Tabs’ review of Reaper’s Fall (Reaper’s Motorcycle Club, Book 5) by Joanna Wylde
Contemporary Romance published by Berkley 10 Nov 15
Joanna Wylde is an astounding writer. I love how meticulously researched her books are and how her characters are just so vivid but also feel so grounded in reality. And that reality is not a pretty one. It’s messy and gritty and complicated, but love and passion exist in that same world.
I love this series, but I’ll admit that I approached this book with some trepidation. Painter has been a side character in the series for a while, but he hasn’t exactly been portrayed as a hero; and Melanie was so young when we last saw her that I really didn’t know what to expect from her. Luckily, this book ended up reminding me of Devil’s Game, in that I was somewhat skeptical going in but came out happy as a damn clam.
Melanie’s and Painter’s story picks up about a year after Reaper’s Stand left off, with the pair corresponding while Painter is in prison. Her letters are the only bright spot he has on the inside, but he knows that he’s only going to bring her heartache, so he tries to keep his distance. Painter is a total jerkface, but he has dimensions. A large part of his character arc is him growing as a person, learning from his many mistakes, and making better choices. It’s really satisfying.
Melanie is no wilted flower. She’s smart and sweet and loyal to a T. She also doesn’t put up with Painter’s bullshit, which is always a thing I love in heroines paired with jerk-face heroes.
“I had no interest in getting stuck on top of some stupid pedestal, though. I wanted to lick him all over, not sit on an inspirational platform of womanly virtue.”
Painter and Melanie’s road is not an easy one, and it takes time for their happily ever after. For the most part, this feels organic, but it does start to drag after a while. If you’re anywhere as impatient a person as I, you may find yourself hollering, “You’re wasting so much time!” at your book format of choice.
I also think this book suffers somewhat from Wylde giving readers a peak into Melanie’s and Painter’s future in Silver Bastard. When the reader knows that certain things will happen and a certain amount of time will pass before those things do, it tends to kill some of the anticipation. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, but a part of me really wished that I hadn’t known what was coming and could have just sat back and enjoyed the ride.
Overall, though, a no-tolerance-for-bullshit heroine and a likeable-despite-himself jerkface hero made this book for me. Just keep writing whatever the heck you want, Joanna Wylde, please please please.
Grade: A-
Summary:
He never meant to hurt her.
Levi “Painter” Brooks was nothing before he joined the Reapers motorcycle club. The day he patched in, they became his brothers and his life. All they asked in return was a strong arm and unconditional loyalty—a loyalty that’s tested when he’s caught and sentenced to prison for a crime committed on their behalf.
Melanie Tucker may have had a rough start, but along the way she’s learned to fight for her future. She’s escaped from hell and started a new life, yet every night she dreams of a biker whose touch she can’t forget. It all started out so innocently—just a series of letters to a lonely man in prison. Friendly. Harmless. Safe.
Now Painter Brooks is coming home… and Melanie’s about to learn that there’s no room for innocence in the Reapers MC.
Other books in this series:
