Too Hostile

De: Nicole Dykes

Narrado por: Lance Isley, Elliott Sands

Fletcher

I’m a total nerd, but I look like a jock. I had a perfect GPA in high school, and my GPA in college is perfect too. I smile when I’m supposed to smile. I have two loving parents and a brother and sister who are always by my side. I’m the perfect all-American guy.

But the only thing that actually defines me is the before. The things I keep hidden deep inside because I’m too afraid of losing what I have now.

The past lives deep inside me as I force the plastic smile on my face. And no one sees through it because I’m just that good.

No one except . . . him.

Ronan

Every day is like a dream. A dream I live, not knowing when I’ll wake and find I’m still living in a nightmare.

I never made it out, and these past few years have all been fake.

Then he walks into my classroom . . . with that cocky smile in place. Not a care in the world. I doubt he’s ever had to worry about a thing in his entire life.

He's exactly like all of the entitled, spoiled brats I teach every day in my part of the college campus, but something about Fletcher Moore really rubs me the wrong way.

I shouldn’t let him get to me, but something about him makes me too angry. Too annoyed.

Just too damn . . . hostile.

©2024 Nicole Dykes (P)2024 Pink Flamingo Productions

Love the found family trope

When I first read To Hostile I hoped we would get Fletcher's story. I couldn't wait and it did not disappoint.

Fletcher and Ronan were so perfect for each other. Their I loved their chemistry and I loved the way they were drawn to each other and couldn't stay away. Fletcher was set on having his professor and he had to be a little persistent before Ronan stopped fighting his attraction and gave in. I loved their story.

Too Hostile

okay , I really enjoyed this heart breaking book. omg this was so good, and the narrators did an amazing job bringing these characters to life. they were so good that I could feel all the feeling. you are going to love this book.

Enjoyed this story more than book 1!

I know these technically are standalone romances but they are interconnected so I am calling this one book #2 (book #1 being Hostile). I LOVE student/teacher tropes and this one was perfect! We get to learn more about Fletcher and his background in the foster care system and his trauma and how that has shaped him. He is a secret genius and puts on a fake persona to hide his sadness and feeling alone in the world besides his adopted family. I thought he felt older than his 18 years old but the author made it a point to mention a couple of times that he has gone through more than any 18 year old should have to, so he was a different kind of 18. It made sense with how he had to keep up and stand up to Ronan (who I believe I 26 years old, so only 7-8 years age gap).

I felt for Ronan too, I was getting frustrated with him but after learning his trauma as well and how important his job was to him and the thought behind his actions it made way more sense. I thought he sounded sexy from the get-go and could totally understand why Fletcher couldn't stop from falling for him. I loved seeing his confidence come out more as the book went on. How he wanted to take care of Fletch but they ended up taking care of each other. I loved when he called him baby too. I thought the steam between these two was incredible. I liked the progression and making sure everyone was comfortable and then they reciprocated things and I was like YES PLEASE GIVE ME MORE hahaha.

The side characters were on point in this one too, not surprising since I always end up loving them in every book of this author's I have devoured in the last year. More info on Bree and her life, get some cameos of Rhett and Grayson. I loved the sibling moments and bonding activities haha. I loved how they were such a seamless family. Their parents were a hoot, I loved getting more of them and seeing more of their personality come through. I enjoyed Ronan's work bestie and how observant she was. I imagine she said yes to Fletch because of how smart and hardworking he could be but also because she could see the chemistry and the "doth protest too much" with Ronan denying Fletch's TA proposal and giving him crap for being the rich kid who gets everything (which he later finds out is because of how he was raised with nothing and now is being spoiled by his adopted mom to make up for everything).

I was shaking my head at Ronan and his stuck in his ways but glad Fletch and his mom got involved and made so it would work out. I so hope we get a book from Bree and her unknown love life!

Narration was not as strong in this one as it was in book #1 (Hostile). I don't think the narrators did a great job with the opposite sex (one was better than the other). They made them sound whiney and grating on my ears. Also some of the previous characters /side characters sounded VERY different between the 2 books which I understand they won't be exact, but people who didn't have accents in book 1 now have some odd accents haha. That's why I gave it 4 out of 5 stars for narration (and ultimately the overall book rating).

Definitely recommended this series of interconnected standalone contemporary M/M romances. I think if I had to choose between the 2 I like this one more than book 1. If you love MM this one is perfect for you and will keep you entertained with their antics and self-discovery <3

🎧 Audiobook Obsession Reviewer - Flock Team 🎧

Too Hostile

Too Hostile
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️
3🌶️🌶️🌶️

🍎college professor/student
🍎forbidden romance
🍎M/M

This is another amazing book by Nicole Dykes. This book can be read as a standalone but I suggest to read after Hostile. This is Fletcher and Ronan’s book. Ronan and Fletcher have similar childhood experiences. They both were in and out of foster homes. Fletcher found an amazing family with Blair and Rhys.

Lance Insley and Elliot Sands did a great job narrating this book.

Chemistry!

The Chemistry is off the charts in this Professor-Student situation. I loved their interactions and the side characters did everything to enhance this story for me. The narrators did an amazing job.

Bad Narration

While I enjoy Nicole’s books, I’ve been disappointed in the choice of narrators for the audio versions. I took a chance on Too Hostile because I enjoyed the book version. Sad to say, I am disappointed again. The narrators voices sound way to old for the characters. Especially Ronan’s narrator. He sounded more like jaded middle aged teacher than a 26 year old young man. I wonder if it’s a matter of narrator fees or if the author even gets to pick the narrator? A narrator makes or breaks the story and these two do not do the story any favors IMO.

Book 2

So, I normally don't do same sex romance reads but I loved the idea of a nerd who looks like a jock and tries to be all things to all people with a secret. While this was well narrated, for me I think it just came thru a bit too repetitive. Also, the forbidden aspect came thru as been there, done that didn't feel original in the least. There were also some cringey moments that just really made this audio experience less than ideal. Overall, I think the concept was there and obviously several people enjoyed it, I sadly wasn't one of them on this read / listen.

This book was given to me for free at my request and I voluntarily provided this review.
*this review is based on the audio version of this read.

Excellent Story & Listen🎧Riveting & Heartfelt!

Nicole Dykes pens another wonderful romance novel, a grump/sunshine, professor/student forbidden romance, an original story that captivates your attention and tugs at your heartstrings the entire time. The world building, character growth and development are fantastic. Fletcher Moore is in college and one of his professors is not very fond of him, and he does not know why. Ronin thinks Fletcher is nothing but a privileged kid riding his parents’ coattails, but he could not have been more wrong. The two bonked heads, and Ronin kept his distance as much as possible, but then he learns who Fletcher really is, the man behind the front he puts up and one with a backstory very similar to his own. I adored Fletcher so much, who he was as a person, his wit, his determination, and his love for his family. I did not appreciate Ronin’s judgement of Fletcher or his assuming and jumping to conclusions. But he sees the errors of his ways and redeems himself somewhat, and after hearing his backstory, I understood him more and where he was coming from. I loved all the layers of the story, a well-written and plotted story that has the perfect balance of drama, angst, heartwarming moments, heartfelt emotions, and a steamy romance. Nicole Dykes, thank you for another fantastic story and emotional rollercoaster ride.

🎧📚🎧 Lance Isley and Elliott Sands did a great job bringing these characters to life and did so with a complete understanding of who they were portraying. They set the perfect tone for the story, captured all the characters’ emotions and had your feeling them all. These two voice artists are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to. Thanks for the terrific listen.

Too Hostile

Too Hostile is a student/teacher romance about Fletcher and Ronan and is told from both of their points of view.

Fletcher and Ronan have both had some rough pasts. Fletcher is now with his new family after being adopted out of the foster system with his two foster siblings. He shows up to Ronan's class late frequently and likes to rile Ronan up. Ronan thinks Fletcher is a spoiled rich kid.

However, as the book progresses Ronan realizes there is more to Fletcher and they start to see each other during the summer break. They both know it can only last for the summer.

We find out more about both of their pasts. What happens when the summer is over? What will happen if the dean finds out? How do their friends and family take their relationship? Will they both get their happy ending after everything they have been through?

I enjoyed this book and would love to read about some of the side characters.

Couldn't finish

DNF - Just couldn't get into this story. Felt the narrators didn't fit with the characters.