Rush (Gods #2)

Ares Kincaid is such an a%&#@!e. Like, the actual worst. The things he says to Arianna, the way he treats her in this book, it\’s difficult not to loathe him. I\’m a reader that LOOOOOOOVES a good jerk. I love an alpha male whose sharp barbs and condescending attitude inevitably evolve into sexual tension and fierce attraction, whatever that says about me. But I have to admit, Ares made it really difficult to get on board with him at first because he truly takes EPIC JERK to a whole new level in the beginning of Rush. His rude comments and his brooding demeanor delivered those painful heart twinges I live for in a book and so, of course, I was addicted. And, inevitably, I fell hard and fast for the pro football player and I was absolutely swept away by the delicious enemies to lovers dynamic he finds himself in with his coach\’s daughter. I love a love/hate dynamic between characters and Samantha Towle nailed it with Rush. These enemies turned lovers completely eviscerated my heart as they tossed insults back and forth, as the sexual tension disguised as venom oozed between them. I was transfixed. This story CONSUMED me from start to delicious finish. I couldn\’t put it down, devouring it in one sitting, and immediately I felt the need to go back and capture that pleasure pain all over again. Rush hurts so good, the tumultuous emotions and complicated storyline allow for a bumpy reading experience that pelts the reader with non-stop feels the entire way through. There\’s some seriously heavy subject matter in this book. The characters in Rush have been touched by addiction, by mental illness, by familial strife, by romantic complications and broken hearts. The romance in this story might be light and sexy for the most part, with sexy scenes and flirty banter that gets a little cheesy in moments, maybe even a bit over the top and dramatic at others, but there is a heavier edge to this story that guarantees heartache and longing. Samantha Towle delivers the full package with Rush. It packs a serious punch of emotion, it\’s a deliciously complicated enemies to lovers sports romance, it\’s hopeful and uplifting but peppered with a good dose of drama and strife, and it\’s a satisfying page turner for readers looking for a delicious lithe romantic snack you\’ll want to devour in one shot. I enjoyed this story from beginning to end. The Gods series of interconnected standalones has fast become one of my top favorites from this author and I anxiously await what\’s to come of the rest of these characters.

Reviewed by Emma-Louise on behalf of KFF What a read. What a book. What a whole lot of emotional wasteland. I shouldnt be surprised though, this is a Sam Towle book after all. This author really does know how to crank up the temperature and the pressure in a way that feels natural, and realistic. Every time I read a book penned by this writer I realise how much of a student of the human condition she is. Never once has she taken the easy way out, staying true to the characters. Thats not to say that theyre all perfectly formed and everything comes easily to them. For some sure do have talent. Whilst others are enduring survivors, and when theyre really special people they have both. Talent and creativity is their saviour when the world is so dark and black it appears as if the sun has fallen out of the sky and the world feels as if it will never smile or hold hope again. Ari is attempting to rebuild her life after many years of bad choices. Her addiction weighs heavily on her; getting through each day is a Herculean effort. I wont go into her addiction more, purely because I want every reader to explore Aris story with new, fresh eyes. I will say that she\’s hard on herself. More than just guilt-ridden, she really does dislike herself. And Im not just talking about her bad choices. Her skeletons in the closet are old and unwise. They hound her continuously day in and day out. If only she could figure out how to separate herself from her demons and live a freer life. Can she move past her nightmares and come out the other side healthy and happy? Ares is, of course, still a hothead and extremely judgemental. Having read Ruin, I can surely understand why, but his hang-ups arent a weapon to batter other people with. Hes a big softie of a guy when you get through his concrete exterior, family is the most important thing to him, above all else. He is larger than life, just like his big brother Zeus. Knowing how much he gave up providing for his younger siblings just makes him easier to love. Hes a dedicated athlete, much like Zeus, and is harder on himself then anyone else will ever be. To me, Ares appears to be a man who prefers to be isolated. He doesnt like discussing his private life or his past, knowing where he comes from I cant say I blame him. Okay, so. Ive discussed the characters and my opinion of the story, which leads me breathlessly into the best part of Rush. The romance. As is in the style of this author, the reader spends plenty of frustrated time wondering how long itll take before these two fall on to each other like starving wolves after a kill. They are exactly what the other needs to begin the healing process. Plus the smexy is as hot as a naked flame. Im picked up and pressed against the door by a hot, hard football player as he kisses me. And its the wettest, dirtiest kiss Ive ever had in my life. Ive been wanting to do that all night, he rumbles against my lips. Feel free to keep doing it, I say breathlessly. Knowing Ares the way we do, of course he doesnt make things easy. I wanted so badly to knock some sense into him, the amount of pain and anguish he dished out to Ari was so hard to swallow for me. I had a conversation earlier with someone about his behaviour and their comments made me see Ares point of view better. However, being the reviewer that I am, I need to mention one small, tiny issue. This doesnt even detract anything from this book for me; I just feel it warrants mentioning. When of course theres a meeting of the minds and the sun comes back out to shine. I just feel that perhaps that the sun came out a little too quickly and didnt just allow the clouds to glide across the sky a little more. Pick almost any works by Ms. Towle and youll find addiction and broken pieces though, to this reviewers mind, it isnt used for shock or awe, not at all. This speaks of talent and when an addiction or problem is there the storytelling moves fluidly, taking on an almost lifelike shape. Research so evidently has been done, how else could someone create characters so realistic and three dimensional. You can be sure of a tearjerker and so many conflicting emotions youre as confused and broken, at times, as the people on the pages are. The best art imitates life and with that purity of character and being steadfast are oftentimes not enforced. In some really great reads, Ive seen authors take the easy way out so that they dont appear cruel or disgusting. Ms. Towle doesnt sugar coat anything, she isnt Willy Wonka, she isnt creating confectionery, and I thank my lucky stars shes in the business shes in.

Halfway through reading this book I realized I\’d read the first book in the series \’Ruin\’ quite a while ago. I wasn\’t terribly impressed with that book either, one reason being the story ended abruptly, and also silly names etc. In Rush it\’s another brother of the same family this time Ares who meet Arianna or Ari who is the daughter of the head coach at the football team Ares plays for. Ari has a problem with alcohol and her first meeting with Ares doesn\’t go too well as his father is also a recovering alcoholic and he has a problem with trusting another one. The story is ok if a bit predictable. More silly names for goodness sake (what\’s with that), and at the end which again ends abruptly we catch up with the characters from the previous book Zeus and Cam! Possibly this will happen again in the next book and we may find out how Ares and Ari are getting on. There\’s another brother and a sister so I guess there will be more books. On the whole an ok read.

Another great story from Samantha Towle… it doesnt take long for the full impact of Aris situation to take root, you pick up on it almost immediately and it stays with you throughout as you witness her struggles not only with alcohol and a previous stint in rehab but memories of her mothers suicide, its no excuse but it was enough to start her down that path that led her to her situation now, add to that the lack of a father/daughter relationship and already I had tears in my eyes. After loosing her much loved job at the Art gallery, Ari takes a job working for her father whos the coach for the New York Giants, It doesnt get off to a good start curtesy of Ares Kincaid whos the quarterback … it was ok initially but as soon as Ares realises who Ari is the cheeky flirty banter that was there is no more it becomes a painful interaction while we watch Ares pass judgment, he knows nothing about Aris personal life but yet here he is being so hateful, he may have his reasons of course we already know about his father but it doesnt make it right. Its only the third chapter and you realise how lonely Ari is while she comes to terms with leaving her previous life behind and work towards a better future you have a pretty good idea its not going to be easy especially when it comes to the likes of Ares. She has no friends apart from Luke who is her sponsor but you feel extremely grateful hes around for Ari. It takes an altercation between Ari and her Ex before we see a change in Ares character, its an improvement and Ari hangs onto hope but as the storyline continues although their relationship of sorts improves there is still doubt and trust issues for various reasons. Rush pulls at your heartstrings all the way through whether its because of Aris situation alone, Ari and Ares relationship struggles or Ari and her father… its all there and very emotional. Ari and Ares relationship takes a turn for the better Aris dads on board and all is good what could go wrong? Leo… I had my suspicions but I didnt think he would go that far. Its a terrible time and it sabotages Ari and Ares relationship and again we witness Ares doing his worst and you have to wonder if their relationship can come back from this. Its a painful and sad time even more so when Ari takes her paintings to the gallery… especially the one that holds so much meaning but theres hope in sight, Aris not only got a job at the gallery but she will be show casing her work too… can things get any better… you will soon find out.!! I hope theres more from the Kincaids??

The Kincaid boys need their own church because I\’d attend, religiously, and bow down to these gods. It all started with Zeus, our beautiful heavyweight boxer with heart. Followed now by the passionate and gorgeous Ares who has rendered me a little leg bandy if I\’m being completely honest. Yep… I\’ve found my church alright! The passion, the fear, the love, everything about this story was a whirlwind of what a good romance should always be; a sense of belonging after trials of desperation and, in this case, self loathing. We all make mistakes and Rush tells a tale of forgiveness and finding belief in the power of self-worth again. Ari Petrelli is a complex character who cares fiercely but hates herself. A young woman battling demons with the monkey on her back constantly whispering in her ear to have \’another\’ drink. Battling addiction is an uphill struggle and yet a run in with the law and the loss of her dream job a harsh wake up call. Ares Kincaid knows all too well the destruction that addiction can leave in its wake, and he wants no part of pallying up with the new girl at work, even if it is the coach\’s daughter. Met with a good dose of distaste from the star quarterback, Arianna is steadfast in staying away from the arrogant footballer, but when Missy (Ares\’ sister) and Ari meet and soon become friends it\’s a little difficult to avoid each-other… Ari and Ares\’ journey wasn\’t easy, but my goodness was it epic. Loved every word, and Sam Towle proves yet again a true veteran in the art of contemporary romance.

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