Ethan, Who Loved Carter

De: Ryan Loveless

Narrado por: K. C. Kelly

By 24, Carter Stevenson has stuttered and ticced his way to debilitating shyness. Although his friends accuse him of letting his Tourette's dictate his life, Carter moves from Los Angeles to a quiet California town. He'll keep his head down and avoid people. He doesn't anticipate his new neighbor, Ethan Hart, crashing into his solitude and forcing him to get out and live.

From the beginning, Ethan makes his love for Carter clear. But he fears Carter won't see past Ethan's damaged brain, even though it makes Ethan more attuned to his emotions than most people. For Carter, there's a bigger issue: He's been burned by so-called "perfect" matches, and he won't risk his heart again.

One way or another, Ethan's determined to show Carter they belong together. Then Ethan receives tragic news. Suddenly he must turn to Carter for strength and support. Will Carter come through when Ethan needs him most?

©2012 Ryan Loveless (P)2014 Dreamspinner Press

5 stars = I freaking LOVED this book!!!

I discovered Ethan, Who Loved Carter after listening to K.C. Kelly’s narration of Knave of Broken Hearts. I fell in love with Kelly’s voice, so having credits I needed to use, I went in search of other audiobooks he’d narrated. When I read the blurb for Ethan, Who Loved Carter, I knew that I had to have it. I’ve worked with persons with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and persons with stutters and tics similar to those of Tourette’s, so I couldn’t wait to delve into Ethan and Carter’s story. And Loveless’s words and Kelly’s performance made this an audiobook I know I will listen to again and again. I’m actually writing this review after listening to the audiobook for a second time, six months after the first. I wanted to experience Ethan and Carter’s story again because Loveless is releasing a young adult version of the novel entitled Ethan later this month.

Ethan, Who Loved Carter is an absolutely beautiful tale of acceptance – of one’s self and of others. Because of his stutters and tics, Carter is often underestimated by those around him who don’t know him. Sadly, this is an all too real occurrence, people assuming that because an individual has a disorder that impedes their ability to communicate, that they are not intelligent. Even knowing this, Carter’s initial interaction with Ethan is tinged with similar misjudgment because Carter assumes that whatever is “wrong” with Ethan will make him easier to talk to; and while Carter is able to stop stuttering while talking to Ethan, it only lasts long enough for Carter to stick his foot in his mouth. Despite his tendency to avoid stressful situations, Carter forces himself to go to Ethan’s house next door and apologize for what he said. Thus begins the journey of two men becoming friends, learning to enjoy one another’s company, learning to care about one another and each wanting to take care of other, and eventually becoming more once Carter admits to himself that he wants to be more than just friends with Ethan – something Ethan has wanted from the very beginning.

One of the many things I love about Ethan is how he sees Carter’s tics as music and is able to communicate his enjoyment of Carter’s “music” in such a way that Carter takes pleasure in Ethan’s joy. I also found Ethan’s capacity to love and to forgive to be beyond heartwarming. It’s far too easy to focus on the negative and see what’s missing in a person after they’ve experienced a TBI, but Ethan reminds us that we need to look at the entire person because while Ethan may not have had the chance to become the person he was on his way to being, his life is still rich – full of friends, family, happiness, and love. Ethan’s family plays a pivotal role in the novel as they are a big part in his life. I really liked how Loveless was able to show the love and support of the family, while adding the realism of the frustration and occasional resentment siblings may experience. Ethan’s family is not portrayed as being perfect and I love the author for that because it not only adds to the realism of the story, but keeps other caregivers from feeling guilty for not living up to fictional characters. And their easy acceptance of Carter into Ethan’s life made me happier than I can express for so many reasons. Having just finished the audiobook, with Carter’s wish for a teen-aged Ethan to have been in his life fresh on my mind, I cannot wait to crack open Ethan.

I reviewed my personal copy of this audiobook for Wicked Reads.

One of my favorite audiobooks ever!

This is another book that I can’t believe I’ve never formally reviewed! It’s one of my all time favorites, and I listen to it over and over again. Several times a year.

I loved it as a book first, then the audio, but I think that now I love the audio even more than the book because KC Kelly’s voice has become the characters to me.

What I love about this story is it’s bravery. Ethan is brain damaged and at times that might feel like he’s young – too young to really have an adult relationship. But it’s just not true and the author shows us why.

Carter – who has his own demons with his TS – falls into believing that falsehood too – at first – but over time he realizes that Ethan merely sees the world in a different way, not that he can’t make adult decisions – but he does need help – and really? – who doesn’t?

The author does an amazing job of both being in Carter’s head and showing us Ethan’s POV as well. The language and the pacing of the dialog help to set the understanding of the black and white world Ethan lives in.

If I have any complaints at all about this story, it’d be the way the “truth” is handled when Ethan finds out more about his accident. In a way I think it needed more. It was a profoundly HUGE thing – both the whys and the hows and how his family handled the situation and I think it could have occupied even more space in the story as it was so transformative. I’d have loved to see these guys as a couple a bit more down the line after that new information had settled a bit to see how it affected them.

But… that being said, it’s practically perfect as it is.

I think my favorite parts are when Ethan tries so hard to explain his feelings to Carter and Carter realizes that Ethan has had it right all along.

The other thing I love about this is Ethan’s depiction of Carter’s tics.

It’s just an amazing book and a fantastic look at these two issues in a way that is both respectful and loving and the way these guys fall in love is just so sweet and special.

KC Kelly gives the stuttering Carter just the right touch and Ethan’s flat, more monotone voice the perfect tone as well. He does the emotion, pacing and non-dialog bits evenly and with just the right inflection. He doesn’t give any over the top accents to the secondary characters, but it’s always clear who’s talking. Instead, he lets Carter and Ethan be the stars of this story – as they should be – and let’s them tell us their tale.

I can’t recommend this highly enough, it’s one of my favorites. Give it a try.

6 of 5 stars

Beautiful, Enlightening

This changes my view of traumatic brain injury forever. This book flows from beginning to end. It hurts my heart and fills it up. Ethan and Carter is an amazing story of an unlikely couple who by some miracle find each other. I have over 700 audiobooks. I will say this is one of my absolute favorites. This is my third listen. The narrator only amplifies Ryan's poignant account and brings it to the next level. He is excellent. Thank you Ryan, what a treasure. I hope you will have other books on audible!! Please!!

Wow...

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

A resounding yes. This is such a feel good story. It has the right mixture of angst, humor, and erotic elements. I wish everyone would listen to it.

What did you like best about this story?

The apparent love and respect that everyone had for Ethan.

Which character – as performed by K. C. Kelly – was your favorite?

Ethan.

If you could rename Ethan, Who Loved Carter, what would you call it?

I don't think I could rename it. The title is perfect.

Any additional comments?

I don't normally read tearjerkers but I couldn't ignore this book. I don't know why I deigned to listen to it at work. There were many a scene where I reached for my tissue box. I haven't been moved by a story in a very long time. Initially, I didn't know if the narrator was the right choice. I am happy to say that he is. Mr. Kelly did a wonderful job. He evoked so much emotion from me and I consider that a job well done. Bravo Ms Loveless. I wish there was a sequel.

Stupendous

But keep the tissues handy.
The heat level is only mildly simmering in this one, but the love is really deep and transcends the flaws in Ethan and Carter. You will really love these men.
KC Kelly did a great job narrating. The different voices were distinct and during one part, he actually sang when the character sang.
Definitely one deserving of a second listen