MAYBE, JUST MAYBE, IT'S THE BEST ONE YET

This listen first opens up in the present day timeline where handsome bad boy biker Painter is enjoying himself at the Silver Bastard's MC party - well that is right up until his ex girlfriend (who he's never gotten over and still loves) walks in..... and she's not alone. This finally pushes Painter over the edge because, for five frustrating years, he's been saying sorry, begging for forgiveness and doing everything he can to get back with Mel.... so now he's not going to apologize any longer for the heartache he caused her, and himself, all those years ago.

Then the story goes back to a time when Painter is in Prison and the innocent besotted Mel is writing to him in the hopes that when he gets out he'll contact her and, because they've got mutual friends, she doesn't think she'll have to wait long. But Painter's inner conscience is telling him to stay away because he knows he's bad news, he nails and bails all his 'dates' within a week and he has a list of filthy things he'd really really like to do to her but he doesn't want to corrupt sweet Mel. It's a great plan but their sizzling chemistry, mutual lust and Painter's jealousy makes it impossible for him to stay away and he finally gives in to temptation.

But all too soon their happy bubble bursts when Club business, the Cops and some shocking unwanted news viciously tears them apart with dramatic, heartbreaking and catastrophic consequences that will let in pain, frustration, anger, angst and heart-felt turmoil that will last for five agonizing years. Then the story catches up and returns you to the unfolding drama that's happening in the present day at the Silver Bastar's MC party.

As usual, this is another delicious dual POV look into the Alpha world of the Reaper's MC, the lives and loves of this loyal brotherhood and their gritty, shady, bloody and dangerous business that demands and claims so much from its members. There's a love story between two strong willed characters and its got passion, hot sex, heartbreak, touching and very tender scenes, regrets and painful memories. But sadly love is simply not going to be enough.... only time has a chance of healing such anguish. The narration by Nelson Hobbs was good but sorry I didn't much like Saffron Martindale's voice.

Worth a credit? This exciting and enjoyable story had depth, layers, non-stop drama, a lot of character growth and an emotionally packed bitter-sweet romance that was all centred around the wonderful and addictive world of the sexy leather wearing dominant MC bikers. If you love them (as I do) then you'll love this (as I did) and YES it's another creditworthy listen from the gifted mind of Joanna Wylde.

20 people found this helpful

Just Ok I didn't like the narration.

Any additional comments?

I am a huge Reaper Girl but I did not like the narration for this book. The story was ok but I'm sure it would have been better with other narrators. They just sounded weird when Nelson read the female part and vice versus the girl could not read a hot guy. If you can get over the narration give it a go. I couldn't

9 people found this helpful

I really wanted to like this but couldn't

I have loved this series but for some reason this book just didn't fit. It was like listening to Junior High School drama mixed with TSTL characters. It didn't feel like it was written by the same author. I did note however, this book had different narrators and I couldn't handle the female voice at all. I kept going back and forth on if it was the story or the narrator that made it such a struggle. Hoping the next book is better.

4 people found this helpful

Pretty good addition to the series :)

3.5-4 stars

**warning...I tried not to be spoilerish but there is a little bit of info in this review that could be considered in that range**

This was a pretty good story. I liked Melanie. Painter...well he was alright but I don't know if I can really say I got to like him. The story was well written but a bit shy on the romance, containing more drama than actual romance. A good portion of this story is in the past so expect an extended flashback.

Melanie is a nurse that has a daughter who's father is Painter. She didn't have a good childhood, growing up with a drunk for a father and a mother who disappeared on her. Melanie's BFF is Jessica who is the niece of London (from Reaper's Stand) and London is now the closest thing she has to a mother. Melanie got to know Painter due to her association with London and Jessica.

Painter is a biker in the Reaper's MC. Painter grew up in foster homes and then juvie. He got brought in to the MC and now his MC and the brothers in it are everything to him. He went to prison for a while due to some issues that went down in association with what happened in Reaper's Stand. Painter met Melanie right before he went in and they wrote to each other during the year he was in.

The book pretty much begins and then goes straight into a flashback that lasts a good portion of the story. Painter became friends with Melanie by corresponding with her while he was in prison but he really fantasized about more with her. Melanie wanted more with him too but when he got out, he pretty much treated her like crap. Painter thought he was doing the right thing though, thinking that Melanie deserved someone better than him and so he should stay away from her. They end up getting thrown together a few times through mutual associations and Painter can't stay away from her so he says they'll just have to stay friends. Regardless of this, he doesn't keep their interactions to strictly friendship levels and eventually they become more. Unfortunately, Painter still sees his duty to the MC as the most important thing and when crap goes down, he breaks his parole and ends up back in prison for another 2 years.

The circumstances around Painter going back to prison effectively breaks things off between him and Melanie. This happens just as they find out that she's pregnant and so he's not there when she needs him or for the first 1+ years of his daughter's life. When he comes back out, Painter says he wants Melanie back but TBH, he didn't seem to put much effort into it. Melanie blamed him for leaving her because he made a choice to do something that was very likely to end him back up in prison and knew it. Because of this, she didn't trust him to be there for her when she needed him and wouldn't take him back...holding a grudge for a long time. I can't say that I blamed her, he was a good dad to their daughter but to me, his attitude when trying to "win her back" seemed more crude than convincing (if you could really even call his actions trying). I.E. although it wasn't on page, he still slept around with the club whores a lot and didn't hide this from Meanlie. While doing this he still told Melanie he wanted her back, telling her that he imagined every woman he had sex with was her (Ew!). The attraction between them is still very strong though and Melanie has a hard time resisting him when he pushes her on how there's still something between them. Obviously, Painter eventually convinced Melanie to give them another chance and they do work things out, ending the story starting a HEA together.

Overall, I found this story to be enjoyable. I liked Melanie and was happy for her. Painter I didn't really care about as he was a jerk a good portion of the time (although not as hateful as he has been in past books). I was happy with the way things ended but would have prefered less angst/drama. The story was well written but it was more drama than romance most of the time and it was only the good writing that actually bumped it up to 4 stars for me. I think I'd still recommend the story as long as you're in the mood for drama and not anything sweet. :)

* note - There were 2 narrators, a female one for the parts from Meanie's PoV and a male for the parts from Painter's PoV. I thought they both did good jobs.

4 people found this helpful

I really wanted to love this book

I struggled to finish this book. I've really liked all the others in the series. This one should have been renarrated by the female narrator if the male one was going to disappear less than halfway through the book.
You just feel like you're being cheated, because her voice can't be accepted as these male characters then.
At the very end of the book the male narrator comes back. What's up with that?
Sorry I wasted the credit.

3 people found this helpful

Worst book in the series!

This heroine was the most disappointing in the entire series. If this was the first book I would never have continued. She is supposed to be an ER nurse yet she freezes at the first sign of trouble. Save your credit and money! Would not recommend this book to anyone.

3 people found this helpful

Its hard to look past the toxic ness of the story

I think in theory this book could be really cool but once you get into the story you art realizing how toxic Painter and Mel's relationship is. Personally its a no for me if I wanted to see a toxic relationship I would look outside the window.

2 people found this helpful

Struggled to get through...

Didn't like the female character Melanie, she chased after Painter knew what he was about and blamed him for all his choices. Didn't feel like she acknowledges her part in this. It was good that she managed to become stronger in raising their child, had a career, but she would constantly blame Painter for his choices which he couldn't change. get over it already! I've been there at some point you either cut your losses or move on. Painter struggled to become a better person, man, and father and succeeded. I could only listen to a few chapters at a time and most when it involved Melanie's POV, I had to take a break. I find myself re-reading the prior books several times over and this will not be one of them.

2 people found this helpful

Back in High School

Prior to this book, the characters were relatively mature and pretty funny. In this book they are extremely childish and talk about “boys”. I did not like the narrators either. Too girly and the male is whiny. Sorry, but to me, not listenable (is that a word?)

2 people found this helpful

good story

I have listened to all of the earlier books and have loved them all. the narrators always bring the books to life. Unfortunately, this books has new narrators. The male does well and I wish he had been the only one doing this book. The female narrator was awful. I had such a hard time finishing this book because she completely ruined it with her character voices.

With that said, the story was good and I wish I had just read it instead of wasting a credit.

2 people found this helpful