Watching and Wanting

Housemates Series, Book 4

By: Jay Northcote

Narrated by: Lewis Carter

Length: 5 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Watching Jude’s cam show stirs desires Shawn’s always denied... Shawn is adrift. Recently graduated, he’s stuck in a dead-end job that barely pays the bills. His girlfriend dumped him, his friends have moved on, and he’s still in Plymouth - going nowhere.

Jude is a student living in the same shared house. Out and proud, he’s everything Shawn’s been running from since he hit puberty. When Shawn discovers Jude works as a cam boy, he can’t resist the urge to watch one of his shows. It makes Shawn want things that scare him, yet his fascination forces him to confront his attraction. Keen to explore his bicurious side, Shawn suggests they do a show together. Jude agrees, and things get complicated - and kinky - fast. But Jude isn’t looking to get involved with someone so deep in the closet. If Shawn’s going to get what he wants, he needs to find the courage to stop hiding from himself and be honest about who he is.

©2017 Jaybird Press (P)2018 Jaybird Press

very nice, life-like characters

Shawn is one of my favourite characters in this series.
The narration is lovely, especially the dialogues. Zero cringe in sex scenes. Very well done indeed!

So hot

I live this book. It's my second favorite of the series after Like a Lover. The MCs are interesting, and Jude is a darling. I really like how bisexuality is handled. It's very realistic. And the sex is really, really hot.

Fantastic book, a great addition to the series!

I am a massive fan of this series, both to read and listen to and even with a new narrator that hasn't changed.
I love these being set in Plymouth, England, and it's so different hearing an English accent in narration with how many American books are out there.
Jude is proudly gay and works as a cam boy from his room to pay his bills.
Shawn has just broken up with his girlfriend and is unsure about things. Then he walks in on Jude...
What builds between them is surprising to them both, causing some soul searching from Shawn and patience from Jude.
Jay writes amazing characters and story lines, drawing you in from the beginning and keeping you engaged and rooting for the MC's throughout.
Lewis Carter does an amazing job with the narration of this story. I'd imagine coming in half way through a series may be slightly daunting but there's no need to worry as he brings authenticity emotion to both characters and the story itself.

✫✫ 5 Stars ✫✫

Wow this book was HOT!!
I don't normally like this type of relationship (Gay & Straight) but this one really worked for me. I loved how they were with each other outside of the bedroom...and of course inside it too. The love story was perfect too! Another big win by Jay Northcote!!!

The narration was perfect.

A wonderful addition to the Housemates series

The audio narration:
Lewis Carter is a new narrator to the series and I have to say it is a refreshing change! While the previous narrator did do a good job he lacked some of the emotional depth that Carter added to the narration. He had nice range of accents, changed his voice to soft and breathy and added all the vocal effect I love to hear while listening. He made the re-reading of this book a 'first time reading' experience and I look forward to the next book (my all time favorite from this series) narrated by him after seeing and hearing his rendition of this story.
***I will say he did have some small mispronunciations and slip-ups and I hope the next book will be tighter and have these small issues fixed.***

Watching and Wanting is one of my favorite books by Jay, it is very erotic and sensual, the connection between Jude and Shawn building slowly. Like all the other books in the series, they first find the physical comparability out of need/lust/curiosity and then develop deeper emotions as they spend more time together. I love how through exploring their sexuality, especially Shawn's, we start to see who these characters are, unraveling years of denial and fear, and what started out as an awkward situation, leads to love and acceptance.

This series really gives the feeling of friendship, even though each book is a standalone, the progression of all the character's lives is fun and wonderful to read about. There is a true sense of caring for one another here. I love the honesty and lack of judgment in his books, characters usually talk, deal with that they feel and even if there is a misunderstanding they solve it fast. there is no angst or drama here, just pure human faults and insecurities getting in they way. Jay's books always give me a sense of realness, like these are ordinary people, and even subjects that can be conflicting are portrayed in a genuine, non- dehumanizing way, like Jude's job as a camera boy. It is not something to be ashamed of and nor does it become a conflict in their relationship.
The elements of kink are nicely done, respectful and consensual, adding to the delicious romance between Jude and Shawn.

This is a very sweet book, but it has hidden depths is it's apparent simplicity, a wonderful read after an emotional book and when you need a 'pick-me-up' story with lots of heat.

Sexy and Sweet

*Audio review*

Lewis Carter managed to bring to life two characters I love, Jude and Shawn, and established clearly each character with the use of his voice, as well as set the mood of the author’s words with proper inflection. His voice is smooth and pleasant to listen to, besides who doesn’t want to listen to some of the hottest sex scenes ever read in a sexy British accent? I’m not a big fan of audiobooks, but this one was enjoyable.


*original ebook review

This was HOT!! Seriously, this book was like a marathon of sex. Tons and tons of SMOKING HOT sex, but every scene was needed to make the story work. I absolutely loved Jude! I loved that he was comfortable in who he was and what he did to earn money. He was so sweet and caring. I just wanted to wrap him up and take him home. Shawn was another story. He could be a complete homophobic twat, but I could also feel where he was coming from. He was scared to death to admit to the desire he felt for men, so he took his anguish and fear out on his roomates.

I adored watching Shawn slowly open up and accept himself. I loved watching Jude and Sean explore their relationship. It was heartbreaking at times, but yet achingly sweet. I'm not a fan of BDSM, at all. But that aspect of the story is very light, so even for me, those scenes were extremely enjoyable.

There are some authors you can trust that when you pick up one of their books you're gonna love it. I never have to guess about Jay's books. He is definitely an auto-buy author for me and I never regret one clicking.

This story is well-written and pulls you in. It flowed well and kept me turning the pages and squirming in my seat. The chemistry and passion between Jude and Shawn was electric. I loved getting to revisit Dev and Ewan and Jez and Mac, and getting to see what they were up to. I absolutely loved this book, and I don't say this often, but I'll likely reread this one down the road sometime! Highly recommended!!

Fun and filthy

So, here's a serious 1st world problem: I cannot decide which book in the Housemates series is my favourite out of #3, #4 and #5 *scratches head*

This audiobook definitely put book #4 in the lead. Because as hot as it was reading it, it was scorching listening to it! The narrator, Carter Lewis, was new to me - and new to this series - but do not let that scare you away, because, man, did he bring it!

I hold on to the belief, that this is the filthiest book Jay has ever witten - and yes, perv that I am , I love it! The cam sessions are steaming hot and listening to the audiobook makes a one-handed read so much easier LOL! Not for nothing did I title my original review of this book: Watching and Wanking!

I can warmly recommend this fun and filthy piece of feel good romance. It works well as a stand alone, but the three first books in the series are great too, so do not cheat yourselves out of those.

Amazing!

Shawn and Jude are so amazing in this book. In other books, Shawn was an a*shole and had barely any redeeming qualities. However, in this book, we see a different side of him and his redemption arc is AMAZING. The book is hot and awesome and I completely adored it.
It is another awesome installment in Housemates series :)

Possibly my favorite in the series so far!

The entire Housemates series is a deliciously filthy treat and Watching and Wanting may now be my favorite of the 4. Although I seem to say that after every one I listen to, sooooo take that how you will. The author says this can be read/heard as a standalone (and it can), I would ask, why would you do that???

Shawn has been a periphery flatmate from early on and I’m so glad he got his story and Jude was the perfect person for him. When two characters sexual appetites and preferences line up, the chemistry can be downright explosive and that is certainly the case with Shawn and Jude.

The two are flatmates but don’t really socialize. Shawn and his girlfriend have split up and he’s floating through life aimlessly. He’s always had an inkling that he may not be completely hetero, but fear has made him bury feelings deep and he has a tendency to be a bit of a dick when he’s feeling cornered. So he doesn’t always come across as the most likable of characters at times. As you get inside his head though, you can’t help but feel for the guy, especially living in a house where a decent portion of the sexual identity spectrum is represented and he doesn’t feel as if he can be a true part of it. He doesn’t even know how to try.

Jude is an exhibitionist who makes cash while going to school by hosting a cam show where he is quite popular. Jude makes no apologies for who he is or what he does with his life. He’s not ashamed but he does keeps the cam thing quiet, it’s his private gig and he likes to keep it that way. One day Shawn walks into Jude’s room while a show was in progress and oh my sweet baby jeebus is Shawn thrown for a loop. You remember how I said Shawn buried all the things? Well, seeing Jude in action, however briefly, digs up all those feelings with a backhoe and shines a spotlight on them.

I have to give Shawn credit for being self aware when it’s time for him to be. He could have very easily kept burying, but he’s tired of being adrift and he likes Jude, the two of them talk and a tentative friendship with cam benefits is born. I’ve been remiss in not mentioning the narrator to this point and while this is the first book I’ve listened to from Lewis Carter, it will not be my last. He was a perfect fit for this story. His characters were distinctive and his tone matched their moods very well throughout. He’s also really good at the dirty bits. Really good. Really. Good.

Jay Northcote is a master of giving his characters unexpected depth. This setup could easily have been a fun diversion and nothing more, but it is more and the author always delivers that extra something that fully fleshes out his MC’s and takes a cute setup and turns it into a bit of a character study with multi dimensional characters.

Shawn isn’t accidentally stumbling on a previously unknown kink, he’s finally accepting a piece of himself he’s kept hidden and it will affect him greatly and deeply. I don’t think he would have been able to do it in such a healthy way without Jude. Jude’s confidence gave Shawn strength and the real Shawn, the Shawn that had been hinted at throughout finally comes out. Shawn becomes the man that Jude deserves, Jude hides in the closet for no one and both of them deserve to be happy, out and proud.

It’s amazing what love can do and Watching and Wanting reminded me of that in the best of ways.

Amazing! Loved it!

I absolutely love this book and have read it at least a dozen times since it was released in ebook. This audio book is incredible. The narration was spot on, and I got lost in the story. I meant to only listen to a few chapters before bed but ended up staying up until almost 4 in the morning to finish it because I didn't want to interrupt the flow. Amazing, I can't wait to listen to the rest of the series!