This is the third book in Hope Stone's Outlaw Souls series, and imo, it's far superior to the first two. That doesn't mean that the others aren't worth the read, I just feel like this one hits every aspect out of the park.

TW: domestic violence

Erica and her son, Dominic, are on the run from her abusive husband. She ends up in our little town of La Playa, and gets a job working for Swole (one of the bikers we've met in previous books) Swole owns the gym near the bar where the Outlaw Souls hang out. It's this proximity that brings Erica face to face with Trainer. While both are outwardly attracted to one another (it's a romance book, so we have that insta-lust, of course that we crave!) it's not until Swole and her partner, Tammy invite Erica out for an evening that Erica and Trainer meet.

I love everything about this couple! Erica is strong and protective of her son. She's not one dimensional. She is trying to get her life back, but also realizing that she may need to run, because doing whatever it takes to keep her son safe is her number one priority. If you read my other reviews, you know that I almost always dislike the "way too good girl to be real" characters. And I'm really hard on the writers who write female characters as virginal waifs waiting to be conquered by some big, strong, alpha male. Here's the thing: Erica married young, so she didn't have a lot of sexual experience. But it made sense to her story! So, it was easy for me to overlook, and even embrace the fact that she was inexperienced. Her story was realistic, in that way.

Trainer is everything that a book boyfriend should be. Strong, loyal, sweet, and fierce. I just really love the way his character is written. He's a badass biker, but he still has some insecurities. Out of the three bikers who Ms. Stone has given stories to thus far, Trainer is far and above, my favorite.

And what I fucking LOVE about this series is that the men aren't portrayed as your typical manwhores. Yes, they aren't virginal, saints. And there is mention of how they have always been able to hook up with women, without commitment, when they want to. But in most MC books, up until or even after the H meets our h, he is pretty much hooking up with anyone who is willing. And there is always talk of "club whores". There is also so much slut shaming because of this. It's supposed to make us like our h better because she's different than the "club whores" who are just there to bang a biker, but to me it always just feels like more of the women hating on women shit we see too often in romance books.

This MC series seems to be different in that it's really just more about the bikers and their story, not really the over the top biker lifestyle aspect. I really hope this trend continues with this series. There are enough of the same old, same old, when it comes to MC romances out there. Hope Stone's Outlaw Souls series is starting out as one that is moving away from the pack and that is so refreshing!

I look forward to reading about the rest of the men (and, hallelujah! women!) of the Outlaw Souls. (On that note, can we get a prequel for Swole and Tammy? I NEED their story!)

I received an ARC of this book. I have voluntarily given this review and, as such, it reflects only my thoughts and opinions.