Strung Up

A Blacktop Cowboys Novella - 1001 Dark Nights

By: Lorelei James

Narrated by: Scarlet Chase

From New York Times best-seller Lorelei James...Rancher Creston Grant retreats from the world after he loses the love of his life. Can his former flame, rodeo cowboy Breck Christianson, prove he's a changed man who can give Cres a second chance at love?

©2016 LJLA, LLC (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Short and not so sweet

I liked the story but…

Trigger Warnings:
…there is an intense scene of recollecting a brutal gay bashing. By contrast, the prologue killing off love #1 is pretty tame. There is also a pregnancy crisis in a secondary character.

I liked how physical the guys were, and that they had also mellowed out enough with age and experience to stop being reflexively contentious and talk to each other like adults. Despite the pain and horrors from the triggering issues, it was a pretty healthy relationship.

The narrator, who does a lot of LJ’s audiobooks iirc, was female which was novel for a gay romance. She did a great job although I worry for her vocal chords.

Lorelei James Hits Again-This Time A Gay Romance

SPOILER ALERT

This is part of the Blacktop Cowboys series by Lorelei James. At just over 3 hours long, it is a perfect length for a novella. Since it is so short, I don't believe that I can add to the publisher summary (which isn't that long) without spoiling.

I did not notice, when I purchased this that it was a "gay" romance. If you are familiar with LJ's books, it won't be a shock to you. She can write from this perspective/in this genre. That is the only warning/note that I would apply to my regular alert of strong language and mature themes

Scarlet Chase is one of the better female performers when it comes to reading a character from the opposite sex. I did find it helpful that each chapter began with the name of the character speaking.

Overall, I did like the story line and hearing the challenges that would be normal to most relationships but the perspective is different being attracted to someone of the same sex.


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1 of her greatest stories

What did you love best about Strung Up?

the whole love story between these 2 men and their families

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I cried and laughed and pictured myself as a fly on the wall watching and listening to them

Any additional comments?

I HAVE JUST ABOUT ALL HER BOOKS BUT I'D HAVE TO SAY BY FAR THIS WAS MY FAVORITE

It really surprised me

I wouldn’t normally listen to a m/m book, since this was part of the series I did. It was very hot with so much emotion and passions. Was very well written, gave me insight I never saw before. The only draw backs were it ended too suddenly, felt it needed another chapter and at times it was hard to distinguish which character was speaking. Ms Chase which is an excellent narrator, didn’t change their voices enough. Still was a very good book.

Smokin' hot & emotional (M/M)

The 2 MC's have emotional baggage to get thru to a relationship and their hard won HEA. I adore Ms James writing. The storyline no matter the length of the book is completely well-rounded and in-depth. The characters are well-developed and relatable. As usual, I get pulled into the story and forget where I am. The best feeling for a reader. Thank you for a great story!
The narration is perfect for these cowboys. Well done!

5 Strung Up Stars

Oh Hells Ya, an MM book!

Cres and Break are smoken freaking HOT, this book is a scorcher!

Cres is having a hard time moving on and Break has a lot he has been dealing with alone. These two are exactly right for each other at this point in their lives.

I really enjoyed getting to know both men and you can’t help but feel so much for them. All they want to do is be who they are without judgment.

This story really opens your eyes to the fact that being Gay and being a Rancher/Cowboy just isn’t accepted and that is so very sad. Why should it matter what your career is? Or who you come home to? Utter sadness I hate that it's still this way in the 20th century.

I have to say I was surprised we didn’t have a male narrate the book but you know what I don’t care because like I said before Scarlet's male voice is delicious!

*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*

Not my favorite audiobook

I’ve enjoyed stories by this author before, but I was disappointed in this one. I was also disappointed that they had a female do the voices. She did a pretty good job because she has a bit of a gravelly voice, but at times I couldn’t tell who was talking. There was no change in intonation to distinguish between the characters.

just not my "cup of tea"....

an ok story just not my interest, I love the other books in this series, this one just didn't hold my interest....