A tough listen but worthwhile

This is one tough listen. Seriously. I’ll give a trigger warning because the violence is, frankly, violent. And although mostly behind closed doors, there is a bit that is on the page. In other words, this book is not for the faint of heart or those for whom abuse is a trigger. If you’re not one of those people, this book has a lot to offer.

It’s gritty. Really gritty. I’m a fan of realism and this book delves deep into the psyche of several different men. Dashiell is the character we’re introduced to first. He’s out for a night on the town with his buddies when he comes upon an assault going on in a bathroom. He doesn’t hesitate, just wades in with both fists. The man he’s saved? A waif named Billy Grace. When Billy’s boyfriend offers Dashiell the job of bodyguarding Billy, he agrees. The money’s good, to be sure, but he’s also intrigued by this young man. What’s his story? Why is he with an older man with thinning hair and a paunch? Not that opposites don’t attract, but Billy is ethereal while Frankie is bordering on vulgar and, given the amount of money he’s offering for his lover’s protection, a very wealthy man.

Billy might be old enough to take care of himself, but in some ways he’s naïve. He treats Dashiell like the hired help he is and it takes him a long time to realize the older man is kind. Dashiell might have started out doing the minding for the money, but the men quickly find they have a lot in common. They bond, although Dashiell wants to feed Billy while the younger man knows he can’t put on an ounce or there will be hell to pay. Actually, there’s hell to pay on a regular basis. But Billy puts up with the abuse because he feels he has no choice. Once I found out why, I felt tremendous empathy. He’s in a no-win situation. Would I be willing to put up with what he does? I’d like to think not, but sometimes we have to make tough choices.

As I said, the abuse is unrelenting as the story unfolds. There is a lot going on in this book and I wasn’t always sure who were the good guys and who were the bad ones. Life is like that sometimes. Billy learns he can trust Dashiell, but the question is whether he can break free from the ties that are binding him to the horrible Frankie. The book is a romance, so at least that much was guaranteed. Did my heart break getting there? It might have.

Dan Calley narrated this book and I was glad. He also narrated the Jack Pyke series ‘Don’t’ and he does a superb job for those as well. His deep London accent and gruff voice take some getting used to, but he does really well with these gritty stories.

This book is the first in a series and I’m desperately hoping the others will come to audio as well. Enjoyable if difficult listen.

2 people found this helpful

so bloody good!

I was gifted my copy of this book.

Dashiell saves Billy from an attack and then is offered a job as his driver. Dashiell wants to say no, but one look at Billy and Dashiell knows he can't. When the full picture becomes clear to Dashiell, and he grows closer to Billy, they begin to think that maybe, just maybe they can get away. But there is more at stake than just Dashiell and Billy, and the noose grows ever tighter around Billy. Can they really be free?

So!

This is the first book I've listened to by AE Ryecart (although I do have signed copies of The Barista Boys books!) and this was one hell of a ride!

I *try* to seperate the narration from the story and write two bits of a review, but when a book is first person, multi point of view, I find it so much harder! So, not gonna!

Dan Calley narrates this book and this is the first of his work I've managed to finish (totally another story, quite literally!) and I bloody loved the way he tells Dashiell and Billy's story!

Calley get over every single feeling that Ryecart writes, and in such a way, I HAD to stay up late to finish it!

Dashiell has an immediate attraction to Billy, but knows he can't have him, not while Billy is so tied to the situation, but they can't keep away from each other. Calley gets over the whole range of emotions that Dashiell, and indeed Billy, go through when dealing with the situation, and how they can be together, while figuring it all out!

I loved that Dashiell's need to look after Billy, to feed him, soothe him, all those sorts of things, come out of nowhere for Dashiell. They really do hit him upside the head!

Billy? Oh, I felt, deeply, for Billy, I realy did. He knows he can never be free, not while he has responsibilites to take of, but he can hope, right?? You do feel it, deep in your soul, when Billy stops hoping, and it made me cry!

The way it all goes down comes out of left field, I thought I had more book left, it totally took me by surprise! Oh, I KNEW it was coming, but still.

There is another character here who is not all he sems, and his book is next, I so wanna listen to that too!

Be warned though, this book is dark, with reference to abuse that is described in some detail, but not every detail, if that makes sense. And the situation Billy is mixed up in has hints to underground activities. Some readers may have triggers.

BUT for me??

5 star read
5 star narration

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**

1 person found this helpful

A love story with dark undertones

A love story that ends well but the journey is dark and unpleasant and not for the faint hearted, you might have a few sleepless hours. it's well written and well narrated.

Captive and in love 😍

Billy has been lured in a ver dangerous situation. He endures it because of love, misguided but love after all. He would do anything for the ones he loves. Unthinkable things. Until Dashiell, he took it like a champion. Their love is forbidden, impossible yet so strong it saves them both. Dark but oh such a great romance.

Brilliant

Loved this book and the way it was portrayed. Billy and Dashel melted my heart from the start of the story to where they finished and the way Dan Carlley read it was amazeballs can’t wait to jump in and listen to book 2

A great thrilling ride...

Firstly l loved listening to this story that takes place in London (mostly) narrated by a British guy. The whole feel of this thrilling story was uplifted by Dan Calley bringing the characters to life.

Having read this story already l knew it was an exciting and angsty story, however listening to it gave it an extra layer of excitement. The relationship between the dashing Dashiel and the sweet yet vulnerable Billy is very tense at first , but as time goes by and the danger around them from living with the mafia grows so does their attraction.
I enjoyed listening to this fast paced story that had the right amount of intrigue, danger and an abundance of sexual tension.
Now I'm excited to listen to the second book in this series.

Great book

If you want a book with a lot of angst, great characters, a few rwists then read or listen to this bpok.
This is well written and I loved the audio version, the MC are described so well and I ended up invested in their life, which is how I love books to be. Looking forward to book 2.

Wow

This one does have plenty of triggers but oh dear is it a beautiful ride. It’s dark and in many ways heartbreaking but the thread of hope keeps you listening. A beautiful book eagerly awaiting the next in the series

Wow, that was intense...

🌟🌟🌟🌟 4.5 stars
🔥🔥🔥 Heat Level: 3.5
🎧🎧🎧🎧 Narration: 4.5

Wow, that was intense...

This is a highly detailed, intense and raw journey into the life of a despicable and disgusting criminal, "his" boy and the unexpected savior that changes everything!

I'd put if listening to this one as if heard it was intense and boy it was but in a way that makes you invested, raw and on the edge of your seat. The characters are so vivid and real, you feel every blow. In a hard, unyielding situation, Billy is so strong, to not have lost himself to darkness. Dashiell becomes his savior and light in more ways than one.

This story does contain a lot of violence and criminal activities as is the world of the story but it was very confronting at some points but AE doesn't shy away from reality and delivers something so raw, yet beautiful as hope and love, that above all else fuels Billy and Dashiell into risking everything and fighting to break free of their dire situation.

The epilogue is great (& needed) to bring the light back into the story and give us a nice HEA.

Dan is a new narrator to me and at first, I wasn't too sure but when he voiced Billy and the bleakness ever-present, I could feel the emotions even more. A great performance with so many nuances and emotions, both big a small you can't help but take notice. Great work!

Thanks for reading!

Nice accent, angsty story

I liked the narration a lot, such a wonderful accent!
The story was an angsty lovestory. It was dark and sometimes I just wanted to snatch the MCs out to keep them safe.
Not an easy story to listen to. I understand that it is really hard to leave from an abusive relationship, but I really struggled with Billy's decisions. But the story was captivating and narration is nice!