Wonderful Opposites Attract Romance!

Gabbi Grey writes the best novellas! She always manages to paint an engaging picture, and Mission City, British Columbia sounds like such a charming place.

There's nice chemistry between Dickens and Spike, and it's fun to see how they overcome their differences to make a pair.

The audio version is performed by Michael Dean.

an audiobook copy of Page Against the Machine was provided to me for the purpose of my honest review, all opinions are my own

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So sweet!

This was wonderful! I absolutely adored it! It was sweet and super romantic and the chemistry between Dickens and Spike was explosive. I also really really really loved the hurt/comfort aspect of the the story. Those two warmed my heart. I would definitely read more about them. And Sunshine was a great side character. If you are in the mood for a short but sweet and steamy book with great characters I highly recommend this audiobook! The narrator was brilliant.

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Wish it was longer

I just wish the story was longer and we get to know more about Dickens and Spike. Would love to see their characters to develop and their love more time to grow.
But overall, it was enjoyable and sexy. Side characters are fun and intriguing.

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Wonderful narration for this short story

Michael Dean brings heart, tension and heat to this short story in Gabbi Grey's Mission City series. The voices he provides makes me fall more for the characters and their story than when I read the book myself.
I love the books from this series and the men who fall in love. The books are short and sweet but still with a good story, chemistry and a well written HEA.
Page Against The Machine is a great title that fits the two men of the book, bookstore owner, Dickens, and motorcycle repair shop owner, Spike. They do not get off to the best of starts which is funny, though not for Dickens, and has an air of enemies to lovers, especially considering how their next meeting goes. They are definitely an opposites attract pair, both physically and in needs, which actually works out perfectly for them both. Spike is surprisingly emotional and I love the way in which Dickens goes about caring for him.
I know this is a shorter story and so only happens over two or three days but the emotional development was a bit too quick for me, not feeling the love as quickly as they do but still a great read, entertaining from the start and I hope we hear more from Mission City soon.

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Sweet with just the right amount of heat.

I loved this story when I read it with my eyes back in August. I loved it all over again listening to Michael Dean perform the story. There are many reasons that he is one of my favorite audiobook performers. Below is a copy of my original review since I can’t add anything to it other than how much I loved Michael Dean’s performance.

Original review:
I know not everyone likes them, but I enjoy instalove stories, having known several real-life couples where it worked out well. Dickens owns a bookstore and his peace and quiet is shattered when a motorcycle repair shop moves in next door. Spike has finally opened his dream: a motorcycle shop all his own. He’s a bit surprised at Dickens’ reaction to his new venture.

I love how this story flipped the usual stereotype of the smaller guy always being the bottom. Spike is a manly man but he loves giving up control and he’s happy to be a dedicated bottom.

This story starts out with a great hate-sex scene but soon turns in another direction. When Spike needs help Dickens is right there to offer assistance and that starts off a sweet and tender relationship. I really loved this story!

A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me at my request and my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author and/or narrator.

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Small-town guys in love

Dickens and Spike's love story was a fun, lighthearted listen, but the storyline felt too rushed for me to fully buy into their connection. I was excited about the premise of some rival neighbors butting heads, but it didn't take more than a single argument before these men were turning their frustrations into sizzling physical chemistry. That didn't bother me, because I'm always down for some steamy hookups, but then shortly afterwards the two of them claimed to be feeling way more than I thought was warranted from their limited encounter. Yes, it was sweet that Dickens helped Spike through his heat exhaustion, but for me, calling it love after that felt premature. It didn't stop me from rooting for the two of them and wanting them to get their happy ending, but I wish they hadn't skipped over the "falling in love" part of the journey.

**I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.

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Opposites Attract

Michael Dean has an incredible range of voices.
Fast burn sudden attraction, partly enemies to lovers/opposites attract story.
There are arguments, then sudden attraction, then a full on romantic relationship ensues.
Interesting characters.
Quick Listen.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.

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A sweet story

This book is a romantic and sweet short story. I rarely say anything about a title usually, but this one fits just great. For one thing, there's Dickens, the bookstore owner, who is very stuck in his ways after all. On the other, there's Spike, a hotshot mechanic who runs a motorcycle repair shop. The two aren't too fond of each other at first, but that quickly changes and a relationship develops with a happy ending. I know it's only a short story, but for me, the two of them moved a little too fast, or rather, I think the feelings came up a little short for my liking.
What was awesome was Sunshine, a great side character.
Still, this was a cute book that I enjoyed.

This was also due to Michael Dean, who did a fabulous job as always. He gave each of the characters an appropriate voice, bringing the audiobook to life.

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1 person found this helpful

Loved Dickens and Spike

I loved this sweet insta-hate/insta-love story. Is that a thing? It is here for Dickens (at least at first,) He hates the mechanic and his loud music and his loud motorcycles. But then lust takes over in a very sudden, very hot way, and he can't help himself. I love it when you have characters that you totally expect to be one way (meek, bookstore owner and hot, he-man mechanic) and they turn out to be not quite what you thought. I totally understood Dickens initial reaction to the noise and disruption of his new neighbor, but I loved how things changed when they got to know each other. I loved how caring and 'mothering' Dickens became when he decided Spike needed looking after. Great characters and a fun environment. Sweet, hot, and fast.

The narration was spot-on. I love the way Michael Dean infuses the characters with life and personality. A+++

I received a free copy of this audiobook through Gay Romance Reviews and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

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short, sweet and smexy!

Independent reviewer for GRR, I was gifted the audio version of this book.

This sits, I think, after book 2 in the Mission City series. I have not read or listened to them. I did not think I missed anything by not doing, however, I would like to go back and read but preferably listen to them. Not because I need to, but because I want to.

Dixon's peace and quieting shattered when a motorcycle shop opens next door. Spike is owner of said shop.

What follows is a wonderful tale of not judging a book by its cover and of falling in love at that first meeting. Even if neither will admit to it!

It's sweet and smexy. It carries a huge amount of emotion for a short book, some one hundred pages, 2 hours 43 minutes listening time. Surprised me, that did.

There is something going on with a side character though, and my interest is piqued. And that's all I'm saying about that.

Michael Dean narrates. I'm mid way through a series narrates by Dean, a much darker, deadlier series. He nails that series. Here, I wanted to see how he dealt with a much shorter and fun book.

Nailed it!! It's a different delivery, I think. It's sweet and light and Dean's voices are appropriate for Dickens and Spike and I loved the emotion Dean gets across.

Can't fault the narration, at all.

4 stars for the book
5 stars for the narration.
4.5 stars overall, rounded down.

*same worded review will appear elsewhere

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