The Gift

Written by May Archer

Narrated by Alexander Cendese and Iggy Toma

Daniel: I suck at relationships and don't trust anyone, but there are reasons for that. For one thing, every person I've ever cared about has let me down. The only recent exception: O'Leary's town veterinarian . . . my new best friend.

I came to O'Leary for a fresh start. To pare things down to essentials. To forget about the failures in my past. The last thing I need is complications, and most definitely not a boyfriend.

Julian: I've lived in O'Leary my entire life and learned to fly under the radar a long time ago. I do what's expected, say what's expected, and keep to myself as much as possible. It's a hell of a lot simpler spending my time working with animals than trying to interact with actual people. The one unlikely exception: the gorgeous guy who moved to a cabin just outside of town and somehow became my best friend.

But friendships are complicated, and one morning I find myself accidentally telling the whole town the biggest lie of my life. Which is how Daniel Michaelson, my very straight, very hot best friend becomes my fake boyfriend, even though he's most definitely not my lover.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Jun 18, 2019
• ISBN: 9781977340351

Reviews for The Gift

[Kia Kindlee · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was so cute! If you looking for a cute cozy book this is it!

[christy broome · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Overly long and predictable. I wish the narrators would have switched roles and there voices did it match the character descriptions.

[Filipe Faustino · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Incredible to listen to. Cried unexplainably in the end. Loved it.

[tuusannuuska-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Often the second book in the series is rated better than the first, because the people who didn't care for the first one are less likely to pick up the second. In this case, the second book is simply better than the first. The relationship felt more organic, even though the trope was a little ridiculous. The characters were more relatable and they had better chemistry. I also really like the whole town with all it's inhabitants.

[tetisheri-604255 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I think that I need to move to O'Leary. The drama in the town would mean that I wouldn't even have to ever watch TV. All the gossip would just do it for me.

Julian is the steadfast vet in town. He's quiet, never loses his temper, is a bit awkward, and always does what's expected. Then one day, he stands up in the diner in the middle of town and tells everyone that he and hermit Daniel are dating, and Daniel couldn't have done what everyone says he did.

Daniel was a famous best selling author whose last couple books didn't do so well, so it looks like his life is over. His wife left him, his friends left him, and all he gets from his parents is a lot of static. So he goes off to O'Leary NY and buys 65 acres to live on. One day, he sees a murder of crows attacking a small owl, so he rescues the owl and rushes him into town to the vet, when he meets the stunning Dr. Julian, who tends to make Daniel forget that he is straight. They start spending all the time they can together, and become best friends, with Julian and Daniel both reminding themselves constantly that Daniel is straight. Or maybe he isn't?

I'm going to come right out and say that Daniel isn't always likable. He sometimes feels a little too sorry for himself, but I'm going to say that it fits in with the story, I guess. It all fits in with the negative self-talk he has going on. When he isn't in his way, I do like him, even though he should've opened up to Julian so much earlier than he did. I like Julian most of the time too, but he does need to learn to stand up for himself a little more. Altogether, an enjoyable story, and I can't wait to see the next story in the chute.