Foster brothers, Kaden Marx and Brennan Kennedy, are at a precipice for change. While Kaden has made a career out of higher education as a way to drag his feet from reentering the real world, Bren has been in the thick of it.
Join Kaden as he learns a valuable lesson– how having four degrees isn’t a measure of your true worth, nor is it a gauge for your maturity. Hyper-focused on the six-year age difference he has with Wynn, Kaden is blinded to the fact that Wynn is now a mature man ready for a stable future by his side.
Will Kaden and Wynn mature together, or will Kaden continue to stunt both himself and their relationship?
Over the past four years, Bren has held down a steady job, tried his hardest to please a wife who never wanted him, and raise their child in a cohesive manner. Unable to stay on this destructive path, Bren is making choices to ensure the happiness of his wife and child, not realizing he’s been placing the one person he truly wants in the friend-zone– Jackson.
The happy smile is a façade, for beneath it is a dark secret that has the ability to tear all of Rusty Knob’s major families to shreds. The terrifying past collides with the present, taking Brennan’s future down a dark spiral, where the truth is finally revealed and deep betrayals are felt.
Kaden Marx and Brennan Kennedy move back to Rusty Knob, attracting change in their wake… but whether it’s for the greater good remains to be seen.
Erica Chilson does not write in the 3rd person, wanting her readers to be her characters. Therefore, writing a bio about herself, is uncomfortable in the extreme.
Born, raised, and here to stay, the Wicked Writer is a stump-jumper, a ridge-runner. Hailing from North Central Pennsylvania, directly on the New York State border; she loves the changes in seasons, the humid air, all the mountainous forest, and the gloomy atmosphere.
Introverted, but not socially awkward, Erica prides herself on thinking first and filtering her speech. There are days she doesn’t speak at all. If it wasn’t for the fact that she lives with her parents, giving her a sense of reality, she would be a hermit, where the delivery man finds her months after expiration.
Reading was an escape, a way to leave a not-so pleasant reality behind. Reading lent Erica the courage she gathered from the characters between the pages to long for a different life. Writing was an instrument of change, evolving Erica into the woman she is today- a better, more mature, more at peace thinker.
Erica has a wicked mind, one she pours out into her creations. Her filter doesn’t allow all of it to erupt, much to her relief. Sarcastic, with a very dark, perverse sense of humor, Erica puts a bit of herself into every character she writes.
*I received a free copy to read & review for Wicked Reads*
The third book in the Rusty Knob series is based on two couples who are facing their own challenges/demons. The characters have grown up since the beginning and their issues are "real world" things that real people face. This right here is why I love this series!
Kaden Marx and Wynn Gillette have reached a point in their relationship that they're FINALLY on equal ground, or are they? I enjoyed their scenes which are humorous and passionate. They are so good for one another, it's almost sickening. Now, don't get me wrong, they have their problems but they are able to rely on one another to get through them and it's fun to watch.
Bren's situation is another story, altogether. The issues Bren is facing real, you see it everyday. Being in a marriage that isn't what he needs or wants is devastating. I'm emotionally invested in him, for some reason. Responsibility is difficult and he is learning the hard way, but the difference for him is that he KNOWS what he wants. The question here is can he obtain it and keep everything he's worked so hard to build?
There is so much more to this story than what I've touched on! Bigotry, manipulation, enlightenment, humor, passion, and real love is what makes this story interesting. Watching life choices and the consequences that follow, be it good or bad, makes the story real.
If you haven't visited Rusty Knob, WV yet - please give it a try even if the subject matter doesn't seem to be your "genre" because I can honestly say this series has something for everyone. The characters will draw you in and the story will touch your heart, in some way.
Third book in The Rusty Knob Series, they need to be read in order.
Travel along with Kaden Marx and Brennan Kennedy. I wouldn't be able to label this a specific genre. M/M with romance and a bit of twisted. So many things happy within the pages of this book. I'm a huge fan of Erica Chilson. Her characters come to life in every book, this one is no different.
We take a dip into the minds of gay men, who try to find balance and worth. It's emotional and heartfelt. If you've never read a M/M book, I'd suggest giving this series a go. The feelings seemed on point, real to life. There's a bit of suspense thrown in, the plot is anything but simple. I was laughing at times, other times I was grinding my teeth. It seems I always close a Erica Chilson book with a lump in my throat or tears in my eyes, this one left a huge smile on my face and a consuming need for more. I can't wait to delve deeper into the secrets of Rusty Knob.
All the Rusty Knob kids have grown & left the hood. On their own & developing their own lives and relationships this book focuses on Brennan & Kaden but does not leave behind any of the players we've grown to know & love! I adore Kaden & Wynn! I loved reading about Wynn, he's such a great character. He really comes into his own person in this book and he calls out Kaden on his garbage and finally takes what he wants! Brennan is also finally tired of living a lie with his best friend who is now his wife and daughter's mother. They don't love each other the way a married couple should and they're driving each other crazy! Brennan finally decides to take what HE wants and that's Jackson! This book has all kinds of crazy hot scenes and many mix up of characters having fun with each other. *fans self! Character growth abounds and the story is quick reading and brilliantly seamless. I just love this series!
**I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.**
Stainless is the third in the Rusty Knob series. I recommend reading the series in order as the author intended. Gaining backstory on these characters is essential in understanding how each books builds on the last.
Stainless takes us deeper into the lives of Brennan and Jackson and Kaden and Wynn. The residents of Rusty Knob have grown up and are trying to make sense of their adult lives. Kade and Wynn have been playing the game for years. Kaden can't wrap his mind around Wynn growing up. He still sees him as a child. Can Wynn make Kade see he's a grown man and he's final on the same level as Kaden? Or will Kaden's issues within his head finally push Wynn away?
Brennan grew up pretty quickly when his best friend/girlfriend Jesse got pregnant while they were still teenagers. Jesse has become his wife and he would do anything for his daughter, Honor, but living in a loveless marriage is taking it's toll. Bren is bisexual and has never stopped having feelings for Jackson. While Jack knew this he also knew they could only be friends while Bren was still married. Bren is trying to do what's best for everyone but what about what's best for him?
I loved this installment in the series. I have very few books that stay with me after I shut off my kindle. I found myself thinking about these characters long after I've stopped reading. I needed to know more. I had to know how it was going to play out. I was completely invested. The Rusty Knob series, especially Stainless, is so full of emotions. Ms. Chilson draws you in within the first page and doesn't let you go until long after you're done. I can't wait to see what's next for the residents of this town!
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
I really needed this book. The crazy complicated relationships, the family love and connection, the romance and amazingly hot scenes got me through a personally very difficult weekend and kept me sane.
I connected completely with Kade and his struggles. His experience on social media was something many of us have experienced or witnessed. The evolution of Kade and Wynn's relationship is beautiful and incredibly hot.
Bren's story is interesting. When we start hearing Bren's story he seems so wise and although he says he isn't judging others, what he was saying and what I was feeling didn't match. He certainly seemed judgey to me. He was, at times, a little too perfectly behaved and it bugged me. It didn't stop me enjoying his story and by the time the book came to a close I wanted more time with Bren and Jack.
The little cross overs with characters from other series written by Ms Chilson were great. As someone who has read all of her books I was thrilled but new readers wont miss anything by not knowing the characters.
I loved Stainless. I don't know what Ms Chilson has in store for us in Polished but I look forward to finding out.
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
This is the third in the series, and I believe that you need to read them all in order to understand the dynamics of the relationships between the individuals and the families of Rusty Knob.
Ms Chilson has a vivid imagination and an engaging wit - these combine to create fascinating stories about the complexity of modern life, and the many forms that love may take. I have never read one which has not totally captured my interest. Here we have two men who are both reassessing their futures - one has been dutiful, deeply unhappy, but honourable; the other reticent, reluctant to commit, and also honourable in his own way. As we watch their futures unfold, it has significant impact on many of those in RK. Some details you will have seen in the blurb, the rest I think you should read for yourselves - but be assured that there is a lot of story here, and some giant leaps might just finally be taken!
As well as the romances, we get to see long time favourites, and a new couple who I hope we see more of, as they exude sensuality.
I bought book one in April and just kind of forgot about it (unfortunately I do that a lot) but I finally read book one and was sucked in immediately and I knew I was reading my kind of funny story once I read Wynn get his first hard on. Everything after that was pure perfection even with all the heartbreaking stuff that comes too it was perfect. I loved book 1 and ALMOST skipped book 2 because I don't usually read mf books anymore but it turned out to be as amazing as book 1, especially with how much you learn about everyone from Royce's pov as the father to pretty much everyone and a victim of a horrible crime.
This book though is easily my favorite, it starts off a few years after book 2 and jumps right into the problems of Bren & Jack & Jesse with every couple of chapters switching between Brens and Kades pov so you're also seeing everything going on with Kade and Wynn after being together 5 yrs and going to college. I have to say after book 1 and how Wynn didn't seem to be attracted to anyone in the beginning it was so awesome to see him and Kade and see just how different (and DIRTY) they are now! Kade broke my heart BUT I could really feel for him with his absolutely horrible professor, but when he opened Facebook and saw how horrible people are and how it made him feel is EXACTLY how I've been feeling on Facebook for months now. It was so on point with how I feel that I wanted to cry while reading it from excitment because fictional character or not it made me feel not so alone while I was reading it. Only difference between Kade and I is that I never talk to anyone on facebook because I see how even nice innocent things (where to buy a pug or a recipe video!!!) gets turned around to something horrible because of miserable people.
If you're looking for a story with non stop sex then don't bother with this, but, if you want an amazing series with a whole bunch of characters and funny and sad times and some super hot dirty times (especially in book 3) than this is what you want. I can not wait to read book 4 but after a couple little sentences towards the end of this book I'm going into the next one a little afraid and a lot excited.
Wow I didn't think I could love this series anymore than I did but this author just keeps me on the edge to know what's going to happen next and she sure can throw a curveball when you think ya have it figured out that nothing else could happen. I say it's a must read love it from start to finish.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Stainless takes us back to Rust Knob, WV and the characters we grew to love in the first two books. It focuses on Kaden and Wynn, and Brennan and Jackson but touches upon all of the others as well.
Kaden struggles to find his true self. He sees himself as less than he is, no thanks to internet trolls and his professors. With Wynn's help, he comes to add himself as he really is, a strong, loving, intelligent man.
Bren and his wife Jesse are finally being true to themselves and beginning to live as they should, separate with their respective loves.
As in the first two books in the series, Stainless had a deeper message to impart. Tolerance, self love, and how to be the person you want to be, not what others want you to be.
If this is not your usual genre, I urge you to give it a chance. You will not be disappointed and you may just learn something about yourself.
Back to the town of Rusty Knob, where the family relationships are complex indeed.
This book focuses on two couples. One we knew was going to get together and stay once Kade realized his partner was ready and waiting for the next step in their relationship. Wynn and Kade four years later from the last book are grown up and equals. Obviously this is not an easy road and there is drama as usual.
The second couple is Brennan and Jack. After an accidental pregnancy Four years before, Brenn is in a marriage to Jesse where they are together solely for their daughter. However enough becomes enough, plans are made and we see a gradual progression of this relationship between these two men.
There is a lot of personal growth, as well as emotional growth amongst all the characters. It's not plain sailing as demons still ride Kaden, and truths come out among Corbin and Bren and Royce which throws everything in a spin.
New family members arrive, welcome and unwelcomed. But this is RK and nothing is ever as it seems. I loved that Brennan and Kade stories were told alongside each other as we get to view the difference between these men and how they approach their relationships.
There is lots of hawt sexy times and one particular scene had me fanning myself. Wynn and Kade lights up the pages. I felt everything and I can't wait to see where this new , adult couple go.
I highly recommend this series if you want to follow a family that both buries and redeems itself. Makes you feel like you know these people and visualise them and be part of them.
I received an ARC of this book for an honest opinion.
This third book in the Rusty Knob series is focused upon the relationship between Kaden and Wynn and the struggles of Bren in his marriage and trying to find his place in the world. Kaden is still struggling with his body image issues and the age difference between him and Wynn. He is such a good person but he has a problem seeing the things about himself that others can see. Can I just say that the relationship between Kaden and Wynn is hot! Those two, wow. Bren loves his daughter but his marriage to Jessie is not a good one. They love each other but not in the way that a husband and wife should. The feelings that he has had for Jackson since they were teenagers are still there. In fact, they are stronger than ever. This book allows the reader to catch up on the characters from earlier books in the series and meet some new fascinating people. I loved this newest installment in the Rusty Knob series and can't wait for the next book.
The perfect instalment in this series. I love that we get to catch up with everyone, and see their stories progress. Can't wait to see what happens next in Rusty Knob. Will always recommend Erica Chilson's books, because they leave me wanting more!! Now I want my own Tater & Tot!
another good book by the awesome Erica chilson but for me i just couldn't connect with it like I to her other titles hence the reason for only 4 stars , was also only my first read through so maybe as life becomes less crazy for me and I can sit in silence n reread it the rating could change for me