I lived through a nightmare no woman should have to endure. Drugged. Sold. Used.He rescued me, as I knew he would, but he could only save my body.My soul is already spoken for.He says it’s not too late. That nothing will come between us again.But the past refuses to let me go.I can’t trust him, or anyone, with what I’ve been through…what I’ve done.There was a time for us, but it’s passed. I have … done.
There was a time for us, but it’s passed.
I have to protect myself from him as much as I do from my enemies.
Because if he finds out what I’ve become…
He’ll leave me for dead.
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Never give up because third time’s the charm
Rook (Endgame Series Book 2) by Riley Ashby is a well written romance. Deeply emotional, this book reprises many characters and introduces us to the missing Vail from Book 1 and focuses mainly on her recovery. Vail is a very strong woman dealing with a traumatic blow and extreme circumstances as a result of her captivity and torture. I truly admired this character. Castel is a rock, and strong, alpha protector. Although he falters at times, he solidly believes that together, he and Vail can build their forever together. Despite the many setbacks, Castel’s determination is Vail’s saving grace and provides her with extra strength to heal.
The plot and sub plot are well executed throughout the book, Vail’s experiences during recovery as well as the sometimes injustice of the justice system. Both create tension and suspense in addition to the anticipation of the development of Vail and Castel’s relationship. These two have been pushing each other away for too long, thinking they knew what was best for the other without talking about it – a recipe for disaster.
Overall a very well written book that explores the emotional depths of traumatic recovery, the perseverance of a long-lasting love and the HEA Vail and Castel have waited 10 long years for.
I read an ARC of this book from Hidden Gems and voluntarily share my review.
As the story opens, Vail has been rescued from a sexual slavery ring and is back home with her family. She survived weeks of sexual violence and brutality at the hands of her kidnappers until her brother Ellery and Castel, the man she loves, were able to rescue her, but her nightmare is far from over. The unbelievable hell that Vail endured is heartbreaking. How do you come back from something like that? Castel’s love for Vail is breathtaking. You just know he would die for her. Castel is the one person who makes her feel safe but he also let her down in the past. Can he make her believe that things will be different now? Will the scars she carries inside ever heal? This riveting story had me from page one. I would definitely read the first book of the series, King, before reading Rook. Not only is it a flat out awesome read but it’s where Vail’s story actually begins. I love the first two books of the series and I can’t wait for number three.
I am voluntarily reviewing an advance reader copy of this book.
Vail was kidnapped when she was fifteen years old and had spent ten years of her life as the captive of a violent sex trafficker. She was used as a sex slave as well as physically, emotionally, and mentally abused. Her brother, and his best friend Castel (Cas), have finally freed her, but the man who is in jail for her abuse hasn’t finished torturing her.
These characters are absolutely believable, Ellery and Cas will do anything necessary to save the woman they both love, and Vail will show her strength and will to live. Even though her ordeal lasted so long she still had a little hope that she would be rescued by her brother and the man she has loved for a long time.
I thought this book was well written, and a plausible narrative of the damage done to a young woman at the hands of an evil man that abused her, and her emotional/mental battle to reclaim her life. I also thought this was a fantastic book, but will warn other readers that there are a lot of descriptions of the physical and sexual abuse against a young woman that could trigger some readers.
I am voluntarily leaving an honest and non-incentivized review of this ARC.