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Lean Dogs Legacy #3
Prodigal Son
The Lean Dogs Motorcycle Club values family above all else. Be it club family…or blood family. In London, nine half-siblings rule at Baskerville Hall, all the product of a father who’s more legend than man, a mystery even to his own children.
Charlie Fox has a special role in the Lean Dogs MC, bouncing from chapter to chapter, doing the crazy, risky, deadly things the others can’t. Uncomplicated, unfeeling, unaffected…until now.
Fox’s ex, former MI5 agent Eden Adkins, does freelance PI work now, and she calls when her latest case turns up a familiar face: Fox’s father. Devin Green is in the kind of trouble it’s going to take all nine of his children to get him out of, all his dark secrets revealed along the way. Spies, secret agents, sketchy organizations, and resourceful Brits abound in book three of the Lean Dogs Legacy series.
**This is a complete novel, the final book in the LEAN DOGS LEGACY spinoff series. The novel is also available in parts One through Four. Look for the continuing adventures of The Brood in future Dartmoor Series novels.
Charlie Fox has a special role in the Lean Dogs MC, bouncing from chapter to chapter, doing the crazy, risky, deadly things the others can’t. Uncomplicated, unfeeling, unaffected…until now.
Fox’s ex, former MI5 agent Eden Adkins, does freelance PI work now, and she calls when her latest case turns up a familiar face: Fox’s father. Devin Green is in the kind of trouble it’s going to take all nine of his children to get him out of, all his dark secrets revealed along the way. Spies, secret agents, sketchy organizations, and resourceful Brits abound in book three of the Lean Dogs Legacy series.
**This is a complete novel, the final book in the LEAN DOGS LEGACY spinoff series. The novel is also available in parts One through Four. Look for the continuing adventures of The Brood in future Dartmoor Series novels.
333 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 15, 2018
51 people are currently reading
188 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
February 19, 2019
***2/19/19: Edited to add: The Amazing Ms. Gilley wrote THIS amazing blog post today... and it made me think of this review and what a dick I am. But I still wanted to share it with you all if you don't follow her. Enjoy***
3 Stars
Oh man...this is one of those reviews that's difficult to write.
Those ones on books by an author you love, that you waited for forever, that you went in wanting to love - expecting to love...but thought were just decent.
And, while you DID like it, and 3 stars is a decent review that does mean that you liked it...you still can't help but feel a little let down.
So yeah, that's where we are with this one.
Let's start off with the high side, shall we?
The Good Stuff:
1) Lauren Gilley
I have a massive lady boner for Lauren Gilley and I secretly want to be her in my next life. Or marry her. Or just something her...
Outside of Goodreads, I don't really do a lot on social media, even in my personal "real" life. I am one of those people that logs into Facebook and Instagram maybe once every other week (HERE's why, if you're interested). But when it comes to Lauren Gilley?
I follow her blog, her Instagram, her Facebook, and Icamp outside her farmhouse envy her southern life, her horses, our mutual love for Buffy the Vampire Slayer (aka the best television show ever), and her sick writing skills.
Because STALKER.
Which brings me to number two.
2) Lauren Gilley's Writing Skillz
I adore Lauren Gilley's writing. Truly. Full stop. In my opinion, her writing is flawless. Epic, really.
She doesn't just "write" a story, or "tell" you a story. She paints your mind with it.
She could be writing a story taking place in your dead grandmother's house and she will make you feel like you are there...standing in the outdated parlor with the hideous paisley print wallpaper that's peeling from the walls covered in framed pictures of every cringe-worthy school picture of you since kindergarten. The way your grandmother's gnarled, wrinkled hands with their flawlessly red acrylics wave through the air as she tells you that story about the cousin you hate that she's already told you a hundred times before.
You are there.
You know these people.
3) Charlie Fox
We have been watching Fox in the sidelines of previous series books for quite some time now and this book was his time to shine. I did enjoy getting inside his mind a bit and and really liked him as a character.
I do wish that there had been more page time between him and Eden, but that's another point for a different list.
4) Mercy.
Mercy fucking Lecuyer.
Mercy is my book husband and anytime he shows up on the page - or is even referenced by other characters - I am thrilled. The fact that he made a cameo in this book made my day.
5) The Brood
We know from previous books the story of Devin Green and his nine kids and their offspring, which obviously includes several main characters from previous books, e.g., Walsh, Michelle...as well as numerous side characters, e.g., Philip, Raven, Tommy, Albie, and, of course, Fox.
In this book, we get more details and background on the siblings and their dynamics and I really enjoyed all those parts of the book.
Now for the reasons this wasn't a 5-star read for me...
The Not As Good Stuff:
1) The Tone
When you have read numerous books in a series by the same author, you start to expect a certain style or tone when reading subsequent books in that series. And when that tone changes or just isn't quite the same, it can make you feel out of place.
You, as the reader, pick up a sequel or further expecting to feel like you know the characters a bit, that you know and feel comfortable in the environment. That you are coming "home," ostensibly, to "friends" and a place that you know and with which you are familiar.
Such is the joy of reading series books.
But, when the tone of a series book feels different to you - for whatever reason - it can make you feel disjointed and uncertain. You spend the rest of the book with your reading feet scrabbling to gain purchase in this environment that feels different than your - perhaps erroneous - expectations.
Such was the case for me here.
This is my ninth Lean Dogs (Legacy) book. As such, I went into this book expecting a certain tone and feel. A certain level of MC element. A certain level of gritty violence.
But, while other books in this series felt that way - gritty and visceral - this felt more...smooth and distant. I realize that this book took place across the pond, as it were; but, parts of the last book did too and I didn't feel this sense of disconnect.
In this book, the Lean Dogs and their activities took a backseat to MI5 secret agents and slick government conspiracies. The main antagonist of this book was not really a person, but an entity. And one that read like the Matrix to Neo's Zion.
Not saying I didn't think the setting and plot was well done here, people. Just saying that, when you go into a book expecting Jax Teller and Butch Cassidy...and are met with James Bond and Ethan Hunt, it can feel a little disconcerting.
Don't get me wrong, I love James Bond (I have seen and rewatched them ALL) and I ADORE the Mission Impossible franchise (I actually own all the Tom Cruise installments and can recite them ad nauseam). I just wasn't expecting a slick spy movie with undertones of government corruption.
2) The Lack of Romance
Now this one is completely on me...but still worth mentioning.
Lauren Gilley's "About Me" explicitly states she writes literary fiction sometimes erroneously confused as romance.
And to that I say,
100%
Even though I KNOW this about Gilley by this point...though I know better than to expect explicit romance from Gilley...I still do.
I can't help it.
Even though I read across a lot of different genres, even though I am completely cynical IRL and seemingly heartless by nature, I am - in the depths of my soul - a romance reader.
I may dabble in other areas, i.e., my second favorite love (fantasy), mystery, memoir, non-fiction, literary fiction)....but at the end of the day, I LOVE romance. I PREFER to read romance above all other things...the romance genre is simply my Ride or Die and that's not ever going to change.
And the majority of the books in this series - especially Fearless aka one of my top all-time books - was rife with enough romance to keep my grubby little hands more than satisfied.
This one, however?
Not so much.
Fox and Eden's relationship was very backseat and didn't get much page time. There was also a side romance that also didn't get much page time or really do much for me in general either.
However, this also might be directly correlated to issue number three...
3) Small, But Mighty
This is completely shallow...
Completely ridiculous...
And yet still a completely valid reason for why I didn't adore this book.
Charlie Fox is a badass.
He's a total ass-kicking, murderous, Krav Maga/Karate master BADASS.
But he's also described as being somewhat bite-sized. Ad nauseam. Over and over throughout the book. So was Walsh in his book. And I'm pretty sure I noted this hideously superficial excuse in my review for that book too.
But, alas, here we are again.
I am by no means Amazonian. In fact, I am just thisshort of being 5'7" (I'm 5 ft, 6.75 inches, and weigh about 140 pounds, to be exact). And, even though I admit I am taller than the average female, I am not THAT tall. Still, everyone around me always comments on how tall I am and yadda, yadda, yadda.
That said, as a taller female with an athletic build, I am NOT attracted to men who are shorter and smaller than me. Just not, sorry.
Thus, the constant mention of how...diminutive Fox is...I don't know.
So vain, so vapid, so get over it.
This review is turning out to be quite the lengthy hot mess.
So, let's sum it up.
In conclusion:
All the reasons I didn't love this book can be directly attributed to me. Full stop.
They are all issues that I brought to the reading table.
So take this review with a grain of salt.
In general, I think this was a well written, entertaining book that the majority of lovers of this series will adore. And maybe I myself will upon a re-read, you never know.
Either way, as always, you win some and you lose some, and I look forward to Gilley's next release.
Onward.
3 Stars
Oh man...this is one of those reviews that's difficult to write.
Those ones on books by an author you love, that you waited for forever, that you went in wanting to love - expecting to love...but thought were just decent.
And, while you DID like it, and 3 stars is a decent review that does mean that you liked it...you still can't help but feel a little let down.
So yeah, that's where we are with this one.
Let's start off with the high side, shall we?
The Good Stuff:
1) Lauren Gilley
I have a massive lady boner for Lauren Gilley and I secretly want to be her in my next life. Or marry her. Or just something her...
Outside of Goodreads, I don't really do a lot on social media, even in my personal "real" life. I am one of those people that logs into Facebook and Instagram maybe once every other week (HERE's why, if you're interested). But when it comes to Lauren Gilley?
I follow her blog, her Instagram, her Facebook, and I
Because STALKER.
Which brings me to number two.
2) Lauren Gilley's Writing Skillz
I adore Lauren Gilley's writing. Truly. Full stop. In my opinion, her writing is flawless. Epic, really.
She doesn't just "write" a story, or "tell" you a story. She paints your mind with it.
She could be writing a story taking place in your dead grandmother's house and she will make you feel like you are there...standing in the outdated parlor with the hideous paisley print wallpaper that's peeling from the walls covered in framed pictures of every cringe-worthy school picture of you since kindergarten. The way your grandmother's gnarled, wrinkled hands with their flawlessly red acrylics wave through the air as she tells you that story about the cousin you hate that she's already told you a hundred times before.
You are there.
You know these people.
3) Charlie Fox
We have been watching Fox in the sidelines of previous series books for quite some time now and this book was his time to shine. I did enjoy getting inside his mind a bit and and really liked him as a character.
I do wish that there had been more page time between him and Eden, but that's another point for a different list.
4) Mercy.
Mercy fucking Lecuyer.
Mercy is my book husband and anytime he shows up on the page - or is even referenced by other characters - I am thrilled. The fact that he made a cameo in this book made my day.
5) The Brood
We know from previous books the story of Devin Green and his nine kids and their offspring, which obviously includes several main characters from previous books, e.g., Walsh, Michelle...as well as numerous side characters, e.g., Philip, Raven, Tommy, Albie, and, of course, Fox.
In this book, we get more details and background on the siblings and their dynamics and I really enjoyed all those parts of the book.
Now for the reasons this wasn't a 5-star read for me...
The Not As Good Stuff:
1) The Tone
When you have read numerous books in a series by the same author, you start to expect a certain style or tone when reading subsequent books in that series. And when that tone changes or just isn't quite the same, it can make you feel out of place.
You, as the reader, pick up a sequel or further expecting to feel like you know the characters a bit, that you know and feel comfortable in the environment. That you are coming "home," ostensibly, to "friends" and a place that you know and with which you are familiar.
Such is the joy of reading series books.
But, when the tone of a series book feels different to you - for whatever reason - it can make you feel disjointed and uncertain. You spend the rest of the book with your reading feet scrabbling to gain purchase in this environment that feels different than your - perhaps erroneous - expectations.
Such was the case for me here.
This is my ninth Lean Dogs (Legacy) book. As such, I went into this book expecting a certain tone and feel. A certain level of MC element. A certain level of gritty violence.
But, while other books in this series felt that way - gritty and visceral - this felt more...smooth and distant. I realize that this book took place across the pond, as it were; but, parts of the last book did too and I didn't feel this sense of disconnect.
In this book, the Lean Dogs and their activities took a backseat to MI5 secret agents and slick government conspiracies. The main antagonist of this book was not really a person, but an entity. And one that read like the Matrix to Neo's Zion.
Not saying I didn't think the setting and plot was well done here, people. Just saying that, when you go into a book expecting Jax Teller and Butch Cassidy...and are met with James Bond and Ethan Hunt, it can feel a little disconcerting.
Don't get me wrong, I love James Bond (I have seen and rewatched them ALL) and I ADORE the Mission Impossible franchise (I actually own all the Tom Cruise installments and can recite them ad nauseam). I just wasn't expecting a slick spy movie with undertones of government corruption.
2) The Lack of Romance
Now this one is completely on me...but still worth mentioning.
Lauren Gilley's "About Me" explicitly states she writes literary fiction sometimes erroneously confused as romance.
And to that I say,
100%
Even though I KNOW this about Gilley by this point...though I know better than to expect explicit romance from Gilley...I still do.
I can't help it.
Even though I read across a lot of different genres, even though I am completely cynical IRL and seemingly heartless by nature, I am - in the depths of my soul - a romance reader.
I may dabble in other areas, i.e., my second favorite love (fantasy), mystery, memoir, non-fiction, literary fiction)....but at the end of the day, I LOVE romance. I PREFER to read romance above all other things...the romance genre is simply my Ride or Die and that's not ever going to change.
And the majority of the books in this series - especially Fearless aka one of my top all-time books - was rife with enough romance to keep my grubby little hands more than satisfied.
This one, however?
Not so much.
Fox and Eden's relationship was very backseat and didn't get much page time. There was also a side romance that also didn't get much page time or really do much for me in general either.
However, this also might be directly correlated to issue number three...
3) Small, But Mighty
This is completely shallow...
Completely ridiculous...
And yet still a completely valid reason for why I didn't adore this book.
Charlie Fox is a badass.
He's a total ass-kicking, murderous, Krav Maga/Karate master BADASS.
But he's also described as being somewhat bite-sized. Ad nauseam. Over and over throughout the book. So was Walsh in his book. And I'm pretty sure I noted this hideously superficial excuse in my review for that book too.
But, alas, here we are again.
I am by no means Amazonian. In fact, I am just thisshort of being 5'7" (I'm 5 ft, 6.75 inches, and weigh about 140 pounds, to be exact). And, even though I admit I am taller than the average female, I am not THAT tall. Still, everyone around me always comments on how tall I am and yadda, yadda, yadda.
That said, as a taller female with an athletic build, I am NOT attracted to men who are shorter and smaller than me. Just not, sorry.
Thus, the constant mention of how...diminutive Fox is...I don't know.
So vain, so vapid, so get over it.
This review is turning out to be quite the lengthy hot mess.
So, let's sum it up.
In conclusion:
All the reasons I didn't love this book can be directly attributed to me. Full stop.
They are all issues that I brought to the reading table.
So take this review with a grain of salt.
In general, I think this was a well written, entertaining book that the majority of lovers of this series will adore. And maybe I myself will upon a re-read, you never know.
Either way, as always, you win some and you lose some, and I look forward to Gilley's next release.
Onward.
March 13, 2019
3 Mixed Feelings Stars
As I have so many mixed feelings about this book I am not going to write a review.
I will say I enjoyed it but I can't lie, I was disappointed.
As I have so many mixed feelings about this book I am not going to write a review.
I will say I enjoyed it but I can't lie, I was disappointed.
April 5, 2020
Re-read April 2020 and downgrading to 2.5 stars because that ending! So rushed and half-arsed it was ridiculous. I get there was so much other stuff going on that the romance was side swiped, but there was little to no interaction between Eden and Fox, in fact whose damn book was this? We get hints of Eden and Fox and hints of Axelle and Albie but gah, all that for it to end the way it did? 🤯🤦♀️
And because the Americanisms in a book based in Britain really got to me this time around. Examples:
A Londoner riding through an elite neighbourhood would never refer to it as high-dollar, given our currency is GBP.
We don't decorate the outsides of our houses with fall wreaths and if we did, it would be autumn not fall.
We don't cut checks to charities - we write cheques to charities or mostly just donate, you know?
Our speed limit is miles per hour, not kilometres. Our speedometers show both MPH and KPH but MPH is used.
And don't even get me started on arse, not ass. And I'll leave it there because I'm starting to annoy myself now!
I have no problem at all reading Americanisms in a book based in the US, in fact most of my favourite books are based in the US, but reading about Londoners speaking as Americans, uh that would be a big fat no!
Sadly, upon a re-read, this book definitely didn't win me over any more than it did the first time around, but I'd forgotten so much that I would have been out of my depth reading the next book that the author has said will be published soon.
This just did not feel like a LG read.
Original review:
Marking as read so I don't get lost. This was read as a 4 part series. Overall my rating for the book as a whole is 3.5 stars. It had a very different tone to the rest of the Lean Dogs so far .... and I've read them all. Another review mentioned that this book lacked soul, and that totally sums my feels up for this book. It lacked heart and soul. I hope if LG continues with this series she finds that heart and soul again.
And because the Americanisms in a book based in Britain really got to me this time around. Examples:
A Londoner riding through an elite neighbourhood would never refer to it as high-dollar, given our currency is GBP.
We don't decorate the outsides of our houses with fall wreaths and if we did, it would be autumn not fall.
We don't cut checks to charities - we write cheques to charities or mostly just donate, you know?
Our speed limit is miles per hour, not kilometres. Our speedometers show both MPH and KPH but MPH is used.
And don't even get me started on arse, not ass. And I'll leave it there because I'm starting to annoy myself now!
I have no problem at all reading Americanisms in a book based in the US, in fact most of my favourite books are based in the US, but reading about Londoners speaking as Americans, uh that would be a big fat no!
Sadly, upon a re-read, this book definitely didn't win me over any more than it did the first time around, but I'd forgotten so much that I would have been out of my depth reading the next book that the author has said will be published soon.
This just did not feel like a LG read.
Original review:
Marking as read so I don't get lost. This was read as a 4 part series. Overall my rating for the book as a whole is 3.5 stars. It had a very different tone to the rest of the Lean Dogs so far .... and I've read them all. Another review mentioned that this book lacked soul, and that totally sums my feels up for this book. It lacked heart and soul. I hope if LG continues with this series she finds that heart and soul again.
January 4, 2019
Lauren Gilley has a way of delivering heartbreak after heartbreak in this five tissue star slam dunk novel. I’m reminded of that quote by Sandra Bullock in Hope floats “Childhood is what you spend the rest of your life to overcome” and then there's my own personal motto I’d started a few years back.
“Family is the quickest to hurt, the quickest to betray and the first to abandon. After reading Prodigal Son I was slammed face first into that harsh reality and reminded some of the cold bitter truths.
Exciting read…...cutthroat dangers at every turn…..bullets flying, dodging murder for hire assassins and a family doing everything they can to whether the approaching storm. Yes this amazing writer had me in sputtering in tears…...shouting at the rooftops like a crazy loon and getting downright indignant on the siblings behalf.
The showdown was epic along with the entrancing nuclear fallout. Seeing some of the old casts from Dartmoor and Lean Dogs was exhilarating!
You couldn’t get more choked up than you did for Charlie Fox and the role he played with his father Devin Green. Yeah inserting fingers in the back of throat gagging at the alien usage of the word father.
So yeah this is where I’m gonna leave you, let you make your own decisions and opinions on this highly recommended read. Lauren Gilley as always…..your ingenious mind blew me away…...hats off to you woman, look forward to your next!
August 24, 2022
Re-read 21st - 24th august 2022.
Having just finished the brilliant Wild Charge I couldn’t seem to move on. So I figured a re-read of the was the obvious way to go. My previous rating was 4* (which I feel was a mistake) led me to believe it was a better book than it actually was. This book just didn’t feel right and seriously don’t get me started again on all the Americanisms. Absolutely no effort had been made by the author to research the country it was set in. And that’s just lazy and disappointing.
Original review - 4*
I’d delayed reading this because the reviews were so mixed. Most of my friends didn’t particularly like it and I’d more or less planned to skip it. But then Lone Star came out and I decided to just take the plunge.
I’m British and the majority of the books I read are American. And I love them. What I don’t love however is a book set in this country. When the author has made absolutely no effort to get it right. There’s no attempt to make this feel like it’s set in the UK. And that’s just annoying.
But despite that I found I enjoyed this book. I’ve always been intrigued by all the Green siblings. Here we get a closer look at them and their father.
I want more. I just hope when the author writes their books she pays more attention to the country they live in.
Having just finished the brilliant Wild Charge I couldn’t seem to move on. So I figured a re-read of the was the obvious way to go. My previous rating was 4* (which I feel was a mistake) led me to believe it was a better book than it actually was. This book just didn’t feel right and seriously don’t get me started again on all the Americanisms. Absolutely no effort had been made by the author to research the country it was set in. And that’s just lazy and disappointing.
Original review - 4*
I’d delayed reading this because the reviews were so mixed. Most of my friends didn’t particularly like it and I’d more or less planned to skip it. But then Lone Star came out and I decided to just take the plunge.
I’m British and the majority of the books I read are American. And I love them. What I don’t love however is a book set in this country. When the author has made absolutely no effort to get it right. There’s no attempt to make this feel like it’s set in the UK. And that’s just annoying.
But despite that I found I enjoyed this book. I’ve always been intrigued by all the Green siblings. Here we get a closer look at them and their father.
I want more. I just hope when the author writes their books she pays more attention to the country they live in.
March 14, 2019
This wasn't my fav of Ms Gilley's MC books. It was nice to see some of our favourite characters from previous Lean Dogs books, and I was very excited to see Charlie Fox find his way to true love. Well, in the end he did, and so did his brother Albie. And that was great. But......
This book's not really a romance. Nor is it really an MC book. Neither fish, nor fowl, nor good red herring. I think in fact it's kind of an adventure/thriller/James Bond type book. And that's not my preferred reading.
The book's mostly set in London, and it gives a detailed (and frankly, pretty ridiculous) back story to the infamous Devin Green, father of Charlie Fox and eight other children, all from different mothers. I found the whole weird government conspiracy aspect a bit of a stretch. I'm not a fan of James Bond, and it definitely leaned in that direction. Secret spies and dastardly plans going on behind the boardrooms of decent London businesses. Murky hidden cellars with creepy technological equipment. Snipers. Dead bodies abandoned after being tortured to death. (Eek!) MI5. etc, etc........
I've never found myself rolling my eyes in a Lauren Gilley book before, but this complicated plot line just wasn't for me. And when Charlie and Albie both FINALLY found their loves, it wasn't as satisfying as I hoped it would be. Overall, the book left me a little lukewarm.
I admire Ms Gilley's skills in creating interesting and (usually) believable characters, but in this book it was the plot that was the problem for me. I also got annoyed by the mini-cliffhangers at several points in the book, where something extremely dramatic unexpectedly happened, then suddenly the story cuts to another scene. Like in a film. It's not a writing style I enjoy, personally, and I found it annoying to be dragged out of a great scene to something else. More eyerolls.
So, I doubt I'll ever reread this one. Yeah now we have Devin's back story, and Albie has . Fine. But I personally am not very interested in reading spy thriller/Lean Dogs books, and I hope Ms Gilley moves away from the OTT spy type theme.
This book's not really a romance. Nor is it really an MC book. Neither fish, nor fowl, nor good red herring. I think in fact it's kind of an adventure/thriller/James Bond type book. And that's not my preferred reading.
The book's mostly set in London, and it gives a detailed (and frankly, pretty ridiculous) back story to the infamous Devin Green, father of Charlie Fox and eight other children, all from different mothers. I found the whole weird government conspiracy aspect a bit of a stretch. I'm not a fan of James Bond, and it definitely leaned in that direction. Secret spies and dastardly plans going on behind the boardrooms of decent London businesses. Murky hidden cellars with creepy technological equipment. Snipers. Dead bodies abandoned after being tortured to death. (Eek!) MI5. etc, etc........
I've never found myself rolling my eyes in a Lauren Gilley book before, but this complicated plot line just wasn't for me. And when Charlie and Albie both FINALLY found their loves, it wasn't as satisfying as I hoped it would be. Overall, the book left me a little lukewarm.
I admire Ms Gilley's skills in creating interesting and (usually) believable characters, but in this book it was the plot that was the problem for me. I also got annoyed by the mini-cliffhangers at several points in the book, where something extremely dramatic unexpectedly happened, then suddenly the story cuts to another scene. Like in a film. It's not a writing style I enjoy, personally, and I found it annoying to be dragged out of a great scene to something else. More eyerolls.
So, I doubt I'll ever reread this one. Yeah now we have Devin's back story, and Albie has . Fine. But I personally am not very interested in reading spy thriller/Lean Dogs books, and I hope Ms Gilley moves away from the OTT spy type theme.
September 29, 2020
4 "It was kind of his thing." Stars
Love the Lean Dogs and Fox's story was no exception. Lauren Gilley's writing always impresses and affords readers the opportunity to be immersed in the Lean Dogs realm. The Baskerville Hall in London setting and the new characters introduced in Prodigal Son made this good. There was less romance involved even though there were two romantic subplots going for the duration. A bit different than the other books but still a great read for a long holiday weekend.
Re-read: September 2020
Love the Lean Dogs and Fox's story was no exception. Lauren Gilley's writing always impresses and affords readers the opportunity to be immersed in the Lean Dogs realm. The Baskerville Hall in London setting and the new characters introduced in Prodigal Son made this good. There was less romance involved even though there were two romantic subplots going for the duration. A bit different than the other books but still a great read for a long holiday weekend.
Re-read: September 2020
December 26, 2018
Once again we enter the world of the Lean Dogs Outlaw Motorcycle Club this time the London Chapter and finally the real story of the ubiquitous Devon Green is unravelled. You know a story is good when the characters leap off the page and you can get lost for a couple of hours in the intrigue, drama and romance that Lauren Gilley weaves around you. And thank goodness so many more stories still to be told as the action now transfers back to the Nashville Chapter in the next book, Roman and Kris's story. Can't wait.
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
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March 2, 2020
February 2020 -- 4 Stars
May 27, 2020
There’s just something about a Lauren Gilley book that grabs me. I love her writing style, not only because her characters are so believable but also how she paints a scene so well you feel like you are in it. While reading her stories, I can hear the rumble of the bikes, taste the ice-cold beer as it goes down a character’s parched throat, feel the heat beating down as the Texas dust settles on their skin, and I can feel the terror of the person that’s run afoul of the Lean Dogs as Mercy has them in his sight.
I also love a good anti-hero and no one writes one quite like Ms. Gilley. Her Lean Dogs are the antithesis of a hero and instead of sugarcoating their wicked ways, she shines a spotlight on them doing their worst and in some cases, enjoying it. They are hard men who do bad things and don’t apologize for it. No sweet golden retrievers here, these junkyard dogs are scary as hell for a reason. But, somehow Ms. Gilley makes you love them anyway, warts and all.
In no way, shape, or form was this the book I was expecting to get. For one, it took me forever to get the title. I mean, on the surface, maybe Devin could have been the prodigal dad, but he was not welcomed back with open arms by any stretch of the imagination. Finally, at the end I got it. Thank goodness, because stuff like that bugs me.
But what really surprised me was instead of the usual biker book storyline, this took a turn toward an OTT covert-agency-government-conspiracy-gone-wrong plot. At times it read more like another sequel to the movie Red. I kept expecting Bruce Willis’ character Frank Moses to blow something up or Helen Mirren’s Victoria to pop in and teach Evan how to actually be a sniper. I’m not complaining, I love a good old government experiment gone wrong theme. But again, not what I expected.
Prodigal Son has us mostly with the London Chapter of the Lean Dogs. Here we get ringside seats to Devin Green’s children dealing with dear old dad and I’ll tell you on the front end, it’s not pretty. Devin Green is a POS to the nth degree and his past has finally caught up with him. I’m not sure any of his kids cared about what happened to him, but this threatened to take them all down and he is family, unfortunately for them.
Although Fox was the definitive hero of the story, there were two love stories showcased here. It’s good I have always liked Albie too because his little side love story overshadowed Fox and Eden’s.
Both Eden and Axelle, Albie’s heroine, fought against being with a Lean Dog as hard as they could. But, as I pointed out, you can’t help but fall under their spell. Eden fell for Fox a long time ago, it just took her time and a threat against Devin to get her to admit it. But watching Axelle fall for a member of the Lean Dogs, who she had every reason to hate, was more fun than I should probably admit.
I loved that the unflappable Fox was knocked off his usually unemotional feet and didn’t know how to deal. And I liked Eden for him, although it took me a bit to warm up to her. She didn’t want to want him and it showed.
Since this required all hands on deck, we got to know some of Devin’s other children, especially Raven. I really hope she gets her story someday because she fascinates me. We also got some cameo’s and of course my favorite was Mercy and he was in an effing suit, and let me tell you my imagination was all over that.
Overall, I loved this book. I wish I’d have gotten more of the Fox/Eden romance, but Ms. Gilley has never claimed to be a romance writer so I should be thankful for what I got. Especially since this was a twofer in the romance department. What made the story for me was the family dynamics as Devin Green’s offspring fought to keep their family intact, even as the twists and turns of his ugly history threatened to tear them apart. Well, that and the idea of Mercy in a suit…
Rating: 4.5 Un-put-down-able Stars
I also love a good anti-hero and no one writes one quite like Ms. Gilley. Her Lean Dogs are the antithesis of a hero and instead of sugarcoating their wicked ways, she shines a spotlight on them doing their worst and in some cases, enjoying it. They are hard men who do bad things and don’t apologize for it. No sweet golden retrievers here, these junkyard dogs are scary as hell for a reason. But, somehow Ms. Gilley makes you love them anyway, warts and all.
In no way, shape, or form was this the book I was expecting to get. For one, it took me forever to get the title. I mean, on the surface, maybe Devin could have been the prodigal dad, but he was not welcomed back with open arms by any stretch of the imagination. Finally, at the end I got it. Thank goodness, because stuff like that bugs me.
But what really surprised me was instead of the usual biker book storyline, this took a turn toward an OTT covert-agency-government-conspiracy-gone-wrong plot. At times it read more like another sequel to the movie Red. I kept expecting Bruce Willis’ character Frank Moses to blow something up or Helen Mirren’s Victoria to pop in and teach Evan how to actually be a sniper. I’m not complaining, I love a good old government experiment gone wrong theme. But again, not what I expected.
Prodigal Son has us mostly with the London Chapter of the Lean Dogs. Here we get ringside seats to Devin Green’s children dealing with dear old dad and I’ll tell you on the front end, it’s not pretty. Devin Green is a POS to the nth degree and his past has finally caught up with him. I’m not sure any of his kids cared about what happened to him, but this threatened to take them all down and he is family, unfortunately for them.
Although Fox was the definitive hero of the story, there were two love stories showcased here. It’s good I have always liked Albie too because his little side love story overshadowed Fox and Eden’s.
Both Eden and Axelle, Albie’s heroine, fought against being with a Lean Dog as hard as they could. But, as I pointed out, you can’t help but fall under their spell. Eden fell for Fox a long time ago, it just took her time and a threat against Devin to get her to admit it. But watching Axelle fall for a member of the Lean Dogs, who she had every reason to hate, was more fun than I should probably admit.
I loved that the unflappable Fox was knocked off his usually unemotional feet and didn’t know how to deal. And I liked Eden for him, although it took me a bit to warm up to her. She didn’t want to want him and it showed.
Since this required all hands on deck, we got to know some of Devin’s other children, especially Raven. I really hope she gets her story someday because she fascinates me. We also got some cameo’s and of course my favorite was Mercy and he was in an effing suit, and let me tell you my imagination was all over that.
Overall, I loved this book. I wish I’d have gotten more of the Fox/Eden romance, but Ms. Gilley has never claimed to be a romance writer so I should be thankful for what I got. Especially since this was a twofer in the romance department. What made the story for me was the family dynamics as Devin Green’s offspring fought to keep their family intact, even as the twists and turns of his ugly history threatened to tear them apart. Well, that and the idea of Mercy in a suit…
Rating: 4.5 Un-put-down-able Stars
January 19, 2019
3.5*
Very entertaining, but it doesn't have the soul like Dartmoor series. Especially the romance part, I wasn't feelin' it. I couldn't feel the connection between the characters, but the story was good and action packed.
I love this author and I'm looking forward to read more of her books.
Very entertaining, but it doesn't have the soul like Dartmoor series. Especially the romance part, I wasn't feelin' it. I couldn't feel the connection between the characters, but the story was good and action packed.
I love this author and I'm looking forward to read more of her books.
January 5, 2019
4.5 stars
January 22, 2019
3.8 Just because I love whole Lean Dog bunch.
Albie you big sweet fluffy bear <3
But in the end of the book I was unsatisfied by something.
I was left with the feeling that there was something lacking. Story was kinda dry, I needed more Fox and Eden. And Albie and Ax.
It felt as if author was rushing the story and left unsaid details about Fox-Eden relationship, reason of first break-up. A little bit of a drama would have been cool.
I'm looking forward to Cass and Reese's Story tho
Raven's story too soo.
Albie you big sweet fluffy bear <3
But in the end of the book I was unsatisfied by something.
I was left with the feeling that there was something lacking. Story was kinda dry, I needed more Fox and Eden. And Albie and Ax.
It felt as if author was rushing the story and left unsaid details about Fox-Eden relationship, reason of first break-up. A little bit of a drama would have been cool.
I'm looking forward to Cass and Reese's Story tho
Raven's story too soo.
May 20, 2025
Yep, read this one in a day! My only beef with this book is that I wanted more Fox + Eden romance. I know this is lit fic, but the character relationships are what really keep me coming back to the series, especially the romantic relationships. I was grateful for what we got, but I really wanted more Fox + Eden in Fox’s book. Other than that, I have no complaints. Lauren Gilley is a wordsmith, and I’ll read anything she writes.
June 4, 2020
So I started reading Lonestar and I was
I realized I had not read Prodigal Son. So much was answered...clarified. I read a LOT but once tuned, I reunited with all of Devin Green's spawn and remembered why I loved all nine of them, well... Devin did have a wandering 🍆 so,
So, we are in London and things are getting governmental and incredibly fuck*d, enter Eden, former MI6 and Charlie Fox's ex love and well all the lovely lovely London Lean Dogs. Lovers rekindle relationships and there are new ones spouting. So incredibly promising they are.
I can't describe how happy I am when a new book in this series is released.
I realized I had not read Prodigal Son. So much was answered...clarified. I read a LOT but once tuned, I reunited with all of Devin Green's spawn and remembered why I loved all nine of them, well... Devin did have a wandering 🍆 so,
So, we are in London and things are getting governmental and incredibly fuck*d, enter Eden, former MI6 and Charlie Fox's ex love and well all the lovely lovely London Lean Dogs. Lovers rekindle relationships and there are new ones spouting. So incredibly promising they are.
I can't describe how happy I am when a new book in this series is released.
not-for-me-previewed
February 1, 2019DNF @ 12%. I'm very sad and disappointed about a DNF to this author/series, but this just wasn't working for me on any level. I hardly recognized Fox's character, I expected MUCH more for his book. There's an extremely good review already written by a reviewer called Val that should be at the top of the reviews for this and she stated very precisely and perfectly my thoughts as well, even though I didn't finish I totally agree with what she was saying. Sad, but nope, just not finishing 400+ pages with the way I already feel about the book. I will still continue on to the next book hoping that the series will reconnect with it's original tone.
December 13, 2024
All the stars for the brood!! This is Lauren Gilley’s James Bond movie and I’m here for it. Damn, this series is spectacular.
August 18, 2020
Oh the struggle bus was real on this book for me. I may be guilty of over expectation for a story about Charlie Fox but I was so disappointed. There was so much going on in this book about the children of Devin Green and not much page time about Fox and Eden. You even find some time for Albie and my beloved Mercy Lécuyer.
I was entertained and enjoyed my time with the London Lean Dogs and family, I just felt there was a focus that missing about the protagonists in this book. Lauren Gilley is a consummate writer and I will continue to read her books.
I was entertained and enjoyed my time with the London Lean Dogs and family, I just felt there was a focus that missing about the protagonists in this book. Lauren Gilley is a consummate writer and I will continue to read her books.
March 3, 2024
Not my favorite Dartmoor novel. I had really high expectations for Charlie Fox and I feel a little let down. I know that his character is supposed to be very repressed but I was hoping we would see a secret soft side. Apparently he doesn’t really have one.
The story line was good but, it just didn’t have the romance that I was used to from Lauren Gilley. Her writing style is still very captivating and I will definitely keep reading the next books in the Dartmoor series.
The story line was good but, it just didn’t have the romance that I was used to from Lauren Gilley. Her writing style is still very captivating and I will definitely keep reading the next books in the Dartmoor series.
October 22, 2025
THE LEAN DOGS OF LONDON
At first, this book wasn't exactly slow but scattered. I kept pushing through because this and the Dartmoor series has been so good. It picked up with the plot and sub plots and of course a great ending. I hope that we hear more regarding Ten, Reese and what happens to the soulless Devin. Please don't end it now 👿👿👿
At first, this book wasn't exactly slow but scattered. I kept pushing through because this and the Dartmoor series has been so good. It picked up with the plot and sub plots and of course a great ending. I hope that we hear more regarding Ten, Reese and what happens to the soulless Devin. Please don't end it now 👿👿👿
January 9, 2019
:::
Overall Rating :: 4-4.5 stars
Series :: Book three of the Lean Dogs Legacy series.
Hero/Heroine :: Charlie/Eden (and Albie/Axelle)
POV :: Alternating.
Cliffhanger :: Nope-ish.
HEA ::
:::
This series, the Lean Dogs Legacy, as well as Lauren Gilley's Dartmoor series is like reading about people you know. Okay, if you were to know and hang out with bikers, sure, but everyone is just so real. So likable, so flawed. Each character is vital to this club family dynamic. I honestly don't know what I can say that I haven't said already in my other reviews. This series is an absolute revelation. It is just written so well. Like this:
Abe had a cramped little apartment above his warehouse gym that still smelled like laundry soap and toast, just like Fox remembered. He assumed, if the place smelled the same, that Abe ate afternoon tea just the same: two pieces of toast, one with butter, the other with strawberry jam; tea with a splash of bourbon; leftover lox from the morning’s breakfast, kept cool in the fridge along with his assortment of vegetables, fruit, and kosher pickles.
Don't you just completely get the environment? Can't you smell it? See it? Can't you deduce the kind of man Abe is just by this description alone? The words are detailed and specific, and beautiful. There's beauty to her writing; her lyrical way of weaving you into the lives of her characters.
Initially, when I read Fearless in 2015, I wanted a MC romance. Sure, I got that, but I also got so much more than I could have dreamed. I was unabashedly sucked into this world. This world of violence and determination and family. In Prodigal Son, the focus is mainly on Charlie, a character that has boundless charm and a chilling calm in deadly situations. There is still a romance here, but it's secondary (and that's okay). The story really is about Charlie and his brood of half-brothers and sisters, with a special focus on Albie, as well (squee!).
Such a wonderful, violent, heartbreaking, sweet story. I cannot wait for more from this world, this MC, these characters. I'm on board, all the way.
Overall Rating :: 4-4.5 stars
Series :: Book three of the Lean Dogs Legacy series.
Hero/Heroine :: Charlie/Eden (and Albie/Axelle)
POV :: Alternating.
Cliffhanger :: Nope-ish.
HEA ::
:::
This series, the Lean Dogs Legacy, as well as Lauren Gilley's Dartmoor series is like reading about people you know. Okay, if you were to know and hang out with bikers, sure, but everyone is just so real. So likable, so flawed. Each character is vital to this club family dynamic. I honestly don't know what I can say that I haven't said already in my other reviews. This series is an absolute revelation. It is just written so well. Like this:
Abe had a cramped little apartment above his warehouse gym that still smelled like laundry soap and toast, just like Fox remembered. He assumed, if the place smelled the same, that Abe ate afternoon tea just the same: two pieces of toast, one with butter, the other with strawberry jam; tea with a splash of bourbon; leftover lox from the morning’s breakfast, kept cool in the fridge along with his assortment of vegetables, fruit, and kosher pickles.
Don't you just completely get the environment? Can't you smell it? See it? Can't you deduce the kind of man Abe is just by this description alone? The words are detailed and specific, and beautiful. There's beauty to her writing; her lyrical way of weaving you into the lives of her characters.
Initially, when I read Fearless in 2015, I wanted a MC romance. Sure, I got that, but I also got so much more than I could have dreamed. I was unabashedly sucked into this world. This world of violence and determination and family. In Prodigal Son, the focus is mainly on Charlie, a character that has boundless charm and a chilling calm in deadly situations. There is still a romance here, but it's secondary (and that's okay). The story really is about Charlie and his brood of half-brothers and sisters, with a special focus on Albie, as well (squee!).
Such a wonderful, violent, heartbreaking, sweet story. I cannot wait for more from this world, this MC, these characters. I'm on board, all the way.
July 26, 2019
This story contained a lot more of the family as a whole than they did on Fox and his girl, but was still great. This review pertains to all the books in both the Dartmoor and Lean Dog Legacy series because I did not have time to write a review for each individual one between scrambling to get the next book.
I liked how the story lines fit together and how different couples were brought in throughout
Liked how each character was unique, for the most part. There was a book or two that fell a little flat but every single one was entertaining and I couldn't wait to read the next one. The story lines themselves were fairly unique but not completely (hard to do anymore) and kept me interested every time. I liked some characters more than others and felt some couples had more chemistry than others but not in a bad way, it just made them all stand out differently.
With a book or two I felt some of the info or scenes were just completely skipped over which frustrated me. The writing was really incredible. No grammar errors or typos, which really distract me, unless I was so caught up in the stories I missed some! I didnt like how the heights kept getting mentioned and then smallish dicks, it was just kind of a turn off.
I was definitely not ready for the series to be over. I also absolutely loved the side characters, they were so interesting and really had added something to each book. I want more stories for these characters but I respect that Lauren Gilley didnt give each and every one a story and over write the families too much like some series that have 15 books and just drag on. I'm also very glad I chose to read the series once all the books were out because the wait would have killed me!
I will definitely be reading more of Lauren Gilley in the future and will definently be rereading the books I've read so far.
**********Slight spoiler.... ******************
I would really like to know more about the newest addition and see how Cassandra's story and Reese's stories play out.
I liked how the story lines fit together and how different couples were brought in throughout
Liked how each character was unique, for the most part. There was a book or two that fell a little flat but every single one was entertaining and I couldn't wait to read the next one. The story lines themselves were fairly unique but not completely (hard to do anymore) and kept me interested every time. I liked some characters more than others and felt some couples had more chemistry than others but not in a bad way, it just made them all stand out differently.
With a book or two I felt some of the info or scenes were just completely skipped over which frustrated me. The writing was really incredible. No grammar errors or typos, which really distract me, unless I was so caught up in the stories I missed some! I didnt like how the heights kept getting mentioned and then smallish dicks, it was just kind of a turn off.
I was definitely not ready for the series to be over. I also absolutely loved the side characters, they were so interesting and really had added something to each book. I want more stories for these characters but I respect that Lauren Gilley didnt give each and every one a story and over write the families too much like some series that have 15 books and just drag on. I'm also very glad I chose to read the series once all the books were out because the wait would have killed me!
I will definitely be reading more of Lauren Gilley in the future and will definently be rereading the books I've read so far.
**********Slight spoiler.... ******************
I would really like to know more about the newest addition and see how Cassandra's story and Reese's stories play out.
December 9, 2025
I always read the summary of the books before I read the book. So I knew going into this one, it wasn't going to be like the other books. I will say that the romantic interest in this book was not really just Fox. In fact, Albie's relationship seemed to get more page time than Fox's. Also this one was less about Fox but about the Devin Greene brood as a whole which suited me because Fox hasn't been interesting enough in previous books to have him be the sole focus. And speaking of Devin Greene, he is also in here and what a cowardly a**hole that guy turned out to be.
Over all, the book was most excellent, but I knocked off a star because the summary was not really accurate in the ways already mentioned above.
Over all, the book was most excellent, but I knocked off a star because the summary was not really accurate in the ways already mentioned above.
December 20, 2018
Storyteller of the highest order
The thing about Gilley's stories is that you fall in their-the characters'-world and its like you've been there always. These characters are complex, they're layered, they have bad days, they have flaws...they're real. This particular story is a culmination of threads woven over a long time, and the echoes of these events will reverberate for a while. If you're wondering whether the book is worth the price, it is. Anything of Gilley's is worth it. Her stories aren't easily encapsulated, but they're worth every penny.
The thing about Gilley's stories is that you fall in their-the characters'-world and its like you've been there always. These characters are complex, they're layered, they have bad days, they have flaws...they're real. This particular story is a culmination of threads woven over a long time, and the echoes of these events will reverberate for a while. If you're wondering whether the book is worth the price, it is. Anything of Gilley's is worth it. Her stories aren't easily encapsulated, but they're worth every penny.
December 24, 2018
I really enjoyed this story.
4 1/2 stars
So I have to say I hesitated on reading this book, only because the author mentioned there wasn't much of romance in this story and I'm a big romance girl. Having said that, I really, enjoyed this story. I loved how she crafts her characters and the story line was great. I love all these characters and I am always looking forward to seeing where she takes them next. PS....the romance was still there which gave me a fix, it just wasn't the dominant factor and I didn't mind that all.
4 1/2 stars
So I have to say I hesitated on reading this book, only because the author mentioned there wasn't much of romance in this story and I'm a big romance girl. Having said that, I really, enjoyed this story. I loved how she crafts her characters and the story line was great. I love all these characters and I am always looking forward to seeing where she takes them next. PS....the romance was still there which gave me a fix, it just wasn't the dominant factor and I didn't mind that all.
July 9, 2020
What I loved about this book is what many people didn’t. This book was less about a love story though you actually got two and the set up for another one and instead you got the Lean Dogs doing what they do best, protecting their family. I loved the back and forth and the parts where groups where doing their own thing and that overlapped another group in the story line. And anytime Mercy shows up with “Honey, I’m home” you know it’s going to be a good book!
January 4, 2019
How I love the Lean Dogs. I was fascinated by Devin's history. I loved seeing all the siblings come together and see how devoted they are to each other. I can't wait for more Lean Dogs in Tennessee.
I loved both romantic couples, Eden with Fox and Albie with Axelle. I'm looking forward to more of them in future books.
As always, Lauren Gilley does not disappoint and I love her writing.
I loved both romantic couples, Eden with Fox and Albie with Axelle. I'm looking forward to more of them in future books.
As always, Lauren Gilley does not disappoint and I love her writing.
March 17, 2022
Prodigal Son $3.99 333 pages ** 3/17/22 Fox & Eden
I couldn’t finish this book. I stopped reading after only being able to reach the 37% mark after 5 days. I like Fox but this was so boring, I think I skipped most of the pages I tried to read. It's rare that I don't like a book and I always finish them but this one, I just could not get into.
I couldn’t finish this book. I stopped reading after only being able to reach the 37% mark after 5 days. I like Fox but this was so boring, I think I skipped most of the pages I tried to read. It's rare that I don't like a book and I always finish them but this one, I just could not get into.
October 29, 2025
The Prodigal Son
Fox and Eden, how i longed for more of their romance, i wanted to feel the angst and the previous heartbreak between them... but the couple that stood out to me the most in this was Albie and Axelle. Fast paced storyline but romance wasnt the star of the show here, the latest plot against the dogs was.
Fox and Eden, how i longed for more of their romance, i wanted to feel the angst and the previous heartbreak between them... but the couple that stood out to me the most in this was Albie and Axelle. Fast paced storyline but romance wasnt the star of the show here, the latest plot against the dogs was.
May 28, 2020
Love this series and as always, Lauren Gilley does not disappoint and I love her writing.
I love all these characters and I am always looking forward to seeing where she takes them next.
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