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Who’d want a guy like me?

Sure, I can make my MC brothers laugh, but I’m not good for much else.
Muscle? Sure.
Smarts? Not so much.
At least Brennan knows I’m one hot mother… Well… You know.
No one ever wants me for more than a roll in the sheets.
No one except Brennan.
Will he still want me when he realizes how messed up I am?

Joker is more than just fun and games.
He’s full of wisecracks, seems to live to rile everyone up, but the club enforcer has hidden depths.
Depths that only I see.
When the MC has a job for me, it’s the perfect opportunity to get close to Joker.
I want to keep his smart mouth busy.
With my lips… And other things.
But the closer we get, the more of his pain I see.
I want to find a way to help him heal.
Will he let me in when he’s spent his whole life hiding?

Joker always has a wisecrack ready, but Brennan can see the secrets and pain he’s hiding. These two collide in Joker, book 8 of the Hell’s Ankhor standalone m/m romance motorcycle club series.

232 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 17, 2020

296 people are currently reading
251 people want to read

About the author

Aiden Bates

262 books1,212 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
Profile Image for Santy.
1,260 reviews75 followers
February 28, 2021
Joker was the prickliest guy ever and Brennan possibly the most level headed so this made for some interesting dynamics.

However, beneath his abrasive exterior, Joker really was the sweetest ever and I enjoyed it being exposed for the world to see. Although I could've done with less repetition of WHY he was that way( after the first couple of times, I just skipped some of this internal musings around it)

Nonethelesss, I liked the story and found it to be well written.
Profile Image for Dani.
1,740 reviews358 followers
September 13, 2023
4.5

I loved this 🥹

Joker is my favourite kind of character - emotionally damaged and doesn't know what to do to heal.

I cried a good few times throughout this one, and I really liked how the relationship with Brennan grew, and how Joker gained confidence and figured out what steps to take to heal and cope better with his grief.

My only complaint is I felt we didn't get to know Brennan all that well, whereas we learn so much about Joker. It felt a little unbalanced for me.
Profile Image for Saimi Vasquez.
1,996 reviews93 followers
July 12, 2022
Joker siempre ha sido el "alma de la fiesta" desde que se union al Club, pero ahora las fiestas del club no son como antes, ya no hay fiestas locas, ni sexo por todas partes, todo se esta volviendo muy familiar y se esta comenzando a sentir como que no encaja tampoco aqui, pero el quiere a sus amigos, y es la unica familia que le queda, quizas solo le hace falta tener un poco de sexo sin compromiso, pero el unico disponible que le llama la atencion es Brennan y este no quiere nada con el o quizas si?. Pero cuando Brennan descubre que puede hacer tallas de madera detalladas, quiere ayudarlo a explotarlo y cuando su presidente le pide que talle el logo del club, todas sus inseguridades vuelven de golpe, solo necesita alguien que lo apoye, pero Brennan estara dispuesto a hacerlo?
Brennan siempre ha sido un emprendedor, asi que cuando inicio su compania de renovaciones lo hizo poco a poco, esperando ir obteniendo trabajos cada vez mas grandes. Asi que cuando acepto el trabajo para remodelar la pasteleria Stella's, sabia que podia obtener mas trabajos para el Club, y eso ha sido lo que lo ha ayudado a seguir avanzando. Ahora con el trabajo de renovacion de la casa Club, ademas de un futuro proyecto para hacer pequenas cabanas en sus terrenos, Brennan siente que esta avanzando. Pero tiene una debilidad, los "chicos mala conducta", y Joker llena todas sus casillas, y aunque intenta por todos sus medios no acercarse al hombre, no puede evitar ver lo que oculta detras de la mascara y querer ayudarlo, aunque sea mucho mas dificil de lo que cree incialmente, quizas el premio sea mejor de lo que imagina.

El libro grita romance por todos lados, pero tambien es bastante dramatico, la personalidad de Joker, es como dice el refran "risa por fuera, dolor por dentro", llore como una magdalena por todo el auto-desprecio que sentia Joker, por como no le era posible confiar en la gente y por lo que sus padres le hicieron pasar. Llore por como se aislaba cuando necesitaba compania solo para que no descubrieran sus secreto y se "burlaran" de el, y llore cuando hablaba con los ninos en el hospital y estos intentaban subirle el animo. El personaje de Brennan es uno de los mas fuertes y comprensivos que he leido en esta serie, logro por medio del amor y la comprension lo que ninguno de sus "hermanos" del club pudo lograr, ver y sacar al verdadero Joker.
En fin, es un libro dulce, lindo, romantico, con mucho drama y mucha lectura de auto-superacion y aprender a aceptar ayuda, me gusto mucho y me hizo llorar casi toda la lectura.
Por supuesto, voy a seguir con la serie, aunque no creo que otro de los libros me llegue tanto, pero seguro espero que sean tan buenos como este.
Profile Image for E.Muddle.
1,414 reviews22 followers
November 17, 2020
This has been such a wonderful and heartwarming series, and Joker's story is no different. I knew there were more to Joker's snark and rude humour we caught glimpses of in the previous books. And wow was there so much more. Yes, Joker lashes out and is often abrasive, but he is actually so very caring and has the biggest heart. I won't spoil the surprise by telling you what exactly is going on with him, but I will say it was impossible for me to not be affected, and to not have my heart broken for him. Brennan is such a perfect match for him because, although he's been in similar situations in his past relationships, he really sees Joker for who he is, and he refuses to give up on him. He manages to break through Joker's defenses, and with his unwavering support, Joker finally realises that he's worth more than he thought. Of course, the Hells Ankhor family is there for him too - all he has to do is let them in.
Profile Image for Cynthia Brooks.
2,388 reviews11 followers
November 18, 2020
Joker always had something smart to say and never took anything seriously. Brennan owned a construction company and was doing work for the MC. He thought Joker was a jerk but there was something that drew him to Joker. The more he got to know him the more he knew Joker had secrets. I really enjoyed this book.
973 reviews1 follower
November 12, 2020
I am so in love with this series. This was Joker's turn to get his happy ever after and I am so glad he did. I think he is one of my favorites in this series. Him and Brennan made such a wonderful couple. I can't wait for the next book. This is such an amazing series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Darlene.
1,047 reviews10 followers
November 17, 2020
I was nervous to read “Joker”, mostly because how can you stop a man who self-sabotages himself, plus stop his fight & flight syndrome when things get too tense for him. Well, Joker’s book was more than I expected. I learned about Joker’s past; a man haunted by his past and its great sadness that hides inside him, and why his past causes him his chaotic behavior.

Joker’s quick to anger, quick with his sarcastic comments, and quick to leave a room if he can’t take it when someone says anything negative about him. No one understands what makes him be the way he is, and no one knows that more than the members of Hell’s Ankhor Crew. Brennan, the construction owner that re-built Stella’s is attracted to Joker as Joker is to him.

Brennan has just been commissioned to recon the Hell’s Ankhor Crews clubhouse and will be around Joker more often. The club also asked if he could do a wooden sign for outside, but that was something he couldn’t make the way they wanted, he didn’t carve wood he built with it; he would have to commission the work.

Brennan may be attracted to Joker but definitely not his caustic persona. Brennan has his own past with always choosing to be with the wrong man, and constantly having to heal his heart, and with Joker, he needed to stay away. He couldn’t fix Joker he had to do that for himself. But every once in a while when Joker allowed himself to talk with Brennan, Brennan caught glimpse of a whole other man underneath and he wanted to know that Joker.

Brennan knew it wasn’t going to be easy, in fact, it was worse than he thought. Joker was attracted to the man, but he had dark, private secrets that he kept even from his brothers in the club. Joker would privately whittle small items in perfect detail and when Brennan watched as Joker whittled Brennan told him it was professional work.

At their outdoor family party, after his brother’s heard about Joker being the one who made the wooden toys for Grace, it astonished him the acceptance and the wonderful comments from his brothers. After much persuasion, Joker finally accepted to be the one to carve the big sign with the new name for the club. Brennan, in turn, offered Joker to use his workshop and use of the wood carving tools his father had given him. Joker accepted the commission.

Joker found that not only was he attracted to Brennan, he also felt at ease in the man’s company, so he agreed to use Brennan’s workshop. Throughout the time Joker spent at Brennan’s he started to trust him. Being in each other’s company so often they talked, had a few dinners together, and watched TV as some of Joker’s guard came down and let Brennan in and shared about his brother.

Brennan was shocked when he heard some of Joker’s past and understood where some of Joker’s behavior came from, but not all of it…Joker still had what he thought was his worse secret. A secret that he felt his club brothers would laugh at and maybe even get kicked out of the club and Brennan would no longer be his friend. Joker truly believed his entire negative self-talk and that’s what gets him into anger and running away.

The book has real emotions from Joker that brought me to my knees. Joker’s sad past broke my heart and I actually shed tears, it was that emotional. Then Joker breaks down and tells his club brother’s everything. I cried as I read his words that are so touching. But when he finished talking and with his brother’s acceptance, he felt relief, so did I. Joker had changed.

Later, after Joker and Brennan made passionate love, it was Joker’s vulnerability when he bared his heart and soul to Brennan that I really lost it – it was so beautifully written. The whole book’s written so well it took my breath away. Out of this series “Joker” is a must-read. After you got to know Joker in past books in the series, you’ll be shocked by the passionate, caring person hiding underneath.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jay.
211 reviews34 followers
May 2, 2025
I knew I was like Iove this one even before I read it and I was right. this one might be my favorite. Joker my Shaylaaaa. Brennan is everything he needed.

tropes and tags
constructor X biker
found family
hurt comfort
illiterate mc
needy bottom
top and bottom roles

TW/CW
neglect mc (by parents)
mc had to drop out at the age of 14
mc is heavily insecure
mentions of death by leukemia (cancer)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Ericka Walden.
1,163 reviews49 followers
December 20, 2020
4.5****
Well... that was a bit of a surprise in the middle of this series. This was indeed my favorite of the entire series! I had this on my kindle for a while because I didn't think I'd be able to connect with Joker. Heck, I just wanna give him a hug and be his bestie..LoL great read♥️
Profile Image for Kirstin.
2,123 reviews20 followers
February 5, 2021
I wasn't sure I'd like this book as much as I have the others because Joker has always kind of been that character that's annoying in the background, but I adored his story. It made me realize why he acted and reacted the way he did, why he was so triggered by seemingly nothing, and how Brennan was perfect for him. It was lovely.
Profile Image for Alexis.
559 reviews
May 29, 2023
Okay so Brennan is too good for Joker and almost everyone else. He’s such a good boy. He helped me learn to love Joker a little bit, but I just couldn’t really connect with Joker. I spent half the book wanting to throttle Joker and scream “Tell Him the Truth!” I wish Brannon would have been patched in as Jokers old man but I guess I can’t have it all.
Profile Image for Maitreyi.
22 reviews
May 4, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.
Without a doubt.

This book was absolutely beautiful . It brought tears to my eyes and had my jaw clenched with emotion. Joker’s character arc was not just stunning—it was painfully relatable. The way his trauma was explored, the silent battles he fought, and the growth he experienced hit way too close to home in the best way. And Brennen? God, his steady, grounding presence was everything. The way he offered acceptance without judgment, and still held firm, healthy boundaries—that was powerful to witness.

The club dynamics were another thing I adored. There’s something about biker books that just pulls me in—the raw loyalty, the unspoken love, the sense of found family that rises from the chaos. This one got it so right.
This book carved itself into my heart, and it’s now easily one of my all-time favorites.

Profile Image for LC.
793 reviews9 followers
November 29, 2020
Oh Joker!

Joker had me by the heart in the last book. I knew he was hiding his true self, I just couldn’t figure it out why. Oh man Aiden Bates and Lydia Ali about broke my heart when they brought up his back story. What a tearjerker! I’m so glad he met Brennan. I’m so glad he softened up and started opening up. There was something so beautiful about it especially when he took Brennan to meet the kids. Oh my heart! When Joker finally told the Club the truth about Parker and about not being able to read. My heart was happy, because finally it was like he was telling them he wanted his place in the family. No more annoying little brother crap, I’m here and I’m staying family. When Heath told Brennan to go get him, that was the best, because it was like Heath was channeling Parker. Brennan truly is the best thing to happen to Joker. He supports him and makes him safe and loved.

I’m so looking forward to Nix and Dawson’s story next. I love that we get to keep reading about the Club. I hope to see more of Brennan and Joker in Dawson’s story as D and Brennan as best friends.
Profile Image for Edward Troy.
37 reviews1 follower
April 4, 2021
Tearjerker

Aiden Bates and Ali Lyda have struck gold with Hell's Ankhor Series, and Book 8, "Joker", in my opinion, is the best book in the series so far!! I have slowly fallen in love with the men in Hell's Ankhor Crew, now that the Junee and Elkin Lake MC Chapters have merged, but I was not really prepared for hie much Joker's story was going to hit me. Joker has wormed his way into my heart, along with MC club friend, Brennan, who falls head over heels fir the surly, misunderstood, kind-hearted biker. Joker's evolution in this book truly warmed my heart, and when we learn his story and all about his deceased younger brother, Parker, I could barely read my Kindle app my phone as the tears streaked down my face and dripped all over my phone. Thanks you for inspiring me to do better in my own life, because that's what this book did for me. I was shocked at my visceral reaction to the unveiling of Joker's trauma. Apparently,I still have triggers from my own traumas growing up that I thought long healed. Boy, was I wrong. I can't recommend this book enough. It was truly cathartic for this middle aged gay man. Bless you for this series Aiden and Lyda.
Profile Image for Della Slight Hiatus  Senpai.
113 reviews4 followers
December 15, 2021
Audiobook review


I really Really REALLY wanted to like Joker and Brennan's story and in hind sight I did .... But the narrator made me feel like Joker just played too much. He gave me "look good sit yo goofy self down some dang where you getting on my nerves". 😑😒 I listen to audio books so I am not sure if it was just the narrator or what but I got so frustrated I almost DNF. But I did eventually.
2,241 reviews6 followers
November 16, 2020
Of the five books I've read so far, Joker's story had to be the hardest on me. Wonderfully written and completely adaptable to real life events.

Joker's attitude towards almost everything was definitely a an acquired taste. His go to defense mechanism for everything was to be biting with his sarcasm. Almost mean enough to keep people at bay. There were few he allowed to see him. Even those small glimpses were not the real man beneath the years of pain.
Losing his brother was the catalyst for the MC we've read about. You don't realize how much until he goes on a date with Brennan and confesses the first big half to him. Baby steps in getting to know Joker. His parents did not show him the love that they could have and should have. Leaving him to grow up and not raise him.

Brennan had a great family life growing up. Complete opposite of Joker's. Same friend, Dawson, who also works with him. He has his own business and helping Dante (previous Hell's Ankhor book) to rebuild his bakery led to new contracts. This one landing him at the front door of Hell's Ankhor/Liberty Crew.

Brennan has so much going progressing in his life, yet he had a bad track record of the wrong guy. Dawson, refers to them as "projects".
(Stick a pin in this idea. I think there is more going on with Dawson's feelings towards Brennan. His dangerous dance with alcohol is unnerving. Maybe we will find out in his upcoming book with Nix).

Only he sees Joker in a different light. Getting to know Joker had not been easy, (he even knows Joker's real name) but it seems worth it. Allowing Joker to lead the way most of the time is proving to pay off. he knows there are some secrets Joker hasn't revealed. Joker is afraid Brennan will not want him anymore, but that is not the case. Will there be another explosive interaction before the dust settle? Can the powerful bond these two men are building survive another foundation shattering outburst?

Brennan and Joker did not disappoint in their fog inducing, steamy scenes and simple romantic gestures.


~~~~Ready for Book 9: Nix's story. He and Dawson make more random appearances in book 8.~~~~

**I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.**
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.9k reviews367 followers
November 18, 2020
Joker is well-named in the club. He deflects pain by being the clown, or making a joke of something, or using sarcasm and snark to slash at an opponent. He had an awful childhood and this is his defense against what he perceives as more of the same. But the MC is his family and he needs their connection around him, even though they often don’t see the real person underneath the “mask” he puts on for his own protection.

Brennan, the owner of the construction company, has done work for various members and knows the club members well. Something about Joker draws him and he sees things some of the others do not. Although Brennan had a wonderful upbringing and none of the conflicts that Joker faced, he still seemed to be able to see that Joker was having difficulties and needed help dealing with some things. But he approached getting to know him more intimately slowly, at Joker’s pace. When they finally do come together, the reader can see the change begin and some growth of the character. Joker still fears that Brennan will reject him, but trust takes time. There are sad moments, but there are also happy ones, and it seems their relationship is making progress. There may still be some bumps on the road as they adjust to things, but all that is part of building the relationship. Will it strengthen what they have together? Or will conflict knock them down again? Will the club also see the changes and be there to let Joker know they’re fully with him?

This is such a good series. Every story brings the reader closer to knowing these guys and seeing how they relate as a family. The characters are so realistic, and the writing so good that characters really do come to life. I’ve said before, when the reader can literally feel the pain or other emotions of the characters, that is incredibly good writing. And you’ll find that here. Share Joker’s story and see how he pushes through his past and is prepared to embrace his future surrounded by those he knows care for him.
3,416 reviews29 followers
November 17, 2020
I wish I could give this book 10 stars blew me away so emotional
I haven’t been really sure of Joker and in pass books but oh my Goodness did this man still my heart. My heart broke for him and I was also so amazed at how strong Joker was. He’d gone through so much pain growing up. And he has turned into this most amazing man without the support of anybody around him. I now understand more about his deflecting antics but it was so wonderful to see the real Joker.

Brennan knew he was attracted to Joker but he couldn’t put up with all of the attention seeking ways that he had been getting away with so long he didn’t understand how the MC could put up with him but he also knew that he was deeply, deep Attracted to him.
Joker and Brennan have to work together to create a sign for the MC. But can they work together? Will joker let his guard down and trust someone to see the real him??
Can Brennan get to know the The real joker?? And Can he handle everything that joker has gone through?
To say this book touch my heart is a huge understatement. I cried, I laughed, I cringed at some of the things that Joker comes out with when he tries to deflect but most of all when everything is said and done my heart just sings for this amazing guy who’s been through so much and turned into this amazing brilliant talented Man he just doesn’t know how good he is. And Brennan oh my gosh you are just the man everyone needs in their life. Your heart is so big and understanding and patient you’re just a fantastic man. And together you hit the jackpot. Their passion, their chemistry is just off the charts but it’s also the quiet times but just goes to prove What a fabulous couple they make.
I can wait for the next book because ill be honest I'm not a big fan of Dawson

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
460 reviews7 followers
November 19, 2020
Oh I love me some Aiden Bates and Ali Lyda when they write about men and motorcycles; chuck in some wood, a couple of hand tools, a children's hospital and you've got yourself a quality page turning tear jerker!!!

As always this writing pairing are pros when it comes to this genre. Their ability to pull the reader into the family dynamic of the 'crew' is unbeatable. You feel like you could be patched in with the others, could sit on the back of a bike, sit at Ballast drinking with boys, eat cake at Stella's, go to Church, work out in the gym. It's all laid out in detail for the reader in such detail that you just know there isn't enough ventilation in the gym and you won't be able to breathe! The smells, the sounds, the feels, the wind blowing, the air chilling it's all there wrapping around you.

This time round they've tackled a couple of difficult subjects; childhood cancer and illiteracy and as a subsequence to those guilt, shame and neglect. I found the tackling of these subject matters really powerful; both were really sensitively dealt with understanding for both sides of the equation.

Our main characters have super cute chemistry once they break through their own bs. My only moan about this series is that the covers don't match the descriptions of the main characters, and this book is no different. Not that it's a bad cover, it just doesn't represent how I see 25 year old Joker.

I totally loved this book, as I knew I would. This whole series has been one love story after another but this one has been the best of the bunch for me so far. It had me in tears, it was just so good.

I'm totally recommending this, and the rest of the series to you for your Kindle library xx

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Emily Hernandez.
1,419 reviews19 followers
December 11, 2020
I had my suspicions that Joker wasn't the menace everyone made him out to be, but even I couldn't have predicted what a heart of gold this sweet man had lurking under his rough exterior. I've always been a sucker for the misunderstood ones, the guys who seem tough and abrasive but are really just hiding behind a shield. Joker was the perfect example of that kind of man, of a man who would rather be loud and annoying than invisible but who would never admit his insecurities to anyone. As I learned more about his past, about his family and his amazing volunteer work, my heart absolutely melted and all of Joker's actions made sense to me. Every crude joke, every outburst of anger wasn't coming from a bad person, just a person who didn't know how to be anything but the class clown and lone wolf. As this story progressed, it was such a joy to see Joker shed that outer skin with Brennan and finally start to open up to someone. Gaining Joker's trust was a fragile, delicate process, but Brennan was up for the challenge. I absolutely adored watching these men take pleasure from simply being around each other, and their sexual chemistry was off the charts. What elevated this story from a lovely romance to something truly special was seeing Joker gain acceptance from his MC family after so many months of tension. By the end of the book, Joker was almost unrecognizable from the closed-off, loud-mouthed man I met before. Seeing him happy, seeing him find peace and love with Brennan and feel worthy and supported by his Crew filled my heart to the brim with happiness.

**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions. 
4,965 reviews19 followers
November 18, 2020
Let your friends in. They can support you, catch you. Joker was a club member who kept his head down. He crushed on Brennan, but fought it. Brennan was the contractor making repairs and upgrading the buildings. He thought Joker was hot, but disliked his attitude. Dawson, his #2 understood him and teased him about his interest in Joker. A long time ago, Brennan and Dawson explored a relationship, but decided they were better as friends and coworkers. Joker's attitude was to hide his internal pain and keep everyone away from him. He was carrying the baggage of protecting his heart, hiding his shame about not being able to read and his feelings of inadequacy and not feeling loved or worthy of love. Joker, whittled from the heart and was good at it. He avoided the idea of taking classes and getting certified. Joker shared with Brennan, that his brother passed away. It was an ultimate gesture of trust since he hadn't shared that info with his club brothers. He volunteered at the Children's Hospital in Elkin Lake since his brother passed. He also started a charity fund in Parker's name. Joker worked for Brennan designing and sculpting a new sign. They got to be friends. They each secretly thought of and wanted more. Good story. Nicely laid out and developed. Does Joker complete the sign? Does it satisfy the club? Does Brennan make his move? Can Joker share his issues with his club? Nice developments. Excellent story. Well done! I received and ARC from Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.j
Profile Image for Jozey.
736 reviews8 followers
April 11, 2022
Sweet, original, heart wrenching!!

Contains: Motorcycle club member, construction guy, a heavy shell around his personnality, a lot of secret and grief/cancer.

I wanted to give it a 4 stars but at 70% Joker brokes my heart with all his declaration. In this book, we discover a grief who took a long shot on our main caracter. We found each mechanism of defense he use to clear people away from his real problem. We fell in love with his teens friends, we love those who are there for him and we also hate the fact that some cant fr*gging understand him. We pass thru a whole set of emotions for finally get our hearts twisted by the despair and the inconsolable grief and its repercussion that have been added to the character.

Joker just wanted a family that would be there to support him and never leave him behind. He wants to be accepted. But he is so afraid to be himself, he doesn't know who he is, that he has put a shell around his personality to hide his true emotions.

Brennan is attracted to Joker. He never has a chance at his heart and he doesn't know if he should trust his heart this time. But Joker will surprise him more than once.

Read this book. Watch two caracters spend a lot of time to discover love. One will have to pierce an armor. The other will have to let his armor fall off. Both will have much to gain, but it all has to start with trust.
238 reviews2 followers
January 6, 2022
Joker is the 8th book in the Hell's Ankhor series which is a motorcycle club set in a fictional city called Elkin lake. This book follows Lawrence whose tag is Joker who is known as the wild and funny guy in the club. Now the club is called the Hell's Ankhor crew club and there have been a lot of renovations going on. The construction worker who is doing these is named Brennan who is the live interest.
Joker struggles with feeling ashamed about his inability to read or write and we see him evolve over this book. Brennan who has just started up a new construction business gets a contract with the Hell's Ankhor club.
I enjoyed this. I thought that Joker's struggles and thoughts were actually believable and something a lot of us might have related to.
Although i do think that in this whole series, upto book 5 in this series, there is a macro plot that is there through all of the first five books but after that there isn't a macro plot really so be aware of that. I however like that because the books just become more standalone-ey then. I loved this book and I'm not ready for this series to end. However I have to say I'm probably the most excited about the last book so much.
In this book my favourite character was definitely Brennan. I loved this book and this series hence I gave it 4 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Juniper.
3,422 reviews25 followers
November 16, 2020
It’s hard to put into words how much I like Joker. He’s a gentle soul who has perfected an abrasive persona to hide from the neglect and tragedy that colored his childhood and early adulthood. When that persona starts to crack, and the person he really is: a gifted artist with a soft spot for kids, begins to emerge, I wanted to take back every negative thing I’d ever thought about him in previous books in the series. It’s so easy to be in Joker’s corner, in fact, that I spent a lot of the novel being frustrated with other characters on his behalf: at his club members, for not even trying to see behind the snark, and at Brennan, whose own life has been so sheltered from tragedy that he doesn’t even notice when he pokes at emotions and ideas that are hard for Joker. Of course, both Brennan and club members come through for Joker in the end, and it all works out for the best. It’s nice, too, to see Brennan and Joker build on their emotional connection before giving into the physical chemistry (mostly). All in all, my favorite book in the series so far, though it could easily be read as a standalone.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
32 reviews
November 17, 2020
Joker. What to say? The person behind the mask is a guy who is hurt in ways that are sadly expected, but yet for reasons that are still heartbreaking. Joker’s resulting issues are so familiar, yet not. This was a story I was expecting, in a way, but still so poignant and engaging that I couldn’t put the book down for more than a few minutes before I was drawn back into it.

In this book we get to see the layers hidden within Joker, who is clown on the club - the clown who is worried that his joking ways are driving a wedge between him and the only family he has. Then there is Brennan, the owner of the construction company who is bringing new life to many of the structures owned by members of the club, including the clubhouse itself (I enjoyed the metaphor here), who has the patience and understanding to encourage the lowering of Joker’s walls.

Their coming together (finally) is a sweet story of growth, change, acceptance, and love with little angst, though there are definitely moments that tug at my heart strings. An overall feel good, happy ending tale which has been added, without hesitation, to my reread list for when a pick me up is needed.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Marion.
1,870 reviews
November 20, 2020
This is book #8 in the Hells Ankhor series. You do not have to have read all the previous books to follow along and enjoy this story. The main characters are Joker and Brennan. Joker is starting to feel left behind and like he no longer belongs with his MC club. He has a lot of sorrow that he is burying deep inside and covers it up with jokes. Added to that he has some personal challenges to overcome. So his confidence level is rapidly falling. Brennan is a contractor this is helping the club with renovations and rebuilding a member's partner house after it was burned down in a previous story. He has a penchant for falling for guys that need to be fixed. He trying to not repeat that mistake.

In the beginning there are a lot of misunderstanding, assumptions and bad communication. Eventually Joker learns that Brennan actually does see him. The good, the bad and the ugly. Brennan also sees the hurt and pain that Joker tries to hide. Joker begins to learn that Brennan can be trusted. It is a slow process but it comes across as realistic. No insta love here.

This is a really well written story. You will get caught up in Joker and Brennan's world. It is a journey well worth taking.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Paige.
768 reviews13 followers
December 24, 2020
So after meeting Joker in Dante and again in Tru I for sure thought I wasn’t going to like him. He was brash, annoying and seemed kind of desperate but after reading his story I have to say he is my favorite character throughout the whole series (besides Tru of course because let’s be real he was fabulous).

I was thoroughly surprised by this book and it was definitely my favorite in the whole series. I like that we got to see all the sides to Joker and even though in this book he seemed like an asshole to everyone else, he wasn’t an asshole to the reader because we got where he was coming from and understood why he was acting that way. He was honestly such a sweetheart, he just didn’t know how to express himself.

I think the authors did a great job pairing him with Brennan because I really liked Brennan. He dug deep and found the true Joker beneath all the jokes and the hard shell. Brennan was such a sweetheart and I was glad he was the one to bring out who Joker really was. They fit well together and I was actually bummed when this book was over.

I’m all caught up with the series and it was a great series. I’m looking forward to Nix. I’m also hoping that Priest and Mal have a book (preferably together) because if anyone deserves a HEA it’s Priest.
1,504 reviews7 followers
November 20, 2020
This is by far my favorite story yet I loved it because it was so heartfelt and hated it when there story ended. Joker was like someone going threw growing pains moody sullen loud and foul-mouthed but under all that you finally see the real man and Brennan brings out the best in him. Theres allot of heart ache hidden behind Jokers angst some of it painful and just plain sad hes not close with his parents the only true person in his life that he cared for is gone and he doesn't think he's worth much until Brennan.

Brennan isn't sure what makes Joker tick and almost everytime they meet hes making crude comments or being just plain rude until he sees a crack in the armor Joker wears to shield himself from everyone while there working on a project together. But Brennan has tried to fix people before at the cost of his heart then he realizes Joker doesn't need to be fixed he just needs exceptince and someone in his life just for him. Such a sweet love story between Brennan and Joker cant wait for the next one.


I was allowed to read and advance copy of this book via Booksprout and this is my honest review.


Profile Image for Mary.
2,753 reviews23 followers
November 23, 2020
This is entertaining, emotional and sweet. Joker is snarky, withdrawn and sullen, but he's also sweet, caring and generous. Brennan is kind, patient and easy going. They'd been around each other for months, and they'd been admiring each other, but Joker didn't know what to do with what he was feeling, and Brennan had no idea what drew him to Joker. Then one day at a club get together, Joker cut himself with his knife when he was whittling. Brennan helped him take care of it, and noticed the figure that Joker had. Being impressed with what he saw, Brennan nominated Joker to carve the new sign for the club. Joker had no confidence in himself to do the job properly, but Brennan encouraged him the whole way. Joker let a little of himself show to Brennan, and very slowly drew him out of his shell. Every time Brennan thought he really knew Joker, Joker wowed him with something else. I loved these two, Joker's life had been less than ideal, and Brennan's big heart was just what Joker needed. Add in some steamy scenes, a little bit of tear-jerking and some great guys, and you get a fantastic story.
Profile Image for Tina.
2,698 reviews15 followers
December 19, 2020
Joker is the eighth book in the Hells Ankhor series by authors Aiden Bates and Ali Lyda. This story is told in dual POV. I found you really need to read this series in order. They build on each other. And we meet characters from the previous books again.

Joker- likes to carve wood. He has been patched into Hell’s Ankhor for three years. He has found the family he never thought to have. He does have his secrets still. He is closed off. He needs to learn to trust his new family.

Brennan- charming. He works in construction. At first, he sees what everyone else sees in Joker, his wise-ass mouth. He has an interest in him though despite thinking he is a jerk.

I liked how these two get to know each other. Brennan is very good for Joker. He is a person Joker can finally trust. Brennan needs Joker’s heart and soul just as much. I loved this one I felt out of all the books in the series I have read so far this one has the most depth of character. I really am looking forward to more from this series. I want to see how the Crew fit in and how they meld with the Hell’s Ankhor club.



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