Brighter Shades of Light

By: Jaclyn Osborn

Narrated by: Christian J. Gilliland

Length: 9 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

I never meant to fall for my college professor. He has a reputation for being cold. So, why do I see that soft look in his eyes when he’s talking to me? Why does my heart feel like it’s beating out of my chest? I want his lips on mine. I want to see what’s beneath that icy exterior. And in class, I imagine him shoving me onto his desk and taking me right there.

Nothing can happen between us. Even if he wasn’t off-limits, I won’t be staying here after graduation. In exchange for paying for my college, I have a five-year commitment to the Marine Corps, starting the day I get my degree.

Whatever I feel for Dr. Sebastian Vale...it just can’t happen. Or, can it?

Note: Brighter Shades of Light is a contemporary gay romance.

©2019 Jaclyn Osborn (P)2020 Jaclyn Osborn

I really wanted to love this

Here's the thing. I have read this book before, and I loved the story for the most part. There were a couple of things that kind of threw me off but nothing so major that I wouldn't recommend it. I was excited when I heard it was coming to audio, and especially because the narrator is not one commonly used for M/M books.

To start - Oorah ! The whole USMC aspect was pretty cool to me, being a former Marine. My issue with the story was always the way Sebastian came off in the beginning. To me he came off as totally socially disconnected and disassociated. He didn't understand social queues ? I don't know, I can't say I liked him a lot, although man, when he talked about Leon, it broke my heart. Cody is basically a college 20 yr old. Nothing earth shattering about him. I do think together, they are freaking sweet as hell.

Now the audio. Oh man. At first I thought it was cool that there were minor sound effects, so when someone was talking on the phone, you could tell. And it worked, until it didn't because it was like someone forgot to have that going through whole phone conversations. Then there was Sebastian. I understand he's a college professor, he's an older man aka not 20, but omg he sounds absolutely ancient. On the other spectrum of that, college age Cody sounds super nasal and whiny. Also, there were times where he pronounced words a little strangely. Was it terrible and painful to listen to ? Not really. I mean I'd take this over ... yeah, THAT GUY. It's quite possible that no one else will be bothered by the things I mentioned. Just know, that the book is good, great even. Don't miss out on it.

Good-natured characters and story!

Naval cadet, Cody, is attracted to his college professor, Dr Sebastian Vale. Whereas Cody is awkward, friendly, and a good leader, Sebastian is closed off and unemotional - a loner. Together, they could bring out the best in each other, but can they whether Cody’s upcoming posting and deployment? This was good-natured, low angst, and focussed heavily on the two main characters, despite Cody’s student and military friends. I probably would have preferred more angst, any complications seemed to resolve fairly quickly. 🎧 Christian Gilliland gave Sebastian a cultured drawl and Cody an excited puppy voice - I didn’t particularly warm to either voice but the narration was well-performed.

Ehh

This was just an okay read. I think my biggest problem was that the dialogue with Cody made him seem much younger than a college student and marine.