One of my favorites this year

I don't usually buy an audiobook when I've already read the kindle version of a novel, and even less often do I actually listen to it when I do, but The Endgame was simply one of my favorite books this year and I HAD to have it. And I wasn't disappointed--I mean, I knew I wouldn't be, since I know and like Iggy Toma and, as I already said, I was a HUGE fan of the novel.

I'm a sucker for a good coming-out book, but good examples of that are few and far between. Too often they are written by people who have no idea what it's like to come out or even to be gay in the first place. "I never even knew I liked guys until I met you!" is a sentence that virtually nobody has ever uttered in the history of the world, and yet somehow it's one of the most common refrains you'll hear in books about "coming out," quotation marks intended. So imagine my delight when not one, but THREE excellent books about coming out were released at the same time (this one, "Concealed Hearts" by Nicky James, and "The Jock" by Tal Bauer). I'll also pick up the other two when and if they're released on audio.

This book focuses on the relationship between a closeted gay American football player, Anson, and a very non-closeted US senator, Weston. A senator, you say? Well yes, but the author really, really doesn't focus on that part. Don't worry that the story is going to get bogged down with politics. Actually, making West a senator is one of the very few missteps the book makes, because it's mentioned so seldom and has so little effect on the plot. But no matter, this is Anson's book, and Hart knocks it out of the park with him (yes, I'm aware that's a baseball metaphor, not football). Loyal, brave, and true, Anson embodies everything positive about masculinity. Hart also appears to actually like sports and jocks, since unlike a lot of books which center around athletes, she doesn't treat them with utter contempt. West is also a good character, simply for the fact that he never pushes Anson into coming out before he's ready, something that a deserving partner would never, ever do. Secondary characters include Anson's brother Elias, his best friend and teammate Darren, Darren's sister Mia, and others, and they're all their own fully fleshed-out characters with personalities and backstories.

Iggy Toma is a fantastic narrator, but that's pretty much a given; he's very consistent. He has a pleasant cadence, he sounds appropriately masculine, and, importantly for a romance novel, he doesn't rush and get awkwardly breathless during sex scenes unlike a few overused narrators in this genre. I'll easily give him five stars for his performance, though I have to confess I'm slightly disappointed that this wasn't a dual narration, since Anson and Weston are such different people and Toma only really has one character voice, though it's a good one.

Anyway, this one is highly recommended, and comes during a m/m drought, so it's even more of a blessing. I haven't always been a fan of Riley Hart but this one is a homerun, er, I mean a touchdown.

10 people found this helpful

Interesting Characters - Narration didn't sell it

Very interesting characters and character development. It is a slow moving, but seemingly truthful, story of coming out and all the angst, mental support and love that it takes to get to one's truth. All of that alone should have been a solid 4 star book but as much as I have enjoyed Iggy Toma as a dual narrator on other books, he just didn't carry this narration enough to actually sell the emotional depth that needed to accompany this material. I think he took away from the experience - not that he was bad, he wasn't, the book just would have been better served with a different reader. I feel a little cheated and that I should have enjoyed the book more.

5 people found this helpful

Great story

Wow!!
Iggy Toma is OUTSTANDING!!
He's becoming my Favorite MM narrator.
Great story of coming out.
so many feels, I stayed up all night listening.
Really didn't want it to end.
HEA, thank goodness.
The Football player and the Congressman 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
It's just SO worth the credit and your time to listen....

4 people found this helpful

Narration perfection 💕💕💕

So happy to hear Iggy Toma again and with one of the best mm authors out there. RH rights a story you just want to be in. The characters are believable as are their situations. Anson is so far in the closet I worried he wasn’t coming out! His struggle is difficult especially with a football career. I loved how patient the senator was with him. Don’t miss this great story and narration!!!

3 people found this helpful

Anxious and Tedious

The treatment of the subject matter was anxious about embracing oneself, out of the closet and took up far too many pages to reach the end and thus tedious. About half way through the book, all I could think about was “get a life” or “have some pride”. Once I stopped caring about rich and influential characters having their crisis of identity the book became a slog.

1 person found this helpful

wow!

What a memorable and moving love story! The character development was outstanding, the storyline original and compelling. The depth of compassion and understanding of what its like to.live in this world being gay and the courage it takes to come out was told with such clarity and empathy that at times it was breathtaking. Iggy Toma is the gold standard for narration. if he is available why would anyone choose another. He is perfection! I am now looking for books with his narration first. if he's the narrator I'll always choose his books first. I have listened to others that I couldn't finish because the narration was too dramatic and over the top. Iggy brings depth of emotion. passion, and can handle as many characters as there are in the story. This story will live in my heart for a long time. I binged this book and literally had to dig out my.earbuds so I could carry the 'book' everywhere I went. Thank you Riley Hart and thank you Iggy Toma! I wish you both continued success and accolades and a long thriving career!

1 person found this helpful

Strength, passion and love, this book has it all!

You take a heartbreaking journey with two men who start believing they are worthy and deserving of love no matter what it costs them. You can feel their pain, it makes you want to take on the world.

Perfect performance.

Why can’t they make movies like this?

1 person found this helpful

AMAZING!!!!

Incredible story- best I’ve read since Ella James’ Adore series. Iggy Toma is by LEAGUES my favorite narrator. His voice is incredible and his style makes even sub-par books enjoyable. 5+ stars!!

1 person found this helpful

Great story and narration

I loved the narration of this book!! The story was good…a little bit more angst than is my preference but definitely worth it! Great HEA!

End Game is worth all the touch downs

Riley Hart has done it again in my opinion, another love story full of good well developed characters with their own issues to face, and a good dose of love and want mixed in to make the story move along where you want the characters to get their happy ending and find resolution to their own personal experience and issues.