eBook and Audio Review: The Player by Lily Morton, narrated by Joel Leslie


Note: An advance reader copy (ARC) was provided by the author via Gay Romance Reviews.

Reading and listening to a book at the same time is one of those things that I've always gotten an immense amount of enjoyment from. Another combination that I can never get enough of? The dynamic storytelling duo of Lily Morton (her writing) and Joel Leslie (his narration)! Their latest offering is The Player, a previously published novella that now includes a new epilogue, and it's a friends-to-lovers romance with a bit of a twist. Frankie Bishop (27) is widower who lost his husband months after their whirlwind romance and wedding. Three years on, light is beginning to seep back into his grayish life, but he finds himself needing to accept two things: one, his feelings for his best friend and business partner, Conrad (aka Con, who I think is in his 30s because he was Frankie's late husband's best friend, but I could be wrong), are beyond platonic; and two, it may be too late for him to do anything about it considering Con's just arrived back in Cotswolds with a guy who could very well be his new boyfriend.

My favorite thing about The Player had to be the close-knit relationship that Frankie and Con shared. They pretty much knew almost everything about each other, save for the fact that they were both pining for one another and hoping for far more than "just" being best friends. There's a reason why Joel Leslie is such a go-to of mine when it comes to audiobooks. He never fails to leave me thoroughly impressed with his ability to distinguish one character from another, regardless of whether they happen to be one of the main characters or part of the supporting cast or even a feathered scene-stealer named Hank Marvin! He brought such life to an already wonderfully entertaining story by Lily Morton, and the almost five hours I spent reading and listening to Frankie and Con's love story was time well spent. I laughed out loud and loved everything about The Player--yes, even Lucy Scrimshaw. Five stars!

Date Read: 20 November 2024

Learn more about Lily Morton.

Purchase The Player on Amazon.

 

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