Take a wild ride with the Reaper’s Motorcycle club in this steamy novel from New York Times bestselling author Joanna Wylde.Eight years ago, Sophie gave her heart—and her virginity—to Zach Barrett on a night that couldn’t have been less romantic or more embarrassing. Zach’s step-brother, a steely-muscled, tattooed biker named Ruger, caught them in the act, getting a peep show of Sophie he’s never … show of Sophie he’s never forgotten.
She may have lost her dignity that fateful night, but Sophie also gained something precious—her son Noah. Unfortunately, Zach’s a deadbeat dad, leaving Ruger to be Noah’s only male role model. When he discovers Sophie and his nephew living in near poverty, Ruger takes matters into his own hands—with the help of the Reapers Motorcycle Club—to give them a better life.
Living with outlaw bikers wasn’t Sophie’s plan for her son, but Ruger isn’t giving her a choice. He’ll be there for Noah, whether she wants him or not. But Sophie does want him, has always wanted him. Now she’ll learn that taking a biker to bed can get a girl dirty in every way…
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2.5
h: Sophie (1st Person)
H: Ruger (3rd Person)
(Dual POVs)
Ruger meets Sophie when he walks into his apartment, and his brother Zach is taking Sophie’s virginity on the couch. 8 months later, Sophie is in labor and Zach is too drunk to do anything about it. Sophie ends up giving birth to her son on the side of the road with the help of Ruger. The book picks up seven years after Sophie gives birth.
I’m in love with the plot of this story and the writing style was pretty good. I loved Ruger’s sense of responsibility for Noah. You could feel the intense connection Ruger gains with Noah and Sophie while he helps Sophie give birth to Noah.
One thing I wasn’t a fan of was Ruger is wanting to make Sophie his Property, but he isn’t willing to be faithful. I will say there was no cheating in this book but the thought of a man wanting to claim a woman for himself but basically warning her that he’s going to sleep with other women isn’t my cup of tea. I think if a man is able to be 100% loyal to a club, he’s capable of being 100% loyal to a woman. This theme was mentioned quite a few times throughout the book, hence my star rating. I also felt that Sophie was nit picky and whiny about the club. Sophie was a good mother, and she felt a lot of the actions of the club were not good to have around her son.
Favorite quotes:
The man was like heroine —seductive, addictive, and a damned good way to wake up dead.
“Fifty bucks says your baby mama could take you in a fair fight,” -Horse
“I’m tellin’ you,” he continued. “You’re my property, babe. I’ll take damned good care of you and Noah. You’ll take care of me. But only one cock goes into that pussy of yours -mine- and that’s the end of it.” – Ruger
Holy Hot Biker Men! This is only my third book with the backdrop being a motorcycle club and a biker hero. I was intrigued to explore this recently popular anti-hero romance genre so I took the opportunity to read one by an author who came highly recommended. This is the second book in the series and I haven’t read the first one, but I had no trouble jumping right into the world and the characters. The plot involves a different couple.
This is Ruger and Sophie’s story. Their story spans several years beginning when Sophie was a teenager and dating Zach, Ruger’s step-brother. Zach is a slime. He takes Sophie’s virginity and a broken condom gets her pregnant all while he is cheating on her and partying away his life. Ruger is the one who is there for her when Noah is born and he is there for her over the years at other times when she is finally on her own and away from Zach. It’s not until something bad happens and she is out of resources that Ruger steps in and tells her enough is enough. She’s coming home with him so he can help both her and Noah.
Sophie wants nothing to do with the Reapers nor Ruger because she wants to raise Noah in a safe environment and she wants a guy who will commit to her. Ruger wants her just as much as she wants him and he loves Noah, but he doesn’t want to be tied down which is the deal breaker for both of them. Trouble from a rival club convinces Sophie that she was right, but unfortunately that trouble puts her right in the crosshairs of things. For once, she might have to help rescue herself.
I really took to this story from the moment Sophie is introduced and Ruger comes along in the scene to help her deliver the baby. I was caught up in what was happening when things went bad with Sophie’s neighbor and Ruger came back into her life. Their initial spats, Sophie’s intro to the Reapers’ MC world and barely suppressed attraction was great. The dangers in this one were well written and gritty keeping me on edge as the characters went through the stuff. I got nervous after the opening scenes and things settled down when the pace slowed down and it was more a contest of wills between Ruger and Sophie. I was worried it would get angsty and she would start doing stupid stuff just to be defiant and petulant. It didn’t. Only issue was the end during Horse and Marie’s wedding- which was still enjoyable- when I just wanted things to come to a point between Ruger and Sophie and I was forced to wait.
Kudos to Sophie for having some brains and keeping the stupid in check even when Ruger drove her nuts. It was so refreshing that the relationship conflict was over something that made sense to me and that the danger came from exterior sources that weren’t a result of dumb choices or should I say dumb choices that didn’t make sense because hey, unrequited passion and a hero’s stubbornness will make any woman crazy. Sophie had a really good head on her shoulders. She had gone through so much and had to take care of herself. I love that she had self-respect and wouldn’t be a doormat. Even when she got mad, she still gave others their due. She might want to disagree on principle when it came to her take charge brother in law, but she went along with it when she knew he was right. Her friend Kimber was just a crack up and tended to lead Sophie astray, but least she did it with dash.
This is a quote that defines Sophie’s thinking: “Things had changed between us in a profound way. Something I think we both knew. All our fighting and nitpicking seemed silly now. So did all my agonizing about whether or not I should be with him. Once a man disposes of a body for you, the moral high ground has been lost. Nothing says commitment like ‘accessory to murder’.” p. 331 Reaper’s Legacy
And just as I found Sophie a refreshing and enjoyable character, Ruger is a favorite too. Guy had me the moment he went gooey eyed over baby Noah and continued to be a strong support to Sophie and Noah. He’s as alpha as are most bikers and wanted to hold tightly to both this little family he cared for and his carefree lifestyle. He was honest about himself and honest with Sophie and didn’t play games. He was one of the horniest heroes I’ve read in a while, but it was fun to see Sophie get him all wrapped up in knots so he couldn’t even enjoy those pursuits anymore unless it was with her. Only niggle I had is that like Sophie, I wanted all the stories behind his tattoos. A few were told, but not all. Tatted and pierced with a lethal body…Ruger is yummo.
My take on this one is that I will definitely continue with this series. The backdrop is well-written, the characters were engaging as was the plot line. I can’t wait for Em’s story and to find out what happened between her and the rival MC leader, Hunter. This series is for those who want to check out a Motorcycle Club romance that doesn’t go too dark or get too angsty, but does deliver on the straight up honest passion and danger.
I enjoy all of this authors books. This book is the beginning of a group of related, but independent, stories. If you like this genre it should be in your library.
Intense book with sexy men and their commitment to their women! Well worth the read it takes you away in your mind and is entertaining!
This book was intense reading how the relationship between Sophie and Ruger ended up happening. There was alot of issues standing between the two but it was a wonderful read on how the two characters overcame all the issues to get their own HEA.
OMG. I love this entire series. I have read every book and they are each individually wonderful. Awesome Author
Couldn’t put it down. Bought the rest of the series immediately
I didn’t know a lot about MC’s before, great series.
These books keep your interest and concern for the characters. Really enjoyed reading this book.
I’m still reading, so this review is based on my impressions after being over halfway through. First off, please avoid the negative reviews on this book at whatever site you might buy it from as the people reviewing are judging the hero for his almost misogynist words and actions. Biker culture is centered around the men, which makes for some shallow viewpoints on women. He treats the heroine with respect based on that, not on what we new age Americans consider “normal.” Second, if you like biker romances this is a great one where the author tries to stay grounded in real world. Please give it a try if it’s your thing, if not just pass.
Loved it!! Love the series
Enlightening. A small taste of a culture not readily accepted by most of mainstream America.
I don’t airways enjoy biker stories but this one stayed beliveable and the author created great chemistry between the characters.
I enjoyed this story and would recommend it.
THIS TOOK ME ALL DAY TO READ AND I NEVER WANTED TO PUT IT DOWN! I CHECK OUT EVERYTHING THIS AUTHOR PUTS OUT!
Great read. Looking forward to the next.
Pretty good biker story
This book was great. I loved the hero. Very strong and sexy.
I normally don’t read the MC genre, but someone in a Facebook group gave the Audiobook such big praise that I was curious and decided to give this book a chance.
I won’t say it was horrible, but it was not something where I would reach for the first book of the next book. I would go with 2.5 stars. Number one, call me anything other than my name, we have problems. That just irritated the **** out of me. I understand that was the MC lifestyle, but No, just no. I know Ruger was helpful, but he was too freaking overbearing for words. And not in a nice way of that is at all possible.
The whole back and forth with Ruger and Sophie was irritating. I wondered how Sophie could be so judgmental, yet didn’t hesitate to let Ruger be around Noah, or call when she needed something. How can you call yourself friends of the women in the MC, yet look down on their lifestyle?
The scene in the carport, overhang,3 walled garage or whatever that structure was…..NO. The way Sophie was left exposed, and the things he said to her…NO.
Maybe it was because Sophie got involved with Zach when she was still a teenager that she seemed to lack…..I’m honestly not sure what she lacked. Sophie just seemed unsure of what she wanted so often. Then there were times she was absolute in her resolve not to engage with Ruger.
I try not to be judgmental when I read a book, but This was a little too much for me. I give it 3 stars for the narration alone.
I have to say the narration was on point. The narrator were able to communicate a real sense of the intensity of the Reapers and the MC life. I Also have to admit that I am curious about Emma and Hunter’s story. I am just not sure if I want to take on reading another MC book.
Second re-read of Ruger and Sophie’s story. Enjoyed it just as much as the first time. Ruger can almost be classified as an anti-hero but the good in him keeps showing through, even though he is a man-ho. Their love is one that was meant to be but time made them stay apart. He’s her child’s uncle. He’s also the one that was there when her child was born. He’s the one who has always watched out for them and has been the only Daddy her son knows. But he’s determined he’s not going to tie himself to one woman. That is, until he realizes he can’t live with Sophie and he’s knows she’s the only woman he’ll ever want.
For those who have a strict view or low tolerance on cheating, you might classify this one with that trigger. I didn’t because he was always up front about what he planned to do. He didn’t lie. Sophie never committed to him until he did commit. He was also OTT jealous/protective and tried to be controlling but Sophie was strong enough to fight back.