The Backup Boyfriend

Boyfriend Chronicles Series, Book 1

By: River Jaymes

Narrated by: Marc Bachmann

Length: 8 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

Professionally, Dr. Alec Johnson has almost reached his goals. As this year's recipient of a humanitarian award with his ex, Dr. Tyler Hall, Alec's work with the homeless is about to be recognized. Unfortunately, his personal life sucks because now he has to attend several events alongside Tyler - with his ex's new boyfriend in tow. In an attempt to lift his mood and break out of his rut, Alec purchases a motorcycle he has no idea how to start. Dylan Booth doesn't have time for Dr. Clueless and his fickle 1964 Harley, but the cocky mechanic can't say no to the request for help.

Having spent his teen years on the streets, and losing his best friend to HIV, Dylan decides teaching the do-gooder how to ride is the least he can do. But watching Alec flounder in his ex's company throws Dylan into protector mode, and the confirmed hetero introduces himself as Alec's new boyfriend. But Dylan's a master bullshitter, and the phony PDA soon turns ultra-hot. Alec can't afford to get attached, and Dylan's learned everyone eventually leaves. Unfortunately, playing the backup boyfriend is starting to feel way too real....

Contains mature themes.

©2013 River Jaymes (P)2015 Tantor

Great!

The Backup Boyfriend is one of my favorite M/M books. I've read the book twice. I love the story and the characters. I was so excited to see it available on Audible. I've never listened to a book narrated by Mark Bachmann, so I was pleasantly surprised by the job he did. Good narration, fantastic story, I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys gay romances.

Really liked the two main characters…

…Alec and Dylan are equal parts frustrating and endearing. Dylan, struggling to define (or not) himself and Alec, willingly submitting to hurtful (verbal) dismissiveness from his “partner” over and over again. But, their coming together is inevitable and it was satisfying when it finally happened. Very satisfying book—it gives hope and love and, ultimately, acceptance. Respectfully, i was a little turned off by the narration. Just a little. It felt like the narrator was reading rather than performing—not fully embodying the characters. Small quibble, but it made it more difficult for me to get under the characters’ skins. Good read, nonetheless. And the sex was also very steamy.

Very fun read

Would you listen to The Backup Boyfriend again? Why?

No. But I very seldom listen to books a second time.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Backup Boyfriend?

I always enjoy reading about accomplished gay guys with relatively normal lives. Doctors, mechanics, etc...

Have you listened to any of Marc Bachmann’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Both books in this series

Any additional comments?

Binge listened to it. (and the sequel) both were great fun.

loved it!!

It was steamy, heartwarming with a touch of drama here and there. Excellent story and sweet boys.

awww, My heart is full

Such a sweet live story. Fake straight boyfriend, turns big awakening to big freak out to true love. What more could you ask for? Great narration too!

If you buy the "Gay for You" premise, you'll be ok

The Gay for You trope is one I struggle with. There is always this moment that comes along where the heretofore straight guy decides that he must be bi or pan or omni and just never realized it before. It doesn't ring true the way most writers portray these relationships, and it is no different here for River Jaymes. There is always some premise where the straight guy is going to pretend to be gay to help the other MC save face, then to make this work, there have to be a lot of misunderstandings and internal struggles. This title is very predictable as all of those things happen. The flow is generally fine. Nothing here is cleverly different for this trope. The story of the mutual friend who died from HIV/AIDs is really not well developed, which is unfortunate as this particular plot factors into the entire series. I wish Jaymes had done a better job crafting that key element.

The narration? This a an example of where Marc Bachmann is the right guy for the job. Found him wildly miscast in Annabeth Albert's Trust With a Chaser. But here, he channels his gravelly tone well for two guys who aren't twenty somethings. His underlying warmth is the right balance and he handles the range of characters well.

This is the first of a series. While none of the three is terrible, I find they struggle to have any element that rings true. Jaymes went to the file cabinet for stock characters - the motorcycle riding tough guy, the guy who everyone sees as soft and has something to prove, the very rich guy who throws money around and is the life of the party, but is really sad, the risk taker who realizes maybe too late that the real risk he needed to take was love, you get the idea - you've read them all before. Every time I finish a title, I ask myself: "was this worth a $12 credit?" My answer to all of these is no.

I do think this is the best of the series, book three is pretty good, the second installment tries too hard.

Like the book but not the right narrator

What made the experience of listening to The Backup Boyfriend the most enjoyable?

Good story line

What didn’t you like about Marc Bachmann’s performance?

The narrator has a great voice and excellent diction but is not quite suited for this book.

Great story

The writer pulls you into the story and has you actually caring about the characters.
The pace of the story builds you up to what's going to happen next.

Not finishing because horrible narration

I absolutely love this book and have read it 3 times so I was so excited to find the audio book. However, the voice used for Dylan seems identical to John Wayne or another swaggering cowboy and I cannot stand to finish listening - even to hear a favorite book.

I have listened to around 100 books and this is the first I haven't finished... so beware.

Beautiful MM romance novel

I love MM romance; I either I like a book or I lóve a book. I lóved this one, because it stands out from the rest. River Jaymes writes the intimate scenes in beautiful detail, the MCs’s characters are described in a way that brings them to life and the banter between them is funny; Noah is annoyingly hilarious. The novel contains a story that develops with revelations dropped at the right time throughout the story, with a beautiful ending. Dylan and Alec belong together; the adorable Mom gets her proposition 8 outcome. I recommend the MM romance lover to read River Jaymes novels. You won’t regret it! ❤️