Story Rating: 4.5 stars
Audio Rating: 4.5 stars
Narrators: Cooper North and Declan Winters
Length: 9 hours, 32 minutes
Audiobook Buy Links: Amazon/Audible | iBooks
Book Buy Links: Amazon | iBooks
Devin can barely remember his last vacation and work has him overwhelmed. He has done well for himself in the adult film industry, not only in front of the camera, but behind it as well, but Devin needs a break. When he travels to a secluded island, he’s expecting warm sand and calm water. He’s not expecting his high school crush to be a guest as well.
Jarrod is a well-known goalie in the NHL and, when the season doesn’t end on a high note, he escapes to a secluded resort. When Jarrod sees Devin, their friendship is instant and so is the chemistry. Jarrod never thought about being with a man before, but now all he can think of is Devin. The men spend a few weeks together away from the outside world and they know they have something special. But both men are recognizable in completely different industries and, when they have to step back into the real world, they are not so sure that they can make it work.
Splintered is part of the Unlucky 13 multi-author series and can be read as a standalone. The books take place on a remote island where one side is a resort and the other side is rehab. The books I have read in the series took place on the rehab side, so it was fun to see the resort side with Devin and Jarrod.
When Devin was a teen, one of the reasons he knew he was gay was because of Jarrod. The guys were friendly in school, but that was about all and they moved on with their lives. Devin’s parents are both known actors and they wanted him to follow them in the industry. But when the pressure became too much, Devin went into a completely different realm of the industry and his parents have never forgiven him, nor spoken to him since.
There is some confusion on Jarrod’s part as he comes to terms with being attracted to Devin, but once they are in, they go all in. Devin and Jarrod have amazing chemistry. Their friendship catches fire and they like to get each other dirty over and over again.
The book has some standard tropes, with the expected beats and flow to their relationship, and there is no sports homophobia. It all works as we follow along on Devin and Jarrod’s journey toward each other and their HEA.
This audio was a great way to listen to Devin and Jarrod’s story, with narrators Copper North and Declan Winters. They each performed a character by chapter POV and it was always clear who was speaking. The timing and cadence and vulnerability of the characters were well captured and both performers were all in on the many intimate scenes. I would definitely recommend the audio version as a way to enjoy this story.
