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Best Man
- Close Proximity, Book 1
- Narrated by: Joel Leslie
- Length: 6 hrs and 36 mins
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Summary
Zeb Evans doesn’t do messy.
The product of a disorganized and chaotic childhood, Zeb likes order and control, and as the boss of his own employment agency he can give that to himself. Life runs along strict lines and he never mixes business with pleasure. Everything in his life lives in neat, alphabetized boxes. Until Jesse.
Jesse Reed is Zeb’s complete opposite. He’s chaos personified. A whirling cyclone of disorder. He’s also charming and funny and a very unwanted distraction. Which is why it comes as a complete surprise to Zeb to find himself asking Jesse to pose as his boyfriend for a few days in the country at a wedding.
Zeb doesn’t do impulsive, but as the time away progresses, he finds himself increasingly drawn to the merry and irreverent Jesse. But can he bring himself to break the hard-won lessons he’s learnt in life? And even if he can, how could Jesse be attracted to him anyway? He’s so much older than Jesse, not to mention being his boss.
From the best-selling author of the Mixed Messages and Finding Home series comes a warm and funny romance about one man’s fight for control and another man’s determination to circumvent it.
This is the first book in the Close Proximity series, but it can be listened to as a standalone.
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What listeners say about Best Man
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- Susan Anne Shurmer
- 15-01-23
oh Jesse!!
I love this. Jesse has got to be the funniest character I think I've listened to so far! Joel Leslie is an AMAZING narrator and this book was so well written!! I recommend this audiobook 100%
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- Lovesbooks1986
- 22-10-21
really enjoyed this story.
I love everything by lily. this books is the same loved the narration by Joel he makes its better.
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- Meph666
- 14-10-21
Wonderful story with great narration
I was in love with this story and the characters, especially Jesse, from the prologue. Before reaching chapter one, I laughed out loud and loved the interaction between the two MC's, Jesse and Zeb.
Zeb owns a business that hires people out to those in need of company to events, DIY/gardening, shopping etc but caters to the LGBTQIA+ community. Jesse is Zeb's biggest surprise when interviewing for an open position and there's a current running between them right from the start. They are so different in personality and social abilities that they balance each other really well, especially when it comes to the fake partner aspect that Zeb asks Jesse to help him with when going to his ex boyfriend's wedding weekend.
I took an instant dislike to Patrick, the ex, and he hangs like a black cloud over Jesse and Zeb's blossoming relationship, even after they go back to their daily lives. There are several characters that are fully supportive and love our MC's and I cannot wait to read their own stories, little glimpses of possibilities hinted at in this one. We even get a cameo from Gideon and Eli from the Finding Home series.
Cannot recommend this new series from Lily Morton enough! There is fun, laughs and a bucket full of attraction but it's balanced with frustrations, misunderstandings and heartache. Definitely onto another winning group of characters for me and looking forward to book 2.
Joel Leslie brings out another fabulous performance. The personalities of the characters really shine through as does the emotions that carry them through the story. He makes it so easy to fall into the story and love the book.
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- Erryn Barratt
- 24-10-21
Laugh out loud fun
Can I just say how much I love Lily Morton? Funny, sarcastic, caustic (but in a good way) and witty as I’ll get out. Brilliant. And Lily Morton narrated by Joel Leslie? Well, frankly, perfection.
I also love there are cameos and mentions of characters from Ms. Morton’s previous books. Nothing that will detract from those who haven’t read them, but a bonus to those of us who have. I’ve devoured every audiobook she has put out, and I love them all.
This one was adorable. I loved Jesse. His enthusiasm, his boundless energy, his desire to help people…and his penchant for letting his mouth get away from him. Bit of a filter problem between his brain to mouth but nothing too bad. Or at least he’s survived most of the scrapes he’s gotten into. His job is to help LGBTQ people. Whether with gardening (those poor ferns) or being a fake date (the funeral), he’s always happy to help. His boss, Zeb, keeps Jesse on the books because when Jesse is on, he’s brilliant and when he’s not…well, it’s probably worth a laugh. Jesse has principles and will always stands up for the little guy.
Zeb has a problem. Under duress, he’s agreed to be best man at his ex’s wedding. Talk about a tricky situation. Zeb’s lovely assistant convinces him to hire Jesse to be his fake date. Classic set-up. But, of course, nothing goes as planned – for any of them. Especially because Jesse and Zeb are really attracted to each other. Despite the age difference. Despite the huge differences in temperaments. Despite the different career paths. That attraction leads to all kinds of hijinks. Broom closet, anyone?
In the end, the age gap doesn’t matter. The different upbringing doesn’t matter. That they find each other despite the obstacles speaks to their true affection for each other. And I got my HEA. Kind of swoon-worthy and I loved the list.
So, run out and get the audio. Laugh out loud. Enjoy something sweet, spicy, and snarky. Just the antidote to all that ails you. (and it’s the first in the series so try to guess who the other couples will be…)
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- Pixiebell
- 10-10-21
Lily and Joel Magic!
Lily Morton has a winning formula with her romantic comedy fully of witty banter and sarcasm, team her up with Joel Leslie as narrator and magic happens.
Jesse and Zeb are lovable main characters and I can’t wait to hear Charlie ‘Sunshine’s’ story.
Lily’s books are definitely on my list of books I will relisten to many times over.
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- Kindle Customer
- 20-01-22
Loved it
This audiobook was great I just loved the characters and the storyline, it had wonderful snarky dialogue which made me laugh. Joel Leslie was brilliant as ever can't wait for the next one.
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- KR Phoenix @ Books, Tattoos and Tea
- 22-10-21
the heart of love!
You know it's a great book when you are left with feelings of contentment, happiness and joy and you feel better for having read it! I just want to hug this book and happy sigh.
I love the sass, sarcasm, wit, joyful British humor and love Lily injects into this story. The characters come alive and will fill your hearts with joy and laughter.
I loved Jesse! He's so passionate, quick witted and compassionate. he's definitely an old soul and you can't help but laugh at most of the things that come out of his mouth LOL. He's perfect for Zeb and age is nothing but a number! I loved this story so much and can't wait to read Charlie and Felix's stories! such a wonderful cast of colourful characters. I highly recommend anything by Lily, but this one was sublime 🥰
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- Amelia
- 23-10-21
A hilarious, feel-good romance
Jesse and Zeb's romance made me laugh out loud and swoon equally. Theirs was the most feel-good of all feel-good romances, and now that I'm done listening to their audio all I want to do is listen again. Joel Leslie brought these characters to life perfectly, and I was delighted by the way he captured the essence of their snarky, fun-loving banter. Following along on the twists and turns of their romance was a joy, and I couldn't have fallen in love more wholeheartedly.
Jesse and Zeb's first meeting was a whirlwind of quips and laughter. I especially loved the way that Zeb was so baffled by Jesse's vibrant energy, and I could tell right then that the two of them were meant for each other. Though I think it would have been fun to experience Jesse's first few days on the job, I'm glad Lily Morton chose to skip forward a few years to show how Zeb and Jesse's relationship grew over time. I wouldn't have found it believable for quiet, meticulously organized Zeb to ask Jesse to be his fake boyfriend, but after a few years of getting to know each other I could believe that they'd grown to trust each other. I don't even think Zeb realized how much he needed Jesse in his life, but the time they spent together at wedding events made it clear that their connection was special. I wouldn't quite say that Zeb threw caution to the wind to be with Jesse, because he sure did agonize over his attraction, but when he did finally let go their passion and chemistry was incredible to witness. More than the way they set the sheets on fire (but holy cow were those moments amazing), I was thrilled to see how genuinely happy Zeb and Jesse were together. That, more than anything else, made me believe in their happily ever after, even when it seemed like Patrick was going to be even more hateful than I thought possible. Not even a terrible fight could keep these two away from each other for long, and I can't even be mad when it led to some of the sweetest, most tender confessions of love. I adored the way their story ended, and if that epilogue is any indication, there's nothing but happiness in store for these two amazing men.
**I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
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- Bette
- 12-10-21
Wonderfully Delightful RomCom & Narration🎧
I loved everything about this fabulously delightful romantic comedy from Lily Morton’s wonderful writing style to the characters and storylines she created to the perfectly cast narrator, who brings it all to life from the pages to your ears.The story grabbed my attention right from the start and captivated it the entire book. The characters are realistic, easy to relate to and connect with, they are likable and easy to care about and maybe even fall a little in love with. Jesse Reed is absolutely adorable, I knew he was going to be a special character the moment he first appeared, he is full of personality and like a ball of sunshine and we could all use a Jesse in our lives, despite being a train wreck waiting to happen which adds to the hilarity of it all. And then there is Zeb, his boss and complete opposite in so many ways that it isn’t funny, ok, so maybe it is. Zeb’s ex is getting married and he agreed to be his best man, not wanting to go to any of the pre-wedding events he asked Jesse to be his fake boyfriend for the events and the wedding. The chemistry between Jesse and Zeb is electric, Zeb needed to get over himself and that he was 20 years older than Jesse. I loved how every played out in this book, the dialogue is brilliant and the story is wonderfully plotted with the a perfect balance of drama, humor, heartfelt emotions and a hot and meaningful romance. Lilly Morton, thank you for this amazon story, the laughs and the emotional rollercoaster ride. This is the kind of book that brings smiles to faces and sunshine to your heart.
🎧📚🎧 And for the amazing narration, Joel Leslie is a fabulously talented narrator and versatile voice artist. He had a complete understanding of the characters he portrayed, giving each a voice that suited that character’s persona to a tee, accents and all, sounding believable in every role he played and just as I pictured the character to sound. He set the perfect tone for the story, handled all the witty dialogue effortlessly and landed the humor without missing a beat. You could hear how much heart he puts into his work as he captured the characters’ emotions and projected them into his performance. He is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another fabulous listen.
Thank you GRR
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- Book addict
- 06-10-21
I liked it
I liked this book, but it didn’t weave quite the same level of magic over me as many of Lily Morton’s other books. But she has set the bar pretty high as I loved many of her others. Still more than worth a listen!
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