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Dartmoor #9

The Wild Charge

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A storm is brewing, and the Lean Dogs find themselves in the center of it. What at first seemed like a routine clash with a cartel proves to be part of a much more sinister - and more powerful - operation than any of them expected. The Dogs have a choice: back out now, play dumb...or go full-on vigilante.

Tennyson Fox has a new name, a new home, a new family...and, if he can admit it to himself, the chance to love and be loved. He and Reese - trained assassins both - will be at the spearhead of the Dogs' move on Abacus, and the two young lovers have to balance their burgeoning relationship with the thing they do best: killing.

Book nine of the Dartmoor Series picks up right where Homecoming left off. A non-standalone M/M romance set in the world of an outlaw motorcycle club and the dark underworld they rule.

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First published January 1, 2021

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About the author

Lauren Gilley

68 books1,365 followers
Wrote some stuff.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
Profile Image for Val ⚓️ Shameless Handmaiden ⚓️.
2,095 reviews36.3k followers
June 23, 2022
All the Stars

I was super ill this past week with that dreaded illness that shall not be named. Luckily my symptoms allowed me to be able to basically binge read. I feel very fortunate in that respect as I know a lot of people have had it so, so much worse. So pardon me while I catch up on a ton of reviews. Anyway, enough about me.

This book, you guys...

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Was everything I wanted and more.

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Like all Dartmoor fans, I have been waiting for Tennyson and Reese's book since...the beginning mutterings of a potential Tenny and Reese ship. And, like I said, this was just bliss and I enjoyed every single moment and sentence.

Dartmoor is probably one of my top most favorite series of all time. And what with how much I've read and loved over the last three decades, that's really saying something. Lauren Gilley is simply talented as fuck. She can write complicated, grey human beings with so much color and I adore her.

I loved every moment I got to spend with all these characters who legit feel like family to me.

Fans of this series need no encouragement to download this. And people who haven't started this series yet...what are you even doing?

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Profile Image for Bev .
2,241 reviews485 followers
May 27, 2022
That. Was. EPIC!!!

It's ridiculous just how brilliant Gilley is at her craft and for me Reese and Tenny's story is one of her best, a roller coaster ride of genius. The scene and character transitions are effortless, the suspense had me racing to uncover the next snippet, the feels, catching up with beloved characters (read Mercy), just perfection.

ALL the stars for this one ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
362 reviews
January 6, 2023
3.8 stars. This is an MM biker book. It’s not a standalone, and only makes sense if you’ve read the rest of the Dartmoor series, which is phenomenal - the best in the MC genre. Even when I haven’t loved every book, it’s always a treat to spend time in this world.

This one is about Tennyson, aka “Tenny,” and Reese, who were introduced in American Hellhound and Prodigal Son. They’re in their 20s. Because of their weird backgrounds as former child assassins, they’re both bad at social interactions. They slept together in Homecoming and are now struggling with having feelings. They’re also trying to help the club take down that international sex trafficking ring that’s been the antagonist in the past few books. Their relationship is sweet, with some mutual pining and the trope, “we’re the only 2 people who can understand each other.” There’s also uncertainty if the club will react poorly to them being boyfriends, since MCs aren’t exactly progressive.

Mercy chuckled. “Good for you. Glad you guys worked things out.”
“We…” Reese’s insides went cold at the idea of talking about…whatever it was that he had with Tenny. It had been Tenny who’d expressed nerves before, about being together in an outlaw MC like this, and Reese who assured him it didn’t matter – but standing here now with Mercy acknowledging it –
“Breathe, kid,” Mercy said, nudging Reese’s boot with the toe of his own. “You’re fine.”


Mercy might enjoy torturing people, but he’d never be homophobic! A king. Anyway, I was hesitant to read this because this series is strongest when it’s focused on relationships, and when the club’s enemies are small town crooks and rival gangs. It’s at its weakest when it does convoluted James Bond stuff, and when it tries to scale up too big (like when the villain plots involve international government conspiracies). And because of their skills, Reese and Tenny have been at the center of the James Bond type of plot stuff that’s the weakest.

Well, I’m pleasantly surprised. The villain IS a bit too “large scale” than villains in past books. This author is better at staying focused and smaller-scale with the villains (evil mayor, evil rednecks, evil developers, rival MCs, etc). But aside from that, this is book feels more in line with the rest of the series. It’s not an awkward shift in genres, like Prodigal Son. (But, Fox and Eden, who have always left me cold, get a lot of page time and a pregnancy subplot. Hasn’t this story already done that a bunch of times? That part is Meh).

Although this book is a bit crowded, overloaded with a few too many scenes focused on random new side characters, we still get old favorites. Mercy is a delight, as always, and gets some good moments AND a couple POV scenes. (I love how the author seems to know he's the best, and never hesitates to throw him in a scene). So do Walsh, Emmie, and Maggie. Sometimes, a series will squander characters and barely use them after their own book is done. THIS series makes good use of its deep bench of loveable characters, and it’s why it’s a constant on my re-read rotation. Even for the books I haven’t loved, I can always count on Mercy turning up. (I can’t stress enough how I will read ANY book he’s in, even if he’s just there for 5 minutes).

All in all, this isn’t my favorite Dartmoor book, but it's better than I expected, and 3.8 stars doesn’t mean it’s bad at all. It’s just what it is compared to Fearless, which is a 5 star read, or Price of Angels and The Skeleton King, which are 4 stars. A read in this series that’s below 4 stars is still better than most other MC books by other authors.
Profile Image for Deborah.
3,852 reviews498 followers
August 21, 2022
Absolutely brilliant.

I love this series and all these characters. Mercy has always been my favourite but Reese and Tenny WOW.
I can’t even begin to describe how much I enjoyed this. And now I’ve finished I’m lost. I don’t seem to be able to move on. Nothing appeals to me so it’s a re-read of Prodigal Son for me now.

If you haven’t read this series you really should give it a shot it’s fabulous
Profile Image for Caroline.
1,092 reviews5 followers
June 25, 2022
Dartmoor, home of the Lean Dogs MC, Knoxville, TN. Book Nine. Reese and Tenny's story. I couldn’t wait…
The author released the chapters on Whatpad, chapter after chapter, from July 10, 2021 to May 10, 2022. 51 chapters and approximatively 173K words. A Super-gritty biker read that I really enjoyed. Lots of action and spy stuff. If you want to immerse yourself in a ‘book-word’ (intense lifestyle, criminal activity, injustice, or... justice), and you love to be completely absorbed by a series for a few weeks, Dartmoor is for you. It’s fantastic. There’s definitely some angst, but it’s beautifully done. Very well written, almost literary for an MC novel. The character development is excellent. There are many, but you still feel the soul of all of them. Reading TWC was like coming home again. I loved it.
For the record, the author said that Fox is directly inspired by James McAvoy. She liked to think of Fox as the assassin you never saw coming, and he just fits the bill…

Excerpt:
« In his new life of wealth and privilege, he'd been invited to a sporting event or two; invited into private boxes with glass front walls and cushy seats and bottle service. That was what the viewing room brought to mind. Plush theater seats in tiers, a minibar to one side, low lighting, speakers set in the walls, and an entire wall of glass… which looked down on a wide, round room, a stage at its center, lit with an array of spotlights. Empty, for the time being. He could see other boxes like his own, ranged around the upper levels of the room. There was no mistaking this for anything save an auction ring. But it wouldn't be cattle or expensive racehorses trotted out tonight. »
Profile Image for Paula.
737 reviews86 followers
May 11, 2022
I’ve been reading this book chapter to chapter for months. Anytime Lauren Gilley posted a new chapter to Wattpad, I texted my bestie one word, “Gilley!” I’ve devoured this book slowly , and I wouldn’t want it any other way. I really love Lauren’s books, but I can without a doubt say that this one is my favorite.
Profile Image for Deborah.
864 reviews18 followers
May 26, 2022
I would give 600 stars to this book

Lauren Gilley never disappoints and this book is no exception. The emotion leaps off the page. The characters move me again and again. Every time I read a new Dartmoor book, I want to start the series all over again. So beautiful and amazing.
Profile Image for Annica ⚡️ annica_reads_books ⚡️.
670 reviews149 followers
March 5, 2025
Ugh. How am I gonna live my life after this series is over? Reese and Tenny are two trained psychos, and these guys had the most perfect love story (I couldn’t dream up anything better myself). Well, according to Tenny, love, “or such rot.” 🥹 I don’t think there is a better MC series than this one—it’s going to be tough to beat.

Reese frowned, and that was no good. “Hanging up next to me? They had to split us up, and send us on different missions. You’ve said it yourself: there’s only two of us. We’re not like everyone else. We were trained for this.”
“But does that mean we have to die for this?”
Still frowning, Reese reached to wipe at Tenny’s face; his fingertips came away wet, with tears or rainwater, Tenny didn’t know.
“Since when do you worry about the risks so much?”
“Since I got you.”
Reese’s eyes widened. “Oh.”
“What the hell do you think I love you means?”
213 reviews
December 28, 2022
I love these characters so much! I hope there are many more books to come. Book 9 and 600+ pages there’s never a dull moment.
Profile Image for TeriLyn.
1,385 reviews442 followers
March 28, 2023
5 "It was more than a little magic." Stars

I loved every second of this new installment to the Dartmoor series. Tenny and Reese and the entire crew couldn't have been better. MC story telling at it's finest; Lauren Gilley knocks it out of the park again. I hope to see more of these two in the future.

Second read: this is just so good. The whole plot of what the MC is doing and how Tenny, Reese, Fox, Ian and gang are involved. I just love it.
Profile Image for Branden.
2 reviews4 followers
June 7, 2022
I literally just got my world rocked by this book. The series in general is fantastic and I’ve read it twice but this latest... the story of Reese and Tenny... it’s perfection. Im not gonna go into any details because if you’re already a fan you’ve been waiting on it and you won’t be disappointed! Also... when you know you know. Enjoy!
Profile Image for AuntJayne.
64 reviews
August 4, 2024
Re-Read August 2024
Love Reese even more... A little bit more tolerant of Tenny.
I also enjoyed meeting up with Pongo and Dixie again :)

July 2022
Love Reese, not too sure about Tenny.
Profile Image for Rachel.
189 reviews1 follower
June 22, 2022
If there is one thing Lauren Gilley can do, its write characters that should make you run screaming to the hills - honestly terrible people, with terrible morals who do terrible things - and somehow make you fall in love with them and become obsessed? And this book is another edition in that trend! Following on from the plotlines raised in the last few Lean Dogs books, especially involving the english chapters - we return to Knoxville to deal with Abacus and (more importantly) the relationship minefields that exist in the motorcycle club. Following mostly Tenny and Reese, with some side action for Fox, we get a look at their relationship once they have admitted their feelings and settled somewhat into being with each other. Of course, when you have such damage as both of them do, and the complete inability to deal with your emotions, there’s bound to be a few speedbumps in the relationship.
We get some lovely sweet moments of their relationship and a view into how they can be together early on in the books and by the ending we have a reckoning - mostly for Tenny - about their emotions and feelings for each other, with a renewed commitment and deeper understanding for each other. I love the deep love that Reese feels for Tenny and even when he doesn’t understand the emotions or social hints from anyone else, he can always read Tenny and understand his motivations. Their relationship has evolved beyond where we left them in Homecoming, and this book cements their emotional growth with each other.
Tenny is still such a fun character - totally over the top with a deep thread of insecurity - Gilley has created such a fascinating character to follow. The development from ‘Ten’ to ‘Tenny’ has been done really well, with hints and foreshadowing of the major character shifts and decisions that form the person Tenny - for both his own individuality and his relationship with Reese.
Plotwise, we have the conclusion to the Abacus situation that has been brewing in the series since the Texas books and running right into the last Dartmoor book - this always feels a little bit unrealistic to me compared to the character drama and the local, hometown drama. It’s always a bit easier for me to believe and commit when the stakes are lower - but with the addition of Tenny/Fox/Reese as more advanced, almost special ops level actors, it was always bound to get bigger and bigger. Hopefully the next books bring back that localised feeling again for me.
43 reviews
June 2, 2022
Absolute perfection!

Wild Charge is the newest story in the incredible Dartmoor series. If you haven't read them all yet I can't recommend the series highly enough! This book is beautifully written, has you hooked from the very first page and a book you literally can't put down. The story focusses on the growing relationship between Tenny and Reece in amongst a rollercoaster plot. I loved this couple and watching how their relationship developed although at times my heart broke for them. I had the biggest smile throughout the last few chapters and the ending was awesome! As always it was brilliant to see many other characters in the series involved in an engrossing story. I cannot wait until the next book!
Profile Image for Rachel J..
197 reviews5 followers
July 22, 2023
Another Amazing book

I love Lauren Gilley, she’s one of the most talented authors I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading and I read about 300 pages a day…over 300 books last year alone. The only complaint I have is that she needs a new editor. Not only were there silly grammar mistakes but several times the names of people were switched….it would say Eden instead of Raven or Walsh instead of Fox. That should have been caught and fixed. But I didn’t take any stars off cause even with the mistakes a Lauren Gilley book is leagues ahead of most authors.
Profile Image for Daniela.
1,185 reviews
November 26, 2023
Lauren Gilley never ceases to amaze me with her story telling. Tenny is a tough one to warm up to but you have to stop and remember the hell he has been through. Reese is a much easier character to love. Both these boys were like auto bots at one point and now expressing signs of humanity. Overall the story was excellent - filled with all the usual character growth, violence, etc. The future should be interesting with Devin in the picture. Looking forward to the next one.
Profile Image for Theresa.
1,043 reviews2 followers
February 19, 2024
This is the continuation of Tenny's and Reese's story. Easy becomes the character you love, and Tenny not so much. Both Fox and Tenny have personal dilemmas in this book. Both of they coming across as unemotional beings. This book is definitely more about crimes and the people who commit them or rule the underground world, the hierarchies. Lots of crime and action, you are never quite sure who are the good guys. I think the books shows that there is good and bad in all.
717 reviews2 followers
Want to read
August 27, 2022
Ms. Gilley is losing out on readers and listeners by not being on Overdrive, Libby, Hoopla, Audible. Ppl with failing eyesight require audiobooks, so no Lauren Gilley books for them. Others listen with ear pods while working. And, there are some who like to hear great narrators tell them stories.
If any of these platforms were available, I would binge listen to every one of her books.
Profile Image for Cayce Maidens.
201 reviews1 follower
December 21, 2025
Now that I have read this one, I like Long Way Down better. But back to this amazingly action packed book. My goodness, this one was really good. Every new Lean Dogs chapter you meet, and every new book just gets better and better. Although, I will say that this one really needs some editing, nothing awful, just some name and spelling corrections.
Profile Image for Elena .
18 reviews25 followers
May 18, 2022
Read it on Wattpad! I just looove Dartmoor series and I want moooooore, definitely would like to read about Pongo and Dixie!
Reese and Tenny..oh my god.. they are the best and my favourite ❤
Looove Lauren Gilley!!!
Profile Image for Bridgit White.
163 reviews
July 31, 2023
Great book

I've read this book three times already. A lot of things happen in this book. It has all the main players but heavily focus on Reece and Tenny. If you enjoy the Lean Dogs, you'll love this book. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Charli.
905 reviews11 followers
November 17, 2025
Reese and Tenny

Oh the humanity in Tenny... I love seeing his vulnerable side, his love for Reese is so so pure. Beautiful writing as always and a story that keeps you captive till the bitter end.
106 reviews
June 1, 2022
Great

So far this author always delivers a good book. Full of action, family (even if not a standard one) and a love story. Or two.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews

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