What do you think?
Rate this book
Devil's Bastards MC #2
Say My Name
Zelda Jurov had many reasons to move to a sleepy little town in Wyoming. She wanted to make art. She wanted to get away from her family. She wanted to be left alone with just her dog for company.
Too bad no one told the bikers next door.
John knows he should stay away from his sexy new neighbor, yet Zelda is a temptation he can’t resist. But when club business spills into his personal life and Zelda is put in danger, will he risk everything to save her?
Too bad no one told the bikers next door.
John knows he should stay away from his sexy new neighbor, yet Zelda is a temptation he can’t resist. But when club business spills into his personal life and Zelda is put in danger, will he risk everything to save her?
- GenresRomanceM F Romance
241 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2019
70 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 17, 2019
I’ve been sitting on this review for a while, at a mental impasse how to describe the highs of the excellent quality writing in Say My Name versus issues that are particular to this period in time and how it impacts my pop culture consumption. Something unrelated finally illuminated for me that my conflict is about what I want in a male romantic lead and how much I enjoyed the book even though John isn’t the hero I’m looking for. I don’t have any secret desire for a bad boy to come roaring into my life on a motorcycle, but I’m usually comfortable suspending my moral compass for a good story. Leave it to the Trump administration to ruin yet another thing. Given everything that’s playing out right now, I had a hard time with John’s choice to put loyalty to the club over basic human decency. And yet!!!! At the end of the book I was still rooting for him and want him to deserve Zelda.
Right now I’m looking for a couple of different types of heroes – the Captain America type who will dive onto the grenade because that’s the right thing to do, and the guy who will hunt high and low for durian based desserts because that makes his girlfriend smile. John is neither of those guys. He’s the guy who doesn’t like what the president of his motorcycle club is doing, but he goes along. He tells his love interest that she can’t ask questions. He’s comfortable existing outside of the law while also trying to be as good a person as he can within not great circumstances. Circumstances of his own choosing. He is not the romantic love interest I am interested in, but Blakeman made him so compelling that I haven’t stopped thinking about Say My Name for two months.
The heart of this story though, is Zelda. Zelda is our everyperson viewing this criminal enterprise which is on the verge of becoming a train wreck. Her response to the people and situations around her informs my response and grants some of the other characters more sympathy than I would give them. John is able to be a complex, nuanced character and not just an asshole because Zelda likes him. He wants Zelda to like him. Zelda is trying to build a peaceful life with her doofy dog and focus on her art, but in truth she is comfortable with chaos. When faced with a challenging situation, she deals with it with a common sense approach which keeps the story from going off the rails. But Blakeman also gives her the freedom to freak out when the situation has been handled, so that she stays grounded in reality.
In my review of Aviva’s first book, Stacked, I felt like the book started off shaky and grew in confidence. Say My Name has no confidence issues. Right off the bat, Zelda springs fully formed onto the page. The world of the book feels like it exists outside of the pages.
So that’s why it has taken me so long to write this review. I really liked Say My Name, partly in spite of myself. I’m going to read the rest of the series as it comes out, and I’m even going to read the book in which I expect Banks will be the romantic lead, even though I think he should rot in jail forever. If anyone can give him a redemptive arc, it’s Aviva Blakeman. If you haven’t read Mrs. Julien’s review, you should.
Right now I’m looking for a couple of different types of heroes – the Captain America type who will dive onto the grenade because that’s the right thing to do, and the guy who will hunt high and low for durian based desserts because that makes his girlfriend smile. John is neither of those guys. He’s the guy who doesn’t like what the president of his motorcycle club is doing, but he goes along. He tells his love interest that she can’t ask questions. He’s comfortable existing outside of the law while also trying to be as good a person as he can within not great circumstances. Circumstances of his own choosing. He is not the romantic love interest I am interested in, but Blakeman made him so compelling that I haven’t stopped thinking about Say My Name for two months.
The heart of this story though, is Zelda. Zelda is our everyperson viewing this criminal enterprise which is on the verge of becoming a train wreck. Her response to the people and situations around her informs my response and grants some of the other characters more sympathy than I would give them. John is able to be a complex, nuanced character and not just an asshole because Zelda likes him. He wants Zelda to like him. Zelda is trying to build a peaceful life with her doofy dog and focus on her art, but in truth she is comfortable with chaos. When faced with a challenging situation, she deals with it with a common sense approach which keeps the story from going off the rails. But Blakeman also gives her the freedom to freak out when the situation has been handled, so that she stays grounded in reality.
In my review of Aviva’s first book, Stacked, I felt like the book started off shaky and grew in confidence. Say My Name has no confidence issues. Right off the bat, Zelda springs fully formed onto the page. The world of the book feels like it exists outside of the pages.
So that’s why it has taken me so long to write this review. I really liked Say My Name, partly in spite of myself. I’m going to read the rest of the series as it comes out, and I’m even going to read the book in which I expect Banks will be the romantic lead, even though I think he should rot in jail forever. If anyone can give him a redemptive arc, it’s Aviva Blakeman. If you haven’t read Mrs. Julien’s review, you should.
July 16, 2019
Loved Zelda and John 's story!!
I really like how the relationship started between Zelda as John, I was actually laughing out loud at some parts! This is the second book for this author and I'm liking her style ( love the sarcasm) , however even though I read more violent and even more gritty MC books (SPOLIER) I'm giving her until the next book to start fixing the club's "new business" . The minute she started letting these guys keep doing the job knowing children were involved she lost me. Sorry no "love story" can redeem those guys. Oh, and as a Vet .. REALLY ain't seen it.
I really like how the relationship started between Zelda as John, I was actually laughing out loud at some parts! This is the second book for this author and I'm liking her style ( love the sarcasm) , however even though I read more violent and even more gritty MC books (SPOLIER) I'm giving her until the next book to start fixing the club's "new business" . The minute she started letting these guys keep doing the job knowing children were involved she lost me. Sorry no "love story" can redeem those guys. Oh, and as a Vet .. REALLY ain't seen it.
March 26, 2020
Oh man, this sucks, not the book exactly most of that was good but my inner morality won’t rest and let me enjoy this book. I loved the characters, the romance was amazing the depth and emotions so very real and I loved that too.
I know most MC books are about one percenters, and they didn’t get that way selling cookies. But there is a limit to what illegal stuff I can stomach the characters doing and this book went way beyond it.
Human Trafficking should never, ever, be made romantic, because it truly is in the very top of very worst evil one human can commit to another, and that ruined a great story for me. I couldn’t help feeling that if Zelda ever found out about it she’d leave Smith in a heartbeat, and her trust in him is sadly misplaced because he’s involved up to his neck in it.
I know most MC books are about one percenters, and they didn’t get that way selling cookies. But there is a limit to what illegal stuff I can stomach the characters doing and this book went way beyond it.
Human Trafficking should never, ever, be made romantic, because it truly is in the very top of very worst evil one human can commit to another, and that ruined a great story for me. I couldn’t help feeling that if Zelda ever found out about it she’d leave Smith in a heartbeat, and her trust in him is sadly misplaced because he’s involved up to his neck in it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2021
Human trafficking trigger!
This book has been out for 2 years and there is no 3rd book that I can find of this series. The first book was ok, which gave me some hope for this book. Sadly, this book sucked. The characters lack every single thing! The storyline is blah. The MC tricked the members into this new adventure for cash, you know. Human trafficking. A few members have second thoughts but actually do nothing about it.
This book is like the author was either stoned or drunk when she tried to write this. Nothing makes sense in this story. Can't even call anything that happens, a twist. It's completely blah.
This book has been out for 2 years and there is no 3rd book that I can find of this series. The first book was ok, which gave me some hope for this book. Sadly, this book sucked. The characters lack every single thing! The storyline is blah. The MC tricked the members into this new adventure for cash, you know. Human trafficking. A few members have second thoughts but actually do nothing about it.
This book is like the author was either stoned or drunk when she tried to write this. Nothing makes sense in this story. Can't even call anything that happens, a twist. It's completely blah.
January 11, 2025
Not the same as the first
This is a totally different storylines from the first book. In this book, the MC has a much stronger showing and seems to be heading for a showdown in a future book. Both the MMC and FMC have strong personalities but come across a genuinely good. The trouble that the MC has become involved with will generate into further trouble, and I hope to read how they handle that. I am enjoying the tread and would like to read more.
This is a totally different storylines from the first book. In this book, the MC has a much stronger showing and seems to be heading for a showdown in a future book. Both the MMC and FMC have strong personalities but come across a genuinely good. The trouble that the MC has become involved with will generate into further trouble, and I hope to read how they handle that. I am enjoying the tread and would like to read more.
May 22, 2023
So um... the biker gang is involved in human trafficking for income. But never fear the biker and woman fall in love and get an HEA. Meanwhile he continues to participate in human trafficking. WTF? Serious real life stuff in novels is fine but someone engaged in something so egregious does not deserve an HEA.
July 7, 2020
John Smith
He's the V P of the club and is having trouble with the way Banks is running the club. But he found something special in the next door neighbor of the club . But things are happening fast with John and his lady finding there way .
He's the V P of the club and is having trouble with the way Banks is running the club. But he found something special in the next door neighbor of the club . But things are happening fast with John and his lady finding there way .
May 21, 2023
It's interesting to see characters from the previous book in a different life. Zelda is not your stereotypical romance heroine. I wish more time had delved into her art. She's strong, doesn't romanticize the bikers, is funny, wounded, and relatable.
September 24, 2021
Challenging to read (violence, unanswered questions) but very interesting characters and circumstances.
April 28, 2024
Great story
This was a good storyline and I hope there will be more in the series .There was so much going on in this book .
This was a good storyline and I hope there will be more in the series .There was so much going on in this book .
October 18, 2024
⛔️(in notes)
July 5, 2019
This is Blakeman's second book and second in this series. I read the first one very quickly and enjoyed how much of an introduction it was and how it gently set you up for what-was-to-come.
This book is meatier than the first. Yes, it is a contemporary romance but that almost comes second to the intriguing and sometimes violent story line. Too many 'kissing books' try and make every character lovable with only one being the bad guy. Blakeman's description of people, their actions, and her use of dialogue is no hold's barred. There's one particular scene that isn't violent in any way but still remains an absolutely disgusting description of a character using only food.
There were tough points where I wanted the character to go one way and not the other. This is something she does well; not allowing for a comfortable and easy character journey. But it certainly is never used as a 'just because'. The hiccups, bumps, and scrapes are all integral to the story. None of them feel shoved in for dramatic effect.
This book is meatier than the first. Yes, it is a contemporary romance but that almost comes second to the intriguing and sometimes violent story line. Too many 'kissing books' try and make every character lovable with only one being the bad guy. Blakeman's description of people, their actions, and her use of dialogue is no hold's barred. There's one particular scene that isn't violent in any way but still remains an absolutely disgusting description of a character using only food.
There were tough points where I wanted the character to go one way and not the other. This is something she does well; not allowing for a comfortable and easy character journey. But it certainly is never used as a 'just because'. The hiccups, bumps, and scrapes are all integral to the story. None of them feel shoved in for dramatic effect.
July 31, 2019
So Good
Every once in a while you come across an author who takes it to the next level, Aviva is one of those. Intriguing storylines that pull you in, characters that are wonderful but a little quirky, and the true ability to write. I am so happy to have found a writer whose stories I love and whose work I respect.
Every once in a while you come across an author who takes it to the next level, Aviva is one of those. Intriguing storylines that pull you in, characters that are wonderful but a little quirky, and the true ability to write. I am so happy to have found a writer whose stories I love and whose work I respect.
November 15, 2019
Yes...I was looking for this book and had to ask my biker book reading friends and no one could remember and then I just had to scroll through my ipad.
I loved these two together and they were hawt!!!
But now I need BANKS!!!
I loved these two together and they were hawt!!!
But now I need BANKS!!!
September 12, 2019
Second book
This is a other good book. It's full of twists and turns and certain amounts of doubt. Strange story but interesting all the same. Definitely not your usual MC book
This is a other good book. It's full of twists and turns and certain amounts of doubt. Strange story but interesting all the same. Definitely not your usual MC book
September 20, 2019
Awesome
Loved this second book
Loved the characters
Interesting plot can't wait for the next one
Bring it on
👍 great
Loved this second book
Loved the characters
Interesting plot can't wait for the next one
Bring it on
👍 great
December 16, 2019
Another winner
Excellent addition to this series. Great writing and good characters. Looking forward to the next book in this of books.
Excellent addition to this series. Great writing and good characters. Looking forward to the next book in this of books.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews