Always You (Guardian Hall Book 1) by RJ Scott


A new series from RJ Scott. Very much a hurt/comfort story about second chances, healing, hope, and love. Alex and Jazz were certainly meant to be together as they both overcame so much and luckily find each other again.


From the Always You blurb:

In the frostbitten heart of Chicago, a scarred and solitary soldier finds a second chance at love with the man who broke his heart.


Twenty years at war have left Sergeant Jasper "Jazz" Brookes battered, scarred, and haunted. His marriage is wrecked, his daughter barely speaks to him, and the world he fought for has moved on without him. Homeless by choice, Jazz manages until the brutal Chicago winter forces him to seek help from a shelter he doesn’t want to need.

The weathered building in Humboldt Park offers veterans a place to rebuild, but Jazz doesn’t expect to find Alex Richardson there—his first love, the boy who chose money over him, the one he left behind. Seeing Alex again cracks open old wounds and stirs feelings Jazz buried long ago.

For Alex, the sight of Jazz reminds him of everything he’s tried to forget. But neither man has moved on. As they grapple with their past and confront the scars they’ve carried for years, they’re forced to decide if the connection between them is strong enough to survive the pain.

This time, it’s all or nothing.


SNik's review:

First in series (Guardian Hall). Mature characters. Second chance. Hurt/comfort. Very slow burn. Dual POV. Heed content warnings. 

An unexpected reunion between former boyfriends and best friends Alex and Jazz where Jazz is seeking help and Alex is able to provide support that gives them both hope. They may have been close 20 years ago, but that time was fraught with experiences that changed them forever and a ton of healing has to happen as they realize that their first love never faded. 

This was an emotional and heart wrenching read as Jazz attempts to rebuild his life and Alex genuinely gives him space and time to do that on his own. It’s very clear that they had something special once and those feelings return just as strong. I really enjoyed this second chance for two men that are strong in their own right but can support, care and love each other with honest communication, love and hope for a future together. Such a lovely read.


Heather's Review:

 Once again, RJ Scott gives us an emotionally charged and heartwrenching read that takes us on both a healing journey and a winding road to a HEA.    I've read other books that deal with PTSD and stress, but the grittiness of Jazz's situation and the steps he takes to rebuild his life are paramount to the story, even before he can engage with Alex for any chance at a HEA.

This book is very slow burn and makes the characters work for each piece of happiness and success.  I appreciate that time was taken for milestones that are vital to the story and it kept me fully engaged.  

As with any book that starts a new series, we also get teased about whose stories will be featured in the future, so we meet several other characters and I'm totally down for what is next to come!



Always You is currently available as an e-book

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