Tainted Life

A Sweet and Angsty M/M Romance Novella

By: Mel Gough

Narrated by: Brian Meslar

Length: 3 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

Metropolitan Police Detective Pete Tucker’s world comes crashing down when his wife sues for divorce and sole custody of their only son.

Desperate to forget his sorrows for a while, Pete seeks refuge in a Soho bar where he is approached by a sexy, funny, and clearly interested stranger. Photographer Liam Jackson is just the ticket for one oblivious night of perfect passion.

However, their attraction proves too intense for a one-night-stand. To his surprise, Pete finds that he’s game for something more - but his baggage soon gets in the way. Then Liam’s own dangerous secrets claw their way to the surface, and threaten to derail the budding romance.

Is their growing bond strong enough to weather the violent storms ahead?

©2018 Mel Gough (P)2019 Mel Gough

Interesting Story

I enjoyed this story. Even though this book is only 3.5 hours it was fast paced and had a lot of feelings and struggles and romance. I really liked that the relationship between Pete and Liam wasn't perfect insta-lust thing. They both had to fight and discover each other's secrets and overcome many obstacles. Narrator has a pleasant voice, but I didn't care for his narration style, I got used to it as the story went on and didn't mind it by the end. This was new for me author and I am looking forward to more of their stories.

Gritty but sweet

Tainted Life is the slightly rough story of Pete and Liam. Rough not because of the book, the book is great, but because both these men come with a lot of baggage and their road is not easy. Pete, a recently separated detective runs into Liam, a photographer, one night in a bar and is taken with him immediately. Photography doesn't always pay the bills though, and Liam has another way to make money. Both men have overwhelming past and current issues but I didn't feel weighted down by their struggle. The book was interesting, the plot engaging and twisty and the characters instantly likeable. The narrator, Brian Meslar, was skilled and I enjoyed the very distinct voices he used. I also learned that a short story, this one at about 3 1/2 hours, is something I enjoy, as I don't forget what has happened.

It's really good

I really enjoyed this audiobook by Mel Gough. The story appealed to me and the narration was spot on. The audiobook is only short but it made driving to and from Sydney that little bit more enjoyable. I have no trouble in recommending this story.
Please note that I was given a free copy of this book in return for an honest review. I was very happy with this as I love audiobooks.

Excellent Novella Wonderfully Narrated!💕

Title: Tainted Life
Author: Mel Gough
Narrator: Brian Meslar
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date: 9/06/2019
Genre/ Trope(s): MM Romance
Listening Length: 3hrs 32 min
SteaMMy Swordplay: 2 out of 5⚔
Sharonica-Stars: 4.5 out of 5✨
GoodReads AVG: 3.62🌟


MMy Thoughts and Review:
This story was one I would call, bittersweet. It was definitely true to life, with the struggles of the MCs. Thanks to the clever narration by Brian Meslar I was transported to England and became a voyeur as I closed my eyes.

The Story was angsty, and light with enough tenderness to make me cheer on Pete and Liam. I struggle with a lot of hardship and grit in my books, but that is simply because I am old and feel I have seen enough in my life, I don't want to read about it. This had the right amount... Not too much, but enough to keep a fire in my belly and a desire for the MCs to find some happiness. 💗

The Story: 4.25✨
The Narration: 4.75✨


I received a FREE copy of the audio version of this book. The thoughts expressed in the review are solely mine. 💋

TOUCHING

Pete is going through some deep personal trouble. His wife leaving and taking his young son. Stopping for a drink he meets Liam. A stunning young man. Liam seeing Pete was struggling tries to be kind to this lost soul. These two seem an unlikely pair considering their occupations. I liked this Book. This is my first time for this author MEL GOUGH. I love finding a new Author. BRIAN MESLAR'S narration was perfect for this story. His narrative gave it just what it needed to send it over the top. I'm looking forward to more by this Author. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS AUDIBLE!!

wow

this was amazing.. this narrator hit these characters on the head for me.. it was fun to listen to and fast paced.. it was sexy and just made me smile. i loved it

Thank you for the audio

Thank you for the audio,I voluntarily give this an honest review. Narrator Brian Meslar brought this book to life for the characters. Peter is getting served for divorce, on a mission to forget by drinking away the pain. meeting Liam who has his own secrets to forget. when a one night stand isn't enough can Liam and Peter make it a real thing or will the past come back to bite them? this was a great listen, filled with steamy romance, drama and suspense. high recommended for a great listen.

I wish it was longer

Tainted life is a short mm romance. A lot happens for such a short book. Pete is a police detective, going threw a divorce. Liam is a bit of a mess. They have a intense chemistry, but after a little incident Liam ends up leaving. Liam gets seriously hurt and Pete steps In to take care of and protect him. Tainted life has a little bit of everything. A little angst, a little action, and is hot! This was the first time I’ve listened to Brian Meslar I thought he did a great job!

Very good!

I am usually hesitant with shorter books (anything less than 6 hours), but I really enjoyed this one. A captivating story with characters you care about, plus a great narration.

3.5 for me

Narration: This was my first narration by Brian Meslar, and as long as the story is based in the US, it won’t be my last. Let me explain. Brian has an amazing voice, his cadence is great, and he’s able to throw accents really well. But…that was the problem for me. The narration was in a US accent, the book is based in England, and the characters are English (and one Scottish guy). It was distracting for me. I’m an American, but I lived in Scotland for ten years, so I can say the accents were really, really good. But yeah, distracting for me. I’ll be on the look-out for more MM books narrated by him, but so far, it looks to be mostly MFM ménage.

Story: For the story, Mel Gough was another first for me. I liked the book. I had actually wished it was longer and fleshed out the backstories a bit more. The romance angle was there, which I know is the point. But the backstories of the attack and the divorce seemed rushed and just kinda hanging there. So I’ll break down the points by character.

Pete is a detective for the Metropolitan Police. He’s going through a divorce, lost his partner because of divorce, and he’s fighting to see his son. This part of the story was a good representation of the awful condition of the family courts in the UK. The guy finds out his wife wants a divorce because she’s been having an affair with his partner for six months, and he loses his shit for a minute and throws a plate. She uses that to twist things. But that was one of the things hanging there, sort of. It’s solved…she backs down. But we, as the reader, have no idea why. Then at work, there was mention of him helping with a human trafficking case, but then nothing. But the niggle was stuck in my head.

Liam is a budding photographer, but he has to turn tricks on the side to make ends meet. He has a drug addict brother, and that part of the story gets finished off and gives the reader some excitement. However, Liam has a client that he’s been with once and has a closet full of kinky stuff. In memory, we learn he agreed not to use it on Liam. Instead, he just wants to tie him up. Okay, so the next meeting happens in the book, and it’s an all-out attack as soon as he walks in the door. I’m intrigued at this point! Tell me more! I’m excited to know he gets away, but ha! He gets hit by a car trying to get to Pete. But there’s maybe a few sentences on the attacker a little further in the book, and that’s the end of it.

For the characters together, I liked them and was cheering them on. I liked the romance parts a lot, and I felt the connection even though other reviewers didn’t. I think that’s why I gave the story a 3.5 instead of more. I wanted more with everything that was going on. There wasn’t anything that could have been taken out to make it better, but I think it was too much for a short story, if that makes sense.

I’ll be checking her list for a longer book and see that goes. I think she has a lot of potential as a writer, so I’m not giving up on her yet!

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.