King's Checkmate

Road to Redemption, Book 3

De: Aiden Bates, Ali Lyda

Narrado por: Austin Jay

Can this bad boy live happily ever after?

King is the bad boy who stole my heart. It’s his, and I don’t want it back. All I want is to put the past behind us, so we can build a life together in Chicago.

Then King’s brother turns up on our doorstep, threatening to pull King back into the gangster world he’s turned his back on. If his brother succeeds, it could destroy everything we’ve worked so hard for, and I’m not going down without a fight....

Will my demons destroy us or set us free?

I can’t ignore my past anymore. Not if I ever want a chance at redemption and a life with Rory. But it means bringing down my own brother and in the process becoming someone I vowed never to be again. Someone who Rory wouldn’t recognize.

But if I don’t? Neither of us may live to tell the story....

©2021 Special Fiction Books (P)2021 Special Fiction Books

One of my favorite series

I was unsure when I started this series as it’s not my normal genre but I am SO glad I did. I could not get enough and was so sad when it was over. Rory snd King are the very definition of opposites attract and both have more baggage that any one person should. The narrator of this series makes you feel like you are sitting in the room with the characters making this a completely immersive experience. Aiden and Ali hit another one out of the park!!!

Great Series Ending

Rory and King finally get their HEA! This is the third in the series and definitely have to be read in order to get the full story. Rory and King have one final big hurdle to overcome to really be free and get their HEA, and that hurdle is King's brother. King is so protective of everyone and tries to handle everything on his own so as not to get anyone else hurt, but I'm glad he finally learns that getting support and help from those closest to you is the best way to overcome adversity. King and Rory are perfect together and get the perfect HEA for them! The narrator did a great job with the story and the characters. I voluntarily reviewed a gifted copy of this audio book.

Good Finish

This is not a stand alone it's a continuing series featuring 1 main couple but has a great cast of characters. I reall loved how it progressed and the ending was perfect for the series. Jay does a good job giving life to these characters and it has a nice solid narration that made it a pleasant listen.

End of Trilogy - Good ending :)

This is the 3rd book in the trilogy. I had to go back and listen to the first two to make sure I understood what was going on here. I’m happy to say Rory and King finally get their HEA. :) Rory and King have an issue with King’s brother that they must deal with to be together. King tries to handle everything on his own, but he learns he must seek help from others to be successful. This books ends with the much needed HEA that Rory and King deserve. The narrator made this story come to life. :D I voluntarily reviewed a gifted copy of this audio book.

An lovely new addition

Let me just say that I went Gaga for the narrator, he’s voice is lovely and made the story much more enjoyable. As always Bates and Lyda did an amazing job on another addition to the series.

Best Book of the Series

I have liked all the books in this series, but this one is my favorite. It seemed like King and Rory spent more time working together to solve their issues. Of course King does go into protective mode and try to handle things on his own. Ultimately it takes everyone working together to bring Drake down.
The ending was very satisfying and provided a sweet HEA. The narrator did a great job. I definitely recommend this audiobook.

great conclusion!

This was the final story in the Road to Redemption series. Fantastic!! Rory and his mother are finally free from his father and the Irish Mob. But now Rory and King have one final hurdle to face in the form of King's brother. I loved how the story ended! Sooo good. Austin Jay did a great job with the narration.

Great Ending

This was a nice conclusion to the trilogy, the entire series was great.
The narrator did a great job with the story and the characters.

Austin Jay finishes the series in fine fashion! 😍

This series is awesome and I love the consistencies that existed all over the place especially with the narrator. Austin Jay did his part with vocal consistencies for all the characters in the series. That is exceptional work for a reader especially for those of us who value/prefer the audio format! But the writers deserve a big pat on the back, too! It would have been easy for them to forget the aspect of King's gang life instead of doing what they did--tackle it head-on with the gang strengthening their position in Chicago with the might of the police department and expect to reinsert themselves in King's life. Dang, they handled that aspect of the narrative beautifully but consistently. With King's overriding expectation to always manage the tough stuff to keep everyone else safe. How glorious it was when everyone else wanted to, needed to join in to save King who was always trying to save everyone else. The writers were righteous in maintaining the characters' behaviors while showing characters' development and growth and this can be seen with several of the secondary characters. Awesome to expend the effort (in terms of words that add to the story) on more than just the principal players! The pacing was strong in that the writers continue to keep the readers engaged from scene to scene. Then the balance that allows readers a peek into the kinder, gentler moments of the characters' lives--the self-think/talk, sex scenes, dialog with secondary or tertiary players... All just beautifully done. This is one of the best series I've had the pleasure of experiencing! Yay, authors!

King and Rory's Romance Trilogy Concludes

‘King’s Checkmate’ wraps up a trilogy of books that follow former gang member King and ersatz Irish mafia heir Rory as they fall in love and face their pasts in order to create their happy ending. Books 1 & 2 should be read before this one in order to enjoy the full experience.

Rory’s Irish mob troubles are behind him, but now the entire found family at King’s Gambit nightclub face danger from King’s gang leader brother, Drake. What will it take to break free from King’s past and live out a happily ever after?

While I feel the suspense elements of the story are a little implausible, I do enjoy Rory and King’s relationship. There’s light angst sprinkled in at times, but it resolves itself quickly when it tries to rear its ugly head. The ending leaves the reader satisfied with the outcome (including for Elias and Thomas).

This 3rd book is my favorite of the series in terms of the narration by Austin Jay. The various character voices are distinct and the interpretations match Bates and Lyda’s storytelling.

I received a complementary copy of this audiobook at my request. This review represents my voluntary opinion of it.

Recommended.