Oz

Finding Home, Book 1

By: Lily Morton

Narrated by: Joel Leslie

Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's Summary

What happens when temporary becomes forever? 

Oz Gallagher does not do relationships well. Bored and jobless after another disastrous hook up, he decides to leave London for a temporary job in the wilds of Cornwall. Surely managing a stately home on a country estate will be easier than navigating the detritus of his relationships at home. Six months there will alleviate a bit of his wanderlust and then he can come back to London as footloose and fancy free as the day he left it. 

However, when he gets there, he finds a house in danger of crumbling to the ground and a man who is completely unlike anyone he’s ever met. An earl belonging to a family whose roots go back hundreds of years, Silas is the living embodiment of duty and sacrifice. Two things that Oz has never wanted. He's also warm and funny and he draws Oz to him like a magnet. 

Oz banks on the fact that they're from two very different worlds to stop himself falling for Silas. But what will he do when he realizes that these differences are actually part of the pull to one another? Will falling in love be enough to make him stop moving at last and realize that he's finally home? 

From best-selling author Lily Morton comes a romantic comedy about two very different men and one very dilapidated house. 

This is the first book in the Finding Home series but it can be listened to as a standalone. 

©2018 Lily Morton (P)2020 Lily Morton

Defnitely audiobook of the month June 2020

5 Blue Roses
4 Blue Flames
Narrator Joel Leslie delivered a sensational romantic comedy with a hop in his step. He must have enjoyed this as much as I did. His performance was impeccably on par with the characters and their personalities. Bravo, for picking the ball up and running full speed ahead. Listeners will surely be rolling, crawling and dragging themselves around on the floor, as they laugh out loud, holding their tummies caused by extreme unrestrained emotions and laughter.

This book was brilliantly written and plotted. There is absolutely no way this could have been done any better. The comedy, characters, and the story hit home so many times. That’s the true recipe for comedy.

Oz, is now my favorite character, and it’s going to take a massive case of amnesia or Aquaman to come to life to tell me how cool I am, to make me choose another.

The realism and dashes of fantasies are woven meticulously together. I loved and appreciated how Silas and Oz have so many issues and unfavorable, almost identical, circumstances overcome it all, by trusting and standing up for each other.

This fantastic recipe, author/narrator made my choice for the audiobook of the month extremely easy. Never have I ever listened to an audiobook, while laughing nonstop from. strat to finish.

I absolutely recommend this audiobook.

Happy Listening

Cornwall magic

Take the gothic type plot of a young, sunny character coming to work for a reclusive earl at his slightly dilapidated Cornwall mansion, mix with two characters I loved from the previous book (Henry and Ivo), a house with some slightly mystical powers, a great dog, expectations shattered, broken hearts mended and hot romance, what more could you ask? Well, if you get to listen to Joel Leslie perform it so that it all comes alive, it doesn't get better than that.

Great book, fantastic performance

I had already read the book so I was familiar with the story. You might think that would cut down on the giddy reaction. Nope, exactly the opposite in fact! Joel’s performance brings a great book to life even more and there were spots I had to pause the narration as I was laughing so hard I was crying and missed parts. Had to go back. And the driving lesson scene?! Nearly wet my pants I was laughing so hard...kept hitting rewind to listen again! Bravo Joel on a highly entertaining, fantastic performance of Lily’s great book!

We all need our very own Silas

How I at one point hated Joel Leslie's voice I will never know. His performances are epic with distinct differences between characters. This story was just so sweet on this rainy day, but also funny and oh so steamy. It has minimal but understandable angst to keep it interesting and I have already purchased Milos story.

Funny and heartwarming and utterly sexy!

I don't usually begin with a discussion of the actor, but I have to say that Joel Leslie sold this story to me big time with his absolutely spot-on performance of Oz's character. I couldn't believe my ears, and being the untrusting soul that I am, I actually did a little research to find out if his was an actual Irish brogue. I was so glad to find that it is entirely authentic! He did Silas proud as well, and I'm full of admiration of his ability to move between those two distinct accents and all the others, including that broad Cornish one. I'm an avid language lover, and this book was a treat for my ears. It'll be on my re-listen list, which is pretty short, because it is such a wonderful thing to listen to! BRAVO, Mr. Leslie!

The story itself is sweet and funny and warm. Both Oz Gallagher and Silas, Earl of Ashworth, are delightfully drawn characters. They are very much alike in their desire to be accepted and loved for who they are, not for what they have or how they appear to the world. But each comes to that commonality from different spheres of life and must learn to trust not only each other but themselves if their relationship is to take root and grow. They are wonderful together, but that is a result of Oz's sass and Silas's sense of humor, of Silas's charm and Oz's forthrightness, of Oz's passion and Silas's hunger. This is a fabulous story, and even without the "bad guy" secondary characters, it stands on its own merits as a sweet and yet sexy romance. I love it!

The Charm of Oz

With Oz needing a change in his life, he takes a job in the countryside.
Little did he know, just how much his life was going to change.
Oz, is a dynamite in a small package, with his notebook, take charge attitude and larger than life personality, Silas didn't know what hit him.

Together these men join forces to save the manor they both have grown to love as they grow to love each other.

A fantastic tale, with elements of humor, wonderful supporting characters and steamy moments.

The narration was great and draws you into the story. Each character was discernible and unique.

Very entertaining

Oz is now my spirit animal. The narrator did an awesome job. The story drags you in. Keeps you laughing from the very beginning.

I laughed so hard!

OMG! Oz is hysterical! While I adore their sexiness and interactions, because that window scene was hot but the snark and laughter totally made this book! So great! Joel Leslie did a superb job with this book. I would give it more stars if I could.

4 stars

When the opening of the book makes you laugh, you know it’s going to be a good book. Lily Morton doesn’t disappoint. I really enjoyed Oz and Silas making their way through this book and falling in love. Joel Leslie did a fantastic job brining them to life.

I love Oz and Silas!!!!!

This book is "my kind of perfection" and has won the spot of favorite book by Lily Morton. I'm sure that will become a constantly changing thing because this author writes amazing stories that just pull you in and don't let you go. The perfect balance of heat, humor, romance, and story line. The relationship between Oz and Silas was so well written and watching these characters grow from single men that had become jaded into two men that were perfect for each other had me smiling and of course laughing. Oz's level of snark had me laughing so many times throughout this story that there's no way I could give this less than 5 stars. I will be honest, it had been so long since I had listened to Henry's story that I was half way through this book when I realized that Silas was his brother, very embarrassing but I'm so glad we got to hear this story. I still don't like their mother, I'm not sure anyone could. Joel Leslie did an amazing job with the narration, so many voices and so well done. There was one point where I was wondering how in the world he did that many voices in such a short section haha. I'm definitely looking forward to hearing the next book in this series.

I spent ages not wanting to listen, but......

I was fascinated by the mixed messages series and didn't want to move on from them. After my third listen I thought I'd read the info on OZ and noticed a name I was familiar with.
I love the way this series are entwined with the previous and the familiar humor, love and details that Lily Morton is famous for. Then you have the wonderful Joel Leslie narrating. I can never say enough about these two. They make a good team and I will await impatiently for the next book to be released.

Heartwarming story

Really loved it. Came here after reading Boyfriend Material by Alex Hall and it was just as cute and funny! Some super heated parts as well but loved the main character and his sweet partner way too much!

Hilarious and Heartwarming

Lily’s stories never disappoint and Joel’s narration is always on point. I loved every minutes of Oz. The countryside feels warm and dreamy. Oz is wonderful and so deserving of the love he finds. Can’t wait for the next one!

Definitely worth the 5🌟

I absolutely loved this audiobook - it’s definitely going to be my ‘go to audiobook’ if I ever need cheering up!

I adore Oz, if I ever had a best gay friend it would be him - his attitude, sense of humour, quick witted sense of sass/cutthroat sarcasm, we’d be a formidable friends as it sums up me to a tee.
His upbringing is also similar, so was able to empathise with his character and his insecurities and his feelings towards Silas.
Silas is a dream come true. His look, his demeanour etc.. are all the traits of what I’d look for, but like Oz, wouldn’t believe would even be possible.

This audiobook has to be my No:1 of the year so far - I think because I can relate a lot to the main character, and because I haven’t stopped laughing since I started listening. I have listened to this audiobook in one day as just couldn’t stop - definitely ‘the’ audiobook I could listen to over again and one to keep in my repertoire!

Of course, what makes an audiobook is the narrator - the wonderful JL - he is the perfect fit for this series of books, and possibly to most of Lily Morton’s books, like the ‘Mixed Messages’ series - he’s just ‘perfect’ for them.

I highly recommend this book and can’t wait for the next instalment ‘Milo’ - now this is going to be interesting 😉
Hopefully won’t have to wait too long for it to be released in audiobook format.

5 stars all round

have read this book before but got the audiobook because I couldn't find anything new to listen to. I forgot how much I enjoyed the story. I recently read risk taker and this story is about Silas, Henry's brother and though they are different series, it is a chronological sequel.

Despite having heard Joel Leslie so many times now I can recognise his 'voices' he deserves some extra praise for this one since not only did both characters had accents the writing states that they changed in different circumstances and he handled it very well.

Highly recommended

Great characters, engaging story, fabulously entertaining and extremely well narrated. I love Lily’s books and never tire of listening to Joel’s voice, highly recommended.

Enjoyable

I really enjoyed listening to the book, I liked the characters and the narration brought the whole thing to life. There were laugh out loud moments that were great. it will definitely go into my favourites and I will enjoy listening to it again.

The very best performance on audio

It is the performance of Joel Leslie that lifts this book into the realms of stunning. You fully believe you are listening to a full cast of actors through his vocal abilities.
The story is truly “feel good” if predictable but well written. I was however not prepared for the graphic details of the sex scenes. This is not a book for the prudish.

"I'd never have guessed that my knight in armor

would come to me later in life when I'd almost forgotten that I needed one. He would be small and fierce and his weapon was the sharpest tongue this side of Ireland. But he was all mine and I, in turn, belonged to him". ~ Silas

I love the way this books begins! It really set the tone and I just knew I would be laughing hysterically throughout the whole thing. It starts with Oz leaving his cheating ex and getting the best revenge. This is the moment I knew that I'd fallen in love with Oz. Then he embarks on an adventure with everything from an absolutely awesome job interview, to getting the building crew back on schedule, and visits from my favorite ghost with the smells of tobacco coming in at the best time. There was never a dull moment and I truly adored that. I was worried that the banter, snark or cute moments would fall flat at some point and they never did. This book was amazing all the way to the end! If you haven't yet had a chance to listen or read this series then you are missing out. Joel Leslie is a brilliant narrator and paired with an incredibly talented author, well, it's like Christmas everytime I listen to this book! *Heart eyes* so darn good!!

Oz for the win

Story: The characters in this story were out of this world! Oz was an absolutely brilliant disaster!
The whole story was a bit like a retelling of a fairytale. Great side characters too!

Narration: The accents were a bit heavy for a non-native English speaker at times to be honest and it was a bit tiresome in places. The emotions were all there though!