Dexterity Check

Dungeons and Dating, Book 5

De: Katherine McIntyre

Narrado por: Benjamen Filipowicz

Eli’s sworn off irresponsible flirts, and Arjun’s one of the worst—aggravating, provoking, and everything Eli can’t resist.

After fifteen years in the military, Eli Reynolds has returned to San Francisco with broken dreams and a broken heart, courtesy of his now ex-boyfriend. He’s determined to avoid anyone like his cheating ex—which means steering clear of Tabletop Tavern’s resident flirt, Arjun Gupta.

Arjun wants a break. Ever since he added his grandmother’s nursing home to his monthly bills, he’s drowning in debt. On top of his job as chef at Tabletop Tavern, he’s been stripping at nights to cover the extra costs. She’s worth every sleepless hour, but he’s desperate for relief—of any sort. Too bad Tabby’s cousin Eli is too high and mighty for a fling.

Eli and Arjun can’t seem to avoid each other, and with each collision they realize more and more that they might have misjudged—especially when all those sparks spill over into something hot and unforgettable. However, when Eli’s folks decide to move across the country, Eli needs to choose: remain in the place that reminds him of his failures or start over fresh—and if Arjun isn’t here for keeps, Eli can’t risk his heart to stay.

Roll the dice on romance at Tabletop Tavern…

©2023 Katherine McIntyre (P)2024 Katherine McIntyre

4.5 ⭐ 2 🌶️

I really enjoyed this story. Both MMCs were hot, sweet and full of their own insecurities and issues but they fit together perfectly. Lots of tension and drama with minimal angst. I will put a trigger warning on here for anyone caring for a sick or elderly friend or family member.

Narration was great. I think I only had to rewind it once or twice when a character spoke too quietly for me to hear. Lots of variation and character without it being over the top.

Features:
- Frenemies to Lovers
- Secret Relationship
- Bi + Gay Couple
- Found Family
- Depression
- Financial Troubles
- Cheating Ex's
- Queer Community
- Ex Military
- Strippers
- Big Life Changes
- Granny in Assisted Living
- Career Struggles
- Dogs that Don't Die
- Grumpy/Sunshine
- 10 Year Age Gap

Such a sweet story with spice

Mr. Filipowitz knocked it out of the park shaping chapters with voices to match the two main characters. The hard, gruff Eli and the sassy, bratty, and lovable Arjun. Beautiful story, stunning performance, and most definitely worth a listen.

Another great addition to the series

Benjamen Filipowicz did a great job with these characters! He is a new to me narrator and I really enjoyed listening to him. One of the few narrators I didn’t feel like I needed to speed up for them to sound natural!

I thoroughly enjoyed this story of found family. True to the Tabletop Tavern community these guys find out they are wholly loved and supported. The pacing of this story was really well done. No extreme filler, no speeding past most important things. Growing, living & loving.

Great audio

Benjamin Flipowcz is a new to me narrarator and can happily say looking forward to more of their future work. They did well in bringing the snarky sweetness of Arjun to life. Along with the steadfast seriousness of Eli in a completely different way.

The Dungeons & Dating series has a great group of tabletop queer gamers find their family. Arjun had always been apart yet separate from the group hiding all the burdens he's facing from his friends. Eli only sees him as he presents himself until he catches glimpses of the real Arjun. These two have a great bantering relationship that comes to life when they let each other in. A great addition to the series.

Loved It

I'd read this book over two years ago and really enjoyed it and was so excited to get to hear it in audio. I loved listening to it so much, I'm bumping up my review to 5 stars from 4. Benjamen Filipowicz did a wonderful job bringing these characters to life. I liked the tone and quality of his voice. I could differentiate between the characters and I liked the emotion he put into it. This is the first book I've heard from this narrator and would love to listen to more. Original ebook review below.

Overall: 5 stars
Performance: 5 stars
Story: 5 stars

Ebook Review 3/5/23

I have read other books in this series and really enjoyed them. This was a good addition to the series. I really loved the characters. Arjun is working two jobs and doing everything he can to take care of his grandmother's nursing home bills, but is tired and drowning in dept. I really liked him. He felt relatable and I loved his interactions with his Nani. Eli was in the military and broken up from his cheating boyfriend. While he is very attracted to Arjun, Arjun is too much like his ex, and Eli isn't going for that again. But Arjun projects what he wants people to see and there is more to him behind the mask. A very enjoyable and emotional slow-burn romance with a great couple and wonderful supporting characters. 4 stars.

"It was time to let the light in."

Arjun and Eli are not quite enemies to lovers but their banter and cute arguments are everything! This story is beautiful and heartwarming, as well as witty with a side of spice. It did have some pretty heavy topics though, so read your triggers. Benjamin Flipowicz' performance was amazing. I enjoyed this audiobook immensely.

Amazing audio

Dexterity Check - Katherine Mcintyre
4/5✨🌟

* M/M
* Hurt/comfort
* All the feels
* Hilarious grandmother
* Grumpy veteran who loves dogs
* Snarkshine chef by day, stripper by night
* Found family

First off, I loved how Arjun’s personality, especially how flirty he was with Eli. He was full of sassiness and I was here for it.

Man, Eli’s reaction when he discovered that Arjun was a stripper was the epitome of this entire book because it had me dying with laughter.

And oh goodness, the sandwich scene had to be one of the cutest moments from Arjun! I was here for that entire chapter.

This was such a good book. My heart broke for Arjun’s grandmother especially when she couldn’t remember who he was later but she was still her flirty self.

I don’t want to give too much away but the confession of feelings was super cute and I was here for this entire book.

The narration for this audiobook was so good!

I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.

Wonderful

Loved this fifth installment in the series. The MC’s were fun, watching them grow together was fantastic, and Nani was the absolute best! Thank you for not having a third act breakup in this one.

My second read was the audiobook, which was very well done! Perhaps my favorite audio of the series.

Gooood

I enjoyed listening as much as I did reading. Eli & Arjun have a wonderfully engaging story and the narration was great.

Hotness, Humor and Heart!

Arjun was just too much! I was constantly smiling with his antics and attitude. There was no way Eli was not going to give in here. Benjamen was spot on perfection bringing out Arjun's extra personality with his narration. I genuinely enjoyed watching Eli get to know the real Arjun underneath it all. This can be listened too as an individual romance, but I highly recommend the entire series. The side characters are so lovable and important too!