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 … 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.
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I’m reviewing the audio edition. I found some of these stories aren’t ones to listen to when driving. I was in tears it seems a lot. The relationship between Raphael and Sammy. This is to be envied. Also, it ends up being heartbreaking. Davey is another subject all together. He is snarky and lovable. I love listening to him talking. The Narrator Michael Dean adds so much to these characters. I don’t feel the stories would be the same without his narration and I’m glad I got the audio edition.
Holy guacamole! I needed a box of tissues to get through this one. Rafe and Sammy have always been this couple loving and supporting everyone within their circle of friends, welcoming all to join them. Each vignette gives us a glimpse from the start to the end of their time together; loving one another deeply and completely.
Highly recommended author and series
Audiobook: narrator is clear with nice pacing
Just a warning: This is not a standalone and you need to read the first five books.
I’m sobbing right now. This novella was a series of short vignettes that gave us a glimpse of the beautiful life Raphael and Sammy shared. Their love was so strong and incredible that I couldn’t help tearing up in the first chapter. By the end of this book I was sobbing because I knew what was about to happen and it broke my heart. But I’m really happy that I got to experience Raphael and Sammy’s love story.
I loved this short book showing us the wonderful relationship between Sammy and Raphael. It’s sweet and romantic and somewhat bittersweet.
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!
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!
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.
4.5 stars
Heat Level: 3.5
Narration: 4.75
Heartbreakingly Beautiful!
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!
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Edited 4/2/20 to add my comments on the audio book performed by Michael Dean
Story 5
Performance 5
Overall 5
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.
Oh how I loved this book!
Confession: I have not read all of the books in this series. Now, after reading 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. If you haven’t read any of the books you might want to stop reading now because this review might contain a spoiler.
From the books that I have read, I already knew that Sammy’s Daddy dom passed away. 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.
***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect going in with this one, but man oh man. This book made me smile. This book made me cry. I loved reading about Sammy and Raph’s beginning, and the little things in between. If you’ve been following this story, you’ll be in for a treat but keep some tissues on hand because you’re going to need them. I was fine until the last story and then I totally lost it. Reading about Sammy and Raph between the tears, as I know how this ends for them. Just writing this and thinking about it brings tears to my eyes. I’m so glad I got to read a little bit more about Sammy and Raph, but this was a tough one. That being said, this series is amazing and wonderful. I’m so looking forward to reading Davey’s story next.
Making Rules is the sixth book in the Davey’s Rules series by Susan Hawke. We get a few glimpses into the lovestory of Raphael and Sammy. It had sweetness and heat and humor and I had so many emotions reading it… definitely needed tissues.
I love this peek at Sammy and Rafe’s story. It was also interesting to see lots of other beginnings like their commitment to care for Jeff, the start of Daddy’s Lap, and Davy becoming a part of their life. But it was also hard to know how their time together would end.