Audiobook Review: Scrap Metal by Harper Fox – Narrated by Sean Gormley

Title: Scrap Metal

Author: Harper Fox

Narrator:: Sean Gormley

Publisher: Audible Studios

Run Time: 12 Hours, 24 Minutes

At a Glance: If I could do a one word review of the Scrap Metal audiobook, it would be simply, “WOW”. It is an absolute MUST LISTEN.

Reviewed By: Jules

Blurb: Is there room for love in a heart full of secrets? One year ago, before Fate took a wrecking ball to his life, Nichol was happily working on his doctorate in linguistics. Now he’s hip deep in sheep, mud, and collies. His late brother and mother had been well-suited to life on Seacliff Farm. Nichol? Not so much.

As lambing season progresses in the teeth of an icy north wind, the last straw is the intruder Nichol catches in the barn. He says his name is Cam, and he’s on the run from a Glasgow gang. Something about the young man’s tired resignation touches Nichol deeply, and instead of giving him the business end of a shotgun, he offers Cam a blanket and a place to stay. Somehow, Cam quickly charms his way through Nichol’s defenses and into his heart. Even his grandfather takes to the cheeky city boy, whose hard work and good head for figures help set the farm back on its feet. As the cold Scottish springtime melts into summer, Nichol finds himself falling in love. When tragedy strikes, Cam’s resolutely held secret is finally revealed and Nichol must face the truth. He’s given his heart away, and it’s time to pay the price.

Review: I am completely in awe of this book, and of Sean Gormley’s performance of the audio. Scrap Metal is truly a gorgeous, gorgeous story, and, honestly, I’m inclined to believe that this one has to be listened to rather than read. I don’t think I would have gotten out of it what I did without listening to this narrator. I absolutely couldn’t have done justice in my mind to the language – especially the Gaelic, of which there is a fair amount – and the names of the different towns and parts of the island of Arran. Hearing it all, perfectly spoken aloud, as I’m sure Harper Fox intended it to be heard, was amazing.

I can’t tell you how many times this book made me smile. Or sigh. I would be listening and find myself just grinning. The narration is perfect for so many reasons. The voices Gormley does for Nichol, Cameron, and Harry are fantastic. Especially his voice for Cameron, which always sounded a little bit surprised to me, and made me giggle. Harper Fox’s writing is so, so pretty; it’s extremely poetic, reverent even, when describing the landscape and parts of the farm and what it all meant to Nichol and his grandfather. And, Nichol is so incredibly sweet and a bit lost in his life when we meet him…God, how I loved him.

There is also a ton of humor in the book. There is a scene where Nichol and Cam go grocery shopping at the co-op that has so many funny moments I was actually cracking up while listening. I was absolutely dying at them dancing in the aisle to the un-edited version of Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s ‘Relax’. Also, in chapter eighteen, in the middle of some heavy drama, I found myself trying not to snicker at Harper Fox’s visuals: The villain, Baird, completely disgusted at the antics and bickering of Nichol, his ex, Archie, and his neighbor, Shona, was described as “obviously [having] had enough of our island soap opera.” And Archie “trying to morph back from jealous ex into police officer.” So many shenanigans. It was too good.

If I could do a one word review of the Scrap Metal audiobook, it would be simply, “WOW”. It is an absolute MUST LISTEN. If you already have it on your wish list, move it to the top. I know I will be listening to it again!

You can buy Scrap Metal here: