Bottled Up: A Gay Romance Story

I have read two other Andrew Grey novels and I thoroughly enjoyed them. This is no exception. He masterfully mixes a touching story with very real-to-life experiences (both in and out of the bedroom). Just as his other novels have done, he doesn't create an impossible situation or tear anyone down. The story is not overly complicated and is very easy to follow. Also, the main characters are fully fleshed out and are the kind of people I would very much like to meet. His books make me want to be a better person! My only complaint is that I fell in love with R. Kirstein's deep timbre reading of the other books. That does not mean that Jeremy Klavens' narration was lacking in any way. I can't wait to listen to the next one in the series!

This book made me smile. The reader is wonderful and the story had real depth to it. It wasn't just about sex.

I've noticed that a lot of the gay/lesbian genre available on audible presents stories more focused on sex or scandal. I was thrilled because this is a sweet story about the characters and about love.

Grey presents wholesome relatable characters that you will grow to love.

Bottle Up isn't perfect, but it's fun to listen to and closer to what I'd imagine a male/male relationship is really like. It feels real to me. I suggested the book to a dear friend of mine who is a gay male and he enjoyed the story as well and agreed it felt real unlike most in the genre.

Grey writes some of the best gay romance on audible. I highly recommend him.

I couldn't connect to any of the characters. They seemed stereotype and without life. The plot was simple, which can be good, however, there was no development - in the end everyone got what they wanted or deserved.
The narration was good though maybe a bit too fast.

Better Plot, actual research into...everything! Why was a minor allowed to work at a wine shop place thing, why was a stranger allowed to take a minor into his care without even a trip to the police station?? What the actual F**K!!

if it were a completely different book!

irritation mostly!

This is one of those books that just grabs your attention and holds it. I found myself delaying other things I needed to do so I could finish the next chapter. The book is extremely well written. There are parts where you will want to cry, parts where you will be smiling and parts where you will be thinking "WTF?!" I highly recommend Bottled Up to any fan of gay romance novels, or just romance novels in general. (The sequel is also very good.)

Great story and well narrated. I am looking forward to the follow up books by the same author

Only have listened haven't read the book.

Loved the mix of characters. From delivery boy to customers. But just loved Bobby, Sam and Sean.

I think one thing I felt as I listened was Sean's strong voice. And maybe the timidness of Bobby.

very moving and several funny little parts -- things I came to expect from the characters :)

This is a relatively quick story made quicker by the narrator. I've found that the narrator can really make or break the book and Jeremy Klavens almost blew this one. If I had to give him any advice it would be to slow it down a bit and add a little more expression. I liked the story. I don't expect perfection and this one has its flaws but they are easy to overlook. I would recommend this one.

I highly recommend this book, despite its flaws. This is the story of a gay man who becomes the guardian of a runaway gay youth. In the story you get drawn into a wonderful story with lots of heart as the boy and the man are a healing presence in each other's life. The romance is the man finding another man that loves him. The book has a climatic conclusion that left tears flowing down my cheeks. So, for all that, in a very weak genre for writing standards, I wouldn't be fair if I didn't give it five stars. My criticism of the book largely revolves around the sex scenes, which are repetitive and relatively boring. Personally, the times when Grey makes a sex scene very short and leaves most of the action to the imagination are far better than the ones in which Grey tries to get his audience going. That may be what this genre demands of Grey, so I do not judge him too hard for it. Yet, it did lead to my working theory that "Andrew Grey" was just a pen name for a woman writer, for the sex scenes just seemed so phony and contrived. But, a google search did bring up the writer's website and "She" at least has a man's picture of "himself" in the personal information, so I won't push the point. IN CONCLUSION, Grey's development of the relationships is compelling reading, but the sex scenes are poorly written smut that just downgrade the other writing. Grey has the talent to write books like "Will Grayson, Will Grayson," and I hope he moves on from this genre. I never would have found this gem if Audible didn't have so few gay titles.

Overlook Mr. Grey's rudimentary, repetitive, uncomfortably paced writing style and Mr. Klaven's flat, accelerated narration (akin, at times, to speed reading), and you just might find a half-way decent story here.