The Thing I Didn't Know I Didn't Know

By: Brent Hartinger

Narrated by: Josh Hurley

Length: 6 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

"I guess this was what they meant by a loss of innocence. Who knew?"

Russel Middlebrook is 23 years old, gay, and living in trendy Seattle, but life isn't keeping up with the hype. Most of his friends have a direction in life - either ruthlessly pursuing their careers or passionately embracing their own aimlessness. But Russel is stuck in place. All he knows is that crappy jobs, horrible dates, and pointless hook-ups just aren't cutting it anymore.

What's the secret? What does everyone else know that he doesn't?

Enter Kevin, Russel's perfect high school boyfriend. Could rekindling an old flame be the thing Russel needs to get his life back on track? Or maybe the answer lies in a new friend, an eccentric screenwriter named Vernie Rose, who seems plenty wise. Or what the hell? Maybe Russel will find some answers by joining his best friend Gunnar's crazy search for the legendary bigfoot!

One way or another, Russel is determined to learn the all-important secret to life, even if it's a thing he doesn't even know he doesn't know.

©2014 Brent Hartinger (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

An OK story I heard better.

The story length was really good. I liked it because I could finish it within two days. But I did not like the obvious conclusion of the book. Plus the main character was sort of negative during the whole story which resulted in me losing interest quickly. In the end I was actually hoping that the story would end sooner rather than later.

loved it.

I think we all struggle with the thing I didn't know I didn't know. I say we don't have what we want because we don't know what we want. beautiful story

Mixed feelings

It's simple. Adulting is hard! I mean paying bills, finding a career or job, and then that special someone. And not in that order! What do you do when you walk away?

OK

A little (a lot) preachy, and judgemental. Narrator was good and I liked the way the sex was handled..

Was really good

I finished this book in a day while doing chores around the house I love that each character had personality

This was a fun listen!

Any additional comments?

What an interesting and somewhat fun journey to self discovery you get to go on with Russell. And his best friends weren't obnoxious or annoying. Their side stories added to the overall enjoyment of this entire story.

There were some preachy parts I became really bored with but once you get past those, the story really does make you laugh and leaves you feeling really good by the end.

I wasn't too keen on who Russell ended up with, only because you really do not get to have any quality time getting to know the person.

Had there been an adventure the two went on together without drama, that may have helped the perception and opened me up to liking them together. I felt they were kind of thrown together at the end because a HEA was needed and expected.

And that HEA was rushed and felt awkward, especially with how wonderful the rest of the story was. That's why this ended up being a 4 star instead of a 5 star for me.

💞 Josh Harley 💞 Amazing as usual! 😍

Rough start, but found it’s groove

Great narration, Josh is amazing. The story? I nearly stopped listening a couple of times. I am reading out of order and started with The Otto Digmore Difference and loved it. I felt like this was a different author at first. All the attempts to be current with things like the Prep talk and Dan Savage seemed forced. But once it really got down to the characters, well, one in particular, the book grew on me. By the end I recognized the style I so enjoyed in Otto. Willing to continue with the next title.

Feel good

This is a favorite of mine. So far I have listened to it 3 times. It is just a feel good book? I highly recommend it! And yes there is going to be a 4th and 5th time most likely even more

Week young man. Sad most of the way

This was not a great story, the performance was outstanding, with a different reader I would have turned it off in chapter 3. The main character wanted to be accepted, but had a real difficulty accepting others that did not think like himself. I don’t like gay men that are hard core liberals, but their acceptance of others is not anywhere present. The overall received a 3 only because of the reader. Week young man

Friendship and Finding Your Path

At 23, Russel is still finding his way in the world. Around him, his friends seem to have things figured out and Russel wonders why he hasn't. Meanwhile, Kevin returns to Seattle. Russel now knows one thing he definitely wants--Kevin, but Kevin's in a committed relationship with someone else. Will Russel find his path with the help of best friends Min, Gunnar and new mentor Vernie?

Brent Hartinger has written a wonderful coming-of-age story for the older young adult. Someone who hasn't quite got it together yet. The reader learns the importance of friendship; how they can keep you grounded and push you in worthwhile directions. The story will resonate for any adult.

I love Josh Hurley's narration. The tone he uses to bring Russel alive perfectly suits Hartinger's characterization.

Recommended.