The Lost Boy

De: Anna Martin

Narrado por: Dan Calley

Five years after his band Ares shot to success, Ben Easton is struggling. He’s holed up in a mansion in Los Angeles while he fights depression and a dark drug addiction that threatens to destroy everything.

In a final attempt to save Ben’s life, his best friend Tone does something desperate — he calls Ben’s ex-boyfriend Stan and begs him to help. Stan Novikov is living in New York and thriving in his career as a fashion journalist. He hasn’t been back to London since he and Ben broke up, but that seems like the right place to go — along with Tone — to try and shock Ben out of his unhealthy lifestyle.

The band have to finish their album before Christmas but without Ben, work has stalled. Ben has to decide whether he’s going to stay with Ares and keep making music, or find another path for his future. One that might just include Stan.

©2020 Anna Martin (P)2020 Anna Martin

From Impossible to Lost to Healed

In Book one of the Impossible Boy series, Stan was the one who suffered. Oh, Ben had his issues to be sure – the teddy bear was all the proof you needed of that. But Stan was the one who was dealing with anorexia. Who needed tending. Who appeared healthier with Ben’s love. Now, them being together didn’t solve all their problems – books that wrap things up so nicely don’t always feel as authentic as those who leave a few things hanging. The implication being that as time passes, and as their love deepens, that healing can take place. So I got my happy ending. And I wasn’t sure why there needed to be a second book.

Wham. Slam me down five years later and the world has gone to, uh, crap. Stan is living in New York with a hugely successful career as a fashion journalist, and Ben is living in a mansion in LA in a drug-induced haze that make it impossible for him to finish work on Ares’ latest album. He has the money and fame he always dreamed of, and he’s literally snorting his life away. Out of desperation, his bandmate Tone calls Stan and Stan comes because despite everything, he still loves Ben. Tone and Stan squirrel Ben away to London. Away from record executives. Away from adoring fans. Away from the easy supply of drugs.

What comes next is the painful and heartbreaking journey of an addict. Ben has a lot of atoning to do. He’s made a real hash of his life. Losing Stan was only part of the whole mess. He sees what he’s lost and he’s not sure there’s a reason not to lose himself again in drugs. To say there isn’t a clear and straight line to sobriety is an understatement. Ben truly is the lost boy. I hadn’t expected that. After all Stan’s struggles in the previous book, I expected this book to be a continuation of his struggles. But it wasn’t. It was the story of a man who got everything he’d ever wanted and lost the most important thing in his life in the process.

This was a painful book in many ways, but it was also redemptive. The story of two men who lost their way, finding a way home. A way back to each other. A way to be stronger together. And this time I got a real happy ending.

I’ll say a quick note about Dan Calley – another great performance. He hit every note perfectly and I was able to sink into this world without trouble. So well done and hoping there will be more books by Ms. Martin narrated by Mr. Calley.

Wow!

This is the sequel I didnt even know I needed! Wow! This takes Ben and Stan's relationship to another level. When The Lost Boy ended I got my HEA but little did I know the story was far from over. Book two takes it to another level. I am new to Anna Martin and I am.so happy to have discovered her. She is an amazing story teller and is now at the top of my favorites list after listening to The Impossible Boy followed by The Lost Boy. I loved book two even more than the first one because their relationship deepened and matured. The characters were fleshed out and this couple deserved a sequel.... I love them so much! I stumbled onto this series because Dan Calley was narrator so I don't need to tell you how much I love his performances and interpretations. He is a masterful story teller! Don't hesitate to click on this one!!