Uniquely Average By Susan Hawke, Performed By Michael Dean
Genre: Contemporary Romance, GLBTQ, MM
Tropes: Daddy/boy, 20 year age-gap, neurodivergent, gray ace
Released: Audio-March 14, 2022; eBook-Feb 23, 2022
Publisher: Self Published
Length: 4hrs,26mins; 43,000 words
Cover Design: Cate Ashwood Designs
A twenty year age gap, a neurodivergent ‘boy’ and a gray ace of a ‘Daddy’, both lonely and unable to find their match… until now.
Ethan Humboldt is a cocky, confident chef with zero filter and even less humility. He’s also a very good, neurodivergent boy who’s been searching far too long for the perfect Daddy. At thirty, Ethan knows what he wants—and what he needs. The only problem? Finding a caregiving type of Daddy to provide it.
Danvers Jones has more money than he knows what to do with and nobody to spend it on. He’s not looking for a fling, Dan needs someone to pamper. To romance… to adore. As a romantic gray ace, nothing else will do it for him.
Newly retired, Dan has one final mission—to find his former best friend’s long lost son and deliver a trust fund. After that, Dan’s determined to start fully living his life, which starts with the right partner. Only problem? Dan requires the type of person who’ll need his unique brand of Daddy.
Danvers and Ethan aren’t expecting to meet their perfect match in a random meet cute gone wrong, but when does life ever go according to plan?
This stand-alone novel is a full-length, 43k non-age play Daddy romance. The core of this story was previously published as a 15k short in the USA Today bestselling “Dirty Daddies 2021 Anthology.” It’s now been reworked and lengthened to provide the tale as originally intended.
Reviewed by ButtonsMom2003
Sweet and sexy and different.
Shortly after I signed up to do this blog post and review the book, I was given the opportunity to get a review copy of the audiobook performed by Michael Dean. So, this review is for the audiobook.
I’m a huge fan of Michael Dean’s audio performances and he has done many really great audiobooks for Susan Hawke. Uniquely Average is a great addition to his and Susan’s work. It’s different from any other story I’ve read. It’s a Daddy/boy book with no age play and the two MCs are not your typical romance MCs. Danvers, the “Daddy,” is a gray ace who enjoys cuddling more than getting off and Ethan, the “boy,” is a neurodivergent restaurant owner with zero filter.
I think the story is really unique so the title is very appropriate. I loved the way these two guys meshed with each other. Michael Dean’s performance of both characters is great but I really loved how he voiced Ethan. I was hooked on this story right from the beginning and once I started, I didn’t stop listening until I was finished.
Danvers was so accepting of everything about Ethan and didn’t run away or criticize any of his quirks like his previous boyfriends had. When Ethan had a meltdown Danvers acted quickly to find out the best way for him to help Ethan. There really wasn’t anything that I didn’t love about this book and I’m glad that I got to listen to Michael Dean’s interpretation of Danvers and Ethan.
Story: ♥♥♥♥♥
Narration: ♥♥♥♥♥
O Factor: Spicy
Note: Michael Dean also narrates as Michael Pauley.
Available to borrow with Kindle Unlimited.
The problem with making business calls to old friends, especially after being out of touch, was waiting for them to get to the damned point. I’d already been on the phone with Caitlin for nearly ten minutes, yet we still hadn’t gotten to my reason for calling.Nodding against my phone as if she could see me and making the appropriate humming sounds at the right moments had been my only contribution so far because Caitlin was on a roll.
Chuckling soundlessly, I found myself grinning as she teased. “…but I said all that to say this—honeybun, you’re way too young to be retired. Your turn to speak now, I need you to explain yourself and make me understand why an accomplished attorney of your stature would retire at the ripe old age of fifty-two. Take your time, I’m listening.”
“Oh, is it my turn now? Thanks so much.” Laughing aloud now, the years fell away and we were right back in college, giving each other shit during a massive study session. “Caitlin, I don’t have a long, profound argument for you. Actually, scratch that. My reasoning is quite profound—I want to live a more fulfilling life. I’ve achieved everything I want professionally and have too much money to make it worthwhile to keep running the rat race. What’s the point?”
She sucked in a breath, the sound of her tapping fingernails was clearly audible. “Tell the truth, honey. This is about Gerard, isn’t it? Losing your best friend had to hurt, especially when he was taken so young. But you can’t stop living your life just because his ended tragically.”
As an avid reader and big romance fan myself, I love sharing the stories of the different people who live in my imagination. My stories are filled with humor, a few tears, and the underlying message to not give up hope, even in the darkest of times, because life can change on a dime when you least expect it. This theme comes from a lifetime of lessons learned on my own hard journey through the pains of poverty, the loss of more loved ones than I’d care to count, and the struggles of living through chronic illnesses. Life can be hard, but it can also be good! Through it all I’ve found that love, laughter, and family can make all the difference, and that’s what I try to bring to every tale I tell.
I’m a happily married mom with one snarky teenage boy, and three grown “kids of my heart.” I’m more widely known for my 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 I mentioned; the only difference is that this name has no male pregnancy. I look forward to sharing my stories with you, and to bringing more romance and laughter into this world that needs it so very badly.
Amazon | Bookbub | Contact | Facebook Author Page | Facebook Group Page | Goodreads | Instagram | QueeRomance Ink | Twitter | Website
Michael Dean
Michael has well over 50 audio book titles currently available for purchase on Audible.com. He is versed in multiple styles and genres including fiction (novels and short stories) ranging from romance to science fiction to crime dramas to thrillers; business strategy books; health and wellness books; and even an occasional children’s book.
Fans of Michael’s narration are welcome to follow him on social media including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and SoundCloud.
Audible (Michael Dean) | Audible (Michael Pauley) | Contact | Facebook Page | Facebook Group | Goodreads | Instagram | SoundCloud | Twitter | Website | YouTube
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