‘Into the Gray (The Color of Love Book 1)’ by F.E. Feeley Jr #LGBT #Audiobook #Duoreview #Contemporary

Wendy and Erryn review ‘Into the Gray (The Color of Love Book 1)’ by F.E. Feeley Jr. The book was self published on March 27, 2019 and is 136 pages.  The audiobook was published Self published June 25, 2019 and is 3 hours and 29 minutes. A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Life after college is not what Aaron expected. Isn’t he supposed to have what he wants to do figured out by now? David never expected his marriage to be rocky, let alone about to end. How is he supposed to move on from this? 

December in Detroit is normally unforgiving, but an unexpected blizzard puts David and Aaron on a course toward each other. Despite the frozen ground and battleship gray sky, these men find heat together. It’s intimate and illicit, stretching what was supposed to be a one night stand into something more. Sometimes, the touch of a stranger, however forbidden, is just what we need when we enter the gray.

Where to buy: Audible| Amazon | Add to Goodreads

 

Wendy’s review: 

I had this book in my kindle and when I saw that my co-reviewer was doing the audio reviews I asked to join her.

I liked the characters more than I thought I would when I first started the book. They both have big things happening in their lives and it really wasn’t the optimal time to start a relationship, or the hook up that they thought their initial encounter was going to be. What they couldn’t stop was the instant and explosive chemistry that they had for each other. Initially the attraction between them started out as selfish lust. A means to an end with a pretty face but that quickly became more. They didn’t fight becoming more to each other very hard but it seemed a very natural progression and I didn’t have any trouble at all believing their story.

Aaron struggles with some very heavy emotional issues and I found myself cheering him on as he navigated his way to figuring out what he wanted out of life and how much of himself he was able to give of himself to David. He is such a charismatic character, bright and handsome. He seems to have no trouble pulling people into his world.

Even though Aaron had some really big things to deal with, I found myself feeling more for David and his issues. Sometimes it takes the perfect storm to bring about the changes that need to happen and that’s kind of where David finds himself… he is standing in the aftermath of how his life was and can move forward towards the way his life should be. I find myself wondering if he wouldn’t have stayed in his stagnant life, unhappy and unfulfilled if not for that storm and the opportunity it provided. Change is scary and hard and I’m glad that David had the chance to be the person he was meant to be all along.

The only real issue that I had with the story was that during their sexy times they talked like a cheesy porn rather than two men in a new relationship one of which was having his first same sex experience.

Sometimes when I read a book I get the feeling that the author has poured part of their heart and soul into the story. That is this book! It has lots of emotion and it felt like it came from a very personal place. There’s fun times and little inside jokes, there’s tenderness and even some regret and sorrow. It’s one of those books that I know will stay with me for a long time just because the story was so touching. I promptly one clicked book 2 the second I finished this one and I can’t wait to continue the journey with these two very engaging characters.

Wendy’s Rating: 

9 Pots of Gold or 90% recommended

Erryn’s review: 

This is a new author to me and I’m glad I took the plunge to snag this audio.  I could relate to Aaron who is well-educated but lost.  He knows he’s not up for some challenges and instead of taking any big risks at this point in his life, he opts for something safe.  I have respect for someone who can recognize his need to re-evaluate his life and make changes.  He’s crammed a lot of living into the first twenty-six years, for sure.  Being ex-military is tough. Having a clingy ex is a challenge.  Taking on student debt?  Well, many of us know what that feels like.

David is also an interesting character.  He’s in the process of ending a twenty-year marriage and there’s a lot of pain there.  Also there is uncertainty as to where his life is heading now.  He’s successful, but is that enough to carry him?  He isn’t sure.  Then he meets a dynamic young man who shows him there’s another way to live.

The people in Aaron’s life are amazing.  Through his personality, people feel protective of him and are therefore leery of whether this new guy is good enough.  David doesn’t shirk the responsibility of proving he’s worthy.  He embraces it, showing he cares about Aaron.  He wasn’t sure he was gay, but after a weekend with Aaron, he’s ready to embrace that part of himself.

Into the Gray takes place over just a couple of days so there is an element of insta-love, but it works.  These two men are each at a crossroad in their lives and when the right person arrives, they’re willing to seize the opportunity to fall in love.  It doesn’t solve all their problems, but it does go a long way to bringing them a sense of peace and happiness.  Overall, I enjoyed the book.

Vance Bastian is a narrator I’ve listened to before and I’ve always enjoyed his performances.  He doesn’t have a very deep voice but that works with these two characters.  He also handles all the women as well as the older men with aplomb.  This was a great listen.

Erryn’s Rating:

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F.E.Feeley Jr is a poet and the author of six published works – four full length novels, two short stories featured in anthologies, and a good deal of poetry.

Married to the love of his life, John, he came to the writing world about four years ago where he fell in love, again, with the written word.