(πρώτο βιβλίο: 3.5/5 Τρίτο: 2.5/5) 2/5 (no spoilers) Να! Βλέπετε γιατί πρέπει να αφήνω μέρες να περάσουν πριν γράψω την κριτική? Πολύ γρήγορα μάλιστα άλλαξα γνώμη και αποφάσισα ότι δεν είναι για 3/5.
Νομίζω ότι το κύριο αρνητικό είναι η Regan. ΘΕΕ ΜΟΥ ΤΗΝ ΜΙΣΩ. Τι απέγινε η κοπέλα του πρώτου βιβλίου? Οι αποφάσεις που παίρνει δεν έχουν καμία απολύτως λογική συνοχή. Φέρεται άθλια στον Cage και μετά περιμένει να της δείχνει αγάπη και εμπιστοσύνη. Επίσης το όλο μπρος πίσω ‘παράτα με-σε θέλω-παράτα με-σε θέλω’ με έβγαζε από τα ρούχα μου. Απλώς διάλεξε αν θα μείνεις μαζί του ή όχι ΤΖΙΖΟΥΣ ΚΡΑΙΣΤ. Επίσης μια ‘δυνατή’ γυναίκα-χαρακτήρας δεν φέρεται σε κάποιον σαν σκουπίδι και του λέει ότι μπορεί να κοιμάται με όποιον θέλει αλλά όταν εκείνος κάνει το ίδιο να εκνευρίζεται. Αυτό το στυλάκι εγω θα κάνω ο,τι γουστάρω γιατί είμαι σκύλα αλλά εσύ δεν επιτρέπεται να κοιτάξεις άλλη είναι υποκριτικό και την ρίχνει στα μάτια μου.
Και ο Cage που μου άρεσε πολύ στο πρώτο, δεν εξηγούσε ποτέ στην Regan τι συμβαίνει. Δεν είναι λογικό να κάνει κάτι που δεν θές όταν δεν της λές ότι αυτή η επιλογή είναι επικίνδυνη για αυτούς τους λόγους. Είναι σαν να έιμαι εγώ αλλεργική στα φυστίκια αλλά να μην το ξέρω γιατί κανείς δεν μου το έχει πει, να τρώω λίγα, να πηγαίνω νοσοκομείο και μετά οι γονείς μου να είναι θυμωμένοι που τα έφαγα εξαρχής. ΟΕΟ? Πολύ λογικό βιβλίο…..
Επίσης τα περισσότερα στην ιστορία ήταν ουσιαστικά μια συνεχόμενη επανάληψη. Τσακώνονται, δεν μιλάνε μεταξύ τους, μετά τσακώνονται κι άλλο με στόχο να τα βρουν, τα βρίσκουν, το κάνουν, δεν τηρούν τις υποσχέσεις και πάλι από την αρχή.
Γενικά, δεν είναι σε καμία περίπτωση όσο καλό το πρώτο. Γιατί συνέχισα με τη σειρά? Το τέλος είχε ενδιαφέρον πάλι και είχα ήδη το τρίτο βιβλίο οπότε γιατί όχι?
And, again, like book one, this book was so not what I expected.
I expected typical second book shit where the author solves the mess, lulls around in hearts and flowers bliss, and then hurls some angsty problem at you to get you to pick up book three.
No, not even close. This is merely an escalation of the mob, boxing, sex soap opera that started in book one. Second book slump? Phhhhst. This book packs a harder punch than its' mama book.
Yes, I realize that I haven't told you much, but I would be here for days trying to give you just a synopsis of this roller coaster from hell!
Characters
Honestly, I hate each and every one of this mfing characters.
I want to bitch slap them and terminate their employment on the stupid train. I. HATE. THEM. I hate the decisions they make. I hate the things they do to each other. I hate the way they justify it all. I hate their hypocrisy toward each other. I hate what others are doing to them. And, most of all I hate they lack mfing basic communication skills. Yeah, a lot of hate.
Why, yes, I believe it was, and I worked because I
Hate Is Fickle
So, clearly I've expressed that I hate these people. Then, why am I...
Simple. This is me reading...
I have literally walked around in a damn trance devouring every single word of this series for TWO DAYS, albeit cursing, throwing shit, and occasionally kicking something in utter frustration because I FUCKING HATE THESE PEOPLE!
All that said, I still want to pluck the MCs out of this f'd up story and set them on an island to just be safe and happy for a minute. I know it would only last a minute because they'd find some way to start a damn typhoid fever outbreak, summon a tsunami, or burn the whole damn island down after that single happy minute passed. Yes, seriously!
This book is like watching a forest fire up close. You're so caught up as a spectator in the awe of nature... the elemental chemistry, the beauty, & the destruction that it's easy to forget the danger of it all until a flame licks you and you feel the heat singe your skin. Likewise, you get so caught up and entangled in these character's lives and their story that you keep forgetting you fucking hate them.
Moving On
Unlike book one, this book ends on a happy note. Book three?!?
Omg I honestly don't know if I can read it. My brain and heart are screaming that they just can't take no mo'. I may just keep the illusion from the end of book two and pretend book three doesn't exist. I dont know?!?
Spoilers, Triggers, and Warnings Read At Will
^ that's probably about the only subject safe in this series. I shit you not!
If ow/om are a deal breaker, then you should run fast and hard from this because you will be livid.
There are also drugs, beating on women, killing, violence of all shades and sorts, emotional and sexual blackmail, PTSD, mob shit, angst out the ass, drugs, alcohol, lies, near rape, heartbreak, and just about any other unsavory act you can possibly fathom before the two MCs get their heads out of their asses.
This is the second book in the Outside The Ropes Series.
I am the author, but I can't even say I wrote this. These character wrote this story. They had control. Half the time I was angry at them too. But when it's all said and done, they took me on a ride and I hope you enjoy the experience!
For some reason, I just couldn't continue with this book, even though I tried REALLY hard to push through. As with book 1, I liked the storyline & the hero, but the heroine in this series just pisses me off beyond all reason. I cannot relate to her, nor do I have any freaking clue why she does the things that she does. I get she doesn't trust easily because of her past, but to treat Gage the way that she does & then to expect him to treat her with love, just annoys me to no end. I can't stand the back & forth all of the time.... The pushing & the pulling, the hot & the cold...... Just make up your mind which way you're gonna go & stick with it - geez. The last straw for me was when Gage asked her if she would let another man touch her & she told him she'd do what she had to do, when just days before, she was pissed because he let other women touch him - nope, sorry.... Double standards are not what I consider strong suits in a heroine. At least Gage had a good reason for letting other women touch him. She's just being stupid. Other than the heroine, I loved the plot & the writing. Inside Danger is definitely not your typical fighter book & it was refreshing. So, if dumb heroines don't bother you, like they do me, you will probably really enjoy this series. Anyway, I'm done with my rant. Thanks for reading.
love, hate, annoyance... hard to tell which emotion won out. A lot of things happened and a lot of back crossing, not really clear how the hierarchy worked, but in the end it seemed to turn out just fine. But come on, even if the situation of the MC's was quiet bad and they didn't have safe ways to communicate the way they wanted. Keeping extra secrets and agenda's will cause more problems than you intend. So frustrating to witness from the sidelines And what was up with that Rustnic/Anatoli guy, it felt so slimy/dirty, it made my skin crawl.
Dying almost seemed easy; it was everything else that scared me.
This is the second book in the Outside The Ropes series, continuing Regan's story. It's just as raw and gritty as the first, at times even more so with some of the things Regan goes through and deals with.
Regan, God what to say about her?!? She's such a strong, independent, sometimes scary, kickass heroine. Some of her choices are still driving me crazy and breaking my heart. She's been on her own for so long she's still having such a hard time trusting and believing in people. She makes choices that she feels are necessary for her survival, but can't seem to accept that other people, namely Gage, are also doing things to help her out, when all she's trying to do is protect him. It didn't matter anyways, I wasn't with him for protection. I just wanted him and I wanted to keep him safe too.
It was frustrating to see her pushing him away, again and again, not believing in him. Mostly I regret giving my soul to a woman who doesn't give a fuck. They are at odds with each other through most of the book, and although at times Gage's choices seemed questionable, everything he did was for her, for them. "I'd do anything for you. Anything."
I wasn't sure how much more my poor heart could handle as I read this book- the angst, the danger, the secrets...everything finally coming to a head. The action in this book is non-stop, I didn't know what was coming next! It's a thrill ride that will keep you guessing and turning the page.
I am completely hooked on this series, Ashley has created such fantastic characters I cannot wait to see what is in store for them in OtherSide Of Fear, that little tease at the end of this book was amazing!
***I was gifted a copy by the author in exchange for an honest review.***
****I was given a copy of this book for a fair and honest review****
I honestly would have to rate this book 4****'s. I really loved the book but once again we are left with a cliffhanger at the end. "Inside Danger" is the second book of the Outside the Ropes series and should definitely be read after the first book "Outside The Ropes". I will continue to read this series because I became invested so much in the story that I want to know what is coming next. This is Regan and Gage's story of survival, love,and secrets.
Regan now has nothing left to lose except to fight for herself. Having nothing left to lose she make a deal with the Devil himself who goes by the name, Anatoli Rusnak. Little did she know by making a deal with him, there were a others involved that she would have to answer to as well. Struggling to find where her place is in this new world she is met with so much adversity in order to find the truth.
Gage is now buried deep within the organization and must keep his distance from Regan in order to keep her safe, originally not knowing the deal she has made. He has also made his own deals and is furious that Regan has gotten involved with these people. Trying his hardest to stay away from her, for her safety, his loyalty and love for her keeps him dangerously close knowing the danger it could bring to the both of them.
The other underlying characters in this book add a totally different dynamic to this story from book one. We are taken into the underworld that is pure evil and have no loyalty to anyone. Keeping your word takes on an entirely different meaning in this new world. There are so many twists and turns in this book that it left my head spinning at times and frustrated so many times with everyone.
"'Your mine. And I'm yours.'" "We had a chance at living. We could fight any obstacle and win, because of the way we love."
Fighting together Regan and Gage have over come so many obstacles and danger in this book. Finally, thinking they will get their happily ever after, we are thrown for another surprise that will ultimately change the course of their lives.......to be continued!
Gage had tried to leave his old life behind. But when he tries to clean up Dexter's debts, Gage is sucked back into Anatoli Rusnak's smuggling operations. He's left Regan with no choice but to get back in the ring in an attempt to win his freedom. But how much will she have to sacrifice for Gage? He's turned cold and distant after leaving her in New York but she's still willing to fight for him. Regan makes a deal with the devil - who's seducing both her and Gage - in order to get back to what she wants. But can Gage and Regan learn to really trust each other especially when Regan finally realizes Gage will never be out of Rusnak's control?
The second in the series ends on a happier, hopeful note which almost feels necessary after the roller coaster Ashley Claudy takes us on throughout the book. Regan spends a lot of time in this book considering how she seems to ruin everything. It's probably the least compelling part of the story - her constant self doubt and questioning - especially when she wrongly believes Gage is her weakness. In fact, Gage and Regan both see each other as a vulnerability especially when neither can seem to come up with a plan that benefits them both. There's a lot of sacrifice in the name of false protection. Regan finally realizes that no deal she makes with Anatoli Rusnak benefits her or Gage. She has to put her faith in him to protect them both.
I felt Inside Danger was a stronger story although I did want to strangle Regan a few times for being too fiercely independent. That's her ugly cycle - unable to trust the right people, accepts help from the wrong people, she screws up, people get hurt. But she figures it out by the end - figures out that she and Gage are willing to go to war for each other - and we get a little sweetness.
Again, quick read for people into the genre with some seriously steamy steam between Gage and Regan. You won't put it down until you've finished it.
As this is the second book in this series, this review may contain spoilers. I highly recommend that book #1 be read first, which I thoroughly enjoyed!
Regan has been pulled into a world of danger but feels like she has no choice. After seeing Gage lose his battle, she feels that she's left with no other option, other than to dance with the devil. Although it seems like she's putting herself first and pushing everyone she cares for away, can she save them all on her own?
At first she has no idea where Gage is and what's happened to him, but when she does finally happen upon him, he is cold and nonchalant. It appears that she has yet again been let down.
But maybe Gage is doing what he thinks is best...can he save Regan, even at the cost of his own future?
Who can be trusted? Can Regan and Gage even trust each other when outside forces interfere at every step?
There's plenty of drama and danger, keeping you on the edge of your seat and lives thrown to the wolves. Can anyone come out of this on top, let alone alive?
I really enjoyed this book. The characters are perfectly carried through from book #1 and I felt Regan's dilemmas whole heartedly. Gage's frustration and strong desperation is portrayed so effectively, that you feel it too.
Despite thoroughly enjoying this book, I've marked it down slightly as the editing needs to be redone desperately. There are more than a few simple mistakes that have been over looked, which detracted from the read. With a re-edit, I would happily award it 5 stars but as it stands, I give it a glowing 4 stars.
This author's writing style is great, it's always interesting, she keeps you on your toes.
Yet she seems to have fallen into an unfortunate pattern of absolutely no character growth in any of her characters. It's as if they keep on making the same mistakes, changing nothing about their actions. I love novels where you see some growth, some maturity with experience, and Ashley Claudy can really go into this if she wanted to. Yet, we keep on seeing the characters with the same attitude and immaturity, with extra drama and sex in between. It's almost disappointing.
This is the third book I've read by this author, and by reading the reviews in the last book of this series I realized other readers have noticed this same pattern.
I liked the first book, but I'm on the fence with this one. It's not that I didn't like it, but parts seemed to be the same over and over. Rea and Gage would argue, then ignore each other, then have sex, then not talk things through and then the whole thing would repeat. It was the same argument over and over again. Gage says he's helping her, but she's messing it all up. He won't explain to her how he is helping her. Rea is trying to help herself out of a bad situation, she won't let him. They both keep messing the plans up.
I'm not sure if I will get the next book or not. This felt like it was a good place to stop with the series. I may get it at a later point, but not right now.
HOLY GUACAMOLEEEEEYYYYY! TWO BOXERS. ONE ALPHA MALE AND ONE BADASS HEROINE!! WHAT DO YOU THINK HAPPENS IN THE BOOK? WELL, IT'S ONE EPIC ACTION BOOK!
It's like you're also in the ring throwing those friggin punches! ohhhhh and it's HEA! TOTALLY TOTAAAALLLLLLLY LOVE IIIIITTTT! THANK YOU AUTHOR ASHLEY CLAUDY FOR THIS AWESOME BOOOOOK! THEM FEEEEELS! I JUST CAAAAAANT! FIVE EPIC STARS!
Wow what a book. Sometimes the second book in a series is a bit bland.......but this was fantastic. Finished it in a day as I could not put it down. There are ups and down twists and turns it just has you hooked from start to finish. Cannot wait for book three.
I loved book 1. This one was written in a different tone. Some of Rea's actions didn't match her thoughts and it made it hard to connect to her character. Book 1 had a more relatable story line. I will not purchase book 3
>Book Review – Inside Danger >I am an independent reviewer. This book is the 2nd in the Outside the Ropes series and ends in an HEA for now. Regan makes a deal with the devil in the form of bad guy Rusnak, in order to get revenge upon her BFF’s killer, Damion. Gage is working for Rusnak, telling Regan he is planning something to help her, but his behavior is confusing to Regan and she doesn’t know what to think. I really feel for Regan. She sees Gage with hookers, doing drugs and working for a killer. He is also cruel to Regan in front of Rusnak, but loving and full of promises in private. Considering no one in Regan’s life has ever been there for her, I can’t believe she doesn’t just hook up with Rusnak. Rusnak is evil, but kind to her. He seduces her with gifts and just plain kindness. Rusnak reminds me of a wild animal that may or may not be trained, able to turn on you without warning. >A lot of the issues in this story could be avoided with better communication between Gage and Regan. This book is appropriate for an adult audience. I am giving this book 5 stars.
The problem with second books in a series...sometimes they fall flat. It's all about tying up loose ends, the HEA, and trying to resolve all the issues before the final chapter. Did that happen? Yes, Am I ready to start book 3? Yes! I was prepared to stop at this one and not move on to the final book. I wanted to bask in the HEA and watch the MCs ride off into the sunset together...but then I read the sneak peek into book 3. Sometimes I start to lose interest around mid-book 2, but with this storyline, I'm not ready for it to end.
Could you stop at the end of the book and not read the sneak peek into book 3? ABSOLUTELY! Enjoy your HEA and move on to the next book on your TBR, but honestly...why would you? I'm excited to see how the story continues to unfold in the final book of the series. I've read through a few reviews on Goodreads and I'm intrigued by what will happen in their lives next.
I’m obsessed with this series. I think I read this book in like two days. I’ve easily replaced Netflix and Hulu with everything written by Ashley Claudy. They are truly an amazing author, I hope they are incredibly proud of themselves. I’m moving into the next book now, I’m already kinda sad that I’m getting close to the end.
Ashley did it again in this book filled with love, drama, suspense and everything in between. I can't wait to see what's in store for Rae, Gage, Dexter, and the rest of the clan in book 3!
4.5 ❤'s I can't decide how much I hate Gage right now! "Outside the Ropes" by Ashley Claudy was an amazing read. We met Gage and Regan, two very tragic characters that had somehow found each other and are willing to fight some pretty awful outside forced intent on tearing their lives apart.
Book 1 left on a mild cliffhanger, Regan finds herself a target for some of the most vile creatures roaming the streets of Washington DC. Now in "Inside Danger," seeking revenge is the only thing she can focus on but in order to get it, she has to make a deal with the devil. Goodness these characters are so evil! Killing with no conscience, abuse in every form. Regan can only hope to turn to Gage for some sort of peace but Gage has his own ideas on how he can save Regan. He's so cold and cruel, pushing Regan away in an attempt to do what he feels he needs to do.
This was a HUGE issue for me with these two people. Their feelings and love are obviously apparent but neither trusts the other enough to tell them their plan. There is ZERO communication! UGGGGG
"Inside Danger" was full of suspense and intrigue. There are many twists and turns you will never see coming. Anatoli Rusnak is the devil himself. Just when you think you know the truth, you have no idea. That's when Ashley pulls her ever so sudden cliffhanger and your left with a serious WTF face.
I've set the calendar for when "Other Side of Fear" comes out. I can only hope Gage and Regan find their happily ever after or at least the peace they both deserve.
Again, rating this five stars, but she still needs an editor.
This was another roller coaster ride. I was, again, on the edge of my seat, waiting for what's next. Things were so out of control in this one, yet every bit of chaos worked toward the great ending. I'm pretty sure Rusnak was a little bit insane. I don't care if he had a thing for Regan's mother and knew a bit of her history... if he knew Regan's mother, then he's old enough to be her father. Why would he even think she'd be interested in him sexually? Yet he pushed it at every opportunity. But was that all just part of the game? I mean, they were all literally playing with her. She was a pawn in a game she didn't understand. Nobody told her anything about her new circumstances, including Gage, and she'd get blamed for shit she didn't do or didn't know about. God, Nick was an asshole. I was NOT sad he died near the end. I don't really think I'm spoiling anything by saying that, because I didn't say how he died, and that's almost bigger than the fact that he died. But I wasn't sad. About any of them who died or whose circumstances changed by the end of the story. But she survived. Gage survived. Their deep love survived.
This could be the end of their story, but there's one more that I will read. There's a teaser chapter at the end of this one that certainly piques interest. Before reading the chapter, I thought maybe I'd wait to eventually read #3, but now it'll be up next after I read my next story. If it's gonna be another roller coaster, I need a "palate cleanser" first. :-)
This book was phenomenal.. It picks up where book 1 left off.. Gage is gone.. Regan is desperately trying to find him.. When Regan does find Gage she finds him getting really close to some really bad people.. He believes that his only way of protecting and keeping Regan safe is to ask as though she means nothing to him.. of course Regan starts to think this too.. was he just playing her? Of course just as she is ready to let him have it he pulls her to him and shows her just how much she means to him.. Gage is sooo back and forth in this book.. but he begs Regan to just let him handle things.. he has it under control.. but as you know Regan is not one to just sit there.. NO she starts to make deals of her own.. This book is filled with tons of action.. plenty of drama and danger, keeping you on the edge of your seat.. I do on a side note need to say that I think my favorite part of this book was **and its not really spoiling anything** but when they are at the gym.. she tells Gage she is not going to stay and he leaves then comes back then hides out in the basement.. pretty much from then till the end…. LOVED!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot wait for book 3!!!!
**I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
I enjoyed the continuation of Reagan and Gage's story. While it wasn't as strong as book 1 for me. It was a thoroughly engaging story.
This book picks up exactly where book 1 leaves off and tells the consequences of Reagan's action. I continue to enjoy Reagan's strength (even though she made some unnecessary decisions and made things a little worse for herself) and the fact that she wasn't the typical damsel in distress (even though in some situations, I wish she would have just listened to Gage)
Gage was a little iffy for me. I still found him to be an alluring Alpha male, but some of his decisions had me giving him the side eye. But he managed to more than redeem himself in the end.
Some of the overly flowery language was a bit much to me, but wasn't too much of a distraction.
This book was a little better then the first. I give it 3.5 stars simply because the events kept my intrest, but it was the character dialog and relationship that bored me to death.
Only about 75% into the book did I started liking Rea A little more then the first book. There was no character growth until the very very end.
I felt that there was still not enough communication between Rea and Gage. They spend hardly any time together and the time they did spend was either arguing, sleeping together or going back and forth asking what was going on in their lives, but never actually answering or getting anywhere with the conversations.
Gage was MIA half the time and only popped in here and there.
The events that took place though had me on the edge of my seat.
This series had so much potential. I would have just took the character dinamics in a different direction. Maybe having them come together as a team earlier in the book and putting Rea's tough character to good use.
Ashley Claudy has out done herself with book 2. I loved book one but this is a whole different ball game, more drama, more intrigue, more thriller elements. For the final third of the book my heart was in my mouth. At times I wanted to grab hold of both Rea and Gage and shake them as they struggled to get on the same page. But it was great story telling, keeping me turning pages and guessing at the out come. Both characters went from strength to strength and the dynamicmics between the two were superbly written. This storyline has a cleverly woven plot that is at times exhausting (in a good way.) the action scenes, boxing and steamy scenes are exceptionally well done.
~*~My Thoughts~*~ A 5 Star Rating Wow!! I feel like I need to wipe my brow after reading this one. It's definitely as awesome as the first book. I honestly feel like it was more of a roller coaster I never knew what to expect and I may or may not have been a wreck waiting to see what would happen. I'm so glad that I picked up the first book in this series because it quickly becoming one of my faves. Ashley has out done herself with this one and I cannot wait for the next book!
Received a complimentary copy from the author for an honest review.
I love it! If I thought book 1 was good this is just great. Love the way the author manage to keep me interested, letting go the book was a challenge to me. Rea & Gage fighting to save each other, my heart dropped when she sees him for the first time and he's like a total stranger. I wanted to smack them couple times but that's part of a good book. Definitely Can't wait for book 3! If you like romance, mystery, action pack chapters this is your kind of reading. Congratulations to AYCloudy!
**I was given a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review**