When Matt leaves with Rhys, the hot guy he meets at a bar one night, little does he know his life was going to change—drastically.

Readers should know that this story can stand alone from the previous book, Riven. And though characters from Riven appear fairly often, the content and context of their interactions is not to the extent that one has to have read their story to understand their role here. They offer emotional support and friendship to the MCs—Rhys has a long-term friendship with Caleb, and Theo, his life partner, befriends Matt in this story.

Much of this story is a psychological study of Matt’s reactions to being with someone who apparently really wants him and doesn’t plan to abandon him in the future. Matt spent most of his life, after his mother failed to come home one day, living with people who weren’t invested in him. First, his aunt, who turned out to be unrelated, and then a series of foster families. His sexual history has been a series of one-night stands so how can he trust in Rhys, a man he meets at a bar, falls in love with, and ends up marrying him two months later?

Rhys, on the other hand, is blithely unaware of Matt’s emotional struggles. Granted, Matt has hidden his insecurities well, but Rhys comes from a totally different world—one of loving parents and family members, and a long-term friendship and on again off again friends-with-benefits standing with his best friend, Caleb. It’s not that he doesn’t want to understand Matt; it’s that Matt’s issues aren’t even on Rhys’s radar.

All is well until Rhys goes on his first tour as a solo artist. After spending years as a backup musician and songwriter, Rhys is finally in the spotlight and eagerly looking forward to the trip. Matt chooses to stay behind because his work at a nonprofit that helps foster kids transition into society after high school graduation is important and fulfilling. And that’s when Matt falls apart. Knowing he’s not really abandoned and yet emotionally crippled from his upbringing, he can’t cope. It’s during this time that Theo provides friendship and support and shows Matt the meaning of having a best friend.

What happens next is the core of the story and the author managed both characters’ emotional reactions, the highs and the lows, beautifully. There were times I wanted to smack each of them—for very different reasons. And there were times I wanted to hug Matt and show him his worth. Getting involved in a character’s life is one of the best things about reading a great story. There’s no way to stand back and watch the action. Roan Parrish sucks us in and we participate in the angst, sorrow, joy, love, and more. This is that kind of story.

By the end, I was hoping for another hundred pages. I can very definitely highly recommend this to all lovers of MM romance.

Book Two in the Riven series (easily read as a stand alone) is nothing like what I expected. Yes, Theo and Caleb are back but in minor roles, supporting the story focused on Matt and Rhys. I really enjoyed Riven so I was excited to continue the series with Rend.

What happens after happily-ever-after? Reality. And author Roan Parrish hits us with a harsh dose of reality, hard and fast. This is a really insightful, deep look in to what really goes on behind the scenes of a fairy tale romance. So, not all marriages have such deep issues but some do. Here, Parrish shows how two people struggle but don't give up-- like way too many people tend to do in today's society. Rhys and Matt are in this together and ready to fight with all they have. So much baggage left unopened-- finally gets unpacked.

As hard as a lot of it was to read-- painful, and maybe the realities hitting too close to home-- I love this book. There is love, there is romance and there is the unpleasant truth that life and relationships aren't all perfect. I think as we grow older and wiser we begin to realize and accept the true beauty in life's imperfections and challenges. I think unless you can completely disconnect from the hard emotions in Rend, you will be moved and challenged by this incredibly heartfelt story.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was so in the mood for an established couple romance!

I hadn’t really put it all together when I was reading Riven, but Caleb‘s ex-partner and best friend, Rhys, is married to Matt. I remember Theo being kinda uncomfortable reaching out to Rhys when he needed help with Caleb and Matt was there...

Anyway, don’t worry about any of that, Rend can be read as a standalone. We see Theo and Caleb a fair bit, but none of their story will be spoiled if you read this one first.

There were so many things that made this novel incredible. Matt’s narration of his life story is a heart breaker, and beautifully done. Thinking of everything this young man went through and how he’s processed it, it's humbling to see where he is at the start of this novel.

I enjoyed watching Rhys come to understand Matt’s story, and reevaluate his own life. What it adds to him as a person, and what it does for their relationship is powerfully moving.

Of course Rend is full of all the gorgeous prose I expect from Roan Parrish. I highlighted so many meaningful statements and poetic thoughts… reading over them now, it’s too hard to pick just one to share here. I’ll take the easy way out and simply encourage everyone to read this truly stunning novel.

It was some of the most beautiful angst I’ve ever read, and it was a journey I’d happily take again.

Rend is one of the best books I've read all year!!! So well written, amazing character development, I felt connected to Matt and Rhys with every word. Most romance books are very predictable, lovers meet, they fall in love and live happily ever after. But the reality of love is so much more complex than that, we have to fight to go beyond the intial whirlwind of lust to get to the lasting connection that will see you through the toughest times. The chemistry and the connection between Matt and Rhys makes this book the perfect blend meaningful and sexy!!! Couldn't put it down, five chilli peppers of hotness!!

Matt & Rhys are married. Rhys goes on tour and Matt's insecurities take over. It was tough being in Matt's head. I was more sympathetic to Rhys.

This book was heart wrenching and perfect. I love the way this author spins a tale and I absolutely am completely enamored with this series. Rend is the next book in the series after Riven and this is the story of Rhys and Matt. The perfect person and the foster kid. I can't give away too much plot wise or else it's spoilery, but this book had me crying, laughing and fanning myself.

Absolutely EXCELLENT read!

Reading a Roan Parrish book is always an emotional, gut-wrenching experience . . . one where you know going in you'll need tissues and enough alone time to finish the book in one sitting - and then recovery time before facing real life again. Once you begin, there's no turning back. Parrish runs her characters and readers threw the high angst wringer every single time. Love it or hate it - there's no denying this author's gift for writing character relationships that are pushed to the limit . . . and then shoved over the edge. No one does it better.

Two hearts, souls, and worlds collide in Rend. Will anyone survive the fallout? Matt Argento is a product of the foster system - a man haunted by his past, heavily laden with insecurities elevated by an unhealthy dose of trust and abandonment issues. Rend is told from Matt's pov, putting readers at high risk of emotional overload. I was giddy with joy when Matt was happy and lost in dark despair when he was low. After a whirlwind romance (all in the Prologue), musician Rhys Nyland offers Matt forever when he asks for his hand in marriage. Rhys is everything good - a rainbow on a stormy day, a safe harbor for a sinking ship (or man), a gorgeous man from a loving home and family. Matt can't believe Rhys chose him to spend the rest of his life with . . . and therein lies part of the problem. The issues escalate when Rhys leaves on a two month tour, and the ghosts of Matt's past move in - invading his nightmares and infiltrating the harsh light of day until Matt's no longer sure what's real and what's not and is in grave danger of crashing and burning. His angst, pain, and depression are so realistically portrayed that I found it hard to breath at times. Can Matt slay the ghosts of his past and build a true partnership with Rhys? Or did Rhys make the biggest mistake of his life leaving Matt alone with his demons?

Darkness settles over this couple as they struggle to hold onto an illusive happy-ever-after based on dreams and ideals. The overall plot line is not overly complicated, but the story is masterfully woven and beautifully delivered through complex, emotionally charged, well-developed characters. As heartbreaking as this story is at times, the mood and heart are set aflame by sinfully sexy, passionate love scenes. Fans will love the appearance of Theo and Caleb as they interact in strong, supportive roles. The only reason this is a 4 instead of 5 star read for me is that I reached a saturation point and started feeling a little inundated with all the repetitive heavy scenes of angst as well as with the explosive, off-the-charts, heat-generating, fan-yourself sex scenes that I love. Gasp! I know, right? What can I say? They're fantastic, but sometimes less is more . . . if you know what I mean. Having said that, readers will gobble this up and beg for more! I know I am so stoked for the next one! A Sinful, Sensuous Must Read!

When Roan Parrish announced that Rend was going to about Matt & Rhys, I wasn't sure what to think because it was my first time reading about a couple already together. Needless to say that next time I won't doubt the ability of an author to write a great story. I felt for Matt the first half of the book, he was always wondering when Rhys would abandon him just like everyone else did. I loved Rhys, the way he never gave up on Matt even though, at times, it seemed like there was no hope.

Not quite what I was expecting. I loved the first book and was a little disappointed in this story. I guess I was expecting a different kind of book and when it wasn’t what I thought, I couldn’t quite get in to. I know, I know. My fault.

I think I will have to do a re-read and I hope that this time around it will have a different outcome for me. This kind of happened with the author prior series (Middle of Somewhere).

Hands down, Roan stole my heart with RIVEN, so imagine my surprise when I see REND in NetGalley begging for me to read? I mean honestly, after Caleb and Theo stole my heart, I couldn't pass up the chance to get swallowed down into the love story of Caleb's friend Rhys, Rhys of course was briefly introduced previously, hello rockstar - yummy.

Unfortunately though, as you can see clearly, I was perhaps not as pleased as I thought I would going in... let me explain before you bash my brains in! 

First off, I did really enjoy the characters for what it was worth, but where I liked them, their cons of their personalities, the romance and their overall development out weighed the pros too dramatically to ignore. Let me say though I did like a lot about Rhys and Matt. Rhys was actually delicious, he is what I would have expected him to be, he had a very drool worthy, alpha-male personality that was meant to be fawned over. But - and this is unfortunately a huge BUT... his caveman presence left several moments between the romance awkward. More to pinpoint my opinion it was the moments where he felt he needed to uphold dominance in the relationship, stating a basis of ownership over Matt that was constantly mentioned was just.... different. I am all for some Dom/Sub or dirty talk, but there is a definitely an unappealing way of doing it. During their sex scenes it was a constant talk of "you're mine" or "you belong to me" tidbits that really irked me. It was a possessiveness that I just could not appreciate in the sense that I think Roan was trying to convey with this couple. I think it was meant to be represented as 'love will conquer all' theme, I personally just could not see that for what it was. 

Matt, on the other hand was a little bit more to my appeal at first. I liked his inferior personality, I know, shocker that never happens with me. But I say this because at first, seeing his struggles with self-esteem was rather powerful, it was beautiful in many senses. He was relatable from that point however, even then it becomes rather apparent this is what leads the entirety of the drama. Even with the big issue in their relationship rooting into the plot, it is more or less because Matt is struggling mentally and it took eighty percent of the book to finally deep dive into the root of not only the unhealthy dynamic of Rhys and Matt's romance but Matt's complete lack of being a responsible adult. 

And as you can see where this might be going, the romance between Rhys and Matt was rather back and forth because of this struggling mental issues with Mat verses the 'savior of all' personality Rhys hovered over Matt. It was an endless merry-go-round of drama that quite frankly left my brain pounding from the spinning it was doing. Another factor that was rather noticeable about this romance was that these characters were not only one-dimensional but had zero character development. Matt and Rhys were completely codependent on one another, regardless of the steam-filled (still at some points awkward) sex scenes. They had a chemistry, it was there, but again, just not in a healthy spectrum, at least in my opinion. 

Bottom line, I am a diehard fan of Roan Parrish - I will follow her into the depths of any corner to binge read her delicious creativity however REND left me unsatisfied. I do not know if I just could not get on board with the overall dynamic of the romance between Rhys and Matt or that the actual backbone of the drama was rather lack luster with such an overplayed build, even anti-climatic. Either way, something, somewhere along the lines REND was just not as I had hoped. It wasn't her writing style either, Roan is on point (normally) with her books, but just - ugh I don't even know where to go from this. Maybe it has something to do with being a followup to RIVEN, nothing can touch Calab and Theo at this point...their story was simply beautiful and this was unfortunately too much of a too little dynamic that left me cringing more than swooning. 

Here is hoping that REND delivers more on my obsession spectrum, especially after RIVEN, I need something to pick up the pieces of my despair from this second installment. Don't let me down Roan!

This book is very emotional. Matt doesn't know what he wants and never even thought to ask. I found the story compelling and I loved the ending. So many feels, but be prepared for a roller coaster ride #rend #netgally

<I>I know there's more to everything you say, but I like how you make me feel like there's time to learn everything about you.</I>

Oh look there's feels and emotions spilling out all over the place. What a surprise! Not.

<I>He looked like a Viking and moved like a rock star. He kissed like he wanted to fuck me through the wall of the diner and touched me like he wanted to wrap me up in a bear hug. And all of it just made me want more.</I>

I honestly don't even know how to write this review. I loved RIVEN so much and I was so excited for REND. I wanted to see how Parrish spun a love story when the couple was already together. And let me tell you it wasn't all sunshine and roses but oh god it was sweet, real, raw, and hard. The romance is something of an opposites attract in the sense that their backgrounds are very different, they are moving through life with very opposing experiences and expectations, and yet met and fell in love and married and continue to love one another. Powerfully. And that was beautiful and hot and heartbreaking and oh god I just love Rhys. That man.. ugh. I want one.

"<I>If you're worried about offending me because you came from a perfect family and, like, know how to love, and I'm basically a Dickensian waif, don't bother.</I>"

I'm pretty sure I choked back tears a dozen times and definitely cried at least twice, so. Know what you're getting into here. But it's a Parrish story so I mean.. you probably already know. Her books aren't always easy reading, they can feel overwhelming with the highs and equally harsh with the lows, but that's life and it makes that (second, for these two) happily ever after even more deserving. Just be prepared for the feeeeels.

Also giving me feels? I'm pretty sure we have a third book on the way and that makes me so happy, too.

In Riven, I feel in love with Rhys. And was wanting his story. I assumed the story was going to be a prequel but instead it was done where the story took place before and after Riven. And that was brilliant.

When we first meet Mattie and Rhys I always assumed they had a great healthy relationship and they do, but they had to work for it.

"When Rhys loves someone it doesn't occur to him to dwell on their weaknesses."

Mattie is a bit broken from his past in regards to being left behind. Which means he can't trust in Rhys's love for him and that he won't be left behind.

"He gets so sad. I know I should tell him . . .things. But sometimes . . . I just can't. I can't tell him that the world's not a shiny place. You know? His world is so shiny."

As Rhys goes away on tour, Mattie starts to fall apart. Which was the catalyst for Mattie to have to change things about himself. I adore this series and I especially adore Rhys and how he loves and sees the world.

". . . You can't fucking save people, Nyland." Caleb's voice was steel. "You can only be there for them when they save themselves. . . "

My only beef were the long chapters, I always prefer shorter chapters.

I expected to like this book because I absolutely enjoyed Riven, the first book. As I was reading the story I started to understand why Matt had acted the way he did in Riven. I enjoyed reading about the beginning of the relationship between Matt and Rhys, was enjoying the flow of the story.
And then, boom, there were all these emotions I didn't know how to handle. I felt overwhelmed just like Matt and confused like Rhys. And it blew my mind. It was incredible to read and feel the intensity of the story. Wow. Absolutely wow! That was intense - and not in any bad way. Just one of those books that is going to linger in my mind for a long time!

Riveting book. I was so captivated from beginning to end that I couldn’t put it down. I love books that have angst, and intense. This was book was very emotional. Matt had issues from his childhood. Low self-esteem, abandonment, and thinking he’s not good enough because where he came. Rend was just a ray of sunshine and that’s what Matt need to get over his issues. Rend being on the go didn’t help Matt but made him start doubting his love and commitment to him. Theo and Caleb from the first book are just what Matt. Theo kept him on his toes and tried to get Matt to open up. The communication between Rend and Matt was not there. I’m glad that Rend was able to get Matt to finally open and get help for his issues. Loving someone is hard enough but when you throw in emotions and self-doubt it can be toxic to any relationship. I hope I’m not giving too much of the plot away with my review. This book was romantic, dark, sexy, and sometimes funny. Roan Parish always writes books that I have to keep tissues by my side. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.

Rating: 3.25 stars out of 5

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

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.

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.

I truly had to think about the formatting of this story and the author's expectations for it's promise when writing this review because I think it was a huge factor in how I ended up feeling about the characters and this novel.  You see, in  Rend (Riven #2) by Roan Parrish the story opens right as the two men meet, jump immediately into a  relationship and then the first chapter proceeds when they are already married.  Boom.  It's a done deal.  The reader has no time to relate to the men, establish a connection to each one, let alone be  able to evaluate any chemistry or depth of relationship.

I believe that was intentional.  Because the marriage and relationship as we slowly find out isn't based on reality.  Matt hasn't been truthful about his background and deep emotional issues with Rhys.  Nor has Rhys dug deep beneath the surface with  Matty. It's a marriage based on wishes, dreams, and smoke. And lots of sex and love.  But that's oddly insubstantial here because it has no honest foundation.

There is no honest communication between the lovers and, really the reader and Matty too.  We know he is truly a troubled and haunted individual who needs professional help.  Which, horrifyingly no one suggests he gets until 84 percent into the story.  Abandonment issues and the foster care system have done a number on him mentally, emotionally, and that carries over to physically.  We see those results...oh him, his marriage, and his partner who he doesn't talk to until 80 percent into the story.   Which is when we learn enough about them to start connecting with them all as Rhys and Matty haul together the pieces of their lives, marriage and uncover who they are together....honestly.

Up until then?  Matty remains something of an enigma to all around him and us.  Not a good thing.  He has a close friend, Grim, in Florida.  We don't see or really hear him to gain any insight into Matty himself until the end of the story, another element lost.

So I understood that the format was to slowly reveal who Matty truly was to Rhys and even himself as he came to grips with his past.  But it came at the loss, at least for this reader, of any connection to their relationship, a sense of questioning why no one got this man the help he so obviously needed earlier on, and just a sense that had we been able to see more of the real Rhys and Matty we see at the end at other parts in the story, this   wouldn't have felt like such cold read than the romance it ended up being.

I did love Theo and Caleb from Riven, the first story.  Plus Max.  As I said, I think the format kept me from getting to know the characters until too late in the story.  I did learn to love them then and their very HEA.  That's a terrific ending

There's another story  in this series on the horizon   and  I know I will have to see who that's about.  If you are a fan of this series, you no  doubt have already picked up and read this story.  It works as a standalone too.

The first book in this series was just ok for me but this one, fantastic. It was such an emotional roller coaster but I loved every minute of it. Loved it.

Genre: MM Romance
Steamy?: Yes (Very)
Cliffhanger?: No
Can be read as Standalone?: Yes
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

This is going to be hard to review as I may not be able to effectively express my thoughts to the level of eloquence showcased in Roan's writing... but I'll try to give this gem justice.

This story was AWESOME!! I didn't know if I was going to like this book. We were introduced to Rhys in Riven and I honestly thought his story was going to be boring. I mean, how interesting can a story about a happily married man be?

Oh, Roan proved it can be VERY interesting.

I couldn't put this book down! In her usual fashion, Roan crafted a full-bodied story that encompassed the intricacies of not just marriage and relationships but life in general. The thing I probably love the most about reading Roan's stories is how the realistic thoughts, words and feelings expressed by her characters really brings them to life. Her characters are always believable and endearing and I am always left wanting more.

Bravo - yet another brilliant work of art!

I give Rend 4.5 out of 5 stars.

In some ways, I enjoyed Rend more than Riven. In other ways, Riven was better.

Rhys. Oh, Rhys. *sigh* I adore him. He's loving and tender and sweet. He's like a huge puppy dog that just wants to love and be loved. He feels emotions passionately and wears his heart on his sleeve.

Matt is a tortured soul for being so young. He tore at my heart too many times to count over the course of the book. His anxiety and fear came across the page so well.

Parrish flawlessly paints with words the internal battles waging within Matt. Matt has some pretty deep wounds. I ached for him to find and be comfortable with his happy place. When you don't feel like you deserve something good, it's hard at time to accept it.

The sexy times between Rhys and Matt made me uncomfortable at times. There are tender moments but there are more rough (for lack of a better word) scenes. Those latter types of scenes lost me and left me a bit put off. And there was A LOT of sexy times. I get that these two have the passion, but I kinda wanted less sexy times and more tender moments. Don't get me wrong, there were many tender moments, but the sex scenes overshadowed the tender ones.

I read this book about a week (or two) ago but I still haven’t stopped thinking of it so I’m finally writing the review.

You must read this book because it’s about an ESTABLISHED COUPLE and those are a rarity in the romance community or tbh in any community unless it’s a sequel... and this book is so much better than any you’ve ever read for sure. I bet.
This is about Rhys, a musician who is going on tour and Matt, his husband who was introduced into the foster care system as a child and has severe abandonment issues. Naturally Rhys going on tour creates barriers and this is about how they bridge the gap...
It’s told from a single PoV (Matt’s) and it’s the best thing that could’ve happened to this book. Unlike the last one which was a double PoV.

This book is a dive into the mind of an insecure adult. And for once, it’s not about how they look and it’s not a teenager in high school. Matt has a fear of being abandoned and truly hates being a burden on the one person he TRULY loves. And he does love Rhys, they both absolutely and unequivocally love each other and that fact is never questioned on our part. Matt talking in circles and that’s understood, by me at least. The book gets intense right at the 50% mark and omg does shit go down...
The arguments are honestly the best part of the book. I loved it!!!!! (THIS IS NOT THE REVIEW YOU SHOULD BE READING IF YOU WANNA KNOW ABOUT THE WRITING) I’m trash for scenes where the couple tell each other how much they love each other amidst all the yelling they’re doing. I terras this book as soon as I finished it for the first time.
honestly they just love each other so much it’s amazing experiencing all that and it’s so spectacular to watch the back and forth and all the raw love that Matt is unable to shape that is just flying around. Theo was in this book and that was great!

JUST READ THE BOOK OKAY?!