Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: The Gift
SERIES: Love in O’Leary #2
AUTHOR: May Archer
NARRATOR: Iggy Toma and Alexander Cendese
PUBLISHER: Self-published/Tantor Audio
LENGTH: 9 hrs and 55 mins
RELEASE DATE: June 18, 2019
BLURB:
Daniel
I suck at relationships and don’t trust anyone, but there are reasons for that. For one thing, every person I’ve ever cared about has let me down. The only recent exception: O’Leary’s town veterinarian…my new best friend.
I came to O’Leary for a fresh start. To pare things down to essentials. To forget about the failures in my past. The last thing I need is complications, and most definitely
Not.
A.
Boyfriend.
Julian
I’ve lived in O’Leary my entire life and learned to fly under the radar a long time ago. I do what’s expected, say what’s expected, and keep to myself as much as possible. It’s a hell of a lot simpler spending my time working with animals than trying to interact with actual people. The one unlikely exception: the gorgeous guy who moved to a cabin just outside of town and somehow became my best friend.
But friendships are complicated, and one morning I find myself accidentally telling the whole town the biggest lie of my life. Which is how Daniel Michaelson, my very straight, very hot best friend becomes my fake boyfriend, even though he’s most definitely
Not.
My.
Lover.
REVIEW:
Earlier this year, I was really in a book funk. My job was incredibly demanding and I found myself with extremely limited reading time. I had a project going live in January and so no holiday time off to speak of, but then I discovered this little series – Love in O’Leary. This book, The Gift, which is technically the second book in the series, was the one I read first. It ticked all the boxes.
Daniel has left his previous world behind and moved to an isolated cabin in the woods outside the little town of O’Leary. He’s done basically nothing but hike and hole up inside his cabin. Then he comes upon a helpless injured animal and that leads him into town and smack into Dr. Julian Ross, DVM. When Julian saves the little animal and then befriends Daniel, things begin to change.
Julian Ross has lived his whole life in O’Leary – a typical small town where everyone knows everyone, is in their business, feels free to butt into any conversation and gossip about the rest of the town inhabitants. When Julian meets Daniel, he feels like he’s got a real friend who doesn’t judge him or make assumptions based on his past. After this unconventional meeting, they begin to hang out together.
When strange things start happening in town (there are several side plots and events that are covered thoroughly in other books in the series), Daniel, as the outsider, becomes the target of suspicion. Julian is compelled to defend his friend by giving him an unexpected alibi and well, lots of fun and games ensue. In his attempt to shield Daniel from being the subject of unwanted attention, he puts the two of them in a position where they are actually under more scrutiny and that pushes them closer than ever. This new “relationship” leads them to consider what their friendship really means and what it is they truly want out of life.
May Archer gives us two very distinct voices. Julian is such a unique character and I loved him from the get go. He’s sweet and smart and adorkably sexy. Daniel is endearing in his own rather curmudgeonly way. But with the slow burn, fake boyfriends, a couple of additional mysteries and the fantastic twist at the end that made me so happy 😊, I couldn’t wait to dive into the rest of the series.
When the audio came out for review, once again, I couldn’t resist. This has become a new favorite series, and I really wanted to experience it as an audiobook. This is the first audio that I’ve listened to with alternating narrators for the chapters as told from the two main character points of view. Iggy Toma (a favorite narrator) performs the chapters told from Daniel’s POV and Alexander Cendese (a new to me narrator) performs the chapters told from Julian’s POV. I wasn’t confused by the change from chapter to chapter as their voices are distinctive and the character is announced as the new chapter begins. I really liked both of their vocal qualities as well as the pitch and pace of their performances. I really loved both narrators’ characterizations – although I would have liked it more if Julian’s mother didn’t sound like she was 85 instead of 55. Other than that, I really thought both narrators really enhanced what was already a really good story. I can’t wait to listen to the next book now 😊
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