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.***

Abandoned as a child, Matt is used to being alone. He has formed no lasting relationships with anyone other than his best friends, Grin and Sid. But that changes when Matt meets Rhys at a bar one night. Looking for a casual hookup, Matt finds himself heads over heels in love with Rhys. Rhys makes him feel safe and secure. Something that was missing when he was a child. But that is soon tested when Rhys, a talented musician, goes on tour. Doubt if Rhys’s will come home takes over Matt’s life. Matt’s life starts to spiral out of control during the last weeks of Rhys’s tour. Which worries friends and Rhys. Matt finally comes clean with his fears and his awful childhood. Can Rhys convince Matt that he is there forever? Can Matt overcome his past? Can Rhys convince Matt that his love is forever?

I was pretty excited to read Rend. I was wondering what the story was behind Matt and Rhys’s relationship. So when I saw that this book was about that, I didn’t even hesitate to request it. I will warn you all. This book gets off to a slow start. It creeps the first couple of chapters. Normally, I would be complaining about slow starts to books. But, in this case, it works. It lays the groundwork for Matt and Rhys’s relationship. It also showed that how Matt’s childhood affected him as an adult.

I didn’t exactly like Matt when I started reading the book. Without knowing his background, he came across as needy and insecure. But, as I read the book and as I started to learn more about his background, I realized that he was a damaged person. What clued me in was how he acted when Rhys was on tour. His mental state, which was not great when Rhys was there, disintegrated to the point where he couldn’t even function. When he finally told Rhys about his childhood, my heart broke. It broke for the child he was and the damaged man that he became. What I liked is that the author didn’t have Matt’s issues go away when he told Rhys. Instead, it showed Matt working on getting mentally better with Rhys’s help.

I liked Rhys. He was so devoted to Matt. His confusion over Matt’s breakdown was sad. I do think that he should have pushed for more answers about Matt’s past. Especially since they had known each other for only 2-3 months before getting married. I didn’t agree with his reaction when Matt broke down and told him about his childhood. Leaving was the worst thing that he could have done. I did understand why he left. He needed to get his thoughts in order. I would have done the same thing. The talk that Caleb had with Rhys was blunt but true. Rhys couldn’t save everyone from themselves.

Rhys and Matt had their ups and downs in this book. There were points in the book where I wondered if their relationship was going to make it. It showed that while love is great, it is work. I loved it. It wasn’t showing a happily ever after where everything is fine. Matt had some major issues that needed work. While all was fine at the end of the book, I couldn’t help but wonder if they would stay together.

Of course, the sex was insanely hot in this book. Matt and Rhys didn’t lack sexual attraction or chemistry. Put it this way, I had to fan myself after reading some of those scenes. I will warn that some of the sex scenes are explicit.

I loved that Theo and Caleb were in this book. I was wondering if they were going to be. Theo was just as adorable in Rend as he was in Riven. I loved that he took a liking to Matt and looked out for him. I loved that Caleb was able to talk to Rhys about what was happening with Matt. The advice he gave to Rhys was blunt but true.

The end of the book was a tear-jerker. I won’t say exactly what happened but it was amazing. I felt the love!! Besides making me cry, it did make me smile too.

I gave Rend a 4-star rating. I enjoyed reading this romance. This was a gritty, darker romance that resonated with me. I came to care about the main characters. The plotlines were engaging. I did get irritated with Rhys and Matt during separate parts of the book. But, it was nothing that affected my rating of the book.

I would give Rend an Adult rating. There is explicit sex. There is language. There is violence. There are triggers. They would be an abandonment of a child. I would recommend that no one under the age of 21 read this book.

I would reread Rend. I would also recommend this book to family and friends. I would include a warning about triggers.

I would like to thank Random House Publishing Group, Loveswept, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Rend.

All opinions stated in this review of Rend are mine.

**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**

It's a solid and enjoyable read. I liked the characters, I liked the style. Perfectly fitting the genre "gay romance".

Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved being back in Theo and Caleb's world. Parrish writes incredibly sympathetic and likable characters. It's always a pleasure to revisit them in other books. This felt like a really accurate portrayal of anxiety and PTSD, That being said, this felt like a sadder and more anguished story than some of her other novels. With the romance being told out of order, I felt like I missed out on the good courtship part, and just got hit with the difficult marriage part. I was rooting for Matt and Rhy to work it all out, but I also really wanted Matt to get some serious help and worried he'd made a mistake by marrying so very young. The emotional ending did feel rewarding and earned, and I always look forward to her next book.

I'm not going to lie to you...I wasn't really prepared for the emotional roller-coaster that was Rend. I immediately requested an arc after reading Riven based solely on the love I'd had for Riven (one of my few 5-stars-for-real reads this year), and I didn't even read the blurb for Rend, I just thought, "It must be mine!" Luckily it all worked out in the end.

We first met Rhys in Riven as an already married man, and Caleb's ex, who's still his best friend. Rend is told entirely from Rhys's husband, Matt's, point of view and begins with the night Matt meets Rhys, a larger-than-life gorgeous Viking of a man who's incredibly, and mind-boggingly, into Matt. But Matt grew up in the system and his past is what shapes him and the relationship he has with Rhys.

**This was a love letter. A fucking love letter from a man I'd only met five times. A love letter saying things I'd never imagined anyone would say, seeing me in a way I'd never seen myself. As I read it again a room opened inside me, turning emptiness to possibility, solitude to potential. A room opened inside me, and I wanted to fill it with Rhys. I wanted to choose. I wanted, for the first time in my grungy fucking life, to choose someone and make them mine. And it terrified me. "Oh fuck," I said to no one. "Oh fuck, fuck, fuck me."**

We're all works in progress, some more than others. Matt and Rhys love each other madly, and would do anything for the other. Which leads to a minor relationship miscommunication that happens so often: One partner assuring the other that it's fine, I'm fine so they don't impede the other's dream - even to their own detriment.

**...it was like I had to break apart the universe and remake it as one where I could love you more...I know I did a lot of damage. When I was breaking it apart. I know I hurt you. I was clumsy with it. But I wouldn't ever want to go back there. To that other world where I didn't know how to love you. I wouldn't want to live there.**

While it was gut-wrenching at times, what Matt and Rhys go through together to make sure their happily ever after continues is heartbreaking and heartwarming and has made me all gooey love eyes at this. I LOVE LOVE LOVE RHYS...and Matt's wonderful too.

The only thing that would have made this better, for me, would have been having Rhys's POV. This needed Rhys's POV, IMO. Regardless, I absolutely loved reading this and would heartily recommend. Best if read after Riven, because even though it could probably standalone, it's better for having read Caleb and Theo's story.

Established relationship romance with a single first-person POV, medium angst, vigorous and super hot sex scenes, dirty talk, emotional growth, an enduring love that just needed a little work, and a very, very happy ending.

4.75 stars

5 Stars for Rend by Roan Parrish

ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are my own!

This is the second book I have been able to read by Roan Parrish. I am new to the M/M genre - really love her writing style!

There were several things that just blew me away about this book - but above all else it’s just a very well written love story. A few times I just felt like my heart strings were being pulled & moved to tears which never really happens for me.

I loved both of these characters- Rhys & Matt went thru a lot to finally be together & find their HEA! I also loved that Theo & Caleb from her previous book Riven appeared as well ...

What started off as a potential one night stand for Matt - grew into a combustible attraction & within a few months - marriage ... Issues from Matt’s past has him dealing with how to grow & not let his past impact his future with Rhys.

I loved this book - great read !!!

I highly enjoyed this book. I have read most of Roan Parrish's previous books and series and have always have a huge respect for the humanity she inflates her flawed characters with. Rhys and Matt vaguely reminded me of Jude and Faron from 'Invitation to the Blues'.

Overall, it was a very emotional but exciting read, blends seamlessly flashback stories from the beginning of their relationship with the events currently taking place in the book. The novel, also gives you a thorough and deep understanding of Matt's issues, which allowed us to not feel like his feelings were just thrown into the book for drama.

I loved getting to see Theo and Caleb from someone else's point of view.

*~~*ARC kindly provided by the author to me in exchange for an honest review *~~*

- Review to come

<a href="">Review</a> originally posted on my blog with added content <a href="https://mikkuchan.wordpress.com/">Mikku-chan / A world full of words</a>

This. Is. Heavy. Be prepared with tissue and ice cream because this is probably one of the worst ugly cry books I've read....and it's perfect!

A little disclaimer first though...I'm not giving anything away, but it totally took me a while to realize that this actually overlaps the first book a bit. Not a lot, but you'll notice once you start reading. In the first book, when we meet Rhys, he's already married. But this is prior to Theo and Caleb even meeting. Buckle up and enjoy!

Rhys. Sweet, caring, alpha Rhys. I knew I liked you when I first met you in the first book, but I have fallen in love with you. Your heart is larger than life and your drive to take care of everyone is profound. There is no one better suited to be a husband to Matt than you.

Matt. My broken, scared, submissive Matt. Although your story is sad and unfortunately not uncommon, your psyche touched too close. Your fragile heart and painful past couldn't have been more perfect for your career choice. And now that the "clop clop" has stopped, you're safe.

I'm crying all over again just writing this. It's a hard read for those who grew up in the system or know others who have. It's a hard read if you've ever felt unloved or unwanted. But it's a perfect read for overcoming those exact things as well.

Although you could probably read this as a standalone, I don't recommend it. Theo and Caleb are still key characters in this story and I feel as though very important to this story line.

reviewed by Chris

I’m not sure I can do justice to reviewing this book. My heart was breaking from the beginning for both the guy who had it all and the guy who came from nothing. Matt makes you think of so much that hopefully isn’t part of your daily focus. Where he comes from and the situation he is stuck in most of the book makes you think about all the children who have the same issues or worse. Every step of the way I just wanted Matt to be okay. Rhys, even though mostly sailing smoothly through life faces more than a few problems with Matt. I was on edge through most of the story waiting for something awful to happen since most romances tend to have drama somewhere but the way this author brought in the angst was masterful. No mostly known issues appeared but rather the author brought out the heart ache and the hope in the story. The story flows right along and I could hardly set it down. The characters are all likable and are made to feel familiar. This is one of those stories that I will keep to read again and again. The author provided a great ending while keeping all the characters involved so I feel I just want more. I have this author on my watch lists and can’t wait for the next story she comes up with. I received a free copy from NetGalley and this is a voluntary review.

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.

Rend
By: Roan Parrish

📚💕⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕📚

After a whirlwind romance, a man with a painful past learns to trust the musician who makes him believe in happy endings.

This book is very emotional at times gut wrenching at others. 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.Authors Blurb: 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.

Authors Blurb: Matt 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.

This book has everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in dual POV my personal favorite this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know your 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.

Thanks Netgally for letting me read and review.📚💕

Rend is an exquisitely written story that deals with abandonment, anxiety and disillusionment. I loved the concept of how the romance between Rhys and Matt, while established, needed work. I loved that some moments made me feel so emotional and choked up with Matt's feelings. Rend isn't like the rest of what I read by Roan Parrish and I'm glad and happy that it isn't. It provided me with just the kind of comfort that I required. This book is a gem.

Roan Parrish knows how to tug a reader's heartstrings! I LOVED this book through the laughs and tears, gasps and shouts. A must-read!

This book is an emotional at times gut wrenching story two flawed but beautiful characters who love fully but have to figure out how to navigate marriage and forever when one of them doesn't know how to believe in forever. It was beautiful and I cried a lot but at the end it was so worth it to get to see it all work out.

This is the second book in the series but you could definitely read this one without having read the first book. If you've read the first book don't expect this one to be anything like the first one (which I also loved but in a completely different way). The two MCs do pop up quite a bit in this book but they are in this book as the support system and friendship that Matt and Rhys need.

This book begins about 18 months after Rhys and Matt have been married. We get a quick flash back to how they meet and than fast forward to 18 months after they've been married. Matt is a complex character with a heartbreaking background of an abandoned child who grew up in several foster homes and a group home feeling unwanted and unloved. Other than a best friend who moved away years ago Matt hasn't had any real relationships and he's learned not to expect anything or even want anything for himself until Rhys sweeps into his life. Rhys bursts into Matt's life and the two fall in love quickly and get married within two months and although there is never any doubt the two love each other Matt doesn't really believe it will last forever but he hides his insecurities well. Rhys comes from a loving family, close friendships and is unaware of Matt's struggles. It isn't that he doesn't want to know all of Matt it's just that in the different world he grew up issues like Matt's aren't even on his radar. Things actually go well until Rhys gets an opportunity to go on tour as a solo artist. He's looking forward to stepping into the spotlight after having spent years as a backup artist writing songs for other bands/singers. Matt stays behind because he doesn't feel he should leave his job working at a non profit agency helping kids transition from foster homes into society when they turn 18. It's a fulfilling job and important and he thinks he'll be okay but when Rhys goes on tour Matt starts to fall apart. He desperately tries to hold it together and hide it from Rhys but he spirals into depression and anxiety. He knows Rhys hasn't abandoned him but he feels like he has and doesn't know how to deal with those emotions.

When Rhys returns he finds Matt back where they started not really trusting the relationship and this is when we get to see the true beauty of the story in how both characters react and work to stay together. Most of the book is about Matt's abandonment issues but Rhys isn't perfect either and I loved that his best friend Caleb wasn't afraid to speak up about it and help him see that it wasn't about him and that he could support Matt but he couldn't fix him.

There is a lot of angst in this book and I don't always like that. I also don't usually like books where we don't see the progression of the beginning of a relationship but with this book it really wasn't necessary. The whirlwind romance happens quickly but it's watching Matt and Rhys learn the reality of marriage and how to be together and honest that's the real story and the angst is necessary and fitting. This book is full of emotion and you should definitely have a box of kleenex handy but along with the sadness there is also happiness and a ton of love. This is a book that will suck you in and take you through a journey that you can't help but feel along the way.

This is a book that will stick with me for a long time and I highly recommend this to all M/M romance fans.

Fantastic sequel to Riven. I really enjoyed this book even though it made me so sad and emotional while reading. Rhys has such a big heart and Matt is so broken but they fit so well together. I'm glad this is a HEA. I was rooting for them from the start.

REND is a touching and flawless second instalment of the Riven series. Beautifully written and delivering some remarkable characters. It was a fascinating experience.

Matt and Rhys are in love. They are perfect together and with so much love that it's easy to believe they will stay that way forever. But when Rhys' career needs him to go on tour, Matt has to face being alone. After feeling safe and at home at Rhys' side, this new situation brings Matt's fears to the surface and risk to damage what, so far, was a perfect relationship.

It was a beautiful and bittersweet book. Exactly the kind of book I love to read. There were so much sweet and tender moments that alternate perfectly with the raw and heartbreaking ones. It was interesting to see how the book would work, since we get very few moments of Rhys and Matt falling in love, which is generally the main focus on romances, and more time of them as an already in love couple, trying to deal with the everyday struggles of their relationship.

One of the things that I loved the most about it was the characters. Most of all Matt, whose internal struggle to cope with his emotions was brilliant. It was so clear there was so much love between Rhys and Matt that made the story so hopeful. They had problems, they fight, they hesitate, but there was always this big love between them that make me believe they would be able to conquer any problem they were facing.

The book is flawlessly written. It has a steady paced and had a plot that was able to keep my attention. Its strength is in the writer's ability to make us connect emotions with the characters. It deals with a lot of angst, but there was always hope. It had some nice supporting characters, some already known to anyone who has read Riven, the first book in the series. But even being a part of a series, this would work fine as a stand-alone. Recommend it to any reader who enjoys M/M pairing.

I absolutely loved this book. It was definitely not like "insta-love" in the normal sense because further down the road, the insta-love vanishes when reality settles in and it changes into a new kind of love. One based on truth and full transparency.

Matt is all kinds of messed up with abandonment issues out the whazoo. Rhys is so much a good guy, but behind that, he has a strong and overwhelming need to be possessive. Not exactly in a BDSM manner, but in a way that Matt, or any person know undoubtedly and irrevocably who he, or they belong to. This was astoundingly hot and so well written. I devoured it completely. Roan Parrish doesn't write stories that are shallow. The concept might seem repetitive to some, but the writing style and modifications made to how the concept is delivered makes up for it and is quite unique to her style. I loved LOVED this story. I can't wait for book 3.

4.5 <b> Don’t leave me</b> stars
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I am so glad I gave this author and the MM world another chance. I feel the author really matured in this story. I liked the refreshing portrayal of this story. Not every story needs to be day one of meeting. We still get the initial story which is adorable. I love Rhys because he is just the perfect person. He is strong, sweet, understanding and loving. He is exactly who Matt needed all along. I connected so deeply with Matt’s backstory which made the book quite the emotional read for me. I hurt for him and I hurt for me. I feel the story was better than Riven since I didn’t really connect with their story but the Riven characters pop back in and guess what Caleb still can only make hash hahhahahaha . this story was about being strong, being weak and learning that love is not just the easy parts.

Also .. the sex scenes are scorching hot.

This is a very deep emotional journey of love, for both Rhys and Matt. Scars, and a haunted past being a constant threat. I liked this book, it's a good story and it's written very well, for me it was a little slow and drawn out at times as I kept waiting for something bigger to happen that never did. Matt's past was sad yes and I really felt for him but his reactions we're so dramatic at times. It was as if he had so much more of a really traumatic over the top childhood. I did love seeing Caleb and Theo from Riven and how they are both doing these days.