The Aerialist

Black Cat Circus, Book 3

By: Morgan Lysand

Narrated by: Zachary Zaba

Brighton was a gangly awkward teenager the last time he saw his dad’s best friend Zander. Six years later, Brighton’s an adult, and still very aware Zander is hot.

As an aerialist in the Black Cat Circus, raven-shifter Brighton has honed his skills in the air. On the ground, not so much. He’s best friends with a cat—the circus mascot—and reads in his free time. But despite his seemingly quiet nature, Brighton knows what he wants. Zander.

Zander is freshly retired from a career in the military and eager for a new adventure. The circus awaits! Unfortunately, his best friend retired from said circus and decided to celebrate with a month long trip, leaving Zander alone with his kid. Zander remembers an adorable child, not the handsome young man Brighton has become, and his intense attraction makes him feel all kinds of wrong.

Can Brighton keep his secrets safe from his biggest crush? Can Zander control his yearning for the young acrobat? What will Brighton’s father think?

The Aerialist is a spicy dad’s-best-friend paranormal MM romance with a touch of primal play, forced proximity, and so. Many. Crop. Tops. It is part of the Black Cat Circus, a multi-author series that features found family and a magical cast of characters. Each book can be listened to as a standalone, but better enjoyed together.

©2023, 2024 Morgan Lysand (P)2024 Morgan Lysand

yes!

well Zachary Zaba makes an already fun book better with this amazing audiobook! His Zander voice is a beautiful deep cadence the draws you on and holds your full attention. Bris voice gives that fun playfulness that you wanted him to have when reading his pov. Rest of the cast are true to previous installments of this series so beautiful job. So happy they brought him on board for this series!

Oh, beautiful Bri, Black Cat Circus wouldn't be the same without you and that beautiful energy you exude. Zee didn't have a chance once he laid eyes on Bri again. These two are two magnets meant to crash into each other.
OK, now let's talk about the fun times they are top-notch fun that you wouldn't expect from the story, but wow, do they make it even better. A perfect combination of heat, found family, and just enough mystery to keep you on your toes wanting more. And the mystery of Peanut better be solved in the next book or I may riot. I haven't been able to put these books down since I started and have no plans until I finish with the Ringmaster!

Brighton & Z

I previously read the book, which I very much enjoyed. I don't feel the narration did the story justice, though. The voices and dialog were fine, but the non-dialog portion of the narration fell flat for me.

Raven shifter instalove

Brighton is a smart, kind young man who has been left to raise himself. He's collected a fantastic found family of friends and honorary big brothers to help fill his life with joy. When Zander steps back into his life, his crush on his father's best friend catches both of them on fire. Zander had never thought much about Brighton, he'd always been on the periphery of his friendship. But now he's an attractive, cheeky man who isn't afraid to ask for what he wants.

The narration brought the circus to life. This story has instant love, some healing of family relationships, and suspense from an ex stalker.

Get your popcorn for some primal play fun

1st person, present tense, dual POV
Brighton, raven-shifter (22), aerialist at the BCC
Zander, demigod, descendent of Odin, by way of Thor (43), retired Marine

Audiobook (5h22m), Narrated by Zachary Zaba: 4.5 stars
I'm listening to this on the heels of Sweetheart Daddy, also by Morgan Lysand and narrated by Zachary Zaba and the voices for the characters are quite similar, especially Jacob/Zander so it took me a minute to transition myself to the BCC. However, within a couple chapters I was fully immersed. The narrator gave both Bri and Z their own voice and personality making me want to continue listening even after I'd arrived back home after work and was sitting in my driveway.


Story - 4 stars
I adored this installation of the BCC; it's such a fun concept and found family, the possibilities are really endless. This book brought a little danger with Bri being the victim of a stalker, which was a captivating story arc. I do wish he'd confided in someone earlier, but he's young and had he reasons and then we wouldn't have had such a thrilling a story and wouldn't have seen protective Zander in action.

I really enjoyed the tension between Zander and Bri as they, well Zander, resisted their attraction.
This had a little more whiffle waffling about the age gap and Brighton being Ray and Sally's son than I really enjoy, but that's a personal preference. When they finally got out of their own way they were positively fire. That primal play scene? Yeah, *fans self*.

I loved how initially Zander wasn't in on the 'secret' of the BCC and the big reveal was very satisfying, that he himself was keeping a similar secret was just delightful, though I do wish a little more of Zander's demigod side, especially his powers had been explored. It was fun how Zander found his place in the circus, having read season 2 before season 1 I knew, but seeing the origin story is always best.

Brighton's friendship with Peanut was adorable, I loved how they communicate with one another and read together, I'm so glad they found each other. I loved the entire supporting cast, but I'm absolutely invested in Peanut and Seven and HAVE to see what happens next!

I'm horrible at writing audiobook reviews because I can't scroll back through and see the things I've highlighted or made notes on but suffice to say I was a fan and enjoyed both the narration and the story. It was cute, sweet, and a fun diversion for a boring commute.

I was given an Audible code and voluntarily wrote an honest review.

The Raven and his Protector

I read this book originally back in April of this year, and loved it! This round I was able to enjoy the tale via audiobook. I have to say, that Zachary Zaba brings such a wide array of voices to the Black Cat Circus characters that I never have to wonder who is actually talking, or whose POV it is in each chapter.

Brighton is a character that grips and engages you right in the beginning. Even the dynamic he adds as a secondary character in the first Black Cat Circus book, The Daredevil, is enough to get you ready and willing to jump into his eventual story. The connection he forges with Zander after reconnecting with his parent's friend after so many years is just another fun layer and instantaneous hilarity when each MC realizes how attracted they are to one another. Zander is of course worried about the age gap between him and Brighton, and what their relationship will mean to Brighton's parents, but the two men surge forward with their relationship because their feelings come on so strong.

The added supernatural element to their story is a lot of fun, except for the stressful angst that happens near the end of the story with one of Brighton's Exes. I'm so grateful for how all of their circus crew can come together and support one another.

I've read The Aerialist a few times already, and adding in the fantastic audiobook is another necessary experience with this series.

I received an authorized copy of this story/audiobook and am volunteering my honest review.

Engaging and fun

This was my first visit to that Black Cat Circus. I really enjoyed Brighton and Zander's story. The plot was engaging and kept me interested. The aerial scenes were realistic, like I was watching them myself. The primal play element was fun. I liked how the members of the circus were one big family. I'm definitely going to go back and read the rest of the books in the series. Zachary Zaba did a wonderful job voicing these characters. I liked how each characters voice was distinctly different.

Cheeky Raven

Brighton & Zander
Rating: 3.4 ⭐
Narrator: Zachary Zaba

- Paranormal
- Raven Shifter/Demigod
- Found Family
- Coworkers-to-Lovers
- Primal Play
- Dad's Best Friend
- Age Gap (21yrs)
- Mild exhibitionism