Defender

Kensley Panthers Series, Book 3

De: Nicole Dykes

Narrado por: Tim Paige, Liam DiCosimo

Travis Wyatt

All I’ve ever wanted is to go to college and get out of Kensley. That small town is all I’ve ever known. I want to be free to be myself, not stifled by small minds in the football-loving town where I grew up.

Then I blew my one and only chance.

Now, I’m just stuck. Stuck in small-town life with the same small-town people I’ve always known. Stuck where I don’t want to be. Constantly on the defense and hiding secrets about myself. To never be the real me.

I’m lost, and I’m angry. But those people I was desperate to get away from, they don’t stop. They insist on showing me that maybe it’s not about my location.

That maybe I can be free right where I am.

Oakley Easton

Travis is way too uptight. I don’t know why. He has everything a guy could want—a steady job and friends who would do anything for him. A great, simple small-town life. But I guess that’s not what he wants.

He’s always been different. Better. Smarter. Stronger.

Still, I find myself wanting to show him everything he’s dreamed of is within his grasp. That he doesn’t have to be so serious all the time. That he can be himself wherever he is, and I’ll back him up.

Because that’s what I’m good at—on and off the field. I’ll always be his defender.

If he’d only let me.

©2023 Nicole Dykes (P)2023 Podium Audio

Sweet & Simple

Oakley and Travis have a beautiful love story that is simple and sweet and hot. Well worth the read.

Favorite of the series so far!

I devoured book 3 of the Kensley football series and these two were my absolute fav. The premise with the miscommunication and issues between them wasn't a new concept but the way the author delivered was great and enjoyable (even if I wanted to shake these guys as much as their besties wanted too hahaha).

I loved Oakley and getting to see how his mind works. I loved how he did have any labels on his sexuality, he wanted to do what his body wanted to do and didn't care how found out/what it meant. He has no qualms with being gay, bi, or any identification/on the spectrum, which was refreshing and made me smile. While Travis is internally freaking out and asking Oakley are you sure, Oakley is like...what's the big deal. I want this, you want this, why aren't we hahaha. And his personality was way more endearing in this book than in the previous one. And his skills with making things and refurbishing things made my heart happy. It was nice to see Travis become more confident in himself and figuring out what he wanted, even if took til the very end of the book hahaha. I loved his vulnerable moments, especially with Oakley's family and seeing how accepting they were and being so worried about his family and they got their HEA too, which totally didn't make me tear up....I swear haha.

The steam between these two was PERFECTION! I couldn't get enough of them. They got to explore with each other, loved the research they mentioned hahaha. I loved how Oakley finally was like eff it and wanted to do PDA haha. They had so many swoon worthy moments, like the presents. My eyes got all big and thought Awwww like they do in movies, I couldn't get enough of them. The steam was well placed, not overdone. Loved the side characters too (except Ryan haha) and seeing the cameos again and references to books 1 and 2. Laughed so hard with Jameson and Garrison walked in on them without knocking, like Oakley is notorious for! So many smile moments in this one, which is why it was my favorite.

Narrators were the same as the others but they didn't have a lot of female characters to cover in this one which made me like it even more. I would've given the audio 4.5 stars and the plot was 4.5 but they both were good so I gave it an overall 5 stars. The inner turmoil from Travis about liking Oakley and him being straight, to the joy they had when they did their side hustle together, to the sad moments until they stepped up and told each other their feelings and let their love story solidify and have a future. So good, would definitely recommend! And if my hook up buddy made me a bookshelf he would be my boyfriend at that point, sign me up!!

Loved!

I loved this book and hearing the narration really brings this story to life! The narrators were perfect to tell Travis and Oakley's story.

Loved it!

Great story and fantastic narration. I am really enjoying this series and can’t wait for the next books!

Love this series!

Each book in this series gets better and better.. Excellent character and relationship development. Perfect narration by both. Highly recommend!

Love this book and series

Loved it. this series, these narrators and the writing of Nicole Dykes. this series is so good from book one. this addition is smoking hot and sexy. Liam DiCosimo and Tim Paige are a wonderful narrating team. they definitely bring the hotness to a higher level. get this book, get the whole series. you won't be sorry you listened.

Another perfect one

Just like Keeper, Tim Paige and Liam DiCosimo did a fantastic and wonderful job at bringing yet, ANOTHER set of men to life.
Did I do these totally out of order and have to go back to listen to Guarded? Yes. I’m still excited because I know they’ll do a fabulous job yet again.

Back to Kensley….and Hayes…

Here’s the thing with Travis and Oakley…I was sure that this was not going to be my favorite. They are drastically different - Travis had some pre-conceived ideas to get over and so did Oakley. What I had forgotten is how amazing a frenemies to lovers can be when there is also an ‘opposites attract’ moment or fifty going on.

The way these two complete each other? I am all in. ALL THE WAY IN for them.

Tim and Liam again have absolutely NAILED this - especially the snark and Oakley’s emotions. It’s just so perfect!