I just want to put it out there that I’m a sucker for the English accent…
I didn’t realize this was a bundle of two novellas but I’m glad it was combined to one. Streets Apart: Hearts Apart is my first read from author HJ Perry and I’m not disappointed. A coming out, friends to lovers story about 20 year old, trainee plumber and amateur footballer Aaron, who has acknowledged that he’s gay but has not come out yet, and he also has this huge crush (apparently the size of Europe lol) on University Literature student Joe, his childhood friend from next door. HJ Perry has painted a picture of young love in its almost perfect world, it’s definitely a feel-good story and reminder of what it feels like to fall in love for the first time. I’m glad that Aaron wasn’t some closeted homophobic who denied his feels but instead he opens up about how he feels with Joe, even if he can’t think straight or string a complete sentence together (lol). I enjoyed the story but won’t be too eager to give it five stars so I’ll settle with four stars, only because I’m so use to angst and drama, that this was just too sweet of a story.
Like the author, this is my first listen to Piers Ryman, and I wasn’t disappointed. Again, I’m a sucker for the English accent and maybe for some it’s not a turn on but it definitely kept my attention. I’ll have to admit though, it wasn’t easy for me in the beginning to differentiate if he was narrating Aaron or Joe (I guess I’ve gotten use to another narrator whom I’ve listen to narrate m/m books that changes the tone in his voice when he narrates two males) but that didn’t make me hit the stop button. In the end, I’d imagine what Piers would sound like if he narrated Aaron with a deeper tone? Then I thought of English actor Jason Statham and blushed….HOWEVER, I needed to remind myself that Aaron and Joe are 20 years old, it only made perfect sense that Piers narrated them not perfect but just right for this story. Five stars for the performance because although I’m just so use to listening to different tones when it’s only one narrator, Piers did capture the voice of two adolescent males who are so new to love and relationship that it wasn’t hard to finish in a day. I will defiantly keep a look out for more audio books from Piers (because again, I’m a sucker for a sexy accent) and will definitely look into HJ Perry.
With that said, if you enjoy a feel-good romance (that doesn’t give you heartburn) about two young men who fall in love for the first time, then HJ Perry’s Streets Apart: Hearts Apart will do it for you. Plus, Piers Ryman narrating is just as sweet as this story (wink*wink). Happy Listening all!
*I was given this free review copy audio-book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.*