My Rating:
4.5
Favorite Quotes:
A Little Less Broken
“You send one measly bimbo to the E.R. and you never live it down, jeesh.”
“I love you Lil’s. I know you know it, but I need to say it to you. I need you to hear it, to feel it, and see me saying it to you.”
A Little Less Lost
“This was a fresh start, a new beginning. I was cleansing my soul. I had allowed myself a minute to wallow in this, feeling fragile and vulnerable, but no more. It kind of feels like a rebirth, a salvaging from the ruin.”
“Life had gone by, with Jay and me losing our way and finding each other again, but this place was a constant, a reference point for us and part of our story.”
“Baby… this is where I told you for the first time that I loved you. I loved you for a long time before that and every moment since. I love you more than I care for myself, my life, and I would gladly give them both if I had to, to make you happy and keep you safe.”
“I was destined to love you and only you and I will love you every moment until there are none left.”
A Little Less Hopeless
”He may be the one to have just woken up, but his eyes are wide and alert while I had no doubt mine were in fact dreamy.”
“Glad to know I can realistically pass for a hooker if need be.”
“He asked me a long time ago, in the beginning, if I was his girl. Truth be told, I was always his girl. And I always will be.”
“This man, this family that I expected nothing from, surprised me by giving me the one thing I deeply needed. The one thing I convinced myself a long time ago that I could live without. Belonging. I belong here.”
Bittersweet Deception
“He has this way of making me feel like a caged bird about to be pounced on by a hungry cat. His darkening eyes look starved for me, I feel it.”
“Part of me wants to run out that door and get the hell outta dodge. The other part won’t leave him… can’t. As scared as I am of what’s set to happen next between us, I know I’m more scared, terrified even of what would happen if it didn’t. I’ve had a taste of him, a harmless little bit that sucked me in and took over. Now I need it to live, to breathe, to function.”
“If I put my tag on you, I take on all responsibility for you. You’re mine. I will lay down my life to protect you and make it my life’s mission to earn the right to have those letters on your back…”
“Sugar, I will always find you. You’re part of me now.”
My Review:
Tara Oakes was only my second foray into the MC genre and much like my initial experience from reading a Chelle Bliss novel, I am proud as punch and pleasantly surprised to have enjoyed this series so much. Until recently, I had never read or even would have expected to pick up a book of this genre. I really should have known better, but didn’t think I would be interested or was qualified for some reason, since I have never watched Sons of Anarchy, am a well-educated, professional, pasty-skinned Anglo-Saxon woman, living in Hawaii, in her 50s, with no tattoos or leather clothing. I don’t even have a denim jacket. My only real-life experience with this sub-culture has been occasionally seeing MC riders in tight groupings on the freeway, from the safety of my personal car.
I adored this series by Tara Oakes like a new and delightful toy, and I didn’t want to put it down. Most of them could be read in a day. Her stories were all involving, entertaining, and an easy read, yet something totally outside my own experience, and entailed learning a bit of new vocabulary. I saw elements of several blended genres, including new adult, family drama, women’s fiction, and erotic romantic, and suspense. I loved seeing bad-ass bikers described as romantics, fathers, lovers, brothers, extended family, and caring and tender souls. And the sensual scenes had me gasping, in a good way. I typically avoid reading series, but I found myself paying attention to when the next installment was coming out.
Each book gives us more of Tara Oakes’ smokin’ hot, stubborn, Neanderthal, alpha biker men. Toss in additional family drama, sizzling sensuality, and sweet and steamy love scenes… heaven. But bonus - we also get to see their sweet and tender loving, small-child friendly, and nurturing sides… I do like some sweet and tender along with the sizzle, it humanizes and balances out their gruffness. Ms. Oakes’ stories are always well-written, absorbing, steamy, and full of secrets, hidden agendas, and tantalizing details.