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Review

4.5 stars

“The boy everyone sees but nobody knows … the girl who everybody knows but nobody sees.

Katie McGarry is my go-to author for YA drama/romance. She writes highly emotional but beautiful stories with fantastic insight into the dramas of mature teenagers, with none of the stupid behaviour that you so often see with younger characters. She never lets me down, and she’s given us another wonderfully romantic and intense story with this one.

This is the second book in the Thunder Road series, featuring a group of teens raised in the Reign of Terror MC. The club is legit, but the boys live the biker lifestyle, and this book tells the story of Razor – son of a well-respected board member and best friend of Oz from Nowhere But Here. Razor has only recently fulfilled his life-long dream and patched in as a full member, but a secret from the past continues to plague him, and when knew information comes to light, his reluctance to let it go threatens all he has found with his club.

Breanna is a smart, sensible and responsible girl – the middle of 9 children, she is counted on to help out at home, to the detriment of her having the life that she wants. For years she has lived a quiet, restrained life, but now that she is entering her senior year she is desperate to break free and be herself,

I’m searching for magic – not the Christmas morning type, but the type of magic that can be found by being courageous, being the girl who takes chances, being the girl who will dance. I want to be the girl who is seen.

When Brenna is targeted by a bully at school, fellow senior Razor comes to her defence, and they agree to a deal – Razor will provide Breanna with ongoing protection in exchange for her helping him solve the mystery from his past. Brenna is highly intelligent with an analytical mind and she craves mental stimulation – the puzzle that Razor presents her with is irresistible, and it doesn’t hurt that she finds Razor wildly attractive. Razor has seen that there is more to Brenna that she lets on, and as much as he needs her help, he is also drawn to her and wants to help her, so the deal is struck.

“Hey, Breanna.”
I glance over my shoulder. “Yes?”
“Be safe.”
Those are two enticing and lovely words. “I will be. I have you protecting me, right?”
Maybe I’m misreading Razor, but his eyes travel my body like he might toss me onto the bed of the truck and kiss me in a way I’ve never been kissed before. “Don’t worry. I completely have your back.”

From the very beginning there is a spark of attraction between Razor and Brenna which is undeniable, but when an innocent moment between them is photographed and taken way out of context, Breanna becomes the target for blackmail and their arrangement becomes something a whole lot more intense as they band together even tighter to find answers, and as the relationship between them becomes something incredibly special.

This is heartbreaking and consuming and addictive. It’s terrifying and peaceful, crazy and serene. It’s a million things in one brief moment and it’s something I don’t understand and never want to live without.

Oh my God, this romance is absolutely gorgeous! From completely different lives, Razor is the tattooed, scary-looking member of an MC and Breanna is the sweet, innocent good girl. But they come together in a way that is natural, honest, and completely open. They trust each other completely, hiding nothing from each other and their gradual fall into love was beautiful to watch.

Most people avoid me, easily leaving two feet between us, and here is this little warrior trudging into battle without armor.
Terrified I’ll break her, I weave my arms around her and hug her back. My eyes shut when she settles furthering into me. I rest my cheek on her head and simply breathe.

But things at home (for both of them) continue to cause problems. Brenna is fighting to be heard and is drowning in the midst of her family dramas, and Razor’s lack of faith in his club over the secrets they refuse to share, and his tendency to look out for himself without asking for help from others leaves him in a precarious position. Together, and individually, Brenna and Razor are on a journey to discover who they are, what they want, and how to find it.

This story is so beautifully written. Brenna and Razor’s individual stories are told from their own POV and with so much emotion, I could feel everything that they were feeling, and my heart pounded through all of their ups and downs. And it just made what they found in each other and their moments together so much sweeter! Sweet, romantic, passionate and all-consuming – you can see how perfect they are for each other. It’s a real ‘against the odds’ type of romance, and it beautifully done.

“I promise I’ll take care of you,” he whispers. “You’re safe with me.”

Razor’s journey in particular ties in really well with the overarching storyline featuring drama within the MC. I really enjoyed watching his struggle to find his place, and I loved the dynamics between him and the other guys in the clubs – friends, mentors and his own father, the relationships were beautifully explored and I really liked the way that whole storyline played out.

The central group of characters introduced in the first book all appear, and again those relationships are written in a way where you can feel the bond between the group. I loved seeing Oz and Emily again, and with a bit more insight into Violet’s story, I am hoping hard that her and Chevy’s book is up next!

I’m loving this series. Emotional and romantic, and a great mix of edgy drama with some great light moments, this was a fantastic read. I can’t wait for more.

4.5 stars.

An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

 

Thunder Road series

 

For similar reads, see our YA Recommendations page.