Narrated by Nick J. Russo
Live Wire is book two in E. Davies’ Brooklyn Boys series, but although it features characters from Electric Sunshine (book one) and the author’s earlier Significant Brothers books, it works perfectly well as a standalone. It’s a fun, sexy, fake-relationship romance between two roommates that takes off when one of them wins an all-expenses-paid luxury holiday to a gay resort in Hawaii and needs a plus-one… and being not long out of his last relationship, decides to invite his new roomie – his straight roomie – to go with him.
Darren has moved out of the apartment he shared with his ex, after putting an end to their year-long relationship. He and Xavier had been over for a while, but kept falling back into bed (or onto sofas, against walls…) until Darren finally put an end to their convenient hook-ups when he realised they were making him feel like shit. He moves in with Adam, a cute, funny, cheeky (and straight) guy with whom he shares mutual friends, and he’s sworn off casual relationships – for a while at least – and especially relationships with roommates.
Adam is originally from Tennessee and has been living in Brooklyn for around a year. He’s had plenty of girlfriends and usually joins in with the normal macho crap and banter that flies around the guys he works with – but he’s never admitted to anyone that he’s not completely straight; he’s always known he likes men as well as women, but his strict, conservative upbringing by parents for whom he was never good enough means he’s never been able to experiment. And even now, even though he’s been away from his parents’ repressive disapproval for a year, he’s never been able to work up the courage to do anything about his attraction to guys.
He and Darren get along really well together. Adam’s outgoing charm and wicked sense of humour mean he’s fun to be around, and Darren’s ability to snark right back, together with his willingness to divvy up the chores and pull his weight around the place, get them off to a good start and they enjoy living together. The trouble starts (of course) when, in spite of his ‘no roomies’ pledge Darren can’t help but notice how hot Adam is, and even knowing he’s straight isn’t enough to stop the pull of attraction Darren feels towards him.
Adam is similarly smitten, but has absolutely no idea what to do about it. Or if he even should do anything about it. He and Darren are great friends – what if Adam fucks it up and ruins their friendship as well?
When Darren wins the trip to Hawaii – and learns that his ex and new boyfriend are going to be at the same resort – he wants to make it clear that he’s moved on as well. But all his friends are coupled-up, so he’s in a bit of a dilemma until he decides to ask Adam for help. He’s not sure if he expects Adam to reject the idea out of hand, but is nonetheless surprised at the alacrity with which Adam agrees to the idea. They can fake it for a week – but Darren hadn’t been quite prepared for the enthusiasm with which Adam throws himself into the project, from snappier dressing to throwing out even naughtier double entendres than usual.
Once at the resort, Adam at last admits that he’s – at the very least – ‘bi-curious’, but that that side of him, the side that likes guys, isn’t something he’s ever had the chance to explore. Darren is only too pleased (*wink*) to help him out with that – although at the back of his mind he can’t help wondering what will happen when the holiday is over and they go back to their normal lives.
Darren and Adam are likeable, complex characters who are both dealing with fears and insecurities they try to keep under wraps. Darren’s ex really dented his confidence and made him doubt himself – his attractiveness and his belief that he can make someone else happy and be happy himself – while Adam is still struggling to leave behind his parents’ prejudices and judgments of him as a disappointment. It’s easy to say they’re a pair of arseholes, but they’re still his parents, and his difficulty in finally letting go makes sense and is really well conveyed. Adam is a great character – brash, larger than life, mischievous, funny and flirty – but Darren soon realises it’s a front for the vulnerabilities he’s trying to hide, and after a few false starts is able to offer Adam the support he needs to move past it and the confidence to really be himself for the first time in his life.
Nick J. Russo is one of my go-to narrators in m/m romance, and he’s on top form here. His portrayal of Adam is the highlight of this audiobook without question; his southern drawl is cute and sexy, and he captures the character’s exuberance, his charisma and his flirtatiousness absolutely perfectly, while also, in the more introspective moments, showing the raw vulnerability beneath. Darren is equally well-realised; he’s a bit quieter and more considered, but his snarkiness is nicely judged. The secondary cast is clearly differentiated, and Mr. Russo adopts a suitably condescending voice to portray the ex’s new b/f (who is a total twat). Points deducted for the very wobbly English accents (which come from nowhere near Manchester), but apart from that it’s an excellent performance and one I enjoyed a lot.
Live Wire is an entertaining listen with plenty of humour and some nicely done moments of deeper emotion featuring two appealing characters who each grow as individuals thanks to the love and support of the other. Nick J. Russo’s vibrant narration really enhances the audio experience, making it a title I’m more than happy to recommend.
Caz
Buy Live Wire by E. Davies on Amazon
I just keep adding to my to-read list.
#SorryNotSorry. It’s a fun, sexy story but isn’t without depth; there’s a crappy family situation (as I think I’ve pointed out), but I think this one may work for you.