Donnie Lowe never stopped loving the first woman to own his heart. She was his secret lover ten years ago. At the time, he wanted to protect her. She was young and innocent with her whole life ahead of her. He was the President of a gun-running MC. He didn't have a right to corrupt her, but he'd done it anyway.
Aurora Dewitt isn't the same woman she'd been a decade ago when she asked her lover to kill the man who had murdered her little sister. Having left the only man who had ever really owned her heart because he didn't want her in his world, she clawed her way to the top of her own criminal enterprise. Aurora didn't need a man to do her dirty work now.
They had every intention of leaving the past where it belonged. They didn't know working together to stop the Cartel would bring back so many memories. It was only supposed to be a way to release stress; neither of them wanted to relive the rejection of their past together. How could they know they'd never stopped loving each other?
It took me so long to finish this. Part of it was that it didn’t completely grab me, and part of it is I’m pregnant and being pregnant SUCKS. I haven’t been interested in doing any of my normal hobbies so I can’t completely blame this book for it.
That being said, this wasn’t my first MC book and it wasn’t my favorite either. In college I loved watching Sons of Anarchy but this was just kind of halfway. They are criminals but… they’re the “good” kind. That kinda rubbed me weird. I wanted more dubious men, or a good badder boy, but Donnie was at least hot lol.
The romance was pretty hot and the spicy scenes were well written. Though, I did catch a lot of editing mistakes (definitely not the author’s fault at all here). All in all it was three stars for me. Great for a casual beach read or by the pool, definitely a vacation book. I’m not sure I loved it enough to go back and read Luca, but we’ll see.
Thank you to Jennifer Marcia for sending me a free copy before it went on Kindle Unlimited! I’m excited to see what your next books will be like.
There were parts in the book that were good and then there were parts that were great! Let's focus on the great. Like, let's talk about that character building! And the way Donnie and Aurora clashed before they collided. Absolutely loved the way Aurora's bad-assedness finally got proven after having only heard about how tough she is, countless times. After a slightly slow start, promising yes, but a bit slow, the story picked up and delivered. I really enjoyed reading about Donnie's and Aurora's journey.
If you like: - motorcycle clubs -criminal enterprises -second chance romance -age gap -spice -bad assery
I loved the story of strong-willed and independent Aurora finding love with MC boss Donnie in book #2 of this fabulous series! This steamy romance novel is a great second ride through the dangerous underworld of the MC Brotherhood.
Loved the author and the writing style, sadly second chance romances aren't really for me but if they are something you enjoy (as well as badass female leads and great sex) then this is definitely up your street.
*Thank you so much to Jennifer Marcia for sending me a copy of Donnie in exchange for an honest review*
This is technically the second installment of the series BUT the books can be read as standalones!
"We burned hot and then ultimately that fire burned us both." - Aurora
Donnie Lowe was someone who came with warning labels and red flags, but Aurora ignored them all! Something about Donnie drew her in like a moth to a flame. Their relationship was everything, but things ended, and Aurora was left with a broken heart and new walls put up around herself.
Ten years later she finds herself having to team up with Donnie to keep the Cartel out of their small town! And like most small towns you can only avoid someone for so long before you inevitably run into them. Aurora doesn't want to let Donnie back into her life and she certainly isn't the same woman she was ten years ago! She's a Queen and a certified badass that no one wants to mess with, but maybe she needs a King. . .
"She owned her brutal reputation both as a fighter and a lover." - Donnie
Donnie wanted to keep Aurora out of this line of work. He wanted her to have a happy life and not one cloaked in darkness thinking he made the right choice when he ended things with her. But life and people have a funny way about proving you wrong. Donnie is weary to approach Aurora, but he knows he needs her and her men to keep the Cartel out of his territory.
Aurora is very much that person that if challenged in any way would state "hold my beer" and dive right in! A lot of things happened within a short amount of time that led her down this path. She embraces all of it and isn't afraid to remind ANYONE about her status. I absolutely loved Aurora and how strong she was without even trying. A very sharp mind and was comfortable with herself and her extremely high libido.
I really loved getting to see Luca again and understand the dynamics of his relationship with Aurora. How many people mistake their fierce/close friendship for something more. Sorry, but Luca's loyal to one woman and one woman only! (Check out book one.) I also enjoyed getting to understand the finer details that made up Aurora and why she's so closed off.
The leads struggle with their feelings and with trying to not get too close. Neither one wanting to bring up the past or the rejections. Yet, when the two are within a few feet of each other they can't seem to keep their hands or their eyes to themselves. . . You will be frustrated on multiple occasions with well-placed interruptions at opportune moments!
We get dual POVs, and I really enjoyed it. I will say that I wasn't fond of the fact that when we switched from one to the other, we would back track to get their perspective on events. I understood it and liked it here and there but with intense moments or high climatic situations I wanted the story to progress as soon as possible. This is my personal opinion; you may find nothing wrong with this writing dynamic.
"And I'm a complication?" - Don
"Yes. A very sexy, very large complication." - Aurora
This series focuses on a biker gang in a small town along with others within the area. There's mention of some of the businesses the gangs deal in but they REFUSE to be a part of the "skin" trade the Cartel is involved in. The guys may be big and bad criminals but hurting women in any way is a NO-NO! Language is very prominent in the book along with violence, bloodshed, and some gore. Threatening of SAing a woman (nothing happens), one of the side characters tells her backstory and it includes some darker topics.
With the romance it's a second chance, frenemies to lovers. We have an age gap, slow burn, and an MMC who's rather possessive. The MMC also loves giving hand necklaces and growling. There are mentions of BDSM kinks and some big "O" withholding. There's a lot of spice in this book and we do eventually get full on MF action.
The book does end on a HEA but there's openings for more to come within the series. Couples from the previous book are mentioned and the books tie in together, but they can still be read separately from one another or out of order. Little recaps if you do read in order to help jog your memory of the previous book.
Do enjoy the dark romance with a couple who keep pushing and pulling at each other. Don't forget to give the author some stars!
This book is a dark, dirty, and intense cat and mouse mafia romance between Pavel and Elizabeth. Aurora Dewitt and Donnie Lowe met ten years ago and had a secret relationship for six months. They fell in love and their passion was intense. Donnie broke up with her because he thought he was saving her from the criminal life. However, Aurora became a badas$ cage fighter and now is the head of an illegal gambling ring with her partner is Luca Stone. Donnie, now the president of Brotherhood MC, wants to partner with Aurora to keep the cartel out of Whispering Pines. They are still in love and their chemistry sizzles.
I enjoyed this book. The author did a great job with character development, the storyline, and world building. The plot has many twists and kept me guessing what would happen next. There is lots of angst, tension, toxicity, witty banter, and spice simmering throughout. Although the story is brutal at times, it is all in context with the characters. Enough of Aurora and Donnie’s pasts were brought up to give insight into their characters. Some parts of the story might be shocking because of how brutal the criminal world can be. Please check the trigger warnings and skip this book if it will make you uncomfortable, rather than give it a negative review, because this is a great book. My last thought is that the author nailed it with the choice of a scary looking cover model with a dark background. It is easy to imagine the cover model as the character of Donnie.
“Donnie: A Brotherhood MC Novel” introduces Aurora Dewitt, the head of a criminal enterprise, Queenpin of a gambling enterprise and a skilled fighter. She’s a woman in control of everything in her life. Well, everything except for when it comes to Donnie Lowe.
Overall, I was a bit torn by this one. The story is mostly told through two POV’s- Aurora’s and Donnie’s. And while Donnie’s the title character, Aurora dominates the pages. I loved her as a character. She’s unapologetically badass and while she has broken pieces of her, she’s more raw than broken. She owns her past, her choices, and who she is. The duration of the story really covers her development from a relatively naïve young woman to a full-fledged boss. Find the full blog post at heatherlbarksdale.com
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
I received an advance review copy to read and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is my own opinion and was not influenced by anyone.
10 years ago, Donnie and Aurora were in love but he pushed her away so he didn't corrupt her with the criminal world. He is now the MC Prez and she is the head of an illegal gambling ring. Now they have a common enemy, the cartel.
Book 2 in the Brotherhood MC by Jennifer Marcia. Donnie is the Prez and is more protective than ever. Aurora ia now a strong, independent woman. I love that they thought their love was in the past. These two sizzle.
The book has action the kept me reading into the night. I love delving into the history of each brother. Read the books in order. The present day history builds on itself. Keep the books coming! Who is next?
This was a great story, brutal and in your face drama. I really liked the freedom it displayed.
This was about Donnie and Aurora who were together for the wrong reasons but when they split, she became a powerful woman in her own right.
Danger, drama, steam and noisy or all romance that all keeps you on the edge of your seat and wanting to keep reading.
So well done, the characterisations and the excellent plot kept me spell bound throughout. Really a book that I'll revisit again in future it was that good.
Donnie is an exciting, mc meets mafia read and is Donnie and Auroras story. Aurora is a force to be reckoned with as the Head of Crime Organization. Her greatest weakness (if she has one) is Donnie and she's his greatest weakness. Their shared past makes them leary. Donnie wanted Aurora as far away as he could get her from his lifestyle and she ended up there anyway. Their story is raw, intense and at times heartbreaking.
"We burned hot and then ultimately that fire burned us both."
I loved Donnie and Aurora, he’s the President of his club she’s the head of her own organisation, they knew each other before but though they both had a thing for each other, he rejected her wanting her to have a different life than what he could give her not knowing the path she forged later. They soon come together whilst trying to bring down a cartel.
Donnie and Aurora have a past but he didn't want to be a part of what he was involved in, so they went separate ways. They reconnect when they work together to take down a cartel and find that the sparks are still there between them. Will their reconnection lead them along the path to a happily ever after. I am volunteering to leave a review for an ARC of this book.
Donnie is book 2 in A Brotherhood MC Novel. 18+ Read Warnings
I really enjoyed book 2 in the series. I did read book 1 and loved it! This book can be read as a standalone but IMO it is better to read book 1 first. This book does have a few pieces of info from book one so it helps pull the stories together. I look forward to reading book 3 to see what happens next!!!
This was a really good book. First time reading this author. I will be putting her on my list of authors to watch.
Donnie and Aurora have a past. They have loved and lost not only themselves but others. Now that a threat comes to town, can they work together and find it in their hearts to forgive?
MMC/FMC- Donnie (MC President) and Aurora (Queenpin of a Gambling Empire) Genre- MC Romance Heat- 🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋 with some BDSM and intriguing locales Series? Y Safety? Y Triggers- trafficking (discussed), graphic violence, explicit erotic content, language Tropes- Second Chance, Relationship Shy, Had-I-But-Known, Badsass Heroine, Age Gap What I liked- this story is a good blend of plot and heat and both are excellent. The main characters are fascinating, especially Aurora, who is a total Badsass (you might be surprised by what some websites consider to be profanity). I agree with Aurora when she says that she probably wouldn’t have reached her full potential as a Badsass criminal if she and Donnie had gotten together when she was so young. They were well suited and the emotional and mental chemistry were as amazing as the physical chemistry. What I didn’t- the book needs editing because of some minor errors and the beginning needing a little more focus (it was a little scattered). And I don’t know how a small town with only one hairdresser could host two major criminal enterprises. But, hey, it’s fiction.