Fire and Water

By: Andrew Grey

Narrated by: Randy Fuller

Length: 6 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's Summary

Officer Red Markham knows about the ugly side of life after a car accident left him scarred and his parents dead. His job policing the streets of Carlisle, PA, only adds to the ugliness, and lately, drug overdoses have been on the rise. One afternoon, Red is dispatched to the local Y for a drowning accident involving a child. Arriving on site, he finds the boy rescued by lifeguard Terry Baumgartner. Of course, Red isn't surprised when gorgeous Terry won't give him and his ugly mug the time of day.

Overhearing one of the officer's comments about him being shallow opens Terry's eyes. Maybe he isn't as kindhearted as he always thought. His friend Julie suggests he help those less fortunate by delivering food to the elderly. On his route he meets outspoken Margie, a woman who says what's on her mind. Turns out, she's Officer Red's aunt.

Red and Terry's worlds collide as Red tries to track the source of the drugs and protect Terry from an ex-boyfriend who won't take no for an answer. Together they might discover a chance for more than they expected - if they can see beyond what's on the surface.

©2014 Andrew Grey (P)2015 Dreamspinner Press

The audio was sloppy; Narration okay

Any additional comments?

The audio for this was sloppy with skips and changes in volume that were jarring. They seriously need to start getting beta listeners for audio books. Those problems aside, the narration itself was okay.

The story was...well, sweet for the most part, I guess. In a modern day kind of missed the point Beauty and the Beast retelling.

It's also totally unrealistic with either relationship or police procedure, but earnest with it nonetheless. It didn't make me rage at any point, though there were a few eye rolls, and it didn't make me want to go out and junk punch someone, so I'm giving it an extra star for that alone (it's been a bad week for audio and me).

I'm a bit weird though...the only authors that get away with insta-love stories are Mary Calmes, Cardeno C, and shifter stories. All others have to work for it to get a pass, and I'm sorry (not sorry), Mr. Grey, but you didn't make me believe the shallow kid would have slept with and fallen for the scarred policeman so quickly.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Beauty Beast and a big ol' drug bust

I am always amazed at how Andrew Grey publishes new novels more frequently than I write in a journal or review books on Audible. Grey never fails to entertain me, and for that I can't thank him enough. This book wasn't his greatest. but it also wasn't his worse. It's a beauty meets beast love story where both individuals have to reconcile who they are on the outside with their inside. I'm a sucker for a kind heart, so I was immediately drawn to Red. His auntie amused me as well. The drug bust scenario felt a bit too forced but clearly necessary to envoke the "Gastone" character aka James. And lets not forget yummy and poignant sex scenes, along with vivid images of Terry in a pink speedo, and we'll call it an authentic Andrew Grey novel. I'm still debating whether or not it was worth an entire credit... personally... I would have preferred a 2 books for 1 credit type of deal, but I have yet to see that type of sale here on Audible for ANY of the m/m books I read. But, a girl can dream..... about a hottie in a pink Speedo. Just sayin! What!? A girl can dream. HA!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

i loved this

this was perfect.. both the story and narrator.. amazing.. just amazing.. i loved this story.. i loved the issues in it.. i loved the fixing of the issues.. i loved their love and trust.. i loved their fights and how they have to figure themselves out as well as each other.

Loved it

Sweet complex characters that you quickly come to care about and want to see them progress

Just ok

I liked the premis of the story. But it just fell flat. One minute Terry is making fun of Red and then they are in bed together. It wasn't believable. The dialog was choppy and unnatural. The narrator didn't help this fact. When author says it's spoken quietly the narrator didn't speak it that way.

Great Story emphasis of the Fire!

What about Randy Fuller’s performance did you like?

I like has he brought each character to life!

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

When Red saves the day. He lets his co-works take the police work while he just runs to Terry!

Any additional comments?

Looking forward to hearing book two

Not for me!

Would you try another book from Andrew Grey and/or Randy Fuller?

I think I've learnt my lesson, I hate Andrew Grey's books
The narrator was OK and I would listen to other books read by him.

0 of 5 people found this review helpful

pleasant surprise

I picked this up to try and was very pleasantly surprised by the well crafted story.

This is book 1 in the series of 6 books. It took a little bit of listening to fully get Red and his back story but then it was easy to see why he was the way he was and why he lacked self confidence off the job. Terry seems to go through something of a caterpillar to butterfly change when he meets Red. Red's aunt provides many funny moments and is a hoot!

Several characters are introduced in this book but that doesn't distract from the main story and I kind of guested at the twist but was 3/4 way through by then. This is a good solid romance story that happens to be between two guys. There is a good balance between the action and the romance, with the intimate bits not being flung in your face constantly.

The only issue i had was with the narrator. He just wasn't great at differentiating between the main voices so conversations got hard to follow at times. May be having 2 male narrators would be better.

Overall I would suggest if you like Abigail Roux's Cut and Run series then you should give this a try. It had the same kind of feel to it.

Will be getting the next book in the series!!!