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Wrecked
Off the Key West coast, Rief Lawson works as a wrecker, salvaging ships and their cargo. Exiled to the outskirts of society because of his mysterious gift of sight, Rief’s only respite from his loneliness is painting an unknown blond man. When a merchant ship wrecks during a violent storm, Rief rescues a drowning victim and comes face-to-face with his destiny.
It is the man from his art!
Heir to an English barony, Mathew Weston entered the merchant trade with his greedy father and soon-to-be father-in-law. Dominated by his father and smothered by the people around him—including his sweet but tiresome fianceé—Mathew is terrified to follow his true desires. Marriage and obedience seem safer than a life of secrecy and possible prison.
After the daring rescue, a fire ignites between the two men. Powerless to resist his desire, Mathew learns what it means to be a man in Rief’s arms. With this newfound confidence, Mathew teaches Rief through gentle touch that he deserves the affection he’s long been denied. Yet their affair is doomed from the start. Two desperate men, wrecked in heart and mind, must find a way to salvage the chance at love fate has given them.
It is the man from his art!
Heir to an English barony, Mathew Weston entered the merchant trade with his greedy father and soon-to-be father-in-law. Dominated by his father and smothered by the people around him—including his sweet but tiresome fianceé—Mathew is terrified to follow his true desires. Marriage and obedience seem safer than a life of secrecy and possible prison.
After the daring rescue, a fire ignites between the two men. Powerless to resist his desire, Mathew learns what it means to be a man in Rief’s arms. With this newfound confidence, Mathew teaches Rief through gentle touch that he deserves the affection he’s long been denied. Yet their affair is doomed from the start. Two desperate men, wrecked in heart and mind, must find a way to salvage the chance at love fate has given them.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2015
13 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Deanna Wadsworth
49 books206 followersBestselling erotica author Deanna Wadsworth leads a pretty vanilla life in Ohio with her hubby of 15 years and three demanding little dogs. She has a fascination with the exotic and taboo but her love of love in all its stages and incarnations motivate her to write Romance with Spice and Love without Boundaries.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
dnf-and-dnw
May 17, 2015I have a serious problem with the bit Mathew learns what it means to be a man in Rief’s arms. The entire idea that sex (and love?) is what makes him a man is disgusting. Sex and romance are not necessary components to being a man/woman/person/happy. That is a gross, damaging idea that hurts a lot of people. Like, what, an asexual man will never really know what it means to be a man?
I realize that was probably not how the line was intended, but it is how it reads. So much of this genre punishes people who aren't interested in reading/writing/having sex. And this just feels like one more little dig.
June 12, 2015
Er. Right. I have no-one to blame but myself. I bought this book on the strength of the cover. I mean look at it. I was all like 'of course this is going to be ironically cheesy, just look that cover! It's ridiculous'. But it was not ironic at all. AT ALL. It was completely earnest and had not one shred of the self-deprecating humour I was expecting. So it was just really, really trite. And that is not the book's fault. I should've managed my expectations better.
friends-say-no
June 6, 2017Lackluster reviews.
April 23, 2020
I pull myself together. I try so hard to hide this stormy weather. I can't let them see this indication of unhappiness; but deep down inside, I'm just a wrecked mess.” ~ Chelsea Ashdown (Wrecked Mess)
Rief, of 'Wrecked' by Deanna Wadsworth, is in love with the idea of Mathew even before he meets him. Rief has the gift of prophesy and has been painting images of Mathew for years. Imagine his surprise when he comes face-to-face with Mathew, realizing this man isn't just a dream, but a real, flesh and blood man. Despite their myriad of differences, Mathew, who has vehemently kept his attraction to men a secret, can't deny his feelings for Rief anymore than Rief, also in the closet, can deny them for Mathew. They must find a way to bridge the gap between them or stay wrecked the rest of their lives.
Aside from the badgering and insults Mathew received daily from his father, Mathew lives a charmed life. He is the son of a duke and his only heir; he has a shipping business, money, status, a large inheritance from his aunt, and is engaged to a beautiful young woman, his best friend since childhood. Yet Mathew feels unhappy and trapped in a lie that he doesn't dare admit; he's attracted to men. So far, Mathew has managed to quell his desires, but when he meets Rief, the attraction is so strong he almost spontaneously combusts. Mathew can't stay away from Rief, no matter what. When he finally tastes this passion, there's no going back. Mathew has to have more and throws caution to the wind. When tragedy strikes, Mathew realizes just how much he's willing to give up to be with Rief forever and begins to formalize a plan to make it happen.
Rief has been an outcast for most of his life. Before his mother killed herself, he was her favorite. Unfortunately he foretold her death in one of his prophetic portraits, which alienates him from his father and, subsequently, from the entire community. Everyone is afraid of him, fearing that if he paints them they will die. He has enough rejection and scorn as it is. He prefers men just like Mathew does and keeps it hidden for the same reason. Rief is depressed and lonely. The only contact Rief has with other men has been rushed and emotionally unfulfilling. He needs more. When Mathew and Rief consummate their growing attraction, it's an extremely emotional and physical experience. They realize they are in love as well as lust, and want to be together forever. Rief has no idea how that could be achieved but when Mathew comes up with a plan, he is certainly willing to try.
This historical romance portrays life in Key West in the mid 1800s when loving another man was a capital crime punishable by imprisonment and death. Rief and Mathew were highly aware of the risks they were taking, but felt that their love was worth it. Besides that, the men completed each other; together, their strengths and weaknesses were balanced and their lives were infinitely better. If you enjoy stories about history, romance between men, ships, ports, the supernatural, and most of all, a happy ending, you may enjoy this book. Thanks, Deanna, for the glimpse into Rief and Mathew's life.
NOTE: This book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Rief, of 'Wrecked' by Deanna Wadsworth, is in love with the idea of Mathew even before he meets him. Rief has the gift of prophesy and has been painting images of Mathew for years. Imagine his surprise when he comes face-to-face with Mathew, realizing this man isn't just a dream, but a real, flesh and blood man. Despite their myriad of differences, Mathew, who has vehemently kept his attraction to men a secret, can't deny his feelings for Rief anymore than Rief, also in the closet, can deny them for Mathew. They must find a way to bridge the gap between them or stay wrecked the rest of their lives.
Aside from the badgering and insults Mathew received daily from his father, Mathew lives a charmed life. He is the son of a duke and his only heir; he has a shipping business, money, status, a large inheritance from his aunt, and is engaged to a beautiful young woman, his best friend since childhood. Yet Mathew feels unhappy and trapped in a lie that he doesn't dare admit; he's attracted to men. So far, Mathew has managed to quell his desires, but when he meets Rief, the attraction is so strong he almost spontaneously combusts. Mathew can't stay away from Rief, no matter what. When he finally tastes this passion, there's no going back. Mathew has to have more and throws caution to the wind. When tragedy strikes, Mathew realizes just how much he's willing to give up to be with Rief forever and begins to formalize a plan to make it happen.
Rief has been an outcast for most of his life. Before his mother killed herself, he was her favorite. Unfortunately he foretold her death in one of his prophetic portraits, which alienates him from his father and, subsequently, from the entire community. Everyone is afraid of him, fearing that if he paints them they will die. He has enough rejection and scorn as it is. He prefers men just like Mathew does and keeps it hidden for the same reason. Rief is depressed and lonely. The only contact Rief has with other men has been rushed and emotionally unfulfilling. He needs more. When Mathew and Rief consummate their growing attraction, it's an extremely emotional and physical experience. They realize they are in love as well as lust, and want to be together forever. Rief has no idea how that could be achieved but when Mathew comes up with a plan, he is certainly willing to try.
This historical romance portrays life in Key West in the mid 1800s when loving another man was a capital crime punishable by imprisonment and death. Rief and Mathew were highly aware of the risks they were taking, but felt that their love was worth it. Besides that, the men completed each other; together, their strengths and weaknesses were balanced and their lives were infinitely better. If you enjoy stories about history, romance between men, ships, ports, the supernatural, and most of all, a happy ending, you may enjoy this book. Thanks, Deanna, for the glimpse into Rief and Mathew's life.
NOTE: This book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
added-it
June 16, 2023🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/16/2023)! 🎁
June 3, 2015
Review can be read at It's About The Book
Old school romance lovers will enjoy this one. The story is told in a time where men loving men is taboo and punishable by imprisonment or worse. One of the MCs Rief has a curse of sight. He sees and paints tragic events that will happen in the future. As if this wasn’t enough to make him an outcast he’s also hiding his attraction to men. Rief dreams of specific man and all the things he’d long to do with him but isn’t allowed by society’s rules. One day Rief saves a young lord to be at sea after his ship is wrecked. He’s shocked to find it’s the man he’s been fantasizing about all these years. Not that he can act on his impulse to be excited to see him alive and in person. The young man he learns is named Matthew is engaged to be married to a woman with a good social standing and money so he can’t possibly want someone like Rief even if being a man wasn’t an issue.
Matthew is very greatful to Rief for saving him. He’s also very attracted to him. With so many eyes on him and his dreadful father waiting for him to fail once again, he has to keep his focus on salvaging the shipment and the business. Rief however proves too tempting to ignore.
I liked this story. It was kind of historical and very angsty. I’ll admit to not generally liking Historicals so that’s saying something. The MCs were so lonely when they found each other it was the most accepted and loved they’d ever felt. Inside the walls of Rief’s flat they were able to be together physically and make an emotional connection. Friends and lovers. Outside they had to hide and pretend to be something they weren’t. Matthew is to marry his best friend from childhood. His soon to be father in law is his partner in the venture that brought them to Key West. Matthew’s father is a dreadful man. He’s shown nothing but disdain for Matthew his entire life and has absolutely no morals. Nothing is beyond the man but Matthew can’t help but crave his approval. Which leads to many disappointments. Rief’s brother is running the salvage company who is helping Matthew and company salvage their wrecked ship. So Rief’s and Matthew’s family businesses are now intertwined. Thanks to some shady dealings of the holding house, there’s some bad blood and it leaves Rief and Matthew on opposite sides of the settlement Neither man really cares since they’re so wrapped up in enjoying every last second they’re able to spend together before Matthew has to return to his society life.
I think people who enjoy men from different social standings falling in love will enjoy this one. There’s certainly enough intrigue beyond the relationship to have kept me interested. I felt the very real struggle of not having the freedom to love whom you want was well done in this story. My heart ached for them. Particularly Rief who was so lonely he took whatever he could get from any person willing to show him the smallest amount of affection. Or even use him if they were willing. There’s pirates or pirate-like characters, arranged marriages, gypsy curses and less than scrupulous men. The MCs are from very different worlds but share the same desire. To find someone to love that just happens to also be a man. To be accepted for who they are. Based on the times they live in, they aren’t able to profess their love to the world by the end of the book but they do find acceptance in those who matter most to them. Both for whom they choose to love but also for the men they truly are.
Old school romance lovers will enjoy this one. The story is told in a time where men loving men is taboo and punishable by imprisonment or worse. One of the MCs Rief has a curse of sight. He sees and paints tragic events that will happen in the future. As if this wasn’t enough to make him an outcast he’s also hiding his attraction to men. Rief dreams of specific man and all the things he’d long to do with him but isn’t allowed by society’s rules. One day Rief saves a young lord to be at sea after his ship is wrecked. He’s shocked to find it’s the man he’s been fantasizing about all these years. Not that he can act on his impulse to be excited to see him alive and in person. The young man he learns is named Matthew is engaged to be married to a woman with a good social standing and money so he can’t possibly want someone like Rief even if being a man wasn’t an issue.
Matthew is very greatful to Rief for saving him. He’s also very attracted to him. With so many eyes on him and his dreadful father waiting for him to fail once again, he has to keep his focus on salvaging the shipment and the business. Rief however proves too tempting to ignore.
I liked this story. It was kind of historical and very angsty. I’ll admit to not generally liking Historicals so that’s saying something. The MCs were so lonely when they found each other it was the most accepted and loved they’d ever felt. Inside the walls of Rief’s flat they were able to be together physically and make an emotional connection. Friends and lovers. Outside they had to hide and pretend to be something they weren’t. Matthew is to marry his best friend from childhood. His soon to be father in law is his partner in the venture that brought them to Key West. Matthew’s father is a dreadful man. He’s shown nothing but disdain for Matthew his entire life and has absolutely no morals. Nothing is beyond the man but Matthew can’t help but crave his approval. Which leads to many disappointments. Rief’s brother is running the salvage company who is helping Matthew and company salvage their wrecked ship. So Rief’s and Matthew’s family businesses are now intertwined. Thanks to some shady dealings of the holding house, there’s some bad blood and it leaves Rief and Matthew on opposite sides of the settlement Neither man really cares since they’re so wrapped up in enjoying every last second they’re able to spend together before Matthew has to return to his society life.
I think people who enjoy men from different social standings falling in love will enjoy this one. There’s certainly enough intrigue beyond the relationship to have kept me interested. I felt the very real struggle of not having the freedom to love whom you want was well done in this story. My heart ached for them. Particularly Rief who was so lonely he took whatever he could get from any person willing to show him the smallest amount of affection. Or even use him if they were willing. There’s pirates or pirate-like characters, arranged marriages, gypsy curses and less than scrupulous men. The MCs are from very different worlds but share the same desire. To find someone to love that just happens to also be a man. To be accepted for who they are. Based on the times they live in, they aren’t able to profess their love to the world by the end of the book but they do find acceptance in those who matter most to them. Both for whom they choose to love but also for the men they truly are.
November 28, 2021
3.5 stars A dramatic start to the book as Matthew is fighting for life in the oceans wild seas alone.
This is written at a time where men were forbidden to be with other men.
both characters are in the same boat so to speak as they wanted to be treated with respect they deserved.
This is a really well written and researched book for the shipping buissines of the time period. Both pov's included unfortunately the descriptions took away the focus of the characters for me. An okay book to read with both Matthew and Rief feeling attraction between them. An ending with a HEA finish for them both but not without a few dramas first.
Matthew was lost overboard from his own ship the lucky clipper. Due to marry his childhood friend Maggie but now he had other dreams to think about.
Rief 24 yrs was a ship wrecker and painted in his share time, his painting where a rare gift he'd grown with an paranormal element.
This is written at a time where men were forbidden to be with other men.
both characters are in the same boat so to speak as they wanted to be treated with respect they deserved.
This is a really well written and researched book for the shipping buissines of the time period. Both pov's included unfortunately the descriptions took away the focus of the characters for me. An okay book to read with both Matthew and Rief feeling attraction between them. An ending with a HEA finish for them both but not without a few dramas first.
Matthew was lost overboard from his own ship the lucky clipper. Due to marry his childhood friend Maggie but now he had other dreams to think about.
Rief 24 yrs was a ship wrecker and painted in his share time, his painting where a rare gift he'd grown with an paranormal element.
August 2, 2016
Very interesting book. At times it reads just like the cover, an M/M bodice ripper. At other times the plot has imagination. The descriptions of dress, custom, history are well woven into the story. Sex is well written in its description, yet again it feels like a trashy novel at the same time. The author also plays with the manly man being buggered by the less hirsute younger man. Much is made of the younger being ridiculed as effeminate by his father. A complicated story. Also the modern world keeps coming into play with yearnings for things to be like the 21st century, hard to imagine in the 19th.
(A personal note, the girl puts butter on burns, my grand mother in 1964 put butter on my burns, we now know better than to smother burns, but oh so interesting how long that remedy continued.)
Book provided and read for 2015 Rainbow Awards.
(A personal note, the girl puts butter on burns, my grand mother in 1964 put butter on my burns, we now know better than to smother burns, but oh so interesting how long that remedy continued.)
Book provided and read for 2015 Rainbow Awards.
June 22, 2015
4.5 stars
It's a good story! I like the ending although I am quite worried because it seems Civil War is near. I also love the setting. I learn something new about US history, particularly on Wreckers.
It's a good story! I like the ending although I am quite worried because it seems Civil War is near. I also love the setting. I learn something new about US history, particularly on Wreckers.
October 29, 2023
Did not finish at 63%. I tried. The writing style is fine. The characterizations are.. not it for me. Mathew, so conflicted about his desires and what it takes to be a real man, Reif closeted and troubled by his visions and what they mean for him, his acceptance into his society etc. should come together to make a fine story. But the way it was handled is just too hand-wrenching and bosom clutching that it reads like an old-school romance novel I read in the 90s, to be honest. I get that it's historical, but I've read historicals written in current times that are much more compelling reads and aren't hard to get through. I really did try with this one and maaaybe I'll come back to it and finish it. If I do I'll update my review and maybe give it another star if the last 37% get better than what I've already read.
January 10, 2018
A delightful story set just before the American Civil War in the Florida Keys. It made for an interesting background and contained history I knew nothing about.
I really liked the quotes at the beginning of the chapters and felt they really fit the story. I liked both main characters and was rooting for them. I liked that there was focus on the taboo nature of their feelings, and, that in the end, everyone wasn’t happy for them. This made for a more realistic story and made their live that much more unique.
I really liked the quotes at the beginning of the chapters and felt they really fit the story. I liked both main characters and was rooting for them. I liked that there was focus on the taboo nature of their feelings, and, that in the end, everyone wasn’t happy for them. This made for a more realistic story and made their live that much more unique.
May 12, 2020
I saw the cover and was pulled in. I read the blurb and then asked myself, how bad can it be knowing I don’t do historical romances well. I should have listened to myself.
This was hard to finish. I think it was mostly on me but the book contained so much cheesiness. I couldn’t get myself in the right headspace; it was a fight.
I am to blame some because I should have listened to myself. The book is to blame some because it certainly could have been better.
I received this ARC for my honest opinion.
This was hard to finish. I think it was mostly on me but the book contained so much cheesiness. I couldn’t get myself in the right headspace; it was a fight.
I am to blame some because I should have listened to myself. The book is to blame some because it certainly could have been better.
I received this ARC for my honest opinion.
May 12, 2020
This book is magical!
Every Deanna Wadsworth book I have picked up and been an adventure and this one was interesting!
Rief and Mathew were explosive on the page. There was so much intrigue with Rief's gift for me. And it was nice to see Mathew finally come into his own and choose Rief.
Wadsworth is an author for me to start going through the backlist for to catch books I have missed!
Every Deanna Wadsworth book I have picked up and been an adventure and this one was interesting!
Rief and Mathew were explosive on the page. There was so much intrigue with Rief's gift for me. And it was nice to see Mathew finally come into his own and choose Rief.
Wadsworth is an author for me to start going through the backlist for to catch books I have missed!
May 12, 2020
Really well thought out and researched historical romance.
Two men, ostracized by their circumstances
finally finding happiness in the least likely of places.
A truly sweet romance with the exception of Matthew's father, he was especially horrible.
I loved Maggie, she was so sweet and wonderfully supportive of Matthew.
Finding freedom in love.
Two men, ostracized by their circumstances
finally finding happiness in the least likely of places.
A truly sweet romance with the exception of Matthew's father, he was especially horrible.
I loved Maggie, she was so sweet and wonderfully supportive of Matthew.
Finding freedom in love.
Read
December 6, 2017*DNF*
(19%)
First this book reads like a contemporary novel and second something is off. Maybe it's the dialog, the way they act or the way they talk to each other. I really like the premise but unfortunately it didn't work for me!
May 6, 2020
This is an interesting read. Rief and Matthew are both great characters. I was rooting for these two. I don't read a lot of historical reads but I did like this one. This has a real feeling about how these two try to love each other in a time that isn't the most accepting.
May 9, 2020
Rief has been in love with Matthew before he met him. The story is romantic and interesting from a time where men loving men was not even legal.
Read
May 10, 2020Dnf at 30%
July 22, 2023
Ebook. This book was a very enjoyable read. I love Reif with all the heartbreak of his life and meeting his one solice but this time in real life not on canvas.
December 7, 2015
A lovely, passionate and sincere story, a good read for everyone enjoying historical m/m romance. Both MCs are extremely likeable, especially Mathew, his growth from a vulnerable boy full of doubts to a strong, brave man ready to do anything to protect his loved one is amazing.
December 16, 2015
Wrecked by Deanna Wadsworth: http://reviews-and-ramblings.dreamwid... 2015 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)
March 28, 2017
YIKKKESSS???? misogyny from start to finish??? Main character spends whole book whining about people thinking he may be "womanish" - cause apparently that's the worst thing that could happen? (after being arrested for being gay of course, but he seemed more concerned about being "womanish" than homosexual)
UGH.
Also the plot was really annoying? I find it to hard to believe that a rich young man would care what his asshole leech of a dad who has ZERO power over him thinks. I found myself rolling my eyes the whole time, and the dialogue often made me cringe. This probably had the cheesiest/sappiest dialogue I have ever read outside of fanfic.
Lastly, a story set in such a quirky setting as a 19th century island that survives by "wrecking" is such a great concept that i just WISH THIS WAS BETTER.
UGH.
Also the plot was really annoying? I find it to hard to believe that a rich young man would care what his asshole leech of a dad who has ZERO power over him thinks. I found myself rolling my eyes the whole time, and the dialogue often made me cringe. This probably had the cheesiest/sappiest dialogue I have ever read outside of fanfic.
Lastly, a story set in such a quirky setting as a 19th century island that survives by "wrecking" is such a great concept that i just WISH THIS WAS BETTER.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews