NetGalley Review: “Rushed” by Aurora Rose Reynolds

Series: Adventures in Love, #1

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨

Steam: 🔥🔥🔥

Release Date: November 30th, 2021

Add to Goodreads | Amazon.in (Available on KU)

Cybil is the queen of bad timing. First, her fiancé breaks up with her days before their wedding. Next, she’s stuck going on a couples retreat in the Montana wilderness alone. And worst of all, now she’s fighting a growing attraction to the wilderness retreat’s rugged owner, Tanner.

Tanner has built his wilderness adventure service on a few key principles: never take unnecessary risks, never put anyone’s life in danger—and never, ever sleep with a client. The arrival of a beautiful new visitor, however, might mean bending the rules.

Two people looking for anything but romance may have just bumped into their soul mates. In the Montana wilds, any misstep can spell danger. Cybil and Tanner just have to decide if they’re brave enough to face their next adventure.

CW/TW: mentions of cancer and parental death, cheating, scenes with poachers, guns and animals

I have loved my first ever Aurora Rose Reynolds book and I am, without a doubt, going to be picking up more of her books! Having Rushed be available for ‘read now’ on NetGalley, combined with this gorgeous cover, I was giddy at being able to read this one and now that I’ve consumed it in a day, I don’t know what life is going to be like without Cybil and Tanner to keep me company!

After her eight-year relationship falls apart, Cybil decides to go on the couples retreat she and her ex had planned together. Except, she’s going alone. But Cybil has decided that she’s not going to let the collapse of her relationship define who she is or take away from the fact that she can enjoy something so wonderful. What she doesn’t expect is to meet Tanner, the guide for their retreat and her partner, and feel everything just by being around him. For Tanner, meeting Cybil is like being doused with a cold bucket of water. He’s worked hard to set up this business with his two best friends and Marine buddies, and the last thing he wants is to meet a woman coming off heartbreak and fall for her. But when they’re spending every waking minute of a week together, it becomes impossible to ignore.

Cybil is an incredible character and entirely relatable. She’s looking for herself after eight years of being someone else. After losing her mother and then her fiancé, Cybil realises that she needs to start doing things for herself. The wilderness, hiking and camping are not her cup of tea, but with the trip having been booked she takes a chance. I love how much Cybil grows through the book. She’s always come across as cautious and someone who thinks before she leaps, but with this trip, she leaps first. Cybil is also a tough woman and she’s not going to let anybody tear her down. I love her fierceness and independence, and the journey through her self discovery.

Tanner is so swoony! He’s a rough and tumble guy, who has spent his years working with his hands – first in the Marines and now as a wilderness guide. He’s lumberjack hot, without the beard, but he’s also a softy. Tanner doesn’t hesitate to step up and help Cybil whenever necessary, but he also keeps his distance when she needs it. I love how much work he put into making sure Cybil didn’t feel left out since she was the only single person at the retreat, but he also doesn’t make her feel weak. PLUS, his love for his friends and his found family just filled me with so much love for this man.

Their relationship is beautiful. It’s a slow burn and low angst, but it’s so wonderful. With a whole heap of forced proximity and sharing one tent, it’s only a matter of time before they stop fighting their attraction. I loved how even though Tanner was the guide and had to take care of everyone, he made special time for Cybil to help her explore and see the world differently. He also didn’t fight her battles for her because he knows that Cybil is strong enough to defend herself. I really enjoyed watching them come to terms with how they feel about each other and all of the excitement that comes with a new relationship. It’s an instant attraction, but neither of them give into that right away and I enjoyed how Aurora Rose Reynolds makes you fall in love with them while they’re falling in love with each other.

And I must not forget all the found families in this book! The most important people in Cybil and Tanner’s lives are those they are not related to by blood and their love, support and unrelenting patience completes this story. And now, I can’t wait to see who comes next, because I want it all!

Thanks to NetGalley, Montlake and Aurora Rose Reynolds for providing me with an advance copy. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.