Again

By: Mary Calmes

Narrated by: Nick J. Russo

Length: 2 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Six years ago, Noah Wheeler went to meet his boyfriend, Dante Cerreto, at the airport, and his world ended. Dante was kissing someone else and claimed to be in love. So Noah took his heartbreak - and the sonogram pictures of their surrogate child - and closed the door on the big picture of what he thought his life would be, focusing instead on the piece of the dream he got to keep, being a father.

Now on vacation in Las Vegas, Noah accidentally runs into the Cerreto family, and then the man himself, and learns that not only was he deceived, but Dante was as well. Now Dante wants to make up for lost time, six years' worth, and to do that he needs Noah, the only man he's ever loved, and Grace, the daughter he didn't know he had, to give him a chance at happiness. Dante's going to have to take a crash course in communication and seduction, though. Noah's not going to fall in love just to be broken again.

©2011 Mary Calmes (P)2017 Dreamspinner Press

Short and sensually sweet

This book had a lot going on for it to be so short - Noah and Dante's reunion covered one day but with Mary Calmes talented writing it felt like we had the full scope of the past and present with our 2 wonderful heroes. I don't think anyone other than Nick J. Russo could have performed this better. Keith is such a tool! lol

5 stars - worthy of a repeat listen

Another time, once more, returning

Where does Again rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I think we need a new question, I've had this one on the last twelve audiobooks I've reviewed. I loved the audio and will likely listen to it again. My audible library has over 1000 books, does that answer the question?

Who was your favorite character and why?

Dante, oh my, that man. He will not take no for an answer. He know's he messed up, accepting the information he was given 5 years ago and not fighting for Noah back then. But he will not let Noah walk away this time. And he literally won't let Noah speak long enough to say no.

Have you listened to any of Nick J. Russo’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've listened to a ton of Russo's work and I've loved and enjoyed every story he tells. There have even been some horribly written books with less than stellar writing that I enjoyed listening to because I like his skills.

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

Laugh, Oh lord I laughed out loud multiple times. Especially during the whole fiasco toward the end.... "Outstanding!" I almost fell out of my chair.

Any additional comments?

This was just a fast, fun book, once you get past the prologue. Starts on a bit of a downer, but you already know from the synopsis that there is some sadness in the story. But my goodness. Just as soon as Dante makes an appearance, he literally doesn't go away. I loved that about him.

Now, you will have to suspend reality a smidge to fully enjoy the book, this was an issue for me when I read the book a couple of years ago. Real life just doesn't quite work out so smoothly. But I really could care less after listening, Russo just made me fall head over heels in love with these men, and little Gracie, too damn cute!!

All the feels

Mary Calmes has written a masterful story that will have your alternately laughing and crying. Nick J. Russo brings the whole thing to life. I loved this story and listened to it more than once. So very worth your time.

Wonderful!

I loved this story like I have all of Mary's books. Nick J. Russo was the perfect choice to narrate.

Finally!

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

I already love this story. It's one of my auto re-reads in kindle addition so for it to come out in audio is just perfect. Luckily Mary Calmes uses only the best of the narrators out there and Nick Russo did a stunning performance. It's short and sweet but good for when you just need a quick fix.

Have you listened to any of Nick J. Russo’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, Nick Russo is one of my favorites. It's funny how a narrator can make or break a story, especially if you already love it, this was a perfect match.

Feel Fest

While this story is short it runs you through the gambit of feelings.

Dante whose gruff persona reminds me a lot of Sam Kage is a former CIA agent turned inn keeper and Noah a landscape architect were on the verge of making all of their dreams come true until they weren't. The heartbreak eased only by the knowledge that Noah would have to be both mother and father to a child meant to make Noah and Dante a family.

But the course of true love will not be denied and when the two come face to face after a 6 year absence the whirlwind of accusation and pain and passion is unleashed on the reader like a tsunami.

My only warning is that you will want more of this story and these two men. The narration is awesome and the story incredible.

Enjoyable story and great narration.

I enjoyed the audio version of this very much. Nick J. Russo did a great job voicing the different characters.

I like reading longer books but I also enjoy shorter ones that can be finished in an evening. This one was the perfect length for me while I worked around the house in the evening.

I loved Grace, she was such a sweet kid. Dante was a bit of an a-hole at times but both he and Noah were manipulated by a real jerk. Since this is fiction I can forgive some of the parts of the story that would have bothered me in real life. I love second chance stories and enjoyed listening to this one.

Loved the narration!

Any additional comments?

Wonderfully narrated by Nick J. Russo with great character voices, terrific timing, and good pacing.

The story begins with Noah who went to pick up his husband, Dante, at the airport and found him Dante kissing his partner, his female partner, and was told their relationship is over.

What’s worse? Noah had arranged for his twin sister to be impregnated with Dante’s sperm and she’s pregnant with their daughter. He never even gets to show Dante the sonogram picture. Once the shock wears off, and even though Noah is absolutely crushed, he does everything he can to contact Dante to tell him about their daughter – to no avail.

The beginning was actually my favorite part of the book – wonderfully written and brilliantly narrated by Nick, the emotions in beginning of this had me mesmerized.

The story picks up almost 6 years later when, by chance, Noah and his daughter Grace are in Vegas and Dante, along with his entire family, show up out of nowhere and push back into Noah’s life.

After the initial prologue the story actually takes place in less than 12 hours. It’s also a super short novella so while there is some backstory that gets revealed, there’s also a lot that’s not mentioned – and it does impact the story.

There’s also the matter of the guy Noah is non-exclusively dating, Keith, who I just felt like didn’t even need to be in the story. As a character and a plot point with what happens with him, it just felt unnecessary. Though I'll be honest, there is one hilarious scene involving Keith that Nick J. Russo performs so wonderfully that I'm really glad we didn't miss out on.

This is definitely not your standard miscommunication plot – this is more of a totally wild outside manipulation of characters by a trusted source that leads to the dissolution of marriage and breaking of hearts.

I really loved Noah and Grace, but I never warmed to Dante. He just kept rubbing me the wrong way. Especially when he decrees at first that Noah and his daughter pick up and move (from Southern California) to Maine without a thought to the disruption of Noah or Grace’s lives…it rankled.

Anyway, they eventually work it out and there’s a HFN/HEA, but I think the story would have been much better served if this had been a full-length novel.

In the end, while I really loved the narration I’m only sort of in like with the story.

Better than I hoped

I have been waiting forever for Again to come to audio. All that anticipation could have meant disaster if it didn't live up to my expectations. I need not worry, however. Nick J Russo was the perfect choice for Noah. I will certainly be listening to this one time and again.

Work a repeat

I have listened to this book many times. It is the perfect short story for when I need a quick audio fix with a HEA.