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Rebel Kings MC #4
Love Thy Brother
The fourth instalment in the bestselling Rebel Kings series
Expect: His brother’s best friend. His best friend’s little brother. The soft-hearted bear and the rowdy chaos gremlin. The inevitable only happens when you let it.
“Riv, if you ever let me speak, you’d know exactly how I feel.”
I’ve told him that a thousand times, but River’s stubborn streak is a mile wide.
He doesn’t want to hear it.
To him, we're doomed.
Cursed.
Forbidden.
Because he thinks I love a goddamn motorcycle club more than him.
My worst nightmare is losing him before I get the chance to change his mind, and in our world, bad dreams come true. Our reality is mess and pain, but I love him. And he loves me.
And I’ll fight for us to the end.
Love Thy Brother is a hurt/comfort MM romance from the best-selling Rebel Kings MC series. Content warnings for violence, off page abuse, self-harm, and grief.
Expect: His brother’s best friend. His best friend’s little brother. The soft-hearted bear and the rowdy chaos gremlin. The inevitable only happens when you let it.
“Riv, if you ever let me speak, you’d know exactly how I feel.”
I’ve told him that a thousand times, but River’s stubborn streak is a mile wide.
He doesn’t want to hear it.
To him, we're doomed.
Cursed.
Forbidden.
Because he thinks I love a goddamn motorcycle club more than him.
My worst nightmare is losing him before I get the chance to change his mind, and in our world, bad dreams come true. Our reality is mess and pain, but I love him. And he loves me.
And I’ll fight for us to the end.
Love Thy Brother is a hurt/comfort MM romance from the best-selling Rebel Kings MC series. Content warnings for violence, off page abuse, self-harm, and grief.
438 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 29, 2023
116 people are currently reading
715 people want to read
About the author
Garrett Leigh
107 books2,313 followersShe/Her
Bonus Material available for all books on Garrett's Patreon account. Includes short stories from Misfits, Slide, Strays, What Remains, Dream, and much more. Sign up here: https://www.patreon.com/garrettleigh
Facebook Fan Group, Garrett's Den... https://www.facebook.com/groups/garre...
Garrett Leigh is an award-winning British romance author and artist. Her debut novel, Slide, won Best Bisexual Debut at the 2014 Rainbow Book Awards, and she is a 4 time LAMBDA finalist.
In 2017, she won the EPIC award in contemporary romance with her military novel, Between Ghosts, and the contemporary romance category in the Bisexual Book Awards with her novel What Remains.
Garrett is also an award winning cover designer, taking the silver medal at the Benjamin Franklin Book Awards in 2016. She designs for various publishing houses and independent authors at blackjazzdesign.com
Bonus Material available for all books on Garrett's Patreon account. Includes short stories from Misfits, Slide, Strays, What Remains, Dream, and much more. Sign up here: https://www.patreon.com/garrettleigh
Facebook Fan Group, Garrett's Den... https://www.facebook.com/groups/garre...
Garrett Leigh is an award-winning British romance author and artist. Her debut novel, Slide, won Best Bisexual Debut at the 2014 Rainbow Book Awards, and she is a 4 time LAMBDA finalist.
In 2017, she won the EPIC award in contemporary romance with her military novel, Between Ghosts, and the contemporary romance category in the Bisexual Book Awards with her novel What Remains.
Garrett is also an award winning cover designer, taking the silver medal at the Benjamin Franklin Book Awards in 2016. She designs for various publishing houses and independent authors at blackjazzdesign.com
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August 21, 2023
Love Thy Brother is book four in the Rebel Kings MC series by Garrett Leigh. This is Rubi and River’s book! There is just something about this series, about these men. They are members of a Motorcycle Club, huge and tattooed, who will do anything for each other, HAVE done things they only see in their dreams and wish they didn’t. But they also have huge hearts. They love each other with everything they have. These men want to be good men, if only others would stop trying to hurt them. I want to add here that whenever I picked up this book, somehow everything around me just faded away and I would immediately be sucked right back into this world, completely immersed.
Rubi Matherson is thirty two years old and is the Rebel King’s road captain. In the previous book, Rubi was hit in the head with a crow bar and suffered a severe concussion. He is STILL suffering terribly from debilitating migraines from his injury.
River O’Brian is twenty seven years old and is Cam’s (the president of the Rebel Kings) younger brother. River has tried to remove himself as much as possible from the Kings life. He wants nothing to do with them. His relationship with both his brother and sister is non-existent. He lives in a different town and owns his own garage.
Rubi and River have known each other since they were young children and have been in love since the beginning. They were both raised in the King’s life. Both their fathers were members before them. But their love has never had the opportunity to grow. Rubi stayed in the life, River did not. Both are barely surviving their day to day lives. But when a threat to River arises, both Rubi and the rest of the Kings are there for him whether he likes it or not. River is their family, even if he won’t accept them.
This is the story of two men who have such a deep love for one another but have had everything possible stacked against them. When danger is at their door, though, it forces them to finally face their differences and admit their feelings. It forces them both to also look to themselves and figure out what is really important.
I loved both of these men but it’s Rubi that really stole my heart. This man is the swooniest. He’s huge and scary but he feels so much so deeply. And River, who I think believed himself to be weak, found just how strong he really was. And how important the love of both his blood brother and his brothers in the Kings really was. And even more importantly, the love of the only man he has ever been truly in love with, Rubi.
The next book will be Reluctant Renegade and will be Decoy and Folk’s book. I’m so excited about this. I feel like there were some other hints given for a future book as well. If I’m right, I am beyond excited about it.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Rubi Matherson is thirty two years old and is the Rebel King’s road captain. In the previous book, Rubi was hit in the head with a crow bar and suffered a severe concussion. He is STILL suffering terribly from debilitating migraines from his injury.
River O’Brian is twenty seven years old and is Cam’s (the president of the Rebel Kings) younger brother. River has tried to remove himself as much as possible from the Kings life. He wants nothing to do with them. His relationship with both his brother and sister is non-existent. He lives in a different town and owns his own garage.
Rubi and River have known each other since they were young children and have been in love since the beginning. They were both raised in the King’s life. Both their fathers were members before them. But their love has never had the opportunity to grow. Rubi stayed in the life, River did not. Both are barely surviving their day to day lives. But when a threat to River arises, both Rubi and the rest of the Kings are there for him whether he likes it or not. River is their family, even if he won’t accept them.
This is the story of two men who have such a deep love for one another but have had everything possible stacked against them. When danger is at their door, though, it forces them to finally face their differences and admit their feelings. It forces them both to also look to themselves and figure out what is really important.
I loved both of these men but it’s Rubi that really stole my heart. This man is the swooniest. He’s huge and scary but he feels so much so deeply. And River, who I think believed himself to be weak, found just how strong he really was. And how important the love of both his blood brother and his brothers in the Kings really was. And even more importantly, the love of the only man he has ever been truly in love with, Rubi.
The next book will be Reluctant Renegade and will be Decoy and Folk’s book. I’m so excited about this. I feel like there were some other hints given for a future book as well. If I’m right, I am beyond excited about it.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
March 9, 2023
I swear every time I think Garrett Leigh has delivered her best book yet, she releases another one which blows me away.
With the Rebel Kings series I think she's gone off into the stratosphere with just how amazingly absorbing the narratives are. When I read, I'm fearful I'll miss something if I blink too long!
In Rubi she's crafted such an amazing giant of a man with the heart of a lion and the soul of an angel. He's a King until death, even though being a member of the club has cost him the one thing he loves beyond all else - his president Cam's younger brother River.
River though, my heart broke for River. He's turned his back on the club that took his parents, some of his friends, and which threatens the safety of the guy he's been in love with for years.
He's also storing up some pretty big pain from an event that Rubi can't even remember, when he turned to River in the aftermath of the attack on the club and they spent the night together before Rubi left him alone in his bed.
River's all piss and vinegar, he snaps and snarls, but he's hiding his truth deep inside him and he's too stubborn to admit that when he ran from the motorcycle club five years previous, he left his heart behind him.
But Rubi, the strength of character of the man shines through. He's been such a presence in the series so far and now he gets the chance to fight for his own happy ending. When the book starts he's not in a good place and we get to see what a world might be like without Rubi in it.
The hurt/comfort in this book is pitched so beautifully it will have you aching to grab both men and wrap them up in a warm blanket and tell them all will be well. They fight and fratch, hurting each other both deliberately and without meaning to, but underlying all is a connection tying them together in ways which won't ever be untangled.
I'm not spoiling the plot, suffice it to say, Garrett delivers there on a two-front element which brings danger to the club and to River directly.
It's not quite as adrenaline rushed as the first three books, but there's still enough tension to make the reader want to dive through the pages to get to the end and the hopeful conclusion we're all wishing for.
With complex relationships with other members of their family, and the wider club members, there's plenty to keep the story driving onward and we get some lovely guest appearances from Garrett's expanded universe which I loved seeing.
The Epilogue is simply gorgeous and I am now absolutely dying for book five because, if she carries on like she has done so far in this series, I'm going to be searching for more superlatives with which to describe her work.
Garrett Leigh writes people like no other, imho, she can bring the depths of despair and then turn it into the highest hopes, she gives realness to everything she crafts, her characters live in my head rent free and I can only dream of them stepping off the pages and into our world.
I'd love to spend time just watching them shoot the breeze and take the mickey out of each other, ride the roads with them and listen to The Levellers on a hot summer night.
#ARC kindly received from the author via GRR in return for an honest and unbiased review
With the Rebel Kings series I think she's gone off into the stratosphere with just how amazingly absorbing the narratives are. When I read, I'm fearful I'll miss something if I blink too long!
In Rubi she's crafted such an amazing giant of a man with the heart of a lion and the soul of an angel. He's a King until death, even though being a member of the club has cost him the one thing he loves beyond all else - his president Cam's younger brother River.
River though, my heart broke for River. He's turned his back on the club that took his parents, some of his friends, and which threatens the safety of the guy he's been in love with for years.
He's also storing up some pretty big pain from an event that Rubi can't even remember, when he turned to River in the aftermath of the attack on the club and they spent the night together before Rubi left him alone in his bed.
River's all piss and vinegar, he snaps and snarls, but he's hiding his truth deep inside him and he's too stubborn to admit that when he ran from the motorcycle club five years previous, he left his heart behind him.
But Rubi, the strength of character of the man shines through. He's been such a presence in the series so far and now he gets the chance to fight for his own happy ending. When the book starts he's not in a good place and we get to see what a world might be like without Rubi in it.
The hurt/comfort in this book is pitched so beautifully it will have you aching to grab both men and wrap them up in a warm blanket and tell them all will be well. They fight and fratch, hurting each other both deliberately and without meaning to, but underlying all is a connection tying them together in ways which won't ever be untangled.
I'm not spoiling the plot, suffice it to say, Garrett delivers there on a two-front element which brings danger to the club and to River directly.
It's not quite as adrenaline rushed as the first three books, but there's still enough tension to make the reader want to dive through the pages to get to the end and the hopeful conclusion we're all wishing for.
With complex relationships with other members of their family, and the wider club members, there's plenty to keep the story driving onward and we get some lovely guest appearances from Garrett's expanded universe which I loved seeing.
The Epilogue is simply gorgeous and I am now absolutely dying for book five because, if she carries on like she has done so far in this series, I'm going to be searching for more superlatives with which to describe her work.
Garrett Leigh writes people like no other, imho, she can bring the depths of despair and then turn it into the highest hopes, she gives realness to everything she crafts, her characters live in my head rent free and I can only dream of them stepping off the pages and into our world.
I'd love to spend time just watching them shoot the breeze and take the mickey out of each other, ride the roads with them and listen to The Levellers on a hot summer night.
#ARC kindly received from the author via GRR in return for an honest and unbiased review
March 29, 2023
Just when I think I couldn’t possibly love the next Rebel Kings book as much as the last, Garrett Leigh does it again. This is Book 4 in the series, and yes, you need to start at the beginning.
Swoon /5 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
Angst /5 🥺🥺🥺🥺
Steam /5 ♨️ ♨️♨️♨️
Plot /5 🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐
LOLs /5 🤭🤭🤭🤭
I already loved soft-hearted Rubi from previous books in the series, but I fell for him even more in this, as he finally gets his time with the love of his life, River (Cam & Orla’s brother). River is chaotic & mercurial, and wants no part of the business of a biker club. He’s made this very clear by separating himself from everyone, including his family, and including Rubi, who he’s loved since he was a teenager trailing after his brother’s best friend. It’s a classic case of “can’t live with you, can’t live without you” - both of them pining for each other for years, finding all sorts of maladaptive ways to cope without the other.
When River’s life is in danger, Rubi has to be the one to protect him, and that bit of forced proximity sparks their flame for each other to life. And for rough, tough biker dudes, with violence a part of their DNA, they are surprisingly swoony and passionate. I mean, the chemistry is FIRE, but the swoon is perfect as well. Rubi, the big marshmallow he is, has ALL the pretty words too. Between this, and the hilarious banter from River, this book is something special. Just like the whole series. The protagonists are written so vividly, you feel like you know them. And you love them wholeheartedly. Which means that the tension in the last 30% of the book, with huge angst in parts, nearly gives you a heart attack and a bucket of tears, but we get to a spectacular HEA, that also features some of the other couples in the series too. More bang for your buck!
There isn’t anything that Garrett Leigh writes that I wouldn’t read. I just wish I had more spare time to work my way through all of her earlier books…
Check out my reviews and MM content on Instagram, Facebook & Bookbub, all under the same name! I gratefully received an advance copy and this is my honest review.
Swoon /5 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
Angst /5 🥺🥺🥺🥺
Steam /5 ♨️ ♨️♨️♨️
Plot /5 🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐
LOLs /5 🤭🤭🤭🤭
I already loved soft-hearted Rubi from previous books in the series, but I fell for him even more in this, as he finally gets his time with the love of his life, River (Cam & Orla’s brother). River is chaotic & mercurial, and wants no part of the business of a biker club. He’s made this very clear by separating himself from everyone, including his family, and including Rubi, who he’s loved since he was a teenager trailing after his brother’s best friend. It’s a classic case of “can’t live with you, can’t live without you” - both of them pining for each other for years, finding all sorts of maladaptive ways to cope without the other.
When River’s life is in danger, Rubi has to be the one to protect him, and that bit of forced proximity sparks their flame for each other to life. And for rough, tough biker dudes, with violence a part of their DNA, they are surprisingly swoony and passionate. I mean, the chemistry is FIRE, but the swoon is perfect as well. Rubi, the big marshmallow he is, has ALL the pretty words too. Between this, and the hilarious banter from River, this book is something special. Just like the whole series. The protagonists are written so vividly, you feel like you know them. And you love them wholeheartedly. Which means that the tension in the last 30% of the book, with huge angst in parts, nearly gives you a heart attack and a bucket of tears, but we get to a spectacular HEA, that also features some of the other couples in the series too. More bang for your buck!
There isn’t anything that Garrett Leigh writes that I wouldn’t read. I just wish I had more spare time to work my way through all of her earlier books…
Check out my reviews and MM content on Instagram, Facebook & Bookbub, all under the same name! I gratefully received an advance copy and this is my honest review.
November 5, 2023
River dejo el club y a su hermano cuando fallecieron sus padres, intentando huir del dolor que le causo tanta lucha, y aunque nunca pudo huir del todo, ahora solo lo intenta con drogas y trabajo en su taller. Así que cuando comienza a recibir amenazas para que venda su local a un grupo de empresarios, no pide ayuda, y no es hasta que Robin aparece a apoyarlo que se da cuenta de lo solo que esta y lo mucho que extraña a su familia. Pero eso no basta para que su rencor por la vida del Club lo cambie, pero quizás viendo como es el Club ahora, y gracias a la paciencia y el amor de Robin pueda volver a sentirse completo nuevamente.
Este es un libro mucho mas sentimental, que trata temas como la adicción a las drogas recreacionales y la negación. Así como también la amistad, el amor, el perdón y la familia. Quizás es el libro mas inspirado en la unión familiar de toda la serie, hasta ahora. No tiene mucha acción, sino mucho drama e introspección, pero es un relato solido y bien escrito.
En fin, esta serie es bastante entretenida, y me gusta mucho, voy por el próximo libro, esperando saber un poco mas de la vida del Club y como se han mantenido fuera los caminos ilegales.
Nota: Se que el autor tiene muchas historias cortas de esta serie en otras plataformas, que amplían mucho mas el universo, yo no las he leído, así que no creo que sean necesarias para disfrutar la serie, pero si para ampliar el conocimiento de lo que pasa con algunos de nuestros personajes favoritos fuera de la trama de los libros.
Este es un libro mucho mas sentimental, que trata temas como la adicción a las drogas recreacionales y la negación. Así como también la amistad, el amor, el perdón y la familia. Quizás es el libro mas inspirado en la unión familiar de toda la serie, hasta ahora. No tiene mucha acción, sino mucho drama e introspección, pero es un relato solido y bien escrito.
En fin, esta serie es bastante entretenida, y me gusta mucho, voy por el próximo libro, esperando saber un poco mas de la vida del Club y como se han mantenido fuera los caminos ilegales.
Nota: Se que el autor tiene muchas historias cortas de esta serie en otras plataformas, que amplían mucho mas el universo, yo no las he leído, así que no creo que sean necesarias para disfrutar la serie, pero si para ampliar el conocimiento de lo que pasa con algunos de nuestros personajes favoritos fuera de la trama de los libros.
July 8, 2023
4.5/5 stars
This was everything. I loved Rubi and River. The pining for each other? It. Was. Everything. I loved River’s nickname for Rubi, boo. Like it just was so sweet. I was a little bored through some of it, but overall it was perfect.
“What do you need, boo?”
“This.” Rubi slid a hand under the covers, stopping at my abdomen. “I need to wake up with you. Watch the sunrise. Face the world together. I can’t do it without you anymore.” “That’s lucky, cos I love you, and I want that too.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” I closed my eyes to his touch. “But you have to promise to put your hands on me every day like this. It’s the only addiction I need.”
River, though, he was fucking everything to me. I loved Cam. My brothers. The club our fathers had built from nothing. But without River, everything was hollow, and the years I’d spent waiting for that to change—for him to change when he was perfectly imperfect the way he was—fuck . . . what a wasted life.
This was everything. I loved Rubi and River. The pining for each other? It. Was. Everything. I loved River’s nickname for Rubi, boo. Like it just was so sweet. I was a little bored through some of it, but overall it was perfect.
“What do you need, boo?”
“This.” Rubi slid a hand under the covers, stopping at my abdomen. “I need to wake up with you. Watch the sunrise. Face the world together. I can’t do it without you anymore.” “That’s lucky, cos I love you, and I want that too.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” I closed my eyes to his touch. “But you have to promise to put your hands on me every day like this. It’s the only addiction I need.”
June 20, 2024
I loved Rubi and River together! Their HEA was more than deserved after everything they've suffered through so far.
I did enjoy the plot and how all of the characters are always involved in each others relationships, but I felt like the criminal aspect was too easily resolved here. I am getting a little annoyed that everything just seems to be left to Alexei to fix - give the man a break already!
I'm really trying to pace myself with the rest of the books now because I don't want this series to be over, but at the same time these books feel like they're screaming at me to read them, and read them RIGHT NOW!!! I can't concentrate on anything else 😂
What I am most excited for though is the eventual reaction to the Nash / Orla / Locke situation - I'm over here smiling with glee and getting the popcorn ready for Cam's reaction 😂😂😂 I can already hear Orla's cutting remarks in my head and I'm so ready for it.
I did enjoy the plot and how all of the characters are always involved in each others relationships, but I felt like the criminal aspect was too easily resolved here. I am getting a little annoyed that everything just seems to be left to Alexei to fix - give the man a break already!
I'm really trying to pace myself with the rest of the books now because I don't want this series to be over, but at the same time these books feel like they're screaming at me to read them, and read them RIGHT NOW!!! I can't concentrate on anything else 😂
What I am most excited for though is the eventual reaction to the Nash / Orla / Locke situation - I'm over here smiling with glee and getting the popcorn ready for Cam's reaction 😂😂😂 I can already hear Orla's cutting remarks in my head and I'm so ready for it.
March 29, 2023
This book is obviously not a standalone. If you've read the other books in the series, this review isn't for you, because you're already downloading the book. I'm confident of that. If the first books didn't land with you, you wouldn't be reading this.
No, this review is for those who haven't started the series and are wondering if it's all that - it is, in fact, all that and then some. I've loved every page of every book of this series. They've made me laugh, cry, and fall head-over-heels in love with each character.
I'm still not going to go out of my way to pick up other motorcycle club books, but the Rebel Kings have me ready to patch in. Garrett Leigh manages to maintain the ensemble cast of the Rebel Kings without the other characters taking over the story, which is no easy feat given how charismatic those characters are.
Rubi and River each have more than their fair share of baggage, but they fit together perfectly. There's plenty of heat, but even more heart. I loved every word of their slow-burn, surprisingly tender love story.
I highly recommend the series, as well as the author's Patreon.
No, this review is for those who haven't started the series and are wondering if it's all that - it is, in fact, all that and then some. I've loved every page of every book of this series. They've made me laugh, cry, and fall head-over-heels in love with each character.
I'm still not going to go out of my way to pick up other motorcycle club books, but the Rebel Kings have me ready to patch in. Garrett Leigh manages to maintain the ensemble cast of the Rebel Kings without the other characters taking over the story, which is no easy feat given how charismatic those characters are.
Rubi and River each have more than their fair share of baggage, but they fit together perfectly. There's plenty of heat, but even more heart. I loved every word of their slow-burn, surprisingly tender love story.
I highly recommend the series, as well as the author's Patreon.
April 19, 2023
Rubi and River's story was action packed and fast paced, but that's nothing new considering which series we're talking about.
The years of regret, of silences, of missed opportunities that existed between them finally came to an end when Rubi decided that enough was enough. Nothing could keep him from protecting River, not even River himself.
River, however, needed a little more time to get with the program. He was subborn and clung to old beliefs, not willing to see the changes that were made. No matter how much he loved Rubi, he wasn't willing to put past hurts to rest and take a chance at being happy together.
There's no shortage of things not going according to plan here, no shortage of enemies and seedy characters, no shortage of action. But of course there were also the calm moments in between the storms, the happy, light-hearted banter between the characters, the moments when the love they had for each other was out in the open.
One small thing: as the story was reaching its conclusion, I thought that maybe it was a little too long.
Next up are Decoy and Folk and I'm excited to read their story as well.
~ I read an ARC of this book. ~
The years of regret, of silences, of missed opportunities that existed between them finally came to an end when Rubi decided that enough was enough. Nothing could keep him from protecting River, not even River himself.
River, however, needed a little more time to get with the program. He was subborn and clung to old beliefs, not willing to see the changes that were made. No matter how much he loved Rubi, he wasn't willing to put past hurts to rest and take a chance at being happy together.
There's no shortage of things not going according to plan here, no shortage of enemies and seedy characters, no shortage of action. But of course there were also the calm moments in between the storms, the happy, light-hearted banter between the characters, the moments when the love they had for each other was out in the open.
One small thing: as the story was reaching its conclusion, I thought that maybe it was a little too long.
Next up are Decoy and Folk and I'm excited to read their story as well.
~ I read an ARC of this book. ~
August 23, 2024
Sweet little stubborn murder babies who don't even remember if they have fucked because they were both fucked up for different reasons. Dude, Rubi is the sweetest mfucker ever and River is just a chaos gremlin. I liked that the stakes outside their relationship weren't that high and it was mostly about them letting themselves love and be loved. As always, Alexei was my fav, with his unicorn socks and his horror at holding a baby. Lizard people ftw. That includes Saint and his Master Yoda ways. Also, I can't wait for Nash to smooch Locke.
Awesome addition. Fav MC series ever.
Awesome addition. Fav MC series ever.
April 7, 2023
This is NOT another stepbrother book! In a time where stepbrother romances are all the rage I feel the need to identity this is not that. It’s childhood friends to lovers and I’ve really loved it. I’ve been hanging out for Rubi and River’s story and this has really hit the spot. I love Garret Leigh’s writing and how she incorporates issues like chronic pain, traumatic brain injuries and addiction into her stories in such an effortless, organic way. When her characters talk about taking drugs, I REALLY believe they are taking drugs. It’s so realistic and makes me think so many other books I’ve read with drug taking characters just haven’t got it quite right.
I cant get enough of this found family and loved seeing all the characters from previous books through the eyes of our current guys, as well as lovely, sneaky, tiny, blink and you miss it tidbits from previous books like Whisper, Lucky, the Darkest Skies series, and of course Marc *swoon. This isn’t overdone though, it’s just the right amount not to take over the current mc’s and everyone has their own important role, rather than obnoxiously jumping in just for the cameos sake. Sooooo well done!
This one does have some some darker violent moments that surprised me a little, even though I knew to expect them with it being biker book I didn’t care much for them. I found myself really invested in the romance here and sped read through some of the biker action to get back to Rubi and River’s scenes.
I can’t wait for Folk’s story and also the Men of Porth Luck series with Sol, Skylar and hopefully Oscar. In fact I’d happily read spin off books about these side characters in this world forever.
*This definitely needs to be read in order and you’d be rather lost starting now. The first books are MMM but aren’t typical MMM so worth giving a go if that’s not usually your thing.
I cant get enough of this found family and loved seeing all the characters from previous books through the eyes of our current guys, as well as lovely, sneaky, tiny, blink and you miss it tidbits from previous books like Whisper, Lucky, the Darkest Skies series, and of course Marc *swoon. This isn’t overdone though, it’s just the right amount not to take over the current mc’s and everyone has their own important role, rather than obnoxiously jumping in just for the cameos sake. Sooooo well done!
This one does have some some darker violent moments that surprised me a little, even though I knew to expect them with it being biker book I didn’t care much for them. I found myself really invested in the romance here and sped read through some of the biker action to get back to Rubi and River’s scenes.
I can’t wait for Folk’s story and also the Men of Porth Luck series with Sol, Skylar and hopefully Oscar. In fact I’d happily read spin off books about these side characters in this world forever.
*This definitely needs to be read in order and you’d be rather lost starting now. The first books are MMM but aren’t typical MMM so worth giving a go if that’s not usually your thing.
March 31, 2023
I ducking love Garrett Leigh. She is one my favorites. this book just didn’t land for me. it’s kind of boring. I don’t really have a sense of River and what I know about Rubi is from other books in this series. The blurb says River is a rowdy chaos gremlin, but all he’s done is look hot, smoke weed and burn bacon.
January 11, 2025
Me every time Alexei shows up:
I've been waiting for River and Rubi's story since book 1. The tension, the yearning, the angst from these two throughout this series has nearly been unbearable.
Now while I didn't love the storyline/plot, I loved the characters enough that I didn't care too much.
River really is just a chaos gremlin, and while he is quite frustrating at times, he felt like such a complicated character that I couldn't not love him. Rubi is just the golden retriever puppy that River really does treat like shit at times. And yet they work. They're complicated, annoying and weirdly loveable.
I would have loved a little bit more back story from these two, and I think a few time jumps could have helped - but thats a personal opinion!
Next up, Decoy and Folk's book!
Book Series Ranking
1. Devil's Dance & Saint's Song - 5 stars! (Alexei, Saint & Cam)
2. Love Thy Brother - 4 stars! (River & Rubi)
3. Forgive Me Father - 3 stars! (Mateo & Embry)
I've been waiting for River and Rubi's story since book 1. The tension, the yearning, the angst from these two throughout this series has nearly been unbearable.
Now while I didn't love the storyline/plot, I loved the characters enough that I didn't care too much.
River really is just a chaos gremlin, and while he is quite frustrating at times, he felt like such a complicated character that I couldn't not love him. Rubi is just the golden retriever puppy that River really does treat like shit at times. And yet they work. They're complicated, annoying and weirdly loveable.
I would have loved a little bit more back story from these two, and I think a few time jumps could have helped - but thats a personal opinion!
Next up, Decoy and Folk's book!
Book Series Ranking
1. Devil's Dance & Saint's Song - 5 stars! (Alexei, Saint & Cam)
2. Love Thy Brother - 4 stars! (River & Rubi)
3. Forgive Me Father - 3 stars! (Mateo & Embry)
March 16, 2023
Okay let me start off by saying I love this series so much and it’s been so fun to see each character from someone else’s pov.
That being said, I loved all the little teases of Rubi and River in all the previous books that led up to their story. It’s so obvious that they have loved each other for so long but with club rules they weren’t able to act on it.
Shout out to forced proximity for making them realize they needed each other and to stop denying it. And Rubi for not giving up even when River was a grumpy child towards him.
“This is how it is. I need you with me. I’ll quit the club. I’ll walk away from everything. But I need you—I love you—and we can’t keep dying before we’ve ever had a chance to live.”
I truly wanted this to be a 5 star read but for me it wasn’t for a few reasons.
I felt like this was too slow paced and it was missing all the action and intensity of the other books. I found myself a little bored at times waiting for something to happen
I HATE hate the nickname “boo” for reasons I can’t explain (the meaning behind it was cute) and it wasn’t over used but it was used enough to drive me crazy and I truly hate that for myself
ANYWAYS the epilogue with Mateo and Embry was my favorite part and their relationship is truly top tier
Folk and Decoy being next is very interesting to me because how? why? WHEN? With their minimal interactions (unlike Locke/Orla/Nash👀)?
I truly will read this universe forever because it’s just so fun
anyways, I received this arc from Gay Romance Reviews in exchange for a honest and fair review
That being said, I loved all the little teases of Rubi and River in all the previous books that led up to their story. It’s so obvious that they have loved each other for so long but with club rules they weren’t able to act on it.
Shout out to forced proximity for making them realize they needed each other and to stop denying it. And Rubi for not giving up even when River was a grumpy child towards him.
“This is how it is. I need you with me. I’ll quit the club. I’ll walk away from everything. But I need you—I love you—and we can’t keep dying before we’ve ever had a chance to live.”
I truly wanted this to be a 5 star read but for me it wasn’t for a few reasons.
I felt like this was too slow paced and it was missing all the action and intensity of the other books. I found myself a little bored at times waiting for something to happen
I HATE hate the nickname “boo” for reasons I can’t explain (the meaning behind it was cute) and it wasn’t over used but it was used enough to drive me crazy and I truly hate that for myself
ANYWAYS the epilogue with Mateo and Embry was my favorite part and their relationship is truly top tier
Folk and Decoy being next is very interesting to me because how? why? WHEN? With their minimal interactions (unlike Locke/Orla/Nash👀)?
I truly will read this universe forever because it’s just so fun
anyways, I received this arc from Gay Romance Reviews in exchange for a honest and fair review
December 20, 2023
Eeeek. I really loved this one. Brother’s best friend, second chance, all the pining. A dreamy combination and I loved the chemistry between River and Rubi.
There were a few things in this book that felt like loose ends that didn’t seem like they were likely to get cleared up in the next book so I’m a bit confused 🤔 when I read the rest, if I get answers I’ll rescind this 😂
I really liked how this book portrayed Rubi’s chronic pain. I would have liked to see it delve a bit more into River’s addiction too.
There were a few things in this book that felt like loose ends that didn’t seem like they were likely to get cleared up in the next book so I’m a bit confused 🤔 when I read the rest, if I get answers I’ll rescind this 😂
I really liked how this book portrayed Rubi’s chronic pain. I would have liked to see it delve a bit more into River’s addiction too.
March 29, 2023
4,25/5
Quel bonheur de retrouver la série des "Rebel Kings MC" ! Cette fois, Garrett Leigh nous offre l'histoire de River et Rubi, que j'attends depuis si longtemps !
River, c'est le petit frère de Cam. Celui qui a tourné le dos au club. Celui qui a perdu trop de gens proches. Fatigué des histoires du club, et de la dangerosité de leur situation. Mais un certain événement va le rapprocher du club, de son frère, mais aussi surtout de Rubi, son ami, son amant d'un soir, celui qui a, sans le savoir, volé une partie de son cœur.
Rubi, c'est un homme qui a un cœur énorme. Il aime profondément sa famille de cœur, celle du club. Comme pour ses frères d'armes, il aime ce club, qui représente toute sa vie. Ses membres sont sa famille. Mais à côté, il y a River, le petit-frère de son président, un de ses amis d'enfance aussi.
C'est un peu une romance interdite, dans le sens où une des règles du club est de ne pas toucher aux frères et sœurs, et surtout là, en l’occurrence, il s'agit du frère du président. C'est ce qu'ils pensaient tous les deux, River et Rubi, entres autres choses. C'est sans compter l'amour de Cam, l'amour des membres du club... car bien des choses ont changé là aussi.
River et Rubi démarrent un peu leur histoire sur une nuit... un nuit un peu spéciale, que Rubi semble avoir oublié. Avec un Rubi qui réagit mal, et fait ce qu'il n'aurait jamais du faire, quitter sans un mot River.
Dans "Love Thy Brother", Garrett Leigh nous offre encore une fois une histoire avec des personnages charismatiques. Mon cœur s'est gonflé d'amour pour River et Rubi, qui, malgré leurs divergences, se retrouvent à devoir cohabiter ensemble pour la sécurité de River. Forcément, la tension qui en découle, couplé à l'écriture de l'auteur font des étincelles !
A côté, l'intrigue évolue doucement mas sûrement. C'est un bonheur de revoir aussi tout le monde car toute la bande est bien présente, personne n'est mis de côté, loin de là. La complicité de Nash et Rubi est si belle, cela faisait mal au cœur de voir Nash blessé... Et puis, les interventions, en particulier de Saint et Alexis, sont divines, comme à chaque fois ^^
Garrett Leigh aborde bien aussi les addictions et la pathologie chronique des deux personnages, tout en finesse, comme à son habitude.
La petite surprise de la fin m'a mis tout plein de papillons dans le ventre, c'était trop chou ^^
J'ai si hâte de découvrir maintenant le tome suivant qui portera sur Decoy et Folk. Je suis curieuse aussi de voir ce que l'auteur va nous réserver pour Orla et Nash, leur tome comportera probablement un troisième individu héhé ^^
Quel bonheur de retrouver la série des "Rebel Kings MC" ! Cette fois, Garrett Leigh nous offre l'histoire de River et Rubi, que j'attends depuis si longtemps !
River, c'est le petit frère de Cam. Celui qui a tourné le dos au club. Celui qui a perdu trop de gens proches. Fatigué des histoires du club, et de la dangerosité de leur situation. Mais un certain événement va le rapprocher du club, de son frère, mais aussi surtout de Rubi, son ami, son amant d'un soir, celui qui a, sans le savoir, volé une partie de son cœur.
Rubi, c'est un homme qui a un cœur énorme. Il aime profondément sa famille de cœur, celle du club. Comme pour ses frères d'armes, il aime ce club, qui représente toute sa vie. Ses membres sont sa famille. Mais à côté, il y a River, le petit-frère de son président, un de ses amis d'enfance aussi.
C'est un peu une romance interdite, dans le sens où une des règles du club est de ne pas toucher aux frères et sœurs, et surtout là, en l’occurrence, il s'agit du frère du président. C'est ce qu'ils pensaient tous les deux, River et Rubi, entres autres choses. C'est sans compter l'amour de Cam, l'amour des membres du club... car bien des choses ont changé là aussi.
River et Rubi démarrent un peu leur histoire sur une nuit... un nuit un peu spéciale, que Rubi semble avoir oublié. Avec un Rubi qui réagit mal, et fait ce qu'il n'aurait jamais du faire, quitter sans un mot River.
Dans "Love Thy Brother", Garrett Leigh nous offre encore une fois une histoire avec des personnages charismatiques. Mon cœur s'est gonflé d'amour pour River et Rubi, qui, malgré leurs divergences, se retrouvent à devoir cohabiter ensemble pour la sécurité de River. Forcément, la tension qui en découle, couplé à l'écriture de l'auteur font des étincelles !
A côté, l'intrigue évolue doucement mas sûrement. C'est un bonheur de revoir aussi tout le monde car toute la bande est bien présente, personne n'est mis de côté, loin de là. La complicité de Nash et Rubi est si belle, cela faisait mal au cœur de voir Nash blessé... Et puis, les interventions, en particulier de Saint et Alexis, sont divines, comme à chaque fois ^^
Garrett Leigh aborde bien aussi les addictions et la pathologie chronique des deux personnages, tout en finesse, comme à son habitude.
La petite surprise de la fin m'a mis tout plein de papillons dans le ventre, c'était trop chou ^^
J'ai si hâte de découvrir maintenant le tome suivant qui portera sur Decoy et Folk. Je suis curieuse aussi de voir ce que l'auteur va nous réserver pour Orla et Nash, leur tome comportera probablement un troisième individu héhé ^^
August 22, 2023
Amo completamente esta serie, no me voy a cansar nunca de recomendarla y releerla,pero aún así Love Thy Brother vuelve a subir la vara. No te da la chance de sentir que puede llegar a caer en ninguna repetición o patrón en cuanto a los vínculos entre personajes tan rotos y adorables a la vez. Porque aún con todo lo que tienen en común, cada uno brilla por sí mismo y construye vínculos completamente únicos. Es un libro centrado en dos personajes que a estas alturas ya conocemos bien, así que hay mucho que no hace falta explicar. Pero su autora igual te oprime el corazón una y otra vez. Como siempre, cualquier participación -por ínfima que sea. de Saint y Lexi vale todo un libro entero. Aaah, qué goce total.
November 6, 2024
November 2024: This was still very good for my second read. I still wish certain scenes had been expanded and not so vague, but overall it’s a great addition to the fantastic Rebel Kings series. I absolutely adore Rubi!! 🥰🥰
Rubi loved far harder than his anger ever burned.
April 2023: The very first thing I want to mention is that cover!! 😍😛 It’s a great depiction of River. I have to admit that I initially thought it was Rubi, but he’s a big, blond Viking of a man. — This is book 4 in Garrett Leigh’s Rebel Kings MC series. It’s the story of Rubi, the MC’s Road Captain, and River, who is Cam’s (the MC’s president and protagonist of books one and two) estranged younger brother. Rubi has always been the big, “lover not a fighter” character. River has always been the prickly younger brother who wants nothing to do with the Kings MC.
In book one, Rubi suffered a debilitating blow to his head in the very first fight against the Crows MC. It has left Rubi with severe migraines and other issues. I was glad that GL addressed that in this book and it was never discounted. I’ve read so many series where the author just sweeps things like that under the rug when it’s time for a particular character’s book. We never got to learn much about River in the first three books since he lives away from the club and has a strained relationship with Cam. It’s been hinted at since the first book that Rubi and River have loved each other for a long time, but Cam put certain rules in place about the brothers in the club bedding his younger siblings.
While I found the relationship between River and Rubi to be extremely codependent and somewhat unhealthy, I’m glad it played out like it did. I had been disappointed with the last book and wanted to see more relationship development between these two MCs than there was between Mateo and Embry in book 3. We got to see River and Rubi bond through some tough situations and watch their relationship evolve into something deep and everlasting.
There were enough light moments woven in to balance all the heavy. Like Mateo in book 3, Rubi has quite a sense of humor. He also has all these nicknames for everyone that made me chuckle. I had some niggles with a few things, but overall found this to be another great additions to the Rebel Kings MC series. I’m absolutely dying to read Nash’s story! More things in this book hinted the it might end up being another triad book only this time, it would involve Nash, Orla, and Locke. A tasty MMF book. Fingers crossed!! 🤞🏻🤞🏻 But the next book that is due out is supposed to be Decoy (who I love and will give me more Ivy time) and Folk’s story. I’m curious about Folk since we haven’t learned much about him yet. And I’m really hoping Decoy sticks it to his ex-wife and gets his kids away from her.
Rubi loved far harder than his anger ever burned.
April 2023: The very first thing I want to mention is that cover!! 😍😛 It’s a great depiction of River. I have to admit that I initially thought it was Rubi, but he’s a big, blond Viking of a man. — This is book 4 in Garrett Leigh’s Rebel Kings MC series. It’s the story of Rubi, the MC’s Road Captain, and River, who is Cam’s (the MC’s president and protagonist of books one and two) estranged younger brother. Rubi has always been the big, “lover not a fighter” character. River has always been the prickly younger brother who wants nothing to do with the Kings MC.
In book one, Rubi suffered a debilitating blow to his head in the very first fight against the Crows MC. It has left Rubi with severe migraines and other issues. I was glad that GL addressed that in this book and it was never discounted. I’ve read so many series where the author just sweeps things like that under the rug when it’s time for a particular character’s book. We never got to learn much about River in the first three books since he lives away from the club and has a strained relationship with Cam. It’s been hinted at since the first book that Rubi and River have loved each other for a long time, but Cam put certain rules in place about the brothers in the club bedding his younger siblings.
While I found the relationship between River and Rubi to be extremely codependent and somewhat unhealthy, I’m glad it played out like it did. I had been disappointed with the last book and wanted to see more relationship development between these two MCs than there was between Mateo and Embry in book 3. We got to see River and Rubi bond through some tough situations and watch their relationship evolve into something deep and everlasting.
There were enough light moments woven in to balance all the heavy. Like Mateo in book 3, Rubi has quite a sense of humor. He also has all these nicknames for everyone that made me chuckle. I had some niggles with a few things, but overall found this to be another great additions to the Rebel Kings MC series. I’m absolutely dying to read Nash’s story! More things in this book hinted the it might end up being another triad book only this time, it would involve Nash, Orla, and Locke. A tasty MMF book. Fingers crossed!! 🤞🏻🤞🏻 But the next book that is due out is supposed to be Decoy (who I love and will give me more Ivy time) and Folk’s story. I’m curious about Folk since we haven’t learned much about him yet. And I’m really hoping Decoy sticks it to his ex-wife and gets his kids away from her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2023
3.5 I had a hard time liking River, so I think that was part of my rating. In the book the author mentioned River was easy going when he was younger and then he just switched to being very edgy and angry. I thought later through the book we would find out why but it wasn't mentioned again that I noticed. Rubi was a sweetheart and I'm glad that River got it together and turned out to be the man Rubi deserved!
April 7, 2023
So I preface this review by noting that I wasn't in the best of moods when reading this book, but I don't think that influenced my thoughts too much! And yes, I realize this is still 4 stars. It's just, like in book 3, I liked mostly everything to do with the MC , BUT wasn't really impressed by the romance as I was hoping to, which is kind of a shame. 🤣 I still devoured this book pretty quickly, and really enjoyed seeing everyone get more screentime (honestly one of my favorite part about this series, lol!). Hell, I actually felt the love here with Embry and Mateo that I thought was a little lacking in their own book. 😂 Sooo, I feel like it'll be the same with Rubi and River in the next book as this was, again, a little bit of a miss on the romance and character development overall.
Ever since we got to hear about Rubi and River not being able to be with each other, I'd been desperate to know why and what would have to happen to make them a possibility. It's been mentioned plenty of times, and obviously with River not being part of the MC, I was really intrigued to get to know more about him. Love Thy Brother...didn't really hit that for me, unfortunately. I think I kind of went into it with high expectations, and I wanted to get to know more about River, and well... River's just honestly an angry guy dealing with some personal demons. And that's totally acceptable. I was just hoping for more of a deeper dive into his thoughts and feelings, and I did like what we got. I just don't agree with Garrett's definition of "chaos gremlin" (from the blurb) as it plays out in the book, hahaha. And Rubi? Well, Rubi was fine, and I did like what we got with him and Nash's friendship, but wanted WAY more of that. I assume that will also be played out in a future book. But it just felt like things happened, things were in limbo, and then quietly resolved. And I don't need drama or anything. I guess I just was expecting something different. 😭
The biggest thing is that it really felt like nothing was really stopping these two from being together, and I get that's something that the characters discuss too, but I just thought there'd be... more from that? I mean, as soon as they reunite, things are pretty explosive right off the bat. The thing that held them back besides just the existence of the MC is discussed a little, and pondered upon, but when push come to shove, the bigger issue of "that night" also seemed a bit...eh. I just wasn't really sold on the angst and pining this time around compared to others in the series. Plus the "brother" part of this was kind of meh too? They just repeated it SO MUCH. Also speaking of repeating things, VERY NITPICKY, but Garrett used the phrase "X evaporated" like almost 10 times in this book and that stood out to me every single time I saw it. It just felt overused. 🤣
Once again, I loved everything else that was built up though, with all the rest of the cast, and now that I kind of got the episodic feel this series will play out at, I think I'm definitely going to enjoy this more. On top of that, I am SUPER excited for the next book. I think that couples with less history will be of more interest to me with how the throuple still continue to be my favorite of what the series has offered so far and I am SO excited by the prospects of the next book + the future book that's been strongly hinted at in the past two books!! 😍
----------
🥉Bronze 🥉
----------
Book 1: Devil's Dance - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🥇(11/7/22)
Book 2: Saint's Song - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🥇(11/20/22)
Book 3: Forgive Me Father - ⭐⭐⭐⭐🥈 (1/11/23)
Book 4: Love Thy Brother: Rebel Kings MC: Rubi & River - ⭐⭐⭐⭐🥉 (4/1/23)
Book 5: Reluctant Renegade: Rebel Kings MC: Decoy & Folk - TBD
Ever since we got to hear about Rubi and River not being able to be with each other, I'd been desperate to know why and what would have to happen to make them a possibility. It's been mentioned plenty of times, and obviously with River not being part of the MC, I was really intrigued to get to know more about him. Love Thy Brother...didn't really hit that for me, unfortunately. I think I kind of went into it with high expectations, and I wanted to get to know more about River, and well... River's just honestly an angry guy dealing with some personal demons. And that's totally acceptable. I was just hoping for more of a deeper dive into his thoughts and feelings, and I did like what we got. I just don't agree with Garrett's definition of "chaos gremlin" (from the blurb) as it plays out in the book, hahaha. And Rubi? Well, Rubi was fine, and I did like what we got with him and Nash's friendship, but wanted WAY more of that. I assume that will also be played out in a future book. But it just felt like things happened, things were in limbo, and then quietly resolved. And I don't need drama or anything. I guess I just was expecting something different. 😭
The biggest thing is that it really felt like nothing was really stopping these two from being together, and I get that's something that the characters discuss too, but I just thought there'd be... more from that? I mean, as soon as they reunite, things are pretty explosive right off the bat. The thing that held them back besides just the existence of the MC is discussed a little, and pondered upon, but when push come to shove, the bigger issue of "that night" also seemed a bit...eh. I just wasn't really sold on the angst and pining this time around compared to others in the series. Plus the "brother" part of this was kind of meh too? They just repeated it SO MUCH. Also speaking of repeating things, VERY NITPICKY, but Garrett used the phrase "X evaporated" like almost 10 times in this book and that stood out to me every single time I saw it. It just felt overused. 🤣
Once again, I loved everything else that was built up though, with all the rest of the cast, and now that I kind of got the episodic feel this series will play out at, I think I'm definitely going to enjoy this more. On top of that, I am SUPER excited for the next book. I think that couples with less history will be of more interest to me with how the throuple still continue to be my favorite of what the series has offered so far and I am SO excited by the prospects of the next book + the future book that's been strongly hinted at in the past two books!! 😍
----------
🥉Bronze 🥉
----------
Book 1: Devil's Dance - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🥇(11/7/22)
Book 2: Saint's Song - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🥇(11/20/22)
Book 3: Forgive Me Father - ⭐⭐⭐⭐🥈 (1/11/23)
Book 4: Love Thy Brother: Rebel Kings MC: Rubi & River - ⭐⭐⭐⭐🥉 (4/1/23)
Book 5: Reluctant Renegade: Rebel Kings MC: Decoy & Folk - TBD
March 12, 2023
4.5 stars, rounded up to 5- These Rebel Kings MC men have my whole heart. These gritty, dark, broody, emotional men are something special and each one of their stories completely consumes me in the best way possible.
Rubi Matherson is a mountain of a man who has the biggest heart and the most sunshine-y personality under his intimidating exterior. He’s definitely a protector at heart but loves everyone around him so deeply that their pain is his pain. After his head injury earlier in the series, he’s struggling to recover and figure out his new normal with his migraines, separating him from his brothers more often than not and making him moodier and more impulsive than ever before. But the one thing that hasn’t changed? His love for his best friend’s little brother - River.
River O’Brian is Cam’s impulsive, grumpy, short-fused brother who left club life behind years ago and hasn’t looked back…well, unless it has to do with Rubi - the man he’s loved forever. He’s made a life for himself outside of the MC life at his garage, staying out of club business and keeping to himself in Porth Luck but he’s holding on to a lot of animosity when it comes to the club and feels like his family was ripped away when he chose to leave. River is a little cold and closed off at the best of times and only seems to come to life when Rubi is around, whether he likes it or not.
Rubi and River’s relationship has been full of heartache and miscommunication, something we see at the beginning of their story but it quickly turns into something more as they begin to trust each other again and spend some quality time together. Nothing between them is easy because of who they are, where they come from and what the MC is involved in, but their soul-deep, decades old connection overcomes all of that. They’re opposites in a lot of ways and the things keeping them apart are complicated and multi-faceted, but they understand each other on a different level and their love for each other can’t be denied.
The MC drama in this book was a lot easier to follow than previous stories, but I found myself wanting a little more than what we got - things almost felt a little too easy compared to the last three books. But, I’m already chomping at the bit for Reluctant Renegade: Rebel Kings MC: Decoy & Folk (Decoy & Folk’s story), and Love Thy Brother isn’t even technically out in the world yet. Can’t wait for more of the Rebel Kings soon!
Rubi Matherson is a mountain of a man who has the biggest heart and the most sunshine-y personality under his intimidating exterior. He’s definitely a protector at heart but loves everyone around him so deeply that their pain is his pain. After his head injury earlier in the series, he’s struggling to recover and figure out his new normal with his migraines, separating him from his brothers more often than not and making him moodier and more impulsive than ever before. But the one thing that hasn’t changed? His love for his best friend’s little brother - River.
River O’Brian is Cam’s impulsive, grumpy, short-fused brother who left club life behind years ago and hasn’t looked back…well, unless it has to do with Rubi - the man he’s loved forever. He’s made a life for himself outside of the MC life at his garage, staying out of club business and keeping to himself in Porth Luck but he’s holding on to a lot of animosity when it comes to the club and feels like his family was ripped away when he chose to leave. River is a little cold and closed off at the best of times and only seems to come to life when Rubi is around, whether he likes it or not.
Rubi and River’s relationship has been full of heartache and miscommunication, something we see at the beginning of their story but it quickly turns into something more as they begin to trust each other again and spend some quality time together. Nothing between them is easy because of who they are, where they come from and what the MC is involved in, but their soul-deep, decades old connection overcomes all of that. They’re opposites in a lot of ways and the things keeping them apart are complicated and multi-faceted, but they understand each other on a different level and their love for each other can’t be denied.
The MC drama in this book was a lot easier to follow than previous stories, but I found myself wanting a little more than what we got - things almost felt a little too easy compared to the last three books. But, I’m already chomping at the bit for Reluctant Renegade: Rebel Kings MC: Decoy & Folk (Decoy & Folk’s story), and Love Thy Brother isn’t even technically out in the world yet. Can’t wait for more of the Rebel Kings soon!
March 5, 2023
Shamazing! Review to follow
February 24, 2025
MC Romance
Hurt/Comfort
Found Family
Forced Proximity
Childhood Friends to Lovers
Chronic Pain Rep
Pining
Best Friend's Brother
I'd been so eager to read their book for a minute now. Rubi and River have been circling each other and pining for a while and some forced proximity might just light the match on these two. Rubi and River have a history, both had parents in the MC and both ended up patching in when the time came, but when club issues took River's dad's life, River ran. He cut ties with the club and has never looked back. But that distance has done neither of them any favors.
Regardless of the distance River has put between himself and any issues in the club, some past club trouble has found it's way to River's doorstep. To keep him safe, Rubi offers to watch River's back whether he likes it or not. With the history these two have, they know how to get under the other's skin. Though even after all this time, the anger and hatred that's built up and calcified, River still calls Rubi's childhood nickname, Boo. It's short for "Rooboo" because that was easier to say and if that's not the cutest thing ever, I don't know what is. I loved these two, loved reading their struggles, and so happy they got their HEA.
Hurt/Comfort
Found Family
Forced Proximity
Childhood Friends to Lovers
Chronic Pain Rep
Pining
Best Friend's Brother
I'd been so eager to read their book for a minute now. Rubi and River have been circling each other and pining for a while and some forced proximity might just light the match on these two. Rubi and River have a history, both had parents in the MC and both ended up patching in when the time came, but when club issues took River's dad's life, River ran. He cut ties with the club and has never looked back. But that distance has done neither of them any favors.
Regardless of the distance River has put between himself and any issues in the club, some past club trouble has found it's way to River's doorstep. To keep him safe, Rubi offers to watch River's back whether he likes it or not. With the history these two have, they know how to get under the other's skin. Though even after all this time, the anger and hatred that's built up and calcified, River still calls Rubi's childhood nickname, Boo. It's short for "Rooboo" because that was easier to say and if that's not the cutest thing ever, I don't know what is. I loved these two, loved reading their struggles, and so happy they got their HEA.
May 2, 2023
While I didn't love this one as much as previous volumes, both because the relationship dynamic felt very similar to the one in the previous book (a mutual pining between the two that has existed for years), and because the stakes felt much lower, I did enjoy it. Rubi and River were very sweet together, and as always, I love the members of this motorcycle club so much. The found family element in this series is beautiful. I am very curious and excited about the next volume, as unlike the other books, there is no hint of an existing relationship dynamic between the two leads. Overall, this really is a wonderful MC series.
July 16, 2023
Loved the MCs in this one too, Rubi was as great as I expected and River more than I expected.
Favorite Quotes:
I swallowed thickly. “You think I’m gonna kill you?” Rubi leaned in and rubbed his nose to mine. “One day, Riv. And I’m okay with that.”
“I can’t breathe around you, but when we’re apart, I drown, Riv. Cos I’m fucking empty inside without you.”
His honesty slayed me. Ripped me open and tunnelled through every bitter wall I’d built around my heart, freeing every pure— and not so pure— emotion I’d ever felt for him.
For the first time in as long as I could remember, it felt good to be alive, and the doubt monster rattling his cage could fuck all the way off.
The tremble in Rubi’s hulking frame. It was powerful knowledge to know I was the one thing that could make such a strong man lose control. That I was his weakness.
Favorite Quotes:
I swallowed thickly. “You think I’m gonna kill you?” Rubi leaned in and rubbed his nose to mine. “One day, Riv. And I’m okay with that.”
“I can’t breathe around you, but when we’re apart, I drown, Riv. Cos I’m fucking empty inside without you.”
His honesty slayed me. Ripped me open and tunnelled through every bitter wall I’d built around my heart, freeing every pure— and not so pure— emotion I’d ever felt for him.
For the first time in as long as I could remember, it felt good to be alive, and the doubt monster rattling his cage could fuck all the way off.
The tremble in Rubi’s hulking frame. It was powerful knowledge to know I was the one thing that could make such a strong man lose control. That I was his weakness.
Read
March 30, 2023No rating
I'll probably revisit this in a short while
I'll probably revisit this in a short while
April 2, 2023
Love this series. It is so freakin good.
March 24, 2023
Hands-down, this is one of my all-time favorite series. Garrett Leigh knows how to grab your heart and keep you invested in these men from page one until the very end. Rubi and River were everything I could’ve hoped for. We’ve heard about these two for a while now, and it was so wonderful to see them put their stubbornness aside and fall in love all over again. Well, let’s be clear, they never really fell out of love. But River wants nothing to do with the MC and that is still Rubi’s life, so the two must figure out a way to be together.
I love the interactions between these two. Once they let their guard down, the love that flowed between them was as strong as it was years ago. Their chemistry and love was undeniable, it was pure bliss spending time with them. I absolutely cannot wait for more in this series.
I love the interactions between these two. Once they let their guard down, the love that flowed between them was as strong as it was years ago. Their chemistry and love was undeniable, it was pure bliss spending time with them. I absolutely cannot wait for more in this series.
March 15, 2023
The good
+ Their found family
+ Rubi respecting River's wish for him to stay away, no matter how much it hurt
+ All the friendships
+ How much everyone cares about each other
+ River learning he was wrong about Cam
+ River's battle with his addiction
+ Lots of cuddling and sleeping (actually sleeping) together
+ Rubi and River both getting help for their respective issues
The neutral
o I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. My review remains honest and unbiased
o Why was Embry so tired all the time?
The bad
- The history of River and the Rebel Kings, and between River and Rubi, was only touched upon very briefly. I felt like I was missing some key points and therefore couldn't grasp the connection between them as well as I wanted to
- I think Orla is going to become a main character in the future, but she doesn't interest me at all and mostly annoys me a lot. I hope she'll be better in the next books, because I really like Nash and Locke
Quotes
x Underneath it all, we were just animals fated to love each other.
This was dark and gritty, but with a wealth of feelings. And not just between the main characters; the entire found family played a large role. It was rough but very heartfelt, and I'll definitely be tuning in for Decoy and Folk next. Would recommend the series as a whole.
+ Their found family
+ Rubi respecting River's wish for him to stay away, no matter how much it hurt
+ All the friendships
+ How much everyone cares about each other
+ River learning he was wrong about Cam
+ River's battle with his addiction
+ Lots of cuddling and sleeping (actually sleeping) together
+ Rubi and River both getting help for their respective issues
The neutral
o I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. My review remains honest and unbiased
o Why was Embry so tired all the time?
The bad
- The history of River and the Rebel Kings, and between River and Rubi, was only touched upon very briefly. I felt like I was missing some key points and therefore couldn't grasp the connection between them as well as I wanted to
- I think Orla is going to become a main character in the future, but she doesn't interest me at all and mostly annoys me a lot. I hope she'll be better in the next books, because I really like Nash and Locke
Quotes
x Underneath it all, we were just animals fated to love each other.
This was dark and gritty, but with a wealth of feelings. And not just between the main characters; the entire found family played a large role. It was rough but very heartfelt, and I'll definitely be tuning in for Decoy and Folk next. Would recommend the series as a whole.
July 30, 2024
Nayeli - per RFS
.
Ruby e River sono innamorati l’uno dell’altro fin dall’infanzia, ma la loro relazione è stata negata e censurata per troppo tempo. Il divieto di fraternizzazione imposto da Cam (il fratello di River e presidente del Motor Club Rebel Kings) li ha tenuti in stand-by per una decina d’anni. Ma non è tutto, perché non appena questo divieto è stato abolito (quando lo stesso Cam ha intrapreso un ménage, di cui abbiamo letto nei primi due libri della serie), è successo qualcosa che li ha definitivamente allontanati, portando River a chiudersi dietro a un muro invalicabile.
«Rimarrò in giro per un po’.» Dannazione. Il battito rallentò a causa della sua sola presenza, ma riprese ad aumentare, sostenuto da quell’euforia speranzosa che spesso inseguivo con le cose sbagliate. Avere Rubi nella mia vita per più di dieci minuti dolorosi alla volta era il sogno più grande che avevo. Era buffo che la maggior parte delle volte gli dicessi che non volevo vederlo. Davvero ironico.
Tutto è deflagrato la notte in cui hanno vissuto la loro prima volta insieme, esperienza della quale, scopriamo, nessuno dei due ha memoria. Eppure non è tanto l’aver dimenticato il momento più importante della loro non-relazione che ha distrutto la fiducia di River, quanto il fatto che, dopo tanta attesa, Ruby non abbia scelto di rimanere con lui ma se ne sia andato alle prime luci del mattino per tornare dai suoi compagni. Questo, unito al fatto che il MC abbia provocato la morte dei genitori e rappresenti un pericolo per l’ultimo pezzo di famiglia che gli resta, è alla base dell’acredine di River per tutto ciò che riguarda il club, nonché della rabbia e della tenace ostinazione con cui ha mantenuto lontano l’uomo che ama per anni, senza ascoltare spiegazioni o scuse.
Come si intuisce, River ha lo stesso carattere testardo di Cam e di tutti gli O’ Brian, e la sofferenza per il cuore spezzato e il rifiuto di Ruby l’hanno portato a una dipendenza con effetti già gravi che non riesce del tutto a gestire. È irritabile, fatica a dormire, iperattivo e tragicamente pensieroso, colmo di agonia per una relazione inconclusa e sospesa, senza soluzione in vista.
Ruby è l’uomo che, nel club, è capace di ascoltare e dare conforto a chi è in difficoltà, con manifestazioni di affetto, parole di vicinanza, o mettendo a disposizione tutto ciò che ha, dal cibo all’appartamento. Ha creato legami profondi e sinceri con tutti i membri del MC, nonché le loro donne e figli. È quella figura protettiva che, pur essendo un membro attivo e capace di compiere atti pericolosi, preferirebbe una vita pacifica e piena di gioia.
Non ricorda nulla della notte che ha rovinato la sua vita, che l’ha riempito di rimpianto e senso di colpa, perché quando aveva raggiunto River per cercare conforto era preda di una commozione cerebrale. Non aver mai superato il muro del silenzio di River per poter chiedere scusa e tentare di ricucire il rapporto lo sta distruggendo giorno dopo giorno.
Avevo cicatrici vecchie di oltre dieci anni. La maggior parte dei giorni dimenticavo che si annidavano sui miei polsi e sulle cosce, nascoste dall’inchiostro e dalla volontà ostinata di essere qualcun altro. Altri, invece, pulsavano e prudevano, ricordandomi che ero a un passo da un oblio di un secondo. Perché era solo quello. Una frazione di secondo. Un respiro intenso. Poi tutto tornava di corsa, carico del peso aggiuntivo della vergogna e del rimpianto. Quel panico impregnato di ruggine al pensiero che qualcuno avrebbe visto quanto ero debole e patetico.
Entrambi i protagonisti stanno soffrendo, ma in modi differenti. Pur senza entrare a gamba tesa negli eventi, questi elementi determinano la loro caratterizzazione tormentata e colma di dolore, instillando ancora di più il bisogno di essere sostenuti, accuditi, di avere qualcuno al loro fianco, di essere amati. Ruby è preda di tremende emicranie ricorrenti come esito di uno scontro passato, che peggiorano con lo stress e la preoccupazione e gli causano difficoltà a mantenere la lucidità.
River è un uomo distrutto, fragilissimo, con gli effetti di una dipendenza da sostanze da gestire, una storia di autolesionismo e delle insicurezze da sostenere. Il percorso per arrivare a mettersi in gioco, a ritenersi meritevole di amore, per lasciarsi accogliere nel calore della famiglia (di sangue e non) che gli vuole bene non è facile, ma un pezzo alla volta riesce a far sciogliere il muro di ghiaccio con cui si sta proteggendo.
«Non mi lasci parlare, Riv. Perché non mi lasci mai parlare?» Non si riferiva a quella notte. Intendeva ogni secondo della nostra vita che ci aveva portato a quel punto. Infilai le dita tremanti nei suoi capelli e gli dissi la verità. «Perché ho una paura immensa, cazzo.» «Non ti lascerò mai.» «Non di questo.» «Allora di cosa?» Non avevo una risposta. O forse ne avevo troppe. Avevo paura che mi lasciasse. Che gli dicessi io di farlo. Che lo avrei costretto. Perché tutto ciò che toccavo, rompevo, e non potevo vivere sapendo di averlo distrutto.
Servirà mettere in pericolo le loro vite, per risvegliare l’innato senso protettivo reciproco, e dare fuoco alla miccia del forte sentimento mai sopito tra loro.
Si lascia coinvolgere dai problemi scatenati da bande rivali e si unisce temporaneamente a questa battaglia. Combattere contro il pericolo imminente riavvicina River a Ruby, agli affari del Motor Club e ai suoi fratelli, riportandolo finalmente “a casa”. La vicinanza con persone che hanno cura di lui permettono a River di elaborare molte emozioni negative e di abbandonare il suo atteggiamento ostinatamente solitario per permettergli di ricucire i rapporti e di aprirsi all’affetto degli altri, primo fra tutti Ruby.
Una volta provata l’estasi di aver concretizzato qualcosa che hanno sognato per tutta la vita, nessuno dei due uomini ha più intenzione di tornare indietro a quel periodo di sofferenza che li aveva spinti alla disperazione, ma l’amore non è abbastanza: devono lavorare sulla loro autostima e ricominciare a costruire la fiducia reciproca. Dovranno fare delle scelte sul loro futuro, in particolare per quanto riguarda restare o meno nel Motor Club.
Affiancata a tutto questo dramma emotivo intenso e romantico, c’è una bella trama d’azione che alimenta un ritmo serrato e ricco di suspense.
.
Ruby e River sono innamorati l’uno dell’altro fin dall’infanzia, ma la loro relazione è stata negata e censurata per troppo tempo. Il divieto di fraternizzazione imposto da Cam (il fratello di River e presidente del Motor Club Rebel Kings) li ha tenuti in stand-by per una decina d’anni. Ma non è tutto, perché non appena questo divieto è stato abolito (quando lo stesso Cam ha intrapreso un ménage, di cui abbiamo letto nei primi due libri della serie), è successo qualcosa che li ha definitivamente allontanati, portando River a chiudersi dietro a un muro invalicabile.
«Rimarrò in giro per un po’.» Dannazione. Il battito rallentò a causa della sua sola presenza, ma riprese ad aumentare, sostenuto da quell’euforia speranzosa che spesso inseguivo con le cose sbagliate. Avere Rubi nella mia vita per più di dieci minuti dolorosi alla volta era il sogno più grande che avevo. Era buffo che la maggior parte delle volte gli dicessi che non volevo vederlo. Davvero ironico.
Tutto è deflagrato la notte in cui hanno vissuto la loro prima volta insieme, esperienza della quale, scopriamo, nessuno dei due ha memoria. Eppure non è tanto l’aver dimenticato il momento più importante della loro non-relazione che ha distrutto la fiducia di River, quanto il fatto che, dopo tanta attesa, Ruby non abbia scelto di rimanere con lui ma se ne sia andato alle prime luci del mattino per tornare dai suoi compagni. Questo, unito al fatto che il MC abbia provocato la morte dei genitori e rappresenti un pericolo per l’ultimo pezzo di famiglia che gli resta, è alla base dell’acredine di River per tutto ciò che riguarda il club, nonché della rabbia e della tenace ostinazione con cui ha mantenuto lontano l’uomo che ama per anni, senza ascoltare spiegazioni o scuse.
Come si intuisce, River ha lo stesso carattere testardo di Cam e di tutti gli O’ Brian, e la sofferenza per il cuore spezzato e il rifiuto di Ruby l’hanno portato a una dipendenza con effetti già gravi che non riesce del tutto a gestire. È irritabile, fatica a dormire, iperattivo e tragicamente pensieroso, colmo di agonia per una relazione inconclusa e sospesa, senza soluzione in vista.
Ruby è l’uomo che, nel club, è capace di ascoltare e dare conforto a chi è in difficoltà, con manifestazioni di affetto, parole di vicinanza, o mettendo a disposizione tutto ciò che ha, dal cibo all’appartamento. Ha creato legami profondi e sinceri con tutti i membri del MC, nonché le loro donne e figli. È quella figura protettiva che, pur essendo un membro attivo e capace di compiere atti pericolosi, preferirebbe una vita pacifica e piena di gioia.
Non ricorda nulla della notte che ha rovinato la sua vita, che l’ha riempito di rimpianto e senso di colpa, perché quando aveva raggiunto River per cercare conforto era preda di una commozione cerebrale. Non aver mai superato il muro del silenzio di River per poter chiedere scusa e tentare di ricucire il rapporto lo sta distruggendo giorno dopo giorno.
Avevo cicatrici vecchie di oltre dieci anni. La maggior parte dei giorni dimenticavo che si annidavano sui miei polsi e sulle cosce, nascoste dall’inchiostro e dalla volontà ostinata di essere qualcun altro. Altri, invece, pulsavano e prudevano, ricordandomi che ero a un passo da un oblio di un secondo. Perché era solo quello. Una frazione di secondo. Un respiro intenso. Poi tutto tornava di corsa, carico del peso aggiuntivo della vergogna e del rimpianto. Quel panico impregnato di ruggine al pensiero che qualcuno avrebbe visto quanto ero debole e patetico.
Entrambi i protagonisti stanno soffrendo, ma in modi differenti. Pur senza entrare a gamba tesa negli eventi, questi elementi determinano la loro caratterizzazione tormentata e colma di dolore, instillando ancora di più il bisogno di essere sostenuti, accuditi, di avere qualcuno al loro fianco, di essere amati. Ruby è preda di tremende emicranie ricorrenti come esito di uno scontro passato, che peggiorano con lo stress e la preoccupazione e gli causano difficoltà a mantenere la lucidità.
River è un uomo distrutto, fragilissimo, con gli effetti di una dipendenza da sostanze da gestire, una storia di autolesionismo e delle insicurezze da sostenere. Il percorso per arrivare a mettersi in gioco, a ritenersi meritevole di amore, per lasciarsi accogliere nel calore della famiglia (di sangue e non) che gli vuole bene non è facile, ma un pezzo alla volta riesce a far sciogliere il muro di ghiaccio con cui si sta proteggendo.
«Non mi lasci parlare, Riv. Perché non mi lasci mai parlare?» Non si riferiva a quella notte. Intendeva ogni secondo della nostra vita che ci aveva portato a quel punto. Infilai le dita tremanti nei suoi capelli e gli dissi la verità. «Perché ho una paura immensa, cazzo.» «Non ti lascerò mai.» «Non di questo.» «Allora di cosa?» Non avevo una risposta. O forse ne avevo troppe. Avevo paura che mi lasciasse. Che gli dicessi io di farlo. Che lo avrei costretto. Perché tutto ciò che toccavo, rompevo, e non potevo vivere sapendo di averlo distrutto.
Servirà mettere in pericolo le loro vite, per risvegliare l’innato senso protettivo reciproco, e dare fuoco alla miccia del forte sentimento mai sopito tra loro.
Si lascia coinvolgere dai problemi scatenati da bande rivali e si unisce temporaneamente a questa battaglia. Combattere contro il pericolo imminente riavvicina River a Ruby, agli affari del Motor Club e ai suoi fratelli, riportandolo finalmente “a casa”. La vicinanza con persone che hanno cura di lui permettono a River di elaborare molte emozioni negative e di abbandonare il suo atteggiamento ostinatamente solitario per permettergli di ricucire i rapporti e di aprirsi all’affetto degli altri, primo fra tutti Ruby.
Una volta provata l’estasi di aver concretizzato qualcosa che hanno sognato per tutta la vita, nessuno dei due uomini ha più intenzione di tornare indietro a quel periodo di sofferenza che li aveva spinti alla disperazione, ma l’amore non è abbastanza: devono lavorare sulla loro autostima e ricominciare a costruire la fiducia reciproca. Dovranno fare delle scelte sul loro futuro, in particolare per quanto riguarda restare o meno nel Motor Club.
Affiancata a tutto questo dramma emotivo intenso e romantico, c’è una bella trama d’azione che alimenta un ritmo serrato e ricco di suspense.
August 27, 2024
So we finally get River and Rubi's story. Was it worth the wait? Absolutely! I'd been wondering why River insisted in keeping his distance this whole time, why it felt like he had no idea how much his brother hurt from not being able to be there for him. And the story totally delivered, finally letting these two jaded people grow closer, like they had deserved the whole time. Of course this wasn't going to be a happy go lucky story with lots of pink (apart from the underwear and the pyjama bottoms) but it was so lovely to see how the two of them navigated the other's hurt and scars from the past. They make so much sense together. Sigh.
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