Resurrecting Elliot

Newport Boys, Book 2

By: Cate Ashwood

Narrated by: Michael Pauley

Length: 6 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's Summary

Nightmares and panic attacks following a horrific tragedy leave Professor Elliot Lawrence a prisoner in his own home. After months of relying on his sister as his only connection to the outside world, Elliot is desperate for a sliver of independence. But leaving the safety of his home isn't an option, not yet, and he reaches out in the most innocuous way he can think of: grocery delivery.

Colton Kelly, retired porn star and recent college grad, is struggling at two minimum wage jobs to make ends meet. During one of his grocery deliveries, he meets Elliot. Although the attraction between them is instant, they must first traverse the long road of putting Elliot back together. When disaster strikes yet again, this time in Colt's life, Elliot's not sure he's strong enough to be the man Colt needs him to be.

©2015 Cate Ashwood (P)2016 Dreamspinner Press

Sweet Hurt/Comfort

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this. I loved how wonderful Elliot and Colt were for each other. I mean, sure this required some suspension of disbelief, but this story, and all it's sweetness and hurt/comfort came at a time I really needed it. You know how sometimes a story just strikes you the right way just when you need it most?

Colton Kelly is a retired porn star and recent college graduate trying to find a job as a teacher. In the meantime in order to make ends meet he's holding down two jobs, one of which is delivering groceries.

Elliot Lawrence is a professor who witnessed a horrifying act and is suffering from PTSD, anxiety and becoming agoraphobic unable to leave his home. In a bid for more independence he places an online order for groceries to be delivered to his home.

When Colt shows up it's attraction at first sight, but the two build a friendship first that morphs into love. They each give the other much needed support, encouragement, and love.

Cate Ashwood and Michael Pauley gave me six and half hours of entertainment, comfort, and enjoyment. I enjoyed Pauley's character voices and pacing, and will definitely check for more of his work.

Some of the story does take place off page, which is fine, but there were two things especially (condom conversation and Colt's job and continuing education) that I would have liked to have gotten the conversation or outcome of on page.

Overall I really enjoyed the sweet hurt/comfort of the story, getting to know the characters, and the narration.

P.S.: Though it does have a short appearance by the couple from Book 1, Keeping Sweets, this can absolutely be read as a standalone.

So disapointed in the format of this Audiobook

Where does Resurrecting Elliot rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I really liked the story of Resurrecting Elliot. Although the format of the audio version was so disconcerting that it took away from the enjoyment of the book for me.The chapters being separated by music was distracting and all I wanted was to listen to the actual book and have some continuity. Having the book pause every chapter for some cheesy music was annoying after awhile. I have no problem listening to music as a prologue or epilogue, but to have to wait for dialogue from one chapter to the next was brutal. I almost gave up on the book just because I was so sick of listening to the music.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Resurrecting Elliot?

When the music stopped playing

Have you listened to any of Michael Pauley’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I thought Michael Pauley did an excellent job of narrating this book.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would have listened to this book all in one sitting if the music had not annoyed me so much. I actually had to take a break from this book because the music was just annoying to me.

Any additional comments?

Please, please, please re-format this audio book to exclude the music between chapters. I just want to know what happens next, not have to wait for a silly tune to stop playing in order to get on with the book.

Could be so much better

I totally agree with a previous reviewer about the cheesy music between the chapters. It wipes away all emotion built up by the previous chapter. It breaks the story and does not fit with the steps trying to overcome the intense PTSD. It could have been a great book, but now its just OK

Great narration, missed the porn part

We met the outgoing sweetheart, Colt, in Keeping Sweets. His given up porn to turn to teaching for a career. He meets Elliott, a professor at the University in town, on a grocery delivery job he’s taken while waiting for a position to come available.

Ever since Elliot witnessed a student suicide in his classroom he can’t leave his house. He’s crippled with anxiety and his therapist isn’t helping. Only with the loving support of this unique stranger turned friend turned lover can he have a hope of finding his way in the world again.

**

I loved Keeping Sweets. I was psyched for Colt’s story, he always seemed like such a nice guy!

I love porn/ex porn stories because you usually get hot sex and someone who is really looking to find something more meaningful in their life.

I love books about shy/anxious/nerdy types who need that out-going person to help them break from their shell, finding all the lovely hidden layers.

Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed by this book. I know that in fiction we are frequently asked to suspend our disbelief, but part of what makes a compelling story is the potential for things to really happen – even if unlikely, or implausible.

Colt’s career as a porn star is just not well represented. It doesn’t affect his relationship with Elliot nor does it form a significant hurdle to his finding a teaching job. That’s just not reality. I seriously doubt he could teach children – of any age – if he was found out. I also think Elliot would want to at least discuss his previous career more before accepting him so openly.

I wasn’t sure what to make of Elliot’s anxiety/illness/PTSD situation. I had a really big issue with his therapist and that plot point as well as his entire recovery. I’m not sure his responses seemed at all consistent – letting a stranger into his house and immediately befriending him while being unable to step outside then going from that to jumping on a plane… it seemed a bit inconceivable.

I generally like Cate Ashwood’s work so this was a bit of a letdown. I loved the premise on so many levels and I don’t think any of them played well. I also missed seeing some of the guys from Sweets more – that would have been a nice treat.

The writing was good and Elliot was sweet and Colt as kind as ever, but I can’t say the story was very realistic and that tainted things for me.

3 of 5 stars

Audio

Michael Pauley does a lovely job with Colt’s accent and he adds some nice depth and emotion to this story. I enjoyed listening to this and thought it added to the overall enjoyment of the story.

Narration 4.5 of 5 stars

Overall 4 of 5 stars

My favorite type of story 💖

-sigh- I loved almost everything about the story of Cole and Elliot. From the fragile Elliot to the strong self assured Cole who helps Elliot retrain his strength, this story was just perfect.

I'm not usually a fan of the southern twang accent, but Michael Pauley pulled off Cole's accent beautifully. There was this strong male softness with every word spoken and I swear, my heart swooned every time Cole's character spoke.

My only issue is not understanding nor being given the reason of why Scott did what he did. I really wanted to know what the hell his motivation was for what he did.

Other than that, I loved this story 💖

I Truly Enjoyed This Book!

I truly enjoyed this book! The characters are realistic and likable. I know others had an issue with the music in between chapters, but I didn't mind it, it give you a heads up if you want to have an appropriate place to pause. Excellently narrated. Highly recommend!