Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 starstoo much in the pot
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 15, 2020
This could have been a 3.5 or 4 if we didnt veer away from the mercenaries who fell in love with a group of strippers. Instead we get sucked into the world of rock chicks, Knight series, chaos and every other series the author has ever written. It was one big mash up that made for confusing and sometimes painful reading. Not even a few chapters in we have the hero Boone going to a meeting where 575 former cast members are mentioned. And not natural references either -this is Luke married to X and he was sitting next to Lee who was married to X and there was Ally married to X at the table across the way. On and on it went until I felt like 30 people must have been in that room. My eyes glazed and I skimmed because I wasnt interested in any of those other people. I've read their books. I'm here for the new guys and want to grow and love them and delve into them merging into a strong group. That was weakened by having Boone split his time with 50 other guys instead of the small 5 man crew that were his boys.
I also didnt care for the writing style. I'm used to KA's writing and wandering thoughts but this felt at times like a letter to herself. (Ex: Hawk was here. Many will wonder why I choose to describe him at this point now but I will any way. He is hot.) It was so odd and disjointed. Lots of parenthesis and oh by the way, and before I forget, oh and also this.
Next I didnt care for Boone. After telling Ryn he didnt want her, he shows up all in for a relationship. He's going thru her phone after one date, telling her he doesnt want people calling her and upsetting her. Next he's asking if he can answer her phone. I guess to yell at people for being mean to her?? After one event he demands she unlock her phone so he can call one of her contacts and give them a piece of his mind. Ugh. I just didnt like those little behaviors of his and I was mad Ryn didnt push back more. Oh and thats not even mentioning him going to Smithie's without telling Ryn and trying to get her put on leave from work when she's in danger. He went to her job!! Of all the overstepping nonsense he continually did, this one made me grind my teeth.
Lastly the sex. I tend to enjoy KA sex scenes but not when she ventures to BDSM. It is without a doubt, full on awkward turtle, EVERY time. I've read bdsm, I've read some extreme kinks that I thought would turn me off but the author makes it sensual and super sexy. KA's version of bdsm makes me cringe because it is so awkward, weird or something I cant put my finger on. The heroes always come off as if they're playing a role that doesnt fit them. She just doesnt do it well and I wish she'd let it go. A couple can have sexual taste that varies without it being defined as bdsm.
All in all I'm disappointed. Especially since I really loved Dutch. I initially liked this series and thought we'd have a new group of guys to learn and love but the cast is too big if it constantly requires Brock, Mitch, Lee, Hawk, Rush etc plus their respective spouses make an appearance. I'll think hard before buying the next one in this series.
