This was probably more of a 2.5, maybe 3 star read for me. There wasn't anything wrong with it per se. In fact it was kind of nice not having to read about Painter's manwhore ways in details, like some of the other books (cough Picnic cough). BUT, I just couldn't connect with Painter and Mel, we basically spend the majority of the book with them apart!
The prologue is present day, then we go back 5 years and work our way back to present day, which takes 80% of the book. By the time they reconcile it's a bit anti climatic, and we get very little of their HEA. I wish we could have gotten more after they got back together.
The majority of the book Painter was an ass, and Mel came off as kind of a bitch, I dunno, I guess I just found it underwhelming as a whole...sigh.
I have a massive 'Oh my God, what the hell am I supposed to do with myself" book hangover now. Well played, Ms. Wylde. This was the 2nd MC book I've read in the last few weeks and there is no contest, Reaper's Fall was head and shoulders above the one I read before it. Clear and concise writing, a gripping and romantic story set against the backdrop of the realities of MC club life. Mel and Painter have to learn to navigate what they feel for each other and how the reality of his brotherhood impacts their relationship. I'd stand up and give a slow clap but I usually don't make a habit of doing that while I'm alone.