Rules to Break

By: Susan Hawke

Narrated by: Michael Pauley

Length: 9 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's Summary

Davey’s rule number 91: Daddy never loses faith in his boy.

Bryan Miller is satisfied with his uncomplicated life. He’s a discipline daddy who’s not in the market for any kind of permanent relationship. And why should he be? Like the waves he surfs in the small beach town he calls home, there’s always another body available to warm his bed when he tires of the current flavor of the week. 

Preston Wallace is a snotty rich brat with enough attitude to keep all the daddies from giving him a chance. He gets it. People are jealous of him for being rich, hot, and fit. It would take a strong daddy to take him in hand. 

A casual conversation on the night of Preston’s 25th birthday ties these two stubborn men together in a bet right out of the musical My Fair Lady. Can daddy Bryan turn the obnoxious brat into a dateable boy within a 90-day time frame?

Strap in for a roller coaster of emotions as Bryan takes firm control of a brat who might just need to know someone cares enough to try. 

This is the second book in Davey's Rules, a series about not-so-perfect daddies, adorable boys, and one sassy brat with an insane list of rules. Grab your fan and tissues because this series comes with both a high heat advisory and all the squishy feels you’d want from a Susan Hawke book. Possible trigger for the death of a background character. 

©2019 Susan Hawke (P)2019 Susan Hawke

Surpassed my expectations! 5+ stars!

Don't you love it when a book surpasses any and all of your expectations? That's exactly what happened while and after listening to Rules to Break, the second book in Susan Hawke's Davey's Rules series. Those expectations of mine have remained consistently high, all thanks to my previous listening experiences with this current series and her previous one, Lovestrong, from Hawke. All of those audiobooks were narrated by none other than Michael Pauley, and dare I say that this latest audiobook is quite possibly one of his best ever, which is saying a lot considering he's one of the most in-demand romance narrators around.

Rules to Break is the story twenty-five-year-old Preston Wallace, a brat who lives a life of privilege, and thirty-five-year-old Bryan Miller, a Daddy who has no boy of his own, but when Bryan is challenged to make Preston the perfect boy any Daddy would want, they find themselves in each other's company for the next three months. They seem to have a knack for pushing each other's buttons and frustrations pile up, but there can also be no denying the scorching hot chemistry between them. The time they spend together brings them closer, but while Preston knows he wants nothing more than to have Bryan claim him as his boy, Bryan hasn't made his intentions, if any, known. By three months' end, will Preston have a Daddy and will it be Bryan?

Susan Hawke's managed to pen a story that's more than just about a particular sex kink, i.e. Daddy-boy. There's humor here, but there's also angst, especially from Preston's end, who isn't some good boy pretending to be a brat, but the guy has a good heart and is simply craving affection and approval from someone other than the three household staff members who have become more like family than his actual parents and the owners of Daddy's Lap. There were times both Preston and Bryan frustrated me with their stubbornness, but goodness, these two were so darn entertaining and, ultimately, endearing. Michael Pauley brought them both to life, and the range of emotions he showcased, particularly during one scene of Preston's at the seniors center, made me want to stand up and applaud the man. Hawke and Pauley have done it again with Rules to Break, and this one gets five-plus stars. ♥

Oh, just a quick note: The prologue comes after the last chapter in this audiobook, which isn't how it is in the eBook (i.e. the eBook opens to the prologue). I don't know if it was a mistake made during the production of the audio version, but it is a wee bit weird, so maybe there's a chance it can still be fixed, but I doubt it's as simple as just switching it around. So, if you've listening to the audiobook for the first time, chapter 28 is where you can find the prologue.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

It was ok...

Actually, the best parts of this book were Preston’s interactions with secondary characters, Raphael and Mr. Bronson. They were important to Preston, and both were supportive of him, which was a nice break. Preston and Brian, well, I got a little tired of all the bickering back and forth. There were certainly parts of it that were entertaining, it’s just that it went on and on. And really, neither of them could make a good decision on their own. They kept making mistakes and a friend or relative had to step in and straighten them out. Especially with regard to Brian, you would expect better from a daddy. All in all there were some wonderful parts in the book. Would I listen again? Probably not.

Good narration.

Great Listen

I received an ARC of this audio for my honest review. This book is about Preston who is looking for the love his parents never showed him and Bryan who is looking for someone to nurture as he doesn't want to have countless relationships like his mother. This book will make you cry but does have a HEA. I highly recommend this book and series if you haven't read the 1st book you have to read that one first.

Oh,preston

Poor Preston really needed a daddy,he was a little lost. Though some of his antics was quite something. If you want some laughs and to realize that even the common things aren't so common then you will love this book.

Taming Preston!

I loved this book. In the first book we met Preston and he came across as an arrogant, thoughtless, and entitled brat - I really didn’t warm to him at all. But I was excited to listen to this book to see underneath the surface and find out why he was acting like that. When Daddy Brian is challenged to turn Preston into a proper obedient boy they both jump at the challenge.

Brian was hilarious with some of his punishments, but I also loved seeing how loving, kind and attentive he was to Brian. How he noticed when he needed praise because his acting out was caused by insecurity. He is such a lovely man. Preston also made me laugh - he comes from a wealthy background and is clueless round how to operate the basics in life like a toaster. He is definitely sassy and full of attitude, but so much of his bratty exterior comes from him never having felt loved, it was a cry for attention.

This book was beautiful - I loved watching Preston make friends and drop his hard exterior and I loved watching Brian learning to love snuggling! These two are a perfect combination

I received an arc of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review

Good Continuation of Davey's Rules

Preston is a bratty, spoiled rude boy who is badly in need of a Daddy to take him in hand. When Daddy, Bryan, takes a bet to tame Preston within 3 months, he becomes that Daddy. Both men are not interested in a permanent partnership/relationship. But Preston's bratty nature gets under Bryan's skin, and he has lots or reasons to discipline him.
This is the second book in the Davey's Rules Series and it fits well in with the previous book in the series. The characters are fun and well written. The storyline is one that is a little predictable, but is still enjoyable and entertaining. My biggest problem was with Preston's bratty behavior and how rude he is to Bryan (and yes I understand that he's a brat - but there were times it seemed like too much). Despite that, there are some moments that are heartwarming, lots of laughter, and overall, it was a good read!
Michael Pauley did an amazing job bringing these characters to life. He makes a this book a great listen, with Preston's brattyness and Bryan's authoritative and disciplining nature come through with every word. This book is a good continuation of the series, and I can't wait to listen to more, both from this series, and from this narrator!

Absolutely love Preston!

Preston has been in the previous book and he was not seen in a good light. Now, we find out exactly why he is the way he is and all I want to do is love him. When a bet occurs on his birthday, Preston figures why not. Bryan is not an easy Dom but soon figures out that there is more to Preston than people see. As these two grow closer and emotions come into play, a devastating event hits the group. Will Bryan and Preston become closer or will they both be too stubborn to see what everyone else sees?

Must jave

Bryan and Preston are oh so dreamy together. This series is so one of my favorites. We all know Michael voice is dreamy. I hope this series never ends.

Bryan and Preston are perfect!! Lots of love!!

Beautiful story with lots of love and a touch of humor, a little heartbreak and lots of growth for both characters.  You feel their hearts and you will smile as they get to really know each other. 

I love this narrator and this story!   He really captures the characters of Bryan and Preston and he made them so real for me
I really enjoyed Preston and Bryan!!  They were fun and likable characters that you wanted to get to know. The writing was wonderful and i stayed up listening way too late, but it was well worth it!   

I really am enjoying this family of characters.   Rules to Break is the second book in the Davey's Rules series and i am looking forward to reading the next one!  

Love it!

Daddy Bryan and Preston are absolutely perfect for each other!! I can't get over how amazing Susan Hawke just pulls me into this story and I didn't want to be let go. Then Michael Pauley just makes me really not want to let go. He does such an amazing job in bring all the emotions in this story to life. I couldn't help but fall in love even more!! Love this one so much!

Great

After meeting Preston in the first book, I was a little apprehensive with this one, but then I read the My Fair lady spin and was intrigued. I love that they're both flawed and "real" vs the always perfect daddy. its a nice change of pace.

A wedding, a funeral, and a bratty boy

Rule #22 – Daddy Must Never Say His Boy is Being Dramatic

I’ll start off by saying the synopsis suggests bringing tissue. Uh, yeah, that was very accurate. Maybe I was feeling emotional anyway, but several scenes in this book slayed me. Don’t get me wrong, this is a funny book. I loved it. But it also had a few dark moments that really ate at me. But that’s life, right? Can’t be sunshine and roses all the time.

Moving on.

Preston Wallace is a brat. Now, not all indulged rich boys grow up to be spoiled brats, but Preston has. There are moments when he shows great self-awareness and other times when he’s clueless. This is the second book in the series so I’m suspecting some of his bad behavior has already been on full display. He’s certainly in fine form the night of his birthday. He doesn’t always mean to be bratty, but sometimes he doesn’t have a choice. And sometimes there are people who deserve the bratty behavior.

Daddy Bryan Miller isn’t one of those men. He’s observed Preston’s behavior and, in the blink of the eye, he takes a bet that he can tame the bratty submissive. My Fair Lady, anyone?

The book that unfolds is, frankly, really funny. And cute. And adorable. Because despite how obnoxious Preston was, part of me felt sorry for him. Could acknowledge how lonely he was. Could see how he was stuck in a rut and unable to pull himself out. He needed someone to make him see how the other half lived, as it were. Although he’s always very gracious of the staff (partly because they are his only ‘friends’), he’s not respectful of others. He doesn’t understand how his demands might be unreasonable. Or how people are turned off by such snootiness.

Daddy Bryan is unwilling to put up with Preston’s attitude and he often puts his proverbial foot down. Those moments of ‘corrections’ (read: punishments) are beyond creative and add humor to the story. Needless to say, I’ll never think of Cinnamon toothpaste the same way again. Nor canned foods. But all the discipline is with the aim of making Preston a better person. Some of the most touching moments occurred when Daddy Bryan signed Preston up to help at a nursing home. Some of the most humorous moments involved public transport. In the end, the bet becomes secondary although the unravelling of it proves interesting.

This is a fantastic book and I’ve learned to expect nothing less from Susan Hawke. The blend of strong emotion with fabulous humor works every time. I’m so glad I got the chance to listen to the story.

And the narrator? Michael Pauley is one of my favorites and this book is just another example of why. He hits every note perfectly and I found myself transported. His inner monologue for Preston was brilliant and I almost – almost – was willing to give the kid a break (although twenty-five shouldn’t really count as a kid, but with the immaturity…?) Finally, I love that Michael knows his My Fair Lady. Anyway, I highly recommend this book and I’m looking forward to the next one.

My favorite so far!

I wasn't sure how I would feel about Preston when I started this audiobook. He wasn't all that nice in the first book in the series. However, that quickly changed once I saw how badly he needed someone to believe in him and want him for himself and not just because of his money. I can't tell you how many times I cried while listening to this book, because it was really emotional for me to see all Preston had to go through, he might have been a poor little rich boy, but there was this unexpected depth to him. He wasn't perfect by any means, but I felt so much for him. Now, Brian, well, while he was a good daddy for Preston sometimes, there were other times in which I just wanted to scream at him to just get over himself. The way they set the bet to start this whole thing with Preston and then the way he got mad at Preston near the end, when he had been the one to blow off Preston first made me especially mad. Still, I couldn't stop listening, so there's that.

Michael Pauley is doing a fantastic job with this series and I'm pretty sure this is one of my favorite performances by him. What can I say? I'm a sucker for books that make me cry and I lost count through how many tissues I needed while listening to Rules to Break. ;)

Loved it

I really enjoyed this audiobook.
It was a great addition to this series.
I loved the writing and the narration brought it to life perfectly.
I can’t wait to listen to more of this series.

Bryan's Brat? Preston the Playboy meets his match

I'm very much enjoying this new series, Davey's Rules, by Susan Hawke, and it's narrated by one of my favourite narrators, the very talented Michael Pauley who does such a wonderful job of bringing these characters to life.
I fell for Preston who is really such a lonely boy who has been looking for love and attention in all the wrong ways. I was annoyed with daddy Bryan when he made assumptions about Preston at a certain point in the story. I was rooting for Preston to get the Daddy he needed, and I highly recommend this to all lovers of Daddy/Boy stories.

5 Stars Across the Board!

Susan Hawke and Michael Pauley are becoming one of my favourite duos - I love them almost as much as I love Daddy Bryan and Preston in Rules to Break. The second book in the Davey's Rules series, we are introduced to a second daddy boy pair. one thing I am loving about these books is how each relationship is Daddy-boy, but a different style. While Travis and Adam in the first book were sweet and caring, Preston is a grade A brat in need of a much sterner Daddy, and wow does Bryan ever fit the bill. Their relationship starts as a bet that Bryan can improve Preston's bratty behaviour, but he quickly realises that while Preston is most certainly a brat, there is more than meets the eye. I was surprised at how much I loved Preston - especially after his behaviour in the first book. Preston's prickly exterior definitely hides a lot of insecurity and loneliness, and I loved how Bryan dealt with both his brattyness while still giving him the comfort and guidance he needed. This book is sweet and hot, but had a fair bit of heartache as well. Overall it was really well-rounded and developed. The narration was perfection. Bryan's voice was stern and rough, while Preston's attitude and afflection perfectly matched his character. I laughed and cried at his reactions. A 5 star read or listen across the board!

Preston and Bryan's Story

The second book in Susan Hawke’s Davey’s Rules, is Rules to Break and it’s a Daddy/bratty-boy story. Narrated by Michael Pauley, this series continues to showcase Daddy/boy relationships.

At first glance Preston is an entitled, rude, self-centered jerk. Twenty-five years old and he has zero friends thanks to his obnoxious attitude, and a giant chip on his shoulder.

Daddy Bryan is a thirty-five year old confirmed bachelor who has just met the boy who is going to change all that.

A goofy (and a bit mean spirited bet) ensures these two have to spend the next three months together, changing Preston into the “ideal boy”… or kill each other trying.

There are several really wonderful moments in Rules to Break. I loved watching Preston interact with the two incredibly special grandfather-figures in his life and seeing how much they impact his attitude. And the second best part is watching how Bryan’s outlook changes throughout the bet. Caring for Preston makes Bryan realize he needs someone to care for in his life. After all, what kind of true Daddy goes from boy to boy and never really connects with any of them?

So suspend belief that any twenty-five year old American has never seen a toaster or a Keurig before, and join me in hoping that most of these ‘not very kind’ boys and daddies meet their match, get their comeuppance, and find their own happily-ever-afters.

And as Davey’s list of rules continues to get longer…, we’ll just have to be patient and wait to see who will be the daddy to comply with all those stipulations!

an audio copy of Rules to Break was provided to me for the purpose of my review

My Fair Preston

I am loving this series so far, Rules To Break is a great follow up to book one Rules To Follow. Can notorious brat Preston change into a decent human being? I really enjoyed the My Fair Lady aspect of this story, 90 days to reform Preston from a selfish brat to someone decent.

I didn’t like Preston in the first book, but in his story you really get an understanding of why he is the way he is and the redemption and transformation are great. He’s had some time things to cope with and there’s no short of that in this book but Brian shows him how to deal with it and gives him a purpose to be better.

I loved the dynamic of their relationship, the back and forth was great and they had good banter with each other.

Michael Pauley yet again performs this brilliantly.

An enjoyable Daddy/Brat story

I found myself amused, irritated, and overall joyed with this story. In this My Fair Lady/Pygmalion meets kink story, it was a great evolution of Preston that will truly leaving you humming songs from My Fair Lady. Pauley did add his magic to the narration, creating enjoyable characters and giving them life.

A boy who needs a Daddy to truly see him...

So we met Preston in Rules to Follow and saw what a brat he was. Of course...appearances can be deceiving. And when a bet results in him getting Daddy Bryan as his Daddy for a period of 90 days...all sorts of things happen.

I loved Preston and Bryan together. Preston is truly an outcome of his childhood but he is so much more deep down and really broke my heart. Bryan is such a stern Daddy, who doesn’t do relationships, but again there’s so much more to the man. This book had me in fits of giggles (Davey’s Rules are amazing, Preston is such an adorable brat...and Bronson - there are no words) but also had me in floods of tears in several places.

The narration was good and made the characters come to life...a great revisit to Daddy’s Lap.