Accidentally Joining His Cult

Chicago Awakenings, Book 1

De: Lexi Amber

Narrado por: Alexander Cendese, Mac Rae

Beckett

When the hottest guy I've ever seen teaches one of those weird New Age, self-help seminars at my company, I don't exactly pay attention to the content of the presentation. I just know I want to see him again.

He's flirty and charming, and I find myself asking him on a date. I'm usually all about casual hookups, but Cody is different. He doesn't care about my family's money or that I'm the owner of an NHL team. He wants to get to know me for me.

His sunshine personality is addictive, and I'm worried that one hookup won't be enough.

Just when I start thinking this could be something real, I realize I might have misread his always-happy and interested golden retriever energy. Because when I finally lean in to kiss him, he looks confused instead of excited.

Just my luck to want something serious for the first time, only to find out he's straight.

Cody

I work for the best company in the world! I get to travel around the country, helping motivate people to find success and happiness—it's my dream job.

I'm always meeting new people and making new friends, so when the cool, confident guy at one of my seminars asks me to hang out after class, it feels completely normal.

But spending time with Beckett is different. When the night ends sooner than I'd like, I find myself wishing it hadn't, and that's... unusual for me.

Thankfully, we exchange numbers, and I can't stop thinking about him—what he's doing or what I could say to make him smile. I've never been this eager to see someone again, and it makes me nervous in a way I can't explain.

Then he leans in to kiss me, and everything suddenly makes sense. There's a reason I can't get him out of my head. Maybe I'm not as straight as I thought I was.

©2025 Lexi Amber (P)2025 Podium Audio

Liked it!

As someone who grew up in a cult, I spent most of the book saying “oh nooo!” Poor guy had no idea. :’( but I really enjoyed the story, as it was very different and I didn’t necessarily know how things would play out.

Refreshing, Clever Storyline!

I couldn't imagine what it's like to join something you believe in whole-heartedly only to find out it's a lie. This title gave a taste without being overwhelming and the escape wasn't as difficult as we have heard it can be - if you have heard anything about NXIVM or Scientology or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints helmed by the convicted child sex offender Warren Jeffs - and everything was wrapped up neatly with a bow tie in the epilogue. I have to admit that I think that I like this title so much in part because it doesn't fit the usual over-used tropes of the era and it was performed so well by both Alexander Cendese and Mac Rae. Cody and Beck are so cute and the spice was 🔥. Definitely looking forward to the next book!

5 Starz - I would listen again

Unexpectedly loved this book!!

I stumbled upon this book while looking through my wish list and I’m glad I read the summary and took a chance! This book was really good MM romance story! You have a wealthy sports team owner that has the bachelor for life mentality and a golden retriever “straight” guy that befriends anyone! They take a chance with one another, fall hard and fast and realize something is off with the lifestyle that Cody lives by! There is no abuse, no drugs, no horrible events to take place, so don’t go in expecting something crazy or bad to happen! It was just a sweet love story!
I did feel like the ending happened/came upon quickly but it was explained well so there wasn’t anything left to really question!
Can’t wait for book 2 to come to audible!!! I’ll buy it for sure!

Super cute and spicy

Loved this book so much! Amazing story and great narration!!! So so good! This is a new to me author and I am loving her books!

Where have I been?!

I can’t believe I just found this series!

This is only my third book by Lexi and I’m so hooked on her work. So far all the books I’ve read from her have been absolutely fantastic.

This story had me hooked from the blurb. I love bi-awakening stories, especially when one of the characters is completely oblivious to what’s happening 😅

God, Cody was the cutest thing ever. His cluelessness was so adorable and endearing. The fact that he had no idea he was being flirted with or that he flirted back had me chuckling more than once.

He really was a golden retriever full of energy and sunshine. Exactly what Beckett needed to brighten his life. Cody gave Beckett the joy he needed to not be so grumpy all the time.

As funny and sweet as this story was, it’s scary how close to reality it was. Seeing how easily brainwashed Cody had been and how much he truly believed he was doing a good thing, was disturbing.

Neither of them were aware of what was happening until it was almost too late. It’s sad how accurate that is in real life. People feel the need to believe in something good so much, that they ignore the red flags.

I really enjoyed Beckett and Cody’s story. I loved their easy going chemistry and their willingness to make things work even when it looked impossible.

Loved Alexander as always. Mac is new to me but him and Alexander blended perfectly together. Can’t wait for more of their work together.