Fictional Candy: Review: Reaper's Legacy by Joanna Wylde

Title: Reaper's Legacy
Series: Reapers MC #2
Author: Joanna Wylde
Published: January 28, 2014 - Berkley
Format: Print copy received for review

Eight years ago, Sophie gave her heart-and her virginity-to Zach Barrett on a night that couldn't have been less romantic or more embarrassing. Zach's step-brother, a steely-muscled, tattooed biker named Ruger, caught them in the act, getting a peep show of Sophie he's never forgotten.

She may have lost her dignity that fateful night, but Sophie also gained something precious-her son Noah. Unfortunately, Zach's a deadbeat dad, leaving Ruger to be Noah's only male role model. When he discovers Sophie and his nephew living in near poverty, Ruger takes matters into his own hands-with the help of the Reapers Motorcycle Club-to give them a better life.

Living with outlaw bikers wasn't Sophie's plan for her son, but Ruger isn't giving her a choice. He'll be there for Noah, whether she wants him or not. But Sophie does want him, has always wanted him. Now she'll learn that taking a biker to bed can get a girl dirty in every way.

I seem to find myself drawn to motorcycle club romances lately. They have a certain dangerous aspect to them that other romances just don’t have. With the super hot cover and drama filled blurb on Reaper’s Legacy, I knew I had to read it. This is book two in the series, and I haven’t yet read book one. But I never felt lost. I would totally say this book could standalone if you wanted to jump right in.

Ok, right. So this book starts with a prologue showing Zach and Sophie, having sex in Zach’s brother’s apartment – and Sophie is losing her virginity. Zach doesn’t make her first time special – at all. In fact, his actions guarantee it is a bad night. When Ruger, Zach’s brother, comes home and catches them, Zach basically acts like a jerk. Where most men – awesome Alpha men – would be protective of their woman being in a compromising position, he doesn’t even take notice. He even goes so far as to exclaim it to be the worst night of his life after he discovers the broken condom. Immediately my heart goes out to Sophie and Zach is on my douchebag list.

Then we pick up eight years later. Sophie is a single mom, and she is trying the damn best she can. It’s not easy when you have almost no support system and you are trying to raise a child. Pretty much all she has is Ruger, who has stuck by her through the years. But Sophie and Ruger don’t get along, they don’t like each

other. So while he helps keep her safe and whatnot, he’s not local and he’s not someone to call for day to day issues. I loved Sophie. She was strong and capable. She was dealt a rough hand, but her life was her own. There were a few points in the book where I felt she was a bit harsh on the club, but I chalked it up to naivety.

Photo courtesy freephotos.net & Robert Bell

One day Sophie needs help in a big way, and Ruger rushes in to save the day, as per usual. He takes Sophie and her son to his house to live. Ruger is a fantastic character. I really felt he grew exponentially through this book. Yes, he always loved Sophie and her son, but as a man and later, a man in love, he really grew by leaps and bounds. It’s easy when you only have yourself to look after. You only care about your own needs. But being around Sophie makes him realize there is so much more to life than broads and bikes. Plus Ruger is described as “bluntly handsome” and not a pretty boy. He’s pierced, tattooed, and hardcore in every sense of the word.

This book really was terrific. Joanna Wylde’s writing really drew me in right from the beginning. I couldn’t put this book down, and I am definitely going to read the rest of this series. The supporting cast of characters were very imaginative. And you know, there were a lot of them – but I didn’t have trouble keeping track of who is who, and I really think that shows great talent and skill. There were many hot and sexy moments that had me sweating, followed up by hair-raising tension filled scenes that had me on the edge of my seat waiting for the result.

Photo courtesy freephotos.net and Matt Creedon

If you like motorcycle club romances, this is definitely a book to check out. You get all the dirt and grit of the club, the fierce protectiveness of the members, and a romance that will rock you from your handlebars to your tires. Reaper’s Legacy is a must read!