King's Stalemate

Road to Redemption, Book 2

De: Aiden Bates, Ali Lyda

Narrado por: Austin Jay

I was supposed to be over bad boys, and then, I met King.

I had a plan. Bartend at King's Gambit. Earn enough to open my yoga studio. Ignore my dark past. And never fall for the boss.

Easier said than done.

Falling for King is the best mistake I’ve ever made. But he's not the only one with secrets, and when my past comes to call, it could destroy us both.

Rory deserves everything.

Until I met Rory, I didn't do long-term. Now, he has me thinking about forever. But Rory has a past of his own, one I never expected from the mild-mannered yoga instructor.

He says he can accept my gangland past, but I'm still recovering from my own scars. I can't worry about my own issues when my boyfriend is in danger.

But to keep him safe, I may need to become more dangerous than either of us can imagine.

©2021 Special Fiction Books (P)2021 Special Fiction Books

Great story!!

I really enjoyed this story and the narration was great. I always know it’s a great book when I get immersed in the world of the book and the characters lives and it was easy with this book.

When Loving Him Is Dangerous...

"King's Stalemate" continues the ongoing storyline between MCs King and Rory that began in "King's Gambit," and quite literally picks up where the first book ends. This story is much more steamy than the first, with King and Rory reveling in their new relationship, but there's also more angst and threats to their happiness.

Whereas King's past was the focus of Book 1, here, we get Rory's tumultuous backstory as it presents present-day dangers. Protecting Rory, the club and their found family puts strains on the couple, and they're in a sort of "one step forward, two steps back" dance for much of this story, which does become a bit tiresome. Still, I'm looking forward to seeing how their HFN plays out into an HEA as the series continues.

This audio book features a different narrator than Book 1, and while I'm not usually a fan of that amid ongoing storylines (especially when they gave a solid performance), it was a decent enough adjustment here. I received this free review copy audio book by request and have left this honest review voluntarily.

So Good!

I am loving this series! King and Rory are so good together. King is a hot alpha that is protective of Rory. But then Rory is also protective of King in his own way. In this book they have to deal with the Irish mob courtesy of Rory’s father. I also love everyone at the club. A threat to one is a threat to all. This book pulls you in and then leaves you hungry for book 3. I thought the narrator did a good job as well. I definitely recommend! I received a copy of this audio from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest opinion.

Rory and King

Rory and his mum have been running all there life. Rory's dad is a mafia boss. When King finds out they try to protect Rory, but it turns out his old gang are behind the damage and letting the mafia know where Rory is. Great dynamics between the MC's

King’s Stalemate

So much sweetness and action. I loved this second book in the series and continuation of the story. I loved the characters so much! This audiobook was a joy to listen to

King & Rory

This is the continuation of King and Rory’s story from book one and I love it. In this one we see their relationship progressing as they deal with more threats, these dealing more with Rory’s past than King’s. These two are great together and incredibly hot. King’s protective streak is back full force when it comes to Rory as they end battling Rory’s past and sometimes each other. The narrator did a great job with the story and the characters. I’m really looking forward to the next one in the series as this one also ends in somewhat of a cliffhanger. I voluntarily reviewed a gifted copy of this audio book.

Steam, Action and Sweetness

Loving this series. The guys get extra hot and steamy and questions start getting answered. King is not to be played with especially when it comes to his man. Make sure you read/listen to book 1 first.

Dangerous yet sweet MM romance

King's Stalemate is Book 2 in the Road to Redemption series, as Rory and King get closer. Rory is trying to get away from his past by opening his own yoga studio. King has to find a way to protect Rory from his past without making things bad for himself. Similar to the first book in the series, this story is full of action and suspense, although not needlessly so or overdone. Some plot pints were predictable but it still made for a great story. Defiant looking forward to slither books in the series Narrator Austin Jay does a great job.

Excitement!

I don't know what I would do if my boyfriend said the mob was recruiting me but King...sigh. I love these two and the way the fight for each other!!

Narrator Austin Jay saved this book's ratings! 😍

The story picks up right where the first book leaves off. Bartender Rory receives a note from his father-the leader of the Irish mob right at King's home where he had been spending lots of time. It becomes his moment to reveal his dark secrets. Before too long, he admits to the jump and run lifestyle he had with his mother after they left Ireland so many years ago. Today Rory is not a child being protected by his mother but a man fully capable of making his own decisions but his father is unwilling to take "No!" for an answer.
Before too long it becomes clear that the Jackals, King's old gang, has thrown in with the Irish mobster. They let Rory's father know where he could be contacted and they are willing to help capture him for a face-to-face with his father. Rory can't help but feel that his past is drawing King into the kind of lifestyle he worked hard to leave behind. However, King discovers that it was his connection to the Jackals that made it possible for Rory's father to learn of his whereabouts and current life. Both men are experiencing guilt and start avoiding each other.
When Rory gets cornered by his father's minions, he goes along to hear what his father has to say. He discovers that his father is dying and wants the business to be taken over by his son. Rory makes it clear that he is happy with his current lifestyle and his father let him off the hook, namely because of the love he still feels for Rory's mother. King comes to the rescue courtesy of the location app put on Rory's phone, but it isn't necessary. The Irish mobster is willing to let Rory go but warns that the Chicago police department will be a bigger challenge for King than he could have ever imagined.
I enjoyed continuing with the story of King and bottom though the angst with the self-blame and guilt quickly became tedious. But there are some things to like about the book. The writers did a great job giving resolving the current conflict with the Irish mob while giving King a new and challenging threat that will form the basis for the next book in the series. As far as character development, King and Rory regress. There's not much trust between the men and it's acceptable given their respective backgrounds. After years of avoiding the Irish mob, Rory complaint about his restricted freedom and careless behavior in walking about without an escort just plain stupid! The writers could have spared some time with the narrative making him less of a bratty asshat! Narrator Austin Jay is INCREDIBLE and his performance makes a decent book so much better. The writers should thank Mr. Jay for a major save.