To the Moon and Back

By: N.R. Walker

Narrated by: Glen Lloyd

Length: 5 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

Gideon Ellery had the perfect life. Nice house, great job, and a long-time boyfriend. Weeks after adopting his nephew, his boyfriend splits, leaving Gideon a single father to a newborn. Overwhelmed, sleep deprived, and unsure how to navigate fatherhood, he’s asked to return to the office. He’s overwhelmed and at his breaking point.

Toby Barlow is back in Sydney after three years of studying, travelling, and nannying in the UK. He needs work and a place to live, and the perfect solution drops in his lap. After all, caring for a sweet baby in a beautiful home owned by a gorgeous single man isn’t exactly terrible.

Gideon isn’t too keen to share his life with a stranger, but his need for help is too great. Sunshiny Toby isn’t prepared for a grumpy Gideon or his utterly adorable son, Benson. Or how easily he slots into their lives. And Gideon’s not prepared for how much he needs Toby.

Or how much he wants him.

Neither is prepared for the complications of falling in love.

©2022 N.R. Walker (P)2022 N.R. Walker

A sweet yet sexy read.

This is exactly what I was looking for. Low angst, falling in love, with a baby who is more than a plot point. I appreciate it when babies and children are written as realistic beings because this makes the story so much more relatable to real life. Less explicit sex would have been okay because the intensity of attraction and lust was already there. Love the combination of N R Walker and Glen Lloyd.

Loved it!

Narration: Glen was the perfect choice for this book. Loved the narration so much!

Story: This story is about a nanny and the father of the kiddo he watches falling in love and it was super sweet and romantic. It’s very much a story of meeting the right person at the right time. I loved how much Gideon and Toby adored and respected each other. I had a big smile on my face as they got to know each other and developed all the feelings for each other. I’m not always a fan of kids in books, but baby Benson was a sweetheart, and it was wonderful to see how much he’s loved by Gideon, Toby, and his found family (made up of several great side characters and Toby’s wacky but loving family). This is the perfect book to pick up when you need something light and lovely!

Perfection

Oh my gosh, this was such a perfect, happy, loving story. I adored the men, the baby, and the best friends and family.

I don’t get baby fever, but GAH!, this really is the cutest story. Gideon is such a fantastic human being who is in over his head (as a new single parent is bound to be), and despite feeling like he needs to do it all, realizes he’s going to need help.

Enter Toby, nanny extraordinaire, who is the most delightful person. Sunny, optimistic, and such an amazing support for Gideon. Not just by doing the work, but by reassuring him and helping to steady him.

Also, Toby’s family … *chef’s kiss* I’m so happy Gideon found a whole extended family in Toby. This little family they’ve created is a dream and makes me a little gooey inside.

And let's talk about Glen Lloyd’s narration. That man is such a perfect pairing for NR Walker, does an outstanding job on this story. The voices, the timing, the characterizations, all perfect. I may also have a major crush on him, that voice…sigh.

This is absolutely one of those stories that I’d want to reread/relisten to when you need a pick me up.

This is my second experience with this duo, it’s okay

This is a perfectly harmless, low excitement story. No real surprises, no real burn. I am not sure if the narrator helps or hurts the story. His reading is very high energy, kind of like a perpetual McDonald’s ad. Don’t get me wrong, he has a pleasant voice, but he only has one speed.

This is the second book by this author, I don’t feel compelled to read more. I judge the success of the narrator and story on if I can listen again. I have tried, the answer is no. There is no part of this story I cared to hear again - it was a one and done. Did I find it overall enjoyable? Enough to give it an overall 4 stars, considering the genre, and a nod to the amusing mother character.

I would recommend this title over The Weight of it All - a book I really wanted to love. This title is more successful as it stays within common tropes, the weight loss story feels more wishful thinking.

Quick, cutesy listen

This is a quick listen...typical sweetness by Ms. Walker. Glen Lloyd does a good job with the narration.

it was good.

Quite simply it's charming... I only had to look up twice on Australian vernacular. it's a cute storyline that's a little bit bittersweet. And ways that are expected and slightly unexpected. it's a origin story of a new family. How they come together under slightly questionable circumstances. Only slightly questionable circumstances. Ok, maybe I was a little judgy. On how the couple came together. And there are parts of the storyline that could be explained a little better. But, overall satisfying. Even with a pet name that made me cringe a little. It was a cute story. And I feel due to my own ridiculous nature. There should be a trigger warning...

if you've ever had undercooked food or bacteria in your food. You've been warned.

I wouldn't wish that suffering on anyone, both for real or fictional. Now that I think, about it. one of the main protagonists, the mother, her actions! more disturbing now after the fact. then I did at the time. So much so, I'm putting it in here.

Overall the storyline is compelling enough to be a nice distraction. That's good it's cute. The storyline doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it's is. It's a cute distraction.

enjoyed it - solid 4 stars

📖 A heart-warming story with an easy pace and low drama. The characters are likeable and their story was charming. I could feel Gideon's exhaustion at being a newly single dad of a six week old baby and the pure relief Toby's appearance in his life brings.

🎧 Glen Lloyd suits the characters and he continues to improve with every book he performs. I had no problem distinguishing characters, and his rhythm, tone and inflections have bought the characters to life.

Overall an easy and enjoyable listen for a lazy Sunday.

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How does it rate on my NR Walker "feels" scale: 2
{😁1:Henry [TWOIA] | 😊 | 😐 | 😢 | 😭5:Shelby [RDH] }

📌 Where does it fall on my personal scale? 7
• 1 not my thing • 2 didn't like the narration • 3 didn't keep my attention • 4 was good, but once was enough [3⭐] • 5 enjoyed it [4⭐] • 6 will listen again if i'm in the mood for the narrator [4⭐] • 7 goes on the "re-listen" list [4⭐] • 8 kept me up past bed-time [4.5⭐] • 9 recommended to family/friends [4.75⭐] • 10 own it in all formats [5⭐] • 11 keep a copy with me at all times [5⭐]

Not one of her best...

3.5 stars for the narrator.

2.5 stars for the story.

I would have said this one may have been better kept in the drafts but then I would have missed out on the tiny bit of Henry and Reed we get in it. Honestly that was the best part of the story.