Reviewed by Larissa
TITLE: Getting Friendly
SERIES: Never Just Friends, Book 3
AUTHOR: Saxon James
NARRATOR: Alexander Cendese and Kirt Graves
PUBLISHER: Tantor Audio
LENGTH: 6 hours and 31 minutes
RELEASE DATE: December 14, 2021
BLURB:
Leon
When I’m looking for a hookup, I want three things: big, thick, and rough. So it doesn’t make sense that I can’t get my new hire out of my head. He’s a tiny guy with big ideas…and he’s my apprentice, which means he’s completely off-limits. But he’s already under my skin. And for the first time with any guy, I don’t think I can hold my own against him. Physically, yes. Emotionally, no.
Auggie makes me weak.
Auggie
Growing up, I always wanted to go into the family business and follow in Dad’s footsteps. Until in my senior year of high school when he told me to find a new dream. No one would let a small, clumsy guy like me on a construction site. And after trying and failing for years, I was starting to believe him.
Then LJ Constructions calls me for an interview, and when I meet Leon, he becomes my new dream. He’s hot as hell, self-made, and instead of putting me down, he sees what I’ve always seen in myself. But I’m not dumb enough to throw away this one chance, not even for him. Not even if I really, really want to.
Contains mature themes.
REVIEW:
Getting Friendly is the third book in Saxon James’ delightful Never Just Friends series. This story is sweet, funny, and sexy. Unlike book two, Getting Friendly has a lighthearted, fun feel to it, which is a welcome change of pace from the more somber tone of Fake Friends.
One of the things I like best about this series is Sunbury, Oregon’s all-up-in-your-business, small-town vibe. Everyone seemingly knows everything that happens with the other residents. While intrusive at times, it’s, for the most part, funny and feel-good fare that makes Sunbury as loveable as the characters that inhabit it.
Leon and Auggie are complete opposites, so, at first, I couldn’t picture them together. But once Auggie started to get past his endearing klutziness and began to show his true colors, including his bossy side, then I saw how well they matched. Leon is so utterly relatable for all those Type A personalities out there. His inability to let go, the perfectionistic drive, running yourself into the ground, and feeling guilty for taking a break.
The story arc of Getting Friendly focuses on two men building trust. Leon entrusts Auggie with two things he’s never given to someone before: his business and his heart. Leon controls and protects both tightly. So watching him cede the reins and give Auggie the room to shine and bring Leon the happiness he deserves will give you all the feels.
As for Auggie, he’s been laughed at, cast aside, and belittled, so trusting Leon is not easy. It takes time for him to recognize and accept that Leon believes in him.
Alexander Cendese (as Leon) and Kirt Graves (as Auggie) are behind the mic again to narrate the audiobook of Getting Friendly. I always enjoy these narrators and they deliver their usual invested vocal performances here. Mr. Cendese’s bright, enthusiastic tone perfectly captures Leon’s energetic determination. But at the same time, his voice contains a tension reflecting the strain on Leon’s quickly depleting internal resources. His cadence is appropriate for the narrative, and he’s thoughtful with his inflections.
Mr. Graves shines here in his portrayal of Auggie. Mr. Graves can sometimes sound tired, but here, he peps up his tone giving it that frenetic energy full of youthful optimism and determination. Auggie is one of those guys you want to wrap up in a hug and squeeze. He’s adorable, completely endearing, and you root hard for him. Mr. Graves gets that, relaying that feeling through his vocal performance. Auggie’s scattered focus and clumsiness are humorous, and Mr. Graves’ inflections provide that. I found myself laughing out loud at certain parts that, while funny on text alone, were made funnier through Mr. Graves’ delivery.
The audiobook of Getting Friendly is a sweet, engaging, absorbing listen that will leave you with the satisfying feeling that things turned out just as they should. Mr. Cendese and Mr. Graves give vocal performances that pull you into the story and immerse you in the characters and the storyline. Getting Friendly is a highly successful collaboration between these two narrators and a skilled writer in Ms. James. I’d love to get more content featuring this adorable couple, maybe in a bonus short story. If not, hopefully, we’ll get some cameos from them in the next book in the series, Friendly Fire, and I look forward to hearing that story brought to life by these two talented narrators.
RATING: 
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