Level Up: Ducky’s Story By Kindle Alexander
Genre: Contemporary Romance, GLBTQ, MM
Tropes: Friends-to-lovers
Released: July 12, 2022
Publisher: Self-published
Series: Reigns Brothers, Book 2
Length: 254 pages
Cover Design: Reese Dante Designs
Duncan “Ducky” Reigns, metalhead and hardcore gamer, has spent his life railing against the establishment. But now when he looks at himself in the mirror that’s not the person he sees. Though he and his brother have worked hard to create a successful multi-million-dollar company, he’s lost himself and his identity in the process.
Chad Reeves, successful in his own right, has achieved every goal he’s set for himself. But living up to the legacy of his uber-successful father feels like an impossible task. When the heavy burden of a lifelong secret begins to unravel, he’s forced to face the truth. He’s lacking in what matters the most and only one thing can make it right.
Sometimes a simple reboot is all it takes to realize the answers are right in front of you. A soul-searching trip to paradise changes everything for two best friends… if they are brave enough to follow their hearts and reach for the Level Up.
Reviewed by ButtonsMom2003
Friends-to-lovers; so sweet and hot!
Level Up is a mostly sweet book with the heat not showing up until about 70 percent and that was perfect for Ducky’s story. Ducky’s been thrown for a bit of a loop with the success of the fitness app/company that he and his brother created. He’s agreed to a makeover – build up his body, spiff up his clothes – but he could never have guessed the impact it would have on his life.
Chad and Ducky have been online gaming friends for years and Chad’s been crushing on him nearly all of that time. Neither of them has ever mentioned their sexuality and Chad assumed that Ducky is straight. With a little nudge from his mother, Chad finally goes to meet Ducky in person hoping that it might cure him of his inconvenient crush. Spoiler alert – it doesn’t. 😊
I thought that Level Up was a fairly low-angst story with most of the angst coming from Ducky’s feelings about his life and how extreme financial success has affected him. His brother wants him to become the face of their company and showcase his physical makeover. Shy and reserved Ducky isn’t really happy about it.
After Ducky and Chad finally admit their feelings, things really heat up and they can’t keep their hands off of each other. Level Up didn’t affect me emotionally as most other books I’ve read by Kindle Alexander but it felt right for this story about two young people finally finding their way to each other. It was a nice change to read a book that didn’t have a huge gotcha moment between the two MCs and to have things work out between them without a lot of drama.
♥♥♥♥♥
O Factor: Scorcher
Available to borrow with Kindle Unlimited.
Praise for the book:
“I can honestly say that if someone is looking to start the Kindle Alexander reading journey then there is no better place to start than with this latest gem. Level Up is full of heart and soul and will undoubtedly make you smile and sigh as the book comes to a close.” ~ MJ Loves to Read
“Level Up reads as a stand alone with a nice epilogue to wrap things up.” ~ Tiffany, Reviewer, Blogger
“It’s beautiful and angsty, steamy and romantic, twists and turns and some laughs. Our boys have a depth that is wonderful to see and all the love that a romance needs!” ~ Dragon Nanny Reviews
“This was definitely a slow burn, but sometimes it’s the build up I need! Because when they finally do get each other’s pants off….. BAM! It’s like magic! Hot sexy spicy (and well endowed) magic!!” ~ Frank, Oh! You Read?
“This is the sequel to Breakaway. Duncan “Ducky” & Chad’s story. I love the relationships between these two characters. I love the humor and steam between them. This was another amazing story by this author.” ~ Jenn The Geekery Book Review
“Really loved this feel-good story. 4.5 soul searching stars.” ~ Not Guilty of Books
“Kindle Alexander takes a caterpillar and molds him into a butterfly and both Chad and Ducky will become instant favorites.” ~The Overflowing Bookcase
Best Selling Author Kindle Alexander is an innovative writer, and a genre-crosser who writes classic fantasy, romance, suspense, and erotica in both the male/male and male/female genres. It’s always a surprise to see what’s coming next!
I live in the suburbs of Dallas where it’s true, the only thing bigger than an over active imagination, may be women’s hair!
Usually, I try for funny. Humor is a major part of my life – I love to laugh, and it seems to be the thing I do in most situations – regardless of the situation, but jokes are a tricky deal… I don’t want to offend anyone and jokes tend to offend. So instead I’m going to tell you about Kindle.
I tragically lost my sixteen year old daughter to a drunk driver. She had just been at home, it was early in the night and I heard the accident happen. I’ll never forget that moment. The sirens were immediate and something inside me just knew. I left my house, drove straight to the accident on nothing more than instinct. I got to be there when my little girl died – weirdly, I consider that a true gift from above. She didn’t have to be alone.
That time in my life was terrible. It’s everything you think it would be times about a billion. I love that kid. I loved being her mother and I loved watching her grow into this incredibly beautiful person, both inside and out. She was such a gift to me. To have it all ripped away so suddenly broke me.
Her name was Kindle. Honest to goodness – it was her name and she died a few weeks before Amazon released their brand new Kindle ereader. She had no idea it was coming out and she would have finally gotten her name on something! Try finding a ruler with the name Kindle on it.. It never happened.
Through the course of that crippling event I was lucky enough to begin to write with a dear friend in the fan fiction world of Facebook. She got me through those dark days with her unwavering support and friendship. There wasn’t a time she wasn’t there for me. Sometimes together and sometimes by myself, we built a world where Kindle lives and stands for peace, love and harmony. It’s its own kind of support group. I know without question I wouldn’t be here today without her.
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Thank you so much for the great review. You’re really good at what you do. <3 <3 This helps more than you know.
Thank you so much for the kind words. Also, thank you for taking the time to stop by and leave a comment; not many do but it’s really appreciated when someone does.
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