Havoc, the third book in the Masters of Mayhem series by Renee Rocco, is live!

An opposites-attract, forced proximity story that is dark and dramatic, with a gorgeous romance

 

Amazon  |  Paperback

 

---

---

Blurb

I’m the stain you can’t wash away.

Someone tried to kill Kerri Ward. Bad move.
They shot her father. Next, they came for her.
Now, it’s my turn to kill them.
And I’m not a merciful man.

But first I have to survive being alone with her. Hidden in a safe house. Isolated on a mountain. Where no one can hear her scream. Where no one can stop me from claiming what’s mine…

In Mayhem, the villains are the heroes.

HAVOC is the third book in the compelling Masters of Mayhem series. This opposites attract romance contains dark themes and a demented antihero who will ruin you.

 

Add to Goodreads

 

---

Review

4 stars!

This is the third Masters of Mahem book, and I’m continuing to love this series from Renee Rocco! A dark and gritty MC-ish romance with beautifully emotional love stories, this book takes us back to Mayhem for an opposites-attract, forced proximity story that is dark and dramatic, with a gorgeous romance.

Like his best friends, Havoc grew up in Mayhem and is a member of the Unholy – a gang that protects their beloved town in a post-second-civil-war United States. These boys are dark, violent killers, and the book reflects that, so trigger warnings for violence, death, torture and murder. This one also has themes of childhood sexual abuse, so there are some tough moments.

Havoc and his younger brother survived a torturous childhood and Havoc is now an enforcer for the Unholy. It’s a job he loves, it’s a job he’s great at, and it allows him to be violent and work out his demons on those who truly deserve it.

Kerri is the best friend of Faith (heroine from [book:Jester: A Second Chance Dark Romance|60641186]), and was introduced in the last book. She and Havoc had a bit of a flirtation going on during that story, and even though Kerri is not from Mayhem, and is from a wealthy, loving family that is a world away from anything that Havoc can fathom, she has become a sort-of-extended part of the Unholy family. So, when she runs into serious trouble, Havoc is the man she calls for help.

Jumping in to save her, Havoc quickly recognises the danger that Kerri is in, and he whisks her away to his safe house in the mountains, promising to keep her safe.

Kerri is my duchess.
Except she’s not mine. She’ll never be mine. I’m some filthy thing. A disgusting creature born of misery and pain. Forged in blood and tragedy A murderer. I’ll never be anything more. Never be anyone’s knight.

It’s a great set-up, and with these two already feeling an attraction, the story dives right in to them getting to know each other more, opening up to each other, and slowly getting to truly know each other. Havoc’s past has left him with serious demons, he is a violent killer and doesn’t feel worthy of having anything good in his life, and he doesn’t even really want it. Whereas Kerri is sunshine and sweetness. But locked away with Havoc, she has the opportunity to throw off the limits and expectations on her life, and truly be free, and she embraces that in all the ways, exploring her darker side and bravely putting herself out there for the man that she wants so badly.

“You can’t fix me.”
I snuggle in closer and close my eyes. “Who said you’re broken.”

Things don’t happen immediately, and the romance has the feel of a slow burn as we get moments where the tension breaks, but Havoc trying to keep himself in check knowing he’s not the man who can give Kerri what she wants. But he’s also not a man to deny himself what he wants, and all of that chemistry and sexual tension explodes into hot, dirty sex, and an intimacy that neither of them have ever experienced.

The nagging voice that constantly reminds me to be dignified and proper is remarkably silent. Here, I’m free.

It’s a difficult situation, and between Kerri’s personal situation and everything unfolding between them, it’s an emotional one too, but I loved getting to know them, seeing the dynamic between them shift, and watching their time together change them so profoundly.

“I’m not a good man.” His rough confession barely breaks the quiet.
“I know.” I whisper. “I don’t need a good man.”
As the minutes tick by, Havoc is silent for so long, only the rapid beat of his heart tells me that he’s still awake. “I’m going to ruin you.”
Whether it’s a promise or a threat doesn’t matter. “I know that, too.”
“Don’t let me.”

This wouldn’t be a Mayhem book without the dark and gritty, and this book has it. The Unholy boys live a violent life, and there are scenes of violence, torture and death as they go about their business. I actually skimmed scenes in this book because they were a bit too gruesome for me. But it’s who they are and how they live, and it suits the story as the boys dive in to help Kerri with the trouble that she’s in.

We also get to meet Kerri’s family, which brings an unexpectedly emotional aspect to the story that is beautifully written. It reinforces the importance of family to the Unholy, and I love that we really get to see the acceptance and care that all of these characters have for each other despite their huge differences.

“To have a conscience, you need a soul. I lost mine a long time ago.”
Havoc brushes his lips across mine. Not gentle. Not sweet. A kiss to seal his oath to protect me from himself. From the evil that lives inside him. As if I hadn’t opened my arms and embraced his depraved glory.

Seeing so much of Havoc’s brother, Discord, was also awesome. He’s got wicked demons, but he’s also freaking hilarious, and we can already see that he has a huge heart. I can’t wait for his book.

Havoc and Kerri both go through a lot in this book, and the character growth is a really special part of their story. They fall so deeply in love, and they do it naturally, honestly and openly. They have some soul searching to do to get their HEA, and it’s a beautiful journey watching them do it.

4 stars.

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

 

Masters of Mayhem

 

Check out our Dark Romance Recommendations page for similar reads