Turning the Page

De: Andrew Grey

Narrado por: Jeff Gelder

Malcolm Webber is still grieving the loss of his partner of 20 years to cancer. He's buried his mind and feelings in his legal work and isn't looking for another relationship. He isn't expecting to feel such a strong attraction when he meets Hans Erickson - especially since the man is quite a bit younger than him.

Hans is an adventure writer with an exciting lifestyle to match. When he needs a tax attorney to straighten out an error with the IRS, he ends up on the other side of the handsome Malcolm's desk. The heat between them is undeniable, but business has to come first. When it's concluded, Hans leaps on the chance to make his move.

Malcolm isn't sure he's ready for the next chapter in his life. Hans is so young and active that Malcolm worries he won't be able to hold his interest for long. Just when he's convinced himself to take the risk and turn the page, problems at the law office threaten to end their love story before it can really begin.

©2016 Andrew Grey (P)2017 Dreamspinner Press

Sweet story with older MCs, not great narration

Malcolm’s lover died of cancer 13 months ago and he’s still very mucsh stuck in his grief. At his brother’s urgings and some serendipity, Malcolm ends up joining a former client for dinner and finding out they share a lot in common and definitely share an attraction..

Malcolm is hot and cold with Hans. He’s very attracted to Hans, but not ready to forget his husband nor can he forget the significant age gap.

Eventually some things stir up in both their lives that force their hands and both men have to ask themselves just what they’re looking for.

**

I loved the idea of dreary, sad Malcolm finding his way out of grief with the (10 year) younger Hans. Hans seemed so full of life and zest and it would have made for a lovely contrast.

However, what should have been a contrast felt like too opposite to fit. Malcolm never quite shook the “stick in the mud” label and he was still way too hung up on his husband for my tastes.

I didn’t see where Hans and Malcolm really connected other than physically.

There is some drama at the end that didn’t fit the tone of the rest of the story and seemed only like a way to throw our MCs together.

It wasn’t a bad story, but it wasn’t Andrew Grey’s best work. He usually really engages me with his characters and Malcolm and Hans were sort of meh to me and I wasn’t that invested in their relationship.

I did love the fact that both men were over 40 and Malcolm was over 50.

3 of 5 stars

Audio
Whenever I’m on the fence with a book, I consider the audio because it will sometimes elevate the story to the next level for me. I’ve absolutely seen books where a good narration made me feel a lot “better” or “more strongly” about a story so even though I didn’t love this story I opted to review the audiobook so that it might get a second chance. (An example is Fish Out of Water by Amy Lane. ) I’m also on the fence with this particular narrator, Jeff Gelder. He’s impressed me at times, but also made me crazy at times. I think, however, that by looking back at my reviews of his narrations, I can say that I will be avoiding him in the future. He’s just not someone I enjoy listening to and in this case, he really didn’t impress me.

He gave the characters some unique voices, which was nice, but Hans ended up sounding like a robot and very stilted. Jeff doesn’t add much emotion to his narrations and when he does it doesn’t always seem to match what he’s reading.

Unfortunately I can’t recommend this audiobook as I think it actually detracts from this story.

2 of 5 stars


Overall 2.5 of 5 stars

Narration felt a bit flat

A very good story about finding love after loss. I got frustrated with Mal on more than one occasion. However, I think that's part of his dealing with David's death more than a failing of the writing. Hans was starting to seem entirely too perfect and then... he became realistic and flawed. I loved that! I wasn't so enamored with the narrator. He did a workmanlike job, but I wasn't entirely happy with his characterizations.

life after loss

Any additional comments?

Andrew Grey is highly descriptive, listing actions in great detail.I didn't need the coffee, breakfast, picking up the keys, shutting and locking the door, walking to the car, turning on the car seat warmers... and so on.
I loved the idea of dreary, sad Malcolm finding his way out of grief with the (10 year) younger Hans. Hans seemed so full of life and verve and it would have made for a lovely contrast.However, what should have been a contrast felt like too opposite to fit. Malcolm never quite shook the “stick in the mud” label and he was still way too hung up on his husband.
I didn’t see where Hans and Malcolm really connected.
it wasn’t Andrew Grey’s best work. He usually really engages me with his characters.

Second Chance Romance

Have you listened to any of Jeff Gelder’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've enjoyed Gelder's past performances, and would say this is comparable.

Do you think Turning the Page needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

I would love to get a follow up that was a little happier in tone and settles Malcolm and Hans in their HEA.

Any additional comments?

Malcolm Webber, a fifty-two year old Tax Attorney, had a wonderful job, an amazing husband, and wonderful friends and family. However, his husband of twenty years, David, succumbed to cancer and it’s left Malcolm a shell. The story begins over a year after David’s death and Malcolm is still deeply grieving his loss.

When Malcolm meets forty-two year old Hans Erickson, one of his favorite authors, at work things seem to get a little better. Although it takes bumping into Hans while Malcolm and his brother, Peter, are at a restaurant, for his life to finally begin to change.

I enjoyed Jeff Gelder’s narration overall. He’s consistent with his distinctive character voices, and I especially enjoyed Hans’ delightful slight accent. Gelder’s timing and voice-over was good, and though Grey did a wonderful job painting the characters, and I really liked Hans, I didn’t really feel the chemistry between Malcolm and Hans.

I love romances featuring older characters. I usually love a story where the characters have experienced a loss only to get a second chance at love and happiness, but this story spent too much time on Malcom’s grief, insecurities and inner monologue for me to really enjoy it. Though there is a HEA it’s definitely hard-won.

Bittersweet , second chance at love story

Would you listen to Turning the Page again? Why?

I loved the story. I love second chances of any kind. I also liked the older man younger man but both were older more mature in age(50's and 40's.)

Who was your favorite character and why?

I loved them all but I am torn between Malcomb and Hans. I loved Malcomb's accent that Jeff gave him. I also liked Malcomb's secretary how she so gently pushed him to move on and was a good friend to him.

Have you listened to any of Jeff Gelder’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No this is the first but I loved his performance.

Any additional comments?

Malcomb is a tax attorney and in mourning from the death of his long-time love David. He doesn't want to let go.He meets Hans when he comes in as a client, but Malcomb meets him again after their business is completed one night when he is out ith his brother.

Hans is a famous author but doesn't go out much. He has been burned by a cheating lover and doesn't want to go through it again. He and Malcomb hit it off but there is a big age gap, and Hans is more active than Malcomb.

Turning the page is a touching story about a man that doesn't want to move on. When he meets Hans, he is torn in his emotions. He also feels that he is out of Hans league that Hans needs someone his age and that likes the same things.

There are several fantastic characters in the story. The plot is interesting as are the subplots. The small twist at the end adds some depth and action to the story.

If you like second chance at love, May/December romance, lawyers, authors and an allover beautiful romance this is a must read.

Not the usual Andrew Grey

What did you like best about Turning the Page? What did you like least?

I love reading Andrew Grey novels, so looked forward to this one. Malcolm, a successful tax attorney, lost his partner David and has not gotten over the void. Hans, a Danish American and successful writer, has a tax problem that Malcolm easily solves. The developing relationship is good. But the book didn't seem like Andrew Grey's writing. I kept thinking it had to be a re-release of one of Andrew Grey's first novels, but the description does not indicate that.

Would you be willing to try another book from Andrew Grey? Why or why not?

Definitely. I pre-ordered this book, and will do the same for future Andrew Grey releases.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Jeff Gelder?

Joel Leslie would be my choice for narrator. Either Joel or Greg Tremblay. Jeff Gelder killed this book. Hans sounded more middle-eastern or almost Pakistani than Danish. Drama was missing from the voice. The narration flattened the characters, and was perhaps 90% of my surprise over the story. I will avoid Jeff Gelder narrations in the future.

What would have made this romance irresistible?

The world isn't as accepting as what is portrayed in many gay romance novels, this one being no exception. Malcolm and Hans didn't have to work at their relationship except internally. Everyone around them pushed them to be together. The age difference didn't matter to anyone but Malcolm. The one antagonist wasn't bothered by the gay relationship. While in a perfect world who you love shouldn't matter, in real life it does. Having Malcolm and Hans work more at being together would have made the relationship more intense.

Any additional comments?

I almost stopped listening after the first chapter, but kept on as I was in the car and didn't have another book queued up. I'm glad I stayed with the book as, overall, it was an enjoyable story.

Awesome

I just have to say I am really enjoying Andrew Grey books. He is a awesome Thank you for the wonderful stories.