False Start

Big Bend Bears, Book 3

De: Nicole Dykes

Narrado por: Devon Ryder, Nick J. Russo

Vaughn Montgomery

High school is almost over, and I'm more than ready.

Not because I don't love Big Bend and everything here. Actually, I'm going to miss it quite a bit, but I'll have my best friend by my side.

With Austin, I'll always be okay.

Austin Pierce

I'm keeping some pretty big secrets from my best friend.

Secrets, I'm not sure how much longer I can hold onto. Secrets that'll likely destroy our friendship.

Because he thinks we're going to college together—but I just can't do it. I can't spend any more time with this lie.

Big Bend may have been my beginning, but it never felt quite right. Something was always off—truly, I think it was my false start.

Now it's time to live my life with nothing but the truth.

©2025 Nicole Dykes (P)2025 Podium Audio

Love this series and these characters!!

I was super excited to see book 3 of this sports romance series come to audio, had to restart the series to get myself back into the world of Big Bend (and Kensley). It's football season so this is perfect timing!

I was wondering what the author would throw at us and I was so happy with this couple and how things went down! I gave this 4-4.5 stars for the story and 5 stars for the narration (overall rounded up to 5 stars). I adore these characters and was intrigued how Vaughn was going to realize his love of his bestie. I felt so much for Austin and how he had to keep things from him for so long. Like this one was very obvious so for me, like guys don't cuddle and do all that stuff as platonic friends at that age so not sure how he and his gf didnt see it haha. I like how the author made the OG relationship end, made it easier for Austin and Vaughn to be together. I like how he mentions the spectrum and different ways to be identified, but I don't remember if they even said what he was/was leaning towards (not that its required but I like when they mention the others like pan and Demi - need some more representation for sure!).

I wanted to shake Austin with how he kept being so scared and pushing Vaughn away but was happy to see them finally come together and how they told their families was hilarious haha. I also liked how we got some cameos from other characters from this big universe. The emotions were just coming off the page/easily heard from my earbuds with this audiobook. I thought the narrators did a great job with all the up and down rollercoasters going on between the two main characters but also the other side characters. I wanted to know though if there will be a 4th or a new spinoff with how the "bully" from this one was when Austin and Vaughn went to check up on him. I know there is another spinoff with the landscaping business so going to jump into that one once I am finished my re-listen of Kensley (since it involves Oakley and more cameos, need a refresh!). Narrators brought the angst to life. The shared adorable moments before they became an item, the the sexy scenes were fabulous, and the vulnerability was precious and so well done.

I will always sing the praises of this author, I know I will love all her stories and characters, an automatic audiobook purchase from me! Going through her backlog has been fun, can't decide who my favorite couples are though, way too many to choose from!