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Xander: An Open-Door Policy Novella

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Xander: An Open-Door Policy Novella

By: Anna Ambrose
Narrated by: Hugh Bradley
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About this listen

Xander Penn has been around the block more times than he cares to count, always searching for an elusive something he’s never admitted to wanting, not even to himself.

Until now...

Then again, realizing what he craves doesn’t mean he accepts it. It’s one thing to dabble at the open-door policy club he belongs to, but quite another to declare it to others in the real world. After a harsh rejection pushes away the one person Xander wishes he could pull closer, he spirals down a dark path using meaningless sex more as a punishment than a pleasure.

When an unexpected ally makes him see he’s missing out on the best parts of life, Xander finally decides to open himself up to the possibility....

But by then, it may be too late.

Xander is an erotic romance novella intended for audiences 18 years and older. This novella is just over 30,000 words, and it contains a variety of M/M and M/F encounters.

©2018 Anna Ambrose (P)2018 Anna Ambrose Romance
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Just over a year ago I reviewed Lucy, the first novella in the Open Door series. I had a few issues but I did enjoy the story. With that knowledge, I embarked upon Xander with great hopes. I listen to tons of gay romances so this was right in my wheel house. Or so I’d hoped.

I’ll touch briefly on the narration. It took some getting used to. Hugh Bradley does a good job, but at first I felt it was breathy and a little rushed. The quality was oaky but it sounded a bit tinny. I’d listen to another audio by him, but it did take some getting used to.

Now to the story. Xander has been attending the Open Door for a while and it’s clear he’s done plenty with many people. He’s even tried some male on male action, but always when directed by a woman. So he could justify it as being a threesome and not guy on guy. He’s surprised to discover he has feelings for his friend Liam and instead of embracing them, he fights them. Even as he’s pulled towards Liam, he pushes back. He drinks alcohol rather than face the truth and when he finally does give in, he lashes out and hurts the one person who deserves it the least.

I had a few issues with this book. First, if Xander is aware he has a problem with alcohol, why does he keep some in his apartment? I suppose he thought he could resist, but he’s quick to take back up with the bottle. I also didn’t like the cruelty. I think you can question your sexuality and not lash out. I think you can experiment without hurting those you purport to care about.

Finally, the writing left me feeling a bit hollow. There were plenty of clichés used and they prevented deep diving into character development. Basically, I was left wanting more.

I’ve given a 4-star rating because there were parts that I enjoyed, but this is more of a 3.5 rounded up. I liked the ending and that always helps bring up the rating.

Not a hit but not a miss

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Xander by Anna Ambrose is the second book in An Open-Door Policy Novella Series that I listened to on audio narrated by Hugh Bradley. The books can be read as standalones but they do make references to the couple in book one Lucy. Anna did a great job pulling you into the messy relationship of Xander and Liam. Hugh did a good job narrating. I enjoyed his deep gruff voice he uses for Xander. The book contains M/M and F/F/M Scenes. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves Erotic Romances.

Steamy Erotic Romance

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this is my first time with this author and I was pleasantly surprised. Xander and Liam were a dramatic couple with how they came together. it was great to see how their relationship revolved to be what they became will definitely be keeping my eye on her next.

wonderful

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Anna is a new author to me this is the first one and I Loved it. Xander and Liam what these two go through the emotions and Love it's Captivating and Heartbreaking with Xander not wanting to admit what he feels for Liam, denying he's gay not wanting to admit what he feels his Love. And poor Liam what he goes through the pain because he admits and tells Xander he loves him wants to be with him but he keeps pushing him away I cried it gets to you so much emotion and feeling. Hugh Bradley done a Fantastic Job, deserves more than 5 stars to me Brilliant 💖💖💖💖💖

Fantastic 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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I received a free audio copy of this book.

This is the second book in the “Open Door Policy” series. I did not read the first book, I really think you should but it isn’t an absolute most. The story was easy to follow and you were given enough of a back story to understand existing relationships.

I have to say, I’m not a huge fan of novella’s which aren’t side stories to existing series. But this was a short, sexy listen. There is a lot, I mean ALOT of sex in this small book, personally one or two scenes could have been replaced with dialogue between the main characters. But it really is up to personal preference.

I did feel the book had a good basis for a longer more in-depth story, the writing is good and shows that the author has the ability to tackle serious subjects which were only touched on (drink, sexual denial, dealing with illness).

The man character Xander has issues and not to give too much away but he is a bit of an arse. The only upside is this story is told from Xander’s perspective so you hear his conflict. The reason for his main concern is not truly developed, I appreciate that your own mind is a terrifying place but I felt if there were outside factors they should have been explained.

The whole story was a based on internal conflict/struggle and how Xander gets his happily ever after. How he got to that end as I said was with lots and lots of sex, but there were meaningful conversations where you saw Xander realising what he needs to do to get what he really wants.

I had issues with narration, I’ve never listened to Hugh Bradley his actual narration isn’t bad. But the quality wasn’t great if you’re listening in complete silence or with head phones(which I do) the sound quality is quite tinny. But the narration isn’t bad, might listen to Mr Bradley again.

Overall a quick easy listen with potential.

Quick, Easy listen

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