Colton is so much then being The Joker. We finally learn how he turn into the joker, but when he meets Shelley she will take him out of his comfort zone and break the shell around his heart. She is truly his soulmate and you will see as their relationship develops. As much as they have darkness in them, both will bring the light out of each other. To see them go from enemies to lovers to the love they have for each other. But their journey is an dark twisted one filled with drama and steamy scenes. I can’t wait to read more from this series.

3.75 stars

It was good but i could not get over the joker shit it was so cringe

Wow Colton is such a simp for Shelley

Can someone hook Nikki up with Netflix or HBO? This is one of those series that deserve to be on TV. Definitely in my top 5 favorite reads of the year. The book I was waiting for since I finished [b:The Reaper|60497711|The Reaper (The Soldiers of Anarchy #2)|Nikki J. Summers|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1648124406l/60497711._SY75_.jpg|95343812] back in April! I dropped everything I was doing and jumped to read the moment I realized the book had landed on my kindle. Five stars are not enough to rate how this book made me feel. It exceeded every expectation I had.

"Laughter is like the windscreen wipers on your car. It might not stop the rain from falling, but it does a damn good job of keeping you going forward."

If you've followed my reviews, you know I was expecting Colton's story for a long time. His captured my attention from the first book. He was everything I imagined he would be and more. His story plus the introduction to Shelley and her sisters and the amazing plot drew an amazing picture that consumed me from page one. These soldiers have been addictive since the moment I met them, but each book dives deeper and deeper into their brotherhood, their motives, their strength and weaknesses and the beautiful hearts they're hiding behind the tough masks they've been forced to put up. Colton wasn't the exception. Being inside his mind and learning where his mask came from was such a captivating journey, seeing the root of his sarcasm, the cynicism, the jokes, the smirks and the laughter that sometimes was more pain in disguise than anything else but also his journey towards the soldiers and the beginnings of his loyalty to them. I was angry and sad for him many times and definitely rooted for his happy ending from the very first chapter. I loved how meeting Shelley finally broke his shell and let out this sweet, sacrificial and loving man with all the love in the world to give to the right person.

"When Colton looked at you, you felt special, beyond special. And tonight, I was the lucky one. It was like he was the sun, moon, and all the stars lighting up the darkness of my life. I hadn't felt that in a long time."

Shelley was such a badass. Loyal to the fault. Even when she was scared to the bone she wouldn't show it, she was a talented, determined woman with a mission and wouldn't let anyone get in her way. Not even Colton. She just wanted to protect her family and serve justice to those who deserved it. Just like Colton, her backstory was heartbreaking and my heart felt for her many times. Her mind was such a delight to me, she was funny and clever and always had a smart comeback for Colton's smartass mouth. I loved that despite being so independent and a person who liked to do things her way, she let Colton and the rest of the Soldiers help her when she needed it. She was brave and loyal, I loved how Nikki crafted her to be exactly what Colton needed to a T.

"This girl had a hold on me like nothing I'd ever experienced before. The more she pushed me away, the more I wanted her."

As a person who doesn't really like this trope (enemies to lovers), I have to say, Nikki hit the ball out of the freaking park with this book. A perfect example of what this trope should be in my opinion: Perfectly understandable motivations to dislike each other. Delicious banter and "enemies" dynamic. Incredible tension and chemistry. No disrespect between the characters. The right balance between the characters' traits to complement each other in and out of bed. The perfect and smooth transition from enemies to lovers. Definitely the perfect choice for the couple and the plot, this trope suited them in every way. They were perfection together. Once they crossed the infamous line between hate and love, their passion and intensity was to die for! The emotional and physical connection was the most natural thing in the world, I just couldn't put the book down at all.

I simply can't describe how smart and genius the plot around the romance was. It made my jaw drop several times. I was so invested and felt every single emotion. The Soldiers once again had to face danger and death while looking for revenge. I said it before, they are just addicting. I had to read some scenes twice because I didn't want to miss a single detail of what was going on and at the same time I wanted to read fast but I also didn't want the book to end. Seeing them together in action again, solving new mysteries and slaying new enemies was just as exciting as seeing Colton and Shelley getting together. Their loyalty, their protectiveness were even stronger this time and the family they formed is getting bigger and bigger. The only question in my mind now is... Who's the next MC? I have a small idea but I can't wait for Nikki to reveal the name of the next Soldier who'll get his HEA.

This dark, vigilante romance was the perfect way to spend my weekend. My paperback is already on its way to me and now I'm sad because I need to wait for the next book to come out. See my struggle? I think I need to find time to re-read this entire series in the meantime.

A million thanks to Nikki J Summers and Candi Kane PR for gifting me this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.