Hide and Seek
Stories from the Sound (All Cocks Stories) book 6
by TM Smith
Publisher: TTC Publishing
Narrator: Mackenzie Brennan
Release Date: February 12, 2021
Genre: M/M Romance
Trope/s: Strangers to lovers
Themes: Hurt/comfort
Heat Rating: 4 flames
Length: 7 hours and 7 minutes
It is book 6 in the series.
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Truths come out and trust is put to the test. Can the All Cocks family find the happiness they deserve?
Dusty Anderson left his hometown in Justin, Texas, for the Big Apple not long after graduating high school with dreams of becoming an actor. A year later, no closer to realizing his dream but pretty damn close to being broke, he comes across a flyer in a local gay bar that provides a solution to his dilemma.
Six years later, Dusty has all but forgotten his dream to be an actor. The family he gained when he went to work at All Cocks and the job itself are enough for him - for now, at least.
David Thompson is barely 21, high on life and starting his second year at NYU as an art student. Now that he is old enough to enjoy the city’s nightlife, David finds his first crush at a local hot spot in the village, The Monster Bar. Young love is laid to rest, though, when David comes out to his mother and older brother...with disastrous results.
A tragic incident at the hands of David’s brother changes the course of all of their lives and brings the two together, but is it coincidence or fate? Regardless of unlikely circumstance, Dusty is inexplicably drawn to David, who suddenly finds himself alone in the world. Protective of David from the start, Dusty realizes his extended family at All Cocks and his best friend Kory will not understand this new relationship. Fearing the worst, Dusty plays a dangerous game of hide-and-seek, risking everything to keep David safe and sheltered.
But hiding can only last for so long, and David and Dusty aren’t the only ones dealing with uncertainties. The Dimir men find that the one thing they’ve longed for might be within reach and Dusty’s father, Dean, arrives in town unexpectedly with secrets of his own.
Note: This book was previously released in the All Cocks Stories series. This book is intended for mature listeners due to adult content.
What is it about a story where the two lead characters are inexplicably drawn to each other that pulls me in? From the start in Hide and Seek Dusty is drawn to David, like he can't help but be captivated by this sweet, innocent, broken young man-ever before they even officially meet. It's David's innocence that seems to encourage Dusty's attachment to him from the moment Dusty sees him, and also provokes a fierce protective streak in Dusty, starting them on the path to friendship and so much more.
I simply adored both Dusty and David. Dusty is independent, caring and lives his life on his own terms. Before the incident with his brother, David was not accepted by his brother or mother because he is gay, and was subject to emotional and eventually physical abuse-which ultimately led to David and Dusty finding each other. Their relationship evolves slowly, with Dusty trying to do what's best for David-even if that means suppressing his own feelings. At least, until he discovers those feelings are returned. Dusty's unconditional caring and acceptance of David helps David feel safe and comfortable, and soon leads to so much more between them.
This story is filled with intense emotions, and touches on situations that no one should ever have to go through-especially with their own family. My heart went out to David for all that he had to endure, and even after finishing the story he still owns a piece of it. To me, Dusty was like a knight in shining armor, and the way he constantly looked out for David and kept trying to protect him was heartwarming and obviously fueled by the deep feelings it was obvious he developed early on.
I loved seeing all the characters from the previous All Cocks books, and the way the feeling of family among them all continues to grow and evolve in this story. In addition to Dusty and David's relationship, we get glimpses into the lives of the other couples and throuples and get to share in new developments with them that any follower of the series will be ecstatic to discover. For me, it did feel like there was a lot going on in the last 10-15% of the story, almost a bit too much, but it does set the stage for the continuation of the series-and I can't wait to see where things go from here!
Hide and Seek was a 4.5-star read for me, and I think it's perfect addition to the series. It's sweet with a heavy dash of spice, and I think readers will find Dusty and David an absolutely wonderful match. This story could be read as a standalone, but honestly it's my opinion that you'll enjoy it a heck of a lot more if you read this series in order since the events that result in Dusty and David meeting feature prominently in the prior stories. I highly recommend this story to M/M romance fans, and this is for readers 18+ only due to adult language and M/M sexual content, as well as scenes of physical abuse and trauma.
The narration: This was the first book I’ve listened to by this narrator. I thought he did a good job with differentiation in character voices and also with injecting emotion at point where it was needed. The pacing varied a little bit with some pauses at points I wouldn’t expect, and was a bit slower than I’m used to, but overall it was still an enjoyable listen. 3.5 stars for the narration.
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