Great narration, story wasn't for me

I've been sitting here for a while trying to put into words what I thought of this book and I still don't know. On the one hand I enjoyed the overall story along with Nick J. Russo's narration of it, but on the other hand I had some major issues with one of the main characters.

Racing for the Sun is told from Ace's POV. It all started that day back in the military when Sonny offered to do anything just as long as Ace didn't turn him in for falsifying his papers. Instead of taking him up on the offer Ace takes Sonny under his wing and protection, doing everything he can to make sure Sonny makes it out unharmed.

Fast forward a couple of years and they are both out of the service and trying to start over by running a garage. Putting Sonny's expertise in cars to good use, they begin to race cars for money. Luck is shining down on them for a while - until fate and the past catches up with the pair.

Ace has been in love with Sonny from the very first day they met. He'd do anything and everything to protect him, and the lengths he goes to in order to protect his man is at times extraordinary, and might someday come back to bite him in the ass. I liked Ace, there was something simple and straightforward with him, no muss no fuss. I do wish we'd gotten more of him and his needs and wants and not always him living for Sonny.

There was something not quite right with Sonny. I don't mind my men to be a bit broken and scarred from their past. But this thing with Sonny was just too much, too unhealthy and that desperate feeling he gave off made me uncomfortable, to be honest. He needed professional help, so much more than Ace could offer. And no, I don't need him to be all fixed and perfect and shiny, but sane would definitely be preferable. I can understand that what Sonny went through in his past did traumatize him, it traumatised him a lot and I don't in any way want to diminish that, but I also feel like he needed to deal with it and work through it to truly be able to move forward, and not run away from it. Because sooner or later, things will probably explode and that is going to be ugly.

The relationship while platonic for the first couple of years due to the military and closet/miscommunication issues bordered on insta-love. One conversation and they were devoted to each other like no other. It didn't quite feel believable and it's been done so many times before that I was looking for something more.

I have said it before and I'll say it again; Nick J. Russo is a fantastic narrator. He nailed the voices for both Ace and Sonny, their personalities shone through and the accent for Ace was great and added another layer to the narration.

The overall story and the narration was a good one, but Sonny kept me from truly enjoying this book.

A copy of this book was generously provided in exchange for an honest review for Love Bytes.

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Blue Collar Wonderful

The blurb says that Ace will do anything for Sonny and he does. This is another winner from Amy Lane. The story is told from Ace's POV and he is a wonderful, funny, tell it like it is character from a loving blue collar family. Although he has hid the fact that he is gay for a long time, wanting Sonny has made him determine to be with him and nothing is going to stop him. He is magnificent. Sonny is another story. He has been traumatized in the worst way for many years and has MAJOR trust issues. Neither of these MCs comes across as entirely mentally stable, but it is what it is and they make if work. Sometimes painfully. Overall, it is a wonderful story and the narrator is PERFECT!! He really brought these men to life for me. Definitely worth a credit.

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8 people found this helpful

One of my Favorite Lane stories

Since this book came out it has been 2nd only to Chase in Shadows as my favorite Amy Lane story. Nick J Russo has hit the mark with his narration of Ace and Sonny.

What will a man do for love? If that man is Jasper "Ace" Atchison he'll do what ever is needed.

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4 people found this helpful

Hard to listen to, but so, so good

Sonny comes to the Army looking to escape a horrible nightmare of a life and almost finds more trouble than he can handle until Ace takes him under his wing. His “I’ll do anything” earns him a permanent place in Ace’s life and later in his heart.
After the Army, Ace builds Sonny his dream garage and when Sonny joins him the two work together – using drag racing to supplement their income – to carve out a life in the desert of southern California. Before they can find their HEA the two have to face some pretty hard-core parts of their pasts and it gets really rough before it gets good.
Amy Lane is not called the Queen of Angst for nothing. This book is filled with angst. At every turn. Beautiful, heart-wrenching angst, on the level with The Locker Room and Chase in Shadows. These two boys barely know how to communicate but they manage to find enough words to tear your heart out. They love each other so hard, it is sometimes painful, but so wondrous and sweet, too.
I love how the book opens in the desert in Afghanistan and then transitions to the desert of California. The hardships these boys face are similar, no matter the location. Ace is an amazing, soft-hearted, open-souled guy who manages to hang on to his sweetness despite being ignored by his family and being told living life as a gay man is almost not worth living at all. Sonny’s life really can’t get much tougher, yet he manages to survive, despite all odds, and still retain a part of him that just screams innocence and vulnerability that makes you want to wrap him in a quilt and feed him marshmallows all day. Ace needs to be needed and Sonny needs Ace.
In the end, they manage to slay the dragon and keep each other safe and the result is a story so touching you’ll need at least one full box of Kleenex to finish.
The narration by Nick J Russo is spot on perfect. His vaguely country twang for Ace is just how I imagined it in my head when I read the book. It made me think Ace was a real guy Amy met at a bar one day and this was the story she recorded for us, as the two shared some beers.
He does a great job with Sonny too, perfectly depicting him as an ADHD perfectionist full of neuroses but also full of heart.
Though his other characters are less believable – Mr Go-Bear could use some work- Jai is awesome and even Alba and Mrs Atchinson are well done.
I can’t recommend this enough – it is an amazing book and the audio version does it justice times ten.

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2 people found this helpful

A Heart Pounding Love Story

Would you listen to Racing for the Sun again? Why?

I love Amy Lane and she never disappoints me when I buy one of her books or audio books, and this one is NO EXCEPTION. In fact, I think this one has more pathos that any one I have read or listened to recently.

She manages to take ALMOST completely broken individuals and shows that through the power of LOVE lives can be changed. This story illustrates that perfectly. It also shows the extreme and dramatic steps one person will go to in order to keep those they love safe from harm.

Nick J. Russo has done a marvelous job of narration as well. I have heard quite a few of his narrations and he always does great. Together Amy and Nick make a good pair to get a story across and straight to your heart.

BE CAREFUL, do no listen to this if you do not want some tears slipping down your face during the performance.

Great job Amy and Nick! Can't wait until the next one.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Racing for the Sun?

Those tender moments when Ace kept reassuring Sonny that he would keep him forever and love him as long as he lived.

Which character – as performed by Nick J. Russo – was your favorite?

Nick did a great job on all of the characters, but I could feel the strong masculine strength as well as the tender vulnerability of Ace through his intonations.

If you could rename Racing for the Sun, what would you call it?

I think it is a perfect name.

Any additional comments?

Can't wait until this duo work together again and I get to enjoy the performance.

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2 people found this helpful

Excellent narrator!

What made the experience of listening to Racing for the Sun the most enjoyable?

The narrator. This is the first time I have listened to Nick Russo and it will not be the last.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Hai and Ace are probably my favorite characters. They both have huge hearts and are loyal through and through. They both save "puppies"

Which scene was your favorite?

When Sonny tells Ace about his past.... Maybe the attack to the base in the motor pool.

Any additional comments?

Great audio! Lane does it again, as usual.

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4 people found this helpful

Good story. Good narration.

Good side story for the "Fish" series. Sonny and Ace go in search for their dreams. Their path has a little blood and grease...

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Wonderful story, outstanding narration

What made the experience of listening to Racing for the Sun the most enjoyable?

This is a story where hard work, honesty, hope and love can overcome even the worst of nightmares. Amy Lane has become my favorite author of this genre and Nick Russo did an amazing job switching vocal intonations and accents with great aplomb. I hope Amy and Nick collaborate again in the near future!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Racing for the Sun?

When Sonny and Ace first meet.

Have you listened to any of Nick J. Russo’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Not yet, but I'm to look for other books he has narrated!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Sonny met Ace's mother.

Any additional comments?

I would HIGHLY recommend this story to any devotee of m2m romance!

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3 people found this helpful

Had a little trouble getting into it.

Not your regular gay romance, probably too realistic. Liked that it was hard, and real.

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perfect narration

this turned out to be my favorite book by Amy Lane with perfect narration! outstanding! highly recommended.

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1 person found this helpful