Spencer Cohen Series, Book One

By: N.R. Walker

Narrated by: Joel Leslie

Length: 5 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

Spencer Cohen is the guy who gets answers to relationship questions. Playing the role of the new lover, his job is to make his client's ex realize one of two things: he doesn't want to break up or he really does. Either way, his client gets answers.

The ex would either apologize and beg, or turn and walk. But in the end, Spencer's client won. If he wanted his ex back and got him, it was great. If the guy walked away, then as hard it was for the client, he knew it was over. Regardless of the outcome, Spencer's work was done.

Andrew Landon's ex left him without so much as an explanation. But his sister can't stand to see him miserable, so, much to Andrew's dismay, they hire Spencer to be Andrew's new boyfriend to get the ex back.

For Spencer, it is never personal. Merely a business transaction. No emotions, no strings, no complications. Yeah right. Even a blind man could see how this would end.

Contains mature themes.

©2016 N. R. Walker (P)2018 Tantor

Critic reviews

"If you're looking for an unusual, touching romance with beautifully-rendered characters, this book should be at the top of your list." (Sinfully Gay Romance Book Reviews)

Arrrhhggh now I have to wait for 2!

I fallen in love with NR Walker's writing. The stories are always so interesting without resorting to the characters falling in to bed at the drop of the hat. She takes time to build characters and they're more than just their appearance.
This story is a very slow build and is almost all tease. It's all about the main characters getting to know each other. I CAN NOT wait for the second instalment. If I had time to read I'd go out and buy it. But then I'd miss out on the narration. Joel Leslie is a great narrator and puts real emotion in to his reading. Not to mention diversity of accents. While he's seemed to wobble with the Australian accent at the start of other audiobooks I've listened to, he hits his stride right away with this one.
The characters are loveable but I just wanted to know more of the emotional responses from Andrew. I'm hoping we get to understand more of his thoughts in book two!

Really great!

I really liked the story, it had a good phase to it, a bunch of funny moments and great charachters! I especially liked how Spencer and Andrews relationship developed thru the story and it didnt feel forsed or akward to listen to. I fell in love with them and there friends, they were just so funny to listen to!
There were some un-answered questions at the end, but since its 2,5 more books in the series I didnt mind much.
Joel Leslie were perfect for this book, he is great with accents and his voices are just perfect! Really recommend it!

Narrating/Writing Super Duo!

Andrew got dumped – abruptly – by his ex, Eli. His sister just wants Andrew to be happy, so she arranges for Spencer to act as his boyfriend and stir up the ol’ green-eyed monster in Eli to push him back into Andrew’s arms.

If it works, it was meant to be – if it doesn’t, at least Andrew can have some closure.

Spencer moved to America from Australia after some family issues force his hand. He inadvertently helps a friend re-gain her boyfriend and a career is born! (He also does other things – it’s not that lucrative!)

When Andrew and Spencer meet there is instant attraction – they’re like two pieces of a puzzle who click together perfectly. But… Andrew wants Eli right?

**

Be forewarned – this is pretty classic NR Walker series protocol – so we get a slow, slow burn toward a finale of a … kiss. Granted the sexual tension is off the charts and the looks are seriously smoldering… but no sex.

But – YOU WON’T MISS IT! She is such an amazing writer that this slow burn feels right and the pages fly by.

Of course I can’t wait for the next installment – and you might want to wait for all three are published if that’s your thing – but… this is a wonderful story and well worth the wait.

Both MCs are so complex and fun. Neither is particularly needy or whiny and yet both have this amazing streak of vulnerability in them.

I am thoroughly captivated by this series and I cannot wait for the next book!



6 of 5 stars

Audio

So you know I’m a huge Joel Fan Girl but you gotta know – this book absolutely resonates with Joel’s narration – it’s just perfect! Joel moved me to tears with the closing chapters – the emotional tension is held beautifully by the pacing and his intonation. Though this is – by far – not the most angsty of NR’s stories – Joel infuses into the words all the tension we’re feeling by the end of this slow burn romance.

Highly recommended!

6 of 5 stars

Loved it!

First of all, I am an animator, and as such this book was obviously meant for me! It was amazing to hear about a profession I am so passionate about, movies I LOVE (shout-out for “How to Train Your Dragon”!). I felt an immediate connection with this story, with Andrew as a character and his passion for art and animation. I liked this book just from the premise and seeing Joel Leslie’s video where he records some of this book’s narration. As always, and I have been listening to many of Joel’s books lately so I feel like I’m repeating myself here, the narration was spot on! I loved Andrew’s shyness and Spencer’s Aussie charm, the side characters were fun and cute. Andrew’s situation with his ex is a bit strange but you can’t help falling in love with him and Spencer as they get to know each other while they “try” to get Andrew’s ex back.

I did feel like the story was at times odd, or like thing were intentionally unclear and felt like maybe that could have been done better (plot wise) to keep the reader in suspense and not in frustration. And the ending!!!! I need the rest of the books and now that I have it on audio I am not sure whether I want to read it all and get the e-book or wait for the rest to come out on audio. The ending is a bit cliffhanger-ish, or should I say “there is more to come” so keep that in mind. I wish I could get it all in one or two longer books, but I do feel it’s like her Red Dirt Heart series and accept that style of narrative.

I will definitely read the next books!

Get One and Two Together

A wonderfully written setup to a terrific series with exceptionally entertaining narration by Joel Leslie.

Told from the POV of Spencer, a fix it man hired by people who have been dumped to make their exes jealous and restore the relationship or prove once and for all that the relationship is over. Spencer is great at his job, mainly because he excels at keeping an emotional distance.

When Spencer’s takes on Andrew as a (reluctant) client it’s pretty clear from the start Spencer’s emotional distancing isn’t really working with Andrew. One of the best parts about this series is getting to know both Spencer and Andrew’s emotions and pasts.

IMO you should really listen to Book One and Book Two together. I think the two books work best together because Joel is a maestro who give a great performance with emotional nuance that I didn’t want to stop listening to.

But two things you should know before starting: there’s no sex, only a single kiss, in Book One. This works perfectly as the characters are set up and getting to know one another, and you get tons of sex in Book Two. Another reason you should read/listen to them back to back is Book One ends almost abruptly, but if you pick up Book Two immediately after it flows brilliantly into how the relationship between Andrew and Spencer grows.

Low angst, fun, funny, with great feels and wonderful narration.

Spencer Cohen, book 1

I Love this Book/Series.. Like Absolutely, totally, completely love these books.
I've read this series like 3 times, And now that I have them all in Audio too, they are being added to my re-listen list as well.
After reading these books the first time, I fell in love with Spencer and Andrew, and now after listening to this one in Audio, Joel Leslie has made me fall in love with them all over again.
Nothing but Great things to say about this book and Narration. Seriously, if you are on the fence about this book or the Audio version at all.. Just get it!!!
Joel does such a great job with all the voices in this audiobook, between Spencer's Aussie accent, and Andrews voice, and then some of their friends/family some with different accents as well. He has such a wide range for his voice, Joel just impresses me more every time I hear him talk.
Now, This is the First Part of a Three book series. And while this book 1 doesn't necessarily end in a cliffhanger, (you can just read this one and be good) you will definitely want to read the next two books to get their entire full story.
Spencer, is an Aussie who moved to the US/Los Angeles and now helps people try to fix their broken relationships, or at least figure out what went wrong. This job is perfect for Spencer, since it keeps him from getting too close and attached to others, there is no way he is putting his heart out there just to get broken again. He meets Andrew as a client. Andrew just wants to try and get back with his ex-boyfriend, he's not quite sure what happened and why he left. But, the more time they spend together, the more they realize they both want the same outcome. For Spencer and Andrew to be together instead. This book is so Cute and a great start to their story.

So. Nice.

I really appreciate good character development. And a story that doesn't have to depend on drawn out and over written sex scenes is refreshing. Don't get me wrong. This book had lots of build up and wasn't prudish. A winner. Looking forward to a prolific series.

Fabulous series!

The Spencer Cohen series is wonderful. Find my full review of the series on book three here on Audible.

***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***

One of my fav authors and fav vocal performers

I honestly am not sure I can say anything I haven't said about this author and this vocal performer...simply put they are both perfect to me. I've read this entire series and I loved it...but when I hear Joel Leslie is performing the book, I am ALL IN. His performance is brilliant as always. He just makes me feel every emotion in these stories more than I did by simply reading them.

These boys are so, so good together. Their banter is absolutely entertaining. They are opposites in appearance but definite soul mates. Spencer has had his heart trampled (by his family) in the past and is hiding behind his aloofness. Andrew had a great childhood but apparently, until now, has not had much luck with men. Their attraction is instantaneous and as they uncover pieces of each other, the attraction grows to something more. I had a big goofy grin on my face through most of the book. The scene near the end in the tattoo parlor was absolutely heartbreaking.

There is no sex in this book – and I didn’t even miss it. The romance is there and it was completely heartwarming and made me all gooey inside.

wow!

It is not often that a book can make me cry so much I need a tissue while at work. It made me laugh, smile, sigh and cry my eyes out! It is a great book with a good ending. Can't wait for more.

A perfect pair!!

Take any N. R. Walker book give it to Joel Lesley to narrate and it will be f***ing amazing. I have listened to nearly everything they have done together an not found one dud, or mediocre listen.
Spencer Cohen, book 1 is my new favourite and is top of my 2018 list so far. Can’t wait for the next instalment ❤️

Lovely story

I really enjoyed this story. The narration was excellent and brought the story to life. look forward to the next in the series.

Couldn’t stop listening

Loved this so much. Narration was great. Characters were lovely. Just couldn’t get enough and could not stop listening!

Superb

These kinds of fake boyfriend stories are nothing new but N.R. Walker's treatment of it was definitely fresh and best of all there was no unnecessary drama. I loved both Andrew and Spencer. They both showed strength and vulnerability and were perfect together as Spencer said ying to his yang. On top of that Joel Leslie's narration made the story even better. I am looking forward to listening to the rest of the series.
A tiny point, hearing a little from Andrew's point of view would have made the story even more enjoyable.

Great

Always enjoy listening to Joel Lesley narration. He is a true delight. This book is beautifully written, with highs and lows along the way. As with life it is a journey you travel with these two sweet characters.

Atmospheric and great characters

The premise of the story is great. Set in hot and sunny LA with a charming Australian lead Spencer and a soft spoken second male lead Andrew. The romance is genuinely believable, Spencer and Andrew are adorable together and are genuinely great characters in their own right. Supporting cast is brilliant and diverse and the whole "pretend to date to make your ex jealous but fall in love instead" trope is done wonderfully. Unfortunately I have a bit of an issue with N.R. Walker's works simply due to the fact that I enjoy a little more plot with my romance and so far a lot of her books are very atmospheric and not really plot heavy. Don't get me wrong they are very well written and the atmosphere really conveys the vibe and the mood and enhances the romance, especially in these series. However, it can get a little repetitive. I have read this a few months back and unlike may other books I actually do not recall a lot of the plot. I remember the romance and the minimal drama quite well. But if you ask me to tell you what happened outside of the relationship between the two men I couldn't for the life of me list the flow of events. Maybe its just me. In any case I would recommend this book to those who love atmospheric stories a 100%! Listen to this while you are walking or doing other things and it will flow amazingly well. I found I could not focus on it on its own for too long.
Joel Leslie is a darling as usual though and makes this book so much more!

I Absolutely Loved this Book

This book was everything you could ask in a good book. A good story, a little bit of drama & brilliant characters, This book had the ability to make me laugh so much & also feel so sad for the different characters at times
Joel Leslie is an absolute master as a narrator & it wasn't like he was reading a book but telling you a story about his day, over & over.
I'm so pleased that I can listen to all the books in this series one after the other because having to wait until another book came out would have been torture.
I would most definitely recommend this book.

Strong, but needs editing

This is a lovely story. Characters are well developed, so that the reader actually cares what becomes of them. Joel Leslie's narration is strong - he has a way of making it sound as if he's telling the story rather than reading it.

But... there are significant continuity errors throughout this series that an editor should have picked up. Duplications of passages, contradictions (some of which are fairly central to the story)... that sort of thing.

That said, it's a worthwhile read.

Great book!

Great start to the series! I really liked Spencer and Andrew and I can't wait to read more about them. I'm going to start the next book right away! The narrator was brilliant and brought the story to life beautifully.

A touching story

Was never sure about this going by the cover and having llistened to it i realised what I missed it's great and up to the usual standard from N R Walker hope you love for the whit like I do