Keeper

Kensley Panthers Series, Book 1

De: Nicole Dykes

Narrado por: Tim Paige, Liam DiCosimo

Kingston Wells.

I like to party; to have a good time. Life’s too short not to. I learned that when I lost my grandpa. He told me to have fun while I can, and I intend to. Though sometimes when you’re having a good time, you forget others may see you as irresponsible. And sometimes you screw up.

I’ve definitely screwed up a time or two, but I’m still determined to have fun. I’m hoping I’ll convince my best friend, Camden, to do the same along the way. He’s too serious. Too focused. Too busy taking care of everyone to just relax.

And that’s where I come in.

Camden Prescott

I may only be eighteen and a senior, but I have too much on my plate to be a kid. Too many people depend on me, but I can handle it. I have to handle it. My mom needs my help. My little sister needs me. And Kingston, my best friend in the world—yeah, he definitely needs me.

While he’s busy having fun, I’m busy cleaning up his messes... along with everyone else’s. It’s not all bad though. He’s there to make sure I occasionally have fun, and I’m there for him when he needs to take life seriously.

Because that’s what I am: the keeper.

©2022 Nicole Dykes (P)2023 Podium Audio

Great Story!

I went into this book already, knowing I was going to love it. I own a signed paperback, and the ebook and now the audiobook. As you can see, I may be a little obsessed. This is by far my favorite book by Nicole Dykes. I love a good friends to lovers, bi awakening MM. This trope just hits different to me.
This book is definitely worth listening to. The narrator's killed it. The book is awesome 👌
I'm so happy it's now on Audible 🥰

Great start to a new series

Great first book. well written, a touching young adult story. First time with a guy best friends to lovers romance. Awesome writing Nicole Dykes. the narration on this story is top notch. Liam DiCosimo and Tim Paige are a Great narrating duo. I love the way they bring a story to life and bring out the details of each character. Becoming my favorite MM narrating duo. Get this book it's really good story.

GFY Friends to Lovers

My favorite trope: friends to lovers. Now add GFY, pining for the best friend, unrequited love, then the stakes are higher.

I enjoyed listening to this low angst friends to lovers tale of two best friends who grew up in a small town. They're star football players, star athletes, really. Life is about to change when they graduate and how they go from there is where the story starts.
Enjoyable read, high school drama, and HEA that's truly unique to the characters of the story.

Tim Paige and Liam Dicosimo are wonderful narrators, and they did great on this one.

A quick sweet story

I enjoyed reading it and the audio was a great complement. Would recommend if looking for something quick and fairly low angst.

Perfect narration!

I absolutely loved the book, and I believe that I loved the audiobook even more!! Bringing these characters to life, experiencing their pain and emotions with words, the reality of “coming out” in a small town, and I’m not quite sure how to classify Kingston (was this a bi-awakening or GFY?). Either way, loved the realism of this story.

Tim and Liam nailed this narration!! Even though I do always have to chuckle a tad when they’re attempting female characters voices. That’s neither here nor there, though, and the heartfelt emotions put into this audio is worth a thousand stars. A show of appreciation, too, for the professionalism during the sexual scenes, with no hesitation or delay, never missing a beat.

Adorable MM friends to lovers!

I have listened to a couple books by this author and saw this series was in the audible sale earlier this year and snatched them up. I needed a pallet cleanser after some darker books I had been listening to and this was just what I needed. There was angst in this MM romance but it wasn't overpowering and I loved this short listen and how the characters and world was built (despite hating their town with a passion!!).

I am such a sucker for friends to lovers and this one nearly broke me. I loved the GFY storyline, Kingston had no idea his bestie had a thing for him for years! Once he finds out he is gay, he wants to help Camden experience things so he is knowledgable when they graduate and Camden goes off to college. Premise isn't normally what best friends (when one was thought to be straight) do for each other, but I went with it haha. I loved the banter between these two, loved the football aspects and appreciated Kingston realizing how they were continuing the homophobic teaching their families started and he put his foot down with the jokes/name calling. I felt for Camden in this one regarding the horrible comment of Kensley and how anti-gay they were. I could totally see why he would want to leave.

I felt for them when they realized how they felt and Camden went to college and it became so awkward and tense with Kingston when he visited. I don't want to give up spoilers but I was glad their miscommunication and lack of communication was dealt with because it was driving me bananas. they have a beautiful romance and their friendship only strengthens it. AND DID I MENTION THE STEAMY SCENES?!?! Loved them, give me all the MM goodies hehe. I was happy with the resolution at the end and happy they got their HEA. I was interested to see which guys were in the next standalone couple and I already finished book 2 and more than halfway through book 3, I can't get enough!

Narrators did a good job, I have listened to one of them before and enjoyed their renditions for the male characters, the other was a new narrator to me. I thought they both did a good job with their performances, some scenes were more impactful than others. Sometimes Kingston grated on me a bit, but that was partially his personality and behavior. I wish there was a female narrator for certain characters (like Camden's mom and sister) because their attempts were not the greatest haha. Couldn't give the audio 5 stars because of it, but their male characters were done well.

Would definitely still listen to this again, I am enjoying this world and all the connections with the football team and future couples. I tried to guess who would be coupled together and the author did a good job leaving us enough breadcrumbs to get that guessing right haha.

Okay. Frustrating female characters

The story is very similar to others I've read, and I really don't like that both the mother and the ex girlfriend are horrible people with minimal dimension. Performance good.

Loved this story!

This was a great story and the narration was excellent! 10/10 3/5🌶️
Highly recommend

It was ok

The pacing felt a little weird and some of the scenarios were unrealistic but it was cute at times. Not my favorite but not bad either.

Not what I expected

Thought it would be schlock story with great voices, but I eventually melted and enjoyed romance etc