Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Incandescent
AUTHOR: Christina Lee
NARRATOR: Nick J. Russo
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 8 hours and 44 minutes
RELEASE DATE: May 9, 2022
BLURB:
Delaney Roberts and Marcus Worthy-Davis have quite a few things in common. Both blue-collar workers in their 40s, they’ve experienced the tragic loss of their wives and meet through their monthly grief group. Their connection is immediate, their friendship solidifying over texts and barstool confessions, neither feeling quite so lonely in the other’s presence.
When Marcus reveals to the group that he’s considering dating, it shakes Delaney to his core. He’s nowhere near ready, not when he feels on unstable ground with his teenage son and has vowed not to uproot his life again. Even if it means pushing his own needs aside. Even if Marcus’ announcement stirs something else inside Delaney, something he’s kept at bay for 20 years, and he suddenly sees their more tender moments in a different light.
The first time Marcus holds Delaney during a particularly rough night, the ache in Marcus’ chest, the one he tries hard to ignore, only intensifies. And when their slow-burning friendship sparks into a blazing fire, they finally indulge in each other to satisfy their needs. Marcus knows the arrangement is only temporary, but he feels a rightness with Delaney he can’t easily explain.
Soon enough, their longing becomes difficult to ignore. But love after loss is terrifying, the familiarity with pain and despair too close to the surface. To fan the flames of their connection, they’ll not only need to make room in their hearts but also take an enormous leap of faith.
REVIEW:
Delaney and Marcus are widowers who meet in a grief support group. They have both lost their wives at relatively young ages. Delaney is raising his teenage son alone after his wife Rebecca’s death. He and Grant are experience regular parent/teenager friction but this is exacerbated by both of them dealing with grief and loss of their mother/wife. Marcus lost his wife Carmen in an accident and he’s thrown himself into his work to keep himself buy. Marcus and Delaney have been there for each other and developed a strong friendship over the previous couple of year. They’ve been a shoulder to cry on as it were over the time they’ve been friends.
When Marcus announces at their grief recovery group that he’s gotten on a dating app and is going on a date, Delaney is surprised – like maybe they aren’t as good friends as he things they are since he’s completely blindsided by this news. And when Marcus says he’s going out with a guy? Well Delaney is even more surprised. And maybe a little jealous? How did he not know Marcus was bisexual. Although to be fair, it hadn’t ever come up in their conversations. Given Delaney’s upbringing, he has never voices his bisexuality to anyone at all. Not even his deceased wife. Marcus is upset with Delaney when he doesn’t think he has his back at the meeting, but they are able to clear it up pretty soon.
As more milestones go by in their lives, Delaney and Marcus seem to be spending more time together. Delaney has a hard time with his anniversary and Marcus is there for him. That night something seems to shift. Marcus sees and begins to understand the pressure Delaney is under raising his son and worrying about everything. They get closer still and Delaney allows Marcus to comfort him. Delaney eventually confesses his own sexuality and they seem to realize that what is between them might be more than friendship.
Delaney is gun shy though because of Grant. Marcus is also fearful because loving someone means risking losing them and being hurt. And he’s been there, done that. Just as things seem to be smoothing out a little with Marcus developing a relationship with Grant and Delaney beginning to think maybe he can take some comfort for himself, another near tragedy sends Delaney spiraling. Marcus tries to help, but Delaney is just on pins and needles and he’s worried about his precarious relationship with his son already. Then there are his in-laws to consider.
Marcus’s family is not blind to Marcus’s growing feelings for Delaney. They see it clearer than he does in some way, but they are worried about him getting hurt. However, when they meet Delaney and Grant they are very welcoming. They help Marcus work through his feelings and his mother is very aware of how Marcus has help himself apart after Carmen’s death. She just wants him to be happy. And it’s clear that Delaney makes him happy 🙂
This was a really lovely audio book. Both men are dealing with grief and struggling to move on and fine happening and meaning in their lives after losing their wives. Delaney has the added pressure of trying to be everything to Grant and he feels like his constantly screwing it up. I felt so bad for him the whole time. Marcus is a really good guy and he’s such a good friend These guys started with a real honest bond of friendship and it grew organically into more. Nick Russo does a fantastic job of performing this story. I believed the pain and sorry of the characters, the insecurities that Marcus and Delaney and Grant were dealing with. There were plenty moments of humor (and lots of dad jokes) as well as plenty of steam as well. Mr. Russo does his usual great job of differentiating the characters and he is especially talented at voicing younger characters is a believe and age appropriate way. Grant and Jeremy were so adorable as well 🙂 Marcus and Delaney’s extended families were also distinctly and perfectly performed here. I’d really like to have Thanksgiving dinner with Marcus’s family too 🙂 Highly recommended for a well-earned HEA of second chances for this friends to lover couple.
RATING: 
BUY LINKS:
[…] Reviewed by Sadonna […]