AUDIO REVIEW: 'Too Stupid to Live (Romancelandia #1)' by Anne Tenino
5 HEART READ / 4 HEART AUDIO
Title: Too Stupid to Live
Author: Anne Tenino
Narrated by: Tobias Silversmith
Audiobook Release: March 25, 2016
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Genre: M/M; Contemporary Romance; Erotic Romance
Length: 7 Hours 19 Minutes
Tags: college; HEA; family drama; audiobook
BLURB:
It isn't true love until someone gets hurt. Sam’s a new man. Yes, he’s still too tall, too skinny, too dorky, too gay, and has that unfortunate addiction to romance novels, but he’s wised up. His One True Love is certainly still out there, but he knows now that real life is nothing like fiction. He’s cultivated the necessary fortitude to say “no” to the next Mr. Wrong, no matter how hot, exciting, and/or erotic-novel-worthy he may be. Until he meets Ian. Ian’s a new man. He’s pain-free, has escaped the job he hated and the family who stifled him, and is now — possibly — ready to dip his toe into the sea of relationships. He’s going to be cautious, though, maybe start with someone who knows the score and isn’t looking for anything too complicated. Someone with experience and simple needs that largely revolve around the bedroom. Until he meets Sam. Sam’s convinced that Ian is no one’s Mr. Right. Ian’s sure that Sam isn’t his type. They can’t both be wrong...can they?
STORY REVIEW: 5 Hearts
Let me just start off by saying that Too Stupid to Live, by Anne Tenino, is definitely on my list of favorite books!
It’s got all the right ingredients for a perfect romance story.
You have the dorky college hero, Sam, who kind of keeps to himself and always has his nose buried in a romance book. Of course he’s got an equally dorky, yet snarky sidekick, Nik. Then you have Ian. The emotionally stunted “grown up” who’s not looking for a relationship, just a nice little hook-up to keep his life free of complications.
When Sam and Ian’s worlds literally collide, magic ensues!
Sam is a full time college student while at the same time working as a waiter at a local restaurant. He knows his “one true love” is out there waiting for him but he’s completely aware that his obsession with romance novels may lead to some unrealistic expectations and that the characters in his stories are nothing like the real life guys he meets. Not to mention, some past experiences have led to some trust issues for Sam.
I found a special kinship with Sam. We both share a love of romance books and he’s holding out for his one true love, whom I was lucky enough to find in my husband. It is also completely adorable how, even though he loves his novels, he gets embarrassed when Ian finds out he reads them.
Ian. Ian. Ian. I love Ian! It took me a few re-reads to truly appreciate him, but I do love him.
Coming out was not easy for Ian and he has some family issues that he hasn’t really dealt with as a result. Hiding who you truly are, by dating women, and coming out to your Fire Chief dad can’t be easy. But, Ian has learned to accept the fact that he’s gay and he's at a place in his life where he’s just interested in random hook-ups. Not a real relationship.
Yet fate has different plans.
Ian and Sam collide one afternoon when Sam, with his nose in a book *surprise*, unknowingly ends up walking onto a field where a rugby game is going on full steam. Sam is instantly attracted while Ian doesn’t look twice. *Ohhhhhhh* I absolutely loved the fact that Sam is reading about a Highlander in a kilt, here. Because Ian totally fits the part in Sam’s eyes.
The collision goes nowhere until Sam agrees to go to his friend Nik’s party. Only to find out that his very own Highlander, Ian, is there!
Here begins the Sam and Ian journey to Happily. Ever. After.
I hate to give away little tidbits of the story, you really need to read or listen for yourself. But I think you’ll come away from Too Stupid to Live laughing, even sweating a little bit, because of the amazing chemistry between Sam and Ian; and in general smiling. Because when all is said and done it’s an awesome, light hearted romance with a damn fine HEA.
Click Above to Read Excerpt
AUDIO REVIEW: 4 Hearts
Tobias Silversmith is a new narrator for me and I am eagerly looking forward to listening to more of her work. The audiobook does a wonderful job of pulling you into the story.
In my opinion Tobias completely captures “Sam’s” voice, she becomes Sam!
She’s got this great tone and she captures Sam’s innocence and his “dorkiness”. It’s truly amazing and so much fun to listen to!
She delivers all of the emotions between Sam and Ian. The scenes where they are intimate are awesome. Full of breathy words and sighs. I felt like I was right there in their bedroom with them. Which in my eyes is A-OK!!
The more light hearted scenes were done with humor and a tender heart.
And that scene with “the kilt” *ha ha*....….spot on!
I had a little trouble with Ian’s “voice” at first but as I continued to listen I was so swept away by the author’s actual storytelling that in the end Ian’s voice is just as distinct as Sam’s.
Too Stupid to Live does have a little bit of angst and the narrator does a great job of conveying Sam’s heartache and Ian’s indecision. She draws you into he audiobook and does a wonderful job of capturing your attention.
Side Note: I was doing a little research into this narrator, as I couldn’t find any other books on audible by her, and I of course want more. Tobias Silversmith is a proud transgender woman and it appears this may be her first narration. If this is the case I’d like to say “congratulations” because I loved it!! Show your support and follow her on Twitter @Somuchtobias.
A audiobook of Too Stupid to Live (Romancelandia #1) was purchased by Kimmers’ Erotic Book Banter in order to offer our fair and honest opinion.
Click Above for Audio Sample
Catalyzed by her discovery of LGBTQ romance, Anne Tenino left the lucrative fields of art history, non-profit fundraising, and domestic engineering (in that order) to follow her dream of become a starving romance author. For good or ill, her snarky, silly, quasi-British sense of humor came along for the ride.
Anne applies her particular blend of romance, comedy, and gay protagonists to contemporary, scifi, and paranormal tales. Her works have won many awards; her novel, Frat Boy and Toppy, is frequently referred to as a gay romance classic; she’s been featured in RT Book Reviews magazine; she holds the position of VP of Programming at her local RWA chapter; and she’s achieved bestseller status on Amazon’s gay romance list.
Born and raised in Oregon, Anne now lives in Portland with her family, who have all taken a sacred oath never to read her books. When not crocheting genitalia, growing tomatoes, driving teenagers around, or cooking something obscure, she can be found at her computer, procrastinating. Possibly while also lying on the couch, eating bon-bons.
