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Skeleton Crew #2
Kane's Prey
Not yet published
Expected 29 Jan 26This is book two in the Skeleton Crew dark romance murder mystery trilogy. More details TBA.
372 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication January 29, 2026
889 people want to read
About the author
Jolie Vines
51 books2,790 followersJOLIE VINES is a romance novelist who lives in the South West of England with her husband and young son.
From an early age, Jolie lived in a fantasy world and is never happier than when plot dreaming. Jolie loves her heroes to be one-woman guys. Whether they are a huge Highlander, a touch starved earl, or a brooding pilot, they will adore their loved one until the end of time.
Her favourite pastime is wrecking emotions then making up for it by giving her characters deep and meaningful happy ever afters.
Want to contact Jolie? Drop her a line at jolie [at] jolievines.com, or find her in her Facebook Fall Hard reader group. She loves hearing from her readers.
Sign up to her newsletter to be the first to hear about new releases, giveaways, and promotions. https://www.jolievines.com/newsletter
From an early age, Jolie lived in a fantasy world and is never happier than when plot dreaming. Jolie loves her heroes to be one-woman guys. Whether they are a huge Highlander, a touch starved earl, or a brooding pilot, they will adore their loved one until the end of time.
Her favourite pastime is wrecking emotions then making up for it by giving her characters deep and meaningful happy ever afters.
Want to contact Jolie? Drop her a line at jolie [at] jolievines.com, or find her in her Facebook Fall Hard reader group. She loves hearing from her readers.
Sign up to her newsletter to be the first to hear about new releases, giveaways, and promotions. https://www.jolievines.com/newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely loved Convict in the last book but Kane is another level! 🥵 LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!!!!!!! These kinds of MMC seem to be my kryptonite 😍
It picks up right where we left off in the last book and I honestly couldn't put this down! We still have the mystery running throughout whilst we also find out more about Lovelyn and Kane. They are the polar opposite but they always say opposites attract don't they? These two, even though so different, were meant to be. They brought out a different side to the other to help them grow and it was wonderful to read.
The spice is spicing and Kane is my man 😍 Phew, get the fans out 🥵 I really liked seeing another side to him as well when it was just him and Lovelyn. The vulnerability, the gentle giant ❤️ The path wasn't easy but they got there!
Lots of drama, angst, mystery, spice and banter ❤️ I honestly CANNOT wait for the next book to finally get all the answers..... I hope!
A fantastic addition to this series and I would recommend it to anyone who likes this genre! Please read the TW first though!
It picks up right where we left off in the last book and I honestly couldn't put this down! We still have the mystery running throughout whilst we also find out more about Lovelyn and Kane. They are the polar opposite but they always say opposites attract don't they? These two, even though so different, were meant to be. They brought out a different side to the other to help them grow and it was wonderful to read.
The spice is spicing and Kane is my man 😍 Phew, get the fans out 🥵 I really liked seeing another side to him as well when it was just him and Lovelyn. The vulnerability, the gentle giant ❤️ The path wasn't easy but they got there!
Lots of drama, angst, mystery, spice and banter ❤️ I honestly CANNOT wait for the next book to finally get all the answers..... I hope!
A fantastic addition to this series and I would recommend it to anyone who likes this genre! Please read the TW first though!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Well… I did not see that coming.
And truthfully, I love a surprise ending. Don’t get me wrong, I love a predictable, cosy ride just as much as the next Kindle girlie. But sometimes I want my pulse quickened, my breath caught, my nerves humming.
Kane’s Prey understood MFKing the assignment!
Kane, my bonny prickly pear, oh Kane! If you look up primal play in the dictionary, you will find his picture. And that’s saying something, with 2 of the guys in this series having chased down their loves and claimed them in a brutal and sexy cat-and-mouse chase in the basement of Divide. Kane can give them a master class. Like the rest of the guys, he is a tortured soul, and I hate that for him. I wanted to rip his aunt’s throat out with my teeth and feed the leftovers to my dogs. I couldn’t imagine saying half of those things to my nephew.
Lovelyn, First, full honesty: I hate her name. No logic, no deeper meaning. I can’t put my finger on why, but I just do, her name grates on me like a popcorn kernel stuck in your teeth. With that said I like her as a character. She has personality, a little bite to her. Something Mila was sadly lacking. I still can’t get a read on her, even though she had a named chapter in this book. She’s just kinda a blank hole for Convict, where Lovelyn is an actual person outside of being Kane’s prey.
Here’s where I have to take a pause; the repeated female death and strangulation is starting to sour the experience for me. It edges dangerously close to the “Girl in the Fridge” trope, which is a hard no for me in this genre. Karla was, let’s face it… an ass. We won’t pretend otherwise. But was that her inevitable end? Was she written solely to be awful on her way to the hangman’s noose? It feels that way. And I’m too much of a girl’s girl to sit comfortably with that.
Could this book have worked without that murder? Honestly, yes. Absolutely.
Still, Kane’s Prey surprised me, rattled me, and made my heart race and had me reaching for my rose on more than one occasion. I just hope future installments learn to let women live long enough
to be complicated, messy, and human, without paying for it with their lives.
And truthfully, I love a surprise ending. Don’t get me wrong, I love a predictable, cosy ride just as much as the next Kindle girlie. But sometimes I want my pulse quickened, my breath caught, my nerves humming.
Kane’s Prey understood MFKing the assignment!
Kane, my bonny prickly pear, oh Kane! If you look up primal play in the dictionary, you will find his picture. And that’s saying something, with 2 of the guys in this series having chased down their loves and claimed them in a brutal and sexy cat-and-mouse chase in the basement of Divide. Kane can give them a master class. Like the rest of the guys, he is a tortured soul, and I hate that for him. I wanted to rip his aunt’s throat out with my teeth and feed the leftovers to my dogs. I couldn’t imagine saying half of those things to my nephew.
Lovelyn, First, full honesty: I hate her name. No logic, no deeper meaning. I can’t put my finger on why, but I just do, her name grates on me like a popcorn kernel stuck in your teeth. With that said I like her as a character. She has personality, a little bite to her. Something Mila was sadly lacking. I still can’t get a read on her, even though she had a named chapter in this book. She’s just kinda a blank hole for Convict, where Lovelyn is an actual person outside of being Kane’s prey.
Here’s where I have to take a pause; the repeated female death and strangulation is starting to sour the experience for me. It edges dangerously close to the “Girl in the Fridge” trope, which is a hard no for me in this genre. Karla was, let’s face it… an ass. We won’t pretend otherwise. But was that her inevitable end? Was she written solely to be awful on her way to the hangman’s noose? It feels that way. And I’m too much of a girl’s girl to sit comfortably with that.
Could this book have worked without that murder? Honestly, yes. Absolutely.
Still, Kane’s Prey surprised me, rattled me, and made my heart race and had me reaching for my rose on more than one occasion. I just hope future installments learn to let women live long enough
to be complicated, messy, and human, without paying for it with their lives.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book had me drooling. First of all, Kane is absolutely MASSIVE. Pair that with his broody, possessive (even if he hasn’t realized it yet) energy, and you’ve got the ultimate bad boy we all secretly crave.
Lovelyn is a total stunner. She’s carried so much pain and loneliness for so long, and it shows in a way that feels raw and real. The passion and spice in this book had me questioning myself, in the best way possible. This is top tier spice, so get your water ready.
I completely fell for both characters. Kane’s upbringing had my heart melting… and had me wanting to jump into the book just to slap Blair. Lovelyn’s growth, though, truly captured me. Being a loner is hard, especially when you believe your worth is tied to what you can provide for others, and her journey was beautifully written. Both characters show incredible emotional growth.
We also uncover more dirty details about the mystery and murders in Deadwater, which kept me hooked. And the Skeleton Girls Detective Agency is still my favorite part of this world, I doubt that will ever change. They’re absolutely vital to this story.
We even get a brief return to The Game, which was enough to melt my heart and make me reach for more water.
That ending? It completely floored me. I was gasping. Just wait until you see where the ferry goes. And if it’s not Tyler… I might riot.
Overall, I absolutely loved this book and am feral for book three.
Favorite Quotes:
"Of course the universe would send me a kidnapper instead of a knight."
"My guardian psychopath was back"
Lovelyn is a total stunner. She’s carried so much pain and loneliness for so long, and it shows in a way that feels raw and real. The passion and spice in this book had me questioning myself, in the best way possible. This is top tier spice, so get your water ready.
I completely fell for both characters. Kane’s upbringing had my heart melting… and had me wanting to jump into the book just to slap Blair. Lovelyn’s growth, though, truly captured me. Being a loner is hard, especially when you believe your worth is tied to what you can provide for others, and her journey was beautifully written. Both characters show incredible emotional growth.
We also uncover more dirty details about the mystery and murders in Deadwater, which kept me hooked. And the Skeleton Girls Detective Agency is still my favorite part of this world, I doubt that will ever change. They’re absolutely vital to this story.
We even get a brief return to The Game, which was enough to melt my heart and make me reach for more water.
That ending? It completely floored me. I was gasping. Just wait until you see where the ferry goes. And if it’s not Tyler… I might riot.
Overall, I absolutely loved this book and am feral for book three.
Favorite Quotes:
"Of course the universe would send me a kidnapper instead of a knight."
"My guardian psychopath was back"
Review of advance copy received from Author
With that ending, it makes me wonder who really is the bad guy?
After the ending of Convict’s Game, we pick up with Kane, who happens to be Mila’s brother, kidnapping Lovelyn, who happens to be the police chief’s daughter. She also provides the Skeleton Crew with information, especially about the recent deaths in the area. It was just supposed to be Lovelyn helping Kane find his third sister so that the mysterious estate could be settled. Instead, it was something neither expected, with both of them falling in love. But Kane’s had a tough upbringing, and Lovelyn’s got her own issues, so when things get tough, Kane does what he does best and runs. So what happens when Lovelyn doesn’t accept that?
Kane and Lovelyn get their happy ending in this standalone but interconnected book in a series.
It seems like the author potentially gave away a huge spoiler for book three at the end of the book, but it also could be a red herring, so I’ll keep my thoughts to myself. I loved that Kane thought he couldn’t do relationships, then did exactly that from the beginning for Lovelyn. My heart broke for her with only having a distant father, and I hope the rest of the girls at the Skeleton Girls Detective Agency will be the support she needs going forward. I can’t wait to see how they end up taking down the Marchant family and who actually took Dixie!
I received an advance review copy from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
After the ending of Convict’s Game, we pick up with Kane, who happens to be Mila’s brother, kidnapping Lovelyn, who happens to be the police chief’s daughter. She also provides the Skeleton Crew with information, especially about the recent deaths in the area. It was just supposed to be Lovelyn helping Kane find his third sister so that the mysterious estate could be settled. Instead, it was something neither expected, with both of them falling in love. But Kane’s had a tough upbringing, and Lovelyn’s got her own issues, so when things get tough, Kane does what he does best and runs. So what happens when Lovelyn doesn’t accept that?
Kane and Lovelyn get their happy ending in this standalone but interconnected book in a series.
It seems like the author potentially gave away a huge spoiler for book three at the end of the book, but it also could be a red herring, so I’ll keep my thoughts to myself. I loved that Kane thought he couldn’t do relationships, then did exactly that from the beginning for Lovelyn. My heart broke for her with only having a distant father, and I hope the rest of the girls at the Skeleton Girls Detective Agency will be the support she needs going forward. I can’t wait to see how they end up taking down the Marchant family and who actually took Dixie!
I received an advance review copy from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 19, 2026
✨Kane’s Prey - Jolie Vines✨
I need a moment to catch my breath… This book was hot🥵 You know how while reading a series you sometimes meet characters that pique your interest? Kane did that to me. It was clear he would end up with Lovelyn but I just couldn’t see how. But now that I’ve read it everything falls into place. I absolutely loved the ‘boyfriend lessons’ and how Kane’s feelings kept peeking out even tho he tried his hardest to not let them. I am also absolutely in love with Lovelyn. First of all her name, gorgeous! Second, she is such a fierce, loving woman and I wish I could have her in my life!
It’s not a secret that I love a good romance with murder/mystery elements and Jolie Vines never disappoints! I love how some of the puzzle pieces are falling into place and at the same time leave me with more questions. I absolutely cannot wait for Tyler and Dixie’s story and to get the answers to my many many questions! For now I’ll just have to add Kane to my list of book boyfriends on rotation in my daydreams!💖
💜 Sweetheart x The Rogue
💀 She deals in information, he’s silent
💜 The tough guy who melts only for her
💀 Roadtrip with a dangerous man
💜 Hunting games, obsession, and rough play
💀 Broken hearts only love can heal
💜 A fresh murder and more clues to be uncovered!
I need a moment to catch my breath… This book was hot🥵 You know how while reading a series you sometimes meet characters that pique your interest? Kane did that to me. It was clear he would end up with Lovelyn but I just couldn’t see how. But now that I’ve read it everything falls into place. I absolutely loved the ‘boyfriend lessons’ and how Kane’s feelings kept peeking out even tho he tried his hardest to not let them. I am also absolutely in love with Lovelyn. First of all her name, gorgeous! Second, she is such a fierce, loving woman and I wish I could have her in my life!
It’s not a secret that I love a good romance with murder/mystery elements and Jolie Vines never disappoints! I love how some of the puzzle pieces are falling into place and at the same time leave me with more questions. I absolutely cannot wait for Tyler and Dixie’s story and to get the answers to my many many questions! For now I’ll just have to add Kane to my list of book boyfriends on rotation in my daydreams!💖
💜 Sweetheart x The Rogue
💀 She deals in information, he’s silent
💜 The tough guy who melts only for her
💀 Roadtrip with a dangerous man
💜 Hunting games, obsession, and rough play
💀 Broken hearts only love can heal
💜 A fresh murder and more clues to be uncovered!
Review of advance copy received from Author
OMG..... Kane is everything! Lovelyn is all the emotions and the perfect fit for Kane. This is book 2 in the Skeleton Crew series, and I definitely recommend reading them in order. (Really start with The Bodycount series if you want a little bit of the background or start earlier as all Jolie's books are interconnected - you won't regret it!)
Jolie is such an amazing writer! She makes you feel like your there and involved with the characters rather than viewing from the outside. Her writing borders on magical. She has a way of making you love the characters and make you root for their success and happiness.
Kane has rocketed to my top five MMC's. He is quiet, gruff, large and alpha. He has gone through it and needs a woman like Lovelyn. Lovelyn is Detective D's daughter, but is nothing like him. She is still reeling from her own life trauma but wants to help find Dixie and heal Kane.
This book continues the mystery and suspense from book one. While we get some answers, there is still mystery to uncover in the next book. And we get another glimpse of the game!
Check the trigger warnings if you have triggers.
Jolie is such an amazing writer! She makes you feel like your there and involved with the characters rather than viewing from the outside. Her writing borders on magical. She has a way of making you love the characters and make you root for their success and happiness.
Kane has rocketed to my top five MMC's. He is quiet, gruff, large and alpha. He has gone through it and needs a woman like Lovelyn. Lovelyn is Detective D's daughter, but is nothing like him. She is still reeling from her own life trauma but wants to help find Dixie and heal Kane.
This book continues the mystery and suspense from book one. While we get some answers, there is still mystery to uncover in the next book. And we get another glimpse of the game!
Check the trigger warnings if you have triggers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I'm so in love with this book. This entire series has been great but Kane and Lovelyn's story will forever go down as my favorite in the Deadwater world. The emotional depth, the personal growth, the primal scenes that had me re-reading them three times over, and the intricate plot that constantly had me guessing.... This book was everything I could have asked for.
If you like your MMCs quiet, violent towards others but sweet and observant with his woman. And if you like your FMCs gentle and loving and brilliant but hiding a deep sadness. And if you really really like super hot predator/prey scenes. Then Kane's Prey is a must read!
If you like your MMCs quiet, violent towards others but sweet and observant with his woman. And if you like your FMCs gentle and loving and brilliant but hiding a deep sadness. And if you really really like super hot predator/prey scenes. Then Kane's Prey is a must read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Dark, slightly unhinged and angry with the world, or so it seems….but Kane is so much more than that. He needs to get some things cleared up and then he is on his way.
Smart, quick, flowers and something else…something she hasn’t shown the world…something she is keeping hidden from everyone. Lovelyn has darkness that is trying to take over.
Their love story starts off a little unhinged…okay, a lot unhinged…and it’s not really a love story, more like she tries and poke the bear and he tries and ignore the flowers and curves.
Unhinged ✅
Drama ✅
Trauma ✅
Angst ✅
Dark Romance ✅
Smexy 🔥🔥🔥
Smart, quick, flowers and something else…something she hasn’t shown the world…something she is keeping hidden from everyone. Lovelyn has darkness that is trying to take over.
Their love story starts off a little unhinged…okay, a lot unhinged…and it’s not really a love story, more like she tries and poke the bear and he tries and ignore the flowers and curves.
Unhinged ✅
Drama ✅
Trauma ✅
Angst ✅
Dark Romance ✅
Smexy 🔥🔥🔥
January 20, 2026
The mystery continues and this book was full of action. Quite a few questions answered but more unanswered by the end of it. If you love a juicy dark romance with a suspense/mystery vibe then this series is for you. I love both Kane and Lovelyn. The beauty and the beast, grumpy/sunshine go through it. Both have family issues, but they face them together. They both are loners somewhat and don’t trust easily. However, with newfound family in the crew, I’m sure that those bonds will only grow stronger. Get ready for quite a ride!!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC. Wow! These two had me hooked from book 1. The sweetness of Lovelyn and the hardness of Kane. I love watching him fall for her. The emotional pain both of these two have been through they really are perfect for each other. And the chasing soo hot and loved every minute of it. Can't wait for Dixie’s book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow, i think Kane and Lovelyn may be my new favorite couple. What a story and the mystery continues. Love the girls and their detecting skills. They are a determined team. Love the alpha males in these books but the women are what keeps me reading. Jolie Vines does an amazing job with developing her characters.
Want to read
November 28, 2025Kane & Lovelynn ?
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