It's not you...

There was just something about this series that I just did not like and I could not put my finger on it. I read and reviewed Volume 1 (Books #1-2) giving it a three rating for the story. I just completed Volume 2 (Books #3-4) and somewhere towards the end of book 3 I figured out what it was that I was having a problem with...I do not identify with the dominate/submissive relationship between Sam and Jory. Attempting to identify with the characters allows the reader to fully enjoy the tale that is being told and I just could not. I kept saying, if I was Jory...geez the expletives that spewed forth from my mouth! Now I will say that I did enjoy book four the most. Jory's escapades and his attempt at mystery solving was rather enjoyable (if not a bit far fetched) and the conversations between Dane and Jory were rather comical. I was a bit confused that Mary Calmes did not expound on Jory and Sam's union but rather chose to end the tale with anothers wedding and petty jealousy. I have book 5 left, but I will wait a while before I read it. I need a break from Jory and Sam. I would recommend, if for no other reason than I like Mary Calmes story telling.

10 people found this helpful

3 years Mary!

3 years Mary! 3. Freakin’. Years!

I’ve said it before. 3 years is way too long! Our poor Jory had his heart stomped by Sam and was left adrift for 3 stinkin’ years! During that time both he and Sam end up sleeping with others, including Aaron Sutter- who has his own story coming up- and this is something I really hate in a romance.

As I’ve been re-listening to this series, another thing strikes me as to why this has never been one of my favorite Mary stories. In a way, Volume 2 – which is technically books 3 and 4 of the series – is really a “reconciliation” story. We get the initial rush of first romance and the couple’s dance to make it real in books one and two. Then Sam LEAVES for 3 YEARS and book 3 is really them reuniting. I’ve never liked reconciliation stories. For me, the best part of a romance is that initial meet and in a reunion that’s over. In this case, not only have our guys met and declared their love, but instead of an epic reunion, we get (IMHO) a very weak and somewhat frustrating reunion sequence.

Sam, in book 3, is mostly a bossy jerk. He pretty much just tells Jory that he loves him and so Jory should take him back – and after not much fight, Jory does. I gotta tell you, Sam did NOT convince me he’d done any changing (not until book 4, really) so I was kinda thinking Jory should have kept saying NO or at least made Sam grovel a hell of a lot more.

In any case, he does take Sam back and there are some really hot sex scenes and some sweet declarations from Sam, but Jory looks like a bit of a pushover here.

Then we move on to book 4, which is all about Sam deciding to come out of the closet at work and Jory doing a lot of dumb things and being in danger all the damn time.

On the one hand, Sam and Jory together are amazingly, wonderfully, sweet and hot. All the waffling, other people’s weddings and the big “mystery” kind of made me crazy. This just wasn’t my favorite Mary story though I am a big Sam Kage fan.

3 of 5 stars

Audio

Having Paul Morey do the narration made this a really wonderful listening experience. I thought he really did justice to both Sam and Jory and the unique voices he gives to all the other characters helped them to stand out instead of blur in a seemingly endless line of names. It was also great for continuity as he did Volume one. Unfortunately he does not do books 5 or 6 (the next two in the series.)
I think he excels at giving depth and emotion and his sense of timing helps make the dialog pop.

5 of 5 stars

Overall 4 of 5 stars

3 people found this helpful

Five stars to Paul Morey!

I'd read the four books back when it was published by Club Lighthouse Publishing then bought the edited Dreamspinner version. 5 stars all the way but it was Paul Morey's narration that truly brought this series to life for me.

His interpretation of Det. Sam Kage is brilliant and the rest of the story is narrated with expression and just the right pacing but audiobook fans will know what I mean.

3 people found this helpful

Almost but....

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes and no. I love Calme's books, but her dialogue is infuriating.

Would you ever listen to anything by Mary Calmes again?

Not sure. When I read her books, I love the concept's but her dialogues are so juvenile. Here you have mature grown men going through difficult situation but then the dialogue does not reflect what just happened. It is painful to listen to.

Which scene was your favorite?

All the scene where the two characters actually communicated a point.

What would have made this romance irresistible?

The dialogue being better

2 people found this helpful

Good story but does have a lot of bouncing around

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

The way Jory goes from one thought to the next and when people don't keep up with him it can be hilarious. Laughed out loud several times during vol. 1 & 2.

I want to start by saying I really love Mary Calmes books. I did however have a few things that got to me by the end and could just be my own pet peeves. 1 - I understood by the first volume that EVERYONE loves Jory and all the men want to sleep with him or be with him. This seemed so overdone that I started cringing when it still continued in this book. She also repeatedly goes over this with his brother Dane as well as Sam but Jory is focused on the most. Really? No one is LOVED by all. If you follow the series - these are NOT stand alone books so the author should not be repeatedly going over the stuff in the first volume and I see this is a pattern that is to continue in Bulletproof which I am listening to now. 2 - I usually find the endearment "baby" a total turn on till Sam used it so much that it lost the effect. 3 - Jory has consistently through both volumes tried to remain friends with guys that want to still be in his bed. HELLO???? If they still want to be in your bed then they don't see you as just a friend and Jory comes across clueless is this regard. On the upside he has a quick wit, charming personality and I love the fact that his filter is usually turned off and says what he thinks. That is refreshing.

1 person found this helpful

Wonderful Narration

Paul Morey nailed Jory's personality perfectly. The voices were very distinguisable. I am in awe. I've listened to a few other books where the voices sounded put on and almost cartoonish. Not so here. It really sounded like different people were narrating. The book itself was excellent and I am a big fan of Mary Calmes, especially this series which continues with Bulletproof.

1 person found this helpful

AMAZING!!! AWESOME!!! So Funny!

I have never been just as freaked out and scared like the character in a book like I was when Jory was scream while he staked out the house of his very own kidnappers in this book. OMG! While he screamed, I screamed... OMG! This was the best squeal I have ever listen too. I loved it. I was sooo utterly pissed at Sam for leaving Jory in book 1 but, I am kinda glad he did now, b/c Jory is just so super Funny now and so much stronger.

The drama, kidnapping and danger Jory gets into is just crazy, but how Jory gets out of it is just re-donk-u-lus! Like how Jory gets kidnapped, then the kidnappers get car jacked with Jory in the back of the car... OMG! I laughed so hard I almost pee my pants. Best Squeal Ever. And the SMEX! HOT!

Narration was great. Paul did a great job with this book to bring out Jory's strength and growth in his personality from Sam leaving him. It totally shows. And the totally ironic scenes, like when the kidnappers get car jacked... OMG! If Paul didn't narrate that right... that scene would have bombed... but Paul did it sooo great.. and I really felt like Jory was a real person talking to me. I LOVED IT! AMAZING>!!!

Great Buy/Credit

3 people found this helpful

Great Narrator but serious issues with the story

I absolutely love this narrator, and his ability to voice different characters, control the tempo of the story, and use pitch to emote.

I did; however, find a few issues with the author...

The biggest issue is that the author continues to use the term "CLEAN" to denote HIV Status, several times in this story and series alone. Using that term not only shows complete ignorance on the author's part, but also infers that people living with HIV are "DIRTY". Anyone with even the slightest modicum of compassion would know better than to use such a disgusting term or perpetuate such a nasty stigma!

Another big red flag for me was the total caveman mentality of Sam. With the "you're mine" mentality, you're my possession, I tell you who you can talk to, I determine who you're friends can be, I say when you can leave the house. It all stinks of abuse scenarios and archaic stereotypes.

The best Novel that just was.

I don't remember enjoying a book this much, especially one that has a little erotic scenes as this one. The narration so clear and unrushed... The story line so perfect and easy to follow. Volume 2 was the best, especially part 1 and this is because where most writers would want to include drama and action, Marry Calmes avoided all that and just concentrated on the reunion of our leading men, this for me made the book/audio worth listening to.

I would recommend people listen or read this book as they won't regret doing so.

Still Awesome

Overall Series 5th Re-Read 2019:
Again there's really nothing new I can add that would express how much I love Jory and Sam. Not everyone likes the kind of alpha male that Sam Kage is and I too don't always appreciate that element but when the dynamic between the two men is so powerful as Sam and Jory then I completely fall in love. Just because Sam is so alpha don't think Jory is a pushover, oh no he definitely has no problem voicing his opinion either and I think that is what makes them work for me because its an even balance of push and pull from both.

Now as for the audios, there are four different narrators, three for Jory/Sam and one for Duncan/Aaron in Parting Shot. Some might find that off-putting but I actually found it fitting. Just why there is different narrators I don't know but as a listener, I found each one did a brilliant job and yes they are noticeably different but they bring the perfect nuances for where the characters are in their journey, we all change as life goes and Paul Morey, Jeff Gelder, and Finn Sterling showcase that wonderfully. Tristan James brings Duncan and Aaron's story to life that is a perfect fit for the Matter of Time series.