Raw and Ready (Rough Riders Book 5), Rough

I love the Rough Riders series from Ms. James. Rough, Raw and Ready let us catch up with Ed and Trevor from book 1 Long Hard Ride. Edgard had gone back to Brazil and Trevor had since married Chassie. Now Edgard returns to see if there is a chance for him and Trevor. All I can say if you love contemporary western romance you won't be disappointed in RR&R or whole Rough Riders Series.

Wow...

Holy hell Lorelei got me hook, line, and sinker with this book! Honestly the first scene in this book is probably one of my favorite first scenes ever, I can see it in my brain so clearly Edgar walking up the long road, fog rolling around him, Chassie watching, and foreboding music playing. There was just something special about the way this book played out and while yes, Chassie may have accepted things a little too easily for some people I think that three things helped spur her to look at things in a different light: one, was knowing her brother Dag had never had the opportunity to be who he really was, two was really listening to what Chase and Channing (especially Channing) said about their relationship, and three was realizing life was too short to let other people dictate the way you live your life (being at Carson and Carolyn's when they found out about Cam cemented this). There's so much emotion in this story and this first time Trevor and Edgar are together (really together) after being apart for so long; the emotion, the passion, the love...wow! The turning point in this story when I knew they would always be together was when Chassie invited Edgar to sleep in their bed and said it wasn't just for the night. (yep, tears running down my cheeks now as I think about that scene)

Lorelei James is a genius at writing complicated relationships between lovers, family and friends. We met Trevor and Edgard in book 1 of this series when their secret love affair eventually sent Edgard packing back to his native Brazil because Trevor refused to be open about their relationship with everyone. It's now 3-ish years later and Trevor has fallen for and married Chassie West (another member/cousin in the McKay family), when Edgard unexpectedly shows up one morning. I don't want to spoil anything, but I love how it all played out and I'm so glad to see these characters get their own stories so beautifully written. Fingers crossed we get an update on them later in the series!

Rough, Raw and Ready is the story of Trevor, whom we have seen the most of in book one and two, and his wife of one year, McKay cousin, Chassie West. Trevor has left the rodeo circuit and put aside his wild ways to settle down with Chassie on her family ranch. When his former roping partner and lover Edgard shows up, fireworks happen. Trevor has never told his wife about Edgard and she finds out the hard way. What ensues is a lot of steamy, raw sex and a lot of soul searching. Due to the M/M/F relationship, this novel may not be for everyone. However, a question asked by a character in the book is the overall theme: "What would you do for the man you love?" How far would you go to protect a marriage with the man you adore? It makes for a thought provoking as well as steamy read.

I really wanted to find out what happened with Ed & Trevor. That was a lovely & refreshing to revisit their relationship. I have to say this was not my cup of tea though. I enjoy Chassie and it was great to see more of the West/McKay dynamic, but she was not a realistic woman to me. For me, the M/F/M can work and be sexy, but not in the type of relationship here. I really respect the attempt at reasonable polyamory, but I didn't buy it and I know that it will rear it's head (issue-wise) in any real relationship. Love is Love and sexuality is a fluid issue, but this was something that didn't work for me. I know others will enjoy, so I had to give credit there. I will say the end w/the McKay cousin was a lovely moment and I wish I had had more of that. It was quite lovely.

First off Lorelie James is a wonderful author and she writes beautiful stories, but this was a big no for me. Why? Because of the cheating, sneaking, and lying. Another reviewer commented on this which is if a "woman" had done what Edgar had done, she would have would of come off as a tramp as well as a lying bitch and the husband would of been thrown out. But no! Because he's a guy he gets away with it. Another thing I'm biracial, I definitely do not have issues with my looks and embrace them, why would you keep harping on this. But lastly, my complaint is this, this was a story of the husband and his ex, the wife was the one who got used, abused, and lied to. And freaking shame on her family for not fighting for her honor.

I was immediately hooked in the first paragraph. LJ's perfectly detailed description of Edgard walking up the driveway. I saw it so clearly .It's awesome watching the author's growth as we go along. I wasn't sure really how I was gonna feel throughout the book. I knew T & E's history from book 1 and tbh I'm fine with it. just wasn't sure how Cassie would fit. But I LOVE their relationship, the 3 of them. I know that they will certainly have obstacles but it seems it will be oh so worth it. I can see the appeal.

Despite being happily married to Trevor, Cassie unexpectedly finds herself drawn to Trevor's former rodeo partner Edgard when he shows up at their ranch. Cassie soon learns that the two men had been more than just rodeo partners but is unable to turn away from them. Cassie is portrayed as the strong person who forces everyone to face their feelings and determine a way forward toward happiness, and the continuation of their very hot and sexy menage!

This is book 5 in Lorelei James' Rough Riders series and she has outdone herself! This story covers what becomes of Trevor, Edgard and Chassie. It's about hot sex, experimentation and letting go of "what I should be doing". And it's also about love, acceptance, humility and commitment. With so much hate in the real world these days - this was exactly the story I needed to be reading. Yep, I want to be Chassie when I grow up!

I love Chassie & Trevor's love story. And the complications that come into play when Edgard walks up the driveway. Chassie did a lot of soul searching as did Trevor & Ed when the whole story came out. I enjoyed watching Edgard fall in love with Chassie and her developing feelings for him. If you can handle the guy on guy sex, this is a great book.

Chassie West Glanzer didn't think anything about it when Edgard Mancuso showed up at their spread for a visit. He was an old buddy of her husband Trevor, and he was glad to see him. Any friend of his was always welcome in her home. The day she found them by the corral talking about how good they were together, and in the midst of a passionate bruising kiss, her world fell apart. Her husband, the man she adored was kissing another man like he was his world instead of her. She didn't know what to do, but she couldn't stay and be near them, so she fled.

Trevor did not know what he was going to do. He loves Chassie more than life, but having Edgard there completed him in a way he had never known. He was frantically trying to find his wife after she ran away, and hated like hell admitting to their family and friends that he had no idea where she was. Trevor was determined to bring her home, and somehow make it right for them all.

Chassie was lost. She couldn't be around anyone because no one could know about her pain or it would be the fastest flying gossip ever in the region. She was in a hell of a predicament. In the time Edgard had been staying with them, she had really gotten to know him, and genuinely liked him. What was she supposed to do now? Chass had wondered many times about the possibility of losing her husband to a better woman, but the possibility of losing Trevor to another man had never been on her radar.

This is a very intense story full of passion, explicit ménage encounters, and emotional mine fields. Chassie has had a very rough life, and she finally thought she had found the family she so desperately wanted only to be dealt a blow so devastating, she was unsure she would survive.
Trevor knew Chassie was the woman for him almost from the beginning, and it was honestly killing him to want she and Edgard both. There is a delicate balance between these characters, and a lesser caliber writer would not have been able to do the story justice. Another excellent addition to the Rough Riders Series!!

I always believed you love a person not their physical features. This book in the series brings that to for front in the most vivid details. Heart strings plucked and on overdrive. Each book in the series is better than the last. The connection with the characters grows even more. Once you start you can't stop! On to book six.

Trevor quit the rodeo circuit and settled down with Chassie to ranch and thought life was pretty perfect until the day his former roping partner, Edgard, strolls up the driveway. Chassie discovers a secret that Trevor and Edgard had kept hidden and it turns her whole world upside down.

Chassie’s world gets turned upside down when she finds out her husband, Trevor, and his old roping partner, Edgard, were once lovers. At first Chassie is unsure how her relationship with Trevor can continue, but soon the three learn to love each other. As always, I love the appearance of all the McKays and can’t wait to jump into the next book!

Chassie West Glanzer didn't think anything about it when Edgard Mancuso showed up at their spread for a visit. He was an old buddy of her husband Trevor, and he was glad to see him. Any friend of his was always welcome in her home. The day she found them by the corral talking about how good they were together, and in the midst of a passionate bruising kiss, her world fell apart. Her husband, the man she adored was kissing another man like he was his world instead of her. She didn't know what to do, but she couldn't stay and be near them, so she fled.

Trevor did not know what he was going to do. He loves Chassie more than life, but having Edgard there completed him in a way he had never known. He was frantically trying to find his wife after she ran away, and hated like hell admitting to their family and friends that he had no idea where she was. Trevor was determined to bring her home, and somehow make it right for them all.

Chassie was lost. She couldn't be around anyone because no one could know about her pain or it would be the fastest flying gossip ever in the region. She was in a hell of a predicament. In the time Edgard had been staying with them, she had really gotten to know him, and genuinely liked him. What was she supposed to do now? Chass had wondered many times about the possibility of losing her husband to a better woman, but the possibility of losing Trevor to another man had never been on her radar.

This is a very intense story full of passion, explicit ménage encounters, and emotional mine fields. Chassie has had a very rough life, and she finally thought she had found the family she so desperately wanted only to be dealt a blow so devastating, she was unsure she would survive.
Trevor knew Chassie was the woman for him almost from the beginning, and it was honestly killing him to want she and Edgard both. There is a delicate balance between these characters, and a lesser caliber writer would not have been able to do the story justice. Another excellent addition to the Rough Riders Series!!

Chassie West Glanzer has got a pretty darn good life, and a super sexy husband - former rodeo champ and buckle-bunny chaser Trevor Glanzer. Their own little ranch is out of the way, so she found it quite odd when a man walked right up to their doorstep. His name is Edgard Mancuso, and he claims to be an old friend of Trevor's. After inviting him to stay for the next few weeks while Edgard's truck is being repaired, Chassie learns Edgard and Trevor's secret. They were lovers years ago, and it's obvious the bond between them hasn't lessened over time. Now Edgard and Chassie have to figure out what to do when they're both in love with the same man. And Trevor couldn't possibly give up either one. Is a solution even possible, or will everyone end up heartbroken?

I have read all the Rough Riders books coming before this one, and while I enjoyed each and everyone one of them - so far, this book is definitely my favorite. Each book was good, certainly, but I could still put them down and go off to do something else while reading. But I couldn't stop reading or thinking about Edgard, Trevor, and Chassie. Their story seems so much more emotional. And yes, there are always going to be cheesy scenes, but I thought the story in this book more than made up for anything else. By now, we all know (or at least you should) that Ms. James can write quite the steamy scene, and there is no lack of those in this book. But this book is just so much more than the sex. It's about dealing with love from the past, and present. And figuring out how to compromise, and how to live without being afraid of what other people will think of you.

The characters rang true, and real. You could practically feel the tension between the two men, and understand Chassie's difficulty at accepting and understanding just how deep Edgar and Trevor's relationship ran. And I definitely identified with Chassie, not just when it comes to confusion, but with her family troubles as well. As a West, related to the McKays but definitely not in tight with the core group, Chassie feels left out when it comes to family issues. Oh, they include her for the most part, but when it comes to something serious, she's left on the sidelines. Except for Trevor, the McKays are all Chassie has left, and you can feel the hurt she deals with. Not to mention Edgard's, and Trevor's family problems.

Amanda from Novel Addiction

4.5stars

Another stellar entry for the Rough Rider series! We knew Trevor had moved on and the interim books let us know that he had married Chassie who's had a hard time the last few years. But when sexy smoldering ex-roping partner Edgard saunters up the drive after his abrupt departure a few books back I feared for the burns on my fingers and was anxious to know how he and Trevor could pick things up again. After a period of adjustment - not only was Chassie alright with it she was a willing participant. There we other plotlines wending their way through this installment that make me salivate for future entries; among them were the multiple family plotlines (very interesting tidbits there) and possible new characters to bring into the fold made cameo's as well. More information was given on the peripheral characters making this an exciting contribution to the overall series arc.

Though I didn't feel this was a perfect entry. Many of the questions raised through the series to date were answered this time out. But I have to confess I was a bit flummoxed by Chassie. Her actions to be the catalyst to move things forward and/or into the light was one thing but that she went farther was a bit incomprehensible for me (of course it could be my mindset). In any event for me it was a bit of a head scratcher. In fairness I have to allow that it was done beautifully and the rationalization did not seem far-fetched.

No doubt the trademark blazing sex is present and the return of Edgard was truly a good thing, just as there is no doubt I have every intention on continuing this series.

Chassie Glazner is one lucky cowgirl and madly in love with her hubby Trevor(Trev). They are two hard working people that are struggling to make ends meet. They would love to expand their land but they don't have the funds to do so another dream put on hold for now. Trevor loves Chassie with all of his heart yet he never expected to see his former lover Edgard(Ed) Mancuso again and certain on his doorstep. Trevor is filled with such confusion and longing at seeing Ed again. He wonders what Ed could possibly want after three and half years. Ed Mancuso walked away from Trev once but this time he's not walking away until he gets somc answers to his questions. Ed surprises Trev by helping out on the ranch getting to know Chassie while Trev stays out of his way entirely. When Chassie catches Trev and Ed kissing each other, she's devasted and hurt beyond belief. She's not sure what to do about the situation and gets advice from her cousin Colby and his wife Channing. When Chassie returns she asks and demands to see Trev and Ed share their love for one another in front of her. Trev balks at the suggestion yet Ed sees the sense in Chassie's request. What Chassie witnesses is beyond her expectation and considers making Ed apart of her and Trev's lovemaking. Will Trev admit his feelings and not hide? Will Ed be honest with Chassie and Trev? Can the twosome become a threesome? What are Chassie's feeling for Ed? Your answers await you in Rough, Raw, and Ready.

Since book 1 , I have wondered what happened with Trevor and I was riveted to this story to find out. It was amazing to see Trevor get total acceptance and love from the two people that completed his life! Can't wait for book 6!!!

Some of the lines uttered between the characters were sweet and heartfelt, but (even though I know this is fiction), I have a hard time believing that Chassie would be so quick to accept adding Edgard to their marital bed. This book was just okay for me.

The threesome of Chassie, Trevor & Edgard is mind blowing. Not where I thought Trevor's story was going. It really stretches the imagination and the details of their bedroom activities is amazing.

I bought this book with great expectations based upon the reviews. I read it and came away very disappointed. I am a fan of erotic romance and this was my first read by Lorelei James. When I first started I was perplexed about the lack of description attached to the character of Chassie, all I got was feel for her low self-esteem I had no clue what she looked like. The descriptions of Trevor and Edgard were much more detailed (that should have been my first clue). As I continued reading the reason for Chassie's self-esteem became clear; she was bi-racial (this seemed to be the I'm not pretty or I'm plain reason) I found this to be the icing on the I-should-never-have-bought-this-book-cake. This thread was echoed by the character of Trevor, Edgard and Chassie herself. The patronizing tone of she's not pretty, feeling bad because of her mixed race just didn't ring true and I was offended by the stereotypical posturing in defense and offense that went on in the book. I am always heartened when authors today make "the bold move" of having a lead character who is of-color James, sloppily handled this perspective and it was clear that she is not truly familiar with it. It would have been better to make it a part of the description and have left it alone instead of belaboring it. FYI beauty comes in all ethnicity not just those dictated by the European ideal. The dynamics between the three were just not believable to me, Chassie is described as sassy one moment and then let's herself be completely railroaded by the two men and their needs. This was a story of Trevor and Edgard ;Chassie was just on the periphery. The actual intimacy was shown between the two men, there was little of that shown between Chassie and her "husband".

Trevor has his ranch and his loving wife, his life couldn't be more perfect, or so he thought. But then an old flame that he has kept a secret from his wife shows back up in his life and he finds that the passion and love is still there, plus there is the fact that this lover is his old roping partner, and a man! Now they have to figure out if there is a way to live together and keep everyone happy. Chassie soon finds out why they worked so well as partners!

I have been ready for Trevor and Edgards story since the beginning! I love that the passion between them is still so strong. You get it all in this book! The steamy raw sex, the angst, and the love. This is a great book for an open minded person who loves lots of sex in there novels without sacrificing story line.

I loved everything about this book!! When we first meet Trevor and Edgard in Long Hard Ride book #1 I was so sad that these two men could not make it work and Edgard left and went home to Brazil.
Trevor and Chassie have been happily married for a year when one day Edgard shows up out of the blue. Chassie n
Knows nothing about Edgard not even that he and Trevor were roping partners on the Rodeo circuit. Like I said earlier this book has everything, great story line, off the charts smokin hot sex, wonderful characters and even a cliffhanger that left me sad but waiting to read that story.

Ok, so cheated and skipped ahead after reading book 1 because I HAD to know what happened with Ed and Trevor. SO glad I did because I was not disappointed. I can't see how people think there was only sex and no story, apparently they read something different then I did. Yes it was a little bit choppy but life is that way sometimes and these things could actually happen. I think that the storyline came across loud and clear and the book was overall so very hot! Will definitely be reading the rest of the series.

Chassie, has had the worst life of anyone in this series, finally she's happily married in love with her husband, thinks he's in love with her. When along comes the ex his GAY lover, there's no doubting their love but I really doubt Trevor's love for Chassie. Edgard left Trevor 3 years ago because Trevor couldn't give him what he needed, Trevor is happy with Chassie, Edgard comes back and says I want Trevor and I'm going to take him. And I reckon he could to and I wish he did, so that Chassie could truly find someone that loves her for her. At the end the author (which I like) tries to tie all of them together by Edgard saying he thinks he's falling in love with Chassie, nope nothing their. All the way through this story it's about Trevor and Edgard how much they love each other, touching each other all the time, allways together allways having sex together. I really think the only thing Trevor feels for Chassie is guilt, I hate the way Edgard comes back and says I want you Trevor and I'm going to have you and he does, now if this was an exfemale well it would be pretty pissy wouldn't it???? If you look at all the love words spoken all the touches all the sex all the deep and meaningfulls it's all Trevor and Edgard. I've read good 3's where you can really feel the love from all of them for each other,"Tymber Dalton - Love Slave for Two" there is two books, sorry but there is no comparison. This series is supposed to be about the MCKay/West Clan so where's Chassie's story because this is all Trevor and Edgard. Let them walk off into the sunset with a HEA, but give Chassie one too. Just like JenB who gave a good review said Trevor and Edgards story.

I must disagree with the reviewer who stated that Chassie needed someone of her own and never got it. Rough, Raw and Ready is a love story with a Happy Ending. While some may view it as an unconventional love story, Chassie, Edgard, and Trevor defy the odds and manage to come to peace with themselves and each other. I believe that the heart is big enough and strong enough to love more than one person at the same time and Mrs. James does an excellent job of portraying this in her writing. Not only do her characters have depth, but they deal with everyday, real life situations. Chassie, Edgard, and Trevor struggle with their own fears, the fears of each other, and the fears that society has and will place upon them and come out winning. They find love, understanding, acceptance and peace with each other. We should all be so lucky. If the reviewer who criticized Mrs. James' book was expecting a fairy tale fluff piece, then they did read the wrong book. This is an awesome book about love, life, the acceptance of oneself and the acceptance of others. Thumbs up to Mrs. James and I can't wait for the next installment of the Rough Riders Series.

J. Hunter