REVIEW: Ride Dirty by Laura Kaye

In Ride Dirty (Raven Riders #3.5)by Laura Kaye, The Raven Riders’ Sargent-at-Arms, Caine McKannon has pulled himself out of the pure hell that was his childhood to become the enforcer for the motorcycle club. And it means everything to him to know his brothers have his back and that they are making a difference locally by helping people who have nowhere else to turn. The one thing Caine never does, though, is get emotionally involved. Friends held at arm’s length and casual hookups are one thing. He knows the quickest way to shatter the walls he’s built around himself is to get too close to someone and show them he cares. But his resolve is put to the test when Caine rescues a pretty woman from her would-be attacker. He’s never felt a connection with someone so strong as he does with Emma. And it makes him wonder for the first time in his life if he’s deserving of love.

‘He never let himself get close enough to anyone to chance feeling or wanting more.
He’d learned the hard way that it was a chance not worth taking.
People couldn’t hurt you as much if you didn’t care about them.’

With one look at her tall dark and brooding hero, Emma is…intrigued. Caine may try to act like an uncaring tough guy, but he doesn’t fool her. He definitely is a protective badass biker. But Emma can tell that there’s a whole lot of hurt hiding under his gruff exterior. And she intends to help Caine realize he’s worthy of her thanks for rescuing her and that he’s more than worthy of some love and care. It’s obvious that he’s been through some horribly tough times in his life, but the fact that Caine looks out for others like he does has Emma sold. Plus, even her sweet little Shih Tzu Chewy adores him, so how bad can he be? But convincing him to take a chance on them, to actually show emotions for the first time in years, may prove to be too much for her damaged hero.

“Don’t feel like you have to take care of me.”
The words made her ache. Because she didn’t think anyone took care of Caine McKannon. Worse, she feared that quite possibly no one had *ever* taken care of him.

The official end of the Raven Riders series according to author Laura Kaye–*sob*–Ride Dirty was one helluva way to finish things off. This novella had everything I adore about her writing and a sweet HEA, all in one place. A reader really can’t ask for more than that.

“I rarely make anyone laugh or smile, so please don’t hide it from me. It’s fucking beautiful.”
Oh, my heart.
Here he was, this man with so many edges…but he came at her with this aching sweetness. Again and again.

I’m always impressed with the intensity of the emotions Laura Kaye conveys through her characters. She’s not afraid to explore some darker themes and routinely puts each person through their paces before they can earn their HEA. And as a reader, I love every heartbreaking, joy-filled, steamy moment. There were certainly a LOT of those moments in Ride Dirty as we learned about Caine’s dark past, Emma’s possible stalker, and the explosive chemistry that detonated between them.

Caine’s backstory was one that ripped my heart to shreds. I love, love, loved him so much. He’s one of those broken heroes that makes you want to just hug him, tell him it’s okay, and help him show a little emotion now and then. Caine was the textbook definition of a tortured hero. He battled against a terrible past, filled with the stuff that nightmares are made of. But he was a *good* man. He looked out for those who couldn’t protect themselves–the Raven Riders’ creed–and took every failure, perceived or real, to heart. I was pleasantly surprised by how much like his “brothers” Caine was, given that we didn’t learn much about him from previous books. But he was every bit as honorable and brave as the rest of the guys have proved to be.

Emma was the perfect woman for Caine. Caring, intelligent, and with a huge heart, she truly listened to him and figured out that his actions were hiding just how shattered and hurt he was emotionally. I loved that Emma appeared to be the quintessential good girl. I mean, she was a kindergarten teacher for goodness sake. But she had a side to her that was tough as nails, which came in handy when she and Caine were trying to figure out who was stalking her. Emma also had a fun, flirty part to her personality that meshed oh-so well with Caine’s intensity when it came to sex. Whew were they hot together! *fans face*

Laura Kaye can do no wrong as far as I’m concerned when it comes to her lovely, flowing writing style and the incredible romances she creates. And I’m hoping that maybe, just maybe, fans will one day get Phoenix and/or Jagger’s stories. But if not, then at least the series came to a close in the best possible way.
 

Book Info:

Publication: March 13th 2018 | Evil Eye Concepts, Incorporated | Raven Riders #3.5

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Laura Kaye comes a new story in her Raven Riders series…

Caine McKannon is all about rules. As the Raven Riders Sergeant-at-Arms, he prizes loyalty to his brothers and protection of his club. As a man, he takes pleasure wherever he can get it but allows no one close—because distance is the only way to ensure people can’t hurt you. And he’s had enough pain for a lifetime.

But then he rescues a beautiful woman from an attack.

Kids and school are kindergarten teacher Emma Kerry’s whole life, so she’s stunned to realize she has an enemy—and even more surprised to find a protector in the intimidating man who saved her. Tall, dark, and tattooed, Caine is unlike any man Emma’s ever known, and she’s as uncertain of him as she is attracted. As the danger escalates, Caine is in her house more and more – until one night of passion lands him in her bed.

But breaking the rules comes at a price, forcing Caine to fight dirty to earn a chance at love.

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.**