Leveled: A Saints of Denver Novella by Jay Crownover (Epub)

Description

Orlando Frederick knows what it is to be leveled by pain. Instead of focusing on his own, he’s made it his mission to help others: sports stars, wounded war vets, survivors of all kinds. But when Dom, a rugged, damaged, sinfully attractive cop, makes his way into Lando’s physical therapy practice, he might be the biggest challenge yet. Lando loved one stubborn man before and barely survived the fallout. He’s not sure he can do it again.

Dominic Voss is a protector. The police badge he wears is not only his job, it’s his identity, so when he’s sidelined because of an injury, the only thing he cares about is getting back on the force. He expects Lando to mend his body, he just doesn’t realize the trainer will also have him working toward a hell of a lot more. As attraction simmers and flares, Dom sees that Lando needs repair of his own…if only the man will let him close enough to mend what’s broken.

User’s Reviews

Jay Crownover is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men and Welcome to the Point series. Like her characters, she is a big fan of tattoos. She loves music and wishes she could be a rock star, but since she has no aptitude for singing or instrument playing, she’ll settle for writing stories with interesting characters that make the reader feel something. She lives in Colorado with her three dogs. –This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.

Reviews from Amazon users, collected at the time the book is getting published on UniedVRG. It can be related to shiping or paper quality instead of the book content:

⭐ ‘Leveled’ is a crossover novella between the end of the ‘Marked Men’ series and the beginning of the ‘Saints of Denver’ series. The main feature is the relationship between Orlando Frederick and Dominic Voss, both of whom were introduced and played small but memorable roles in a few of the Marked Men books. But this is the first time these boys are meeting. What makes this a crossover book is that we get cameos from many of the couples from the Marked Men series, but also a final glimpse at Sayer and Zeb who will be featured in the first Saints of Denver book. But ‘Leveled’ can be read as a standalone.I really enjoyed ‘Leveled’. Now I will admit, the M/M romance genre is not my thing. I would not have read this if I hadn’t already been a huge fan of the ‘Marked Men’ series and Jay Crownover. With that said, I will be honest and say that I skimmed or skipped the sexier portions of the book. But this did not diminish the story for me. I genuinely liked Lando and Dom. I liked how the difficulties in their personal lives were explored and dealt with (which in Lando’s case was quite welcome, as it was a long time in coming). I liked getting to know them. I felt their connection and chemistry to be genuine. And despite being a novella, I still felt that I got the complete picture of this love story between Dom and Lando. And the bonus was seeing many of the past characters and a glimpse of the future. I was initially hesitant on reading Leveled,’ but I’m glad I took a chance on it. Now I’m definitely looking forward to the ‘Saints of Denver’ series.

⭐ The characters in this book were first introduced in the Marked Men series. While it isn’t necessary for you to have read that series first, I personally was glad I did because I appreciated this story so much more and understood the importance of Orlando getting his own book.Orlando and Dominic were perfect for each other. They both needed someone to be strong for them, and to not be ashamed to show people who they really were. Lando and Dom are both really great characters. They’re important to their friends and families and I was happy they were also able to get their chance at happily ever after.There were a number of typos including missing words that was a little distracting. I also wasn’t a fan of the nickname Dom called Lando, “Mr. Fancy Pants.” It just felt a little juvenile. But overall, I enjoyed it and plan on continuing this series.

⭐ Leveled has me questioning why I haven’t read a Crownover series before now! I was enchanted, and she now has a new fan! Lando and Dom were both characters that made me feel, and their development through this story was truly well done.I read Leveled as part of my Can You Read a Series in a Month challenge, and I have read all the Saints of Denver series in June. I enjoyed the characters, the story, the secrets, and also the very strong sense of family and friendship. Dom and Lando both thought they weren’t deserving of love and a real relationship. Until there was no way for either of them to resist any longer.Lando lived with a secret that had kept him from being fully happy before, but when he started to have feelings for Dom, everything kind of changed for him. Leveled brought him some much needed closure, and it was really nice to see that he had met someone who loved all the parts of him, and who could be proud to be seen with him everywhere.Leveled also showed a different side of the Marked Men, which was a very good one, in my opinion. Dom and Lando slowly built a new relationship, while also keeping up with their various friends, some of whom they had in common. A great start to the series, and one that also made me go back to read the whole Marked Men series as well.Written in first person past tense, dual point of view from both Lando’s and Dom’s perspective, Leveled brought out the feels big time.

⭐ “You’re never been afraid to love anyone. Don’t start now.”This story was a story of two men, both broken in their own way, trying to overcome the fear of unknown, of opening their hearts to another human being who has a possibility to crush it – even unintentionally – of learning to see past the fear, to embrace the life and let themselves love again; be open for failure and pain, but also happiness bigger than anything they’d ever known before. Lando was one of the characters I wished happily ever after for the most, and I’m so glad he got it with a guy whose heart is as big as a freaking mountain. Dom is a big mountain of a man physically, but his heart is just as big. These two stole my heart right away – and I loved seeing them overcome their struggles and find their happiness, together.”When we were together it was like love wrapped around us in a cozy blanket and for all his talk about working for it and appreciating the results of conquering something that was hard, being in love with each other was easy and really no struggle at all.”This was Jay Crownover working her magic again, wrapping us in the world full of Denver’s hottest guys and most beautiful girls, ripping our hearts out with her heart-breaking words and mending them, pulling them back together with the beautiful ones. Warmly recommended!

⭐ “Bad stuff happens sometimes and it happens to people we care about. You can’t live life insulated because you are scared of getting too close.”Leveled is the story of Dom and Lando. If you’ve read the Marked Men series you are familiar with these two men, Dom was Royal’s cop partner who was injured on the job, and Lando was the man dating Rule’s twin brother Remy before Remy died. Dom needs a physical therapist to get him back in shape to pass his test to go back to the force. Dom gets a recommendation on Lando from a friend, and the two have an instant connection. Lando attempts to ignore their attraction based on the fact that Dom is his client, and he works a dangerous job.“Most things that are easy aren’t worth much. It’s the things you have to work for that matter the most.”I really enjoyed this short story, it was nice to see two side characters from a previous series get some closure, especially Lando. What happened to Remy was tragic and he never really seemed to get over it. Dom I liked the most as a main character, he followed his attraction to Lando but also stayed true to who he was. Being a cop was a huge part of who he was, and he wasn’t going to give that up. I can understand Lando’s struggle with Dom’s career to an extent, but after a while I thought he was being a jerk about it (luckily he saw that too and cleaned up his act).This was a great start to a new series, combining past characters and creating something new, providing closure while beginning something fresh. I am really excited for the rest of the Saints of Denver series and this was a great way to kick off the series.Giant high five to Jay Crownover on her first M/M romance, I think she did a fantastic job. The steam factor wasn’t as high as I would like, but in terms of building a relationship between the two it was entirely believable. My one teeny tiny criticism would be that all of the character often seemed to say exactly the right thing to each other, to a point of being almost cliche with every sentence, but it didn’t happen too often. Oh, and the use of the word turgid. Twice. No me gusta.“I can’t live my life waiting for it not to hurt before I start existing again.”

⭐ I also hoped that Orlando would get his own book. From the moment I first met him in Rule he’s been this background character that I wanted to know more about or more of. I thought a book about Orlando and Remy was the next step but after reading this, I think I like this option better. Dominic has been the best. Since meeting him in Asa’s book, I knew he deserved a book because he was a fearless protector and I wanted to really know him. The fact that he was hurt in Asa’s book doubled my curiosity. I fell in love with both of these characters all over again. They are the epitome of cuteness. Lando needed help healing from the death of Remy and Dom needed help helping from his terrible accident on the police force. They both came together and it was like fireworks. This made for a really good book. I can’t wait until Built is released.

⭐ Cocktails and Books received this book for free from Blog Tour, Inkslinger PR in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect our opinion of the book or the content of our review.Leveled is a novella that crosses over between Jay’s popular Marked Men series and into her new Saints of Denver series. Jay never ceases to amaze me. I adored this story. This book just leaves you with a happy heart.I went into this book a bit blindly. I wasn’t paying attention to who was the lead in this book and it blew me away that Remy’s Lando was finally getting his HEA. If you know me, Rule is one of my favorite New Adult books ever. I still read it over and over and over again. Most of Jay’s readers wanted a Remy story and now we know why that isn’t possible. She is absolutely right that Remy’s story doesn’t need to be told but Lando’s sure did.Since Remy’s death, Lando has not been able to fully move on. His death has set heavily on his heart and shattered the man that Lando was. Dom, Royal’s partner on the force (Asa is where we meet them) is shattered as well both mentally and physically. When he was shot and fell off the roof, more than his body shattered, his mind was crippled as well. Dom has never been anything but a cop and the thought of never returning to his work destroyed him. All he wants to do is return to the work he loves. Lando is the therapist that can hopefully help him reach that goal.These two help heal each other and it beautiful to read. Lando is living in fear, afraid to live fully, and afraid to love fully again. Dom sees that he is damaged. He is patient, loving and understanding. Although they have a few miscommunications, they fight for each other. The pages flew by and I was sad to see the story end. These two both deserve to be happy and it was a great deal of work for both but they stuck it out.This was a great segway into the Saints of Denver series. We see all our old favorites from the Marked Series and we meet a few new characters. I can’t wait to read Built in a few months. Nice job, Jay. You tell a beautiful story every single time.

⭐ I have to admit that Leveled is my first Jay Crownover book. I chose it because it’s the first book (novella actually) in the Saints of Denver series and I thought it would be a great way to get to know the author’s writing. Well, I miscalculated a little bit because Leveled ties together the Marked Men and Saints of Denver series. There is an overlap of characters between the two series. It wasn’t a big deal, though. Orlando and Dominic’s love story was easily read as a standalone.Dominic was a rugged cop who was proud of being gay. He may not have flaunted his lifestyle, but he was happy with who he was. I found this very refreshing after reading several M/M romance novels where characters struggle with their sexuality. I liked how he fought hard for both his job and the relationship he wanted with Orlando.Orlando, a character from previous Marked Men books, was also comfortable with his sexuality. He wasn’t looking for love, but was excited to have found someone who was willing to claim him as his own. But giving his heart away wasn’t as easy for Lando. He has spent years trying to get over the loss of his first love and he’s not sure he’s willing to love again. Lando was a sweet and gentle man compared to Dominic’s cocky persona. The story of his past was so heartbreaking and moving.Dominic and Orlando’s relationship was super sexy, but also very sweet. I loved how their relationship wasn’t all about what happened in the bedroom. They had a love and respect for each other that helped them deal with the issues they were facing in and outside of their relationship.Leveled was so much fun to read. I loved it! I’m really excited to finish reading this series and also to go back and read the Marked Men series. If you’re a fan of M/M contemporary romances, you should pick this one up.

⭐ What a great story! Many of the Marked Men make an appearance. This book hit both men hard, Lando figuratively with his protected heart and Dom physically when pushing himself too much during PT. Love and loss can do that, but this story is about overcoming the hurt and pain to move on with your life. And now a bit about the story…Dom has always wanted to be a cop and now his injuries have him side lined. The Archers know an awesome physical therapist, Lando, and get the two connected. Only problem is the connection is there immediately. Dom doesn’t want to scare off his chance to chase the bad guys. Lando doesn’t want his heart broken again. They both must take risks to get what they want in the end.Favorite passages: – If the guy across from me was a cherry-red Ferrari, then I was a rusted-out and battered John Deere tractor in comparison. – “I can’t live my life waiting for it not to hurt before I start existing again.” – “In my experience as long as he treats you right and appreciates you then no man is the wrong kind of man.” – “Most things that are easy aren’t worth much. It’s the things you have to work for that matter the most.” – Bad stuff happens sometimes and it happens to people we care about. You can’t live life insulated because you are scared of getting too close.

⭐ I’ve read all the marked men novels and the first Saint of Denver novel. I’ve enjoyed them all, some more than others. There are often sentences that go on forever and ever and seem to never end. I often find myself distracted and re-reading them to make sure I get the meaning and know who the person is speaking them. At times I think it is one character when it is really the other. Its very distracting to the story line and frustrating. But the over all story is engaging. And keeps me reading. The Dom and Lando’s story had so much potential. I’m sorry to say that this book felt flat for me. There were so many missed opportunities. It could have been so much bigger and so much more than it was. It was an important story to tell but It felt rushed and in that lacking the story these two deserved. Or just lacking I. The connection between the two series. The point of this novella was to bridge the two series together. But we only met Sayer at Lando’s gym briefly. And then She was seen at the bar as was man in question she was interested in. But neither by name. By Lando’s guess. There were references about a five year old boy, but that boy doesn’t appear until sayer and zebs story. Hardly a lead up to that story line. Or any real transition between the two series. Not sure were the saints series is going and not sure why there has to be a different series and not just a continuation of the series. Time will tell I guess. I’m not very curious about the lawyer and bad girl in the next book. I’m not as engaged as I was before. I think it may be some time before I read it after it comes out. If I remember and make time to read it at all.

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