A White Coat Is My Closet

By: Jake Wells

Narrated by: Randy Fuller

Zack Sheldon doesn't have time to be lonely. He's in his last year as a pediatric resident, almost married to the job, and busy with the joys and sorrows that come with providing medical care to children. Professionally, he's confident, accomplished, and respected. But personally he's too insecure to approach a sexy man like Sergio Quartulli, or even to imagine that Sergio might be attracted to him.

Zack spots Sergio from across the gym, and then a chance meeting poolside somehow turns into a date. Before Zack knows it, they've become a couple, but Zack's white coat is his closet at the hospital, and committing to a relationship with Sergio makes it difficult for Zack to continue hiding behind it. On the other hand, he grew up in a small town where being gay was shameful, and he works in an environment that can sometimes be homophobic, so it's hard for him to open up about who he really is. Before Zack can make a choice on his own terms, circumstances force him to make a decision. He can continue to hide, or he can step out from behind his white coat and risk everything for love.

©2013 Jake Wells (P)2014 Dreamspinner Press

Ok story, but a bit too long-winded.

I did enjoy this story. I did. But I have to be completely honest. I think the editor failed to do his job. I cannot express how often I kept whispering " WRAP IT UP". I sware Zack, the main character whines through the majority of his story. I had to skim at some parts because of the repetitive nature of the writing.

I did enjoy some of the commentary between Zack and the other residents, but sometimes I wanted them to simply get to the point.

Sergio was quite entertaining, but the whole Italian stallion deal was a bit too much for me, and I wanted him to zip it.

So, the entire book focused on Zack feeling like his sexuality would cause his colleagues and family members to think less of him. It was a bit too much after the first 100 pages.

Don't get me wrong, there was some beautiful wording here and there, but sometimes, less is more.

I'm wondering why?

I'm actually in the middle of this book right now, and as I write a couple of outstanding review on other books, I find myself wondering why I'm still listening. The story vacillates between tender, intimate moments of self exploration and pages and pages of pedestrian, mundane and boring detail. Almost every moment of the protagonists' day is explored in detail, but when you finally arrive at the moment he and "the object of his affection" finally hit the sack, it's suddenly the next morning.

More gay fiction than romance, but good

In the first 25% of the book, the bulk of the narrative is setting up Zach. He’s a doctor. He’s insecure. He likes hot men.
The middle 50% is a little relationship building between Zach and his new lover, Sergio. He meets Sergio at the gym and then later the pool. It’s a slow build – the first date goes on for pages and pages – but their banter is witty (if a little corny) and their coming together is sweet (the sex is fade to black essentially). There is a lot of Zach’s professional world – his bigoted supervisor, his friends, the kids he meets/treats, the medicine. Zach feels a lot of conflict because his social world is totally isolated from his professional one. While he is insecure socially, he’s very secure professionally. This really represents his main dilemma.
The last 25% is the best part of the book. He and Sergio are falling in love and it’s really sweet. There is a “come to jebus” moment when Zach essentially denies Sergio and the two break up, but when he is essentially forced out of the closet in order to do the right thing, he realizes he has been hiding in there for no good reason.
In the last few pages we see a new Zach, he’s friendly, open, honest and free to be in love and a good doctor.
**
I think that this is a really, really good book in need of a good editor. It’s too long. It’s too involved (though the medicine is interesting, it’s distracting and pulls you from the love story). I almost want to label this gay fiction rather than gay romance. There is so much more about Zach evolving as a person, as a doctor and as a gay man and his interactions with Sergio are really just a piece of that puzzle. Since the romance is fade to black essentially it doesn’t satisfy in that area like many other m/m books do.
So… as a m/m book I’d give it a 3/5 stars, but I’d bump it up a little as gay fiction to a 3.5 or even a 4.
Audio:
Randy Fuller does a solid job. I didn’t like his “Sergio”, it felt awkward and forced, but for the most part he fades into the background and lets the story tell itself. He isn’t my favorite narrator, but I wouldn’t avoid his works in the future.
I give his narration 3 of 5 stars
Overall Impression:

3 stars – It was good

Masterpiece by Jake Wells

What did you love best about A White Coat Is My Closet?

Jake Wells has written one of the most intelligent and engaging stories dealing with a young doctor coming to terms with his sexual identify. Wells has done a beautify job of describing his characters that are believable and you care about. I hope that audible and dreamspinner press offers more audible books by Jake Wells. He truly is a gifted writer who could surpass many of the well known authors of mystery, romance, and adventure stories.

Great story!

What made the experience of listening to A White Coat Is My Closet the most enjoyable?

Closeted pediatrician who is very afraid of being discovered makes a series of mistakes and always apologizing for his faults. Finally he realizes who and what's important to him and this is his story. It is a heart warming read not an erotic romance but a slow burn that you will remember.

What about Randy Fuller’s performance did you like?

Loved his deep voice. Excellent preformance.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

This story speaks of life and death it will make you laugh and cry. Truefully his quick wit and banter between co workers makes it very funny.

just about every cliche can be found in this book

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I have a couple of coworkers who would probably like it. I sure didn't.

What was most disappointing about Jake Wells’s story?

the narrator

How did the narrator detract from the book?

definitely.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I didn't even finish it, only got about half way through it. So if it had any redeeming qualities, maybe there were in the second half.