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

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 this series

Series just keeps getting better. Dante’s father was just pure evil. He needed to be punished for what he did. AJ should have told Dante right off the bat, and Dante had every right to be pissed at him. But it did all work out in the end.

Michael Pauley did a great job bringing them to life.

A wonderful addition to an amazing series!

How does a series just keep getting better and better! I love the world that Lucy Lennox has created. Dante and AJ just grabbed my heart and didn't let go. I couldn't put this book down till I finished it and now just want to reread it! Even better than doing a reread was listening to Michael Pauley's performance! Outstanding!

Hopeful

I've listened to all the stories of the Marian brothers, and even though I loved Borrowing Blue, Delivering Dante is the one that made me feel something special. To hear the story of a boy who was in such a dark place and full of hurt and yet come out on top with still a very humble heart, just made me feel very hopeful. I know it's a story, but it's a great one to make you feel like there is hope out there and so much love. Dante is a one of a kind and the real world needs more like him.

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!

High Acclaim

I am hooked on all the Lucy Lennox works.
I love that she keeps the Marian clan incorporated in each book. I enjoy the pace and stages of the stories and thus the relationships. Emotionally I am always moved very good! Anyone who like romance and story with twists and turns these great books will satisfy. The orator also works for me good job as always. All and all I like her formulas👍

I love Aunt Tilly!

I've been waiting to hear the story of Dante & AJ, but omg, I love Aunt Tilly telling her story!

Another series added to my wish list!

To start, I have not read nor listened to any of the previous installments in the Made Marian series. I've heard good things about it and wanted to check it out, but Delivering Dante is the only title in the series currently enrolled in Audible's Romance Package. As the blurb clearly states that it is a standalone romance within a series about the Marian brothers finding love, I decided to give it a try. It was awesome! And it can definitely be enjoyed as a standalone – but be prepared to want to go back and check out the other Marian brothers' stories because this is a very interesting and close-knit family that I was left wanting to know more about.

As for AJ and Dante's story, the blurb is pretty thorough in what to expect. With that said, I suspect that if you're like me and have never read Lennox's work before, you really won't be prepared for the ride Delivering Dante takes you on. Seriously? An octogenarian naughty toy party! Really! I burst out laughing at that, and that was just the first of many laugh out loud moments for me. Because of Dante's past, the novel is ripe for plucking at your heartstrings and it did a number on mine as I watched Dante try to come to terms with the memories sparked by AJ and his ugly reality when he confronts his father. In fact, Dante's portion of the story had a strong coming of age feel to it for many reasons, but you'll have to discover those yourself. But don't despair, the sexy times are indeed sexy. And the ending is the one that both men deserved.

While this may be my first exposure to Lennox's writing, it is not my first time enjoying Michael Pauley's work. I've enjoyed Pauley's narrative performances twice before and I found him to be just as talented this time around. Pauley is skilled at conveying urgency when a scene calls for it, which is what made the previous audiobooks so enjoyable as they were romantic suspense titles. I'm not entirely sure that it worked as well in Delivering Dante as it made Dante sound older than he was – at least for me it did – but as that was only during a handful of scenes, and it didn't detract from the overall performance or my rating. Unfortunately, I now have to build my Audible credits up so that I can backtrack to the beginning of the series and check out the other brothers' stories.

NOTE: I listened to this title via Audible's Romance Package.

Hot and Steamy

This was my favorite of the series. I loved AJ and Danta the heat factor was outstanding.

I Love Dante

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Definitely would recommend the audiobook for two reasons: story and narration. The story centers around Dante who is a member of the Marian Family. He was adopted after being rescued from an abusive father. The story is how he comes to terms with the past and deals with the future. The narration is fun and really enjoyable. Michael Pauley does a great job with the voices and his timing fits with the story. He has great comedic timing on the fun moments in the story and is able to convey angst and sorrow in others. Definitely worth listening to.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Dante is my favorite character. He is mostly hidden in earlier stories and in this book he dominates the story. You care for him and how he responds to events around him. Being somewhat shy growing up, I really related to what he was experiencing especially around crowds and love interests.

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

In the Made Marian series, Michael definitely has grown in the performance. I think this is his strongest one other than Book 7 which is the Marian Christmas tale. He is not just reading off the page but does perform in throughout He actually laughs reading a line instead of reading the line. Love his interpretation of the "old ladies" (Granny, Irene and Tilley) Definitely a fun book.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There times Dante had his panic or doubts were moments I could 100% relate to the character. You understand from the writing what he is experiencing. It's personal and real.

Any additional comments?

The Made Marian series is a fun set of books which tells a story of a loving large family of children both born to and adopted by the parents. It's never 100% serious and will dabble things throughout to keep the story from too depressing. I really love Lucy Lennox's writing style and looking forward to anything she puts out there. Definitely a big fan.