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Never fall for the man you were sent to destroy.

RYDER
The largest drug lord in Mexico sold me his daughter.
He has an endgame in mind and it’s only a matter of time before his princess gives it away.
Until then, I’ll play along, using her for my own purposes.
Only this kitty has claws.
She’s cunning, determined, passionate, and driving me to the edge of madness.
Thoughts of keeping her swirl in my head, but she can never be mine.
Our time together is approaching its expiration date.
The problem is, despite knowing about her potential involvement, I’m not sure I can give her up.

VALENTINA
Papa wants me to spy on the president of The Devil’s Deviants MC.
What choice do I have?
None if I want to live.
Cartel princesses are for show, not meant to be savvy and ruthless.
Only Ryder sees beyond my ice queen exterior, reveling in my fiery temper.
Where most men avoid or punish, he begs for more.
He makes me want to burn it all down.
To become Defiant.

Defiant is an enemies to lovers MC romance with forced proximity, tons of action, motorcycle club suspense, forbidden love, and full-throttle steam. There are HEA’s for the couples in The Devil’s Deviants Series with no cliffhangers or cheating, but the characters continue from book to book.

282 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2023

80 people are currently reading
92 people want to read

About the author

Gladys Cross

14 books147 followers
Gladys Cross writes steamy and morally gray contemporary romances.

Her heroes are damaged, heartbroken, sometimes not all the way sane, and heart-stoppingly drool worthy.

She’s not afraid to tackle the mafia, bikers, your common criminal, vampires, werewolves, or even the devil himself.

When she isn’t dipping her toe into the darker side of love, she converts into mom mode. She’s not above instigating water gun fights, but her favorite pastime is beating her daughter and husband in a game of cards.

Visit her website for more info: gladysafterdark.com.

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5 stars
111 (62%)
4 stars
46 (25%)
3 stars
18 (10%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
Profile Image for Nicole  Henderson.
1,454 reviews23 followers
July 22, 2023
Valentina could only help the family business one way. She could create a favorable alliance through marriage. There is no place for her in the business, not like her two brothers. She is a pampered princess but also has to fight to keep her virginity intact. That is until she was called into her dad’s office and told she would be a gift for Ryder, the President of the Devil’s Deviant MC. The MC is the Castillo’s biggest distributor in the US. Ryder knows Miguel is up to something so he has to keep Valentina until he can figure out what exactly.

Drama ensues as soon as they make it to the clubhouse. Wendy is angling to be Ryder’s Old Lady though he has told her several times it will never happen. Ryder likes the crazy, feisty ones. Unfortunately they tend to start trouble. Valentina is no different. Ryder wants her but also wants to give her a choice. Valentina loves that Ryder listens to her and decides to make the most of the time she has with him.

I loved the way Ryder treated Valentina so unlike her father. She was brilliant to him and could benefit the business. Valentina knew her dad was doing some shady stuff and enlisted a few of the guys to help her with a plan. A plan that could end them all.

This is a quick read. Readers will be enthralled with everything that is going on and there is a lot going on. Plots and enemies, backstabbing and guns. Seeing how much this couple cares for each other is obvious and will make readers fall in love with both of them. I am hooked and cannot wait to read the next book in this series.
Profile Image for **Tessa** (semi hiatus).
425 reviews17 followers
July 18, 2024
2.5 stars rounded up. Too much drama from the CW he was exclusive with. He just gave me the yuck. She chased him one too many times. Without that and without the scene where he tried to screw other CWs to prove to himself he wasn’t obsessed with h coulda been a 4 -5 star. To clarify he just walked with her to his room but nothing seemed to have happened.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Alishia  Pinon .
71 reviews5 followers
August 7, 2023
Loved every minute of this thrill ride

WOW, Wow,wow. What a ride from the first to the last. Valentina is not someone I would want to make mad that’s for sure. I love how she holds her own with all the men in her life. Ryder is amazing as well. It was almost insta love with him for Valentina. I can not wait to see what book 2 as in store.
Profile Image for Gail Williams.
433 reviews19 followers
July 23, 2023
Well, that was like being on a super fast train!! I was glued to the story from the first chapter. It’s fast paced, full of action, sin and is very witty in parts.
Loved it, and cannot wait for the next book.
1,003 reviews54 followers
July 23, 2023
This is a must read. The combination was so good. It's a dark MC. This was so good I couldn't put it down. The chemistry was great. It was well written
Profile Image for Toby.
68 reviews3 followers
July 31, 2023
A grab you from the start MC romance. I waited to start till I had a few days to sit and. That was not needed. Once I picked it up I couldn't put it down. I'm ready to get my hands one #2.
Profile Image for Jennifer Soppe.
2,251 reviews13 followers
July 16, 2023
A gritty romance read

Valentina, a cartel princess, has always been treated as less by her father as evidenced by the fact he trades her to Ryder, President of the Devil’s Deviants MC, in order to gather information about the MC. As the story progresses the trojan doll is accepted, the feelings are affected, and their futures may not turn out as expected. Defiant is a gritty romance read and a great start to the series.
Profile Image for Dusty Shirley.
942 reviews11 followers
July 27, 2023
Here's my new fave MC Series

Absolutely could not put this book down. I had to know what was happening next. Book 2 can not come out fast enough. If you like a great MC club with a great cast of characters , look no farther.
1,586 reviews21 followers
July 30, 2023
Valentina

Valentinas father had given her to an MC club in because he wants to use her to get information. She was expecting them to be rough with her, but is surprised when Ryder seems to like her and want her for himself. She's made friends there and he found things out about her father. Now she has to decide how she's going to handle everything.

Such a good book. There is some 🔥🔥 too it as well.
1,768 reviews34 followers
November 30, 2022
If you are reading this review to decide if you should read this book, take my advice and download it asap. What a ride this novel was, I was hooked and drawn into the plot from the first chapter. Absolutely loved Ryder and Val’s story ❤️❤️❤️ I was engrossed. I love a badass leading lady with a tough guy who doesn’t do feelings but falls deeply in love with her and a bitchy club girl to round out the drama. Excellent read, can’t say enough about how enjoyable this book was and has left me salivating for the next one in this series. 100% recommend this book to everyone ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4,234 reviews52 followers
December 15, 2022
I will definitely be reading more from this author. From the moment Ryder sees Valentina he knows he is in trouble. She is a strong and kickbutt FMC. The fact that her father Miguel wanted to use her for his own personal gain. But she was no wallflower, she was determined and smart. Loved her and Ryder together.

I received this ARC and my spoiler free review is voluntary
Profile Image for Kristina Gehrls.
278 reviews
August 6, 2023
Gladys Cross’s first book in her new series, The Devil’s Deviants MC, certainly captured my attention right from the start. The blurb checked my boxes of interest. I love MC books, but this one had a twist to it, involving the Mexican Cartel and I didn’t see that coming and couldn’t put it down!! I will definitely be reading more from this author.

Valentina Castillo’s father is head of the Mexican Cartel and needs to gain the ability to distribute goods to the United States instead of staying in Mexico. After coming to the United States, Val begins to fit in with the MC. She makes friends with the other girls at the club and begins to fall for the president of the club. She is a strong and kickbutt FMC and she’s also smart and determined. Val knows her father is ruthless and an all around horrible person, so she must decide whether to remain loyal to him and allow people to die, or betray her father to secure her future.

Ryder is the President of the Devil's Deviants MC. He and the club have dealings with a Mexican Cartel and is given the boss’s daughter, Valentina, as a gift, as if she’s property. Ryder and his club have secrets, but Val is meant to find out those secrets. Ryder was fun to read, especially when you see that he isn't like any of the men in Val's life.

If you like the rough and dark world of organized crime, gangs, and motorcycle clubs, then this is the book for you. The character development is fantastic. As you read its easy to be pulled into the storyline. The supporting characters in this story were also well developed. Chemistry is undeniable. There’s humor and steaminess and choices have to be made. If you like a dirty talking hero and a heroine who gives as good as she gets, then this book is for you.

Val and Ryder are so perfectly mismatched, but it works and it works very well and I loved it!!! I will just say that this is a first time author for me and I am so looking forward to reading the next book!! Highly recommended and definitely a must read, you won’t be disappointed!!
Profile Image for Tanya.
855 reviews16 followers
December 20, 2022
This book is a fantastic mix of MC romance and mafia twists. Valentina is quite the heroine with a feisty attitude and an unexpected history. Ryder is a bad-boy biker who wasn't expecting to be blindsided by love and a woman he wasn't supposed to fall for. Their romance is unconventional but action-packed and intriguing nonetheless. I enjoyed the story.

The blurb of this book is very intriguing. I can't wait to dig into this. I love that the MC it contains isn't the book's title. Valentina, thirteen years ago, we begin this book from her pov with a look at her family, business, and her according to her father's purpose in life. We jump to the present day. Valentina is very young and innocent still and makes the mistake of speaking her mind. She is sassy, feisty, and cunning. Her papa has a task for her involving the Devil's Deviants.

Ryder is the president of the San Antonio charter of the Devils Deviants MC Club. Ryder has great intuition that has kept him and his guys from getting dead or locked up as they dabble in illegal and legal activities. He accepts the gift but is unsure about the consequences. I like this bad boy and his thoughts and pov.

I like the rough, dark, no-filter attitude of the guys in the club. They are very brash, but it reminds me of "Sons of Anarchy" and "Jax Teller." Ryder is sexy, sweet, and a protective Alpha Male. Valentine seems to have to fight her hormones as well as her thoughts. The mystery of her mama's necklace is intriguing.

This book gets steamy as they can't resist each other, but we also see a caring side to Ryder. Ryder is more tormented than I expected from this bad boy; she has him in knots. Valentina is over her head, and this can't end well for her. I love that she is super sexy, a temptress one minute and a badass heroine the next.

I love how twisted this mafia mc romance gets, and it ends beautifully. This storyline has a lot of subterfuge, steamy scenes, and intense action sequences. I truly enjoyed this story and the mix of genres the author included.
Profile Image for Libby.
313 reviews16 followers
August 14, 2023
First book by this author and I am  hooked!

Ryder is the president of The Devil’s Deviants and he's just been given a very special gift from the leader of the Mexican Cartel. The man just gave him his only daughter.  What is he going to do with a Latina spitfire that insists on climbing on the back of his bike in heels?

Valentina may seem like a spoiled cartel princess, but she soon proves she can more than hold her own.  The reason for sending her off with these bikers may have been to gather information, but Ryder decides to claim her.  Are her days numbered as rumors begin to spread of a rival MC possibly taking over for the Cartel?

Oh mylanta, this is one of those reads that the action doesn't stop.  It was a constant page turner.   The heat and drama match intensity throughout.  I really enjoyed diving into a new MC and can't wait for the next one! Excellent read!
1,153 reviews22 followers
December 14, 2022
Ryder and Valentina!

This is the first time I have read anything by this author, however, I am truly looking forward to her next book in this series, Hunter. Ryder is the president of his MC and Valentina is a Cartel Princess. While, the reason the couple met is less than ideal, it turns out perfectly.

This book has a good balance of action, touches of darkness and great steamy scenes! The chemistry between Valentina and Ryder is tangible and could be felt as I was reading about them. I was also pleasantly surprised by the chuckles I got from the dialogue and thoughts of the characters. I loved the details the author put into the characters and this makes me put this series on my TBR list and watch for upcoming releases! I truly recommend this book!
Profile Image for Library.of.linds.
687 reviews31 followers
July 23, 2023
one of my favorite MCs 🤩

Valentina Castillo’s father is head of the Mexican Cartel and needs to gain the ability to distribute goods to the United States instead of staying in Mexico. To do that he needs some information. Good thing he has a daughter to send to be with the president of the charter. After coming to the United States, Val begins to fit in with the MC. She makes friends with the other girls at the club and begins to fall for the president, Ryder. 🤤

She knows her father is ruthless and an all around horrible person, so she must decide whether to remain loyal to him and allow multiple people to die, or betray her father to secure her future.

This book made me laugh on so many occasions and also I’m pretty sure my Apple Watch thought I was having palpitations during certain chapters. I’m not a big MC fan usually, but this book made me want do go watch Sons of Anarchy again 😜

Also, book 2 comes out in September 🤩

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
450 reviews3 followers
December 18, 2022
Honey, you had me at Dark MC!!!

I love Gladys Cross books, they always make me crave a binge session or two of SOA, with their delicious characters that are fit, wild, damaged and oh so heartrendingly drool worthy.
The world building is always so believable and while not all the characters are pretty or completely sane, they are all loyal to a fault.
The fact that Cross doesn’t scrimp on the tough stuff or the gooey side of things either just makes me love these books even more. The content in these books are not for weeping Wilma’s but they are about as real as an author can make them.
640 reviews10 followers
December 23, 2022
This is a must read if you enjoy MC books. Valentina is the daughter of a drug lord and lives and breathes the rules she’s under so she can survive. Women are meant to be seen and used in this world, but little else.

Valentina wants more for herself but is stuck in her father’s orbit. An opportunity opens, and while it’s not perfect, she follows her father’s orders. All she wants is freedom, because anything else isn’t acceptable.

Ryder and his club have secrets, and Valentina is meant to find them out. However, there’s way more to the game than just this when they catch feelings.

This is a must read.
Profile Image for Tabatha Slagle.
405 reviews15 followers
March 14, 2024
Defiant was a deliciously wonderful MC/Cartel book. Ryder, president of the Devil's Deviants MC, is summoned to Mexico for a meeting with none other than Miguel Castillo, head of the cartel. Valentina, daughter of Miguel, is forced into a life of submission before being gifted to Ryder for nefarious reasons. However, fate intervened and directed them both down a different path. Their story is sweet, spicy, and full of banter. The supporting characters are equally intriguing, and I can't wait to see which ones are chosen for the continuation of the series.
Profile Image for Elaine Delgado.
100 reviews19 followers
December 6, 2022
I received an Arc of Defiant and let me tell you , it did not disappoint. I read this book in less than 24 hours. I was hooked from the beginning. I loved that the MC Val was a bad a55 B! She stood on her own and showed no fear! I loved that. And of course I loved all of her and Ryder story. Ryder is sooo dreamy 😍. This was well written and I seriously was sad Val and Ryder story came to end to quick for me . This is the first book Gladys Cross I read but she drew me in and Can not wait to read more of her books !
Profile Image for Tracy ann  Robinson.
1,154 reviews27 followers
December 11, 2022
I so very much enjoyed this story another new author for me. Valentina's father is a cold cruel man he is powerful and head of cartel in Mexico to get what he wants he uses his daughter Valentina is given to Ryder of the Deviants he wants her to spy on them as Valentina is a very intelligent lady, she is cleverer than her brothers and she so sassy and a kick ass lady she takes no messing I won't say no more it's a brilliant read will she fall for Ryder or still be an ice queen ,
1,861 reviews24 followers
December 19, 2022
Being handed over like yesterday's news as a gift to her father's business associate would upset some daughter's but not Valentina. She was expecting this at some stage in her life but at least he's younger than the usual old men her father did business with. What is to become of her now? And how does she survive with her life intact amongst the biker 'sweet butts' who see her as the threat to their positions? Really good read
Profile Image for Neshaisabookworm’s Book Review.
848 reviews62 followers
July 19, 2023
Holy dirty fucking mouth Batman!

Ryder has a filthy fucking mouth and I love it!!!

This book is hooooot! The chemistry between these two is off the fucking charts!

If you like the rough and dark world of organized crime, gangs, and motorcycle clubs then this is the book for you. If you like a strong, badass motherfucking heroine then this book is for you. If you like a Hero who will burn the world down for her then this book is for you. If you like a heroine who can save herself then this book is for you. If you like a found family then this book is for you. If you like a dirty talking hero and a heroine who gives as she gets then this book is for you. If you love a sibling bond that can never be broken even in the most dire of circumstances then this book is for you.

Valentina and Ryder are so perfectly mismatched but it works and it works very well!

I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!!!
Profile Image for Allison Comis.
860 reviews11 followers
July 25, 2023
Dang this book was hot!!! I loved all of it. The characters were great together. I love MC books but this had a twist to it involving the Mexican Cartel and I didn’t see that coming. Val and Ryder were great together. I didn’t think the book would end like that. So good. Can’t wait to read the next one!! I love Gladys’ writing style.
Profile Image for Jess Michalski.
509 reviews17 followers
March 11, 2024
This was a very fast paced, sinful, mc book. It took a bit to get to the "good stuff" if you know what I mean (wink wink) but it was a great book! This book was the first of this author for me and I can tell you right now it won't be the last! I loved the fact we had a strong female character and a very hot, organized crime, MC male character. Wowza this one was good!
Profile Image for Lacey  Dodson.
38 reviews
December 20, 2022
MUST READ

Dark, thrilling, Biker romance with a Bad A** FMC?! Yess please. I was not expecting this book to take over my life for hours as I read it. Such a good read!
10/10 reccomend.
Spice 🌶 3/5

If you love a strong female lead with a man who knows he can't tame her but encourages her you will LOVE this book.

I can't wait to tead more from this author, definitely need to get a hard copy asap!
Profile Image for Jayme.
434 reviews4 followers
December 5, 2022
New author for me. Very good and well-written story. Very well-developed characters with great chemistry. Can't wait to read more from this author. Definitely recommend this book.
Profile Image for Bella Street.
244 reviews5 followers
March 2, 2024
FINALLY a badass FMC who doesn’t wear sneakers or boots. I LOVED Val’s threats to the boys if something got on or happened to her heels. She really is a badass in every sense of the word and I loved it. And Ryder? Oh my lordddd. That man was finer than fine. SO HOT. His possessiveness from the BEGINNING was so sexy. I loved that they shared a bed immediately after meeting and that first shower scene??? Straight 🔥. I’ve never been super into MC books but I am now. I devoured this book and since I slacked on my reviewing and read the next 2 I can safely say they just get better and better. I love the Devil's Deviant universe and will forever be pretending I am a part of it.
Profile Image for Mic .
134 reviews7 followers
April 5, 2024
I loved this book, I ate it up in a day and couldn’t put it down, the plot twist the angst the chemistry.. all of it was AMAZING I can’t wait to read the rest of the series 😍😍
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