(Ravage MC #2)
by Ryan Michele
ARC Review
Released: June 9, 2014
My rating: 4.5 of 5 ⭐️
Casey Alexander grew up part of the Ravage Motorcycle family since the day she was abandoned by her mother and thrown into her father’s lap. Always seeing herself as an outsider, she spent her whole life trying to fit in, but never really succeeding. When she loses her beloved father, the utter aloneness engulfs her, leaving her searching for solace in the one man she’s always craved. Confessing her love for him only results in devastation when he pushes her away. Convinced she needs a fresh start, she leaves everything behind in order to mend her broken heart and begin building a future without him.
Gage Thomas (G.T.) Gavelson fell in love with his Angel when he was just a pint sized kid. Both beautiful and smart, he always felt she deserved so much better than him. Growing up beside her in the club only continued to test his will power, until one night, he gave into temptation. Realizing he couldn’t allow himself to hold her back from the life she deserved, he pushed her away, allowing her to believe she would never be enough for him. Letting her go had been the hardest thing he’d ever done. Even though he’d thought it’d been the right thing to do, not a day goes by that misery doesn’t consume him for it.
When a tragic shootout occurs, everything changes as once again their lives are intermingled. When you find your way back to the one person you are meant to be with, forgiveness should be easy. But sometimes, we hurt each other too much to ever be able to forgive.
Is their love strong enough to heal their pain?
*****
Oh my!!! What a difference!!! This book has everything I was looking for in the first one! A build up, a little bit of context, some history and character development!!! Much, much better!!
And still the fabulous backdrop of a great MC close knit family who literally go through thick and thin for each other.
Part of this story has played in the background of the first book Ravage Me, and I was anticipating a follow through on the relationship between Casey and G.T., so I was not disappointed. The trope here is more a 'friends become lovers' one, although the 'friends' part is questionable, since both turn out to have seen the other as more than that for quite a long time even if they took forever to act on it.
G.T. is overwhelmed with feelings of responsibility within the MC and with circumstances heating up, he has serious doubts about potentially involving himself with Casey, who is relatively innocent and naive, even for one having grown up within the MC family. He feels she might be destined for bigger and better things than he can offer her, but just like 'man', never bothers to check in how SHE might feel about that. Typical.
Casey has always waited around for G.T. to notice her for anything more than simply his sister's best friend. When he finally does, but then quite unceremoniously dumps her, she decides she has had enough of waiting and moves away to forge her own independent path in life. Something that doesn't even have a chance of getting off the ground before a tragedy pulls her right back in the family fold and under G.T.'s nose.
Not many get a second chance to do something right they screwed up the first time around, but G.T. and Casey surely will try, even as the circumstances only become more and more complicated and even dangerous.
This novel showed emotional depth and character growth that I am always hoping for in a sexy and/or action packed story. This book actually has it all, blistering hot scenes, thrill packed action and enough emotional pull and drama to make it an all around excellent read.
A full-bodied novel by Ryan Michele and I am so happy I stuck by Ravage MC!
✨A fabulous, thrilling, insightful and steamy action-packed second in the series!!✨
**Copy provided in return for an honest review**
(Ravage MC #1)
by Ryan Michele
ARC Review
Released: February 4, 2014
My rating: 3 of 5 ⭐️
After spending the last two years stuck behind bars for a crime she didn’t commit, Harlow ‘Princess’ Gavelson’s time inside has finally come to an end, and she’s ready for revenge. Unfortunately, being the daughter to the Vice President of the Ravage Motorcycle Club cuts into her plans, as orders must be followed. Trying to settle back into this life is proving difficult when the tables are turned and the woman who framed her is out for blood. Lucky for Princess, growing up in a MC has taught her how to hold her own.
After spending years in hell overseas, Donavon ‘Cruz’ came home to lose the very thing he went into hell for, sending him to the darkest moments of his life. Joining Ravage two years ago was his safe haven, and he protects his family at all costs.
When a dark-haired bombshell struts into the club’s shop, he’s caught off guard but immediately knows she’s the one he’d do anything for. Tough as nails, and taking no crap from anyone, he’s captivated by a woman who could handle this life. Trying to meet the needs of the MC business and follow his heart proves to be difficult when the two collide, and lives are at stake.
Can these two find a way to be together, or will the needs of Ravage cost them everything, including their lives?
*****
Wow...... A bit of a shocker..... even for me!! Not so much in content as it was in speed.
The insta-love/lust was so fast, I barely flipped a page. Then there were the moodswings, where Princess/Harlow went from hardnosed bitch to submissive lap-bobber in a matter of seconds - fast enough to make my head twirl. All a bit confusing, to say the least.
I like the fact that Harlow is almost as tough as the guys are, and I also like the fact that Cruz can 'tame' her - for lack of a better description. But I found the lack of struggle to get from one place to the other a little hard to swallow. And that was my main concern with this story. Speed.
Every other aspect was appealing - reasonably credible - engaging and most definitely heat inducing. A hard-nosed MC novel, perhaps a bit more hard-edged than most, skirting the edges of many a comfort zone, but that is ok by me. It takes courage to go there and I respect that. But the consistency of character was lacking in Harlow and I felt that as a bit of a let down.
Cruz as a character is more elusive, and slightly, but only slightly more credible, with his instant claim on Princess. Easily forfeiting all others and throwing his young son at her without as much as a second thought. But then again, he did have a child with that skank and not only that, never seemed to look closely enough to see what went on under his nose until Harlow stepped in.
There are a lot of redeeming factors that brought me to a three star rating on this book, including the overall connective tissue of the MC family that was so clearly woven through the entire story. The atmosphere of the protective cocoon so well described and illustrated that even to one completely alien to MC life as I am, I felt completely a part of the story and the environment. That is a huge tribute to the author.
Also, this story made me want to read more about this MC. More about the other characters that passed the lens. It had sufficiently engrossed me to develop a vested interest in future releases, which is always a good sign. So despite some of my earlier misgivings, which will stand, I do think as an introductory read to a new series, this one is worth picking up.
✨Fast, raw, hot and heavy!✨
**Copy received in return for an honest review**
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