Return

Rewind #2

by Rowan Shaw

Unable to find an apartment he could afford in Paris, Raphaël Diop had no other choice but to move in with the enigmatic Adrien Dupuis, a charming man with many secrets.

If cohabitation seemed like a bad idea from the start, things only got worse when Adrien acknowledged his attraction to Raphaël, making an offer difficult to resist.

But sleeping together wasn’t an option for Raphaël, not when it might cost him the only place where he could live.

Could they truly ignore their desire for each other, or could Raphaël believe that one night together might be worth risking it all?

RETURN is a bisexual romance set entirely in France. It contains MM and MF scenes. Though part of a series, it is a standalone story without a cliffhanger.

Check the Interactive Pages in the book for the complete glossary, maps, list of characters, and more...

Warning for readers triggered by biphobia as well as depression.

Check the Interactive Pages in the book for the complete glossary, maps, list of characters, and more...

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Friends To Lovers, LGBT, Bisexual, Romance, Queer

373 pages, Paperback

First published June 17, 2019

About the author

Rowan Shaw is the queer author of REWIND, a bisexual romance series set entirely in her home country, France.

Her writing is own voices when it comes to bisexuality, queerness, and French culture. 

Addicted to reading and writing, Rowan can usually be found with a book in her hands or sitting in front of her computer, typing while listening to music from the 80's.

***

You can find her on various social media:

Twitter: @rowanshawauthor
Instagram: @rowanshawwrites
Facebook: @rowanshawwriter
Pinterest: @rowanshawwriter

Reviews

[K.R. Phoenix · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5 stars
🔥🔥🔥🔥 Heat Level: 4.5

So good with wonderful (bisexual) characters!

All these characters are dynamic and charismatic. I loved the mystery that was Adrien. I kept wondering what his secrets were, who he was and why he was so guarded. His story is a sad one and I love that Raphaël is able to help him heal and open up. 

The story features the characters from book one but is a standalone story. Both characters need something from the other and their chemistry flies off the page! All interactions with Adrien are hot, hot, hot!!! Adrien has such a big heart and doesn't realize he deserves more in life and love. He is surrounded by friends whom he met in a unique way but love him anyway.

The secondary characters in this book are just as awesome as the mains and I especially loved Noah and Charlotte. Both are equally compelling and I'd really love to know more about Noah and his boyfriend, there seems to be more to their story. 

As ever Rowan's writing was a joy to read, with easy flow and complex intricacies of the story that kept me engrossed till the end. I loved that Raphaël and Adrien each came to their own self-discoveries and realizations both separately and together and the story ends with a wonderful happy for now ending. I'd love more of Raphaël and Adrien so hopefully, we might be lucky enough to glimpse them in book 3. I can't wait for more wonderful writing and authentic bisexual stories!! I loved it!!

Thanks for reading! For great stories, reviews and more please visit https://bookstattoosandtea.wordpress.com 📚

[Eliott Griffen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought Rewind couldn’t be topped. I was wrong.
This book is mandatory (as all Rowan’s are) for anyone who is bi or would like to know what being bi really is like. Even though pairings in her books ultimately are MM, she doesn’t erase women, neither does she demonize them (as many MM romance authors do) in order to justify a relationship between two men. There doesn’t have to be a justification. Love is love. To me personally, that behavior is homophobia.
The second thing I loved about this book is Rowan’s approach to the job of an escort. It is a job. Like any other job. Adrien does what he loves and no one should be judging him.
Both Adrien and Raphael grow throughout the book, and in the end realize what is really important in life.
I’ll probably edit this review. I’m still recovering from the book. 
This is not a fluffy piece to entertain you. This is a book about self-discovery and hard life decisions. This is what own voices books are. Real, not imaginary. I highly recommend this book.

[Heather Bass · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a couple of books by this author but she always blows my mind. I’m new to the m/m romance but this story exceeded all my expectations. This is the second book in the Rewind series and it was all I wanted and more. I was so happy when I got this book. I could not put it down for anything. It only took me a few hours to devour this incredible story.

Raphael has no place to go. He left home when he was a young man and now he is trying to find a place to live. Raphael finds an add for an apartment for rent. He goes to see the apartment and he is shocked that he can afford it. Raphael and his new room mate Adrien are totally different. When they start to get to know each other they find out that they have feelings for one another. Raphael likes Aiden but they both have secrets that could ruin everything. Will Raphael and Adrien find what they are looking for or will they find trouble instead?

I absolutely loved this book. The storyline has it all romance, mystery, and forgiveness. You can’t help but to fall in love with these characters. Raphael had a hard life when he was a child but it only made him stronger. He has a heart of gold and loves very deeply. Aiden has a very hard time letting people into his life. He also had a hard life but he puts walls up to protect himself from heartache. These characters have some steamy scenes that might not be for some readers. This talented author will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end. I can’t wait to see what this author will write about next.

[Peter Herold · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book of the series I read - I had mistakenly understood the first one was historic and not contemporary, I prefer contemporary- and I really liked the positive portrayal of bi+ people of all genders as well as the secondary characters beyond Adrien and Raphaël and the descriptions of life in France. The ending was unexpected and satisfying on many levels. My only gripe: the cover doesn't really reflect these multiple aspects, it reflects more the steamy sex (of which there is a lot), but the book is much more than this.

[Sara Oxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Return by Rowan Shaw a five-star read that you won’t want to ever return. This is the second novel in the Rewind series, that being said it can be read as stand-alone. This has been a great series as its rare to find novels set in France and the beauty of the setting descriptions are well done and you enjoy them so much. The alternating POV can be a little troublesome at times, or maybe that’s just me, but on the other side it did give balance to the story. This may not be for everyone as it does show us amazing M/M scenes and it has an amazing depth that will surprise you, do give the series a go as you won’t be disappointed.

[Karolina Cebula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review in English and Polish || Recenzja po angielsku i polsku

Raphaël is about to start his studies in Paris, unfortunately having no place to stay, he's forced to find any kind of accommodation as soon as possible. Adrien, a young, attractive man on whose room rental offer Raphaël responds seems to be his last hope. Although their first meeting is not particularly successful, they both decide to give each other a chance and become roommates. Getting to know each other better and better each day, they begin to see not only each other's faults, but also advantages. Over time, between the two of them forms a bond, which begins to take on a different shape with each moment, when their mutual affection becomes more difficult to ignore.

ATTENTION, THIS PARAGRAPH MAY CONTAIN SOME SPOILERS
In other words, I would like to start my review of "Return" with a topic that I can't ignore, and which in the novel is really important. It is undoubtedly a controversial one, so the more I would like to write about it a little. What I have in mind is the profession of being an escort and how the author approached this subject. First of all, Rowan Shaw undoubtedly showed us great courage, because not every author is brave enough to create a character who is a full time escort in a serious novel, which purpose is to show the readers some topics which are full of depth and meaning. But what's the most important, she doesn't judge this profession or the people who do it. On the contrary, she shows us a job, like any other, a job that someone likes and is proud of. To tell the truth, the presentation of the topic may surprise some readers, which is fully understandable. Personally, I was surprised, but I admit that it was a positive surprise, because it was a great lesson of having an open mind.
END OF SPOILERS

Another topic that I really want to discuss is sex, or more like a lot of sex. I admit, this novel is full of it, because on the one hand it is the subject of many conversations and reflections, while on the other it is also part of the plot of "Return". In the case of many novels right now we would wonder if there's too much sex, or if it was hot enough, and so on. However, in this novel these are not the questions that come to the fore. The most important is what the author managed to show us in this way. There is no doubt that in "Return" sex is an integral part of the presented story, and in this way, by making a large number of sexual intercourse the center of the book, Rowan Shaw is building the subject of the meaning of sex in the life of an average sexually active person. Some of us probably don't even realize how high on the list of human body needs sex is and how easy it is to cross the line between sex and feelings, and this is what the author shows us in "Return".

Another interesting theme that gives this novel even more depth is widely presented jealousy. It would seem that it is not a big deal, because what new can be written about jealousy. It turns out, however, that by combining many very different elements, Rowan Shaw managed to show this problem at an interesting angle. In "Return" it is important that jealousy is simply a human thing and the closer we are with this other person, the easier it is for that feeling to occur, even if we don't realize it. Another thing that is quite well presented in the novel is the consequence of jealousy. The author shows that it is impossible to win against jealousy, but it can be used as a motivation to act. Because it's important to remember that every person has a different reaction to jealousy. Feelings are not an equation, they don't always consist of the same elements, they don't always give us one correct result. And this is what we see in this novel.

You can believe me or not, but everything that I have written so far has many common points. Some of the most important ones are the comfort zone, the need for life stabilization and fear of changes, which are closely related to one of the characters – Adrien. The fact that in the novel everything fits together perfectly and creates a neat whole is simply amazing. However, let's return to the points I have mentioned. I think that the author presented them in a really good, sensible way that touches the readers' feelings right away. What's more, it is thanks to them that we understand Adrien better and at some point we see him in a completely different light than at the very beginning of "Return", when we don't know much about him, his feelings, or his psyche. All this clearly proves that Rowan Shaw rethought her novel from the beginning to the end, she devoted a lot of time, energy and heart to it.

In summary, "Return" is a really valuable, interesting and very well-written novel that quickly draws the readers in and makes them think. Undoubtedly, this is a book which can change something in the audiences' way of thinking, and can shed more light on many topics, about which we usually don't think too much. In short, "Return" is a novel really worth reading!

__________________________

Raphaël rozpoczyna studia w Paryżu, niestety nie mając gdzie zamieszkać, jest zmuszony jak najszybciej znaleźć dla siebie jakieś lokum. Jego jedyną nadzieją wydaje się być Adrien, młody, atrakcyjny mężczyzna, na którego ogłoszenie wynajmu pokoju Raphaël odpowiada. Wprawdzie ich pierwsze spotkanie nie należy do szczególnie udanych, jednak obaj postanawiają dać sobie nawzajem szansę zostając współlokatorami. Poznając się coraz lepiej z każdym dniem, zaczynają powoli dostrzegać nie tylko swoje wady, ale także zalety. Z czasem tworzy się między nimi więź, która z każdą chwilą zaczyna przybierać coraz to inny kształt, kiedy ich wzajemne zainteresowanie sobą nawzajem staje się trudniejsze do zignorowania.

UWAGA, TEN AKAPIT MOŻE ZAWIERAĆ SPOILERY
Inaczej mówiąc, moją recenzję „Return” chciałabym zacząć od tematu, którego nie potrafię pominąć, a który w powieści zajmuje naprawdę bardzo istotne miejsce. Jest on niewątpliwie kontrowersyjny, tak więc tym bardziej chciałabym się do niego odnieść. Chodzi mianowicie o zawód pana do towarzystwa oraz o to, jak autorka do niego podeszła. Po pierwsze, niewątpliwie wykazała się dużą odwagą, ponieważ nie każdy autor ma w sobie na tyle dużo ikry, aby w poważnej powieści, która jest nastawiona na poruszenie pełnych głębi i znaczenia tematów pokusić się o ukazanie postaci będącej panem do towarzystwa w pełnym wymiarze godzin. Co jednak najważniejsze, Rowan Shaw nie ocenia ani tego zawodu, ani osób, które go wykonują. Wręcz przeciwnie, pokazuje nam pracę, jak każda inna, którą ktoś może lubić, z której może być dumny. Prawdę mówiąc takie ukazanie tematu może dziwić niektórych czytelników, co jest w pełni zrozumiałe. Mnie osobiście zaskoczyło, ale przyznaję, że pozytywnie, ponieważ autorka dała mi wspaniałą lekcję otwartości umysłu.
KONIEC SPOILERÓW

Kolejnym tematem, który niewątpliwie chciałabym poruszyć jest seks, a nawet bardzo dużo seksu. Przyznaję, powieść jest nim przepełniona, bowiem z jednej strony stanowi on przedmiot wielu rozmów i rozważań, zaś z drugiej jest także częścią akcji „Return”. W przypadku wielu powieści, zastanawialibyśmy się teraz, czy aby nie było go zbyt wiele, czy był wystarczająco gorący, i tak dalej. W tej powieści nie są to jednak pytania, które wysuwają się na pierwszy plan. Najważniejsze jest bowiem to, co autorka zdołała nam w ten sposób pokazać. Nie ulega wątpliwości, że w „Return” seks stanowi integralną część przedstawionej historii i właśnie w ten sposób, poprzez postawienie w centrum książki dużej liczby zbliżeń seksualnych, Rowan Shaw na naszych oczach buduje temat znaczenia seksu w życiu przeciętnego seksualnie aktywnego człowieka. Część z nas pewnie nawet nie zdaje sobie sprawy z tego, jak wysoko na liście potrzeb ludzkiego organizmu może plasować się seks i jak łatwo jest przekroczyć granicę między seksem, a uczuciem, a właśnie to w „Return” ukazuje nam autorka.

Kolejnym ciekawym tematem, który nadaje powieści głębi jest szeroko przedstawiona zazdrość. Wydawać by się mogło, że to nic wielkiego, bo niby, co nowego można napisać na temat zazdrości. Okazuje się jednak, że poprzez połączenie wielu bardzo różnych elementów, Rowan Shaw udało się ukazać ten problem pod interesującym kątem. W „Return” istotne jest bowiem to, że zazdrość to po prostu rzecz ludzka i im bliższa jest nam druga osoba, tym łatwiej o to wspomniane uczucie, nawet jeśli nie zdajemy sobie z tego sprawy. Kolejna całkiem dobrze przedstawiona w powieści rzecz to następstwa zazdrości. Autorka pokazuje, że nie sposób z nią wygrać, ale można ją wykorzystać jako motywację do działania. Bo ilu ludzi, tyle różnych reakcji na zazdrość możemy się doliczyć. Uczucia nie są równaniem, nie zawsze składają się z tych samych elementów, nie zawsze dają jeden właściwy wynik. I to widzimy w tej powieści.

Możecie mi wierzyć lub nie, ale wszystko, o czym do tej pory pisałam posiada wiele punktów wspólnych, z czego jednymi z ważniejszych są strefa komfortu, potrzeba życiowej stabilizacji oraz strach przed zmianami, które łączą się ściśle z postacią Adriena. Fakt, że w powieści wszystko tak idealnie do siebie pasuje i tworzy zgrabną całość jest czymś po prostu wspaniałym. Wracając jednak do wymienionych przeze mnie tematów, uważam, że autorka przedstawiła je w naprawdę dobry, sensowny sposób, który dociera prosto do uczuć czytelnika. Co więcej, to właśnie za ich sprawą lepiej rozumiemy Adriena i postrzegamy go w zupełnie innym świetle niż na samym początku „Return”, kiedy to nie wiemy zbyt wiele o jego wnętrzu, uczuciach, jego psychice. Wszystko to jednoznacznie świadczy o tym, że Rowan Shaw przemyślała swoją powieść od początku do końca, poświęciła jej wiele czasu, energii i serca.

Podsumowując, „Return” jest naprawdę wartościową, interesującą i bardzo dobrze napisaną powieścią, która szybko wciąga czytelnika i zmusza go do myślenia. Niewątpliwie jest to książka, której przeczytanie może zmienić coś w sposobie myślenia odbiorcy, może rzucić więcej światła na wiele tematów, o których z reguły nie myśli się zbyt wiele. „Return” naprawdę warto przeczytać!

[Jennifer☠Pher☠ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure. Had I known what this story was about I wouldn’t have read this. The blurb doesn’t really give any indication either. I just knew after reading Rewind I had to read Raphaël’s story, especially with the little taste we got in the first book.

But man oh man, this story is so far out of my comfort zone. I mean, SO FAR OUT.

Am I glad I read it regardless of that?

I don’t know.

Yes.

Probably.

It was compelling and it was real.

I don’t know if this was a romance per se, although it kind of was, it seemed more like an awakening. What is a coming of age story for grown-ups called? It was like that. It read like a rediscovering of life.

The writing was stellar and while the subject matter just isn’t my thing, I found the book impossible to put down.

So I guess the answer is yes. I am very glad I read it.

**ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.**

[Isabelle D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most of what I said about REWIND applies to this second book too...

as a native French speaker, I loved the French words and phrases used in the dialogues.

Again, the characters are supposed to speak French so it could have been entirely translated for English speaking readers but it's fun for us to have some lines in French (guaranteed correct, too, as the author is a French woman living in the US).

I also particularly liked the alternating points of view

Always the best way to get to know both MCs. :) As they're both in first person and it switches for each new chapter, most of which are short, it can get slightly confusing for a few lines if you've been too engrossed in a scene to pay attention to the new chapter's header but it really makes the reader share their feelings and it's way less confusing than when third person is used for two people with the same pronouns.

I will always prefer "closed bedroom door" romances but, when I really like the characters and the story, I'm willing to cope with a higher "level of heat"

It's even higher here but I was warned and I didn't mind because I already loved Raphaël from his appearances as Florian's best friend in REWIND and, even if there are many scenes of that kind (including threesomes), there's also much more to the story, just like in the other book. Serious issues are addressed, some funny dialogues and situations lighten the mood when needed and the characters are just... impossible to resist.

Now I'm not only looking forward to the next books - I also already plan to read the whole series again when it's complete.

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

While i ended up loving this book at first I really was feeling very little to no connection to either character while I was reading. Raphaël was living in his own world with little to no interaction with Adrien. Adrien was so closed off and gave minimal information about himself. Little bits and pieces were fed to us along the way but once Adrien opened up to Raphaël all things changed. I was *FLOORED* over what came out of his mouth. When he freaked out on Raphaël with his verbal diarrhea...the pieces finally made sense. The friendship started from there with undercurrents of something else. From that point on i was easily hooked on these two characters.

This is the second book in this series and by this author for me. I liked getting to know Raphaël more and meeting Adrien. Adrien’s life..I can’t even imagine... but i think he is happy with it to an extent. There are some things missing from his life and once Raphaël shows up things start to change inside him.

All of the secondary characters were good. They fit in perfectly with the story and held their places. I loved seeing Raphaël’s parents again. They are truly wondrous!

My only issue with the book was I did have a few moments when I had to google to figure out what a few items and terms were. So maybe the author could have included an explanation when it was first mentioned to help any confusion to any reader.

I see Parker’s story is next! I can’t imagine what is in store for him!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read about opposites. Raphael is just looking for a flat in Paris. He finds one but the owner seems to be an arrogant young man with erotic pictures on his walls. With nowhere else to go, Raphael takes a risk and moves in despite their opposites. Can they get along and make it work?
A great read. Well developed plot with twists and turns that I just couldn't put down. Well developed characters like Adrien sarcastic and arrogant but vulnerable underneath or Raphael cautious and shy but caring underneath. I really liked the contrasts between them done to perfection to make their dislike relatable. The only issue I would raise is that I felt that Daniel was unnecessary and jarred from the narrative.
I loved the visual detail throughout the novel like with the inside Ariens hous with the wide rooms and white floors and ornate tiles for a sense of luxuty.and contrasting wonderfully with the bold and bright colours of the paintings perfectly written. Or the college in the rain with the umbrella and waiting in the queue so vivd it's as if you're actually there.
Once again, a wonderful tale about sexuality with a wonderful representation of gay people and their struggles in society. The switch of perspectives worked well to display both sides of the story and different ways of life and was easy to follow with names in chapter titles. Overall, a great read and I would give it five stars.

[Laura Furuta · Rating 5 out of 5]

RETURN (Rewind Book 2)
By: Rowan Shaw
5 out of 5 stars

The story RETURN (Rewind Book 2) by Rowan Shaw is an amazing book that I fell in love with and just couldn’t put down. It pulled me in from the very beginning and I found myself lost reading the storyline and about the characters. It is a story that tells the tale of Raphael Diop and Adrien Dupuis. Raphael meets Adrien when he is trying to find a place to stay. He is a student and wonders just who the man standing in front of his really is. Adrien is a man who is handsome and stubborn. Both Raphael and Adrien seem to have a tendency to deny or ignore what is at times right before them. There is an attraction between them. There is also sparks as well as desire. What does the future hold for Raphael and Adrien? Read this book to find out. This story is at times emotional and also has some romantic scenes that are very steamy. I found myself growing to care about Adrien and Raphael with each chapter that I read, and I wanted them to be happy. There are intense conversations between these two. I enjoyed the bantering that goes back and forth between them. There are additional characters introduced and have their own part to play in the story. This is a wonderful story with characters that are unforgettable and come alive on the page. I would highly recommend reading this book.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Return by Rowan Shaw
My rating: 5 out of 5 stars!

This was an excellent second book to Rewind. Raphael and Adrien are wonderfully written characters and their story is beautiful. I also really liked the glimpse of Enzo and Florian to get a taste of how their relationship is working out.

Raphael is such a strong man. I didn’t think at first that he would be able to follow all of the rules set in place when moving into Adrien’s apartment, but he did even though he broke the biggest rule but kept it to himself. He struggles a lot with his feelings for Adrien but manages to suppress them so that he can continue living in the apartment and has somewhere to sleep.

Adrien broke my heart. His whole story is heart wrenching from his family issues to how young he was when he started his current job. I can understand him completely not wanting to give up or let anything interfere with his job because he needs the money and never wants to have to live on the streets again. At the same time my heart hurts because if you finally found love, wouldn’t you do anything to keep it?

The secondary characters are just as wonderful, I love how they have Adrien’s back through it all even if it may mean they can no longer do business with him, as long as he was happy. An overall fantastic book, I would highly recommend. I can’t wait to see more from this author!

[Amy Dufera - Amy's MM Romance Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
Rowan Shaw's Return, is another fantastic read. The second of the Rewind series, it's easily read as a standalone.

Return centers around Adrien and Raphael, who become roommates when Raphael's looking for somewhere to live.

Adrien is one hell of a mysterious and complex character. We learn that deep down, Adrien feels worthless, and his job is his only way to feel valuable. His story is complex, heart-breaking, and extremely well done.

As a couple, Adrien and Raphael have amazing chemistry. Their story centers around bisexuality, including some MF sex, which although some readers hate having a woman involved, there's a steamy voyeuristic scene. Their story also includes a painful past, unrecognized talent, and a long lost family.

The author's writing style is great, with wonderful development, strong characters, and a fantastic flow. That said, I struggled with the female, as she just needed more development to fit into the story for me. I felt she was just a placeholder, forced into the storyline. However, the bisexuality aspect is well illustrated.

Overall, Return is a lovely, riveting story of redemption. Rowan Shaw beautifully weaves this serious, emotional story with some amazing chemistry. It's an amazing read!

[H. Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of Return in exchange for an honest review.

I read Return in one sitting. I am usually up for a good MM romance and this one was no different. It did take me a few chapters to get into the story and writing, but once I was into it I was really into it. The central story line was a little more than just two people having sex and eventually falling in love, I mean…it was that, but it was also a little more complex and that’s something I really enjoy in my MM romances.

The characters were really well done and while I thought there could have been some more world building, I did enjoy the Parisian setting.

My favourite aspect was that both MCs were BI! As a Bi girl myself, I am always really excited to jump into a book with Bi rep. I think Return did this REALLY well and I will definitely be picking up more Rowan Shaw books if we get more awesome Bi characters like these.

It did feel like a quick read and I would have liked more of a slow burn between our MCs, but overall it was an enjoyable and quick read! I would definitely recommend to those of you who love a good MM romance.

[Karyn Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Return is the 2nd book in the Rewind Series by Rowan Shaw. The rewind series is a set of contemporary bisexual romances set in France. This book contains m/m, m/f and m/f/m sexual scenes.
I had previously read the first book in this series, Rewind, and had thoroughly enjoyed it so was looking forward to reading this. My only concern was that I did not like the main character, Raphael in the first book. I decided that I would forget that I had known him before and judge him purely on this book. I’m so glad I did as I really loved the character of Raphael in this book. The author really gets you to know so much about her main characters and there was so much to Raphael that you couldn’t help but love him.
I also adored the other main character Adrien. He‘s such a complex character with so much heartache in his past that he feels unlovable. The interaction between Raphael and Adrien was great to read, with both of them trying hard to resist their growing attraction to each other.
I loved this story and can’t wait to see what Rowan Shaw has for us in the next instalment in this series.

[Xanthe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful story of growing friendship, love and acceptance. Adrien and Raphael come together when Raph becomes Adrien's roommate. It's a slow growing relationship as they are different people with different childhoods, experiences and sense of self. It's definitely interesting to read Adrien and the views he has on himself and love. With his occupation he's fulfilling certain needs but not necessarily in the right way. Raphael gets his first experience of the big city and adulthood. There's a roller-coaster of emotion throughout the whole book for each man individually and as they navigate their way through their relationship. Rowan has given us a beautiful story with two men who deserve love, acceptance and free friendship and is also set in the beautiful city of Paris. Thank God for the translate function on my kindle for all of the French sentences dotted through the story.
Definitely a recommended read and a great follow up to rewind.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review

[Michelle Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Return was a great 5 star read and book two in the Rewind series.
I really enjoyed the first book in the series and was excited to read this one. Once I started I didn’t want to put it down.

We get Raphael and Adrien’s story. Raphael is moving to Paris for his studies and needs to find a place to live. When he answers to an ad that Adrien has posted, things take an interesting twist.

Adrien was very quiet at first. As the days go by they get to know each other better and start to have a deep connection. The life that Adrien leads is something else but when Raphael came along things changed for Adrien.

Can Adrien and Raphael have a future together? Will they get the HEA they both deserve?

There are some very interesting elements to this story. I was once again pulled in by Rowan Shaw’s writing. I loved the secondary characters and we get lots of hot and steamy scenes and I enjoyed seeing the characters from Rewind as well. I’m excited to read the next book in the series, can’t wait to read Parker’s story.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Return (Rewind Book 2)
By Rowan Shaw

Return is the second book in the Rewind series by Rowan Shaw. I probably should mention that this is a bisexual romance, if you don’t like this type of stories, I wouldn’t probably read it. However, for those of us that can read this type of storyline you are absolutely going to love this book especially if you liked Rewind. Now I have found while this is a part of a series it can be read as a standalone. Return is centered around Adrien and Raphel. Liked both main characters and I really wouldn’t be able to pick which of these two I would say was my favorite. What I also liked about this book was that the secondary characters added another level to this story, so love a book when you get to know the secondary characters as well as the primary characters. Return is written so well it just seems to flow nicely. You will probably get a little lost in this book for the simple reason you are not going to be able to put the book down, until life rudely interrupts.

[Denise GremoryKohta · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good!

As a reader I tend to make assumptions on how a book will go and what characters are like. Sometimes I get it right and sometimes I'm a little off. Here I had it all backwards and I'm so glad. Because these characters being flipped wouldn't have made as deeply emotional and fulfilling read. The heat in Adian's convictions was so strong and passionate that I wanted to stand beside him in support. We have made great strides in my lifetime but more needs to be done until all of the spectrum equally recognized and respected. Don't even get me started on the other. I'll just say choice and freewill. Not going to put any spoilers here. If also like to compliment the author on how well the personal struggles these guys went through were handled. I agreed with both sides so I would of struggles with how to proceed. Though I felt it some in the last book, this one really showed more of the author which had me connecting with it even more strongly. I can't wait for Revive.

[Kerry Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Return by Rowan Shaw is the second book in the Rewind series. This book can be read as a standalone. Although it is clear from the blurb I want to point out this is a M/M book so if this isn’t your kind of thing you should be cautious, although I would still recommend giving it a go.
I really enjoyed reading about Adrien and Raphaël. They were the type of characters that, initially, I wasn’t sure if I felt the connection between them. Then, suddenly, you read a single page and BAM everything slots into place. After that I found I could not stop reading about them.
Their story was enjoyable and very relatable, which is nice in this type of book. Too often I find that an author tries too hard to create “real” characters in a M/M romance and falls short. But in this book it was easy to see them as real people.
Overall this was a very enjoyable book with great characters and good development. I would definitely recommend you give this a go.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great male/male love story! Another story to open the eyes of readers who might not be sensitive to others. And a great love story proving once again, you can’t help who you love!

“One couldn’t be forced to be bi any more than they could be forced to by gay or straight.”

This story has a little bit of everything including sexy humor!

“Who wants to read when they could be having sex?” I froze, my fork inches from my mouth, and stared at him. “That’s a good point, though one doesn’t prevent the other.”

Rowan Shaw takes the serious subject of sexual orientation and shows not only the tender and loving side but also the horrible side of closed minded people. Shaw has a writing style that can draw you in, making you relate to characters you didn’t know you would or even could, relate to. Shaw has quickly moved to the top of my one click list! Highly recommend Shaw’s stories.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Return (Rewind #2)
By Rowan Shaw
4 stars

Another great read from this author! I really enjoyed the first book in the series so I was looking forward to reading the second and it didn’t disappoint at all. I think I may have enjoyed this one a little more than the first, I found a deeper connection with the characters and I really found myself dragged into Raphael’s story. The way the author wrote about him just really had my attention from the very beginning. I never deny that I am not really a fan of m/m stories so whilst some of the content wasn’t what I like to read about I cannot fault the way in which the story was written and I would much rather read a well written story with content I’m not overly keen on than a boring story with content I enjoy.
A beautiful, emotionally charged story with lovely characters that you can’t help but like! I look forward to more from this author again in the future.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

RETURN is the second book of the Rewind series from Rowan Shaw. I would recommend that you pick up book one first if you haven’t done so as this is where we first meet and see the lead, Raphael, and for me where I actually fell in love with his character. This book was a tad slower to me and I found myself struggling to get through the first bit. However, that did subside and I soon found myself needing to know what would become of the story.

This one brought the heat factor quite a bit, so fyi if that isn’t your thing it's here. With that said, Rowan Shaw can sure write some awesome bedroom scenes, and truly I feel, does it with tact and grace. That is no easy feat, and I feel a lot of times it muddies the waters of a good LGBTQ novel. This is never the case here and I adored every second of it. I loved the growth that we got to see with Raphael. I found his story to be gripping and raw, something that I love in a good novel. I can’t wait to see what will come next!

[Candida Furbush · Rating 4 out of 5]

RETURN (Rewind Book 2)
by Rowan Shaw

This is the second book in this series but it can be read as a standalone but I would suggest reading the first one because it's awesome and also because it's where we first met Raphael. I am so glad that this book is just as good as the first. There is a lot of raw emotion in this story. I was completely drawn into the story needing to know where the relationship was going to go between Adrian and Raphael, and I also really felt connected as I found out more about each character. I couldn't help but want everything to work out for each of them whether they end up together or not. The chemistry and attraction between these two was evident from the beginning. There are some intimate romantic scenes in this story and I found that they were done tastefully without losing any of the heat that comes with these scenes. I loved reading this story I highly recommend it and I cannot wait to read the next one.

[Tausha Treadway · Rating 5 out of 5]

RETURN (Rewind Book 2) by Rowan Shaw. This is this story of Raphael Diop and Adrien Dupuis who live in Paris. Raphael is trying to find a roommate because he can't afford to live by himself. Raphael is a student and Adrien is a mystery man with lots of secrets. When Adrien tell Raphael he is attracted to him its hard to resist but Raphael knows that would be a huge mistake. Adrien had been living a dreary, lonely life until Raphael moves in so he doesn't want to mess the situation up but their attraction is so strong. Will Raphael chance his only place to live in Paris by having an affair with Adrien and will Adrien let Raphael in his circle despite all his secrets? This is a bisexual story and there are some risque scenes so if that makes you uncomfortable beware. This is a great love story and I loved this book!

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Return by Rowan Shaw is the second book in the Rewind series. I enjoyed the first book in the series and was interested in what would happen in this book. This can be read as a standalone and enjoyed because the story is contained. Raphaël Diop is a student living in Paris looking for affordable housing. Adrien Dupuis has a room available in his apartment. The two do not have much in common and live very separate lives. Will their relationship change?
The characters are well written and I enjoyed learning about them. Also, the secondary characters added to the story and did not take away from the story of Adrien and Raphaël. This is a bisexual romance and if this is not a comfortable theme this might not be the book for you. I believe that if you can read this story you will enjoy this book and get to know Raphaël and Adrien better.

[Maura · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE IS LOVE

Pan
Cis
Bi
Trans
Queer
Gay
Neutral

RETURN is the second in "The Rewind Series" and can absolutely be read as a stand-alone. It is a full bodied romance that has a slow burn, angst, emotions, sexy times and friendship. The characters are complex and well developed and there are a few who are just downright evil.

The story line is well plotted and flows with ease. This was a quick read on a rainy Sunday afternoon and I would absolutely recommend it. There are a few terms that are "new" to some people's vocabulary and I would just like to say this: It doesn't matter what word is used - it's still flesh and bones and heart and brains. No matter what pronoun or sexual identity someone is - we are all still human beings.

This was a great read during pride month (or any month for that matter).

[Scooby2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading “Rewind” I couldn’t wait to read “Return” and I knew I would love it, I wasn’t wrong. I love that we got to see both Adrien and Raphaël’s point of views throughout the book, which I felt made the book stronger, allowing us to get a better feeling for them and their story. I felt “Rewind” had great side characters, who were supportive and there for both of them. I couldn’t put this book down. “Return” does deal with some serious issues, which I feel makes the reader think and address their own feelings, which is a good thing. If you’re looking for a story that flows well and draws you in, look no further, give this one a try as well as the first one, “Rewind”, I don’t think you will be disappointed. I can’t wait for Patrick’s story, “Revive” next.

I give this book 4 stars.

[Naomi Valkyrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Return is the second book in the Rewind series. It can be read as a standalone.

Oh, my heart! I think I loved this book more than the first one, and the first one was really good. I knew Raphael’s story was going to be spectacular and this book did not disappoint. I absolutely loved the Adrien character and the dynamic that develops between him and Raphael. I was so into this book that I read it in one day. Just fair warning, parts of it will wreck you a bit on the way to the end of the story.

I don’t know what is planned for this series, how many books there might be ultimately, but I hope at some point to have a story about Noah. He caught my attention in this book, and even though he’s in a relationship, it seems like there could be more of a story there. I want more of him!

[Kaitlynn Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Return – Rowan Shaw

5-stars

Return by Rowan Shaw is the second book in the incredible Rewind series. Just like the first book I found this one to be steamy, detailed, emotional, romantic and heart wrenching.

Raphael and Adrien’s story had me hooked from the very start; I was able to read it in one sitting as I couldn’t bring myself to put it down. I loved all of the raw emotion and all of the detail as it made it very easy to picture everything playing out in my head which made it highly entertaining.

While this book can definitely be read as a standalone, I would suggest reading the first book as well, it’s just as incredible as this one and should not be missed!

This is a book and series I would absolutely recommend to anyone looking for their next read!