Ready for Love

Semper Fi, the Forever Faithful Series, Book 1

De: Stella Starling

Narrado por: J. R. Warlow

Jake Hansen has been crushing on Gabe Byrne for half his life, but since Gabe is a straight, self-proclaimed commitment-phobe who moved away years ago to join the marines, that crush is strictly a fantasy, best enjoyed in private. And even when Gabe starts to flirt with him like crazy, Jake still knows better than to think it means anything.

Because falling in love with your straight bestie is not just a cliche, but a guaranteed recipe for disaster. Right?

Growing up, Gabe never saw “Little Jakey” as anything more than the kid who always liked to tag along after him and his brothers, but somehow, being friends with Jake has become the best part of his day. And after a seven-month deployment, seeing Jake is the one thing he’s looking forward to the most.

He just didn’t expect that hanging out in person again would be so confusing or keep blurring the lines about how straight he is, or keep making him want things that he never thought he would. Things that seem a lot like forever.

Ready for Love is a gay romance novel that contains a hot marine who spends a good portion of the book in denial, a perky flight attendant who keeps saying yes, zoo animals in compromising positions, a variety of home decor issues, and a sweet and very public happily ever after ending worthy of true romantics.

Note: Every Stella Starling romance can be listened to as a stand-alone and takes place in the same interconnected, contemporary world. Ready for Love is the first book in the Semper Fi series, which is a spin off from At Last, the Beloved series.

©2017 Stella Starling (P)2020 Stella Starling

Two Reviews; One Narrator:

Stella Starling has found a winner in selecting J. R. Warlow as narrator for her books “Ready for Love” and “The Boyfriend Game.” As of the date of this writing, these are the only two books Mr. Warlow has narrated. Based on his performance, because it is not just rote reading; Mr. Warlow has a bright future in the area of performance narration. His voice demonstrates that the characters voices have different qualities and genuine emotion in tone, pitch and timber. All of these qualities combine in a savory stew of audio pleasure for your ears to consume. He really brings the authors recipe of words to life.

Both books feature variations on the same straight to gay theme:

The plot for Ready for Love is a more honest self-discovery approach of the straight to gay theme. It is filled with honest emotional self-discovery for Gab. It also has a great sub plot where Jake saves his mother life by donating his bone marrow to her. The single mother of Jake is a cancer survivor. Jake’s straight to gay love interest Gabe is a Marine who goes from tolerant to full on gay as their love grows. Gab is far more honest in his approach. The emotional content is deeper and more honest in this book. I liked this book better because it was unencumbered by questions of illegality or fraud found in The Boyfriend Game.

In “The Boyfriend Game” the two straight guys (older brother and best friend Cam and Rip) enters a TV game show competition named The Boyfriend Game. Technically they are entering it as a fraud, as it is a gay couple show; to win the $10,000 prize for Cam’s straight wedding. The twist is the older straight brother, Cam, gets sick and the gay younger brother, Carter, is drafted into becoming Rip’s partner in the bogus gay couple. Over the course of the competition the fake lovers becomes the real thing. The process of becoming real forms the straight to gay plot. Of course, they are found out in a big embarrassing exposure mess and no one believes Rip has turned gay. I did not think much of the dishonest approach no matter how fun it should have been or the contestant’s good intensions with the prize cash. The program’s reaction to the fraud is simply unbelievable. They take an attitude of who cares, and throw other prizes at the couple to make it a happy ever after ending.

5 stars!

I am not surprised I loved this book, but am at how freaking much! Just buy it. If you don't love it, you're dumb or heartless.

Love JR Warlow's Voice!

JR Warlow is one of my favorite narrators, so I was thrilled to get a chance to listen to him again. The story is a Stella Starling gem that fills me with happiness, and JR does an amazing job bringing these characters to life. There are lots of great side characters as well, and I loved all his voices, male and female. JR conveys breathless need faultlessly, which takes Stella's fabulous sex scenes and kicks them up to an even higher level.

Ready for Love is such a sweet, fun GFY story with an unusual nickname I loved, Stella does such a wonderful job describing the inner thoughts of her characters and the uncertainty and growing tenderness between them as they fall in love. My face hurt from beaming with happiness by the end--such an uplifting, happy ending! I highly recommend this audiobook!

Incredible

What an incredible love story. It drew me in and made me feel all the emotional ups and downs. It hit right in my heart! I love this and highly recommended!

Yeah….YEAH!

So good…watching straight Gabe slowly realize that his gay childhood friend (Jake) may be more than just a friend. And the connection to Starling’s Beloved series is a lot of fun (bonus points - listen to “The Boyfriend Game” immediately after you finish this one. You’re Welcome!). J.R. Warlow quickly became one of my favorite narrators after listening to this Audible book the first time. Starling does have Book 2 in this series that focuses on Gabe military bud Zack. Hopefully Warlow is in the studio working on recording it for Audible…hint hint Audible…hint hint.

So good!

Best friends to lovers has never been so good. And *fans self* JR Warlow SERIOUSLY gets into character, lol, making the sex scenes smoking hot. Definitely recommend!

Ready for Love

this is one of the best books I've heard this year the story is better than most and J.R. Wardlow voice is just right hot and deep for this story

One of the better MM romances lately

The story was very nice. The sappy romantic parts had me tearing up. Loved it!

can't wait for the next book

This was my first book by the author and narrator. I couldn't stop listening. I love the story and the characters. the narrator does an amazing job. this is a must-read / listen trust me.

great narrator!

Love the narrator I wish he bad more books that he narrates. Cute love story.