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Loud and Clear
Jaxon is getting by fine, severe dyslexia or not. Being a cab driver means he doesn’t need to read much, and the job has its perks. The pay isn’t bad, the people can be interesting, and having memorized the city streets keeps him from feeling too stupid.
When he picks up Caleb, a quiet fare in a nice suit, Jaxon doesn't think anything of it. Then he ends up driving Caleb home the next week too, and the next, and the next. Eventually Caleb tries to communicate—by writing things down. Turns out that Caleb has such a bad stutter he spends most of his time mute.
If only Jaxon had an easier time reading what Caleb had to say. But he’s interested in trying, and Caleb seems interested back. They discover that, with a little bit of effort, it isn’t so hard to make themselves understood. Especially when what’s growing between them is definitely worth talking about.
* * * * * * *
Word 22,300; page 93
When he picks up Caleb, a quiet fare in a nice suit, Jaxon doesn't think anything of it. Then he ends up driving Caleb home the next week too, and the next, and the next. Eventually Caleb tries to communicate—by writing things down. Turns out that Caleb has such a bad stutter he spends most of his time mute.
If only Jaxon had an easier time reading what Caleb had to say. But he’s interested in trying, and Caleb seems interested back. They discover that, with a little bit of effort, it isn’t so hard to make themselves understood. Especially when what’s growing between them is definitely worth talking about.
* * * * * * *
Word 22,300; page 93
93 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 23, 2016
7 people are currently reading
339 people want to read
About the author
Aidan Wayne
12 books78 followersAidan Wayne has been publishing LGBTQ+ fiction since 2016. While they usually stick with contemporary romance (both adult and YA), some soft sci-fi/fantasy has been known to sneak in as well. They primarily write character-driven stories with happy endings, because, dammit, queer people deserve happy endings too.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
May 12, 2016
Welcome to the world of published authors, Aidan Wayne! I, for one, was NOT expecting much (yeah, I've been burned by newbie authors time and time again), but Aidan Wayne really delivered with a sweet, well-written novella.
I've mentioned this before in a number of reviews, but I'm a HUGE sucker for a stuttering MC. Stuttering runs in my family, and my brother has been in speech therapy his entire life to deal with his stuttering issues. I have a serious weak spot for a stutterer, and I know well some of the struggles that they face. When I saw that one of the MCs was a stutterer in the blurb, I KNEW I needed this book. The blurb also mentions Jaxon's (hate that spelling of the name, but I'll go with it) dyslexia, another thing that is a magnet for me in romance.
Right off the bat, I felt really connected to the two MCs. I'm not sure if it was their personal struggles that fast-tracked my bonding, but I was rooting for them SOOOO hard, right from the start. Also, for a novella, there is a surprising amount of build up and slow-burn, which I adored. We really got to know these two men and how they ticked, even before the romance started. I really loved how Aidan Wayne gave these two the time and space to get to know one another. It felt much more organic that way.
This book is relatively low angst, though the two MCs have certainly faced obstacles in the past, ones that they are still struggling with. However, the main focus of this story is the chemistry between Caleb and Jaxon, and how well they communicate, which is a MIRACLE considering the nature of their disabilities. There is also zero sex content, in case any readers are wondering.
I wish we got more of the relationship after it became official, because time sort of skips and jumps forward at that point. The story also ends rather abruptly, which may be a sticking point for some readers. I really wanted MORE from this story, which can only be a good thing because I enjoyed the characters so much.
This was a very impressive debut story, and I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I'll be looking for more from this author in the future.
**Copy provided in exchange for an honest review**
I've mentioned this before in a number of reviews, but I'm a HUGE sucker for a stuttering MC. Stuttering runs in my family, and my brother has been in speech therapy his entire life to deal with his stuttering issues. I have a serious weak spot for a stutterer, and I know well some of the struggles that they face. When I saw that one of the MCs was a stutterer in the blurb, I KNEW I needed this book. The blurb also mentions Jaxon's (hate that spelling of the name, but I'll go with it) dyslexia, another thing that is a magnet for me in romance.
Right off the bat, I felt really connected to the two MCs. I'm not sure if it was their personal struggles that fast-tracked my bonding, but I was rooting for them SOOOO hard, right from the start. Also, for a novella, there is a surprising amount of build up and slow-burn, which I adored. We really got to know these two men and how they ticked, even before the romance started. I really loved how Aidan Wayne gave these two the time and space to get to know one another. It felt much more organic that way.
This book is relatively low angst, though the two MCs have certainly faced obstacles in the past, ones that they are still struggling with. However, the main focus of this story is the chemistry between Caleb and Jaxon, and how well they communicate, which is a MIRACLE considering the nature of their disabilities. There is also zero sex content, in case any readers are wondering.
I wish we got more of the relationship after it became official, because time sort of skips and jumps forward at that point. The story also ends rather abruptly, which may be a sticking point for some readers. I really wanted MORE from this story, which can only be a good thing because I enjoyed the characters so much.
This was a very impressive debut story, and I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I'll be looking for more from this author in the future.
**Copy provided in exchange for an honest review**
May 29, 2016
3.75 Hearts--Disabilities are not defects.
Because they're not.
I jumped at the chance to take a chance on new author, Aidan Wayne after reading the blurb. And this story was more than either man's disability, it was more about letting someone in when you've had to fight harder to make your place in this world. This is a slow burn romance and more about opening yourself when you've learned it's better to be closed off...but there is something about the other man that made them give a chance.
Dyslexic cab driver Jaxon picks up an easy fare on a Tuesday night. His tipsy fare didn't talk much, wore a sexy business suit, appeared to have a cold demeanor and tipped well. This became a pattern, his routine fare nary saying a word until one Tuesday, Jaxon got a little written note on his receipt. Out of normal routine, Jaxon was curious about his Tuesday fare, who was intoxicated but never tried answering back at Jaxon's attempt at small talk. This pattern continued for several weeks until his handsome Tuesday fare cancelled his Tuesday night bar pick ups.
Jaxon's mind for memorizing comes in handy when he had a chance to save his Tuesday fare and thus begins a tentative friendship. When they discovered their communication issues, they didn't make a big stink or tried to ignore each other. They found middle ground and learned a few new things about themselves.
Loud and Clear isn't about their disabilities. They play background to both men who carry damaged baggage.I loved learning about them and their background (though I felt it could've went deeper for Caleb) Jaxon comes from humble beginnings, has low self esteem, think of himself as "stupid" since mostly everyone thinks he is and tells him. Caleb is a wealthy marketing and research developer who had specialists, went to expensive special schools and uses ASL to communicate when his stuttering is bad. Both men had barely anything in common except for their disabilities and people's perceptions of them.
Since the story was slow burn, the men take time to get to know one another and I felt it as believable. The author clearly did their research and didn't make it read like a manual. (If there was any incorrect facts, I didn't notice) I love that the story was light in tone, low angst, and basically let the characters be the stars. The setting could be any city really. The author didn't really give much detail in either main character's description, letting their personalities and actions be the driver. (Badda bing!)
Jaxon! He stole my heart in this story. He was so sweet, took the time to try to bridge the gap, even when he was filled with trepidation at points. He is a great character and good soul. I took slight longer to like Caleb but I got where he was coming from and sometimes resting bitch face can be misconstrued.
Were there any issues with the story? I didn't find much really. The story might've hit a lull in some spots. I questioned Caleb diagnosing Jaxon as quickly. (How'd he pinpoint dyslexia from one conversation?) Overall, reading this was infectious.
There wasn't any sex, this story didn't need it. It was mere kisses and sweet. It ends with a HFN, a starting point and though I wouldn't mind another chapter to the last scene, I think it ended in a good spot, where feelings are developing.
I will end this review with stating my beginning statement once more: disabilities are not defects. Loud and Clear showed that disabilties can help people develop a bond.
A copy provided via Netgalley for an honest review.
Because they're not.
I jumped at the chance to take a chance on new author, Aidan Wayne after reading the blurb. And this story was more than either man's disability, it was more about letting someone in when you've had to fight harder to make your place in this world. This is a slow burn romance and more about opening yourself when you've learned it's better to be closed off...but there is something about the other man that made them give a chance.
Dyslexic cab driver Jaxon picks up an easy fare on a Tuesday night. His tipsy fare didn't talk much, wore a sexy business suit, appeared to have a cold demeanor and tipped well. This became a pattern, his routine fare nary saying a word until one Tuesday, Jaxon got a little written note on his receipt. Out of normal routine, Jaxon was curious about his Tuesday fare, who was intoxicated but never tried answering back at Jaxon's attempt at small talk. This pattern continued for several weeks until his handsome Tuesday fare cancelled his Tuesday night bar pick ups.
Jaxon's mind for memorizing comes in handy when he had a chance to save his Tuesday fare and thus begins a tentative friendship. When they discovered their communication issues, they didn't make a big stink or tried to ignore each other. They found middle ground and learned a few new things about themselves.
Loud and Clear isn't about their disabilities. They play background to both men who carry damaged baggage.I loved learning about them and their background (though I felt it could've went deeper for Caleb) Jaxon comes from humble beginnings, has low self esteem, think of himself as "stupid" since mostly everyone thinks he is and tells him. Caleb is a wealthy marketing and research developer who had specialists, went to expensive special schools and uses ASL to communicate when his stuttering is bad. Both men had barely anything in common except for their disabilities and people's perceptions of them.
Since the story was slow burn, the men take time to get to know one another and I felt it as believable. The author clearly did their research and didn't make it read like a manual. (If there was any incorrect facts, I didn't notice) I love that the story was light in tone, low angst, and basically let the characters be the stars. The setting could be any city really. The author didn't really give much detail in either main character's description, letting their personalities and actions be the driver. (Badda bing!)
Jaxon! He stole my heart in this story. He was so sweet, took the time to try to bridge the gap, even when he was filled with trepidation at points. He is a great character and good soul. I took slight longer to like Caleb but I got where he was coming from and sometimes resting bitch face can be misconstrued.
Were there any issues with the story? I didn't find much really. The story might've hit a lull in some spots. I questioned Caleb diagnosing Jaxon as quickly. (How'd he pinpoint dyslexia from one conversation?) Overall, reading this was infectious.
There wasn't any sex, this story didn't need it. It was mere kisses and sweet. It ends with a HFN, a starting point and though I wouldn't mind another chapter to the last scene, I think it ended in a good spot, where feelings are developing.
I will end this review with stating my beginning statement once more: disabilities are not defects. Loud and Clear showed that disabilties can help people develop a bond.
A copy provided via Netgalley for an honest review.
July 24, 2016
This one hit too close to home.
This:
And this:
No, I’m not dyslexic nor a stutter, but I felt so related to these words they were almost dedicated to me.
There was this psychologist in my school who manipulated my tests (you know, the typical intelligence/abilities/talents/whatever tests designed for kids) because he considered there was no way a person like me could get such positive results. It was simply coincidence. Chance. Pure good luck.
Yeah.
Then there was this teacher who said it was impossible to teach me English.
Yeah.
I’m not a resentful nor a vindictive person, so I’m not exactly seeing life past while thinking about these individuals or planning paybacks. But in moments like these, when I’m reminded of these little anecdotes or when I read books like this one, believe me, in moments like these, I sort of feel like punching their faces.
You know?
Sometimes I surrender to discouragement and think I’m stupid, and that everybody else is much more clever than me. That’s when my family begins saying how far I had gotten with my disability, and that I should for once start imagining all those people who seem so superior to me with the same handicap. Imagining if they would really be in the same place they are right now in such case. Perspective is not that easy to achieve.
It’s not easy to see that. In my lowest moments I can’t see it, I simply think myself stupid. It’s a situation I can’t exactly explain, I feel useless, undeserving, worthless, inferior.
Then I get past it and I cause trouble again. It’s not a conscious effort, I just do it. But I also know this inner strength doesn’t happen overnight. It requires years of practice, a lifetime, sometimes.
I usually acknowledge it from the very beginning so people can understand why I don’t follow conversations like everybody else does. But sometimes I’m tired of “coming out” again and again so I say nothing and I must say that way I’ve fooled too many people into thinking I’m “normal”. It's funny because it’s not “seen” but it can make my life difficult and kind of hellish. So people are surprised when I just do not fit in like expected.
My family once thought I would never be able to find my own feet and stand my ground. After some years, they realized I was going to show my middle finger more often than not. I hate fighting but I definitely don’t take bullshit from anybody, not in that. Not that I’ve found many people to dared to. To be such big assholes, I mean.
Being a cyborg is not easy, but I think I’m not so bad at it.
I felt a connection with these two characters beyond their disabilities. It’s like as if I already knew them. I’ve been in their place all my life, and they’ve been in mine. I felt their frustration, they shaky self-esteem and their longings to simply find some kind of leverage in all the mess social interactions require and all that this demanding world takes for granted from everybody, you be ready for it or not.
I hated Jaxon’s low self-esteem. No, that’s not right to say. I hated how people made Jaxon feel, how Jaxon has felt all his life because the people who were supposed to love and protect him obviously didn’t make a great of a job. He hasn’t built an armor, he hasn’t grown into accepting and loving himself as he should have. He has not found his feet yet, he has not really learnt how to value himself and God knows that’s not an easy process. It’s long, and hard and many times you can only think about giving up.
Why making an effort, if it will never be enough, if you will always be stupid?
I just wanted to hug him forever and tell him I wouldn’t let anybody else make him any harm. That I would teach him not to allow anybody to make him harm. That he had nothing to fear, because his disability is not the only thing that defines him, that he is much more than that. I wanted to accompany him, grab his hand and look at him in the eyes, to make him realize he can do it, that he will find himself along the way and since then on he would be indestructible.
But I have nothing to worry about, because Caleb fulfills this mission perfectly. Protects him, makes him see how awesome he truly is and doesn’t let him to add insult to his own injury.
They were extremely cute.
Jaxon is dyslexic and the person he begins to like a way too much has a hard time with words pronounced out loud, so he basically talks via ASL or writing. Irony of life. Soon they find ways to communicate trying to make things easier for each other. Learning, researching, with all the patience in the world. Simply fabulous.
Smiles were not scarce here, in fact it was very difficult for me not to smile. It’s a short book with only three characters: the MCs and Jaxon’s sister, the one that “translates” the words Jaxon can’t read…
But it was solid and neat. Simple but effective.
***Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.***
This:
“I spent my whole life being told I was stupid because I couldn’t talk well. They saw the disability, not me, but in the end I got past it. I hate that you never got past it.”
And this:
“Think about your accomplishments,” Caleb had said. “What you’ve been able to do despite not being able to read.”
No, I’m not dyslexic nor a stutter, but I felt so related to these words they were almost dedicated to me.
There was this psychologist in my school who manipulated my tests (you know, the typical intelligence/abilities/talents/whatever tests designed for kids) because he considered there was no way a person like me could get such positive results. It was simply coincidence. Chance. Pure good luck.
Yeah.
Then there was this teacher who said it was impossible to teach me English.
Yeah.
I’m not a resentful nor a vindictive person, so I’m not exactly seeing life past while thinking about these individuals or planning paybacks. But in moments like these, when I’m reminded of these little anecdotes or when I read books like this one, believe me, in moments like these, I sort of feel like punching their faces.
You know?
Sometimes I surrender to discouragement and think I’m stupid, and that everybody else is much more clever than me. That’s when my family begins saying how far I had gotten with my disability, and that I should for once start imagining all those people who seem so superior to me with the same handicap. Imagining if they would really be in the same place they are right now in such case. Perspective is not that easy to achieve.
It’s not easy to see that. In my lowest moments I can’t see it, I simply think myself stupid. It’s a situation I can’t exactly explain, I feel useless, undeserving, worthless, inferior.
Then I get past it and I cause trouble again. It’s not a conscious effort, I just do it. But I also know this inner strength doesn’t happen overnight. It requires years of practice, a lifetime, sometimes.
I usually acknowledge it from the very beginning so people can understand why I don’t follow conversations like everybody else does. But sometimes I’m tired of “coming out” again and again so I say nothing and I must say that way I’ve fooled too many people into thinking I’m “normal”. It's funny because it’s not “seen” but it can make my life difficult and kind of hellish. So people are surprised when I just do not fit in like expected.
My family once thought I would never be able to find my own feet and stand my ground. After some years, they realized I was going to show my middle finger more often than not. I hate fighting but I definitely don’t take bullshit from anybody, not in that. Not that I’ve found many people to dared to. To be such big assholes, I mean.
Being a cyborg is not easy, but I think I’m not so bad at it.
I felt a connection with these two characters beyond their disabilities. It’s like as if I already knew them. I’ve been in their place all my life, and they’ve been in mine. I felt their frustration, they shaky self-esteem and their longings to simply find some kind of leverage in all the mess social interactions require and all that this demanding world takes for granted from everybody, you be ready for it or not.
I hated Jaxon’s low self-esteem. No, that’s not right to say. I hated how people made Jaxon feel, how Jaxon has felt all his life because the people who were supposed to love and protect him obviously didn’t make a great of a job. He hasn’t built an armor, he hasn’t grown into accepting and loving himself as he should have. He has not found his feet yet, he has not really learnt how to value himself and God knows that’s not an easy process. It’s long, and hard and many times you can only think about giving up.
Why making an effort, if it will never be enough, if you will always be stupid?
I just wanted to hug him forever and tell him I wouldn’t let anybody else make him any harm. That I would teach him not to allow anybody to make him harm. That he had nothing to fear, because his disability is not the only thing that defines him, that he is much more than that. I wanted to accompany him, grab his hand and look at him in the eyes, to make him realize he can do it, that he will find himself along the way and since then on he would be indestructible.
But I have nothing to worry about, because Caleb fulfills this mission perfectly. Protects him, makes him see how awesome he truly is and doesn’t let him to add insult to his own injury.
They were extremely cute.
Basically, Tuesdays were the worst. Though, not completely the worst, Caleb figured, as he clambered inside the cab again, adjusting his suit jacket as he sat down. His driver was cute and didn’t stick his nose in Caleb’s business – he just drove. He was the best cab driver ever. Caleb wished he could actually say it.
Jaxon is dyslexic and the person he begins to like a way too much has a hard time with words pronounced out loud, so he basically talks via ASL or writing. Irony of life. Soon they find ways to communicate trying to make things easier for each other. Learning, researching, with all the patience in the world. Simply fabulous.
Smiles were not scarce here, in fact it was very difficult for me not to smile. It’s a short book with only three characters: the MCs and Jaxon’s sister, the one that “translates” the words Jaxon can’t read…
“Tati, calm down, it’s fine. I’m actually with Caleb right now.”
A pause. “You are?”
“You’re interrupting our date.”
“I am?” she squeaked.
But it was solid and neat. Simple but effective.
***Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.***
December 25, 2019
4 Stars
This embodies my love for insecurity and doubt all tied up in disabilities gone both ways, producing a really sweet poignant happy ever after novella.
If that rewarding HEA is something you're craving, I don’t think one can go wrong with this story about two men who’ve been misunderstood and judged all their lives and finally, find in each other, acceptance and unconditional love.
Exceptionally heartwarming (though sadly missing on the explicit), this still comes highly recommended!
This embodies my love for insecurity and doubt all tied up in disabilities gone both ways, producing a really sweet poignant happy ever after novella.
If that rewarding HEA is something you're craving, I don’t think one can go wrong with this story about two men who’ve been misunderstood and judged all their lives and finally, find in each other, acceptance and unconditional love.
Exceptionally heartwarming (though sadly missing on the explicit), this still comes highly recommended!
November 20, 2019
4 Stars
Loud and Clear is an absolutely delightful read.
The writing is smooth, the setup is fun, and the character dynamics are unique.
Jaxon is a cab driver with severe dyslexia and Caleb is a suit with an acute speech impediment. When one man can’t read and the other can barely speak, you’d think communication would be tricky but this cabbie and his new regular fare make it work!
Jaxon and Caleb just click, sharing an unspoken connection and a lifetime of personal experiences that help them understand one another on a deeper level. With assistance from advanced technology, and with Jaxon’s impressive visual and audible retention skills helping him to learn ASL to communicate better with Caleb, their interactions are enhanced, allowing friendship and romance to blossom for these wonderfully sweet, kind, and remarkably patient and understanding men.
This novella is completely captivating and so very lovely. It is also damn impressive, considering this was Aidan Wayne’s debut offering. I was drawn in on the first page and literally couldn’t put it down until I was done. If anything, I wanted more, but what I got from Jaxon and Caleb was more than enough to leave a lasting impression.
This is only my second story of Wayne’s (thus far), but it surely won’t be my last, especially if this is the kind of joyful reading experience I can come to expect from him. <3
Loud and Clear is an absolutely delightful read.
The writing is smooth, the setup is fun, and the character dynamics are unique.
Jaxon is a cab driver with severe dyslexia and Caleb is a suit with an acute speech impediment. When one man can’t read and the other can barely speak, you’d think communication would be tricky but this cabbie and his new regular fare make it work!
Jaxon and Caleb just click, sharing an unspoken connection and a lifetime of personal experiences that help them understand one another on a deeper level. With assistance from advanced technology, and with Jaxon’s impressive visual and audible retention skills helping him to learn ASL to communicate better with Caleb, their interactions are enhanced, allowing friendship and romance to blossom for these wonderfully sweet, kind, and remarkably patient and understanding men.
This novella is completely captivating and so very lovely. It is also damn impressive, considering this was Aidan Wayne’s debut offering. I was drawn in on the first page and literally couldn’t put it down until I was done. If anything, I wanted more, but what I got from Jaxon and Caleb was more than enough to leave a lasting impression.
This is only my second story of Wayne’s (thus far), but it surely won’t be my last, especially if this is the kind of joyful reading experience I can come to expect from him. <3
July 11, 2016
Wow, I'm impressed that Loud and Clear is Aidan Wayne's first book. It's a lovely story and I'm looking forward to reading more from this new author.
The plot is simple - Caleb, a successful executive in a demanding marketing job, needs a cab ride home every Tuesday night from the bar, due to a work-mandated evening of drinking and corporate "bonding." Jaxon, the cab driver who picks him up weekly, is dyslexic and cannot read well, believing himself to be "dumber than a box of rocks" (yet he has basically memorized the entire city in order to do his job.) Caleb stutters and ASL is his preferred mode of communication, followed by writing notes ... which Jaxon cannot read.
Despite this, they find a way to communicate and start a relationship that slowly develops throughout the course of the book ... without huge amounts of angst or miscommunication or insane plot points and drama and, get this, no sex scenes. Loud and Clear holds your interest from start to finish and every last scene in the book fits perfect in the story. Well done!
I received an ARC from Riptide Publishing, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at GayBook Reviews. Check it out!
The plot is simple - Caleb, a successful executive in a demanding marketing job, needs a cab ride home every Tuesday night from the bar, due to a work-mandated evening of drinking and corporate "bonding." Jaxon, the cab driver who picks him up weekly, is dyslexic and cannot read well, believing himself to be "dumber than a box of rocks" (yet he has basically memorized the entire city in order to do his job.) Caleb stutters and ASL is his preferred mode of communication, followed by writing notes ... which Jaxon cannot read.
Despite this, they find a way to communicate and start a relationship that slowly develops throughout the course of the book ... without huge amounts of angst or miscommunication or insane plot points and drama and, get this, no sex scenes. Loud and Clear holds your interest from start to finish and every last scene in the book fits perfect in the story. Well done!
I received an ARC from Riptide Publishing, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at GayBook Reviews. Check it out!
August 28, 2018
A very sweet, warm and upbeat read! Even though both MCs have their disability issues, the story is heartwarming and very optimistic.
Just what I needed right now! ;)
It reminded me a lot of Speechless - where both MCs struggled to communicate and make the best of their lives, despite the serious problems they faced.
Aidan Wayne is totally new to me but I'll definitely be looking into some more books by this Author.
Recommended!!!
Just what I needed right now! ;)
It reminded me a lot of Speechless - where both MCs struggled to communicate and make the best of their lives, despite the serious problems they faced.
Aidan Wayne is totally new to me but I'll definitely be looking into some more books by this Author.
Recommended!!!
August 1, 2022
Re-read. So sweet.
4.5 stars
Loved this!!!! This is the kind of story I could read over and over and over again!
4.5 stars
Loved this!!!! This is the kind of story I could read over and over and over again!
June 22, 2016
3.5 stars
I love it when I find these random reads!
This was a short novella about two guys that are imperfect put perfect for each other.
Jaxon is a cab driver and has dyslexia, he meets Caleb as a passenger of his cab. whose also successful and has high paying job, but has a speech problem, he stutters, and so he starts to write notes to Jaxon. But Jaxon has difficulty reading them do to his dyslexia and so there lays their dilemma. They have a hard time communicating at the beginning but they're able to find a way around it.
What struck me most about this story was that when I started reading it, it was never about two gay men. I mean neither of the MC question if the other one was gay or not. They just started getting to know each other and developing feeling for one another. The total focus of this novella was about these two guys helping each other out, and fighting against their insecurities. Especially Jaxon where he didn't get the guidance at a young age from his teachers or his parents. Caleb was so caring and understanding, they both were.
I think this novella had the potential to be longer, I definitely wanted more Caleb and Jaxon. I have to mention that this novella had very minimal smut but I didn't mind since it was so short, but enjoyable nonetheless!!
I love it when I find these random reads!
This was a short novella about two guys that are imperfect put perfect for each other.
Jaxon is a cab driver and has dyslexia, he meets Caleb as a passenger of his cab. whose also successful and has high paying job, but has a speech problem, he stutters, and so he starts to write notes to Jaxon. But Jaxon has difficulty reading them do to his dyslexia and so there lays their dilemma. They have a hard time communicating at the beginning but they're able to find a way around it.
What struck me most about this story was that when I started reading it, it was never about two gay men. I mean neither of the MC question if the other one was gay or not. They just started getting to know each other and developing feeling for one another. The total focus of this novella was about these two guys helping each other out, and fighting against their insecurities. Especially Jaxon where he didn't get the guidance at a young age from his teachers or his parents. Caleb was so caring and understanding, they both were.
I think this novella had the potential to be longer, I definitely wanted more Caleb and Jaxon. I have to mention that this novella had very minimal smut but I didn't mind since it was so short, but enjoyable nonetheless!!
September 29, 2018
*4,5 stars*
Absolutely fabulous novella. One of the best I’ve come across.
It’s cute and warm without being cloyingly sweet, it felt real, but most of all it has got a very serious message:
Don’t write people with a handicap (like illiteracy or stuttering) off as stupid. Shockingly and horribly enough some people do that. I find it really hard to take.
Caleb and Jaxon show what it’s like to overcome a huge hurdle every single day. Their romance really touched my heart.
Totally recommend this!
Absolutely fabulous novella. One of the best I’ve come across.
It’s cute and warm without being cloyingly sweet, it felt real, but most of all it has got a very serious message:
Don’t write people with a handicap (like illiteracy or stuttering) off as stupid. Shockingly and horribly enough some people do that. I find it really hard to take.
Caleb and Jaxon show what it’s like to overcome a huge hurdle every single day. Their romance really touched my heart.
Totally recommend this!
May 23, 2016
It seems like something that shouldn’t work. I mean, Jaxon can barely read, and Caleb has trouble speaking. That is not even factoring in the vast class differences between the two. And yet after weeks of Jaxon picking up Caleb for their weekly trip from bar to apartment, Jaxon really starts to like the silent man who rides in the back of his cab. When circumstances lead to Jaxon saving Caleb from a night of probably very bad decisions, things start to change though. For the better, Jaxon hopes. But with all their differences coming between them, and their language barrier making it difficult to bridge the gap, it might not be enough.
Despite the fact that these two characters have to struggle to find a way to communicate fluidly, I found their story to be extremely accessible to the reader. With Jaxon’s dyslexia and Caleb’s stutter, the dialogue in this story could have felt wooden and stilted, and yet it came to be one of the things I like most. The fact that the solution was no quick fix, and that it was more a combination of technology and just hard work, made it all the better. These two may not be a likely couple, but their attempts to navigate their relationship–and it’s many challenges–made this a very enjoyable story.
And while the vast differences in wealth and job-respectability certainly played a part in all this, I liked that it wasn’t the main focus of their struggle. Mostly because I’ve read like a billion stories focused on that and it was nice to see other factor be more heavily weighted.
The only problem I have is that the ending felt incredibly abrupt. I didn’t mind that we never got to actually see any of the sex in this relationship, but the way the story was building was kinda just prematurely cut off at the end there. I didn’t need to see them come, but some type of (thematic) climax and resolution would have been appreciated.
For an author I’ve not read before I must say I was really impressed. The characters were great and I loved how the difficulties between the two were not played down. I will definitely be checking out this author in the future.
4.5 stars
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
Despite the fact that these two characters have to struggle to find a way to communicate fluidly, I found their story to be extremely accessible to the reader. With Jaxon’s dyslexia and Caleb’s stutter, the dialogue in this story could have felt wooden and stilted, and yet it came to be one of the things I like most. The fact that the solution was no quick fix, and that it was more a combination of technology and just hard work, made it all the better. These two may not be a likely couple, but their attempts to navigate their relationship–and it’s many challenges–made this a very enjoyable story.
And while the vast differences in wealth and job-respectability certainly played a part in all this, I liked that it wasn’t the main focus of their struggle. Mostly because I’ve read like a billion stories focused on that and it was nice to see other factor be more heavily weighted.
The only problem I have is that the ending felt incredibly abrupt. I didn’t mind that we never got to actually see any of the sex in this relationship, but the way the story was building was kinda just prematurely cut off at the end there. I didn’t need to see them come, but some type of (thematic) climax and resolution would have been appreciated.
For an author I’ve not read before I must say I was really impressed. The characters were great and I loved how the difficulties between the two were not played down. I will definitely be checking out this author in the future.
4.5 stars
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
June 2, 2016
3.5 Stars
I’ve always been a sucker for tales about communication. Especially when there are hurdles to leap over and through. A big part of communication is trust and comfort. Two biggies in life that can take a bit of work and time to get.
Jaxon and Caleb meet in a cab one Tuesday night. One drunk and one driving. Both need someone to talk to and listen. They just have to learn each other’s language. Caleb is not a talker. He finds writing, texting, and sign language more comfortable because of his stutter. But Jaxon is dyslexic and can’t read. Can these two guys find a way to hear each other? And maybe flirt? :)
We all talk without words. I just don’t see it sometimes. Frustrated fingers through your hair, shrugs, sighs, middle fingers (hehe…), eye rolls, hugs and more. We talk to each other all the time without words, but to really make ourselves loud and clear we need more. And Jaxon and Caleb find a way to do that with patience and care. I liked these guys. Their insecurities got a tad old at one point, but I knew they had to deal with the lack of confidence and unease. I just wish there were a few other things mixed in to cut down on the “Sorry”s and “Only if you want to”s. Like kissing! Haha….More kissing always helps! :D
A strong, sweet read about reaching out for a friend and someone to love.
I’m looking forward to more from Aidan Wayne.
May 2, 2016
A lovely romantic novella about two men who take courage and break down the barriers between them.
Jaxon has severe dyslexia. He struggles to read the simplest things but he has a good life driving his taxi cab and spending time chatting to his sister over the phone. He feels he isn't clever but he is ok with who he is and then he meets Caleb.
Caleb is mostly rendered mute by a severe stutter. He finds it easier to communicate using American Sign Language but he can speak if he needs to. He is a highly talented marketing executive but he has few friends because people find it hard to communicate with him.
And then they meet.
Two men with a huge barrier between them but when Jaxon picks Caleb up to drive him home the barriers begin to come down. After rescuing Caleb from potential disaster the two men develop a friendship that slowly turns into love as they learn how to communicate with each other. And so they find each other but as they do so they also find something deep within themselves. They each realise their own self worth.
Communication isn't the only barrier between them. Race, education, career, wealth, class also present challenges but despite these each man tentatively reaches out towards the other, recognising that there is something beautiful in the other.
The story doesn't explore each barrier in great depth. It focuses on the barriers of communication and the ways in which the two men overcome this. It is a lovely novella and a gentle romance. I could sense the yearning and fear in each man as they stood on the verge of something that could be potentially beautiful but also potentially painful.
And I could also sense their courage as each man begins to dismantle the barriers in different ways. It is a lovely story if you like gentle romances with plot. I found myself wishing it had been longer. This is a new to me author and I hope they will publish more in future.
A lovely read!
Copy generously provided by Riptide Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for a review.
May 24, 2016
3.5 stars
I really liked this!!
Disregard the fact that this novella didn't have any sex scenes (YAY for low steam story!) I found that it offered what it meant to be connected and working to build a relationship with someone you like, in a real, down-to-earth, unpretentious kind of way, without basing it on simply lust and sexual attraction. I loved that both men weren't flawless -- Jaxon has severe dyslexia while Caleb has stuttering problems.
They might have misunderstanding in the beginning -- Caleb didn't talk much, but Jaxon couldn't really read Caleb's notes too -- but I liked how they tried to make it work afterwards, using technology, understanding ASL, and such. I also liked how they improved each other's life, so to speak.
Jason had self-confident issue, with people always saying that he was dumb because he couldn't read, plus compared to Caleb, he might was least successful. But Caleb easily knocked that thought out of Jaxon's head and showed that there were many kind of smarts. While Jason didn't look down on Caleb's speech impediment and in fact he was willing to learn ASL to talk to Caleb.
It was sweet novella for sure, perfect for in-between novel read :)
I really liked this!!
Disregard the fact that this novella didn't have any sex scenes (YAY for low steam story!) I found that it offered what it meant to be connected and working to build a relationship with someone you like, in a real, down-to-earth, unpretentious kind of way, without basing it on simply lust and sexual attraction. I loved that both men weren't flawless -- Jaxon has severe dyslexia while Caleb has stuttering problems.
They might have misunderstanding in the beginning -- Caleb didn't talk much, but Jaxon couldn't really read Caleb's notes too -- but I liked how they tried to make it work afterwards, using technology, understanding ASL, and such. I also liked how they improved each other's life, so to speak.
Jason had self-confident issue, with people always saying that he was dumb because he couldn't read, plus compared to Caleb, he might was least successful. But Caleb easily knocked that thought out of Jaxon's head and showed that there were many kind of smarts. While Jason didn't look down on Caleb's speech impediment and in fact he was willing to learn ASL to talk to Caleb.
It was sweet novella for sure, perfect for in-between novel read :)
June 20, 2016
This was really sweet. Just what I needed for a quick lunchtime read. Both Jason and Caleb were well thought out characters, and how they accommodate each other's problems was really nice to read. If I have one complaint it's that the fade to black ending was disappointing. I really wanted some sexy times.
May 2, 2016
Loud and Clear is a very short, very sweet novella about 2 men who have difficulties with every day life.
Jaxon is doing ok, despite his severe Dyslexia, he is working as a cabbie and for the most part he loves his job. Caleb is a new regular, Jaxon thinks he's gorgeous and way out of his league but finds it curious that Caleb never speaks. Things get a little awkward when Caleb starts leaving little notes because Jaxon is afraid to attempt to read them in front of him.
As they get to know each other, which presents it's own problems, it emerges that Caleb has a very severe stutter and struggles with strange people and unfamiliar situations. It was lovely watching them work things out and support each other but I really would have liked more.
*Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Jaxon is doing ok, despite his severe Dyslexia, he is working as a cabbie and for the most part he loves his job. Caleb is a new regular, Jaxon thinks he's gorgeous and way out of his league but finds it curious that Caleb never speaks. Things get a little awkward when Caleb starts leaving little notes because Jaxon is afraid to attempt to read them in front of him.
As they get to know each other, which presents it's own problems, it emerges that Caleb has a very severe stutter and struggles with strange people and unfamiliar situations. It was lovely watching them work things out and support each other but I really would have liked more.
*Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
June 11, 2016
Two men who have learned to go about their world without letting the frustrations caused by their stutter or dyslexia get the best of them, are given the opportunity to find friendship and love in one another.
July 24, 2016
Nice and sweet. Enjoyable short story with no angst.
We need this kind of story once in a while.
Recommended.
March 18, 2024
Such a sweet-tempered book. The MCs are (1) Jaxon, a cabbie whose dyslexia has made it almost impossible for him to read, and who used to drink, and (2) Caleb, a -- oops, it's been a couple of weeks and I forgot what he does for a living, but anyway he makes a lot of money and has a disabling stutter. Do not read expecting much conflict between the MCs, just enjoy the process of establishing communication and wish Caleb and Jaxon well.
I can't quite give 5 stars -- Loud and Clear isn't big enough, if I can put it that way, and Jaxon and Caleb are too cinnamon-rolly to come alive. But sometimes a nice warm fuzzy read does hit the spot.
I can't quite give 5 stars -- Loud and Clear isn't big enough, if I can put it that way, and Jaxon and Caleb are too cinnamon-rolly to come alive. But sometimes a nice warm fuzzy read does hit the spot.
May 23, 2016
What an adorable little novella, well worth 4.5 stars from me. I had a huge grin on my face for the most part, satisfied in the knowledge that Caleb and Jaxon had found each other, made each other happy despite their so-called 'disabilities' and needed no-one else. Puddle of goo time folks.
May 23, 2016
A Joyfully Jay review.
5 stars
I have only one complaint about Loud and Clear and it’s a pretty big one. It’s too short!! Caleb and Jaxon are such a beautiful couple and their story is so compelling, you never want it to end. And when it does, you can’t help feeling pretty bereft.
Loud and Clear struck close to home for me in a big way. My mother has a fairly significant reading disorder. Her father made sure to tell her on a daily basis that being a girl was bad enough, but being a stupid one made her useless. Of course my mother is one of the smartest people I know and, like Jaxon, she has entered a profession that plays to her strengths. Despite making his own way in the world Jaxon continues to have a pretty low opinion of himself until Caleb came along. Which is why these two characters are so amazing. They lift one another up and remind readers that having a disability can be far from disabling. Both Jaxon and Caleb exist in the moment. We aren’t given much insight into their childhoods, but this doesn’t leave them feeling less dimensional. Instead, the author does an excellent job of giving them a full sense of being with a limited amount of context. The evolution of their relationship is believable and wonderfully sweet without ever becoming saccharin or silly. Jaxon and Caleb feel like flesh and blood creations and because they capture your attention from page one, they are easy to relate to on every level.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
5 stars
I have only one complaint about Loud and Clear and it’s a pretty big one. It’s too short!! Caleb and Jaxon are such a beautiful couple and their story is so compelling, you never want it to end. And when it does, you can’t help feeling pretty bereft.
Loud and Clear struck close to home for me in a big way. My mother has a fairly significant reading disorder. Her father made sure to tell her on a daily basis that being a girl was bad enough, but being a stupid one made her useless. Of course my mother is one of the smartest people I know and, like Jaxon, she has entered a profession that plays to her strengths. Despite making his own way in the world Jaxon continues to have a pretty low opinion of himself until Caleb came along. Which is why these two characters are so amazing. They lift one another up and remind readers that having a disability can be far from disabling. Both Jaxon and Caleb exist in the moment. We aren’t given much insight into their childhoods, but this doesn’t leave them feeling less dimensional. Instead, the author does an excellent job of giving them a full sense of being with a limited amount of context. The evolution of their relationship is believable and wonderfully sweet without ever becoming saccharin or silly. Jaxon and Caleb feel like flesh and blood creations and because they capture your attention from page one, they are easy to relate to on every level.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
February 27, 2018
3.5 stars
I loved the combination of plot and characters in this short story.
Loud and Clear is all about two men with different and somewhat incompatible (in theory at least) disabilities coming together under original circumstances and working their way through the beginning of a relationship with kindness and openness.
Caleb and Jaxon are both nice characters, the best thing about them was their willingness to put themselves out there and meet the other more than halfway. Jaxon in particular was really adorable, so kind and patient and at the same time unable to realize how smart he was himself.
And yet, something prevented this story from being great for me and I can’t really point out why, so I’m guessing it has something to do with the writing style. I’m not sure the author’s voice works 100% for me, but I’m open to try something else in the future and find out.
I loved the combination of plot and characters in this short story.
Loud and Clear is all about two men with different and somewhat incompatible (in theory at least) disabilities coming together under original circumstances and working their way through the beginning of a relationship with kindness and openness.
Caleb and Jaxon are both nice characters, the best thing about them was their willingness to put themselves out there and meet the other more than halfway. Jaxon in particular was really adorable, so kind and patient and at the same time unable to realize how smart he was himself.
And yet, something prevented this story from being great for me and I can’t really point out why, so I’m guessing it has something to do with the writing style. I’m not sure the author’s voice works 100% for me, but I’m open to try something else in the future and find out.
June 10, 2016
This was nice.
But it did feel a bit stiff to me (no pun intended, because no smexy times in this one….).
I think the blurb says it all, Jaxon is a dyslectic taxi driver and Caleb is his customer, who has trouble talking because of a severe stutter.
The guys meet a couple of times when Jaxon drives Caleb home, they exchange numbers, go out on a date, start a relationship, and just when we got to the good parts, it ends.
It was kind of sweet, but also a bit boring.
But it did feel a bit stiff to me (no pun intended, because no smexy times in this one….).
I think the blurb says it all, Jaxon is a dyslectic taxi driver and Caleb is his customer, who has trouble talking because of a severe stutter.
The guys meet a couple of times when Jaxon drives Caleb home, they exchange numbers, go out on a date, start a relationship, and just when we got to the good parts, it ends.
It was kind of sweet, but also a bit boring.
January 9, 2018
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Riptide Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
Dang, this was one damn good story. I do not believe I’ve read a MM Romance that I’ve liked better. Which, to be fair, isn’t really saying much since I do not make a habit of reading MM Romance. So let me not limit myself – I love everything about this story, forget about the fact that it involves two men (or put that to the side?).
Not sure I specifically loved Caleb, but he was likeable. Loved Jaxon though.
Right, so, this book involves two points of view – that of Caleb and Jaxon. Jaxon is a cab driver and keeps running into the very well dressed Caleb outside a high class bar seemingly every Tuesday night. As his cab driver I mean. Caleb’s anywhere from tipsy to falling down drunk when he meets Jaxon, but even in such a state he notices Jaxon.
So, we have two men who like the looks of the other.
Except, Caleb has trouble speaking without stuttering – and he tries very hard to not stutter, so he tries handing hand-written notes when he can get away with that. Not talking, or reverting to sign language (I’m wording this badly since his first preference is sign language).
Caleb’s matched up with Jaxon. Who ‘can’t read’. Well, he can, but he has a reading problem that causes him to have trouble figuring out words (dyslexia), the kind of problem that caused him to flunk out of high school and go through life thinking he’s stupid. Though he has a great mind for memorization and the like.
The two issues obviously enough cause certain issues. It’s not as bad as someone who cannot see bumping into someone who can’t talk, but any and all communication between the two comes only at a certain effort. Like having both the patience and desire to communicate. To take the time to understand what is written, to understand what is stuttered/said.
Still, despite their communication issues, the two get to know each other over several weeks of cab rides, and eventually dates.
Jaxon is a rugged, blue-collar type. If the story had been set back when he was in high school, or shortly thereafter, he would have been a completely different person. Drunk, angry all the time. And with his build, you don’t want to meet him angry. But Caleb and Jaxon didn’t meet back then. No, now Jaxon’s sober and really very much of a gentle giant type. Though quite down on himself intellectually. Which makes a certain amount of sense, I mean, growing up everyone – school, teachers, everyone said he was stupid. Because he couldn’t read.
Caleb’s character isn’t as defined, though enough of the building blocks are there to picture him. Grew up in a well-to-do situation. He also was called stupid, because of his speaking issues, but because he came from a well-to-do situation, he had opportunities not given to Jaxon. And Caleb had the type of character wherein he wanted to prove everyone wrong. So he strove hard to do well educationally and now in his professional life.
Both Jaxon and Caleb are happy with their current life situation, but neither has anyone to share their lives with – in a romantic relationship kind of way. I stress that part since I hadn’t mentioned Jaxon’s sister yet. Another great character – I kind of love Tati as well, and she’s only ever seen in brief snippets over the phone.
An overall great story. Hmms. I just glanced at some of the other reviews since I know two things – currently this story has a sub-4 rating on GoodReads, and it also has something I’m sure many would not like – the lack of graphic sex (there’s stuff, but not actual explicit sex). But Most of the lower rated ones mention the shortness of the story, or the lack of ‘seeing’ more of the ‘troubles’ both face with their issues (I do not exactly agree – since I got a good sense of both of their issues, but fair enough). There’s more than likely at least some that rated lower for lack of sex, but I do not currently see any with my brief glimpse.
Well, no matter. As I noted, I loved the story. I wouldn’t change a thing. Sure, reading another story or three involving these characters would be great, but I liked what I found here length-wise.
May 3 2016
Merged review:
Just a quick note since it has been forever and a day since I read this short story, well since I read it for the second time.
I still liked this M/M romance, and still liked the characters, but whatever it was that made me love the short work on my first read, seems to have not impacted me the same way on this second read. So I’m left with a feeling of ‘this was good’ instead of a feeling of ‘I loved this work and wish to read everything by them’ like I felt the first time I read it.
The story involves two men – one is a ‘dumb’, his own words, cab-driver who can’t read due to that word I can’t spell (dyslexia), while the other is a high powered marketing consultant type who can’t talk (okay, he can talk, but he has a massive stutter and gets really frustrated and angry with himself when he begins to stutter). The ‘not a talker’ attempts to communicate via hand-written notes with his cabby, while the cabby tries to communicate via spoken word. Naturally there’s a slight communication problem encountered. On the ‘driver/passenger’ end of things, the ‘communication problem’ is barely felt, as the cabby is easily able to determine where his constant and regular passenger desires to go in the cab; on the ‘potential relationship’ side – huge communication road block.
The story is nice and fluffy and ends three seconds, if I recall correctly, before it became graphically detailed – sexually.
Rating: 3.75
January 9 2018
Dang, this was one damn good story. I do not believe I’ve read a MM Romance that I’ve liked better. Which, to be fair, isn’t really saying much since I do not make a habit of reading MM Romance. So let me not limit myself – I love everything about this story, forget about the fact that it involves two men (or put that to the side?).
Not sure I specifically loved Caleb, but he was likeable. Loved Jaxon though.
Right, so, this book involves two points of view – that of Caleb and Jaxon. Jaxon is a cab driver and keeps running into the very well dressed Caleb outside a high class bar seemingly every Tuesday night. As his cab driver I mean. Caleb’s anywhere from tipsy to falling down drunk when he meets Jaxon, but even in such a state he notices Jaxon.
So, we have two men who like the looks of the other.
Except, Caleb has trouble speaking without stuttering – and he tries very hard to not stutter, so he tries handing hand-written notes when he can get away with that. Not talking, or reverting to sign language (I’m wording this badly since his first preference is sign language).
Caleb’s matched up with Jaxon. Who ‘can’t read’. Well, he can, but he has a reading problem that causes him to have trouble figuring out words (dyslexia), the kind of problem that caused him to flunk out of high school and go through life thinking he’s stupid. Though he has a great mind for memorization and the like.
The two issues obviously enough cause certain issues. It’s not as bad as someone who cannot see bumping into someone who can’t talk, but any and all communication between the two comes only at a certain effort. Like having both the patience and desire to communicate. To take the time to understand what is written, to understand what is stuttered/said.
Still, despite their communication issues, the two get to know each other over several weeks of cab rides, and eventually dates.
Jaxon is a rugged, blue-collar type. If the story had been set back when he was in high school, or shortly thereafter, he would have been a completely different person. Drunk, angry all the time. And with his build, you don’t want to meet him angry. But Caleb and Jaxon didn’t meet back then. No, now Jaxon’s sober and really very much of a gentle giant type. Though quite down on himself intellectually. Which makes a certain amount of sense, I mean, growing up everyone – school, teachers, everyone said he was stupid. Because he couldn’t read.
Caleb’s character isn’t as defined, though enough of the building blocks are there to picture him. Grew up in a well-to-do situation. He also was called stupid, because of his speaking issues, but because he came from a well-to-do situation, he had opportunities not given to Jaxon. And Caleb had the type of character wherein he wanted to prove everyone wrong. So he strove hard to do well educationally and now in his professional life.
Both Jaxon and Caleb are happy with their current life situation, but neither has anyone to share their lives with – in a romantic relationship kind of way. I stress that part since I hadn’t mentioned Jaxon’s sister yet. Another great character – I kind of love Tati as well, and she’s only ever seen in brief snippets over the phone.
An overall great story. Hmms. I just glanced at some of the other reviews since I know two things – currently this story has a sub-4 rating on GoodReads, and it also has something I’m sure many would not like – the lack of graphic sex (there’s stuff, but not actual explicit sex). But Most of the lower rated ones mention the shortness of the story, or the lack of ‘seeing’ more of the ‘troubles’ both face with their issues (I do not exactly agree – since I got a good sense of both of their issues, but fair enough). There’s more than likely at least some that rated lower for lack of sex, but I do not currently see any with my brief glimpse.
Well, no matter. As I noted, I loved the story. I wouldn’t change a thing. Sure, reading another story or three involving these characters would be great, but I liked what I found here length-wise.
May 3 2016
Merged review:
Just a quick note since it has been forever and a day since I read this short story, well since I read it for the second time.
I still liked this M/M romance, and still liked the characters, but whatever it was that made me love the short work on my first read, seems to have not impacted me the same way on this second read. So I’m left with a feeling of ‘this was good’ instead of a feeling of ‘I loved this work and wish to read everything by them’ like I felt the first time I read it.
The story involves two men – one is a ‘dumb’, his own words, cab-driver who can’t read due to that word I can’t spell (dyslexia), while the other is a high powered marketing consultant type who can’t talk (okay, he can talk, but he has a massive stutter and gets really frustrated and angry with himself when he begins to stutter). The ‘not a talker’ attempts to communicate via hand-written notes with his cabby, while the cabby tries to communicate via spoken word. Naturally there’s a slight communication problem encountered. On the ‘driver/passenger’ end of things, the ‘communication problem’ is barely felt, as the cabby is easily able to determine where his constant and regular passenger desires to go in the cab; on the ‘potential relationship’ side – huge communication road block.
The story is nice and fluffy and ends three seconds, if I recall correctly, before it became graphically detailed – sexually.
Rating: 3.75
January 9 2018
May 24, 2016
Full reviewage on Prism Book Alliance®
This author’s writing has an easy feeling to it, a comfortable flow. Nothing fussy or extraneous. Before I knew it, I was starting chapter four and enjoying these journeys of Jaxon and Caleb. I wanted to know what was in store for them, both in their individual growth and as possibly a couple. Neither of them were specifically looking for someone, and they definitely weren’t expecting each other.
Sometimes, you just never know who might cross your path and the impact they can have on your life, the possibilities they make available, things about which you never really allowed yourself to contemplate for more than a minute.
This is a deceptively simple story about two not at all simple people. Both Jaxon and Caleb have hopes, moments of triumph, burdens they’ve been carrying since childhood, worries about what might be beyond their current status quo, and both of them are somewhat content with their current situations. Sure, certain things could be better but they aren’t too bad, either. But is this all there is? Could there be more out there?
As I said initially, this writing is engaging and wonderfully uncomplicated, not getting in its own way. There are some moments of “statement of the obvious”, and a few others that feel to go against the characters’ points of view – though those could be accounted for by those very positions, as no one is perfect, no matter how perceptive – and there is overuse of italics. You don’t have to highlight where the emphasis should be if your characters’ voices are coming through loud and clear, and they are here. Otherwise, this author makes it feel like they delighted in relating this story about Jaxon and Caleb. It feels like a “how we first met” kind of situation is being passed onto us and that’s magical.
The pace of the story overall, and especially how things develop between Caleb and Jaxon feels authentic, in no way forced. The things you have in common with someone else can surprise you, especially when it’s a deeply ingrained belief about yourself that’s caused you to live life a certain way, to expect or not expect certain opportunities. Emotionally, it can change you forever, the sharing of the challenges that you face 24-7. In Jaxon and Caleb, we have particular attributes that are rarely included in stories. Even better, they’re portrayed as one part of their whole beings, not the entirety of their everyday existence. These things do not define these men.
Together, they exemplify how sometimes our challenges can feel like blessings when we’re with the right person, the one who helps us see the world from a different angle. The one who opens the door to another way of thinking about who we are and what we’ve already accomplished, let alone what we can do in the future.
Plain and simple: I adore this. I dig it, and this writer has some dern serious talent. I’m excited for whatever else they decide to share with us. I recommend this unreservedly. This is one of those that I want everyone to experience.
This author’s writing has an easy feeling to it, a comfortable flow. Nothing fussy or extraneous. Before I knew it, I was starting chapter four and enjoying these journeys of Jaxon and Caleb. I wanted to know what was in store for them, both in their individual growth and as possibly a couple. Neither of them were specifically looking for someone, and they definitely weren’t expecting each other.
Sometimes, you just never know who might cross your path and the impact they can have on your life, the possibilities they make available, things about which you never really allowed yourself to contemplate for more than a minute.
This is a deceptively simple story about two not at all simple people. Both Jaxon and Caleb have hopes, moments of triumph, burdens they’ve been carrying since childhood, worries about what might be beyond their current status quo, and both of them are somewhat content with their current situations. Sure, certain things could be better but they aren’t too bad, either. But is this all there is? Could there be more out there?
As I said initially, this writing is engaging and wonderfully uncomplicated, not getting in its own way. There are some moments of “statement of the obvious”, and a few others that feel to go against the characters’ points of view – though those could be accounted for by those very positions, as no one is perfect, no matter how perceptive – and there is overuse of italics. You don’t have to highlight where the emphasis should be if your characters’ voices are coming through loud and clear, and they are here. Otherwise, this author makes it feel like they delighted in relating this story about Jaxon and Caleb. It feels like a “how we first met” kind of situation is being passed onto us and that’s magical.
The pace of the story overall, and especially how things develop between Caleb and Jaxon feels authentic, in no way forced. The things you have in common with someone else can surprise you, especially when it’s a deeply ingrained belief about yourself that’s caused you to live life a certain way, to expect or not expect certain opportunities. Emotionally, it can change you forever, the sharing of the challenges that you face 24-7. In Jaxon and Caleb, we have particular attributes that are rarely included in stories. Even better, they’re portrayed as one part of their whole beings, not the entirety of their everyday existence. These things do not define these men.
Together, they exemplify how sometimes our challenges can feel like blessings when we’re with the right person, the one who helps us see the world from a different angle. The one who opens the door to another way of thinking about who we are and what we’ve already accomplished, let alone what we can do in the future.
Plain and simple: I adore this. I dig it, and this writer has some dern serious talent. I’m excited for whatever else they decide to share with us. I recommend this unreservedly. This is one of those that I want everyone to experience.
February 4, 2017
Lovely. Delivers a lot for the length though smut-free. Fell hard for both the characters, each dealing with their own issues, no miracle cures just adapting and understanding, what could be better? It's a very simple story of two men meeting and getting together, no big drama but growing understanding.
Nearing the end I felt the author wasn't sure how to finish, it felt a bit like everything was being summed up to reach that point of closure, which spoilt the flow and knocks off that last star. But seriously feel-good, would love to see a full length story from this author.
I did wonder about the reality of someone with a stutter so severe they avoid talking in everyday situations, being able to be successful in (what I'd imagine is) a competitive job in marketing which includes the need to give presentations. But the emotion he felt at himself felt real to me as someone who has seen a friend face growing frustration at a bad stutter when stressed.
Also Jaxon's self-image of being stupid tugged heart-strings. Differently-abled is not stupid, only stupid people would believe that of others.
Nearing the end I felt the author wasn't sure how to finish, it felt a bit like everything was being summed up to reach that point of closure, which spoilt the flow and knocks off that last star. But seriously feel-good, would love to see a full length story from this author.
I did wonder about the reality of someone with a stutter so severe they avoid talking in everyday situations, being able to be successful in (what I'd imagine is) a competitive job in marketing which includes the need to give presentations. But the emotion he felt at himself felt real to me as someone who has seen a friend face growing frustration at a bad stutter when stressed.
Also Jaxon's self-image of being stupid tugged heart-strings. Differently-abled is not stupid, only stupid people would believe that of others.
September 7, 2017
3.75 stars
March 6, 2017
Two men, each with a debilitating disability (say that fast 5 times) they've learned to live with or overcome, find comfort in each other. I loved how their story came about and how it came together. A very sweet read that’s not syrupy at all. It took me a while to get to this book, but I’ll definitely be looking for more of this author’s work.
May 23, 2016
My View: Loud and Clear is a lovely short story with two intriguing main characters. It breaks with the normative of "perfect" characters and "torture" souls. Both characters struggle with disabilities, but instead of wallow in them, they learned to raise above them and have fulfilling lives.
Their relationship is a slow-burn with lots of chemistry and zero on page sex. Even so, the connection between the characters is evident and their time together fulfilling. The more they get to know each other, the more you will want to see them happy. There's little angst in the story, but plenty in the MCs' lives.
Their interactions with others are limited but gave us enough information to learn more about their personal and work relationships. They have pretty routine lives with nothing more than lack of companionship to interfere with their happiness. Yes, Jaxon's dyslexia and Caleb's stutter make their lives more challenging, but it's nothing they don't see as part of their every day. Thier blossoming relationship is almost a reward of moving ahead with their lives against all odds.
The writing is done well, and the short format fits the fast pace of the book and the relationship. If anything, the reader will want to know more about the MCs after the ending of the book. The small details, notes, and conversations are the important aspects of the book. Their relationship is built on the little things in life.
Overall, this story is sweet, easy read, but it's filled with hope and a lovely friendship.
What I liked the most: How easy their casual acquaintance turned into a friendship, and then, a relationship.
I wanted more: Of Caleb and Jaxon interacting with others. And perhaps, what happens after the book's ending.
Who should read it: Fans of sweet contemporary stories.
Originally review for Someone Else's Stories.
ARC provided by Riptide Publishing, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Their relationship is a slow-burn with lots of chemistry and zero on page sex. Even so, the connection between the characters is evident and their time together fulfilling. The more they get to know each other, the more you will want to see them happy. There's little angst in the story, but plenty in the MCs' lives.
Their interactions with others are limited but gave us enough information to learn more about their personal and work relationships. They have pretty routine lives with nothing more than lack of companionship to interfere with their happiness. Yes, Jaxon's dyslexia and Caleb's stutter make their lives more challenging, but it's nothing they don't see as part of their every day. Thier blossoming relationship is almost a reward of moving ahead with their lives against all odds.
The writing is done well, and the short format fits the fast pace of the book and the relationship. If anything, the reader will want to know more about the MCs after the ending of the book. The small details, notes, and conversations are the important aspects of the book. Their relationship is built on the little things in life.
Overall, this story is sweet, easy read, but it's filled with hope and a lovely friendship.
What I liked the most: How easy their casual acquaintance turned into a friendship, and then, a relationship.
I wanted more: Of Caleb and Jaxon interacting with others. And perhaps, what happens after the book's ending.
Who should read it: Fans of sweet contemporary stories.
Originally review for Someone Else's Stories.
ARC provided by Riptide Publishing, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
August 7, 2016
If you’re looking for a short and sweet little m/m romance, this one fits the bill. It features two men who are each struggling with their own disabilities, yet somehow manage to make an unlikely connection with one another. I enjoy stories where the hero has odds to overcome, and here, the issues are exponential, because of what these men are struggling with: one can barely speak, due to a terrible stutter, while the other can’t read, because of major dyslexia. Communication is a serious challenge, yet somehow, these two make it work.
Jaxon is a cab driver, who considers himself stupid because he can’t read. Caleb is the high-powered ad exec who has become his regular Tuesday night fare. At first, they ride in silence, but over time, Jaxon’s easy charm and solicitous nature prompt Caleb to start passing him short notes. Of course, Jaxon has to get help to read them, but he makes the effort –and slowly, these two strike up a tentative relationship.
This is very short, but I didn’t mind because I felt like this was just the slice of life story about how these two found their way to one another. There aren’t any external conflicts beyond their language barriers… not even their huge class difference… or maybe that theirs was an interracial relationship. (I say “maybe” on that because there’s not a lot of physical description of our main characters. Jaxon does refer to a “white guy” once, though, leading me to believe he’s a minority.) But this is less about what gets in their way than how they overcome their obstacles with patience and persistence.
This is a pretty “clean” romance. A few kisses here and there, but no on page sex. Like I said, it’s sweet.
Don’t expect to be over-engaged emotionally. It’s too short, but it’s a pleasant read. I liked it.
Rating: B
*ARC provided by publisher
Jaxon is a cab driver, who considers himself stupid because he can’t read. Caleb is the high-powered ad exec who has become his regular Tuesday night fare. At first, they ride in silence, but over time, Jaxon’s easy charm and solicitous nature prompt Caleb to start passing him short notes. Of course, Jaxon has to get help to read them, but he makes the effort –and slowly, these two strike up a tentative relationship.
This is very short, but I didn’t mind because I felt like this was just the slice of life story about how these two found their way to one another. There aren’t any external conflicts beyond their language barriers… not even their huge class difference… or maybe that theirs was an interracial relationship. (I say “maybe” on that because there’s not a lot of physical description of our main characters. Jaxon does refer to a “white guy” once, though, leading me to believe he’s a minority.) But this is less about what gets in their way than how they overcome their obstacles with patience and persistence.
This is a pretty “clean” romance. A few kisses here and there, but no on page sex. Like I said, it’s sweet.
Don’t expect to be over-engaged emotionally. It’s too short, but it’s a pleasant read. I liked it.
Rating: B
*ARC provided by publisher
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