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

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.

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.

Amazing story

I absolutely loved the story. I loved the narration for the most part, however, there were times when things were getting excited that the narrator sped up his talking, and his voice became stressed sounding. It wasn’t always appropriate to the situation, and it threw me a little, pulling me out of the story.

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 !

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.

A great start to the series

Riley and Max are the two MCs of the first volume of Isaiah Ranch. It is known for rehabilitation and Ph.D. student Riley will spend 6 months undercover there. Riley is the sunshine type, always upbeat and brings out the best in people, but that wasn't always the case. Max on the other hand is a grumpy bear, once coming to the ranch as part of the rehabilitation program, he has stayed after and takes care of both the animals and more recently his new mentee.
I love Romeo Alexander's writing style. He writes beautifully, his characters are complex and well developed, I could visualize the settings and the animals very well and once I started the story, I was captivated. The love story is slowburn, which I really like and which is also realistic here.
I loved the interactions between Riley and Max. It was delightful to see Riley bring out a Max who not only loathes and hides from life, but who slowly comes out of his shell. They both face their inner demons and the twists and turns that ensue were quite interesting. I liked both protagonists, even if I would have liked to have nudged Max sometimes, because he can be a really stubborn guy.
The setting on the ranch is great and what I also really enjoyed were some entertaining and amusing animal encounters.
There are also some interesting secondary protagonists that I would like to get to know better, so I'm already looking forward to the next volume!

Michael Dean is a brilliant narrator and he has done a fantastic job here too. I think he captured the personalities of Max and Riley perfectly and I could always tell the difference between the two protagonists thanks to the narrator. He has a very pleasant voice and he narrates very vividly. Highly recommend!

Ruley and Max

A great grumpy vs sunshine story. This author's characters are well developed and the plot was good. The narrator had embodied the characters well and had made the audible enjoyable.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Who Really Mentored Who?

I really enjoyed the ranch setting for this romance. I found it amusing that Max was such a grump and he was supposed to be mentoring Riley. Fun Twist because I felt like Riley mentored Max! Great introduction to a bunch of fun guys at the ranch for our next romances as well. Michael Dean's narration really animated Riley's bubbly personality and he was a perfect grumpy pants Max too!

Pushing Riley to success

In "Pushing Riley to the Max," Romeo Alexander once again showcases his talent for crafting richly detailed universes, replete with captivating locales and characters whose backstories resonate deeply with readers. This inaugural entry in the Isaiah Ranch series embraces the "grumpy/sunshine" or "opposites attract" trope, enveloping readers in a western romance ambiance from the outset. The familial bond among the characters is palpable, underscored by their interactions, while a profound connection to nature and animals imbues the narrative with added depth.

At the heart of the story are Max and Riley, two intricately developed protagonists whose authenticity leaps off the page. Riley, an undercover Ph.D. student investigating a ranch renowned for its rehabilitation programs for ex-prisoners, finds himself drawn to the enigmatic Max, a former inmate whose guarded demeanor belies a complex past. Their evolving dynamic, marked by Max's reluctant mentorship and Riley's unwavering warmth, sets the stage for a slow-burning journey of self-discovery and mutual understanding. While Riley's character arc is deftly fleshed out, Max's gradual unmasking leaves readers eagerly anticipating further exploration of his depths.

While Alexander's narrative prowess is evident throughout, occasional instances of didactic dialogue may give pause to some readers, subtly nudging the narrative towards a specific agenda. Additionally, Riley's initial interactions with Max may tread uncomfortably close to the line of unwanted attention, potentially unsettling certain readers. However, these minor quibbles notwithstanding, the groundwork laid for future installments—particularly in the vibrant depiction of the ranch and its eclectic ensemble of supporting characters—hints at intriguing narrative avenues yet to be explored.

In "Pushing Riley to the Max," Romeo Alexander delivers a poignant tale of redemption, resilience, and the transformative power of connection. With its richly drawn characters and evocative setting, this novel serves as a compelling introduction to what promises to be an enthralling series.

Have read both the book and listening to audiobook. The narrator did a phenomenal job bringing both Max and Riley to life. As well as set up the series with given detailed attention to supporting characters.