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Refuge
Being the country's Attorney General's only son comes with a lot of scrutiny, but Henley has managed to avoid attention by keeping a low profile. His life is safe, organized, and lonely. Until inland terrorists turn his world upside down and he discovers he's much tougher than he thought he was.When the terrifying ordeal is over, Henley is left with hand tremors and a need to make some changes in his life. He seeks out the one man he hopes can give him some answers.After more than a decade on the police force, all Mason has to show for the risks he took is a bunch of scars, a bad knee, a cabin in the woods, and two giant black dogs he loves more than humans. Then the Attorney General's posh son shows up to thank him, and suddenly Mason's battered heart starts hoping again.Can Henley's love turn Mason's luck around and chase the shadows away?
190 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 26, 2021
26 people want to read
About the author
Mel Bossa
31 books219 followersI think I've written and changed my bio on here a hundred times in the last decade. See, that's why I don't have tattoos!
I've been a GR for over ten years and I still use it daily to keep up with my reading and to learn about books, old and new ones, but more importantly, because as I grow older and hopefully wiser, I realize that readers are my favorite type of people. They seem to be a little more empathetic and open-minded, and generally more cultivated.
If you look at my shelves, you'll see that I used to read about 70 books a year but in the last years, I've grown more selective and take my time with my lovers, ahem, books.
Yes, I am also a LGBTQ writer and Francophone Montrealer.
I cherish my readers, and want to take this space here to thank you all personally for reading and reviewing my books. You make reality tolerable like a good class of wine.
May your life be blessed.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
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June 25, 2021My new book! Coming tomorrow, Saturday, June 26th. Lovely, feel good story I took refuge in during the pandemic. Mason and Henley are wonderful men I enjoyed creating and spending time with... As well as those two dogs! If any of you are interested in reviewing an ARC, I will certainly send you a mobi or pdf copy... Drop me a request on Goodreads. Hope you love this story:-)
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December 6, 2021Free today only (Dec. 6, 2021) at JMS Books
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August 30, 2021
I tested up at the end because my dog is also a senior citizen on borrowed time 😢
April 8, 2025
Refuge by Mel Bossa is an mm romance that leaves a deep impact on the soul. It reinforces the idea of living in the present, not worrying about the future and making your own way in the world. Above all, doing what your heart desires the most because this life is way too short to waste on things, people, career we don't want. This life is a beautiful gift and let's spend it meaningfully, not by wasting our time thinking of new strategies to stay on top.( as said by Henley, my man)
It was way more emotional than I expected. Dealing with heavy topic such as loss of several loved ones had me bawling my eyes out. This book was shrouded in grief, but that is how life is.
Henley and Mason, a May-October couple, had amazing chemistry. It was slow and building up since their first meet I guess. Mason was a scarred soul who was afraid to be with Henley, because he wanted Henley to find someone of his own age. But love works in mysterious ways and age becomes just a number.
Usually I'm not a fan of age gap romances but this one was beautifully written. Mason's battered soul was the perfect fit to Henley's bruised but hopeful one.
Honestly, Mason's character surprised me. I thought he would be a lumberjack talking in grunts but noooo... He was as warm as sunshine and I loved him. I loved how he wasn't portrayed as a stereotype.
Henley .... I have no words for him. After a long time, as far as I can remember, it felt like I could relate to a male character to deep depths. In his loneliness, need for love and worry for future and family, I saw myself reflected back. He was like a mirror to the inner me. I adored him and how beautifully he came out of his shell, how freely he loved and how kind he was. He understood Mason like no other. They both understood each other the way soulmates do.
"He hadn't been able to fully grasp what it meant to love someone so hard, so fiercely, that you felt you had not been complete until they'd kissed you or looked into your eyes."
Uncle Ted, o you poor man! I loved him. He was a courageous one to face life alone and still not become bitter which is a strength in itself. I mourned for his love that never came to fruition.
The homestead life with a cabin in the woods and dogs around was heaven. I would love nothing more than to transport there.
How can I forget my two canine cuties who made this book memorable till the last page? Ciccio and my lady, Fortuna.. o, how I fell for them. Dogs really are magical beings who wash away the darkness inside us.
And last but not the least, that fucking letter!!!! Oh my, it was beautiful. Mason, you secret romantic! I wonder why the art of letter writing is left in the past when it is one of the most magnificent and romantic form of laying your heart out for the other person.
It's funny how when we get cynical, we think of young people as being naive. When really, they're not. They're just not as beat up and tired as we are.
It was way more emotional than I expected. Dealing with heavy topic such as loss of several loved ones had me bawling my eyes out. This book was shrouded in grief, but that is how life is.
Henley and Mason, a May-October couple, had amazing chemistry. It was slow and building up since their first meet I guess. Mason was a scarred soul who was afraid to be with Henley, because he wanted Henley to find someone of his own age. But love works in mysterious ways and age becomes just a number.
Usually I'm not a fan of age gap romances but this one was beautifully written. Mason's battered soul was the perfect fit to Henley's bruised but hopeful one.
Honestly, Mason's character surprised me. I thought he would be a lumberjack talking in grunts but noooo... He was as warm as sunshine and I loved him. I loved how he wasn't portrayed as a stereotype.
Henley .... I have no words for him. After a long time, as far as I can remember, it felt like I could relate to a male character to deep depths. In his loneliness, need for love and worry for future and family, I saw myself reflected back. He was like a mirror to the inner me. I adored him and how beautifully he came out of his shell, how freely he loved and how kind he was. He understood Mason like no other. They both understood each other the way soulmates do.
"He hadn't been able to fully grasp what it meant to love someone so hard, so fiercely, that you felt you had not been complete until they'd kissed you or looked into your eyes."
Uncle Ted, o you poor man! I loved him. He was a courageous one to face life alone and still not become bitter which is a strength in itself. I mourned for his love that never came to fruition.
The homestead life with a cabin in the woods and dogs around was heaven. I would love nothing more than to transport there.
How can I forget my two canine cuties who made this book memorable till the last page? Ciccio and my lady, Fortuna.. o, how I fell for them. Dogs really are magical beings who wash away the darkness inside us.
And last but not the least, that fucking letter!!!! Oh my, it was beautiful. Mason, you secret romantic! I wonder why the art of letter writing is left in the past when it is one of the most magnificent and romantic form of laying your heart out for the other person.
It's funny how when we get cynical, we think of young people as being naive. When really, they're not. They're just not as beat up and tired as we are.
October 14, 2021
I don't know that I was in the best mental space to read this book but I read it anyway. The beginning was a bit confusing, I wasn't sure what was happening. Henley is hiding from life and going through the motions. He's got no life in him. The so-called relationship he has with Gabriel goes along with the life he's living. Gabriel is a d*ck, a user, and as small a role as he has in the story, I really did hate him.
The kidnapping was where the story picked up for me. It sparked life into Henley. Surviving that, he stopped just existing and began living. The kidnapping scarred him and he's messed up but he also is driven to start DOING something with his life. Henley isn't going along with what others what anymore, he's living his own life. He grew some balls! Yes!
Mason is his own set of messed up. Lots of guilt and shame, pride mixed in there too. He has been hiding from his baggage for a long time, the kidnapping just added to it.
Henley and Mason's romance is a little too instalove for this storyline. Don't get me wrong, I adore instalove and I can understand how they could have intense feelings but I wish they had a little more time before the "I love you's" came out. This may be clouded by the fact that I kept thinking about both of them probably needing therapy, instead of just toughing it out/going their own way. Maybe that is another reason they fell so fast? I don't know. Despite the quick fall, I love them together. They are a great couple, they push each other in a good way. They are caring and supportive.
The dogs were great additions to the story. No one loves like a dog. I cried. It wasn't unexpected but anyone who has lost a beloved dog knows the grief of it. Even the old must be grieved for the love and joy they've given.
As much as I questioned why they didn't get therapy of some sort, Mason and Henley did work out their personal issues their own way, in their own time. They learned what they needed to learn, maybe how they needed to.
My mind space got me stuck on some things but I did enjoy this story. Henley (the alive, non-pushover one) and Mason are great characters. Both are lovable but flawed. Strong but vulnerable. Uncle Teddy was a great side character with a believable, yet tragic side story. Two big, strong, beautiful, black dogs. This is a story of surviving, of living, of loving, of changing, of grief, and of remembering.
The kidnapping was where the story picked up for me. It sparked life into Henley. Surviving that, he stopped just existing and began living. The kidnapping scarred him and he's messed up but he also is driven to start DOING something with his life. Henley isn't going along with what others what anymore, he's living his own life. He grew some balls! Yes!
Mason is his own set of messed up. Lots of guilt and shame, pride mixed in there too. He has been hiding from his baggage for a long time, the kidnapping just added to it.
Henley and Mason's romance is a little too instalove for this storyline. Don't get me wrong, I adore instalove and I can understand how they could have intense feelings but I wish they had a little more time before the "I love you's" came out. This may be clouded by the fact that I kept thinking about both of them probably needing therapy, instead of just toughing it out/going their own way. Maybe that is another reason they fell so fast? I don't know. Despite the quick fall, I love them together. They are a great couple, they push each other in a good way. They are caring and supportive.
The dogs were great additions to the story. No one loves like a dog. I cried. It wasn't unexpected but anyone who has lost a beloved dog knows the grief of it. Even the old must be grieved for the love and joy they've given.
As much as I questioned why they didn't get therapy of some sort, Mason and Henley did work out their personal issues their own way, in their own time. They learned what they needed to learn, maybe how they needed to.
My mind space got me stuck on some things but I did enjoy this story. Henley (the alive, non-pushover one) and Mason are great characters. Both are lovable but flawed. Strong but vulnerable. Uncle Teddy was a great side character with a believable, yet tragic side story. Two big, strong, beautiful, black dogs. This is a story of surviving, of living, of loving, of changing, of grief, and of remembering.
July 12, 2021
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.75 stars
Refuge was an enjoyable, if somewhat uneven, book about rescue, redemption, and learning to embrace your own path in life. Henley and Lorenzo are both interesting characters and while I didn’t always believe in their romance, they at least kept me engaged. There were times the overall plot felt awkward or too formulated for comfort, but the author did a good job with the pacing. Trigger warning — there is an animal that does die (peacefully) on page, so if that’s issue for you, considered yourself warned.
Henley is the more well developed and natural of the two main protagonists and while both men read as multi-dimensional, Henley read as the more complete and experienced real character growth.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
3.75 stars
Refuge was an enjoyable, if somewhat uneven, book about rescue, redemption, and learning to embrace your own path in life. Henley and Lorenzo are both interesting characters and while I didn’t always believe in their romance, they at least kept me engaged. There were times the overall plot felt awkward or too formulated for comfort, but the author did a good job with the pacing. Trigger warning — there is an animal that does die (peacefully) on page, so if that’s issue for you, considered yourself warned.
Henley is the more well developed and natural of the two main protagonists and while both men read as multi-dimensional, Henley read as the more complete and experienced real character growth.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
August 15, 2021
Refuge is a quintessential romance with two men who find refuge in each other. Henley manages to survive a kidnapping by a group of terrorists. As the attorney general's son he has always been in the spotlight and under pressure to conform to the expectations of others. He survives his experience because of Mason who is an undercover cop.
After the ordeal Henley manages to track Mason down and finds him in a remote edge of town area, where Mason lives with his two dogs. Henley realises there is something slowly burning between them and he decides to explore this attraction. Mason is a bit perturbed by the beautiful talented man who has set his sights on Mason but bit by bit he is drawn into Henley's orbit. The two men are each seeking refuge from hurts and hardships of the past and they just might find this refuge in each other.
This is a lovely slow burning romance. The story takes us deeply into the emotions of the two men and the reader is on tenterhooks about the 'will they wont they' and what will happen next. The story is low angst but highly emotional and leaves the reader with cosy feelings. It is a very soothing gay romance and I enjoyed reading it.
Many thanks to the author for giving me a review copy.
After the ordeal Henley manages to track Mason down and finds him in a remote edge of town area, where Mason lives with his two dogs. Henley realises there is something slowly burning between them and he decides to explore this attraction. Mason is a bit perturbed by the beautiful talented man who has set his sights on Mason but bit by bit he is drawn into Henley's orbit. The two men are each seeking refuge from hurts and hardships of the past and they just might find this refuge in each other.
This is a lovely slow burning romance. The story takes us deeply into the emotions of the two men and the reader is on tenterhooks about the 'will they wont they' and what will happen next. The story is low angst but highly emotional and leaves the reader with cosy feelings. It is a very soothing gay romance and I enjoyed reading it.
Many thanks to the author for giving me a review copy.
July 2, 2021
I was given a free copy of Refuge in return for an honest review.
I really liked Refuge. The story starts off with a terrorist attack and then moves on to a kidnapping but this is just the start of the story. Refuge is a character driven story and we watch as Henley has to overcome his demons with the help of the cop, Mason, who saved him. Mason too has his problems and he is just as dependent on Henley.
The story is well written and I wanted to keep reading.
I have no problem in recommending it.
I really liked Refuge. The story starts off with a terrorist attack and then moves on to a kidnapping but this is just the start of the story. Refuge is a character driven story and we watch as Henley has to overcome his demons with the help of the cop, Mason, who saved him. Mason too has his problems and he is just as dependent on Henley.
The story is well written and I wanted to keep reading.
I have no problem in recommending it.
May 17, 2022
A hurt/comfort read that read Ok but I felt at times that the background between the two was skipped a bit.
Henley’s kidnapping is quite emotive and you do get a feel for the panic he is in, and the instability of the kidnappers.
Then we jump forward a bit, as Henley tries to come to terms and seeks out Mason. Here Henley becomes the stronger as Mason battles old demons.
Henley’s kidnapping is quite emotive and you do get a feel for the panic he is in, and the instability of the kidnappers.
Then we jump forward a bit, as Henley tries to come to terms and seeks out Mason. Here Henley becomes the stronger as Mason battles old demons.
September 20, 2021
Mel can write a death scene. I cried!
There were places that needed editing. But not enough to stoo me from reading.
I won this book in a giveaway on Book Reviews and More by Kathy. Thank you Kathy!
There were places that needed editing. But not enough to stoo me from reading.
I won this book in a giveaway on Book Reviews and More by Kathy. Thank you Kathy!
January 1, 2022
Warning for copious alcohol use, minor character death and pet death
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews