Galaxies and Oceans

By: N.R. Walker

Narrated by: Joel Leslie

Length: 10 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's Summary

Seizing his one chance to escape, Ethan Hosking leaves his violent ex-boyfriend, leaves his entire life, and walks into the path of a raging bushfire. Desperate to start over, a new man named Aubrey Hobbs walks out of the fire-ravaged forest, alive and alone. With no ID and no money, nothing but his grandfather's telescope, he goes where the Southern Cross leads him.

Patrick Carney is the resident lighthouse keeper in Hadley Cove, a small town on the remote Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia. After the tragic death of his lover four years ago, he lives a solitary life; just him, a tabby cat, the Indian and Southern Oceans, and a whole lot of loneliness. He's content with his life until a stranger shows up in town and turns Patrick's head.

Patrick never expected to be interested in anyone else.

Aubrey never expected to be happy.

Between Aubrey's love of the stars and Patrick's love of the ocean, these two fragile hearts must navigate new waters. If they can weather the storm of their pasts, they could very well have a love that eclipses everything.

Contains mature themes.

©2018 N. R. Walker (P)2019 Tantor

Emotionally Wonderful

This was an amazing audio. This may go down as my favorite audio narration to date, because it hit so many emotions for me. I first read Patrick and Aubrey's story in eBook and I loved it. How couldn't I? N.R. Walker is such an amazing storyteller and always draws some level of emotions from me. However, the level of emotions that I felt listening to this a narration of Patrick and Aubrey's love just gutted me. I didn't cry in the book, but I cried several times throughout my listen. Joel Leslie did such an amazing job bringing these two men to life. His narration of Aubrey's journey, and Patrick's loss, just gutted me. But in all the best ways. Aubrey was such a strong man, leaving behind everything to save himself. Following the Southern Cross constellation to safety and his yet-unknown soulmate. Patrick, still trying to recover from a heart-retching loss, finds out that love can come twice in a lifetime. These two men deserved a HEA written in the stars and sea. I couldn't recommend this audio (or e-book) more. I didn't want this audio to end, and at just shy of 11 hours, that says a lot.

Beautiful, should make a movie of it!

5 Blue Roses
3.5 Blue Flames
Narrator Joel Leslie delivered a flawless emotional narration that will engage new listeners and fans alike. His Australian accents are spot on. I love his smoky voice.

The audiobook does fit the LGBT genre beautifully. The story plays out on Kangaroo Island, Australia. Aubrey fled from his abusive boyfriend by following the Southern Cross all the way to loving arms of Patrick, a lighthouse keeper.

The plot was laid out in detail and the story did not feel rushed or half done. I enjoyed every minute of it. The world building was detailed, I could smell the ocean.

I recommend this audiobook for M/M romance lovers.

Happy Listening

easy listen

Did the story keep me engaged: absolutely
Were there any parts I found annoying: no
Did I have an emotional reaction to the characters: yes
Would I listen to it again: definitely

Story comments: NR Walker hasn't written a book I haven't thoroughly enjoyed and this one is no different. Sweet story, easy to listen too with good solid characters.

Narrator comments: Joel Leslie does a brilliant performance bringing this story to life.

Stunning Story and Audio

Galaxies and Oceans is a stunningly beautiful story. It’s a book that’s stuck with me since reading it when it was first released so I was thrilled to find out that Joel Leslie was narrating it. Joel did a wonderful job expressing the beauty, heartbreak, adoration, and love between Aubrey and Patrick. I’m sure this will be a frequent re-listen for me!

UGGGH SO GOOD

Joel Leslie is probably my absolute favorite narrator. And this story made me cry! It was so sweet and wholesome, and also had just the right amount of steamy parts, but it was so well balanced it was phenomenal.

Endless Possibilities

Aubrey and Patrick's story is so wonderful!
I loved it even more the second time around, thanks to the brilliant narration by Joel Leslie. He brings so much feeling and heart to his performances, it's tempting to start the audiobook all over again, even though I've just finished.

I love picking up things I might have missed on my first read, or just things that might not have resonated with me as much the first time. One particular scene that really got to me while listening was with Aubrey and Patrick, when Aubrey realized the coincidence with the Southern Cross and was explaining how it led him there, it just brought me to tears.
In my review of the book I mentioned I loved how considerate both Patrick and Aubrey were, how neither pushed the other for more than they were willing or able to give, and that still stands true. I appreciated how Patrick let Aubrey share what he could, that he wasn't demanding to know more of Aubrey's history than he was comfortable sharing. I really did adore them both so much.

Joel is truly amazing. He definitely gives his all when it comes to his narration- he doesn't just read the words on the page, he brings them to life. Aubrey and Patrick are both really vulnerable characters and Joel was able to show that in ways that were distinct to each character. I've loved his narration in every book I've listened to, but there was just that something extra he seemed to bring with this book.

A beautiful tale

Once again NR Walker and Joel Leslie blow me away. This story was wonderfully paced and worth the 10 hours listen. I loved it and it pulled at my heartstrings.

Beautiful

Another amazing performance by Joel Leslie and another beautiful story by N.R. Walker. Just beautiful!

My heart broke and pieced itself back together again multiple times.

Heartbreaking with HEA

Just beautiful. Taking a nightmare and turning into love. Joel Leslie is a fantastic narrator .

Audio makes such a difference

I loved this book in e-format, but done by Joel Leslie, the characters come to life. it has an entirely different feel with this familiar voice, and I love it just as well.

Loved it!

A sweet Australian M/M romance, that tells the story of two young men, who're hurting, finding and helping each other.
It also puts a spotlight on an important and rarely discussed real life problem, that being domestic abuse in m/m relationships, which unfortunately are largely ignored.

Wow my heart

Listening to galaxies and oceans and Aubrey and Patricks journey was heartbreaking beautiful intense powerful meaningful and moving

I felt everything and Joel Leslie's narration was absolutely beautiful he made me feel every emotion perfectly

Sweet and romantic, but not sickly or sappy

This was a lovely story about two guys finding something special despite their histories. Didn’t grab me emotionally as much as some which is why I didn’t give 5 stars, but it was a close one.

Beautiful!

Beautiful story is new beginnings and finding love! Defo recommend!

Amazing writing and reading! Xxx

Romance at its best

I was destroyed by this book, the first chapter alone had me sobbing. The story line was slow, sweet, tender and full of love. Joel Leslie was the perfect narrator. This will be one of those books I listen to again and again.

Pain to love

Have read this story and listened to it twice, it's beautiful and full of growing romance beautifully written as always by N R Walker and the narrator brings the story to life ❤