Reviewed by Christian
ITLE: A Wild Ride
SERIES: The Bullriders, Book 1
AUTHOR: Andrew Grey
NARRATOR: John Solo
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press LLC
LENGTH: 6 hrs and 55 mins
RELEASE DATE: February 27,2018
BLURB:
Dante Rivers just lost the rodeo by two 100ths of a point; he’s frustrated as hell, needs to get laid, and he knows just where to go. That night, he meets Ryan Abbott and catches his eye – Ryan watched the rodeo and is still riding high on the rush. The chemistry between them ignites, but Dante, unable to deal with complications, leaves while Ryan’s asleep. Ryan figures he’ll never see Dante again, but they’re fatefully reunited when Dante’s grandfather, Hy, hires Ryan to help straighten out some old investments. The attraction between Ryan and Dante still sizzles. Sex slowly turns to more, but obstacles abound: Hy’s failing health, Dante’s homophobic sponsor, an attack on Ryan, and Dante’s own struggle with his identity. Any one thing would be enough to separate them permanently…unless they both decide to hang on for the wild ride.
REVIEW:
Dante is a good ‘ol western boy. Trying to make it in the rodeo circuit. He does really well but just can’t make it to the top. Ryan is pretty much dragged to a rodeo by his fun loving, rodeo loving best friend Jackie. Later on that evening they meet and sparks fly. But Dante freaks out and dashes out of Ryan’s hotel room early in the morning. He can’t handle the fact that he might want to be dominated in bed. Forget the fact that he can’t be an out cowboy on the rodeo circuit.
When Ryan shows up unannounced at Dante’s ranch, Dante freaks out again but Ryan isn’t there for Dante, he is there for Hy, Dante’s grandfather and the owner of the ranch. Hy needs his affairs in order before he passes and through the grapevine, hired Ryan.
Dante and Ryan hit it off again but Dante still has a lot of reservations when it comes to the dynamics of their sexual partnership. He has always been the dominant one and can’t seem to let it go. When their relationship goes from casual to matters of the heart, can Dante accept himself?
This book is definitely different than some of the other rodeo books I have read. It has fresh, original characters. I never would have guessed that Dante wanted to be submissive in bed. It adds a whole new level to his and Ryan’s relationship that I totally loved. I love the fact that Andrew Grey put so much time and love into Hyram (Dante’s grandfather). He is definitely one of the most loveable older characters I’ve ever read in a book.
I was truly surprised when things took a turn for the worst and Ryan got hurt. I think his injury could have been written a bit better. It was kind of brushed over and didnt go into too much depth when it came to what actually happened at the hospital and with his recovery. I think adding a bit more to that part of the story would have made it a bit more believable.
John Solo did well distinguishing characters and who was talking. He does a really good job going from an old man to a young cowboy. I always knew who was speaking. He also did a wonderful job between Ryan and Dante with their relationship. I could totally hear the love he put in their voices. That being said, I am sad that John Solo didn’t do a better job narrating this book. I have heard him do way better with others. Half of the book he did a good job on. The dialogue between most of the people was good but the other half of the book seemed way too over pronounced or just plain overdone. He sounded way too excited in parts. There were a few times I just had to press pause on Audible and listen to something else for a while. The sex scenes were really hot and steamy, but when he did Dante’s voice and Dante would say something in the middle of it, the scene lost all steaminess. I think it is because John Solo needs to work on his sex voice using a western twang. It sounded too choppy and not sexy at all. I love John Solo as a narrator, but this book was just not one of his best.
I am glad the book was well written, otherwise I may have not been able to get through it all the way. But it is still worth the read/listen! The good definitely outweighs the bad!
RATING: 
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