One summer changes their lives forever… as a bit of a nasty surprise, though. Being shipped off to middle-of-nowhere, Oregon, is not Alex’s idea of the perfect summer vacation.
What Alex never expects is to meet Noah Price.
He never expects to be noticed and understood.
He never expects to feel valued and special.
He never expects to fall in love.
Everything is not what it seems, though, and love that feels invincible turns out to be anything but.
But love finds a way, and when Alex and Noah unexpectedly cross paths years later, they will have to risk it all for the love they both deserve and so desperately need.
Rare is a standalone MM Second Chance romance about first loves, one perfect summer, one debilitating secret and finding your forever.
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This was such a wonderful deep and insightful. It was also jammed full of emotions. I loved both Alex and Noah and thought they were everything. This story was about first love, life after your first love, and then a second chance for the books. I know a lot did not particularly like the reunion being so nice and tidy, but I rather enjoyed that a lot and found it believable for this couple. My own niggle was I kind of wanted to see the in-between a bit. Maybe from Noah’s POV, as we had only gotten Alex’s at this point. I know it would have been painful, but I think it would have helped the reunion be even sweeter. I loved everything about this though and thought it was a wonderful book. The narration was superb, done by Alexander Cendese and Igga Toma. Definitely a must read.
What happened here? To me it looked like as if the author got really really frustrated with a, I admit quite unfair and illogical, law, and wrote a whole book around it. And I hated it. It was slow, annoying, no communication, two lovers kept apart for a ridiculous reason, … and I just thought: “SPIT IT OUT, NOAH!!!”
Alex is a spoiled trust-fund kid who meets the unnecessarily enigmatic Noah at a wild animal sanctuary. They fall for each other, but Noah has a SECRET. Really? They trust each other so much and THAT has to stay a secret? For f@@@ing TEN YEARS?
Sorry if I seem to be annoyed. But I am 😉
I would not have finished reading this if I had not just read Project Hero by the same author that earned one of my rather rare 5 star ratings for fun banter, lots of chemistry, lovable characters, and a well paced story. I would also highly recommend her other book The Happy List.
I really enjoyed this sweet second chance romance. With most second chance romances (at least the ones I’ve read) the story of the character’s original meeting is fairly brief. The past encompasses over 50% of this plot. I love that the author took a different approach. It made understanding the characters, their motivation, and their emotions so much easier to understand and empathize with in the second half of the book.
To me, the first half of the book read easier, was more enjoyable, and seemed more realistic. It had a lot of humor and angst. Part I wasn’t very high on the steam, but the characters are teens at this point. Part II still had a good amount of angst and had a lot more steam. It dealt with some really relevant heavy issues and the emotional response of the characters felt genuine. Part II felt kind of rushed to me. I feel like there was a lot, especially around the heavy issue the book covers and the proposed solution, that could have been added.
Overall, this was a great book filled with humor, angst, steam, and loveable characters. I loved that it brought an important issue to light. Looking forward to Prescott’s next book!
So I gotta say that I learned something from this book that I never knew and honestly probably would have never known if not for this book. I mean thanks to Noah, I learned more about donating blood and why certain people can’t do it, due to their sexual preference and within a certain timeframe.
Anyway, I didn’t think I was going to love Alex at all in this book but by the end, I loved how well him and Noah worked together. He was a spoiled rich kid with no resposibilities and no consequences until now. He’s forced to live Oregon to work on a farm but little did he know he’d meet the love of his life, who would change his life for the good. Noah and him had some sweet moments and it broke my heart when they separated. I get why Noah’s mom was overprotective but at the time, she needed to let him live his life and make his own mistakes. Alex got her to open her heart a little bit towards it. I’m also glad him and his dad made up and opened some eyes at the same time. I liked this book and the characters in it, especially Hannah. She’s a Hoot!!
Truly a touching, near and dear to your heart love that has a second chance.
Noah and Alex both had parents who just really did not understand their children.
Alex comes from a family of great wealth and the automatic response is to send the child away instead of dealing with the problems head on.
Noah is the young man to understand Alex inside and out. He changes him in a way that no one else ever could.
As with any situation, secrets can wreak havoc and keep two people apart. This book is broken into two parts and be the end, you grasp both sides of these loves.
While this is a work of fiction, there are many real life elements that will have you laughing, crying, cheering, and pressing for that happily ever after we all need.
I’m really pleased I took a chance on this author and look forward to more.
**I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.**
Want to read a story that is heartbreaking, touching, and oh so real? Rare is the one. It may be one of the most touching stories I have read during this difficult COVID time. I cried, I laughed, I cheered for these two men, who each have their demons. Rare is a story that will linger with me not just because it was good but also because I will think about the inequality that still is rampant today.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Most second chance books don’t show the past interactions in the book, except maybe in flashbacks and in conversations. This book gives us the before and after. It’s split in two parts. The first being how they met, fell in love, then ultimately split up. The second is when they randomly cross paths again 10 years later. It gives a unique twist/viewpoint to the second chance trope.
The writing flowed easily and the characters were likable. I always enjoy sarcasm and witty banter, no matter the reason. There is some angst in this story, but it isn’t too dark. Overall the book was enjoyable, and I would recommend it.
***I voluntarily accepted an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews. My review reflects my own thoughts and opinions***
Alex has been doing his best to gain his father’s attention, even going as far as getting jailed for different misdemeanors. The epitome of a sad rich kid who at the age of eight was already sent to Germany for boarding school.
Noah has a secret that he cannot Alex about. They became coworkers at the rescue center when Alex was sent there as part of his community service. But something happened that changed their lives.
A unique storyline that will keep you riveted. Amazing storytelling between two people who found each other again after a decade and find out that their feelings have not gone away. I love the topic being covered in this story, very relevant and a necessity for us to learn. Thank you.
Briar Prescott is a new to me author. I absolutely enjoyed this story. It ended up having some seriously heavy dialogue, as least to my thinking. Alex is a bit of a Rebel and Noah is responsible and focused, but they fall in love anyway. Circumstances beyond their control drive them apart. Fast forward 10 years and they meet again, they realize they still love each other. I will definitely be looking for more stories by Briar Prescott. Loved it, highly recommend…
I am voluntarily leaving a review form an ARC that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions
This book was addictive, once I started I could not put it down! The depth of Alex and Noah even at the start with them being only 18 was so emotional and heartbreaking. These two men absolutely stole my heart in this second chance romance. I highly recommend this book and cannot find the words to express my love for it.
You simply must read this book!
You’ll love the characters.
You’ll love the plot.
It is innovative.
It is heart-wrenching.
You’ll want the pain to end but it’s hard to imagine how it can be a HEA.
The strength they show to, and for, each other is inspiring.
It is a testament that money can’t buy love, or happiness, but it can help in some cases.
Best of all, you’ll be reminded of the importance of giving.
Alex and Noah have you rooting for them from the beginning. Alex is a spoiled rich kid who has to do community service. Alex meets Noah at the wildlife preserve where he has to work. Throw in a controlling mom, a rare surprise, and enough steam to keep the pages turning. Briar Prescott does such a good job of bringing these men to life you don’t want to put the book down.
If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would.
This book was FABULOUS!! I absolutely loved it. The book is beautifully written. I loved the characters, their love story, the hot sex scenes but also the message about discrimination when it comes to blood donations.
I will definitely be reading more from this author.