Cale has the circus in his blood. As ringmaster and owner of Meriful’s Traveling Circus, his world is the arena, the spectacle and the heat of the spotlight. He looks out for his ragtag troupe of performers as if they’re his family, because after tragedy struck, they are.
Ryah’s been battered and bruised by life and is ready to give up. Then Cale finds her, and she runs away to join Meriful’s … Meriful’s Traveling Circus and becomes the horseback acrobatics star she’s always dreamed of being.
What ultimately calls to her is Cale’s dangerous knife-throwing act, and the thrill of putting her life in his hands. Soon, she doesn’t want to be just part of his act. Cale’s doing his best to resist the fragile eighteen-year-old. He’s the ringmaster, but lately he’s been wondering… Who’s running rings around who?
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4.5 Stars
{I received this as an ARC in exchange for an Honest review}
“Ringmaster” was so much more than I was expecting and I loved it. Brianna gives you the magic of the circus with an epic slow burn romance while adding in so much heartache and the feeling of being free all at the same time. I enjoyed Cale and Ryah with all my heart. You can feel the magic and connection between them from the moment they meet and especially when they preform. This book is gripping and will have you entranced. It was so easy to connect with these characters. You will feel everything they feel. Brianna has written such an amazing story. I am so in Love with Cale and Ryah! They are the perfect fit and even though there is an age gap you can tell they were meant for each other. I know you will love Cale and Ryah and their epic story.
Whoa baby! This is smoking! The insta-love aspect just gets me but it develops slowly too because Cale knows Ryah needs time and she is young and so many other things. The attraction is mutual and undeniable and the action of the circus just adds to the tension. So good!
Well, I don’t think it would be a surprise to anyone that knows me that Brianna Hale is a one-click author for me, and, that she never fails to surpass expectations. And, with Ringmaster, she’s blown them completely out of the water!
I never knew how much I needed a romance story to take place at a circus until Cale swept me off my feet, and rescued Ryah from a life that was in simplest terms not a good one. Their instant connection, their shared passion for horses, so many little things that build and fester and threaten to overwhelm. Personal pasts sneaking up on them, obstacles galore, five out of six knives, and a very attractive red catsuit, well, the story is well worth the read to find out how all of these individual things fit together!
This story highlights the importance of individuality, the importance of acceptance, the importance of inclusion, the importance of trust and honor and freedom, the importance of friendship. This story is one of the sweetest love stories I’ve read in a long time, and, who wouldn’t fall in love with a hero inspired by Keanu Reeves?
Cale is strong, steady, a tree in a forest during a storm. Ryah is a sprite, effervescent, fluttering around like a bird, innocent and wholesome, and in awe of what it is like to be comforted, to be cared for, to receive companionship.
The rollercoaster rider of a journey of this story left me an emotional wreck, and I have no regrets, and am in fact planning a reread ASAP, because I love this opportunity to vicariously live out my dream of running away and joining the circus! Brianna, you have out done yourself!
The sweetest romance with a strong undercurrent of tragedy and hope.
I never know what I will find when I read a book written by this author, but I always find something wonderful.
A circus romance? Utterly enchanting and original.
There is a man who rides a majestic Friesian horse and saves the resilient, innocent damsel in distress as she flees from abuse. Can it be any more captivating? It can because love unfurls in bittersweet, slow motion. And it’s beautiful.
The exhilaration of circus shows, gritty life on the road yet cozy camarederie among the performers, glittering knife throwing, nomadic travelling of England. This backbone of the story feels engaging and heart-warming as Cale and Ryah, ringmaster and horserider, learn to trust and need each other.
I was giddy with all the heightened feelings pouring out of these characters in sweet gestures, kind words, earnest desires. They never rush or dare, so it has this Jane Austen patina of old-times, silent wooing. It feels right too as the age-gap is remarkable. I was as breathless and wanton with romantic need as the characters themselves when the time comes to cross the threshold of carnal acts. Swoon!
I loved that they have demons who pursue them, but find solace and healing in the circus and the life they nurture there. Cale is the strong man who protects and Ryah is the young soul in peril. Ironically, she has the bold heart to stir new life and courage in his, and he shows the kindness and love that she has never known. Deeply touching and romantic.
I loved the horses, the countryside, the friendliness around the campfire, the tough themes of acceptance and second chances and family tragedy. I loved the dark moments when they supported each other and the passionate moments so full of bliss. I relished the longing that suffuses the narrative, and the lovely epilogue filled me with happiness.
This quaint circus romance is a delight.
Gah! I’m so happy to have a longer novel after The Black Fox came out. I’ve missed Brianna Hale’s writing and her unique plot lines an astronomical amount.
Ringer master is a fantastic read about Cale, the Ringmaster with heavy baggage, and Ryah, our heroine who deserves a chance at a better life. They are fascinating and so special to most couples I read in NA. It’s definitely a slow burn and there’s something wholesome about the way Cale and Ryah connect over time. It was quite touching to read and my heart felt extremely full by the end.
Wholesome doesn’t mean that there weren’t any hot scenes, either. Knife-throwing has never been sexier. Like these scenes were . Cale is just such a perfect hero, there was nothing I was left wanting from him. He’s Prince Charming and has the horse to match .
It’s always a pleasure to read Brianna Hale. Her books are like a breath of fresh air in NA.
5 Sparkle Stars!!
This talented author is one of the best at penning a magical tale which hooks and intrigues the readers from the very beginning. Cale is the ringmaster and owner of his travelling circus, and when Ryah runs away to join as a horseback acrobatics star, they bond over their pasts. This is a beautifully written story which is an emotional roller coaster, as well as having angst, danger, off the chart’s chemistry which all lead to a heartfelt read. I was hooked throughout, and I highly recommend for all readers who love a slow burn, age difference romance story.
This is my first circus romance and I was truly pleased. This slow burn was more than just a forbidden romance, but about the self discovery behind the two souls joining together. Ryah and Cale had to learn to accept themselves, what they cannot change, and that there was no escaping the bond they had formed.
This sweet romance built over time which is not something I was immediately prepared for. After Ryah runs away from her abusive father where there is no future for herself, she meets Cale, an older, handsome and daring Ringmaster of the circus. She immediately fits into the fold with society’s misfits where she must learn to mature, build lasting friendships, and make something of herself as a show girl. Over the course of a year, Ryah is faced with many challenges, both internally and within her new circus life, and in all that time she grows a love for Cale –– a man she believes is too far out of her league and nearly double her age. Cale, hardened by a childhood trauma, must learn to open up to new adventures and trust his heart knows what it wants.
The passion that these two have for the circus life, their friends and their budding romance had me yearning for more and more… and boy did I get it. The intimacy that is ever present in every interaction between Ryah and Cale builds and builds until I couldn’t take it any more! Slow burns are not always my thing but Brianna Hale made the wait worth it. This was a fast-paced read that went beyond the physical connection, which sold me on this sweet love.
I am seriously loving so hard on this book right now! As a self-proclaimed Forbidden Romance Junkie, The blurb for this book really caught my attention and left me incredibly eager to read it. So when I settled down to read this book I had very firm expectations in my mind about what I was going to get and this book delivered most of them and threw in some very pleasing surprises along the way. Now, to start, I’m going to address the one way that this book didn’t met my expectations. I have read several other books by this author and loved them and every single one of them had been scorching hot! So, yes I was a bit surprised that this turned out to be a slow burn romance that only reaches a heat level that I would say is steamy and you might think that this would lead to disappointment and you would be 100% Wrong!! And you know why??! Because all that heat was replaced with so much intense, deep emotion!! I thought that this was a beautiful romance and the characters stole my heart. The story is compelling and captivating. Before you are done reading the prologue you will know you are about to read something special. Romance, suspense, drama, angst, sweetness, longing and emotional turmoil flow across every page of this well written read. I would be hard pressed to tell you whether Cale or Ryah caused my heart to hurt worse but if push came to shove, I’d probably say that Cale did. Regardless, they each have painful, tragic pasts that weigh in heavily on their now and I adored them. It was very moving to see these two wounded souls find the love and happiness they so deserved. I found the books setting (a traveling circus in the English countryside) fresh and intriguing. There is an interesting cast of support characters and some absolutely vile individuals that you are sure to hate. After I finished this book I felt kind of in awe of it because it gave me just what I wanted while also giving me so much more.
“You’ve nearly stopped my heart with just a look, more than once. I’m completely at your mercy, Ryah. What are knives, compared to that?”
Ringmaster was such a fun, adventurous ride. I never knew I wanted a circus romance until Brianna Hale said she was writing one. It was everything! It had atmosphere, chemistry, and thrills.
Seventeen year old Ryah is running away from her abusive father when she runs into 31 year old Cale. As ringmaster of Meriful’s Traveling Circus, he sweeps her into a place filled with awe and joy. Here she finds friendship, freedom, and love.
The romance between Ryah and Cale was surprisingly sweet and tender. I’m used to Hale’s Daddy erotic romances so it was amazing to see a whole new softer side to her writing style. The two have troubled pasts that cling to them like shadows, but after working together in a way that demands trust they open up and communicate and its so heartwarming. My heart hurt so much for Cale and his parents. Terrible things happen to great people all the time and it just added a whole level of emotion in the story which I appreciated.
Read this if you enjoy:
-age gaps
-circus environments
-dangerous circus stunts and tricks
-slow burn
Overall rating: 4 stars
Steaminess- 3 stars
4.5 stars.
Ringmaster was a lot sweeter of a story than I expected. I love me some Brianna Hale and she’s got the Daddy arc down to an art. But despite the age gap between Cale and Ryah, I never felt any power inequality.
This was a delicious slow burn, and it truly highlights the way their relationship changes and matures. There was an instant connection between the two: you could practically feel how much Cale wanted to save her and be her white knight. I loved the suspense and how both characters worked through their past trauma.
I felt like I was truly living with the circus. Her ability to transport the reader into the story is superbly done.
Ringmaster was romantic and sweet and heartfelt. A lovely read.
Unique. Original.
Don’t get me wrong with the rating, I did enjoy the story, however it didn’t WOW me like some of Brianna’s novels have done in the past. Yes, there were moments that intrigued, swooned me but overall I am not dying over this book. I love how the author used her creative side and brought her adventures from her reality and illustrated to her fans a wonderful story of bewilderment, amazement of a circus, similar to the greatest showman atmosphere with a unique spin of a gypsy theme.
Her descriptions were on par, and the setting of the actually circus scenes were great. made you feel you were in the crowd watching it live. The parts I had a hard time connecting with were the chemistry between Cale and Ryah. yes, there is an age difference and Ryah has a young love, smitten attitude toward him… but I was wanted more. maybe more from him? *shrugs.
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This song played out in my mind while reading this book and when I finished it I realized how fitting it is.
Writing this review wasn’t easy for me. Just because this book took my breath away!!! I want to tell you everything and tell you nothing at all.
This book is phenomenal! It has all the good stuff in it. Crazy romantic, sad, surprising, funny, exciting and devastatingly beautiful!
One day, on a hill, Cale the ringmaster saves a seventeen year old Ryah from her sad and cruel life. He’s being her Knight without the shining armor. He takes her away with him to his travelling circus and then our lovely story begins. Their hidden love, friendship and devotion for each other is amazing I couldn’t get enough of their interactions together.
Cale was the epitome of hard and soft. Taking care of his people, horses and the circus filled his life with contentment, but when Ryah comes along like a ray of sunshine, he finds out he was living in the shadows all along. Bowing to her will, taking care of her as a friend and a partner made me want to join his circus.
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Ryah, this sweet people-loving girl. All she ever wanted was to feel safe and fit in.She and Dandalion captured my heart! In the minute Ryah stepped into the circus it seems like she found her place and was missing this her whole life until now. She becomes a horse acrobat and later Cales partner.
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Cale and Ryah’s love is instant, but throughout the book it builds and builds until it explodes and I swear there were fireworks!
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andddd swoon!
Brianna has the ability to suck you into the story she has written, and makes you feel as if you are right there with the characters. I felt it too. As if I was there with them, on the wagons or horses, doing this journey in the English scenery , eating out of tin plates and sitting by the fire, and performing in the circus every night.
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It was romantic, heartfelt, sometimes sad, honest, and definitely one of Brianna’s best work! I’m definitely re-reading this book soon!
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5 !
** Disclaimer: I received an ARC for my honest review**
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I just finished this book not 30 seconds ago, my heart is fluttering! Who hasn’t dreamed of running away with the circus, but she needed their love and protection.
Ryah has led such a hard life, I cried for her. And in comes Cale to the rescue on his noble steed!!!!! These two were perfection. He protected her but boy, she pushes HIM out of his comfort zone. Anouk and Elke are two of the sweetest ladies, they were such amazing friends to Ryah.
The ending….*happy sigh*
Ringmaster
Brianna Hale
https://www.facebook.com/briannahalebooks/
Release date 05/13/2020
Blurb :
Cale has the circus in his blood. As ringmaster and owner of Meriful’s Traveling Circus, his world is the arena, the spectacle and the heat of the spotlight. He looks out for his ragtag troupe of performers as if they’re his family, because after tragedy struck, they are.
Ryah’s been battered and bruised by life and is ready to give up. Then Cale finds her, and she runs away to join Meriful’s Traveling Circus and becomes the horseback acrobatics star she’s always dreamed of being.
What ultimately calls to her is Cale’s dangerous knife-throwing act, and the thrill of putting her life in his hands. Soon, she doesn’t want to be just part of his act. Cale’s doing his best to resist the fragile eighteen-year-old. He’s the ringmaster, but lately he’s been wondering… Who’s running rings around who?
My review :
When his latest rescue becomes more than he ever dreamed …
I do think I picked up this book because of the world it was set in. I knew I would travel all along the circus caravans, and I loved visiting the English countryside.
It was a two tales in one book, one about closing the door of the past in order to healing and also of coming of age to find one’s true home.
Cale is every girl’s dream’s boyfriend, kind and caring and a bit broody with a dark past.
After running away from his home, he followed the road of a passing circus, there he found a kind of peace and a new family.
Ryah is living a waking nightmares, and sees no end to it, until she encounter a man who takes her under his wings, offering her a new home. She enters shy and full of doubts her new life, still soon with the other members, she finds her calling and voices what she wants.
Because if their age gap, Cale refrains to express his feelings, refusing to act on them. Why their romance takes time following them on the roads, each new stopover bringing them closer, Cale named himself her champion, and protector. First offering his shoulders for support and comfort, then making his lifelong project to be her knight in shining armor.
Their romance is a sweet and sensual one, while she learns to trust, he let the past rest to open his heart to love.
I liked their journey toward one another, with Cale taking a path down memory lane until he realizes he is the sole artisan of his happiness, if he is up to share his grief and hopes.
4.5 stars
I was granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
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If I run away and join the circus just know Brianna Hale is to blame! This book had me captivated from the very first page. It’s equal parts beautiful and romantic and heartbreaking.
After a chance meeting, Ryah joins Cale’s circus and the two bond over painful pasts and a shared love of horses. Hale paints a picture with words in Ringmaster. A torturously slow burn set against the English countryside.
Despite their age difference, you can’t help but root for these two. Their chemistry is off the charts!! The tension, the longing, it’s all so well done I stayed up way past my bedtime waiting to see who would give in first.
Five—Cale can hurl knives at me any day—STARS!
I wish there was a 6th star!
From the very first page I could not put Ringmaster down. I read until my Kindle literally fell out of my hand and I had no choice but to sleep!
Cale and Ryah were EVERYTHING! Both so damaged by circumstances beyond their control but still so GOOD. So filled with love and loyalty to each other and the circus. With the most beautiful friendship above the passion.
I could not get enough! I could stay in this book -world forever! Brianna, please write more!!!!!
Wow what a truly captivating story! My first book by Brianna Hale and ill be coming back for more. This tale has the air of a classic romance, with great highly detailed scenes that draw you in and keep you reading till the end. An age gap love blossoms between the ringmaster Cale and a horseback acrobat Ryah, both have seen the darkside of life but in each other they find hope an life, something that breaks down both their walls and brings to life a circus. Well written with great characters you cant help but love.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Ringmaster made me think of Midnight Hunter as it is as unique and captivating. It is so full of innocence and it is such a hauntingly beautiful love story it moved me to tears. The reader can smell the flowers and the hedgerows as Ryah and Cale ride behind the wagons, you can feel the excitement of the big top and shiver in the middle of winter along with the performers. Brianna Hale is a master at evoking feelings, good or bad, in her books and having the reader become one with the characters. There are some sad moments and some violence and unhappiness but above all this is a story not to be missed.