Reviewed by Amber & Dan

 

TITLE: Rock Solid

SERIES: Rock Solid Construction #1

AUTHOR: Riley Hart

PUBLISHER: Self Pub

LENGTH: 271 pages

BLURB:

Trevor Dixon has made too many mistakes to count. Sober for thirteen months, he’s determined to do the right thing: rebuild his relationship with his family, and help his brother get Rock Solid Construction off the ground. Failing them again isn’t an option. Too bad the first estimate Trevor goes on alone is for an uptight doctor with a superiority complex.

A hand injury took away the only important thing in Dr. Simon Malone’s life—performing heart surgery. He doesn’t do well with people and has no family, but being a damn good surgeon? He always had that. Now, he doesn’t know who he is. The last thing he wants to deal with is the young construction worker who blows his shot at remodeling Simon’s home.

Trevor and Simon form an unlikely friendship. The more time they spend together, the more Trevor starts wondering if maybe Simon’s not as straight—or uptight—as he thought…and maybe Trevor’s new attraction for Simon runs both ways.

There are too many reasons they shouldn’t be together: they have little in common, their age difference, Trevor needing to focus on his sobriety…yet there’s something about each other that they just can’t shake. They don’t feel so lost when they’re together. But with their footing so unsteady, forming a relationship that’s rock solid seems impossible. There’s blow after blow, and the last one just might be powerful enough to crack their foundation for good.

AMBER’S REVIEW:

“Throughout the story the author built the love these men share so awesomely that at times it actually felt like a tangible thing.” ~Review quote from: Full Circle (Broken Pieces #2)

“One of the many things I love about Riley Hart is the fact that she writes angsty inner battles so incredibly well……I love this series so much because Blackcreek is just an ordinary town but it’s full of these rich, thought-out characters.” ~Review quote from: Pretend (Blackcreek #3)

“This author writes such flawed and fascinating characters. I love the pain she creates. I’m almost conditioned to it. I know she’ll make me bleed and work but in the end, all the pain, blood, sweat, and torment will be worth it.” ~Review quote from: Losing Control (Broken Pieces #3)

I’ve had the absolute pleasure of reviewing 3 books by Riley Hart. I hate to repeat myself. I don’t ever want to sound conditioned or manufactured. With that being said, this story encompasses every single thing I’ve ever said about a Riley Hart story. This incredible story has made me feel so many things that it’s hard for me to put it all into words. Ironically, I feel like I’ve become an addict to this type of pain and angst within a Riley Hart story. I absolutely adore the emotional roller coaster this author sends me on. It’s intoxicating and euphoric. Her writing is a drug that I’m undeniably addicted to.

Trevor and Simon are flawed men. There’s no doubt about it. Trevor is a recovering addict who battles his demons daily. Simon is a workaholic heart surgeon who put his career above everything else including his marriage, which failed. He’s been sidelined due to being a victim of a home invasion where the perpetrators injured him so badly he is unable to perform surgeries. These men come together during very fragile times in both of their lives. Simon’s dealing with losing the loss of his love for heart surgery and Trevor is dealing with the repercussions of his disease, even though it’s been over a year.

Their initial meeting isn’t ideal; it ends in dramatic misfortune which leads Simon to make a decision that will affect Trevor and his growing construction business with his twin brother, Blake. What’s so remarkable about Trevor is he refuses to take no for an answer. Maybe it’s the fact that he knows what it feels like to hit rock bottom, so he’s fearless. He challenges Simon; and wins.

Rock Solid Construction sets out on a several week long project of remodeling the beautiful home Simon has purchased. This leads to Simon and Trevor being around each other quite a bit. They both see something in each other. They find themselves drawn together quite a bit. They start working out, eating, and just spending casual time together and naturally that turns into more….so much more…and that more is beautiful. They heal each other and it’s mesmerizing.

These men are so incomplete when they meet but the genius of Riley Hart mends them in a way that also touches the reader. I felt the connection, to my core. It was a gradual, meaningful, fulfilling build that led to absolute imperfect perfection.

I haven’t been this excited about a series in awhile. I undoubtedly cannot wait for the next book. My anticipation has surpassed my wanting for Ben’s book and I didn’t even think that was possible.

If you start any series this year, THIS is the one you want to go with!!! RECOMMEND! RECOMMEND! RECOMMEND!

P.S. The cover….that is all….

RATING: 

 

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DAN’S REVIEW:

Riley Hart has done it again. I’ve loved every one of her books, and this one is no exception! In Rock Solid, Riley begins a new series which revolves around the Rock Solid Construction Company, co-owned by twins, Trevor and Blake Dixon.

In Rock Solid, we’re introduced to Trevor Dixon. Trevor is a right mess, having just gotten clean from years of drug and alcohol abuse. During his years of abuse, he managed to alienate almost everyone in town, and hurt his mother and brother, over, and over, and over again. Although he has been clean for a little over a year, no one really trusts him to stay sober, not even himself some days.

Then Trevor goes out on an estimate for the company he and his brother have founded, Rock Solid Construction. The estimate is for a job renovating a large home, but it won’t be easy. The man that comes to the door, Dr. Simon Malone, is a real piece of work who is extremely full of himself, and extremely bitter because he was injured during a home invasion and might never be able to perform surgery again. He has a grudge against the world, and it hits Trevor full force.   After all Trevor is ridiculous with his pierced lip, tattoos and strange haircut.  Obviously not what Dr. Malone is looking for in a renovation company.  Following what might be considered a serendipitous cut on a nail, Trevor is rushed to the ER by Dr. Malone, who insists on taking charge.  But when Trevor refuses pain meds, Dr. Malone can see right through him and doesn’t want an addict, or his company, doing the job, so he turns him down flat.

Trevor isn’t good at hearing the word no though, so he goes back the next day and insists on speaking with him again.  One thing leads to another, and since both are in their running gear they go off for a run together.  Neither man knows exactly why, but by the end of the run, somehow Trevor gets the job.   The only stipulations are that they start after Trevor’s hand is healed, and only if Trevor is in charge of the job himself.

Thus begins a tale of two broken men. One an addict in recovery, and the other a former world class surgeon learning to live with his hand that will never be able to perform surgery again. I thought Ms. Hart did a great job writing both characters. I really felt the pain of both men and was constantly rooting for them throughout the book.  Trevor identifies as gay, but Simon used to be married.  Does that mean he is straight?  Or is there some wiggle room?  I loved the interplay between the characters, and the doubt on both their parts that they are strong enough for the other.

What will happen though when a huge fact is revealed that could tear the two apart?  Are either strong enough to survive it?  You will have to read the book and find out, because I’m done with spoilers! 😉

I very highly recommend this book. In fact, I recommend you hit “one-click” on Amazon immediately. It will be worth it….trust me!

RATING:

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