Double Audio Blitz
Making Rules &
Rules to Ignore
(Davey's Rules Series, Book 6 & 7)
By Susan Hawke
Narrated by Michael Dean
Making Rules &
Rules to Ignore
(Davey's Rules Series, Book 6 & 7)
By Susan Hawke
Narrated by Michael Dean
Making Rules (Davey's Rules Series, Book 6)
Length: 1 hour and 49 minutes
Narrated by Michael Dean
Publisher: Grape Ape Productions
Themes/Tropes: M/M Romance, Daddy/boy, Contemporary
Narrated by Michael Dean
Publisher: Grape Ape Productions
Themes/Tropes: M/M Romance, Daddy/boy, Contemporary
Audio Release Date: March 11
Davey’s Rule #53: Daddy shouldn’t be afraid to let his boy top.
Before Davey came to work at Daddy’s Lap and began that crazy list of rules, his future bestie, Sammy, was already living happily ever after with his own Daddy-dom. From the moment they met over a gas pump to the day they were legally able to wed, leather Daddy Raphael Robustelli adored his linebacker-sized boy. This is their love story, as seen through a series of six short vignettes. Witness the moment they met, see the first time Davey came to the club, and so much more. This is a short 20k volume, filled with emotion and backstory for the entire series.
NOTE: This is not a full-length book and does not contain a new couple. This can be read as a standalone but will be most enjoyed by those who have read the series.
This is the sixth book in a series about not-so-perfect Daddies, adorable “boys,” and one sassy brat with an insane list of rules. Grab your fan and tissues because this series comes with both a high heat advisory and all the squishy feels you’d want from a Susan Hawke book.
FYI, I'm reviewing both books, so scroll down to find my other review. First up, Making Rules, Book 6. I'm going to tell you now, don't worry that it is the sixth book in a series because I haven't listened or heard any other books in this series and I wasn't lost at all. You can pick up here or start at the beginning without issue.
Story: 4 stars
I waffled on this one a little bit. If you are expecting a complete story, you sort of get it. They are quick snippets into the life of Raphael and Sammy, brief glimpses of memories and times that were monumental to this couple. It goes by quick doesn't get into too much detail. Honestly, I kind of wished it included more moments and was longer. But be prepared for the ending. No, I won't tell you, you have to read/listen to it yourself.
The story is good, but I wish it were longer and had more snippets, I also wish what we did get was a little more. I feel like we were lacking something in certain spots as well as being slightly choppy. But this does introduce you to Sammy and Davey, who are featured in book 7, and you get to meet Raphael. The characters made the whole story. They were a joy to read/listen and they pulled me into the story. I waffled between 3.5 and 4 stars, but I enjoyed the book, so I rounded up.
Narration: 4.5 stars
Michael Dean has done a great job of bringing all of the characters to life and giving each one their own voice. Each transition is smooth and seamless, and their voice fits each character. However, my one critique is sometimes Sammy sounds a little more like someone from the Valley (valley girl/guy) than not. 4.5 stars for the narration.
Overall: 4 stars
This book moves quickly, and if you are wanting something more flowing from one minute to the next, this one might not be for you. However, the story is good, the characters were great, and if you listen to the audio, Michael Dean did a great job. This is just a glimpse into the life of Raphael and Sammy. 4 stars overall and I suggest you one-click now!
Rules to Ignore (Davey's Rules Series, Book 7)
Length: 7 hours and 24 minutes
Narrated by Michael Dean
Narrated by Michael Dean
Publisher: Grape Ape Productions
Themes/Tropes: M/M Romance, Diva Daddy/boy, Size Difference, Self-discovery, Contemporary
Audio Release Date: March 18
Davey’s Revised Rule #1: A good Daddy will love his boy with all his heart.
Davey Hendrickson doesn’t mind being forever single when he’s got his bestie at his side. It’s not that he wants to be single. He’s spent most of his adult life searching for his own perfect Daddy. Even if he’s not naturally submissive, someone that fabulous is obviously meant to be a boy… right? Over the years, he’s dated every type of Daddy imaginable but not one of them could come close to meeting the requirements from his ridiculous list of rules.
After losing his husband, Sammy Robustelli has learned to be strong while raising two children on his own. No matter what life has thrown his way, nothing seems too hard with his best friend and roomie Davey at his side. When the two friends learn that people believe they’re a couple, they can’t help but laugh. The very idea is a big joke... until it isn’t.
It only takes a few wake-up calls before Davey wonders what happens if a guy might be in love with the best friend he can never have. It could never work for a pair of boys in need of a bossy top, right? Except… maybe Davey doesn’t know himself—or Sammy—as well as he thinks.
This is the final book in a series about not-so-perfect Daddies, adorable “boys,” and one sassy brat with an insane list of rules. Grab your fan and tissues because this series comes with both a high heat advisory and all the squishy feels you’d want from a Susan Hawke book.
Pairing this book with book #6, I highly recommend it. It can still be read without reading book six, but you will get more insight into Raphael and Sammy, and Sammy in general if you read that one first. Not necessary, I just recommend it.
Story: 4.5 stars
Unlike the previous book Rules to Ignore is a complete book that doesn't jump around, and I loved it. Wow! I might have been slightly mad at a few turn of events (Raphael), but I couldn't stay mad after reading this book. Sammy and Davey are back, and they are clueless. LOL. But I loved them. It takes everyone outside of their bubble to point out the obvious before they realize they might be more than just friends. The journey to get to that point and the journey of discovering what they really are is beautiful, hilarious, a little cringe-worthy, and utterly fabulous. I love that the author didn't rush this. She was careful and took her time, like the roses in the backyard coming to bloom. And I loved the kiddos, and the fact the author wrote them the way she did. SJ reminded me exactly of my niece.
With realistic situations and the reactions to match, I thought this was a fabulous listen/read. Great characters, great story, great plot...read this book, you won't regret it. There were a couple of parts where I just rolled my eyes, but those were few and far between. Plus, don't you want to know what happens after book 6? 4.5 stars for the story.
Narration: 4.5 stars
Michael Dean has a way with these characters that bring them to life and make each one sound like their own person. None of the voices get lost, and they are brought to life. 4.5 stars.
Overall: 4.5 stars
This book and narration were good, and I thoroughly enjoyed both. This book is very character driven, and I loved them all. SJ even reminds me of my niece. How scary is that? LOL. I do highly recommend both the book and the audiobook. You will fall in love with Sammy and Davey, and then laugh at all the rules and the two-step these two guys perform in trying to figure out their relationship. It was a joy to listen to. 4.5 stars and I highly suggest you one-click today.
Davey keeps being told he’s more Daddy than the boy he’s always assumed himself to be. In this snippet, he’s looking for people to agree that the idea is ludicrous. First his “baby stepdaddy” and then his friend Adam, but neither give him the reaction he expected.
*****
Cameron asked about Sammy and the kids, which had me spilling the beans about how the people at the school had thought we were a couple. And how Preston had dared suggest that I, of all people, might not be a boy. "…And to make matters worse, my own chef at the club mistook me for a Daddy, too. Tell me, Cammy-Cam… how weird is that?" I didn't know why I was dwelling on this so much, but I hadn't been able to get it out of my mind over the past couple weeks.
He studied me for a bit before shrugging. "I don't think it's weird at all." He hesitated for a moment. "Since we've always been honest with each other, I'm going to say this. Have you thought about what Preston said? Maybe try to consider that you've never found a Daddy of your own because you're not really a boy?"
I sputtered, glad I didn't have a drink in my mouth when I heard that. "For real? You too? I feel like nobody really knows me and that makes me sad."
Cameron hummed softly, moving his head from side to side. "Or maybe we know you better than you know yourself?" When I gasped at that, Cam held his hand out and started naming off Daddy traits, ticking them off one finger at a time, just like Preston had.
I couldn't get mad at baby stepdaddy, not when he was so adorably earnest. "Think about it, Davey. You're protective. When you see something needs to be done, you handle it. I've seen you do a lot of kind things behind the scenes and not even take credit. You're right there to offer help when you find someone in need. I could go on, but I think I've made my point."
"Pshaw, doll. That's just called being a decent human. For one thing, I'm too small to be a Daddy. And for another, I'm way too fabulous."
Cam snickered, waving his hands as if he couldn't handle it. "Davey, you can't call yourself small when you're like six feet tall. The problem is that you're drawn to bigger guys. If you preferred twinks like me, you'd probably have an easier time seeing what everyone else does. Or do you just gravitate toward big guys because you think they're more Daddylicious and automatically ignore smaller ones that you assume are natural boys? If that's the case, you need to pay better attention to your clientele."
Huh? I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to make sense of what he was saying. Cam bumped his shoulder against mine. "I mean it, Davey. Think about it, you're taller than a lot of the Daddies at the club. Sure, you're still smaller than one or two of the boys—especially the ones like your friend Sammy—but that doesn't have to be a problem unless you make it one. Size has nothing to do with being a Daddy, from what I've seen. Does it make Sammy less of a boy?"
Cheese and crackers, he had a good point and I didn't know how to respond. We talked a little longer before I left. Thankfully, that was with a bag full of leftovers. I thought about breaking out the lemon bars while I drove but ended up calling my buddy Adam instead.
As soon as he answered, I had the presence of mind to ask about his new foster daughter before I started babbling about my own drama. After I filled him in on this whole Daddy ridiculousness, Adam didn't react like I would've expected.
When he was silent, I double-checked the light on the Bluetooth. "Hello? Say something, doofus. Can you believe all that crap?"
Adam sighed. He did it softly, but I didn't miss the soft release of breath. "Honestly? Yes. I totally can. I've never wanted to bring it up with you, but I agree with Preston and Cameron. Davey, babe… I truly don't think you'll ever find the Daddy you're looking for because you aren't naturally submissive."
My mind was blown, so I blew it off with a joke. "Bottom said what? I don't know, but I guarantee it wasn't anything like ‘give it to Daddy harder, boy.’" I snorted, shaking my head at finding myself in the same crazy conversation with yet another person. Seriously, does nobody know me at all? "Adam, you’ve known me forever. Can you really see me turning into a dominant top anytime soon?"
Adam chuckled softly. "I guess you've never heard of topping from the bottom, huh? Because that I could totally imagine you doing. Seriously, what does topping have to do with anything?"
I was so stunned that I nearly missed the freeway entrance. "Wait… are you saying what I think you are? There are boys who actually top?"
Adam laughed even harder. "Typical Davey. You get an idea in your head and never look for other options. Of course there are boys who are tops. Your favorite sexual position or preference has nothing to do with whether or not you're a dominant type. Or even a submissive, for that matter."
Thankfully my phone beeped right then with an incoming call. "Adam, let me put you on hold. I have another call coming in."
"Nah, it's cool. I have to go anyway; Mickey will be waking up from her nap soon. Think about what I said, okay? We'll talk again soon." I smiled as I pushed the button, thinking about Adam being a father now. I really need to drop by with a gift for the baby girl. And definitely something with Mickey Mouse on it.
Check Out the rest of Davey's Rules Series HERE!
As an avid reader and big romance fan myself, I love sharing the stories of the different people who live in my imagination. My stories are filled with humor, a few tears, and the underlying message to not give up hope, even in the darkest of times, because life can change on a dime when you least expect it. This theme comes from a lifetime of lessons learned on my own hard journey through the pains of poverty, the loss of more loved ones than I'd care to count, and the struggles of living through chronic illnesses. Life can be hard, but it can also be good! Through it all I've found that love, laughter, and family can make all the difference, and that's what I try to bring to every tale I tell.
I'm a happily married mom with one snarky teenage boy, and three grown "kids of my heart." I'm more widely known for my mpreg writings as Susi Hawke; this new name is a departure from that.
Whether written by Susan or Susi, the books are filled with that all-important love, laughter, and family I mentioned; the only difference is that this name has no male pregnancy. I look forward to sharing my stories with you, and to bringing more romance and laughter into this world that needs it so very badly.
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Website | Facebook Group: The Hawke's Nest
Amazon Page | Goodreads | BookBub
Website | Facebook Group: The Hawke's Nest
Amazon Page | Goodreads | BookBub
Michael has well over 50 audio book titles currently available for purchase on Audible.com. He is versed in multiple styles and genres including fiction (novels and short stories) ranging from romance to science fiction to crime dramas to thrillers; business strategy books; health and wellness books; and even an occasional children's book.
Fans of Michael's narration are welcome to follow him on social media including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and SoundCloud.
If you are interested in working with Michael to produce your next audio book, you can contact him directly at voice@michaelpauley.info
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