Tell Me It's Real

By: TJ Klune

Narrated by: Michael Lesley

Do you believe in love at first sight?

Paul Auster doesn't. Paul doesn't believe in much at all. He's thirty, slightly overweight, and his best features are his acerbic wit and the color commentary he provides as life passes him by. His closest friends are a two-legged dog named Wheels and a quasibipolar drag queen named Helena Handbasket. He works a dead-end job in a soul-sucking cubicle, and if his grandmother's homophobic parrot insults him one more time, Paul is going to wring its stupid neck.

Enter Vince Taylor.

Vince is everything Paul isn't: Sexy, confident, and dumber than the proverbial box of rocks. And for some reason, Vince pursues Paul relentlessly. Vince must be messing with him, because there is no way Vince could want someone like Paul.

But when Paul hits Vince with his car - in a completely unintentional if-he-died-it'd-only-be-manslaughter kind of way - he's forced to see Vince in a whole new light. The only thing stopping Paul from believing in Vince is himself - and that is one obstacle Paul can't quite seem to overcome. But when tragedy strikes Vince's family, Paul must put aside any notions he has about himself and stand next to the man who thinks he's perfect the way he is.

©2013 TJ Klune (P)2014 Dreamspinner Press

Favourite book ever!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Tell Me It's Real to be better than the print version?

The audio book version is neither better or worse than the e-book edition I read earlier this year. I was really excited when I saw it in audio book format. Michael Lesley did a fantastic job of narrating the book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Tell Me It's Real?

I think it was when Sandy's parents died and Paul looked after him. It showed his character better than anything else in the whole book.

What about Michael Lesley’s performance did you like?

He has funny and snarky down to a science. Loved how he brought the story to life. I'd buy books narrated by him just to hear his voice.

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

This book made me laugh and cry, cringe a little in sympathy, laugh some more, and then laugh and cry again.

Any additional comments?

This is the most interesting, funny and overall great book that I have ever read and I read at least 4-5 books a week.

Funny, Goofy, Mostly Uplifting

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I have recommended it to friends. Its not exactly a hard-hitting poignant story that will change your life, but it is an enjoyable romantic comedy. Its quotable, all of the characters are likeable, and it legitimately made me laugh out loud at multiple points.

What other book might you compare Tell Me It's Real to and why?

Its sequel, The Queen & The Homo Jock King, obviously has the same loveable characters, and a similar sense of humor and story flow.

Which scene was your favorite?

I most enjoyed the lead-in to the first date - it was awkward and sarcastic and involved the real standout stars of this book, Paul, Vince, and Sandy.

Any additional comments?

I think the narrator did a good job with differentiating the voices enough that you could tell who was speaking at any given point without making any of them sound cartoonish.

Hilarious and touching.

I really enjoyed this. If you enjoy an odd sense of humor and witty (sometimes insane) banter, you'll get a kick out of this. Not your typical formulaic gay romance.

Superb story, perfectly narrated.

Tell Me It’s Real is a beautifully written story that will make you laugh and have so many feelings.
Michael Lesley’s narration is nothing short of perfection.

Fun and Even Funnier

The only time I have to listen to books is when driving, I can't imagine what other drivers thought as we sit in traffic and they look over to find me laughing so hard at nothing around - one person had to do a double take.

This is a fun, very amusing and unburdened story. I loved the story, the narration is fantastic and one of those tales that you just look forward to hearing about every character. And it's one of those books where you felt satisfied when it ended, neither stuck wishing more existed nor drained like you'd finally finished.

Amazing voice actor and a fun story

I loved this story and the voice acting from Micheal Lesley was amazing. I can't wait for the next book in the series and hope Micheal Lesley will read them all.

I have bought 3 other books read by Micheal Lesley because of his incredible performance. He really made the characters and the story come to life I could hear the characters and instantly knew who was who. The story is heart breaking and lovely and stomach cramping funny.

Great Listen!!

Would you listen to Tell Me It's Real again? Why?

Yes! I have actually listened several times already. This book was suggested to me when I was looking for something light and funny. I think Michael Lesley did a great job helping bring the characters to life. I love the story of Paul and Vince. I caught myself laughing out loud more than once.

What does Michael Lesley bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I think he did a great job with all the voices. I am hoping he narrates The Queen and the Homo Jock King, book 2.

Any additional comments?

This was my first TJ Klune book but it won't be my last, It is well worth the credit.

truly a delight!

Aw man, this was amazing. Emotional, hilarious, sweet story. I laughed (more like "cackled like a loon at my desk at work"), I cried, I suffered intense second-hand embarassment. I fell in love with the characters and I cannot WAIT for the sequel with Sandy/Helena and Darren.

The narration was PERFECT. Michael is a gift.

Pretty much perfect

This book breaks every romance novel stereotype, and it makes you love it because of that, not despite it.

The protagonist is a physically imperfect, seriously pessimistic person, who spends his time planning worst case scenarios in his head. The object of his affections is beautiful, but not a genius, and not a millionaire. Their relationship moves fast, but makes no attempt to pretend that's normal - in fact, much is made of the fact that learning all about a person and learning to love a person are very different things.

There's a lot of humor, from the epic GPS to the hippo video, but the book does just as well on the emotional side, as with Sandy's story from high school, but it does this without going into the melodramatic, or focusing for too long on just the drama aspect. Very well balanced.

One of the best romances I've ever read.

Laugh Out Loud Funny!

This is one of the funniest books I have read/listened to in a very long time. Paul was uber snarky and the most politically tactless man with bouts of oral diarrhea and he made me laugh out loud more times than I can count. Vince was not "as dumb as a box of rocks" like the blurb states. He just has a different way of looking at things and was incredibly sweet and loving. Helena/ Sandy were awesome and I think I see another book coming with Darren as the love interest. I hope so anyway.