Leaning into the Fall

Leaning Into Stories, Book 2

De: Lane Hayes

Narrado por: Nick J. Russo

Nick Jorgensen is a quirky genius. He's made a fortune in the competitive high-tech field with his quick mind and attention to detail. He believes in hard work and trusting his gut. And he believes in karma. It’s the only thing that makes sense. People are difficult, but numbers never lie. In the disastrous wake of a broken engagement to an investor’s daughter, Nick is more certain than ever he isn’t relationship material.

Wes Conrad owns a thriving winery in Napa Valley. The relaxed atmosphere is a welcome departure from his former career as a high-rolling businessman. Wes’s laid-back nature is laced with a fierceness that appeals to Nick. In spite of his best intention to steer clear of complications, Nick can’t fight his growing attraction to the sexy older man who seems to understand him. Even the broken parts he doesn’t get himself.

However, when Wes’s past collides with Nick’s present, both men will have to have to decide if they’re ready to lean into the ultimate fall.

©2017 Lane Hayes (P)2018 Lane Hayes

Loved Nick and Wes, excellent story and narration

When I read the first book in this series, Leaning Into Love, I said that Nick just rubbed me the wrong way. I also said I hoped he'd be redeemed in a future book, and I am so very happy to say that Leaning Into the Fall does exactly that (yeah, I'm a sucker for those kinds of follow-up stories). Here in this book, we get to see exactly why Nick acts the way he does, and everything more I learned about him endeared him even more to my heart.

There's an innocence to Nick that, combined with his personality, makes it almost impossible not to fall for him. For me, the fact that he's a genius and an analytical super-whiz is like icing on the cake (I love the brainiacs!) But it also makes it seem like he's not sure what he wants-at least to others. Wes was simply put-amazing. He's experienced, intelligent, savvy and knows exactly what Nick needs--and is ready to take care of him. The two of them come together so easily, but Nick's insecurity gets the best of him-something that doesn't bode well for their relationship.

I loved that their relationship and feelings develop over time, and felt that Nick and Wes fit together like the proverbial puzzle pieces. I was almost distraught at the thought that Nick's difficulty trusting others and his way of thinking might ruin such a beautiful relationship, as any outcome other than the two of them together just would have been...well...WRONG.

Oh, and I loved, loved, loved Geordie. A bit flamboyant, definitely emotional, and certainly heartbroken-yet he still plays his supporting role wonderfully and I cannot wait to get his story at some point in this series.

You can surely say I'm hooked on this series, and Leaning Into the Fall was a 5-star read for me. This series has turned Lane Hayes into an auto-buy author for me...and M/M romance fans will definitely want to add this book to their library. While it can be read as a standalone, I think readers will appreciate Nick a lot more if Leaning Into Love is read first. This book is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and some hot and steamy M/M sexual content.

The narration: Nick J. Russo is always a pleasure to listen to, and I thought he did a great job with this book. The voice he gave to Wes I thought was particularly apt and made it very easy for me to visualize him in my head, and it was the same with Wes as well as Geordie. The one for Finn though was a bit inconsistent and didn't come across as Irish to me. Regardless, the rest of the narration was spot-on, and made the story an enjoyable listening experience. 4.5 stars for the narration.

A favorite book by a favorite narrator means a ver

Leaning Into the Fall is my favorite book of the series (my review of the book), so I was eagerly anticipating the audiobook version.When Miss Hayes announced one of my favorite narrators, Nick J. Russo, would be the one to bring Nick Jorgensen’s story to life, my excitement level ramped up. Happily, it was everything I hoped it would be. Seeing as I read this book before listening to it, I'm going to incorporate some of my original review of the book into this review of the audiobook.

In the other books of the series, Nick comes across as slightly oblivious to social cues and generally self-involved. Oft-referred to as “the absent-minded professor” by his friends, it’s clear his attitude isn’t mean-spirited on his part. However, it didn’t necessarily endear him to me either. While I always expected there was a lot more to his character, I hadn’t anticipated just how well developed his character would be in Leaning Into the Fall. The raw emotion, confusion, and frustration Miss Hayes tapped into telling this story was incredible and the narrator gave life to each and every one. I found his delivery of Nick’s frustration over his self-perceived flaws and Geordie’s grief particularly poignant. Nick’s character come alive over the course of the book, and the listener experiences his ups and downs right alongside him. I don’t know that Nick was technically a character in need of redemption, but it felt a little like that. The amount of growth he went through in this book made it a story that will be impossible to forget. Although Nick stole the show for me, I can’t deny Wes was an equally incredible hero with an interesting story. I loved how he approached Nick’s moments of genius and uncertainty, and the steady presence he provided proved that he was the perfect partner for Nick. Beyond that I liked hearing his personality really shine as he and Nick found their way together. I enjoyed the ebb and flow of this romance so much. Though this wasn’t a love story teeming with angst, it certainly felt like every good moment was earned.

Speaking directly to the narration, Mr. Russo maintained a nice rhythmic tempo throughout the audiobook, making this a smooth, easy read. Sometimes when I listen to a book after reading it, I struggle with the voices or accents the narrator chooses because they don’t fit with how I originally envisioned. I was very happy this wasn’t the case in Leaning Into the Fall. Mr. Russo’s voices for the characters were pleasant and distinct, ensuring I could follow along with the narrative and dialogue without any difficulty and without ever feeling it didn’t measure up to my imagination. I loved reliving my favorite parts of the book and think fans of this book, series, or author won’t regret picking up the Leaning Into the Fall audiobook at all.

*Reviewed for Alpha Book Club*

I love this story...even though I was hesitant

I read this e-book last year...but I love the story so much I was excited to listen to it. The vocal performance is pretty good. I wasn't overwhelmed by Nick's voice but Finn's Irish accent was decent. There are 2 things about the vocal performance that were - for me - worth every penny paid for this audiobook: 1) Wes' VOICE - it was deep and rumbly and sexy; and 2) the way Wes said Nicky...it just turned me inside out. When I read this book, I never thought twice about Wes using that nickname but when you HEAR it...wow, it did something for me.

I didn't re-write my review of the story but I am including my original review of it here.

I’m not going to lie…I didn’t want to read this book. I did not like Nick, AT ALL, in book 1 and I KNEW Ms. Hayes was going to change my mind but I was pouting and didn’t want to believe anything good about Nick. Zane and Eric both loved and trusted him so I knew deep down that Nick had to be a good guy, I just didn’t want to like him (crosses arms like a 3 year old throwing a tantrum). But of course Ms. Hayes magical words make everything all better. Her writing is just so damn good. I get sucked in every time.

Wes was damn near perfect. He was older and wiser but he also just understands how to live. He knows what he wants, how to get it and goes about getting it unapologetically. He is the calming anchor Nick needs. When he finally figures out what makes Nick tick, he’s fascinated instead of repulsed like most people in Nick’s life. I think I was just as entranced and enchanted as Nick was, but Nick couldn’t see past himself enough to appreciate what was right in front of him. There were exactly 2 quotes I highlighted in the story…one from Wes and one from Nick. This is Wes’…

“You break my heart, Nick. You’re perfectly imperfect. I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you. No one. Not even Mike. I loved him carefully, without any real passion. You… you take my breath away. You’re inside me. I feel everything you do. I don’t just hear your laughter or sense when you’re sad… I feel it. I want to make you happy. I want to fix you. Make you strong when you feel weak. Make you smile when you feel like crying. But I want someone who feels that way about me too. I’m not going through the motions of a one-sided affair again.”

Nick is…a bit of a mess. Wes eventually figured out what we could see in Nick…why he claimed to be ‘broken’ and he cared enough to figure out how to be with him just as he is. Nick is a genius and that makes him a bit unique. He doesn’t have social skills and has been shunned his entire life for being ‘disabled’. He didn’t have the best childhood. Only his college buddies – Zane, Eric, Josh and Grant – have accepted him without question. He has always been a bit selfish mainly for self-preservation. He’s been ok with people not wanting to get close because he doesn’t really know how to handle relationships with anyone. When he finally finds his words, they are worth listening to…

These pieces of you… they’re so real. I want them to be mine. I don’t have much to offer in return, but whatever I have is yours. My pieces aren’t as pretty as yours. They need work, but I want you to know… I love you and I don’t want to waste any more time spinning on things that aren’t important. I just want you.”

Wes grounds and calms Nick. Nick brings out the fun side of Wes. They are quite literally made for each other. Their passion and chemistry is undeniable. Wes takes the time to understand Nick and to love him just as he needs to be loved. I absolutely loved their story! (However, there is still something missing that I hope we get in a future story!)

I can’t wait to read Josh’s story. He was a big player in this story and I’m anxious to see what happens with him. We still don’t know much at all about Grant but I’m assuming as the series progresses we will.

As always with Ms. Hayes, this is a must read!!

Wonderful story, superb performance

I admit a small part of me wanted to hate Nick for his ill treatment of Eric and his negligent actions in the first book. Getting Nick's perspective in "Leaning into the Fall" helped rehabilitate him in my eyes and it helped me to understand that no one but Wes could 'tame the savage beast' so to speak - or in Nick's case provide focus and quiet the numbers in his mind. Eric is good at wresting control from Nick in business but not in the personal - he was a bit starry eyed with Nick and Nick needs a firm hand - and this is why Wes is so much better for him. But Eric found his match in Zane so all is good. What I also love about this book is seeing how deep friendships can still survive even after unrequited love; even after the parties stop having sex. I am looking forward to the last 2 of the 4 college friends books especially if they are narrated by Nick J. Russo. This man can sell ice to an eskimo with his performance...I loved how we got to feel Giordi's love and grief for the death of his partner Mike...and that scene in the rain when Nick tells Wes what he loves about him...I could almost feel as if I was Nick... the rain soaking my clothes, the tears in my eyes...feel my heart pounding as I unloaded everything I have been feeling since I met Wes...

5 stars - worthy of a repeat listen

Totally fell for Leaning Into the Fall

I'd already read Leaning Into the Fall when it was released last year, but as is often the case when it comes to books that I consider favorites, I'm curious as to how they "sound" when they're released in audiobook. I loved Lane Hayes's first two audiobooks in the Leaning Into series, both of which were narrated by Seth Clayton, but for Nick Jorgensen and Wes Conrad's story, we've got listener favorite Nick J. Russo, and if I wasn't already a believer in the man's talent in other audiobooks that he's narrated, his performance in this latest addition to the audiobook would have done the trick. Any doubts I may have had about how this new partnership would turn out were totally, absolutely, and undeniably obliterated. I certainly wouldn't say "no" if Russo remains the narrator throughout the rest of the series because seriously? The guy brought something extraordinary to this audiobook. Five-plus stars! ♥