Imitation of Life

Rock Bottom, Book 2

By: Felice Stevens

Narrated by: Kale Williams, Michael Pauley

Length: 9 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's Summary

Benny DeMarco is the nicest guy you’ll ever meet. He works hard, takes care of his little sister, and pays the bills. Childhood bullies and an abusive stepfather invade his dreams, and at times he wishes life would grant him a do-over. Would he like a boyfriend? You bet. But Benny knows love isn’t for him. He’s been looked over, looked through, and looked past all his life. Even worse, the one guy he’s been in love with for almost two years is the biggest flirt who will sleep with anyone. Anyone except Benny.

Gino Acosta smiles to keep from crying. Everyone he meets tells him he’s beautiful and sexy, but Gino knows the truth. His outside may be perfect, but inside he feels dirty and unworthy. Bounced around as a child, he yearns for someone to love and a family to call his own. He hops from man to man, desperate to belong, believing the lies he’s told, but all he finds is a body for an hour or two. Things would be so different if only he knew - the man he’s searching for is waiting for him, right under his nose.

Benny starts dating the “perfect guy”,and it’s okay if there’s no spark - that’ll happen eventually. Won’t it? Gino’s fast-paced modeling career has taken off, but once again, he’s trading his body for a dream. When Gino’s world explodes, Benny must fight for what and who he really wants. Gino must learn to trust what people tell him - that he’s got so much more to offer than a pretty face and a moment of pleasure.

If all your life you believe you’re nothing, how do you move past heartbreak and hardship to reach for everything?

©2019 Felice Stevens (P)2019 Felice Stevens

4.5 Angsty Stars

When I had the change to listen to the audible of this book I was thrilled. I love Kale Williams and Michael Pauley so I could not wait to dive in. And WOW... Felice had me with all the feels from the first few minutes. These characters just tugged at your heartstrings. Benny was sweet and shy and watched and loved his friend Gino from afar. Gino was flirt who took things too far with too many jerks on too many occasions, just so he could feel loved. He was crying out and his pain was palatable. Benny had and hid his own demons, too.

Finally, after a startling discovery that changed the course of Gino's life, Benny rescued him in so many ways. I am just not sure of he realized that Gino rescued him right back. This is a story about recovering from pain, learning to love not only yourself but each other and of personal and professional growth. Gino and Benny are great together!

The heartbreak is nicely overcome by so many beautiful heartwarming moments in this story. Another great 'read' by Felice Stevens. Kale Williams and Michael Pauley did not disappoint one bit, they were their amazing selves!

Angsty and gritty!

The angst was high in this one and I absolutely loved it.

Michael Pauley's audio delivery was emotional, real and drew me into the story. He gave the characters their own voices and I loved the overall narration.

Gino and Benny's story was raw, gritty, real and relatable.
I loved the angst with all the emotions.

A Long Awaited HEA

This book just grabbed me by my heart, and wouldn’t let go until the last pages. So when this came out in audio, I snapped it up. Not only was the book so amazing, I absolutely adore Michael Pauley and Kale Williams narrating together. The two of them narrating together, somehow found a way to make this story even more emotional for me. I had so many emotions for Gino and Benny. Gino just made me want to wrap him in a warm blanket and give him all the hugs. These two men had gone through SO much in their respective childhoods and young adult lives. Benny provided such a necessary lifeline to Gino to help him understand he was a worthy person and that he deserved love and to BE loved. I loved that Gino showed Benny that the world isn’t full of darkness, and it’s alright to lean on each other and not take on life’s burdens alone. I love that they found each other and could work on finding their HEA together. I was also excited to be able to get a glimpse of some of my favorite characters from books past. Being able to hear just a little more from Noah and Oren was wonderful, and Jeremy and Blake have always held a soft spot in my heart. I couldn’t recommend Gino and Benny’s story more, and I know this is one I will listen to or pick up to read again.

performance was lacking

the constant switching between performers was distracting due to volume changes. Use only one performer!

Sloppy Writing and Production. So Much Wrong!

First, I think I’m going to have to put Michael Pauley aka Dean on my “no listen” list. I think he forgot what Benny sounded like in the first book of this series (He was not quite so effeminate. Plus the overreacting is annoying and accents are terrible.
Second, although Kale Williams did a great job and could have/should have recorded this series on his own, the sound quality of his recording was not so good so the switch was a bit distracting.
Last, I’ll try not to spoil anything. Benny receives some upsetting news that is even more so to his 13 yo sister. This author thought it was a good idea to write a shower/sex scene and sleep over for the NEW COUPLE to make each other “feel good” right after dinner while the poor girl was still awake and clearly upset and scared. Perhaps she should’ve written a movie night to hang out with the kid and comfort her instead. Plus, probably not a good idea for any brand new couple to be having sleepovers with a teenager in the home, considering the ensuing circumstances.
Knowing what we know about Benny up to this point and his relationship with his sister, I’m pretty sure that’s not what he would have done.

Worthy

This is Book 2 in the Rock Bottom Series and Felice Stevens didn't disappoint.

Benny takes care of his 14 year old sister and works at a gym, while his stepfather drinks everyday, he can't hold down a job.
Benny believes he's not good enough for anyone including his work mate and friend Whom he has a crush going on two years.
Gino, an aspiring model with good lucks and a body to boot Sleeps around with anyone who asks, whoever gives him a cursor glance, or a whisper anyone who gives him praises about about his looks.
But that's not the true Gino, deep inside he's broken and in need of Love, someone who wants, needs, loves and cherishes him.

Everything came ahead when Gino lost his modeling contracts.
These two characters has issues that can't be resolved without help from one another or outside source.
it's a long road that they are both willing to take.
I love how this story unfolds.

I recommend this series.
Kale williams and Michael Pauley did an excellent job narrating this book.

Eye rolls...

really, another rapey cliche story. Man with so many of these stories out there, one might think that every single gay person gets sexually abused on a daily basis. This isn't Felice Stevens' first rapey rodeo either. I wish there had been a warning. I love Stevens' stories when they're good but not these overdone types she does sometimes. I am quite tired of these multitudes of writers who use rape as a go-to key plotline. Thirty minutes in and i didnt like eithet MC. Returning for my credit.

My heart

When you put felice Stevens incredible writing and kale Williams and Michael paulie performing the story you get a beautiful incredible emotional moving and powerful story

I felt every emotion that Benny and gino were going through ups downs tears heartbreaking and heart warming moments I loved everything about it

Michael paulie and kale Williams did such a beautiful job bringing Benny and ginos story to life