A Second Harvest

By: Eli Easton

Narrated by: Will Tulin

Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

David Fisher has lived by the rules all his life. Born to a Mennonite family, he obeyed his father and took over the family farm, married, and had two children. Now with both his kids in college and his wife deceased, he runs his farm alone and without joy, counting off the days of a life half-lived.

Christie Landon, graphic designer, Manhattanite, and fierce gay party boy, needs a change. Now 30, he figures it's time to grow up and think about his future. When his best friend overdoses, Christie resolves to take a break from the city. He heads to a small house in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to rest, recoup, and reflect.

But life in the country is boring despite glimpses of the hunky silver fox next door. When Christie's creativity latches onto cooking, he decides to approach his widower neighbor with a plan to share meals and grocery expenses. David agrees, and soon the odd couple finds they really enjoy spending time together.

Christie challenges the boundaries of David's closed world and brings out feelings he buried long ago. If he can break free of the past, he might find a second chance at happiness.

©2016 Eli Easton (P)2017 Dreamspinner Press

Absolutely wonderful: well written, well narrated

so true to what life is now, still. Despite gains in tolerance and respect for those who are different. May we continue to reach a higher and higher level of love, despite what the "good books" say.

Life Changing

This story has lots of feels. There is Christie's life changing moment that starts him moving on a new path. There is David who on the surface seems to have a set life. But there is so much more at play under the surface. Sometimes being honest with yourself is the hardest part. There are some very dramatic moments in this story.
I listened to the audio version and loved it very much.

A Gentle Love Story

This story is a reminder to me ; love built on a solid foundation of patience ,respect and kindness is the best kind of love.
Another solid story by Eli Easton and a great performance by Will Tulin

What a sweet story

I really enjoyed this book. It started as a slow friendship that became a slow romance the wow what an incredible love. The sex was hot but very tasteful. I’m a born again Christian and I’ve encountered many brethren similar to those that opposed David. I myself had struggled many years with Gods grace and homosexuality. I felt as David did. But this story was really beautiful. Definitely worth the credit give it a try. You won’t regret it. The narrator could’ve been so much better but he really tried his best. I could see JF Harding or Teddy Hamilton or Iggy Toma rocking it to 10 stars but still worth the time and credit.

Another great coming out story

Loved this story and of course the characters. Great narration. I noticed afterwards that I own several audio books by this author already and loved them all. Who knows I might just buy another one tonight!

A Second Harvest Review

As a longtime listener of Audible books, I was blown away by this one and have recommended it to several friends. In the past I have found storylines to be mediocre at best, but I was unable to put this book down from the beginning and never wanted it to end. My only criticism is the final chapter which I felt was rushed and a bit disappointing after such an incredible read.

On my highest note the narrator, Will Tulin, is an incredible talent and he absolutely nailed everything from character voice fluctuation to perfectly timed pauses. I will seek him out as a future narrator of Audible books and hope to hear him again soon in similarly gay-themed writings.

Hats off to the author, Eli Easton, toward your great talent and gifted ability to bring such entertainment through your words.

I WANT MORE OF THIS SERIES!

This is one of the sweetest stories. I rushed to amazon and there are only 2 books in the series. I want more of these!

4.5 stars- A beautiful love story

A Second Harvest is the second book of Miss Easton’s I’ve read, and once again her storytelling ability impressed me. The characters have a richness and depth that is hard to top and the plotlines are so different from what I expect. After reading this book, I will definitely be on the lookout for more from this author and work through her back catalog.

My favorite aspect of this romance is that the author kept it pretty simple. Of course there are contingent circumstances that slow the characters pursuing a relationship, but there aren’t farfetched details or plot twists that muddle a beautiful love story. This minimalist approach carries over to the tone and pace of the book, which I’d describe as steady. The writing and dialogue flows smoothly, with some details but not overly flowery language. The details are saved for the characters themselves. Christy and David’s personalities and history are very well-flushed out before they even meet, which allows the reader to connect with each character individually. This also makes the natural chemistry between the two men stand out more, you see what their connection does for one another. Even when they first meet and become friends, the exchanges are often like little pockets of sunshine which left me smiling and hoping that things would work.

The complexities in A Second Harvest are mostly reserved for the emotions that slowly take hold between Christie and David. David’s feelings are especially complicated as he struggles to come to terms with decades of being in the closet, religious teachings, and concerns about what coming out will mean for his farm and family. I really liked seeing Christie and David both process those concerns in different ways, staying true to themselves, but also wanting to pursue the happiness they found together. I also liked how the relationship slowly unfurls, both emotionally and physically. The speed fits with David’s character and the setting, providing time to build a connection and tension. The conflicts that arise also are very honest. There isn’t a magical balm to make the Mennonite community accepting. While this means seeing anger and ugliness play out on page, it also highlights the strength of the characters and their bond.

This is the first time I’ve listened to a book narrated by Mr. Tulin. He does a fantastic job giving life to these characters, using different tones and voices for Christie and David. While it is easy to distinguish which character was narrating/talking, it isn’t overly dramatized and fits with the simplistic style of the book. I certainly recommend the audio format for fans of audiobooks. However, even if you aren’t looking for an audiobook, the story itself is beautiful and definitely worth the read in any format.

*Reviewed for Alpha Book Club*

Frustrating Ending

Books without great or less than great endings frustrate me. I enjoyed the way that David was portrayed and certainly Christie, his eventual love interest. David was full of passion and desire and only willing to take so much grief from his ignorant son. The ending bothered me. I felt it was overly violent, bordering on gratuitous and a quick fix and path to the end for David's son to realize that he was being a jerk. The ending felt rushed and the final words and conclusions frustrating as if "hurry up and get this over with." Then again I am comparing this story to my other far more satisfying experience with author Easton. Still, the main body was a good paced, slow developing love story. I would still recommend it.

Pretty good but TW...

Possible spoilers but TW for homophobic words, religious homophobia, on page hate crime/assault .... and on a less serious note TW for people from Pennsylvania who know how Lancaster and Schuylkill are supposed to be pronounced lol