Nicole Abrams is best known for her debut contemporary romance novel, Finding Caroline. Born in Georgia, she moved frequently with her military family, finally settling back into her home state as an adult. Always an avid reader, she eventually started journaling and writing short stories, which led to the creation of her first book. Nicole is a breast cancer survivor, beating her diagnosis in 2021 after undergoing surgery and radiation. She has an unhealthy obsession with the TV show Friends and when she is not writing you can find her spending time with the man of her dreams and their son.
I struggled through this book and eventually had to dnf it. It was a mix of typical and overdone character stories. It got to the point where I saw what was coming lol
Wow what a book. I was utterly hooked from the first page. This book is gritty and a little dark and I absolutely loved it. Malachi and Candace are the perfect match. I loved the back and forth with them and how Malachi just understood exactly what Candace needed. These two are off the charts hot. The chemistry is sizzling. This book is all go from the very beginning and I loved that we get glimpses of all Nicoles previous characters. I can just tell this branch of Nicoles world is going to be epic and I can't wait for all of the adventures.
"I'm not gonna cage you, Candace. Even if it kills me to let you walk. Wanting you doesn't give me the right to take."
Ms. Abrams has done it again! This is now the third book of hers on the darker side and I loved it. Malachi has intrigued me ever since reading Loving Olivia and I was not disappointed in his story.
It seems he has faced nothing but tragedy after tragedy and the love of a woman is what he needs. His focus has never actually been on love but one woman has unintentionally snagged his attention. Being the President of The Outsiders his focus is always on club business and trying to rectify what went wrong nine years ago. When a series of events force him to pay closer attention to Candace, a woman who has always been there in his peripheral but he wasn't looking close enough. What he starts to see does not sit well with him.
I love the fact that both Malachi and Candace are these grumpy people. It makes their interactions all the better. He is definitely the least grumpy of the two. He is persistent as he inserts himself in her life as someone she can feel safe leaning on. He doesn't push, just stands by her no matter how much he wants her to get on the same page as him. She has to learn to trust him and trust isn't something she gives easily. Soon the feelings they both have can no longer be ignored and she starts to give in to him. She starts to see he isn't going anywhere and just wants to take care of her because she has never had anyone in her life do that.
Candance doesn't know how to handle the feelings she is feeling. As she learns to adjust and find security in Malachi's arms she also finds it with the women of the club. She becomes part of this found family in the blink of an eye and that is exactly what she deserves and when truths start to surface about her family history that newfound family is right there with her.
From the beginning there is this pull between them even with the age difference. Some of my most favorite parts of the book are times where it is just them and Malachi silently lets her know he is by her side. So many little moments between them that made my heart happy.
Ms. Abrams does a fantastic job of setting the series up with Malachi. We get characters from books past appearing and I loved that. I found myself going back and cross referencing so much with previous books and then suddenly so much was making sense. Then there are all the side characters I found myself getting attached to as much as Malachi and Candace. She sets them all up very well for future books and leaves a bit of mystery unsolved to carry forward into the next book and I am here for it.
I found Malachi to be a frustrating read, which is disappointing because it genuinely had the bones of a really great storyline. The foundation was there, the characters were likeable, and the setup had so much potential, but somewhere along the way the focus seemed to shift toward adding spice that was not always necessary, and the plot suffered because of it.
What really let this down for me was that the storyline never fully came to fruition. Just when it felt like we were about to sink our teeth into the main plot, the book jumped forward in time. We missed all the key moments that should have led us to the final auction, and then when we finally got there nothing really happened. There was no payoff and no clear outcome. I was left wondering what the end result was meant to be.
There were also plot twists introduced that did not seem to go anywhere, which added to the overall confusion rather than depth. And for a motorcycle club book, it did not quite deliver the MC vibes I was hoping for. It felt more like the aesthetic than the lifestyle.
Two days after finishing, I am still confused about this book. It felt like foreplay without the orgasm, all the buildup with so much left unresolved. Even at the end, we jump forward again with key information missing, leaving more questions than answers.
That said, despite my frustrations, I did enjoy the characters and concept enough that I will likely continue with the series. This was a 3.5 star read for me. Not bad, just a missed opportunity to really hit the mark for me.
I wanted to love it. I love the premise. But the execution fell flat for me.
There are a lot of time jumps. That don’t really track with the timeline in the story. Sometimes things happened five years ago. But then are referenced as months ago. It was really hard to track and keep up with the timelines of everything.
There was a lot of hinting at things. And exposing twists. And then a few chapters down the line exposing those things again like they were news. It was frustrating. Because the characters all acted like it was brand new. But we had already read about it and knew that information
Malachi and Candace work. Eventually. But their relationship felt unbalanced. Like they finally came together. But then they weren’t. And then they were solid. But then it’s 3 years later and they’re still maybe just proving they aren’t for each other. It was a lot to deal with. I’m not sure why their relationship seemed solid and steady at times but then conversations between them or thoughts in her head made it seem like there was still a chance of them not working out.
Overall I enjoyed seeing this side of the world after having read Olivia’s story and knowing the other side of things. This added a new depth to those storylines. But the execution wasn’t what I was expecting after having read previous works.
I received an ARC for free. I am voluntarily leaving this review.
Malachi… I loved both the book and the character. At the start of the book, the reader is able to learn of events that have helped shape Malachi into the man he is and those events influence some of his future actions. His patience and persistence is never ending, especially where Candace is concerned and he is always there for her, whatever she needs. This contrasts with his role as President of the Outsiders and what is, therefore, required of him. Candace strikes me as a bit of a loner but she is strong and determined but, when things become more than she can deal with and when danger lurks, she turns to Malachi, not realising the depth of her feelings for him. This is a slow burn romance with Malachi and Candace’s relationship gradually becoming stronger over time and they seem so in tune with each other that they are able to communicate without using words. As the book progresses and the plot unfolds, their worlds begin to intertwine in a surprising and unexpected way. At times, this was quite an emotional read but there are touches of humour too. Nicole Abrams is a new author for me and I love her style of writing which, at times, was almost poetic and really resonated with me. I have no hesitation in reading further books by this author.
Malachi by Nicole Abrams is a gripping enemies-to-lovers motorcycle club romance and the first installment in The Outsiders Motorcycle Club series. As a newcomer to the MC genre, I was hooked from its explosive opening, which raises the stakes from page one.
The story follows Malachi Hayes and Candace Giles, two tormented souls bound by past wounds and present betrayals. Their fiery banter and slow-burn chemistry infuse every scene with tension and raw emotion.
While the central romance delivers, some secondary characters and subplots feel underexplored, leaving a few threads unresolved. The corruption and mystery weaving through the biker underworld add a welcome layer of suspense and moral ambiguity.
Sharper dialogue, a more colloquial tone, deeper development of the supporting cast, and trimming narrative detours would tighten the pacing, heighten the stakes, and make this compelling romance even more irresistible.
Despite a few bumps in the road, Malachi and Candace’s fight for redemption makes this a solid entry point for MC fans. Lovers of tortured heroes, fierce heroines, and dark, tangled loyalties will find plenty to devour here.
Motorcycle club ✔️ Strong FMC ✔️ Hate to lovers ✔️ Alpha male ✔️ Mine ✔️ Found Family ✔️ Personal growth
Since this is an MC story I just had to be a part of this ARC. My first read from this author and I was pleasantly pleased.
The story captivated me from the beginning. However near the middle I found it slowed down a bit and my attention to the story was a bit lost. The story however did pick up again and I was hooked until the very end.
I loved the music side of this story. The way the author wrote the FMC connection to music was very beautiful. This story had very powerful moments but it also had very sad, gut wrenching, surprised moments as well.
Both Malachi and Candace do not live easy lives. However together, they realize that sometimes if you let the right person in, life is worth the battle.
All in all I enjoyed this story. Not only were the main characters well written but the side characters as well. Apart from the story being a tad too long and a bit repetitive at times, I enjoyed this read. The spicy scenes were yummy as well. I also cannot wait to read the next book. Malachi story did leave us wanting more.
What an amazing read this book was. It was emotional, heart wrenching, action packed and full of suspense and drama. The twists you don't see coming and when truths are revealed your mind is blown. Malachi and Candace are two very broken souls. Candace is the daughter of a member of the Outsider's MC, and no one seems to see what is happening behind closed doors. She is strong, independent and full of spunk, but she doesn't believe that anyone truly cares about her, she is closed off to everyone but her best friend. Malachi has been chasing a ghost for years trying to find his sister and brother and what happened to the former president of the club. I loved how when Malachi truly saw Candace everything changed for him, but he had to just back off and let her come to him. He showed determination and respect for how she was feeling so scared he would push to far. Candace really had to come to terms with her feelings and believe they were real. The book is a long one but give it a chance it was worth the read. I was given this book as an ARC for my honest review.
↓↓ I have loved everything I have read from Nicole but unfortunately this one fell a bit flat for me.
Malachi and Candace had a lot of work they had to put in to make it work for them., They are both apart of the same world but I didn't feel a connection to them as a couple. Their relationship felt forced at times like they felt completely wrong for each other but needed to be together.
I will say that I really enjoyed Candance character and felt I could relate to her on some levels.
The amount of time jumps that did not line up with what was going on in the story made my head hurt. There was twists and turns but it was repeated quite a bit throughout that it lost interest for me.
This was much too long, I found myself about half way through wanting to skim to the end and just be done with it.
𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤 / 𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝔼𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕥 Motorcycle club Strong FMC Hate to lovers Found Family
Club President, Malachi had a traumatic childhood, he and his siblings were taken in by the Outsiders MC. More tragedy struck when his mentor is killed and his siblings taken, he hasn’t stopped looking for them since.
Candace grew up in the club, but gradually her visits to the clubhouse become rare. Events take a sinister turn and she has no option but to turn to the club who she dislikes and doesn’t trust.
This gripping, fast page turner is an emotional roller coaster ride has plenty of shocking twists and turns, malice, danger, betrayals, trauma and angst. This is a fantastic start to the Outsiders MC series, I can’t wait for East next.
This slow-burning romance follows Malachi and Candace's relationship. The bond, the connection, building and strengthening over time, was refreshing to see. The very beginning of the book starts off with a bang, really not even giving the reader a chance to gradually enter the world. Don't get me wrong, that wasn't a bad thing. It really hooked me and kept me locked in the entire way. It was a book that had some amazing aspects. A strong, stubborn FMC (which is always a fan favorite for me) and a MC who is more than meets the eye. This book was amazing, emotional, and packed with action. Such a great read.
I absolutely loved this book! This book is the perfect example of a book that has some spice but also has an amazing story line!
Candace is a strong, independent woman who has always had to take care of everybody else. She has never had anybody in her corner, taking care of her.
Malachi is the president of the Outsiders motorcycle club. He wants nothing but to protect the ones he loves and get revenge for the ones he has lost.
They both have their own history and their own trauma. As Candace continues to push that she doesn't need anyone, Malachi continues to be silent in the corner, waiting to show that he will take care of her and protect her.
This is the start of a new series from Nicole Abrams, and it definitely starts off with one hell of a bang.
Malachi is the new club President, and he's grumpy, protective and definitely not someone to be messed with! Then we have Candace, she's strong, feisty and difficult to get to know because of the walls she's built up around herself. It's a slow burn romance but once these two get going, boy is it steamy.
The tension, drama, and spice is perfectly blended in Malachi and really sets the standard for the next book in the series.
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Malachi and let me tell you it was fantastic! The story follows Candace and Malachi, two tortured souls who are drawn to each other even though neither feels like they deserve it. The angst and tension were downright palpable! There are some plot points better understood if you read the Society Duet but you don't have to. If you are looking for a good angsty MC club dark romance with a great found family aspect and forced proximity, I highly recommend checking it out!
I am in love with Malachi and Candace. This book was so so good and so very emotional at the same time. Two broken souls become one and each has their demons that they must deal with but can they do it together and help each other heal? It is a slow burn romance but you have to keep reading to truly understand their relationship and the progress each one has made in their life and toward a real life. A wonderful book with an emotional story that I am so glad I made the effort to read.
To say this one of the best MC romances that I’ve read so far, would be an understatement. I couldn’t get enough of Candace and Malachi’s story. Abrams does such an awesome job of balancing emotional scenes with quick wit and humor. Breaking up the incredibly gut wrenching moments with some lighthearted moments so that you’re not entirely emotionally wrecked.
I cannot wait to read East and Darla’s story next.
✨No cheating ✨No cliffhanger ✨No third act breakup ✨No OW drama
This book was phenomenal!! Candace struggles and survives the best way she knows how, and Malachi see’s her and listens to her. The way they fall together and how patient he is and gaining her trust was fundamental. You got to watch found family build relationships and how they continue to grow and build. You meet many characters and hope to get more from each one!
How this story presented itself kept shredding me and put me back together only to repeat the cycle. My heart hurt until the HEA (thank goodness there was one!) I mean how many emotional punches can a person take before they cave? This is a good beginning to a new MC romance series. Good job Nicole!
I enjoyed this story. It's always nice to feel so seen in a main character, and I did in Candace. Being fearful of love and people actually meaning the things they said me...that was all me until my husband. Malachi & Candace are a beautiful couple that worked through a lot together and came out so much stronger. Highly recommend.
Another great read by the Author. This one definitely did not disappoint this reader at all. I have always enjoyed her style of writing and crafting a story. I enjoyed reading Candace and Malachi’s story. The characters and story will definitely stay with me for awhile. I look forward to her next book.
Thank you so much for the ARC! Loved the story with Malachi and Candace. Glad to see the others from her other books in it as well.
My only criticism was that I felt like the story kind of dragged out and it didn’t need to be as long as it was but other than that what a great Sons of Anarchy vibe !
What a spectacular journey this book was. I absolutely loved Malachi and Candace’s story ❤️❤️❤️ it was a truly epic adventure with the members of The Outsiders MC. A definite page turner and very entertaining. 100% recommend this book to everyone ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ you will not be disappointed 😎🖤
While this wasn't my favorite book that Nicole has written, it wasn't bad. I did enjoy the characters, but I guess I felt like it needed a better view of who the characters were before they started getting together it felt like it missed that connection with them. The book was well written, and the story had its sad moments that reeled you in. The spice was perfect as well ♥️
Malachi and Candace story book one of the outsiders series. Motorcycle club romance. He calls her Sour Patch. That's his nickname for her.
I have read about all of these characters that was in this book and I have to say that I haven't found a book yet that I haven't liked from this author. I can't wait to see what happens in this new series.
It started out really great then became unnecessarily dragged out. While it’s a dark story, the choppy writing made it sound more important and darker than it was. The second half of the book just loses you and it was truly hard to finish. This book could have been half the length it was and I would have gave it 4-5 stars. You can skip this one.
Candace and Malachi- whew, hot. Of course, they definitely do not start out that way. Candace truly has a crud life. The twists and turns in this book, along with a few tears, and some, “heck yeahs”, make it an excellent read!
I really wanted to like it, even had a strong start, but 246 pages of I hate you and then screwed you only to come back to hating you isn’t it for me I can not continue. I’m confused in the age difference and what happened months ago might have actually been years.