Behind this simple man is an unsung hero…Months after Shane Martin’s sister vanishes, life crashes down and he finds himself the guardian of a nephew he never knew existed. Blissfully ignorant, Shane trades in his musician status, full of late nights and fast women, for midnight feedings and lullabies. But when Kate McAlister, his prissy, stuck up caseworker, arrives unexpectedly, he realizes … unexpectedly, he realizes he could lose everything.
Kate isn’t impressed by Shane’s messy bachelor pad, rocker image, or sexy tattoos. As a matter of fact she finds it all very sophomoric. The sooner she’s off the case the better. Everything from his long hair to his sarcastic attitude threatens her professionalism. But when he lowers his guard and asks for help, she discovers a side to this tattooed musician she can’t resist.
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I rounded this one up to 5 stars because I loved all the 80s references and the creative descriptions for baby actions/interactions. (Goonies never say Die!) I also liked that much of the story—which was really Shane’s story—was more than just the romance. A lot of the drama/conflict in the story wasn’t about the romantic relationship. I liked seeing Shane mature over the course of the story.
I listened to the Audible version. The voice acting is worth 5 solid stars. Brian Callanan was a new-to-me narrator but I really enjoyed his performance. He added extras like mumbling, baby sound effects and yelling that really brought the story to life. I would listen to more by him in the future.
#AudiobookObsession
This was my first Lydia Michaels’s book. This is a beautiful story! I love single Dad’s stories, and this one is particularly gripping, and emotional. I love the characters. The storyline has it all: hilarious scenes, angst, heartbreaking scenes, and heartwarming scenes. I like the beautiful ending. Brian Callanan did a great job with the narration. #AudiobookObsession
Adorable, heart-wrenching, and steamy
Audiobook version: 4 stars overall, 4 stars story, 4 stars narration
This audiobook is like the male equivalent of women’s fiction, so it could be called men’s fiction. It is told completely from the hero Shane’s perspective as a young single man who grows as a person after he takes on the raising of his late sister’s baby boy. Although the story contains some romance, I cannot classify it as a romance partly because Shane meets his love interest 25% into the story. Also, it still takes a while before any hint of romance occurs. Shane’s fatherhood and personal growth is the focus of this heartwarming story. The book is at first heart-wrenching, then adorable and sometimes amusing. Shane is such a good guy who really loves his nephew and gets his life in order so that he can properly take care of little Logan. The story is so sweet. There is some bad language and a few steamy love scenes.
The narrator Brian Callanan does a solid job. His men’s voices are great, and his women’s voices are pretty good. He is perfectly emotive and really enhances the listener’s connection to the characters. Brian Callanan’s gravelly voice is very pleasing to my ears and very masculine.
I requested and received a free audiobook copy via #AudiobookObsession, and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.
#AudiobookObsession Reviewer
Lydia Michaels’ story tugs at the heartstrings. You’ll need tissues for this one.
This emotional story is about Shane who considers himself a simple man. All he needs is work, a place to live and family. but life doesn’t always work out that way. Shane had a felt loss in his life, but the news he received devastated him. It was the love of a stranger to help heal the loss and give him hope. Many tender moments, agonizing despair, and feelings of love and joy for Shane. This story is about how Shane grew from just being a simple man to one who is self confident, proud and had a great future.
Brian Callanan is an excellent vocal performer. He really brought this story to life! Every emotion, every voice , every character was perfection! He flawlessly transitioned from one character to another.
audiobookobsessionreviewer
Excellent Story & Audible Listen Captivating & Heartfelt!
Simple Man
By: Lydia Michaels
Narrated by: Brian Callanan
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the story swept me in right from the start, grabbing my attention and captivating it the entire book. Lydia Michaels is a gifted author, I had the pleasure to enjoy another of her books, a fantastic PNR, so it is great to see another side of her creative mind in “Simple Man”. This story is beautifully written and told, the storylines and characters are realistic, easy to relate to and connect with. I adored the two lead characters, Shane Martin and Kate McAlister, the secondary characters were great too. Shane found himself growing up quickly after his parents accident, he was 17 years old at the time, his younger sister, Noel, was only 11. As soon as he turned 18 he became her guardian. Ten years later she is out on her own and he does not agree with her life choices and they have a falling out. Months after their fall out, his life takes another turn and he faced with a new challenge, a two month old baby. My heart went out to Shane for all the losses he faced in his life and the sacrifices he made. I admired his strength and determination to get thru it all. I loved how the author lightens things up with some hilarious moments in the midst of the heavier and heartfelt moments. Kate McAlister is the case worker assigned to Shane’s custody case, she needs to check in on him and how he handles parenting a 2 month old. The two do not exactly hit it off right away, he feels she is judgmental and looks down on him and his living situation. But Shane does the best he can and does everything he can to make it right. I just loved how everything plays out in this book, the story is beautifully plotted, there is plenty of drama, some angst, humor, lots of heartfelt and emotional moments and a wonderful, slow burn romance. Lydia Michaels, thank you for the beautiful story and emotional rollercoaster ride.
I listened to the Audible edition, Brian Callanan is a talented narrator and voice artist. He does an awesome job portraying the characters, humanizing them, give each their own their own voice and personality. He sets the perfect tone for the story, captures the characters emotions and projects them into his performance. He is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for the awesome listen
Thank you @AudiobookObsession AudiobookObsessionReviewer
What a ride. This book read like real life! Shane is struggling and life keeps knocking him down…..Kate has her own baggage BUT she is his lifeline that keeps him moving. A wonderful story of love life and loving!