Reviewed by Annika
TITLE: Honeymoon for one
AUTHOR: Keira Andrews
NARRATOR: Joel Leslie
PUBLISHER: Tantor Audio
RELEASE DATE: May 7, 2019
LENGTH: 9 hours 33 minutes
BLURB:
The wedding is off, but the love story is just beginning.
Betrayed the night before his wedding by the supposed boy of his dreams, Ethan Robinson escapes the devastating fallout by going on his honeymoon alone to the other side of the world. Hard of hearing and still struggling with the repercussions of being late-deafened, traveling by himself leaves him feeling painfully isolated with his raw, broken heart.
Clay Kelly never expected to be starting life over in his forties. He got hitched young, but now his wife has divorced him and remarried, his kids are grown, and he’s left his rural Outback town. In a new career driving a tour bus on Australia’s East Coast, Clay reckons he’s happy enough. He enjoys his cricket, a few beers, and a quiet life. If he’s a bit lonely, it’s not the end of the world.
Clay befriends Ethan, hoping he can cheer up the sad-eyed young man, and a crush on an unattainable straight guy is exactly the safe distraction Ethan needs. Yet as the days pass and their connection grows, long-repressed desires surface in Clay, and they are shocked to discover romance sparking. Clay is the sexy, rugged man of Ethan’s dreams, and as the clock counts down on their time together, neither wants this honeymoon to end.
REVIEW:
Ethan Robinson was betrayed in the worst way. The night before his wedding he walked in on his fiancé and supposedly best friend having sex – in his own bed! Breaking things off (with both men) he decides to still go on the trip of his life. But travelling alone in Australia on what was supposed to be his honeymoon was more depressing and lonely than he thought. Until one of the tour guides decides to befriend him and show him the best of what Australia has to offer.
I fell for Ethan from the start. Felt his pain of the betrayal, his frustration of his disability (hard of hearing), having to constantly ask people to repeat himself and talk more slowly. I think that Andrews handled his disability in a good way, showing how most people react when constantly having to repeat themselves, to just say; “Forget it”. The hurt of being shut out in a world created by and mostly for able bodied.
Clay Kelly is content with his life. He’s in his forties, divorced (amicably) and has two grown kids. He enjoys life, guiding tourists and having a pint while watching cricket. He doesn’t need or want much, sure he might get lonely at times but can’t be bothered with the whole dating scene. During the tour he noticed Ethan looking down and sad. But also shut out as he misses a lot during the guiding due to his difficulties hearing. By befriending him, Clay hopes to cheer him up. So he starts to educate Ethan in all things Australian; from cricket to the language. And having a great time doing it too.
Ethan was in Australia in three weeks, so their romance developed quickly – at least from a logical stand point. Listening to their story you never felt that it was rushed, it didn’t have that insta-love feel to it. It felt like a slow-burn romance that grew from strangers, to friends and then to something more. So yes, this was a slow-burn romance over three weeks – and a sweet one at that.
Joel Leslie did a beautiful job narrating this book. He captured the essence of both Ethan and Clay, but also made you feel that sense of place. Made you believe you travelled to Australia with Ethan. He made you experience Australia, and cricket, with them.
I particularly loved Leslie’s performance of Ethan. I was bleeding for him when he found his fiancé and bet friend and all that ensued from that mess. I was bleeding with him in Australia, felt his loneliness and how out of lace he felt. Then there was that painful rejection, before he and Clay got together. Leslie made you feel every painful second of that rejection when Clay drew away. The hurt.
Another thing that I liked was how both Leslie and Andrews handled his disability. Where at first glance (listen) all of the mumble mumble throughout the book could have felt repetitive and too much, but felt it was just right. It’s always there, and not only in the beginning to create a backstory. They so clearly showed how frustrating it is when others just keep going and don’t respect your disability – just because it’s an inconvenience for them.
I loved every second of listening to this beautiful love story. It had it all and made my week in a big time!
RATING: 
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