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Chasing Ruin: A Dark MC Grovel Romance
Ruin
Ruin never wanted to be the villain in any story. But for years, Charlotte—no, Charlie—was his nightmare in glitter and tank tops. The club Prez’s brat sister. The chaos in the corner of every room. She torched his patience, tampered with his relationships, and pined for him like he was hers.
But now, she’s back after years of banishment. Not the wide-eyed girl who once purred his name in his bed, but the woman who was left to burn alone—by everyone, including him.
Charlotte
Charlotte used to be the club’s living headache. All smoke, eyeliner, and dangerously misled loyalty. Glory’s shadow. Wolf’s sister.
Ruin’s nightmare.
She wore dysfunction like a badge—until it got her humiliated, destroyed, and thrown out like trash by the only family she thought she had. But peace was good. Peace worked.
Until the same betrayal that wrecked her came hunting for her. And the only men who can protect her are the ones who obliterated her.
Chasing Ruin is a dark, gory, motorcycle club romance with betrayal and grovel.
Betrayal and Grovel
Wrongly accused
Public humiliation
Dark MC romance
Strong FMC
Yearning MMC
Club betrayal
Brother’s best friend
Spicy
Ruin never wanted to be the villain in any story. But for years, Charlotte—no, Charlie—was his nightmare in glitter and tank tops. The club Prez’s brat sister. The chaos in the corner of every room. She torched his patience, tampered with his relationships, and pined for him like he was hers.
But now, she’s back after years of banishment. Not the wide-eyed girl who once purred his name in his bed, but the woman who was left to burn alone—by everyone, including him.
Charlotte
Charlotte used to be the club’s living headache. All smoke, eyeliner, and dangerously misled loyalty. Glory’s shadow. Wolf’s sister.
Ruin’s nightmare.
She wore dysfunction like a badge—until it got her humiliated, destroyed, and thrown out like trash by the only family she thought she had. But peace was good. Peace worked.
Until the same betrayal that wrecked her came hunting for her. And the only men who can protect her are the ones who obliterated her.
Chasing Ruin is a dark, gory, motorcycle club romance with betrayal and grovel.
Betrayal and Grovel
Wrongly accused
Public humiliation
Dark MC romance
Strong FMC
Yearning MMC
Club betrayal
Brother’s best friend
Spicy
479 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 25, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
April 28, 2026
I really liked this! It went way deeper and had much more plot than I had anticipated. After reading her book Glass Jawed (Recommended) I really shouldn’t have been surprised. This is a gifted author who definitely goes deep.
Spoilery thoughts…
As a former wild child with neglectful parents and access to the mc world, (yes, I had a crazy life long ago) I had serious empathy for our FMC. She was neglected by everyone and was then led astray by an evil club whore who ‘saw’ her and took her under her wing. Seriously bad choices were made. Then the authority figures around her were disgusted by who she became, all while being literally complicit due to their neglect and abandonment. Yeah, it was a hard read for me at times.
Anyway, she fancies herself in love with Ruin (her brother’s bff), who wants nothing to do with her. Shenanigans ensue which lead to her being severely traumatized by her brother and Ruin. Thankfully she washes her hands of them all and leaves them behind to start her life and find herself.
A few years later danger comes knocking and she is forced back to the mc for protection. She’s changed. Ruin’s changed. Her brother’s changed.
I have to admit to getting annoyed with the FMC at times because she does NOT make atonement easy. However, the author does a good job of weaving her trauma and trauma responses into the story so the reader doesn’t forget what happened to her. She earned her anger and skepticism, and we shouldn’t forget that.
Lots of mc plot was added. This wasn’t just a ‘love’ story. There wasn’t a lot of ow/sweet butt drama, which makes this different than most mc books, but there was still a lot of drama. Pacing was a little off for me midway-ish but definitely picks back up 60-70% in.
By the end I loved Ruin. He was GONE for Charlotte and oh-so-sweet and patient. I’m really looking forward to more stories in this world!
Solid read. Definitely recommend. 🏍️
Spoilery thoughts…
As a former wild child with neglectful parents and access to the mc world, (yes, I had a crazy life long ago) I had serious empathy for our FMC. She was neglected by everyone and was then led astray by an evil club whore who ‘saw’ her and took her under her wing. Seriously bad choices were made. Then the authority figures around her were disgusted by who she became, all while being literally complicit due to their neglect and abandonment. Yeah, it was a hard read for me at times.
Anyway, she fancies herself in love with Ruin (her brother’s bff), who wants nothing to do with her. Shenanigans ensue which lead to her being severely traumatized by her brother and Ruin. Thankfully she washes her hands of them all and leaves them behind to start her life and find herself.
A few years later danger comes knocking and she is forced back to the mc for protection. She’s changed. Ruin’s changed. Her brother’s changed.
I have to admit to getting annoyed with the FMC at times because she does NOT make atonement easy. However, the author does a good job of weaving her trauma and trauma responses into the story so the reader doesn’t forget what happened to her. She earned her anger and skepticism, and we shouldn’t forget that.
Lots of mc plot was added. This wasn’t just a ‘love’ story. There wasn’t a lot of ow/sweet butt drama, which makes this different than most mc books, but there was still a lot of drama. Pacing was a little off for me midway-ish but definitely picks back up 60-70% in.
By the end I loved Ruin. He was GONE for Charlotte and oh-so-sweet and patient. I’m really looking forward to more stories in this world!
Solid read. Definitely recommend. 🏍️
July 10, 2026
This is my second story of Bishop's and I think I found a new favourite author.
This is a dark, MC, slow burn, betrayal by public humiliation, grovel, tension, angst, emotional story.
It's about Charlotte and Ruin (aka Theo) who after having enough with Charlotte's antics he humiliates her in front of the whole club. And if this wasn't enough, he wrongly accuses of theft. So Charlotte takes the only way she finds and walks away until threats comes to her door and she has to go back to the club for protection. But Ruin, who knows how wrong he was, tries to grovel and make her life easier.
There was scenes that my heart stattered, my breath hitched, my nose felt tingly. The intense feelings got me good and I feel so wired even after I finished it. It's raw, it's dark, it's intense so much so that takes your breath quite often. My heart and soul ached for both of them.
For Charlotte who didn't have the best upbringing and lived in questionable circumstances and then was traumatized by her own people, or she thought so.
For Ruin who didn't realize quick enough until it was too late how much damage and ruin brought upon the one person who didn't deserve.
And lastly the grovel. You can't not forgive Ruin after everything as he becomes a selfless person sacrificing his own happiness and life for Charlotte's.
Ugh just let me live for a while with my tissues. I think this one will be a re-read for me. And I actually can't wait to break my heart and piece it back together slowly.
This is a dark, MC, slow burn, betrayal by public humiliation, grovel, tension, angst, emotional story.
It's about Charlotte and Ruin (aka Theo) who after having enough with Charlotte's antics he humiliates her in front of the whole club. And if this wasn't enough, he wrongly accuses of theft. So Charlotte takes the only way she finds and walks away until threats comes to her door and she has to go back to the club for protection. But Ruin, who knows how wrong he was, tries to grovel and make her life easier.
There was scenes that my heart stattered, my breath hitched, my nose felt tingly. The intense feelings got me good and I feel so wired even after I finished it. It's raw, it's dark, it's intense so much so that takes your breath quite often. My heart and soul ached for both of them.
For Charlotte who didn't have the best upbringing and lived in questionable circumstances and then was traumatized by her own people, or she thought so.
For Ruin who didn't realize quick enough until it was too late how much damage and ruin brought upon the one person who didn't deserve.
And lastly the grovel. You can't not forgive Ruin after everything as he becomes a selfless person sacrificing his own happiness and life for Charlotte's.
Ugh just let me live for a while with my tissues. I think this one will be a re-read for me. And I actually can't wait to break my heart and piece it back together slowly.
May 30, 2026
I really enjoyed this! It had a great, angsty setup. I loved how the FMC took off and made something out of her life. I loved how she made Ruin work for it. The plot was intriguing. I did feel Ruin redeemed himself in the end. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read by this author.
May 31, 2026
I read this on a whim and thought I was gonna get another average MC romance, but this one had so much more plot and interest than I was expecting. I really enjoyed it. And not just the main couple, but I was invested in the side characters too. I was actually so sad when halfway through I went to look for the books of some of the side characters only to realize that this is the only one released so far. I cry. 😭
I saw a note about this book where it was mentioned that the grovel didn't feel real bc the MCs hadn't even been in a relationship before the betrayal. I almost didn't read it because of that, but I'm glad I did anyway because I didn't think that was what he needed to grovel for???????? It was the other things. He had been part of the entire MC (edit: motorcycle club, but the other MC) that ignored and neglected the FMC as teenager (14-19, a whole child) and saw her as a nuisance whenever she interacted with him. They literally paved the way for her to be groomed, brainwashed, and set up by the evil woman who was behind a lot of things (she's uncovered on the first few chapters, this isn't a spoiler).
The two main interactions he had with her in the before timeline were abusive and humiliating, and one tied directly into her former trauma from childhood and ended up with her in the hospital after being beaten while he watched and directed it. What DOESN'T he have to grovel for? Especially if he's suddenly realized he wants her. Is romance the only thing people can grovel over or something? Anyway...
"And even then, the last thing that lingers isn’t hope. It’s the quiet, hollow understanding that love—no matter how real it feels—doesn’t always arrive when it’s wanted. And sometimes, it comes far too late to mean anything at all."
This is an interesting second chance to me because of the fact that they weren't together before. She had a misguided crush on him and it was used and manipulated into something ugly by a third party. And then she was framed and punished for something else before they found out the truth and she walked away from them completely. The second chance part comes into play with her having to go back for her safety, and having to learn to trust them again when she's literally terrified of them. The MMC realizes after stalking her for the years prior to this that he's fallen for her...but then he realizes that he's literally everything she fears because of his actions.
That's prime angst right there, and it plays out with all of their shifting emotions.
"The past doesn’t loosen its grip just because I want it to. It clings. It colors every word I say now."
I love that we got to see her after some therapy where she'd worked though being basically brainwashed by someone she thought was a friend. She was also able to separate that from her own impulsiveness in a first crush, but also see where that crush had been manipulated and egged on by that friend.
"I want to rage, that my heart still hurts because of the things I never got from this forsaken place. Not love. Nor loyalty. Not the barest of their protection. Not even peace. Now it’s all sitting in my lap and I have no clue what to do with it."
I also love that this clear view of what happened back then (including realizing that the club shouldn't have ignored her like they did and her brother should have protected her) helped her stand firm and not just accept the apologies they were giving her. She made them work to earn her forgiveness, as she should.
“You deserve peace,” he says simply, nodding to himself. “So that’s what I’m focusing on. Your peace. Finding it. Building it. Creating it even if I’m not a part of it. And I know I’m not, Charlotte.”
While I ultimately love the way the MMC made up for things (I know you'll be shocked when I tell you I still wanted more grovel lol), I am kind of lost in how he fell for her in the first place. I mean, he TELLS us after the fact, but because we've skipped that part of the timeline, we don't really get to see it. We do see him fall deeper in love with her though, which is sweet.
I was also grinning, squealing, kicking my feet at times when the MCs were slowly and slowly getting closer, so that should tell you how invested I was. 🥰
“Whatever happens…” His voice dips, something deeper threading through it now. “You look at me. Only me.” My breath catches. “And I will stay,” he adds, his eyes locking onto mine with a ferocity that makes my chest ache. “I promise, baby. I will stay with you through anything.”
^^Gahhhh I just had to save this quote above because it wrecked me due to where/when it was said. I've seen similar scenes in other books because I read this genre often (though this one was set up particularly brutally), but this line delivered for this reason??? This was new. Mad respect.
The FMC is a virgin because of course she is. 🙄
The MMC is not because of course he isn't. 🙄
The only saving grace is that he's a self proclaimed monogamist, so he isn't a manwh0re. In fact, because of something his dad told him as a teen, he's never been with any of the club girls. You can see his relationship values reflected in his parents, which was really sweet.
OW drama: the MMC is newly dating a girl not from the club in the beginning. It's an on and off again thing for a year and a half (during the time skip), but no longer once the current timeline picks back up. She makes a scene once in the book but isn't a source of drama afterwards.
OM drama: the FMC tries to date and lose her v card but can't because of trauma from the MMC's humiliation. This is all off page and she tells us later. She kisses one of the club members on page after he's been flirting with her and they both realize they're not into each other.
I saw a note about this book where it was mentioned that the grovel didn't feel real bc the MCs hadn't even been in a relationship before the betrayal. I almost didn't read it because of that, but I'm glad I did anyway because I didn't think that was what he needed to grovel for???????? It was the other things. He had been part of the entire MC (edit: motorcycle club, but the other MC) that ignored and neglected the FMC as teenager (14-19, a whole child) and saw her as a nuisance whenever she interacted with him. They literally paved the way for her to be groomed, brainwashed, and set up by the evil woman who was behind a lot of things (she's uncovered on the first few chapters, this isn't a spoiler).
The two main interactions he had with her in the before timeline were abusive and humiliating, and one tied directly into her former trauma from childhood and ended up with her in the hospital after being beaten while he watched and directed it. What DOESN'T he have to grovel for? Especially if he's suddenly realized he wants her. Is romance the only thing people can grovel over or something? Anyway...
"And even then, the last thing that lingers isn’t hope. It’s the quiet, hollow understanding that love—no matter how real it feels—doesn’t always arrive when it’s wanted. And sometimes, it comes far too late to mean anything at all."
This is an interesting second chance to me because of the fact that they weren't together before. She had a misguided crush on him and it was used and manipulated into something ugly by a third party. And then she was framed and punished for something else before they found out the truth and she walked away from them completely. The second chance part comes into play with her having to go back for her safety, and having to learn to trust them again when she's literally terrified of them. The MMC realizes after stalking her for the years prior to this that he's fallen for her...but then he realizes that he's literally everything she fears because of his actions.
That's prime angst right there, and it plays out with all of their shifting emotions.
"The past doesn’t loosen its grip just because I want it to. It clings. It colors every word I say now."
I love that we got to see her after some therapy where she'd worked though being basically brainwashed by someone she thought was a friend. She was also able to separate that from her own impulsiveness in a first crush, but also see where that crush had been manipulated and egged on by that friend.
"I want to rage, that my heart still hurts because of the things I never got from this forsaken place. Not love. Nor loyalty. Not the barest of their protection. Not even peace. Now it’s all sitting in my lap and I have no clue what to do with it."
I also love that this clear view of what happened back then (including realizing that the club shouldn't have ignored her like they did and her brother should have protected her) helped her stand firm and not just accept the apologies they were giving her. She made them work to earn her forgiveness, as she should.
“You deserve peace,” he says simply, nodding to himself. “So that’s what I’m focusing on. Your peace. Finding it. Building it. Creating it even if I’m not a part of it. And I know I’m not, Charlotte.”
While I ultimately love the way the MMC made up for things (I know you'll be shocked when I tell you I still wanted more grovel lol), I am kind of lost in how he fell for her in the first place. I mean, he TELLS us after the fact, but because we've skipped that part of the timeline, we don't really get to see it. We do see him fall deeper in love with her though, which is sweet.
I was also grinning, squealing, kicking my feet at times when the MCs were slowly and slowly getting closer, so that should tell you how invested I was. 🥰
“Whatever happens…” His voice dips, something deeper threading through it now. “You look at me. Only me.” My breath catches. “And I will stay,” he adds, his eyes locking onto mine with a ferocity that makes my chest ache. “I promise, baby. I will stay with you through anything.”
^^Gahhhh I just had to save this quote above because it wrecked me due to where/when it was said. I've seen similar scenes in other books because I read this genre often (though this one was set up particularly brutally), but this line delivered for this reason??? This was new. Mad respect.
The FMC is a virgin because of course she is. 🙄
The MMC is not because of course he isn't. 🙄
The only saving grace is that he's a self proclaimed monogamist, so he isn't a manwh0re. In fact, because of something his dad told him as a teen, he's never been with any of the club girls. You can see his relationship values reflected in his parents, which was really sweet.
OW drama: the MMC is newly dating a girl not from the club in the beginning. It's an on and off again thing for a year and a half (during the time skip), but no longer once the current timeline picks back up. She makes a scene once in the book but isn't a source of drama afterwards.
OM drama: the FMC tries to date and lose her v card but can't because of trauma from the MMC's humiliation. This is all off page and she tells us later. She kisses one of the club members on page after he's been flirting with her and they both realize they're not into each other.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2026
I enjoyed reading this book. I liked both the FMC and the MMC and my heart hurt in the first few pages of the book. I also enjoyed the other characters, mostly, and the plot of the MC in general, which is why this is a 4 star. However, this was too slow-burn for my liking, with only one full sex scene at the end of the book. So, it's a good book, just not as fast burn as I like. And it makes sense, so luckily, there was the plot.
And while I actually don't think a certain character is , I have....not a lot of interest in continuing the next book, so we'll see.
And while I actually don't think a certain character is , I have....not a lot of interest in continuing the next book, so we'll see.
April 27, 2026
Loved this!
The twists and hits just kept coming in this one, and I didn't expect the way things wld turn out. You got all the feels; Ragey throat punching moments, laughing, spicy, loss, and love. It was everything a great MC read shld be.
The twists and hits just kept coming in this one, and I didn't expect the way things wld turn out. You got all the feels; Ragey throat punching moments, laughing, spicy, loss, and love. It was everything a great MC read shld be.
May 18, 2026
I *loved* Glass Jawed but haven't felt the same about subsequent books.
I felt the first few chapters of this book were rushed. No chemistry or build up for Charlie/Charlotte and Ruin. No angst of her crush on him. Just bam, bam, bam. I didn't believe that he feel for her. The entire love story was flat for me.
I felt the first few chapters of this book were rushed. No chemistry or build up for Charlie/Charlotte and Ruin. No angst of her crush on him. Just bam, bam, bam. I didn't believe that he feel for her. The entire love story was flat for me.
May 28, 2026
I mean honestly, who could believe a B! called glory?
The MC names in this club are the coolest from all MC books I‘ve read so far. Rain, Wolf, Spike, Hellfire, Rebel, Savage 🔥
Somehow something was missing for me at the beginning of the story, even through the gut punch and I still can’t place it, it dragged me in slower than I expected and wanted it to, but thankfully I pushed through and actually ended up enjoying it a lot 💔
The story follows Charlotte aka Charlie‘s and Rain‘s story. She was brought to the club by her dad when she was 14 and didn’t know about said dad or brother before. She tried to get them to notice her and fell under the influence of a deranged club woman Glory.
Glory wasn‘t honest with the club and when caught, incriminated Charlotte as well. The truth was discovered but it was too late, because by then the club‘s justice on her was already served. She went away and started a new life by herself she actually enjoyed. Her brother and his VP, the MMC both were consumed by their guilt for what they did to her so they tried to make amends but to no avail. When Glory returns some stuff goes down and another MC club get‘s involved, kidnapping Charlie and other people. Her brother and bf find and rescue her and others but the ending is bittersweet, cause one person can not be located. Let‘s see what comes next 🖤
The MC names in this club are the coolest from all MC books I‘ve read so far. Rain, Wolf, Spike, Hellfire, Rebel, Savage 🔥
Somehow something was missing for me at the beginning of the story, even through the gut punch and I still can’t place it, it dragged me in slower than I expected and wanted it to, but thankfully I pushed through and actually ended up enjoying it a lot 💔
The story follows Charlotte aka Charlie‘s and Rain‘s story. She was brought to the club by her dad when she was 14 and didn’t know about said dad or brother before. She tried to get them to notice her and fell under the influence of a deranged club woman Glory.
Glory wasn‘t honest with the club and when caught, incriminated Charlotte as well. The truth was discovered but it was too late, because by then the club‘s justice on her was already served. She went away and started a new life by herself she actually enjoyed. Her brother and his VP, the MMC both were consumed by their guilt for what they did to her so they tried to make amends but to no avail. When Glory returns some stuff goes down and another MC club get‘s involved, kidnapping Charlie and other people. Her brother and bf find and rescue her and others but the ending is bittersweet, cause one person can not be located. Let‘s see what comes next 🖤
April 29, 2026
Great story!
Overall, this was another win! I absolutely loved the main characters and feel like Ruin ended up being an incredible partner to Charlotte. There were things I didn’t like - for instance, I felt there needed to be more back story. Just a few scenes of her when she was younger. I know it was a long book already but I felt having that connection would have been great. Another thing I didn’t like was the Spike and Trudo storyline. Not believable at all and I really hope she doesn’t add it to the series. Lastly, I think it would have been neat if they brought in the stolen MC members and their families that survived. I felt it was a missed out opportunity to increase their numbers.
Still even with those few complaints overall the story was incredibly well written. A couple grammatical errors but probably no more than 15 throughout the very long book that it was and considering this is an Indie author that was impressive. Again, she said it was her first MC romance, but i really think she hit it out of the park. I am anxiously waiting for bells story because she sounds like a really neat character.
Overall, this was another win! I absolutely loved the main characters and feel like Ruin ended up being an incredible partner to Charlotte. There were things I didn’t like - for instance, I felt there needed to be more back story. Just a few scenes of her when she was younger. I know it was a long book already but I felt having that connection would have been great. Another thing I didn’t like was the Spike and Trudo storyline. Not believable at all and I really hope she doesn’t add it to the series. Lastly, I think it would have been neat if they brought in the stolen MC members and their families that survived. I felt it was a missed out opportunity to increase their numbers.
Still even with those few complaints overall the story was incredibly well written. A couple grammatical errors but probably no more than 15 throughout the very long book that it was and considering this is an Indie author that was impressive. Again, she said it was her first MC romance, but i really think she hit it out of the park. I am anxiously waiting for bells story because she sounds like a really neat character.
April 29, 2026
Absolutely Fantastic!!!!
I initially found this book after it had been pulled from Wattpad for publishing so I was eager to read it. Man was it worth it! I fully enjoyed this book. I laughed, I cried. Ruin is basically a burnt cinnamon roll and the grovel was on point. I loved that Charlotte made everyone work to earn their place back in her life. I will 100% be reading this book again! Highly recommend! I can’t wait to read the other two in this series… especially Burying Wolf, because I gotta know!!!!!!
I initially found this book after it had been pulled from Wattpad for publishing so I was eager to read it. Man was it worth it! I fully enjoyed this book. I laughed, I cried. Ruin is basically a burnt cinnamon roll and the grovel was on point. I loved that Charlotte made everyone work to earn their place back in her life. I will 100% be reading this book again! Highly recommend! I can’t wait to read the other two in this series… especially Burying Wolf, because I gotta know!!!!!!
April 28, 2026
Enjoyed it. It's a really super slow burn, like literally the spice isn't until the end. I was okay with that since there were a ton of other things happening. But that bonus epilogue is 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼
For once, there is no cheating in this MC book. Highly recommend. It is pretty dark, so just check TW.
For once, there is no cheating in this MC book. Highly recommend. It is pretty dark, so just check TW.
Did Not Finish
May 16, 2026DNF @ 33%
I think the writing was really solid, but it was more of a personal preference for why I stopped reading. I didn't like how Ruin and Charlotte didn't have an established relationship before the betrayal (she was a misguided girl with a crush on him, he was never interested in her). It wasn't until Charlotte left and Ruin watched her for two years in which his feelings developed, though they never actually spoke. So the big grovel tour/Ruin's newfound feelings didn't ring true for me. I think I prefer when the couple is already in an established relationship before a betrayal. This novel just wasn't the right fit for me, but I think AJ Bishop has a lot of talent and I'll be looking forward to reading her other works!
I think the writing was really solid, but it was more of a personal preference for why I stopped reading. I didn't like how Ruin and Charlotte didn't have an established relationship before the betrayal (she was a misguided girl with a crush on him, he was never interested in her). It wasn't until Charlotte left and Ruin watched her for two years in which his feelings developed, though they never actually spoke. So the big grovel tour/Ruin's newfound feelings didn't ring true for me. I think I prefer when the couple is already in an established relationship before a betrayal. This novel just wasn't the right fit for me, but I think AJ Bishop has a lot of talent and I'll be looking forward to reading her other works!
May 6, 2026
Note for self, not really a review.
Dragged on like crazy, by 40% I was thinking of stopping reading because everything was dragged out and I didn't care for the pov of random people
Dragged on like crazy, by 40% I was thinking of stopping reading because everything was dragged out and I didn't care for the pov of random people
June 7, 2026
Solid MC romance.
**SPOILERS**
I really liked the last book I read from AJ Bishop so I thought I’d give this one a spin.
Charlie/Charlotte is the younger sister of the Prez. She’s kinda wild, and drives everyone crazy, but they tolerate her because she’s the club princess. Charlie has it in her mind that she’s meant to be with Ruin the club VP, but he’s just annoyed by her. Ruin has been dating a non club girl named Sarah and she doesn’t often come to the club.
One night Sarah and Ruin go to his room only to find a naked Charlie on his bed. Ruin is disgusted, and drags her out naked, humiliating her. A few days later a disaster hits. Charlie and Glory (her supposed best friend) are dragged through the club and beaten until half dead. Money has been embezzled and it leads to Glory and Charlie. Charlie tries to say she didn’t steal any money but she’s gagged and beaten. When she comes to her brother, the Prez, Ruin and others are in the hospital with her remorseful. They say they believe her now. She tells them she made the money by tutoring kids and helping with SAT prep. They return the money and leave. When they return Charlie has taken off.
Two years pass and Ruin has been keeping tabs on Charlotte, she goes by Charlotte now. She moved a few hours away. She’s bright, and has a stable life far from the MC. But Ruin is haunted by the night he hurt Charlotte. And he admits that he has had feelings for her, and that’s why he pushed her away. Wolf (the Prez) and Ruin learn that Glory has been let out of prison and is headed toward Charlotte. Charlotte leaves work one night and Glory is there putting on the same act…telling her she needs the money, and that they can resume being friends. Charlotte gives her nothing and goes to her apartment where Wolf and Ruin and Ryder are waiting for her. They say she’s in trouble. Glory has hooked up with a rival MC, and they’re after Charlotte. Charlotte moves back to the clubhouse, but she’s wary, and doesn’t trust her brother or Ruin.
Ruin is in hell. In a hell of his own making. He pushed Charlotte away, he hurt her, and now that she’s back she doesn’t want anything to do with him. He tries to make amends but Charlotte thinks it’s just his guilty conscious. She gets closer to Ryder because she feels comfortable with him. And Ruin hates seeing her with him. Wolf is trying to give her space but he’s also drowning in regret, then the attack occurs. Wolf and Ruin are ambushed, they lose a prospect, and their allies start cutting them loose. They find out that the rival MC the Hellfire MC wants Charlotte because they are working with Ioanna, a Russian woman who is into the flesh trade. Ioanna wants to sell Charlotte. Joanna’s brother, a Russian mobster shows up to give aid to Wolf because he wants his sister dead, she’s been trying to overthrow him for thirteen years.
Everyone is on lockdown because clubs are getting hit, their ol’ ladies and daughters are being stolen, and their men killed. Ruin knows that they’re coming for Charlotte. Charlotte is tired of the house arrest but knows it’s for the best. Then the double cross occurs. Ruin is injured and Charlotte is abducted. When she wakes up she’s with the other women. She’s tagged like merchandise. The traitor says he was promised by her real father the Hellfire prez a seat at the table as the VP AND a turn f*cking the virgin prez’s daughter, that would be her. A woman working with Hellfire actually saves her, and Ruin. The woman also kills Glory. It turns out this woman is Wolf’s long lost love, Laila. Charlotte, Ruin and the women are rescued, but Wolf “dies” in the rescue attempt.
Ruin is now the club Prez. Charlotte is grieving the brother she never got to truly forgive. They begin to date, and Ruin wants to take things slow because he knows Charlotte is still wary of him. Charlotte and the club girls get closer and they tell her they never slept with Ruin, that he didn’t sleep with club girls. Ruin and Charlotte go on a date and Charlotte lets him take her virginity. They get married, and the epilogue has Charlotte telling Ruin that he’s going to be a father.
**THOUGHTS/OPINIONS**
AJ Bishop writes a good, action filled, thought provoking MC story. There is just enough drama, tension, action, a little steam and fun MC shenanigans. I liked Charlotte and Ruin’s characters. I would’ve given this five stars except I felt as if there were a few things that were left hanging, maybe that’s because she’ll resolve them in the following books. I also hated that Wolf died. I’m kinda hoping that he’s not dead, and that he’ll come back in another book. Maybe that book will be about him and Laila…though she obviously hates him, heck she was sold and held captive for seven years and used as a wh*ore. Soooo she had every right to be really pissed off. But yes, I’m hoping Wolf isn’t dead. Other than that, this book was a solid MC story and had engaging characters!
**SPOILERS**
I really liked the last book I read from AJ Bishop so I thought I’d give this one a spin.
Charlie/Charlotte is the younger sister of the Prez. She’s kinda wild, and drives everyone crazy, but they tolerate her because she’s the club princess. Charlie has it in her mind that she’s meant to be with Ruin the club VP, but he’s just annoyed by her. Ruin has been dating a non club girl named Sarah and she doesn’t often come to the club.
One night Sarah and Ruin go to his room only to find a naked Charlie on his bed. Ruin is disgusted, and drags her out naked, humiliating her. A few days later a disaster hits. Charlie and Glory (her supposed best friend) are dragged through the club and beaten until half dead. Money has been embezzled and it leads to Glory and Charlie. Charlie tries to say she didn’t steal any money but she’s gagged and beaten. When she comes to her brother, the Prez, Ruin and others are in the hospital with her remorseful. They say they believe her now. She tells them she made the money by tutoring kids and helping with SAT prep. They return the money and leave. When they return Charlie has taken off.
Two years pass and Ruin has been keeping tabs on Charlotte, she goes by Charlotte now. She moved a few hours away. She’s bright, and has a stable life far from the MC. But Ruin is haunted by the night he hurt Charlotte. And he admits that he has had feelings for her, and that’s why he pushed her away. Wolf (the Prez) and Ruin learn that Glory has been let out of prison and is headed toward Charlotte. Charlotte leaves work one night and Glory is there putting on the same act…telling her she needs the money, and that they can resume being friends. Charlotte gives her nothing and goes to her apartment where Wolf and Ruin and Ryder are waiting for her. They say she’s in trouble. Glory has hooked up with a rival MC, and they’re after Charlotte. Charlotte moves back to the clubhouse, but she’s wary, and doesn’t trust her brother or Ruin.
Ruin is in hell. In a hell of his own making. He pushed Charlotte away, he hurt her, and now that she’s back she doesn’t want anything to do with him. He tries to make amends but Charlotte thinks it’s just his guilty conscious. She gets closer to Ryder because she feels comfortable with him. And Ruin hates seeing her with him. Wolf is trying to give her space but he’s also drowning in regret, then the attack occurs. Wolf and Ruin are ambushed, they lose a prospect, and their allies start cutting them loose. They find out that the rival MC the Hellfire MC wants Charlotte because they are working with Ioanna, a Russian woman who is into the flesh trade. Ioanna wants to sell Charlotte. Joanna’s brother, a Russian mobster shows up to give aid to Wolf because he wants his sister dead, she’s been trying to overthrow him for thirteen years.
Everyone is on lockdown because clubs are getting hit, their ol’ ladies and daughters are being stolen, and their men killed. Ruin knows that they’re coming for Charlotte. Charlotte is tired of the house arrest but knows it’s for the best. Then the double cross occurs. Ruin is injured and Charlotte is abducted. When she wakes up she’s with the other women. She’s tagged like merchandise. The traitor says he was promised by her real father the Hellfire prez a seat at the table as the VP AND a turn f*cking the virgin prez’s daughter, that would be her. A woman working with Hellfire actually saves her, and Ruin. The woman also kills Glory. It turns out this woman is Wolf’s long lost love, Laila. Charlotte, Ruin and the women are rescued, but Wolf “dies” in the rescue attempt.
Ruin is now the club Prez. Charlotte is grieving the brother she never got to truly forgive. They begin to date, and Ruin wants to take things slow because he knows Charlotte is still wary of him. Charlotte and the club girls get closer and they tell her they never slept with Ruin, that he didn’t sleep with club girls. Ruin and Charlotte go on a date and Charlotte lets him take her virginity. They get married, and the epilogue has Charlotte telling Ruin that he’s going to be a father.
**THOUGHTS/OPINIONS**
AJ Bishop writes a good, action filled, thought provoking MC story. There is just enough drama, tension, action, a little steam and fun MC shenanigans. I liked Charlotte and Ruin’s characters. I would’ve given this five stars except I felt as if there were a few things that were left hanging, maybe that’s because she’ll resolve them in the following books. I also hated that Wolf died. I’m kinda hoping that he’s not dead, and that he’ll come back in another book. Maybe that book will be about him and Laila…though she obviously hates him, heck she was sold and held captive for seven years and used as a wh*ore. Soooo she had every right to be really pissed off. But yes, I’m hoping Wolf isn’t dead. Other than that, this book was a solid MC story and had engaging characters!
May 2, 2026
This author knocks it out the park every. Single. Time. I read her Glass Jawed and Wasted Grace and really thought I knew what I was getting myself in for but NOPE! Chasing Ruin ruined me in the best way possible. Charlotte is one of THEEEEEEE strongest FMCs written. She went through a lot as a child and teenager. She was let down by every single adult she ever knew. When everyone turned on her? I felt like the betrayal was mine too! Ugh! I'm getting mad just thinking about it but that's how visceral the author grabs you by the throat and makes you feeeeeeeel! When Charlotte had to rebuild? Boy did she rebuild! As for Ruin....his redemption was fought for. Bled for. Hard earned and deserved. He made no excuses but acknowledged every single thing. In the midst of some pretty heavy and life threatening clubhouse attacks, his priority remained on Charlotte. The author took extra care to make his journey realistic in it's pacing, slowly building his charm and likability to the point you have to like him. The hairless chihuaha.
Definitely a 10/10 book. Keeping my eye on upcoming books of hers.
Definitely a 10/10 book. Keeping my eye on upcoming books of hers.
May 16, 2026
Storyline: 📙📙📙📙📙
Character Development: ➷➷➷➷➷
HEA: Yes
Overall Impression: ✨✨✨✨✨
Storyline: 📙📙📙📙📙
Intimacy Level: 🍒🍒🍒No until late into the book
Character Development: ➷➷➷➷➷
HEA: Yes
Overall Impression: ✨✨✨✨
♥️ MC Romance
♥️ Bad boy/Good girl
♥️ OW Drama / No Cheating ⚠️
🤍 Wardens of Sin
♥️ Check TW
🍇 It gives the idea of what is going on, but no details
❤︎ ♡♥︎♡ dark but MC dark.
💋angst and drama
At first, you might not like Ruin, but you will come to love him by the end. 😊 Charlotte appears very immature initially, but she grows up with some help. 🌱 This is a second-generation main character, so the rules are still being developed. If you're reading this for explicit content, keep in mind that it doesn’t appear until the end. 🔥 There are some parts that I found to be a bit dragged out, but I tend to feel that way about Stephen King as well, so don’t take it personally—it's just my perspective. 🤷♂️ Overall, the story has a great plot and a lot of angst. 📚❤️ Happy Reading
Character Development: ➷➷➷➷➷
HEA: Yes
Overall Impression: ✨✨✨✨✨
Storyline: 📙📙📙📙📙
Intimacy Level: 🍒🍒🍒No until late into the book
Character Development: ➷➷➷➷➷
HEA: Yes
Overall Impression: ✨✨✨✨
♥️ MC Romance
♥️ Bad boy/Good girl
♥️ OW Drama / No Cheating ⚠️
🤍 Wardens of Sin
♥️ Check TW
🍇 It gives the idea of what is going on, but no details
❤︎ ♡♥︎♡ dark but MC dark.
💋angst and drama
At first, you might not like Ruin, but you will come to love him by the end. 😊 Charlotte appears very immature initially, but she grows up with some help. 🌱 This is a second-generation main character, so the rules are still being developed. If you're reading this for explicit content, keep in mind that it doesn’t appear until the end. 🔥 There are some parts that I found to be a bit dragged out, but I tend to feel that way about Stephen King as well, so don’t take it personally—it's just my perspective. 🤷♂️ Overall, the story has a great plot and a lot of angst. 📚❤️ Happy Reading
June 18, 2026
1. If the club hacker was able to hack into the bank computer to see Charlie’s accounts and track her incoming deposits, he would have been just as able to see where the money came from instead of just assuming she stole it from the club.
2. The author tried to convince us that Ruin felt SO guilty about how he had treated Charlie; yet, even after he admitted to himself that he had feelings for her, he continued to f*ck Sarah and even considered making her his old lady.
3. When Charlie left the infirmary after Wolf and Ruin had her beaten so badly, she left them a very meek and apologetic letter taking responsibility for causing so many problems in the club but when they found her again after 2 years, she was furious and cold and hated them both.
4. When Spike verbally attacked Charlie when Wolf and Ruin brought her back to the clubhouse, Wolf told him to hand in his patch. Only a few pages later, Ruin told him that he was bumped down to prospect for six months. Which was it? Was he out or was he a prospect?
5. I really enjoyed "Glass Jawed" but this book was just bad. The dialogue especially was confusing and awkwardly written.
DNF
2. The author tried to convince us that Ruin felt SO guilty about how he had treated Charlie; yet, even after he admitted to himself that he had feelings for her, he continued to f*ck Sarah and even considered making her his old lady.
3. When Charlie left the infirmary after Wolf and Ruin had her beaten so badly, she left them a very meek and apologetic letter taking responsibility for causing so many problems in the club but when they found her again after 2 years, she was furious and cold and hated them both.
4. When Spike verbally attacked Charlie when Wolf and Ruin brought her back to the clubhouse, Wolf told him to hand in his patch. Only a few pages later, Ruin told him that he was bumped down to prospect for six months. Which was it? Was he out or was he a prospect?
5. I really enjoyed "Glass Jawed" but this book was just bad. The dialogue especially was confusing and awkwardly written.
DNF
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2026
This was a bit of a struggle for me. I felt it dragged, there were random POVs , and I didn’t really feel the love between the MCs due to the plot being the main focus for much of the book. I liked the final epilogue I guess I could believe the love between the MCs then. And what the hell happened to Sarah ?!
May 2, 2026
Great read
You made me cry so much! Love Charlotte’s maturity and the growth of both characters. Theo redeemed himself. Thank you for the great read 💕
You made me cry so much! Love Charlotte’s maturity and the growth of both characters. Theo redeemed himself. Thank you for the great read 💕
May 7, 2026
A tad too long and at some bits there were too many POV’s going on but I liked it. Excited for the second book!
July 10, 2026
I finally finished it! I read some of it on Wattpad before it was published on Amazon. The book starts off strong. The h is an MC princess. She is the Perez's sister. The H is the VP. The h came into her brother's life as a fourteen year old. She has been ignored by her brother and father for five years. She is strongly influenced by one woman who convinces the h to act on her crush on the H and wait for him naked in his bed. The H has invited his girlfriend to the clubhouse for a party and then takes her to his room. He goes into a blind rage when he sees the h and pulls her into the common room and berates her. The h is exiled for a few months as punishment. She returns but then the h and the woman who befriended her are accused of stealing money from the club. Her brother and the H watch as the h is beaten. The H's mother interrupts and starts questioning the evidence against the h. The H and the brother go to the hospital to absolve the h but she has gone leaving apology notes for being a bother behind. This is the strong beginning.
The story continues after two years have elapsed. The h is in danger from another MC. This is when the story dragged for me. It felt like threads were dropped. The H had an on again, off again relationship that disappears. The close relationship with the H's mother fades away. The story couldn't decide between the relationship between the h and H and the violence with other clubs and the woman who befriended the h.
Skimmed through later parts of the book.
The story continues after two years have elapsed. The h is in danger from another MC. This is when the story dragged for me. It felt like threads were dropped. The H had an on again, off again relationship that disappears. The close relationship with the H's mother fades away. The story couldn't decide between the relationship between the h and H and the violence with other clubs and the woman who befriended the h.
Skimmed through later parts of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2026
DNF 65%
I’m so disappointed :(
I really, really, really wanted to like this. I’m a sucker for betrayal and grovel, so of course when I picked this up, I thought I’d hit the jackpot. I’d never read this author before, so I thought I had finally found a new grovel author to add to my collection. And I enjoyed the beginning, I really did.
But then, it goes downhill. For a good 40% of the story, nothing happens between the characters. Nothing. The relationship is going nowhere, there’s no progression at all, and we even get random POVs from completely irrelevant characters. It felt like the plot was getting in the way of the actual romance, which I don’t think should happen in a romance novel.
I’m always expecting romance first, then the plot. If the plot happens to be just as interesting as the romance, that’s great! Sadly, that wasn’t the case at all. The plot wasn’t interesting or engaging enough (because the world-building wasn’t strong either). They keep mentioning these other enemies and rival MCs the reader has no idea about, as if we’re supposed to care. I didn’t care.
In fact, I skimmed my way through it trying to find, you know, the romance that wasn’t there. I wanted to see the main characters engage in meaningful conversations, not just pointless banter. Again, no romance at all, no chemistry, no buildup. Nothing.
I decided to DNF when I got to the middle of the book and there was still no romance, or no progress toward it. Then drama happened and I realized I didn’t care about any of these characters enough to keep reading…
Despite my criticism (which I hope is seen as constructive), I’m not going to give up on this author because I honestly believe the potential is there. The ingredients to write a good grovel are definitely there, I just think the recipe should change. I believe a good editor would help A LOT here.
I’m so disappointed :(
I really, really, really wanted to like this. I’m a sucker for betrayal and grovel, so of course when I picked this up, I thought I’d hit the jackpot. I’d never read this author before, so I thought I had finally found a new grovel author to add to my collection. And I enjoyed the beginning, I really did.
But then, it goes downhill. For a good 40% of the story, nothing happens between the characters. Nothing. The relationship is going nowhere, there’s no progression at all, and we even get random POVs from completely irrelevant characters. It felt like the plot was getting in the way of the actual romance, which I don’t think should happen in a romance novel.
I’m always expecting romance first, then the plot. If the plot happens to be just as interesting as the romance, that’s great! Sadly, that wasn’t the case at all. The plot wasn’t interesting or engaging enough (because the world-building wasn’t strong either). They keep mentioning these other enemies and rival MCs the reader has no idea about, as if we’re supposed to care. I didn’t care.
In fact, I skimmed my way through it trying to find, you know, the romance that wasn’t there. I wanted to see the main characters engage in meaningful conversations, not just pointless banter. Again, no romance at all, no chemistry, no buildup. Nothing.
I decided to DNF when I got to the middle of the book and there was still no romance, or no progress toward it. Then drama happened and I realized I didn’t care about any of these characters enough to keep reading…
Despite my criticism (which I hope is seen as constructive), I’m not going to give up on this author because I honestly believe the potential is there. The ingredients to write a good grovel are definitely there, I just think the recipe should change. I believe a good editor would help A LOT here.
May 24, 2026
Chasing Ruin
A Dark MC Grovel Romance
Wardens of Sin MC Book #1
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating System (as of 5.8.26):
⭐: DNF/Almost DNF
⭐⭐: Had Potential. Fell Short.
⭐⭐⭐: Good. Something Was Missing.
⭐⭐⭐⭐: Great Book. Strong Overall Story.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: Loved. Reread Worthy. Recommend.
—-------------------
Tropes/Vibes:
💕MC Romance
💕MF Romance
💕Second Chance
💕Betrayal to Grovel to HEA
💕OW/Club Girl Drama
💕Brother's Best Friend
💕Childhood Crush
💕Wattpad to Publish
💕Mystery/Suspense
💕Found Family
Triggers:
🚩Child Abandonment
🚩Kidnapping
🚩Assault
🚩Sex Trafficking
Spice Level (as of 5.8.26): 🔥🔥🔥
🔥: Clean
🔥🔥: Mild
🔥🔥🔥: Spicy
🔥🔥🔥🔥: Very Spicy
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥: Explicit/Kink-Heavy
—----------------------
Quote From Book:
"Savage got you out of a buyer contract. You were being sold to the Romanian Mafias flesh trade.
Writing Style Rating: Descriptive
Simple: Flows Quickly/Easy Reading
Descriptive: Lots of Imagery/Detailed
Lyrical: Feels Poetic/Pretty Sentences
Heavy: Dense/May Have to Reread Sentences
Pace Rating: Slow
Slow: Takes Time to Build
Medium: Things Move Steadily
Fast: Things Happen Quickly
—-------------------------
Summary:
FMC was brought to the mc as a child. Her father was the mc president. She has a half-brother who is also a part of the mc. MMC is FMCs brothers' best friend (make sense(?)). Everyone ignores the FMC and treats her as a burden. Everyone except one club girl. Under her influence the FMC becomes trouble and eventually leaves the club. Trouble has come to the club, and it has found the FMC as well. She is forced to return back to the club for protection. Eventual HEA.
Review:
This story is very well written and not for the faint of heart. It will definitely take you through all the emotions. You will dislike the FMC at some points and then begin to like her at others. Her brother is a piece of work who doesn't know how to deal with the FMC. MMC has his moments. You understand him but then want to smack him at times. All in all, this is a great story and a great beginning to a new series. I applaud the author for writing such an interesting, different and engaging book.
Want to read this for yourself? Grab your copy here:
Kindle: https://amzn.to/4tWYiAD
Paperback: https://amzn.to/3RrmE7U
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Join the community and read with me: https://bibliodarling.substack.com
A Dark MC Grovel Romance
Wardens of Sin MC Book #1
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating System (as of 5.8.26):
⭐: DNF/Almost DNF
⭐⭐: Had Potential. Fell Short.
⭐⭐⭐: Good. Something Was Missing.
⭐⭐⭐⭐: Great Book. Strong Overall Story.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: Loved. Reread Worthy. Recommend.
—-------------------
Tropes/Vibes:
💕MC Romance
💕MF Romance
💕Second Chance
💕Betrayal to Grovel to HEA
💕OW/Club Girl Drama
💕Brother's Best Friend
💕Childhood Crush
💕Wattpad to Publish
💕Mystery/Suspense
💕Found Family
Triggers:
🚩Child Abandonment
🚩Kidnapping
🚩Assault
🚩Sex Trafficking
Spice Level (as of 5.8.26): 🔥🔥🔥
🔥: Clean
🔥🔥: Mild
🔥🔥🔥: Spicy
🔥🔥🔥🔥: Very Spicy
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥: Explicit/Kink-Heavy
—----------------------
Quote From Book:
"Savage got you out of a buyer contract. You were being sold to the Romanian Mafias flesh trade.
Writing Style Rating: Descriptive
Simple: Flows Quickly/Easy Reading
Descriptive: Lots of Imagery/Detailed
Lyrical: Feels Poetic/Pretty Sentences
Heavy: Dense/May Have to Reread Sentences
Pace Rating: Slow
Slow: Takes Time to Build
Medium: Things Move Steadily
Fast: Things Happen Quickly
—-------------------------
Summary:
FMC was brought to the mc as a child. Her father was the mc president. She has a half-brother who is also a part of the mc. MMC is FMCs brothers' best friend (make sense(?)). Everyone ignores the FMC and treats her as a burden. Everyone except one club girl. Under her influence the FMC becomes trouble and eventually leaves the club. Trouble has come to the club, and it has found the FMC as well. She is forced to return back to the club for protection. Eventual HEA.
Review:
This story is very well written and not for the faint of heart. It will definitely take you through all the emotions. You will dislike the FMC at some points and then begin to like her at others. Her brother is a piece of work who doesn't know how to deal with the FMC. MMC has his moments. You understand him but then want to smack him at times. All in all, this is a great story and a great beginning to a new series. I applaud the author for writing such an interesting, different and engaging book.
Want to read this for yourself? Grab your copy here:
Kindle: https://amzn.to/4tWYiAD
Paperback: https://amzn.to/3RrmE7U
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Join the community and read with me: https://bibliodarling.substack.com
Did Not Finish
June 2, 2026Not rating cuz I didn't finish.
The beginning was great. I get Charlotte f'd up Ruin's relationship. I'm not sure why he was so harsh because he seemed to be unsure about Sarah before Charlotte ruined it, so maybe she did him a favor, or rather did Sarah a favor from being strung along. But Charlotte was young and listening to a shitty person because she was ignored by everyone else. They all saw her spending her time with Glory but didn't do anything about it and just talked to her like she was trying to become a club whore. What did they expect? But the beating her up was overkill, especially when they didn't even talk to her first. Again, she was a kid. She was 19, and Ruin humiliated her by dragging her naked in front of the entire MC to ban her for a month, and then they had her beat up to the point they worried she may not survive and stopped it. Then they penalized the CW's who beat them up by booting them. But they just followed orders. If they hadn't done as they were told, they'd have also been booted.
I was so proud of Charlotte for leaving and telling them all to get lost and refusing to talk to them. I loved how Ryder handled the situation and that he let her have her space and have time and didn't push, and I wish she'd have ended up with him instead. But from here it's all Charlotte being an a-hole to them, which I get but she was OTT for a long time. I wouldn't want to be forced to be around these ppl either, but I also wouldn't want to die, so ya know, I think I'd let them protect me, then disappear again once the threat was gone. Ruin's POV was all guilt, and it was just boring. I still don't understand how he decided he was in love with her when he didn't spend any actual time with her. Yes, he watched her, but that doesn't mean he knows her. But whatever.
The beginning was great. I get Charlotte f'd up Ruin's relationship. I'm not sure why he was so harsh because he seemed to be unsure about Sarah before Charlotte ruined it, so maybe she did him a favor, or rather did Sarah a favor from being strung along. But Charlotte was young and listening to a shitty person because she was ignored by everyone else. They all saw her spending her time with Glory but didn't do anything about it and just talked to her like she was trying to become a club whore. What did they expect? But the beating her up was overkill, especially when they didn't even talk to her first. Again, she was a kid. She was 19, and Ruin humiliated her by dragging her naked in front of the entire MC to ban her for a month, and then they had her beat up to the point they worried she may not survive and stopped it. Then they penalized the CW's who beat them up by booting them. But they just followed orders. If they hadn't done as they were told, they'd have also been booted.
I was so proud of Charlotte for leaving and telling them all to get lost and refusing to talk to them. I loved how Ryder handled the situation and that he let her have her space and have time and didn't push, and I wish she'd have ended up with him instead. But from here it's all Charlotte being an a-hole to them, which I get but she was OTT for a long time. I wouldn't want to be forced to be around these ppl either, but I also wouldn't want to die, so ya know, I think I'd let them protect me, then disappear again once the threat was gone. Ruin's POV was all guilt, and it was just boring. I still don't understand how he decided he was in love with her when he didn't spend any actual time with her. Yes, he watched her, but that doesn't mean he knows her. But whatever.
June 9, 2026
Charlotte is the sister of the MC pres, Wolf. For at least the last 3 years she's had a crush on Ruin, who just got promoted to VP. On the night of his promotion, he and his new girlfriend (Sarah) find Charlie in his bed naked, implying that Ruin and Charlie have already had sex that night. Ruin demands that Charlie be temporarily removed from club property as a punishment.
After 2 months, she returns to the clubhouse to work in the bar. Suddenly Wolf and Ruin order her removed again, and this time they cuff her with zip ties. She doesn't know why. She finds out that her "BFF," a club whore named Glory, has been steeling from the register and has accused Charlie of being the mastermind of the scheme.
Wolf orders them to be beaten by the other club whores (because only women can beat up other women), but then Ruin's mother rushes in to stop it. His mother says 5 years ago, when the theft began, Charlie was only 14 and didn't work at the bar.
So Charlie is beaten very badly, and now Ruin feels like maybe it was too harsh of a punishment, and they should have just permanently banished her, rather than have her beaten. (But he still assumes she's guilty.)
When Charlie regains consciousness, she tells them she earned the money because she has a second job.
She leaves the clinic against medical advice and leaves them a note.
The story skips forward 2 years. He and Sarah have been on-off. Sarah doesn't like him being in the club, but they are on right now. He found Charlotte, who lives nearby and goes to University, studying social work. She rejected his and Wolf's apologies, but Ruin still watches her without her knowing. He sees her on a date and realizes he's very jealous. That was a month ago.
So the plot is about some internal drama, because now Ruin thinks he's in love with Charlotte, but she couldn't care less about him now. There's also some external drama, because they find out she's being targeted by the Romanian mob, and the club has to protect her while they try and figure out why the Romanians think Charlotte is theirs.
The problem is that Ruins feelings were very sudden. It would have been better if his feelings had evolved into love while he's protecting her from the Romanians, but that's not what happened. He just saw her and BAM! he was in love all the sudden. It wasn't very believable.
After 2 months, she returns to the clubhouse to work in the bar. Suddenly Wolf and Ruin order her removed again, and this time they cuff her with zip ties. She doesn't know why. She finds out that her "BFF," a club whore named Glory, has been steeling from the register and has accused Charlie of being the mastermind of the scheme.
Wolf orders them to be beaten by the other club whores (because only women can beat up other women), but then Ruin's mother rushes in to stop it. His mother says 5 years ago, when the theft began, Charlie was only 14 and didn't work at the bar.
So Charlie is beaten very badly, and now Ruin feels like maybe it was too harsh of a punishment, and they should have just permanently banished her, rather than have her beaten. (But he still assumes she's guilty.)
When Charlie regains consciousness, she tells them she earned the money because she has a second job.
She leaves the clinic against medical advice and leaves them a note.
The story skips forward 2 years. He and Sarah have been on-off. Sarah doesn't like him being in the club, but they are on right now. He found Charlotte, who lives nearby and goes to University, studying social work. She rejected his and Wolf's apologies, but Ruin still watches her without her knowing. He sees her on a date and realizes he's very jealous. That was a month ago.
So the plot is about some internal drama, because now Ruin thinks he's in love with Charlotte, but she couldn't care less about him now. There's also some external drama, because they find out she's being targeted by the Romanian mob, and the club has to protect her while they try and figure out why the Romanians think Charlotte is theirs.
The problem is that Ruins feelings were very sudden. It would have been better if his feelings had evolved into love while he's protecting her from the Romanians, but that's not what happened. He just saw her and BAM! he was in love all the sudden. It wasn't very believable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Did Not Finish
May 13, 2026DNF at 40%. I'm a little shocked because I absolutely fell in love with this author's other work, but this one just didn't connect. I think maybe it was lacking that core drama that my inner angst whore needs sometimes. Which is weird for a book about a woman recovering from the betrayal of her brother, crush, AND allegedly best friend, who has to move back into said brother's and crush's orbits due to human trafficking. Like, how is that a miss on the drama for me???
That being said, I'm going to chalk this one up to being a rare miss and it's-not-you-it's-me, and move on to the next one.
That being said, I'm going to chalk this one up to being a rare miss and it's-not-you-it's-me, and move on to the next one.
June 8, 2026
Tags: abuse, betrayal, biker-mc-club, brothers-best-friend, cruel-cruel-hero, damaged-broken_heroine, dark-romance, enemies-to-lovers, grovel-remorseful, hero-hurts-heroine, hero-loved-or-loves-ow, heroine-leaves, mean-mean-girls-women, older-hero-younger-heroine, om_drama, over-the-years, ow-drama, read, rejection-contemporary, second-chance, slowburn, stalker, unrequited, virgin-heroine, wattpad-mania
Did Not Finish
May 26, 2026Just didn't connect
Did Not Finish
June 3, 2026Couldn’t connect with any of the characters. So drawn out.
Persevered to 45% and just had to give up because by then I was just flicking through the pages.
Persevered to 45% and just had to give up because by then I was just flicking through the pages.
April 29, 2026
I have no idea how I went from hating Ruin to rooting for his redemption. But yeah, that happened. 🤣
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