Restoring Felix

Black Dog Inn #3

by Kris T. Bethke, Tia Fielding

When it inevitably got too much and he left, I’d be crushed. Maybe even devastated. But I’d be vindicated too, and that was a powerful enough emotion to get me through.

One bad decision five years ago means Felix Decker lives with chronic pain. It’s a challenge he’s learned to deal with and he’s content with his life. And more importantly, resigned to being alone. But all that gets turned upside down when a favor to a friend leads to Kellan Huntley entering his inner circle. Kellan is tall, beautiful, and sassy…and someone Felix thought he’d never see again. It’s all he can do to keep Kellan at arms length. Felix doesn’t need, or want, the reminder of who he used to be. Someone he can never be again.

Kellan chose to teach in Fairville on a whim and never expected to come face to face with the weekend hookup he can’t forget. Felix isn’t who he remembers and the new, grumpy jerk is upsetting to say the least. But that doesn’t stop Kellan from wanting to help the man who so clearly needs it.

The attraction between them is still as strong as ever. Kellan is determined to show Felix that his disability doesn’t diminish him in any way. Felix, for all that he craves Kellan’s touch, is just as determined to push Kellan away. But Kellan’s gentle persistence breaks through Felix’s walls, and what started as animosity soon gives way to affection. It takes time and communication, and a few bumps along the way, until Kellan can help Felix restore his belief in happily ever after.

Please check out the preview for content warnings.

Genres: Disability, M M Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

267 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 27, 2025

About the author

Kris T. Bethke has been a voracious reader for pretty much her entire life and has been writing stories for nearly as long. An avid and prolific daydreamer, she always has a story in her head. She spends most of her free time reading, writing, or knitting/crocheting her latest project. Her biggest desire is to find a way to accomplish all three tasks at one time. A classic muscle car will always turn her head and weekend naps are one of her greatest guilty pleasures. She lives in a converted attic with an aquarium full of tropical fish and the voices in her head. She’ll tell you she thinks that’s a pretty good deal.

Reviews

[Dani (Daniiireads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm on the fence about this one.

Despite my not being fully won over by Restoring Felix, it was till really well written, and did a fantastic job portraying someone who deals with chronic pain and has a physical disability. I just hate that I didn't love this one as much as the others!

Perhaps this one didn't hit for me because it's been so long since I read Charlie and Law's stories that I pretty much forgot everything to do about Kellan and Felix, or maybe because I never truly warmed up to Felix's character--though I did empathize with everything he has to go through... Either way, I'm bummed lol

[Denise GremoryKohta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!!

I can’t tell you how many times I had tears in my eyes reading this, both the happy and sad kind. After reading the first two I knew this would be emotional. The ending though, the best happy tears mixed in with sad ones for what the late arrival guest had to have gone through.

[DLB2572 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Felix & Kellan

Each book in this series has been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster ride but in a good way. Felix and Kellan's story fit right in. I liked how their relationship developed and I really appreciated how they grew emotional both separately and as a couple.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

[Ashley | adhdandread · Rating 4 out of 5]

Restoring Felix by Kris T. Bethke and Tia Fielding
Black Dog Inn #2
Length: 267 pages
Source: Gay Romance Reviews eARC
Publication date: March 25, 2025

4 ⭐️
3 🌶️

What to expect:
Found family
Grumpy/sunshine
Second chance (past one night stand)
Disability rep

Summary
Felix Decker lives in constant pain following a bungee-jumping accident five years ago, just one week after the hottest one-night-stand of his life. He ghosted the man and never expected to see him again after moving back home. He’s now convinced that because he doesn’t physically look the way he used to and can’t do all of the things he used to do, love is never going to happen for him.

Kellan Huntley has never forgotten their night together and has compared every man since then to Felix … which has made it doubly awkward for them both since he coincidentally accepted a teaching position in Felix’s hometown. They’ve been able to avoid each other thus far, but now, their social circles are starting to overlap as friends and found-family start relationships of their own. Felix does his best to stay away from Kellan, sure that because of his physical limitations, he couldn’t possibly have him again no matter how strong their past connection. But Kellan is a caretaker—and a stubborn, feisty one at that—and he’s sure they can make it work, if only he can convince Felix to try.

My Thoughts
I liked this book the best of the Black Dog Inn series. Granted, it took Kellan a while to get Felix the Grump to even give him the time of day, but once they went in, they were all in and made a commitment to call each other out rather than run away when things got hard. It was nice to see that accountability on the page as well, not have it all happen somewhere in the background. This was definitely the spiciest of the trio of books as well and not as slow-burn. Also, the communication between this couple was the strongest of the series as well. It was mutual, mature, and you could feel the emotion behind the conversations without them devolving into something unproductive or one-sided.

I can’t round out this series without, again, at least making sure other readers know a little something about the writing structure and how the chapters frequently overlap to give each POV in the same situation. I can see the appeal of this—to know in an exact moment what each main character is thinking—but even after reading three books structured this way, it still feels clunky and repetitive. As with the second book, I found myself skipping chunks of description and surfing for the dialogue because I’d just read the same scene in the previous chapter.

As always, check the content warnings, which include chronic pain, prescription medication for pain management, and homophobia.
— A

Thanks to Gay Romance Reviews, Kris T. Bethke, and Tia Fielding for an eARC of this book. All opinions are mine.

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Black Dog Inn continues its lovely traditions with Felix Decker and Kellan Huntley. Felix had made a mistake and was left with legs that barely work and constant pain. He is adjusting to his pain and figures the life he has now is a good as it gets. The weekend before the accident, Felix had hooked up with Kellan. He thought they could have more but not now. Both men never forgot the other but figured they would never see each other again. Kellan on a whim took a teaching position in Fairville and discovers that Fairville is Felix’s home town. Their meeting does not go well as Felix is a grumpy jerk. Kellan reminds him of everything he lost. Kellan is determined and with the hand of friendship, maybe more is possible. First Kellan must convince Felix that his disability does not preclude a relationship.

Having a disability, especially one that comes as an adult, brings so much more than physical limitations. Felix had to deal with the constant pain and the changes he had to handle as well as the emotions that go with it all. Kellan knew some about what pain could do to a person and was determined to prevent Felix from closing him off. The desire was still there and to have a satisfying life did require some adjustments. It was amazing to watch them work things out. Kellan wanted a relationship while Felix felt he would be a burden. Anyone who has someone in their life with a disability can relate to their troubles. This is a wonderful series and each book illustrates a unique journey. Thanks for a book well done!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[ivanareadsalot · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank GRR for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Ooooh this had "An Affair To Remember" VIBES and i loooved that!

Also, I should mention that i had dnfed the first 2 books in this series because they just weren't for me. The connection between the MCs in both the precious installments took almost half the book to flex, and i'd honestly dnfed before either couple made movements towards each other.

That being said, wow am i ever glad i'm the type to give an author the grace to grow with their series! Because Restoring Felix was imo an astonishing improvement over the style and tone and characterizations prevalent in the first couple of books!

Not only was there energy in the narrative from beginning to end, but the high tension chemistry between Felix and Kellan was off the charts and i could not gobble up their dynamic faster! They were smokin' hot together once things got sorted, and even though this story still had hints of the tone that really got on my nerves in the first two books in the series, luckily Kellan and Felix's characterizations were grounded and that stuff was easier to ignore!

Not the smoothest ride by any stretch, but the journey was enjoyable and i can get behind that! Most importantly i thought this installment was miles improved from the narrative quality of the previous books and, while not perfect, this was still a lovely little read with spicy sweet energy and an HEA that took time and healing to get to but all of it was worth it in the end!

[Jack Harkness · Rating 5 out of 5]

9-inch friend, beeties, deer poop, smize, restraints, Tristan = chaos, Shasta, Mario Party

With his disability, I can't even imagine what Felix goes through every minute of every day. And the excruciating pain he has to deal with. The man is angry, stubborn, and haunted. That usually keeps people away, which is fine with him. The only people he has let behind his walls is his mother, and best friend, Teague. We met Teague and Charlie in "Rebuilding Charlie", Book 1. Come to think about it, we first met Felix in Book 1 too. It really helps and more enjoyable if you read the previous books first.

Kellan met Felix five years ago as a hookup before Felix's debilitating accident. They recognize each other when Kellan moved to Fairville. But at that point up to five years later (now), Felix detests Kellan and is openly hostile and nasty toward Kellan. Kellan, for his part, still remembers that hookup, and is still attracted to Felix. He tries his best to get under Felix's skin and learn more about him, to possibly woo Felix. The Fairville Black Dog Inn found family welcomes both men in. Much of the story centers on the BD Inn, owned by Nic and Dana.

The path to Felix's accepting his found family and Kellan into his orbit is riveting and remarkable. That describes the book too. The visuals are amazing and the characters are wonderful and loveable. The angst is mostly Felix's. So much angst. Like the rest of the series, this one is just as enjoyable. I recommend it.

[Tara Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

MY OPINION: This is the third book in the series, and I read them all back to back. In this case, book three stands on its own, and if you don’t read the first two, you will enjoy this one without any of the back story of the other two.

Black Dog Inn is where Felix has found a family, even though he is close to his Ma, having these people who love him helps. He is in pain and grumpy from an injury that changed his life completely, and he feels he is less than because of it. Especially for the hookup that had stayed with him emotionally just before the accident.

Kellan found himself in the same town as the guy he hooked up with, whom he could never quite shake. Five years later, when they bumped into each other, he didn’t understand why he was so mad. But Kellan understood the pain, the good days and bad days, and he knew Felix was a good man with a good heart; he just had to remind Felix of that.

Together, they take a path from hate to love, Felix slowly accepting that it’s okay to be cared about and for. He also realizes he is still able to be what Kellan needs in bed. He has to approach it differently, but it’s still part of him. Together, they find their way, with a few bumps and lots of communication. There is some spice, and a lot of love and patience. I genuinely enjoyed this story and the entire series and will happily read another in the series if it comes.

[Elley Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Felixxxxxxxx! I adore both Felix and Kellan. I love a disabled MC, and I Kris T. Bethke and Tia Fielding write their disabled characters so well. The problems Felix and Kellan have navigating a relationship between someone with a disability and someone who is able-bodied and has never had a physical disability are so REAL. Kellan absolutely makes some common mistakes, but the communication between the couple is amazing and Kellan tries hard to learn to do better. I want to just wrap Felix up in a hug and someone beam the surety into his entire being that he's not a burden to his loved ones.

There was one plot point about the precise timing of when Felix had his accident that I kept waiting to come into play in the story and it just never did. Probably good there wasn't that added drama, but come on! I kept waiting for that particular shoe to drop and it just kept hovering as a potential relationship blip haha.

This is book 3 in the Black Dog Inn series. While it could theoretically be read as a standalone, the characters from the first two books are ALL OVER THE PLACE here, so you're going to get the most out of this book if you start with book 1, Renovating Charlie, and read the series in order.

[Sophie ARGINTARU · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pour ce troisième opus, les autrices explorent "le handicap" non pas en tant que tel, avec un des deux héros cloué sur une chaise roulante, mais plutôt la souffrance chronique qui transforme tous les aspects de l'existence. Felix peut faire quelques mètres, mais chaque jour est affronté comme une guerre. La souffrance est plus ou moins intense mais toujours présente, elle a changé sa façon de voir la vie, son caractère, son travail, sa vie affective, amoureuse, amicale et filiale. Tout ! C'est alors que s'impose à lui, Kellan, un maître d'école qui s'est installé depuis quelques années dans cette petite ville, mais que Felix a connu intimement dans son passé.

J'ai apprécié notamment le réalisme de cette histoire, ainsi que son contexte. Comment une souffrance lancinante peut devenir obsédante (et n'est pas qu'un accessoire de l'intrigue), mais aussi le quotidien un peu éprouvant du maître d'école sur le qui-vive toute la journée, à l'écoute des uns, des autres, mais aussi de l'homme qui va accompagner sa vie. C'est vraiment très bien fait, écrit avec de l'émotion mais en mettant tout effet mélodramatique de côté. Il y a un côté pragmatique tout à fait appréciable qu'il faut retenir ici.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really mature relationship without drama

Mature as in sensible rather than older, I mean. I assume Felix and Kellan are in their early thirties, but I could be wrong as it's not stated, and they act their age rather than coming across as teenagers. They have proper conversations and talk things out, rather than keeping silent and fostering misunderstandings as is so prevalent in books. They didn't have the perpetually annoying third act breakup either, so that alone gets my seal of approval.
This is the third book in the series and while it does stand alone, all three books are set in and around the Black Dog Inn and feature the same characters so you may want to read the whole series. This is truly a found family series, a bonding of actual families, relatives, couples and children and dogs.
I loved the disability rep, Felix being portrayed sensitively but without sugarcoating his daily pain and his ups and downs. Kellan was so good for him, supporting him but not suffocating him, making his life easier just by being in it.
I hope that the authors continue with the series and the epilogue provided another family member who needs love.

[bubblegumpopper · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I'd taken the time to reread the first two entries in this series because even though I have read them, they weren't as fresh in my head as I wish. But I definitely recognized the two earlier couples in the series, who play significant parts in this entry as well. Still though, I enjoyed reading this. I think the author did a good job with portraying Felix's struggles with chronic pain and I was really rooting for him and Kellan quite early in the story. I must say, one of my favourite parts of the story is the communication. When something was wrong and Kellan was upset, they didn't have an immature third act break-up! THEY TALKED TO EACH OTHER! Man, I know it shouldn't be such a big deal, but that is such a common trope that it was so refreshing to see it handled so maturely. It felt very realistic. This sort of read like the final entry in this series, which is kind of a bummer, but if it is the final entry, I'd say it ended well!

***

I was provided with an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.

[caffeinated.crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

This series is totally underrated. The Black Dog Inn series is wonderful and packed to the brim with found family goodness with a dash of hurt/comfort & soulmates. All three are available now!

RESTORING FELIX is all about our grumpy antique store owner, Felix. He was involved in an accident five years ago and suffers from severe chronic pain. My heart hurt for him. He was stubborn and understandably grumpy. Lord knows it's hard to ask for or accept help.

Kellan moves to town to teach at the local school. He finds out the man he shared a magical weekend with five years ago is in the same town. Is this fate?! Kellan is a romantic at heart.

Felix tries to scare Kellan away, Kellan fights back. Their friend group is heavily involved with the meddling. They get it together eventually.

I enjoyed the hell out of this story. I loved seeing Felix lower the walls around himself. I loved seeing Kellan get his HEA. is Amos next?! I hope so.

I'll keep happily showing up to the Black Dog Inn. To see the dogs and the happy couples. Someone is always falling in love, and I'm here for it!

[Pontiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Through coincidence or fate, Kellan and Felix end up in the same small town, Kellan to teach, and Felix to live a quiet life with his disability.

Felix is a big grump, due to pain, wanting his independence, and not trusting the care his friends give him. Kellan is a different story, and though he tries to keep his walls up, his feelings for Kellan chip away at him.

Even when Kellan says and shows he’s not burdened or bothered by Felix’s limitations, he doesn’t believe it. But, as they spend time together, help each other, and fall in love, they learn to share their feelings and thoughts, and work through the bumps they hit.

This story is well written, tackling the life of someone with chronic pain and a physical disability, realistically and with compassion. I love all the characters showing up, and kids are always a great addition to a tale.

I received this ARC for free and am glad to provide my honest review with gratitude.

[Melissa Polk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been wanting Felix’s story since he was first introduced in Rebuilding Charlie. I love this complicated man so much. He’s complex but relatable in the most simplistic ways. Kellen is his perfect match, honestly. Sassy but nurturing. Opinionated but willing to listen and learn. I love them together. That they can be true to themselves, their feelings, and each other is clear on every page–even when they’re being obtuse (if that even makes sense. Humans are complicated, okay?)

What gets me about this series is the incredible representation in each book. Obviously there is no universal experience, but to see chronic pain and disability portrayed in such an honest way pleases me to no end.

The found family in this series checks so many boxes for me. I love Law’s family and how the Mulligans are so accepting. It makes my heart happy to read–especially while the world is such an unfriendly place for so many right now. Black Dog Inn is the happy place I needed.

[Vols77 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book three in this series is an outstanding as have been the previous two books. I love when characters from other books reappear in book to give it a sense of realism and continuity. This third book is about Felix and Kellan. Felix lives with the chronic pain of his disability but hiding out in a small town running store with his mother, simply existing but not living. He is sure he will be alone due to his disability despite a wonderful weekend hookup he had in past. Seems Kellan was that hookup and is not in this small town and the ying and yang of this wonderfully written couple begins. They are perfect for one another--independent, caring, patient and realistic in this communication and interaction. I love how Kellan helps Felix realize his disability does not confine him. I did receive an ARC and leave this honest review.

[Showarst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Restoring Felix by Kris T. Bethke and Tia Fielding is book 3 in the Black Dog Inn series. Oof….this one was hard to get through for one reason: Felix. He was so mean to Kellan at times that I wondered why Kellan continued to pursue him. His attitude did not get better for most of the book. I really enjoyed Kellan as a character. He was kind and compassionate though at times his need to take care of Felix did come across strangely. I also didn’t understand the best friend and wedding. Nothing was really resolved between Kellan and Riley so I was unsure what that was in there. Felix and Kellan were actually a great match when they settled into their relationship. The epilogue was interesting as well. It took them four years to move in together even though they spent most nights together? The side characters were great as usual and I hope that we get to see more from this universe.

I received an ARC from GRR for my honest review

[Traci S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the book, here is my honest opinion:
Love this series, The Black Dog Inn is such a fabulous setting and I’m quite attached to characters surrounding it. I especially appreciate how the authors are able to create characters that are real, flawed, and grounded. That is a real strength throughout the series, relatable and dimensional characters. These two are pretty amazing together (eventually), it’s not always easy but very worth it. Felix will always live with the repercussions of his accident, the chronic pain in his legs. He’s give up, going through the motions really. So, I loved how stubborn (and patient) Kellan is in is mission to show Felix that while his life is different now, it’s definitely not over. I was so rooting for Felix to give them a chance. Love the this series, and it’s exceptionally written and lovely characters.

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartfelt and refreshing. Felix and Kellan, had an unforgettable weekend. Then Felix has an accident that leaves him in chronic pain and sometimes dependent on a wheel chair. He feels that his bookstore and his family is the best he will have in life. He is a bit grumpy from the pain and works on his I'm okay face on a daily basis. Kellan, gets an urge and relocates to Fairville. He likes everything about it and feels he found his tribe. Felix and Kellan have different reactions to meeting again. This is a story that keeps you focused on working through the story with a clenched heart in total empathy to what Felix is going through. The author does an amazing job capturing the ups and downs of trauma and pain. The characters, found family and friends are wonderfully supportive. Well done! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amanda Winter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another heartfelt addition to the Black Dog Inn series. Felix and Kellan’s story is a beautiful slow-burn full of pain, growth, and second chances.

Felix is living with a life-changing disability after an accident and has resigned himself to a life of solitude—until Kellan, a one-time hookup from before the accident, reappears in his hometown. Their reunion is rocky, with Felix’s anger and walls firmly in place, but Kellan’s quiet persistence is impossible to ignore.

I loved watching their emotional journey—how Felix slowly let Kellan in, and how Kellan saw past the pain to the man he remembered. There’s angst, healing, found family, and some seriously sweet moments. The Black Dog Inn remains such a comforting backdrop for these emotionally rich stories. Highly recommend, especially if you’ve read the previous books!

[L H · Rating 4 out of 5]

​Felix and Kellan had a liaison in the past before Felix finds himself living with chronic pain from an injury that has changed his life. He is grumpy and he does not believe that he can have the full life he would have had had before the injury. Kellan coming to live where Felix is gives them a chance to reconnect and the progression of their relationship helps Felix to come to realize that he can have and accept love and caring. For Kellan this was a chance to be with someone that he had never forgotten and still found himself wanting. No, things were not exactly the same but they found a way to make things work in the new normal that was good for them both.
I received an ARC from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to goodreads for this ARC.

I was able to empathize with Felix...
His life was drastically changed through no fault of his own.
Everything he lived for was taken away in a moment.
Now he is basically just 'going through the motions.'

Kellan is a breath of fresh air and he spreads joy everywhere he goes.
He connects with people and goes out of his way to make their day better.
Even without any encouragement from Felix, he doesn't give up, and follows through on his own desire to improve his life.

Kellan is definitely the kind of teacher you'd want to please.

I enjoyed the plot and wished for a miracle cure.
There wasn't one, but it still ended on a happy note.

[Heather MMRomanceReviewed]

This book is a chance for two men who made a long ago connection to reconnect under new and different circumstances. As a reader, it took me a bit to warm up to Felix, but once you get where he's coming from, you can appreciate him a little more. I truly liked Kellan and it was interesting to watch the two men circle each other.

This book definitely has the small town flair, lots of found family and some really interesting side characters. I also appreciate that while Felix has a disability, it's not the only dimension of his life and personality that gets explored.

Whether you read the series or just this book, I think you'll enjoy the writing, the characters and the setting!

[Ida Umphers · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are two absolutely wonderful, believable characters in an amazing story. Felix and Kellan's unexpected second meeting proves to be the start of something wonderful, but it is very rocky to begin with. Felix has convinced himself he will never find love and has gone into full independence mode determined to prove he can go it alone to himself and everyone else. Kellan becomes just as determined to show him he doesn't have to. Watching the development of their relationship from Kellan being pushed away, to friendship and then to something so much more made for another fantastic read in this series.

[Lyn Solomon-Linville · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book. I of course started with book 3 so I missed some of the family connections here so I will do it backwards. But this book was loaded with the hurt comfort that I love with the second chance I don't usually love but here it was handled so well. The journey of the MCs was well worth the angst they went through and the environment was a town we all would love to live in with found family surrounding them and even the kids helped. I say read this series but maybe start with book one.

[K-Me · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this one is the standalone romance of Felix and Kellan, I highly recommend reading the series in order as all the previous characters are a big part of this journey and you will remember Felix from the previous books. Felix is a very realistic character. His chronic pain has completely changed his life and his not happy and struggling. He is not super lovable at all, but Kellan is so accepting and genuinely attracted to Felix. These two really do talk about feelings and issues which is how they made it work.

[Andrea Smedley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good realistic MM romance that has all the good feels, but doesn't shy away from the truth of having a relationship whilst living with a chronic pain condition. I haven't read another romance that tackles this so good for the author. Felix and Kellan are a great couple and I enjoyed their tender romance. There's also appearances from characters of the previous 2 books (although it isn't necessary to read them first) and they are a lovely community to revisit. I look forward to the next in the series.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Black Dog Inn series and it was another great addition, I really liked Felix and Kellan together and in a way I could understand Felix’s behaviour not that I liked it sometimes but Kellan was so patient and understanding with him even though Felix’s actions hurt him but I was glad to see them finally getting together and working out what was best for them, I enjoyed that the epilogue was a decent bit in the future and I’m looking forward to reading more from this series.

[Saskia Veldhuis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent chronic pain/disability representation, including the mental toll this constantly takes on a person. I didn't enjoy the growing relationship between the MCs quite as much as the romances in the previous books, as they didn't quite appeal to me personally. It was really nice to see previous characters happy, Charlie in particular.

[Belinda Zamora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emotional

This one really spoke to me.
I live with a chronic, painful condition as well and I can absolutely understand Felix's mindset.
It's hard to remember the time before when everything was easy and you took it for granted.
Kellan is exactly the type of persistent partner he needed to remind him that he's still valued and worthy of love.