brookes_booknook's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.5
This book brings out so many emotions. Getting to do a deeper dive into everyone’s past and see what each of them has had to go through was heartbreaking. Some or than others.
Seeing the guys open up to Milo about Emersyn was so sweet. Especially hearing what Freddy said to him and knowing he was right about it all.
Liam showing her how to fight and get away if she needs it shows so much care for her in a way I don’t think anyone gets. It’s giving her something to make her feel safe again.
Having her start to feel safe and seeing her go into that store and get what she liked and have her dance in that stage was giving her back a little bit of herself.
Then that happened and she was more worried about Liam than herself. Even when she wasn’t dealing well with what happened 🥺And don’t get me started on Doc. 😑 I have never wanted to knock the crap out of someone more than him 😑
I FREAKING KNEW IT!!! I knew there was a reason for the cut off.
Killian giving her driving lessons 🥹 giving her that much more power back. The tattoo she got from Vaughn 🥹
Also that twist with the envelope 🤯 did not see that coming at all. I am SHATTERED absolutely shattered 😭😭😭
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Physical abuse
Moderate: Sexual content, Torture, Blood, Child abuse, Rape, Drug use, and Sexual assault
beccainabook's review
4.0
I received this ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. I am soooooo extremely and amazingly grateful for the opportunity because I am obsessed with this series and all its characters, but this third installment of the series just left me frustrated and with so many more questions!
I have been waiting for this third installment with such grave impatience and when I got the ARC, I was in absolute heaven. It was so great to be back with the characters and into the story, especially after that cliffhanger at the end of the second book.
Although I loved the characters and the steam was absolutely AMAZINGGGGG.. The plot and the timeline kind of just drove me just a little insane. I felt like it was just ALL over the place and I have more questions now than I did when I started the book and I’m just annoyeddddd.... Especially due to the fact that the next book won’t be out until February.
We got to learn a lot more about the men and more about Emerysyn’s background which was awesome and although I enjoyed that aspect, the layout of how it was done seemed so choppy. The timeline went back and forth between past and present and in many different perspectives which was a plus and a curse because some of the stories didn’t really make sense to the overall plot and I was left with so much confusion.
Through the different flashbacks and perspectives we also got to know more about the dynamics of the gang, but enough for anything to really make sense. I just felt like the author was just trying to squeeze a LOT of information in here and because of this the plot was left on the side burner...
I am also sooooo confused on where the story is going really. I feel like nothing was really accomplished in this book and I just still have so many questions and I just feel so frustrated. I just want all the answers as well as the steam and the boys..... I need Febrary to come as soon as possible please.
Overall, I really enjoyed learning more about the characters, but I just wish the story had progressed just a little more or I wasn’t as frustrated.
I have been waiting for this third installment with such grave impatience and when I got the ARC, I was in absolute heaven. It was so great to be back with the characters and into the story, especially after that cliffhanger at the end of the second book.
Although I loved the characters and the steam was absolutely AMAZINGGGGG.. The plot and the timeline kind of just drove me just a little insane. I felt like it was just ALL over the place and I have more questions now than I did when I started the book and I’m just annoyeddddd.... Especially due to the fact that the next book won’t be out until February.
We got to learn a lot more about the men and more about Emerysyn’s background which was awesome and although I enjoyed that aspect, the layout of how it was done seemed so choppy. The timeline went back and forth between past and present and in many different perspectives which was a plus and a curse because some of the stories didn’t really make sense to the overall plot and I was left with so much confusion.
Through the different flashbacks and perspectives we also got to know more about the dynamics of the gang, but enough for anything to really make sense. I just felt like the author was just trying to squeeze a LOT of information in here and because of this the plot was left on the side burner...
I am also sooooo confused on where the story is going really. I feel like nothing was really accomplished in this book and I just still have so many questions and I just feel so frustrated. I just want all the answers as well as the steam and the boys..... I need Febrary to come as soon as possible please.
Overall, I really enjoyed learning more about the characters, but I just wish the story had progressed just a little more or I wasn’t as frustrated.
thebookdisciple's review
medium-paced
4.0
There are some interesting parts of the story (getting to know the guys more) but not much happens until the very end. It felt very long at times.
emolgaard's review
5.0
so hooked
Another great book to the 82 Street Vandals series. Finally we meet Milo and Emersyn finds out the big secret they’ve been keeping from her about why she is there. While it takes her a while to accept that Milo is her brother and his angry and controlling self doesn’t help, in the end she does finally accept it. While the relationship with all the guys deepens in this book her relationship with the twins is what makes this book so great. It grows into something with Liam and she gets to experience some of Rome’s firsts. Emersyn still has along ways to go in really opening herself up to them but I feel like it’s going to be even longer now that she has run home to save them.
Another great book to the 82 Street Vandals series. Finally we meet Milo and Emersyn finds out the big secret they’ve been keeping from her about why she is there. While it takes her a while to accept that Milo is her brother and his angry and controlling self doesn’t help, in the end she does finally accept it. While the relationship with all the guys deepens in this book her relationship with the twins is what makes this book so great. It grows into something with Liam and she gets to experience some of Rome’s firsts. Emersyn still has along ways to go in really opening herself up to them but I feel like it’s going to be even longer now that she has run home to save them.
jamies_bookreads's review
5.0
Wow, this book picks right up where we left off with Emersyn and the guys. This series is one of twists, secrets, betrayal, and life trials that most will never understand. But it is also about how a broken system can leave someone shattered, and tough choices being made out of love can bite you in the a&& later. Everything they thought they knew only gets turned upside down as the reality of it is shown. The steam and tension in this book between Emersyn and the guys is beautiful, and I love that she will not let anyone mess with her guys. I swear Freddie is the best comic relief character I’ve ever read, and his heart is the biggest of them all. I loved every twist this book threw at me and can not wait for more from the Vandals. If you have not started the series yet, but enjoy RH romance that has grit and real emotion, give the 82nd Street Vandals a read. I love this series, even if we are left on a cliff. 4.5/stars TW/18+
25thavenuewest's review
3.0
I'm a sad kitten, y'all know how much I LOVE this series. But this book....was not it. This is quiet honestly the worst book out of the series. How could the first two books be five fucking stars and this one suck so damn bad?
I hate it. I really, really do. Because I love all of these characters so flippin' much. Emeryson is spunky, playful, and full of fire. Milo is trying his damnedest to be the best brother to her. But what happens in between just fell flat.
I understand, there has to be a build up, an explanation to everything that's occurred and bound to occur going forward. But this book was full to the brim of backstory, which was boring. All the little pieces of information you need to put the puzzle together, it's like she dumped them all in one book, and it just made for an informative book instead of "on the edge of my seat, screaming at the characters" type of reaction. Which is what I expected, especially considering the first two books were hands down incredible!
With all that said, I'm not giving up hope! Book four, I'm pleading, will be out of this world.
I hate it. I really, really do. Because I love all of these characters so flippin' much. Emeryson is spunky, playful, and full of fire. Milo is trying his damnedest to be the best brother to her. But what happens in between just fell flat.
I understand, there has to be a build up, an explanation to everything that's occurred and bound to occur going forward. But this book was full to the brim of backstory, which was boring. All the little pieces of information you need to put the puzzle together, it's like she dumped them all in one book, and it just made for an informative book instead of "on the edge of my seat, screaming at the characters" type of reaction. Which is what I expected, especially considering the first two books were hands down incredible!
With all that said, I'm not giving up hope! Book four, I'm pleading, will be out of this world.
ashleymichelelx's review
4.0
Im UNWELL
I'm going to need a minute to just process--seriously in my top Fave for this year, this series has meeeeee
I'm going to need a minute to just process--seriously in my top Fave for this year, this series has meeeeee
geeky_anguissette's review against another edition
4.0
I lost my heart
I started falling for these guys in Savage Vandal and through Vicious Rebel, but it's here, in Ruthless Traitor that I completely lost my heart. Again, the flashbacks take you to an entirely different world; one where you can't help the cracks in your heart as you finally learn the motives of our heroes. The only true complaint I have is that the time frames of the flashbacks are not necessarily clearly identified which leads to some confusion.
I started falling for these guys in Savage Vandal and through Vicious Rebel, but it's here, in Ruthless Traitor that I completely lost my heart. Again, the flashbacks take you to an entirely different world; one where you can't help the cracks in your heart as you finally learn the motives of our heroes. The only true complaint I have is that the time frames of the flashbacks are not necessarily clearly identified which leads to some confusion.
p0laris's review against another edition
3.0
A constant repeat of the same arguments about her, and the same refusals on her own part to say anything at all, but it was awesome getting to know Milo.