Unique, emotional, and romantic

Adrian and Rory's struggles ripped my heart out in this audio. I felt their fear, pain, and humiliation so vividly in this story that sometimes I felt like screaming from the sheer agony of it all. Adam Gold transported me into these characters' lives, and his expressive narration gripped me by the heart as I was listening to all the ups and downs of their journey.

In terms of the actual story, it was difficult for me to listen all the way through without raging at the cruelty of humanity. The bullying Adrian dealt with made me feel sick to my stomach, and every time something good happened to him all I could do was wait to see how his roommates would spoil it. I was expecting the main conflict in this story to deal with Rory's heliophobia, but Adrian's own issues felt much more troubling and weighty at times. Part of me doesn't understand why Adrian never stood up for himself--the fact that he lived with these people for four entire years sent chills down my spine when I found out. I know his parents weren't exactly helpful when he needed a sounding board, but the thought of such a pure, gentle spirit getting crushed by bullies for so long filled me with equal parts rage and sadness. I think my own intense emotions are what made me so disappointed that the bullies didn't get the harsh punishment they deserved by the end of this story. I understand that's just the harsh reality of life, but every cell in my body was itching to make those guys pay for what they did to Adrian.

Rory's part of the story was no less heartbreaking to uncover, but seeing him seek help for his issues and confide the whole truth in Adrian softened the jagged harshness of what happened to him. Don't get me wrong--when he finally confessed the graphic details that led to his phobia, I wanted to throw up. The one bright spot from the very start of this story was Krew. I was suspicious of his dramatics at first, but he quickly elevated himself from "okay sidekick" to "best BFF ever". His unwavering support of Rory and easy acceptance of Adrian made me smile, and I'm seriously hoping we see more of him in future books.

Those who are expecting Rory to be "cured" of his phobia will probably be disappointed by the epilogue, but I actually really appreciated the realism. Mental health isn't binary, and phobias can't be turned on and off with the flip of a switch. At the end of the epilogue, I could see leaps and bounds of progress from Rory's side, and his and Adrian's future looks brighter than ever.

**I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.

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Loved it!

4.5

I just loved this one. Deals with bullying and the fear of the sun. Adrian was adorable and sweet, and Rory just breaks my heart with how hard he falls for him as the perpetual loner.

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Even in darkness, one can find love and happiness!

It had been a while since I read Rory and Adrian's story. I loved the way Adam Gold brought those character's to life for me. I enjoy my time reading and imaging how these men sound. So when I know a book I love is on audio and being read, especially by narrator's such as Adam Gold, I rush to get them.

Adam brought their world to me. I fell in love with both Rory and Adrian all over again. I also felt the pain again with Rory, his frustration over his limitations. I got angered over the treatment of Adrian and the awful things that had been done to him.

Krew, how I missed his sassy, in your face, and the most caring friend to have. I was thrilled with how Adam brought his character alive.

I absolutely enjoyed going back to their story and Adam did an amazing job bringing their story alive.

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👓🍹 I totally recommend!👓🍹

Adrian and Rory's story is different to say the least. Two people in need of each other to bring them to life, away from the darkness that others' hate pulled them into. And in case of Rory that is literally the way he was living his life. It was creative the way the author gave reasons for his condition. I was caught off guard. I did not see that one coming. There were many moments of surprises in their story. I was completely at awe with the way the narrator read their story. All the characters' voices were unique. He performed an amazing job. That brought this amazing story life. I so highly recommend. Enjoy! 👓🍹

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Phenomenal

I absolutely loved Rory and Adrian but let’s start with the narrator Adam. He is pure gold. The way he brought everyone to life was exceptional. He brought me right in where I did not want to stop listening. He performs the story

These two guys broke my heart. Adrian and the bullying and Rory living his life in the dark. What was done to Rory to put him in the mindset he is in is beyond comprehension. To lose the trust in friends and people after that incident is totally understandable.

I love that both Rory and Adrian were there for each other for love and support and they were super sexy together.

I am so in love with this series of fears and Nicky has hit it out of the park.

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Really Good

This was an excellent story but at times was really hard. Rory's experiences with bullying was heartbreaking and I just wanted to fold him in a protective hug. And having Aiden, whose own experiences gave him such empathy, come along to draw him out made my heart happy. Adam Gold is a fantastic narrator and he really brings these characters to life.

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love this story

I read it when it first came out and I loved getting to hearing Adam bring them to life. He did a great job on the voices to keep them all different and interesting.

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Powerful and Raw

Phobia: an extreme or irrational fear or an aversion to something
Heliophobia: a fear of the sun, sunlight, or any other bright lights

Before I listen to a Nicky James audio, I gird my loins (in a manner of speaking). I know I’m going to be challenged. I know I’m going to have to think, feel, endure, and then rejoice. I know these things and I like to think I’m prepared. Ha. This talented author always finds a way to knock me on my tush.

Shades of Darkness was no different than her other audios. And I can’t say enough good things about the book.

The second in the Trials of Fear series, the book is about a man who fears the light, and the man he’ll face that fear for.

First let me say that this book made me uncomfortable. I don’t want to give too much away, but I will say there is a lot of mentioning of bullying, as well as on the page stuff. My heart was in my throat for pretty much the entire eleven hours. Most people won’t have that visceral reaction, I think, but those of us who endured bullying as a child or teenager (or even as an adult) might have a strong reaction. I know I did. And that made the book all the more powerful to me. And my feeling of pride and euphoria when I got to the end was ever sweeter.

Rory lives in darkness. His story, when finally revealed, broke my heart. Not that I ever doubted his reasons for avoiding light, but when I heard the whole story…well, punch to the gut. I have light sensitivity and often need sunglasses on cloudy days, but that has to do with my eyes, not my mind. Seeing things from Rory’s perspective put a whole new spin on the light.

Adrian is a psychology student about to start his Master’s program. He gets top grades but it’s never good enough for his neurosurgeon father. After all, a doctorate in psychology is not the same as a medical doctor. No matter how many accolades Adrian receives, it’ll never be good enough. Also a scenario I can relate to.

Rory is lucky that his friend Crew cares about him. Enough to push him to call a counseling center. But with his inability to tolerate even the smallest amount of light, he believes getting help is impossible. That is until a brave man offers to come over to his apartment. And although the first meeting doesn’t go well, both men are willing to try again. When Adrian is the recipeint of his roommates’ cruel prank, Rory’s protective instincts go into overdrive, even though he barely knows Adrian.

Soon the men admit they have feelings and that compromises Adrian on a professional level. So what to do? Rory has finally found someone he can share with, but is the physical attraction enough to give up what little progress has been made? Well, this IS a romance so the answer was pretty obvious. I liked that there wasn’t much skirting of the line. Being involved with a patient is not okay. Both men can acknowledge that. Doesn’t mean Adrian won’t keep pushing, though, and it doesn’t mean Rory won’t dig in his heels.

Slowly their tenuous friendship develops into more. Both men are lonely and here’s an opportunity to connect with someone. To find solace. To share intimacy. And, of course, I was rooting for them all the way. But how can someone in the dark be with someone who is in the light? And is physical intimacy enough or do they have to own up to their emotional bond as well?

When it looks like Adrian is about to be the victim of a vicious prank, Rory tries to be there for him. That day is a turning point for both men. I have to admit, I had to stop and start the audio a couple of times. As authors we are told to take the worst-case scenario and then make it happen. Put our characters through the unimaginable. Make them suffer. In the end, if they survive, it makes their victory all the sweeter. So, yeah, I was cheering through the last few scenes in the book. My relief was palpable.

Have I scared you away? I hope not. This book had a profound impact on me in all the good ways. I did, as I knew I would, think, feel, endure, and rejoice. This is one of my all-time favorite books. It competes with Ms. James’ other books that I loved: Love Me Whole, No Regrets, New Beginnings: Abel’s Journey, and Owl’s Slumber. She handles mental illness with grace, always giving her characters dignity. As someone who suffers from a mental illness, I appreciate her portrayals. Her characters are rarely ‘cured’ at the end of the book. For them, like for me, it’s a chronic condition. It impacts my life, but it doesn’t dictate how I live that life. I have found my own form of happiness. and so have her characters.

On a final note, I want to mention the narration of Adam Gold. He’s narrated all of Ms. James’ books and I’m so grateful. He is amazingly talented and his performance was incredible. In case you can’t tell, I highly recommend this book.

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Loved it

This book/ audio was absolutely amazing. I was drawn into the story from the beginning. Nicky James does an amazing job with this phobia. It is very interesting to learn about as well. This was my first time listening to Adam Gold and he did an amazing job.

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Worth every minute

I have to say that Nicky James is a new author to me but once I read one book, I became obsessed and am now on the final book. I do recommend you start with book one and read in order for this series to get the best experience. I also want to give a shout out to Adam Gold he hands down nailed it, and brought each and every character to life.
With this second book so far is my favorite of the series, I’m usually not a fan of bullying but this book doesn’t over due it but there’s enough that gives it a “real life” effect. Rory is an isolated loner due to his phobia and only has one true friend named Krew that seeks help for his “friend with benefits “ to conquer his fear and get back to normal life. Arian is new to the field of psychology and on his way to getting a high degree while working his first job full-time in the summer. He lives on campus with three others in the same dorm, that happen to be his current bully’s as of four years. Being new to the job he has to take the shift available which happens to be overnights to a 24 hr clinic. Adrian and Rory meet and there relationship and struggles start there. This is an amazing story and worth the time and credit! Enjoy!!

PS on another note, another Nicky James book that is highly recommend outside of the trial of fears series is “Love me whole”. This is the actual book that got me hooked on Nicky and Adam Gold. give it a go if interested!

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