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The Rourke Stories #1
White Noise
Being an actor is not the glamorous life Connor Telford once expected. Now he lives in a budget hotel, spending all his time working…or working out. He’s on friendlier terms with the catering team on set than he is with his co-stars, and his mum keeps telling him to get a life.
A real life. Con kind of agrees. He plays Detective Cass Powell in the multi-award-winning show White Noise, making the audience swoon with his character’s skills and charm. Detective Powell has his life all figured out, and when you play someone whose life is picture perfect, it’s easy to see that your own life is anything but.
Con doesn’t even know how to live anymore. Date? He’s not been on one for years. At least, not one that wasn’t set up by his agent as a promotional stunt. There’s no time to think when your brain is constantly fried. Work. Gym. Sleep. Gym. Work.
Then he meets Matthew Winston.
A real life. Con kind of agrees. He plays Detective Cass Powell in the multi-award-winning show White Noise, making the audience swoon with his character’s skills and charm. Detective Powell has his life all figured out, and when you play someone whose life is picture perfect, it’s easy to see that your own life is anything but.
Con doesn’t even know how to live anymore. Date? He’s not been on one for years. At least, not one that wasn’t set up by his agent as a promotional stunt. There’s no time to think when your brain is constantly fried. Work. Gym. Sleep. Gym. Work.
Then he meets Matthew Winston.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 15, 2023
40 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
About the author
Sophia Soames
36 books229 followersAuthor of Contemporary M/M romance with all the feels. This is where flawed men discover happy endings, in truly European fairy tales.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
February 11, 2025
I got a bad ideuuuuh / Yeah, I'ma call you over here to numb the pain (bad idea – Ariana Grande).
I feel like if I were an actor, my least favorite interviews would be the insightful ones. You know the ones where they try to switch it up a bit because they think the actor is tired of answering the same old questions? The interviewer would be all like, “so when you arched your eyebrow, was that a metaphor for repressed rage blah blah blah?” and I’d be like, “Hey man, can I just eat these hot wings in peace?” Yeah, no thank you, I’d absolutely prefer the by-the-book questions. At least that way I’d be able to answer questions while blissfully disassociating. Anyway, this was a perfectly serviceable book, that certainly can't be denied. Synopsis time! Because you know damn well that I didn’t read the blurb before starting this. It’s about an actor named Con and some weird guy named Matt (neither of which match the person on the cover, and that bothers me more than it should). Con is the star of a hit show called White Noise which is apparently the best show around that people just can’t stop talking about. We get little snippets of it on the page every now and then and I honestly still don’t understand what kind of show it’s supposed to be. It reminds me of the kind of shit that Sims watch instead of any real thing. My understanding is that Con takes his shirt off a lot and has a lot of sex. Riveting stuff. No offense, but there are plenty of shows like that in the real world, and that’s hardly a groundbreaking concept. Would people really watch this? Every time there’s a fictional popular thing, I like to play a game called “would-I-even-like-this?” and the answer is usually “nah.” This happened a lot in the show Empire, where almost all the “hit songs” sounded like vague shadows of real popular songs. Like pale imitations of actual music. Why do I care about this so much? And why am I talking trash about Empire? Well, I have to talk about something, because the romance was a little boring.
Oh, I haven’t even explained why Matt is a weirdo, and I think it was mostly because I couldn’t really get a handle on any of his personality traits. Who is this man? Con, the super sexy talented actor, is totally into him (a sentiment he reciprocates, by the way), and asks him out on a date, which he then responds by immediately refusing and running home. Like... okay? Now, that probably doesn’t sound all that bad, right? I mean, maybe the guy thought that this actor dude was just trying to mess around with him or that he’d try to hide their relationship like a dirty secret. Maybe he just didn’t want all the drama and excitement that came with dating an actor. That’s totally cool! Yeah well, those would all be valid narrative reasons for early relationship drama between the two, but Matt makes the whole thing sketchy by veering on the parasocial when he goes home after declining the date invite to then watch episodes of White Noise and pleasures himself to Con’s sex scenes in the show!? Ew. Also, sheesh, when the time came to shoot his shot, Matt promptly aimed right down and shot himself in the foot. Mans really fumbled it when it came down to the wire. There’s self-sabotage, and then there’s whatever the hell Matt was doing throughout this book. He seriously gave off the same vibes as the guy Andrew Lincoln played in Love Actually (a creep, basically). So, like I said… he’s a weirdo. Also in one of his POV chapters he keysmashes (you know, like “fksldfsld”), and maybe this is just me, but I never need to see a keysmash in a novel. But, who knows, I could just be jealous because I’ve never done it before and if I started now, it would be disingenuous. Final thought, but is Con even a good actor? The book seems split between portraying him as a "good actor in a bad show" and a "mediocre actor who's hot," it wasn't really clear which category he fit into. I guess it doesn't really matter at the end of the day. Besides, everybody knows real acting is when you're talking quiet for a bit and then start yelling really loud. Okay, time to wrap this up! This book was alright. The best bits were the first couple of chapters where the characters were just chatting anonymous in their shared gym, but I think the story gets bogged down by… literally everything else. Didn’t hate this, but there was something key missing here.
I feel like if I were an actor, my least favorite interviews would be the insightful ones. You know the ones where they try to switch it up a bit because they think the actor is tired of answering the same old questions? The interviewer would be all like, “so when you arched your eyebrow, was that a metaphor for repressed rage blah blah blah?” and I’d be like, “Hey man, can I just eat these hot wings in peace?” Yeah, no thank you, I’d absolutely prefer the by-the-book questions. At least that way I’d be able to answer questions while blissfully disassociating. Anyway, this was a perfectly serviceable book, that certainly can't be denied. Synopsis time! Because you know damn well that I didn’t read the blurb before starting this. It’s about an actor named Con and some weird guy named Matt (neither of which match the person on the cover, and that bothers me more than it should). Con is the star of a hit show called White Noise which is apparently the best show around that people just can’t stop talking about. We get little snippets of it on the page every now and then and I honestly still don’t understand what kind of show it’s supposed to be. It reminds me of the kind of shit that Sims watch instead of any real thing. My understanding is that Con takes his shirt off a lot and has a lot of sex. Riveting stuff. No offense, but there are plenty of shows like that in the real world, and that’s hardly a groundbreaking concept. Would people really watch this? Every time there’s a fictional popular thing, I like to play a game called “would-I-even-like-this?” and the answer is usually “nah.” This happened a lot in the show Empire, where almost all the “hit songs” sounded like vague shadows of real popular songs. Like pale imitations of actual music. Why do I care about this so much? And why am I talking trash about Empire? Well, I have to talk about something, because the romance was a little boring.
Oh, I haven’t even explained why Matt is a weirdo, and I think it was mostly because I couldn’t really get a handle on any of his personality traits. Who is this man? Con, the super sexy talented actor, is totally into him (a sentiment he reciprocates, by the way), and asks him out on a date, which he then responds by immediately refusing and running home. Like... okay? Now, that probably doesn’t sound all that bad, right? I mean, maybe the guy thought that this actor dude was just trying to mess around with him or that he’d try to hide their relationship like a dirty secret. Maybe he just didn’t want all the drama and excitement that came with dating an actor. That’s totally cool! Yeah well, those would all be valid narrative reasons for early relationship drama between the two, but Matt makes the whole thing sketchy by veering on the parasocial when he goes home after declining the date invite to then watch episodes of White Noise and pleasures himself to Con’s sex scenes in the show!? Ew. Also, sheesh, when the time came to shoot his shot, Matt promptly aimed right down and shot himself in the foot. Mans really fumbled it when it came down to the wire. There’s self-sabotage, and then there’s whatever the hell Matt was doing throughout this book. He seriously gave off the same vibes as the guy Andrew Lincoln played in Love Actually (a creep, basically). So, like I said… he’s a weirdo. Also in one of his POV chapters he keysmashes (you know, like “fksldfsld”), and maybe this is just me, but I never need to see a keysmash in a novel. But, who knows, I could just be jealous because I’ve never done it before and if I started now, it would be disingenuous. Final thought, but is Con even a good actor? The book seems split between portraying him as a "good actor in a bad show" and a "mediocre actor who's hot," it wasn't really clear which category he fit into. I guess it doesn't really matter at the end of the day. Besides, everybody knows real acting is when you're talking quiet for a bit and then start yelling really loud. Okay, time to wrap this up! This book was alright. The best bits were the first couple of chapters where the characters were just chatting anonymous in their shared gym, but I think the story gets bogged down by… literally everything else. Didn’t hate this, but there was something key missing here.
August 25, 2023
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes & tags down below.
Attraction was one thing, and attractive he was, but personal space was also a thing, and apparently, Connor Telford had no sense of it.
I had an incredibly good time reading White Noise. I loved both MCs the same amount, which is honestly rare. They were both so well written, and the entire book was witty and smart from the first to the last page. I really love Sophia Soames’ writing style. It’s incredibly british and dry, it’s laugh-out-loud funny in places, and just feels very real. If you read this book or have read her previous work, you’ll know what I mean.
Matt. OK. There was something weird with Matt. Whenever I spent time with him, I behaved like a creep. I was constantly touching him. His face. His arms. And the things that came out of my mouth were totally off the wall.
I’m not one who usually thinks a lot about spice, other than ‘that was spicy’, but the intimacy and sex scenes in this book was a delight. The characters’ personalities still came through, they had fun and laughed (which was a treat to read), and their desperation and love for each other really shone through.
“You need to start wearing your own clothes, Con. We’re not the same size.”
It’s always nice to end a book and feel like it wasn’t missing anything. It delivered on everything I wanted along the way. The MCs made an instant connection, without being able to explain it immediately. They were definitely codependent, but I happen to love that. It wasn’t toxic in any way; the boys just needed each other. I loved it so much. Highly recommend if you want something witty with the sweetest lovestory.
“I snuck into his flat and crawled into his bed in the middle of the night because I couldn’t bear the thought of not sleeping next to him.”
Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
TV actor
School teacher
Codependency
Friends to lovers
Bisexual awakening
Hurt/comfort
Virgin MC
⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Vomiting
Brief acting scene that can be perceived as assault
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM drama: No. Con films sex/kissing scenes for work, but it’s only work. He kisses his best friend/co-star off-set once, but only as friends.
Third-act breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
“Come on,” I said, taking the flowers from him. “In you come.” I sounded like my granny, and not in a good way. Next, I’d be calling him poppet and force-feeding him stale sweets from the eighteenth century.
“He’s just a friend!” I snapped. “A good friend who's been helping me out.” “I’m sure he has,” Peter murmured. “Ohh!” Zara nodded knowingly. “That kind of friend then. The helpful kind.” Cue laughter. I was tempted to look around for a hidden camera.
“Come here,” I said and towed him over to the sofa. I got my suit jacket off and threw it on the floor, then tugged at him until he sat next to me. I’d only intended to initiate a friendly chat about where we both stood. Instead, he pretty much plonked himself on top of me and snuggled his face into my shoulder. I wasn’t complaining. Not at all. I hugged him, stroking my hands up and down his back.
You could be an award-winning actor all you wanted; it still didn’t mean you’d magically find parking.
Attraction was one thing, and attractive he was, but personal space was also a thing, and apparently, Connor Telford had no sense of it.
I had an incredibly good time reading White Noise. I loved both MCs the same amount, which is honestly rare. They were both so well written, and the entire book was witty and smart from the first to the last page. I really love Sophia Soames’ writing style. It’s incredibly british and dry, it’s laugh-out-loud funny in places, and just feels very real. If you read this book or have read her previous work, you’ll know what I mean.
Matt. OK. There was something weird with Matt. Whenever I spent time with him, I behaved like a creep. I was constantly touching him. His face. His arms. And the things that came out of my mouth were totally off the wall.
I’m not one who usually thinks a lot about spice, other than ‘that was spicy’, but the intimacy and sex scenes in this book was a delight. The characters’ personalities still came through, they had fun and laughed (which was a treat to read), and their desperation and love for each other really shone through.
“You need to start wearing your own clothes, Con. We’re not the same size.”
It’s always nice to end a book and feel like it wasn’t missing anything. It delivered on everything I wanted along the way. The MCs made an instant connection, without being able to explain it immediately. They were definitely codependent, but I happen to love that. It wasn’t toxic in any way; the boys just needed each other. I loved it so much. Highly recommend if you want something witty with the sweetest lovestory.
“I snuck into his flat and crawled into his bed in the middle of the night because I couldn’t bear the thought of not sleeping next to him.”
Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
TV actor
School teacher
Codependency
Friends to lovers
Bisexual awakening
Hurt/comfort
Virgin MC
⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Vomiting
Brief acting scene that can be perceived as assault
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM drama: No. Con films sex/kissing scenes for work, but it’s only work. He kisses his best friend/co-star off-set once, but only as friends.
Third-act breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
“Come on,” I said, taking the flowers from him. “In you come.” I sounded like my granny, and not in a good way. Next, I’d be calling him poppet and force-feeding him stale sweets from the eighteenth century.
“He’s just a friend!” I snapped. “A good friend who's been helping me out.” “I’m sure he has,” Peter murmured. “Ohh!” Zara nodded knowingly. “That kind of friend then. The helpful kind.” Cue laughter. I was tempted to look around for a hidden camera.
“Come here,” I said and towed him over to the sofa. I got my suit jacket off and threw it on the floor, then tugged at him until he sat next to me. I’d only intended to initiate a friendly chat about where we both stood. Instead, he pretty much plonked himself on top of me and snuggled his face into my shoulder. I wasn’t complaining. Not at all. I hugged him, stroking my hands up and down his back.
You could be an award-winning actor all you wanted; it still didn’t mean you’d magically find parking.
August 15, 2023
Connor is a famous actor without a life of himself, he even doesn’t know how to, the award-winning series White Noise runs his life. He even lives in a hotel ffs! Outside this career? he’s a lonely guy.
One day at the gym, he collides with Matt, literally, and somehow they keep running into each other.
Connor never felt anything for a man, and now, it’s confusing.
Connor keeps bringing chaos to Matt’s life. To say their friendship is particular is an understatement.
It’s only friendship, right? Two lonely guys. Eating together, Con shows up uninvited, never leaves, have laughs, it’s awkward and endearing!
Matt kind of like living on his own, in his clean and neat apartment, somehow Con planted himself in Matt’s home and life, including his chaos. It’s quite something for Matt’s fragile heart.
They had no clue what they were doing, but it felt so good.
“I was so bloody in love with this guy it was ridiculous.”
Outside Matt’s flat Connor had a different life, a fake girlfriend, their photos all over the Internet. Ahh, how long can he handle this all? Luckily he has Matt bringing order into his life.
The filming world was dazzling.
It was so so endearing to see, for the first time in his life, Connor found his fit.
An amazing, endearing, funny, and super sweet story, with the most lovable characters.
The writing is as always excellently done!
One day at the gym, he collides with Matt, literally, and somehow they keep running into each other.
Connor never felt anything for a man, and now, it’s confusing.
Connor keeps bringing chaos to Matt’s life. To say their friendship is particular is an understatement.
It’s only friendship, right? Two lonely guys. Eating together, Con shows up uninvited, never leaves, have laughs, it’s awkward and endearing!
Matt kind of like living on his own, in his clean and neat apartment, somehow Con planted himself in Matt’s home and life, including his chaos. It’s quite something for Matt’s fragile heart.
They had no clue what they were doing, but it felt so good.
“I was so bloody in love with this guy it was ridiculous.”
Outside Matt’s flat Connor had a different life, a fake girlfriend, their photos all over the Internet. Ahh, how long can he handle this all? Luckily he has Matt bringing order into his life.
The filming world was dazzling.
It was so so endearing to see, for the first time in his life, Connor found his fit.
An amazing, endearing, funny, and super sweet story, with the most lovable characters.
The writing is as always excellently done!
August 20, 2023
4.5 stars
What a lovely, sweet, adorable story! Sophia Soames is becoming one of my favourite authors, her books are exactly what I need when I crave a heartwarming story.
I loved both the MCs: Matt is a gay teacher, he's committed to his job, he's got friends and a caring family, but he's also a little bit lonely. During the first meetings with Connor, he tries to keep him at a distance, firmly believing that such a accomplished actor has nothing to do with an ordinary guy like him.
Connor is indeed successful but also very lonely, he's got no friends, just his mom who deeply loves him; his public persona, the charming and confident bisexual man, couldn't be more distant from his real self. Connor is a clueless and naive young man, he started working as an actor when he was just a teenager so he missed the chance to freely explore himself like "normal" boys do.
Everything he knows about sex and relationship is what he reads in his scripts.
"There was no script for this. No intimacy coordinator to advise me on the right way to place my hands on him, inoffensive touches that would look good on camera."
They both never been in a serious relationship and they have no clue how to navigate through their feelings, they're uncertain and also ridiculous sometimes, but they're always authentic and spontaneous.
They just know they cannot be apart from each other, their bond may has been quick, but it's strong and inevitable.
"We've been boyfriends since you hit me in the face."
I love their physical connection, how bashful Connor was and how sweet was their intimacy.
Matt's family and Connor's mom are great; the atmosphere around the whole filming part was a little annoying, especially the fake dating parts.
The story has just a little bit of angst, due to Connor's work, but the HEA is very satisfying.
I absolutely recommend this book.
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.
What a lovely, sweet, adorable story! Sophia Soames is becoming one of my favourite authors, her books are exactly what I need when I crave a heartwarming story.
I loved both the MCs: Matt is a gay teacher, he's committed to his job, he's got friends and a caring family, but he's also a little bit lonely. During the first meetings with Connor, he tries to keep him at a distance, firmly believing that such a accomplished actor has nothing to do with an ordinary guy like him.
Connor is indeed successful but also very lonely, he's got no friends, just his mom who deeply loves him; his public persona, the charming and confident bisexual man, couldn't be more distant from his real self. Connor is a clueless and naive young man, he started working as an actor when he was just a teenager so he missed the chance to freely explore himself like "normal" boys do.
Everything he knows about sex and relationship is what he reads in his scripts.
"There was no script for this. No intimacy coordinator to advise me on the right way to place my hands on him, inoffensive touches that would look good on camera."
They both never been in a serious relationship and they have no clue how to navigate through their feelings, they're uncertain and also ridiculous sometimes, but they're always authentic and spontaneous.
They just know they cannot be apart from each other, their bond may has been quick, but it's strong and inevitable.
"We've been boyfriends since you hit me in the face."
I love their physical connection, how bashful Connor was and how sweet was their intimacy.
Matt's family and Connor's mom are great; the atmosphere around the whole filming part was a little annoying, especially the fake dating parts.
The story has just a little bit of angst, due to Connor's work, but the HEA is very satisfying.
I absolutely recommend this book.
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.
November 25, 2024
I enjoyed this so much! I was smiling and laughing the whole way through.
Again, the relationship just starts out of nowhere and it moves at a rapid pace, but like the characters both say, they just fit!
Con was adorable and needed some really good hugs. Matt was super cute and also needed some good hugs. They were so adorable together. Matt's brother Ollie was hilarious!
I also am totally on Conny's side when he always orders an omelette from the Chinese but with extra egg 😂😂 there's nothing worse than really craving an omelette as your comfort food and then it's tiny. I was cackling so hard at the way Wei, his mum and Matt were horrified by Con's food choices 😂
The way Con wears Matt's clothes for comfort even though they're way too small... Just so bloody cute! Easily my favourite book in this series and possibly my favourite book by Sophia Soames, although Reuben and Graham are very closely tied.
Again, the relationship just starts out of nowhere and it moves at a rapid pace, but like the characters both say, they just fit!
Con was adorable and needed some really good hugs. Matt was super cute and also needed some good hugs. They were so adorable together. Matt's brother Ollie was hilarious!
I also am totally on Conny's side when he always orders an omelette from the Chinese but with extra egg 😂😂 there's nothing worse than really craving an omelette as your comfort food and then it's tiny. I was cackling so hard at the way Wei, his mum and Matt were horrified by Con's food choices 😂
The way Con wears Matt's clothes for comfort even though they're way too small... Just so bloody cute! Easily my favourite book in this series and possibly my favourite book by Sophia Soames, although Reuben and Graham are very closely tied.
October 18, 2024
I don't know how to explain it but this book was weird but also kind of good
January 16, 2024
Don't understand world,
don't believe plot, don't like guys.
How'd she go so wrong?
don't believe plot, don't like guys.
How'd she go so wrong?
August 13, 2023
I absolutely loved this book. Once again, Sophia has created real characters that are lovable and authentic. It was refreshing to read about how normal a famous actor can be and how lonely being known can make you.
I think what I loved the most was the peek into the thought processes of both men when they are falling in love and how confused and stressed that makes them. Some of the conversations were hilarious.
All in all a fabulous read. I cannot wait for Sophia’s next book.
I think what I loved the most was the peek into the thought processes of both men when they are falling in love and how confused and stressed that makes them. Some of the conversations were hilarious.
All in all a fabulous read. I cannot wait for Sophia’s next book.
August 18, 2023
love
I love this unconventional love story. I love this couple. This couple that very much loved each other and were dependent on each other. A proper good clingy couple. I’m here for it not everyone can be “independent”. I love the need they had for each other and how each held the other. Couple that can’t stand to be apart. The writing was good. The smexy was hawt. The side characters rocked also. Really enjoyed this.
I love this unconventional love story. I love this couple. This couple that very much loved each other and were dependent on each other. A proper good clingy couple. I’m here for it not everyone can be “independent”. I love the need they had for each other and how each held the other. Couple that can’t stand to be apart. The writing was good. The smexy was hawt. The side characters rocked also. Really enjoyed this.
Read
March 3, 2024This wasn't perfect but still a lot of fun to read.
August 15, 2023
Phenomenal!! Must Read
You all have got to read White Noise! This book has all the feels. Sophia pulls you in from the beginning and doesn't let go until the end. You're going to want to reach into the book and just hug Con and Matt. You see the life's they've led from a whole new perspective. The loneliness alone hurt my heart. But Sophia makes up for it. You want to know how? Read the book and see for yourself. I promise you'll love it!
You all have got to read White Noise! This book has all the feels. Sophia pulls you in from the beginning and doesn't let go until the end. You're going to want to reach into the book and just hug Con and Matt. You see the life's they've led from a whole new perspective. The loneliness alone hurt my heart. But Sophia makes up for it. You want to know how? Read the book and see for yourself. I promise you'll love it!
August 31, 2023
This book has been provided for free by the author. The review below has also been published on Rainbow Book Reviews.
White noise, as we all know, is a specific type of broadband sound, produced by combining all audible frequencies, that blocks distracting environmental noises. As such, it is used in some hospitals to help patients fall asleep easier, for example. It is also cleverly used as the main metaphor and as the title of Sophia Soames’s latest release. ‘White Noise’ is, in fact, the title of a fictitious murder mystery TV show that has raked in a lot of awards. Hunky young Connor “Con” Telford is one of the main actors; he plays the role of a reckless police officer of ambiguous but voracious sexuality. That’s why, over several seasons, he has shown almost his entire and admittedly superb physique on the screen.
No surprise, then, that when young teacher Matthew Winston stumbles upon this epitome of male beauty—namely for a gay viewer like him—in the local gym, he overcomes his inhibitions and accosts him. Well, the actor’s shoelaces have come undone, too, so it’s more a question of ensuring that he doesn’t trip, isn’t it? But Con is rehearsing an action scene, doesn’t see the other man come closer, and—deals him a terrible blow in the face. Someone said awkward first encounter? Definitely. And yet, Con’s nice behavior, his solicitude, his eagerness to amend for Matthew’s injury are enough to make sure that the latter doesn’t give in to a serious bout of star-struckness and simply run away. Little do both know that destiny holds loads of unexpected follow-up meetings in store for them. And maybe even more…
It’s not a spoiler if I say that of course, there’s an HEA or Happily Ever After. This is a Sophia Soames book, after all. And Sophia does multiple twists and turns, messy lives and even messier main characters, steamy scenes a healthy gay guy shouldn’t read in public (beware of the accidental tent), but Sophia doesn’t do unhappy endings. Phew. This author’s books always lead to dotted is and crossed ts.
So, the characters. Con is the perfect example of how you can be utterly alone and lonely in a crowd. Of how you can become so absorbed in your job that you forget to live. Of how you play a role so well that you forget who you are and what you need. He doesn’t know how to buy groceries in a supermarket, he doesn’t know how to act with someone from outside his film industry comfort zone, he doesn’t even know the first thing about his sexuality. His TV character is bi-pan-omni? That’s very well, he has no problems with it, but what about him? If asked, he would define himself as straight. Yet that easy preconception falls to pieces when he invades Matthew’s life (one would have expected it to happen the other way around, but that’s the kind of lost guy he is). He suddenly discovers he’s pushy, needy, almost clingy, and doesn’t have a clue of what he’s doing or why. All he knows is that he mistook his job for the white noise he believed he needed to keep his questions and anxieties at bay.
Matthew, on the other hand, is wary at first. Why would a hunk of a guy like sexy Con run after him? Why would he show up on his doorstep time and again? He, Mat, is no one special. He isn’t handsome, he isn’t muscular, he isn’t even very interesting. He’s your average, normal man. And yet, whenever needed, he comes up with the right answers, suggestions, pieces of advice for Con. He lends his shoulder, his ear, his clothes, his bed even without thinking of seducing the confused actor. Well, he might think of it, in his wildest dreams, but he wouldn’t dream of acting on it. He’s a decent man, well-educated, well-behaved.
I really loved this improbable romance where nothing is really what one would expect from the “famous star meets ordinary fan” trope. Sophia Soames has a knack of taking well-known subject matters and turning them upside down. Sophia also has the knack (I often commented on this in my other Soames reviews) of creating threedimensional characters, messy guys with messy ideas and messy lives that always spell “real life” in my eyes. But there’s a sort of fairy tale side to that “real life” à la Soames that my own lacks, so it’s always a pleasure to discover yet another of Sophia’s heart-warming stories.
In one word, this is a book to fall in love, to fall in love with, a bit like a cuddly toy one wouldn’t part with. It has just one flaw: it ends at the end.
White noise, as we all know, is a specific type of broadband sound, produced by combining all audible frequencies, that blocks distracting environmental noises. As such, it is used in some hospitals to help patients fall asleep easier, for example. It is also cleverly used as the main metaphor and as the title of Sophia Soames’s latest release. ‘White Noise’ is, in fact, the title of a fictitious murder mystery TV show that has raked in a lot of awards. Hunky young Connor “Con” Telford is one of the main actors; he plays the role of a reckless police officer of ambiguous but voracious sexuality. That’s why, over several seasons, he has shown almost his entire and admittedly superb physique on the screen.
No surprise, then, that when young teacher Matthew Winston stumbles upon this epitome of male beauty—namely for a gay viewer like him—in the local gym, he overcomes his inhibitions and accosts him. Well, the actor’s shoelaces have come undone, too, so it’s more a question of ensuring that he doesn’t trip, isn’t it? But Con is rehearsing an action scene, doesn’t see the other man come closer, and—deals him a terrible blow in the face. Someone said awkward first encounter? Definitely. And yet, Con’s nice behavior, his solicitude, his eagerness to amend for Matthew’s injury are enough to make sure that the latter doesn’t give in to a serious bout of star-struckness and simply run away. Little do both know that destiny holds loads of unexpected follow-up meetings in store for them. And maybe even more…
It’s not a spoiler if I say that of course, there’s an HEA or Happily Ever After. This is a Sophia Soames book, after all. And Sophia does multiple twists and turns, messy lives and even messier main characters, steamy scenes a healthy gay guy shouldn’t read in public (beware of the accidental tent), but Sophia doesn’t do unhappy endings. Phew. This author’s books always lead to dotted is and crossed ts.
So, the characters. Con is the perfect example of how you can be utterly alone and lonely in a crowd. Of how you can become so absorbed in your job that you forget to live. Of how you play a role so well that you forget who you are and what you need. He doesn’t know how to buy groceries in a supermarket, he doesn’t know how to act with someone from outside his film industry comfort zone, he doesn’t even know the first thing about his sexuality. His TV character is bi-pan-omni? That’s very well, he has no problems with it, but what about him? If asked, he would define himself as straight. Yet that easy preconception falls to pieces when he invades Matthew’s life (one would have expected it to happen the other way around, but that’s the kind of lost guy he is). He suddenly discovers he’s pushy, needy, almost clingy, and doesn’t have a clue of what he’s doing or why. All he knows is that he mistook his job for the white noise he believed he needed to keep his questions and anxieties at bay.
Matthew, on the other hand, is wary at first. Why would a hunk of a guy like sexy Con run after him? Why would he show up on his doorstep time and again? He, Mat, is no one special. He isn’t handsome, he isn’t muscular, he isn’t even very interesting. He’s your average, normal man. And yet, whenever needed, he comes up with the right answers, suggestions, pieces of advice for Con. He lends his shoulder, his ear, his clothes, his bed even without thinking of seducing the confused actor. Well, he might think of it, in his wildest dreams, but he wouldn’t dream of acting on it. He’s a decent man, well-educated, well-behaved.
I really loved this improbable romance where nothing is really what one would expect from the “famous star meets ordinary fan” trope. Sophia Soames has a knack of taking well-known subject matters and turning them upside down. Sophia also has the knack (I often commented on this in my other Soames reviews) of creating threedimensional characters, messy guys with messy ideas and messy lives that always spell “real life” in my eyes. But there’s a sort of fairy tale side to that “real life” à la Soames that my own lacks, so it’s always a pleasure to discover yet another of Sophia’s heart-warming stories.
In one word, this is a book to fall in love, to fall in love with, a bit like a cuddly toy one wouldn’t part with. It has just one flaw: it ends at the end.
August 11, 2023
I felt totally consumed by this story; it felt like the two MC's were in their own little bubble. Albeit, the bubble was probably the size of Matt's flat. I got swept along as both navigated love for the first time and Con experienced a lot more about himself. I loved the extra characters too, especially Ollie, he was hilarious. The filming side was 'annoying' but I think that was the point. Con needed more in his life, he has been acting since a teen and missed out on so many life experiences. This book had humour, steam and real intimacy. I loved it. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 31, 2023
2.75⭐, not reaching 3⭐ by any chance.
I couldn't connect with this book at all.
It's written in British English, so that takes away the romance immediately, but also the love story between the MMCs wasn't even remotely believable.
The story is about Con, a famous TV show actor, who's portraying a bisexual character, but in reality, Con is alone and has never been with anyone, because he's been working since he was 13.
He meets Matt in a local gym and wants to get to know him better.
Matt is an elementary school teacher and openly gay, he's a fan of Con and likes him a lot, so when he's asked out, he keeps turning Con down.
🟢 Their dialogues were very superficial and they went from strangers, where I felt Matt didn't really want anything to do with Con, to them almost living together.
Not only that, with almost no relationship development they went from maybe thinking about hooking up, to being boyfriends and when that declaration of love came in, it's wasn't believable. At all.
🔵 The dialogues from Matt's part were, at least to me, so damn annoying. I couldn't feel the romance or even with them being sexy together, it didn't really have an impact.
🌶️ The spice was scarce, there was a little bit going on and it was quite good, but done in a few sentences.
"So your kinks are aligned and there will be a second date?" Peter tried. 🙄
"There was wet stuff on my stomach, and he was all tensed up and I was...well, I was rather proud even thinking the word, but I was still fucking him." 🤦
I won't even continue.
I don't know, I couldn't really connect with their story, it left me completely unimpressed and I thought it was quite juvenile, especially for 2 MMCs already in their late 20s.
I couldn't connect with this book at all.
It's written in British English, so that takes away the romance immediately, but also the love story between the MMCs wasn't even remotely believable.
The story is about Con, a famous TV show actor, who's portraying a bisexual character, but in reality, Con is alone and has never been with anyone, because he's been working since he was 13.
He meets Matt in a local gym and wants to get to know him better.
Matt is an elementary school teacher and openly gay, he's a fan of Con and likes him a lot, so when he's asked out, he keeps turning Con down.
🟢 Their dialogues were very superficial and they went from strangers, where I felt Matt didn't really want anything to do with Con, to them almost living together.
Not only that, with almost no relationship development they went from maybe thinking about hooking up, to being boyfriends and when that declaration of love came in, it's wasn't believable. At all.
🔵 The dialogues from Matt's part were, at least to me, so damn annoying. I couldn't feel the romance or even with them being sexy together, it didn't really have an impact.
🌶️ The spice was scarce, there was a little bit going on and it was quite good, but done in a few sentences.
"So your kinks are aligned and there will be a second date?" Peter tried. 🙄
"There was wet stuff on my stomach, and he was all tensed up and I was...well, I was rather proud even thinking the word, but I was still fucking him." 🤦
I won't even continue.
I don't know, I couldn't really connect with their story, it left me completely unimpressed and I thought it was quite juvenile, especially for 2 MMCs already in their late 20s.
August 9, 2025
This was really sweet!
I loved the twist on celebrity/fan romance, the bi-playboy on the screen and a virgin in the sheets who doesn't know anything about his sexuality never having had any opportunity to discover himself. The accidental moving in together, cuddles and awkward communication all worked for me!
NSFW infos:
- teacher MC with ears that stick and out, who is "all skin and bone" with dark curly hair (out and gay)
- 25 year old actor (virgin, bisexual)
- lifting
- hugs and cuddles and platonic bed sharing
Nickname
Conny, Muffin
-
I loved the twist on celebrity/fan romance, the bi-playboy on the screen and a virgin in the sheets who doesn't know anything about his sexuality never having had any opportunity to discover himself. The accidental moving in together, cuddles and awkward communication all worked for me!
NSFW infos:
- teacher MC with ears that stick and out, who is "all skin and bone" with dark curly hair (out and gay)
- 25 year old actor (virgin, bisexual)
- lifting
- hugs and cuddles and platonic bed sharing
Nickname
Conny, Muffin
-
August 15, 2023
Another excellent book by this author who really excels in writing such lovable messy imperfect characters. Con was so very lost and alone, and despite doing a lot of intimate scenes as an actor he was so very innocent. Despite his own misgivings and lack of relationship experience Matt fits him so well. Beautiful book.
August 17, 2023
Another job well done
When you settle down with a new Sophia Soames read you know you won't be disappointed and this was no exception.
A great storyline is guaranteed, there'll be loveabley (is that even a real word? it's 2.30 in the morning and my inner thesaurus is knackered!) flawed characters, a wee bit of angst, some deliciously sexy times, and you know you're going to have to clear your diary because finishing the book will come before anything else in your real life.
There was also a perfectly wonderful all the Ts crossed and Is dotted HEAs that managed to avoid one of those ambiguous, Godly/heavenly endings that are fine if you're a believer and not so much if you're an on the fencer.
Whelp Ms Soames, you know if there was a fan club I'd be a fully paid up member, you pulled it off again, Matt and Con rule OK!! Bring on the next one 😊
When you settle down with a new Sophia Soames read you know you won't be disappointed and this was no exception.
A great storyline is guaranteed, there'll be loveabley (is that even a real word? it's 2.30 in the morning and my inner thesaurus is knackered!) flawed characters, a wee bit of angst, some deliciously sexy times, and you know you're going to have to clear your diary because finishing the book will come before anything else in your real life.
There was also a perfectly wonderful all the Ts crossed and Is dotted HEAs that managed to avoid one of those ambiguous, Godly/heavenly endings that are fine if you're a believer and not so much if you're an on the fencer.
Whelp Ms Soames, you know if there was a fan club I'd be a fully paid up member, you pulled it off again, Matt and Con rule OK!! Bring on the next one 😊
August 19, 2023
This is just the loveliest book - the 2 MCs are so sweet and real, their inner monologues are funny and I could totally relate to those feelings of confusion and interest and anxiety that you get when you meet someone new - "I had an awkward interaction with this person at the gym - I can never go back to the gym again!" I found myself smiling at so many points while reading, the story is just so charming. There's no angst, just cute guys and happy feelings. It will definitely become one of my favorite go-tos when I just want to read something and feel good. Truly a fabulous read - I love love love Sophia Soames!
August 11, 2023
I really enjoyed this book and found it hard to put down once I’d started. Although it’s primarily centred around Con’s life, it is a dual POV so we get Matt’s perspective too. You really get drawn into Con’s loneliness and all the unseen behind-the-scenes pressure and dramas of filming. It explains why he makes such an immediate connection with Matt, which may seem sudden at the beginning but makes sense as you get to know them better. In addition, there are some really great side characters that help inject humour and make this a great book.
August 17, 2023
This was another great story from Sophia. It was such a sweet, quirky and heartfelt story and it was a joy to read. In this story we meet school teacher Matt and famous actor Connor who both have their issues. Gay Matt is quite lonely and seemingly straight Connor struggles with panic attacks and loneliness. They met at the gym when Connor accidentally gave Matt a black eye. That's the start of their unlikely friendship. Connor realises he is attracted to Matt and they decide to explore together. But at the same time Connor loses the motivation for his job and his mental health deteriorates and Matt is the only one that can help him. I felt like they were in their own bubble. But their love and connection with each other was so adorable.
December 6, 2024
Time of death: 43%. This is so boring. I find making myself read this to be a real chore. The premise is that a famous, but lonely actor (who has always considered himself straight) has a run in with a cute gay teacher at a gym and develops a crush on him which he insists is platonic. He keeps inserting himself into this teacher’s life despite being told no thanks several times. He somehow ends up sleeping naked in this person’s bed for literally no reason at all and both of them are like, this is completely normal human behaviour. I think the fuck not. I just don’t care about either of these characters, in fact I am finding them pretty annoying, and I am not at all enjoying the writing style. Hard pass from me.
Read
July 21, 2023I loved this story. It brought tears, both of frustration and joy. In many respects, I wish it was my life. I love the pacing and the conversations, they just feel so real. Anyway, highly recommended. Go for it. Enjoy it with a glass of wine. You wont regret it
August 19, 2023
loved this book :)
If you don’t love smiling, then this is not the book for you 😉. If you read and enjoy her books (like I do), this has the same quirky charm of her other books. This is a SUPER cute, bi-awakening romance with the most DARLING characters. Highly recommend! 💗💗
If you don’t love smiling, then this is not the book for you 😉. If you read and enjoy her books (like I do), this has the same quirky charm of her other books. This is a SUPER cute, bi-awakening romance with the most DARLING characters. Highly recommend! 💗💗
February 10, 2024
3 - Generous Stars
The premise of White Noise by Sophia Soames is clever, quickly drawing the reader into the narrative.
Unfortunately, that premise is revisited so often that by the end of the novel it’s actually become boring.
The premise of White Noise by Sophia Soames is clever, quickly drawing the reader into the narrative.
Unfortunately, that premise is revisited so often that by the end of the novel it’s actually become boring.
September 24, 2023
Awesome
These two are a totally disaster in the best possible way. I found this story and these characters totally delightful. Great book.
These two are a totally disaster in the best possible way. I found this story and these characters totally delightful. Great book.
November 22, 2023
4.5 stars. A TV actor, a school teacher, and a hilarious (painful) meet cute at the gym. Great dialogue throughout. I will read the other two in the series.
August 18, 2023
3.75 stars
September 12, 2023
CUTE!!!!!! That was so much fun :D
December 20, 2023
White Noise is a lovely and fun to read gay romance based in London that I enjoyed!
Sophie Soames has a way about her writing that is so realistic. You feel as though you’re there with the characters watching them live an everyday situation.
Matt is a high school teacher in London. He lives in a studio apartment in the not so great area. Overall his life is pretty bland and repetitive. When Matt meets famous actor Connor Telford, he doesn’t know why Connor would even want to speak to him let alone ask him for a dinner date.
Matt ignores Connor until a super sweet situation occurs that leaves the two in each other’s personal space.
I absolutely loved how natural and real this all felt.
These two kids are so awkward in an adorable way.
This is a very low key read with little angst.
Tropes:
Actor/Teacher
Opposites Attract
Soul Mates
Hurt/Comfort
Set in London
MM
Sophie Soames has a way about her writing that is so realistic. You feel as though you’re there with the characters watching them live an everyday situation.
Matt is a high school teacher in London. He lives in a studio apartment in the not so great area. Overall his life is pretty bland and repetitive. When Matt meets famous actor Connor Telford, he doesn’t know why Connor would even want to speak to him let alone ask him for a dinner date.
Matt ignores Connor until a super sweet situation occurs that leaves the two in each other’s personal space.
I absolutely loved how natural and real this all felt.
These two kids are so awkward in an adorable way.
This is a very low key read with little angst.
Tropes:
Actor/Teacher
Opposites Attract
Soul Mates
Hurt/Comfort
Set in London
MM
March 24, 2024
rourke on the cover??? rourke on the cover!
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