REVIEW: Down & Dirty by Rhenna Morgan

Sammy’s review of Down & Dirty (Men of Haven, Book 6) by Rhenna Morgan
Contemporary Romance published by Carina Press 11 Mar 19

This is the last book in the Men of Haven series. I want to tell you it’s been a really wild ride. I am kinda sad to see these characters go. So it hurts me to tell you that Axel’s book, the surly, mysterious, co-leader of Haven, just didn’t work for me. It was only toward the end of the book that made up for the immense power imbalance that made this book hard for me to get on board. Don’t get me wrong, this is not a bad book. It was just a character thing for me. While all the men in Haven are over-the-top Alpha dickheads, I still love them. But this heroine had some issues that I feel needed something more in the beginning and not so much toward the end. That’s because I already had Axel on the “you crossed the line” list. If you’re a fan of the series, I would tell you happy reading. I would tell you that Axel takes his head out of his ass. It just took too long for me. If you are new to the series, this book stands alone well. I personally think that you would rather appreciate starting at the first book, though. Jace is still my No. 1 and he did some stupid shit in his book as well.

Lizzy Hemming is working the bar scene with her band, taking any and all gigs hoping to get past the plateau they have hit. Lizzy is talented, gorgeous, and a little gun-shy since her last manager/boyfriend screwed her big time. He was abusive, stole her songs, and copyrighted them in his name. Her home life isn’t a tale of bicycles, bedtime stories, and kissed scrapped knees. Thank goodness for Rex, an older gentleman who took her in like a daughter. All Lizzy has is her band and Rex. While she’s playing in Dallas, Axel has been following her career path, and he’s also a little bit in lust. While she’s playing at the Crow, Rex, who has been her stand-in manager, couldn’t make it down to deal with the slime-ball owner. It’s up to Lizzy to get their portion of the money. While the owner is trying to screw her out of the band’s percentage, Axel makes his presence known and royally pisses off Lizzy, even though Axel makes sure she gets what she is entitled to. Axel gives her his card to call him, and while she is tempted, she holds out.

Axel McKee is a power to be reckoned with. Which is to say he is a bit of a bully. If he thinks his choices are right and it’s about protecting what he deems his, well, you have no say. While Axel loves hard, is a Dom in the bedroom, and an alpha-hole outside of it, boy, he rubbed me wrong through 80% of this book. While he is pulling strings to get her better gigs in his clubs, and wooing her bandmates, and Rex., he’s a damned hurricane. Lizzy is wary and not so trusting. I don’t blame her. Axe brings Lizzy and the band to meet his family. Once Lizzy gets a feel for who Axe is and his people, she lowers her guard slightly. Meanwhile, Axe is moving heaven and earth because, while he may have not been able to live his dream of music, he can’ help to want to see someone as talented as Lizzy make it. They strike a deal – he will be her manager and Lizzy is going to make some sweet music. This way he can live vicariously through the woman he is starting to care for deeply.

Lizzy opens up about her past with the ex, her horrible mother, and spineless father. This is what really bothers me the most. Axe knows she’s not loved. She has been bullied, verbally and physically abused, especially when she had no power and no voice. He just takes over her life, making decisions, what’s best for her, etc. While reading these parts of the book, I would get very frustrated. I understand Axel is coming from a good place, t. There is no mistaking he’s a good guy. His way of going about things are horrible and all I kept thinking is, “Axel, you dickhead, she needs an equal partner who has her back.” That’s how she should be taking back her power. Instead, we just get more dominance in the bedroom and I started to feel suffocated. Things are progressing in Lizzy’s career and her relationship with Axe and his family. Her ex bumps into her at a digital radio show and he comes onto the scene wanting to use her. Things heat up with him and Axe, and his family are all working overtime to find out all the dirt on this piece of garbage.

Things are coming to a head, and Lizzy decides to take matters into her own hands. With the help of the ladies of Haven, she embarks on taking Joffrey down once and for all. It’s at this point that Axel’s mom intervenes and has a come-to-Jesus talk with her son. We are about 80% in and he finally realizes that Lizzy needs to do this and he needs to step back and support her. Thank goodness, because this book was teetering on a big fat D. While it took most of the book for Axel to pull his head out of his ass, I did enjoy how it all came to an end. Axel and Lizzy are really sweet together and their HEA is pretty damned fantastic. I just wish Axel would have seen the light sooner, rather than later.  I had such a hard time with the power differences. I loved this series and I still highly recommend it. There is something very powerful about the family you choose, rather than who you are born to. The closeness of Axel and his brothers and the women who love them is nicely done. I do wish we would have gotten to see the moms get their HEA. Maybe I can hope for novellas.

Overall, a great series. It’s hard to say goodbye.

Grade:C

Summary:

A powerful man

Axel McKee abandoned his musical career years ago in favor of becoming a power player on the music scene. His dreams of the spotlight are over—and he’s better off for it. Working with his Haven brothers and building their empire is enough for him.

One who commanded attention with nothing more than a look

And then came Lizzy. A dynamic, beautiful powerhouse of a performer unlike any he’s seen or heard before. Her presence leaps off stage and into the heart of anyone who watches her sing. Axel wants her. Wants to help her and collaborate with her… But more than anything, he wants to be with her.

And every ounce of his attention was locked on her

Two things are immediately obvious: Lizzy’s been burned before, and earning her trust will be Axel’s biggest challenge yet. If he can get this fierce, stubborn, talented woman to see the passion and care that he’s offering, he might get a chance at a new dream—sharing the spotlight with the woman he loves.

No excerpt available.

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