Upside Down

By: N.R. Walker

Narrated by: Glen Lloyd

Length: 6 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Jordan O'Neill isn't a fan of labels, considering he has a few. Gay, geek, a librarian, socially awkward, a nervous rambler, an introvert, an outsider. The last thing he needs is one more. But he when he realizes adding the label "asexual" might explain a lot, it turns his world upside down.

Hennessy Lang moved to Surry Hills after splitting with his boyfriend. His being asexual had seen the end of a lot of his romances, but he's determined to stay true to himself. Leaving his North Shore support group behind, he starts his own in Surry Hills, where he meets first-time-attendee Jordan.

A little bewildered and scared, but completely adorable, Hennessy is struck by this guy who's trying to find where he belongs. Maybe Hennessy can convince Jordan that his world hasn't been turned upside down at all, but maybe it's now - for the first time in his life - the right way up.

©2019 NR Walker (P)2019 NR Walker

I didn't expect to like this...... But I Did!

Hennessey and Jordan are both asexuals - something that is hard to understand - but you can on some level. I started the book in the same way - although NRW is one of my very favorite authors - Red Dirt Hearts... Etc. I didn't see what the draw would be without chemistry - and yet there was chemistry - albeit a chemistry I don't totally get but you could feel it viscerally and I was sold. Both written and audio (Glen Lloyd rocks these two - had the perfect voice and acting skills to pull this one off - Listen, it's fun and whimsical and at the end of it all LOVE. NRW you rock - keep em coming honey!

Perfect ace rep, super adorable

The fact that both characters are asexual and their relationship explained asexuality so well and was absolutely well developed in such a cute way is godsend! Jordan was the best, he was so adorably awkward and funny. Hennessy was so patient and adorable. There is little to no angst, which could be a disadvantage in most stories but not this one. It might be cheesy how everything wrapped up and was tied together but I loved it.

loved it!!

omg ace perfection! thank you n.r. walker for doing ace right!! it was truly amazing and could not stop laughing!! Jordan is my spirit animal for amount of times he can swear in one book and not meant as a bad thing but just frustration or surprise. Glen Lloyd is a new to me narrator and thoroughly enjoyed him as well will look into his backlog

The Best Of All Worlds

As someone who loves romance novels but hates the throbbing members and quivering flesh parts, this was the romance novel I never knew I needed. I laughed out loud and awwed at all the sweet romantic bits. I got butterflies and smiled so much my face hurt. Absolute perfection and I need more!

The book that would make Samuel Jackson proud

*warning, this review uses strong language…but what else would you expect from Jordan O’Neill (and N.R. Walker)?

“I tend to babble a lot when I’m nervous. And swear. Well, I say f-k a lot even when I’m not nervous. I don’t have Tourette’s or anything, I just like the word f-k. The noun and adverb, even the adjective, not the verb obviously because I’m asexual. Apparently. So there is definitely no actioning of the word.”

After just a moment, he continues after Hennessy asks him how he’s feeling:

“A little weirded out…not gonna lie. I didn’t want to admit the asexual thing to myself for a long time, and I’m thinking it will take some getting used to. Like breaking in a pair of Doc Martens, ya know? Like they’re uncomfortable and tight and basically kill your feet until they’re the most comfortable shoes you’ll ever wear. They become like a second skin, and I’m pretty sure this whole asexual thing will be like that.”

So that’s Jordan. His chapter is the first and at times I felt he was the central character as opposed to the book being split between himself and Hennessy. As I got further into the book, though, things evened out. Hennessy runs the support group for asexuals and Jordan’s appearance catches him off guard. Not just because the man is emotional, but because they discover they have a passing knowledge of each other. They take the same bus every afternoon.

Now, I took public transit for years and there were certain people I saw every day. I would passingly wonder who they were or what lives they lived, but I never reached out. Had Jordan not shown up at the meeting, he and Hennessy would never have talked. Would never have discovered how much they have in common. Discovered they’re meant for each other. And they would never have met the Soup Crew.

Although I know people who are asexual, I hadn’t given it much thought. This book is perfect for the uninitiated or those looking to learn more. It’s presented in a perfect package of humor, fun, and plenty of laughs. Maybe a few sniffles as well, but that’s to be expected with an N.R. Walker book. I love books and listen to almost two hundred a year. That means I’m picky about books that I actually buy in softcover. To let you in on a little secret, I bought this book.

Needless to say, I’m happy to recommend it to anyone. I’ve read it, I’ve listened to it, I’ve loved it. I also want to give a shout out to Glen Lloyd. This is the first book I’ve listened to narrated by him and I’ll be happy to listen to more. He and Ms. Walker were a match made in audio heaven. Looking forward to more books in the future and if Jordan and Hennessy ever poke Ms. Walker’s muse, I’ll be happy to read about more of their antics. God, I loved those two.

So Fantastic!!

This was one of my favorite reads of 2018, so I was super excited when N.R. Walker decided to record this in audio! This was a new to me narrator and Glen Lloyd just totally nailed Jordan and Hennessy for me. He was spot on with what I had in my head, and that thrilled me. Their story was so sweet, I fell a little bit in love with Jordan and Hennessy. This was my first book where the main characters are asexual and I couldn’t put it down (and begrudgingly stopped listening once my kiddo was in the car), I was so intrigued on where it was heading. I loved the way they met, I loved the crazy group they cultivated and dubbed the Soup Crew. I’m not going to lie, this book made me kind of want to start taking public transport, not to find my own Hennessy, but to find my own Soup Crew! I loved their love story so much. I loved their crazy friends. I loved their HEA, it was so fitting. I couldn’t recommend this read more!

MFer that was good!

This was an absolutely wonderful story and I seriously hope it gets made into a Netflix limited series or something.

Because. YOU. Left. ME. Unsupervised.

I love this book and I absolutely adore Jordan. I want to frame most of his words. And Agnus is such an unassuming sweetheart, always ready to help J find his dignity. There are so many laugh-out-loud moments you should never listen to this book where you would be chastised for disturbing the peace. I need Merry to be my best friend and Hennessey is perfect for Jordan. NR Walker does an awesome job of fleshing out these characters and I would love riding the bus, becoming part of the Soup Crew. Glenn Lloyd does a great job with all the voices but needed to make more of a distinction between Jordan and Hennessey. When they banter, it is a bit hard to determine who is talking but it is a small complaint. While texting, Glenn Lloyd is good at delivering the acronyms: "Jay" "es" "why" "kay" for just so you know or "eye" "dee" "kay" for I don't know but then says "lol" like my Alexa might instead of "el" "oh" "el" for laughing out loud. If you don't like cursing, pass on this book. The book is fantastic; the characters are phenomenal; the story, the love and the friendships are so well-written that I don't think Jordan's love of the f-word (as an adverb, adjective, noun but there is "no action-ing of the word") takes away from the story but some might. This is my go-to listen when I have had a bad day. Thank you NR Walker and Glen Lloyd.

OMG! That voice, and those words!

Another book that left me smiling. It’s very well written. I loved it! You will, too!

loved it

I'm a sucker for all things NR Walker and I loved this one from start to finish. This book explores an asexual relationship and the fact asexuality is normal - it is a lesson we can all learn. My only negative comment would be Jordan's use of "motherf****r". I get it was part of his character, but I'm not a big swearer and found it overused, excessive and unnecessary in places.

Glen Lloyd is a newbie narrator for me. His native Aussie accent suites the characters and he did a great job bringing all the characters to life.