Acrobat

By: Mary Calmes

Narrated by: Sean Crisden

Length: 6 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

Forty-five-year-old English professor Nathan Qells is very good at making people feel important. What he's not very good at is sticking around afterward. He's a nice guy; he just doesn't feel things the way other people do. So even after all the time he's spent taking care of Michael, the kid across the hall, he doesn't realize that Michael's mob muscle uncle and guardian, Andreo Fiore, has slowly been falling in love with him. Dreo has bigger problems than getting Nate to see him as a potential partner.

He's raising his nephew, trying to leave his unsavory job, and starting his own business, a process made infinitely more difficult when a series of hits takes out some key underworld players. Still, Dreo is determined to build a life he can be proud of - a life with Nate as a cornerstone. A life that is starting to look like exactly what Nate has been seeking. Unfortunately for Dreo - and for Nate - the last hits were just part of a major reorganization, and Dreo's obvious love for Nate has made him a target too.

©2012 Mary Calmes (P)2014 Dreamspinner Press

One of my most favorite stories ever!

Any additional comments?

Acrobat is not technically (according to Goodreads) part of the Matter of Time series, but it has characters that will show up in the series, so I included it there. Nathan Qells dates Duncan Stiel in Acrobat who later marries Aaron Sutter in Parting Shot and Aaron Sutter dated Jory in Matter of Time. We also meet Dr. Sean Cooper in Acrobat, who along with Duncan Stiel show up in All Kinds of Tied Down. Six Degrees of Mary.

I absolutely loved this book. It’s easy to love a Mary Calmes book, so that’s no big thing, but in Acrobat we get some amazing characters and a sticky-sweet romance with big hearts, a fantastic family story to go along with it and some exciting action and adventure.
First there is Nathan Qells. He can do no wrong. He got his high school BFF pregnant, married her, had an amazing son, and now divorced, they are still BFFs. He teaches at a university where all the hot young things want him, but he doesn’t even know it! Though he is always involved in a relationship he is never really involved in the relationship. Until Andreo.

Andreo Fiore. Mmmm. Delicious. He is a sweet, sexy mobster – going straight (legit is maybe a better wor ) so that he can have a full life and family. Dreo is the guardian for his dead sister’s son, Michael, and it is through Michael that Nathan and Dreo connect.
Nate is wonderfully clueless about himself and life in general, but always manages to do and say the right thing. Except in relationships, there he manages to stay just a bit disconnected and aloof. When he finally clues in that Dreo has been attracted to him for years, the sparks between them ignite and hot sex ensues.

Between the family and the love there is the mob. Mobsters don’t like gay men apparently and it causes some pretty big problems. Like a stab to the gut problems. But, in the end, true love wins and happy is ever after.

The audio version:

Just two words on the audio version of Acrobat – BUY IT! It’s great. Sean Crisden does an amazing job with the narration, giving Dreo such a sultry voice and making Nate all the more “cute and clueless but wonderful”.

cute pleasant couple hours

not a bad story even though it was predictable and replete with stereotypes...however the repetition of a couple of phrases such as "made a sound at the back of his throat"almost forced me to quit listening....the author relies on cliches and overused collocations far too much. The narrator grows on you. Thanks. #LGBTQIA+ #HappyEnding #Multigenerational #TorturedHero #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

Sean Crisden is always a great listen

Mary Calmes writes wonderful, full stories with well developed characters in a story that makes you care. Sean Crisden brings a larger dimension to an already great story.

Perfect story about love, family & courage!

I enjoyed reading listening to this book. I fell in love with the three main characters and the idea of the non traditional family.

Love It!

Any additional comments?

Wonderful story! I even did some odd jobs at work so I could were my headphones and continue listening!

interesting & touching story

worth the credit! Two interesting & lovable heroes. The story focuses on the professor, a REALLY nice guy who's always there for others. But, in the romantic relationship department he's been molding himself into what his lovers want/need and losing himself in the process. Thus, he has been unable to find true love. From there the romance/attraction develops so all can find their HEA. I love a happy ending.

If you need a comfort listen

If you are not looking for anything complicated and just need a comfort read/listen then Acrobat fits the bill.
This was more of a character driven story rather than situation driven as Nate, our 45 year old professor starts to see what has been under his eyes for so long.
One of the things I loved about Acrobat is the fact that we have a mature protagonist even though Nate can be kind of clueless at times. Just because you are over 30 doesn't mean you cannot still seek love, or a good old hook-up.
I'l admit my rating is based on the fact that this wasn't a deep and meaningful story full of allegory, symbolism, and metaphor; it's a nice easy read for those times when the world ails you. This is a solid comfort read.
Sean Crisden's narration fits.

Amazing Story

Mary Calmes delivers every time! This is an amazing novel with a bit of everything, adventure, suspense and romance.

Loved it

I loved this book when I read it and Sean Crisden just brought it to a new level. I love Nate and Dreo's story and I really wish they had a sequel. This is a really sweet romance between a English professor and a mob bodyguard with a heart of gold. What's not to love? Ms. Calmes does what she does best, write sweet romances with lots of emotional drama. Definitely worth a credit.

Love, Love, Love

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

What is there not to like, Mary Calmes (the best) and Sean Crisden as the narrator!!! This is one of my favorite Mary Calmes books. I have read it several times and will listen to it again as well.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Acrobat?

The scene in the laundry room between Nate and Dreo.

Have you listened to any of Sean Crisden’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

The best as aways!

If you could rename Acrobat, what would you call it?

"Hot"

Any additional comments?

Buy it, you will not be disappointed!