Family Unit

By: Z. A. Maxfield

Narrated by: JP Handler

Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's Summary

A retired marine, Logan is methodical and conservative. Richard is a liberal pacifist who is pathologically afraid of guns. Yet the minute Logan sets eyes on Richard, his heart turns over like an old car engine, and it isn't long before his motor is revved and Richard is in the driver's seat - even if it seems like each man is driving a different car. Richard Hunter is parenting his grandson, and the kid - Nick - has had it rough. Richard vows nothing will stop him from creating a loving and stable home. Not even a tempting, red-hot relationship with a very attractive man.

However, when Richard looks into Logan's blue eyes, it's tough to stay focused. It's never easy to become a family, what with a temperamental eight-year-old, disapproving outsiders, and outright extortion attempts. But when push comes to shove, both Logan and Richard are committed family men who want to make a loving home for a little boy who needs them. Together, they're planning to form a Family Unit, and they won't let anything stand in their way.

©2012 Z.A. Maxfield (P)2014 Lauralyn Thomspon

I loved that the characters were real

I'm not an overly huge fan of audio book in that, if given a choice, I'd rather read a book that listen. That being said, there are times that I can't read so I'd rather listen than miss the experience altogether.

Driving is one of those times. I work in varying locations with different length commutes. But usually I'm driving 30-60 mins each way a few times a week. So this can be 6 hours of 'reading' time.

Some audio books I've loved, others I've enjoyed, a couple I've hated. Sometimes it's the story and sometimes it's the narration and sometimes it's hard to separate the two.

The narration was good. I liked the accents, inflections and the general voicing of the characters. At parts it was a little slow but I think that's more a factor of the level of description in a book that sometime just doesn't translate perfectly into a slower narration - when you speed read, it doesn't slow things down, but it can when listening to a book being narrated at a nice, even pace.

Anyway, the overall narration was good and didn't detract from the story. I liked the interpretation of the characters and could picture them in my head. They sounded just like I thought they should.

But what really stood out for me was the story itself. And the highlight? It was the older characters - Richard was a grandfather (admittedly a young one)

I loved to see an older man who'd maybe made some mistakes in his youth and eventually sacrificed so much of his own life, get his own man. His man is hot - ex-military and a wonderful guy. Together - perfect!

These guys are so realistic. They aren't necessary toned and terrific. They shows the signs of their age and the life they've lead. They make mistakes, they argue a bit - they are real.

And the age adds a lovely touch of humour. Such as the scene where Richard and Logan are struggling with the condom wrapper - it's hard for two middle age guys to read that tiny print of the expiry date and Richard's worried when he grabs his reading glasses to take a closer look that it's not too sexy!

I would highly recommend this lovely story - great characters, not the usual sexy, young things but real men plus a cute kid (and yes he was cute not annoying, some interesting secondary characters and a nice touch of drama. Oh, and the sex of course!

I DNF

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I tried. I hate to give up on an audio book and perhaps I am at a disadvantage because I did not read the book first. I just didn't like it. I thought there was a lot of sex and I am no prude, but unfortunately it took away from the story for me rather than enhanced. I just kept saying "I get it, they are crazy hot for each other." Then it began to drag for me. It's like we are introduced to these characters that you know are going to create conflict and then I am just waiting for the conflict, like where is it? It's been chapters now and still the couple is doing a lot of feeling each other out and feeling each other up, but not much in terms of moving the plot forward. Doesn't Rick have to work, like ever? He spends the first half of the book getting injured and having sex with injuries - ouch.

If you’ve listened to books by Z.A. Maxfield before, how does this one compare?

No so I cannot draw a comparison.

What didn’t you like about JP Handler’s performance?

Very stilted at times and there was no cadence or rhythm to his speech. Like a child reading a primer book in places where each word is said properly but without inflection or pauses or nuances in speech. I also didn't hear much distinction between Rick and Logan's voices, if there was any. I like the tone of his voice, but I felt that he struggled with the material a little and was likely running the some internal monologue as me like "when are these guys going to quit jumping each other's bones?"

Was Family Unit worth the listening time?

Not for me.

Loved the story, but not the audio.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would NOT recommend the audio book to anyone, but I would definitely recommend the actual book to a friend. It was good story, and I loved the characters. The problem is that the audio narration is really bad. And I don't know why because I have listened to clips of the same narrator do other books and it wasn't anywhere near this bad.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Family Unit?

I loved when Logan and Richard finally tell each other they love each other. :D And all the sex was HOT!

What didn’t you like about JP Handler’s performance?

The performance felt stilted, almost robotic. It sounded like I was listening to a generic app that is used to read files on your phone. I actually contacted Audible to find out if I had a bad download but there was no problem with the file so it has to be the performance and/or production of this particular book. It is really a shame because it took away from the story. After awhile he started to sound more natural but it was still not on par with some of the other audio books I have listened to.

Who was the most memorable character of Family Unit and why?

I loved Logan. He was the one I connected with. Richard was a great guy too but I just felt for Logan.

Any additional comments?

Go buy the ebook, but you can probably skip the audio and just make up the voices in your own head.

pure cuteness

Any additional comments?

Well, the story was pretty darn cute. A little too heavy on the smut and could have used more non-sexual interactions between the main characters, but most people will probably be okay with that. At first I thought the narrator was a bit too cheesy- he made Richard's voice all high and squeaky, like a teenage boy. After a while it sort of grew on me and I found the narrating endearing. It didn't sound like a professional though, so that may bother some people. Overall it was a solid 4 stars, because despite some flaws it was a very enjoyable way to pass a few hours.

Maxfield does it again!

I loved this book, just as I have loved pretty much all the books I've listened to by Z.A. Maxfield. The narration was a little annoying. It almost sounded like a bad recording, but I think it was just the reader's style of speech. It was worth sticking it out, though. I didn't want the story to end.

Great story, horrible narrator.

Would you consider the audio edition of Family Unit to be better than the print version?

Not at all. The narrator is terrible. I mean absolutely terrible. But I love this story so I got it anyway. Thankfully it was only a couple of dollars since I had already purchased the Kindle edition.

What other book might you compare Family Unit to and why?

Can't really answer this. It is its own story and that is that.

How could the performance have been better?

The narrator sounded like a robot, and the way he did the different voices were way off. They were either too high pitched or too low. Also his inflections were off so that you couldn't tell not only whose turn it was to speak but also if they were asking a question or not.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I loved the whole courtship between Logan and Richard.

Any additional comments?

Yes the narrator is terrible, but I am telling you, the story is great. If you can get it for a couple bucks like I did then go for it. Even though I didn't like the story telling I still am happy that I purchased this audio.

Wonderful story, narration could be better

What did you love best about Family Unit?

I love this book, having read it at least a dozen times. The story is wonderful, long enough to develop characters well and have multiple situations, but so engaging it leaves you wanting more. It's an old comfortable pair of slippers I put on whenever I need a comfort story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

It's hard to choose between Richard for his unconditional love for his grandson and Logan's strength, wisdom, and devotion to family and duty.

What didn’t you like about JP Handler’s performance?

The narration was quite stilted in areas, as if he was overly ennunciating. Not enough to totally turn me off, but difficult to listen to at times. It was also difficult at times to tell the two men apart. In all fairness, other parts were well done, so it's a mix of good and bad.

If you could take any character from Family Unit out to dinner, who would it be and why?

It would have to be all 3 of them.

I could not bring myself to finish.

I'm not all that far in and it's just too much. The story is doing nothing for me and the narrator's performance is just not good. The sound quality is bad, and the cadence and enunciation of the narrator hurts.

There was more action than expected

It was a feel good story. Alpha male & not so Alpha, but still both strong personality. The narrator was wonderful. I have listened to a lot of books by this author & I haven't been disappointed.😃

The Creation of a Family Unit

This was a really touching book set back in 2009 before Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was repealed in 2012. Reading books like this, which are only 11 years old, really drive home how far contemporary society has come with equal rights.

Richard is a young grandfather (he’s only in his forties) raising his grandson and doing his best. Logan is a retired Marine who’s figuring out his life now that he’s no longer in the military. There’s a lot of obstacles and emotions throughout the book, as well as some steamy bedroom moments. I really enjoyed the plot and developing relationship between Richard and Logan.

The audiobook narration was not great due to poor sound quality. I think the narrator would have done great, if not for the tinny sound quality. It took me about an hour to get used to the sound quality before I was able to get used to it and enjoy the book.

Love and Maturity

What made the experience of listening to Family Unit the most enjoyable?

JP Handler's wonderful narration brought the characters to life.

What other book might you compare Family Unit to, and why?

We Danced by Jeff Erno, as 'Family Unit' consisted of a similar family set up.

Which character – as performed by JP Handler – was your favourite?

Richard, who came across as someone you would like to have as a friend.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Initially, I wasn't expecting to have a strong emotional reaction - but I did and at one point was on the edge of my seat!

Any additional comments?

Thoroughly enjoyable story about mature guys finding love

Boring

Time for a new format I've heard so many gay stories on audio just the same

Love the story but

I absolutely love this story of older love and family. The only problem was the production of the audiobook made it sound tinny. I do think JP Handler’s portrayal of Richard and Logan was good just let down by the production.