Overexposed

In Focus Series, Book 4

By: Megan Erickson

Narrated by: Marc Bachmann

Levi Grainger needs a break. As a reality show star, he's had enough of the spotlight and being edited into a walking stereotype. When he returns home after the last season of Trip League, he expects to spend time with his family, only to learn that his sister is coming back from her deployment in a flag-draped casket. Devastated, Levi decides the best way to grieve will be to go off grid and hike the Appalachian Trail - a trip he'd planned to do with his sister.

His solitary existence on the trail is interrupted when he meets Thad, a quiet man with a hard body and intense eyes. Their connection is stronger than anything Levi has ever experienced. But when Levi discovers the truth about what Thad is trying to escape, their future together looks uncertain, and uncertainty is the last thing Levi needs.

©2016 Megan Erickson (P)2016 Tantor

My favorite in the series!

Let's be honest: humans have a tendency to play favorites. Maybe some are able to resist the urge to do so better than others, but the urge is there. Well, I'm going to play favorites right now. I loved the first three stories in Megan Erickson's In Focus series, but the fourth and final one is definitely my favorite. Now, when I'd originally read the series from 2015 to 2016, I said in my review for the eBook edition of Overexposed that I had no favorites--that I loved the books equally. Well, listening to the audiobooks has me declaring a favorite, and a lot of that has to do with the fact that Marc Bachmann's narration here is him at his best with as far as this series is concerned.

Overexposed is the story of Levi Grainger and Thad Connors. Levi is hiking his way through the Appalachian Trail. This was an experience he was supposed to share with his sister, but her life is suddenly cut short while on deployment, leaving Levi to hike alone in honor of the sister he loved. He meets Thad, and soon, Levi finds himself with an unexpected hiking companion and finds comfort in the friendship that's offered. Feelings develop during their time together, and Levi knows that he's falling for Thad, but what happens when Thad's secret comes to light?

Megan Erickson has put together two complex main characters and story that's richly layered and given listeners such an inspiring romance. Levi and Thad had such an intense connection. While their differences were bound to cause issues, the similarities between them tested the relationship they were building. I've applauded Erickson's writing throughout, but now, I want to applaud Marc Bachmann for doing this final book justice with his narration. Five stars for Exposed! ♥

Review: Overexposed, by Megan Erickson

This is the fourth book in Erickson's In Focus series, and I can't get enough of them. I've listened to books two through four in audio, after reading book one, and each were hard to put down. Overexposed is no exception. It might even be a favorite in the series. I can only hope that Erickson has move In Focus books for us in the future.

the best of the series

great story great narration. the epilogue ties all 4 together in a sweet way in the end.

Great read

Another great addition to fantastic series. Looking forward to more from sweet romances Megan Erickson.

Overexposed

I really liked this book and it was a good addition to this series, I like how they have all been new characters in each book, taking different types of journeys and all meeting at the same end point (at the epilogue).
We met Levi from the previous book 3, he was part of the Reality Tv show, Trip League. In this book Levi decides to take a trip Hiking the ATL Appalachian Trail, to help him get over the Loss of his sister. At the beginning of his hike he meets the other main character of this book Thad. Thad is a quiet Gruff man who doesn't have a lot to say and doesn't want to talk much, he's too busy fighting his own demons in his head. But for some reason he is completely drawn to Levi from the very beginning, and cant seem to figure out why. I really liked how these two are total opposites but they work great together, and the slow lead up towards their actual friendship at first, and then leading into an actual relationship later on, plays out perfectly in this book and is well thought out and written by the author. I think this comes close to being a favorite of mine in this series. But I still totally love Riley's book.
Audio - as always Marc is one of my favorite narrators and I liked his take on these characters. Another great book by a great narrator.
p.s. I know this author has been connected to some MAJOR Drama recently.. But I like the narrator, he's one of my absolute favorites, and I'm not going to punish him for the Author behaving Badly...

Moving Forward and Finding Love

Two men both dealing with loss and trying to find their footing in their new reality meet on the Appalachian Trail. Although there are obstacles in their way, they both manage to overcome and find love with each other.

The story is angsty and sweet, but I love Thad’s protectiveness and Levi’s warm heart. Overall, this was enjoyable and well written.

Overexposed emotion, underexposed maturity.

This is my first experience with Megan Erickson. I've had this title on my wish list for awhile, found it included in my membership. I am on a freebie kick to find new authors, the timing was right. The book? It's like chain restaurant pizza, its fine, because its hard to make a really bad pizza.

Marc Bachmann. This isn't my first time with him. I first heard him miscast with Iggy Toma in the Rainbow Cove series. He was tasked again with voicing 20 somethings, Iggy with the much older man. It was not idea as Marc sounds like he's in his 40s. Bachmann's talents lie with handling female characters and how he can maintain an undercurrent of emotion without vocal antics like a Joel Leslie. However every character I've heard from him takes me back to my college days and working in retail. I loved to hear stories from a couple of older gay men who end sentences with things like: you know what I mean, or can you believe that? There was always a raised brow or an eye roll included. All of Marc's characters are 50 somethings at a piano bar on a Tuesday night telling someone's secrets. We called it dishing.

The premise of this story is solid. Levi, walking the Appalachian Trail, a trip he planned with his now deceased sister. It was part for his healing, and part to honor her memory. When he meets the mystery guy, its still really solid. We get a hint of Levi's true temperament early in the book when he and Thad, the moon loving mystery guy have a bit of a fight. Keep that in mind, because we learn then that Levi is not only impetuous, he is also a self absorbed hothead who has no problem cutting someone to the quick. Thad is a sweetheart.

Erickson uses what I call the break/repair/break/repair formula. There's a spat and a go away, then a reunion, then a spat and a go away...you get the idea. The big spat is really a bit of a nothing burger. Normal people would talk about it, Levi goes nuclear again, he is very all or nothing. There is a lot of longing and handwringing even when things are going pretty well. There is a whole side story about Levi being part of a reality series, but the details are really light, and it is hard to know what to make of it. You get there is a sense of relief that his contract is over, but why? it wasn't a competition show, did it end? Other than having made some money on it, it isn't clear why this matters to the story.

Overall this is a fine listen, maybe a better read. I suspect Erickson is one of those writers who thinks is fun to have a lot of balls in the air, but it kind of takes away from some of the really sweet parts. I would say this is a recommendation for good, not great, book.

Yet another story ruined by negative stigmas...

The huge problem with this book is the use of the term "Clean" to denote a negative HIV status. Not only does this perpetuate a horrendous stigma, but it also insinuates that people living with HIV are "Dirty" or "Unclean"

This author has continued to show her ignorance by using this horrendous term.

Unfortunately, that terrible faux pas ruined an otherwise pleasant story. Hopefully, the author won't continue to enforce negative stigmas and alienate people.