Head Above Water

By: CE Ricci

Narrated by: Michael Dean, Zachary Johnson

Length: 12 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

That’s the thing about hearts - like waves, they break too.

Grief.

I’ve never battled with the raw, debilitating pain that comes with it. Then a twist of fate hits me out of nowhere, and I can barely keep from drowning. It’s like weights tied to my ankles in the middle of a raging ocean. I’m helpless, with no way to swim back to the surface.

But fate is crueler still, bringing my stepbrother back for the first time in years.

Cannon never wanted this family. Especially me. Still, he’s always been my greatest desire. And my biggest weakness. He’s unattainable. Straight, engaged, and with a seemingly perfect life on the other side of the country. It’s something I’d do well to remember, yet when he stays, it’s so easy to forget.

In finding solace together, we mend what once was broken. This loss bonds us. Changes us. He’s become more than a brother or a lover. He’s my anchor.

So how am I supposed to keep my head above water when I’ll eventually lose him too?

Head Above Water is a stand-alone, full-length MM enemies-to-lovers stepbrother romance novel.

©2022 CE Ricci (P)2022 Podium Audio

Emotional

The emotion in their voices, I felt everything that they were trying to convey. 10/10 would recommend. I can’t express how amazing this book was but combined with these two narrators really bringing it to life was just next level.

Wonderful Performance!

I loved the narrating of this story; however, the story was too romantic and genuine that the redundant sex scenes between the two main characters didn't fit, and the combination was off. The poeticism was interrupted by the scandal. I wanted some things left to my imagination. A teen Rated of this book would have knocked it out of the park in my opinion.

Great story

Audiobook was fantastic, highly recommend it
Cannon & Easton’s story had all the feels
Really hot too

Loved the storyline!

This story has been told but not like this. Man does she delve deep into how everyone feels. This is an in depth accounting of different kinds of grief. At different times it went on too long and was too repetitive for me. But I did enjoy it most of the time.

My other problem was with Cannon. He comes back to his childhood home and his fiancé doesn’t come at all until after he’s gone two months and right before their wedding. I would have been throwing a fit if I was ignored that long. We needed to see more of that turmoil in their relationship.

I really liked Easton in the beginning. But his needy and clingy behavior was a lot. Are men really that needy? I have not experienced that and I’m a high school teacher!!! The narration was superb!

Pain, passion, and love done perfectly! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

CE Ricci has given us EVERYthing with this gorgeous, emotional story:

- Captivating, relatable MCs
- A brilliantly developed, perfectly paced plot
- Intelligent, interesting dialogue
- Surprises that keep you on the edge of your seat
- *Insanely* hot steam that adds to the growth of the characters
- A much deserved HEA
- A wonderful, meaningful epilogue
Oh, and to top it off, it’s all beautifully written!

If you can, I HIGHLY recommend going into this as blind as possible. I read some reviews (luckily *after* listening) that give away huge plot points. I think those spoilers do this book a disservice.
This story delivers everything on its own schedule… hardly anything happens when you expect it or how you *think* you want it. Gift yourself the experience of being kept guessing and surprised.

Cannon and Easton have been stepbrothers since they were nine and seven years old. From the beginning their relationship was strained, only complicated by the fact that Cannon was “straight” and Easton was completely infatuated with him.

When they are teens, something happens that separates the two. Seven years later, a tragedy brings them back together. Now they are very different men, with even more complicated feelings.

To me, this is where the book takes it’s very emotional turn. I was now listening to these two navigate their new hurt and anger-filled reality. I was drawn in and ached for them. It wrecked me. But… I was also thrilled as I got to hear that pain give way to a breathtaking, passionate, all consuming love.

After gutting me, Cannon and Easton’s journey made me cheer! I didn’t want it to end. When it did, all I could say was “WOW… I LOVED that!!” I’m pretty certain you will too!

Zachary Johnson as Cannon (my God… that voice!! 🔥) , and Michael Dean as Easton, elevate and already stellar book to even higher levels. All the hurt, rage, humor, love, steam, and more is performed (not just read) with unmatched skill. In listening, I *felt* everything these men went through in an even more powerful way.

Head Above Water is a fabulous, riveting read/listen! I was transfixed from the beginning until, literally, the very last word. I recommend this book with all that I am!

Wow. Just WOW.

I honestly cannot say enough good things about this book. This is my first CE Ricci book, and it certainly will not be my last. This book had it all! The spice! The emotions! The heartbreak!! I am a totally sucker for MM books and this one was fantastic. The connections between the characters was *chefs kiss* and the narrators were perfect! Ugh. This is one I will never stop talking about!

Emotional

The narration was amazing of this very emotional story. Was a stark reminder why two way communication is so important.

Stay with it and you’ll like it

Very good depiction of how parents, kids, lovers, partners create internalized monologues of conflict emotions that result in regrettable decisions. In this well written story the primary characters ie father, son and stepson don’t know how to begin dialogues with one another at great expense to their relationships with one another. It’s very realistic, too true to life and reminded me about things I might have dealt with differently.

All the around amazing!

I really wasnt for sure I was going to like this story but boy was I wrong. This story hit me in all the feels. Both narrators were amazing too.

SOO GOOD!

I loved the book, but holy crap! Listening to it? Whoa. Yeah — that was unexpected. Wonderfully and powerfully unexpected. Both narrators did such a great job, especially when reading a CE Ricci story. All the stars for this one!