Never Been Kissed

Boy Meets Boy, Book 1

By: Timothy Janovsky

Narrated by: Mark Sanderlin

Length: 9 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Dear (never-been-quite-over-you) Crush,

It's been a few years since we were together, but I can't stop thinking about the time we almost...

Wren Roland has never been kissed, but he wants that movie-perfect ending more than anything. Feeling nostalgic on the eve of his birthday, he sends emails to all the boys he (ahem) loved before he came out. Morning brings the inevitable Oh God What Did I Do?, but he brushes that panic aside. Why stress about it? None of his could-have-beens are actually going to read the emails, much less respond. Right?

Enter Derick Haverford, Wren's #1 pre-coming-out-crush and his drive-in theater's new social-media intern. Everyone claims he's coasting on cinematic good looks and his father's connections, but Wren has always known there's much more to Derick than meets the eye. Too bad he doesn't feel the same way about the infamous almost-kiss that once rocked Wren's world.

Whatever. Wren's no longer a closeted teenager; he can survive this. But as their hazy summer becomes consumed with a special project that may just save the struggling drive-in for good, Wren and Derick are drawn ever-closer...and maybe, finally, Wren's dream of a perfect-kiss-before-the-credits is within reach.

©2022 Timothy Janovsky (P)2022 Dreamscape Media, LLC

randomly changes without warning

I am not sure if its a technical issue, or if its the writing. There are sudden and abrupt changes in topic, and some areas seem out of order. example there is a place where the topic is packing and getting ready for a trip, then it is about getting on the buss and starting to describe that and suddenly it starts talking about, what seems like it should have been the opening for the long past packing for the trip without even a pause.

I had to go back several times to try to make sense of what was going on with these abrupt changes, some are mid sentence...
and relistening doesn't clear up the weirdness.

Is it a good story, yes it seems it has solid potential, does this issue ruin it, yes it does.

3.5/5

There was a lot I liked about this one, but plenty that bothered me too. From the blurb I thought for sure this would easily be a 4 or 5 star for me but it just fell flat.

I enjoyed the drive-in aspect of things and how everything worked with that, but for a book that's supposed to be a romance, that part was hardly there at all. There are a few cutesy moments, but it almost felt as if they were added in after the fact. I feel like the interactions between the two MMCs was awkward at best because nothing was built upon. There seems to be not much beyond friendship between them which is why the cute moments feel forced. I enjoyed the story as a whole but wish there was just.... more.

Also, without spoiling anything, there's an apology at the end that is supposed to be a big deal and make you happy, but came off more like, "I know I've been an absolute trash bag to you, but here's my half-assed apology to make up for it!" I feel like there should have been more to that after everything but maybe that's just me.

Mark Sanderlin did a lovely job reading this one. His voice is clean and easy to follow even if you change the speed (which I've come to discover many audiobook readers do) so know going into this one you'll have no trouble with that. Many narrators go a little wild to make their characters have different voices, but Mark didn't really do that here. There's slight inflection differences, but they're so many characters in this one that it made parts of it a bit hard to follow on who was saying what, namely when the group of friends would be taking. It's not a deal breaker but if you aren't posting full attention you can get a bit lost in the heavier dialogue sections.

Overall the story was fun, quirky, and kept me wanting to know what would happen. Though I wish there were more to it I did enjoy most of what was offered.

fun sweet mm listen

major brownie points for the representation. great story and absolutely loved the narration. great job.

It’s ok just not for me

It’s an ok story but had trouble staying focused a lot of the time I’m sure others who like it will enjoy. Just not my kind of story.

great!

With this book I've realized how much of a sap I truly am lol. I'd love a story like this for myself one day.
Great reading, great overall story. 😘

Skipping

I’m not sure what’s going on, but there were at least two spots where the recording skips ahead… and I hope it wasn’t too far. It was a good story and would be very disappointed if I missed good parts due to poor editing.

Had a hard time with the voice

Really enjoyed the story, but had a hard time with the voice of the narrator. Is very computerized and no emotion. Almost dropped the book, but pushed through because I liked the story.

This was cute

The his was a cute story. Def good read. Would recommend for a light ready

Skipping Paragraphs

I dont even know if I can accurately rate the story. I couldnt finish it because the books kept skipping for no reason. He went from describing his car and mid sentence was in the middle of a conversation with his boss about something. This happens multiple times and Im at the beginning of Chapter 6.

The story seems fine, and I would have liked to know what happened (maybe Ill buy it to read, but why pay twice) I just cant justify listening to a book I cant follow.

don't buy until they fix the editing

around 4 minutes in to chapter 5 the narration jumps forward a few minutes. then later jumps back. the skips the bit it already played then a few minutes later it happened again. it's sad because this seems like a good story. I'd love to listen to it with proper editing. there doesn't seem to be an option for reporting technical issues.