Audiobook Review: The Last Thing He Needs (The Last Thing He Needs #1) by J.H. Kinght

Tommy O’Shea is raising his seven younger brothers and sisters without any help from his drug abusing father and stepmother. Since he was fifteen years old, he's managed to keep the children fed and out of foster care. It takes up every ounce of his energy and the last thing he needs is romance complicating his life further.

Rookie cop Bobby McAlister doesn't belong in Tommy’s harsh world, but Tommy can’t push him out. As their unlikely friendship turns into a tentative relationship, they weather the daily storm of Tommy’s life with a lot of laughs and more than a few arguments.

Tommy isn't used to trusting outsiders, and he's never asked for help in his life. But when a tragedy strikes the O'Shea family and threatens everything he's fought for, he'll have to learn to do both to recover from the brutal hit.

Listening Length: 7 hrs 22 mins
Narrator: Michael Stellman

So...this book.

This audiobook!

How did I love thee? Let this review hopefully capture all the ways! (I'll try to keep the gushing to level 10) (Maybe.)

There are a lot of angsty events happening all around this story. And The Last Thing He Needs is most definitely a romance, the ensemble cast (O'Sheas) makes this story.There is a lot of strife and real life topics touched in this heartwarming tale: the victims of drug/alcohol/emotional abuse, living well below the poverty line, past sexual abuse PTSD, thieving to survive, death of a parent.

With all of that life gasoline fire surrounding the story, this is me at the end:

OMG I love them! Heart eyes 4eva!

This is my third J.H. Knight and you know what? I love her writing. It's like chicken soup to my reader's soul. There's something about it that I respond to while reading. It could be the ease of her writing, the way she captures the right essence of family love to deal with whatever real life antics go on or the fact that I want keep her characters in my pocket.

Now the similarities to another TV family is obviously there, but I love Shameless. And read it as a homage to a great show. I'd definitely watch Knight's version.A unicorn let me know the story is emotional manipulation and you know it. Hell, I knew it... but you love it anyway.

As do I.

Being as this is a classic (or if not yet...it definitely will be), I won't rehash too much of the plot. The Last Thing He Needs has Thomas O'Shea aka "Tommy" in charge of his seven brothers and sisters. His father is a drunk and his stepmother is a drug addicted whore. The two 'parents' (I use that term loosely) abandon their children to fend for themselves at a drop of a dime. Tommy, Colleen, Mikey, Davey, Carrie, Collin and infants Max and Zoe do whatever it takes to keep the roof over their head and the lights on. Odd jobs, hustling money or items needed, no job is too small for the O'Sheas. A rookie cop who has made numerous visits to the O'Shea home, Officer Bobby McAlister, takes a liking to Tommy and his ragtag family. Tommy has always harbored a crush on the blonde cop, but never thought anything would come of it. Tommy's more a fuck and dodge kinda guy.

But those feelings don't remain dormant. And Bobby, sweet persistent and equally hardheaded-as-an-O'Shea Bobby, doesn't back down when the times are rough and dredged in misery. He courts the oblivious Tommy and it is sweet and charming and just all the things I love reading about.

Me at the end of listening.

Michael Stellman did a pretty good job narrating. Granted, I read along with the audiobook so I caught a few discrepancies with his choice of words and the actual text. They were minor. And the Stellman didn't try making a lot of different voices for the multiple characters. Instead, he read through and kept the story interesting enough. But what I think my favorite thing about his narration is his voice. It's this sexy kind of growl that kept me hooked. I'm going to check out other books he narrated just to listen to Stellman purr in my ear.

Pair great narration with an awesome book and you know I had a wonderful time. As Bobby and Tommy get closer, the weight off the O'Sheas' collective back doesn't disappear but it does get a little easier to bear. Bobby and his mom Judy squeeze their way into the family's heart and help when it's needed. I loved the realistic approach to the problems. Sometimes Tommy got a little preachy, but it fit the story. And I can honestly say I love each and every character, well almost - those drunken drug addicted shit stains for parents? They can go to hell in hand basket while wearing gas drenched drawers.

Me and maybe ten other people haven't read The Last Thing He Needs. If you're one of the ten, jump on it. And if you've read it, the audio is well worth listening to a sample.

Highly recommend the audiobook and eBook to readers - definitely a great book for newbie MM readers, fans of Shameless and readers who love a big cast of characters.

Definitely a solidified J.H. Knight fan after reading this.

Due to me going to bed like this...

...just thinking about the O'Sheas and their HEA.

P.S. Dear J.H. Knight,

Please write more!

Signed,
A Greedy Fan

Blog Tour: The Heartsville Series - Interview & Giveaway with J.H. Knight!!!

The Heartsville series comes out this week. Yay!! Learn a little bit about this new series, catch up with J.H. Knight (author of Another Shot, released today), and enter the giveaway!

The town of Heartsville means something different to everyone who lives there. For Aaron Forester, it’s a gay-friendly buffer between himself and the rest of the world. After being outed in high school and bullied to the point of violence, his family uprooted their lives and relocated to the small hamlet. He’s moved on from all that and now owns a popular café in the bustling shopping district. But after twenty years of happy living, Aaron’s past creeps up on him in the most unexpected way.

Brad Collins only has one regret and he’s carried it with him since he was a teenager. When he moves to Heartsville and gets set up on a blind date with the most adorable, engaging man he’s met in a long time, he couldn’t be happier. But Brad didn’t expect the guy to be the person he outed in high school—who he’s now falling in love with.

Aaron and Brad hit it off instantly—in and out of the bedroom. But after a long overdue apology and a small serving of resentment, is their fledgling relationship worth another shot? 

Amazon || All Romance eBooks

***BMBR Interviews J.H. Knight***

What are your favorite M/M themes?

Ohhhhh boy. There are so many. Friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, gay-for-you, broken heroes, lost faith, bad boys. Pretty much anything with cops/mystery/suspense. I know that’s not really a M/M-specific theme, but, seriously. I’d say roughly 85% of my library is some kind of mystery.

 What books do you consider Desert Island Keepers?

I started listing them and… the list got crazy long. If I limited myself to three, they would be the Deadly series by Victor J. Banis, the Psycop series by Jordan Castillo Price, and the Bodyguard series by R.J. Scott. I would’ve gone with standalone titles, but I’m a cheater.

What's your go-to tasty beverage?

Ice water! I drink water constantly. But when I want something really yummy, it’s usually a peppermint white mocha. I call it liquid candy.

 Do you have any secret talents? Inquiring minds want to know.

God, no. Can’t draw, can’t dance. I make cards and scrapbook sometimes, but honestly, the average fifth-grader can do just as well. I only sing to my children. The poor darlings.

If you had to choose to be one magical beast, what would it be and why? (you don't have to say unicorn...but we won't say neigh either)

Ahaha! I was going to say dragon (Because, hey, flying! Breathing fire!) but now I wanna be a unicorn. >_>

  

Who's your favorite porn star?

…I feel really lame for not knowing the name! But there’s a redheaded guy who blows me away. I’d eat my breakfast off his ass. (I probably shouldn’t say things like that in public, but, dude.)

Do you have author envy? Whose words do you read and think, "GAH, I wish I wrote that!"?

Lol, um, everyone. Harper Fox and Voinov spring to mind right out of the gate. Honestly, the entire Heartsville crew—doing beta for them on the series was torture because I felt like I was way out of my league. Also Lanyon and Amy Lane. Mary Calmes…. I could do this all day.

What makes the Heartsville series special?

For readers, I hope it’s the characters! And the town itself. I think we really created the kind of place that people would just like to hang out. I know I would. I’d love to stroll down Market Street, check out all the quaint and quirky shops, and see all the friendly faces. It’s a feel-good place, with feel-good stories hidden around every corner.

On a personal level, Heartsville is so special to me because of the amazing writers I got to work with. They’ve truly become part of my family, so deep in my heart. I’d do anything for those girls.

Any new projects you're currently working on?

That’s another long list. The ones I hope to accomplish by the end of 2016 are Ben and Gavin’s (untitled) story, Monty’s story—Old Dogs and New Tricks, and (I hope I’m not spoiling anything here!) two more installments of the Heartsville series. I’ve also started working on a follow up to The Last Thing He Needs, but, uh, that will probably take me a decade. Tommy really won’t leave me alone, though, so it’ll happen eventually.

We're so excited to hear about what J.H. is up to! Be sure to check out Another Shot and also take a look at the other stories in the Heartsville series. They're all available for the sale price of 99 cents! 

Welcome to the gayborhood! In the cozy town of Heartsville, the streets are lined with trees, the shops are full of friendly faces, and happily ever after is just around the corner. Come get to know the boys next door—naughty, nice, and everything in between.

Note: These books can be read out of order, and each book can be read as a standalone. However, note that more enjoyment may come from reading them together because of cameo appearances and shared locations. J

Publisher: Self-Published

Length: Novella. Approximately 20,000 words each.

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

The Heartsville Series also includes...

Bookmarked by Piper Vaughn (Oct. 26^th)

To save his bookstore from closing, Mark Werner realizes it’s going to take a miracle—like getting reclusive, best-selling author Shepherd Knight to agree to appear for a signing.

After their disastrous last encounter, Mark doesn’t hold up much hope Shepherd will agree. Shepherd’s never made a single public appearance. In fact, Mark wouldn’t even know what he looks like had he not accidentally discovered the sexy stranger he’d been flirting with for months, aka “Tall-Dark-and-Grumpy,” was also his fanboy obsession.

But desperate times call for desperate measures. If Mark can convince Shepherd, it’ll be a major coup in the book world and might just save Bookmarked from sinking. Too bad Shepherd won’t reply to his e-mails. Yet Mark didn’t earn the reputation of having a “sunshine-and-rainbow-fart” personality for nothing. He’ll do whatever it takes to get his man… and hopefully not make a fool of himself in the process. 

Amazon || All Romance eBooks 

Unscripted by Nico Jaye (Oct. 27^th)

Theater manager Teddy Carbone’s life has gone pretty much according to script... until now.

To his surprise, Teddy finds himself co-owner of the Oasis Theater with Carter Monroe, a corporate shark who’s looking at him like he’s chum in the water. Being in charge of the theater is one thing, but having to deal with Carter and his demands is another. With Carter’s proposed plan to sell the Oasis looming, Teddy must convince Carter the theater is worth saving. When Teddy introduces the bright, bold world of the stage to Carter’s cold, all-business lifestyle, though, he soon comes to recognize that the Oasis might not be the only thing he has a chance to save.

Amazon || All Romance eBooks

Clique by Jayden Brooks (Oct. 29^th)

Adam Locke’s youthful looks aren’t the blessing everyone seems to think. At twenty-eight, he’s a successful photographer with his own studio and respected by his peers—but that doesn’t seem to matter to the men who catch his eye. Instead, he’s brushed aside like an underage twink with a daddy fetish.

When a hot, bearded stranger stops him from accidentally walking into traffic, Adam looks up and finds the man of his dreams. Unfortunately, his first meeting with Brandon ends with him being dismissed as a kid. Again. Adam can’t help his annoyance. He also can’t help staring (and drooling) whenever he spots Brandon walking through the neighborhood with a different dog.

He watches from afar, wondering about Brandon’s story—until the day he’s dared to take another chance. It’s just the push Adam needs, and finally, he catches Brandon’s interest. Now if only he could figure out the key to getting taciturn Brandon to open up and let Adam in. But Adam knows sometimes all it takes is a little patience for the last piece to click into place.

Amazon || All Romance eBooks

Bloom Box by Cate Ashwood (Oct. 30^th)

If there's one thing William Sullivan knows less about than how to run a business, it’s flowers. When Will is left carrying responsibility for the flower shop he’d leased for his cheating ex-boyfriend, he is sure it will lead him into financial ruin.

Just when he’s about to abandon all hope, in walks Milo Hart—young, overflowing with energy, and perhaps best of all, a genius when it comes to flowers. Will hires him on the spot and they begin a working partnership that might be Will’s only saving grace. The more time they spend together, the more Will’s feelings for Milo evolve and Will must choose between keeping things strictly business, or taking a chance to let love bloom.

Amazon || All Romance eBooks

There will be a Rafflecopter giveaway across blog visits. One winner will be chosen to receive five ebooks (one backlist title from each of Piper Vaughn, Nico Jaye, J.H. Knight, Jayden Brooks, and Cate Ashwood), plus a $25 gift certificate (Amazon, B&N, or All Romance eBooks—winner's choice). This giveaway is open worldwide where permitted by law.

The giveaway will run until November 4^th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway