Spencer Cohen (Spencer Cohen Series Book 2) by N.R. Walker #LGBT #RGRGiveaway #Audiobook #Review #MMRomance #Contemporary

Erryn reviews ‘Spencer Cohen (Spencer Cohen Book 2)’ by N.R. Walker. This book was released by the author on March 17, 2016 and is 190 pgs long. The audiobook version of this story was narrated by Joel Leslie, released by Tantor Audio on April 10, 2018 and is 6 hrs and 34 mins long.

Why I read this book: After Book 1, I was hooked.

*******Check out the giveaway at the bottom of this review for a chance to win an entire autographed set of the Spencer Cohen books courtesy of N.R. Walker.******

Finally going from fake boyfriends to the real thing, Spencer Cohen and Andrew Landon are trying to take things slow. They know what they have could be something special, and despite the flammable sexual tension, they don’t want to crash and burn.

Spencer is learning to open up and share the secrets of his past with Andrew. Afraid to put his heart on the line but unable to stop himself, Spencer knows he’s falling in love. Andrew is petrified of leaping in blindly, yet the slower they go, the faster they fall.

As they navigate their new relationship, Spencer worries Andrew will freak out when he takes on a new client. But it’s not a normal case, and Spencer soon realizes all is not what it seems. When the job takes a downward turn, Spencer and Andrew work together to help the client. They’ll need to decide if they’re ready for the next step.

Contains mature themes.

Buy Links: Audible | Amazon | Add to Goodreads

Click on the titles to read the reviews for the previous books in the series.

Spencer Cohen Book 1

My Review:

Last we saw Spencer and Andrew, they were ensconced in Emilio and Daniela’s tattoo shop with the couple as well as Gabe and Spencer’s best friend Lola. At the end of the first book, Andrew said to Spencer’s crew, “he gets me like no one ever has…I’m hoping he would like to get to know me better…I know he has some family issues…it doesn’t scare me”. Then, to Spencer, he said, “In fact, I think you’re something wonderful.”

*sigh*

It was the perfect ending – two slightly (or seriously) neurotic souls finding each other. And if the story had ended there, I would have been satisfied. But their story had really just begun. In fact, in one of the first scenes, I was reminded that the two men had done nothing but kiss in the first book. Because two weeks of fake dating doesn’t count, right? And what’s the rule? No sex until the third date?

I guess it depends on what your definition of sex is. Andrew’s realization that he knows little about Spencer means he has questions and although the VETO policy carries on into their new relationship, Spencer is willing to be as open and honest as he can, even admitting to Andrew the last time he’d gotten rip-roaring drunk. I won’t go into details, but the more I hear about Spencer’s family back in Australia, the more grateful I am to his L.A. crew who have ‘adopted’ him.

Eventually, Spencer shares the story of his blackbirds tattoo and my heart broke just a little bit more.

Good thing he now has Andrew in his life.

Except Andrew feels he moved too quickly with his ex, Eli, so is determined to take it slow. With Spencer.

Seriously? I’ve had enough of the slow burn. I want…well, something…!

And they eventually do…something…which leads to the following very interesting conversation:

Andrew: “…take it slow…penetrative sex…other things?”

Spencer: “Anal. Butt sex. Fucking like rabbits? Seriously, Andrew, you are sexy. I want this to be more than physical.”

My heart did a little pitter-patter because I want that kind of relationship for them as well. And, interestingly, Spencer discovers a whole new side to the mild-mannered, self-effacing Andrew. In fact, he nicknames his new love, “Bossy Andrew”.

Speaking of monikers, Spencer has a new client, since he doesn’t want to be Andrew’s ‘rent boy’ and because he enjoys his job as a fake boyfriend/relationship guru, he agrees to meet Lance. I worried Andrew might be unhealthily jealous, but he proved yet again he’s not just an adult (who happens to draw for a living), but he’s actually a reasonable guy. Lance asks Spencer to track down an ex, claiming he’s concerned for the young man’s well-being.

During the search, Andrew and Spencer wind up at a bookstore. Spencer picks out two ‘perfect’ books for Andrew. I was yet again floored by the compatibility of the two men. Of course it’s not always a smooth sailing relationship, but Spencer refuses to let Andrew back away, although his line “we’re not ‘When Harry Met Sally, we’re like 7 (not psychopaths, but head in the box), I did kind of wonder. Then Spencer went on a rant and I knew things would work out.

“And I met you!” My heart was just about to burst, but I had to say this. “This is the life I was supposed to live. Here. Right now. In your bed with you!”

Well, Hallelujah!

Because it’s not in doubt that Spencer and Andrew will end up together. It’s the ‘how’ and that is why I love this series and N.R.’s writing so much. In ‘Red Dirt Heart’ I knew Charlie and Travis were meant to be together. It was the ‘how’, not the ‘if’. (Great series, I highly recommend it, also narrated by Joel Leslie. But I digress…)

With some dogged determination, Spencer does locate Lance’s ex, Yanni. Again, I don’t want to give too much away, but I was glad when I listened to this book that I knew ‘Yanni’s Story’ is Book 4 in the series. If ever a secondary character needed his story to be told, it’s this 21-year-old.

One thing to note is that all of the Spencer Cohen books are told from – surprise, surprise – Spencer’s point-of-view. So, at times, he eavesdrops so we can catch snippets of other characters’ feelings about him.

Andrew’s mother says, “You have never mentioned his tattoos.” (Spencer has full-sleeves on both arms) Andrew replies, “They’re not tattoos. They’re scars made of ink. He wears them for the world to see as a daily reminder of who he is.”

Okay, so I might have teared up. Aside from those who get a tattoo while drunk (and most reputable artists won’t do those anyway), most people who choose ink, do so for a reason. The actual act of marking the body can mean as much as the actual ink and design.

When Spencer provides Andrew with the full explanation, I gained more insight into his character than at any other time. I think N.R.’s use of body modification is a great way to show her characters’ emotions.

That and the image of Spencer’s dick retraction each time a Prince Albert piercing is mentioned – which is truly priceless.

I also learned that it is never easy to urinate while you have an erection.

I’ll leave you with that image because, thankfully, Andrew and Spencer buy a tub of lemon gelato and TWO toothbrushes.

I can’t wait to see where they go next.

So, Joel Leslie. What can I say? I think he and N.R. were meant to work together on these projects – providential so to speak. His interpretation of Spencer, Aussie accent and all, works brilliantly. I am able to get inside the character’s head, even more than just with N.R.’s words. He also hits all the right notes with the various accents for Spencer’s friends. So, good job, I’m off to read Book 3.

My Rating:

10/10 Pots of Gold (100% Recommended) – Compares to 5/5 Stars

Website | Facebook | Twitter: @NR_Walker | Goodreads

N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance. She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn’t have it any other way.

She is many things; a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who she gives them life with words.

She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things…but likes it even more when they fall in love. She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal.

She’s been writing ever since…