Info: Harlequin Teen, copyright 2015, 496 pages
Seventeen-year-old Emily likes her life the way it is: doting parents, good friends, good school in a safe neighborhood. Sure, she's curious about her biological father—the one who chose life in a motorcycle club, the Reign of Terror, over being a parent—but that doesn't mean she wants to be a part of his world. But when a reluctant visit turns to an extended summer vacation among relatives she never knew she had, one thing becomes clear: nothing is what it seems. Not the club, not her secret-keeping father and not Oz, a guy with suck-me-in blue eyes who can help her understand them both.
Oz wants one thing: to join the Reign of Terror. They're the good guys. They protect people. They're…family. And while Emily—the gorgeous and sheltered daughter of the club's most respected member—is in town, he's gonna prove it to her. So when her father asks him to keep her safe from a rival club with a score to settle, Oz knows it's his shot at his dream. What he doesn't count on is that Emily just might turn that dream upside down.
No one wants them to be together. But sometimes the right person is the one you least expect, and the road you fear the most is the one that leads you home. -Goodreads desciption
The Rundown
Emily really loves her simple, happy life. She's accepted a lot of things as "that's just how it is" like her mom being loving but a bit of a drama queen, her biological dad being mostly absent thanks to his motorcycle gang, and her stepdad being awesome for taking it all in stride. What should have been a quick visit to her real dad, Eli, in Kentucky ended up with her stuck there all summer. She's suddenly faced with a glimpse at what her world could have been with a family she barely knows. Secrets kept about her past, new friends, and a cute guy named Oz on a motorcycle add up for a wild ride!
What Rocked
First off, I was obsessed with the TV show Sons of Anarchy! I grew up in a motorcycle family and got hooked on the show with my dad when I was in college (PS-If you're familiar with the show you'll understand why I had so many moments thinking "Well, dad, we can't unsee that together."). What's a girl to do when she finds out one of her favorite authors is writing a new series with guys part of a motorcycle club? Rejoice! I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book! It's packed with all of the drama and swoon worthy scenes I've come to love Katie McGarry for. One thing I love about McGarry's writing style is how well she researches the settings her characters are in along with their interests and issues they face. She actually spent time with a real motorcycle club to get it right! The other thing I love her for: she really knows how to write great male characters. Oz is just a stud. He's sweet, smart, and devoted wrapped in a tough, bad boy exterior. This is the first book in the author's newest series, Thunder Road, so there's a lot of great setting and character description going on to get readers geared up for Razor's story in Walk the Edge, which is expected to be published in March 2016.
What Wasn't So Rockin'
It's a really big book. This usually never puts me off when I pick up a Katie McGarry book because I usually fly through them they're so good, but parts of this story could get slow or seem repetitive. My real problem throughout much of the story was Emily. She's the first one of McGarry's female leads that I just didn't like. She's not easy to relate to, she can be a little immature, dramatic, and kind of a brat. I could pick out a lot of great qualities in Oz in his actions and dialogue, but failed to do so with Emily. Emily was such a difficult character for me that it made me struggle with the romance that develops between her and Oz. However, stick with Emily the brat for the first 65% of the book and then she starts to really pull out of her old ways and have some great interactions with her dad, family, and Oz. By the end, you're rooting for everyone!
Rating: 4/5 Stars
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