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A review by jacqueleenthereadingqueen
Companion Required by Brian Lancaster
4.0
**AUDIO REVIEW**
I believe this was my first book by this particular author and I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed it. Every year since his ugly split with his boyfriend Patrick of 9 years rich CEO Kennedy advertises for a gay companion to join him on a month long holiday with friends, including his ex. It's all expenses paid, including a 5 thousand pound bonus, and after the vacation is up, he never has to see them again.
Kieran, whom most definitely doesn't fit the bill of Kennedys requirements of a basically an airhead twink, overhears Kennedy in a coffee shop conducting his interviews with said airheads. Thinking Kennedy is interviewing for a PA job of some sort, Kieran who could use the cash decides to throw his metaphorical hat in the ring for the job. He realizes he doesn't exactly make the list of attributes. Kieran is taller than Kennedy, older than specified, has a brain in his head, and oh yeah he isn't gay.
Low and behold, against his better judgment, Kennedy decides to offer Kieran the job. They embark on their holiday and soon they both come to see how much they enjoy each other's company. Kieran also blends in seamlessly with Kennedys family and friends, almost like he has been a part of his life all along. One spur of the moment kiss under the guise of making Kennedy's ex jealous leaves both men reeling. Kennedy because he feels like he forced it on Keiran, and Kieran because he's never had a kiss that felt like that. I liked how Kieran didn't spend time on a big gay freak-out. He acknowledges this is something new about himself and decides to jump right in. He's never felt this kind of pleasure before that he does with Kennedy.
A month in close quarters is plenty of time to get to know a person and although Kieran knows he has feelings for Kennedy he respects the deal made. Once the holiday is over they will part ways, never to contact each other again. A deal is a deal after all and Kennedy has made no sign that he was wanting to renegotiate. It took Kennedy longer than I would have wanted to pull his head out of his ass. If I was Kieran I would have wanted a bit more groveling, but that's me. Kennedy is the first person that Kieran has ever felt this strongly for so I can see why he'd want to cave sooner than later. The epilogue was sweet and happy giving us a satisfying ending to their story.
As for the narration portion of the audio, I struggled with it. It didn't quite keep me engaged and maybe because it just wasn't to my particular tastes. I like a bit more emotion I guess I could say and it was tough at times to distinguish between the MC voices. It also may be due to the way I received this particular audiobook. The file on the site is given as an MP3 and I had no way to pause or restart like on the audible app. I just had to remember where I finished and then scroll to the point I was when I paused my listen. It was tedious and I found it difficult enough that I don't think I will use this particular site again.
I believe this was my first book by this particular author and I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed it. Every year since his ugly split with his boyfriend Patrick of 9 years rich CEO Kennedy advertises for a gay companion to join him on a month long holiday with friends, including his ex. It's all expenses paid, including a 5 thousand pound bonus, and after the vacation is up, he never has to see them again.
Kieran, whom most definitely doesn't fit the bill of Kennedys requirements of a basically an airhead twink, overhears Kennedy in a coffee shop conducting his interviews with said airheads. Thinking Kennedy is interviewing for a PA job of some sort, Kieran who could use the cash decides to throw his metaphorical hat in the ring for the job. He realizes he doesn't exactly make the list of attributes. Kieran is taller than Kennedy, older than specified, has a brain in his head, and oh yeah he isn't gay.
Low and behold, against his better judgment, Kennedy decides to offer Kieran the job. They embark on their holiday and soon they both come to see how much they enjoy each other's company. Kieran also blends in seamlessly with Kennedys family and friends, almost like he has been a part of his life all along. One spur of the moment kiss under the guise of making Kennedy's ex jealous leaves both men reeling. Kennedy because he feels like he forced it on Keiran, and Kieran because he's never had a kiss that felt like that. I liked how Kieran didn't spend time on a big gay freak-out. He acknowledges this is something new about himself and decides to jump right in. He's never felt this kind of pleasure before that he does with Kennedy.
A month in close quarters is plenty of time to get to know a person and although Kieran knows he has feelings for Kennedy he respects the deal made. Once the holiday is over they will part ways, never to contact each other again. A deal is a deal after all and Kennedy has made no sign that he was wanting to renegotiate. It took Kennedy longer than I would have wanted to pull his head out of his ass. If I was Kieran I would have wanted a bit more groveling, but that's me. Kennedy is the first person that Kieran has ever felt this strongly for so I can see why he'd want to cave sooner than later. The epilogue was sweet and happy giving us a satisfying ending to their story.
As for the narration portion of the audio, I struggled with it. It didn't quite keep me engaged and maybe because it just wasn't to my particular tastes. I like a bit more emotion I guess I could say and it was tough at times to distinguish between the MC voices. It also may be due to the way I received this particular audiobook. The file on the site is given as an MP3 and I had no way to pause or restart like on the audible app. I just had to remember where I finished and then scroll to the point I was when I paused my listen. It was tedious and I found it difficult enough that I don't think I will use this particular site again.