Davey’s Rule #53: Daddy shouldn’t be afraid to let his boy top.
Before Davey came to work at Daddy’s Lap and began that crazy list of rules, his future bestie, Sammy, was already living happily ever after with his own Daddy-dom. From the moment they met over a gas pump to the day they were legally able to wed, leather Daddy Raphael Robustelli adored his linebacker-sized boy. This is their love story, as seen through a series of six short vignettes. Witness the moment they met, see the first time Davey came to the club, and so much more. This is a short 20k volume, filled with emotion and backstory for the entire series.
NOTE: This is not a full-length book and does not contain a new couple. This can be read as a standalone but will be most enjoyed by those who have read the series.
This is the sixth book in a series about not-so-perfect Daddies, adorable “boys,” and one sassy brat with an insane list of rules. Grab your fan and tissues because this series comes with both a high heat advisory and all the squishy feels you’d want from a Susan Hawke book.
Susan Hawke is more widely known for her mpreg writings as Susi Hawke; this new name is a departure from that. Whether written by Susan or Susi, the books are filled with that all-important love, laughter, and family; the only difference is that this name has no male pregnancy.
Oh what an incredibly beautiful and tender story! Susan Hawke pulls out all the stops and doesn’t spare our hearts with Making Rules. Honestly this is a must for fans of this series, and I’m continuing to recommend enjoying this series in order.
Sammy and Raphael’s story, from beginning to end, told in a series of six vignettes we see how they met, their first date, introducing Jeffrey and Davey and all the other supporting characters. Thank goodness Making Rules ends where it does, because I was crying so hard I don’t think I could have handled what we all know happens next.
Michael Dean infuses so much emotion into these characters, and it’s impossible to miss how this powerful story affects him. Mr. Dean delivers an incredible performance and the audio version is the way to go for this one!
an audiobook copy of Making Rules: Davey’s Rules Book 6 was provided to me for the purpose of my honest review
Even though we know how Danny and Raphael''s love story ends, it is great to see how they started and you can almost feel their love on every page. I'm glad to get a glimpse of that!
Super short read. But knowing the outcome of these two, it was great to see how their story started. I do wish that it ended a bit differently buuuut I am very much looking forward to Davey and Sammy’s book!!
It's late , almost, 4:00 am ; my hubby is sleeping and snoring , besides me, and I am silently crying having just finished listening to Michael Dean , emotionally charged , heart wrenching, passionate , joyful and moving narration of Making Rules.
Ms. Hawke you have slayed me! I came undone by Sammy and Rafael 's love tale. My heart is full of love and happiness for them; yet, is simultaneously , breaking with them and for them.
Making Rules Gave. Me. All. The. Feels.
Romance levels: High Heat/steam meter: High Humor/Fun levels: High Drama levels: Low Angst levels: Medium High Will re-listen: Yes Recommend: Yes
Well, this didn’t need to be a long story, because anyone who read the first books of this series, knows how much Sammy and Raph were in love. We never knew how it really got started and that what this is. And it’s funny because even from day one, before Sammy even knew what Daddy/boy was, it was obvious the interest was there. The only problem I have, is I know what’s coming. And if you all have kept up with this series, you do too. And I needed a whole box of tissue to get through this one, because it’s even more special now. Pumping gas at the pumps, the minute Raph laid eyes on ‘Sam or Samuel’, he knew ‘Sammy’ was his. Now he just had to lay his claim. He did what he had to do to find his boy and after that life became a lot more fuller. It didn’t come without its share of heartaches or headaches, but the love they had was unbreakable. And when Davey came along to work at the club, it was another match made in heaven. Sure, Davey’s antics may have had Raph shaking his head and wanting to wring Davey’s neck at times. But he was the perfect friend for Sammy and that was all he could ask. Everything was for his boy. Even writing this, I still have tears in my eyes. After reading the ending to this story, it made me cry even more. And that scene just keeps flashing in my mind. I love the love these two have. They may have had their share of ups and downs at times, but they were rock solid. Nothing could ever come between the love of this daddy and his boy. When they say their marriage vows, it was for keeps and nothing was tearing them apart. I loved seeing what started this beautiful love affair. I love seeing what they went through. Seeing Davey enter the picture and how. (And that was the funniest thing EVER! Although I would have been like Sammy in this incident.) But what I loved even more were the dynamics between the two. It wasn’t just love, it was intimacy. They broke the norm rules and made life the way they wanted it. And for them, it was perfect. Well, Ms. Susan has broken me I think. I’m shattered knowing all I know. But it’s still one of the most perfect stories ever. Because it was so real. So beautiful and so life filling.
Precious, precious story! When I had the 💡 moment about what I was reading, I got so emotional I had to stop reading :( for a while. Of course, Raphael and Sammy omg, what was I thinking, I felt so stupid for a moment. Both so precious, it was a lot of awesomeness to read about the phases of their life. I loved them so much. The moment Davey got introduced ahhh so lovely. Their love for nephew Jeffrey was unconditional. Patience was the keyword, patience to finally embrace him in their home.
“You'd better be able to feel it because every heartbeat says your name. Sam-my. Sam-my. Sam-my.”
The Daddy/Boy dynamic was exactly what I wished for. I was so so happy with this installment. It filled the gaps for me, events around these men, so precious, it made me shaky. When I finished this story I cried and cried and couldn’t stop.
Like all the other stories from this series, it was with a clear vision, fast-paced, emotional, funny and steamy. All the ingredients for an entertaining read. When you know this series and their characters, you’ll understand how precious this one is. The whole story is written with a writing style I highly appreciate.
This can be read as a standalone but will be most enjoyed by those who have read the series. Don’t hesitate, do it!
Una bonita historia corta que resume la relacion entre Sammy y Rafael, algunos capitulos de su vida que fueron importantes, desde la primera vez que se vieron, su primera cita, su primera vez juntos, sus visitas al "Santuario" a ver a Jeff, el inicio del club, la contratacion de Davey y el inicio de la amistad Davey-Sammy, y su ultima visita al hospital. Me imagino que el autor publico esta historia corta para darle a los fan un background mas largo de la historia de Sammy y Rafael que me imagino que se vera reflejada en varias partes en el proximo libro. Estas historias logra que uno como lector se enamore un poco mas de este par de personajes y entienda el porque su relacion significo tanto para tantos de los otros personajes de la serie. Ahora, vamos para el ultimo de la serie y veremos como terminan de juntar a Davey y como el autor maneja el cierre de todos los personajes.
I was totally OK until about 75% in but then started to get a bit of foreshadowing of the future and my eyes became so teary that I had to keep blinking so I could read the blurry page. Then, the scene at the hospital took me full-blown into needing to takes breaks to dry eyes and blow the nose. At one point, I actually admonished myself with the reminder that I was getting "so emotional over fictional characters, Gayle!" But that is how spectacularly you write your stories Susi / Susan, it feels like I'm experiencing someone's real life when I'm in the midst of reading one of your books. Their words echo in my ears, the smells invade my nose and the emotions are felt in my heart and soul.
Because I have read the previous books and know Raphael and Sammy's future, ending where you did was perfect and I'm going to go back to reread that future knowing just a bit more of the recent past. Thank you.
If there is anyone who has not begun reading the Davey's Rules series from Susan Hawke, I highly, highly recommend each book. They are all integral, I believe, to loving the family and community of men at Daddy's Lap and each book contributes a unique storyline to the whole. It is a contemporary series, no paranormal, so no need to avoid if you're concerned about odd stuff coming up, just ordinary men who are looking for love with other men. Please enjoy, I definitely did, and will continue!!!
It was hard, knowing the outcome, but I was curious how these two got their start. I love Sammy and it tore me up when he lost Raphael, when everyone did. But it was like a little cliffnote version of their life together. How they met, how they dated, how Raph introduced him to being his boy… I honestly don’t think I could’ve handled a full length version of this, so the novella was a perfect way to honor their start and fill us in on their beginning.
It was also the beginning of Davey as well, and the role he played in their lives. I hadn’t realized that he’d been around for so long, but it was sweet to see him before he was Princess Dramatic. I felt like the ending had a little too much foreshadowing how it was going to end, but I’m so so glad we didn’t have to mourne for Raph again, I don’t think I could’ve handled it. It gutted me before.
I’m so excited to read Sammy find happy again, watching him with Davey and the kids in previous stories they pop in has gone a long way in healing over the death of Sammy’s Daddy. I feel like, as a reader, we needed that…
So… I’m excited to jump right in, this one was four stars from me!
I loved the book, I loved it very very much but it broke my heart and made me cry. It was great reading about how Raphael and Sammy met. I loved getting a glimpse of their life together and getting to know Sammy better but the last chapter made me cry like a baby.
I've loved this series, but Sammy and Raph had nearly broken my heart. It's so wonderful to finally see the start of their love story, and I can't wait for the next book!
So heartfelt, beautiful, yet heart wrenching. It was hard reading this book without tears, for we know in previous book of Raphael’s death and as the end came nearer, I was sobbing again.
Story: 4 stars I waffled on this one a little bit. If you are expecting a complete story, you sort of get it. They are quick snippets into the life of Raphael and Sammy, brief glimpses of memories and times that were monumental to this couple. It goes by quick doesn't get into too much detail. Honestly, I kind of wished it included more moments and was longer. But be prepared for the ending. No, I won't tell you, you have to read/listen to it yourself.
The story is good, but I wish it were longer and had more snippets, I also wish what we did get was a little more. I feel like we were lacking something in certain spots as well as being slightly choppy. But this does introduce you to Sammy and Davey, who are featured in book 7, and you get to meet Raphael. The characters made the whole story. They were a joy to read/listen and they pulled me into the story. I waffled between 3.5 and 4 stars, but I enjoyed the book, so I rounded up.
Narration: 4.5 stars Michael Dean has done a great job of bringing all of the characters to life and giving each one their own voice. Each transition is smooth and seamless, and their voice fits each character. However, my one critique is sometimes Sammy sounds a little more like someone from the Valley (valley girl/guy) than not. 4.5 stars for the narration.
Overall: 4 stars This book moves quickly, and if you are wanting something more flowing from one minute to the next, this one might not be for you. However, the story is good, the characters were great, and if you listen to the audio, Michael Dean did a great job. This is just a glimpse into the life of Raphael and Sammy. 4 stars overall and I suggest you one-click now!
(At about the 50% mark) A good addition to the series, even though we know this story has a sad end. I'm a bit confused at the changes of the timeline though. For example, we see Raph and Sammy visit Jeff on Christmas for the third year in a row, and this year Jeff is 10 years old. In the previous book, Sammy and Raph was said to have been together for 10 years, and rescued Jeff when he was 18, after which he lived with them both for 3 years before Raph's passing. If Raphael and Sammy really had been together 10 years in total, then it had been 7 when they got Jeff out, and their third Christmas would have been when Jeff was 14, not 10. So I suppose their time together was changed to be longer.
A second example is Davey. In the first book, Davey stated never to havd met Raph's husband. At this point, Davey is already working at the club and had been for a while. In fact, Davey doesn't meet Sammy until after Raphael's first heart attack, when he offers to help Sammy out as a favor to Raph, and they didn't really get to know each other and become friends until after Raph's death. But here, Sammy meet Davey as Davey is in for his job interview at the club.
Though I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised seeing as it's not the first time this series mixes up timelines. (See the second book, and the time for Raph's heart attack).
But other than these things, which my brain unfortunately tends to get stuck on and hyper focus on, I do really like this little add-on novella thus far.
Davey’s Rules has quickly become one of my favorite series. I was gutted in the second book when Raphael died of a heart attack. He was a secondary character, but knowing he was leaving behind a young husband and two beautiful children broke my heart.
This book goes back a number of years to the moment when Sammy and Raphael met. Through a series of vignettes, we get a feel for the men and how their relationship develops. Daddy kink indeed. From the gas pump to surrogacy to Daddy’s Lap to legal marriage, the story unfolds. The high point of meeting Davey, to the low moments in the hospital, there was a little of everything. Some backstory was filled in, some lingering questions answered, and some little gems like how Samantha Jade got her name provided. I’m getting teary thinking about the final vignette. I mean, I knew Raph was going to die, but it didn’t make it any easier to endure. Man, if you’re anything like me, BRING TISSUE.
I have the final book set to go, and I’m glad it released on audio so quickly after this one so I won’t have to wait. I will leave you with this little nugget: “just because you’re on top, doesn’t mean you’re in control.”
Another shout out to Michael Dean who has brilliantly helmed this series. He and Ms. Hawke are magic together. Can’t wait to listen to the next one.
Anyone that has read this series like me was prob wishing for this book. It was so sad when Ralph died in the other books. It is great to be able to know his and Sammy's love story before Sammy moves on in the next to come book.
This book is in 6 parts (different moments throughout their relationship) and it is quite short so it was really quick to get through.
1. The meet cute = 5 stars (definitely was how it was named totally cute 😍) 2. Early days = 5 stars (sweet, sexy with a little surprise) 3. Christmas = 1 star (could of been left out. Yes we met their nephew in the previous book and new of his crap upbringing so I don't think we needed to actually see it) 4. Making a friend = 5 stars (how they met Davie and the start of his ridiculous rules. Also there are clues here that foreshadow the next upcoming book which I appreciate cause I for one was shocked that Davie was giving up his daddy search. There are signs here that arent in the other books). 5. More legal than week = 5 stars 💒 😍😭 6. I'll see you soon = 5 stars 😭😭😭
Overall this book is so great. I could of done without that xmas one seeing it was what it was. I'd rather see more happier times of just them together but I'd still rate this 5++++++
To my ratings: A 3,5* is clicked with a 4* but in review marked as 3,5*:
5* - very very good and rare (it would be a Blow-Away-book like ‘Jesse's Smile’ or ‘Joey’ from Angelique Jurd, ‘Save the the kids’ series from EM Leya, ‘Love’s Tethered Heart’ from C.L. Etta or ‘Liberty’ from Seth King), it's like an A+
4* - very good and will be often reread and is a WOW-book with interesting plot and surprises (like most of Andrew Grey books and Davidson Kings 'Haven Hart'-series) it's like an A
3,5* - a really good book, which will be reread a few times (most romances where you can enjoy for relaxing and during waiting times in hospitals). I can recommend them definitively! It's like an B+
3* - it could be more then a one-time-reader (2-3 times a year), it's like a B
2* - it was ok to read, but it's more a one-time-reader (I wouldn't recommend it heartily, but it was ok) It's like a C-, D
1* - sorry, but that isn't really a book for me (too many mistakes, not nice plot, illogical, so an absolute NO-GO). It's like failure in the whole line, dismissed, repeat the class
Michael Dean (formerly Michael Pauley) did a wonderful job with this audiobook, as he has done with all of the ones in this series that I've listened to. I love his voice and how sexy and growly it is when needed.
Confession: I have not read all of the books in this series. Now, after listening to Making Rules, I really, really want to go back and read or listen to the ones I've missed. I suspect that this book was written as a special treat for fans of the series.
I knew that reading this short group of scenes from their life would bring out a lot of feels and boy was I right. I loved finding out how Sammy and Raphael met and getting glimpses of their life together.
Have tissues handy.
A copy of this book was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
I enjoyed this short novella of Raphael and Sammy but it was extremely bittersweet as if you’ve been reading this series through you know what happens and that Raphael never makes it one from the hospital. I loved seeing how Raphael and Sammy met, seeing their love for each other during their very short time together and how much they both love and care about Jeff. It was heartbreaking seeing how Jeff grew up but I’m glad he had his uncles in his life and that they got him out of there even if they had to basically pay for him because Jeff’s father/Raph’s brother is a complete a*sehole. I enjoyed seeing the moment Sammy and Davey met and it’s obvious that they’re going to be great friends. I’m thinking Raphael has his work cut out for him on the Other Side by sending the correct man Sammy’s way so he can find love again. I’m looking forward to reading Davey and Sammy’s story next. I’d definitely recommend this book, series and author to everyone.
I knew it would make me cry! Raf and Sammy’s relationship was just beautiful and I loved getting to go back and seeing where it all began and how their love grows and evolved. It was a lovely read and made even more emotional because we knew Raf is no longer with us. Reading this book was like looking back on a photo album of the best parts of the life a loved one you’d lost. It was sweet, a little sexy, and heartwarming to read the highlights of their life. It ends with love but also so much sadness as we know there were no more pages in Raf’s story. I loved Raf and Sammy and while I know Sammy has a new love on the horizon, Raf was is first Daddy and holds a very special place in his (and my) heart!
* Witten by Susan Hawke - another favourite author of mine * Sass * Daddy/boy relationship * Characters you fall in love with * Addictive and hard to put down
This short novella tells the story of Raphael and Sammy, we have learnt about them and fallen in love with them in the previous 5 books, but this just brings it all together.
Raphael and Sammy’s love story is full of emotions, love, joy, heartache. It leaves you sobbing and wishing for something different, but it needed it to be that way for us to learn about Davey’s story.
We hear how Davey met Raphael and Sammy and we start to hear about Jeffs story and Raphael’s love for Jeff.
Michael Dean is a master of narration, he brings so much emotion to his craft. Love, joy, passion, heartache, it has it all right there for you to feel whilst listening along.
I can not repeat myself too many times, this series is really addictive. It is a must-read.
I am so thrilled Susan wrote Sammy and Rafe's back story. I loved the Novie was presented as a series of vignettes, so the audience could move swiftly through and still get so much of Rafe and Sammy's love story while filling in the gaps with the reader's own memories from scenes in past books. Great Job!
Michael Dean was exceptional as always and I do not think I will ever tire of hearing him say, "Come here, baby boy." Sweet Baby Cheeses That's HAWT!
If you enjoy a good series set around a community of people who love and take care of one another, Davey's Rules is wonderful! Davey's Rules in Audiobook form, with Michael Dean, narrating...EVEN BETTER! Book #7 - Here I Come! Woohoo!!!🎉
The Story: 4.50🌟 The Narration: 5.00🌟 Sharonica Stars: 4.75🌟
I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook in exchange for a review.🍀
Davey’s Rules is a series centered around Davey and his friends and colleagues at Daddy’s lap, a Daddy/ boy k!nk club.
This story is flashback of the relationship between Rafael and Sammy, who’s story is told in precious books. Sammy becomes widowed in a previous book and Making Rules, allows the reader to go back and see the relationship between the former found of Daddy’s Lap Kink club and his boy. The book is sweet and sultry with airs of grief and reverence as the reader already knows that Rafael has passed. This was an emotional and beautiful read.
💫 Series Surrounding K!nk Club 🎧 On Audio (bundled!) ❤️ Daddy / boy 🖼️ Memories 💕 Full Relationship 🏡 Fatherhood ☔️ Grief / Loss ⛈️ Emotional
🔥K!nky tags: Dominant Bottom Submissive Top Sp@nking
I adore this book. I love that this author gives us these glimpses into Sammy and Raphael's relationship. These two are the sweetest and I just loved how Raphael knew from the very beginning and went after what he wanted.
I love this whole series and I always loved Raph and Sammy's love for each other. Though side characters in the other stories their love was obvious and strong and happy. And so knowing how their relationship ends, this book was just absolutely beautiful to see the wonderful loving tender moments into their life together.
This is such a wonderful sweet read so beautifully written. A tear jerker for sure because Sammy and Raphael's love was just too magical.
*** Gifted copy provided in exchange for an honest review ***
Making Rules is a collection of 6 vignettes in the Davey's Rules universe, following Sammy and his daddy, Raphael (sobs). For maximum enjoyment, I suggest reading the series in order.
This was such a bittersweet read. I mean, I already know how it ended having read all of the previous books, but it was great seeing how it all started and how their relationship developed. There are funny and sexy moments, and there are also emotional, heartbreaking times. And honestly, whether you're a fan of the series or just thinking about starting it, this is a book you don't want to miss out on.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***