Knight of Ocean Avenue

By: Tara Lain

Narrated by: K.C. Kelly

Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

How can you be 25 and not know you're gay? Billy Ballew runs from that question. A high school dropout, barely able to read until he taught himself, Billy's life is driven by his need to help support his parents as a construction worker, put his sisters through college, coach his Little League team, and not think about being a three-time loser in the engagement department. Being terrified of taking tests keeps Billy from getting the contractor's license he so desires, and fear of his mother's judgment blinds Billy to what could make him truly happy.

Then, in preparation for his sister's big wedding, Billy meets Shaz - alias Chase Phillips - a rising-star celebrity stylist who defines the word gay. To Shaz, Billy embodies everything he's ever wanted - stalwart, honest, brave - but even if Billy turns out to be gay, he could never endure the censure he'd get for being with a queen like Shaz. How can two men with so little in common find a way to be together? Can the Stylist of the Year end up with the Knight of Ocean Avenue?

©2015 Tara Lain (P)2015 Dreamspinner Press

great story

Great story about a man discovering his sexuality. I would recommend this to anyone. Plan to look for more stories by this author.

Sweet love, Hot sex

The MCs are very sweet together. They build each other up and support one another. A coming out story without all of the usual drama. Which is refreshing. The Love story is slow and they take their time. A nice realistic approach. The sex is hot hot hot.
The Narrator brings the characters to life. I love the voices for the two MCs. The only thing I didn't like was his choice for one of the side characters. Rue's voice got on my nerves. Which was sad because I enjoyed the character.
Overall I really liked the book and the Narrator. I will definitely be searching more from both out.

Great coming out listen

This was a wonderful coming out/GFY story about Billy, a blue collar construction worker who is 25 and can't figure out why none of his relationships with women work out. He has a close knit family and a domineering mother who is always putting pressure on him to settle down with a nice woman. Then he meets Chase (aka - Shaz) and his world is rocked; in a good way. The story is told from both POVs, which I love because I want to know what each character is feeling. There is a little drama, a little angst and a lot of good feeling; it is a great comfort listen. The narrator does a really good job on most of the characters, except Rue, Chase's best friend. Both Rue and Chase are out and proud flamboyant gay men and I think he just goes slightly over board with Rue. He interpretation of Chase and Billy are spot on. Overall, I really enjoyed it.

I loved it

Sweet love story of a late bloomer coming out when he finds the right one.
I really liked the characters. The way the story was written, I got to know each one and what they were thinking, which added much more to the story. It’s why I like third person writing way more than first person.
I also liked that the violent prejudice against gays was well expressed but without including graphic violent scenes.
Each character had many sides and we got to see them, some subtle, others with gusto.
Narrator is great, one of my favs.

Wonderful story and love the narrator!

This is one of my all-time favorite books! Excellent writing, well developed characters that you will fall in love with and a good story! Highly recommend this book!

A great love story.

Surely it is one of those where the two wouldn't ever be a couple. The narration is wonderful.

Whirlwind Realationship!

What made the experience of listening to Knight of Ocean Avenue the most enjoyable?

Billy is a confused man he can't keep a girlfriend and his family hates it because he has become a man who can't hold on to a woman. He sees Shaz and runs, he spends most of the book running from his feelings for the flaming redhead. Billy suffers from anxiety and can't past the test to be a general contractor, Shaz will help him with that and every aspect of his life. Shaz is reel deep and not at all annoyoing. Billy will protect Shaz from any and everyone who tries to hurt him.

Good

At first I did like this book but I kept revisiting it and than it became a great

Such a great story told by a great narrator

Billy can’t find a woman who “sticks”. He’s been involved, seriously, three times and they all sort of fizzle out. One day he “rescues” a beautiful redhead from a bully only to find out he’s the stylist hired to help his sister for her wedding to a rich guy.
Chase, aka Shaz, sees the hunky Billy and falls into lust. But Billy is straight, Shaz has a boyfriend and a vision of his future and that future doesn’t include blue-collar straight boys.

When Shaz and Billy spend time together “sprucing” Billy up for potential future dates with a socialite pegged to be Billy’s next girlfriend they find a mutual attraction. When Billy ends up in the same bar as Shaz one night, the attraction goes from potential to realized and now the pair have some serious decisions to make.

**
I loved Billy! He was a sweet, gentle soul. His heart is so big and he is just in need of someone to recognize his diamond in the rough. Shaz was the perfect shiny foil to his understated Billy’s fabulousness. The couple had amazing chemistry and the story felt real and authentic. I totally bought in and loved every minute of it.

Audio

KC Kelly did so much with this story! He gave Shaz this delightful lisp and managed to give all the secondary characters distinct voices as well. I loved how he made it clear which “thoughts” were out loud versus spoken and really enjoyed this narration immensely. My only gripe was Ru – the voice he chose, while comical, was hard to listen to as it was so nasally. I get that it was a character development and I appreciated it for that aspect, but it was an unpleasant voice. Barely a detraction.

Definitely made the entire thing even more enjoyable!

6 of 5 stars

Fantastic!

Everything I was looking for!

I hesitated to try this book because other reviews complaining about Rue being over-the-top, even borderline a homophobic portrayal of a gay guy. that's ridiculous. the truth is lots of gay guys are just like that, art reflecting life and all that. several of the best laugh out loud comments in the book for me came from his calm comments.

that being said, I loved the lead characters in this book! an unlikely couple for sure, but together they do a great job of describing the various shades of the gay experience. playful light happy, a colorful cast, and a believable setting. if you're looking for an enjoyable story with gay characters enjoying love and sex together, this is the book for you!