Spencer

Survivor Stories, Book 3

By: J. P. Barnaby

Narrated by: Tyler Stevens

A survivor story

It's been nearly five years since Aaron woke up in the hospital so broken, he couldn't stand the sight of his own face. The flashbacks no longer dominate his life, but he's still unable to find intimacy with his lover, Spencer Thomas. With time, patience, and the support of his family, his therapist, and his loving partner, Aaron has figured out how to live again. The problem is, Spencer hasn't. His life has been on hold as he waits for the day he and Aaron can have a normal relationship. Hoping to move things forward for them both, he takes a job as a programmer in downtown Chicago, leaving Aaron alone.

Reeling in the wake of Spencer's absence, Aaron receives another shock when his attackers are caught.

Now, he must testify and verbalize his worst nightmare. Publicly reliving his trauma without Spencer at his side destroys his precarious control. But he finds someone who can understand and empathize in Jordan, who watched his brother cut down in a school shooting. With Spencer gone and the DA knocking at his door, Aaron seeks solace in Jordan, and Spencer will have to risk everything to hold on to Aaron's love.

©2014 J P Barnaby (P)2014 Dreamspinner Press

Painful love

Uhm, amazing book as is the first book, Aaron. The author either is a psychiatrist and is very familiar with computing or he/she did a hell of a lot of research. The dynamic between the two main characters is painfully special. I can't help but feel so badly for Aaron and Spencer. Aaron's damaged body and soul makes their relationship difficult and Aaron always had doubt that anyone can love him, but their love for each other so deep that they continue to try. Spencer is incredibly sweet and tender with Aaron, always encouraging him to try to move forwards.

The narrator, Tyler Stevens, is great. He does a great job of chsningy his voice abd cadence for rach character. I know which character is speaking by the voice of the character Tyler has created for them most of the time.

A terrific book that had me near tears for ling parts of the read. i think I'm going to have to read the rest of J.P. Barnaby's series.

Exhaustingly wonderful

Read this back to back, with "AARON." So glad I did. I'm exhausted. Will always have a place in my heart for these boys.

Good Read!

I actually found the first book to this "Aaron" on accident. I found the actual paper book and read it. It was really good so I came on Audible and found "Spencer" although I am a little confused about why it says book 3 in the title because I only found "Aaron" and "Spencer". Anyways the book was really good it's a complete gay romance, very detailed as well. The narrator Tyler Stevens did a really amazing job as well. I would recommend this book unless gay romance is out of your comfort level then maybe not...but if you're into those sorts of books then this is an excellent read. I'm usually not into gay romance BUT if I could find another gay romance book like THIS ONE I would read it and probably enjoy it :)

Great sequel

So, this was not as hard as Aaron, but not an easy listen as well. This was a rare one session listen for me as I wanted to give it my undivided attention. I started Sunday morning and ended at 11:30 pm Sunday night. I think the thing I admire most about this book is that (I think) it is a realistic look at what happens to Aaron and Spencer's relationship three years later. HEA doesn't always mean HEA when human beings are involved. Their relationship and commitment to each other is tested when: 1) the men who attacked Aaron are caught; and, 2) Spencer gets a job that requires him to move. I think it is really well done. It is not perfect, as I didn't think Aaron's relationship with his brothers was resolved. But it was a great sequel. It even had a surprise cameo from Zach (as in Finding Zach, by Rowan Speedwell, which is also on Audible) which added a great dimension to Aaron's continued struggle to come to grips with what happened to him. The narrator does an amazing job in conveying the emotions of the MCs and his interpretation of Spencer's deafness was truly wonderful. Definitely worth a credit.

Beautiful conclusion

A beautiful, heartbreaking conclusion to Aaron and Spencer's story. I highly recommend these two books. Great narration too.

Wonderful!

Spencer is the continued story of Aaron and his boyfriend Spencer, who we met in the first book, Aaron. In this book, it's 5 years later and although Aaron has made considerable strides, he still has a long way to go toward taking his life back after a horrific attack at age 14 changed his life forever, robbing him of his best friend Juliette, who was murdered during the attack, and making Aaron a prisoner in his own body. We see from the first chapter that Spencer's life is moving forward with his graduation from college and a fantastic job offer for both him and Aaron with a company who wants to buy their program Spaaron, and work as the team lead to train and tailor it for more clients to use. This is a great opportunity for Spencer, but the guilt sets in for wanting to move ahead and gain independence, since he needs to move to Chicago and away from Aaron to do it. With Aaron nowhere ready to move over an hour away from parents to be with Spencer, both boys fight to keep their relationship intact, even as the men who hurt Aaron and killed Juliette are caught and Aaron will need to find the courage to testify at the trial, with or without Spencer at his side.

very good

one of the best gay novels I've listen to. the ending was a little predictable though. besides that it was pretty good.

I was so touched and warmed -so happy for our boys

This is book two and it absolutely must be read in order.

I realized I had never done a formal review of Spencer when I realized that they (Aaron and Spencer) have a new book coming out – yay yay yay ! I wanted to make sure I had a good sense of the book, so I re-listened to it and – man – I am overwhelmed again with both the deeply emotional journey these guys take as well as the amazing talent of the author, JP Barnaby.

A brief summary: Aaron is a survivor of an extreme abuse crime and his partner, Spencer is the son of Aaron’s psychiatrist and is deaf. This book takes place about a year or so into their relationship and it is still, very much, a developing relationship.

Even though this book is titled Spencer, and he – undoubtedly – takes center stage – this book is equally about Aaron and his journey. I don’t want to give any spoilers – but a lot happens in this book to move both Aaron and Spencer forward in their lives both separately and together.

Right from the start, we see the tug Spencer feels when he is offered a chance at his dream job but would have to live 2 hours away to take it. He knows Aaron is not ready – may never be ready?- to move away from his family and his stability but Spencer is tired, too. Spencer is ready to move on – he’s graduated from college and ready to do something more – be more than just “the deaf kid”.

Barnaby does a fantastic job of showing the tension between what Spencer wants for himself and what he wants for him and Aaron as a couple. I also thought she gave us just enough of a taste of Spencer’s new situation without bogging us down in a prolonged – day to day – sequence of events.

I also loved how Zach shows up to give a speech – that was amazing!

I was so touched and warmed by the ending… so happy for our boys… and now, knowing what I do, I’m so excited to see how they are doing – years later.

Audio

Tyler Stevens absolutely OWNS this. He does Spencer’s speech pattern and Aaron’s emotions so well. I felt like these guys are real people and that’s all due to his expert portrayal of the author’s amazing words.

Highly Recommended

6 of 5 stars

Aaron is the begining this is the next

Where does Spencer rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is a very special to be cause I have PTSD. If Aaron is about learning to cope and hope spencer is about closer and moving on. I think this is harder at point then Aaron. You get higher Highs and Lower lows.

What other book might you compare Spencer to and why?

It is hard to compare this book to most anything. I deals with issues few can handle and does it in a way to be that is insightful respectful and humane. It leads you to hard point without pushing it in a way to fully see the horror.

If you like this book you should also look into love at first sight (by Cadeno C,), A better place and the nudo twins (by Mark a Roeder), Ethan who loved Carter (by Ryan Loveless), Locker Room(by Amy Lane), Inhered the star (by Airal Tachna), A sold core of alpha and Locker Room (by Amy Lane), love comes silently, bottled up, and a taste of love (by Andrew Gray) all are on here.

Which character – as performed by Tyler Stevens – was your favorite?

I still love how Tyler Stevens manage Spencer voice and thought. Spencer is deaf from birth so he doesn't have the normal speech patterns most do. I don't think the books work so well without him. I never once felt Tyler wasn't Spencer when he talks.

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

This is not a book you want to stop but also this book can hit harsh points you need to breath. The subject matter is so harsh Aaron is Spencer's lover of 3 years. Aaron and a friend abducted were sexually assaulted and left for dead. To quote Aaron " They left us there one went in an ambulances and the other a horst" when he was forced to publicly speak of it

Any additional comments?

I am using this space a a personal note from me a PTSD and survivor self. I can not tell you how many times I have listened to Aaron it is to many to count I think this book is the harsh and personal to me I recommend it to people trying to understand me or anyone dealing with PTSD. Will it be easy far from it but what is when it come to PTSD.

I have hoped and prayed this book would come to audio because I am extremely dyslexic and couldn't make it through the books. But this review is for Spencer a man with heart of gold. This book I feel is important to those trying to move on from PTSD and there partners with is about imposable to find. I know this almost to well myself, Seeing the sacrifices both put into this is hard almost imposable. The part of the book that felt personal was when Aaron was sick on the bathroom floor being held by spencer. I don't know if there more books for this story but I really hope so also.

I don't know if J.P. Barnaby ever reads these but if so god bless you from a Indiana guy you really have made not feel as alone.

I hope you buy this book and thanks for reading this
Jon

Very emotional.

I really didn't think this book would be able to compete with its previous book, Aaron, but it did. Spencer was so patient and some moments of weakness in the relationship but he came back to Aaron. Aaron's frustration at not being able to have a normal relationship really shows in what the author wrote. John was a sort of breath of fresh air for Aaron during his moments of weakness but who could really blame Aaron after his boyfriend of three years needs to leave.
The trial was really tough for poor Aaron and having to face the fact that he was going to have to practically relive the incident had him sick all over again. This book shows people that through love, support, and patience from loved ones people who exhibit PTSD have a chance at a normal life or as close to it as they can get. 5 stars for the wonderful book along with the first one, Aaron.

Patriece ( Mother who loves gay romance)