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heabooknerd's review against another edition
4.0
Roan Parrish is an expert at writing emotional books that squeeze your heart until you think it will burst but she always finds a way to keep them uplifting and hopeful. I really liked Rend and connected with the characters much more strongly than the previous book. I don't often find romance books about couples that are already married so I enjoyed seeing how Matt and Rhys go from a quickie marriage to a deep and understanding relationship. While I'm not totally sure why Matt, who was very hesitant while dating, would have agreed to marry Rhys after such a short time, it's clear that these two love each other. Even when they're working through their problems they're both open and honest about their love.
REND is written completely from Matt's point of view and he goes through a lot of ups and downs as he tries to conquer his feelings of abandonment and low self-worth. As a child, Matt was left by his mother and then later his aunt and the foster care system taught him to keep his problems silent and his trust minimal. In his heart he knows that Rhys loves him and would never leave him but his mind gets tangled up while Rhys is on tour for two months. While Rhys is initially unaware of the problems Matt is going through, he completely supports Matt when he realizes what's going on. Rhys was such a devoted and caring husband and his constant reassurance to Matt that he loves him was really sweet. I wish we could have had Rhys point of view too but I am glad we at least had flashbacks to the early days of their relationship.
While just about everything in this worked for me I did get a little confused by the "hauntings" that Matt experiences while Rhys is away. It all had a very gothic feel and I couldn't tell if we were supposed to believe there was something creepy going on or if it was all supposed to be a manifestation of Matt's mindset. This took up a large portion of the middle section and then felt like it was mostly dropped at the end of the book.
We get to see more of Theo and Caleb from RIVEN and I really loved the friendship that developed between Matt and Theo. Both of these guys desperately needed a friend and each understood what it feels like to be an outsider. Overall, this was a great read with sweet characters and an emotional love story.
**ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
REND is written completely from Matt's point of view and he goes through a lot of ups and downs as he tries to conquer his feelings of abandonment and low self-worth. As a child, Matt was left by his mother and then later his aunt and the foster care system taught him to keep his problems silent and his trust minimal. In his heart he knows that Rhys loves him and would never leave him but his mind gets tangled up while Rhys is on tour for two months. While Rhys is initially unaware of the problems Matt is going through, he completely supports Matt when he realizes what's going on. Rhys was such a devoted and caring husband and his constant reassurance to Matt that he loves him was really sweet. I wish we could have had Rhys point of view too but I am glad we at least had flashbacks to the early days of their relationship.
While just about everything in this worked for me I did get a little confused by the "hauntings" that Matt experiences while Rhys is away. It all had a very gothic feel and I couldn't tell if we were supposed to believe there was something creepy going on or if it was all supposed to be a manifestation of Matt's mindset. This took up a large portion of the middle section and then felt like it was mostly dropped at the end of the book.
We get to see more of Theo and Caleb from RIVEN and I really loved the friendship that developed between Matt and Theo. Both of these guys desperately needed a friend and each understood what it feels like to be an outsider. Overall, this was a great read with sweet characters and an emotional love story.
**ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
bookschaosnart's review against another edition
4.0
An excellent novel. Having a romance where the two characters are already together when the book begins as the main plot rather than a mystery or other plot was new to me. This plot was excellently executed. The mental health representation was well done and the words and characters beautifully crafted.
youshouldreadthisif's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
bescobar30's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kirstyreadsblog's review against another edition
4.0
Content warnings: Dubious consent (sex is started when one of them is asleep, they consent once awake but still), mentions of child abuse, fostering and the horrors of the system, depression, paranoia, addiction
Thanks to netgalley and Loveswept for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Matt Argento grew up in the foster system so he’s determined to now work to help kids going through the same thing as him. He meets Rhys Nyland and the pair go through a whirlwind romance ending in a marriage. The real test comes when Rhys has to go on tour and Matt is left alone with his demons
I really enjoyed the first novel in this series so I had to request this one as soon as I saw it on Netgalley. I liked the first book more personally but this one was still great.
The strength in this novel, and this series, is Parrish’s complete lack of fear when it comes to the discussion of addiction and mental illness.
Continue my review here: https://wp.me/p7j3Jr-2x4
Thanks to netgalley and Loveswept for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Matt Argento grew up in the foster system so he’s determined to now work to help kids going through the same thing as him. He meets Rhys Nyland and the pair go through a whirlwind romance ending in a marriage. The real test comes when Rhys has to go on tour and Matt is left alone with his demons
I really enjoyed the first novel in this series so I had to request this one as soon as I saw it on Netgalley. I liked the first book more personally but this one was still great.
The strength in this novel, and this series, is Parrish’s complete lack of fear when it comes to the discussion of addiction and mental illness.
Continue my review here: https://wp.me/p7j3Jr-2x4
notguilty's review against another edition
4.0
Two men whose very different home lives shaped their outlook on life and relationships, and still impact them.
Rhys’ life was full of people who loved them and loved each other, whereas Matt only really knew people who left him.
But they found each other, and both are excited to have found someone to love and love them. Except love alone isn’t enough to combat a lifetime of hurt. So our boys need to figure out how to work through their trauma and fears while also allowing for dreams to be reached. Perhaps a little codependent, but it’s part of their journey too.
I enjoyed the deviation from the norm, a married couple who needs to work to keep their love strong.
As expected, Narrator Greg Boudreaux gave us a wonderful experience. His style and voice lent well to this story.
lunar's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0