Perfect!

There are days when I need a serious book, days when I need to read something relaxing, and days when I need to be shaken to my very core. There are books that are appropriate for each of those days, but only one I can think of that’s appropriate for all of them. From a reader’s point of view, Shattered Glass is a dream come true.

Austin Glass is a vice detective, a trust fund baby and an aspiring FBI agent. He is young, successful, competent, instantly likeable and engaged to a gorgeous, intelligent woman. But there’s one thing Austin Glass isn’t – he most certainly is not gay. So then why can’t he stop obsessing about a gorgeous busboy in bunny slippers? Why can’t he get those darn bunny slippers out of his head? If only he could buy the man some shoes, something safe and unattractive like loafers – all his problems would surely disappear.

“I'm not gay.” That wasn't what I meant to say.
“Congratulations. Would you like a medal?” Bunny Slippers asked.
“I already have a medal. For bravery, not for being gay. I think you made me gay.”
“I made you gay?” He set down the napkin he was holding. “Is that better or worse than the person who made you stupid?”

Peter, or Bunny Slippers if you prefer, is a study in contradictions. He is rude, but has an obvious vulnerable side. He is a (former) prostitute, but he has very high standards. He gave up on his education, but he is astonishingly smart. He used to sell drugs, but he cares for his younger brothers with everything he has. Needless to say, Austin is enchanted. Gay or not, staying away from Peter becomes impossible overnight. Dating a former male prostitute isn’t the smartest thing you can do when you’re a vice detective, but Austin will give it his best nevertheless. Turning his life upside down is a small price to pay to get Bunny Slippers in his bed. And when it turns out that Bunny Slippers comes with a whole lot of baggage – baggage that shoots to kill more often than not – Austin still chooses to go ahead with it. He just laughs it off and marches bravely ahead. Peter is not so easy to convince. While Austin jumps in without regard for his life or career, Peter is far too careful to trust a spoiled rich boy. But Austin’s charm is impossible to resist for too long and pretty soon their lives, and Austin’s investigation, become a huge tangled mess.

"Is he my competition?"
“Everyone is your competition.” Peter lifted his hand to his eyes and began lowering it incrementally. “It goes normal human beings, crazies, republicans, my hand, imaginary characters, corpses and then, in a moment of lustful psychosis, you.”By the time he was done, his hand was below the table.
Ouch. “A little over the top, don’t you think?”
“No.”

If it isn’t clear from the previous two quotes, here is it: Shattered Glass is hilarious. With chapter titles like Dear God, I’ll Take That Lobotomy Now. Thanks, Austin. and How to Win Friends and Alienate Albanian Table-lovers , I promise you you’ll laugh until you drop. What makes the book truly stand out, however, is Austin’s voice. He is one of the most honest, refreshing characters I’ve ever stumbled upon. Upon meeting Peter, his life is turned upside down. Although he does things that aren’t exactly honorable, he is always wonderfully upfront and honest about them. So honest, in fact, that even his (ex) fiancè can’t stay mad for too long.

The mystery part of this story requires some suspension of disbelief, but trust me when I tell you, you won’t care one bit. You’ll fall in love with Austin on page two and fall head over heels for Peter not long after. Once you meet Cai, it’s pretty much a done deal – you’ll want to stay with this gang forever.

Finally, let me say this. I’ve read this book first, and enjoyed it on audio just a few months later. As far as I’m concerned, audio is by far the best way to go. From what I can tell, this is the only book Joseph Northton has narrated so far, which is undoubtedly a tragedy. Austin’s voice is delightful and hilarious all on its own, but Northton added an extra layer of humor with his spectacular narration, turning this into a book I couldn’t listen to while driving because I was laughing too darn hard. You try driving while constantly laughing to tears. If you’re an audioobok fan, definitely go with that, but any format works. Not reading this, however, is simply not an option.

If I had to compare Austin with another character, I’d say he’s the male Charley Davidson, minus the paranormal element. He is just so incredibly funny and honest, he reminded me of Charley right from the start. So if you like Charley, read this. And if you don’t, read it anyway. Really. Preferably now.

12 people found this helpful

AWESOME!

This book was awesome! M/M romance fans...you are so going to want this book! The story is what is so great, more so than the character development...but wow, there are some great, and extremely well developed characters, right down to the bevey of secondary characters...

The romance is slow and engaging...not many amex scenes...but unlike most m/m romance books where u literally need the smex at times to drive the story forward...the smex was more so apart of the story and written so well you hardly notice there is smex in this book. Although good scenes, I do wish there were more...but because u learn the background of the characters so well...when they actually get around to smexy time...u understand why they only went as far as they did...made perfect sense!

I LOVED the background of the 3 not brothers, but brothers! I loved the dialogue in this book....so funny, so serious and so dramatic! Just Awesome...AWESOME!

Narration was great...first time with this narrator...

Definitely worth the credit... Remember this is a m/m romance, mystery, suspense book...so if neither of those are ur cup of tea...well skip this and drink cola!

** I have a new love for bunny slippers!

21 people found this helpful

Great fun

This was a great listen. It is cop/criminal romance and adventure with some really great writing. The main protagonist is really funny. The narrator does a great job with all the voices and brings the right amount of snark to Austin's character. I don't usually like single POV stories, but this really worked. It lost one star only because it drags a little and sometimes Austin's smart assed remarks seem out of place. Overall, worth a credit. I look forward to the next book in the series.

6 people found this helpful

More than I ever expected

What did you love best about Shattered Glass?

Austin's inner dialog.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Shattered Glass?

Rescuing the cat.

Have you listened to any of Joseph Northton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not. He's very good. I wouldn't hesitate to listen to another performance.

Who was the most memorable character of Shattered Glass and why?

Peter. So broken yet so wise; jaded yet still romantic.

Any additional comments?

I'd never heard of Dani Alexander. I was sure this was some female mf romance writer crossing over to take advantage of the hot mm romance genre. Wow, I couldn't have been more wrong. Firstly, Dani Alexander is a man. Secondly, I think he wrote one the funniest, most complex, most original romances I've ever read...or in this case, listened to. Joseph Northton was a very good narrator. I laughed, I cried, I was devastated, I was elated. It was a rollercoaster ride. In the end, I was completely satisfied. And set up for the next in the series, Not So Innocent, which focuses on Cai and Riley. I'm chomping at the bit!

4 people found this helpful

Witty and sexy

What made the experience of listening to Shattered Glass the most enjoyable?

The witty dialogue is in most cases laugh out loud. The monologue and the thought processes of Austin are hilarious at times and help us understand him and sometimes forgive his actions. Both leads are strong in but flawed in their own way but complement each other very well.

It is my first book from this author but it will definitely not be the last. The story never slows, its one thing after another with lots of twists and turns. There is no big revelation at the end of the book as most books are but lost of 90 degree turns that catch you off guard and keep you riveted to the book. The romance is always there and developing with its own ups and downs. I finished this book in 2 days it was that good. Even though there is no amex per say but there are definitely other things which for me were enough. This story and the writing was so good you did not need heavy smex scenes to keep your interest.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I cannot even choose. I liked both main characters, Austin and Peter as well as Kaye. The ending hints at a possibility of the next book and I cannot wait. It will be on my auto download for sure.

Have you listened to any of Joseph Northton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

First time to listed to this narrator but it will not be my last. He has a good range of voices as well as accents. He can convey emotion and really draw you in. With more and more narrations he can only get better. Please Joseph narrate more books, you are on my auto download. If fact I searched for anything else he might have narrated but sadly this is the only one. He definitely added to the story

Any additional comments?

If you like m/m romance with a story then this book is for you. You will not regret getting it.

4 people found this helpful

Extremely well written

Clever, witty & charming. The author is gifted & I wish there were more books by her. So many m/m romances are without substance. This one is dense by comparison & well worth a credit - as I write this while listening for the second time.

3 people found this helpful

Fun and easy

Easy listen and kind of fun twist on a detective story. Don't expect Sherlock Holmes or Shakespeare and you'll have a blast.

3 people found this helpful

I didn't expect this to be as funny as it was

Where does Shattered Glass rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I'd put it in the top 5. Great narrator, and some of the thoughts in Austin Glass' head had me in stitches.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Shattered Glass?

The first time Austin Glass saw Peter in his bunny slippers. A guy who looks like a model, with tattoos and body piercings, wearing pink bunny slippers. It's just an image that sticks in your mind.

Which character – as performed by Joseph Northton – was your favorite?

Peter. The southern drawl was nice.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me laugh. A lot. Sometimes just from the chapter / scene break headings.

Any additional comments?

I wish the next books in this series would be released soon. It's been, what? Two years since this first book was released? Also hope the rest of the books will have audiobook versions with the same narrator.

3 people found this helpful

Unlikely, but plausible coming out story

Loved this book. On the face of it, the story of a 27 yo straight cop suddenly going gay, seems a bit far fetched. But Dani Alexander finesses Glass' experience with such class and feeling, you're let completely accepting the premise.
A really human story that sparkles with lighting sharp barbs of humour. I really hope another is in works.

3 people found this helpful

One of the funniest stories ever!

Austin is a Denver police detective, on vice, who randomly meets and falls in love with Peter at a diner. It turns out that Peter is a sometimes-male-prostitute, but that doesn’t slow Austin down. Austin is also engaged to woman, but that doesn’t slow him down. Peter ends up being a key witness in one of Austin’s current cases, but that doesn’t slow him down. Ok, these things do slow him down, for like a second, but his attraction is strong enough to overcome these teeny tiny hurdles. Really, just because he’s never been gay before, or he might lose his chance at his dream job, or the fact that Peter does absolutely nothing to encourage his attention, why should those make him stop and think?
As the story progresses, Austin goes from gay to straight in like 0.2 seconds, but, he acknowledges this speed and we see that there were seeds of his gayness earlier in life but he’d been ignoring it for years.
The case Austin is on involves some of Peter’s past and possibly current lovers and human trafficking charges and if you aren’t paying close attention it can get pretty complex. In the end, Austin makes peace with his sexuality, convinces Peter to give him a chance and manages to solve the crime. Yay, HEA!

**
First let me tell you that this book is frickin' hysterical. Really, laugh out loud, hysterical. Every other line is a zinger.


I could put so many more quotes down. Every other page is either highlighted or bookmarked! Dani Alexander is amazingly funny and the story is super fast paced and quick witted so you have to read (or listen) carefully to follow along. That is no tragedy because the writing is excellent and so very funny.
The love story between Austin and Peter is not an ooey gooey one, but actually fairly pragmatic (once you get over Austin’s love at first sight). The two MCs are flawed with a capital F, and their love is as well. But, with a minimum of fanfare, the two do end up really devoted to one another and the epilogue gives us a brief glimpse at their happy future.

Another fantastic element of this book is the secondary characters (2 of whom are meant to have their own books coming out). Cai, Peter’s brother, is a manic-depressive artist who you can’t help but love and want to hug. Twinkerbelle, Peter’s friend Darryl, is a snarky queeny type who can’t find anything good about Austin until the very end and their banter is hysterical. Luis, Austin’s police partner, is a jaded older guy who believes in Austin even if can’t believe the things Austin does.

Anyhow, the whole dang cast is freakin’ funny and when they aren’t making you laugh, their touching back-stories will break your heart and make you cry.

This book talks about sex a lot, but there isn’t a heck of a lot of it between Austin and Peter. But the chemistry they do have is pretty hot and steamy. I thought Dani did an excellent job of handling the “first time” scenes in that there is a lot of “can I do this?” even though Austin is so attracted to Peter that he acts the aggressor.

I thought it was an amazing novel and I really look forward to the sequel(s), now over 2 years in the making. (I hear rumors it is actually slated out soon!)


Audio Version:
Joseph Northton does an amazing job! Peter’s family is Russian, Luis is Hispanic, Peter is from the southern US and Austin is from Colorado and Joseph does all their accents excellently. This is a very wordy and fast-paced, dialog-driven story and Joseph keeps up and keeps the listener engaged.

I absolutely loved the book and the audio version and highly recommend both.

2 people found this helpful