Secret Admirer

By: DJ Jamison

Narrated by: Darcy Stark

Length: 6 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's Summary

You deserve all the kisses you want....

Benji,

I want you to know how amazing you are. You won't believe me, because I'm just your brother's best friend, but it’s true. Each day my feelings for you grow, confusing but undeniable.

With a few anonymous love tokens, I finally have an outlet for all the things I can't say. And with each gift and note, you smile. For me. Not your brother's straight friend, but something new. Something more. Something that will change everything if we can both find the courage to believe.

All I have to do is confess who I really am:

Your Secret Admirer.

©2020 DJ Jamison (P)2020 DJ Jamison

Brother's-Best-Friend Romance

'Secret Admirer' features Benji, an art student just starting college, and Ace, the best friend of Benji's brother Jeremy. Since Jeremy isn't around to watch over his younger brother, he has tasked Ace with the job. Ace accidentally becomes Benji's secret admirer. After some angsting over each other, they get together.

I'm not much of an angst fan, so the beginning of the book gets me a little frustrated. Benji and Ace have feelings for one another, but are absolutely convinced the other guy can't possibly feel the same. And then they proceed to not talk to each other about their feelings. When Ace finally gathers the courage to tell Benji how he feels, I like the story more. Their dates are adorable and the sex scenes are loving. Overall, it's a good story.

I liked Darcy Stark's narration for the most part. The dialogue is performed very well. The exposition sometimes has an overly formal feel that didn't seem to suit Jamison's story.

I received a free review copy of this audiobook and in exchange have written this voluntary honest opinion.

Recommended.

A Breezy, Frictionless, Sweet-as-sugar romance

The impending fall off democracy got you down? you couldn't ask for a better little escape than this novel. It's all sweetness and gumdrops. Usually I dislike sappy love stories, but this one gets it right. You can understand why the leads care for each other.

The reader was excellent. I'd have taken off a half star if I had that option because his Ace was often way too poetic in tone, but that's really a small complaint. I'd listen to another of his work, no question.

It’s all those little things that became love

A very sweet and heartwarming story! I have definitely become an admirer for “secret admirer”.

Ace has always thought he was straight. Until he found that Benji needed someone to take care of him and raise his self-esteem. A human mind is so complex yet so simple at times. It was like a whole new world was opened up for Ace when he found himself being attracted to Benji. Not only that, he found that he has been interested in little Benji, his best friend’s little brother for quite a long time already without even knowing himself. Benji needs someone to love and protect him and Ace desperately wanted to be that someone. Where can you find a more prefect match?

Realistic, sweet, charming and full with all-good feels. I love everything about this book. No doubt, various kinds of OFY, GFY tropes are very popular with gay romance genre but this book was truly unique and charming. We not only learn about Ace’s self-discovery and acceptance but also witnessed the true blossoming of little Benji. These two are truly too sweet together. I loved all those little gifts. And my! Darcy Stark did a terrific job with the narration. I have always loved his performances but I think this one outshined all of his previous works I have listened before. Can’t recommend enough. Don’t hesitate and just listen! I guarantee this one is very credit-worthy! ❤️

5 It’s all those little things that became love stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️



Audio rating

Story - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Narration - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Performance - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Benji and Ace were the cutest college boys!

I loved this story when it came out originally, and listening to the audio allowed me to slow down and really savor this cute, fluffy romance. Because both characters are college-aged, their story had a youthful innocence about it that I really loved. Benji is the little brother, the one who's had a years-long, hopeless crush on his brother's straight best friend. Ace is the brother's best friend, who's always seen Benji as someone to look after but is slowly realizing his feelings run much deeper than that. The secret admirer gifts start as a way for Ace to make Benji smile, but over time they turn into an expression of his deepening feelings and desires. Watching Ace and Benji clumsily, shyly come together was adorable. Predictably, Benji was completely in the dark about Ace's feelings even when everyone around them could see what was going on. My heart absolutely melted when these two finally opened up to each other. Their kisses and hesitant first times were sweet and sexy to read about. I wasn't blown away by the depth of emotions in this book, but these are college boys in love so I wasn't expecting anything different. Some immaturity and overreactions made sense for how young these guys are. I'm glad there weren't any big blowups when family and friends found out about their relationship--the angst wouldn't have fit with the overall fluffiness of this story. 

**I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.

Sweet and Easy

This was the perfect audio for my "I want something easy to listen to, low-angst, sweet love story" mood. The narration was excellent and the story was fun, with lovable characters and an easy-to-follow but not-boring plot. I had a couple moments where I struggled to understand Benji's motivations, but otherwise this was an really enjoyable story!

Adorable Romance

Great friends to lovers/brothers best friend romance. These guys were so sweet together and the personal issues they dealt with were spot on.

Sweet story

I loved Benji and Ace! Who doesn't love it when the nerd hooks up with the cool kid? And when it's your brother's best friend that just added more sweet to the pot. I loved how Ace was so into Benji from the very beginning. He thought he was just cheering up his best friend's brother but deep down always wanted him for himself. Another great read from DJ! Keep them coming!

I was given a free copy.Giving honest review.

I was given a free copy of this audiobook.
I am leaving an honest and unbiased review.

I honestly loved this low angst,friends to lovers book.

The two characters,Benji and Ace were adorable.

I really liked the secret admirer angle too.

In closing,I highly recommend this audiobook.

Great narrator too.

Sweet Romance

This is a really sweet romance with a great storyline and wonderful characters. The story is very well written and flows smoothly. The narrator does a really great job of portraying all of the characters and interpreting the story. Benji and Ace are a great pairing. They have chemistry and I really like that they are such good friends before becoming involved. Benji has had a crush on Ace for a while but was too afraid to do anything about it because Ace is his brother's best friend and he felt that Ace saw him as a little brother and nothing more. By the same token, Ace felt that Benji saw him as a big brother and was also his best friend's brother! I really like that everything seemed to progress seamlessly and with little angst. I voluntarily reviewed a gifted copy of this audio book.

3.5 stars- Sweet, uncomplicated romance

Secret Admirer was a sweet, long-angst romance. I liked the plot and thought it was a good approach to the best friend’s brother trope. I also really liked the inclusion of the bi-awakening plotline. While there was tension exposing the relationship to the big brother, for the most part the romance felt easy with as much heat as it had gentle moments.

Ace and Benji’s familiar bond was immediately apparent, which made the move to something more smooth. While this wasn’t novel per say, I did like the way the author developed Ace’s feelings for Benji- it felt seamless yet believable. I also really enjoyed that the dual point-of-view allowed Ace’s intent to be obvious. It was a nice change of pace to have the typical hot frat boy unsure but wanting to pursue the “dorky” art student. Both characters were pretty well developed as individuals, especially as Ace dealt with his family and decided to come out to his friends and family. That said, I couldn’t help but wish the chemistry between Ace and Benji was a little more strong and palpable. As much as I enjoy an easy romance, I needed something to drive my interest and connection to the story and that lagged a bit once they had become a couple.

The narrator for Secret Admirer was new to me but his uncomplicated delivery that matched the story’s tone well. I was easily able to follow along with the dialogue and point-of-view changes, and would definitely be open to listening for more from this narrator. Although there was a little emotion missing from the narrator’s delivery and I wanted a little more hook for the second part of the book, Secret Admirer made for a nice listen I’d recommend to readers looking for a straight forward romance with minimal drama and conflict.

*ACX code received via Gay Romance Reviews. The author, PA, and narrator had no influence over this review*

Sweet, light read!

Although college jock, Ace, is straight, he tries to cheer up arts student, Benji, by sending him ‘secret admirer’ gifts and messages. So why does Ace feel jealous when Benji thinks someone else is the admirer? This is a sweet, light read, I liked it but wasn’t wowed by it. Ace and Benji are nice and, because of the dual POV narrative, we know exactly where things are heading, so the angst is mild. Both have interesting issues to resolve that could have been explored more, particularly Ace’s family. I know gender is a can of worms, but the MC voices didn’t feel authentically male at times, maybe too poetic? Am I after more stereotypical jock dialogue for Ace? I’m not sure, probably - I don’t notice it when it rings true, only when it doesn’t. Darcy Stark narrates the audiobook pleasantly with good pace; I would have liked more emotion and more character voice differentiation.

The Story is amazing

Narrator is a hit or miss for me. The story and writing were the only thing that kept me listening to this audio.

So stinking cute.

This is a gorgeous brother's best friend story, that is so stinking cute with secret notes that get starts a miscommunication, that comes good in the end. I really enjoyed listening to this book, the characters were fully formed flaws and all. It's most definitely going on my re-read pile as I’ve brought the book too.

Such a cute story

A very cute college romance.
A friends to lovers story with Ace falling for Benjamin, his best friend's younger brother.
Bi-curious MC/Virgin MC/Gay Virgin MC
No angst, but a Big Misunderstanding (It's a secret admirer story of course there's a big misunderstanding.)
A sweet story with great narration.

Aww, cute & heartfelt brothers best friend romance

This was an enjoyable sweet read with hidden attraction and a teenage crush all grown up. I really enjoyed getting to know Benji and Ace and felt they worked so well together. I felt for Benji and his insecurities and loved Ace's secret admirer start! These two are too sweet and this was a pleasure to read/listen 💖

I'm a not so secret admirer of DJ Jamison

This is Secret Admirer by D J Jamison.

I have read a lot of her books and really enjoy them. But this is only my second audio book by her.

The story is set around Benji and Ace. Ace is the crush Benji has always dreamed about but never thought he could have because he is his older brother Jeremy's best friend.

Benji has always thought Ace was straight but Ace has an epiphany and realises he likes Benji. So he sets about making Benji realise he is special. Ensues is a race to work out who is sending Benji little gifts.

I loved Ace, he really tries hard to make Benji feels special. I didn't like Jeremy at first because I thought he was a bit stuck up. but came around to him.

This is narrated by Darcy Stark, a new to me narrator. It was very pleasant listening to this reading of the book and I have no issues in listening to him again.

Benji and Ace

.Benji starts college, but his brother iser meant to be there, but he took a job offer and isn't so he asks Ace, his best friend to look out for his younger brother. When Ace finds Benji alone at the movies and finds out his date didn't show, he decides to send Chocolates to brighten his spirits and sends it Secret Admirer, as each one progresses, Ace realises he is falling for his best friends brother.Sweet low angst good feeling book, perfect narratation,

So cute...

Totally loved this book! The story is sweet, and endearing, with some angst situations, just to add some spice, romantic scenes that will warm your heart and a wonderful happy ending. I enjoyed the little twist in the best friend's brother trope. A cute, nice reading just perfect for these difficult times specially with the very charismatic and energetic narration of Mr Stark. His outstanding performance gave this book a plus.

All the feels

This super sweet story has all the feels. Poor Benji is stood up at the movie theater by his "date" who isn't sure of his own sexuality. When his older brother's best friend finds out, he creates a secret admirer to boost Benji's spirits and let him know he is worth love. Benji has crushed on Ace forever, and Ace likes Benji, but...he's his best friend's little brother. It's a little bit of a comedy of errors as Benji and Ace dance around the truth, and Benji ends up thinking his secret admirer is someone else. I loved Benji and Ace. They both felt real to me: Ace as he struggles with his own bi awakening, and Benji as he tries to believe that gorgeous Ace could really love him. And Jeremy's reaction is completely understandable. This is a pretty low-angst book, although Ace's family provides some drama, and Ace and Benji do have to work on openness and communication a bit. Parts of the book are absolutely hysterical, like the frat sex morning after and the brothers playing rock/paper/scissors to see whose room Ace would share. Enjoyable sweet story.

The narration is great and really captures the characters moods and emotions.

I received a free copy of this audiobook at my request and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

Sweet simple touching romance

I adore Benji. He looks in the mirror and sees what’s wrong. I adore Ace. He looks at Benji and sees everything that is awesome. When Ace finds Benji after the young man has been stood up, he takes him for ice cream and acts like the supportive friend he is. Now, Benji only perceives Ace as his brother’s best friend, oblivious to the fact Ace sees Benji as so much more than his best friend’s little brother.

The set-up is perfect. Ace wants to raise Benji’s self-esteem so he sends little anonymous gifts. What he doesn’t anticipate is Benji’s manic and obsessive search for his secret admirer. Benji takes a few wrong turns before Ace finally reveals the truth.

And then…? Well, let’s just say the attraction is mutual and all is well.

Except they don’t live in a college bubble. Both have families and how those families might react weighs heavily on them. Does that cause hesitation? Yes. Does it cause them to stop? Oh hell no. Now they’ve found each other, they’re in it for the long haul. Or at least until big brother/best friend finds out.

This was a simple romance and I enjoyed that. Low-angst with some funny moments. Darcy Stark narrated the book and I thought he did a wonderful job. I always enjoy his work.