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Tarnished Angels Motorcycle Club® #4
Thrust & Throttle
My childhood best friend is a big, bad biker—and an animal in the bedroom.
I should know because we’ve been hooking up in secret for weeks.
We crossed a line we swore we’d never cross, but the lust we’d buried for years finally culminated in a night of heated passion.
I know the taste of Duke’s lips, but this is more than just desire. When we’re together I see the promise of forever in his eyes.
Duke is the only man who makes me feel safe enough to be vulnerable, but I’m terrified I’m going to screw it up and lose it all.
He won’t stop until he has every piece of me, including my heart. He wants me on the back of his bike, my name inked on his skin.
He wants me to be his Old Lady.
He wants me pregnant.
I should know because we’ve been hooking up in secret for weeks.
We crossed a line we swore we’d never cross, but the lust we’d buried for years finally culminated in a night of heated passion.
I know the taste of Duke’s lips, but this is more than just desire. When we’re together I see the promise of forever in his eyes.
Duke is the only man who makes me feel safe enough to be vulnerable, but I’m terrified I’m going to screw it up and lose it all.
He won’t stop until he has every piece of me, including my heart. He wants me on the back of his bike, my name inked on his skin.
He wants me to be his Old Lady.
He wants me pregnant.
460 pages, Paperback
First published January 31, 2023
About the author
Emma Slate
39 books2,312 followersWall Street Journal & USA Today bestselling author Emma Slate writes romance with heart and heat.
Called “the dialogue queen” by her college playwriting professor, Emma writes love stories that range from romance-for-your-pants to action-flicks-for-chicks.
When she isn’t writing, she’s usually curled up under a heating blanket with a steamy romance novel and her two beagles—unless her outdoorsy husband can convince her to go on a hike.
Called “the dialogue queen” by her college playwriting professor, Emma writes love stories that range from romance-for-your-pants to action-flicks-for-chicks.
When she isn’t writing, she’s usually curled up under a heating blanket with a steamy romance novel and her two beagles—unless her outdoorsy husband can convince her to go on a hike.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 319 reviews
January 30, 2023
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trope: friends to lovers, found family
Angst: 😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥.5
Fantastic addition to the Blue Angels Motorcycle Club! Willa's two best friends, Duke and Savage, have gotten her through all the hard times. From her negligent mother to having to raise a rebellious younger sister. They've been there for her. Endlessly. But Duke wants more. He's always wanted more and inch by inch he's getting her there. Willa feels like she's standing on the precipice of something big, but how will their evolving relationship affect their friendship with Savage? How can she risk the best thing she's ever had for something that "could be"?
Thrust and Throttle was really a super cute story about courage, resiliency, and the bravery required to forge your own family when blood doesn't. Duke is really the best. He never wavered, just waiting for Willa to be just close enough to the edge for a bit of a push to make her fall. Willa is both strong and vulnerable, a risk taker and a scaredy cat. I think I have a little bit harder time when the book starts after they're already involved, but as a fan of the series the chemistry between them has been smoking us out for the past 3 books, so that definitely helped. I did wish the pacing was a bit more evened out. It seemed a bit slower up front, became super fast paced, and then slowed down again, but regardless, I loved the story and the HEA for these characters is so well deserved and an integral part of the series progression. I also love how Emma always finds way to answer unanswered questions from the previous books into little nuggets in the new one. Just can't wait to see what's next!
⛔️ My bookshelves can sometimes be spoilers
Trope: friends to lovers, found family
Angst: 😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥.5
Fantastic addition to the Blue Angels Motorcycle Club! Willa's two best friends, Duke and Savage, have gotten her through all the hard times. From her negligent mother to having to raise a rebellious younger sister. They've been there for her. Endlessly. But Duke wants more. He's always wanted more and inch by inch he's getting her there. Willa feels like she's standing on the precipice of something big, but how will their evolving relationship affect their friendship with Savage? How can she risk the best thing she's ever had for something that "could be"?
Thrust and Throttle was really a super cute story about courage, resiliency, and the bravery required to forge your own family when blood doesn't. Duke is really the best. He never wavered, just waiting for Willa to be just close enough to the edge for a bit of a push to make her fall. Willa is both strong and vulnerable, a risk taker and a scaredy cat. I think I have a little bit harder time when the book starts after they're already involved, but as a fan of the series the chemistry between them has been smoking us out for the past 3 books, so that definitely helped. I did wish the pacing was a bit more evened out. It seemed a bit slower up front, became super fast paced, and then slowed down again, but regardless, I loved the story and the HEA for these characters is so well deserved and an integral part of the series progression. I also love how Emma always finds way to answer unanswered questions from the previous books into little nuggets in the new one. Just can't wait to see what's next!
⛔️ My bookshelves can sometimes be spoilers
March 19, 2025
I liked it but it kinda dragged at the end
January 28, 2023
I devoured this book. Like finished it the night I got it. Willa and Duke have my whole heart, oh my goodness. They’re the sweetest—they’re so meant to be and have such a strong connection, which makes sense considering they’ve been best friends for more than a decade! There’s a familiarity between the two of them that I really enjoyed reading, and everyone (except maybe Willa) knew Duke has always loved her. I hate how much Willa had to take on from such a young age; she hasn’t gotten to have much for herself, so I was happy to see everyone pushing her to go after what she wants. Not only has Duke always been there and supported Willa, but he’s also more than happy to be there for Waverly, too. I also absolutely loved the glimpses of everyone else. Seeing everyone together constantly had me cracking up 😂 There was a comfort and an ease to Willa and Duke (and plenty of spice 🔥), and the ending left me needing so much more of the Blue Angels world (when does the next one come out?!). I need to know more about Viper 👀 You can’t go wrong with the Blue Angels series!!
March 9, 2023
This whole book just kind of bored me…. The book starts with them already hooking up so you don’t experience them going from friends to lovers and are thrown in the middle. Willa’s hesitancy feels like a weak tool to find a reason to drag out the start of the book. There was absolutely no reason for this to be over 400 pages. It was a fine book but it just feels a bit purposeless. The couple never has any real struggles that threaten the relationship and have issues that could have been complex and made the story more compelling are comically underdeveloped. For instance, Duke and Willa need to get married apparently for custody and then we don’t experience any of the actual hurdles it would take for Willa to gain custody of her sister. The small suspenseful act towards the end is resolved within a handful of pages that is clearly just a plot device for future books.
September 15, 2024
2.5 ⭐️
This book has no stakes, not really any stakes just vibes of two friends getting together in MC world setting...
This book has no stakes, not really any stakes just vibes of two friends getting together in MC world setting...
April 11, 2026
I am really enjoying this series. Loved the mmc in this one, the spice was on point and I do love that sense of family that comes with the motorcycle club. Something happened later in the book that I wish was earlier on and expanded upon as my one gripe would be the lack of storyline up until that point.
August 7, 2026
I have loved every book in the Tarnished Angels Motorcycle Club series so far, so I was SO excited to finally get Duke and Willow’s story, and they did not disappoint.
I absolutely loved the best friends-to-lovers aspect of this one. Duke has always been Willow’s person, and knowing that he’s been in love with her for so long made watching them finally figure out what everyone else could probably already see that much better. These two were truly meant to be, and I loved getting to watch their relationship shift from a lifelong friendship into something so much more.
There’s just something about a man who already knows exactly who his person is, and Duke KNOWS. He loves Willow, he wants a life with her, and he is more than ready for her to finally realize that she belongs right there with him.
I received an ALC of Thrust & Throttle from Dark Star Romance, and the audio made this story even better. Connor Crais and Blanca Frappier did an amazing job bringing Duke and Willow to life. Their performances worked so well together, and I loved the duet narration.
And Connor Crais? He is pretty much an automatic listen for me at this point. If I see his name on an audiobook, you really don’t have to convince me. 😂
Another great addition to a series that I have completely fallen in love with. Four books in, and the Tarnished Angels still have me hooked. 🖤🏍️
ALC provided by Dark Star Romance. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I absolutely loved the best friends-to-lovers aspect of this one. Duke has always been Willow’s person, and knowing that he’s been in love with her for so long made watching them finally figure out what everyone else could probably already see that much better. These two were truly meant to be, and I loved getting to watch their relationship shift from a lifelong friendship into something so much more.
There’s just something about a man who already knows exactly who his person is, and Duke KNOWS. He loves Willow, he wants a life with her, and he is more than ready for her to finally realize that she belongs right there with him.
I received an ALC of Thrust & Throttle from Dark Star Romance, and the audio made this story even better. Connor Crais and Blanca Frappier did an amazing job bringing Duke and Willow to life. Their performances worked so well together, and I loved the duet narration.
And Connor Crais? He is pretty much an automatic listen for me at this point. If I see his name on an audiobook, you really don’t have to convince me. 😂
Another great addition to a series that I have completely fallen in love with. Four books in, and the Tarnished Angels still have me hooked. 🖤🏍️
ALC provided by Dark Star Romance. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 3, 2023
I loved this one. It was amazing. Best friend to lovers. I love Willa and Duke together they are made for each other. And Savage is just an amazing friend. I can't wait for the next book!!!!
August 23, 2026
Willa and Duke completely stole my attention with this one! 🔥🏍️
The childhood-best-friends-to-lovers setup had me hooked, but the secret relationship, years of buried feelings, and absolutely undeniable chemistry took this romance to another level. Duke is the kind of possessive, protective biker hero who knows exactly what he wants, and he wants Willa as his Old Lady, no exceptions. 🖤
Willa’s vulnerability and fear of risking their friendship made her journey so easy to connect with. Watching her finally let herself have the love she’s always wanted was everything. And Duke? The man was determined to prove that what they have isn’t temporary. He wants forever, and he’s not shy about it. 🔥
The narration made the chemistry between Willa and Duke feel even more intense. The emotional moments landed, the spicy scenes brought the heat, and the whole audiobook kept me completely invested.
If you love biker romance, childhood friends-to-lovers, secret hookups, possessive heroes, found family, and plenty of spice, add this one to your TBR!
Willa + Duke = five stars, a whole lot of heat, and one seriously addictive ride.
The childhood-best-friends-to-lovers setup had me hooked, but the secret relationship, years of buried feelings, and absolutely undeniable chemistry took this romance to another level. Duke is the kind of possessive, protective biker hero who knows exactly what he wants, and he wants Willa as his Old Lady, no exceptions. 🖤
Willa’s vulnerability and fear of risking their friendship made her journey so easy to connect with. Watching her finally let herself have the love she’s always wanted was everything. And Duke? The man was determined to prove that what they have isn’t temporary. He wants forever, and he’s not shy about it. 🔥
The narration made the chemistry between Willa and Duke feel even more intense. The emotional moments landed, the spicy scenes brought the heat, and the whole audiobook kept me completely invested.
If you love biker romance, childhood friends-to-lovers, secret hookups, possessive heroes, found family, and plenty of spice, add this one to your TBR!
Willa + Duke = five stars, a whole lot of heat, and one seriously addictive ride.
August 31, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
world building/plot: 🌎🌎🌎
tropes: mc biker romance, dark romance, childhood friends to lovers, promotion to parent, semi-slowburn
pov: singular (fmc’s pov except for epilogue)
🌶️🌶️🌶️
rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
world building/plot: 🌎🌎🌎
tropes: mc biker romance, dark romance, childhood friends to lovers, promotion to parent, semi-slowburn
pov: singular (fmc’s pov except for epilogue)
February 5, 2023
She did it again I love the found family trope and can’t wait for the next book!!!!
January 31, 2023
This is book 4 in the Blue Angels MC series, and it's also told from the FMC point of view. We know Willa, her sister, and her two bikers best friends from the previous book, but we didn't know that she had a past with one of them and he's in love with her. With a lot of drama going onin her personal life, Willa is a bit wary of taking the relationship public, but her man is patient and supportive, all in from the begining - like a good alpha biker.
They're hot together and the transition from friends to lovers goes pretty smooth. The author does a great job with all the characters. We see a lot of the previous characters popping up, and while it can be read as a stand-alone, you'll enjoy it more following the series.
***I received an ARC in exchange of an honest review***
They're hot together and the transition from friends to lovers goes pretty smooth. The author does a great job with all the characters. We see a lot of the previous characters popping up, and while it can be read as a stand-alone, you'll enjoy it more following the series.
***I received an ARC in exchange of an honest review***
February 1, 2023
Missing the MC element
I struggled with rating this book. It was good, but like the last book in the series, it focused too much on the h and only about 10% of the book towards the end focused on the club. If this was the author’s intention to take the series in this direction, she really should have called the series the Blue Angels Old Ladies, because we see plenty of them and almost none of the club. Book one was a great example of a MC story, and if the author would have continued the series in the same fashion this would have easily been a 5 star book.
I struggled with rating this book. It was good, but like the last book in the series, it focused too much on the h and only about 10% of the book towards the end focused on the club. If this was the author’s intention to take the series in this direction, she really should have called the series the Blue Angels Old Ladies, because we see plenty of them and almost none of the club. Book one was a great example of a MC story, and if the author would have continued the series in the same fashion this would have easily been a 5 star book.
January 30, 2023
My heart is so full right now.
Whilst this book absolutely brings the danger, intrigue and suspense you expect from an MC series, it’s actually a little lighter in a lot of ways than the previous books.
The author always give us such rich depths to her love stories between the MC’s but this one felt next level to me.
Duke was so deep from the get go, he knew what he wanted and was willing to wait Willa out for it, knowing her so well that he knew she needed to come to this in her own time. His 🔥 rating is spicy and boy does he do his best to sell her on the advantages of being together all the time!!!
Willa has never had easy. Everything has come to her so hard, even the nice things she has fought for so when more bad stuff happens then this girl just rolls with the punches.
Most of this story is about them and the story of finding their way truly to each other, hiding (ha!) from the rest of the MC what had changed and then moving forward rapidly to where they always should have been.
It’s the last part that gets pacy and heartstopping, rapidly moving from a comfortable love story to dangerous ground and introducing a storyline that will no doubt mean big, bad, emotionally devastating things for the books to come.
I’m totally here for it and can’t wait for this series to continue. So many awesome characters, so many relationships hinted towards and others I just love reading more about (Darcey and Gray are my favourite peripheral couple here, I’d love to read more about them)
Highly recommended, fab read.
Whilst this book absolutely brings the danger, intrigue and suspense you expect from an MC series, it’s actually a little lighter in a lot of ways than the previous books.
The author always give us such rich depths to her love stories between the MC’s but this one felt next level to me.
Duke was so deep from the get go, he knew what he wanted and was willing to wait Willa out for it, knowing her so well that he knew she needed to come to this in her own time. His 🔥 rating is spicy and boy does he do his best to sell her on the advantages of being together all the time!!!
Willa has never had easy. Everything has come to her so hard, even the nice things she has fought for so when more bad stuff happens then this girl just rolls with the punches.
Most of this story is about them and the story of finding their way truly to each other, hiding (ha!) from the rest of the MC what had changed and then moving forward rapidly to where they always should have been.
It’s the last part that gets pacy and heartstopping, rapidly moving from a comfortable love story to dangerous ground and introducing a storyline that will no doubt mean big, bad, emotionally devastating things for the books to come.
I’m totally here for it and can’t wait for this series to continue. So many awesome characters, so many relationships hinted towards and others I just love reading more about (Darcey and Gray are my favourite peripheral couple here, I’d love to read more about them)
Highly recommended, fab read.
March 18, 2023
Did I just become a friends to lovers fan??? Idkkkk but I loooveeeddd this story so much.
One: As a little sister with 2 amazing big sisters I loved Willa so much. She would do anything for Waverly and their sister relationship was so beautiful.
Two: Duke, Savage and Willa’s friendship was adorable, they really would all do anything for each other (and Waverly).
Three: Duke??? LOVE HIM. He is so patient and so kind to Willa, like I need that. He basically waited all this time for her to realized that he loves her so much 🥹 I could cry b/c of how understanding he is.
The only complaint I would say is that I wish there was a bit more build up to Duke and Willa’s relationship, as the book started with them already hooking up. Other than that, I really like this book, and I really love this series.
One: As a little sister with 2 amazing big sisters I loved Willa so much. She would do anything for Waverly and their sister relationship was so beautiful.
Two: Duke, Savage and Willa’s friendship was adorable, they really would all do anything for each other (and Waverly).
Three: Duke??? LOVE HIM. He is so patient and so kind to Willa, like I need that. He basically waited all this time for her to realized that he loves her so much 🥹 I could cry b/c of how understanding he is.
The only complaint I would say is that I wish there was a bit more build up to Duke and Willa’s relationship, as the book started with them already hooking up. Other than that, I really like this book, and I really love this series.
August 22, 2026
She did it again. I have loved every single book in this series. The family ties that are created between people found and not by blood. This one though this one did have that sibling love and how much a person is willing to do and sacrifice for family. That got me. Some people out there are that sibling. They’re the oldest daughter. The one who had to sit by and take the hits for the young sibling so they wouldn’t have to suffer the consequences as well. i loved the banter between the sisters. The love they had for each other. Of course our MMC was the best guy ever setting expectations for love higher. I have loved each and every one of these so much and the narrators chosen always help to bring these characters to life.
January 30, 2023
In true form Slate not only shines her light on the featured characters, but she keeps us up to date with characters from the previous three books and hints at who could be in the next book. Willa has an extremely messy life because of her negligent mother but Willa and her two best friends do their best with her strong-willed younger sister, Waverly. Duke knows his best friend and his words melted my heart. This was a great story about resilience and "found family." Trouble still brews in Waco TX with the bad guys from all the previous books and we can see earlier characters still struggling with PTSD.
Don't think this is a fluffy contemporary romance novel with people who ride motorcycles sometimes—violence, vigilante justice, lingering trauma, crappy parents, and troubled teens throughout. But loyalty and love help everyone along this journey called life. 18+ Can't wait for the next one!
Don't think this is a fluffy contemporary romance novel with people who ride motorcycles sometimes—violence, vigilante justice, lingering trauma, crappy parents, and troubled teens throughout. But loyalty and love help everyone along this journey called life. 18+ Can't wait for the next one!
August 2, 2026
5 🌟
3🌶️
Duke the man that you are!!! I was kicking and giggling the entire time. I’m definitely a sucker for childhood friends turned lovers. Especially when he has been smitten since.
Willa and Waverly deserved better and I’m happy that they both had Duke and Savage. I did find myself getting irritated with Willa’s do as I say, not as I do, but I definitely understood.
Connor & Blanca are a beautiful pairing and brought Duke & Willa to life.
I would like to thank Darkstar Romance for providing me with a Free ALC of Thrust & Throttle and feeding my audiobook addiction.
3🌶️
Duke the man that you are!!! I was kicking and giggling the entire time. I’m definitely a sucker for childhood friends turned lovers. Especially when he has been smitten since.
Willa and Waverly deserved better and I’m happy that they both had Duke and Savage. I did find myself getting irritated with Willa’s do as I say, not as I do, but I definitely understood.
Connor & Blanca are a beautiful pairing and brought Duke & Willa to life.
I would like to thank Darkstar Romance for providing me with a Free ALC of Thrust & Throttle and feeding my audiobook addiction.
August 6, 2026
3.5/5
I have been loving this series and was excited to get to jump into this one! This is book 4 and is Duke and Willa's story. Who doesn't love a good friends to lovers story, right?
I listened to this one and the audio is duet narration with Connor Crais and Blanca Frappier. Connor played Duke so well! I felt like Blanca did a good job with Willa, but I also wanted some more emotion from her with the performance. Sometimes it felt a little monotone, but overall, I did enjoy listening!
I enjoyed Duke and Willa's journey. It really does seem that they have been end game since they were little kids, but she is hesitant because she is afraid it will mess up the dynamic with the two of them and Savage, which I totally understand. She was also having to deal with her sister and having to take care of her, so she had a lot going on.
I feel like Duke is total green flag. No matter what he was there for her and wanting to help her and he was not going to give up on them. I wish we could have seen more build from their relationship though. We started out with them already sneaking around and sleeping together so we missed them actually coming together for that.
I absolutely love the found family component with the MC and their group of "old ladies". They included Willa before she was even officially part of the group and banded together to help her when she needed it the most. I will say, I am definitely excited to get Savage's journey and see how that goes.
Huge thank you to the author and Dark Star Audio for the copy to listen to! I cannot wait to get into the next one!
I have been loving this series and was excited to get to jump into this one! This is book 4 and is Duke and Willa's story. Who doesn't love a good friends to lovers story, right?
I listened to this one and the audio is duet narration with Connor Crais and Blanca Frappier. Connor played Duke so well! I felt like Blanca did a good job with Willa, but I also wanted some more emotion from her with the performance. Sometimes it felt a little monotone, but overall, I did enjoy listening!
I enjoyed Duke and Willa's journey. It really does seem that they have been end game since they were little kids, but she is hesitant because she is afraid it will mess up the dynamic with the two of them and Savage, which I totally understand. She was also having to deal with her sister and having to take care of her, so she had a lot going on.
I feel like Duke is total green flag. No matter what he was there for her and wanting to help her and he was not going to give up on them. I wish we could have seen more build from their relationship though. We started out with them already sneaking around and sleeping together so we missed them actually coming together for that.
I absolutely love the found family component with the MC and their group of "old ladies". They included Willa before she was even officially part of the group and banded together to help her when she needed it the most. I will say, I am definitely excited to get Savage's journey and see how that goes.
Huge thank you to the author and Dark Star Audio for the copy to listen to! I cannot wait to get into the next one!
August 14, 2026
This is book 4 in the Tarnished Angels MC which follows Duke and Willa who are childhood friends. Duke has been in love with her for years and wants to take their relationship public but Willa wants to wait and feels that she can't juggle a relationship with everything going on in her life now that her mom ran off and left Willa to raise her younger sister. Duke is the perfect MMC and patient with Willa. They're so hot together. I really enjoyed this audiobook. It was narrated by Connor Crais and Blanca Frappier in duet narration. I felt they were perfectly cast for these roles. Great story line, childhood friends to lovers; MC Club; found family. Very sweet and spicy. This was my first book in this series and now I want to go back and read the others.
Thank you to Emma Slate and Dark Star Romance for the ALC.
Thank you to Emma Slate and Dark Star Romance for the ALC.
January 29, 2023
PERFECT from start to finish!!! I truly loved every moment and aspect of this story. To say it it met all my expectations is and understatement, it gave me MORE.
Duke and Willa stole my heart and ran with it. Their story had my heart beating faster with every page. They simply breathtaking, enticing and heart-melting characters with a highly engaging, touching and profound storyline.
Overall this book will give you all the FEELS. Beyond the spicy and romantic elements of this OUTSTANDING story I was captivated by the incredible friendships and family relationships presented within this romance.
The whole Blue Angel MC series is immensely addictive and it utterly consumes me. The same goes for Duke and Willa’s book. From the very beginning I was connected to these characters and their personalities.
Congratulations Emma!! This book is undeniably MEMORABLE and REMARKABLE🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
Duke and Willa stole my heart and ran with it. Their story had my heart beating faster with every page. They simply breathtaking, enticing and heart-melting characters with a highly engaging, touching and profound storyline.
Overall this book will give you all the FEELS. Beyond the spicy and romantic elements of this OUTSTANDING story I was captivated by the incredible friendships and family relationships presented within this romance.
The whole Blue Angel MC series is immensely addictive and it utterly consumes me. The same goes for Duke and Willa’s book. From the very beginning I was connected to these characters and their personalities.
Congratulations Emma!! This book is undeniably MEMORABLE and REMARKABLE🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
August 6, 2026
I am OBSESSED with Duke and Willa's story. It's one I'd listen to again and again. Duke's love is so pure, he loved her from when they were kids and this is a true childhood friends-to-lovers story!
Willa is fiercely independent, has a small circle of friends and she has a fear of letting others close, especially after everything she and her sister have been through. She is so afraid to make her relationship with Duke public because she is scared of how their friend, Savage, will react.
Duke is the perfect MMC. He steps up, protects what is his, and will do ANYTHING for Willa. All he wants is to make her his, but he needs to get her to understand that. So he keeps showing up. Everyday and in every way she needs until she accepts it.
This is such a beautiful story of found family, how important they are, and who will keep showing up for you, even when you least expect it.
The audiobook is amazing, Blanca Frappier narrates Willa and Connor Crais takes on the role of Duke, and the portrayal of these characters is next level. I love how Willa is strong willed, willing to stand her ground on things but also has a soft spot for Duke. I also love how Duke is not as in-your-face with his devotion to Willa as some of the other MMC's from this series have been. He is quiet, steady and proving he is always there by showing up for Willa. Both Connor Crais and Blanca Frappier have shared that perfectly in their tones and it resonates with me as a listener.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶.5
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Willa is fiercely independent, has a small circle of friends and she has a fear of letting others close, especially after everything she and her sister have been through. She is so afraid to make her relationship with Duke public because she is scared of how their friend, Savage, will react.
Duke is the perfect MMC. He steps up, protects what is his, and will do ANYTHING for Willa. All he wants is to make her his, but he needs to get her to understand that. So he keeps showing up. Everyday and in every way she needs until she accepts it.
This is such a beautiful story of found family, how important they are, and who will keep showing up for you, even when you least expect it.
The audiobook is amazing, Blanca Frappier narrates Willa and Connor Crais takes on the role of Duke, and the portrayal of these characters is next level. I love how Willa is strong willed, willing to stand her ground on things but also has a soft spot for Duke. I also love how Duke is not as in-your-face with his devotion to Willa as some of the other MMC's from this series have been. He is quiet, steady and proving he is always there by showing up for Willa. Both Connor Crais and Blanca Frappier have shared that perfectly in their tones and it resonates with me as a listener.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶.5
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
February 4, 2023
Outstanding
Omg I was on the edge of my feet the whole book though the last book almost did me in, please please don't let anything happen to savage please. Will and Duke so worth the wait
Omg I was on the edge of my feet the whole book though the last book almost did me in, please please don't let anything happen to savage please. Will and Duke so worth the wait
February 5, 2023
Omg this series is bloody brilliant, can't wait for book 5, these just get better and better and I love how all the characters intertwine with each other
January 26, 2025
Can’t explain why, but this might be my favorite so far! I say that a lot, I but always mean it.
August 8, 2026
Thank you to Dark Star Romance for the ALC copy of Thrust and Throttle! I was ecstatic to get this one and couldn’t wait to dive into Duke and Willa’s story after finishing the previous book.
I absolutely loved this book! Duke is everything, and I’m a sucker for a good childhood friends-to-lovers story. He was all in from the start, while Willa needed a little more time to accept everything he was offering, and I loved watching her slowly let her walls down. Willa is such a strong woman, and it was wonderful seeing her learn to accept help from the other Old Ladies in the club.
Willa and her younger sister Waverley go through some difficult things in this book, but watching their relationship grow stronger throughout the story was one of my favorite parts. I also loved seeing Jazz and Brielle make appearances!
Connor Crais is one of my favorite narrators, and Blanca Frappier did an amazing job in her first book with the series. Together, they brought Duke and Willa to life perfectly.
This is easily my favorite book in the series so far, and I absolutely cannot wait for the next one!
I absolutely loved this book! Duke is everything, and I’m a sucker for a good childhood friends-to-lovers story. He was all in from the start, while Willa needed a little more time to accept everything he was offering, and I loved watching her slowly let her walls down. Willa is such a strong woman, and it was wonderful seeing her learn to accept help from the other Old Ladies in the club.
Willa and her younger sister Waverley go through some difficult things in this book, but watching their relationship grow stronger throughout the story was one of my favorite parts. I also loved seeing Jazz and Brielle make appearances!
Connor Crais is one of my favorite narrators, and Blanca Frappier did an amazing job in her first book with the series. Together, they brought Duke and Willa to life perfectly.
This is easily my favorite book in the series so far, and I absolutely cannot wait for the next one!
August 14, 2026
It was such a cute story between best friends! The slow burn the caring, the protectiveness the love! It was soo good! Duke was soo patient with Willa it made me swoon over him! The love and the friendship they shared was soo wholesome and didnt feel forced. It was like nature took its course[a bit too slow] and made them match for one another!
April 20, 2025
Ik had een ander soort verhaal verwacht, maar het was alsnog een prima boek om te lezen. Het leest lekker door en het is leuk dat alle personages telkens terugkomen in elk deel. Wel heb ik het idee dat er met elke vrouw in elk deel iets ‘moet’ gebeuren, waardoor er veel herhaling is.
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