Laura’s Review of Ravage Me (Ravage MC, #1) by Ryan Michele

Synopsis

After spending the last two years stuck behind bars for a crime she didn’t commit, Harlow ‘Princess’ Gavelson’s time inside has finally come to an end, and she’s ready for revenge. Unfortunately, being the daughter to the Vice President of the Ravage Motorcycle Club cuts into her plans, as orders must be followed. Trying to settle back into this life is proving difficult when the tables are turned and the woman who framed her is out for blood. Lucky for Princess, growing up in a MC has taught her how to hold her own.

After spending years in hell overseas, Donavon ‘Cruz’ came home to lose the very thing he went into hell for, sending him to the darkest moments of his life. Joining Ravage two years ago was his safe haven, and he protects his family at all costs.

When a dark-haired bombshell struts into the club’s shop, he’s caught off guard but immediately knows she’s the one he’d do anything for. Tough as nails, and taking no crap from anyone, he’s captivated by a woman who could handle this life. Trying to meet the needs of the MC business and follow his heart proves to be difficult when the two collide, and lives are at stake.

Can these two find a way to be together, or will the needs of Ravage cost them everything, including their lives?

*Contains mature content including, sex and violence. Mature audiences only.*

What I Loved

          I’m a big fan of MC series so I was really excited to start this book and dive into the world of the Ravage Motorcycle Club.  I really enjoyed the fact that Princess was just as rough around the edges as a male character would be.  It was a new take on a love story to have a woman be the one who served time, boxes, names their gun, and loves their motorcycle.  It was really refreshing in that aspect because I’m over the innocent doe eyed girl getting sucked into a dark world they know nothing about.  It’s nice to see a female character on equal footing for once. 

          I also really liked Cruz, he oozed masculinity from the beginning that made him a very attractive man.  The chemistry between him and Princess was extremely hot from the start and I couldn’t wait for them to tear each other’s clothes off.  The suspense and mystery in the story was pretty good as well it kept me reading because you never knew what would happen next.

Not So Much

          I really wanted to love this story, but the entire thing just fell flat on many different levels.  There was nothing about this story that felt organic and natural to me.  For example, the conversations were robotic and one dimensional.  People in a motorcycle clubs don’t go around thinking and saying they’re tough because in their in a motorcycle clubs.  Those aspects of that kind of life are shown through their actions not their words.  There was constant repetition of how tough and cool Princess is because she grew in the life, and after a while I just wanted to scream, “I get it! She’s a badass now move on!”

          Also, the love story was just not realistic to me.  I get that this is fiction and of course none of this is real but every story should be grounded and relatable. There is just no way a man decides that he’s met his old lady and the mother to his son in less than 24 hours of laying eyes on her.  It made the story seem silly and completely ridiculous, keeping me from getting engrossed in the plot.  The flow was just too rushed and shallow not building a strong foundation for the plot to grow from.

To Sum It All Up!

        

            Overall this story just didn’t do it for me.  The love scenes between Cruz and Princess were hot, and parts of the story was refreshing and different.  But the details that were needed to make this an awesome story wasn’t there, and the plot had a lot of holes in it.  The sentences were very fragmented at times, making the dialogue seem robotic and forced rather than free flowing and natural.  I loved that Princess was a strong female lead, and I’m a fan of point of views changing. The action and suspense kept me interested wanting to put all the pieces of the puzzle together.  There were definitely some surprises towards the end that I really enjoyed as well.  I think this book had the potential to be a kick ass story but fell short of the mark for me.