— Lose an eye. Win a boyfriend. —
Ethan. Taxidermist. Goth weirdo. Can’t wait to be done with high school.Ethan is a young artist-entrepreneur with a love for quirky taxidermy. Roadkill is so much better than people. By the end of high school, all he wants is to develop his business, yet all his parents want is for him to go to law school. That is more than enough of a problem for Ethan, so … more than enough of a problem for Ethan, so any kind of love life is out of the question. That is until Robert Hunter, the quarterback of the football team, comes crashing into him. Literally.
Robert. Quarterback. In the closet. More than meets the eye.
Robert is the popular kid, the quarterback on his way to med school. He’s gay, but not exactly coming out since he doesn’t like to stir the pot. One night, spurred on by too much booze, he ends up causing irreversible harm to Ethan, the school’s weirdo.
The aftermath.
Robert will do anything to avoid charges for what he’s done, but when Ethan makes an indecent demand in return for his silence, Robert might just be in way over his head.
For Ethan, it’s a simple act of revenge on a bully, but when Robert turns out to be not-so-straight, their arrangement gets complicated all too fast.
POSSIBLE SPOILERS:
Themes: First love, fitting in, entrepreneurship, disability, high school, jock/goth, taxidermy, artist, coming out, becoming an adult, enemies to lovers, hurt/comfort
Genre: New Adult M/M romance
Length: ~ 90,000 words (Standalone novel, no cliffhanger.)
WARNING: Contains steamy, passionate scenes, violent injury, themes of bullying, and a morally ambiguous proposition
(This book was formerly published as ‘Diary of a Teenage Taxidermist’)
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I Give this Book a 4.5/5 Star Rating, But listing as 5.
HEA(?): Yes
Romance: 4-4.5/5
Heat: 4/5
Drama: 3.5-4/5, surprisingly I did wish there was a bit more drama, especially with Ethan memory issues. I wish (as the reader) we were able to see more of Ethan’s lapses, because it doesn’t seem as important in the book as it should be. True it’s doesn’t need to be like 50 first dates, but I wanted to see the moments rather than them being past-tensed.
Not as much bullying as I was expecting, but I did like how it fit the book.
Suspense: 3.5-4/5
Dark(?): No
Pacing: Mid
Relationship Type: MM
Formats Reads: Audiobook & Ebook
No Spoilers.
Narrator Rating: 3.5-4/5, it did take a while for me to really get use to the way he voiced the characters, but in the end Tyler Kent was pretty good, and I would gladly listen to this book again.
Plain and simple this was a pretty good book and I will definitely be listening to this over and over again!
Audiobook Review
Narrator: Tyler Kent
Ratings:
Overall: 5 Stars
Narrator: 5 Stars
Story 5 Stars
I love how the minds behind K.A. Merikan work. They utterly fascinates me. I leap at the chance to read their work. They don’t shy away from weird, interesting, outrageous, and dark things. They embrace it, and I love it. I don’t read a lot of books with teenaged mcs, but these boys are both 18, so there’s that. For this author, though—I will read whatever trope, age group, or genre.
Robert and Ethan were brought together under very unique circumstances. Both events, one caused by Rob, the other by Ethan’s odd demand as payment for his silence, have lasting repercussions throughout the book. Despite this, these boys find themselves continually drawn to the other. It was not a smooth transition from bully/bullied to friends, and then, boyfriends. Despite Rob no longer participating and often preventing it, Ethan still gets bullied.
This was a brilliantly written story, with incredibly well developed characters. I loved that there’s always humor mixed in with the dark, the serious, and the sadness. There were moments that were funny for the readers, that were just not addressed in the story (by the characters). I love that stuff, and soak it up like a sponge. The characters are funny, without even meaning to be.
Tyler Kent is a new to me narrator, but I hope to hear more from him. He was perfect for these characters and their story. He did a phenomenal job with Ethan and Rob. His ability to project emotion, awkwardness, and have two very well thought out, and distinct, voices for our leads, is incredible. I can see him going far in this industry, and I’m glad Merikan utilized his talents for this story. I cannot imagine it with any other voice. Tyler Kent IS this story.
I listened to the audio of this book and it was fantastic. I say this often about Merikan’s books, when I start them I’m not sure I like either of the main characters, and that is true at the beginning here. I know, however, that as the story goes along I will come to understand the characters and sympathize with everything they have had to go through both during the story and in their backstories. Learning to see through eyes that initially seem radically different than my own and then finding commonalities (sometimes uncomfortable ones) is what I love about this author’s work. Tyler Kent is a new performer for me but this one was right on the money. All the pain and emotions were spot on and not overdone.
The Jock and the Taxidermist (an audio review)
I’m the first to admit I approach K.A. Merikan books with some trepidation. There have been some I’ve loved, and a couple that were misses. This book was not a miss. Formerly published as Diary of a Teenage Taxidermist, it has now been brough to audio. Tyler Kent is a new narrator to me but his voice worked. The teenagers in this story haven’t yet reached maturity, so it made sense their voices were young and not as deep and resonant as the narrators the Merikans normally use. In other words, these kids are definitely not hardened criminals or members of outlaw motorcycle gangs.
That being said, they’re no innocents either. The synopsis is longer than the average one I’ve seen but that’s necessary – the plot needs to be laid out in some detail so the squeamish and those traumatized by bullies don’t accidentally pick it up without knowing what they were getting into. I read the synopsis carefully – several times, in fact. I was intrigued enough to pick up the book and am glad I did.
I don’t read a lot of books with teenage protagonists. I barely survived my teenage years and do not look back upon them with nostalgia and fondness. They were years I struggled through, and although they made me a stronger person, I believe one should make it to adulthood without having to endure the gauntlet of bullying and peer pressure.
Robert is a jock. He has friends who sometimes egg him on. And he does stupid stuff. And sometimes that stupid stuff has devastating consequences. And some readers might think ‘there but for the grace of god’ as they reflect on stupid stuff they did as teens. But Robert owns up to what he’s done and is willing to make amends – partly out of a desire to stay out of jail – but mostly out of intense guilt at having caused such horrible damage. Ethan hasn’t had an easy go of it. He’s a misfit who appears goth but doesn’t fit that stereotype. He prefers to stay at home and practice taxidermy. And, okay, I was a little squeamish at that. I love my dog, but I don’t want her stuffed and put on a shelf when she dies. That being said, Ethan’s taxidermy projects are phenomenally creative and I was fascinated.
Anyway, Ethan goes to a party and things go horribly wrong. He loses an eye, but gains a means of revenge – he makes sexual demands of Robert who feels he has no choice but to comply. This is where the Merikans are at their strongest – moral ambiguity. Ethan is blackmailing Robert – pure and simple. And yet there is nothing simple about this relationship. Things progress and the boys develop real feelings for each other. But so much stands in their way – well meaning parents, friends who apply peer pressure, and a society as a whole. Ethan has always felt he had to fight the world and suddenly Robert is an ally, believing in him. Those transformations were powerful.
But high school ends. Ethan pushes to pursue his true passion while Robert continues to hide his from the world – and it’s a great one, by the way. So I was left wondering if they could make it as a couple or if they were destined to have to head in their own separate directions.
I’m glad I listened to this book. Yes, it brough back memories of being bullied in high school, but it also reminded me that I survived that time in my life and was a better person for it. So give the book a shot. Between the narration and the story, you won’t be disappointed.
So ya I totally loved this book. It was sooo good. It was not what I was expecting, but it was so much more. This is a bully mm high school romance, but that just does not encompass what it really is, which is a coming of age story about a closeted athlete who is really a chef and food blogger and a bullied, outcast who is a taxidermist. This has all the feels and it packs a punch!! It is super intriguing and the characters are so wonderful. Rob was literal gold, love him so much. I too love Ethan, but ya Rob stole my heart. Their coupling starts off on the wrong foot two different times, but then they get their shit together. It felt real and sweet and lovely. Tyler Kent encompassed both the characters wonderfully. He is a new to me narrator and I look forward to his others.
ARC provided by GRR in exchange for an honest review.
I thoroughly enjoyed this very unique story of young love with a truly odd pairing: the closeted high school quarterback and the “weird” kid who’s into taxidermy. Although things between them start out in a very unorthodox way with a tragic accident, Ethan and Robert’s romance is fraught with all of the angst that being a senior in high school can carry: the excitement of first love, being on the cusp of adulthood and the frustration at being under their parents’ control to a degree. The heat level between them is high, the feels too, and you can’t help but root for them to keep their relationship viable after graduation. There might be a trigger warning or two here for some, but I recommend it completely.
High School romance
Ethan a high school gay goth weirdo, fancied the High School Quarterback who was straight.
Robert the said Quarterback, chases Ethan at a party whilst drunk and tackles him, bullying Ethan and drunken slurs, Ethan then has a life changing accident caused by Robert.
In hospital the Robert is there when Ethan wakes up from his surgery. Afraid that Ethan will tell people the truth he succumbs to Ethan’s request for repayment of the bullying that he had taken for years.
A strange high school romance which starts with bullying, life changing violence, the victim then twist the tables on the bully which doesn’t actually work out how he thought it would.
It has a wonderful ending if not what you expect.
The narration was good, but listened on a speed of 1.20. I enjoyed the story and the narration even with the bullying.
Not like Other Boys
M/M Bully Romance
By: K.A. Merikan
Narrated by: Tyler Kent
Length: 9 hrs and 5 mins
Overall
Narration
Story
Read at 1.20 speed on Audible
This ebook/audiobook is so delightfully different. That isn’t to say that the story is delightful…it is definitely on the dark side…but it is so good to read/listen to something outside the usual box. After their rocky start, Ethan and Robert become one of the most perfect couples and I think they would have a realistic shot, in real life, at a forever together.
So, this is my first listen to Tyler Kent as a narrator. Wow. He just blew me away. Ethan is sweet and a little creepy, while Robert is sweet, more mature and less creepy. Notable mentions include the nailing of Pat’s menacing stupidity and the comedic nature of Chris. All are wonderfully brought to life. More please.
Not Like Other Boys is a standalone contemporary romance that takes the reader on an emotional and fascinating journey. The best way I can describe this book is as a quirky, young adult romance with themes of boys being stupid, making bad decisions that have serious consequences, yet still finding a way to forgive, grow, and love each other. Ethan and Robert together just makes sense. At first, it doesn’t. Ethan is the strange kid who created taxidermy art and Robert is the popular football jock who cooks as a hobby. Their relationship is unique with a tragic start, but the love and attraction they have for each other cannot be denied.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, but I also recognize it is not for everyone. K.A. Merikan don’t shy away from dealing and exploring difficult themes and unhealthy behaviors. Both Robert and Ethan make really bad and poor decisions, but they also acknowledge the seriousness of those decisions and understand that their behavior was not good. But despite this acknowledgement, they can’t and won’t stay away from each other. It’s not a dark romance, but there are messed up situations that not everyone will feel comfortable reading about. Read the summary for content warnings and make your own decision on whether or not this book is for you.
The audiobook was narrated by Tyler Kent who did a good job. I wasn’t really a fan of Ethan’s voice, but I did get used to it. All the other characters had a great voices that I liked. The narrative portions were voiced smoothly and were easy to listen to. The audiobook production was well done and overall this was an enjoyable listen.
Not Like Other Boys by KA Merikan is a New Adult, MM Bully romance. I was really excited for this one – I had really high hopes based on the other books I have read by the author.
The characters are just trying to figure themselves out, figure their connection out, figure their future out. There are several times with Ethan was annoying and did something or said something that triggered a negative feeling in me. To me that is a testimony to how well a writer builds a character… good or bad, if a character can pull out such emotion from the reader that is good writing. The characters and their relationship – well, Robert I would say I liked him. He did a few mistakes but he was a nice guy and caring. Ethan, well I am conflicted on him. On one hand he annoyed me with certain decisions he made… on the other hand he had a lot of things to work through and I felt bad for him, and there were moments that Robert and Ethan were sweet together.
The story itself is well told and interesting. There was angst, of course… the time of life these characters are in is filled with angst – add in coming out, unfortunate accidents and bullying. The romance/emotion… well there is sweetness, there is confusion…. its an interesting journey. Overall, the story kept me reading/listening… even after Ethan was at times a character I wanted to smack.
Tyler Kent narrates the story and does a good job. Good voice works and recording.