The Beautiful Things Shoppe

De: Philip William Stover

Narrado por: Michael Dean, Kale Williams

Their collections may clash, but their hearts are a perfect match.

Moving to eclectic New Hope, Pennsylvania, and running The Beautiful Things Shoppe is a dream come true for elegant and reserved fine arts dealer Prescott J. Henderson. He never agreed to share the space with Danny Roman, an easygoing extrovert who collects retro toys and colorful knickknacks.

And yet here they are, trapped together in the quaint shop as they scramble to open in time for New Hope's charming Winter Festival.

Danny has spent years leading with his heart instead of his head. The Beautiful Things Shoppe is his chance to ground himself and build something permanent and joyful. The last thing he needs is an uptight snob who doesn't appreciate his whimsy occupying half his shop.

It's only when two of New Hope's historic landmarks—each as different as Danny and Prescott—are threatened that a tentative alliance forms. And with it, the first blush of romance. Suddenly, running The Beautiful Things Shoppe together doesn't seem so bad…until Danny's secret threatens to ruin it all.

Carina Adores is home to highly romantic contemporary love stories where LGBTQ+ characters find their happily-ever-afters.

©2021 Philip William Stover (P)2021 Harlequin Enterprises, Limited

Not as cute as it thinks it is.

This pains me to say, I am always searching for male authors in this genre - hoping to see myself actually represented. Yet like other male authors, Daryl Banner being another write the same story that already exists, as if to say: I can do it too. instead of telling a fresh version of the story, Stover doubles down on old, old school formula romance, with seemingly no interest in being a new voice.

There is little to recommend in this book. Another tiny town utopia inhabited mostly by gay couples and a thriving indie business community. One guy, Danny, seems like a happy-go-lucky oaf, but is in fact a trust fund baby who wants to make it in his own selling 20th century kitsch. The other, Prescott, is an uptight fine art & antiques dealer who actually came from a hardscrabble life.

Without a concern for understanding how vintage and antiques dealers actually work, Stover creates friction based on circumstances that should lead to romance. It’s very forced, and the one moment where things could take a turn, a sweet scene outside a condemned building, Stover stays on course, continuing the unnecessary roller coaster made worse by Danny’s roommate, a woman named Lizard. I feel confident that one would be hard pressed to find a woman named lizard.

The narration should have been helpful, Kale Williams is a top notch talent who stumbles through a tiresome trans Atlantic accent for Prescott, and an unfortunate turn at Polish that both narrators botch.

There is no heat in the book, which I normally think there is too much, however it’s noticeable here. Eventually we find out guys tangled in a painful misunderstanding trope where somehow Prescott is the one doing the damage control. Highly disappointed that I used a credit.

Loved it

can not believe this love story take place in Pennsylvania in the state I was born and raised wow

Just wonderful!

What a sweet, lighthearted, HEA audiobook! Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend. It's not often we get the privilege of dual narration from favorites Michael Dean and Kale Williams either. So take advantage!

All the Feels!

This book is extremely well-written and narrated. It is hilariously funny, interesting, and has a believable plot with likable characters. Highly recommend!

Funny and sweet odd-couple romance!

Fussy antiques dealer, Prescott J. Henderson, is horrified to find himself sharing shop space with retro collectible-kitsch dealer, Danny Roman. This lovely odd-couple / enemies-to-lovers romance is low on angst and high on sweetness. There are some delightful small-town characters, a villainous snob, and plenty of petty and serious squabbles to keep things interesting. Ultimately this is a feel-good character study of two very different people from very different backgrounds - no spoilers but I loved how both weren’t exactly what they seemed to be. Consummate narrators, Michael Dean and Kale Williams, provide a great contrasting voices for the characters!

Awesome story

I loved this story. It was sweet, humorous, and had a wonderful HEA. I liked that the author really focused on the building of Prescott and Danny's relationship and how the two were able to grow and change for the better through knowing each other. Unlike with some other m/m stories, this story is not stuffed with gratuitous amounts of sex scenes to prop up a thin plot, this is a solid, well thought out, and well written read, so I really appreciate that.

I wasn't sure if I'd like a dual narration but both narrators did a great job. This is definitely a book I will listen to multiple times.

I hope the author does another book (I've already listened to the first book, The Beautiful Things Shoppe is better) and i hope, like this one, it's sweet and humorous and the same narrators are used.

The Beautiful Things Shoppe

I loved it! The story was very well written. Prescott shows up to his new shop to find a collectible dealer there.Danny has things Prescott would never hev in his upscale antique shop.Uncle Arthur has rented it to both men.He thinks they would be great partners.

Contrived Conflict

Bought it for the narrators but DNF about halfway through. Enjoyed Kale Williams' narration as ALWAYS and his character seemed very relatable to me. Pitied the narrator who had to do Danny. I found Danny to be immature and inflammatory towards the other character. Danny even admits in his inner monologue that he's provoking Prescott just because he wants to. I don't understand why a character (Prescott) who has been quite poorly treated with no explanation by another character is still supposed to be attracted to and doting on the abusive character. An incident or two, maybe, but continuously? I was really hoping to see some remorse and correction on Danny's part but finally gave up. Another reviewer said they acted like children instead of the 30 something adults they are supposed to be and I agree. I'm not sure where all the sweetness other reviewers mention comes into play but I'm guessing its a ways after I gave up.