Stranded

Andrew Grey was my first venture into the M/M world. I haven't been able to leave it since. His writing hooked me from the start.
I always attribute him as being one who is very skilled in taking broken characters and making them whole again through finding that special someone that we all have. From there the character is able to transform from the inside out, not only giving them someone to lean on but giving them the love and strength to believe in themselves again.
Stranded is a bit different from his normal writing style but it was still one of those I couldn't put down until I was finished reading it. As with any Andrew Grey book, this is a must read and I hope he continues on this different writing path. It shows growth as a writer and a versatile ability.

I hesitate to say that this is a different read than usual for Andrew Grey, as others have inferred, because everything one expects is in here: wonderful in depth characterizations, expertly descriptive scenes, a bit of angst to draw you in and a bit more precisely placed to tug you along, and of course Love as only Mr. Grey can present it.
But.....I must say that this tale has an added bonus of mystery and suspense so marvelously posed and inventively sprinkled throughout that it was impossible for me to step away until I read the very last word.
For me, this is definitely One Of, if not The, Best story yet from Mr. Andrew Grey. Positively 5+ Stars.

This is supposed to be a thriller/suspense but I don't see it. I loved that Andrew Grey wrote something so completely different than his past books, but I just didn't care for the story. The synopsis really only describes about a chapter of the book, toward the end. Still, the writing is as usual solid and the characters have many dimensions.
The beginning paragraph is set in the future, with the rest of the story set 1 year before. It was an awkward beginning. I did really enjoy the flashbacks, but it was hard to see the connection between Johnny and Kendall, but that has more to do with Andrew Grey's normal writing style (all tell and no show), so I wasn't too put off by it as it's something I've come to expect.
For me, the main storyline dragged. And dragged. And dragged. The book meanders through a period in Kendall's life where he realizes he's lost that special something he had with his partner, Johnny. The ending was a total cop-out.
Frankly, the book would've been better had Kendall died of heat stroke. Seriously, how did he survive that? And then a day or so of sleep and rest and he's fine?? And he didn't need a hospital? WHAT? I wanted to sling my kindle across the room as I read about the whole \"ordeal.\" Kendall supposedly gulped down a bottle of cold water after being rescued. In real life, that would have sent his body into shock and he'd have vomited. Andrew Grey, where's your research with this book?

4.5 Drops Review
Stranded is a little bit of a deviation for Andrew Grey but he pulled it off expertly. Stranded is a mystery/suspense story where the romance is totally messed up but long standing (as if you can’t tell from the excerpt above, lol). But OHhhh… I loved the story.
Kendall is a musical / stage actor who hits it big when he lands a movie deal, but his longtime lover, Johnny, won’t go with him and may be having an affair. Then you add in his being kidnapped and handcuffed to a car, abandoned in a dessert, and Kendall’s fears of small, enclosed spaces, and you have a recipe for a “bite your nails” can’t-put-it-down story from an author that is a master of making you love his characters, even the not so nice ones!
I loved the weave of the story, the places Kendall’s mind goes as he continues to be trapped in the car, and what he does just after the rescue. I totally understand his mindset, though I don’t think I could have done what he did. When we get to the “who done it” part and the conclusion though… wow. I had an idea it could be this person, but didn’t really think it would turn out like it did. Also, I wasn’t sure that the romance would survive to the end, in both cases, I loved how Mr. Grey dealt with things and what the outcomes were.
Excellent writing, sir!
If you love suspense/mysteries, romance, and Andrew Grey, then this is a MUST Read! Just make sure you have a few hours to read that will be interrupted as you won’t want to pause for anything!
* each received in exchange for an honest review.