Audio Review: Upside Down by N.R. Walker ~ Narrated by Glen Lloyd

Title: Upside Down

Author: N.R. Walker

Narrator: Glen Lloyd

Publisher: Self-Published

Run Time: 6 hours and 17 minutes

Category: Contemporary Romance, Asexual Romance

At a Glance: Upside Down—and the audiobook in particular—is easily one of my favorites of the year. I certainly hope Glen Lloyd gets more gigs, because he was such a pleasure to listen to. I truly can’t recommend it enough.

Reviewed By: Jules

Blurb: Jordan O’Neill isn’t a fan of labels, considering he has a few. Gay, geek, a librarian, socially awkward, a nervous rambler, an introvert, an outsider. The last thing he needs is one more. But he when he realizes adding the label “asexual” might explain a lot, it turns his world upside down.

Hennessy Lang moved to Surry Hills after splitting with his boyfriend. His being asexual had seen the end of a lot of his romances, but he’s determined to stay true to himself. Leaving his North Shore support group behind, he starts his own in Surry Hills, where he meets first-time-attendee Jordan.

A little bewildered and scared, but completely adorable, Hennessy is struck by this guy who’s trying to find where he belongs. Maybe Hennessy can convince Jordan that his world hasn’t been turned upside down at all, but maybe it’s now – for the first time in his life – the right way up.

Review: I’ve just finished listening to the audio of N.R. Walker’s Upside Down for the second time, because I was so in love with it the first time I had to give it another go to see if it really was the most perfect audiobook ever. Conclusion? It certainly is one of them. Obviously we’re not all the same, and what some readers love, others can’t stand—but, I honestly couldn’t find one single fault with Glen Lloyd’s performance. And, for me, the story itself is near perfection as well. Is it a bit convenient that Jordan and Hennessey ride the same bus, are both asexual, and have so much in common? Sure it is. But, if you love romance—and this applies to other genres as well—I’m sure you’re adept at overlooking, or at least not overthinking, certain plot devices. I am one hundred percent behind believing that love will find a way, that the universe works in mysterious ways to bring people together, etc. If I connect with the characters and the story, I’m happy to suspend a little disbelief if necessary. And in the case of Jordan and Hennessey falling in love, I was completely on board.

I adored both MCs… Jordan, who loves his job and his friends, and is a self-professed nerd, and prone to nervous word vomiting and profanity. And Hennessey, who loves many of the same things Jordan does, and is thoughtful, and conscientious, and perfect. And, they were perfect together. But, one of the things I also absolutely adored about this book, was the amazing cast of supporting characters Walker gave us. Merry, Jordan’s best friend and co-worker, is such a strong and fabulous character. Angus, Jordan’s other best friend and roommate, is hilarious and sweet. Hennessey’s best friend, Michael, and his wife Vee are fantastic. And I of course can’t forget the Soup Crew—the quirky, wonderful group who ride Jordan and Hennessey’s bus, and who, in their minds, “helped the boys fall in love.” Every one of these side characters is essential to the story, and Lloyd made them all come alive with his narration.

Another thing to love about Upside Down is of course the ace rep. N.R. Walker has written an intensely romantic book, and done it entirely with flirty looks, hand holding, and a bit of making out. There is such a sweet purity to the story—sixty-five instances of some form of ‘motherfucker’ aside—due in large part to the pressure of sex being removed from the equation. I loved how Walker handled Jordan’s coming to realize that maybe ‘Asexual’ was a good label for him, and loved that so much of the content was educational, yet not dry or preachy.

Upside Down—and the audiobook in particular—is easily one of my favorites of the year. And as far as I can tell, this was Glen Lloyd’s first audiobook narration, at least in this genre, but I certainly hope he gets more gigs, because he was such a pleasure to listen to. I truly can’t recommend it enough.