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Turning the Page
Malcolm Webber is still grieving the loss of his partner of twenty years to cancer. He’s buried his mind and feelings in his legal work and isn’t looking for another relationship. He isn’t expecting to feel such a strong attraction when he meets Hans Erickson—especially since the man is quite a bit younger than him. Hans is an adventure writer with an exciting lifestyle to match. When he needs a tax attorney to straighten out an error with the IRS, he ends up on the other side of the handsome Malcolm’s desk. The heat between them is undeniable, but business has to come first. When it’s concluded, Hans leaps on the chance to make his move. Malcolm isn’t sure he’s ready for the next chapter in his life. Hans is so young and active that Malcolm worries he won’t be able to hold his interest for long. Just when he’s convinced himself to take the risk and turn the page, problems at the law office threaten to end their love story before it can really begin.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 19, 2016
21 people are currently reading
238 people want to read
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December 24, 2016
3 stars full of drama
My first book by Andrew Grey and I must admit I struggled with the drama.
I really get it, it was a very SAD story: the loss of Malcolm's husband after 20 years of a happy marriage - THAT is dramatic, BUT he was so insecure and his inner talk got me bored at one point.
Now Malcolm is 52, very lonely and trying to bury himself in work. But he is unexpectedly attracted to Hans, a 42 years old writer, who was funny and sweet and just what he needed.
I hated that it was so hard to be convinced to even talk to the guy. And later he was so very insecure! The age gap wasn't that big in my opinion, but still he felt too old and pushed Hans away so many times.
I liked some unexpected turns, but those were very SAD too. Add one crazy coworker who wanted revenge - and that will sum a lot of drama.
Oh and the hot scenes were not as HOT as I expected.
I think that maybe this story wasn't for me and that maybe I need to try another book by this author.
My first book by Andrew Grey and I must admit I struggled with the drama.
I really get it, it was a very SAD story: the loss of Malcolm's husband after 20 years of a happy marriage - THAT is dramatic, BUT he was so insecure and his inner talk got me bored at one point.
Now Malcolm is 52, very lonely and trying to bury himself in work. But he is unexpectedly attracted to Hans, a 42 years old writer, who was funny and sweet and just what he needed.
I hated that it was so hard to be convinced to even talk to the guy. And later he was so very insecure! The age gap wasn't that big in my opinion, but still he felt too old and pushed Hans away so many times.
I liked some unexpected turns, but those were very SAD too. Add one crazy coworker who wanted revenge - and that will sum a lot of drama.
Oh and the hot scenes were not as HOT as I expected.
I think that maybe this story wasn't for me and that maybe I need to try another book by this author.
February 9, 2017
Malcolm Webber, a fifty-two year old Tax Attorney, had a wonderful job, an amazing husband, and wonderful friends and family. However, his husband of twenty years, David, succumbed to cancer and it's left Malcolm a shell. The story begins over a year after David's death and Malcolm is still deeply grieving his loss.
When Malcolm meets forty-two year old Hans Erickson, one of his favorite authors, at work things seem to get a little better. Although it takes bumping into Hans while Malcolm and his brother, Peter, are at a restaurant, for his life to finally begin to change.
I enjoyed Jeff Gelder's narration overall. He's consistent with his distinctive character voices, and I especially enjoyed Hans' delightful slight accent. Gelder's timing and voice-over was good, and though Grey did a wonderful job painting the characters, and I really liked Hans, I didn’t really feel the chemistry between Malcolm and Hans.
I love romances featuring older characters. I usually love a story where the characters have experienced a loss only to get a second chance at love and happiness, but this story spent too much time on Malcom's grief, insecurities and inner monologue for me to really enjoy it. Though there is a HEA it's definitely hard-won.
Audio copy of Turning the Page provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange of an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
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August 24, 2019DNF. Never came back to this before loan expired. I didn't like the charcacters. They didn't seem real and their actions/reactions were not true to their age, imo. No rating.
May 23, 2017
Let's start with the story...
I really liked this story had I read the e-book this would have easily been 4 stars. There was a lot of good stuff going on here for me. Mature MCs. I love this and especially when they act their age and even more when I find out that by mature we're talking about a man in his 50s and the 'younger' man is in his 40s. Total win in my books. Both of these men are self sufficient, successful, independent men...no sugar daddies here.
Malcolm is a tax lawyer. He's 52 years old and he's grieving the loss of his partner of 20 years...YES!!! A successful long term relationship...no hidden secrets coming out of the closet. Malcolm loved David. David loved Malcolm. They had 20 happy years...until they didn't because David died from Cancer leaving Malcolm struggling to refind himself and put his life back together.
Enter Hans...
Hans is a successful writer and mets Malcolm when he's seeking professional advice from a tax attorney. Our men are mature and despite their obvious attraction neither of them wants to mix business with pleasure so they take care of business and go their separate ways.
Until enter Malcolm's brother, Peter, who's determined to drag his brother back to the land of the living. Kicking and screaming if he has to. It's a chance encounter when Malcolm's out with his brother that brings Hans back into his life and this is where their story truly begins.
Hans is no stranger to loss and while he's never buried a partner. He has buried a relationship and he understands the grieving process and he's willing to be patient and allow Malcolm the time he needs to move on.
I really enjoyed this story. Hans was perfect for Malcolm in spite of Malcolm's reservations about their age difference. Hans was sweet and patient, he was mature enough to have some life experience, he had his own life both professionally and personally. For me it was so clear he wanted Malcolm not for what he had but for who he was. He didn't care that there was a 10 year age gap between them. Admittedly there were times that Hans almost seemed too good to be true but there were small cracks in his character that showed just enough to keep him from being over the top, gag me perfect.
Malcolm's insecurities about the age difference and in regards to himself in general while understandable did come a little close to over the top once or twice but they never came close to spoiling the story for me, so no problem there in my view.
There was a secondary part to this story which revolved around events happening at the law firm where Malcolm was a partner and I liked the interest that they added to the story without taking away from the relationship development between Malcolm and Hans. Could the story have done without this...possibly but it was there and I found it to be a bit of additional interest so in the end it's all good.
My biggest niggle was the device used to make Malcolm honestly address his feelings for Hans allowing their relationship to move forward. Without giving any more details I'm just going to say that it was the one point that struck me as a bit too contrived and kept this story from being a solid 5 stars.
Other than that one niggle, when all was said and done this story was definitely a win for me. Two mature MCs that I liked, a story that I liked, a few humorous moments and an ending that worked well for me...so what happened to 4 stars...
Let's talk about the audio book...
This was narrated by Jeff Gelder. Mr. Gelder is a narrator whom I've never listened to before so I was looking forward to seeing if this would be another narrator whom I could enjoy. Unfortunately this will not be happening. While this was my first book by this narrator I did actually take the time to check out several samples of other books narrated by him on audible.com and I'm fairly comfortable saying his voice just doesn't work for me. It was definitely the story that held my attention here so while this wasn't one of my better audio book experiences it was an enjoyable story and I'm leaving things at 4 stars for Andrew Grey's book 'Turning the Page' and 2 stars for the audio portion settling on 3 stars for an overall rating.
********************
An audio book of 'Turning the Pages' was graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked this story had I read the e-book this would have easily been 4 stars. There was a lot of good stuff going on here for me. Mature MCs. I love this and especially when they act their age and even more when I find out that by mature we're talking about a man in his 50s and the 'younger' man is in his 40s. Total win in my books. Both of these men are self sufficient, successful, independent men...no sugar daddies here.
Malcolm is a tax lawyer. He's 52 years old and he's grieving the loss of his partner of 20 years...YES!!! A successful long term relationship...no hidden secrets coming out of the closet. Malcolm loved David. David loved Malcolm. They had 20 happy years...until they didn't because David died from Cancer leaving Malcolm struggling to refind himself and put his life back together.
Enter Hans...
Hans is a successful writer and mets Malcolm when he's seeking professional advice from a tax attorney. Our men are mature and despite their obvious attraction neither of them wants to mix business with pleasure so they take care of business and go their separate ways.
Until enter Malcolm's brother, Peter, who's determined to drag his brother back to the land of the living. Kicking and screaming if he has to. It's a chance encounter when Malcolm's out with his brother that brings Hans back into his life and this is where their story truly begins.
Hans is no stranger to loss and while he's never buried a partner. He has buried a relationship and he understands the grieving process and he's willing to be patient and allow Malcolm the time he needs to move on.
I really enjoyed this story. Hans was perfect for Malcolm in spite of Malcolm's reservations about their age difference. Hans was sweet and patient, he was mature enough to have some life experience, he had his own life both professionally and personally. For me it was so clear he wanted Malcolm not for what he had but for who he was. He didn't care that there was a 10 year age gap between them. Admittedly there were times that Hans almost seemed too good to be true but there were small cracks in his character that showed just enough to keep him from being over the top, gag me perfect.
Malcolm's insecurities about the age difference and in regards to himself in general while understandable did come a little close to over the top once or twice but they never came close to spoiling the story for me, so no problem there in my view.
There was a secondary part to this story which revolved around events happening at the law firm where Malcolm was a partner and I liked the interest that they added to the story without taking away from the relationship development between Malcolm and Hans. Could the story have done without this...possibly but it was there and I found it to be a bit of additional interest so in the end it's all good.
My biggest niggle was the device used to make Malcolm honestly address his feelings for Hans allowing their relationship to move forward. Without giving any more details I'm just going to say that it was the one point that struck me as a bit too contrived and kept this story from being a solid 5 stars.
Other than that one niggle, when all was said and done this story was definitely a win for me. Two mature MCs that I liked, a story that I liked, a few humorous moments and an ending that worked well for me...so what happened to 4 stars...
Let's talk about the audio book...
This was narrated by Jeff Gelder. Mr. Gelder is a narrator whom I've never listened to before so I was looking forward to seeing if this would be another narrator whom I could enjoy. Unfortunately this will not be happening. While this was my first book by this narrator I did actually take the time to check out several samples of other books narrated by him on audible.com and I'm fairly comfortable saying his voice just doesn't work for me. It was definitely the story that held my attention here so while this wasn't one of my better audio book experiences it was an enjoyable story and I'm leaving things at 4 stars for Andrew Grey's book 'Turning the Page' and 2 stars for the audio portion settling on 3 stars for an overall rating.
********************
An audio book of 'Turning the Pages' was graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
September 10, 2016
*** In this lovely tale, our men get a second chance at love, and a chance to completely heal and move on. Malcolm is a successful tax attorney, 52.
Work is busy, plus he's still grieving the loss of his longtime partner to cancer. Hans is an author of adventure novels, and at 42, he's been burned by a cheating ex. Hans needs some IRS tax help, and the men meet.
After the issue is resolved, the men meet once again by chance at a restaurant. They are both attracted to the other and become friends. Each man shares his story, and their feeling grow, in this slow burn romance. The first part of the story is a "base" or set up to the second half. We see the disgruntled employee escalate to bitterness and violence, while the men gradually become boyfriends.
As always with Andrew Grey, it's a wonderful, interesting story with super romance and hot loving. All of the characters are terrific, and we get an HEA.
Recommended highly for all romance lovers.
ENJOY !
=================
Work is busy, plus he's still grieving the loss of his longtime partner to cancer. Hans is an author of adventure novels, and at 42, he's been burned by a cheating ex. Hans needs some IRS tax help, and the men meet.
After the issue is resolved, the men meet once again by chance at a restaurant. They are both attracted to the other and become friends. Each man shares his story, and their feeling grow, in this slow burn romance. The first part of the story is a "base" or set up to the second half. We see the disgruntled employee escalate to bitterness and violence, while the men gradually become boyfriends.
As always with Andrew Grey, it's a wonderful, interesting story with super romance and hot loving. All of the characters are terrific, and we get an HEA.
Recommended highly for all romance lovers.
ENJOY !
=================
August 22, 2016
3.5 stars, rounded up because Goodreads still doesn't offer half stars.
I do like books with older MCs, and books about getting a second chance at love.
This book promised both, so I was eager to read it when it became available. And while I enjoyed reading it, and while I liked the plot, and Hans, I had some trouble connecting with Malcolm.
On one hand, I understood his reluctance to open himself up to another chance at love, after having lost his long-term partner, David, and I understood his misgivings about his attraction to Hans because of their age gap (Malcolm is in his 50s, and Hans in his early 40s). When we first meet Malcolm, he's still lost in his grief and mourning, struggling even after nearly two years of sort of living without David. He doesn't go out, he more or less hides himself in his work as a tax attorney and in the house he shared with David. When he meets Hans, he's immediately attracted to the younger man, but tells himself to ignore it because Hans is a client.
Until Hans isn't.
On the other hand, Malcolm's near-constant second-guessing Hans' motives and sincerity, and his 'one step forward, two steps back' self-pity drove me batty. Once Hans stops being a client, their business dealing being concluded, Malcolm starts to enter the world of the living again, but guilt and grief keeps pulling him back. And as if that weren't enough to derail his second chance at love, Malcolm is also plagued by insecurities when he compares himself to the younger man. If Hans hadn't been so very patient, I think by the end of the book, the status quo wouldn't have changed much for Malcolm.
I'm a bit indifferent about the plot point involving Malcolm's firm, and the OTT characterization of his business partner who basically goes off the deep end. I'm not sure that it added anything to the romance, though it could be argued that he's perhaps part of Malcolm learning to trust himself and getting past his insecurities. Still, he couldn't have done that without Hans pushing him forward on occasion, and providing him with the confidence.
There is growth for Malcolm here, and I always appreciate that in a book. The author has a distinctive writing style, and while it may not work for everyone, it does usually work for me. I think having these detailed descriptions of everyday activities, such as getting out of bed, and making breakfast, only drove home how very lonely Malcolm is at the beginning of the book, how settled into a routine that showcases the depth of his grief. As the book moved along, I noticed that these mundane moments were getting less detailed and descriptive, and the focus shifted to more of a hopeful, exciting tone overall. Which basically mirrored Malcolm's transformation from grieving widower, trudging through his day, to hopeful boyfriend, looking forward to what the future holds. While it's made very clear that Hans isn't taking David's place in Malcolm's heart, the author also makes a point that love after love is possible. That nobody can replace David, but that Malcolm didn't die with him, and that David wouldn't want him to be the recluse he's been for two years.
As I said, life after loss plays a huge role in this book, and I think the author did a great job showing me how very difficult it is for Malcolm to move on and grasp that second chance. Hans was very patient, but insistent as well, finding all the right words to get what he wanted in the end, namely Malcolm. He was possibly a wee bit too perfect, but I didn't mind that so much.
Recommended for readers who like second chances, mature MCs, and sweet M/M romances with just a bit of heat.
** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher. A positive review was not promised in return. **
I do like books with older MCs, and books about getting a second chance at love.
This book promised both, so I was eager to read it when it became available. And while I enjoyed reading it, and while I liked the plot, and Hans, I had some trouble connecting with Malcolm.
On one hand, I understood his reluctance to open himself up to another chance at love, after having lost his long-term partner, David, and I understood his misgivings about his attraction to Hans because of their age gap (Malcolm is in his 50s, and Hans in his early 40s). When we first meet Malcolm, he's still lost in his grief and mourning, struggling even after nearly two years of sort of living without David. He doesn't go out, he more or less hides himself in his work as a tax attorney and in the house he shared with David. When he meets Hans, he's immediately attracted to the younger man, but tells himself to ignore it because Hans is a client.
Until Hans isn't.
On the other hand, Malcolm's near-constant second-guessing Hans' motives and sincerity, and his 'one step forward, two steps back' self-pity drove me batty. Once Hans stops being a client, their business dealing being concluded, Malcolm starts to enter the world of the living again, but guilt and grief keeps pulling him back. And as if that weren't enough to derail his second chance at love, Malcolm is also plagued by insecurities when he compares himself to the younger man. If Hans hadn't been so very patient, I think by the end of the book, the status quo wouldn't have changed much for Malcolm.
I'm a bit indifferent about the plot point involving Malcolm's firm, and the OTT characterization of his business partner who basically goes off the deep end. I'm not sure that it added anything to the romance, though it could be argued that he's perhaps part of Malcolm learning to trust himself and getting past his insecurities. Still, he couldn't have done that without Hans pushing him forward on occasion, and providing him with the confidence.
There is growth for Malcolm here, and I always appreciate that in a book. The author has a distinctive writing style, and while it may not work for everyone, it does usually work for me. I think having these detailed descriptions of everyday activities, such as getting out of bed, and making breakfast, only drove home how very lonely Malcolm is at the beginning of the book, how settled into a routine that showcases the depth of his grief. As the book moved along, I noticed that these mundane moments were getting less detailed and descriptive, and the focus shifted to more of a hopeful, exciting tone overall. Which basically mirrored Malcolm's transformation from grieving widower, trudging through his day, to hopeful boyfriend, looking forward to what the future holds. While it's made very clear that Hans isn't taking David's place in Malcolm's heart, the author also makes a point that love after love is possible. That nobody can replace David, but that Malcolm didn't die with him, and that David wouldn't want him to be the recluse he's been for two years.
As I said, life after loss plays a huge role in this book, and I think the author did a great job showing me how very difficult it is for Malcolm to move on and grasp that second chance. Hans was very patient, but insistent as well, finding all the right words to get what he wanted in the end, namely Malcolm. He was possibly a wee bit too perfect, but I didn't mind that so much.
Recommended for readers who like second chances, mature MCs, and sweet M/M romances with just a bit of heat.
** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher. A positive review was not promised in return. **
August 20, 2016
Turning the page in a book is very exciting because you never really know what’s on the next page: it could be something good, or something bad, or a total surprise. Life can be exactly like that too, and the newest novel by Andrew Grey proves that. Second chances, late-in-life lovers, and May/December relationships are some of my favorite kind of books, and ‘Turning the Page’ is all of the above. It’s a very warm and gentle love story with two slightly older characters – not ancient by any means, but in their forties and fifties, respectively - and it’s a beautiful tale.
While Malcolm and Hans are very different in many ways, they share a need for companionship and love that makes them reconsider what they are doing with their lives. Add some initial reticence on both sides but for different reasons, office intrigue that causes Malcolm to become a lot more active in his job than he had planned to be, and meddling friends and relatives, and you’ve got the elements that make up the core ingredients for this touching romance with an adventurous edge.
Malcolm is a successful tax lawyer and, sadly, expects very little from life at this point. He lost his partner of twenty years to cancer just over a year ago, has not stopped grieving, and isn’t ready to follow everyone’s advice to start living again. Then he meets Hans, a writer who needs help clarifying an issue with the IRS. Malcolm’s personal assistant has been nudging him for months, and when Malcolm’s brother joins the chorus of people who tell him to have some fun, Malcolm has no choice. Basically he is ready, but he has a hard time accepting and admitting it.
Hans is a successful author of adventure novels, and he loves experiencing some of the things he puts his characters through. It makes him a very interesting and lively companion for Malcolm, but because Hans is also a decade younger, Malcolm fears he won’t be able to keep up with him. Between those fears, a colleague at Malcolm’s firm going crazy, and a health scare, the suspense is certainly high. But the main focus of the novel remains Hans and Malcolm’s fears, hopes, and budding relationship – and that was an emotional roller coaster in its own right.
If you like intense stories, if mature lovers who also face an age difference sound interesting, and if you’re looking for a read that explores love as you get older while proving that does in no way need to be boring, then you will probably love this novel as much as I do. It’s moving, the main and supporting characters leap off the page, and the issues are very real.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
While Malcolm and Hans are very different in many ways, they share a need for companionship and love that makes them reconsider what they are doing with their lives. Add some initial reticence on both sides but for different reasons, office intrigue that causes Malcolm to become a lot more active in his job than he had planned to be, and meddling friends and relatives, and you’ve got the elements that make up the core ingredients for this touching romance with an adventurous edge.
Malcolm is a successful tax lawyer and, sadly, expects very little from life at this point. He lost his partner of twenty years to cancer just over a year ago, has not stopped grieving, and isn’t ready to follow everyone’s advice to start living again. Then he meets Hans, a writer who needs help clarifying an issue with the IRS. Malcolm’s personal assistant has been nudging him for months, and when Malcolm’s brother joins the chorus of people who tell him to have some fun, Malcolm has no choice. Basically he is ready, but he has a hard time accepting and admitting it.
Hans is a successful author of adventure novels, and he loves experiencing some of the things he puts his characters through. It makes him a very interesting and lively companion for Malcolm, but because Hans is also a decade younger, Malcolm fears he won’t be able to keep up with him. Between those fears, a colleague at Malcolm’s firm going crazy, and a health scare, the suspense is certainly high. But the main focus of the novel remains Hans and Malcolm’s fears, hopes, and budding relationship – and that was an emotional roller coaster in its own right.
If you like intense stories, if mature lovers who also face an age difference sound interesting, and if you’re looking for a read that explores love as you get older while proving that does in no way need to be boring, then you will probably love this novel as much as I do. It’s moving, the main and supporting characters leap off the page, and the issues are very real.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
August 6, 2016
I received a copy of this title to read and review for Wicked Reads
DNF = automatic 3 stars, as I won't penalize the author for not meshing with my tastes.
I'm sure there are more than two camps: setting the scene vs use my imagination, with a magic gray area falling between to please the masses. While some people enjoy a novel with description similar to a screenplay, I don't.
Why the DNF? Pure and simple, writing style. Andrew Grey is highly descriptive, listing actions in great detail, whereas I like things left up to my imagination. I'm capable of discerning what occurs after waking in the morning until you get to work. I didn't need the coffee, breakfast, picking up the keys, shutting and locking the door, walking to the car, turning on the car seat warmers... and so on.
I understand the author is setting the scene, allowing the reader to know the time and place, but I don't wish to wade through inane everyday action to find the story beneath. Like the story of the cheese and crackers for breakfast, I truly enjoyed that part, but if a reader was skimming through all the unnecessary things, they would have missed that small paragraph of important information hiding within the endless list of inane action and detailing.
If I had purchased the book, I would have returned it, as it wasn't to my tastes writing-style-wise. Since it was a review book, I did soldier forth to about 10%, but since my mind was now in tune with finding flaws instead of enjoying the story, I didn't want to do the book or the author a disservice by continuing.
DNF = automatic 3 stars, as I won't penalize the author for not meshing with my tastes.
I'm sure there are more than two camps: setting the scene vs use my imagination, with a magic gray area falling between to please the masses. While some people enjoy a novel with description similar to a screenplay, I don't.
Why the DNF? Pure and simple, writing style. Andrew Grey is highly descriptive, listing actions in great detail, whereas I like things left up to my imagination. I'm capable of discerning what occurs after waking in the morning until you get to work. I didn't need the coffee, breakfast, picking up the keys, shutting and locking the door, walking to the car, turning on the car seat warmers... and so on.
I understand the author is setting the scene, allowing the reader to know the time and place, but I don't wish to wade through inane everyday action to find the story beneath. Like the story of the cheese and crackers for breakfast, I truly enjoyed that part, but if a reader was skimming through all the unnecessary things, they would have missed that small paragraph of important information hiding within the endless list of inane action and detailing.
If I had purchased the book, I would have returned it, as it wasn't to my tastes writing-style-wise. Since it was a review book, I did soldier forth to about 10%, but since my mind was now in tune with finding flaws instead of enjoying the story, I didn't want to do the book or the author a disservice by continuing.
March 25, 2017
4 Stars - Heartbreaking and a little drammatic, but sexy as hell.
I didn't know what I was getting into when I clicked the download button on this audiobook. Turning the Page was a heartbreaking as it was hilarious and steamy. Malcolm completely broke my heart into a thousand pieces. The connection he had with his late partner of 20 years sounded like it was everything that he ever could have wished for. Grey did Malcolm and David justice every single time he described their relationship together. I connected with Malcolm quickly and wanted him to find his HEA so so so badly, and I could say the same for Hans.
Hans was a little introverted and wildly successful author who lived through the tales he wrote. In a way, he and Malcolm both were living in their own worlds completely separate from the here and now of reality. After getting stood up during a blind date, Malcolm's brother invited Hans to join them for dinner and it was like they were both woken up all of a sudden.
Malcolm and Hans couldn't get enough of eachother despite them both knowing full well that they probably weren't the best fit. Hans was patient and he understood Malcolm's loss and grievances, even several years after David's death. He didn't judge him and he offered the support that Malcolm needed but was never offered after losing the person closest to him. In return, Malcolm showed Hans that he didn't have to live in his books and write about the things he WANTED to experience. He could experience them and then write about it. They taught each other how to love and live in the moment and that was by far the sweetest and best HEA I could have asked for in this novel.
And I think the narrator deserves one hell of a round of applause on this one. The narrator can easily make or break an audiobook. Sometimes I'm hesitant when choosing my audiobooks because if a narrator portrays a character that doesn't fit with the way I see and characterize them from the actual words, then it's an instant DNF and I have to walk away. Very rarely do I find a reader who compells me to go in search of more of their work, but Jeff Gelder did a fantastic job with reading this book and his impressions of the characters were spot-on.
This was a really great inspirational love story about one man learning to love again and another man learning to let go and live and I would highly recommend it to any M/M readers that aren't afraid of a few tears.
Reviewed by Jordan at Alpha Book Club.
Disclaimer: This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own and not influenced by the author or the publisher in any way.
I didn't know what I was getting into when I clicked the download button on this audiobook. Turning the Page was a heartbreaking as it was hilarious and steamy. Malcolm completely broke my heart into a thousand pieces. The connection he had with his late partner of 20 years sounded like it was everything that he ever could have wished for. Grey did Malcolm and David justice every single time he described their relationship together. I connected with Malcolm quickly and wanted him to find his HEA so so so badly, and I could say the same for Hans.
Hans was a little introverted and wildly successful author who lived through the tales he wrote. In a way, he and Malcolm both were living in their own worlds completely separate from the here and now of reality. After getting stood up during a blind date, Malcolm's brother invited Hans to join them for dinner and it was like they were both woken up all of a sudden.
Malcolm and Hans couldn't get enough of eachother despite them both knowing full well that they probably weren't the best fit. Hans was patient and he understood Malcolm's loss and grievances, even several years after David's death. He didn't judge him and he offered the support that Malcolm needed but was never offered after losing the person closest to him. In return, Malcolm showed Hans that he didn't have to live in his books and write about the things he WANTED to experience. He could experience them and then write about it. They taught each other how to love and live in the moment and that was by far the sweetest and best HEA I could have asked for in this novel.
And I think the narrator deserves one hell of a round of applause on this one. The narrator can easily make or break an audiobook. Sometimes I'm hesitant when choosing my audiobooks because if a narrator portrays a character that doesn't fit with the way I see and characterize them from the actual words, then it's an instant DNF and I have to walk away. Very rarely do I find a reader who compells me to go in search of more of their work, but Jeff Gelder did a fantastic job with reading this book and his impressions of the characters were spot-on.
This was a really great inspirational love story about one man learning to love again and another man learning to let go and live and I would highly recommend it to any M/M readers that aren't afraid of a few tears.
Reviewed by Jordan at Alpha Book Club.
Disclaimer: This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own and not influenced by the author or the publisher in any way.
December 3, 2019
Darum geht's:
Malcolms langjähriger Partner ist vor gut einem Jahr verstorben und seitdem vergräbt er sich in Arbeit und funktioniert nur noch. Als der Schriftsteller Hans wegen eines kleinen juristischen Problems in seiner Kanzlei auftaucht, reagiert Malcolm seit langem wieder mal mit Interesse. Und auch Hans scheint Malcolm näher kennenlernen zu wollen. Doch in Malcolms Gedanken ist sein verstobener Partner noch sehr präsent und ihn plagen auch Zweifel, ob er sich auf den jüngeren, sportlichen Hans einlassen soll.
Meine Meinung dazu gibt’s hier
Malcolms langjähriger Partner ist vor gut einem Jahr verstorben und seitdem vergräbt er sich in Arbeit und funktioniert nur noch. Als der Schriftsteller Hans wegen eines kleinen juristischen Problems in seiner Kanzlei auftaucht, reagiert Malcolm seit langem wieder mal mit Interesse. Und auch Hans scheint Malcolm näher kennenlernen zu wollen. Doch in Malcolms Gedanken ist sein verstobener Partner noch sehr präsent und ihn plagen auch Zweifel, ob er sich auf den jüngeren, sportlichen Hans einlassen soll.
Meine Meinung dazu gibt’s hier
November 19, 2019
auch diese Geschichte von Andrew hat mir wieder sehr gut gefallen,
sehr schoen erzaehlt,
mit toll beschriebenen Protas
und einem zufriedenen Finale
sehr schoen erzaehlt,
mit toll beschriebenen Protas
und einem zufriedenen Finale
August 15, 2016
Malcolm Webber is a fifty something, successful Tax Lawyer with a well known firm. His life is a mundane series of well planned routines filled with business meetings and clients. He hasn't done anything out of the ordinary for well over a year, since the loss of his husband and partner of two decades died. A new client seeking assistance with a legal matter has Malcolm actually feeling something for the first time in a long time. And then a chance encounter with that former client while out for dinner with his brother threatens change.
Hans Erickson is an acclaimed Author with incredible blue eyes, a slight Swedish accent and a body to die for. Ten years Malcolm's junior, he sets his sights on the gorgeous silver fox and before long, Malcolm won't know what hit him. It's difficult for him to let go of a past he's been clinging to for so long though. Hans is patient, kind and gentle. Going out of his way to prove to Malcolm that age is just a number. And it would seem he's done just that, but then some devastating news hits way too close to home and threatens to tear these two apart before they've had a chance to get comfortable together.
I really enjoy reading this author's books mostly because of his keen eye for descriptives and details. Every subject he tackles he does well because he does the research needed for that topic. I struggled a bit with this book though. While I completely understood Malcolm's hesitation to move on and his issue with the age difference between him and Hans, I felt it went too far over into the angst category. Grey countered Malcolm's hesitation with Hans never ending patience and the saving grace, for me at least, was when a crack was shown in Hans patient exterior.
My favorite aspect to this story in particular, aside from the articulation of Malcolm's life and feelings, was the relationship as it grew day by day between him and Hans. I enjoyed seeing them slowly grow closer and compliment each other as the relationship solidified. The story progressed slowly, but steadily, and I was completely drawn in from start to finish. If you're looking for a story that is somewhat a May/December romance, a story about loss, grieving and finding your way back to love and happiness, you should definitely add this one to your reading list. But that's just my two cents.
Hans Erickson is an acclaimed Author with incredible blue eyes, a slight Swedish accent and a body to die for. Ten years Malcolm's junior, he sets his sights on the gorgeous silver fox and before long, Malcolm won't know what hit him. It's difficult for him to let go of a past he's been clinging to for so long though. Hans is patient, kind and gentle. Going out of his way to prove to Malcolm that age is just a number. And it would seem he's done just that, but then some devastating news hits way too close to home and threatens to tear these two apart before they've had a chance to get comfortable together.
I really enjoy reading this author's books mostly because of his keen eye for descriptives and details. Every subject he tackles he does well because he does the research needed for that topic. I struggled a bit with this book though. While I completely understood Malcolm's hesitation to move on and his issue with the age difference between him and Hans, I felt it went too far over into the angst category. Grey countered Malcolm's hesitation with Hans never ending patience and the saving grace, for me at least, was when a crack was shown in Hans patient exterior.
My favorite aspect to this story in particular, aside from the articulation of Malcolm's life and feelings, was the relationship as it grew day by day between him and Hans. I enjoyed seeing them slowly grow closer and compliment each other as the relationship solidified. The story progressed slowly, but steadily, and I was completely drawn in from start to finish. If you're looking for a story that is somewhat a May/December romance, a story about loss, grieving and finding your way back to love and happiness, you should definitely add this one to your reading list. But that's just my two cents.
September 3, 2016
Malcolm’s lover of 20+ years has died of cancer 13 months ago and he’s still very stuck in his grief. His well-intentioned brother and his secretary keep urging him to get out there and at least be social, if it’s too early to fall in love.
What ends up being serendipity, Malcolm and his brother are having dinner one night when one of Malcolm’s former clients – Hans- shows up. Hans has been stood up for a blind date and since Malcolm’s brother is bossy like that he invites Hans to join them for dinner.
Malcolm and Hans end up having a lot in common and definitely share an attraction. Though Malcolm isn’t sure he should, he succumbs to pressure and asks Hans out. Thus begins their somewhat rocky dating process.
Malcolm is hot and cold with Hans. He’s very attracted to him, but not ready to forget his husband. He thinks they have a lot in common, but he can’t get over the age gap. He feels young and vibrant with Hans, but worries Hans will grow bored with him quickly.
Eventually some things stir up in both their lives that force their hands and both men have to ask themselves just what they’re looking for.
**
I was really liking this story at the beginning. I loved the idea of dreary, sad Malcolm finding his way out of grief with the (10 year) younger Hans. Hans seemed so full of life and verve and it would have made for a lovely contrast.
However, what should have been a contrast felt like too opposite to fit. Malcolm never quite shook the “stick in the mud” label and he was still way too hung up on his husband for my tastes.
I didn’t see where Hans and Malcolm really connected other than the physical.
The drama with Gary seemed to act only as that last catalyst in the end and felt really out of place with the pacing of the rest of the story.
I’d have liked to see Malcolm and Hans spend more time together and see their connection more firmly.
It wasn’t a bad story, but it wasn’t Andrew Grey’s best work. He usually really engages me with his characters and Malcolm and Hans were sort of blah to me and I wasn’t that invested in their relationship.
I did love the fact that both men were over 40 and Malcolm was over 50.
3 of 5 stars
What ends up being serendipity, Malcolm and his brother are having dinner one night when one of Malcolm’s former clients – Hans- shows up. Hans has been stood up for a blind date and since Malcolm’s brother is bossy like that he invites Hans to join them for dinner.
Malcolm and Hans end up having a lot in common and definitely share an attraction. Though Malcolm isn’t sure he should, he succumbs to pressure and asks Hans out. Thus begins their somewhat rocky dating process.
Malcolm is hot and cold with Hans. He’s very attracted to him, but not ready to forget his husband. He thinks they have a lot in common, but he can’t get over the age gap. He feels young and vibrant with Hans, but worries Hans will grow bored with him quickly.
Eventually some things stir up in both their lives that force their hands and both men have to ask themselves just what they’re looking for.
**
I was really liking this story at the beginning. I loved the idea of dreary, sad Malcolm finding his way out of grief with the (10 year) younger Hans. Hans seemed so full of life and verve and it would have made for a lovely contrast.
However, what should have been a contrast felt like too opposite to fit. Malcolm never quite shook the “stick in the mud” label and he was still way too hung up on his husband for my tastes.
I didn’t see where Hans and Malcolm really connected other than the physical.
The drama with Gary seemed to act only as that last catalyst in the end and felt really out of place with the pacing of the rest of the story.
I’d have liked to see Malcolm and Hans spend more time together and see their connection more firmly.
It wasn’t a bad story, but it wasn’t Andrew Grey’s best work. He usually really engages me with his characters and Malcolm and Hans were sort of blah to me and I wasn’t that invested in their relationship.
I did love the fact that both men were over 40 and Malcolm was over 50.
3 of 5 stars
October 28, 2018
4.5 von 5 *
Probleme mit der Steuer bringen den Schriftsteller Hans zu Malcom Webber. Dieser nimmt sich dieses Problems an, ist er doch Steueranwalt und weiß Rat. Neben seiner Arbeit gibt es für Malcom jedoch nicht viel. Vor über einem Jahr hat er seinen langjährigen Partner und Ehemann verloren. Der Verlust war eine Zäsur für Malcom, der sich immer mehr von seiner Umwelt zurückzieht. Sein Bruder, wie auch seine Assistentin sind besorgt. Doch Malcom scheint den Verlust des geliebten Mannes nicht verkraften zu können.
Hans jedoch ist der erste Mann seit dem Tod von David Malcoms Interesse weckt. Doch erst muss er für Hans die Steuerangelegenheit bereinigen. Geschäftliche Angelegenheiten und private Interesse zu vermengen ist nicht Malcoms Sache. Doch es bedarf am Ende erst seinen Bruder Peter, der Malcom dann doch über seinen Schatten springen lässt und Hans eine Chance gibt.
Turning the Page hat mich sehr überrascht. Andrew Greys Schreibstil ist hinlänglich bekannt. Doch hier geht er viel mehr in die Tiefe und die Liebesgeschichte zwischen Hans und Malcom entwickelt sich nur langsam. Malcom muss erst lernen wieder zu leben. Und dem Leben und der Liebe eine weitere Chance zu geben. Einfühlsam beschreibt Grey die Trauer, die Zweifel, aber auch die Sehnsüchte und Bedürfnisse dieses Mannes, der seine große Liebe verloren hat.
Auch Hans hatte schon Verluste unterschiedlicher Art zu bewältigen. Er ist sehr geduldig und stark für Malcom, der sich aber gelegentlich wie ein stures Muli präsentiert. Doch Hans ist sehr zielstrebig und ausdauernd. Das muss er auch sein, denn die aufkeimende Beziehung wird immer wieder auf die Probe gestellt und das Leben und das Schicksal scheinen unbarmherzig auch in diese Liebe einzugreifen.
Mir hat die Geschichte sehr gut gefallen. Das Alter der Protagonisten war für mich kein Problem. Sie sind Männer mittleren Alters, lebenserfahren und erfolgreich. Sie kennen ihren Platz im Leben, suchen jedoch mehr oder weniger wieder die Liebe und die Zweisamkeit. Ihr gemeinsamer Weg gestaltet sich nicht immer einfach und es gibt so manches Problem und Gefühlsverwirrung zu klären. Dennoch eine klare Leseempfehlung.
Probleme mit der Steuer bringen den Schriftsteller Hans zu Malcom Webber. Dieser nimmt sich dieses Problems an, ist er doch Steueranwalt und weiß Rat. Neben seiner Arbeit gibt es für Malcom jedoch nicht viel. Vor über einem Jahr hat er seinen langjährigen Partner und Ehemann verloren. Der Verlust war eine Zäsur für Malcom, der sich immer mehr von seiner Umwelt zurückzieht. Sein Bruder, wie auch seine Assistentin sind besorgt. Doch Malcom scheint den Verlust des geliebten Mannes nicht verkraften zu können.
Hans jedoch ist der erste Mann seit dem Tod von David Malcoms Interesse weckt. Doch erst muss er für Hans die Steuerangelegenheit bereinigen. Geschäftliche Angelegenheiten und private Interesse zu vermengen ist nicht Malcoms Sache. Doch es bedarf am Ende erst seinen Bruder Peter, der Malcom dann doch über seinen Schatten springen lässt und Hans eine Chance gibt.
Turning the Page hat mich sehr überrascht. Andrew Greys Schreibstil ist hinlänglich bekannt. Doch hier geht er viel mehr in die Tiefe und die Liebesgeschichte zwischen Hans und Malcom entwickelt sich nur langsam. Malcom muss erst lernen wieder zu leben. Und dem Leben und der Liebe eine weitere Chance zu geben. Einfühlsam beschreibt Grey die Trauer, die Zweifel, aber auch die Sehnsüchte und Bedürfnisse dieses Mannes, der seine große Liebe verloren hat.
Auch Hans hatte schon Verluste unterschiedlicher Art zu bewältigen. Er ist sehr geduldig und stark für Malcom, der sich aber gelegentlich wie ein stures Muli präsentiert. Doch Hans ist sehr zielstrebig und ausdauernd. Das muss er auch sein, denn die aufkeimende Beziehung wird immer wieder auf die Probe gestellt und das Leben und das Schicksal scheinen unbarmherzig auch in diese Liebe einzugreifen.
Mir hat die Geschichte sehr gut gefallen. Das Alter der Protagonisten war für mich kein Problem. Sie sind Männer mittleren Alters, lebenserfahren und erfolgreich. Sie kennen ihren Platz im Leben, suchen jedoch mehr oder weniger wieder die Liebe und die Zweisamkeit. Ihr gemeinsamer Weg gestaltet sich nicht immer einfach und es gibt so manches Problem und Gefühlsverwirrung zu klären. Dennoch eine klare Leseempfehlung.
August 7, 2016
I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
This is a very dark and angsty romance between two mature characters. Malcolm, our leading character is still grieving the loss of his partner a year earlier. When we meet him, his life is a collection of tedious, mundane facts and motions. And even when he starts to fall for Hans, an action writer ten years younger than himself, Malcolm is plagued with doubt and self pity.
I really struggled to engage with this book. At first I was critical of the narrative style - all tell and no show until I realised that Malcolm was actually not living beyond the mundane details of his basic existence. So while I understand the reasons for the tedious details of Malcolm’s life, they just weren’t very interesting to read. I understand that grief is monotonous and boring but I need more from fiction marketed as a romance.
Malcolm becomes a more likeable character as the story moves forward but he is always a little too blandly good for me. He is a respected leader, a good boss, a great attorney… I kept waiting for something interesting and relatable but it just didn’t happen.
Some of the storyline that focused on Malcolm’s work was interesting with Good Wife/Suits style office intrigue and well developed supporting characters but the relationship between Malcolm and Hans just didn’t work for me. I wanted Hans to get as far as possible from the whiny, neurotic Malcolm. The younger, adventurous Hans just kept coming back for more ambivalence and insecurity and while the relationship seemed to help Malcolm, I’m still not sure why Hans stuck around for the weepy nostalgia and self doubt.
I usually enjoy Andrew Grey’s cowboy and adventure writing but sadly, I didn’t get on with this story.
This is a very dark and angsty romance between two mature characters. Malcolm, our leading character is still grieving the loss of his partner a year earlier. When we meet him, his life is a collection of tedious, mundane facts and motions. And even when he starts to fall for Hans, an action writer ten years younger than himself, Malcolm is plagued with doubt and self pity.
I really struggled to engage with this book. At first I was critical of the narrative style - all tell and no show until I realised that Malcolm was actually not living beyond the mundane details of his basic existence. So while I understand the reasons for the tedious details of Malcolm’s life, they just weren’t very interesting to read. I understand that grief is monotonous and boring but I need more from fiction marketed as a romance.
Malcolm becomes a more likeable character as the story moves forward but he is always a little too blandly good for me. He is a respected leader, a good boss, a great attorney… I kept waiting for something interesting and relatable but it just didn’t happen.
Some of the storyline that focused on Malcolm’s work was interesting with Good Wife/Suits style office intrigue and well developed supporting characters but the relationship between Malcolm and Hans just didn’t work for me. I wanted Hans to get as far as possible from the whiny, neurotic Malcolm. The younger, adventurous Hans just kept coming back for more ambivalence and insecurity and while the relationship seemed to help Malcolm, I’m still not sure why Hans stuck around for the weepy nostalgia and self doubt.
I usually enjoy Andrew Grey’s cowboy and adventure writing but sadly, I didn’t get on with this story.
February 6, 2017
I have to say the only reason I've read this one because of the "IRS" thing in the title. I work in consultancy. Most of my days is spend trying to figure out international tax laws etc. I thought it would be a cute read; a book mentioning IRS when I was on the way to the meeting with a client that had offices in US. A meeting about IRS's approach to royalty payments..
Anyway, I am blabbering here. Just wanted to say that I went into this story without any real expectation. But. It was actually a good story about second chances, what we call second spring in Turkish.
And if this book could speak to me, one who is not yet 30 and still newly married and has not faced a death of a lover, I think it is due to strong writing of the book. Malcom's insecurities is what made this book. It was not just a sweet story. Everything did not get ok magically after they had sex. He still had his insecurities, even in the epilogue.
One thing though;
Anyway, I am blabbering here. Just wanted to say that I went into this story without any real expectation. But. It was actually a good story about second chances, what we call second spring in Turkish.
And if this book could speak to me, one who is not yet 30 and still newly married and has not faced a death of a lover, I think it is due to strong writing of the book. Malcom's insecurities is what made this book. It was not just a sweet story. Everything did not get ok magically after they had sex. He still had his insecurities, even in the epilogue.
One thing though;
December 6, 2019
Überzeugend
Ich lese sehr gerne die Farm-Storys von Andrew Grey, diese Geschichte gefällt mir genauso gut. Meiner Meinung nach ist sie eine der besten des Autors.
Als Malcolms Partner nach 20 Jahren an seiner Krebserkrankung stirbt, ist dieser emotional am Ende. Er vermisst ihn auch nach 13 Monaten so sehr, wie am ersten Tag. Malcolm lebt quasi nur noch für seine Arbeit als erfolgreicher Steueranwalt. Erst als der Schriftsteller Hans als neuer Klient in der Kanzlei auftaucht, weckt er Malcolms Interesse an einem anderen Mann.
Hans ist zehn Jahre jünger als Malcolm und ein echtes Energiebündel. Es gelingt ihm, Malcolm zu einem Wochenendtrip in ein nahes Skigebiet zu überreden. Dabei kommen sich die beiden näher.
Die Liebesgeschichte von Malcolm und Hans konnte mich überzeugen. Der Autor konnte die traurige Vergangenheit von Malcolm glaubwürdig vermitteln. Nach 20 Jahren mit seinem verstorbenen Partner konnte er sich ein Leben ohne ihn nicht vorstellen. Er fühlt sich anfangs viel zu alt für Hans und zweifelt an einer Zukunft mit dem attraktiven Autor. Doch am Ende geschieht etwas, das Malcolm erkennen lässt, dass das Schicksal seine eigenen Wege geht. Dadurch begreift er, dass er keinen Tag des Glücks an Hans Seite verschenken sollte.
Ein neues Kapitel mit dir ist eine eher ruhige Geschichte, allerdings mit der für den Autor typischen und passenden Portion Drama.
Mein Dank geht an den Cursed Verlag für das erhaltene Rezensionsexemplar
Ich lese sehr gerne die Farm-Storys von Andrew Grey, diese Geschichte gefällt mir genauso gut. Meiner Meinung nach ist sie eine der besten des Autors.
Als Malcolms Partner nach 20 Jahren an seiner Krebserkrankung stirbt, ist dieser emotional am Ende. Er vermisst ihn auch nach 13 Monaten so sehr, wie am ersten Tag. Malcolm lebt quasi nur noch für seine Arbeit als erfolgreicher Steueranwalt. Erst als der Schriftsteller Hans als neuer Klient in der Kanzlei auftaucht, weckt er Malcolms Interesse an einem anderen Mann.
Hans ist zehn Jahre jünger als Malcolm und ein echtes Energiebündel. Es gelingt ihm, Malcolm zu einem Wochenendtrip in ein nahes Skigebiet zu überreden. Dabei kommen sich die beiden näher.
Die Liebesgeschichte von Malcolm und Hans konnte mich überzeugen. Der Autor konnte die traurige Vergangenheit von Malcolm glaubwürdig vermitteln. Nach 20 Jahren mit seinem verstorbenen Partner konnte er sich ein Leben ohne ihn nicht vorstellen. Er fühlt sich anfangs viel zu alt für Hans und zweifelt an einer Zukunft mit dem attraktiven Autor. Doch am Ende geschieht etwas, das Malcolm erkennen lässt, dass das Schicksal seine eigenen Wege geht. Dadurch begreift er, dass er keinen Tag des Glücks an Hans Seite verschenken sollte.
Ein neues Kapitel mit dir ist eine eher ruhige Geschichte, allerdings mit der für den Autor typischen und passenden Portion Drama.
Mein Dank geht an den Cursed Verlag für das erhaltene Rezensionsexemplar
August 3, 2017
Malcolm’s lover died of cancer 13 months ago and he’s still very mucsh stuck in his grief. At his brother’s urgings and some serendipity, Malcolm ends up joining a former client for dinner and finding out they share a lot in common and definitely share an attraction..
Malcolm is hot and cold with Hans. He’s very attracted to Hans, but not ready to forget his husband nor can he forget the significant age gap.
Eventually some things stir up in both their lives that force their hands and both men have to ask themselves just what they’re looking for.
**
I loved the idea of dreary, sad Malcolm finding his way out of grief with the (10 year) younger Hans. Hans seemed so full of life and zest and it would have made for a lovely contrast.
However, what should have been a contrast felt like too opposite to fit. Malcolm never quite shook the “stick in the mud” label and he was still way too hung up on his husband for my tastes.
I didn’t see where Hans and Malcolm really connected other than physically.
There is some drama at the end that didn’t fit the tone of the rest of the story and seemed only like a way to throw our MCs together.
It wasn’t a bad story, but it wasn’t Andrew Grey’s best work. He usually really engages me with his characters and Malcolm and Hans were sort of meh to me and I wasn’t that invested in their relationship.
I did love the fact that both men were over 40 and Malcolm was over 50.
3 of 5 stars
Audio
Whenever I’m on the fence with a book, I consider the audio because it will sometimes elevate the story to the next level for me. I’ve absolutely seen books where a good narration made me feel a lot “better” or “more strongly” about a story so even though I didn’t love this story I opted to review the audiobook so that it might get a second chance. (An example is Fish Out of Water by Amy Lane. http://openskyebookreviews.com/fish-o...) I’m also on the fence with this particular narrator, Jeff Gelder. He’s impressed me at times, but also made me crazy at times. I think, however, that by looking back at my reviews of his narrations, I can say that I will be avoiding him in the future. He’s just not someone I enjoy listening to and in this case, he really didn’t impress me.
He gave the characters some unique voices, which was nice, but Hans ended up sounding like a robot and very stilted. Jeff doesn’t add much emotion to his narrations and when he does it doesn’t always seem to match what he’s reading.
Unfortunately I can’t recommend this audiobook as I think it actually detracts from this story.
2 of 5 stars
Overall 2.5 of 5 stars
Malcolm is hot and cold with Hans. He’s very attracted to Hans, but not ready to forget his husband nor can he forget the significant age gap.
Eventually some things stir up in both their lives that force their hands and both men have to ask themselves just what they’re looking for.
**
I loved the idea of dreary, sad Malcolm finding his way out of grief with the (10 year) younger Hans. Hans seemed so full of life and zest and it would have made for a lovely contrast.
However, what should have been a contrast felt like too opposite to fit. Malcolm never quite shook the “stick in the mud” label and he was still way too hung up on his husband for my tastes.
I didn’t see where Hans and Malcolm really connected other than physically.
There is some drama at the end that didn’t fit the tone of the rest of the story and seemed only like a way to throw our MCs together.
It wasn’t a bad story, but it wasn’t Andrew Grey’s best work. He usually really engages me with his characters and Malcolm and Hans were sort of meh to me and I wasn’t that invested in their relationship.
I did love the fact that both men were over 40 and Malcolm was over 50.
3 of 5 stars
Audio
Whenever I’m on the fence with a book, I consider the audio because it will sometimes elevate the story to the next level for me. I’ve absolutely seen books where a good narration made me feel a lot “better” or “more strongly” about a story so even though I didn’t love this story I opted to review the audiobook so that it might get a second chance. (An example is Fish Out of Water by Amy Lane. http://openskyebookreviews.com/fish-o...) I’m also on the fence with this particular narrator, Jeff Gelder. He’s impressed me at times, but also made me crazy at times. I think, however, that by looking back at my reviews of his narrations, I can say that I will be avoiding him in the future. He’s just not someone I enjoy listening to and in this case, he really didn’t impress me.
He gave the characters some unique voices, which was nice, but Hans ended up sounding like a robot and very stilted. Jeff doesn’t add much emotion to his narrations and when he does it doesn’t always seem to match what he’s reading.
Unfortunately I can’t recommend this audiobook as I think it actually detracts from this story.
2 of 5 stars
Overall 2.5 of 5 stars
August 18, 2016
"Turning the Page” by Andrew Grey is a second chance/healing romance. It’s the journey of Malcolm Webber trying to cope with his life and grief after the death of his long time partner and eventually finding love again.
Malcolm is in mourning after he loses his long time partner, David to cancer. Even after almost two years, Malcolm is still struggling to settle in the reality that David is no longer in his life. He wallows in his misery by drowning himself in work. Malcolm is now a mere shadow of the man he once was. He is not sure that if he can ever come out of his grief and move on. His life takes an unexpected turn when he meets Hans Erikson. Hans comes to Malcolm as a client and Malcolm’s broken heart starts to beat again. Hans is a writer and Malcolm is a fan, but there is more than admiration for a “favorite author” in play when Malcolm is near him. Malcolm is surprised to realize that he is attracted to Hans which he believed would never happen after David. Hans is interested in him too but Malcolm’s insecurities create a huge wall between them. Malcolm now has a second chance to fall in love and move on from his past but before he can do any of that, he needs to break down his wall of insecurities and trust Hans to love him for who really is to finally get his HEA for the second time.
This read was quite angsty and very sad at times. Malcolm is shown as struggling something fierce to let go of David. He struggles with letting Hans into his life as he believes that liking Hans equals to cheating on David somehow. There was always an undertone of loss and sadness in this read. I get that mourning is not fun and entertaining but Malcolm just kept on living in his past and tried very little to accept Hans or appreciating the man’s effort in being patient and so very understanding with him. Malcolm is a fifty something tax lawyer and though I understood his insecurities about getting involved with a man who is younger and more outgoing than him, I still felt that he was being a little unreasonable and whiny most of the time.
Hans Erickson is an outgoing, adventure loving man. I liked his compassion and how understanding and patient he is with Malcolm. He too has lost someone close to him to cancer and he gets the pain which Malcolm is going through. So all in all, I liked Hans a lot. I felt really bad when he is rejected and left in the lurch, time and time again by Malcolm. Malcolm’s treatment of Hans made me dislike Malcolm’s character many times. I could not feel the love and passion between them. I had a difficult time trying to justify Malcolm’s behaviour and Hans’s attraction to Malcolm. Their relationship felt off and a lot bland.
I am a fan of Andrew Grey’s work but this book did not strike a positive/loving chord with me. I won’t say I disliked Malcolm but I did not like him either.
Bottom line, you may like this read if you can get over the overly bland and sad atmosphere it paints.
*This review has been cross posted at GayBookReviews*
Malcolm is in mourning after he loses his long time partner, David to cancer. Even after almost two years, Malcolm is still struggling to settle in the reality that David is no longer in his life. He wallows in his misery by drowning himself in work. Malcolm is now a mere shadow of the man he once was. He is not sure that if he can ever come out of his grief and move on. His life takes an unexpected turn when he meets Hans Erikson. Hans comes to Malcolm as a client and Malcolm’s broken heart starts to beat again. Hans is a writer and Malcolm is a fan, but there is more than admiration for a “favorite author” in play when Malcolm is near him. Malcolm is surprised to realize that he is attracted to Hans which he believed would never happen after David. Hans is interested in him too but Malcolm’s insecurities create a huge wall between them. Malcolm now has a second chance to fall in love and move on from his past but before he can do any of that, he needs to break down his wall of insecurities and trust Hans to love him for who really is to finally get his HEA for the second time.
This read was quite angsty and very sad at times. Malcolm is shown as struggling something fierce to let go of David. He struggles with letting Hans into his life as he believes that liking Hans equals to cheating on David somehow. There was always an undertone of loss and sadness in this read. I get that mourning is not fun and entertaining but Malcolm just kept on living in his past and tried very little to accept Hans or appreciating the man’s effort in being patient and so very understanding with him. Malcolm is a fifty something tax lawyer and though I understood his insecurities about getting involved with a man who is younger and more outgoing than him, I still felt that he was being a little unreasonable and whiny most of the time.
Hans Erickson is an outgoing, adventure loving man. I liked his compassion and how understanding and patient he is with Malcolm. He too has lost someone close to him to cancer and he gets the pain which Malcolm is going through. So all in all, I liked Hans a lot. I felt really bad when he is rejected and left in the lurch, time and time again by Malcolm. Malcolm’s treatment of Hans made me dislike Malcolm’s character many times. I could not feel the love and passion between them. I had a difficult time trying to justify Malcolm’s behaviour and Hans’s attraction to Malcolm. Their relationship felt off and a lot bland.
I am a fan of Andrew Grey’s work but this book did not strike a positive/loving chord with me. I won’t say I disliked Malcolm but I did not like him either.
Bottom line, you may like this read if you can get over the overly bland and sad atmosphere it paints.
*This review has been cross posted at GayBookReviews*
August 20, 2016
I'm a huge Andrew Grey fan so I knew if anyone could write a story about a man overcoming grief it would be him. Oh boy, did Andrew Grey ever deliver. Fantastic!
Malcolm is a tax attorney who lost his partner of 20 years to cancer. The year since David died Malcolm has thrown himself into work, not really living just existing. At times the pain of loss is overwhelming and sometimes he goes through his daily routine as a zombie.
All that changes when Malcolm meets Hans, and he feels a spark of something. A spark of life, a spark of excitement, Malcolm isn't sure. He just knows it's been gone for far too long.
Hans is a writer with a tax issue. He first meets Hans as a client, when Malcolm helps fix his error. Then one night while out to dinner with his brother, Malcolm runs into Hans again. Hans joins them for dinner and the two realize how much they have in common.
After spending time together Malcolm starts to think the age difference may be an issue. Hans is young and fun and enjoys skiing and diving and Malcolm is middle aged and not nearly as adventurous.
Hans and Malcolm will have to work together to help Malcolm move past his grief and the reservations he has about age and adventure. If they can, they could be headed on the biggest adventure of their lives.
Love, love, love this! Malcolm was drowning in his grief, which was so realistically and believably described that it felt like my own. Hans was so patient with him, without letting him hide behind it.
The two characters were so richly developed they felt like long lost friends. I felt like walked the steps to overcome grief together.
The story moved along at a steady pace and was interesting. Hans and Malcolm's story would have been enough, but as an added bonus their is a little side story involving Malcolm's work. Truly entertaining.
Malcolm is a tax attorney who lost his partner of 20 years to cancer. The year since David died Malcolm has thrown himself into work, not really living just existing. At times the pain of loss is overwhelming and sometimes he goes through his daily routine as a zombie.
All that changes when Malcolm meets Hans, and he feels a spark of something. A spark of life, a spark of excitement, Malcolm isn't sure. He just knows it's been gone for far too long.
Hans is a writer with a tax issue. He first meets Hans as a client, when Malcolm helps fix his error. Then one night while out to dinner with his brother, Malcolm runs into Hans again. Hans joins them for dinner and the two realize how much they have in common.
After spending time together Malcolm starts to think the age difference may be an issue. Hans is young and fun and enjoys skiing and diving and Malcolm is middle aged and not nearly as adventurous.
Hans and Malcolm will have to work together to help Malcolm move past his grief and the reservations he has about age and adventure. If they can, they could be headed on the biggest adventure of their lives.
Love, love, love this! Malcolm was drowning in his grief, which was so realistically and believably described that it felt like my own. Hans was so patient with him, without letting him hide behind it.
The two characters were so richly developed they felt like long lost friends. I felt like walked the steps to overcome grief together.
The story moved along at a steady pace and was interesting. Hans and Malcolm's story would have been enough, but as an added bonus their is a little side story involving Malcolm's work. Truly entertaining.
September 15, 2016
ARC provided by the publisher through Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words in exchange for an impartial review.
This story from Andrew Grey was outstanding, IMHO, and not just because I found Malcolm to be kind-hearted, yet sharp-witted, and dedicated to both his profession and the memory of his lost love. I felt a warm empathy for his character right from the beginning. Andrew Grey created a sweetheart wrapped in a smart lawyer’s skin, a man who loved deeply and grieves just as much. I also loved the fact that he’s in his fifties, and he’s still a healthy adult male with a good libido!
Hans is also a very engaging character. Smart and adventurous, he falls head-over-heels for Malcolm and persistently works to chip away at the wall Malcolm has erected around himself—one block at a time. As a supporting character, Malcolm’s brother was well-fleshed out. He’s the one who gets Malcolm to make the call to Hans after they meet while out to dinner, and he’s supportive and positive toward them throughout the book.
Malcolm and Paul have both romantic and adventurous dates, and they have very scary experiences—both separately and together—which add excitement and intrigue to the story. I think even the sex scenes are more hot? Descriptive? Evocative? Not sure which word best describes them but they were certainly present and certainly not just a quick kiss in the dark. Another cheer for Mr. Grey for showing that men over age forty have sex—and enjoy it!
So, I definitely recommend this one to all lovers of MM romance, especially those who love a hurt-comfort story, men over forty, or healing from grief. This one has it all, and it’s very well done.
This story from Andrew Grey was outstanding, IMHO, and not just because I found Malcolm to be kind-hearted, yet sharp-witted, and dedicated to both his profession and the memory of his lost love. I felt a warm empathy for his character right from the beginning. Andrew Grey created a sweetheart wrapped in a smart lawyer’s skin, a man who loved deeply and grieves just as much. I also loved the fact that he’s in his fifties, and he’s still a healthy adult male with a good libido!
Hans is also a very engaging character. Smart and adventurous, he falls head-over-heels for Malcolm and persistently works to chip away at the wall Malcolm has erected around himself—one block at a time. As a supporting character, Malcolm’s brother was well-fleshed out. He’s the one who gets Malcolm to make the call to Hans after they meet while out to dinner, and he’s supportive and positive toward them throughout the book.
Malcolm and Paul have both romantic and adventurous dates, and they have very scary experiences—both separately and together—which add excitement and intrigue to the story. I think even the sex scenes are more hot? Descriptive? Evocative? Not sure which word best describes them but they were certainly present and certainly not just a quick kiss in the dark. Another cheer for Mr. Grey for showing that men over age forty have sex—and enjoy it!
So, I definitely recommend this one to all lovers of MM romance, especially those who love a hurt-comfort story, men over forty, or healing from grief. This one has it all, and it’s very well done.
August 12, 2016
~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads Review Team~
I almost didn’t finish this book, it was very wordy, over descriptive and at times boring. I didn’t want to give up because I really wanted to read this book, so I found myself skimming until I got to the dialogue and just reading that. Malcom lost his lover of 20+ years to cancer and hasn’t been able to move on. Hans is writer who needs a little help with the IRS. These two meet at Malcom’s law office but didn’t start dating until after Hans’ business was done with him. These two were great with each other, they both were laid back and loving and easily read each other’s minds at times. Hans was very understanding about Malcom and his former lover. There was a few drama moments, one seemed unnecessary and the other one was just too much for Malcom to handle. All in all, if you can get past all the excess descriptions there is a good story underneath.
Characters: love them both
Sex: yes
Religious: no
Would I recommend to others: yes
More than one book in the series: no
Genre: M/M Romance
Would I read more by this author: yes
~Wicked Reads Review Team~
I almost didn’t finish this book, it was very wordy, over descriptive and at times boring. I didn’t want to give up because I really wanted to read this book, so I found myself skimming until I got to the dialogue and just reading that. Malcom lost his lover of 20+ years to cancer and hasn’t been able to move on. Hans is writer who needs a little help with the IRS. These two meet at Malcom’s law office but didn’t start dating until after Hans’ business was done with him. These two were great with each other, they both were laid back and loving and easily read each other’s minds at times. Hans was very understanding about Malcom and his former lover. There was a few drama moments, one seemed unnecessary and the other one was just too much for Malcom to handle. All in all, if you can get past all the excess descriptions there is a good story underneath.
Characters: love them both
Sex: yes
Religious: no
Would I recommend to others: yes
More than one book in the series: no
Genre: M/M Romance
Would I read more by this author: yes
~Wicked Reads Review Team~
August 23, 2016
Andrew Grey knows how to weave a great story! Every story I have read written by him has not only entertained, but kept me intrigued. Hans and Malcolm have both had their share of pain. Fate brings them together and allows for the walls they have but,t around their hearts to be shattered. The way this author handles to role and feelings of the caregiver in the situation of caring for a loved one that us dieing was wonderful. Great, great read.
September 24, 2016
I really do like books with older/mature characters and having a second chance at love. It was an enjoyable story and I liked the characters, but I just couldn't feel a connection with them. Something for me just didn't work and I really just don't know what it was, but that is just me and I think others will enjoy this one.
Read
August 20, 2016DNF 30%
The writing wasn't bad- Andrew Grey can write- but this book was too wordy/descriptive for my taste. I felt we weren't getting anywhere. It just wasn't for me.
No rating.
The writing wasn't bad- Andrew Grey can write- but this book was too wordy/descriptive for my taste. I felt we weren't getting anywhere. It just wasn't for me.
No rating.
January 5, 2019
I had mixed feelings on this one. It was a little darker than I normally expect from Grey. But, that’s not a bad thing. The thing that didn’t quite sit right was I felt Han kept saying “I understand and we’ll go slow” then immediately started pushing for the exact thing he said he’d be patient for. Then once Malcom started giving in Han would be like “no really, let’s go slow”. I felt like half the book was like this and it bugged me bc it just rang out a tone of impatience and contradicted the sense that Hans actually understood Malcom. It made it hard for me to trust Hans intentions. However, one thing I love about books is getting into the character’s heads and learning their flaws along with their strengths and the impatience added depth to understanding Han so I can’t complain too much.
A great read to get a glimpse of how grief is different for everyone and that that’s ok.
A great read to get a glimpse of how grief is different for everyone and that that’s ok.
February 19, 2017
Hans is a famous author but doesn't go out much. He has been burned by a cheating lover and doesn't want to go through it again. He and Malcomb hit it off but there is a big age gap, and Hans is more active than Malcomb.
Turning the page is a touching story about a man that doesn't want to move on. When he meets Hans, he is torn in his emotions. He also feels that he is out of Hans league that Hans needs someone his age and that likes the same things.
There are several fantastic characters in the story. The plot is interesting as are the subplots. The small twist at the end adds some depth and action to the story.
If you like second chance at love, May/December romance, lawyers, authors and an allover beautiful romance this is a must read.
Turning the page is a touching story about a man that doesn't want to move on. When he meets Hans, he is torn in his emotions. He also feels that he is out of Hans league that Hans needs someone his age and that likes the same things.
There are several fantastic characters in the story. The plot is interesting as are the subplots. The small twist at the end adds some depth and action to the story.
If you like second chance at love, May/December romance, lawyers, authors and an allover beautiful romance this is a must read.
August 7, 2017
Malcolm is still grieving the death of his partner of 20+ years and I found that OK, some people need longer than others.
He is 52 though the way he went on about his age, he ought to be 82. At 42 Hans isn't that much younger. The skiing was a fun interlude though did lead to more age woes.
I thought Malcolm at work was portrayed well, the stresses of work, becoming the main boss and Gary - though that went wild big time!
His dealing with Hans' issue was OK for me - he had to come to terms after what had happened with David.
So as with a lot of AG stories, an enjoyable, nice, warm (despite the snow) story and for me the angsty bits weren't big. The cover is good, showing an intensity that is lurking in their developing relationship but that is overcome.
He is 52 though the way he went on about his age, he ought to be 82. At 42 Hans isn't that much younger. The skiing was a fun interlude though did lead to more age woes.
I thought Malcolm at work was portrayed well, the stresses of work, becoming the main boss and Gary - though that went wild big time!
His dealing with Hans' issue was OK for me - he had to come to terms after what had happened with David.
So as with a lot of AG stories, an enjoyable, nice, warm (despite the snow) story and for me the angsty bits weren't big. The cover is good, showing an intensity that is lurking in their developing relationship but that is overcome.
January 22, 2020
A very good story about finding love after loss. I got frustrated with Mal on more than one occasion. However, I think that's part of his dealing with David's death more than a failing of the writing. Hans was starting to seem entirely too perfect and then... he became realistic and flawed. I loved that! I wasn't so enamored with the narrator. He did a workmanlike job, but I wasn't entirely happy with his characterizations.
February 20, 2020
3.5 ⭐️
I felt like Malcom was suffering from a big batch of survivors guilty and low self esteem, thankfully Hans was able to break past the barrier of Malcom’s past. Loved the crisis towards the end, danger has a great way of getting rid of all the bullshit we tend to cling to. Wished the author had Malcom going into some sort of therapy, I felt he would have benefited from it greatly.
Now where can I find a man like Hans.....
I felt like Malcom was suffering from a big batch of survivors guilty and low self esteem, thankfully Hans was able to break past the barrier of Malcom’s past. Loved the crisis towards the end, danger has a great way of getting rid of all the bullshit we tend to cling to. Wished the author had Malcom going into some sort of therapy, I felt he would have benefited from it greatly.
Now where can I find a man like Hans.....
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