Cover Image: Love to the Rescue

Love to the Rescue

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One of the many books I've read by Radclyffe. This book is part of a series set in the Rivers Hospital universe, and I must admit that I've not read any of the others. If the lack of knowledge of prior plots in this series effects the quality of my review, I apologize in advance.

The book was well put together, well edited, and the plot clipped by at what seemed to be a head spinning pace. The main romantic characters fell in lust -er- love way too quickly for me to believe, but I tend to try and suspend my beliefs when reading most, if not all, lesbian romantic fiction. The main character had an interesting work background, a dark secret (that really didn't need keeping, honestly, in the long run), a cool dog, and was dealing with an often used plot trope -- returning to her hometown after a long absence. Her love interest was OK, kind of bland, and they had their best sex ever (of course) when they finally (nearly instantaneously) gave into their mutual desires.

The supporting characters were vanilla pudding conglomeration of over-achieving lesbians who seemed to all have positions of importance at the local hospital. It was Lesbian Central there. Incredible, for a seemingly smaller town. And there was a bi friend and a trans teenager thrown in for good measure. I'm not sure how many of these folks back stories were covered in earlier books in the series. But in this book, they all seemed pretty interchangeable and to tell the truth, I had trouble remembering who was married to whom, who had what job, what anyone looked like, and if they had any discernible character traits and - most of them contributed little to the enrichment of the story.

This is the first lesbian romance I have read in a long, long, LONG, time where I didn't laugh once, or even smile at any of the dialogue or happenings along the way. Huh. Not once.

Given the fact that the lead heroine worked as first responder via helicopter rescue, there was little to no memorable action pieces in this story. She could have been working at the local Dairy Queen and had the same problems, same romantic problems and same resolution to her story. Meh.

I received an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

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This is book five of the 'Rivers Community Romance' series which focuses on the small community of Rivers and its hospital. It is a standalone novel but I recommend to read it in order as there are a few parts of the plot based on stories told in previous books. In this novel, flight medic Brody Clark comes back to Rivers after leaving town without a word ten years ago, to work for the Rivers Hospital newly established medevac team. There she meets Val Valentine, an old love interest of Brody's, who is recently back from living in New York City. Both want to bury the bad memories that they have from their teenage years in that town but, as they get to know each other, they suddenly realise that they have more in common than they'd thought. Will they be able to face their fears and act on their mutual attraction?

'Love to the rescue' goes beyond the medical romance formula that Radclyffe masters so well and delves into matters of family, friendship and loyalty. Considering this is a medical romance, the highlight is more on the latter. I think it's a pity that there aren't many medical scenes as this author describes them very well, using her experience as a now retired surgeon. If anything, there are more descriptions of Val's veterinary work and a special focus on Honcho, a retired war dog owned by Brody.

The story catches up with some of the other couples established in the previous books but mainly on Blake, a trans teenager dealing with his sexuality and society's rejection. Blake is a secondary character who is growing literally and metaphorically with each installment of the series and I can't wait to see where Radclyffe takes him in the future. Both mains are multilayered, especially Brody in her dark and broody personality that the author excels at describing. There is a small mystery subplot about her past that had much more potential but unfortunately was resolved a bit abruptly. All in all, it's an entertaining book, possibly not Radclyffe's best but worth reading anyway.

Overall, a good medical romance with a mystery subplot and a promising trans character. 3.5 stars.

ARC provided by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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This is the latest in one of Rad's many series based in an American town populated primarily by hot, single (but not for long) and broody lesbians. If you've been reading the series, you'll enjoy it.

Overall I liked it (I've said it before ... I just can't seem to quit Radclyffe ... I will always read her newest in one sitting even though I know all the tropes and often have issues with some of the storylines).

I did find it pretty short - almost like it was setting up something for a future book as one of the key plot points didn't really seem to get resolved. The angst factor wasn't as high as other Rad romances (angst/simmering lust) and their path to love was pretty short and relatively obstacle free.

The ongoing subplot with Margie and Blake continued in the background, but even that was kind of short and didn't really progress their stories - kudos to Rad for including a recurring character who is a transitioning teen. At times during the series I couldn't care less about the MCs and wanted to know more about what Margie and Blake were up to.

If you are a closet Rad addict (raise your hand), you'll be reading this. If you aren't ... you won't. :)

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Oh Rad.

I was falling in love with the brooding Brody with the mysterious past. I was confused that Val Valentine was a Sydney but loved her hands on veterinarian work and her acceptance that she might have been an entitled a$$ in her teens but had come home grounded and approachable.
I didn’t mind how pissed off Flann and cousin Courtney were with Brody and Val as it reflected more on their immaturity than any meaningful purposeful grudges. Grow up ladies. Nobody likes a small and narrow mind.

The courting was sweet and the between the sheets scenes steamy but what grabbed my attention and made this one of the better books in the Rivers Community series was the danger levels in the field and swirling around Brody. I was ramping up for more action and then, boom, the book ends. Everything resolved in a few scenes. Disappointing ending to a better than average read. I wanted more.

ARC received with thanks from publisher via NetGalley

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This is my favourite book of the series. I just love the two main characters in this book. Both having a past they want to forget but for different reasons. I loved how Val showed another side of herself to Brody which made the pairing sweet. I loved Val's strength to not let Brody push her away when that is how she has always dealt with issues in the past. They had really good chemistry and felt drawn to their story which made it hard going to work!

As a dog lover always love the addition of an amazing pup, anyone would love to have a pup like Honcho, so loyal and intelligent.

I really enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it to everyone.

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ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a fan of Rads and this a pretty much a by the numbers Rad book, it’s also book 5 in the Rivers series and anyone who’s read the others will want to read this.

This one features MC Brody who is a flight medic for helicopters, which the Rivers hospital has just added, and Val, who is a vet who has come back to town to help out her mentor. Both characters are interesting, and they have great chemistry. They also know each other from school way back when (Brody remembers Val more than the other way around) and they click pretty much right away. Brody also has (pretty convenient and never before mentioned) ties to the Rivers clan, which feeds some of the back story. I also found both of the MCs jobs interesting, and Brody has a cool dog. Most of the other previous characters get little more than cameos but Blake and Margie’s story is furthered here, and I did like how that was handled, Flann also feature fairly heavily.

It’s not perfect though. First, I had to get past the credulity stretching scenario that this small town in upstate New York is home to SO. MANY. LESBIANS. Seriously, it’s not even vaguely believable. I knew that going in though, so just had to go with it. The MCs also know each other for a week, maybe at a stretch it was 10 days, so the insta-love almost gave me whiplash, but Rad does like her characters to fall fast and hard. The main ‘mystery’ element, which also ties into Brody’s past, wasn’t really that intriguing and was wrapped up too quickly for me, which was more than can be said for Val’s backstory which went... nowhere. The book itself also just ends (and the last scene doesn’t even feature both MCs, I seriously swiped to the next page expecting another scene with the MCs and was shocked to see the ‘About the Author’ page).

So, all in all I can only go 3 stars for this. It needed another 50 pages to flesh things out properly (like Brody actually having a conversation with the other half of the Rivers family, and the MCs romance), I assume there will be another book, and that it might feature Val’s cousin, in which case some of these loose ends might get tied up, but I wanted that in this book. This is a fast read, and enjoyable enough as part of this series.

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The Rivers series is my favorite by Radclyffe. I hope I get to read another one soon. This is book 5 in the series and I would suggest you read them in order. I have been waiting for Val to make more of an appearance and I am so happy she got her own book. I feel the new characters were great additions, and I was excited to check in on all the characters from the previous books. I can't wait to see what happens with Blake. While this one wasn't my favorite in the series it is still a great read. I read it quickly, and when it ended I was sad. The ending for me was abrupt and felt kind of rushed. Again, hopefully we get a little more in the next book.

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What can I say that hasn't already been said? It's a Radclyffe book so you can expect it to be a fun read and full of romance. As I expected, the writing, the characters and the story is captivating. Though the book ended way too soon, I was still excited for love. Love to the Rescue is number 5 in the Rivers Series. It's always fun to revisit the old characters to catch up. I highly recommend. Read the book and read the series. It's a keeper.

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I am always looking for an amazing romance story. Capture my heart, invest me in their story, give me tension, a bit on anguish and a whole lot of delicious spellbinding dialogue. I want that from every book I read. I know a lot to ask, but when I come across one it’s like hitting the lotto. Picking up a Radclyffe book, you are guaranteed it’s going to be good, but this time, this one is great!

Brody Clark is headed home. She signed up to partner with her co-workers, keeping the trio together for a new venture. With little friends and not much to speak of in the way of a personal life this former Army medic didn’t even ask where to move was to when her team asked her to join. The unexpected twist she didn’t account for was the transfer would be bringing her back to the one place she ran from. Growing up, Brody had it hard. Her mother was addicted to drugs, sold her body for income and passed away to young. Brody was taken in by her friend, Flan and lived with the Rivers family through high school. Brody spent her teenage years always in the background quiet and steady but never really knowing her true value. After a late night accident, she left Flann and her new family joining the military and never returning to the one place that held so much of her past.

Dr. Sydney Valentine has come home as well. Val grew up with the Rivers too. She was the wild rich party girl during her teenage years always chasing Flan and whoever else caught her fancy. This teenage reputation is one this veterinarian would rather forget. Back in her home town to assist her injured mentor, Val is confronted with her past, as well as revealing who she really is.

Brody and Val have chemistry for days. Goodness, gracious these two sizzle page after page. Where this book really shines is in the romance department. It is front and center and is just so damn good. An easy five-star book and one I can’t wait to read again. Radclyffe always delivers a good book this just happens to be one of her great ones.

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Brody and Val. The next Rivers family story. Love this series. Reminds me of the Provincetown series.
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