Tabs’ review of Release (Jericho Brotherhood, Book 2) by Jade Chandler
Erotic Romance published by Carina Press 17 Oct 16
This motorcycle club romance has reunited lovers, smoking hot sex, and a hero who needs pain. Avery and Rock hooked up in the last book but parted when Rock’s club priorities and actions hurt Avery’s friend. They both miss each other greatly. When Avery decides that she’s going to brave her severe pain aversion and get her first tattoo, Rock is of course going to do it for her and it’s pretty much like Donkey Kong from there.
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but this feels like a tighter, more focused story. A lot of biker books go for flashy external conflict, but this story is pretty internally focused. The things that they have to overcome are mostly their own personal baggage. There are some villains who need vanquishing, but they aren’t amorphous villains. They’re bad people in their lives already who need to be dealt with.
Rock has a rather unusual conflict. He needs pain to center himself and has been using the services of a local skilled domme to get what he needs. He’s pretty terrified of Avery knowing about his issues and being disgusted by them. His own internal self-loathing about it is an even bigger barrier to happiness than Avery’s feelings on the matter. But a little bit of trust goes a long way. Avery being brought into this aspect of his life, embracing it, and pushing Rock to come to better terms with it is a critical aspect of their relationship and one that is treated pretty respectfully. Bonus: the domme, Marr, is amazing and it looks like she might be set up as future heroine and I want that so hard.
Avery’s conflicts mostly have to do with her abusive home life and her wariness of the Jericho Brotherhood. She’s very wary of the biker culture because of its similarities to how her family works. Her father is in charge, hates her and her mother, and treats them like crap. She’s understandably not eager to dive on into a misogynistic lifestyle that resembles that in any way. Some of Avery’s wariness of the club is pretty weaksauce, but some of it is also pretty darn warranted. The club isn’t perfect, but some of the worst things come from Rock not giving Avery the information she needs to safely navigate the world. These parts irritated, because Avery would end up apologizing for messing up when I felt like Rock was the one who effed up. These were sour notes for me in an otherwise nice book.
Overall, I’m a fan of this world and this series. I liked Rock and Avery together a lot and watching them figure things out together was really satisfying. I’ll totally be on board for the next Jericho Brotherhood book.
Grade: B
Summary:
Pain is my addiction and tattoos are my art.
In the Jericho Brotherhood MC, I’m the man to get the job done. That’s why they call me Rock.
From the first dance, I knew Avery Winston wasn’t a fast f*ck. One taste will never be enough when it comes to her. I crave her sweet skin and sassy mouth.
I screwed up and she sent me packing. With my second chance, I’ll do anything to keep her by my side.
But that ain’t easy. She doesn’t trust my MC, and they are my life. And there’s too much happening right now to show her what being an old lady means. Brothers fighting and escalating violence has me on the edge.
Then Avery’s family situation turns crazy. When chaos breaks out from all sides, I don’t know if I can protect the one I love.
Other books in this series:
