Modern Love

By: Beau North

Narrated by: Becci Martin

“Love at first sight wasn’t meant for millennials.” So thinks Alice Aberdeen - art student, recovering addict, David Bowie enthusiast. Alice is among the recently dumped and just wants to keep her nose down until she finishes her degree. Her sister, Emma, has other ideas and sets her up with new-in-town Warinder “Will” Murphy - tall, dark, and aloof. To say it isn’t love at first sight is an overstatement. He finds her too abrasive, with her sharp tongue and a don’t-screw-with-me attitude. She thinks he’s too reserved, too damn serious. But the more time Alice spends with Will, the more their slow burn begins to thaw her heart.

A man of two worlds, half-Irish, half-Indian Will Murphy feels at home only when he’s with Alice. He soon realizes that her tough shell is hiding a lot of scar tissue, from her trials with addiction and recovery to her spectacularly bad ex-girlfriend Jamie, to the loss of her mother.

Modern Love isn’t a story about love at first sight; it’s about learning to love yourself before being able to see the one you love.

©2017 Beau North (P)2018 Beau North

Bowie, Life, and Love- Modern-style!

I was only going to listen to one chapter... and, I was captivated so that I was well over half-way into the story of Alice and Will and their complicated lives before I knew what had happened (on a side note, I managed to weed the whole garden at the same time).

I read Modern Love when it first released into print and enjoyed it so I accepted the opportunity to experience it on audio, too. So glad, I did. I've always said that I engage with a book more deeply when I get it on audiobook and this was no exception. Becci Martin was a fabulous fit for this for this contemporary romance for a pair of skeptical and jaded, definitely complicated Millennials trying to figure out life and love.

Alice is a young college age gal who can't seem to get over a heartwrenching break-up with her girlfriend of two years. She works hard at her job, college, and hits her Meetings when she needs one, but other than that she doesn't get out. Her sister Emma decides enough is enough and, with the help of her boyfriend, sets Ally up. And, of boy did the fur fly when Ally and Warinder 'Will' Murphy have a meet-cute that is epic fail.

A friendship forms over mutual interest in David Bowie and so much more. That works for the pair who are getting over past relationships and struggle in their personal lives- Ally with her addictions, not being over her girlfriend's abandonment, and grief over her mom leaving the family and Will over his mistrust of relationships and being bi-racial and not accepted in either world.
But, then the feelings kick in and these two wary people have to decide whether to open up and trust or bail. I have to admit, they took turns giving me the urge to shake them (communicate, people and don't assume!), but I liked them so much and wanted so badly for them to work past their struggles and make it together.

I mentioned really loving on Becci Martin's narrative work. I thought she did a great job nailing Alice's voice and then all the other voices whether it was gender or accent. Her ability to capture the tone of the story and the range of emotions including the harder stuff near the end. This was my first encounter with her work, but I would definitely listen to more.

So, my re-read/listen just made me an even bigger fan of the story and the author's work. I didn't want to go back to the book I was supposed to be listening to and didn't. Instead, I immersed myself in the world of two cagey millennials trying to find love in the modern world.

Good Listen and Romance

A fairly different take on contemporary romance is always welcome by me and this book fit the bill. The author took me on a romantic journey between two complex characters-with a side of David Bowie-and I really enjoyed the trip.

Review
This was a new author to me and I didn’t know much about the story, but that didn’t matter to me. Sophia asked if I would be interested in listening and the author provided the audio in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was all in as soon as I started listening.

Alice Aberdeen meets Will Murphy and it’s pretty much enemies at first sight. Will is best friends with Alice’s sister’s boyfriend, Gabe. They manage to have a fight before they even meet, so of course the set-up proposed by Gabe and Emma, Alice’s sister, doesn’t happen. And since Alice was in the dark about the set-up, she’s even more unhappy with Will. But, because of her sister’s relationship with Gabe, Will slowly becomes established in Ali’s life-whether either one wants it or not.

Ali is a very complex character. She’s getting ready to graduate from college with a degree in art and works part time as a bartender. She’s also all about David Bowie. Ali is unapologetically bi-sexual and has only recently broke up with her girlfriend of over two years, Jamie. So she’s not exactly at her best since the break up of a relationship with someone that treated her horribly hasn’t left her with very much in the self esteem department. To makes thing even more complex, she’s been through rehab for drugs and alcohol. Interesting/traumatic family history is much to blame for that. Will owns his own small company, drives an expensive car and has his own home. Over and above that, he’s a nice guy-if you forget the fight at the beginning. He’s also half Indian(not native)and Irish and is mega good looking.

At only 184 pages or just over four and a half hours of listening, this was a short(just shy of not being a novella to me)book that never bored me. I found Alice’s character to be pretty compelling and after all her struggles, I rooted for her to find a forever kind of love. Ali has to overcome a lot of baggage in order to move on in her life and get back some self esteem. Will, although not as compelling, still stood out as a good partner for Ali, one that is willing to overlook all of her past mistakes/problems and just love her. I loved that he was on board about what he felt for her, way before Ali knows what she wants. That being said, it’s not all hearts and flowers for Will and he does have his moments of doubting Ali.

Narration by Becci Martin was well done and I would listen to her again. I enjoyed hearing Ali’s “voice” in this case and it just made me like her character more. Especially Ali’s snark. Will’s voice, while still pretty feminine, was also distinctive as being his and not Ali’s. Hopefully that makes sense. I enjoyed the listen and rated the narration at 4.5 stars.

It might have been short, but the book was full of well written, complex characters and a well realized plot. I considered it to be a bit unique due to not only how it was written, but also how much more complex the characters and even story line is than most contemporary romance. Highly recommended to adult romance fans.

Absolutely beautiful

This is a very powerful story. It is so full of witty repartee, snark, angst, pain, loss, love but above all LIFE. Allie and Will at a quick glance are so disjointedly opposites of each but at a closer look they are imperfectly perfect for each other. I loved their story but I wish Jamie would have really gotten her comeuppance.

A realistic romance that left me smiling

North created a complete story with complex characters that I emotionally connected with them despite our age gap.

Alice Aberdeen works as a bartender while attending art school. She has been down in the dumps after a breakup. Her roomie, determined to cheer her up, takes her out to a club. Her roommate’s boyfriend arranges for Will Murphy to meet them. Yep, they are matchmaking..only no one told Alice. The two have a rather awkward, snarky encounter before discovering the setup.

Thus begins a series of encounters filled with banter that leads to more.  There was great chemistry mixed with bouts of miscommunications which made me a little grumpy. Other characters added further complications, but despite it all, I enjoyed the ride.

I enjoyed the growth we see in both characters. Each has hang-ups, fears and struggles to overcome. I felt North researched or had personal experience with some issues that were present. They felt genuine allowing the reader some insight.

I prefer dual narrators for this type of romance, but Becci Martin grew on me. I thought she had a firm grasp of Alice and her voice for Will eventually became comfortable. Her pacing and tone worked well, and the soundtrack was well done.

"Smoking Hot Love" might be a better title!

Wonderfully written, had me cheering them on to just stop the madness and be together! Loved listening to Becci "talk with her mouth full", loved the way the words slid off her tongue with emotion! I cried twice...real tears....seriously?

I love this story. Love.

I loved this in print. Love it in audiobook. Gifted storyteller. This novel hits all the things I love. Smart. Voicey. Excellent pacing and tension. Imperfect people finding their imperfect love. Beautiful.