Hugh

By: Gabbi Grey

Narrated by: Michael Ferraiuolo

Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

Hugh

Having spent more than twenty years as an emergency medicine physician in war zones around the world, I barely have a home to speak of. A daughter I didn’t know about has died and left a child behind, so I must get to Gaynor Beach, California to claim my granddaughter. Her temporary guardian is the first man to spark my interest in a very long time, but it would be inappropriate for me to have a relationship with this much-younger man.

Oscar

Gutted by my best friend’s death, I take solace in the daughter she left in my guardianship. I’ll protect this precious baby with all I have, and no one is going to take her away from me—least of all the man who turns up on our doorstep claiming to be her grandfather. Despite the resemblance, I plan to keep him at arm’s length. I’m going to show him how capable I am. But I might also lose my heart in the process.

This is a hurt/comfort, interracial, age-gap, MM romance novel with a moderate amount of angst.

©2022 Gabbi Grey (P)2024 Gabbi Grey

Such a sweet and hopeful story

Hugh, a Single Dads of Gaynor Beach story is the first book I've read (Listened to) by Gabbi Grey.

This was just a nice, happy, low-angst book that made me happy. It was very slow-burn with a couple of steamy scenes toward the end that paired up with their happy ending.

Seriously - it was such a nice story that began with a young man grieving the sudden loss of his best friend along. In addition with single fatherhood being thrust upon him, he had to deal with a jerk of a social worker who only thinks the worst.

Enter another man in the prime of his life who never even knew he was a father, to begin with, discovering he was not only a father, but also a grandfather.

Teaming together out of necessity, they form a loving bond centered around this little infant girl who changes their lives. I love how they communicated and worked together to form a new family based on love and mutual respect.

Yes, they formed an actual family, but I loved reading about the supportive circle of friends who were always there for them. Everyone should have that. Everyone deserves that. :-)

I picked this up on Audible yesterday after hearing the narrator, the ever-awesome Michael Ferraiuolo, do a short reading with his FB group last week. I'm thrilled to discover a new author thanks to his having narrated this book. I definitely want to delve further into Gabbi Grey's stories!

enjoyed it - solid 4.5 stars

📖 Story comment: Good pace, likeable characters, low-angst plot.
I haven't read any of the other Single Dads of Gaynor Beach books, but there are a bunch of interesting characters and businesses mentioned and it piqued my interest - had me looking to see "who has a book" before i'd even finished this one.

I really like a found family and slow burn. The struggles Oscar and Hugh experienced felt real, genuine and made sense to where they were in their story. I liked that Oscar wasn't instantly confident being a new dad and that Hugh didn't just believe the Social Worker's opinion of Oscar, but wanted evidence for himself - it made the two characters feel grounded and real.

🎧 Narrator comment: Michael Ferraiuolo is a master story teller - I ran the full gamut of emotions with his performance of Hugh. He suits the characters, has good timing, inflections and intonations, there is no doubting the connection between the two MC's and he brings life and emotion to every scene. 👍 👍

-------
📌 Where does it fall on my personal scale? 8
• 1 not my thing • 2 didn't like the narration • 3 didn't keep my attention • 4 was good, but once was enough [3⭐] • 5 enjoyed it [4⭐] • 6 will listen again if i'm in the mood for the narrator [4⭐] • 7 goes on the "re-listen" list [4⭐] • 8 kept me up past bed-time [4.5⭐] • 9 recommended to family/friends [4.75⭐] • 10 own it in all formats [5⭐] • 11 keep a copy with me at all times [5⭐]