The Foxxxy Gentlemen's Club: Angel

Foxxxy, Book 2

By: Nikole Knight

Narrated by: Eddie Herrera

Foxxxy Rule #2: Don’t mix business with pleasure Life has not been kind to Adrian Vasquez. He spends his days hiding the truth of his sexuality from his homophobic brother, sticking to every rule of his probation so he isn’t sent back to jail, and keeping out of the crosshairs of Los Hermanos del Diablo—Boston’s most notorious Mexican gang, of which his brother is a prominent member—all in the name of survival.

Thankfully, he has his nights working at The Foxxxy Gentlemen’s Club as an escort and exotic dancer to keep him sane. It may not be his dream job, but under the neon glow of the Foxxxy stage, Adrian can pretend to be someone else, even if it’s only for a little while.

Life has not been easy for Taylor Greer. Born queer and intersex to a Southern Baptist preacher, they left home at fifteen to escape conversation therapy masquerading as a “Christian summer camp.” After surviving four years on the unforgiving streets of Boston, they struggle to get their life back on track for a chance at a better future. Working two jobs to stay afloat and studying every spare minute to pass their GED exam, Taylor has little time for a social life, let alone a love life. But who needs romance when living is this complicated?

When Taylor and Adrian’s paths meet with a literal crash, a bruised plantain is the catalyst for a connection they’re both starving for. Dating a coworker never ends well, but some forces cannot be fought, and Adrian and Taylor can only ignore the magnetic pull between them for so long before physics wins.

Adrian knows better than to mix business with pleasure. Taylor knows better than to get involved with a colleague. But the heart wants what the heart wants, and some rules are made to be broken.

*Trigger Warning: Racist and homophobic language/slurs, mild gang-related violence, scenarios and discussions about eating disorders, mentions of gender dysphoria, one non-violent but bigoted/racist exchange with the police.

©2022 Nikole Knight (P)2024 Nikole Knight

Audio is even better than the story!

Oh I absolutely swooned over Angel and Tyler’s story! Shoutout to Nikole for representing the intersex community, educating those who were stigmatized by ignorance. Their struggles were realistic having to deal with family issues, their collision with acceptance and the community that gathered behind them for support.

Eddie Herrera delivers one heck of a performance with these characters! Nailing Adrian’s voice then come back with that southern accent was magnificent!

New narrator, serious plotlines!

Before I started this new story, I listened to both Lucas and Christian again. It's been a while since I last visited these Foxxxy boys and I wanted to refresh my memory. I loved the different narrator, Eddie Herrera, that was chosen to narrate Angel and Taylor's story. He did an excellent job with the voices.

This story is so different from the other 2 in this series, this one has some serious plot lines. The story is a bit darker which was a surprise since I was expecting something similar to the prior books in the series. Guess I should read the book blurb but where's the fun in that?!?

All in all it was a great story with some sensitive subject matter. I learned some things I didn't know before.

Be sure and read the trigger warnings before starting this one.

A Nice Listen

Though darker than the first book, the story is well written, has an interesting group of people, and the found family feels of the first book. The narrator does an excellent job with the voices.

Great characters and performance

Adrian and Taylor have so much to escape - gangs, homophobic family members, attempted forced therapy, no wonder each of them finds refuge in the club. Unfortunately, they also find love with a co-worker and both of them are wary of how that will turn out. They find a way to make it work, however, and watching them open up to each other and to the realization that life can be better made for an amazing read. Eddie Herrera did a wonderful job making us feel their initial hesitancy to trust and open up and then the hope they begin to feel as their relationship strengthens.

an unexpected love

The Foxxxy Gentleman's Club: Angel is Book 2 in the Foxxxy series and can be enjoyed as a standalone but does include characters from other books in the series. This book is a bit dark and intense and though Angel and Taylor work together they have hidden secrets. As the truth comes into light, Angel and Taylor become closer. They are just who the other needs. It's great to see them learn to trust each other.

Narrator Eddie Herrera does a fabulous job in bringing this story to life. He was a joy to listen to.

Angel and Taylor Find Love at Foxxxy's

An adorable, sweet romance between two young people dealing with their own particular identity issues is at the core of this love-beats-all story. Angel and Taylor are becoming more than coworkers, but they each must face traumas from their pasts before they can have their happily-ever-after. Along the way they discover not only each other, but their Foxxy crew found family. Nikole Knight’s story delivers all the feels and compels the reader’s belief in Angel and Taylor’s love.

This performance is a first-time listen for me with narrator Eddie Herrera. Angel and Taylor’s accented dialogue is well executed. Angel’s POV ‘voice’ is great, but Taylor’s ‘voice’ doesn’t match with what I imagine it to be in my head.

Recommended.

Loved It!

I loved this book. The storyline was interesting from the start, and I fell in love with the characters. Adrian and Taylor were such well developed characters and I loved their backstories- while both weren't good, they felt real, relatable, and understandable. I think Taylor is the first intersex character I've ever read about in a romance, and I loved seeing things from their point of view.

I loved the way the relationship between the two of them grew and developed. I especially loved how Adrian was with them- supportive, admiring, and considerate. I was even touched by the way he would alternate the male and female pronouns when speaking Spanish to Taylor as a means of respecting and acknowledging their non-binary designation. Their chemistry together was also delicious.

The danger from Adrian's past/present kept a level of tension in the background. I also loved the supporting characters from Foxxxy. I could picture them so well in my mind and they had such big personalities. But it was clear they were a family when it counts. This is my first book by this author and in this series and I definitely want to listen to the others.

I really enjoyed Eddie Herrara's narration. It was easy to distinguish between the different characters' voices. I also loved the accents. I wish Taylor's southern accent was stronger, but being they didn't have a heavy accent unless upset or very emotional, it was done perfectly. Eddie is a new narrator for me and I look forward to hearing more.

Overall: 5 stars
Performance: 5 stars
Story: 5 stars

Great listen

Really enjoyed this one from Nicole Knight! it had a darker tone than the previous novel and I was there for it! New narrator for and I thought he did a good job.

Another Foxxxy Family Found!

This was an inspiring story about two young guys struggling in similar yet different ways. Angel and Taylor work together at Foxxxy and have developed a bond of supporting and protecting each other. Angel does not trust easy, and Taylor comes off as being a bit closed off, but he just had a terrible childhood of being thrown out of his home and having to survive on his own. It is beautiful to watch these two caring for one another and falling in love! So sweet and hot! Narrated in both of their POV's this romance is very well written and represents the struggle of gender identity delicately. Eddie Herrara the narrator not only gives all the voices and accents in stunning clarity, but he also brings out all the emotions and feelings of these guys. It was heartwarming to see these two young struggling and emotional hurting guys find their place and a unique family all their own.

Just as good the second time around!

I have already read this in print, but got an ARC of the audio so I read it again! Love both MCs, Adrian is such a sweetie. Didn’t love the accent work, but narration was ok overall.