Smut Fanatics: Laura’s Review of Reaper’s Fall (Reapers MC, #5) By Joanna Wylde

Synopsis

He never meant to hurt her.

Levi “Painter” Brooks was nothing before he joined the Reapers motorcycle club. The day he patched in, they became his brothers and his life. All they asked in return was a strong arm and unconditional loyalty—a loyalty that’s tested when he’s caught and sentenced to prison for a crime committed on their behalf.

Melanie Tucker may have had a rough start, but along the way she’s learned to fight for her future. She’s escaped from hell and started a new life, yet every night she dreams of a biker whose touch she can’t forget. It all started out so innocently—just a series of letters to a lonely man in prison. Friendly. Harmless. Safe.

Now Painter Brooks is coming home… and Melanie’s about to learn that there’s no room for innocence in the Reapers MC.

What I Loved

I really liked the way the book began, with Painter beating the crap out of someone because of Melanie and not having a clue how this all went down. It immediately hooked me to the story and kept me reading through most of it. The story then flashes back to the time Painter was still in jail and leads you through the beginning stages of Melanie and Painter’s relationship.

I love the friendship they built together and how Painter could truly be himself in front of her and how Melanie supported his artistic side. The chemistry between these two was instant and as much as they tried to fight their feelings for one another they both finally give in. The sex scenes were nothing short of sizzling and I thoroughly enjoyed reading those moments.

I have got to say that Painter was always a character that intrigued me because he’s always been this kind of background character that you know had a really good story behind him. Even though he’s kind of a dick at times the raw feelings he has for Mel was a total turn on and I instantly fell in love with him.

Not So Much

For me the story just fell apart when the time starts to jump more into the future until we get to the present day. At first I could understand why Melanie was so angry with Painter and my heart broke for her at times. But the story went on and she was still holding on to the same old grudges the plot just seemed to become too shallow and unsubstantiated. I could totally understand her prejudices against a motorcycle club in the beginning but as time went on and she was more and more involved with the club it just didn’t make any sense anymore. Melanie as the main character should be someone to support and love but she became bratty and annoying to me.

Also I felt like Painter and Melanie spent more time in the story apart then they did together. There was no real development of romance between them which made their relationship less interesting at times and when they finally do get together the story ends. The time hopping served its purpose to explain things but there should’ve been more detailed accounts of them together throughout the years not fighting with each other. It doesn’t’ vibe with the rest of the series because each couple in the past was given the time to build a solid relationship while these two were not.

To Sum It All Up!

Overall, I though the story began great. The prologue immediately sucks you in and the first quarter of the book builds a solid foundation for the rest of the story to continue. But after a while the plot falls apart and the story becomes very shallow and tedious.

I absolutely loved Painter he is a great example of a complex character that has to work out the many demons living inside of him. And you see that growth in this story a lot which made me love him even more. Melanie on the other hand really didn’t change all that much and instead of being endearing she comes off stubborn a little annoying.

The sexual chemistry between them was great and I loved that no matter how much they fought and hated it each other the wanting was still very much there. I just wish that the entire story had as much depth as the beginning did. The ending leads you into the next love story coming up in the series which I’ve always liked the fact that Joanna Wylde does that because it hooks you then leaves you wanting more. I just hope there is more romance and build up in the next story so it is more consistent with the rest of the series than this one was.

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