Reviewed by Morgan
Title: Deep of the Sound
Author: Amy Lane
Narrator: Nick J. Russo
Series: Bluewater Bey #8
Heroes: Cal McCorkle/Avery Kennedy
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 8 Hours, 12 Minutes
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Release Date: May 3, 2017
Available at: Amazon, Audible and iTunes
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: Cal McCorkle has lived in Bluewater Bay his whole life. He works two jobs to support a brother with a laundry list of psychiatric diagnoses and a great uncle with Alzheimer’s, and his personal life amounts to impersonal hookups with his boss. He’s got no time, no ambition, and no hope. All he has is family, and they’re killing him one responsibility at a time.
Avery Kennedy left Los Angeles, his family, and his sleazy boyfriend to attend a Wolf’s Landing convention, and he has no plans to return. But when he finds himself broke and car-less in Bluewater Bay, he’s worried he’ll have to slink home with his tail between his legs. Then Cal McCorkle rides to his rescue, and his urge to run away dies a quick death.
Avery may seem helpless at first, but he can charm Cal’s fractious brother, so Cal can pretty much forgive him anything. Even being adorkable. And giving him hope. But Cal can only promise Avery “until we can’t”—and the cost of changing that to “until forever” might be too high, however much they both want it.
Review – Book: So, you know how Amy Lane has “types” of books she writes – those that are funny, those that are angsty? This gets filed under Angsty – with a capital A.
If you’ve been following along in the Bluewater Bay universe, you know that there was a short story published in “Lights, Camera, Action” by Amy that was the pre-quel to this story. That story was pretty much nothing but tears and the first quarter, third? – of this story is no picnic either.
Basically, Avery is in need of “rescuing” – hence his nickname “Rescue Puppy” given to him by Cal. Cal is a hero. He’s rescued his own family – at his own expense – and continues to fulfill that role – now with Avery. What we get, however, is to see how Avery can “rescue” Cal right back.
In addition to watching Avery and Cal fall in love – which is hella sweet and adorable – we also get to witness both Cal and Avery stand up for themselves and their own needs – in their own ways. I think that – maybe more than the romance itself – is the most gripping part of this story. Especially for Cal. I loved watching him finally take something for himself!
I’m more an Amy Lane “lite” fan – not that I don’t worship at her angst-ridden alter – but I find myself returning to her lighter stuff over and over and usually when I’ve finished one of her heavier stories – I’m like “phew, thank god I made it!” – because she always puts me through the emotional wringer. This book is a “wringer” book, and the romance definitely helps to “lighten” it up, but it’s still pretty heavy. I didn’t get quite the emotional attachment to either Avery or Cal that I have to some of Amy’s other characters (Whiskey and Patrick, Shane and Mickey, Colby and Terrell) and as a result, this is not one of my favorite Amy books.
It is, however, one of my favorite Bluewater Bay stories – and I think one of the best in that series. This can be read as a standalone, but I would recommend reading the pre-quel- though it’s not necessary.
Review – Audio: When you take an Angsty Amy book and add Nick J. Russo – you definitely create magic. Nick is superb when it comes to handling this age group, the emotion, the humor… he’s just got Angsty Amy nailed and was the perfect choice for this book.
I simply adore listening to Nick and he absolutely helped me decide to re-open the wound and delve again into the angst. Had it been another narrator, I can’t quite say if I’d have been as willing a victim – ahem – I mean listener!
As with all things Amy Lane, I have to give her super huge props for her amazing writing skills, her adept hand with plucking heart strings, and her ability to create honest, fully-developed and realistic characters.
For the story I’d give this 4 of 5 stars and the narration 5 of 5 stars, for an overall 4.5 of 5 stars for the total experience.
Overall Impression: I loved it!
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.*
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