Sense of Place

Thomas Elkin Series, Book 3

By: N.R. Walker

Narrated by: Nick Russo

Length: 4 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

Re-released 2018 edition. Re-edited. No new content added. 

Book three in the Thomas Elkin series. 

Designing homes is easy. Finding home is something else entirely. 

Thomas Elkin and Cooper Jones finally have the support of their families, and their love grows stronger every day. Now living together, they think nothing can stand in their way. 

But there are outside influences trying to pull them apart. 

Cooper encounters a man, closer to his age and with connections high up the property development chain, who wants Cooper as his own. Tom encounters discrimination and a hidden agenda from a fellow senior partner who's trying to take him down. 

No matter what the world throws at them, Tom and Cooper are the real deal. Age differences aside, Tom has finally found his sense of place. His one true center, his home.

©2014 NR Walker (P)2019 NR Walker

love this!

Tom and Coop have moved in together but it’s not all roses and wine for the couple.
Coop is on a new project that literally takes all his time and patience. Tom has to diverge from his normally not so “in your face” stance and make a stand for himself as Cooper’s lover.

On the family front, Tom’s ex is still not exactly supportive and there are problems on the job as well.

When Tom makes a wild decision that ultimately affects both he and Cooper, it’s Coop’s mother who ultimately gives him the best advice yet as to how to handle Cooper.

**

I ADORED this final installment to the Thomas Elkins series. It was romantic and sweet and sexy.

NR Walker found a way to make us really believe that these guys have what it takes to be a long term couple and not just a hot May/December affair.

The final “sense of place” that they achieve is so well-won and touching… I just loved it.

Because of that last bit, this series remains one of my comfort reads when I want to be immersed in that happy place with the couple who you just know will be together forever.

5 of 5 stars

Audio

Well, I just can’t say enough positive things about Nick J Russo’s narration. He is just so good! I think what I appreciate most in this series is his ability to slow things down when the emotions get really high and how he’s able to move things along when the story picks up again. It’s very much like a person would do if reading it and makes it all that much more enjoyable to listen to.

Highly recommended!

5 of 5 stars

So good - wish there was another book!

I'm ecstatic that this entire series is finally in audio because I can listen to it anytime, but I'm equally sad that the series is only three books because it's so dang good. Nick Russo is everything you could dream of and more! His character voices are spot on, but Cooper's is simply perfect. Lots of (good) emotion, lots of laughs. And this is a great wrap up to a lovely story. This goes on my list of books to listen to multiple times (like every Nr Walker audiobook)!

Contemporary romance fans should absolutely give this series a listen!

Sense of Place

I have listened to this series more times than I could count but for some reason I’ve never reviewed it. The narrator does a great job and the author has written one of the best age gap stories that I’ve read.

Heart-warming conclusion

This is my favorite series. I have read it so many times but now to listen to it with Nick Russo’s narration brings it to life. I know I will listen to this over and over again.

I love this series!

Adding Audio for January 2021

Nick J. Russo did a fantastic job of capturing the attitude of both characters in this series. Listening to it again after reading it years ago just made me love it and these characters even more. This is an absolute must-listen series.
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Original Review from 2015
Sigh...I hate that this series is over but I'm sure I'll read it again and again.

These 2 are just so awesome - I think the most perfect quote from the book is at the very end...

Tom smiled like I’d never seen him smile before. “You really are kind of awesome.”
I rolled my eyes. “For the love of God, Tom. I’ve been telling you that for six years.”

Gah! I love Cooper Jones - It really is a Cooper Jones thing!

The witty banter continues. We fall in love a little bit more with Tom and Cooper with every line read.

As with every other NR Walker book I've ever read, this is an absolute must-read. These boys just make you smile and feel really good.

Perfect Conclusion of an Amazing Series

With Sense of Place , N.R. Walker ends her beautiful written , crafted and paced, Thomas Elkin Series.

It was a pleasure listening to all three books . I enjoyed the overall tone and approach to Tom and Cooper relationship ; the humor and snarky banter between the heroes and their intense and deep sexual , emotional and professional connection. I especially took pleasure on the positive and hopeful narrative , plotlines and characters thought process.

Nick J Russo narration was soulful, engaging and passionate. He makes you feel and live the story he narrates . Brilliant performance.

I am sure this is a series I will re-listening , many times, in years to come.

Such a great ending to the series!

In Sense of Place, the last book in the series, Cooper and Tom are living together, but there are outside influences that are threatening to pull them apart as a younger man makes it clear he wants Cooper for himself and Tom's work starts suffering due to a fellow partner's discrimination. 

It was kind of heartbreaking seeing all these issues being thrown at Tom and Cooper, but it was amazing to see them work through them all together, always communicating, always loving and always there for each other no matter what as they headed towards their HEA.

The conclusion of the series was about as amazing as all the rest, showing that age is just a number and that when two people love each other that much and are willing to work together as one, there's nothing that will pull them apart. 

N.R. Walker's writing was excellent throughout the series and Nick J. Russo managed to make it even better for me, even after reading the books so many times, he made it new and special as I fell in love with Cooper and Tom all over again.

Highly recommendable!!!

Cooper and Tom’s HEA

The Thomas Elkin series remains one of my very favorite series. It’s my go-to comfort re-read (and re-listen), one of my most recommended series for someone new to the author, or who loves a wonderful age-gap story. I absolutely adore Cooper and Tom! Wrapping up Tom and Cooper’s story is the third book of the series. This book shows the growing love and maturity of both Cooper and the relationship he and Tom share. Cooper begins to blossom at his new job, and Cooper’s parents come to get to know Tom better after spending a weekend in New York with them. What I truly loved most about this book, is just the love that is formed between Cooper and Tom. The give and take between the two of them is wonderful. I love the direction their relationship went. The epilogue was amazing, and I had to listen to it twice because it gets you in all the feels. The narration of their story and just been amazing and Nick J Russo does a phenomenal job bringing the two beloved characters to life for me. I’m already looking forward to my next listen of this series!

Did not want this to end!!!

Just loved everything about Cooper and Tom. Their love was amazing and their journey to their HEA was a joy to listen to. Nick Russo knocked this out of the park! He was perfect from Cooper's snark to Tom' emotions. I could feel the love coming through his narration, just amazing!!!

Perfect in every sense of the word!

Sense of Place is the third and last novel in the Thomas Elkin series. When we meet up with Tom and Cooper again, they are settling in together and living life, drawing and loving each other. They are such a wonderful and loving couple it warms your heart. They are solid; they've done the whole getting together and the meeting of the families part. But say the tranquility that lasts. This time troubles comes at work, and dealing with the ensuing issues isn’t always easy or straight forward. I love how they tackled the problems together, well mostly. There was some drama, but it was credible and not overdone. It made me believe in them so much more.

Nick J. Russo was made to narrate this book, this series. They are the perfect match in every way. He brings these characters to life like no one else could. His voices match them perfectly, from the more playful Cooper to more calm and rueful Tom. I loved every second of this book but one moment that I really enjoyed were the scenes with Cooper’s brother. When they were playing around, I could really see them in front of me. The sibling rivalry – the playful kind was fun. Every character in this series was alive in a way I find few characters are. Russo made them crystal clear, bright and shiny.

With this story walker has created a timeless series, one that will stand the test of time. It is fun, sassy and beautiful and Russo made it even more so by giving them a voice. It’s a series I’d recommend in a heartbeat. Sense of Place was the perfect ending to this great series. So while I've had an absolute wonderful time with these guys, this story feels complete. I know Tom and Cooper are off living their happily ever afters.

A copy of this book was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review for Love Bytes.

Graphic Designers

Conclusion to this series. These building designers get graphic through most of Book 3. The accomplished writing style, humour and smart banter and dialogue continue as does the excellent narration.

This series has been a delightful refreshing surprize.

Well deserved HEA.

my heart

listening to thomas and coopers final chapter of their journey was incredible

i felt every emotion from these incredible guys

i loved every meaningful word and every part of the storyline

Lovely ending to a lovely series

I think I smiled and laughed more times while listening to this just-over-four-hour audiobook than I've smiled or laughed at anything else I've listened to recently. Tom and Cooper's back-and-forth is funny and affectionate and they're clearly perfect for each other, despite the large age gap.

There's a bit of external drama here created by a sleazebag client who wants Cooper, and a homophobic colleague who wants to force Tom out of his job, but none of it is over the top, and the focus is firmly on Cooper and Tom. I loved seeing Cooper really coming into his own as an architect, and the fact that they're so supportive of each other's careers, and understand exactly what it takes to get on in the profession goes a long way towards making their relationship that much more believable.

I could quite happily listen to more of just Cooper and Tom bantering about anything and everything. Nick J. Russo's narration is excellent once again; he really gets the characters as individuals and injects real warmth and affection into their relationship. These stories are definitely going onto the "re-listen at some point" pile.

Enjoyable conclusion

Didn’t blow me away but it was still a good listen, and tied up loose ends for this series.

Age is not a problem

Another great story by N R Walker sadly the end of the trilogy and bought to a wonderful conclusion with age being no boundary and well narrated.

Grand job Mr Russo...

Once again, Nick does a grand job of bringing one of my fave couples, Tom and Cooper, to life.

***Book Review 2014***

Nic Walker, I swear you've brought me to my knees again!! I just ADORE this series. A gazillion of stars, but as it's Goodreads 5 stars and 5 enormous 💜💛💙💚🧡 will have to do unfortunately. Absolutely superb!!

Tom and Cooper are two halves of the same whole, I sincerely believe that...the age difference means absolutely nothing, it's a Gen Y, Cooper Jones and LOVE thing!! Tom has an enemy in this one, someone that would not normally be expected to cause a ruckus, and Coop has a complete perv after him because Tom of course is waay too old for Cooper and the perv is young, handsome and filthy rich with Daddy's money. ..but apparently lacking a brain 😜😜😜. Do matters get resolved to my satisfaction...hell to the yes!! Jennifer rides to Tom's rescue, Tom discourages the perv and goes all caveman to protect his lover AND something happens at the end which put an even bigger grin on my face!! What is it?? Well, I'm sure you can all have a real good guess...and you're probably correct, I can only confirm that chez moi there was **Happy Dancing**, woot!! Nic, I can't thank you enough for all of these amazing stories. ♥♥♥