Oleander Oaths

Steel Roses Motorcycle Club #3

by Jena Doyle

Selene

I’ve made a lot of promises in my life, but none I mean as much as this: I will rain vengeance on anyone who dares betray my family. I may have taken an oath to do no harm, but words are nothing but air when I can bleed a man dry with four cuts. I’m a monster, and a stupid vow could never change that.

When a former hang-around turned traitor attacks everyone I know on club property, I can’t let that stand. No one except me knows she’s responsible. I have to be the one to protect my family this time.

Except…my dead aunt’s husband, Thor, has made it his personal life mission to be a giant pain in my ass. He’s brutal and beautiful, having trained me like his little soldier since I was a teenager. He knows everything about me, and running from him while chasing my target might take all the skills I ever learned.

Thor

Selene runs. I chase. That’s how our relationship works. When she was young and angry, she’d hide in the woods until I could track her down and drag her back. Now that she’s an adult, she thrives on making me work for it.

When she disappears the day after an attack on the club, I know she’s taken off after the woman who betrayed us. I’m the best hunter I know. I was trained by the US Navy, and I can invade, intercept, and extract better than anyone else in Madison County. But nothing could have prepared me for the way she kisses me before she leaves and how distracted I am when I set off to track her down.

I shouldn’t want my dead wife’s niece the way I do, and I definitely shouldn’t enjoy the racing in my heart at the thought of catching her and making her mine. The things I’ve done to protect her are despicable, but the things I’m going to do when I find her…they’d make a dead man blush.

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Erotica

268 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 28, 2024

About the author

Jena Doyle writes smut for smut’s sake. No apologies. No shame. And definitely no judgement. When she’s not dreaming up dirty words for wild hearts, she enjoys traveling, binge watching trash TV, and dabbling in tarot and astrology. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Creative Writing, and enjoys rambling about Shakespeare's gay agenda.

Reviews

[Leo · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up. Got this for review on booksirens.
I haven't read the other books in the series but I really enjoyed the story anyway. Loved the way they bantered and chased. Lots of action and tension with the plot that wad very intruiging to read. Both steamy and suspenseful

[Ana Santos · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am an ARC reader for Jena Doyle. And I like it. A lot.

BookSirens provided me with an advance review copy for free. This is my honest review.

In Oleander Oaths, we’re offered another story in the SRMC world. If you’re not into stories with violence, crime, kills (lots of kills), smeared with blood and dirt this is not the book for you.

I think this was the darkest episode so far. All the characters from the MC club are quite dark, but Selene and Thor beat them all. Not because of the age difference, that is not a thing for me. But they‘re pretty dark. Even their love, the way they show it to each other, their love making is not for the weak hearts to read.

I loved this installment. Can’t wait for the next Mischief Mayhem.

[Wendy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read. I absolutely loved Thor and Selena’s story ❤️❤️❤️ they are the perfect couple, both strong individuals who enjoy the chase. A definite page turner, I was thoroughly entertained. 100% recommend this book to everyone ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ you will not be disappointed 😎

[Lynette · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first time reading a book from this series and although I followed along fairly well, I could have definitely benefited from reading the previous ones first. The story was a slow burn, relatively low spice, and had a more action-driven plot. The main characters were likeable and had decent chemistry, but I felt the story lacked in intimacy and connection until much too late and by then I was getting a little bored and frustrated. Overall it was just an OK book for me.

[kase · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed both Selene and Thor as characters! I’ve only read book one of this series prior, but I didn’t feel like I was super thrown off or lost while reading book three. So the author clearly does a good job of reiterating information without fully just summarizing what happened, which can be a pet peeve of mine.

Selene on her e-reader: “Because there’s some fucked-up shit in here, and the contents of my library are between me and God.” ~she’s so me lol~

There’s a lot of action in this one, these two are badass! And I feel like I learned more about the workings of the MC and it makes me excited to see where the feud with the Caputis is going in future books.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Doris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hawt, Hawt, Hawt

To say that this book got my blood running is an understatement. Thor and Selene are definitely a hot couple who some may say have a taboo relationship. Thor was married to the now deceased aunt of Selene. Selene is definitely not a wallflower because when the Steel Roses MC’s enemy wreaks havoc on the MC Selene is out to get the woman who betrayed the club. While Selena is on the chase, Thor is also on the chase for Selene.

I loved this book and I cannot wait for more naughty reads from this author.

[Nae · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite of them all. I don’t even know what else to say. Jena knows her characters so well , which allows the reader to know them too.

[Rebel Devlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oleander Oaths is the 3rd book in the Steel Roses MC series by Jena Doyle. It's an age-gap taboo romance full of action, violence, blood, trauma, steamy kinks, love, and family. Every time I can't think Jena can get any spicier with her smut she proves me wrong. Each book goes further into the kinky getting better and hotter each time.
Throughout the series, you've felt the underlining tension between Thor the club's S.A.A., and his younger niece (by marriage), Selene building to combust and it has. Thor married her aunt when Crow asked him to because someone needed to be there for Selene and her twin brother KC when they were teens after their parents were killed. Selene's been in love with Thor since she was 15 even knowing it was wrong. Thor has turned her into his warrior making her a better huntress than himself. And that's the games they like to play. Cat and mouse, Selene is always running and Thor is always chasing her. When Ru and Saint's new club is attacked on opening night something finally shifts with them and the line that was there between them is cracking. Selene is determined to find the club's traitor and hides it from Thor. When she finally decides to make her move she is lucky Thor chased after her like she knew he would. Her actions change everything for her and she's now forced to deal with all the trauma she's blocked out starting with her parent's death she blames herself for.
I gave this a 5-star rating and a 5-spicy rating. Selene and Thor are meant to be, there is no one else for them. They are the perfect team whether in business, life or the bedroom (eh or woods). They've both had to finally face things they've tried to ignore and come out stronger for it. The taboo kinky factors in this book like the cat and mouse games and knife play are just my type of fetish and for me that makes a damn good book. I highly recommend reading this one and suggest starting with the beginning of the series so you can feel the tension build. Mischief Mayhem is next in the series and it's going to get even kinkier!
*I received this book for free. I voluntarily gave an honest review.*

[Susana Sousa · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars! What a thrill!

Oleander Oaths is the third installment in the Steel Roses MC and, technically, can be read as a standalone, but I think it might be best enjoyed reading the two previous books.

Jena Doyle is a new to me author and I was happily surprised with her writting style and the tone of this MC.
In what concerns our protagonists we get all the necessary elements to understand their predicament regarding their roles in the life of each other and, although the author was careful to give snipets of the background story and what brings to the state of affairs in the present, because I didn't read books #1 & #2, I think I missed a full connection with the rest of the crew being, sometimes, at odds with how to feel about Nikki or even Leo. And that is why I think the previous books are of major importance.
Apart from that, I absolutely loved Selene and Thor.

Action packed, fast paced, with a touch of taboo and an age gap, what's not to l❤️ve?

The narrative flowed steady and direct between the intentions to maim and those to protect, guilt, wills and wants, resolution, perseverance and the internal conflict of desiring too much, loving too much and the weight of society's judgement.

I loved the crew so much, the Club's values of loyalty, protection and honesty and, most of all, the author's capacity to keep an aproximate resemblence with reality. It's a ruthless world, with ruthless people, but when it touches the members or those in their vicinity, it's all for one and one for all.

The banter, defiance and specially the 'hunt' made for a great commitment to the plot, the characters because 🔥🥵🔥🥵🔥🥵🔥🥵!!!, inviting the reader to live vicariously through their struggles, their losses and victories, their demands and yeldings, the strategy for a future to come and the recognition that you can't carry alone the burden of a past tnat was never yours to carry and, untimately, it is never wrong to love and be loved!

Great book!

[Jane Holloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is # 3 in the Steel Roses Motorcycle Club Series. This book continues on from the previous 2 books so I recommend that you read them in order because there are storylines running through all of them. In this book we meet Selene and Thor who have a very close relationship which is right on the line where they could fall into each others arms or push them away. They both have very strong feelings for each other. Selene is obsessed with finding Nikki, the girl who she had known for a long time through the club and who was behind the attempted murder of her friends and who was behind a devastating attack on a business owned by the club. Selena wants to track her down by herself but Thor found up and raced to find her to stop her getting into trouble.

The Steel Roses have an ongoing 'war' with the Caputi family whose members are vicious and cruel. They have to be careful in finding Nikki incase the Caputis are using Nikki for information on the club. There is a lot of violence and brutality which is not gratuitous but shows how far the Roses and Caputis are prepared to go to obliterate their enemies.

There is a whole lot of steam between Thor and Selene, infact it is very intense. I love steam and there are not many sexual things that would stop me from reading a book but the scenes between Thor and Selene are right on the edge of my tolerence for extreme, rough sex. I didn't know whether to step away and call it a DNF or pull up a seat and have some popcorn while watching wide eyed to see how far it would go! Clearly I hung on and pushed my way through! There may be some readers who are uncomfortable with that but this is about an MC so it kind of goes with the territory. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jenifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!! First off, I read this in a single day. I literally could not put it down. I had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen. I barely took bathroom breaks and while cooking dinner I had my laptop right next to the stove to read while I stirred my food.

This book rode that border between being too much outside my comfort zone and being the perfect blend of danger and smut that I crave in my books. There's a taboo romance, sex, murder, sex, kidnapping, sex, daring rescues, sex, chasing prey, sex, bombings, sex, and oh yeah, did I mention that there's sex in the book. Lots of it and it's brutal, rough and honest. There was some blood play that I skimmed over quickly as that truly isn't my jam, but the rest of those scenes really got me heated.

The overarching story that was in the first two books continues into this one as more is revealed and escalated in the war with the Caputi mafia. The suspense in some of the fight scenes in this book had me on the edge of my seat reading so fast just to make sure that all was going to be okay at the end. Hopefully your definition of okay is fluid, because I learned mine had to be.

This book is unapologetic in its brutality but at the same time it is a love story. It's just not what most would think of when picturing a love story. There certainly aren't any flowers and waxing poetic. But anyone who has read the first two books in this series and have seen Selene and Thor's characters, know that that isn't who they are. But this is the perfect love story for them.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked seeing Selene and Thor's chemistry. There was more than just smut, which I have no issues with, but I do like plots and good storyline with mine. Selene seemed to have many different struggles at once. Her conscious mainly in regards to her career vs her ideas/actions of retribution, her feelings for Thor, feelings of inadequacy and worthiness. She seemed to have a lack of disregard for her own life which showed in some of her reckless thoughts and actions. Thor and Selene balanced each other out well and the predator/prey play was 🌶. I can't wait for Hollywood and Verona 's book. I'm also hoping to see a HEA for Lore and Aris, who also seems to be silently struggling. And interested to know if the roses will actually turn leo into a friend and let him atone for his actions. A arranged marriage romance to a Rose would be a awesome story. We briefly met Rosa and i liked her character, hope not only that she helps more in the group like lore and verona, but i hope she plays a bigger part. Maybe a match up with lore or someone in the MC. Another great addition to the series and look forward to more
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Brooke Torrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is such a wild ride and this book did not disappoint. This I’d a dark MC romance that touches on dark themes and topics. I love the taboo aspect of this book. There’s an age gap, he’s helped raise her and he is a total Alpha and she’s got a spine of steel. This book I’d heartbreaking and stomach dropping. I love the authors writing style it is gritty and page turning. The characters were complex and had explosive chemistry. I loved the angst, push and pull and all the off the charts spice that this book contained!!! I recommend starting at the beginning because this series has a continuing plot through each book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Amanda B · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really loved the first book in this series (Crimson Chaos); it's one of my favorite romance novels and I've read it multiple times. The second book was good, though not as good as the first. For whatever reason, I am just not enjoying this one. I had been looking forward to it, but once the author started really developing the characters of Thor and Selene, I didn't connect to them. I also think that the plot has gotten more complex with each successive book and now I feel like I'm reading a manual on who all of the characters and plot threads are more than I'm reading a novel. It's a slog. I hope that the next novel in the series gets back to the great characters, well-developed plot, and steamy scenes that I liked so much about Crimson Chaos.

[Latrice Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sel and Thor… I felt like it has been drilled into us that Thor was Selene's dead aunt's husband! But other than that, Sel and Thor were like Mr. and Mrs. Smith, hella badass!!! They kept on fighting their Feelings for each other, even though they were not related by blood, just marriage. But when they stopped and finally got together it has HOT!!! I felt like they were a perfect match for each other.

I am glad that she finally got her revenge on Nicki. The war with the Caputis' seems like its never going to end until they take out Gabriella but I see what they are doing with Leo. I can't wait to read Hollywood's story!

[╰⊱♥⊱╮ღ꧁Kathy,Ahmazing Book Faerie꧂ღ╭⊱♥≺ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn!! I loved this story!

Thanks to Jena Doyle for the ARC, through BOOK SIRENS.
Marked as forbidden, but it's not really.
Thor was married to Selenas aunt, so technically her uncle, but no relation.
So, in my books, it doesn't count.
These two had had the feels for each other for ages, everyone know it, and we're waiting with baited breath for the day to come, where these two actually admitted it to themselves.
And when it did??? It was mothafuckn awesome!
That's all I'm saying. Oh except, bring on Hollywood!

READ THIS SERIES!

[GKP2460 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author takes us on one wild adventure with Thor and Selene. Oleander Oaths is book 3 in the Steel Rose's MC series and is absolutely fantastic! Thor and Selene are utter perfection together and challenge each other like nothing else.

"We matched each other in ways that should have been obvious to me from the beginning."

Selene is fierce and backs down from no one and Thor is relentless in his pursuit of her. This story is intense, consuming and over the top HOT!

"I was his, he was mine, and I had the marks in my skin to prove it."

[Carol Demmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Selene is strongly attracted to Thor and she will force him to make decisions when she leaves the MC club to end the threat to them. Thor has trained and taken care of Selene since her aunt died and has fought the attraction that he has had for the last decade. When he chases her to stop her, they will make choices that will force them to be true to themselves. This book is full of action, deep emotions and a happy ending.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Marianne W · Rating 5 out of 5]

This third book in this series is about Selena and Thor. My entire emotional register was engaged when I read this book. If you love to read about #Age Gap, # MC gang war, # secret and partly forbidden love, # revenge, # MC "family" that stands together, then this series and this book are just for you.
It can be read as a stand alone book, but it will be best if you start with the first book in the series, because the characters are continuous in the series.
Jena Doyle just keep you want to turn the page and see what's happens next.
LOVED Selena and Thor ❤

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was waiting on Selene and Thor's story and, man, did the author deliver when she penned this one! Selene is fierce and backs down from no one. Thor is relentless in his pursuit of her but has been denying his attraction to her for 10 years. Well, she makes him make choices and their love flies true for them. It's intense, hot and so OTT. Expect to be caught up in the action, violence, danger, chemistry and so much spice that you won't want to put it down. It's very engaging and, yep, I'm now waiting impatiently for the next book ;P

[Lisa Newton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a new author and MC series to me. After reading Thor and Selene’s story, I am going to need to go back to read those before. I am intrigued by the overarching story and the key players from this MCs enemies.

Thor and Selene were perfect for each other; two sides of a coin. To see the loyalty to their family, concern over the reaction about their involvement and their fierce love for each other really showcased the strength of this couple. I am looking forward to the next story in the series.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved, loved, loved Thor and Selene's story! Hints of a taboo relationship, MC club, enemies, action all kept me reading. I like the family aspects of the club, the glimpses into other characters as well as the main characters as the story progresses. I also like how the author doesn't skimp over the bad parts but doesn't glorify them either. The story was pulse pounding, and rivoting. I look forward to reading more from this author and this series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Samantha Hickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series so much!!!

Oleander Oaths is the 3rd book in the Steel Roses Motorcycle Club series of standalones.

Thor and Selene might be my new favorite couple of Jena's!!!

This is probably the darkest one of the series so far and I am here for it!!!

The banter, the tension, the action, the spice it's alls perfect and I didn't want it to end!!!! Selene is a total baddie and I adore her and Thor is panty melting hot and when they come together......oh boy 🔥🔥🔥.

This series is everything and I never want it to end!!!

[elisereginaa.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes yes yes!! Jena Doyle has done it again! I loved the other books in the series, but this one is my favorite so far! Absolutely loved Thor and Selene and their love story. The tension and smut was chefs kiss!

I just love how the books have exiting plot and how the books are interconnected. I absolutely recommend reading all the books and in order for things to make sense. So excited for the next book in the series!
This is the best MC series I’ve read and I absolutely recommend!!

[Cody Marie Phoenix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Selene had an interesting way she compartmentalized things. I wish I had that ability. Thor and Selene are perfect for each other in every way and we find out how deep and sometimes disturbing those ways are in 'Oleander Oaths', which is a perfect Title for this book! If you like Action, Drama, and Romance with a dark edge, you'll want to read this one!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first word of this book I was hooked! I really enjoyed Selena and Thor’s story, I loved the storyline and I can’t wait for the next instalment. I highly recommend that you read this book, start from They Called Him Saint though because although they can be read as standalones the characters are intermingled.
I give this book a solid 5 stars 🌟 .

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Selene wasnt going to let anyone hurt her family, and when an old hangaround decides shell cause havok for the club Selene is on her trail, but Thor her late aunts husband is chasing her too, their chemestry had been off the charts before but now hes on the hunt and Selene wont give in so easaly to being caught. well written steamy age gap, desires,action and more a great addition to the series

[SaDonna Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thor and Selena have been tip toeing around each other throughout the series. Selena is looking revenge on the one person that was supposed to be all for the club but betrayed the club instead. Thor and Selena's relationship might be taboo but wow they are sizzling together. What a great couple amongst all the club craziness.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Selene and Thor are a great match in every way. When she goes on a tear for the woman that has caused so much chaos for their MC Thor goes to get her but joins her in Selen's quest to bring down Nikki. This action-packed story had me glued to the pages as I cheered them on to getting justice for the MC and finding happiness.
I am volunteering to leave a review for an ARC of this book.

[Sue Embers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! I’ve been keeping up with the series and it has proven to be a good thing! This MC romance scratches all the dark gooey urges a girl can have! Selene and Thor’s gritty and raw relationship will leave you craving more! Read it, enjoy it 😉, dream about it!