Laura Kaye

Brotherhood. Club. Family. They live and ride by their own rules. These are the Raven Riders . . . Raven Riders Motorcycle Club President Dare Kenyon rides hard and values loyalty above all else. He’ll do anything to protect the brotherhood of bikers—the only family he’s got—as well as those who can’t defend themselves. So when mistrustful Haven Randall lands on the club’s doorstep scared that she’s being hunted, Dare takes her in, swears to keep her safe, and pushes to learn the secrets overshadowing her pretty smile. Haven fled from years of abuse at the hands of her criminal father and is suspicious of any man’s promises, including those of the darkly sexy and overwhelmingly intense Ravens’ leader. But as the powerful attraction between them flares to life, Dare pushes her boundaries and tempts her to want things she never thought she could. The past never dies without a fight, but Dare Kenyon’s never backed down before . . .

A Raven Riders Novel

Ride Hard

Lover of Romance 

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
  

 
  
    Summary
  
 
President of the Raven Riders Motorcyle Club, Dare Kenyon, loves to ride and showing his loyalty and care to his club he has devoted most of his life to changing for the better. They ride, fight and they protect and aid those in need. Dare will do anything to protect his brothers. But then he and his club, come across two women that were going to be sold and rescued them and offered them shelter. One of them, Haven Randall calls to him in a way he has never been drawn to a woman before. Haven Randall has gone through hell and she trusts no man. She has only known brutality, horrors, abuse  and fear. But now she is with the Raven Riders, and even though she yearns for the day that she can be couragous and bold, she wonders if she ever will be able to. Until she faces her fears, and goes to a party and stumbles across the club president, Dare. He is so different....kind and protective. The sparks between them grow, and the chemistry is explosive but just when their relationship is becoming even more solid, the dangers to the club will rise when Haven's past comes to them to bite....but will Dare have to choose between his brothers or the only woman he has ever loved?
 
  
    The Hero
  
 
Dare Kenyon, grew up in a rough MC. His father ran it, and they stayed behind the law. His home life was brutal, his father abusive to himself, his mother and his brother. On a fateful night when they were trying to leave, he lost his mother and brother and didn't have the courage to save them. It was his biggest regret and still haunts him. Now however, through a twist of fate, he came to his grandfather's club, and turned it completely around. It stayed a brotherhood, but stronger and their motto became more to protect those that come from abusive situations where the law couldn't help those in need. They give back to the community in any way they can. Dare is a hero you want as a future mate 100%.

  
    “I need you to try to judge me on my actions and my words, not on the actions and words of the people who came before me in your life.”
  

From the first moment he steps into the story, I was in love. He may be a rough rider, and leader of a MC club, but he is also kind and caring  and has a heart of gold.
 
  
    The Heroine
  
 
Haven Randall, has never known love or affection. Her father treated her like a possession and a slave in any practical sense. She cooked and cleaned for him, but when she came of age he kept her, because he would use her to solidify criminal alliances through a forced marriage. She knew then, she had to leave and to life a full life. She wanted more from life than suffering at his hand. So she and her best friend, find an place of peace and friendship. But Haven still fears everything around her. Her only peace is cooking tasty treats in secret for the brotherhood. Then she stumbles across Dare, who is like a balm to her soul and she wants to explore everything with him.

  
    She would cherish the feeling for the rest of her life. She couldn't imagne some like Dare again. Someone who she could trust without question, someone who she could reveal her darkest parts and deepest desires to, someone who made her feel beautiful for wanting things. And who gave those things to her with such incredible generosity and passion. 
  

Haven was such a heroine that goes through a emotional journey of growth. I really liked her so much, because even though she is full of fear she wants to have adventure and live life a bit dangerously at times. I loved seeing her cross things off her "bucket list". She was very endearing at times, and loved her inner strength and courage.
 
  
    Plot and Story Line
  
 
What a BOOK!!! Oh my goodness, I can't even express how much love I have for this story!!! It was thrilling, amazing and phenomenal in so many depths. Now I have read the Hard Ink Series---which rocked. But Laura Kaye totally upped her game with this book, probably the best book she has ever written and has reached the top of my list for MC romances. It was so different than I was expecting. In fact I was a bit nervous, because I was hoping that Laura Kaye wouldn't change her style of building a romance due to the setting of the story. Quite frankly, I enjoy MC romances but they can be tough and gritty and this story was so unique to this set up. It had a level of playfulness and some charming and sweet moments yet is still emotional and gritty too. I really admire the way this series is going. It has a theme to helping women that suffer through abuse situations---or that is what I am getting from reading this book and hints for the second book coming out next year. (and yes we have to wait a full year *sobs*)

So what made this book so amazing? So many things made this book such a wonderful and exciting journey. What I loved about this book, was seeing a woman that is suffering from a form of PTSD and change slowly from a woman shaking in fear to a woman that is full of zest and courage and spirit. These two characters are so wonderful for each other.

  
    You Haven. Always you, I'm fucking starving for you. All the time. You think you're not wanted? I want you. I want you so much I don't know what I'm doing half the time. Every minute of every day, all I can think about is you.
  

Now I know, the age between them ( I believe its 13 years) can be a bit much for some readers, but I am telling you the way Laura Kaye writes it, wasn't a problem for me. Of course one of my grandparents they were 13 years apart and had a great marriage. So in my mind, it can work if its right. And its SO right for Dare and Haven to be together. From the beginning, you sense the attraction. Now Dare handles Haven in the right way. He knows that he can't bulldoze her. He doesn't want to frighten her or scare her, so he is patient, tender and kind. Boy did I love him right away just for that.

  
    I will keep you safe, I will give you the life you deserve. I Promise
  

He doesn't rush into things with her. He tries to do what is best for her and the club. We see the conflict he goes through, because Haven's father could prove to be detrimental to the club and Dare might have to give her up just when he has fallen in love with her. This is what broke my heart, is seeing how much these two need the love that can heal past wounds. The love story between these two is heart wrenching, captivating and steals your heart!
 
  
    The Cover
  
 
WHAT a cover....I just love it so much. Avon did a brilliant job with this one that is for sure!! I love the sexy pose, sensual but very poignant too. Its great to see a black and white cover with bright lettering. Great contrast.
 
  
    Overall View
  
 
Ride Hard is brilliantly written and if you were ever nervous about reading a MC romance---READ THIS NOW!! You will fall madly in love with Dare and Haven. GUARANTEED. The Best Ride Of The Year in Romance!

  
    I love you, I fucking love you so muich that I don't think I can exist without you. Not anymore. You're the most special thing I've found. You've given me love and acceptance and peace and comfort and made me realize that I want things out of this life too.  
  

 

  
    You own my heart and you always will, because you taught me what love was and you showed me what life could be. You gave me wings, Dare, and they brought me right back to you. And they always will
  


  


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JoLee

Rating: 4 Stars - Loved It

Ride Hard (Raven Riders #1) by Laura Kaye is a refreshing take on the MC Romance I am used to. Raven Riders MC protect those who can't protect themselves.

Nice slow burn romance because of the 15 year age gap between Dare and Haven. Her character growth was perfect. In the beginning you see her shy and scared of everything. Little by little you see her coming out of her shell more and living life. Fell in love with his character early on as he is gentle with her. Cora her best friend I adored. Loved their time together. She never tried to push Haven to do anything she did not want to do. How protective and loving Cora is to Haven is how any best friend should be.

b.andherbooks

Haven, recently rescued from her abusive drug king father by the Raven Riders Motorcycle Club, falls hard for the Ravens leader, Dare. Many years older than Haven and plagued by his own dark past, Dare is reluctant to start a relationship with the woman he needs to find a new identity and a new life for. But, from her sweetness, her easy ability to fit in with his motorcycle family, and her zest for life now that she is free, Dare can't stay away even if it means throwing his whole club into danger.

Highly readable story, but I'm a bit over the super shy yet so very sexy virgins who dark, dangerous, older men fall immediately into lust with. I enjoyed later books in this series more, but still worth to read the start.

Also, did not realize this is a spin off of a completely different series (Hard Ink) and a novella, so I did find myself feeling a little plopped right into things. The female audio narrator did a great job with the dual POV.

Lynn Braden

Haven's father is the head of a criminal organization that works out of Georgia. He uses her as though she is a commodity that belongs to him, so Haven and her best friend Cora escape and run until they land at Hard Ink where the Ravens MC has just helped destroy the Church Gang. Part of the Ravens' mission is to help those in need, especially those who have been abused, to get a fresh start someplace new, so they take Haven and Cora to their compound and make plans to start them in a new life with new identities. Haven is grateful, but shy and hides in her room until outgoing Cora forces her to interact with their new friends. Haven begins to find a place in the MC and is attracted to their president, Dare Kenyon. At 32, Dare is too old for 23 year old Haven, but finds himself falling for her. They both dread what will happen if her father comes looking for her and he has to send her away to a new life without him.
Ride Hard is the beginning of the Raven Riders series, which is an offshoot of the Hard Ink series. Haven and Dare are likable characters, but the story doesn't really offer anything new to the damsel-in-distress/MC story line. Overall, a decent read, but nothing surprising.

Lacey

Originally posted at Booklovers For Life

3.5 STARS

I don’t read MC romances that often, which is a shame because I enjoy them so much! There’s always something so gritty and addicting about MC reads, and that description can definitely apply to Laura Kaye’s Hard Ride. It’s the first book in a brand new series, featuring the Raven Riders MC, a club dedicated to helping those who can’t protect themselves. It’s a suspenseful, sexy read that gripped me – it’s a little slow at times, but otherwise, this is a solid first installment to the Raven Riders series.

After escaping from her father’s abusive control, Haven and her best friend Cora have taken shelter with the Raven Riders. Unfortunately, her father is still out to get her, posting a large bounty for finding Haven and bringing her back to him. Haven has lived a very sheltered life, so all these tough bikers, regardless of how they would never harm her, are a little intimidating. But one man makes her feel different and fires her up like no other. Dare makes her feel safe, protected, and wanted. She’s had very little experiences in life, but with Dare, she finds that she wants to experience all of life… with him.

Dare is the president of the Raven Riders, a responsibility he doesn’t take lightly. He’s vowed to make his club legitimate, but that doesn’t mean that he and his men aren’t deadly. He’s alpha, honorable, loyal, and intense, and he’ll do anything for those under his protection. Sweet and innocent Haven brings out his protective instincts even more, and even though he shouldn’t get involved with her, he can’t help but want her. And soon enough, as his feelings for her deepen, he’ll have to do whatever it takes to make sure her father never harms her again.

“Oh, Haven,” he said, “you have no idea what I’d be willing to do for you if you wanted me to.”

Ride Hard was surprisingly sweet, with all the tender moments between Dare and Haven. But even with all the sweet moments, this book is hot too, so if you love steamy romances, you should definitely check it out. I really enjoyed this one – I didn’t completely love it, since I didn’t connect that well with the main characters, and the story moved too slowly at times, but I still had so much fun reading this story. If you love slow burn, suspenseful MC romances, I recommend Ride Hard!

Thanks to the publisher for generously providing me an ARC to review.

Quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change in the final version.

Amazon Ebook: http://amzn.to/1NDs5Y9
Amazon Paperback: http://amzn.to/20Sw87d
Audible: http://amzn.to/1WEwMVa

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Ride Hard A Raven Riders Novel

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