Live Wire

Brooklyn Boys, Book 2

By: E. Davies

Narrated by: Nick J. Russo

Adam:

I might be into guys. Do you have any idea how terrifying that is? I've already run halfway across the country to get away from my abusive parents, and I really want to experiment, but I can't even hook up without scaring myself away. I might look confident on the outside, but this is tearing me apart.

Then my new roomie wins a trip for two to a gay resort in Hawaii. Darren wants to show his clueless ex that he's moved on, and I want to help out. Darren deserves way better, and faking being his boyfriend is the perfect chance to figure out my feelings. But then what do I do when the man I really want turns out to be Darren himself?

Darren:

I escaped the regret-fueled hookups with my ex when I moved out. He's not the worst guy out there, but now we're going to be at the same resort for a week, and I want to make it clear that I'm off-limits. My hotheaded, impulsive, but surprisingly sweet new roommate is willing to help with that.

While I pretend to date Adam, I can't stop imagining what it'd be like for real. I want to be more than Adam's experiment, and suddenly keeping up appearances is less important than following my heart. I'm going to have to learn to trust all over again for this to work out once this week is over, though. Can we grow strong enough to build something that lasts forever?

Live Wire is book two in the Brooklyn Boys series, where good men find their happily-ever-afters in a hectic metropolis. It has an HEA and no cliffhanger. There will be one king-sized bed, confusingly real kisses, a broken heart healing, a lot of firsts, an awkward plane trip, and the prize of a lifetime: a heart to hold safe.

©2018 E. Davies (P)2019 E. Davies

Love Nick J Russo and Adam's accent

This was my favorite of the Brooklyn Boys books by E. Davies so far and listening to Nick J Russo give Adam that southern accent made a fantastic book exceptional in my opinion. E. Davies always writes a book that makes me happy and I can not wait for more of the Brooklyn Boys and their adventures.

Absolutely fantastic!!

It was great to get Adam's story, and having it a fake boyfriend story bumped it up a million times for me. I love that trope. Adam and Kev were friends who worked with Josh from Tremble. Now in NY, Kev has his new boyfriend, and Adam needs a new roommate. He gets along well with Darren, but Adam is really struggling with being in the closet and being afraid to act on any feelings regarding guys. When Darren wins an all expenses paid vacation, and when he realizes his ex will be there with his new boyfriend, Darren asks Adam if he wants to go with him and be his fake boyfriend.

Fortunately, the guys have a ton of chemistry together and decide that there is nothing fake about how they feel. I loved watching Adam come to terms with his attraction toward Darren and how his family dynamics have affected him over the years. There is a lot of growth in Adam, and it was great to watch.

I got this in audio format and listened to it for a re-read. Darren and Adam were just as fabulous the second time around. I loved their connection and Adam's awakening. The narrator, Nick J. Russo, did an excellent job. He drew me right into the characters, and I loved every minute of it.

I loved this just like I love every other one of Ed's books.

I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC provided by the author

Truly enjoyed this not-so-fake boyfriends story

I really, really, really enjoyed this book. It was sweet and funny and sexy and had just the right amount of angst and difficulties to keep it from being too fluffy for my taste.
I hadn't been a huge fan of Adam in the previous book or in his bit role in Significant Brothers - I didn't outright dislike him & I definitely thought there was more to him, but I wasn't super intrigued either. I didn't have any huge feelings for Darren either. But I'd really enjoyed the previous book, along with the Significant Brothers series, so I would have read this book no matter who it was about.
I ended up finding Adam and Darren immensely likeable and binge listened to the entire book in just over 2 days, which is pretty darn fast for me. Fake boyfriends can be hit or miss for me, but this felt pretty organic in their reasons for doing it - Darren had an extra ticket to a gay party in Hawaii and knew his ex-boyfriend would be there. He was feeling at loose ends and wanted to prove he had his life together. Adam had the chance of a Hawaii vacation, a bit of a crush on Darren, and a growing need to explore his sexuality. Heck, who would turn down a Hawaiian vacation? Another thing that helped with the story for me is that they had had time to get to know each other a little before Darren won the tickets and then time to get comfortable with acting like a couple before leaving on their vacation. This made it feel a little less rushed for me as they fell for one another, less insta-love and insta-lust. As the story went on, each part of their growth individually and as a couple seemed to have a logical path. Things happened quickly, but not without cause and communication.
The audio was excellent in emotion, pacing and differentiation of voices. Russo pronounces a few words in a rather unique fashion; for instance, he always says the word "hardly" as "heartily" for some reason and, like many narrators, mispronounces the word "contemplative." It is what it is. I did think that Darren sounded a bit more gruff when he was introduced in the previous book, but it's been long enough since I listened that I could be wrong. I did like his voice though and felt it suited his character in this book just fine. Adam's twang was pretty strong - I don't know how authentic it was, but it was consistent.
I will definitely be continuing with the series and I know I'll be sad when it's over.

Nick Russo and E Davies have done it again!

I had the pleasure of reading this book before hearing the audible and I have put my original review of the book below this review. This is a beautiful story and I absolutely LOVED hearing Nick Russo narrate it. No one else could have done it as well as he did. The story was brought to life so well, individual voices very easily recognized, and of course he makes the hot scenes even hotter! I can't wait for the next one in this series to come out on audible and I can only hope its Nick Russo again.

Original Book Review: "E. Davies has done it again, just when I thought I couldn't like this series any more and here I am wanting to start back at the beginning of this book immediately. This book was a sweet and heartwarming story of two men finding what they needed, when they needed it, and with the person they needed it from. Whether what they needed was to love themselves more, or if they needed someone else to show them how special they were, they found it. I absolutely loved Adam and Darren. The growth of their relationship is handled so well and their individual growth made me want to wrap them both in a big bear hug telling them how proud I was of them. E. Davies makes sure to insert some humor in here as well and I won't ruin it with a spoiler but I will say I found myself literally laughing out loud several times with Adam and Darren's antics. This story was everything that I look for in a true romance novel....the friendship, the fun times, the sexy times, and the swoon worthy moments. I will say I wanted to throttle Darren's ex and his boy toy and it was good to see karma show up for them. It was great getting appearances from our first two Brooklyn Boy couples too. I found myself smiling anytime one of them showed up in a scene. We also get to meet some new side characters and I can only imagine where their stories will take them throughout the rest of the series!"

Amazing

I love Adam he is so adorably awkward and absolutely sweet. He is so much fun and I love seeing him come out of his shell and be true to himself even as they are doing the pretend dating thing. Darren is amazing and supportive of everything that Adam is going thru. They support each other through all the schemes that they may come up with and even dealing with their pasts. They have a lot of fun and lots of chemistry. I love their story and the way that the narrator brings them to life.

Fun fake relationship and bi awakening tropes

I loved Adam's bi awakening and Darren realizing that he deserves to be happy. The fake boyfriend angle worked nicely. It was fun to see Adam grow up and get his HEA. I loved the way he found a supportive community and grew into being comfortable with himself. Fun story.

FANTASTIC!!

Love this second book in the Brooklyn Boys series. Adam and Darren are wonderful characters and they make an endearing couple. It may have all started out as fake, an act to make Darren's ex jealous, but what follows is a beautiful journey of self discovery and self growth on the part of both MCs. Slowly, but surely, they grow closer together and develop a beautiful relationship with a great foundation of friendship and understanding. The narrator did a spectacular job of portraying the characters and really made me feel the story and emotions. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Sqeet, heat and humor... FUN!

Live Wire by E. Davies is the second book in the Brooklyn Boys series. Well written and entertaining story,, well developed and interesting characters... this book had me fully engaged in the scenes and feeling the emotions. Sweet, heat, and humor mix well here.
Nick J Russo delivers a smooth and enjoyable performance. Well done!

Adam and Darren's Brooklyn Love Story

Book 2 of E Davies 'Brooklyn Boys' series features Adam, Kev's roommate from Book 1, and Darren, his new roommate. I requested a free review copy of this audiobook after listening, and liking, the first book in this series. I'm now posting my opinion of it voluntarily.

Adam is bisexual, but only recently has he allowed himself to explore what that means for him. He's attracted to his new roommate Darren, and when presented with an opportunity to be his fake boyfriend at a gay tropical resort, he jumps in with both feet. Darren is facing his own insecurities. He's realizing that his last long-term relationship was dysfunctional and, despite his attraction to Adam, tries to keep the fake relationship casual. Will the guys wake up to their burgeoning love for each other?

Davies has written another great power-of-love story. The progression of the relationship feels real for the reader. Both men start the story with their separate insecurities and grow to trust and support each other. Davies also write great dialogue here. The flirty, sexy banter between Adan and Darren add to the enjoyment of their story. There's a good balance between playful and serious throughout the book.

I love Nick J Russo's performance of this book. His interpretations really bring the characters alive. His reading style suits Davies books perfectly.

Highly recommended. Many smiles are induced with this wonderful story.

Perfect “Fake Boyfriend” Story

This book is a perfect “fake boyfriend” trope! Adam & Darren meet in Electric Sunshine where they become roommates and it becomes obvious quickly they are opposites; and opposites attract!! Adam is bi-curious and Darren is supportive but not pushy. This story has it all, snark, banter, wit and of course heat. It also has some wonderful settings in both Hawaii and Brooklyn. This is an amazing continuation of the series and a wonderful book overall!