Ruin

Hell's Mayhem MC, Maine Chapter #2

by Penny Fox

He's the only man who makes me weak. He’s the only man strong enough to ruin me. And he’s the only man I’ll ever love.

Snapper
No questions. No witnesses. No attachments. No casualties.
That’s the code I live by in the Hell's Mayhem MC. It keeps me in check, keeps the monster my father created under control. At least, it did—until Lucian storms back into my life, threatening to unravel everything I’ve built. Now, I'm stuck proving my loyalty all over again.
Can I bury my past along with Lucian? Or will my secrets consume me before I get the chance?

Lucian

Obsession has a cost. I wasn’t willing to pay it before, but now that I’m back, with him so damn close, I don’t care about the consequences.
They call him dangerous, and they’re not wrong—I’ve seen what he’s capable of. But the only thing he’s ever destroyed is me.
Can I walk away before I lose myself completely? Or will my obsession destroy us both?

*The club storyline will make the most sense if the books are read in order, but it isn't necessary as each book focuses on a different relationship.

Genres: M M Romance, LGBT, Second Chance

546 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 12, 2025

Reviews

[NitaBee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hell's Mayhem MC: Maine Chapter book 2


Book 1 is about Kolton’s brother and Cora.


Kolton at twenty is fucking Lucien ,his father’s best friend.

Koltons fathers is in the bike club Hell’s Mayhem MC.

Koltons dad treats his kids like shit and only cares about the club, which includes doing shitty things.

Lucian is a kind man who loves his son so much that he’s his first priority, even over his job as a surgeon.

Oh … and Lucien is married with a son Koltons age.

Kolton at Twenty three, now has a club name - Snapper. I don’t think he’s with Lucien? Lucien is still married

Kolton at Twenty six is about to be broken hearted.

Lucien shows him divorce papers and tells him they can leave . They make plans to meet up the next night to run away together but Lucien never shows up.

Present day
Kolton would be 35. Lucien would be 57.

‘I hate him. I hate him for breaking me. I hate him for fucking ruining me.’

After 9 years Lucien is back in town. The club is doing charity for the local school and as part of the event Lucien is getting an award.

Oh no….Koltons father sexually abused him as a child.

Kolton hates the club and the only thing he likes about it is raising money for charity and helping g kids but the club is the only thing he has in his life.

He asks Lucien for 18 grand and Lucien just writes him a check , no questions asked.

‘He pulls into the lot a few moments after me, and my stomach drops, my mind going to all the times I met him here in the middle of the night without a single other soul knowing. It was our spot. Everything happened here. All of our firsts. Right here, in this parking lot.’

There’s little flash back scenes sprinkled in the book too.

Lucien has bought a house in town , he’s moving back . Kolton is his and he will get him back.

‘When I left Kolton waiting for me that night, I left my heart with him.

I’ve loved Kolton for a very long time. All it took was a kiss from him to see that I hadn’t been living at all.‘

Oh did Lucien’s son die?

Kolton rescues a heavily pregnant woman, Anastacia, from a rival bike gang. She has to stay with him. Lucien helps him

His bike clubs prez is a dick, no one likes him and he’s not a good club president .

The tension breaks and they have sexy times. Kolton probably views it as hate sex.

“I’m done fucking around with married men who don’t give a fuck about me!” I call after him.

Ugh Lucien isn’t divorced so why is he still chasing Kolton? He says he’s separated but why isn’t he divorced after a decade of not being with the man he says he loves? Arghhh

What is his reason for leaving? Lucien is going to wait until things are good between them 😩

‘Leaving him there had nothing to do with my marriage. It had nothing to do with Beth. It had nothing to do with the affair Kolton and I were having. I’ll explain it all to him one day, when the time is right.’


Maybe Lucien’s son didn’t die.

Anyway Kolton and Lucien have sexy times again. Lucien begs him to give him another chance.

Kolton needs a few days to think on it but agrees.

Kolton discovers Lucien’s son Luke had an accident nine years ago - when they were supposed to run away together - and has been in a coma since then. Oh wait he was brain dead so … why is he being kept in a coma? The person is legally and medically dead, even if machines are keeping their heart beating and lungs moving air. But they waited nine years for him to wake up?

Ive confused myself

Anastacia has a baby girl. Grizz is totally gone for both girls 🥰

Kolton and his brother burn down their childhood home. Kolton tells Lucien about his father and the sexual abuse he endured.

There’s bikie club business. Shit gets handled.

Kolton thinks Lucien lied to him again about being divorced.

Then Lucien’s wife Beth pays a visit to Kolton 😱

Ok well Beth is a stronger woman than I am 😅

Lucien and Kolton make up.

‘I turn on my side and cuddle up to him. “I love you,” I whisper. “I love you too, sweet boy.”

UP NEXT

Raze (Hell's Mayhem MC: Maine Chapter Book 3)

He never thought he’d fall. She never thought she’d survive.

Anastacia
I never knew what safety felt like—until him.
Grizz is loud, reckless, and everything I should be afraid of… but he’s the only one who’s made me feel protected. After escaping the MC that kept me prisoner, I should be running far from this world. But I’m pregnant. Alone. And terrified.
Grizz says he’ll keep us safe.
But the men who hurt me—they're not finished. And I don’t know if even he can stop them.

Grizz
I never planned on settling down.
The club’s my family, and I’ve always been the screw-up with a joke on my lips and blood on my hands.
Then Anastacia happened. She’s soft, quiet, and so damn breakable—and she’s carrying a baby that’s mine to protect, no matter what.
I don’t know how to be a dad, but I know how to kill.
And if the Iron Runners think they’re getting anywhere near her again, I’ll show them exactly what kind of monster I can be.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love a broken boy that finally lets someone in to help him heal himself. Kolton has been through so much in his life but one of the hardest was falling for his father's best friend, Lucian. Their chemistry was excellent but Lucian was married and they had a secret relationship for almost a decade. One night Lucian leaves and Kolton doesn't see him for almost another decade. Lucian is back in town and wants to show Kolton that he's there for him and wants them to work. He knows he needs to gain his trust again. Lucian does all he can to show Kolton but Kolton is so hurt, he can't open up. Add on all the MC drama Kolton has so much on his plate.
Will Lucian be able to prove to Kolton that he's on this for good now?

[Jenn M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Such an Emotional Read!



I knew I would love this read …. I love everything this author writes but I didn’t expect this one to be as emotional as it was. My heart broke over and over and over for Kolton and I just wanted to smack Lucien …well until I didn’t and then I just wanted to hug him.


This story had such depth and range that it has blown my mind. Penny Fox has outdid herself with this one. I love my Biker reads and this one has become one of my favourites. Kolton’s story is one that I will definitely read again—something I rarely do. It was that good!


I strongly encourage everyone who loves darker biker reads to grab this one today!

[Seraphina Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruin
Hells Mayhem MC Book 2
Penny Fox

Kolton & Lucian
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶

Age gap
Dad's best friend
Second chance
Motorcycle club
Bikers
Primal play

Wow
So this was great

Kolton has had a hard life, abused by his dad and loving a married man.

Kolton and Lucien had a secret relationship for years, Lucian being married and also Kolton's dads best friend. The relationship could not go anywhere

Lucian making promises and not keeping them end up breaking Kolton

“You are mine, Kolton. You always have been, and you always will be. Whether you like it or not.”

Years later still a member of the MC and much more rough around the edges runs into Lucien after way too many years

Kolton is naturally hurt and angry, wanting nothing to do with Lucien.

The angst and tension between the two were great. Plus the plot had a lot of action from the club and other people in the book.

“Anything you want, sweet boy,”

I really enjoyed this

So glad they worked it out and got their hea

So thankful for this arc

[JustJen "Miss Conduct" · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars - This is book 2 of a romance series that I decided to pick up when I saw it was m/m. Books 1 and 3 appear to be m/f about existing characters which would certainly round out the overall story. However, I never felt lost having not read the first book and was quickly sucked into the current timeline. Here, we have Kolton, aka Snapper, Treasurer of the MC, along with his brother, Kaison, aka Shark (whom book 1 focuses on), the current VP of the MC, who are following in their now deceased father’s footsteps in the MC. There is a lot of family backstory that plays into who these guys are today and how they got here. Snapper is the one who took the brunt of it and it explains a good bit about his current mentality and lack of actual interest in the club.

Lucian was Snapper’s dad’s best friend who has no connection to the MC. He and Kolton, began a “relationship” many years ago when Kolton was a teen and Lucian was married with a son Kolton’s age. A promise to leave his wife and pick up Kolton to start anew was broken in what seems an irretrievable way. Now, Lucian is back with a plan to make amends and prove his love and devotion to make things right with Kolton. Needless to say, it isn’t easy to win Kolton back over. He has been through an awful lot of hurtful stuff and now has some pretty deep trust issues to overcome. On top of all that, Kolton is dealing with some shady things going on in the MC with the current Prez and things are pretty precarious for most of this story.

Lucian is set on his plan though, and he very carefully handles Kolton with the push/pull needed to eventually succeed. It is clear to see the chemistry these two had and how they ended up together in the first place. I really liked these two together and was rooting for them to get past all of the miscommunications and truths coming to light so they could move on together. Further, Kolton and Kaison’s relationship does some mending in this installment as well. Now that everything is in the open about their father and what he put Kolton through, Kaison is set on making up for lost time in the big brother department. I liked how it didn’t happen overnight but you could definitely see progression in all of Kolton’s relationships and issues.

This was my first book by Ms. Fox, and I really enjoyed it. I was turning pages quickly and would never have guessed it was almost 550 pages. That, to me, is good storytelling. The next book is also m/f about one of the other MC characters and someone they helped in this story. It seems that Kolton’s book was the darker of the three, which I didn’t mind at all, but I would mind the tags and then just enjoy the ride. I will definitely be looking out for more m/m from Ms. Fox in the future.

Review written for Love Bytes Review.

[Manuela Molteni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penny Fox really said, “pain, angst, obsession, and smut? Let’s toss it all in and shake well.” And oh, she delivered.

This second ride in the Hell’s Mayem MC series shifts the spotlight to Kolton—Kaison’s brother—and his tangled, scorching connection with Lucian. Don’t panic if you skipped book one; Ruin works perfectly as a standalone. The alternating then and now narrative is brilliant, weaving past and present into a story so layered you can practically feel the ache bleeding off the page. Their history is messy, their present is explosive, and their chemistry? Off the charts.

Kolton’s chapters often sting with pain and half-truths, while Lucian—who wears the “villain” mask a little too well—slowly peels back into someone you can’t help but root for. By the time you’re done, you’ll be waving pom-poms for their HEA like a deranged cheerleader.

And while all that emotional chaos is happening, the MC plot hums fast and fierce in the background, teasing just enough of what’s coming next. Add in Fox’s signature humor (yes, the “pacifier” moment had me laughing loud enough to scare the dog), plenty of spice, and the perfect dose of heartbreak—and what you get is a book that refuses to let you go until the very last page.

Bottom line: Ruin is angsty, addictive, and surprisingly tender under all that grit. Penny Fox has officially secured her spot as one of those authors who can make you cry, laugh, and fan yourself all in the span of three pages.

[Tashyka · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was quite a roller coaster. Kolton is devastated; he's still reeling from a relationship that began when he was young but ultimately ended in tragedy. Because of his painful history with Lucian and abandonment, he has difficulty trusting others, listening attentively, and letting go. Lucian continues to battle for him despite the fact that he is stubborn and hence his own greatest adversary. Everything is rocked by Lucian's reappearance. He abandoned Kolton once, and the wounds were severe. He has returned now to demonstrate his devotion and demonstrate to Kolton that he has never been unfaithful. The lengthy process of Kolton re-opening to himself after struggling with rage, confusion, and the memory of his abusive father was both beautiful and tragic to watch. You find yourself cheering for them through thick and thin as their love unfolds, despite its rawness, uncertainty, and messiness. When Kolton starts to trust again, it seems like a win you've been anticipating, and the strain of "will they or won't they make it" keeps you turning pages. An emotionally wrenching tale of first love, betrayal, redemption, and the bravery to put one's heart out there once again. The ordeal that Kolton and Lucian endure is intense, dramatic, and unlike any other.I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.

[BookishEchoes · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Review
Ruin by Penny Fox

First off, I really appreciate that this book can be read as a standalone. Even if you’re new to the series, you won’t feel lost—and that’s such a huge plus. Penny Fox does a fantastic job introducing Snapper and Lucian, giving us just enough of their pasts to understand who they are before showing how their bond reignites.

I absolutely loved the way their backstories were woven in—it added so much depth and made their connection feel real and powerful. Watching them come back together, facing their struggles and obsession, had my heart in a chokehold. I was rooting for their happily ever after the whole way through, and the author did not disappoint!

This story had all the elements I look for in a great romance: emotion, heat, tension, and unforgettable characters. It completely exceeded my expectations, and I honestly can’t wait to see what Penny Fox brings us next in this series.

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[S.M. Harshell · Rating 4 out of 5]

RUIN is the second installment in the Hell's Mayhem MC, Maine Chapter series. I did read this as a standalone without reading book one. It's a dad's best friend, age-gap, second chance romance.

Lucian is Kolton's dad's best friend. Lucian is also married and he's had a secret relationship with Kolton for years. Until Kolton can't take the broken promises anymore. He's been broken by his father but what Lucian has done breaks him more than he ever thought possible. After years of being apart they find themselves back together. Kolton doesn't want to let Lucian in but he can't help but want him even though he's been hurt. Lucian needs to prove his love for Kolton. Show Kolton he's it for him.

Kolton and Lucian have explosive chemistry when they are together. But I loved seeing Lucian having to fight for Kolton and Kolton learning to trust again. Their emotions are so raw and heartbreaking. I was pulling for them but I honestly didn't know if they were going to make it. I loved the past/present so you can feel all the hurt they both have over what happened between them.

This is a new to me author and I can't wait to go back and get caught up on this series!

I was given a free copy of this book to read and review of Gay Romance Reviews.

[Nina Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

'There are no emotions here— I’m incapable of that, numb to all of it. Being treated like trash your whole life will do that to you. At some point you stop feeling human. Though, deep down, there’s only one person to blame for most of it. Or maybe I should thank him for making me this way. I don’t need to walk around, crying about a broken heart. That makes you weak. The good thing is you can’t break what isn’t there at all.'

I loved this book. It was a suspenseful hurt/comfort second chance romance. Great world building and wonderful characters. I loved Kolton and Lucian [once I learned the whole story]. My goodness- my heart ACHED! at the years that went by in their past. Poor Kolton just waiting and hoping with bated breath until he and Lucian could finally be together and when it finally looked like they would... Lucian vanishes. That was painful to read. Being trapped there, his father's abuse- he was just broken and worn down by years of not really mattering to anyone. I was salivating to learn the whole truth, see the chemistry still burn between them, and for Kolton to heal and find a way forward. Finally get his happiness. I was hooked. An intense and emotional read. 5 stars

[Tracy Gratton · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an emotional ride. Kolton is so broken, carrying the weight of a love that started young and ended in heartbreak. His past with Lucian, and the pain of being left behind, shaped him into someone who struggles to trust, listen, or let go. He’s stubborn, his own worst enemy, but that doesn’t stop Lucian from fighting for him.

Lucian’s return shakes everything. He left Kolton once, and the scars from that abandonment cut deep. Now, he’s back to prove his love, to show Kolton that he’s always had his heart. Watching Kolton wrestle with his anger, confusion, and the shadow of an abusive father while slowly allowing himself to open up again was heartbreaking and beautiful.

Their relationship is messy, raw, and uncertain, but you can’t help rooting for them every step of the way. The tension of “will they or won’t they make it” keeps you turning pages, and when Kolton begins to trust again, it feels like a victory you’ve been waiting for.

A powerful story about first love, betrayal, healing, and the courage to risk your heart again. Kolton and Lucian’s journey is painful, passionate, and unforgettable.

[Jana Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Things ran hot and quick for Ruin! Seriously, this book did not feel like the almost 400 pages it is!

Kolton, aka Snapper, is most definitely a sad boi (for good reason). Full of unbridled angst, he goes about his days ruminating his love for Lucian and his complicated relationship with his brother and their MC. I found Kolton’s poor attitude a bit tiresome at times, but it made the more intimate moments all the more lovely.

Lucian gives me soft dom vibes a bit (????) with his affinity for his “sweet boy,” gentle tones, and the hot hot dynamic shown in the steamy scenes. I would have loved more chapters in Lucian’s POV just to give his character more depth and emotion.

The overarching MC plot was interesting, but I must admit that I was more interested in the romantic through-line than the action of the book.

A few things to expect from Ruin:
- age gap / dad’s best friend
- second chance / right person, wrong time
- doctor MC
- OCD / mental illness rep
- both soft & sweet and hot & rough times

Thank you to the author and to Gay Romance Reviews for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!

[sycokittykat - Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

He's been abused and forgotten now he's just broken

Oh poor sweet Kolton has Benn through so much in his life. He was abused by his father and when that stopped he fell for his father's best friend who was significantly older than him. Oh and that man was also married to a woman so they had to sneak around.

One promise to leave his wife so they can be together, except he never showed up or reached out that night. Now years later he's back in town and wants to talk. Can Kolton find it in him to lower his walls for a chance to find what he has been missing?

This book is has so much angst in it. I love a second chance romance and especially healing after being hurt. Lucian wants to give Kolton everything but that means also giving him the truth about why he never showed up.

These 2 men are absolute perfection together once they can get out of their own way at least. They are able to bring balance and healing to each other and it's a beautiful mess. They definitely have a lot going against them but together they can heal from everything that has hurt them and kept them apart.

[Kristen Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kolton is such a sad character with a back story that no one ever wants a person to have. He had such a rough childhood and had every male figure let him down in some way or another that he finds it hard to trust anyone.

Lucien comes back into Kolton's life and needs to fight for a place in it. I admit the first half of the book I couldn't stand Lucien and thought he needed to go fly a kite but ad the book goes on and you find his reasoning for what he did, I understood and started to like him.

Kolton and Lucien are perfect together once they learned to be truthful and honest with each other.

Penny Fox wrote Kolton into a character that you can't help but feel all the feelings for. You are sad and angry about his back story, excited and happy about his happy ending, and disappointed in how he reacts at times. It is a struggle to have a reader experience all the emotions about a character.

Penny did a great job on this book and I cannot wait to see the rest of the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nicole M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes the ways in which you relate to a character are not your best qualities or experiences. Sometimes you've both experienced similar traumas in life, sometimes you process grief the same, sometimes you have insecurities from said trauma and grief. To say Kolton has dealt with some crap in his life is an understatement and, unfortunately, some of his brokenness is very relatable. Even the moments where you know his viewpoint is tainted with pain and misinformation, you understand his defense mechanisms because you know.. broken 😭🤷‍♀️. I felt so much for Kolton and truly did not like Lucian for a whole lot of this book because so much of what you learn is through Kolton's pain.
Then there is a beautiful moment and Penny Fox always does an amazing job with these healing moments for the reader when you realize that you are feeling all of the character feels and not necessarily the whole story. You learn there is still more to go and you keep reading and it is so good. I love a story that can break me and heal me and Penny Fox always delivers.

[Miruru Shouting · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was about 90% angst and had my heart all over the place. Poor Kolton didn't have an easy life, and what he and Lucian went through didn't help his trust or anger issues.

We're kept in the dark for most of the book about what went down 9 years ago, and why Lucian never showed up, until we learn the real reason later. There was so many secrets that Lucian kept about the past, it was preventing the two of them from moving forward.

I'm just glad most of the angst was relationship and some club member stuff, and not actual club activities because that would be too much angst for me to take. Glad nothing happened to Anastacia, and the club sorted itself out near the end.

Though the relationship angst kept coming even when we thought everything was over, I'm glad Beth was able to clear things up for Kolton and there was no animosity. Lucian and Kolton are so hot together and have such amazing chemistry, I'm so relieved everything worked out in the end.

Stands-alone well since I never read book 1.

[Grinning Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know, when I started this book I was strongly disliking the MMC’s love interest. Especially because he was best friends with the MMC’s abuser. But I found out he didn’t know about the abuse, and though I’m not a huge fan of age gap, Kolton and Lucian were a good couple. This book deals with the fallout from the secrets revealed in book one, so it’s better if you read that first.
Cat’s Stats
MMC/Secondary MC- Kolton and Lucian (most of the book is from Kolton’s POV)
Genre- MC Romance
Heat- M/M, explicit, open door.
Series? Y
Safety? CSA is discussed. Cheating.
Triggers- CSA discussed, physical abuse of child is discussed, SA discussed, violence, language.
Tropes- Second Chance, Hero with Mental Illness, Separation Anxiety, Coming Out, Father’s Best Friend, Baby You Can Drive My Car-tel, Labor and Delivery Panic.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jordan Fiest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruin is book two of the Hell's Mayhem MC: Maine Chapter Series.

Now while I don't condone the actions which Snapper and Lucien do, I acknowledge that there was love there and it is a difficult position they were in.

Snapper got his names justly. He is quick to anger and snaps at a lot of people. But he also has a softer side which we see with his charity work. You could feel all of the pain and suffering he has gone through in the past and I thought this was depicted quite well. I felt bad for him as he had a crappy childhood and then when he thought he finally found some happiness, that was taken from him as well. It does take him awhile to calm down and think rationally about things. A guardian angel no one was excepting came knocking some sense into him.

This story gave us a hint at the next book in the series and I can't wait to read it.

[Sammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything I hoped for and more! Snapper’s story gutted me in the best possible way—his rules, his walls, his struggle to stay in control made him such a complex, unforgettable character. And then came Lucian, the one person who could break through his armor and force him to face the past he’s been running from.

The chemistry between Snapper (Kolton) and Lucian was raw, emotional, and completely addictive. Every stolen moment, every sharp word, every ounce of tension kept me glued to the pages. Penny Fox doesn’t just write romance—she writes heartbreak, healing, and the kind of love that consumes you.

This book is gritty, emotional, and beautifully intense. Ruin is without a doubt a standout in the Hell’s Mayhem MC series, and Snapper and Lucian’s story will stay with me long after the last page.

[Kimberly Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is my second mc (motorcycle club) Romance and I loved it. the age-gap. the lovers to enemies to lovers. the YEARNING. 😮‍💨 TOP TIER. The MM romance is one of my favorites for sure!
This storyline follow Kolton (who by all means is literally a spitefire) and Lucian(his dad's best friend who should've been off limits). poor Kolton goes through it as a child til he's a 19 years old. at that point he makes a move on Lucian and later it gets going between them too. unfortunately some events happen that requires Lucian to leave our sweet boy.
9 years later he returns hoping to fix the relationship he once broke with kolton but as he's gotten older, the more hot-headed he got. Kolton won't make it easy for our doctor Lucian.

There is so many twist and turns in this book I loved it tho. this a definitely a 5 star read for me.

[Karen Sorg · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! How do you live after you have been broken so bad? Kolton lost his mom at a young age. Then life turned on him. His father was head of the MC's Maine Chapter and he was punished in unique ways. His brother Kaison was the golden child and did not go through what Kolton did. When you are angry and young all you want is someone who will fix you. Kolton thought he found his someone until he did not show when he needed him most. All of his life there was nobody in his corner, until there was. This is about how a young man who is so badly broken and is so angry and how he finds his love. When love is there everything can become rainbows and unicorns. Love this book and it's intensity.

[GreenPhoenix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruin is a raw and emotional second-chance romance that really dives into heartbreak, betrayal, and finding redemption. Kolton has been carrying the weight of his past for years: dealing with an abusive dad, a secret thing with his dad's best friend, and the pain of being left behind by Lucian, the guy he loved most. Now, Lucian is back and ready to prove he’s serious about making things right and winning Kolton’s trust again, no matter how many barriers Kolton has put up. Their reunion is messy, passionate, and totally real, packed with some MC grit, intense chemistry, and the slow, delicate process of rebuilding trust in love.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amanda Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I loved this one. Kolton is such a broken boy, carrying years of abuse and heartbreak, and my heart just ached for him. His secret relationship with Lucian...his dad’s best friend, who also happened to be married, was messy, intense, and impossible to look away from. When Lucian left, Kolton was shattered, and now, years later, Lucian is back and desperate to prove he’s here to stay.

The angst, the MC drama, the push and pull between them...it was all so good. Their chemistry is fire, their history makes everything even more emotional, and the primal play adds the perfect edge.

This second-chance, age-gap, dad’s-best-friend romance gave me everything I wanted: grit, passion, and a love story that hurts in the best way.

[Brittany St Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an emotional ride. Kolton is so, so broken. His relationship with Lucian is one that started when he was young, and the pain it caused him, he carried that with him. He has a hard time trusting and listening. He is incredibly stubborn, and his own worst enemy, but that doesn't stop Lucian from loving him. Lucian fights for Kolton, and does what he can to prove to Kolton that Kolton has Lucians heart. There is a lot of wonder around if theyre going to make it because of what Kolton is going though, but you're rooting for him, and them. Even though Kolton was so unsure, I enjoyed the way he processed and how he allowed himself to open back up to Lucian.

[Showarst · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ruin by Penny Fox is book 2 in the Hell’s Mayhem MC Maine Chapter series. I have not read book 1 so this can be read as a standalone. I was looking forward to this after reading the blurb, but upon reading the first 20% I just hated Lucian. He broke Kolton’s heart, abandoned him, then came back ten years later expecting him to just accept him back. And that bs about not telling Kolton the whole truth until he committed to him? That made me hate him even more. He needed to be completely open and honest and let Kolton decide from there. Then Lucian had the gall to be upset when Kolton couldn’t trust him???? Wonder why…

I received an ARC from GRR for my honest review.

[Alia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC. This was my first Penny Fox novel. This was enjoyable. It was the second in the series but I didn’t feel like I was missing too much. Kolton is one hurt man. I feel bad for him. He let himself live Lucian and hope to start a life with him when he just never picks him up or contacts him u til he returns 9urs later. Kolton is so hurt because of this. The miscommunication is this was frustrating for me to read. I just wished Kolton would shut up and listen, I get that Kolton needs to protects himself but I just wanted him to listen to Lucian and give him a chance to explain. The spice in this was good but rough. I did enjoy this book

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kolton is full of anger, over the top, pure rage. Since he was 19, he had an affair with his Dad's married BF, Lucian. Lucian strung him along until he was 26 and then left him in the small town with an abusive Dad and a brother who ignored him, left him with only a motorcycle club he hated. Now, 9 years later, Lucian is back and wants to be with him but Kolton can't get over his abandonment, his hopes and dreams destroyed, his love crushed and heart broken. Lucian always loved him, so much he couldn't share with him. So much steam and desire, hurt and angst, secrets and wants. I received a copy of this through GRR and this is my voluntary opinion.

[SJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hell's Mayhem MC: Maine Chapter Book 2

I was not prepared for how emotional this MM MC romance would be. My heart was in my throat throughout the book. The story is full of angst, tension, and extra spicy romance. Penny Fox has a way of making me feel all the emotions along with her characters and keeping my attention throughout the book. Check your TW because some difficult topics are discussed.

Kolton and Lucian have a connection and fire that is undeniable. They go through a lot of heartache before reaching their HEA but it made for such a great emotional journey and satisfying ending.

Tropes:
Age gap
Dad’s best friend
Second chance
Forbidden
MC
Primal scene
MM
Dual POV

[Library.of.linds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m currently in my MC era and I do believe this is one of my absolute favorites!!! It’s spicy, has tons of twists, and I could not put it down. This is book two out of the series, but they can be read in any order. I haven’t read book one first but it’s up next!!

Kolton was in love with his dad’s friend until he left and broke his heart. Lucien has always cared for Kolton but life has its way of throwing wrinkles in our plans. Their character development was freaking amazing and I love how they grow and deal with things together. I can’t wait to read the others in the series. I really want Shark and Cora’s story!

[Emma Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penny Fox delivers another gritty, addictive ride in Hell’s Mayhem MC #2. This story dives deep into obsession, loyalty, and the kind of love that burns hot enough to destroy. Snapper and Lucian’s reunion is raw and messy—equal parts dangerous and tender—and the push-pull between them makes every page feel electric. Dark secrets, MC politics, and forbidden passion collide in a way that keeps you hooked. If you love your romances intense, emotional, and edged with danger, this one will grab you and not let go.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.