The Silence of the Stars

By: Kate McMurray

Narrated by: Michael Ferraiuolo

A spin-off of The Stars that Tremble

Sandy Sullivan has gotten so good at covering up his emotions, he's waiting for someone to hand him an Oscar. On the outside he's a cheerful, funny guy, but his good humor is the only thing keeping awful memories from his army tours in Afghanistan at bay. Worse, Sandy is now adrift after breaking up with the only man who ever understood him but who also wanted to fix him the way Sandy's been fixing up his new house in Brooklyn.

Everett Blake seems to have everything: good looks, money, and talent to spare. He parlayed a successful career as a violinist into a teaching job at Manhattan's elite Olcott School, and until four months ago he even had the perfect boyfriend. Now he's on his own, trying to give his new apartment some personality, even if it is unkempt compared to the perfect home he had shared with his ex. When hiring a contractor to renovate his kitchen sends Sandy barreling into his life, Everett is only too happy to accept the chaos - until he realizes he's in over his head.

©2014 Kate McMurray (P)2015 Dreamspinner Press

A beautiful love story.

I've had this audiobook in my Audible library for a while now. Michael Ferraiuolo is one of my absolute favorite audiobook performers so I don't know why I waited so long to listen to The Silence of the Stars. It's book two in a series but you don't need to read book one to enjoy this. I haven't read it and I never felt lost listening to this.

Sandy and Everett come from different worlds but there is an instant attraction when they meet. Things don't always go smoothly for their romance. Sandy is suffering from PTSD but doesn't want to admit that. Everett is recently out of a relationship which makes him wary of staring anything serious.

I think this was a very well written story and given that it's 10 years old I think it's held up very well. The audiobook is one of Michael Ferraiuolo's earliest performances and I think he did a great job. His more current work is understandably improved but this one is so much better than many other audiobooks I've listened to narrated by much less skilled people.

A FIRST CLASS WINNER!!

I loved this book, and this is due mostly to the level of character development that Kate but into it! The story just leaps out at you in the best way possible, you will see! Michael and Kate's talents come together to make an audiobook you will enjoy again and again!

I love Sandy, he just walked right into my heart! He seems to have it all, but all of that is on the surface, a breakup and memories of his time in Afghanistan have him not sure what the future holds for him, he is just kind of existing, that is until he goes to design a certain kitchen...

Everett is learning to live on his own, be his own person without his ex. He decides to get his kitchen in his new place renovated, and that is when he meets Sandy, and the chemistry between the two shows at once!

Can Everett and Sandy turn their attraction into something more, or will they let the past and their problems keep them from something that just may heal them both?

I really love this story, and Michael brings it to life in a way I don't think someone else could! Grab your copy today friends! You will love it too!

Michael Ferraiuolo did a great job on an ok story

To start – I did not read The Stars That Tremble, but I’m told that’s okay.

Sandy is suffering from PTSD, now working with a buddy as a decorator, mostly outgoing and loving life, but having a hard time dealing with the demons he saw in the war.

Everett is coming off a broken heart, his famous ex has moved on and he’s now focusing on his new career and a new residence.

The two are immediately attracted and begin an affair, but it isn’t an easy road.

Sandy doesn’t want to deal with the PTSD he denies and doesn’t want to burden anyone else with his nightmares, so he avoids sleepovers and commitment.

Everett is still a bit gun-shy, what with being a recent ex of a long relationship and he’s dubious about his own abilities to handle Sandy’s PTSD.

In the end Sandy agrees to get some help and Everett and he get a solid HEA.

**

There were parts of this book that I really liked. I loved the MCs and their POTENTIAL. The PTSD, the socialite and the working class man, the musician and the carpenter… all good mixes and rife with potential.

What I didn’t like was the lack of emotion. Even the sex seemed kind of mechanical and blah. Though they said words to the effect of “you are so hot” “I want you so much” I didn’t FEEL it.

I liked this book and I would read more by this author, but I wasn’t wowed by this particular story.

3.5 of 5 hearts

Audio
I mostly liked the narration by Michael Ferraluolo. I thought that Everett should have the lighter voice and Sandy the deeper – so that kept throwing me out of the story. But I don’t really think that there is a basis for my interpretation other than Sandy was the Army guy… stereotypes and all that. It didn’t really diminish the overall enjoyment for me – just gave me pause now and then. He differentiated the voices nicely and dealt with the emotion that was in the story well.

4 of 5 hearts for the audiobook

Almost perfect.

Any additional comments?

There were some truly tender moment in this story and I truly did love Sandy and Evan together. There was just something missing, something... I don't know. This had the potential to be a beautiful love story.

The narrator was decent and I appreciated that he did sound around the age of the main characters who were 35 and 40. His voice was smooth and easy to listen too. So, although the story didn't make it to 4 stars for me, I did enjoy it and was very happy with the narrator and entertainment value.