Rating: 4.5🌈
I enjoyed the first book, but it didn’t really prepare me for the layered narrative and twists I found in Devil May Care, the second book in the Reckless Damned series.
Moving onto the tiny, vicious Harlow, the brother often underestimated for his small size and flamboyance, Harlow has moved through lovers like a true commitment phobe until he meets the huge human Bailey.
Bailey, best friend of Oscar, brother Cal’s mate, is an enormous man, a complex personality with baggage that includes body image issues, huge insecurities and self worth problems, deep emotional wounds that have plagued him and kept him from any meaningful connections and relationships.
They are what make him run from the sparks that fly when the soul/mate connections hit between Harlow and himself.
Harlow, another great turn, is equally stunned and on the run.
Taylor has the story work to put these beings, with all their secrets and baggage, together.
There’s other plot threads running simultaneously to the tortured path of Harlow and Bailey’s romance. They are of equal importance even as they weave in and out of the couple’s lives.
It’s all part of the twists that will come roaring at you. I really didn’t see it coming.
I suspect the twists also include hints about the other brother’s mate to come and background.
This series just upped its game. And now I can’t wait for the next installment.
I’m highly recommending this story but read the first book before reading this one. Each lays down the groundwork for the next.
The Reckless Damned series:
✓ Devil’s Mark #1
✓ Devil May Care #2
â—¦ Deal With the Devil #3 – March 1,2023
Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com › showDevil May Care (The Reckless Damned #2) by Lark Taylor
Description:
One life-altering kiss sets our whole world on fire.
Harlow
I’ll tell you what isn’t on my agenda for this century: finding my fated mate only to have him reject me.
In fact, having a mate and tying myself down for eternity isn’t even a blip on my radar. But the moment I meet Bailey, there’s no denying he’s meant to be mine. Everything about the gentle Welsh giant calls to me, consuming my thoughts.
The problem? He doesn’t feel the same way. One life-altering kiss has him running in the other direction, leaving me to watch over him from the shadows.
When the opportunity arises to build a friendship, I grab it with both hands. Surely being his friend is better than nothing, right?
It will have to be, especially with a clan of mages sniffing around and looking for trouble. Not unusual since I am an estranged son of Lucifer. But now that I have my mate to consider, things are a lot more serious. How can I truly protect Bailey when he doesn’t even know I’m a demon?
Bailey
I learned a long time ago that relationships aren’t for me. Nobody wants to commit to a bigger guy, especially one who craves a different role in the bedroom.
When Harlow sashays into my life, I can’t help but wish things could be different. Sure, he seems interested, but history has proven that eventually, everyone leaves me.
There’s no way a vibrant firecracker like Harlow wants to be anything more than friends.
But the closer we get, the harder it is to keep him at arm’s length. He tells me he wants a relationship, but how can I believe him when I know he’s hiding something from me?
Devil May Care is an exciting, high-heat, friends-to-lovers paranormal romance with a guaranteed HEA. It is the second book in The Reckless Damned series, and although it can be read as a standalone, more enjoyment would be gained from reading the series in order. Each book focuses on a different couple and will have an HEA.
——
Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 