Starting from Somewhere

Starting From, Book 4

De: Lane Hayes

Narrado por: Michael Dean

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

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.

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)

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.

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.

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!