Sal (Ride Series Book 2)

I read this book straight after the first book in the series and did enjoy both. They ticked all boxes for possessive, hot Hero's, likeable heroines with not too many TSTL moments and good strong romance (if a bit instalove).

If you are into gritty MC romances this series is not for you, if anything I would categorise it as fluffy MC. Nothing too dark, no cheating, no OTT violence. This is my preference and I enjoyed reading an MC book that doesn't push the envelope too far; I don't like the trend in that seems to have emerged of MC books where the characters are just getting more and more abusive.

My problem with the book is the same problem I had with book 1. As is standard with this sort of series, a suspense sub plot is employed to insert a bit of peril into the story. It seemed however that essentially the same sub plot was used in both books to little effect.

The details vary, in this case Joe Bad Guy ( he has a name, but as he has literally no defining characteristics, no motivation so it doesn't really matter) takes advantage of the fact that Kat's (h) deadbeat mother has run up a huge debt to get back at the club....by assaulting Kat and later by kidnapping one of the other old ladies. And the debt was relevant to this as.....because....errr....reasons. And his master plan is of course to annoy the club and thereby.....ah...stuff.

Put simply, As in the first book the suspense plot surrounds one random loony with a grudge against the club. Very little detail is given and to be honest it is difficult too take the threat seriously. This leads (in both books) to the club looking fairly incompetent when they don't immediately sort it out.

It was a bit frustrating as I liked the other aspects of the book a lot. It's nothing new, but I enjoyed the romance and both the main and supporting characters were likeable. I just feel if a bit more attention had been paid to the side plot it could have been a four star read.

I have several degrees of reading Love.. it's kinda sorta an obsession really or maybe a disorder. I'm not sure but I bet there is a therapy group like 12 steps or something out there or maybe there should be. But then again.. I don't think we'd be able to stop or at least I can't. I simply have this OCD issue with searching high and now for what I call #SafeRead authors for me. I am not as picky as some hard core safety girls. I actually think I'm one of the originals but I'm not the most strict by far
But here goes. If you give me a book where the hero is faithful from first sight, and there isn't any other woman drama that is a book I will most likely love. But if you add into this suspense, romance, some character growth type angst and a sexy heart pounding romance well I'm extremely happy. So far I've read two books by this author and I'm a little nervous only because I've loved them so much that I keep waiting for that shoe to drop. For something to pop up and bother me. Book one had a bit of other woman drama but this I can handle if and only if the hero isn't tempted and doesn't waver. Cole was absolutely perfect for me.

Then this book the hero had a long six month (thankfully off page) disappearing act.. and that usually drives me into book heartache. But it worked because Sal just had to find his way back and he was faithful the whole time. I just am on pins and needles because I really pray Megan stays a safe author for me. I don't care about the past.. I only care about the current story and so far she's giving me exactly what I want.. Moving on with hope and happiness in my OCD Safety reading heart.

100% safe with six month separation, both celibate. No ow.. one uninterested om date.

Before reading 'Sal' I decided to skim back over 'Cole' it's been months since I originally read it but once I'd started I ended up reading it again from beginning to end.
'Cole' ended with Sal leaving Kat without explanation 'Sal' opens with Kat alone, Sal's been gone six months and she's struggling, she's no idea if he's coming back or even why he left in the first place. Her best friend Scarlett pushes her into a blind date with a doctor she works with and while Gavin is handsome there's just no spark at all, it looks like Sal was it for her and she's ruined for other men.
Just as suddenly as he left Sal returns and expects to pick up where they left off, Kat is his and he's not giving up.
This is right at the softer end of MC books in fact I'd class it as a romance based around an MC rather than an MC which has a romance within it.
As Sal and Kat work on their relationship we learn more their pasts and meet some of their family which gives us an insight as to why Sal is the way he is.
This is a nice enough read, I liked all the characters and I can't wait for Axel and Sophie's book but if I'm being totally honest and there's no point reviewing otherwise, it was missing something, the crime element was a bit lacking and very similar to Cole's book and I hate to say this but I was a little bored at times and found myself skimming.
Straight onto Axel and Sophie's book now.

This is a kindle unlimited selection.

I really liked this book. I think that it was as good as, or maybe a little better than the first book. You don't have to read the first book, although it is well worth reading, in order to enjoy this book but the first book does give a glimpse of the early part of Sal and Kat's relationship. This book takes place a year after they first started dating. The only thing stopping this book from being a five star read is the character's lack of complexity. The focus of the story was Kat and Sal as they are in the present, but what defines us is our pasts and while we get details and facts, I never felt like Sal and Kat were fully fleshed out. It would have helped to have a flashback or two from Kat's point of view so we could see her as child and get a better feel of the relationship with her Mom. Since the story was told from Kat's point of view, I am okay with not getting to know Sal because part of the problem was how closed off Sal was and how Kat didn't know him as well as she wanted too.

If you like alpha males, prefer sex scenes that are short but sweet, and motorcycle club books that aren't about one percenters, I think you will really enjoy this book.

Sal and Kat - Sal’s the runner in this relationship and he’s not much of a talker. However, they did have some dramatic moments that livened things up, so I enjoyed it.

I think I’d recommend this series for those who are way into the romance, and just want a touch of the MC life. To paraphrase Wedding Crashers,

“I'm sure you'd love to be free, maybe go out and meet some biker guy that can … make you feel dangerous but also safe.”

THAT’s this series in a nutshell. Yes, there’s some questionable women and some danger, but overall, it’s a comfort kind of read. The WTF-ery level is a 2, at most. The downsides are that alot of the action that leads to the danger, the actual MC stuff, happens off-page because it’s strictly first person POV from the individual heroines. But if that doesn’t bug you and you mostly want some sweet loving with some tattooed bikers, you may enjoy this.

## Loving this series. These first two books were amazing. I will definitely be reading them again. My favorite part of this book was that there was no instant forgiveness. I detest that. Kat made sure Sal knew how much he hurt her by leaving for 6 months without a word. Not even a phone call. I get where the author was trying to go with this, but I still felt Sal wasn't opening up much. He made SOME progress, just not enough for me. Ergo, one star deduction. And not showing any affection in public? What was that about? However, the rest was fantastic.

Kat Jennings didn't trust easily, she certainly didn't fall in love. Kat fell hook, line, and sinker for her biker Sal. Then he walked out and left her, six months later he came back. Sal knew he needed to heal himself before he could fully commit to Kat.

Sal is determined to gain her trust and love again. Kat can't do this with Sal again, he broke her and she doesn't think she will survive again if he leaves. As their bond is tested Kat realizes how much Sal has changed and she loves him for it.

Fantastic second in series. I wasn't sure about Sal because he had been so closed off in the first book but he totally redeems himself. He is not a man of a lot of words but boy does he make an impact. Had a few unexpected twists, can't wait for the next book.

The second ( and I mean the second) I finished Cole(book one) I tried to find as much information about book two as I could. I put this book on my watch list so that I could know the second it was released. I loved Cole and Scar, but more importantly I loved Megan O'Brien's writing she easily drew me into the world she created and made me fall in love. The second I was able to get this book I snatched it up opened my kindle and dug right in like a starved person.

Kat and Sal haven't had an easy relationship it hasn't really been hard but it also hasn't been what Kat wants. The intimacy is great, the best she has ever had but Sal shuts her out and closes himself off. Being in love with Sal Kat stays hoping that with time they can both learn to open up about themselves and their pasts and move forward. When Sal tell's Kat he is leaving she thinks he is going on a run for the club. So when Sal tells her he is leaving Kat is heartbroken.

Six long months later Kat hasn't moved on, though she has tried the loss of Sal has effected her greatly. With the persistence of Scar Kat agree's to go on a date. Though the man is nice Kat knows she is nowhere near ready to open herself up to anyone. As Kat is dropped off none other than Sal is standing angrily at her door. Shocked and mad Kat shuts her door and shuts out Sal.

But Sal is very persistant and makes it known he won't give up, and that they were never really apart. Soon Kat finds it too hard to deny how she feels for Sal, as they fall back into each other like Sal never left a threat is made on Kats life that scares Sal more than ever. Even though Kat is happier than ever she wants more from Sal and her relationship but more importantly for them to not fall back into the mostly physical relationship.
As Sal sets about to prove he wants more just like Kat the threat becomes more real and more dangerous for not only Kat but the club. As the club sets about to keep everyone safe Sal, Kat, and the club sets about to make sure everyone they has quickly came to love is not only safe but happy.

I really liked this book I blew through this book way too quickly. I love MC books but because I love them so much I tend to be more critical of them and this book did not disappoint. I loved reading about Sal and Kat's relationship, but I wished the reason Sal left would have been more of a flushed out as well as their relationship since I loved them both so much. Sal was a great possessive hero and Kat was no pushover but she was also smart and loving and kind. We get everyone from book one and them some in this book.

We also get a peak into who book three will be about. And I can't wait to read their story. This book was really well written it's one of those books that you get so wrapped up in you don't realize how much you have read or how long. Megan O'Brien writes a great MC book, not as gritty as some but just as good. I can't wait for book three, I will again be watching and waiting and getting the next book as soon as I can.
*this was my July the store Prime loan.