Silent Sin

De: E.J. Russell

Narrado por: Greg Boudreaux

When tailor Marvin Gottschalk abandoned New York City for the brash boom town of silent film-era Hollywood, he never imagined he'd end up on screen as Martin Brentwood, one of the fledgling film industry's most popular actors. Five years later, a cynical Martin despairs of finding anything genuine in a town where truth is defined by studio politics and publicity. Then he meets Robbie Goodman.

Robbie fled Idaho after a run-in with the law. A chance encounter leads him to the film studio, where he lands a job as a chauffeur. But one look at Martin and he's convinced he's likely to run afoul of those same laws - laws that brand his desires indecent, deviant...sinful.

Martin and Robbie embark on a cautious relationship, cocooned in Hollywood's clandestine gay fraternity, careful to hide from the studio boss, a rival actor, and reporters on the lookout for a juicy story. But when tragedy and scandal rock the town, igniting a morality-based witch hunt fueled by a remorseless press, the studio brass will sacrifice even the greatest careers to defend their endangered empire. Robbie and Martin stand no chance against the firestorm - unless they stand together.

CW: Contains threatened sexual assault, off-page violence, and drug abuse.

©2020 Ellen J Russell (P)2021 Ellen J Russell

Reseñas de la Crítica

"I love historical romance, especially when it's done well, and this is one of the best and most unique stories I've read in a long time! The world building and attention to detail had me immersed in the silent film era from the very beginning, and I fell hard and fast for Robbie and Martin, who are navigating their way through love and Hollywood in a way that feels incredibly relevant and timely, even a hundred years later!" (May Archer, author of the best-selling Love in O'Leary series)

Silent Sin

This is a very intriguing audio. I enjoyed it immensely. Greg Boudreaux did a fantastic job with the narration.
The trials of the American gays during the years portrayed in this story seems accurate. Even in the sixties and seventies,
gay persecution was socially acceptable.

Great Story

Loved this book. The characters were interesting and likable and the historical aspects were fun to read. The romance wasn't quite as fluffy as I usually expect from this author, but that wasn't a bad thing. While the story was heavier than I was expecting, it had a good balance of unpleasant historical elements/morality laws and sweet/happy moments despite adversity. The more serious tone worked for this book. Great narration. Would recommend.

Brill LGBT story of Old Hollywood

Original Audiobook Review March 2023:
It's been a year-and-a-half since I read Silent Sin and I loved listening to it just as much as I loved the original read. Greg Boudreaux brings the characters and the era to life in a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat even, if like me, you already read the story and know it. 98% of the audiobooks I listen to are books I've previously read because I tend to zone out occasionally and that is no reflection on the story but because I listen mostly while working on the computer or in the kitchen and before I know it I'm concentrating on the task at hand and not the story, knowing the tale previously allows me not to have to try and find where I "zoned out".

Anywho, back to the narrator. One of my boxes to tick that make an audiobook go from good to great is the expectation of hearing a sponsor's ad. Now for those who don't know what I mean, I have been a collector of old radio programs since I was 10 and if you have never heard an ORP from the 30s & 40s they have one sponsor unlike the multi-commercials of television today. Some shows incorporate the sponsor into the show others take a break for the ad in the middle. So when I say "expectation of hearing a sponsor's ad" what I'm really looking for is a narration that gets me so involved I feel like I'm listening to an episode of Screen Actor's Playhouse where they often would bring a radio version of a hit movie to the masses. Greg Boudreaux brings EJ Russell's words to life in such a manner and considering the setting is Old Hollywood I had a higher level of this expectation and he definitely delivered. I look forward to re-listening for years to come.


Original Review July Book of the Month 2021:
Silent Sin is brilliant!

I've been looking for a story set in Old Hollywood for about 3 years and when this popped up in a FB group rec request I one-clicked immediately. 2020 screwed with my reading mojo so unfortunately I just got around to reading it and I loved it! EJ Russell really sets scene of the silent era, incorporating real historical facts and scandals that add just the right level of reality into her fictional story. Don't worry, Silent Sin isn't a tell-all, Hollywood documentary but it definitely shows the author's respect for the past with the balance of reality and fiction.

As for the characters, watching Robbie's journey from "runaway" country bumpkin to studio chauffer to stand-in to ???(well I don't want to give away all the lad's secrets😉) is an uplifting, heartfelt tale of entertainment. Seeing Martin's journey of trying to stay true to who he is and who he lets the studio bosses and fans see makes you smile, laugh, and a few times you just want to shake him. When their paths cross you just know that it's fate but you also know it won't be easy but it will definitely be captivating. You can't help but want to wrap them both up in Mama Bear Hugs and tell them everything will be okay, of course there are a few times I want to smack them too and scream but that's what makes Silent Sin such a delight.

I have featured some of EJ Russell's books on my blog before but Silent Sin is my first read. For me it's the perfect introduction to a new author, Sin ticks so many of my boxes:
historical✅
romance✅
Old Hollywood✅
friendships✅
author's respect for the era✅
plenty of heart✅
I have to admit one of my favorite moments comes between Robbie and Martin's manager Sid, the actual activity happens off-page but we learn about it and it put the biggest smile on my face and a loud "YES!" in my internal monologue. Just another example of how the author has written more than romance and how sucked into the story I became.

Again, Silent Sin is brilliant!

Fabulous historical tale

I got quickly caught up in this one set in the Golden age of Hollywood. I can't imagine having to live during a time when you could actually be arrested for loving the "wrong" person. And I have always been fascinated by classic black and white movies. I also love this author’s characters. They just really come alive, especially with Greg Boudreaux's narration. He is certainly one of the best out there!

Great and believable Characters

Excellent narration. Interesting story with well detailed historical context. Depicts the shameful and corrupt side of American culture

Strong beginning, then it kinda drifted off

I enjoy a good historical mm romance, and the 20s are a particular favourite setting to me, so I went into this with high hopes. I really liked the beginning of this book, but once they were on location it became a bit boring and the spark fizzled out.

Fascinating Story, Great Performance by Boudreaux

I love old movies, but I really know next to nothing about silent film stars. E.J. Russell does a lovely job of blending history with romance in Silent Sin.

While the early 1920's were a unique time in American history, Russell's Silent Sin also shows that things sure haven't changed that much. Hollywood still makes its own rules, the press still hounds the stars, and folks still keep relationships under-wraps... or they try to. Nicely done!

The audiobook is beautifully performed by Greg Boudreaux. Flawlessly jumping from educated Brit to country bumpkin, and everywhere in between, Mr. Boudreaux has his work cut out for him with this cast. But, as always, his accents are perfection.

MM romance in 1920s

When I started listening to this story I felt like I was traveling back to the 1920s and Hollywood in the silent era. The author did such a great job with the historical atmosphere! The details, the way they speak, the facts...

It's always hard to read about a society that doesn't accept same-sex relationships. But the background of the movie industry is very interesting and I loved Robbie's simplicity and curiosity.

I wish to have seen more depth in the relationship development and some steam because, honestly, fade to black in a book where the characters are already hiding so much was so frustrating. I wanted to see them let go and unleash all their desires.

Needless to say that Greg Boudreaux's performance was amazing (again!).

Fantastic Characters

Loved the characters, the story, references to historical events and movie studio power mongering. As always, EJ writes a beautiful and believable story, and Greg brings it to life.

wonderful historic tale

I am not a big reader of historical fiction, but I really enjoyed this 1920s hollywood setting. the research the author did was historically very accurate, with some fictionalized accounts added. there's little to no Spice in this book. but there is a great deal of romance. this is my first reading of this author's works and I enjoyed it. the always incredible Greg Boudreau really Rises to the occasion with lots of different voices and beautifully inflected sentences and narrative.