Ares Kincaid is such an asshole. Like, the actual worst. The things he says to Arianna, the way he treats her in this book, it's difficult not to loathe him. I'm a reader that LOOOOOOOVES a good jerk. I love an alpha male whose sharp barbs and condescending attitude inevitably evolve into sexual tension and fierce attraction, whatever that says about me. But I have to admit, Ares made it really difficult to get on board with him at first because he truly takes EPIC JERK to a whole new level in the beginning of Rush. His rude comments and his brooding demeanor delivered those painful heart twinges I live for in a book and so, of course, I was addicted. And, inevitably, I fell hard and fast for the pro football player and I was absolutely swept away by the delicious enemies to lovers dynamic he finds himself in with his coach's daughter.
I love a love/hate dynamic between characters and Samantha Towle nailed it with Rush. These enemies turned lovers completely eviscerated my heart as they tossed insults back and forth, as the sexual tension disguised as venom oozed between them. I was transfixed. This story CONSUMED me from start to delicious finish. I couldn't put it down, devouring it in one sitting, and immediately I felt the need to go back and capture that pleasure pain all over again. Rush hurts so good, the tumultuous emotions and complicated storyline allow for a bumpy reading experience that pelts the reader with non-stop feels the entire way through.
There's some seriously heavy subject matter in this book. The characters in Rush have been touched by addiction, by mental illness, by familial strife, by romantic complications and broken hearts. The romance in this story might be light and sexy for the most part, with sexy scenes and flirty banter that gets a little cheesy in moments, maybe even a bit over the top and dramatic at others, but there is a heavier edge to this story that guarantees heartache and longing. Samantha Towle delivers the full package with Rush. It packs a serious punch of emotion, it's a deliciously complicated enemies to lovers sports romance, it's hopeful and uplifting but peppered with a good dose of drama and strife, and it's a satisfying page turner for readers looking for a delicious little romantic snack you'll want to devour in one shot. I enjoyed this story from beginning to end. The Gods series of interconnected standalones has fast become one of my top favorites from this author and I anxiously await what's to come of the rest of these characters.