Saturday, August 1, 2020

Review: Ruthless Bastard (Dangerous Love #3)

Ruthless Bastard (Dangerous Love #3)

by Stacey Kennedy

Blurb:

He has what it takes to protect her from everyone . . . except himself.

Bar owner Kinsley Knight knows exactly what she wants: Rhett West. How could she resist over six feet of hard, trained physical perfection? Never mind that she's been in love with the guy since high school, or that she's the "kid sister" of his best friend. Never mind that one unforgettably intense and heated night they shared-and the unexpected consequences. Because Kinsley's determined to have Rhett . . . and she'll do anything to prove they're meant to be.

But Rhett can't afford to get distracted by the mind-blowingly hot night he spent with Kinsley, or the insatiable hunger he still feels for her. She's off-limits. Especially now that Rhett's been investigating the members of a vicious biker gang who have invaded his town, and they're intent on putting Kinsley out of business-permanently. Suddenly, all of Rhett's protective instincts have taken over. Because no one threatens Kinsley on his watch. Not now. Not ever. And Rhett's ruthless enough to protect Kinsley no matter the cost. Even if it means risking his heart . . .

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating:  

Review:

Another series ends for Stacey Kennedy and as usual she saves the craziest and most intriguing story for the end.  Stacey Kennedy has taken us for another wild ride through a small town and the close personal relationships of six friends and lovers, all intertwined and bonded by love—whatever type of love it might be.  The story picks up directly during the epilogue of the previous story, with Kinsey and Rhett falling into one another’s arms at the island wedding of their friends then continues through their own dangerous and sensual journey to and HEA.  I loved their story despite a somewhat overdone troupe being the lead-in, but I guess it is a cliché because it works. Kinsey finds herself with a little surprise leftover from their one night together and when the secret is finally revealed their lives are changed forever. But now that Kinsey is the center of Rhett’s personal focus, he has enemies after him for his work and they have latched onto Kinsey, putting their new future into serious danger of never having a chance.  Together they might be able to find a way to happiness, but are they both willing to put in the required work and find a way to get over their pasts and truly be happy together for themselves and their new child? I loved Kinsey from the very beginning, but seeing her dealing with all the shit that happened to her in this story, losing her cool and finding a way to come back to balance was awesome. Kinsey maintained her sweetness and sass even as she came to terms with her new life path and the changes she would have to make in the future as she became a mother.  She never actually gave up on a chance of having a relationship Rhett, but she didn’t let his fears and refusal to accept her define her or her baby’s future and was determined to go it alone if she had to.  She is the kind of woman that I know I could be friends with easily.  Rhett was an ass… sorry let’s call an apple an apple.  While he was sweet in moments, he had his head so far up his butt as he denied his feelings and refused to accept that I didn’t like him much until about halfway through the story.  Yes I get that we all have trauma and he had a lot more in his past that many, but sometimes you have to accept help from those around you in order to heal, and Kinsey was always there trying to give him what he needed but he refused to see her.  Once he came to terms with his own needs for the woman he pushed away for so long, I began to forgive and love Rhett and see what Kinsey saw in him for so long.  I am glad that Kinsey found a way to heal Rhett’s heart because the passion between them was something to experience and a once in a lifetime love is not something to deny.  I was sad to see this series ending, but I enjoyed reading their stories and look forward to whatever comes next from Stacey Kennedy and her skill with bringing together broken lovers and the passionate fires that can heal them.  

*ebook provided by publisher (via NetGalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

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