Up for the Challenge

By: Riley Hart, Devon McCormack

Narrated by: Michael Pauley

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.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

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.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

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.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

‏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 😍

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Riley Hart & Devon McCormack together are dynamic

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

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

This Story was Funny yet Erotic.

This was a very well Written story. Not your typical romance, yet quite romantic. I laughed so much while listening to this novel and blushed so much at the sexy parts. The narrator was excellent, to me, no one could have read this story Better. I recommend this book to open minded grown ups. It's a real fun read.

Good book, not so the narrator

Michael Pauley has never (unfortunately) been the narrator for me. LOVE Sean Crisden, Nick J. Russo, Joel Leslie, Greg Tremblay, Ezekial Robinson, Many others but for some reason I get turned off on a book I like when it's narrated by Michael. He just has a bit of a lilt that does not seem to fit most characters i admire. Maybe it's because I'm not gay but love these romances... but I tend to pass these books up for good reason - it just doesn't add anything to the book for me. Keep going Riley, but please - others for your narration!

Best of Hart

I found myself listening more of this author. Out of the 4 I’ve had, this is the best by far. And the narrator is perfect. I don’t usually write review either but this is too good.

5 stars

I don't know about you other customers but sometimes I have a hard time listening to books not because of the narrator or the story or anything else, I just really like to read fast. I don't know why and it's probably something I shouldn't do but I do read fast, so listening to a story with it taking this long is kind of daunting. however Michael Paulie's voice is amazing and I could listen to it for hours, in fact I have ,I think I've listened to four of his books now. I don't know what he does I don't know how he does it but oh my gosh is it amazing. the the story is pretty good too. I've read the print version and loved it. this is definitely one of my go to audios!!

Challenge

What do you get when you put a gay man and a straight man together both who love a challenge, both love to win? A very sweet but hot story!

The narrator is very good at what he does. Looking forward to more from Michael Pauley.

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.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful