Vespertine
By Leta Blake & Indra Vaughn
Narrated by Michael Ferraiuolo
Length: 14 hrs and 18 mins
Can a priest and a rock star obey love’s call?
Seventeen years ago, Jasper Hendricks and Nicholas Blumfeld’s childhood friendship turned into a secret, blissful love affair. They spent several idyllic months together until Jasper’s calling to the Catholic priesthood became impossible to ignore. Left floundering, Nicky followed his own trajectory into rock stardom, but he never stopped looking back.
Today, Jasper pushes boundaries as an out, gay priest, working hard to help vulnerable LGBTQ youth. He’s determined to bring change to the church and the world. Respected, admired, and settled in his skin, Jasper has long ignored his loneliness.
As Nico Blue, guitarist and songwriter for the band Vespertine, Nicky owns the hearts of millions. He and his bandmates have toured the world, lighting their fans on fire with their music. Numbed by drugs and fueled by simmering anger, Nicky feels completely alone. When Vespertine is forced to get sober, Nicky returns home to where it all started.
Jasper and Nicky’s careers have ruled their lives since they parted as teens. When they come face to face again, they must choose between the past’s lingering ghosts or the promise of a new future.
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🌟🌟🌟🌟 4.25 stars
🔥🔥🔥🔥 Heat Rating: 4
🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 Narration: 4.5
An intense second chance romance against unusual odds!
What a rollercoaster of a read! So raw, real and conflicting. I felt for both Jasper and Nicky and their individual POVs but my heart went out to Nicky and his struggles with drugs and alcohol. Leta & Indra don’t shy away from the harsh realities of substance abuse and their honesty shines through these characters and only endeared me more to Nicky and his “real-life” struggles.
I felt the sparks and innocence between Jasper and Nicky as kids and followed their different parts and hurt into adulthood. They each chose their path and while they went in different directions their souls were always linked. Coming back together was something sweet, challenging and heartwarming as much as it was heartbreaking.
While I liked the honesty of Jasper’s story and what is involved in the Catholic Priesthood, there were parts of the story that had that “preachiness” that was hard to read sometimes. This did, however, reflect the truth of Jasper’s situation as a celibate gay priest. I did find it hard (as I do with the Catholic religion in general) to link a God of Love with a God who condemns who you love but that’s the way with a lot of religions.
All in all, this was a powerfully raw read, of epic second chances and finding a new path for your heart, love, and passion along the way! Just Beautiful!
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