Rebel

By: Rhys Ford

Narrated by: Tristan James

The hardest thing a rebel can do isn't standing up for something - it's standing up for himself.

Life takes delight in stabbing Gus Scott in the back when he least expects it. After Gus spends years running from his past, present, and the dismal future every social worker predicted for him, karma delivers the one thing Gus could never - would never - turn his back on: a son from a one-night stand he'd had after a devastating breakup a few years ago.

Returning to San Francisco and to 415 Ink, his family's tattoo shop, gave him the perfect shelter to battle his personal demons and get himself together...until the firefighter who'd broken him walked back into Gus's life.

For Rey Montenegro, tattoo artist Gus Scott was an elusive brass ring, a glittering prize he hadn't the strength or flexibility to hold on to. Severing his relationship with the mercurial tattoo artist hurt, but Gus hadn't wanted the kind of domestic life Rey craved, leaving Rey with an aching chasm in his soul.

When Gus's life and world starts to unravel, Rey helps him pick up the pieces, and Gus wonders if that forever Rey wants is more than just a dream.

©2017 Rhys Ford (P)2018 Dreamspinner Press

Awesome !

A favorite narrator and favorite author, can't beat that. Tristan James always delivers and amazing performance. He is one I look for the narration then the book.

Wonderful story, Tristan James was fantastic!

Rebel is the first book in Rhys Ford’s new series 451 Ink. Centered around a group of men who’ve worked to make a safe place for their extended family, the novels will tell their stories. Coming from broken homes, these guys have all been through horrific events, which results in some intense relationships and a dynamic that promises to never be dull. Knowing the writing of Rhys Ford, I think it’s safe to say that future books in this series will be as heart-wrenching and compelling as Rebel.

There are some exceptional factors that play into this group of men, and there’s so much damage my heart just went out to these guys. We get to see some of the support networks they’ve set in place, and they’re all looking out for each other, but I can’t imagine how anyone can truly overcome the horrors they’ve lived through.

Three years after their painful breakup, Gus Scott and Ray Montenegro bump into each other when Gus moves back to town. Their friends and family are completely intertwined, so these two have got to find a way to co-exist. Their intense attraction is clear from the moment they meet, and it’s almost as strong as the animosity and the bad memories.

Communication between Gus and Ray is direct and honest, which turned out to be one of my favorite parts of this story. A slow-burn doesn’t work for me when the characters are constantly misunderstanding each other, or failing to just say what the heck the problem is. Gus tells Ray how much it hurt when Ray kicked him to the curb. He explains why other factors in his life make it impossible to consider getting back together right now. Likewise, Ray publicly vows to win him back.

As the horrific events of Gus’ life come to light, it becomes clear that anyone looking for a relationship with him is going to need patience and understanding. The abuse, neglect, and downright cruelty he lived through as a boy made me cringe. Please note the trigger warnings if you’re sensitive about stories of child abuse. Rhys Ford has created an intense backstory for Gus and she doesn’t spare the details.

Ray realizes right quick that he screwed up. Gus is everything Ray wants and he goes all out to prove he can be there, in whatever capacity Gus needs. While Gus welcomes all the support he can get, and admits the attraction to Ray is still there, he stresses he can’t become involved with someone who is going to distract him or kick him to the curb when the going gets rough. A true partner for Gus is going to have to learn the details of his damage, accept it, and incorporate that knowledge into becoming the person Gus needs in his life right now. Ray is going to have to do some serious work to prove he’s the right man for Gus.

The sexual tension between Ray and Gus mounts continually throughout the story and waiting for them to get together wasn’t easy. After all, what would a Rhys Ford romance be without the smokin’ hot sex? Well trust me when I tell you that, WOW was it worth the wait!

Rebel is filled with the beautiful writing I always expect from Rhys Ford. Her descriptions of everyday things always make me smile. The color of the sheets on an unmade bed are dark, “a blue found in the fold of twilight and shadows.” Isn’t that a moving way to describe a messy bed?

There are some seriously fun, lighthearted moments in Rebel too. There were a couple good Easter eggs for us die hard fans, and I probably missed a few, distracted as I was by Tristan James’ soft, sultry, sexy voice. The low rumble that naturally comes out when he reads the romantic scenes? Gah, I’m a molten puddle on the floor. Let’s just say Tristan James could read me the phone book, but when he has the opportunity to read the beautifully poetic writing of Rhys Ford, I’m a goner.

Miss the humor, appreciate the drama and Tristan

Review by Morgan

Rhys is so gifted at description and bringing emotion to her words - in my mind she paints a story for us more than almost anyone else I read on a regular basis. The downside of that is the rhythm of the story is sometimes bogged down by these luscious descriptions. Since she likes to write action/crime/mysteries the pacing is an important piece and I think it suffers sometimes for that.

That being said, she's also so talented at giving us intriguing and big hearted characters that some of the above can certainly be forgiven.

I was expecting more of Cole's humor or Damie's irreverence and we don't really get that here. Honestly, I missed the release from tension that the humor offered.

As is the case with many great authors, though I try not to, I do compare one piece to their other works, and this isn't my favorite by the author. It's amazing on it's own, but I've enjoyed others by her better.

With that said, if an emotional journey is what you're looking for this is the story for you!



4 of 5 stars



Audio

Tristan James and Rhys Ford are a terrific match. Tristan knows just how to stretch out the drama and it really matches Rhys' tone to perfection. His voice is like candy to me and I'd pretty much listen to anything he narrates - so I'm a bit biased 🙂

Highly recommended!

5 of 5 stars

Overall 4.5 of 5 stars

a wonderful start

to another great series by Rhys Ford. Tristan James brought the story to life with his narration.

Brotherss and kidsz very distracting

I agree with the review by Oliver. The way Mr. James pronounced possessive plural nouns was so annoying, it became distracting to me. I've heard him read other stories, but never noticed him doing it. Hopefully, it won't continue in future volumes of this series.

Loved it

I really enjoyed this audio of the book, I look forward to listening to the next audio in the series.

Great narration!

Get ready to have your heart broken and pieced back together.

There were two things I absolutely loved about this audiobook - Tristan James's narration and the cameo of narrator Greg Tremblay to voice an established character from Rhys Ford's Cole McGinnis series.

Gus Scott hasn't had it easy. In fact, in the grand scheme, once could argue he's never had anything easy. He's had his heart broken by almost everyone, including firefighter Rey Montenegro. Three years ago Gus was shattered after a devastating break-up with Rey. It was just one more time that he was disappointed by someone who should have been there for him.

"I’m sorry I wasn’t what you wanted me to be, but you know what? You weren’t what I needed either, even if you were all I wanted.”

Gus left town six months ago, but he's back and ready to pick up the pieces of his life, and Rey is determined one of those pieces is going to be him. Told from both Gus's and Rey's third-person POV Rebel focuses on Second Chances, found family, loss, and love. There is some romance here but it's not the main focus, though Rebel does offer up some heart-melting moments.

"Listen to me carefully. I’m not going to spend my life anyplace other than with you, and I love you. With all of my heart. All of my soul and most of my sanity… I love you."

Tristan James provides a nuanced, textured, and beautiful interpretation of Rhys Ford's text.

Quite a bit happens off page, many of which I think could have added more depth to the story overall, but in the end I enjoyed Rebel and I'm looking forward to getting the stories for the supporting cast of characters here - especially Bear and Ivo. Looks like Mace is up next and (hopefully) we'll also get a feature for Luke.

I, for one, really hope Tristan will be back to narrate the rest.

How Dare She

Yes, this book was amazing as anything written by Rhys Ford is, but to end this book with that tidbit of delightful tension, that tease that will make my heart ache until I can have the next book downloaded on my phone? Oh my goodness! Give me! I need more Ray, more Gus, and more of all the brothers. Every last one!

A- rating...

My Review:
Overall: 4.25
Performance: 4.0
Story: 4.25


I've had this book forever, but when I saw it was available in audio, I grabbed it knowing that I was more likely to get it off my TBR list that way. I'm so happy that I got to read it...and just in time since book #2 is coming out really soon.

So...this book...It hits one of my weak spots for tropes...the second chance at love story. Rey and Gus were together until Rey blew them apart three years ago. That breakup completely blindsided Gus. He never saw it coming and it completely broke him. He's been avoiding coming home ever since because he can't see Rey without it shredding him inside.

But something's changed which means he can't avoid home...and Rey...anymore. Rey and Gus both have a lot of messed up emotions that they have to sort through in this book. They were both really hurt by what happened between them and that isn't something that just suddenly heals. And all of this is happening in the middle of lots and lots of family drama and side-plots. It really made for an interesting and entertaining read.

Wow, this is a group of seriously messed up guys. The brothers (Gus's) have been through hell and back, but they're even closer for it. But all those mental scars and hangups are still there. It's going to be a phenomenal series that I think will probably get better and better with each book as the story deepens.

Great start!!

What a great story to start off a new series! Wonderful combination of writing and narration -- Rhys Ford and Tristan James are a perfect twosome!! You can't find better.