Nick, Very Deeply

8 Million Hearts, Book 5

By: Spencer Spears

Narrated by: Michael Fell

They say soulmates don’t exist. But they’ve never met Nick Sawyer....

Eli: In my defense, I didn’t think I’d see Nick again. If I had, I would never have kissed him.

I got a fake ID because I was bored, not because I planned on meeting anyone. But from the moment I saw Nick - all tall, dark, and librarian-y, with hardcover books falling out of his messenger bag and eyes that made me forget how to breathe - I knew I needed to know him better.

So maybe I told a little white lie about my birthday. And maybe I went into the city again, and again, just so I could run into him. And maybe, on that last morning, I kissed him, because I knew it was good-bye.

Except, turns out, it wasn’t. Whoops.

Only now, I have to spend the rest of the year working with Nick, and it’s clear he wishes we’d never met. He says I have to move on, but the more I get to know him, the more impossible that seems. How do you move on from someone as strong and smart and sweet as Nick? How do you get over the first person who’s told you that you matter?

And what the hell do you do when, out of nowhere, he kisses you again?

“I can’t keep fighting this. I need you. I need us.”

Nick: I tried to keep my distance. I tried to forget that kiss. I tried to remind myself how dangerous it was, just being around Eli. How much I was putting in jeopardy.

I tried...but I never stood a chance.

Eli is everything I’m not. Reckless and wild, where all I’ve ever been is cautious. Open and loving, where I’ve only ever been scared. Willing to take risks, to be vulnerable, to be brave. I want to be brave enough to deserve him.

I know it’s wrong, but before I know it, I’ve fallen for this crazy, beautiful boy and his ocean-blue eyes. Before I know it, I’m kissing him again.

“I’d take it all back if I could.” That’s what I’m supposed to say. But the truth is, I wouldn’t. I would choose Eli every time.

Even if it means losing everything.

Nick, Very Deeply is book five in the 8 Million Hearts series. While each book can be listened to on its own, they're even more fun to listen together. Nick, Very Deeply is a m/m romance, full of snark, sweetness, and a healthy serving of steam. Teacher/student and hurt/comfort themes with a delicious slow burn. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed HEA.

©2018 Spencer Spearsq (P)2020 Spencer Spears

Sweet Story

I have enjoyed listening to the books in this series. Nick and Eli were interesting characters and I enjoy stories with an age gap. I love Michael Fell's narration. He has a very enjoyable voice.

Nick and Eli

Nick, Very Deeply is book 5 in the 8 Million Hearts series. This is a sweet, slow burn, a little angsty, emotional, age gap story. Eli,19, is still in high school when he meets Nick. Even though Nick is older than Eli they have great chemistry together. Nick has issues with Eli's age thinking he will find someone else once he starts college so Nick breaks things off before he can get hurt but just hurts them both in the process. I love this book and the journey it took Nick to realize how much he loved Eli and that it really was okay for them to be together because they were miserable apart. Definitely recommend this book and series.
Narrator Michael Fell does a marvelous job.

fantastic

Nick, Very Deeply by Spencer Spears is the fifth book five in the 8 Million Hearts series. Snarky, sweet, and slow burning steamy, this story is fantastic with a lot of emotion.  Definitely a story that will have readers crying and tgen laughing... and loving it.  The characters are fun and well developed.
Michael Fell is the Narrator and does a fantastic job with voicework.  The performance and recording is smooth and clear and very enjoyable.

Nick and Eli

I was excited to listen to Nick and Eli’s story. They are storyline was so emotional and interesting. I loved there journey to HEA and was so excited to listen to this that I couldn’t put it down. Amazing from start to finish. The narration was great.

Long but worth the listen

Nick and Eli meet And feel an immediate connection despite their age difference only to discover that their relationship should not be. But the heart wants what the heart wants and through many ups and downs Nick and Eli find the balance so they can have their happily ever after.The story is very good - due to the length there were a couple of points I felt the story was a little drawn out but overall this was a very enjoyable listen. The narrator was absolutely fabulous. Probably the best one I have ever listen to. He made you feel like you were right there in the friend group going through the ups and downs with Nick and Eli. As long as you’re a fan of longer books I feel this is definitely a must listen

Lovely!

I really loved the ebook version of this one from Spencer Spears but the audio was devine! Beautifully done with a great storyline... you can't get much better than this!

Excellent Narration

So I really love this series and I truly enjoyed this couple and Fell's narration is done extremely well and really made the characters come to life. This is a long one and it did drag a bit in the middle with some redundancy I didn't think it really needed but overall it's a good listen and a solid addition to the series.

A Great Story with Terrific Narration

I have not read the previous books of this series, and this one does stand alone, but I couldn't help wondering what the stories were with the established couples that appear in this book. Reading this well-told love story between Eli and Nick has motivated me to seek the others out as well.

When Nick and Eli meet briefly one morning at the train station, there's interest sparking between them right away. Eli determines to see Nick again and goes to the station two more times. Since he believes he'll never see Nick again after these few meetings, he lets Nick think he's in college. He's actually in high school (but he's 19 so it's not like THAT). A few weeks later they find themselves in an advisor/advisee situation. Will this new wrinkle doom the relationship before it starts?

There are a few themes (tropes?) at play in Spears' story. It's a slow-burn romance, thankfully not with contrived and overwrought angst. It is believable in the context of the story Spears is telling. The age-gap, while not terribly large, is an obstacle for Nick. He feels like he's taking advantage of the younger Eli. This becomes more troubling to Nick when he becomes an advisor to Eli's church youth group. That's where a smidgen of forbidden-love comes into play. Nick is extremely wary of the power imbalance that could exist between them, while Eli doesn't give it much thought at all. That's where the opposites-attract theme running throughout the book makes the most impact. Eli is bold, brash and even reckless at times and Nick stays safe in routine and could be considered boring by some. All of these elements combine to tell an emotionally charged story of conquering one's fears and letting love in despite the vulnerability it creates.

I loved Michael Fell's narration from the start. His perfect voice acting brings this story to life. I especially loved the snarky sarcastic tone he brings to Eli's part of the story.

I received a free review copy of this audiobook, at my request, and have written this voluntary opinion.

Recommended.

Wonderfully Narrated Emotional Slow-Burn Romance

At nearly 16 hours, "Nick, Very Deeply" takes slow-burn romance to a new level and there's enough (very well-written) emotional angst and MC inner turmoil for several books. Seeing their seven-year age gap and his role as a church youth advisor as relationship barriers, Nick internally struggles with maintaining a platonic friendship with 19-year-old Eli while denying their intense mutual attraction.

As feelings deepen, mixed messages send them both on an emotional rollercoaster and their struggles and emotions feel very real. While I think Nick's morality concerns are a bit overblown, given he and Eli are both adults, I felt for him and was rooting hard for him and Eli (who is an open-hearted sweetie) to find happiness together. This story is a heartfelt relationship deep-dive with well-developed MCs to care about and the lead up to their HEA is very heartwarming.

I don't normally go for audio books this long, but narrator Michael Fell made this listen so enjoyable with an emotionally rich performance that had me feeling this story alongside the characters. I received this free review copy audio book by request and have left this honest review voluntarily.

Emotional rollercoaster

Nick and Eli’s story took me on an emotional rollercoaster!!! It had the perfect amount of ups and downs that I like in a story. Spencer has a knack of creating very real characters and that’s what I love the most about this series.
Narration by Michael Fell was good. Great flow and pacing. Kept me entertained through the whole story.