Review: A Bit Predictable But Its Grittiness Makes for a Compelling Read
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 24, 2014
As a fan of the tv show Sons of Anarchy I was immediately drawn to this story and soon became immersed in the gritty and sometimes dark nature of the MC.  The men in this MC were a close knit group willing to commit whatever transgressions necessary to keep each other, and their livelihoods, safe.  Many of the women in this world are seen as commodities unless they can catch the eye of one of the members which made for a less than romantic read at times.  It's a story that doesn't pull any punches and doesn't hesitate to drag its characters, and us readers, through the emotional wringer and I was exhausted once the final page was turned.Preach had a horrible childhood full of religious hypocrisy, physical and emotional abuse, and very little affection.  After years of putting up with it he turned the tables on his father and ended up in prison which changed his life forever upon his meeting a member of the Renegade Sons MC.  These men soon became his family and he'd do anything to stay in their good graces, even if that means not giving in to the attraction he feels for the young and sweet Daisy, the daughter of a fellow member.  He's drawn to her goodness and purity though he knows he's unworthy of her as his soul is stained with the rage that controlled his father.  His inner demons, a jealous club follower, and fate ultimately intervene to make their relationship one full of emotional ups and downs and moments that make you want to cry as well as scream in anger at his actions.  Preach starts out rather heroic, a savior to a young girl unloved by her family.  When his stupidity pulls them apart he spirals out of control and hits bottom repeatedly before manning up.  As the story progressed he became more of an antihero who I was still drawn to as he struggled to earn back Daisy's love.Daisy had a tough time growing up too, and still does as her father is a drunk who forgets she exists and his old lady is jealous of her beauty and seeks to make her life miserable by sabotaging any chance of her gaining happiness.  She was kept away from much of the inner workings of the MC which has made her a bit naive when it comes to the role of women in this world.  She expects faithfulness from the man she's come to love but fidelity isn't commonplace and becomes a major issue in their relationship when her catty friend tries to stake her claim.  Daisy is used to being a doormat, waiting for Preach to rescue her, and it's not until late in the story that she stands up for herself and demands respect.  She's the light to Preach's unrelenting darkness and though he hurts her time and again she can't help but be drawn to his vulnerable side that she occasionally witnesses.  He may leave her angry and frustrated at times but they're meant for each other as their mutual loneliness is only assuaged in each other's arms.This was a gritty story where the men don't always act the hero.  Their language is harsh as is their treatment of those women who hang out at the club.  Those women are strictly for sex which added to the already overtly sexualized world witnessed here.  The only bright moments are when it's just Preach and Daisy, when they can block out the world, and just be themselves.  Without all the catty interferences, the familial threats, and the danger from other MCs and the law, their relationship would've progressed with a fairytale feel.  In reaching their HEA it was a constant struggle with Preach often the bad guy which left me frustrated by the predictability of some of the roadblocks thrown in their way.  The storyline also relied on events from the previous installment which left me a bit lost as I have yet to read this series' starter.  Overall though it's a compelling read with its gritty nature, excessive sexuality, and its blurred lines of hero and villain.  The main couple were far from perfect but I was still invested in their outcome as they made my heart ache with all they'd gone through.  The authors have crafted an appealing world that I enjoyed dirtying my hands with as I eagerly turned the pages and I'm greatly anticipating the next installment in this series!