The Glow Up

Franklin U, Book 5

By: A.M. Johnson

Narrated by: Teddy Hamilton, Michael Crouch

Chris Delaney

I've promised myself that this was going to be the year to finally buckle down. I'm a junior, and I’ve settled on a major. I've got focus and determination. The one thing I haven't figured out yet? How to deal with the massive crush I've been harboring on the guy in study carrel six. I don’t know his name, and some of my friends think it’s time for me to move on, but he has this whole sexy, broody, dark eyes and messy hair thing going for him. And yeah, he seems like he could be my polar opposite. The kind of unapproachable, serious type who doesn’t smile much, but I’d like to think he’s all rays of sunshine underneath his stormy expressions and disheveled demeanor. All that intense energy…I dig it. I want to know him.

The rub? I’ll have to find the courage to actually introduce myself.

Aiden Russo

The college experience is supposed to be parties, drinking, and fun with a few classes mixed in. It sounds pretty amazing, right? For me, it turned out to be endless lectures, avalanches of homework, and copious amounts of caffeine. The study carrel might as well be my dorm room. And that guitar under my bed? It's got two years of dust growing on it. But this is the life I have to lead if I’m ever going to help my dad. Pre-med isn’t for the weak.

The problem? Loneliness holds me hostage. If only I could find someone willing to break through my ever-present cloud bank, and remind me what it’s like to have fun again.

©2022 A.M. Johnson (P)2022 A.M. Johnson

So sweet

What a sweet love story. Reminds you of your first love and you can’t help but to get swept up. The two MC’s are adorable and lovable. Low angst and a slow burn in the best possible way. One of my favorites of the series. A.M. Johnson never disappoints. And the narrators are perfect for the book.

If an audiobook could be perfect, it’s this one.

This story is so incredibly sweet with characters I grew to love so much, I wished they were real.

It’s light on the drama, heavy on the heart, and absolutely adorable. Loved every second. And the narrators were perfection.

Wonderful

This was a great listen. The narrator’s were a perfect match for this tale. Chris and Aiden are interesting and fun, l enjoyed there story from beginning to finish. Great

Adorable romance a hit!

Another hit by AM Johnson the audio is fantastic it will be on my relisten list for sure 5 stars . My favorite of the series so far (out of the current audios available currently)

The Glow Up

The short and sweet of it is that Chris and Aiden were super cute. There were some definite swooney moments. I loved how neither of these guys were afraid to show emotions or sensitivity. When they teared up seeing each other after spending a few weeks apart I swear I almost did the same. I also really enjoyed the recreational mary jane references and how it wasn't portrayed as something evil. Heck I died laughing when we found out what Chris's total stoner BFFs major was. Take that stereotypes!!

narration wise both voices fit the characters well in my opinion and did the story justice. 5 stars for their performances.

5*****

Absolutely love each book in this beautiful series. All are well written, narrated and have likable characters. Highly recommend!

This book made me feel "the Glow"

Aside from Aiden and Chris' first awkward meeting I felt a warm glow with each interaction between them - the love scenes were steamy and felt warm and intimate. A. M. Johnson with the help of talented performers Teddy Hamilton and Michael Crouch reminded me that romance novels don't have to have constant drama or trauma, don't have to be quest driven or the characters start out not liking each other - don't get me wrong, I enjoy those ....especially the spicy ones 😉. This was literally a boy meets boy, the spend time together, find out they like each other...the end. Lol okay...not quite that simple - Aidan was struggling to figure out what he wanted to do and he has an alcoholic father he desperately wants to help. Loved the massage scene at the "Halloween party"....this was just a wonderful low angst romance.

4 stars - worthy of a repeat listen

The Glow Up!

I'm going to keep this review simple and sweet, just like the story!

First, A.M. Johnson isn't new to me, I've read their work before and have enjoyed it so it's no surprise that I enjoyed listening to Tedddy and Michael bring Chris Delaney and Aiden Russo to life. I love dual narration or duo, whatever the correct term is, and it's a bonus because I love Teddy Hamilton! He's a one-click narrator for me and Michael Crouch isn't half bad, he's new to me. The Glow Up is part of the Franklin U universe that can be read alone but I'm not gonna lie, after reading, I went back and started with book 1 and now I'm 7 stories down and waiting for book 8; it's that good! I enjoyed the two MCs' own personal struggles and back story but I mostly enjoyed how in the end they managed to battle their obstcles and be together. The one thing that bothered me the most was Aiden's approach to wanting to help his father, although admirable, he shouldn't have to do all the work per say, but still, my heart broke for him, having to 'grow up' fast and put their social lives on hold.

Overall, I enjoyed every minute of this story with their great narrators and HEA. Happy listening all!

I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.

great story

I'm surely letting these Franklin University stories and this one didn't act disappoint. it can be right as a standalone completely. this was a wonderfully written and narrated story. you really get to know the emotions from the characters and got to know them on a personal level. I really love the duo point of view story lines because it's not like you're reading the story you're being told to start from the characters.

So sweet...

4 stars for the story.

Chris is a sweet Mr. Sunshine who had a crush on Aiden for two years.

Aiden is a quiet guy who is constantly busy with schoolwork and never had time for a social life.

One massage incident leads to them finally interacting. The two start a relationship. With Aiden's busy schedule, they have to balance their relationship with their school life. However, there is also Aiden's home life that plays a major part in all that he does including school.

I enjoyed this one. I think both MCs are likable. I liked that there wasn't much angst within the relationship. Most of the drama came from Aiden's home life with his father. I loved how Chris was always there for him through everything. The two were really cute and sweet together.

3.5 stars for the Narration.

I think both narrators were fine separately. They grew on me the more I listened. Although, both could work on distinguishing their voices for different characters. Everyone sounded the same and maybe I am too spoiled with other narrators being able to do so that I expect all to be able to do it lol. When you don't change up the voices it is hard to tell who is talking. I don't like that 🤷🏽‍♀️ I will say that at times the recording sound became so low I had to turn up my volume just to hear it. But, like I said the narrators were fine.