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Sanctuary #3

Face Value

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An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.

Beckett Jamieson discovers he is adopted when a lawyer hands him a letter from his mother on his twenty-first birthday. His real name is Robert Bullen, but the Bullen family is involved in criminal activity of the worst kind. He decides to bring them down but ends up badly beaten and temporarily blinded. A Sanctuary agent takes him to a safe house to heal.

Doctor Kayden Summers, Sanctuary operative, is not happy about being stuck in the middle of nowhere with an unconscious man. When Beckett wakes, the situation goes from bad to worse. Beckett does not trust him, is as determined as ever to find the evidence his mother hid, and on top of all that, Kayden finds himself attracted to the determined young man.

Can they overcome their issues and eliminate the threat from the Bullen brothers?

230 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 7, 2012

87 people are currently reading
494 people want to read

About the author

R.J. Scott

306 books2,703 followers
RJ Scott writes heartwarming, passionate MM/gay romance stories where every man finds his happily ever after. When not writing, she enjoys reading books, watching movies, spending time with her family, following Formula 1 (Forza Ferrari!), and cheering on the Pittsburgh Penguins. Email her here: rj@rjscott.co.uk

Find RJ here: Amazon | BookBub | Facebook - Also, Never miss a release

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5 stars
374 (28%)
4 stars
506 (37%)
3 stars
381 (28%)
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63 (4%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
Profile Image for ♥Laddie♥ (Lee Lee).
353 reviews127 followers
May 13, 2012
I'm not sure why I'm giving this three stars

I'm pretty sure I'm in the minority where this book and this whole series is concerned.

I don't hate it but I don't love it
There are a lot of books that are above it
And while these stories keep sucking me in
It's not because I think they are a win


This book is about Beckett, who is the long lost son and nephew in the criminal Bullen family from the first two books. This book picks up where the last one left off. Beckett has been beaten damn near to death by his father and his uncle. He's saved by the Sanctuary men and left to heal in a safe house with doctor Kayden Summers.

Kayden is the bad boy doctor
The one who's kickin' ass while takin' names and your temp
He grew up on a mountain in a military compound
with a bunch of really deadly men


So, the book starts off with Beckett getting a beat down. A good bit of action, right? It felt promising seeing as how the last two books were so bland. Turns out those first few scenes got my hopes up for nothing. The majority of this book is Beckett and Kayden in the safe house talking, kissing a little, talking some more and then there's a hand job in there. I was bored. So, so bored.

Usually I don't mind when not much sex takes place
But if there's no sex then the plot needs to be GREAT
The plot here was just a bunch of sitting around
It's like the story got lost and never was found


There's a bit of a mystery about cryptic codes and letters that Beckett's dead mother left him but it wasn't a gripping mystery at all. I was pretty uninterested.

So, why did I stick with this book? I have no idea. I'm pretty neutral about this book and this series. I don't know if that's worse than hating it. In any case, I read it and I can't really recommend it. Usually I love this set-up but this time not so much.
Profile Image for Leo.
4,954 reviews625 followers
June 20, 2021
Listened to the audiobook and while I think it was well told (well written) and quite compelling to listen to, I didn't love it or got attached to either story or characters. It was a decent book to listen to but didn't wake up any emotions.
Profile Image for Karen.
1,860 reviews91 followers
February 6, 2018
RJ Scott + Sean Crisden = happy times...still loving this series. It's been a hella' lot of fun to sit and stitch to...so relaxing.
Profile Image for Amarilli 73 .
2,711 reviews89 followers
April 5, 2017
Anche il terzo episodio è davvero bello.
Da un lato, c'è il figlio segreto della famiglia Bullen, deciso a far luce sui crimini odiosi dei propri parenti, e dall'altro il sexy-adorabile dottore biondo ed esperto di arti marziali Kayden.
Già il nome Kayden riscalda il sangue (dopo Kinnon, adorabile!), ma è la coppia in sé che tiene incollati alle pagine, in attesa di vedere chi tra i due abbasserà la guardia.
Anche qui c'è un rifugio nascosto del Santuario, una baita ipertecnologica e blindata, lontano da tutti e tutto, e due uomini favolosi che imparano a conoscersi, a sfidarsi e ad amarsi.
Il bel dottor Kayden vorrebbe meno pazienti e meno foreste, e si ritrova invece con un solo paziente e davvero molti boschi intorno.
Come al solito RJ Scott concede poche scene di vero sesso, ma cosparge l'intero libro di un sottofondo bollente.
Profile Image for Cadiva.
3,976 reviews433 followers
January 10, 2024
Another suspense focused instalment

3.5*

This one's just as much instalove as the last two but it's got a bit more development in the case overall and I liked the unusual background of the Sanctuary's Doc and all round ninja dude Kayden!

Beckett was also a sweetheart but there's even less sexy times in this book because he spends most of it recovering from being beaten by his mobster uncle and now deceased dad.

Which, actually, is a good thing in terms of its realism, I'd have just liked a tad more together time sans snark and bruising!
Profile Image for Trisha Harrington.
Author 3 books144 followers
June 28, 2013
Face Value is the third installment of R.J. Scott's Sanctuary series. This book was just as good as the others and it was a bit... sweeter, than the last book. The couple was introduced in the last book and we got a bit more one on one in the beginning unlike the other books. I loved the newer dynamic of this book.

Kayden and Beckett met after Beckett was injured. Kayden was the doctor who looked after him and nursed him back to health in a sense. They were not like the last two couples which I did like. This story we got some exploration of the background of an MC. Beckett had to confront his past and the history of his family. It made for an interesting and slow paced relationship with Kayden. I loved how innocent he was, and Kayden? Kayden's unique...

Because of who Beckett is the Bullen saga was brought up again. In many ways this was a point in the series when you realised how far the Bullen's would go. It was sad to see how confused Beckett was with his heritage. One of the things I love about this series and the Bullen saga is that I am not getting lost in it. I'm able to follow and keep the couples separate.



For a series that keeps going and brings in new characters, this is one of the best. I don't feel overwhelmed when reading and it's got the right mixture of couples. So far there hasn't been a couple I haven't liked, and fingers crossed there wont be one. I would suggest people take the chance on this series, you never know if you'll love it.

Another book in the series I would highly recommend!
Profile Image for Ale Rivero.
1,304 reviews119 followers
October 19, 2018
En esta tercera entrega considero que la autora se centró mucho más en el drama que implica la persecución de la familia Bullen que en el romance que es supuestamente la base de todo.
Por eso mismo se me hizo algo pesada la historia, aunque no insoportable y solo me quedé con un poco más de ganas de ver la relación de la pareja principal más a detalle.
Ahora mismo tengo muchas ganas de conocer las historias de Manny y Adam, así que espero que alguno sea protagonista de la siguiente entrega, incluso me llamaría mucho ver a Jake como principal, ya veremos qué me depara el cuarto libro.
En definitva, estas novelas son cortas, de romancee homosexual suave y en algunos momentos algo inexistente, con toques de acción interesantes y un tira y afloje entre las fuerzas del abecedario (FBI, CIA, etc.) de lo más interesante XD. Hasta ahora recomiendo la saga para pasar el rato.
Profile Image for Teri.
1,801 reviews
July 2, 2018
This was cute. It was too short unfortunately, but definitely cute. Nothing new, a trope that's been done a lot, but I enjoyed it. I would have loved for it to be longer and for us to get a little more depth. Kayden has a very interesting past. Would have loved more of the guys together. Pages listed as 230, but I don't think that's accurate. I would like Manny's story if he has one, he tickles me, even though he hasn't had much page time in any book, I am always happy to see him.
Profile Image for Don Bradshaw.
2,427 reviews105 followers
April 3, 2012
Reviewed by Hearts On Fire... http://heartsonfirereviews.com/

Ms Scott has another winner on her hands with this third installment in the on going Sanctuary series. This book picks up pretty much where book two left off. Robert Bullen is working with the Sanctuary group in trying to bring down the Bullen brothers. Robert aka Beckett Jaimeson finds out from his late birth mother's attorney that he was placed and adopted by the Jaimesons right before his mother was killed and that he was also assumed dead also. He returns home to the Bullen estate in an effort to find any evidence to bring down the Bullens with a hint in a letter that his mother left for him with her attorney. Beckett finds a key and a cryptic note that was hidden by his mother but is discovered by his Uncle Alastair and beaten almost to death by his father and Alastair. Beckett wakes up from his trauma temporarily blind and finds himself in the care of Dr. Kayden Summers the brother of the man who founded and ultimately runs Sanctuary. Beckett only trusts Dale McIntyre, the agent that he had been working with and now reassigned since Kayden took over the case. He will not cooperate with a mere doctor until a call to Dale assures Beckett that the doctor is more than capable of protecting him. A slow attraction builds between Kayden and Beckett and trust rises to the surface. The two men try to decipher the message left by Beckett's mother until Beckett finally figures out that the lawyer has the other key and the rest of the code needed to open a safe deposit box. The box supposedly contains evidence left behind by Mrs. Bullen that will help topple the Bullen brothers. This story is more character driven than the last two which was a nice change. The tension between Beckett and Kayden is fully explored during Beckett's long recovery with emotional angst weighing heavily on Beckett until Kayden bares his soul and tells of his own drama growing up. Both main characters are extremely well fleshed out and are very likable. There is the bare minimum of sex in this book which is unusual for Ms Scott but the story works well without it. The plot twist at the end of the story was a surprise to me and added action to the book. If you haven't picked up and started reading this engrossing series, get on it before you miss out on a great ride.
Profile Image for SoCalBookReviews.
602 reviews20 followers
April 5, 2018
This is a Continuation the Sanctuary Series, following along the same storyline but includes some newer characters who we met from book 2. This is not a standalone, and These books really need to be read/listened to in order or you will become lost.
Kayden is an enigma, Part Doctor, and Part Ninja fighter. We get to learn his backstory which is really interesting and complex. And then we have Robert/Beckett Bullen, who is the son/nephew of the bad guys of this series. We learned from the previous book he was trying to uncover information to provide the "good guys" going against his family, which throws him into hiding, and this book continues the story putting him directly into contact and under the protection of Kayden. The two become really close in a very short amount of time. But you can tell they had an instant and strong connection to each other. Just like the first two books, this one is really interesting and fast paced with a decent amount of action.
Audio - Once again Sean Crisden does a great job with this continuation of these books, and listening to this series makes me happy. He really brings every single one of these characters to life and I think his narration for Kayden and Beckett might be my favorite of the first three books. Can wait to hear the next installment.
Profile Image for Joanne .
440 reviews6 followers
April 7, 2012
Face Value is book 3 of RJ Scott's Sanctuary series. For me it's the best one so far. I couldn't put it down. It picks straight up from the end of The Only Easy Day, and this story focuses on Beckett Jamison aka Robert Bullen, as he ends up the care of Sanctuary operative Kayden Summers. This book really pulls the story together and we find out a lot more about the backstory, whilst at the same time The tension between Beckett and Kayden hots up. I devoured this book and I couldn't put it down.
A nice change was the lack of sex in this book, it's refreshing to read a really good story that doesn't add sex in just for the sake of it.
I really love this series and can't wait now for the next book.
Profile Image for Anke.
2,506 reviews97 followers
April 11, 2012
This one was better than the previous one, the suspense was still strong and the pair of MCs got more chemistry. Also it was a more realistic start of the relationship - if you can say that for a romance novel:)). At least there was no sudden deep love. So, now I have to wait for book No. 4.
274 reviews4 followers
February 29, 2020
La storia di Beckett e Kayden risulta molto più tranquilla e forse anche realistica rispetto alle altre. Questa volta è meno presente il sesso e l'azione, ma i due protagonisti sono ben presentati. Ho visto un miglioramento nello stile e nella caratterizzazione.
Profile Image for ~nikki the recovering book addict.
1,248 reviews2 followers
February 23, 2018
3 Stars...

3 Stars.. plus 0.5 stars because I liked this story better. So that’s actually 3.5 stars but rounded down so that makes it 3 stars... lol! I know... I know... that’s some serious convoluted crap there. But argh.... can’t find fault with an author for works that are years ago. I mean, recent works are awesome so I guess I just have to suck it up for older works. Right?

I think I’ve figured out the formula for this series. Badass operative + brave (and sometimes silly) civilian + some fighting (as in, with the bad guys) = instalove. Well, the civilian part is debatable because book 2 has an active navy seal and apparently book 4 is an FBI agent so....faulty equation. But the instalove is real. It’s not the love at first sight kind of instalove. But the kind that has declarations of love after 24 hours of meeting.

I might not continue the series. It just makes me aggravated and having to keep telling myself “at least recent works are awesome” over and over again. It’s too much...I can’t handle it. Lol
Profile Image for Saimi Vasquez.
1,931 reviews93 followers
November 16, 2019
La historia del hijo de la familia que investigaban (Becket) y el medico de Sanctuary (Kayden), una relacion llena de pasion y necesidad de compañia de ambos.
Becket, se habia "inflitrado" en su familia consanguinea para conseguir evidencias que probaran que habian matado a su madre, pero en un descuido lo descubren y lo golpean hasta casi matarlo, pero es salvado por Joseph y Dale que entran y matan a su padre y logran sacarlo.
Kayden "hermano" del dueño de Sanctuary (Jack), es el medico designado para la organizacion, tambien es el mejor hombre en combate mano-a-mano.
Cuando le entregan a Becket para lo cure de todos los golpes que casi lo matan, se siente atraido por la fortaleza fisica y psicologica del hombre, ademas de su terquedad.
La relacion entre ambos es narrada mayormente del lado de Backet, por lo que algunas de las decisiones que toma Kayden se pierden en el desarrollo de la trama. Sin embargo, es un libro facil y rapido de leer, entretenido donde el romance no es lo principal, sino que es un capitulo mas de la saga para atrapar a la familia Bullen.
Espero el proximo libro para saber como logran tumbar a la mafia de la familia Bullen.
Profile Image for Barb ~rede-2-read~.
3,726 reviews113 followers
February 7, 2020
Another installment in this Sanctuary series, I liked the action scenes though I couldn't really buy in to the plot or the romance. The story was pretty OTT with the trope of a senator whose brothers are mob but no one knows and when one wife is killed mysteriously no one suspects foul play. Years later, a letter written to her son surfaces and leads him and the group from Sanctuary to evidence that might put the crime family out of business. But that part is to be continued in another book.

An unrealistic scenario with a lot of bantering back and forth between a young man blinded by a beating and his young doctor leads to, of course, love (or the promise of it) after only a few days. I stretched my imagination for the crime family plot but couldn't stretch far enough for the romance. Sorry.

Profile Image for Nicki - The Overflowing Bookcase .
4,767 reviews175 followers
August 29, 2020
When Beckett finds out that he is not who he thinks he is his life becomes a nightmare only to be aided by the men from Sanctuary. When he needs medical help it is Kayden that comes to his aide. But will Kayden open his heart to the man who has enough baggage to fill an airplane? I just loved Kayden and his connection with Beckett made this an awesome read. I hope the rest of the series keeps the level of intrigue and heart as this one.
Profile Image for Pixie Mmgoodbookreviews.
1,206 reviews43 followers
April 9, 2012
4 stars

First published at Mm Good Book Reviews

http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.co...


Beckett is in grave danger, after finding out that he was adopted and that his own mother died he goes to his biological father to carry out the instructions in the letter left to him by his mother but now he is beaten, temporarily blinded and stuck in a safe house with a man he doesn’t even know. Kayden is frustrated to be stuck in the middle of nowhere when he could be out on assignment doing something, but then Beckett wakes up and things just might get interesting.

A great continuation of the Sanctuary series. This book starting where the last book finished so I have to advise that you read the series in order. Beckett is searching for something that his mother left behind in her favorite room in the Bullen household when he is caught by his uncle. He gets rescued by Sanctuary, but his recovery is not easy. Kayden is a slight enigma, because even though we find out a lot about his background and his skills I still felt like there was more to discover about him. Beckett is quite straight forward, as all he wants is to find what his mother had hidden and get the truth over his friend’s death, get justice and then get as far away from his father and uncles as possible.

So the story is well written, the emotions that they all go through are well portrayed and the relationship is off to a good beginning, so thumbs up R.J. We have a good feel for the mystery, suspense and the twist and we get to enjoy a bit of angst from Beckett until Kayden shares his past with him. I can understand Beckett’s frustration over not being able to do what he wanted when he wanted and Kayden’s slight humor at thwarting him. The two men do have an attraction to each other and a budding relationship is in the works, the sex is extremely low-key there’s some kissing and right at the end we get the very beginning of some foreplay… so I warn you now you might wish violence on the author for her abrupt ending. *Grrr*

I liked all the secondary characters (except the Bullens) even the FBI guy (although I felt perverse pleasure at his frustration) and I felt so sorry for poor Austin (the family lawyer), we get to see Manny again and we meet Adam who is also with Sanctuary. So how many more stories can we look forward to? *Squee*

A great addition to the Sanctuary series so I recommend this to those who love mystery, suspense, a bit of action, some danger, a budding attraction/relationship and two stubborn men who strike sparks off each other.
Profile Image for Serena Yates.
Author 104 books769 followers
April 7, 2012
This series is managing to keep the suspense going and definitely has my attention. Where we heard from the witness to a brutal murder in the first book, the victim’s step-brother in the second, this third volume now adds the point of view of the victim’s pseudo-boyfriend, who is also a member of the Bullen family, or rather the three brothers who are behind all the illegal activity. This story just gets more interesting every time there is a new book out.

Beckett Jamieson has a lot to digest in this book. Finding out you’re the son of a criminal involved in who knows what, that your mother protected you by having you adopted and hidden away, and being given documents that may be able to bring the evil family down is a lot to handle. Add the fact that one of his uncles beats him almost to death when he finds Beckett snooping, and you’ve got a full-blown catastrophe on your hands. As young as Becket is, though, he shows great determination (if not always circumspection) in going after the bad guys.

Kayden is a doctor with a colorful background , to say the least. He is also a Sanctuary operative, and ends up having to protect Beckett. In typical macho fashion he spits and splutters, trying to get someone else assigned to the case, but, pretty quickly, he discovers having Beckett around is not so bad after all. His determination to protect Beckett against all threats, including the younger man’s exuberance, is great to watch.

The focus of this story is definitely the crime investigation and Beckett’s growing realization of what really happened seventeen years ago between his mother and Gregory Bullen. The budding relationship between the two men is secondary, but is a nice additional element. If you like stories with a lot of mystery, and of men who will do anything to make sure justice is done, you will probably like this book.



NOTE: This book was provided by Silver Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Profile Image for DaisyGirl.
1,206 reviews67 followers
November 1, 2012
1.5 Stars

On his twenty-first birthday, Beckett Jamieson discovers he's adopted. His real name is Robert Bullen of the Bullen crime family. While trying to solve the mystery of his birth-mother’s death and bring the Bullen family to justice, Beck gets caught by his biological father and uncle. He is badly beaten and temporarily blinded. Doctor Kayden Summers, a Sanctuary operative, is assigned to care for Beck. Spending time together in the safe house and tracking down the clues left by Beck’s birth mom leads to a budding romance.

This is the third book in the Sanctuary series and once again, I’m unable to really connect with the MCs. I don’t care much for either Beck or Kayden. I mean they’re both nice enough but I never felt any chemistry between the two. In The Only Easy Day (the second book in the series), it seemed that the “love” story was forced; the MCs were more in lust than in love. In this book, the MCs didn’t even have that. No smexy scenes here aside from a quick hand job on the couch. *yawn*

I think part of the problem, for me, is that the back story doesn’t cut the mustard. The Bullen crime family and the mystery behind the murder of Elisabeth Costain aren’t robust enough to sustain a series. On top of that, Beck and Kayden were blasé IMHO.

Bottom line: I had a hard time finishing this one. The concept behind the Sanctuary series has potential but I’m just not enjoying it. It’s doubtful that I’ll continue on.
335 reviews1 follower
April 5, 2015
Every Sanctuary book features another couple with an underlying criminal cases that stretches across all books. Recommended to read them in order.
Beckett is Gregory Bullen’s biological son but he hardly knows his dad. When he was four his mother understood what kind of man her husband was and she made sure he got away just before she died – he was adopted and grew up under another name. Now he’s 21 he’s receiving a legacy from his mom: proof of the criminal activities of the Bullen clan. When his dad and uncle find out, Beckett is almost beaten to death and wakes up in a Sanctuary safe house under the care of Kayden, Sanctuary’s in-house doctor. Soon sparks are flying between doctor and patient but the Bullen family is leaving no stone unturned to make sure Beckett doesn’t live to hand over his mother’s evidence to the police.

Even though I liked Kayden and Beckett I didn’t connect to them the same way I did with the other Sanctuary couples. Somehow this book felt rushed to me, a link to the rest of the story but unsatisfying on the romantic side.
Profile Image for Trish.
302 reviews19 followers
November 9, 2012
I really liked this installment. Beckett is only 21 in years but he has seen a lot which gave him an older sense of maturity and confidence.

The suspense and mystery of the story flowed well but the book was not as long as I thought. MC's had great chemistry but would have liked to see a bit more conversation b/w them before all hell broke loose. For example we know Beckett is studying at college but what does he want to do in life? And since Kayden did share his past with Beckett (all be it in a rushed convo in the car) they could have shared a bit more.

Overall was a good book and looking forward to Adam's story next.


Profile Image for O'Flaherty.
100 reviews21 followers
July 3, 2013
These guys are so cute! i really enjoyed this one as well, to be honest, it bothers me how pretty little romance there are in the books, it's alway all resolved (romantically) in the last few pages, that kinda sucks but the story is very captivating and I always want to know more about the murder and the whole mystery around it.
I'm also glad this one had a little more "action", a few tense moments during the end that I did not see coming.
so all in all, another great story in the series and will most definitely buy the next one right now!


175 reviews
April 17, 2018
2.5 stars

Well ... this was better than book two. But it lost me pretty early on when Kayden, a doctor, had a *very* battered and injured Beckett in his care and kept having internal monologues about how beautiful Beckett was. You know, the same Beckett whose face was so badly beaten he literally couldn't open his eyes.

I did keep reading, hoping to get to some sort of conclusion with the ongoing story arc, but alas it looks like it will continue on in book four without me.

And please can this author stop with all the low-key misogyny. Lord knows these characters are Manly Men, but even they are allowed to have feelings. Feelings are not just for "girls."
Profile Image for Usagi Tsukino.
1,146 reviews12 followers
June 21, 2012
I quite didn't like Kayden at the beginning of the book, but after a while I changed my mind, he wasn't that bad.
And, oh, Beckett- I wanted to hug him! Baby!
It was so intriguing, the only thing that made me stop reading was the fact that I needed to go to sleep.
Profile Image for Shaz.
883 reviews130 followers
October 11, 2021
Picking up where "The Only Easy Day" left off, this is another fantastic addition to this series. I really love R.J. Scott's writing. It hits all the right notes for me.

There's suspense, action, hot, smexy guys and a great story to boot. Maybe in this one in particular, the guys did seem to get together rather quickly and suddenly. And I will admit I do like a bit of a build-up, some sexual tension that sizzles...

But overall the story was great; and I've already started the next one!
Profile Image for Shannon.
2,163 reviews45 followers
April 10, 2016
This was an entertaining read but felt like only part of a story to me. It ended and in my head I said "W.T.F?", maybe it was out loud, I don't remember. :) I did like both MCs and even though they got together fairly quickly, I wanted to see more of them. Learn more about them, just be with them a little longer. Maybe we'll get more of them later in the series. Fun read.
Profile Image for Denise.
Author 5 books29 followers
July 8, 2012
3.5 stars. I liked this read but didn't love it. I really liked Beck and Kayden. I can't put my finger on what I didn't care for.

It may be the overlap with the previous book and the fact that the mystery was pretty much solved. Maybe the book was too short? The boys were just at the early stages of a relationship; it would have been nice to see how it developed.
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