Raze is the third book in Roan Parrish’s Riven series. I have not read the first two, but when I saw Raze offered on NetGalley I remembered ctkat1’s very positive review and decided to request it anyway. I’m glad I did. Raze is out July 2.
This was in many ways a sweet book to read. There are times when I need a heavy dose of emotional angst in my falling in love story. Raze had some good angst. Felix and Huey are both messes who are trying so hard to keep it together and be good adults. Huey has been sober for many years, but owns and runs a bar. He spends a lot of his time sponsoring recovering addicts. Felix has been taking care of his mother and siblings since he was barely a teen. They find each other at a moment when both of their lives are changing.
One of Huey’s employees talks him into hosting karaoke nights at the bar. Felix and his sister Sofia attend and sing a Riven song together. Huey, impressed by how well Felix sings sends a video of his performance to Theo, former Riven lead singer. Things happen and suddenly Felix’s sister is singing with Riven and going off on a tour. For the first time, Felix is alone and having to think about what he wants for his life. Huey has maintained his sobriety with a strict schedule and sponsoring the newly sober.
I really appreciated that neither fixed the other. They created spaces that gave the other room to grow, but there was no magical love cure. At some point soon, I’ll go back and read the first two books.
