Sammy’s review of Ruled (The Outlaws, Book 3) by Elle Kennedy
Erotic Dystopian published by Berkley 01 Nov 16
Many moons ago I had the pure luck of coming across the Out of Uniform series. I think I gobbled up the entire backlist within a week. As the author has moved on to other series, I always add the first book or three to my huge TBR pile. I have both Claimed and Addicted sitting in that pile, but when Ruled came up for review, I couldn’t pass it up. You see, it hit all my reader buttons. While I seriously dislike to read out of order and this book proves why, I did enjoy this book very much. It goes without saying, I will be bumping the other two books up on my reading list. That way I can fill in the blanks. I don’t think this book can stand on its own.
Reese is the leader of Foxworth, a band of outlaws living a life of freedom from the confines of the Global Council. Reese also lives, breathes, eats, and sleeps vengeance. She is determined to lay waste to the very people who kept her mother a breeder, as well as the very people who sterilized her so she could never have children. She is also trying to come to terms with her last love interest, Jake, whom she had to kill to protect her people. Since Jake, she has been questioning her decisions and relies heavily on Sloan, her right-hand man. Sloan has his issues as well.
Foxworth Outlaws, with the help of other freedom faction Outlaws, are laying waste to the Council’s outposts. They’re stealing their stockpiles of weapons and ammunition and leaving behind a bloody trail of dead Enforcers. Even one dead Enforcer is a check for Reese, one less enemy she has to worry about. While they are starting off small with their military precision, the bigger picture is to wipe out the Council. There is a ton of action in this book, which makes this read an easy one. I never felt like there was a lull.
Sloan has been in love with Reese since the first time he laid eyes on her. Unfortunately for him, his friend Jake got the jump on him, and Jake did not share. Reese is not only beautiful, she’s smart, protective, and all around kick-ass. It’s no wonder many of these Outlaws want to get into her bed and stay for awhile. Sloan doesn’t allow his feelings to get in the way. He’s so closed off and is afraid of not having Reese in his life that he’s been celibate for three years. Rylan, Reese’s insane fighter, who trains her people in the art of warfare, is bold, funny, hot as hell, and doesn’t take no for an answer.
The relationship between Reese and Sloan is strong. She knows exactly how he feels, yet she’s cut herself off since Jake. Rylan scares her because he reminds her of Jake. Rylan is quick to run into battle without really seeing the bigger picture and that scares her on many levels. Jake was abusive, verbally and physically. Reese has a lot of pent-up feelings and Sloan suggests she have some sex to take the edge off. Enter Rylan. Reese eventually gives in, but only if Sloan is there to make sure she doesn’t fall into another bad relationship. From that moment on, Rylan and Reese together is off-the-charts hot. Rylan wants Sloan to join in, but Sloan is hesitant. The first time they’re together Sloan issues all the orders to the couple during sex, and from that moment on, you could see how well these three would work.
Rylan forces Sloan to let his guard down and take a chance. The men form a bond and their chemistry is amazing as well. When Sloan and Reese finally get together, it is a moment of YES, but also beautiful and steamy. When the three of them are together, I suggest turning on the air conditioner. I love the triad. I love Sloan and Rylan together, how their relationship unfolds. I love Reese with Rylan. Rylan is the carefree, funny, protective man she needs. I love Sloan and Reese together because he literally would die for her (not that Rylan wouldn’t). It’s just that they have years of knowing one another. There is no way she would be able to choose one over the other, because both men together create exactly what she needs. The fact that they all really respect, care, and love each other left me with a happy sigh in the end.
This is the third book in this series. I will absolutely read the previous two. There is a ton of action, the plot moves along, there are some surprises, a new bunch of defectors from the Council that has me intrigued. Hot loving, a ton of feeling. A really wonderfully written book by an author who doesn’t seem to disappoint this reader.
Grade:B+
Summary:
In the latest novel in the series with the “sexiest, baddest, hottest” outlaws around, one woman must choose between the two men who want to claim her…
…Or does she?
Despite his magnetic personality, Rylan can’t seem to seduce Reese, the deadly leader of their town of outlaws. Winning her over is a welcome challenge, but her indifference isn’t the only thing standing in his way. If he wants Reese, Rylan must also win over Sloan, her stoic protector…
Sloan has always loved Reese, but their painful past has stolen his chances of a future with her. Rylan’s interest in Reese only intensifies the tension—until Sloan begins to wonder if the reckless man might be the one person who can bridge the distance…
The last time Reese fell for the wrong man, she had no choice but to kill him. Now, she desperately wants to take what both Rylan and Sloan are offering. But if she makes the wrong call again, she risks losing them both.
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