• Nothing Special

  • Nothing Special Series, Book 1
  • By: A. E. Via
  • Narrated by: Aiden Snow
  • Length: 9 hrs and 47 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (821 ratings)

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Nothing Special  By  cover art

Nothing Special

By: A. E. Via
Narrated by: Aiden Snow
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Publisher's summary

Detective Cashel "Cash" Godfrey is big, tattooed, and angry so people typically keep their distance. He's fresh out of the police academy, however, no one is looking to partner with the six-foot-four beast with a huge chip on his shoulder and an inability to trust. When Cash scans the orientation room he wasn't expecting to find sexy hazel eyes locked onto him. Eyes of the handsome Detective Leonidis "Leo" Day.

Leo is charming, witty, hilariously sarcastic and the only one that can make Cash smile. He's proud, out, and one bad-ass detective.

Together, Cash and Leo become the most revered and successful narcotics detectives Atlanta's ever seen. Able to communicate and understand each other, without even having to voice it, they quickly climb up the promotional ranks.

When Cash saves Leo's life in a raid that turns deadly, Leo begins to see something in the big man that no one else does...something special. But Leo fears he'll never break through the impenetrable wall that protects Cash's heart.

Contains mature themes.

©2014 A. E. Via (P)2019 Tantor

What listeners say about Nothing Special

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  • Kj
  • 08-22-19

Great narration, terrible writing

This narrator is amazing, especially because I assume he was able to continue reading while rolling his eyes every few sentences. He was nearly the only positive thing about listening to this book.

I don't often take time to review books unless I absolutely love them, but I felt duty-bound to try and save people from reading this. To be as generous as possible, others who read much more from this genre might have a higher tolerance for the variety of sappiness/sex that seems like it was written by a teenager, so if you're a truly battle-hardened romance reader and you're finished with all the rest of the books in your wishlist then maybe this would be worth trying (with the knowledge you can return it if you hate it).

As an alternative if you are hoping for a good book in this genre, I really liked All Kinds of Tied Down, which is still even a law enforcement partnership book (I found this while looking for similar books to that one).

If you're on the fence about this one, let me dissuade you, I do still read a lot so I feel more confident saying that this book is filled with universally bad writing qualities. The characters are very superficially developed, even the two main characters, and what does exist feels mostly like cobbled together cliche. The plot had not really gone anywhere by the point I gave up on it 22 chapters in, and I doubt it went anywhere intriguing through the rest of the book. I really tried to give this book a chance to find its feet, but it turned into one of those hate-read books where I wanted to find things to like so I kept going but I was nearly as frustrated with myself for not giving up on the book as I was at the book for being mediocre. I was constantly taken out of the story (that I could barely get into in the first place) by bizarre writing choices like long descriptions of the POV character's room interrupting the action of the scene. There are plenty of great ways to slip in a bit of detail about the surroundings or background for characters without it seeming like a crowbar jammed between paragraphs of a previously-written page, this is the kind of thing I'd expect editing to solve as I can't see it as a valid writing choice.

For the writing in this book, the only thing I liked was a bit of the humor, it did get a smile out of me a couple times. All in all though, pretty bad.

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    2 out of 5 stars
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Skip to book 2 or better 3 then 2 (Spoilers)

This book does not end with a "happily ever after," (HEA)
If this is your first book in this series, or your first A. E. Via book, trust me and skip it. Or get it after I explain my reasons for giving this book 2 stars. I listened to this book twice, the first time was to enjoy the story, but 4 out of the last 5 chapters ruined the story for me. I listened a second time to verify what I had heard in the building story, to make sure I didn't miss any clues that would have led to the ending happening. As I suspected there were no clues or indications, the story building up to the last chapters would have turned the way it did.

* Warning Spoilers and Rants*

First let me say Aiden Snow's narration is excellent. His gruff deep voice is perfect for these characters. The story building up the last chapters is fairly good. I say fairly because there is some unbelievable circumstances/situations but the get the story moving and I can suspend my disbelief. There are beautiful scenes between God and Day that Aiden Snow really brings to life, like the scene when Day is trying to stop God from leaving his apartment after Day has to wake God from a nightmare. God slowly reaches down to hug/lift Day out of the way, it is intimate and rippling with emotional current. Like most romance, the two main characters (MCs) have to work towards acknowledging their respective feelings, overcoming some plot hurdles, and "proving" themselves as "worthy" partners/companions.

God and Day do all this, and it seems like their story is coming to an end, but there still 5 more chapters. What we get is, in the first of the last five chapters, is Day hugging Ronawski in an intimate, but platonic way, because Ronawski is wrestling with if he loves Johansen or not. Day gives good advice and continues to comfort Ronawski, they're caught by God's brother Genesis. When God and Johansen show up to the kitchen, instead of God playfully pulling Ronawski off of "his man" (which earlier in the story Day makes a big deal out of have God saying Day is "his man") and shoving him to Johansen, both Johansen and God sidle/cuddle up to their boyfriends who are still holding onto each other. Before Day hugs Ronawski, Day flirts with Ronawski explaining it away as "well when you have hot man like God, how can you not be horny all the time." I call bulls--t, this is character inconstancy, and it really spoils the relationship between God and Day. Even if, God did make Day more flirty it would/should only be directed towards God. Also, while earlier we see God demonstrate his possessiveness with Day, but this is different because . . . Ronawski and Johansen are "so hot" how could God not want them to have sex with Day and him. Bulls--t.

The next chapter is the foursome, it starts with a little hesitation from God to which Day "explains" how this is going to work while still being a romance story. Day essentially says that they won't do threesomes, or foursomes with just anybody, so it's not an open relationship. Day goes on to tell God this is just something some couples do with other "trusted" couples, and that if God doesn't want to they won't, but apparently God can't resist seeing the one person he feels gives his life meaning (earlier in the story, God and Day make love, then Day is taken as hostage; God makes a menacing, threatening, speech to the Kingpin holding Day hostage, in the threat God says how he feels like he is nothing and that Day, being so amazing, is the only one who thinks God is special) have sex with another guy because they're "too hot." Inconsistent characters and unrealistic relationship progression. Both God & Day's and Ronawski & Johansen's relationship is only 2 months or so old in the book's time, in reading or narration it is very quick and hard to accept, that they are going to have a foursome when Rowanski was just asking Day how does he know if he's in love with Johansen. I call bulls--t. I even have issues with the foursome. Rowanski hesitates, but only because God is so intimidating. Rowanski quickly gets over his fear with Day agreeing to bottom for Rownaski, Bulls--t, Day topped before he made love to God and says so earlier in the story, he was even going to top a twink he picked up in a bar to get back at God, but in the foursome Day bottoms for both Johansen and Rowanski. God does threaten to kill Johansen if he "marks" Day with a bite, but that possessiveness is too little too late, as God being God should have stated the rules/boundaries before they played with each other. I'm not against threesomes or foursomes if they are done right. They are done right in a romance story if they are consistent with the character's depiction up to that point. If the threesome/foursome is done early in the story as a way to sexually open up one of the characters and done to indrectly sexually connect the two main characters. In "Owning Corey" by Marius Black there are two M/M/F threesomes in the first third of the story to sexually connect the two MCs. After the MCs start to romantically connect there are no more threesomes, because they didn't need them, like this story doesn't need this one or others.

The next chapter is the morning after with a little wake up oral. As the men are eating breakfast, Day thinks to himself, "Isn't it great gay men can have sex with multiple partners and have it not be weird," like it is a gay man's super power. Bulls--t, I feel like that sentiment diminishes me as gay man. The rest of the chapter is about God & Day getting a promotion and Ronawski congratulating Day with a hug and kiss on the lips, outing Ronawski to the department.

The next chapter is good, as it shows God opening himself to Day, by bottoming for Day. This chapter is the night before their 5th year anniversary as police partners (really how long God & Day have been together).

The final chapter is during the 5 year anniversary party happening at Day's house. God & Day are trying to get some alone time to exchange anniversary gifts. They are interrupted first by Genesis, then Ronawski & Johansen. When you think that the foursome they had about a month ago was a one time thing, Day explains that it wasn't. When Ronawski & Johansen enter the room the are suddenly all over Day & God, Day explains in the few weeks leading up to the anniversary they have had a few more foursomes, and Ronawski & Johansen were wondering if they wanted to play that night too. Day & God agree, then kick them out to exchange gifts. Day gives God a pair of customized guns and God gives Day a one of a kind rare jazz record that reminds Day of his Mother & Father slow dancing to the record. The chapter ends with Day putting the record on and asking God to dance with him. It is a nice scene to end on if it didn't feel hallow because just moments earlier they agreed to a foursome on the night of their 5th anniversary. Real special.

I wanted to like this book, Aiden Snow makes it easy to identify with the characters and in hearing the story instead of reading it is easier to over look poor grammar and some word choices. Listening both times I had to question if I heard Aiden correctly when he said Day "shuttered" (like a camera) instead of "shudder" (like what a human body does when experiencing strong emotions), but according to the 1 to 3 stars of the kindle/paperback version those kind of poor word choices are in the text, not the narrator's voice of the text. 75% to 80% of this book is like other romance stories with good build-up, and relationship development, with steamy sex scenes.

After listening to the book the first time, getting to the end, I became physically ill. My stomach was in knots and I felt really depressed. I knew it was because of the story because I felt it almost immediately when listening to the chapter where the idea of a foursome is introduced. I powered through to see where it would go, maybe the foursome would be a one off thing or done in a way to re-affirm Day & God's connection with each other and or show how dominant God & Day are over Ronawski & Johansen. It didn't, it made Day everyone's bitch, and gave permission to Ronawski to be gropey with Day (bulls--t). I have never had that reaction to a book before, and so I thought it was me, that I missed clues like Day checking out Ronawski, or God having a lingering stare on Johansen. I listened a second time and was still drawn in and again felt the gut punch. Again, I thought it was me, that I couldn't accept a lover that wanted to play with others, because I would have wanted my partner to be with just me. To see if I was alone in my reaction, I checked the 1 to 3 star reviews of the kindle/print versions on Amazon, because Audible doesn't make it easy to just search for 1 star or lower rate reviews. In reading the 1 to 3 star reviews I learned I'm not the only one, and that the sudden introduction of a foursome, while also quickly changing character's motives/feelings of self worth/possessiveness combined with the poor grammar, poor word choice, poor city research (Atalanta GA, in this book's universe is on or near the coast to have shipping docks, because in real life Atlanta is land locked and the nearest beach/ocean coast 267 miles away), all combine to say that this is a case of bad writing. There is nothing wrong with me or wanting a romance story to end with only the MCs ending up together and getting an HEA, the foursome felt sudden and gratuitous because it was. It was unnecessary and did derail the HEA. I almost got the second book to see if the author would fix this, but then I realized if I don't like this author's twists it might be possible she would write that this new couple's story would end with them becoming part of God & Day's harem of couples they helped get together, which would have pissed me off again. I read all the 1 to 3 star reviews to see if God & Day make any reappearances. They do in the second book flirting/secretly making out with Ronawski & Johansen, which would have upset me again because I would have been reminded of the potential HEA God & Day could have had, but didn't end up with.

If you start the series with book 2 (Embracing His Syn) and know not to give too much attention to mentions of God & Day you will be fine. From the Amazon 1 to 3 star reviews, book 3 (Here Comes Trouble) is where it's at. Book 3 is what God & Day should have been (book 3 has no 1 star reviews as the writing of this review). I feel the author does have potential, but she needs to refine her writing style, or I need to try her other titles. I hear good things about the Bounty Hunter books as they end in satisfying HEAs. Maybe I'm not the target audience for THIS book by A. E. Via, maybe it isn't for gay men who want a romance story with an HEA and instead THIS book is more for straight women who like stories about "big, hot, strong men," who have sex with each other.

As an Amazon reviewer noted, the author must have gotten the hint as in the summary/description of the second book (of the kindle/print version) it ends with a Disclaimer: The MCs DO NOT participate in polygamous sexual pairings. This is why I started my review stating this book doesn't end with an HEA. I hope this prevents some readers from feeling the emotional gut punch I felt after reading this book. I'm skipping book 2, to not remember God & Day as what the author forced them to be and am going for the best book of the series, skipping the rest (I don't care if God & Day are getting married in the 5th book, they're tainted as being inconsistent, regardless if they aren't seen with Ronawski & Johansen, I can't trust how "deeply" they feel for each other, if just 2 months into their relationship that is supposed to be about each other, they let their d--ks do the thinking and have a foursome, and it's not a one time thing, bulls--t on how much they can really feel for each other). This isn't the author's best work.

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24 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

This Really Is Something Special

I love this series, it's at the top of re-read list. So, imagine my excitement when Mrs. Via said she was working to put it out in audio format. I may have fangirled a little.

God and Day and two of the most entertaining and lovable characters I have ever read. They are funny, caring, compassionate and tough as nails. Not only do we get to see God and Day transition from partners are work to partners at home, we also get to ride along with some of their hilarious antics on the job. This story has it all; jokes, gun fights, closeted co-workers, and just enough of a sad backstory to balance out the story.

If ever there was a man that was made to be the voice of Detective Cashel Godfrey it was Aiden Snow. His voice is the perfect mix of deep rumbles and smooth honey. He was able to bring to life a story that I have read too many times to count and make me fall in love with it all over again. It was almost like reading it for the first time. I can't wait to see what magic he brings to Embracing His Syn.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

《Spoiler Alert 》Good Until It Wasn't.😖

This started out to be a really good love story. Godfrey and Dey were so good together. I was really enjoying their stories until it was ruined by the adding of others. There was absolutely NO need for it. When that element was added to their story, it was ruined. I wanted to stop listening. It was no longer a love story, just an unnecessary orgy. If not for that, their story would have been awesome. Ps. Aiden Snow did a wonderful job with his narration of the characters. Unfortunately his performance is the only thing I will give 4 ☆☆☆☆s.🙂

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Oh my God and Day

Oh wow the amazingness that is God and Day brought to life is absolutely perfect. These two men are absolutely badas* I love them both. They are ferocious and sweet and completely gone over one another. Their chemistry is intense and so is their instant connection. It is so much fun seeing them interact with each other and those around them. The laughs and the heartbreak is intense and their relationship is definitely goal worthy. It was so much fun listening to their story and the job that the narrator did was amazing and I can’t wait for more of these guys.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Too Much

I enjoyed the story until the last couple chapters. I love a happy ending as much as the next person but the “happy ending” in this story was too much for me. The surprise 4some that started pretty much out of no where ruined the story for me. Now that I know the writer is capable of this I probably won’t read anything from them again. The voice actor was good at least.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Nothing Special

Updated Review 05/22/19 After Listening to Audio-book.

GOD AND DAY – Holy crap this book is so ridiculously stupid HOT.

God and Day are Police Detectives who have been partnered for years. Both are total alpha personalities but God is definitely top dog when it comes to making decisions and keeping everyone he cares about safe. This is a one-handed read for sure. Everything about this book is great. I’ve read this book several times at this point and I still enjoy every single part, the characters and the story line. God and Day top my list of favorites when it comes to book boyfriends.

OK... So... Possible Spoiler Alert Ahead...


<spoiler>I know some people love this book and some people have some major issues with the plotting and how the story ends up between God and Day and them both being super possessive about each other but still being able to “play” with their two close friends. And I would like to explain why I see no issue with that. It doesn’t come out of nowhere… They have a very obvious connection and bond with the other two guys, Rownowski and Johnson as close friends after some initial turmoil. They all talk about it ahead of time and know where they stand in their respective relationships together and separately. So I personally see nothing wrong with couples playing if they are all on the same page and open about it. And honestly the four of them playing together is HOT as hell. God and Day have a great working and personal partnership together with off-the-charts chemistry throughout the entire book. </spoiler>


The scene with God and Day and God’s declaration towards Day is some damn good writing. Literally Jaw Dropping and shows the absolute devotion God has for Day. This book is a fantastic start to the series and I am totally obsessed with all of these guys starting with this book.

Aiden Snow has the deepest, sexiest Growl'y voice, perfect for both God and Day. The entire audio-book was amazing to listen to and I loved every minute of it. I am really looking forward to hearing his take for the rest of the guys in this series as well. I also really hope to hear more from Aiden in the future as well (More MM Audiobooks)

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

as great as the ebook and the best narrator for me

The story is always full stars, because if I wouldn't like the story as ebook, I wouldn't listen to the audiobook.

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. Aiden Snow is (at the moment) the best narrator for me to follow and I hope to get a lot more books from him.

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, but not more then twice a year.
it's like a B

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

OMG GOD and DAY

i have read this series so many times and love now that it is on audio

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

there's no words for how perfect this is

This is, like, the best thing I've listened to in forever. Not only is it pretty hot but the characters are great, the banter is witty, and holy crap I laughed so hard at some parts I was crying. And this ending! there's tender moments, great character creation, the voice acting was fantastic and so sexy. Great overall.

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