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Outside the Ropes #3
Otherside of Fear
Regan and Gage have fought their entire lives. For themselves. For each other. Now together, side by side. As new fears arise, mixing with the old ones of their past, will they be strong enough to make it through? Can they make it to the Other Side of Fear? Contains mature themes.
394 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2015
71 people are currently reading
395 people want to read
About the author
Ashley Claudy
7 books482 followersNew Adult Author.
New release, HUSTLE, will be published Nov 19th!
The Outside The Ropes Series:
http://amzn.com/B00Q7UR3B6
Outside The Ropes (Book 1)
Inside Danger (Book 2)
OtherSide Of Fear (Book 3)
Mother. Wife. Teacher. Proud UMD Terp. Perpetual learner. Wild imagination fueled by coffee. Occasional runner. Late night book junkie. Daytime dreamer.
New release, HUSTLE, will be published Nov 19th!
The Outside The Ropes Series:
http://amzn.com/B00Q7UR3B6
Outside The Ropes (Book 1)
Inside Danger (Book 2)
OtherSide Of Fear (Book 3)
Mother. Wife. Teacher. Proud UMD Terp. Perpetual learner. Wild imagination fueled by coffee. Occasional runner. Late night book junkie. Daytime dreamer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
December 11, 2015
Book one...
Book two...
Book three...
These characters are those that you hate that you actually seem to care about. They are f'd up, make shit choices, excuse everything with selfish rationalization, and don't seem to even understand the meaning of loving another human being.
Still, you read on because they have qualities that could be fucking amazing if directed in a different path. You read because the author has created a complicated web of deceit, danger, lust, and 'wtf' that you simply CANT walk away from.
I almost stopped reading at book two. I was content. But damn if curiosity didn't get my ass in trouble...
WTF Went Wrong?!?
1) The storyline fell to the wayside of drama that the author moots, makes pointless.
Book one and two are a roller coaster of soap opera'esc dramatic shit. Book one and two constantly changed the directions and pace of this drama, giving you tense, heartbreaking, loving, dangerous, etc scenes to the point of book whiplash. Drama? Yes! But each dramatic point, whether you like or dislike it, made sense and had a point. This rapid fire fruitful drama diversion tactic was one of the main reasons I could turn a blind eye to just how f'd up the MC's are..
You're always too engrossed in the author's amazing storytelling to really have a chance to stop and think about anything but the moment in the book.
That tactic didn't occur here. It was the same argument about secrets over and over and over and over for far too long. It was the same his "I'm sorry" to her "I can't live without him" for far too long.
Her...
Him...
Her & Him...
When, something finally did happen that broke the repetitive "sorry" cycle, it was resolved in a way that just didn't make any sense whatsoever. I mean why include the loss of life, make it a pivotal point of contention, have her realize that she forfeits her voice/decisions in lust her for him, and then have it all washed away by a sex scene. The entire plot point from the car accident until her time ends in Louisiana was pointless.
Just tell them no, huh? Well, fuck, why didn't that happen two books ago, then?!?
2) Where's the growth?
There's no character growth here. These two are on a cycle that keeps repeating the same mistakes over and over and over and they keep using the same crutches to hobble back to the starting point to repeat the process.
They've learned nothing! They've changed nothing. So, it's a hopeless story with doomed characters.
3) Where's the resolve of secondary plot points?
Again, this is a story layered with a lot of secondary plot points and the author failed to resolve almost all of them. That is not the way to gain loyal readers!!!!! Here's a few points just left dangling in the fucking air: Dex and his family situation. The MC's father? The phone recording that the FBI agent sent to someone? Wtf Shadow was? Etc..
4) Where is the Ending Of The Mfing Book?
I'm going to try to stay calm, but I make no promises!
The main storyline was left just open-ended. And, when I say open-ended, I mean like... 'here we are; we survived another night. Yippie!' It ends as just another day for these two, with another fight looming with new players.
Here's what the author says:
I understand that the author wanted the end to reflect that these two would always attract trouble, always struggle with demons, and always have to fight to hold on to each other, but damn... Really?!? No comfortable place at all?!?
Then what was the point? If they can't find any sliver of peace, if readers have zero hope that they've learned and grown through the book's process, then what's the point? I didn't expect a pony ride into sunset HEA for these two; that would be absurd! But, I did need and expect closure, a tangible ending point that says there was a purpose, a result, and a promise to all the shit.
Final Thoughts
I'm disappointed. I read this series for one reason - the author could write a damn good storyline, even if I hated the choices and actions of the characters most of the time. So, to just abruptly leave pretty much everything in the air, well, thanks for the...
Book two...
Book three...
These characters are those that you hate that you actually seem to care about. They are f'd up, make shit choices, excuse everything with selfish rationalization, and don't seem to even understand the meaning of loving another human being.
Still, you read on because they have qualities that could be fucking amazing if directed in a different path. You read because the author has created a complicated web of deceit, danger, lust, and 'wtf' that you simply CANT walk away from.
I almost stopped reading at book two. I was content. But damn if curiosity didn't get my ass in trouble...
WTF Went Wrong?!?
1) The storyline fell to the wayside of drama that the author moots, makes pointless.
Book one and two are a roller coaster of soap opera'esc dramatic shit. Book one and two constantly changed the directions and pace of this drama, giving you tense, heartbreaking, loving, dangerous, etc scenes to the point of book whiplash. Drama? Yes! But each dramatic point, whether you like or dislike it, made sense and had a point. This rapid fire fruitful drama diversion tactic was one of the main reasons I could turn a blind eye to just how f'd up the MC's are..
You're always too engrossed in the author's amazing storytelling to really have a chance to stop and think about anything but the moment in the book.
That tactic didn't occur here. It was the same argument about secrets over and over and over and over for far too long. It was the same his "I'm sorry" to her "I can't live without him" for far too long.
Her...
Him...
Her & Him...
When, something finally did happen that broke the repetitive "sorry" cycle, it was resolved in a way that just didn't make any sense whatsoever. I mean why include the loss of life, make it a pivotal point of contention, have her realize that she forfeits her voice/decisions in lust her for him, and then have it all washed away by a sex scene. The entire plot point from the car accident until her time ends in Louisiana was pointless.
Just tell them no, huh? Well, fuck, why didn't that happen two books ago, then?!?
2) Where's the growth?
There's no character growth here. These two are on a cycle that keeps repeating the same mistakes over and over and over and they keep using the same crutches to hobble back to the starting point to repeat the process.
They've learned nothing! They've changed nothing. So, it's a hopeless story with doomed characters.
3) Where's the resolve of secondary plot points?
Again, this is a story layered with a lot of secondary plot points and the author failed to resolve almost all of them. That is not the way to gain loyal readers!!!!! Here's a few points just left dangling in the fucking air: Dex and his family situation. The MC's father? The phone recording that the FBI agent sent to someone? Wtf Shadow was? Etc..
4) Where is the Ending Of The Mfing Book?
I'm going to try to stay calm, but I make no promises!
The main storyline was left just open-ended. And, when I say open-ended, I mean like... 'here we are; we survived another night. Yippie!' It ends as just another day for these two, with another fight looming with new players.
Here's what the author says:
"A Note From The Author"
"I know the ending leaves a lot open, but this is NOT so there can be another book in the series. I don't think there will be (although I never say never since inspiration is strange and at times unpredictable). It's just that I don't really see these two being happy with a happily ever after in the traditional sense. They will like a temporary calm, but inevitably one, or both, will do something to rule things up because they thrive on that. That doesn't mean that deserves another book though. It's just how I see their life always going. But as long as they have each other, they are happy. And I truly believe they are at that point now."
I understand that the author wanted the end to reflect that these two would always attract trouble, always struggle with demons, and always have to fight to hold on to each other, but damn... Really?!? No comfortable place at all?!?
Then what was the point? If they can't find any sliver of peace, if readers have zero hope that they've learned and grown through the book's process, then what's the point? I didn't expect a pony ride into sunset HEA for these two; that would be absurd! But, I did need and expect closure, a tangible ending point that says there was a purpose, a result, and a promise to all the shit.
Final Thoughts
I'm disappointed. I read this series for one reason - the author could write a damn good storyline, even if I hated the choices and actions of the characters most of the time. So, to just abruptly leave pretty much everything in the air, well, thanks for the...
October 2, 2019
(Πρώτο βιβλίο: 3.5/5)-(Δεύτερο: 2/5)
2.5/5 (no spoilers)
Ιιχ… οκ να ξέρετε η Regan εξακολουθεί να είναι ο πιο εκνευριστικός άνθρωπος, πάλι κρατάγανε και οι δυο μυστικά και δεν εξηγούσαν πως έχει η κατάσταση (κυρίως ο Cage αυτή τη φορά οπότε ανέβηκε στη λίστα με τους χαρακτήρες για ξύλο όπου είναι και η Regan) οπότε ιδού οι τσακωμοί πάλι και το συγνώμη θα σου λέω αλλά προφανώς δεν λέει ποτέ και πάλι από την αρχή.
Όταν επιτέλους γίνεται κάτι και σταματάει η απέραντη επανάληψη, δεν βγάζει καθόλου νόημα πως το αντιμετωπίζουν. Αποφασίζει η Regan ουσιαστικά ότι οκ αρκετά δεν πάει άλλο αυτή η κατάσταση και φεύγει αλλά πώς λύνεται το πολύ σοβαρό γεγονός που τους συνέβη? Με σεξ. Οτιδήποτε έγινε από το γεγονός μέχρι και αυτό σημείο ήταν παντελώς άχρηστο και οι δυο τους επιστρέφουν στο πως ήταν πριν χωρίς να έχει αλλάξει τίποτα.
Και μετά φτάνει το τέλος. Καταρχάς όλα παραμένουν ανοιχτά. Ούτε καν κάποια από τις δεύτερες ιστορίες με χαρακτήρες όπως ο Dexter ή με την αστυνομία (!) δεν κλείνουν. Ακόμα χειρότερα, η κύρια ιστορία δεν τέλειωσε κάπου. Θα μπορούσε κάλλιστα να έρχεται άλλο βιβλίο. Δεν περίμενα όλα να είναι μέλι γάλα στο τέλος αλλά ποιο το νόημα να μου λες ότι ‘ωωω θα τα περνάνε αυτά στην υπόλοιπη ζωή τους και ποτέ δεν θα έχουν κάποια στιγμή ηρεμίας.’
Υπάρχει ακόμα και σημείωμα από τη συγγραφέα που το λέει γιατί προφανώς κανένας αναγνώστης δεν πίστευε ότι μπορείς να πετσοκόψεις την ιστορία με αυτόν τον τρόπο.
Το τέλος είχε λίγη δράση αλλά τέλειωσε πολύ γρήγορα η όλη φάση και το πλάνο που είχαν για το μέλλον το τινάζουν στον αέρα έτσι στο άκυρο. Και καλά τώρα δηλαδή πρέπει εγώ να πιστέψω ότι τέλειωσαν με την υπόθεση και τον κόσμο που τους κυνηγούσε? Αγάπη μου οι μαφίες δεν λειτουργούν έτσι.
Είμαι πολύ απογοητευμένη.
2.5/5 (no spoilers)
Ιιχ… οκ να ξέρετε η Regan εξακολουθεί να είναι ο πιο εκνευριστικός άνθρωπος, πάλι κρατάγανε και οι δυο μυστικά και δεν εξηγούσαν πως έχει η κατάσταση (κυρίως ο Cage αυτή τη φορά οπότε ανέβηκε στη λίστα με τους χαρακτήρες για ξύλο όπου είναι και η Regan) οπότε ιδού οι τσακωμοί πάλι και το συγνώμη θα σου λέω αλλά προφανώς δεν λέει ποτέ και πάλι από την αρχή.
Όταν επιτέλους γίνεται κάτι και σταματάει η απέραντη επανάληψη, δεν βγάζει καθόλου νόημα πως το αντιμετωπίζουν. Αποφασίζει η Regan ουσιαστικά ότι οκ αρκετά δεν πάει άλλο αυτή η κατάσταση και φεύγει αλλά πώς λύνεται το πολύ σοβαρό γεγονός που τους συνέβη? Με σεξ. Οτιδήποτε έγινε από το γεγονός μέχρι και αυτό σημείο ήταν παντελώς άχρηστο και οι δυο τους επιστρέφουν στο πως ήταν πριν χωρίς να έχει αλλάξει τίποτα.
Και μετά φτάνει το τέλος. Καταρχάς όλα παραμένουν ανοιχτά. Ούτε καν κάποια από τις δεύτερες ιστορίες με χαρακτήρες όπως ο Dexter ή με την αστυνομία (!) δεν κλείνουν. Ακόμα χειρότερα, η κύρια ιστορία δεν τέλειωσε κάπου. Θα μπορούσε κάλλιστα να έρχεται άλλο βιβλίο. Δεν περίμενα όλα να είναι μέλι γάλα στο τέλος αλλά ποιο το νόημα να μου λες ότι ‘ωωω θα τα περνάνε αυτά στην υπόλοιπη ζωή τους και ποτέ δεν θα έχουν κάποια στιγμή ηρεμίας.’
Υπάρχει ακόμα και σημείωμα από τη συγγραφέα που το λέει γιατί προφανώς κανένας αναγνώστης δεν πίστευε ότι μπορείς να πετσοκόψεις την ιστορία με αυτόν τον τρόπο.
Το τέλος είχε λίγη δράση αλλά τέλειωσε πολύ γρήγορα η όλη φάση και το πλάνο που είχαν για το μέλλον το τινάζουν στον αέρα έτσι στο άκυρο. Και καλά τώρα δηλαδή πρέπει εγώ να πιστέψω ότι τέλειωσαν με την υπόθεση και τον κόσμο που τους κυνηγούσε? Αγάπη μου οι μαφίες δεν λειτουργούν έτσι.
Είμαι πολύ απογοητευμένη.
July 3, 2015
So bummed loved the other 2 books. But this one..I was confused at some points. And I made it to 36% and all they do is argue about trust.
Sorry. :(
Sorry. :(
Want to read
March 15, 2020🎁 The complete Outside The Ropes Series (3 book series) is FREE on Amazon today (3/15/2020)! 🎁
October 30, 2015
This book did a pretty decent job of closing up the series. I did ALMOST give up on it though and I would have if I hadn't liked the first book so much. The book itself didn't really get good until about 50-60% of the way through. Honestly, the beginning was a lot of pointless arguing over stuff that was so trivial. You would think that eventually Regan would just get over herself and actually LISTEN to what Gage was telling her. I get being frustrated with the secrets and wanting more and all that, but then he would tell her things and she would overreact and she would tell him things and then he would overreact. It was excruciatingly annoying. Then one of the most cliche events in the history of NA cliche events happens I really wish I could get through a dramatic NA series where that doesn't happen. BUT THEN which I was not expecting and that turned the cliche event into something a little more unexpected.
That's the point where the story finally turned for me, but again that wasn't until about halfway through. Once that happened and the story stopped revolving around constant arguments and sex, I started to really enjoy it. The ending was very exciting, but also kind of short and anti-climactic. I was tense the whole time trying to figure out when something would go down and then it happens, it's slightly crazy and then that's it. It's over and Regan and Gage completely change their original plan. I did feel like that was a little bit of a cop-out. I mean, I just wish they would have stuck to the original plan, it would have made for a way more interesting ending and would also have avoided the HEA that Claudy mentioned her not wanting them to have at the end.
To be honest, with the edition of an epilogue, I feel like this series could have ended at the second book. I didn't really feel the need for a 3rd book even after reading the second and in fact, I feel like the 2nd and 3rd books could have been combined had a lot of the "fluff" been cut out. It was a good series though. The first book was my favorite by far. Read it if you want too, but just don't expect it to be as good as the first unfortunately.
That's the point where the story finally turned for me, but again that wasn't until about halfway through. Once that happened and the story stopped revolving around constant arguments and sex, I started to really enjoy it. The ending was very exciting, but also kind of short and anti-climactic. I was tense the whole time trying to figure out when something would go down and then it happens, it's slightly crazy and then that's it. It's over and Regan and Gage completely change their original plan. I did feel like that was a little bit of a cop-out. I mean, I just wish they would have stuck to the original plan, it would have made for a way more interesting ending and would also have avoided the HEA that Claudy mentioned her not wanting them to have at the end.
To be honest, with the edition of an epilogue, I feel like this series could have ended at the second book. I didn't really feel the need for a 3rd book even after reading the second and in fact, I feel like the 2nd and 3rd books could have been combined had a lot of the "fluff" been cut out. It was a good series though. The first book was my favorite by far. Read it if you want too, but just don't expect it to be as good as the first unfortunately.
August 21, 2016
Okay.
There was no character growth from Regan... 3 books of her and she just kept going down hill and disappointing me.
She started out strong and then got weak, whiny and unreasonable. I honestly could not connect with her on any level and didnt really care what happened to her in the end....Not good.
What I would have liked was the strong person she was, go through all those obstacles and come out stronger and on top in the end.
She knew what she was getting into with Gage and said she accepted it in the beginning and then went back on her word. It was just a whole lot of yelling, tears, and the trust me, you don't trust me, same old same old throughout 3 books.
Also, I didn't understand Cherry and Gages relationship. At first I thought maybe something was going on when she was getting to him and he was helping her. Then Gage straightened it out and said he didn't care for her and she wasnt spoken of after that. Then she pops up again and Rustnak has words with her and the author slips in that Gage "stiffins" beside Regan. Regan has a few thoughts about his and Cherry's relationship. Then nothing else was explained after that. Left some questions with those two unanswered. Really would like Gages POV just to figure out that whole thing.
Other then that the events were interesting so I give 3 stars for that.
There was no character growth from Regan... 3 books of her and she just kept going down hill and disappointing me.
She started out strong and then got weak, whiny and unreasonable. I honestly could not connect with her on any level and didnt really care what happened to her in the end....Not good.
What I would have liked was the strong person she was, go through all those obstacles and come out stronger and on top in the end.
She knew what she was getting into with Gage and said she accepted it in the beginning and then went back on her word. It was just a whole lot of yelling, tears, and the trust me, you don't trust me, same old same old throughout 3 books.
Also, I didn't understand Cherry and Gages relationship. At first I thought maybe something was going on when she was getting to him and he was helping her. Then Gage straightened it out and said he didn't care for her and she wasnt spoken of after that. Then she pops up again and Rustnak has words with her and the author slips in that Gage "stiffins" beside Regan. Regan has a few thoughts about his and Cherry's relationship. Then nothing else was explained after that. Left some questions with those two unanswered. Really would like Gages POV just to figure out that whole thing.
Other then that the events were interesting so I give 3 stars for that.
January 17, 2017
Regan couldn't figure out if she was going to stay or go. Gage lacked a back bone and was way too p-whooped. Both characters were a turn off. I read to chapter 38 and couldn't take it anymore...I just couldn't waste any more time on it; I couldn't finish the book.
December 9, 2019
>Book Review – Otherside of Fear
>I am an independent reviewer. This book is the 3rd in the Outside the Ropes series and ends in an HEA for now. Regan and Gage are together and seemingly happy. Gage turns from the super protective Alpha male in to a puppet with no idea what to do to help himself. He now has a drug addiction and is working with human trafficking. He does nothing to quell Regan’s jealousy as he works with strippers. How he doesn’t know what is going on in his club is beyond me. In the first book he was smart and on top of everything. Not so in this book.
>Regan does what she does best and runs and hides. She suffers a terrible loss and has no trust in Gage. They actually have no trust with each other. I wonder how a relationship based on purely physical could ever last. The loss of an important character from book 1 is very anti-climactic. Dexter getting pulled back in is also kind of unbelievable, with everything he has going for him now.
>This book is appropriate for an adult audience. I am giving this book 3 stars. I had to take off a star for the myriad of editing issues that ruined the flow of the story. This story felt forced. The series would have been better as a duet.
>I am an independent reviewer. This book is the 3rd in the Outside the Ropes series and ends in an HEA for now. Regan and Gage are together and seemingly happy. Gage turns from the super protective Alpha male in to a puppet with no idea what to do to help himself. He now has a drug addiction and is working with human trafficking. He does nothing to quell Regan’s jealousy as he works with strippers. How he doesn’t know what is going on in his club is beyond me. In the first book he was smart and on top of everything. Not so in this book.
>Regan does what she does best and runs and hides. She suffers a terrible loss and has no trust in Gage. They actually have no trust with each other. I wonder how a relationship based on purely physical could ever last. The loss of an important character from book 1 is very anti-climactic. Dexter getting pulled back in is also kind of unbelievable, with everything he has going for him now.
>This book is appropriate for an adult audience. I am giving this book 3 stars. I had to take off a star for the myriad of editing issues that ruined the flow of the story. This story felt forced. The series would have been better as a duet.
dnf
October 23, 2021OMG I just can't stomac 10 more hours of "running in circles". He hides things and tries to send her away to protect her/out of love. And she is annoyed by him because he shuts her out and clings even harder to him because she can't live without him. Only sex differs their different opinion about what loving each other means...
It is driving me nuts. This series would have been fine as a duet. This book is just too much of the same, but weaker, less captivating, interesting, action packed, intriguing... take your pick.
It is driving me nuts. This series would have been fine as a duet. This book is just too much of the same, but weaker, less captivating, interesting, action packed, intriguing... take your pick.
June 23, 2020
From Audible Account Review:
"A madness all of its own!"
The series kept me on edge and I pushed through listening in a few days. I felt anxious and agitated so many times throughout the story but it consumed me to want to know what was next. Reagens constant self and relationship doubts was frustrating at times but added to the "what's next".
Their all consuming passion is what made the story.
"A madness all of its own!"
The series kept me on edge and I pushed through listening in a few days. I felt anxious and agitated so many times throughout the story but it consumed me to want to know what was next. Reagens constant self and relationship doubts was frustrating at times but added to the "what's next".
Their all consuming passion is what made the story.
March 10, 2021
A favorite
Probably one of my favorite series of all time. This series should be made into films. It’s brilliant, thrilling, beautiful, and terrifying all at the same time. I’ve grown to truly love and care about these characters. It’ll be hard to let them go but that’s what books are for—to be read again, and again, and again.
Probably one of my favorite series of all time. This series should be made into films. It’s brilliant, thrilling, beautiful, and terrifying all at the same time. I’ve grown to truly love and care about these characters. It’ll be hard to let them go but that’s what books are for—to be read again, and again, and again.
August 31, 2022
The first two books in this series were great.. they held my interest, but this book was ALMOST a DNF for me. Super slow to build up to the ending, but picks up maybe half way through. The ending is perfect for the characters. I'm glad I stuck with it, but I wouldn't read again.
October 9, 2017
Great book. Loved the characters and the storyline.
February 3, 2018
Perfect ending to an amazing story
Gage and Regan always keep you on the edge of your seat, wondering what will happen next in the crazy story they call life.
Gage and Regan always keep you on the edge of your seat, wondering what will happen next in the crazy story they call life.
September 12, 2020
Great series
A Really enjoyable series, well worth reading. Once you read the first in the series you know you can't stop till you finish them all.
A Really enjoyable series, well worth reading. Once you read the first in the series you know you can't stop till you finish them all.
December 3, 2015
Unless you've read the first two book, STOP NOW:
Now married, Gage and Regan may have finally found their Happily Ever After. Gage has won a title and Regan is back in the ring boxing for her college team. And maybe with Anatoli Rusnak in prison, they can exist outside of organized crime. But bliss is short-lived when Alessandra Rusnak shows up and demands that Gage make good on promises made to Rusnak before he went to prison. Regan finds some way to accept their change in circumstances, especially when Gage promises to remain open and honest. But it all soon falls apart.
The last installment in the Outside the Ropes series is probably the most emotional and dramatic as far as Gage and Regan's relationship is concerned. They don't meet in a conventional way. They don't actually date. They had tumultuous childhoods filled with heartbreak and disappointment. They have trust issues and control issues. And they basically don't stand a chance of making it. Regan pushes Gage hard to find a way out and he's unwilling to entirely involve her in the business. So when they lose everything, Regan's only solution is to walk away and it ends up being the decision that saves both Regan and Gage from the brotherhood.
Suspense-wise, the story doesn't get super interesting until more than halfway through the book. The first half is a lot of relationship drama the requires Gage and Regan to find a way to navigate their lives together with the added pressure of the criminal element. Regan constantly questions Gage's fidelity. Gage struggles to keep Regan safe, both pushing her away and pulling her close at the same time. It was frustrating and heartbreaking to read through.
I didn't like OtherSide of Fear nearly as much as Inside Danger, and I'm not entirely sure why. It might be because Ashley Claudy doesn't really give the reader total satisfaction by tying up all the loose ends in a pretty little package. She gave us the illusion of that in Book 2, but there are a lot of open-ended questions still hanging out there including a couple of minor plot points running from Book 2 to Book 3 that had no resolution. Specifically, Regan was interested in seeking out the identity of her father. That arc served as a device to the larger story of Anatoli Rusnak. But I'm still unsatisfied that we didn't understand entirely what fueled his maniacal obsession with Regan.
But here's what I found to be the most interesting twist of all... SPOILER:
Taking that into consideration, I think that a fourth book in the series might be warranted. I want to see how long Regan and Gage can be happy. I'd love to see the fallout after they literally scorched the earth. Can they stay away from the Brotherhood? Will they both go back to boxing? What ends up happening with Dexter? Will Regan get the real story about her family (which would be a really fantastic story, I think)?
Good read for those invested in the series. Took me just a day to get through it.
Now married, Gage and Regan may have finally found their Happily Ever After. Gage has won a title and Regan is back in the ring boxing for her college team. And maybe with Anatoli Rusnak in prison, they can exist outside of organized crime. But bliss is short-lived when Alessandra Rusnak shows up and demands that Gage make good on promises made to Rusnak before he went to prison. Regan finds some way to accept their change in circumstances, especially when Gage promises to remain open and honest. But it all soon falls apart.
The last installment in the Outside the Ropes series is probably the most emotional and dramatic as far as Gage and Regan's relationship is concerned. They don't meet in a conventional way. They don't actually date. They had tumultuous childhoods filled with heartbreak and disappointment. They have trust issues and control issues. And they basically don't stand a chance of making it. Regan pushes Gage hard to find a way out and he's unwilling to entirely involve her in the business. So when they lose everything, Regan's only solution is to walk away and it ends up being the decision that saves both Regan and Gage from the brotherhood.
Suspense-wise, the story doesn't get super interesting until more than halfway through the book. The first half is a lot of relationship drama the requires Gage and Regan to find a way to navigate their lives together with the added pressure of the criminal element. Regan constantly questions Gage's fidelity. Gage struggles to keep Regan safe, both pushing her away and pulling her close at the same time. It was frustrating and heartbreaking to read through.
I didn't like OtherSide of Fear nearly as much as Inside Danger, and I'm not entirely sure why. It might be because Ashley Claudy doesn't really give the reader total satisfaction by tying up all the loose ends in a pretty little package. She gave us the illusion of that in Book 2, but there are a lot of open-ended questions still hanging out there including a couple of minor plot points running from Book 2 to Book 3 that had no resolution. Specifically, Regan was interested in seeking out the identity of her father. That arc served as a device to the larger story of Anatoli Rusnak. But I'm still unsatisfied that we didn't understand entirely what fueled his maniacal obsession with Regan.
But here's what I found to be the most interesting twist of all... SPOILER:
Taking that into consideration, I think that a fourth book in the series might be warranted. I want to see how long Regan and Gage can be happy. I'd love to see the fallout after they literally scorched the earth. Can they stay away from the Brotherhood? Will they both go back to boxing? What ends up happening with Dexter? Will Regan get the real story about her family (which would be a really fantastic story, I think)?
Good read for those invested in the series. Took me just a day to get through it.
June 29, 2015
Given ARC in exchange for an honest review
I'll be honest, it was a struggle to get through the first half of the book for me. There's a lot of mistrust and miscommunication going on between Reagan and Gage. And seeing Reagan constantly second guessing everything, repeating the same "Tell me the truth" argument with Gage was riding on my last nerve. I'm not blaming Reagan for it, the situation warranted such. And Gage did nothing to help it either, he's doing some pretty selfish things.
Majority of when they were together, it was the same conversation. Gage is up to to something. Reagan suspects it being no good. She feels left out of the dark. They argue. They have make up sex. Everything is fine...until the next confrontation, three days later. As a reader, it was SO tiring. Because of the way their relationship is put through the grinder, it had me nostalgic of the more "simpler" days back in book one. I think that was the motivation for me to keep going and hope for the best, to see them as better people, closer to how things were before the thug-life took over their lives (or Reagan's life, as Gage has been in it for most of his).
Once the intrigue picks up, surrounding Shadow and the FBI, I was able to have SOMETHING to chew on besides these two constantly toeing the line into having an unhealthy and co-dependent relationship.
So why did I rate this 4 stars, when I'm being so critical? Well, I recently watched The Borgias and Daredevil and hear me out on why this is important. The relationship between Cesare and Lucrezia blows Reagan and Gage's unhealthy relationship aspects out the water. Really put things into perspective for me, even though I didn't like the dark turn their romance took. But that's me and where my head is right now.
And the grittiness of fictional organized crime in Daredevil reminded me of how f***ed up that how that world is...and why I enjoy being a voyeur of it. If you liked that setting and vibe from the show, you get exactly that here (just with only one crime gang, not 4 vying for power). That world is dangerous, and it leads to characters making less-than-moral decisions...and where it's easy to judge from our hind-sighted high-horses.
So with those reminders, I do give this 4 stars. This being the last book, the conclusion did feel right. Loose ends were tied up, the ending was a bit open ended (but explained by Claudy, and I agree with the whys and hows). All in all, it was struggle to get through some parts, but I enjoyed this read nonetheless.
I'll be honest, it was a struggle to get through the first half of the book for me. There's a lot of mistrust and miscommunication going on between Reagan and Gage. And seeing Reagan constantly second guessing everything, repeating the same "Tell me the truth" argument with Gage was riding on my last nerve. I'm not blaming Reagan for it, the situation warranted such. And Gage did nothing to help it either, he's doing some pretty selfish things.
Majority of when they were together, it was the same conversation. Gage is up to to something. Reagan suspects it being no good. She feels left out of the dark. They argue. They have make up sex. Everything is fine...until the next confrontation, three days later. As a reader, it was SO tiring. Because of the way their relationship is put through the grinder, it had me nostalgic of the more "simpler" days back in book one. I think that was the motivation for me to keep going and hope for the best, to see them as better people, closer to how things were before the thug-life took over their lives (or Reagan's life, as Gage has been in it for most of his).
Once the intrigue picks up, surrounding Shadow and the FBI, I was able to have SOMETHING to chew on besides these two constantly toeing the line into having an unhealthy and co-dependent relationship.
So why did I rate this 4 stars, when I'm being so critical? Well, I recently watched The Borgias and Daredevil and hear me out on why this is important. The relationship between Cesare and Lucrezia blows Reagan and Gage's unhealthy relationship aspects out the water. Really put things into perspective for me, even though I didn't like the dark turn their romance took. But that's me and where my head is right now.
And the grittiness of fictional organized crime in Daredevil reminded me of how f***ed up that how that world is...and why I enjoy being a voyeur of it. If you liked that setting and vibe from the show, you get exactly that here (just with only one crime gang, not 4 vying for power). That world is dangerous, and it leads to characters making less-than-moral decisions...and where it's easy to judge from our hind-sighted high-horses.
So with those reminders, I do give this 4 stars. This being the last book, the conclusion did feel right. Loose ends were tied up, the ending was a bit open ended (but explained by Claudy, and I agree with the whys and hows). All in all, it was struggle to get through some parts, but I enjoyed this read nonetheless.
July 6, 2015
*ARC GIVEN IN EXCHANGE FOR A HONEST REVIEW*
OMG OMG OMG… JUST WOW!!! I cannot explain just how much I loved this book..
I fell in love with Gage and Regan in book 1.. Book 2 was full of absolute craziness and I loved it.. Book 3 picks up where book 2 ended.. Regan just won her fight.. Her and Gage are ready to leave when someone stops em.. This is where everything changes.. You need to read it to see..
There were times in this book when I wanted to throw it across the room (or camper/lake in my in-stance). The trust issue is still a big problem in this book with these two.. Gage puts himself in some positions that could be pretty compromising that I seriously wanted to junk punch him a time or two (or ten). There is soooo much drama in this book, and sooooooooo much going on. My heart literally broke in this book for Regan and Gage several times.. We get a few new characters in this book.. some I just dislike with a passion (Cherry I’m talking to you) then some old characters are back…. Like Officer
Anthony.. Now I may be alone here but I really liked Anthony in book 1.. he wasn’t for her but I still liked him.. Yea not so much in this one.. There was something about him that rubbed me wrong..
Now I could go on for days about this book.. tell you everything.. but I don’t want to.. This entire series is a MUST READ.. and this author is a PHENOMINAL WRITER.. Thank you sooo much for allowing me the opportunity to read your amazing work..
OMG OMG OMG… JUST WOW!!! I cannot explain just how much I loved this book..
I fell in love with Gage and Regan in book 1.. Book 2 was full of absolute craziness and I loved it.. Book 3 picks up where book 2 ended.. Regan just won her fight.. Her and Gage are ready to leave when someone stops em.. This is where everything changes.. You need to read it to see..
There were times in this book when I wanted to throw it across the room (or camper/lake in my in-stance). The trust issue is still a big problem in this book with these two.. Gage puts himself in some positions that could be pretty compromising that I seriously wanted to junk punch him a time or two (or ten). There is soooo much drama in this book, and sooooooooo much going on. My heart literally broke in this book for Regan and Gage several times.. We get a few new characters in this book.. some I just dislike with a passion (Cherry I’m talking to you) then some old characters are back…. Like Officer
Anthony.. Now I may be alone here but I really liked Anthony in book 1.. he wasn’t for her but I still liked him.. Yea not so much in this one.. There was something about him that rubbed me wrong..
Now I could go on for days about this book.. tell you everything.. but I don’t want to.. This entire series is a MUST READ.. and this author is a PHENOMINAL WRITER.. Thank you sooo much for allowing me the opportunity to read your amazing work..
June 25, 2015
As this is the 3rd book in the Outside The Ropes series, this review may contain spoilers.
The first two books were great and thoroughly enjoyable but this series must be read in order.
So, we pick up pretty much where we left off and our H/h have found their way back to each other and had their HEA...or have they?
Can Gage ever truly be out of the life he's lead or is he destined to be pulled back in, back under? He's trying and with a little trust and a lot of honesty, it should be doable.
Can Reagan stick by him or is it all to much? To dangerous, when things look like they're going back to the way they were? Can she trust him when there are so many other people in play?
This book had more ups and downs than a rush hour elevator! I felt like I had whiplash at times. Just when you think the trust between Gage and Reagan is working and they're being honest with each other, then something or someone crops up to put a spanner in the works.
I've never more menacingly wanted a character to get what's coming to them and every time I thought it was going to happen, it didn't. What makes it even crazier is that it wasn't to what would be perceived as the worst character...but I felt an uncontrollable need for vengeance! And believe me, there are plenty of people you want to see fall but this one really irked me. I won't say who, I'm sure you'll all pick an arch nemesis for yourselves...there are enough to choose from!
This book is well written and certainly keeps you guessing all the way through.
I really enjoyed it and hope you do too.
The first two books were great and thoroughly enjoyable but this series must be read in order.
So, we pick up pretty much where we left off and our H/h have found their way back to each other and had their HEA...or have they?
Can Gage ever truly be out of the life he's lead or is he destined to be pulled back in, back under? He's trying and with a little trust and a lot of honesty, it should be doable.
Can Reagan stick by him or is it all to much? To dangerous, when things look like they're going back to the way they were? Can she trust him when there are so many other people in play?
This book had more ups and downs than a rush hour elevator! I felt like I had whiplash at times. Just when you think the trust between Gage and Reagan is working and they're being honest with each other, then something or someone crops up to put a spanner in the works.
I've never more menacingly wanted a character to get what's coming to them and every time I thought it was going to happen, it didn't. What makes it even crazier is that it wasn't to what would be perceived as the worst character...but I felt an uncontrollable need for vengeance! And believe me, there are plenty of people you want to see fall but this one really irked me. I won't say who, I'm sure you'll all pick an arch nemesis for yourselves...there are enough to choose from!
This book is well written and certainly keeps you guessing all the way through.
I really enjoyed it and hope you do too.
July 5, 2015
Wow what a roller coaster ride. This is a terrific ending to an awesome series. Gage and Reagan are some of the best characters I've come across. Both are train wrecks on their own but together they take it to another level. Throughout the series they stay true to their characters, fatally flawed, maddeningly impulsive, stubbornly pig headed -you just know that they are soul mates that are both the best and worst for each other. Yet through all their ups and downs, through the heartache and bad decisions Ashley Claudy has you rooting and praying for them. You know they can't function apart and together they teter along the line of both saving and destroying each other.
There were many times I wanted to knock sense into them, but I wouldn't want the story written any other way. The author pushes you off a cliff at the beginning and your emotions continue to tumble and bounce all the way through to the end of the book. Like them or loathe them, Gage and Ree are two of the most impulsive characters submerged in a dark and vice ridden world where they limp from one dangerous situation to the next. Right to the end the author kept me guessing. The ending actually took me be surprise- in a good way. I like what the author did there and I feel it really reflected the essence of the story.
There were many times I wanted to knock sense into them, but I wouldn't want the story written any other way. The author pushes you off a cliff at the beginning and your emotions continue to tumble and bounce all the way through to the end of the book. Like them or loathe them, Gage and Ree are two of the most impulsive characters submerged in a dark and vice ridden world where they limp from one dangerous situation to the next. Right to the end the author kept me guessing. The ending actually took me be surprise- in a good way. I like what the author did there and I feel it really reflected the essence of the story.
February 6, 2016
Intense action packed romance
I thought about rating this lower but after I got to the end, a lower star rating just wouldn't do, so...a solid five stars. This final (maybe) novel to this series was full of suspense, secrets, doubts, and mnemonic romance in between. You never really knew who to trust, what exactly was going on and at times while reading I wanted to ring Gage's neck for his behavior towards Regan. Other times in just wanted to slap Regan upside the head and say WTF!!! Their romance was a twisted dark one that would drive anyone crazy with insecurities and doubts. But if you look at it from their perspective, you gain some understanding how they defined what love is and how what they were doing justified that love. This was a crazy dark and totally intense romance novel that keeps you on edge. It was beautiful in a twisted kind of way. I'm sad to see this story end but the journey was long and hard and I'm happy to see Gage and Regan get their moment of peace, however little it may be. Never know...The author may decide later on to bring us more of Gage and Regan.
There were some editing needs but not much, such as incorrect word use (there vs their, were instead of we're, etc.), punctuations...overall much less than other books I've read.
I would recommend this series to anyone wanting an action and suspense packed dark twisted romance.
I thought about rating this lower but after I got to the end, a lower star rating just wouldn't do, so...a solid five stars. This final (maybe) novel to this series was full of suspense, secrets, doubts, and mnemonic romance in between. You never really knew who to trust, what exactly was going on and at times while reading I wanted to ring Gage's neck for his behavior towards Regan. Other times in just wanted to slap Regan upside the head and say WTF!!! Their romance was a twisted dark one that would drive anyone crazy with insecurities and doubts. But if you look at it from their perspective, you gain some understanding how they defined what love is and how what they were doing justified that love. This was a crazy dark and totally intense romance novel that keeps you on edge. It was beautiful in a twisted kind of way. I'm sad to see this story end but the journey was long and hard and I'm happy to see Gage and Regan get their moment of peace, however little it may be. Never know...The author may decide later on to bring us more of Gage and Regan.
There were some editing needs but not much, such as incorrect word use (there vs their, were instead of we're, etc.), punctuations...overall much less than other books I've read.
I would recommend this series to anyone wanting an action and suspense packed dark twisted romance.
July 2, 2015
This series was something else! Emotional, dark, haunting...it definitely wasn't your typical romance.
This was the final book in the Outside the Ropes series. Regan has come so far. She's had a year of normalcy with Gage, but the past won't let them go.
I had so many mixed feelings during this book. And every one was fierce. I didn't always like it but it was one hell of a book. I wanted to smack both main characters more than once. It shows a darker side of life and the lengths people will go to to survive.
I wish the ending had been a little longer bit overall the series was phenomenal.
This was the final book in the Outside the Ropes series. Regan has come so far. She's had a year of normalcy with Gage, but the past won't let them go.
I had so many mixed feelings during this book. And every one was fierce. I didn't always like it but it was one hell of a book. I wanted to smack both main characters more than once. It shows a darker side of life and the lengths people will go to to survive.
I wish the ending had been a little longer bit overall the series was phenomenal.
October 24, 2018
wow , I don't even know where being with this book. I really didn't know where this book was going to go after the good ending of second book . However Ashley Claudy, delivered . I just don't know if I could handle if Gage and Reagan had to face anymore . I was a mess during this book . I wanted to know who Shadow was , I wanted to.know when the FBI would come in , what happened to Reagan father. I love how.Claudy brought in pretty much everyone she mentioned in the book in some way . Cherry was a character I wanted to hate , but I knew she would end up playing a big part and man did she . I can't say enough good things about this book and series . great book
February 7, 2016
This series has been absolutely amazing from book 1. This one was definitely an emotional roller-coaster. Regan and Gage have been through so much and struggle to trust each other. Just when things are starting to turn around for them once they get married a tragic loss has Regan walking away. She jas finally had enough and wants a new life away from all the danger. When Gage finds her he promises yet again he will change and figure out away to get away from his dangerous life style. Will this time be different or will he never be able to escape the only thing he has even known?
June 20, 2015
I received an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Wow, this book is best of series! It's heart wrenching heartbreaking and you will literally be unable to put it down! At points you will hate certain characters as the way it's been written it's like you're going through things with them, I've got the book hangover from hell but it's definitely been worth it. I'd recommend it to everyone!
Wow, this book is best of series! It's heart wrenching heartbreaking and you will literally be unable to put it down! At points you will hate certain characters as the way it's been written it's like you're going through things with them, I've got the book hangover from hell but it's definitely been worth it. I'd recommend it to everyone!
June 23, 2015
I received an advance copy of book for an honest review.
For the last book of series was explosive still possibilities of add on or even a spin off. Gage and Regan marry and there pretty happy for a few weeks then Gage becomes shady and Regan gets suspicious and thinks he's seeing someone else but discovered its much worse and more then she needed to know.
She doesn't belong in this world and she's not sure how to get out or to get her Gage back or if he's even still there....
For the last book of series was explosive still possibilities of add on or even a spin off. Gage and Regan marry and there pretty happy for a few weeks then Gage becomes shady and Regan gets suspicious and thinks he's seeing someone else but discovered its much worse and more then she needed to know.
She doesn't belong in this world and she's not sure how to get out or to get her Gage back or if he's even still there....
July 22, 2015
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February 8, 2016
intensely hot
Really enjoy this series and thought book three was amazing,,
Love gage and Rae and they live for the action and the living on the edge.
Will they choose each other over the crazy lifestyle..
Will they go back to boxing becaus I Wally hope so.
Definitely worth reading and recommend
Really enjoy this series and thought book three was amazing,,
Love gage and Rae and they live for the action and the living on the edge.
Will they choose each other over the crazy lifestyle..
Will they go back to boxing becaus I Wally hope so.
Definitely worth reading and recommend
June 1, 2016
Love it best book I read in a very long time filled with non stop action . Gage loved regan good and bad she is fighters on and off the ropes
Love it best book I read in a very long time filled with non stop action . Gage loved regan good and bad she is fighters on and off the ropes
Love it best book I read in a very long time filled with non stop action . Gage loved regan good and bad she is fighters on and off the ropes
August 19, 2016
The entire series of three books was rampant with misuse of word tense, use of the wrong spelling of words (they're/their/there), etc. But I loved the "good guys" and hated the "bad guys." I found myself lost in the storyline, so much I could not put the books down even though it had a tendency to drag at times. Author has become one of my new favorites. Just needs better proofing. Lee Lillis
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