Tough Love

Men of Olympus, Book 2

By: Dianna Roman

Narrated by: Liam DiCosimo, Tim Paige

Length: 9 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

Damiano’s parents have never had any faith in him, so it’s no surprise when his new boss doesn’t either. He’s determined to prove Graham Brandt wrong though, if only he could stop pushing the man’s buttons and dreaming about tearing them off. It’s frustrating being a hot-blooded young man, particularly when your sexy boss is straighter than the level he uses on job sites.

What do you do when your ex-wife won’t come home, and you can’t stop thinking about your obnoxious apprentice? You lose your damn mind, apparently. That’s the only explanation for why Graham agrees to let Dami teach him how to explore his unexplainable desires. When the lessons are over, however, Graham learns he may have misunderstood not only sex education, but Damiano Andropolis.The school of tough love is in session, but who is teaching whom?

©2022 Wild One Press (P)2023 Dianna Roman

Great story

Really great story. outstanding narration and so very well written. tough love is book two an could be listened to as a standalone.

It leaves you wanting love in your life.

This is how a novel should be written. This is how a novel should be read aloud. This is how two characters should give us romantic Chills of the best kind and leave us wanting to find the same thing in life.
This is a beautiful romance! The story of an aging twice divorcee who learns where he was going wrong in his two marriages to a woman he truly loves is not where he ever thought he'd end up. And a young man who discovers he needs a more stable hand to partner with in life to make his plans come to fruition.
If you love falling in love, you are going to really love this book.

Pretty good

I really enjoyed this. The author is one of my favorites and wasn’t disappointed. Try it

Sweet low angst story

This was a very sweet low angst read.

Dami is 23 and trying to find his way post graduation. No job has stuck and he is sheltered by his parents. He gets hired as a mason, of which he has no experience, and off he goes. He has had his eyes set on Graham but he’s straight.

Graham is 30 and really grumpy and divorced from his ex-wife twice. He has never felt like their relationship was right although he loved her since they were younger. I’m walks Dami, of which he trains and let the laughs begin.

I really enjoyed these guys.. they were super funny on the job and so sweet.

I listened to this book and the narrators did a wonderful job.

Great narration. Great story.

I could relate. Graham's character. He is in a difficult position of wanting to be the member of the family people can count on, but he still has his own issues to deal with.

The romance had a nice balance between sweet and steamy. The Midwest setting with a traditional Italian family was entertaining. The narration was performed well, and the narrator's voices seemed to match my idea of the character's.

I look forward to more books in this series because I am slowly becoming addicted to this author's writing style.

Way better than Volume 1

One of the main characters starts off rough around the edges but I liked that it didn't last long unlike the first book where the main character's awful personality is what keeps getting in the way. I also found that the funny parts of this book did put a smile on my face. The narration helped a lot too, some smooth voices for sure.

Love Is Tougher

Damiano School of Love

“How can someone who looks so prickly taste like sweet promises”

“There is no way the first man I’m accepting that I’m attracted to is a perky-butted, cat loving dishwasher.”

I absolutely believe that Dianna Roman’s Tough Love, and also You Again, (book 1 in the Men of Olympus series) should be made into movies! They are beautifully and creatively written, with an emphasis on the humorous aspects of a budding relationship.

Listening to Liam DiCosimo and Tim Paige perform this hysterically romantic story emphasizes my point. Hearing their banter, whether it was making me laugh out loud, or feeling the pain of my heart breaking, Tough Love is a story that should be seen, heard, and read!

Dami is such a delight. His effervescent qualities and outlook on life make him lovable from the start. We know some of the reasons that Graham is so grumpy but find him blossoming under Dami’s irresistible sunshine.

This book seems like it might be easy to write because it is so easy on the heart to read/hear. Please do not make the mistake of thinking that Dianna Roman had an easy time getting these words down. Just like any comedic presentation, timing is everything. And Roman’s comedic timing chops are sharp as a knife. She is also able to deliver the tough love that is needed for a healthy romance to grow.

Smiles McPerky Butt and Graham-a-lamma-ding-dong have to be one of my favorite couples EVER!

Grumpy/sunshine goodness

I really enjoyed this audio. Tim Paige and Liam DiCosimo are fantastic together and both do an amazing job in voicing the characters.

I LOVED Dami. He was a great sunshine to Graham’s grumpy. Trying to find his calling and follow his plan til it’s time to find his forever guy.

And Graham. From his late discovery to feeling he has to watch out for everyone in his family and cat phobia, he’s a great grumpy who’s a real softy under it all. They worked great together to get to their HEA.

I also loved the family side characters in both Graham and Dami’s sides.

There was lots of heart and heat. And lots of laughs too.

Borderline Abusive MC

Dami, a recent college graduate, is working as a dish washer at his parents restaurant for free. They are paying him into an account he can’t access. He has to ask them for money for stuff he needs. Then, he starts a job as a brick mason. His supervisor, Graham, makes “advances” and then accepts ”favors” with no reciprocation. When they get into a secret relationship, Graham is even more controlling than his parents.

Dami has some self esteem issues but is a better person and more mature than his parents or Graham. Unfortunately, he went from one borderline abusive situation with his parents to a borderline abusive “romantic” relationship. It happens in real life. But this is not a romantic relationship of which to aspire. Graham is not the type of MC to put in a romance novel.

I am surprised that the author of “Until I See You” wrote a book with an MC who is borderline abusive. Dami deserved better. I do not recommend this book.

Meh

Didn’t love this one. No real chemistry between these 2. Not great character development. Also wasn’t rooting for them.