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secret_librarian's review
5.0
Rating: 4.5
Steam: 4
PoV: dual, 1st person
Genre: contemporary dark romance, MM
Main tropes: enemies to lovers, opposites attract, bikers / MC
Gianni Holmes is back with the second instalment in The Smoky Vale Alliance series, and what a fantastic read it was!
Gunner and Ben were everything I could have wished for, their chemistry was through the roof and I loved how they just couldn’t resist each other. These two had a lot of history, and I really enjoyed the development between them. Both Ben and Gunner were complex characters that managed to surprise me a few times, I wasn’t prepared for the protectiveness and gentleness that came out in some scenes. The enemies to lovers trope was so well done here, and I loved the tension and how explosive they were!
While this was Gunner and Ben’s story, Mason’s ghost was very present and there were excerpts from his diary at the start of every chapter. They definitely added a layer to the story, but if I thought I disliked Mason in Biker Daddy… let’s just say that he didn’t grow on me. I liked how his entries gave some insight to the history between all three men though, and it was easy to feel emotional while reading them.
The case with the baby trafficking from Bay continued here and it got really dark and gritty at times. I liked how the case kept putting Ben in Gunner’s proximity, and the twists and turns the investigation took. Gianni Holmes did a great job at keeping me guessing as the suspense built and every odds seemed to be against Ben and Gunner… A very captivating and engaging read!
This series has started off so strong, and I loved being back in Smoky Vale! I can’t wait to go back and I’m really excited about the coming books, especially Bloom’s. I highly recommend these books - just check the recommended reading order for the best experience!
-
Thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for the opportunity to read and review this book. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Steam: 4
PoV: dual, 1st person
Genre: contemporary dark romance, MM
Main tropes: enemies to lovers, opposites attract, bikers / MC
Gianni Holmes is back with the second instalment in The Smoky Vale Alliance series, and what a fantastic read it was!
Gunner and Ben were everything I could have wished for, their chemistry was through the roof and I loved how they just couldn’t resist each other. These two had a lot of history, and I really enjoyed the development between them. Both Ben and Gunner were complex characters that managed to surprise me a few times, I wasn’t prepared for the protectiveness and gentleness that came out in some scenes. The enemies to lovers trope was so well done here, and I loved the tension and how explosive they were!
While this was Gunner and Ben’s story, Mason’s ghost was very present and there were excerpts from his diary at the start of every chapter. They definitely added a layer to the story, but if I thought I disliked Mason in Biker Daddy… let’s just say that he didn’t grow on me. I liked how his entries gave some insight to the history between all three men though, and it was easy to feel emotional while reading them.
The case with the baby trafficking from Bay continued here and it got really dark and gritty at times. I liked how the case kept putting Ben in Gunner’s proximity, and the twists and turns the investigation took. Gianni Holmes did a great job at keeping me guessing as the suspense built and every odds seemed to be against Ben and Gunner… A very captivating and engaging read!
This series has started off so strong, and I loved being back in Smoky Vale! I can’t wait to go back and I’m really excited about the coming books, especially Bloom’s. I highly recommend these books - just check the recommended reading order for the best experience!
-
Thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for the opportunity to read and review this book. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
hecate_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
bookswithjen's review
5.0
I loved this one!
I loved the angst, the hatred, the lust, the guy from tbe wrong tracks, the push and pull, the curiosity.
I know not everyone is happy that mason had his lil part in it. But i think that ultimately everyone forgets that gunner grimm and mason were a couple so him wanting to have them together isnt that far fetched he was just scared of putting it out there and losing them both. Was he wrong for what he did absolutely!! But loving 2 people isnt a crime just how he went about them.
Ultimately i think them getting together made so much sense, mason couldnt have them but they still found a way to each other.
Their chemistry is by far sooo explosive and hot and Gunner is a real hot head but hes hilarious!
Loved this one!
Tropes
- age gap
- MC
- shared a dead ex
- chief of police/ president of mc club
- sobriety talk
I loved the angst, the hatred, the lust, the guy from tbe wrong tracks, the push and pull, the curiosity.
I know not everyone is happy that mason had his lil part in it. But i think that ultimately everyone forgets that gunner grimm and mason were a couple so him wanting to have them together isnt that far fetched he was just scared of putting it out there and losing them both. Was he wrong for what he did absolutely!! But loving 2 people isnt a crime just how he went about them.
Ultimately i think them getting together made so much sense, mason couldnt have them but they still found a way to each other.
Their chemistry is by far sooo explosive and hot and Gunner is a real hot head but hes hilarious!
Loved this one!
Tropes
- age gap
- MC
- shared a dead ex
- chief of police/ president of mc club
- sobriety talk
mila_readsmm's review
5.0
***4.5 rating***
I have been waiting on this book since last year when I first read Bay. I didn't mind that Gianni took her time with this book because it was so worth it! Gianni did not disappoint. I loved everything about Gunner and Ben.
They were perfect together.
They share a past and an ex lover between them and despite everything they go through in this book, they did not give up on each other. Gunner had my heart from the very beginning, this big strong man is protective, loving and cares deeply about those he loves, especially Ben. His love for Ben was beautiful and likewise.
These two together were hot, passionate, vulnerable and so much more!
I can't believe I am saying this, but I loved this more than Bay! Gunner and Ben were beautiful together.
Please do read the TWs at the beginning of the book since it contains some mature and triggering themes.
I cannot wait until Bloom's book.
I recieved a complimentary copy of this arc for free and this my honest opinion/review.
I have been waiting on this book since last year when I first read Bay. I didn't mind that Gianni took her time with this book because it was so worth it! Gianni did not disappoint. I loved everything about Gunner and Ben.
They were perfect together.
They share a past and an ex lover between them and despite everything they go through in this book, they did not give up on each other. Gunner had my heart from the very beginning, this big strong man is protective, loving and cares deeply about those he loves, especially Ben. His love for Ben was beautiful and likewise.
These two together were hot, passionate, vulnerable and so much more!
I can't believe I am saying this, but I loved this more than Bay! Gunner and Ben were beautiful together.
Please do read the TWs at the beginning of the book since it contains some mature and triggering themes.
I cannot wait until Bloom's book.
I recieved a complimentary copy of this arc for free and this my honest opinion/review.
kjnrose's review
5.0
This is the second book in the Smokey Vale Alliance series and is best read after Biker Daddy but can be read as a standalone, I would highly recommend reading all of Grimm Tales of Smokey Vale before this also. I'm not the biggest fan of enemies to lovers but this book is so much more than that. There is so much going on with Gunner and Ben that you will not want to put it down at all.
alwaysaaryn's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
naranjadia's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
The enmity and resistance between Ben and Gunner is worth the price of admission in this book. It produces a kind of explosive and brutish attraction that apparently fills both of their needs, and turns into a love that is likely to last, between two very different men.
Each chapter has as an epigraph a portion of the diary written by the former police chief, who secretly slept with both men and found himself incapable of being satisfied with either. He really sounds like an idiot, and once you figure out what is going in the epigraphs, they get very tedious. By the end of the book I was like, "aww, shaddup you whiner."
The mystery/crime part of Holmes books usually leave me a little incredulous and this one was no exception. There were several premises that really did not make sense, starting with Ben being named Acting Police Chief in a department where he had no support. But despite all that, it was an engaging if improbably chain of events.
The enmity and resistance between Ben and Gunner is worth the price of admission in this book. It produces a kind of explosive and brutish attraction that apparently fills both of their needs, and turns into a love that is likely to last, between two very different men.
Each chapter has as an epigraph a portion of the diary written by the former police chief, who secretly slept with both men and found himself incapable of being satisfied with either. He really sounds like an idiot, and once you figure out what is going in the epigraphs, they get very tedious. By the end of the book I was like, "aww, shaddup you whiner."
The mystery/crime part of Holmes books usually leave me a little incredulous and this one was no exception. There were several premises that really did not make sense, starting with Ben being named Acting Police Chief in a department where he had no support
Spoiler
by a man who gained nothing and lost significantly by appointing himerin_russell's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
skye_28x's review against another edition
4.5
Enemies to lovers, (chief of police x president of motorcycle club), opposites attract on steroids, intriguing plot, amazing side characters.. I didn't need more convincing to read this amazing book.
It was such a captivating read. Gunner and Chief Witter (Ben) loathe each other since they're on opposite sides of the law, and what's worse, they unknowingly share an ex-lover who has died (we learn that in the very beginning of the story), and now they are working to solve a case together.
I loved both characters, and how their relationship unfolded, and I could feel the strong connection between them. A lot of things happen throughout and we see how they interact and deal with their conflicting morals.
Also, I usually don't care for side characters, but in just a few scenes GH made me need both Winter's and especially Bloom's books. (I honestly can't wait for that little brat's story, already know it's gonna be so good.)
The one thing that bothered me in Gunner was that one MC was a bit of a slob in the beginning but I guess it was justified? He eventually got his act together.
Still, 10/10 would recommend!
This book is not a standalone; this series should be read in order.
It was such a captivating read. Gunner and Chief Witter (Ben) loathe each other since they're on opposite sides of the law, and what's worse, they unknowingly share an ex-lover who has died (we learn that in the very beginning of the story), and now they are working to solve a case together.
I loved both characters, and how their relationship unfolded, and I could feel the strong connection between them. A lot of things happen throughout and we see how they interact and deal with their conflicting morals.
Also, I usually don't care for side characters, but in just a few scenes GH made me need both Winter's and especially Bloom's books. (I honestly can't wait for that little brat's story, already know it's gonna be so good.)
The one thing that bothered me in Gunner was that one MC was a bit of a slob in the beginning but I guess it was justified? He eventually got his act together.
Still, 10/10 would recommend!
This book is not a standalone; this series should be read in order.