When One Door Opens

By: Jd Ruskin

Narrated by: K.C. Kelly

Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Logan Sellers' parole officer has issued three commandments: Stay sober, stay employed, and stay out of trouble. At first, Logan thought those three simple rules would be easy to follow. But that was before he accepted a side job assisting his boss' housebound agoraphobic nephew Caleb.

Caleb is deceptively normal for a guy who hasn't left his apartment in three years, and his friendly, caring personality tugs on heartstrings Logan didn't know he had. But hitting on his boss' nephew is asking to be unemployed. Logan has enough problems with booze on every corner and a supervisor trying to jump into his bed. He doesn't need to work out how to free Caleb from the anxiety that keeps him in his apartment; he needs to keep his nose clean, attend his AA meetings, and make a fresh start -alone.

If only his heart would get with the program.

©2012 Jd Ruskin (P)2014 Dreamspinner Press

great job, I

Great job. i really enjoyed this. I look forward to more just like it. thanks!!!

Losers in Love

Who was your favorite character and why?

I liked BOTH Caleb AND Logan. They were very complimentary characters. Neither one was really up to facing life's challenges alone but together they worked.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene is when big burly Logan is sorta man-handling Caleb and carrying him around the apartment.

Any additional comments?

A little over a year ago at 6 foot 7 Logan Sellers was a big man and a mean drunk. His drinking and temper lead to the near fatal beating of another bar patron and his conviction and sentencing to four years in prison. However, after detox and serving a year on his sentence he's been released on parole and is under the supervision of a no-nonsense parole officer that requires that he remain employed, sober and adhere to an 8 PM curfew.

When his boss approaches him with the opportunity to make some extra cash collecting the mail and doing the shopping for an agoraphobic nephew, Logan accepts warily hoping to avoid any problems. But when Logan meets Caleb he realizes that staying out of trouble will not be easy. And being attracted to the young man will add a whole new level of problems that Logan hadn't even considered.

This is an engaging tale of the coming together of two guys who really can't quite cut it on their own. And while they both have their struggles the reader is quickly pulling for both of them. Each of them believes he's not good enough for the other and when a crisis arises, it is devastating to see them both alone at a time when they need each other so much.

While it's fascinating to see these two men come together to form a relationship, it turns out that "All you need is Love" is not quite true. These men still have to put in a lot of work to overcome their problems.

I listened to the audio-book version of this narrated by K.C. Kelly who does a great job with the narrative portions of the text and even does a credible job with the ethnic voices of some of the supporting characters.

There are a couple of scenes in the story that other reviewers have felt were unnecessary. Personally, I see why the author included them, but others felt that they made the tale feel needlessly bloated. Also, this is NOT an upbeat story throughout and there are some bleak moments that will probably keep this one off my rotation for feel-good reads but the ending is hopeful. That said, this one tells a unique tale and, like both of its MC's, it's imperfect but certainly worth the time. I urge you to check it out and judge for yourself.

I like the story. K. C. Kelly narration was great.

Caleb and Logan were so different.
Both with a lot of baggage.
But the chemistry and love surpassed all of it.
A couple bad guys, a touch of mystery, but thankfully no murders.
I recommend this book.

Another Strong Performance by K.C. Kelly

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

This is a lovely story about second chances and two people who desperately need them.

What was one of the most memorable moments of When One Door Opens?

When Logan reconnects with his friend Michael

What about K.C. Kelly’s performance did you like?

Just outstanding! His voicing for Logan was pitch-perfect

If you could rename When One Door Opens, what would you call it?

I wouldn't change the title, it is very appropriate!

Won't rock your world, but well worth a credit

The MM genre has a couple of gems hidden among lots of okay work. This is part of the latter - not offensive, nice listen, worth the credit and entertaining.

Romance with a touch of butter... and maple syrup

This was one great love story. I wanted to hug Caleb and put it in my pocket to protect him forever. As for Logan, well, maybe the pocket was not exactly where I would put him *wink* Now, seriously, the story may have been a bit slow at times, but I think it suited its purpose. I love how we were served to every emotion whirling around inside the MC's heads. There are a few pleasant surprises along the way, although the outcome was kind of predictable (but I'm okay with that. I really liked my HEAs).

I like Mr. K.C. Kelly's voice and performance. I agree with some of the other reviews that his voice is more fit to fantasy than this particular book (Brute was absolutely awesome). But that's okay, nobody does a stutter like he does... and that sold me out.

Overall, I was very pleased with the plot and the MCs. Highly recommended for those who like odd pairings and enjoy a sweet, angsty Sunday reading. (less)

A Different kind of Love story

Would you consider the audio edition of When One Door Opens to be better than the print version?

I haven't read it, but the story itself really captured me, so I can't imagine the print version would be any less worth your while.

What did you like best about this story?

It was unlike any other love story I've listened to. Both men have some serious baggage including psychosis and alcoholism, it's the need they have to be together that will keep them clean and sober.

Have you listened to any of K.C. Kelly’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was my fires and I really enjoyed it.

If you could take any character from When One Door Opens out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Logan of course! Tall, dark, brooding, handsome.... what's not to love?!

Any additional comments?

Caleb hasn't left his apartment in over three years, aside from the occasional visit across the hall to his neighbor. Once the fire alarm went off and the building was evacuated. Caleb helped his elderly neighbor and her cat get down to the lobby, then went back upstairs and baracaded himself in his apartment. He doesn't leave, and he doesn't have friends. He does run a successful online website and graphics design company that keeps him afloat, so there is that.

Caleb's uncle feels responsible for him for many reasons, and so he tries to make sure Caleb has someone to pick up his mail and groceries every few days and deliver them. It's also a way for his uncle to keep tabs on him as the person that delivers is required to stay a certain amount of time and always ask Caleb innate questions. Logan is sort of puzzled as to why his new boss would hire a convicted felon to assist his obviously troubled nephew with even such mundane tasks as mail and groceries.

Logan just wants to go to work, go to his meetings, keep is nose clean and get on with his life. A recovering alcoholic with a very short fuse, Logan just spent a year of his life in Prison for damn near beating a man to death in a drunken rage, and breaking his best friend’s wrist when he tried to stop Logan from killing the man. Now he's being given an opportunity to help someone, Caleb. The attraction is obvious from the first awkward meeting, but Logan doesn't need any more complications in his life right now, especially a man that is scared of his own shadow, and would rather burn to a crisp than leave his apartment.

But Caleb trusts Logan, and the two begin an unlikely friendship. Logan forces Caleb out of his apartment. First to the roof of his building, then on walks to the store with Logan to pick up his groceries. Logan continues to battle with himself over his ever growing attraction to Caleb, but once he realizes the feelings are mutual, all bets are off. Soon Logan begins working fulltime at the warehouse and is no longer Caleb's paid delivery boy, and the two begin a relationship out in the open. Logans past, and unclear future coupled with Caleb's disease aren't their only obstacles though. Something strange is happening at the warehouse, and the someone involved will stop at nothing to keep it a secret, even if that includes threatening Caleb's safety and Logan's freedom.

What I loved about this story was how it captured my attention from the beginning, and held it throughout. That was a combination of a well written story, and well delivered dialogue by Kelly. It was so interesting to me to listen as Logan brought Caleb out of his shell, and thus, freed himself of his own demons at the same time. He still thinks about drinking, longs to taste just one drop again, but he longs for Caleb more and that was a very interesting twist in the story for me. At the end, all wasn't right with the world per say. Logan was still an alcholic, Caleb was still an agoraphobic, the difference was they had a reason to strive everyday to deal with their problems and issues. Each other. Love is a very powerful weapon, as prooven with this story.

This was my first book by Ruskin, and my first audible narrated by KC Kelly, won't be my last for either of them. I really enjoyed the way the two characters played off of each other, the way they were written as polar opposites, and yet, no one else could get through to the other quite the way each of them could individually. And Kelly's narration was such a treat, he is really good with that New York twang. This is a great listen, but I'm certain the written format will be just as enjoyable. I recommend it for sure!

Everyone is worth someone to love

I really liked this book, the characters and the plot. I love second chance stories, and reading about people overcoming their fears and When One Door Opens brought that to me.

Two men, both deeply troubled, one former alcoholic recently out on parole and the other severely agoraphobic prone to debilitating panic attacks. Their friendship, let alone romance shouldn't work but it does. When they meet there's an immediate but reluctant attraction from both sides and after a few mishaps an unlikely friendship develops between these two men.

Logan is one year sober, out on parole and working hard to stay that way. But having a supervisor out to get him, isn't helping matters. Especially since she seems to go to any lengths necessary to get what she wants. Add in a special assignment from the Boss to check up on his agoraphobic nephew and Logan is in for a challenge.

Caleb hasn't left his building in three years. The only visitors are his uncle, the man delivering his groceries and once in a while his elderly neighbour. Only the new delivery guy isn't as easy to fool or chase away as the previous one was and soon they start to form a tentative friendship.

I loved how there were no judgements about Caleb's disabilities or about Logan's incarceration or alcoholism. They're never excused or glossed over, they are facts but it doesn't define neither Caleb nor Logan, who they are at the core. Sure they struggle and stumble, but that's part of being human, being alive. It added credibility to their story.

Caleb and Logan were good together. I liked how Logan tried to help Caleb slowly coming out of his shell. To start being a part of the world again and in doing so starting to put someone else first before himself. They worked well together as a couple and got each other and the other's insecurities instinctively.

This might have been the my first K.C. Kelly narration and I have to say he did a really good job with it. His voices were distinct and it was easy to follow along. My only problem is that his narration was a bit too slow. I'm an impatient reader so this didn't fit me all too well. I also recognise this is on me and my own preferences.

When One Door Opens is a slow burn and quiet romance. It's filled with hope and second chances and to never stop fighting for what you want or what's right.
Highly recommended!

A copy of this book was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review for Love Bytes

I really didn't want to like this book

Would you listen to When One Door Opens again? Why?

I would listen to it again. I found it funny and sweet and yes I cried once or twice. It is a good story.

What did you like best about this story?

That the characters had there own issues and they helped each other even if it didn't seem that way....that and omg one of the character is huge. I love tall guys.

Have you listened to any of K.C. Kelly’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I think I have and he was amazing sadly the other book wasn't for me but he seemed to be much better in this book.

Any additional comments?

I was not going to buy this book. I found the title so cheese and dumb and the small preview made me think about it a little more. I waited about a week before I ran out of audiobooks and really needed to find a new one. So I gave in and bought this book. It was so worth it. It is a little fast pace and ended way to fast but I loved it. I recommend it to whoever is having a hard time deciding to buy this book. It is a little TJ Klune so I really fell for it. I say give it a try if the preview makes you laugh.

Really enjoyed this "Second Chance"

I love it when you get a do-over. Logan and Caleb are a sweet couple. Their attraction is fairly immediate but they work into a relationship fairly slowly. Logan seems unusually intuitive when it comes to Caleb but it could just be their strong connection. Writing and narration are exceptional. As in all things in life, there are no immediate fixes but when it's right it's right and you put the effort in if you care.