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The Den Boys #4
Sweet Surrender
"It didn't matter what I wanted. My life had never been about me or my wants. Why would that change now?" ~ Rhys
Three years ago I lost my sister to cancer, and my life was shattered. I lost everything I loved and have been existing ever since. It wasn't until I met my new family at The Den that I began to feel whole again, but there was always something missing. People may think of me as a player who likes to joke around, and outside of my new family, that's all I let them see. It isn't until a chance meeting with shy and sweet Caleb that I'm finally able to open up and let someone see the real me.
"My entire life had been about my disabilities, but for the first time I felt like someone saw me for me, and not for what made me different." ~ Caleb
Living with profound hearing loss is hard enough but add epilepsy to the mix, and my life is a constant struggle. Riddled with social anxiety and the constant fear of being hurt, navigating friendships and relationships is next to impossible. No one in their right mind would want to put up with all of my problems, and I've resigned myself to a life of loneliness. After meeting Rhys my bleak future alone suddenly seems less and less certain.
Three years ago I lost my sister to cancer, and my life was shattered. I lost everything I loved and have been existing ever since. It wasn't until I met my new family at The Den that I began to feel whole again, but there was always something missing. People may think of me as a player who likes to joke around, and outside of my new family, that's all I let them see. It isn't until a chance meeting with shy and sweet Caleb that I'm finally able to open up and let someone see the real me.
"My entire life had been about my disabilities, but for the first time I felt like someone saw me for me, and not for what made me different." ~ Caleb
Living with profound hearing loss is hard enough but add epilepsy to the mix, and my life is a constant struggle. Riddled with social anxiety and the constant fear of being hurt, navigating friendships and relationships is next to impossible. No one in their right mind would want to put up with all of my problems, and I've resigned myself to a life of loneliness. After meeting Rhys my bleak future alone suddenly seems less and less certain.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2018
About the author
A.T. Brennan
35 books204 followersA.T. Brennan, a native of Ottawa, Canada, has always had her head in a book and a story to tell. A veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces and current entrepreneur and author, she enjoys spending her days working on her many projects and her nights writing and not getting enough sleep. She currently lives on Canada’s East Coast with her kiddo and cat. She enjoys collecting shoes and exploring the different aspects of romance in her works. She also publishes erotica under the name Mandie Mills.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 17, 2018
This is such an enjoyable series! I suppose this could be read on its own, but I recommend reading the others so you are familiar with all the characters. The friends who work at The Den have formed a family unit, something which most characters have all really needed for one reason or another.
Here, Rhys works at The Den. He is trying to put his life together after being outed and turned away by his family. He is also grieving the loss of his sister and trying to be there for his hearing impaired niece as much as his parents will allow, which isn’t much. He sort of comes to the rescue of Caleb who happens to have an epileptic related seizure outside of The Den.
After everything went down with Rhys’ actual family, he took advantage of his newly out status and played the field so to speak, but he is really looking for something more now. He senses Caleb might be that person, and it really seems mean to be seeing as Caleb is also hearing impaired. But, Caleb is dealing with a few other issues, and Rhys has to take things really slow, which allows them to really get to know one another before anything else.
I really loved all of the elements involved in this installment. I loved how easy it was for Rhys to understand and communicate with Caleb Right from the start, it was easy to see that Rhys was just a great guy and caring person and thankfully it doesn’t take long for Caleb to believe it and trust him. Given Caleb’s issues and his past, that was completely understandable. There’s a bit more to this story involving Rhys’ niece, but seeing them grow as a couple and then become their own family was what I enjoyed the most. It was also great seeing the other guys again, and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next in this series.
Review written for Love Bytes Reviews.
June 15, 2018
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
I have enjoyed all of the books in The Den Boys series and Sweet Surrender brings us to book four with Rhys and Caleb’s story. Mostly this book does stand alone. However, the guys at The Den have created a found family and they do appear across all of the books and it definitely enriches the series to be familiar with all of them.
This book is split between the men forming a relationship and them figuring out their lives. Rhys is at loose ends after his sister died and his relationship with his parents is strained. He sees his niece whenever he can, but it’s a struggle to get time with her. Once Rhys came out, he was all about as many hookups as he could find, but now that his friends are settling down, he realizes he longs for intimacy.
Caleb is a unique book character in that he is hearing impaired and has epilepsy. He grew up in the foster care system and is anxiety ridden and shaky after getting out of an abusive relationship. His ex destroyed his self esteem and he truly believes no one will want to be with him because he has so much to deal with. Rhys sees beyond Caleb’s disabilities and just wants to be with him and is completely caring and goes at Caleb’s pace. Caleb has intimacy issues as well that stemmed from his prior relationship and Rhys is patient and truly comes to care for him.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
4 stars
I have enjoyed all of the books in The Den Boys series and Sweet Surrender brings us to book four with Rhys and Caleb’s story. Mostly this book does stand alone. However, the guys at The Den have created a found family and they do appear across all of the books and it definitely enriches the series to be familiar with all of them.
This book is split between the men forming a relationship and them figuring out their lives. Rhys is at loose ends after his sister died and his relationship with his parents is strained. He sees his niece whenever he can, but it’s a struggle to get time with her. Once Rhys came out, he was all about as many hookups as he could find, but now that his friends are settling down, he realizes he longs for intimacy.
Caleb is a unique book character in that he is hearing impaired and has epilepsy. He grew up in the foster care system and is anxiety ridden and shaky after getting out of an abusive relationship. His ex destroyed his self esteem and he truly believes no one will want to be with him because he has so much to deal with. Rhys sees beyond Caleb’s disabilities and just wants to be with him and is completely caring and goes at Caleb’s pace. Caleb has intimacy issues as well that stemmed from his prior relationship and Rhys is patient and truly comes to care for him.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
June 15, 2018
Sweet Surrender
OMG A.T Brennan these two are my favourite couple. I loved Rhys & Caleb, the connection and chemistry between the pair is amazing!
Being brought up in various foster homes and living with epilepsy, anxiety and being deaf Caleb thought he would never find someone to love him until he meets Rhys. Rhys accepts him for who he is and supports him from day one but with his major insecurities Caleb is convinced something will go wrong.
Rhys hasn't had an easy ride either. Disowned by his parents due to his sexuality and loosing custody of his niece Violet he found the Den boys who are now his family and since they are finding their HEA's he's been thinking and hoping for his. When he sees this sexy as hell man having a seizure he runs to his aid. The instant connection he feels is amazing. Could Rhys have found the one?!
This book is full of unconditional love and acceptance. The less said about Rhys parents the better, thank God for Galen and Violet, (she's one strong cookie).Although this could be read as a standalone to get to know all characters I would say start with book 1. I enjoyed catching up with Blaze & Galen (book 1) and Cody, Jonah & Isaac (book 2) and Zander & Kai (book 3) also like more about Evan the owner of The Den and love Layla, she's taken them all under her wing like a mother figure. I'm excited for Tristans book can't wait for his HEA!
OMG A.T Brennan these two are my favourite couple. I loved Rhys & Caleb, the connection and chemistry between the pair is amazing!
Being brought up in various foster homes and living with epilepsy, anxiety and being deaf Caleb thought he would never find someone to love him until he meets Rhys. Rhys accepts him for who he is and supports him from day one but with his major insecurities Caleb is convinced something will go wrong.
Rhys hasn't had an easy ride either. Disowned by his parents due to his sexuality and loosing custody of his niece Violet he found the Den boys who are now his family and since they are finding their HEA's he's been thinking and hoping for his. When he sees this sexy as hell man having a seizure he runs to his aid. The instant connection he feels is amazing. Could Rhys have found the one?!
This book is full of unconditional love and acceptance. The less said about Rhys parents the better, thank God for Galen and Violet, (she's one strong cookie).Although this could be read as a standalone to get to know all characters I would say start with book 1. I enjoyed catching up with Blaze & Galen (book 1) and Cody, Jonah & Isaac (book 2) and Zander & Kai (book 3) also like more about Evan the owner of The Den and love Layla, she's taken them all under her wing like a mother figure. I'm excited for Tristans book can't wait for his HEA!
November 19, 2022
swoon
Such a sweet hurt comfort with all the feels. This is about overcoming and true love. Loving the entire person. Two men overcoming fears to finding their person. The writing was great the smexy was hawt and the side characters were family.
Such a sweet hurt comfort with all the feels. This is about overcoming and true love. Loving the entire person. Two men overcoming fears to finding their person. The writing was great the smexy was hawt and the side characters were family.
June 21, 2018
#TheDenBoys #SweetSurrender #RhysandCaleb
Another amazing addition to this wonder series! I couldn't wait for Rhys and Caleb's story to come out after I devoured the first 3 books in The Den Boy series, and for me it did NOT disappoint! Sweet Surrender is such an amazing and beautiful story! The chemistry and understanding between Caleb and Rhys is awe-inspiring. I couldn't help but fall in love with these two characters. The story line had me flipping the pages; with its unique, and compelling events.
I highly recommend this series, I can't wait for Tristan's story to come out next! Hopefully we wont have to wait to long!
Another amazing addition to this wonder series! I couldn't wait for Rhys and Caleb's story to come out after I devoured the first 3 books in The Den Boy series, and for me it did NOT disappoint! Sweet Surrender is such an amazing and beautiful story! The chemistry and understanding between Caleb and Rhys is awe-inspiring. I couldn't help but fall in love with these two characters. The story line had me flipping the pages; with its unique, and compelling events.
I highly recommend this series, I can't wait for Tristan's story to come out next! Hopefully we wont have to wait to long!
June 16, 2018
Very sweet
This was a good story. I read it completely through in one sitting. I did think was too much information a couple times. I got bored and skimmed though it. But overall, I did really enjoy this book.
This was a good story. I read it completely through in one sitting. I did think was too much information a couple times. I got bored and skimmed though it. But overall, I did really enjoy this book.
June 21, 2018
I have read every Den Boys book and I have to say they keep getting better and better. I was so touched by this book, I cried. It is rare for a book to move me as this one did. Please, you have to read it, you will not be sorry!
June 15, 2018
Oh my GOD. I loved every single thing about this book, and it is not often I can say that with such certainty. This is a beautiful story about unconditional love and acceptance, and finding that person who completes you. It is full of love, family, and friends that become family. Rhys and Caleb are so wonderful together right from the start. Rhys is so sweet and supportive (and sexy, wow), and surprised me in all the best ways. His history with his sister and niece made my heart both swell and break, and his parents? No. Just no. They are the worst, and I love seeing Rhys finally fully accept that his friends at the Den are his family now. And Violet! Oh my gosh, I love that girl. You will, too. Caleb is such a sweet and gentle soul with a heart of gold. His past is also painful, and his ex makes me feel stabby. The way that Rhys accepts Caleb just as he is almost made me tear up at times. There is such a powerful and healing connection between them that it is almost tangible. I could not get enough of them.. and I was so sad when it was over because I just want more.
I love the way the author handled Caleb's epilepsy, as well as his hearing-impairment. I also appreciate the way his bisexuality was approached. As a bisexual woman, I am very familiar with how difficult it can be to come to terms with it, especially when getting berated from all sides about it not being real, or being greedy, etc, and I was definitely able to identify with that part of Caleb. It just made me love him more.
I liked being back at The Den, and I really can't wait for Tristan to find his HEA! This book can be read as a standalone, but I recommend starting with book 1 to get to know everyone at The Den and their stories.
I love the way the author handled Caleb's epilepsy, as well as his hearing-impairment. I also appreciate the way his bisexuality was approached. As a bisexual woman, I am very familiar with how difficult it can be to come to terms with it, especially when getting berated from all sides about it not being real, or being greedy, etc, and I was definitely able to identify with that part of Caleb. It just made me love him more.
I liked being back at The Den, and I really can't wait for Tristan to find his HEA! This book can be read as a standalone, but I recommend starting with book 1 to get to know everyone at The Den and their stories.
August 20, 2019
I got an ARC of Holding On recently, started reading a bit and thought, "Wait a second! I need to read all the others first to really dive into this world!!" So I immediately bought them all and have been plowing my way through one every few days. Initially, my plan was to simply review Holding On as agreed, but I couldn't NOT review Sweet Surrender as well.
As is typical with the Den Boys books, there are struggles and lots of baggage that are overcome by the main characters as they try to move beyond their pasts and find their paths together towards a happy future. But what really stood out to me was the fact that Caleb is hard of hearing (practically Deaf) and Rhys's niece, Violet, is profoundly Deaf. I love the fact that they use American Sign Language in the book and that Rhys doesn't think twice about signing with both Violet and Caleb, despite the fact that his parents are douches.
This book really hit close to home because my brother is also profoundly Deaf (but has a Cochlear implant) and it's rare to see any lesser-abled characters in books and rarer still to see them portrayed with such realism, compassion, and honesty - i.e. they're just people who are a little different, but who are still "normal" people all the same. It's not the disability that defines them, it's their character.
As is typical with the Den Boys books, there are struggles and lots of baggage that are overcome by the main characters as they try to move beyond their pasts and find their paths together towards a happy future. But what really stood out to me was the fact that Caleb is hard of hearing (practically Deaf) and Rhys's niece, Violet, is profoundly Deaf. I love the fact that they use American Sign Language in the book and that Rhys doesn't think twice about signing with both Violet and Caleb, despite the fact that his parents are douches.
This book really hit close to home because my brother is also profoundly Deaf (but has a Cochlear implant) and it's rare to see any lesser-abled characters in books and rarer still to see them portrayed with such realism, compassion, and honesty - i.e. they're just people who are a little different, but who are still "normal" people all the same. It's not the disability that defines them, it's their character.
June 16, 2018
Absolutely the Sweetest story!!
I've been waiting on Rhys story since the beginning, and it was definitely worth the wait! I always thought there was more to him than met the eye, and there was....underneath the playful, wham bam thank you man was a guy that just wanted to be loved and to love someone.
Caleb, was the perfect fit for Rhys..they literally meet when Caleb has a seizure right in front of Rhys. Caleb is a quirky anxiety fueled mess, whose past relationship with a man was abusive....due to the fact that he was not only epileptic but also hearing impaired. Rhys immediately made an impression on Caleb by not only treating him like a "normal" guy, but also by using ASL to talk to him. Rhys is definitely a man of many layers, and learning that he had a deaf niece, and that his family was extremely homophobic just added to everything I liked about him. Caleb and Rhys each gave the other exactly what they needed. I'm pretty sure that this is my favorite book of the series, I would give WAY more than 5 stars if I could. The only bad thing about this book was that it ended, lol. I'm looking forward to seeing what's next for the gang of The Den.
I've been waiting on Rhys story since the beginning, and it was definitely worth the wait! I always thought there was more to him than met the eye, and there was....underneath the playful, wham bam thank you man was a guy that just wanted to be loved and to love someone.
Caleb, was the perfect fit for Rhys..they literally meet when Caleb has a seizure right in front of Rhys. Caleb is a quirky anxiety fueled mess, whose past relationship with a man was abusive....due to the fact that he was not only epileptic but also hearing impaired. Rhys immediately made an impression on Caleb by not only treating him like a "normal" guy, but also by using ASL to talk to him. Rhys is definitely a man of many layers, and learning that he had a deaf niece, and that his family was extremely homophobic just added to everything I liked about him. Caleb and Rhys each gave the other exactly what they needed. I'm pretty sure that this is my favorite book of the series, I would give WAY more than 5 stars if I could. The only bad thing about this book was that it ended, lol. I'm looking forward to seeing what's next for the gang of The Den.
June 25, 2018
I have loved this entire series and this one is really the most heartwarming for me. I Love when an MC isn't model perfect. Yeah pretty boys are pretty but men who have lived and learned and have made it through hard times just appeal to me so much more and this story has plenty of them. I LOVED Caleb, he has had MANY struggles but has come out stronger even if he didn't see that from the start and I just wanted to squeeze him the entire time. He has daily struggles that most of us can't imagine but he kept going and yeah he still stumbles but this time Rhys was there for the fall. I have been WAITING for Rhys story and his book is so caring and just so comforting! I couldn't be happier to see him find his someone special and the connection thee two had just made me gooey! Sweetly sexy and with lots of the things that have made me love this entire series.
July 11, 2021
"Sweet Surrender" received TWO AND A HALF stars.
The novel gained *stars* for these items:
* gained for: "The book caught my interest in the first five pages."
* gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."
1/2 * gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."
The novel failed to gain stars for this item:
NO STAR gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more!"
NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author. I will automatically try anything s/he writes."
The novel gained *stars* for these items:
* gained for: "The book caught my interest in the first five pages."
* gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."
1/2 * gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."
The novel failed to gain stars for this item:
NO STAR gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more!"
NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author. I will automatically try anything s/he writes."
June 17, 2018
New to me author
As a disabled person I always appreciate when a disabled person in a book is written so well. She wrote Caleb as a fully functioning person who happens to have a couple of issues that he is dealing with. The way our mom raised us. He found his unicorn a person who saw him not a burden. Rhys is wonderful. I wanted to slap his parents for the way they treated Violet. Raising a disabled person to be able tonfunction in a society that often falls.short in accomodatkng us not easy. You do not do that by ignoring the disability like they did. Horrible people.
As a disabled person I always appreciate when a disabled person in a book is written so well. She wrote Caleb as a fully functioning person who happens to have a couple of issues that he is dealing with. The way our mom raised us. He found his unicorn a person who saw him not a burden. Rhys is wonderful. I wanted to slap his parents for the way they treated Violet. Raising a disabled person to be able tonfunction in a society that often falls.short in accomodatkng us not easy. You do not do that by ignoring the disability like they did. Horrible people.
June 20, 2018
My favorite out the The Den Boys!
This is my favorite out of the series so far. Caleb has profound hearing loss and epilepsy. He sees himself as high maintenance and a burden. Rhys works at the Den. His parents are homophobic wholes that think he is a pervert and don't want him around his niece. Caleb and Rhys meet when Caleb has a seizure in front of Rhys. Thus is so perfect with how he deals with Caleb's seizures and low self esteem. It was a great book and I recommend it!
This is my favorite out of the series so far. Caleb has profound hearing loss and epilepsy. He sees himself as high maintenance and a burden. Rhys works at the Den. His parents are homophobic wholes that think he is a pervert and don't want him around his niece. Caleb and Rhys meet when Caleb has a seizure in front of Rhys. Thus is so perfect with how he deals with Caleb's seizures and low self esteem. It was a great book and I recommend it!
June 24, 2018
Hearing loss disability M/M romance
3 stars
I've been looking for a hearing loss/deaf character in M/M for so long. I finally got one and it was good but this series is so dark. It is believable that people with disabilities are abused but it makes the story so dark. I wish it was lighter.
This was a good book but it wasn't AMAZING! I don't want to tell everyone I know about it but it was good. On a side note I cannot wait for Tristan's story! More den boys please!
3 stars
I've been looking for a hearing loss/deaf character in M/M for so long. I finally got one and it was good but this series is so dark. It is believable that people with disabilities are abused but it makes the story so dark. I wish it was lighter.
This was a good book but it wasn't AMAZING! I don't want to tell everyone I know about it but it was good. On a side note I cannot wait for Tristan's story! More den boys please!
August 4, 2018
Love Conquers All
Having physical disabilities shouldn't limit your love life. Neither should it prevent you from being successful in the work force. Or having a family.
Bigotry and prejudice can be overcome by education and open mindedness. May our courts be as blind to sexual preferences as they should be to color and economic status.
A beautiful story of hope, love and perseverance.
Having physical disabilities shouldn't limit your love life. Neither should it prevent you from being successful in the work force. Or having a family.
Bigotry and prejudice can be overcome by education and open mindedness. May our courts be as blind to sexual preferences as they should be to color and economic status.
A beautiful story of hope, love and perseverance.
March 27, 2021
I loved it
Thank you for writing this book. For someone that has epliesy this book is one of my favorites. I don't have it near as bad as caleb. But I do understand where he coming from. Finding someone is not that easy. You also got the med thing right. It's a pain in the ass.
It's a must read book for anyone. Rhys and Caleb's love story gives this 40 year old hope I can find love before it's to late even with all my medical problems.
Thank you for writing this book. For someone that has epliesy this book is one of my favorites. I don't have it near as bad as caleb. But I do understand where he coming from. Finding someone is not that easy. You also got the med thing right. It's a pain in the ass.
It's a must read book for anyone. Rhys and Caleb's love story gives this 40 year old hope I can find love before it's to late even with all my medical problems.
June 8, 2022
Sweet and supportive.
These too were very supportive of eat other and their drawbacks or disabilities. I really enjoyed watching Rhys interact with Caleb and their signing and all his sweet thoughtful moments. However the book really started to drag for me. But that could be all me and my mood atm.
These too were very supportive of eat other and their drawbacks or disabilities. I really enjoyed watching Rhys interact with Caleb and their signing and all his sweet thoughtful moments. However the book really started to drag for me. But that could be all me and my mood atm.
June 12, 2018
Rhys and Caleb are amazing characters and the dynamic between them was so well written I could feel their connection. I was great to get glimpses of the rest of the boys and I can't wait to read a certain former soldier's story.
June 17, 2018
So Sweet
I loved how Caleb was aloud to feel everything that he felt. The characters just meshed so well together. A. T. Brennan hit another one out of the park. I loved the disability aspect. You don't see that much. Kudos for writing outside the box!!
I loved how Caleb was aloud to feel everything that he felt. The characters just meshed so well together. A. T. Brennan hit another one out of the park. I loved the disability aspect. You don't see that much. Kudos for writing outside the box!!
June 23, 2018
Loved!
I really loved this book. I do feel like the end was rushed a little bit. I would have liked for it to be longer and more drawn out with everything that happens at the end. But other wise I loved it and read it in one sitting.
I really loved this book. I do feel like the end was rushed a little bit. I would have liked for it to be longer and more drawn out with everything that happens at the end. But other wise I loved it and read it in one sitting.
June 16, 2018
Great story
I really enjoyed reading this story . . I would recommend it . . Very sweet . . Looking forward to more in the series .
I really enjoyed reading this story . . I would recommend it . . Very sweet . . Looking forward to more in the series .
June 17, 2018
Quite enjoyable..
June 17, 2018
New to me author and I was not disappointed. A great story between Rhys and Caleb.
June 18, 2018
I just loved Rhys and Caleb’s story. This has to be my favourite of the series so far.
June 19, 2018
I LOVED IT!!!!
June 22, 2018
The Den boys series
Just finished book 4 and can't wait for the next! Loved it. Loved all of them. Hoping Tristan will be next.
Just finished book 4 and can't wait for the next! Loved it. Loved all of them. Hoping Tristan will be next.
June 3, 2021
Review to follow
November 10, 2021
Good
This was a cute low-angst read. Although I must admit, I was expecting Caleb's ex to be more of an issue.
This was a cute low-angst read. Although I must admit, I was expecting Caleb's ex to be more of an issue.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews