Sloe Ride

\"As empty as he felt inside, Rafe knew he’d run out of excuses. Reality came back and bit him hard because he’d been the one to set it all on fire and laughed when it burned to a crisp.\"
It seems impossible to me that I'm so late getting around to reading this fourth book in Rhys Ford's 'Sinners' series. I mean, I'm almost always a release day review. Not this time, though. Life got in the way. Somehow I don't think the author will mind. Even as late to the party as I'm getting, I've really been waiting for 'Sloe Ride'. I've been watching Rafe ever since he popped up, and I've got a special place in my heart for Quinn. Let's just say I understand what it means to be different in a large family. I understand the need to get away from all of the noise and confusion for some quiet. Not to mention Quinn's genius causes some seriously adorable societal oopsies. Obviously I don't know what it means to have his genius. *grins*
Rafe has come home after pretty much burning all of his opportunities, his luck, his fame, and his friendships. Well, all except for the Morgan clan. Growing up with a single mother, the Morgans were his de-facto parents and siblings. Of course Rafe being who he was, he usually instigated any of the trouble they all got into. But it was always the youngest of the Morgan boys, Quinn, who made the spit dry up in Rafe's mouth, and made Connor warn him away.
Quinn is different. He's a genius, with a brain that can definitely do SQUIRREL at inopportune moments. His brain is wired differently than most other people’s. He has difficulty in social situations with just remembering how to act. He struggles with his brothers and his da still thinking he's a little boy. He may not be a cop, but he isn't stupid, he knows how to take care of himself. When it looks like Quinn's life is in danger, he's going to need his family, and the calm strength of Rafe, to help him survive.
It's practically impossible for me to describe the brilliance of this book. The ebb and flow of the dialogue, the characters I desperately want to be real because I want to be a part of their family, and the love between Quinn and Rafe, two men who are so different in many ways but complete each other in every way.
\"We wouldn’t have worked before,” Quinn replied, his lips ghosting a kiss on Rafe’s thumb as it moved across his chin. “You needed to get lost, and I needed to get found. But now….”
“Now’s different, babe.” Rafe cocked his head. “I wandered off way too far before. I had to come back to you to find myself. Man enough to admit it. Man enough to know I’m shit without you. All of the noise and screaming inside of me just goes away when you’re near me. I forget about the crap that doesn’t really matter.”
This idiot who's trying to hurt Quinn - tried to run him off the road, blew up his car, killed his ex-boyfriend, and killed one of his students and left her body displayed on his car - he went too far when he shot at Quinn and Rafe and hit Brigid instead. The moron has no clue how serious the wrath of the Morgans can be, and it's all coming down on his head. He'll have nowhere to hide. And, by the way, the scene with Miki and Quinn at the hospital? I cried, sobbing through the whole thing. Beautiful.
I'm blown away, again, by the talent this author has, and I'm just grateful that writing is her profession so I can continue to derive pleasure from her books for years to come. I loved this installment, and I'm looking forward to more. You didn't think she was done yet, did you?
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews

I really love the Sinners series. A lot! I feel like I have been waiting forever for Quinn’s story. I have gravitated toward him since the first mention of him. This was a special sort of treat. In a family as big as the Morgan Clan (That keeps growing with in laws) it’s easy to feel left out, different… even if Brigid is the Mom of the Year. Quinn has had a hard time finding a groove that people understand. But a past love comes back and it’s like the best understanding ever. BUT, it wouldn’t be a Sinners book without a mad, crazed loon trying to murder a Morgan. (Either adopted or blood) I really wonder what their blood pressure must be because my lord! Someone has set their sights on Quinn Morgan but he’s oblivious and worse stubborn. With the whole Morgan family and the love of his life, Rafe, guarding him, he has to try to finally live the life he has always longed for.
I adored this book it was suspenseful, thrilling, funny, and exciting!!! It’s a great series by an amazingly talented author!!

Oh, how I love Rhys Ford’s writing! She’s top of the list for me when it comes to an author who is able to paint a picture with words. Add in those sexy Morgan men, stir with the hot band members who are their mates, and you have a win:win combination. Oh, and did I mention a little murder and a little chaos? This book would be number one on my wish list to give to friends this year.
This installment of the Sinner’s Gin series is about that mysterious Morgan we’ve heard of in past stories but never really got to meet until now. Quinn Morgan is everything I had hoped for and more. He’s tall, slender, sexy, studious, laid-back and the one Morgan who prefers not to be in the middle of the chaos also known as the Morgan family Sunday dinner.
Connor Morgan’s long-time friend and adopted family member, Rafe Andrade, is finally back home where he belongs after a lengthy stint in a drug treatment center. Rafe destroyed everything he had built up in his life: his band, his relationship with his long-time bandmates, and his own reputation when he was found with a dead man in his apartment after a night of drinking, drugging, and debauchery. He has no idea what happened to cause the man’s death but has taken on the burden of guilt, and he is struggling to find meaning and purpose in life now that’s he back.
He doesn’t really want much more than a chance to play his bass and a chance to take up where he left off with Quinn Morgan many years ago when he gave Quinn his first kiss. Of course, that’s all he gave him at the time because Quinn’s big brothers would have killed him if he had taken liberties with their younger brother, a brother whom the family considers damaged. Just because Quinn’s mind doesn’t work like the rest of them, and his perceptions and perspectives on the world seem to be totally off-the-wall sometimes is no reason, in Rafe’s opinion, for the family to treat Quinn as if he’s deficient or defective.
When Rafe and Quinn get together this time, there’s more than a brief kiss involved as the two pick up where they left off years before, and they realize they are perfect for each other, accepting each other just the way they are. Then Quinn gets a chance to audition before a reluctant Damian, Mick, and Forest to see if he can “fit” into their band as the bassist they’ve been searching for, and his hope for a future with both Quinn and music in his life might become a reality. Unfortunately, just as he starts to gain confidence and look forward to the future, it becomes evident that someone is out to hurt Quinn and may destroy their chance to be together before they can make their dreams a reality.
As I said at the beginning of this review, I loved this story, and I highly recommend this book. If you are a lover of M/M romance, and if you love mysteries or stories about musicians, this one will be perfect for you. Since there’s so much overlap with the other stories in the series, I would also recommend that you read those books first. But the whole series is so outstanding, don’t hesitate to leap in with both feet. Hmm, or is that with both hands on your ebook reader? Either way—just do it!
Review by Barb
heartsonfirereviews.com

Rhys Ford has yet again written a wonderful story in this series. Rafe and Quinn are made for each other. Rafe is the only one who can truly understand Quinn’s genius and his magpie is the only one who can accept all of Rafe’s past.
I love the way the Morgan clan and the Sinners complete the story.

Sloe Ride.. Well, I loved it!
Because I am that moron who jumps at the chance of reviewing for one of my favorite authors, I read this book and had no clue what was going on. Still, I enjoyed every second of it.
Rafe has been through hell and lost almost everything. Being kicked out of his band after one of his wild nights, he comes back home where he tries to piece his life back together.
But, coming back reminds him of everything he left behind and brings him close to that one who got away.
Quinn is a very complex character. Everyone sees him as a nerd and that’s not far from the truth but that’s just one “side” of him. He’s … special and he’s stronger than anyone thinks which shows over and over again throughout the book.
I’ve read a few of Rhys’s books, but this one was brilliant. One of the fascinating things about this series is how Rhys created each and every character.
There’s so much more to them than what’s immediately obvious. You’ll just have to learn how to read between the lines. I’m curious to find out what everyone who reads this book will see in Quinn.
The chemistry between the MC’s is off the charts and their connection is still present after many years apart and a lot of changing for both of them.
There’s no insta-love here. The story builds one step at a time and there’s a lot going on. The way Rhys managed to interwave the more dramatic aspects of this novel with the romance and the occasional humor, kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.
It was so easy to connect with the characters, to love them; Quinn for his quiet strength and unwavering support when it came to Rafe, and Rafe for his determination and his willingness to take back what he lost, for not allowing the disappointments to rule his life.
Definitely a must read I highly recommend.
NOTE- this is NOT and standalone novel. In theory, it could be read as a one but you won’t understand much of what has happened before and you won’t be able to connect the characters and various stories. If you’re willing to give this series a try (and you should), start with Sinner’s Gin.
Happy Reading!!