Warning: This book contains a scene of mild assault and battery. Most of his young life, Morgan Wentworth has dreamed of becoming a principal dancer in a prestigious corps de ballet. After years studying the art in Milan, Morgan comes home to New York City to apprentice with the Manhattan Ballet Company only to be hit by the unexpected death of his older brother, Jake. The grieving dancer learns … learns his life is threatened by a dangerous rival motorcycle gang and that pierced, tattooed, HOT biker Zeke Ivers has been assigned by Jake’s MC to guard him. Saddled with the constant presence of the infuriating man, Morgan juggles the demands of an exhausting dance schedule as well as his new responsibilities as CEO of his family’s multi-million-dollar company. He never expects to develop an attraction for the straight, obnoxious biker, but that’s exactly what happens.
Estranged from an abusive family, Zeke Ivers has lived at the Sentinel’s club house and worked on cars since he was a teen. When fellow club member Jake Wentworth and a rival club president’s girl are killed on Jake’s bike, the Sentinel’s president delegates the protection of Jake’s little brother, Morgan, to Zeke. Zeke would do anything for the club that pulled him off the streets, but Morgan’s a ballet dancer, for Christ’s sake, as well as annoying as hell. Still, Zeke finds himself inexplicably drawn to the young man. The more attracted Zeke becomes to Morgan, the more the biker is forced to examine his sexuality and decide whether two people from opposite sides of the tracks could possibly have a future together, or if Zeke should do what is fast becoming too painful to consider: let Morgan go.
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A new to me an author that I have been given opportunity via arc to read and review this book. I really enjoyed the story. It was well written and well flowing book with great characters and setting. Excites to continue reading the rest of the series.
Sweet romance
Morgan dedicated his life to his dream. To be a principal.
An orphan with only an estranged brother to call family
it never bothered him that his world was his dancing.
That was until his world was uprooted.
Suddenly cast into the role of adulthood Morgan begins to see the world a bit differently.
Is this really what he wants?
After Jake’s passing puts Morgan’s life at risk Zeke is charged by the president with protecting him. Zeke takes his protection seriously even if he is not sure how he ended up with ‘guard the kid duty’.
Morgan was a tough kid. Spunky as all get out, loved his wit. His determination was unwavering. He knew who he was and what he wanted from life and he intended to get it. I really enjoyed his take no prisoners outlook when it came to speaking his mind. Despite coming from wealth he knew that true happiness came from within not the trappings that so many coveted.
Zeke came from the other side of the tracks. Raised in a homophobic environment and subject to a childhood of ridicule and emotional abuse he was not very good with his emotions. When he was unsure he used anger as his shield. He had a really hard time finding the words to express himself. My heart melted watching him come to terms with his feelings for Morgan and accepting that it was okay to have those feelings.
I am looking forward to reading about the rest of the cast. I see some great stories there.
This book was a real page-turner for me. I was worried at first, the way Morgan and Zeke met. It did not give me hope for good things from Zeke. Fortunately, I kept reading and found out what a good guy Zeke could be, when he wasn’t letting pride or doubts get in his way. On the other hand, I knew I liked Morgan from the very beginning. He was too trusting at times, but he always wanted to do the right thing, while also trying to please everyone. I felt like he had way too much responsibility for a nineteen year-old, and I wanted to hug him. When Zeke and Morgan were together, I was rooting for their happiness. They just lit up for each other.
The storyline was engrossing, and the supporting characters left me wanting to know more about them. I was emotional over the main couple, but I also ached for their unhappy friends who still need their own stories. I’ll be here for those!
The reason for Morgan going to his late brother’s motorcycle club, where he met Zeke, is sure to be expanded on in future books in this new series. We don’t have all the answers yet, but I hope to learn more about Jake and the events that led to his death. I’m not often a fan of books about motorcycle clubs, but I think I’m really going to enjoy this series. This first book definitely kept my interest and left me wanting more.
I normally don’t care much about motorcycle clubs since the Sons of Anarchy got stale, but I enjoyed this surprisingly sweet hurt/comfort bi-for-you story. The 19 year-old as CEO stretches believability a bit, but it’s still a good read. I am looking forward to reading next book in the series.
The Ballerino and the Biker by Rebecca James is the first book in The Hedonist Series. It is a well told and interesting story that gets your attention from the start and keeps it. The characters are likeable and make you want to know them and get the endings they deserve. Even the supporting characters make you want their stories. There is angst, loss, family, sweetness, and sexytimes. I look forward to the rest of the series.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
Overall a good opposites attract, fantasy romance that kept me engaged. The narrator was well suited to the characters. There is definitely room to expand on relationships after this story, which I hope the author does in some fashion.
I am going to make an observation from the perspective of a ballet dancer and distance runner. Spending hours sweating in spandex and/or tights equates to an awful smell that your significant other will not appreciate. You also tend to need food and rehydration immediately after workouts. I cringed everytime Morgan finished a workout and didn’t head straight for a shower. My skin itched….
Terrific Story & Narration Captivating & Heartfelt!
The Ballerino and the Biker
The Hedonist Series, Book 1
By: Rebecca James
Narrated by: Christopher Rain
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it is a terrific MM romance with interesting and original storylines. This is my first book written by Rebecca James and it will not be my last, I enjoyed her writing style and how she swept me right into her story, grabbing my attention right from the start and holding it straight to the end. Her character are complex and nicely developed, they are realistic, easy to relate to and connect with. Morgan Wentworth comes from a family of wealth, not exactly a loving family, his parents did not have time for him and sent him off to school. His older brother, Jake, was estranged from the family after the father disowned him for joining a motorcycle club. But he reached out to Morgan after their parents death and they kept in touch, planning to get together whey Morgan finished his studies in Milan. Morgan is a ballet dancer and was accepted to apprentice with the Manhattan Ballet Company, taking him one step closer to his dream, being a principal dancer. Unfortunately Jake died in a bike accident before they could ever get together and his accident caused a riff with a rival MC. Zeke Ivers is a member of the Sentinel’s MC, Jake’s club, he and his fellow club members vowed to protect Jake’s little brother. Zeke is the one assigned to watch over him and he takes his job very seriously, even sleeping outside his door at night. I adored both of these characters, they came from two completely different worlds yet they got along perfectly. Zeke, a straight man was not easy on Morgan at first, his rude comments were either a defense mechanism or something learned. His father was not easy on him or his brother and when he lost his brother he fell out of touch with his father too. Morgan was a good sport when it came to Zeke, he knew he turned him on but did not throw it in his face. He waited for Zeke to be ready, to come to him, make the first move. I loved how their story plays out, the drama, angst, the denial, the coming to terms and then the love. In addition to the romance there are several other storylines, the problem with the rival gang, business drama with Malcolm’s family business, members of he board wanted him to give up his seat and interest in the company and then there is Thomas, whom Malcolm totally misread. These storylines bring in some mystery, thrilling and suspenseful moments. A lot goes on in this book, it is very well plotted and there is never a dull moment. Rebecca James, thank you for this terrific story and the emotional rollercoaster ride. I am looking forward to checking out more of your work, I loved he secondary characters in this book and hope their stories come to Audible too.
I listened to the Audible edition, Christopher Rain is a terrific narrator and voice artist. He did a great job portraying the characters, bringing them to life, giving each their own voice and personality as well as humanizing them. His Morgan was perfection, he grasped his persona to the tee, his Zeke was great too, he showed us his alpha-tude. You could hear how much heart he puts into his work as he captures the characters emotions and projects them into his performance. He is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for this great listen
Audiobook review:
Overall – 4
Performance – 4
Story – 4
I enjoyed this.
This was my first book by Rebecca James and my first audiobook narrated by Christopher Rain. I thought both the writing and narration were very good. I didn’t care too much for some of the voices used for secondary characters but I thought the ones for Morgan and Zeke, and the other bikers, were really good.
The romance was very good, if somewhat predictable. I don’t mind predictable when the writing is good enough to keep me from skipping pages. Since I listened to this as an audiobook skipping around wouldn’t have been easy, but I wasn’t tempted to do it anyway.
I don’t usually care too much for motorcycle club stories but this one was much better than others I’ve read and the secondary characters were likeable. I’d be happy to listen to more books in this series if they are done in audiobook format.
A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author and/or narrator.