The Dove in the Belly

By: Jim Grimsley

Narrated by: Michael Crouch

At the University of North Carolina, Ronny's made some friends, kept his secrets, survived dorm life, and protected his heart.

Until he can't. Ben is in some ways Ronny's opposite; he's big and solid where Ronny is small and slight. Ben's at UNC on a football scholarship. Confident, with that easy jock swagger and an explosive temper always simmering. He has a steady stream of girlfriends. Ben's aware of the overwhelming effect he has on Ronny. It's like a sensation of power. So easy to tease Ronny, throw playful insults, but it all feels somehow...loaded.

Meanwhile Ronny's mother has moved to Vegas with her latest husband. And Ben's mother is fighting advanced cancer. A bubble forms around the two, as surprising to Ronny as it is to Ben. Within it their connection ignites physically and emotionally. But what will happen when the tensile strength of a bubble is tested? When the rest of life intervenes?

The Dove in the Belly is about the electric, dangerous, sometimes tender but always powerful attraction between two very different boys. But it's also about the full cycles of love and life and how they open in us the twinned capacities for grief and joy.

©2022 Jim Grimsley (P)2022 Recorded Books

So much better than I was expecting!

I thought this was a beautiful, if sometimes crude or even cruel, but most of the time truly profound and meaningful story. And isn’t life and love just like that?

And, I’m pretty sure I could listen to Michael Crouch read random ingredient labels… He has such a captivating voice. He breathes such emotion and life into the characters he narrates.

Solid and Delicate

It took me awhile to get into this audiobook. But I’m immensely glad I stayed with it. It’s a beautiful, well written story that twists and turns into something solid and delicate at the same time. And the author didn’t back away from writing a story about the jagged edges of Love and desire. Is there a “happily ever after” at the end? I think every reader will decide this for themselves. This felt like a challenging story to narrate, but Michael Crouch is one of my favorite narrators, and he does an admirable job of giving each character a unique quality and voice. I wholeheartedly recommend you give it a listen.

Deep

I loved this book! It’s deep, passionate, heartwarming and suspenseful Love story. I could not put it down.

Real Literature

This is the real thing—literature and not formulaic pulp. What a completely satisfying read. Time well spent.

Lovely, wonderful book

This book was a pure pleasure, beautifully written and very well read. Without unnecessary sentimentality yet sensual and poetic.

All the FEELS!!!

I felt every emotion right along with Ben and Ronny in this story. It balanced a relaxed vibe with moments of high tension, creating a unique atmosphere. The narration was masterful, capturing just the right tone and inflection throughout, making it a joy to listen to from start to finish. This story truly is worth experiencing, and I found myself completely immersed in it until the very end.

What an amazing, touching book…

….which Michael Crouch brings to vivid life. I loved every second of it. We need more audiobooks from this author and Michael should read them all.

Rhapsodic

This is a continuous song of lovely imagery and at its best, poignant and emotionally fulfilling.

Great narrator, sweet story

I really liked the plot, and the narrator was amazing. I definitely recommend the book!

Painful but beautiful

Beautiful narration of a difficult story. Ronnie is such an exquisite character, so trusting so pure, and such a kind soul. Ben so deeply conflicted, and I’m still not sure whether I think he’s a complete jerk or more a victim of circumstance. But nonetheless, this is a beautiful story and I urge you to listen to it. Also, I need to find more MM narrated by Michael Crouch. Such a beautiful, calming voice.