Sinning never felt so good… knows nothing of life beyond her strict faith, nor of life beyond the Fence—the fence that cages her, keeps her trapped in an endless cycle of misery. A life she believes she is destined to always lead, until a horrific event sets her free.
Fleeing the absolute safety of all she has ever known, Salome is thrust into the world outside, a frightening world full of uncertainty and sin; into the protective arms of a person she believed she would never see again.
River ‘Styx’ Nash knows one thing for certain in life—he was born and bred to wear a cut. Raised in a turbulent world of sex, Harleys, and drugs, Styx, unexpectedly has the heavy burden of the Hades Hangmen gavel thrust upon him, and all at the ripe old age of twenty-six—much to his rivals’ delight.
Haunted by a crushing speech impediment, Styx quickly learns to deal with his haters. Powerful fists, an iron jaw and the skillful use of his treasured German blade has earned him a fearsome reputation as a man not to be messed with in the shadowy world of outlaw MC’s. A reputation that successfully keeps most people far, far away.
Styx has one rule in life—never let anyone get too close. It’s a plan that he has stuck to for years, that is, until a young woman is found injured on his lot… a woman who looks uncannily familiar, a woman who clearly does not belong in his world, yet a woman he feels reluctant to let go…
Dark Contemporary Romance/New Adult Novel.
Contains sexual situations, violence, sensitive and taboo subjects, offensive language and mature topics. Recommended for age 18 years and up*
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Daaaaaamn!
This is a solid 4.25 stars for me!!
This is Styx and Mae’s story and man it was a good one. Mae, bless her heart and where she came from. You can either read her as “wimp” or as “strong as hell”, me I am going with the second one. She overcame everything she was put through and when it matter she stood up to those pathetic a$$holes!!! One in particular I was so sad to find out the truth about but now I hope he gets what is coming to him. Styx– wowziers he is intense. Everything about him screams alpha but when he is with Mae those walls come down. He might be known as the Hangman Mute but with Mae he is River. I loved their story. I can’t wait to read about Flame … I want to know his story so bad!! He is tortured in some messed up way but he is so loyal.
3.5 Stars
Genre-wise this is an MC Romance.
We have Salome/Mae growing up behind the fence part of a religious commune.
Her life a nightmare so much so she escapes under the fence making a break for freedom.
She passes out behind a dumpster near death and on the doorstep of the Hades Hangman MC.
The Prez Styx is mute due to a stutter and he finds something familiar in the half-dead girl that has suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
They met once before as children through the fence and he hasn’t been able to forget her wolf eyes since.
This one is definitely not hearts and flowers and Styx is a bit of a dick with a short fuse and hot temper.
He’s also crude and unapologetically real.
I did find this lacked some of the romance I was after concentrating more on MC life and all.
So With Mae growing up In a cult and Styx having a disability it actually made this stand out from your average MC story and Mae’s background does make her stronger despite her lack of normal life experiences.
I thought this was gritty and raw but not really that dark.
It definitely has dark undertones and situations though but I wouldn’t class this as dark romance.
There was also some stuff that wasn’t to my taste but I kind of expected it anyway with this being MC romance and all.
Overall this was a good solid read but I’m still unsure whether I will be continuing on with this series just due to the stuff here that was not to my taste.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
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Styx finds someone that brings him to speak, the girl with the wolf eyes. Mae finds someone that is nothing like the men that she knows that live behind the fence. Fast forward years later they meet again by chance when Mae is in need of saving. Is the MC life that Styx lives the life that she needs to be a part of, or is the life behind the fence were she really belongs.
Tillie Cole draws you into this dark and emotional story. The connecction between Styx and Mae is one that is strong and stands out throughout the entire book. Even when Styx wants to deny that he feel anything at all for this girl that doesnt even know what living really is. The love triangle that developes between Mae, Styx and Rider, which was something that Mae did not see happening, only adds another level to the their story. The twists that Rider throws in is something that most would not of seen happening.
This is the perfect book for someone that is looking for a MC series that stands out from the other MC series out there today. Tillie Cole has a way of making you fall in love with each of the broken characters that you find in this dark and gritty love story.
Tillie has a way with words and way with sucking you into her stories. Another series I am kicking myself for waiting so long to dig into. I went the audio route with it and I think that’s the best way to enjoy a series like this. There are so many layers of emotions and the narrators were Perfect with a capital P. Years and thousands of reviews later, there isn’t anything I can say that hasn’t been said before.
Book 1 is Mea and Styx’s story. Met as youngin’s and thought they would never see each other, but sometimes you can’t escape fate. Now adults, they are from different but the same. The world Tillie has created here is full of secondary characters just as important as the MCs.
And let’s just say I may have been on the Rider train, ya know until it went off track.
Read Responsibly.
Okay I have been seeing this book on booktok. It was tagged as dark romance and trigger warnings. So I was like yep right in my wheelhouse. So before going any further please please read the warnings. This book no doubt has violence, abuse of all kinds and if you are touchy about it do not go any further. For me I was like bring it on. Well dang I did not expect for the book to suck me in like a dang vacuum but it did. Styx and Mae have a past even if it was fleeting but no doubt they were suppose to meet and cross paths again later on down the road. So Mae is in this religious cult that is crazy. Like I can’t even with them. So needless to say Mae has no idea what the outside world is like. That is until she finally decides to make a run for it. Only to end up in Hades Hangmen territory. Well now Styx comes into the picture and let me just say, he is something else. Yes he cannot speak but that does not mean he can’t handle business. He is the Pres of the Hades Hangmen. Once he realizes who is in his territory we see a different person. Holy Hades is this book intense. I am not gonna lie here and say that you won’t choke up or cry. If you don’t something is wrong with you. The emotions poured out from the book had me in tears. I felt like someone was holding my heart in the hand and playing with it like a squeezy ball. These two characters are like night and day. Can Mae handle all that Styx is? Will Styx be patient with her? This is both new to them but they find love that knows no bounds. Styx will do anything to keep her safe. What could go wrong. Well a lot can happen and you will not believe who is a bad guy. Yikes, this was a good book that is for sure. Now off to the next one.
Love, love, love, loved this one! One of my first motorcycle club reads and I am HOOKED!
This book was so good and so well written! I absolutely loved it. The storyline was amazing and brought me through so many emotions, but the characters were magnificent and so broken. I loved every second!!!!
“You will never know, but in the two darkest moments of my life, you have shown up. You say it ain’t you who is good and who will keep me safe, but you already have. You have saved my life twice.”
Mae. A cursed. The girl with the wolf eyes. She has spent her entire life being told she was a sinner; a temptress. Endured things as a child and adult, that no woman should ever experience, but one moment in her life gave her hope; something to cling to when she was trying to escape her very harsh reality.
Styx. A Mute. The President of The Hades Hangmen’s MC. He has constantly been proving himself, and made his presence known in other ways instead of using his voice. Until the day he crossed paths with Mae, he felt safe; he felt home.
“It Ain’t Me Babe,” by Tillie Cole is book one in her Hades Handmen Series. It is a standalone dark romance in this series, and I highly recommend starting it. I will preface this by saying that it is dark; it has grit and it deals with some pretty real-life heavy content. But what else I will say is that this is probably one of the best series I have read in a long time. The emotional connection between Styx and Mae was so palpable and my heart ached for them. They found themselves both extremely out of their own elements and comfort zones- and still fought for one another. Even within this darkness they had some light peek through and give them a second chance at life, and at having someone to call home.
Trigger warning is advised.
I have never read anything by Tillie Cole until now. YIKES! What took me so long?? I was hooked right from the get. She tackles so many hard issues. This book is raw, and all to real. It sure makes you open your eyes.
Why on earth did it take me so long to read The Hades Hangmen’s series! It ain’t me, babe was a fabulous dark and suspenseful MC romance. The story was utterly compelling and so was all the characters. Mae is a fantastic heroine. Strong despite the trauma and abuse she’s been put through. She’s adaptable and loyal. Styx! Oh my lord. The mute president of the Hades Hangmen MC. As ruthless and merciless he could be , he also has a vulnerability to him because of his stutter. He and Mae was amazing together. The connection the shared as kids was still alive and strong fifteen years later.
The story went in circles regarding a certain character but it was a minor issue and didn’t ruin my enjoyment of the story. The side characters were intriguing and there’s still much story to be told. I’m definitely a fan and excited to read more.
4 Wolf Eyes Stars
I’ve taken my sweet time about writing the review for this series because I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do each book as a review or write a single review for them all. But, it all came down to the justice each new relationship deserved. First off is this title: It Ain’t Me, Babe.
Styx and Mae are not only destiny for each other, they are a break through into a life that would have never happened if they hadn’t seen each other through the wires of a chain link fence. They both suffered for many years, both dealing with horrific events that ripped apart who they were and pieced them back together as the adults they now have become. The past and future they face bares all of the same torment the long to be rid of. They need each other to defeat it, but fear just might be too much for either of them. Styx is all the alpha male you want and Mae is a stubborn and slightly desperate heroine. I loved reading their journey and this series should definitely be read in order. I will say that Styx and Mae are not my favorite couple in the series, but they for sure send the sparks into a blaze for their relationship!
I feel amazed with the biggest capital A You could only imagine!!!! I haven’t only read this book – I breath for Styx… My blood keep rushing in my veins because of Mae… Thanks to Mrs. Cole I feel like move in with my new bookish fam – THE HANGMEN.
Wow… and million wows more!!!! It was my first raw but beautiful date with this world, and I’m sure – right away I ‘m diving into next Hangmen’s book.
Absolutely highly recommend title!
Styx and Mae’s story was so captivating. From the moment they met, they had this instant connection. This story is emotional, twisted and breathtakingly beautiful. Styx. He is the MC President. I loved him. He was real, raw, loyal and with a heart of gold. There is nothing he wouldn’t do for his club or his old lady. Styx is mute. He has severe stutter and is unable to speak properly. He only spoke to his father, his best friend Ky and the girl with the wolf eyes, Mae. Mae was locked away in a religious cult and together with her sisters, brainwashed into believing she was cursed. Styx and Mae’s relationship was so pure and sweet. The whole story was dark, terrifying, heartbreaking and beautiful. All the characters had so much depth and I loved them all.
This is one of my all time favourite Motorcycle Club Romance, Such a unique plot/concept. From the first page until the last got me hooked and invested with the characters and the storyline.
Styx and Mae
My first read of Tillie. This is like nothing I have ever read before. I almost wanted to stop reading because I was finding the story quite difficult. The religious aspect was very confronting but I pushed through and I’m glad I did. This is hands down one of the best MC series I have ever read.
This the first book in the Hangmen MC series and wow does it pack a punch. A truly eye opening book that faces such taboo subjects that you can see the author has done extensive research. Religion, cults and more. I really can’t wait to see where this series goes.
Tillie Cole is so amazing! It’s crazy she can go from a book like A Thousand Boy Kisses to Hades Hangmen like nothing! Such a sweet devastating book to a dark and completely depraved book. Her writing knows no bounds and I just can’t say enough about how good she is. I was completely hooked from the beginning. Styx and Mae’s story bombarded me with such intense emotion. I loved every minute of it.
I can not describe how much I loved this book. Styx and Mae were perfect. Both so tortured but still so strong. The side characters were amazing. They added so much to the world. The plot was fast paced and thick with secrets and lies. I can not wait to read more from this world.
WOW! this is heartwrenching, incredible and captivating. Styx and Mae have captured my heart and I’m sure has I read more of the series so will all the other character’s.
This story is dark, it will have triggers for some people. But Tille has written a powerful story that is written beautifully.
Her words captured me from the first page and I could not put this book down. My heart broke many times, i cried, i cursed and also smiled for true pure love is found.
So many emotions felt throughout this.
Mae is a lot stronger than she realises. The pain and suffering she has endured is from pure evil and she has risen from it a strong woman. She is incredible. Styx is like no other man. His love for Mae is unlike any other, from a young age he has been hers. He will protect her with all he has.
I’m invested in this journey with the Hades hangmen so I’m gonna hold on tight because it’s gonna be one hell of a ride.