Really enjoyed this one

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book. Despite the wave of rock star romances, I have actually read very few. This one caught my eye and I’m glad I got to listen to it.

From the start, I related to Sam. Slightly clumsy, making a fool of himself, wanting to make a good impression and then believing he failed – these are all things I can intensely relate to. He’s a lawyer whose family’s political ambitions know no bounds. In California – and being of a liberal bent – that means supporting LGBTQ rights. Having a gay son who is dating the son of another prominent politician is just good optics. Forget that Sam views the man as a friend. He’s just going along dealing with the homophobic boss and the assignment of babysitting some pampered rock star. If it means he can keep doing his pro bono work, Sam’ll do it. Doesn’t help that Julian isn’t just attractive – he’s a genuinely good guy.

Julian is that rock star. He doesn’t want to be babysat. He wants his muse back. He’s agreed to write a solo album and he’s stuck. He came up first through a boy band and then into his current group – who are great – but this is a journey he’s on his own for. Except he’s got Sam there. Sam who makes him laugh. Sam who helps him face his fears – both irrational and not. Sam who supports him – even at great personal and professional expense. Sam who lives his life out and proud as a gay man. Julian dislikes labels – but straight doesn’t fit. He’s tried to express himself in clothing – only to have people see it as a fashion statement rather than the personal one he’s trying to make. He’s being pushed into owning something he’s not ready to do. I can completely relate – if you are going to come out as anything other than the heteronormative cis and straight, it needs to be done on your timeline, not someone else’s.

If you can’t tell, I really enjoyed this story. Sam and Julian were perfect together. And they couldn’t keep their hands off each other, which totally made the story hot. But it was also touching as both men had to grapple with what they wanted, what their families demanded, and what society expected. In the end, I got a great book.

I adore both Hamish Long and Kirt Graves as narrators. I was excited to see the two men working together and they did a fantastic job. If they team up again, I’m definitely in.

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Great performances and story

If the rest of the series is this good, it will be an automatic buy for me. Sam and Julian are the perfect opposites attract couple, or at least they look like opposites to the world because both of them are presenting a false front to everyone. Julian is hiding because he thinks that's what is required for his success as a rock star and Sam is hiding to be what his family has always expected him to be. In fact, expectations are strangling the lives of both of these men. When they meet, there is instant chemistry but it takes a while for them to find the courage to break free of those expectations. Two of my favorite audio performers together for this one was a home run. Hamish Long and Kirt Graves did amazing jobs as always bringing the story to life and their performances blended nicely.

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rock star and lawyer - great dual narration

It took me a while to get into the story, but then I was captivated.
It's about rock star Julian Hill who meets lawyer Sam for work. I liked Sam a lot. Jules is very successful as a musician and he is trying to live up to the expectations of his fans, but the production of his new album is getting a little stalled.
The romance between the two is slow. And looking at the two men, Sam and Julian couldn't be more different. They have only one thing in common: they know a thing or two about being in the public eye.
I enjoyed watching Sam and Julian slowly fall in love with each other.

I really liked the two story lines from the point of view of the two protagonists. Both Kirt Graves and Hamish Long deliver a great performance. Both are very good at putting themselves in the shoes of their respective characters and do a fantastic job of bringing across the emotions.

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1 person found this helpful

Wonderful 💕

“You are wonderful, just the way you are.”

Ambiguous is about the love between a rock star (Jules) and the lawyer (Sam) who’s hired by the record company to pressure said rock star to create a new album. There couldn’t be two people who are more different than Jules and Sam.
I really loved their meet cute: Sam dabbing Jules crotch with a napkin!

It’s also about being able to be who you are on the inside and love who you love as a person, whoever that person might be.

Both narrators did a great job. I really liked listening to their voices.

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Enjoyable

This is an interesting story about a rock star and what their life obligations should be and are.
Julian has not done anything to rock the boat as a rock star. He takes the time to interact with the fans. His behavior is more boring than outrageous. His orientation isn’t advertised nor denied. Then he meets Sam. The attraction between Sam and Julian changes everything.
Sam is an attorney that is given the job of getting Julian to live up to his contract. As Sam meets Julian his attraction changes everything in his personal and career life. Sam comes from a political family and has been fake dating his friend Kurt to promote the political campaign of his grandfather.
When it becomes public that Julian is gay and dating Sam both of their lives are in turmoil. Does the political career of Fred Stone matter more than honesty? What happens to the relationship between Julian and his brother Colin? I could not stop listening until Julian and Sam decide what actions they will deal with. I feel the author did an excellent job of the ending.
The narrations by Hamish Long and Kirt Graves made me feel the characters and situations were real. They made the story very easy to focus on and enjoyable.

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very enjoyable

I really enjoyed the story and characters. The narration was amazing and on point. seeing these two men try and wait out the conflict of interest before succumbing to the attraction is actually quite romantic at times.

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A delightful, music-themed romance

If I had to capture everything about Jules and Sam's story in a single word, I'd call it delightful. I've never listened to a rockstar romance where the rockstar was one of the sweetest, kindest, most patient men I've ever met, but Julian was all that and more. I still can't get over how approachable he was in this audio, and I genuinely can't think of a better match for him than someone as encouraging and kind-hearted as Sam. Their awkward meet-cute was only the beginning of what turned into an incredibly deep friendship, and I was as smitten as I was intrigued by how their conflict of interest would resolve itself. Sam and Jules had the kind of natural chemistry that everyone else dreams about, and I frequently found myself getting lost in the pleasant comfort of their company. The two of them may not have immediately jumped into bed together, but that didn't make their growing bond feel any less strong--if anything, I was more engaged by the building sexual tension that didn't have an outlet.

As much as this story was about music and romance, Julian and Sam also had highly satisfying personal journeys that left me feeling really proud of what they'd accomplished. I can honestly say that I don't think I'd ever want to open myself up to the public scrutiny celebrities like Julian put themselves through, and the fact that he found a way to stay true to himself and still pursue his passion was amazing. Sam had the no less difficult task of figuring out how to support his family without sacrificing the things that made him happy--not to mention the work issues he was dealing with for the majority of the story. When I look back on the entirety of this audio, what stands out to me is how well rounded every aspect of it was, from Julian and Sam's romance to the progression of Julian's album to the personal victories both men had in their daily lives. Hamish Long and Kirt Graves were outstanding narrators who really brought these people to life for me. I feel so happy and satisfied after finishing their story, and that's because I know without a doubt that only good things are coming their way.

**I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.

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Solid story with very good performances

Good slow burn romance between a rock star and lawyer. Jules, the rocker has an image to live up to, but also has the expectations of his fans, manager, family. Sam, the lawyer wants to be a beacon for LGBTQ rights. Both men are an unlikely pair on the surface, but they worked, supporting each other and slowly falling in love.
Hamish Long was brilliant as the voice of Julian, Kirt was great as Sam. My only small gripe is that when either narrator had to speak the other character's lines, the transition was noticeable (but not enough to distract).
A great way to experience the story. Definitely recommend.

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I was invested in this from beginning to end.

I read this book when it was first published and I loved it. The audiobook made me love it even more. Kirt Graves and Hamish Long are both great voice actors and favorites of mine (I kind of have a long list. LOL).

Sometimes I don’t care too much for dual narration in an MM book (each actor takes a different chapter). If the voices are too dissimilar it’s jarring to me when the chapters shift. That absolutely wasn’t an issue with these two. Kirt Graves does a great British accent and Hamish Long does a fine American accent. I almost didn’t notice when the chapters changed – and I mean that as a great compliment so I hope they take it that way.

This is a really great slow-burn, fairly low-angst book. Sam has to standup to his family so that he can have what he wants and not what they want. Julian has to decide whether or not to reveal his true self and come out so that he can be in a relationship with Sam and not have to hide.

A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me at my request but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author and/or narrator.

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Wow, just wow!

I became so invested!!! This story, these characters, their lives. Leslie has created something so real, endearing, emotional, poignant and wonderful.

I think the inspiration from Mr H Styles is obvious and perhaps lends more "realness" to the story but Jules is very much his own man. And a wonderful, caring man he is. His personality is loud and unapologetic but he compliments Sam so well.

So many underlying issues are addressed throughout this story, mostly touched on but you can feel the passion behind the words.

I couldn't put the book down, I needed to see these wonderful characters get their happy "ending" through all the ups and downs and all they faced. A truly beautiful story!!!

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