Audiobook Review: Don't Twunk With My Heart (Loving You #2) by Renae Kaye

Kee Smith isn’t sure who he is anymore. He knows who he used to be—the ignored gay son who chose a blue-collar job just because no one expected it, the submissive bottom who enjoyed large, masculine jocks who put him in his place, the sleek, fashionable twink who partied all night. But after his ex-boyfriend hit Kee and called him names, Kee retired from the social scene.

Back after a year’s hiatus, Kee still doesn’t know where he fits. His friends say he’s a twunk—a twink who put on muscle and turned into a hunk—but Kee is searching for somewhere to belong. Instead of going back to his usual type, Kee hooks up with twink Tate Stevens—a fashion-industry professional who works the image hard. It proves to be the best decision he’s ever made, and not just because he’s starting to regain his sexual confidence.

With Tate, Kee can open up about his fears and confusion without ridicule. Tate has his own fears about putting on weight and getting old. It will take work to make a relationship of opposites succeed, but they begin to realize the compromises will be worth it if they can be together.

Listening Length: 5 hours and 52 minutes
Narrator: Joel Leslie

Reviewer: Annika


I'm a huge fan of the first book in this series (Loving Jay), so when I had the chance to listen and review the second book I jumped right in, and had a blast.

We follow Kee, one of Jamie’s friends. He's been kind of hibernating at home for the past year and a half. Licking his wounds after his ex-boyfriend sent him to hospital. (Side note, I sure write that a lot this week. :( There's entirely too much violence in the world). Anyway Kee is finally ready to re-enter the world again and agrees to go out clubbing with his friends. There he meets Tate and he has a hard time keeping his eyes off the twink. Expecting nothing more than a quick hookup, he's surprised of how quickly they do connect in other areas and so they meet again. And again. I loved them together, each being what the other needed. Building the other up, helping and having a lot of fun (and sex) along the way.

There were a lot of humor in this book - not the least when Jamie entered the scene. He's still as insane and talkative as always. I loved the parts where he and Tate bonded over football, both equally uninterested and clueless of the game and rules. To their point where their respective boyfriends actually moved away from them and their insane comments. ;)

Sure, this book wasn’t flawless by any means. There were a few things that kind of started but was then forgotten or ignored; Matt-the-rat (abusive ex) entering the scene for a brief moment. That never really went anywhere part from creating drama for the moment. Then there was the whole Tate’s eating disorder issue. At times it was a huge deal, but then it just fizzled out into nothing. That being said, I still enjoyed every second of this book. It was sweet and fun and light. It made me happy, and I can’t really ask for anything more than that.

Joel Leslie was brilliant! I'm a huge fan of his Aussie accent. I can't speak to its authenticity, but to me it sounds accurate, and he keeps it up throughout. He also captured all the characters personalities and gave them individual voices. I think I’m mostly impressed with how he handled Jamie during his word vomiting at supersonic speeds. That cannot have been an easy feat, but he did it and perfectly.

Don't Twunk With My Heart was a great listen and just the perfect way to start the day.

A copy of this book was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.