Reviewed by Anna Lynn
TITLE: Wood: A True Lover’s Story
AUTHOR: A.E. Via
NARRATOR: Tor Thom
PUBLISHER: Tantor Audio
RELEASE DATE: October 20, 2020
LENGTH: 10 hours and 14 minutes
BLURB:
It’s been a long 17 years but Herschel Wood, Jr., is finally a free man and he’s looking forward to reconnecting with his old cellmate, Bishop Stockley, who promised him a place to stay and some help getting back on his feet. Wood had a good life once upon time when he’d owned one of the most successful tattoo shops on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront – until a fatal accident that was his fault cost him everything.
Trent Armstrong has never been considered a catch. He’s a 29-year-old laborer, an ex-con, and not the easiest person to get along with. He’s used to being the one people cast to the side when they’re done with him. Everyone he’s ever cared about has walked out of his life without a backward glance, so he’s used to the loneliness.
From the moment the tattooed, silver-haired man walked into the house there had been nothing but tension, side-eyeing, and sparks between them. Trent has always held back a side of himself that he’s terrified to explore, and without warning Wood’s voice, his maturity, that maddening scent, and even his damaged past all trigger feelings that Trent thought he’d buried deep long ago.
REVIEW:
We each have our own way of hiding our insecurities, inferiorities (as far as we think, they are) or anxieties. We can be a jokester outside, “the life of the party” sort of personality. Or we can be nonchalant about most things. But deep down, we hide how we truly feel about things, afraid that if we show it, people will take pity on us and maybe, just maybe stay with us because of it. We do not want that, we want them to stay because they want to, not because they have to.
Another true lover’s story is here, and this time it’s about Trent and Wood. We have read about Bishop and Edison in the first book. These are stories about regular people like you and me, people who after being dealt with badly by circumstances or by life! It shows us how they deal or not deal with the aftermath of these circumstances. It is a story of how life can change drastically for someone who has been out of regular society for a long time and the changes/adjustments he has to go through to get on his feet again. It is a picture of reality. How life can sometimes put you at your lowest and still keep on kicking you down. It tells us that nothing is hopeless and that somehow there is some good waiting for us ahead.
Wood just got released from prison where he stayed for seventeen years. He got out a few months ago but he had to stay at a boarding house of sorts for his gradual immersion back into society. But now he is sharing a trailer with his best friend’s other best friend, Trent. He met Bishop when they were made cellmates in prison. They got to know each other very well. He got Bishop’s back while they were in there, and Bishop promised to help him get back on his feet when he gets release.
Trent has always felt like the people he cared/loved always leave him behind. From his mother, Miles, Bishop and Mike. He feels like he is not worthy to be chosen and live a life with. He hides how he truly feels by being a joker, a loudmouthed guy who acts nonchalantly when things are happening. When Bishop decided to move in with his boyfriend, Edison, he felt abandoned, discarded for someone so much better. He doesn’t believe that they cared for him at all. Like when Bishop said that his friend, Wood, who was just released from prison would be staying with him in the trailer. He was not given a choice.
What started out as competitive and sarcastic banter morphed into something else. Trent normally runs his mouth to cover up his insecurities, shyness and doubts. They both kept at it until something happened that made them realized that there is more to each other than what they see outside. After which, change started happening. But there are still challenges to be faced before they realized that they are now more for each other than just roommates. And I guess deep down, what these two men are afraid of is “being alone,” with no one to call their own, no one there for them through thick or thin, good or bad. They are longing for that someone who will love them for who they are, no matter their pasts.
A true lover’s story indeed! Mr. Tor Thom was able to let us hear all the raw emotions in both Wood’s and Trent’s characters. There are parts that made me cry deep from my heart. At times I just wanted to stop for a little while to breathe. There were also times I stopped coz I was afraid of what will happened next. And you can clearly hear all that through Mr. Thom’s voicing of these real-life characters. Trent’s despair and insecurities are felt deeply by whoever’s listening. His heartache of always being left behind, of not being enough is so heartfelt and so heart-clenching that it can literally break your heart listening to Mr. Thom. The pain that Wood went through in his past and even now will make your breath hitch and gasp in pain. Raw emotions for these two! These two men are just beautiful, made even more so by Mr. Thom’s voice.
Ms. Adrienne, you are one of the most talented writers I have had the chance to know and I am deeply grateful for the stories that you write. And for your stories to be voiced by an amazing Mr. Tor Thom is just pure life! Thank you very much and I literally cannot wait for the next book/s. Congratulations!
RATING: 
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