After Ben

Seattle Stories, Book 1

By: Con Riley

Narrated by: JP Handler

A year after the sudden death of his longtime partner, Ben, Theo Anderson is still grieving. The last thing he's looking for is a new lover. But as Theo soon discovers, sometimes life has other plans.

While Theo experiences a powerful physical attraction to fellow gym member Peter, it's his new online friend, Morgan, who provides the intellectual challenge to make him come alive. Morgan is witty, brave, and irreverent, and Theo is ready to take the plunge…until he discovers Morgan might be half his age.

Theo's late partner was significantly older - enough to strain Theo's relationship with his family - and the potential of another relationship being cut short leaves him gun shy. Theo needs to lay Ben's memory to rest, reconcile with his family, and rekindle neglected friendships if he's to start afresh with a new lover. But Theo isn't the only one with a past. His biggest challenge, in living after Ben, might not be his to face.

©2012 Con Riley (P)2013 Dreamspinner Press

Better as a set.

I'm writing this review after having experienced the second book in the series. As a result, I remember this book fondly. Consciously or not, the books feature better as a set, than stand alone. I hope there are more to come.

just incredible

an absolutely beautiful depiction of grief and trauma. making mistakes owning up to them. this is just an incredible book

Engrossing, Heart-pleasing, A++

Unusually satisfying, well-written and superbly narrated piece. The narrators Italian accent and interpretations are wonderful. The characters seem alive, like they all live next door to you. The story does start out slow, so give it some time, but when the interns arrive, lookout, the thing just launches into the sky and never comes down!

Beautiful prose and characters with depth

Would you listen to After Ben again? Why?

No, I couldn't journey with Theo in his memories of Ben again. Too painful.

What was one of the most memorable moments of After Ben?

The online banter between Theo and Morgan after they started communicating away from the forum. Some of it was hysterical.

What about JP Handler’s performance did you like?

The genuine emotion he brought to the story. He got choked up more than once, which of course brought me to tears repeatedly.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. I listen to audio books while in my car, at work, and while riding my bike.

Any additional comments?

My review: Theo recalls in heart-wrenching detail his life with partner Ben over 15 years. It's been a year since Ben's death and he still struggles with everyday life...until he meets Peter and Morgan. Peter works out at the same gym, and Morgan is a constant online presence on the debate forums in which Theo participates. Both urge Theo on, to live in the present, to see a future full of hope and love without his Ben. But only one eventually captures Theo's heart.

It was an emotional rollercoaster. Even the narrator was choked up at times. I found both the characters and the storyline believable and completely engaging. I loved Con Riley's lovely prose, the sheer depth of her characters, and her ability to make readers feel almost like voyeurs. It's my first book by this author and certainly will not be my last.

Highly recommended.

After all

the story is worth listening to I was engaged and was pleased with the way story went I hope there's another in the series