Austin

Man Up #0.5

by Felice Stevens, Kale Williams (Narrator)

I can make it by myself. The only rules I follow are my own. Love? I learned that lesson the hard and painful way it wasn't right for me. Sure, sometimes it gets lonely and I wish I had a man to hold. Who'd love me. Want me. Treat me with respect. Yeah, I dance in a club but that doesn't mean I'm easy. Or a fool. So you, sitting in the back, watching me? I know what you want. You want me. In your bed. Under you. But I say no. It doesn't matter how many presents you give me.
I'm not falling for you. I know who you are. But you don't know me. You don't know Austin.

This is a CLIFFHANGER. It is a start to a new series, entitled Man Up. The next book in the series is Rhoades-Undeniableble.

Listening Length: 1 hour and 17 minutes.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Audiobook, Contemporary, LGBT, Gay, Short Stories

2 pages, Audible Audio

First published April 2, 2018

About the author

Felice Stevens writes romance because what is better than people falling in love? Her favorite part of a romance novel is that first kiss…sigh. She loves creating stories of hopes and dreams and happily ever afters. Her stories are character-driven, rich with the sights, sounds and flavors of New York City and filled with men who are sometimes deeply flawed but always real.

Felice writes M/M romance because she believes that everyone deserves a happily ever after. Having traveled all over the world, she can safely say that the universal language that unites people is love. Felice has written in a variety of sub-genres, including contemporary, paranormal and has a mystery series as well.

Felice is a two-time Lambda Literary Award nominee and the Lambda award-winner for Best Gay Romance for her book, The Ghost and Charlie Muir, as well as the e-Lit gold medal winner in romance for Broken Silence.

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Austin is book #0.5 in the Man Up series by Felice Stevens. This is a short, prequel novella that is an introduction to both this series and also to the two main characters that are featured in book one, Rhodes – Undeniable.



Austin is a dancer living in New York. By day, he teaches children ballet in a dance studio. By night, he dances in a club called Man Up. Austin has had prior experience with people that think they own him, that they have the right to tell him what to do, how to live. Now he lives by one set of rules only, his own. He’s alone by choice. But for the last several months there has been a gorgeous man in the club watching him dance, always from a distance. When they finally do interact, he reveals his name as Rhodes MacKenzie. Austin can’t help but to be attracted to the beautiful man but he refuses to let himself act on it. It’s clear that Rhodes has money and Austin will not allow himself to be pulled in to that world.



This is a quick read all from the point of view of Austin. We get to know the club and the regular dancers that work there besides Austin who will be featured in future books in the series. I can’t wait to continue on to Rhodes book to get to know him better. The chemistry between these two is off the charts. We’ll see how long Austin holds out!

For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...

[Lyn❤Loves❤Listening to Real Voices Only!!!!❤️🎧📚 Addict ON HIATUS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audio - 5 +++ stars
Story - 2.5 stars

I don't like Austin at all. I think I'll have to skip the next book since it continues Austin and Rhoades' story.

[Cadiva · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one's a bit different. It's basically an introduction to Felice's new Rhoades Undeniable which comes out a week after this one.
If you don't like cliff hangers, don't pick this one up until the next book is out.

Personally I'm utterly intrigued by Austin and what's gone on in his past to make him act as he does and also just where things are going with Rhoades.

This series is also loosely connected with Felice's Memories and Breakfast Club series and Tyler and Marcus make a guest appearance in it.

Roll on next week!

#ARC kindly provided by the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.

[Sara]

5 Hearts

What an amazing start to a series full of characters that have you wanting more and wanting nothing but the best for them in only four chapters.

I’ve read this twice now and it’s still not enough for me. I fell hard for Austin immediately and I am kicking myself that I didn’t meet him sooner in Tyler and Marcus’ book, but trust me that I will fix that error and fix it soon.

Austin is a young man whose love for dance has him working between two worlds, that of a dance instructor to children and as a go-go dancer at Man Up, a gentlemen's club. Austin knows who he is and knows what he wants and that's someone to love him and accept him for who he is. You see, Austin doesn’t have a good relationship with his family, his very affluent and rich family, since he came out and he is doing what he has to so he can live on his own terms. He’s created a pseudo family with the boys/dancers at Man Up and has a wonderful best friend in Frankie Marone. But Austin has someone at the club who has taken a strong like to him and with the gift he was given, we see Austin off on a night to remember.

I absolutely adored this book and even though it’s short, the reader gets a good grasp on who Austin is and has the chance to develop a crush on his friends, namely Frankie and Cort for now. They are a part of Austin’s life and are there for him in any way he needs, even if it’s protecting him from the man who turns him on and also scares the crap out of him with his want. This mysterious stranger, Mr. Tall Dark and Doesn’t Ever Speak has been watching Austin dance at Man Up for some time now and after a night of Austin teasing the hell out of him, and then his handsome stranger seeing how Austin can take care of himself, we finally get a glimpse into who the stranger is.

Wow. Let me just say meeting Rhoades was amazing. Yeah, he is totally going on my Swoony McSwoonster shelf that is hard to get on with me but damn, Rhoades has a way with words. There is so much we don’t know about him and so much I want to know about him and it’s not just how he is with Austin. It’s the mystery behind the man I want to dive into and marinate in until my fingers are pruny. I know Rhoades will be fantastic and how he and Austin will be together will be amazing… but I have to wait until the next book is out so I can cure my reader blue balls.

I’m going to stop here before I ramble too much but this was a great start to a new series I am sure I will be glued to until it’s over and then I’ll pout.

[Debra ~~ seriously slacking on her reviews ~~]

Reviewed for Sinfully.

4.5 stars

In just four chapters, this prequel to the first full book of Felice Stevens' new series has me completely invested in the men who work at the club Man Up. This one focuses on Austin, a teacher at Tyler's (from Second to None) dance school, who dances at Man Up in the evenings, but we also get to meet his best friend Frankie and the protective Cort who both dance there as well. All three of these very different men quickly had me wanting to know more about their stories, not to mention club owner James.

Austin has a mysterious admirer who comes to the club whenever he dances and has now upped his interest by sending Austin expensive gifts. Though Austin always keeps himself distanced from the clients when he dances, he can't deny his attraction to the man whose name he doesn't know and who watches, but doesn't talk to him. There is a definite chemistry and attraction there, but Austin doesn't want to rely on anyone, doesn't need a man to protect him, and he certainly doesn't have sex with club patrons.

There is enough of Austin's back story given that had me emotionally invested in wanting him to succeed and be happy. His past has him determined to make it on his own. He doesn't want anything given to him, he won't even tell Tyler's husband Marcus that he dances at a club for fear he may offer him a job at his own club, Sparks. The strength Austin shows is real, but underneath he's afraid of failing and he's also lonely. Sure, he has his friends - who are more like a family - but he does want someone who will love him. On the other hand, he doesn't want to give himself to a man who will only end up hurting him.

Through their brief interactions in this short, the mystery man eventually reveals his intentions. He also appears to be the type that just might mean everything he says. But will Austin break his own rules and give the man a chance? Well, the blurb tells you it's a cliffhanger so you're going to have to wait just a couple of weeks until the release of Rhoades - Undeniable to find out, but don't let that stop you from jumping in. You will fall in love with Austin.

The story has a bit of a different feel than prior Felice Stevens books, but even in this short prequel you get a good taste of the multi-layered characters that she writes so well, and a hint of the challenges (and a bit of angst?) that will face Austin and his mystery-man. I’m not always a big fan of shorts, but I am so glad I read this one and cannot wait for the rest of the story.

See all my reviews for Sinfully here.

[Head in a book · Rating 3 out of 5]

Damn it, I thought it just a nice quick novella, now I need to read the full length follow up book and I don't have the time 🙈

[Lelyana's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG OMG OMG!
THIS. BOOK!
THIS BOOK!😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

Felice Stevens starting anew series is EVERYTHING!





Read the blurb and read the warning before you read the book, and consider it a 'spoiler' from the author. Don't be ignorant and ranting for something you ignored before you read.
Didn't mean to be rude or anything, some people are just make me SMH.

This is a prequel of Rhoades series coming up around two weeks after this novella, so if you hate cliffhanger, wait until Rhoades going live, before you start yelling at people.

Once I opened this book, I knew I'm going to freaking love the series. Because Austin and his patron (no, I won't mention his name) are sexy together. I almost, almost saw something like Marcus and Tyler's relationship in The Breakfast Club is going on. And I'm very excited for it. Marcus and Tyler are sexy and I know that Austin's story would be stellar.
I'm loving every minute reading this VERY SHORT story, almost felt like impending orgasm! Damn!

Felice is getting better and better with her boys, and trust me guys, you will regret it if you miss this series, and when you're finally read this series, you'll start questioning yourself "Where have I been all this time?"
Well, consider it a sweet reminder.

PS. I'm a very sweet person, ask Felice. But I can be a bitch if you're asking for that. Salute!

[Nazanin ex-Profile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the audiobook!
I just hope the story won't be cheesy because I love the narrator! It's promising though.

[namericanwordcat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two things: I hate series introduction books that are basically teases. I don't mind a prequel but this is really an incomplete story that sets up the real first book in the series that won't be told from Austin's point of view but the other hero.

Second, I like Stevens writing but the internal dialogue of her heroes tends to read like obsessive thoughts. They think the same thing over and over and over again. In Austin's case "I need make it on my own." We get it. Enough.

So, Austin is really likable but for this running thought and his best friend Frankie is a mess but I am not sure I like the hero (name? oh it is the title of the next book) enough to want to read the nexts in the series.

So, not great for me.

[Kaity]

umm.. idk how to rate this.. it was so short that there wasn't enough time to connect with the characters.. i knew that Austin had past trauma that wasn't brought up besides his dad not approving... idk i didn't love this nor have enough want to start the next book... haha soo maybe this wasn't for me.

this was free on kindle and the audio on scribd so thankfully i didn't have to pay for this, but still it was alright not the best thing i have ever read.

i was interested in reading James's book, but that isn't until the last one and i am not sure if it could be read as a standalone.

[Claire B **paused for now** · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice little taster of what’s to come. So far we’ve been introduced to a very likeable cast of characters at Man Up. Now there is nothing to do but tap my fingers and wait (impatiently) until the 20th April for the continuation of Austen and Rhoades story.

This is my first Felice Stevens book... it won’t be my last, obviously.

*4 Stars*

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe this is a nice sexy little teaser for something awesome to come. So far, I'm liking the dynamic between Austin and his mysterious patron, Mr. McKenzie. Austin seems like a firecracker with a stick up his ass. He got beaten down in life so much that he had this shield of 'don't fuck with me'. I'm definitely looking forward to his submission and maybe turn down his attitude a notch or two. Two week couldn't come soon enough.

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

5 stars

Oh. My. Goodness!! Felice Stevens has always been a go to author for me. Her characters are beautifully written, have depth (faults and all), and they always work their way into my heart. Austin is no different. I fell instantly in love with Austin. I felt his pain and his angst, but I also felt his joy when he teaches the children to dance. I was captivated by him and instantly caught up in the story. Meanwhile, we don’t get much of a feeling about Rhoades, but what we do get is intriguing, and I absolutely cannot wait to find out more about him.

Another thing I love about Steven’s writing is the incredible detail she provides in her world building. She’s always been able to give me a full picture of the characters, the places they go, and the things they do, and she’s able to do it without overwhelming the reader with so many…words. I never feel bogged down, and she’s done it again with Austin. I can see what the characters look like, as well as the dance studio and the club. It’s in my brain playing like a movie.

Read Kenna’s review in its entirety here.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a tease for the beginning of this series, no way can I stop with this book!!

[SoCalBookReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is basically a tease for what’s to come.



Austin is a dancer, he works at a dance studio and also dances at the Man Up nightclub.

The mystery man (I’m not going to spoil this one by saying his name quite yet) but, he’s been watching Austin dance for months and can't seem to get Austin out of his mind.

This book is really short, but super-hot and Felice does a great job setting up the rest of the Man Up series with this one. We not only meet the main characters for this book and the second, but some of the minor characters will have books in the future of this series as well. With the snippet of the full storyline we get from this book, I am really looking forward to getting my hands on the rest.

Kale Williams does a great job with the voices for Austin and the man who watches him. Both voices are totally different and unique and I really enjoyed this short audiobook. I really hope Felice sticks with Kale as the narrator for the rest of the books. This one was great, and Kale's voice was perfect for these characters.

[Caz · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars - 3 for the story, 4+ for the narration

I knew going in that this was very much a prequel to the first full-length book in the Man Up series, so the cliffhanger didn't bother me and was suitably intriguing as to have me wanting to listen to Rhoades—Undeniable, which follows straight on from this one.

The eponymous Austin and his best friend Frankie teach dance by day and dance at a club by night; Austin has noticed an attractive man looking at him intently when he's dancing and can't deny he's intrigued, but he's never tried to speak to him, and neither has the man approached him.

This story is mostly to introduce us to the characters who will appear in the series, although things do get a little heated between Austen and his mystery man near the end... only to go downhill sharply, ending in said cliffie.

Bonus points to Kale Williams for his more than decent (and sexy) English accent!

[Mimi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I feel like something is missing when you start reading this book, like it a continuation from another one of her series.

Austin was a rich kid until he came out to his father and left because he wasn't accepted. Austin is very guarded and doesn't let to many people close. Austin is a dancer by trade. He has a job teaching kids and dancing at Man Up. And that's where the story starts to get interesting. He meets his mystery man named Rhodes. Book 1 does and in a cliffhanger but continues in book 2 Rhodes: Undeniable.

[Bora Noona · Rating 3 out of 5]

This should have been the beginning of the first book rather than a prequel. The first book started so abruptly that it took me a while to figure out what the heck was going on. Now everything makes more sense at least.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/15/2019)! 🎁

[Siobhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Austin is basically a prequel to the first book in the Man Up series by Felice Stevens and cannot be read alone. It’s an incomplete story, simply giving us a teaser before the main story starts. It’s also necessary to read this before you start the first book, otherwise Rhoades – Undeniable will feel as though it’s starting in the middle of a story.

In truth, I’m not crazy about authors doing this. I much prefer it when all my story is included in one. Teasers and extras are okay but separating the first few chapters of a story into a separate book feels like a bit of a cheat to me.

Despite the fact I’m not crazy about this practice, Austin did have me curious enough to jump straight into Rhoades – Undeniable. If you’re planning to start the Man Up series, Austin will have you ready and willing to power through the series.

[Dawn Nicole Costiera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Austin by Felice Stevens is the perfect apéritif before the meal!
This short prequel is jammed packed with goodies from beginning till end.
It is mysterious, intriguing, hot and a tad dark! This one feels different from what we are used to with Felice and I LOVED IT. It still has her signature, realistic, lovable and vibrant characters just with a twist. It left me dying for more. Bring on Undeniable!

We first met flirty Austin briefly in Second To None. He worked with Tyler as a junior dance instructor. In this prequel, we learned that this is not his only job. He's also a sexy go-go dancer by night, but don't judge this book by his cover, Austin is a lot more then just his dancing.... Felice gave us a few bits and pieces into the man behind the booty shorts. At work he has a strict, no touch only flirt policy that he holds true too. Until a sexy customer takes interest in him, night after night... Watching him intently. Austin should be cautious, instead he's curious and he definetly should not be turned on!! Who is this mysterious man? What does he want from him? Just when things heat up, Felice slams the book shut on us. (I could actually hear her evil laugh!) But it is all good. I loved everything about this prequel and the wait for the full size novel, Undeniable won't be long....

[Funzee Shu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh trust me, you don't wanna miss this one!!

This is the prequel of the brand new series by Felice Stevens, Man Up.

The author trying to tease us, the readers with this short introduction of her new boy, Austin by giving us the first glimpse of Austin life as a dance teacher who work with Tyler (from Second to None) on his dance studio and also a go-go dancer by night.

In his lonely life, Austin crave for someone who will love and accept him for who he is. Someone who can hold him and make him feels secure. But life had teach him so hard that there's no such easy things in life.

When a mysterious man at the dance club start to give him extra attention, it put Austin in a dilemmas. Lower his guard to the mysterious sexy man that had stir something in his heart or keep running and leave the man behind...

I really can't wait for what happen next between Austin and his mysterious man when the full length book will release next week!

I have the feeling that this series will gonna be something!

[Gabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great prequel. A group of dancers, just like Magic Mike, with a bit more glitter. :D
We got a peek into the club life, what's it like to be a go-go dancer. And we got to know these individuals just enough so, that we would want more.

This short is is from Austin's POV, one of the dancers, who has an admirer in the form a rich man. Austin hates rich people, he himself was one of them once, and he doesn't want to be bought. Despite that he feels a pull towards the charismatic Rhoades.

The story cut off after Austin and Rhoades first kiss and will continue in Rhoades—Undeniable .

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahhh, can you say tease??? But that's okay, because Rhoades released today so there's no waiting to see what happens with him and Austin! Oh my gosh, I so intrigued by this story, by Austin and Frankie, and Rhoades for sure. My heart hurts already for Austin, in just this little taste we've gotten. I hope Rhoades is just who he needs in his life, to give him everything he needs, wants, and deserves.

***Borrowed through KU.

[Lily Loves 📚 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

It’s hard for me to rate shorter stories and this is no exception. I’m not sure how much I liked it but it kept my attention and I think I want to know more about Austin & Rhoades. Plus I love Kale Williams!

[Dara Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read cliffhangers. Yes they can be frustrating but I still love them. But a novella cliffhanger? I felt like I walked into a movie and had the projector broke 15 minutes in. Not enough time to form connections, not long enough for really anything. But the story was good, the characters intriguing so I’m going to read the next book to find out what happens.

[Nanna Mørk-Sander · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was sorta intruiging, but not enough for me to pick up the next book, at least not at the moment.

[Kim Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read this author before. This is a mm contemporary novella, the start to a new series. The main characters are Austin a dancer and a very mysterious Rhoades. This book leads right into Rhoades book in this series.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just enough to get you worked up.

[Toofan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Warning: this story ends with a Cliff hanger. Or may be I should say it's just part of a story considering how short it is.
The writing was OK and the story would have been enjoyable if not for it abrupt ending.