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Evolved
In 2068, androids are an integrated part of human life. Big Brother no longer just watches from the shadows. It's in every household.
Lloyd Salter has OCD issues with noise and mess, and he's uncomfortable with human interaction. When his ex claimed the only thing perfect enough to live up to his standards was an android, Lloyd dismissed it. But two years later, after much self-assessment, he thinks he may have been right.
SATinc is the largest manufacturer of androids in Australia, including the Fully Compatible Units known as an A-Class 10. Their latest design is the Synthetic Human Android UNit, otherwise known as SHAUN. Shaun is compatible to Lloyd's every need; the perfect fit on an intellectual and physical basis.
But Lloyd soon realizes Shaun's not like other A-Class androids. He learns. He adapts. Sure that SATinc is aware Shaun functions outside of his programmed parameters, Lloyd must find a way to keep Shaun safe. No one can know how special Shaun is. No one can know he's evolved.
Contains mature themes.
Listening Length: 8 hours and 17 minutes.
Lloyd Salter has OCD issues with noise and mess, and he's uncomfortable with human interaction. When his ex claimed the only thing perfect enough to live up to his standards was an android, Lloyd dismissed it. But two years later, after much self-assessment, he thinks he may have been right.
SATinc is the largest manufacturer of androids in Australia, including the Fully Compatible Units known as an A-Class 10. Their latest design is the Synthetic Human Android UNit, otherwise known as SHAUN. Shaun is compatible to Lloyd's every need; the perfect fit on an intellectual and physical basis.
But Lloyd soon realizes Shaun's not like other A-Class androids. He learns. He adapts. Sure that SATinc is aware Shaun functions outside of his programmed parameters, Lloyd must find a way to keep Shaun safe. No one can know how special Shaun is. No one can know he's evolved.
Contains mature themes.
Listening Length: 8 hours and 17 minutes.
9 pages, Audible Audio
First published April 21, 2018
339 people are currently reading
2248 people want to read
About the author
N.R. Walker
133 books5,263 followersAuthor also writes as A. Voyeur
N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance. She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn't have it any other way.
She is many things; a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who she gives them life with words.
She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things...but likes it even more when they fall in love. She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal.
She’s been writing ever since...
https://www.facebook.com/N.R.WalkerAu...
N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance. She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn't have it any other way.
She is many things; a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who she gives them life with words.
She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things...but likes it even more when they fall in love. She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal.
She’s been writing ever since...
https://www.facebook.com/N.R.WalkerAu...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 754 reviews
May 28, 2023
Reread May 2023
With the advent of AI, this book is more timely and relevant than ever. When I first read it five years ago, I couldn't imagine a future where humanoid robots would be so integrated into daily life. Now I can.
If you haven't read this book yet, add it to your TBR immediately.
Original review:
Bear with me as I try to find the right words.
Extraordinary is inadequate.
So is amazing. And unique.
Evolved is more than a dystopian sci-fi novel set 50 years in the future. It's more than a novel about an android and a man falling in love. It's an exploration of what it means to be cognizant ... what it means to be human.
Lloyd never imagined the A-class android he ordered would be so much more than the sum of his mechanical parts. Shaun, designed to Lloyd's specifications, from his height to his striking blue eyes, is perfect in every way—perfect for Lloyd.
Lloyd, a college professor, is structured, quiet, and brilliant. He loves to read and discuss literature, but hates messy spaces and noisy people. He has one friend, Jae, who is equally obsessed with order. Lloyd isn't an adventurous guy. He enjoys being at home but is a little lonely.
Lloyd's ex-boyfriend suggested Lloyd should get himself an android, so that's what he did.
Shaun has been programmed to match Lloyd's desires, not just sexually but intellectually. And soon Lloyd can't fathom being without Shaun, of whom he no longer thinks as an android, but a being, his partner, his mate.
Lloyd is respectful of Shaun. He never treats him like he's less. And the two talk long into the night and exchange lingering kisses.
I've read novels where the MCs are so wooden, they may as well be robots. But Shaun is so complex, so ALIVE, he may as well be a man.
One of Lloyd's favorite books is Moby Dick, and Shaun has his own analysis of this literary classic. He claims, for example, that saying Call me Ishmael doesn't prove the protagonist's name is Ishmael. After all, people can call you anything they want, but only you know who you are inside.
The first half of the book is a slow exploration of Lloyd and Shaun's relationship. It's tender and HOT. And I mean SCORCHING. N.R. Walker wrote a seriously sexy book, y'all. And I, for one, couldn't be happier.
Shaun instigates sex; he wants it. He insists that all his sensors must be activated. *ahem* He even pulses as he comes. And Lloyd can't get enough. The problem is that Shaun can only come when Lloyd comes, so he gets himself in a bit of trouble when he finds the porn channels.
The more complex Shaun's questions, reactions, and feelings become, the more Lloyd worries. Shaun, is far more advanced, far more HUMAN, that he's supposed to be.
And Big Brother (in this case, SATinc, the company that built Shaun) is always watching.
I was so incredibly anxious by the last chapter, I was convinced Nic had written a cliffhanger and swore I'd never forgive her. But I knew there was an epilogue, so a glimmer of hope remained.
And, holy hell, did the ending deliver. It was symbolic, cathartic, and joyful all at once. And it sealed this book as one of my favorites of the year.
So much more than a romance, like Shaun, Evolved is pluperfect.
With the advent of AI, this book is more timely and relevant than ever. When I first read it five years ago, I couldn't imagine a future where humanoid robots would be so integrated into daily life. Now I can.
If you haven't read this book yet, add it to your TBR immediately.
Original review:
Bear with me as I try to find the right words.
Extraordinary is inadequate.
So is amazing. And unique.
Evolved is more than a dystopian sci-fi novel set 50 years in the future. It's more than a novel about an android and a man falling in love. It's an exploration of what it means to be cognizant ... what it means to be human.
Lloyd never imagined the A-class android he ordered would be so much more than the sum of his mechanical parts. Shaun, designed to Lloyd's specifications, from his height to his striking blue eyes, is perfect in every way—perfect for Lloyd.
Lloyd, a college professor, is structured, quiet, and brilliant. He loves to read and discuss literature, but hates messy spaces and noisy people. He has one friend, Jae, who is equally obsessed with order. Lloyd isn't an adventurous guy. He enjoys being at home but is a little lonely.
Lloyd's ex-boyfriend suggested Lloyd should get himself an android, so that's what he did.
Shaun has been programmed to match Lloyd's desires, not just sexually but intellectually. And soon Lloyd can't fathom being without Shaun, of whom he no longer thinks as an android, but a being, his partner, his mate.
Lloyd is respectful of Shaun. He never treats him like he's less. And the two talk long into the night and exchange lingering kisses.
I've read novels where the MCs are so wooden, they may as well be robots. But Shaun is so complex, so ALIVE, he may as well be a man.
One of Lloyd's favorite books is Moby Dick, and Shaun has his own analysis of this literary classic. He claims, for example, that saying Call me Ishmael doesn't prove the protagonist's name is Ishmael. After all, people can call you anything they want, but only you know who you are inside.
I would not be as Ishmael was. I wouldn't survive it, while all I lived for disappears under the surface.
The first half of the book is a slow exploration of Lloyd and Shaun's relationship. It's tender and HOT. And I mean SCORCHING. N.R. Walker wrote a seriously sexy book, y'all. And I, for one, couldn't be happier.
Shaun instigates sex; he wants it. He insists that all his sensors must be activated. *ahem* He even pulses as he comes. And Lloyd can't get enough. The problem is that Shaun can only come when Lloyd comes, so he gets himself in a bit of trouble when he finds the porn channels.
The more complex Shaun's questions, reactions, and feelings become, the more Lloyd worries. Shaun, is far more advanced, far more HUMAN, that he's supposed to be.
And Big Brother (in this case, SATinc, the company that built Shaun) is always watching.
I was so incredibly anxious by the last chapter, I was convinced Nic had written a cliffhanger and swore I'd never forgive her. But I knew there was an epilogue, so a glimmer of hope remained.
And, holy hell, did the ending deliver. It was symbolic, cathartic, and joyful all at once. And it sealed this book as one of my favorites of the year.
So much more than a romance, like Shaun, Evolved is pluperfect.
May 12, 2018
I'll just come right out and say it. I was scared to read this book.
Well, more like a bit squicked out, because falling in love with a walking, talking FleshJack?
A story like that could've gone horribly wrong for my enjoyment factor.
Yet, it didn't.
Well, not much. The initial parts of the story DID actually make me cringe, because at that point, who was to say that those first "I need you to 'activate' my internal sensors" (WITH YOUR DICK) instances weren't simply entirely programming and not a conscious desire for such 'stimulation'?
So you can probably see the mental quandary that I had before finally deciding to read the book.
Then Shaun started showing signs that he was more than just a pile of sexy silicone, circuits, and wires, and I loved the process of getting to know him. Not 'it', but 'him'.
The whole "discussing literature" parts made me glad that I was only reading about someone else doing it, because I can't imagine getting *that* invested in Moby Dick, which was referenced endlessly.
And speaking of endlessly, "OH BOY!!!" That phrase was used *thirty-five* times by Lloyd in the book. Yes, I wanted to strangle him if he said it again. To quote Lloyd, "Oh boy."
Making my living in IT, some of the technology speak felt a bit off, kind of awkward, but it was close enough to get a pass this time.
Overall, Shaun was adorable, without being turned into a caricature of what one might expect in a story like this, so I ended up loving him so hard, and Lloyd was fine. Nothing thrilling, but more than passable.
4 stars.
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February 18, 2025
I am such a sucker for android stories!
NR Walker did a really great job with this one, although I could have survived with a little less sex and little more 'psychological' interaction with our hot robot Shaun. After all, his brains is what made Shaun stand out, not his ability to deep throat, LOL.
Still, I really loved it.
University professor Lloyd Salter isn't good at dealing with people. His last boyfriend even told him to go fuck an android if he makes a big deal out of breathing noises or chewing food audibly.
So instead of staying alone forever with his OCD issues, Lloyd spends a hundred grand and does buy himself one of the new A class androids, individualized companion robots that manage to be sex dolls AND hold a conversation. Requesting his android to be equipped with lots of info on the history of literature and philosophy, Lloyd is overwhelmed with the sheer beauty and perfection that is studly android Shaun, who not only is an insatiable sex partner in bed, but also challenges Lloyd intellectually, having endless discussions about the interpretation of books.
And gladly, Shaun likes tidiness as much as Lloyd does - plus he doesn't breathe, snore or need food at all.
Due to their rather solitary life in Lloyd's apartment, Lloyd does not immediately realize that Shaun is a bit different than other A class androids. Only the fact that the manufacturing company starts keeping tabs on Shaun and his life with Lloyd is raising red flags.
Is Shaun the android he originally ordered? Or is he a sentient being?
I loved the premise of this story and the interesting view of the future (2060s) which I could picture very clearly (the internet runs EVERYTHING, you can't even have a fridge without internet anymore)
A great tale and a beautiful, unusual couple. I wish we could have got a more in-depth view into Shaun's mind (everything was told from Lloyd's POV).
Still, I found this a fascinating read.
5 stars!
NR Walker did a really great job with this one, although I could have survived with a little less sex and little more 'psychological' interaction with our hot robot Shaun. After all, his brains is what made Shaun stand out, not his ability to deep throat, LOL.
Still, I really loved it.
University professor Lloyd Salter isn't good at dealing with people. His last boyfriend even told him to go fuck an android if he makes a big deal out of breathing noises or chewing food audibly.
So instead of staying alone forever with his OCD issues, Lloyd spends a hundred grand and does buy himself one of the new A class androids, individualized companion robots that manage to be sex dolls AND hold a conversation. Requesting his android to be equipped with lots of info on the history of literature and philosophy, Lloyd is overwhelmed with the sheer beauty and perfection that is studly android Shaun, who not only is an insatiable sex partner in bed, but also challenges Lloyd intellectually, having endless discussions about the interpretation of books.
And gladly, Shaun likes tidiness as much as Lloyd does - plus he doesn't breathe, snore or need food at all.
Due to their rather solitary life in Lloyd's apartment, Lloyd does not immediately realize that Shaun is a bit different than other A class androids. Only the fact that the manufacturing company starts keeping tabs on Shaun and his life with Lloyd is raising red flags.
Is Shaun the android he originally ordered? Or is he a sentient being?
I loved the premise of this story and the interesting view of the future (2060s) which I could picture very clearly (the internet runs EVERYTHING, you can't even have a fridge without internet anymore)
A great tale and a beautiful, unusual couple. I wish we could have got a more in-depth view into Shaun's mind (everything was told from Lloyd's POV).
Still, I found this a fascinating read.
5 stars!
September 7, 2018
Reread: 8th September 2018
OMG! Rereading this book by listening it when the audio came out made me fall in love with our cheeky, witty and pluperfect Shaun all over again. 😁 I mean obviously, this is my second time loving this book and I knew how everything will turn out in the end but man, did I cry bucket loads of tears before the HEA. 😭 Joel Leslie did a very fine job narrating this story and I actually loved listening this more than reading the first time. It was sweet, heartwarming and really romantic. 💙 Thoroughly enjoyed for the second time. 😌
Original review
OMG! Did I love this book!?!? 😱 YESSS! 😍 I loved this book soooooooo much! ❤️ Thank you N.R. Walker for such an amazing read. 🙏 While being not a very unconventional storyline, yes, we’ve seen or heard this kind of storyline on screen or in books, ☺️ the take of the love story between an android and a human in this novel was such refreshingly intriguing and enthralling. 👍 I was totally hooked. 😁 And now, let’s get to reviewing. 😉
Lloyd, a middle-aged guy who has OCD, has never felt like he truly belonged or someone really understood him. When he broke up with his last boyfriend,the guy pointed out to him (rather venomously) that only an android could live up to his standards. 😁 And a couple years later and having spent quite a considerable amount of time of self-accessing, he finally accepted that his ex had a point. 😌 A humanoid android companion might be just what he needs. 😉 So he went to the biggest android producing company and acquired one. But what he got was so much more than a talking and reciprocating android. 😊 Shaun not only thinks and feels but also evolves with time. Shaun is not an android, he’s a sentient and sapient being, and one he hopelessly fell in love with. 😍 Now, it’s only a matter of time before they knew that Shaun is so much more than just an android. And it’s only a matter of time that they take Shaun away from him. 💔
Obviously, I can’t describe the characteristics of both Lloyd and Shaun because the latter is an android and this is a single PoV story. However, I do think that N.R. Walker nailed the head with this particular story. 👏 I’m not ashamed to admit that I have OCD tendencies though not as strong as Lloyd from the story. 😁 I feel like her take and opinions of OCD in this story is quite accurate and interesting. OCD people are not broken and don’t need to be fixed. It’s just our irritation when it comes to certain things can be a bit stronger (well, a bit can be such an euphemism!) than other people. 😂And I find Shaun character to be absolutely fascinating. 😍 In fact, I’m glad that I didn’t get his PoV in this novel because it made the story even more interesting and enthralling in a way. 😌 While the storyline is being predictable, the way NR portrayed the budding love between these two beings is just breathtakingly beautiful and heartwarming. 💙 And the sex? Oooooooo .. let’s just say it was very VERY hot! 🔥 This is an ultimate fantasy comes true for a slavefic enthusiast/technosexual (NR’s words, not mine) like me. 🤣 And although I knew that they would somehow get a HEA in the end, I cried bucket loads of tear when they were kidnapped by those SATinc bastards. 😭 This book tugged my heart many many times, made me smile, laugh, cry and joy. 😌 And as a person who loves and adores classics, let’s just say Moby Dick references made me fall head over heels in love with this book. 😍 Call me Ishmael, call me Shaun, because love truly has no boundaries. 😌👏
Favorite excerpts from the novel: 💗💜💗
because they were trying to “fix” me. Only broken things needed to be fixed. But I wasn’t broken. I didn’t need to be fixed. I needed to be understood.
Would it be so terrible if he could never love me back? He would be forever loyal. He would be attuned to only me. Forever. Was that not love to him? Was that not the synthetic equivalent?
There was no denying it now. There was no going back. I was falling in love with him.
Made just for me. He was more than just an android. He was perfect. He was literally my ideal partner. And something that was crystal clear to me now as he held me, kissed me, longed for me, was that he was sentient.
It was never-ending with him; the pleasure, the want, the need. “I could come again,” I whispered, kissing down his shoulder. “I’ve never known such pleasure, Shaun. Only with you.”
“I do not want you to ever stop.” He didn’t just have desires. He loved it. He wanted it. Just as much as me.
“I love being inside you,” I whispered. “I love how you feel. I love having you in my bed. I love waking up next to you, I love coming home to you.”
Love was a gift to give and should be given without expecting anything in return.
I love you, Shaun. And I love that you love me. It’s the best thing to ever happen to me. You are the best thing to ever happen to me.”
“And I love you. Don’t be sad, Lloyd. This isn’t the end. Remember in Moby Dick, Ishmael thought the final scene with the whale was the end. But in truth, it was his beginning. He lived to see another day, to take what he’d learned about himself and become who he was meant to be.”
“Forever?” “Forever. For all future time; for always.” I smiled and kissed him softly. “Yes. For all future time. For always.”
5 because love was a true gift to give stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
OMG! Rereading this book by listening it when the audio came out made me fall in love with our cheeky, witty and pluperfect Shaun all over again. 😁 I mean obviously, this is my second time loving this book and I knew how everything will turn out in the end but man, did I cry bucket loads of tears before the HEA. 😭 Joel Leslie did a very fine job narrating this story and I actually loved listening this more than reading the first time. It was sweet, heartwarming and really romantic. 💙 Thoroughly enjoyed for the second time. 😌
Original review
OMG! Did I love this book!?!? 😱 YESSS! 😍 I loved this book soooooooo much! ❤️ Thank you N.R. Walker for such an amazing read. 🙏 While being not a very unconventional storyline, yes, we’ve seen or heard this kind of storyline on screen or in books, ☺️ the take of the love story between an android and a human in this novel was such refreshingly intriguing and enthralling. 👍 I was totally hooked. 😁 And now, let’s get to reviewing. 😉
Lloyd, a middle-aged guy who has OCD, has never felt like he truly belonged or someone really understood him. When he broke up with his last boyfriend,the guy pointed out to him (rather venomously) that only an android could live up to his standards. 😁 And a couple years later and having spent quite a considerable amount of time of self-accessing, he finally accepted that his ex had a point. 😌 A humanoid android companion might be just what he needs. 😉 So he went to the biggest android producing company and acquired one. But what he got was so much more than a talking and reciprocating android. 😊 Shaun not only thinks and feels but also evolves with time. Shaun is not an android, he’s a sentient and sapient being, and one he hopelessly fell in love with. 😍 Now, it’s only a matter of time before they knew that Shaun is so much more than just an android. And it’s only a matter of time that they take Shaun away from him. 💔
Obviously, I can’t describe the characteristics of both Lloyd and Shaun because the latter is an android and this is a single PoV story. However, I do think that N.R. Walker nailed the head with this particular story. 👏 I’m not ashamed to admit that I have OCD tendencies though not as strong as Lloyd from the story. 😁 I feel like her take and opinions of OCD in this story is quite accurate and interesting. OCD people are not broken and don’t need to be fixed. It’s just our irritation when it comes to certain things can be a bit stronger (well, a bit can be such an euphemism!) than other people. 😂And I find Shaun character to be absolutely fascinating. 😍 In fact, I’m glad that I didn’t get his PoV in this novel because it made the story even more interesting and enthralling in a way. 😌 While the storyline is being predictable, the way NR portrayed the budding love between these two beings is just breathtakingly beautiful and heartwarming. 💙 And the sex? Oooooooo .. let’s just say it was very VERY hot! 🔥 This is an ultimate fantasy comes true for a slavefic enthusiast/technosexual (NR’s words, not mine) like me. 🤣 And although I knew that they would somehow get a HEA in the end, I cried bucket loads of tear when they were kidnapped by those SATinc bastards. 😭 This book tugged my heart many many times, made me smile, laugh, cry and joy. 😌 And as a person who loves and adores classics, let’s just say Moby Dick references made me fall head over heels in love with this book. 😍 Call me Ishmael, call me Shaun, because love truly has no boundaries. 😌👏
Favorite excerpts from the novel: 💗💜💗
because they were trying to “fix” me. Only broken things needed to be fixed. But I wasn’t broken. I didn’t need to be fixed. I needed to be understood.
Would it be so terrible if he could never love me back? He would be forever loyal. He would be attuned to only me. Forever. Was that not love to him? Was that not the synthetic equivalent?
There was no denying it now. There was no going back. I was falling in love with him.
Made just for me. He was more than just an android. He was perfect. He was literally my ideal partner. And something that was crystal clear to me now as he held me, kissed me, longed for me, was that he was sentient.
It was never-ending with him; the pleasure, the want, the need. “I could come again,” I whispered, kissing down his shoulder. “I’ve never known such pleasure, Shaun. Only with you.”
“I do not want you to ever stop.” He didn’t just have desires. He loved it. He wanted it. Just as much as me.
“I love being inside you,” I whispered. “I love how you feel. I love having you in my bed. I love waking up next to you, I love coming home to you.”
Love was a gift to give and should be given without expecting anything in return.
I love you, Shaun. And I love that you love me. It’s the best thing to ever happen to me. You are the best thing to ever happen to me.”
“And I love you. Don’t be sad, Lloyd. This isn’t the end. Remember in Moby Dick, Ishmael thought the final scene with the whale was the end. But in truth, it was his beginning. He lived to see another day, to take what he’d learned about himself and become who he was meant to be.”
“Forever?” “Forever. For all future time; for always.” I smiled and kissed him softly. “Yes. For all future time. For always.”
5 because love was a true gift to give stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 6, 2024
Listened to the audiobook, Joel Leslie does such a wonderful job with this story. Bumping up my rating from a 4 to a 4.5. Despite the ending being slightly rushed, I like this much more second time around.
****
Really enjoyed all the ideas in this futuristic AI, gay romance.
****
Really enjoyed all the ideas in this futuristic AI, gay romance.
I didn’t care that his emotions were synthetic. I didn’t care that he was programmed to suit me, to want me, to smile when he saw me. I didn’t care that his love for me was binary coded, programmed. It was real to me.As much as I loved the premise, the story felt a bit off. Maybe it was the anti-social, cerebral professor? Maybe it was the fact that he basically bought himself a perfect partner? Maybe it was the fact that the AI felt like he had more emotions than his human?
“I am acutely aware of my existentialism. I know why I am here. I know I am not human and I know the differences between us are more than simply physical."It lacked that flow of writing that I've come to expect from NR Walker. The romance was very rushed (but super steamy) and while incredibly touching, it felt like something was missing. Maybe internal organs?
“Your words activate a rush along my neurotransmitters.”Even though this book wasn't my favorite of this incredibly talented author, I love the sci-fi aspects, and all the questions around what really makes us human. I'm glad I read it.
May 9, 2018
Yes, I love science fiction romance
Yes, I love stories with androids and cyborgs
Yes, I love stories with pleasure bots
Yes, I love MM romance
Yes, I love smut
So
Yes, I loved this book
In terms of storyline, I have to admit the plot is not that original. A lonely guy (Lloyd) with OCD issues needs to find comfort with an android because he cannot stand human presence any more. He will definitely gets more than he thought he needed when his A-Class android starts to evolve.
Why does this thing happen?
Does it happen only to his android?
Does the manufacturer of androids company know?
Will they take him away from him?
Lloyd is in love. His android, Shaun learns how to be in love. Together they will have the sweetest relationship.
What I really loved in this book:
1. The depth of characters. Shaun is the nicest, cleverest, most adaptive sentient being.
Lloyd lives such a sad existance until Shaun brightens his world.
2. The description of the android. All the details about his mechanisms, the way he operates were incredible. It is obvious that the author has put a lot of thought, effort and research in this.
3. The writing style is awesome. It is captivating and pleasant. I couldn't stop reading.
This is the second book that I have read by this author. It will not be the last.
Yes, I love stories with androids and cyborgs
Yes, I love stories with pleasure bots
Yes, I love MM romance
Yes, I love smut
So
Yes, I loved this book
In terms of storyline, I have to admit the plot is not that original. A lonely guy (Lloyd) with OCD issues needs to find comfort with an android because he cannot stand human presence any more. He will definitely gets more than he thought he needed when his A-Class android starts to evolve.
Why does this thing happen?
Does it happen only to his android?
Does the manufacturer of androids company know?
Will they take him away from him?
Lloyd is in love. His android, Shaun learns how to be in love. Together they will have the sweetest relationship.
What I really loved in this book:
1. The depth of characters. Shaun is the nicest, cleverest, most adaptive sentient being.
Lloyd lives such a sad existance until Shaun brightens his world.
2. The description of the android. All the details about his mechanisms, the way he operates were incredible. It is obvious that the author has put a lot of thought, effort and research in this.
3. The writing style is awesome. It is captivating and pleasant. I couldn't stop reading.
This is the second book that I have read by this author. It will not be the last.
April 23, 2018
What can I say besides "READ IT" about Evolved by NR Walker? That it was beautiful, endearing, funny, quirky, sexy, amazing, different, and emotional. In case you can't tell- I loved it. Going in I didn't know what to expect, I mean I knew I would read it because it's NR, but I'll admit the whole "robot doll thing" had me cautious. While I was reading it, though, the story threw ALLLL my reservations out the window.
Some highlights:
-The plot was different. I've never read anything like it, mind you I don't read sci-fi often at all, so reading about a human and an android falling in love was entirely different for me.
-Humor. Subtle humor will always be a big win in my book. I often found myself smiling and giggling in certain parts.
-Relationship development- it just clicked for me. I was buying what NR was selling! Is it insta-lovish? I guess, but it made sense for these characters.
-SEX. SCORCHING. HOT. SEX.
-The emotional connection between Shaun and Lloyd was palpable; I had butterflies in my stomach.
-The end was pluperfect. Loving and full of hope.
In conclusion, I have zero negatives to report; I loved everything about Evolved. 5+ Stars! Going on my Top 10 for 2018.
REEEEEAD IIIIITTTTTTT!
April 13, 2018
4.5 Stars
Science fiction was my first love and I do still love to read a good sci-fi novel. Evolved was the perfect mix of science-fiction and a study of the human condition - what is it that makes us human? What sets us apart from other life forms -- artificial or biological? What would happen if we took technology too far? And who decides what all that is or means?
Lloyd Salter is a Professor of Philosophy at Melbourne University. He needs order and structure. He needs quiet. His OCD demands it. His last boyfriend suggested Lloyd might be more compatible with an android since he is so unreasonable in his demands of order. It was meant as an insult, but Lloyd decided he might be right.
Shaun (Synthetic Human Android UNit) is a 'fully compatible' Class-A android. This means he was purpose-built to be more than the average android. He was designed for companionship, including - maybe specifically - sex. He could be programmed for conversation and other things a person might want in a companion, and he is a top of the line piece of technology.
Androids have certain rights in the world that NR Walker has created. Mistreatment of them is reported and punishment of those responsible is enforced. Consent is paramount. So, even though Class-A androids are made for sex, they still have to agree to it. Class-A androids aren't supposed to be able to initiate sex, however, or express desires of their own. They're not supposed to be sentient.
Lloyd and Shaun discuss books, philosophy, and life. Moby Dick is one of Lloyd's favorite books, and they discuss it at length and Shaun offers theories of his own as to it's meaning and the metaphores at play in Moby Dick get some use in the plot of Evolved. It doesn't take long for Lloyd to realize that Shaun is more than Lloyd bargained for. That he was just more. Shaun figures it out, too and as he becomes more and more self-aware, their relationship deepens.
Evolved is one of the sexiest books I've read by this author, and though Shaun's descriptions of the sensations made me chuckle at times, I found the sex to be sexy. Their relationship developed very quickly, but I still believed it. I loved Shaun's wonder at learning new things, and I loved his reactions to, well, everything. I liked Lloyd, as well. His OCD wasn't overused and once he could relax, he was a pretty likable guy. I could have, however, done with fewer utterances of "oh boy" .. that was Lloyd's favorite expression.
I loved Evolved, and the small amount of intrigue once it has been discovered that Shaun is more that "just" a Class-A. None of that took over the story and it was resolved quickly and without much ado, so the focus never ventured far from what it means to be sentient and the relationship between Lloyd and Shaun.
Recommended.
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ARC of Evolved was generously provided by the author, in exchange for an honest review.
"You can call me Ishmael"
Science fiction was my first love and I do still love to read a good sci-fi novel. Evolved was the perfect mix of science-fiction and a study of the human condition - what is it that makes us human? What sets us apart from other life forms -- artificial or biological? What would happen if we took technology too far? And who decides what all that is or means?
Lloyd Salter is a Professor of Philosophy at Melbourne University. He needs order and structure. He needs quiet. His OCD demands it. His last boyfriend suggested Lloyd might be more compatible with an android since he is so unreasonable in his demands of order. It was meant as an insult, but Lloyd decided he might be right.
Shaun (Synthetic Human Android UNit) is a 'fully compatible' Class-A android. This means he was purpose-built to be more than the average android. He was designed for companionship, including - maybe specifically - sex. He could be programmed for conversation and other things a person might want in a companion, and he is a top of the line piece of technology.
"What is love?"
Androids have certain rights in the world that NR Walker has created. Mistreatment of them is reported and punishment of those responsible is enforced. Consent is paramount. So, even though Class-A androids are made for sex, they still have to agree to it. Class-A androids aren't supposed to be able to initiate sex, however, or express desires of their own. They're not supposed to be sentient.
"This conflicted neural network issue I appear to be experiencing becomes more apparent when I think about you.” He took my hand. “My synapses seem to fire more quickly, and my internal temperature rises point zero-eight degrees when I recall the way you laugh or when you touch me. I experience elevated synthetic dopamine and oxytocin levels, only I cannot determine if it is synthetic or real, because it feels very real.”
Lloyd and Shaun discuss books, philosophy, and life. Moby Dick is one of Lloyd's favorite books, and they discuss it at length and Shaun offers theories of his own as to it's meaning and the metaphores at play in Moby Dick get some use in the plot of Evolved. It doesn't take long for Lloyd to realize that Shaun is more than Lloyd bargained for. That he was just more. Shaun figures it out, too and as he becomes more and more self-aware, their relationship deepens.
"If love is everything you say it is, that it is not logical or even reasonable, then I can only conclude that what I feel for you, when I think of you, when I am with you, is love.”
Evolved is one of the sexiest books I've read by this author, and though Shaun's descriptions of the sensations made me chuckle at times, I found the sex to be sexy. Their relationship developed very quickly, but I still believed it. I loved Shaun's wonder at learning new things, and I loved his reactions to, well, everything. I liked Lloyd, as well. His OCD wasn't overused and once he could relax, he was a pretty likable guy. I could have, however, done with fewer utterances of "oh boy" .. that was Lloyd's favorite expression.
I loved Evolved, and the small amount of intrigue once it has been discovered that Shaun is more that "just" a Class-A. None of that took over the story and it was resolved quickly and without much ado, so the focus never ventured far from what it means to be sentient and the relationship between Lloyd and Shaun.
Recommended.
----------------------------
ARC of Evolved was generously provided by the author, in exchange for an honest review.
April 30, 2018
4.25 Stars!
Really good, different read.
I wouldn't call it too sci-fi-y, but enough to make it interesting.
Relatively angst free. Some nice steam.
Overall a solid, enjoyable read.
Really good, different read.
I wouldn't call it too sci-fi-y, but enough to make it interesting.
Relatively angst free. Some nice steam.
Overall a solid, enjoyable read.
June 23, 2021
I am so conflicted about this book. The story was really interesting. It was well written. It was sweet, and funny and cute. But I couldn’t get on board with the romance.
Hear me out. Lloyd is very particular. To the point that his ex told him he should probably date a robot. So he does. He orders the perfect android boyfriend to his exact specifications. Gorgeous. Eager to please. Always ready. Programmed to be interested in Lloyd’s favourite topics and willing to discuss them for hours. Ribbed for his pleasure 😂 and he can only come when Lloyd comes.
“I positioned myself at his hole and just slid right in. No prepping, no stretching, his Fleshjack-arse was always ready. And so tight. And warm, and slick with lube, and ribbed for ultimate pleasure.”
“I was so in love with him.”
And I’m like, sure. I’ll have one of those. He even gets his coffee ready before he wakes up in the morning.
But is that love? Is creating the perfect android and having him willing to submit to your desires actual true love? I just didn’t feel it. To me, love is going above and beyond your own selfish needs and falling for someone with all his imperfections. Shaun was just too perfect for my heart to get on board.
This has so many amazing reviews from my GR friends. So ignore my grumpy old self.
Hear me out. Lloyd is very particular. To the point that his ex told him he should probably date a robot. So he does. He orders the perfect android boyfriend to his exact specifications. Gorgeous. Eager to please. Always ready. Programmed to be interested in Lloyd’s favourite topics and willing to discuss them for hours. Ribbed for his pleasure 😂 and he can only come when Lloyd comes.
“I positioned myself at his hole and just slid right in. No prepping, no stretching, his Fleshjack-arse was always ready. And so tight. And warm, and slick with lube, and ribbed for ultimate pleasure.”
“I was so in love with him.”
And I’m like, sure. I’ll have one of those. He even gets his coffee ready before he wakes up in the morning.
But is that love? Is creating the perfect android and having him willing to submit to your desires actual true love? I just didn’t feel it. To me, love is going above and beyond your own selfish needs and falling for someone with all his imperfections. Shaun was just too perfect for my heart to get on board.
This has so many amazing reviews from my GR friends. So ignore my grumpy old self.
November 5, 2018
3.5 Stars
I love sci-fi stories, but I have a bit of an aversion to ones heavily featuring artificial intelligence. For this reason alone I was a bit apprehensive about reading Evolved, but thanks to the many glowing reviews from my GR friends, I decided to brave the waters and give it a go.
Unsurprisingly, Walker sold me on this particular story, due in great part to her easy and accessible writing. I was also won over by the remarkable futuristic/sci-fi plot she weaved, and through the truly memorable romantic pairing she created in lonely human Lloyd and his sentient android Shaun.
Where my stress-o-meter was concerned, things were a bit touch-and-go there in that final act, but knowing that Walker would never steer her readers wrong, and that she would always deliver a HEA, certainly helped ease my worries when shit was hitting the fan.
Stories with these kinds of themes – particularly romances with these themes – will never be my go-to reading choices, but I’m definitely glad I gave this one a chance.
I love sci-fi stories, but I have a bit of an aversion to ones heavily featuring artificial intelligence. For this reason alone I was a bit apprehensive about reading Evolved, but thanks to the many glowing reviews from my GR friends, I decided to brave the waters and give it a go.
Unsurprisingly, Walker sold me on this particular story, due in great part to her easy and accessible writing. I was also won over by the remarkable futuristic/sci-fi plot she weaved, and through the truly memorable romantic pairing she created in lonely human Lloyd and his sentient android Shaun.
Where my stress-o-meter was concerned, things were a bit touch-and-go there in that final act, but knowing that Walker would never steer her readers wrong, and that she would always deliver a HEA, certainly helped ease my worries when shit was hitting the fan.
Stories with these kinds of themes – particularly romances with these themes – will never be my go-to reading choices, but I’m definitely glad I gave this one a chance.
May 21, 2018
4,25 stars
I didn't love this one from the start. I actually got invested into the story pretty hard. Maybe because I am not into paranormal stories.
The blurb gave me enough info to make me curious and I've seen enough movies using similar ideas. Man gets himself an android. He has the money so he gets his dream man, as an android. The eyes, the haid, the built, the bulge. But he actually gets more than he ever dreamed of.
The first half of the book was hard to digest. I just couldn't get to love the story. I got invested but not 100%. And the sex between the main characters, well I can't say it was spectacular. It really didn't seem hot enough. So why 4 stars? Well the super sweet love story became super interesting. Something along the way changed and it rose my curiosity. I kept reading with more interest and why not, I was even afraid for the MCs. Huh, I didn't even realize I've got to like them enough to fear for their lives.
I really loved the last chapters and the ending surprised me. "Call me Ishmael"!
I didn't love this one from the start. I actually got invested into the story pretty hard. Maybe because I am not into paranormal stories.
The blurb gave me enough info to make me curious and I've seen enough movies using similar ideas. Man gets himself an android. He has the money so he gets his dream man, as an android. The eyes, the haid, the built, the bulge. But he actually gets more than he ever dreamed of.
The first half of the book was hard to digest. I just couldn't get to love the story. I got invested but not 100%. And the sex between the main characters, well I can't say it was spectacular. It really didn't seem hot enough. So why 4 stars? Well the super sweet love story became super interesting. Something along the way changed and it rose my curiosity. I kept reading with more interest and why not, I was even afraid for the MCs. Huh, I didn't even realize I've got to like them enough to fear for their lives.
I really loved the last chapters and the ending surprised me. "Call me Ishmael"!
March 5, 2023
Friends, an android love story just made me cry !!! 😭😭😭😭😭
It’s the best feeling of reading about androids like Shaun. This book had me hooked and I was so curious a lot about Shaun’s existence and how he behaves. As what Lloyd would agree with me, he was a whole lot human that I expected.
Although the sweet and fun of the plotline was perfect NRW never shy away from angst, so the whole Shaun being different was definitely an interesting take. Made me sooooo curious and I couldn’t put this book down. I was so intense near the end and for what had happened? Even though it was soo short, I cried so bad 😭😭😭 This book was so good!
I love Shaun mostly for his charisma. We all know he’s different and beyond smart, but the twist was 👀👀👀 I was expecting something different, but Shaun was smarter than me and I love that. I love him.
I also didn’t think Lloyd was a creepy old man, but I felt him in some ways especially when he mentioned about not being able to feel fulfill with his life. Or that he enjoys Shaun’s company better because he was an android, but proceeds to treat him as a human being. I loved that.
I loved this one particular scene where they both were talking while writing down secret shits. Hahahhaha it made me feel like a SPY! Fuck, that was so good. I feel like watching Sherlock Holmes again 😭 (even though it’s not at all related lmaoo)
I noticed some one-line sentences were repetitive, which was a surprise to me because NRW never do me wrong. Trust me, it didn’t bother my enjoyment at all, it was just obvious that I took notice a couple times.
I really recommend this for someone who wants to try something new (if scifi is not your go-to genre) but even if it is, I think you’ll enjoy this too. The writing helps and it was entertaining despite it being so porny. Oh well, what can you do when a horny android meets a horny forty year old ;)
Thanks to my dude, Hugo, this was another (out of the tons) rec from him and I enjoyed it so well!!
“Forever?”
“Forever. For all future time; for always.” I smiled and kissed him softly.”
It’s the best feeling of reading about androids like Shaun. This book had me hooked and I was so curious a lot about Shaun’s existence and how he behaves. As what Lloyd would agree with me, he was a whole lot human that I expected.
Although the sweet and fun of the plotline was perfect NRW never shy away from angst, so the whole Shaun being different was definitely an interesting take. Made me sooooo curious and I couldn’t put this book down. I was so intense near the end and for what had happened? Even though it was soo short, I cried so bad 😭😭😭 This book was so good!
I love Shaun mostly for his charisma. We all know he’s different and beyond smart, but the twist was 👀👀👀 I was expecting something different, but Shaun was smarter than me and I love that. I love him.
I also didn’t think Lloyd was a creepy old man, but I felt him in some ways especially when he mentioned about not being able to feel fulfill with his life. Or that he enjoys Shaun’s company better because he was an android, but proceeds to treat him as a human being. I loved that.
I loved this one particular scene where they both were talking while writing down secret shits. Hahahhaha it made me feel like a SPY! Fuck, that was so good. I feel like watching Sherlock Holmes again 😭 (even though it’s not at all related lmaoo)
I noticed some one-line sentences were repetitive, which was a surprise to me because NRW never do me wrong. Trust me, it didn’t bother my enjoyment at all, it was just obvious that I took notice a couple times.
I really recommend this for someone who wants to try something new (if scifi is not your go-to genre) but even if it is, I think you’ll enjoy this too. The writing helps and it was entertaining despite it being so porny. Oh well, what can you do when a horny android meets a horny forty year old ;)
Thanks to my dude, Hugo, this was another (out of the tons) rec from him and I enjoyed it so well!!
Read
May 3, 2018@34% I'm calling it done. Please hold your rotten tomatoes. It truly is me and not the book.
I'm a huge sci-fi fan. Techno-thrillers, near future, speculative fiction, dystopian, you name it, I'm there. I'll even read sci fi romance on occasion.
I went into this story with assumptions that were all wrong. It may be a great story, but it's barely a nod towards sci-fi. Unfortunately, I couldn't shift my expectations enough to start enjoying the story for what it is. When the L word appeared I couldn't take it anymore.
No rating since I'm convinced this is a "me not you" situation with this book.
I'm a huge sci-fi fan. Techno-thrillers, near future, speculative fiction, dystopian, you name it, I'm there. I'll even read sci fi romance on occasion.
I went into this story with assumptions that were all wrong. It may be a great story, but it's barely a nod towards sci-fi. Unfortunately, I couldn't shift my expectations enough to start enjoying the story for what it is. When the L word appeared I couldn't take it anymore.
No rating since I'm convinced this is a "me not you" situation with this book.
October 11, 2018
4.25 stars
Who knew I had such an android kink? Who knew that having an android partner made to literally fit you, would be such a turn on? Well, I didn't. But OMG, this book was super HOT!
This book was incredibly sexy, but it wasn’t all sex. (Although I do have to say that the sex scenes were plentiful!) But it was sweet too. Sweet, sexy, and romantic.
I loved how this book was almost entirely relationship focused. There were not a lot of side characters and the two mostly stayed in, so there were almost no outside factors. And I still wasn’t bored for one second.
Lloyd came up with the idea of buying a A-Class android, when an ex-boyfriend told him he should get a robot boyfriend with all his OCD tendencies. So that’s what Lloyd does. He buys a ‘SHAUN’, a Synthetic Human Androidl UNit. Shaun has been specifically made for him. He can talk about books, teach himself about anything that interests Lloyd, and then discuss it, and he will be Lloyd’s perfect sexual partner.
As soon as Shaun gets delivered he exceeds all of Lloyd’s expectations. He not only looks lifelike, but he acts pretty human too. After the first few days Lloyd feels he has found the perfect partner in every way. But Shaun can never love him back… Can he?
I’m in this phase where I mostly skip the sex scenes in my books because they often bore me. I was pleasantly surprised that I was not only interested in the sweet relationship between Lloyd and Shaun, but in their incredibly HOT sex life too. I mean, Shaun’s throat and uhm, well… ass are ribbed and custom made for Lloyd. And since Shaun doesn’t need to breathe, Lloyd could really go to town in his mouth. The whole sex companion android thing was such a turn on!
But I was also happy that Lloyd wanted them to ‘date’ first. He wasn’t comfortable with jumping into bed with Shaun immediately, since he wouldn’t do that with a human either.
The relationship between these two was incredibly sweet and Shaun was definitely not ‘just’ an android.
This had the perfect amount of sex, sweetness, and some angst, all wrapped up in a very exciting and intriguing package.
Who knew I had such an android kink? Who knew that having an android partner made to literally fit you, would be such a turn on? Well, I didn't. But OMG, this book was super HOT!
This book was incredibly sexy, but it wasn’t all sex. (Although I do have to say that the sex scenes were plentiful!) But it was sweet too. Sweet, sexy, and romantic.
I loved how this book was almost entirely relationship focused. There were not a lot of side characters and the two mostly stayed in, so there were almost no outside factors. And I still wasn’t bored for one second.
Lloyd came up with the idea of buying a A-Class android, when an ex-boyfriend told him he should get a robot boyfriend with all his OCD tendencies. So that’s what Lloyd does. He buys a ‘SHAUN’, a Synthetic Human Androidl UNit. Shaun has been specifically made for him. He can talk about books, teach himself about anything that interests Lloyd, and then discuss it, and he will be Lloyd’s perfect sexual partner.
As soon as Shaun gets delivered he exceeds all of Lloyd’s expectations. He not only looks lifelike, but he acts pretty human too. After the first few days Lloyd feels he has found the perfect partner in every way. But Shaun can never love him back… Can he?
I’m in this phase where I mostly skip the sex scenes in my books because they often bore me. I was pleasantly surprised that I was not only interested in the sweet relationship between Lloyd and Shaun, but in their incredibly HOT sex life too. I mean, Shaun’s throat and uhm, well… ass are ribbed and custom made for Lloyd. And since Shaun doesn’t need to breathe, Lloyd could really go to town in his mouth. The whole sex companion android thing was such a turn on!
But I was also happy that Lloyd wanted them to ‘date’ first. He wasn’t comfortable with jumping into bed with Shaun immediately, since he wouldn’t do that with a human either.
The relationship between these two was incredibly sweet and Shaun was definitely not ‘just’ an android.
This had the perfect amount of sex, sweetness, and some angst, all wrapped up in a very exciting and intriguing package.
May 8, 2018
My first reaction : a new MM romance from NR Walker, yeah !!!, click it is because this author is one of my favorite.
My second reaction : OK, as much as I’m a fan of NR Walker, I look for romance, so a romance with an androïd ??? **scratching my head**.
So, willing to try, but quite sceptical, I started reading and tbh, the first few chapters made me fear the worst. Granted, it was fun reading about Lloyd, the human one, with high standards when it comes to noise and order but lonely, collecting his purchase, Shaun, an android built to his specifications on an intellectual and physical basis, so he can talk about literature and have sex.
At that point, I thought it could only go 2 ways for me : either it would be a porn fest with a sex machine, either I could try to imagine Shaun as being more than a machine with an interaction based on possession. Not my jam…..
But then, NR Walker worked her magic, not only with the plotline and the interesting thoughts about technology, humanity and consent, but also with her characters. Lloyd, as antisocial as he seems, shows respect for this amazing “being”, attuned to Shaun’s reactions and looking for a meaningful and equal relationship. As for Shaun, he learns, he interprets, he feels, he evolves fast, being more than human and starving for interactions.
Together, they are utterly adorable, they are funny – yes, Shaun also knows how to joke and flirt – and they are sexy – yes, believe me, the hand-holding and the kisses are very sensual and the activation of all of Shaun’s sensors is so, so, so HOT.
Just go with the flow : it’s surprising, adorable, refreshing, endearing, with a tender epilogue. Very entertaining.
Recommended.
My second reaction : OK, as much as I’m a fan of NR Walker, I look for romance, so a romance with an androïd ??? **scratching my head**.
So, willing to try, but quite sceptical, I started reading and tbh, the first few chapters made me fear the worst. Granted, it was fun reading about Lloyd, the human one, with high standards when it comes to noise and order but lonely, collecting his purchase, Shaun, an android built to his specifications on an intellectual and physical basis, so he can talk about literature and have sex.
At that point, I thought it could only go 2 ways for me : either it would be a porn fest with a sex machine, either I could try to imagine Shaun as being more than a machine with an interaction based on possession. Not my jam…..
But then, NR Walker worked her magic, not only with the plotline and the interesting thoughts about technology, humanity and consent, but also with her characters. Lloyd, as antisocial as he seems, shows respect for this amazing “being”, attuned to Shaun’s reactions and looking for a meaningful and equal relationship. As for Shaun, he learns, he interprets, he feels, he evolves fast, being more than human and starving for interactions.
Together, they are utterly adorable, they are funny – yes, Shaun also knows how to joke and flirt – and they are sexy – yes, believe me, the hand-holding and the kisses are very sensual and the activation of all of Shaun’s sensors is so, so, so HOT.
Just go with the flow : it’s surprising, adorable, refreshing, endearing, with a tender epilogue. Very entertaining.
Recommended.
July 1, 2018
4 Stars
This is my takeaway regarding this story.
Was this super sugary sweet and sappy? Sure.
Was it a bit uncomfortable regarding the AI aspect, an entity solely designed 100% for the MC’s pleasure? Yep.
I admit I kinda balked, I kinda squirmed. However, not only was this a romance, but this also shined through as a meditation on what it means to be human, and I was bowled over by the well thought out and seemingly well researched topic.
So in and amongst the love story where there is an absolute guaranteed happy ending, there was a good amount of nice smexy smex, a lot of feels, and a fully fleshed out world where AI’s are the norm and the tough questions were not avoided.
I continue to really appreciate Walker’s works, especially her most recent ones. She has broadened her repertoire on a wide range of topics, never skimping on the emotions and thankfully upping the heat factor. Here she does all of that, while deftly exploring consent, free will, sentience, and the right to exist.
Again, impressive and thoroughly enjoyable!
This is my takeaway regarding this story.
Was this super sugary sweet and sappy? Sure.
Was it a bit uncomfortable regarding the AI aspect, an entity solely designed 100% for the MC’s pleasure? Yep.
I admit I kinda balked, I kinda squirmed. However, not only was this a romance, but this also shined through as a meditation on what it means to be human, and I was bowled over by the well thought out and seemingly well researched topic.
So in and amongst the love story where there is an absolute guaranteed happy ending, there was a good amount of nice smexy smex, a lot of feels, and a fully fleshed out world where AI’s are the norm and the tough questions were not avoided.
I continue to really appreciate Walker’s works, especially her most recent ones. She has broadened her repertoire on a wide range of topics, never skimping on the emotions and thankfully upping the heat factor. Here she does all of that, while deftly exploring consent, free will, sentience, and the right to exist.
Again, impressive and thoroughly enjoyable!
May 6, 2018
After his ex-boyfriend tells him he’ll only ever be happy with an android, Lloyd decides he’s right. So, two years later, he’s picked out his perfect companion…hair, eyes, build, intellect. The one who should complete him, stimulate his mind and body. Problem is, Shaun, the Synthetic Human Android UNit, begins to become aware. He evolves.
PLUPERFECT.
”Learn, adapt, and evolve.”Oh boy NR Walker does it again. Sweet, romantic, heartbreaking…all wrapped up into one book. I loved Lloyd. He was a man who had issues. He liked things neat and orderly…clean. Any human man could never live up to these standards. When an ex tells him he just needs an android, he knows he’s right.
”All I had ever wanted was someone I could talk to.”He hand picks Shaun down to every last detail. Shaun becomes the man he’s always wanted and needed.
”He might have been an android, but he was all man.”I loved to see their relationship develop and see how Lloyd realizes he is falling in love with Shaun.
”It felt so incredibly right to lie there in each other’s arms, and as I traced his flawless eyebrows, his impeccable jaw, and kissed his perfect lips, the warmth in my heart bloomed. There was no denying it now. There was no going back. I was falling in love with him.”But not only that, but how Shaun begins to change and become self aware. I love how sweet he is and realizes he just wants to be loved too.
“Lloyd?” “Yes?” “Although it does not activate all my sensors like sex does, I do rather like watching movies with you.””And Oh man….at the end there…yes I cried big fat ugly tears. It broke my freaking heart. But this is NR Walker we’re talking about here. You know there’s going to be a happy ending. There has to be. And then we smile again and all is right with the world.
PLUPERFECT.
May 8, 2018
Genre: M\M Romantic Sci-Fi
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Male
Rating:
Lloyd Salter was bound by a specific living condition that no human could met. After some deep thinking, he decided to get an all purpose android companion from the most advance model the company had to offer. What he got ended up much more than he ordered.
Shaun was built to Lloyd's exact specifications and needs from physical to intellectual aspect of his being. But soon enough he realized that Shaun was not an ordinary android and he must protect the knowledge for both of their safety.
I absolutely love Shaun. He was very endearing and I felt his wants and fears. I love how he craved to learn more about being human and his reactions and learning process was amusing.
I suppose being able to relate to Lloyd was not exactly a good thing considering his condition. But I can't stand the same things so I get him lol! I love how respectful and protective he was to Shaun, while still accorded him freedom.
For someone who doesn't read much sci-fi, this book is good for easing into the genre. It was enough to give the feel without overwhelming the senses. I love the interactions between the two characters especially when they were both learning about each other and adapting into a foreign environment.
However, while the storyline was interesting, the ending was predictable, felt too rushed and too convenient. I would have love for it to be played out more to strengthen the conclusion.
Evolved is a story of adapting and finding love in an unconventional way. It would appeal to readers looking for M/M romance in light sci-fi setting.
⚙ 🌀 ⚙ . . . (F)BR With Twinsie CC . . . ⚙ 🌀 ⚙
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Male
Rating:
Lloyd Salter was bound by a specific living condition that no human could met. After some deep thinking, he decided to get an all purpose android companion from the most advance model the company had to offer. What he got ended up much more than he ordered.
Shaun was built to Lloyd's exact specifications and needs from physical to intellectual aspect of his being. But soon enough he realized that Shaun was not an ordinary android and he must protect the knowledge for both of their safety.
He appealed to me on so many levels; he was intelligent, composed, immaculately clean and tidy. And physically… well, physically, he was textbook perfect.
I absolutely love Shaun. He was very endearing and I felt his wants and fears. I love how he craved to learn more about being human and his reactions and learning process was amusing.
Only broken things needed to be fixed. But I wasn’t broken. I didn’t need to be fixed. I needed to be understood.
I suppose being able to relate to Lloyd was not exactly a good thing considering his condition. But I can't stand the same things so I get him lol! I love how respectful and protective he was to Shaun, while still accorded him freedom.
For someone who doesn't read much sci-fi, this book is good for easing into the genre. It was enough to give the feel without overwhelming the senses. I love the interactions between the two characters especially when they were both learning about each other and adapting into a foreign environment.
I didn’t care that he was programmed to suit me, to want me, to smile when he saw me. I didn’t care that his love for me was binary coded, programmed. It was real to me.
However, while the storyline was interesting, the ending was predictable, felt too rushed and too convenient. I would have love for it to be played out more to strengthen the conclusion.
He was synthetic, he was silicone, my brain knew that. But my heart knew he was so much more than that.
Evolved is a story of adapting and finding love in an unconventional way. It would appeal to readers looking for M/M romance in light sci-fi setting.
⚙ 🌀 ⚙ . . . (F)BR With Twinsie CC . . . ⚙ 🌀 ⚙
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April 21, 2024
~Almost Pluperfect~
The Story: 4 Pants Off
Imagine getting your life long person custom made for you but only expecting carnal delights and something to keep you company. An Android, no expectations yet you get something more, something perfect, something evolved.
This story is a little different and I really enjoyed it but about 75% it felt like the story could not progress any further and became repetitive. I’m also a little peeved that Shaun never got to top 😤 like give mans a turn to experience it all.
Overall, I liked the story but it lost some of the fizzle at the end and a bit repetitive.
The Narration: 3.75 Pants Off
I’ll say it here, I’m not a huge fan of Joel Leslie’s narrations and I find it over the top and his character voices a little old. For Evolved I actually didn’t mind it so much ans his accent was spot on so I can’t complain (too much).
The Story: 4 Pants Off
Imagine getting your life long person custom made for you but only expecting carnal delights and something to keep you company. An Android, no expectations yet you get something more, something perfect, something evolved.
This story is a little different and I really enjoyed it but about 75% it felt like the story could not progress any further and became repetitive. I’m also a little peeved that Shaun never got to top 😤 like give mans a turn to experience it all.
Overall, I liked the story but it lost some of the fizzle at the end and a bit repetitive.
The Narration: 3.75 Pants Off
I’ll say it here, I’m not a huge fan of Joel Leslie’s narrations and I find it over the top and his character voices a little old. For Evolved I actually didn’t mind it so much ans his accent was spot on so I can’t complain (too much).
April 23, 2018
Two years ago Lloyd Salter, a professor at Melbourne University, had a bad breakup and took a throwaway insult his boyfriend suggested during a fight, that Lloyd might be more compatible with an android due to his OCD issues and his need for quiet and order, to heart. Told from the first person, single POV of Lloyd Evolved focuses on the relationship between Lloyd and the android, Shaun, he buys and then falls in love with.
It's 2068 and androids have been integrated into most parts of life as cleaners, drivers, and, the newest A-Class synthetic android, which is a "Fully Compatible Unit", meaning the android is programmed to meet every need. "Even sexual. Especially sexual."
Androids have rights under international law that prohibit child androids, deal with ethics, including common laws that ensure no malice or deliberate harm comes to any android, and with the introduction of All Purpose Units, newer laws pertaining to consent.
But Lloyd's A-Class Synthetic Human Android UNit, Shaun, is different from the beginning. Shaun doesn't only do what's been programmed, he seems to learn.
Which concerns Lloyd because he knows at some point SATinc is going to realize Shaun is different, and they might try to harm him or take him away and Lloyd is in love with Shaun.
As Shaun evolves, so does the mystery of why he's different and what they'll need to do to keep Shaun safe.
I wanted to love this. It's written with N.R. Walker's trademark emotional depth and humor, and while I did overall like the story, and I did find the relationship that develops between Lloyd and Shaun sweet for the most part, I couldn't quite get over the fact that Shaun was programmed to like and want Lloyd. However much he evolved as the story went on, it didn't change that he never originally chose Lloyd.
Regardless, I found myself invested in Lloyd and Shaun's relationship and worrying about what would happen if/when SATinc eventually figured out what's going on. I was on the edge of my seat hoping there would be a happy ending to everything that was happening. Spoiler: there is a happy ending.
All in all it was a sweet, if unconventional, love story with a bit of angst, a lot of sexy times, and a HEA.
3.5 Stars
Advanced Review Galley copy of Evolved provided by the author in exchange of an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
It's 2068 and androids have been integrated into most parts of life as cleaners, drivers, and, the newest A-Class synthetic android, which is a "Fully Compatible Unit", meaning the android is programmed to meet every need. "Even sexual. Especially sexual."
Androids have rights under international law that prohibit child androids, deal with ethics, including common laws that ensure no malice or deliberate harm comes to any android, and with the introduction of All Purpose Units, newer laws pertaining to consent.
“All sexual relations must be consensual, which companies such as SATinc have ensured by programming sexual desire into their synthetic androids. Yes, sexual desire. Not programmed to say ‘yes’ if asked, but actual desire. Neural networks within their mainframe recognise their owner’s face, body, and their synthetic hormone sensors react accordingly, all within the Roboethics Guidelines of course. By law, all of SATinc’s units also have built-in security features, which enable an automatic shutdown and the AMA, the Artificial Moral Agency, and the police are notified should the unit’s pain receptors be activated. In accordance with our mission statement, SATinc prides itself on integrity and all customers are subject to full background checks, yourself included.”
But Lloyd's A-Class Synthetic Human Android UNit, Shaun, is different from the beginning. Shaun doesn't only do what's been programmed, he seems to learn.
“You say things like ‘I feel’ or ‘I believe’ which I don’t think is normal. And the manual said you shouldn’t initiate physical intimacy, but you do.”
“I like physical intimacy.”
I smiled at that. “I know you do. I like it too, and there’s nothing wrong with that either. I just think something in your programming is over and above what SATinc meant to give. Like maybe your CPU.”
Which concerns Lloyd because he knows at some point SATinc is going to realize Shaun is different, and they might try to harm him or take him away and Lloyd is in love with Shaun.
“Shaun, I don’t know what the A-Class—if that’s even what you are—is capable of or what they were aiming for by developing an android so advanced, but I know this: I love you. I’m in love with you, Shaun. Android or not, A-Class or not. It doesn’t matter to me.” I kissed him softly. “I love you.”
As Shaun evolves, so does the mystery of why he's different and what they'll need to do to keep Shaun safe.
I wanted to love this. It's written with N.R. Walker's trademark emotional depth and humor, and while I did overall like the story, and I did find the relationship that develops between Lloyd and Shaun sweet for the most part, I couldn't quite get over the fact that Shaun was programmed to like and want Lloyd. However much he evolved as the story went on, it didn't change that he never originally chose Lloyd.
Regardless, I found myself invested in Lloyd and Shaun's relationship and worrying about what would happen if/when SATinc eventually figured out what's going on. I was on the edge of my seat hoping there would be a happy ending to everything that was happening. Spoiler: there is a happy ending.
All in all it was a sweet, if unconventional, love story with a bit of angst, a lot of sexy times, and a HEA.
3.5 Stars
Advanced Review Galley copy of Evolved provided by the author in exchange of an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
April 7, 2021
This was not what I expected and it was too short. 😞😞
Asia is obsessed with this kind of themes so I've seen a lot of content about robot boyfriends who turn human like, but Evolved was really meh. I liked the beginning and the premise that Lloyd chose a robot because he has OCD, so he's better with an android than a human for boyfriend, I understood that and thought that maybe I will get a psychological trope to make the story whole.
Nop, what I did get was a LOT of sex done really fast. Sean (the A-class android) is made for sex basically, he has a fleshjack in HIS MOUTH, yep, you read it right, his fucking mouth and he also has stuff in his butt to make the whole thing better, pun intended 🤣🤣. I didn't like that, it felt... extreme.
Besides the sex the story was sort of interesting, even though not a lot happened at first (besides sex), the conflict and the discussions that Sean creates by being different are OK, but yeah meh.
I think this needed a better development, more depth into the story, the idea had potential but the sex ruined it. 🥰❤
Asia is obsessed with this kind of themes so I've seen a lot of content about robot boyfriends who turn human like, but Evolved was really meh. I liked the beginning and the premise that Lloyd chose a robot because he has OCD, so he's better with an android than a human for boyfriend, I understood that and thought that maybe I will get a psychological trope to make the story whole.
Nop, what I did get was a LOT of sex done really fast. Sean (the A-class android) is made for sex basically, he has a fleshjack in HIS MOUTH, yep, you read it right, his fucking mouth and he also has stuff in his butt to make the whole thing better, pun intended 🤣🤣. I didn't like that, it felt... extreme.
Besides the sex the story was sort of interesting, even though not a lot happened at first (besides sex), the conflict and the discussions that Sean creates by being different are OK, but yeah meh.
I think this needed a better development, more depth into the story, the idea had potential but the sex ruined it. 🥰❤
December 20, 2019
Hot little romance between a man and an android. The evolution of the android towards a more human behavior is well described. And the changes in Lloyd’s feelings as a result of his droid's behavioral shifts are well described too. Pity that the finale is so predictable.
April 17, 2018
This was so much better than I was expecting. This is the best I've read from Walker in a long time, maybe ever.
Admittedly the android thing freaked me out at first, but then Lloyd and Shaun started to have scenes together and I started to fall for their relationship and Shaun and it became a lot less creepy and a lot more cute and adorable.
I mean, this is N.R. Walker, the queen of fluff and adorableness, and I shouldn't have expected anything different from this.
Lloyd is a 41-year-old Philosophy and Literature Professor at a Melbourne university, and in the year 2068, technology has advanced enough that androids are a part of everyday life, doing "menial tasks" like driving and working the front desk of Lloyd's apartment building. It is easy to tell them apart from humans from the way they move and talk and so on.
But now there are a select few androids called "Class-A" Androids that look very human like and it would take a hard, long look at them and the way their move and talk to realize they were an android. That is where Shaun comes in - or "Synthetic Human Android UNit", who Lloyd, 2 years after his last relationship and who is lonely and longs for companionship, buys.
See, Lloyd doesn't much like a lot of humans except for one casual friend at work. He has OCD tendencies, he needs things clean and organized, and he hates loud noises, like snoring and loud chewing and pen tapping (I feel him there so much. Although apparently he has an actual condition where those things can send him into a panic or he can have very big reactions to it. Those things just annoy me lol) and his last boyfriend did a lot of that stuff and suffice it to say, they didn't last long.
And his ex said Lloyd was so robotic like and likes things such a specific way that he should just date a robot. And after 2 years of being alone, Lloyd thinks that he was right, so he buys Shaun, who he is able to customize to be able to talk about his interests, not be loud and so on, and who he would be able to have sex with too. Essentially, the perfect companion for him.
Lloyd is just expecting an android he can talk about books with and have sex with. A companion, a friend, nothing more.
But Shaun turns out to be so much more than that. As the blurb says, Shaun starts showing capabilities way beyond what even a Class-A android should be able to do.
And the more he becomes, well, more human, the more Lloyd falls in love with him. The more Shaun falls in love with him too.
These two were so sweet together, so adorable, and their interactions just works to well, they always made me smile, that very quickly it didn't matter to me that Shaun was an android. They loved each other.
And the plot of this is actually very exciting and it actually had me worried for a bit - but not to worry, this is a N.R. Walker book after all ;).
Plus, hot sex scenes...and who knew one partner in the partnership not having to breathe could be so...hot ;)
This was so enjoyable, so fun to read and so entertaining and incredibly sweet. Love comes in all forms, in many ways. And in a world where androids become a common thing...then love with one could be very possible. Plus Shaun was very cute and sweet, I get why Lloyd fell for him.
Definitely a must read if you are a Walker fan. LOVED it! <333
***ARC provided by the Alpha Book Club in exchange for an honest review***
November 27, 2018
I hesitated reading this book after reading some reviews but then decided to try my luck. This story was a pleasant surprise. At the beginning when Shawn and Lloyd were just getting to know each other the way he talked was a little weird but then once I got used to it I started to look at it as one of his personality traits.
I mean he was perfect match and fit for Lloyd, so how is it different when shifter meets their mate - they are a perfect fit too. If I think about the weirdness of sleeping and falling in love with a man made machine I start remembering a video with an Asian middle aged man who fell in love with a female mannequin and how he totted her everywhere in a wheel chair. Shawn at least talks and walks on his own. So putting this aside, their love story is unique in a sense that Shawn is completely dependent on Lloyd for everything - even his pleasure and Lloyd gets off on it. It was very sweet to watch him fall in love and be scared that Shawn will never love him back.
I loved every page of this book but the most memorable moment for me was "Input Overload" moment and how Lloyd handled it. It was funny and sexy at the same time. Shawn's nonhumanness actually sparked a little debate between me and my husband.
Me: Can you consider Shawn human? He feels and thinks.
Him: Has he changed since he was made?
Me: Yes, he is more. He understands and thinks like a human.
Him: Not that kind of change. Is there blood flowing through his veins?
Me: Well, no. He is a machine.
Him: Then he is not human and he will never be. I will not consider anyone human unless there is blood running through their veins.
So this made me think, the ability to have conscience, to be self aware, to think and feel is inherently a human condition and as such I would regard Shawn as humanish or as close to human as he can be because if we take the blood factor into account then how will we describe a person with a bionic limb - there is no blood in it - does that make that person less human or not human at all?
This was a very good book that made me think a lot. Who knows what our future will hold. Maybe that's where we are heading too. I just hope that out there in the world there is always Shawn for every Lloyd.
I mean he was perfect match and fit for Lloyd, so how is it different when shifter meets their mate - they are a perfect fit too. If I think about the weirdness of sleeping and falling in love with a man made machine I start remembering a video with an Asian middle aged man who fell in love with a female mannequin and how he totted her everywhere in a wheel chair. Shawn at least talks and walks on his own. So putting this aside, their love story is unique in a sense that Shawn is completely dependent on Lloyd for everything - even his pleasure and Lloyd gets off on it. It was very sweet to watch him fall in love and be scared that Shawn will never love him back.
I loved every page of this book but the most memorable moment for me was "Input Overload" moment and how Lloyd handled it. It was funny and sexy at the same time. Shawn's nonhumanness actually sparked a little debate between me and my husband.
Me: Can you consider Shawn human? He feels and thinks.
Him: Has he changed since he was made?
Me: Yes, he is more. He understands and thinks like a human.
Him: Not that kind of change. Is there blood flowing through his veins?
Me: Well, no. He is a machine.
Him: Then he is not human and he will never be. I will not consider anyone human unless there is blood running through their veins.
So this made me think, the ability to have conscience, to be self aware, to think and feel is inherently a human condition and as such I would regard Shawn as humanish or as close to human as he can be because if we take the blood factor into account then how will we describe a person with a bionic limb - there is no blood in it - does that make that person less human or not human at all?
This was a very good book that made me think a lot. Who knows what our future will hold. Maybe that's where we are heading too. I just hope that out there in the world there is always Shawn for every Lloyd.
October 30, 2018
Wow, yes that was quite amazing. Reminded me of a few other android/sci-fi stories, like Blade Runner and Jane Davitt's O/s kept popping into my mind (gotta read that one again).
I loved the premise, and the story was perfectly done. The ending is creative I'm glad N.R. Walker does it the way she does.
I hate to say anything negative in a review, but Joel Leslie's narration totally didn't work for me on this one. It was too halting and it distracted me from the story. The way he portrays the emotion the main characters was lovely, but sometimes it was a bit over the top.
A wonderful novel, beautifully written, and a creative love story - it's a win.
I loved the premise, and the story was perfectly done. The ending is creative I'm glad N.R. Walker does it the way she does.
I hate to say anything negative in a review, but Joel Leslie's narration totally didn't work for me on this one. It was too halting and it distracted me from the story. The way he portrays the emotion the main characters was lovely, but sometimes it was a bit over the top.
A wonderful novel, beautifully written, and a creative love story - it's a win.
April 29, 2018
What an amazing story.
Not only is the story romantic, but it also makes you wonder about so many aspects of life and what makes us human.
It was beautiful, sweet and heartbreaking at times. Absolutely loved it.
Not only is the story romantic, but it also makes you wonder about so many aspects of life and what makes us human.
It was beautiful, sweet and heartbreaking at times. Absolutely loved it.
June 21, 2021
5 stars ⭐️ Oh, boy, why this book is so perfect!? I LOVED the hell out of it. Evolved is extraordinary, remarkable, impressive, pluperfect, yet heartbreaking book. Could you guess how much advancement in technology would take place in 2068? NR Walker brought us in there and showed us Androids Robert was not just a machine, they should be treated like human beings.
I read this book in just one sitting. How could I not read the hot sizzling relationship between Shaun and Lloyd!?
Oh, boy, I was a complete and utter mess after reading this book. I burst into tears for the emotional relationship between a human and an android. I would give everything to feel everything in the book again and again.
“There was no denying it now. There was no going back.
I was falling in love with him.”
God, I haven't enough words to describe how much I loved this book. Shaun and Lloyd were perfect. The relationship!!! It was the best thing in the book.
“He was synthetic, he was silicone, my brain knew that. But my heart knew he was so much more than that. He was real, and he was everything I needed: intelligent, gorgeous, all man. He challenged me mentally, he needed me physically, he was as neat as a pin, he had no human flaws, designed just for me.
Made just for me.
He was more than just an android. He was perfect. He was literally my ideal partner.”
This is one of my favorites NR Walker reads.
Highly recommended ❤️
I read this book in just one sitting. How could I not read the hot sizzling relationship between Shaun and Lloyd!?
Oh, boy, I was a complete and utter mess after reading this book. I burst into tears for the emotional relationship between a human and an android. I would give everything to feel everything in the book again and again.
“There was no denying it now. There was no going back.
I was falling in love with him.”
God, I haven't enough words to describe how much I loved this book. Shaun and Lloyd were perfect. The relationship!!! It was the best thing in the book.
“He was synthetic, he was silicone, my brain knew that. But my heart knew he was so much more than that. He was real, and he was everything I needed: intelligent, gorgeous, all man. He challenged me mentally, he needed me physically, he was as neat as a pin, he had no human flaws, designed just for me.
Made just for me.
He was more than just an android. He was perfect. He was literally my ideal partner.”
This is one of my favorites NR Walker reads.
Highly recommended ❤️
April 27, 2018
N.R. Walker and science fiction? I was surprised and intrigued. And very much looking forward to it.
And I was not dissappointed, this book is simply awesome.
I loved the scenario and the theme, the techno 'babble' (full marks to the author for doing this so well and in a way it didn’t make me run to check out terms on Google’s!) the thoughts on what makes us human.
Is it being sentient and self-aware?
Is it recognizing what love and death mean?
Is it a sense of belonging to someone?
But my most favourite part was without any doubt the humour. Shaun was cracking me up right from the start - his dry wit, his flirting, his teasing and telling jokes. He is absolutely adorable. And when it comes to him recognizing love, all I could do was sigh and swoon.
"My synapses seem to fire more quickly, and my internal temperature rises point zero-eight degrees when I recall the way you laugh or when you touch me. I experience elevated synthetic dopamine and oxytocin levels, only I cannot determine if it is synthetic or real, because it feels very real."
"I want to feel your skin on mine. I want our chests pressed against mine; I want to bury my face in your neck and feel your arms around me. Not for sexual release - well, not only for sex - but to satisfy a different need. A need that has been building since I met you (Lloyd). This need I've deduced may in fact be love. I need to express it with my body. I cannot explain that."
Shaun's sheer delight in the pleasures of the flesh is also totally cute and very hot at the same time.
I could accompany you to our bed and you could ... stimulate my proprioceptive and ex-teroceptive sensors." LOL!
Lloyd would second that, not only because he is technosexual. Shaun has been tailor-made for him, programmed, so he fulfils every single one of Lloyd's needs. And what Lloyd needs most importantly is a companion, someone to share himself with in every way.
He wants Shaun 'to be his equal' right from the start and treats him like a human even if he knows that Shaun is not, or is he?
Shaun's awakening humanity is awesome to watch and very very well written!
This is one of my most favourite reads this year so far and in my opinion one of N.R.Walker's best!
(And the cover is absolutely perfect! Or should i say 'pluperfect?)
Highly recommended.
And I was not dissappointed, this book is simply awesome.
I loved the scenario and the theme, the techno 'babble' (full marks to the author for doing this so well and in a way it didn’t make me run to check out terms on Google’s!) the thoughts on what makes us human.
Is it being sentient and self-aware?
Is it recognizing what love and death mean?
Is it a sense of belonging to someone?
But my most favourite part was without any doubt the humour. Shaun was cracking me up right from the start - his dry wit, his flirting, his teasing and telling jokes. He is absolutely adorable. And when it comes to him recognizing love, all I could do was sigh and swoon.
"My synapses seem to fire more quickly, and my internal temperature rises point zero-eight degrees when I recall the way you laugh or when you touch me. I experience elevated synthetic dopamine and oxytocin levels, only I cannot determine if it is synthetic or real, because it feels very real."
"I want to feel your skin on mine. I want our chests pressed against mine; I want to bury my face in your neck and feel your arms around me. Not for sexual release - well, not only for sex - but to satisfy a different need. A need that has been building since I met you (Lloyd). This need I've deduced may in fact be love. I need to express it with my body. I cannot explain that."
Shaun's sheer delight in the pleasures of the flesh is also totally cute and very hot at the same time.
I could accompany you to our bed and you could ... stimulate my proprioceptive and ex-teroceptive sensors." LOL!
Lloyd would second that, not only because he is technosexual. Shaun has been tailor-made for him, programmed, so he fulfils every single one of Lloyd's needs. And what Lloyd needs most importantly is a companion, someone to share himself with in every way.
He wants Shaun 'to be his equal' right from the start and treats him like a human even if he knows that Shaun is not, or is he?
Shaun's awakening humanity is awesome to watch and very very well written!
This is one of my most favourite reads this year so far and in my opinion one of N.R.Walker's best!
(And the cover is absolutely perfect! Or should i say 'pluperfect?)
Highly recommended.
May 9, 2018
Ok so this was a little strange ... human & Android- I struggled a bit trying to visualize the reality and the chemistry. Shaun appeared as realistic as possible and Lloyd finally had a partner who could manage his OCD and intellectual needs. They connected on a deep level which should never have happened but Shaun was discovered to have a secret prototype processor that made him almost human. He had feelings, could use humor and developed emotions. A beautifully written story that really posed what the future might be like - I suppose finding the one who is perfectly designed for you could alleviate a whole lot of issues !
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