Sunset Park

By: Santino Hassell

Narrated by: Michael Ferraiuolo

Length: 8 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

Raymond Rodriguez's days of shoving responsibility to the wayside are over. His older brother wants to live with his boyfriend, so Raymond has to get his act together and find a place of his own. But when out-and-proud David Butler offers to be his roommate, Raymond agrees for reasons other than needing a place to crash.

David is Raymond's opposite in almost every way - he's Connecticut prim and proper while Raymond is a sarcastic longshoreman from Queens - but their friendship is solid. Their closeness surprises everyone as does their not-so-playful flirtation, since Raymond has always kept his bi-curious side a secret.

Once they're under the same roof, flirting turns physical, and soon their easy camaraderie is in danger of being lost to frustrating sexual tension and the stark cultural differences that set them apart. Now Raymond not only has to commit to his new independence, he has to commit to his feelings for David or risk losing him for good.

©2016 Santino Hassell (P)2016 Dreamspinner Press

Figuring out love takes work

Falling in love is a struggle for the two main characters. It takes work, vulnerability, and honesty.

loved it!

I was missing the boys so I had to get the audiobook, the narration was perfect and it got me into the story right away.

Great continuation of the series...

If you could sum up Sunset Park in three words, what would they be?

So So Good...I know, not exactly what was meant by the question, but this is what I could come up with.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked that the characters were so different. They have different ethnic backgrounds, family upbringings and just general outlooks on life. Raymond is brusk, rough and to the point where David is not. I liked the way their differing personalities still worked so well together.

What about Michael Ferraiuolo’s performance did you like?

I really liked Ferraiuolo's narration. Each character had their own voice and that made the story very easy to follow. The emotion came through in the narration. I loved the book, but the audio made me appreciate it even more. Raymond was easily my favorite character, but Farraiuolo gave David a voice that made me like him more than I had just reading the book. It was a great job.

Any additional comments?

This was just a really good story made even better with the narration. I would recommend it to any m/m fans.

Wonderful Surprise!

The narrator was great! His Raymond was perfect. The story had the perfect amount of angst but not too much and plenty of sexy times. I think I want a Raymond of my own!

I am addicted to this author!!!!!!!!

David and Raymond are my romance heroes! Their story is incredible. I actually caught myself yelling at the characters lol. Beautifully written. And let's talk about the narrator.... Human hubba.. What a voice. THIS IS A MUST READ.

Sexy Raymond

Would you consider the audio edition of Sunset Park to be better than the print version?

I love audios so yes

Who was your favorite character and why?

Raymond because his personality just draws me

What about Michael Ferraiuolo’s performance did you like?

I could definitely tell who the character was by the voice he used

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

Yes

Any additional comments?

I am crazy over Raymond. I love his straight up way of speaking and behaving. He’s just him. I’m also really surprised by the change in my feelings for David. I wasn’t thrilled about him at all before, but he became pretty likeable. Witnessing the transformations is wonderful, and the sexy scenes are off the charts.

Amazing narration. Entertaining story.

I kept thinking that there were two narrators in the story. very good distinction between the characters. The story was very entertaining and worth a buy.

Nothing Subtle

This is the second book in Hassell’s “Five Boroughs” series. I loved the first, “Sunset Park,” and this is just as good. “Sutphin Boulevard.” You don't need to read the first but the link to Michael and Nunzio from the first come into this in secondary roles even though important. The story derives from two blue-collar boys admitting a longtime love for each other and looks into the issues of class and ethnicity through sexuality. Best new writer of this genre in decades. Michael Ferraiuoli's narration is spot on. A must listen audiobook!

Narrator Heaven!! Excellent Book!

Book as you know is perfect. Santino Hassell is seriously talented. What I really wanted to say was that Michael Ferraiuolo is amazing with this story!!! Hands down probably the best narration I've ever heard. All the stars for Sunset Park.

Awesome!

Would you consider the audio edition of Sunset Park to be better than the print version?

I thought the audio brought the characters to life.

What other book might you compare Sunset Park to and why?

It doesn't remind me of any other book.

What about Michael Ferraiuolo’s performance did you like?

I loved his narration of Ray with the NY accent. David's voice was a bit too feminine for my liking.

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

When David went to see Ray after he was released from jail. That's when David truly admitted his feelings for Ray.

Any additional comments?

I really loved Ray, he never pretended to be anything he wasn't. I was annoyed at David, at times, for being wishy washy. Glad he got it together.