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Head Above Water

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Head Above Water

By: CE Ricci
Narrated by: Michael Dean, Zachary Johnson
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About this listen

That’s the thing about hearts - like waves, they break too.

Grief.

I’ve never battled with the raw, debilitating pain that comes with it. Then a twist of fate hits me out of nowhere, and I can barely keep from drowning. It’s like weights tied to my ankles in the middle of a raging ocean. I’m helpless, with no way to swim back to the surface.

But fate is crueler still, bringing my stepbrother back for the first time in years.

Cannon never wanted this family. Especially me. Still, he’s always been my greatest desire. And my biggest weakness. He’s unattainable. Straight, engaged, and with a seemingly perfect life on the other side of the country. It’s something I’d do well to remember, yet when he stays, it’s so easy to forget.

In finding solace together, we mend what once was broken. This loss bonds us. Changes us. He’s become more than a brother or a lover. He’s my anchor.

So how am I supposed to keep my head above water when I’ll eventually lose him too?

Head Above Water is a stand-alone, full-length MM enemies-to-lovers stepbrother romance novel.

©2022 CE Ricci (P)2022 Podium Audio Contemporary Contemporary Romance Romance Romantic Suspense Suspense Heartfelt Tear-jerking Destiny
All stars
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a heartbreaking and beautiful story.

the little Easter egg of 'don't you dare' was cute!

What a roller-coaster!

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Ugh this was SO GOOD. Predictably, the voice actors who did the narration were perfection. Purchased because of them, but seriously impressed with the story as well. Can't say I "enjoyed" every second, because I spent quite a few chapters sobbing like a baby... But it was very, very good. Will absolutely be listening again when I have more tissues. Also, brilliant to see a tear jerker with a solid HEA to heal the wounds. Will be checking out more of this author's work.

Broke my damn heart in the best possible way.

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I love the way this was narrated and the characters were so good to read

The story was fantastic

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I cried for Easton, I cried for Can and I cried for David. Such an emotional book. You can’t put this one down. It is a master piece. Keep you drawing to the book.

Michael and Zachary did a fantastic job. Zachary had that stern Con voice down pack.

Loved it! Highly recommend.

Oh my god this book!

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Such a true telling of what relatable heartbreaking grief actually looks like in the real world, how we can get lost in our thoughts and grief and the strength of love that can pull us through. So many raw emotions (that were felt by the great work of the narrator’s); but balanced by the beautiful reluctant stepbrother, enemies to lovers story that’s doesn’t just happen over night as in some books, but rather decades of fighting the attraction pull, battling what’s right, societal norms and more; in this slow burn romance, sexual exploration (for one, the other is out) and mending of bonds, that takes on a wild ride and with a HEA. So well written - became so invested in the characters, was great to see the cracks in the armour and vulnerability underneath, and so much depth in the characters. There were also some fun laugh out loud moments and banter, sexy smirks and steamy spicy sessions of course!
Highly recommend, one of the best MM books I have listened to yet!
(Follow this with CE Ricci’s book - ‘Don’t you Dare’, there is a fun cross-over putting characters from both books in the background of each other, see if you pick it up! It’s also another great MM book by this author!)

Heartbreakingly Beautiful!

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I absolutely love CE Ricci’s writing and that’s held true with this book. I had to keep opening the kindle version just to highlight lines. The two voice actors did an absolutely phenomenal job, i don’t think I’ve heard this level of expression before. You could feel the pain and anguish. Just a beautiful story of grief and forbidden love.

Painful and beautiful

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I read this book back in January and loved it but as I’ve been getting into Audios I thought I’d give this one a go and I’m glad I did the narrators have done an amazing job bringing the characters to life and with such raw emotions. Recommend to everyone! Bring your tissues!!

Sorry but can someone loan me a heart? Mine is broken!

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Head Above Water is a high angst enemies to lovers step brother MM romance.

This is my second CE Ricci book and like the first I was hooked straight away. I loved it so much that I was 4 chapters into the audio and had to buy a physical copy.

My heart broke for Cannon. Then my heart broke for East.
The entire book crushed my soul…but it was heartbreakingly poetic.

Ricci must thrive off the tears of her readers. The all consuming grief of this story was palpable. I’m a huge fan of authors that make me feel something from their writing and characters, be it happiness, joy, laughter etc. But when an author can make me feel the gut wrenching sadness, that’s a a true gift.

CE Ricci is the master of the high angst. But while you feel the pain an heartache, you also feel that love. Plus the added moments of sass and snark. It’s art I swear…

Zachary and Michael were also the perfect narrators for these characters. Michael brought the pain of Easton’s emotions alive. And Cannon’s rage and bottled pain perfectly shown by Zachary.

If you haven’t read one of CE Ricci’s books and you’re looking for one to start with….Make it this one, their story is worth all the heartache

The entire book crushed my soul…

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Woohoo! So excited to listen to CE Ricci's first audiobook! It was amazing. Absolutely love Easton & Can. I'm a huge fan of Stepbrother stories and this story did not disappoint. I'm definitely sad that it's over. I'm definitely not ready to let them go. Zachary Johnson & Michael Dean did an awesome job narrating!

Yum! Easton & Can are delicious.

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I have recently discovered the wonderful wild of CE Ricci and I don’t know why I took so long to dive into this.
The narrators were both new to me, really loved the narrator of Cannon. I have officially gone into a book hangover now . I have never ugly cried so much reading a book before. Thank you CE Ricci this was amazing

Oh everything . This book broke me and then put me back together again

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