On Davis Row

By: N.R. Walker

Narrated by: Joel Leslie

Length: 11 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

Nearing the end of a suspended jail sentence should unlock a brighter future for CJ Davis, only the chip on his shoulder is as hard to shift as his bad reputation. Born into a family of career criminals who live down Davis Road, an address the cops have dubbed Davis Row, his name alone is like a rap sheet that makes optimism impossible.

Brand-new parole officer Noah Huxley is determined to see the good in men like CJ. After all, he knows firsthand that bad things can happen to good people. His colleagues mock his doe-eyed optimism, but Noah soon sees CJ's bad attitude and bravado are weapons he uses to keep people at a distance.

Both men know one simple mistake can change a life forever. At first glance, they might seem to be polar opposites. Yet underneath, they're not that different at all.

Contains mature themes.

©2017 N. R. Walker (P)2018 Tantor

Adorable

The connection between CJ and Noah is adorable and so sweet. Yes, there is some mild angst, but nothing that’s dragged out unnecessarily. Joel Leslie is great as always (I wouldn’t call his accents Australian, but I don’t mind. He always has a unique accent he tends to use anyways)

A perfect "second chance" read

Joel Leslie was great, as usual, giving each character a personality while moving the story along nicely.
The story itself was great. Though it did a bit of mature context, it was minimal and towards the end. This story isn't a smut fest. The tension and heat build up to a beautiful happy ending. The characters didn't just fall into bed at first sight.

Another interesting departure for NR Walker!

Just when I stop expecting each NR Walker world to be a departure from her past worlds, she writes yet another book that distinguishes itself from her others. I enjoyed this one at least as much as her others.

As far as narration goes, meaning and emotion were well conveyed, but the two main characters didn’t sound that different from each other, especially when it came to class and region. I expected them to have different accents. Rather than using one non-Australian narrator, why couldn’t they have used two different Australian actors? It’s more common to have two different actors for dual POV narration, and for an Australian book I think they both should be Australian.

brilliant as usual!

I love NR Walker and this story is no different. her characters have depth and her stories aren't all about falling in to bed at the drop of a hat. somehow she makes you believe when the characters fall in love in a week.
Joel's narration was good as usual aside from the odd mispronounced word (bouy, psuedoephedrine and TAFE to name a few). however after listening to several of Joel's Australian accent performances it's the lack of upward inflection on the word "right" that frustrates me most. If someone says: I know! right! it should have an upwards inflection as it is used like a rhetorical question.
unless it proceeds a statement like: Right! let's get started. then it's a downward inflection but should only have a short pause before the next sentence.
ok whinge over. otherwise Joel's performance was engaging as usual. 😊

really good.

Super realistic portrayal of abuse and the failings of our justice system. Hell, the way our society at large fails children.

I adored both characters, and that their background felt fresh and unique in a setting/theme that is usually full of cliché. At one point they have a misunderstanding that you could see coming a damn mile away, which made the assumption that caused it frustrating, but the way the misunderstanding was handled was well done as well.

Beautiful book

I have read the kindle edition 4 times as this story seems so absolutely real.
The caring from Noah gets to me each time .
To see these guys + pops settled makes me extremely happy.
If a lot of guys had a Noah in their life their lives would change .
N.R. Walkers words paired with the narration of Joel Leslie is perfect....

Absolutely Incredible Storytelling!

Prepare to experience a range of emotions from anger to frustration to sadness to joy to elation. The lead characters (Noah and CJ) as well as the lead supporting character (Pops) have pure hearts although their actions are sometimes misguided. The character development is phenomenal. You really feel like you know them, and this also includes CJ's dad and his boss. This is a "root for the underdog" story as its finest. And in the end love prevails. I loved every minute of it, including the fantastic narration. In fact, it was the best narration I've heard so far on a gay romance story. This is a must listen.

Absolutely loved it!

This was truly a wonderful story. CJ and Noah was great. The narrator was fantastic job. Definitely recommend this sweet romance.

Engaging Story. Unlikely Romance. Believable.

When initially listening to this book, I thought this story would become a tragic romance fraught with stereotypical tropes. Instead the story became one of hope and encouragement that one’s station in life is not pre-ordained to be a disaster. CJ’s personal growth transformation is believable with the unconditional love from Noah as a key supporting component. People come into one’s life for a moment, a reason, a season, or a lifetime. CJ and Noah’s love story feels like they are embarking on a lifetime ... although they encounter multiple obstacles which may derail their mutual hopes and dreams. N.R. Walker is an amazing writer with unsurpassed attention to detail in her story exposition. Highly recommend this novel as it portrays what’s possible when chances given and choices taken produce positive life changing directions.

Wonderful, simply wonderful.

For Noah to look past C.Js bad attitude and break through his walls is just sublime to me. For C.J to take a chance with Noah and trust him with his issues, anger, pride and brokenness is magical. I love how he's loyal to his Pops and that he's does all he can to help him even defend him against his father. This book did not disappoint.