Read my reviews of the previous books in the Rebel Kings MC series:
Devil’s Dance (#1) | Saint’s Song (#2) | Forgive Me Father (#3) | Love Thy Brother (#4) | Reluctant Renegade (#5) | Unholy Trinity (#6)
This book is the direct follow-up to the previous installment in this series, continuing the love story between Nash, Orla, and Locke. Unlike most instances where a relationship arc is spread across two books, I fully believed in the happily ever after between these three characters by the end of the first novel rather than some tenuous peace of “happily for now.” Leigh left us with a different sort of cliffhanger, however, that had me fully invested in what comes next for all of these characters, including the rest of the Rebel Kings we’ve come to know and love.
Even with the quiet reassurance in the back of my head that this is a romance, and that romance means everything will eventually be okay, Nash’s pain at the start of this book is incredibly visceral. My heart broke for him and Orla multiple times, then broke for Locke even more when we learned about his circumstances. Once our three heroes are reunited, the relationship arc of this novel centers on the necessary trauma recovery, which becomes just as important a journey for them as first falling in love. This book is more about reaffirming love after unanticipated separations, but also after essential separations that can be important for self-care (because love doesn’t actually heal all). The narrative arc that continues from the first book is Nash’s journey of identity and self-acceptance. Even when his actions show his journey is still in process, I love that it never casts doubt on his love for Locke.
As much as I adore the love stories in this series, Leigh doesn’t skimp on crafting compelling external plots. The Rebel Kings find themselves once again fighting a war on two fronts, with one enemy they thought vanquished and an inevitable second. Both are terrifying in their way for what they represent to the Rebel Kings, and both are defeated via surprising means. How Orla dispatches one is a satisfying end to a lingering “big bad” and proves that she is absolutely the most terrifying (and strongest) Rebel Queen—and that’s only the start of why I love her so much. The other villain is also eliminated quickly, though in a less shocking manner when considering the state of the Rebel Kings’ tangled alliances. The endings for either of these foes do not feature in the ultimate climax of the book, leaving me wondering what possible craziness could occur next.
Sometimes that craziness ends up just being terrible luck, which doesn’t diminish the simultaneous anxiety and excitement of what occurs. More importantly, our three heroes do get the real chance they deserve at their happily ever after. In the meantime, Leigh slips in plenty of delicious teases for the next book in this series. I already can’t wait for what’s next while also looking forward to another visit with this unique and wonderful found family I have come to adore.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.