Stepbrothers
Forbidden/ Taboo Romance
Rivals to Lovers
"Good Boy"
Found Family
"It's Always Been You"

Wow. Kayce and Raine have stolen my heart. This is probably one of my favorite MM romances that I have ever read. It's sweet and gentle and angsty and heartbreaking and smoldering all at the same time. It's all of the good things that make up an amazing story. Kayce and Raine have had tough lives. They grew up in less than ideal homes of neglect and abuse, and it has hardened both of them. Kayce turned to alcohol and Raine built up walls around himself. We all deal with trauma in different ways, and I think that was very well portrayed in this book. They are not the obvious pairing, but they fit each other so well. They care deeply for one another even if they are not always good at voicing it out loud. It shows in everything that they do for one another. They are always there whether the other wants them there or not. They may not fully understand each other or their actions, but it's obvious from the beginning that they have cared for each other in their own ways for a long time. Neither men do well with words. They misinterpret each other a lot, but once they finally get it right, they get it RIGHT. Their story was so heartbreakingly beautiful.

I also loved that we got a little more resolution with Kayce and Colt in this book. <spoiler>After so long of Colt not knowing what was going on in Kayce's life, they finally have an opportunity to heal, and honestly, that left me in more of a puddle of tears than anything else.</spoiler>

It's no secret that I loved this series. I've been shouting to anyone who will listen about this series since I first ARC read Chasing the Wild. I don't know what else I can say about this series at this point that I haven't already said a thousand times. 😂 Elliott made me a cowboy romance lover. She has a way with words and storytelling that I just find magically captivating, and I love it all so much. I am sad this is the last book in this series, but I am so excited to see what she writes next!

Thank you so much to Kensington Publishing, Netgalley and Elliott Rose for an advanced reader's copy of this book!

🌧️🐎 Saving the Rain by Elliott Rose | Crimson Ridge #4
ARC Review

“I’m in the kind of mood to ruin you.” 🥵 sir… you had NO business wrecking my soul like this.

Kayce and Raine’s story is the perfect, gut-wrenching, heart-soaring finale to my beloved Crimson Ridge series. Elliott Rose is a menace to my emotional stability, hahahah. Nobody writes angst and forbidden romance like her. I went from “they can’t” to “oh, they absolutely SHOULD” in record time. IMMEDIATE!!!

We’re talking stepbrothers. Rodeo rivals. Lifelong tension that curdles into desire so potent it could set a barn on fire. And the pining. The longing. The quiet, soul-deep love Raine has for Kayce that seeps into every stolen glance and every baby whispered in the dark.

Kayce’s journey of redemption and self-worth had me clutching my Kindle and ugly-crying like it owed me money. Raine’s broody, protective, tattooed-cowboy energy? Inject it straight into my veins. These two earned their HEA, and watching them fight for it made me believe in love all over again.

✨ Tropes:
🤠 Stepbrother romance (angsty AF)
🔥 Rivals-to-lovers
💔 Forbidden love
🥵 Age gap
🪶 Redemption arc
👀 “We shouldn’t” tension
🛠️ Acts of service (THE WAY TO MY HEART)
🌾 Small town + found family vibes

Elliott didn’t just end this series on a bang! She rode this bronc straight into my top reads of the year. I’m heartbroken to leave Crimson Ridge, but so grateful for the ride.

Thank you to Elliott Rose, Netgally, and Kensington Publishing for the ARC.

What a way to end the series at Crimson Ridge 🤩

I’ve been eagerly awaiting Kayce’s (MMC) book and was not disappointing in his and Raine’s (MMC) story. They have a rough history and a really really tough upbringing, dealing with shit left and right. They both struggle through dealing with it; at first, Raine comes across as cruel in such a way you know something is lingering under the surface and, Kayce’s vulnerability was often heartbreaking to read.

The pair butt heads but eventually come together in a really sweet way. I love that Elliott chose to have Kayce’s story told while Colt and Layla were away; not because there is any tension there, but because it was so nice to see Kayce be and exist as his own person outside of his dad and his ex.

All in all, I really did enjoy this book and the story of Kayce and Raine. Naturally, the smut was smutting and there were some really cute moments mixed in with some raw ones that had me wanting to dish out hugs to both the MMCs.



I was paid to provide a breakdown of the TW/CW of this book which can be found on the author's website

5/5⭐️
4/5🌶️

Kayce is back in Crimson Ridge in the fall… and so is his stepbrother, Raine. His stepbrother who has been his primary competition, rival and quasi-enemy of late. Thrown together after Kayce needs some help around Devil’s Peak Ranch, the contentious relationship between the two quickly comes to a head… and perhaps a little bit more.

Oh… oh my. My heart! My puffy eyes! My everything! This book has got to be the most hard hitting and heart wrenching of the Crimson Ridge series. So much build up and angst, and a mutual tragic backstory to really get and keep my heart in all it’s feels! I absolutely loved reading about Kayce’s absolution… my sweet, damaged boy really deserved his HEA and I’m so glad he got it. And don’t get me started on RaineWELL YOU GOT ME STARTED! I love him with ALL of my heart. The exact level of broody I need and want in my MMC… so quietly caring and loving, and down SO bad for our cherub bébé. I was overjoyed that we got to see the rest of our Crimson Ridge cast as well, all the folks we know and love. I REALLY hope we get more HEA novellas in our future… I beg of thee, Madame Rose! This was so beautiful and I’m so sad to say goodbye, but so happy of the journey we went on to Crimson Ridge!

What I Loved About This Story:
✨Back to Crimson Ridge… my FAVORITE cowboys around!
✨Stepbrothers
✨So, so much ‘good boy’ 😈
✨All the ANGST & making my heart work for that ending
✨Oh Elliott… THAT SPICE!

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book via the author and Kensington Books. I’m so proud to be one of Elliott’s #CrimsonRidgeRiders! 🤠

First I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for sending me an arc of Saving the Rain.

Now to what I am literally ACHING to write.

This is one of THE easiest five stars I have ever given. I knew from two chapters in. I was sure at 41%. And I can firmly say it now. This is by far the best book in the series. I was captivated from the first page and never let go. This is one of my all time favorite cowboy romances I’ve ever read. I am actually in awe of how much I loved this book. I was giddy, giggling until 2AM four nights in a row reading their story. I cried in broad daylight as the story wrapped up. I fell in love with Kayce and Raine through every word on every page.

As individual characters, they have so much depth that drives their love story in such a beautiful and intense way. Their past created this shadow over their lives, and over their feelings towards each other. What once felt like hate revealed itself to be so much more. Circumstances shifts the way your life goes, and that is exactly what happened leading up to our timeline of Saving the Rain. Their circumstances changed the trajectory of their story, when and how it would happen...but never why. They were always inevitable.

There were quotes throughout this book that felt powerful in a way I didn't expect after reading the earlier books in this series. To be honest I was genuinely shocked how much I loved this book and how much Kayce and Raine meant to me when I was done. I expected to have fun, to laugh and kick my feet, but I never saw the rest coming. How much vulnerability and depth was woven into the fabric of the story. It never felt rushed or drawn out; the pacing was perfection. Every moment was intentional and drove the plot and our characters forward. I was along for the ride from page one.

Raine and Kayce are perfectly matched. Every insecurity that resides in each of them is soothed by the other. What they lack, the other provides. What they need, the other shares. I hope that everyone finds someone who is patient with them as Raine is with Kayce; how he never pushed him, but waited on his timeline. He recognized that love is sometimes about sacrifice, and may put you in situations you may not want to be in, but you need to be in nonetheless. There was the perfect push and pull between them. Kayce gave Raine the safety to be soft, to have a vulnerability, to stay put and let himself want something. Kayce allowed Raine to remember what it was like to feel. They taught each other so much, and it's what makes them raw and real to readers. Maybe moments in the book aren't universally relatable to many, but the quiet moments, those are the ones that make us feel seen in the same way our characters did.

I hope you’re all ready for the ride of a lifetime with this one. Elliott Rose, you did the damn fucking thing.

The last book in the Crimson Ridge series and wow, what a book to go out with. This series is SO underrated, hands down one of my favourite spicy cowboy series out there 🧡

We follow Kayce and Raine, estranged stepbrothers who are forced back into each other’s lives after an accident on the rodeo circuit. This book is pure enemies-to-lovers, each scene between Kayce and Raine is dripping with history, bitterness and so much tension.

This was my first MM, stepbrothers, forbidden romance and it was SO good. There is plenty of spice but what I loved most was how their hurt and healing is portrayed in the book. The mental health and LGBTQ rep is written so beautifully. My heart just hurt for Kayce and Raine and all that they endured during their earlier years 💔

Saving the Rain
Crimson Ridge Series Book Four
By Elliott Rose

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶

🤠 Taboo Cowboy Romance
❄️ Forced Proximity
🤠 Forbidden / Stepbrothers
❄️ Bareback bronc riders
🤠 Angsty rivals to lovers
❄️ Soft only for him
🤠 German shepherd bf mode
❄️ Spicccyyyyy
🤠 Age Gap

This is by far the most deliciously spicy of the Crimson Ridge books so far, so much so it had me questioning my own gender and $exual¡ty, Elliott is just that incredible with her writing skills!

Saving the Rain follows the story of Kayce and Raine, rival Stepbrothers who have gone years without contact after living a hellish life under one roof neither of them fully understood the extent of.

Years later Raine turns up in Kayce's town to work a ranch and it's back to the rival feels, when Kayce injures himself and Raine gets called to the hospital then made to be protector again for weeks looking after Kayce and the ranch Kayce's dad owns.

What happens when the tension becomes too much for either of them to bear?

This book is so full of tension and spice it will have your mind swimming.

Now sit down and read it snowflake ❄️

Saving the Rain releases August 26th 😘🖤

#rivalstolovers #cowboyromance #cowboyromancebooks #barebackbroncriders #tabooromance #forbiddenlove #Stepbrothers #goodboy #germanshepherdboyfriendmode #snowflake #softonlyforhim #crimsonridgeseries #ElliottRose #NetGalley #bookish #bookstoread #mustreadbooks #bookscomingout #bookreview

I'm still reeling from the incredible conclusion to the Crimson Ridge series! The two MMCs, Kayce and Raine, completely captured my heart and I would go feral for them. Kayce's story was both agonizing and uplifting, as he finally overcame his struggles thanks to Raine's support. Raine's own experiences were heartbreaking, from protecting Kayce as a child to confronting his own haunted past in the end. Both men went through some serious pains, but came out on top. The character development in this book was outstanding.
My only criticism is that the ending felt a tad rushed, but the story unfolded smoothly with a great balance of pace. Elliott Rose never fails to disappoint with her stories. 🖤

Favorite Quote: "A snowflake is a thing of beauty. An infinitely unique pattern. It melts, yes, but that depends on its circumstances. When it transforms into water, you and I both know, that’s one of nature’s most powerful forces. Able to flow and bend and fucking move mountains. A life-giving substance.” - Raine

Saving the Rain by Elliott Rose is everything I love in a romance—intense, emotional, and just a little bit forbidden and Elliot does that so so good.

From the glimpse of, Kayce Wilder and Zeke Rainer’s story in the last book, it had me hooked. The stepbrother dynamic is deliciously taboo, with years of rivalry and resentment simmering under the surface.

Also every sad this series is coming to an an end but I feel that Kayce and Raine’s story did that perfectly,

I absolutely loved seeing Kacey and Raine's hate to love relationship unfold. There were so many we shouldn't be doing this moments that had me just kicking my feet and rooting for them, like I devoured.

Raine is the protective older brother, and he just saw Kayce and his mom being the burdens when they came into his life. But Kayce just wanted Raine’s approval and loved the idea of having an older brother, he thought Raine hated him so imagine when he rocks up in Crimson Ridge years later.

Kayce is seeing Raine in a completely different way and he has no idea why he has all these feelings, Raine loves pushing Kayce to the best of abilities and he knows exactly how to do it

The tension, the angst, the spice? Hello I was blushing never mind the cowboy.

Huge thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC—this is a 5-star read I’ll be thinking about for a long time.

no one is sadder than me that this didn’t hit the mark.

I loved seeing and hearing updates of the previous Crimson Ridge characters, seeing how Kacey has changed as a person and why he was so crappy in the first book.

I’m a bit disappointed with the tempo of the book and didn’t feel connected with the characters until 40% through the book. Their hate to love switched up so fast it didn’t feel realistic to me. Especially when Kayce was instantly attracted to Raine but Raine continued to hate his existence and randomly decided (or so it felt) that he was attracted to him.

“I’m in the kind of mood to ruin you.”

Saving the Rain is a book that comes out swinging, and I loved it. My favorite of the series so far! There’s something so irresistible about Kayce and Raine’s path to happiness, and I’m excited for everyone to get to experience it.
—

this and that:
♡ cowboys
♡ forbidden romance (stepbrothers)
♡ forced proximity
♡ former rodeo stars
♡ hurt x comfort
♡ mm love story
♡ mental health rep
♡ open door spice
♡ opposites attract

triggers:
☞ abandonment issues
☞ alcohol x substance addiction
☞ child abuse (past, not on page)

Omg! Kayce and Raine, oh I love them. These two rough bronc riders just cracked my heart wide open. I found myself tearing up along Kayce and relating to his fears of not being good enough for someone to love. I found his struggles for sobriety and self love to be very relatable. I also found Raines anger and attitude relatable as well. The fact that he spent his teenage years in the position that he was in and didn’t know how to properly convey his feeling then…I think lots of us can say we’ve done the same and just resorted to anger. The growth that Kayce went through to realize that he is enough and for him to understand how much he deserves out of life, was beautiful. I loved love loved that Raine loves Kayce so much that he wants to protect him and allowed him the time to do some work on himself

Seriously when Raine calls Kayce baby…I was swooning over here. Raine saying “Never not obsessed with you.” I’m just over here kicking and screaming like a middle schooler whose crush looked at her!

From BETA reader -> ARC reviewer + it is still a perfect 5 star read !

Kayce and Raine have the most messy, rugged and raw love story, and wow it was beautiful . I have been waiting for Kayce’s story since the very first book of Crimson Ridge and the wait more than delivered for how wonderful his HEA is . Then the fact that his HEA came in the form of a grumpy, filthy mouthed, older step-brother named Raine, who has endless cowboy charm, was the icing on the cake ! I also loved everything about how Kayce’s journey with his sexuality was perfectly woven into the pages . An emotional masterpiece .

I can’t believe this was our last journey to Crimson Ridge for this series . Thank you Elliott for letting me be apart of your team and the magical worlds you create . Until the next time cowboy lovers <3

This is the fifth book in the Crimson Ridge series and it can be read as a complete stand alone - although I HIGHLY recommend reading this series in its entirety for the best story .

This book/audiobook was given to me for honest review by Kensington Publishing Corp and the author .

I have loved the entire Crimson Ridge series so far, and I could not wait for Saving the Rain. I was so grateful to receive an arc, and it was perfect timing as I am solidly in my ‘give me two hopeless guys falling in love’ era. 

I knew to expect angst and tension, heat, passion & spice, and emotional declarations of forbidden love. I relished in all of these as I read, but what l but DID not expect was to be tearing up in public and sobbing on my couch. The emotional turmoil, past trauma, broken and tormented cowboys who don't think they're worthy or capable of love = me a puddle on the floor.

The protective, only soft for HIM vibes hit so hard in this one, and when you learn the full back story and where it all started? You won't be the same.

Both Kayce and Raine have crawled their way through fire to get where they are and are left with a fair few scares and baggage, watching them go from rivals who think the other hates them to learning to trust, be vulnerable with each other and heal together? Devastatingly beautiful. 

The spice in this is next level combustible and I think the best yet. The combination of gruff commanding Raine and nervous but eager to please Kayce and the nicknames. FUCK ME. -  To quote Kayce "It’s official. I’m dead. Buried. Six feet below this barn" me too Kayce, me too. 

As with all of Crimson Ridge, the found family and unconditional love from all the side characters is palpable and heartwarming. Being back with the gang made me warm and fuzzy and gave me lots of laughs. I'm so happy that Kayce and Raine have this crew of people to support them and I adored seeing them all come together. 

Emotionally charged, hot as hell & swoonworthy all at once, Saving The Rain did not disappoint.

Elliot Rose you freaking brilliant genius! Saving the Rain is exquisite! Highly addictive, completely captivating, and wholly consuming, I swear to God no two characters will ever have your heart in the palm of their hands the way Kayce and Raine do, in a story that will devastate you, send your heart your soaring, and own every piece of you. It’s explosive, it’s electric, it’s downright scorching, and it touches something so deep inside you it permanently imprints on you and embeds itself in your soul as Kayce and Raine reduce you to tears, unravel you in all kinds of ways, and have your heart literally bursting out of your chest. With its forbidden vibe, it’s sexy and dirty and fabulous feel, and its mind blowingly good collision between past and present, this is Kayce and Raine breaking against each other, healing each other, fiercely protecting each other, and finally finding the one thing neither one of them ever thought they’d have or deserve, the kind of love you fight for, and it’ll have you eating up every word, out of your damn mind feral and totally gone for Kayce and Raine, in a hard hitting, undeniably phenomenal, and absolutely unforgettable must read!

HOLY HOLY HOLY WOW

Thank you Elliott Rose for popping my MM cherry. These men. SHEEWWWWWW

Okay okay so where do I start??? Kayce and Raine were hot, sweet, and so full of emotion. They started out very angry with each other. Kayce was under the impression that Raine hated his guts but it obviously was quite the opposite. Raine protected Kayce when they were younger from Raine’s abusive father, but held so much misplaced anger inside (and out if we’re being honest) for Kayce.

Kayce was fighting with a lot of things throughout the book, including an injury, and his sexuality. Raine guided him through all of this turmoil with patience (and some really hot dominance). I absolutely loved every second of it. This book, like every other book in the series, took me through an emotional rollercoaster that I didn’t want to get off of. It kept me turning pages and picking my kindle up every time I had a free moment.

Thank you so much Kensington and Elliott Rose for sending me an eARC of this!!

Kayce!! What a good boy.
Raine - our strong, silent type - complements him perfectly.

These two share a complicated history: stepbrothers since their parents married when they were teens, but essentially strangers as adults. When the full depth of that shared past comes to light, you can’t help but fall even harder for Raine.

Kayce’s journey here is beautiful - watching him come to understand and embrace his authentic self, surrounded by unconditional love from friends and family, had me emotional. I went from hating him in book one to absolutely crying for him in this one. He’s so soft for Raine, and I adore that Raine’s protectiveness matches that tenderness perfectly.

And yes - the spice is spicing, the cowboys are cowboying, and I’m here for all of it. Elliot Rose delivers yet again, giving Kayce the perfect conclusion to his arc.

Huge Thankyou to Kensington Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC!

Wow! I loved this story. I didn’t make the connection right away about the main character Kayce being the son from book 1. I quickly realized it and Raine is his step brother. While I did feel like the first part of the book was very wordy, I very much enjoyed this story. It was equal parts heart felt and the coming out story was done so well. I fell in love with these men by the end of the book! Crimson Ridge is a special place for love on top of that mountain!

What an incredible book! Throughly enjoyed this story! The characters connection felt genuine & made them even more likeable! Loved their story, the spice was perfect. Absolutely love this series & this book just confirmed what an incredible author Elliott Rose is.

Would definitely recommend, especially if you enjoy a taboo romance as this is one 😂
Thank you NetGalley, Elliott Rose & Kensington books for the opportunity to read this ARC!

My rating: five stars.
Why: I loved this story, have continued thinking about it for over a week since finishing, and added them to my personality (oops?).

This book, *chef's kiss*. A beautiful finale to the Crimson Ridge series. Character flaw and development focused, it followed Kayce as he works to better himself and ends up having to confront his past when Raine, his step brother, suddenly shows up in town. And later having to share the same space together.
The tension, the emotion. Who will snap first and go for the kiss?
Kayce is a happy-go-lucky but also chronically anxious sweetheart with an amazing sense of humor. Raine is a gruff man of few, if any, words. I am deceased. Good bye. I have to commend Elliott's minimal use of lack-of-communication scenario, which I have seen in many similar books. My nonexistent patience is grateful. I shed a few tears and fist pumped the air one too many times. I could not put this book down.
This just had the perfect ending of everything and everyone being where they needed to be. This series will be with me for a long time.
Now, while it is technically an interconnected standalone, it does have some serious spoilers for the previous books couples.
All in all, I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!!!!