Wake Up Married Serial, Episodes 1-3

By: Leta Blake, Alice Griffiths

Narrated by: John Solo

Length: 11 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

Join the fun in this soapy serial by best-selling author Leta Blake and newcomer Alice Griffiths!

Episode 1: Will & Patrick Wake Up Married

After a drunken night of hot sex in Vegas, strangers Will Patterson and Dr. Patrick McCloud wake up married. A quickie divorce is the most obvious way out - unless you’re the heir of a staunchly Catholic mafia boss with a draconian position on the sanctity of marriage. Throw their simmering attraction into the mix and all bets are off!

Episode 2: Will & Patrick Meet the Family

Meeting the family is challenging for every new couple. But for Will and Patrick, the awkward family moments only grow more hilarious - and painful - when they must hide the truth of their predicament from the people they care about most. Throw in the sexual tension flaring between them and you've got a recipe for madcap laughs and surprisingly heartwarming feels.

Episode 3: Will & Patrick Do the Holidays

A couple’s first holiday season is always a special time. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve are magical when you’re in love. Too bad Will and Patrick’s marriage is a sham and they’re only faking their affection for each other. Or are they? Sparks fly in this episode of the Wake Up Married serial. Will the sexual tension between Will and Patrick finally explode in a needy night of passion? Or will they continue to deny their feelings?

©2016 Leta Blake Books (P)2019 Leta Blake Books

Fantastic narration

I'm a huge fan of this series and have been anticipating the audio release of Will & Patrick's story for what feels like forever... and it was totally worth the wait. John nails these characters and his pacing and interpretation is spot on. I'm really looking forward to parts 3-6/7!

meh

This was one of those audios that, while I thoroughly enjoyed John Solo’s narration, I had some issues with the story. I had a real hard time getting drawn into the story. I actually had to stop and go back quite a few times. My big issue was with the characters. Patrick was obnoxious and Will, with his constant pining for his jerk of an ex was really frustrating. I might pick up the remaining books in this series just to see how it wraps up but I found this one lacking.

Enjoying this so far!

I am really enjoying this story about how Will and Patrick are navigating married life after waking up married in Vegas one morning. At first you really hate Patrick and feel really sorry for Will. As time goes on, many still really hate Patrick but you start to see under the rough exterior and I just adore him now. Will also has a lot of demons to battle and without even realizing it, they are just what each other needs to find true happiness, they just need to figure that out! . There are still 13 more hours to go in the 2nd audio book and I cannot wait to continue on their journey.
As always John Solo is great! I think his voices for Patrick and Will fit the characters perfectly!

So so good

Loved to read this series. And John Solo is doing an amazing job narrating this ... it’s very enjoyable and highly recommendable.

One of my favorite books in audio? Yes, please!

4.5 Stars

I started reading this serial three and a half years ago and I loved it, and seeing as re-reading is difficult for me lately with all the books I read for the blog, I jumped at the chance to listen to the audiobook and see if I still felt the same way about Will and Patrick and the rest of the Healing people. And you know what? For the most part, I do.

Patrick was still just as brash and painfully honest as he was the first time, but at the same time, there's just something about him that draws me to him. He's been one of my favorite characters for a long time and he still is, I don't see that changing anytime soon.

It took me a long time to warm up to Will back then and that hasn't changed either. Really, his inability (and most of the town's) to see how much of a twat his ex Ryan is, makes me want to scream. Perhaps Ryan never hit Will, but there are other types of abuse. I just hated how no one else but Patrick really saw Ryan for who he really was.

John Solo did a great job with the narration, especially with Patrick, as he seemed to capture not only Patrick's sarcastic nature, but his growing feelings for Will and the uncertainty he feels at first quite well. While children's voices aren't Mr. Solo's forte, he did well with the ones he needed to do in this audiobook, so kudos to him.

Despite Ryan, and maybe Will's mother and uncle, too, I still found the first three episodes very enjoyable and engaging—I actually found myself smiling or laughing out loud at certain parts—and while I already know how it's going to play out, I can't wait to listen to it in Mr. Solo's voice. Highly recommendable!

What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas

So what does happen when you’re drunk in Las Vegas? Let’s see…. either you found yourself in a casino gambling away all of your money. Or you made use of one of the many chapels and got married and have some very enthusiastic sex to celebrate the union. Then you woke up in the morning only to realise that the person next to you isn’t only a stranger but also your husband. At least that happened to Will Patterson and Patrick McCloud. Due to the previously mentioned enthusiastic and all night celebration, an annulment is not viable and a divorce is tricky to say the least – especially since a very catholic mafia boss who don’t’ believe in divorce for his family is holding the purse strings. (And yes, that part is exactly as ridiculous as it sounds).Then you add in alcohol addiction and an on and off again boyfriend and this tale is full of drama and it’s messier than a two-year old eating spaghetti.

We follow Will and Patrick from that moment when they wake up in a hotel in Vegas and realise they were married and then tried to rectify that. Then there is meeting with Will’s family and the town’s people, convincing everyone that theirs is a love match. All at the same time as recruiting a select few of Will’s family to see how they can dissolve the marriage. Add in an alcohol addiction and a truly beyond awful (and mentally abusive) ex-boyfriend and things are never dull in this town. Oh, and I forgot to mafia mention the henchmen sent to spy on the newlyweds to make sure things were in order.

Will Patterson is troubled I guess you might say. He probably won’t agree with you but still. His ex-boyfriend Ryan mentally abused and gaslighted him for years. Making him believe that he wasn’t worth anything and everything was his fault etc etc. Let me give you an example of how “thoughtful” he was: when breaking up with Will this time around he did it over the phone, knowing that Will (a recovering alcoholic) was in a bar in Vegas. Very nice of him wouldn’t you say? And as far as his alcohol addiction goes, I don’t know if I believe in it beyond a convenient plot device. I’m far from an expert in addiction and knows everyone reacts differently, but beyond a call or text to his sponsor his addiction was very superficial, no cravings or need for it what so ever – despite falling off the proverbial wagon in Vegas.

I was not and probably am still not all that fond of Patrick, forgive me doctor McCloud. He was an ass of ginormous proportions. Always putting everyone down for not being smart enough, rich enough and everything his prejudice mind could think of. He had two saving graces though; mostly he never did that out of spite or malice, he’s just so unfamiliar with others feelings and never really took the time to learn basic social skills. Secondly underneath (way, way down) he hides a big and generous heart that only a very select few gets to see. I like seeing how slowly (very slowly) Patrick changes, opens up and becomes more caring of others and not only about himself or his work. He still has a long way to go, but I celebrate each step forward.

As strangely as it sounds I did enjoy listening to this book – or books if you will. It’s flawed sure, but I do like and enjoy the potential. It also contains much more drama than I normally would like, and don’t get me started on the whole mafia plot line. But I must have been in the right mood for this story as I did have a good time listening to it.

This wasn’t my favourite narration by John Solo. Mainly because it felt like he was trying to oversell it. You know like those commercial voices trying to convince you to buy stuff you don’t really need. Solo felt like that – especially with his interpretation of Patrick and his douchedness. But guess what – I really disliked him to begin with and his narration didn’t exactly make things better, it just became too much. As far as the rest goes I really enjoyed it with good pacing and enunciation. His interpretation of Will was really good and meshed better with his personality.

Will and Patrick’s story isn’t over yet, in truth it’s only just begun and I’m looking forward to see what else will happen to these guys.

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

Spectacular Performance by John Solo!

In Will & Patrick Wake Up Married Serial, Episodes 1-3, Leta Blake and Alice Griffiths have compiled the first three episodes of this wonderful series into one volume. I’m glad to say they did a great job ensuring that the three books flow together seamlessly. Beautifully narrated by John Solo, for everyone who hasn’t read this classic, now’s your chance to listen!

It’s no surprise this story makes a wonderful audiobook, and John Solo turns in a flawless performance. Mr. Solo capitalizes on the funny moments and makes the most of the chemistry between these two young men. His warm and sensual voice is perfect for these characters.

John Solo, clearly put - works - capturing the essence of both characters’ unique personalities. I love the gruffness he infuses into Patrick’s lines when he gets emotional. That little bit of vulnerability peeking through is so sexy. And he completely nails Will’s sweet and tentative nature. Total opposites, Solo keeps them as unique and different as they were written.

In this mixture of friends to lovers, opposites attract, and a slow-burn, Leta Blake and Alice Griffiths lay the groundwork for a spectacular story, and they deliver! There’s never a dull moment - between the drama of Will’s mafia family, the comedy of the eclectic residents of their small South Dakota town, and (best of all) the scorching sexual chemistry between Will and Patrick!

The spark between these two really comes across in audio and John Solo has a blast amping it up. From the opening scene to the fireworks when these two finally figure it out, the anticipation is wonderful. Knowing what’s in store for us, and with the promise of John Solo’s entertaining performance, I can’t wait for the release of the final half of this Will & Patrick Wake Up Married Serial.

Why did I wait so long?

Note: I purchased these a while back - but they’ve since been combined into a single audio for a single credit. Go find that one! 😉

This is perfect when you’re in the mood for slightly OTT funny, but with a bit of a serious side too. The set up (like most “fake marriages”) is a little hokey - but once that’s established it’s a lot of fun. Will & Patrick are unique characters bringing their own baggage to this impromptu marriage. Small town residents, including Will’s family and his ex, are all looking to give their opinions and advice.

I love John Solo’s narration. He has distinct voices & mannerisms for a huge cast of characters. It’s a fabulous production.

Will & Patrick - I dare you to put it down.

I loved the books - and wait eagerly for the rest of this series (Please) on Audible! This has an entirely different approach to the cultural and social waves that happen with the LGB disposition - and adds Patrick and his residence in the Spectrum. Take a independently wealthy philanthropist (Will) in the middle of South Dakota, who has always been sheltered and a type I diabetic - cross him in Las Vegas (after a breakup) with Patrick, a brilliant neurosurgeon on the spectrum. This couple may seem too "out there" with this brief description, but you can only read and listen to their beautiful story to believe. Patrick is mid thirties, Will is 26, and Patrick has seen alot of life, had alot of pain - Will is a soul who feels deeply and has just been dumped by the guy his entire family has pushed him to be with, over and over again, to "keep him safe". This guy, Ryan keeps will anything but safe.. and really is selfish, period - so good riddance, but it takes a bit for Will to understand that. In the meantime, Will & Patrick meet at a medical convention in Las Vegas, Will is drowning his sorrows, and Patrick sees him and somehow knows this guy is worth reaching outside of his self imposed autism walls. Patrick is nothing but straightforward and honest - sometimes painfully so. Will resists - but something starts to happen - - and through the stages of all these books (books 1-3 only covered on this Audible recording) -- through all these books is a mesmerizing transformation of two people who are wonderful and just meant! Leta & Alice - please work together again and PS Please PLEASE (put all the rest of the series (through #7) on Audible! Can't wait - read this series 3 X and have listened to this recording twice - perfect!!!!

John Solo's performance is fantastic!

I have heard so many good things about the Will and Patrick series, and it's been on my TBR list for quite a while. When these first three episodes finally came out as an audiobook, I couldn't wait any longer to read it.

I think this is one of those stories that I might not have liked nearly as much if I'd read it. One of the MC's, Patrick, is not very likeable at all but John Solo's fabulous performance of the story allowed me to ignore (for the most part) how much of a jerk he is. Fortunately, as the story progressed my opinion of him improved.

I'm not going to restate the book's blurb. It does lack some information that I think was kind of significant but I'm afraid it would be too much of a spoiler to reveal it, which is probably why it's not in the blurb. 😊 The main thing for me was that I found the story engaging due to the excellent voice acting by John Solo. I can't say enough good things about how much I LOVED his performance of this story. The emotions he conveyed with his voice really allowed me to feel what the characters were feeling.

This is an audiobook that I could see myself listening again (something I rarely do because I just have way too many books on my TBR list). I only have a few super favorite audiobook performers but that short list has now been increased by one.

To wrap up this kind of disjointed review, I would recommend this audiobook for the wonderful performance alone, but it's also a very enjoyable story.

A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author and/or narrator.

***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***