Broken women are my crack and kryptonite. I've lost too much over the years chasing them to do it again.
Until Yarrow Jones.
She was raised in the darkness before finding the light. A contradiction of innocence and wisdom, Yarrow knows just how to push my buttons.
With my tattoos and temper, I'm no hero. With her stubborn streak and tough chick crew, Yarrow is no damsel in distress. What we are is a match made in messed up heaven.
Trigger warning: Devil’s Ruin contains details of past sexual abuse, graphic sexual content, violent situations, and extreme profanity. The book is only appropriate for adult readers age 18+.
Blackjack and Yarrow are such an unlikely pair but they are so absolutely perfect for each other. They are exactly what the other needs. They heal each other in ways that no one else could.
Yarrow is broken in many ways by what she suffered as a child. Ginger and the crew saved her and she now has dreams for her life that never seemed possible before. Blackjack works tirelessly and patiently to make these things possible for her.
Blackjack had an idyllic childhood until an incident changed everything about his life. Anger kept him from making real connections in his life until he meets Yarrow. Some people in the crews are unsure that they’re good for each other.
“For fuck’s sake, no one gave a flying fuck about my life until Yarrow. Now you want to take away the one good thing I’ve known since I was a kid. How the fuck should I react?”
This was a sweet story of two people that truly needed each other. I’m loving these Rawlins Heretics more than I thought I would.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I wasn’t sure how Yarrows book would turn out. We see her in the first book in this series and to be really honest we see how messed up she is. Not saying she doesn’t have reason, she does and then some but to have her as a heroine and live her happy ending I wasn’t sure how that would work out. But Bijou Hunter is queen of messed up, and I say that in a great way. She can create these messed up screwed up beat down characters and make us love them, heal them, redeem them and have us rooting for their happy ending. Devil’s Ruin was no exception.
Yarrow grew up in hell and she was pulled out but after being raised the way she was scars have been left. When Blackjack comes on her radar Yarrow's world and outlook on life changes. Blackjack has his own scars but broken woman have always been his weakness’s which has gotten him in trouble in the past. But when Yarrow pulls a knife on him one day outside of Yarrows condo Blackjack knows there’s no turning back.
Being a part of Oz’s MC and Yarrow a part of the crew them being together could spell trouble and everyone has an opinion about the two of them but Yarrow and Blackjack don’t want anyone else but the other and even though they have more roadblocks than most Yarrow and Blackjack pave a way and begin a relationship, while learning about each other they both also learn about themselves and heal old wounds and become stronger. But nothing in this little town run by a MC and girl gang can ever be easy too bad no one knew that when Blackjack and Yarrow find what they want they won’t let go no matter what.
Well lets start with the obvious Blackjack was an amazing hero like all BH heroes, he was possessive and he was set in stone when it came to Yarrow. He was also so sweet and caring and understanding. Simply he loved her unconditionally. Yarrow is hard around the edges but vulnerable and new to life, but I loved seeing her fall in love and even more I loved seeing her grow and take control of her life and future and heal.
This was a great book. Once I picked it up I didn’t put it down unless I had no choice. I flew through this book, I couldn’t believe how quickly I finished it and I think it was because I was just in the groove with this book, once I got into this world I was there and wasn’t leaving till the end. Obviously the epilogues were nothing short of amazing. I need my epilogues and these two definitely gave me my fix. I also loved seeing the old characters from book one and the characters who are in both book one and this book that haven’t gotten books yet. I highly recommend this book. I would also say(for those wondering) I think you would be ok picking up this book if you hadn’t read book one(Rusty Cage). Yes you will get more if you read them both but I don’t think you would be lost and I think you would be able to enjoy this book without reading book one if you chose not to. Either way I highly recommend this book. It was a great escape during this cold weather.
Star Ratings: Heroine (Yarrow): 18yrs old Hero (Blackjack): late 20s? Plot: 5/5 Grovel: none Cheating: none and H has been celibate for ages HEA: Perfect! Triggers: child sex abuse of h – no explicit details
Average score: 5/5
Best Line: “I can’t look away from this extraordinarily beautiful, batshit crazy woman.”
And
“I don’t care what men want. If I cook, I want to make what I want.”
Worst Line: “I crave damaged women.”
Personal Review: Great love story between two weird bikers!
Random Ramblings: •She is fierce! •I love the way she tries to make sense of the world •Awww, they are so cute together
I had a great time with this. Yarrow and Blackjack are unusual - to say the least, but they are also survivors and I love the quirky humor. Plus there are kittens! Which is a huge bonus for me. Very well done story with a great HEA.
I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about Yarrow’s book. She was so understandably traumatized but unpredictable, violent, yet so naive. I gotta say I really liked this. Yarrow was interesting but Blackjack was sooooo caring. He understood her but didn’t baby or bully her. Sleeping on couches, painting the house and all the nightlights and lava lamps. Can I use the word precious to describe a bikers actions? Fuck it, I’m keeping it. I only wish we got to experience what happened to Annie instead of reading about it. It felt true to the characters though that they didn’t need that violence touching them/their relationship (especially Blackjack). The rolls are reversed in this one as Yarrow is the aggressor in most every way but I don’t mind switching it up every now and again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Yarrow Jones has lived through enough to know she can make her own decisions, even though her crew believes she can't. Yarrow is a bit of a wild card, but she knows she has the support of the woman but when she decides she wants Oz's men, she goes for it.
Despite the warnings Blackjack is fascinated by Yarrow. He wants her, he knows she is broken but no one is going to get in his way making her his.
I loved this, Yarrow is a young woman but she has lived a life no one should have to. Blackjack understands Yarrow and does some of the sweetest things to protect her. I thought the story had a few triggers that were hard to read but was handled wonderfully. Exceptional read, Bijou Hunter's book get better and better.
This was way better than the first book in the series. I liked the hero and the heroine. They had chemistry, were perfect for each other. No OW/OM drama at all. In fact, the hero was celibate for years. And he had only eyes for the heroine. So sweet. Lovely epilogue.
Yarrow the silent young deadly one that everyone is scared of meets Blackjack the club brother. He loves damaged women and she's it but can these two make it work. Another interesting book in this series
I received an arc for an honest review from the author.
Bijou Hunter is one of my favourite authors and the reason being she never fails to entertain me with her stories they are simply brilliant this one didn't disappoint me.
Yarrow is a little messed up well ok if you have read her other books you know messed up is an understatement but the way the story is told Bijou hunter and her quirky characters really pull you in you feel for yarrow and while reading your edging that she gets her happy ever after with Blackjack who is also some kind of crazy hahahahha.
All the characters in the series so far have had troubled passed but they are strong fearless and independent females who make a stand for what they are and how never to be defenceless again. The males dont get me wrong they are no angels but they are soft and have a huge heart who will defend these females to literally death do they part.
I laughed cried and screamed in this book as you will find the storyline is brilliant it focuses on their troubles but also how to get through them and break barriers which they do. I love how even though Yarrow is very young and has a very black dark passed her alpha male helps her, don't be put off with her only being 18 years their is an epilogue that will put a grin on your face.
If you love strong fearless females from dark passed and alpha males who are all sorts of craziness but soft on the inside really you got to read this book.
5 stars as I always say when you just cant put a book down it deserves no less.
I received a copy of this story from the author for a honest review.
4 1/2 stars
What can I say about this new story of Bijou's other than I loved it, this author engages my attention in two ways, one she makes me love her characters but at the same time I am uncomfortable with their rawness. This is Yarrow's and Blackjack's story, if you've read the first story (Rusty Cage) of this series we find out about Yarrow's past which is ugly and hard to wrap your mind around. But somehow Bijou infuses her characters with such life that your so happy for her characters happiness. I love at the start of almost every chapter Yarrow's "Life Lessons" they were raw and honest and just make you love her more. Blackjack is perfect for her, I wasn't sure if anyone could be but once you start to get to know Blackjack, no one else will do. "Wear clothes, don't steal, use words, don't bite people" these are some Yarrow's rules from Ginger and the rest of the girls, I loved and was disturbed by this story but in a good way. I can't wait to see who and what is next.
The thing I love most about books by Bijou Hunter is that although the women are broken and have survived unimaginable horrors, they always come out stronger. I appreciate that the horror that Yarrow has endured is presented in a matter of fact way that helps me process. Yarrow is such a warrior to have suffered as she did but still want to love and be loved. The problem with such a deceptively easy wish is that she doesn't know how to live within the conventional world. Her first instinct when confronted with a man's interest in her is to resort to violence. Luckily Blackjack understands that patience and gentleness are the way to win this girl. I absolutely adore these two together. Neither of them quite fit individually but put them together and they become a rock solid unit. Long may this series continue, there are at least two more unattached Heretics in need of love. I'm ready for more.
I don't know how she does it, but Bijou Hunter takes some pretty unpleasant subject matter and turns it into a great love story. Yarrow is a greatly damaged young woman, like really bad. If you have any triggers, she would be it. I can't remember a heroine being as badly abused as Yarrow in any previous Hunter books. Some of it was hard to read. I loved Blackjack. He's the best hero in everyway. An alpha, but completely smitten with Yarrow and her broken-ness. I didn't like that Yarrow was only 18, but the fantastic epilogues helped with that. I love how we get to see years into the future-one of favorite parts of a Bijou book. Highly recommend this book if you can stomach the horrendous sexual and physical abuse from Yarrow's past. I received an advanced reader copy, but I also bought my own.
Once again Bijou Hunter has done the unthinkable ... She’s created broken, perfectly imperfect characters and made us fall in love with them. Yarrow hurts my heart but I was so happy that she found Blackjack. Not once does he make her feel less. Never does he dwell on her past. The night-light in the mechanical room is perfect, like his love for Yarrow, and hers for him. Bijou Hunter is one of my favourite authors. Her world-building, quirky characters and fantastic dialogue suck you into each story. This one is no different. And the epilogue was just what I want at the end of every book, a glimpse into the future. Not just a day, a week or a year; but a true HEA.
** I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Yarrow remained a childlike robot until the very end. It was hard to root for the romance when the author gave Yarrow a kid's mind. I was also thrown by the fact that she was raised by a TV in a dark room but had a very good vocabulary and understanding except at the most random times. She doesn't know what rent is or cupcakes and lube or 'from scratch' but she can cook. At one point he was going to explain recipes to her. I guess that's possible in this fictional world but it made her seem even less ready for a relationship. She was also too ready for sex considering her upbringing. It was just all wrong. Some of the characters were interesting so I'm on the fence about reading the next book.
Love Love this lady author so much. Without a doubt one of my favourite authors.
Her characters are all strong, independent but also very broken individuals none of them have had happy stable upbringings. But they also know that and I think that’s what I love more that we get to watch them grow into themselves and still find Love.
I didn’t think Yarrow would get a story so quickly but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked her kind of craziness. Blackjack also liked her craziness too!
As usual the story has violence and strong language BUT who cares? This is how Bijou writes and I wouldn’t change it for anything.
We first met Yarrow in Rusty Cage, and I was instantly intrigued by her. She has been through hell, but that torment has strangely shaped her into the person she is today. She is tough as nails and really has a simplistic way at viewing life. And BlackJack? He is an alpha male who really has a heart of gold. If you believe that two people are meant for one another, it would certainly be BlackJack and Yarrow. I love their quirks along with the humor they share.
This is a really great read! It is written well and flows seamlessly. If you are looking for a book that will keep you interested from beginning to end, this is it!
Up until now Yarrow's character has been a mystery but in Devil's Ruin she finally comes to the forefront. I love how she speaks her mind and has no filter whatsoever. Bijou Hunter has a knack for writing some of the quirkiest female characters. With the Everything Nice Club she has added some strong spices! The author creatively named the female characters after spices hence the club name. That's BRILLIANT!
This second book in the series really focus on the couple, I think it can be read as a stand alone. Yarrow is deeply damaged after a deeply abusive childhood few would understand. Blackjack is unique among bikers based on his childhood experiences. He's also extremely protective of women and loves damaged ones. He's perfect for Yarrow and she is perfect for him. #MCRomance
Loved this book, I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and their story. Two damaged people learn about life and how to love. Family wether blood of other can help triumph over everything. This book has a lot going on, evil stalker ex, motorcycle clubs, a strong younger woman trying to rebuild her !ife, a strong male trying to come to terms with something that happened years ago, this is definitely worth your time to read. I can't wait to read more from this series.
Caught my attention right away You are a great story teller Miss Bijou Your ability to have the hilariously gut wrenching laugh and tears come, from me is heart felt. The banter you write amongst the characters is friggin funny. You remind me of Scott Hildreth.o
When I read Ginger's story and was introduced to Yarrow, I was sure that Yarrow could never have a story of her own. How do you give a tortured soul like her a man who could love her and not try to change her too much? Yarrow's story brought tears to my eyes and hated when it ended. Great writing!!
Yarrow was excellent. No filter, no bs, just straight talk. And Blackjack, sexy, smart, and unsure. Great combination of halves who came together to be part of a whole.
Hard, extremely dark and very difficult to get through but so so worth it, the bitter makes the sweet that much more poignant. Yarrows life has been a bitter, ugly nightmare, but her love for Blackjack is a weird fairytale that fits them both perfectly.
Another great story from Bijou Hunter. It took me a while to get into, probably because I've been immersed in the damaged and the beast series. I've apparently got and read rusty cage but i don't remember it at all, so need to do a re-read of that next!!
Another great read for this author. The characters had all the qualities I enjoy - funny, damaged, strong. The plot kept my interest throughout the story and was low drama.