Aftermath

Vino & Veritas Series

By: L.A. Witt

Narrated by: Greg Boudreaux, John Solo

Length: 12 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's Summary

Brent Weyland was the life of the party until an injury ended his hockey career. Now he's retreated alone to a lakefront house, trying to make sense of a life and body that doesn't feel like his anymore.

Jon Norquist was happily married right up until he wasn't. Now a single father in his 40s, he's trying to figure out what comes next. In the meantime, he pours his heartache and regret into the lyrics he sings for the wine bar crowd a couple of nights a week.

When a friend coaxes Brent out for a night of wine and music, he puts Brent and Jon on a collision course. Their chemistry is instantaneous. Jon gives Brent's battered body a much-needed remedial lesson in pleasure. And Brent gives Jon a reason to smile again.

Multiple reasons, actually. Neither man wants anything serious, but love has a habit of showing up whether it's welcome or not. No matter how hard they try, the two can't help having feelings for each other, even as life continues to throw them curveballs.

But they've both got baggage to unpack and hurt to move past, and if they can't leave their pasts in the past, they might just miss out on an amazing future.

Contains mature themes.

©2020 L. A. Witt (P)2021 Tantor

Enjoyable

I loved the story line and the characters and a double bonus two of my favorite narrators. Will say even though I enjoyed the story it was still a little sad in parts.

lovely

loved this story! can't go wrong with Greg Boudreaux but I have some problems with John Solo

A very real situation

Handled with care! A great read for anyone who is dealing with E.D. Two words

Not the same old same old - and I freakin' love it

L.A. Witt is an author with depth and intention. I went into this book after listening to two other books in the series- with expectations of similarity. I should have realized my error. The characters are both living in the aftermath of something devastating to their lives. And for Brent there is an aspect that I've never seen covered in m/m romance and I am HERE FOR IT. I wont get into it and spoil the book but I will say that Lori , as always .. doesn't disappoint . Be aware this is not a fabulous light hearted romp though the sex life of two people - but I cannot recommend it enough! Its amazing !

welll..... there's one thing that I didn't love. The narrator for Jon was way too breathy and "sighy" and frankly I felt like he made the character sound whiny .. about 50% in I downloaded the book on KU and read his chapters .

Great narration but….

Both narrators were great. But the story…. It felt like the characters had the same conversation over and over and over and over again. It got really old and annoying.

A little long-winded

First thing, I love the narrators on this book. Their styles worked well together and the characters were consistent through the changing POV’s. The story was a little repetitive… “I’m not good enough for him” over and over. The story was good with interesting nuances, esp. about pain management. But at least two chapters of angst near the end could have been omitted.

Good enough story but Repetitive and next level Angsty.

Story concept was great but lacked a bit on the execution. Really more of a 3.5 stars but as that’s not an option I rounded up. Could have benefited greatly by some selective trimming as the themes and ideas were driven well home without repeating countless pages of the exact same thoughts, situations and dialog.
Epilogues are often used to quickly move through time and add details to expand on a story which is nice but I don’t like when they are used as an excuse to otherwise not really finish a book with an ending, it expresses lack of effort or laziness.

Narrator performance, all 3 stars above are for Greg and he deserves a full 5! Might just be personal preference but wasn’t a fan of Johns “choices” for portraying and voicing these characters, too whiny and often increased speed, volume and intonation where it didn’t seem warranted while also putting pauses in the middle of some sentence phrases and running on others making me have to rewind to understand exactly what really was being read. He really took away from the over all enjoyment of the story. Almost broke down and resorted to Reading the John chapters but was listening while commuting so powered thru.

Spoilers ahead ⚠️
Book suffered a bit from the “gay men being written by female writers” situation and because of the constant repetition and angst dialed up to 11 it became more of an annoyance than usual. For example there is no way two sexually active men, especially gay/bi men, wouldn’t have at least suggest, discussed or tried a cock ring! It’s also entirely possibly to achieve orgasm thru anal/prostate stimulation alone with zero penile involvement or erection needed. These are super common items, situations used by guys who have no erectile problems but in the story it was “ED OMG I’m Broken and can’t see a doctor for 4 months I’m DOOMED” on broken record repeat.
I guess online shopping doesn’t exist in this world either because listening to the entire Adult Store Angst scene was bad enough but then for other character to later reiterate and give extra credit for the bravery and strength it took to go into a store and purchase a sex toy, give me a freaking break they are adult men!
As a man I’ve never encountered a hot tub where the water was “Too Hot” that it made erections Impossible but lowering the temp a bit and we’re good to go, wtf? Would typically read over and ignore such things as a one off but after the 4th time it was stated it was harder to ignore.
Additionally didn’t make much sense that Author established that these two characters openly and honestly talk about deep personal issues when it suits the story or is used to move the narrative along but then are incapable of having simple and basic relationship conversations when needed to create problems and I unnecessarily increase the Angst!?!

Really Interesting storyline

at first the story seems interesting. then the whining begins. almost every chapter includes "whwn will he realize he can do better?". The narrator of Brent's voice was very good. But the narration of John was distracting He speaks unnaturally soft, and sometimes actually whispers. what's up with that??

Worth it!

Enjoyed this book immensely. I have lived this experience and could totally relate. A few sappy spots but it’s a love story so it’s to be expected. The narration was astounding great acting I believed these actors, especially John Solo were the characters they portrayed. Great job!

Love is really love.

Brent has lost his 'previous' life and now has to deal with chronic pain and a detoriating body. Protted by his best friend to join him on a night out. He sees a singer songwriter and is immediately attracted. Jon is a single dad, and massage therapist. These men have both lost a lot and are working on a relationship. I really enjoyed this book.
Narration is well done by both narrators 4,5 * both narrators are complementary to each other.