Don't Twunk with My Heart

Loving You, Book 2

By: Renae Kaye

Narrated by: Joel Leslie

Kee Smith isn't sure who he is anymore. He knows who he used to be - the ignored gay son who chose a blue-collar job just because no one expected it, the submissive bottom who enjoyed large, masculine jocks who put him in his place, the sleek, fashionable twink who partied all night. But after his ex-boyfriend hit Kee and called him names, Kee retired from the social scene.

Back after a year's hiatus, Kee still doesn't know where he fits. His friends say he's a twunk - a twink who put on muscle and turned into a hunk - but Kee is searching for somewhere to belong. Instead of going back to his usual type, Kee hooks up with twink Tate Stevens - a fashion-industry professional who works the image hard. It proves to be the best decision he's ever made, and not just because he's starting to regain his sexual confidence.

With Tate, Kee can open up about his fears and confusion without ridicule. Tate has his own fears about putting on weight and getting old. It will take work to make a relationship of opposites succeed, but they begin to realize the compromises will be worth it if they can be together.

©2016 Renae Kaye (P)2017 Dreamspinner Press

So glad we have a new narrator!

So, Loving Jay was the first book I read by Renae Kaye and it’s what got me hooked on her as an author. We get to see Jay a lot in this story and it was great to see him and Liam still going strong.

In this book we see two gay men dealing with aging – wait, you say – angst?. Nah, not really. There is some, for sure. A bit more than in Loving Jay. Kee has some scars and Tate does as well, but their issues are treated fairly easily and without a lot of OTT drama. I liked that. A lot.

I really appreciated that these guys talked to one another. For the most part they had their issues but they talked them out.

The physical times are super hot and yet, especially for Kee, at times touching as well.

It’s liberally laced with loads of humor and very Australian, but that’s what we expect from this author and she delivers in spades.

I had to look up the choreographer – Yanis Marshall – as he referenced a couple of times in the story and I recommend you do because – YOWZA – way hot!

I really felt these guys connected and made the other whole. It’s a very touching and sweet story, with not a lot of angst, but enough to drive the plot and keep you turning pages. (I didn’t love the casual almost rape near the end and how it was sort of brushed off, nor did I love how Jay was portrayed a little bit more bitchy than I remember him, but the “epilogue” more than made up for it!)

Highly Recommended

4.5 of 5 stars


Audio

Yay! I’m so glad the author decided to go with Joel Leslie here! I think these books feel so “Australian” and to not have somebody with an accent just feels weird. In addition, Joel is so GOOD! He’s great at giving characters a unique feel so that it’s easy to know who is speaking, and he’s great at giving us emotion.

One thing I’ve come to really appreciate about good narrators like Joel, is that they ADD to a story with their interpretation of the story. So, it’s important that they “get” the story and can “emote” appropriately. Joel times his stories expertly and really helps to bring a listener into the action.

Highly recommended!

5 of 5 stars

Overall, 4.75 (rounded to 5) of 5 stars

Charming

This story was actually very sweet. It's been a long time since I've read a Renae Kaye novel, and I really enjoyed Don't Twunk with My Heart.

Not as big a fan of Joel Leslie's performance in the audio edition, but hey, I already knew his Australian accent would drive me bonkers lol.

Another hit for Renae Kaye!

I loved this book when I first read it on release day and it's even better in audio! Thanks for giving us such lovable characters and thanks for getting me hooked on Yannis Marshall again!

Fun and lighthearted

This could have been a very heavy book. Both of the main characters, Kee and Tate have some serious issues they are dealing with but Renae has done a great job of turning a potentially angsty story into a fun loving, light hearted story.
Joel Leslie did a great job with the narration of this story. He did a great job giving each character a distinctive voice!

Oh my God!

This was a great second book, the only thing I didn’t like was how quickly the character got over his eating disorder. It seemed very serious and with no counseling and just eating slightly more with his boyfriend he cured a lifelong mental illness.

Other than that it was quite good and the football scenes were hysterical!

5 Star Review - Loved Story and Narration

Well, what I will say first, is WOW Joel Leslie, I bow down to you on how you manage to keep the voices throughout the whole audio book, and I so fell in love the voice of Jamie. This is one audio book that will have you smiling, almost crying with laughter and then being sad too. I totally loved this audio book and would recommend to anyone who loves m/m romance.. This is one audio book that I will listen to again and again.

Kee is such a loveable character, and boy do you feel for him when he reveals what happened to him with his previous relationship. So much so that he has changed how he looks, from being a twink to becoming a twunk, but more importantly he is happier with himself. However, he also withdrew from the social scene, and I think has no real idea what to do to get back into things.

His best friend Jamie is such a loveable character, and omg will you laugh at what he says (and again wow Joel Leslie, I don't know how you manged all Jamies speeches without a breath), and he manages to drawn Kee out to meet them at a nightclub. When Jamie sees Kee there, this is where you will literally howl with laughter, I know I did. This is where I learnt about Twinks, Twunks and Twanks!!

At first Kee is drawn to men he used to approach, but then he sees someone different - namely Tate. Tate is the total opposite of who Kee usually approaches, but they both hit it off. They do end up back at Tates house, and Kee is really unsure about what to do. He is strangely drawn to Tate, but isn't really sure why.

They meet every week, each realising that they love the company of the other, and slowly their feelings begin to grow. They have a great sex life, but Kee can't be the bottom he yearns to be... but Tate is so gentle with him, it will definitely be in the future that Kee can bottom for Tate. Tate is more open minded about sex that Kee, and sometimes Tate would take him completely out of his comfort zone, but to me Kee seems to love that Tate will do this.

Kee soon realises he is in love with Tate, but Tate has a secret that he believes could end their relationship..... but will it?? Kee must now find a way to show Tate that his bit secret doesn't matter, that he loves him no matter what.

​I absolutely adored this audio book. It is the first book I have read/listened to by Renae Kaye, but it will not be the last. I also immensely enjoyed the narration by Joel Leslie, and to me this just made the book so more more enjoyable to listen to.

Copy gifted by Narrator for an honest review.
Reviewed by Dawn at Gay Media Reviews

A Twunk, A Twank, and a Twink....Great Story

Would you listen to Don't Twunk with My Heart again? Why?

Sure, breezy romance set in Australia, so a little different, but also the same since our cultures are so similar. Nice balance of characters of different types balances out the stereotypical gay character. And Joel Leslie! This guy could read the phonebook and I'd listen. He can do any accent and different character voices in those accents. Amazing narrator!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Kee, naturally. He's the MC and narrator of the story. A non-stereotypical gay man, who has been off the market for a year after an incident of domestic violence by his ex. Kee meets Tate on the dance floor and a relationship slowly blossoms.

What does Joel Leslie bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Joel brings the characters and the setting to life with his Australian accents yet still defining each character individually.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Kee tries to make Tate understand that he loves him no matter what and doesn't need to starve himself to be rail thin just because he's gay and in the fashion industry. Kee thinks Tate is to skinny, but loves him for him, not his size. Kee continually tries to get through to Tate, but Tate is over 30 and has that feeling that gay men over 30 are over and done. Even though he's got a boyfriend now, he just can't see beyond that.

Any additional comments?

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher

Twunky love story

This is a cute sequel to Loving Jay. There are interesting themes explored of aging and body image in the gay community that anyone can relate to, as well as dealing with a past history of abuse in a previous relationship. The serious issues are balanced well with sweet romance and the support of friends, which includes supporting characters Liam and Jamie from Loving Jay which was really nice to revisit those likable characters. I'm looking forward to reading future books in this series.
Joel Leslie's narration brings the story to life dynamically.

Joel Leslie just keeps getting better!

Any additional comments?

I liked a lot of elements of the story, like the slow relationship build while still getting hot sexy times, and getting to spend time with Liam and Jamie (who we first met in Loving Jay), but I really loved Joel's narration.

Joel Leslie brings this story to life! His character voices, the pacing, timing, and voice-over were all absolutely lovely. I adored his voice for Jamie so, SO, much!!

I'm consistently impressed with Joel's voice performances, and this is no exception. His Aussie accents just keep getting better!

Told entirely from Kee's POV, Don't Twunk With My Heart can be read as a standalone. This is a pleasant romance with low angst, passionate encounters, some humor, and a sweet HEA.

'Oh My Gawd!" Great perfomance!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I enjoyed the story of Kee and Tate, but I absolutely loved Joel Leslie as the narrator. I barely read the book, not because it wasn't good, (it was great), but because the narration is so good!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Don't Twunk with My Heart?

Apart from having a front row seat to the romance between Kee and Tate, the more memorable moments were when Jay started his running his mouth :) Joel captured him perfectly! Now I wish he had done the first book, Loving Jay. I'm sure I would remember more of Jay (now that I have a more memorable voice to go with him).

What about Joel Leslie’s performance did you like?

Referring to Joel Leslie as a narrator really does not do him justice. When he voices the characters it's like having the best seats in the house to a royal command performance. I am seriously in love with his performances.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed pretty much every time 'Jay' opened his mouth :), he really has no filter! I loved that there were no stupid misunderstandings or unnecessary quarrels. But best of all, listening to the romance between Kee and Tate unfold gave me the warm fuzzies.

Any additional comments?

I received a free copy of this audiobook, but I can honestly recommend listening to this book. The writing is great and Joel Leslie is flawless!