A Surplus of Light

A Gay Coming-of-Age Tale

By: Chase Connor

Narrated by: Brian Lore Evans

"He's a psycho." That's what Mike is told when he asks who the kid is with the dark swoop of hair and eyes that look like icebergs floating in milk. From that moment, it becomes Mike's mission to find out everything about this kid. The kid who can fight better than anyone, but doesn't want to. The kid who is the greatest artist Mike's ever met. The kid who only wants to be his friend during the lightest days of summer. The kid who tells him that being his friend at school will only ruin Mike's reputation. Regardless of what the kid tells Mike, he doesn't realize that summer is the best time - it has the most light - and it makes it easier for Mike to see who he truly is. And there's no way Mike will back off once he sees this kid for who he truly is.

©2018 Chase Connor (P)2019 Chase Connor

Perfectly performed

I absolutely LOVED this book, so I was dying to hear this in audio!

This coming of age story had so much emotion and want, it was very gripping. I loved how the two main characters knew they had a future, but respected each other enough to wait until they were both ready. I loved that the person who was regarded as a loser, a fighter, and nothing to the small town was actually the most kind, loving and selfless person.

There were so many lessons taught by Ian to Mike that were heartwarming and sad, but inevitably beautiful. Chase Connor writes emotion that hits the depth of your soul.

Brian Lore Evans is a new-to-me narrator, but I can't imagine this book performed by anyone else. He captured the tone and feeling of the words so perfectly, his voice breaking with Ian and Mike's sentiment without fail. It added a depth to the story that I didn't even think was possible, and just brought Ian and Mike further to life. He's definitely a narrator that I will look for in the future.

Very worth the read AND listen. Perfectly performed. Absolutely recommended.

Loved this beautifully written and narrated story

A Surplus of Light is an engaging and at times moving story of two boys and their deepening friendship and love over four summers. Characters are skilfully drawn and typical high school tropes don’t feature. This has a reach well beyond teens. I found it completely gripping and just wanted to keep listening.

The narration was excellent, with good but low-key characterisation and the perfect mood for the story. At first I would have liked the reader to take it a fraction slower, but after the first chapter I no longer noticed this, so either he slowed or more likely I tuned in.

Highly recommended for both teens and adults.

Intensely Good!

Depth from beginning to end! One of the best short stories I've listened to. Eloquently written and exceptionally narrated. Highly recommend!

Incredibly moving

Chase Connor is an author, who deserves so much recognition. His books say so much in an economy of words. The narration of this audio was perfect. Two beautiful MCs. This is a story that will stay with you for a long time. Highly recommended.

Powerful Story and Narration

This is a beautifully written story and Brian Lore Evans does an amazing job narrating. With each chapter, I could feel Ian and Mike getting closer, and that was in large part because of the narration. I'd highly recommend everyone takes a listen, whether you have read the book before or not. I can't wait to hear what comes next of both Chase Connor and Brian Lore Evans!

The “light” will warm your heart!

Beautifully written story! I love both main characters, especially Mike! Mike has a heart of gold! The world would be a better place with more Mike’s in it!!

Wowsers

I love Chase and his books. To have it narrated makes it that much more awesome. This is a great coming of age tale. It is not cliche as some of them I have read. Chase makes the characters come to life and you feel you are part of the book. I always love to read Chase's books, but I hope he will have more available as audiobooks because having them read makes it that much more real.

I'm a puddle...

I don't even know how I found this book, but talk about a hidden gem 😍 I'm quite literally crying at my desk at work. This story is beautifully written, even in it's brutality. This is a narrator that I've never listened to, who told me a story, made me feel like I was in a fairytale of moonlight, youth, love, pain, life....

I'm just so moved and I loved this book entirely *sniffle sniffle*

Please read it and enjoy what I did ❤

Beautiful Story

I loved this book the first time I read it.This is the 3rd time I have experienced this book but it’s the first time with a narrator reading. I planned a quite evening with no distractions and pushed the play icon. The book flowed over me, it was a very different experience. Between Chase Connors written words and his chosen narrator this book has been elevated. Beautiful experience

Here is my original review back in March

Great story that has such a warm feeling to it. Makes you consider more deeply the things that touch you. I love walking away from a book and feeling incredibly satisfied. Thanks Chase you scored big on this one. I look forward to reading more of your work. ❤️

Coming to age love story

First I have say how great a job the narrator did bring the characters alive and show them with so much emotions, hope, caring. but at the same time shows bulling, hopelessness and depression. The storyline was so well written you laugh, cried, and many other emotions.
The basic story is to kids Ali and Mike meeting when they are 15 years old up to they are 23 years old. From high school to college and law school and growing up together as friends and at the end as lovers. But at the same time you see the bad side of being 15, not being the popular kid, family abuse and death in a character family.
The journey you take here is their lives and how they learned and help each other through the issues of being a teenager in a small town in Texas , learning their boundaries and setting boundries.
I highly recommend this audible and as the old saying make sure you have Kleenex.