Head Above Water

By: CE Ricci

Narrated by: Michael Dean, Zachary Johnson

That’s the thing about hearts - like waves, they break too.

Grief.

I’ve never battled with the raw, debilitating pain that comes with it. Then a twist of fate hits me out of nowhere, and I can barely keep from drowning. It’s like weights tied to my ankles in the middle of a raging ocean. I’m helpless, with no way to swim back to the surface.

But fate is crueler still, bringing my stepbrother back for the first time in years.

Cannon never wanted this family. Especially me. Still, he’s always been my greatest desire. And my biggest weakness. He’s unattainable. Straight, engaged, and with a seemingly perfect life on the other side of the country. It’s something I’d do well to remember, yet when he stays, it’s so easy to forget.

In finding solace together, we mend what once was broken. This loss bonds us. Changes us. He’s become more than a brother or a lover. He’s my anchor.

So how am I supposed to keep my head above water when I’ll eventually lose him too?

Head Above Water is a stand-alone, full-length MM enemies-to-lovers stepbrother romance novel.

©2022 CE Ricci (P)2022 Podium Audio

I'm dead.

This book stole my soul. I have listened to it like four times. From start to finish I was invested. The characters mesh , the delivery was stunning . Everything about this book just flowed . i cant wait to see what else this author has to read.

Enjoyed quite a bit but...

I am going to go with overall of 4 stars because I really liked parts of this book very much, but I did have some issues with other story points.
It started off a bit slow IMO, but not enough that I considered not continuing.

The 2 main things I didn't connect with at all were:
1. The fiance's treatment /wedding outcome. I am not even going to toss out details, because if you read it you'll get it. This whole part was complete crap and made me lose so much of my understanding and connection to Cannon. It would have been much more satisfying for me to see him own his truth far sooner- and have even a sliver of respect for his 'best friend in the world' AND her parents who he claims became HIS family. I really envisioned a scene where she would catch on when she arrived unexpectedly to bring him back. That would have played better I think.
2. How Cannon's father handled their relationship. From the perspective of a mom with a 25 yr old, I can't imagine it. There was nothing in the story that showed Can's behavior to be so bad as to justify that level of fury from his father. No drugs, no school trouble, just a normal kid from all indications. The 1 phone call the first week was a big let down - not once did he say 'I'm sorry, please forgive me. Come home' Yet we're to believe that for years he wrote letter after letter confessing his regret and wish to reconnect - but felt he didn't want to push the issue and influence Cam?
Uhhh, NO, just dumb.

Otherwise, I liked the story and there were plenty of steamy scenes and moments where I was all sniffy and could feel my heart breaking. The length could probably been trimmed down, but I never felt like I needed to skip ahead. I liked the time frame and how it played out over several months.

The narrators were solid, although Michael Dean is sometimes too nasally for my tastes, but he narrates a shit ton in the M/M genre so I need to get over it lol.

If you like this trope, are able to overlook some fairly big character flaws then you might enjoy this.

Audio enhanced experience!

I already loved this book so I decided to do an audio reread and it was amazing! I’m so glad I purchased this to listen to again and again! ♥️

A great love story!

This book was fantastic. Step brothers, kind of a second chance, with a hard won HEA. The chemistry is on fire between Cannon and Easton. This book will make you feel all the feels and the spice and plot are equally great!

Amazingly emotional book

I absolutely loved this story. There’s so much hurt and emotion between Cannon and Easton. I knew after reading this book last year and I needed the audiobook. The narrators did a wonderful job bringing both characters to life. You could feel their emotions as they portrayed Cannon and Easton. This book was just as good the second time around!

Emotional

The emotion in their voices, I felt everything that they were trying to convey. 10/10 would recommend. I can’t express how amazing this book was but combined with these two narrators really bringing it to life was just next level.

Wonderful Performance!

I loved the narrating of this story; however, the story was too romantic and genuine that the redundant sex scenes between the two main characters didn't fit, and the combination was off. The poeticism was interrupted by the scandal. I wanted some things left to my imagination. A teen Rated of this book would have knocked it out of the park in my opinion.

Great story

Audiobook was fantastic, highly recommend it
Cannon & Easton’s story had all the feels
Really hot too

Loved the storyline!

This story has been told but not like this. Man does she delve deep into how everyone feels. This is an in depth accounting of different kinds of grief. At different times it went on too long and was too repetitive for me. But I did enjoy it most of the time.

My other problem was with Cannon. He comes back to his childhood home and his fiancé doesn’t come at all until after he’s gone two months and right before their wedding. I would have been throwing a fit if I was ignored that long. We needed to see more of that turmoil in their relationship.

I really liked Easton in the beginning. But his needy and clingy behavior was a lot. Are men really that needy? I have not experienced that and I’m a high school teacher!!! The narration was superb!

Wow

So many emotions! The narrators are amazing! The characters will forever live with me for the way they showed themselves to each other. To be someone’s anchor is truly special.