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Beautiful Ruins: A Dark Romantic MC Mystery
They were never meant to survive the past, but even ruins can be beautiful.
Seven years after finding her best friend, Logan, dead on graduation night, Sadie Cooper returns to her hometown, Barrenridge. She’s broken, bruised and carrying more secrets than answers. Escaping an abusive relationship, she moves back into her childhood home and finds a letter written seven years prior from Logan, one that changes everything she thought she knew about, not only his death, but her mother’s car accident.
Rowan Knight, Logan’s older brother and now Vice President of the Ridger Riders MC, has spent years ignoring the corruption that stole his brother’s life. When Sadie begins asking questions that gain the attention of a dangerous rival within the club, Rowan claims her as his old lady to protect her.
As Sadie and Rowan investigate the link between Logan’s death and her mother’s unsolved case files, buried secrets claw their way to the surface. The deeper they dig, the more dangerous their bond becomes, and falling for each other might be the most reckless risk of all.
In a town ruled by loyalty and silence, some truths are deadly to uncover.
For fans of gritty MC romance, slow-burn suspense, and broken characters learning to trust again, this emotional dark mystery from Amanda Kade will keep you hooked until the final page.
Seven years after finding her best friend, Logan, dead on graduation night, Sadie Cooper returns to her hometown, Barrenridge. She’s broken, bruised and carrying more secrets than answers. Escaping an abusive relationship, she moves back into her childhood home and finds a letter written seven years prior from Logan, one that changes everything she thought she knew about, not only his death, but her mother’s car accident.
Rowan Knight, Logan’s older brother and now Vice President of the Ridger Riders MC, has spent years ignoring the corruption that stole his brother’s life. When Sadie begins asking questions that gain the attention of a dangerous rival within the club, Rowan claims her as his old lady to protect her.
As Sadie and Rowan investigate the link between Logan’s death and her mother’s unsolved case files, buried secrets claw their way to the surface. The deeper they dig, the more dangerous their bond becomes, and falling for each other might be the most reckless risk of all.
In a town ruled by loyalty and silence, some truths are deadly to uncover.
For fans of gritty MC romance, slow-burn suspense, and broken characters learning to trust again, this emotional dark mystery from Amanda Kade will keep you hooked until the final page.
446 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 15, 2025
2 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 12, 2025
* Deceased best-friends older brother/Boy next door
* DV survivor
* They both loved each other for years but never confessed
* He would kill for her
* MC x sheriff's daughter
* Death of family members
* Shmurder
* Murder mystery
* Riverdale vibes
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌶️🌶️
PLEASE READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS!!
You will be beautifully ruined by this book! Beautiful Ruins reminds me of the TV series, Riverdale, with the motorcycle club, cult mentions, and mysterious deaths.
After the death of her best friend (Logan), Sadie Cooper fled from her hometown of Barrenridge, leaving behind painful memories, her hopes of the future, and unresolved tension with her best friend's brother, Rowan Knight. Six years later and after unsuccessfully unaliving her abusive boyfriend, Sadie returns to Barrenridge to find that some things hasn't changed - like her Sheriff dad being a dirty cop working with the troublesome motorcycle club, though she didn't expect to find Rowan being the Vice President of the Ridge Riders. Rowan warns Sadie to keep her head down and not start trouble, but when Sadie finds a note from Logan dated on his death date, she can't help but go digging for clues in the one place Rowan and her dad warned her to stay away from - the MC. Embracing her inner Betty Cooper (they could be cousins), Sadie goes searching for clues and finds a truth that her and Rowan were not expecting. Danger's all around and the two must be honest and transparent with each other if they ever expect to move forward together with the feelings they've held for years.
I did like how this book wasn't focused on sex like how other books in this genre typically are. There were some open door scenes but Amanda did a great job on not making it about the smut instead of the plot.
I felt like this book was too much, yet not enough at times. The conflict that Rowan and Sadie endure continues to grow with every chapter, but yet we don’t get to see Sadie’s passion. I understand that finding what happened to her bestfriend was important, but what happens to her after? Does she let Rowan take care of everything (including financially) or does she get a job now that she has free time as her amateur investigator life is over. What happens to the Ridge Riders after the events that transpire? These questions don’t HAVE to be answered but those are the ones in my head that lay unsolved and I would like the answers to.
* DV survivor
* They both loved each other for years but never confessed
* He would kill for her
* MC x sheriff's daughter
* Death of family members
* Shmurder
* Murder mystery
* Riverdale vibes
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌶️🌶️
PLEASE READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS!!
You will be beautifully ruined by this book! Beautiful Ruins reminds me of the TV series, Riverdale, with the motorcycle club, cult mentions, and mysterious deaths.
After the death of her best friend (Logan), Sadie Cooper fled from her hometown of Barrenridge, leaving behind painful memories, her hopes of the future, and unresolved tension with her best friend's brother, Rowan Knight. Six years later and after unsuccessfully unaliving her abusive boyfriend, Sadie returns to Barrenridge to find that some things hasn't changed - like her Sheriff dad being a dirty cop working with the troublesome motorcycle club, though she didn't expect to find Rowan being the Vice President of the Ridge Riders. Rowan warns Sadie to keep her head down and not start trouble, but when Sadie finds a note from Logan dated on his death date, she can't help but go digging for clues in the one place Rowan and her dad warned her to stay away from - the MC. Embracing her inner Betty Cooper (they could be cousins), Sadie goes searching for clues and finds a truth that her and Rowan were not expecting. Danger's all around and the two must be honest and transparent with each other if they ever expect to move forward together with the feelings they've held for years.
I did like how this book wasn't focused on sex like how other books in this genre typically are. There were some open door scenes but Amanda did a great job on not making it about the smut instead of the plot.
I felt like this book was too much, yet not enough at times. The conflict that Rowan and Sadie endure continues to grow with every chapter, but yet we don’t get to see Sadie’s passion. I understand that finding what happened to her bestfriend was important, but what happens to her after? Does she let Rowan take care of everything (including financially) or does she get a job now that she has free time as her amateur investigator life is over. What happens to the Ridge Riders after the events that transpire? These questions don’t HAVE to be answered but those are the ones in my head that lay unsolved and I would like the answers to.
August 13, 2025
Wow… I was hooked from page one! Sadie, our FMC, completely stole my heart. From the moment the drama and family chaos began, I was all in. Sadie’s story hits hard her childhood best friend has died, and after a devastating domestic violence incident, she’s forced to return home.
Enter Rowan, the dark, broody MMC and Vice President of the local motorcycle club. He’s the kind of man who knows everyone’s secrets and exactly where to push buttons… but when Sadie walks back into his life, she turns his world upside down.
This book is packed with twists, turns, and the kind of gasp-out-loud moments that make you need to keep reading. Just when you think the storm has passed—boom!—more drama. The character development is spot-on, the tension is addictive, and that ending? Let’s just say it had me in tears.
If you love small-town drama, MC romance, and characters who claw their way through heartbreak toward something beautiful this one’s for you.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me!
Enter Rowan, the dark, broody MMC and Vice President of the local motorcycle club. He’s the kind of man who knows everyone’s secrets and exactly where to push buttons… but when Sadie walks back into his life, she turns his world upside down.
This book is packed with twists, turns, and the kind of gasp-out-loud moments that make you need to keep reading. Just when you think the storm has passed—boom!—more drama. The character development is spot-on, the tension is addictive, and that ending? Let’s just say it had me in tears.
If you love small-town drama, MC romance, and characters who claw their way through heartbreak toward something beautiful this one’s for you.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me!
August 11, 2025
This book was a solid 4.5 star read for me personally, I genuinely loved it so much! Thank you so much to the author and The Berry Agency for the opportunity to read this prior to release date, I am so incredibly grateful.
This book took me on an adventure packed with so much suspense, mystery, action and quiet a few plot twists that not even I guessed. The way in which all these elements were incorporated into the story was done so incredibly well, I couldn't put the book down as I just had to know what was going to happen next. I absolutely loved our main characters Sadie and Rowan, but I was just as equally obsessed with our fellow bikers Bear and Scout who we see a lot of through this story. The friendship dynamic and also the loyalty they have to one another was so incredibly good it honestly enhanced the story during tension filled moments.
Sadie is the daughter of this towns police chief which also put a little spin on things. She left town after the devasting loss of her best friend and neighbor, never having any intention of returning. When something happens in her life, she has no choice but to return to her hometown and face her demons by moving back into her family home. She is now left living right next door to the memories that still cripple her all these years later and is forced to face the one person she's always loved, her best friends' older brother.
Rowan has changed a lot during these years apart and is now vice president of the local motorcycle club. He too is still plagued with the memories of what his little brother did and trying to get through each day the best he can. When Sadie returns to town, a spanner is thrown in the works and suddenly all his grief and pain is only amplified. Not only did he lose his brother on that disastrous day, but he also lost his friend and the only girl he was ever willing to give his heart to.
When Sadie finds a note left by her best friend, everything she thought she knew about THAT day is suddenly upended. When Sadie starts investigating and asks questions that shouldn't be asked especially in this town, Sadie and Rowan are pushed closer than ever. Together they unravel the truth, and it is more dangerous than either could have imagined.
The chemistry between these two was off the charts and had me desperately wanting more. There were also soooo many swoon worthy moments as Rowan is incredibly protective of Sadie. Although Rowan tried to keep Sadie out of this incredibly dangerous situation, she is so strong willed and decided to do this with or without him. The sassiness she has with Rowan had me laughing a lot through this book as she is not someone who can be told what to do especially when it's something she is passionate about finding answers to. I also loved how two bikers are scared of the wrath that is Sadie when you get in her way! As more of this story's mystery unfolded, and the plot twists were thrown in I was so incredibly invested. Some of the truths that come to light did break my heart all over again for these two characters because people are not always who they seem on the surface.
I absolutely loved these two and their chance at love despite all the pain and grief they have both experienced. I do feel like their grief pushed them together in a way and they both helped the other to heal in their own ways.
I would definitely recommend this book and cannot wait to read the rest of the series.
This book took me on an adventure packed with so much suspense, mystery, action and quiet a few plot twists that not even I guessed. The way in which all these elements were incorporated into the story was done so incredibly well, I couldn't put the book down as I just had to know what was going to happen next. I absolutely loved our main characters Sadie and Rowan, but I was just as equally obsessed with our fellow bikers Bear and Scout who we see a lot of through this story. The friendship dynamic and also the loyalty they have to one another was so incredibly good it honestly enhanced the story during tension filled moments.
Sadie is the daughter of this towns police chief which also put a little spin on things. She left town after the devasting loss of her best friend and neighbor, never having any intention of returning. When something happens in her life, she has no choice but to return to her hometown and face her demons by moving back into her family home. She is now left living right next door to the memories that still cripple her all these years later and is forced to face the one person she's always loved, her best friends' older brother.
Rowan has changed a lot during these years apart and is now vice president of the local motorcycle club. He too is still plagued with the memories of what his little brother did and trying to get through each day the best he can. When Sadie returns to town, a spanner is thrown in the works and suddenly all his grief and pain is only amplified. Not only did he lose his brother on that disastrous day, but he also lost his friend and the only girl he was ever willing to give his heart to.
When Sadie finds a note left by her best friend, everything she thought she knew about THAT day is suddenly upended. When Sadie starts investigating and asks questions that shouldn't be asked especially in this town, Sadie and Rowan are pushed closer than ever. Together they unravel the truth, and it is more dangerous than either could have imagined.
The chemistry between these two was off the charts and had me desperately wanting more. There were also soooo many swoon worthy moments as Rowan is incredibly protective of Sadie. Although Rowan tried to keep Sadie out of this incredibly dangerous situation, she is so strong willed and decided to do this with or without him. The sassiness she has with Rowan had me laughing a lot through this book as she is not someone who can be told what to do especially when it's something she is passionate about finding answers to. I also loved how two bikers are scared of the wrath that is Sadie when you get in her way! As more of this story's mystery unfolded, and the plot twists were thrown in I was so incredibly invested. Some of the truths that come to light did break my heart all over again for these two characters because people are not always who they seem on the surface.
I absolutely loved these two and their chance at love despite all the pain and grief they have both experienced. I do feel like their grief pushed them together in a way and they both helped the other to heal in their own ways.
I would definitely recommend this book and cannot wait to read the rest of the series.
August 10, 2025
𝙱𝚎𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚒𝚏𝚞𝚕 𝚁𝚞𝚒𝚗𝚜
🄰🅁🄲 🅁🄴🅅🄸🄴🅆
4/5 ⭐️
1/5 🌶️
↓↓
Sadie, girl you irritated me a bit. I get grief and the chokehold it can have on you and consume you. I get wanted to leave but I felt like the initial reasoning, why?? For me, it just wasn't enough to leave for as long as she did.
When she finally came back years later, she seemed a bit self absorbed. She just expected to be left alone, not questioned as to why she left so easily , why she stayed away for so long, didn't attend her best friends funeral or anything else. She was so mean to Jasmine when she just cut everything off, I honestly don't understand why Sadie was mad that Jasmine still checked on her to make sure she was ok, like girl, you left without saying goodbye and cut off contact from everyone and everything in that time, what do you mean your mad people still care about you that you grew up with??? That blew my mind.
And Rowan, the way she was mean, snapped at him and pushed back at him so many times when all he did was protect her, even after everything happened.
Rowan was a big ol teddy bear for Sadie and it broke my heart the way he was treated throughout the whole book. He was so protective and just wanted her safe. He did everything he could to make sure she was, but she just wasn't having that.
The suspense was a nice addition. I had a feeling of some of the characters roles but some of the truth bombs that were dropped, I was not prepared for.
I will say that I really enjoyed the side characters Jasmine, Scout and Bear. I would really love to see Amanda expand on this world a bit more with Jasmine and Scout being the first book.
𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤 / 𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝔼𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕥
🩷 MC Romance
🤍 Second Chance/Childhood Connection
🩷 Fake Relationship
🤍 Forced Proximity
🩷 Best Friend’s Brother
🤍 Protective Alpha Male
🩷 Return to Hometown
🤍 Amateur Sleuth
🩷 Murder Mystery
🤍 Corrupt Small Town
🩷 Tragic Past/Shared Trauma
🤍 Grumpy x Emotionally Guarded
🩷 Found Evidence/Hidden Clues
🤍 Found Family
🄰🅁🄲 🅁🄴🅅🄸🄴🅆
4/5 ⭐️
1/5 🌶️
↓↓
Sadie, girl you irritated me a bit. I get grief and the chokehold it can have on you and consume you. I get wanted to leave but I felt like the initial reasoning, why?? For me, it just wasn't enough to leave for as long as she did.
When she finally came back years later, she seemed a bit self absorbed. She just expected to be left alone, not questioned as to why she left so easily , why she stayed away for so long, didn't attend her best friends funeral or anything else. She was so mean to Jasmine when she just cut everything off, I honestly don't understand why Sadie was mad that Jasmine still checked on her to make sure she was ok, like girl, you left without saying goodbye and cut off contact from everyone and everything in that time, what do you mean your mad people still care about you that you grew up with??? That blew my mind.
And Rowan, the way she was mean, snapped at him and pushed back at him so many times when all he did was protect her, even after everything happened.
Rowan was a big ol teddy bear for Sadie and it broke my heart the way he was treated throughout the whole book. He was so protective and just wanted her safe. He did everything he could to make sure she was, but she just wasn't having that.
The suspense was a nice addition. I had a feeling of some of the characters roles but some of the truth bombs that were dropped, I was not prepared for.
I will say that I really enjoyed the side characters Jasmine, Scout and Bear. I would really love to see Amanda expand on this world a bit more with Jasmine and Scout being the first book.
𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤 / 𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝔼𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕥
🩷 MC Romance
🤍 Second Chance/Childhood Connection
🩷 Fake Relationship
🤍 Forced Proximity
🩷 Best Friend’s Brother
🤍 Protective Alpha Male
🩷 Return to Hometown
🤍 Amateur Sleuth
🩷 Murder Mystery
🤍 Corrupt Small Town
🩷 Tragic Past/Shared Trauma
🤍 Grumpy x Emotionally Guarded
🩷 Found Evidence/Hidden Clues
🤍 Found Family
August 3, 2025
Beautiful Ruins Review
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶
Firstly, I want to thank the very lovely Amanda Kade for allowing me to take this amazing beta journey with you while you were editing chapters while I was reading them 🥰. I had the pleasure and privilege to beta read Beautiful Ruins by Amanda
The many chats we both had while I was reading this book were amazing, and I will absolutely treasure these moments we had together 🥰
This book had me hooked straight from the very first chapter, Amanda has written such an amazing book that will truly take you for a ride. This book has an amazing plot with a small amount of spice.
I absolutely loved Rowan, Sadie, Bear, and Scout throughout this whole book. The banter that goes on is so good. These four characters I absolutely fell in love with, and that definitely won't change ever.
There were so many swoon-worthy moments in this book between the characters, especially Bear with Sadie, and how their friendship slowly develops. Then you have Scout, and he is just a cracker when Rowan gives him babysitting duty to keep an eye on Sadie.
Rowan and Sadie's relationship between them is a bit rocky, but deep down, you know both of them have feelings for each other. There were certain parts between these two characters that made me laugh and cry and hurt for both of them.
This book took me on an emotional roller-coaster from laughing my head off 😂, to crying 😭 and also angry 🤬.
Tropes:
🩷 MURDER MYSTERY
🖤 RETURN TO HOMETOWN
🩷 PROTECTIVE ALPHA MALE
🖤 FAKING DATING
🩷 CORRUPT SMALL TOWN
🖤 BEST FRIEND'S BROTHER
🩷 GRUMPY X ΕΜΟΤΙΟΝALLY GUARDED
🖤 SHARED TRAUMA
🩷 SECOND CHANCE
🖤 HIDDEN CLUES
🩷 MC ROMANCE
🖤 FOUND FAMILY
🩷 AMATEUR SLEUTH
Please make sure to check content warnings before you start, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did 😍
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶
Firstly, I want to thank the very lovely Amanda Kade for allowing me to take this amazing beta journey with you while you were editing chapters while I was reading them 🥰. I had the pleasure and privilege to beta read Beautiful Ruins by Amanda
The many chats we both had while I was reading this book were amazing, and I will absolutely treasure these moments we had together 🥰
This book had me hooked straight from the very first chapter, Amanda has written such an amazing book that will truly take you for a ride. This book has an amazing plot with a small amount of spice.
I absolutely loved Rowan, Sadie, Bear, and Scout throughout this whole book. The banter that goes on is so good. These four characters I absolutely fell in love with, and that definitely won't change ever.
There were so many swoon-worthy moments in this book between the characters, especially Bear with Sadie, and how their friendship slowly develops. Then you have Scout, and he is just a cracker when Rowan gives him babysitting duty to keep an eye on Sadie.
Rowan and Sadie's relationship between them is a bit rocky, but deep down, you know both of them have feelings for each other. There were certain parts between these two characters that made me laugh and cry and hurt for both of them.
This book took me on an emotional roller-coaster from laughing my head off 😂, to crying 😭 and also angry 🤬.
Tropes:
🩷 MURDER MYSTERY
🖤 RETURN TO HOMETOWN
🩷 PROTECTIVE ALPHA MALE
🖤 FAKING DATING
🩷 CORRUPT SMALL TOWN
🖤 BEST FRIEND'S BROTHER
🩷 GRUMPY X ΕΜΟΤΙΟΝALLY GUARDED
🖤 SHARED TRAUMA
🩷 SECOND CHANCE
🖤 HIDDEN CLUES
🩷 MC ROMANCE
🖤 FOUND FAMILY
🩷 AMATEUR SLEUTH
Please make sure to check content warnings before you start, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did 😍
July 27, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶1/2
💙Best Friend's Older Brother
🏍MC Bad Boy x Good Girl
❤️🩹Both Have Tr@umas
💪🏻Protective MMC
💞Unrequited Teenage Crushes
🔍Mystery
I absolutely loved how this had a strong mystery plot focus whilst balancing a solid slow burn reconnecting romance...one with the strains of old wounds.
And very strong side characters in this one! I really wanna see Jasmine and Scout's story. He's adorable and has a shyness that's so endearing (and a hinted painful past). Rowan's closest brothers in the MC, Scout and Bear, are both such a powerful found family unit.
Maybe Sadie's reason for leaving didn't feel like enough for me, to abandon people and her home, but, regardless, when she comes back, we get some delicious romantic tension. Rowan wants to keep her at arms length to protect her but she's a stubborn fire of persistence.
At times she pushed back at him a bit harshly I felt and some of her decisions were careless, but he was always so solid and protective. Once they got past some hurdles and finally being honest, it's clear how good they are together. The mysterious connections between her mother's death and shady activity with the MC, kept a continued driving drama. I loved that this blended the romance so well with it so that spice doesn't overshadow what's really important, which is their relationship and the mystery in the town. It felt more real that way and I got pulled in to their excitement along with them.
You'll love Rowan as much as me!
Very much looking forward to the other books in this interconnected series!
🌶🌶1/2
💙Best Friend's Older Brother
🏍MC Bad Boy x Good Girl
❤️🩹Both Have Tr@umas
💪🏻Protective MMC
💞Unrequited Teenage Crushes
🔍Mystery
I absolutely loved how this had a strong mystery plot focus whilst balancing a solid slow burn reconnecting romance...one with the strains of old wounds.
And very strong side characters in this one! I really wanna see Jasmine and Scout's story. He's adorable and has a shyness that's so endearing (and a hinted painful past). Rowan's closest brothers in the MC, Scout and Bear, are both such a powerful found family unit.
Maybe Sadie's reason for leaving didn't feel like enough for me, to abandon people and her home, but, regardless, when she comes back, we get some delicious romantic tension. Rowan wants to keep her at arms length to protect her but she's a stubborn fire of persistence.
At times she pushed back at him a bit harshly I felt and some of her decisions were careless, but he was always so solid and protective. Once they got past some hurdles and finally being honest, it's clear how good they are together. The mysterious connections between her mother's death and shady activity with the MC, kept a continued driving drama. I loved that this blended the romance so well with it so that spice doesn't overshadow what's really important, which is their relationship and the mystery in the town. It felt more real that way and I got pulled in to their excitement along with them.
You'll love Rowan as much as me!
Very much looking forward to the other books in this interconnected series!
October 17, 2025
Okay this was actually really interesting !! I love a good murder mystery and add in that it was multiple tied together, made for some interesting moments. The MCs were also interesting to a degree, I definitely loved the mmc, I think he had a lot of character and depth coupled in with some dark and broody with hidden secrets. I loved the way he wanted it her and that war within himself about wanting her made for some explosive moments between the MCs. That kitchen scene.. ugh !! That was fan-fucking-tastic !! The fmc was a little on the immature side and didn’t seem to really have a clue of self preservation but overall she wasn’t too bad and she paired with him super well. I loved her being able to find closure on the things she struggled with. There were definitely a lot of twists and turns for her and she did well to work on dealing with them as they came along. In terms of spice, it’s about a 1.5/5, while there was a scene or two it definitely wasn’t the main focus of the book. Overall, I really enjoyed this one, the mystery aspect made for some not put downable moments and they had great chemistry together that probably could have been capitalised on a bit more but overall it was a great 4.5/5 read for me and I would recommend it to anyone.
July 31, 2025
💪🏼 Broody/Protective MMC ✔️
🖤 Best Friends Older Brother ✔️
❤️🩹 Trauma ✔️
Mystery ✔️
🪨 Found Family ✔️
A dark romance/mystery with tension and banter that keeps your interest from the first page? I’m here for it!
The chemistry between the main characters was done very well and had me anticipating the next chapter in their traumatic story. The side characters also stole your heart, leaving you wanting more of their story.
I honestly thought I had figured out most of the plot twists prior to the conclusion of the book. I was wrong! The twists and deception will leave you in absolute shock. This book had a Sons of Anarchy feel to it, and I loved it!
Sadie and Rowan’s journey dealing with their individual past trauma and discovering the truth was full of tension and yearning. I do feel that this book wrapped up a little too quickly for my liking, but that wouldn’t stop me from recommending it.
I would give this one 🌶️ out of 5, personally. Still, it left me kicking my feet! Rowan is broody and possessive and the protector we want as our MMC.
I loved the characters and I can’t wait for the rest of the interconnected books in this series!
🖤 Best Friends Older Brother ✔️
❤️🩹 Trauma ✔️
Mystery ✔️
🪨 Found Family ✔️
A dark romance/mystery with tension and banter that keeps your interest from the first page? I’m here for it!
The chemistry between the main characters was done very well and had me anticipating the next chapter in their traumatic story. The side characters also stole your heart, leaving you wanting more of their story.
I honestly thought I had figured out most of the plot twists prior to the conclusion of the book. I was wrong! The twists and deception will leave you in absolute shock. This book had a Sons of Anarchy feel to it, and I loved it!
Sadie and Rowan’s journey dealing with their individual past trauma and discovering the truth was full of tension and yearning. I do feel that this book wrapped up a little too quickly for my liking, but that wouldn’t stop me from recommending it.
I would give this one 🌶️ out of 5, personally. Still, it left me kicking my feet! Rowan is broody and possessive and the protector we want as our MMC.
I loved the characters and I can’t wait for the rest of the interconnected books in this series!
August 19, 2025
"For Sadie, I'd have walked through hell with bloody hands and never once looked back."
Thanks Amanda for allowing me to ARC read this book for you 😊😊
This book had me guessing and second guessing everything the whole way through. There are so many twists and turns! There was so much raw emotion, the MC romance vibes were strong, and the spice scenes were just right! This is my first MC romance, but this book has made it one of my new favourite tropes.
I loved the banter and tension between Sadie and Rowan and his fiercely protective touch-her-and-die vibes! Sadie is a badass, strong FMC, that is sassy and very headstrong and does what she wants no matter what. I love that their grief and trauma helps them to come together as well as heal. I loved the character building for every single one of the characters and I feel they each need their own novel after this! The found family or built family dynamics between the main characters was so well-written.
I cried through a few parts in this book, the funeral really got me (IYKYK). I would definitely recommend this book and am keen to read the rest of the books in this series.
Thanks Amanda for allowing me to ARC read this book for you 😊😊
This book had me guessing and second guessing everything the whole way through. There are so many twists and turns! There was so much raw emotion, the MC romance vibes were strong, and the spice scenes were just right! This is my first MC romance, but this book has made it one of my new favourite tropes.
I loved the banter and tension between Sadie and Rowan and his fiercely protective touch-her-and-die vibes! Sadie is a badass, strong FMC, that is sassy and very headstrong and does what she wants no matter what. I love that their grief and trauma helps them to come together as well as heal. I loved the character building for every single one of the characters and I feel they each need their own novel after this! The found family or built family dynamics between the main characters was so well-written.
I cried through a few parts in this book, the funeral really got me (IYKYK). I would definitely recommend this book and am keen to read the rest of the books in this series.
July 28, 2025
I loved Rowan and Sadie's story so much. Police chiefs' daughter and the VP of the local MC, both of them missing Logan, who was Sadie's best friend and Rowan's brother and died graduation night, 6 years earlier. Turns out, in Barrenridge, there's so much crime, corruption, and secrets that no one knows who they can trust, and nothing is ever as straightforward as they think.
I loved how fiercely protective Rowan was over Sadie, and the build up of tension was perfect. There was an air of mystery, and I was on the edge of my seat towards the end as the danger and tension just kept amping up and kept me guessing as to which characters were trustworthy and how it would all end.
I loved how fiercely protective Rowan was over Sadie, and the build up of tension was perfect. There was an air of mystery, and I was on the edge of my seat towards the end as the danger and tension just kept amping up and kept me guessing as to which characters were trustworthy and how it would all end.
August 4, 2025
Omg loved this.
This was the last arc in this series and I highly recommend!!
The chemistry between Sadie and Rowen!! Yes please.
Also Jazz, Bear and Scout loved them.
VP of an MC biker club.
SOA vibes.
📖: MC romance
📖: Hidden clues
📖: Protective alpha male
📖: Murder mystery
📖: Return to hometown
📖: Amateur sleuth
📖: Shared trauma
📖: Corrupt small town
📖: Best friends older brother
📖: Forced proximity
📖: Grumpy x emotionally guarded
📖: Fake dating
📖: Second chance
📖: Found family
Release date: 15th August 2025 📆
This was the last arc in this series and I highly recommend!!
The chemistry between Sadie and Rowen!! Yes please.
Also Jazz, Bear and Scout loved them.
VP of an MC biker club.
SOA vibes.
📖: MC romance
📖: Hidden clues
📖: Protective alpha male
📖: Murder mystery
📖: Return to hometown
📖: Amateur sleuth
📖: Shared trauma
📖: Corrupt small town
📖: Best friends older brother
📖: Forced proximity
📖: Grumpy x emotionally guarded
📖: Fake dating
📖: Second chance
📖: Found family
Release date: 15th August 2025 📆
August 12, 2025
This book is definitely a 5 star read. The author had me hooked from the trigger warning alone. When authors are mindful of their readers and include things like this, it says so much about them as a person.
This is one of those books you wish you could reread for the first time, it leaves you wanting and needing more! Think Sons of Anarchy vibes, with twists and turns that keep you guessing, and the bonus of not having that typical romance plot twist. All while getting to know and love both Rowan and Sadie.
This is one of those books you wish you could reread for the first time, it leaves you wanting and needing more! Think Sons of Anarchy vibes, with twists and turns that keep you guessing, and the bonus of not having that typical romance plot twist. All while getting to know and love both Rowan and Sadie.
August 4, 2025
4 stars ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
This books is a Motorcycle club romance, I wouldn’t necessarily call it dark! The book was a little slow until about 50% then it started to pick up. Overall a good book. I would have liked more spicy scenes between the main characters. The spicy scenes didn’t start until about 70% into the book, I would give the spice level a 🌶️1️⃣. Give it a shot on reading though definitely worth it!
This books is a Motorcycle club romance, I wouldn’t necessarily call it dark! The book was a little slow until about 50% then it started to pick up. Overall a good book. I would have liked more spicy scenes between the main characters. The spicy scenes didn’t start until about 70% into the book, I would give the spice level a 🌶️1️⃣. Give it a shot on reading though definitely worth it!
August 12, 2025
What a roller coaster!!!
I absolutely LOVED this book, my brain was right in the mix of it all trying to work out what was going on, who did it and how the story was going to come to an end and WOW JUST WOW! I didn’t work it out and when I hit the 75% mark it just went off with a bang. If you love MC romance, mystery’s that make you think and push and pull between the main characters then this is a MUST READ!!
Highly recommend and will definitely be checking out more of Amanda’s work
I absolutely LOVED this book, my brain was right in the mix of it all trying to work out what was going on, who did it and how the story was going to come to an end and WOW JUST WOW! I didn’t work it out and when I hit the 75% mark it just went off with a bang. If you love MC romance, mystery’s that make you think and push and pull between the main characters then this is a MUST READ!!
Highly recommend and will definitely be checking out more of Amanda’s work
June 28, 2025
Beta read done and now I don’t know what to do with myself, such a rollercoaster and I loved every second of it! Full review to come closer to the release. 🥹
How many highlights is to many? The limit doesn’t not exist! haha
How many highlights is to many? The limit doesn’t not exist! haha
August 1, 2025
The mystery kept me on my toes and was just so good. The twists surprised and wrecked me at the same time.
The tension between Sadie and Rowan was everything. His obsession and yearn for her. And her yearn for him.
The tension between Sadie and Rowan was everything. His obsession and yearn for her. And her yearn for him.
November 30, 2025
Woah! this book took through the ringer - It had me trying to guess what the hell was going on, u absolutely needed a mind map!
I love that we have plot with a little bit of spice sprinkled in. I loved Sadie & Rowan's story. The chemistry, the tension the angst was off the charts. I love the Rowan was always trying to protect her- keyword trying. She never made it easy on him. I loved Sadie & her sassiness, the banter between them was fantastic. I also really loved Bear & scout with the found family vibes.
I love that we have plot with a little bit of spice sprinkled in. I loved Sadie & Rowan's story. The chemistry, the tension the angst was off the charts. I love the Rowan was always trying to protect her- keyword trying. She never made it easy on him. I loved Sadie & her sassiness, the banter between them was fantastic. I also really loved Bear & scout with the found family vibes.
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