#Junkie

Gearshark Series, Book 1

By: Cambria Hebert

Narrated by: Luke Itzvic, Guy Locke

Length: 10 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Drew Forrester is a total adrenaline junkie. His high of choice? Cars. The faster, the better. He's been making waves in Maryland's underground racing circuit since he crossed the state line, and after speaking with him, we know he's not hitting the brakes anytime soon.

So what exactly does it take to burn rubber and make a name for yourself in a world where the only rule is that there are no rules? You gotta be hungry. You gotta have balls. And you can never back down.

Contains mature themes.

©2016 Cambria Hebert (P)2016 Tantor

Fantastic dual narration, good NA story

I’ve had this on my kindle FOREVER it seems. I loved the premise and it’s gotten some good reviews and the whole double GFY is totally my thing. But… it’s long and it’s NA with a large dose of college melodrama thrown in and the romance is slow burn and and and…

What I loved: the dual narration was excellent! I especially loved Guy Locke (who I think voiced Drew’s parts) in this dual POV narrative. I loved the dual POV. We really get to know just what each guy is thinking and that’s wonderful. I loved all the car facts at the beginning of each chapter. Some are interesting some are really funny but they were a nice touch. I loved the secondary characters and the way the entire “family” felt really fleshed out. (This is a spin off from a NA M/F series so the people who’ve read the entire series will see people they recognize. I haven’t read it, but I still felt connected to the characters.) The sensual times are appropriate for an NA novel. They’re in there, but they aren’t the main focus and the “new to being gay” guys don’t just dive in, they are appropriately cautious about expanding their physicality.

What didn’t work for me: The writing. It felt a little too “dramatic”. Too many descriptions were similes and each “moment” was drawn out and there was very little action to keep my attention. Lots of internal dialogs and navel gazing and not much “doing”. This ends on a “cliff hanger” as there is a Part 2 where in our MCs get their HEAs. So, I was psyched I hadn’t read this and been waiting for the next installment or I’d have been pretty frustrated.

Who I think will like this: If you like cars and racing, or football and fraternities, New Adult romances, double GFY/OFY (I think both these guys are gay and in denial, but they call themselves bi in this book), slow burn romances and stories with a lot of “pondering”.
I really enjoyed listening to this, though I think the fact that I was listening to it made me “like” the book less, simply because if I’d been reading I’d have skimmed a bunch and that’s harder to do with an audio book. The narrators voices are great! They do the kids and female characters very well and I liked the way they handled the emotion and the dialog. The sound quality was excellent as well.

Overall, this was good – but not great – as an NA book and fun as an audiobook.

4 of 5 stars

Wow

I've never read a love story quite like this. Never been interested in a m/m story, but Cambria Hebert had me captivated by Drew and Trent from the moment she introduced them in the Hashtag Series.

confusing and unresolved

The story was very exciting until the end. There was no real resolution to the story. it left me empty. It felt like it was about 3 chapters too short.

It is a good fit for a summer light reading!

#3.99 Stars!

#Junkie is my first book by Cambria Hebert. It's a nice but simple and unidimensional story.

I love a lot the whole sexual- exploring tension between Trent and Drew. Just best friends or more? So much feelings, emotions until that first kiss. What kinda chemistry they had? That first kiss would prove it!

I like that end with a cliffhanger , leaving me hungry for more. Trent enjoyed Drew's presence. His scent. The familiarity of his movements and the way he always ate the fries off his plate but he pushed the feelings down inside him because they scared him so much. Because he thought they were wrong.
“If you love me as much as you say you do, then fight,”
Drew challenged.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I'm glad I didn't pass it up!
It is a good fit for a summer light reading!

new author new narrator

I seriously enjoyed this book and jumped right into book 2 cause I needed to know more

I enjoyed this

Is it the best story? no but if you're a fan of the #nerd series then this is a must read IMHO. The narration doesn't do it any favors wither maybe read this one on your own.

Slowest burn

Very slow both in story and burn. The story line happens over about a two week time for 500+pgs, it's ridiculous. BUT, it is good. Too bad it doesn't mention in the blurb (or I missed it) this ends in a cliffhanger 😕

Adrenaline junkie + Football star = Cute Couple!

This is my first listen to anything written Ms. Cambria. I'm happy to say that I had fun. Drew and Trent are solid best of friends. If there was anything that's obvious in this book, it was the strong bond between the two MCs. The falling in love came much later, which also drove me crazy because it was a special kind of slow burn... The chemistry was so evident. Thank the lord when Trent came into a decision, he made his move.

It's an enjoyable listen. There's a lot of fast cars, racing and speed. There's also frat house shenanigans.

Give it a go. You'll want to listen to the next one, for sure. =)

Sex, cars and finally also a good story

What did you love best about #Junkie?

Finally a literotica, which focuses on the story, with just enough heated moments to keep you tenting on the subway.

This is the book I have been looking for; Finally a happy ending in literature for young gays that is more than an affair with a silver fox and not just a mushy romance.

Book for the normal boy, but gay.
Perfect novel for a young gay guy, who no one guesses to be gay.
Gives me hope that I will one day stumble upon my man too.

I was shocked to realise that the book had been written by a lady; The level to which I was able to relate to with the main characters, even to the last tremble in the privates was incredible.

As you can see, I had been blown away by this book beyond the ability to create a well structured review and I would like to thank the author for creating something to fill this void somewhere between literotica and romance.

Amazing!!!

This was absolutely amazing!! I enjoyed this book so much, and I can not wait to jump into the next one!