Level One: Headshot

Level Up Series, Book 1

By: Alexa Sommers

Narrated by: Sharmila Devar

Length: 2 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's Summary

You have the hands of a rogue, the mouth of a bard, and I’m pretty sure you’re at least half-cleric because you have me ready to scream. Oh, God!

Dillon Strands is not your typical college co-ed. While other’s are chasing down parties and partners, living out their dreams of debauchery, Dillon and his friends are studying, gaming, and stuck in a rut, their social lives hanging by a thread. 

After a semester of continued promises to step out of their comfort zone, the five friends find themselves exactly where they started. Enter Suzanne Andrews, a gamer girl with a plan. Dillon may be at the top of his class, but when it comes to the art of pleasure, Suzie Andrews is an A+ student.

Author's note: This book is the first in a number of novella-length serials. As such, it does not have a traditional ending and is not intended to be listened to as a stand-alone book.

©2020 Wycked Press (P)2020 Wycked Press

3.5

Meh, it was OK. I actually really liked all the main characters and thought the geekery was really well done. I admit I don't have quite enough geek-cred to get all the references, but I certainly snickered and smiled more than once. I appreciate that the guys got the girls, so to speak, while managing not to be at all sleazy. Dillian's confusion in the face of bliss were my favorite parts. But I thought the villain (for lack of a better description) exceedingly cliched. Similarly, the introduction of female characters only to have them become sex kittens that throw themselves at the main character on meeting him was disappointingly cliched, dare I say boring in it's predictability. I get that this is more erotica than romance, but it was still worth an eye roll.

The writing was pretty sharp, though even in audio I caught a couple probable editing errors "gouge her response," instead of gauge, for example. Hard to tell where to lay blame for that in an audio book though. And lastly, I thought there was some inconsistency in the POVs. All in all, not a bad read (or listen) but a better NA humorous romance than a erotic romp. I rather wish the author had stayed the course, though it's my understanding that she is known as an erotic writer so...

I received a free Audible code for this book. I chose to listen and review it.

Fight through the awkward!

I am not a fan of humor or situations in my media that make me feel awkward. People that enjoy the Office or Parks and Rec... well I'm not one of those people. Sometimes realism is very painful and you can't get away from it. I want my media to get away from it.

Double down on the fact that I am a gamer, a geek, and a Tupac fan.

The first five chapters of Level Up: Level One - Headshot landed critical blows on every one of my various awkwardness triggers to the point that the combination mindsets of Dylan and Jason made me think of the meme "I'm in this picture and I don't' like it" and felt I was being personally attacked by the relatable content.

Then chapter 6 started and started to stretch my disbelief and it dawned on me.

I'm listening to an erotic story.

I should have had my disbelief stretched and shattered from the beginning.

You can't walk into erotica with the same mindset as other books because of the nature of the beast. It allows situations to transpire that in many cases wouldn't, and you felt that with the reactions of the main character in Chapter 6 because even they were like "What's going on here?!?!"

So relistening to the story from the beginning made me look at the whole thing with different eyes and a different perspective. With the new outlook, my only breaking of the suspension fo disbelief was the size of the game theory class. Honestly, this is a tale of a character that decided to do the right thing and is getting rewarded for it. I'm so am predicting heartbreak and sadness and other shenanigans in the future books but this was a well-crafted tale from beginning to end.

Alexa, like any DM or storyteller, is playing the long game with her series, and like any player who occasionally dabbles in DMing, it is wonderful to see someone who is invested in the craft and make sure everyone enjoys themselves.

Sharmila Devar did a wonderful job with the cast of characters presented. When things got hot it came through in a sultry, smoky voice that fit the motif of everything that was going on, even when the characters weren't sure exactly what was happening. She was able to take the character awkwardness and keep everything sexy so it didn't detract from the scenes themselves. The excitement and nervousness from the male characters she portrayed were top notch and I really felt what the characters Jason and Dylan were feeling during the story. Her portrayal of Suzy, Stacy, June, Dani, Janie brought out the depth of the writing to each of the characters' distinct personalities.

This is a wonderful first edition of the audio series and I can't wait to listen to more.

I loved listening to this book!

I loved listening to this book even more than reading it, which is saying something. Sharmila Devar does a superb job with the narration. She handles all the voices well, both male and female. She is a talented narrator, and pairs well with this Alexa Sommers' material.

You will enjoy this listen. I know I did!

OH, MY, GOD, AMAZING

Alexa Sommers masterwork of words is wonderfully brought to life in this performance by Sharmila Devar. I fully recommend all of this. Shrarmila delivers a killer read, with excellent pace and tone the entire time and giving each character their own aspects to help bring them to life in a whole new way. I will be getting every single audiobook for this series, no doubt in my mind.

Great fun for the adult feeks

This book is a great story that features geeks who laugh, enjoy each other in a female sex positive manner.

So when is the next book being released?

WOW

Level up, is an amazing listen. The story is hot and the characters pull you in. I am just sad i don't get to be in their world longer.