Ryder Daniels is all too familiar with rejection. His parents cut off contact because he’s gay and his boyfriend left him, choosing drugs over love. Aside from his rescued pit bull, his only joy is hanging out with his younger brother. Then his mother does the unthinkable and forbids them to see each other, leaving Ryder devastated and alone. His friends urge him to date, but Ryder would rather … rather throw himself into working at the dog rescue and figuring out a way to see his brother again.
When Jason Mallory’s girlfriend gives him an ultimatum to get married, he shocks everyone by breaking up with her instead. He believes he’s too busy for a relationship now that the construction company he started with his brother is taking off. When he discovers a group of abandoned pit bulls and calls the local dog rescue group to pick them up, an uncomfortable encounter with Ryder causes Jason to question feelings he’s hidden deep inside for years.
Jason and Ryder build a friendship, until an unexpected kiss sparks the attraction they’ve been fighting. Jason gives Ryder unconditional love and helps him reconnect with his brother while Ryder shows Jason the passion he’s always missed in relationships. Together they must battle through their family differences and ugly prejudices. Only then can they prove that once you find the right person to love, there’s no turning back.
This is a re-release of the original edition published in 2014. It has brand new content as well as the entire book being revised.
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Story 4.75 Stars
Audio 5 Stars
Storyline:
My heart simply bled for Ryder. His mother is a horrid homophobe. She considers his sexuality deviant behavior and believes he needs to stop acting out and settle down with a decent woman. His mother always heaps endless opinions about his career. I hated her from the moment she opened her mouth. Ryder stands firm and tells her until she can accept him, he is done with seeing his parents. However he loves his little brother so naturally she tries to keep them apart. Ryder is an attorney but not at his father’s firm which considering their attitude who can blame him? He mainly works for an animal rescue with pit bulls along with being a lawyer. Unlucky-in-love both with partners and family, poor Ryder has so much on his plate.
Jason is dating a vapid woman who cares about her own needs over anyone else, especially her boyfriend. The relationship is sour and the attraction has fizzled. Being pressured one time too many to commit to marriage, an ultimatum is issued and James has had enough. He is now single and quite relieved.
On his construction work site several pit bulls were left chained and abandoned. Along with his best friend Emily, Ryder is called in to help. I won’t go into details but it was a challenging rescue. The dogs are safe and Jason is smitten with one of the pups and maybe there is also an attraction to the gorgeous guy with the beach dude vibes named Ryder. Assaulted by these new feelings really starts to freak him out.
The connection between the two intensifies and they can’t stay apart. Jason has to deal with the whirlwind of emotions from recognizing his hidden feelings about his sexuality to what others think of his growing relationship. Ryder is also fearful of having his heart shattered again. Jason is confused and Ryder is weary but the electric pull just can’t be denied.
Expertly written and full of emotion on how reality can really come crashing down, I was riveted to this romance. I highly recommend this sweet story of new beginnings. Happy Reading!
Audio:
Narration by Charlie David
This clear and perfectly paced rendition of Felice’s story was very enjoyable and satisfying. I loved the rough and sexy rumble of Jason’s voice. He did all the characters justice and had me in tears during the emotional scenes. A wonderful audio presentation that I wholeheartedly recommend. Happy Listening!
This author writes such great stories. I love the warmth of the characters.
What a beautiful book Felice Stevens has written in Rescued, and its sequel, Reunited. The characters are wholly original and the story both compelling and inspiring. I was happy the main characters got their HEA, but I was reluctant to say goodbye to them.
Felice Stevens is one of the best writers of M/M romance novels. In my opinion, Rescued and Reunited are two of her best. I will definitely reread them.
I loved Ryder and Jason’s meet cute and how rocky it was at first. Fortunately after some bumps in the road they were able to come together for their picture perfect happily ever after.
I got this free, from The Gay Romance Reader Club.
Jason broke up with his girlfriend cos he didn’t want to marry her. Ryder broke up with his boyfriend cos the boyfriend didn’t want to give up his drugs. Over the rescue of some pit bulls, they became friends. Ryder wants more and Jason? Well, he is digging deep into a long buried memory and realising that maybe it wasn’t the fact he didn’t want to marry his girlfriend, but maybe, just maybe, it was because she was a GIRL.
Oh I LOVED this book! It’s one of those books that surprises you for some reason, but you’ve on idea why! I can’t tell what surprised me, really I can’t but I can tell you that I loved it!
Ryder is a lawyer, works for a pit bull rescue, has a pit called Pearl. While he loves his dog, she isn’t much of a substitute for the warm male body he misses. Jason is a builder, developing his business with his brother. Finding the pit bulls chained up at a site brings Ryder into contact with Jason and both men, BOTH of them, have a reaction to the other. Ryder’s is not surprising but Jason’s is. As they spend more time together, Jason begins to question just what he’s been doing all this time.
And I LOVED that we got to hear from both men! Cos you know I love that, but especially in books like this, when one is going against all he ever thought was right, and having that light bulb moment with someone and the world is a better place for it. And it really is a *light bulb above the head* moment for Jason, once he allows himself to just run with what he’s feeling.
I did NOT like Ryder’s mum. She’s a Class A bitch and deserves to be alone for the rest of her days, for what she did to Ryder and his brother! So glad that his dad got his act together though!
Loved Jason’s mum, especially after what his brother Liam says!
And while I’m not usually one for early professions of love, the way Jason came out with it? It was right that he said those words early, even if he didn’t actually realise what he’d said! Both guys fell hard and they fell fast but it was right, for them, that they did.
There is a second book for these guys, and I’d love to read it at some point. There is a tiny snippet at the back of this one, and I have a feeling it might not be so warm and fuzzies!
First full length book by Ms Stevens I’ve read, the wish list is a few longer now!
5 full and shiny stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Rescued is the first book in the Rescued Hearts series, and we start off with Jason and Ryder. Jason has just finished with his long-term girlfriend, and Ryder has been alone for a long time, although he has his pitbull, Pearl, to keep him company. Ryder’s life hasn’t been that great, although he was born with the proverbial silver spoon. You find out just what a first class piece of work his mother is! Watching these two get together was superb. After Jason worked his own stuff out (which I do understand) I really didn’t want Ryder to fall back in Jason’s arms so quickly. Still, that’s just one small point, and certainly did not affect my enjoyment of this story.
Exceedingly well written, with a sweet story, and hot and sexy intimate scenes, you really do get the best of both worlds with this book. I loved the characters, and the world-building, and would highly recommend this book.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go and get the second book!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian – I Dig Good Books!
A delightful read! It was really surprising to me how enjoyable I ultimately found this book!
Love love loved it and you will too
Loved this story of a brokenhearted man that may have found his happily ever after in a very straight construction worker. It was not only a beautiful love story it was hot as hell also!
Great storyline and the characters were well developed and believeable. The storyline was great and I will follow this author!