Because of Ben

Written by Lisa Henry

Narrated by Gary Furlong

Marco Chase is the lead singer for Static, one of the world’s most famous and successful rock bands. Marco’s bad boy rock star image isn’t just one he’s cultivated for his fans—it’s Marco all over. Marco’s past is full of one night stands, bad decisions, and blackouts. Marco never saw a cage he didn’t want to rattle—and from the moment he lays eyes on him, he really wants to rattle sweet, innocent Ben Selden’s cage.

Ben Selden comes from a fundamentalist Baptist family. Ben is struggling under the weight of knowing that he’s gay, and a lifetime’s teachings that tell him that his God will condemn him, and his family reject him, if they ever find out. With a future he doesn't want already mapped out for him, Ben’s at a breaking point when he meets Marco.

Marco’s teasing, flirting, and obvious interest awakens a hunger in Ben, and he knows this might be his only chance to act on his attraction to a man—if he’s brave enough to risk his future, and his family, to take it. He doesn’t expect Marco to be his savior, but maybe a savior isn’t what Ben needs—maybe he just needs someone to believe in him enough that he’s willing to save himself.

Because of Ben is the second book in the Star Crossed series, where regular guys meet famous ones, and sparks fly.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lisa Henry
• Release date: Jun 30, 2022
• ISBN: 9798822604513

Lisa Henry

Lisa likes to tell stories, mostly with hot guys and happily ever afters. Lisa lives in tropical North Queensland, Australia. She doesn’t know why, because she hates the heat, but she suspects she’s too lazy to move. She spends half her time slaving away as a government minion, and the other half plotting her escape. She attended university at sixteen, not because she was a child prodigy or anything, but because of a mix-up between international school systems early in life. She studied History and English, neither of them very thoroughly. Lisa has been published since 2012, and was a LAMBDA finalist for her quirky, awkward coming-of-age romance Adulting 101, and a Rainbow Awards finalist for 2019’s Anhaga.

Reviews for Because of Ben

[mpsaltiesperia46 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another excellent story from start to finish. Narrator Gary Furlong is now one of my favourites, what a voice, what excellent delivery, just so talented. Onwards to the next story in the series!

[Jennie Kaplan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow! This story held me from page one. There was so much more angst in this book than in book one. It was lovely and heartbreaking-I hated what Ben had to go through and loved that Marco was there for him. But other characters stepped up as well - which made the story more nuanced and not so black and white. I loved it. Again, the narrator is great!

[Monica danny · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Book 2 of the series. It's entertaining, emotional, and charming. It's an easy and fun listen. The audio version is excellent and just like the first book in this series, Not Until Noah, I loved it. There's a HEA, (happy ending) and sue me if that's a spoiler but I happen to think it's a deal breaker if I'm gutted at the end of a book I loved.

[Susan Grunner · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Cute story. A bit insta-love-y, and unrealistic. Very much a "love in a bubble" story, which the book acknowledges is a hurdle a relationship needs to get past, but then continues to do it even afterwards. It says the right things, but just continues with tinted glasses. Telling one thing, then showing the other. I guess it works to keep the book low-angst. But it also makes the book really unrealistic. I was really hoping for some more realism, given the character depth.