Delivering Dante

Made Marian Series, Book 6

By: Lucy Lennox

Narrated by: Michael Dean

Length: 8 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's Summary

AJ: I know Dante's story better than anyone. After all, I was the one who rescued him from his homophobic, abusive father eight years ago. Since then, I've kept my distance, but when I run into him at the Marian House gala and he doesn't recognize me, I can't resist the incredible, sensitive man he's become.

I would do anything to protect Dante Marian, but what if his past keeps me from being part of his future?

Dante: Every new relationship has obstacles, it just turns out that ours involves my bumbling inexperience (ugh), an octogenarian naughty toy party (don't ask), and being on the run in an RV with Aunt Tilly (it involves the Secret Service - no, really, don't ask).

When my biological father takes his homophobic views on a national platform, the only way to stand up for what I believe in is to claim my past and confront him. So now it's time to decide: Do I put the past behind me and walk away from AJ for good? Or face my biggest fear and fight for what's mine?

Fair warning: Dante and AJ's story contains frequent detailed scenes of man parts touching, little old ladies being inappropriate (this time with, ah, props), and two hearts finding their HEA when they least expect it.

While it can also be listened to on its own, Delivering Dante is the sixth in the Made Marian series. Each audiobook tells the story of one of the Marian brothers' search for true love.

Trigger Warning: Delivering Dante includes references to domestic violence and conversion therapy.

©2017 Lucy Lennox (P)2017 Lucy Lennox

Finally!!

I've been waiting for what feels like years for this book to be available on audio. Ever since Dante's background was somewhat described I've been impatiently awaiting his story. Since I came upon this series in audio first, I didn't want to read the book. So I waited and Waited for it to be available in audible. It was definitely worth the wait!!! Lucy Lennox has a way of making you LOL one sentence and fight back tears the next. I knew Dantes story would be a tear jerker but wow! Blue used to be my fave character but Dante stole that spot. AJ and Dante are a match made in heaven! All the past Marians and spouses make an appearance as usual. Aunt Tilly, Granny and Irene are up to their shenanigans again. Aunt Tilly gets up to even more hilarious antics then even before. Seriously folks.... GET THIS BOOK!!!! Even though it is considered a standalone it would be much better to read them in order. You will appreciate knowing the backgrounds of the rest of the characters so you can really understand the love, caring, and comedy that is in all of this series!

The narrator is the ONLY good thing...

This book started really good. Dante in a terrible situation, AJ saving him. The promise of more sweetness to come.
Even as the years pass, neither can forget the other, although Dante doesnt know who his "Angel" really is. Then we have his speech at the gala and I thought "wow, what a brave character". The joke was on me.
On the other hand, AJ's a sweetheart. He's brave and smart and tough, so why the hell doesnt he speak up from the beginning? I got that question answered when the truth finally comes out. Who would've known? He was right about the reaction Dante was going to have! Like a total brat!!!
Aaannnd we go downhill from there...
I get it, I do. Dante's hurt, but... after you realize the man you're falling for and the savior who rescued you from your worst nightmare are the same person, your first reaction is to... BITCH ABOUT IT??? Seriously???
No, sorry, but no. That was the point where Dante lost all my sympathy.
The story was already annoying me, more centered on the crazy aunt than on them, and when we're finally getting to the part where their relationship can develop deeper, Dante throws a temper tantrum on AJ? Can I bitch slap him?
Thank God this audible was free, because up until the 50% mark, the only thing I'd liked was the narrator.
And dont get me started on the old ladies! Ok, yes, get me started! They were so funny in the first book, throwing comic relief and some wisdom around. In this one? Oh man, I wish someone had told Lennox to write them off before chapter 5.
More important: I was so happy to have finally found an author that didnt use lack of communication as a plot device, and then boom! Here we are again. And even when they actually talked, Dante kept acting like a whiny bitch!
Another thing: Im a big fan of having fun and act as kids every once in a while, but seriously, this story is a contradiction of age vs behavior that I couldnt understand.
Now Im wondering how long Im gonna keep ranting, but you have to understand, it comes from disappointment. I loved the first book so much that Im sad this one was so promising and ended up being so far from the original plot, that its not even funny.
The ending was somehow redeeming, but not enough for me to give it more than 2 stars. Why? Because it was the aunt who forced Dante to do something, he never really grew a pair by himself, someone always had to push him to do the right thing. Chicken-shit asshat.
I really hope the rest of the series (I've only gone through first and last brother) is better.

I am not sure about this...

I really wanted to love this story. I have read all the MM books in the series and was excited to get to this one but I was very disappointed. First of all the story with Aunt Tilly was so unbelievable it's was almost comical and not in a good way. I felt like Lucy ran out of steam with this book. There were times when I enjoyed Dante and times where I was confused as to what emotion he was trying to convey. As usual Michael Pauley does a wonderful job but after listening to a the books you know what is going to happen and how it all sounds. this was definitely a miss for me. PS...why worry about condoms for sex if ever 5 minutes your shooting your load in each others mouths!

A rating...

My Review:
Overall: 4.75
Performance: 4.5
Story: 4.75

Wow, this was a really powerful story. I think I fall more and more in love with this series with each new book. Problem though...is Dante the last Marion?? I hope not. I'm not ready to let go of this series yet!!

But this book is about the youngest Marion...Dante who used to be Daniel. Like all the Marion's, his backstory is pretty harsh. His preacher father was abusive and brutal. He tried conversion therapy on Dante and when that didn't work, he reverted to good, old-fashioned beatings. But Dante was saved by another kid named Angel.

He doesn't realize it at the time, but Dante's Angel is actually AJ...and that's where the conflict in the story comes into play.

I liked this book. Dante has some real fears and phobias that come from his time under his father's thumb. How he overcomes these in this story creates a great character arc for him. I loved getting to watch him find his inner strength to stand up for what was right.

As always the writing was really interesting and the narration for the audiobook was spot on. I have one problem with these audiobooks...I can't walk away from them, so I always manage to finish them in record time...which isn't good for my productivity in other areas. LOL.

I definitely recommend this one and ALL the Marion books, although each of them works as a standalone. The entire series is fabulous. I've listened to all of them on audio...also highly recommended!

Awesome

I loved the characters, the story line, the narration is out if this world and brought every thing to life. great series. a must read.

A Great End to the Series

If you could sum up Delivering Dante in three words, what would they be?

Meant to be

Who was your favorite character and why?

Aunt Tilley - she's just crazy and gives the book good comic relief.

Have you listened to any of Michael Pauley’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened to many of Pauley's performances. This one is excellent just like the rest of his audiobook narrations.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Who rescued who?

Any additional comments?

Highly recommend - a sweet and hot romance!

Michael Pauley can do no wrong

It took a couple of starts with the first in the series, but I got so caught up that I had to follow it though to the end. I have come to like this family so much I hate for it to end. I'd go for books on all the other family members (beyond the 6) or where things go forward for the 6 brothers. Ms Lennox and Michael Pauley are an unbeatable combo.

Love Made Marian

Where does Delivering Dante rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Great story, the WHOLE series is OUTSTANDING....

What other book might you compare Delivering Dante to and why?

Moving Maverick, Jumping Jude, Grounding Griffin, Barrowing Blue and Taming Teddy... All Great Books!!!

Any additional comments?

The Entire Made Marian Series is so worth buying and reading, I Love the way everyone is in ALL of the books.... its a GREAT Family and there are Tons of Laughs ..... Get the Books, they Rock!!!!

5 ++ stars🤩

This was a sweet opposites attract, hurt/ comfort romance.

I have been looking forward to Dante and Aj's story, and this one didn't dissapoint in the least.

This one is my favorite in the series and I can't get enough of this book.

Lucy Lennox absolutely outdid herself with this one.

This was such a adorable and wholesome listen overall.

Michael Dean performed an amazing audio delivery and narration!!

in love!

i love this series! Aunt tillie is awesome! i fell in love with the whole marion family!

Loved every second

Michael Dean delivered a marvelous performance of this absolutely brilliant book, a definite ré-listen for me.

Totally joyful from start to finish.

Lucy Lennox never fails to write beautiful stories and Michael Pauly could read the phone book and I'd swoon.

Like all of the Made Marian series, there's the perfect blend of sugar, spice and angst.

Fabulous

another fabulous story good characters another fabulous gay love story I love this made marion series