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Starting from Scratch

Housemates, Volume 5

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Starting from Scratch

By: Jay Northcote
Narrated by: Lewis Carter
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About this listen

Starting over isn't easy, but Ben is ready to live his life as the man he was always meant to be.

Ben is transgender and is back at the university after hormone treatment and chest surgery. His new housemates have no idea about his history, and Ben would prefer to keep it that way. He's starting from scratch, and his life is finally on track, except in the romance department. The idea of dating guys as a guy is exhilarating but terrifying, because if Ben wants a boyfriend he'll have to disclose his secret.

Sid is drawn to Ben from the moment they meet. He normally gets what he wants - in the short term at least. Ben's guarded at first, and Sid's not used to guys rejecting his advances. He eventually charms his way through Ben's defenses and helps Ben on his journey of sexual awakening.

It doesn't matter to Sid that Ben is trans. He's attracted to the whole person and isn't worried about what is - or isn't - in Ben's pants. They're good together, and both of them are falling hard and fast, but Ben's insecurities keep getting in the way. If Sid can convince Ben he's committed, will Ben finally be able to put his heart on the line?

Although this audiobook is part of the Housemates series, it has new main characters and a satisfying happy ending and can be listened to as a stand-alone.

©2017 Jay Northcote (P)2018 Jay Northcote
Contemporary Contemporary Romance LGBTQ+ Romance
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What listeners say about Starting from Scratch

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Very cute. 😊

Another well-rounded book by Jay Northcote. I've never read a book with a transgender protagonist and found the topic was explored very respectfully and beautifully. He has a thing for stretching endings quite a lot though. Oh well, well worth your while if you ask me.

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Audio was great

It turned into an infomercial, some might find it helpful but I bought it for the romance.
I started the series book 5 going to read book 6 now as the 2 leads have caught my attention.

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A beautiful story

Another great one! This was my first if the Roomates Series and now I want to read them all!

I really enjoy Ben and Sid's story. I felt for Ben and his journey and felt Jay addressed Ben's past, dysphoria and internalised transphobia with great care, respect and authenticity. I could feel Ben's fears and emotions through Jay's words and I loved how Did was there to ease, tease and please at every moment. I feel these to have a special connection and look forward to going back and forward with the rest of the books in this series!

A great read and really well narrated. My first listen by Lewis and I really enjoyed his style. Looking forward to more from both Jay and Lewis!

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Ben & Sid

I first found this author through the Housemates series, and Starting From Scratch is one of my favorites. The narration for this was fantastic and the narrator drew me into the storytelling right away. I really enjoyed Ben and Sid’s story, and I’m glad we got to know them after meeting them in a previous book. I really loved how their relationship unfolded and how Sid was so open to new experiences with Ben. Ben’s internal struggles as he found himself in his first relationship as a transgender man really pulled me in. Sid was so patient with Ben while they navigated through their new relationship together. Their story was fun, sexy and an emotional journey. I loved getting some glimpses of past Housemates through their story as well. All in all, I thought this was a heartwarming story with a fantastic HEA.

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Fantastic romance

Another great book in the Housemates series, this is a fab romance between two guys one of whom is transgender. It brilliantly shows how these characters develop their connection into a beautiful love story.

Great narration, you can really feel the emotions in the voices.

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Ben and Sid's story


I’ve been a fan of this series from the beginning and Starting From Scratch is another great installment. Each story features ordinary young men who are exploring their sexuality and entering into their first serious relationship while studying at college and living away from home for the first time. I like how the established couples from previous stories play a role in the subsequent stories. Ben and Sid were introduced in the previous book, Watching and Wanting, and now it’s their turn to fall in love. Ben was the quiet and rather reserved new housemate and Sid was Jude’s ex, who frequently made Shawn jealous. And the friction continues on and off during this story.

The main focus of this story is on Ben and his blossoming relationship with Sid. I adored how Sid helped Ben feel at ease with his body and gave him the confidence to be himself, both in and out of the bedroom. The reader gains an insight into the emotional and physical issues facing many transgender men through Ben’s experience in this story.

There’s no unnecessary drama or angst. I liked the ‘ordinariness’ of their everyday lives. There’s plenty of eating, playing games and watching TV. Nothing major happens. It’s all about Ben and Sid getting to know each other, how they respond and how they feel as their relationship develops. The reader experiences the anxiety and doubts as well as the warm, fuzzy feelings of happiness as they fall in love. The story finishes with a positive happy ending and a strong hint at the next couple.

Lewis is a new narrator to me. I’m usually not a fan of switching narrators mid-way through a series, but Mark and Lewis sound quite similar. Both are easy to follow and listen to. Lewis did a great job, although I thought some of his character voices were rather ‘posh’. It was still a very enjoyable audiobook.

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