Leaning into a Wish by Lane Hayes Audiobook Release Blitz

Ryan Haskell loves everything about the wine business. He's fortunate to work at one of the most prestigious wineries in Napa Valley doing something he enjoys with the people who are like family to him. But he could do without the good-natured intern slash former jock with the wicked grin who always seems to be in the way. Ryan isn’t sure why the new guy is under his skin when everyone else loves him. Thankfully he'll be gone after the holidays.

Danny Meyers can’t believe his luck when he lands an internship at Conrad Winery. It’s the perfect temporary gig to wrap up his graduate studies. He's left his dreams of tennis stardom on the court to focus on a new career and a new life. However, he didn't count on the spark of attraction he feels for his prickly co-worker. When their tentative friendship blossoms into something more than either man counted on, they may have to change direction and lean into a holiday wish.

Length: 3 hrs and 29 mins
Narrator: Nick J. Russo

Book 5
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A vacuum-like static rang in my ears. It wasn’t until Danny nudged my arm that the typical raucous bar noises filtered through again. And when he scooted his barstool back a foot or two and raised his hand to flag down a server, everything seemed to return to normal. Sort of.

“Gin and tonic for my friend and I’ll have another martini, please. Thanks.” Danny tipped back the last of his drink then handed it over before twisting to face me. “So other than being out twenty-five bucks and possibly having an awkward conversation at work on Monday, that didn’t go so bad.”

“I—I don’t get it. What just happened?”

“We agreed to let Geordie win the bet, remember?”

“Sure, but how did I get stuck here with you?”

Danny snorted. “We’ve already established that you like me. Stop being an uptight fuddy-duddy.”

“A fuddy—? You’re…” I gritted my teeth and tried to think of a stinging insult to fit the situation. “Annoying.”

Lame. And the “That’s the best you’ve got?” twinkle in Danny’s eye told me he agreed with me. I was about to let him have it when the waiter stopped to deliver our drinks. When we were alone again, I leaned into him and kicked his shin for good measure.

“Ow. Relax, Ry. I still want to kiss you, you know.” He popped the speared olive from his martini into his mouth. “With tongue.”

“You’re reading way too much into a stick of spearmint gum, honey. Don’t flatter yourself. It was a joke,” I huffed derisively.

“It doesn’t have to be.”

“Are you fucking nuts? I’m not kissing you,” I announced primly.

“You want to though. Admit it,” he teased.

I blew out an exaggerated breath, sucked down half my cocktail, and slid off my barstool. “I’m outta here. See you Monday.”

Danny grabbed my belt loop and yanked me to his side. “You didn’t let me finish. I was about to say…”

“Yes?” I prompted with a rolling hand gesture.

“I want it too.”

We stared at each other for a heated moment. I had no clue what he was thinking, but it seemed weird to ask for clarification. When the growing tension went on a beat too long, I wanted out. “See ya, Danny boy.”

I pushed my way through the crowd and gulped for air when I finally reached the sidewalk. I didn’t dare stop to enjoy the refreshing autumn breeze. If I wanted to avoid any further confrontation, I had to boogie. Danny was the type of guy who liked having the last word, and that wasn’t happening on my watch. I fished my keys from my pocket and power-walked toward the parking lot behind the bar.

“Ryan!”

I ignored him and picked up my pace. I spotted my car and clicked my fob to unlock the door. Danny called my name again. I could tell from the sound of his footsteps behind me that he was closing in quickly. I had to hurry or—

Too late. A hand on my elbow yanked me sideways.

“What the fuck is your problem?” I fumed, pushing his chest to no avail.

He moved into my space until his nose was less than an inch from mine. He was too big and imposing, and the look in his eyes was straight-up dangerous.

My dick twitched in my jeans. Of course it did. I had a bad habit of coveting what I couldn’t have and getting turned on by the chase. My past was littered with embarrassing short-term affairs or crushes on guys like Wes and Finn. Men I admired but never had a real shot with. I didn’t want to add Danny to that list because against my better judgment… I liked him. Really liked him.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Angela – ☆☆☆☆☆
I’m a little weird in that if I start a series in one medium (audiobook versus ebook), I prefer to experience each installment in the series the same way. As Leaning into a Wish was skipped in the line-up as the audiobooks were recorded, I had resigned myself to buying the ebook this holiday season so that I could read Ryan’s story and bask in the Christmas cheer. Despite his attempts to sabotage Nick in Leaning into the Fall, Ryan has grown on me over the course of the series and I wanted to find out how he got his happily ever after with Danny. Needless to say, I was THRILLED when I learned the audiobook for Leaning into a Wish was being released in time for the holidays, and making it even better, Nick J. Russo was back at the mic, once again bringing to life this group of guys I’ve come love so much.

To begin, listening to Ryan’s story threw me a couple of times, as having already listened to Geordie’s second chance at love in Leaning into Forever, it meant I had to “reset” my thoughts as to where Geordie was in the grieving process. Other than that, the story flows smoothly and like most of the books in the series, it does stand on its own. One of the things I really enjoy about the Leaning Into series is that you never truly know a character until they become the focus of their own book and Ryan is no exception. I loved getting to know the man I had considered to be a manipulative brat in previous installments and finding out that he wasn’t what he seemed to be. Not surprisingly, Ryan was a much nicer guy than I expected, and he proved this time and time again with how he treated Geordie, his interactions with Nick and Wes, and how he tried to put what he saw as Danny’s best interests ahead of his own heart. As Ryan was twice as oblivious as he was sweet, it meant that Danny had to work extra hard at making his intentions clear to Ryan – and it sure made for some really funny scenes and some really sexy scenes. Once Ryan accepted that he could spend time with Danny, knowing that there was an expiration date on their holiday fling, the chemistry between them was undeniable. No Leaning Into story is complete without a good dose of angst and multiple obstacles to overcome, and this was no exception… but you have to get your own copy to find out what had to happen to make Danny change his plans to move when school was over. Sorry, not sorry, because that’s not a spoiler. You wouldn’t have made it to book five without knowing that Hayes gives both the characters and the readers the happy ending they deserve.

As expected, Nick J. Russo did a wonderful job in bringing Ryan, Danny, and the rest of the gang to life. The consistency in his performances of the various characters from book three to book seven is impressive and I look forward to listening to the series from beginning to end now that it’s complete. I’ll admit that even though this is Ryan and Danny’s story, I still love Geordie the best and I love, love, love how Russo brings him to life. I refuse to feel guilty about that tangent because Geordie plays a significant role in Ryan and Danny’s story and as I’ve already listened to book seven, I appreciated how Russo was able to take Geordie’s voice back into his grief to convey just how brave of a front he had to put up when performing. But as much as Geordie resonates with me, Russo made me fall in love with Ryan and Danny in Leaning into a Wish… and fan myself more than once when their chemistry ignited. I truly hope that this is not the last we’ll hear from the Leaning Into guys because I’ve enjoyed spending time with them.

Also Available in the Leaning Into Stories

Book 1
Audiobook Buy Links

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Ebook Buy Links

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For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Leaning into Love Audiobook Release Blitz.

Book 2
Audiobook Buy Links

Amazon Audiobook  ~  Audible  ~  iTunes

Ebook Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca

For reviews & more info, check out our Leaning into Always Audiobook Review post.

Book 3
Audiobook Buy Links

Amazon Audiobook  ~  Audible  ~  iTunes

Ebook Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca

For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Leaning into the Fall Audiobook Tour.

Book 4
Audiobook Buy Links

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Ebook Buy Links

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For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Leaning into Touch Audiobook Release Blitz.

Book 6
Audiobook Buy Links

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Ebook Buy Links

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For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Leaning into the Look Audiobook Release Blitz.

Book 7
Audiobook Buy Links

Amazon Audiobook  ~  Audible  ~  iTunes

Ebook Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca


For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Leaning into Forever Audiobook Release Blitz.

Lane Hayes is grateful to finally be doing what she loves best. Writing full-time! It’s no secret Lane loves a good romance novel. An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. These days she prefers the leading roles to both be men. Lane discovered the M/M genre a few years ago and was instantly hooked. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions, and won first prize in the 2016 and 2017 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in a newly empty nest.

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Nick is an award winning narrator with a fan following for his work in fiction, specifically in the romance genre. His performances in two of Amy Lane's books, Beneath the Stain and Christmas Kitsch, made him the recipient of Sinfully M/M Book Review's Narrator of the Year – 2015. When he's not in the booth, Nick enjoys spending time with his wife, Jessica, and kids, (aka their beagle Frank and cat Stella), drumming in his cover band, exploring rural back roads with his wife on his motorcycle, or being enthralled in a tabletop role playing game with his friends.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free audiobook copy of Leaning into a Wish (Leaning Into Stories #5) by Lane Hayes, narrated by Nick J. Russo to listen to and review for this tour.