Knuckles Growing up in the club should have been fun, It should have made me proud, But it didn’t; instead, I was ashamed. My father never wanted kids; he never wanted a woman, But my mother wanted his patch and did everything to try and gain it, Even trapping him with me. I grew up knowing I was forced on him, And not by him, no, by the woman who birthed me, She made sure I knew I failed. I swore I’d never have a woman in my life, I didn’t trust them, I didn’t want the pain of what they bring, But then she stormed into my life, challenging everything and making me want to change. I didn’t want to want her, She’s a cop, and I’m a biker, Her dad is the chief and doesn’t agree with our club despite the town's backing. Our worlds don’t match, and I’m messed up, I don’t feel worthy of the club, so how can I feel worthy of her? Yet the thought of losing her sickens me. So how do I claim the chief's daughter without bringing hell down on my club? How do I claim her and finally prove to myself I deserve someone good? The answer – I fight….
Kodi Art was always my life, something I was content with, It brought me the deepest happiness… My mom was always my biggest supporter, She encouraged me to always follow my dreams, And I looked up to her, I aspired to be like her, But then everything changed. My perception shattered; I discovered her deceit. She got herself in some trouble, and I was the one who suffered for the decisions she made. I was forced into a job role I didn’t want, forced to leave my art behind, I was micromanaged, and I felt trapped. Everything inside me wanted to escape, And he became it, He became the reason why I breathed, But he’s from a world my dad rejects. Dad has always hated how much love the MC has gotten, He’s hated how the town would go to them instead of him. He would never agree with me being with a biker, He would tear their club down. But can I really stand back and allow my happiness to be torn from me again? Can I really put the MC at risk for my own selfishness? The answer – I can’t….
This can be read as a standalone. It is book 3 of 7 of the Carnage MC Series, with a HEA. Due to mature content and themes, this book is recommended for readers aged 18+; this novel may contain triggers.
Knuckles was never close to his father, he was a set piece in his MC and told he would rise in the ranks and be a member. He did all that, but Knuckles can admit he still doesn't feel like he wants to be part of the MC. His younger MC brothers he trusts but only to a certain extent. Then he meets Kodi, a cop full of sass and a has more in common with him than he cares to admit.
Kodi has always wanted to be an artist and loved her family, until one moment changed everything and she finds herself being controlled in a stifling cage because of her dad. She wants out, she wants to leave and spread her wings. She meets Knuckles and a part of her connects instantly. They are becoming everything to one another but they both have complications in their lives. Can they trust one another to be by their side through the good times and the bad, despite the problems they are facing?
Really enjoyed this one. Liked Knuckles a lot and his back story was harsh. Kodi was interesting, unique character who is paying for someone else's mistakes. Can't wait for more...
I really want to like this new series … I just … don’t. 🫠 It’s repetitive and I don’t really feel anything for most of the characters. I don’t really understand the connection they both feel when they meet at the fight. They look at each other and just be like “you’re mine”. But they’ve met before, they went to school together and she’s best friends with his MCs princess…. Why are they acting like it’s the first time they see each other? And then they just go in to a room and have sex, both virgins I might add, that was weird.
The main characters story was sad and they have their HEA at the end of course.
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The one I actually like and want to have a HEA is Belle, but from the looks of things that might not happens and her love interests book is a few books away and we don’t even know who the love interest is supposed to be since Belles boyfriend says he doesn’t even love her. And here I go again ranting about a character that’s not main in the book. 😂 but for the record I think Belle is acting shady because something happens to her, she has her reasons and I hope they all will feel like idiots when it all becomes clear. 😈 (and if that’s not the case then fuck them anyway)
Neither Kodi or Knuckles had the greatest childhood. Knuckles (Liam) has had it the roughest with what his Mother, Dad, and the club have done to him. He doesn't feel like he is capable of love. That all changes when he meets Kodi.
They both struggle but come out the other side in love. But they must go through emotions, kidnapping, abused, and other stuff during their journey. Buckle up because it's quite,a ride.
Of the leading men I’ve read in this series so far, Knuckles is my favorite. I just want to give him hugs and tell him everything is going to be okay, and then crush anybody who ever hurt him. Yeah, I know. But he was written convincingly well! Especially when he was working through his mixed feelings about his abusive mom. That was high-quality stuff right there. And truly heartrending. I gave the book an extra star for that. His club brothers, however, were idiots. Well-meaning, but idiots. At least the younger generation. I can’t believe that Knuckles didn’t raise absolute h-e-double-hockey-sticks when Trick kept ensuring that Kodi couldn’t get a job out of town. Unfortunately, Knuckles was so deep in his head (dealing with past abuse, mixed feelings, a death, and the previous generation of club members who all f#c&ed his mom in front of him, so I don’t blame him for being a little distracted) that he didn’t just tell the club to fluff off and unalive screaming. The club who had neglected him for years suddenly decides they are heartbroken at the thought of the couple leaving, so they act the fools and suddenly everybody’s singing Kumbaya? The fluff? Kodi is sweet but not sickeningly so, and I liked her. She was forced to become a police officer by her police chief father who had a controlling personality to the point of abuse (not physical until late in the book), including financial. She had been a promising young artist when he took all of her money and forced her to go to the academy because her mother was murdered and he was terrified. He tried to set her up with her shift partner, a disgusting rhymes-with-Masshole who also sexually harassed her. Father of the Year promises his little princess to the rotten creature. Bad shenanigans go down, some of it really possibly hard to read about, so here it’s under the screen: . And her father was partially responsible for the attack. So she invites him to her wedding. The fluff? The actual motherfluffing fluff? (Removes half a star for a WITAF ending) Apparently the chief feels kinda sorry and the whole thing was a wake up call so he insists Kodi marry Knuckles (whom he dislikes with the heat of a hundred summers). 🎶KUMBAYA, MY LORD, KUMBAYA!
…oh, and Knuckles tampers with her birth control in the epilogue, because @hole. Taking off another half a star.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Loved book. 2 main characters too forgiving, too easily.
I had a very rough childhood. I was verbally, emotionally, physically and sexually abused at home and bullied at school and not just by students The teachers And my principal And The student guidance counselor All tormented me They told me I was worthless like the rest of my family Embarrassment to their school. I was diagnosed with the nerve disease And I was pulled out of gym by my doctors The guidance counselor and the principal decided that they would make me take Jim with the special Ed kids Just to abuse me more. They knew damn well the other students would torture me more about that They started calling me 1 of jerry's kids like the old telethon. Some of them would purposely trip me in the halls Knowing full well I would get hurt and thought it was funny. The principal did nothing about this and if I fought back I was the 1 who would get in trouble detention suspension threats and expulsion. This is why I think they were forgiven too easily. If this had been a true story the tormented are usually a great target and are hit with real frm multiple directions. No safe haven. No one to help or even give any support or comfort. I totally understand Knuckles confusion regarding his feelings towards his mom. I felt like that about my father. I came to the conclusion that I hated him BECAUSE I loved him and he didn't deserve it. I also decided that you should "honor thy mother and father" IF they are honorable but if not you don't owe them squat! You can choose to be the bigger person if you want. I'm the first to admit I hold grudges. I still took care of my parents when they got sick and when they passed away but I would never pretend that forgiveness was even possible. My pain, my tears and even my actual blood most of the time along with self respect and the mere ability to love myself were stripped from me daily for years and that is not something that "I'm sorry" can fix no matter how sorry or sincere a person may be there are some things you just can't come back from. The pain is too great. I would have thrown it in their face. As far as I'm concerned Forgiveness just gives them free reign to do it again. Once bitten twice shy.
I enjoyed this, as I usually do with this author's books, but I just couldn't quite give it 5 stars.
I liked both characters well enough, but I couldn't deal with the constant pity party from either of them. Also, while they were definitely going at it like minks, their intimate encounters completely lacked any sense of true emotional connection.
I know this is fiction and I try not to compare it to reality, but the whole situation with Kodi, her mom, and her dad felt a little too far-fetched, even when suspending reality.
I’ve also noticed that even though the characters in her books go through serious trauma, I rarely, if ever, cry. Don't get me wrong, I devour everything she writes, have read her entire collection, and am always waiting with bated breath for her next release. But I usually have a hard time connecting with her characters' trauma, and it was especially noticeable here. I just couldn't feel their pain.
And for the record, it's not because I'm unfeeling! I've read books by other authors that have made me ugly-cry until I was a snotty mess (sorry for the TMI). So I can feel; I just struggle to connect with this author's brand of trauma, and it stood out even more in this book. Like I said, I liked them well enough, but something was definitely missing.
Nonetheless, I'm looking forward to Crusher and Alexiana. Though I'm pretty sure my most significant emotion will just be pissed off. We'll see!
Omg I freaking loved this story about Knuckles and Kodi . Both these two have been through so much. Kodi trying to get away from her micromanaging father. Knuckles trying to forgive the club brothers who did him wrong. Both afraid to let go of the past, can they move forward? There was so much action, drama, disrespect from brothers, his mother never wanting to change. His father trying to be in his life now is it too late or can Knuckles learn to forgive? Kodi was such a baddie tough she took so much from men that didn’t deserve it. But holy cow so much info and twists, I don’t think I like Belle I hope I didn’t get confused the one who hurt Someone in the hospital. And did you see so many surprises gah I need the next one .
I'm so in love with these books! My only wish? Someone please check the typos? Think this one had the most. Let's get into it. I loved that she took charge! Though, really, all these women are pretty tough. I love that these men are all big & bad, until it comes to their woman. Loved that they both were kinda loners, but were able to overcome all their hang ups. Book 1 will continue to be my favorite, but that's just how it works for me. Still on the fence about Belle. Not sure if I'll be rooting for her or if I'll be rooting for someone better. Either way, I recommend this book. If you liked the first two, you'll like this one. Just watch out for the typos & triggers. On to the next!
This was a really fantastic MC story! The main character was the son of a patch bunny of the MC club. The brother who got her pregnant refused to claim her so she didn't get the patch she wanted! As a result, she routinely abused her son for years. In addition, both his father and the club treated him like he was invisible or a scumbag to be tolerated. He hates the club but can't leave because his father threatened to take away the gym he owned if he leaves. He is angry all the time until he meets the love of his life! The story takes off from there with many twists and turns. The story holds your interest until the very end! Don't miss this really good book!
I mean, I've honestly read every book by this author at least twice except for the Carnage series, even the non MC books. There's always so much going on in the best of ways, so even during a reread I can be shocked with details I forgot. This book is no exception. It keeps your attention from page one and I always read the new releases within 24 hours of starting them lol. The only downside is I can't find other MC books to read in between because these are just too good and no others stack up for me anymore haha.
Soon as the book released i had start reading it. C.L. McGinlay done it again. Just love her books 🖤 think so far knuckles and Kodi have to be my favourite couple. Both overcoming their trauma past, with Kodi having an over protective dad and knuckles deciding if the club is for him anymore had me hooked straight away. This gave me alpha hero, emotional romance, gritty club life and enough suspense to keep the pages turning. Loved it. Can’t wait for the next one. P.s think I’m pretty spot on with Belle not liking her one bit!
I love anything c l mcginlay writes, and this is just the next great instalment in The Carnage MC series. Book 3 follows Knuckles and Kodi find their happy together. I loved their story and their chemistry. I love that there is no third act break up but there is a lot of drama along the way. Great story and great lead into book 4 which releases next month, can’t wait!
It’s not a Charlotte McGinlay book with out the Mmc saying or doing something stupid towards the Fmc . Knuckles…. What can I say. Love him. Kodi… loved how she wanted to protect her man.
I hope Crash’s book is next cause I want to know what the heck is going on with Bella. I’m nosey.
Think we should get a 2 for 1 deal .( another early release , like now)
I am so obsessed with every book and this one is no different. As always I love the emotional growth and journey your characters take. Knuckles and Kodi have a real innocence to them that I haven’t met in any of your past characters and I loved it. Now I wait patiently while I re read all the series till you bring out the next one :)
Enemies to lovers to friends with benefits kind of trope. They both fall for each other but denied themselves until she gets kidnapped. It is a good and entertaining story between the banter, the drama, the trauma and the sass from the FMC. I really enjoyed reading this one even though it reminded me a lot of Tatt’s story.
What an emotional story. You can’t help but feel for Knuckles and Kodi. They both had so much to overcome, but together they could. It wasn’t a hard read just emotional one. I could have cried for knuckles. I loved every minute of this story even the hard parts. Definitely a must read, but to get the full story start with book one!
Excellent story with plenty action, evenly paced, drama, violence, sorrow, tears, pain, kidnapping, abusive/neglected by parents, push & pull, both MMC & FMC are virgins, distrust, miscarriage, and more. No cheating or angst. Absolutely loved the main characters . It was a pleasure being able to listen or read. Perfect!
I have read Almost all of this author's book And while they feel kind of repetitive there's always just enough in them to make them different and interesting and I love every single 1. This 1 is getting 4 stars only because it probably could have ended 30 pages sooner I kind of felt like the end just drug out a little. Not enough to keep me from reading the next 1
Again, another one I can not put down! I own all these series’s and I love them all. I can’t put most of them down.. This one reminds me of Tats, that one is my favorite out of them all! Now this is my Second favorite
I'm a fan 🧡🧡🧡. Love all Charlotte McGinlay books 📚. I've read all series ❤️. I wish they came out faster lol. And why couldn't they adopt??? They rescue orphans in foster care. This was the perfect book for them to adopt one of the children.
I absolutely loved this book. I fell in love with the characters and couldn’t put the book down. Just wow 5***** I would absolutely recommend this book and series to anyone xx
Love this story and the path of both Knuckles & Kodi. The series is a great read and can't wait for Crusher, but this story so far would have to be my fav
I enjoyed it! Sure, some parts of the storyline feel a little repetitive, but this author's stories are my guilty pleasure. Knuckles and Kodi are perfect for each other.
I really felt for Knuckles and Fireball - they both had so much pain and so much to overcome but each were willing to put the work in.
I love the direction of this series. CLM’s last series was quite hard hitting and had some rough topics to read about…this one feels gentler, not that there isn’t drama (there is that in spades)…it’s just the topics aren’t as dark and the characters don’t mess up as deep. I feel like the FMC have more depth and it’s not just the MC that grow and develop!
This is a really lovely couple, Knuckles has been hurt his whole life and doesn’t like touch or feel aroused….and fireball just doesn’t trust anyone. They grow and develop and become such a cute couple!!!