Long Live the Rebel by E.L. Irwin: Book Review

 **ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own. 

The Book

Everything AJ believed about her life was built on a lie.

A shocking letter from an attorney in Washington state reveals a father she never knew and a history she’d never expected. AJ has only one path forward: learn the truth for herself. Packing up her laptop, cat, and what’s left of her self-assurance, she sets out on a journey she didn’t want but can’t ignore.

Ryler Dean isn't ready to let go.

The only father figure he's ever had—a man he idolized—has lost his long fight with cancer. Now Ryler, a battle-hardened Army Ranger, still haunted by the pain of a mission gone horribly wrong and the ghosts of those he lost, is left to guard this man’s legacy. Including protecting the daughter his hero never got to meet. The last thing he wants is to play reluctant guardian or reopen old wounds that cut deeper than shrapnel.

When their worlds collide, sparks ignite... and tempers flare.

AJ and Ryler clash from the first heated glance—attraction warring with irritation, vulnerability with defiance. But as AJ's life as a bestselling author draws a dangerous stalker whose obsession knows no bounds, Ryler discovers the one enemy he can't walk away from. This Ranger has never backed down from a fight and he's not about to start now—not when the prize is a woman worth every risk.

In a battle for trust, healing, and a future neither saw coming, they'll learn the hardest truth of all: that the fiercest wars are fought for love.

Long Live the Rebel is a STEAMY (level 3) and CLOSED DOOR romantic suspense with FAITH elements featuring enemies to lovers, found family, and forced proximity tropes.

The Author

E.L. Irwin, your author for clean and closed door romance with a touch of faith.

A child of divorce and abuse, E. L. Irwin found escape in reading and writing. She’s a self-described romantic-rebel who wears her heart on her sleeve and tends to shoot from the hip on subjects that matter. E.L. lives in the Pacific Northwest on a small farm with her husband, children, and four dogs. When not reading or writing romance, E.L. enjoys, riding horses, going for drives, tattoos, antique shopping, starry nights, the smell and sound of rain, a deep red wine, a smooth whisk(e)y, camping, bonfires, and hanging out with her horses, cows, chickens, ducks, and goats.

Book Review

Wow, what a story! I discovered E.L. Irwin's books at the end of last year and very quickly devoured her entire (contemporary romance) backlist and found myself wanting more. Her stories offer the perfect heat level, bringing all the steam and the tension without taking it too far and I loved that! This one was absolutely no exception. The chemistry between AJ and Ryler was so perfectly done... you could feel it flying off the pages. And the emotion... my goodness, the way these two had my heart. Ryler has some demons he was fighting from his time in the military, keeping him guarded from AJ despite his obvious attraction and care for her. I loved that tension and vulnerability. And then, we add in some suspense and I couldn't step away. The romance took center stage for much of the story, but that sense of danger that was lurking kept me at the edge of my seat, especially as the action ramped up towards the end. Not only did they suspense keep my captivated, but it also allowed us all those protective MMC moments that I absolutely cannot get enough of. If you love romantic suspense, emotional romance and a protective former military hero, this is one you won't want to miss! 

Long Live the Rebel is a closed-door romance with steamy kisses and implied intimacy/fade to black within a marriage. It does have minimal minor language. 


You can purchase your copy here: https://amzn.to/4snoT9c