Reviewed by Jen B.
TITLE: Torch
SERIES: The Unbreakable Bonds #3
AUTHORS: Jocelyn Drake and Rinda Elliott
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 322 Pages
RELEASE DATE: October 25, 2016
BLURB:
Nine months ago, Rowan Ward thought he had it all. Now he’s fighting to pull his shredded life together, buried in work and battling the kind of grief that destroys a man’s soul. When fires spring up around Cincinnati threatening Rowe’s friends and clients, he’s thrilled to find his old Army buddy, Noah Keegan in town. They were a hell of a team when they served together, so in-sync, it was rumored they could read each other’s minds.
Noah thought devoting his life to the Army would be enough. Then he realized he had no family and only one friend he cared about. When his enlistment was up, he found himself standing on Rowe’s doorstep, looking only for friendship but secretly hoping for more. He needs to know if their one unbelievable night together years ago wasn’t a mistake.
Caught in a dangerous game of fire and bullets, neither expects the inferno of emotion that ignites between them. One Rowe isn’t prepared to accept. One that could break Noah.
REVIEW:
This series really needs to be read in order, so if you haven’t read the previous two, I highly recommend you start with those. Noah is the friend who lost his wife in the car crash that also injured Ian, the guy who the gang saved from a horrible experience with the evil Jagger. The men are all just about moving ahead with their lives when it seems as though the past is hitting them hard again. There is an arsonist targeting them at various events, venues, etc. They believe Jagger is behind it but have no idea why, as they thought they put their dealings with him to rest.
Meanwhile, Rowe’s bff from his time with the Rangers has returned after approximately 13 years. Rowe and Noah shared a steamy night back in the day, but Rowe ran and they were separated by time and other events. Then Rowe was happily married to Mel and Noah thought he lost his chance with Rowe. But, not being able to stay away any longer, Noah has returned hoping to rekindle what they had.
Rowe has a difficult time with Noah being in his life again. He missed his best friend terribly, but their mutual attraction is throwing him for a loop. He is still grieving his wife, who hasn’t been gone a year at this point. When Noah realizes Rowe might never be able to move on and be happy again, he just about gives up. But, things escalate with danger lurking at every turn. Noah vows to see his friend safe and to help the guys get to the bottom of things before he moves on himself.
There is a lot going on here, more than first appeared with a twist or two connecting the dots. This is a well-written series with exciting relationships, an interesting story line that keeps things moving at a good pace. Just as with the previous books, I was turning pages quickly to get answers and to see the guys find each other and watch their budding relationships grow. This group remains strong, and just as the series title suggests, they share an unbreakable bond that is the heart of this story.
It was so great to see the other guys again. They have hit some major bumps in the road, and it is heartbreaking to see them go through such turmoil. Andre and Lucas are having some trouble and poor Ian is still having issues, especially where the now missing cop is concerned. I’m excited and ancy to see them come around and it looks like we might finally get to see Ian and Hollis make things happen in the next book!
RATING: 
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