Review: Raze by Roan Parrish

RAZE
Roan Parrish
Publication date: July 2, 2019
Series: Riven #3
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, LGBTQIA
Format: eARC
Source: Loveswept and NetGalley



GOODREADS  *  AMAZON

S Y N O P S I S

For the last ten years, Huey has built his life around his sobriety. If that means he doesn't give a damn about finding love or companionship for himself, well, it's probably better that way. After all, the last thing he wants is to hurt anyone else. Until Felix Rainey walks into his bar, fresh-faced, unbearably sweet—and, for some reason Huey can't fathom, interested in him.

As the eldest of five kids, Felix Rainey spent his childhood cooking dinner, checking homework, and working after-school jobs. Now in his twenties, he's still scrambling to make ends meet and wondering what the hell he's doing with his life. When he meets Huey, he's intimidated . . . and enamored. Huey's strong and confident, he owns his own business—hell, he's friends with rock stars. What could he ever see in Felix?

As Huey and Felix get closer, the spark catches and soon they can't get enough of each other. But Huey's worked hard to avoid intimacy, and Felix threatens his carefully constructed defenses. Huey realizes he needs to change if he wants to truly put his past behind him—and build a future with Felix.

M Y   T H O U G H T S

Huey’s life is all about structure and routine. He found it necessary in the early days of his recovery from addition and now it’s so ingrained he’s afraid to let go of his routines. He runs his bar, he sponsors others in recovery, he goes to the gym and the grocery store. Every minute is accounted for and he clings to that structure, never allowing anyone to get too close even though he’s lonely.

Felix shouldered a lot of responsibility even from a young age. Working while in high school to help support his family, taking care of his younger siblings, getting dinner on the table, helping with homework, and generally being a second parent while his mother worked long hours. Working a dead-end job and feeling unfulfilled, Felix longs for more, both professionally and personally.

I loved seeing these two special people come together – slowly, haltingly - both a little unsure how to proceed. Huey, shut off from everyone for so long, was like a rusty hinge, long neglected and in need of care and attention. Felix was much more open about what he wanted and so willing to put himself out there. He was completely vulnerable but brave enough to pursue Huey and make his feelings known. He was so accustomed to taking care of everyone around him and he craved having someone put him first for once. Watching as he pushed past his uncertainty and told Huey what he wanted and needed… I wanted to simultaneously hug him and cheer for him.

At first glance, Huey and Felix may have appeared to be polar opposites, but where it counted they really wanted the same things: love and acceptance and that special person who allowed them to lay down their burdens and just be. And I enjoyed every minute of their journey to finding that in each other. Parrish managed to create two characters I loved and pulled for and she grounded their story in reality without unnecessary drama.

Raze was a quiet story, very much character-driven, with a focus on personal growth and navigating a new relationship. I loved the focus on building a partnership, learning to communicate in a healthy way, and the respect and support shown within the relationship. Raze is the third book in Parrish’s Riven series but each can be read as a standalone. I had no problem immersing myself into Huey and Felix’s story and appreciated the bits of background given without feeling bogged down by too much of it. If you’re looking for a romance that’s heavy on character growth and full of emotion, you won’t go wrong with Raze.

4/5 STARS

Favorite Parts of Raze:

Felix was such a little cinnamon roll and too precious for words. So sweet and vulnerable but also so brave. It was like he was holding his fragile heart in his hands and saying, "Can you please love me?"

Every time Huey called Felix “sweetheart” I positively melted. He showed his care and concern for Felix in small ways long before he could admit to himself that he had feelings for him.

Huey buying art supplies for Felix and setting up a table for him to work on his dioramas. That show of thoughtfulness was perfection.

Favorite Quote:

"All the times I’d stared at the beautiful lines of his face, the angle of his collarbone, the cowlick in his perfect, messy hair. All the times I’d breathed deeply into his neck, trying to fill my entire being with the sweet, comforting scent of him. All the times I’d felt his heart against mine when I touched him, kissed the corners of his eyes because they seemed like the most intimate place I could think of touching another person. All the times I’d stayed silent so that he would never stop talking to me because I loved the sound of his voice… And he didn’t know. My beautiful Felix thought I didn’t care. And it was my fault." - Huey

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. This does not impact my opinion of the book or the content of this review. I received no compensation and my review is voluntary.