Lawless

Dauntless Island #2

by Lisa Henry, J.A. Rock

Welcome to Dauntless Island. Unless you’re Senior Constable Dominic Miller.

When Dominic Miller gets the opportunity to run Dauntless Island’s first police station, he jumps at the chance. What could be better than community-based policing on a breathtakingly beautiful island? It turns out, everything. Because they don’t like outsiders on Dauntless Island, and they especially don’t like coppers.

Natty Harper needs a job, and offering to clear the new copper’s garden seems like a good way to earn some cash. Just as long as nobody finds out. And the new copper might be cute, but it’s not like Natty’s going to do anything stupid like fall for him, right?

Especially when Natty might have an illegal side gig going on.

It’s lucky Natty is descended from mutineers, because he and Dominic are about to break all the rules on Dauntless Island.


Lawless contains a bemused copper who wants to make friends, a Dauntless Islander who wants to get laid, an angry brother, a useless cousin, an actual emergency, and a sea cave. And also a cat called Frank.

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Humor, Romance

252 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 20, 2025

About the author

I like to tell stories. Mostly with hot guys and happily ever afters. They gotta work for it though. No free lunches on my watch.

Reviews

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me move to Dauntless Island! I wouldn't even care if the locals iced me out, it sounds so entertaining and peaceful at the same time 😂

I swear I laughed everytime Dominic introduced himself as the copper as though his uniform wasn't glaringly obvious! I loved his friendship with Eddie as the two outsiders who are baffled by the culture of Dauntless and the way they're the sole members of the local historic society and they're the only residents who aren't locals 😂😂

Natty was funny and his inexperience was really cute, but I definitely wanted a goat to knock him into the harbour a few times. I would have liked to see an actual discussion between him and Nipper Will as to what his brother's issue is, but hopefully Will gets his own book and we'll get more insight then.

I really love the small community vibes of this series though, it genuinely sounds like a really nice environment to live in.

Hopefully Button John gets his own HEA soon too, or at least a keeper because he is so ridiculous!

*****
I received an ARC of this book from Lisa Henry, and this is my honest review

[Jewel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes books where one of the MC's is a young virgin works for me and sometimes not so much. This one veered pretty close to the not so much end of the spectrum.

One of the first things I noticed about Lawless was the cover and just how young the cover model looked. Like, is he even old enough to shave? He looks like he's in high school. Natty is 19 and litterally has no life experience. He's extremely sheltered and naive. This is where a young MC doesn't work as well for me. Dominic was somewhere in his 20's but unlike Natty, he has experienced some life and relationships and has a fair idea of what he wants in life. With their vast life experience differences and how they acted, the age gap might as well have been 20 years.

The plot itself was kinda meh. If you've read the first book you know just how unfriendly most of the residents of Dauntless are to outsiders and that continues here. Add in the fact that the outsider is a cop and things are downright icy. It takes multiple acts of heroism for most anyone to give Dominic the time of day at all and that got kind of old, to be honest.

If we get more books in this series, I do hope that the people are a little less rude. I'm not suggesting they get total personality transplants or anything, but maybe just don't be quite so assholish all the time. Just a thought. I'm probably asking too much, though.

[NotThatR · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a nice and cosy read with a fast progression, but the thing that takes you out of the story is some editorial mistakes that could have easily been avoided.

[Mal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all of Lisa Henry and JA Rock’s books. The first one in this series was brilliant and I may like this second instalment even more. This story is full of small town quirky feels (200 years is apparently not enough time to forget and move on still), found family, all the feels, real chemistry and brilliant characters.

Natty and Dominic are just ill fated from the start. Natty a true Dauntless dweller and Dominic the new copper! And yet through trials and tribulations and an unbeatable connection they find a way to be together against all odds. As usual the author duo find a way to shift pace and mood keeping me tightly invested until it builds to a heart racing climax that almost had me weeping.

Expect sweetness swoon and small town surrealness in this wonderful story, highly recommend

[Ami · Rating 4 out of 5]

I called the first book, Dauntless, as fluffy murder. Then it is expanded into Dauntless (in which Lisa Henry brought in her often collaborator, J.A. Rock) and into a new series. This time, despite one of the MCs is a newly stationed copper, there isn't a murder in sight! Yes, there's a "crime" done by the other MC, but by the end you'll see that the crime isn't such a big deal for the copper.

So for me, this is another enjoyable experience spent with the residents of Dauntless Island who really, really dislike outsiders, especially cop!

It was fun reading how Dominic Miller, the Senior Constable, trying to make friends with the islanders. Oh, it is NOT easy, my friends, believe you me. The only one willing to make friends with a cop is Eddie Hawthorne, the boyfriend of Red Joe Nesmith, both from the first book. On that note, Eddie is still so passionate about the history of the island, it's so cute! Anyway, I liked that despite the treatments he received, Dominic didn't really come bitter. Although, maybe Natty Harper helped with that 😄

Nineteen year old Natty Harper has been doing a little illegal side-job to earn money (he has been smuggling cigarettes). And with the Dauntless Island residents are well-known to be not friendly with cops, it has been a challenged for Natty to find the new cop as hot! But hey, the heart wants what it wants, right, Natty?

I hope there's more coming from this island. I think I read a "clue" where another outsider will come to Dauntless, in form of a doctor. So maybe the next book will involve him? Hopefully. Because yes, I'd love to read changes coming little by little to Dauntless.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natty and Dominic snuck into my heart and I won’t let them leave.

I just loved every moment of this very enjoyable book. It made me laugh, gasp and gave me some feels. I just want to give Natty a big squishy hug as he grapples with island life. He loves Dauntless Island but also understands the complexities of living there - lack of a steady job, everyone knows everyone and everything about them and the lack of eligible men to date. The relationship with his brother and mother are another complex dynamic to add to the list. Things change when Dominic arrives. He’s the first full time policeman on the island and the locals are not shy about showing their unhappiness at his arrival. Natty sees an opportunity and slowly but surely he and Dominic forge a tentative relationship of sorts but it’s Dauntless so the road to their HEA has some hurdles to overcome. This delightful book has a beautifully written romance between two wonderful men, a bit of drama to keep things interesting and of course the Dauntless locals with all their idiosyncrasies are back in force.

[laureneliza]

Better balance of romance and 'crime' than the first one but I liked the couple in book 1 much better.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up because of sheer enjoyment.

I loved this so much! I admit to a weakness for these authors, Lisa Henry and JA Rock together just hit all the right notes for me.
Personally, I can not imagine choosing to live somewhere like Dauntless, it's pretty much a place I could not take for more than a long weekend. So I have to give Dominic all the credit for promising three years of his life to an island that did not want him. At. All. I also love that he personifies what police were once instead of what they have become (at least in the US). Natty is adorable, and, as much as I can't imagine living on Dauntless, I can understand his feelings about living there. I would have liked a little more explanation about Natty's relationship with his brother because I can assume, but it would have been nice to have it explained. I also would love an epilogue because I need to see them a few months or years down the road.
Their love story is really sweet and made me laugh frequently, even reading some passages out to my husband to share the laughter. This was exactly what I was looking for right now, and I loved it.

[Jax · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great sense of place with these books but I didn’t feel much for this pairing. And I prefer to read about older guys, Natty was only 19.

[Glenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lifesaving actions put unwanted copper into hero status

As this is part of a series, it continues to explore the unique people of Dauntless Island. Still holding onto the moment of the post-mutiny two hundred years ago, feelings about authority are mildly suppressed and often spoken loudly against such authority.

In this installment about the events on Dauntless Island after a historian arrived in the first book—and was only accepted after two deaths on the island—the authorities decided to station a police officer among the roughly 300 residents. They're also getting internet and phone service, which many residents welcomed, but not the police officer.

So Dominic Miller arrives amidst this tension of needing some authority and residents who ignore his presence. Natty Harper and his best friend both seek experiences with men, and Natty makes a bold display to Dominic that opens the door to possibilities. Building on the rich background of the island introduced in the first book, this story shows how many ignore the new "copper," while others merely tolerate him.

Natty desires Dominic, and after winning a kiss from him during a tour of the island, he craves more. But there's the social issue that the islanders ignore the copper and simply tolerate his presence. Natty's main responsibility is caring for his grieving mother. She wanders around, seemingly lost in her own world, asking about her long-dead husband, and retreats to her bed when her grief peaks. She roams, and Natty is charged to ensure she remains safe, eats her meals, and goes to bed when tired.

Then one day, things change, and the copper witnesses Natty's mother walk off the jetty into the ocean. He dives in and rescues her. Afterward, quiet packages are left at Dominic's door in gratitude for his act of heroism—an act that went unnoticed by the islanders since his arrival, except by Natty and Eddie, the previous outsider, who is partnered with the island's mayor, Red Joe.

The story is compelling, and it’s believable that this island is inhabited by descendants of a mutiny that may have occurred generations ago. Their isolation and reliance on their own resources have kept them rooted in this century. Lisa Henry and J.A. Rock vividly depict the lush geography and the strict society that tolerates tourists but resists outsiders moving there. Their descriptions of daily life are captivating, emphasizing their seclusion and the nature of their marriages, which often make everyone a cousin. The tale details how the U.S. used the island during the "war" and depicts the daily routine, including ships from the mainland bringing supplies and the island children attending school there.

The episode concludes with a heartwarming, almost cinematic rescue of a second person trapped in the sea, and an explicit declaration of Natty and Dominic’s relationship to the islanders.

I've become addicted to other series by this team of authors and can't wait to see what happens next on this fascinating island.

[Annie Maus · Rating 4 out of 5]

In “Lawless,” Lisa Henry and Sarah Honey prove they are as adept at eeriness as they were at zaniness in their Adventures in their Aguillon series. After all, what could go wrong on an island populated by mutineers’ descendants, an island four hours (by the once-a-month boat) from the mainland?

Dominic, who received accolades for his community policing, applies to open the first police station at an idyllic locale. In his innocence, he believes he can win the residents over, though he was warned that they dislike strangers, especially coppers. But when the only store owner refuses to sell to him milk, and he learns the beloved current mayor killed the prior one… Yikes, is this ominous.

And what about Natty, Dominic’s gorgeous neighbor, who offers to do his yard work? Why does Natty’s brother refuse to let anyone hire him? Does group-think really prevent Natty’s employment? And what is the illegal contraband Natty hides, something so dangerous he rejects his obvious attraction to Dominic, lest the secret be revealed?

I loved how every Tom, Dick and Harry was named, “John…” Button John, Sea John… you get the idea Here’s how the only other island transplant, and the only person who will speak with Dominic, shows his confusion. ”I spoke to Tall Tom for an hour the other day about John Dinsmore, who was the mayor during the Second World War, and it turns out he was telling me about three different John Dinsmores at once—John Dinsmore the mayor, John Dinsmore the cousin of the mayor, and John Dinsmore who ran a boat to the mainland twice a month back then.” A perfect way to describe the inbred nature of the population. With little contact to outsiders, of course islanders might feel uncomfortable around newcomers. But are they merely suspicious or truly hostile? I felt for Dominic in his uncertainty.

Ms. Henry and Ms. Honey’s exquisite prose repeatedly draws a contrast between the island and its residents. “The place was just off. Despite the sunlight and the ocean breeze, it had the same jarring vibe as those towns in horror movies where small children in old-fashioned clothes recited nursery rhymes in sing-song voices right before the killings began.” Yet nothing really dangerous has happened. Could it simply be island hazing? I was well into the book before I got my first clue. This made the book exciting and interesting.

And Natty and Dominic are truly sweet together. Dominic knows Natty is inexperienced, so he goes out of his way to make sure the younger man feels appreciated. Not that Natty needs much reassurance. In fact, Natty shows Dominic a thing or two about strength. Their sexual tension adds to the mystery.

Every quirky side character also adds to the vibe. Kind versus crazy, it was hard to tell. And I enjoyed every moment.

“Lawless” is a fun house of distortions. It makes for a great pre-Halloween read.

[Elizabeth D · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 I still enjoyed this instalment of the series, but not nearly as much as book 1. I think that might just have been my expectations coming out of book 1. I don’t know if there was really a change in feel from book 1 to book 2 or if it just hit me differently, but it definitely hit me differently, lol. This one is still entertaining and well written, but where it felt like Eddie and Joe were united (despite the diary seeming to set them apart), I found myself way more uncomfortable here with Dominic basically being ostracised and refused basic services by the islanders, including often being ignored by Natty.

Without the “controversial diary that could rewrite the history of the island that everyone depends on”, I often found the behaviour mean-spirited and cruel here, so I wasn’t enjoying reading the book as much as I hoped. (There was also the worry that one of the MCs was involved in something illegal that I pretty categorically disapprove of, though I kept hoping it would be resolved as something else. So that uncertainty also made me uncomfortable.)

Natty’s home life was messy and uncomfortable, so that also took away from the cozier vibes I remember from the first book. And finally, since Natty was often pretending not to be involved with Dominic or actively avoiding him, they didn’t actually spend that much time together. They were often doing their own thing each chapter, so while I got to know them, I didn’t really feel like they were getting to know one another.

All that being said, I liked Dominic a lot (and Natty most of the time, lol). I liked Natty teaching Dominic about island ways and Dominic easing in options to help the residents. I liked Dominic’s friendship with Eddie and Natty’s with Button John. I enjoyed the quirky residents when it didn’t veer into meanness. And I found the end very satisfying. Somewhere around the three quarter mark, it felt to me like Dominic and Natty were united, and that’s what I really wanted. I was left feeling like they were happily together and that they’d be fine on the island, which left me feeling uplifted.

I received an ARC from the authors. This is my honest review.

[Eclectic Dac · Rating 4 out of 5]

The folks of Dauntless Island are back, and after the events of the first book, it's become clear that, as much as they may hate the idea, they need a law enforcement officer on the island.

Dominic Miller is that officer, and whatever he expected from the islanders, he couldn't have predicted being iced out to the degree that he was. A few people begrudgingly (and mostly secretly) accepted him, and town historian Eddie from the first book loved that there was another outsider to socialize with, but most made it clear just how unwelcome he was.

Natty Harper is looking for odd jobs and offers to clear and care for the police station's much-neglected yard. He gets more than he bargained for when he finds himself attracted to the outcast Dominic-the-copper, an attraction that goes both ways. But another of the ways Natty makes money isn't exactly legal, and he knows if he pursues a relationship with Dominic, it's only a matter of time before his side gig is discovered. Plus, he's an islander - he can't be seen in a relationship with an outsider right?

I enjoyed the story, although the way some of the islanders treated Dominic bugged me a bit. The authors made up for that with the great friendship and camaraderie between Dominic and Eddie, the island's two transplants. It was also interesting to see how the illegal activity storyline was resolved - no spoilers here! The storyline with Natty's mom was touching, and there was even some comic relief in the form of Dominic's sounding board, Princess Frank.

There could have been more relationship development between Dominic and Natty, and Natty ran pretty hot and cold as he tried to balance his relationship with Dominic and not wanting to be caught/seen with him. It also would have been nice to know more about the tension between Natty and his brother, Nipper Will, although I have a feeling that may be something explored in another installment.

Definitely an enjoyable read overall, and I'm looking forward to the next one! Thanks to the authors for the advance copy; this is my honest review.

[EQUUS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quirky characters of Dauntless Island are sneaky. They grow on you like barnacles and you are hooked before you know it. Why is that is still a bit of a mystery to me, because seriously what's there to like about characters who literally hate strangers and are set in their 200 years old ways?
The other way around is almost mission impossible as Dominic will learn in his first minutes on the island. He has two things going strongly against him. He's a stranger and worse - he's new law and order on the island - first in 200 years. If he doesn't get murdered in a week he'll probably starve to death...😁
But there's an upside. Natty his gorgeous neighbour. Too bad he's not allowed to speak to Dominic...
Natty and his brother Will are dealing with family tragedy that took away their father and it might took away their mother as well. On top of it every day is a battle to stay afloat financially. So their relationship is strained at best, and Will being so tight lipped doesn't help.
I don't want to add any spoilers so I'll just say that story gets pretty intense in the last few chapters of the book - like biting your nails intense.
I'm giving it four stars instead of five because there are some questions left unanswered and situations unresolved. Nothing too important, and nothing that can't be resolved in the next book. I truly hope it will be Will's story.
I recommend that you read book 1 first. You won't regret it!

[Sunshine · Rating 5 out of 5]

LAWLESS - LISA HENRY & J.A. ROCK

This is the second book in the Dauntless Island series, and while I did not read the first book, it was easy to follow and learn about the community and all of the people that brought it to life.

Dominic was an outsider and a police officer, fondly referred to as copper throughout, and he was sent to Dauntless Island to set up the official station. Met with silence from the islanders, it was a contest of wills to see who would speak to him first. Natty lived next door and offered to clean up Dominic’s back yard, for a fee of course. While he spent time around Dominic, Natty could admit to his cousin Button John he was attracted to the copper, but knew the islanders would not be happy to hear he wanted to date him.

There are a lot of quirky characters, and the names were always worth a smile or chuckle, especially when the lineage was explained for them. Mavis, who owned the only shop, and her waitlist for items like milk, was quite funny. Thank goodness for sympathetic Robbie who sold milk to Dominic on the down low! I enjoyed the relationship between Princess Frank and Dominic as well. Anyone that is a cat person will agree those conversations were spot on!

Lisa Henry writes realistic people and places, and while there is usually an adventure or two for the MC’s, they do find their way to HEA.

[Sheena · Rating 5 out of 5]

- series
- small town
- Virgin MC

This is the second in the Dauntless Island series, and this time it's the new policeman arriving on the island where he isn't exactly welcomed with open arms. More like open hostility, as outsiders aren't welcome on the island, and particularly authority figures. I really felt for Dominic more than once in his attempts to fit in on the island. He starts out so optimistic but the open hostility of his new neighbours soon wears that out of him, and I could feel how lonely he was.

I loved Natty too, he's going through a lot as a young guy trying to find his way on the island he loves, his big brother isn't exactly easy and his mum is another challenge altogether. I get why Natty wouldn't want his relationship with Dominic out in the open but I also felt it was so unfair on Dominic, who has done nothing wrong. The islanders are a kooky bunch but I felt they needed a reality check more than once, I didn't find their attitudes charming or funny some of the time, it was just plain mean. I loved seeing Eddie again though and cheered when Natty finally stood up to his brother and the rest of the island, these two deserve their HEA and thanks to Red Joe, they can finally get that.

I really enjoyed this and look forward to more stories set on the island.

I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this a lot, definitely more than the first one. Although Eddie and Red Joe featured in this one extensively, and I liked them way more in in this book than their own actual story. Happily this one wasn't trying to be a mystery, it had very little external plot aside from a little bit of mortal peril at the end, and I really enjoyed the humour and the cosy feel of it all. The characters and relationship were super sweet, and I enjoyed them together, but they seemed to move rather fast on the physical side and a bit slow on the emotional side, and it felt like there was some important stuff we didn't see on page. Especially, and I cannot stress this enough, having a character repeatedly fantasize about his partner fucking him and then never actually showing it on page should be a criminal offence. Moreover, this is the third time *this year* I have endured this disappointment in a Lisa Henry book. All first times need to be on page, please and thank you. Despite this criminal omission, I enjoyed the book and there seems to be plenty of scope for more shenanigans on the island.

[CatOnABlueBackground · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quirky and enjoyable. This is the 2nd book in the Dauntless Island series. I received it as an ARC and have not read the first book (but now I'm going to....)

Dominic the cop gets assigned to Dauntless Island - an island full of very unfriendly folks. Natty is looking for work, and offers to clean up the police station backyard. They're attracted to each other immediately, but it's a bit of a slow burn, as the islanders don't accept outsiders easily (or at all), and it's problematic for Natty to be seen with Dominic. There are a couple of emergencies, and by the end Dominic is beginning to win over the islanders.

The side characters / islanders are interesting and quirky and odd and most of them are pretty cold at the beginning. Dominic is a good guy who knows what he wants and what he won't accept from Natty. Natty is a bit sheltered due to his having lived mostly on the island and having been on the mainland for only a few years of school.

The whole thing was quirky and entertaining, and I read it all in one sitting.

[Emilyrose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so happy to be back with a book visiting Dauntless Island because it's such a different setting full of really interesting characters. There were moments with Dominic where I really felt for him trying to fit in here; Frank the cat was an unexpected star! Dominic and Natty had great chemistry but it was more of a slow burn for them with a lot of back and forth about why things wouldn't work (from Natty's side of things). As I said, the secondary characters in this series really do make them such great books to fall in love with. All the small details made me smile and sometimes laugh out loud like how things ended with Mavis and the milk queue. I did think that there was a little bit too much repetition and on/off from Natty about giving Dominic a chance - it was like he couldn't see the wood for the trees at times. I enjoyed them as a couple though and I'm glad they got their HEA. I'm definitely looking forward to more in the series and who'll be next to move to Dauntless.

I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Vangosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lawless, the second book in the Dauntless series, is about new copper Dominic as he starts a new part of his career on the island. The people of Dauntless are not so excited about any newcomers let alone a figure of authority. Dominic doesn’t let any cold shoulders deter him as he tries to get to know his new community but his cute neighbor, Natty, in particular. Natty is clever and scrappy as he looks for odd jobs on Dauntless Island. He finds his next opportunity doing gardening at the new copper’s property.

Dauntless is full of quirky and interesting characters. The community is tight and weary of outsiders but once you a considered apart of it they are fiercely protective. And like any small family everyone knows everything and there is very few secrets left to be found on Dauntless.

This series will be so interesting to watch as Dauntless is forced to grow and expand accepting newcomers onto the island. (Personally I hope the next story is about Natty’s older brother Nipper Will!).

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

This was book two in the author’s Dauntless Island series and that place, along with the people living there is a trip! The whole place is kinda reminiscent of what you might have imagined it to be like YEARS ago. Isolated as it is, change is slow to come and, quite frankly, unwanted. Case in point is Dominic. the new Senior Constable, or copper, as the island residents tended to call him. They didn’t think he belonged there and made no secret of it, snubbing him at every turn. His young neighbor, Natty, having a crush on him, didn’t feel quite the same and offered to work for him, cleaning up but, even he was careful, nervous about the others might think.

This book was a hoot! The residents there were downright odd which could very well have been contagious seeing as Dominic’s closest confidant was a cat named Princess Frank ;D. It’s an excellent book for readers who love a lot of humor, a bit of a mystery and a good bit of steam. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. 4.5 stars!

I received a copy of this book for free but am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book set on Dauntless Island with all its quirky, and delightful characters. Nobody particularly likes change, and the population of Dauntless definitely doesn’t like the addition of a police station on their island. Dominic is the new ‘copper’ sent to man the station, and he is lovely. He’s a true pessimist who doesn’t let the islanders, treatment get him down, and his discussions with his cat are a delight. Dominic has an instant attraction to Natty, who feels the same, but as Natty is involved in some not-quite-lawful activity on the island, acting on those feelings is not easy for him. Watching their journey to be together made for a fun story, and it was also lovely to see more of Eddie, the only other non islander on the island, and Dominic’s only ally.
This is a fun read, itwith intrigue, suspense and some heat, and I enjoyed every page. Highly recommended.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lawless is the second story in the Dauntless Island series, and I loved it as much as the first.
Dominic was a sweetheart, and it was impossible not to hurt with him as he was continuously shunned by the citizens of Dauntless. He was such a people person, but most of the people on the island wanted him to go back to the mainland. Natty was an adorable mess. He was brokenhearted at the state of his family, and he was conflicted about his attraction to the new copper on the island. I really liked these men, and I felt all the emotions as they tried to figure things out. Each needed the other so much!
This series is wonderful, full of heart and humor, and I look forward to book three. Who will be the next islander to succumb to the charms of an outsider, and how hard will the other residents make things? Anything could happen, but I know for sure it will be entertaining. And I know the first two couples will be there to offer their support. I can't wait!

[Tanya Blue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Senior Constable Dominic Miller is excited to be the first police presence on Dauntless Island. The residents of Dauntless Island have been ignored by the Australian government for 200 years. It's time for a change. Problem is, no one asked the residents of Dauntless Island if they wanted a change. No one on Dauntless wants outsiders on the island, especially a copper. Dominic is facing an upward battle.
Natty is facing a battle of his own. His brother Nipper Will is determined to keep Natty under his thumb. Not only is he refusing to let Natty work the family boat, but he has blacklisted Natty working on any other boat. Natty concocts a plan, he offers to clear Dominic's garden for $200 then maintain for $50 a week, a side benefit is Dominic is super-hot. The problem is, Natty's sideline MAY not be entirely legal.

[Megan McGrath · Rating 4 out of 5]

Natty & Dominic

"The last copper looked like a praying mantis."

"You and me. Unprecedented. I like that."

The story was a fantastic adventure, but truthfully, it felt a bit like the romance was kind of forced. And even though I loved the characters, it just didn't feel like they went well together. They had plenty of sweet moments but it felt like any of the chemistry they had really just happened near the end instead of what we see as a slow buildup.
I think I had more fun reading Natty's relationship with Button John, even just as cousins and best friends.

Dauntless Island is an interesting series and Lawless matched its Island energy, but the plot of this story was definitely different than the first book, though that's not a bad thing. I'd love to explore more of the characters that we get to meet. They're all very unique and it would be really nice to see Button John have his happily ever after if that's possible.

I received an authorized copy of this book and am volunteering my honest review.

[Andrea Smedley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I completely loved book 1, Dauntless, and couldn't wait to return to the island to see what happened next. Dominic is the next outsider to arrive on Dauntless, and I must admit, I struggled with how the Dauntless residents treated him for the first half of the book. The islanders take anti-incomer sentiment to bullying levels. Just at the point that I was beginning to thing they were irredeemable a-holes, the tide (no pun intended) literally began to turn. And I was fully in it from that point. A fantastic story with a great duo in Dominic and Natty, and I really can't wait to see what happens next. I'm torn between whether Button John or Nipper Will deserve a partner next - they both need some serious joy in their lives in different ways. Thoroughly engrossing.

[Fedora · Rating 5 out of 5]

LAWLESS is the second in the Dauntless Island series by Lisa Henry and JA Rock. Senior Constable Dominic Miller isn’t entirely prepared for how isolated he feels when he arrives for his post on remote and insular Dauntless Island, when the islanders essentially close ranks in a sharp reminder that he doesn’t belong. His neighbor, Natty Harper, is one of the few to (deign to) speak to him, and he responds to that small kindness even as they both work on ignoring the spark of attraction that flares between them.

Lisa Henry and JA Rock’s world building is engrossing and the imagery they create of the windswept island and its residents vivid and memorable. Lawless is a terrific story about finding a place, one’s place in the world and community.

[Tris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was excited to get into this because it was a story of a “copper” going to a small town - which sounded so similar to “Two Man Station” which I loved.

Unfortunately, whilst the story itself - the way Dominic got to know everyone and his frustrations and finally his acceptance; was all seriously fun and interesting, the romance itself left a lot to be desired.

Natty is only 19. It made this “love story” ridiculously unbelievable and he was immature and it showed. The amount of whining he did was a little annoying to read.

I do wish to read more small town stories from Lisa Henry - because it was well written. But maybe more romance for an actual MM romance.

[Patdbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book two of the series.

Following the events of book one, a new copper arrives on the island. determined to fit in to the idilic island, he realises that though the island is idilic the inhabitants not so, the hate him, apart from Red Joe the mayor and Eddie his boyfriend. ohh and of course there is his neighbour Natty.....

As with book one, the story surrounds how the outsider gets to be accepted, by the islanders and more importantly how Dominic worms his way into Natty heart and visa versa.

Can't wait till the new Dr arrives, who's next on the hit list , Button John , or Nipper Will or someone completely different, mmmmm

Read it and enjoy.

[Saskia Veldhuis · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. The second instalment of this weird and wonderful group of islanders. After getting used to the repetitive names with odd nicknames in book 1, this book made more sense right from the beginning. Dominic has moved to the island to be the first policeman in some time. The bulk of the inhabitants are really unhappy about that, being traditionally against the law and especially hostile to newcomers. After a few dramatic rescues and becoming involved with Natty, things slowly improve. I'm really looking forward to more books set in this unusual place.