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Pricks and Pragmatism: Southampton Stories, Book 1 Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

JL Merrow (Author), Mark Steadman (Narrator), Sea Singer Press (Publisher)
4.1 out of 5 stars 287 ratings

Kicked out by his father at age 16, English student Luke Corbin's used to trading on his looks and charm to keep a roof over his head until he can make it big as a journalist. He goes for men with money, power, and looks, in that order, and he doesn't let emotions get in the way. But when his lover tells him it's over, Luke finds himself homeless - just as his final exams are looming.

Moving in with geeky chemical engineer Russell may be a step down for him, but Luke can't afford to be choosy. Fully prepared to put out as usual, Luke's confused and frustrated when Russell refuses to take advantage of him - and even more so when he finds out Russell's saving himself for someone special.

The more time he spends with the shy, honorable man, the more Luke finds himself bowled over by Russell's sweetness and integrity. But just as he's coming to terms with his own wish to be that special guy for Russell, Luke has to face facts: he's fallen for the one man he can't seem to charm.

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  1. Listening Length
    2 hours and 18 minutes
  2. Author
    JL Merrow
  3. Narrator
    Mark Steadman
  4. Audible release date
    January 2, 2018
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Sea Singer Press
  7. ASIN
    B078RRHQFZ
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
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Product details

Listening Length 2 hours and 18 minutes
Author JL Merrow
Narrator Mark Steadman
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date January 02, 2018
Publisher Sea Singer Press
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B078RRHQFZ
Best Sellers Rank #272,181 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#3,220 in LGBTQ+ Literature & Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)
#5,694 in LGBTQ+ Romance (Audible Books & Originals)
#25,610 in LGBTQ+ Romance (Books)

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
287 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book well-plotted and easy to read, with great characters who are not caricatures. The story features situational humor, and one customer particularly appreciates how well the author portrays inner turmoil. The book receives positive feedback for its pacing, with one customer noting its perfect portrayal on the cover, and customers consider it a delightful one-day read.

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43 customers mention "Story quality"35 positive8 negative

Customers enjoy the well-plotted story of this book, describing it as a sweet love tale.

"...The author teases the reader with other little dramas such as Luke's estranged relationship with his father, Luke trying to become a journalist, and..." Read more

"...read that in J.L. Merrow's style will have you chuckling, frowning, sympathizing and fuming at the same time...." Read more

"...The author does a good job at making Luke believable and likeable, even though it is easy to dismiss a character like Luke, who uses his looks to..." Read more

"...I like his writing style, strong story with strong characters you actually care about, and most especially his dry wit and humour in his story..." Read more

22 customers mention "Character development"20 positive2 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one customer noting that the characters are not gay caricatures.

"...So while it's enjoyable and the characters are a ton of fun, the plot is probably the weakest part, although it still stands up to a re-read...." Read more

"...The characters are clearly drawn, and perfectly portrayed on the cover...." Read more

"...job at creating a naturally-flowing, well-plotted story, with engaging characters. I would definitely recommend this book...." Read more

"...I like his writing style, strong story with strong characters you actually care about, and most especially his dry wit and humour in his story..." Read more

19 customers mention "Writing style"19 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing style of the book, finding it remarkably well written and easy to read, with one customer particularly appreciating the author's portrayal of inner turmoil.

"...Terrific. Very well done. I want to go look up something else from the same author now." Read more

"This is the second novel by JLM I've read. I like his writing style, strong story with strong characters you actually care about, and most..." Read more

"...I thought the story was pretty good, better written than many of the books in this genre...." Read more

"My first book from Merrow, and it was very well done. Luke is essentially a boytoy, kept by rich men while he goes to college...." Read more

16 customers mention "Enjoyment"16 positive0 negative

Customers find the book very enjoyable and worth their time, with one customer noting it's a one-day read.

"...Terrific. Very well done. I want to go look up something else from the same author now." Read more

"...So while it's enjoyable and the characters are a ton of fun, the plot is probably the weakest part, although it still stands up to a re-read...." Read more

"...comes from the fact that this is a comfortable, quiet, and ultimately explosive read that will restore your faith in the power of love." Read more

"...like his writing style, strong story with strong characters you actually care about, and most especially his dry wit and humour in his story telling...." Read more

8 customers mention "Pacing"8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the pacing of the book, finding it adorable, with one customer noting it's not very graphic.

"...The characters are clearly drawn, and perfectly portrayed on the cover...." Read more

"...The tenderness that Russell awakens in Luke is adorable, especially when compared to his crass behavior with everyone else. CON: -..." Read more

"...In fact this short story of a young, extroverted, very sexy student and his tall, long fuzzy bearded, introverted nerdy roommate, is very memorable..." Read more

"...Oh it is still cute and I sympathized and related to both guys' life circumstances and insecurities...." Read more

4 customers mention "Humor"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the situational humor in the book, with one noting it's not overly cynical or sarcastic.

"...actually care about, and most especially his dry wit and humour in his story telling. This is a very enjoyable read...." Read more

"...There's situational humor, too--which often seemed particularly funny to me when combined with the nonchalant manner in which he relates awkward..." Read more

"...It has a lot of heart, terrific dialogue, and many funny moments. The narrator is so snarky / witty at times that I literally laughed out loud...." Read more

"...Luke has a great voice and he's very funny. Russell is adorable...." Read more

9 customers mention "Length"4 positive5 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's length.

"...CON: - The scope of the story is fitting given its short length...." Read more

"Overall The perfect length for this look at Luke's change from sugar-daddy hopping playboy to a fool in love. Review..." Read more

"...It was a bit too short for me and I hope Merrow will give us a sequel." Read more

"Short and fantastic! I'm hit or miss with short stories. I either feel shorted or that I've wasted my money...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • D. C. Morrison
    5.0 out of 5 stars A surprisingly well done story
    Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    Wow. I have to report being very pleased with Pricks and Pragmatism. It was a story that was shorter on sex but longer on love - and not smarmy, romance story sorts of love but the complicated, messy, fits and starts, misunderstanding and apologies sorts of love. One of the other reviewers mentioned always knowing where the story was going but reading it eagerly anyway. I would say that I knew where I hoped and wanted the story to go, but the characters and their challenging relationship are drawn so skillfully and with enough depth that its ending was not obvious. And by that point I had come to care enough about both Luke and Russell enough that the thought of the story ending badly almost hurt to think about.

    Terrific. Very well done. I want to go look up something else from the same author now.
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  • Alex W
    4.0 out of 5 stars Stars: 3.5/5
    Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Overall
    The perfect length for this look at Luke's change from sugar-daddy hopping playboy to a fool in love.

    Review
    I was bumming around and saw this on my kindle so I decided to dive in. It was short enough to entice me and yet long enough to develop everything I wanted to see. I also read it at probably the perfect time: I didn't want something too involved, didn't want anything too heavy, and I didn't want to have to work for it.

    It's surprisingly tear-jerking, although not an outright-crying story. Luke evolves quickly over the story, just because Russell is such a different kind of roommate that he has to change to deal with. The two are total opposites, but Merrow does an admirable job of showing how they end up meeting in the middle and how their differences work for them.

    Luke is very likeable, even if you're like me and have no fondness for playboys. Because even if he does pretty much sell himself for room and board, he's not a harsh personality. He's still very human. And Russell is geeky and awkward, but also kind of adorable, especially seeing him through Luke's eyes.

    The plot isn't too thick or deep, but the author uses the various side characters to build a world around these two men, and that helps the story work and not be a flimsy romance. So while it's enjoyable and the characters are a ton of fun, the plot is probably the weakest part, although it still stands up to a re-read.

    Also, it took me re-reading Hard Tail to realize that the Luke and Russell that make an appearance are these two. I love that!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Shannon L. Yarbrough
    3.0 out of 5 stars More Problematic and Predictable than Pragmatic
    Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2010
    Verified Purchase
    I had high hopes for J.L. Merrow's Pricks and Pragmatism since it's been in the Top 10 on Kindle in Gay Fiction for some time now. Interesting title. Hot cover. Unfortunately, that's about all it has going for it. The story is told only from the point of view of Luke, a young lad who is trying to finish his degree and needs a place to stay.

    He's hopped from flat to flat, usually ending up as his roomie's plaything along the way to pay the rent, until he finally ends up staying with Russell. Russell is shy, introverted, scruffy, and a virgin, and Luke just can't seem to get through to him. It's the classic tale of the outsider looking in or the protagonist falling for the last person he expected - trite and predictable, yes. Each has their own flaws, and thinks poorly of the other, but neither confess the truth to one another.

    Unfortunately, the only characters we meet besides Russell are all gay stereotypes. They are snobs with nice bodies, lots of money, and huge sexual appetites. Even Luke is good looking and horny all the time, although he isn't getting any from Russell. But the cast of characters are extremely minor, and we only get a taste of them coming or going.

    Most of our attention is focused through Luke's mind as he studies hard to graduate, does push ups naked to try to get Russell's attention, or cooks for them. Luke is one of those twenty-something gay males who thinks he knows everything about life - full of confidence - who dances with his shirt off and hooks up with random guys in public bathrooms. In fact, the first sex scene which doesn't take place until half way through the story is Luke and an Asian having a tepid encounter in a bathroom stall. Even the sex, which could have saved this story, is mediocre at best!

    The story and its characters are extremely flat. "We went here. I was thinking about this. I did this. Russell did that." The reader is left to put the pieces of the emotional puzzle together by themselves. We never get the intensity we want from Russell and Luke - despite a few small arguments - although we know it is there. It's like building two beautiful sand castles on the beach and then just walking away from them because we already know what's going to happen. We never get to see the imagery or dramas taking place on the inside.

    The author teases the reader with other little dramas such as Luke's estranged relationship with his father, Luke trying to become a journalist, and some of Luke's previous love interests, but Merrow just barely scratches the surface in an attempt to get back to Russell and Luke being together, but the reader is left driveling through the dry narratives to get to the good stuff. And sadly, there's isn't much of the good stuff.

    Merrow can write narrative and dialogue, that's a given, but can't seem to get through to the characters or the readers with the emotion and drama that could really connect everything in the end. It's as boring as a bad song on a juke box in a gay bar on a Tuesday night. No one is there. No one is listening. And for those who are, it's a sad situation. The only thing Merrow stays true to is the stereotypes - bland, boring, and conceited homosexuals - we all know the types and I think that's why this story is so frustrating. Real readers just don't connect with those characters. With a bit more feeling, and possibly even the point of view changed to Russell, this story would have worked out nicely.
    14 people found this helpful
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  • Bo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet Tale of Conflicting Emotions
    Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This is a one-day read that in J.L. Merrow's style will have you chuckling, frowning, sympathizing and fuming at the same time. Yet, the relationship that develops between the two main characters (Luke, the marginal rent boy, and Russell, the sweet natured but totally idealistic nerd) proceeds along in a logical, if sometimes frustrating, manner.

    The characters are clearly drawn, and perfectly portrayed on the cover. The five stars comes from the fact that this is a comfortable, quiet, and ultimately explosive read that will restore your faith in the power of love.
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Maureen Crothall
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet Story.
    Reviewed in Canada on November 11, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Luke is a free spirited, bed hopping young man who is looking for temporary lodging, Russell is kind of shy and withdrawn and also a 30 year old virgin. As you can guess from that intro we have a mixed bag of emotions in this tale, but, Oh!!!, what a tale! It's touching, funny, painful, and sweet in waves that sweep you along, a wonderful read.
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  • christella
    5.0 out of 5 stars lovely read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 11, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    First book i have read from this author and thoroughly enjoyed it,have ordered more to read.
    A sweet story with lovable characters,both with their own issues.
    Was a bit Mills and Boon or Harlequin at times but we all need a little romance in our lives.A nice one to choose if you like m/m and need cheering up.
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  • timothy phillips
    2.0 out of 5 stars Two Stars
    Reviewed in Australia on May 30, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Didn't like the characters much - nothing redeeming about them.
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  • moonflower
    4.0 out of 5 stars Unterhaltsame Novelle
    Reviewed in Germany on September 28, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    Luke, der mit sechzehn Jahren von seinem Vater aus dem Haus geworfen wurde, weil er sich geoutet hatte, besucht die Universität. Da er kein Geld hat, lässt Luke sich von reichen, vorzugsweise gutaussehenden Männern aushalten. Unterkunft, Verpflegung und Bekleidung gegen Sex. Damit hat Luke keine Probleme. Aber dann möchte sein derzeitiger Liebhaber, dass er auszieht und Luke muss schnell nach einem neuen Arrangement suchen, da er in wenigen Wochen sein Examen ablegen muss. Durch einen seiner ehemaligen Gönner lernt er den schüchternen, unauffälligen Chemie-Ingenieur Russell kennen. Russell trägt eine Brille, hat einen Bart, kleidet sich nachlässig und ist nicht mal reich - also in keinster Weise Luke`s Typ, aber er ist bereit, Luke aufzunehmen und da Luke nicht wählerisch sein kann, zieht er bei Russell ein.
    Zu Luke`s Überraschung ist Russell an einer sexuellen Beziehung mit ihm nicht interessiert. Später erfährt Luke, dass Russell noch "Jungfrau" ist und mit dem Sex auf seinen Mr. Right warten will. Luke kann das nicht verstehen, aber gerade, als er entdeckt, dass er sich in Russell verliebt hat, bittet dieser ihn, auszuziehen....

    Die Geschichte wird in der Ich-Form aus Luke`s Sicht erzählt und dadurch bekommt man einen guten Einblick in seinen Charakter und kann verstehen, warum er sich so verhält. Durch das Zusammenleben mit Russell erkennt Luke jedoch, dass es wichtigere Dinge im Leben gibt als Äußerlichkeiten.
    Im Gegensatz dazu hätte man Russell`s Charakter noch ein bisschen besser ausarbeiten können.
    Der Roman ist nicht sehr umfangreich und deshalb schnell gelesen, aber die Geschichte ist witzig und unterhaltsam, die Charaktere sympathisch und man gönnt besonders dem scheuen Russell, dass er Liebe und Glück findet.
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  • crikay83
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love it
    Reviewed in France on April 9, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I really love this book !
    Some say that there is too much gay characters but i don't think so, if there is mainly gay character it is because the main character Luke trade his favor to have a home, so when his last benefactor let him down , he need to find some place to go, so he go to gay men... I find that absolutely rational !
    I've really melted for Luke and russell too (but a little more for Luke ^^)
    A great story of love ^^
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