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Breaking the Rules #3
Forsaken
Dr. Elliot Bethel isn’t an easy man to love. He’s not even an easy man to like. He does good work in Fairfield, even if he’s no one’s favorite veterinarian, but he doesn’t need to be popular to be effective. Elliot made his way into his career after a roadside bomb during his deployment changed the trajectory of his life, and though he returned Stateside with one less limb, that didn’t change his firm belief—animals are better than people. Growing up a system kid with foster parents who tried their best, Elliot was determined to never let anyone close to his heart. And he might have succeeded if the massive stranger clutching two newborn rabbits hadn’t shown up at his door in a furious rainstorm.
Arlo Bullock is the kind of man whose entire life had been planned out for him from the day he was conceived. The first-born son to a family with a long-standing Military Legacy, Arlo followed in his father’s footsteps for as long as he could. But a career in the Marines with a nice wife and obedient kids were not part of Arlo’s future. In the end, it was no hardship to take his walking papers and leave that life behind—even if it meant cutting ties to his disappointed parents. With a small trust in his savings account, Arlo found his way to Fairfield, determined to make his own way in life. He had a little cash, and a big dream, and he would give anything to see it through. What he didn’t plan was for his entire life to be turned upside down by a snarky vet with a soft spot for wounded baby animals.
With Elliot determined not to love, and Arlo not even sure if he’s still straight, the two men find their way through friendship, tragedy, grief, and sexual awakening. But will that connection between them be enough to light the way home, or will everything working against them leave them utterly forsaken?
Arlo Bullock is the kind of man whose entire life had been planned out for him from the day he was conceived. The first-born son to a family with a long-standing Military Legacy, Arlo followed in his father’s footsteps for as long as he could. But a career in the Marines with a nice wife and obedient kids were not part of Arlo’s future. In the end, it was no hardship to take his walking papers and leave that life behind—even if it meant cutting ties to his disappointed parents. With a small trust in his savings account, Arlo found his way to Fairfield, determined to make his own way in life. He had a little cash, and a big dream, and he would give anything to see it through. What he didn’t plan was for his entire life to be turned upside down by a snarky vet with a soft spot for wounded baby animals.
With Elliot determined not to love, and Arlo not even sure if he’s still straight, the two men find their way through friendship, tragedy, grief, and sexual awakening. But will that connection between them be enough to light the way home, or will everything working against them leave them utterly forsaken?
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First published April 15, 2020
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About the author
E.M. Lindsey
143 books1,383 followersE.M. Lindsey is the author of MM contemporary romance. She presently lives and works in the southeastern 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 82 reviews
April 26, 2020
Holy. Crap.
Honestly I love Lindsey’s writing style. I think she packs so much power and emotion into each punch and I was completely riveted.
This is a heavy book to read but it’s sometimes so soothing to read through pain that you understand and have been through.
I’m incredibly happy that this is how we close out this series and Fairfield in general.
Honestly I love Lindsey’s writing style. I think she packs so much power and emotion into each punch and I was completely riveted.
This is a heavy book to read but it’s sometimes so soothing to read through pain that you understand and have been through.
I’m incredibly happy that this is how we close out this series and Fairfield in general.
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November 6, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (11/6/2020)! 🎁
October 19, 2022
I truly enjoyed these two gents. I enjoyed their interactions with each other and the rest of the world. I could not get enough and my only complaint was that it ended.
May 13, 2020
A good start to the book. Both Elliot and Arlo are ex-military making a life back after service. Aww baby bunnies bring the two together and the story takes off. This has some heavy conversations and situations of death with secondary characters included. This is a nicely paced storyline although I didn't connect with them I could associate with the grief. Straight vs gay theme. This has a lot happening in the book that keeps you reading. I've read most of this authors books and enjoy each one. A great ending for a HEA.
Dr Elliot ex-military and now a vet was hearing about a deaf 16 yrs brother he didn't know about. Both from the foster system.
Arlo knew the guys at The Ted House but his dream was to help breed service dogs..
Dr Elliot ex-military and now a vet was hearing about a deaf 16 yrs brother he didn't know about. Both from the foster system.
Arlo knew the guys at The Ted House but his dream was to help breed service dogs..
April 27, 2020
I cried... it really, really tugged at my heartstrings. I’ve read all of the books in this series and in the main series that I kinda lose track of everyone 🙈
However, I think I this book probably had the best story progression and none of those bullshit drama. Sure, it still had drama. It made me cry, dammit! 💔 but it was also heartfelt and realistic in the sense that not everything ended with a neatly tied bow.
I don’t particularly love Eliot but I do at least, love Arlo 😬
I don’t know if the author note at the beginning meant that this would be the last book in this series and thus this world, but I hope not! 🤞🤞🤞
However, I think I this book probably had the best story progression and none of those bullshit drama. Sure, it still had drama. It made me cry, dammit! 💔 but it was also heartfelt and realistic in the sense that not everything ended with a neatly tied bow.
I don’t particularly love Eliot but I do at least, love Arlo 😬
I don’t know if the author note at the beginning meant that this would be the last book in this series and thus this world, but I hope not! 🤞🤞🤞
May 8, 2020
This was really sweet. Damaged men who found their connection.
April 15, 2020
What an incredible conclusion to this series. Yes, for those who haven't been following Elaine's updates, this is the last full-length novel set in Fairfield Colorado. This book reminded me of all the reasons I adored the Irons and Works series and other Breaking the Rules spinoffs. Each character we've gotten to meet is uniquely wonderful, and following along on their journeys towards happiness and love has been amazing. While I highly recommend reading the other books in this series first, you can still enjoy this one on its own.
I'll admit that I was surprised that Elliot was getting his own book. The small interactions he's had with main characters in the earlier books didn't leave me wanting to know more about him. Now that I've read his story, I'm happy to say I was 100% wrong about him. I think what appeals to me the most about all of Elaine's characters is their hidden vulnerability and neediness. After getting to see inside Elliot's head, learn his backstory, and meet his family, I couldn't help but love him. Arlo, on the other hand, won me over the second I found out he's an animal lover.
While the focus of this book is undoubtedly on the blooming romance between Elliot and Arlo, there are heavy, heartbreaking situations going on in the background. I appreciate that Elaine was able to give them the seriousness and space they deserved without overshadowing the romance or making it hard to connect with the characters. If anything, the comfort Elliot and Arlo provided for each other added an extra dimension to their growing love.
I'm so addicted to the way that Elaine writes deep emotional connections that I don't think I say enough about how incredibly hot the sex scenes in her books are. This book, though it is a bit of a slower burn, has some of my favorite "first-time-with-a-man" scenes. "It was wildly erotic to know that just his hands could make a man like Elliot— large, imposing, stern— shake like he was about to fall apart."
While it is a little sad to say goodbye to Fairfield, I can't think of a better way to close out the series. I'll always be a little curious about the side characters we briefly met but never really got to know, but I'm very excited to see what's next. The last couple of books have had so many Cherry Creek teasers and references that I'm dying to read it!
**I received an ARC through Patreon. My review was requested but not required, and all opinions are my own.
I'll admit that I was surprised that Elliot was getting his own book. The small interactions he's had with main characters in the earlier books didn't leave me wanting to know more about him. Now that I've read his story, I'm happy to say I was 100% wrong about him. I think what appeals to me the most about all of Elaine's characters is their hidden vulnerability and neediness. After getting to see inside Elliot's head, learn his backstory, and meet his family, I couldn't help but love him. Arlo, on the other hand, won me over the second I found out he's an animal lover.
While the focus of this book is undoubtedly on the blooming romance between Elliot and Arlo, there are heavy, heartbreaking situations going on in the background. I appreciate that Elaine was able to give them the seriousness and space they deserved without overshadowing the romance or making it hard to connect with the characters. If anything, the comfort Elliot and Arlo provided for each other added an extra dimension to their growing love.
I'm so addicted to the way that Elaine writes deep emotional connections that I don't think I say enough about how incredibly hot the sex scenes in her books are. This book, though it is a bit of a slower burn, has some of my favorite "first-time-with-a-man" scenes. "It was wildly erotic to know that just his hands could make a man like Elliot— large, imposing, stern— shake like he was about to fall apart."
While it is a little sad to say goodbye to Fairfield, I can't think of a better way to close out the series. I'll always be a little curious about the side characters we briefly met but never really got to know, but I'm very excited to see what's next. The last couple of books have had so many Cherry Creek teasers and references that I'm dying to read it!
**I received an ARC through Patreon. My review was requested but not required, and all opinions are my own.
July 18, 2024
I believe that this is the last book in this series, and it totally focuses on the new romance between Elliot and Arlo. There are some heartbreaking situations going on in the background, but it was good that the author devoted the majority of the story to these two guys, never overshadowing their romance or making it hard to connect with the characters. Actually, the comfort and understanding that Elliot and Arlo gave each other just added to their young, fragile love.
I have read and own many, many of E.M. Lindsey's works, and I have to say that all of them are very well written, and the characters are always given the happiness that they deserve. The only thing I wished she had done that would have helped us see the Elliott character more clearly, was if she had given us a little more information to explain why Elliott was so down on himself. I hate having to say farewell to the little town of Fairfield, but I can't wait to see where she takes us next.
I have read and own many, many of E.M. Lindsey's works, and I have to say that all of them are very well written, and the characters are always given the happiness that they deserve. The only thing I wished she had done that would have helped us see the Elliott character more clearly, was if she had given us a little more information to explain why Elliott was so down on himself. I hate having to say farewell to the little town of Fairfield, but I can't wait to see where she takes us next.
April 23, 2020
Ein trauriges und zugleich hoffnungsvolles Ende für eine ganze besondere Buchreihe. Ich werde Fairfield und all seine Charaktere sehr vermissen. 🧡
August 1, 2020
Having read the Irons and Works series and now this one, I can honestly say what I love about the books is that they deal with various types of disabilities and try to normalise them, which is admirable but the execution is appalling.
What I dislike about the books is that the MCs are such emotional screw-ups it’s beyond pathetic. They are all full of insecurities, and angst, and guilt, and pain, and fear, have led hard and chaotic lives, have been let down by others and are way too bitter about the world. But hey, with the help of a little bit of dick aka romance they overcome it all.
The characters are underdeveloped while some plot lines are a bit cray-cray. And the emotions so overdone, man, so overdone it’s not even funny.
What I dislike about the books is that the MCs are such emotional screw-ups it’s beyond pathetic. They are all full of insecurities, and angst, and guilt, and pain, and fear, have led hard and chaotic lives, have been let down by others and are way too bitter about the world. But hey, with the help of a little bit of dick aka romance they overcome it all.
The characters are underdeveloped while some plot lines are a bit cray-cray. And the emotions so overdone, man, so overdone it’s not even funny.
April 8, 2020
Forsaken
If your looking for an emotional read this will do it. Make sure you have some Kleenex next to you. Elaine blew this one out of the park
Elliott is a animal vet and when we met him in the last book I didn’t like him but then I did. This man has so much going on in his life at one point that I would probably lose it. I love when Arlo walks into his life. Such a sweet meeting for the two.
The love and support that they have for each other is so strong and I love seeing Arlo really figure out who he is and who he is falling in love with
Elaine does an awesome job catching us up with lots of previous characters and introducing us to some new ones.
I can’t stress enough how much I loved this book and these guys journey to love and finding your person.
If your looking for an emotional read this will do it. Make sure you have some Kleenex next to you. Elaine blew this one out of the park
Elliott is a animal vet and when we met him in the last book I didn’t like him but then I did. This man has so much going on in his life at one point that I would probably lose it. I love when Arlo walks into his life. Such a sweet meeting for the two.
The love and support that they have for each other is so strong and I love seeing Arlo really figure out who he is and who he is falling in love with
Elaine does an awesome job catching us up with lots of previous characters and introducing us to some new ones.
I can’t stress enough how much I loved this book and these guys journey to love and finding your person.
November 9, 2020
I like E.M. Lindsey's work. I have read many of her books. I become invested in her characters. But I felt like she dropped the ball in telling this story of Elliot and Arlo. This story needed several more chapters to tell their story in a thorough way. I felt like the book just ended abruptly without addressing major issues. It's like the author decided she was tired of writing this story so she wrapped it up in a very unsatisfying epilogue. She might as well have just said, "and they lived happily ever after. The end." Several things got under my skin with this story. One was Arlo's coming out. There didn't seem to be much "to do" over it. Yes, there was some confusion on his part. But, here's a grown man that's attracted to another man for the first time and the author didn't seem to present that emotional upheaval as more than a few days worth of angst. I was waiting for a confrontation or a resolution - good or bad -between Arlo and his father. THAT would have added so much more dimension to this story! Another peeve of mine about this story is why did Arlo feel the need to breed emotional support/service dogs when most service animals are rescues. Dogs aren't bred as service animals, although certain breeds ARE more likely to make good service dogs. But since Arlo wasn't going to train them, he was basically just going to be a dog breeder- with no prior experience or training in dog breeding!! (People breeding dogs without training or experience is what creates puppy mills. How is Arlo any different than that? If he was going to go the whole nine yards with breeding AND training, then I would have found that plotline more understandable.) Additionally, throughout the story, Elliot repeatedly refers to himself as a jerk or an a**hole because of his treatment of others, but he never demonstrated any mean or objectionable behavior towards others in the book. He may have had a few bad moods, but so does everyone. It just didn't make sense how he belittled himself - there was no reason for it. Perhaps other books in the series may shed some light on Elliot's demeanor, but nothing in this book indicated that he was a jerk. Insecure, perhaps? But not a jerk. I was left very unsatisfied with the ending of this story - and since the author doesn't write future stories revolving around characters from past books (other than to include them as supporting characters for the current book), we'll never know if Arlo comes out to his super-macho father and all of its ramifications. We'll never know if Elliot and Arlo decide to stay and make their forever home in Fairfield, or if Elliot will give up his vet practice and move elsewhere. Lots of unanswered questions. This is why I give this story 3 stars. (BTW, the next book will probably be Wes and River's unlikely (?) romance based on the foreshadowing in this book.)
March 7, 2021
I'm going to start by saying that I don't think I'm the target audience for this book. I suppose Arlo is supposed to be a "sensitive" - forgive my ignorance for not knowing what that means and the lack of desire to find out. The thing js, to me, having read several.of this author's books, he didn't seem even a little bit "diffefebt" than a lot of her previous characters. In fact, I don't really get him at all. His dad can't accept the color of his skin, or his desire to not be in the military. Yeah well, kids get thrown out of their homes for being gay. That doesn't make them "sensitive". I don't know, he just seems like an incomplete character to me. Also, he had sisters ? Way to just skipped through all that baggage and just barely mention it in passing at the 90% mark.
As far as Elliot goes ... Ugh. See that's a problem for me. I lost my mother to cancer, yet I didn't feel like his.character and his feelings were written strongly enough to convey those emotion, to make them.have an impact. I just read a book yesterday, and the author did such an amazing job at writing a character's feelings of hurt and pain and guilt, that they had me in tears. I didn't even shed one with this book
As per the usual, you need to have a cheat sheet with character references to read this, considering just how many are mentioned. It also feels like she's throwing all these lines out for possible books, I got at the very least 3. That's quite a bit when you're working with underdeveloped characters as it is.
Yeah, I really should have listed to my own advise when I said I should not read any more books by this author.
As far as Elliot goes ... Ugh. See that's a problem for me. I lost my mother to cancer, yet I didn't feel like his.character and his feelings were written strongly enough to convey those emotion, to make them.have an impact. I just read a book yesterday, and the author did such an amazing job at writing a character's feelings of hurt and pain and guilt, that they had me in tears. I didn't even shed one with this book
As per the usual, you need to have a cheat sheet with character references to read this, considering just how many are mentioned. It also feels like she's throwing all these lines out for possible books, I got at the very least 3. That's quite a bit when you're working with underdeveloped characters as it is.
Yeah, I really should have listed to my own advise when I said I should not read any more books by this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2020
Po raz kolejny nie mogę nic innego zrobić, jak dać najwyższą ocenę...
Po raz kolejny okazało się, że nie sposób nie przepaść dla bohaterów i ich podróży do wspólnego, szczęśliwego końca...
Po raz kolejny jestem zachwycona tym, jak prawdziwi są bohaterowie...
Po raz kolejny nie mogę się nadziwić, że każda historia jest inna i każdy bohater jest wyjątkowy...
Po raz kolejny jestem zauroczona tym, że pomimo emocji, pomimo trudnych tematów, pomimo braku upiększania rzeczywistości i nazywania rzeczy po imieniu, wszystkie książki są tak pełne ciepła i nadziei....
Po raz kolejny jestem pełna podziwu, jak mądrze są napisane...
Po raz pierwszy żałuję, że nie ma już więcej historii chłopaków ze świata Irons & Works...
Po raz kolejny okazało się, że nie sposób nie przepaść dla bohaterów i ich podróży do wspólnego, szczęśliwego końca...
Po raz kolejny jestem zachwycona tym, jak prawdziwi są bohaterowie...
Po raz kolejny nie mogę się nadziwić, że każda historia jest inna i każdy bohater jest wyjątkowy...
Po raz kolejny jestem zauroczona tym, że pomimo emocji, pomimo trudnych tematów, pomimo braku upiększania rzeczywistości i nazywania rzeczy po imieniu, wszystkie książki są tak pełne ciepła i nadziei....
Po raz kolejny jestem pełna podziwu, jak mądrze są napisane...
Po raz pierwszy żałuję, że nie ma już więcej historii chłopaków ze świata Irons & Works...
April 28, 2020
The book felt like it went on for quite awhile. It had a love story and a very sad story for more than one person.
Lots of people in this story seem to be unsettled. Maybe it's an opening into more stories..
The ending seemed abrupt to me.
I wish I had read the book in order, it's not easily read as a standalone in my opinion.
Lots of people in this story seem to be unsettled. Maybe it's an opening into more stories..
The ending seemed abrupt to me.
I wish I had read the book in order, it's not easily read as a standalone in my opinion.
August 9, 2020
I liked both Elliot and Arlo. Both men broken and feeling unlovable, I loved the slow burn between them. My only thought was the book seemed unfinished to me. I paragraph in wrapping up Wes and no closure with Arlo's parents. Then at the end find out there is a novella for Tate, Mason, and Silas.
July 19, 2020
Nice ending... wonderfully sad and poignant look at loss and grief and love through all that chaos.
April 23, 2020
E.M. Lindsey is the master at tugging, ripping, and destroying my heart. This story was really hard to get through, so emotional, yet very well written.
I'm sad this is the end of the road for Springfield when there are so many stories that could be told. But at the same time, I think it's time to let them live their lives ;)
Spoilers below:
Knowing this is the last book in this series and knowing how this ends, there's a part of me that is relieved that there wasn't a happy ending for everything. There are so many open loops and possible stories and I'm grateful that I don't know a lot about Wes and Austin, or Tate, Silas, Mason ... and what about Austin's brother? All these lovely delicious stories that are just hanging about in my mind. I'm OK with that. I appreciate the author knowing when to say when.
I'm sad this is the end of the road for Springfield when there are so many stories that could be told. But at the same time, I think it's time to let them live their lives ;)
Spoilers below:
Knowing this is the last book in this series and knowing how this ends, there's a part of me that is relieved that there wasn't a happy ending for everything. There are so many open loops and possible stories and I'm grateful that I don't know a lot about Wes and Austin, or Tate, Silas, Mason ... and what about Austin's brother? All these lovely delicious stories that are just hanging about in my mind. I'm OK with that. I appreciate the author knowing when to say when.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2020
Love this book and series. This emotional book drew me in from the very beginning. There is always depth to E.M. Lindsey's books and this one is no exception. Her beautifully written true to life stories, with amazing characters that are constantly overcoming adversity, discovering found families, and just making those around them have better lives, are one of the reasons she continues to be one of my favorite authors. In this book Elliot and Arlo really are so sweet together and Arlo comes into Elliot's life right at the perfect time.
I highly recommend this book and series.
I highly recommend this book and series.
April 21, 2020
Elliot and Arlo are bittersweet for me, I adored their story but I’m sad that this is the last book set in Fairfield. I can already predict many rereads coming my way.
Elliot is a curmudgeon of a man, he’s stubborn, grumpy, and hard for many people to get close to. He struggles with feeling wanted or lovable. Arlo is a veteran also struggles with feelings of inadequacy, but from a different place. But these two men were perfect for each other. Forsaken checked so many boxes for me- difficult men, amazing supporting characters, adorable animals, great chemistry, and an epic love story. I can’t wait to read whatever comes next for this awesome author!
Elliot is a curmudgeon of a man, he’s stubborn, grumpy, and hard for many people to get close to. He struggles with feeling wanted or lovable. Arlo is a veteran also struggles with feelings of inadequacy, but from a different place. But these two men were perfect for each other. Forsaken checked so many boxes for me- difficult men, amazing supporting characters, adorable animals, great chemistry, and an epic love story. I can’t wait to read whatever comes next for this awesome author!
January 20, 2024
Darum geht’s:
Elliot hat nach einer schweren Kindheit bei den Pflegeeltern Claire und Bobby ein gutes Zuhause gefunden, doch er bleibt ein ruppiger Einzelgänger. Tiere sind ihm sowieso viel lieber als Menschen, deshalb ist er als Tierarzt glücklich. Bis der sanfte Riese Arlo mit verwaisten Hasenbabys vor seiner Tür steht und ganz neue Gefühle in Elliot auslöst. Doch Arlo ist hetero.
Meine Meinung dazu gibt’s hier
Elliot hat nach einer schweren Kindheit bei den Pflegeeltern Claire und Bobby ein gutes Zuhause gefunden, doch er bleibt ein ruppiger Einzelgänger. Tiere sind ihm sowieso viel lieber als Menschen, deshalb ist er als Tierarzt glücklich. Bis der sanfte Riese Arlo mit verwaisten Hasenbabys vor seiner Tür steht und ganz neue Gefühle in Elliot auslöst. Doch Arlo ist hetero.
Meine Meinung dazu gibt’s hier
April 20, 2020
As hard as it is to accept, it's time to say goodbye to Fairfield and I can't think of a better ending than this book. We've seen glimpses of Elliot in past books and, honestly, I haven't been a big fan. But pair this man with Arlo, give us a glimpse into his past and all of a sudden, I'm sold.
This is not an easy book- it deals with some pretty big topics including abandonment, illness, and grief. But it is not a sad book - it's a book, like most of Lindsey's - about found family, love, resilience and making your life the best you can.
**An arc of this book was provided for an honest review.
This is not an easy book- it deals with some pretty big topics including abandonment, illness, and grief. But it is not a sad book - it's a book, like most of Lindsey's - about found family, love, resilience and making your life the best you can.
**An arc of this book was provided for an honest review.
November 15, 2020
I’ve read this author before and enjoy her work. This is a mm contemporary story with Arlo and Elliot as main characters. I read this book without reading any others from the series and some of the secondary characters stories were confusing. I did have an ugly cry. Elliot is a veterinarian and returned soldier who has lost his foot in combat and Arlo is also a returned soldier who is trying to find himself. This is a GFY story told from both POV’s. I will read more of this author’s work.
April 23, 2020
Wow. The tone of this book is a bit different from the others in the series, sadder somehow, but I loved it. I really miss these guys.
January 1, 2021
First book of 2021 and it's a winner! Things are looking up already. Review to follow.
April 14, 2020
Wow, this beautifully written, powerful book has so much going for it. There’s feels, lots of emotional feels, pain and chaos, friendship and love.
Elliot thinks he’s not an easy man to know and like and he does have some moments but I found him to be a patient man really learning what love is. This makes him perfect for Arlo who hustles into Elliot’s vet clinic with an emergency. This initial meeting leads Arlo on a journey of self discovery about who he really is. The chemistry between them slowly burns along until their connection truly sparks and heat levels rise.
This is can be heavy going at times but it’s balanced out by some truly beautiful moments.
Some old friends from previous books add to the story and some new characters make an appearance.
I’m sad to say goodbye to all the characters set in the Fairfield, Colorado universe but what a way to close out the series.
Highly recommended.
Elliot thinks he’s not an easy man to know and like and he does have some moments but I found him to be a patient man really learning what love is. This makes him perfect for Arlo who hustles into Elliot’s vet clinic with an emergency. This initial meeting leads Arlo on a journey of self discovery about who he really is. The chemistry between them slowly burns along until their connection truly sparks and heat levels rise.
This is can be heavy going at times but it’s balanced out by some truly beautiful moments.
Some old friends from previous books add to the story and some new characters make an appearance.
I’m sad to say goodbye to all the characters set in the Fairfield, Colorado universe but what a way to close out the series.
Highly recommended.
April 23, 2020
This last book in the series is the end of the Irons and Works and it's spinoff series Breaking the Rules. We say goodby to all the men we have come to love and this last story about Elliot and Arlo makes our hearts brake a bit. Elliot is the ex military man who has become gruff and angry. Arlo is the sweet man who has been used by his dad in an emotional way but has been brave and found his true self in Fairfield. Since moving to Fairfield as a vet, Elliot has found friends in this gay communnity and become less solitude. But then one night the straight Arlo stumbles into his life and every wall he has been building comes crashing down. It is not an easy path the two men have to walk, but as Arlo is determined to put back a smile back on Elliot's face and is standing by Elliot every step of the way when his life is crashing down, they fall in love. Is Elliot the asshole he claims to be? Is Arlo as straight as he claims to be? Both men have a lot of soulsearching to do, but as they climb their rocky roads they are determined to do it with the help of each other. Sometimes it is OK to be sellfish and let other people help you. And of course all the other men from Fairfield are never far away to lend a helping hand. This book was a fine closure to the series and once again Elaine managed to make the characters come alive. It's a shame this series is now finished but we saw a glimpse of what is to come next and I for one cannot wait for it's release.
April 16, 2020
E.M. Lindsey has an uncanny ability of depicting raw emotions in a very evocative way and this book is no exception. The emotions the MCs go through in this heartbreaking story are presented in a very compelling way and the narration is very reflective of all the ups and downs in their moods.
The story itself is a very emotional journey through self - discovery, grief and new beginnings. I am sad to see the series and the whole Fairfield family go, but glad to say they go out in style!
The story itself is a very emotional journey through self - discovery, grief and new beginnings. I am sad to see the series and the whole Fairfield family go, but glad to say they go out in style!
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June 14, 2021What it is? Two army men… did you ever met Marines? Arlo acts like pregnant woman more than a Marines. Frustrated. Dnf
October 13, 2020
I really struggled to finish this one, it just lacked the zing of earlier entries. The chemistry between Arlo and Elliot was lackluster at best and it felt like there was more chemistry between Mason and Arlo. Every word out of Bobby's mouth felt like an old Waltons script and I had a hard time truly feeling invested in his place in the story.
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