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MENACE

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Lucky
He walked away from the woman who awakened every single cell in his body. It was a selfish act of self preservation.
He could not allow her to break down the walls he had built around his heart. Those walls kept him safe, kept her at arm’s length.
With an ocean between them he believed she would be safe from harm.
He was wrong.
Arriving at the club’s tattoo studio with a slut on his arm was not how he imagined seeing her again.
But there she was,
He knew her at a glance, even though she looked nothing like the woman he had left behind.
His ice queen was hiding, hiding in plain sight.
Why was she hiding? Who was she hiding from? And why was he thinking of her as his?
With his club under threat he had to protect her and her child anyway he could.
Even in ways she would end up hating him for.

Harper
Watching the man you fell in love with walking away without looking back hurts like hell.
What hurts even more was the promise he demanded from you, to never contact him, ever.
A positive test blew up my carefully crafted world. It was a shock and a joy I kept to myself.
Until my ugly past reappeared.
Fear and despair raged and when offered a way out I grabbed it with both hands.
Leaving everyone I loved behind my rescuer moved us to Savannah, to HIS city.
It meant I was going back on my word, breaking my promise.
What else could I do? How else was I supposed to keep my son safe?
It crushed my heart when I saw he had move on, had a woman.
I hid my hurt, and concentrated on keeping us safe from my past. I thought we were safe.
I was wrong. So very, very wrong. We weren’t safe at all.
Not from my past and not from the present either.

333 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 10, 2023

20 people are currently reading
58 people want to read

About the author

René Van Dalen

25 books131 followers

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Profile Image for Intel Chicky Reads Romance (Kara Merideth).
2,252 reviews1,525 followers
November 18, 2023
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trope: second chance, secret baby
Angst: 😱😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥

If you're looking for a darker MC read that's club and drama heavy, this will definitely be the book for you. I've read most of the previous series and really enjoyed them, but wanted to snag these as they came out, despite not finishing the other series yet. There's a bit of fire hosing, but nothing too bad as she laid out all the new characters while keeping us in the loop with past ones. Tons of action and twists and turns that will keel you hooked to the end and still craving more. Can't wait to see what's next!
Profile Image for bobamami.
253 reviews16 followers
January 18, 2024
What an exciting read!

This was amazing. The storyline flowed so well with lots of fast-paced and interesting details and events, got me hooked from the first few moments then kept it that way until the very end, my ass was literally on fire waiting for what would happen next the entire time. That somehow I only realized afterwards that the romantic aspect of this book was a bit lacking. Now thinking back, our two mains’ interactions with each other throughout the book, or at least up until after almost all dramas were solved, which was near the end btw, can only be counted on one hand. I’m not even kidding, the MMC spent more time with his evil ex was way more than he did with the FMC, and vice versa, the time the FMC spent with other bikers, aka his brothers, was a lot more than the time she spent with the MMC.

Moreover, I’d probably love it more if their past was shown on page, instead of crumbs of it here and there along the way. As far as I know, they spent 2 weeks together, in which 2 nights of it resulted in their son, but that was it, that was all I know. What did they do during that period? Did they bond? Did they talk? Did they do something fun? Well I guess we all know how fun it was for them to have Ryder lol. But seriously, what did they, or rather he, do, for her to obey his “orders” when they barely knew each other? I feel like if it was on page, we could get to know and understand more about how far they’d come as well as how deep their connection was, their relationship then would make a lot more sense.

But like I said earlier, all the dramas were exciting enough to keep me going that their romance didn’t really bother me.

However, the writing did, or more specifically the narration. It was written in 1st person in the FMC’s povs, but in 3rd person in the MMC’s and others’. Normally, I’m not a big fan of 3rd person pov but I had no problem and still managed to do it just fine, in fact there were some books written in 3rd person that I really like but this book just confused the hell out of me. Literally every single character, except the FMC, and yes there were different characters’ povs here, all referred to themselves as he or she, so I was having a hard time trying to figure out who was who, who was speaking and who was mentioned in the sentence.

Here’s a random paragraph as an example:

“Mouth stayed silent as he texted Viper to let them know he was on his way in. The prospect watched in confusion as he drove into the yard of an empty house and remotely opened the garage, parked and stayed in the truck as it closed behind them.”


Or
“What’ve we got, brother?” He asked as he reached him.”


Got me doing way too many double takes. Which “he” was speaking and which “he” was mentioned here? Was it the MMC or was it his brother(s)?

At first I was hella confused and desperate but after a while, I finally got the hang of it. Probably a good thing to keep you focus on the storyline tho lmao. But still, it would be a lot better and easier to follow if it was written in the same style throughout the book.

Anyway, overall, this was a really good read, I enjoyed it a lot and can’t to see glimpses of my not so little family in those next books in the series, toodaloo!
Profile Image for Lee-anna Dunk.
1,346 reviews54 followers
November 7, 2023
This is one amazing ,keep you on the edge of your seat , holding your breath , gut wrenching book . I highly recommend it. !

Rene Van Dalen has blown my mind on more than one occasion but this book had my mind exploding all over the place .

Menace is a fantastic start to a brand new series, a spin off from her popular Iron Dogs MC series and the Mainguard series.

New characters and old and all bring their own form of badness to the table .

Lucky had me wanting to throw down hands one minute and give the big lug a hug the next
At times I found him so frustrating and then as I read on I understood why he was the way he was . He definitely brought out all the emotions and not in a good way sometimes .

Harper . My heart hurts for that woman and what she has been through but she is strong, resilient , hard when she had to be and soft when it was needed most. She would give her shirt off her back for those she loved and when she loved she loved hard . Which made me lover her even more because she had been through so much it would have turned anyone into a pin cushion at the local psych ward .

There were so many twists and turns and heart stopping moments keeping me on the edge of my seat .

I can't wait for the next instalment of what I know will be another fabulous series by author Rene Van Dalen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kathyjacks.
Author 0 books145 followers
November 10, 2023
I read about 300 books a year on average and this author is a top favorite every single time she releases a new book. She can tell a story like no one else and every book is packed with more action and important events than any other writer I’ve read. She doesn’t have filler in her books. It’s all top tier! The characters are unique and this book was no exception.

Lucky our biker is Cajun which is something you rarely find. He’s been burned by love in the past and it makes him walk away from his one night with Joney/Harper even though he can’t quit thinking about her. What he doesn’t know is how much he’s actually leaving behind!

I have to admit Harper was a character I hated when she first appeared in Pixie’s book in the Maingarde series. She really is not who she seems when we first met her. She’s so much more and her story is so sad. That’s another thing this author is able to do. She can have a character that I hate and by the end of the book I love them. No one else can do this and I’ve tried to resist. I can’t do it.

Rider and little squirrel have had such a tragic time but I see them coming into their own. I really can’t wait to see them get their HEA.

This book had one of my favorite tropes in it and just like usual Rene was amazing. She’s very consistent in her story telling and writing and we get the extra charm of her South African roots coming through. If there was only one author I could recommend on story telling ability alone this one is it. Read her books. All of them. They are like crack!
10 reviews2 followers
November 12, 2023
This is another great read from Rene Van Dalen.
Menace is book one in the Shadow Wraiths MC series and follows on from the Iron Dogz MC and Maingarde series.
Joney/Harper has worked hard to escape her nasty biological family and make a life for herself with new friends that become family in South Africa. Lucky/Menace and Joney/Harper meet at a wedding and hit if off. Lucky has been burnt my love before and is adamant that the time that he spent with Joney/Harper is it. They won't meet again. He won't be back for her. He was right, he didn't come back for her, but they did meet again.
Harper gets sent to the USA for her protection where she meets up with Lucky again.
Is the pathway to forever easy for Harper and Lucky? No it is not. As we travel along their journey, we meet new characters and characters we have met previously make a visit.
Cue other woman drama, club drama, bad guys, shoot outs, action and a kidnapping all spun together as only the fabulous Rene Van Dalen can write it! Can wait to read the next installment of this series.
Profile Image for Rosa.
761 reviews30 followers
November 4, 2023
* * Received an ARC for my honest review * *

Joney/Harper had a very traumatic and abusive upbringing with what her father and especially her brother did to her. She found a close friendship in Rider and his daughter. She was sent to Savannah in the USA to escape and hide from her brother and father. She's scared they find out about her secret and what her brother what they will do. Harper is such a strong woman.

Lucky/Menace needs a wake up call. He's such a douche sometimes. After Harper revealed her secret to him he still doesn't believe her. In the mean time Lucky's ex made an appearance and she's totally crazy and Lucky tries his best to keep Harper off the crazy ex's radar. It didn't work though, Harper was taken and he had to face Rider and his fist because she was kidnapped.

Harper's brother is really bad and evil, not only in the past but when he kidnapped her. Will Lucky be able to save Harper from her brother?

This was such an intense and action filled read and it's not over. Although the book did not end on a cliffy, the background story still continues.

Excellent read
Profile Image for Mrs J.
412 reviews2 followers
November 4, 2023
Lucky met Joney/Harper when he went to his brothers wedding in South Africa, they had an intense 2 days together and both promised never to contact each other again as he went back home to USA.

Harper had a traumatic childhood and she has been evading her family since she was a teenager, her luck has run out and they have caught up with her. Her friends and non-blood family go into protection mode and take her into hiding, right under Lucky’s nose.

This is the first book in Rene’s new series, Shadow Wraiths MC and what an incredible introduction. It’s full of tension, deceit, betrayal, drama, danger, evil villains and alpha males keeping Harper and her secret safe. There are characters we know and love from South Africa and plenty of new characters and plot threads that we will get to know more about as the series unfolds.

Rene is an amazing storyteller, I cannot recommend her books enough and am really looking forward to more of the Shadow Wraiths MC.
Profile Image for GKP2460 .
4,257 reviews70 followers
November 1, 2023
This author is one of those who could write absolutely anything and it would be brilliant. Menace is no different! Lucky and Harper's story is extremely intense, painfully emotional (at times) and OH MY *^*^ HOT. "Joney" August has a huge story to tell and lots of secrets to reveal. Nothing has ever been been easy for her and she's worked so hard to keep everything hidden and now it seems all of her past and her present have collided and she's being sent directly to her future. She just doesn't know it. After his brief time with Joney/Harper, Lucky heads back to the states and never once is he able to forget the woman he left behind. Little does he know the two worlds are about to collide in a big way. Menace is a fantastic start to this new series and is fabulously blended with new characters as well as those we already know and love. Another incredible journey!
Profile Image for Ruchika Mahajan.
591 reviews8 followers
November 10, 2023
A new series by Rene van Dalen.
First the things I liked : lots of new characters are introduced in this series which might have a story of their own ( Asa being my favorite).
Men in this club are not Jerks unlike the leading men of Iron Dogz.
All the characters introduced till now respect women , Harper particularly.
Joney/Harper wasn't likeable initially when she was introduced but she redeemed herself. We get to know her harrowing backstory as well.
Lucky is a good soldier for his club.but he didn't do justice to Harper.
The story was very fast paced with many twists and turns.
It was like reading a India daily soap with so much drama 😀
The only thing I didn't like was that ti ll about 30%into the story the leads don't meet.
I hope all the characters I liked get their story (Rider needs a story)
Profile Image for Fabiola Cadet.
2,065 reviews7 followers
November 15, 2023
MENACE

Author René Van Dalen surprised me with this new installment of series. I suspected, but I thought it would be years before I got to read about these two. Harper learned that running from your past is not as easy as it seems. Sooner or later, your past will find you. Despite Harper's tragic past, she's become a fierce woman. She took chances despite her fears. Lucky is a force of nature. He's a big of a mountain man, sweet talker that did not see Harper coming. She knocked him on his, you know what, faster than you can say boo. I like these new characters, and I can see lots of good things going forward. I will say I miss my old memorable characters a lot, but I'm happy to see a certain biker on the right path to healing. Becoming a huge fan of this author has been an amazing journey, I'm obsessed with her writing style and characters.
Profile Image for Nicola Thorpe.
707 reviews8 followers
November 11, 2023
Harper (Joney) spends two wonderful nights with the Shadow Wraiths’ Road Captain, Lucky then warned never to contact him or look for him again. Left with a ‘surprise package’, Harper is torn between wanting to reach out to him, or make a life for herself and her son. Until circumstances take her choice away - and she has to leave South Africa, for the US, Savannah in fact, right into the heart of the Shadow Wraiths territory.

Jam packed with lots of angst and dangerous situations, Menace is the perfect introduction to the SWMC. René sure has given us a whole host of new characters to fall in love with, as well as bringing back some familiar faces from her Iron Dogz and Maingarde series.
Profile Image for Kassey J.
542 reviews1 follower
May 27, 2024
OK I thought the synopsis was written very well and it drew me in. Then I download the sample and thank God I did before I bought it. The author says this is book 1 but then why do they assume we know these side characters and how they're connected? Then the mfc keeps mentioning a suprise in her belly like bih just say baby not keep referring to it as a suprise. Idk I just can't with this and I'm so glad I didn't waste my money. The only reason im rating it a 2 is cuz someone else may enjoy It but I wont. Also it switches from first person in the 1st chapter then second chapter the mmc chapter speaks in 3rd.
1,760 reviews34 followers
November 4, 2023
Such an epic, in-depth story, full of enemies, wars and vengeance. I absolutely loved Lucky and Harper’s story ❤️❤️❤️ Lucky’s heart hurt from a lost love and didn’t think he could love again, he chose to leave Jo-Jo behind after their brief affair. Danger followed her in the form of her family and she new she’d have to run again because this time there was more to protect. As usual Rene weaves her magic with her awesome storytelling abilities and brings us into the lives of the Shadow Wraiths MC, along with some very powerful people who all have the same mission in mind, keep Jo-Jo (Harper) safe and away from the danger. 100% recommend this book to everyone ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ you will not be disappointed 😎
Profile Image for Jules Ford.
Author 17 books291 followers
November 4, 2023
Lucky met Harper when he went to SA. They had a fling and agreed it was a one time thing and would never see each other again...

LOL... right, because that's gonna happen.

I loved this book. Loved the angst, the depth, the banter and the new chapter is awesome!

Enjoyed the story and all the twists and turns. Great characters and a nice start to the a glance inside the new MC and its members.

Fun book with added angst... my catnip.

26 reviews1 follower
November 9, 2023
I have been looking forward to this book since we first got a glimpse in Starlight and Sandcastles. I love Harper, she has grown so much since we first met her and I'm so glad she and Surprise Package are safe. Her strength and determination shines through the book. While I love Lucky he definitely made me want to smack him a time or ten. I'm so glad they got their HEA. Now though I am itching for Rider or Asa's book.
8,761 reviews63 followers
November 5, 2023
Joney had a tough life dealing with her brother, but a weekend of freedom in the arms of Lucky/Menace was just that a brief release. But when trouble comes for her she's sent to America where her paths crosses with Lucky once more, but nothings smooth sailing dealing with family and crazy ex's can they go the distance? Well written great engaging story that has you hooked and craving more!
1,158 reviews4 followers
November 6, 2023
This author NEVER DISSAPOINTS!! I CAN NOT GET ENOUGH OF HER POWERFUL CHARACTERS AND PHENOMENAL STORIES! This book has it all, action, twists, and turns that kept me on my toes and a story that keeps getting better with every turn of a page. Lucky and Harper have a strong and passionate connection with each other. I just love this book so much!!
Profile Image for MD.
157 reviews2 followers
November 6, 2023
Oh wow, was in a book slump till I read this.. was so great to get back to the MCs.. even better going to the USA to Lucky, I was wondering how it would work out with what Lucky had to do and Jo seeing it. Was a great read and even better we had Rider, which I really can't wait to read his book.. Great book with great characters and storyline, definitely a keeper ..
187 reviews
November 16, 2023
loved this story.

This was the first book of Rene’s that I have read. I loved the action and chemistry between Lucky and Harper. I feel that I also missed out on some history and back storylines from the other characters. So am going to start looking at the other books Rene has written.
Profile Image for Lisa Dinger.
450 reviews3 followers
November 5, 2023
This was a wonderful story to read. It was an emotional book. To see the one you love who told you he could never be with 1 person, then you.find out he is in a relationship with someone else. This book will keep you guessing.
597 reviews5 followers
November 11, 2023
Awesome

This book was so worth the wait!! It was awesome!! It was hot sexy and badass! I loved Lucky for Harper and when Ry came I loved it more. I can't wait for Rider to get his hea!
Profile Image for Surrender2silk.
1,692 reviews13 followers
November 14, 2023
Book one in the Shadow Wraiths MC series. He had a our glimpse at their one night stand. One hot passion night with no commitment. Now she don the run from her past. She has to hide in his home town. She knows he wants nothing to do with her. She comes with a surprise. Lucky gave up on love when the love of his love died. But he can’t get Harper out of his mind. When he see her again. Things get crazy. Now he has to go undercover to bring down the bad guys down. She thinks he doesn’t want her, so so wrong. Now it’s a battle of will. Love love this story.
59 reviews
November 14, 2023
Yess! Finally, we are getting the Sadow wraith mc.
I have always loved Lucky since his 1st was introduced. The cliffhanger in the other books was killing me, and now, finally, we have their love story
Lucky and Harper were made to be together.
I can't wait for the next book!!
Profile Image for Therese Benigno.
168 reviews3 followers
November 16, 2023
Wonderful beginning

Fabulous first in a series! Lucky and Harper prove you can triumph over tragedy. Thinking they would only be together for a night, fate has other plans. Through bad times come good and this story is a perfect example of that. Just read it!
Profile Image for Debbie.
167 reviews11 followers
November 22, 2023
Brilliant

I always wish there more stars to have when rating Rene van Dalen books, constantly good characters and great storylines. The future addition of many more books is soo obvious .
Profile Image for Brenda Longland OLeary.
851 reviews2 followers
December 7, 2024
Vacation Bliss

Their time together wasn’t going to last, as they lived worlds apart. Who knew she would be taking a piece of him with her? Her past was coming and she went the one place she shouldn’t. Definitely recommend this book.
Profile Image for Monica Holloway.
761 reviews26 followers
November 11, 2023
Menace

Absolutely loved this book. Such well developed characters and such great depth and details to the story. I couldn’t put it down. Read it all in one sitting.
95 reviews
November 13, 2023
I just finished reading Menace it's was an Awesome book Rene did a great job on this can not wait for more
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews

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