Wow!! So different, but so good.

If you could sum up Femme in three words, what would they be?

Laughter, Disbelief, Thoughtful

What did you like best about this story?

It actually made me think long and hard about how people look and think about men who look Femme.

Which character – as performed by Joel Leslie – was your favourite?

I love Lionel, he was awesome and Joel Leslie did a brilliant voice for him.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I didn't listen to it all the first time, but I have listened more than once, and the second time I listened to it all.

Any additional comments?

I listened to a sample of this audio, and thought it was going to be a funny audio all the way through - but boy was I wrong about this. This is actually quite a thought provoking audio/book.

This is the first book by this author that I have read, well listened to. I have to say things happened that I really wasn't expecting. I must also say I was sitting here at times thinking... Oh no, this is not going to end well, and then the next minute I would be laughing.

I really did feel for Lionel throughout the book, he was out and proud, but at one stage to fit in with others, he was toning everything down, so he just blended in with the crowd, it seemed like if he acted and dressed his usual way, nobody would take him seriously.

Now Dog..... what do I say about him...... well, some things that I really can't say here!! He originally came across as a nice guy, but then the way he reacted to some things, and you were thinking... no, he is not really going to do that.... but he did, and then I really began to dislike him.

​However, the more you listened the more you realised that Dog was scared stiff of being rejected by not only his family, but also by his so called friends in the gay softball team. The main reason for this was due to the fact Lionel is so femme, and even Lionel says that people are afraid of gay men who are femme. This really did make me sit and think about things, and realise in todays world how true this was.

Dog is surprised about what some of his softball friends actually say about Lionel, and he then realises he was thinking the same, and to me I think he then began to feel quite ashamed of what he had done. Quite right too, dates where he abandoned Lionel was just not on.

I have to say, things were looking bleak for Lionel and Dog to have any kind of relationship, but then Dog realises how special Lionel is, and now all he has to do is convince Lionel that he is serious about him, and he doesn't have to hide his femme side. Is there any way of Dog doing this??

If you love an audio where you will laugh but also get rather miffed with one of the main characters, then listen to this audio. I must congratulate Joel Leslie for another great narration on this audio, and yet again he kept me entertained the whole way through. I have actually listened to this twice already, but can guarantee that I will be listening to it again.

Copy of audio was gifted by the narrator for an honest review.

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2 people found this helpful

found this to be funny

wasnt sure about the book to begin with but Joel brought the characters to life. had a couple of sore stomach moments

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A very Funny Human book

I just listened to this yesterday and I thought it was a funny book, but at first I didn’t like Dog or the way it ended. But then thought actually, Dog is more of a real person then any other character I’ve read. Dog is just human and then I went through the characters and you see the very real human flaws in all of them(who isn’t sometimes embarrassed by their partner sometimes lol), I now officially love this book and going to listen again.
And as usual Joel Leslie is brilliant breathing life into all these characters.

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1 person found this helpful

Highly recommended❤️

Oh, what a delight this book by Marshall Thornton is...... and the narration by the wonderful Joel Leslie is absolutely perfect for the characters. Lots of snappy comebacks and chuckles, I just loved it❤️

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Sassy and funny

Where does Femme rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Femme has to be high on my list, because of Lionel sassy comments

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lionel is sassy quick witted, just funny
Dog. Poor Dog who has no clue what to do, or how to handle Lionel,

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Dog leaving Lionel on thief first date, I felt for Lionel, but true to form he order every dessert on the menu, then charged it onto Dogs card.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would have done if I could,

Any additional comments?

Joel Leslie once again, brought the book alive with his timing. Just a great listen to book.

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4 people found this helpful

Fabulous Femme

I've never read (listened to) any books by Marshall Thornton before and I have been missing out. I didn't know what to expect, the blurb sounded interesting and I am so happy I got to listen to it. This book is so much fun. Lionel is a wonderful strong character, so sarcastic and funny with brilliant one liners. The way he deals with inept Doug (Dog) is marvellous. The dates they almost go on had me glued with anticipation because I just couldn't see how Dog and Lionel were going to get anywhere. But they do make it in the end. Masterful writing to give us such a fun book with the sub text of believing in yourself and being true to yourself and don't give in to stereotypes.

The story switches between Lionel and Dog's points of view so we get the whole picture. I have to say Joel Leslie's narration is superb. He brings such an energy to the story. The voices chosen for Lionel and Doug suit them so well I can visualise them. The secondary characters also shine. My favourites are Lionel's friend Carlos (Carlotta) and Dog's Sister Madison, they are so amusing.

This has everything I want in an audiobook, great story and brilliant narration. I highly recommend it.

I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review for Open Skye book reviews

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2 people found this helpful

Wow!

What did you like most about Femme?

The Sassiness. The humour. The shoes? The way Chuckie gets his comeuppance.

What did you like best about this story?

The whole O.M.G what is he doing to Lionel now? Also the way Lionel despite the frequency that Doug lets him down, still gives him another chance. Dog's parents and sister definitely provide extra comic relief.

Have you listened to any of Joel Leslie’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Joel Leslie is a favourite narrator and all his performances are magical. This one included.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me exasperated! It made me smile and occasionally made me laugh.

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2 people found this helpful

I enjoyed the characters

I enjoyed this book. The main character was funny and brave and I wanted it all to work out for him. Joel Leslie is a good reader but he can be a bit over the top. He was perfect for this book.

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Freaking awesome!

Where does Femme rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Right on the top!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lionel is the star of the show. He is one-of-a-kind, dramatic, bold, often unfiltered approach to life!

What does Joel Leslie bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

He brought the emotions by the characters out so well. Perfect performance! Could not be better! Not to mention that he managed to keep two completely different voices throughout the book so masterfully- switching between dual POVs with different voices.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I wish I could be able to do it!

Any additional comments?

Oh my Gawd, I didn't see that coming...... and it hit me..... in just the right way. The story and writing were so freaking awesome! It’s a simple story, but I couldn’t get enough of it. Boy meets boy, boys have a one-night stand, and finally boys are wrapped up in each other like pretzels. It's a hilarious and incredibly populated by charming characters book . Yes, the humor is sometimes laugh-out-loud funny, but actually Femme is mostly about our expectations about who and what people are and how they should act. Very much about labels, about stereotyping! What is the deal with not liking femme guys? 'Yeah, for a lot of straight people it isn’t surprising. Lionel is clearly gay, and if you have a problem with gay guys, you have a big problem with Lionel. But, what about gay guys? Why do we.......? Femme guys scare us. They scare us because we are afraid of being like them. We are afraid of being obvious. And that is part of the whole being in the closet bull. Not liking femme guys is really about not liking ourselves.' I really need to brush up my femme side.

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5 people found this helpful

Funny and sassy. Excellent listen!

I loved this. Full of sass and laughter. Lionel is awesome and Dog, or Doug, is perfect. The narration is spot on and the characters really stand out. I was rooting for both men all the way through their ups and downs. Highly recommended!

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