Redemption

Brazen Bulls Birthright #1

by Susan Fanetti

A NEW SEQUEL SERIES TO THE BRAZEN BULLS MC

Edgar “Eight Ball” Johnston is the new president of the Brazen Bulls MC. After living his whole life without a filter, doing and saying whatever he wanted and damning the consequences, he’s shocked that his brothers voted to give him the gavel.

Now he has to figure out how to lead. How to become a man people will follow. How to honor the men who went before him. Hard lessons for a man his age to learn—and painful, too.

Marcella Lewis is the lead singer of a blues band with some regional fame. She and her bandmates are cobbling together their livings, and they’re looking for their big break. Marcella has an added incentive for success: she’s a single mom, and she wants to give her son every opportunity to become the man he wants to be.

Eight and Marcella hooked up for a few weeks back in the day, but more than a decade has gone by since they’ve seen each other. And good riddance, as far as she’s concerned. She has historically awful taste in men, and Edgar Johnston is a prime example.

Now, after all those years, he’s popping up in her life again, and generally being the jerk she remembers. But she also remembers why she was attracted to him in the first place—and the sense she’d once had that there was a good man buried deep under all the muscle and bravado.

Eight wants another chance. Marcella might be willing to entertain the idea, but before they could possibly work, he is going to have to change. And so is she.

If Eight really wants to be a better man, he’s got a lifetime of wrongs to redeem.
If Marcella’s going to forgive him, she’s got to give up some control over the life she’s managed so carefully.

Only family is worth that work.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Second Chance, Interracial Romance, Contemporary Romance, Erotica, Dark

404 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2021

About the author

I was born and raised in the Midwest, but I was transplanted into the dusty soil of Northern California and have apparently taken root there. An inveterate geek and gamer, I am a fan of many things considered pop culture and maybe even lowbrow.

As a reader, my favorite genres are science fiction and fantasy, but as a writer, I've found my home in romance--or perhaps it's better to say simply "love stories." I have a yen to try other genres, too, at some point, but for now my muse wants to tell stories about lovers and families.

I write for the joy of it, and I write stories that I want to read. If others like them, too, that's just the cherry on top. I’m not interested in rules and formulae. I follow my muse and my characters and let them take me where they want to go, wherever that might be. I like big emotions, dark and light.

I like complicated characters with flaws and weaknesses as well as strengths, and I like each character’s strengths and weaknesses to be different from those of other characters. I’m much more concerned that my characters be interesting and diverse than that they be widely considered to be likable. I try to create people, not types.

Likewise, I want my stories each to be distinct from the others. Once I’ve told a story, I don’t want to tell it again. So even within a series, one of my books might be very different from the next. Some might be very dark, others equally mild.

That isn’t to say there aren’t trends and recurrences in my work. I’m drawn to certain themes and settings, and my muse has her favorite toys and tools. But I guard against those tendencies becoming a formula.

Find my blog at www.susanfanetti.com

Find my FB author page: https://www.facebook.com/authorsusanf...

A note: I don't spend much time here on Goodreads. I try not to read any reviews of my own work. Besides, this is a site for readers, but since I write at a fairly manic pace, and read and edit for other writers, I don't have much time to read recreationally. Mainly, I log on to update my info. So if you message me here, it might be a while before I see it.

Reviews

[Jane super booklover📚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one! The blurb Made me a bit weary. 8 president? But it is so good! I loved Marcella and Ajax as well. Funny fact. Im dutch and soccer is a big thing here. The biggest soccer club is from Amsterdam and is called Ajax. And this Ajax played soccer. Funny.

[TeriLyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+ "That's what I want." Stars

Oh you are going to want to read Eight's story immediately. Fanetti fans prepare to be wowed once again by this author's penchant for story telling. Redemption - a more apropos title I cannot imagine. This book transports you to the very heart of Fanetti's MC wheelhouse and keeps you transfixed for it's entirety. The story shows the depth and breadth of a known character that you never saw coming. It does this while simultaneously introducing us to a new cast of characters for whom to love. It's the new era but also a continuation of a club we love, it's the beginning of a promising new MC series, and it's a shining example of the awesome, gifted story telling we get from this author.


**Redemption generously provided.**

[Ira · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

Ms. Fanetti never disappointed me, but I’ve learned early on NOT to read all her books in a series, especially her bikers series. Because she like to kill her previous heroes, sometimes 😩.
Her books that I choose to read, they’re all good! 😍.

So yeah, this one is really good but if you read all books in Brazen Bulls before this one, you probably would get mad! 🥴.

❤️❤️❤️

[Malene · Rating 3 out of 5]

**3.5 Stars
The story of Eight Ball has been one I’ve been anticipating. Did I enjoy it? Yes. Did it disappoint? Yes.
What can I say except when a character has been ongoing in series for awhile and was as flawed and complicated as Eight Ball it definitely amped up my expectations. I enjoyed Redemption especially the dynamics of the whole Bull family. I mean Eight and Mo! So beautiful, vulnerable and brutally honest. Eight and Mav finally tolerating each other. Prez and VP. Amazing.
Eight and Marcella were great too but I was missing an emotional connection between them. Oh how I wish I could’ve felt it cause it would have made me enjoy the story so much more. There’s no denying they’ve got chemistry. Two adults in their forties and fifties getting it on!
Eight and his son Ajax were so cute and Eight really trying to be a father to his kid was so good.

The pace of the story started out slow , which I didn’t mind cause it was necessary for the foundation of Eight and Marcella, and then the last twenty percent was rushed. All of a sudden Marcella was all in after what she witnessed at the clubhouse. It felt out of character. Sadly this and the lacking connection affected my overall experience of the story. Such a shame.
Even though Redemption didn’t exceed my expectations I still liked it and am excited for Kelsey’s book.

3.5 Stars

[Giorgia Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

I should have finished the Brazen Bulls original series cause I got some spoilers.. big ones.

Now, as to this book.. considering the characters and their history and background, I expected more emotion, more angst, just more everything. More story as well?!

I was underwhelmed. This wasn't bad by any means, just nothing like I had built it up in my head. I also feel like there were a lot of missed opportunities to have the characters be more?!

[Amy | Foxy Blogs]

Looking forward to Eight Ball's book!!!

[Nelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

"He really was a good-looking kid. Eight didn’t know why that surprised him; Marcella was a beautiful woman. But Eight wasn’t a good-looking guy. He had a good body, and took a lot of pride in it, but his face wasn’t much. Even before he’d lived a long life of getting beat on and delivering beatings, he’d been nothing special to look at. These days, since he’d shaved his beard—it had gone grey, closer to white, really, and he hated how it made him look like Colonel Fucking Sanders—he basically looked like a badly carved rock."

Probably the closest thing to a realistic depiction of an everyday person I have ever seen in a book.

In this book, the hero isn't dashing, smooth around the edges, and beautiful-looking at all. There's nothing at all beautiful about this guy. He has a bad leg, he has white hair in his beard, he is a deadbeat dad.. As a sad, potty mouthed soul, he is still appealing.

In order for the author to continue to maintain the readers attention, she has a formula that she holds the key to because the book is like a rocket once the reader is immersed in the plot and it becomes ablaze.

The writing is superb; the characters are amazing; the characters are believable; and I am grateful to have found another book that gives me all the feels.

It would have been nice to not have the motorcycle-related verbiage, but naturally it was an important feature of the book.

The story was written and told in a well-rounded manner, and it truly merited redemption. It was a hard hitting book that just grabs you by the throat and then reaches right into your very heart.

Although Eight Ball isn't your standard handsome guy, he's handsome inside, and that is what counts. Marcella is a feisty woman and didn't back down and stood her ground. There is no doubt that she is a book heroine to emulate.

If you're looking for a real hero then this book is exactly what you're looking for. Look beyond the usual diluted version of what a hero should be like and see what a realist is like.

Get this book.

[JudyCa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably one of my top 5 reads this year! I loved this. Finally seeing Eight Ball become human 😍 I'm excited to finally get to this series. I've missed the biker world 😉

[Monadh · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Autumn Romance

If anybody would have told me I would not only enjoy but love a biker romance with a guy in the autumn of his life and woman who isn’t exactly in the first blush of youth herself, I would probably have told them to have their head examined. To boot, the main character, Edgar ‘Eight Ball’ Johnston has featured in Susan Fanetti’s Brazen Bull series as supporting character, playing the a**hole of the club all the way through and he seemingly relished his role. He is an aging redneck, uncouth, quick to get into fights and with a sarcastic tongue. Despite the fact that the club is his life and his family, he hasn’t really gotten close to most of the other members, except Becker, the previous president who was killed in a cartel fight. Becker designated him as his successor and somewhat to Eight’s surprise the other club members voted him president unanimously. So, Eight has to step up and provide the kind of leadership to keep the club safe, as most members now have families of their own. Seeing all those families leads Eight to an uncharacteristic bout of introspection and an assessment of his life, which makes him think of Marcella, with whom he hooked up many years ago and on whom he walked out when she told him she was pregnant. If it’s not too late, Eight wants to see whether he can have any kind of a relationship with his son. Marcella, a moderately successful blues singer/songwriter is prepared to give Eight another chance, mainly for her son's sake, but also because she and Eight still have chemistry, and because she enjoys fighting with him and what their fighting usually leads to. Still, she is not sure whether that is enough to have a future together beyond having Eight involved in their son's life (who, by the way, is a great kid, somewhat to Eight's surprise) ….

This is the first book in Susan Fanetti’s Brazen Bulls Birthright series and kind of a bridge as it’s about 15 years after the last Brazen Bulls books and the other installments are going to be about the next generation, the children born to the original club members. But despite the fact that Eight was an a**hole for most of the series, there were those rare glimpses that hinted at an underlying vulnerability, so readers really wanted a redemption story for Eight, and Susan Fanetti has crafted a compelling one.
Nothing terrible or terribly exciting actually happens in the book, but I still found myself so engrossed that I read it one afternoon. There is a rhythm and flow to Susan Fanetti’s prose that just pulls you along. Together with Marcella the reader gets to see Eight reveal unexpected facets of his personality, his terrible and abusive childhood and how he learned early on to hold himself aloof so as not to be hurt. We see him slowly opening up, trying to give a relationship with his son and Marcella a chance. In a way he is the least romantic alphahole anti-hero I’ve ever read (and that’s saying something), but at the same time his often times very unromantic utterings are deeply romantic in their raw and heartfelt honesty.
A beautiful gem of a MC romance, about two complicated people who find love at the second attempt and almost in the autumn of their lives (at least Eight, since there is a considerable age gap between him and Marcella, but they still click). Despite being more of a gentle breeze than a thunderstorm (like some of Fanetti’s other MC romances), this book made me laugh and cry and I loved it.

[suzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first read the Bull’s series I never thought I would love Eight Ball, but Susan Fanetti turned him around. I loved him, thanks for bringing Eight’s story, Eight certainly redeemed himself. Can’t wait for book two.

[TinaNoir · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very nice surprise.

I have read several of the original Brazen Bulls books with Crash being my favorite. It is interesting going into this next series looking at the next generation. She set her original series even as far back in the 1970s. So in this book it is kinda weird to see some of those original MCs as retired old guys in their 60s and 70s.

The hero of this story is Eightball. Now in his 50s and the president of the club. It is funny because I vaguely remembered Eight as this extra-extra asshole side character and could not imagine him getting his own book. But the author did a smart thing here, she waited until he was older. And even better she allowed him to mature. This book is a real character based exploration of him and he comes to grip with how much of an asshole he used to be, how he just said shit to wind people up and how easy it was to skate by with no responsibilities except to be a bad ass MC.

But in this book, Eight is saddled with ALL the responsibilities and he has to learn how to rise to the challenge. Not only is he President now -- unanimously voted much to his shock -- but after some major introspection he decides to track down the woman and kid and turned his back on ten years ago.

Marcella is a singer, the front woman of an up and coming blues band in Tulsa. She and Eight had a rowdy, sexy time for a few months ten years ago. When she got pregnant he booked, not looking back. She put him in her rear mirror and set about raising a smart, bright happy son with the help of her family. And one night, after a set she looks up and sees Eight looking at her from the audience.

I liked the way the author positioned both characters. We have Eight who is doing some hard self examination and actually physically feeling the effects of those internal growing pains. As one character so pithily put it "He is the Guinness World Record holder of the latest of late bloomers." He wants to make things right, get a do over, try to be a better person. But all Marcella sees is the asshole who left her and now wants to blow up her world and she had no guarantee that he'll stick around and might leave a bigger mess behind if he doesn't.

It could have easily been an lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers with all the attendant sniping and snarling. But these are two mature people. Marcella is 40 and Eight is in his 50s. They might disagree they might snap and snarl but each time they step back and look at what is best for their kid.

Slowly they come together. Eight sees her side of things and strives to make her understand why he had come around and that he plans to stick. She starts to understand what forces made Eight the way he is and why this is so important to him.

And then there is the conversation about race. Marcella is black and Eight is white. Before she will allow him back into her life and the life of their son, Ajax, she makes him sit at the kitchen table so they can have a frank talk about race. It is one thing to not worry about it when they were just casually fucking for a few months 10 years ago. But now that he wants to make a family, they have to talk about it.

Eight is a middle aged white man in the midwest who grew up a certain way. More importantly he is in a motorcycle club. For himself Eight knows he is not racist. He "doesn't see color" he didn't even "think of her as black" and he has black friends and the Bulls is an integrated club. Marcella's eyes roll very hard at all of this and proceeds to talk to him about the importance of seeing color. Especially since he is going to be the father of a biracial boy who definitely doesn't look white. It is such a nice, frank, nuanced conversation that needed to be had and it definitely opened Eight's eyes to some of his own casual racist behavior in the past and just because he never called a black person the n-word, doesn't mean he doesn't have some unconscious bias. The author integrates a lot of little things in Eight's interactions with his son that lightly, very lightly touch on race and the microaggressions Ajax face that Eight being to really get it. it isn't a heavy thing at all and I think even some non-marginalized readers may not even notice some of the things. But it is a great element of the story.

But that doesn't swallow the book. Not by a long shot. It is just one piece of the way Marcella and Eight navigate how to come back together with each other. The rest is Eight becoming in fact the the President that he was in name.

This is a full, well written story about a 50-something MC biker's coming of age story -- in his 50s. It also has a good romance at the center and a lot of face time given to the supporting characters with some good plot moments to help the story along.

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

How about that...a book I had as a did not finish that I decided to persevere with sometime later. I was just getting middle of the road vibes from my tbr list and this was still sitting there .... I realize now how difficult the start was. Just so slow. Not having read the series this spun off from made it that much harder. I reread the first three chapters and pushed through until we finally get to the meat of this story.

It’s not romantic.its real for this genre and age of the main characters. There was no insta love and it was intelligently navigating a partnership while he got to work out what he was feeling within himself.

Anyhoo, the book is very well written. Not so much action with relation to MC matters. We’re being introduced to the club after it picks up the pieces a year later from tragedy. I love how Eight starts becoming self aware at 57 years old better late than never I guess. He reads like a man half that age as he deals with grief, his past, his regrets etc.

The heroine is cool but I feel there’s a chip on her shoulder, she is distant to outsiders but seems very confident and owns her sexuality and for that matter her race. It’s a real thing that’s explored in this non romance second chance romance! She is a great mum, her son is something else makes me think I haven’t been mothering all that well cause my boys combined were not as exceptional as this kid! And mine have had devoted parents from the outset.

Back to eight, I think I was put off and dnr’d this book cause of the eight ball 🎱 nickname and tattoo on the cover. I mean I really did have to push through the beginning it was slow and tedious. Again, the writing is good but it was just a while before it became a page turner. I just kept putting it down and then having to reread again.

I’m not sure I’ll read more it was just stubbornness that made me finish. I didn’t get into the club dynamic. It would have been nice to be part of the old ladies conversation rather than be told about it when they wanted to meet Marcella. Usually during those scenes in other books the women get tanked and it’s funny and I think that’s what’s missing in the book a bit of humor. Overall it was a great second chance (10 year gap his fault but definitely was redeemed) 🙃

[natalie paul-seemungal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mss... Susan Fanettiiiiiiii...

Let me tell you, I'm an avid book worm (only for the romance genre), and I love when an author makes me want to fall in love - plain and simple; I love when an author makes me YEARN..... and boy did I yearn....

I'll also tell you this; I don't really like to read about children in a book cause I felt it subtracts from what I'm there for (romance) nor do I like to read about too much of the day to day jobs of the protagonists - again for the same reason as I feel for children.... I just don't feel the authors get the right balance to prevent the story from waning. In addition, I don't like my leads older than forty either (I don't have a reason for that one - I just don't)... and lastly, I usually avoid MC books like its a plague, because most of them read like a cookie cutters... and I like symmetrical depth to my readings...

But this book had me invested all night, I loved Ajax he was the most beautifully written child ever, I enjoyed reading all the secondary cast and the dynamics within their relationships, I really really enjoyed Marcella (which I prefer shy/plain heroines) but boy she was one fiery 'NUT-CRACKER'. But the person who made the story for me is always the Hero and you did a FANTABULOUS job in molding 8ball's character... it was well drawn out, you were insightful on how things could go south for a human when their childhood was lived in an 'out-house'... he was one of those tragically flawed, emotionally stunted people; that you can't help but want to jump into the story line a few times to hug and offer a few word of assurances, before you continue your reading... I totally enjoyed 8ball, he was raw, gritty, un-handsome, vulnerable, growing (even at that age); he was so very very different in every way...

One of the most peculiar things you did in the storyline for me was the angle you took with the Hh's earlier relationship and the child - what I mean is usually this type of trope picks up when the Hh would have been in love and broke-up and the h didn't tell the H she was pregnant and years later he finds out he had a child all along, but you did the reverse and 1. stated they were having a fling 2. stated that H did want the child even though he knew he existed and did absolutely nothing about it 3. created a dislike (of some sort) for between the Hh.... this was an absolute first for me and it was EPIC....

I truly appreciate when an author is consistent with the characters they create, when they pay particular attention to their character's emotional intelligence and you were spot on.... You took your time explaining exactly what you were doing in building this literary house and I appreciate this so much... I also appreciated the care you took with the race relations issue (bravo)... you were not lazy; you weren't afraid to go there, you did an amazing job from my POV... hats off to you; I'll definitely be checking out some of your other work...

MC story - done right
Flowing and invested plot - done right
Interracial romance - done right
Guinness book record holder of late bloomers - done right
Race relations - done right
Secondary characters - done right
Jealousy mmmhhmmm - done right

Five done right stars from me....

Thank You!!!
Thank You!!!
Thank You!!!
Encore!!!!

[Alissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5*

“I want… I want…” A light went on in his head and showed him the horrible truth. He dropped his face into his hands. “I want to be a different man. Somebody who’s good and doesn’t fuck up. Somebody who could be a good dad. Somebody who deserves it.”

If somebody had told me that SF would write a book about Eight and make him a character I’d care about after reading about him previously, I would’ve told you that you were f-ing crazy. But redeem that broken man she did. It’s always good to be reminded that sometimes giving people a 2nd chance to try to make right some of their wrongs can be worth the risk. Marcela was terrific and perfect for him, and I absolutely adored Ajax. ❤️

[Izzie d]

DNF.
This is really wordy.
Club business along with the main story.
The Hero isn't very likeable, he has reasons but it's just not for me.

[HMS · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars RTC

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edgar (Eight Ball) Johnston is an unapologetic asshole or he was until things changed drastically after the death of his best friend and dead President, Becker of The Brazen Bulls Motorcycle Club.

I was intrigued by the description of Eight Ball, we're told that he's not handsome in any sense of the word. I imagined him with an interesting face, much like actors Scott Glenn or Vondie Curtis-Hall. Still, men that would make any woman or man do a double take.

I loved the vulnerability and the introspection of the hero. He's damaged, and of course, there is a good reason for that—his fu*ked up childhood. Eight Ball doesn't have any good childhood examples or memories since his mother died when he was five and he never knew his father. He was sent to live with an aunt and uncle and they were very, very cruel people, hiding behind their behavior under the guise of organized religion. If you tell someone they're a monster often enough, and good behavior doesn't stop the pain, then the person will do things to earn the wrath of their monsters, the individual will also become a monster.

His childhood is the catalyst for who Eight Ball ultimately becomes as a pre-teen and adult—a hell-raising, take no prisoners, piss people off, brawling asshole who's done time for murder and paid his dues. I didn't blink when I found out he went to jail for murder, because I knew, deep down there was a good explanation for what happened.

Eight Ball is a straight up bad guy, he's old, he's bald (by choice), he's ugly and grizzled with a bum leg, but he wants to be a different person. So, he decides to find the woman he spent two glorious weeks with eleven years ago, right up until she revealed she was pregnant; and he wanted to go halfsie on an abortion at a time she wasn't even thinking about motherhood until his callous offer.

Eight Ball is easily able to find Marcella Lewis because she's a popular blues singer in a local band. He keeps showing up at her shows and she wants to know what he wants after so much time has passed. When he explains and tries to reconnect, she's not having it and when he tells her he wants to meet the son they made, well you already know that didn't go over well, at all.

Eventually, Marcella hears him out and still vetoes his request. However, she believes in open communication with her son Ajax (Greek Mythology, not the cleaning agent) so she reluctantly tells him and leaves the decision up to him. She is surprised by his answer as he's always stated that he had more than enough people acting in the role of dad.

However, it's the sum of all parts vs the whole person and if you're a person that has never met your parent or parents, suffice to say your lips may say one thing, but your heart says another. When Jax (to his friends) tells her he wants to meet his dad, she is very reluctant and has a ton of conditions and threats that she lobs Eight's way. Eight Ball completely gets it and he's trying to navigate his way around uncharted waters. Marcella does not make it easy for him and neither does his son Jax who wants to know essentially what took him so long.

Jax & Eight
"How come you stayed away, then? I'm ten, you know. I've been here."
Eight gave his son his full attention. "I didn't think I'd be good for you. I'm still worried that's true."
"Can I decide that for myself?"
He nodded. "Yeah. Your call."
"Okay. I need more information before I can decide."

I loved when Eight Ball got tired of pussy footing around and straight up told his son that he was a bad guy and explained why. This didn't deter Jax in the least. Marcella wasn't thrilled, but it was the best way to do it, just pull the band-aid off and take off the rose colored glasses. Marcella is very surprised by Jax's interest in knowing his father. Eight Ball has moments where he just wants to give up because it's too hard exposing himself to feelings and expectations. When he goes to see his (adopted mama), she sets him straight and her disappointment makes him determined to overcome his feelings of inadequacies and doubts.

Eventually, Eight decides he wants to make a family and he wants both Marcella and his son. She laughs. He explains and Marcella has no choice but to open her eyes and heart to the man in front of her. A man, she knew years ago had shown her glimpses of a good person. A man that was trying very, very hard to be different from the way he'd been in the past. There are some lovely, lovely moments in this story between Marcella and Eight and between Eight and his son. The epilogue was icing on the cake and this is a story that will stay with me for a very, very long time.

Highly, highly Recommended: Read It!

[Sherry Molock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved It!

Wow, I really didn’t want this book to end. I didn’t think it was possible but SF made Eight Ball redeemable, just goes to show you no one is beyond redemption.
This is the story of Eight Ball, the recently chosen president of the Brazen Bulls and Marcella, his baby mama. When Marcella
announced she was pregnant 10 years ago, Eight didn’t want to be a dad so he thought he was stepping up to the plate when he offered to pay for half the abortion. Needless to say Marcella told him off and they’ve been estranged ever since.

But after 10 long years, Eight loses his best friend Becker, the Bulls Prez in a gang war and Eight starts to evaluate his life and realizes he wants a family. Of course, initially Marcella is like hell-to-the no but slowly but surely they are able to come together as a family.

This would probably seem unrealistic but Susan writes this really unconventional love story with honesty. There is no instant love, let’s forget about the past coupling here, there is A LOT to work out, including their different racial and economic backgrounds, the fact that they live in two different worlds: Marcella is a professional singer and Eight is an MC, ride or die.

Susan also does a good job with dealing with the racial differences, issues around identity, (Marcella is biracial), in a way that is nuanced, culturally sensitive but not preachy or on a soap box. There are no long speeches about racial inequalities but the topic isn’t ignored either, the conversations Eight and Marcella have feel real and authentic as they struggle with trying to become a family. Susan also portrays Marcella’s struggles to let Eight into their lives in a very realistic way, I felt Marcella’s struggles to my soul.

I guess my fav part was watching Eight struggle with acknowledging he wanted a family. His abusive childhood was horrible but I thought the greater tragedy was it made him believe he was unworthy of love, so he spent a lifetime developing this asshole persona to keep people from hurting him but also to provide an emotional explanation to why he was treated so cruelly: if he was a « bad » person, it would explain why he was treated so cruelly by his aunt and uncle. It also made me feel sad that so few people (this reader included) tried to look beyond that crusty exterior of a wall that Eight had erected to keep people at bay, he could literally count on one hand the people who were willing and patient enough to stick around and get to know him better. I think his son Ajax’s unconditional love and acceptance of Eight really helped Eight tear down his walls, Ajax’s love provides Eight with a clean slate to rebuild his life again.

There are a few moments where you might need some tissue but this was one of those books that you never want to end. While Susan gives you enough background that you can read this book without reading the original Brazen Bull séries, this book made me want to go back and reread the entire series again, so if you haven’t read the series, you’re missing out on a treat.

[LetyM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the Bulls!
Didn't realize how much I have missed the Bulls until reading Eight's book. Only Susan! His story and redemption is flawless and believable through and through. Some of the old Eight comes through in this book but as the story progresses so does he and therefore his redemption.

I was so good to touch base with all the clubs, my favorites are still Isaac and Lily in Move the Sun. That is the first book I read by Susan and was stuck thereafter. Still sad that Isaac was still in lockup but good to touch base with Show and Hooj from their respective clubs. Also included of course are the Volkovs - the book was complete and so good to go home to the Bulls. That's what it felt like, an old glove that fits perfectly.

Cherry on top - you get to catch up with all the Bulls and their families. I can't believe they are all grown up and very active parts of the family. I gotta tell you though I so very much miss Ox and Maddie, wish he was still around - I love the big oaf!

O.K. so moving on to the woman who brought Eight to his knees, Marcella. Love her character! Fits right in with the rest of the old ladies. Strong and fierce, she managed to survive Eight's disregard. Not only did she survive, but she thrived throughout the 10 years he was gone. Her and Ajax had a great support system which allowed her to continue doing what she loved and thrive. Meanwhile raising a strong and happy child. I love the combination of the two parents in Ajax. His maturity and insight to his surroundings made for a great character, which I fell in love with! And so did Eight, hehehe~

I am really thankful that Susan left out Covid in this book even though it took place in 2020. We have had enough of that and certainly didn't need it plaguing this beautiful story also. I also appreciated the dialog of current events, especially involving 'Black lives matter'. Perfectly integrated into the story, I thought it very appropriate and succinct. I love how Eight doesn't even think about that throughout the story and when Marcella brings it up he is totally taken aback by her comments, having not even thought about it.

Thank you Susan for redeeming Eight! I know and understand your need to diversify your writing but the MC books are my FAVORITE!! Can't wait for Kelsey's book!

BTW - I also bought Nikolai's book, Alliance, thank you for recommending the read! Can't wait to ready more about the Volkovs.

[F~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was weird that the MMC used the FMC and her kid as his redemption….at 57 years old. You’re telling me he finally realized he didn’t want to be alone and wanted a family….so he looked for a ready made one Lmao. F’ing loser 💀 Also all the stuff about him being racist and using the N word….and the FMC getting over it because she’s “a hot mess”…..wtf 💀 Their kid is literally half-black. Imagine having a father like that who says racist shit for shits and giggles? Wth did she see in him?

Also they moved into a physical real way too quickly. I’m sorry but she’s crazy for letting this guy bear her kid. And don’t get me started on how the fact that he shot someone dead is what finally pushed her to take him seriously and realize he’s it to her. Like girl what??? 😭 Ngl the FMC herself was tstl.

So we’ve got an MMC who is having a midlife crisis and who finally realizes he doesn’t want to die alone in his advanced years paired with an FMC who also doesn’t want to be alone. I’m sorry but there was nothing romantic about this setup at all. And it was really hard for me to ignore all the race stuff too on top of that.

I still enjoyed the read and I had a good time…but the story was questionable for sure. Also too much MC club side plot stuff no one cares about. Has to skippity skip all that. But hey the writing was in third person which is so rare! So I loved that.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate to say it but I am really struggling to remember all of the characters from this book. I looked back at some of my reviews from this author. I saw that I had mentioned that I hoped that Eight ball would get his own book. I just wish I could remember his part in the book. I don't like to do rereads of books I've already completed.
At first I wasn't sure how I really felt about him because he came across as such an asshole. When you dig deeper and find out why he is the way he is, it hurts. Knowing that he never felt a part of any family except the MC and at times he felt alone but didn't understand why.
As for Marce I get in a way why she was leery of Eight coming around again but damn she sure didn't make it easy on him.
I loved the interaction with Eight and Ajax it showed a softer side to Eight. It was nice to see him come into the role he was made for and realize he has what is needed to be Prez.

[Daniela · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, I had just finished re-reading "Lead" about Becker & Sage so starting this book and reading about Becker's death was mind boggling to say the least. Ok, now for this book. Awesome!!!! I had always said it would take some special kind of woman to capture Eight Ball and I was right. I understood all of Marcella's anger but after a while it was getting annoying and I just wanted her to give him a break. He was struggling so much with how to do what he felt he needed to do. She pegged him 100% when she compared him to a child and learning how to be human. I thought that all along while reading this. You can teach an old dog new tricks after all and I'm so glad that Eight Ball finally has his own family who love him. Loved Ajax - great kid and so smart. We have a bunch of new characters in this series so it's going to be interesting.

[Kristen Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t fault Susan Fanetti. The Night Horde and Brazen Bulls series are my favorite biker romance books.

And this in the first BB Birthright series is right up there. I was glad SF gave Eight Ball a book. He was such an arse in the original series it was great to see his redemption in this book.

Marcella is my new favorite book girlfriend. Such a strong and mature woman. Knew when to hold ‘em and knew when to fold ‘em. I get tired of reading romance books where the climax is a heroine who overreacts … because I’m not like that and can’t stand drama, those books often have my eyes rolling. Marce just behaved maturely and I loved that there was no over dramatized behaviour for no reason.

[Zoey Kinsman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous!

Absolutely fabulous! Susan Fanetti is a wonderful writer who can weave a story of personal introspection & subsequent growth so beautifully. Where there once was no hope for Eight he found his redemption through the looking glass of loss and subsequent love. If you love the Brazen Bulls series, this is a must read. I enjoyed going on the journey w Eight!
Can’t wait to read what comes next!

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

4+ Stars

A fabulous start to the Brazen Bulls Birthright series! A slow start that eases you into a slow burn romance. Eight and Marcella cautiously embrace the opportunity to reconnect. I loved seeing them grow as a family and enjoyed taking in the experience of what it was like to be loved unconditionally through Eight’s eyes. Of course this is raw and brutal. More importantly there’s no sugarcoating which is why I love reading Ms Fanetti’s MC series!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ultimate redemption story! Susan Fanetti really knows to make you care about a character, even if she made you dislike them first. I started to have more empathy for Eight Ball toward the end of the brazen bulls series, especially in Becker’s book. This was a wonderful redemption AND second chance story that showed a man truly growing and changing over years and years. I loved the couple and the story.

[BreakingtheEpigraph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it

My first time reading this author. I love MC stories and thought I would give this one a gander. I loved Eight Ball and Marcella together, and I like the fact that she gave him a hard time at first. She didn't make it easy on him, but it was understandable why he acted the way he did.

[Becky Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been waiting on Eightballs book for while now and it sure didn't disappoint. I didn't like Marcella at first but she grew on me. I'm still trying to deal with the loss of Becker since he was one of my favorites. I love this series so much and how it connects with the others.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rede

Susan always goes beyond my expectations. Redemption did not let me down. I loved the storyline , I loved the development of an relationship between Eight Ball and Marcella. Throw in the Bulls ,add some drama and you have a book that you don’t want to miss out on reading.

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fanetti's done it again...taken a complete a-hole and turned him into a redeemed human being! Who would have thought that I'd end up loving Eight Ball? My favourite character without question though, was Ajax...what an amazing child!

4.5 ★