A great story; keep tissues handy.
Gabriel By RJ Scott
Genre: Contemporary, Western, GLBTQ, MM
Released: August 2, 2017
Publisher: Love Lane Books Ltd.
Series: Legacy, Book 2
Cover Design: Meredith Russell
Trapped in darkness, can an escort find a man to help him into the light?
Gabriel Reyes never gave in. He fought and was hurt, was abused but escaped with his life. He made his way in the world using the one thing he was good at: sex. He earned a place with a man who controls everything but Gabriel is safe; he’s made it.
Cameron Stafford hires Gabriel for a night, needing nothing more than a pretend boyfriend to get his dysfunctional family off his back. With the money he has in the bank and his own hotel, why won’t they just leave him alone? It doesn’t matter that a degenerative disease has stolen his vision, or that his last boyfriend was a bastard who tried to steal from him; for now he has purpose.
When Gabriel and Cam fall for each other, can they find real happiness and, maybe, a forever that will save them both?
A new story set in the world of Jack and Riley Campbell-Hayes and the Double D Ranch, Texas.
Please be aware: emotional and physical abuse are depicted on the page in this book.
Reviewed by ButtonsMom2003
A great story; keep tissues handy.
This has been a difficult review to write. I actually finished reading Gabriel’s story over a week ago but just didn’t know what to say, or how to say it. This is a fantastic book, and it brought up all kinds of emotions – just the way I like when I read – but some of the things that happened to Gabriel Reyes in his past were hard to read about. Never fear, though, RJ Scott always delivers a happy ending and the one for this book is no exception.
Gabriel is the second book in RJ’s Legacy series. You can probably enjoy Gabriel without reading Kyle, first but I strongly suggest reading them in order. This series is a spin-off of RJ’s popular Texas series. Most of that series was already published when I began reading her books and I haven’t read it yet. I mention this because I want you to know that the Legacy series can be enjoyed without reading the Texas series. But, because I always prefer to read series in order, I do wish that I had read it first so I would have more background on the Double D Ranch and the characters from that series who make appearances in this spin-off.
The book’s blurb is great and lets you know the important stuff about this story. What it doesn’t say is how emotional this book will probably make you feel. Gabriel escaped from a horrible situation only to end up in a relationship with a very controlling person that isn’t healthy. Cameron Stafford, while wealthy and owning and managing his own hotel, has issues with his controlling family. His father doesn’t think he’s capable of running the hotel just because he’s nearly blind.
Cameron’s family adds interesting elements to this book and I loved how the epilogue wrapped up a lot of the things that happened along the way to Gabriel and Cameron’s HEA.
The way Gabriel and Cameron meet has kind of a Pretty Woman feel to it and I happen to love that movie. But this story has a lot more grit to it than Pretty Woman (a lot more sex, too, lol). I hope that Gabriel and Cameron will capture your heart like they did mine.
♥♥♥♥
O Factor: Scorcher
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“You got another letter,” Stefan snapped, and threw it at Gabriel, where it bounced against his naked belly and fell to the floor. He didn’t make a move to pick it up, not until Stefan had left. Fucking letters and the ache they caused. Stefan had opened it, the tear jagged, and Gabriel could imagine the temper that Stefan must have felt when he ripped it open. He didn’t blame Stefan; who wanted Gabriel’s past to intrude into what they had now?
He finally picked up the envelope and slipped quietly into his room, closing the door. He didn’t lock it—last time he’d done that, Stefan had broken the door, told him a story about a time when he hadn’t been able to get into a room and that it scared him. That he was thinking about Gabriel.
The letter wasn’t long. They never were.
Legacy Ranch appeared at the top of the paper, in strong, determined capitals. Whoever this Kyle guy was, he had neat, considered handwriting. Gabriel scanned the letter and closed his eyes, waiting for the door to open.
And just like clockwork, Stefan pushed into the room, salve in one hand and a sandwich on a plate in the other, coffee perched precariously on the side.
“I made you some food,” Stefan said, and sat on the bed, causing Gabriel to shift toward him. Gabriel didn’t move away—he didn’t want to upset Stefan.
“Thank you,” Gabriel murmured.
“What did the letter say?”
That was normal. As if it was a test, even though Stefan had already read it. The first time Gabriel had said something wrong, Stefan had looked so damn disappointed. All he’d said was that he loved Gabriel but he didn’t like a liar. He hadn’t needed to say anything else, but the bruises had taken a long time to heal when he’d finished being disappointed with Gabriel.
“They have this horse, Mistry. Apparently it’s still not been claimed.”
“Anything else, Angel?”
Stefan’s use of that nickname was a switch inside Gabriel that made him tense.
“The usual things—that they want to help me and when I’m ready they’ll be there.”
Stefan reached out, and Gabriel schooled his features so he didn’t wince. Stefan cradled Gabriel’s face, and his grip was firm.
“You know what will happen if you go back to that kind of life, my sweet, innocent Angel. You know they’ll hurt you. You don’t need help. You have me. I look after you.”
“I know.” Gabriel knew the right answers to give now. He’d once hoped that the world this Kyle guy wrote about would have a place for him, but that wasn’t an option for someone like Gabriel.
“I look after you, Angel,” Stefan said, and pressed the softest of kisses to Gabriel’s lips. “Now get some sleep. I canceled your two appointments for tomorrow. You need to eat your food, get your chocolate and sleep.”
“Okay.”
Stefan helped Gabriel get settled in the soft nest of pillows, and brushed Gabriel’s short hair.
“This will grow back,” he said.
Gabriel placed a hand on Stefan’s arm. “They held my head, Stefan.” He wanted to say more about what they’d done, but he didn’t have to—Stefan wouldn’t want to hear the details.
“It will grow back,” Stefan repeated, then patted Gabriel’s head. “’Night.”
Follow The Tour
August 2
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Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews
August 15
August 17
Archaeolibrarian – I Dig Good Books!
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
August 17
RJ Scott is the bestselling author of over one hundred romance books. She writes emotional stories of complicated characters, cowboys, millionaire, princes, and the partners who get mixed up in their lives. RJ is known for writing books that always end with a happy ever after. She lives just outside London and spends every waking minute she isn’t with family either reading or writing.
The last time she had a week’s break from writing she didn’t like it one little bit, and she has yet to meet a bottle of wine she couldn’t defeat.
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