April 24, 2017

RELEASE WEEK REVIEW: Ride Rough (Raven Riders #2)


Ride Rough (Raven Riders #2), by Laura Kaye
Publish Date:
April 25, 2017
Publisher: Avon Books
Format: e-ARC, provided by the publisher via Edelweiss
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 4.5 STARS


(Synopsis) Maverick Rylan won’t apologize for who he is—the Raven Riders Motorcycle Club Vice-President, a sought-after custom bike builder, and a man dedicated to protecting those he loves. So when he learns that the only woman who has ever held his heart is in trouble, he’ll move heaven and earth to save her.


Alexa Harmon thought she had it all—the security of a good job, a beautiful home, and a powerful, charming fiancé who offered the life she never had growing up. But when her dream quickly turns into a nightmare, Alexa realizes she’s fallen for a façade she can’t escape—until sexy, dangerous Maverick offers her a way out.


Forced together to keep Alexa safe, their powerful attraction reignites and Maverick determines to do whatever it takes to earn a second chance—one Alexa is tempted to give. But her ex-fiancé isn’t going to let her go without a fight, one that will threaten everything they both hold dear.

Laura Kaye gives good second-chance romance, especially with these strong, alpha motorcycle men. Ride Rough is the second book in her Raven Riders series, and with the way it's going, I can only assume that the third book is going to blow me away, because so far things are just getting better and better. 

We caught a very brief glimpse into Maverick and Alexa's story in book 1 of this series when she comes to him for help after getting bloodied by her fiance. It was obvious then that these two had some serious history together, but the fact that she was engaged to someone else was curious. Why would she be with some other douche bag who has no problem causing her harm when she could have someone as awesome as Maverick?? 

Maverick wanted to fucking belong to someone. Well, to someone who wanted to belong to him, too. Fact was, someone had owned him for years.

Needless to say, there is of course a sad backstory for these two, and now five years later, they are brought together again after her fiance strikes again. This time, they both have the opportunity to right the wrongs they both made and maybe make a new path for themselves, as long as Alexa can get free from the grasp of her ex. 

Laura Kaye has created an MC that is the perfect blend of good and bad. For the most part, the club and its members are very good. The club protects battered women and provides legitimate entertainment for their town in the form of a race track. But, if one of their own needs help, the club is not above going outside the law to give it. 

I think it's that loyalty that makes me love them so much. Even though Alexa and Maverick didn't part on good terms, his club knows that he still has lots of feelings for her. So, when she needs help, and Mav asks the club to band with him to give it to her, they don't hesitate. Their brotherhood is fierce and loyal and solid. We should all be so lucky.

Alexa is familiar with the club life, since her brother used to be a member. She slips back into the life very easily, and is welcomed back by Dare's girlfriend Haven and her BFF Cora, as well as the other female members of the club that knew her from before. Alexa goes about trying to make amends for her part in the break-up with Maverick with all the members of the club, which I thought was pretty humble and awesome of her. 

Her tears scalded him with guilt and regret, but he'd take every one. For her. 

Maverick has always regretted parting ways with Alexa, so when the opportunity comes along for him to have her back, he grabs it with both hands and doesn't let go for a second. That man is amazing. He offers Alexa his love and protection, which also extends to her ill mother. And they need both from him, since Alexa's ex is a real piece of work who will stop at nothing to make her pay for breaking up with him. 

Alexa and Maverick's connection reforms quickly, as does they sizzling heat. Ride Rough is told in dual POV, which means we get both sides of their story. We also get hints as to what the next book in this series will be about, and it's one I've been wanting ever since the beginning. Slider and Cora will be next, and it's sure to be incredible. 

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