A Guy Walks into My Bar

By: L. Blakely, Lauren Blakely

Narrated by: Shane East, Joe Arden, Full Cast

Length: 10 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

A passionate, utterly addictive stand-alone MM romance performed with duet narration!

Every bartender should follow one simple rule—don't go home with the customers.

That’s been easy for me to stick to, until the night a cocky, confident, and sinfully charming hockey star walks into my bar. This sexy athlete is too hard to resist, especially when he makes it clear how much he wants the “sarcastic, witty, hot AF” guy behind the bar—also known as me.

Still, I’m not keen on breaking my own rules since I know where that can lead—no place good. But when that man makes his case with one bone-searing kiss on the streets of London, I throw resistance out the window.

What could go wrong with a hot, no-strings-attached fling before he leaves town in five days? Trouble is, soon our nights together lead to days, to long conversations, to getting to know each other, and to something I never expected—falling ridiculously hard for a man who’s getting on a plane to America when I live a world away. My life is here. His is there. And no amount of falling or feeling will change that one big problem.

©2030 Lauren Blakely Books (P)2023 Lauren Blakely Books

⭐️10 Beautiful, Romantic, Sexy Love Stars⭐️

This book was EVERYTHING I didn't expect it to be!! I mean I knew it would be good, it's Lauren Blakely but it was PERFECT!! I can't even say how much I loved the story line, the characters and just everything about this book. I wouldn't change a single thing. The best thing for me was that this is just a beautiful romance book, it's not about the couple being gay or their races, it's just about their love story. They had mad chemistry from the beginning, the sexy scenes are SO hot (and there are a lot of them YAY), they had honesty and they worked out any kinks in the road along the way instead of giving up and walking away. No drama for the sake of drama, no misunderstandings, no wanting to scream at them to just talk to each other like a lot of romance book. Oh and did I say how HOT this book is?? The dirty talk and build up alone was steamy but I love sex scenes with a very vocal man ;) There were places in the book that I had teary eyes but they weren't broken heart sad tears, they were either happy tears or at one part they were feelings of sadness because I knew how hard a situation was for them and I just wanted them to always be happy.

This is no surprise but the narration was fantastic. I thought Joe Arden and Shane East did a great job at portraying the chemistry and emotions throughout this book. There were also a bunch of other great narrators involved in this duet narration. Every character has it's own voice and it flowed perfectly.

Seriously all I have left to say is Lauren Blakely, I (insert word Audible won’t let me use) Love You... That is all!!!

Love is Love

More than just a M/M book, this is a LOVE story. This is a story about two people who meet and fall in love. These people just happen to be two men. Their love is not portrayed as anything different, less, something to be ashamed of or hidden. That really sets this story apart from many M/M romances.

That is not to minimize what many M/M couple have had to deal with, or still are, however in our movement forward, portraying these stories in the way Lauren Blakely has chosen to is becoming more and more important.

When we meet our couple they immediately start the cute flirty banter. There is a lot of awesome dialogue throughout this book, and listening to Joe Arden and Shane East deliver these lines puts that flirty smile on your face as well. They don’t just say these lines, you can HEAR the smiles on their faces too, the giggles in their delivery. I felt as if I was eavesdropping on real conversations. But then that also felt like the point to this tale, just to get Joe and Shane together to give bj's for chapter upon chapter. That got to be a bit old.

This book is gloriously presented to us in Duet Style and as a multicast. This cast is AMAZING. Every last person was perfectly cast.

There were high expectations for this book, for me it was the narration team with the writer. Much of the reviews I read leading up to release were so high praise I was afraid it may lead to expectations that couldn't be reached. Because of this my excitement of the story as a whole was a bit high going in. I enjoyed it, but I was left feeling it could have been edited down somewhat toward the back end of the story. I'm all for a long book, but for the sake of story. I fear that some of the pre-release hoopla set a bar so high not many, if any, book could live up to it. In the end I think some of that hurt my over all impression once it all sunk in.

After a time to let this all simmer, it's not my favorite and won't be on a relisten list of mine. If you want a good multicast from Lauren, Instant Gratification is the way to go!

Love, just pure love

This is a MM romance but it is so much more. It is love, pure love and so well written that the focus for me leaves the fact that it is a MM book but it just becomes a passionate love story between two lovable characters that wasn’t looking for anything more than a hookup but found their HEA.

We have met these characters before in other books and I was so happy Mrs. B gave them their own story and what a story it is. There is instant attraction and the heat from that is off the charts. I was amazed at how hot and emotional it all was. Dean and Fitz are both passionate and both are all man so it’s just fantastic to go on their journey from off the chart flirting to passionate love to a true relationship. The love they have is what every person is looking for whether you prefer a MF, MM or FF relationship. We all want our partner to be passionate and over the top in love with us and that is exactly what Dean and Fitz are, in love and I loved their story.

The book itself is so good and so well written that just reading it is perfect but add to that the talents of Joe Arden and Shane East to narrate Fitz and Dean and it’s the best love story I have listened to I a long time. These two talented narrators are joined by a cast of other talents to make this a full production audiobook and it is one I will listen to again. There is also bonus scenes at the end and outtakes and an interview between Joe and Shane that is just so much fun to listen to how they went about recording this book.

I enjoyed this book so much and thought it was not only hot and passionate but well rounded. We get to see these characters families and friends and get to experience their lives outside of this love and they are both wonderful characters that deserved this story. I loved it and highly recommend it. Even if a MM romance isn’t your typical choice, as it isn’t usually mine, I would recommend you give a go as I am so glad I did. I think I am permanently hooked.

EPIC love story!

After finishing A Guy Walks Into My Bar, it took me a while to process everything. I’ve been waiting for this book for several months, and the little teaser breadcrumbs Lauren sprinkled did their job and made the anticipation of its release that much greater. I was fortunate to get an early listen to this audiobook, and I wasted no time diving in.

Fitz is a hockey player in the NHL. With hockey, family, and friends being his priorities, Fitz has no desire for any long-term entanglements. When his sister has an opportunity to attend school in England, big brother Fitz is happy to accompany her. While there, Fitz plans to check out the fellas before heading back home to New York for training camp. When he stops into Magpie, a proper English pub, Fitz is immediately drawn to Dean, owner of the pub. There’s definitely some chemistry between them, but Dean never crosses the line with customers, and he certainly isn’t looking for a relationship of any kind. But Fitz isn’t easily deterred, and eventually gets Dean to relax his rule a bit. Besides, Fitz is only in town for a week, so a temporary fling might be just what they both need. However, the more time they spend together, and get to know each other, they find they don’t like that their affair’s end date is quickly approaching.

This story pulled so many emotions out of me, most of which I can’t share without the risk of giving spoilers. First off, there’s lots and lots and lots of action between Fitz and Dean, and it’s SO HOT!! Lauren had me blushing in a few instances, and that’s not an easy feat. I loved throughout this story there’s a theme of acceptance, support, respect, and love. It makes no difference who you love, but that you love. This story is one of finding that big, great love that lasts forever. It just happens to be two men who fall in love with each other. Love is love, and it makes the world such a great place when you experience and witness it. For this book, Joe and Shane carry the main characters, but the supporting cast is so integral to this story. Fitz and Dean have so many people in their lives that are so important, we need to hear from them to assist in telling his amazing love story.

Joe is that guy that’s so beautifully open and brings his life experiences to the character he becomes—in this instance it’s Fitz. You know he feels everything Lauren has written, and that shows in his performance. As Dean, Shane has upped his narration game big time, and for me this is one of, if not the best emotional performances he’s done. With his and Joe’s obviously strong friendship, they elevate each other’s wide-ranging talents, and as a listener, I’m truly blessed to reap the benefits of their gifts. Joe Arden and Shane East are two of my top 5 narrators. Their job of narrating Dean and Fitz’s story reaffirmed why audiobooks done well tell the story in a way that’s so different from reading it.

I don’t remember the last time I actually read a Lauren Blakely book, because she turns each audiobook into an aural production, and she has such a gift matching the character to a narrator. With every story Lauren writes, I’ve come to expect something wonderful with each audiobook release. And she NEVER disappoints. She gets just as excited with the story, and that projects onto the readers/listeners, and we get so giddy about it. It makes the listening experience that much greater.

5 Scorching Hot Stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Smashing Good Time! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Elizabeth @ Carolina Chic’s Read

Dean’s story is one that I have longed for for a while. Lauren takes us back to before he came to NYC and before he met his great friend Leo (who loves LuLu... but that’s another story). Lauren takes us back a few years to when a guy walked into his bar and changed everything for him. Enter... James Fitzgerald! Hockey 🏒 star and all around greatest guy ever! He has a big heart and just loves and loves life in a big way! Sparks more than fly between them and they soon agree to a week long romance... well really just good times and a lot of shagging. Watch their story unfold in the HOTTEST way possible! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

This is Lauren Blakely’s first jaunt into the M/M romance world... SHE NAILED IT!

5 Scorching Hot Stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Narration review: Shane East (who reprises his role of our lovely Dean) and Joe Arden. These two men deliver all the sultry lines to absolute perfection. So much so you will need a fan! 🔥

Absobloodylootly one of my favorites this summer!

I want to give this ALL the stars!
I can't get over how this is her first M/M romance! WOW!
Love has landed, and it has landed hard. More ways than one!
Lauren Blakely's first ever M/M romance is one not to be missed by romance readers. Her writing style makes the scenes and storyline flow so realistically in any of her books, this one does not disappoint. Certainly a swoon worthy, hot and heavy romance to keep your attention right up until the final page!

Dean, a thirty-one-year-old, Michael Jordan-look-a-like bar owner loves his London life and wants no part in changing it, that is until Fitz, a New York hunk of a hockey player walks into Dean's bar and connection zings even before their first words are spoken. Temptations fly, no, they soar so damn high! What starts as a fling turns into more. Feelings begin to heighten and both men find it difficult to voice what they truly desire in their futures. Neither want to give up their wonderous lives nor can they give up what the other brings to their true happiness. What starts out as a five-day fling turns into a lust filled battle between mind, body, and heart. Not to mention the over three thousand miles and an ocean between them; the two men can't come to terms with any solution to make it work between them. It doesn't take long before their friends and family see the changes in both Dean and Fitz; their demeaners are harder, edgier, more distant, they wanted back the man they knew, but most of all they wanted them to be happy and fulfilled in their life.
The ending and epilogues are set perfectly, giving us a glimpse into the life of Dean and Fitz's longtime friends as well as their own journey years later.

I laughed so much, felt the emotional moments, then tension, the teasing, the bantering, and the all around vibe that the author was going for.
Give this book a chance! You will LOVE it!

Such a wonderful story that I have read at least three times and will undoubtedly listen to the amplified swooning again and again once the audiobook is released!

*I was given an ARC courtesy of the author and Candi Kane. I am voluntarily giving my review of this novel*

Everything I hoped it would be!

I have wanted this book since Lauren first mentioned working on it. After getting the chance to listen to an early copy, I can say without a doubt, that this book is everything I had hoped it would be and more! It was a story full of sexy flirting, unexpected romance and fantastic banter between all of the characters, most especially between the heroes. Basically everything a Lauren Blakely book always has. Fantastic characters that you fall in love with and words that make you feel all the feels. Lauren never disappoints me in the way she writes her stories. Always so full of emotion, humor and let’s not forget sexiness.

I cannot say enough about the performances by Shane East and Joe Arden. The duet style narration was the perfect format for this story and these guys really took it to a whole other level. On a few occasions they even made me cry with their emotional performances. Every line was delivered so naturally and full of steaminess, every single time. Shane and Joe were made to perform Lauren’s sexy as hell banter. Shane's tone of voice seemed a little different than usual too, in a good way.

A favorite scene occurred between Dean and his father. It was such a wonderful father/son moment and Shane East and Ronnie Butler acted out the scene beautifully. Ronnie may have had a small part but it definitely had a huge impact in the story.

All of the side characters in the cast were also fantastic! Vanessa, Jakobi, Ronnie, Vikas, Emma, Zach, Stella and Maxine! I loved them all, but my favorite was Vanessa because I just adored Maeve. And Jakobi as Sam. And…Oh hell, I just adored them all.

I will be listening to this again and again! You’re gonna want to buy this book.

6 hearts! Best of the year!

6 Hearts!
A Guy Walks Into My Bar is something new, something sexy, and something different from the fabulous Lauren Blakely. I have read every one of her books and she can literally write anything. And now she's adding an addicting and sexy m/m novel to her repertoire. a and Fitz were previously in Birthday Suit and I remember messaging Lauren and asking for their story. Never really thinking we'd get it, but it was meant to be! Fitz is in London for a week and he walks into Dean's bar with his sexy American accent and beard. He's determined to get Dean to agree to go home with him, but Dean does not date customers. But Fitz isn't technically a customer since he doesn't live there. Dean puts up a good fight, but Fitz will not take no for an answer. A chance meeting turns into witty banter and the promise for a temporary fling. Just temporary while he's in town. That's perfect for Dean as well, since he doesn't do relationships. Especially ones who don't live in London. He loves his bar, his friends and family and his town. But every kiss, touch, innuendo, and tease from Fitz isn't helping either of them stay in the fling territory. Can you fall in love in seven days? Does three thousand, four hundred, and fifty-nine miles really matter in the greater scheme of things? Heck no! Life is about making choices. Rolling with the changes thrown at you. Throwing caution to the wind. That works for Fitz. Dean likes to make lists. Needs order and to know what's going to happen. That's why they are perfect for each other. They complement each other in ever aspect of their lives. I love their openness, their honesty, their sexy banter, the way they can tease each other and not get mad, the way they call each other out. It's a breath of fresh air for a romance. It has all the things we love plus the heat only two men together can generate. Oh, the heat! I thought my kindle was going to start a fire! Overall, I loved every word! I laughed, cried, had to fan myself, swooned, and laughed some more. It's one of my favorite books from Lauren and that's saying a lot since I love them all! There was just something extra in there that called to me. I f****ing loved it. That is all.

Audio: I think it's an understatement to say that Joe Arden and Shane East are two of my favorite narrators. And when you add in Lauren Blakely, it's just…magic. Joe and Shane brought my favorite romance of Lauren's to a whole new level. I read the book before I listened to it, and it was like hearing a brand new story. The emotion, the humor, the fun, that Joe and Shane brought to Fitz and Dean was just magnificent. It's the best they have ever sounded. I thought reading the words was moving, but the narration really added so much more to the romance. Fitz and Dean are fun, sexy and Joe and Shane became these characters.

Best of the best!

What a great story! Joe and Shane did such an incredible job bringing these two characters to life (I didn't need everyone else, these two were the stars!). I loved Dean and Fitz were two great characters and their chemistry sizzled! They had a great story, and I really enjoyed how they traveled through London and fell for each other! There are so many fun references in this book, and I love the supporting cast of characters that support Dean and Fitz. They are such a beautiful couple, and I adore their love story! Lauren's first foray in MM romance was a huge hit! I hope this is not the only one.

Epic Romance Leaving Epic Book Hangover

From the loving words of the dedication I was hooked on this MM story line and where Lauren Blakely would continue to pull at my heart through Dean & Fitz’s epic love story. Only Ms. Blakely could take a side character from a book over a year and half ago and turn it into an epic love story that can stand the test of time.

Dean Collins, whom we met briefly in “Birthday Suit”, is owner and bar tender at The Magpie, where James “Fitz” Fitzgerald walks into based on the recommendation of his NY based friend Oliver. Is it fate? Is it kismet? Or is it just chance that this very fit pro hockey player walks into this bar and sets his sites on the man of his short term dreams? Fitz thinks this will be the perfect answer for a much needed fling before training season begins. Dean doesn’t think he has any reason to fall in love let alone with someone outside of his life in London. Romance stories do not get any better or more authentic than watching two people find each other and recognize the heart of the other person being their true love. Ms. Blakely is at top form in this page fantastic book and audio just brings it all to life.

Originating the voice of Dean, Shane East brought not just the heat to the dynamic sex scenes the duo explore, but his narration skills were in perfect form. From voicing trepidation over wanting a relationship, his anger over Fitz’s actions, and his emotional scenes with his father (played brilliantly by Ron Butler!) Mr. East gave a truly breathtaking performance! I felt like Dean’s heart was on his sleeve and the delivery drove me further into virtual turning pages to find out what happens next.

Fitz walked right through the pages of the story into real life when given to the highly talented skills of Joe Arden. Wow is all I can say of the emotional journey that I felt hearing the dialogue Fitz has with himself and the characters surrounding his romance with Dean. The humour, nuances in how to tell someone you’ve done something like fall in love and never want to leave them, all fantastically done by Mr. Arden. The two leads combine together to make this story a powerhouse performance that is 100% believable and inspiring as to what love should be for everyone.

But of course, it wouldn’t be a Lauren Blakely story if she did not go overboard and spoil her audio fans with additional characters and fantastic narrators to bring them all to complete spectrum life for listeners. Falling all over myself when I listen to Emma Wilder as sister to Fitz; how she can be both adorable, mischievous Emma & talented agent Haven is mind blowing. Then we have the fantastic Vanessa Edwin as Mave, Dean’s best friend who has a little taste of love of her own when left with Sam. Oh, Sam……played by the hot-as-sin voice of Jakobi Diem, is everything a woman wants – sweet, remembers important details and can COOK!!! Oh the friends Dean has are beautifully voiced by Vikas Adam (who I could listen to all day long & have with glee!!) and the accomplished Maxine Mitchell, who has a few roles in this book all unique and incredible. Add in the stars of Zachary Webber, Sebastian York and new comer Stella Hunter – it’s all a dream come true for audiophiles!

EPIC. That is the single best word to describe not only the audio talent but the mesmerizing and beautifully written romance story of A Guy Walks Into My Bar. 5 Stars is not enough to rank this book hangover.

Fan Service mostly.

Rating it 2 stars because of the story. I listened to this book on Audible and I really believe that the whole thing was better because of the narration of Shane East and Joe Arden. Why 2 stars? Because I'm rating it in comparison to other MM novels, judging it by the depth of the characters and plot. In that regard, there was nothing really there. Man meets man, falling in love, and everything happens so fast it was just... not relatable, not realistic. And I think I immediately lowered my standards after the first two lines of the book, stating something like "there is no homophobia in this world". I believe that stating something like that from the get-go, just aids the author to express the relationship without having to take into account any hurdles the couple could face. It just simplifies everything. There was no real character development, no real, strong emotions, nothing to think about after finishing the story. I'll probably forget it within 1 week. On the other hand, if anyone is looking for just something hot and simple and rom-com kinda story, totally go for it. The x-rated scenes were fairly good, there is love, there is happiness. To summarize, I believe that this book is just fan service. Hot guys, hot scenes, happy ending.

Did not finish

This is so boring. They meet, they talk. That's it. Wait, they have sex too. Why read this? I need some conflict, please? Or does the author expect me to be enthralled by the question whether they end up together or not?

A lovely romance

Some books are just good for the soul, and I believe A Guy Walked into My Bar is one of those books. This book is just full of goodness, and light, and a joy to listen to. It opens with a letter from Lauren about the fact that the book contains no homophobia and the reason why. The short version, love is love. If you don't believe that, this isn't going to be the book for you. And I'm probably not the person for you, either.

As always, Lauren Blakely not only entertains so expertly but hits you in the feels too. How much of those feels were Lauren's words or Joe Arden's delivery of them remains to be seen, I'm sure it's a mixture of the two. The story has very little conflict and drama which was a nice pace, and I love how communication resolved the little spat they had. I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it again, Lauren is a master at the male PoV.

Dean and Fitz are so perfect together, they really were a match made... in a bar, (I know, I know, don't judge me) For me, this story is about two people that meet and have a connection. Even though one of them tries to fight it, it doesn't last long. Some couplings are evitable and this is one of those moments. The steam factor is high in this book, and it worked. What else do you do on a holiday romance? It gave their relationship that sense of urgency, knowing it was for a limited time. And that was also the case with the touristy things they did together, I loved seeing that. Now, there were a couple of instances, as a Brit, that I raised an eyebrow and said, really? But that could very well be a regional issue as opposed to not being a British thing and it didn't really affect the story.

The narration was superb. Shane East and Joe Arden in a duet narration was something I didn't know I needed in my life. Their chemistry and banter really bled through the headphones. Joe is one of those voice actors that is extremely expressive during the emotional scenes, I swear, he can make me choke up with the way he performs them, that was something that I didn't expect with this book but it gave it that sense of realism too, that Fitz was feeling all the emotions. Shane was brilliant as Dean and really brought that cheeky aspect to the story. Shane's alpha voice made a nice appearance, and I'm sure many listeners swooned. They seemed to work off each other well and it took the audio to the next level. Part of that, I'm sure, has been the buildup of their bromance over on Twitter, it was the best marketing ever. The production was wonderful with no issues.

The audio also included a full cast, personally, there were some characters that I felt didn't need to have a 'voice.' Especially when it was just a line or two. But that is just personal taste. I thought Vanessa Edwin's British accent was done really well, I love that she's becoming more sought after. I just love her. Emma Wilder was as fabulous as always - #GirlCrush and Jakobi Diem, sigh, you don't even want to know my reaction when I saw his name attached to this project, and he did not disappoint. At all. If you're not enjoying him in your ears yet, you need to fix that. Stat. There was an extended epilogue with Vanessa & Jakobi that hinted at a story, and I'm telling you, right now, I AM HERE FOR IT!

The audiobook has some bonus features. A fireside chat between Stella Hunter, Joe Arden, and Shane East. Bloopers. A bonus scene that the Joe and Shane bromance Twitter fans will adore. And a clip from Birthday Suit. I want to acknowledge the bonuses because I'm usually not a fan of them, but this fireside chat just filled my heart and restored a little of my faith in humanity, why you ask? Joe Arden. His stance on several of the topics raised was so heartfelt and sincere that it just buoyed me up. If he was in front of me, I'd have given him a standing ovation or bowed. The world would be a much better place if it had more people like him in it.

A little sidenote, and this isn't meant to offend anyone or put anyone down. And taking nothing away from Shane East because the man is bloody brilliant, but based on the description of Dean, I would have liked the narrator to have represented the character's ethnicity. It is wonderful to see more diversity in romance books, I'd just like to see that being taken further and voiced too. In addition, I had already written this when Lauren Blakely announced her stance on diversity and future casting. As always, she is a class act that is working towards a better future for all.

Couldn't get past the female performers

I really wanted to enjoy this audiobook given all the great reviews, but I sadly couldn't get past the performances by the female actors. While the mens' performance wasn't particularly to my taste (it all felt a bit over dramatised to me), they were well enough done but the woman's English accent was distractingly poor and both the female roles (possibly performed by the same actor) were pretty grating. I did not find the story sufficiently engaging to warrant powering through. Abandoned with 5 hours left.

so......I cried!!

I have no words. Well, OK I do but too many. just amazing. that is all!

A guy walks into my bar

Omg what a book best one for ages it's hot, romantic love the characters love everything about it just fantastic. Narrators were well out of this world. Loved it.

It’s a good book,

Lovely narration throughout the book, really had a connection with the main characters by the end. Just would have liked the sex toned down a tad, not that a good sexual chemistry should be removed all together. But maybe toned down a bit, as it was starting to get a little 50 shades towards the end of the book.

Loved It

I'm not normally in to MM books but thought I'd give it a go, Shane and Joe nailed it for me, being a Brit it's good to hear a fellow Brit narrate! Really enjoyed the chat at the end and the bloopers! Great job, love these full cast audio books, just love them ❤️

Weird pace…

Firstly, the audio production is amazing.
The overall story is entertaining but the pace was somewhat off-putting for me.
The build-up is quite intense and slow paced, with highly detailed inner struggles from both main characters. In contrast, the “closure” appears out of nowhere, with both characters going from zero to google in a hot second.
If that’s your thing, absolutely go for it. The voice actors do a truly amazing job, which is an undeniable plus.

Awesome!

Soo enjoyed the connection Fitz & Dean had, along with a perfect ending. Made so much better with the earlier epilogues.
Cried laughing at the bloopers section at the end. Really wish most audibles would incude these. Brilliant finish to an excellent book. Always expected with Lauren Blakely and two of the best narrators. Thank you so much.