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The Dove in the Belly

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The Dove in the Belly

By: Jim Grimsley
Narrated by: Michael Crouch
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About this listen

At the University of North Carolina, Ronny's made some friends, kept his secrets, survived dorm life, and protected his heart.

Until he can't. Ben is in some ways Ronny's opposite; he's big and solid where Ronny is small and slight. Ben's at UNC on a football scholarship. Confident, with that easy jock swagger and an explosive temper always simmering. He has a steady stream of girlfriends. Ben's aware of the overwhelming effect he has on Ronny. It's like a sensation of power. So easy to tease Ronny, throw playful insults, but it all feels somehow...loaded.

Meanwhile Ronny's mother has moved to Vegas with her latest husband. And Ben's mother is fighting advanced cancer. A bubble forms around the two, as surprising to Ronny as it is to Ben. Within it their connection ignites physically and emotionally. But what will happen when the tensile strength of a bubble is tested? When the rest of life intervenes?

The Dove in the Belly is about the electric, dangerous, sometimes tender but always powerful attraction between two very different boys. But it's also about the full cycles of love and life and how they open in us the twinned capacities for grief and joy.

©2022 Jim Grimsley (P)2022 Recorded Books Romance Heartfelt
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It’s 1977 and Ronny is doing really well at the University of North Carolina. He’s accepted being gay but hasn’t really come out much. Although he knows it’s futile, Ronny can’t help but fall for Ben, one of the large, handsome, rambunctious footballers on campus. The last thing Ben wants to do is accept his feelings for Ronny and like a young, flighty colt, he bridles easily and lashes out often. As the two men are drawn closer and closer into each other’s orbits, Ben gets more and more possessive of Ronny while maintaining his aloofness, but when Ben’s mother gets sick, only Ronny can calm Ben and stop him from breaking.

There’s a lot of beautiful writing in this closeted, historical romance. There’s also a lot of exquisitely frustrating scenes where you want Ben to treat Ronny much better and you want Ronny to walk away when he doesn’t. To judge either of them too harshly is to misunderstand their internalised homophobia, their youthfulness, and the danger of being publicly gay at that time. It’s not fast-paced but there’s an edge to this story, Ben’s simmering violence is never far from the surface, but both men also show tenderness, bravery, and hope. 🎧 Who else could do this book justice than Michael Crouch, his narration is sheer perfection!

Simmering violence, shimmering love!

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I absolutely loved the story, the writing style and narration. Touching, bitter sweet love story :)
Thank you!

A gem

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This is so beautifully written, touching, and it’s hard not to get absorbed in Ronny’s world. It’s exactly the kind of story you might hear from an older queer person when you ask them about what it was being gay in the 70’s. You’ll start listening and it’s like being swept up and gently whisked away and then suddenly the book is finished and you forget where you’ve been. I can’t recommend this enough. And Michael Crouch is the most fantastic narrator, his voice is so soothing and ethereal.

7 Star read

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I got lost into the world of these characters brought to life by the authors movingly beautiful prose. It was only made better by the narrators soothing voice. It made Ronny come to life and made me fall in love with him, what a sensitive, insightful and gorgeous character. 10 out of 10. I just didn't want for the book to end.

Just brilliant

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