4.5 stars - I love reading about violent, angry women <33

Ryan is the pseudo-daughter of the leader of the Los Muertos Cartel. She's angry, she's tired of being underestimated, and she's ready to prove herself. She was bloodthirsty and a killer but still feminine. I liked the way she dealt with the misogyny that she faced day to day, taking it in stride until they turned their backs, waiting until they least expected her.
I saw some reviews complain that she was a "not like other girls character" and while I guess I see where you could get that from, I don't agree. There were a lot of different types of female characters in this book, like her best friend, and they were never made to seem less than because she was "better." She also faced a wide range of emotions and allowed herself to feel and take her guard down around Gunner.
She's the arms dealer for the cartel, and she's now in charge of a deal between the cartel and an up-and-coming motorcycle club, the skeletons of society.

Gunner is in charge of dealing with the cartel, and going into the meeting he fully expects this "Ryan" to be a man, and when he meets her, he think shes there to take his drink order. The way that Ryan cut him down was BRUTAL and amazing to watch. I loved watching them all eat their words after she consistently proved them wrong for thinking she was weak.
It had a bit of an enemies-to-lovers vibe, but around 30-40% it did get a little insta-lovey.
I honestly didn't mind that thought because this was the first book I have read in forever that made me literally giggle and kick my feet as I was reading it.

I swear this author had to have had a history of writing fanfiction because she KNOWS what the people want. It was so funny. At the beginning of each chapter, there was a little note from her about that chapter and it was so fun. It felt like she was reading the book right along with me. There were lots of "touch her and die," AND "touch him and die."
MORE TOUCH HIM AND DIE IN BOOKS PLEASE!! Just soo many good tropes and I could not stop giggling.
Some of the plot twists had me literally gasping!! I didn't see them coming but when they did it was like everything clicked and they made sense.

This was a great no brain cells just vibes book. I had so much fun reading this and I can't wait to finish this series!! Would recommend :))

Quotes:
"I realized that darkness didn't equal evil. Good intentions often needed to be accomplished with what someone had determined were sins."

"I wanted to bear witness to her brutality while letting her know she didn't have to do it alone."

"Seemed she liked me violent. Noted. Bring her the heads of men who offend her."

"She was so beautiful with her scarred, caring heart and attitude as sharp as the blade she wielded. We were one and the same, she and I."

"She reminded me of a lioness stalking down her prey. There was no question Ryan was an apex predator, and this man was about to be eaten alive.

"Gunner showed me a man shouldn't demand you chain yourself to their feet. I didn't know what Gunner felt for me, but I knew he didn't keep me caged."

"Being in love with Gunner made me deadlier, not weak."

"I was a chained man living for nothing, and you came and changed that. Your soul isn't damaged, Ryan. You're strong enough to face what others won't, to do things others aren't willing to do to save the lost. I see your soul, Ryan. I love you, all of you. Every part."

Skeletons of Society - Likewise Book Reviews

3 Reviews