Audiobook Review: Handle with Care by Cari Z.

A fragile heart needs extra care.

Burned-out social worker Aaron McCoy is on vacation for the first time in years—boss’s orders. Road-tripping to his brother’s wedding with his best friend, Tyler, seems a fun way to spend the mandatory two-week leave, and they set out for Kansas—and a difficult homecoming.

Aaron’s mother was a drug addict, and his adorable younger brother was quickly adopted, while Aaron spent his childhood in foster care. As Aaron mends fences, Tyler hopes to show him that this time, he won’t be left behind to face his problems alone.

Aaron’s opening up to how right it feels to be with Tyler and to the possibility of taking the leap from friends to lovers. But along with the wedding celebration comes a painful reminder of the past. Aaron’s heart is still breakable. Can he put it in Tyler’s hands?

Narrator: John Solo
Listening Length:  5 hours 38 minutes

Reviewer: Shee Reader


Aaron gives his all for the kids in his caseload, to the exclusion of all else, even self care. Aaron is hanging by a thread when his boss sets him on enforced leave. Tyler is his best friend and a member of the last foster family Aaron was placed with so there could have been a weird brother vibe too. I did feel the author skimmed over this thread, and could have done more to illustrate that the age gap meant there was very little ‘brother’ identity in the relationship.

Tyler is Aaron’s safe place, so he’s avoided facing his feelings for Aaron. I do love a good friends-to-lovers trope and this one was beautifully done.

Aaron doesn’t trust easily and Tyler is so respectful of that, without letting Aaron get so wound up in his head that he can’t see that Tyler is moving even closer.

I was delighted when they guys got to the place they were staying for the wedding and did the old “oh oh, there’s only one bed, whatever shall we do??” That made me laugh!

The awful Batchelor party was a classic as was the black eye on the photos and an outraged bride!

The story was a nice slow burn with a beautiful HEA epilogue and the narration was perfect throughout. I loved how John gave Tyler’s drawl and extra flex when he was trying to seduce Aaron!

Recommended!