Relentless

Room for Love #6

by Kate Hawthorne

Years into their relationship, there’s still no one Levi Kadish hates more than James Motel. There’s also no one he loves more. Stubborn as they’ve ever been, the tension that’s developed in their relationship is becoming a quiet threat to everything they know. Coupled with the pressure of living in a small town that’s dying a long and slow death, familial infighting because of Cameron’s lack of interest in ever being told no, and the struggles of working with five brothers who don’t always get along, things are careening toward the point of no return. If all that isn’t enough to navigate, Levi’s keeping a secret from James that could change everything—for better or for worse. Forced to decide what to put first, his own wants or the well-being of the town he calls home, Levi realizes time—and friendships—have changed him. He’s not the selfish and arrogant man he used to be. Once relentless with his confidence, his pride, his desire, now Levi must find out if he has the same kind of fight in him when it comes to his boyfriend, his family, and everything they’ve built in Cherry Creek. It's Levi and James…you should know what to expect by now. Lots of love, some rough words, and some water sports that don't happen on a jet ski.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, BDSM

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 6, 2023

About the author

With over two dozen published romances to her name, Kate Hawthorne has built a recognizable brand around telling emotional stories that pack a figurative (and sometimes literal) punch.

Existing on a steady diet of wine and coffee, Kate spends her days dreaming up angsty stories full of heat, kink, and heart. Kate now lives in Louisville, where she writes romance, reads romance, and hides from the humidity.

Visit her website at http://www.katehawthornebooks.com

Reviews

[Iz · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25

James and Levi are the best, and I love them so damn much.

This was a perfect way to say goodbye to this wonderful, kinky, heartfelt, found-family-galore, series; it has been a wild ride, with some ups and downs, I admit, but I'm still going to miss every single one of the Motel brothers and their significant others.
I can't wait to devour more of Kate Hawthorne's wonderful books, and I seriously can't wait to re-read "Heartless" too.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been holding onto this book for a while because I wasn't ready to say good-bye to the Motel Brothers/Cherry Creek world. I'm not sure if this will be the last one, but I really enjoyed it, so it was a bittersweet completion.

In this book, we revisit James and Levi's relationship. Their relationship has matured and they are as solid as ever. They are dealing with the foibles of family life, an employment opportunity for Levi, and a gift that James is contemplating giving to Levi. Also, it appears that Cherry Creek is slowly dying out, as more people leave and businesses move "down the hill". Life tears James and Levi in a few different directions, with all of the related stress. The brothers and their partners are finding new ways to interact with each other, reflecting their greater life experiences and maturation. The book also has a lot about their particular brand of kinky and passion.

The strength of this series is in its interesting, highly developed and unique characters. The details are such that you feel like you have stepped into their world with all of its angst, emotions, and very big love. I hope we get a future surprise book with an update on how the Motel brothers and Cherry Creek are doing.

[Fay MMBookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ive read this book out of order in the series which it probably needs to be with the main characters storyline.
James and Levi are in a relationship but James’s siblings get him to drink with their problems, which there was a lot if. James and Levi had a bit of love hate going on with their conversations. Levi needs to lighten up as he reminds me of a married couple bickering. Speaking of married the Motel brothers gang up on Levi to put a ring on James but someones shy of the C word.
The Motel brothers ran their families Hotel business after their father died at Cherry Creek.
Cameron has his worries about Uni and wanting to be back at the Creek after, but the Creek it seems to be drying up.
This was a family all in loves drama as scenes playout but not much happens until an email for Levi.
Levi has an email that he hadnt told James yet which would be good or not.
A good story with a film crew visiting and what happen after.
This has a lot of sexy scenes with Levi controlling the dominate play. A enjoyable book to read even through I didnt connect with them in this one. An HEA finish for James and Levi with a few surprises and twists thrown in.

[Mandy (MP Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Years into their relationship, there’s still no one Levi Kadish hates more than James Motel.There’s also no one he loves more. Levi’s keeping a secret from James that could change everything—for better or for worst. Forced to decide what to put first, his own wants or the well-being of the town he calls home, Levi realizes time—and friendships—have changed him. He’s not the selfish and arrogant man he used to be. Once relentless with his confidence, his pride, his desire, now Levi must find out if he has the same kind of fight in him when it comes to his boyfriend, his family, and everything they’ve built in Cherry Creek.

I enjoyed this visit back with the Motel brothers and it was great to see how James and Levi's relationship had matured into something far deeper and at times softer. There was a good heart to heart between two of the brothers which was enlightening. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was a MM story with mature content.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like coming home again...

I absolutely loved revisiting Cherry Creek and most especially James and Levi. It was so good to see how far they had dome and yet were still the same. I love their love.

I think I will always be on the "wrong" side of this debate but I still don't like Cameron. He was not someone I really wanted to revisit even if he and James were so close. He still has a ton of growing up to do and I'm honestly tired of people caving to him.

Anyways, I was hoping James would have proposed to Levi after all that thinking but honestly, the love these two have for each other goes deeper than marriage and I love that so very much. I was kinda hoping for a better glimpse at the bakery and tv show but the epilogue was good as it was.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Return to Cherry Creek

Levi and James’ dynamic is kinda mean, kinda fun, and also sweet. It’s a strange blend but works really well and having an extension or check in to their story was icing on the cake. Admittedly I was a bit nervous about what Levi’s secret could be in the blurb but thankfully it’s revealed early. But then James ends up keeping the bigger secret! I appreciated the little twist. :)

[Golden Child · Rating 4 out of 5]

James & Levi

Overall I liked this one. James and Levi together love fiercely and it’s definitely not for everyone to understand but they do love each other. James wanting Levi to have his dream and Levi wanting to jumpstart the town by agreeing to the show illustrated just how much they love each other and the family. Their love is raw and untamed. They’re perfect for each other.

[Ellen Char · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 🌟 I had to switch gears in my head, because in the spin off "on the market" series the Motel brothers bought and developed land at the lake and Levi was running a restaurant there. But I get in, On the Market is not available anymore and I suppose KH wanted to give her own spin on things in Cherry Creek.
So... I did like this final book though I would have liked to have seen more of the other inhabitants as well

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect return to Cherry Creek

I couldn't imagine a better way to return to Cherry Creek and the Motel brothers than with another book about James and Levi. Of course, we get looks into the lives of all the other Motel brothers and their significant others. This book was hot, funny, sweet, and a great comfort read. One to return to time and time again.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not expect another book in this series, what an unexpected treat. I still find the Motel Brothers family dynamic stressful to read about. But Levi and James’ dynamic has always fascinated me. The plot was interesting, and I enjoyed this visit with the family.

KU

[J.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was incredibly honored to be one of the few people to read this book before its surprise release. What makes it even more special is that this pairing was my favorite from the “original” series. Levi and James (from Heartless) are not a couple that will appeal to everyone, but they are one of my favorites by this author. I was certainly not mad to get more story about them. So many romance stories end with the happily ever after, but life doesn’t stop there, and I’m always intrigued by what happens after the curtains close.

In this instance, James and Levi are (mostly) solid in their relationship. However, the rest of the world isn’t stagnant, and though the book might center on this primary pairing, it’s also a bit about all of the Motel brothers and even the greater town of Cherry Creek—especially since changes are coming for all of them. James and Levi both have more power than they expect regarding both of these situations, but it’s up to them to take those steps. Throw in their vastly nontraditional version of love, add a dash of power exchange, and this book is a recipe for drama.

As much as I love the fascinating dynamic between James and Levi, I also enjoyed this further glimpse into the unexpectedly soft relationship between Levi and his almost-brother-in-law Cameron. It reminds me greatly of the interactions between my spouse and my much-younger sister and shows that Hawthorne has a fantastic grasp of interpersonal relationships beyond the romantic.

The way these characters love isn’t for everyone, but the love itself definitely is. I was thrilled by this return to Cherry Creek, and I already know that I’ll be returning to this story in the future.

Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.

[Allison · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, if I hadn't been on a plane, having failed to download what I wanted to read, I never would have finished this. It makes very little sense, and all the characters were some level of jerk for no real reason. It was a bit creepy that the dad was into a kid he'd known since he was very young, but that was mainly because they both were written like they were maybe fifteen. If I can't see any difference between a thirty-something father and an eighteen year old (who continuously points out that he's "not a kid") then there is something wrong with your characters. There are some really well-written young men falling in love with their best friend's older brother/dad books, this is not one of them.