Leighton U #1
Audible audiobook
Author: C. E. Ricci
Narrators: Christian Fox and Liam DiCosimo
Ok, confession time: I had been wanting to read a C. E. Ricci book for a while, but when I saw “Performed by Christian Fox and Liam DiCosimo” I hit “buy” so fast it was ridiculous…
Quinton and Oakley really dislike each other. REALLY. It all started back in high school. Quinton is the rich, bad boy, highly talented black sheep pain in the butt of the team. Oakley is third generation hockey legacy. They get into each other’s nerves. They’re constantly at each other’s throats until, on a dare, they’re in each other’s pants… And the team starts a winning streak. We all know we don’t mess with things during a winning streak, right? So they should keep hooking up for the good of the team. It’s only logical…
This was just LOVELY. It’s a true hate to love story that hits you right in the feels. My heart ached for Quinton, who’s so rich and yet yearning for so many simple things he’s always been denied. For Oakley, who had to carry a legacy on his shoulders while being out on a typically “manly” sport.
I loved how sweet and touching Quinton’s journey of discovering his bisexuality was and how utterly romantic these two were when they were together. The socks, man, the socks! It’s the little things… And also the secret grand gestures.
Plus HOCKEY! Win win!
Narration: Everyone and their uncle knows I was one of the witches at home casting spells to bring Mr Fox back into this gig of narrating books. Well, figuratively, but I would resort to that if needed. He’s phenomenal as the bad boy, full of swagger and smirky smiles Quinton who’s really very soft and a little broken inside.
And I’m so glad that I finally got to listen to Liam DiCosimo narrating! I love The Love Gods (a podcast in which he is one of such gods) and his voice was already very familiar to my ears. He was perfect as Oakley! I can’t recommend this audiobook enough. All the stars!
Rep: queer romance, MM, bi-awakening.
Possible triggers: toxic relationship with parents, disownment
