Fifth visit to Arete, and I was still pretending that showing up counted as doing the work.
Then Walker Rhodes walked through the door.
He was our medic. A bad injury pulled him out months before the rest of them were killed, which made him the only one who came back besides me. Five years gone. Neither of us went looking. I still don't know if that was guilt or cowardice or both.
He's harder now. Angrier. But Walker looked at the leg I came home without and every scar, and called them stories. He looked at me like I was still worth something.
He was the first man who ever made me wonder.
When the FBI came for him, I finally understood what that wondering had been building toward. I called my mother at three in the morning. I got on a plane. I used every connection I had, including the families of the men we'd both lost, to make sure he had a fighting chance.
I wasn't losing another man from that team. Not this one.
Romeo Alexander writes M/M romance out of Michigan, usually late at night, usually with coffee, always with one dog and two cats who couldn't care less about his deadlines.
He's a gay man writing what he knows: love that's messy before it's easy, men who need to be cracked open a little before they let someone in, and the kind of hurt/comfort that makes you want to reread the same chapter three times.
He believes in happy endings. He also believes they should cost something first.
Thank you for the Author and Booksprout for the ARC.
As always, Romeo Alexander completely sucked me in, and had me so invested in Cade and Walker’s happiness. As someone who’s followed the Arete Series, I was overjoyed to know that we were getting Cade’s story. He’s been my favorite from the series, besides Luca, and this story was absolutely everything I was hoping for.
I believe that one of Romeo’s strongest skills in his books is his handling of mental health, and he’s done it beautifully again with Cade. I knew it was going to be emotional, but I didn’t realize just how much. Though, I felt that Romeo tempered the emotional parts with humor in a way that it’s not overwhelming, like how Clay’s story was for me.
I love the dynamic between Cade and Walker. Cade’s more straightforward, simple minded view of the world contrasts beautifully with Walker’s tendency to overthink and spiral. I feel that they balance each other in a way that feels realistic and relatable, never losing their individual identities in the relationship.
I also appreciated the meaningful commentary on the treatment of veterans, especially through Walker’s perspective compared to Cade’s. I felt that it added depth to the story without overshadowing the romance, or overtaking the character development.
The character and relationship development has a steady progression, leading to a genuinely satisfying conclusion for me. I love how Cade accepts Walker’s flaws, while Walker pushes Cade to confront his past and begin healing. Their relationship is very much a two-way street, built on support, understanding, and accountability. Much like how I feel their team probably functioned. I absolutely loved how Romeo handled the transition from the resort setting to the outside world. While it was incredibly serious, I was also laughing because I was waiting for those cameras to come back up at some point.
Seeing familiar faces like Clay, Isaac, and Luca again was the cherry on top. They added warmth and continuity without taking away from Cade and Walker’s story.
Normally, I walk away from Romeo’s books wishing there was more simply because I don’t want to leave the characters. But this time, I was surprised by how satisfied I was with it completing. The arc, pacing, and length all came together in a way that made my heart happy. Nothing felt rushed, and nothing felt missing.
Overall, this is a heartfelt, emotionally rich romance that balances humor, healing, and love beautifully.
I would absolutely recommend it to readers who enjoy friends-to-lovers, hurt/comfort dynamics, and open-door M/M romance with strong character development.
a great book We are back at the resort and this time it’s finally Cade‘s Book. We’ve met Cade in previous books who has proven to be a great friend loyal and overall lovely character. But he does have his demons he does need help. Cade was in the military and his whole unit didn’t make it back. Cade actually lost a leg, But now he’s back at the resort and missing his best friend Clay who we know from the last book is at a different Institute getting the Help that he needs. But thankfully Cade can still ring up Isaac when he needs to. But Cade is in for a shock because he hears Remmie talking to somebody and he recognises the voice it’s Walker. He was part of the unit but got shot in the lung and was Medvaced out and Cade never heard or saw from him again. Secretly, Cade had always had a feeling about Walker but never acted on anything and cade told everyone he was straight. Walker had been sent to the resort in a last ditched attempt to get the Help that he needed. He was bitter in a lot of ways he liked to tell people home truths and it was getting him in trouble. But when he saw Cade something calmed Walker, you see Walker had feelings for Cade back when he was part of his unit but tried to hide the fact he was gay until one drunken night. So what can come of these two spending time together again away from war in a safe environment where they could just be themselves?? I’ve got to say I thoroughly enjoyed this. Read. Cade had become one of my favourites within this series so I was eager to read his book and I was not disappointed. I thought Walker was the right guy for cade didn’t take any rubbish from him told him exactly how it was and made no (Beef) when cade needed to hear the truth. These two learn what it’s like to be around one another again it takes a while for Cade to finally admit what he’s feeling but once these two get together they’re just magical together exactly what each other needs the passion is off the charts it was just a great book but underneath it all there was mental health issues that the author did not skirt around. And as a wife of a veteran these issues are real and I’m really grateful for the way Romeo told their stories their needs and their trauma. And was a great to see Clay and Isaac again, those naughty naughty Man the last couple of lines in this book had me grin in from ear to ear a great Read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
‘I missed the person I was before.’ – Further adventures at Arete
Michigan author Romeo Alexander continues his new series - Arete Resort – with this third installment, a novel that takes place in a resort where men can heal, as the plot summary suggests: ‘I keep coming back to Arete. Fifth visit. Same mountains. Same memories I can't shake loose. The men who made this place bearable are gone, and I've run out of good reasons to keep showing up. Then Walker Rhodes walks through the door. Our medic. A bullet took him out early. I was the only one left when it was over, or so I thought. Five years of nothing. No calls. No explanations. I don't know if we were protecting each other or just protecting ourselves. He's harder now. Doesn't smile the way I remember. But he looks at the leg I came home without and calls it a story. He looks at me like I'm still worth something. And then he tells me I'm wasting everything the families of our dead have sacrificed to give me. He's always been the only man who made me wonder if I was as straight as I believed. When they come for him, I stop wondering. Badges. Guns. The whole ugly machine. I call my mother at three in the morning. I board a plane. I spend every favor I have left to make sure he gets a fighting chance. I want you. That's what I wanted to say. But I didn't.’.
Romeo’s ability to establish fine atmosphere is evident in the opening lines, introducing Cade: ‘Blood. The iron-rich smell filled my nose, and it might have taken over if it wasn’t for the screaming. I could smell smoke and gas and dirt and - A gasp choked me as I shot up, clutching my chest and looking around wildly as I looked for – For what? Oh, right. The gun that wasn’t there’
The range of themes in Romeo’s impressively large output of novels always encourages his readership to plead for the next volume. This is a very well-conceived and written story with significant themes worthy of everyone’s attention!
This story brought to life a subject not usually spoken of in today's world of ignoring reality. The story shows that endearing bond formed in battle that can lead to suppressed desire and lasts forever. Many who served do admit or share their inner feelings because our society rejects and penalize this relationship. This as well as the Many "ghosts " that special units hold deeply inside are not even discussed with professionals for fear of disciplinary action. The author did a commendable job of highlighting these suppressed feelings in the lead characters, while still delivering a great story . One can almost think he has some experience himself. There's plenty of action and good stress in this book, and I feel everyone should read it with an open heart and mind. The defenders of are freedoms, enter young and age fast in conflicts assigned to them by higher ups that will never get dirty on their hands. The bonds built within our military units are especially the different special units are stronger than even some family bonds. When you see a combat veteran from any country, know they have stood facing the evil they don't want you to ever face. This story has a wonderful ending for the series, but keep in mind, not every real life veteran gets the same ending. I have Much respect for this author and this book, and when it's fully released will strongly recommend to others to read. The world may just call this " another sex book ", but I Pray it opens eyes and hearts to the Incredible young who give up Much for all and get back so little from their leaders and many in society. GREAT STORY!!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed the first book in the series, loved the second book and adored this third one. Romeo's writing is intelligent, thoughtful, compelling and he doesn't throw his punches. This series hits you in the solar plexus, and also in the heart. Cade is an absolute sweetheart, a huge man with a huge heart, adrift since being invalided out of the army, suffering physically and mentally, and not allowing himself to take advantage of the help and support offered, because how can he? Not when his team is dead and his survivor's guilt plagues him. Walker is an angry man, with due cause, and not in a great place mentally. His time in the army showed him the best of men, those he served with in dangerous situations on enemy soil, and the worst too, the paper pushers safe in their offices while sending troops to fight unwinnable wars in hostile territory and for what? Nothing ultimately achieved, just broken men and women coming home to little or no support from the powers that be, who have ticked another box and then forgotten about it. I loved the two men, so different but with that shared experience of war. I felt their pain and anguish when they opened up to each other, and I revelled in their passion and their love. I don't know how many books Romeo has planned for this series but I'm keeping everything crossed that there's going to be a Reggie and Marc book. On a slightly less certain note, I'm not sure I want a Logan book but regardless, I think there ought to be one.
Have I ever mentioned that I love this series? And I feel like it gets better with every book. Romeo Alexander has an entertaining, captivating writing style, and he creates deeply compelling characters. Those two factors kept me glued to the book. Wow, what an emotional story. Get ready for arrows that strike right through your heart. Cade has a huge heart, but he’s suffering—mentally and physically. And he has a pretty straightforward way of thinking, in stark contrast to Walker, for whom everything seems more complicated and who thinks a lot—sometimes too much. They know each other from their time in the army, and this experience of war is a common ground between them, even though they’re otherwise very different. I took these two men to my heart very quickly and could relate very well to their struggles and what drives them. I liked how the characters developed, and with them, their relationship. I thought this was great, because it’s built on give and take as well as mutual support and understanding of each other’s situations. The author knows better than anyone how to handle the characters’ mental health without overwhelming the reader with all the emotions. He sometimes lightens difficult situations with a bit of humor, making the heaviness a little easier to bear. The story was emotional, but absolutely fantastic. I hope he’s planning a few more books in the Arete Resort series. Highly recommended!
4.5 stars Cade and Walker have a history, they spent time together while serving, and that created a solid base for when they are reunited at Arete Resort five years later. Cade is still dealing with the aftermath of his last mission, the loss of his leg, and the horror surrounding the loss of his men, all of which has left him with PTSD. Walker is struggling with how much power and control the 'suits' have, he became a writer and tried using his platform to bring awareness to many issues, but now the 'suits' have taken notice. Cade and Walker reconnect, deepen their friendship, and along the way, other more powerful feelings surface and eventually leads them to a devoted love and a hard won HEA. Their journey has it's ups and downs, especially when the 'suits' come for Walker, but Cade is more than willing to do whatever it takes to save his man. This book is well written with regard to the sensitive issues as well as the development of the MC's. There are a lot of emotions being processed throughout the book, some action and violence, many steamy sexy times, good friends, and two amazing men finding true happiness.
I received an ARC from Booksprout, this review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
Intense! Cade, thought he was the only survivor on his team. He was disabled, but he alive! He's on his 5th visit to Arete and still hurting. Then Walker shows up. Walker was the team medic, but he's different now. Walker, has always been out, but he's no longer the positive man he used to be. Romeo, does a good job highlighting the Warfighters' re-entry to civilian life and the difficulties they face as survivors and trying to adjust. Walker had a crush on Cade and Cade who always knew himself as straight, is questioning his orientation. Walker, goes through additional trauma, but this time Cade steps up to save him. Well done. Excellent story. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Cade and Walker had served in the same unit, but after Walker's injury hadn't seen each other again. After that, Cade's group was attacked and everyone lost, leaving him injured, traumatised and alone. They met again at the Arete Resort, which wound up helping both despite neither having expected it. Despite both characters having more than enough feelings and issues, it didn't feel like such an emotionally fraught rollercoaster as book two. It was good to see Clay and Isaac being supportive to both. Thanks for the advance copy via Booksprout, I am happy to leave a voluntary review.
Thank you for the book; here is my honest opinion: I am enjoying this series, lots of compelling characters and romance is happening at the Arete Resort. Cade and Walker’s story is hard fought and packs an emotional punch but I appreciate how the author kept this from becoming overly heavy, it’s ultimately hopeful and pretty lovely. Cade was a highlight for me in the previous book and I loved seeing him grow and heal. He was also pretty impressive fighting to protect Cade - great characters, compelling plot.
I fell hard for Cade back in Book 2 of the Arete series he was like a big teddy bear. I had no idea just how broken he was or the depth of his struggle with PTSD. That hit me right in the heart.
Walker showing up at the Arete Resort was unexpected. They served together and were the only survivors from their unit.
Rome he has a talent for ripping my heart out every single time.
I also loved revisiting Clay and Isaac and how they both were there for Cade when he need them.
I received a copy from Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my review.
This is book three in the series called Arete Resort and this time we get Cade and Walker’s story. I really enjoyed this author’s work as they are not afraid to cover hard topics and issues and have always done a great job with them and this is no exception the story is emotional but it is definitely worth reading and I would highly recommend it and the series.
There was so so much telling. Like chunks and chunks of huge paragraphs of telling. Can you please just show me!
All the parts I wanted to see was skipped - how their relationship developed was “one week later” and how the case resolved was “epilogue” …. I seriously got nothing. Like nothing.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Romeo delivered another great story that dealt with the emotions really well. Cade and Walker knew each other before and I liked the way their relationship developed into love.
This book was so good. I love to see writers not afraid to touch on things such as PTSD and me being southern I loved the southern accent being used for a character. Can't wait to read what's next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Man I Refused to Lose is the third book in the Arete Resort series and can be read as a standalone but I think it's best in order. This is a highly emotional read with mental health representation about Cade and Walker. I really hope to see more of this series, I will be watching for it.
Walker and Cade are two broken soldiers who help each other heal and it’s beautiful. The only thing I wish is that we had more chapters of them living life outside of the treatment facility. I do love every moment we got with them. I also loved seeing Clay and Isaac.
Cade and Walker are prime examples of the far reaching effects of war. The psychological scars never truly heal and veterans typically are not afforded adequate support. Given our country’s current foray into a war of choice, this novel is right on time.
If there is one thing that this author can do, it's make me cry. The story telling. The drama. The characters. All perfection, but this heartache is palpable. I felt the hurt in my soul.
Amazing story of resilience, camaraderie and love. Walker Rhodes and served together and lost friends together, but is their bond enough to live through the loss? Couldn't put this down. Cried, laughed and cheered for this couple.