Pushing Riley to the Max

Isaiah Ranch

By: Romeo Alexander

Narrated by: Michael Dean

Getting my Ph.D. is a bit of a challenge. Not falling for my hot, straight, grumpy mentor is next to impossible.

Six months undercover on a ranch known for rehabilitation is my ticket to finishing my degree. Me? I’m just a guy who’s gay, terrified of horses, and somehow convinced this is a good idea. The owners are in on my secret, but Max, my rugged, horse-whispering mentor, isn’t. Did I mention he’s infuriatingly attractive?

Thrown together, it's not just the horses we're taming. As Max and I dance around each other, an unexpected moment of closeness threatens to unravel everything. Apparently, we're both hiding secrets. Falling for him isn't part of my research, yet here I am, questioning everything for a man who might just be worth the risk.

I’m learning that the biggest discoveries often come from the heart, but will it be Max or the horses that push me to my limits?

Turns out it’s both…and a donkey named Milo.

©2024 Romeo Alexander (P)2024 Books Unite People, LLC

Feel good Romance!!

Book #1 kicks off the Isaiah Ranch series in a fantastic way ! A very well written grumpy/sunshine romance that's low angst with a feel good storyline! Riley and Max , along with all the others , are compelling and likeable characters that draw you in and keep your attention. The story is intriguing and enjoyable to follow! Many heartfelt moments , fun banter , and hot steam !

Loved the story and the narration

What I love about this author's writing: he manages to write complex characters that seem very set in their ways, but over the course of falling in love, you (and them) realise that there is so much depth to them. Not that love changes their whole personality—it doesn't—but it allows other parts of their personalities and characters to come through, showing us why they are someone the MC could fall in love with.

Romeo's writing of the grumpy/sunshine trope is top-tier, and Max is definitely the grumpiest MC I've read from him; he's a borderline asshole with very few redeeming qualities at first glance. Riley was also a wonderful character to read. Yes, he's eternally optimistic; yes, he's sunshine and rainbows, but this is an active choice he has made and continues to make daily.

Michael Dean's narration is top notch (as always) and the narration really added to my enjoyment of Max and Riley's love story.

I Enjoyed It

“I hope Max hasn’t been too sour for your liking.”
“Sour candy has been my favorite since I was a kid,” I said without thinking, only realizing what I’d said when Max stared at me dumbfounded, and the woman’s eyes widened in delight.
“You hear that, Max? That’s what I need to start referring to you as, sour candy,” she said, and Max gave a low warning growl as his eyes narrowed on me.
“Well, at least now I’ll have a reason why you don’t like me,” I said with a nervous chuckle.

I really enjoyed this book. It was an interesting slow-burn romance. I loved the concept of Riley posing among the convicts on the ranch trying to see how well that kind of program worked for his dissertation. I've found those rehabilitation programs interesting myself, so it was nice to read about. I loved Riley's sunshiny personality and optimism. Max was his complete opposite and I enjoyed the development of their relationship.

Michael Dean did a good job bringing Riley and Max to life, as well as the supporting characters.

Overall: 4 stars
Performance: 4 stars
Story: 4 stars

Cowboys OH My

Love this narration by Michael Dean. He brings the characters to life with his voice. I absolutely love the complexity of the MCs. Romeo Alexander never disappoints with his style of writing. It's a gift to be able to pull us into the story.

Great start to the series

This narrator always delivers and this was no exception. I had already read this book so I was delighted to see it come out in Audio. For the story: this is a great premise with some hidden identity elements but is quite centered around the relationship and conversations between the two main characters. They both develop over the course of the book with satisfying complexity. For the audio: Michael Dean always distinguishes between the two voices of the MCs- when a book is dual POV but only one narrator, it’s possible to be confused over who is talking in each chapter but his narration always has distinct voices I have come to rely on in all the books I have heard him read. He’s an amazing narrator who always keeps me in the story.