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Men of Smithfield #4
Adam and Holden
55,000 words
LENGTH
6 hrs and 19 mins
Previous Title: In and Out
Holden Worthington's globetrotting days are over. Once the host of a popular adventure show, he hasn't ventured past his own front door in more than a year. Then the arrival of a sexy new gardener sparks something Holden hasn't felt in a very long time—an interest in the world outside his window.
Holden tries to resist the attraction. But painfully shy yet definitely interested Adam Morgan has Holden longing to conquer his debilitating anxiety and live again. After a grisly discovery on the grounds of the estate, the town of Smithfield turns a suspicious eye on the reclusive Holden—and the two men must trust in each other to bring the truth out in the open.
Previously published, newly revised by author.
LENGTH
6 hrs and 19 mins
Previous Title: In and Out
Holden Worthington's globetrotting days are over. Once the host of a popular adventure show, he hasn't ventured past his own front door in more than a year. Then the arrival of a sexy new gardener sparks something Holden hasn't felt in a very long time—an interest in the world outside his window.
Holden tries to resist the attraction. But painfully shy yet definitely interested Adam Morgan has Holden longing to conquer his debilitating anxiety and live again. After a grisly discovery on the grounds of the estate, the town of Smithfield turns a suspicious eye on the reclusive Holden—and the two men must trust in each other to bring the truth out in the open.
Previously published, newly revised by author.
6 pages, Audiobook
First published May 14, 2010
19 people are currently reading
379 people want to read
About the author
L.B. Gregg
25 books628 followersLB Gregg (Lisabea) writes fun, fast-paced contemporary male/male romances for a variety of publishers including Riptide, Samhain, and Carina Press. Her wildly successful Men of Smithfield books feature hot, hunky men looking for love in small town New England. Find more information about LB, The Men of Smithfield, and her fun series Romano and Albright at www.lbgregg.com.
You can also friend LB on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lb.gregg.1
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You can also friend LB on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lb.gregg.1
Like her author page http://on.fb.me/216EIiF
Or follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lb.gregg/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
December 5, 2014
Written December 5, 2014
3 1/2 Stars - Nice and fun but maybe not stunning captivating - nevertheless amusing for the moment
Book #4
Adam and Holden is my fourth story about all these adorable gay lovebirds (usually mature men) in Smithfield. I have been listening to the 6:20 hours audio edition. Once again narrated in a splended way by Shannon Gunn. ~ A husky-voiced favorite (gay-steam) narrator by now.
(Finished a week ago and at last a review...)
I got what I expected and I'm on the whole quite happy and satisfied. Not the best book in the series but good enough.
***********************************************************
Holden Worthington's days out in the world are over.
Holden hasn't ventured past his own front door (in his huge old mansion like city house) in more than a year. His globetrotters days are over and with them his old partner and boyfriend. Then he get a sexy new young gardener, Adam Golden, and something stars to sparks in Holden. Feeling he hasn't felt in a very long time. He even start to feel an interest in the world outside his window.
The plot here is when Adam one day discovers a dead body on the grounds of the estate and the town of Smithfield turns a suspicious eye on the reclusive, and to be fare, quite odd Holden.
The male corpse turns out to be a former boyfriend's former now dead lover. It gets more and more messy and Holden's sister in law (soon to be former) turns up and his brother disappears. It is becoming increasingly complicated, cluttered and the crime mystery thickens.
While, at the same time, the emotions, lust and love begins to sprout tender and so very sweet. A romantic hot and cute romance slowly begins to blossom.
***********************************************************
These Men of Smithfield stories are all smexy steamy, pretty emotional and with that nice light and easy feel I like. The men are usually pretty interesting (feels real ordinary..) and the plot often begins with anger and disappointment. Feelings which later disappears when it pops up an interesting new sexy man to put emotion-commitment on instead.
All four audio books have made me chuckle, giggle and yearn for another series part. Not heaven-storming world-changing grand good, but safe secure romance entertainment. Fun and well made, and it is often good enough.
You don't need to read them in order - just pick one and enjoy. My reviews so far:
***********************************************************
Another fun and enjoying L.B. Gregg romance. Applause for a great audiobook series. I hope the fifth book Men of Smithfield: Sam and Aaron also soon becomes an audiobook narrated by this fantastic Shannon Gunn narrator.
I LIKE - sweet and nice told in a great way
3 1/2 Stars - Nice and fun but maybe not stunning captivating - nevertheless amusing for the moment
Book #4
Adam and Holden is my fourth story about all these adorable gay lovebirds (usually mature men) in Smithfield. I have been listening to the 6:20 hours audio edition. Once again narrated in a splended way by Shannon Gunn. ~ A husky-voiced favorite (gay-steam) narrator by now.
(Finished a week ago and at last a review...)
I got what I expected and I'm on the whole quite happy and satisfied. Not the best book in the series but good enough.
***********************************************************
Holden Worthington's days out in the world are over.
Holden hasn't ventured past his own front door (in his huge old mansion like city house) in more than a year. His globetrotters days are over and with them his old partner and boyfriend. Then he get a sexy new young gardener, Adam Golden, and something stars to sparks in Holden. Feeling he hasn't felt in a very long time. He even start to feel an interest in the world outside his window.
The plot here is when Adam one day discovers a dead body on the grounds of the estate and the town of Smithfield turns a suspicious eye on the reclusive, and to be fare, quite odd Holden.
The male corpse turns out to be a former boyfriend's former now dead lover. It gets more and more messy and Holden's sister in law (soon to be former) turns up and his brother disappears. It is becoming increasingly complicated, cluttered and the crime mystery thickens.
While, at the same time, the emotions, lust and love begins to sprout tender and so very sweet. A romantic hot and cute romance slowly begins to blossom.
***********************************************************
These Men of Smithfield stories are all smexy steamy, pretty emotional and with that nice light and easy feel I like. The men are usually pretty interesting (feels real ordinary..) and the plot often begins with anger and disappointment. Feelings which later disappears when it pops up an interesting new sexy man to put emotion-commitment on instead.
All four audio books have made me chuckle, giggle and yearn for another series part. Not heaven-storming world-changing grand good, but safe secure romance entertainment. Fun and well made, and it is often good enough.
You don't need to read them in order - just pick one and enjoy. My reviews so far:
***********************************************************
Another fun and enjoying L.B. Gregg romance. Applause for a great audiobook series. I hope the fifth book Men of Smithfield: Sam and Aaron also soon becomes an audiobook narrated by this fantastic Shannon Gunn narrator.
I LIKE - sweet and nice told in a great way
February 17, 2020
I've read all the Men of Smithfield books and have enjoyed all of them. Here we meet Holden, who used to be an adventurer but is now agoraphobic and he hasn't left his huge house in 2 years. He notices his new gardener, Adam, and all sorts of mayhem ensues. Holden has a really charming and distinctive voice, I could see him clearly in my mind's eye. I felt for him and enjoyed spending time with him. Adam was a little more of a blank slate to me. I could see his physical attraction, which was beautifully described, but it took me longer to warm to him. But in the end I liked everyone, including Mitzie (nice to see a decent female character even though her love life made no sense at all) It had a bit of a French farce feel, which characters arriving and hiding and then popping up again, but it worked. It's funny, well written and it's also very hot.
Here's a snippet early on when Holden reveals that he is gay to Adam. Adam responds - "You're rich. You're cultured. You eat weird food. You faint. I didn't assume that meant you're a homosexual." And so Holden is, rich, cultured, eater of weird food and fainter - who wouldn't want to get to know him better...
Here's a snippet early on when Holden reveals that he is gay to Adam. Adam responds - "You're rich. You're cultured. You eat weird food. You faint. I didn't assume that meant you're a homosexual." And so Holden is, rich, cultured, eater of weird food and fainter - who wouldn't want to get to know him better...
September 11, 2019
**** 3.5 stars ****
I can count on LB Gregg to provide idiosyncratic characters, plots that can't help veering off into screwball comedy territory, and steaming-hot sex scenes. Occasionally I wish the screwball stuff could be toned down, but other than that she's almost a guaranteed hit for me.
Here we have an age-gap opposites-attract romance and a mystery, as former adventurer/TV celebrity (and outed-against-his-will porn author) turned agoraphobic recluse Holden discovers a dead body on his property. Well, he doesn't discover it himself, housebound as he's been for the last two years. It's Adam, the newly-hired young gardener (and object of Holden's self-admittedly inappropriate leering, from the safety of indoors of course) who discovers it.
Okay, trying to condense that into an intelligible summary almost broke my brain. I'm going to give up and just say read it, people. Or read anything else of Gregg's. Her writing is sharp and snappy, and even when her characters are jerks, they're fun to spend time with.
I can count on LB Gregg to provide idiosyncratic characters, plots that can't help veering off into screwball comedy territory, and steaming-hot sex scenes. Occasionally I wish the screwball stuff could be toned down, but other than that she's almost a guaranteed hit for me.
Here we have an age-gap opposites-attract romance and a mystery, as former adventurer/TV celebrity (and outed-against-his-will porn author) turned agoraphobic recluse Holden discovers a dead body on his property. Well, he doesn't discover it himself, housebound as he's been for the last two years. It's Adam, the newly-hired young gardener (and object of Holden's self-admittedly inappropriate leering, from the safety of indoors of course) who discovers it.
Okay, trying to condense that into an intelligible summary almost broke my brain. I'm going to give up and just say read it, people. Or read anything else of Gregg's. Her writing is sharp and snappy, and even when her characters are jerks, they're fun to spend time with.
June 8, 2015
Audible + ebook
Rounded up to 4 stars
I don't know if I would have enjoyed this book more or maybe even less if I had had enough time to read it in one sitting. But the previous week was pretty busy for me, and I needed almost 5 days to finish the 150-pages-long book, in spite of the fact that I tried to speed up my reading progress switching between the audio and the ebook.
*** I have a weak spot for writers, as a MC. And Holden, a 40 year old wealthy, sarcastic and eccentric, openly gay, agoraphobic writer with a weak spot for cooking, single, who has been trapped in his house for several months after a painful separation, and who finds himself charming and funny, fits perfectly in my favourite book characters.
*** Add a young attractive gardener with a difficult family background, who is sort of literal because he doesn't understand when people are kidding or making jokes, and who is not actually in the closet but who is totally unaware of his sexuality and utterly innocent, because non-verbal language is foreign to him.
*** And a dead body in the backyard of this huge house, the hub of all main activities.
*** Add HOT sex scenes, funny dialogues and you have it.
The best instalment for me in the series until now.
March 2, 2015
**Review of Audio Version
For audiobook week at Boys in our Books, I pondered what to pick. This would be my first foray into listening to m/m romance by a narrator. (“How awkward are sex scenes to listen to? If the writer included written-out sex noises like “Unngh!” or “Ahhhhh!”, does the narrator then do the sex noises? Am I going to be listening to sex scenes on my crowded bus commute?”) These are the things I pondered. Finally when we were all picking books, I opted to try to adhere to my reading challenge—read what you already own—and picked an audio version of a book that’s been on my TBR pile for a while—the fourth book in LB Gregg’s Men of Smithfield Series, Adam and Holden.
I’ve really enjoyed Gregg’s Romano and Albright series (and good news for fans, she’s working on the third book now). I’ve felt more lukewarm to Men of Smithfield—a series of novellas and short novels that revolve around various gay men living in the same picturesque small New England town, except this one had a small pile of small town mysteries to sort through. Book 1 and 2 (Mark & Tony, and Max & Finn) were okay reads for me, and I enjoyed book #5, Sam and Aaron.
How was book 4? This is my favorite of the group so far. The contrast between wealthy, experienced, and agoraphobic Holden and young, guileless, and achingly sincere Adam was a nice mix. For Holden, Adam tapped into newly developed needs to both protect and teach (since Adam is a virgin and also doesn’t understand many social cues) and also to be protected and cared for (as Adam is also very caring and strong.) It is hard to not love Adam, who is so honest and sweet, especially when he’s confused about a joke or sarcasm. I appreciated Holden more as he came to understand Adam and how best to communicate with him.
The mystery itself was fun and like other Gregg works, a little kooky, and since Holden has a hard time leaving the house, the story is close to being a closed-room mystery, where most things happen around Holden’s lavish home or yard.
How was the narrator? Overall, I thought he was great. His version of Holden was an interesting direction—at times I felt like I was listening to a gay man’s version of Katherine Hepburn (with that upper-class Yankee New England drawl.) Sometimes it made it difficult to picture Holden as also the burley strong adventurer that he was, but then I thought I should check myself, and that burly adventurers could talk like a male Katherine Hepburn, just coming off a yachting trip on the lake if he wants to. Why not? The narrator also did voices for the other characters, and changed into them seamlessly, whether it was Adam’s earnest young tone, or Officer Tony’s brusque deep voice. I could picture all the characters speaking and it was nicely distinct. I thought the narrator was pretty splendid here.
How was listening to M/M in audio? It was fun. I don’t know if I’ll do audio a lot, but I definitely found the niche. At one point after work, I was so tired and a bit stressed, and I couldn’t “land” on reading, so I turned on the audio book instead, and was able to settle on listening. I was tempted to multi-task and listening while cleaning worked well, but listening while web surfing was too distracting, so I have to really pick my activities or else I’ll miss whole sections of the story.
Do I recommend this one? Very much so. Not only is the price great ($2.99!), but the story was also a lot of fun.
Can you dive into this one cold? Maybe? It’s hard to say since I’ve read three of the other books, but the mysteries are all stand-alone and only linked by the setting of Smithfield and some of the same characters (like Tony) pop up. I started reading at book 2, Max & Finn, so you probably could enjoy this one as a start although you may want to go back and check out some of the other stories as well.
I’m grateful that audiobook week helped show me that m/m romance in audio is a fun and relaxing way to get some reading down. Now what to listen to next…?
For audiobook week at Boys in our Books, I pondered what to pick. This would be my first foray into listening to m/m romance by a narrator. (“How awkward are sex scenes to listen to? If the writer included written-out sex noises like “Unngh!” or “Ahhhhh!”, does the narrator then do the sex noises? Am I going to be listening to sex scenes on my crowded bus commute?”) These are the things I pondered. Finally when we were all picking books, I opted to try to adhere to my reading challenge—read what you already own—and picked an audio version of a book that’s been on my TBR pile for a while—the fourth book in LB Gregg’s Men of Smithfield Series, Adam and Holden.
I’ve really enjoyed Gregg’s Romano and Albright series (and good news for fans, she’s working on the third book now). I’ve felt more lukewarm to Men of Smithfield—a series of novellas and short novels that revolve around various gay men living in the same picturesque small New England town, except this one had a small pile of small town mysteries to sort through. Book 1 and 2 (Mark & Tony, and Max & Finn) were okay reads for me, and I enjoyed book #5, Sam and Aaron.
How was book 4? This is my favorite of the group so far. The contrast between wealthy, experienced, and agoraphobic Holden and young, guileless, and achingly sincere Adam was a nice mix. For Holden, Adam tapped into newly developed needs to both protect and teach (since Adam is a virgin and also doesn’t understand many social cues) and also to be protected and cared for (as Adam is also very caring and strong.) It is hard to not love Adam, who is so honest and sweet, especially when he’s confused about a joke or sarcasm. I appreciated Holden more as he came to understand Adam and how best to communicate with him.
The mystery itself was fun and like other Gregg works, a little kooky, and since Holden has a hard time leaving the house, the story is close to being a closed-room mystery, where most things happen around Holden’s lavish home or yard.
How was the narrator? Overall, I thought he was great. His version of Holden was an interesting direction—at times I felt like I was listening to a gay man’s version of Katherine Hepburn (with that upper-class Yankee New England drawl.) Sometimes it made it difficult to picture Holden as also the burley strong adventurer that he was, but then I thought I should check myself, and that burly adventurers could talk like a male Katherine Hepburn, just coming off a yachting trip on the lake if he wants to. Why not? The narrator also did voices for the other characters, and changed into them seamlessly, whether it was Adam’s earnest young tone, or Officer Tony’s brusque deep voice. I could picture all the characters speaking and it was nicely distinct. I thought the narrator was pretty splendid here.
How was listening to M/M in audio? It was fun. I don’t know if I’ll do audio a lot, but I definitely found the niche. At one point after work, I was so tired and a bit stressed, and I couldn’t “land” on reading, so I turned on the audio book instead, and was able to settle on listening. I was tempted to multi-task and listening while cleaning worked well, but listening while web surfing was too distracting, so I have to really pick my activities or else I’ll miss whole sections of the story.
Do I recommend this one? Very much so. Not only is the price great ($2.99!), but the story was also a lot of fun.
Can you dive into this one cold? Maybe? It’s hard to say since I’ve read three of the other books, but the mysteries are all stand-alone and only linked by the setting of Smithfield and some of the same characters (like Tony) pop up. I started reading at book 2, Max & Finn, so you probably could enjoy this one as a start although you may want to go back and check out some of the other stories as well.
I’m grateful that audiobook week helped show me that m/m romance in audio is a fun and relaxing way to get some reading down. Now what to listen to next…?
May 30, 2015
4.5 stars!! This was so different than the rest of the series. More of a murder-mystery storyline. And I loved it! Definitely my favorite in the series. Holden is a former TV star turned recluse because he has agoraphobia (which is a disorder that fascinates me). And Adam is his new gardener. He's much younger than Holden and from the wrong side of town. I just loved the two of them together, plus all the secondary characters were a hoot.... Mrs. Henderson, Father David, Porter, Mitzie, Kipling, Adam's brothers! I loved it all and am so glad I continued with this series :)
September 18, 2024
This was not my kind of book. Really, I shouldn't have enjoyed it at all. And yet, I did. Adam was sweet and Holden was a Character with a capital "C". The whole thing was like reading a French farce with a tangled mystery and a revolving door of over the top characters. As I said, normally not my thing, but this time around I was digging it. *shrugs*
June 8, 2013
A very good story.
The 1st person narrator, Holden, is a 40 year old former adventurer and writer who is agoraphobic and lusts after his sexy young gardener. He lives in his family's old mansion with an austere housekeeper, his alcoholic brother (who has his wife/ex-wife in tow as well as his best buddy) and his ex-boyfriend "visiting" him. It is a animated, lively coming and going in this house and the murder mystery is smack in the middle.
When Adam, the beautiful young man who tends to Holden's garden, finds a body behind the shed not only the police investigation starts - the love story also is kicked off.
I liked both main characters, Adam and Holden. They were very different, both broken in their own way, but without this "oh woe is me" - no self pity, nothing OTT. Just two people with problems, history and quirks. The side characters were also an intersting bunch and really helped the story along.
What I especially liked was the way Adam and Holden communicated. This and the humor made this a very enjoyable read.
The 1st person narrator, Holden, is a 40 year old former adventurer and writer who is agoraphobic and lusts after his sexy young gardener. He lives in his family's old mansion with an austere housekeeper, his alcoholic brother (who has his wife/ex-wife in tow as well as his best buddy) and his ex-boyfriend "visiting" him. It is a animated, lively coming and going in this house and the murder mystery is smack in the middle.
When Adam, the beautiful young man who tends to Holden's garden, finds a body behind the shed not only the police investigation starts - the love story also is kicked off.
I liked both main characters, Adam and Holden. They were very different, both broken in their own way, but without this "oh woe is me" - no self pity, nothing OTT. Just two people with problems, history and quirks. The side characters were also an intersting bunch and really helped the story along.
What I especially liked was the way Adam and Holden communicated. This and the humor made this a very enjoyable read.
December 31, 2017
Ok so this is a really bizarre experience because I've listened to the first 3 books in this series and they were all narrated by Shannon Gunn and I enjoyed them so because I've read the books and this is just me listening to the audio books because I wanted to revisit a series that I had enjoyed years ago...until I got here and things kind of tanked a little for me.
Once again Shannon Gunn is the narrator and while I his idea of Adam's voice and the rest of the characters were ok, I can't lie Holden's voice...well...it was...let's just say it was not my idea of how Holden would sound and I might have found it a teensy bit annoying because truthfully for me it just didn't sound like a 40ish year old man but someone who was definitely older and at times the voice for me had a bit of a pervy undertone to it...sorry, but no...for me Holden's voice was just wrong and so for that reason and because he's one of the MCs the story can keep it's 4 stars but the audio only gets 3 stars from me.
Once again Shannon Gunn is the narrator and while I his idea of Adam's voice and the rest of the characters were ok, I can't lie Holden's voice...well...it was...let's just say it was not my idea of how Holden would sound and I might have found it a teensy bit annoying because truthfully for me it just didn't sound like a 40ish year old man but someone who was definitely older and at times the voice for me had a bit of a pervy undertone to it...sorry, but no...for me Holden's voice was just wrong and so for that reason and because he's one of the MCs the story can keep it's 4 stars but the audio only gets 3 stars from me.
June 8, 2013
Listened to the audiobook version and I'm thinking a read could probably push this into 5 stars. Acerbic and self-deprecating, I found Holden such a fascinating character. Not easy to like, but when the tough exterior is stripped away by Adam (who almost certainly has some form of Asperger's) what is revealed is a deeply hurt and vulnerable man who has really no defenses against the sweet, naive young man. Opposites attract mixed with snarky hurt-comfort made me sit in the dark, in my car outside work every morning, trying to eke out a few more minutes! :D
Shannon Gun narrates all the Men of Smithfield books and he's done a very credible job so far (I'm currently listening to my third) but I just had one niggle. The whiny drawl he gave Holden did get on my nerves a bit, but didn't detract much from the story.
I really loved this!
Shannon Gun narrates all the Men of Smithfield books and he's done a very credible job so far (I'm currently listening to my third) but I just had one niggle. The whiny drawl he gave Holden did get on my nerves a bit, but didn't detract much from the story.
I really loved this!
May 1, 2013
I think this is my favourite book of the series. Probably more a 3.5 than a full 4
The story in this one is much more fleshed out, the mystery is pretty mysterious lol, it certainly kept me guessing.
The cast of characters were all worth reading.
My only problem with this one is the same as the others, I just don’t feel any real emotional connection between the MC. While I liked Adam, he came across as sweetly vulnerable, Holden just came across as a pervy old man. In fact I think I could of happily read this one with all the sex taken out. For me the story just didn’t need Holden’s creepy perverse thoughts.
The story in this one is much more fleshed out, the mystery is pretty mysterious lol, it certainly kept me guessing.
The cast of characters were all worth reading.
My only problem with this one is the same as the others, I just don’t feel any real emotional connection between the MC. While I liked Adam, he came across as sweetly vulnerable, Holden just came across as a pervy old man. In fact I think I could of happily read this one with all the sex taken out. For me the story just didn’t need Holden’s creepy perverse thoughts.
June 27, 2010
Very good m/m romance about a disgraced and now agoraphobic writer whose sanctuary is breached by a gardener, a corpse, his ex, and more! I was late to work yesterday morning because I had to finish reading it. :) LB does such a nice job balancing the tender with the madcap, while managing to infuse both with plenty of humor. (I also liked the tie-in to Gobsmacked.)
May 25, 2010
I enjoyed the 4th book in the series the most. Ironically, as damaged as Holden is, he is the least of the men in any of the books that needs therapy/anger management. He handled the crisises (sp?) around him with aplomb even if he was limited in his scope of movement. Adam did not resort to angry violence at any time and there weren't any wacky meltdowns.
This was a story of two men with unique needs that really seem to live up to the idea that there is someone in the world that is perfect for someone else. Even the most unlikely pair can be made for each other.
Oh, and I can't tell you how glad I am that the bad guy didn't turn out to be who it appeared at times. I wasn't shocked at who it was, that was fairly easy to surmise. Had the author chosen to go in the other direction, that cliche would have ruined it. For once it was nice that even dysfunctional families function in their own way.
This was a story of two men with unique needs that really seem to live up to the idea that there is someone in the world that is perfect for someone else. Even the most unlikely pair can be made for each other.
Oh, and I can't tell you how glad I am that the bad guy didn't turn out to be who it appeared at times. I wasn't shocked at who it was, that was fairly easy to surmise. Had the author chosen to go in the other direction, that cliche would have ruined it. For once it was nice that even dysfunctional families function in their own way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
January 23, 2023While I spent a pleasant afternoon reading this book, it wasn't one that I fell in love with. I am not sure if it is because it is the fourth book in the series and I have perhaps overdone it, but it didn't stand out as anything special.
I hate to admit it but I didn't particularly warm to Holden. I really wanted to but found it hard to garner sympathy for his situation - a lonely house-bound agoraphobic with a ruined career, lost love and problem brother. I did like Adam though!
The story involved a lot of characters, a dead body and mystery to be solved. The plot kept me involved, the romance not really.
I hate to admit it but I didn't particularly warm to Holden. I really wanted to but found it hard to garner sympathy for his situation - a lonely house-bound agoraphobic with a ruined career, lost love and problem brother. I did like Adam though!
The story involved a lot of characters, a dead body and mystery to be solved. The plot kept me involved, the romance not really.
November 9, 2015
Book 4: Adam & Holden - 3 stars
SERIES REVIEW HERE: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
September 29, 2021
Each man is different and unique, but they fit !
Holden is 40, blonde, a former world traveler and writer, is now an agoraphobic, trapped in his big house with anxiety. He has a sarcastic housekeeper, a flighty brother and now, a new sexy gardener.
Adam is 24, young, muscled and strong, a gardener who is watched by Holden, who can't take his eyes of the hot body at work.
First we get a shocking discovery, lots of cops, different folks popping in and out, confusion, questions, and still, Holden is flirting with Adam who's inexperienced in sex.
Meanwhile the town is all aflutter with wild rumors, the press sneaking about, and too many suspects. Holden has noticed Adam's tattered clothes and learns of his family's shady past, and the two get to talk while Holden is drawn to the young man, who is a mix of smart and innocent.
Their sexy times are super hot, become more and more exciting and they have equal wants and needs, and the firsts are Adam's delight.
The tangled web of mystery gets complicated as people are disappearing and re-appearing, there is also plenty of humor, sarcasm and banter, to counteract the grizzly crimes and serious circumstances.
Completely enjoyable, gripping, fun and sexy.
Have a good time with this mystery. We get a marvelous culmination !
ENJOY !
=====
Holden is 40, blonde, a former world traveler and writer, is now an agoraphobic, trapped in his big house with anxiety. He has a sarcastic housekeeper, a flighty brother and now, a new sexy gardener.
Adam is 24, young, muscled and strong, a gardener who is watched by Holden, who can't take his eyes of the hot body at work.
First we get a shocking discovery, lots of cops, different folks popping in and out, confusion, questions, and still, Holden is flirting with Adam who's inexperienced in sex.
Meanwhile the town is all aflutter with wild rumors, the press sneaking about, and too many suspects. Holden has noticed Adam's tattered clothes and learns of his family's shady past, and the two get to talk while Holden is drawn to the young man, who is a mix of smart and innocent.
Their sexy times are super hot, become more and more exciting and they have equal wants and needs, and the firsts are Adam's delight.
The tangled web of mystery gets complicated as people are disappearing and re-appearing, there is also plenty of humor, sarcasm and banter, to counteract the grizzly crimes and serious circumstances.
Completely enjoyable, gripping, fun and sexy.
Have a good time with this mystery. We get a marvelous culmination !
ENJOY !
=====
July 31, 2013
Audible version.
3.4
Holden's voice and characteristion as "flaming", fussy and WASPy took a little getting used to. I liked Adam and the voice Shannon Gunn uses for him, however.
Plot wise, my desire for greater cohesiveness never really abated throughout the entire read. There were some elements that needed tightening and that sometimes seemed a little messy bordering on irrelevant. The mystery was okay and the reveal felt a little anti-climactic. But it was all still readable with some entertaining parts.
As for the relationship, by the end I quite liked Adam and Holden together -- the balance the two brought to each other and the way that Holden loves him, feeling that he's waited for Adam these many years. That's beautiful.
3.4
Holden's voice and characteristion as "flaming", fussy and WASPy took a little getting used to. I liked Adam and the voice Shannon Gunn uses for him, however.
Plot wise, my desire for greater cohesiveness never really abated throughout the entire read. There were some elements that needed tightening and that sometimes seemed a little messy bordering on irrelevant. The mystery was okay and the reveal felt a little anti-climactic. But it was all still readable with some entertaining parts.
As for the relationship, by the end I quite liked Adam and Holden together -- the balance the two brought to each other and the way that Holden loves him, feeling that he's waited for Adam these many years. That's beautiful.
June 22, 2014
Ha! Holden wasn't really a dick at all. I think this one is my favorite of the bunch. I loved the story, very mystery like, lots of players and I loved Adam and Holden. I was left with a few questions but really I think I kind of have been with all of them. On to the last one.
December 21, 2014
That was absolutely amazing! :)
Definitely a favourite.
Definitely a favourite.
November 7, 2019
This is like a low 3-star for me. I liked Holden, I liked Adam... but overall I think things koved a little too fast between them.
And Tony made too many appearances. If I hadn't read the first book, I wouldn't have found issue with it, but I really disliked him in his book. I also didn't like Holden and Tony joking about how crazy Mark was because cat, kettle.
And then there was the fact that mystery didn't wrap up as neatly as I would have liked. Why was Mitzie accused of being a bitch and a liar? I couldn't see what that had to do with anything.
And Tony made too many appearances. If I hadn't read the first book, I wouldn't have found issue with it, but I really disliked him in his book. I also didn't like Holden and Tony joking about how crazy Mark was because cat, kettle.
And then there was the fact that mystery didn't wrap up as neatly as I would have liked. Why was Mitzie accused of being a bitch and a liar? I couldn't see what that had to do with anything.
March 18, 2019
3.5 stars
I think I liked the writing style more than the story itself :) This is very weird for me, but though I loved the writing, I loved Adam and liked Holden, I wasn't convinced by the romance. Those two fell in love without much interraction or anything to really convince me that it was more than lust. Still, I enjoyed the story and want to read more by the author.
I think I liked the writing style more than the story itself :) This is very weird for me, but though I loved the writing, I loved Adam and liked Holden, I wasn't convinced by the romance. Those two fell in love without much interraction or anything to really convince me that it was more than lust. Still, I enjoyed the story and want to read more by the author.
June 4, 2010
Holden Worthington is a former television superstar who was once a very successful reality show travel explorer. Holden now hides away in his home because he suffers from agoraphobia. This condition came on because of a scandal where his former lover ousted him on television as an author of steamy gay novels. Now Holden spends his days drinking away his sorrows, lamenting on his less the thrilling life and ogling his new lawn boy, Adam Morgan. Adam is a strapping twenty-four year old who Holden wouldn't mind having his wicked way with him. But, Holden knows nothing can happen between them because he is sixteen years older than Adam and feels he's less than ideal.
Holden is in for a big surprise when Adam finds a body behind his shed. Now, not only does Holden have to deal with his brother Porter, who comes for a visit to hide away from his soon-to-be ex-wife, but the local priest thinks he needs to save his soul because of his sexuality. The media has camped out on his front lawn, salivating for any dirty gossip because the body may be John Paige, the one who unmasked him.
When Holden finds out that John is alive, he thinks everything can go back to the way things were. But neighbors and friends keep butting their nose in to his business including a living and breathing John, who wants to make amends. Holden can barely keep it together because his every waking thought is for his younger hired hand. Adam is there to protect Holden, but Holden has incredible guilt because he wants Adam badly. And when Adam admits his feelings for Holden, these two act on their desires, but of a more tentative nature, because Adam has never been with a man before. Holden welcomes Adam, but with some reservations because he thinks they can't be permanent due to their age difference and the fact that the town of Smithfield seems to be watching every move Holden makes. Both Holden and Adam slowly form a bond, as well try to figure out if Holden was framed for the murder and why.
In and Out is the forth and finale book in LB Gregg's Men of Smithfield series. Gregg can sure combine a great small town feel, along with characters who stay with you long after you finish reading. Holden Worthington first comes across as a sad alcoholic who feels he has lost everything he has worked so hard for. When Adam enters into his life, he feels rejuvenated, and is overcome with need for this younger man who treats him with respect and gratitude.
The subject matter and issues in In and Out may seem heavy with Holden's agoraphobia, Adam's reputation that has been blown way out of proportion, and the angst that surrounds Holden because he feels so lonely and thinks a young man like Adam would never want to be with an old, washed out former celebrity. But Gregg injects incredible wit and laughs, especially from Holden's point of view about himself and how he feels for Adam. I can't tell you the number of times I found myself overcome with laughter.
The mystery and secondary characters who pop up really bring great interactions with Holden. Even a familiar face stops by who was one of the main protagonist in the very first book in this series. The love scenes between Holden and Adam are so very well written with a nice combination of sweetness and sensuality.
I can say with utmost certainty that LB Gregg continues to get better with every book she writes, and In and Out is no exception. This is one well-written, thought out book that really connected with me and shows perfectly how two different types of men can be so perfect for one another.
Holden is in for a big surprise when Adam finds a body behind his shed. Now, not only does Holden have to deal with his brother Porter, who comes for a visit to hide away from his soon-to-be ex-wife, but the local priest thinks he needs to save his soul because of his sexuality. The media has camped out on his front lawn, salivating for any dirty gossip because the body may be John Paige, the one who unmasked him.
When Holden finds out that John is alive, he thinks everything can go back to the way things were. But neighbors and friends keep butting their nose in to his business including a living and breathing John, who wants to make amends. Holden can barely keep it together because his every waking thought is for his younger hired hand. Adam is there to protect Holden, but Holden has incredible guilt because he wants Adam badly. And when Adam admits his feelings for Holden, these two act on their desires, but of a more tentative nature, because Adam has never been with a man before. Holden welcomes Adam, but with some reservations because he thinks they can't be permanent due to their age difference and the fact that the town of Smithfield seems to be watching every move Holden makes. Both Holden and Adam slowly form a bond, as well try to figure out if Holden was framed for the murder and why.
In and Out is the forth and finale book in LB Gregg's Men of Smithfield series. Gregg can sure combine a great small town feel, along with characters who stay with you long after you finish reading. Holden Worthington first comes across as a sad alcoholic who feels he has lost everything he has worked so hard for. When Adam enters into his life, he feels rejuvenated, and is overcome with need for this younger man who treats him with respect and gratitude.
The subject matter and issues in In and Out may seem heavy with Holden's agoraphobia, Adam's reputation that has been blown way out of proportion, and the angst that surrounds Holden because he feels so lonely and thinks a young man like Adam would never want to be with an old, washed out former celebrity. But Gregg injects incredible wit and laughs, especially from Holden's point of view about himself and how he feels for Adam. I can't tell you the number of times I found myself overcome with laughter.
The mystery and secondary characters who pop up really bring great interactions with Holden. Even a familiar face stops by who was one of the main protagonist in the very first book in this series. The love scenes between Holden and Adam are so very well written with a nice combination of sweetness and sensuality.
I can say with utmost certainty that LB Gregg continues to get better with every book she writes, and In and Out is no exception. This is one well-written, thought out book that really connected with me and shows perfectly how two different types of men can be so perfect for one another.
May 13, 2010
One of my tastings to come soon. Hopefully. Definitely! :)
Here it is...
My Tasting:
Why I bought it:
It was an ARC. *Apparently I meant to do reviews occasionally. Did you know that? Cos I sure as hell didn't.*
Dislike/like (ending on a high note):
Dislike~ More of a warning~ Fans of L B Gregg will be used to this author's trademark wit and humour. Don't worry; I'm not telling you it's disappeared in In and Out altogether. It's there; however, it's been toned down in consideration of the more serious themes in the book, especially those associated with the main character's, Holden's, agoraphobia and anxiety as well as his relationships with love interest Adam, brother Porter, amongst others. So, more subtle, but still typical L B. :)
Like~ Some of you can probably remember me ranting on about wanting more stories with characters who have a mental illness. Well, this was one of the books I was looking forward to reading because of this - and it delivered. Holden totally resonated with me. Or I did with him. Whatever. While I don't have agoraphobia, my depression has caused me to spend days hiding out in my house (aka Kris' womb) pretending the world doesn't exist. Also, the anxiety Holden felt when trying to challenge the boundaries of his mental illness and the self-deprecating way he talked about it, including to himself, is stuff I do all the time. I read this thinking 'finally, someone gets it'. It was both terrific and eye-opening.
Dislike~ More of a warning~ Further to the above, I imagine some readers may find Holden's forays 'outside' to come a little too soon after the beginning of his relationship with Adam. I admit it gave me a bit of a niggle at first, but the reason why it ultimately worked for me was that it was Holden's choice, thereby making it realistic. Even more importantly, there was no sign of 'teh healing buttsecks'. Thank fuck. I hate that 'twu wuv sex is a cure all' shit with a passion.
Like~ I was quite surprised to find I enjoyed the May/December relationship. This pairing is more miss than hit with me so my expectations were, to be blunt, low. *Erm, sorry LB.* Anyways, two reasons why it didn't annoy me as much as it usually does: (1) Adam was very mature for his age; and, (2) Holden was forced - not telling you why - to actually open up and explain what he meant and how he felt to Adam. Thankfully, there was none of the tired Big Misunderstanding Age Gap Angst in this story. Yet, another theme which apparently gets my back up. *I seem to have a lot of them.*
*ahem*
So, what I think: Me, I reckon In and Out is the best of L B Gregg's work to date. As soon as I finished it I knew this would be a book; probably the one out of all her books so far, that I would be reading over and over again. Just terrific.
==================================================
‘Tasting’ is my version of a mini-review where I talk a (very) little about what I liked and disliked about a book as well as who I think the story will appeal to. Oh, and I’ve added a bit about why I picked up the book in the first place – sometimes this can be interesting to know.
Here it is...
My Tasting:
Why I bought it:
It was an ARC. *Apparently I meant to do reviews occasionally. Did you know that? Cos I sure as hell didn't.*
Dislike/like (ending on a high note):
Dislike~ More of a warning~ Fans of L B Gregg will be used to this author's trademark wit and humour. Don't worry; I'm not telling you it's disappeared in In and Out altogether. It's there; however, it's been toned down in consideration of the more serious themes in the book, especially those associated with the main character's, Holden's, agoraphobia and anxiety as well as his relationships with love interest Adam, brother Porter, amongst others. So, more subtle, but still typical L B. :)
Like~ Some of you can probably remember me ranting on about wanting more stories with characters who have a mental illness. Well, this was one of the books I was looking forward to reading because of this - and it delivered. Holden totally resonated with me. Or I did with him. Whatever. While I don't have agoraphobia, my depression has caused me to spend days hiding out in my house (aka Kris' womb) pretending the world doesn't exist. Also, the anxiety Holden felt when trying to challenge the boundaries of his mental illness and the self-deprecating way he talked about it, including to himself, is stuff I do all the time. I read this thinking 'finally, someone gets it'. It was both terrific and eye-opening.
Dislike~ More of a warning~ Further to the above, I imagine some readers may find Holden's forays 'outside' to come a little too soon after the beginning of his relationship with Adam. I admit it gave me a bit of a niggle at first, but the reason why it ultimately worked for me was that it was Holden's choice, thereby making it realistic. Even more importantly, there was no sign of 'teh healing buttsecks'. Thank fuck. I hate that 'twu wuv sex is a cure all' shit with a passion.
Like~ I was quite surprised to find I enjoyed the May/December relationship. This pairing is more miss than hit with me so my expectations were, to be blunt, low. *Erm, sorry LB.* Anyways, two reasons why it didn't annoy me as much as it usually does: (1) Adam was very mature for his age; and, (2) Holden was forced - not telling you why - to actually open up and explain what he meant and how he felt to Adam. Thankfully, there was none of the tired Big Misunderstanding Age Gap Angst in this story. Yet, another theme which apparently gets my back up. *I seem to have a lot of them.*
*ahem*
So, what I think: Me, I reckon In and Out is the best of L B Gregg's work to date. As soon as I finished it I knew this would be a book; probably the one out of all her books so far, that I would be reading over and over again. Just terrific.
==================================================
‘Tasting’ is my version of a mini-review where I talk a (very) little about what I liked and disliked about a book as well as who I think the story will appeal to. Oh, and I’ve added a bit about why I picked up the book in the first place – sometimes this can be interesting to know.
April 9, 2015
4.5 stars
(A note: the books in this series can be read as stand alone and out of order. There are some recurring characters but not a lot is lost if read out of order.)
Wow, this is my favorite in the series. Definitely. This author really knows how to shape entertaining characters with engaging voices— how to bring the funny on. Yet, each guy in the Smithfield series is unique with something new to bring to town. Once again, it’s the deliciously depraved bad boy that I love— that world-weary, acerbic, been-there-done-that character with a hidden heart of gold. Somewhat tarnished gold, that is.
We get that and more with Holden Worthington. Even the name conjures up a certain kind of guy… privileged, silver spoon in mouth. But he’s also self-made, a famous outdoor adventurer with his own TV show and book deal. Think Bear Grylls. And he's a self-described ‘flamer’. Think Carson Kressley? I dunno, I didn’t feel that so much from him. To me, Holden didn’t come across as much a flamer (I mean, really?, just because he likes to cook??!!!) as he does a guy with huge appetite for life. But things went side-ways for Holden a couple of years ago. He’s trapped in his huge estate home, a victim to crippling agoraphobia. When the story starts, Holden seems to wake up with the appearance of his new and very comely gardner, Adam, a creature of the out of doors.
What I really like in this is the connection made between Holden and Adam. Holden’s agoraphobia holds him hostage from the very thing that gave him life and purpose— the great outdoors still calls to him. Adam finds solace in working with his hands, working the soil and nurturing plants, bringing Holden’s neglected, overgrown grounds back to their potential. How clever that Adam is the link to helping Holden overcome his mental issues. That, and some lovely descriptive writing made the story for me.
Holden and Adam are a lot of fun, a well crafted couple. The strength of the story rests on them mostly. The other plot about a dead body turning up in Holden’s garden is smaller and easily solved but gives a good foundation to their story as well as some nice secondary characters (Tony from book one makes some appearances). But, it also allows us to see Holden as more than a helpless victim. We see some of the brave risk-taker that has to be there in him still.
The town of Smithfield is home to some very entertaining characters. There’s one more book in the series, and I’ll be sad when it’s all over.
—A couple afterthoughts… It was never really clear what caused Holden’s agoraphobia. The surprisingly perspicacious Adam hints at something at one point in the story, but we never really know. Also, I wished for something a bit more at the story ending…
December 2, 2012
2.0 Stars
This book just didn't do it for me. I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out why and I think it's because I didn't care for Holden. He's agoraphobic and, as a result, a recluse; I felt for him there. He suffered the betrayal of his long-time lover, John, and was humiliated to be outed as a gay porn author. He is trapped in his sprawling nine-thousand square foot mansion with only the housekeeper (Mrs. H) and his philandering and alcoholic brother, Porter, to keep him company. When sexy, smexy Adam, the gardener, discovers a dead body in Holden's back yard, Adam and Holden fall under suspicion especially since the victim is Holden's ex-boyfriend's main squeeze. Unfortunately, Holden is mostly concerned by the media attention the crime is garnering. Ugh.
To make matters worse, Holden - in his infinite wisdom - decides to allow everyone and their mother to stay at his house and traipse in and out without a care in the world: Porter and his best friend, Kurt; Porter's current but soon to be ex-wife, Mitzie; Kingsley, Porter's puppy; John, the bastard ex-boyfriend; Adam, Holden's current BF; and Mrs. H, although she's only there during the day. WTF?!? Porter disappears when his current wife shows up to stay. Where does he go? I dunno. John is there but disappears when the police show up looking for him. Holden catches up with him a number of times but doesn't turn him in. Again, why?!? Again ... I dunno. Instead, Holden lets John continue to come and go as he pleases. Adam is sweet and caring but gets caught up in all the shenanigans because Holden is so lax. Bleh.
This book was aggravating: the writing irritated me; Holden irked me to no end; and, the mystery was absolutely frustrating. Most of the characters acted or behaved so unreasonably, trying to solve the who-dunnit was an exercise in futility. I really liked Adam but that's about it. I didn't care for any of the other characters. This book would have garnered a 1.5 stars but I gave it a 2.0 because L.B. Gregg delivers some hawt, smexy love scenes. My enthusiasm for and interest in a book is usually in direct correlation with how quickly I finish it. Case-in-point: 3 1/2 days to finish 150 pages!?! That's eons. Nuff said.
Bottom line: A disappointing end to an otherwise entertaining series.
This book just didn't do it for me. I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out why and I think it's because I didn't care for Holden. He's agoraphobic and, as a result, a recluse; I felt for him there. He suffered the betrayal of his long-time lover, John, and was humiliated to be outed as a gay porn author. He is trapped in his sprawling nine-thousand square foot mansion with only the housekeeper (Mrs. H) and his philandering and alcoholic brother, Porter, to keep him company. When sexy, smexy Adam, the gardener, discovers a dead body in Holden's back yard, Adam and Holden fall under suspicion especially since the victim is Holden's ex-boyfriend's main squeeze. Unfortunately, Holden is mostly concerned by the media attention the crime is garnering. Ugh.
To make matters worse, Holden - in his infinite wisdom - decides to allow everyone and their mother to stay at his house and traipse in and out without a care in the world: Porter and his best friend, Kurt; Porter's current but soon to be ex-wife, Mitzie; Kingsley, Porter's puppy; John, the bastard ex-boyfriend; Adam, Holden's current BF; and Mrs. H, although she's only there during the day. WTF?!? Porter disappears when his current wife shows up to stay. Where does he go? I dunno. John is there but disappears when the police show up looking for him. Holden catches up with him a number of times but doesn't turn him in. Again, why?!? Again ... I dunno. Instead, Holden lets John continue to come and go as he pleases. Adam is sweet and caring but gets caught up in all the shenanigans because Holden is so lax. Bleh.
This book was aggravating: the writing irritated me; Holden irked me to no end; and, the mystery was absolutely frustrating. Most of the characters acted or behaved so unreasonably, trying to solve the who-dunnit was an exercise in futility. I really liked Adam but that's about it. I didn't care for any of the other characters. This book would have garnered a 1.5 stars but I gave it a 2.0 because L.B. Gregg delivers some hawt, smexy love scenes. My enthusiasm for and interest in a book is usually in direct correlation with how quickly I finish it. Case-in-point: 3 1/2 days to finish 150 pages!?! That's eons. Nuff said.
Bottom line: A disappointing end to an otherwise entertaining series.
November 1, 2013
I loved this book. I really love the entire series but this is my favourite. Holden, 40 years old is a recluse. He used to be a well known explorer and something if a globetrotter but all that came to an end when he was betrayed by a former colleague and lover. He is now unable to leave his house but he manages his life by writing books and with the help of his rather impolite housekeeper.
Now a dead body has been found in his garden by his new, much younger, much hunkier gardener. And so a mystery needs to be solved. Throw into the mix: a brother who likes to drink, the brother's lovely but soon to be ex-wife, a puppy, the lying cheating and on the run ex, and the hunky but socially awkward gardener and you have the makings of an incredibly funny and interesting story.
I loved the way things developed between Holden and Adam (hunky gardener). They suited each other. Both of them had difficulties that they needed to get through but they did this together in a way that just seemed to work itself out step by step.
All the secondary characters are great and give the story both humour and mystery. Both men have sadness in their past but it doesn't overwhelm them, instead it adds to who they are and brings colour to their relationship with each other. Holden is polished and used to the good things in life. Adam has had a difficult upbringing and is rather rough at the edges but is unapologetic and gutsy and able to deal with life despite his social difficulties.
Then there is the mystery. Who is the dead man? Why is he in Holden's garden? And who killed him? And why oh why is the irritating ex hiding in Holden's huge house of many rooms and dodging the police?
As usual there is the background of the familiar town of Smithfield with Tony Gervase as the usual town cop alongside a few new characters. Of course by the end of the story the mystery is solved and Adam and Holden are together but the journey to get there is an entertaining one.
I really like the Men of Smithfield. It is a simple series of men finding love in a small town but the tone of each book is comical and engaging. Unfortunately I have now come to the end of this series but will definitely be checking out the other series from this author.
Now a dead body has been found in his garden by his new, much younger, much hunkier gardener. And so a mystery needs to be solved. Throw into the mix: a brother who likes to drink, the brother's lovely but soon to be ex-wife, a puppy, the lying cheating and on the run ex, and the hunky but socially awkward gardener and you have the makings of an incredibly funny and interesting story.
I loved the way things developed between Holden and Adam (hunky gardener). They suited each other. Both of them had difficulties that they needed to get through but they did this together in a way that just seemed to work itself out step by step.
All the secondary characters are great and give the story both humour and mystery. Both men have sadness in their past but it doesn't overwhelm them, instead it adds to who they are and brings colour to their relationship with each other. Holden is polished and used to the good things in life. Adam has had a difficult upbringing and is rather rough at the edges but is unapologetic and gutsy and able to deal with life despite his social difficulties.
Then there is the mystery. Who is the dead man? Why is he in Holden's garden? And who killed him? And why oh why is the irritating ex hiding in Holden's huge house of many rooms and dodging the police?
As usual there is the background of the familiar town of Smithfield with Tony Gervase as the usual town cop alongside a few new characters. Of course by the end of the story the mystery is solved and Adam and Holden are together but the journey to get there is an entertaining one.
I really like the Men of Smithfield. It is a simple series of men finding love in a small town but the tone of each book is comical and engaging. Unfortunately I have now come to the end of this series but will definitely be checking out the other series from this author.
August 6, 2016
Voto: 3.75
Quarto capitolo della saga, stessa cittadina impicciona e nuovi personaggi coi loro patemi, anche se ho un debole per Tony e ritrovarlo, dopo il primo libro, è sempre un piacere.
Rispetto ai precedenti, qui c’è un vero e proprio giallo da risolvere, di tutto rispetto, con un peso rilevante nella trama, cosa che ho gradito parecchio, anche perché fino alla fine non avevo capito davvero chi fosse il colpevole.
Ancora una volta, però, quest’autrice ha l’insana capacità di farmi prudere le mani e ho ancora voglia di prendere a ceffoni un paio di suoi personaggi.
La casa di Holden sembra un albergo – beh, strutturalmente potrebbe esserlo, e anche di lusso! – in cui tutti vanno e vengono – gente che scompare, riappare, si nasconde, bivacca – senza problemi né rispetto delle minime regole di convivenza civile. Ad un bel mentre, la cosa mi sembrava così assurda da sfiorare la parodia e no, non è un complimento.
La storia d’amore fra Holden e Adam è abbastanza interessante. Anzitutto, abbatte dei tabù classici: la differenza d’età fra loro; poi quello di classe sociale: lo spiantato e il riccone; infine, ho un debole per il verginello e lo scafato, che gli fa da nave scuola.
Adam è dolce nella sua ingenuità, nell’assoluta mancanza di capacità nel cogliere sottintesi, ironia e ammiccamenti. È un bravo ragazzo, che si è mantenuto tale, pur crescendo in un contesto svantaggiato. È perfetto per Holden, perché si capiscono alla perfezione e, insieme, possono offrirsi vicendevolmente amore e sostegno, che finora sono mancati ad entrambi.
Holden, l’ex star giramondo, adesso prigioniero agorafobico, scrittore di porno e cucina, ha una caratterizzazione interessante, anche se avrei voluto più approfondimenti sulle cause del suo disturbo e, conseguentemente, su altri personaggi poco sviluppati, tipo il suo ex.
Ne esce una storia carina, senza troppe pretese, che sa intrattenere piacevolmente, sia per la parte investigativa che per quella romantica.
Quarto capitolo della saga, stessa cittadina impicciona e nuovi personaggi coi loro patemi, anche se ho un debole per Tony e ritrovarlo, dopo il primo libro, è sempre un piacere.
Rispetto ai precedenti, qui c’è un vero e proprio giallo da risolvere, di tutto rispetto, con un peso rilevante nella trama, cosa che ho gradito parecchio, anche perché fino alla fine non avevo capito davvero chi fosse il colpevole.
Ancora una volta, però, quest’autrice ha l’insana capacità di farmi prudere le mani e ho ancora voglia di prendere a ceffoni un paio di suoi personaggi.
La casa di Holden sembra un albergo – beh, strutturalmente potrebbe esserlo, e anche di lusso! – in cui tutti vanno e vengono – gente che scompare, riappare, si nasconde, bivacca – senza problemi né rispetto delle minime regole di convivenza civile. Ad un bel mentre, la cosa mi sembrava così assurda da sfiorare la parodia e no, non è un complimento.
La storia d’amore fra Holden e Adam è abbastanza interessante. Anzitutto, abbatte dei tabù classici: la differenza d’età fra loro; poi quello di classe sociale: lo spiantato e il riccone; infine, ho un debole per il verginello e lo scafato, che gli fa da nave scuola.
Adam è dolce nella sua ingenuità, nell’assoluta mancanza di capacità nel cogliere sottintesi, ironia e ammiccamenti. È un bravo ragazzo, che si è mantenuto tale, pur crescendo in un contesto svantaggiato. È perfetto per Holden, perché si capiscono alla perfezione e, insieme, possono offrirsi vicendevolmente amore e sostegno, che finora sono mancati ad entrambi.
Holden, l’ex star giramondo, adesso prigioniero agorafobico, scrittore di porno e cucina, ha una caratterizzazione interessante, anche se avrei voluto più approfondimenti sulle cause del suo disturbo e, conseguentemente, su altri personaggi poco sviluppati, tipo il suo ex.
Ne esce una storia carina, senza troppe pretese, che sa intrattenere piacevolmente, sia per la parte investigativa che per quella romantica.
December 17, 2013
REREAD & REVIEW OF AUDIOBOOK; DECEMBER 17 2013
Narrator: Shannon Gunn
I enjoyed this a lot more in audio than when I read it 3 years ago. This despite the narrator's slightly Southern accent (correct me if I'm wrong since I'm no expert on different US accents) which made Holden sound like a dirty old man - who's 80 rather than just 40! It was a little icky at times but I managed to handle it.
I still enjoyed the romance and I liked Holden's sarcastic internal wit. I love that he is tender and protective of Adam and their romance felt natural and I could buy into an HEA for them despite Tony's reservations.
Speaking of Tony, I did not enjoy his book (Mark & Tony). Not when I read it as the original Gobsmacked, nor again with audio under the new titles - which confuse the heck out of me! I did not bother to read the other two after the uninspiring first book but I'll give them a try since I did the entire series in audio. They're still a steal at $2.99 even if the narrator isn't the best (there are much worse!)
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REVIEW JUNE 2010:
Not quite 4 stars if I compare it to my other 4 star reads. Adam and Holden get all 4 because I was fully invested in their romance and each man individually. What would have been a strong 4 stars was nixed by an uninspiring cast of secondary characters and a murder mystery that, like the story, was made lacklustre by the annoying presence of those characters.
Narrator: Shannon Gunn
I enjoyed this a lot more in audio than when I read it 3 years ago. This despite the narrator's slightly Southern accent (correct me if I'm wrong since I'm no expert on different US accents) which made Holden sound like a dirty old man - who's 80 rather than just 40! It was a little icky at times but I managed to handle it.
I still enjoyed the romance and I liked Holden's sarcastic internal wit. I love that he is tender and protective of Adam and their romance felt natural and I could buy into an HEA for them despite Tony's reservations.
Speaking of Tony, I did not enjoy his book (Mark & Tony). Not when I read it as the original Gobsmacked, nor again with audio under the new titles - which confuse the heck out of me! I did not bother to read the other two after the uninspiring first book but I'll give them a try since I did the entire series in audio. They're still a steal at $2.99 even if the narrator isn't the best (there are much worse!)
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REVIEW JUNE 2010:
Not quite 4 stars if I compare it to my other 4 star reads. Adam and Holden get all 4 because I was fully invested in their romance and each man individually. What would have been a strong 4 stars was nixed by an uninspiring cast of secondary characters and a murder mystery that, like the story, was made lacklustre by the annoying presence of those characters.
November 21, 2015
This series seems to have an affinity for odd pairings, and Adam and Holden are the oddest of all. Adam is a young good guy who has trouble interpreting basic social cues and is victimized from poor parental choices. Holden is a best selling author and TV personality (and part time porn writer). Really well done! But... the narrator of the audio book really channeled the voice Paul Lynde for Holden.
I can't decide if this was genius or horrible typecasting. Fortunately I don't have a cookie cutter image of Adam and that's probably a good thing.
I can't decide if this was genius or horrible typecasting. Fortunately I don't have a cookie cutter image of Adam and that's probably a good thing. 
November 25, 2014
Another fabulous addition to the Men of Smithfield series read by the unconquerable Shannon Gunn. These stories, and especially this one in particular, are a completely different experience than reading the book. Gunn bring distinct personalities to all the characters in the series, breathes them to life, and makes you both blush and laugh out loud. Highly recommended and often listened to.
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