Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Rudy
SERIES: Rudy #1, Shifting Through the Snow #2
AUTHOR: Terry Poole
PUBLISHER: MLR Press
LENGTH: 158 pages
RELEASE DATE: December 1, 2017
BLURB:
Hated by his family for being a living reminder of his father’s infidelity, Rudy never expected that a blind date mix-up would change his life in this modern retelling of Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer.
Clay, an engineer fresh out of the military, is the answer to Rudy’s dreams, becoming Rudy’s co-worker, protector, and lover all rolled into one gorgeous package.
Not only do they mesh well together to bring Rudy’s vision to life, neither can deny the overwhelming attraction that sizzles between them. An attraction that almost ends before it can begin because of a misunderstanding that leads to Clay being in jail for assault.
Filled with hate, Donny, Rudy’s older half-brother, tries to destroy him and stop Rudy from saving his grandfather’s toy factory.
Only Clay can save Rudy’s life and the toy factory, if he’s not too late.
REVIEW:
This was a very cute and sexy retelling of Rudolph. I had a giggle with myself while I was writing this. Flipping through channels on TV, I happened to cross an outdoors channel and saw deer and immediately thought “RUDY”! Oh that he was real. Such a sweet yet heartbreaking story. Some parts made me want to jump into the book so bad.
Rudy was minding his own business in a little bar, trying to relax and hopefully avoid his asshole family, when a sex-on-legs man walks in. He hopes that man would come to see him, but knowing there would be no reason for it, he just sits and stares. When the man walks toward him, Rudy loses what function of his brain he has left. Clay, thinking that Rudy is his blind date, steps forward and begins to talk to Rudy. From the moment they laid eyes on each other, there is a chemistry there that can’t be denied. But Rudy’s family has something else in mind. Because Rudy was the product of an affair, his step mother and most of his brothers have hated him from birth. His step mother has filled their heads with hate and Rudy has been beaten and abused to the point of death so many times. Rudy wants to start a relationship with Clay. He wants him working at his office and with him on his project, but his family wont leave him be. Clay, though, is determined that no one will hurt Rudy again. The more they spend time together, the more he is convinced Rudy is it for him. After a horrible night, that leaves Rudy on the brink again, Clay has to make some decisions about their lives and the people in it. He only hopes the changes can be made before it’s too late.
Oh. My. Gah. Rudy. Rudy, Rudy, Rudy, Rudy. I love this little guy so much. He just wants so bad for someone to love him. He wants to be left in peace. He didn’t ask to be born. He didn’t ask for his father to have an affair. He just wants to be left alone. He such a special guy. He has so many special qualities about him. The sad part is he can’t even tell people about some of his abilities. And trying to shift? Pfft forget it. He would love nothing more than to run free in his reindeer form but even then he is ridiculed and tortured. If there is ever anyone who deserves love and a break it’s Rudy. When he meets Clay, he can’t help but wish and hope that Clay could be that for him. Clay is the perfect alpha for him. He’s strong and secure. Even with his on issues, such as PTSD, he still has a way about him that makes Rudy feel safe right off the bat. If only Rudy’s family would leave him alone. I love Clay for the way he steps up though. He will not be deterred. He even goes so far as to turn himself in when he thinks he’s hurt Rudy himself. Thankfully it was all a misunderstanding. But Clay is determined that no one will hurt his sweet man again. He steps in even in the beginnings of their relationship, to keep Rudy safe. To show Rudy that someone does care for him and love him no matter what he looks like or can do or who he was born from. And that makes him perfect. At least to me. Heaven knows Rudy needed Clay.
There’s a lot of talk of abuse in this book and some actual beatings and things, so if any of that is a trigger, please be careful. But it’s a book about hope and love and overcoming the odds. There are some surprise twists in there that I NEVER saw coming. And I love the way a lot of those twists came to end. There are betrayals, and heart aches, but most of all there are reunions and love and matings and a whole lot of happiness to beat out all the bad.
RATING: 
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