Housekeeping

Publisher's Summary

When Nicky Hauser walks in on his restaurant-owner boyfriend having sex with a waiter, Nicky loses his lover, his job, and his home all in one night. Although he’s nearly thirty, he’s never settled on a true career, and he has nothing to show for his years with Tom. Depressed and unable to find work, Nicky ends up couch-surfing with friends until he lands a house-sitting gig for a wealthy family.

When Nicky’s clients discover that he loves to clean, demand for his services skyrockets. Word of mouth leads him to Spencer Cartwright, a busy computer consultant and a slob. Spencer and his wife divorced when he came out, but he’s never found the time or courage to settle down with a man. As Nicky sets Spencer’s house to rights, the two men find friendship. But Nicky’s past experiences make him wary of risking everything on love.

©2013 Kim Fielding (P)2014 Dreamspinner Press

A nice listen but not my favorite Kim Fielding

*3.5 stars*

Good, light contemporary story about an aimless man finding purpose as a housekeeper for a newly out divorcee.

The story was easy listening. Sweet, no sex on page (drat!), and tender, I enjoyed this novella. However, I had some minor issues. First of all, I thought that the content was too heavy on the buildup to the relationship and less on the delivery. Almost the entirety of the story is the lead up to Nicky and Spencer getting together. There is a lot of focus on Nicky's breakup with Tom, which would have been great except for the fact that it made the back 1/2 of the story feel rushed and underdeveloped in comparison. I liked Nicky and Spencer together and I would have loved to read more about them and their dynamic. I also wanted to know more about Spencer, who remained somewhat of a mystery to me.

In terms of the narration, I thought it was just okay. I really like K.C. Kelly, but I'll admit he was an awkward fit for this story. His voice is too old and he had too little vocal differentiation between all the characters. He is a better match for stories with more mature MCs or something more soulful, with his deep, resonating voice. I would have liked someone more fresh who could have matched Nicky's personality better.

All in all, a decent listen and a nice way to pass the time.

**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Enjoyable

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Depends on what they were in the mood for. It's a fast, fun read, but I wanted a bit more romance.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Anticlimatic

Have you listened to any of K.C. Kelly’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes I have, I love his barritone.

Do you think Housekeeping needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Nope.

Any additional comments?

Nicky Hauser has spent the last five years with a man that not only didn’t appreciate him, but cheated on him more than once. When Nicky walks in on his partner, the man he shares his life and home with, banging one of their waiters in his office, Nicky can no longer pretend not to know what Tom is doing. He couch surfs for a while until the opportunity to house sit falls into his lap. The couple is so impressed with how immaculate their home is upon their return, that they start suggesting Nicky to their friends, and Nicky turns it into a solid income from there.

That is all Spencer Cartwright is supposed to be, his employer. But all bets are off when Nicky takes a fulltime, live in job for Spencer, keeping his home in order. Quiet nights spent watching TV together, Spencer helping Nicky study for his college math class and evenings out with Nicky’s friends, slowly turn their friendship into something more. But can Nicky open up his heart to another man after the lost one broke it?

This was just a fast fun read. The storyline was okay, the characters were a little distant though. I never really felt drawn to either of them until toward the end, and then the story was over. I did like how Nicky took his circumstance and turned it to work in his favor, but I really wanted him and Spencer to get together a little sooner and perhaps have a little more romantic time. Kelly’s narration of the story was great. I liked that each character had a different voice, whether it was tone, pitch or nuance that changed, you always knew who was talking at the time.

If you are looking for something quick to pass an afternoon with a decent storyline and a tease at romance, grab a copy of Housekeeping.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Love this combo - Kim and KC!

We start the story on Nicky’s 29th birthday. He’s having a blast, living the life as a waiter/kept man with is lover of many years, Tom (his boss). Nicky goes to surprise Tom at work and discovers him banging another waiter in his office. Needless to say, he’s heartbroken, and now he’s also homeless and jobless.
With the help of his friends he stumbles into a sort-of career as a housekeeper/house-sitter and manages to stay off the streets and is even beginning to take classes online when he meets Spencer.
Spencer initially hires him for a two week stint as a housekeeper/sitter, but then is so impressed with his work and has such a big house, he offers Nicky a room if he’ll stay and keep his house full time.
They live together as friends and employer/employee for months, slowly growing to appreciate the other as people, but never crossing any romantic lines. Until… Nicky turns 30 and invites Spencer along. They share a drunken kiss and Spencer wants to take things farther but Nicky stops him, not wanting to ruin what they already have.
So, though it pains them both, they remain friends and platonic roommates. Until… Thanksgiving. While surrounded by friends and family, Nicky realizes just what he might be throwing away and decides he has to let love guide the way.

**
Kim Fielding is an amazing writer. She is so gifted with her use of humor, tenderness, word choice, character development… the list goes on and on.
I really admire her ability to tell a big story with a few words. Though this is not as “deep” as some of her other stories (Brute, Speechless, etc.) it is just as touching. Both MCs are so lonely and scared and when they do finally come together, you really and truly believe they have what it takes to make it.
I particularly loved the “reveal” where Nicky finally realizes what he’s missing in Spencer.
“It just occurred to me that a man isn’t measured by what he does for a living and where he lives. It’s who he loves that matters, and who loves him. And I’m feeling very, very thankful to have you all in my life.”
Sigh.
So wonderful.
I highly recommend this short book about love and cleaning and give it 4.5 of 5 stars.

Heartwarming story about love and family

Any additional comments?

This is a light and heartwarming story, beautifully read. This is not one of my favorite books by Kim Fielding, but I still enjoyed it very much.

As Nicky is forced to make some drastic changes in his life, he faces the issues of what it means to grow up, have a career, home, love and family. All these issues are dealt with well as we get to know and love Nicky. Spencer and Nicky's romance is more in the background as the focus is more on Nicky's journey. But their romance is sweet, as Spencer learns to let go and Nicky learns to trust again. There is more focus on romance than sex in this story.

I recommend with for anyone looking for a fun story about starting over.

*I received a free copy of this audiobook from Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.*

Sweet

Corky, unrealistic but sweet enough for a twice in one day listen😍 don't we all wish we can find a partner that love us unconditionally! Sigh!

a home is more than just were u live

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

it's a sweet story with nick learning how to stand on his own two feet and how to allow him self to both trust and love spencer

What other book might you compare Housekeeping to and why?

nothing I can thing of

Which scene was your favorite?

I loved it when spencer told nick he was being added on to the deed of the house because it was his home as well

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

playing house

Any additional comments?

once more a story that shows the importants of the relationship 1st Love it

A Sugar-Free Love Story!

What made the experience of listening to Housekeeping the most enjoyable?

The non schmyrpy writing--clear, clean and quick.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I enjoyed all the characters in this story, with the exception of that "ass-face" Tom.

What does K.C. Kelly bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

A wonderful voice and great oral interpretations.

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

Better than a Dyson!

Any additional comments?

"Housekeeping" will be one of my favorite novels of 2014. Highly recommended listening/reading.