Blink

By: Rick R. Reed

Narrated by: Brian Stoddard

Life can change in the blink of an eye.

That's a truth Andy Slater learns as a young man in 1982, taking the Chicago "L" to work every morning. Andy's life is laid out before him: a good job, marriage to his female college sweetheart, and the white picket fence existence he believes in. But when he sees Carlos Castillo for the first time, Carlos’ dark eyes and Latin appeal mesmerize him. Fate continues to throw them together until the two finally agree to meet up. At Andy’s apartment, the pent-up passion of both young men is ignited, but is snuffed out by an inopportune and poorly-timed phone call.

Flash forward to present day. Andy is alone, having married, divorced, and become the father of a gay son. He’s comfortable but alone, and has never forgotten the powerful pull of Carlos’ gaze on the "L" train. He vows to find him once more, hoping for a second chance.

If life can change in the blink of an eye, what will the passage of 30 years do? To find out, Andy begins a search that might lead to heartache and disappointment or a love that will last forever....

©2019 Rick R. Reed (P)2022 Rick R. Reed

Wow!

Talk about a second romance! This romance is many years in the making. This storyline is very good. The two men had a lot to go through before them come back to each.

Amazing!

This is the story of Andy and Carlos. I have read books by Rick R Reed before and liked them. This one though has to be my all time favorite.

The narrator brings this story to life. You can clearly identify the characters. Listening to this story took Mr on a journey that I did not expect.

I found the storyline unique and a trip down memory lane as I could identify with a lot of references to music etc in the 80's and 90's. It is written beautifully with an honesty that takes your breath away.

I received this book as an Arc and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

Second Chances Later in Life

I liked this second chances story because it spans decades. It was nice to have Andy and Carlos' POV throughout the story. I didn't mind the time shifting back and forth from the past to the present. It was done nicely. The narrator did a good job narrating. The voices were recognizable.

Such a wonderful story!!!

This is both a new to me author and a new to me narrator. I loved them both. The narrator brought this book to life in the best way possible.

Originally released in January 2015, then released in audio on 6/17/22.

This book starts out in 1982 when being gay isn't anything like it is today. For someone the same age as these characters it brought back such memories.

It was sweet and heartbreaking at the same time. What could have been if Andy and Carlos hadn't been interrupted that night? How would their lives been different? Did everything happen the way it was supposed to? I say YES!!! Sometimes your life goes in directions you never expected. In the famous words of Garth Brooks;
🎵'Our lives are better left to chance
I could have missed the pain
But I'd have had to miss the dance'. 🎵
Andy and Carlos both got that dance that made them into who they are... Will Andy be able to find Carlos again, after all this time? You'll need to read or listen to the book to find out, no spoilers here!

A beautiful second chance

This was such a beautiful story. I knew from the synopsis that they were at least going to meet each other again, so I was kind of on pins and needles until they did! Satisfying and joyful.