Simple Men

By: Eric Arvin

Narrated by: Charlie David

Length: 5 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

Chip Arnold is a well-liked football coach at a small liberal arts college, but his personal life is in a bit of a rut. He goes out drinking with his colleagues, gets along well with his players, and dates all the prettiest women in town - he has the life most straight men dream of. But lately none of the women he dates seem to be igniting any passion in him. Then he meets the new school chaplain, Foster Lewis.

Romantic attraction to another man is new and terrifying, and Chip just can't put his finger on why he's drawn to Foster, but it's stronger than anything he's felt for anyone in his life. Never one to back down from a challenge, Chip decides to go for it. But love is never simple, and sometimes it's a downright mess!

©2010 Eric Arvin (P)2011 Eric Arvin

Almost Good

What did you like best about Simple Men? What did you like least?

I liked the author's ocassional insights about life and relationships that were dotted here and there into the story. The aspect I like least was a total lack of story around one adult man realizing he was gay, or at least bi. He sort of went

Would you be willing to try another book from Eric Arvin? Why or why not?

I wouldn't pay for it, but I'd give one a listen.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

His voice was too gay. Had trouble getting the straight man (men) right and the female character came out sounding like a very gay man.

Do you think Simple Men needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Nope. It was a complete story as is.

Any additional comments?

The writing was half-way decent compared to romance books in general. Not literature, not edge-of your seat, but not stupid either.

Couldn't stop laughing or listening

Charlie David is a great narrator. He is the reason I choose this book.

While the characters in this book all acted about 10 years younger than they actually were, it was great fun. Chip's fear of squirrels and inner dialog were hilarious. I loved Kate's golf cart and Brad's and Jason's antics made me chuckle. The romances could have been more mature, but I laugh so much that it didn't matter - what's not to like about something that keeps you laughing.
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Titilating

A little slow and frustrating throughout but I did enjoy the relationships between the boys, coach, Chaplin and women. Have not quite accepted if Chip if bisexual or gay. I suppose the latter is what the author is leading to.

fun

If you could sum up Simple Men in three words, what would they be?

Love Through discovery

Who was your favorite character and why?

Chip

Which scene was your favorite?

the sexual connection

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

foster leaving chip for the sake of his friendship

Any additional comments?

overall a great book. hope there is more in store for the characters

Romanticism at its best...

The premise behind the story of Chip and Foster is a bit contrived to say the least but the writing style of Eric Arvin envelopes you in such a manner that you forget the implausibility of the premise. Of course, this is from my perspective for I have never met a 40 plus year old man, a self-proclaimed ladies man who at the sight of the new man on campus becomes infatuated, lustful, and lovelorn in a short period. I am not meaning to dissuade anyone from this book, for the writing is engaging and Charlie David’s (a big fan of his anyways) narration brings the story to life. Charlie’s narrative abilities injects realism to the characters and carries the reader or listener to a far away campus where an adventure begins. Additionally, the secondary characters of Brad and Jason (I think that’s their names) and their budding relationship and persistent tomfoolery made me laugh out loud. All in all, Eric Arvin’s writing style and Charlie David’s narrative make this a must read or listen.

Simple Men is Simply Fun.

Eric Arvin is a romantic. Contrary to the photo on the cover, this book isn't just about sex. It is relatively tame in that regard. It is about two different couples, one in mid-life, the other in college, who find love. It's charming in it's simplicity, and is deeply touching at times. This is not a great literary masterpiece, but it's perfect for a road trip or for listening around the house while you get your chores done. It's short, it's sweet, and I liked it a lot.

Great for a long car ride

What made the experience of listening to Simple Men the most enjoyable?

I'm a great fan of m/m romances and I own quite a few. I also travel for work which involves 2+ hour car rides. So I'm always looking for an interesting well written story. Many m/m romances have great love sex scenes, but the story and the character development isn't well developed and scripted and we don't see how the characters fit into the larger world. Simple Men did a good job of doing all the above. It's not a stellar plot by any means but we do get an opportunity to meet the characters, understand them in their past and current setting. We can see them as real and flawed and we understand why they do what they do even if we don't agree with them.

This story has an added subplot so you actually get two love stories for the price of one. Interestingly it's the sub plot that I'd have liked to see developed some more; but at the end you get to see both couples and you understand how one influenced the other.

I don't like to tell plot lines in reviews so I won't do that here either. But I will say that I quite enjoyed the story.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Remove the high strung annoying girlfriend and I don't quite see how or why the Chancellor was involved. He was peripheral and something else could have been used the move the plot line along. And after the main character and the girlfriend went on hiatus, she could have been removed. The fact that the second main character was all caught up in her angst was annoying.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

I'm fine with his performance.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes ... remember I get audible books for long car rides .. ideally I'd like to hear it one sitting or at most 2 ... one for the go leg and one for the return leg.

Straight man turn gay

If you're a fan of the straight man turn gay or figure out he's gay then this is your book. Great story great chemistry and the narrator makes things that much hotter!

So close to awesome.. but still fell short.

What did you like best about Simple Men? What did you like least?

The relationship between the main characters is great. It's well developed and romantic and I really enjoyed both of them and the way they come together. But there were some problems that really lessened my enjoyment of this one. The female characters were SO BAD. The neurotic ex-girlfriend and the predatory trophy wife... it was just too much for me. And the conflict between the main characters felt really forced. Now, that was a lot of negatives, but I still gave it three stars. Because what this book does well, it does very well. And the development of the romantic relationship really is what I'm here for. So, in short, this one isn't a favorite but it's not bad and I would definitely read more from this author.

Good Narrative, cute story

Not as explicit as most mm stories but nevertheless still great listen. An easy book to listen again and again to.