Two heartwarming Jewish romances!

IN ANOTHER LIFE: A sweet short magical realism romance! Shiloh has attempted suicide but rather than his past flashing before his eyes, it’s a future life where he is accepted for being gay and finds his soulmate, Travis. When Shiloh comes to, he knows what he must do to earn that future. This was exactly what a short story should be: focussed and interesting with no unnecessary plot lines. I think I would have felt more discombobulated by the flashforward if I hadn’t taken note of the blurb, but it was very clear by the end of the story what had happened. Master audio narrator John Solo wove his usual aural magic!

EIGHT DAYS: This is a short and heartwarming, but slightly frustrating, Jewish romance told in eight time-lapse vignettes. BFFs Josh and Maccabe have always spent combined family Jewish holidays together. As they grow and develop feelings for each other, Maccabe pulls away and goes on to have a successful but closeted baseball career. Josh comes out and becomes estranged from them all until Maccabe finally comes to his senses. Josh, understandably, can’t be with someone who won’t recognise their own feelings or make them public. Maccabe frustrated me - he’s not a sympathetic thinker - in some ways he has a very simplistic life view and expects the world and people around him to shift to accomodate him and they do in most cases, it’s what probably makes him a successful athlete. His character doesn’t detract from the story - quite the opposite - there are definitely successful people like him around and I think Cardeno C captured him and the other characters well. Audio narrator Nick J Russo brings his usual big heart to this story.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

as good as the ebook

The story is always full stars, because if I wouldn't like the story as ebook, I wouldn't listen to the audiobook. I can't listen to an audiobook without knowing the book, that's not possible for me.

The performance from the narrator is also very important for me. I can't listen to a lot, because my English as a non-native-speaker isn't so perfect to follow a whole story over hours, when the narrator speaks too fast or too sloppy. Normally I have to SEE the person, who is talking to me in English. It took me a little bit, to come into the narrator, but at the end, it worked. I only have to take a few breaks between. I'm just not yet finish with the book, but I listen enough to give a review.

PLEASE READ MY RATING SYSTEM!!!

To my ratings:

5* - very very good
it's like an A+

4* - very good and will be often re-listening
it's like an A

3* - it's more then a one-time-listening.
it's like a B

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Two well-written novellas and two superb narrators

Two well-written novellas, two superb narrators, a hot cover, and all at a very reasonable price.

In Another Life – 4.5*

This is a fabulous and cleverly-crafted story that ran me through a range of emotions. I laughed, I cried, and I swooned as I listened to Shiloh’s and Travis’ story. As often is the case with CC we are treated to insta-love, but keep with it if it’s not your thing. It all works out wonderfully in the end. It’s a story of second chances but sort of in reverse. The only thing I wondered about was the make-out scene in the hospital bed. Not very professional. Luckily they weren’t interrupted. Excellently narrated by John Solo and his character voice for Travis was just hot and lovely.

Eight Days – 3.5 (4* for the early part of the story)

I liked the premise of this story—eight snapshots of a relationship that just happened to coincide with Hanukkah celebrations over several years. I enjoyed the early chapters with Maccabe and Josh, but the reason behind their split and the lack of contact for seven years was a little flimsy. The separation hardly seemed to affect Maccabe, but then all of a sudden he feels he has to do something to put it right. I’m glad Josh had tried to move on with his life, but my heart hurt for him because he hadn’t really managed it. I can understand why he was reluctant to have Maccabe back at first. The final chapter was a let down. I was hoping to see Maccabe come out to their families and admit he was in a relationship with his best friend. Instead we get an extended family scene with banter/arguing and only a brief glimpse at how Josh and Maccabe are together. So for me although the idea of the story was good and it ends happily, I would have liked a slightly different ending or an extended story with more scenes. Nick narrated the story very well, although a little fast at times, with distinguishable voices and the right emotions.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Clever, funny & cute, love these original stories

What did you like most about In Another Life & Eight Days?

In another life is a 'turned on it's head' life flashing before your eyes tale that gripped me from the outset. Shiloh & Travis are perfect for each other, and in the end, shape their own happily ever after. Wonderfully absorbing and relatable characters in a sweet story that is so fresh, I adored it.Eight Days tells the story of two men finally finding themselves and each other told via the Eight Days of Hanukkah over several years. The cute geeky band-boy Josh falls for his closeted jock best friend McCabe but McCabe insists he isn't gay and doesn't want their close families to find out the truth about them. Eventually, pro ballplayer McCabe comes to his senses and goes to get Josh and start their life together. Its a 'doesn't run smooth' love story, but very sweet and satisfying in the end. I loved it.

What other book might you compare In Another Life & Eight Days to, and why?

These two stories are so original, and approached by the author in such a fresh way, that there isn't anything else I've read that is like them. That the stories are romantic and satisfying in the end, doesn't mean they don't have their share of difficulties that real life possess.

Which character – as performed by John Solo and Nick J. Russo – was your favourite?

John's narration was excellent, as was Nick's. They both portrayed the characters well, clearly and in a way that was perfectly in line with how I heard the characters when I first read the book. Of all the characters in both stories, Shiloh was probably my favourite, as he was the one who went on the biggest journey to find his place in happiness.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

So many! The brilliantly bossy jewish moms always trying to feed everybody were awesome, but when Shiloh woke in the hospital too his dad's almost barked 'I love you' i nearly cried.

Any additional comments?

Both stories are written with Cardeno C's usual humour and brilliant dialogue, if you like cleverly done gay romance stories, and appreciate the healthy representation of Judaism, this book is for you.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!