Series: Blackcreek #3 (full reading order below)
Audiobook Publication Date: September 27th 2016
Length: 6 hours and 52 minutes
Narrated by: Luke Itzvic
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review
Mason Alexander thought all he wanted in life was something to call his own—something without the family name attached. He got that when he bought his bar in Blackcreek…but then a hard truth opens his eyes that he’s been lied to his whole life, and he’s tangled amid the family that loves him, a truth that haunts him, and torn between the life he wants for himself and the obligation he feels for his family.
Gavin Davis knows a thing or two about living a double life. Being a gay man with strict Christian parents who believe he’s going to Hell, has never been easy. Instead of dealing, Gavin lost himself in his career. Teaching music gives him solace. So when he loses his job at a private school for helping out a gay kid, he feels like he lost more than a job. He lost his identity.
Blackcreek is a new start for both of them, two men, loyal to a fault, who both feel obligated to people in their lives. What Mason and Gavin don’t expect to find in each other is the place where they can be real. They know they want each other, it’s the rest of it they can’t figure out. Caught between loyalty, obligation, fear, tragedy and family, Mason and Gavin’s lives threaten to pull them away from each other if they don’t get real, and stop playing pretend, for good.
Riley Hart’s Blackcreek series continues to be a hot, romantic M/M series that I’m enjoying listening to. I think the first book is still my favorite so far, but the rest of the series is still fun to listen to, especially with Luke Itzvic narrating all the books. Pretend features Gavin Davis, the ex-boyfriend of Braden, one of the main characters from book two of the Blackcreek series, and Mason Alexander, the new owner of Creekside bar. Both men are in Blackcreek to avoid family drama and their problems, while finding solace in each other.
Gavin has lost his position as a music teacher, so he’s in need of a job. What a coincidence that Mason needs help running his new bar, right? Plus, there’s the side perk of the two of them being wildly attracted to each other. They lose themselves in each other to avoid their current problems – Mason, not wanting to deal with his revelation of being adopted by his wealthy family, and Gavin, not wanting to deal with his religious family not accepting of his sexual orientation. The chemistry between them is fantastic – Gavin and Mason are insanely hot together! This might be the hottest of the series yet. And I loved how dominant Mason was even as a bottom (hello, power bottom!).
Riley Hart did a wonderful job balancing out the drama with the romance, though I do think the conflict dragged on for a bit too long. I didn’t feel as deep a connection with this story as the other two in the series, which is why I didn’t LOVE it, but I did adore the ending, which was perfect for the main characters. Luke Itzvic once again did an incredible job with narrating Gavin and Mason, and I’m really happy that he narrated the whole series. If you love audiobooks and M/M romances, I would definitely recommend you give this series a try!
PRETEND is now available on Audible: http://amzn.to/2eCcrPo
Reading Order: Blackcreek series
#1 ~ Collide: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Stay: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Pretend: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3.5 ~ Return to Blackwater Creek: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Here’s an audio excerpt from Pretend!
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