Rule Breaker

De: Lily Morton

Narrado por: Joel Leslie

Is it really wrong to want to murder your boss?

Dylan has worked for Gabe for two years. Two long years of sarcastic comments. Two long years of insults, and having to redo the coffee pot four times in the mornings to meet his exacting standards.

Not surprisingly he has devoted a lot of time to increasingly inventive ways to murder Gabe. From stabbing him with a cake fork, to garrotting him with his expensive tie, Dylan has thought of everything.

However, a chance encounter opens his eyes to the attraction that has always lain between them, concealed by the layers of antipathy. There are only two problems - Gabe is still a bastard, and he makes wedding planners look like hardened pessimists.

But what happens when Dylan starts to see the real Gabe? What happens when he starts to fall in love with the warm, wary man that he sees glimpses of as the days pass?

Because Gabe is still the same commitment shy, cold man that he’s always been, or is he? Has Dylan had the same effect on Gabe, and has his solid gold rule of no commitment finally been broken? With his heart taken Dylan desperately needs to know, but will he get hurt trying to find the answers?

From the author of The Summer of Us comes another scorchingly hot romantic comedy, showing what happens between two men when rules get broken.

©2017 Lily Morton (P)2019 Lily Morton

Loved it

Rule Breaker is the perfect blending of pining, angst, secrets, family and steaminess. Granted this story is similar to lots of others. Broken man in power in need of rescuing but there is a reason why this one works so well. There is just something different about Dylan’s take no crap attitude and the way he keeps Gabe in check. Gabe on the other hand broke my heart. He tries to keep himself shut off but the moments when he lets himself be free are breath taking! Joel Leslie does a fantastic job but that’s no surprise!

Great!

This is a great, entertaining story that I wanted to keep listening to. The narrator did a great job of bringing the story and characters to life. Each character was given their own voice, this enhanced the listening experience. The story has all the elements for a satisfying story and listening experience.

Loved it. Loved it. Loved it.

Loved the whole thing.
The story was captivating.
The narrator was on point.
Excellent book.

The snarkiest snark

I want to kill my boss. It has become an absolute truth that a small portion of my time every day is now taken over with creating increasingly inventive ways to murder him slowly.

Thus begins one of the funniest audios I’ve ever listened to. And I listen to a lot, so that’s saying something. Dylan Mitchell’s problem is his impossible-to-please boss. Of course he does his best, but he’s also snarky, talks back, and generally refuses to be cowed by the man who has felled many people in the office. Other co-workers are terrified of Gabe’s wrath. Dylan treats it like a temper tantrum and moves on. They are actually a good team. Until a trip away reveals to Dylan a whole new side to Gabe.

Now, the book is written almost entirely in Dylan’s perspective, which works because, of the two, he’s the one with the true sense of humor. He’s also the one with family and friends to support him. Gabe is alone in this world. He has his friend Henry, to be sure, and his boyfriend Fletcher. Dylan has his own opinion of Fletcher and it’s quickly apparent why. Vapid is an understatement. Or, as Dylan puts it, “Little Lord Lubeship”. Gabe and Fletcher also have a fairly adventurous sex life and although Dylan is worldly, he’s not fond of sharing. So when he and Gabe finally do get together, that’s a hard limit for him.

There are reasons why Gabe is the way he is and they are certainly tragic. He’s done well for himself professionally, but he’s avoided real entanglements emotionally. Until Dylan. Seems two years of working in close quarters has had quite an impact. But it’s when Dylan brings Gabe into his inner circle that Gabe truly learns what family, friends, and love are. Dylan is a nurturer. He sees the wounded man that Gabe is and he wants to help. Wants to love. Gabe is terrified of being hurt (aren’t we all?), so he keeps himself apart, aloof. Henry is the only person whom he’s let in. Who knows everything.

The dark moment in this book is pretty dark, especially contrasting with all the happy and funny moments. Of course I knew somehow the men would get back together – this is a romance after all – but I did wonder how. Well, loving someone does count, finding the way home matters, and Charlie Hunnam helps.

Joel Leslie narrated the book and, as always, he did a fabulous job. He differentiates the many characters and, as always, handles the female characters with ease. His Rebecca was a treat. He also does well when he put on his officious voice and read emails such as this:

To Dylan Mitchell
From Gabe Foster
When I was a small boy, I liked to eat soil. My mother was worried but she needn’t have been concerned. Unbeknownst to both of us, I was actually just preparing myself to drink your coffee.

Each chapter starts with an email between the two men – going back and forth. A moment of levity and I might have giggle-snorted through a few of them. Or most of them. Or all of them. Ms. Morton’s mind has depths of creativity that I love in authors and between the banter and the snark, the book went by so quickly.

Which is why I was glad the second book was at hand. Onward to the next adventure.

Brilliant!

I’ve read this and now listened. I enjoyed it immensely both times. Joel Leslie captures the snark and emotion beautifully!

A Hard Earned HEA

I loved Gabe and Dylan’s story! I listened to this series a bit out of order, which is totally doable, and I’m glad I finally got to Gabe and Dylan’s. Joel Leslie did another amazing job with this story. His accent was perfect for both men, and he can convey just so many emotions with his narration. He’s done a wonderful job with this series, and he truly drew me into the story from the start. Ah the story! I absolutely loved Dylan from the beginning. He was smart, funny, and witty. His brand of snark was so up my alley. Now Gabe on the other hand. You’re going to love Gabe. And then you’re going to hate Gabe. And then you’re going to love him again. Then hate him. But I promise you will eventually love Gabe and the emotional journey he puts Dylan, and us listeners, through will be worth it. You’ll understand him better and your heart will hurt for him. You’ll be treated to an amazing epilogue with the most wonderfully deserved HEA.

Great!

I just love Lily Morton's writing. I fell in love with Gabe and Dylan when I read this last year and experiencing them on audio was just so good!!! Joel Leslie was once again just on the money narrating this book, he just brings that extra special something to elevate the book into a listening experience. I did struggle a bit with how Gabe treated Dylan for a portion of the story and how Dylan allowed the behavior- it seemed to contridict the strong, fierce character he was. But it all came together so beautifully in the end and the extended epilogue to show us their HEA was wonderful!

Do not listen in public!

Lily Mortons' books are always worth purchasing. If you like strong characters, laughter, angst, tears and a hea, this is a series worth having. I love that the characters are not revealed all in the beginning but slowly evolved. the secondary characters are just as well formed and add to the storyline. Joel Leslie is a great choice for narrator as he has a large repertoire of voices and gives each character their own distinct voice and inflections. Both the author and narrator are always a must own when they release anything as Lily Morton's ability to draw you into her story's are always great and Joels narrations are always flawless.

Top notch storytelling

Lily Morton has a gift for crafting fabulous tales and developing characters you fall in love with. Dylan and Gabe do not have an easy road to their HEA, but as Dylan says towards the end...that's what makes it stronger. Amazing book. You kinda want to hate Gabe a little but he is so broken he needs the room to grow. And Joel Leslie is incredible as always. He is one of my favorite narrators!

Definitely lived up to the hype

Rule Breaker has been on my to-be-read list since it first came out, and despite owning a copy and reading the other books in the Mixed Messages series, I had yet to read it. In the end, my ridiculously long list of books to read “soon” worked out as I was able to experience all that I missed between Gabe and Dylan as narrated by the wonderfully talented Mr. Leslie.

As far as office romances go, Rule Breaker is easily one of the best I’ve read. I absolutely adored the quick-witted, often acerbic banter between these characters and frequently found myself laughing and smiling at their antics. The narrator further brought this fun dialogue to life, complete with pleasant voices for each character which were easily distinguishable, ensuring it was easy to follow along. Not only are the characters bright and full of laughs, but their story is interesting. I liked seeing these two fall for one another and realized just how invested I was as I had a hard time watching them struggle through heartache and conflict. As always, the author nailed the chemistry between Gabe and Dylan, both emotionally and physically, delivering steamy scenes as well as those where you just knew these two had to make it.

Given how much praise Rule Breaker received when it first released, I wasn’t all that surprised I loved it, especially considering how much I enjoyed the other books in the series. However, the narrator definitely adds to the punchy vibe of the characters and fun, flirty tones throughout the book and I’d definitely recommend the audiobook version, whether it’s your first time discovering the title/series, or if you simply want another round with this couple.

*Audiobook reviewed via LesCourt Author Services. The author and PA had no influence over this review*