Fish Stick Fridays

By: Rhys Ford

Narrated by: Spencer Goss

Length: 6 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

Deacon Reid was born bad to the bone with no intention of changing. A lifetime of law-bending and living on the edge suits him just fine, until his baby sister dies and he finds himself raising her little girl.

Staring down a family history of bad decisions and reaped consequences, Deacon cashes in everything he owns, purchases an auto shop in Half Moon Bay, and takes his niece, Zig, far away from the drug dens and murderous streets they grew up on. Zig deserves a better life than what he had, and Deacon is determined to give it to her.

Lang Harris is stunned when Zig, a little girl in combat boots and a purple tutu, blows into his bookstore, and then he's left speechless when her uncle, Deacon Reid, walks in hot on her heels. Lang always played it safe, but Deacon tempts him to step over the line...just a little bit.

More than a little bit. And Lang is willing to be tempted.

Unfortunately, Zig isn't the only bit of chaos dropped into Half Moon Bay. Violence and death strike, leaving Deacon scrambling to fight off a killer before he loses not only Zig but Lang too.

©2015 Rhys Ford (P)2016 Dreamspinner Press

So Gripping It Stole My Saturday

I'm not really the "write a review" type of person. My husband says I like to let the world drive past me. However, this audiobook was fabulous. It usually takes me a week or maybe more to get through an audiobook, but after about chapter three I was hooked. It may have been the fact that it centered around a little girl, Zig, who is about two years younger than my own daughter, and I could feel for the main character, Deacon, who was trying to wrangle his young niece out of her tortured past after getting custody due to a sudden death.

This is about the third MM romance I've read, and this one is much more about sincere romance, but not in an overly sexual way, more in a thoughtful and complicated way. It felt more sophisticated somehow, more nuanced. I give the author credit for how well she laid the groundwork for who these people were and the narrator is absolutely perfect. I could listen to this guy read a phone book. He gave such life to moments that I felt as if he might have been improvising...I even tried to engage Whispersync, but it's not available on this title to see if he was doing the dialogue word-for-word as written. I give him much credit...because it sounded like much of the dialogue was off the top of his head. Truly impressive and engaging. And the voices -- they seemed like different people. I was entranced. And, remember, one of the voices was that of an eight year old girl. Just fabulous.

So, yes...the woman who doesn't quite care enough to tell others what she thinks thought she needed to...so she...or, rather, I...did. ;-)

And, while I'll give no spoilers here, the way the final few chapters unfolded was perfection. It's probably what made me think to write this review. The author, Ms. Ford deserves much praise for her way with a pen, as does Mr. Goss who has a way with his voice that is simply sublime.

Wrong Side / Right Side of Tracks Romance

Any additional comments?

This is another great book by Rhys Ford and equally great narrator choice. This book has a more family feel about it in the form of a little girl named Bobo Ziegfried AKA Zig or Ziggy. She forms the nexus of various murder plots that form the books action. The child is brash, capricious, occasionally rude, vulnerable, and totally charming. The child is bigger than life and may be a thinly disguised version of the author’s ultra-ego free and unchecked by social convention.

The handsome hunk hero of the book is her custodial Uncle, Deacon Reid. He oozes masculinity all wrapped up in a bad boy motorcyclist mechanic image. The catch is that he is now trying to be a responsible family man and fill the gaping hole in Ziggy’s life the death (murder) of her drug addicted mother left while keeping her out of the clutches of Child Protective Services system.

Lang Harris is the love interest, Reid has his eye on in the town of Half Moon Bay where he moves to give him and Zig a chance at a normal fear free forever after life. Harris is the image of cultured, settled establishment stability. Just the sort of safe harbor a boy from the wrong side of the tracks needs to build a future with for himself and his niece. But Harris has his own baggage he is coping with courtesy of a psychopathic stalking abusive ex-boyfriend who has just been released from prison without notice to Lang.

All of these elements are adeptly juggled in an entertaining plot that will keep the reader/listener focused on the, what’s coming next, driving force of the story line.
On top of this solid confection of masterful writing the author has baked is the rich lyrical descriptive couplet’s of icing she has sweetly laces and drizzles her story with. These passages are a joy to read and a pleasure to listen to by the capable narrator Spencer Gross. Mr. Gross has an unfortunate last name in that his voice is anything but gross. He successfully delineates the main and secondary characters with subtle shifts in tone and tambour in his rich vibrant masculine voice. His voice adds wings to the lyrical descriptive passages mentioned above.

It is a good read well preformed. Well worth the investment of the readers or listeners time.

A Real Sleeper

Would you listen to Fish Stick Fridays again? Why?

Absolutely! In addition to a great story line and compelling, flawed but strong characters, the real revelation is Spencer Goss and his narration. Listening to a good book performed by a good narrator adds both depth and richness to the story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Fish Stick Fridays?

There's a pivotal scene about halfway through the story where Deacon Reid and his 8-year old niece have a phone conversation that, on the page, is emotional enough. Hearing it performed is intense.

What does Spencer Goss bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Ha! Spencer Goss brings these characters alive. His Zig is spot on, but it's really the voice of Deacon that seals the deal for me. Deacon is written as a strong, down to earth man, but Spencer breathes life into his words and Deacon comes across as 'sex on a stick.' He's a character everybody wants to know.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Rule #1: Don't be an A$$hole.

Any additional comments?

Rhys Ford is on a very short list of authors I will auto buy, whether print books, ebooks or audio books. This book was a bit out of her normal 'wheelhouse', so to speak, but she knocked it out of the park. It's really fantastic storytelling.

love it

this may be my favorite Rhys book ever! I'm even MORE in love with this book after hearing the narration!
spencer was AMAZING

Spencer Goss knocks this out of the park!

Any additional comments?

Oh. My. God. I loved, loved, loved Spencer Goss' narration!!! I mean, where did this guy come from?!

Spencer Goss knocks this out of the park! HOME RUN! Absolutely FANTASTIC narration! I cannot wait to hear more from him!

Seriously, I haven't been this excited to listen to a new narrator since Matthew Shaw and Ezekiel Robison...and I think everyone knows how much I fangirl those two!

It doesn't hurt that the story itself it thoroughly enjoyable.

This story starts off with a BANG! and barrels through to the ending with only a few pauses to let you catch your breath. It’s exhilarating, invigorating, crazy, delightful, and exciting.

Bottom line: I had a rollicking good time reading this and will be looking forward to more stories set in Half Moon Bay!

Great new narrator!

Rhys said to let you know our opinion...so...Fabulous job, Spencer! Pretty good range of voices in your repertoire. Hard to believe this was your first. Looking forward to hearing more from you.

Another great Rhys Ford story

I loved this book, and Spencer Goss's narration is just about perfect! If you like a little romance mixed in with you mystery, this one is highly recommended

Loved it !!!!<br />

I loved listen the audio as much as i loved reading the book! Rhys Ford found another great narrator for her books.

Great story and good performance by Narrator

The story is really interesting. Big scary biker and mild mannered book store owner meet and make beautiful music together. Zig may be scarier, but she is really a jewel in the rough. Rhys Ford does it again.

Spencer Goss did a wonderful job bringing the characters to life and I am adding this book to my re-listen to list. If your looking for a book by a great author which is well performed look no further, Fish Stick Fridays is that kind of book.

DEACON+LANG+ZIG=FAMILY!!!!! LOVED IT!!!!

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

Yes!! it was really wonderful....great story and narration!!!

What other book might you compare Fish Stick Fridays to and why?

I cant compare it...it is a M/M mystery romance....and it was wonderful!

Have you listened to any of Spencer Goss’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I dont think so..but I would!

If you could take any character from Fish Stick Fridays out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Zig..she is adorable!!!! We would have a cursing good time!!!

Any additional comments?

I came across this series by chance..I was looking to see if there was a second book in another Rhys Ford series...and the title intrigued me...This was such a good book! Deacon fights for custody of his niece Zig supposedly after her mom commits suicide...Deacon takes her away to a new city to start a safe and calm new life....well bad things keep happening..someone is trying to kill this little girl...Deacon meets Lang, his landlord, and book shop owner that is next to his new mechanics shop...they have an instant chemistry and ZIg really likes Langs shop and his cats...Things progress and Deacon and Lang end up dating and ultimately healing together...Lang was a victim of a really bad stalking and almost killed...so he is very cautious...there is danger everywhere...but in the end...Love conquers all!! If you like M/M romance and a cool mystery..this one is for you!!!!

LOVED IT!! I RECOMMEND!!!!!

Another great Rhys Ford book

I'd already read this book in pixels but I'm slowly making my way through the audio versions of Rhys' books and Fishstick Fridays is right up there with the others I've enjoyed. The slow build to Deke & Lang's relationship fits nicely within the story; the mystery as to who has it in for them and why was well played out, and Zig's character is brilliant.
Spencer gives each character a distinct voice (I love Deke's & Zig's the best) and this is another book where the narration fit with the story so well that I laughed aloud at certain points because the characters shone through so brilliantly. I'll definitely be listening to this again and I hope Spencer Goss will be narrating some more books as his range is great.

A new narrator...perfection!!

Grrr!! Spencer Goss' interpretation makes for one sexy as hell Deacon Reid!! A deep growly voice, and combined with the image in my head based on the description of Deacon in the story?? Yum!! 4.5 stars from me.

Yes, it's a Rhys Ford whodunit, so there were shootings, a couple of fire-bombing incidents and more than one red herring to throw you off the scent so to speak, but most of all I adored the relationship between Uncle Deke and his 'baby girl' orphaned niece Zig (yep, an 8 year old whose swearing would make a sailor blush). I quickly warmed to Lang (who'd definitely had dreadful problems of his own, poor soul), and yes, he and Deacon are complete polar opposites but they made such a loving couple, and most of all they made Zig feel safe, wanted and loved. Book 2 I understand is all about West, Lang's brother.

More Spencer Goss...please!!

Engaging suspense-romance

What did you like most about Fish Stick Fridays?

I find that I can get really distracted when listening to books I haven't read before, but Spencer Goss' narration really brought this to life and kept me hooked. The different voices were easy to distinguish and kept the pace. The book itself was very engaging - full of suspense, romance and humour.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Not sure whether I loved Zig most with her sailor-worth swearing, or the cats! Deacon came across as strong and alpha-y but with a very tender side (this is where the narration was spot on), whilst Lang was a wonderful combination of practical and passionate.

Ok story

Second time. 2 stars become 3 stars for the story. The romance is mediocre, the best part was the daughter.
I bought this because of the narrator, but he underwhelmed me this time around. Great voices, but he could not keep me focused.

awesome story

I can't wait to grab more from this author and narrator. right from the beginning I was taken into the story and could barely stop listening

Great narration

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

This was an entertaining book. It did not tax the little grey cells but it was a nice love story with a little action.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Deacon, the gay uncle bike mechanic taking care of his neice Zig was interesting. I'm not usually a fan of little kids in my gay romances but the narrator gave Zig such personality she grew on me.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The couple were cute and there were some nice love scenes, but I find Rhys Ford overplays them, turning what could be a beautiful sex scene into a whole overblown performance.

If this book were a film would you go see it?

Nope

Any additional comments?

An entertaining listen.

An entertaining and enjoyable romance

This is a compelling and entertaining romance with suspense and plenty of action provided via the murder/mystery plot, and there’s humour courtesy of Zig.

It’s an opposites attract type romance, but also the focus of the story shows that family matters. The main characters are unique and come across as real. Deacon is a growly, motorbike riding alpha, whereas Lang is a posh and slightly reserved bookseller who provides the stability both Zig and Deacon crave. They each have to deal with problems that arise from their pasts that could threaten their happiness together.

The romance is a slow build because Deacon has to consider his niece’s future rather than his own, but once the guys commit to a relationship they are loving and caring for each other no matter what happens. The story is more about the relationship development than the sex, although they do manage to sneak some sexy times together

I enjoyed the writing style of the narrative, but what stood out for me were the almost poetic descriptive phrases woven into the text which beautifully paint the settings.

Spencer Goss narrates the story well with an excellent range of voices, each distinct and clearly recognisable. He portrays the personalities and the emotions of the characters superbly.