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shedevilreads's review
5.0
Brutal Fighter by Heather long is a reverse harem romance. This is the fifth book in the 82 Street Vandals series.
I absolutely love this series! Heather does an amazing job pulling me in from the first chapter and keeping me hooked until the very end. I am loving the relationship between Emersyn and the Vandals.
I really enjoyed getting Emersyn, Kellan, Doc, Vaughn, Liam, Jasper, Rome, Liam, and Freddie's point of views throughout the book. It really brought the story to life.
The book ends on another cliffhanger, which isn't a surprise since Heather warned us it would happen. I can't wait for the next book in the series Dangerous Renegade to be released on September 6, 2022.
I would highly recommend this series to anyone who loves dark romances, enemies-to-lovers romance, new adult romances, reverse harems, or romantic suspense.
I absolutely love this series! Heather does an amazing job pulling me in from the first chapter and keeping me hooked until the very end. I am loving the relationship between Emersyn and the Vandals.
I really enjoyed getting Emersyn, Kellan, Doc, Vaughn, Liam, Jasper, Rome, Liam, and Freddie's point of views throughout the book. It really brought the story to life.
The book ends on another cliffhanger, which isn't a surprise since Heather warned us it would happen. I can't wait for the next book in the series Dangerous Renegade to be released on September 6, 2022.
I would highly recommend this series to anyone who loves dark romances, enemies-to-lovers romance, new adult romances, reverse harems, or romantic suspense.
booksfirst_sleeplater's review against another edition
5.0
Alright friends. I think I’ve had enough time to make peace with that ending. MAYBE. But we’ll circle back to that in a bit.
I love that we dive right back in where Dirty Devil left off. Emersyn is back with the Vandals (where she belongs might I add) and she is HEALING. That’s my favorite part of this story so far, that she feels safe enough with them to heal, even when it’s messy and not easy.
She fits in so seamlessly with all of the guys and it’s another one of my favorite parts to see what she brings out in them. They each have a different, softer side with her and I LOOOOVE it. I love that we got to see more into Kellan, and I double loved that Milo let go of a bit of the control because he knew it’s what was needed. (Can’t wait to see more of him and Lainey!!!) The twins as always are my favorites (Liam specifically) so you know I am HEATED about certain parts of this book. The ending left me shook (as usual) but I trust in our evil queen and know that the next book will be worth it!!!!
I love that we dive right back in where Dirty Devil left off. Emersyn is back with the Vandals (where she belongs might I add) and she is HEALING. That’s my favorite part of this story so far, that she feels safe enough with them to heal, even when it’s messy and not easy.
She fits in so seamlessly with all of the guys and it’s another one of my favorite parts to see what she brings out in them. They each have a different, softer side with her and I LOOOOVE it. I love that we got to see more into Kellan, and I double loved that Milo let go of a bit of the control because he knew it’s what was needed. (Can’t wait to see more of him and Lainey!!!) The twins as always are my favorites (Liam specifically) so you know I am HEATED about certain parts of this book. The ending left me shook (as usual) but I trust in our evil queen and know that the next book will be worth it!!!!
bookwormbetty's review against another edition
5.0
I could not love a series more if I tried. This book is so dang good. Of course you have to read them all, and in order, but my goodness, it's worth it. I adore these characters, and the chemistry they all have for each other. The raw gut turning emotions in this book is something that you work past, with the characters, you are in the book, you feel the emotions. The author does a beautiful job of keeping you hostage and making you feel everything.
Emersyn is a woman of many feelings, and relationships, she has deep feelings, and she is strong yet delicate like a flower. She fights past any trauma she has with the help of her guys, who can out stubborn her any day of the week. There is a balance to a RH, and it can get messy quick, but Heather Long, scoffs at that, and makes it perfection. Told in multiple POV, don't sleep on this series.
Emersyn is a woman of many feelings, and relationships, she has deep feelings, and she is strong yet delicate like a flower. She fights past any trauma she has with the help of her guys, who can out stubborn her any day of the week. There is a balance to a RH, and it can get messy quick, but Heather Long, scoffs at that, and makes it perfection. Told in multiple POV, don't sleep on this series.
kfriend's review against another edition
5.0
There’s truly nothing like this series out there- a cornucopia of characters, moments and feeling so uniquely layered and so deftly interwoven that you can’t help but marvel at how seamlessly they capture you. Brutal Fighter unfolds with a series of contrasts that parallels the dichotomy of its characters- the painful and the restorative, the quiet and the loud, the heartbreaking and the swoony. But Brutal Fighter is also a huge turning point for Emersyn, our embattled, enigmatic, and entrancing heroine. And what a beautiful and hopeful turning point it is.
The Vandals are no strangers to pain and trauma. Some of these characters have suffered through unimaginable trauma for years, so much so that it’s become the fabric of their DNA, the thread that ties them all together. Their baggage enables them to see and understand one another in wordless ways, the silent solidarity of pain and adversity. They’ve internalized it and accepted it- let it catalyze them into the crew that they are. Brothers, survivors, brutal fighters. Pain has become their identity. But finding Emersyn changed everything, threw off their equilibrium (as well as her own), and the waters have never quite settled. Secrets, mistruths, painful decisions, and the past have all hindered the solidity of their future.
After the heartwrenching journey they’ve each been on, Heather gives us a brief reprieve of peace and healing. Narratively, this story feels entirely different, at least at first. Heather narrows the focus, hones in on the interpersonal, and quiets the nose. Set entirely in the present for the first time, our story’s beginning almost feels like a meditation. A melancholic one, one heavy with unspoken feelings and questions. It’s somehow both serene and foreboding, a veritable calm before the storm. It feels intimate- as the group rebounds and recovers from the events in the prior book. Emersyn is back in their care, but the question of the impact of her most recent suffering lingers like smog in their air. And as the narrative is stripped down, so are the characters- because Brutal Fighter is a turning point. There’s a reason we aren’t exploring flashbacks or mired in immediate action- Brutal Fighter is about the Vandals moving forward, together and facing the interpersonal obstacles among them before they face their shared enemies. Brutal Fighter is about the power that comes from facing your pain- the power of vulnerability. Most importantly, Emersyn’s.
Emersyn is one of the most interesting heroine’s I’ve ever read- a captivating and fearless survivor who has suffered greatly at the hands of those that should love and protect her. Trust isn’t just foreign to her, it’s almost unimaginable. But we’ve gradually seen her lean into connection with each of the Vandals, but Emersyn has never been truly vulnerable, she’s never surrendered to her trust. Until now. Now we see Emersyn find the the greatest courage of all is not facing the monsters that haunt her, it’s not surviving the gruesome and deplorable acts she’s been made to suffer. Her courage comes from opening her heart in spite of it, from surviving without losing the essence of her humanity. And it’s the key to her need for belonging. And that means learning into her pain and brokenness, that means she has to stop hiding parts of herself. NOT just from the Vandals. No, she also needs to stop hiding from herself. It’s a choice, over and over again, to trust in another, to bare your soul, to expose your fractures and scars, and Emersyn is finally ready to make that choice. In a series of beautiful, quiet, and meaningful moments, we see her in Brutal Fighter fight for her own vitality, for her own future, by leaning into small moments with her guys. And I was mesmerized and captivated by the magic of it all.
And Kellan. Just Kellan. He’s been my favorite from the beginning, he spoke to my soul. Emersyn’s safety net that lost her trust by his well-meaning and protective duplicity. But he finds the trust again. And now I know why he felt so compelling to me. The way he centers Emersyn, the way he accepts her and encourages her and catalyzes her vulnerability- well, it’s everything I’ve been waiting for. Each character plays a role, each relationship has it’s own unique purpose and power. Each is so beautifully crafted, but Kellan healed my heart in this book- he wrapped it in a warm and safe embrace, making space for me to breathe out my own pain into the air. And good things are indeed worth the wait….wink wink.
Of course, Heather certainly bursts our intimate bubble, and Brutal Fighter ends in a barrage of action and danger and a hell of a twist ending. The Vandals internal demons aren’t just waiting for them- so are their real life monsters. But, the wounds are exposed, little by little. Heather has stripped them all bare, now comes the true testament of the resilience and love of the Vandals, because together and broken they are much stronger than they would be separate and whole. Darkness and pain, it’s universal. Broken isn’t bad- no, not atll. Their brokenness is the key to their power.
The Vandals are no strangers to pain and trauma. Some of these characters have suffered through unimaginable trauma for years, so much so that it’s become the fabric of their DNA, the thread that ties them all together. Their baggage enables them to see and understand one another in wordless ways, the silent solidarity of pain and adversity. They’ve internalized it and accepted it- let it catalyze them into the crew that they are. Brothers, survivors, brutal fighters. Pain has become their identity. But finding Emersyn changed everything, threw off their equilibrium (as well as her own), and the waters have never quite settled. Secrets, mistruths, painful decisions, and the past have all hindered the solidity of their future.
After the heartwrenching journey they’ve each been on, Heather gives us a brief reprieve of peace and healing. Narratively, this story feels entirely different, at least at first. Heather narrows the focus, hones in on the interpersonal, and quiets the nose. Set entirely in the present for the first time, our story’s beginning almost feels like a meditation. A melancholic one, one heavy with unspoken feelings and questions. It’s somehow both serene and foreboding, a veritable calm before the storm. It feels intimate- as the group rebounds and recovers from the events in the prior book. Emersyn is back in their care, but the question of the impact of her most recent suffering lingers like smog in their air. And as the narrative is stripped down, so are the characters- because Brutal Fighter is a turning point. There’s a reason we aren’t exploring flashbacks or mired in immediate action- Brutal Fighter is about the Vandals moving forward, together and facing the interpersonal obstacles among them before they face their shared enemies. Brutal Fighter is about the power that comes from facing your pain- the power of vulnerability. Most importantly, Emersyn’s.
Emersyn is one of the most interesting heroine’s I’ve ever read- a captivating and fearless survivor who has suffered greatly at the hands of those that should love and protect her. Trust isn’t just foreign to her, it’s almost unimaginable. But we’ve gradually seen her lean into connection with each of the Vandals, but Emersyn has never been truly vulnerable, she’s never surrendered to her trust. Until now. Now we see Emersyn find the the greatest courage of all is not facing the monsters that haunt her, it’s not surviving the gruesome and deplorable acts she’s been made to suffer. Her courage comes from opening her heart in spite of it, from surviving without losing the essence of her humanity. And it’s the key to her need for belonging. And that means learning into her pain and brokenness, that means she has to stop hiding parts of herself. NOT just from the Vandals. No, she also needs to stop hiding from herself. It’s a choice, over and over again, to trust in another, to bare your soul, to expose your fractures and scars, and Emersyn is finally ready to make that choice. In a series of beautiful, quiet, and meaningful moments, we see her in Brutal Fighter fight for her own vitality, for her own future, by leaning into small moments with her guys. And I was mesmerized and captivated by the magic of it all.
And Kellan. Just Kellan. He’s been my favorite from the beginning, he spoke to my soul. Emersyn’s safety net that lost her trust by his well-meaning and protective duplicity. But he finds the trust again. And now I know why he felt so compelling to me. The way he centers Emersyn, the way he accepts her and encourages her and catalyzes her vulnerability- well, it’s everything I’ve been waiting for. Each character plays a role, each relationship has it’s own unique purpose and power. Each is so beautifully crafted, but Kellan healed my heart in this book- he wrapped it in a warm and safe embrace, making space for me to breathe out my own pain into the air. And good things are indeed worth the wait….wink wink.
Of course, Heather certainly bursts our intimate bubble, and Brutal Fighter ends in a barrage of action and danger and a hell of a twist ending. The Vandals internal demons aren’t just waiting for them- so are their real life monsters. But, the wounds are exposed, little by little. Heather has stripped them all bare, now comes the true testament of the resilience and love of the Vandals, because together and broken they are much stronger than they would be separate and whole. Darkness and pain, it’s universal. Broken isn’t bad- no, not atll. Their brokenness is the key to their power.
rhreviewer91's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Torture, Sexual violence, Violence, Confinement, Drug use, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Torture, Gore, Gaslighting, Drug abuse, Trafficking, and Addiction
kayleereads's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
eamacire's review
5.0
This series just keeps getting better and better! I love that Emersyn finally lets the guys see her scars, both external and internal. She is so broken but they are helping put her back together a little more every day. I love that the truth is finally out about Liam and why he left the Vandals. They finally realize that he didn’t abandon them, he was there the whole time. We get to see more of the building relationships between Emersyn and all of the guys. Milo included, and he’s finally come off his kick about making her leave. Every time I think I have a favorite guy (Freddie after the last book) someone comes along and shakes it all up. All the guys are amazing, but I feel like Kellan and Jasper got a little more spotlight this time around, though there are a lot of great moments with all of them. Rome
brookes_booknook's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book was so good. Seeing Emersyn regain pieces of herself little by little. And seeing the guys all help her do that in different ways is so sweet. She still has a lot to work through but I love seeing just how strong and resilient she is.
I loved seeing Lainey and Milo’s relationship grow. I am here for it all the way. I also love seeing Mili and Emersyn get closer and him taking her to Ms. Stephanie 🥹
seeing milo shut down when Lainey left hurt me for him. I didn’t think he would take it as hard as he did.
Then all crap broke loose. Freddie’s moment where he needed Embersyn and then Jasper 😭 my heart dropped to the floor.
Then all heck broke loose and left me in a tailspin of emotions. And just when you think that things may be turning around and calming down BAM you are hit with THAT ENDING 😱
I have so many theories and so many questions.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
emolgaard's review
5.0
love it
I cant say it enough how much I love this series!! With each book I fall more in love with Emersyn and her guys. This book focus mainly on Emersyn recovering from the trauma that happened in the last book and the guys standing by her in any way that she needs. They have a new / old enemy in this book and it was exciting to see how she fits into to their gang life. Can’t wait to see what trouble she is in now. At least she is with Rome.
I cant say it enough how much I love this series!! With each book I fall more in love with Emersyn and her guys. This book focus mainly on Emersyn recovering from the trauma that happened in the last book and the guys standing by her in any way that she needs. They have a new / old enemy in this book and it was exciting to see how she fits into to their gang life. Can’t wait to see what trouble she is in now. At least she is with Rome.