Starting Point

Turning Point Series, Book 3

By: N.R. Walker

Narrated by: Sean Crisden

Length: 8 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's Summary

Book Three in the Turning Point Series

After going past the point of no return and finally reaching breaking point, the only thing Matthew Elliott can do now is start over.  

Matthew Elliott is a recovering man. As an ex-cop and ex-fighter, his new job teaching kids at the local community gym about drug awareness and self-defense, is a little bit of both. His new focus on helping street kids is helping him heal, and with Kira by his side, he's making strides.

Brother and sister, Rueben and Claudia, are homeless kids and they're very much alone. As they strike a chord with Matt, he does everything in his power to help them. But when Ruby and Claude need more help than he bargained for, it stops being about work, and starts being about home.

The day he met Kira, Matt's life changed direction, and it's only now he realizes that everything he's been through was a lead up to this. It was never about endings. His life, his purpose, was just beginning.

©2014 NR Walker (P)2018 NR Walker

A perfect ending to the series!

I received a free copy of this audiobook to listen to and review for Wicked Reads.

Now THIS is the almost perfect ending to the Turning Point series. I say almost perfect simply because I’d love to see more of the story past the epilogue, but it certainly lived up to its title of Starting Point because it finally closes the book on a big part of Matt’s past while setting him and Kira up for the rest of their life together. Fair warning, this installment pulled on my heartstrings quite a bit and I found myself shedding tears more than once, but I also found myself laughing at twice as many scenes. But don’t worry, there’s still plenty of heart pounding action as well.

For as much as much as Matt drove me bonkers in Breaking Point, it made the progress in his healing – both physical and mental – even more apparent. I loved that Matt was so committed in getting better and sticking with his counseling, especially when he felt as though his therapist was judging him. Matt still got stuck in his head and second-guessed himself a lot, but his self-awareness grew over the course of the novel, thus enabling him to see when he began to fall into his old patterns of negative thinking and he could redirect himself to break that cycle. His desire to get better, to vanquish his inner demons so he could have a long, happy, and healthy life with Kira was admirable. Just as admirable was his desire to do what he could to help Ruby and Claude. Even though he’s the only one who cannot see it, Matt’s work at the center fulfilled him in a way that being a cop didn’t – it gave him a chance to make a difference one kid at a time. Matt has learned the hard way that he cannot save the world, but he knows he can still save lives by making a difference in the lives of the kids’ who show up at the fight club. While I could have done without how realistically life treats kids like Ruby and Claude, it kept me glued to my Echo Dot as I prepared for the worst to happen, hoped the best would happen first, and waited on bated breath as the story played out in both heartwarming and heartbreaking ways. Walker excels at keeping me on tenterhooks.

I must say that as impressed as I was with Sean Crisden’s narration in the first two books, he blew me away with Starting Point. Matt is still dealing with a lot of guilt he’s taken on from Point of No Return and Breaking Point, and it’s so clear to hear it in his voice, as is his determination to get better. Even more striking is how the narrator strikes a balance between Matt’s feelings of powerlessness and acceptance when the vertigo hits him hard. Matt knows there’s nothing he can do about the vertigo, but he doesn’t have to like it either. What really surprised me though, is that the author shifts the point of view from Matt, who’s been our narrator for all three books, to Kira. I was not expecting the shift in perspectives, and not only was it invaluable to the series, but Crisden made the change so seamless that it took me a few seconds to realize what had happened. This isn’t because the voices used were similar but rather because as the other main character, Kira has been front and center throughout the series, so I didn’t initially recognize that we were in his head and not listening to him speak. And I loved that we got part of the story from Kira’s perspective because it signaled that it was no longer just Matt’s journey (it hadn’t been for a while) and it gave series fans a chance to see Matt through the eyes of someone who loves him because Crisden made sure that was in Kira’s voice, the love he has for Matt and how important Matt is to him. Walker and Crisden did a fabulous job on Starting Point, making it a perfect ending to the series and beautiful beginning for these two men.

Enjoyed this series.

I wasn’t sure about a story that three books long. This has been a good story. I found it interesting that the first two books didn’t really end as a cliff hangers. They just kind of ended it was up to you if you wanted to listen to the next story. Matt life has been up and down his whole life. Closet as a police officer and then he met Kira. They fell hard for each other. Lots of drama. First book Matt was dealing with a harden criminal who puts Kari life in danger. Second book Matt is doing an under cover job while training for an MMA fighting. He almost get taken out in the ring. This third book Matt has quit the police department. Becoming the manager of the fighting place that he took down. He taking on kids who need help. He ends up taking in two kids to try to help. Trying to keep a distance but help them. Kira is the one who ends up bring them home. Lots of drama. Sad story but these two fight for their happiness.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this series!

I Love this three book series, and especially this last one, is my go-to book. If I can't find (or even if I'm in the middle) of another book, I will listen to this series. I think I may listen to Starting Point once a week since I bought it.

Sean Crisden is a favorite narrator. The way he can voice all the characters A-Mazing!

Don't want the series to end...

This is book THREE in the Turning Point Series, an M/M romance about Matthew and Kira. You need to read books 1 & 2 (both stand alone novels but must be read in order) to enjoy STARTING POINT. I again had the great pleasure of experiencing the story with Sean Crisden's narration - just wonderful.

As with the first 2 books, this one was well-written with both likeable main and supporting characters that are easy to care about and love. I enjoyed it. The relationship and the love, the communication and trust of Kira and Matthew; and their relationship with Kira’s parents is a pure pleasure to listen to. The writing is so good.

The blurb led me to expect certain events to occur in this book regarding family for Matthew and Kira. Nothing in this novel took the course I expected. And yet it was all wonderful except for a tragic event. I could listen to/read about this couple non-stop. This series is binge-worthy to me. I highly recommend the whole series - but the first instalment is my favourite. The standard is high throughout and a wonderful experience overall especially with Sean Crisden’s narration to engage you.

a great end

As always Sean does a beautiful job with the voices and I enjoyed hearing Keras point of view towards the end of the story. the story picks up after Matt has recovered from the under cage fighting and now he's trying to deal with those emotions. the story in itself is grade there's underprivileged youth there's communication there's a wedding and sex lots of sex. don't get me wrong I enjoy good sex scenes but I felt like every other page that's all they did they were like Catholic rabbits.
all in all the book was great if you read the last two books I definitely recommend this one it's tied up and ended with a nice bow and hea.

Love this series

As is the case with most NR Walker series, I couldn’t stop this series once I started so I listened to all 3 of these right in a row (and I was really mad when folks interrupted my listening).

Thankfully, Mr. Crisden is back for the vocal performance. As much as I love Ms. Walker’s writing and storytelling, I honestly can say this series wouldn’t be the same without his performance. He absolutely brings these characters and this story to life.

This book picks up where book 2 left off and therefore isn’t a standalone. There is (thankfully) some much needing healing for these guys in this book and while there is some sadness and a little bit of drama, this story is much easier and happier to read.

This is absolutely another must read/listen to series from Ms. Walker.

Amazing ending!

This book is all about the feelz. This is the third in the series and it absolutely cements the growth of Matt as a person and Kira and Matt as a couple/family.

Like all good books/series it’s hard to see it end, but NR Walker did a wonderful job with this and this, like the others is fabulous.

Sean Crisden absolutely ROCKS this and delivers on all the poignant emotion that reverberates throughout.

Highly recommended.

5 of 5 stars

Turning Point #3

I've had such a great time listening to this series. Sean Crisden has done a wonderful job providing distinct character voices, and his emotional performance has just hit me right in the feels every time. As an aside, please note this is not a standalone story.

Matt and Kira have changed so much from when we first met them in Point of No Return to how they've survived all the things that happen in Breaking Point. At the beginning of Starting Point they're in a good place together, communicating and being open with one another and getting ready for the next chapter in their lives. 

When Matt gets involved with a couple of homeless kids that he meets working at the new community fight club it changes things for them again. While the angst in this is much less than in Breaking Point, it has its moments. N.R. Walker provides some pretty emotional scenes, and Sean Crisden performs them masterfully.

One of the things I loved about Starting Point is that while the majority of the book is from Matt's perspective towards the end we actually get Kira's POV too and we get to see just how happy Matt and Kira are.

This is a nice wrap up to the series and a clear love letter to the fans with a very happy HEA ending.

Sad

Struggled to finish because I did not like how they didn't help the little boy like they helped the girl.

Excellent conclusion to a great series.

The pace of this book runs a little slower in comparison to books 1 and 2 in the series, but I think it's reflective of the state of Matt's life on the road to his HEA. Not looking too heavily at issues that in reality would be more difficult to conclude than portrayed, from a pure entertainment perspective, Starting Point rounds out the Turning Point Series quite nicely.

Sean Crisden does a great job of bringing the cast of characters to life, it was well worth a credit and the series is one I will be happy to listen to again.

Fantastic series, pity its ended.

I loved this series when I read it but it's far better in Audio, if not a little bit of a tear jerker.
We follow the main characters throughout the 3 books and their careers, love life, home life and lots more.
Great narration, but helped by superb writing. A must read.

N Walker has it once again

A touching story touching on problems around the world, with love and joy among it

A fabulous narration of a superb book.

Sean Crisden has one of those voices that sends shivers down my spine. He could read me the telephone directory and I would happily sit and listen.
His narration of this book and this series is fabulous. He has the depth and gravel to his voice that brings this book alive. it is definitely one I will listen to again and again.

Wow! What a brilliant end to the trilogy

This is the third and final instalment of the Turning Point series. As the title suggests this is a starting point. After all Matt went through in Breaking Point, this sees him start a journey of recovery, rehab and reconnection. The Fight Club is now legit and Matt is using it for street kids to get off the streets and into health and fitness and back to school. His rehab is extensive and he remains permanently damaged and is coping with the effects on his health. The kids in this story really tugged at my heart strings and I totally shed some tears. It is desperately sad in some parts. Again, your emotions are put through the wringer in this book. I loved how the story progressed and the ending was everything I had hoped for. It's totally worth the ride. I enjoyed seeing the last portion of this book from Kira's pov too,as up until now we have had the story from Matt's pov. The secondary cast of characters again play a great part in adding to the depth of the story. I adore Kira's parents Yumi and Sal. Again Sean Crisden is exceptional in his narration of this series. The amount of emotion he manages to convey is immense. Voicing Claude's grief is heart breaking, capturing just how a 9 yr old little girl would be feeling. This book was everything I had hoped for Matt and Kira, they will always remain one of my favourite couples. I just loved this audiobook and this trilogy. If you haven't read/listened to this yet, do yourself a favour and go straight to book 1 Point of No Return and enjoy the three audiobooks. Highly recommended.