Title: Running Wild
Series: Havoc, Book 1
Author: S.E. Jakes
Genre: Contemporary Romance, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: purchased
Published: June 28, 2014 by Riptide Publishing
Sean Rush is an adrenaline junkie. That’s why he was in the Army, why he steals and races classic muscle cars . . . and why he can’t stay away from bad boy Ryker, a Havoc Motorcycle Club lieutenant. Fortunately, Ryker can’t seem to stay away from Sean—he’s spent the last eight months breaking into Sean’s apartment and stealing into his bed, leaving Sean physically satisfied but increasingly restless.
Sean has always avoided relationships. He likes to come and go without being controlled. And Ryker is possibly the most controlling man he’s ever known. Still, he finds that he wants more from Ryker than their silent nighttime encounters.
Then one of Sean’s thefts goes bad, and Ryker’s protective instincts kick into overdrive. He takes Sean to the Havoc compound, determined to keep him safe. But Sean’s past threatens the safety of Havoc—and everything Ryker holds dear. Worse, Ryker’s hiding secrets of his own. Soon it’s obvious that the adrenaline rush can’t keep them together anymore. But maybe love can.
Reviewed By: J9
In a Nutshell: Well...I had very high expectations for this book but the beginning was so confusing and the set up so based on sex that I almost DNFed it. I'm glad I stuck with it as I grew to mildly enjoy both Sean and Ry and their sexually intense relationship.
A Total Mixed-Bag: I love broken characters like Sean with his rough childhood. I liked that he was a runner who had to figure out if he wanted to keep running. He remained true to his character even at novel's end and I appreciate that. But man, he had SO many issues: parental, abandonment, abuse, military, best friend--you name the issue and he had it! This felt too much for one character.
Sure, the s-e-x is wild and nasty and super fun but sex a relationship doesn't make (well, at least not one where you share a mortgage and wash each other’s dirty undies!) The novel's end added the emotional intimacy but it was of the believe-me-because-I-say-it variety.
I’m a sucker for angsty romances and boy is this one! The emotional and plot drama never ends so it was a quick read for me that kept my attention once I let logic go.
What I Didn’t Like: I had issue with the first person narration by Sean. It made me feel like I knew nothing about Ryker's motivations. I suppose the author was trying to make Ry mysterious, which worked, but it made it so I couldn't connect with him. All I knew, even by novel's end, is that he knew what Sean needed. Oh-kay...you tell me that's so I guess it's so but I want to see progression in romance and that I didn't get.
Finally, I don't want to spoil it but c'mon! Just make the setting an MC! Why does the author bring in the supernatural or paranormal? Just too much!
IMO: I wasn't going to read any more in this series but I think by novel's end I was quasi-won over. I'll passively await the next and see how I feel when it's released on if I want to read or not.
J9’s Rating:
I like the Stephanie Tyler books and have been reading about this new series. Thanks for the review. I'm debating where to start with m/m. May not be this one:)
ReplyDeleteI loved this one, gave it 5 stars... something about bikers gets to me every time *blush*. But I agree with you on this "Why does the author bring in the supernatural or paranormal? Just too much!". I was rolling my eyes with it too, the story would have been better without it.
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