Review of Delivering Dante by Lucy Lennox

 

by Lucy Lennox

 5 Stars

" 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?

Well, we all know we are Lucy Lennox Uber-Fans and love everything she writes, but Delivering Dante is one of the BEST in the Made Marion series.  Although the series isn’t really continuous, you do need to read them in order to understand the siblings and their significant others.

So, Dante, LOVE, Dante.  We don’t really see much of Dante in the other books, he is shy, quiet and has a horrendous past, but other than that, the youngest brother is a surprise.  But this book delivers.  As revealed earlier in the series, Dante has a very troubled past and we learn in this book it steams back to his childhood in a seriously religious family that started with camp conversion therapy and ended with fists and broken bones.   And although we have met AJ before (as Angel) we didn’t really pay attention to him.  But AJ is one of the best sibling partner’s she has written; he is sexy sexy sexy and so sweet.

There is something so authentic about Lucy Lennox’s writing.  There is a simplicity in her words that draws you into her stories.  The way she develops AJ and Dante’s characters in Delivering Dante makes you feel their connection, and their chemistry jumps off the page.  Lucy develops a tender sweet relationship, but layers on a need between AJ and Dante that is smoking hot.

But this story isn’t just about the relationship between AJ and Dante, but Dante confronting his past.  The story of Dante’s journey is shattering for us the reader and the issues he still has as an adult are heartbreaking.  That he has let his past still define his future is so sad, but so real.  And AJ is there to help him, but Dante has to own his life and move forward on his own 2 feet. 

Another great thing is the other family members.  Being the 6^th book of the series, it is so fun to go back and visit our other favorite couples and crazy relatives.  Who is now married and who have expanded their families to include children. 

We could go on and on and on about Delivering Dante.  You need to read the Made Marian series by Lucy Lennox, but even if you pick up one book, make sure it is Dante’s story. 

Review of Jumping Jude by Lucy Lennox and Audiobook by Michael Pauley

by Lucy Lennox  and Audiobook by Michael Pauley

5 Stars

Listen to a sample here! 
 

Best 7 hours we have spent in a long time.  If you are new to the Made Marion series by Lucy Lennox, go now and buy them all, seriously, this is THE best new series in the m/m genre in a while. Although you don’t have to read them in order, they flow a bit better when you read brother by brother. 

Made Marion series is based upon the Marion family, and Jumping Jude focuses on the 5^th oldest, and smack in the middle child Jude, and his sexy bodyguard Derek Wolfe.  Jude is a sexy, talented country singer, who beefs up his personal security after a troubling incident and personal threats against him.  His security company brings in ex-marine Derek Wolfe.  Derek thought he would always be a Marine, but is discharged after an injury in Afghanistan.  Both Jude and Derek are still deep in the closet, but their time together brings them closer, and makes everything sizzle!  

It is a familiar story but there is a connection between Jude and Derek that makes the story line standout.  You understand Jude’s struggle between this professional persona and his real self, and Derek’s unwillingness to rock his life with his own truths.  Don’t get me wrong, this is a sweet story, but there is heat between Derek and Jude, and that passion translates easily off the page.   

Now, we have read the book and LOVED it, and thought that the audiobook version couldn’t improve on that perfection, but it made this story so much….more.  We cried, we laughed, we fanned ourselves because in Michael Pauley’s voice the sex is hot, hot HOT!  There were a few issues we had, Jude’s deep southern twang when he was raised in California (?) and the issue that every female voice sounds the same, with almost a junior valley-girl quality – both things that don’t really take away from the story, but make you scratch your head.  Michael is able to bring life to the characters of Jude and Derek, make them real, and invested us  in their journey to find love.  

We can’t say enough about this combo of Lucy Lennox + Marion brothers + Michael Pauley because it equals perfection!  If you are thinking about an audiobook, choose Jumping Jude. And even if you have read the book, the audiobook brings true life to this fantastic story.