, sex is a pretty easy fall- back position. No emotion necessary, right? Wham bam and maybe a thank you. Only… not so quick. Even early on, both men are getting something from the other that they have been missing. And I don’t mean generic sex. Of the two, Daniel is the less aware (accepting?) of this fact. Gradually they begin to push each other’s boundaries, to find out more of what is under the other man’s skin. Through genuine caring, gentle (and not so gentle) coaxing and a few more of life’s hard knocks, there is a shift in their relationship. They are able to demonstrate vulnerability and intimacy, both emotionally and physically. Raw, wounded, and craving emotional closeness, this new vulnerability makes for some of the most honest merging of two souls that I have ever read. Their sex morphs from great chemistry to white hot, sensitive and stirring. Talk about getting inside each other literally and figuratively, they had that going on. These scenes absolutely contributed greatly to character and relationship development. Daniel and Rex’s cathartic soul searching – sometimes via light moments, sometimes via snot laced crying jags, sometimes via sex, sometimes all three at once – resounds with realism.

This story is far from an angst-fest. There is a lot of witty humor and levity. Much of this is provided by Daniel’s best friend, Ginger. Daniel and Rex move steadily, though cautiously, forward, often with the help of their closest friends. There are some minor setbacks and detours, but they become adept at coaxing candor from of each other. Ultimately they find themselves feeling safe enough to share their deepest personal demons.

This book had a profound emotional effect on me. Again, the writing is amazing and evokes such a great connection with the characters and settings. I can still vividly picture every location, can smell the welcoming aroma of pine, cedar, roast chicken and freshly baked gingerbread enveloping Rex’s cabin haven. Reading the end scene, I was smiling like a big old, satisfied, love sick fool wrapped in a cocoon of contentment. I did fall in love with Daniel and Rex and their impassioned journey. I fell in love with Roan Parrish’s expressive, poignant writing. This book is one of those that will stay with me for a long, long time.

65 people found this helpful

Really Enjoyed With One Reservation

The two main characters and three supporting "cast" are very well crafted and being with them as a reader is very enjoyable. I loved that this story was about emotional evolution and not about the management of some made up crisis.

Now for the can of worms: I realize that more women read gay male romance than men do. I understand that this reality shapes how these storied are written, ie. most gay male romance seems to be written by women for women.

It is the rare female writer who can (or chooses to) write about gay male romance and sexual activity with a believable male voice. I wish that were not the case for it does take me out of the flow of the narrative when some clunky bit of construction is encountered.

Roan is a gender neutral name, and though I was curious, I decided not to investigate, but to jump into the story. Upon arriving at the first sexual encounter, I knew that Roan was not a male writer because the descriptions (Daniels descriptions) were clearly not being created by a gay male. I now have a formula. The more times the word prostate is used while describing sexual activity, the less likely it is that the author is a male.

Thank goodness for the 30 second jump.

C'est la vie. It is still a good story of emotional bounding woven around a strong set of characters.

61 people found this helpful

✫✫ 4 Stars ✫✫

I enjoyed the characters in the book so much! The story was good but very slow and I felt like it was missing a climax. Nothing big happened that was resolved besides the love story. I loved that it took place in Michigan and I loved how different these two were. It was steamy and it was sweet. A feel good story with some not so good people :( I hope book 2 is Colin's book!! I need to know where that story line goes.

The narration was good. He did well and giving each character their own voice!

11 people found this helpful

No character voices.

Any additional comments?

Warm and fuzzy, slightly angsty, contemporary romance that's solidly enjoyable particularly because of characters Rex, Ginger and Leo.

Daniel Mulligan has been working for twelve years towards the moment when he can defend his dissertation and be awarded his Ph.D. He's interviewed, but the only job available is in the middle of nowhere, in picturesque but boring Holiday, Michigan. For Philadelphia born and raised Daniel, this is not exactly the optimal outcome. The one thing that the town has going for it though is the guy who saves Daniel after a minor car crash, Rex Vale.

Rex is big, brawny, and quite shy. He doesn't quite know what to do with Daniel, and Daniel definitely doesn't quite know what to do with Rex...aside from jumping his bones.

The sex in this is hot and steamy and oh-so-good.

I like that we get to see the full progression of Daniel and Rex's relationship. Though there's some friction, mainly due to Daniel's family, Rex is consistently there for Daniel and heart-swooningly wonderful.

Told entirely from Daniel's point of view, I would have really loved to get Rex's. Daniel's a tough nut to crack for the first half of the story...he has some thoughtless actions, and his attitude isn't fantastic...though I came to realize just how damaged he'd been by his life in Philadelphia before moving to Michigan, which gives context to why he is the way he is.

Rex's obvious longing for, love and desire to take care of Daniel, and Ginger's stalwart friendship were, for me, the absolute undeniable highlights of the story.

Now for the narration...first, Robert Nieman does a really good job. He puts a lot of emotion into the story, and I totally believed and fell even more in love with the characters. I really enjoyed the narration, quite a bit more as it goes on, which is good because this is a 13 and a half hour audio.

It should be noted that there are only a few character voices, and none of them are for the main characters, which was more than a little disappointing to me. I really wanted to "hear" Rex's deep voice. I wish I would have known coming into it that was the case, especially since the story is told entirely from Daniel's POV so I could have prepared. I was hoping to get some different voices, but the story is told pretty much entirely in "Daniel's" voice. Also of note, Nieman has a couple of flubs, but not enough to detract or hurt the storytelling.

Even without different character voices, Nieman is very entertaining throughout and best of all: he takes the steamy, sexy scenes and makes them come to life, so all is well in my world.

All in all it's an entertaining read with good narration, lots of emotion, just don't expect character voices.

P.S.: I'm looking forward to the other stories in the series featuring (hopefully) Will, Leo and Colin.

22 people found this helpful

LOVE THIS BOOK!

This is such a great romance story. Rex and Daniel, gah!! Everyone longs for a love like theirs. There are also amazingly hot sex scenes. Can't wait to find another story this good. I really wish there was a sequel to this one. I was sad when it ended because I liked it so much. The narration is on point too. I'll definitely read this author again.

7 people found this helpful

I want more

The most amazing story. TOTALLY GOT ENEVELOPED IN THIS WORK. I think u have a new favorite author and narrator. Kudos to both artists.

7 people found this helpful

amazing!

I loved this story. The author just became a new favorite! The main characters seemed so real, it was likehistory in the making. Listening with audible was a real treat as well

5 people found this helpful

MY EXPECTATIONS WERE LOW & IT TURNED OUT FABULOUS!

Would you consider the audio edition of In the Middle of Somewhere to be better than the print version?

I don't particularly like print books. They give me headaches. That said, this writer got me so invested in this family - biological and found - that I am considering buying the sequel in print just so I don't have to dither around waiting for it to get recorded. It was that good. Ugh. Boys. My feelings. This author is one to watch. She's going places. You mark my words.

What was one of the most memorable moments of In the Middle of Somewhere?

The academia stuff rang so freaking true. I'm a grad student myself and I could relate so intensely to some of the crap Daniel h ad to go through. I'm not a PHD or anything but the drudge of having to slave to get what you want was visceral. Also, the author really captured that feeling of being looked at as being a "know-it-all" when really you just think things are neat and want to share. Oh and the sex. The sex was hot. The most memorable moment though? Definitely in the bathroom. You'll know it when you get there and you wont be disappointed.

Which character – as performed by Robert Nieman – was your favorite?

Ginger. Camp and delicious without being a hag. She was lovely and fun without being too far over the top.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Some things aren't to good to be true.

Any additional comments?

Rex is a frigging sweetheart. I wanted to give him all the hugs. I was left wanting more from a certain Mulligan family member and am very excited to see that they will be getting their own book as shall Leo and Will.

And did mention the hot sex? The sex was hot. Hot hot sex. The scene in the woods? Ngh. Lucky my earbuds didnt melt.

10 people found this helpful

Beautiful

Beautiful story, well written and easy to listen to. Can't wait for the next book to come out on audiobook.

4 people found this helpful

The book is great, narration has some weak points

I love the story, a lovely book, with characters who are easy to believe in and love. The narration is ... okay. I really like Robert Nieman's voice, and he does well with parts of the story, but his pauses, and starts are often badly spaced or in the wrong places altogether. It made for confusion at times because I would think a sentence had ended when it hadn't or a new sentence had started when it was still part of the last one. Worth a listen, but the next two books are simply amazing and the narration is stellar so don't let the weaknesses of this one stop you from continuing.

9 people found this helpful