What Remains

By: Garrett Leigh

Narrated by: Craig Beck

Web designer Jodi Peters is a solitary creature. Lunch twice a week with his ex-girlfriend-turned-BFF and the occasional messy venture to a dodgy gay bar is all the company he needs, right?

Then one night he stumbles across newly divorced firefighter Rupert O'Neil. Rupert is lost and lonely, but just about the sweetest bloke Jodi has ever known. Add in the heady current between them, and Jodi can't help falling hard in love. He offers Rupert a home within the walls of his cosy Tottenham flat - a sanctuary to nurture their own brand of family - and for four blissful years, life is never sweeter.

Until a cruel twist of fate snatches it all away. A moment of distraction leaves Jodi fighting for a life he can't remember and shatters Rupert's heart. Jodi doesn't know him - or want to. With little left of the man he adores, Rupert must cling to what remains of his shaky faith and pray that Jodi can learn to love him again.

Word count: 72,500

©2016 Garrett Leigh (P)2016 Riptide Publishing

Wow! Another great story from Garrett Leigh!

****4.5 stars****Wow! I've adored Garrett Leigh's writing since I read Slide way back when. One of the things I love is how she writes about normal, everyday people. People like Jodi, a web designer who lives by himself and is a bit of a neat freak.

And then there's Rupert, a firefighter who's dealing with his sexuality after a failed marriage and a little girl that is his world.

This book is told in flashbacks so we get to see the chemistry between these two when they first meet and it is explosive. Things move pretty fast and soon they are living together and building a life.

Then a freak accident takes it all away. Jodi suffers a traumatic brain injury and doesn't remember the last 5 years of his life.

This is the part that really hit me hard. Imagining how I would feel if my significant other couldn't remember me or our life and really didn't seem like he wanted to remember. But Rupert loves Jodi wholeheartedly and stays by his side, even though Jodi doesn't make it easy.

I really enjoyed this story and the narration. Craig Beck does an excellent job with the accents. I will definitely look for more from him.

Wonderful love story, excellent narrator.

Too often gay romance novels are either "coming of age" stories, or man meets man, 3 hours of sex scenes, no depth. This is wonderful as it examines their relationship through a period of struggle and change. The emphasis is on the relationship and not just as a set up for sex. The characters are deep, the situations believable, the story moves at an even pace.

Broke My Heart But I Still Loved It

I think I need some recovery time after this one- something light and fluffy full of rainbows and kittens to be exact. My stars! This book tore my heart up and had the tears flowing a few times. Love can be so hard when one lover loses his memory and must find his way back while the other must hold steadfast and strong when hope is nearly lost.

I knew I was in for it because I've read other books by this author, but being prepared didn't help one iota when the feels hit and washed over me like a hurricane.

The story is told in present time line and flashbacks. Lordy, those flashbacks are so necessary. I had to see and know what Jodi was like when he and Rupert met and fell in love because after the accident and the Traumatic Brain Injury he is so different and poor heroic Rupert is nearly breaking under it all. It's one that once started I couldn't have stopped. I had to know if Jodi's memories would return and what would bring on the ending I was really hoping for.

There is so much that felt authentic and real about this story. I don't know exactly what an TMI recovery would be like, but I thought the author nailed it. Just as I don't know what a relationship would do if one partner only remembered his past forgetting the last three years so he forgot the love of his life and thought he was still seeing his best friend or that the other partner is dealing with seriously reduced finances, care for his partner, and struggling to do what's right by said partner even while his heart is breaking. It was dramatic and emotional, but not fake or manipulated.

I experienced this story in the audio format and I enjoyed Craig Beck's narration. I thought he caught the characters and the situation just right. He had a good tone and pace. I really appreciated that he didn't try to add more drama to an already emotional story. He let the story carry itself.

All in all, I am completely tapped out. This story needs a warning label- wonderful, but be prepared to really feel it. I definitely recommend this m/m contemporary romance to those who enjoy difficult romance, lots of spice, and a considerate respect for the various elements.

Heartwarming - Lovely Performance by C Beck

Way less angsty than many other amnesia books, What Remains stays on the sweeter side. Plus loads of Garrett Leigh's best sex, so win-win for me.

Craig Beck turns in a lovely performance, and does a wonderful job with the accents.

Grab some tissues, this is an emotional one!

What made the experience of listening to What Remains the most enjoyable?

I think Craig Becks perfect narration.

What does Craig Beck bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Craig Beck Brought Alive the emotion of both men, the sadness of the accident, the rebuilding of their lives. I nearly cried so many times. I could listen to Craig Beck all day( i practically did as he kept me riveted to this story)

If you could rename What Remains, what would you call it?

I'd keep this title it is perfect

Any additional comments?

What remains is a beautifully written story of two men so much in love, then tragedy strikes and they have to rebuild their lives.

If the person you loved was in an accident and woke up with five years missing from their life. Couldn't remember you or even remember he was gay, could you stay with them, care for them when they are mean and pushy, and not even look at another lover? I could for a short time but for months or longer? With no signs or the doctor saying it would get better? I 'm not sure I could. Rupert was a saint, so in love with Jody, so patient and full of hope. Then we have to see Jody's side, which I can relate too somewhat. Not remember from day to day or remembering who is in your home touching you, seeing you your most vulnerable isn't easy either.

What remains is a beautiful, touching story of love, hope, and happiness. A must read for all M/M romance lovers that like a good cry and a satisfying, believable, not storybook ending.

Heartbreaking but so, so beautiful

For some reason I've always been drawn to memory loss stories. There's something about them that calls my name. And Jodi and Rupert’s story begged for me to read/listen to it.

We all know that when you pick up a book by Garrett Leigh you will be getting angst. You’ll be put through an emotional rollercoaster right alongside the people you are reading about. You also know that all the pain, the heart break will be worth it in the end. It always makes the HEA so much sweeter. This still holds true with What Remains

The first part of this book is divided between two time lines; the past, back when Jodi and Rupert first met and fell in love. We were there for some of the struggles they went through before they were solid as a couple. We know some of their hardships. Which is why the second time line – the present – is so brutal. We find them as a happy and solid couple, it’s a morning just like any else. Only it comes to a brutal end when Jodi is in a car accident and ends up in hospital. No one can say if he’ll make it or not or what permanent damage he’ll have. We sit vigil with Rupert watching every sign of life, hoping, praying Jodi will wake up. Only when he finally does, he’s lost all of his memories of the past 5 years. He’s lost all memories of Rupert, of being bisexual.

I can only imagine how horrible it must be to lose time, lose memories, and lose a part of you are. This book dealt with it all in a very credible way. You felt how lost Jodi was, you were angry at the world with him, of the unfairness of it all. Many times the people surrounding the injured party are forgotten, overlooked. But in cases of traumatic injuries they suffer right alongside the victim. They lose too. So I wished at times that Rupert was allowed to feel anger and frustration with Jodi – because let’s face it, Jodi was horrible to Rupert a lot of the time. I do understand that what they were going through was highly unusual, stressful and emotional; Rupert was never really allowed to feel, to recuperate from taking care of Jodi and taking everything thrown at him. I know that he loved him, but sometimes emotions need an outlet and we were never really there for his.

What Remains was simply beautiful and heart breaking. It was real; you could feel the emotions pouring from every word. I've read this book once before and this time I listened to the audio version and it too was great. It took some getting used to the accent, but after a few minutes I was sucked into this book and the fate of Jodi and Rupert. I love how Leigh creates credible and real characters, they are flawed and life is messy. There are no miracle cures or easy fixes. She makes you work for your happily ever after.

Craig Beck narrated this story beautifully. He treated it with care, added just the right amount of emotion to draw you in. To immerse you in the lives of Rupert and Jodi. The pacing was just right and so were his voices for the different characters. Add in a great accent to fully bring you to UK and this book was pure perfection.

I loved every second of this book and would gladly have listened to several more hours of these two guys. It was beautifully written and I had a hard time putting it down. While sad and heart breaking at times, this book was filled with so much hope, but above all love that it was all worth it in the end.
Highly recommended.

A copy of this book was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review for Love Bytes.

Just kill me now.

Sweet lord this book!
What Remains is another audiobook I started awhile ago, back in July to be more exact, but had to put aside. It wasn't because there was anything wrong with it, it was just sooo emotional I wasn't in the right headspace for it. But with my desire to clear any unfinished books off my "shelf" before the end of the year, I picked it up again last week, and I am so glad I persevered.
Jodi and Rupert's story was so heartwrenching, but such a wonderful love story. I'm kind of tearing up again just thinking about it. It definitely wasn't an easy listen- I wonder if I had read it instead, if I would have had such a visceral reaction to it. Craig Beck's narration was really fantastic. He had me feeling All.The.Feels. All of them.

Garrett Leigh nails it again

Garrett Leigh is one of my very favorite authors and I have yet to read a book of hers I didn't love this was no exception. Craig back was the perfect narrator for these characters and brought them to life. His performance of Rupert was swoon worthy it made me melt every time time Rupert said boyo. I highly recommend this audio book!

Beautiful, Unforgettable

I know I won't forget Jodi and Rupert any time soon Garrett, - thanks for the incredible excellent experience that is your writing. It feels like reality it feels like Truth. I can't say enough about Craig Beck as a narrator as well. Absolutely loved Between Ghosts, Misfits, and hoping the 2nd Misfits book has him narrating as well (PLEASE PLEASE!!!) Craig does a beautiful interpretation of these characters. Your writing never feels cheesy, it feels like these are real people right around the corner dealing with tough circumstances and real fears! These two tore my heart out a couple of times and thank you thank you for the HEA - I know that real life doesn't turn out that way but I have to have it!!!! I'm listening to Only Love right now. With Jodi and Rupert, I just love these two and their extended family (I'd love to have more - I think alot of people are afraid to listen to this book because it is a sober subject (I was too - I let this sit quite a while and I'm mad at myself - I've listened to it 3 X now and it is just really beautiful - thanks again!!!!

I could read this story everyday it's that GOOD.

Who was the most memorable character of What Remains and why?

Jodi

Any additional comments?

**I am re-reading What Remains. I won an audio version from the author and am BEYOND excited!!! :) I've already started (duh!!) and can't wait to report my thoughts on the narration.

Audio review 1-13-17

I really enjoyed the audio; it's good! I want to thank the author for this generous gift.

Please don't let what I am about to say sway you as a potential "listener" one way or another - this is my opinion and I am VERY LIKELY NITPICKING. I am new to the audio thing and still getting my sea legs, if you will. If you are the type of person who can be swayed by another's opinion (I totally am, btw), then don't read any further, I beg you!! Skip to my original review below, which is all totally, completely and amazingly true.

[(Yeah, my warning wouldn't have stopped me from reading this either, LOL.) If you know me you know I LOVE Garrett Leigh. This is not a reflection on the writing. Here it goes: the narrator's voice isn't really different from character to character, but overall still good. The emotions are there and that's important, but there were times I felt there was a lacking of emotions. When Rupert or Jodi was angry, the narrators voice was calm and collected, completely throwing me. Argh, I feel bad saying this!!! For most of the book the narrator did a wonderful job; he has a really great voice and it totally worked, but it just didn't change much between Rupert and Jodi, or even Indie, and so there were times I wasn't sure who was speaking. And again with the emotions - yes he expressed emotions, but not always. I'm running away now. I still really, really, REALLY enjoyed the audio. I couldn't wait to get home so I could listen some more and it killed me to wait to finish until I was done with work. (hide spoiler)]

**original review 7-19-2016**
I love this book! I loved Jodi. I loved Rupert. I loved Jodi and Rupert together! The beginning of the story is beautiful with Jodi and Rupert already having been together for 4 years. They are a happy couple with Jodi doing everything he can to entice his man to stay home with him versus going to work at the firehouse. It’s a normal morning – Rupert has to go off to work his shift, Jodi has plans to meet his BFF/ex-girlfriend, Sophie.

While Jodi is in the hospital, we experience Rupert’s struggles with how to deal with Jodi’s injuries – he’s suffered a severely broken arm, cracked ribs, and brain damage, which the doctor’s don’t know the repercussions of yet. It’s heartbreaking to see Rupert struggling with the possibility of loosing the man he loves. Jodi is in a coma for months, and when he wakes up, he’s different; he doesn’t remember Garrett or anything about their time together. This is something Rupert struggles with, obviously, because not only did Rupert suffer through those months of not knowing Jodi’s fate, but now he has to watch the man he loves look at him as if he were a stranger.

We experience Rupert’s point of view, as well as Jodi’s. Getting both POV’s really helped me understand Jodi’s frustration with his situation, his confusion over what happened, the differences in what he last remembers and what is now reality. The blending of Rupert’s thoughts and then Jodi’s are well timed and I never once questioned whose voice I heard; they are both distinctive and separate from each other.

Garrett Leigh wrote a beautiful story about how these two men found each other, loved and lived, and then survived. I never wanted the story to end and thought the ending was very realistic. There wasn’t as much angst in the story as I thought there might have been; there had been lead ups to potential high level drama that didn’t develop and I was okay with that because what did happen felt authentic and natural.

The cover image is very symbolic of the story; it describes Jodi’s image as well as depicts the fracture of his memory. The black dusting, the shadows behind Jodi represent the fracture of his memory and the dark spot on his brain.

The story is set in Britain and there is a lot of British slang that at times I didn’t understand (at all) what meant, but it didn’t matter. The important parts are all in English.