Audio Review: Ben’s Rainbow by Victoria Sue, performed by Darcy Stark

15 February of 2019 by ButtonsMom2003

Overall: 5

Performance: 5

Story: 5

5.0Overall score

Ben and Zach stole my heart.

Ben’s Rainbow By Victoria Sue , performed by Darcy Stark

Genre: Contemporary Romance, GLBTQ, MM

Released: April 29, 2018

Audio Released: February 12, 2019

Publisher: Self-Published

Series: Rainbow Key, Book 3

Synopsis

Benedict Keeler was one of America’s most popular models. Hot body, hot career, and super-hot boyfriend, until a devastating house fire destroyed his face and his dreams. After being told all his life that a pretty face is the measure of his worth, he can’t face another rejection and runs from his lover, eventually hiding out on Rainbow Key.

Zachary Jones, a highly sought after photographer – even if he would rather shoot the homeless in Manhattan than a fashion spread – is now facing the real possibility that a genetic disease will render him blind and his days behind a camera may be over.

Two devastated men, one haunted by his past and one convinced he has no future. Will they both hide from the world, or will they give love, and each other, a second chance?

Review

Reviewed by ButtonsMom2003

Ben and Zach stole my heart.

I read and reviewed Ben’s Rainbow when it was first released in April 2018 and now I’ve had the opportunity to listen to it, the third story in the Rainbow Key series; once again performed by Darcy Stark. The right narrator/performer can make such a difference in my enjoyment of an audiobook and Darcy Stark has nailed this one just like he did first two Rainbow Key audiobooks. I can’t say enough good things about his voice and how I think it matches the characters.

I don’t re-read books because my TBR list is too long for me to take time to re-read something – even if I loved it. However, listening to a book I’ve already read is a different story. I’m always eager to see how the narrator interprets the different characters. I thought by listening to a book I’d already read that I would be able to listen with half and ear – and that is the case with some books, but not with this one. Darcy’s voice was so compelling I found myself just as engrossed in the story as I was when I first read it.

What follows is my original review of the book when it was first published:

Ben’s Rainbow is the third book in the Rainbow Key series but it stands alone very well. I really love all of the books in this series but I think Ben and Zach’s story just took over as my favorite one. I love second chance stories and this one is soooo gooood!

Ben and Zach met several years ago when Ben was a much sought-after model and Zach was a photographer. After Ben is badly burned in a fire he runs away from everything, including Zach. Zach tried and tried to find Ben and after he failed he returned to the type of photography he loved best; taking pictures of real people in living in horrible conditions in order to bring attention to their situation.

Ben and Zach are reunited when Zach is sent to Rainbow Key – where unknown to him, Ben is living – to recuperate from eye surgery. A genetic disease has left him nearly blind and in despair that he will never again be able to do the work that he loves.

Ben’s Rainbow grabbed me right from the beginning and didn’t let go. I was absolutely glued to my e-reader until I finished it. Victoria Sue’s writing nearly always brings on my tears, because her stories are so emotionally engaging, but I think she outdid herself with this one; tissue manufacturers will love her for it. ?

♥♥♥♥♥

O Factor: Scorcher

Rainbow Key Series

♥ Amazon US ♥ Amazon CA ♥ Amazon UK ♥

About Author

Victoria Sue

Victoria Sue fell in love with love stories as a child when she would hide away with her mom’s library books and dream of the dashing hero coming to rescue her from math homework. She never mastered math but never stopped loving her heroes and decided to give them the happy ever afters they fight so hard for.

She loves reading and writing about gorgeous boys loving each other the best—and creating a family for them to adore. Thrilled to hear from her readers, she can be found most days lurking on Facebook where she doesn’t need factor 1000 sun-cream to hide her freckles.

Author Links