Love it.

This is a love story but not just a romantic story. It's about family, friendship and everything in between. This book will make you laugh ,blush, cringe and cry but above all it will make you happy 🤍

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Laugh-out-loud funny, frustrating, heart-warming

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If it's the right sort of friend!! This book is not for everyone - some reviewers elsewhere have been slightly offended by some of the topics, and the language is not for the faint-hearted, or people who cannot easily comprehend high-speed speech, but listen to the preview and you will have a pretty good idea of what type of book you've selected. I really enjoyed it. It is very amusing in places - dangerous when you are listening in the car! The characters are well-defined, possibly a bit over-the-top, but real enough that you can feel what they are feeling themselves and with each other - especially when you really want to slap them and tell them what they are doing wrong! There are some really touching moments, and it left me with a nice warm feeling inside.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Tell Me It's Real?

There are too many to mention really. Paul and Vince's first real meeting (rather than encounter), and the funeral are particular high-points for me, but there are very few dull moments in this story.

Which character – as performed by Michael Lesley – was your favourite?

Difficult to pick one. I especially liked Paul's father, who shouts "Language!" whenever somebody crosses his profanity threshold. The way in which Michael Lesley makes the two alter egos of Sandy and Helena different and yet the same is very impressive. Paul is a bit of a whiner but the incredibly fast rate at which he speaks was very well performed. I have even found myself reading things on my PC with the Paul style of delivery in my head!

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Love at first sight can happen - it is real.

Any additional comments?

T.J. Klune has a marvellous way with words, and with completely conveying the characters just by what they say. The narrator in this book definitely helped that become even more apparent, and both of them are to be congratulated.

There are one or two mis-speakings in the narration, but that is more than acceptable considering the rapid rate of delivery - you might even need to use the "play slower" function for this book! One phrase is repeated - presumably a re-take that didn't get edited out of the recording - but these are minor complaints. Overall I loved this book and will miss it now it has finished.

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6 people found this helpful

Great comfort read

Unlike the other books I've read by T.J. Klune so far, this is very much "just" a romance. I don't mean that in a negative way, but merely that there's very little going on plotwise other than Paul and Vince's budding relationship.

But honestly? That's fine! T.J. Klune writes relationships (romantic, friendly and familiar) so well, and as always it's a delight to read how the different characters (not just Paul and Vince, but also Sandy, Paul's family, Darren and even Vince's mum) interact with each other.

It wasn't an instant favourite like "The Lightning-Struck Heart" or "How to Be a Normal Person" were, but it's a great comfort read nonetheless. And as always, Michael Lesley does a brilliant job of narrating the book.

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Really runny

Such a humorous story. The narrator’s voice got a little on my nerves but to be honest I don’t think anyone else could voice the characters better. I will probably read book 2 rather than listen on audio. Fantastic story and well developed characters.

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Highly Recommend

Fucking hilarious, but also angsty as hell in some parts. genuinely one of the best gay romances I've ever read. Narration by Michael Lesley was spot on, and I'm so glad he did the rest of the books as well. Looking forward to continuing this series.

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Hilarious

When this book was recommended to me I knew I had to get the audio version rather than the print and I was not disappointed.

TJ Klune writes comedy so well but this story is not just about the laughs, the romance between Paul and Vince is so sweet you are rooting for them right from the start.

This was my first Michael Lesley audiobook and I though he was amazing. He really got into the character and it felt like he played the parts rather than just read the words.

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An absolute must of the genre

What did you like most about Tell Me It's Real?

The humour. The writing is absolutely laugh out loud hilarious.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I'm just reaching chapter 5 and so far is Paul.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Definitely impossible to choose one. There are so many.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes and no. I force myself to read it in small chunks just to make it last and enjoy it longer.

Any additional comments?

I will buy the kindle version as well, to support the author. "The Bear, Otter and the Kid" is already next in my wish list.
An absolutely brilliant narrator as well, really brings the characters to life.

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Brilliant

If you could sum up Tell Me It's Real in three words, what would they be?

Hilarious, touching, frantic.

What did you like best about this story?

The none stop energy. The humour. The frenetic use of words. The secondary characters are equally full of life. Johnny Depp. Paul and Vince.

What about Michael Lesley’s performance did you like?

Michael Lesley's Paul is inspired, but his portrayal of all the characters are acted so very well, it's addictive listening.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would have definitely listened to this in one sitting, had I had that amount of time to myself.

Any additional comments?

I'm eagerly awaiting Sandy's tale, and getting back to chaotic world of Paul and Vince.

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1 person found this helpful

Laugh hysterically, cry a bit

I loved this audiobook. Great characters (btw Vince is not as vapid as the blurb made me think, and he’s adorable). Not just Paul, our narrator who really grows on you because he does NOT get his own worth, and Vince who is so awesome. The supporting characters, from Sandy/Helena (best friend of Paul and drag queen) to Johnny Depp (Paul’s grandmother’s homophobic parrot), they’re all brilliant and colourful. The story is mostly cute but really really emotional in places (I did not cry on the train, honest) and the different voices, including the very well-done Helena/Sandy distinction really made it perfect. My only criticism is the long pauses in the narration between chapters (and at some other times), which may just be me(?) but may not - my advice if you are getting the long pauses: check you’re still playing and wait for the next bit. It’ll be worth it.

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Great feel good book.

Fantastically written, engaging and a perfect holiday read the other reviews were not wrong is with tuning into.

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