Good to Know

By: D. W. Marchwell

Narrated by: Sean Crisden

Length: 5 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's Summary

Jerry McKenzie is a reclusive and antisocial artist, quite content to ride his horses and work in his studio, keeping to himself. It's not any kind of life for a child, and when Jerry finds out he’s been named his orphaned nephew’s guardian, he panics. He doesn't know what to do with a child and isn't sure he can give William the affection and the love the boy so desperately needs.

Then Jerry meets David Loewenberger, the new teacher William becomes immediately attached to, and he starts to see how they could make a family together: a family to replace the one William lost, a family David had given up on ever finding... a family Jerry never knew he wanted.

©2009 DW Marchwell (P)2010 Dreamspinner Press

Great Find

This is the first of a three book series. I love Jerry and David and am now reading the 2nd book, as it is not out on audio yet. This is a very sweet story of family and what that means and the sex is pretty hot. It is not great writing, but a solid romantic story. Although it did get a little weak at the end. I thought the premise of the "break up" was a little lame and the reaction sort of out of proportion. But there is a HEA, so that is what is important. Sean Crisden does an outstanding job as usually and is definitely worth a credit. Actually I only bought it b/c Sean Crisden was the narrator, so I'm glad it worked out OK..

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

deffinitely reccomend

I liked this story alot esp. with the little boy in felt so sorry for him. Loving the narrator bigtime listened to several books from him

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Good story , Wonderful narrator

The love story is beautiful , more so when is so wonderfully narrated by Sean Crisden

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Wonderful Narration

I thoroughly enjoyed this audio book. The narration was wonderful. Sean Crisden should narrate more often! The story flowed nicely with a slight lull towards the middle. But I would definitely recommend.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Family comes in all shapes and sizes

What did you love best about Good to Know?

Jerry's determination. First to stay single, then to ensnare David.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jerry, read above.

Which scene was your favorite?

The kitchen, after the terrible fight, the way they both melted into each other.

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

David, I'd love to know how his brain works.

Any additional comments?

Old, set in his ways and obviously single, Jerry McKenzie spends his time with his horses and his art. His entire world is knocked out of balance when his young nephew becomes his responsibility after the death of his parents. William is already reeling from loosing his parents and being pulled out of the boarding school he lived at in Switzerland, pulled away from the only family he's known. David Loewenberger has family money that could afford him anything he wants. But all David wants is to be a teacher. A common cultural background causes William to cling to his new teacher, much to both David and Jerry's dismay. Of course, that only lasts for about five minutes for Jerry. David continues to push him away though, his soul focus on William, not wanting to cause anymore unnecessary damage to the poor child's fragile psyche. But the heart wants what the heart wants.

The story starts out with William at school, learning about his parent's death and his pending upheaval and throwing the poor kid into a tail spin. Then when he arrives at Jerry's place and his uncle is brash, standoffish and determined to pawn the kid off on whomever will take him... it's not looking good for this poor kid. Then Williams teacher comes for a visit and just like that, everything is set on a different course. I will admit it took me a little while to get into the story itself. If Crisden hadn't been narrating, I might not have gotten past the rough patch. But once the story gets going it's actually quite good.

Jerry is large and in charge, he's used to getting his way and not having to think about anyone but himself. Now he has a young child and a pending romance with said young child's smexy teacher. Jerry and David have more in common than they think. They are both loners, creatures of habit, both forging their own path and letting their guard down, allowing anyone in... that's just not going to happen. Yeah, good luck with that. I enjoyed the complete one eighty Jerry did damn near from the start. David took a bit more convincing, but the chase was so much fun.

Sean Crisden is a favorite for me, his tone is very unique and I enjoy listening to anything he reads. One teensy hiccup for me with this story, at times Crisden ran through the script and it was distracting. Not having read the book, this may well be the way David was written, but I really wanted Crisden to slow down a couple of times and catch a breath between words. Overall though, loved the square peg, round hole aspect to this story. Definitely worth a listen, if you are a fan of the genre, author or narrator.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Likeable but very flawed.

A tiresome and unnecessary amount of sex and dirty talk. When I thought one sex scene was finally over, the next chapter had another. The main conflict between the main characters did not make any sense to me. They broke up suddenly and I really have no ideas why. And, the homophobic antagonists who are are the source of almost all the conflict are conveniently swept away with almost no explanation except a suggestion one character's father (who also appears suddenly) did something. A weak story.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I love the narrator

loved it. it was to short for me. I wanted to know more about the school.

I like but I won't listen to again

THis was a good story, but after finishing it, I don't think I will ever listen to it again. Kinda bored! I like stories that make me want to listen over and over...

Wait for a sale, then get this.. Don't waste a credit.

3 of 6 people found this review helpful

Genre Disapointment

Would you try another book from D. W. Marchwell and/or Sean Crisden?

No.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Soething like the Great Expectations of Dickns which I purchased recently

What aspect of Sean Crisden’s performance would you have changed?

Didnt like the script at all, too banal.

What character would you cut from Good to Know?

nothing to do with a specific character

Any additional comments?

Gay romance as a genre is a difficult one, that usually runs to the banality of script where the only thrill appears merely in its sexual descriptions down the road. This book sins to this point exactly. And the performance is also not so interesting.
But that is only my own opinion.

A very good love story

This story is a well read easy listen. While there are a few parts that are slow, it moves along nicely. The love story is beautiful and very easy to listen to. The vocals are well done and it is easy to discern between characters. I could understand all of the spoken words. I enjoy this genre so much more than straight love stories and this is one that speaks to my heart.

3 of 6 people found this review helpful

The story is there but overshadowed by sex scenes

If you could sum up Good to Know in three words, what would they be?

Cowboy teacher orphan

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

More of the story and less detailed sex

Which character – as performed by Sean Crisden – was your favourite?

I could relate to the teacher (being one) the other languages sounded good and believable to me (not that I speak any), the emotions tended to be realistic too.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listened to the book in sittings, I tended to listen on the drive to work /home

Any additional comments?

The opening starts quiet different to the rest of the book, give yourself some time to get into the story / wait till in the USA .

0 of 1 people found this review helpful