Housekeeping

By: Kim Fielding

Narrated by: K.C. Kelly

When Nicky Hauser walks in on his restaurant-owner boyfriend having sex with a waiter, Nicky loses his lover, his job, and his home all in one night. Although he’s nearly thirty, he’s never settled on a true career, and he has nothing to show for his years with Tom. Depressed and unable to find work, Nicky ends up couch-surfing with friends until he lands a house-sitting gig for a wealthy family.

When Nicky’s clients discover that he loves to clean, demand for his services skyrockets. Word of mouth leads him to Spencer Cartwright, a busy computer consultant and a slob. Spencer and his wife divorced when he came out, but he’s never found the time or courage to settle down with a man. As Nicky sets Spencer’s house to rights, the two men find friendship. But Nicky’s past experiences make him wary of risking everything on love.

©2013 Kim Fielding (P)2014 Dreamspinner Press

a home is more than just were u live

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

it's a sweet story with nick learning how to stand on his own two feet and how to allow him self to both trust and love spencer

What other book might you compare Housekeeping to and why?

nothing I can thing of

Which scene was your favorite?

I loved it when spencer told nick he was being added on to the deed of the house because it was his home as well

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

playing house

Any additional comments?

once more a story that shows the importants of the relationship 1st Love it

Sweet

Corky, unrealistic but sweet enough for a twice in one day listen😍 don't we all wish we can find a partner that love us unconditionally! Sigh!

Love this combo - Kim and KC!

We start the story on Nicky’s 29th birthday. He’s having a blast, living the life as a waiter/kept man with is lover of many years, Tom (his boss). Nicky goes to surprise Tom at work and discovers him banging another waiter in his office. Needless to say, he’s heartbroken, and now he’s also homeless and jobless.
With the help of his friends he stumbles into a sort-of career as a housekeeper/house-sitter and manages to stay off the streets and is even beginning to take classes online when he meets Spencer.
Spencer initially hires him for a two week stint as a housekeeper/sitter, but then is so impressed with his work and has such a big house, he offers Nicky a room if he’ll stay and keep his house full time.
They live together as friends and employer/employee for months, slowly growing to appreciate the other as people, but never crossing any romantic lines. Until… Nicky turns 30 and invites Spencer along. They share a drunken kiss and Spencer wants to take things farther but Nicky stops him, not wanting to ruin what they already have.
So, though it pains them both, they remain friends and platonic roommates. Until… Thanksgiving. While surrounded by friends and family, Nicky realizes just what he might be throwing away and decides he has to let love guide the way.

**
Kim Fielding is an amazing writer. She is so gifted with her use of humor, tenderness, word choice, character development… the list goes on and on.
I really admire her ability to tell a big story with a few words. Though this is not as “deep” as some of her other stories (Brute, Speechless, etc.) it is just as touching. Both MCs are so lonely and scared and when they do finally come together, you really and truly believe they have what it takes to make it.
I particularly loved the “reveal” where Nicky finally realizes what he’s missing in Spencer.
“It just occurred to me that a man isn’t measured by what he does for a living and where he lives. It’s who he loves that matters, and who loves him. And I’m feeling very, very thankful to have you all in my life.”
Sigh.
So wonderful.
I highly recommend this short book about love and cleaning and give it 4.5 of 5 stars.

Nice read!

I picked this up to read as it was short and could go as an in-between and I ended up liking the MCs Nikki and Spencer a lot together. Tom was an idiot to let Nikki down like that, not cool. But all’s well that ends well and I will continue to read/listen to author Kim’s work. ❤️

A nice listen but not my favorite Kim Fielding

*3.5 stars*

Good, light contemporary story about an aimless man finding purpose as a housekeeper for a newly out divorcee.

The story was easy listening. Sweet, no sex on page (drat!), and tender, I enjoyed this novella. However, I had some minor issues. First of all, I thought that the content was too heavy on the buildup to the relationship and less on the delivery. Almost the entirety of the story is the lead up to Nicky and Spencer getting together. There is a lot of focus on Nicky's breakup with Tom, which would have been great except for the fact that it made the back 1/2 of the story feel rushed and underdeveloped in comparison. I liked Nicky and Spencer together and I would have loved to read more about them and their dynamic. I also wanted to know more about Spencer, who remained somewhat of a mystery to me.

In terms of the narration, I thought it was just okay. I really like K.C. Kelly, but I'll admit he was an awkward fit for this story. His voice is too old and he had too little vocal differentiation between all the characters. He is a better match for stories with more mature MCs or something more soulful, with his deep, resonating voice. I would have liked someone more fresh who could have matched Nicky's personality better.

All in all, a decent listen and a nice way to pass the time.

**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**