Reviewed by Valerie
TITLE: Waiting for Ru
SERIES: Unfinished Business #4
AUTHOR: Barbara Elsborg
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 224 pages
RELEASE DATE: July 22, 2021
BLURB:
Ruari Byrne may not have had an easy life, but now he’s determined to live in the present, not his past. Trouble is, it’s hard to be independent when you’ve no money and no qualifications. All Ru knows is horses, and when he finds out that his beloved Joni and Cookie are off to auction, his heart is in his throat. How can he protect them if he can’t even look after himself?
Jasim bin Rajhi hadn’t intended to buy two working mares; the horses in his rarefied life are priceless polo ponies, but there’s something that intrigues him about the guileless young man who’s so concerned for their welfare. They might be worlds apart in every way, but Jasim doesn’t want this to be the last time he sees Ru. It can’t be because Ru might just be the one he’s been waiting for.
Reunited at Jasim’s polo grounds, the pair bond over lives lived in darkness and secrecy. But there’s a truth about Jasim that should make Ru bolt like his beloved horses. Jasim knows he should let Ru go for his own safety, and yet it feels like happiness might be within their grasp. Can they overcome their pasts and trust in a future, or will Jasim’s obligations forever have a hold on him?
Warning: contains references to past abuse and paid-for sex, physical violence and abduction. There is one oblique reference to suicide. But no horses were harmed in the making of this tale.
REVIEW:
Note: Ru appears in A Long Way Back and Jasmin is a secondary character in Give Yourself Away. It’s not strictly necessary to read either book first, but they will provide important insight into Ru and Jasim’s backstories. This review does not contain spoilers for any of the books.
***********
Waiting for Ru is a beautiful story of two men with horribly wretched pasts. They were both saved by horses, in a way, and it’s their love of the animals that brings them together. The day Jasim buys Ru’s beloved horses, both of their lives are changed indelibly.
Ru is an amazingly resilient and courageous young man of twenty. He spent twelve years living through what will hopefully be the worst thing he’ll ever experience. Although he despairs at times, overall he has a light, teasing demeanor despite missing out on most of his childhood.
“He just wanted to be ordinary. Average. A guy who knew what he was. A guy with a job. A guy with a few friends. He didn’t want to live at home, searching for jobs he didn’t want, his only friend a crow. That wasn’t living.”
Ru is doing his best to survive independently with almost no money, no job, no education or experience, and no home. Ru is struggling to find his way but doesn’t see an achievable path toward the future he dearly wants as an equine veterinarian. His dreams are simple: to be healthy, have enough money not to struggle, and to find a man to share his life with. He wants to be the most important person in someone’s life. His bravery serves as an inspiration for Jasim to make big changes in his life
Jasim is a prince in the Saudi royal family. He has been deeply affected by the horrifying views of Muslims, particularly his family, on homosexuality. It has shaped his entire life and represents the worst possible outcomes of homophobia – death, disappearance, abuse, and imprisonment, if not by authorities, then by the family.
“As far as many Muslim countries are concerned, there’s no such thing as a gay person, just a perverted one. Homosexuality is regarded as a western phenomenon. While authorities do take action against gay men, it’s the attitude of their families that causes the most issues.”
Horses and polo saved Jasim by granting him an escape to England away from his family. But he’s never far enough from his father’s reach should he step out of line. He was threatened that if he lives a gay life, the punishment will be extreme – likely death. It doesn’t take long spending time in Ru’s company before Jasim knows for certain he needs to break free and live his truth with a man he loves. He’s been waiting for Ru, the first man who ever inspired him to risk everything for. He endeavors to help Ru, not just because Ru needs aid, but because Jasim wants and needs Ru, too.
Jasim knows Ru deserves better than a secret life with a much older man, and realistically, he’ll always be closeted. Can Ru endure being kept a secret, though? For how long? Forever? Even with as much as he’s enamored with Jasim, the answer is no. He needs to live openly and vibrantly to make up for lost time.
Ru and Jasim are lovable, sympathetic characters with a lovely chemistry. Jasim’s protectiveness and utter inability to resist Ru made me swoon. He is proud to introduce the completely inexperienced Ru to sex. Ru exhibits an endearing eagerness to learn everything he can, hands (and other body parts) on. He’s is an adorable nervous wreck about his first sexual experience, but he’s also endearingly eager. His emotions are tinged with sadness, though, because at this point, Ru doesn’t know if he’ll ever be anything more than a sexual partner to Jasim. Will they ever have the chance to date or fall in love?
The secondary cast is outstanding, whether human, feathered, or hooved. Jasim’s veterinarian, Leigh, and his charming, down to earth, and hilarious husband, Newt. They are the perfect pair to make Ru comfortable with his sexuality and provide him with genuine friendship. They serve as ideal role models for both Ru and Jasim since both are new to a relationship. It’s gratifying as a reader to see Ru so readily accepted and experience unconditional love. Newt, especially, is a joy. He brings humor and a lightness to balance the story. Other memorable characters are on Jasim’s staff, including a groom who is nasty, but well portrayed.
Unlike the other books in the Unfinished Business series, the irrepressible Jonty does not make an appearance here, as he only has a loose connection to Ru. Although I adore Jonty and his ridiculousness, he would’ve been out of place in this story, so I didn’t miss him at all. If you’ve read the rest of the series, you must continue with this heartwarming book. Not only is it a standout book on its own, it provides a nice tie-in to A Long Way Back. I highly recommend Waiting for Ru.
RATING: 
BUY LINK: