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Stars #2
The Silence of the Stars
A Spin-off of The Stars that Tremble Sandy Sullivan has gotten so good at covering up his emotions, he's waiting for someone to hand him an Oscar. On the outside, he's a cheerful, funny guy, but his good humor is the only thing keeping awful memories from his army tours in Afghanistan at bay. Worse, Sandy is now adrift after breaking up with the only man who ever understood him, but who also wanted to fix him the way Sandy's been fixing up his new house in Brooklyn.Everett Blake seems to have good looks, money, and talent to spare. He parlayed a successful career as a violinist into a teaching job at Manhattan's elite Olcott School and until four months ago, he even had the perfect boyfriend. Now he's on his own, trying to give his new apartment some personality, even if it is unkempt compared to the perfect home he shared with his ex. When hiring a contractor to renovate his kitchen sends Sandy barreling into his life, Everett is only too happy to accept the chaos... until he realizes he's in over his head.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 30, 2014
2 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
About the author
Kate McMurray
63 books348 followersKate McMurray writes smart romantic fiction. She likes creating stories that are brainy, funny, and of course sexy, with regular guy characters and urban sensibilities. She advocates for romance stories by and for everyone. When she’s not writing, she edits textbooks, watches baseball, plays violin, crafts things out of yarn, and wears a lot of cute dresses. She lives in Brooklyn, NY, with a bossy cat and too many books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
July 29, 2019
Story 2.5 stars took me 4 days to get through it.
Audiobook 3 stars
Damn! i can't believe i am giving Michael Ferraiuolo, 3 stars, sadly, the narration was not good. I believe maybe this was among his first books, if so, He has come a long way.
The story was just Ok and boring at times, the beginning had potential but as it progressed, it became a total let down. Nothing really happens here. They eat, talk about construction tools and PTSD, music and all that stuff.
The MCs were likable enough but i had a hard time believing that Sandy is an Army vet. The writing did nothing to convince me.
Overall, it was just ok, at least i got to finish my chores while listening to it.
Audiobook 3 stars
Damn! i can't believe i am giving Michael Ferraiuolo, 3 stars, sadly, the narration was not good. I believe maybe this was among his first books, if so, He has come a long way.
The story was just Ok and boring at times, the beginning had potential but as it progressed, it became a total let down. Nothing really happens here. They eat, talk about construction tools and PTSD, music and all that stuff.
The MCs were likable enough but i had a hard time believing that Sandy is an Army vet. The writing did nothing to convince me.
Overall, it was just ok, at least i got to finish my chores while listening to it.
September 3, 2016
3.5 stars
Sandy is Mike's BFF from book 1. He's a contractor hired to remodel Everette's kitchen. Everette, who just broke up with a long-term boyfriend, is a friend of Gio's (now engaged to Mike). Ev is a violinist and comes from a cultured, educated, well-off family. Ev is Upper East Side Manhattan. Sandy is not.
This book can be read as a standalone. Mike and Gio are around, but the plot mostly revolves around Sandy's PTSD. Sandy is an Army vet. He doesn't think he has PTSD, but he received a medical discharge from the Army and has nightmares and occasional flashbacks (sounds like PTSD to me).
Sandy is certain no one can put up with his messed-up head for long. He doesn't even want to sleep over at Ev's place because he doesn't want Ev to see him in the throes of a nightmare.
And while Ev is great and comforting, he worries he's getting in too deep and that Sandy might get violent and unpredictable.
There was nothing wrong with this book. The characters were nice, fairly ordinary guys who meet, go out, and actually talk about their relationship. They kiss and hold hands. There is almost no angst, no breakups or misunderstandings. And the ending is as delectable as a cupcake with extra frosting.
However, this book was...well, it was bland. There was almost no steam: a couple short scenes is all. There was talk of kink (uniforms! tool belts!), but that never happened, at least on page.
Some of the conversations between Sandy and Ev felt off, a bit awkward. And there was way too much monologuing on the part of both MCs; many of the thoughts were redundant and didn't jive with what was actually happening between the guys on page.
But, hey, I still enjoyed it. It was easy and comfortable, and had a cute, sweet HEA.
Sandy is Mike's BFF from book 1. He's a contractor hired to remodel Everette's kitchen. Everette, who just broke up with a long-term boyfriend, is a friend of Gio's (now engaged to Mike). Ev is a violinist and comes from a cultured, educated, well-off family. Ev is Upper East Side Manhattan. Sandy is not.
This book can be read as a standalone. Mike and Gio are around, but the plot mostly revolves around Sandy's PTSD. Sandy is an Army vet. He doesn't think he has PTSD, but he received a medical discharge from the Army and has nightmares and occasional flashbacks (sounds like PTSD to me).
Sandy is certain no one can put up with his messed-up head for long. He doesn't even want to sleep over at Ev's place because he doesn't want Ev to see him in the throes of a nightmare.
And while Ev is great and comforting, he worries he's getting in too deep and that Sandy might get violent and unpredictable.
There was nothing wrong with this book. The characters were nice, fairly ordinary guys who meet, go out, and actually talk about their relationship. They kiss and hold hands. There is almost no angst, no breakups or misunderstandings. And the ending is as delectable as a cupcake with extra frosting.
However, this book was...well, it was bland. There was almost no steam: a couple short scenes is all. There was talk of kink (uniforms! tool belts!), but that never happened, at least on page.
Some of the conversations between Sandy and Ev felt off, a bit awkward. And there was way too much monologuing on the part of both MCs; many of the thoughts were redundant and didn't jive with what was actually happening between the guys on page.
But, hey, I still enjoyed it. It was easy and comfortable, and had a cute, sweet HEA.
April 18, 2021
3.5 stars rounded down. I've been looking forward to this one and maybe my expectations were too high because this ended up being an ok story and not the awesome that I was looking for but still ok is better than 'oh-my-god-I-want-my-life-back' and there was Michael Ferraiuolo always a plus in the narration department for me. But still at the end of it all good was good and Mr. Ferraiuolo was a listening pleasure that made the experience more enjoyable.
May 31, 2016
“That is the one thing I kind of miss about the desert. It was so clear you could always see the stars at night.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. And stars, you know, they’re always quiet. There were nights when I’d just go outside to get away from everyone, because once the sun went down, it wasn’t so stiflingly hot. I’d just look at the stars. I found their silence comforting.”
I really liked the first book in this series, The Stars that Tremble, so I was happy to see that a sequel, with Mike’s friend Sandy as the MC, in the works. And was even more pleased when I read it. Because this is a good book, with two great MCs, and some wonderful music to round it off. Well, you don’t actually get to hear any of the music (if they could imbed books with soundtracks that would be freaking awesome), but I went a long way in wearing out my new ipod with a the constant replaying of my “This String Shit is Beautiful” playlist (aka, why don’t we have violins following us around all the time ‘cause they are the best instrument ever, playlist). I should probably admit that I have a weird kink for men with violins (and hardanger fiddles-–cause sympathetic strings are cool), but that would probably make me seem much weirder than I already appear to be. So let’s not mention that at all, ok?
Everett is a teacher at the Olcott School that Gio (the MC from The Stars that Tremble) works at, and gets a tip that Mike owns a company that could do a good job fixing up the kitchen in the apartment he just moved into. And since Sandy is in charge of the Brooklyn division of the company, it brings our two heroes together, sparking rainbows and kittens and prancing through meadows (to promptly fuck each other blind…). Or not.
Well, the whole I want to bend you over the new counter and fuck you into next week part, happens, but the rainbows and kittens are decidedly lacking. Partly because Everett just got out of a relationship (and I am trying not to let my opinions about France color my judgment of the dude, but Pierre is a bit of a wanker) and wants to try and live life on his own for a bit. And partly because Sandy has some residual issues from his time in the army that make him wary about starting a relationship with anyone, let alone this fancy violin teacher that is about twenty rungs above him in the social ladder.
Not to mention that whole PTSD thing that he doesn’t have (even if he totally does).
Everett and Sandy are a bit tamer when it comes to their issues, compared to Gio and Mike, but that doesn’t mean that their struggle is any less difficult. Perhaps more so, because they don’t end up having to fight some villain, but have to fight with their own thoughts, their own pasts, and their own hopes for the future. It isn’t an us against them book, it is more an us against us book. And I liked that aspect of it for the most part. It was handled very well, and I didn’t spend a lot of the time wanting to go around smacking people (which is a relief), but it also had to contend with the fact that all the conflict had to come from somewhere, and that somewhere was usually a lack of communication. On some issues, at least.
Romantically they really clicked. I’m sure it doesn’t hurt that both of them are totally hot, but they also seemed to fit each other so well that it was a no brainer that they would fall in love with each other. If they got over their issues, that is. I loved how they worked with each other, talked to each other (even when the answer wasn’t something they really wanted to hear), and generally tried to build something when they were not even all that sure how long either of them was going to be around. I liked that they tried even though they doubted. That they didn’t go running from each other. And when sex became something more, they adjusted to it, even when it freaked them out a bit.
My biggest, and probably only, problem with this story is the fact that I had a hard time understanding Everett’s reaction to Sandy’s PTSD. It just seemed so over the top. Everett’s friend may have dated an ex-military man, who suffered from PTSD, and that relationship may have ended badly, but Sandy was not that guy. He didn’t even really act like that guy. Sandy actually went out and got help. And yes, by getting that help he might have stirred some shit to the surface, but whoever thinks therapy is going to be some magic pill that automatically fixes everything, is an idiot. And while I like that Everett could admit that Sandy was different, his constant reticence, based on little evidence that Sandy was going to go downhill, annoyed me. He has every right to be a tad reluctant to enter a relationship with someone that is suffering from PTSD, but the way he treated it, it was almost like Sandy was one bad day away from wiping out half of Brooklyn.
If you haven’t read the first book in the series, you probably will be fine reading this as a standalone. While Gio, Mike, and Emma do show up in this story, a lot of the plot from book one really doesn’t have much bearing on what is going on in book two. It was nice to see them again, but don’t worry if you haven’t read it. Though, you know, it wasn’t a half-bad book, so you might want to check it out anyways. I really liked the writing here, and the character were great. And I have to say I enjoyed that the angst levels were moderately low. There is some back and forth with the characters, but mostly they do a good job of sorting their shit out before it gets spun way out of proportion. Also really liked the music. Even if I couldn’t hear any of it, it just gave the book such a nice, unique flavor.
4.5 stars
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August 18, 2016
If a damaged former/current soldier is involved, so am I. Does that mean I occasionally get my heart broken when a military-themed book doesn't live up to my internal hype? Dang it, yes.
Silence of the Stars is a spinoff of The Stars that Tremble (which I haven’t read), but it definitely works as a standalone—I wasn't confused about any characters, and I didn't feel like I was missing anything major while I was reading.
Sadly, it was just an okay read for me. The writing was okay, I guess, but the story never really connected for me. It had all the things that make my heart flutter: a tough guy trying to work through his issues who meets a smart-and-sensitive type who’s destined to turn tough guy’s world around.
Maybe it was the goofy dialogue. Maybe it was the insta-attraction and chemistry-free sex. Maybe it was the fact that contractor/remodeler Sandy suggested Everett go with linoleum floors in his new kitchen, gasp. (Listen, I don't mean to be snotty, but. I’m married to a remodeler. Those guys don’t suggest linoleum. Trust me on this.)
Maybe it was the “I’m a Top” gauntlet thrown down by one of the MCs. Is that entirely realistic or even necessary conversation in an m/m book? I’m thinking no.
Maybe it was the undiagnosed/untreated PTSD...from seven years after being stateside. Maybe it was the fact that this felt a whole lot like an m/f romance to me, but with token details changed to make it m/m.
Maybe it was the perfect combination of all of the above, but Silence of the Stars was a letdown.
No matter how hard I tried to make it happen, I didn't feel any chemistry between Sandy and Everett, and that’s major in a book like this. There were no outside forces trying to break the guys up (over-the-top jealous French ex-boyfriend aside); it was just them trying to navigate Sandy’s PTSD.
Let’s talk about that PTSD for a minute, too. It felt contrived, disingenuous, planted so the guys would have something to navigate in order to move their relationship forward. Boo.
There was a nice little epilogue to tie up loose ends, so points there. It was sweet and gave the boys some closure, but it wasn't enough to boost/change my overall experience.
Silence of the Stars is a spinoff of The Stars that Tremble (which I haven’t read), but it definitely works as a standalone—I wasn't confused about any characters, and I didn't feel like I was missing anything major while I was reading.
Sadly, it was just an okay read for me. The writing was okay, I guess, but the story never really connected for me. It had all the things that make my heart flutter: a tough guy trying to work through his issues who meets a smart-and-sensitive type who’s destined to turn tough guy’s world around.
Maybe it was the goofy dialogue. Maybe it was the insta-attraction and chemistry-free sex. Maybe it was the fact that contractor/remodeler Sandy suggested Everett go with linoleum floors in his new kitchen, gasp. (Listen, I don't mean to be snotty, but. I’m married to a remodeler. Those guys don’t suggest linoleum. Trust me on this.)
Maybe it was the “I’m a Top” gauntlet thrown down by one of the MCs. Is that entirely realistic or even necessary conversation in an m/m book? I’m thinking no.
Maybe it was the undiagnosed/untreated PTSD...from seven years after being stateside. Maybe it was the fact that this felt a whole lot like an m/f romance to me, but with token details changed to make it m/m.
Maybe it was the perfect combination of all of the above, but Silence of the Stars was a letdown.
No matter how hard I tried to make it happen, I didn't feel any chemistry between Sandy and Everett, and that’s major in a book like this. There were no outside forces trying to break the guys up (over-the-top jealous French ex-boyfriend aside); it was just them trying to navigate Sandy’s PTSD.
Let’s talk about that PTSD for a minute, too. It felt contrived, disingenuous, planted so the guys would have something to navigate in order to move their relationship forward. Boo.
There was a nice little epilogue to tie up loose ends, so points there. It was sweet and gave the boys some closure, but it wasn't enough to boost/change my overall experience.
April 16, 2015
Audiobook provided by the publisher through Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words in exchange for an impartial review.
Everett Blake is a successful concert violinist who holds a teaching position at Olcott School for talented young musicians in Manhattan and occasionally accepts a short stint with a local symphony since performing is a part of his life he truly loves. He’s recently been cast off by his long term partner, Pierre, a French Chef who landed his own cooking show. A perfectionist, Pierre never failed to let Everett know he wasn’t quite good enough.
Now, four months later, Everett has his own apartment in Manhattan and has hired a local contractor to remodel his kitchen. Sandy Sullivan is the principal contractor for the company in that area and when he arrives on Everett’s doorstep, the mutual attraction is immediately evident.
Sandy is sexy, fun, and an enjoyable companion as Everett discovers over drinks one night. He’s an Army vet who served multiple tours overseas but was injured in Afghanistan when a car bomb exploded and was medically discharged. Unknown to Everett, Sandy suffers from PTSD, the true reason he left the Army. His close friend was killed when that bomb exploded, and though he only suffers occasional flashbacks now, he does still suffer from vivid and frightening nightmares.
When he and Everett eventually have sex, Sandy always finds a reason to leave afterwards, making Everett think that perhaps Sandy isn’t looking for a relationship. Everett, handsome, wealthy and educated, has always chosen to be in a relationship with a man before having sex, and he thought that’s what he and Sandy had started so he’s disappointed each time Sandy goes. When Sandy finally does stay over one night, Everett learns why Sandy always leaves when Everett wakes Sandy in the middles of a nightmare and finds himself thrown to the floor.
Eventually, Sandy decides to seek the help of a psychologist who specializes in PTSD because he’s starting to care for Everett, and he realizes his PTSD and related nightmares are affecting their budding relationship. Sandy’s goal in life has always been to have a large, happy family in a nice home with a wonderful life partner, or husband now that same sex marriage is possible. However, he now believes it’s too late for him, and he faces a struggle to work through his PTSD issues and his thoughts and feelings about his life plans. In the meantime, he and Everett are growing closer and Everett surprises Sandy by standing up for him when they go to meet Everett’s snobby parents. But it’s the little things that Everett does for him, the quiet and strong support he shows in many ways, that eventually helps Sandy more than anything else.
This is a wonderful story about love and relationships, a hurt-comfort story in which both men learn and grow due to being with each other. Everett is not without his own revelations in this story as he re-examines his feelings about love and family and commitment. The narrator, Michael Ferraioulo, does an excellent job in vocalizations of the characters as well as in the overall narration. He has one of those voices that is a pleasure to listen to, and I found that I carried my iPhone around with me all day so that I could listen to this story no matter what I was doing—just like being unable to put down a good book.
Though it is second in a series, there’s no need to read the first one, but I have to admit that now that I’ve met a few characters from that story, I’ll likely go back and read (or listen to) that one too.
Everett Blake is a successful concert violinist who holds a teaching position at Olcott School for talented young musicians in Manhattan and occasionally accepts a short stint with a local symphony since performing is a part of his life he truly loves. He’s recently been cast off by his long term partner, Pierre, a French Chef who landed his own cooking show. A perfectionist, Pierre never failed to let Everett know he wasn’t quite good enough.
Now, four months later, Everett has his own apartment in Manhattan and has hired a local contractor to remodel his kitchen. Sandy Sullivan is the principal contractor for the company in that area and when he arrives on Everett’s doorstep, the mutual attraction is immediately evident.
Sandy is sexy, fun, and an enjoyable companion as Everett discovers over drinks one night. He’s an Army vet who served multiple tours overseas but was injured in Afghanistan when a car bomb exploded and was medically discharged. Unknown to Everett, Sandy suffers from PTSD, the true reason he left the Army. His close friend was killed when that bomb exploded, and though he only suffers occasional flashbacks now, he does still suffer from vivid and frightening nightmares.
When he and Everett eventually have sex, Sandy always finds a reason to leave afterwards, making Everett think that perhaps Sandy isn’t looking for a relationship. Everett, handsome, wealthy and educated, has always chosen to be in a relationship with a man before having sex, and he thought that’s what he and Sandy had started so he’s disappointed each time Sandy goes. When Sandy finally does stay over one night, Everett learns why Sandy always leaves when Everett wakes Sandy in the middles of a nightmare and finds himself thrown to the floor.
Eventually, Sandy decides to seek the help of a psychologist who specializes in PTSD because he’s starting to care for Everett, and he realizes his PTSD and related nightmares are affecting their budding relationship. Sandy’s goal in life has always been to have a large, happy family in a nice home with a wonderful life partner, or husband now that same sex marriage is possible. However, he now believes it’s too late for him, and he faces a struggle to work through his PTSD issues and his thoughts and feelings about his life plans. In the meantime, he and Everett are growing closer and Everett surprises Sandy by standing up for him when they go to meet Everett’s snobby parents. But it’s the little things that Everett does for him, the quiet and strong support he shows in many ways, that eventually helps Sandy more than anything else.
This is a wonderful story about love and relationships, a hurt-comfort story in which both men learn and grow due to being with each other. Everett is not without his own revelations in this story as he re-examines his feelings about love and family and commitment. The narrator, Michael Ferraioulo, does an excellent job in vocalizations of the characters as well as in the overall narration. He has one of those voices that is a pleasure to listen to, and I found that I carried my iPhone around with me all day so that I could listen to this story no matter what I was doing—just like being unable to put down a good book.
Though it is second in a series, there’s no need to read the first one, but I have to admit that now that I’ve met a few characters from that story, I’ll likely go back and read (or listen to) that one too.
October 15, 2014
Lovely lovely story :) I really liked Sandy from the previous book, The Stars that Tremble. Even though we see Mike and Gio and Emma in this book, it's really Sandy's story.
Sandy meets Everett when the Brooklyn division of the company (which Sandy is running now) takes the job of renovating Everett's kitchen. Everett has just come out of a long-term relationship. He is on the faculty of the Olcott school where Gio teaches which is how he knew about Mike's company.
Everett is really attracted to Sandy but he isn't sure he's gay. He tries a little flirting which is met with appreciation :) They begin seeing each other but Sandy never spends the night. They have a good time together but neither is sure where this is going. In the meantime, Sandy is working on the house he has bought that is not too far from Everett - although he is still living in his Manhattan apartment.
Things start to take on a decidedly more serious tone after Everett learns a little bit more about Sandy's demons. I liked the way that author did not gloss over the real issues that the SO's of those suffering from PTSD and other illnesses deal with on a daily basis. I loved that Sandy wanted to deal with his issues - although it does take his therapist some effort to keep Sandy moving along :)
I LOVED Sandy's parents. I did not love Everett's parents. I loved Sandy and Everett together and getting to see Mike and Gio again.
I really enjoyed this book and will continue to read Ms. McMurray's books :)
Sandy meets Everett when the Brooklyn division of the company (which Sandy is running now) takes the job of renovating Everett's kitchen. Everett has just come out of a long-term relationship. He is on the faculty of the Olcott school where Gio teaches which is how he knew about Mike's company.
Everett is really attracted to Sandy but he isn't sure he's gay. He tries a little flirting which is met with appreciation :) They begin seeing each other but Sandy never spends the night. They have a good time together but neither is sure where this is going. In the meantime, Sandy is working on the house he has bought that is not too far from Everett - although he is still living in his Manhattan apartment.
Things start to take on a decidedly more serious tone after Everett learns a little bit more about Sandy's demons. I liked the way that author did not gloss over the real issues that the SO's of those suffering from PTSD and other illnesses deal with on a daily basis. I loved that Sandy wanted to deal with his issues - although it does take his therapist some effort to keep Sandy moving along :)
I LOVED Sandy's parents. I did not love Everett's parents. I loved Sandy and Everett together and getting to see Mike and Gio again.
I really enjoyed this book and will continue to read Ms. McMurray's books :)
June 15, 2014
LOVED IT!!!!
June 21, 2014
Original Blog Post: http://www.multitaskingmommas.com/201...
Kate McMurray's Stars Series is a beautiful and quite musical romance that tells the love stories of two best friends. The first book is about Mike and him being romanced by one Gio Boca. The second is about Sandy, Mike's best buddy, and him being romanced by one Everett Blake.
The story of Mike and Gio sets the pace of the series. Mike's daughter, Emma, a child he adopted with his then partner Evan, is discovered to be a musical prodigy. He had raised Emma alone after he lost Evan, and he learned to multitask as any single parent only could. He loved her and did everything he could to provide, even the singing lessons he never really understood. When Emma is accepted into a summer workshop and meets the professor, Mike knew he was way in over his head.
Gio Boca had suffered his own loss when he lost his voice to polyps but just like any artist, when he does stumble into 'the voice' he knew he had a treasure in his hands. When he meets Mike, a blue collar contractor, he saw past the jeans and callouses. He saw a man whom he could be with, a man he did not have to pretend with.
For Sandy's story, we fast forward five years later, when his work with Mike gets him recommended by Gio to his friend who needed his kitchen re-designed. When Everett sees Sandy, he sees a happy-go-lucky blue-collar guy whose looks were to die for and he was smitten. When Sandy saw him, he saw an educated violinist and he knew he had a chance to bed him. That was not really what Sandy wanted, he wanted a family like Mike had and he was not sure if Everett was that man. But who is he to refuse a man who obviously liked him?
The stories of these four men have two things in common: music and construction work. Their stories address the question if men, from opposite sides of the track, can be happy together. The way the author approached this was not from the fairy tale angle, which I expected. She, instead, gave a very real portrayal of the conflicts that can arise, not from the men themselves, but from society. The snobbery of the supposed educated and upper middle class versus the blue collar class who worked with their hands for a living. She successfully showed that although there was the usual snobbery involved, there was also the reverse-snobbery.
This was a beautifully interesting series to read back to back. I actually started out with the second book first then decided to read the first right after. I never once got lost while reading that second book for it is clearly a standalone. However, after I read the first book and I got to know who Mike and Gio were in relation to Sandy and Everett, both stories gelled beautifully.
As for the erotic content? Now this is the one element that surprised me.
For those who do listen to operas and arias, imagine the erotic scenes unfolding in time and rhythm with the ebbs, flows, lows and crescendos. It was not so much erotic as it was more like experiencing a musical orgasm - and I blushed LOL
Highly recommended reads.
Kate McMurray's Stars Series is a beautiful and quite musical romance that tells the love stories of two best friends. The first book is about Mike and him being romanced by one Gio Boca. The second is about Sandy, Mike's best buddy, and him being romanced by one Everett Blake.
The story of Mike and Gio sets the pace of the series. Mike's daughter, Emma, a child he adopted with his then partner Evan, is discovered to be a musical prodigy. He had raised Emma alone after he lost Evan, and he learned to multitask as any single parent only could. He loved her and did everything he could to provide, even the singing lessons he never really understood. When Emma is accepted into a summer workshop and meets the professor, Mike knew he was way in over his head.
Gio Boca had suffered his own loss when he lost his voice to polyps but just like any artist, when he does stumble into 'the voice' he knew he had a treasure in his hands. When he meets Mike, a blue collar contractor, he saw past the jeans and callouses. He saw a man whom he could be with, a man he did not have to pretend with.
For Sandy's story, we fast forward five years later, when his work with Mike gets him recommended by Gio to his friend who needed his kitchen re-designed. When Everett sees Sandy, he sees a happy-go-lucky blue-collar guy whose looks were to die for and he was smitten. When Sandy saw him, he saw an educated violinist and he knew he had a chance to bed him. That was not really what Sandy wanted, he wanted a family like Mike had and he was not sure if Everett was that man. But who is he to refuse a man who obviously liked him?
The stories of these four men have two things in common: music and construction work. Their stories address the question if men, from opposite sides of the track, can be happy together. The way the author approached this was not from the fairy tale angle, which I expected. She, instead, gave a very real portrayal of the conflicts that can arise, not from the men themselves, but from society. The snobbery of the supposed educated and upper middle class versus the blue collar class who worked with their hands for a living. She successfully showed that although there was the usual snobbery involved, there was also the reverse-snobbery.
This was a beautifully interesting series to read back to back. I actually started out with the second book first then decided to read the first right after. I never once got lost while reading that second book for it is clearly a standalone. However, after I read the first book and I got to know who Mike and Gio were in relation to Sandy and Everett, both stories gelled beautifully.
As for the erotic content? Now this is the one element that surprised me.
For those who do listen to operas and arias, imagine the erotic scenes unfolding in time and rhythm with the ebbs, flows, lows and crescendos. It was not so much erotic as it was more like experiencing a musical orgasm - and I blushed LOL
Highly recommended reads.
July 8, 2014
This was a nice, engaging read. I haven't read book #1, but that didn't matter. I liked how Everett and Sandy met, started dating and got to know each other, how Sandy started working on his problems. I thought, two minor problems/doubts were blown out of proportion to create some drama, which wasn't necessary. But that didn't take away from my reading fun. There was a satisfying happy ending with a very good epilogue.
September 20, 2014
This was another solid read that was enjoyable, but did't dazzle me (seems to be how it's going with my reading lately). Sandy was one of my favorite characters from the first book, so I was very glad he found Everett. I appreciated the hidden depths of emotion that Sandy had been hiding in book one. Perfect when you need a nice, sweet read.
March 10, 2015
Audible Edition:
Story - 2.5 stars
Performance - 2.5 stars
Overall - 2.5 stars
Story - 2.5 stars
Performance - 2.5 stars
Overall - 2.5 stars
January 15, 2018
2,5 stars
July 25, 2024
Audiobook Review:
Overall – 5
Performance – 5
Story – 5
A beautiful love story.
I've had this audiobook in my Audible library for a while now. Michael Ferraiuolo is one of my absolute favorite audiobook performers so I don't know why I waited so long to listen to The Silence of the Stars. It's book two in a series but you don't need to read book one to enjoy this. I haven't read it and I never felt lost listening to this.
Sandy and Everett come from different worlds but there is an instant attraction when they meet. Things don't always go smoothly for their romance. Sandy is suffering from PTSD but doesn't want to admit that. Everett is recently out of a relationship which makes him wary of staring anything serious.
I think this was a very well written story and given that it's 10 years old I think it's held up very well. The audiobook is one of Michael Ferraiuolo's earliest performances and I think he did a great job. His more current work is understandably improved but this one is so much better than many other audiobooks I've listened to narrated by much less skilled people.
Overall – 5
Performance – 5
Story – 5
A beautiful love story.
I've had this audiobook in my Audible library for a while now. Michael Ferraiuolo is one of my absolute favorite audiobook performers so I don't know why I waited so long to listen to The Silence of the Stars. It's book two in a series but you don't need to read book one to enjoy this. I haven't read it and I never felt lost listening to this.
Sandy and Everett come from different worlds but there is an instant attraction when they meet. Things don't always go smoothly for their romance. Sandy is suffering from PTSD but doesn't want to admit that. Everett is recently out of a relationship which makes him wary of staring anything serious.
I think this was a very well written story and given that it's 10 years old I think it's held up very well. The audiobook is one of Michael Ferraiuolo's earliest performances and I think he did a great job. His more current work is understandably improved but this one is so much better than many other audiobooks I've listened to narrated by much less skilled people.
May 12, 2019
I liked this book. Really. It was not all stars and rainbows but it was fine to me. Sandy and Everett were a good match: one contractor, one violinist. The chemistry was good, not too many sex scenes which I appreciated because I kind of hate those books where every three pages there are chapters and chapters of sex in every position, and the introspection was really good. I liked it. It was a fair reading. A honest one.
July 1, 2014
3.5 Stars
The Silence of the Stars is a ‘spin-off’ of The Stars That Tremble. I’m not sure of the differentiation between spin-off and sequel, but there you have it. We are introduced in more detail to Sandy Sullivan, Mike’s childhood friend from the first book. Sandy works as a contractor for Mike’s home remodeling business and is hired to remodel Everett Blake’s horrible orange monstrosity of a kitchen. Everett just came out of a long-term relationship. He is a professor at the school where Gio (now engaged to Mike) teaches. He is a classically trained violinist and comes from a cultured, wealthy family where education is paramount. Everett is Upper East Side Manhattan, Sandy is Brooklyn blue-collar.
The Silence of the Stars works as a standalone, but having the background provided by the first book is helpful. Mike and Gio are secondary characters in this story, which mostly revolves around Sandy’s PTSD and its effects on his life as a civilian, and those around him. Sandy is an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran. He served fourteen years under DADT and was medically discharged after a car bomb killed his closest friend over there, and left him with a crippling case of PTSD. His symptoms have lessened considerably in the six years he has been home, but he still suffers from vivid nightmares and periodic flashbacks.
Sandy, while refusing to apply the label “PTSD” to himself, doubts anyone can deal with his messed-up head for long. He has kept most of his symptoms to himself, not sharing them with his family or even his best friend Mike, who is also a veteran. He doesn’t even want to spend the night with Everett because he fears Everett’s reaction if he sees him caught in the clutches of a nightmare. When he accidentally falls asleep and wakes up having thrown Ev to the floor, the truth about the depth of his struggles comes out.
Everett is supportive and comforting, but worries he’s getting into a situation he doesn’t know how to handle. He fears that Sandy might get violent and unpredictable, like a man his friend was involved with who had PTSD. Ms. McMurray dealt very well with PTSD and the struggle so many of our veterans live with when they return from war. There is still a huge stigma in admitting that you are damaged on the inside. Wounds on your flesh are easily explained, the physical limits they cause understood. But acknowledging that your mind and your heart may not heal is something that remains difficult to this day. I felt that Ms. McMurray’s research was very solid on this front.
I found nothing really wrong with this book. The main characters were both nice, fairly ordinary guys who meet, go out, and actually talk about their relationship. They kiss and hold hands, not shy in the least about public displays of affection. Their relationship progresses without angst, breakups or major misunderstandings. Things were far from perfect between them, but they wanted it to work, because loved each other and truly felt futures would be better together than apart. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop; to introduce the angst and separation they need to come back together as a stronger unit. It never came.
I found the book to be bland. The heat was missing from the sex, which was often alluded to but rarely seen on the page. There was very promising talk of kink, but we never got to see if it happened or not. Much of Sandy and Everett’s conversation felt awkward. There were too many internal monologues on the part of both MCs, many of them were repetitive and didn’t sync with what was happening on page.
Everett’s parents were stereotypical, their every word and move predictable. Even though they had readily accepted their son’s homosexuality, they were unable to accept his choice in men because of Sandy’s background, both economically and educationally. They were snobby and judgmental to the extent that they almost became caricatures. I loved New York City and the outer boroughs as a backdrop for the story. They are almost characters on their own. I got a good feel for the varied cultures and character of the city.
I love Kate McMurray’s writing, it’s thoughtful and thought provoking. Her characters usually have so much depth. Her main characters are real flesh and blood, and they have a vulnerability that rings true. The blue collar guy with the classical musician, such an unlikely pairing, yet so right for each other. I feel like The Silence of the Stars was a missed opportunity. I liked it okay, but I love Ms. McMurray’s work in general and this one didn’t live up to the standards she has set in her previous books.
The Silence of the Stars is a ‘spin-off’ of The Stars That Tremble. I’m not sure of the differentiation between spin-off and sequel, but there you have it. We are introduced in more detail to Sandy Sullivan, Mike’s childhood friend from the first book. Sandy works as a contractor for Mike’s home remodeling business and is hired to remodel Everett Blake’s horrible orange monstrosity of a kitchen. Everett just came out of a long-term relationship. He is a professor at the school where Gio (now engaged to Mike) teaches. He is a classically trained violinist and comes from a cultured, wealthy family where education is paramount. Everett is Upper East Side Manhattan, Sandy is Brooklyn blue-collar.
The Silence of the Stars works as a standalone, but having the background provided by the first book is helpful. Mike and Gio are secondary characters in this story, which mostly revolves around Sandy’s PTSD and its effects on his life as a civilian, and those around him. Sandy is an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran. He served fourteen years under DADT and was medically discharged after a car bomb killed his closest friend over there, and left him with a crippling case of PTSD. His symptoms have lessened considerably in the six years he has been home, but he still suffers from vivid nightmares and periodic flashbacks.
Sandy, while refusing to apply the label “PTSD” to himself, doubts anyone can deal with his messed-up head for long. He has kept most of his symptoms to himself, not sharing them with his family or even his best friend Mike, who is also a veteran. He doesn’t even want to spend the night with Everett because he fears Everett’s reaction if he sees him caught in the clutches of a nightmare. When he accidentally falls asleep and wakes up having thrown Ev to the floor, the truth about the depth of his struggles comes out.
Everett is supportive and comforting, but worries he’s getting into a situation he doesn’t know how to handle. He fears that Sandy might get violent and unpredictable, like a man his friend was involved with who had PTSD. Ms. McMurray dealt very well with PTSD and the struggle so many of our veterans live with when they return from war. There is still a huge stigma in admitting that you are damaged on the inside. Wounds on your flesh are easily explained, the physical limits they cause understood. But acknowledging that your mind and your heart may not heal is something that remains difficult to this day. I felt that Ms. McMurray’s research was very solid on this front.
I found nothing really wrong with this book. The main characters were both nice, fairly ordinary guys who meet, go out, and actually talk about their relationship. They kiss and hold hands, not shy in the least about public displays of affection. Their relationship progresses without angst, breakups or major misunderstandings. Things were far from perfect between them, but they wanted it to work, because loved each other and truly felt futures would be better together than apart. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop; to introduce the angst and separation they need to come back together as a stronger unit. It never came.
I found the book to be bland. The heat was missing from the sex, which was often alluded to but rarely seen on the page. There was very promising talk of kink, but we never got to see if it happened or not. Much of Sandy and Everett’s conversation felt awkward. There were too many internal monologues on the part of both MCs, many of them were repetitive and didn’t sync with what was happening on page.
Everett’s parents were stereotypical, their every word and move predictable. Even though they had readily accepted their son’s homosexuality, they were unable to accept his choice in men because of Sandy’s background, both economically and educationally. They were snobby and judgmental to the extent that they almost became caricatures. I loved New York City and the outer boroughs as a backdrop for the story. They are almost characters on their own. I got a good feel for the varied cultures and character of the city.
I love Kate McMurray’s writing, it’s thoughtful and thought provoking. Her characters usually have so much depth. Her main characters are real flesh and blood, and they have a vulnerability that rings true. The blue collar guy with the classical musician, such an unlikely pairing, yet so right for each other. I feel like The Silence of the Stars was a missed opportunity. I liked it okay, but I love Ms. McMurray’s work in general and this one didn’t live up to the standards she has set in her previous books.
June 27, 2014
The Silence of the Stars is a 'spin-off' of The Stars That Tremble. I'm not sure of the differentiation between spin-off and sequel, but there you have it. We are introduced in more detail to Sandy Sullivan, Mike's childhood friend from the first book . Sandy works as a contractor for Mike's home remodeling business and is hired to remodel Everett Blake's horrible orange monstrosity of a kitchen. Everett just came out of a long-term relationship. He is a professor at the school where Gio (now engaged to Mike) teaches. He is a classically trained violinist, and comes from a cultured, wealthy family where education is paramount. Everett is Upper East Side Manhattan, Sandy is Brooklyn blue-collar.
The Silence of the Stars works as a standalone, but having the background provided by the first book is helpful. Mike and Gio are secondary characters in this story, which mostly revolves around Sandy's PTSD and its effects on his life as a civilian and those around him. Sandy is an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran. He served fourteen years under DADT and was medically discharged after a car bomb killed his closest friend over there and left him with a crippling case of PTSD. His symptoms have lessened considerably in the six years he has been home, but he still suffers from vivid nightmares and periodic flashbacks.
Sandy, while refusing to apply the label "PTSD" to himself, doubts anyone can deal with his messed-up head for long. He has kept most of his symptoms to himself, not sharing them with his family or even his best friend Mike, who is also a veteran. He doesn't even want to spend the night with Everett because he fears Everett's reaction if he sees him caught in the clutches of a nightmare. When he accidentally falls asleep and wakes up having thrown Ev to the floor, the truth about the depth of his struggles comes out.
Everett is supportive and comforting, but worries he's getting into a situation he doesn't know how to handle. He fears that Sandy might get violent and unpredictable, like a man his friend was involved with who had PTSD. Ms. McMurray dealt very well with PTSD and the struggle so many of our veterans live with when they return from war. There is still a huge stigma in admitting that you are damaged on the inside. Wounds on your flesh are easily explained, the physical limits they cause understood. But acknowledging that your mind and your heart may not heal is something that remains difficult to this day. I felt that Ms. McMurray's research was very solid on this front.
I found nothing really wrong with this book. The main characters were both nice, fairly ordinary guys who meet, go out, and actually talk about their relationship. They kiss and hold hands, not shy in the least about public displays of affection. Their relationship progresses without angst, breakups or major misunderstandings. Things were far from perfect between them, but they wanted it to work, because loved each other and truly felt futures would be better together than apart. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop; to introduce the angst and separation they need to come back together as a stronger unit. It never came.
I found the book to be bland. The heat was missing from the sex, which was often alluded to but rarely seen on the page. There was very promising talk of kink, but we never got to see if it happened or not. Much of Sandy and Everett's conversation felt awkward. There were too many internal monologues on the part of both MCs, many of them were repetitive and didn't synch with what was happening on page.
Everett's parents were stereotypical. Their every word and move predictable. Even though they had readily accepted their son's homosexuality, they were unable to accept his choice in men because of Sandy's background, both economically and educationally. They were snobby and judgmental to the extent that they almost became caricatures. I loved New York City and the outer boroughs as a backdrop for the story. They are almost characters on their own. I got a good feel for the varied cultures and character of the city.
I love Kate McMurray’s writing, it’s thoughtful and thought provoking. Her characters usually have so much depth. Her main characters are real flesh and blood, and they have a vulnerability that rings true. The blue collar guy with the classical musician, such an unlikely pairing, yet so right for each other. I feel like The Silence of the Stars was a missed opportunity. I liked it okay, but I love Ms. McMurray's work in general and this one didn't live up to the standards she has set in her previous books.
The Silence of the Stars works as a standalone, but having the background provided by the first book is helpful. Mike and Gio are secondary characters in this story, which mostly revolves around Sandy's PTSD and its effects on his life as a civilian and those around him. Sandy is an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran. He served fourteen years under DADT and was medically discharged after a car bomb killed his closest friend over there and left him with a crippling case of PTSD. His symptoms have lessened considerably in the six years he has been home, but he still suffers from vivid nightmares and periodic flashbacks.
Sandy, while refusing to apply the label "PTSD" to himself, doubts anyone can deal with his messed-up head for long. He has kept most of his symptoms to himself, not sharing them with his family or even his best friend Mike, who is also a veteran. He doesn't even want to spend the night with Everett because he fears Everett's reaction if he sees him caught in the clutches of a nightmare. When he accidentally falls asleep and wakes up having thrown Ev to the floor, the truth about the depth of his struggles comes out.
Everett is supportive and comforting, but worries he's getting into a situation he doesn't know how to handle. He fears that Sandy might get violent and unpredictable, like a man his friend was involved with who had PTSD. Ms. McMurray dealt very well with PTSD and the struggle so many of our veterans live with when they return from war. There is still a huge stigma in admitting that you are damaged on the inside. Wounds on your flesh are easily explained, the physical limits they cause understood. But acknowledging that your mind and your heart may not heal is something that remains difficult to this day. I felt that Ms. McMurray's research was very solid on this front.
I found nothing really wrong with this book. The main characters were both nice, fairly ordinary guys who meet, go out, and actually talk about their relationship. They kiss and hold hands, not shy in the least about public displays of affection. Their relationship progresses without angst, breakups or major misunderstandings. Things were far from perfect between them, but they wanted it to work, because loved each other and truly felt futures would be better together than apart. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop; to introduce the angst and separation they need to come back together as a stronger unit. It never came.
I found the book to be bland. The heat was missing from the sex, which was often alluded to but rarely seen on the page. There was very promising talk of kink, but we never got to see if it happened or not. Much of Sandy and Everett's conversation felt awkward. There were too many internal monologues on the part of both MCs, many of them were repetitive and didn't synch with what was happening on page.
Everett's parents were stereotypical. Their every word and move predictable. Even though they had readily accepted their son's homosexuality, they were unable to accept his choice in men because of Sandy's background, both economically and educationally. They were snobby and judgmental to the extent that they almost became caricatures. I loved New York City and the outer boroughs as a backdrop for the story. They are almost characters on their own. I got a good feel for the varied cultures and character of the city.
I love Kate McMurray’s writing, it’s thoughtful and thought provoking. Her characters usually have so much depth. Her main characters are real flesh and blood, and they have a vulnerability that rings true. The blue collar guy with the classical musician, such an unlikely pairing, yet so right for each other. I feel like The Silence of the Stars was a missed opportunity. I liked it okay, but I love Ms. McMurray's work in general and this one didn't live up to the standards she has set in her previous books.
June 11, 2014
4 Stars
A "Live Your Life, Buy The Book" Review
Sandy Sullivan was just supposed to remodel Everett Blake’s kitchen. Both men were incredibly attracted to the other but failed to act. Surprisingly, Everett, the shy violinist stepped up and asked Sandy out for a drink. After going to a gay bar both men realized that yes, they were both gay and both interested. Unfortunately, neither man has realized the other is actually looking for a long term relationship. Everett is not a casual dater and never has been. Sandy can have short term casual relationships, but he’s been wanting to start a life with a husband and settle down to have kids for years. He spent so much time in the closet in the military he fears he’s missed his opportunity to get the family he really wants. Sandy also doesn’t want to tell Everett about his problems with PTSD. Unfortunately for Sandy, he was only able to hide his PTSD until he accidentally fell asleep at Everett’s apartment. Sandy has to admit to the nightmares he suffers. Sandy decides to go see a therapist to deal with his problems. Everett is left wondering just how severe Sandy’s problems really are and if he’s going to be able to handle them in the long term. Both men are telling themselves they’ll stay in the relationship casually, and they’ll have fun with no strings attached.
Things work well for Everett and Sandy for a long time. They’re happy despite the fact Sandy still hasn’t shown Everett his house and admitted he wants a husband and children, and Everett still hasn’t dealt with his parents who will undoubtedly want Everett to be with someone more educated, more polished, and from a better family background. Everett really doesn’t care what his family thinks. He has no problems whatsoever being a violinist in love with a builder and his family’s opinion doesn’t affect his. He just has to get Sandy to realize that and accept Everett is really in the relationship for the long haul, despite the PTSD, and including kids.
I love Kate McMurray’s use of New York as a backdrop for her story. It is at turns descriptive of everything including the scent of trash, and also reliant upon our knowledge of the city’s neighborhoods to help describe the characters’ social background. I also love that I never feel talked down to to when reading a book of hers.
Sandy and Everett were both flawed and in their own way not self aware. That they had just come from relationships with controlling men was a nice twist. In some ways Sandy and Everett were the guys next door. Neither of them had larger than life personalities which was rather comforting. Unfortunately, it can be rather too comforting. I felt the book was perfectly crafted, but in some ways I was not blown away by Sandy and Everett and their story. That’s not to say I disliked them, as I absolutely did like them. I like that we have a story of PTSD that I can actually relate to. I will meet someone like Sandy at some point in my life, or likely already have. The guy next door needs a story just as much as the man in the mansion on the hill, or the urchin crawling his way out of the gutter.
A "Live Your Life, Buy The Book" Review
Sandy Sullivan was just supposed to remodel Everett Blake’s kitchen. Both men were incredibly attracted to the other but failed to act. Surprisingly, Everett, the shy violinist stepped up and asked Sandy out for a drink. After going to a gay bar both men realized that yes, they were both gay and both interested. Unfortunately, neither man has realized the other is actually looking for a long term relationship. Everett is not a casual dater and never has been. Sandy can have short term casual relationships, but he’s been wanting to start a life with a husband and settle down to have kids for years. He spent so much time in the closet in the military he fears he’s missed his opportunity to get the family he really wants. Sandy also doesn’t want to tell Everett about his problems with PTSD. Unfortunately for Sandy, he was only able to hide his PTSD until he accidentally fell asleep at Everett’s apartment. Sandy has to admit to the nightmares he suffers. Sandy decides to go see a therapist to deal with his problems. Everett is left wondering just how severe Sandy’s problems really are and if he’s going to be able to handle them in the long term. Both men are telling themselves they’ll stay in the relationship casually, and they’ll have fun with no strings attached.
Things work well for Everett and Sandy for a long time. They’re happy despite the fact Sandy still hasn’t shown Everett his house and admitted he wants a husband and children, and Everett still hasn’t dealt with his parents who will undoubtedly want Everett to be with someone more educated, more polished, and from a better family background. Everett really doesn’t care what his family thinks. He has no problems whatsoever being a violinist in love with a builder and his family’s opinion doesn’t affect his. He just has to get Sandy to realize that and accept Everett is really in the relationship for the long haul, despite the PTSD, and including kids.
I love Kate McMurray’s use of New York as a backdrop for her story. It is at turns descriptive of everything including the scent of trash, and also reliant upon our knowledge of the city’s neighborhoods to help describe the characters’ social background. I also love that I never feel talked down to to when reading a book of hers.
Sandy and Everett were both flawed and in their own way not self aware. That they had just come from relationships with controlling men was a nice twist. In some ways Sandy and Everett were the guys next door. Neither of them had larger than life personalities which was rather comforting. Unfortunately, it can be rather too comforting. I felt the book was perfectly crafted, but in some ways I was not blown away by Sandy and Everett and their story. That’s not to say I disliked them, as I absolutely did like them. I like that we have a story of PTSD that I can actually relate to. I will meet someone like Sandy at some point in my life, or likely already have. The guy next door needs a story just as much as the man in the mansion on the hill, or the urchin crawling his way out of the gutter.
August 3, 2016
Sandy Sullivan loves his job working in construction and renovating houses, he's even bought his own fixer upper to work on. The former military man still faces some demons left over from his time in the service, specifically time spent in Afghanistan. Plagued by nightmares and symptoms of PTSD, Sandy deals with the episodes and dreams the best he can. He's been single for a while since he broke up with his ex because the man thought Sandy needed to be "fixed". But his latest job is about to make him reconsider romance.
Everett Blake is recently a single man himself, after breaking up with his long term partner that liked to pretend he wasn't gay. Everett is a violinist, music teacher and part time conductor. After his break up he moved on and bought a new home that needs some remodeling, and guess who his new contractor is. Sandy blows into Everett's life like a strong gust of wind and soon the shy violinist finds himself asking the sexy blonde out for a drink. When they wind up at a gay bar, both mens unasked question is answered. Neither wants or needs the complication of a commitment right now, but the mutual attraction they share coupled with their definitive top to bottom (if you get my meaning) personalities assures there will be, at the very least, a friends with benefits relationship in their near future. And that is how things between them begins.
Soon the relationship that they promised not to define or label grows stronger and attachments form, but Sandy never spends the night, which confuses Everett and makes him question whether or not he could allow himself to love this man. When Everett learns the truth, the reason why Sandy never wanted to spend the night, Sandy is afraid he will loose the man he's growing closer to with each passing day. Everett decides he's in it for the long haul though and only encourages Sandy to seek help for his nightmares brought on by his PTSD. And that, my friends, is how Everett caught his man. You see, unlike Sandy's ex that wanted to "fix" him, Everett simply encourages him. He assures Sandy that he will be there for him, a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold when it's needed. And that is what Sandy truly needed, was that unconditional love in order to find the strength to ask for help.
The struggles both characters face throughout this story were so realistic and painful that it added a depth to the story that really captured not only my attention, but my heart. Their love isn't instant and unbelievable, it slowly grows over several months of ups and downs and arguments and a lot of soul searching for both men. While there was an evident chemistry from the start, the trust and love was built over time, and there was some devastation and tears on that road they travelled. This is a must read for hopeless romantics, it's such a sweet and gentle story with some drama, deep emotions and ignited passion.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through MM Good Book Reviews! *
http://www.mmgoodbookreviews.wordpres...
Everett Blake is recently a single man himself, after breaking up with his long term partner that liked to pretend he wasn't gay. Everett is a violinist, music teacher and part time conductor. After his break up he moved on and bought a new home that needs some remodeling, and guess who his new contractor is. Sandy blows into Everett's life like a strong gust of wind and soon the shy violinist finds himself asking the sexy blonde out for a drink. When they wind up at a gay bar, both mens unasked question is answered. Neither wants or needs the complication of a commitment right now, but the mutual attraction they share coupled with their definitive top to bottom (if you get my meaning) personalities assures there will be, at the very least, a friends with benefits relationship in their near future. And that is how things between them begins.
Soon the relationship that they promised not to define or label grows stronger and attachments form, but Sandy never spends the night, which confuses Everett and makes him question whether or not he could allow himself to love this man. When Everett learns the truth, the reason why Sandy never wanted to spend the night, Sandy is afraid he will loose the man he's growing closer to with each passing day. Everett decides he's in it for the long haul though and only encourages Sandy to seek help for his nightmares brought on by his PTSD. And that, my friends, is how Everett caught his man. You see, unlike Sandy's ex that wanted to "fix" him, Everett simply encourages him. He assures Sandy that he will be there for him, a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold when it's needed. And that is what Sandy truly needed, was that unconditional love in order to find the strength to ask for help.
The struggles both characters face throughout this story were so realistic and painful that it added a depth to the story that really captured not only my attention, but my heart. Their love isn't instant and unbelievable, it slowly grows over several months of ups and downs and arguments and a lot of soul searching for both men. While there was an evident chemistry from the start, the trust and love was built over time, and there was some devastation and tears on that road they travelled. This is a must read for hopeless romantics, it's such a sweet and gentle story with some drama, deep emotions and ignited passion.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through MM Good Book Reviews! *
http://www.mmgoodbookreviews.wordpres...
July 18, 2016
To start – I did not read The Stars That Tremble, but I’m told that’s okay.
Sandy is suffering from PTSD, now working with a buddy as a decorator, mostly outgoing and loving life, but having a hard time dealing with the demons he saw in the war.
Everett is coming off a broken heart, his famous ex has moved on and he’s now focusing on his new career and a new residence.
The two are immediately attracted and begin an affair, but it isn’t an easy road.
Sandy doesn’t want to deal with the PTSD he denies and doesn’t want to burden anyone else with his nightmares, so he avoids sleepovers and commitment.
Everett is still a bit gun-shy, what with being a recent ex of a long relationship and he’s dubious about his own abilities to handle Sandy’s PTSD.
In the end Sandy agrees to get some help and Everett and he get a solid HEA.
**
There were parts of this book that I really liked. I loved the MCs and their POTENTIAL. The PTSD, the socialite and the working class man, the musician and the carpenter… all good mixes and rife with potential.
What I didn’t like was the lack of emotion. Even the sex seemed kind of mechanical and blah. Though they said words to the effect of “you are so hot” “I want you so much” I didn’t FEEL it.
I liked this book and I would read more by this author, but I wasn’t wowed by this particular story.
3.5 of 5 hearts
Audio
I mostly liked the narration by Michael Ferraluolo. I thought that Everett should have the lighter voice and Sandy the deeper – so that kept throwing me out of the story. But I don’t really think that there is a basis for my interpretation other than Sandy was the Army guy… stereotypes and all that. It didn’t really diminish the overall enjoyment for me – just gave me pause now and then. He differentiated the voices nicely and dealt with the emotion that was in the story well.
4 of 5 hearts for the audiobook
Sandy is suffering from PTSD, now working with a buddy as a decorator, mostly outgoing and loving life, but having a hard time dealing with the demons he saw in the war.
Everett is coming off a broken heart, his famous ex has moved on and he’s now focusing on his new career and a new residence.
The two are immediately attracted and begin an affair, but it isn’t an easy road.
Sandy doesn’t want to deal with the PTSD he denies and doesn’t want to burden anyone else with his nightmares, so he avoids sleepovers and commitment.
Everett is still a bit gun-shy, what with being a recent ex of a long relationship and he’s dubious about his own abilities to handle Sandy’s PTSD.
In the end Sandy agrees to get some help and Everett and he get a solid HEA.
**
There were parts of this book that I really liked. I loved the MCs and their POTENTIAL. The PTSD, the socialite and the working class man, the musician and the carpenter… all good mixes and rife with potential.
What I didn’t like was the lack of emotion. Even the sex seemed kind of mechanical and blah. Though they said words to the effect of “you are so hot” “I want you so much” I didn’t FEEL it.
I liked this book and I would read more by this author, but I wasn’t wowed by this particular story.
3.5 of 5 hearts
Audio
I mostly liked the narration by Michael Ferraluolo. I thought that Everett should have the lighter voice and Sandy the deeper – so that kept throwing me out of the story. But I don’t really think that there is a basis for my interpretation other than Sandy was the Army guy… stereotypes and all that. It didn’t really diminish the overall enjoyment for me – just gave me pause now and then. He differentiated the voices nicely and dealt with the emotion that was in the story well.
4 of 5 hearts for the audiobook
May 11, 2016
synopsis: sandy has been out of the army for 7 years and has nightmares on a regular basis, but he doesn't want to admit that he has ptsd. he starts a new contract remodeling everett's kitchen, and the attraction is there. as they start to date, they come up against obstacles in each other's lives (ptsd, whether or not they want a family) and work things through.
what i liked: i liked that the characters talked to each other and sought help when they needed it. they didn't run away when things got a little difficult. i also liked that they were human and that they actually changed their minds about what they might want in the future, instead of having everything be set in stone forever.
what i didn't like: in spite of the heavy topic, everything felt light and on the surface. it felt like there were conversations that we as the reader weren't privy to between the two main characters, and everything seemed more shallow as a result.
what i liked: i liked that the characters talked to each other and sought help when they needed it. they didn't run away when things got a little difficult. i also liked that they were human and that they actually changed their minds about what they might want in the future, instead of having everything be set in stone forever.
what i didn't like: in spite of the heavy topic, everything felt light and on the surface. it felt like there were conversations that we as the reader weren't privy to between the two main characters, and everything seemed more shallow as a result.
June 3, 2014
I loved this sequel! I had finished book 1 and was so excited The Silence of the Stars was ready to buy. I swooped it up. I actually loved Sandy and Everett MORE than Gio and Mike (And I looooooooooooved those two) I adore music but sadly I don't know a lot of music history. Kate is able to entwine knowledge, history and a romantic inspiring story into one book. These 2 books are the first I have read from this author and I am truly a fan! She's amazing. Check it out!
July 15, 2014
Such a great romance, loved this so much. Really little angst, and just a pleasant read all the way through. Sandy is just so amazing, and Everett is perfect for him. The relationship paces really nicely, not too fast, not too slow. They actually TALK to each other, sure, they(Everett) may have to sit the other(Sandy) down and make him. But it works, he talks. I think Sandy's PTSD is handled great. I would gush if I knew how to say it. I just loved everything.
December 22, 2014
My library added The Silence of the Stars during a recent buying spree and I am so glad they did. This is lovely warm book. With all the holiday madness, reading this book was great way to unwind.
Kate McMurray blended blue collar/military with upper class/classic music. It was a great paring. Both characters where in their 30s and had issues but both acted like adults and worked through those issues to form a family. It is warm charming read.
Kate McMurray blended blue collar/military with upper class/classic music. It was a great paring. Both characters where in their 30s and had issues but both acted like adults and worked through those issues to form a family. It is warm charming read.
April 20, 2015
This is a very sweet, hurt-comfort story. I truly enjoy the the romance of it all, the music, and the overtone of overcoming-your-fears vibe. I fell in love with Sandy and Eve from page one.
I kind of skip book #1 of the series, because I downloaded this on audiobook, but I'm curious about Gio and Mike's story too. The narration was fitting.
I kind of skip book #1 of the series, because I downloaded this on audiobook, but I'm curious about Gio and Mike's story too. The narration was fitting.
December 31, 2015
Loved this book like the one before it. Sandy and Everett's story is different from but kind of similar to Gio and Mike's story - both have lots of emotion and pairs of men who at first don't seem to fit together but who are actually just right for each other. Kate McMurray's writing just works for me.
August 10, 2016
Kate McMurray, again, proving why she's my fave auto-buy. First time in a while in a book I didn't prefer one MC over another in a book. Of course I always like them both (assuming I enjoyed a book) but... I simply can't show favortism to one over the other. Just a good book.
September 28, 2018
I hate gay military people and this book was largely focused on the PTSD of the veteran which makes for a 'blah' story, since who cares if a soldier feels really really bad for being an imperialist, murderer?
June 12, 2016
3.5 stars
July 20, 2014
Excellent follow up - I really liked this one
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