What do you think?
Rate this book
Sequel to
Rules of Engagement
Brandon Stewart and Dustin Walker started dating two years ago after meeting in the local bar over a game of pool. Dustin has struggled to come out to his homophobic family and come clean about his relationship with Brandon, and now they’re planning to get married. Now, in a bid to fix broken ties, Dustin's brother Tristan is trying to reconnect with him, which makes Brandon wonder if he, too, can mend fences with his own estranged brother. But is sixteen years of silence long enough for old wounds to heal?
Brandon Stewart and Dustin Walker started dating two years ago after meeting in the local bar over a game of pool. Dustin has struggled to come out to his homophobic family and come clean about his relationship with Brandon, and now they’re planning to get married. Now, in a bid to fix broken ties, Dustin's brother Tristan is trying to reconnect with him, which makes Brandon wonder if he, too, can mend fences with his own estranged brother. But is sixteen years of silence long enough for old wounds to heal?
100 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2010
28 people are currently reading
466 people want to read
About the author
L.A. Witt
218 books2,724 followersL.A. Witt and her husband have been exiled from Spain and sent to live in Maine because rhymes are fun. She now divides her time between writing, assuring people she is aware that Maine is cold, wondering where to put her next tattoo, and trying to reason with a surly Maine coon. Rumor has it her arch nemesis, Lauren Gallagher, is also somewhere in the wilds of New England, which is why L.A. is also spending a portion of her time training a team of spec ops lobsters.
Authors Ann Gallagher and Lori A. Witt have been asked to assist in lobster training, but they "have books to write" and "need to focus on our careers" and "don't you think this rivalry has gotten a little out of hand?" They're probably just helping Lauren raise her army of squirrels trained to ride moose into battle.
Visit her website at http://www.gallagherwitt.com/.
Authors Ann Gallagher and Lori A. Witt have been asked to assist in lobster training, but they "have books to write" and "need to focus on our careers" and "don't you think this rivalry has gotten a little out of hand?" They're probably just helping Lauren raise her army of squirrels trained to ride moose into battle.
Visit her website at http://www.gallagherwitt.com/.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
June 6, 2017
This was a sweet HEA for Brandon and Dustin. Not a sex-fest like the first book, but lots of love and romance to perfectly compliment it.
October 8, 2015
A nice sexy ending to Brandon and Dustins story. Took some of the rage away, that I felt about the ending in book 1.
July 27, 2013
HEA for Dustin and Brandon!!! After two years together they decide to get married... their love is stronger and beautiful! Their homophobic relatives won't keep them from being together and their love worth everything!
This book is written from Brandon's POV, and I love it very much!
This book is written from Brandon's POV, and I love it very much!
December 15, 2022
Voto: 3.5
RECENSIONE A CURA DI SLANIF
A due anni di distanza dalle vicende di “Le regole del gioco”, ritroviamo Dustin e Brandon più innamorati che mai ma anche messi di fronte a un qualcosa che è destinato a scuotere le loro vite nel profondo: l’omofobia di entrambe le loro famiglie.
Cosa succederà quando questo influenzerà la loro vita di coppia?
Continua sul nostro blog!
RECENSIONE A CURA DI SLANIF
A due anni di distanza dalle vicende di “Le regole del gioco”, ritroviamo Dustin e Brandon più innamorati che mai ma anche messi di fronte a un qualcosa che è destinato a scuotere le loro vite nel profondo: l’omofobia di entrambe le loro famiglie.
Cosa succederà quando questo influenzerà la loro vita di coppia?
Continua sul nostro blog!
June 5, 2016
This is a nice novella, which brings us back to Dustin and Brandon. this time we view everything from Brandons POV, which is different but unfortunately not as different as I would wish to really distinguish the characters.
nevertheless, it is great to see those two again and I would love to see more of them.
nevertheless, it is great to see those two again and I would love to see more of them.
October 29, 2010
Rain is a very good HEA to the book Rules of Engagement. The first book ended abruptly with little to no resolution and no idea about the future for Brandon and Dustin. Rain skips ahead a few years showing the couple happy and settled and ready to be married. This kind of glosses over significant emotional issues but does give a solid ending that was sorely lacking. The highlight are the sex scenes, which are simply fun and entertaining to read, while giving the characters a chance to resolve family issues and end well.
Told from Brandon’s perspective now, he and Dustin are engaged to be married. They’ve been together for two years now and Dustin’s apparently gotten over his fear of being bisexual. It’s disappointing that this is simply skipped since it was a huge issue from the previous book but there are enough issues to go around. Now Dustin’s brother wants to mend fences with Dustin finally and this leaves Brandon wondering if he can reconcile with his own brother. The two brothers have different opinions on Brandon and Dustin’s relationship with two different outcomes.
The plot moves around Brandon as he helps Dustin and his brother, then confronts his own and ultimately how the men deal with the reactions. The story also gives the couple a feeling of strength that was lacking in the previous book. Whereas Dustin pretty much fell apart in the last half of RoE, now he shows much more maturity and emotional strength. He has come to terms with his decisions in a way that’s nice to see, even if we don’t see the struggle to get there. The relationships between both sets of brothers feels genuine and adds a good layer of tension to the story despite that the couple are never in danger of breaking up.
The writing is good but really the sex scenes are pretty creative and entertaining. They are sexy, hot, and fun to read in between the mild drama. Seeing an established couple deal with issues by leaning on each other and offering support without hours of dialogue is a nice change. These two just fit well and that makes the story fun to read. It’s just a quick novella to give a much needed happy ending but fans of RoE will definitely want to see these two ride off into the sunset.
Told from Brandon’s perspective now, he and Dustin are engaged to be married. They’ve been together for two years now and Dustin’s apparently gotten over his fear of being bisexual. It’s disappointing that this is simply skipped since it was a huge issue from the previous book but there are enough issues to go around. Now Dustin’s brother wants to mend fences with Dustin finally and this leaves Brandon wondering if he can reconcile with his own brother. The two brothers have different opinions on Brandon and Dustin’s relationship with two different outcomes.
The plot moves around Brandon as he helps Dustin and his brother, then confronts his own and ultimately how the men deal with the reactions. The story also gives the couple a feeling of strength that was lacking in the previous book. Whereas Dustin pretty much fell apart in the last half of RoE, now he shows much more maturity and emotional strength. He has come to terms with his decisions in a way that’s nice to see, even if we don’t see the struggle to get there. The relationships between both sets of brothers feels genuine and adds a good layer of tension to the story despite that the couple are never in danger of breaking up.
The writing is good but really the sex scenes are pretty creative and entertaining. They are sexy, hot, and fun to read in between the mild drama. Seeing an established couple deal with issues by leaning on each other and offering support without hours of dialogue is a nice change. These two just fit well and that makes the story fun to read. It’s just a quick novella to give a much needed happy ending but fans of RoE will definitely want to see these two ride off into the sunset.
April 25, 2011
I read the initial book “Rules of Engagement” quite a while ago and always wished for more of a HEA ending to that book. Well, voila – here it is! This was the perfect sequel to an awesome book!!
Dustin and Brandon are one of my favorite couples and I’ll never forget the extraordinarily hot scene when they first met. The heat continues in this sequel and can’t be extinguished by the “Rain” that continues to plague some of their momentous occasions;) While the first book was told from Dustin’s point of view, this one is told by Brandon.
Both of the main characters have experienced family issues surrounding their sexuality and this sequel is all about confronting those issues and trying to move on. Let’s just say that the outcome is probably typical of many similar real life scenarios – sometimes people can change and improve, and sometimes they can’t.
The important message here is that love prevails! If you read the first book, you definitely need to see the rest of Dustin and Brandon’s story – it’s worth it!!!
Dustin and Brandon are one of my favorite couples and I’ll never forget the extraordinarily hot scene when they first met. The heat continues in this sequel and can’t be extinguished by the “Rain” that continues to plague some of their momentous occasions;) While the first book was told from Dustin’s point of view, this one is told by Brandon.
Both of the main characters have experienced family issues surrounding their sexuality and this sequel is all about confronting those issues and trying to move on. Let’s just say that the outcome is probably typical of many similar real life scenarios – sometimes people can change and improve, and sometimes they can’t.
The important message here is that love prevails! If you read the first book, you definitely need to see the rest of Dustin and Brandon’s story – it’s worth it!!!
December 22, 2014
This was a lovely epilogue for Rules of Engagement ... it was nice to see how Dustin settled into his life as a gay man & I always like a HEA ... this story also highlights the difficulties that bigotry create in families ... Dustin got his brother back but poor old Brandon was left without his brother, but given the brothers depth of homophobic idiocy, it wasn't really a loss ... if you enjoyed the first book in the series, then this book is essential reading but it isn't a stand-alone title so it won't make as much sense without book one to give it context.
November 22, 2016
This really should have been in book one, it's a short conclusion to Dustin and Brandon's relationship which beautifully gives them the HEA while still sticking to the sad realities of life that not everyone can deal with people not following "the norm".
While Dustin's brother tries to find a way to deal with his brother being bisexual, Brandon doesn't get the same resolution to his own family's fractures.
It's painful but unfortunately a reality of life for many LGBTQ people.
Thankfully there's also enough moments of light and happiness to go some way towards soothing those troubled waters and the same amazing sense of love and warmth from the connection between these two men.
While Dustin's brother tries to find a way to deal with his brother being bisexual, Brandon doesn't get the same resolution to his own family's fractures.
It's painful but unfortunately a reality of life for many LGBTQ people.
Thankfully there's also enough moments of light and happiness to go some way towards soothing those troubled waters and the same amazing sense of love and warmth from the connection between these two men.
February 25, 2016
These guys must not like messiness. 2 years together and still using condoms, impressive. And expensive.
Still, I liked this more than the first, since it had more closure (and Brandon's POV:-))
Still, I liked this more than the first, since it had more closure (and Brandon's POV:-))
November 4, 2016
Rain was a much needed extended epilogue to Rules of Engagement. I'm glad the author revisited this couple and gave them their HEA.
June 21, 2017
4.1 Stars
Lovely little story catching up with the boys - mending some fences but finding out others just aren't likely to ever be repaired. Best part was realizing that as long as they had each other those burdens were easier to bear - and isn't sharing that load one of the basic expectations of a marriage? Maybe one day a coda like this well be a quaint, confusing glimpse into how irrational people could be over something that their opinion or beliefs had no bearing on.
Lovely little story catching up with the boys - mending some fences but finding out others just aren't likely to ever be repaired. Best part was realizing that as long as they had each other those burdens were easier to bear - and isn't sharing that load one of the basic expectations of a marriage? Maybe one day a coda like this well be a quaint, confusing glimpse into how irrational people could be over something that their opinion or beliefs had no bearing on.
April 20, 2013
3.5 stars
Nice sequel to Rules of Engagement... It was good to read more about Dustin and Brandon.
Nice sequel to Rules of Engagement... It was good to read more about Dustin and Brandon.
November 28, 2014
I should have read the previous story maybe then I would have enjoyed it more.
July 24, 2021
Mi sono piaciuti molto questi due personaggi e avrei letto ancora tante pagine su di loro! 💛
December 3, 2022
Ho avuto la fortuna di leggere questo seguito – la nuova traduzione – a distanza di pochi minuti dalla fine dell’altro libro, e me lo sono gustata tutto.
Certo, è molto più breve, ma è davvero una lettura piacevole. E poi ho apprezzato il cambio di punto di vista… così possiamo conoscere un po’ di più l’introspezione di Brandon.
Ritroviamo Brandon e Dustin due anni dopo la loro riconciliazione e sono ancora uniti e innamorati più che mai, a tal punto che hanno deciso di formalizzare la loro unione con un matrimonio.
Pur nella sua brevità, il racconto è ricco di sentimenti ed emozioni. Ritroviamo l’amore, la complicità dei nostri protagonisti, delle scene hot davvero coinvolgenti e anche il dolceamaro della vita quotidiana, i problemi legati all’omofobia, all’accettazione, alla diversità.
E, come nella vita vera, il libro ci insegna che non possiamo avere tutto quello che vorremmo, ma che bisogna seguire il cuore e le vere priorità.
Certo, è molto più breve, ma è davvero una lettura piacevole. E poi ho apprezzato il cambio di punto di vista… così possiamo conoscere un po’ di più l’introspezione di Brandon.
Ritroviamo Brandon e Dustin due anni dopo la loro riconciliazione e sono ancora uniti e innamorati più che mai, a tal punto che hanno deciso di formalizzare la loro unione con un matrimonio.
Pur nella sua brevità, il racconto è ricco di sentimenti ed emozioni. Ritroviamo l’amore, la complicità dei nostri protagonisti, delle scene hot davvero coinvolgenti e anche il dolceamaro della vita quotidiana, i problemi legati all’omofobia, all’accettazione, alla diversità.
E, come nella vita vera, il libro ci insegna che non possiamo avere tutto quello che vorremmo, ma che bisogna seguire il cuore e le vere priorità.
September 30, 2025
At least here we get a better ending. But this could have just been an epilogue in the novel.
May 26, 2017
Huh, well that was stupid of me. I was halfway through before it dawned on me that this might be a sequel to a book I haven’t read yet.
Be that as it may, I enjoyed this. Brandon and Dustin are a gorgeous couple and the situation they found themselves in broke my heart.
And now I intend to read how they got together.
Be that as it may, I enjoyed this. Brandon and Dustin are a gorgeous couple and the situation they found themselves in broke my heart.
And now I intend to read how they got together.
November 10, 2014
3,5* Conclusion d’une belle histoire
Ce court récit est plus un épilogue à « Règles d’engagement » qu’un vrai roman, Brandon et Dustin se sont construit leur vie à deux, tout n’a pas été rose, mais ils ont réussis à mettre à plat leurs différences. Leur relation est établie et ils songent même à officialiser leur relation par un mariage, le seul élément qui perturbe cet équilibre est la fracture qui existe pour chacun d’eux avec un membre de leur famille. Le frère de Brandon l’a rejeté des années auparavant quant à celui de Dustin, c’est plus complexe, il a dû mal à comprendre cependant il aime son frère et semble vouloir se rapprocher de lui.
J’ai beaucoup apprécié de retrouver les deux hommes dans leur vie de couple, il est toujours intéressant de voir comment une histoire si complexe a pu évoluer. C’est toujours aussi bien écrit, avec beaucoup de sensibilité et d’émotion de la part de L.A. Witt. C’est une jolie conclusion qu’elle nous offre, même si celle-ci ne sera pas aussi heureuse pour les deux hommes, la reconnexion avec certains membres de la famille n’aboutissant pas.
Je n’ai donc pas boudé mon plaisir et dégusté avec plaisir ces retrouvailles avec ces deux hommes attachants, surtout que le court format du récit n’empêche pas l’auteure de nous offrir de délicieuses scènes sensuelles entre Dustin et Brandon.
Ce court récit est plus un épilogue à « Règles d’engagement » qu’un vrai roman, Brandon et Dustin se sont construit leur vie à deux, tout n’a pas été rose, mais ils ont réussis à mettre à plat leurs différences. Leur relation est établie et ils songent même à officialiser leur relation par un mariage, le seul élément qui perturbe cet équilibre est la fracture qui existe pour chacun d’eux avec un membre de leur famille. Le frère de Brandon l’a rejeté des années auparavant quant à celui de Dustin, c’est plus complexe, il a dû mal à comprendre cependant il aime son frère et semble vouloir se rapprocher de lui.
J’ai beaucoup apprécié de retrouver les deux hommes dans leur vie de couple, il est toujours intéressant de voir comment une histoire si complexe a pu évoluer. C’est toujours aussi bien écrit, avec beaucoup de sensibilité et d’émotion de la part de L.A. Witt. C’est une jolie conclusion qu’elle nous offre, même si celle-ci ne sera pas aussi heureuse pour les deux hommes, la reconnexion avec certains membres de la famille n’aboutissant pas.
Je n’ai donc pas boudé mon plaisir et dégusté avec plaisir ces retrouvailles avec ces deux hommes attachants, surtout que le court format du récit n’empêche pas l’auteure de nous offrir de délicieuses scènes sensuelles entre Dustin et Brandon.
October 26, 2011
This was the continuation of the novel Rules of Engagement. Rules of Engagement was excellent until about 90% into the book where it took a dramatic turn, leading to read-rage (my version of road-rage). In fact, I'm going to create a new read-rage shelf to express my displeasure for all themes that make me want to grind my teeth down to nubbins. I also felt that Rules of Engagement did not have great closure, so I had to read this book right away.
This book definitely provided the closure that I was looking for. I only gave it 3 stars because it was actually really short, only novella length. In my opinion, the first book could've been edited (cutting out some of the many sex scenes) and these two books could have been combined.
I also didn't love the way this book starts 2 years after the end of the last book. I was really hoping for more gradual relationship development between the two men. Rules of Engagement ended with events that left me frothing at the mouth, and then this one started at a point of relationship bliss. The gap just left me unsatisfied.
This book definitely provided the closure that I was looking for. I only gave it 3 stars because it was actually really short, only novella length. In my opinion, the first book could've been edited (cutting out some of the many sex scenes) and these two books could have been combined.
I also didn't love the way this book starts 2 years after the end of the last book. I was really hoping for more gradual relationship development between the two men. Rules of Engagement ended with events that left me frothing at the mouth, and then this one started at a point of relationship bliss. The gap just left me unsatisfied.
October 8, 2010
This was a good follow up 2 years after Rules of Engagement. This story is more about reconnecting (or not) with family after coming out, not about Brandon and Dustin. They're happily settled and engaged -- no date yet. Tristan, Dustin's brother, seeks him out to reconnect. Jillian, Brandon's sister, asks Brandon if he's considered making peace with his older brother, Russell, even though it was Russell who walked out of his life. Two sides, two viewpoints, and two outcomes. I was glad to see the recurrence of Brandon thinking that anyone who doesn't like it can "suck his left nut," including his brother. This is a good "love is love" story.
May 25, 2016
Hm, second time around I found this novella way to short and undeveloped. But at least we got HEA.
2010/October/9 - 5 star rating
This sequel is simple amazing and I love it. It's full of feelings and emotions, and I'm lucky to read :D such pieces of books. Thank you "L.A. Witt" for this amazing story and just great sequel.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.. :)
2010/October/9 - 5 star rating
This sequel is simple amazing and I love it. It's full of feelings and emotions, and I'm lucky to read :D such pieces of books. Thank you "L.A. Witt" for this amazing story and just great sequel.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.. :)
June 2, 2013
I was a little unsatisfied with the ending to the first book so I was interested to see what would happen here. It ended up being a little bittersweet (not in terms of Dustin and Brandon's relationship but in terms of their wider family ties) but, nonetheless, I enjoyed seeing how the men's relationship had matured and I feel like their story now has the ending it deserves.
June 10, 2012
3.5 stars.
The previous book finished quite abruptly and a bit unresolved, so I'm pleased to have closure on the MCs' lives :) This novella is told from Brandon's perspective (Rules of Engagement was from Dustin's perspecive) as they (and their families) prepare for the men's upcoming marriage.
The previous book finished quite abruptly and a bit unresolved, so I'm pleased to have closure on the MCs' lives :) This novella is told from Brandon's perspective (Rules of Engagement was from Dustin's perspecive) as they (and their families) prepare for the men's upcoming marriage.
January 1, 2012
Really satisfying end to a great story. On the one hand so happy for Dustin and yet so sad on the other hand for Brandon; but really highlights the beauty and sustenance of finding your true love. Nobody else really factors in if they are not a positive part of the equation. Both books were just great . Loving this author!
July 21, 2012
This was a nice follow up to Rules of Engagement and while I wish it would have not been two years into the future, it was good read after how the last book ended abruptly to see how everything turned out for Brandon and Dustin.
December 1, 2012
3.5 stars - I enjoyed seeing another glimpse of Brandon and Dustin, but was sad when (although realistic), only one of the people in their loves that had disowned them for being gay was willing to reconcile. It was bittersweet.
December 17, 2016
Short sweet and thought provoking. Brandon and Dustin finally get married. But this short is more about family. Of Dustin making a truce with his estranged twin and Brandon accepting the loss of his brother for good. Of how Brandon and Dustin become their own family unit, not just a couple.
December 16, 2014
Nice short follow up to Rules of Engagement. This time life is told from Brandon's point if view which is nice.
November 2, 2019
A well deserved HEA for Brandon & Dustin! Loved this short and steamy story 🔥
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews