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Best Man

Close Proximity, Book 1

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Best Man

By: Lily Morton
Narrated by: Joel Leslie
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About this listen

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.

©2019 Lily Morton (P)2021 Lily Morton
Contemporary Contemporary Romance Romance Funny Witty Feel-Good Heartfelt Boss
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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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Couldn’t stop laughing/crying oh I don’t know… all the emotions possible!

How refreshing, such a great listen of a great story read so brilliantly. The looks I received laughing out loud on the train to work! Utterly gripping and can’t wait to read/hear the rest of the series.

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Listener received this title free

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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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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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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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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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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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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Adorable Romance, Wonderful Performance by Leslie

Lily Morton builds such terrrifc chemistry between her characters, and I loved Zeb and Jesse together. Nice twists with the plotting ex-boyfriend, the week long house party, and the physical-romance-free dating. All the humor, British wit, sultry lovemaking, and happily ever afters that make a Lily Morton romanc so wonderful.

Lovely performance by Joel Leslie, he really was born to read this author.

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Funny, emotional with the right touch of angst

I really loved revisiting this story by way of listening to the audiobook with Joel Leslie at the narration wheel and his incredible talent and charisma that enhances these stories even more!

Zeb is Jesse's boss and 20 years his senior. They have quite the hurdles to overcome with the main one being the age-gap between them that Zeb used to squash any romantic feelings he had towards Jesse. Jesse shakes up Zeb's monotonous and organized life and Zeb brings stability and equilibrium to Jesse that is a non-stop whirlwind.

Funny, emotional and with the right touch of angst this was a refreshing listen with Joel being on point as ever when he narrates contemporary works (his fantasy ones are a hit or miss with me).

I received a code for this audio book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.

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