Laura’s Review of Slay (Storm MC, #4) by Nina Levine

Synopsis

BLOOD WILL BE SHED...

The ghosts of Donovan "Blade" Brookes' life are closing in on him.

Hardened by an abusive childhood and haunted by the murder of his fiancé, Blade struggles against the dark forces threatening to consume him.  When he helps Layla Reed in her hour of need, he has no idea she will be the light to his darkness.  As they spend more time together, he is powerless to fight his desire for her.  Powerless to fight his need for her.  However, as his feelings deepen, he pushes her away, reluctant to drag her into his world.  With enemies coming at him from all directions, Storm MC needing his help to fight off a rival, and his father still causing him grief, Blade needs the love of a good woman now more than ever.  Can Layla push Blade to the edge and get him to admit to both of them what he wants?  Or will the darkness pull him under once and for all?

What I Loved

            This was probably the most anticipated book for me in this series, Blade always kind of intrigued me so I couldn’t wait to read this story.  Right away your heart is captured by Blade’s story and you immediately fall in love with him to the point where I actually miss him after I finished the book.  It was so wonderful to find out all of Blade’s ghosts and demons from his past watch him rid himself of the weight they have left on his shoulders. 

            Not only did Blade have a somewhat dark past that I couldn’t wait to find out all the details of, Layla did as well.  She was a tough gal who didn’t put up any type of bullshit which I really loved about her.  Yet at the same time Layla was a nurturer who loved to help people and support her which made me love her even more.  I love how she didn’t give up on Blade when he tried to push her away, and accepting she was of all the horrible things Blade has done in his past and present.  She was able to see through his walls and reach in and grab the man he truly was. 

Not So Much

            This was a really great story, but there was a certain point where it got kind of corny for me.  I love when relationships kind of unfold naturally in stories, and the flow between Blade and Layla at times didn’t seem natural or organic.  Like just after sleeping with each other twice, they both decided that they needed each other in their lives and were immediately in this very serious relationship.  For me it kind of pushed the line of ridiculous and made it feel fake and over fabricated.

 

            Also the details once again were lacking for me, although it’s getting better in each book in this series, I still need more.  There is a description of Layla’s room at one point and it describes it as very plain, but that’s kind of about it, I have no idea what the shape of the room was or even the color.  I have no idea how big her apartment was above the bar or what the bar even looks like.  Blade’s place isn’t described at all in this story or any other background places for that matter.  It’s great to see more detail in the books but I like when the descriptions of things are consistent throughout, not when there’s description about one place but not the other at all.

To Sum It All Up!

            Overall this was a great story, I couldn’t wait to find out all about Blade see what was in store for him and for the Storm MC.  It was great to see some of the other couple’s lives and relationships progress as well as watch Blade find his piece of happiness.  The sex scenes in this story did not disappoint in the slightest and all I can see after reading about a naked Blade, I want more! The heat radiating off of Layla and Blade was boiling and I loved every hot second of it.  Not only do we see a progression of the couples in this story, we some major things happen to the Storm MC itself so there was a great progression in the overall arc of the series as well which just added to how amazing this story was.  I really enjoyed this story and I cannot wait to see what is in store for Griff.