Author: John Inman
Narrator:: Tyler Stevens
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Run Time: 8 Hours, 2 Minutes
At a Glance: I loved listening to Serenading Stanley, loved the fact there was more than one romance going on, and offer thanks to these wonderfully talented men
Reviewed By: Kim
Blurb: Welcome to the Belladonna Arms, a rundown little apartment building perched atop a hill in downtown San Diego, home to the city’s lost and lovelorn. Shy archeology student Stanley Sternbaum has just moved in and fills his time quietly observing his eccentric neighbors, avoiding his hellion mother, and trying his best to go unnoticed… which proves to be a problem when it comes to fellow tenant Roger Jane. Smitten, the hunky nurse with beautiful green eyes does everything in his power to woo Stanley, but Stanley has always lived a quiet life, too withdrawn from the world to take a chance on love. Especially with someone as beautiful as Roger Jane.
While Roger tries to batter down Stanley’s defenses, Stanley turns to his new neighbors to learn about love: Ramon, who’s not afraid to give his heart to the wrong man; Sylvia, the trans who just wants to be a woman, and the secret admirer who loves her just the way she is; Arthur, the aging drag queen who loves them all, expecting nothing in return—and Roger, who has been hurt once before but is still willing to risk his heart on Stanley, if Stanley will only look past his own insecurities and let him in.
Review: Since I gave an earlier review of the e-book version of Serenading Stanley, I mainly want to talk about the audio version in this review. If it came down to a choice between re-reading this book or listening to the audiobook again, the audio wins hands down. In the beginning, I wasn’t too sure about Tyler Stevens’ performance, but as he warmed up to the story, all I can say about his characterizations and how he performed his lines is that it’s an absolute joy to listen to. And what a sexy voice he has when it comes to the more intimate parts of this story.
Stevens’ narration of Stanley’s mother was to die laughing for, especially during the haircut scene when she was with Ramon, but he also did a fantastic job when it came to the more tender moments of the story, such as when Roger was beside himself convincing Stanley where his heart lay, or when Sylvia ended up at the hospital.
I loved listening to Serenading Stanley, loved the fact there was more than one romance going on, and offer thanks to these wonderfully talented men—John Inman for writing such an awesome and funny story; and to Tyler Stevens for an outstanding performance. They made Serenading Stanley well worth a read, a listen, and this book has earned a permanent spot on my faves shelf. I can hardly wait to re-read and listen to Work in Progress, the second installment in the Belladonna Arms series.
You can buy Serenading Stanley here:
In the middle of listening to this audio book and LOVE Tyler Stevens!! Also loved his narration in the Better Than series by Lane Hayes.