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Breaking the Rules #1
Renegades
Soren Green is a good man. An ex-MMA fighter, single father, and a lawyer helping to better the lives of LGBT teens. But his life isn’t as simple as it seems, and things get turned a little upside down when he stumbles on a troubled man on the side of the road, making his way through a snowstorm. Soren knows one of his biggest problems is his bleeding heart, but how can he turn away when he was once that man out in the cold?
Kane Winters once had it easy. Rich parents, silver spoon, everything at his disposal. But Kane was never a lucky man, and nothing is proof of that more than his abusive boyfriend dying in a freak accident, and his uncontrollable anger sending him into a tailspin. He returned to Fairfield with a chip on his shoulder, felony on his record, and no hope of recovering himself as the man he once was. Kane was certain that he was condemned to this life—cold, alone, and unloved. Then, in the middle of a storm, a stranger pulls over to offer him a ride. Kane took a blind leap once, and it almost destroyed his life, but he’s not so sure the bald man with the walking cane and kind eyes would be anything like his ex.
Will the two men figure out a way to make it work, or will their pasts continue to leave them to a future without hope?
Renegades is the first book in the series, Breaking the Rules- an Irons and Works spin-off. Each book contains no cheating with an HEA.
Kane Winters once had it easy. Rich parents, silver spoon, everything at his disposal. But Kane was never a lucky man, and nothing is proof of that more than his abusive boyfriend dying in a freak accident, and his uncontrollable anger sending him into a tailspin. He returned to Fairfield with a chip on his shoulder, felony on his record, and no hope of recovering himself as the man he once was. Kane was certain that he was condemned to this life—cold, alone, and unloved. Then, in the middle of a storm, a stranger pulls over to offer him a ride. Kane took a blind leap once, and it almost destroyed his life, but he’s not so sure the bald man with the walking cane and kind eyes would be anything like his ex.
Will the two men figure out a way to make it work, or will their pasts continue to leave them to a future without hope?
Renegades is the first book in the series, Breaking the Rules- an Irons and Works spin-off. Each book contains no cheating with an HEA.
267 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 3, 2020
About the author
E.M. Lindsey
129 books1,169 followersE.M. Lindsey is the author of MM contemporary romance. They presently live and work in the south eastern United States.
EM Lindsey also writes MM Paranormal Romance under the pseudonym Ariel Millar.
EM Lindsey also writes MM Paranormal Romance under the pseudonym Ariel Millar.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews
January 14, 2020
A sweet, hurt/comfort read that I enjoyed way more than I thought I would. Really liked both characters but wish I had realised this was a spin off from another series, I kinda felt a bit lost with so many other characters that were already well established in Soren's life.
June 13, 2024
Possible Trigger: Mental Abuse
As usual this author does a fantastic job of writing about and bringing out the difficulties faced by different members of society without ever making the book specifically or entirely about those differences. Kane experienced the occupational and subsequently the financial issues that follow a felony conviction all the while balancing the quiet internal stigma of being a domestic abuse survivor.
At first, Soren makes living with his physical disability look easy, until one of the darker moments of the book forces him to focus on his limitations long before he had planned to. All this is happening while dealing with the fallout of a divorce and child custody problems, which can be just the same as with a M/F marriage even when it was a M/M or F/F marriage. Together, the men must acknowledge the burgeoning feelings between them, even when it feels like the odds are stacked against them. However, when in need, Kane and Soren show up for each other, despite how it might add to their personal difficulties. That is one of the major cornerstones of a real relationship...you just have to heal the best you can.
It's a well written fantastic story about two men who were broken in completely different ways but find a way to fix each other's broken hearts.
As usual this author does a fantastic job of writing about and bringing out the difficulties faced by different members of society without ever making the book specifically or entirely about those differences. Kane experienced the occupational and subsequently the financial issues that follow a felony conviction all the while balancing the quiet internal stigma of being a domestic abuse survivor.
At first, Soren makes living with his physical disability look easy, until one of the darker moments of the book forces him to focus on his limitations long before he had planned to. All this is happening while dealing with the fallout of a divorce and child custody problems, which can be just the same as with a M/F marriage even when it was a M/M or F/F marriage. Together, the men must acknowledge the burgeoning feelings between them, even when it feels like the odds are stacked against them. However, when in need, Kane and Soren show up for each other, despite how it might add to their personal difficulties. That is one of the major cornerstones of a real relationship...you just have to heal the best you can.
It's a well written fantastic story about two men who were broken in completely different ways but find a way to fix each other's broken hearts.
January 17, 2022
Even though this begins a new series, I think it is best read after the Irons and Works books. Characters from that series show up in here a lot, and with minimal introduction. For me, it was a series of encounters with old friends, and I enjoyed that aspect.
Soren is a man who's life changed with a spinal injury which still causes him problems. He had no choice but to leave MMA fighting, but had the brains and determination to make it through law school. He married and they had a son by surrogacy adoption, but he's now divorced from his ex-husband and struggling to get Tim to stick to their custody arrangement for their young son. Being denied the chance to see his son is a problem that is coming to a head, and to a courtroom, soon. So between his job, volunteer work for Sage's LGBTQ teen center, coping with increasing issues with his spine, the custody situation, and an ex-alcoholic dad, Soren is busy.
Then he spots a stranger walking in a miserable snowstorm and picks up Kane. Kane is on probation, trying to find work, still recovering from an abusive relationship and the anger it left him with, that led to his prison sentence. He has no time or energy or mental and emotional spoons to get into a new relationship, but he's drawn to Soren.
This is a slow burn, hurt-comfort, found family story. Both men have a lot of baggage to unpack (although in fact, I was expecting some bits to have more play in the story, in place of an incident of drama that forced the plot forward.) As usual, this author presents a character's disability in a realistic, undramatic way, allowing it to be taken seriously but not mining it for angst. The ending is sweet and warm and well-deserved. And it brings out a few of the unfair jeopardies of our legal system for felons out on parole, with how easy it is to end up back inside if you don't have the resources at your back that Kane does in his new found family. I look forward to checking out the next in the series.
Soren is a man who's life changed with a spinal injury which still causes him problems. He had no choice but to leave MMA fighting, but had the brains and determination to make it through law school. He married and they had a son by surrogacy adoption, but he's now divorced from his ex-husband and struggling to get Tim to stick to their custody arrangement for their young son. Being denied the chance to see his son is a problem that is coming to a head, and to a courtroom, soon. So between his job, volunteer work for Sage's LGBTQ teen center, coping with increasing issues with his spine, the custody situation, and an ex-alcoholic dad, Soren is busy.
Then he spots a stranger walking in a miserable snowstorm and picks up Kane. Kane is on probation, trying to find work, still recovering from an abusive relationship and the anger it left him with, that led to his prison sentence. He has no time or energy or mental and emotional spoons to get into a new relationship, but he's drawn to Soren.
This is a slow burn, hurt-comfort, found family story. Both men have a lot of baggage to unpack (although in fact, I was expecting some bits to have more play in the story, in place of an incident of drama that forced the plot forward.) As usual, this author presents a character's disability in a realistic, undramatic way, allowing it to be taken seriously but not mining it for angst. The ending is sweet and warm and well-deserved. And it brings out a few of the unfair jeopardies of our legal system for felons out on parole, with how easy it is to end up back inside if you don't have the resources at your back that Kane does in his new found family. I look forward to checking out the next in the series.
January 4, 2020
Good start to a new spin off series
I always loved the Iron & Works crew. To be back in this universe and this bunch of people was definitely lovely and felt like being back with family 😊 and the story expanding with more people? Heaven!
That said though, as much as I love being in this universe with this lovely bunch of people...it is getting a bit repetitive and the stakes aren’t as high anymore. I mean, the drama/height of this story was a bit of a letdown.
I understand Kane and his prickly nature. I felt more for him than Soren, perhaps because gosh...the emotional toll that he had to bear...heartbreaking!! I liked Soren and his bleeding heart. And can’t imagine the physical pain he endures daily.
I like them as a couple but I’m not necessarily convinced of their connection...🧐 so...I liked this. But I didn’t love it..you know?
I always loved the Iron & Works crew. To be back in this universe and this bunch of people was definitely lovely and felt like being back with family 😊 and the story expanding with more people? Heaven!
That said though, as much as I love being in this universe with this lovely bunch of people...it is getting a bit repetitive and the stakes aren’t as high anymore. I mean, the drama/height of this story was a bit of a letdown.
I understand Kane and his prickly nature. I felt more for him than Soren, perhaps because gosh...the emotional toll that he had to bear...heartbreaking!! I liked Soren and his bleeding heart. And can’t imagine the physical pain he endures daily.
I like them as a couple but I’m not necessarily convinced of their connection...🧐 so...I liked this. But I didn’t love it..you know?
January 5, 2020
There’s always something lovely about these characters.. damage, poor self esteem and vulnerability but with a resilience and loyalty that defies all obstacles. I adore the camaraderie between characters and love the way they back each other up. There’s still a level of predictability, but it’s fiction ! So glad there was a HEA ❤️
Read
May 5, 2022Dnf @41%
TW: domestic abuse, alcoholic parents.
I tried. This synopsis has such promise but the execution wasn’t what I was looking for.
Kane was a little too immature for my taste, and he didn’t thank anyone after they helped him out. Also Soren..idk he was fine.
Overall I don’t think this author is for me, I have read/started a few of her books in the past and it always felt like something was missing from them.
TW: domestic abuse, alcoholic parents.
I tried. This synopsis has such promise but the execution wasn’t what I was looking for.
Kane was a little too immature for my taste, and he didn’t thank anyone after they helped him out. Also Soren..idk he was fine.
Overall I don’t think this author is for me, I have read/started a few of her books in the past and it always felt like something was missing from them.
May 30, 2020
Update 30.05.20.
Jeżeli ktoś czyta najpierw odpowiednią serię, czyli I&W, potem drobne nowelki czy coś, co jest z serią powiązane, jak "To Touch the Light", to ta książka jest naturalnym przedłużeniem, czyta się ją właściwie jak kolejny tom, znając wszelkie okoliczności towarzyszące, wszystkich bohaterów, którzy się pojawiają, wszystkie miejsca. Ale... jeżeli się zacznie czytanie od tej książki - tak kretyńsko, jak ja to zrobiłam - to ponowne jej przeczytanie, po poznaniu tego, co trzeba, jest jak uderzenie obuchem w łepetę 😁 Jej odbiór nabiera innego wymiaru, czyta się jak o starych znajomych 😁 Inna jakość po prostu 😁
W dodatku uwielbiam serie, powiązania między konkretnymi tomami, bohaterów, którzy nie znikają, kiedy otoczenie jest z tomu na tom coraz bardziej znajome i rozpoznawalne. Wiem, że nie wszyscy są tego fanami, niektórzy wolą po prostu standy, a nie serie - ale u mnie akurat to się sprawdza, a nawet bardzo się sprawdza 😁 I ta konkretna seria spełnia moje oczekiwania pod tym względem w 120% 😁
I choć oczywiście, można jak najbardziej czytać historię Kane'a i Sorena nie znając nic więcej, to jednak, wg mnie, dużo się traci z kontekstu 😁
Aaaaaa... no i to oczywiste, skoro za drugim razem czytało mi się jeszcze lepiej, niż za pierwszym - podnoszę oczywiście ocenę 😁
5-
* * * * * * *
4,25
Ależ błąd taktyczny popełniłam 😱 Zdecydowanie trzeba było najpierw się wziąć za serię "Irons and Works"... Zdecydowanie... No, ale nie ma tego złego... już wiem, jakie następne książki mam ustawione w kolejce do czytania 😁 Bo choć relacja Kane'a i Sorena nie przekonała mnie w 100%, czegoś tam gdzieś po drodze zabrakło między nimi, to sama historia wciągająca i zachęcająca do sięgnięcia po inne tytuły. A bohaterowie drugoplanowi, którzy się pojawiają - właśnie z serii "Iron and Works", sprawiają, że aż palce swędzą, żeby przeczytać wszystko. I choć zapewne łatwo nie będzie - raczej trudno, boleśnie, z łamaniem serducha gwarantowanym - to patrząc po "Renegades" zdecydowanie będzie warto...
Jeżeli ktoś czyta najpierw odpowiednią serię, czyli I&W, potem drobne nowelki czy coś, co jest z serią powiązane, jak "To Touch the Light", to ta książka jest naturalnym przedłużeniem, czyta się ją właściwie jak kolejny tom, znając wszelkie okoliczności towarzyszące, wszystkich bohaterów, którzy się pojawiają, wszystkie miejsca. Ale... jeżeli się zacznie czytanie od tej książki - tak kretyńsko, jak ja to zrobiłam - to ponowne jej przeczytanie, po poznaniu tego, co trzeba, jest jak uderzenie obuchem w łepetę 😁 Jej odbiór nabiera innego wymiaru, czyta się jak o starych znajomych 😁 Inna jakość po prostu 😁
W dodatku uwielbiam serie, powiązania między konkretnymi tomami, bohaterów, którzy nie znikają, kiedy otoczenie jest z tomu na tom coraz bardziej znajome i rozpoznawalne. Wiem, że nie wszyscy są tego fanami, niektórzy wolą po prostu standy, a nie serie - ale u mnie akurat to się sprawdza, a nawet bardzo się sprawdza 😁 I ta konkretna seria spełnia moje oczekiwania pod tym względem w 120% 😁
I choć oczywiście, można jak najbardziej czytać historię Kane'a i Sorena nie znając nic więcej, to jednak, wg mnie, dużo się traci z kontekstu 😁
Aaaaaa... no i to oczywiste, skoro za drugim razem czytało mi się jeszcze lepiej, niż za pierwszym - podnoszę oczywiście ocenę 😁
5-
* * * * * * *
4,25
Ależ błąd taktyczny popełniłam 😱 Zdecydowanie trzeba było najpierw się wziąć za serię "Irons and Works"... Zdecydowanie... No, ale nie ma tego złego... już wiem, jakie następne książki mam ustawione w kolejce do czytania 😁 Bo choć relacja Kane'a i Sorena nie przekonała mnie w 100%, czegoś tam gdzieś po drodze zabrakło między nimi, to sama historia wciągająca i zachęcająca do sięgnięcia po inne tytuły. A bohaterowie drugoplanowi, którzy się pojawiają - właśnie z serii "Iron and Works", sprawiają, że aż palce swędzą, żeby przeczytać wszystko. I choć zapewne łatwo nie będzie - raczej trudno, boleśnie, z łamaniem serducha gwarantowanym - to patrząc po "Renegades" zdecydowanie będzie warto...
January 4, 2020
Beyond beautiful
Having read every book available by Ms. Lindsey, I can without doubt, that I'm always looking forward to the next one. She grabs something in me, shakes it up, puts it back, and it feels like it's fine to be who I am. It's empowering to dip into a book and find pieces of yourself reflected in the characters. It's empowering to see those characters get a HEA, even if it doesn't always happen in RL. It's beyond empowering to know that someone else believes even the 'broken' people can find, and even deserve, to be unapologetically who they are and loved for it.
As a survivor of narcissistic abuse, I can confirm the portrayal is almost disturbingly accurate. It might not be for everyone. But I loved being able to read about someone like me, who managed to get away, and rebuild a life. Thank you for that.
I did receive an ARC for my review, but I bought a copy anyway. That's how much I loved it.
Having read every book available by Ms. Lindsey, I can without doubt, that I'm always looking forward to the next one. She grabs something in me, shakes it up, puts it back, and it feels like it's fine to be who I am. It's empowering to dip into a book and find pieces of yourself reflected in the characters. It's empowering to see those characters get a HEA, even if it doesn't always happen in RL. It's beyond empowering to know that someone else believes even the 'broken' people can find, and even deserve, to be unapologetically who they are and loved for it.
As a survivor of narcissistic abuse, I can confirm the portrayal is almost disturbingly accurate. It might not be for everyone. But I loved being able to read about someone like me, who managed to get away, and rebuild a life. Thank you for that.
I did receive an ARC for my review, but I bought a copy anyway. That's how much I loved it.
August 1, 2022
I've read E.M. Lindsey's Irons and Works series and enjoyed it for the most part, but it's been a while. This is the first book in the spinoff series and you can tell. It name drops about 50 people you should be familiar with if you want half a chance of remembering who they, where they work, and their relationships with each other. I can easily imagine someone who hasn't read the first series feeling out of their depth. Hell, I read Irons and Works and I still struggled to keep everyone straight.
That being said, I generally enjoyed this installment - it's very much in the tone and style of Irons and Works. I liked the characters and the romance worked for me. I recently read Sanctuary (Wrecked Series #1) by Kelly Fox and a reviewer said they couldn't get into it because there was too much reality and discussion of amputations and prosthesis (the book is about war vets at a gym). Well, all I have to say to that is they've clearly never read anything by E.M. Lindsey. I like that about their works: they're much realer than most romance novels, especially when dealing with different bodies. I say that as an able-bodied person who doesn't know what the hell I'm talking about.
I have two sticking points with this novel. First, right after Soren has HIP and SPINE surgery, he has sex with a guy on top of him. How would that be possible??? I'm guessing the Lindsey is doing some hand-wavey romance novel stuff here, but considering how faithfully they portray the rest of the nitty gritty, it was jarring. Second, I hate, hate, HATE when characters confess things because they "didn't know they were saying it all out loud." What the fuck? Has a real human person EVER done that in real life? It's a stupid, irritating, trope that I would kill with fire if I could. It's so cheap.
Anyway, I might check out the rest of the series. I enjoy Lindsey's sincerity and how the characters have to work for their happy endings.
That being said, I generally enjoyed this installment - it's very much in the tone and style of Irons and Works. I liked the characters and the romance worked for me. I recently read Sanctuary (Wrecked Series #1) by Kelly Fox and a reviewer said they couldn't get into it because there was too much reality and discussion of amputations and prosthesis (the book is about war vets at a gym). Well, all I have to say to that is they've clearly never read anything by E.M. Lindsey. I like that about their works: they're much realer than most romance novels, especially when dealing with different bodies. I say that as an able-bodied person who doesn't know what the hell I'm talking about.
I have two sticking points with this novel. First, right after Soren has HIP and SPINE surgery, he has sex with a guy on top of him. How would that be possible??? I'm guessing the Lindsey is doing some hand-wavey romance novel stuff here, but considering how faithfully they portray the rest of the nitty gritty, it was jarring. Second, I hate, hate, HATE when characters confess things because they "didn't know they were saying it all out loud." What the fuck? Has a real human person EVER done that in real life? It's a stupid, irritating, trope that I would kill with fire if I could. It's so cheap.
Anyway, I might check out the rest of the series. I enjoy Lindsey's sincerity and how the characters have to work for their happy endings.
January 5, 2020
I loved this start to a new series!
I've read all the Iron and Works books, but you can definitely still enjoy this book without reading them. A few years have gone by since the previous series, and we only get tiny glimpses at how the couples from Irons and Works have developed. I do think there are some spoilers for those books, so if you're thinking about reading the other series I'd do that first.
This book deals with heavier topics than some of the others Elaine has written. While all the Iron and Works books have characters who deal with various types of trauma, it's mostly set in the past and not described in detail. This book begins with a present-day abusive scene, so please take the trigger warnings seriously!
Warnings aside, I adored Kane and Soren's journey in this book. Compared to some of Elaine's other books, this was a slower-burn romance, but I felt like it fit Soren and Kane. If they had rushed into sex it would have felt fake. Soren is such a protective caretaker, and it melted my heart every time he worried about Kane or gave him a ride to work so he wouldn't get cold or bought him a sweater because he doesn't have the right clothes for winter. I love reading about couples who have a deep emotional connection before things get physical, and this is a perfect example.
Another aspect of this story I appreciated was how realistic the world is. Kane struggles to accept help from others because of his past and doesn't throw himself into a new relationship that magically fixes everything. Soren's surgery isn't a miracle cure but he is better afterwards.
I really can't wait for the next books in this series to come out. We were introduced to so many new characters and I'm excited to see which will get their own stories!
**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I've read all the Iron and Works books, but you can definitely still enjoy this book without reading them. A few years have gone by since the previous series, and we only get tiny glimpses at how the couples from Irons and Works have developed. I do think there are some spoilers for those books, so if you're thinking about reading the other series I'd do that first.
This book deals with heavier topics than some of the others Elaine has written. While all the Iron and Works books have characters who deal with various types of trauma, it's mostly set in the past and not described in detail. This book begins with a present-day abusive scene, so please take the trigger warnings seriously!
Warnings aside, I adored Kane and Soren's journey in this book. Compared to some of Elaine's other books, this was a slower-burn romance, but I felt like it fit Soren and Kane. If they had rushed into sex it would have felt fake. Soren is such a protective caretaker, and it melted my heart every time he worried about Kane or gave him a ride to work so he wouldn't get cold or bought him a sweater because he doesn't have the right clothes for winter. I love reading about couples who have a deep emotional connection before things get physical, and this is a perfect example.
Another aspect of this story I appreciated was how realistic the world is. Kane struggles to accept help from others because of his past and doesn't throw himself into a new relationship that magically fixes everything. Soren's surgery isn't a miracle cure but he is better afterwards.
I really can't wait for the next books in this series to come out. We were introduced to so many new characters and I'm excited to see which will get their own stories!
**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
March 4, 2020
3.5
What a great story about two men, hurt by their past, by the people in their past, healing and finding love again.
This book can be read as a stand alone but boy are there many characters from past series in this. That sometimes got frustrating because you didn’t know their backgrounds but I made it through ok.
What a great story about two men, hurt by their past, by the people in their past, healing and finding love again.
This book can be read as a stand alone but boy are there many characters from past series in this. That sometimes got frustrating because you didn’t know their backgrounds but I made it through ok.
January 20, 2020
I love this already! I can already tell it's going to be a fabulous series, just like Irons and Works!! These guys are family and I love how they look out for one another. Kane broke my heart and I loved him for it.
I'm anxiously waiting for book 2.
I'm anxiously waiting for book 2.
February 29, 2020
*3.5 stars*
Enjoyed seeing the Irons and Works characters. Sweet story.
Enjoyed seeing the Irons and Works characters. Sweet story.
January 7, 2020
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
Renegades is the first book in E.M. Lindsey’s new Breaking the Rules series. It is a spin off of the author’s Irons and Works series and set in the same world with a lot of crossover of background characters. I have only read To Touch the Light, a standalone in the series, but I had no trouble following along here. Kane and Soren’s story very much stands alone in terms of plot and I could follow their journey with no trouble. However, the guys from Irons and Works definitely play a role here as part of the found family Soren and Kane are soon adopted into. So familiarity with those characters would likely add something here, but it isn’t necessary to enjoy this book.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
Renegades is the first book in E.M. Lindsey’s new Breaking the Rules series. It is a spin off of the author’s Irons and Works series and set in the same world with a lot of crossover of background characters. I have only read To Touch the Light, a standalone in the series, but I had no trouble following along here. Kane and Soren’s story very much stands alone in terms of plot and I could follow their journey with no trouble. However, the guys from Irons and Works definitely play a role here as part of the found family Soren and Kane are soon adopted into. So familiarity with those characters would likely add something here, but it isn’t necessary to enjoy this book.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
January 17, 2020
Very enjoyable. I feel like I missed something though. Totally believable romance but I feel like we skipped over some much needed build up for me. Overall good addition to the universe and I loved seeing glimpses of the iron and works couples.
June 16, 2021
I really enjoyed this novel from E.M. Lindsey. It felt very real in the sense that there was no over-the-top drama or angst. It was about two men who haven't had it easy in life and how they come together slowly as they each work through their issues. I also really appreciated how nobody here was perfect and all of the characters were diverse...from sexual orientation to abilities.
There were a lot of side characters, which made things confusing sometimes. But overall, just a lovely slow burn romance with hurt-comfort themes.
There were a lot of side characters, which made things confusing sometimes. But overall, just a lovely slow burn romance with hurt-comfort themes.
January 6, 2020
Despite the title and the super tough guy on the cover (Kane?), this book was the SWEETEST. The definition of hurt/comfort: two people struggling to various degrees with real-life issues, all while easing very slowly into whatever the other person is willing to accept.
Thankfully, although Kane in particular is dealing with the effects of some heavy abuse, it’s mostly offscreen aside from references to mostly verbal abuse. Not a ton of detail.
I always get a little fussy about these magical small towns that are apparently 75% happily partnered gay guys who all know everything about each other’s tortured pasts, but I’m really loving EM Lindsey’s books anyway😆
Thankfully, although Kane in particular is dealing with the effects of some heavy abuse, it’s mostly offscreen aside from references to mostly verbal abuse. Not a ton of detail.
I always get a little fussy about these magical small towns that are apparently 75% happily partnered gay guys who all know everything about each other’s tortured pasts, but I’m really loving EM Lindsey’s books anyway😆
January 11, 2020
I am so on board with this new series. Soren and Kane are such broken men. Their bodies are not perfect. Their pasts have secret. It's going to take a lot of trust, communication and faith to get to their hea. I cannot wait to see where this author takes this series. And yeah, it was awesome to see some of the men from the Irons and Works series.
January 7, 2020
***An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review by Author***
This book was so much more then i thought it would be (Which given how great the rest of E.M's works are was dumb on my part, LoL).
Soren and Kane had this chemistry that took my breath away at how beautiful and honest it was.
The way they both came to recognize what their limitations and their triggers were and were willing to share them as they began trusting one another and that they weren't ignoring emotions and fears was Awesome to me.
This book was so much more then i thought it would be (Which given how great the rest of E.M's works are was dumb on my part, LoL).
Soren and Kane had this chemistry that took my breath away at how beautiful and honest it was.
The way they both came to recognize what their limitations and their triggers were and were willing to share them as they began trusting one another and that they weren't ignoring emotions and fears was Awesome to me.
January 21, 2020
aaaaaand I'm done !!! I should have remembered why this author doesn't really do it for me. It's fiction, so there are certain things I don't really mind not knowing about. A good example ? There's a part when one of them offers one of his enemas to the other, and then listens as he gets ready for him ....
That is TOTALLY unnecessary. If you want to bring some realness into sex, don't use bowel movements, that's just wrong. Aside from that, maybe it's just me, but I felt like there was just too much drama, there were very few light moments between the characters. The book was actually a little depressing. Also, if you haven't read her other series, you'd be totally lost with this one, because those characters are always in this book, in just about every chapter. I think I read the first 3 books in the other series and honestly, for the life of me, I could not remember who 1/2 the people were while reading this.
Alas, it is time for me to say goodbye to this author for good, I think it's best we part ways.
That is TOTALLY unnecessary. If you want to bring some realness into sex, don't use bowel movements, that's just wrong. Aside from that, maybe it's just me, but I felt like there was just too much drama, there were very few light moments between the characters. The book was actually a little depressing. Also, if you haven't read her other series, you'd be totally lost with this one, because those characters are always in this book, in just about every chapter. I think I read the first 3 books in the other series and honestly, for the life of me, I could not remember who 1/2 the people were while reading this.
Alas, it is time for me to say goodbye to this author for good, I think it's best we part ways.
March 26, 2023
Nice story, nothing special. It's a bit strange that in a small village 90 percent of the population is gay men. Two of Kane's partners run under a car and both Kane and S have abusive exes, although Tim was emotional abusive.
Further a lot of unnecessary info was dropped. Why do I have to know everybody's name, his husbands name and how they met?
The noise reduction was very low quality.
Follow my reviews at https://hemmelm.blogspot.com/
Further a lot of unnecessary info was dropped. Why do I have to know everybody's name, his husbands name and how they met?
The noise reduction was very low quality.
Follow my reviews at https://hemmelm.blogspot.com/
November 16, 2022
Darum geht’s:
Kane ist wegen Körperverletzung vorbestraft, hat einen Berg Sozialstunden abzuleisten und sein schlecht bezahlter Job lässt kaum ein menschenwürdiges Leben zu. Doch er hat noch seinen Stolz und die traumatischen Folgen seiner letzten Beziehung im Gepäck, die ihn daran hindern, Hilfe anzunehmen. Anwalt Soren kämpft um mehr Zeit mit seinem Sohn und mit seiner schlechten Gesundheit. Was er gar nicht brauchen kann, ist ein Ex-Sträfling. Weil die beiden sich aber ständig über den Weg laufen, scheint das Schicksal andere Pläne mit ihnen zu haben.
Meine Meinung dazu gibt’s hier
Kane ist wegen Körperverletzung vorbestraft, hat einen Berg Sozialstunden abzuleisten und sein schlecht bezahlter Job lässt kaum ein menschenwürdiges Leben zu. Doch er hat noch seinen Stolz und die traumatischen Folgen seiner letzten Beziehung im Gepäck, die ihn daran hindern, Hilfe anzunehmen. Anwalt Soren kämpft um mehr Zeit mit seinem Sohn und mit seiner schlechten Gesundheit. Was er gar nicht brauchen kann, ist ein Ex-Sträfling. Weil die beiden sich aber ständig über den Weg laufen, scheint das Schicksal andere Pläne mit ihnen zu haben.
Meine Meinung dazu gibt’s hier
November 6, 2022
*4,5 Sterne*
Dies ist ein Spin-off der „Irons and Works“ -Reihe, die ich wirklich sehr mochte. Wie erhofft und vermutet konnten auch Soren & Kane mich mitreißen… 🤍
Dies ist ein Spin-off der „Irons and Works“ -Reihe, die ich wirklich sehr mochte. Wie erhofft und vermutet konnten auch Soren & Kane mich mitreißen… 🤍
January 4, 2020
I really liked this book and love that we still get these stories of these incredible people in this Fairfield found family. This is the first book in the Breaking the Rules series which is the spin-off from the Irons and Works series. Elaine has this incredible way of writing found family; this Fairfield family is fierce and loyal and will always take care of their own. Soren and Kane’s story is about overcoming their haunted and bruised pasts to embrace their future that provides love, kindness and respect.
Soren is a former MMA street fighter with a spinal injury. He is working through a custody battle with his ex husband over their son all while navigating his self doubt. Kane is a former award winning chef who now has a felony record and a long history of abuse. Kane finds himself in Fairfield looking for a new start but not feeling like he actually deserves it. I enjoyed watching Soren and Kane’s relationship grow slowly and delicately as they navigate their feelings about their pasts.
Elaine has this beautiful way of giving a voice to characters that are haunted. I adore that all of the characters in the Irons and Works series as well as the Breaking the Rules series are real people. These are great books that provide great representation of people with disabilities and mental illness. Typically in the romance realm these individuals don't tend to get the HEA/HFN and Elaine always provides that to her characters every time. What a great start to a new series, I’m excited to see where this will lead.
Soren is a former MMA street fighter with a spinal injury. He is working through a custody battle with his ex husband over their son all while navigating his self doubt. Kane is a former award winning chef who now has a felony record and a long history of abuse. Kane finds himself in Fairfield looking for a new start but not feeling like he actually deserves it. I enjoyed watching Soren and Kane’s relationship grow slowly and delicately as they navigate their feelings about their pasts.
Elaine has this beautiful way of giving a voice to characters that are haunted. I adore that all of the characters in the Irons and Works series as well as the Breaking the Rules series are real people. These are great books that provide great representation of people with disabilities and mental illness. Typically in the romance realm these individuals don't tend to get the HEA/HFN and Elaine always provides that to her characters every time. What a great start to a new series, I’m excited to see where this will lead.
January 5, 2020
I was very much looking forward to read Soren's story and the start of this new spin off series. I don't know how she does it, but Elaine writes about the hurtful and painful subjects so clearly and understandable. You feel the pain her characters go through and you come to understand them so well. In this new book two battered men come together. Kane, who has been abused mentally and physically with no means of having closure when his tormentor is killed. Soren, mentally abused by his ex husband and fighting to see his young son. He used to be a MMA fighter but a freak accident left him with a fractured spine and a husband who has no need for a criple. They both have a lot of scars from the past and trouble feeling loved and accepted for who they are. But they are both stubborn and patient to go after what they need and want and battling their fears together is working out better than alone. I just love the way this author writes about these subjects as she does in all her books. It gives more understanding and acceptance for all those who are affected by a disability in whatever form. Although I hate the word disability. And I think it will be comforting to read for many. But if you are not ready to read about the topics raised in her books you might want to try something else. For those who can, you will not be disappointed. All these guys become family and you just can't stop reading about them.
January 8, 2020
3,5*
PLEASE READ MY RATING SYSTEM!!!
To my ratings:
A 3,5* is clicked with a 4* but in review marked as 3,5*:
5* - very very good and rare (it would be a Blow-Away-book like ‘Jesse's Smile’ or ‘Joey’ from Angelique Jurd, ‘Save the the kids’ series
from EM Leya, ‘Love’s Tethered Heart’ from C.L. Etta or ‘Liberty’ from Seth King),
it's like an A+
4* - very good and will be often reread and is a WOW-book with interesting plot and surprises (like most of Andrew Grey books and Davidson Kings 'Haven Hart'-series)
it's like an A
3,5* - a really good book, which will be reread a few times (most romances where you can enjoy for relaxing and during waiting times in
hospitals). I can recommend them definitively!
It's like an B+
3* - it could be more then a one-time-reader (2-3 times a year),
it's like a B
2* - it was ok to read, but it's more a one-time-reader (I wouldn't recommend it heartily, but it was ok)
It's like a C-, D
1* - sorry, but that isn't really a book for me (too many mistakes, not nice plot, illogical, so an absolute NO-GO). It's like failure in the
whole line, dismissed, repeat the class
PLEASE READ MY RATING SYSTEM!!!
To my ratings:
A 3,5* is clicked with a 4* but in review marked as 3,5*:
5* - very very good and rare (it would be a Blow-Away-book like ‘Jesse's Smile’ or ‘Joey’ from Angelique Jurd, ‘Save the the kids’ series
from EM Leya, ‘Love’s Tethered Heart’ from C.L. Etta or ‘Liberty’ from Seth King),
it's like an A+
4* - very good and will be often reread and is a WOW-book with interesting plot and surprises (like most of Andrew Grey books and Davidson Kings 'Haven Hart'-series)
it's like an A
3,5* - a really good book, which will be reread a few times (most romances where you can enjoy for relaxing and during waiting times in
hospitals). I can recommend them definitively!
It's like an B+
3* - it could be more then a one-time-reader (2-3 times a year),
it's like a B
2* - it was ok to read, but it's more a one-time-reader (I wouldn't recommend it heartily, but it was ok)
It's like a C-, D
1* - sorry, but that isn't really a book for me (too many mistakes, not nice plot, illogical, so an absolute NO-GO). It's like failure in the
whole line, dismissed, repeat the class
January 18, 2020
Finding a good recipe for Love the second time around!💋
I really like this series or the continuation of it. I like how each story is a challenge specially because it tells the stories of persons with disabilities, from mental, emotional and physical.
This is the story of Soren a lawyer who helps with teenagers in foster care and parents with disabilities and Kane a single, lonely guy that came to Fairfield for a second chance at stating over. Their paths cross one snowy day when Soren sees Kane on the street walking in very cold day and stops to give him a ride. Kane is hesitant specially coming from an abusive relationship but takes the ride. Their story just gets better and sweeter till the end.💖
I really like this series or the continuation of it. I like how each story is a challenge specially because it tells the stories of persons with disabilities, from mental, emotional and physical.
This is the story of Soren a lawyer who helps with teenagers in foster care and parents with disabilities and Kane a single, lonely guy that came to Fairfield for a second chance at stating over. Their paths cross one snowy day when Soren sees Kane on the street walking in very cold day and stops to give him a ride. Kane is hesitant specially coming from an abusive relationship but takes the ride. Their story just gets better and sweeter till the end.💖
January 13, 2020
Another hit!
I love these guys. I loved Soren and Kane’s journey to each other and I always like how she approaches disability.
I love these guys. I loved Soren and Kane’s journey to each other and I always like how she approaches disability.
January 2, 2020
Renegades
The story of Kane and Soren. These two have had a hard life so far. They deserve all the love and joy that they get from each other. I couldn’t be happier that they wound up in Fairfield because they now have the best friends and support system anyone could ask for. Man I’m jealous I don’t live there. LOL
Soren is divorced with a son Orli and he is not treated right from his ex husband and as a result he has issues. Kane has suffered physical and emotional abuse which resulted in a life changing event for him but in the long run this brought him to town where he met Soren. I loved that they learned to trust in each other and support each other with all they have in their life and I love little Orli
Elaine truly knows how to write these guys and to pull emotion from me and the fact she adds in such cute children and how these guys love so hard makes her series top notch. She has done a fantastic job weaving in the Irons and Works guys. Kudos. Huge five stars from me
The story of Kane and Soren. These two have had a hard life so far. They deserve all the love and joy that they get from each other. I couldn’t be happier that they wound up in Fairfield because they now have the best friends and support system anyone could ask for. Man I’m jealous I don’t live there. LOL
Soren is divorced with a son Orli and he is not treated right from his ex husband and as a result he has issues. Kane has suffered physical and emotional abuse which resulted in a life changing event for him but in the long run this brought him to town where he met Soren. I loved that they learned to trust in each other and support each other with all they have in their life and I love little Orli
Elaine truly knows how to write these guys and to pull emotion from me and the fact she adds in such cute children and how these guys love so hard makes her series top notch. She has done a fantastic job weaving in the Irons and Works guys. Kudos. Huge five stars from me
April 9, 2022
Getting To The Good Stuff!
Lawyer Soren and Ex-con Kane are both broken, abused, and traumatized by life, but somehow form a meaningful connection. It's a dark and yet hopefully, romantic tale. This is my first time reading this author and I love their storytelling skills. I’m hooked!
Lawyer Soren and Ex-con Kane are both broken, abused, and traumatized by life, but somehow form a meaningful connection. It's a dark and yet hopefully, romantic tale. This is my first time reading this author and I love their storytelling skills. I’m hooked!
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