He didn’t see it coming. Deals go bad. That’s part of life. But he had no idea how close he came to losing everything—until the man behind him drops and he realizes he’d been a target. Then he’d been saved. By her. But she’s gone before he can figure out why she’d rescued him.
She didn’t mean to step in. But after everything those guys took from her, she couldn’t stand around and watch them create any more damage. And now she’s got more problems than she asked for. The last thing she needs is another man in her way. Too bad he’s isn’t the kind to walk away. And when his club gets involved, things take a turn she’d never seen coming…
Jessica Gadziala is a USA Today bestselling author who lives in rural New Jersey with her parrots, dogs, and an ever-growing collection of houseplants. A lifelong dreamer, she’s been writing stories since childhood and published her first book in 2015. When not at her desk, she’s usually feeding backyard birds, rewatching crime dramas, period pieces, and 90s supernatural TV shows, or adding to her towering stacks of unread books.
"I just wanted the women to know to find their own gift-basket-making men. Good luck, I got the only one." Dylan
Yeah, to all the women who've dreamed about Colter, he's officially taken. No wonder! This man is the perfect example of loyalty, love and a happily ever after.
His gift baskets are famous among all the women in Shady Valley who needed comfort and joy.
He's no saint, he's a former soldier and ex-con. He has a temper that he can't always control, but always against bad people, never against women. They're showered with gift baskets, remember?
Dylan is a badass woman. After a rival robbed her women's biker club, she swore revenge for the violence inflicted on women, for the unimaginable acts committed against her and her sisters. I love her indestructible stubbornness, her determination to get revenge, and to make amends for what criminals took from her club.
I'm so happy for both characters. Neither of them had much luck in life. The connection they have from the very beginning is beautiful and enchanting. The book isn't a sweet and swoony story, of course. It's an MC outlaw biker romance. It's another action-packed, captivating, and exciting story.
It's once again my favorite book in the series 😉🥰😂
Colter (Shady Valley Henchmen #9) by Jessica Gadziala
Another amazing addition to the ever‑growing world of Shady Valley. Dylan and Colter’s story completely pulled me in, I genuinely couldn’t put it down once I started.
Colter was such a standout hero. His unexpected softness, especially shown through his gift baskets, made him incredibly endearing. Dylan was the perfect counterpart with her take‑no‑prisoners attitude and fierce personality. Together, they had fantastic chemistry and balance, making their story both engaging and satisfying.
Jessica Gadziala continues to deliver strong characters, fast‑paced storytelling, and a world that keeps getting better with every book. This was a great instalment in the series and a reminder of why I love returning to Shady Valley.
Highly recommend for fans of the series and for anyone who loves tough heroes with hidden hearts.
Not only did I love this addition but i couldn’t have read it at a better time. The FMC is struggling to adjust to her new autoimmune diagnosis, something I too have just started to go through. I could really relate to the realness of her character and how her disorder impacted her life.
Jessica Gadziala almost never misses for me, and this book was no exception. I’ve been curious about Colter ever since he made his first basket for someone, and finally getting his story was so satisfying. As someone who loves both giving and receiving gifts, I adored that this was his love language. The way he kept making them for Dylan — thoughtful, personal, and full of intention — was genuinely sweet.
And the meet‑cute? Perfect. Dylan saving Colter’s life was such a refreshing flip of the usual dynamic. I loved that the woman was the rescuer here. And later, when Colter saved her in return, it felt like a full‑circle moment without taking away from Dylan’s strength.
These two were also really compelling together. Their early intimate moments had so much intensity and emotional charge that you could feel the connection building between them. And when they finally moved into a deeper physical relationship, the chemistry was strong and believable. It didn’t hurt that Colter is described as a big, physically powerful guy — the kind who can lift and move Dylan with ease — which meant a lot to her as a taller woman who isn’t always used to being with someone who can match her strength and energy. Their dynamic in those moments felt both passionate and emotionally grounded.
One of my favorite parts was that there was no denial of feelings. Colter knew from the start that there was something real between them, and he didn’t shy away from it. He refused to reduce what they had to something casual, even while still giving Dylan the closeness and reassurance she needed as she worked through her own fears. His patience — and the way he prioritized her comfort — was genuinely beautiful.
Given Dylan’s background, it made complete sense that she needed time. Growing up in a biker club where the men were openly sexist, being abandoned by her mother, and then losing her club to a violent, predatory group… of course she had trust issues. Colter understood that, and the way he showed her he was different — steady, respectful, committed — was one of the best parts of the book. Watching Dylan slowly open up to him was just as rewarding.
I also really appreciated the type 1 diabetes representation and Dylan’s relationship with her dog. Those two were adorable and added so much warmth to the story.
Honestly, I could go on. This was a good one — heartfelt, sweet, and full of the emotional beats I love in Jessica’s books.
My only complaint (and this is a recurring one for me with this author) is the lack of an “I love you” scene. Yes, we clearly see that they love each other. Yes, they build a life together. But I still want that moment on the page, and I always feel a little cheated when it’s missing.
Still, this was a strong addition to the series, and I really enjoyed it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Everybody loves Colter – how could you not? He’s the guy who cares enough to make care baskets for everybody who needs a little TLC. He is the responsible one who makes sure that the Shady Valley Henchmen clubhouse gets straightened up after a heavy night of partying so the MC President doesn’t get mad at the younger Henchmen’s antics. He’s also the one who didn’t realize during a gun deal gone bad that one of the guys trying to rip off his MC was going to shoot him dead…until that guy was shot dead while sneaking up behind intending to shoot Colter dead. And it wasn’t a Henchman who saved Colter’s life – it was a gorgeous woman in a black leather biker jacket who immediately took off into the woods.
Dylan’s problems keep piling up. First, a bunch of meth dealing pimp bikers stole her clubhouse and her female MC members. Second, she got sick, like really sick, for months. Third, type 1 diabetes nearly laid her low, again for months. Fourth, she poked her head above the parapet saving that hot biker during the gun deal where her biker nemeses were trying to rip off the sellers. And now, those pimp/bikers found where she was staying and ransacked her place, stealing or destroying anything of value, forcing her to take her service dog and skip town.
WOW, if you love an intense, action-packed story, you are in for a HUGE treat! The dialogue is snappy, the loyalty, care and honor shown by Dylan and Colter (and the entire Henchmen MC) are exemplary, and the plotline is superb. Another winning book by the incomparable Jessica Gadziala.
Lots to enjoy about this book. The MFC has an interesting past and she has Type 1 Diabetes. She's the first MFC I've seen with this (as I've wandered randomly through the romance genre). I have a kid with this disease and could relate to everything about it.
My favorite idea that the author just barely poked at is the personality of military guys. From Saint to the MMC,
“Because I think we both know that in our past lives, I was a shot caller and you were an order follower.”
I think there's a general awakening about how men are socialized under a patriarchal society, especially in the military. Most men are socialized to be submissive to other men higher in the hierarchy and this gets called out here.
The following quote also shows the MMC as someone who has been rebuilding himself as his own person,
“But after fighting and killing in wars that felt like dick-measuring contests with human lives paying the price for inferiority complexes, I figured killing for the greater good made a lot more sense.”
Mindless patriotism and unquestioning adherence to tradition has gotten the real world into a big mess. The MMC fulfills the fantasy that men can open their minds to caring about other people and walk away from supporting systems that prop up greed and mass suffering.
I was also super impressed with his ability to read and understand what the MFC needed after a life of trauma and neglect. Love the gift baskets.
Colter is the dependable guy thay will get you what you need without needing to be asked. He's mindful of boundaries, gentle and kind but assertive when needed. He's that guy. The guy every woman wants because he goes that extra mile and he doesn't with zero expectation. He's the perfect example of not judging a book by the cover. Whilst the cover is sinfully gorgeous it's also not everything, there is so much more to this man.
Dylan is a woman with a whole boat load of trauma. A woman wronged but everyone in her life so much so she had never had anyone look after her. Protect her. Make her feel safe. It was a damn shame. Seeing her fight that feeling, the internal battle and then acceptance was quite the journey for out just. A thing of raw vulnerability. But man was she better for it in the end.
These two had me all up in my feels. The build up of tension. The power struggles and dynamic shifts. The moments when their walls came down. It was real special. I laughed, swooned, ranted and raved. A real rollercoaster. And by the end?.. pure fulfillment.
And who is that fine man who strolled in all banged up at the end?! Sir.. HELLO. I have all the questions. But for now Jessie.. as always it was a pleasure.
Finally! Our beloved creator of amazing gift baskets has his HEA!!! I love Colter & Dylan!
Dylan is a complete BA. She's been dealt some crappy hands & has recently been diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder that threw her for a loop. The way she handles it is awesome & her service dog, Sugar, definitely steals some scenes. 🖤🖤🖤 When she turns up at the clubhouse with a partnership proposition, Colter is ecstatic to see her again. He wastes NO time getting to know her.
I loved getting to know them both - plus more of Raff, Syn & Saint. Catching up with some of the other guys & gals. Meeting some new friends. 😁
These two getting to know each other was so sweet! The care Colter takes with her & the way Dylan trusts him while slowly melting... love!! They absolutely also get to enjoy some steamy goodness. 🌶🔥🌶🔥 They're very well matched in the taking charge department, too. Heh. Colter creates some FANTASTIC baskets for Dylan. I have a sudden desire for a larger Squishmallow... Also, the mission gets *cough* extremely bloody & I definitely had to skip some of the details there, but I fully supported why it was necessary!
I always knew Colter's story would be gold. Colter is mostly known for being the giver of gift baskets. He is such a tender hearted man with a protective streak. Did he go to prison? Yes, but with good reason. People suck!
Dylan is an independent girl boss who has had some struggles hit all at once, including being diagnosed type 1 diabetes. She was raised with men who rode bikes but were disrespectful towards all women, which made her think all men were the same and love didng truly exist. The meeting between them is brief but memorable. Colter and the Henchmen blow her mind by being them and how they are with their women. Their story is everything we could have ever wanted and more. A strong woman resisting a man who is everything she could ask for. Oh my heart!
An emotionally charged romance about two people who’ve been carved up by life — and who somehow manage to find something worth holding onto in each other.
Colter a former soldier, an ex‑con, and a man who’s lived through enough darkness to recognize it instantly. But he’s also the guy who builds comfort‑gift‑baskets for women in town who need a little light.
Dylan is a woman who refuses to break. She's lost everything (its a slow burn for the reader to learn exactly what). On top of that she is dealing with her pancreas no longer producing insulin which throws her into Type 1 diabetes and the huge changes that come with living with that.
Colter has it all, danger, retaliation, club loyalty, and justice (and of course some great animals)
" I still can't believe you were willing to ride b@#$h." "Baby, I'll willingly be behind you any f-ing time you want."
If it's a Henchmen book, I read it. That is all. I have loved Colter since he came to the club, I mean he makes every girl that comes thru a gift-basket. So sweet. Of course his hea match would be a bada$$, motorcycle riding, anti-love, grouch of a woman. This was a lot of fun.
And getting to see more of the other mc brothers. Yes. Saint, Sin, Raff, and the new prospect...give me all the hea's. Oh and the killer mafia chick, she needs more book time.
Overall, the epilogues were amazing per usual and they have me wanting another books ASAP. Of course, I will be reading whatever is next.
Colter is the ninth book in the Shady Valley Henchmen series.
I liked Dylan and Colter together and enjoyed watching them fall in love. I think Colter was the first one to decide they had a future. He was patient and sweet with Dylan making her realize how much she wanted the same thing.
I enjoyed the addition of the dogs and Dylan’s medical condition also added to the story.
Jessica’s books are always quick reads with happy endings.
Bikers does not necessarily mean bad people! Call me soft but any lover of rescued animals especially dogs is my friend too. Dylan has a service dog for her type 1 diabetes so has a soft spot for them. Quite a contrast from being leader of a female biker gang. She meets Colter at a deal gone bad and shoots him in the shoulder. While that was their auspicious beginning it was definitely not their ending!
Great book prickly woman sweet and hot guy happy ever after with a side of murder and justice. Good stuff 10 out of 10 do recommend. Read all. The Henchmen books just do it.
This is another great story, I liked the hero and heroine in this, different and interesting and believable. Dylan gets herself involved with the Henchmen when she saves Colter. They then have an enemy in common to work together against along with the other henchmen.
Possibly the most dynamic and badass character, Jessica has ever written. Another win for an incredible couple who chose dogs over kids. And just another incredible romance with, you guessed it, dogs!!!
Every time a new book in this series comes out, I never expect it to top the last—especially since they’re already amazing—but somehow, it always does. Just another really good story by JG.
I struggled with the fact that the female club didn’t fight as a whole for their club. I wish a bit more backstory had been given for FMC & her club. Still, a good read as always!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.