One Step Too Close: Coffin Nails MC Louisiana

Sex & Mayhem #6

by K.A. Merikan

--- One love. One motorcycle club. Two stepbrothers. ---

Ryder. Controlling. Ambitious. Protective.
Jed. Self-destructive. Trapped. Lonely.
Their love? Forbidden. Taboo. All-consuming.

For Jed, the Coffin Nails Motorcycle Club is family. With them, he learned how to think, what to enjoy, and how to fight, but there is one thing he knows his friends can’t find out about. They would never accept him as gay, and so his life is a constant struggle with desires that fill him with despair. Only there is a much darker secret lurking in Jed’s heart. His feelings for his stepbrother, Ryder, go far beyond brotherly. Trapped with a yearning that can never be fulfilled, Jed spirals out of control and unwillingly puts the love of his life in danger.

Ryder is climbing up the ranks. Recently promoted to sergeant-at-arms, he has it all: drive, respect, and the love of his biker family. When his stepbrother gets into trouble with the law, Ryder decides to take the blame and save him from a long sentence. Deep inside, he knows there is nothing he wouldn’t do for Jed, but through a desperate attempt to suppress his own hidden desires, he might irreversibly break the man he secretly loves.

But finding out what they feel for each other will test their loyalty to the Coffin Nails MC and change their lives forever.


POSSIBLE SPOILERS:

Themes: Outlaw motorcycle club, criminal activity, forbidden love, stepbrothers, blackmail, homophobia

Genre: M/M dark romance, suspense, drama

Length: 135,000 words STANDALONE novel

WARNING: Adult content that might be considered taboo. Explicit sexual content, strong language, violence. Reader discretion advised.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, Dark, Gay, Friends To Lovers, Crime

272 pages, ebook

First published November 18, 2015

About the author

(Goodreads profile run by Kat)

K. A. Merikan is a duo of queer writers who don’t believe in following the well-trodden path. In their books you can dip your toe into dangerous romance with mafiosi, outlaw bikers and bad boys, all from the safety of your sofa. They love the weird and wonderful, stepping out of the box, and bending stereotypes both in life and in fiction. Their stories don’t shy away from exploring the darker side of M/M romance, and feature a variety of anti-heroes, rebels, misfits, and underdogs who go against the grain.
Be prepared for shocking twists, dark humor, raw emotions, and sizzling hot scenes.

K.A. Merikan also writes steamy M/M romcoms as Devon Doe.

e-mail: kamerikan@gmail.com

More information about ongoing projects, works in progress and publishing at:
K.A. Merikan’s author page: http://kamerikan.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamerikan

Reviews

[~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~]

DNF @ 20%

No rating.

~~ IT'S NOT YOU; IT'S ME. ~~

I hated every minute I spent reading this book: booze, filthy bathrooms, pregnant girlfriends, blackmailing fake girlfriends, one of the MCs with another man on page ... all that and typos too.

*runs away screaming*

And the violence hadn't even started yet.

I can't go on. Please don't make me!

These men read like ignorant, misogynistic white trash. And there's nothing sexy about that.

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** 4.5 Stars ***





I had high hopes for this and it didn't disappoint.
Dom and Seth from Guns N Boys are still my all time favourite couple but Jed and Ryder are a close second.
They were introduced in the last Guns N Boys book and I couldn't wait to get their story.These Authors create some amazing characters.

They are both members of The Coffin Nails MC,with Ryder being higher up the ranks.
They are stepbrothersnot blood related but brought up together.Ryder is definitely the more responsible one.








Ryder is secretly Bi.He has a girlfriend but is also curious about men.He is totally dedicated to the club,his only weekness being Jed and he will do anything to protect him,even taking the fall for something Jed does.




Jed is impulsive and just a bit irresponsible.He has lusted after Ryder for years and is feeling increasingly tormented by his feelings,dealing with them through drink and drugs.
He finds himself being blackmailed by Dana,who is a spy.
He is forced to present her as his girlfriend and she is desperate to get information about one of the club's deals.

This book is intense and the Authors certainly don't hold back.Jed and Ryder both know when the other club members find out about Jeds sexuality and their relationship things won't be pretty.The men in the club and their father are extremely homophobic.While their reaction was hard to read I have to commend the Authors for not taking the easy route and having the club members accept their sexuality.It made the story so much more real.

Up until about 90% I really couldn't see a happy outcome for Jed and Ryder.In the end,though,the conclusion of their story was perfect.
Even though this is Book 6 in the series this can definitely be read as a standalone.
Highly recommended......

[moonlight ☾ [semi-hiatus] · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars ☆

“I'm gonna die because of you one day, you know that?”
Jed nuzzled Ryder's nose, and Ryder couldn't help but melt a little on the inside over the gesture. “You won't. I'll keep you safe.”

FINALLY. ever since i first read Rock by Anyta Sunday, i've been waiting and waiting to come across another stepbrother romance that'll hit me with the same feels and, honestly, this was the closest so far. i would say it's even quite equal, when it came to how i felt about both couples; however, i just gave this book 4.5 bc of some plot arcs but, if we're talking about the mcs and their relationship alone, i wanna give it all the stars possible. 🥹🥹

[Imme [trying to crawl out of hiatus] van Gorp · Rating 3 out of 5]

|| 3.0 stars ||

This is a stepbrother romance, but it wasn’t very heavy on the taboo vibes. It almost felt a little more similar to the childhood best friend trope, because of the “you have always been the most important thing in the world to me, and you always will be” mindset, but without them really treating each other as ‘brothers’ all the time.
Their dynamic was just really swoon-worthy. I loved how Jed worshipped Ryder, and I adored how protective Ryder was of Jed’s well-being and happiness.

I have to say that I personally did prefer the first half of the book. I liked it much more before Ryder and Jed admitted their feelings to each other and before they acted upon their lust. The angst, pining, and unresolved sexual tension they had at first was just so awesome!
However, after they sort of got together, I wasn’t as big of a fan anymore. The smut just became too much for me personally, and I felt like I was sometimes missing something between them.

I was actually pleasantly surprised with the plotline of this one. I was plenty invested in seeing certain things unravel or play out; I actually have to say that I was so into it that I even ended up feeling a little disappointed with some of the pay-offs. I was especially hoping that all the homophobic members of their motorcycle club would end up with a lot worse than what they got. I kind of wanted Jed and Ryder to leave the club and never look back, while the club completely crumbled without them. I was genuinely hoping for that, so I was quite disappointed with what we got on that front. These immature arseholes got off way too easy.


'SEX & MAYHEM' UNIVERSE:

Hounds of Valhalla MC:
1. Road of No Return - 3.5 stars

Coffin Nails MC:
2. The Devil's Ride - 4.0 stars
8. His Favorite Color Is Blood - 1.5 stars
9. Heart Ripper - 1.5 stars
13. Guardian Angel in Leather - 2.5 stars

Coffin Nails MC Louisiana:
6. One Step Too Close - 3.0 stars

Smoke Valley MC:
10. Outlaw Girls - 3.5 stars
12. Gutter Mind - 3.0 stars


Other K.A. Merikan books:
Mr. Jaguar - 3.0 stars
Not Like Other Boys - 4.5 stars
‘Guns n’ Boys’ series - var. ratings
The Cattery - 3.5 stars
Break My Shell - 3.5 stars
The Black Sheep and The Rotten Apple - 3.5 stars
‘Kings of Hell MC’ series - var. ratings
Wrong Way Home - 4.0 star
‘Wrong Side of the Tracks’ series - var. ratings

[K.A. Merikan]

Chapter 1 and 2 available here! :))



PREORDER!






A bit more about the book: http://sinfullysexybooks.blogspot.co....

[Oscar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ending killed me!!

[Jewel · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Getting to One Step Too Close is the much of the reason I read this series. I've liked the series, but it isn't Guns 'n Boys. Dom and Seth are just my favorites. That said, though, I loved One Step Too Close. It is my favorite book, so far, in the Sex & Mayhem series. And like the other books by these very fine authors, One Step Too Close doesn't pull punches and it has more than its fair share of violence, so if you're not a fan of graphic and gritty, you may not like this series, or this book. If you like your stories dark and vivid, though, read on!

And wow, things are so fucked up in this book! The club is in financial straights and they can't seem to get it together. Truly, if ever there was a motorcycle club that should adopt the slogan "be cool, stay in school", it's the Louisiana chapter of the Coffin Nails MC. Most of these guys couldn't find their asses with both hands and an ass map. And, all they're interested in is the next party.

We first meet Jed and Ryder in Guns n' Boys: Swamp Blood when Dom and Seth decide to try to lay low in Louisiana for a while. Jed was the unfortunate closeted gay biker that got a little too pushy with an underage male prostitute. And even though there was no follow through, there (and thank FSM for that), the whole event is on video and Dana is using that video as blackmail to get Jed to betray his brothers and get her information. Oh, how I hate Dana. I have vivid fantasies of violent deaths for her. But I digress. Sort of.

I felt so bad for Jed and his predicament. He's not the smartest guy around, but he does actually have a good heart. Well, at least when he isn't getting too wasted and doing stupid things. But those things are just to cover how miserable he is. Between having to, not just deal with Dana, but also live with the manipulative snake, he's coming apart at the seams. Jed is normally impulsive and hot tempered, but add that to the situation with Dana and the fact that he is so very in love with his step brother, Ryder, it brings him to a level of frustration he simply doesn't know how to handle. He doesn't think, for a second, that Ryder - or anyone else - would accept him if he was found out. And Dana counts on that to keep getting Jed's cooperation.

Ryder, though, isn't as straight as everyone assumes. He's bisexual, but has always denied his attraction to men, in general, and Jed, in particular. Ryder has always felt protective of Jed and he feels that it falls to him to keep Jed out of trouble. So when an impulsive action would have landed him in jail, Ryder takes the blame and does the time. And it isn't the last time that it falls to Ryder to save Jed from himself. And almost losing Jed pushes Ryder over the line to act on his own feelings toward Jed. Hot hot hot!

Jed and Ryder, when they have the opportunities to explore each other are Kindle meltingly hot. And so, so sweet. Jed has such an innocence about him that calls to Ryder and Ryder is able to give Jed the confidence he needs to face his own fears.

One Step Too Close is sure to fill your quota of both Sex and Mayhem and both Jed and Ryder are bound to win you over. And even if you haven't read the rest of this series, you'll be fine reading this one. And if you have not read the Guns n' Boys series, you won't have the background on Dana, but you will still get a very clear picture of what a cold, heartless bitch she is. One Step Too Close works just fine as a stand alone.

ARC received from authors in exchange for an honest review.

[Dia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 solid stars

There's no secret I adore K.A. Merikan's writing style. I adore each and every book written by this amazing duo.

I've read this book a few months ago, but I wasn't in the mood of writing its review and I kind of promised myself not to write "review soon" too many times from now on. I inevitable forget to write a proper review later.

Anyway, I remember I've read this one right after finishing Guns n' Boys: Swamp Blood. I was SO curious about these bikers, so much sexual tension, so protective and so desperate to keep the appearances. They reminded of Dom and Seth's beginnings.

I have to admit it was AMAZING getting back to Coffin Nails MC series, as I've already read some of the MM stories in this series. On the other hand, while reading One Step Too Close: Coffin Nails MC Louisiana I kind of missed Dom and Seth's EPIC LOVE and attraction! *sigh*

I loved this story and I kept turning the pages real fast, BUT I'm sorry I can't give it 5 full stars.
It's always heartbreaking to see how the MC have to hide their attraction and feelings, even from their family and close ones.
It always pains me they can't seem to find a way to come out to their club and make their relationship work, despite the cruel world they live.

[Denise H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

***** We get some super sexy M/M sex in this one, and plenty of it !!! ***** Ryder...

Jed...

Jed and Ryder are stepbrothers, grew up together and belong to the Coffin Nails Motorcycle Club. Ryder and Jed have always been close, but no one knows Jed is gay, and hot for his stepbrother. As with the club atmosphere, homophobia runs rampant, and being "out" isn't an option.

Beautiful, long haired blonde Jed is out of control in life and confused, afraid, and insecure.
Sexy, muscled Ryder is VP and moving up. This tale is sexy, raw, dirty, and violent, with blackmail, gay slurs, and conflicts in the club.

Just like the title: Sex and Mayhem ! As we see, the guys come to terms with their feelings, vivid first time M/M sex, finding their resolve to define their deep emotions and needs. We have lot of story here, many things going on in the club upheaval, deals, failures, problems, and concerns for the future.
The epilogue is amazing and defining.
Highly recommend ! ENJOY !!

====================

[Rosabel]

With this book I started an endless party of DNF, this one was just boring. 🥲🥲

The blurb of this book screamed: hawwwt stuff! So I was really excited when I started, besides is K.A. Merikan, they know how to write about bikers. It started well I guess, I didn't really like any of the characters (Jed's actions seemed childish and Ryder was just... Patronizing? Yep, that) but I gave it time, I thought to myself: this is Merikan they will get me there. Didn't happen. 😬🥲

It was just an endless lopp of unnecessary drama, both main guys not facing their feelings, making so many bad choices I almost lost my eyes from rolling them and it kept going and going and then Ryder told Jed that being gay was a phase and I just lost it! Still, I hadn't read a sex scene so I waited patiently... For nothing. 🙃🙃 The worst sex scene I have ever read in ma life!!!! The guy spent 6 pages worrying about the fact that a dick was gonna get up his ass and they talked a lot! Not dirty talk, or something according to the moment but things like: “Do you think it’s possible to be bad at it?”(sex)... Which is a valid question but if you're asking that when clothes are no longer in play, you're doing something wrong in ma book.

So I stopped at 46%, no rating because I didn't get to the half of it and I don't know if I'm in a mood or whut, so there. DOÑA RANTS IS BACK WITH A VENGEANCE. 🔥🔥🔥💜

[Martin]

I'm sorry to say that I'm putting this one aside for now.

I love KA Merikan's writing and the way their characters are more than just a bit shady, but so far, Ryder and Jed appear to be extremely negative characters. I'm even beginning to wonder if I care about seeing them in a romantic context.

In any case, I'll let this rest for now.

[Ele · Rating 5 out of 5]

~4.5 stars rounded up because of the amazing ending~

"If Jed believed in God, he’d consider Ryder the most tempting mortal sin, just waiting to be committed.
..............................................................
Being gay was one thing. Lusting after your brother— even if not related by blood— quite another."

One Motorcycle Club on the brink of disaster. Two stepbrothers in love with each other. Blackmail, action, blood, passionate men fighting and making love, it's ALL here.

The Devil's Ride is still my favorite book in the Sex & Mayhem series. But this one came really, really close!

Jed

"His professions of love couldn’t even begin to cover just how much his whole being belonged to Ryder."

Jed is a mess. He's self destructive, impulsive, an easy target for others to take advantage. And so very lonely. And in love with his stepbrother, Ryder. The club is his family and the place he belongs to. But it also suffocates him. It was heartbreaking, watching him struggle with his sexuality, trying to supress his feelings, believing there's something wrong with him. And later, his burning desire to come out, to tell his brothers and the world who he is...oh, man, I desperately wanted to give him the biggest hug.



Ryder

"...he didn’t hide from it anymore. When he closed his eyes, he would still see Jed. Always Jed. Only Jed."

Ryder has it all together. He 's promoted to sergeant-at-arms and tries desperately to get the Coffin Nails MC Louisiana, back in the game. There's only one thing he loves more than the club, and that is his stepbrother, Jed. I loved how protective and possessive he was with Jed and there was nothing he wouldn't for him. He has managed to hide his attraction to men, until now.

Ryder and Jed were raised together like real brothers. And growing up, this bond never went away. Their feelings for each other became a strange mixture of brotherhood, love and lust. High five to the authors, because they managed to depict this amazingly.

But this is not something they can admit to each other and certainly, it's not something they can act on. Until a rainy evening, when push comes to shove and the fear of loss sets things in motion. Ryder and Jed are beautiful together and their chemistry is off the charts.

“I’m gonna die because of you one day, you know that?”
“You won’t. I’ll keep you safe.” [...]
“I’d die for you anyway.”

Throughout the whole story, I kept asking myself how the hell this was going to work out. Jed is gay and doesn't want to hide. Ryder loves the club and doesn't want to leave it. The others would never accept their relationship. In the end, I was amazed. This was the most fitting HEA for Jed and Ryder. It just clicked and it was so very real.

Great addition to the series and one of my favorite books of the authors'. Highly recommended!

This book can be read as a standalone

*Also posted on Gay Book Reviews. ARC kindly provided by the authors in exchange for an honest review*

[Sybil aka Lala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jed and Ryder are stepbrothers. They’ve been raised together since a young age and were tributes together at their father’s MC, The Coffin Nails. Now as adults, Ryder is very ambitious and as his rank in the MC rises, Jed seems to be slipping further and further into a pit of self-destruction as he deals not only with the homosexual feelings he’s had all his life but also with his fake girlfriend, Dana, who is blackmailing him for information. He has so many secrets to deal with, that something needs to give.



I absolutely loved the dynamic between Jed and Ryder. Ryder is the older, more mature brother who keeps his head on straight and fights for the success of his MC. He is also fiercely loyal to and protective of Jed. Jed is immature, rebellious and lost. My heart absolutely bled for him. I found it interesting that Ryder would be the one to be the most confident in the relationship as he’s only recently opened up to his bisexual nature. The two together were just adorable when they weren’t being insanely hot together.



They had my feelings all over the place. Through all the angst only forbidden attraction can bring, there were also moments of such tenderness that had me just wanting to hug them before laughing at them as they battled through their ignorance and explored these new feelings. Told through dual POV the initial attraction, sexual tension and sexy times were on fire!




This book takes its sweet time as the authors explore the many feelings and situations flying around in this story. From the first feelings of hopeless jealousy to the total surrender to their sexual attraction and then the fear of being caught, I gobbled up every last word. Through the midst of these two people finding each other and falling in love there are also many twists in this cat’s tail with nothing working out the way you’d expect.



You won’t find fluffy words and convenient happenstances here. It’s hard and gritty and sexy and it doesn’t shy away from bad people being violent. You will, however, love every second. I definitely recommend this book.

(ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review)

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jed opened his lips, inviting Ryder for a long wet kiss that would seal their fate forever. There was no going back. It would be just Jed and him.

This book was a rollercoaster ride. So many ups and downs. Geez. I think if the book would have been more focused on the MCs and their relationship, it would have been a 5 star read for me.

“This is fucking surreal.” “You’ve been my wet dream for so long…”

The major thing that stands out to me now that I have finished is that I love Jed and Ryder together. They are amazing together. So so sweet at times and then also scorching hot.💖🥵🥵

As wrong as it was, there was no turning back now that he’d had Jed’s mouth on his dick. He’d never desert him now, no matter how messed up that would be in other people’s eyes.

I felt so bad for Jed so many times in this book. Once Ryder got his head out of his ass, he was a great support for Jed and I loved that.

Jed moaned, rocking against Ryder and sliding his hands into his hair, just like he’d always wanted to. Any chill in his body was gone, replaced by a heat that was slowly making Jed sweaty. He’d never felt more alive. As if his life were only starting now. The touch of Ryder’s powerful hands made his toes curl.

I loved the bathhouse scenes. The club members were mostly obnoxious. I wanted to punch Dana in the throat and Jess acted like an idiot.

[Trio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy K.A. Merikan's novels, the depth of their characters and the complexity of the arc in their stories is definitely a treat. One Step Too Close delves deeply into both Jed and Ryder's actions, motivations, and reactions, and follows them through quite a journey!

While the Merikan's stories are never predictable, I literally had no idea how not only Jed and Ryder, but the whole MC, were going to get through this one. Edge of my seat, fantastic!

Wyatt Baker delivers a spectacular performance in the audio version of One Step Too Close. He always comes up with the best voices for his characters, and he's outdone himself here. He's perfected the perfect youthful hooligan scallywag for Jed, and the rough, emotional tones he brings out of Ryder adds so much to his personality. Mr. Baker also paces this one wonderfully well. The intensity builds, reaches a crescendo, builds some more, until I couldn't tell which end was up... and it was amazing! A tremendous episode of this series.

an audiobook copy of One Step Too Close was provided to me for the purpose of my honest review, all opinions are my own

[*P*u*r*p*l*e* Masochist · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This review is posted on Way Too Hot Books.

Ueber-hot bikers with bodies covered in muscles and tattoos and piercings on the most interesting (read: sexy) parts involved in the criminal and dark side of the gangsta world, in the middle of which is one turbulent, all-consuming and forbidden love- love between two stepbrothers.


Oh boy...I know that stepbrother-stepsister romances are currently one of the hit romances in the readers' world, but somehow they never appealed that much to me, but after reading One Step Too Close by K. A. Merikan I guess stepbrother-stepbrother romance most certainly does. Yup, I'm a perv that way and I have no shame. :P Btw. I don't get why people consider this type of romances taboo. It's not as if the persons involved are blood related. Okay, it does sounds creepy if they are raised together since they were babies which wasn't the case when it comes to this book, so while I run the other way from incestual romances, I had no problems with this one. In fact, I really , really liked it.

Action-packed, gripping, suspenseful, deeply emotional and smoking hot with a little dose of forbidden. The best part of this book for me was definitely the romance and the two bikers it revolved around- the strong, responsible and controlling Ryder and the fun, broken and self-destructive troublemaker Jed, while I wasn't that much interested in the occasional biker crime world drama. Probably, because I haven't read the previous books of the series yet, but I definitely plan to.

Therefore- 3.5 stars! I definitely need more stepbrother-stepbrother romances in my life, so feel free to recommend. Recommended to fans of dark romances!

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️ 3.5 stars ⭐️

Being gay was one thing. Lusting after your brother—even if not related by blood—quite another.

A no-brain-needed junk food book, kind of bad but still pretty fun.
You can definitely tell this was written in 2015. Not only have KA Merikan really improved their style since, but it was really trope-y and a bit of a mess plot-wise.

And at this moment, it didn’t matter that it was a man, because it was Jed, and no one ever felt more right in Ryder’s arms than Jed.

Despite all its flaws, I enjoyed most of it and even if their early works could use a bit of editing, I’m still completely addicted to these authors.

“You feel like you were made for me.”

CW and NSFW info (spoilers):
- Stepbrothers
- MC club
- Violence
- Murder
- Attempted SA (not between MCs)
- Attempted suicide (not graphic)
- Self-harm
- Homophobia
- Use of f slur
- On page sex w/ OP before MCs get together
- MC w/ dick & nipple piercings
- Mostly top/bottom (one switch scene)
- Coming hands-free
- Rimming
- Shower sex
- Semi-public sex
- Sexting

[~Mindy Lynn~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

After these boys' appearance in Guns n' Boys: Swamp Blood I was really looking forward to reading their story. Unfortunately it didn't live up to the hype I had built it up to be in my head.

The guys were great. I really liked them together. They were sweet with each other. I liked how possessive Ryder was with Jed. How protective he was. It was cute. So they worked for me. The rest? Not so much. The bad guys weren't so bad. The threat wasn't that big. It just wasn't the blood bath I am use to with these girls' stories.

Then there was, Dana. When is this bitch going to be killed off? I can't stand this chick. AT ALL.

So it was like, but not love.

But many loved this one. So maybe it was a "it's not you it's me" kind of book.

Happy reading, doll's! xx <3

[Eda** · Rating 3 out of 5]

** 3-3,5 STARS **

Being close to Jed was like being close to the sun without getting BURNED by it.

Meh.

[cal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wished I got a brother like Ryder

[River · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is by far my favorite book in this series. I have only read 3 of 8 and not even in order so what the hell do i know?
I almost gave this book 5 stars. I don't know why but I loved this book so much, Jed and Ryder are just too freaking hot!
But in the end, that's not me. I don't give stars just 'cause.


Jed and Ryder are brothers, not blood related, Step brothers. They belong to the Coffin Nails MC.

Jed is gay, he has tried to date women and be "normal" but he can't. And what makes matters worse, he is in love with Ryder.

Ryder is older than Jed, since they were young he has tried to take care of him and always has his back.
He is bisexual but he has never been with a man, he suppresses his feelings towards men and only dates women.

Jed makes a mistake that unleashes a chain of events that changes everything. Ryder takes the blame for him, he goes to jail and for the first time explores his sexuality and after that he can't stop looking at Jed like a man. Like he always avoided to do in the past.

Jed and Ryder were definitely hot, I liked their relationship. They had a great connection and communication. Jed was impulsive and had bad temper. Ryder was the level headed one and he grounded Jed.

The problem is, Ryder is the clubs VP and he loves the club, his father is the president and someday he will be.
Jed is gay! And the club doesn't allow this. They hate "fags" and they are never going to accept a gay member, a gay couple or less, a couple of step brothers.

I really wanted them to have a HEA but I couldn't see a way out for them.
I was so frustrated.

But they did it, they found a way.

Personally the "taboo" thing didn't botter me at all, they weren't babies raised together, they met when they were grown kids. They had a talk about the whole thing and they were very clear in what they wanted. For them I wasn't an attraction because it was taboo. They loved each other honestly and left the step thing behind them.

I liked this book because there wasn't that much violence, book 1 and 4 left me with an awful crawling sensation on the skin. I can't deal with that much craziness.

There was the finger scene but lets be honest here, bitch had it coming. Not sure if this is a poiler but what the hell. I do want to know more about Toro and what the hell were Dana's plans! is that another series of K.A Merikan? I was left with a lot questions there

One thing, this is my last ride with the Coffin Nails MC. I think K.A Merikan are great story tellers but their gritty stories are not my cuppa.

[Cadiva · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the stars, every one of those troubled biker stars for this book

So, I've been after wanting Jed and Ryder's story ever since they guest starred in Chokehold where they ran into Dom and Seth so this book was a welcome read.

What I wasn't expecting though, was that these boys would be fighting Tooth and Luci to he my favourite MC boys. This book was so good, Jed struggling to keep his sexuality a secret, his love for his step brother crippling him and sending him off the rails.
The scene at the bridge with his Honda and the kettlebells almost broke me, I just wanted to scoop him up and wrap him in cotton wool.

But Ryder, oh I fell for Ryder big time. The older brother, the responsible one, the one with the steady girlfriend but missing something undefined in his life but which he thought might just be Jed.
The guilt over his feeling for Jed, his knowledge that it would be something they couldn't come back from if it went wrong.

On top of that we get the sub plot with Dana - bitch woman from Hell - and the Columbian Toro, visiting the Coffin Nails to buy arms and it going horribly wrong.
It was interesting seeing the other side of the operation and how Dana lost her finger. This one's not quite so violent as the others have been but it's top of the tree for the sex.

Lord the Sex!! When these two finally give in there aren't enough words to describe the emotions pouring off the page. It's kinky and pants meltingly hot, just perfect.
It's also done realistically, no instant penetration on the first go here, it hurts Jed when Ryder tops him and we get to read about them finding their way together through that.
And it only improves as these boys discover just how good they can be when they give in to their love for each other.

Now Ele, in her review, had worried me when she mentioned the HEA as being perfect for them and the appropriate option and my brain had me going all over the place wondering what it might be.
But I shouldn't have worried, she was right. Jed and Ryder do get to ride into their own version of happiness and its awesome.

[Rohit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moral? No. Delicious? Yes.

This about sums up the whole feeling you'd have after reading this novel. As soon as I read the author's note regarding piercings, I knew I was in trouble. I mooched with the blurb for a long time, let's say 6-7 months cos every time I read the blurb to start the novel, I just didn't see it happening for me. But then I read other books by the duo and I'm left dick-less to say the least. (wink-wink)

For the first time, the I Love You's in a novel didn't matter at the start. What mattered, was the realisation that their forbidden love was not something illicit and the moment everything cluttered (love, lust, bitchy beards, sassy bikers and most of all dicks), it was like a jinx-y touch. And that too by the lake! In the rain!! That scene is everything to begin with for me.

If you think you've read dirty, you've not read this. Ryder and Jed are so so so porny when they come together, like you woudn't believe. Sure, Jed's one of the most reckless character you'd read, sure Ryder's a bit too prideful, sure when it comes to possessiveness, they are like small 6 year olds fighting for everything (cos 6-year olds do that), but their dirty works for them in this novel. I mean, what less could we expect when two dick-virgin bikers who have the dirtiest mouth and charm when they come together. NON-BDSM mother load of sex.

Also, now that I've let all my heat out, this novel has great resonance with getting caught and coming together in terms of fear, depression and doubts. And I think the ending is as good as it can get for these fuckers.

And yes, DANA the bitch had it coming. (Also, some people may find the representation of women as horny bitches offensive, but in the story's defense, the men aren't shown as any more enlightening, so there sure is a parallel of ugliness.)

Now my generic merikan babble. I love these authors. I love this series. I feel giddy everytime, I start their novels. And I'm gonna read this again. (when I'm old and vanilla)

[Rina Pride · Rating 4 out of 5]

EM GUN'S BOYS 4 O RYDER DISSE PARA SETH E DOM QUE NÃO GOSTAVA DE VIADOS. LI ESTE LIVRO SÓ PARA VÊ-LO MORDER A PRÓPRIO LÍNGUA😂 Foi bom terem feito um livro para o Jed, admito que fiquei com pena dele ser o homem mais solitário do mundo em GB4! Não tava esperando que o par romântico do Jed seria o Ryder, mas adorei porque o Ryder era tão hetero, né ( só que não 😅) NUNCA DIGA NUNCA! Queria um reencontro de Ryder e Jed com a trupe de Domenico ( AGORA QUE TODOS SÃO DO VALE 🌈🌈🌈🌈).

[Serena Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another K.A. Merikan biker story? Sign me up. This time it’s all about a taboo subject – stepbrothers – on top of all the usual bada**ery. As if the “normal” mayhem weren’t bad enough. The thing is, Ryder and Jed have grown up together, and since Ryder is older he used to protect Jed from all kinds of dangers, including their father. But they are not related by blood. To me, that removes much of the tabooness of the subject and allowed me to focus on the emotional issues these men have. And boy, there are a few. Their bond is deep already, but because they are brothers, none of their homophobic club brothers are suspicious when they do things together or when Jed spends more than the occasional night at Ryder’s house. The full meaning of how close they are exactly doesn’t start to dawn on them until partway into the story, and it takes them quite a while to deal with the revelations that follow.

Jed is the younger brother, and for him the club is his family. He never had much of a home life, so he turns to the others in the club for understanding and support. There is only one problem – he is gay, and nobody can ever find out. But it gets worse – Jed loves Ryder as way more than a brother, and he knows nobody can ever find out or he is dead. Jed has also gotten himself in trouble with Dana, a woman blackmailing him to find out the club’s secrets, and between the two situations pressing in on him, Jed spirals out of control and, impossibly, makes things even worse.

Ryder is doing well. He’s been promoted in the club, his MC brothers respect him, and life is good. Then Jed manages to get caught while still on probation, and Ryder takes the blame, ending up in prison in Jed’s place. For Ryder it’s a no-brainer to protect Jed, but when he is released and finds out what Jed has been up to, he decides stricter measures are needed to ensure Jed’s safety. Being closer than ever brings up all kinds of issues, and the battle for their love and their lives is on.

If you like the way outlaw bikers think and look at each other (or just want to try to understand them better), if you enjoy stories with two main characters who feel a “forbidden” love for each other and need to learn to cope without anyone finding out, and if you’re looking for a read filled with angst, despair, hopelessness, violence, and craziness, then you will probably like this novel. It has a definite “forbidden” vibe, as well as lots of danger, just like the other volumes in this series.


NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[♣️ Lynda ♣️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to thank the authors for giving me the chance to read and review this book before it comes out

I LOVE these Sex and Mayhem books. This installment did not disappoint. This is Jed and Ryder's story.

But they are brothers you say: I KNOW!! Stepbrothers to be accurate, but that's what makes this book so intriguing. The Taboo(ish) element as well as 2 hot guys that finally say what they've been feeling for years. These men burned up my Kindle I tell you. The sex was so hot!!

But what about Dana you ask: Dana is still here and as big a Bitch as ever. Causing such problems for Jed. In the end I think she almost got what was coming to her.

Jed was so self destructive and so unhappy. I often cried for him. He was just trying to find his way. Ryder wanted to be more in the club and to save the men from their bad behavior. He kept trying even though though he seemed to get screwed at every turn.

I was quite disappointed in Wolver in this book. I was hoping for a HEA with but alas that often doesn't happen even in the real world so this seemed realistic to me. At least the boys ended up as they should. Perfect!

The Road of No Return might still be my favorite but Devils Ride and this book are making it difficult to be sure.

Overall a great read that I couldn't put down!

[Cory · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say but that Jed and Ryder were very sexy and very hot once they came together! Another great read in this series and I can't wait to read the next one.

I'm still a little up in the air about what I want to happen to Dana. Her relationship with Toro is quite interesting.

I really fell in love with Jed. He reminds me of Seth in that he says some stupid shit, but he's so adorable that you can't help but want to give him a hug. He needed Ryder to balance him out. I love these two!

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

We're back!!! Non-stop excitement. What a ride! I was pulling hard for these guys to get their HEA. The dynamics of their relationship were interesting to say the least. This was a blast to read. Very well written. 4.5 stars.

[Duck · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Edited to Add this is now on Kindle Unlimited****


Crazy good. I loved this! The love between Ryder and Jed was real and difficult and beautiful. The sex was smoking hot.

And please, can someone shoot Dana in her evil bitch face? (She'd do it to you.)

[Steph ☀️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boo :(

It seems like this one is just a me thing. I have to say out of all the books I’ve read so far in the series Ryder and Jed are my least favorite MCs. I felt the story just fell short and I couldn’t establish a connection with the MCs nor their story. It was just blah :/