Shadow and Skulls

Rebel Skulls MC #6

by L.M. Terry

Shadow and Skulls
Kelsie

Being adopted by Big Dan and Lily was the equivalent of winning the lottery. When they found me, I was like a dried-up plant that had been neglected. My leaves were brittle. My roots stunted. They took me in, pruned me, planted me in nutrient rich soil, and began to water me daily.

But as I grew, as all cared for plants do, I slowly began to outgrow my pot.

The place that had once felt so comfortable, began to press in on me. It had become so familiar, I decided I didn’t want to leave. I began to limit myself, spending more and more time in the darkness. I allowed myself just enough resources to survive, but nothing more.

Until someone noticed.

My stalker.

And he wasn’t content watching me simply exist in the shade.

He wanted to see me bloom.

So, he coaxed me back into the sunlight.

Now I have two options … step into growth … or step back into the shadows of safety.

Shadow and Skulls is a dark romance, but I promise it does have a HEA. There is no cheating in this novel. It does contain dark content, including, but not limited to profanity, SA, and violence. It could possibly have triggers for some individuals.

Genres: Romance, Dark Romance, Dark, Age Gap Romance, Motorcycle, Suspense, Found Family

270 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 14, 2024

About the author

LM Terry is simply a crazy Gemini, writing stories that contain both light and dark elements. Her novels will take you on an emotional rollercoaster. But when you get off, she promises it will be with a happy ever after. LM Terry lives in a small town in the heart of the United States. She is a wife, mother, and book lover. You will find her most days with her head in the clouds.

Reviews

[Mairi Swan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the story very much and I was debating whether giving it 3 or 4 stars because some of the dialogues especially in the beginning felt somewhat awkward and cringey and there were times that felt too packed with things happening all at once. Eventually I gave it 4 stars as it grabbed me and read it in one sitting despite all the above.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another perfect book

This whole series is just *chefs kiss*.
This book is no exception. It has spice, emotional turmoil, bit of drama and hot MC dudes!

Love seeing the second gen characters having their stories told.

[Intel Chicky Reads Romance (Kara Merideth) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trope: age gap
Angst: 😱😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥

Another fabulous story by LM Terry - I just can't seem to get enough of the Rebel Skulls ❤. I love how all the stories have a "fated" aspect to them that just warms your heart. I hope she keeps going with the series, just seems like there's so many stories left to tell!

[Cat H · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.4 stars.

[Wendy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW that was (exhales big breath) 😮‍💨 such an heartfelt, amazing read. My heart broke for what Kelsie endured throughout her life and the shadows that were still tormenting her soul. Tank noticed the pain she was living with and made it his mission to be there for her, to save her from anymore pain. To be her champion.
Their connection was real, they were tethered souls.
I absolutely loved Tank and Kelsie’s story ❤️❤️❤️ it was real and I felt part of it, the emotions written in words were felt by me.
Definitely a page turner, I was engulfed deeper into their lives the further I got into the story.
A very entertaining read and I 100% recommend this book to everyone ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ you will not be disappointed 😎

[Melissa J (Book Addicts Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sixth book in the “Rebel Skulls” series and can be read as a stand alone. BUT I suggest read in the entire series to know all the characters backgrounds.



Well, damn, I love Tank! I love Kelsie! I fucking love the whole crew. I love this series, as well. This series is amazing. You get to continue to hear from all the amazing characters from precious books as well as meet some new ones.

Tank is yummy. Kelsie is strong, resilient, beautiful, and smart. These two together are perfection. Even with the very large age gap. I didn’t mind it one bit.



This series has given us all some kick ass couples. I will say this is my least favorite love story. I love them together but the way they came together felt a little far fetched and didn’t grab me like I had hoped. I devoured this book in one sitting so it’s not like it was bad. I just felt something was missing. Regardless this book had so many ups and downs, heartbreaking moments, uplifting moments, and beautiful moments. Let’s not forget the sexy as sin moments as well.

** I received this book as an ARC and in return gave my honest review**




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[Angela Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Skulls series by LM Terry! The women have overcome so much but they aren’t broken. They meet amazing men who are honestly giant cinnamon rolls. Kelsie and Tank are no exception. I loved that Tank was a little stalkerish and patient with Kelsie while she discovered who she was along the way. I did want to smack Big Dan a few times, but he was just being an overprotective father. It’s also nice to get a glimpse of the characters we love from the previous books. I hope the series continues and doesn’t end anytime soon!

[Erika Braga · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

I am upset that I am rating this lower than 5 ⭐️ like I did all the other books in this series. But this one didn’t do it for me 😭
I am not lying this book still has the magic that the others have and it’s about fate and true love and family. But I didn’t like how it was done it.
We meet Kelsie in Roses and Skulls and as the other women from the series she was also a victim of sex trafficking. But it doesn’t focus on that, we don’t learn all her story and maybe that is part of the fact I didn’t love. But now she’s 19 close to turn 20 years old and Dan and Lilly LITERALLY treat her like she’s 15 years old. She loves, adores and respects them but when she finally meets someone, Tank, they are absolutely against. Tank loves her and stalks her but she knows and likes it, she feels safe with him and the fact that Dan FORBIDS 2 grown adults from seen each other and they literally accept it doesn’t sit well with me…. It’s a little ridiculous that Tank is this GIGANTIC BADASS BIKER that does all kinds of things to help and protect her but when Dan lays the law he simply tells her he will forever wait for her and that they need to wait till Dan accepts him. And after that he never even texts her, talks to her, she never sees him, we don’t get his pov. She knows he is always watching her and she sees signs here and there of him been around, so she knows he loves her. But come fuck on, he is 34 and she is 20 and her “daddy told no” so they are separated for the biggest chunk of the book !!?!?!? The author pushed a little too far in there. It was stupid….. plus the fact that the club don’t accept him after they found out he was undercover , but he was undercover not betraying the club but working to find the trafficker in the club, he was literally putting sex traffickers behind bars or six feet under, the same that the club’s been doing since forever and now they go all high and mighty on him? So NO I didn’t like this book. It has the same beautiful aspects the others have but it’s not even close to the same epic romances, plus no multiple pov’s like the others …..

[Jen Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

That dragonfly comes full circle

This book was different. Yes Kelsie is young, but the girl had been through so much. Tank isn't who you think he is. He's so much more, and the way he is with Kelsie explains him as a man. The lengths he will go for her. Throw in her dark past, a few funny scenes, a few triggers, and Charlotte. She makes the book. It's a heart the of a story. Grab a tissue.

[Gemjar.Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
I enjoyed this book but I didn't love it. I just felt kelsies character is missing something. I know her parents want to protect her after the trauma is endured but I just felt she could have pushed harder. Fought harder for her and Tank than just let her parents decide who she should date. Tank I really liked hence the 4 stars.

[Carly Potter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, bit lighter than what I have been reading of late but still strong with the stalker vibes, intense love and dark history! Loved all the interlinking connections between the lead 2 characters and I’m always there for a hea

[JennyG · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series never gets old and this book did not disappoint.

I love Big Dan but Tank is a close second. Luckily in this book, I got both.

[booklover.mall · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say about this book… That I absolutely loved it, I loved seeing all the other characters from previous books also the symbol of the dragonflies. Shadows and Skulls was a ride from the beginning. LM Terry had me and my emotions all over from laughing, smiling, squirming, angry wanting to hurt someone but also crying and my heart hurting.

I throughly enjoyed reading about Kelsie and Tank. I loved how possessive and he wanted to be close to Kelsie. He need to know everything about her before she told him and anything and his buddy do a background check and our sweet girl Charlotte was giving him little bits about Kelsie. Charlotte knew Kelsie needed someone and that someone was Tank. Kelsie was looking for freedom and peace after everything that she has gone through. She just wanted to be normal but when her brothers left for college everything that she thought was normal wasn’t.

Tank and Kelsie are an amazing couple that I absolutely love and loved seeing them grow with one another. I also enjoyed that their lives were involved from a young age.

[shadow-raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the absolute pleasure of having an ARC of this beautifully crafted masterpiece. Please take note of trigger warning before reading.
This book is equal parts light and dark it tugs at the heartstrings (get the tissues ready), you get some of the old characters in it. I think this one tied in so nicely For Dan, Lilly Jessie and Dirk. The amazing little heroine Charlotte is back to throwing huge spanner’s in the mix. She is such an Angel 😇 with a mahoosive heart especially if you have read the previous book in the series. She definitely sees the soul strings and knows how to tug them in the right direction. Petey with his patience as the go between. I think he also waits to see what antics his daughter is going to get up to next. Ha ha
LM Terry knows just how to grip you from the first page to the last. I was sorry for the book to end but I’m hopeful that the web of her stories has another spider spinning the tale for another member of the motley crew. (Ahem JD ? )
We also got a glimpse of old characters Anthony and Danielle.
I love the world that was created and never get tired of turning the pages. The dragonflies hold a different meaning to different characters but it unites them all as one. I hope you all enjoy reading this beautiful masterpiece as much as I have. I feel totally blessed to have had the opportunity to have the experience of ARC for an honest review. Take a bow you deserve the spotlight !!! I can’t wait for the paperback to join the rest of my copies in my prized home 📚 library. 🖤⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Maria11 · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it as always

Can’t read any book in this series without crying. Such good writing. This has lots of downs but then a huge up. Loved it

[Phoebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

SUMMARY:
Being adopted by Big Dan and Lily had been the equivalent of winning the lottery for Kelsie. They took her in, pruned her, planted her in nutrient rich soil, and began to water her daily. But as she grew, as all cared for plants do, she slowly began to outgrow her pot. The place that had once felt so comfortable, began to press in on her. She allowed herself just enough resources to survive, but nothing more. Until her stalker noticed. And he wasn’t content watching her simply exist in the shade. He wanted to see her bloom. So he coaxed her into the sunlight. Now she has two options—step into growth—or step back into the shadows of safety.

REVIEW:
Shadow and Skulls is the six book in the Rebel Skulls MC series which finally tells the love story for Kelsie and Tank. Kelsie endured a lot of pain and suffering in her life but when she met Billie Rose in the Mental Health Facility her life had changed for the better though it wasn't until she met Tank that she really started to live. The moment that Kelsie told her father Dan that she would be spending the night with a man was the the first step for her to begin her healing with Tank there to help her as he loved her from the start.

Though it was the moment when Kelsie and Tank finally told her parents that they were together was the point in their budding relationship that really put to the test the love they were both feeling for one another since everyone didn't trust Tank. Tank may be older than Kelsie but with each encounter it became apparent that they were meant to be together. I really enjoyed reading about the Rebel Skulls MC characters again since it was a long while since I read the previous book. After finishing this novel I can't wait to find out if JD will be next to fall in love especially with Tank's Ex.

[Adriana · Rating 2 out of 5]

The rating is just because I really love this series but..... I had to DNF at 74%.

I was excited when in the last book we got a glimpse at Kelsie story. This is supose to be read as a standalone however I had a really hard time remembering what happened, there is no complete explanation of her past, at least not in all the part that I was able to read, we have some mentions and bits but it leaves you with a huge hole on this story, I guess if we could have more background info the way Dan and Lilly treat her would be a bit more understandable. BUT taking in count the interactions and previous relationships and how both MCs fight and stand their ground and go against their guardians/parents to be together the fact that Kelsie and Tank just went along with Dan orders to stay away from each other and the treat Kelsie as a child did not sit well with me, it was like I was reading something completely different, I get that Yank was showing respect to Dan in following his wishes to stay away but...come on!! Completely ghost her and just lurk in the dark?

And then the fact that her brothers would share with a friend what happened to her? Not okay, the punishment that her boyfriend and her bully got was childish.

Also I am not against instalove but Tank and Kelsie had almost 0 interactions and they were already 100% in love? After 2 failed trips to get ice cream?

I may come back to this and give it another try because like I said I do love this world and the characters I just felt so lost trying to make sense of the story.

[Julianne · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Beige. I think I'll paint the ceiling beige."

"The story about the sunflowers and how they always fact the sun. Unless it is cloudy, then they face each other."

Wish I could give it five but... the fmc is constantly being treated like a child. She is supposed to be almost 20 years old. Yet, she gets GROUNDED and is not allowed to use her car. Her parents go through her phone. She asks permission to write letters to the man she is in love with because her Dad told her she is not allowed to talk to him, and when he does give permission for them to write to each other he reads the letters that are written back and forth. And her love interest is "an older guy" and "could be her dad" and yet he goes along with it? Ick. Also the fact that the fmc and mmc kept referring to her as a "teenager" because she is 19. Like.. it didn't have to be creepy and then the author made it creepy between her being treated like a child and her being referred to as one.

All that being said, if you ignore all that it is a sweet romance. I just wish that stuff had been approached better because it does make the story a little more.. predatory? and also makes me dislike not only the fmc for letting her dad be so controlling, but also made me get super annoyed with the dad. Especially considering how obvious it was that being away from Tank was hurting her and he still kept them apart after everything she had been through.

[serenity · Rating 5 out of 5]

so healing

tank and kelsie's story is so wholesome, besdies willow's & jackson's, i think it's one of the most healing ones within this entire series. i like that it also gives us more of a look into dan & lily's life as parents too. i hope the twins get a book cause im deff more curious about them now compared to when they appeared in billie rose's book. what did make this book a bit different from the other books is that the main 'antagonist' wasnt some corrupt adult and all that, it was a student, someone who was supposedly friends with the twins too, before they graduated. in the other books, we more so see corrupt adults taking advantage & ab-sing kids & teens. it really showed that 'evil' doesnt have a certain age line, which even kelsie mentions in the book herself. someone 15 years older than her made her feel safe, while someone her age made her feel the same way those corrupt people who hurt her feel. ALSO CAN I JUST SAY JACKSON AND ELIJAH GOING TO TANK'S HOUSE O M G they had too much fun with that, i laughed so hard once they said 'prospect' as they were leaving. its so great. i do hope ash & lexi's story is next, im very curious for them. also charlotte is a riot, that kid is gonna give the entire club a run for their money when she's a teenager. and pfff poor dirk, i swear he had another moment in this book of 'i am too d-mn old for this sh-t'

[KitKat821 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot say enough how amazing this entire series is to read. If you love dark MC romance that is action packed and grips your heart - then you need to read the Rebel Skulls MC series by LM Terry.

Shadow and Skulls is the 6th book in the series and we get to see how Kelsie, the adopted daughter of Dan and Lily (from Book #2), is handling life and adjusting after her traumatic and damaging childhood of being trafficked by her uncle (trigger warning there is some detail to this). She may be 20, but she’s finishing high school and is just not fully processing or letting everyone see the darkness in her. She’s broken, but putting herself back together with all of the jagged pieces and trying to determine how to fit into her life.

Do you love stalkers like me? Well, enter Tank, who has his own secrets, and is visiting from a different chapter and he becomes instantly drawn too (obsessed with - so hot) Kelsie. He can’t help following her, watching her through her windows, and ultimately protecting her. His secrets are problematic for the club and loyalty, trustworthiness, etc. all become a problem.

We get to see old favorites from other books and I adore that. There is of course drama, angst, violence, action, and yummy smut. It’s all wonderful and I’m already dying for the next book.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good!

I crieddddd so much reading this book. Sweet Kelsie is all grown up! I loved getting a look at her past. We got a glimpse of it in Avenging but I’m happy to add her backstory to the club! Tank was just amazing! I wish we would’ve gotten more chapters from him. Loveddddd the past characters coming out to play especially Dirk Jackson and little Charlotte. Dan and Lily still have my whole heart. Their parenting was top tier.

SPOILERS
I cried when Dan’s mom passed. Then Kelsie’s mom right after. I died laughing at the super glue chapter (they deserved it).

The end left me wanting more. There was a lot of time spent on Kelsie’s schooling that I wish would’ve been spent on the blossoming relationship between her and Tank. I would’ve liked to see an epilogue of them in the future. Maybe Kelsie figuring out what she wanted to do with her life. Similar to Lily going into business with JD, Dan and Jesse, Billie Rose & Elijah. Maybe we’ll get that in another book.

THIS IS ME BEGGINGGGG FOR JD’s story! It seems like we got a little teaser. But I hope it’s really happening. I fell in love with him in Watercolor and have been waiting for it ever since.

[Sarah_A6210 · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best biker series ever

I adore this series. Every book has been fantastic and this was no different.
The FMC is Kelsie, Big Dan’s little girl, she has being wearing a mask since she was saved. She wanted the carefree life she missed out on. Trauma doesn’t stay ignored and she feels herself pulled more and more into the shadows that she doesn’t know how to escape.

Until she meets the MMC Tank. Sure he’s stalking her, he’s also the only one who can see her in the dark.

I loved how in depth the characters were. Kelsie was very understanding of how much her parents were trying to protect her, even when she felt they were being overprotective over Tank.

Tank was the quiet protector, always in the shadows, he wasn’t afraid of big Dan but was respectful of him and Kelsie’s need to heal. He was a steady constant of faith.

I love the way these books all have the faith and ‘what will be, will be’ mantra woven into the stories.

These books can be read as standalone but honestly each one is so beautifully written and strong that reading them really is a true journey and joy

5⭐️2🌶️

[Erin Badertscher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this one just as much as the rest but I just felt overall really disappointed. Starting out I was excited to learn more about Kelsie and her experience with being trafficked and self harm (like we did with all the other FMCs) but that all got brushed under the rug it felt like. Also, I get that she had a rough childhood and was adopted by Dan and Lilly when she was 15 but come on the main chunk of the story takes place when she was 19 almost 20 and yet she was never allowed to act like a grown up and most importantly she never stood up for herself and put her family in their place like the other FMCs did. Tanks character was a great little twist but I was disappointed in how passive he seemed to be when it came to fighting for Kelsie and him. I’m all for respecting Dan’s wishes but he really did kind of ghost Kelsie after they came clean to her parents. I’m glad for a HEA but it just seemed like so much of this book was rushed and incongruent with the rest of the series. On the plus side I do hope to get a few more books with Ash and JD.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This whole series has had me in a chokehold since book 1. Watching all of the characters I love get their chance at love and healing makes my heart smile. This book was no different, I wasn't prepared for the tissues I needed though.
This is Kelsie and Tank's story. We met Kelsey in a previous book, life hadn't been easy for her. Dan and Lily adopted her and she got the family that she deserved. Unfortunately, while everyone in the club thought she was doing okay, she was just going through the motions.
Tank is the VP from a different chapter, he has secrets. He wasn't expecting to meet a woman who called to his shadows. Even though they were forced apart for a large amount of this book, their connection was incredibly deep. Tank allowed Kelsie to be herself and that was a huge step in her healing. There was heartbreak, but the MCs finding light in the darkness from each other was everything I didn't know I needed. I can't wait for the next book!

[T Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

DARK

HEA
Standalone, interconnected characters
Rebel Skulls MC

Multiple PoV

Trigger/ Content warnings
Age-gap (15 yrs)
Trafficking
SA
Violence
Drugs
Death
Mental health
Dubious consent
BDSM elements
Bullying
Humiliation
Stalking

Kelsie was brought into the Skulls and adopted by Big Dan after her stint in the mental health facility where she met Billie Rose. She's not adjusting as well as everyone thinks she is. While she does start out in high school, she is almost 20 years old. Tank is a visiting VP of another chapter. They are so connected it's not even funny. They are from the same small town in Iowa, and both have loved ones in the same nursing home back home. He knows way more about her than he should, and he's relentlessly stalking her. Big Dan is so against this that Tank's life may be shorter than he plans.

Do not get attached to side characters.
Being tissues.
I really hope this series continues.

[Tabetha Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

I absolutely love this entire series and I recommend it to anyone who will listen. I was so excited when I got the opportunity to read the ARC.

Man this book hit the ground running. I was so excited to read Kelsie’s story and to find out who her man was. I loved seeing Lily and Big Dan as parents and how much they loved Kelsie and let her grow and heal the way she needed to. There were some parts that felt rushed to me but I loved this story regardless of that.

The relationship between Kelsie and Tank was amazing and crazy and all consuming. The way their history and lives intertwined was incredible. They healed each other and loved each other so hard.

It was definitely a heartbreaking, spicy, emotional and fast paced story and I loved every second of it. I cannot wait to see where the rest of this series goes!

[Catherine Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely loved it!

I love the Skulls world, the family and their beliefs. This book was such an amazing addition to this series.
It was lovely to read about what has been happening with characters from previous books, also seeing the different view point of the situation with Charlotte.
Love Tank, he is such a mystery, we see glimpses of him but so much of his background is hidden. His obsession and possessiveness of Kelsie was utterly fascinating.
Dan and his fatherly protectiveness and really the whole Skulls family’s concern from Kelsie was so beautifully written.
The trauma from the past and artfully and tastefully written, the quote about the beige honestly had me in tears by the end.
This is a unique love story that I never wanted to end.
I can’t wait to read more future books in this series - hoping Ash is next.

[rainbooksonme · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadow and Skulls follows Kelsie years after she overcame a traumatic past, met and befriended a Rebel Skull princess, and was adopted by Lily and Big Dan.

Kelsie is embraced by a loving family, with two older brothers, dedicated parents, and grandparents who all adore her. Yet over time, Kelsie is reminded of where she came from and questions her self-worth in her new environment.

Smitten by the young beauty, Tank sets out to protect and remind Kelsie just how valuable she is, becoming her unlikely savior during her time of need.

I love this series!!!!
The Rebel Skull MC has a running theme that begins with Book 1, Sugar and Skulls and intersects throughout the series.
This series is very emotional and sometimes tough to read, but if you can get past the first book, you will become addicted to the rest.

[Trish Watton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read every other book in this series I'm not surprised this one was just as amazing.
I loved getting to know Kelsie and Hank and wow it was another emotional book that had you feeling happy and sad when they were! Loving this book was easy and it made it hard to put it down once you started reading it. At points in this book you felt like you really connected with the characters and while I was very happy to read about my other favourite characters in this series I'm glad we got to know Kelsie more and Hank, well Hank is Hank. It has all the feels
I rated this 5 stars as I found it yet again amazing
LM Terry is a great author and I am not surprised this was another fabulous story

[Vera Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!!

I knew this one was going to be tougher then the rest to read but damm it was so worth it. I happen to find sugar and skull one day when I was in a slump and nothing was catching my attention and I can honestly say iv never regretted it. This series has had me gripped and if loved every minute of it and each story just gives me a little more hope that my life will get better and I can over come the things that happened to me and helped me realise that none of it was my fault. These books and these women will always hold a special place in my heart and the men well wow lol. Thank you LM Terry you have quite litteraly helped me by writing these books. 100% 5 star reads