What stunningly emotional book, from both characters POV's!
Felix and Huey (Dane) are broken in their own ways with hard histories and a somewhat stagnant present. Felix changes that for them both when he pursues a date with Huey. Between them are misunderstandings, vulnerability and low self worth but together you can feel a connection brewing and possibilities but there is so much that each man has to work through.
Roan is an amazing writing at bringing us really close to the characters they write about, I felt right there with each man as they struggled. Felix's sister and best friend is suddenly off living a hugely different life that he's not a part of and Huey has started coming undone with the amount of need and pressure that he's sponsee's put on him. There's a train crash of emotions and a tear or two from me as they go along this journey together, learning to live for themselves for the first time regardless that they are at hugely different points in their lives.
Some great and supportive people are right there with the men as they work their way through things and there's a wonderful family feel in two different ways, the biological family that Felix has and the family that Huey has created and become a part of himself.
Definitely a recommended read from me! Even though I haven't read book 1&2, which will be corrected soon!, I didn't feel lost at any point so would say it can be read as a stand alone.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and am happily giving a review.

4.5 stars

In this third installment of the Riven series by Roan Parrish, readers get Huey's story, a character that was introduced early in the series and has been a solid friend and "go-to" guy throughout this series. I was excited for his story.

One fateful night during karaoke at the bar, Felix and his sister Sofia end up singing a Riven song, Huey records then, and the world changes for all three of them in short order.

Sofia ends up with a singing gig and Felix is alone with no one to take care of for the first time in his life. It unsettles him greatly and has him reaching out to Huey. They'd connected on some level in the few shorts times spent together. Felix really is adorable -- he's a natural-born caretaker and super sweet -- but he's really having a personal crisis. This is where Roan Parrish shines for me -- I could feel Felix's pain so well in her words.

Huey has lived the years in recovery in a very regimented way and while he's attracted to Felix and wants to let him in, he's not exactly all-in on having a relationship. He's much more comfortable helping his sponsees instead of exploring what he could have with Felix. Of course, this becomes a source of insecurity for Felix and eventually everything blows up between them.

They both get help from Theo, Caleb, Rhys and Matty, previously introduced characters in the series.

Raze is really a story of two people at major crossroads in their lives. Even though I found Felix a little needy and whiney at times, I did love them together, especially how Felix smoothed Huey's rough edges. They complemented each other perfectly.

Roan Parrish's words just have a way a sliding across my mind in the easiest way and I find it easy to connect with how she describes some of the most basic of emotions in a very beautiful way. The complexities of recovering from addiction are also explored in Raze.

If you are looking for a highly introspective and emotional M/M romance, Raze and the Riven series might be for you.

An ARC was provided for review.

So I'm in the minority, but I didn't love this one. I really enjoyed the other books of,the series but this one just missed the mark for me, and because of that it took me a long time to get through it. I just didn't really like Felix, or their relationship. It was super slow. Also, and this is just an annoyance that really doesn't have anything to do with the story, but every relationship that was mentioned was same sex. Not just the main couple, but thier friends (understandable because they were the precious books subjects), but his sister, and the security guard, and the couple from the Ferris wheel. And let's not forget the transgender sponsee. Just seemed like it was trying too hard.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars

This is a sweet and angsty romance. A recovering addict, Dane has spent years creating a life full of structure and routines that keep him safe. He takes care of his sponsees, but he doesn’t let anyone get close. Felix is almost Dane’s opposite. For as long as he can remember, he’s been inseparable from his younger sister. So when she lands her dream job, Felix feels abandoned and lonely. Felix and Dane meet by chance and their improbable connection is awkward, frustrating, and kinda beautiful.

I really enjoyed Dane and Felix. Both are interesting, complex characters and they are both very loveable. I found their relationship as frustrating as they did – neither man has any communication skills and there were too many moments where I wanted to bang their heads together. Both Dane and Felix are prone to moping and overanalysing everything, so much of the book is spent in the characters’ heads – very little actually happens in this story. The result is a story that feels slow and there’s probably a little bit too much snowflake angst at times for me.

There is an age gap between Dane and Felix, but they are so well matched in other areas that it didn’t feel like a thing. Felix’ existential angst feels real and familiar as does his minimum wage job and his desire for meaningful work. This isn’t my favourite book by this author and I probably preferred the first two books in the series. I’m not sure I’m quite the right demographic for this series and I’m pretty sure urban millennials will relate to Felix and Dane’s relationship better than I did.

his is book #3 in Riven and can be read as a stand alone although the previous characters do make appearances in this book.

I really enjoyed this book and it was not what I expected but it wasn't quite as awesome as the first two books in the series IMO. Felix is a caregiver and when he and his sister sing at Huey's sing a Riven son at Huey's bar it's so good Huey can't help but record Felix and send it to Theo. Huey ends up coordinating an audition for Felix for Riven but things take an interesting twist.

Both Huey and Felix are very interesting characters and they both have some issues/insecurities to get through before finding their happiness. Huey takes a bit of time to warm up to since he has locked down his feelings and relegated his life to not much more than helping people by being a sponsor and his routines. Felix is a caregiver and has spent his life putting his mother and siblings first. Both Felix and Huey have a tendency to put other people's wants/needs before their own and this makes for an interesting dynamic. The author did a great job with the complex issue of addiction and recovery as she did in her previous books but with a bit of a different spin this time.

I really enjoyed getting to know these characters and seeing them grow and deal with their insecurities. Another wonderful book in an emotional series.

**ARC provided courtesy of publisher through Netgalley in exchange for a review**

Oh, I love Huey and Felix so much! I love how they are so similar, but can't see that about each other until they have been together for a good while. They are both so giving that they have lost themselves, and their desires in their need to be there for everyone else, and yet never themselves. Until they realize that they deserve to be happy, that they deserve to want, that they are as valuable as all the people they help they are unable to find their happiness together. The quiet way they go about this (although Felix would claim drama) just made reading this so enjoyable. I loved seeing them recognizing separately and together that they were not selfish for allowing themselves what they needed and wanted.

Really, though, I think my favorite thing about this book is how Felix's family, and his feelings and responses to it are portrayed. Most books would have someone in his position have him be angry or resentful because he was so responsible for the kids when he was still a child. Most books would present his mother as exhausted, unhappy, and most likely bitter. Most books would portray his family as broken because of the poverty that they lived in, and they would have made his HEA include lots of money. This book does none of that. It shows a family that, while very challenged financially, is happy, and close, a family that loves each other, that isn't torn apart by any of those things. That was so refreshing it made me enjoy the story even more. Felix's issues were caused in part by his childhood, but not in a negative way, he just needed to learn a new way to be.

I appreciated the, once again, nuanced way that addiction was handled. That it was recognized that addiction never goes away, it may be easier to deal with at some times than others, but it's always going to be something the addicted person will have to deal with. I liked that Huey basically had switched one addiction for another and had been unable to heal even more because of that. I also liked that his childhood was a part of his addiction, that the trauma he suffered because his father was unable to even try moving on from his mother's death, was presented as the abuse it was. It was a great contrast to Felix's family and Felix's response to his childhood.

I liked that when people were shown in a negative light it wasn't because they were Evil, it was the reality that we all are selfish at times, and we probably don't realize that we're even doing it. Most people aren't mean because they have an agenda or want to traumatize others, they just are being obtuse or self-concerned. It's exhausting that more books aren't written this way.

I was so happy to see Huey and Felix quietly find their way to each other. I love peaceful books like this. I will definitely re-read this.

2.5-3: My review comes with a disclaimer: I don’t think I was in the headspace for RAZE. It was the first book I came back to after a three week pause in reading, and it probably wasn’t what I was in the mood for.

I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as Riven, which I found gritty, touching, and full of emotion. Raze felt like it was trying to MAKE me feel things, but I was always aware that these were characters and a book and that it was all fake. Again, I don’t know if that was the writing or me. I definitely didn’t connect to the characters in this as much as in Riven. Huey and Felix seemed like sketches/ideas of people: Huey strong and silent, Felix lithe and energetic. But I did enjoy lots of aspects of their growth and the dilemmas they faced. Like I said, I enjoyed this far less than Riven but it is by no means bad. Raze is a thoughtful, steamy mm romance that will pass the time.

**Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.**

Raze started off really strong. I loved reading the first chapter about Huey and I could tell that he had a wall built up. Addiction was something he was still dealing with and his routines were making it so he wouldn't slip. Felix is a person with such a kind heart, maybe too kind, and his family always came first.

Felix has always taken care of everyone, because he was the oldest and his mother worked a lot to keep the family going. He's not really sure what he wants, because his needs are never on top. When his sister gets a break, Felix is alone more and needs to figure out. I thought he was really sweet and funny. I can't imagine how hard it is putting everyone's needs in front of your own. That made it totally understandable he was a bit lost. I would've liked to have seen him discover more, because this part of his journey didn't start until near the end of this book.

My heart wanted to break for Huey as well. After losing his mother, his father has a hard time and he's kind of left on his own. When he hit rock bottom, the climb back to the top was hard, but he did it. He devotes his life to routine and his sponsees, but who takes care of him? I thought Huey was really interesting! I loved watching him starting to let himself feel more and even maybe being happy.

This story didn't completely keep my attention though. I think it may have been just a bit too long and sometimes too descriptive. That made it harder for me to connect with the characters at time, because it distracted me. Even with that being the case, the romance was very heartfelt and definitely very steamy at times. I think my favorite was the kitten near the end, haha.

Raze is for me the first in this serie,for me a nice read.
I enjoyed both mc,both are lonely,both have issues and both
are good people.there is a good storyline.I did not mind that I didn`t
read the other books,butt will be reading them soon.
I found this a sweet,fast read,very well written.


arc provided by netgalley

Wow...this series continues to be amazing. I loved this couple so much. Felix was just a little ball of fluff, but he has a backbone and self respect, and he learns how to put himself first. Huey...Huey who I love so much...he's this stern, immovable, rock, at least until Felix gets to know him and finds out he's a lost soul just stuck in his routines. The way they challenge and better each other is amazing. It's never "ugh you need to change this to make ME happy.", it's "you need to find what makes you happy." It's the best message. Their romance is so sweet, there's some conflicts but watching them work their way through it was half the fun.

I was expecting to like this book because the series has been a real emotional journey with Riven and all involved. But I wasn't expecting to fall so much in love with these two. Huey, a deep, complex and misunderstood bartender who talks about his recovery and comes off as just so worldly smart. Then there is Felix, ok I have to admit I didn't really like him until I got to really know him, but that's what Roan Parrish does, really makes you feel all the characters on an emotionally deep level. So when he came off so needy, it was annoying. But after learning his story, oldest of 5, single mom and basically the families caregiver, you get why he needed so much. Both Huey and Felix want the same in a relationship, and I felt the chemistry was totally there. The deep emotional talks had me in tears more than a few times. I REALLY enjoyed this latest installment to the series.

Good book!

One of the things I really liked about this book was the way it developed ; especially concerning the relationship between our MCs. I also liked how organic the growth of their relationship was.

However, BOTH our MCs had baggage and lots of it. They both had their issues to deal with : Felix had his "neediness and co-dependence on his sister" baggage and Huey had his "over-rigidity caused by fear of what would happen if he relaxed his hold on his emotions" baggage. Both their issues were truly valid so I had no qualms about reading about them working them out.

Safe to say, the working-out process made for some struggles and some emotional explosions. There were also a lot of notable sections about addiction and the daily struggles ex-addicts go through not to fall off the wagon. It was very real for Huey and I felt every one of his pains.

Even though I truly enjoyed this story, I honestly believe it should've been shorter. It could've easily ended around the time Huey started getting over his demons(around the 87% or 88% mark) after which a page or two could've been dedicated to Felix and his plans for the future with another 2 or so additional pages dedicated to the epilogue.

As it was, I kept waiting for the book to end but it kept going on and on. I'm not saying those ending pages were bad but I knew our MCs were going to be okay and already had their well fought-for and deserved HEAs so I just wanted it to end!! Sigh.

Nevertheless, I would definitely grab another book in this series should another one be released!

Roan Parrish has a talent for writing quiet stories. The books are often about heavy topics, like former addicts struggling to continue to overcome their addiction, but they're still soft stories, and feel very personal.

The final Riven book, Raze, was a wonderful and very satisfying conclusion. I've been wanting Huey's story since we met him in the first novel, and getting to delve into his history was both saddening and inspirational. I loved this book so much and was on the verge of tears for a good portion of it.

Huey has been a sponsor for over 10 years. In order to overcome his addiction, he has set a very strict schedule for his life that he can't deviate from. And then one night he meets Felix at his bar, and slowly he and Felix begin to date. Felix, like Huey, has a lot of people relying on him and together they try to unpack their life struggles. But Huey is naturally distant because he has to be to not relapse, but Felix needs someone who is open. Together, they try to navigate who they really are separately and together.

Raze was probably my second favourite novel, after Rend. And I can definitely see myself rereading it, and the other books, at some point soon!

Sigh. This series gives me hope for romantic love and swoon-worthy emotional declarations and all of the EMOTIONS involved in relationships! I adored the first 2 books in this series (Riven #1 and Rend #2) and fell for this one just as hard. The only difference in Raze is that the music world is just background to their relationship, rather than a major player. You definitely should read the books in order, though, since the couples from Riven and Rend play parts in this one as well! If you don’t fall for Huey(Dane) and Felix, I don’t know if you even HAVE a heart

If you love super-steamy m/m romance, this series was written for you - it's AMAZING. Truly amazing.
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I actually pre-ordered it, but had the chance to read it early thanks to the author and Loveswept, so now I can feel squishy-happy that I could review it immediately AND have my own purchased copy too - supporting authors by purchasing their books is the best way to feed our reading addiction, friends!

In a series where each of the characters has touched me so deeply, I have to say Roan Parrish has outdone herself with Raze. Parrish gets into the very essence of these incredible men, building a story for each of them and exploring what makes them tick. Whether it’s overcoming addiction or finding what sparks your passion, for the couples from the Riven series, simply surviving isn’t enough.

My favorite part of a Roan Parrish novel is how thoroughly she explores her characters. Parish gets deep into the very psyche of these men, and finds the things that make them real. Defeating obstacles, healing past wounds, and finding a way to move forward in a positive way are some issues that apply to all of us. Being able to actually relate to these guys makes a Roan Parrish novel so special.

Huey’s story is heartbreaking, but empowering as well. Coming off a life completely ruled by drug use, every moment for an addict is about just surviving. Huey has created coping mechanisms as well a complex schedule to fill his days and avoid relapse. He’s taken back control, unfortunately there’s no time or space left for having a meaningful life.

Freed from the responsibilities of caring for his family, Felix is finally in a position to make a life for himself. Acting on his initial attraction to Huey, Felix actively pursues the older man. The scene where he’s asking Huey on a date is completely adorable, and is a glimpse at some of the fire that’s inside him. It’s clear that with a bit of attention and encouragement, Felix will flourish.

I fell in love with these two remarkable guys and it’s extremely satisfying to watch them work it all out. Although they’ve got some serious baggage, the angst isn’t overwhelming. I found the positive message Ms. Parrish’s continually weaves throughout Raze to be very uplifting, and the romance between Huey and Felix is toe-curlingly delicious.

Looking ahead, I’d love to get Riven guitarist Coco Swift’s story. Between her romance with Felix’s sister Sophie and the challenge of keeping the band together after Theo’s retirement, this is one strong woman! Whatever story Roan Parrish chooses to tell next in this standalone series, I know it’s going to be a good one.

Raze is a wonderful M/M contemporary romance that features Felix and Huey (aka Dane). I really enjoy this author's writing style. Her characters feel so real and their troubles true. Most have flaws but they handle the angst in a loving mature way. Felix is younger but having help raise is younger siblings makes him feel like an old soul. Huey has had a rough time in life. He's dealt with the demons of addiction in his own special way. He doesn't think he has room in his life for a relationship but his draw to Felix can't be denied. Watching these two try to mesh their very different lives together was fun and emotional. I recommend this book to everyone.

Ratings aside, I truly liked Raze, and as I've come to expect from Parrish, the writing is great with those terrific lines that jump out at you. Raze gives us a May/December romance, which is one of my favorite tropes, and we get those wonderfully flawed characters that Roan Parrish does so well. That said, I just couldn't help but feel like something was missing in this one. Maybe it's because the author has set the bar so high with this series, but I didn't feel like Huey and Felix's story sucked me in the way the first two in the series did. Part of that could be my feelings about Huey for a lot of this one. I waffled back and forth with him from the beginning. He would do something so completely sweet one minute, and check out of the relationship the next. I get the reasons why, but Felix is just so darn lovable that I couldn't help but want to shake the stuffing out of Huey at times - no matter his size. I also feel like he's a little too closed off, so much so that I had a hard time getting to know Huey. Whatever the reasons for my feelings about this third book in the series, I would still recommend it. The whole series is full of fantastic writing and wonderful characters with real problems. The romances bring out all the feels and while they are angsty, it's angst that we can understand and empathize with.

After highlighting 30 passages in the first three chapters of Roan Parrish’s “Raze,” I realized I might just be in awe! (Ya think?) In addition to her exquisite turns of phrase, Parrish shows us how hopefulness greets angst in two men you’ll definitely want to meet. This novel, the third in her Riven series may read as a standalone, but “Riven” and “Rend” are too superb to miss.

Both Huey (Dane Hughes) and Felix Rainey are consummate care-givers. Huey has maintained his long sobriety while owning a bar by keeping to rigid routines and sponsoring hard luck addiction newbies. His hunger for drugs was intense in the first years of sobriety. Since he believes these actions have saved him, he doesn’t dare deviate.

Felix, the oldest of five kids with a loving single mother, took it upon himself to treat the family as “his.” He’s worked awful jobs, cooked, cleaned, saved for the kids’ tuition, and even given his shot as lead singer for the band Riven to his sister. But now that they don’t need him, who is he? Can two caregivers accept help and love from each other, or will it seem too vulnerable?

Small tics bring these men alive. Huey, may not tell others how he feels, but he scribbles quotes from Frank Herbert’s 1965 Nebula Award winning novel, “Dune,” on his stomach. “Seek freedom and become captive of your desires. Seek discipline and find your liberty.” He finds peace when Felix blabs all he feels without filter. It’s as attractive as Felix’s slimness. Notice how easily Parrish expresses all this as Huey thinks, “Felix seemed like a man folded up small and perfect that would sprawl when unfurled, and show you everything.”

Felix, who has no friends except his sister’s, is embarrassed by his over-sharing. But he’s been the listener, with no one to hear him out. So, he notices when Huey, “remained quietly neutral no matter what I said, as if I could say anything to him without fear of how he’d react. And how he asked if I was okay as if he really would have listened, no matter what the answer had been. The way his voice curled around me, low and rough as a cat’s tongue.” Parrish is a master psychologist, aware of what might tempt folks to move past their comfort.

Huey, who is a big man, prefers to let others lead – to prevent harm, which Parrish explains in nine simple words. “Felix was letting me do exactly what he wanted.” Smile. And we learn how these guys will meld through Felix’s complementary reaction. “When I was with him, I sank into the parts of myself that I couldn’t with other people, and it felt like freedom.” What a great definition of love!

But men this shut off are sure to have locked corners that are too sharp to mesh without ripping. They’ll be forced to ask for help from couples we’ve met in earlier novels. Oops, is there anything scarier for a caregiver? Luckily the scenes are precisely crafted and these secondary characters are as three dimensional as Huey and Felix.

The most refreshing element of Roan Parrish’s Riven series is that her men don’t pity themselves for getting knocked down by life’s crescendos. Instead they pick themselves up, and develop new themes, with dignity, love and creativity. If you need a little tune up to clear the strain in your life “Raze” will leave you humming!

A huge fan of the Riven series by Roan Parrish, I was excited to jump into book three, Raze. A great book, it's a complex tale of two troubled men finding a way to move forward with their lives.

Felix's relationship with his sister is heart-warming, as well as heart-breaking as he struggles to live without her. His awkwardness is endearing, and his need is overwhelming. I could feel his hurt, anxiety, and pain jumping off the pages. And I love him as a person, the way he dresses, the makeup, and his self-acceptance.

As for Huey, his past with drugs is well explained and lets us understand why he's both set in his ways and a slave to routine. His fear of allowing himself to feel anything after all these years is palpable. This aspect of his addiction and recovery is so damn well written, little bits here and there, and it effected me to my core. The author wonderfully captures his hesitancy to feel good instead of "fine", the pain involved with allowing anything new into his life.


It's beautiful and sweet the way their friendship begins. The power of a hug between these two men is amazing. The reader is easily able to feel that hug, as well as the emotion behind it. This is part of what makes this author's writing so special. There's even more beauty and emotion as they start becoming important and meaningful to one other.

One of the best things about their relationship is the way they both are struggling to move on, Felix from the comfortable life he had, and Huey with the safe life he's created. In one another, they find the strength to take chances, move forward, and truly live again. Their growth, both individually and as a couple, is exquisite.

Sexually, they're sensational together. Their moments are so damn tender and passionate. Beautifully written, you'll feel every emotion along with them. These scenes aren't just there for the reader's entertainment. They truly are important to Felix and Huey's emotional connection.


Roan Parrish's writing is exquisite, as I've come to expect from this series. Not many authors can dive so deeply into everyday looks and touches. Everything is so damn realistic and important. The storyline is fantastic, the pace wonderful, and the feelings so perfectly described. Both riveting and compelling, I highly recommend Raze for someone looking for a sweet, heart-warming, and emotional romance. Although it's easily read as a standalone, you'd be missing out on the beauty of the other two books if you do so. In other words, read them all!

Finally insight into the quiet and stoic Huey! He's somewhat of a mystery in Riven and Rend, the previous two books in Parrish's series. I enjoyed learning his backstory and the development of his feelings for Felix.

Felix is such a sweetie. I adored him and his close-knit family. The plot twist at the beginning with his sister threw me for a loop, but worked out for the best for Felix. For that, I'm glad.

Huey is such a tortured, lonely soul. Felix is lonely, too, but not as tortured. The evolution of their relationship is sweet and exactly what they each need to mend their broken pieces.