ARC Review: Ripple Effect: Episode 4 by Keri Lake

Bravo, bravo, bravo!!! This series had absolutely everything and I loved it. As you may recall from my previous reviews, I was not a huge fan of episode 1 in this series because I just wasn't sure where things were going. But from episode 2 going forward, this series was just a stunning victory of writing, storytelling, character building, romance, erotic content...just everything.

Episode 4 starts just where episode 3 ended. Dylan sees Rip with the person she fears the most and she flees in a blind panic. I won't give away the details of what happens after that but the book is pretty much non-stop action. The intensity of Dylan and Rip's feelings for one another is so real in this book you can feel it. If you've been reading this series you know that it's not a sugary sweet romance, the characters are dark and the romance is raw. You know how people say they love you to death? Well, in this book, the characters actually may love each other to death. They just love so hard it's almost violent which definitely comes out in the sex scenes.

In this episode you will get answers to questions about where Dylan came from and how she wound up with the butterfly tattoo. You will also get answers about Rip's past. I do have to lodge one minor criticism here though. I didn't completely understand Rip's past or his present for that matter. I'm still not completely sure who Rip worked for or whether he still worked for them when the book ended. I do know that the agency made Rip choose between keeping Dylan and keeping Dylan safe. Rip chose keeping Dylan safe. What that means is complicated but in the telling of that part of the story you get to see just how much Dylan and Rip have become a part of one another.

The fascinating thing about this book is how you find out how many similarties these two characters have. It seems like Dylan has been the victim of so many things and like Rip has been a victimizer most of his life. Neither of those things is completely true. Instead, what you learn is that both Dylan and Rip are survivors of the fiercest variety. You don't just root for characters like these, you say little prayers that everything works out for them and hope they don't get too damaged in the process.

There is some brutal violence in this book that will have you trying to look in the other direction. Nothing is resolved without a lot of pain but in the end, it's so worth it. I really enjoyed this series and if the author decided to give us a Episode 5 or an extended epilogue, I would love to see more of Dylan and Rip.

**ARC provided by Ardent PRose**

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ARC Review: Ripple Effect: Episode 3 by Keri Lake

OMG!!!!! This book is ridiculously, insanely good. It is dark and twisty just like the two that came before it in the series but oh so good. Episode 3 picks up right where Episode 2 leaves off. Even though Episode 2 represented the beginning of the sexual relationship between Dylan and Rip but Episode 3 represents the beginning of the...more.

In Episode 3 we get a lot more information about the background of both Dylan and Rip. Honestly I just didn't know how to feel about Dylan. She only just turned 18 in book 2 and her life has been so awful. Dylan has been abused by nearly every adult in her life and it was just really hard to read some of it. On the other hand, Dylan continues to be one of the most dynamic characters I have ever read about. Dylan sees Rip the way nobody else has been able to and she responds to what he needs and not just what he says he needs. 

In this book Rip's obsession with Dylan grows and morphs into something even deeper. Rip is kind of a psychopath so I'm not entirely sure what love would be to him but it is clear that Dylan belongs to Rip. Even though Rip continuously tries to fall back on the monetary nature of his relationship with Dylan when she pushes back at him and challenges him, he refuses to let her go. Dylan's honesty with Rip was as compelling as his struggle to trust is.

Ok, hang on to your hats because there is a lot of action in this book. I'm just starting to get how things between the Marchetti issue and Enzo tie together with Rip. In this book there is a really unexpected twist that leaves us dangling off a serious cliff at the end. When I realized I was on the last page, I actually screamed NOOOOO! It didn't really change anything but I got the shout out of my system. I can't stress enough how much I appreciate the writing of these books. Every installment just keeps getting better and sucking you more into the world of Dylan and Rip.

I have one note to the author: I don't understand Episode 1. I almost didn't keep reading this series because of Episode 1. There isn't enough information about the relationship between Dylan and Rip in Episode 1 to give you a good idea of where this series is headed. I never would have known this series would progress the way it has based just on Episode 1. I would strongly suggest that Episode 1 and 2 be combined so the reader knows what they are in for. I would just hate for people to give up on this series because the first Episode didn't give them enough information to keep going.

**ARC provided by Ardent PRose**

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ARC ReviewRipple Effect: Episode 2 by Keri Lake

I really really wasn't ready for this installment in this series. First, for anyone trying to join the party at this book, you can't. This book picks up right where episode 1 leaves off. If you haven't read the first book, don't read this one and don't read this review.

This book begins with Dylan waking up in Rip's house in full blown opioid withdrawal and ends with her vomiting violently. Everything that happens in between is equally jarring. Rip and Dylan both come from deep dark ugly places. As a result of all they have been through they are twisted in a way that makes them like puzzle pieces that fit together perfectly. In episode 2 we learn more about Dylan's horrible history of abuse but also how very strong she is. Dylan actually has no idea about the effect she has on Rip. The really interesting thing is that in book 1, Dylan was obsessed with Rip or at least the guy she saw every week at the diner. In book 2 the author reveals Rip's obsession with Dylan. Rip knows that wanting Dylan is a source of weakness but he really can't help himself. The connection between these two characters is electrifying and actually leaps off the pages.

I don't want to give too much away about this book. It's really short so you kind of just need to read it. I will say this, there is no sex (sort of) in book 1 but not the case here. This book turns into a hardcore erotic romance. And by hardcore I mean this book is dark dark. If you can't deal with taboo topics, you need to bypass this. There is child abuse, knife/blood play, questionable consent issues, violent sex etc. Look, just if you have ANY triggers, bypass this one.

If you can work through the darkness, OMG, this book is riveting. Like I could not put it down for one second after I started reading it. These are two of the most compelling characters I have ever read about. The writing is superior. You know how some books feel forced? Like you can almost hear the author trying to think of the words? That is NOT this book. The writing of this book is seamless. You are transported into the dark world of Rip and Dylan. I guarantee when you finish this, you'll be scrambling for the next book.

**ARC provided by Ardent PRose**

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ARC Review: Ripple Effect by Keri Lake

It's really difficult to give this book an accurate numerical rating. It is really short, maybe 100 pages. And nothing about it feels like a complete book. We meet Dylan and Rip, get just a tiny bit of info about them and then it's on to part 2 which wasn't out yet. So, what I did was judge this book by the quality of the writing and the story the author is telling. 

Dylan was not at all what I was expecting. She is 17 years old. She is a foster child bounce around who also happens to be a mathematical genius. She's got a  dog who she loves and a foster sister who she tries her best not to love. Her life is total and complete trash and it just gets worse. Through it all, Dylan has somehow developed the fierceness of a fighter and is determined to survive no matter what.

Enter Rip. Rip is an extremely dark character. He is a stone cold killer of the blood and gore variety. Rip actually meets Dylan when he plans to kill the person she is with and then her. It doesn't quite work out that way. Instead Rip is intrigued by all the things that make Dylan a unique character. Rip seems almostt more interested in finding out how Dylan might survive than in killing her.

This isn't really a book where there is romance. Dylan is attracted to Rip but I'm not sure how he feels about her. Plus, Dylans life is in such tatters, she doesn't really have space to fall in love. So I get to the end of the book and I'm just not totally sure how I feel. I can tell you the writing is excellent and based on what I read in this installment, I'll definitely be reading the next book.

**ARC provided by Ardent PRose**

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ARC Review: Backfire by Keri Lake

After reading Ricochet by Keri Lake, I was nowhere near ready to leave that world. Luckily, Keri Lake wasn't either. Backfire is set in the same world, but is a standalone story. While I highly recommend reading both of these books, if you haven't already read Ricochet don't let that keep you from reading Backfire. Backfire had that same gritty and raw feel to it as Ricochet did, and I am already anxious for the next book in the series. 

Lucy is a freelance photographer who one night stumbles into a world she never expected. Her discovery of corruption amongst the local police is even bigger than she first realized and soon her investigating leads to her life being in danger. Jase is also investigating, though his reasons are completely different. After being sent to an underground prison and abused, Jase is out for revenge. Their investigating leads them to one another, and soon they realize that not only do they want each other, but they need the other as well. 

The chemistry between Jase and Lucy was off the charts! These two were so hot, which is something that I loved about Ricochet as well. Keri Lake definitely knows how to bring the heat, and these two were no exception. Jase is definitely not your typical romance novel hero. He isn't a bad guy, but he isn't exactly a good one either. There were times that I wanted to dislike him for things that he did and yet I didn't. I might not have been able to relate to what he had been through, but I was able to understand it and see how that had shaped him into the man he was here. Lucy was strong and fierce, and I loved how she handled things. She wasn't a weak heroine at all, yet she was vulnerable at times. It was good to see different sides to her, and I loved how well her and Jase fit together. 

Overall, this was such a great story. I highly recommend setting some time aside when you start this one, because it is captivating and once you start you won't want to put this one down. This dark contemporary novel is filled with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat, and plenty of suspense to have you guessing the whole way through. I have really enjoyed both books in the Vigilantes series and I think that fans of darker romance stories will enjoy them as well. If you are new to Keri Lake, she is definitely worth taking the chance on and if you are already a fan of hers, Backfire is a must read!

**ARC Provided by Enticing Journey Book Promotions**

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ARC Review: Ricochet by Keri Lake

I will admit that the first thing that drew me to this book was the gorgeous cover! I mean come on, did you see it? But after reading the blurb for Ricochet, I was finally able to see more than just the cover and I knew I had to read it. Ricochet is the first contemporary romance from Keri Lake, as she typically writes paranormal. Since she is a new to me author and this is her first foray into this genre, I had absolutely no idea what to expect. I will warn readers that there are a few things to consider before reading this book though. There are some parts of this story that could be a trigger if you have issues with self-harm, violence, or drugs, so make sure that you take that into account before deciding if this book is for you. 

Nick Ryder had everything until his wife and son were killed three years ago. Since the night they were murdered, he has set out to find those responsible and to make a plan for them to pay. In order to make get his revenge, he sets out to destroy the man in charge of everything that happened, Michael Culling. Mayor Michael Culling came up with his task force to carry out his agenda for keeping Detroit "safe" in what he calls The Culling. But Nick sees him for the monster he truly is, and will stop at nothing until Culling and every last person involved is gone. But when Nick sets his plan in motion and kidnaps Culling's wife Aubree, he quickly realizes that what he thought would be an eye for an eye is so much more. Can he destroy Culling and all that he holds dear, or will his plan and Aubree end up destroying him first?

I liked these characters a lot. Nick and Aubree had both been through so much, and it was easy to see that they both had issues because of it. Though Aubree's life might look perfect at first glance, the reader quickly sees that it is anything but. Aubree was so strong, and I couldn't believe how determined she was with everything that she had to endure. She needed every bit of strength she could manage, and I admire her for never giving up. Nick was on a mission, to fulfill his promise that he made to his wife. He didn't see himself having a future, and he was out to make those responsible pay. Though he was ruthless when it came to his enemies and things did get violent at times, I found myself rooting for him all the way through this book.  

I don't want to give too much away because I really think that this one just needs to be experienced, but this is a dark story and there are many times that things get pretty violent. Despite this one being dark and gritty though, I thought that Keri Lake did a great job of making sure that the romance in the story came through as well. This book had me a bit all over the place, with my heart breaking one minute and my Kindle about to overheat from the sexy scenes the next. The one thing I can tell you though is that I didn't want to put it down, and it was next to impossible to stop reading once I had started. Ricochet was captivating and I was drawn in instantly. If you are looking for a emotional and raw story that is well balanced between the dark and the romance, I think that this is one that you might want to give a shot. There were some twists here that I was able to predict, but that didn't hurt my enjoyment of the story at all. I will definitely look for more from Keri Lake in the future, and I think that this was an excellent first effort into a new genre for her.

**ARC Provided by Enticing Journey Book Promotions**

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