Book Review: Running Wild by S.E. Jakes

Reviewed by JustJen

Title: Running Wild
Author: S.E. Jakes
Series: Havoc #1
Heroes: Sean/Ryker
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 280 Pages
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Release Date: May 30, 2014
Available at: Riptide Publishing, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and All Romance eBooks
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Embrace the danger.

Sean Rush is an adrenaline junkie. That’s why he was in the Army, why he steals and races classic muscle cars . . . and why he can’t stay away from bad boy Ryker, a Havoc Motorcycle Club lieutenant. Fortunately, Ryker can’t seem to stay away from Sean—he’s spent the last eight months breaking into Sean’s apartment and stealing into his bed, leaving Sean physically satisfied but increasingly restless.

Sean has always avoided relationships. He likes to come and go without being controlled. And Ryker is possibly the most controlling man he’s ever known. Still, he finds that he wants more from Ryker than their silent nighttime encounters.

Then one of Sean’s thefts goes bad, and Ryker’s protective instincts kick into overdrive. He takes Sean to the Havoc compound, determined to keep him safe. But Sean’s past threatens the safety of Havoc—and everything Ryker holds dear. Worse, Ryker’s hiding secrets of his own. Soon it’s obvious that the adrenaline rush can’t keep them together anymore. But maybe love can.

Review: This is a very strong start to an exciting new series. Right off the bat, it is refreshing to read a new storyline that hasn’t been done a hundred times already, and I really like the world Ms. Jakes created here.

It is a cross between Gone in 60 Seconds, with the stealing of high end automobiles. Then it turns into The Fast and the Furious, with the stealing and racing of high end automobiles. Where it differs completely is the Motorcycle Clubs being front and center in the mix. They play a huge role here, as different clubs are vying for the clients and territory. And then there are the relationships.

Sean is the thief, he is struggling with issues from combat, as well as his compunction to steal, all of which he thought he had under control. Needing to help a friend throws him right back into the game, however, and right smack dab into a whole new set of problems.

Ryker is a biker. LOL. He is one of the members of Havoc, a very secretive and protective club. He has also been sneaking in and having hot sweaty sex with Sean, but his appearances are a whole different level of mysterious, as are his intentions.

Nothing is as it seems with these guys. They all seem to be keeping secrets from each other, but one thing is for certain – Ryker considers Sean his. A lot of the time, I was just as confused as Sean about what was going on, but it was a heck of a ride.

There is a lot to love in this story. There are some interesting side characters I can’t wait to learn more about. The quality of writing and the end product is exactly what I’ve come to expect from Ms. Jakes. Why not the final star then? This just didn’t have that awesome wow factor for me that I felt when reading Hell or High Water or even Dirty Deeds, though it had more then Men of Honor. Ms. Jakes remains at the top of my drop everything to read now list, and I will definitely be doing the same when Running Blind is available.

If you’re looking for something exciting with a different storyline and hot alpha characters, definitely take this one out for a joy ride.

Overall Impression:  I really liked it

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.*