Terrific narration

The narration is terrific and Gary Furlong is a pure pleasure to listen to. I really enjoyed his accents, easily distinguishable character voices, the infusion of humor and emotion he puts into his performance, and his great pacing.

I really liked the that there is plenty of humor in the story with both Sam and Declan being quite witty and quippy. I’m also a big fan of The Princess Bride and I loved all the nods and winks to it.

I was less thrilled with the multiple POV changes that were sometimes difficult to follow along with (especially while only listening), and that there wasn’t a single positive female role in the entire story. Also, I was quite honestly a bit baffled by the way the story sort of flips from a fun and funny rom/com to a spy thriller with a tentative HFN and a cliffhanger ending. Even though I was a bit confused by the ending, Furlong’s narration was so good I can see grabbing book two, Illuminate the Shadows, to find out what happens next.

Gary Furlong’s performance is pure entertainment and he is definitely on my narrators to watch to list.

5 people found this helpful

An emotion-filled 5 stars...outstanding narration!

I absolutely loved this story. It’s a wonderful look at one man’s journey to find what-and who-he truly wants after so many unsatisfying encounters with women, and another man’s attempt to find love and settle back into a normal life-if his controlling father will let him.

God, I adored these characters. Sam is so lovable, bubbly and bright and outgoing-though at times hiding some bit of sadness that we don’t get to find out about until the absolute end of the story. And Declan…there’s just something about a person discovering his sexuality and breaking free of expectations that endears Declan (and other characters like him) to me from the start. The two together are intensely passionate and the phrase “explosive chemistry” was probably coined with their eventual pairing in mind.

Watching as Declan explored his sexual boundaries as he learns just what he needs and wants is emotional for the reader as well as Declan himself as he experiences it. He and Sam weave such a tight bond with each other, and as a reader I was just as devastated as Declan when their time together at the castle for the wedding comes to an end…especially the way it did.

I’m really glad the way things tied up at the end, I don’t think I could have taken any other ending. I’m am totally hooked for this series and can’t wait to dive in to the next book. 5 stars for As You Wish, and I can guarantee no matter how this series progresses from here that I’ll still be re-reading this one in the future! Recommended for M/M romance fans 18+ for adult language and explicit M/M sexual content.

Narration: I am thrilled with the narration of As You Wish. Gary Furlong does an incredible job, nailing the different accents perfectly which gave the story an authentic, realistic feel as I listened. The pacing was just right, and even with the heavier accents the enunciation was spot on and easy to understand. When it came to that scene I mentioned earlier when Declan and Sam's time at the castle ends, the narration was injected with just the right amount of emotion that I might have needed a tissue... 5 stars for the narration, and I certainly hope Mr. Furlong continues to narrate the rest of the series!

4 people found this helpful

Plot? What plot?

I really wanted to like this book. I love Gary Furlong (and he does a great job here), the plot sounded interesting, and the two main characters were likable from the beginning. And the first fourth or so of the book was great: well written, the relationship was well developed, and the secondary characters were fun.

Then the two main characters get together and all bets are off. The sex is fun to read (or listen to) but there is SO MUCH of it. Sex scene after sex scene, one right after another. The "straight" character, Declan, gets over his hangups about being with a guy after like five seconds and never looks back, and the book devolves into complete, unabashed erotica without even a "by your leave."

At several points throughout the novel, one of the two protagonists will mention that they're barely leaving their room. And every time they said this, I thought to myself "Finally, more plot" but each time they leave, they're back within five minutes having sex again. Even the actual wedding--the ostensible main part of the plot--only takes up about thirty seconds of the book.

The secondary characters get short shrift after the sex begins, too. We see a very, very small amount of the bride and groom--the main characters' brother and sister--slightly more of a bridesmaid who has the hots for Declan and won't seem to take a hint, and even more of Sam's unpleasant father, but nobody really has that much of an effect on the plot until the very, very end. I won't spoil it in case you're interested, but a bit of plot does manage to squeeze its way in toward the latter part of the novel which I assume sets up the sequels, which is nice, though it feels a bit random and relies on the fact that one of the protagonists is withholding information during the times the narration is from his point of view.

I've seen people complain that the point of view switches are rapid and sometimes unannounced, and they're mostly correct. I dealt with this by telling myself that the entire book was from both characters' POV, otherwise it's confusing trying to keep up with the rapid fire POV changes.

By the end of the novel, very little is resolved. We don't know much about these characters except that they both like to have sex with each other (a LOT), they haven't come out as a couple to anyone (well, one person knows, apparently, but we don't see when they find out and we don't hear the consequences), and the plot, such as it is, began about five minutes before the conclusion.

There were things I liked. The writing was good, the character development--at the beginning, when there was any--was nice. Sometimes in GFY novels where one character is openly gay from the beginning, the gay character is abrasive and weak, but that's not the case here, which I appreciate. I bought the second book in the series to see if there's more plot and less sex, and if there is, I'll continue. If the book ends up being one long sex scene punctuated by occasional snatches of plot, I won't.

3 people found this helpful

Wonderful Story, Excellent Performance

This is a new author and series for me and I really enjoyed this first book. At this time this in the Audible Romance Package, so I took a chance. At first I was a little disappointed because there is a lot of sex in the first half of the book and I thought there was no story. But after that it got really good. This is a continuous story of DeClan and Sam and this first one is the "how they met and fell in love" story and ends with them about to embark on some intrigue. The title is in reference to the movie The Princess Bride, which plays an important role in the couple's courtship; I thought it was very clever. I am thoroughly drawn into the story and look forward to the next book which is also in the Romance Package!! Gary Furlong does a great job and is quickly becoming one of my favorite British voice performers.

1 person found this helpful

Declan and Sam won their way into my heart

Ok I loved this couple. Declan and Sam won their way into my heart. this was a super stoy, and written well.
what happens when a straight man meets a drop dead hunk he has been Emailing back and forth for a year about their siblings wedding? Well at first things don't go well. Declan is straight, and loves a good romp with women, and Sam is a drop dead sexy gay man. the attraction starts to fly, and before you know it, they need each other in that special way.
Very good tasteful sex scenes, and a very well written story line.
this is a great start to a new series. I will add that this is book one. Thankfully this does not end in a cliff hanger, but Isobel, has completely opened up a great story line for the next book! Well done.

Gary Furlong did one hell of a job in this book! He had a very sexy voice, and read well.


I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

1 person found this helpful

So much more than a cute M/M romance

This book went from cute M/M romance with two very likeable characters – one of them of the strong belief to be straight – meeting at a wedding to scorching hot sexual exploration to suspenseful and mysterious in a matter of short hours. I thoroughly enjoyed this story with all its facets. I am a sucker for stories where one character discovers he is actually (at least) bi anyway, but add to that all of the above plus a delicious Scottish accent for one of the characters and passing up the chance to listen to the audiobook was impossible. English is not my native language, but those accents are one of the many reasons I prefer listening in English.

Declan and Sam are brought together through a wedding, both accepting the role of best man. They have been communicating via e-mail to help organizing the wedding and have formed a friendship without ever seeing the other. Their first meeting though still is all but pleasant, neither of them knowing what the other looks like – Sam all smiling sunshine and Declan all broody and grumpy. Still, Sam’s bubbly sunshine personality is wearing Declan down in the end and he has to come to terms with his strong attraction – to a man! Although they are as much opposites as can be, they somehow fit. And Declan discovering his own sexuality – to hell with expectations – with him was delicious to watch. But there’s more to Sam, some underlying sadness we do not get to understand until close to the end. Or do we…? The cunning ending surely provides more questions than answers and makes me crave more. I cannot wait to uncover all their secrets and for them – hopefully – find happiness together!

Apart from the story, I loved the scenery. Although it wasn’t them to get married – watching a wedding in the beautiful highlands of Scotland unfold – kilt and castle included…? Oh my God! Swoon!!

AS YOU WISH was the first narration by Gary Furlong I listened to, and I have to say he did an amazing job! The accents, the different distinctive voices (even the female ones) and accents for the characters, the emotion he made me feel… I loved it all! I’m looking forward to listening to more of his works.

1 person found this helpful

So much more than I expected!

This is the first MM book that I have listened to. The genre is a little outside my comfort zone, but the story was very good. I thought the narrator did an outstanding job with the accents and voices for his performance. One could hear the various characters. The book was quite good and is a standalone listen but the ending is open for continuation (not a cliffhanger ending). I loved the unexpected twists the author wrote into this book. I thought the settings for this book were neat and was able to visualize so much due to the author's great descriptions and wording. My review is not a synopsis of the book, but rather my opinion of it. I was given this review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily written this review. I will definitely look for more books by the author and narrator.

1 person found this helpful

Sweet story with a surprising twist.

Narration – I have listened to one other book narrated by Gary Furlong before, and I remember liking his voice. In this book, I was really impressed by the accents he is able to produce for the characters. Scottish and British accents are mostly present in this book, but I know he can do others as well. I would not be able to tell what country he lives in or which is his real accent because he does them so well. I will definitely be looking for more books narrated by him.

Story – When I started listening to this audiobook I thought that I was getting a cutesy romance between two men who meet at a wedding. To be fair it is partially that. Declan and Sam started a friendship through emails while helping to plan their sibling’ marriage to each other. When they meet for the very first time, they don’t know each other by looks and things kind of get off on the wrong foot. Declan’s bad day makes him less than kind to the shaggy-haired stranger. It is a lesson that you should treat people nicely because you never know if you will meet again or what the circumstances might be. Sam is easy going and doesn’t let the bad attitude get to him. The two men are as different as night and day. Declan is high strung and Sam is relaxed.

I have to say from the beginning I liked Sam better than Declan because he is just more likable. He is also smart, and adventurous. Declan does grow on me as he figures out his sexuality and learns to ease up, in the arms of Sam. Their romance is sweet as the two characters both love the movie, The Princess Bride. The title of the book hints at it, but the story is full of references to the movie as Declan and Sam talk to each other in movie quotes.I really fell in love with the two of them together. But once the wedding is over they have to go back to their old lives, and though both hope to see each other again, there is a major twist that takes the story to a whole new level. My interest was piqued. I went online after listening to immediately get the second audio, knowing I needed to see where the story will go from the end of this book. Needless to say, I definitely recommend this story, especially the audio version.

1 person found this helpful

Wish it was longer

If you could sum up As You Wish in three words, what would they be?

This book was very sweet, super hot🔥🔥and had feelings. Oh the feels. Declan and Sams chemistry was off the charts.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Declan and Sam were intimate for the first time. Declan had never been with a man before. It was hot.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When they reunite. So sweet.

Any additional comments?

Declan and Sam had such chemistry. Declan thought he was straight. He hasn't had a meaningful relationship with a women. Declan doesn't understand why he is so attractived to Sam. He struggles with his feelings. Sam is out and proud. When they finally get together the story took off. There's a little angst which I personally enjoy. There banter is adorable. The narator did a good job! I'm very picky with narrators, I have been 10 min into a book and stopped listening because I didn't like the narrator. He nailed the accents! I can't wait to listen to the next book💕 "I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."

1 person found this helpful

Almost hooked

Overall, this was a likeable story. The author did a great job at showing a connection between Sam and Declan. There were some lightly funny moments. And "Princess Bride" had a role in their connection. The sex was somewhat explicit but not gratuitous. And the story was complete but aligned for a sequel.
The bad part was that the author said one of the characters "changed sexual orientation," which shows ignorance. And their getting together was a bit too fast and easy, considering things, things I can't name without spoiling the story a bit.

2 people found this helpful