Paint the Stars

De: Christina Lee, Nyrae Dawn

Narrado por: James Cavenaugh, Ryan Turner

Ezra Greene has made a pretty decent life for himself. He has a nice apartment and spends his days doing the one thing he's always loved - creating art. Despite being somewhat of a grumpy recluse, he's even made a few loyal friends. When he takes a side job painting a mural at a local holistic center, he can't help being curious about a certain friendly and self-assured yoga instructor, even if he doesn't buy into any of that Zen crap. His holier-than-thou family already tried fitting him inside a box, and he swore he'd never be molded into anybody's belief system again.

For Daevonte Randall, adulthood has worked out pretty well. He's close to his parents and lives with an awesome roommate. He's content with weekend hookups, teaching yoga, and taking college courses. What he doesn't expect is to be so intrigued by the brooding and reserved painter he's been tasked to stay after hours with at the center. Something fascinates him about Ezra, even after Daevonte's attempts at flirting gets him friend-zoned on the spot.

As weeks pass, Ezra and Dae get to know each other, and soon their friendship catches fire. But Ezra's been burned pretty badly before so trust and intimacy has to be earned. Daevonte feels up to the task, but it proves difficult as Ezra continues to keep his emotions in check. Dae's only willing to wait so long, and when they're dealt a surprising blow, Ezra needs to decide if love is worth the risk...that is, if it's not too late.

©2017 Christina Lee and Nyrae Dawn (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

favorite in the series so far

A very enjoyable listen. The 2 narrators took a bit to get used to, but the subject matter dealing with spirituality, demisexuality, differences but similar desires for the same outcome, compromises and how to show love all felt very honest.

Super cute.

I love, love, loved this story! First time reading/ learning about Ace/ Demi so it was for sure intriguing. I endeavor to be like Dae in real life.

Wonderful Addition to the Series

First I am glad that this couple was an interracial couple. I feel it is something we don't see very often in this genre of books. I have read the previous books in the series and this one by far stands out as one of the better ones, not that the other ones aren't great I just feel like this one stands out more.
The characters in the story go through an emotional journey that I enjoy because there isn't any insta love here and the struggles they deal with are real struggles. This book touches on sexuality in the A Spectrum and how sex can only be done when there is a deep emotional bonding at play.
We also get a glimpse of characters from previous books in the next book in the series Living out Loud.
I would highly recommend this book and the entire series, you won't be disappointed.
My only issue is the narration seemed a bit off. I have never been a fan of two narrators in the same book because the voices never seem the match. Also every time a new chapter begins and it was from Davontes POV I had to say it with him because he said it so funny.
And yes there is sex scenes in this book and they are hot and steamy.

Intriguing story and characters.

Ezra was such an intriguing character, I really liked him. Going back to Touch the Sky when he was there for Gabriel, even when Gabe fought it. Ezra doesn't easily open himself up to people, but is still a good friend. Although his family life is lacking, he's surrounded himself with a very caring group.
He and Daevonte are so completely opposite. Dae's open and outgoing, full of life, and has a terrific supportive family.
This was a definite slow burn romance, and I appreciated that- anything else would have been wrong for Ezra. I liked how Dae was unwavering in his feelings for Ezra, but knew not to push things with him, to let Ezra lead the way.
I've never read a story with a demisexual character and, considering this was my first, I think Ms. Lee and Ms. Dawn presented that aspect of Ezra's story in a very authentic way.

I'd give the narration 3.5*. I really enjoyed the narrator for Daevonte's character- I will definitely be looking him up to find more of his books. I didn't enjoy the narration for Ezra as much. I'm not sure what he was aiming for with Ezra's voice, but it just didn't work for me. I'll have to look him up as well, to see if that's the norm for him. I wish Audible would note who voices which character, but I'll just have to go listen to some other samples to figure it out.

Best of the series

I enjoyed all the books, but I liked this one best. It was so good to get to know Ezra, the quiet grumpy artist, and learn what makes him tick.

I love how having a demisexual character makes the story slow down and focus on all the quiet tentative getting to know you moments. There is so much heat in the slow burn. Dae has the perfect gentle patience to meet Ezra where he is without pressuring more.

These narrators were a good fit for these characters.