Love it.

This is a love story but not just a romantic story. It's about family, friendship and everything in between. This book will make you laugh ,blush, cringe and cry but above all it will make you happy 🤍

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Laugh-out-loud funny, frustrating, heart-warming

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If it's the right sort of friend!! This book is not for everyone - some reviewers elsewhere have been slightly offended by some of the topics, and the language is not for the faint-hearted, or people who cannot easily comprehend high-speed speech, but listen to the preview and you will have a pretty good idea of what type of book you've selected. I really enjoyed it. It is very amusing in places - dangerous when you are listening in the car! The characters are well-defined, possibly a bit over-the-top, but real enough that you can feel what they are feeling themselves and with each other - especially when you really want to slap them and tell them what they are doing wrong! There are some really touching moments, and it left me with a nice warm feeling inside.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Tell Me It's Real?

There are too many to mention really. Paul and Vince's first real meeting (rather than encounter), and the funeral are particular high-points for me, but there are very few dull moments in this story.

Which character – as performed by Michael Lesley – was your favourite?

Difficult to pick one. I especially liked Paul's father, who shouts "Language!" whenever somebody crosses his profanity threshold. The way in which Michael Lesley makes the two alter egos of Sandy and Helena different and yet the same is very impressive. Paul is a bit of a whiner but the incredibly fast rate at which he speaks was very well performed. I have even found myself reading things on my PC with the Paul style of delivery in my head!

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Love at first sight can happen - it is real.

Any additional comments?

T.J. Klune has a marvellous way with words, and with completely conveying the characters just by what they say. The narrator in this book definitely helped that become even more apparent, and both of them are to be congratulated.

There are one or two mis-speakings in the narration, but that is more than acceptable considering the rapid rate of delivery - you might even need to use the "play slower" function for this book! One phrase is repeated - presumably a re-take that didn't get edited out of the recording - but these are minor complaints. Overall I loved this book and will miss it now it has finished.

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7 people found this helpful

Great comfort read

Unlike the other books I've read by T.J. Klune so far, this is very much "just" a romance. I don't mean that in a negative way, but merely that there's very little going on plotwise other than Paul and Vince's budding relationship.

But honestly? That's fine! T.J. Klune writes relationships (romantic, friendly and familiar) so well, and as always it's a delight to read how the different characters (not just Paul and Vince, but also Sandy, Paul's family, Darren and even Vince's mum) interact with each other.

It wasn't an instant favourite like "The Lightning-Struck Heart" or "How to Be a Normal Person" were, but it's a great comfort read nonetheless. And as always, Michael Lesley does a brilliant job of narrating the book.

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Really runny

Such a humorous story. The narrator’s voice got a little on my nerves but to be honest I don’t think anyone else could voice the characters better. I will probably read book 2 rather than listen on audio. Fantastic story and well developed characters.

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Well impressed with the book

Really good book. Was not expecting much from it as I bought it in a whim but had me laughing out loud all the way through. Got me some weird looks as a walked around cackling to myself like a mad man. Hilarious sad witty. Very good book not the usual gay romance book which don't float my boat. Loved it!

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1 person found this helpful

Great, nice to hear a positive story with a happy

great to hear a positve gay story with a happy ending, eventually - and not that sort or happy ending!

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5 HILARIOUSLY SWEET STARS!

This story was just amazing, funny, and sweet from start to finish!
It kind of grazes the beauty and the beast trope, which I adore and with the added goodness of humour, outrageously endearing secondary characters and a male narrator that has now become my favourite of all time it was perfect!
LOVED IT!!

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Ordinary Joes are extraordinary too

What did you like most about Tell Me It's Real?

Paul's inner monologue.The characters were very natural and likeable including your embarrassing family members and trusty best friend.
Although there are emotional scenes the book is not overly full of angst there are the humorous comments which help us to deal with life's vagaries.
Look out for 'Wheels'

What was one of the most memorable moments of Tell Me It's Real?

Too many but from when Paul first catches Vince horizon at the nightclub to when Vince first meets Paul's family.

What does Michael Lesley bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

The characters are individually realized with excellent timing.
He knows not to read it as a comedy but as matter of fact.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed, I had the sick feeling you get when you feel overly emotional.

Any additional comments?

I loved the book but I think the audio edition is even better.
Like putting on your favourite slippers.

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1 person found this helpful

Well worth a listen

If you could sum up Tell Me It's Real in three words, what would they be?

Funny, lively, engaging

If you’ve listened to books by TJ Klune before, how does this one compare?

This is my first listen.

Have you listened to any of Michael Lesley’s other performances? How does this one compare?

This is my first listen.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion and I found myself structuring my work day so that I could work on stuff that also enabled me to listen to more of the book as I worked.

Any additional comments?

The production isn't as perfect as some books I've bought - there's a couple of instances of repeated lines that were missed in the editing process and the dead time between scene or chapter changes were way too long - but this is definitely one of the most talented narrators I've ever listened too. Even though his Vince voice drops a little too low in register at times to be easily understandable as he switches between characters the narrator reads with ease and confidence that makes the whole book a delight from beginning to end. It was my first time with this author as well and, like the recording, the story itself could have done with an intense edit before final release, but on the whole it was well told, funny and I would consider buying something else from the author again. I am hopeful that a sequel featuring Sandy/Helena and Darren is in the works as I would love to read/hear their story and if the same narrator is used then I would definitely buy it as, for me, he was what made the whole story take off. I think that I might have given up on the book if I'd read it in the written format but in audio I really enjoyed it and will probably listen to it again more than once.

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1 person found this helpful

I Freddie Prinz Jnr'd this book so much

This is the first book in the At First Sight series by TJ Klune and is one of my favourite books of all time. If you're looking for sassy, sexy comedy and will melt your heart you've come to the right place. Paul and Vince are so perfectly matched, and the supporting cast, who all go on to get their own books, are my favourite 'made' family. There's a homophobic parrot - what more could you ask for!
Michael Lesley has given us a master class in comedy narration, delineating the characters perfectly. He swings from comedy to angsty to heat so easily. I want him to narrate my life!
Do yourself a favour and listen to this book, then listen to the rest of the series, then listen to ALL TJ Klune's books ... you're welcome.

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