Limecello’s review of Relentless by Lauren Dane
Futuristic erotic romance released by Berkley Trade on 5 May 09

[This is my second time around trying to write/post the review, so I hope I don’t forget anything.] I loved this book. I’m really enjoying Lauren Dane’s Federated series. I thought Undercover was good, but Relentless blew that out of the water. I’m also not huge on futuristic novels, but Ms. Dane is winning me over, one book at a time. I’ve already re-read Relentless, and plan on reading it yet again.

Abbie Haws is who I want to be when I grow up. Well, that’s not entirely true, but I wouldn’t mind being just like her. She’s a successful barrister, but more importantly, she’s comfortable with who she is. Not only that, but Abbie is slightly idealistic as well. She has a cause she believes in, and she’s willing to make sacrifices to meet her goal. Abbie is incredibly grounded, and has a great sense of self. She’s a very strong heroine, but not overbearing. Abbie is respectable and realistic, and I appreciated that Ms. Dane crafted Abbie’s character subtly. Abbie doesn’t have to be a bitch or be cruel to assert herself, but she is unquestionably in control of her domain. However, Abbie is also human. She has her flaws, made mistakes, and had a difficult life. But she still knows how to have fun.

Roman Lyons. Enough said, really – even just based on his name. I loved Ms. Dane’s dedication, “Lastly, thank you to Daniel Craig, who played Roman Lyons in my head. I promise neither Abbie nor I sullied you too much.” Roman is quite likable, and is characterized flawlessly. At no time do you forget his position, but that fact isn’t overbearing. I liked Roman’s arrogance, and the changes and growth he experiences throughout Restless. Roman is a good man, but in a way sheltered, due to his lifestyle. His interaction with Abbie changes him, but it’s also nice to see his strong personality carry through. Roman also isn’t above using his clout when he thinks it is necessary, and you have to respect that. He’s literally the head of the universe, but has a surprisingly level head over it. He’s a fantastic leader, and a terrific hero.

I liked how much care and thought Ms. Dane put into her world, and the characters. I was impressed by how Ms. Dane created an entire series of universes in the Federation books, and developed it throughout the story. I felt that I had a grasp of the governmental system, the culture, the socioeconomic nuances, even, of both Ravena, and the Known Universes. However, at no time did I feel that Ms. Dane was lecturing, or that the tone became pedantic. The subtle weaving of the plot alongside the foundation of the world building is impeccable. The society and system are also deeply ingrained in Roman and Abbie, and so much a part of who they are.

I think my favorite thing about Relentless and why I enjoyed it so much, was the characters and their relationships. That’s why I read romances. It’s not the other stuff – the “fluff.” I know how the story will end, so the plot is part of it, but not the whole. I read the books to see what and how the hero and heroine do together, and follow their interaction from beginning to end. I want to believe that the characters will stay together, and here, I do. I know Abbie and Roman will last. Their relationship is developed and strong, and it survived a number of obstacles. Ms. Dane wrote the perfect romance for Roman and Abbie – one that fit their personalities and situation exactly. [Oh – and I suppose I should mention the physical aspect. There’s heat. A lot of it. And it’s all good.]

I only have a few minor “complaints.” One would be a flat villain. I like that one “bad man” – Roman’s brother changes during the book, but Saul Kerrigan, the main antagonist was very static. Luckily, that didn’t bother me much because as I said, my point of interest is the relationship between the hero and heroine. That being said, I did have a minor issue with the dialogue. While I felt that it flowed much better than some of Ms. Dane’s other stories, there were still some passages where I was a bit jarred by what the characters were saying. Perhaps it was the way they said it, what they were saying – but it felt a tiny bit unnatural. I think it’s because Ms. Dane uses the character’s speech to develop the story, and sometimes it doesn’t quite fit.

I really hope that Daniel Haws gets his own story. (And Damien Lyon’s would be nice too, though he’s a distant second.) So Ms. Dane, her publisher – whoever has control over this, I hope you’re reading! I think it’s clear that I really enjoyed Relentless. I can only hope that more romances will be like it. Not the genre or plot – but the focus on the characters and their relationship.

Regardless of whether or not you like futuristic novels (because I don’t particularly), I think you should read this book. It’s a great story, and very well written. Reading this book made me happy.

Grade: A

Summary:
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In this erotic universe, passion knows no rank…
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Since the first settlers came through the portals from Earth, fifteen Families have held the rule of the Federated Universes in their hands. There’s never been a better time than now to throw out the old and usher in a new order. Give voice to the unranked. Abbie Haws has spent her life battling the system. A fighter, she’s always been too busy and driven to pay much attention to finding love. But when she’s granted audience with Roman Lyons, the head of House Lyons, who stands for everything she hates, her instant attraction catches Abbie off-guard…
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It’s common knowledge that the Known Universe revolves around Ravena—and that Ravena revolves around Roman Lyons, bred to lead since birth. Roman dreads his meeting with a defiant—if stunning—rabble-rouser. But, sometimes, headstrong personalities in the conference room make for hot-and-heavy, guilty trysts in private….
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Now, Abbie will show Roman the parts of her world he wouldn’t otherwise get to see. And he’ll give her a glimpse of the Families’ age old tradition and unleash a sexuality he’d never given rein to before.
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Read an excerpt here.