Safe Harbor

Cliche book, reads like a high school fanfic

this story was okay. but every character was a cliche trope with no actual depth. lines were cheesey. the moment they got together was cute, but then they both fall prey to the "misunderstanding" that was more annoying than believable. who would fall for that? insta love and kinda lame.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Narrated well, a bit chick- flicky

Robin and Dair have a fake boyfriend start to their relationship, and I do like that trope a lot.
Here I think the story had some issues, mainly the way Robin sank into his insecurity, and how Mac (his ex) was very manipulative in a telenovella kind of way. it was hard to like Robin, even though he was a fun character, because of how he saw himself and didn't see the obvious way others too advantage of it.
Dair, the protective straight guy falling for the cute twink theme could have been good but in a way he was a bit too into it, it was too easy without buildup OR some elf searching. So in a way I was missing something with how he figured out he was into Robin.

It just seemed like it was a collection of misunderstandings and some cliche's, and it was not set up well enough to pass over the little glitches in the plot.
The side characters were fun, interesting and appealing, The narration was very good and sensual.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

✫✫ 4 Stars ✫✫

Sweet GFY MM Romance. Enjoyed the characters and the story line. I will be hoping for book 2 soon.
The narration was really good on this audiobook. I have listened to him before and hope to see more of him too!

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

Great Narration that brings the story to life!!

Once again, I was drawn into the story of Robin and Dair, but this time, Nick Russo added to the wonderful story and the depth of the characters.

From the moment you meet Robin, he makes you smile. Him and his roommate, Peyton, are looking for a third roommate in Seattle to share the rent and on the last applicant, they hit the jackpot. Dair is an ex-marine who works as a mechanic now that he's out of the service. He's caring, gentle, and grows to care about his roommates fairly quickly, especially Robin. One night, Robin is worried about his upcoming class reunion and while he wants to go and reconnect with his family, he knows his ex will be there. Dair volunteers to go with Robin, to be his bodyguard while pretending to be his boyfriend and Robin agrees.

The characters in this book, especially Robin, is so realistic. He's hung up on the past with his abusive ex-boyfriend and refuses to get emotional or have a relationship, and for the longest time, you can't see why. But then you meet Robin's family, his large, funny, loving family and you realize that Robin would know nothing of abuse and manipulation because he never had to deal with anything like that before. But now he's home, his ex goes about trying to manipulate his relationship with Dair.

Dair is a wonderfully honest character who like Robin, hasn't had a lot of experience past the corp and his work as a mechanic. When he finds himself liking Robin more and more, he gets protective, but he also realizes his growing feelings for Robin have more to do with being his real boyfriend.

The story is a lovely read, angsty at times because of the manipulation and anger from the ex, but in the end, Dair and Robin and their happy ending are all that matters. A lovely read and I highly recommend this book!!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Painfully un-self-aware main characters...

Ok. So, I just forced myself to finish this book. Yeach.

The MCs were so embarrassingly un-self-aware and shallowly written, it was a struggle to keep listening. The story centers around a 10-year high school reunion, and that was a constant reminder that the characters were supposed to be ‘adults’, but gee-wiz, it felt like a teen melodrama. The character’s self-doubt, plot moving misunderstandings and the MCs inability to communicate would be fine for a story about 15 year olds, but not a book about late twenty-something adults.

The side characters were likable, the plot and settings were well written, the smexy bits were good and the narrator was professional.

I just couldn’t get over how unrealistically adolescent the MCs were. Very off-putting.

I'll be returning this one.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Cute story

This was a fun story. I liked the idea of Dair pretending to have recently discovered his bisexuality (or pansexuality) because of his feelings for Robin, only to suddenly realize that his real life was going the same direction as his pretense. Dair was really too perfect to be true, with amazing looks combined with a wonderful heart. I loved him as much as everyone else did. Robin was adorable but lacked confidence in himself. He also didn't listen to the people he trusted the way he should, and that caused me a bit of stress. When these two were together, without Robin's doubts, they were great. Add in Dair's scene-stealing dog, and they were perfect.
The cute story was enhanced by a talented narrator I always enjoy. This was a good listen that made my commute almost pleasant!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Much better than expected

4 Blue Roses
4 Blue Flames

Nick J Russo's deep, sexy voice lends itself perfectly to this audiobook.
I was surprised by the action and angst and found myself emotionally engulfed and almost screaming at the ex-boyfriend as he manipulated and almost killed and drowned Robin.

How stupid of Robin to go into the row boat with his ex-boyfriend. Rocks have more brains!
Robin Coal needed to go home for his 10 year reunion. He asked his housemate Dair to be his fake boyfriend. Dair is retired from the US Marines, dripping with sexyness and totaly oblivious to the attraction between Robin and himself.

I recommend this audiobook for when you are in the mood for some lighthearted romantic comedy dipped in some syrupy sexy times.
Happy Listening

Great first book!!

As others HJ Welch books you’ll find this one is amazing. On it you’ll find an endearing and cute love story between Robin and Dair, side by side with friends and family interactions, intrigue, action and danger and finally, an HEA when love prevails and the bad guys had their punishment. However, this one has something more, an amazing reading by Mr Russo. He gave the story voices that help you to inmerse totally inside and enjoy every single minute. Amazing combination!!! I can’t wait for the next book in the series and for more books read by Mr Russo.

beautiful trash

you know what you're getting when you download this book. a cliche story with a mary-sue and a poster boy nerd. but, i still love it. it's a trashy rom-com, and that's what i wanted. every once in a while i would laugh at the ridiculous dialogue, or when a sex term came out of nowhere. so while this is not great literature, it's fun, funny, hot, and full of heart. can't wait to listen to more from this author and narrator.

Feel good listen

Robin and Dair- fake boyfriends who evolve into much more. I enjoyed Nick J Russo’s narration a lot! He made the characters feel real. Ready for book 2!