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Runaways #2
My Renegade: Prince & Bear
Harper
I don’t want him. I can’t want him.
My life is carefully controlled. There’s no room for error—no room for desire. I have to live the path my father has set for me. Benny “The Bear” Forrester doesn’t fit into his plan, and I find he’s willing to do anything to keep me under his control. The smart move would be to let Benny go. But for the first time in my life, I’m not sure I want to make the smart move.
Benny
I want him. Need him. More than air.
Harper is everything to me. After my injury, I thought my fighting days were over, but I realize now the toughest fight of my life is still ahead of me. More than fame, more than glory, Harper is a prize I simply can’t afford to lose. But it’s more than just his walls I have to get through. I’m against an empire, a force intent on keeping us apart at all costs. All my strength means nothing if I can’t protect him and the people I love. I’ll fight for Harper until my dying breath.
He’s my purpose. My world. My Prince.
My Renegade: Prince & Bear is an MM romance with dark themes. It is book two (2) in the Runaways series, which is highly recommended to be read in order. This book contains explicit content and deals with some heavy themes. Please check the content warnings.
I don’t want him. I can’t want him.
My life is carefully controlled. There’s no room for error—no room for desire. I have to live the path my father has set for me. Benny “The Bear” Forrester doesn’t fit into his plan, and I find he’s willing to do anything to keep me under his control. The smart move would be to let Benny go. But for the first time in my life, I’m not sure I want to make the smart move.
Benny
I want him. Need him. More than air.
Harper is everything to me. After my injury, I thought my fighting days were over, but I realize now the toughest fight of my life is still ahead of me. More than fame, more than glory, Harper is a prize I simply can’t afford to lose. But it’s more than just his walls I have to get through. I’m against an empire, a force intent on keeping us apart at all costs. All my strength means nothing if I can’t protect him and the people I love. I’ll fight for Harper until my dying breath.
He’s my purpose. My world. My Prince.
My Renegade: Prince & Bear is an MM romance with dark themes. It is book two (2) in the Runaways series, which is highly recommended to be read in order. This book contains explicit content and deals with some heavy themes. Please check the content warnings.
468 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 25, 2026
About the author
Ronan Marlow
6 books279 followersRonan Marlow loves to read and write queer romance. He loves creating deep, complicated, and broken characters that find love and healing. While his books may contain dark themes, you're always guaranteed a happily ever after. Ronan lives in Victoria, Australia, with his cat Oni, and is probably reading, writing, drawing, or drinking a ridiculous amount of coffee.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 246 reviews
April 29, 2026
3.25⭐
ARC REVIEW:
IF DISAPPOINTMENT COULD KILL THIS BOOK WOULD’VE BURIED ME ITSELF...🙂😬😑😑
This book didn’t just disappoint me… it built a whole world in my head and then tore it down in the last 10%. And the worst part is, I let it happen...🤡🤧🤧
Ummmmm I don’t hate this book. I need that to be clear. I don’t hate it. I hate that it had everything it needed to be incredible… and still decided to crash out in the final act like it was paid to fuccccckkkkkiiiiinggggggggg ruin my day 😭 I felt so ridiculous wanting to cry over how disappointing this book was that day… like it wasn’t that deep, but my emotions clearly didn’t get the memo 😭😭😭😭😭😭.AND boy tttttthat kind of disappointment hits differently.… It shows “this could’ve been so much more,” then confidently walks away like *I'M* the problem for expecting it to deliver on its own potential...If that’s even possible, then I was clearly not prepared for this level of B-E-T-R-A-Y-A-L.
SO coming into this, I had expectations.SO MANY. Not unrealistic ones–CLEARLY– ...Especially after book one. That book set things up. It planted seeds. Introduced dynamics that felt like they were leading somewhere... Anywhere. So of course I expected book 2 to expand on that. To give us more connectionssss, more interactionsssss, more of the characters that made it matter in the first place… not just fragments of them scattered like crumbs.Yeah...that was a cheap move btw and you didn’t even try to hide it.
You know, this story could be everything, except it clearly had other plans I wasn’t invited to.
Instead... It felt SO isolated.
Yes,Yes,Yes,Yes,Yes,Yes, this is Harper and Benny’s story—but it didn’t need to come at the cost of everything else. This world felt smaller. The characters I was genuinely excited to see again? Barely there, or not there at all. And that absence was SO GODAMN LOUUUUUUUD. If I hadn’t read book one, maybe I would’ve loved this more...But that’s exactly the problem. This is a sequel. It shouldn’t feel like it forgot where it came from.
Now let’s talk about the thing that genuinely ruined my reading experience:
The escape scene.
THE.ESCAPE. SCENE.
The moment that was hyped and teased, practically fucking promised to be a turning point. The moment I WAS reading for. The reason I pushed through chapters where I felt HELLA disconnected, bored, or just… not invested.
And where do we get it?
At the very end🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂
Not just late—last 10% late.
I spent the entire book telling myself, “just wait, it’s coming, it’ll be worth it.” I was patient.I spent time on it it had no right to take.I convinced myself there was something there… anything worth holding onto, something that could still save the story.
THERE WASN'T, and nobody in the room is shocked
It was Stripped down. Almost… scared of its own impact. There was no time to breathe in it... It felt like the story sprinted through something that should’ve been explored and felt. And instead of anchoring the book, it just… passed by.
And what makes it worse? The missing pieces.
The almost-kiss with Jonah. The manipulation. The psychological layer behind Harper’s actions. We were supposed to understand him in that moment—get into his head, see why he would go that far. But without those details, his actions don’t feel complex… they just feel confusing or SO unnecessary.
Which leads me to Harper.
I went into this wanting to like him. I really did. And it’s not like I felt nothing—I had moments of sympathy. His situation with his father, the pressure, the control… it was there. There was something there to work with.
But Harper as a character?
F Exhausting.
He felt passive when he needed to act, selfish in a way that broke my connection to him. I was out of my mind with frustration
The situation with Dex is where I fully checked out.
The first time you called him, he was there without even thinking. He didn’t even question it.
But when it was YOUR turn, you weren’t there. You said you couldn’t help because there was “so much happening” in your life. Yet you still had time for everything else—your boyfriend, your own distractions,your sex life,even just sitting around waiting for things to happen instead of acting.
And then only when things got bad for you did you suddenly remember him. Not out of care, but because you needed something again. That’s what makes it worse.
I’m sooooooo glad he didn’t go back in after that.
And expecting sympathy for it? I couldn’t.
By the last stretch of the book, I wasn’t rooting for Harper. I wasn’t even curious about him anymore. I just wanted the story to end so I wouldn’t have to be in his head.
And that’s literally the worst feeling to have about a main character.
Now Benny?
Benny deserved better.
That man carried this entire book with nothing but his heart. His love felt genuine.. patient...soft in a way that made everything else look mehh in comparison. Every time he was on the page, everything felt warmer.
If this had been his story with anyone who's not Harper FUCKING Lorens — would’ve LOVED this book.
And then there’s Matthew ...
He gave me one of the only parts that felt consistently good,
They brought lightness that the main storyline was missing.he had such a quiet kindness that made his ending feel well deserved. Seeing him happy... That was one of the only moments that gave me genuine satisfaction.
Same with Benny. They both deserved every bit of happiness they got.
If I’m being honest, those 3.25 stars are...for them alone.
Because everything else?
It felt like a collection of missed opportunities.
Missed emotional depth.
Missed character connections.
Missed impact.
Missed timing.........
And the list goes on
This book isn’t bad.
And somehow, that’s exactly why it hurts.
Because it was almost amazing. Almost unforgettable.
But “almost” doesn’t stay with you.
And I really wanted *this* one to stay.
I would like to thank the author for providing this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
ARC REVIEW:
IF DISAPPOINTMENT COULD KILL THIS BOOK WOULD’VE BURIED ME ITSELF...🙂😬😑😑
This book didn’t just disappoint me… it built a whole world in my head and then tore it down in the last 10%. And the worst part is, I let it happen...🤡🤧🤧
Ummmmm I don’t hate this book. I need that to be clear. I don’t hate it. I hate that it had everything it needed to be incredible… and still decided to crash out in the final act like it was paid to fuccccckkkkkiiiiinggggggggg ruin my day 😭 I felt so ridiculous wanting to cry over how disappointing this book was that day… like it wasn’t that deep, but my emotions clearly didn’t get the memo 😭😭😭😭😭😭.AND boy tttttthat kind of disappointment hits differently.… It shows “this could’ve been so much more,” then confidently walks away like *I'M* the problem for expecting it to deliver on its own potential...If that’s even possible, then I was clearly not prepared for this level of B-E-T-R-A-Y-A-L.
SO coming into this, I had expectations.SO MANY. Not unrealistic ones–CLEARLY– ...Especially after book one. That book set things up. It planted seeds. Introduced dynamics that felt like they were leading somewhere... Anywhere. So of course I expected book 2 to expand on that. To give us more connectionssss, more interactionsssss, more of the characters that made it matter in the first place… not just fragments of them scattered like crumbs.Yeah...that was a cheap move btw and you didn’t even try to hide it.
You know, this story could be everything, except it clearly had other plans I wasn’t invited to.
Instead... It felt SO isolated.
Yes,Yes,Yes,Yes,Yes,Yes, this is Harper and Benny’s story—but it didn’t need to come at the cost of everything else. This world felt smaller. The characters I was genuinely excited to see again? Barely there, or not there at all. And that absence was SO GODAMN LOUUUUUUUD. If I hadn’t read book one, maybe I would’ve loved this more...But that’s exactly the problem. This is a sequel. It shouldn’t feel like it forgot where it came from.
Now let’s talk about the thing that genuinely ruined my reading experience:
The escape scene.
THE.ESCAPE. SCENE.
The moment that was hyped and teased, practically fucking promised to be a turning point. The moment I WAS reading for. The reason I pushed through chapters where I felt HELLA disconnected, bored, or just… not invested.
And where do we get it?
At the very end🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂
Not just late—last 10% late.
I spent the entire book telling myself, “just wait, it’s coming, it’ll be worth it.” I was patient.I spent time on it it had no right to take.I convinced myself there was something there… anything worth holding onto, something that could still save the story.
THERE WASN'T, and nobody in the room is shocked
It was Stripped down. Almost… scared of its own impact. There was no time to breathe in it... It felt like the story sprinted through something that should’ve been explored and felt. And instead of anchoring the book, it just… passed by.
And what makes it worse? The missing pieces.
The almost-kiss with Jonah. The manipulation. The psychological layer behind Harper’s actions. We were supposed to understand him in that moment—get into his head, see why he would go that far. But without those details, his actions don’t feel complex… they just feel confusing or SO unnecessary.
Which leads me to Harper.
I went into this wanting to like him. I really did. And it’s not like I felt nothing—I had moments of sympathy. His situation with his father, the pressure, the control… it was there. There was something there to work with.
But Harper as a character?
F Exhausting.
He felt passive when he needed to act, selfish in a way that broke my connection to him. I was out of my mind with frustration
The situation with Dex is where I fully checked out.
The first time you called him, he was there without even thinking. He didn’t even question it.
But when it was YOUR turn, you weren’t there. You said you couldn’t help because there was “so much happening” in your life. Yet you still had time for everything else—your boyfriend, your own distractions,your sex life,even just sitting around waiting for things to happen instead of acting.
And then only when things got bad for you did you suddenly remember him. Not out of care, but because you needed something again. That’s what makes it worse.
I’m sooooooo glad he didn’t go back in after that.
And expecting sympathy for it? I couldn’t.
By the last stretch of the book, I wasn’t rooting for Harper. I wasn’t even curious about him anymore. I just wanted the story to end so I wouldn’t have to be in his head.
And that’s literally the worst feeling to have about a main character.
Now Benny?
Benny deserved better.
That man carried this entire book with nothing but his heart. His love felt genuine.. patient...soft in a way that made everything else look mehh in comparison. Every time he was on the page, everything felt warmer.
If this had been his story with anyone who's not Harper FUCKING Lorens — would’ve LOVED this book.
And then there’s Matthew ...
He gave me one of the only parts that felt consistently good,
They brought lightness that the main storyline was missing.he had such a quiet kindness that made his ending feel well deserved. Seeing him happy... That was one of the only moments that gave me genuine satisfaction.
Same with Benny. They both deserved every bit of happiness they got.
If I’m being honest, those 3.25 stars are...for them alone.
Because everything else?
It felt like a collection of missed opportunities.
Missed emotional depth.
Missed character connections.
Missed impact.
Missed timing.........
And the list goes on
This book isn’t bad.
And somehow, that’s exactly why it hurts.
Because it was almost amazing. Almost unforgettable.
But “almost” doesn’t stay with you.
And I really wanted *this* one to stay.
I would like to thank the author for providing this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
June 1, 2026
4.25**** stars
yeah, this was even better than the first book, despite it also being long af.
Harper intrigued me since I met him in book #1 and how the two stories tied together. Word of advice? You shouldn’t attempt reading this book as a standalone.
I didn’t see the kinky side of Harper’s and Benny’s dynamic coming (although I maybe should’ve considering the cover) and least of all I expected their dynamic roles being reversed from what you would expect (but here as well does the cover basically clue you in. lol)
Also: is the author for real and is not giving us ANYTHING on the next book? I don’t even know who I want most next (prob. Henrik if I’m being honest) but not knowing anything is just cruel.
**************
Runaways Series
Book 1 - My Revenant: Devil & Rabbit - 3.5 stars
Book 2 - My Renegade: Prince & Bear - 4.25 stars
Book 3 - My Sanctuary : Knight & Moonbeam - release 04/27
yeah, this was even better than the first book, despite it also being long af.
Harper intrigued me since I met him in book #1 and how the two stories tied together. Word of advice? You shouldn’t attempt reading this book as a standalone.
I didn’t see the kinky side of Harper’s and Benny’s dynamic coming (although I maybe should’ve considering the cover) and least of all I expected their dynamic roles being reversed from what you would expect (but here as well does the cover basically clue you in. lol)
At six foot five and with the physique that came from my MMA career, no one expected me to be submissive.“No one’s gonna hurt you ever again. I’ll worship you more than a priest to his god. You’re my prince. I’ll be your knight when you need protection, your soldier when you need to fight, your clown when you need to laugh, your chef when you need to eat, your dog, your submissive, your willing slave. I’ll be everythin’ you need me to be.”
[on the topic of Harper still being a virgin]
“So what? Do you have a problem with it?”
“No. No of course not, my love. I am tryin’ very hard to be cool and normal about this and not just claim the fuck out of you right now.”
Also: is the author for real and is not giving us ANYTHING on the next book? I don’t even know who I want most next (prob. Henrik if I’m being honest) but not knowing anything is just cruel.
**************
Runaways Series
Book 1 - My Revenant: Devil & Rabbit - 3.5 stars
Book 2 - My Renegade: Prince & Bear - 4.25 stars
Book 3 - My Sanctuary : Knight & Moonbeam - release 04/27
March 13, 2026
This story was so fuckin sweet and beautiful and the character growth, their relationship growth.. ugh was perfection. I loved everything about it. Benny is the sweetest gentle giant you’ll ever meet and Harper is absolutely perfect for him. They compliment each other so well. I had such a great time reading this. Thank you!
June 10, 2026
My Renegade by Ronan Marlow
💚 Billionaire Dom x Ex-MMA Fighter Sub
💚 Size Difference
💚 Anonymous Texting
💚 Touch Starved MC
💚 Hurt/Comfort
💚 Secret Dating
💚 First Times
💚 Found Family
🔥 Dom/Sub, Power Exchange, Praise Kink, Humiliation, Degradation, Edging, Restraints, S*x Toys, Rimming, Felching, C*ck Warming, Double Penetration (C*ck & Dildo), Sixty-Nine, Frotting, Mild Somnophilia, S*xting, "Puppy"
Review:
This book was SO GOOD. Hands down one of my favourite books of the year!
I absolutely loved My Revenant so I had high expectations for My Renegade and I wasn't disappointed! I really liked how these two books crossed over each other and we got to see the same scenarios from different perspectives.
Ronan Marlow has a real gift for world building and intricately weaving all the different components of the story together. The connection, the spice, the plot. All of it was amazing! Definitely a book (& series) that I would recommend!
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Humour: 🤭🤭
Intimacy: 🫂🫂🫂🫂
Angst: 🥺🥺🥺🥺
First person dual pov 👀
Content Warnings
On page: blood, violence, threat, injury, death, murder, harassment, panic attacks, homophobia, manipulation, suicidal thoughts, sexual assault, trauma, medical content, body dysmorphia, disordered eating (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), alcohol consumption, sexual content
Mentioned: hospitalisation of a side character, rape, child neglect, abandonment, disowning by a parent, parent death, car accident, drug use, addiction, alcoholism
💚 Billionaire Dom x Ex-MMA Fighter Sub
💚 Size Difference
💚 Anonymous Texting
💚 Touch Starved MC
💚 Hurt/Comfort
💚 Secret Dating
💚 First Times
💚 Found Family
🔥 Dom/Sub, Power Exchange, Praise Kink, Humiliation, Degradation, Edging, Restraints, S*x Toys, Rimming, Felching, C*ck Warming, Double Penetration (C*ck & Dildo), Sixty-Nine, Frotting, Mild Somnophilia, S*xting, "Puppy"
Review:
This book was SO GOOD. Hands down one of my favourite books of the year!
I absolutely loved My Revenant so I had high expectations for My Renegade and I wasn't disappointed! I really liked how these two books crossed over each other and we got to see the same scenarios from different perspectives.
Ronan Marlow has a real gift for world building and intricately weaving all the different components of the story together. The connection, the spice, the plot. All of it was amazing! Definitely a book (& series) that I would recommend!
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Humour: 🤭🤭
Intimacy: 🫂🫂🫂🫂
Angst: 🥺🥺🥺🥺
First person dual pov 👀
Content Warnings
On page: blood, violence, threat, injury, death, murder, harassment, panic attacks, homophobia, manipulation, suicidal thoughts, sexual assault, trauma, medical content, body dysmorphia, disordered eating (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), alcohol consumption, sexual content
Mentioned: hospitalisation of a side character, rape, child neglect, abandonment, disowning by a parent, parent death, car accident, drug use, addiction, alcoholism
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC REVEIW
The character contrast is honestly one of my favorite things. You’ve got this big, buff, intimidating looking man who’s actually the softest teddy bear, and then the smaller, colder, more guarded one who feels everything but keeps it locked down. They shouldn’t work but together? They’re perfect. The pacing was also so well done. Nothing felt rushed or dragged out it just flowed in a way that kept me completely hooked the whole time. Also Harper absolutely broke my heart. He’s such a sad, lonely, broken man, and all I wanted was for him to finally get the love he deserves. And his dad?? I Hate that man with everything in my soul!!!!!! I also really loved how connected these books are. It’s not just little callbacks it actually adds more context to what happened in the first book, which made everything seem so much more intense I also really loved how connected these books are. By the end, I was just sitting there wishing I could wipe my memory and experience this for the first time all over again. The ending was so sweet and so well deserved in every way possible . And somehow… this was even better than the first book, and I REALLY liked the first one, so that’s saying something. Now I’m just sitting here impatiently waiting to see who book 3 is about because I already know I’m going to be obsessed.
The character contrast is honestly one of my favorite things. You’ve got this big, buff, intimidating looking man who’s actually the softest teddy bear, and then the smaller, colder, more guarded one who feels everything but keeps it locked down. They shouldn’t work but together? They’re perfect. The pacing was also so well done. Nothing felt rushed or dragged out it just flowed in a way that kept me completely hooked the whole time. Also Harper absolutely broke my heart. He’s such a sad, lonely, broken man, and all I wanted was for him to finally get the love he deserves. And his dad?? I Hate that man with everything in my soul!!!!!! I also really loved how connected these books are. It’s not just little callbacks it actually adds more context to what happened in the first book, which made everything seem so much more intense I also really loved how connected these books are. By the end, I was just sitting there wishing I could wipe my memory and experience this for the first time all over again. The ending was so sweet and so well deserved in every way possible . And somehow… this was even better than the first book, and I REALLY liked the first one, so that’s saying something. Now I’m just sitting here impatiently waiting to see who book 3 is about because I already know I’m going to be obsessed.
May 26, 2026
This started off really promisingly; the way Benny and Harper met and began was just so exhilarating and steamy—the dynamic between them was really good, the chemistry, the spice, just damn! I was invested.
I liked the blindfold aspect and the fact that Harper didn’t want to reveal who he was at first -and I loved that Benny didn't care. I also loved those text messages and the dynamic between them in general. And then, the first time Benny was allowed to touch Harper and to take off the blindfold... wow. The build up was really good and I was nervous and excited myself. And Benny—I absolutely LOVED Benny 🥹🤎 (still do -that is one thing that remained throughout). Harper was okay, but I didn't really get his whole situation.. family.. mess.
But what happened then?? There was this unnecessary six-month gap where they didn't see each other at all, and for what? Basically nothing. And how did this suddenly go from that steamy dom/sub vibe to such a sappy, lovey-dovey thing, with someone crying all the time? Sir and master were suddenly just replaced with baby and love. (There were still a couple of edgier spice scenes later on, but the dynamic between them that was so strongly established at the beginning somehow got lost).
And then things started happening one after another. Rikky, family dinners, Harper’s dad, shit going down, Matthew (he was great tho), the paparazzi/publicity, and in the midst of all this, it was alternating between fuckfest and sap fest. It was just too much of everything, I kind of ended up not caring about any of it 😅 lost the plot, so to say.
I assume that plot twist in the middle was some kind of setup for future books, but it was so.. frustratingly planted here. It was a pretty big part of the plot, but then it was just ignored, not revealed any more, and completely skipped for the rest of the book. It feels kind of pointless that it was included here, at least in the way it was.
And after everything that happened to them, it then goes to the events which we know from Book 1, which means that Harper just leaves and decides to join Jonah—and somehow the whole sequence of events is so ridiculous to me. I didn’t like how the plot unfolded in Book 1 either, and reading this now, it just annoyed me again—what the heck, really. I just skimmed to the end. And I don't even want to talk about the events at the end.. three letters; OTT.
So yeah, this book started off so well, but in the end it turned out to be something completely different from what it promised at the beginning, and there was just too much going on. Plus, these books cram in way too many characters here and there—who all have both real names and code names—and this makes the whole thing feel really messy. This tried to explore the hurt & comfort aspect in relation to Harper's state of mind and family situation, but somehow it completely failed in this regard. In the end, I didn't feel almost anything at all towards him.
I am just disappointed how this turned out after a promising start. I'm sure that many don’t mind and love it nonetheless, but for me, this was not it. I wasn’t sure how to rate this. All things considered, I give it 3⭐️, though on a more emotional and personal level, after 50% mark, it was closer to 2⭐️ for me.
I know this review was mostly rant, but there were good things as well, even after it all went downhill. The spice was spicing and I highlighted quite a few things and passages. Also, Puppy and Pup works for me everytime 🙂↕️ And I’ve got to give it to the author for writing varied, eventful books and for weaving the characters and events together within the series.
“You can call me Harpy.”
"Harpy,” I repeated, and he nodded.
“But I prefer Sir.”
I smiled. “Yes, Sir.”
“Good boy.”
“So what? Do you have a problem with it?”
“No. No of course not, my love. I am tryin’ very hard to be cool and normal about this and not just claim the fuck out of you right now.”
“Maybe…” Benny fidgeted with the hem of his T-shirt.“You could come to my house next weekend? Or earlier… like Thursday? Or tomorrow? Or both? All? Fuck, you can move in right now if you want to. Sorry. I’m not good at bein’ calm about things.”
Benny was just so adorable 🥹
I liked the blindfold aspect and the fact that Harper didn’t want to reveal who he was at first -and I loved that Benny didn't care. I also loved those text messages and the dynamic between them in general. And then, the first time Benny was allowed to touch Harper and to take off the blindfold... wow. The build up was really good and I was nervous and excited myself. And Benny—I absolutely LOVED Benny 🥹🤎 (still do -that is one thing that remained throughout). Harper was okay, but I didn't really get his whole situation.. family.. mess.
But what happened then?? There was this unnecessary six-month gap where they didn't see each other at all, and for what? Basically nothing. And how did this suddenly go from that steamy dom/sub vibe to such a sappy, lovey-dovey thing, with someone crying all the time? Sir and master were suddenly just replaced with baby and love. (There were still a couple of edgier spice scenes later on, but the dynamic between them that was so strongly established at the beginning somehow got lost).
And then things started happening one after another. Rikky, family dinners, Harper’s dad, shit going down, Matthew (he was great tho), the paparazzi/publicity, and in the midst of all this, it was alternating between fuckfest and sap fest. It was just too much of everything, I kind of ended up not caring about any of it 😅 lost the plot, so to say.
I assume that plot twist in the middle was some kind of setup for future books, but it was so.. frustratingly planted here. It was a pretty big part of the plot, but then it was just ignored, not revealed any more, and completely skipped for the rest of the book. It feels kind of pointless that it was included here, at least in the way it was.
And after everything that happened to them, it then goes to the events which we know from Book 1, which means that Harper just leaves and decides to join Jonah—and somehow the whole sequence of events is so ridiculous to me. I didn’t like how the plot unfolded in Book 1 either, and reading this now, it just annoyed me again—what the heck, really. I just skimmed to the end. And I don't even want to talk about the events at the end.. three letters; OTT.
So yeah, this book started off so well, but in the end it turned out to be something completely different from what it promised at the beginning, and there was just too much going on. Plus, these books cram in way too many characters here and there—who all have both real names and code names—and this makes the whole thing feel really messy. This tried to explore the hurt & comfort aspect in relation to Harper's state of mind and family situation, but somehow it completely failed in this regard. In the end, I didn't feel almost anything at all towards him.
I am just disappointed how this turned out after a promising start. I'm sure that many don’t mind and love it nonetheless, but for me, this was not it. I wasn’t sure how to rate this. All things considered, I give it 3⭐️, though on a more emotional and personal level, after 50% mark, it was closer to 2⭐️ for me.
I know this review was mostly rant, but there were good things as well, even after it all went downhill. The spice was spicing and I highlighted quite a few things and passages. Also, Puppy and Pup works for me everytime 🙂↕️ And I’ve got to give it to the author for writing varied, eventful books and for weaving the characters and events together within the series.
“You can call me Harpy.”
"Harpy,” I repeated, and he nodded.
“But I prefer Sir.”
I smiled. “Yes, Sir.”
“Good boy.”
“So what? Do you have a problem with it?”
“No. No of course not, my love. I am tryin’ very hard to be cool and normal about this and not just claim the fuck out of you right now.”
“Maybe…” Benny fidgeted with the hem of his T-shirt.“You could come to my house next weekend? Or earlier… like Thursday? Or tomorrow? Or both? All? Fuck, you can move in right now if you want to. Sorry. I’m not good at bein’ calm about things.”
Benny was just so adorable 🥹
April 19, 2026
One thing I really appreciate about Ronan’s writing is he incorporates really unique tropes in his stories that are so refreshing and give you a different perspective that you don’t always see in books.
I loved that in this book you have our MMC’s Benny and Harper Benny is an ex MMA fighter who is a submissive and then we have Harper a Billionaire that works in tech who is the Dom. I liked the reverse on this where we have a big submissive and a small Dom.
I loved how Benny was such a big teddy bear and just wanted to please Harper and make him happy. Their first meet is in a kink club where Benny is blindfolded and he doesn’t even see Harper, but he doesn’t need to see to know that they have chemistry and the connection just builds from there.
Harper is a complex character. He has a lot of expectations set on him by his father after his brother was exiled and left the family due to being gay. Therefore Harper‘s father made Harper the heir of the company instead his brother, so he had to exceed all these expectations to keep his father happy but in doing so Harper suffers mentally and is worked to the bone and the one thing he has to escape and to look forward to is not just his pet snakes, but meeting up with Benny at the secret club.
I absolutely loved their story and their love. I liked how it tied in with the other characters from book one and expanded on the other characters in the strays crew along with Harper‘s family. I liked the revenge arc in here a lot as well It was very satisfying.
I cannot wait for Book 3 to see what Ronan writes next.
Tropes
Ex MMA Fighter MMC & Billionaire MMC
Secret relationship
Small Dom big sub
“Pup” nickname
Kink club and kink exploration
Pet snakes
Found family
I loved that in this book you have our MMC’s Benny and Harper Benny is an ex MMA fighter who is a submissive and then we have Harper a Billionaire that works in tech who is the Dom. I liked the reverse on this where we have a big submissive and a small Dom.
I loved how Benny was such a big teddy bear and just wanted to please Harper and make him happy. Their first meet is in a kink club where Benny is blindfolded and he doesn’t even see Harper, but he doesn’t need to see to know that they have chemistry and the connection just builds from there.
Harper is a complex character. He has a lot of expectations set on him by his father after his brother was exiled and left the family due to being gay. Therefore Harper‘s father made Harper the heir of the company instead his brother, so he had to exceed all these expectations to keep his father happy but in doing so Harper suffers mentally and is worked to the bone and the one thing he has to escape and to look forward to is not just his pet snakes, but meeting up with Benny at the secret club.
I absolutely loved their story and their love. I liked how it tied in with the other characters from book one and expanded on the other characters in the strays crew along with Harper‘s family. I liked the revenge arc in here a lot as well It was very satisfying.
I cannot wait for Book 3 to see what Ronan writes next.
Tropes
Ex MMA Fighter MMC & Billionaire MMC
Secret relationship
Small Dom big sub
“Pup” nickname
Kink club and kink exploration
Pet snakes
Found family
April 9, 2026
Huge THANK YOU to the author for the ARC!! I want to start this off by saying that I thought I loved My Revenant… I FUCKING LOVEDDDDDD My Renegade!!!! Holy shit. This was EVERYTHING. Benny and Harper were so freaking beautiful together. And there’s NOTHING I love more than a massive 6’5” MMA ex UFC fighter being the Sub to a Billionaire twink Dom 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵 I mean, Jesus. That was sexy as hell.
I am currently living for Chapters 12 & 14. Fuck. The vulnerability. The surrender. The fucking passion!!!!
Sorry for all the “fucks”… but, fuckkkkkkkk. I love this book. I love Benny. I love Harper. I love Ma and Matthew and Rachel and the Strays 🖤 The found family was *chefs kiss*!!
Benny Forrester aka The Bear aka Pup is a pansexual Submissive who has always been in control of himself and others, but he craves control and order coming from someone else… and boy, does Harper deliver! And it starts on PAGE FUCKING ONE, Y’ALL.
Harper aka Snake aka Little Snake Prince is the *virgin* Heir to Lorens Industries (his fathers empire 🖕🏼)
He has lived a dull and lifeless existence. Then he matches with Benny at a super exclusive kink club 🙌🏼 Benny gave his life ALL THE COLOR. I was here for it!!
Their chemistry was so far off the charts 📈.
This book completely shattered my heart into a million pieces and put it all back together in just 473 pages. I cried many tears over these two lovebirds. I feel like I could literally read their story forever. Benny was complete and total perfection. And I just want to cradle Harper in my arms and never let him go. I will say it again, My Revenant was GREAT… My Renegade was fucking EVERYTHING.
“Benny?”
“Yes?”
“Touch me like you love me.”
I loved that this completely tied in with My Revenant. And we get a little more story behind Snakes involvement with Dex and Jonah. SO looking forward to more books from The Runaways world!!!
My Renegade is an escape. A place you can be who you really are, and no one will ever know. Just pick up the book and The Master will handle the rest… 😉
I am currently living for Chapters 12 & 14. Fuck. The vulnerability. The surrender. The fucking passion!!!!
Sorry for all the “fucks”… but, fuckkkkkkkk. I love this book. I love Benny. I love Harper. I love Ma and Matthew and Rachel and the Strays 🖤 The found family was *chefs kiss*!!
Benny Forrester aka The Bear aka Pup is a pansexual Submissive who has always been in control of himself and others, but he craves control and order coming from someone else… and boy, does Harper deliver! And it starts on PAGE FUCKING ONE, Y’ALL.
Harper aka Snake aka Little Snake Prince is the *virgin* Heir to Lorens Industries (his fathers empire 🖕🏼)
He has lived a dull and lifeless existence. Then he matches with Benny at a super exclusive kink club 🙌🏼 Benny gave his life ALL THE COLOR. I was here for it!!
Their chemistry was so far off the charts 📈.
This book completely shattered my heart into a million pieces and put it all back together in just 473 pages. I cried many tears over these two lovebirds. I feel like I could literally read their story forever. Benny was complete and total perfection. And I just want to cradle Harper in my arms and never let him go. I will say it again, My Revenant was GREAT… My Renegade was fucking EVERYTHING.
“Benny?”
“Yes?”
“Touch me like you love me.”
I loved that this completely tied in with My Revenant. And we get a little more story behind Snakes involvement with Dex and Jonah. SO looking forward to more books from The Runaways world!!!
My Renegade is an escape. A place you can be who you really are, and no one will ever know. Just pick up the book and The Master will handle the rest… 😉
April 9, 2026
4⭐️
Book 2 of the Runaways series features Harper, who we met in book one. Harper is the heir to a company under a cruel father, and his way of escaping is at an elite BDSM club. There he’s paired with newbie Benny, who feels insecure about being submissive with his big, muscular form. After the two learn to get over their insecurities (in a fun and k*nky way), they soon realize that they’re perfect for each other. But Harper has to deal with his own monsters before they can get their HEA, and Benny is the most loyal guy out there.
This book has:
-D/S in bed, but not in regular life
-ex MMA fighter / reluctant billionaire
-lots of characters
-an evil billionaire father
-a shady “not a gang”
-MCs that love each other soooo much
This book was definitely enjoyable for me! Though there was a lot going on, it was easy to follow. It was cool to see the tie-ins from book one, so this definitely shouldn’t be read as a standalone. Compared to book one, these characters are much less obsessive, and a lot more loving, which I also found refreshing!
So much happened in this book it almost felt like a season of a TV show. Yet though it was 500+ pages it kept my interest. I feel like the author’s writing did a little level-up with this book, which was also awesome to see :)
This series is definitely one I’m going to continue. Definitely pick it up after you read book one!
Book 2 of the Runaways series features Harper, who we met in book one. Harper is the heir to a company under a cruel father, and his way of escaping is at an elite BDSM club. There he’s paired with newbie Benny, who feels insecure about being submissive with his big, muscular form. After the two learn to get over their insecurities (in a fun and k*nky way), they soon realize that they’re perfect for each other. But Harper has to deal with his own monsters before they can get their HEA, and Benny is the most loyal guy out there.
This book has:
-D/S in bed, but not in regular life
-ex MMA fighter / reluctant billionaire
-lots of characters
-an evil billionaire father
-a shady “not a gang”
-MCs that love each other soooo much
This book was definitely enjoyable for me! Though there was a lot going on, it was easy to follow. It was cool to see the tie-ins from book one, so this definitely shouldn’t be read as a standalone. Compared to book one, these characters are much less obsessive, and a lot more loving, which I also found refreshing!
So much happened in this book it almost felt like a season of a TV show. Yet though it was 500+ pages it kept my interest. I feel like the author’s writing did a little level-up with this book, which was also awesome to see :)
This series is definitely one I’m going to continue. Definitely pick it up after you read book one!
Review of advance copy received from Author
AHHHHH OMG!!
Okay let me calm down. This story was so beautiful and the character development was phenomenally done. I absolutely loved this book! The connection between both MMCs was just chefs kiss. Another couple I will absolutely be obsessing over.
Okay let me calm down. This story was so beautiful and the character development was phenomenally done. I absolutely loved this book! The connection between both MMCs was just chefs kiss. Another couple I will absolutely be obsessing over.
May 5, 2026
5 🌟
Benny “Bear” and Harper “Prince” 🖤
I love them your honor 🫡
Two sick kiddos and then a sick husband meant I didn’t get to read this as quickly as I wanted. But when I say EVERY spare second I had was picking this up I’m not exaggerating.
It was so damn good! I could have kept reading about these guys and never gotten bored.
Benny 🥹 I adore this man. And Harper too.
But Benny. Bear Bear. Pup 🫠 he can do no wrong! That man would literally do anything for his man, but also his friends and family too. He is the most protective and loyal man but a sweet little sub in the sheets 🤭
I loved seeing Jonah and Dex again too. I will say I was expecting / hoping to see more of the Strays. I was wanting to see more of the members and more of their world. And when Harper was with Jonah on the run, I thought we’d see more insight on some of Harper’s actions that we saw in the first book.
I’m super intrigued with Shady, and I hope he’s around in future books. I would love him to get his own story, and Archer too. And I know there is more to Henrik I would love to see unfold. All of these guys would bring super unique stories 💛💛 but I’m here for whatever comes next with this series!
.
.
.
.
‼️⚠️ Potential spoilers ⚠️‼️
Dynamic: MM — vers
Sharing? No
Cheating? No
Breakup? Yes, but it’s more of the MMC being scared and running (twice)
Sex scene with OM or OW No
‼️⚠️ Content ⚠️‼️
— dom x sub vibes
— size difference
— found family
— touch starved MC
— secret dating
— hurt / comfort
— billionaire x ex mma fighter
— anonymous messaging
— kink club
— first times
— smaller dom x bigger sub
— dom bottoms
— virgin MMC
— first everything
— “good boy”
— “pup”
— “master”
— “sir”
— “slut”
— collar
— blindfold
— edging
— degradation
— toys and plugs
— oral
— rimming
— bareback
— dp with toy
— body worship
— lovemaking
I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Benny “Bear” and Harper “Prince” 🖤
I love them your honor 🫡
Two sick kiddos and then a sick husband meant I didn’t get to read this as quickly as I wanted. But when I say EVERY spare second I had was picking this up I’m not exaggerating.
It was so damn good! I could have kept reading about these guys and never gotten bored.
Benny 🥹 I adore this man. And Harper too.
But Benny. Bear Bear. Pup 🫠 he can do no wrong! That man would literally do anything for his man, but also his friends and family too. He is the most protective and loyal man but a sweet little sub in the sheets 🤭
I loved seeing Jonah and Dex again too. I will say I was expecting / hoping to see more of the Strays. I was wanting to see more of the members and more of their world. And when Harper was with Jonah on the run, I thought we’d see more insight on some of Harper’s actions that we saw in the first book.
I’m super intrigued with Shady, and I hope he’s around in future books. I would love him to get his own story, and Archer too. And I know there is more to Henrik I would love to see unfold. All of these guys would bring super unique stories 💛💛 but I’m here for whatever comes next with this series!
.
.
.
.
‼️⚠️ Potential spoilers ⚠️‼️
Dynamic: MM — vers
Sharing? No
Cheating? No
Breakup? Yes, but it’s more of the MMC being scared and running (twice)
Sex scene with OM or OW No
‼️⚠️ Content ⚠️‼️
— dom x sub vibes
— size difference
— found family
— touch starved MC
— secret dating
— hurt / comfort
— billionaire x ex mma fighter
— anonymous messaging
— kink club
— first times
— smaller dom x bigger sub
— dom bottoms
— virgin MMC
— first everything
— “good boy”
— “pup”
— “master”
— “sir”
— “slut”
— collar
— blindfold
— edging
— degradation
— toys and plugs
— oral
— rimming
— bareback
— dp with toy
— body worship
— lovemaking
I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest and voluntary review.
April 27, 2026
AHHHHHH I absolutely loved this story it was so freaking sweet! Harper and Benny stole my heart, and all the side characters I loved Bennys family and Matthew gave me all the feels❤️. I loved their dynamic and the growth was just ughhh so perfect🥹 I tried to take my time with this read because I just wanted to soak them up and I was still so sad when it was ending.
Seeing Dex and Jonah had me smiling so much!
Seeing Dex and Jonah had me smiling so much!
April 23, 2026
I hope someday someone loves me as much as Benny freaking Forrester loves Harper.
This is a dark MM romance about a guarded, broken son of a billionaire forced to live under his father’s control and the ex-MMA fighter who becomes his safe place, his protector, and the one person willing to burn everything down for him… with secret meetings, k!nk exploration, found family, and a love that quite literally fights to survive.
And I’m not being dramatic when I say this is going on my ALL-TIME favorites list.
I read My Revenant and I absolutely loved it… but I was NOT prepared for this. There was no way I thought book two was going to be even better…
And yet??? My Renegade completely took over.
Benny Forrester needs to be protected at ALL costs. I’m so serious.
He is one of the most spectacular characters I have EVER read.
He’s this big, strong, gentle, sunshine of a man whose entire purpose becomes loving Harper exactly as he is, taking care of him, giving himself fully to him in every single way! I was gone! Completely gone!
And then Harper… Oh my God. His vulnerability, his aching, his pain, his depression, his loneliness… the way he feels EVERYTHING but has been forced to bury it deep inside his entire life. The way that he cannot fathom being loved or someone’s priority.
Pairing that with Benny’s warmth and softness and need to make him happy? It was so beautiful!
I ached, my heart broke and healed all at the same time. Like this book HURT me but also held me together?
The dynamic between them! A smaller Dom and a gentle giant sub -insert squeal- WHO can be walked like a dog? Yeah. Exactly. That’s why he’s the best pup ever! I ate that up.
The SPICE?! Scorching. Perfect. No notes.
But what really made this God tier was EVERYTHING around them.
My love for the secondary characters? Insane! Matthew??? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Best man alive. I cried. I’m not okay!
Benny’s mom and sister? The unconditional LOVE and acceptance? Even the kids were cute! I was attached to EVERYONE.
And getting to see the whole crew again, all the connections, all the little moments, the glimpses of certain COUPLES? It made the world feel so alive!
The plot? Plot was PLOTTING! We had a villain I genuinely hated and when I tell you he got exactly what he deserved… SATISFYING doesn’t even cover it.
Everything about this book just HIT right!
Emotionally, romantically, plot-wise, character-wise… all of it!
I literally finished it and my FIRST thought was
“I need to reread this immediately, when is the audiobook coming out?!”
I’m not over it. I don’t think I will ever be over it. I could talk about this book forever. This was perfect. Actual perfection. 10/10.
This is a dark MM romance about a guarded, broken son of a billionaire forced to live under his father’s control and the ex-MMA fighter who becomes his safe place, his protector, and the one person willing to burn everything down for him… with secret meetings, k!nk exploration, found family, and a love that quite literally fights to survive.
And I’m not being dramatic when I say this is going on my ALL-TIME favorites list.
I read My Revenant and I absolutely loved it… but I was NOT prepared for this. There was no way I thought book two was going to be even better…
And yet??? My Renegade completely took over.
Benny Forrester needs to be protected at ALL costs. I’m so serious.
He is one of the most spectacular characters I have EVER read.
He’s this big, strong, gentle, sunshine of a man whose entire purpose becomes loving Harper exactly as he is, taking care of him, giving himself fully to him in every single way! I was gone! Completely gone!
And then Harper… Oh my God. His vulnerability, his aching, his pain, his depression, his loneliness… the way he feels EVERYTHING but has been forced to bury it deep inside his entire life. The way that he cannot fathom being loved or someone’s priority.
Pairing that with Benny’s warmth and softness and need to make him happy? It was so beautiful!
I ached, my heart broke and healed all at the same time. Like this book HURT me but also held me together?
The dynamic between them! A smaller Dom and a gentle giant sub -insert squeal- WHO can be walked like a dog? Yeah. Exactly. That’s why he’s the best pup ever! I ate that up.
The SPICE?! Scorching. Perfect. No notes.
But what really made this God tier was EVERYTHING around them.
My love for the secondary characters? Insane! Matthew??? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Best man alive. I cried. I’m not okay!
Benny’s mom and sister? The unconditional LOVE and acceptance? Even the kids were cute! I was attached to EVERYONE.
And getting to see the whole crew again, all the connections, all the little moments, the glimpses of certain COUPLES? It made the world feel so alive!
The plot? Plot was PLOTTING! We had a villain I genuinely hated and when I tell you he got exactly what he deserved… SATISFYING doesn’t even cover it.
Everything about this book just HIT right!
Emotionally, romantically, plot-wise, character-wise… all of it!
I literally finished it and my FIRST thought was
“I need to reread this immediately, when is the audiobook coming out?!”
I’m not over it. I don’t think I will ever be over it. I could talk about this book forever. This was perfect. Actual perfection. 10/10.
April 13, 2026
OKAYYYY THIS BOOK!!!!! Book 1, My Revenant, was a 5 star read for me and this one is a 6! Definitely in my top 3 favorite books I’ve read this year (and I’ve read over 100 😅).
It was SO interesting to read Benny and Harper’s story from this side, rather than what you see in the first book. Definitely recommend reading that book first to fully understand and immerse yourself in this one. I loved seeing the Strays from a different angle (and I cannot wait for book 3, when not knowing who it’ll be about but I maybe have a guess?!!!) This book had totally different vibes from book one but is still the same excellent writing I expected. I got my feelings hurt in places and was smiling and sweating in others 😂🥵
Benny is the absolute SWEETEST of gentle giants and the GREENEST green flag EVER! I love him for Harper so much!!! The spice in this is SO GOOD (bigger sub/smaller dom, D/s dynamics in the bedroom). It starts on page one, which normally would lead me to believe that the story is going to lack any depth, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Considering the circumstances behind how the two meet, the immediate spice makes sense. The subsequent spice is so hot but also so passionate, you can FEEL their love when reading.
I cannot say enough good things about this book (I would have read it in one sitting had I not had to work and spend time with my silly family LOL). I am SO grateful I was able to read this advance copy!
It was SO interesting to read Benny and Harper’s story from this side, rather than what you see in the first book. Definitely recommend reading that book first to fully understand and immerse yourself in this one. I loved seeing the Strays from a different angle (and I cannot wait for book 3, when not knowing who it’ll be about but I maybe have a guess?!!!) This book had totally different vibes from book one but is still the same excellent writing I expected. I got my feelings hurt in places and was smiling and sweating in others 😂🥵
Benny is the absolute SWEETEST of gentle giants and the GREENEST green flag EVER! I love him for Harper so much!!! The spice in this is SO GOOD (bigger sub/smaller dom, D/s dynamics in the bedroom). It starts on page one, which normally would lead me to believe that the story is going to lack any depth, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Considering the circumstances behind how the two meet, the immediate spice makes sense. The subsequent spice is so hot but also so passionate, you can FEEL their love when reading.
I cannot say enough good things about this book (I would have read it in one sitting had I not had to work and spend time with my silly family LOL). I am SO grateful I was able to read this advance copy!
May 1, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ rounded up
Bennyyyyyy you beautiful angel baby, can I wrap you up and keep you in my pocket??
Bennyyyyyy you beautiful angel baby, can I wrap you up and keep you in my pocket??
April 26, 2026
my renegade was sweet yet had an impact and i was very much consumed from beginning to end. gahhh i knew from the get go i was gonna love benny and harper and shock? i really really did.
these two were match made and i loved every moment of their new and exciting dynamic — both mcs were individually intriguing and i loved learning about their histories as well as the journey they had to take to get their hard earned hea.
ronan writes his stories so well you don’t see the twists and surprises coming and I really love that about his work, it keeps you guessing, completely hooked and makes for such a visceral reading experience.
benny absolutely captured my heart, he may be my new favourite book boyfriend like what???? i am completely obsessed, he was the sweetest and most loving six foot five puppy dog and i was completely obsessed with the way he was obsessed with harper. this man needed love!!!!!
harper was the man to give benny everything he ever dreamed of, he was a gentle soul but had so much in him that was ready to explore and be free and i was so glad he got that in the end.
i very much loved this book and can’t wait to see what ronan gifts us with next!
thank you for the arc <3
these two were match made and i loved every moment of their new and exciting dynamic — both mcs were individually intriguing and i loved learning about their histories as well as the journey they had to take to get their hard earned hea.
ronan writes his stories so well you don’t see the twists and surprises coming and I really love that about his work, it keeps you guessing, completely hooked and makes for such a visceral reading experience.
benny absolutely captured my heart, he may be my new favourite book boyfriend like what???? i am completely obsessed, he was the sweetest and most loving six foot five puppy dog and i was completely obsessed with the way he was obsessed with harper. this man needed love!!!!!
harper was the man to give benny everything he ever dreamed of, he was a gentle soul but had so much in him that was ready to explore and be free and i was so glad he got that in the end.
i very much loved this book and can’t wait to see what ronan gifts us with next!
thank you for the arc <3
April 26, 2026
4 ⭐️
I need a Benny in my life.
No, scratch that, we ALL need a Benny in our lives!
This book was just so freaking beautiful. Ronan once again graced us with another couple in his Runaways series, and My Renegade warmed my heart inside and out.
My Renegade is a story with several dark themes, but it isn’t the darkest romance. These two are actually perfect for each other, and how this book plays out had me kicking my feet over the tension between them. You could almost feel the electricity between these two through the pages, and I found their story to be so extremely cute and sweet, despite the challenges and sadness they faced.
The dynamic isn’t what is norm in romance, and it was so refreshing. Benny is the biggest teddy bear, both in size and in heart, and I’m so happy he finally found someone who accepted him and gave him what he needed. And the same with Harper, who has never been allowed to control anything in his life. I really felt for Harper and the cage he felt like he lived in, a feeling all too recognizable.
I also feel like I have to mention the found family in this one, because I want to join that family so bad. This is one of my all-time favorite tropes, and it made me feel so happy.
Dark contemporary romance
MM romance
Interconnected series
Ex MMA fighter x Billionaire
Queer rep
Found family
Spice (High spice. D/S - Big sub, small dom)
My Renegade is part of an interconnected series, but should be read in order. Start with My Revenant! The crossovers between these two books were such a joy! I loved seeing how it connected with Jonah and Dex's story in ways I didn’t anticipate.
I only wished for a little more drama for me to give this five stars. But for most, I’m certain this will be absolutely perfect!
Thank you so much Ronan for allowing me to read this ARC!
I need a Benny in my life.
No, scratch that, we ALL need a Benny in our lives!
This book was just so freaking beautiful. Ronan once again graced us with another couple in his Runaways series, and My Renegade warmed my heart inside and out.
My Renegade is a story with several dark themes, but it isn’t the darkest romance. These two are actually perfect for each other, and how this book plays out had me kicking my feet over the tension between them. You could almost feel the electricity between these two through the pages, and I found their story to be so extremely cute and sweet, despite the challenges and sadness they faced.
The dynamic isn’t what is norm in romance, and it was so refreshing. Benny is the biggest teddy bear, both in size and in heart, and I’m so happy he finally found someone who accepted him and gave him what he needed. And the same with Harper, who has never been allowed to control anything in his life. I really felt for Harper and the cage he felt like he lived in, a feeling all too recognizable.
I also feel like I have to mention the found family in this one, because I want to join that family so bad. This is one of my all-time favorite tropes, and it made me feel so happy.
Dark contemporary romance
MM romance
Interconnected series
Ex MMA fighter x Billionaire
Queer rep
Found family
Spice (High spice. D/S - Big sub, small dom)
My Renegade is part of an interconnected series, but should be read in order. Start with My Revenant! The crossovers between these two books were such a joy! I loved seeing how it connected with Jonah and Dex's story in ways I didn’t anticipate.
I only wished for a little more drama for me to give this five stars. But for most, I’m certain this will be absolutely perfect!
Thank you so much Ronan for allowing me to read this ARC!
May 1, 2026
3 stars. Solid read, but not as good as the first book. The first book was obsessive and dark. This was dark, but a little more tragic to me. Harper intrigued me in the first book, especially when his title in the gang was revealed. In this one, I got to see more of who he was before, during, and after the events of the first book. I liked how he truly supported Archer (bc he lowkey felt like the only one that did), and I loved his devotion to Benny. Speaking of The Bear, he was so sweet and protective. A kind heart and gentle soul behind a ferocious-looking exterior. I loved his friendship with Rikky…who was also an interesting “new” character…cough cough 👹 I’m hyped for the next installment.
April 17, 2026
Two very unlikely people brought together by chance: a strong, muscled former MMA fighter who is uncharacteristically submissive, and a small-statured, business-minded, highly disciplined, self-controlled dominant.
Then the unexpected happens—Harper finds himself craving what he can’t have. His life is tightly controlled, his walls impossibly high, and vulnerability isn’t something he allows himself—not for anyone. But for reasons he can’t even explain, he lets Benny see a small piece of him… and now he can’t escape the constant ache for more.
And Benny? He’s just a big old softy with a fighter’s heart, laying everything on the line. His feelings are big, unwavering—and honestly, a little terrifying for someone like Harper.
I loved watching the trust and love build between them. Nothing about their relationship came easy—they were up against expectations, control, and forces that could’ve torn them apart. But they kept choosing each other anyway.
That hard-earned HEA hit so good 👑🧸💙
**I received a complimentary copy of this book.**
Then the unexpected happens—Harper finds himself craving what he can’t have. His life is tightly controlled, his walls impossibly high, and vulnerability isn’t something he allows himself—not for anyone. But for reasons he can’t even explain, he lets Benny see a small piece of him… and now he can’t escape the constant ache for more.
And Benny? He’s just a big old softy with a fighter’s heart, laying everything on the line. His feelings are big, unwavering—and honestly, a little terrifying for someone like Harper.
I loved watching the trust and love build between them. Nothing about their relationship came easy—they were up against expectations, control, and forces that could’ve torn them apart. But they kept choosing each other anyway.
That hard-earned HEA hit so good 👑🧸💙
**I received a complimentary copy of this book.**
April 15, 2026
ARC REVIEW: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I absolutely adored the first book by @authorronanmarlow , so I knew that I was going to love the second book. But I wasn’t expecting to be crying by the second chapter lol. This book is a whole rollercoaster of emotions. I laughed, I cried, I yelled at my kindle, I had to sit and process stuff. The spice was spicing and the angst was angsting. The way my heart broke over and over again for them. The way that I was rooting for them. This book is just gorgeous. From the writing style to the plot and everything inbetween. Just an amazing book and I can’t wait for the others in the series. 🖤📚
I absolutely adored the first book by @authorronanmarlow , so I knew that I was going to love the second book. But I wasn’t expecting to be crying by the second chapter lol. This book is a whole rollercoaster of emotions. I laughed, I cried, I yelled at my kindle, I had to sit and process stuff. The spice was spicing and the angst was angsting. The way my heart broke over and over again for them. The way that I was rooting for them. This book is just gorgeous. From the writing style to the plot and everything inbetween. Just an amazing book and I can’t wait for the others in the series. 🖤📚
July 11, 2026
This. Freaking. Book. Was UNREAL 😫😭🥰
I read My Revenant first and while I liked it, I honestly didn’t think it was possible for book 2 to be even better. But holy fuck this book! Its by far my fave in the series!!
My heart! Bennyyyyyy and Harper 🥺 Just ugh… 💖
I was so sad for Harper at first bc he kept pushing Benny away, but their journey together was so beautiful! Harper realized that its okay to ask for help and his growth was amazing. And Benny my sweet pookie cuddle bear! He is my favorite 🥹 My God that man!
I have to say tho that the first few chapters are pretty difficult to read, awkward and unsettling. Harper is so trauma coded and is dealing with a lot of family drama and Benny is such a sweetheart with a pure heart.
Like Harper is stuck with an absolute asshole of a father and has to act all cold and guarded around Benny bc otherwise he risks getting Benny hurt 😭 Benny tho wasn't having any of that! He immediately realized the cage Harper was trapped in and was like PLEASE LET ME HELP YOU and STOP RUNNING AWAY FROM ME.
I hope someday someone loves me as much as Benny freaking Forrester loves Harper. 🥹
I loved everything sm! The tension, the angst, the smuuuuuuut and all the feels.
All the stars. Alllll theeee staarrssss
★★★★★♾️
What to expect:
🥀 MM romance
🥀 Hookups to lovers
🥀 Sub/Dom dynamics
🥀 Pup play
🥀 Verse
🥀 Found family
🥀 Hurt x comfort
🥀 Black cat x Golden retriever
I read My Revenant first and while I liked it, I honestly didn’t think it was possible for book 2 to be even better. But holy fuck this book! Its by far my fave in the series!!
My heart! Bennyyyyyy and Harper 🥺 Just ugh… 💖
I was so sad for Harper at first bc he kept pushing Benny away, but their journey together was so beautiful! Harper realized that its okay to ask for help and his growth was amazing. And Benny my sweet pookie cuddle bear! He is my favorite 🥹 My God that man!
I have to say tho that the first few chapters are pretty difficult to read, awkward and unsettling. Harper is so trauma coded and is dealing with a lot of family drama and Benny is such a sweetheart with a pure heart.
Like Harper is stuck with an absolute asshole of a father and has to act all cold and guarded around Benny bc otherwise he risks getting Benny hurt 😭 Benny tho wasn't having any of that! He immediately realized the cage Harper was trapped in and was like PLEASE LET ME HELP YOU and STOP RUNNING AWAY FROM ME.
I hope someday someone loves me as much as Benny freaking Forrester loves Harper. 🥹
I loved everything sm! The tension, the angst, the smuuuuuuut and all the feels.
All the stars. Alllll theeee staarrssss
★★★★★♾️
What to expect:
🥀 MM romance
🥀 Hookups to lovers
🥀 Sub/Dom dynamics
🥀 Pup play
🥀 Verse
🥀 Found family
🥀 Hurt x comfort
🥀 Black cat x Golden retriever
May 2, 2026
“I'd had many in my life, but this one... this one tasted like my last first kiss.”
Honestly the first book in this series, was amazing and such one of a kind book. Truly, the author was very creative and as someone who has read a lot of romance books, I was unable to predicted some those plot twists. My Renegade was better, you can better tell the author writing is improving and that they many different styles of writing as the beginning of this book gave off a completely different vibe than the first book in the series. I loved seeing the strays and the found family, but most importantly the characters falling for each other. I’ve definitely grown attached to the main characters and I can’t wait to see more of them as the series goes on, and I still loved seeing Jonah and Dex (especially him being the menace that he is). I don’t know what Ronan has cooked up next for the third book, but I know that I’ll definitely be reading it as soon as it drops.
I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Honestly the first book in this series, was amazing and such one of a kind book. Truly, the author was very creative and as someone who has read a lot of romance books, I was unable to predicted some those plot twists. My Renegade was better, you can better tell the author writing is improving and that they many different styles of writing as the beginning of this book gave off a completely different vibe than the first book in the series. I loved seeing the strays and the found family, but most importantly the characters falling for each other. I’ve definitely grown attached to the main characters and I can’t wait to see more of them as the series goes on, and I still loved seeing Jonah and Dex (especially him being the menace that he is). I don’t know what Ronan has cooked up next for the third book, but I know that I’ll definitely be reading it as soon as it drops.
I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest and voluntary review.
April 24, 2026
ARC Review
When I finished this book, I genuinely had to sit with it for a while. It's one of those stories that lingers because of how deeply it makes you feel. The emotional impact really stayed with me, especially through Benny's character. He's incredibly kind and gentle, and it's hard not to get attached to him almost immediately.
What really drew me in was the dynamic. The story plays with a less common trope, featuring a physically larger submissive and a smaller dominant.
Benny, an ex-MMA fighter, is soft and eager to please, while Harper, a billionaire carries a more controlled and dominant presence. Their first meeting in a kink club sets the tone well, there's an instant connection even without sight, and that chemistry continues to build as the story progresses.
Overall, this book balances emotional depth with an interesting relationship dynamic. It explores vulnerability, power, and connection in a way that feels engaging without losing the heart of the story.
When I finished this book, I genuinely had to sit with it for a while. It's one of those stories that lingers because of how deeply it makes you feel. The emotional impact really stayed with me, especially through Benny's character. He's incredibly kind and gentle, and it's hard not to get attached to him almost immediately.
What really drew me in was the dynamic. The story plays with a less common trope, featuring a physically larger submissive and a smaller dominant.
Benny, an ex-MMA fighter, is soft and eager to please, while Harper, a billionaire carries a more controlled and dominant presence. Their first meeting in a kink club sets the tone well, there's an instant connection even without sight, and that chemistry continues to build as the story progresses.
Overall, this book balances emotional depth with an interesting relationship dynamic. It explores vulnerability, power, and connection in a way that feels engaging without losing the heart of the story.
April 20, 2026
Loved the continuation of the Runaway series! This series so far has been filled with wonderful characters and such emotional journeys!
Benny and Harper were so made for each other. I loved their dom/sub dynamic, the way they were presented as never being able to find someone to be themselves with, how their previous partners had preconceived notions based on their statures, until they were paired and found their missing piece in each other.
The cast in this one was amazing. I adored Matthew and Benny’s family. This read is heavy on the found family trope and I ate it up.
Benny and Harper’s journey to an HEA is hard fought. I especially loved Harper’s emotional growth as he comes out of his father’s thumb and control and the realization he can be loved and absolutely deserves to be. He fights for it, breaking his and Benny’s heart in the process to keep it alive, literally.
Benny’s devotion to Harper is beautiful. His submission so lovely. I really enjoyed their scenes, their chemistry and the presents Harper gives Benny. They complete each other so well!
I’m very looking forward to the next book. Shady and Henrik are particularly piquing my interest.
Benny and Harper were so made for each other. I loved their dom/sub dynamic, the way they were presented as never being able to find someone to be themselves with, how their previous partners had preconceived notions based on their statures, until they were paired and found their missing piece in each other.
The cast in this one was amazing. I adored Matthew and Benny’s family. This read is heavy on the found family trope and I ate it up.
Benny and Harper’s journey to an HEA is hard fought. I especially loved Harper’s emotional growth as he comes out of his father’s thumb and control and the realization he can be loved and absolutely deserves to be. He fights for it, breaking his and Benny’s heart in the process to keep it alive, literally.
Benny’s devotion to Harper is beautiful. His submission so lovely. I really enjoyed their scenes, their chemistry and the presents Harper gives Benny. They complete each other so well!
I’m very looking forward to the next book. Shady and Henrik are particularly piquing my interest.
April 25, 2026
I was very lucky to receive an ARC copy of this book! I loved the first one and had high hopes for this one and it did not disappoint! The dynamic between Harper and Benny was a breath of fresh air for me. I haven’t read many with a small top/big bottom dynamic and I loved the way they were portrayed. The love Benny has for Harper, the fierce protectiveness and the way he became his safe space was my favorite thing about this book. Benny must be protected at all costs!
If you love MM romances then this is a MUST to add to your TBR. Beautifully written, heavy (and scorching!) spice and two characters that find everything they’ve been searching for. Read it now!!
If you love MM romances then this is a MUST to add to your TBR. Beautifully written, heavy (and scorching!) spice and two characters that find everything they’ve been searching for. Read it now!!
Did Not Finish
May 19, 2026DNF’d at 6%. I might revisit, I just wasn’t in the mood for a dominant short king sad billionaire and pet snakes.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I found reasons to put off finishing this book, simply because I am not ready to be done with these men. This story was a lot of things, heavy, sweet, intense, dark, quiet and broken, but well worth all of the ups and downs to get to the end. I started to fall in love with Harper in book 1, because he just felt like a broken boy who needed a little bit more love. But I also kind of hated him a little, I understand better now. Bear/Benny is almost exactly what his name suggests, he is protective but also super sweet and always trying to look on the good side. This has all of the angst, I was in tears, sobbing, before the halfway point. I can't wait to see whose book is next.
April 10, 2026
Hang on…I’m still processing…
How very dare Ronan Marlow make me feel feelings…
This book is so good. This series is SO GOOD. Benny and Harper are a potent love potion you get to absorb with your eyeballs and feel all floaty and happy. Heck, I’d *redacted* a guy and *redacted* off a *redacted* too if I was that in love.
My absolute favorite thing about this book is the constant fluidity of what is top or bottom, dom or sub, tender or fierce. It’s absolutely beautiful. That one character can be portrayed as physically small, sexually dominant, and emotionally tender while the other is physically massive, sexually submissive, and emotionally resilient was complete perfection. What an amazing representation of the complexities we all experience.
Found family is one of my absolute favorite tropes and this one is quite perfect. I love a side love story within a love story.
This series has had me hooked from page one and My Renegade does not disappoint. Getting a closer look at Harper and everything he’s been through was everything I wanted after reading My Revenant. I’m completely committed to this group and I cannot wait to see what’s next.
Many thanks to the Author for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
How very dare Ronan Marlow make me feel feelings…
This book is so good. This series is SO GOOD. Benny and Harper are a potent love potion you get to absorb with your eyeballs and feel all floaty and happy. Heck, I’d *redacted* a guy and *redacted* off a *redacted* too if I was that in love.
My absolute favorite thing about this book is the constant fluidity of what is top or bottom, dom or sub, tender or fierce. It’s absolutely beautiful. That one character can be portrayed as physically small, sexually dominant, and emotionally tender while the other is physically massive, sexually submissive, and emotionally resilient was complete perfection. What an amazing representation of the complexities we all experience.
Found family is one of my absolute favorite tropes and this one is quite perfect. I love a side love story within a love story.
This series has had me hooked from page one and My Renegade does not disappoint. Getting a closer look at Harper and everything he’s been through was everything I wanted after reading My Revenant. I’m completely committed to this group and I cannot wait to see what’s next.
Many thanks to the Author for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
April 10, 2026
Okay, the way I devoured this book! I was genuinely upset anytime I had to put it down.
This story had so much growth. Watching Benny learn that he isn’t “too much” absolutely got me. He’s the sweetest, gentle giant, and he deserves to be loved exactly as he is. The right person will never see him as too much, and I loved getting to watch that realization unfold.
And Harper my heart broke for him. The growth we got from him is some of the best I’ve read in a long time. We saw him try to push forward, stumble, and even fall back into old habits, but in the end, he truly faced his fears and learned that he deserves the world.
Overall, this was such a strong addition to the series. It balanced plot and emotional storytelling so well for both MMCs, and you can really see how the worlds from book one and two are starting to collide. I’m very curious to see where that leads next.
Also… I need to know who that mystery date is 🤨
I’m so excited we got another book, and I cannot wait for the third.
This story had so much growth. Watching Benny learn that he isn’t “too much” absolutely got me. He’s the sweetest, gentle giant, and he deserves to be loved exactly as he is. The right person will never see him as too much, and I loved getting to watch that realization unfold.
And Harper my heart broke for him. The growth we got from him is some of the best I’ve read in a long time. We saw him try to push forward, stumble, and even fall back into old habits, but in the end, he truly faced his fears and learned that he deserves the world.
Overall, this was such a strong addition to the series. It balanced plot and emotional storytelling so well for both MMCs, and you can really see how the worlds from book one and two are starting to collide. I’m very curious to see where that leads next.
Also… I need to know who that mystery date is 🤨
I’m so excited we got another book, and I cannot wait for the third.
April 12, 2026
This was a good time! Totally different vibes from book one which I enjoyed because this fit Benny and Harper perfectly and made for a great read. I really liked Benny and Harper’s dynamic. Benny was exactly what Harper needed and watching their relationship develop was fun to see. The movie list, caretaking and unwavering support was definitely a plus.
Snakes!!! Harper and his snakes were the sweetest. They were not only his pets but also the keeper of his secrets and when he felt he had no one he still had them. They gave him comfort and I loved that for him.
The family both blood and found were great in this. Loved Matthew and even Rachel and her chaos. I’m excited to see what’s next!
💚ARC REVIEW 🖤
☑️ Trigger Warnings
Snakes!!! Harper and his snakes were the sweetest. They were not only his pets but also the keeper of his secrets and when he felt he had no one he still had them. They gave him comfort and I loved that for him.
The family both blood and found were great in this. Loved Matthew and even Rachel and her chaos. I’m excited to see what’s next!
💚ARC REVIEW 🖤
☑️ Trigger Warnings
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