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The Mavericks #2
Ace & Ember: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 14 Jul 26A forbidden desire. A game of cat and mouse. A love that could ruin everything. Hold on tight for the wild ride that is the next installment in Kate Crew’s extra spicy
Mavericks
series!
Evie Emberson is trouble. Smart-mouthed, fearless, and relentless—especially when she’s looking for answers. She’s a hacker with a past that just won’t stay buried, so laying low isn’t exactly her strong suit. Especially when he’s around.
Aiden “Ace” Callahan is her brother’s best friend—brooding, loyal, and a walking contradiction. He spends half his time at the motorcycle garage and half deep in Valeport’s underground, and he lives by a code. Rule number one? Don’t touch Evie.
But she’s not a kid anymore. She’s fire and chaos and everything he shouldn’t want. He knows getting involved would blow up the only family he’s ever had—but walking away is getting harder every damn day.
What starts as snark and stolen glances spirals into something darker, hotter, and way past the point of no return. And the more they try to hide it, the more it threatens to consume them.
Now, with enemies circling and Evie’s secrets putting a target on her back, Aiden will do whatever it takes to protect her—even if it means betraying the brother who made him family.
Loyalties will be tested. Rules will be broken.
And hearts? They’re about to burn.
TROPES
· Brother’s Best Friend
· Enemies to Lovers
· Forbidden Love
· Morally Grey MMC
· Extra Spice
Evie Emberson is trouble. Smart-mouthed, fearless, and relentless—especially when she’s looking for answers. She’s a hacker with a past that just won’t stay buried, so laying low isn’t exactly her strong suit. Especially when he’s around.
Aiden “Ace” Callahan is her brother’s best friend—brooding, loyal, and a walking contradiction. He spends half his time at the motorcycle garage and half deep in Valeport’s underground, and he lives by a code. Rule number one? Don’t touch Evie.
But she’s not a kid anymore. She’s fire and chaos and everything he shouldn’t want. He knows getting involved would blow up the only family he’s ever had—but walking away is getting harder every damn day.
What starts as snark and stolen glances spirals into something darker, hotter, and way past the point of no return. And the more they try to hide it, the more it threatens to consume them.
Now, with enemies circling and Evie’s secrets putting a target on her back, Aiden will do whatever it takes to protect her—even if it means betraying the brother who made him family.
Loyalties will be tested. Rules will be broken.
And hearts? They’re about to burn.
TROPES
· Brother’s Best Friend
· Enemies to Lovers
· Forbidden Love
· Morally Grey MMC
· Extra Spice
432 pages, Paperback
Expected publication July 14, 2026
87 people are currently reading
3019 people want to read
About the author
Kate Crew
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
Want to read
February 13, 2026preread: i got the arc so now i have to actually read rook & rebel lol
Want to read
January 11, 2026Coming out July 14
Let‘s see how this book will be…
Let‘s see how this book will be…
February 18, 2026
arc read!! RTC ⛓️🩶
February 17, 2026
I didn’t know I was a dark rom com lover but the more I read, the more I love! Anyway, MY BABIESSSSS. I knew I was going to love Evie & Aiden before I even started page 1. Their dynamic in rook & Rebel had me knowing. I thought I knew who the stalker was but I didn’t. I did guess some other stuff beforehand and was proud of myself. So excited for this book to release! Kate Crew killed it again. Thank you for the ARC Avon 💓🫶🏻
February 14, 2026
I received an advanced digital copy from NetGalley for a review.
This is book 2 in the Mavericks series about Evie (Rook’s little sister) and Aiden (Rook’s right hand man/best friend) Both have been obsessed with each other, you can tell in book 1 there’s something there.
So I was really looking forward to this being the next story in this series, and I love a good Brothers-best-friend troupe but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
Evie is still wondering about her parents and how they got roped into the underground dealings from book 1’s plot. Aiden is constantly assigned to be her “bodyguard” so they orbit around each other all the time. Aiden helps Evie start digging for more information on her parents and Evie decided to blackmail Aiden into showing his true feelings for her and crossing the line that Rook set to “never touch his sister”.
The thing that kept me from loving this more was Evie antics actually. She was constantly as Aiden liked to say “psycho” and juvenile in her methods to communicate and show her own feelings. I mean blackmailing someone to give in and fall for you was a little too teenage love dramatics. If she really loved him then why try to ruin him. That’s just my opinion.
Aiden was made out to be obsessed with Evie and he definitely was. I just thought with his characters background and what he’d loose if he gave in would have made him put up more of a fight. I get that he had been wanting her for a while and loved her “psycho” games but it felt off for me on their true feelings. He seemed devoted, but her not so much. The first half of the book is them just messing with each other to see how far they could push it. Spicy yes, entertaining yes, but not enough real to keep me hooked.
The second half of the book was better. Once we got into the plot and A & E both started to show actual feelings, I enjoyed it more. I feel like they could have gotten to that sooner. Their story got better and more interesting when the relationship got less about games and more real life.
The big climactic unfolding of everything played out a little too easy imo. Shocking twist but some didn’t land as hard. Especially with the “Shadow” stalking chapters reveal.
I do enjoy the whole group dynamics scenes, the found family vibes and getting to see Rook & Rebel together again. I hope Harper and Hero are next up for the series.
The story could have been better but overall I liked it and don’t regret reading. 3.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is book 2 in the Mavericks series about Evie (Rook’s little sister) and Aiden (Rook’s right hand man/best friend) Both have been obsessed with each other, you can tell in book 1 there’s something there.
So I was really looking forward to this being the next story in this series, and I love a good Brothers-best-friend troupe but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
Evie is still wondering about her parents and how they got roped into the underground dealings from book 1’s plot. Aiden is constantly assigned to be her “bodyguard” so they orbit around each other all the time. Aiden helps Evie start digging for more information on her parents and Evie decided to blackmail Aiden into showing his true feelings for her and crossing the line that Rook set to “never touch his sister”.
The thing that kept me from loving this more was Evie antics actually. She was constantly as Aiden liked to say “psycho” and juvenile in her methods to communicate and show her own feelings. I mean blackmailing someone to give in and fall for you was a little too teenage love dramatics. If she really loved him then why try to ruin him. That’s just my opinion.
Aiden was made out to be obsessed with Evie and he definitely was. I just thought with his characters background and what he’d loose if he gave in would have made him put up more of a fight. I get that he had been wanting her for a while and loved her “psycho” games but it felt off for me on their true feelings. He seemed devoted, but her not so much. The first half of the book is them just messing with each other to see how far they could push it. Spicy yes, entertaining yes, but not enough real to keep me hooked.
The second half of the book was better. Once we got into the plot and A & E both started to show actual feelings, I enjoyed it more. I feel like they could have gotten to that sooner. Their story got better and more interesting when the relationship got less about games and more real life.
The big climactic unfolding of everything played out a little too easy imo. Shocking twist but some didn’t land as hard. Especially with the “Shadow” stalking chapters reveal.
I do enjoy the whole group dynamics scenes, the found family vibes and getting to see Rook & Rebel together again. I hope Harper and Hero are next up for the series.
The story could have been better but overall I liked it and don’t regret reading. 3.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 18, 2026
Omg if you thought Rook & Rebel was amazing and had the best bike scene, just wait until you get your hands on this one. MORE spicy bike scenes and even more suspense. Is it possible that I may have loved Evie and Aiden a little more than Rook and Regan?!? I truly love them all the same, but these two made my heart so happy!! As much as this is more of a darker romance, some parts were really sweet and swoon-worthy. Evie, our little psycho girl, was really a romantic at heart. She kept her smart mouth, chaos, and tough image on the outside for everyone else to see, but Aiden knew her better than anyone else, even more than she knew herself.
Ace & Ember was the perfect brother’s best friend and forbidden love romance. Aiden basically became Evie’s personal bodyguard, never letting her out of his sight for any reason at all. They had such good banter and tension between them that it was for sure a cover up to hide their true feelings for one another. Rook would legit kill anyone who touched his sister, so Aiden never wanted to risk losing the only family he has ever had. This definitely put him between a rock and a hard place. But Aiden’s feelings kept getting stronger to the point that Evie was worth these consequences.
I really enjoyed there being an unknown third point of view character, a shadow that was following Evie at all times. Evie was digging up a lot of info that was never meant to come to light, and this person made sure she didn’t uncover more than they wanted her to. She needed answers and closure that involved her parent’s death, and she will do anything to find them. Also, not everyone is as they seem, and you’ll find out more secrets than you expected. This is one wild ride!
Does Aiden end up losing everything, including Evie? Or can he have it all while still keeping his family? 🫣🫣
This a must read and definitely worth the wait until release day in July!
Ace & Ember was the perfect brother’s best friend and forbidden love romance. Aiden basically became Evie’s personal bodyguard, never letting her out of his sight for any reason at all. They had such good banter and tension between them that it was for sure a cover up to hide their true feelings for one another. Rook would legit kill anyone who touched his sister, so Aiden never wanted to risk losing the only family he has ever had. This definitely put him between a rock and a hard place. But Aiden’s feelings kept getting stronger to the point that Evie was worth these consequences.
I really enjoyed there being an unknown third point of view character, a shadow that was following Evie at all times. Evie was digging up a lot of info that was never meant to come to light, and this person made sure she didn’t uncover more than they wanted her to. She needed answers and closure that involved her parent’s death, and she will do anything to find them. Also, not everyone is as they seem, and you’ll find out more secrets than you expected. This is one wild ride!
Does Aiden end up losing everything, including Evie? Or can he have it all while still keeping his family? 🫣🫣
This a must read and definitely worth the wait until release day in July!
03-not-released
December 7, 202514th Jul 2026
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Yet another insane, violent romance for me to swoon over. I absolutely fell in love with Kate Crew's writing in
Rook & Rebel
— she does hilarious but dark banter and a crazy obsessed romance so well. While Evie and Aiden's relationship was just as heated and wild as Rook and Regan's, I appreciated that the dynamics between them (as well as the kinks hehe) were still so fresh and different.
We got to see a bit of Evie and Aiden's relationship in the first book—Evie as Rook's younger sister, known for her temper, her dramatics, and for being just a tad bit unhinged (she's got a thing for knives), and Aiden as Rook's right-hand man in their motorcycle and crime business. Aiden is the only one Rook trusts to take care of Evie, which means they're constantly thrown together, and constantly having to deny their attraction and interest in each other.
The forbidden element of their relationship was just one of the reasons they felt so fun and exciting. Evie was such an unpredictable character, but that doesn't mean she didn't care about anything nor did that mean she was dumb. I always appreciated how sharp and smart she was, as capable in a fight as any of the guys and just as bloodthirsty. She was definitely the standout character of the book, especially when it came to their romance. She's been pining after Aiden all these years and has reached her breaking point when it comes to waiting for him—which is why she forces his hand with blackmail.
Aiden is definitely the cool, calm, and collected one in this relationship. But his devotion to Evie, his obsession with her was never once put into question. Even when she was acting out, even when she was putting them in danger, he still always put her needs first, before Rook's and also before his own. Though turns out, what—who—she needed was him. It was so satisfying watching him slowly crumble, to see him finally snap. And their fuck it moments never failed to make me giddy. A couple of my favorite spicy tropes that make their way into this one: masked men and lots of bike sex.
But amidst all the arguments and anger and heat between them, there were also lots of tender moments. There were a couple flashbacks that really helped solidify their relationship and how much they've come to care for and trust each other. I wish we had just a few more conversations between them where they weren't spitting insults or arguing as a way to heavily flirt. And one of the downsides of a forbidden romance element for me is that rarely does the blow up at the end warrant all the heartache and uncertainty leading up to it.
Ace & Ember was a thoroughly enjoyable dark romance. If you want an unhinged read where stabbing, stalking, and other criminal behaviors are not only the norm, but used to make jokes and heighten the romance, this is the series to pick up. Absolutely no regrets in letting this one jump my months-long ARC queue.
﹙ three-point-five stars ﹚
— thank you so much avon for the e-arc via netgalley to review!
We got to see a bit of Evie and Aiden's relationship in the first book—Evie as Rook's younger sister, known for her temper, her dramatics, and for being just a tad bit unhinged (she's got a thing for knives), and Aiden as Rook's right-hand man in their motorcycle and crime business. Aiden is the only one Rook trusts to take care of Evie, which means they're constantly thrown together, and constantly having to deny their attraction and interest in each other.
The forbidden element of their relationship was just one of the reasons they felt so fun and exciting. Evie was such an unpredictable character, but that doesn't mean she didn't care about anything nor did that mean she was dumb. I always appreciated how sharp and smart she was, as capable in a fight as any of the guys and just as bloodthirsty. She was definitely the standout character of the book, especially when it came to their romance. She's been pining after Aiden all these years and has reached her breaking point when it comes to waiting for him—which is why she forces his hand with blackmail.
Aiden is definitely the cool, calm, and collected one in this relationship. But his devotion to Evie, his obsession with her was never once put into question. Even when she was acting out, even when she was putting them in danger, he still always put her needs first, before Rook's and also before his own. Though turns out, what—who—she needed was him. It was so satisfying watching him slowly crumble, to see him finally snap. And their fuck it moments never failed to make me giddy. A couple of my favorite spicy tropes that make their way into this one: masked men and lots of bike sex.
But amidst all the arguments and anger and heat between them, there were also lots of tender moments. There were a couple flashbacks that really helped solidify their relationship and how much they've come to care for and trust each other. I wish we had just a few more conversations between them where they weren't spitting insults or arguing as a way to heavily flirt. And one of the downsides of a forbidden romance element for me is that rarely does the blow up at the end warrant all the heartache and uncertainty leading up to it.
Ace & Ember was a thoroughly enjoyable dark romance. If you want an unhinged read where stabbing, stalking, and other criminal behaviors are not only the norm, but used to make jokes and heighten the romance, this is the series to pick up. Absolutely no regrets in letting this one jump my months-long ARC queue.
﹙ three-point-five stars ﹚
— thank you so much avon for the e-arc via netgalley to review!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
🩵🔪ARC Review🔪🩵
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Holy Hell, Kate Crew has done it again!! I have been waiting for this story since Rook and Rebel came out, and boy did it not disappoint. This book had everything: biker boy, tech FMC, and a mysterious stalker. Oh, and a little touch of blackmail. I loved these two characters. Aiden is the tough-as-nails second-in-command and rule follower. He will do anything Rook tells him, even if it’s be a babysitter to Evie. Evie is a tech genius who doesn’t follow rules and has a big crush on her brother’s best friend. I loved Evie; the stuff that she pulled on Aiden had me dying, and the way this man took it!! This man was down bad for her. The tension these two had you could see it in the first book, and in this book, it just got hotter. The spicy scenes were amazing, and I loved a certain scene with a bike; it reminded me of Rook, and that made me laugh!! If only he knew that his bestie pulled a similar scene with his sister. He would be sick! I loved the twists and turns that Kate gave us in this book; it had me on the edge of my seat. I didn’t expect any of them, and when the big secret was revealed, I was in shock; my jaw was on the floor. This book had me giggling and kicking my feet just like the first one, and I’m so happy that in this one, we got to see more of the Maverick motor crew and their personalities. Hero killed me with his wit and his conversations about Harper. I also loved that Rook still is obsessed with Rebel and that she’s trying to get Rook to buy her the cookie shop!! I loved the found family this book has and that they all accept each other for who they are, especially Hero; that man is wild!! Holy hell it was a wild ride and I can’t wait for everyone to meet Ace & Ember in July you won’t be disappointed!!
🩵🔪Thank you so much for the ARC! This review is my opinion🔪🩵
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Holy Hell, Kate Crew has done it again!! I have been waiting for this story since Rook and Rebel came out, and boy did it not disappoint. This book had everything: biker boy, tech FMC, and a mysterious stalker. Oh, and a little touch of blackmail. I loved these two characters. Aiden is the tough-as-nails second-in-command and rule follower. He will do anything Rook tells him, even if it’s be a babysitter to Evie. Evie is a tech genius who doesn’t follow rules and has a big crush on her brother’s best friend. I loved Evie; the stuff that she pulled on Aiden had me dying, and the way this man took it!! This man was down bad for her. The tension these two had you could see it in the first book, and in this book, it just got hotter. The spicy scenes were amazing, and I loved a certain scene with a bike; it reminded me of Rook, and that made me laugh!! If only he knew that his bestie pulled a similar scene with his sister. He would be sick! I loved the twists and turns that Kate gave us in this book; it had me on the edge of my seat. I didn’t expect any of them, and when the big secret was revealed, I was in shock; my jaw was on the floor. This book had me giggling and kicking my feet just like the first one, and I’m so happy that in this one, we got to see more of the Maverick motor crew and their personalities. Hero killed me with his wit and his conversations about Harper. I also loved that Rook still is obsessed with Rebel and that she’s trying to get Rook to buy her the cookie shop!! I loved the found family this book has and that they all accept each other for who they are, especially Hero; that man is wild!! Holy hell it was a wild ride and I can’t wait for everyone to meet Ace & Ember in July you won’t be disappointed!!
🩵🔪Thank you so much for the ARC! This review is my opinion🔪🩵
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
🩵🔪ARC Review🔪🩵
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Holy Hell, Kate Crew has done it again!! I have been waiting for this story since Rook and Rebel came out, and boy did it not disappoint. This book had everything: biker boy, tech FMC, and a mysterious stalker. Oh, and a little touch of blackmail. I loved these two characters. Aiden is the tough-as-nails second-in-command and rule follower. He will do anything Rook tells him, even if it’s be a babysitter to Evie. Evie is a tech genius who doesn’t follow rules and has a big crush on her brother’s best friend. I loved Evie; the stuff that she pulled on Aiden had me dying, and the way this man took it!! This man was down bad for her. The tension these two had you could see it in the first book, and in this book, it just got hotter. The spicy scenes were amazing, and I loved a certain scene with a bike; it reminded me of Rook, and that made me laugh!! If only he knew that his bestie pulled a similar scene with his sister. He would be sick! I loved the twists and turns that Kate gave us in this book; it had me on the edge of my seat. I didn’t expect any of them, and when the big secret was revealed, I was in shock; my jaw was on the floor. This book had me giggling and kicking my feet just like the first one, and I’m so happy that in this one, we got to see more of the Maverick motor crew and their personalities. Hero killed me with his wit and his conversations about Harper. I also loved that Rook still is obsessed with Rebel and that she’s trying to get Rook to buy her the cookie shop!! I loved the found family this book has and that they all accept each other for who they are, especially Hero; that man is wild!! Holy hell it was a wild ride and I can’t wait for everyone to meet Ace & Ember in July you won’t be disappointed!!
🩵🔪Thank you so much for the ARC! This review is my opinion🔪🩵
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Holy Hell, Kate Crew has done it again!! I have been waiting for this story since Rook and Rebel came out, and boy did it not disappoint. This book had everything: biker boy, tech FMC, and a mysterious stalker. Oh, and a little touch of blackmail. I loved these two characters. Aiden is the tough-as-nails second-in-command and rule follower. He will do anything Rook tells him, even if it’s be a babysitter to Evie. Evie is a tech genius who doesn’t follow rules and has a big crush on her brother’s best friend. I loved Evie; the stuff that she pulled on Aiden had me dying, and the way this man took it!! This man was down bad for her. The tension these two had you could see it in the first book, and in this book, it just got hotter. The spicy scenes were amazing, and I loved a certain scene with a bike; it reminded me of Rook, and that made me laugh!! If only he knew that his bestie pulled a similar scene with his sister. He would be sick! I loved the twists and turns that Kate gave us in this book; it had me on the edge of my seat. I didn’t expect any of them, and when the big secret was revealed, I was in shock; my jaw was on the floor. This book had me giggling and kicking my feet just like the first one, and I’m so happy that in this one, we got to see more of the Maverick motor crew and their personalities. Hero killed me with his wit and his conversations about Harper. I also loved that Rook still is obsessed with Rebel and that she’s trying to get Rook to buy her the cookie shop!! I loved the found family this book has and that they all accept each other for who they are, especially Hero; that man is wild!! Holy hell it was a wild ride and I can’t wait for everyone to meet Ace & Ember in July you won’t be disappointed!!
🩵🔪Thank you so much for the ARC! This review is my opinion🔪🩵
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rating: 3.5 ⭐️’s
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
If you love dark rom-com energy mixed with motorcycle club chaos, brother’s best friend, and friends to lovers tension, this one is for you.
Aiden “Ace” has always known Evie is off-limits. As the second-in-command of her brother’s motorcycle club, he’s been given one clear rule: don’t touch his sister. So he buries his feelings, even though keeping Evie safe has basically become his full-time job. And considering Evie thrives on chaos? That’s no easy task.
Evie isn’t your typical heroine, she’s a hacker determined to uncover the truth about her parents’ deaths. But her digging starts drawing dangerous attention. Tired of waiting for Aiden to finally make a move, she decides to take matters into her own hands… with a blackmail scheme that forces him to choose: stay loyal to the club’s rules or risk everything for her.
The chemistry between Aiden and Evie was easily my favorite part. Their tension, history, and the way he’s always been her silent protector made their emotional connection feel real and earned. The push and pull between loyalty and love added just the right amount of angst.
My only struggle was with some scene transitions that felt abrupt and occasionally pulled me out of the story. Since this was an early reader copy, that may be smoothed out in the final version, but it did make certain moments feel slightly disjointed.
Overall, this is a solid dark, slightly chaotic romance with protective MMC vibes, a bold FMC who isn’t afraid to scheme for her man, and enough spice to keep things interesting. If you’re into motorcycle club romances with emotional tension and a little messiness, Ace and Ember deliver.
Tropes:
• Dark RomCom
• Motorcycle Club
• Brother’s Best Friend
• Friends to Lovers
• Blackmail Scheme
*ARC Reader courtesy of Netgalley*
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
If you love dark rom-com energy mixed with motorcycle club chaos, brother’s best friend, and friends to lovers tension, this one is for you.
Aiden “Ace” has always known Evie is off-limits. As the second-in-command of her brother’s motorcycle club, he’s been given one clear rule: don’t touch his sister. So he buries his feelings, even though keeping Evie safe has basically become his full-time job. And considering Evie thrives on chaos? That’s no easy task.
Evie isn’t your typical heroine, she’s a hacker determined to uncover the truth about her parents’ deaths. But her digging starts drawing dangerous attention. Tired of waiting for Aiden to finally make a move, she decides to take matters into her own hands… with a blackmail scheme that forces him to choose: stay loyal to the club’s rules or risk everything for her.
The chemistry between Aiden and Evie was easily my favorite part. Their tension, history, and the way he’s always been her silent protector made their emotional connection feel real and earned. The push and pull between loyalty and love added just the right amount of angst.
My only struggle was with some scene transitions that felt abrupt and occasionally pulled me out of the story. Since this was an early reader copy, that may be smoothed out in the final version, but it did make certain moments feel slightly disjointed.
Overall, this is a solid dark, slightly chaotic romance with protective MMC vibes, a bold FMC who isn’t afraid to scheme for her man, and enough spice to keep things interesting. If you’re into motorcycle club romances with emotional tension and a little messiness, Ace and Ember deliver.
Tropes:
• Dark RomCom
• Motorcycle Club
• Brother’s Best Friend
• Friends to Lovers
• Blackmail Scheme
*ARC Reader courtesy of Netgalley*
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Book Review: Ace & Ember by Kate Crew
Series: The Maverick’s (Book 2)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 Stars)
Ace & Ember absolutely delivered—and then some. This second installment in The Maverick’s series follows Evie and Aiden in a story that is equal parts heart-pounding suspense and heart-aching forbidden love.
If you love the brother’s best friend trope done right, this one is going to own you. The tension between Evie and Aiden simmers from the very first page—years of history, loyalty lines that shouldn’t be crossed, and feelings that refuse to stay buried. Aiden walks that perfect line between protective and tormented, and Evie is strong, layered, and impossible not to root for.
The romantic suspense element adds a gritty edge that keeps the stakes high. It’s not just about stolen glances and secret touches—there’s real danger woven through the story, which makes their connection feel even more intense and urgent.
And let’s talk about the chemistry. The spicy bike scenes? 🔥🔥🔥 They are bold, passionate, and completely in tune with the raw, high-octane energy of this world. The heat feels earned because of the emotional buildup, which makes those moments land even harder.
What I loved most is how this story balances:
• Forbidden love tension
• Deep emotional vulnerability
• Protective hero vibes
• Found family energy
• Suspense that keeps you flipping pages
This is a 5-star read for me without hesitation.
⚠️ Important: I highly recommend reading Rook & Rebel (Book 1) before diving into this one. The groundwork laid there makes Evie and Aiden’s story hit so much deeper—and you’ll appreciate the Maverick world even more.
Ace & Ember releases in July, and trust me—you’re going to want this one on your TBR._
If you love brother’s best friend, romantic suspense, forbidden love, and high-heat chemistry wrapped in an emotionally intense ride… this is for you.
Book Review: Ace & Ember by Kate Crew
Series: The Maverick’s (Book 2)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 Stars)
Ace & Ember absolutely delivered—and then some. This second installment in The Maverick’s series follows Evie and Aiden in a story that is equal parts heart-pounding suspense and heart-aching forbidden love.
If you love the brother’s best friend trope done right, this one is going to own you. The tension between Evie and Aiden simmers from the very first page—years of history, loyalty lines that shouldn’t be crossed, and feelings that refuse to stay buried. Aiden walks that perfect line between protective and tormented, and Evie is strong, layered, and impossible not to root for.
The romantic suspense element adds a gritty edge that keeps the stakes high. It’s not just about stolen glances and secret touches—there’s real danger woven through the story, which makes their connection feel even more intense and urgent.
And let’s talk about the chemistry. The spicy bike scenes? 🔥🔥🔥 They are bold, passionate, and completely in tune with the raw, high-octane energy of this world. The heat feels earned because of the emotional buildup, which makes those moments land even harder.
What I loved most is how this story balances:
• Forbidden love tension
• Deep emotional vulnerability
• Protective hero vibes
• Found family energy
• Suspense that keeps you flipping pages
This is a 5-star read for me without hesitation.
⚠️ Important: I highly recommend reading Rook & Rebel (Book 1) before diving into this one. The groundwork laid there makes Evie and Aiden’s story hit so much deeper—and you’ll appreciate the Maverick world even more.
Ace & Ember releases in July, and trust me—you’re going to want this one on your TBR._
If you love brother’s best friend, romantic suspense, forbidden love, and high-heat chemistry wrapped in an emotionally intense ride… this is for you.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Harper Collin’s for providing me an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
I’ve been so excited for this book and it totally delivered!! Evie was so unapologetically herself and CHAOTIC without sacrificing or changing anything just to get Aiden. And Aiden loved every single part of her exactly as she is and knows that he was made for her and vice versa.
The blackmail was kind of hilarious and even though Rook made a good point about it not being the healthiest start to a relationship (although I kinda wanted to say “pot, meet kettle?”), Aiden was right that he never would have crossed the line without it and the line needed to be crossed. That being said, once they were into the blackmail and getting closer to each other, I felt like Aiden had to have one too many “fuck it” moments. And I would have loved another scene of him in his mask!!!
The chapters from the POV of “Shadow” were so good. I had goosebumps and legitimately felt creeped out by it, they were so well-written.
Genuinely was bummed about Zack though. I didn’t really see him as being deranged enough to go along with Anderson to get Evie. I think Evie strung him along in her games with Aiden which wasn’t very nice/fair of her but like, wtf Zack? Don’t do that?
I struggled with the fight scene at the end to follow it and couldn’t figure out the exact purpose of Rook and Evie leaving, not even exiting the building, and then turning right back around to go in the room again? No more prepared than they were when they’d left the room? And it seemed like Rook could have just killed everyone in 4 shots but did one bad shot and then Evie had to do a bunch of hand to hand combat. Idk it just didn’t play out super well but it wasn’t that long so not the biggest deal.
Overall, excellent sequel with great yearning and spice!
I’ve been so excited for this book and it totally delivered!! Evie was so unapologetically herself and CHAOTIC without sacrificing or changing anything just to get Aiden. And Aiden loved every single part of her exactly as she is and knows that he was made for her and vice versa.
The blackmail was kind of hilarious and even though Rook made a good point about it not being the healthiest start to a relationship (although I kinda wanted to say “pot, meet kettle?”), Aiden was right that he never would have crossed the line without it and the line needed to be crossed. That being said, once they were into the blackmail and getting closer to each other, I felt like Aiden had to have one too many “fuck it” moments. And I would have loved another scene of him in his mask!!!
The chapters from the POV of “Shadow” were so good. I had goosebumps and legitimately felt creeped out by it, they were so well-written.
Genuinely was bummed about Zack though. I didn’t really see him as being deranged enough to go along with Anderson to get Evie. I think Evie strung him along in her games with Aiden which wasn’t very nice/fair of her but like, wtf Zack? Don’t do that?
I struggled with the fight scene at the end to follow it and couldn’t figure out the exact purpose of Rook and Evie leaving, not even exiting the building, and then turning right back around to go in the room again? No more prepared than they were when they’d left the room? And it seemed like Rook could have just killed everyone in 4 shots but did one bad shot and then Evie had to do a bunch of hand to hand combat. Idk it just didn’t play out super well but it wasn’t that long so not the biggest deal.
Overall, excellent sequel with great yearning and spice!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2026
Huge thank you to Avon & Harper Voyager for this ARC! I loved how crazy Evie was in book 1, so I knew I had to read her and Aiden’s story in book 2!
Evie’s crazy did not disappoint, and neither did the way Aiden loved all of her crazy!
Their chemistry was amazing, and every time she pushed, he’d know whether she needed to be pulled or pushed back. The fact that they had both been in love with each other for years, but fought it because of Rook, made it that much more satisfying to see them finally give in to their feelings. But my favorite was the way he accepted everything about her, even if she blackmailed him and tried implode their lives half the time. “She was my chaos…” and he loved that about her.
And I loved the way he called her psycho in the most endearing way. “Good girl. My filthy, perfect little psycho.”
Despite being a rough and tough MMC, he was sweet and caring with her. This quote just spoke to exactly how he felt about her this whole time. “I feel it when you’re mad at me. It’s like I can’t fucking breathe. You can be on the other side of the room or across the fucking town, and I feel it. It’s suffocating and all I want to do is make you happy again so I can breathe.”
My only pet peeve was that they somehow didn’t know they were being watched and followed. I thought they mentioned having cameras in their home and businesses in book 1, so them not seeing the Shadow go in and out was kind of perplexing. And why didn’t they touch on the rest of the Order. I guess we’ll find out in book 3… I can’t wait for Harper and Hero’s enemies-to-lovers, constant bantering story!
Evie’s crazy did not disappoint, and neither did the way Aiden loved all of her crazy!
Their chemistry was amazing, and every time she pushed, he’d know whether she needed to be pulled or pushed back. The fact that they had both been in love with each other for years, but fought it because of Rook, made it that much more satisfying to see them finally give in to their feelings. But my favorite was the way he accepted everything about her, even if she blackmailed him and tried implode their lives half the time. “She was my chaos…” and he loved that about her.
And I loved the way he called her psycho in the most endearing way. “Good girl. My filthy, perfect little psycho.”
Despite being a rough and tough MMC, he was sweet and caring with her. This quote just spoke to exactly how he felt about her this whole time. “I feel it when you’re mad at me. It’s like I can’t fucking breathe. You can be on the other side of the room or across the fucking town, and I feel it. It’s suffocating and all I want to do is make you happy again so I can breathe.”
My only pet peeve was that they somehow didn’t know they were being watched and followed. I thought they mentioned having cameras in their home and businesses in book 1, so them not seeing the Shadow go in and out was kind of perplexing. And why didn’t they touch on the rest of the Order. I guess we’ll find out in book 3… I can’t wait for Harper and Hero’s enemies-to-lovers, constant bantering story!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The ARC of Ace & Ember by Kate Crew absolutely blew me away. This book was EVERYTHING. While it’s definitely spicy in content, Kate Crew does not hold back 🔥, I’d actually call this more of a slow burn when it comes to the emotional/physical connection between Evie and Aiden, and that yearning? Top tier.
Brother’s best friend plus forbidden love will forever have me in a chokehold, and Aiden and Evie delivered in every possible way. The tension. The stolen glances. The “we can’t do this” energy while very clearly wanting to do exactly that. Aiden Hayes trying to live by his code while Evie Emberson tests every single one of his limits? Absolute perfection. The push and pull felt real, angsty, and deliciously drawn out in the best way.
What really stood out to me, though, was how much story depth this installment had. Compared to Rook & Rebel, this book gave us so much more insight into the Mavericks world and the underground threads running through Valeport. Evie’s hacker background, the danger circling her, the loyalty conflicts, this wasn’t just spice, though there’s plenty. It was layered, tense, and emotionally charged.
Aiden is morally grey in that quiet, loyal, “I’ll burn the world down for you but hate myself for it” kind of way, and I ate it up. And Evie? Smart, relentless, fearless. She matches him step for step.
And can we talk about the setup for what’s next? Because I am absolutely convinced Harper and Hero are getting their moment, and if it’s not called Jinx & Joker, I will be shocked. IYKYK.
This series just leveled up in a big way. More story, more angst, more stakes, more heart. I cannot wait for the next book.
Brother’s best friend plus forbidden love will forever have me in a chokehold, and Aiden and Evie delivered in every possible way. The tension. The stolen glances. The “we can’t do this” energy while very clearly wanting to do exactly that. Aiden Hayes trying to live by his code while Evie Emberson tests every single one of his limits? Absolute perfection. The push and pull felt real, angsty, and deliciously drawn out in the best way.
What really stood out to me, though, was how much story depth this installment had. Compared to Rook & Rebel, this book gave us so much more insight into the Mavericks world and the underground threads running through Valeport. Evie’s hacker background, the danger circling her, the loyalty conflicts, this wasn’t just spice, though there’s plenty. It was layered, tense, and emotionally charged.
Aiden is morally grey in that quiet, loyal, “I’ll burn the world down for you but hate myself for it” kind of way, and I ate it up. And Evie? Smart, relentless, fearless. She matches him step for step.
And can we talk about the setup for what’s next? Because I am absolutely convinced Harper and Hero are getting their moment, and if it’s not called Jinx & Joker, I will be shocked. IYKYK.
This series just leveled up in a big way. More story, more angst, more stakes, more heart. I cannot wait for the next book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First off, thank you Kate Crew & NetGalley for this eARC!
Rating: 3.5/5⭐️
Spice: 3/5 🌶️
The Mavericks book 2 is about Evie & Aiden and their forbidden romance. They have both been obsessed with each other for YEARS but as a long standing rule to stay away from Evie within the pack, it creates a whole mess of tension and misunderstood feelings.
Evie is trying to uncover the truth as to why her parents were involved with shady people before their passing. She decides to do her on research and rope Aiden into helping her as well as test his control. She’s knows/feels his mutual attraction to her but he’s demeanor says otherwise.
Aiden has always been in love with Evie and has never been allowed to act on it. He tried to stay away but as her “bodyguard” he’s always in her orbit. He helps Evie and as the story progresses, his carefully crafted control and rules he set for himself, breaks and then begins their romance.
I will say, it took me a hot sec to get into this book. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE BANTER but I feel like their banter didn’t hit the mark for me. It was pretty much the same thing over and over again. The first half was pretty rough. Now the second half did take off and I enjoyed it quite a bit more. Especially the communication between our MCs. Wayyyyyyyy better than what we were doing in part one for sure.
Overall I did enjoy this read! I am hoping for a Harper & Hero and possibly Mason & Book store girl books!!
Rating: 3.5/5⭐️
Spice: 3/5 🌶️
The Mavericks book 2 is about Evie & Aiden and their forbidden romance. They have both been obsessed with each other for YEARS but as a long standing rule to stay away from Evie within the pack, it creates a whole mess of tension and misunderstood feelings.
Evie is trying to uncover the truth as to why her parents were involved with shady people before their passing. She decides to do her on research and rope Aiden into helping her as well as test his control. She’s knows/feels his mutual attraction to her but he’s demeanor says otherwise.
Aiden has always been in love with Evie and has never been allowed to act on it. He tried to stay away but as her “bodyguard” he’s always in her orbit. He helps Evie and as the story progresses, his carefully crafted control and rules he set for himself, breaks and then begins their romance.
I will say, it took me a hot sec to get into this book. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE BANTER but I feel like their banter didn’t hit the mark for me. It was pretty much the same thing over and over again. The first half was pretty rough. Now the second half did take off and I enjoyed it quite a bit more. Especially the communication between our MCs. Wayyyyyyyy better than what we were doing in part one for sure.
Overall I did enjoy this read! I am hoping for a Harper & Hero and possibly Mason & Book store girl books!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ace & Ember
Kate Crew
The Mavericks Series Book 2
This story is about forbidden desire, buried secrets, and the slow unraveling of rules that were never meant to be broken. Evie is a sharp mouthed hacker with a dangerous past, and Ace is her brother’s best friend a loyal enforcer with a strict moral code and a whole lot to lose. What makes this book special is the tension. The push and pull is relentless, the chemistry is feral, and the suspense layer keeps everything razor tight.
My favorite part was watching Ace absolutely lose the internal war he was fighting. The rule follower turned down bad protector while Evie gleefully pokes every last boundary had me giggling, stressed, and fully seated.
Tropes & Vibes
🔥 Brother’s best friend
😈 Enemies to lovers energy
🚫 Forbidden love tension
🖤 Morally gray MMC
🏍 Biker and underground vibes
💻 Tech genius FMC
🌶 Extra spicy with suspense
Read this if you like
🏍 Motorcycle club found family
💥 High tension slow burn angst
🖤 Dark protective MMCs who melt hard
😏 Snarky FMCs who cause chaos
🔪 Romantic suspense that keeps you guessing
#DarkRomance #BrotherBestFriend #RomanticSuspense #ExtraSpicyReads #BookstagramRomance @Avon @Harpervoyager
Review is of an ARC from publisher/netgalley
Kate Crew
The Mavericks Series Book 2
This story is about forbidden desire, buried secrets, and the slow unraveling of rules that were never meant to be broken. Evie is a sharp mouthed hacker with a dangerous past, and Ace is her brother’s best friend a loyal enforcer with a strict moral code and a whole lot to lose. What makes this book special is the tension. The push and pull is relentless, the chemistry is feral, and the suspense layer keeps everything razor tight.
My favorite part was watching Ace absolutely lose the internal war he was fighting. The rule follower turned down bad protector while Evie gleefully pokes every last boundary had me giggling, stressed, and fully seated.
Tropes & Vibes
🔥 Brother’s best friend
😈 Enemies to lovers energy
🚫 Forbidden love tension
🖤 Morally gray MMC
🏍 Biker and underground vibes
💻 Tech genius FMC
🌶 Extra spicy with suspense
Read this if you like
🏍 Motorcycle club found family
💥 High tension slow burn angst
🖤 Dark protective MMCs who melt hard
😏 Snarky FMCs who cause chaos
🔪 Romantic suspense that keeps you guessing
#DarkRomance #BrotherBestFriend #RomanticSuspense #ExtraSpicyReads #BookstagramRomance @Avon @Harpervoyager
Review is of an ARC from publisher/netgalley
February 16, 2026
3.5 stars for this one.
Aiden and Evie. The two always drawn together and thrown together.
Aiden isn’t supposed to look or touch. Too bad he’s always had a thing for Evie. His little Psycho.
Evie has had feelings for almost as long. She just doesn’t understand why he won’t give in. So she comes up with a plan.
Once on motion there are a lot of moving pieces. Someone’s stalking Evie and the boys. Out for some blood. They want to take down the crew and keep Evie all to themselves.
Keeping to the dark isn’t hard in their world. It can only be a matter of time before the dark bites back.
As Aiden and Evie grow closer the danger seems to be converging as well.
Evie is it for Aiden he just doesn’t know how to tell her that. Evie knows that Aiden is afraid she doesn’t understand of what. These two finally decide that they can’t give each other up. They fight to keep each other and to love each other. There are some bumps in the road but they fight to keep each other.
I loved getting to see these two find their happy ending. Build that family unit and keep fighting for it each and every day.
I’m excited to see who we get to see fall next.
*Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this ARC*
Aiden and Evie. The two always drawn together and thrown together.
Aiden isn’t supposed to look or touch. Too bad he’s always had a thing for Evie. His little Psycho.
Evie has had feelings for almost as long. She just doesn’t understand why he won’t give in. So she comes up with a plan.
Once on motion there are a lot of moving pieces. Someone’s stalking Evie and the boys. Out for some blood. They want to take down the crew and keep Evie all to themselves.
Keeping to the dark isn’t hard in their world. It can only be a matter of time before the dark bites back.
As Aiden and Evie grow closer the danger seems to be converging as well.
Evie is it for Aiden he just doesn’t know how to tell her that. Evie knows that Aiden is afraid she doesn’t understand of what. These two finally decide that they can’t give each other up. They fight to keep each other and to love each other. There are some bumps in the road but they fight to keep each other.
I loved getting to see these two find their happy ending. Build that family unit and keep fighting for it each and every day.
I’m excited to see who we get to see fall next.
*Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this ARC*
February 16, 2026
Review: Ace & Ember by Kate Crew ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book completely stole my heart and is exactly what we needed for Aiden and Evie’s story.
Ace & Ember is a swoony, tension-filled biker romance that delivers forbidden love, emotional depth, and the kind of banter that had me smiling the entire time. Evie and Aiden’s story centers on the ultimate temptation — your brother’s best friend — and the chemistry between them is instant, electric, and impossible to ignore.
I loved Evie’s personality most of all. She’s playful, bold, and constantly teasing Aiden, pushing his buttons just to watch him crack. Their back-and-forth felt so natural and fun, and it made their connection feel authentic rather than forced. Aiden’s restraint and loyalty only made the slow build sweeter, and when the sneaking around inevitably unravels, the emotional payoff hits hard.
The tension, the softness underneath all that biker-club toughness, and the heartfelt romance made this such an addictive read. I flew through it in one sitting and didn’t want to leave these characters behind.
If you love brother’s-best-friend, forbidden romance, great banter, and protective biker-hero vibes, this is absolutely one to pick up.
Thank you for the ARC — all thoughts are my own.
This book completely stole my heart and is exactly what we needed for Aiden and Evie’s story.
Ace & Ember is a swoony, tension-filled biker romance that delivers forbidden love, emotional depth, and the kind of banter that had me smiling the entire time. Evie and Aiden’s story centers on the ultimate temptation — your brother’s best friend — and the chemistry between them is instant, electric, and impossible to ignore.
I loved Evie’s personality most of all. She’s playful, bold, and constantly teasing Aiden, pushing his buttons just to watch him crack. Their back-and-forth felt so natural and fun, and it made their connection feel authentic rather than forced. Aiden’s restraint and loyalty only made the slow build sweeter, and when the sneaking around inevitably unravels, the emotional payoff hits hard.
The tension, the softness underneath all that biker-club toughness, and the heartfelt romance made this such an addictive read. I flew through it in one sitting and didn’t want to leave these characters behind.
If you love brother’s-best-friend, forbidden romance, great banter, and protective biker-hero vibes, this is absolutely one to pick up.
Thank you for the ARC — all thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
So you know those books where you're like "I REALLY need to go to sleep, but just *one* more chapter." And then before you know it, it's 3am and you want to put the book down even less than you did before that "one more chapter"? This was that book. I was on the edge of my seat, wiggling and giddy for so much of this story. I've been absolutely *dying* waiting for this book, and when I say I cried when I got approved to read the ARC, I'm not exaggerating. Evie and Aiden had the best chemistry in Rook & Rebel, and it only amped up from there! Ace & Ember had Evie absolutely torturing Aiden (who happens to be her big brother's best friend and 2nd in command) in the best of ways, and he has it so bad for her, he takes every bit of it happily. There is sooooo much pining and obsession from both sides, and it is delicious. The surrounding story has the crew being threatened and even stalked by a mystery entity, and it was captivating, holding my interest beyond just the love story. I was nervous and full of anticipation through the whole thing waiting to see how it would all play out. Overall this is another winner written by Kate. I can't wait to see what other stories she creates in the future.
January 27, 2026
So this was my first book by this author I did not read the first in the series and to be fair. It really didn’t matter. The author gave you enough clues that you could understand what happened in the first book with enough knowledge to fully understand the second book. This is definitely a dark biker romance, and I read it in like three hours. It definitely is a dark romance so if that’s not your jam, this is not the book for you. That being said, the characters are all very likable, especially our two main characters which are Aiden and Evie who both have some feelings, but lots of things that are keeping them from acting on them. I don’t want to give too much of the pot away. But when threats start coming in from unknown sources, Aiden has to step up his surveillance of Evie and puts them in even closer quarters and anyone within a 5 foot radius would certainly see there is some sexual attention between the two of them. Definitely a fun read. I will probably go back and read the first one and I can see where the author is going with the next one, so I’ll keep my eye out for that one as well.
February 15, 2026
The way I jumped up and down when I got approved for an eARC of this book is honestly an understatement. I loved Rook & Rebel, so the second Ace & Ember was announced I was counting down the days. The anticipation was real and somehow this book still exceeded it. I was not disappointed for even a second.
This series is gritty, raw, and absolutely electric. It has that high-octane motorcycle, Fast and Furious energy, but layered with complex family and found family dynamics that hit just as hard emotionally as the action does physically. The stakes feel real. The loyalty runs deep. And every decision carries weight.
Ace & Ember delivers tension, heat, and heart in equal measure. The chemistry is intense, the banter is sharp, and the emotional undercurrent adds so much depth to the chaos. I loved how the characters are flawed but fiercely devoted, protective in ways that feel earned rather than forced. The world feels lived in, dangerous, and addictive.
If you love adrenaline, morally gray edges, ride or die loyalty, and romance that burns hot while still packing an emotional punch, this one is it. Five stars without hesitation.
5 ⭐️ 3 🌶️
This series is gritty, raw, and absolutely electric. It has that high-octane motorcycle, Fast and Furious energy, but layered with complex family and found family dynamics that hit just as hard emotionally as the action does physically. The stakes feel real. The loyalty runs deep. And every decision carries weight.
Ace & Ember delivers tension, heat, and heart in equal measure. The chemistry is intense, the banter is sharp, and the emotional undercurrent adds so much depth to the chaos. I loved how the characters are flawed but fiercely devoted, protective in ways that feel earned rather than forced. The world feels lived in, dangerous, and addictive.
If you love adrenaline, morally gray edges, ride or die loyalty, and romance that burns hot while still packing an emotional punch, this one is it. Five stars without hesitation.
5 ⭐️ 3 🌶️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
NetGalley ARC (Uncorrected E-Proof) Review
I’m genuinely looking forward to reading the final edited version of this novel. As an uncorrected proof, there were moments where the pacing felt slightly uneven and certain elements came across as somewhat repetitive. However, I’m confident these issues will be refined during the editing process.
Overall, the story was engaging and easy to immerse myself in. The chemistry between E and A was compelling and addictive, driving much of the novel’s momentum. I especially appreciated seeing a strong female protagonist who remains unapologetically herself rather than reshaping her identity to fit someone else’s expectations (even though she needs to own up to some of her flaws).
Ace was a standout MMC, particularly in the way he fully embraced E’s chaotic energy and loved her without reservation. I would have enjoyed seeing him lean even further into a subtle “she’s mine” dynamic, just a touch more jealousy or possessiveness would have added an extra layer of tension that many readers appreciate.
Overall I'm so thankful for being able to receive an approval for the ARC and I'm a huge shoutout to Kate Crew do always delivering.
I’m genuinely looking forward to reading the final edited version of this novel. As an uncorrected proof, there were moments where the pacing felt slightly uneven and certain elements came across as somewhat repetitive. However, I’m confident these issues will be refined during the editing process.
Overall, the story was engaging and easy to immerse myself in. The chemistry between E and A was compelling and addictive, driving much of the novel’s momentum. I especially appreciated seeing a strong female protagonist who remains unapologetically herself rather than reshaping her identity to fit someone else’s expectations (even though she needs to own up to some of her flaws).
Ace was a standout MMC, particularly in the way he fully embraced E’s chaotic energy and loved her without reservation. I would have enjoyed seeing him lean even further into a subtle “she’s mine” dynamic, just a touch more jealousy or possessiveness would have added an extra layer of tension that many readers appreciate.
Overall I'm so thankful for being able to receive an approval for the ARC and I'm a huge shoutout to Kate Crew do always delivering.
February 16, 2026
I’ve been waiting for Aiden and Evie for so long. I loved their tension and banter in book one so much that I would randomly think about them and be yearning for their book!
Being back in this world was easy. I didn’t feel like I lost time between Rook and Rebel to now. The threats were there. Every character was exactly how we left them. Chaotic and ready for trouble.
Evie is our emotional and impulsive girl that is always ready to do what it takes. I love that she pushed Aiden to his absolute limits. And I adored how Aiden let her. How he gave her every platform for her to feel everything and always was her safe landing at the same time. Years of built up yearning and resistance for this man created the most loyal and down bad mmc.
With that said, there were several occasions in the book where the author would describe something happening and the repeat it but slightly different and that pulled me out of the moment because I had to go back a reread to make sure I wasn’t crazy for just reading the exact thing happening just moments before.
Being back in this world was easy. I didn’t feel like I lost time between Rook and Rebel to now. The threats were there. Every character was exactly how we left them. Chaotic and ready for trouble.
Evie is our emotional and impulsive girl that is always ready to do what it takes. I love that she pushed Aiden to his absolute limits. And I adored how Aiden let her. How he gave her every platform for her to feel everything and always was her safe landing at the same time. Years of built up yearning and resistance for this man created the most loyal and down bad mmc.
With that said, there were several occasions in the book where the author would describe something happening and the repeat it but slightly different and that pulled me out of the moment because I had to go back a reread to make sure I wasn’t crazy for just reading the exact thing happening just moments before.
February 15, 2026
Ace & Ember is the second book in Kate Crew’s Mavericks series, and wow — it absolutely delivered! Dare I say… even better than Rook & Rebel? I might just mean it 👀
Aiden and Evie have spent years dancing around their undeniable chemistry, terrified that giving in could jeopardize their found family, the Mavericks. Of course, the harder they try to ignore it, the stronger the pull becomes. Evie is a total spitfire, finally ready to chase what she’s wanted with Aiden for years — all while digging into the mystery surrounding her parents’ deaths. And Aiden? He’s the ultimate grumpy bodyguard type, always there to save the day (and her reckless decisions).
This book had everything: tension, angst, banter, emotional punches, and just the right amount of spice. I was hooked from start to finish and loved every minute of it.
⭐️ 4.5/5 stars
🌶️ 4/5 spice
Highly recommend, and I’m already impatiently waiting to see which Mavericks get their story next!
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon & Harper Voyager for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Aiden and Evie have spent years dancing around their undeniable chemistry, terrified that giving in could jeopardize their found family, the Mavericks. Of course, the harder they try to ignore it, the stronger the pull becomes. Evie is a total spitfire, finally ready to chase what she’s wanted with Aiden for years — all while digging into the mystery surrounding her parents’ deaths. And Aiden? He’s the ultimate grumpy bodyguard type, always there to save the day (and her reckless decisions).
This book had everything: tension, angst, banter, emotional punches, and just the right amount of spice. I was hooked from start to finish and loved every minute of it.
⭐️ 4.5/5 stars
🌶️ 4/5 spice
Highly recommend, and I’m already impatiently waiting to see which Mavericks get their story next!
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon & Harper Voyager for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.5⭐️ 3🌶️
Aiden and Evie are an incredible pair. Evie is unhinged, impulsive, and full of feeling. She will stab you. Seriously. All while Aiden looks at her with heart eyes like she is just pure perfection despite her violent chaos. Aiden is quiet, watchful, and reserved. He is also so incredibly loyal. The found family aspect of this series is such a joy to read about and the bond at Maverick Moto is unbeatable. There is a mystery aspect to this book, and just like Rook & Rebel, it centers around Evie and Rooks parents. The “why?” Of it all. Evie can’t quit digging even when things get dangerous, but she has her bodyguard always shadowing her, and her own badass knife skills to get her through.
This series is such Dark Rom-com treat. You will laugh, you will be grossed out, and you will read about things happening on a bike that you didn’t even know were possible. 10/10 recommend.
Thank you so much to Kate Crew, Harper Collin’s Publishing, and Netgalley for giving me an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.💕
Aiden and Evie are an incredible pair. Evie is unhinged, impulsive, and full of feeling. She will stab you. Seriously. All while Aiden looks at her with heart eyes like she is just pure perfection despite her violent chaos. Aiden is quiet, watchful, and reserved. He is also so incredibly loyal. The found family aspect of this series is such a joy to read about and the bond at Maverick Moto is unbeatable. There is a mystery aspect to this book, and just like Rook & Rebel, it centers around Evie and Rooks parents. The “why?” Of it all. Evie can’t quit digging even when things get dangerous, but she has her bodyguard always shadowing her, and her own badass knife skills to get her through.
This series is such Dark Rom-com treat. You will laugh, you will be grossed out, and you will read about things happening on a bike that you didn’t even know were possible. 10/10 recommend.
Thank you so much to Kate Crew, Harper Collin’s Publishing, and Netgalley for giving me an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.💕
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (5/5)
it’s been nearly a year since i fell in love with Rook & Rebel by Kate Crew, and what better way to celebrate than to read the second book in The Mavericks series??
Evie absolutely captured my heart when i read Rook & Rebel, so i couldn’t wait to read her story, and i loved it!
the build-up and tension between Evie and Aiden was so intense, and it made the whole story just that much better. their chemistry was palpable and their back and forth banter and antics were so fun to read!
i love the found family within this series so much. Kate Crew writes every character in a way that genuinely just draws you in and makes you truly adore them.
i love a good unhinged fmc, and pair that with brothers best friend (who’s down BAD for her)/forbidden romance?! i think this book had pretty much everything i could ever want.
i highly recommend reading this if you love bikers, found family and the tropes i just listed above! you won’t regret it!
Ace & Ember will be out on July 14th!
massive thanks to Avon for sending me this digital arc through netgalley!
it’s been nearly a year since i fell in love with Rook & Rebel by Kate Crew, and what better way to celebrate than to read the second book in The Mavericks series??
Evie absolutely captured my heart when i read Rook & Rebel, so i couldn’t wait to read her story, and i loved it!
the build-up and tension between Evie and Aiden was so intense, and it made the whole story just that much better. their chemistry was palpable and their back and forth banter and antics were so fun to read!
i love the found family within this series so much. Kate Crew writes every character in a way that genuinely just draws you in and makes you truly adore them.
i love a good unhinged fmc, and pair that with brothers best friend (who’s down BAD for her)/forbidden romance?! i think this book had pretty much everything i could ever want.
i highly recommend reading this if you love bikers, found family and the tropes i just listed above! you won’t regret it!
Ace & Ember will be out on July 14th!
massive thanks to Avon for sending me this digital arc through netgalley!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“𝑵𝒐𝒘 𝒃𝒆 𝒂 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍, 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒖𝒑,” 𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅, “𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒑 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒐𝒍𝒅.”
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Ace & Ember by @katecrewauthor
Available on July 14th!
This is absolutely going to be one of my favorite reads of the year. Dare I say I loved Evie and Aiden even more than I loved Rook and Regan? 🫣
This book has me giggling and swooning with Evie and Aiden’s antics. There was SO MUCH YEARNING. (But don’t worry the yearning was worth it 🌶️🌶️🌶️)
I enjoyed the mystery aspect of the plot, and Rook had me cackling with several one-liners. 😂
I’m hoping we get a story for Hero or Mason next. All these motorcycle boys need their happily ever afters (and I’m definitely going to read them 😁)
If you liked Rook & Rebel, muscular motorcycle guys, an obsessed morally grey MMC (and FMC for that matter 😂), silly moments, and lots of yearning and spice add this one to your TBR immediately!
Thank you so much to @katecrewauthor and @avonbooks for the opportunity to read this ARC.
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Ace & Ember by @katecrewauthor
Available on July 14th!
This is absolutely going to be one of my favorite reads of the year. Dare I say I loved Evie and Aiden even more than I loved Rook and Regan? 🫣
This book has me giggling and swooning with Evie and Aiden’s antics. There was SO MUCH YEARNING. (But don’t worry the yearning was worth it 🌶️🌶️🌶️)
I enjoyed the mystery aspect of the plot, and Rook had me cackling with several one-liners. 😂
I’m hoping we get a story for Hero or Mason next. All these motorcycle boys need their happily ever afters (and I’m definitely going to read them 😁)
If you liked Rook & Rebel, muscular motorcycle guys, an obsessed morally grey MMC (and FMC for that matter 😂), silly moments, and lots of yearning and spice add this one to your TBR immediately!
Thank you so much to @katecrewauthor and @avonbooks for the opportunity to read this ARC.
February 18, 2026
The perfect blend of slow burn spice meets captivating storyline!!
This is my first book by Kate, and I am 100% a fan. I went in expecting something totally different than what I received, and my expectations were blown out of the water!
I have not read the first book in this series however the author made it easy for me to fall into this storyline without having to have done that. The world these characters live in is less than upstanding, but you forget about all of that because the background and character development is so good.
The slow burn romance hits just right with the perfect level of spice at the right moments! What I was truly impressed with was the level of storytelling and plot that was given to this novel! Normally, when I read something that is very “spicy romance” driven, the plot is lacking. Not the case with this author. She wove a page-turning narrative that kept me wanting more after each chapter.
Absolutely excited to read more from Kate! Thrilled I could get an ARC of this book.
This is my first book by Kate, and I am 100% a fan. I went in expecting something totally different than what I received, and my expectations were blown out of the water!
I have not read the first book in this series however the author made it easy for me to fall into this storyline without having to have done that. The world these characters live in is less than upstanding, but you forget about all of that because the background and character development is so good.
The slow burn romance hits just right with the perfect level of spice at the right moments! What I was truly impressed with was the level of storytelling and plot that was given to this novel! Normally, when I read something that is very “spicy romance” driven, the plot is lacking. Not the case with this author. She wove a page-turning narrative that kept me wanting more after each chapter.
Absolutely excited to read more from Kate! Thrilled I could get an ARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Kate Crew did it again! I was absolutely hooked with Rebel and Rebel. In this book we still had great bike scenes! It was a great mix of spicy, suspense and humor!
Evie is as Aiden loves to call her "psycho". She has a soft interior that she doesn't want others to see, but Ace has always seen it. She is the technology wiz and just wants to know more about what happened to her parents. I loved the banter that she gave Aiden and how he bends to her will.
Aiden is our bad ass biker. He is Rook's second hand man and will do anything for his found family. He will also be Evie's babysitter but he has ulterior motives. You can tell he is fighting his inner demons by not wanting to mess anything up but wants to follow his heart.
I love that even with everything that happened they all still had their banter and family. It was great to read more about the crew. The ending had me shook! I could never have guessed that it would end that way!
Thank you to Netgalley, publishers for an earc for my honest review!
Evie is as Aiden loves to call her "psycho". She has a soft interior that she doesn't want others to see, but Ace has always seen it. She is the technology wiz and just wants to know more about what happened to her parents. I loved the banter that she gave Aiden and how he bends to her will.
Aiden is our bad ass biker. He is Rook's second hand man and will do anything for his found family. He will also be Evie's babysitter but he has ulterior motives. You can tell he is fighting his inner demons by not wanting to mess anything up but wants to follow his heart.
I love that even with everything that happened they all still had their banter and family. It was great to read more about the crew. The ending had me shook! I could never have guessed that it would end that way!
Thank you to Netgalley, publishers for an earc for my honest review!
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