Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Heartsong

SERIES:  Vino & Veritas

AUTHOR:  A.E. Wasp

NARRATORS:  Chris Chambers

PUBLISHER:  Tantor Audio

LENGTH:  10 hours and 12 minutes

RELEASE DATE:  July 20, 2021

BLURB:

It just figures that the first guy I’m bringing back to my place is cute, single, and totally off-limits….”

Sean Anderson has spent his life waiting to get the hell out of West Virginia. His plans got derailed when his dad shipped him off to “pray the gay away”, but he’s over it, ready to prove that he’s a grown-ass man who can take care of himself. Of course, he’d have a better chance convincing himself if he could stop lusting after his grumpy roommate.

Army veteran Cooper Hill returned to Vermont minus one leg and one career, but determined to build a new life. When an army buddy asks Cooper to keep an eye on his nephew, a junior at the local college, Cooper can’t say no. He’s expecting a sheltered kid. What he gets is a gorgeous young man whose brilliant poetry gives voice to everything Cooper’s been trying to express. He wants Sean more than he’s ever wanted anything. And somehow, miraculously, Sean wants him too.

But wanting each other isn’t the same as being good for each other…especially when past pain threatens to write its own verse in their song.

Contains mature themes.

REVIEW:

Sean is finally getting away from his small-town West Virginian upbringing.  He’s so excited to be able to live his life out and free for once.  But he literally has no idea what he’s doing.  He’s never had any kind of relationship.  He knows nothing except for a lot of negative stereotypes and judgements and expectations about “the gays” and he’s internalized a lot.  He’s happy to be living with his Uncle’s friend and when it turns out that Cooper is also gay and more than willing to be his tutor and he’s hotter than hell and he’s a really good guy.

Cooper has lost his career in the army due to a rollover accident.  He’s lost the lower half of his leg, but he’s done the work of recovery from the injury and the rehab.  But he’s bought a house back outside Burlington that needs work and he needs somebody to lend a hand.  He’s happy to have Sean to be that person.  However, their relationship takes on a decidedly flirty and fun tone – despite their rather unique meeting after Sean gets to town 🙂

Cooper is amazed at just how naive Sean is at 23 about the ways of the world.  He’s also surprised about Sean’s misconceptions about gay men.  When Sean’s anger and hurt and fear come to light, Cooper knows he’s dealing with something more than just inexperience.  But and Sean and Cooper get closer, he thinks are going OK.  Until they definitely are not.  And Cooper knows he needs to do something to reach out to Sean.  Only when Cooper has the real story of Sean’s past does he have any idea of how to help him.

I like this series quite a lot – at least the ones I’ve listened to.  This one has only a peripheral connection to the actual Vino & Veritas bookstore/winebar.  There are some pretty deep issues in this one.  Cooper’s isolation since is return from his service accident and loss of his career make him open to Sean.  Sean’s deep-seated issues with the homophobia he’s dealt with in his past continue to creep into the present.  His pain is overwhelming and he needs help.  Cooper and Sean’s feelings grown rather quickly – but they are definitely believable and I was sucked into their love story.  I will say there is a LOT smexy times in this one, so if that’s not your jam, you know that going in.  The real damage caused by what Sean’s been through is one of those things that just doesn’t stay locked in a box.  Despite the love and support, Sean is not equipped to handle everything on his own.  Cooper and some of Sean’s family at least realize that things need to change and Sean needs more than they can provide.  While hard to read, the reality of this situation is far too common and completely devastating to those who have been through it.  The resolution/ending were heartwarming after the heartbreak of the past.

Chris Chambers is a new narrator to me.  I really enjoyed this narration.  This story is difficult and there are a lot of heavy emotions.  I was really impressed with the gamut and range of the feelings that were credibly voiced in this story.  I’m looking forward to more from this narrator.  Recommended!

RATING:

BUY LINKS:

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