Hard Edit

Sequel to Black Balled

By: Andrea Smith, Eva LeNoir

Narrated by: Joel Leslie

Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

It's all fun and games until egos get hurt.

After a year of a seemingly happily-ever-after, Troy Babilonia throws a curve ball that smacks Larson Blackburn right in the head. When Troy's debut novel, Bridge to Lonely, threatens to overshadow Larson's own success, inviting a past shadow into the light of their present, the two alphas must learn to adjust.

Bridge to Lonely has garnered an unexpected success both in the literary world and in the film industry, forcing Larson to accept that he is not the only successful author in the building. But as Troy's old flame decides to make an appearance, the two alphas are forced to test the strength of their love. Let the battle of the egos recommence, where sarcasm is the preferred weapon and the testosterone levels go beyond the boiling point.

Because Black Balled just wasn't enough...Smith & LeNoir bring you Hard Edit.

A M/M romance with adult content.

©2016 Andrea Smith (P)2023 Andrea Smith

Fun sequel even for new listeners

This is the continuing story of Troy and Larson, who got together in the previous book, Black Balled. This story begins with Troy, whose day job is a snarky book critic, taking time off to promote his first indie book. As it becomes a best seller, it helps create havoc in the lives of the heroes because it introduces a flame from the past and complications due to assumptions and miscommunication.

I haven’t read the first book, but the audio sample of Troy’s column was so bitingly funny I knew I had to read this. The story is told in alternating points of view from each hero, and each man has a distinctive voice. As there are two authors for this work, it makes me wonder if one author did all of one character so that they just meshed it together for the whole.

There is a lot of sex in this story. I’ve read a decent amount of MM fic before, but the sex happens often and inventively. For the audio listeners, you may want to listen with headphones unless you’re a fan of voyeurism. (If you are, then there’s a pleasant surprise for you in the book!)

The story is paced well, and thankfully it doesn’t stay mired in the topic of Troy’s best-selling book or the misunderstandings between lovers. A book that tries to drag out that old trope will not keep my attention because I can’t get behind characters that would be that idiotic. Thankfully, Troy’s across the hall neighbor Ida talks some sense into the guys.

I was listening to the audio (with headphones!) at work, and Larson has some of the zingiest lines. They are both funny guys, but Larson’s mortification in taking his neighbor’s dog to the dog park made me truly laugh out loud. I appreciate good humor in a story, but it is rare for me to actually laugh at something.

Both male leads consider themselves alphas, and they refer to themselves as such. I found this boorish. If you have to tell me you are, you’re probably not. I’ll grant that they are opinionated and want their way, but I could have done without the “I’m so alpha” clunky writing bits.

For the narration itself, the narrator did a great job keeping each voice distinct. Troy always sounded like the audio version of a swagger, but that seemed appropriate to the character. He also made it sound like the characters were in the story enjoying it. That made it easier as a listener. Joel Leslie could easily be a go-to narrator for MM romances.

In summary: Modern MM romance with witty/snarky heroes who are totally in love with each other. You can skip the first book without being lost, but you’d probably find this book richer if you read it. The narrator has a good voice and keeps everything moving along.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

perfect

This book is perfect in every way, excellent dialogue, great storyLine, delicious erotic action and incredible chemistry between the main characters. I highly recommend.

5 stars __Narration
5 stars __Story
5 stars _Overall

Charo

Absolute best collaboration and narrator!

I laughed and laughed. these 2 characters on their own are just the best but the 2 together as a couple.. I enjoyed every line. I just loved the voice variations for each character in the book especially Ida's and the pets at the end. The story is absolutely amazing and I can't wait for a couple a months when I can read this again like it s new to me. Hope these 2 Arthur's collaborate again on a new series.

A Hard Man is Good to Find

What did you love best about Hard Edit?

After Reading Black Balled, I was ready for more. The love/hate, the banter, the innuendos, the crazy dialogue makes Hard Edit such an enjoyable read. The extra characters, especially Ida, are an added bonus. The writing is spot on and I couldn't stop listening once I started.

Outstanding Sequel

I loved Troy and Larson in Black Balled and was thrilled to have a sequel for them with Hard Edit. I loved seeing them after the happily ever after and seeing how they came together and tried to make things work, with them both being such Alpha males.

The narrator, Joel Leslie, is just an amazing narrator. He definitely has mastered the ability to bring each character alive through his many voices. I wan't expecting the two bonus chapters at the end, but what a great and hysterical surprise, they were so funny. I would definitely recommend listening to Hard Edit.

A rating overall...

My Review:
Overall: 4.5
Performance: 4.25
Story: 4.5

I had no idea there was a second book to this series until I went to write my review for the first. Of course, I immediately scrambled to buy it and was so excited to find it was also already out in audio. And...yay, I think I enjoyed this story even more than I enjoyed the first (although that first one was really good too). So, that's good news for you because this is not a stand-alone story. To get the true effect and understand these characters, you NEED to read both books...and I highly recommend them in audio.

You should note...these characters in the first story were cocky and belligerent and narcissistic. Those personalities haven't been changed by love. LOL. These guys are both still jerks at their heart...the difference now is that they've softened...a little bit. They are absolutely madly in love and despite everything going on...including the fact that they really strongly disagree a lot of the time...their love is central in this book. Every time they fought and had harsh moments between them, I aww'ed because then they would turn around and confess their emotions. I loved that so much. It was that love and devotion that overrode everything else that made this story so good.

These two are NOT your typical heroes. In fact, they're thoroughly unlikable characters, but that's what makes their romance so good...because through it all, you can't help falling in love with them and cheering them along the way.

Huge kudos to the two authors for making that work. Wow, that some serious writing skill.

So, again, I highly recommend this story, especially if you've read the first book. You NEED to grab this one immediately. It's not your normal romantic story, but I loved it for that and these unlikely, but still lovable characters.

LAUGH OUT LOUD FUNNY!

Any additional comments?

Troy and Larson are back and they are hilarious. I loved the banter between these two hot alpha males. It was great getting to see all the miscommunication of their relationship.

This audiobook was provided to me by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchanged for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast.

Perfect Narrator For A Perfect Story

Joel Leslie has to be the PERFECT narrator for Troy and Larson. Even hearing him narrating dear Ida has me busting out laughing. I thought reading this book was a joy, but listening to the audiobook is even better!!! Busting out laughing at work may have gotten me strange looks, but this audiobook was totally worth it!!!

Snarky & romantic

I fell in love with Black Balled and was so excited for Hard Edit to end up on Audible.

This "enemies to lovers" type story was so snarky and funny with a very healthy mix of steamy m/m awesomeness. The over the top arrogant alpha men made for quite the romance making it funny and also enticing.

I got used to Joel Leslie in Black Balled and I will admit it takes me a minute to get into his narration because his tone and timber are slightly redundant. But the way he pulls off the zings and accents makes up for it and he is able to keep my head in the game.

I requested to review this audiobook at no charge from the narrator, author or publisher via Audiobook Boom.

OMG- The trifecta of perfection! Perfect narration

I fell in love with the way Joel Leslie brought Larson and Troy to life in Black Balled. Then he upped the ante with his performance in Guns Blazing (Lloyd's story). But with Hard Edit, I have fallen in love with Joel (Hence the trifecta :))
I want to marry him, just so he can tell me about his day in that brilliant voice of his.

The distinction between the characters seemed effortless- his characterisation of Ida, Thelma were brilliant. He had the right amount of snark to pull off not 1, but 2 arrogant males. I have listened to several books narrated by Joel Leslie (and other really good narrators), but this performance is (as Troy aka Babu would say) perfection.
It was nice to 'see' Lloyd and Luke again -helped with the fact that it has been the same narrator all the way.
Hard Edit is a brilliant sequel to Black Balled - really good, funny with a good emotional depth. And the narration makes it perfect.

Non comprende !

Book 1 Black Balled was excellent, didn't enjoy book 2 (about Lloyd the Lawyer) so arrived at Book 3 with great expectations having read the reviews.

I'm confused how these two intelligent Alphas turned into camp twits. After 1.5 hrs, when Troy is majorly jealous of L's cardboard cutout, it was just too ridiculous to continue. I don't understand how this degenerated into nonsense.

DISAPPOINTING

a phenomenal read

I absolutely loved BlackBalled and to find out that there was a sequel with these two fascinating characters made my day. Hard Edit was even better that the first book. The story takes us into the lives of Troy and Larson one year after BlackBalled and the real world problems they faced while in a relationship. It was hotter, funnier, and in some ways a bit more unusual. The authors did a great job bringing together these two strong alpha male characters while allowing them to each keep their individuality. I loved their witty banter and their competitive battles however it was their steamy scenes that almost melted my kindle. These two characters were well developed and they grow as a couple in the story as they faced their fears and insecurities together. The secondary characters brought balance and support to the main characters and added so much more to this story. Hard Edit was a phenomenal read, definitely worthy of a 5 star status. I loved it and would highly recommend it to all lovers of MM romance.
The audiobook version was narrated by Joel Leslie. He did a phenomenal job with the portrayal of these characters giving them distinct voices and personality. His pace and timing was excellent and he really brought the story to life. I loved listening to him narrate this story.

Troy & Larson M/M

Book 3. This is the last book in this series. I think there are two before it but I only listened to Black Balled and Hard Edit. I enjoyed both books. Each guy has personal issues they are working through and even though they fight like crazy when it comes down to it they love each other unconditionally. I love their relationship and their banter. Again Joel Leslie does a fantastic job with narration. I definitely recommend these books. “Black Balled” is #1. “Guns Blazing” is #2 and “Hard Edit” is #3

🎧Audiobook Obsession

Absolutely love Troy and Larsen

This was a very well written, funny book. A perfect mix of witty banter, silly behaviour and seriousness.

Character development was spot on and the story line kept me hooked all the way until the very end... Loved the bonus epilogues!

Narration was absolutely spot on. His characters were well defined and really easy to listen to.

Briliant!

I've pretty much read most of Andrea Smith's books, and I can't believe I missed this one. All I have to say is, WOW! Hard Edit is brilliantly written, riving, and wholly engaging; I was captivated from start to end. The characters are phenomenal with electrifying chemistry. Joel Leslie did an excellent job with the narration; he portrayed the characters very nicely, bringing them to life. This was a fabulous listen, one I highly recommend.

Perfect

This one had the perfect mix of humour, drama and all the feels to make time fly when you are Listening to this one. The characters were so well developed and the storyline well plotted out leaving me satisfied with the ending but feeling like i had lost 2 close friends,

A fantastic novel only made more powerful by the. Narrator. A fantastic job by both the narrator and the author to get this one to the level its at.

Brilliant sequel

This book started a year into Troy and Larson’s relationship and had me wanting to bang there heads together then laughing out loud with them. When Nathan and Lloyd threatened their romance up stepped Ida again OMG she is such a doll. I loved how this was read over audio especially the dirty sexy scenes!!!

as good as the ebook

The story is always full stars, because if I wouldn't like the story as ebook, I wouldn't listen to the audiobook. I can't listen to an audiobook without knowing the book, that's not possible for me.

The performance from the narrator is also very important for me. I can't listen to a lot, because my English as a non-native-speaker isn't so perfect to follow a whole story over hours, when the narrator speaks too fast or too sloppy. Normally I have to SEE the person, who is talking to me in English. It took me a little bit, to come into the narrator, but at the end, it worked. I only have to take a few breaks between. I'm just not yet finish with the book, I’m over the half, but I listen enough to give a review.

PLEASE READ MY RATING SYSTEM!!!

To my ratings:

5* - very very good
it's like an A+

4* - very good and will be often re-listening
it's like an A

3* - it's more then a one-time-listening.
it's like a B

Great finish to a great series!

As this was book 3 (and sadly the last) I felt a wave of sadness that there would be no more but what a finish! Literally laughed out loud in parts and the finish wrapped up everything so perfectly.

Narrator was once again (he was continuous in all books) amazing from the depth and feeling from all characters and an overall smooth voice that made me relaxed and enjoy.

Overall loved the series and would recommend that you try the first book and fall in love with the characters like I have.

Fabulous

Just like the first one this book was perfect for me and my taste 😁 having the same narrator always makes me happy too 😃 the endings made me cry laugh and still want more and more .... If others have read the book but not listed to it they should ... Both books are going to be listend too over and over I promise 🤗