A review by galleytrot
Spencer Cohen, Book Three by N.R. Walker

  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

READ: May 2023 
FORMAT: Audio 

BRIEF SUMMARY: 
In book three of this contemporary romance, Spencer and Andrew are settling into their relationship while tackling each other’s doubts and insecurities. Past traumas have Spencer resistant to fully accepting and expressing his love for Andrew, while Andrew is still repairing the confidence hits that he took during his relationship with Eli. When Spencer gets some devastating news from back home in Australia, the system of friendship, love, and support he’s managed to build up around himself will be put to its ultimate test. 

ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: 4.5 / 5⭐ 
This story is quite a bit lighter on a plot or through-line than the previous two books were, straying from the premise of Spencer’s job and instead focusing on the relationships that Spencer has fostered around him – those of his friend-group who act as his found-family; of Andrew and the important people in Andrew’s life; of the shattered and broken history Spencer left back in Australia; and even of the people whose lives he’s impacted through his work, who just need some support themselves. 

This emotional crescendo to the series was exactly what I needed it to be. Spencer and Andrew’s feelings for each other grow stronger every day, but there’s still the looming worry that it’s too much, too fast. Andrew is still walking on eggshells trying not to repeat the mistakes that pushed Eli away from him, while also battling with his damaged self-confidence. Spencer has to come to grips with what It means for Andrew to be in love with him, and for himself to love Andrew right back when he was certain he’d shut that possibility out from his life. 

TECHNICAL / PRODUCTION: 4 / 5⭐ 
Boy, Walker’s love stories sure do have a habit of reducing my icy heart into a gross and messy little puddle of emotions. When I find myself in need of a story that’s low on stakes but high on feelings, hers is one of the first names that immediately come to mind. Her Thomas Elkin series and her Red Dirt Heart series both became immediate comfort reads on my first time through them, and I think Spencer Cohen is likely to join their ranks. I don’t know if I enjoyed it quite as much as those other two, but it does hit me in all the right places just the same. 

While I loved Joel Leslie’s performance in Red Dirt Heart, I think his performance here suffered a bit. In large part, this was due to a handful of the accents that felt a bit rough coming from him. 

FINAL THOUGHTS - OVERALL: 4.25 / 5⭐ 
This series makes for a very pleasant story, although readers should be warned that the second half of book three takes a nose dive into some particularly rough themes. Check your content warnings before you jump in, just in case. 

This book has representation for gays and lesbians. There are a number of non-white characters portrayed. 

The following elaborates on my content warnings. These may be interpreted as spoilers, but I do not go into deep detail.
This book contains: a brief mention of alcoholism; references to a physically abusive relationship; depiction of severe anaphylaxis; suicide; grief and loss; homophobia; strained family relations; and, alcohol use.
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