As promised for my March 10th post, today I’m reviewing Kathryn C. Kelly’s first three novels in the Death Dwellers MC Legacy Generation series: Reckless, Restless, and Relentless, a contemporary romance.
Title: Relentless
Series: Death Dwellers MC Legacy Generation, Book 3
Author: Kathryn C. Kelly
Genre: Contemporary MC Romance
Blurb: In the gripping sequel to “Restless,” Christopher “Outlaw” Caldwell’s transformation into a devoted family man is put to the ultimate test. Once feared for his ruthlessness, he finds himself drifting further away from his notorious MC leader persona as he navigates the aftermath of his youngest child’s turbulent entrance into the world.
As Jo experiences a new set of challenges, he only spirals further, affecting everyone around him. Most especially his wife, Megan, who struggles to traverse her grief as she enters a new stage in her life while dealing with a hard-headed bully.
Amidst this chaos, CJ, Outlaw and Meggie’s son, struggles to hold everything together as his parents falter. He has a hard time recognizing his developing feelings for a girl who isn’t Harley Banks, causing further complications in his already tumultuous life.
Meanwhile, Bash still lurks, and as his reign of terror continues, the kids of the MC learn what it means to be a Death Dweller.
In this gritty and emotionally charged sequel, “Relentless” delves deeper into the complexities of family, loyalty, and the harsh realities of life within the MC world. Will Outlaw’s transformation be enough to protect those he loves, or will the past catch up with him, threatening to tear everything apart?
This is the third book in the series, but because it ends on a cliffhanger, there will be a fourth.
First off, again, CJ is a young man wise beyond his years. Will he make the perfect club president? I think he will. That’s if he garners the respect from the others because there are some within his peerage who do give him a hard time. He needs a bit of his father’s feistiness to let the select few know where they stand, and what they can expect if they dare to disrespect him.
I also loved the scenes with Molly and CJ. At first, I thought he’d be perfect with Jaleen, but now I changed my mind. The bond they share really comes through in this novel. And the author didn’t “tell” but “showed” how tight they are. I think they’d make a wonderful couple. But CJ’s heart belongs elsewhere. Unfortunately, it lies with Harley, and eek, what she pulled is unforgivable. I won’t say what, because I don’t want to spoil it for other readers, but yeah, not good LOL. I do hope he does not give Harley another chance.
I loved how Meggie showed who is the true “boss” of the Death Dwellers. She finds her spunk in this novel, and I was glad to see this, because her character arc seemed to stall in the last novel. But she comes alive in this one.
There is repetition from the previous novel because nothing really came to light with the external plot. I found it more talk, but not much happening. Kind of a rinse and repeat.
The writing is excellent, as I said in my previous review. The characters are true to who they are. And the rawness is still present, something I like. It’s gritty, just how I like my novels when dealing with organized crime.
As I said, it ends on a cliffhanger. But I am not sure if anything will come of it. Hopefully, something does, and the author doesn’t have them rehashing the same fights. Again, it could be cut down to a good 300 pages.
I do recommend before you delve into this novel that you give the first series a read since it focuses on the second generation (Christopher and Meggie). It makes it easier to understand how the characters reached the point they’re at now, and why they behave the way they do.
****
Title: Restless
Series: Death Dwellers MC Legacy Generation, Book 2
Author: Kathryn C. Kelly
Genre: Contemporary MC Romance
Blurb: In the gripping second installment of the Death Dweller MC’s Legacy Series, “Restless,” CJ Caldwell finds himself facing more challenges and heartbreak than ever before. Still grappling with a devastating family tragedy, CJ is now also dealing with the fractured relationship between him and his once-best friend, Harley. Her erratic behavior has not only destroyed their friendship, but it also threatens to unravel other important relationships in CJ’s life.
As CJ’s parents struggle with their own personal issues, the weight of responsibility falls heavily on CJ’s young shoulders. He must step up and take care of his siblings while navigating the complex dynamics of a broken family. But little does he know, danger lurks in the shadows, ready to pounce when he least expects it.
The story continues in Restless, the second book in the Death Dwellers MC—the Legacy Continues. Again, the main focus is CJ with a host of other characters getting a POV. I must say, CJ would make a good president when he comes of age. He has a good head on his shoulders and is extremely mature for only sixteen. He is the one his mother leans on during troubled times, and the one his father trusts, and treats not as a child, but as a teenager.
In this novel, CJ has many decisions to make, whether to choose Harley, Jaleen (can’t remember her name because there are tons of characters), and Molly. I do hope he leans toward Jaleen. I like her, but I doubt she will choose him since they are worlds apart, whereas Harley has a big foot in CJ’s lifestyle.
Many more secrets are revealed, with a lot of drama happening between the adults. This isn’t a brotherhood, but a club that is ready to implode. Whether it does or not, that could happen. I’ll have to wait and see until the next book because not everything is addressed in this novel.
As always, the writing is solid. The POVs are true to the characters (even with many characters getting a chance to share). And their mindset is that of those who are in an MC and involved in organized crime. I like how the author does not sugarcoat anything but keeps it very real. The characters are raw; just how I like them. Some are easy to like, and some aren’t so easy to like (I’m looking at you Rebel LOL). Sorry about that, but after what Rebel did in the last novel, showing that kind of disrespect, I have no love for this character. She’s too self-involved, even for someone her age.
I enjoy how the author takes me back in time to Cee Cee and the other generation. Even though this man is the worst of the bunch, something is intriguing and interesting about him in a Tony Montana kind of way (anti-heroes you enjoy).
Did the novel need to be this long? No. Again, it easily could be 300 pages max to get the story across. So now I will start on the next book. Once done, that review will be coming your way.
****
Title: Reckless
Series: Death Dwellers MC Legacy Generation, Book 1
Author: Kathryn C. Kelly
Genre: Contemporary MC Romance
Blurb: Sixteen-year-old CJ Caldwell struggles to live up to the reputation of his legendary father, Outlaw. He dreams of joining the Death Dwellers, but he’s expected to finish high school and go to college before he can even be considered.
To make matters worse, the only girl he wants, Harley Banks, has rejected him, breaking his heart. Little does he know, she’s breaking her own heart too. CJ must navigate the challenges of becoming a man, coping with heartbreak, and saving his cousin Ryan from dangerous influences.
In this gripping coming-of-age tale, CJ learns that being reckless can have serious consequences, and that sometimes, the hardest thing to do is the right thing.
I agreed to review this for a book tour, so I’m not familiar with the author. I’m not also familiar with the series, because there is a series before this one devoted to the second generation of Death Dwellers (from what I understand).
First, this is not a romance. I would call it a family drama, MC style. The same for the blurb. It says it focuses on CJ, but it doesn’t. Instead, it includes many POVs and storylines. As for CJ, I liked his character and felt for him. He’s the son of the president of the Death Dwellers MC, and does not have the most normal upbringing with his father killing people, CJ being invited to engage in sex at the age of fifteen at the clubhouse, physical punishment within his family if there are wrongdoings by the children, and taught to have an attitude with authority since his parents and the club fund the school CJ attends (the parents always show up at the school and defend their kids, not giving the teachers any say in the matter).
Yeah, that’s quite a different upbringing. But considering his environment, CJ’s a really good kid with a conscience, and someone you can root for. He also has a difficult decision to make, especially when it comes to his best friend Harley (the daughter of another Death Dweller). He is an interesting character with a soft heart and mature for his age.
I must say I really LOVED the first generation’s storyline. Wow. Talk about violence and all kinds of crazy. Cee Cee, Logan, Pattie, and the others sucked me into their storyline and kept me reading, and wanting more. The author really excelled when it came to writing their chapters.
There is a HUGE cast of characters, so focus on the main ones so you don’t get lost, otherwise you will, even if there is a family history tree included in the book.
I kept wondering if any of the kids would break free from the cycle they found themselves in, but I’ll have to wait and see for the second book. There is even a preacher among the bikers who I found very interesting and wanted to know more about (don’t ask me to remember his name; there are too many to remember).
It is a long novel at 400 pages, and I think it could have easily been 300 tops. There is drama at the local high school that doesn’t quite go anywhere, and activities also happening at the school that don’t add to the story (the same for a couple of POVs). That was my one quibble with the novel.
I enjoyed the writing, the dialogue between the characters, and the grim reality of seeing what happens within the walls of an MC. I thought this portrayal was gritty and well done. Nothing fluffy or anything romancy about this. Just reality. Something I liked.
This is the first book in the new series, so I’ll be reading the second one, and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next.
Maggie Blackbird 