After a whirlwind romance, a man with a painful past learns to trust the musician who makes him believe in happy endings. Matt Argento knows what it feels like to be alone. After a childhood of abandonment, he never imagined someone might love him—much less someone like Rhys Nyland, who has the voice of an angel, the looks of a god, and the worship of his fans. Matt and Rhys come from different … and Rhys come from different worlds, but when they meet, their chemistry is incendiary. Their romance is unexpected, intense, and forever—at least, that’s what their vows promise. Suddenly, Matt finds himself living a life he never thought possible: safe and secure in the arms of a man who feels like home. But when Rhys leaves to go on tour for his new album, Matt finds himself haunted by the ghosts of his past.
When Rhys returns, he finds Matt twisted by doubt. But Rhys loves Matt fiercely, and he’ll go to hell and back to triumph over Matt’s fears. After secrets are revealed and desires are confessed, Rhys and Matt must learn to trust each other if they’re going to make it. That means they have to fall in love all over again—and this time, it really will be forever.
Roan Parrish’s pitch-perfect Riven novels can be read together or separately:
RIVEN | REND
Praise for Rend
“[Parrish] deftly balances the darkness with a passionate romance that’s heartbreakingly tender, romantic, and moving. . . . This is one second-chance love story that will twist you up, wring you out, and then leave you wanting more.”—All About Romance
“Melancholic . . . truly magical.”—My World of Books
“If you loved Riven, then there’s no doubt that Rend will capture your heart.”—The Written Voice of Is
“A touching and flawless second installment of the Riven series . . . [Rend is] beautifully written and delivers some remarkable characters.”—The Romance Reviews
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My Review:
Wow, this book was powerful. This is a love story about two men who fell in love quickly, much to the astonishment of Matt, who never understood what Rhys saw in him. Matt grew up in the foster system and has learned the hard way that no one ever chooses him. He’s been abandoned over and over again.
But when Rhys fell in love with Matt, it bowled Matt over. Rhys ADORES Matt with everything in him, but he doesn’t understand the ghosts that linger in Matt’s psyche. And although the two are happily married, all those ghosts come out to play when Rhys goes on tour and Matt suddenly finds himself alone again.
Seriously, this book is so, so good. It felt so real and genuine. Problems like Matt’s are such a deep reality for so many people who didn’t have ideal childhoods. It’s hard for those who didn’t experience that kind of life instability to understand how detrimental it can be for all aspects of life.
There are so many levels of this story to love. First of all is Matt…I just want to hug and shelter him. Second, is the realities that even once there is an “I do”, there can still be major roadblocks to overcome. Then there was the beauty of Matt’s job and how he’s using his life experiences to help other foster kids overcome. I loved every single little thing about his job.
In fact, I pretty much loved the whole book. The characters were rich and diverse and seemed to leap off the page with the angst and friendships and love. From the moment I started reading the book, I couldn’t stand to put it down. I was invested in these guys…completely.
This is a true LOVE story and as such, it’s a gorgeous piece. I love the way Roan Parrish writes. Her style has a romantic, flowing quality to it that makes the reader feel like you’re reading poetry (without any actual poetry on the page).
I HIGHLY recommend this book. It was simply phenomenal!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest and voluntary review.
“That’s what we were—two hearts, straining ever toward each other.”
It was the music that led me to this series and this author, making me fall in love with Theo and Caleb along the way. However, while Rhys is a musician, music does not feature in this story. Rend focuses on the relationship between Matt & Rhys and the challenges they face. Is their love strong enough to keep them together.
Matt has had a hard life and hope is not a luxury that he indulges in very often. Self-protection demands that he keep his expectations low. Rhys is the best thing that’s ever happened to him and he is struggling to accept his good fortune. As long as he is safe in his lover’s arms he feels secure. But when Rhys leaves to go on tour he’s left alone with his demons.
Rhys adores Matt and would do anything for him. Unfortunately, he doesn’t always get the opportunity because secrets and miles separate them. Will there be anything left of his heart by the time he makes it back home to where he left it?
The author does a beautiful job of expressing the emotional turmoil the characters go through as they fight for their relationship. It’s a heartbreaking story that brings a tough subject to light.
Matt and Rhys come from different worlds but are managing to make things work. Matt has to leave to go on tour and Rhys has the old ghosts creeping in while he’s gone. Will the couple be able to work things out when Matt gets back from being on tour? A beautiful love story that I enjoyed and recommend.
I received a copy of this book via Netgalley and am leaving a review.
I absolutely loved this book! As a follow-up to Riven, I didn’t know if it could compete, but I loved Matt and Rhys’ story. Rhys loved Matt so much and showed him how much he deserved to be loved. While Riven is still my favorite this one did not disappoint and I have no problem giving it 5 stars!
When Matt meets Rhys, he figures they’ll end up doing what he usually does – having a quick one-time thing, then he’ll never see him again. Little did he know Rhys would come to mean so much to him, be the light to his dark-filled life.
A few months into dating and the two have fallen fast and hard, and a quick wedding is on the books. But what happens after the wedding when the two actually have to be married? Have to live together? To know each other? And when Matt is left at home when Rhys’ job takes him away for awhile? Will Matt’s many demons overwhelm him again? Or will he fight them off and realize that he deserves to have the life, the love, that Rhys wants to give him?
First off, I have to say that this author’s writing is fantastic! It’s deep, flowing and pretty beautiful. However, and this is a small however, Rend, while entirely readable, is verrry heavy and melancholy, depressing at times, just like the depression Matt fights. If Rhys’ character weren’t such Matt’s opposite in his joyful sweetness, I’m not sure I could have gotten through Rend because it’s just so heavy. I wouldn’t wish Matt’s childhood on any living thing, and the scars he bears because of that childhood are pretty horrifying for him, and for the reader. Thankfully Rhys was there to counterbalance Matt.
I haven’t read the other story in this series, but after having read, and really liked, Rend, I plan on rectifying that, immediately because Rend is a beautiful, heartbreaking story, so I can only imagine how much I’ll enjoy Riven.
This just about broke me but I loved it.
Rend is the second book in the Riven series but it is also a standalone. Characters from book one, Riven, appear but you won’t be lost if you haven’t read it.
If you’ve read any of my reviews, you’re probably tired of hearing me say that a book broke me and then put me back together again. Sometimes I just don’t know any other way to describe what a book did to me. Rend was such a heartbreaking, emotional read but in a good way.
Matt had a difficult childhood which left him emotionally scarred. Even though he and Rhys have been married for a year or so he just can’t believe that it will last – everyone he ever loved left him and he expects that Rhys will, too. Rhys always wanted a close, loving relationship like his parents have and he loves Matt more than he can say – if only he can get Matt to believe that it will last.
It was so hard to read Matt’s feelings and internal conversations when he was struggling to not fall apart. As long as Rhys is around, he’s pretty much OK but after Rhys leaves to go on tour all of his old doubts and fears come rushing back and he pretty much has an emotional breakdown – he just doesn’t tell anyone how bad things are.
When Rhys finds out that Matt has been keeping things from him, he gets so angry that he has to leave for a while. This is what Matt always knew would happen, no matter how much Rhys had told him he would never leave.
Writing a book review is sometimes really difficult because when a book makes me feel things so much, I just don’t have the right words to express how it made me feel. Rend had my eyes leaking more throughout the story than most I’ve read lately. It may be crazy but this is a sure sign that I loved it. The story was so compelling I couldn’t put it down once I started it. Lucky for me it was a crappy day weather wise when I read it and other planned activities were cancelled so I was able to devote my entire day to reading without a bit of guilt!
I looked over my review for Riven (from May 2018) and see that I also said it was a very emotional story. So, while you most certainly can read and enjoy Rend without reading Riven, I recommend it because it was also a great book if you like emotional stories which I certainly do.
A review copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley but this did not influence my opinion or rating of the book.
4-4.5 stars-I thoroughly enjoyed Riven, the first book of the series by the same name, and was really excited to see where the author would take readers next. That said, I was also a little nervous after reading the blurb for Rend because we’d already met the couple in the previous book and they seemed wholly in love and without major complications. I need not be worried though. After all, this author is known for delivering characters and stories that aren’t what they seem at first glance. In Rend, Miss Parrish captured both that chemistry and intimacy between an established couple, as well as all the hiccups two people in love are bound to encounter as they adjust to life together.
As a fan of rock star romances, the Riven series was an easy choice but I really appreciate that, as in the first book, the author addresses a subject most in the trope ignore. Rend focuses on a couple dealing with the rigors of touring. Picking up just after Rhys’s solo career launches and as he prepares to set off on tour, the book explores the difficulty that comes with a couple who has to be apart for extended lengths, as well as reflecting on how these two got their start. Matt’s story definitely wasn’t what I was expecting based on the glimpses we saw in Riven, reminding readers what we see is rarely the full picture. I enjoyed seeing the story develop and Matt evolve and address his issues. I also liked that we saw how well Rhys and Matt work together in the truly difficult times, yet another topic that is rarely explored in contemporary romances. My only hang-up was the pace. Particularly at the start, the slower unveiling of the layers of problems and Matt’s hesitancy to admit his concerns drug the story down and made it a little harder to embrace his character. However, the latter part of the book changed the tone and made me appreciate the meticulous development in the first part of the story. Additionally, I can’t deny that this author’s words never fail to reach inside me and take hold. So while Rend wasn’t quite a five-star read, there’s no refuting it is one that will stick with me- particularly a few passages that were simply beautiful and incredibly poignant in their descriptions of love, nerves, and fear of loss. If you’re in the mood for a good dose of angst and can handle a melancholic character fighting to get their well-deserved, beautiful happily ever after, this is an easy recommendation.
*Received eARC via Netgalley*
Rend is a very tough book for me to review. One thing for sure, this book has stayed with me for a few days. Roan Parrish always delivers an emotional ride and Rend did not disappoint. That being said, I don’t think this book will appeal to everyone.
Matt and Rhys are a committed couple (loved that about this book — it felt so fresh). Matt spends a lot of time thinking that he just can’t believe Rhys is his and vice versa. When Rhys goes on tour and Matt is alone, this thought pattern spirals into something dark and his demons come calling. It’s a gradual descent into a bad place for him, and Roan Parrish plays it out perfectly. It is dark and there were definite crack-your-heart-open moments throughout.
It takes a while for Rhys to catch onto Matt’s distress, and when he does he doesn’t quite understand it. But the love between Rhys and Matt is very strong and they start to work through it. I was left feeling like they had only begun the process of healing at the end of the book.
I did enjoy Matt’s growing friendship with Theo, and the end was really quite sweet. I adored the deep emotions I felt while reading this book.
That being said, I did have some issues with some “stuff” that nagged at me. There was quite a bit of repetition of the theme of ownership (which I did get — it still felt a bit overdone) and I don’t believe I’m going to say this, I also thought there was too much sex in the book. It just felt like they self-medicated with sex and maybe that was the intent. For me, it was more like eating a big box of chocolates and getting to the point where I don’t want to even see a chocolate again. Maybe that’s a bit extreme, but for me, it was just too much. It was super hot for sure, but I would have been happy with a little less.
Overall, I did enjoy this book and I’m looking forward to more in this series. This book can be read as a standalone, but if you want to know more about Caleb and Theo, definitely pick up Riven.
An ARC was provided for review.
I loved Riven and could not wait to read Rend. I was not disappointed. This story draws you in and won’t let go until the end. I really liked Rys in Riven and was intrigued with his story. Rys and Matt are great characters. This was sexy at times and extremely emotional and just a great romance.
What an emotional, heartbreaking story! I didn’t know how this was going to turn out, as it started with a couple in such a happy place. I don’t read a lot of books where they are developed, committed relationships throughout. It adds a unique layer to the whole thing. Matt is the main focus, he has so much to work through. That becomes more and more obvious. The poor guy. It doesn’t mean that Rhys has it easy. He’s also insecure and in need of working through a few things. It’s like they both jumped into things, and yes, it is absolutely the truth that working on a marriage is a constant and deep thing. I loved the story, and the connection to characters from book one. This had my heart. I just wanted to hug these boys.
Rend is the second book in the Riven Series written by Roan Parrish. This is the first book I have read by this author and it will certainly not be my last. Although I am new to this author I have the feeling that she writes from the heart. No one could write a book this heartbreakingly beautiful without putting their entire soul into it. I also love how creative Ms. Parrish was with the title of this book, sheer perfection.
This book celebrates the deep love that two people share, with one of them coming into the relationship a very broken man. Matt was abandoned by his mother, ended up in the foster system and then an orphanage. Matt’s life was not an easy one. I had many heavy-hearted moments while reading about this character, to the point, at times I wanted to reach into the book and hold Matty and tell him that he is worthy of love. This book is written from Matt point of view, at times you feel like you are in his head.
Rhys is the complete opposite of Matt. He grew up in a wonderful, supportive and loving family. He is a successful musician but has always been in the background. Now, he is at the inception of going out on his own and has the potential to be a star.
What came through for me in this book was the journey these two men took. Matt was so broken, but Rhys didn’t care, he loves everything about Matty. The angst comes when Matty struggles with his horrific past and the beauty comes in reading how the love that these two men have for each other heals them both. I also thought the author did an exceptional job in exploring and illustrating the feelings of isolation, rejection, and loneliness that can be a part of life in the foster system. Yes, this book was somewhat dark at times, but I felt it add a certain depth. This book was so well written and the characters were painstakingly developed and stayed true to themselves. I thoroughly enjoyed Rend and plan to back and read Riven. And of course, I would love another story about Huey or maybe Noe…..please.
***I kindly received an ARC of this book by way of NetGalley/publisher/author. I was not contacted, asked or required to leave a review in order to read this book. I received no compensation, financial or otherwise. This is my honest review.***
My first from this author but definitely not my last! Rend is well-written and features two very likable characters in Rhys and Matt. These two have a whirlwind romance and find themselves husband and husband after just a few months. I liked that we were privy to their steamy love affair from the very start and the way they seemed to find the right man at the right time, albeit quite fast. But I sensed their true love for one another and was anxious to see how their very different lives would mesh going forward.
The book takes an unusual turn as Matt and Rhys continue to find out about one another with less than great results. Meaning that their fast romance, even though it was real, kept Matt’s difficult past buried as they fell head over heels for one another. And that truly is the crux of this story: Matt’s journey into finding himself and being the partner Rhys both needs and wants.
I felt for Matt. That man was abandoned more than once in his young life and his struggles to let the past stay in the past was a wedge between him and his doting husband. Rhys is a gem. Wanting nothing more than to fix whatever troubled Matt but not realizing that he wasn’t letting his man find his way by himself. There is a ton of miscommunication and feelings held back as these two try to navigate the life they want together.
My one complaint was that the book kept circling back on itself with me getting a bit frustrated that Caleb (almost 80 percent in) had to finally be the one to tell Rhys that Matt needed more than just his love. The man needed therapy!! I was shouting that over and over again as Matt continued to flounder in all aspects of his life.
I will say, however, that the author beautifully described Matt’s fears and the ways he tried to handle them. He has a ton of baggage that was left unattended and his decisions especially when it came to his patient husband seemed to be spot-on. I guess I just wanted the ‘a-ha’ moment to come a bit sooner.
Caleb and Theo are a great addition and I would love to go back and read their story in Riven. As a foursome, these two couples are easy to be with and they truly have each other’s backs.
In the end, I did enjoy Rend and will not hesitate to read more from this author when I need my M/M fix.
4 solid stars!
I was so in the mood for an established couple romance!
I hadn’t really put it all together when I was reading Riven, but Caleb‘s ex-partner and best friend, Rhys, is married to Matt. I remember Theo being kinda uncomfortable reaching out to Rhys when he needed help with Caleb and Matt was there…
Anyway, don’t worry about any of that, Rend can be read as a standalone. We see Theo and Caleb a fair bit, but none of their story will be spoiled if you read this one first.
There were so many things that made this novel incredible. Matt’s narration of his life story is a heart breaker, and beautifully done. Thinking of everything this young man went through and how he’s processed it, it’s humbling to see where he is at the start of this novel.
I enjoyed watching Rhys come to understand Matt’s story, and reevaluate his own life. What it adds to him as a person, and what it does for their relationship is powerfully moving.
Of course Rend is full of all the gorgeous prose I expect from Roan Parrish. I highlighted so many meaningful statements and poetic thoughts… reading over them now, it’s too hard to pick just one to share here. I’ll take the easy way out and simply encourage everyone to read this truly stunning novel.
It was some of the most beautiful angst I’ve ever read, and it was a journey I’d happily take again.
I enjoyed Rend as much as I did the first book in this series. I absolutely loved the characters in this story and was glad that this story included the characters from the previous one. Theo and Caleb were my favorites, but in this story I absolutely enjoyed Rhys and Matt. Rhys was funny, sweet, charming and Matt was the complete opposite of Rhys but they fit together perfectly. They were two characters that both needed to feel wanted by each other and had two very different backgrounds/upbringings. I loved the love Rhys had for Matt. Matt was definitely an easy person to love but he had his own demons to fight and it definitely tested their relationship. This story was completely different from the first story and I appreciated that a lot. There were times I wanted to grab Matt and either shake him or hug him because he frustrated me at times, but no matter what I couldn’t hate him because when it came to certain things he looked at it differently. This is a story worth reading and all I would say is to go at this story with an open mind because even though it is a romance story it has a little twist to it that seems a little odd but fits the story perfectly when you get to the end. Would I recommend this story? Yes, it was a great M/M read with characters readers will enjoy and a storyline that will have you wanting more from the very beginning.
This is a love story with so much depth. It addresses so many issues that society never does. Rhys and Matt grew up on different sides of the track. They embodied different socio-economic stratus, and lifestyles but they were each seeking love and acceptance. These are things that matter across all boundaries. Learning to trust and to give your heart into someone’s keeping takes a lot. The author does a beautiful job of guiding the reader through the travails of their story. It is sometimes haunting and painful but in the end they rise from the ashes and find true happiness.
Holy Moly! Roan Parrish doesn’t just tug at the heartstrings, she gives them a good, solid yank and twists until it hurts. Rend is emotional, raw, and at times, absolutely heartbreaking. The writing style combined with the character development make it impossible to not become invested in this couple, which makes the emotional aspect that much more of a roller coaster ride. The good news is the author also gives us a light at the end of that dark tunnel by way of hope, love, friendship, and family. The romance is a bit different than what we usually see. Matt and Rhys are into the second year of their marriage at the start of the book, so while we don’t get that new relationship angst, there’s still a whole lot of getting to know each other. Especially for Matt, who has grown up in a world where everyone leaves. His feelings of abandonment and the surety that everyone is going to disappoint him are well-founded, but that doesn’t make his feelings of being unlovable any easier to read. Combine that with Rhys’ determination to be Matt’s protector only to find out that he doesn’t always see the signs of a problem, and we have plenty of angst for this couple. In spite of that angst, or maybe because of it, there are some truly beautiful moments between Matt and Rhys as they figure out what each needs from the relationship. We also get to catch up a bit with Theo and Caleb from the first book in the series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but it’s always nice to revisit past favorites. To sum it up, if you’re a crier, expect tears – both the happy kind and the not so happy. But it’s also a wonderful story of finding that special someone who can help lead you through the maze of this difficult life. All in all, a great addition to the series.
This is book #2 in Riven series. This book can be read as a standalone novel. For reader understanding and to avoid spoilers, I recommend reading series in order.
Matt meets Rhys thinking he would be an amazing one night stand. To his surprise, there is something more there. Now he must learn to fight for what he has.
Rhys knows saying the wrong thing will scare Matt away. He cannot help how he feels. So he keeps Matt any way he can.
This story caught me by surprise. As a breath of fresh air. The men must learn to put each other above the rest, even with odds against them. I loved the sincere feelings that came across. The real search for the one who can love you most.
***This ARC copy was given in exchange for an honest review by Netgalley and its publishers.
This book is very emotional. Matt doesn’t know what he wants and never even thought to ask. I found the story compelling and I loved the ending. So many feels, but be prepared for a roller coaster ride
This is the second in this rocker (?) series, told from the perspective of Matt Argento about his marriage to musician Rhys Nyland. I read Riven and thought Matt and Rhys had a fairly great thing going on, at least through the perspective of Caleb and Theo. You never know what’s going on behind closed doors. Rhys is craving a husband and family like he grew up with and Matt doesn’t believe he deserves anything. A whirlwind courtship and quick marriage didn’t get them the happily ever after they were looking for until things fell apart and they started telling the truth and really getting to know each other.
My heart broke for Matty and his horrible past. Am I naive to think that some caseworker during his eleven years in the system should have noticed he needed to talk to a shrink? He goes by Grim through his entire youth, that’s a clue right there. Do they really not care at all? Parrish does a wonderful job with his deteriorating grasp on daily life during Rhys’ two month tour. I was sad to see how often the pair turn to sex to avoid difficult feelings.
I loved Theo reaching out in his completely awkward way to make friends with Matt. I had to chuckle to myself each time the four had to call/text and explain their significant others particular brand of crazy to their friend. Friends are our chosen family is never more more clear than in this book, from Grin to Huey and Theo and Caleb.
I was expecting a very different book when I got this one, that’ll teach me not to read the blurb, but I was pleasantly surprised by the good storytelling and deep feelings is gave me about a subject I never really understood.
3.5 stars
Roan Parrish is so incredibly talented. Rend is very powerful and so moving; you are IN this story with the main characters, right from the beginning. Warning: Make sure you have a box of kleenex nearby–You’re going to need it. Rend is the story of Rhys and Matt. If you read Parrish’s excellent novel Riven, you’ve already met Rhys. Rend is a standalone story, but you do see Caleb and Theo again (the main characters from Riven), which was wonderful. I like checking in with characters I liked in previous books, but it’s also important to me that I can pick up a book without having read a previous book in a series, and not feel lost–perfectly done here. Like Riven, Rend is a very passionate love story between two well developed characters with amazing and very hot chemistry. But it’s so much more than that! Matt is a very troubled man–his childhood is full of sorrow, and he spent much of it in the foster system. He carries a lot of emotional scars, and he can’t quite believe that he has found someone like Rhys. Rhys is big and beautiful and full of life, and has had a very different upbringing than Matt’s. Rhys is a songwriter and musician, and his career is taking off. They both believe they have a strong foundation, but those beliefs are tested when Rhys goes on tour for a few weeks, and Matt begins to unravel. Rend deals with anxiety, depression, self-doubt, self-loathing–really challenging emotions, and the author addresses them very realistically and sensitively. Rhys and Matt have such different perspectives on things, it’s very interesting watching them trying to work through the challenges that Matt’s anxiety and self loathing issues bring to the relationship. In a really strong subplot, Matt works for a non-profit that helps young people trying to learn skills and find work, and he’s finding a lot of value and self esteem in helping people that come from backgrounds like his own. I think it’s important that we see that Matt ISN’T just his pain and his past, he is his present, and he does a lot of good in the world, and he’s really good in his relationship (most of the time)–but he has some issues he needs to work through. I really felt for these characters. My heart broke for both of them at different moments in the book, and I cried more than I expected to. Matt especially really got to me. I really loved him, and wanted him so badly to reach for his happiness. This is an excellent read. The love scenes are very well written, very steamy, and I found they stayed with me. Each love scene felt very in character for this pair, and really added to the book.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.