Elements of Retrofit

Publisher's Summary

Generation versus generation, traditional versus contemporary, these men are about to learn a lesson in architecture and love. Can they prove that the old and new can be the perfect design?

A successful New York architect, Thomas Elkin almost has it all. Coming out as gay and ending his marriage before his 40th birthday, he needed to start living his life. Now, four years later, with his relationship with his son back on track, and after a few short-lived romances, this esteemed traditional draftsman thinks he knows everything about architecture, about life.

Cooper Jones, 22 years old, is about to take the architect world by storm. Talented, professional, driven and completely infuriating, Cooper is the definition of Generation Y.

Starting an internship working with Thomas, Cooper is about to knock Tom's world off its axis. Tom can teach Cooper about the architecture industry, but Cooper is about to teach Tom what it means to live.

©2017 NR Walker (P)2019 NR Walker

Finaly is on audiobooks.

Loved this series on books . looking faward to the rest of the series being done on audio.
I LOVE the story , the characters . the narration is just perfection.
this one is a keeper.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Amazing performance

I've been waiting for this audiobook for a long while. I was not disappointed. Nick Russo brought Thomas Elkin and Cooper Jones to life
the pace, emotions everything was on point. I can not wait for book 2

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Absolute perfection

When N.R. Walker announced she was going to produce, or rather Nick J. Russo, was going to produce the audiobooks for the Thomas Elkin series I was thrilled. This series is an old favourite of mine and I couldn't wait to see what Russo was going to do with it.

Thomas Elkin is finally living his dream, most of it at least. He has a job he loves, he's finally out of the closet and living openly as a gay man. His relationship with his son is finally back on track after the divorce from his mom. The only thing that was missing was someone to share it all with. The last thing he needed was something that rocked the world he so carefully crafted. And Cooper Jones was definitely determined to rock his world. This man, half his age, that not only was the most promising intern at his work, but also one of his son's closest friends. Cooper Jones spelled Trouble with a capital T, yet they couldn't seem to stay away from each other.

Elements of Retrofit was sweet, sexy and funny. I loved the banter between Tom and Cooper, but also the tender and serious moments. They had chemistry right off the bat and it kept simmering until that first kiss when it all just exploded. I loved how this book was mostly drama free, no (or at least very few) guilt trips with "this is wrong" and "he's too young for me" no long inner monologues talking themselves out of what they both wanted. They wanted, they took. Sure there were and are obstacles that needs to be faced, their work and not the least Ryan, Tom's son and Cooper's friend and not all of it is resolved in this book and we will have to wait to see how the rest unfolds in the books to come.

You could almost believe that this book was written for Nick J. Russo to narrate. He nailed every single thing. He captured Tom just right, his matureness, seriousness and loneliness was there in his voice. Then there was Cooper, the much younger and eager Cooper. Every word was so vivid you could see it all unfolding as if you were there, standing beside them, in a non-creepy and stalkerish way.

Before starting this audio I had a dilemma; this is a story in three parts, one book is not complete without the other two. So should I wait so I could listen to them all in one go, or impatiently wait between the books for just one scrap more? Turns out I don't have the self-restraint to wait for all three books and now have to resign myself to impatiently watching the clock to see if time could possibly move just a little bit faster to get that tiny bit closer to the next book.

A copy of this book was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review for Love Bytes.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Phenomenal

I have to admit that Thomas Elkin and Cooper Jones are my absolute favorites from the mind of N.R. Walker. They are brilliant and loyal and fun and witty and just perfectly everything.

I love how their story makes it possible to blend two different planes into one even better existence. Everything with them just clicks and it's inspiring.

This was my first audio by Nick J. Russo and it was perfect. He nailed both Thomas and Cooper's voices, their banter, the heat, the love. I was so excited to be able to hear them off page and this just met and exceeded every expectation. I cannot wait to hear what Nick Russo does with the rest of the series. This was absolute perfection.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Two sexy men and generational fun

I am a huge N.R. Walker fan. I discovered her with the Red Dirt Heart series and was hooked. I’ve snapped up just about everything since. I hadn’t read her Thomas Elkin series but had heard great things from other fans so the moment the audio came up for sale, I grabbed it.

And am so glad I did.

This is one of N.R.’s older books and although the writing and story hold up, I found it missing some of the depth from her more recent books. Nothing to take away from my enjoyment, however.

The book, like Red Dirt Heart, is told entirely from one point-of-view – Thomas’. Helpfully, he is a fully-fleshed and strong character, so he’s able to carry the story. He’s rich, successful, recently out of the closet, and lonely. That loneliness called to me. We can have everything we’ve ever dreamed of – and great family to boot – but it can be lonely without someone special to share it with. Thomas is close to his son Ryan and enjoys a strong professional relationship with his secretary Jennifer, but that’s the extent of his personal involvements. He’s had a few short term relationships but hasn’t met the ‘one’.

He certainly doesn’t expect his son’s friend Cooper to be the ‘one’. He keeps reminding himself that Cooper is half his age, of a different generation, AND his son’s friend. Over and over he comes up with excuses why they can’t be together. Sometimes all the careful planning in the world doesn’t hold together when a force of nature like Cooper sweeps into your life. He’s eager, fresh, earnest, and hard-working. He’s attractive, fun, and diligent. And he systematically breaks down every one of Thomas’ barriers.

I love the interplay between the men. I am most definitively Gen X while my younger sister is a Millennial. She has never lived without an iPhone, a SMART television, and NETFLIX. She doesn’t even know how to use a rotary dial telephone. She’s also whip-smart and eager to make a mark in the world. Not all Gen Y and Millennials are lazy, and Cooper is beyond ambitious. He’s also a risk taker and, in the end, Thomas has to decide if he’s willing to risk everything to be with Cooper.

It was easy to fall in love with the two men and to watch them navigate the generational and power differentials. I also really liked all the architecture references in the book. Thomas often does projects involved in rehabilitating old buildings and finding new uses for them. In a way, his life is a metaphor for a retrofit project. He’s trying to make his way in the new world, rehabilitating himself and adjusting to the brave new world.

There are two more books in the series and I’m definitely hoping both of those will be made into audiobooks. I need to give a shout out to Nick J. Russo. He’s a solid narrator whose performances are always pitch-perfect. He handles the New Yorkers with ease, bringing forward a wonderful story and book. I hope he’ll be part of the next two books as well. As always, it’s easy to recommend this book.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Fun read

Always enjoy this author, the story is straightforward but interesting. It is set in New York.

Loved it!

The book was great. Nick did a fantastic job! It was smooth and entertaining, only too short. I loved the dynamic between the two MC and wanted the story to go on and on.

Need 2 & 3 STAT!

I have really enjoyed this story every time I’ve read, and now listened to, it. N.R. Walker takes a storyline that could be trite or well-worn and breathes new life into it. While there is instant attraction here, there’s no insta-love.

Single POV, age gap romance, low angst, steamy and sexy, with a happy ending. Books two and three are coming soon, but they both have happy endings too, just in case that's something (like me) you worry about (Don't mess with my happy endings!).

Nick J. Russo does an absolutely wonderful job. Great character voices, his pacing and timing are on point, and he breathes new life into an already terrific story, but I need the others NOW please!

A note, for those like me who have read the series before, the bonus chapter told from Cooper’s POV is NOT included in the audio.

Recommended!

My favorite series from NR finally in audio!

Tom and Cooper are couple goals - and their series is one of my all time favorites, from NR and every other author I have read. I was so excited to see that this series is finally making its way to audio format, and I can't wait to experience their love story all over again in audio format.

For all the mm romance I have listened to over the last couple of years, I haven't had many books narrated by Nick J. Russo. I really enjoyed his voices - his voice for Cooper especially was very endearing. I think I may have imagined Tom with a deeper voice, but it still worked for me. I did feel like the narration of the book itself was lacking a little emotion possibly? I don't know, maybe that's just how he narrates.

Still, can't wait for books 2 and 3 in this series!

fun and beautiful story

Listened to it non stop. Loved it and can't wait for book 2. Great performance too.

Short but very complete and enjoyable story

With this being a novella at only 3 and a bit hours long I was expecting either a cliffhanger, or a story that wasn’t filled out enough. I was delighted to be proved wrong. I’m now astonished at how short it was. It left me feeling happy and satisfied, and eager for the other books in the series following these characters to come out to find out what they do next. N.R. Walker really is a very talented writer and I’ve loved loads of their books. They always have believable characters and I get absorbed in the stories.

Well worth the wait for this Cooper Jones thing 😁

Woohoo!! Tom and Coop are FINALLY on audio. Thank goodness Nic decided to give this particular series to Nick J. Russo...he brilliantly captures Tom and Cooper, just as I'd imagined them to be. Puddle of goo big-time, and I have two more audios to look forward to. TOTALLY worth it...I feel like I've been waiting forever for this series.

***Book review dated September 2013***

This book was my read of choice on a recent trip from London to Lisbon, and well worth the wait. As is usual for me with Nic's books, it's a total keeper. 5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Shortie review. Thomas Elkin, a 40's something architect meets up with his son who has brought a friend with him to dinner. The 'friend' Cooper turns out to be one of the interns that Tom is interviewing the following day....and Cooper won't let anything stand in his way...of his job or a relationship with his friend's father!! Wonderful.