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Twin Peeks Bookstore Romance #1
Mason's Run
Mason
I've escaped a past that would have destroyed most men. I was used, abused and sold for sex from a young age by those
who should have protected me. An unexpected moment of compassion from a stranger gave me a chance at a new life.
Though I've started over, my scars run deep. I'm an LGBTQ graphic novel writer and artist with a huge following, but I'm terrified of the world, and of my tormentors finding me.
When I discover that the stranger who has saved me from a life of abuse is the same man who has finally awakened my body to desire, I realize the truth: Can I ever really be free if I'm still afraid of my past and the people who have shattered me?
Lee
Serving as a medic in the Middle East, I felt the life of my fiancé slip away under my hands and was powerless to stop it. Discharged with physical and emotional wounds I can't heal, I go home to my crazy, geeky family and try to learn to live with the damage.
Pain and grief lead me to some acts I'm not proud of, including paying strangers for sex. I'm determined to keep it strictly business with no emotions involved, but when I discover that Mason Malone isn't a high-end escort, but a battered young man who has been forced into a life of pain and degradation, I'm frozen in indecision. Then the man with the raven curls and blue-gold eyes whispers, "Please..." and the barriers I’ve built around my heart shatter.
Years later, fate brings us back together. He has a new name
and career, but I’ve never been able to forget those eyes. Mason,
unfortunately, doesn't recognize me. Every day I find myself more and more drawn to him, but I'm terrified of what will happen when my secrets are discovered.
As both our pasts threaten our future, can we find a path to redemption? Or will the discovery of the truth create a chasm too wide to bridge? Can love and forgiveness overcome soul-
shattering pain?
A Twin Peeks Bookstore Romance.
434 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2019
45 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
not-for-me
August 29, 2019DNF 40% This was one of those books that just didn't ring true to me. I didn't believe in what was happening, either in the romance or in the day to day happenings. It felt like fan fiction or like the author had a checklist of things she wanted to include and was trying to make the pieces fit with no regard to logic or believability. It was like all of these things were happening in a public setting but in a little bubble with no outside actions, opinions, consequences, etc. Disappointed as I was in the mood for a good hurt/comfort book. Sigh
October 29, 2020
New to me author and I enjoyed the story - it definitely kept me reading. Definitely heed trigger warnings. Some of this was tough to read.
I was definitely pulling for Mason and Lee. There was plenty of angst and drama and both men have serious issues they need to deal with. There's a good cast of secondary characters and I was intrigued enough by the set up for the next story that I jumped right in there.
The story could have used a bit of editing but overall it was a good start for me with a new author.
I was definitely pulling for Mason and Lee. There was plenty of angst and drama and both men have serious issues they need to deal with. There's a good cast of secondary characters and I was intrigued enough by the set up for the next story that I jumped right in there.
The story could have used a bit of editing but overall it was a good start for me with a new author.
September 4, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.
3 stars
Okay, to sum up, there are two prologues. One features Mason as a pre-teen being inexplicably remanded to his uncle’s custody after his caring, but addicted, mom overdosed and died. His Uncle Ricky is one of Milwaukee’s most dangerous pimps, specializing in underage prostitutes, and 11-year-old Mason is raped by both Ricky and his business/life partner, Dreyven, the instant the social worker shuts the door. Somehow, Mason isn’t reported to DCFS, despite rarely attending school, and is continually returned to Ricky anytime he tries to escape. He’s beaten, pimped, locked in a closet, and nearly killed when he makes a run at age 18 while trying to save Ricky’s newest “whore,” a nine-year-old girl Ricky took from a dead junkie. Three days later, Ricky and Dreyven find Mason, only to rape him, beat him senseless, break his arm, tie him to the bed, and sell his body to anyone who wants a piece—all before they plan to kill him.
The other prologue features Lee’s heartbreak and injury in a skirmish in Afghanistan, watching his secret fiancé, a Navy pilot named Mack, die in battle. Lee survived the firefight, but only in body. He’s has permanent injuries, with severe depression. He retires from service and becomes an Uber driver. Taking some vets to Milwaukee from Ohio for Thanksgiving, he responds to an ad for a sexy escort, only to find Mason’s broken, near-lifeless body in the hotel room. Outraged and fearing for Mason’s life, Lee makes a decision that frees Mason and puts both of them on separate paths to recovery.
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
3 stars
Okay, to sum up, there are two prologues. One features Mason as a pre-teen being inexplicably remanded to his uncle’s custody after his caring, but addicted, mom overdosed and died. His Uncle Ricky is one of Milwaukee’s most dangerous pimps, specializing in underage prostitutes, and 11-year-old Mason is raped by both Ricky and his business/life partner, Dreyven, the instant the social worker shuts the door. Somehow, Mason isn’t reported to DCFS, despite rarely attending school, and is continually returned to Ricky anytime he tries to escape. He’s beaten, pimped, locked in a closet, and nearly killed when he makes a run at age 18 while trying to save Ricky’s newest “whore,” a nine-year-old girl Ricky took from a dead junkie. Three days later, Ricky and Dreyven find Mason, only to rape him, beat him senseless, break his arm, tie him to the bed, and sell his body to anyone who wants a piece—all before they plan to kill him.
The other prologue features Lee’s heartbreak and injury in a skirmish in Afghanistan, watching his secret fiancé, a Navy pilot named Mack, die in battle. Lee survived the firefight, but only in body. He’s has permanent injuries, with severe depression. He retires from service and becomes an Uber driver. Taking some vets to Milwaukee from Ohio for Thanksgiving, he responds to an ad for a sexy escort, only to find Mason’s broken, near-lifeless body in the hotel room. Outraged and fearing for Mason’s life, Lee makes a decision that frees Mason and puts both of them on separate paths to recovery.
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
August 11, 2019
This book is so heartbreaking but also so good! Pay attention to the triggers! There are multiple parts in this book that made me want to cry; they were raw and detailed enough that my emotions were all over the place. This story was angst heavy so if you are looking for a light read you will definitely want to save this book for a different time.
This is a longer book and by the end I just wanted Lee and Mason to get their HEA. They had both been through a lot, especially Mason, and the author for sure makes the reader work through a lot of that with them before we can really see them be happy together. I do wish that we got a more solid ending of them in the future but I am hoping there will be more in this series to show us that!
I love how family oriented Lee was, especially with Mason not having blood family to support him. I think it was good for Mason to be able to see that not all family was bad. I also adored Lizzie and wish we got to see more of her and Zem.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
This is a longer book and by the end I just wanted Lee and Mason to get their HEA. They had both been through a lot, especially Mason, and the author for sure makes the reader work through a lot of that with them before we can really see them be happy together. I do wish that we got a more solid ending of them in the future but I am hoping there will be more in this series to show us that!
I love how family oriented Lee was, especially with Mason not having blood family to support him. I think it was good for Mason to be able to see that not all family was bad. I also adored Lizzie and wish we got to see more of her and Zem.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
August 10, 2019
Excellent
This was an excellent read. The characters were endearing, and that’s always the most important thing to me. The storyline is kind of dark, but there is humor sprinkled throughout.
This was an excellent read. The characters were endearing, and that’s always the most important thing to me. The storyline is kind of dark, but there is humor sprinkled throughout.
September 4, 2019
A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review An Alisa Review:
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
I am not usually good with long stories (and I didn’t know how long this one was going to be) but I didn’t have trouble with this book because it kept my attention the whole time. There were so many heartbreaking parts in this story but thankfully both of these two would be able to break free of the fear and re-start their lives.
Having to read about Mason’s abuse was heartbreaking. He had to deal with so much as a child and teen, more than many could ever understand. I was so happy when he thought he finally got away but got thrown right back into heartbreak when Ricky found him. But he was finally rescued by his Dark Angel though he still lived in fear until Lee really came into his life.
Lee has always had the support of his loving family but losing his fiancé and being injured at the time seemed to break him. Rescuing Mason helped him break free of that and while he no longer lives in that darkness he doesn’t find it in him to move on until Mason inexplicably comes back into his life.
I loved that these two just had such a connection that it helps them to move forward. It hurt so bad when Mason’s past came back at him but I was so happy that he was able to find the courage to take control and finally get the closure he needed. I was so happy to see them building a life together and then Mason giving Lee the wonderful gift at the end.
The cover art by Reese Dante is an absolutely wonderful picture of Mason
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
I am not usually good with long stories (and I didn’t know how long this one was going to be) but I didn’t have trouble with this book because it kept my attention the whole time. There were so many heartbreaking parts in this story but thankfully both of these two would be able to break free of the fear and re-start their lives.
Having to read about Mason’s abuse was heartbreaking. He had to deal with so much as a child and teen, more than many could ever understand. I was so happy when he thought he finally got away but got thrown right back into heartbreak when Ricky found him. But he was finally rescued by his Dark Angel though he still lived in fear until Lee really came into his life.
Lee has always had the support of his loving family but losing his fiancé and being injured at the time seemed to break him. Rescuing Mason helped him break free of that and while he no longer lives in that darkness he doesn’t find it in him to move on until Mason inexplicably comes back into his life.
I loved that these two just had such a connection that it helps them to move forward. It hurt so bad when Mason’s past came back at him but I was so happy that he was able to find the courage to take control and finally get the closure he needed. I was so happy to see them building a life together and then Mason giving Lee the wonderful gift at the end.
The cover art by Reese Dante is an absolutely wonderful picture of Mason
October 19, 2019
I really, really wanted to like this book, but I’m sorry to say, it just fell through. 26% in and I’m throwing in the towel. There is just too much going on - almost as if the author wants to press in anything and everything. And then all the little details that doesn’t add up or are mixed around, for example Lee keeping track of Mason till he turned 18 - but Mason had already turned 18 before the big ordeal. And there are just to many of those kinds of mistakes happening within the first quarter of the books that bugs me. So I’m stopping here.
November 17, 2019
4,5 stars.
Please check out the trigger warnings before reading!!!
Loved Mason, Lee and Lee's family!
Mason's Run is this rare kind of book that pulled at my heart strings, had me on the edge of my seat unable to put it down. It was a tough read that shocked me deeply and let me fall head over heels for those two guys at the same time.
Very highly recommended.
November 3, 2021
TRIGGER WARNINGS ARE THERE FOR A REASON! Read them!
There was a point where I almost put this down, but I kept on going. Not because of the content, but because of the inconsistencies. First Mason was 12 when he started being abused, then 11, and then 12 again. Then he was found when he was 18, but Lee kept track of him until he was 18. Huh? Then Dowley or whatever his name was said "you made me lose all my stuff", but then they raided his house and found all his stuff? I CAN NOT STAND inconsistencies in books. Know your characters. Then you have Mason who claims to be turned off by the thought of sex, but gets hard just looking at Lee....like ALL the time. It creeped me out. You just met the dude and you're already thinking about sex with him after being horribly abused for years? Yeah.... okay.
2 Stars for all of this.
There was a point where I almost put this down, but I kept on going. Not because of the content, but because of the inconsistencies. First Mason was 12 when he started being abused, then 11, and then 12 again. Then he was found when he was 18, but Lee kept track of him until he was 18. Huh? Then Dowley or whatever his name was said "you made me lose all my stuff", but then they raided his house and found all his stuff? I CAN NOT STAND inconsistencies in books. Know your characters. Then you have Mason who claims to be turned off by the thought of sex, but gets hard just looking at Lee....like ALL the time. It creeped me out. You just met the dude and you're already thinking about sex with him after being horribly abused for years? Yeah.... okay.
2 Stars for all of this.
August 8, 2019
**please read trigger warnings for this book**
Well, damn. This author definitely knows how to pack a punch and pull on the heart strings.
A truly heart breaking start for Mason and what he is subjected to as a child. There were sentenced I had to gloss over as I found it hard going in places but found the story overall worth it. Very much a character deserving of a HEA. It's completely understandable as to why he would suffer with mental health problems as an adult but has also thrived within the family he has built for himself. Those moments with loved ones are great as you can see how they have helped and supported him.
Lee has got the best family. With five siblings and two mums, they are a lot but that just means more love, support and friendship. Especially important after Lee returns home from the army, permanently injured and having suffered the loss of his most important person.
It's an unexpected but wonderful relationship that builds for Mason and Lee as they slowly reveal parts of themselves to each other whilst also trying to maintain a facade of all is well. Kind of hard after panic attacks and nightmares that exist for them both.
There were a couple of points that may have moved a little quicker if differently than I would expect but with the overall story, things flowed well for me. Throughout, the reader is kept on their toes as to what could possibly be coming next whether between the two men of from outside sources. There is so much emotion contained within this book that it's highly possibly to cry years of sorrow and joy. though there are some hard parts to get through, I'm so glad to have read this story and one really looking forward to book two in the series with several of Lee's brothers being candidates for the MC.
A recommended read from me but as I said right at the start, please make sure to read the trigger warnings.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
Well, damn. This author definitely knows how to pack a punch and pull on the heart strings.
A truly heart breaking start for Mason and what he is subjected to as a child. There were sentenced I had to gloss over as I found it hard going in places but found the story overall worth it. Very much a character deserving of a HEA. It's completely understandable as to why he would suffer with mental health problems as an adult but has also thrived within the family he has built for himself. Those moments with loved ones are great as you can see how they have helped and supported him.
Lee has got the best family. With five siblings and two mums, they are a lot but that just means more love, support and friendship. Especially important after Lee returns home from the army, permanently injured and having suffered the loss of his most important person.
It's an unexpected but wonderful relationship that builds for Mason and Lee as they slowly reveal parts of themselves to each other whilst also trying to maintain a facade of all is well. Kind of hard after panic attacks and nightmares that exist for them both.
There were a couple of points that may have moved a little quicker if differently than I would expect but with the overall story, things flowed well for me. Throughout, the reader is kept on their toes as to what could possibly be coming next whether between the two men of from outside sources. There is so much emotion contained within this book that it's highly possibly to cry years of sorrow and joy. though there are some hard parts to get through, I'm so glad to have read this story and one really looking forward to book two in the series with several of Lee's brothers being candidates for the MC.
A recommended read from me but as I said right at the start, please make sure to read the trigger warnings.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
August 26, 2019
Great read!
This book is well written with characters the reader can fall in love with. Mason is just beautiful, strong, courageous and easy to love. Lee is a hero, loving and kind. It's easy to get behind these characters and the reader is rooting for them from the start. This is a hard story to read at times but it's respectful written and well thought out.
Mason has a horrible past with only one good day, the day he was saved. He has become a graphic writer and he writes about his 'dark Angel.' When he meets a man who gets a reaction out of his body for the first time he's not sure what is happening. Mason has moved on but he is always looking over his shoulder because he fears his past will find him. He can't help falling a little for Lee and his family. He would do anything to protect them.
Lee has had it rough but still tries to carry on. When he picks up the awkward writer for his brothers he can't help but find him familiar but can't think why. They get off to a bar start but soon Lee sees the vulnerable side of Mason. When Lee realises who Mason is he is torn he knows he should tell him but he is scared. The longer the secret goes on the harder it is to tell. Lee knows he's falling for Lee but he also knows something is wrong. He has to trust that Mason will tell him when he is ready.
The build in this relationship is lovely and you are invested in the outcome. It's well written and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for this author in the future. If you like a read with angst but also a lot of strong wonderful characters then this is the book for you. Be prepared to laugh til you cry when Lee tells a story about a sex toy! I read that part several times because it's just so well written.
This book is well written with characters the reader can fall in love with. Mason is just beautiful, strong, courageous and easy to love. Lee is a hero, loving and kind. It's easy to get behind these characters and the reader is rooting for them from the start. This is a hard story to read at times but it's respectful written and well thought out.
Mason has a horrible past with only one good day, the day he was saved. He has become a graphic writer and he writes about his 'dark Angel.' When he meets a man who gets a reaction out of his body for the first time he's not sure what is happening. Mason has moved on but he is always looking over his shoulder because he fears his past will find him. He can't help falling a little for Lee and his family. He would do anything to protect them.
Lee has had it rough but still tries to carry on. When he picks up the awkward writer for his brothers he can't help but find him familiar but can't think why. They get off to a bar start but soon Lee sees the vulnerable side of Mason. When Lee realises who Mason is he is torn he knows he should tell him but he is scared. The longer the secret goes on the harder it is to tell. Lee knows he's falling for Lee but he also knows something is wrong. He has to trust that Mason will tell him when he is ready.
The build in this relationship is lovely and you are invested in the outcome. It's well written and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for this author in the future. If you like a read with angst but also a lot of strong wonderful characters then this is the book for you. Be prepared to laugh til you cry when Lee tells a story about a sex toy! I read that part several times because it's just so well written.
August 3, 2019
Mason's Run by Mellanie Rourke is the first book in the Twin Peeks Bookstore series. The book is a contemporary m/m romance with a lot of emotion.
This book starts with two prologues to fill us readers into the past events about that have brought our main characters to the state of being they currently are in. Prologue one tells us about Lee losing his lover while in the military and it destroyed me. I was crying 2% into this book. Prologue two was a bit tough to get through without overwhelming emotion because we meet Mason and find out some of the horrors of his past.
Then the present day starts and I was glued to this book. It's been eight years since the events in Prologue two and we meet the men these two characters have become. As the book unfolds and we get to know both characters well, we discover how amazing they are... strong even though they have things that plague them and affect them. When they get together its amazing.... they have chemistry and are perfect together. As long as the past doesnt destroy their future.
This story made me feel so many emotions... there is drama, humor, steam and romance. There are a few scenes that really are disturbing and rough to read... but are important to story. But wow, I felt this one a lot. There is definitely a lot of story in these pages.
The characters make mistakes, the learn and grow... they make us fall 8m love with them... not just the main characters but the interesting and colorful supporting characters. I cant wait to see where the rest of the series leads us.
I received an advanced reader's copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
This book starts with two prologues to fill us readers into the past events about that have brought our main characters to the state of being they currently are in. Prologue one tells us about Lee losing his lover while in the military and it destroyed me. I was crying 2% into this book. Prologue two was a bit tough to get through without overwhelming emotion because we meet Mason and find out some of the horrors of his past.
Then the present day starts and I was glued to this book. It's been eight years since the events in Prologue two and we meet the men these two characters have become. As the book unfolds and we get to know both characters well, we discover how amazing they are... strong even though they have things that plague them and affect them. When they get together its amazing.... they have chemistry and are perfect together. As long as the past doesnt destroy their future.
This story made me feel so many emotions... there is drama, humor, steam and romance. There are a few scenes that really are disturbing and rough to read... but are important to story. But wow, I felt this one a lot. There is definitely a lot of story in these pages.
The characters make mistakes, the learn and grow... they make us fall 8m love with them... not just the main characters but the interesting and colorful supporting characters. I cant wait to see where the rest of the series leads us.
I received an advanced reader's copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
August 11, 2019
4,5 *
PLEASE READ MY RATING SYSTEM!!!
To my ratings:
5* - very very good and rare (it would be a Blow-
Away-book like
‘Jesse's Smile' or ‚Joey’ from Angelique Jurd,
‘Save the at he kids' series from EM Leya,
‘Love’s Tethered Heart’ from C.L. Etta or
'Liberty' from Seth King),
it's like an A+
4* - very good and will be often reread and is a
WOW-book with interesting plot and surprises
(like most of Andrew Grey’s books)
it's like an A
3,5* - a really good book, which will be reread a few
times a year (most romances where you can
enjoy for relaxing and during waiting times in
hospitals). I can recommend them definitively!
It's like an B+
3* - it could be more then a one-time-reader,
maybe 2-3 times a year. It’s like a B
2* - it was ok to read, but it's more a one-time-
reader (i wouldn't recommend it heartily, but
it was ok). It's like a C-, D
1* - sorry, but that isn't really a book for me (too
many mistakes, not nice plot, illogical, so an
absolut NO-GO). It's like failure in the whole
line, dismissed, repeat the class
PLEASE READ MY RATING SYSTEM!!!
To my ratings:
5* - very very good and rare (it would be a Blow-
Away-book like
‘Jesse's Smile' or ‚Joey’ from Angelique Jurd,
‘Save the at he kids' series from EM Leya,
‘Love’s Tethered Heart’ from C.L. Etta or
'Liberty' from Seth King),
it's like an A+
4* - very good and will be often reread and is a
WOW-book with interesting plot and surprises
(like most of Andrew Grey’s books)
it's like an A
3,5* - a really good book, which will be reread a few
times a year (most romances where you can
enjoy for relaxing and during waiting times in
hospitals). I can recommend them definitively!
It's like an B+
3* - it could be more then a one-time-reader,
maybe 2-3 times a year. It’s like a B
2* - it was ok to read, but it's more a one-time-
reader (i wouldn't recommend it heartily, but
it was ok). It's like a C-, D
1* - sorry, but that isn't really a book for me (too
many mistakes, not nice plot, illogical, so an
absolut NO-GO). It's like failure in the whole
line, dismissed, repeat the class
August 1, 2019
Mason lives his life in fear that the man who he got away from would find him again. When his “Dark Angel” rescues him he is finally free. He still hides from the world, Using his graphic novels as a way to work through the pain of sexual abuse, torture and degradation.
Lee lost the man he loved, spiraled down and was seeking out hookers when he can across Mason. When he realized what was happening he saved the boy.
Years later they meet again, Lee knows who Mason is but Mason hasn’t a clue that Lee was his savior. They discover that they really like each other. Just starting to work through their issues when Mason’s horror finds him again.
This book had an appalling aspect to it that made parts of it hard to stomach. Very descriptive abuse. The author gave Mason such a strength of will to live through unspeakable shame and horror and to come out the other side ready to help people like himself.
Usually, to give a book a five star rating it has to strike something in me that makes me want to read it again and again. Don’t know about rereading this one any time soon but is definitely a five star for me.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.
Lee lost the man he loved, spiraled down and was seeking out hookers when he can across Mason. When he realized what was happening he saved the boy.
Years later they meet again, Lee knows who Mason is but Mason hasn’t a clue that Lee was his savior. They discover that they really like each other. Just starting to work through their issues when Mason’s horror finds him again.
This book had an appalling aspect to it that made parts of it hard to stomach. Very descriptive abuse. The author gave Mason such a strength of will to live through unspeakable shame and horror and to come out the other side ready to help people like himself.
Usually, to give a book a five star rating it has to strike something in me that makes me want to read it again and again. Don’t know about rereading this one any time soon but is definitely a five star for me.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.
August 12, 2019
Gritty, intense, inspiring story of triumph over incredible tragedy. This is really an amazing story of survival and hope. The ugly parts of this world have no rhyme nor reason and the victims are used and discarded. This is an awesome story of one such man overcoming incredible odds and learning to love and accept his broken soul. Both of these guys deserve their HEA and i so liked how they found their way to each other and love.
:Mason and Lee is a well told story about two special men who become very important to each other. They are beautiful together and their journey will touch your heart. The writing was well done and the story-line flowed well. I found that this story marked my heart with it's pain and i cried for the pain that both men suffered. I was really personally happy when we had some very satisfying bad guys getting caught.
This is a new to me author and i will be looking for more of their work in the future.
I was gifted this book from the LesCourt Author Services and i freely give my honest opinion and review.
:Mason and Lee is a well told story about two special men who become very important to each other. They are beautiful together and their journey will touch your heart. The writing was well done and the story-line flowed well. I found that this story marked my heart with it's pain and i cried for the pain that both men suffered. I was really personally happy when we had some very satisfying bad guys getting caught.
This is a new to me author and i will be looking for more of their work in the future.
I was gifted this book from the LesCourt Author Services and i freely give my honest opinion and review.
August 4, 2019
Sensitive readers heed the trigger warning. For real.
Throughout much of the book, there is graphic violence, as well as emotional abuse, including on- page rape of a main character both before and after he is together with the other main character. These are damaged men, and while it would be comforting to think that the bad guys are over the top, the sad truth is they probably aren't.
Overall, I enjoyed this story of two men wrestling with the demons of their past and ultimately defeating them together. There were some bumpy areas in the story, but the characters are solid and lovable, with a stellar supporting cast.
I recommend reading the sample if you are unsure whether you can handle the more disturbing parts of the book. If you can make it through the sample, you can probably manage the rest of the book. *I received an arc of this book.*
Throughout much of the book, there is graphic violence, as well as emotional abuse, including on- page rape of a main character both before and after he is together with the other main character. These are damaged men, and while it would be comforting to think that the bad guys are over the top, the sad truth is they probably aren't.
Overall, I enjoyed this story of two men wrestling with the demons of their past and ultimately defeating them together. There were some bumpy areas in the story, but the characters are solid and lovable, with a stellar supporting cast.
I recommend reading the sample if you are unsure whether you can handle the more disturbing parts of the book. If you can make it through the sample, you can probably manage the rest of the book. *I received an arc of this book.*
December 22, 2019
3-3.5 stars....So I just finished Mason's Run..all I can say is HEED THE TRIGGER WARNINGS...I would say you could totally Skip Mason's Prologue and still know what happens to him without the explicit description...I just skimmed the prologue because it was VERY explicit....I'm not all that squeamish but it just went too far for me and seemed a little over the top..I was totally enjoying the book until about two thirds in to the book and it once again became very explicit, unnecessarily so and unfortunately it would be hard to skip that part...There were some super fun dialogue and great banter...There was sweetness and tenderness as well...The end was quite a bit wordy for me as the story seem to go on and on and I started to skim...but, I do like her writing..I'm willing to give another one a go if it is not so explicit...
August 14, 2019
This book was one hell of an emotionally charged, intense, raw, gritty, gripping, powerful, grab-you-by-the-feels, fast paced, shatter your heart into a million pieces, run them through a grinder, spit them out the other side, dark, evil, nasty, heartbreaking yet ultimately hopeful, and totally awesome tale. Filled with tears, fears, cheers, rage, betrayal, strength, loss, joy, and more twists and turns than a roller coaster, this marvelous masterpiece of a story had me hooked from beginning to end. This is my first book by this new-to-me author, and it DEFINITELY won't be my last! Be sure to check the trigger warnings, because it's not an easy read.
August 13, 2019
My first book by this author but definitely not my last!!
I loved everything about this book, the back story of both main characters are amazing but really hard to read at times.
The author doesn’t hold anything back and some readers may find it very hard to read through some parts as they are graphic but I thought they were exceptionally written.
Nothing is overly romanticised it is brutal and real. Lee and Mason are perfect for each other, they are exactly what the other needs.
I can’t wait to read more from this series.
I loved everything about this book, the back story of both main characters are amazing but really hard to read at times.
The author doesn’t hold anything back and some readers may find it very hard to read through some parts as they are graphic but I thought they were exceptionally written.
Nothing is overly romanticised it is brutal and real. Lee and Mason are perfect for each other, they are exactly what the other needs.
I can’t wait to read more from this series.
August 11, 2019
This was a hard read
What I mean by a hard read, it had me in tears, at what Mason suffered through at a very young age. He lost his mother at age twelve, and was placed with an uncle who sexual abused him. He was not only abused by his uncle, but other men he was sold to. No matter how hard he tried to escape, he failed, until a "Dark Angel" saved him. This is a must read book, to see how he gain the strength to overcome it all, and finally find family and love.
What I mean by a hard read, it had me in tears, at what Mason suffered through at a very young age. He lost his mother at age twelve, and was placed with an uncle who sexual abused him. He was not only abused by his uncle, but other men he was sold to. No matter how hard he tried to escape, he failed, until a "Dark Angel" saved him. This is a must read book, to see how he gain the strength to overcome it all, and finally find family and love.
September 14, 2019
This is the first time I’ve read this author and it was a hard emotionally, but thoroughly enjoyed this book. Mason has a challenging upbringing- he lost his mother at a young age and he is then in a place with his uncle who abuses him and sells him. This book is filled with heartbreak until Mason is rescued by his “Dark Angel”. But it is not a smooth sailing from there either. If you want a gritty and raw read this story is for you. Please, please read the trigger warnings.
August 22, 2019
Heed the Warnings!!!
I can not believe Mason's Run is a debut book for this author. This book is raw, heartbreaking and hopeful.
My heart ached for Mason, who having lost his mother at the young age of eleven, was placed in the care of his uncle.
Again, I'm going to say it!! Heed the warnings!! This book is a hard read!
This story was very well written, even if it tore at my heart strings! The characters are solid and the plot realistic.
I can't wait to see what's next for this author!!
I can not believe Mason's Run is a debut book for this author. This book is raw, heartbreaking and hopeful.
My heart ached for Mason, who having lost his mother at the young age of eleven, was placed in the care of his uncle.
Again, I'm going to say it!! Heed the warnings!! This book is a hard read!
This story was very well written, even if it tore at my heart strings! The characters are solid and the plot realistic.
I can't wait to see what's next for this author!!
August 10, 2019
Wow. Just...wow!!
Make sure you have time to finish the book when you get to about the 60% mark because you won’t be able to put it down. This is one of those heart-pounding, danger-around-every-corner books. If you like dark angst with a crazy helping of hurt/comfort then this is the book for you! Super good! Mind the trigger warnings, though!
Make sure you have time to finish the book when you get to about the 60% mark because you won’t be able to put it down. This is one of those heart-pounding, danger-around-every-corner books. If you like dark angst with a crazy helping of hurt/comfort then this is the book for you! Super good! Mind the trigger warnings, though!
August 18, 2019
Wow. Just wow
I cried laughed and just had so many feels. It was a wonderful read. My heart broke for mason, and it makes me so angry that right now there are thousands and thousands of masons out there needing out help.
I cried laughed and just had so many feels. It was a wonderful read. My heart broke for mason, and it makes me so angry that right now there are thousands and thousands of masons out there needing out help.
November 30, 2020
This was an amazing read.
It was a tough read Mason and Lee were so beautiful together.
This is one of my fave reads of 2019 - Please do check out the trigger warnings if you could be affected by these
It was a tough read Mason and Lee were so beautiful together.
This is one of my fave reads of 2019 - Please do check out the trigger warnings if you could be affected by these
Read
August 13, 2019warning - opens with repeated on page depictions of physical and sexual abuse of a minor.
September 7, 2019
Loved it!
If this is how Melanie Rourke writes, I’m looking forward to more. Great plot and interesting characters, what more could you need?❤️
If this is how Melanie Rourke writes, I’m looking forward to more. Great plot and interesting characters, what more could you need?❤️
October 19, 2025
This book is actually ridiculous tbh. There are so many continuity errors within paragraphs of each other. One paragraph the character is 12, a few paragraphs later he's 11. Then he's 18 and then all of the sudden he's 17 and underage and he's turning 18 again. But oh once again he was already 18 actually!
There's even a part where the author gives one side character a specific tragic backstory, and then later in another scene with his brother, refers back to that backstory as if it belongs to the brother instead.
Also, so much of this story makes absolutely no sense if you think about it for longer than 0.0001 seconds. The most egregious examples:
Also this author has major issues with disability and seems to think disabled is a bad word, yet insists on writing disabled characters. From a very abled gaze. Which is exactly how she writes gay and trans characters too, from a very obvious cishet POV. And the way she describes the only characters of color is just....so white. It's actually painful all around.
And minor quibble compared to everything else, but why the fuck would Mason have moved to Seattle to go to Washington State University? That's like a 5-6 hour drive and you have to cross a whole mountain range. Like ma'am you couldn't check google maps even once? She also has him be shocked that there's so much green in Ohio because Seattle isn't....green? Even though WA is called the evergreen state for a reason and is so fucking green. Everything is green!! Why would he be shocked by lawns and trees? Seattle has both of those in abundance.
There's even a part where the author gives one side character a specific tragic backstory, and then later in another scene with his brother, refers back to that backstory as if it belongs to the brother instead.
Also, so much of this story makes absolutely no sense if you think about it for longer than 0.0001 seconds. The most egregious examples:
Also this author has major issues with disability and seems to think disabled is a bad word, yet insists on writing disabled characters. From a very abled gaze. Which is exactly how she writes gay and trans characters too, from a very obvious cishet POV. And the way she describes the only characters of color is just....so white. It's actually painful all around.
And minor quibble compared to everything else, but why the fuck would Mason have moved to Seattle to go to Washington State University? That's like a 5-6 hour drive and you have to cross a whole mountain range. Like ma'am you couldn't check google maps even once? She also has him be shocked that there's so much green in Ohio because Seattle isn't....green? Even though WA is called the evergreen state for a reason and is so fucking green. Everything is green!! Why would he be shocked by lawns and trees? Seattle has both of those in abundance.
December 21, 2025
DNF at 48%.
I usually give one star for books that I DNF, but this book would have been good if not for some inconsistencies and the weird feeling I had throughout the whole reading experience. First, the timeline is somewhat disorganized. And many more things that I didn't even bother to remember. Second, that instant lust is weird as hell. We're talking about two individuals who have faced significant challenges in their lives. One had lost their love of life, their fiancé, in the military, saw them die in front of them, and got their hip and leg hurt in the blast that happened after their lover died. Came out of it with a limp, lots of PTSD, and almost killed himself. And the other person, damn, I almost DNFed at that chapter by the amount of cruelty mentioned, cuz I know lives can be cruel, but didn't need to be that graphic, but anyways, it's the author's choice what to show, and I've been warned, so I didn't think much and moved on. So yeah, this guy has been sexually abused for years, made to watch disturbing things, made to endure hell, and is saved at the brink of death by the above guy. All fine. They meet later, but the weird thing is this insta lust thingy that is shoved on our faces because it was written like that to the point the author started comparing the dead fiancé to this guy, saying he didn't even feel this attracted to his dead fiancé. That felt like disrespecting the dead. And this happened another two times, and I was so fed up with these comparisons. And there is just too much info and not enough story, and it was getting kinda too much, tbh. So, the story might've been good, but I'm just not interested to continue
I usually give one star for books that I DNF, but this book would have been good if not for some inconsistencies and the weird feeling I had throughout the whole reading experience. First, the timeline is somewhat disorganized. And many more things that I didn't even bother to remember. Second, that instant lust is weird as hell. We're talking about two individuals who have faced significant challenges in their lives. One had lost their love of life, their fiancé, in the military, saw them die in front of them, and got their hip and leg hurt in the blast that happened after their lover died. Came out of it with a limp, lots of PTSD, and almost killed himself. And the other person, damn, I almost DNFed at that chapter by the amount of cruelty mentioned, cuz I know lives can be cruel, but didn't need to be that graphic, but anyways, it's the author's choice what to show, and I've been warned, so I didn't think much and moved on. So yeah, this guy has been sexually abused for years, made to watch disturbing things, made to endure hell, and is saved at the brink of death by the above guy. All fine. They meet later, but the weird thing is this insta lust thingy that is shoved on our faces because it was written like that to the point the author started comparing the dead fiancé to this guy, saying he didn't even feel this attracted to his dead fiancé. That felt like disrespecting the dead. And this happened another two times, and I was so fed up with these comparisons. And there is just too much info and not enough story, and it was getting kinda too much, tbh. So, the story might've been good, but I'm just not interested to continue
January 6, 2020
Heartbreaking and uplifting
Mason has had a hard life. At the age of 12 his mother died and he was forced to live with an uncle who used and abused him until he was able to escape at the age of 18 with the help of a complete stranger.
Lee is an army veteran learning to live after the death of his fiance.
They paths cross when Mason comes to town for a comic book signing at the store that Lee's two younger brothers own. Due to a mix up in housing arrangements, Mason decides to stay with Lee.
Over the course of his time there, Mason let's Lee into the secrets of his past, but Lee has a big secret that he can't tell Mason or he will never forgive him.
Some of the scenes in this book were hard to read, but are integral to the story. It shows how.much of a sheltered life I have led and how despicable some people can be.
My heart bled for the Mason character and others in his situation and applauded Lee's character and those people in the world who are willing to stand up and make a difference, no matter how small that difference may be. Every little bit helps!
Mason has had a hard life. At the age of 12 his mother died and he was forced to live with an uncle who used and abused him until he was able to escape at the age of 18 with the help of a complete stranger.
Lee is an army veteran learning to live after the death of his fiance.
They paths cross when Mason comes to town for a comic book signing at the store that Lee's two younger brothers own. Due to a mix up in housing arrangements, Mason decides to stay with Lee.
Over the course of his time there, Mason let's Lee into the secrets of his past, but Lee has a big secret that he can't tell Mason or he will never forgive him.
Some of the scenes in this book were hard to read, but are integral to the story. It shows how.much of a sheltered life I have led and how despicable some people can be.
My heart bled for the Mason character and others in his situation and applauded Lee's character and those people in the world who are willing to stand up and make a difference, no matter how small that difference may be. Every little bit helps!
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