Dr. Elliot Bethel isn’t an easy man to love. He’s not even an easy man to like. He does good work in Fairfield, even if he’s no one’s favorite veterinarian, but he doesn’t need to be popular to be effective. Elliot made his way into his career after a roadside bomb during his deployment changed the trajectory of his life, and though he returned Stateside with one less limb, that didn’t change his … his firm belief—animals are better than people. Growing up a system kid with foster parents who tried their best, Elliot was determined to never let anyone close to his heart. And he might have succeeded if the massive stranger clutching two newborn rabbits hadn’t shown up at his door in a furious rainstorm.
Arlo Bullock is the kind of man whose entire life had been planned out for him from the day he was conceived. The first-born son to a family with a long-standing Military Legacy, Arlo followed in his father’s footsteps for as long as he could. But a career in the Marines with a nice wife and obedient kids were not part of Arlo’s future. In the end, it was no hardship to take his walking papers and leave that life behind—even if it meant cutting ties to his disappointed parents. With a small trust in his savings account, Arlo found his way to Fairfield, determined to make his own way in life. He had a little cash, and a big dream, and he would give anything to see it through. What he didn’t plan was for his entire life to be turned upside down by a snarky vet with a soft spot for wounded baby animals.
With Elliot determined not to love, and Arlo not even sure if he’s still straight, the two men find their way through friendship, tragedy, grief, and sexual awakening. But will that connection between them be enough to light the way home, or will everything working against them leave them utterly forsaken?
Forsaken is the third book in the Breaking the Rules Trilogy, which contains no cliffhangers and HEA.
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I’ve read this author before and enjoy her work. This is a mm contemporary story with Arlo and Elliot as main characters. I read this book without reading any others from the series and some of the secondary characters stories were confusing. I did have an ugly cry. Elliot is a veterinarian and returned soldier who has lost his foot in combat and Arlo is also a returned soldier who is trying to find himself. This is a GFY story told from both POV’s. I will read more of this author’s work.
What an incredible conclusion to this series. Yes, for those who haven’t been following Elaine’s updates, this is the last full-length novel set in Fairfield Colorado. This book reminded me of all the reasons I adored the Irons and Works series and other Breaking the Rules spinoffs. Each character we’ve gotten to meet is uniquely wonderful, and following along on their journeys towards happiness and love has been amazing. While I highly recommend reading the other books in this series first, you can still enjoy this one on its own.
I’ll admit that I was surprised that Elliot was getting his own book. The small interactions he’s had with main characters in the earlier books didn’t leave me wanting to know more about him. Now that I’ve read his story, I’m happy to say I was 100% wrong about him. I think what appeals to me the most about all of Elaine’s characters is their hidden vulnerability and neediness. After getting to see inside Elliot’s head, learn his backstory, and meet his family, I couldn’t help but love him. Arlo, on the other hand, won me over the second I found out he’s an animal lover.
While the focus of this book is undoubtedly on the blooming romance between Elliot and Arlo, there are heavy, heartbreaking situations going on in the background. I appreciate that Elaine was able to give them the seriousness and space they deserved without overshadowing the romance or making it hard to connect with the characters. If anything, the comfort Elliot and Arlo provided for each other added an extra dimension to their growing love.
I’m so addicted to the way that Elaine writes deep emotional connections that I don’t think I say enough about how incredibly hot the sex scenes in her books are. This book, though it is a bit of a slower burn, has some of my favorite “first-time-with-a-man” scenes. “It was wildly erotic to know that just his hands could make a man like Elliot— large, imposing, stern— shake like he was about to fall apart.”
While it is a little sad to say goodbye to Fairfield, I can’t think of a better way to close out the series. I’ll always be a little curious about the side characters we briefly met but never really got to know, but I’m very excited to see what’s next. The last couple of books have had so many Cherry Creek teasers and references that I’m dying to read it!
**I received an ARC through Patreon. My review was requested but not required, and all opinions are my own.
This was such a fantastic ending to the whole series. I’m going to miss the Fairfield men. Elliot and Arlo had such depth to their story, so much emotion. I loved seeing them grow and fall in love. Thank you to E.M. Lindsey for creating such a beautiful, realistic world where you actually feel like you live there. Fair well Fairfield….. you’ll be greatly missed!!
Love this book and series. This emotional book drew me in from the very beginning. There is always depth to E.M. Lindsey’s books and this one is no exception. Her beautifully written true to life stories, with amazing characters that are constantly overcoming adversity, discovering found families, and just making those around them have better lives, are one of the reasons she continues to be one of my favorite authors. In this book Elliot and Arlo really are so sweet together and Arlo comes into Elliot’s life right at the perfect time.
I highly recommend this book and series.
Elliot and Arlo are bittersweet for me, I adored their story but I’m sad that this is the last book set in Fairfield. I can already predict many rereads coming my way.
Elliot is a curmudgeon of a man, he’s stubborn, grumpy, and hard for many people to get close to. He struggles with feeling wanted or lovable. Arlo is a veteran who also struggles with feelings of inadequacy, but from a different place. But these two men were perfect for each other. Forsaken checked so many boxes for me- difficult men, amazing supporting characters, adorable animals, great chemistry, and an epic love story. I can’t wait to read whatever comes next for this awesome author!
E.M. Lindsey has an uncanny ability of depicting raw emotions in a very evocative way and this book is no exception. The emotions the MCs go through in this heartbreaking story are presented in a very compelling way and the narration is very reflective of all the ups and downs in their moods.
The story itself is a very emotional journey through self – discovery, grief and new beginnings. I am sad to see the series and the whole Fairfield family go, but glad to say they go out in style!