Starting from Somewhere

Starting From, Book 4

By: Lane Hayes

Narrated by: Michael Dean

Length: 3 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's Summary

The guitarist and the geek....

Bobby J: What can I say? I’m a man of many tastes. I know what I like, and I’m not afraid to go for it. And I like the adorable geek from the bar. A lot. He’s smart and sassy...and he doesn’t seem to know or care that I’m in a hot up-and-coming band. However, I just found out he’s the new intern at Scratch Records. Uh-oh, this could get tricky. 

Cody: Confession...I’ve flubbed my mission. My quest is to research cool things and interesting people before I start my job as aerospace analyst - not fall for a rock star. My internship won’t last long if I can’t control this infatuation. Bobby J might look like a bear, but he’s fun and sweet and...oh boy, I think I’m in over my head. But maybe that’s not such a bad thing. After all, you’ve got to start somewhere. 

Starting from Somewhere is a MM, bisexual romance with some rock and roll and a little nerdiness! Each book in the Starting From series can be listened to as a stand-alone.

©2020 Lane Hayes (P)2020 Lane Hayes

An adorable opposites attract with a dash of geeky!

This was a sweet, hot opposites attract between a hunky guitarist and an adorable geek.

This was such a sweet, cute romance with all the feels!
The dialogue was fun and enjoyable and the characters were likeable.
The author's writing style was engaging and paired with Michael Dean's narration this one was one of my favorite listens.

Good story. Good narration.

I am always a bit skeptical about romance stories involving members of the 'nerdy' math and science crew because I am one. Lane Hayes did a pretty good job of keeping a few stereotypes that are frequently true without being ridiculous. Except the clothes. Most of us wear jeans and t-shirts. We even wear them to work when we can get away with it.

This was a sweet romance with just a dash of angst. The characters were great and the narration worked well for the story.

Sweet rock and nerd

Bobby J, Bobby J, Bobby J. We finally get his story.

This is a sweet story with hardly any drama. The only drama involved was between Bobby J and a side character. It didn’t really serve a purpose for this story, but I have a suspicion that it will be of more importance later on—in another story, perhaps.

Who doesn’t adore an adorkable character? I don’t wanna hear it if you don’t. Cody was absolutely delightful. I can understand how/why Bobby J was drawn to him. The more time they spent together, the deeper their connection became, even with their hesitations and insecurities. I enjoyed ‘watching’ the journey to love.

Michael Dean has such a pleasant voice. I went a while without hearing it, prior to this audiobook, and it was so nice to hear again. He did such a good job with their voices, and bringing this story to life.

When a rock star and a geek fall in love...

Starting from Somewhere is the newest audiobook in the Starting From series penned by one of my favorite go-to M/M romance authors Lane Hayes, and narrated once again by the talented Michael Dean. In ebook form, this is novella in length, so as an audiobook, it clocks in at about three and a half hours. This is also a standalone, but there are recurring characters, and the three audiobooks that come before this latest one were great listens, so I certainly hope new listeners will check those stories out before or after.

Starting from Somewhere is the story of a rock star and a geek. Robert James Prescott, better known as Bobby J to his friends and fans, isn't the type to be hampered down by plans. He's changed course more than once, following his heart and where his passion takes him. Being a guitarist for band on the rise Jealousy gives him purpose and a new dream. Then he meets twenty-four-year-old Cody Fletcher, a recently graduated student from grad school with a job in NASA waiting for him. He also happens to be the new intern at Scratch Records. Cody tells Bobby J he's doing research on stuff he wants to do before he starts work, and the older musician is more than happy to help him check things of his list. Falling in love with a hot rock star, though, was never on that list of his.

Low on angst and high on charm and romance, this newest addition to the Somewhere From series was one that I enjoyed. Main characters Bobby J and Cody were easy to like, and I loved getting to know them better. They may have come off as opposites in the beginning, but these two had far more in common than even either of them realized. As always, catching up with the other couples was a bonus, and I'm looking forward to even more from this series, with fingers crossed that Johnny and Topher get their own stories. Michael Dean, as always, did not disappoint, bringing Bobby J and Cody's fun-filled romance and Lane Hayes's writing to life. I'm giving Starting from Somewhere five stars.

Sweet novella

This was a sweet novella that I would have enjoyed more if it were longer. Maybe the author is planning to revisit this pairing sometime in the future. I recommend it if you're in the mood for some sexy times and insta-love between a geek and a rock star.

No-brainer for me

I read this eBook when it came out and really liked it so when it was released on audio it was a no-brainer for me. Michael Dean pretty much nailed Cody (IMHO) and did a pretty good job with Bobby J.

This is a great sweet, quick read. I’ve read the short freebies with Declan and Tegan so there was some foreshadowing for these two in those books. This was not surprising or earthshattering. The story was a bit predictable, but the characters were not.

Bobby J was full of surprises…his family, his education, his brains, his personality quirks. Cody was occasionally a fox in sheep’s clothing…he could turn bossy on a dime if the situation called for it. While these two initially appeared as opposites they weren’t really. And they’re kind of perfect for each other.

I’m really intrigued by Johnny and am hoping his story is next!

The rock star bisexual and the virgin nerd

I listened to the first book in the Starting from Somewhere series over a year ago and missed the next two books, but that didn’t matter as I was able to slide into this one without a hiccup. And it started much as the other one did – with a hot encounter. Although this one wasn’t as carnal.

Cody is adorable. He’s fresh out of university, and wants to live a little before he starts his job as an aerospace analyst. He knows he’s a geek but wants to break out of that persona. Problem is he’s also lacking in both common sense and social skills. Hence the lobster tan (falling asleep in the sun will do that) and the encounter with a rock star that started out oh so promising but ended in running away after a scorching kiss.

Of course then Cody starts his new internship only to discover he’s working for the company that manages Bobby J’s career.


Bobby J is an easy-going guy. He enjoys the life of a rock star but doesn’t take it too seriously. He brings donuts for his coworkers and is quite surprised to show up one day and find Cody. Fate taking a hand?

I enjoyed watching the men navigate the differences in their status and not just at work. Bobby J loves everything physical while Cody struggles with every day stuff (although I doubt I could make an upside pineapple cake either). But Cody also has courage where Bobby J falters and it’s Cody who encourages and, in the end, loves.

This is a great story with a happy ending and I enjoyed it. Of course Michael Dean’s narration added another layer to my enjoyment. I can happily recommend this book.

I loved Cody and Bobby J even more in audio!

I was so happy when I found out that Lane was having Michael Dean do the audio for this. I could hear his voice in my head as I read the book back in November. His performance of the quick paced, witty and snappy dialogue was just as I imagined it in my head. 😊

Michael continues to do a great job with the books in this series. He does fantastic voices for all of the characters and he makes it easy to know who is speaking. There's a reason that he's on my list of favorite audiobook performers. 😊

Below is what I wrote when I read the book in November 2020.

I didn't know that this one was in the works but I'm glad it was. This book is shorter than the others in the series so there's not a lot of time for character development but that didn't matter for this story. Lane Hayes did a great job of letting us know the kind of guys that Bobby J and Cody are.

The story grabbed me right from the start and didn't let go. Bobby J gives off the impression that he's a bad boy rocker but once you get to know him you realize that isn't the case. By the same token, Cody seems to be the shy geeky type but he was really quite forward at times. We find out that he has a bucket list that he wants to fulfill this summer before he starts his real job. Items on his list necessitate him coming out of his shell and being bold.

I loved the chemistry between these two guys – it radiated off the page (and came through in Michael Dean's voice). They get up to lots of things trying to complete Cody's bucket list.

I also loved the epilogue; it was a perfect touch and helped the story feel longer for me. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.

A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author and/or narrator.

***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com*** (Posting on December 12, 2020)

An ador(k)able novella!

Story: A shorter story full of nerdy dialogs, sweet moments and heat for good measure! It’s a complete package and a prime execution of a rockstar / nerd story! I absolutely loved Bobby J and Cody!
Narration: A great performance for a great story. Loved it.

Bobby J and Cody

Short and Sweet, Bobby J and Cody are so adorable together. Cody with adorkable ways and Bobby J and how he could make anyone laugh. Lane Hayes and Michael Dean have done it again. I loved this so much.