One night of complete surrender is all it takes. Gareth Harris is Manchester United’s reclusive star defender. He has control over all aspects of his life. But a lifetime of supporting his siblings and filling in for an emotionally absent father has taken its toll. Sloan Montgomery is a clothing stylist whose world was turned upside down when she found herself pregnant and moving to Manchester … moving to Manchester with a man who was never supposed to be her forever. Now recently divorced and struggling with shared custody of her daughter, control is a fleeting concept for this American living in England.
Both Gareth and Sloan are in need of a release.
A moment in time where they can forget about their pasts and family pressures…and just…
…surrender.
No one could predict what happens when both of their defences are down.
Surrender is part one of the Final Harris Brother Duet and concludes with Dominate. This duet reads great on it’s own, but to maximize enjoyment, check out the first three brothers’ books in Challenge, Endurance, and Keeper
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Oh. My. Freaking. Goodness. Amy Daws and the Harris Brothers have never disappointed me and Surrender continues the winning streak. Gareth Harris has always been the mysterious and brooding Harris brother, so I have been highly anticipating Gareth’s story.
There is the usual Harris family antics and humor that I always enjoy in Surrender. But Sloan and Gareth themselves are such complex and mysterious characters and that shows in their story. They come together as a release and escape from the outside world and find so much more in each other than either of them anticipated. I am so happy to finally have Gareth’s story, at least the first part, but it is a bittersweet happiness because I do not want the Harris family stories to end.
I voluntarily received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
“The final Harris brother, 5 stars”
I am one of those who was patiently waiting for what felt like forever for Gareth Harris’ s story, but once I got it I felt nothing but dread. Dread because this is almost the end of a series I have loved since the start and I knew there would be a cliffhanger of some sort. Even though I had been preparing myself for the duet for a while now it was kind of daunting to think about once the book was in my hands. But then I embraced the story and jumped, and holy guacamole did Daws take us on journey.
Daws takes us on a trip with Gareth and Sloan’s story. I want to tell you everything,
but I can’t because I firmly believe you should go up and one-click, read Surrender for yourself and find out for yourself. Gareth and Sloan are everything and nothing like I expected them to be. Surrender kept me on my toes from start to finish.
I may have started this story with dread in my belly because of the thought of waiting two weeks for the next part but now I honestly can’t wait. Yes, it still hurts my heart that the Harris family shenanigans are almost over but I’m embracing it and so should you.
Plot-5/5
Characters-5/5
Heat-5/5
Writing style-5/5
Overall-5/5
Been waiting a long time for this book. The final Harris brother, the most mysterious, the quiet one. Well… Let me tell you, this was a one sitter, four hours, and BOOM… I LOVE GARETH!!! The writing is outstanding, I will never figure out how Amy, the girl from mid-west America, can write in Full on England mode. I actually hear her talking with her British accent while I’m reading. Amazing! This book though, emotional, heart wrenching, and BOLD. You will not be disappointed at all. Now, this is the last book(s) in the series, but I think you can get away with reading it as a stand alone. But WHY would you do that, all of the Harris brothers are simply Lovely. Trust me you will not be angry that you read them all!
After waiting what feels like years and years…and years….Gareth Harris if finally here for our reading pleasure! And good lord have mercy, was he more than worth the wait. The author truly outdid herself with the story behind the elusive broody oldest brother.
So many things are uncovered about Gareth that answer so many questions for those of us who have read the series from the beginning. From the very first words of the book you will find yourself almost immediately feeling all the emotions. From awwwws to the WTFs to the I already need a cold shower….it’s all there from the start!
It’s really hard to write a proper review because I do not want to give away any spoilers in this….the author was dropping bombs left and right that will leave you furiously turning the pages of your kindle to find out what happens next. There are so many more layers to the characters in this book that you would have never anticipated but good lord……peeling them back while reading this book and then anxiously waiting for the second part of the duet is the sweetest type of torture out there.
Again, without giving away the goods, just know that this book is perfect from start to finish, it’s deep, it’s delicious, and as always with those Harris brothers, you will be left breathless and wanting more. So. Much. More.
Kel
Kel and Mel Tell Book Blog
*I was graciously gifted an ARC of this book from the author for my reading pleasure and I write this review based on my own opinions!*
I have to admit, I haven’t read the other Harris brothers books yet but I feel pretty strongly that I started with the best!
I fell in love with Gareth Harris pretty darn quickly. He’s got so many layers to him and keeps surprising me throughout the book.
Both Sloan and Gareth have a lot of issues they are dealing with personally but it makes them work so well together. They come together at the right time in their lives and it works for them. I love the arrangement they have just as much as I love when they break it.
There is a cliffhanger since this is the first in a duet and it has me counting down the days until I can read part 2. I can tell that Sloan and Gareth’s love story is going to be epic!
I am going to go back and read the other books in the Harris Brother series while I wait for book 2 🙂
One thing about this book is that it will gut you. It is raw, passionate and so so emotional. My heart shattered at times. For Gareth and everything he has had to endure including the pain of his mother passing. For Sloan and being subjected to the evil ex and his mother and everything with it. This story starts with a slow burn as you navigate how these two really got together and close and how their dynamic really works. Their banter is hilarious but also so steamy. You can feel the undercurrents between these two as they would literally set the pages on fire. I loved seeing Gareth and Sloan submit to each other in their own ways. It was panty melting but also heartbreaking at times because of the reasoning.
This story keeps you on your toes with lots of ups and downs and lots of Harris insanity. But that ending… I knew it was a duet so going into this, it was gonna have a cliffy of some sort. However, I did not expect what we got! My jaw dropped and lots of what the wtf just happened. I had to reread the last few paragraphs because I did not want to believe that was what was happening! I am seriously dying for part two! BRING IT ON!!! I NEEEEEEEEED IT!!!
Holy sheet, Holy sheet, Holy sheet!
Those two words are the words that I keep repeating after finishing off this freaking book. I’ve been sitting here in a daze repeating them because WHAT THE HECK JUST HAPPENED. Seriously, talk about a damn cliffhanger, this one had me on the end of my seat pulling at my damn hair!!
*sighs*
Ok I need to chill the hell out already BUT Gareth..
Gahhh, ok..
So, my review..
Any time I see Amy Daws has a new release I know I’m instantly going to want to read said book especially if one of those books includes a Harris brother. So when I seen Surrender I knew I NEEDED to have it and boy am I glad I did.
Gareth was a breath of fresh air, so much different to the other Harris brothers. He’s reserved and holds back from his family. He’s suffered through a terrible loss at a young age and it’s affected him more than anyone seems to realise but he’s still as loving and loyal and beautiful as the rest of his siblings.
Getting a peek into Gareth’s life is an absolute treasure, I loved the route Amy took with his story. The pain and suffering, the love, everything he feels you end up feeling for him too. You connect with him on a whole new level that he just completely awes you (well he did that for me) OH and one more thing, baby Gareth is adorable ok.
Sloan is an amazing woman and the perfect woman for this story. She’s had her fair share of heartbreak and sadness, she’s suffered through difficult times too. I loved the role she has in Gareth’s life, it’s unexpected and fan-freaking-tastic, I loved every minute of her.
Of course a Harris brother story wouldn’t be complete without the whole family being present. I have so much love for these brothers it’s unreal.
Ok so now, I just wanna talk about that ending because I’m a mess, like wtf? It was so unexpected and like, I NEED the next book RIGHT NOW. I love me a good cliff hanger but my body and mind disagrees with me because they’re totally not accepting that ending right now, no they’re not.
Amy Daws blows me away with her writing. Every new release seems to get better and better. Kudo’s to this incredible woman for thinking up all the things that happen in Surrender, I didn’t think my heart was going to be able to cope tbh.
Now I’ll just sit here (not so patiently) waiting for Dominate.
Seriously, my favourite read of 2018 so far!
PS Totally apologising now for all that rambling up top, my bad.
Oh my god. I have no words. This is probably my shortest and least eloquent review. But OH. EM. GEE! It’s like Amy Daws stole my words, my emotions, and my breath. Gareth now owns my heart and I won’t be asking for it back ever! Sloan is amazing. I adored her character. She’s such a beautifully strong heroine. Gareth and Sloan together are the stuff that perfect romance novels are made of. I flipping loved it. Plus, I got to see all the other Harris Brothers and revisit with other of my favorite characters. This book was everything. One minute I was laughing and then I was bawling my eyes out! Then holy hell that ending! I need the next book immediately. I might also need a hug. I need a damn moment! Don’t ask me questions people! Just GET THIS BOOK!
5 Plus Stars!
WOW!!! Having read the first book in this series, and absolutely loving it, I was really looking forward to this one. I wasn’t let down at all, with this book about the eldest of the four brothers, Gareth. The story is just so perfect; perfectly written and so perfectly paced that you are completely entrenched in their lives and feeling all the feels along with them.
Gareth is the glue that holds the Harris family together. He is strong, sexy, vulnerable and stubborn but, oh, so lovable. You just get a good feeling about him. Slone is so downtrodden by her husband at the beginning of the story, that you just can’t help but want to hug her and be her best friend. Slone and Gareth together are the perfect, a ‘made for each other’ couple, each needing exactly what the other offers.
Watching these two grow is fantastic. I loved this family and didn’t realise the other books were out, I’m going to one-click those right now, I love these brothers… and their sister Vi. The family banter is so funny, you feel the love and respect they all have for each other… except their Dad! There is no excuse for him and the way he’s treated his own children for the majority of their childhood.
I recommend this book whole heartedly.
Amy Daws has done it again!!! I never want to leave the world of the Harris brothers and while I was ecstatic to finally get to read Gareth’s story, I’m going to cry my dang eyes out when this series is over!
Gareth has always been a bit of a mystery, even to his own family. He isn’t a manwhore like his younger brothers and is pretty regimented in his everyday life. He has always been the fixer of their family, a sort of surrogate father to all of the siblings with all the responsibilities that includes.
Enter Sloan, who has been Gareth Harris’ stylist. She is having a crisis in her life and Gareth, who she has become somewhat friends with, is there for her when she needs him most. But life often gets in the way of putting one’s self first and Sloan has responsibilities that keep her from seeing Gareth.
That is, until they come to an agreement that they both need something from each other and why can’t friends help each other out? What could go wrong, right?
I loved this book and I have spent the whole month loving these Harris brothers and their smart and sassy women. This book was more of the fun, sexy writing I’ve come to expect from this author! I’m ready for Dominate NOW!!!
p.s., The scenes with Rocky and Gareth turned me into a puddle. They were sweet without being cheesy and I absolutely loved them!
10 Football stars for Gareth!!!!! Holy F*ing H*ll!!!! This book….OMG!!!
I first discovered Ms. Daws and the Harris family when I received Challenge in my Romance Reveal Book Box; needless to say, I devoured Challenge, Endurance and Keeper. I have been anxiously awaiting Gareth’s book.
Ms. Daws knocked this book out of the pitch!!! I literally finished, just minutes ago and I am in need of a support group….like STAT!!!
How am I going to wait until August for Dominate?????
Reviewed by: Dana D.
OMG….OMG….omgomgomgomgomg!!!!
I wasn’t prepared for the avalanche of feelings Ms. Daws heaped on me in Surrender. This is by far the best book she has written. I am so in love with Gareth and Sloan. This book has turned me completely upside down and I loved every word.
I just can’t deal….I NEED Dominate now.
Reviewed by: Heather S.
Wow!! Just WOW!! I hate to leave any spoilers in my reviews, so I will just say that this story was worth the wait and I can’t wait for Dominate!! WOW!!
OMG! WOW! Those are the only things I could think when I finished this book!! What an amazing story. I am a fan of a well executed cliffhanger, and this one took my breath away!
“the memory of her lips on mine becomes fainter and fainter, like a melting ice cube evaporating before my eyes.”
I had been waiting for Gareth’s story but not because of anything I’d read about him, but mostly because he was such an unknown. He is the eldest brother in this family who’s dysfunctionality has shaped each family member. As the star player for Manchester Untied football team, Garett is someone who’s public life is in the public eye, but he keeps to himself as much as he can to protect as much of his privacy as possible.
“He can both dominate and surrender. In fact, it makes him more of a man if he can do both.”
Sloan is living a life that has just seemed to spiral completely out of her control. All aspects of her life including where she lives, her work, everything has been decided by someone else or just what she must do to get by.
“On the surface, she’s peaches and cream with a sweet, pleasing sort of nature. But there’s a fire beneath the surface of her that cannot be denied.”
Together Gareth and Sloan find they have what the other needs, but they are both hiding so much under the surface. Surrender has all the feels. It was like riding waves of humor and emotion.
“I miss you, Sloan. We used to be friends.”
Her eyes are practically hooded when she licks her lips and replies, “We were never friends.”
I smirk. “We were friendly.”
She smirks back. “Too friendly I seem to recall.”
I really wanted to read this book slowly, to bask in the romance of it, to enjoy every bit of our last Harris brother. But after starting I just couldn’t stop reading. Even during the night I woke several times thinking of Gareth and Sloan and I had to read a bit more before I could rest. I think I will be holding my breath waiting for the conclusion to this story!
-5 Stars!-
SURRENDER is the story of Gareth, the eldest Harris sibling and only remaining singleton. I’ll admit upfront that I have only read the first book in the series, and that was a couple of years ago, so I felt like I was meeting Gareth for the first time.
He first meets a married Sloan Montgomery in a professional capacity. When they next meet, several years have passed; Sloan is divorced and trying to gain some independence and control of her life. She’s always put the desires and needs of others before hers and it’s time for her to do something for herself.
I really enjoyed getting to know Gareth and Sloan. Given their professional association, from the start there’s a trust between that makes them more open and relaxed around one another. They drop their walls enough to ask from each other for the things they need. It’s a slow burn style of romance filled with heart and humour.
SURRENDER is book one in the Final Harris Brother Duet and finishes on a suspense-filled cliffhanger. I am eagerly waiting to read book two, Dominate.
Wow… I have just finished this book and I can tell you now, you are in for a TREAT!! And a super sexy treat at that! Amy Daws has just blown me away with Gareth’s story…. Eeeeek, it is so good!
Lets be honest, Gareth has been the quietest Harris brother. He’s always been up in Manchester whilst his sister and Brothers are down in London. He’s the glue that holds the family together, the big brother that everyone can rely on, but he has distanced himself from his family to an extent.
He’s not your typical footballer and he’s always had this air of mystery surrounding him. Well in Surrender we finally see things from his perspective. We find out more about his character and the way he is, and the way he fits with the Harris family dynamics.
And we also meet Sloan properly. If you’ve read the previous books then you would have know her briefly as Gareth’s stylist! But we needed to know more, and Amy Daws certainly gave up more in this book.
Sloan aka Treacle, was wonderful and absolutely perfect for Gareth. Their chemistry, their connection and complete understanding of one another’s needs was wonderful. I loved their union and the way they complement each other so perfectly.
But of course there are complications. Secrets are kept, lines are blurred and those pesky feelings come in to play!
Amy Daws has written a wonderfully well-crafted story which was a complete page turner! And then she goes and leaves us with that ending…. WHAT?! WHY?! WOW! At least we don’t have to wait too long for ‘Dominate’!
6 Double hat-trick Stars!
Willingly Surrender!
Surrender by Amy Daws is an intoxicatingly beautiful love story. I was intrigued by Gareth Harris’s story from the beginning of this series and Ms. Daws does not disappoint. Quite the opposite; she exceeded my expectations! The emotion and angst and passion leap off the page. Gareth and Sloan are simply brilliant together!
Gareth is definitely the strong, mysterious Harris brother that we have encountered throughout the series. However, we get to peel back some of his layers and see more than his decadent exterior. He is loyal, thoughtful, private, and passionate. He considers himself his family’s fixer. He doesn’t open himself up to others easily. Yet, the moment he meets Sloan he feels an unexpected connection. She is refreshing and real. Her independence, lack of ego, and kindness call to him.
Sloan is a stylist. She is a fierce and protective mother to her daughter. She works hard and is just trying to get through each day without too much strife. When she meets Gareth, she doesn’t know much about him. She treats him with professionalism and aloofness. She immediately senses that Gareth has issues with certain textures and touches. His comfort becomes her priority and a fast friendship forms. After her marriage implodes, she is reeling and off kilter. She has an appointment with Gareth and the sparks between them ignite!
The passion between Gareth and Sloan flares to life in a hurried and blistering inferno. Their first sexual encounter scorches both of their souls. The ferocity of their heat leaves them unnerved. This is only the beginning and very nearly the end of their potent, heartfelt love story. Their journey is tested by both internal and external forces. Secrets, emotional barriers, and so much more cause them to stumble. Gareth must learn to trust his heart just as much as his head. Sloan must fight to find her confidence and strength. Together they will discover a love that breaks all of their rules and expectations. Just as they embrace their new found happiness, they are blindsided and so was I! I can’t wait to read the conclusion of this story. Amy Daws left me hanging off that cliff by my fingertips. I literally screamed “WTAF! Nooooo!” I am definitely ready for Dominate!
Wow! Just beyond wow. I love this series and was looking forward to this final duet so much, but also dreading it, as I don’t want to say goodbye to the Harris brothers. However, if I have to, then DAMN this is the way I want it to go! I mean it is the mother of all cliffhangers, but a must. The duet is going to be a piece of beauty, if the first half is any sign of how brilliant this is going to end, then I may need a moment to prep myself for the glorious climax 😉
I loved the overall story and really found that it was written to match the style of the rest of the series, which I find really important. It had a brilliant flow to it, and Daws perfectly blended the life of the characters, the tensions that built between them and the Harris story. All together it really meant that I was completely drawn into the story and had a very very hard time putting it down.
The characters are excellent. I was drawn to both of them, from the start, and desperately wanted to get to know them and their story. The more I knew, the more I felt connected to them and wanted to really become part of the story. It was written so beautifully, that I just found myself falling in love with them and this book.
Now to await the next half!! I’m so excited and am not certain I’ll be able to wait for long, so it’s a good thing it’s coming out soon! Seriously, a must read!
WOW! This an all emotions book full of the introspection and discovery two characters journey through!!
Sloan is getting a divorce. No early alerts, no signals, but she knew neither of them was happy. Forced to sign a joint custody agreement, she is lost every other week as her little girl must spend a week with her cheating father. Sloan’s whole life has been plagued by other people making decisions about her life and leaving her with no control of her destiny.
Gareth is a football (soccer) player for Manchester U. His whole life has been spent solving problems and taking care of others. Once he lost his mom at 8 years of age, he had no alternative but step up to care for his 3 brothers and 1 sister while his father shut down in grief. Ever since then, he has carried the burden of responsibility for his family’s well-being. He could not count on his overbearing father to be there for any of them.
When Sloan and Gareth’s professional relationship evolves into friends with benefits deal, they both discover things about themselves they never imagined. No Spoilers Here! These two characters are in for the surprise of their lifetime. And also, the beginning of a life neither imagined.
I definitely recommend this book to those readers who love intense love stories with a huge dosage of angst.
I am voluntarily reviewing this book. I thank the author for sharing a copy with me.
*5 Stars*
ARC kindly received in exchange for an honest review.
Holy moly wow! If I could rate this book more than 5 stars I would. What a ride!
I sped through this book the first day I got it and I CANNOT WAIT for book number 2! I never really thought too much about Gareth before it was announced that he was getting his own book. Partially because I have yet to read the London Lovers series, so I haven’t read Vi’s book (shame on me, I know!), and also partly because he’s a much more serious character than say Tanner, who stands out in the crowd as such.
Reading Surrender has really brought Gareth to the forefront and he might even possibly be my favourite brother. Not 100% sure yet though.
The layers to Gareth are fascinating and this book has made me feel so many emotions as well. Strong emotions at particular parts, at that.
I also really loved Sloan. She’s as layered as Gareth and they work perfectly together. They seem to grow together and help each other bring out the sides of themselves that need to be shown the light of day a bit more. I think they come into each others lives at the right time and its really interesting watching them interact with each other.
Of course we get our Harris fill and have glimpses of the whole family from the other books, and they’re still just as loveable as before. This family is honestly one of my favourite families in the fictional world. I love the Harris’s to the moon and back.
There is a cliff hanger at the end of course, with this being the first book in a duet about Gareth, and let me tell you…I bloody did not see that coming, and I NEED book 2 right now! Bring on August and the release of what I’m sure will be a stunning conclusion to Gareth’s story!
Gareth Harris is finally there!! I’ve waited for so long for my fav’ Harris brother to have his own book. You have no idea how I had high expectations about it.
I was not disappointed the least to know it would be a duet. On the contrary. I prefer an author who’s taking her/his time and writes longer books. I know Gareth’s story would be intense so to get the bigger picture I knew I would need some patience.
From the start Amy put a big twist I didn’t see coming and I swear not a soul would have! No one is going to find out! When I begun the book I wanted to talk about it so bad and I knew I couldn’t because this is the kind of reveal who just made a huge boom in your heart and in your head! I was blown away and if you’ve read the other Harris brother books I know for a fact you’ll have the same reaction as I did! It was the best and a freaking awesome start!!
As I turned the pages, it was obvious to me that Gareth and Sloan together makes total sense.
Him being a football ( soccer for my American friends) player and having the responsibility of his brothers & sister ever since their mother felt sick. His relationship with his father is strained because of the past none of them seems to be able to let it go.
Her being a stylist and a single mother struggling to after her whole world changed when she never ask for anything.
Together, they are hot! Surrender is without a doubt the most erotic book Amy Daws ever wrote so far (well at least that I read) and I loved every minute of it. To see how they care for each other and to see how their feelings continually grow was fantastic.
Surrender has an emotional touch but I suspect Dominate will be even more intense and the feelings between our MC will thrive even more. I really can’t wait because even if I loved Surrender I wish both Gareth & Sloan let their guards down a little more. Even if at the same time I can totally understand why they didn’t.
Surrender shows a side of the Harris brothers you’ve never seen with two characters finding peace in each other. And you’ll bet I’ll be standing here waiting for Dominate after how things ended! I need book 2 asap!!