Because I read a lot of romance - relationship focussed novels sounds like a better descriptor here, I'm intrigued when a novel throws up something a little different.

What struck me about Trusting Cade:

1. it's highly romantic. Cade aka Zavier McCade is soooo open hearted and forthright when he meets Braden, he announces that he's very interested in him from the get-go! He begins demonstrating this by applying his tremendous mental and physical skills, his emotional intelligence, his every waking hour, to looking after Braden. Cade usually dates guys like him - special forces, etc. Braden, a physically small, marathon running pastry chef who has type A diabetes, is not his "type".

No surprise Braden wonders what the heck is going on. There's absolutely no beating about the bush from Cade - it's kinda hilarious. He's in danger of overwhelming Braden, frightening him off.

It is a slow burn, as "Brae" comes to trust Cade - hence the fitting though unromantic title. Cade is supposed to be a taciturn type and at 38 he has no past relationship history that we hear about, so this is all new to him too, and out of character. He's determined to get it right.

2. The way Cade, and those around him, call Brae Cade's "boy" - it's very odd and jarring. I've not heard that before, at least not in such a major way as it is done here. It seems to be mimicking the way a girlfriend was referred to as "my girl" in the 1950s - as in, "Betty is my girl". You don't hear men and women referred to as boy or girl much any more - we've weeded it out of our speech. And then "boy" has that horrible connotation of what black men used to be called in the mid 20C.

3. The narrator is Tristan James. He has such a sing song flat voice! I don't dislike it but it doesn't mesh with the material - would seem more fitting narrating a crime novel perhaps?
(ASIDE: After writing this review, I read those below and the very first thing I read was Carol420's singling out Tristan James! Yes, he somehow really leaves his mark on this book. And BTW, I agree with all your comments!)

4. I won't spoil the story, but towards the end when Braden meets up with his abusive ex, it seems entirely implausible that he has forgotten that Braden is a diabetic, when it dominates his life completely. Braden's whole world is around managing his disease if he is to have as normal a life as possible. How could his once live-in boyfriend have forgotten that!!

5. When I'm enjoying an audiobook, spending time with its characters, I hate that it's going to come to an end -even though one is racing towards that end - if it is an involving read. It's a bitter sweet fact of life about reading novels. But with this novel, I REALLY didn't want it to end. The mix of the narrator's sing song voice and Cade's sweet devoted infatuation for Brae, it's hypnotic.

Got to go! - there's a follow up novel, Protecting Braden, and I've just pressed play! ( )

I've always thought that a narrator does as much for making or breaking a book as the author does. The narrator gives the characters life and Tristan James does a great job with the reading and really made us see Cade and Braden stand out, matching their personalities and character traits. I really, really liked this book. Another one that I hated to see end. We meet the ultimate Alpha protective Male with Cade, and Braden is a really cute, sweet character who is his Cade's total opposite. You can't help but love the instant connection these two guys have. They fall fully and completely for each other. Your heart will hurt for Braden hearing the things he's had to go through, but you will end up truly knowing that Cade is the perfect and only match for him in every way. ( )