Joint Book Review: Reaper’s Property by Joanna Wylde

Title: Reaper’s Property
Series: Reapers MC, Book 1
Author: Joanna Wylde
Genre: Erotic Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: review copy from publisher
Published: January 2013 by Ellora’s Cave

Marie doesn’t need a complication like Horse. The massive, tattooed, badass biker who shows up at her brother’s house one afternoon doesn’t agree. He wants Marie on his bike and in his bed. Now.

But Marie just left her abusive jerk of an ex-husband and she’s not looking for a new man. Especially one like Horse—she doesn’t know his real name or where he lives, she’s ninety percent certain he’s a criminal and that the “business” he talks with her brother isn’t website design. She needs him out of her life, which would be a snap if he’d just stop giving her mind-blowing orgasms.

Horse is part of the Reapers Motorcycle Club, and when he wants something, he takes it. What he wants is Marie, but she’s not interested in becoming “property of”.

Then her brother steals from the club. Marie can save him by giving Horse what he wants—at home, in public, on his bike… If she’s a very, very good girl, she’ll get lots more of those orgasms only he can offer, and he’ll let her brother live.
Maybe.

Why We Read this Book:

Brianna: When I first learned of Reaper’s Property, I was very intrigued by the motorcycle club element. At the same time, I was also a bit apprehensive about reading this book (among other MC books, like Motorcycle Man by Kristen Ashley) because, to be perfectly honest, I didn’t know if I would be able to handle the raw and gritty MC world. My primary concern was whether or not children would be included in the storyline. I tried watching SOA (Son’s of Anarchy) but after 20 minutes, I just couldn’t watch anymore. I can’t deal with children getting hurt (or worse) so it was not the show for me. I am relieved to say that there was only one kid in Reaper’s Property, that I recall, and she was never in danger.

J9: Yep, no child danger here but I agree that the gritty, violent MC world may not be for every reader.  I’m an early SOA fan, though didn’t love last season, so when you suggested we try this book I was game.

What We Liked:

J9: I liked how Marie primarily narrates first person, as it leads readers into feeling firsthand her conflict with Horse and the MC.  Readers then become just as unsure about Horse’s morals and leaves us struggling along with Marie to define her relationship with Horse.

Brianna: I liked the multiple POV narration. I feel like the story comes full circle with this type of narration because you’re getting to see how both of the protagonists feel and deal with both of their emotions. And speaking of how the story was told, I also liked how the author started the book off in present day then flashed back to fill in the gaps in the storyline.

J9: I also like that this book doesn’t sugarcoat the true life of a bad-boy like a lot of “bad boy” romances.  This book includes gun usage, shady business dealings, sexism and hair-trigger violence as part of Horse’s world and I liked that realism.  I think the MC life which is a tribal community set apart from the rest of the cultural and think it’s very well portrayed in this book.  From the slut parties to a mournful funeral for a fallen brother, the MC life is well described so I felt like I was there.  Horse is unapologetic about his lifestyle and readily acknowledges that Marie will have to give up her life to join his; it’s an all or nothing romance.  This has an honesty to the romance that I appreciated.

Brianna: I agree; this was an interesting look at the MC world. I don’t have any idea of how close to reality this world create by Joanna Wylde is to that of a real MC world but it felt real. The danger aspect was definitely present; the alcohol, the orgies, the men dominating the women a la caveman style.

Speaking of the way the women were treated, even though Marie was put in a difficult position (with no other option), she didn’t exactly bow down to Horse. Though she had no choice but to concede to his behests most of the time, she still spoke her mind.

What We Didn’t Like: 

J9: I like erotic romance and I’m unashamed of it.  But the sex scenes here skirted violence and forced seduction too often for my taste.  I get that Horse and Marie had a volatile relationship but the sex to me seemed something Horse did to Marie, not shared with Marie.  He defined their relationship, from what Marie wore to how they f*cked and how accessible she had to be to him.  Some readers may like this dominance but I find it just a tad too creepy for my taste.

I also had issue when the narration would suddenly jump to Horse’s perspective.  I get why the author did this.  For instance the first 35% of the book is first-person narrated by Marie and I almost gave up on the book because Horse was closed off to me as a reader and I didn’t get why he treated Marie as he had.  Just at this point the author switched to Horse’s third person narration and suddenly I understood him. As a reader I needed this so I didn’t stop reading but it happened too infrequently and was too abrupt which lead to a slightly disjointed read in my opinion.

Brianna: While I did like the multiple POV narration I have to agree with you here. Horse’s POV narration was sporadic but at least the POV’s were labeled.

Memorable Moments:

I’m ashamed to admit that I creamed my pants right then and there.

“You fuck with us, we will fuck you back. Harder. Always.”

“Next time you want to play with your pretty pink toy, you do it while I’m watching. If you’re a good girl, I’ll let you wear the tee. Got it?”

Overall Impression:

J9: White trash romances are rare and this one is told with plenty of realism, sex and plot to make it a recommend, though with the caveat that its got a male-dominated romance and a high level of violence throughout. This is set up as book one in the Reapers MC series; will you read the next?

J9’s Rating:

 

Brianna: I’m ready for more! You can tell how much I like a book based on how long it takes me to read it, and I read Reaper’s Property in less than 24 hours. I got sucked right into the Reaper’s world and nothing else mattered. I read online that the next book would release “mid-late spring” and that the author had started on one couple’s book but that for continuity purposes their story would have to come later. But we’ll set the record straight with Joanna Wylde in our interview with her that will post later on today.

Brianna’s Rating: