Up for the Challenge

By: Riley Hart, Devon McCormack

Narrated by: Michael Dean

Length: 8 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's Summary

Ethan: I'm not used to anyone having the upper hand over me and, in a single night, Sean Wright rescues me twice. That's why he intrigues me - why, for the first time, I want another man. I'm used to getting what I want, and I don't plan to let anything stop me. Only…he continues to get the best of me, and it only makes me want him more. When I start to see Sean's not just good looks, hot sex, and constant competition, I realize I'm in over my head…and I might like it. He makes me laugh, and he understands the pain I feel over my past, a pain we share. Even more than that, somehow, Sean gets me, but I'm not going to lie and pretend that giving him my heart doesn't scare me.

Sean: The night I twice rescued presumably straight Ethan Harris twice, I figured that would be the last time I saw him. However, he keeps finding his way back into my life - and into my bed. Guess he wasn't as straight as I thought. Ethan's full of surprises, though, and being bi is just one of them. As cocky as he can be, he's also sharp and witty and, even when he's being his most arrogant self, he's charming as hell. He likes to win, but so do I. However, as we get to know each other, I realize there's more to us than the games we play in and out of the bedroom. It's a game neither of us have played before - one we could both wind up losing. And, with our hearts on the line, the real question is: when push comes to shove, are we both up for the challenge?

©2017 Devon McCormack, Riley Hart (P)2017 Devon McCormack, Riley Hart

Dynamic Duo + Great Narration = Awesome listen

Riley Hart and Devon McCormack are great authors on their own, but together they are fabulous. Add Michael Pauley to the mix and you’re guaranteed a great listen.

Ethan Harris is sure he’s straight – until Sean Wright rescues him twice in one night. Suddenly it’s not about body parts, but about the person. This is the best part of GFY (gay for you). It’s one of my favourite tropes and this book is at the top of my list.

I also love when heroes are broken in some way. Watching them tackle those issues and losses in their lives is painful yet makes me hopeful.

I didn’t see the dark moment coming and found myself tearing up on the subway (thank you Devon and Riley). Although Sean is suffering physically, it’s Ethan’s emotional anguish that tore me up inside. The death of someone close is tough enough, but abandonment after that is brutal. Because I had connected emotionally with these characters, I was drawn in and shared their pain.

I love the challenges as they brought needed humour. Sean’s family are precious, the men’s friends are quirky and the relationship between Ethan and his aunt is heartbreaking. That added another layer to his journey.

Of course there is a happy ending, but I love when the men have to fight for it.

Although I’ve left Michael Pauley for last, that is only because there’s not much to say – because he was perfect…again. He is great at hitting the emotional notes perfectly and differentiating voices wonderfully.

On the whole, the book is just awesome.

Straighty & Ninja forever

Another wonderful story by Riley & Devon. These two never disappoint to give us a beautifully well-written love story.

This one is a heartwarming story of two men who met at a gay bar. Both have gone through a painful loss of love ones. Both have their walls and guards up. But for some reason, both challenge each other and both seem to break down each other’s walls.

This is a beautiful story about self discovery, about starting a blossoming friendship and eventually falling in love. It’s also a story about forgiveness and acceptance. There is no major drama, nor the cliché ‘big misunderstanding’. There was a major moment for one character that almost made me cry, but it was inevitable considering that MC’s character. I love Sean’s parents, they are a dream team. The friends are great too. Awesome support system.

Riley writes great GFY (gay for you) love stories. Devon’s writing style works so well with Riley’s. I know Atlanta’s cameo was probably Devon’s idea. ;-)

Michael Pauley is one of my favorite narrators. He brings the characters out to life. I love hearing him laugh. One thing I noticed though as I was listening, sometimes I could hear the chair creak.

All in all, it was a fun read. I enjoyed listening to it and looking forward to more collaboration between Riley, Devon and Michael.

Just...cant love this book more

Every emotion, every moment and every word in this book was better than the last. I found myself explaining to my husband why I was laughing to myself and he didn't get it. So much fun to be had. Michael Pauley is an amazing narrator. He brings so much to the characters. I have to admit that my audible library is full of books narrated by him. Luck for me they are written by Devon McCormack. I'm totally addicted to his writing.

OMG, Ninja & Straighty!!

What a beautiful and wonderful story. I kept trying to get a break so I could keep listening cause I did not want to stop! Ethan and Sean are such wonderful characters that I fell in love with right away. They have both suffered the loss of a loved one so had a hard time opening up to love, especially Ethan. But Ethan and Sean have such a strong connection and incredible chemistry that they can't stay away. I love watching their relationship grow into something beautiful and strong filled with love!
The narrator was incredible and really brought the story to life. Great voices for all of the characters especially for Sean and Ethan.

‏best book ever

how can I start this review?
every time I read Devon's or Riley's books I wait for an Incredible Book.
seriously, those are one of the writers I refuse to read a summary before I read their book.
And I never get disappointed.
As always the book was stunning, interesting, steamy, amazing and more...
some of you will say it is a pretty regular romance, but the subject of this book is the death and life, the decisions of one minute, the strength of people who was left behind, mingles and intertwined with great humor.
I think this book brought us the importance of life and acceptance of death in a very beautiful way, this book was incredible for me.
I laughe, and maybe I will except that I might have teared just a little bit 😉 ...
As always, I don't have any bed word about Mr Michael one of the best narrators I have known in Audible!( in my opinion at least)
when he chuckled I did it too (with a stupid grin on my face.) when he teared up ....okay I will admit it I teared up as well...
Thank you guys for an Incredible Book, interesting story, and I'm sure I will listen to this one again and again because I know I will miss these two very much 😍

Listened to this book 5x, & it's still so goood.

What a wonderful everything! No crazy drama, no impossible situations, just a honest to goodness (SUPER SEXY) falling in love story. One that I don't mind listening to on repeat, honestly and literally ( THANK YOU MICHAEL PAULEY!!!) And its sooooooooo hot too! Just put down whatever you are doing... yeah you, right now- and jump into this story. Anyone who doesn't feel even a little spark of love or lust probably has no complexity. This gorgeous story has ruined me for other stories, the standard is so high now but- dang that is HAWT!!! Even on round number 5, when I'm starting to memeorize the words, I'm still putting myself in the characters shoes ad living it with them! Um, yes please and thank you Mr. Hart and Mr. McCormack!!! You guys have the best storied out there and when you unite your powers, my world melts, or steams up, whichever you prefer.

Loved it!!

All the feels! I legit laughed and cried and just loved this story! This story was just so delightful! Not super angsty which I appreciate. There was enough depth to it though to keep it from being just pure fluff however. So good!!! Well worth a credit!!

5 Stars

When I first started listening to this book, I was a little unsure how I was feeling about the "cocky and competitive" banter (as it's pretty OTT). However it didn't take me long to warm up to both Ethan and Sean, the two mc's, and fall for their competitive ways. And come to find out they were both super sweet and caring underneath all the cockiness.

Due to the loss of family in their past neither wanted to ever commit a real relationship for fear of losing someone special again... so they both liked to keep things light and always with a no strings attached rule. But their chemistry (in bed and out), love of competitiveness, and enjoyment of each other's company wouldn't let that happen this time.

I loved the secondary characters especially Sean's mom and dad. The way they welcomed Ethan into their lives/family was wonderful...and the revelation Sean's mom told Ethan towards the end had me shedding a few tears not to mention the reconciliation with Ethan's grandmother. Such an awesome HEA!!

Fantastic!

This was a great book! Amazing character development! Looks like you see the storyline from far but takes a nice turn! Had me in tears! Definitely romantic to a whole new level! Very, “then this guy came into my life”!

Riley Hart & Devon McCormack together are dynamic

The story line and narration were excellent as well. I enjoyed listening. again, a very good storyline.

I returned it before chapter 9

it's so boring and lacks everything. The narration is so bad you can't tell who is who, their chemistry is terrible, their personalities are so bland, feels forced, unattached and so uneventful that found myself forgetting I was listening to the audio, or just not caring.

by chapters 7-8, I decided to return it and buy something else than lose my credit on this

Mehhh - really average and a bit boring

Distinctly average. Really lacks something and I found myself getting bored frequently.

Nothing really happens in the book but I think the authors were aiming for a story about a relationship developing. However, I never felt that emotionally engaged and the book really needed something more.

The narrator’s fake laugh is really annoying too. I read one review that said they loved the narrator and laughed along with him, but that couldn’t be further from the truth for me. I think the narrator made this average book even worse.