Rory Wilson has been called a lot of names in his day—hot head, ginger, fire-kissed, homo—but the only one that ever mattered to him was the day Magnus Rourke looked at him and said, mine. Growing up hopping back and forth across the pond with his American dad and Scottish mum, taught him the value of roots and the strength of the kind of love that distance can’t touch. He thought he and Magnus … Magnus were a forever deal until the call of family and a promise made had him setting Magnus free and hoping that the intensity of their love wouldn’t be diminished by time.
Magnus Rourke. Son. Brother. Lover. Friend. Porn star. Soulmate…or at least he’d thought so. Growing up together, even when an ocean separated them, he knew that he and Rory Wilson were the real deal. Like the love of his family, he never questioned it until, unexpectedly, Rory ended things before moving back to Scotland to care for his dying grandfather. Back home now, Rory is a temptation Magnus isn’t sure he should give into, but like any moth to a flame, he finds himself back in Rory’s orbit. When ghosts from the past reach out to haunt them, Magnus is determined that nothing will keep him from missing his perfect match again.
Matched Intensity is the third book in the Open Wounds Series and follows the story of the third Rourke brother, Magnus and his second chance at romance with his long time love, Rory. It can be read as a stand-alone, but would be best enjoyed following the previous two books in the series as there are lots of familiar faces around along with steamy love scenes, plenty of laughs, and a definite HEA.
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This was an intense book filled with anger, pain, heartbreak and, of course, love. Magnus and Rory had a lot to work through but they stuck it out and came out strong. I really enjoyed their story.
I really can’t wait for Vidar’s book. The mysterious older brother.
Warning: sexaul assult – off screen
Stick the “addicted” label on me because as far as Michelle Frost’s Open Wounds series is concerned, that’s exactly what I am. When I started reading her series late this year, I had absolutely no clue what I had set myself up for. As if these five brothers and the men they find themselves entangled with–in more ways than one–weren’t enough, there are these other side characters that have become part of the larger Open Wounds universe and damn if I’m not all curious and obsessed about finding out more about them and who they’ll be ending up with as this totally addictive series goes forward. As always, I’m going to highly recommend you read these books in order of release.
Matched Intensity follows Carry and Drag and Take Down, books one and two, respectively, and is the second-chance love story between Magnus Roarke and Rory Wilson. It’s been nearly a year since Magnus and Rory parted ways as lovers, a decision that Magnus, who was then-eighteen, had no say in, but one that then-twenty-year-old Rory had to insist upon. Their time apart saw them leading very separate lives, and Magnus’s life was one Rory did not approve of, and he made his feelings very clear when Magnus returned from Los Angeles. But in the year and a half since that confrontational reunion, things between Magnus and Rory are strained, and their town of Cincinnati proves to be close quarters the porn star turned club owner and the MMA trainer…and all that tension boils over…
I mentioned the tension between Rory and Magnus because it’s been there from the moment when and whenever these two happened to be within each other’s vicinity in the past books, so naturally, my curiosity was at a high when I finally got to read their story. These two have history, and it’s a pretty storied one, and the same goes for their respective back stories. There’s a lot more than meets the eye as far as their break-up is concerned as well, and thrown in a secret or two that sheds more light to why these two erstwhile lovers have more hurdles than I expected. As always, I loved every aspect of this book, from the romance to the family dynamics to the potential pair-ups that we could see in future stories. Another thing I adore about this series is the fact that each book isn’t overly long yet still packs quite a punch–pun unintended! Matched Intensity gets five stars. Bring on the next one!
4 and a half stars…
the half star missing was because I felt it ended kinda, quick, it need maybe another chapter at the end to gel the Rory Magnus hea and tie up the bad guy a bit more, but it is still an exciting read and a great book 3 in the series Open Wounds by this author.
4.25 Stars!
Matched Intensity is book 3 in the Open Wounds series and it can technically be read as a standalone, which is what I did. However, I think the experience will be better if you read the series in order. There are a lot of recurring characters and while I didn’t feel lost, I am going to go back and read book 1, which I already have, and pick book 2, which I don’t.
Magnus and Rory were boyfriends in their teenage years and broke up when Rory had to go back to take care of his family. Now, many years later, they’re both back home and they have a second chance at love, will they take it?
I really liked Magnus and Rory, they were fun, caring, loving men with a deeply-ingrained sense of family and friendship. They had amazing chemistry and even if they were sort of at odds when the book started, Rory was willing to do whatever it took to get Magnus back and Magnus was willing to forgive and listen to Rory when the time was right. They took things slow, but it didn’t feel as if the story dragged since there were other things going on. And of course, the chemistry between them was scorching hot!
I loved getting to meet Magnus’s brothers, Luca, Niko and Rocco and I’m already looking forward to Luca’s story and hopefully Vidar, Niko and Rocco’s in the future? Pretty please? I have a feeling those three would set my kindle on fire.
While there were a few things that didn’t quite work for me, mostly Magnus’s stalker’s storyline was a bit underdeveloped for my taste, almost like an afterthought, I really enjoyed the writing and I loved the characters, so I’ll be going back for more and catch up with the series. Very recommendable!
*** Copy provided by Les Court Author Services for my reading pleasure, a review wasn’t a requirement. ***
I really liked the latest book in the Open Wounds Series!! This is the story of Magnus and Rory. We finally get their backstory and it was so sad. They definitely needed that time apart so when they came back together it made their commitment so much stronger. They are working on building their relationship when Magnus’ past comes back to stir up trouble. Rory will not let Magnus go through it alone and will stand right beside him to make the threat go away. It was such a good read….I laughed, swooned, and teared up a time or two. I am a sucker for second chance romances and their story delivered and then some. I would recommend this book to all especially if you love second chances like me. I can’t wait for the next book in this series and from the glimpse I got in this book its going to be sooo good!!! Well done!!!!
Matched Intensity is the third book in the Open Wounds series by Michelle Frost. Rory and Magnus are amazing characters that were well developed, I felt engrossed and invested on their story. They had alot of hurts to overcome, but their connection and love was strong. The story had me feeling all the emotions for these two men.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
We finally get Magnus and Rory’s story and see their HEA
This was a good book but, for me, not as good as the others (the others are 4 stars for me, but this is a 3.5 that I’m rounding up). Maybe it’s because I’m not a massive fan of second chance books because I have found, and I’m not sure this one didn’t fall into that trap, that they centre around a big misunderstanding which really never would have happened if the characters talked. Don’t get me wrong, Magnus and Rory were right for each other and I was glad to see their story and have them find their HEA. We’ve seen the build up for them and it was really nice to see it play out here. I also liked that we had a bit of a turn around. Initially I wasn’t a massive fan of Magnus (he came across as cold) but we saw a different side to him in this book which I was grateful for. I don’t think I would have liked Magnus and Rory together if Magnus had stayed aloof. Overall, I liked this one and for lots of people I’m sure it would be a great read, but it didn’t quite hit the same spot as the others.
Family and secrets tore them apart years ago, the same thing brings them back together. Rory and Magnus have always known there was only one man who could own their soul, but with all the hurt they might not be able to trust one another with their hearts again. Finally willing to let down their walls and aim for a new normal, they’re at the cusp of beginning something different, better than they had when they were young. Except a dangerous past comes calling and might keep them from the future they both hoped to forge anew.
Rory had my heart from day one with his fierceness, loyalty, brooding, and quiet strength and love for the Rourkes. It was clear that he wanted something from Magnus but didn’t believe he could have it and was therefore punishing himself. The impression I had up to this point was that it was Magnus keeping them apart despite Rory’s disappearance for a decade. What we learned here was much more complicated, frustrating, and heartbreaking.
Magnus was the aloof, brooding, and proud brother that was almost more of a mystery to me than Vidar. The Magnus I met here was nothing like what I imagined up to this point. I don’t know if I like this version better, to be honest. I will say that I did like how he stuck up for himself, got help, and was trying for honesty with Rory in a way that he was holding back before.
There were so many unanswered questions in this book that I’m feeling quite conflicted about Magnus as well as the relationship’s struggles. My feelings are unresolved by the end and while I do like the men together and have so much hope and love for them going forward, I feel that there’s a whole foundation and background that is lacking. What is this huge, hurtful outburst that happened a year and a half ago? We didn’t get that in Carry & Drag so I’m left mystified about their initial reunion. What made Magnus go from modeling to porn and why did he make that decision? I don’t remember reading that anywhere before. Magnus’ pride in his porn career is fine, I don’t really have a problem with that choice, but it doesn’t feel like pride so much as bravado and familial acceptance of his choice.
Overall, this was a good story and I’m so very glad Rory got the man he always wanted, that his heart could truly heal. I appreciated Rory’s honesty regarding Magnus’ career consequences and felt that was the most believable outlook he could have had. The drama was suitably built up but the resolution was a little too clean and quick using something like a deus ex machina, or maybe more like a Rory and Tom ex machina, and it felt a bit cheap and rushed. I just feel such a disconnect from Magnus as an individual and from their relationship that I had a hard time coming to terms with their history in order to feel fully invested in their future. Doesn’t mean the story was bad, not at all, it just left me conflicted rather than satisfied.
I loved Matched Intensity. What a great book in the Open Wounds series. I love old lovers rediscovering each other. The story had lots of time with the series other MCs as well as Rory and Magnus. It was a quick, fast read and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I liked that Magnus and Rory had to rebuild their relationship and become stronger and better now that they have grown up. It was hot and sexy and I definitely recommend this story.
Matched Intensity is a beautifully written second chance romance. Rory and Magnus were each other’s first love. Then life ripped them apart and they were lost to each other for 10 years. They share family and friends so reuniting was inevitable.
Seeing them forgive themselves and each other was wonderful. The growth and acceptance from each character makes their second chance perfect. The support and love from their family adds so much depth to this story.
I love this world Michelle Frost has created and I can’t wait for the next book!