• The Weight of It All

  • By: N.R. Walker
  • Narrated by: Joel Leslie
  • Length: 7 hrs and 44 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (974 ratings)

Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Your Plus plan is $7.95 a month after 30 day trial. Upgrade or cancel anytime.
The Weight of It All  By  cover art

The Weight of It All

By: N.R. Walker
Narrated by: Joel Leslie
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $21.31

Buy for $21.31

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

After being dumped by his long-term boyfriend for being overweight, Henry Beckett decides to make some drastic changes. In a vain attempt at getting his boyfriend back, Henry does the most absurdly frightening thing he can think of.

He joins a gym.

Reed Henske is a personal trainer who isn't sure he'll ever be ready to date again. He's sick of guys who are only interested in the perfect body image, never seeing him for who he really is.

As Reed tortures Henry with things like diet and exercise, Henry enamors Reed with recipes and laughter. As the friendship lines start to blur, Henry is convinced there's no way Thor-like Reed could ever be interested in a guy like him.

Reed just has to convince Henry that life isn't about reaching your ideal bodyweight. It's about finding your perfect counterweight.

Contains mature themes.

©2016 N. R. Walker (P)2017 Tantor
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: LGBTQ+

What listeners say about The Weight of It All

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    796
  • 4 Stars
    153
  • 3 Stars
    20
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    2
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    784
  • 4 Stars
    110
  • 3 Stars
    21
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    3
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    762
  • 4 Stars
    123
  • 3 Stars
    28
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    2

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Surprised

I was really surprised by this book, I had passed by it so many times. Recently finishing a book narrated by the brilliant Joel Leslie I needed more of him. The story was great, funny, witty, sweet and I enjoyed the message the book sent. Henry found himself again, made good healthy choices - but for himself. Although he may have originally been pushed by someone else I liked the tone of the book - be who you are and comfortable within your own skin.

Lets talk about Joel Leslie ;)!!!! I am going to stalk his narrations, so talented - he puts so much emotion in his work, again I am swooning over him.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Gales of laughter!

I loved this book when I read it, but Joel Leslie brings the characters to life. His ability to change character voices and accents will never cease to amaze me.
Henry and Reed are perfect together. I can totally relate to not having a filter.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

So much fun!

I absolutely adored this book, from the first sentence to the last. One of the reasons why I love N.R. Walker’s books is that she writes about genuine people. Her characters are flawed and lovingly human. They are you and me, they are the everyday people that you meet at the grocery store – or at the gym. They are people you can relate to.

Henry, freshly dumped for being boring and overweight, decides to join a gym to get his boyfriend back. Enter Reed, a personal trainer with the body of a Greek God and you have a set up for very clichéd story. But this story is anything but. While questioning whether the elliptical machine violates the Geneva Convention and the purpose of kale you will get to know some amazing people and have a lot of fun doing it. Right off the bat there is a genuine friendship between these two men, they just click, they make sense and they balance each other out. The love between them develops slowly as they spend more time together – at the gym and outside it.

Looks and weight are very sensitive subjects for so many people in the world today. It’s loaded with so many landmines you need a sniffer dog to even think about approaching or navigate through the subject. Body image is also something I believe most, if not all, people have struggled with at one time or another during their lifetimes. So to write a book about this subject is, in my humble opinion, is very brave.

N.R. Walker didn’t just write about it. She wrote about it in such a brilliant and accurate way, that it never put the blame or tried to guilt anyone. Not only that, she wrote a truly humorous book about an obese man falling for his personal trainer. And reading or listening to this book you will laugh, and you will laugh a lot. No, we are never laughing at someone. We are laughing with them, at the antics, the jokes and the many, many filter-less things that Henry blurts out (#PrayForHenry). And having such a wonderful time with these people you never want to leave them.

Joel Leslie did a brilliant job narrating this book. He truly captured the essence of it and the people and his performance of Henry was just perfect. He is the best narrator out there for quirky characters, he just nails them every time. He made this book a true joy to listen to and as always I’m always looking forward to listening to more of his narrations.

The Weight of it All was a beautifully written about a man determined to change his life to get back what he lost. Along the way he found what he never realised he’d lost – himself, self-confidence. But he also found true love and new friendships. It was just such a feel good book and one I know I’ll listen to over, and over again. A great read and I truly recommend it to everyone. It truly is a must read!

A copy of this book was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review for Love Bytes

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Fun

I liked this book but for it still it equates being slimmer with being fitter. It tries hard not to. It almost makes it. That said, aside from Henry throwing an “it’s all about me” fit, that does get resolved right away, the book is filled with good friends and good colleagues so it’s a fun place to hang out for a while. His whingeing is mostly funny.

Personally, I was able to do something similar to our protag (work out, slim down, run 6K slowly) twice. I was also able to slim down with meds, once. Then I developed medical issues that actively caused me to tear tendons, gain weight, & sleep despite *hundreds* of hours with personal trainers. So if you *can* get fitter and/or slimmer with exercise, congrats, your body works properly. You will probably like this. Some people still can’t. And those people may still like this book, but like me, will still see the impossibility in the “eat right & exercise is great and works for everyone” and know that we live in a fat phobic society that is rude to larger folks even fit ones, no matter how much we accept ourselves.

Steam: Med-low. M/M sexytimes partly on page. Focuses on how bodies feel more than the details of doing.

Narration: Narrator & production value are good

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

5 Stars for the narration!

Light-hearted story about a man getting his groove back after the end of an eight year relationship.

Joel Leslie shines in his performance. The character voices are great, his timing with the humor is spot on, and the pacing was perfect. 5 Stars for the narration!!

Henry's humorous outlook and how easily and completely he and Reed fit together make this a very sweet romance.

Low angst, humorous romance with a sigh-inducing HEA.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Sheer brilliance

I already absolutely adored this book, and Joel Leslie's narration totally kicked it out of the ballpark in terms of adding to it's brilliance. His Henry is hilarious, from the self-depreciation through to his adoration of Reed, he translates NR Walker's wicked sense of humour into something that is warm, sweet and laugh out loud funny. Recommended!!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

I sighed, I swooned, I snorted...

Some readers collect book boyfriends, while your girl collects book best friends. And the newest addition to that club is Henry Beckett from The Weight of It All by author N.R. Walker. I was suffering through a weeks-long book funk, and this story rescued me. Henry and Reed’s story consumed me, and this was some of the most fun I’ve had with a book in a while.

Walker presents real issues in an engaging way, touching on self-esteem and body issues that almost anyone, man, woman, straight, gay, and anyone in between, can really relate to. She tackles these through the lens of Henry and Reed, and I love the fact that she impresses upon us that fat or fit, no one is immune to this problem.

Henry is laugh-out-loud funny, has no filter, and I think we would make great friends. His journey of self-acceptance and love was a pure joy to read. Well, listen to. I adored his interactions with Reed, as well as his circle of friends. I can’t get enough of him. He needs his own web series or podcast or something so I can keep up with him!

N.R. Walker tells a sweet and swoony story, a slow burn romance that left me warm and fuzzy. Her storytelling is wonderful; I never felt like I was being told a story. Instead, I felt like I was experiencing everything right alongside Henry.

Joel Leslie’s narration is once again top-notch. I would listen to him narrate the copier manual at my office, I swear. (I’d probably finally learn how to work the stapling function) He’s incredibly expressive and delivers such an immersive audiobook experience; I’d be hard-pressed to find someone who tells a story better.

If you’re a fan of m/m romance, a fan of true-to-life stories that will warm your heart, I can’t recommend this book highly enough.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing author. Stupendous story.

N. R. Walker is my new favorite author. This is the fourth book I've read. Joel Leslie is a top notch narrator. scratch that. He is much better than top notch. He's two or three notches above that. Yes I know that doesn't make sense. You just take a listen and you'll see. Mark my words. I'm off to buy all the N R Walker books I can get my hands on, especially of Joel is the narrator.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

So good

This is one of the greatest books! Wonderful love story and fantastic narration! Highly recommended.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Love love love this book so much ,So funny

5 stars for narrator ,five stars overall , I have a weightloss problem also so I find some good tips also

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Jackie Thorogood
  • Jackie Thorogood
  • 10-04-17

Very entertaining p, A much audible

I pre ordered this book, as I really enjoy the ebook. It was outstanding very enjoyable listening, but then this ebook is my favorite, Joel Leslie was as always fabulous, with his take on Henry and Reed, his voice for Henry's mum was very funny.
I don't think NR Walker has written a bad book, her characters are so very well written p, With Henry no filter, and Reeds quite demeanor, utter fantastic.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough, Glad I ordered it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for A. Listener
  • A. Listener
  • 01-15-20

I enjoyed this one...

Ironically, I read this just after Christmas and it got me back into my own diet and exercise program.
However, the story itself was a great read. It's basically about a man who is feeling pretty down on himself after being discarded by his boyfriend because of his body weight. He has his world turned around when he meets his new health trainer, Reed. The narrator isn't new to me, and his performance was top notch as usual.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Ronald Betts
  • Ronald Betts
  • 06-22-19

Want a laugh

This story has loads of humour and if you are a little down this should give you the lift you need, it's another NRWalker gem 😀😀😀

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Karyn Romeis
  • Karyn Romeis
  • 09-19-23

Henry Beckett is the best friend everyone wants

Reed is lovely, but Henry is an absolute darling and Joel Leslie brings him to life with his usual effortless skill. I keep rereading this book and weeping with laughter. I want to meet Henry! Life would be so much better with a Henry in it!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Em Moaem
  • Em Moaem
  • 07-15-22

Excellent all round

N R Walker's stories are almost always excellent and this is one I've come back to several times and still loved it. It's a funny book and Joel Leslie's excellent narration does the story justice.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Nette
  • Nette
  • 07-03-21

So funny

I loved listening to this book. The story was sweet and one of the funniest stories I have listened to.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for R.
  • R.
  • 01-28-21

Great choice

The topic was interesting but the description not very appealing to me. Luckily I read some of the opinions and I decided to pick the book. It was a great decision. The book is very funny and the story so touching, Henry and Reed are both adorable. The narrator is amazing too, I found the book because of him.
Besides, I’m related with the physical activity word and I’m not at all ofended, the jokes are great and Henry’s thoughts pretty real 😂.
Oh, another good thing, they are not saying the word "fuc*" all the time, a nice change for once.
Highly recommended! I’m buying the paperback version too.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for heather parker
  • heather parker
  • 11-24-20

hilarious

this is a hilarious story Brilliantly narrated well worth listening to. it will make you laugh out loud.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Kindle Customer
  • Kindle Customer
  • 11-19-20

Great listen

I really enjoyed this story and the narration. The storyline and the characters were great, there was a lot of humour in it and I found myself laughing out loud. Really good I will definitely put it in my favourites and enjoy listening to it again.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Morgans mum
  • Morgans mum
  • 05-28-20

Brilliant book and narrative loved the humour

loved it Joel did a really good job of making the humour real and the fun thoughts and feelings of Henry.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Steve Marshall
  • Steve Marshall
  • 01-24-23

Great heartwarming laugh out loud story

I laughed out loud the whole time. Henry is hilarious and the story is so heart warming. Joel Leslie is excellent with his narration and his Australian accent is pretty faultless (sorry, just a few jarring things, but hey!). I loved the characterisations that allowed the story to flow and the ending is sublime. I am going to rush off and read the little short story sequel 'A Very Henry Christmas', as I can't get enough of these fantastic and loveable characters. Highly recommend this if you feel down and need cheering up! Or even if you just want to sit back and enjoy a little comfort.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Pencil
  • Pencil
  • 08-14-23

“How deep is your love”

My first NR Walker book and I’ll be queuing up another immediately! Many of my favourite Australian authors don’t/won’t write stories set in Australia and that saddens me. I have a new favourite to add to my list now and absolutely love that I can read or listen to stories set at home in one of my favourite genres. This is a fabulous character driven love story about self love, growth and belief, that is absolutely hysterical and has all the feels. Henry had me cracking up constantly and Reid was perfect for him. It would have been good if an Aussie narrator was given a chance but Joel is one of my favourites and his Australian accent is the best I’ve heard by a mile. Just one tip …. Never say “Sundee, Mondee, Tuesdee”, that came from a generation past and something you just don’t hear now, especially in the city (not sure how the author wrote it).
Listened to this in a day and now I have “Night Fever” ;)

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Anonymous User
  • Anonymous User
  • 03-15-23

Lovely story

As usual, fabulous narration by Joel. My all time favourite narrator. I’d listen to him read the bus timetables…such a hot gorgeous voice. But a really beautiful story with engaging characters and lots of gentle spice. Loved it!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for madame loewenzahn
  • madame loewenzahn
  • 01-31-23

Lovely story and great narration

Great characters, lots of humor and positive attitude, a real feel-good book. Joel Leslie does an amazing job narrating it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Isabella
  • Isabella
  • 10-14-21

Uplifting

I just loved this book !
Laughed myself silly at the beginning and cried at the end - well, I laughed and cried throughout. Thank you N R Walker and Joel Leslie - your my faves .

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Ebony Rose
  • Ebony Rose
  • 08-01-21

Beautiful

I absolutely loved it, this book is funny, sweet and inspiring.
What a wonderful read!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Jit Yin Chung
  • Jit Yin Chung
  • 06-01-21

Wow

It is so funny and touching.
I love it with the tears as well. It is so true sometimes when we are insecure we don’t believe in ourselves and blinded by that

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Wide Eyes, Big Ears!
  • Wide Eyes, Big Ears!
  • 10-06-20

Funny and important - a perfect book!

If N.R. Walker never wrote another book, this one would be enough - it’s for anyone who has ever struggled with their weight and associated self-esteem, and it’s a book to be very proud of. Not only is it funny and entertaining, but it tackles being overweight with insight and sensitivity. Henry’s long-term partner leaves him after pointing out Henry has gained a lot of weight and is not in shape. Struggling to master his weight and eating, he enrols for personal training under the supervision of the gorgeously fit and supportive Reed. I laughed when an exhausted Henry thought he’d completed his first workout, only to be told he’d just completed the warmup! I liked the messages about self-acceptance, about not needing to be physically perfect, and about valuing other’s personality traits over their physical attributes. Body shaming is a huge issue in the gay community and it’s great to see a book that questions the ridiculous standards. 🎧 Except for “I know, right?”, which must be an Australian-only phrase, Joel Leslie narrated in a near perfect Australian accent. As usual, his pacing, comic timing, and his range of character voices and emotion were excellent.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Samreadsalot
  • Samreadsalot
  • 06-10-20

Great Read once again

I wasn't sure if I would like this one, Tallowood was outstanding and then the next series I read by N.R walker wasn't as good (still good just not outstanding) but I really loved this one the characters are fantastic

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Traece
  • Traece
  • 05-27-20

Touching, funny, inspiring. Down to earth.

I love this story, Henry is easily relatable and eminently likable. Reed could have been a cardboard cut out of a character, but instead was warm and real.

The story is sweet and funny, and I would highly recommend. This was my first N.R. Walker book, and inspired me to go read many many more!

Joel Leslie’s performance was wonderful, I love how natural his delivery of Henry is.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!