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Arrow's Edge MC #1
Edge of Reason
Brotherhood and beer meets single mom and apple pie.
I am a riding contradiction.
A scholar, a cynic, a brother, and a biker.
My name is Trunk.
I'm smart enough to recognize the chip on my shoulder, and cautious enough to keep it right where it is.
I am a misguided romantic.
A mom, a daughter, an agent, and a survivor
My name is Jaimie.
I'm strong enough to look after my family alone, and too stubborn to accept I don't have to.
We make an odd couple--our differences obvious--but when hatred and danger threatens to destroy everything of value in our lives, we only get stronger.
Together.
I am a riding contradiction.
A scholar, a cynic, a brother, and a biker.
My name is Trunk.
I'm smart enough to recognize the chip on my shoulder, and cautious enough to keep it right where it is.
I am a misguided romantic.
A mom, a daughter, an agent, and a survivor
My name is Jaimie.
I'm strong enough to look after my family alone, and too stubborn to accept I don't have to.
We make an odd couple--our differences obvious--but when hatred and danger threatens to destroy everything of value in our lives, we only get stronger.
Together.
398 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 9, 2019
653 people are currently reading
549 people want to read
About the author
Freya Barker
77 books1,898 followersUSA Today bestselling author Freya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories.
Driven to make her books about 'real' people; she creates characters who are perhaps less than perfect, each struggling to find their own slice of happy, but just as deserving of romance, thrills and chills in their lives.
Recipient of the ReadFREE.ly 2019 Best Book We've Read All Year Award for "Covering Ollie, the 2015 RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for Best First Book, “Slim To None”, and Finalist for the 2017 Kindle Book Award with “From Dust”, Freya continues to add to her rapidly growing collection of published novels as she spins story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!
Driven to make her books about 'real' people; she creates characters who are perhaps less than perfect, each struggling to find their own slice of happy, but just as deserving of romance, thrills and chills in their lives.
Recipient of the ReadFREE.ly 2019 Best Book We've Read All Year Award for "Covering Ollie, the 2015 RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for Best First Book, “Slim To None”, and Finalist for the 2017 Kindle Book Award with “From Dust”, Freya continues to add to her rapidly growing collection of published novels as she spins story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 238 reviews
December 9, 2019
One of the biggest reasons I love this author's work is how much heart she puts in her stories. She has no problem tackling heavy subjects and making these characters easy to relate to even if I've never experienced anything they have. I fall hard for them every time.
Trunk (Titus) is such a hardened hero. He's dealt with so much from the time he was a small child that by the time he's an adult, he's got a big old chip on his shoulder. You would think that would make him hard to like. Trunk is actually one of my favorite heroes.
Despite how grumpy and rude he came off at times, he has this huge heart where kids are concerned. The way he protects these broken kids shows his true side. If that wasn't enough, once he caves to his attraction to Jaimie, you see how much he is a protector of women as he is to kids. How do you not fall hard for that?
Jaimie's a tough heroine. She's comes off a little hard herself but what I really loved about her was that she stood up for herself to show Trunk he just needed to include her in the decision, not just make them. I liked that. She wasn't agains his protective actions, she just wanted him to talk to her.
If you don't fall hard for this couple, you will certainly for the kids. I really love this world the author has created and I hope there are many more books to come.
Trunk (Titus) is such a hardened hero. He's dealt with so much from the time he was a small child that by the time he's an adult, he's got a big old chip on his shoulder. You would think that would make him hard to like. Trunk is actually one of my favorite heroes.
Despite how grumpy and rude he came off at times, he has this huge heart where kids are concerned. The way he protects these broken kids shows his true side. If that wasn't enough, once he caves to his attraction to Jaimie, you see how much he is a protector of women as he is to kids. How do you not fall hard for that?
Jaimie's a tough heroine. She's comes off a little hard herself but what I really loved about her was that she stood up for herself to show Trunk he just needed to include her in the decision, not just make them. I liked that. She wasn't agains his protective actions, she just wanted him to talk to her.
If you don't fall hard for this couple, you will certainly for the kids. I really love this world the author has created and I hope there are many more books to come.
April 14, 2020
I like this author but but her books are hit or miss for me. And this book is pretty middle of the road this time around.
What I liked:
*I love that this author features more mature characters in her books . These were H (45) and h (38). They both behaved like mature adults. I also really like that they are an interracial couple. H is black, h is white.
*I liked the secondary characters especially the h's mom and baby son. So much cute!
*The romance was nice once things got rolling. And it was very safe.
What I didn't like:
*The H and h hopped into bed way to quickly for my taste. They had been aware of each other for a year but had barely spoken and the H only glared and grunted at the h since he was in denial of his feelings. It didn't allow the romance to build, it was too fast.
*Which brings me to my next point. Early in the story the H is furious that the h didn't tell him about something bad going on with her. He yells, says mean things, tells her it's over and storms out of her house. (This after they had already slept together). This was so annoying to me because honestly, these two barely even know each other. Why should she trust him with her deep, dark troubles when they spend more time in bed than out? If they'd had time to build up some trust and define their relationship his reaction might have been justified. I hate this type of drama when it feels unearned by the author.
*The plot involving the MC and the white supremacist group was predictable and boring to me. I knew who the mole was from the moment that character was introduced and spent the rest of the book wondering why the rest of those dummies didn't open their eyes.
All in all, this was a nice read. It was free on KU so I lost nothing. But I'm not sure I would read it again, and I'm not sure if I want to continue the series.
Safety
What I liked:
*I love that this author features more mature characters in her books . These were H (45) and h (38). They both behaved like mature adults. I also really like that they are an interracial couple. H is black, h is white.
*I liked the secondary characters especially the h's mom and baby son. So much cute!
*The romance was nice once things got rolling. And it was very safe.
What I didn't like:
*The H and h hopped into bed way to quickly for my taste. They had been aware of each other for a year but had barely spoken and the H only glared and grunted at the h since he was in denial of his feelings. It didn't allow the romance to build, it was too fast.
*Which brings me to my next point. Early in the story the H is furious that the h didn't tell him about something bad going on with her. He yells, says mean things, tells her it's over and storms out of her house. (This after they had already slept together). This was so annoying to me because honestly, these two barely even know each other. Why should she trust him with her deep, dark troubles when they spend more time in bed than out? If they'd had time to build up some trust and define their relationship his reaction might have been justified. I hate this type of drama when it feels unearned by the author.
*The plot involving the MC and the white supremacist group was predictable and boring to me. I knew who the mole was from the moment that character was introduced and spent the rest of the book wondering why the rest of those dummies didn't open their eyes.
All in all, this was a nice read. It was free on KU so I lost nothing. But I'm not sure I would read it again, and I'm not sure if I want to continue the series.
Safety
December 9, 2019
I heart this author big time! And I loved these characters!! It's refreshing to read about mature adults being in relationships and not being dickheads. There's none of that unnecessary drama-for-the-sake-of-drama bullshit, and I love that when this hero is all in, he's all in!
This was so well written, and I just loved Trunk and Jaimie. They were so good for each other, and the family they created made me smile huge 😁
Can't wait to read the next one in this series...
This was so well written, and I just loved Trunk and Jaimie. They were so good for each other, and the family they created made me smile huge 😁
Can't wait to read the next one in this series...
December 12, 2019
Also Posted on For The Love of Fictional Worlds
Disclaimer: An eARC was provided via Buoni Amici Press and the Author as part of the Blog Tour. The Thoughts, opinions & feelings expressed in the review are therefore, my own.
It is not a secret that I absolutely adore Freya Barker’s works – not only does she constructs plots that easily engage my attention; she also creates characters, whom you can’t help but adore, empathise and cheer for, from the start till the end.
For an already fan like yours truly, we have met the protagonists of this book – Jamie and Titus aka Trunk in Tracking Tahlula (Read My Review) – and even then, I was actually quite invested in how Trunk, a man who is closed off and difficult to crack, will find his Happily Ever After! Jamie has had the shock of her life – from finding out that her husband has been living a double life and moving not only her new baby; but also her mom to a totally new place, its been a year of adjustment for her!
The attraction between Trunk and Jamie is quite immediate; though with Trunk actually playing hot and cold; its more of a push and pull between them. Not that Jamie is exactly receptive to this attraction!
I loved how Jamie and Trunk were evenly matched with each other – both have had a traumatic life; but both have actually made themselves strong and independent enough not to lean on anybody! Their relationship as it progresses, was a wonderful treat to read about, especially the parts where Trunk connected with Rivera, Jamie’s toddler!
Although, I did wish I could see Trunk opening up to Jaime about his past, what made him the kind of man he is – the tough exterior with a soft centre for those whom he loves; that conversation would have made their relationship even stronger in the eyes of the reader!
There are a lot of things at play in the Arrow’s Edge – with a third party trying to disrupt not only their livelihood but also their reputation, Trunk and his brothers have a whole lot on their plates, especially when Jaime’s past somehow gets her involved as well!
Like always Freya Barker has done a wonderful job of tackling quite serious issues of racial discrimination, child abuse and violence in a way that warms your heart and in the end, leaves the reader with a smile on their lips when they close the book!
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December 10, 2019
When Jaimie and Trunk come together at first, they barely connect. They've both got baggage. She in the form of distrust of men and being a single mom, and he because of his past. He comes across as grumpy and monosyllabic, and she comes across as almost too tough, at first. But once they start letting each other in, it's as if the walls come tumbling down and their true natures shine through.
I loved Jaimie and Trunk together. Their story is a bit heart-tugging, it's fast-paced and full of chemistry for days. Can't wait for more of Arrow's Edge MC!
ARC via Buoni Amici Press for an honest review.
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August 22, 2020
DNF. The story dragged and was dry. No gut.
It felt as if there were more scenes with the couple apart than together.
I was unable to connect.
Great premise, poor execution.
There are too many other books I want to read and my time is precious. I gave this one many chances.
So much explanation about every secondary character that it took away from the hero and heroine. Let’s stick to the MCs and then worry about the secondary characters.
Reading is subjective. You may love this book. This is my opinion,
It felt as if there were more scenes with the couple apart than together.
I was unable to connect.
Great premise, poor execution.
There are too many other books I want to read and my time is precious. I gave this one many chances.
So much explanation about every secondary character that it took away from the hero and heroine. Let’s stick to the MCs and then worry about the secondary characters.
Reading is subjective. You may love this book. This is my opinion,
December 9, 2019
It's LIVE!!!
Read Trunk and Jaimie's story now!!
https://books2read.com/EdgeOfReason
Read Trunk and Jaimie's story now!!
https://books2read.com/EdgeOfReason
December 1, 2019
I was so excited to read Trunk’s story and Ms. Barker did not disappoint.
Trunk is broody and a bit standoffish, especially when it comes to Jaimie. But when he lets himself take a chance with her, he falls fast and hard. With a strong protective instinct, he often makes decisions before discussing them with her and they have a bit of a learning curve to figure out how to manage this issue.
Jaimie is a strong independent heroine but she’s also got scars from the way her ex treated her. She doesn’t hesitate to let Trunk know when she’s feeling some of the same ways she did with her ex.
I especially loved all the ovary exploding moments when Trunk interacts with Jaimie’s son, River. He is absolutely perfect with him and River is stinking adorable. Kids are often written as a filler but not so here. River’s character was just as developed as Trunk and Jaimie.
The chemistry between this couple absolutely sizzles and the evolution of it from physical desire to something more was pure magic...no games, just good old fashioned romance. This has a lot of drama both in the club and for Trunk and Jaimie individually. I love the way this author layers her plot to leave you guessing as to what’s going on or who the bad guy is.
Looking forward to more in this series!
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
Trunk is broody and a bit standoffish, especially when it comes to Jaimie. But when he lets himself take a chance with her, he falls fast and hard. With a strong protective instinct, he often makes decisions before discussing them with her and they have a bit of a learning curve to figure out how to manage this issue.
Jaimie is a strong independent heroine but she’s also got scars from the way her ex treated her. She doesn’t hesitate to let Trunk know when she’s feeling some of the same ways she did with her ex.
I especially loved all the ovary exploding moments when Trunk interacts with Jaimie’s son, River. He is absolutely perfect with him and River is stinking adorable. Kids are often written as a filler but not so here. River’s character was just as developed as Trunk and Jaimie.
The chemistry between this couple absolutely sizzles and the evolution of it from physical desire to something more was pure magic...no games, just good old fashioned romance. This has a lot of drama both in the club and for Trunk and Jaimie individually. I love the way this author layers her plot to leave you guessing as to what’s going on or who the bad guy is.
Looking forward to more in this series!
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
December 9, 2019
Titus Maximus Rae aka “Trunk” met his match with Jaimie. Where Trunk is all hard edged, brooding and silent...Jaimie is sweet and soft with a core of steel.
I’ll be honest, I was worried I wouldn’t like Trunk. He was so surely. So broody. I never thought I’d fall for him. But I did. Hard. Every time he called Jaimie “little mama” I swooned. Every. Time.
Edge of Reason was well written. So believable. Trunk and Jaimie had all the hurtles you’d imagine they would go thru and the handled them TOGETHER. Their love was pure and REAL.
I absolutely LOVED this book. Read it.
Reviewed by: Heather S.
I’ll be honest, I was worried I wouldn’t like Trunk. He was so surely. So broody. I never thought I’d fall for him. But I did. Hard. Every time he called Jaimie “little mama” I swooned. Every. Time.
Edge of Reason was well written. So believable. Trunk and Jaimie had all the hurtles you’d imagine they would go thru and the handled them TOGETHER. Their love was pure and REAL.
I absolutely LOVED this book. Read it.
Reviewed by: Heather S.
December 13, 2019
Once again, Ms. Barker proves herself to be the master at building characters that are so real and so vivid, they seem to step off the page. Trunk is all you want in a romance hero -the hardened tough guy with the soul of a knight. The story is gripping, raw, real, and threaded with beauty. Simply wonderful.
December 2, 2019
5 star Review Edge of Reason (Arrow’s Edge MC #1) by Freya Barker
Freya Barker is a relatively new author to me. As with the other books I have read, this one was well written, with strong characters that you cannot help but become invested in and are easy to relate too.
Trunk (Titus) Rae has had a hard life but there is so much more to him than what is on the outside. He appears as tough as nails hard, and at times almost rude and abrupt. But underneath it all is a man who has been hurt, a man who truly cares and a man who will protect whenever he needs too.
I loved how once he finally admits to his attraction to Jaime he shows yet another side to his complicated personality. An unlikely hero, he was swoon worthy to me.
I loved how independent and sassy Jaime is, particularly prepared to call Trunk put on his behaviour.
This is a story that tackles serious issues and yet is heartwarming, it that will draw you in and keep you captivated from the first to the last chapter.
Freya Barker is a relatively new author to me. As with the other books I have read, this one was well written, with strong characters that you cannot help but become invested in and are easy to relate too.
Trunk (Titus) Rae has had a hard life but there is so much more to him than what is on the outside. He appears as tough as nails hard, and at times almost rude and abrupt. But underneath it all is a man who has been hurt, a man who truly cares and a man who will protect whenever he needs too.
I loved how once he finally admits to his attraction to Jaime he shows yet another side to his complicated personality. An unlikely hero, he was swoon worthy to me.
I loved how independent and sassy Jaime is, particularly prepared to call Trunk put on his behaviour.
This is a story that tackles serious issues and yet is heartwarming, it that will draw you in and keep you captivated from the first to the last chapter.
September 17, 2023
Titus Maximus Rae aka “Trunk” met his match with Jaimie. Where Trunk is all hard edged, brooding and silent...Jaimie is sweet and soft with a core of steel.
I’ll be honest, I was worried I wouldn’t like Trunk. He was so surly. So broody. I never thought I’d fall for him. But I did. Hard. Every time he called Jaimie “little mama” I swooned. Every. Time.
Edge of Reason was well written. So believable. Trunk and Jaimie had all the hurtles you’d imagine they would go thru and they handled them TOGETHER. Their love was pure and REAL.
I absolutely LOVED this book. Read it.
I’ll be honest, I was worried I wouldn’t like Trunk. He was so surly. So broody. I never thought I’d fall for him. But I did. Hard. Every time he called Jaimie “little mama” I swooned. Every. Time.
Edge of Reason was well written. So believable. Trunk and Jaimie had all the hurtles you’d imagine they would go thru and they handled them TOGETHER. Their love was pure and REAL.
I absolutely LOVED this book. Read it.
November 26, 2019
Wow! I love her books, but this one is especially top notch. There’s a lot to deal with here. Trunk and Jamie face many hurdles. The road to their HEA is especially beautiful. There’s lots of heavy drama and suspense. So well written. I can’t wait for the next one.
December 16, 2019
Ouray and Luna´s story (HWY 550) was one of my favorites, so I couldn´t wait to read more about the MC; Edge of reason has it all: adventure, strong characters, friendship, romance, sex, and new beginnings! It seams impossible, but Freya gets better with each new book!
July 31, 2021
LOVED this one! Just wish it had an epilogue!😢
January 29, 2023
Edge of Reason is book one in Arrow's Edge MC by Freya Barker. Arrow's Edge MC Child psychologist Titus Maximus Rae was starting to worry about the strange things happening around the club's business in town, and then the boys in their care began to fight with each other. On top of his worry about the club, Titus started to feel for Jaimie and her son River, a friend of his sister. Are the Arrow' Edge MC's problems and Jaimie's issues with her ex-husband related? The readers of Edge of Reason will continue following Titus and Jaimie to discover what happens.
Edge of Reason is another fantastic book by Freya Barker. I enjoy reading books by Freya Barker because she highlights communities' social issues. I love Freya Barker's portrayal of her characters and the way they interact with each other throughout this book. Edge of Reason is well-written and researched by Freya Barker. I like Freya Barker's description of Edge of Reason settings, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of Edge of Reason will understand the dangers of militant racial organizations for the community. Also, the readers of Edge of Reason will learn about the role of a cub, that one of their roles is to look after young boys who have nowhere else to go to provide them with a family.
I recommend this book.
Edge of Reason is another fantastic book by Freya Barker. I enjoy reading books by Freya Barker because she highlights communities' social issues. I love Freya Barker's portrayal of her characters and the way they interact with each other throughout this book. Edge of Reason is well-written and researched by Freya Barker. I like Freya Barker's description of Edge of Reason settings, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of Edge of Reason will understand the dangers of militant racial organizations for the community. Also, the readers of Edge of Reason will learn about the role of a cub, that one of their roles is to look after young boys who have nowhere else to go to provide them with a family.
I recommend this book.
December 2, 2019
4.5 stars
Jamie and Trunk were first introduced in Tracking Tahlula (part of the On Call series) and I was immediately wondering when their story would be coming our way. Fortunately we didn't have long to wait! Do not feel that you need to read Tahlula's story first as Trunk and Jamie's backstories are explained in Edge of Reason- but I will certainly recommend it if you haven't already read it ;-)
Jamie was too trusting once and it brought her nothing but misery... well almost nothing. She has 1 yr old River who is the light of her life. But now she is a bit jaded and cynical, and Lord help the person who insinuates she needs help. She is independent to a fault but she doesn't take it to the extreme. She is quick to realize when others are just trying to help her and doesn't unreasonably hold onto a moment of irritation. Tahlula has turned into an unexpected friend who has given her a fresh start, and her brother Titus aka Trunk is one hot but infuriating part of her new life.
Trunk learned early in life the harsh reality of race relations and spent time on the streets. His only true family was his half sister Tahlula who he became a father figure for. He has a serious chip on his shoulder and his communication generally ranges from grunts to monosyllabic answers, but the beautiful Jamie throws him off his game. Normally he is fine with the occasional female companionship to scratch an itch, but for some reason Jamie has grabbed his attention and he can't get this woman out if his mind after the few brief interactions they have had. Beneath the hard exterior he is a big ol' softie especially when it comes to kids. He uses his background in psychology to help the runaways and homeless kids that the MC takes in off the streets and puts his own experiences to use in the process. Distractions don't fit into his life especially with the seemingly constant problems cropping up for the club, and he becomes the king of mixed signals as he fights his attraction. Cue the fireworks folks!
River is an adorable little scene stealer, and as a baby he is blessed with ignorance of adult prejudice when it comes to skin color. Unfortunately Jamie and Trunk face their fair share of stupid people, especially when it comes to her ex-husband and his band of white supremacists. These challenges were addressed so very well and I loved it. So many sweet moments between River and Trunk had me melting into a big ol' puddle!
Edge of Reason features a lot of familiar faces with wonderful interactions between all the characters that had me hooked from start to finish. The new challenges being faced by Arrow's Edge were interwoven seamlessly with Jamie's past and Tahlula's recent experiences to tie them all together. Once again Ms. Barker has provided us with another amazing heartwarming story with everything I have come to expect in a great romantic suspense read!
ARC provided by author
Jamie and Trunk were first introduced in Tracking Tahlula (part of the On Call series) and I was immediately wondering when their story would be coming our way. Fortunately we didn't have long to wait! Do not feel that you need to read Tahlula's story first as Trunk and Jamie's backstories are explained in Edge of Reason- but I will certainly recommend it if you haven't already read it ;-)
Jamie was too trusting once and it brought her nothing but misery... well almost nothing. She has 1 yr old River who is the light of her life. But now she is a bit jaded and cynical, and Lord help the person who insinuates she needs help. She is independent to a fault but she doesn't take it to the extreme. She is quick to realize when others are just trying to help her and doesn't unreasonably hold onto a moment of irritation. Tahlula has turned into an unexpected friend who has given her a fresh start, and her brother Titus aka Trunk is one hot but infuriating part of her new life.
Trunk learned early in life the harsh reality of race relations and spent time on the streets. His only true family was his half sister Tahlula who he became a father figure for. He has a serious chip on his shoulder and his communication generally ranges from grunts to monosyllabic answers, but the beautiful Jamie throws him off his game. Normally he is fine with the occasional female companionship to scratch an itch, but for some reason Jamie has grabbed his attention and he can't get this woman out if his mind after the few brief interactions they have had. Beneath the hard exterior he is a big ol' softie especially when it comes to kids. He uses his background in psychology to help the runaways and homeless kids that the MC takes in off the streets and puts his own experiences to use in the process. Distractions don't fit into his life especially with the seemingly constant problems cropping up for the club, and he becomes the king of mixed signals as he fights his attraction. Cue the fireworks folks!
River is an adorable little scene stealer, and as a baby he is blessed with ignorance of adult prejudice when it comes to skin color. Unfortunately Jamie and Trunk face their fair share of stupid people, especially when it comes to her ex-husband and his band of white supremacists. These challenges were addressed so very well and I loved it. So many sweet moments between River and Trunk had me melting into a big ol' puddle!
Edge of Reason features a lot of familiar faces with wonderful interactions between all the characters that had me hooked from start to finish. The new challenges being faced by Arrow's Edge were interwoven seamlessly with Jamie's past and Tahlula's recent experiences to tie them all together. Once again Ms. Barker has provided us with another amazing heartwarming story with everything I have come to expect in a great romantic suspense read!
ARC provided by author
December 9, 2019
Yay... The Arrow's Edge MC is getting a series..... I am so excited. For a seasoned Barker reader, we have had a few peeks at this great group of men, who have turned their club into a legal entity who thrived on the feeling of family and brotherhood that an MC provided to wandering souls. But they have added another depth by helping troubled boys find a respectable path. For a new Barker reader, you will be able to read along and understand the MC without feeling lost, but I bet you will be looking back for those books that involve these folks to get the full story.
Trunk (Titus) is a big broody black man, who on the outside has a mountain sized chip on his shoulder, but on this inside is a big old teddy bear. Growing up with a single mother who was taken way to early by the reality of drugs, he was thrown into a parental roll, helping to guide his little sister on the right path. Working hard and becoming a successful child psychologist. Relationships of the heart haven't really had space in his life but for some reason he is drawn to this beautiful blonde spitfire.
Jamie is struggling a bit with starting over after the recent discoveries of her ex-husband and his ties to horrible racist groups. The horrible things that he did to her friend and boss. But she is nothing if not determined. Raising her little boy on her own in a new town with new friends helping her along the way. Jamie has proven to be a strong loving woman with an open mind. She has been watching the broody black man from afar, not ready for a new relationship just yet.
Ms. Barker has a special knack for weaving a story full of mystery & suspense that keeps you tied to your chair reading, unexpected romantic relationships that come from mature characters who understand life is too short, and strong flawed characters that will bore into your heart. She has done all of the above with this book while added the seriousness of biracial relationships and the troubles they face.
I can't wait for more Arrow's Edge and second changes.
*** Advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review.***
Trunk (Titus) is a big broody black man, who on the outside has a mountain sized chip on his shoulder, but on this inside is a big old teddy bear. Growing up with a single mother who was taken way to early by the reality of drugs, he was thrown into a parental roll, helping to guide his little sister on the right path. Working hard and becoming a successful child psychologist. Relationships of the heart haven't really had space in his life but for some reason he is drawn to this beautiful blonde spitfire.
Jamie is struggling a bit with starting over after the recent discoveries of her ex-husband and his ties to horrible racist groups. The horrible things that he did to her friend and boss. But she is nothing if not determined. Raising her little boy on her own in a new town with new friends helping her along the way. Jamie has proven to be a strong loving woman with an open mind. She has been watching the broody black man from afar, not ready for a new relationship just yet.
Ms. Barker has a special knack for weaving a story full of mystery & suspense that keeps you tied to your chair reading, unexpected romantic relationships that come from mature characters who understand life is too short, and strong flawed characters that will bore into your heart. She has done all of the above with this book while added the seriousness of biracial relationships and the troubles they face.
I can't wait for more Arrow's Edge and second changes.
*** Advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review.***
December 9, 2020
I really liked what we saw of Trunk when we saw him in the On Call Series, so when I realized that he was going to be in a book in a new series I knew I'd be checking him out. Jamie also showed up in the On Call Series and you could tell things were being set up for them to be a match. I liked that it wasn't smooth sailing, neither of them could have handled that. It was fun to see Trunk get bowled over by River, that the baby won his heart so quickly, as did Jamie's mom. Both of things things allowed us to see the softer side of Trunk.
Things go crazy towards the middle and lasted that way all the way to the end. So much stuff going on with the club and Jamie being targeted. One of those things would have been bad enough, but to have all of them, the club and Trunk weren't sure if they were coming or going. It seemed like just when they had a handle on one thing, 5 others would happen and chaos ensued.
I was glad that things were resolved, glad that Jamie, Trunk and River can live their HEA.
On a side note, Ezrah really stole my heart in this one. I loved seeing him change and become more confident due to Trunk and Jamie and her family. I'm glad it looks like he will be sticking around.
Things go crazy towards the middle and lasted that way all the way to the end. So much stuff going on with the club and Jamie being targeted. One of those things would have been bad enough, but to have all of them, the club and Trunk weren't sure if they were coming or going. It seemed like just when they had a handle on one thing, 5 others would happen and chaos ensued.
I was glad that things were resolved, glad that Jamie, Trunk and River can live their HEA.
On a side note, Ezrah really stole my heart in this one. I loved seeing him change and become more confident due to Trunk and Jamie and her family. I'm glad it looks like he will be sticking around.
December 3, 2019
Review by: Jennifer
(5 stars)
Holy cow! This world that Freya Barker has created is amazing!! While this is the first of the Arrows Edge MC series, we have "met" the characters from the previous books that revolve around Durango, CO. TBH I would just read the previous books how they dropped, as, yes, they are different series, but they also sort of build on each other. We get to see so many key players from the previous stories, that it could be a bit confusing when just reading this before any thing else.
Trunk and Jaimie both have had some serious issues in the past. Trunk with how he was raised and Jaimie with all the crap her ex-husband has pulled. Both have their own reasons for not wanting to get into anything serious but the pull to each other is really undeniable. When Trunk decides that he is done playing and going to pursue Jaimie, it just so happens at the same time that the MC starts to have some trouble. The ride that takes place after Trunk makes his choice is non-stop action full of danger, violence, mystery, and a few hot naughty bits thrown in. I give this 5 stars.
(5 stars)
Holy cow! This world that Freya Barker has created is amazing!! While this is the first of the Arrows Edge MC series, we have "met" the characters from the previous books that revolve around Durango, CO. TBH I would just read the previous books how they dropped, as, yes, they are different series, but they also sort of build on each other. We get to see so many key players from the previous stories, that it could be a bit confusing when just reading this before any thing else.
Trunk and Jaimie both have had some serious issues in the past. Trunk with how he was raised and Jaimie with all the crap her ex-husband has pulled. Both have their own reasons for not wanting to get into anything serious but the pull to each other is really undeniable. When Trunk decides that he is done playing and going to pursue Jaimie, it just so happens at the same time that the MC starts to have some trouble. The ride that takes place after Trunk makes his choice is non-stop action full of danger, violence, mystery, and a few hot naughty bits thrown in. I give this 5 stars.
December 10, 2019
Oh, mercy. I have never shied away from my love of Freya Barker and her amazing stories. This book was no exception to my love for her and her stories.
I've wanted Trunk's story since Tracking Tahlula. I knew there was something there. I never expected him to be such an amazing hero. He was tasked with protecting Tahlula in the past book, but now, we get his story. He's the protector of his MC as well. I loved watching him look over everyone. I loved the man and how fierce he fought for those he loved.
Jaimie has been handed a bad hand. Her ex is a horrible human. Serving time in jail, his crimes may have followed Jaimie and not in a good way. Jaimie doesn't want to need protection, but there is one man who can offer it for her and that's Trunk.
As with all of Freya's books, this one kept me on the edge of my seat. It kept me wanting more and turning page after page. I love getting lost in her books and I can't wait to see what's to come next.
I've wanted Trunk's story since Tracking Tahlula. I knew there was something there. I never expected him to be such an amazing hero. He was tasked with protecting Tahlula in the past book, but now, we get his story. He's the protector of his MC as well. I loved watching him look over everyone. I loved the man and how fierce he fought for those he loved.
Jaimie has been handed a bad hand. Her ex is a horrible human. Serving time in jail, his crimes may have followed Jaimie and not in a good way. Jaimie doesn't want to need protection, but there is one man who can offer it for her and that's Trunk.
As with all of Freya's books, this one kept me on the edge of my seat. It kept me wanting more and turning page after page. I love getting lost in her books and I can't wait to see what's to come next.
December 9, 2019
Wow! What a fantabulous book! Two characters so full of powerful emotions living through some serious drama and a little heartache en route to their HEA/HFN. There were children involved in this story, making it ten-fold more heart-wrenching and beautiful. I was so glad to see these two get their own story after Tracking Tahlula and I cannot wait to see what is next from Ms. Barker. What a talented author!
5❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
3🔥🔥🔥
I received this requested, wonderful book free of charge and am voluntarily leaving my review. All opinions are my own.
5❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
3🔥🔥🔥
I received this requested, wonderful book free of charge and am voluntarily leaving my review. All opinions are my own.
dnf
January 9, 2023DNF at 80%
I’ve been wanting to read more MC romances along the lines of Cate C. Wells’s Steel Bones MC. Arrow’s Edge MC grabbed my attention because Trunk is a child psychologist for the club. The first half of the story was really strong but then things started to fall apart. I have major reservations with the Black representation and the inclusion of a hate crime against Trunk for being Black. The book just took a very melodramatic turn and I doubt I’ll be able to enjoy anything that happens after this.
We’re not given anything about how Trunk felt as the sole Black member of the MC and possibly only POC. Not even once he’s attacked. This is written by a white author and I’d be very surprised if she had any authenticity readers. Trunk’s representation was sorely lacking. (Granted, I’m saying this as a white woman but I would be really surprised if Black readers were okay with it.) He seems to subscribe to the “don’t see color” mentality, which isn’t a real thing. He and Ezrah, a Black boy, have noticeably different grammar from the rest of the characters. It makes them come across as uneducated. Trunk also loves to say “shee-it” instead of “shit” and it's written out this way every time. It got on my nerves. Trunk and Jaimie never talk about being in an interracial relationship or what that means. This was especially shocking to me because Jaimie just got divorced from a white supremacist who might be stalking her from jail. They don’t think that’s worth talking about???
Additionally, there’s a big chunk of world-building that’s missing. This series is spun off from at least one or two others. I’d presume we get more details about how the club runs and who all is in it in those books but since this is the first book in a series and there was no guidance in the blurb about reading order, all the pertinent information should have been included here. Also, what was Jaimie’s job? The blurb said she’s an agent but agents don’t have only one author as a client, nor do they schedule their social media and do all the things Jaimie was doing for Tahlula. Maybe she was her assistant? There was a lot about the publishing industry that was off.
It wasn’t clear why the club prioritized hiring a full-time child psychologist when they only have five boys in their residential program. It would make more sense for the kids in their care to get counseling elsewhere, in addition to whatever other medical care they might need. I love that they provide a place to live for boys from bad homes or who are orphaned but I wanted to know more about how that came to be, where the funds come from, and what background the members have in order for such a place to be approved by the state. It’s a good idea in theory but I’m not sure about how it would function in reality. Nor did Trunk seem to be operating as only a child psychologist. He kept getting pulled in to handle things for the club instead of officers or other members. Again, it would have been helpful to know how and why the club runs this way and what each member brings to the table. Even the origin behind their road names would have been helpful!
The Ezrah storyline was just a mess. There’s no way
Characters: Trunk is a 44 year old Black child therapist for the MC. Jaimie is a 38 year old curvy white author assistant and single mother. She has a 1 year old son named River. This is set in Durango, CO.
Content notes: intimate partner violence (FMC punches MMC after he kisses her without asking first), hate crimes against MMC and Black child (separate attacks that required hospitalization), swastika burned in MMC’s yard and burned his house down), gunshot wound (secondary character), racism, multiple fractures for MMC (skull, open forearm fracture, broken bones and lacerations), physical assault, bomb, arson, stalking by FMC’s ex-husband, FMC’s ex-husband is incarcerated (she was unaware he was part of a militant nationalist group), past divorce, HIPAA and professional ethics violations (MMC shares confidential information about child patient to FMC and her mother), vandalism, past theft, misogynist secondary character, past childhood neglect and poverty (MMC), past child/teen homelessness (MMC), at-risk kids (previously homeless or in bad home situations), past death of MMC’s mother (overdose), MMC’s mother was an alcoholic and addict who did sex work to support addiction, minor character with stage 4 liver cancer, past death of FMC’s father (cancer), internalized fatshaming, diet culture, hearing-impaired child, pregnant secondary character, unsafe sex practice (condoms used but no STI discussion), on page sex, public sex (secondary characters only), alcohol, inebriation, cigarettes, homophobic insult, acephobic line, STD stigma, gender essentialist language, ableist language, use of “the natives are restless” and “part of the tribe”, MMC never knew his father (mention)
I’ve been wanting to read more MC romances along the lines of Cate C. Wells’s Steel Bones MC. Arrow’s Edge MC grabbed my attention because Trunk is a child psychologist for the club. The first half of the story was really strong but then things started to fall apart. I have major reservations with the Black representation and the inclusion of a hate crime against Trunk for being Black. The book just took a very melodramatic turn and I doubt I’ll be able to enjoy anything that happens after this.
We’re not given anything about how Trunk felt as the sole Black member of the MC and possibly only POC. Not even once he’s attacked. This is written by a white author and I’d be very surprised if she had any authenticity readers. Trunk’s representation was sorely lacking. (Granted, I’m saying this as a white woman but I would be really surprised if Black readers were okay with it.) He seems to subscribe to the “don’t see color” mentality, which isn’t a real thing. He and Ezrah, a Black boy, have noticeably different grammar from the rest of the characters. It makes them come across as uneducated. Trunk also loves to say “shee-it” instead of “shit” and it's written out this way every time. It got on my nerves. Trunk and Jaimie never talk about being in an interracial relationship or what that means. This was especially shocking to me because Jaimie just got divorced from a white supremacist who might be stalking her from jail. They don’t think that’s worth talking about???
Additionally, there’s a big chunk of world-building that’s missing. This series is spun off from at least one or two others. I’d presume we get more details about how the club runs and who all is in it in those books but since this is the first book in a series and there was no guidance in the blurb about reading order, all the pertinent information should have been included here. Also, what was Jaimie’s job? The blurb said she’s an agent but agents don’t have only one author as a client, nor do they schedule their social media and do all the things Jaimie was doing for Tahlula. Maybe she was her assistant? There was a lot about the publishing industry that was off.
It wasn’t clear why the club prioritized hiring a full-time child psychologist when they only have five boys in their residential program. It would make more sense for the kids in their care to get counseling elsewhere, in addition to whatever other medical care they might need. I love that they provide a place to live for boys from bad homes or who are orphaned but I wanted to know more about how that came to be, where the funds come from, and what background the members have in order for such a place to be approved by the state. It’s a good idea in theory but I’m not sure about how it would function in reality. Nor did Trunk seem to be operating as only a child psychologist. He kept getting pulled in to handle things for the club instead of officers or other members. Again, it would have been helpful to know how and why the club runs this way and what each member brings to the table. Even the origin behind their road names would have been helpful!
The Ezrah storyline was just a mess. There’s no way
Characters: Trunk is a 44 year old Black child therapist for the MC. Jaimie is a 38 year old curvy white author assistant and single mother. She has a 1 year old son named River. This is set in Durango, CO.
Content notes: intimate partner violence (FMC punches MMC after he kisses her without asking first), hate crimes against MMC and Black child (separate attacks that required hospitalization), swastika burned in MMC’s yard and burned his house down), gunshot wound (secondary character), racism, multiple fractures for MMC (skull, open forearm fracture, broken bones and lacerations), physical assault, bomb, arson, stalking by FMC’s ex-husband, FMC’s ex-husband is incarcerated (she was unaware he was part of a militant nationalist group), past divorce, HIPAA and professional ethics violations (MMC shares confidential information about child patient to FMC and her mother), vandalism, past theft, misogynist secondary character, past childhood neglect and poverty (MMC), past child/teen homelessness (MMC), at-risk kids (previously homeless or in bad home situations), past death of MMC’s mother (overdose), MMC’s mother was an alcoholic and addict who did sex work to support addiction, minor character with stage 4 liver cancer, past death of FMC’s father (cancer), internalized fatshaming, diet culture, hearing-impaired child, pregnant secondary character, unsafe sex practice (condoms used but no STI discussion), on page sex, public sex (secondary characters only), alcohol, inebriation, cigarettes, homophobic insult, acephobic line, STD stigma, gender essentialist language, ableist language, use of “the natives are restless” and “part of the tribe”, MMC never knew his father (mention)
December 13, 2019
Hard for me
![Profile Image for Liz [reads books].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1668868475i%2F23423026._UY200_CR19%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
December 14, 2019
Well I couldn't put this book down. It was really good. 4½ stars
April 29, 2025
3.75 stars
December 17, 2020
A Well Written and Thoughtful MC Romance
I’d probably give this book 4.5 ⭐️ if I could.
There are some instances of racial violence described in this book, though not in visceral and emotional detail, but more a reciting of the facts. One of these instances was violence on a child. If these subject matters are triggering for you, then you may wish to skip this book. As I am not a person of colour I can’t say how well these issues are handled from that perspective either. However, it is my belief that the author put a lot of care into how it was handled and the matter of race was discussed thoughtfully. If you have a different point of view after reading this book, I am always grateful to hear from people who have different experiences of life than I do.
Though this is set in an MC, it is not a 1%er club. They have legitimate businesses and also provide housing, care and support for teenage boys. In order to provide that support they hired Trunk, a child psychologist, and when he got hired he joined the MC. The president or ‘Chief’ as they call him, is married to an FBI agent. This gives you some information on the type of characters we are dealing with here. Whilst I like a good MC book, I really don’t like it when the so called good guys are pretty bad so this is the kind of information I like before going into a book. (You’re welcome 😉)
Trunk is a 44 year old black man, who had a pretty hard childhood. He was a street kid for a while and his mother was a junkie. He basically raised his sister, despite being a child himself. He dragged himself out of poverty by getting to college and helped his sister do the same. Because of his experiences he is often able to reach kids that are more closed off. He’s pretty self contained and comes across as a bit gruff and tends to live in the moment. However, he adores his sister and her new baby.
Trunk’s sister is a writer and her PA is Jaime. Jaime is a 38 year old white woman and has a 6 month old son. Her ex-husband is in prison after it was discovered he was a white supremacist who planned to do very bad things. Jaime is definitely NOT a racist and was surprised to hear her husband was as he managed to hide it well.
Jaime and Trunk are very attracted to each other but neither really wants to act on it for various reasons. Obviously they finally get their act together after a few false starts, but it is a gradual build up, which is always fun.
The book has a lot of interesting plot twists and I was kept on the edge of my seat trying to figure out what was going to happen next, and alongside that there was the sweet love story and the gentle relationship between Trunk and River, Jaime’s son as contrast.
I really liked that this was an MC book about people who weren’t in their twenties. The characters have lead interesting lives and had experiences that have altered them. I liked that Trunk was aware of his flaws and addressed them head on and tried to work on them to protect his relationship. They had arguments as they are both strong willed and independent people but those disagreements were handled well.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and it will not be the last. I will definitely be downloading the next book in this series.
I’d probably give this book 4.5 ⭐️ if I could.
There are some instances of racial violence described in this book, though not in visceral and emotional detail, but more a reciting of the facts. One of these instances was violence on a child. If these subject matters are triggering for you, then you may wish to skip this book. As I am not a person of colour I can’t say how well these issues are handled from that perspective either. However, it is my belief that the author put a lot of care into how it was handled and the matter of race was discussed thoughtfully. If you have a different point of view after reading this book, I am always grateful to hear from people who have different experiences of life than I do.
Though this is set in an MC, it is not a 1%er club. They have legitimate businesses and also provide housing, care and support for teenage boys. In order to provide that support they hired Trunk, a child psychologist, and when he got hired he joined the MC. The president or ‘Chief’ as they call him, is married to an FBI agent. This gives you some information on the type of characters we are dealing with here. Whilst I like a good MC book, I really don’t like it when the so called good guys are pretty bad so this is the kind of information I like before going into a book. (You’re welcome 😉)
Trunk is a 44 year old black man, who had a pretty hard childhood. He was a street kid for a while and his mother was a junkie. He basically raised his sister, despite being a child himself. He dragged himself out of poverty by getting to college and helped his sister do the same. Because of his experiences he is often able to reach kids that are more closed off. He’s pretty self contained and comes across as a bit gruff and tends to live in the moment. However, he adores his sister and her new baby.
Trunk’s sister is a writer and her PA is Jaime. Jaime is a 38 year old white woman and has a 6 month old son. Her ex-husband is in prison after it was discovered he was a white supremacist who planned to do very bad things. Jaime is definitely NOT a racist and was surprised to hear her husband was as he managed to hide it well.
Jaime and Trunk are very attracted to each other but neither really wants to act on it for various reasons. Obviously they finally get their act together after a few false starts, but it is a gradual build up, which is always fun.
The book has a lot of interesting plot twists and I was kept on the edge of my seat trying to figure out what was going to happen next, and alongside that there was the sweet love story and the gentle relationship between Trunk and River, Jaime’s son as contrast.
I really liked that this was an MC book about people who weren’t in their twenties. The characters have lead interesting lives and had experiences that have altered them. I liked that Trunk was aware of his flaws and addressed them head on and tried to work on them to protect his relationship. They had arguments as they are both strong willed and independent people but those disagreements were handled well.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and it will not be the last. I will definitely be downloading the next book in this series.
August 21, 2021
Nothing like a great book with a strong, growling bear of a man being tamed by a spitfire of a strong woman. Yes she can totally manage everything by herself but when you can manage it along side someone like Titus Maximus Rae “Trunk”, you can take on the world.
Freya takes one some serious subject matter in this book and handled it with respect and grace.
Freya takes one some serious subject matter in this book and handled it with respect and grace.
August 22, 2021
Good Book👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Extremely well written book, thank you editor, likable and interesting characters, with an exciting storyline. Not my usual, buy I'm glad that I chose it.
Buy it, read it and enjoy.👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥
Extremely well written book, thank you editor, likable and interesting characters, with an exciting storyline. Not my usual, buy I'm glad that I chose it.
Buy it, read it and enjoy.👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥
Want to read
March 1, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/1/2022)! 🎁
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