Why We Fight

At First Sight Series, Book 4

By: TJ Klune

Narrated by: Sean Crisden

Length: 12 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

Do you believe in love at first sight?

Corey Ellis sure doesn't. Oh, everyone around him seems to have found their happy ending, but he's far too busy to worry about such things. He'll have plenty of time for romance after he survives his last summer before graduation. So what if he can't get his former professor, Jeremy Olsen, out of his head? It's nothing more than hero worship. And that's the way it should stay.

Except bi-gender Corey - aka Kori - is interning at Phoenix House for the summer, an LGBTQI youth center. A center that recently hired an interim director until someone can be found to fill the position permanently.

Because life is extraordinarily unfair, the director just so happens to be a certain former professor, now turned current boss.

Desperate to keep things professional as he and Jeremy grow closer, Corey makes a major mistake: He turns to his friends, Paul Auster and Sanford Stewart, for help.

But Paul and Sandy have some ideas of their own....

Contains mature themes.

©2019 TJ Klune (P)2020 Tantor

Have to finish this one by reading it

I'm sure the narrator is a lovely man, but wishing no offense if he was used for Cory/Koris parts only I would have been able to finish this audible. It was just way too jarring of a difference if you repeatedly listened to the first 3 At First Sight audibles. Sorry to have to rate it so poorly, but I just can't finish this. I'm buying the book and will just imagine the voices as I have got to know them over the years.

Disappointed

I was really looking forward to this story. However, I was disappointed I love TJ Klune and this series, but this book just didn’t make me happy. It felt like he was excessively pushing his political views on the reader. I understand why there was political content in the story, but it just felt like it was constantly being shoved in your face. And there didn’t seem to be as much comedy as the other books. Also, if you listened to the other three books in this series, you got used to the other narrator. The way this narrator pronounced Helena’s name was so grating to me, that I internally screamed at him every time he said it. That detracted from the story for me. Overall, glad we finally got this story, but wasn’t extremely happy with it.

Perfect ending to a fantastic series

I don’t think that anything in this review that will do the book justice. I’m not exactly coherent right now. I’ve been waiting years for Corey/Kori’s story and now it’s here! Well in audio, the print version has been out for a while. I fell for them the first time they appeared as Ty’s friend in the Bear, Otter, and the Kid series and I couldn’t wait for their story. But wait I did, and wait… And now I can say that the wait was worth it.

This book and these characters are insane. It’s been a while since I’ve read the previous books in the series, and I’d kind of forgotten just how insane they are. They are a lot of fun, but wow are they intense and quirky and exuberant and loud in every way possible, the best possible way. And I love every single person of the bunch. They make you smile and laugh, they make you slap your forehead exclaiming “what the hell were they thinking”. They make you have a great time – and what else can you expect from a great book?

Trust me on this one; do not listen to this book in public. I mean the looks I got from strangers when I just burst out laughing from apparently no reason…well… I could just see everyone write me off as a crazy person and to keep far, far away. Still, it was worth every look.

Why We Fight wasn’t only all over the top and ridiculousness. There were many serious undertones that we didn’t really get with the previous books. We had the Phoenix House and the troubled LGBTQ teens at the center. And as this book takes place 2016 there were a lot of references to the election from hell and the potential consequences if a certain orange someone would actually become president. I think it all fit very well with the story that unfolded (orange not included) and added some more depth to it. Not that there wasn’t any before, but you know, layers.

I was a bit hesitant when I saw that Sean Crisden was narrating this story and not Michael Lesley who did the others. But you know what, I think this might just be Crisden’s best performance yet, top three at the very least. I loved everything about it, he truly lived every single moment of this book and made each character so vivid and real for the listener that it felt like we were backstage watching Helena Handbasket getting ready for her show or talking with the kids at the Phoenix House, and I most definitely saw the war with the leather pants, or the banana making a splat on Sandy’s face. Not sure that the latter was an image I really needed, but what can you do?

Crisden made all the characters so real that you started to interact with them. Wanting to give them a hug when they were feeling down. Trying to persuade them that giving up control over the egg app in public might not be the best idea ever and a million other little things. Crisden captured the essence and feel of the characters and really nailed everything about them. It was pure bliss listening to this book and I would have gladly listened to many hours more.

Why We Fight is a celebration of diversity, of living and loving no matter what colour your skin is, your gender or sexuality. It celebrates individuality and everyone’s right to be who they truly are and being loved for it. It was beautiful.

Now that I’ve finished this book I feel torn. I’m so happy to have finally gotten Corey/Kori’s happily ever after, to know them and their story better. At the same time I’m also sad, because the ending of this book is an ending of an era of sorts, there won’t be more books about these characters in the future... And since I don’t like goodbyes, I think I have to settle for a “see you again later”.

Helena “Hell-in-a” Handbasket

Loved the story but why why why Sean Crisden? Love him with Bear, Otter and the Kid books but so Disappointed what he did to this here.

Disappointing Conclusion To A Great Series

I went into the knowing the narrator was different. I expected there to be an adjustment from the first three books to this one, and there was. Some of the pronunciation was different, and I felt like the attitudes of the established characters suffered, but it was a good effort by a narrator walking into a series already three books strong.

My biggest issue with this book was the self indulgent political bashing that had zero bearing on the plot to this book. I get that everyone has their political opinion, and I respect that, but I read fictional gay romance to escape from my daily life into a fantasy world, not to listen to someone else's political views.

I could have maybe excused it if it had been worked into the plot, but it wasn't. Yes there were financial obstacles, but it wasn't related to the political views. The previous book had just raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in a single charity auction, but now this book is trying to blame the political climate for their lack of funding. It was a very big stretch to try and justify the opinions expressed.

I'll be returning this book and sticking with the authors others books that focus more on the plot and less on the opinions.

Corey/Kori's Story!

Sean Crisden picks up the narration duties for the final book in the 'At First Sight' series. Reprising some of the character voices Crisden already performed narrating Klune's Bear, Otter, and the Kid Chronicles series, the listener is transported to 2016 Tucson.

Told from Corey/Kori's single, first person, POV I loved the humor and the very happy HEA ending. Sean uses distinctive character voices, and brings 'Why We Fight' to life, weaving the emotional scenes and the humorous scenes equally well, and does a great job overall.

And now here's where I'm going to say something that might get me in trouble later: I wish they hadn't changed narrators. I get the reason why Michael Lesley bowed out of recording 'Why We Fight', but I can't make my brain stop wishing he'd recorded it.

I love this series. So freaking much. I've listened to the audios almost a 100 times, and no that's not an exaggeration. But it's also why I ultimately didn't really enjoy this. I hated the voices used for Corey/Kori, Vince, Paul, and Sandy.

I don't think anyone else will have an issue listening to Sean, but all my brain kept repeating is, "This isn't right. These are not their voices!"

I'm going to rate this on how it was technically and not how I felt listening. Because technically Sean is awesome and does a great job here, but my brain and heart want to give this 2 stars because of feelings and it's just not Michael, damnit.

Narrator is the problem here...

I love this series and the narrator. It was my fault that I bought this book without making sure that the same narrator was in place. 3 books in and then on the 4th a change in narration. That made the flow from one book to another terrible. Sean Crisden isn't at fault it was just that when you get use to someone like Michael Lesley with the great voices and depth anyone else is a let down.
I think what bugged me the most was the way this narrator pronounced Helena Handbasket's name. Drag Queens love to have a play on words in their names. Helena is no different. Her name should sound like "Hell N A Hand Basket" however this narrator pronouces it like "Hel A NA Hand Basket". It just didn't work for me. A story should grab you and not let you go. I have read this series several times and that is what it does and listening to it should be no different. That just wasn't the case with this last book.

Narrator was great

I didn't mind the change in narrator. I liked that they chose a POC as well. TJ Klune did a great job with humor, a deeply written cast of characters, and bringing in real world elements. I read some reviews where the politics was seen as a negative, but I liked that he brought it in. It's real life and I think is an important part of the narrative. Many LGBTQ+ books out there to choose instead if you were less interested in that, but you're missing out. TJ Klune is one of the best out there.

Missed the original narrator for continuity

I already knew Cory/Kori was amazing, so getting to see more of him/her was a definite treat. I love the high tension/slow burn of their relationship with Jeremy… and obviously the extra peeks into the whole family.

My only downside was the narration. In a bubble… I thought the narration was great and I absolutely appreciated the representation of a POC narrator voicing a POC MMC. The disconnect for me was that I was binging all the books, so everyone had established voices/personalities. Several of the characters felt VERY different to me and that was tough.

We Fight For Love!!

I was devastated when I initially realized that this 4th book had a new narrator, but it took only a chapter or two and I was hooked again. This is the series that brought me into T.J.'s world and I will love these characters forever! The entire series had me laughing out loud and swooning with every romance. Love!!

DONT BUY THIS AUDIO BOOK

Absolutely awful narrator .. as ever the story is wonderful as most Tj Klune books.. unfortunately it is ruined by the change of narrator. all the humour is lost.. unfortunately I am return I g this one as there's no way I can listen to it again

Excellent

I rarely use the pre-order facility but I knew the final week of January would suck for a multitude of reasons so when this popped up at the back end of last year and I still had money to spare I used a credit, got this and I am so glad I did. I've followed this series since my earliest days with audible - I think the first in the series was one of my first purchases - and I've stuck with them ever since. I admire TJ Klune greatly as an author, although I wish he could find an editor that could take him firmly in hand and curb his frustrating tendency to use twenty words when five would suffice, but his ability to create diverse, engaging characters has never been in doubt. The PC 'woke' mentality is a bit too on the nose at times but all in all I know I'm going to get a good, entertaining, emotion led story that celebrates the uniqueness of the individual and why people fall in love with them. I mostly stick to audio versions of his works as I have very little time to sit down and physically read and I'm committed to following him as a reader but I *have* been discouraged from some books by his choice of narrator. Michael Lesley is an excellent performer but an overpowering one and I haven't been able to make it to the second book and beyond with the Tales from Verania series for this reason. He worked for me with the Until You series (Why We Fight is the 4th book in this series) but I must admit I was quietly relieved that he wouldn't be narrating this book and I'm now really, really pleased that Sean Crisden has taken up the mantle. This is a flawless narration. Assured, no attempt to draw focus from the story and to his own performance and you aren't overwhelmed by attempts to differentiate between the voices. The talents of the author and narrator have created something beautiful here (much like the collaboration on 'How To Be A Normal Person with Derrick McClain) and I can't recommend this enough. All the much loved characters are here revelling in their unique family unit and its a glorious, colourful mess of love, relationships and developing into the person you're meant to be with people that don't want anything for you but just that and will love you for it. I know I'll be coming back to listen to this again and again and will certainly be seeking out more of the narrator's audio work. Excellent use of a credit.

Amazing

One of the best LGBTQ authors paired with a great narrator. No matter how many times I listen to this series I'm laughing out loud one minute and filling up the next.

This is the final book in the series and its great

The narrator of this book is different from the rest of the series and it was a little difficult at first as the character voices are do different. However, it's another great story and really wraps up the journey of this wonderful found family.

Amazing

Fantastic story.
Great narrator.
Took a few.mins to get use to the different voices from previous book but once I did it wasn't a problem.

Another amazing read!

I'm a huge fan of anything written by TJ Klune, and this book (the fourth in the At First Sight series), was as compelling a read as the first three. I am so in love with each and every one of the colourful characters, and laughed so hard at some of their antics that tissues were needed. But what I admire most is the way that Klune educates as well as entertains in his stories. I have gained a much better understanding of what those in the lgbtq community has had to endure and fight in the past, and present, and am thankful and hopeful that his books can both educate, and entertain, many more people in the future.