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King's Gambit

Road to Redemption, Book 1

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King's Gambit

By: Aiden Bates, Ali Lyda
Narrated by: Thomas Hart
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About this listen

Old crimes never wash away....

I can never make up for the things I did while deep in the gang life. It doesn’t matter how much I've changed. Rory will never see past it.

Things burn hot between us, but he's far too good for a bad guy like me.

I don't date, and Rory is the kind of guy that deserves more than one night. But for him, I might be ready to change my rules. If he can ever accept my past.

I'm done with falling for bad boys....

I've got a simple plan: bartend at King's Gambit until I have enough cash to start my own yoga studio. I'm not supposed to fall for King in the process.

Whoops.

I'm over bad boys, and ex-gangster King is badder than most, but I can't resist.

When trouble at the bar threatens what we're building together, I will stand by King through thick and thin. But he's not the only one haunted by his past.

All this time, he’s been worried he'll bring me down. But I could be the pawn that brings down the king.

©2021 Special Fiction Books (P)2021 Special Fiction Books Contemporary Contemporary Romance Romance Romantic Suspense King Royalty Suspense

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All stars
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This narrator was added to my favourite list, I’m falling in love with him. The plot itself was production line cookie cutter. Very predictable. The sex scenes are hot, but the build up is lacking. The biggest surprise was the ending which would run us into the following book. Overall nice to hear, but the secondary characters and the world building need some fluffing up.

I liked it alot

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Listener received this title free

King's Gambit was my first book by the author duo of Aiden Bates and Ali Lyda and it certainly won't be my last.

King was in a gang and he did things he's not proud of. But he got away from it and built a new life for himself: Now he runs King's Gambit with his brother and a friend. He is aloof and only available for casual sex. Until he meets Rory. He dreams of his own yoga studio, but to get there he needs money. He earns it as a bartender in King's Gambit and does a good job.
King likes him, but Rory has better things to do than get involved with an ex-gangster. But then things go differently than planned and trouble is on the horizon. In King's Gambit, they stick together and help their colleagues. King and Rory unexpectedly get closer to each other, even if it is only about sex, as both emphasize. Then, when a precarious situation arises, King has to wonder if he might not feel more for Rory.

I liked King from the beginning. He may seem aloof, but he cares deeply about his coworkers and friends and actually has a heart of gold. I had my difficulties with Rory. He is nice and sympathetic and is trying to build his own life. But he also has a dark past. The only question is if and when it will catch up with him.
The secondary protagonists were also likeable and I quickly took one or the other into my heart and I very much hope that I will see them again in volume two.

The story was entertaining and exciting and has developed quite differently than I expected, which I liked very much.

The audiobook was narrated by Thomas Hart and he did a good job. I could tell the voices of the different protagonists apart well. He also expressed the emotions well and brought the story to life with his voice.
I can absolutely recommend "King's Gambit" and am already looking forward to book 2!

King and Rory

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Listener received this title free

King's gruff, growly personality captured my attention right away, but it was Rory who delighted me with his fearless energy. Though King came across as incredibly intimidating to everyone around him, Rory was the one person who never hesitated to talk back to him or call him out on his BS. That mouthy, almost bratty behavior is what made me adore him so much, and I'm so happy that he never once lost his spark in this story. Falling in love certainly brought out the softer, protective instincts in King but it only served to make Rory's personality shine brighter. I had so much fun listening to the two of them dance around each other at work. and when they did finally give into their desires, their encounters were mind-blowingly hot.

Most of the men King employed were rough around the edges, but I found this story surprisingly tame for the most part. Yes, King did serve up his own idea of justice a time or two, but never in a way that distracted from the main romance in the story. Instead, I got to watch Rory and King fall in love one unplanned date at a time until there was no doubt in my mind that the two of them had a lasting connection. These men didn't make it easy on themselves, as both Rory and King were afraid to unleash chaos in each other's lives, but when push came to shove they weren't willing to let go either. My only complaint about this story is that surprising-yet-also-not-surprising cliffhanger at the very end! I knew Rory was hiding secrets about his past, but now I'm desperate to find out what's going to happen next!

**I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions. 

Action-packed and deliciously steamy!

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loved loved loved the first book in this series and the end is "where is book 2 cause I need it now"

amazing

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Listener received this title free

This was another must listen audiobook from Aiden and Ali.
I was hooked from the beginning and couldn’t put it down.
I can’t wait to listen to more.

Awesome

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Listener received this title free

I really enjoyed The way the main characters continued to lie to themselves that it was all just a bit of fun until all of a sudden the truth slaps them. This was a really good story and the narration gave it that little bit extra.

Fantastic

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Listener received this title free

King made me laugh - the things he said to Rory when he was trying to proposition him was funny.

Fantastic book. King and Rory were a perfect combo of intense and feisty.

Narrator was brilliant.

Great read

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Listener received this title free

I have yet to find a series by either of these authors separately or together I didn't love and this one is no exception. No one writes bad boys with hearts of gold better. We have two ex-gang members here, trying to start new lives and protect those they love. They try to resist each other, thinking each could bring danger to the other but finally realize that they are stronger together. Plenty to suspense and steam in this one. Thomas Hart does an excellent job of showing us the good guys under all the swagger and tough exteriors. Hope this is a long running series.

Stronger together

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Listener received this title free

I really liked this one! It was spicy and fun and interesting! The story was different and capturing. I loved all the story and characters.

Lots of fun

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Listener received this title free

I really enjoyed this story. King is a former gang-banger who decides to go straight after his older brother severely beats and almost kills their younger brother for being gay. King opens a new club, providing a safe place for people to play, dance, and drink, with no drug activity tolerated. Rory is a bartender at the club who catches King's eye. Rory wants to open his own yoga studio and take care of his mother. He wants nothing to do with King or his troubled past. But, Rory is keeping secrets of his own. There were plenty of clues along the way so the ending was exactly what I expected. It still left me wanting to know what happens in the next book/audiobook. There is definitely more trouble on the horizon. I loved the story and the characters, including the side characters who have all made a sort of found family at King's Gambit. I especially liked the way King tried to do the right thing, but when push came to shove, he did what he needed to. Turning the other cheek doesn't work with some people, and when they cross the line, you have to push back.

As a warning, there are some scenes of violence, assault, forced drug ingestion, and drug dealing.

The narration was very good and I had no trouble distinguishing between different characters' voices. Pacing was good. with strong delivery of emotions.

I received a free copy of this audiobook at my request and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

Very enjoyable!

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