Push & Pull

The Midwest Series, Book 2

By: Brigham Vaughn

Narrated by: James Edward Jones

A former hockey player and a bossy twink…a match made in heaven or in hell?

Brent Cameron’s done with college hockey and ready to celebrate leaving the closet with a summer road trip around Lake Michigan. But when his best friend bails, there’s only one solution…agree to let a guy he barely knows tag along.

Lowell Prescott’s been called everything under the sun—jersey chaser, slutty twink…but he’s always let the chase jocks chase him. Until now.

He can’t resist the chance to spend a summer “helping out” the left defenseman he has a teensy little crush on. Too bad Brent can’t see it that way.

When they hit the road, animosity melts in the summer sun, replaced by a new simmering tension. As friendship and attraction bloom, they slowly realize they’re on their way to a destination neither of them expected.

But before they reach their happy ending, they’ll be tested by Brent’s past and Lowell’s damaged heart.

The stakes are high when you play for keeps.

Push & Pull contains well-intentioned scheming, meddling friends, a snarky fashionista, and a “dumb jock” who is anything but.

©2020 Brigham Vaughn (P)2022 Brigham Vaughn

A Road-Trip Love Story for Lowell and Brent

‘Push & Pull’ begins where Book 1 leaves off. While not strictly necessary--this book stands alone fine--I recommend picking up Book 1 to get the entire experience on the main couple, Lowell and Brent.

Brent has planned a post-graduation road trip for himself and best friend Nate. When Nate bows out at the last minute, his boyfriend Caleb’s best friend Lowell steps in. Brent is not well-pleased about this new arrangement. Will Brent and Lowell put past animosities aside long enough to allow love to grow?

The road-trip trope is one of my favorites. Be it a movie, TV show or book, I can’t seem to resist. White I do think the set-up is a bit contrived, once Lowell and Brent are on their way, Vaughn delivers a story that I have no problem believing is real. Setting the scene of a road trip story is just as important as the characters, and Vaughn’s vivid description and detail of the Chicago/Lake Michigan area strengthens the realness of the entire story.

From the moment Lowell appeared in Book 1, I wanted to hear his story. There were definite hints at a Lowell/Brent relationship and I was intrigued by how that relationship would play out. With Lowell being super out and proud of his sexuality and Brent just coming out of the closet, I knew this couple would have a compelling dynamic to explore. The reader is taken on a journey of self-discovery, and finding that sometimes the most unlikely person can become your perfect match.

Another favorite of mine--and it amuses me to no end--is when an author has the characters be super oblivious to the fact that they’re dating the ENTIRE time. Brent and Lowell would strongly disagree but the reader knows they totally are. Vaughn writes this with such true-to-life perfection that I’m thoroughly charmed by it.

James Edward Jones’ narration is great. He delivers a performance that matches the tone and style of Vaughn’s writing. The listener becomes utterly immersed in the story. I’m definitely looking forward to experiencing more from Jones.

I requested this audiobook be given to me as a free ARC. These are some of my thoughts on it and are posted voluntarily.

Highly recommended.

Lots of sexual tension

This is Brent and Lowell's story and I have been waiting since I listened to the first. Brent and Nathan have been planning a summer traveling since they met in College for after graduation. But since Nathan and Caleb have worked things out Nathan really didn't want to leave Caleb but didn't want to leave Brent in a lurch since he couldn't afford the trip on his own. Lowell had nothing better to do so he offered to step in for Nathan. 
This story was everything I had hoped for and more. I absolutely love Lowell and I loved the slow burn and sexual tension between these two. I loved the descriptions of the places they visited. It added a little more to the story and was like I was on the trip with them.
The Narrator is new to me and he did an excellent job of keeping this story straight as it went back and forth from high school to college. He brought forth the emotion and made you want to keep listening to the end

Light humour and oodles of snarky banter

This was a sweet and steamy opposites attract contemporary romance.

This was such an enjoyable listen overall.

The characters were likeable and well fleshed out and the setting of the story was cute and interesting.

The narration was enjoyable as well

Good story/narration for next in series

Opposites attract!
We met Lowell and Brent in Bully & Exit - a diva and a jock respectively - I liked them both. Quite happy to read their story; it was definitely a fun a road trip story.
I enjoyed the humour, (Lowell can be really snarky), how their relationship developed and the relatively low angst.
Again solid narration, distinct voice characterisations, good cadence. Definitely enjoyed listening to the story.

Wow!!

This is my first time listening to the narrator and the author. I’m impressed by both and will be reading/listening to more books!! I enjoyed the narrator’s voice. I also enjoyed the story. I would highly recommend listening. You won’t be disappointed!

Snarky enemies to lovers sort of

Brent has a major camping trip planned with his best friend Nathan. He backs out and corrals Lowell , Caleb’s BFF to go with Brent. To begin with Brent is a straight up ass. He treats Lowell like crap. Lowell literally hands it back to Brent. He’s snarky and I just loved his style. Once they actually started talking they realized they actually liked each other.
Their trip was enjoyable to watch and them growing closer was sweet. Overall it was a sweet story.

Love

This was even better than bully & exit and that was amazing! Loved that Lowell was so confident and didn't hide who he was.

Great book!

This summer road trip romance is everything!

Opposites attract (and repel!) in this story of a road trip undertaken by recent college graduates Brent and Lowell. These characters were introduced in BULLY & EXIT (an excellent read!) as the best friends of Nathan and Caleb. Ex-hockey player Brent, only recently out – and working on being proud – clashes from the first moment with flamboyant Lowell, who is totally comfortable in his own skin. There is so much to love about this story – two men who are insanely attracted to each other but try to resist, at first… Lowell has been burned (by the guy Brent was most recently hooking up with) and is determined to avoid a relationship, while Brent is finding his feet as a “former” jock and newly-out gay man. The heat and the feels are both turned up to 11 here, and the narration by James Edward Jones is on point, perfect for these characters. Highly recommended!!

Excellent Followup

I loved Lowell when we first met him in book one. Brent was a good secondary character in book one as well, but Lowell’s sass and loyalty was a standout and I was thrilled he got to have his own book. How perfect was it that these two ended up together, on a road trip. The road trip started with them at odds, but there was never any chance of the anger being the lasting emotion between them. It was a lot of friend seeing them begin to thaw around each other, then eventually turn into more. Just as things really started to heat up a blast from both men’s past comes back causing havoc.

This was an enjoyable story and well written. The narrator did a tremendous job bringing the characters to life. He stays in character throughout and has distinct voices for his characters. I absolutely love his voice for Lowell. He nailed it.

push and pull

first off, I love a book that takes place in the State I live in.
Road trip.... Two Months!!
Great Chemistry and Banter for Miles. I love that all the boys are included in this story also. two great couples that are best friends, growing up, coming out and starting their forever lives.
James Edward Jones did a really good job bringing this story to life and making the characters more enjoyable.
I think this second book is better than the first....
well worth the credit and your time to listen.