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Secrets tore us apart...
Nevaeh
I burned my bridges a long time ago and headed for the big city. Life was fast, but I was making it--until I wasn't anymore. I want a do over. Confront my past. Starting with the man who swore he loved me and left anyway. The big, bad biker who broke my heart.
Forty
I never got over Nevaeh Ellis. Never could forgive her either. My brothers believe she's disloyal, and there's no making that right. But why is she back? And why is she so angry? The longer she's in town, the more I wonder what really happened back in the day. Is she the bad guy--or was I?
There's no time to figure it out. The feud between my club and the Rebel Raiders is raging out of control, trouble is dogging Nevaeh's heels, and if I don't make the right call this time--she's not gone. She's dead.
Forty is a steamy, second chance romance. It's the sixth book in the Steel Bones Motorcycle Club series, but it can be read as a standalone. It is intended for adult readers.
HEA guaranteed.
Nevaeh
I burned my bridges a long time ago and headed for the big city. Life was fast, but I was making it--until I wasn't anymore. I want a do over. Confront my past. Starting with the man who swore he loved me and left anyway. The big, bad biker who broke my heart.
Forty
I never got over Nevaeh Ellis. Never could forgive her either. My brothers believe she's disloyal, and there's no making that right. But why is she back? And why is she so angry? The longer she's in town, the more I wonder what really happened back in the day. Is she the bad guy--or was I?
There's no time to figure it out. The feud between my club and the Rebel Raiders is raging out of control, trouble is dogging Nevaeh's heels, and if I don't make the right call this time--she's not gone. She's dead.
Forty is a steamy, second chance romance. It's the sixth book in the Steel Bones Motorcycle Club series, but it can be read as a standalone. It is intended for adult readers.
HEA guaranteed.
245 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 2, 2020
526 people are currently reading
960 people want to read
About the author
Cate C. Wells
28 books3,002 followersSecret question: what is your favorite thing about this time of year?
CATE C. WELLS writes gut-wrenching paranormal and contemporary romance. Whatever the world, readers can expect character-driven stories that are raw, real, and emotionally satisfying. Cate's into messy love, flaws, long roads to redemption, grace, and happy ever after, in fiction and in life.
As well as books, Cate has collected a husband, two daughters, and a cat along the way. She lives in Baltimore when she’s not out exploring with the family.
Want a heads up on new releases and bonus content? Sign up for Cate's newsletter at catecwells.com
Facebook: @catecwells
IG: @authorcatecwells
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CATE C. WELLS writes gut-wrenching paranormal and contemporary romance. Whatever the world, readers can expect character-driven stories that are raw, real, and emotionally satisfying. Cate's into messy love, flaws, long roads to redemption, grace, and happy ever after, in fiction and in life.
As well as books, Cate has collected a husband, two daughters, and a cat along the way. She lives in Baltimore when she’s not out exploring with the family.
Want a heads up on new releases and bonus content? Sign up for Cate's newsletter at catecwells.com
Facebook: @catecwells
IG: @authorcatecwells
TT: @authorcatecwells
Threads: @authorcatecwells
Bookbub: @catecwells
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 275 reviews
September 20, 2022
4 Manic Pixie Stars ⭐
I've said it before that Cate C Wells writes the best awkward couples. Since I've now made my way through the Steel Bones MC series, each couple has been unique, flawed and suited. And Forty was no different.
She speaks in circles. She always has. It would drive me nuts, but I loved it, too. She was funny. She still is. And I liked the sound of her voice. Like a chipmunk with a pack a day habit.
The love and connection between Forty and Navaeh was strong from the beginning, even as teens. Where Navaeh has always been a jittery hot mess; Forty was strong and dependable. It was the ideal balance until he enlisted and she went off the rails.
I own my fuck ups, I do, but maybe it’s okay to be a little mad, too. A little spiteful.
Ten years on, and neither have really moved on from the breakup. Navaeh has been busy making bad decisions and Forty survived the army, returned home and has been trying to make a steady life. He was kind of succeeding until Navaeh returns to town bringing her brand of chaos. And neither are happy with the outcome.
There’s just this man. Stuck in his pride. Can’t see what’s in front of him. Likes me well enough on my knees, but doesn’t think I’m quite worth it in the broad daylight.
Yeah, fuck that.
This story was sad to read in parts. Some people just struggle all their life and are mistakenly judged for it. It was about second chances, home truths and risking it all for those that matter. Once again, it wasn't perfect but this series is so much more than a MC Club. They're about relationships that tug on your heartstrings and are beautifully written and edgy.
I've said it before that Cate C Wells writes the best awkward couples. Since I've now made my way through the Steel Bones MC series, each couple has been unique, flawed and suited. And Forty was no different.
She speaks in circles. She always has. It would drive me nuts, but I loved it, too. She was funny. She still is. And I liked the sound of her voice. Like a chipmunk with a pack a day habit.
The love and connection between Forty and Navaeh was strong from the beginning, even as teens. Where Navaeh has always been a jittery hot mess; Forty was strong and dependable. It was the ideal balance until he enlisted and she went off the rails.
I own my fuck ups, I do, but maybe it’s okay to be a little mad, too. A little spiteful.
Ten years on, and neither have really moved on from the breakup. Navaeh has been busy making bad decisions and Forty survived the army, returned home and has been trying to make a steady life. He was kind of succeeding until Navaeh returns to town bringing her brand of chaos. And neither are happy with the outcome.
There’s just this man. Stuck in his pride. Can’t see what’s in front of him. Likes me well enough on my knees, but doesn’t think I’m quite worth it in the broad daylight.
Yeah, fuck that.
This story was sad to read in parts. Some people just struggle all their life and are mistakenly judged for it. It was about second chances, home truths and risking it all for those that matter. Once again, it wasn't perfect but this series is so much more than a MC Club. They're about relationships that tug on your heartstrings and are beautifully written and edgy.
Read
October 5, 20240 Stars - DNF @ Chapter 2
Okay listen, I read the entire series up to this point and mostly it's been hit and miss with me. The series is simply OK in my opinion. Nothing special or stands out tbh. Easy reading and something new. However, I didn't make it to even 20% in this book I don't think. I got through 2 full chapters and I was DONE.
From the jump I didn't like the h Nevaeh. NOPE. For twenty-nine years old this woman was a damn mess. Not a hot mess either. A MESS. Her personality was uninspiring and her inner thoughts made me roll my eyes. THEN to find out the way she acted when she was a teenager when her and the H Forty were together? Oh hell no. Nope. I can excuse ALOT for when someone is a dumb teenager, ya know? But her? No. Not happening. How she acted was extremely childish and foolish and I'm so happy that Forty dropped her ass. Too bad he's still stupid enough to be hung up on her and alas we have this book.
I DID NOT get it. He described himself as a dumb redneck and decided to enlist in the military so he could make a better life for himself and Nevaeh. Yes even at 18/19 this man was planning on locking her down in the future. Cute, right? Meh. Nevaeh being all of a dumbass bag of hormones and selfishness apparently begged for his dick even when she was just 14/15? But like the good guy he was he didn't give in until she was sixteen. Meh. And then Nevaeh in her retelling over the soap opera events of her life goes on to say how desperate she was to keep him when he told her he enlisted that she fucked him all the time and in any position or hole, ya know? Desperation and everything! And how she fucked him so much she gave herself a urinary tract infection. W H A T? God, ew. That is repulsive and utterly stupid. And that's just one of the dumbest bits of info Nevaeh provided us.
Sadly Forty seemed like a decent dude from the previous books and I liked the idea of a second-chance trope for this book but no. I'm gonna pass and not give in and read stupid shit. Nevaeh is unlikable and I refuse to read the whole book just to be proven right. Even in her introduction at twenty-nine she was a mess who didn't have shit together and still felt just as desperate. Not my kind of heroine.
Okay listen, I read the entire series up to this point and mostly it's been hit and miss with me. The series is simply OK in my opinion. Nothing special or stands out tbh. Easy reading and something new. However, I didn't make it to even 20% in this book I don't think. I got through 2 full chapters and I was DONE.
From the jump I didn't like the h Nevaeh. NOPE. For twenty-nine years old this woman was a damn mess. Not a hot mess either. A MESS. Her personality was uninspiring and her inner thoughts made me roll my eyes. THEN to find out the way she acted when she was a teenager when her and the H Forty were together? Oh hell no. Nope. I can excuse ALOT for when someone is a dumb teenager, ya know? But her? No. Not happening. How she acted was extremely childish and foolish and I'm so happy that Forty dropped her ass. Too bad he's still stupid enough to be hung up on her and alas we have this book.
I DID NOT get it. He described himself as a dumb redneck and decided to enlist in the military so he could make a better life for himself and Nevaeh. Yes even at 18/19 this man was planning on locking her down in the future. Cute, right? Meh. Nevaeh being all of a dumbass bag of hormones and selfishness apparently begged for his dick even when she was just 14/15? But like the good guy he was he didn't give in until she was sixteen. Meh. And then Nevaeh in her retelling over the soap opera events of her life goes on to say how desperate she was to keep him when he told her he enlisted that she fucked him all the time and in any position or hole, ya know? Desperation and everything! And how she fucked him so much she gave herself a urinary tract infection. W H A T? God, ew. That is repulsive and utterly stupid. And that's just one of the dumbest bits of info Nevaeh provided us.
Sadly Forty seemed like a decent dude from the previous books and I liked the idea of a second-chance trope for this book but no. I'm gonna pass and not give in and read stupid shit. Nevaeh is unlikable and I refuse to read the whole book just to be proven right. Even in her introduction at twenty-nine she was a mess who didn't have shit together and still felt just as desperate. Not my kind of heroine.
January 9, 2022
I really wanted to like this, but she’s a mess and not in a good way, she’s spent the 10 years making one poor choice after another. I don’t need to like a character, but I expect them to actually learn from their mistakes and grow up.
September 7, 2022
3.8 stars. I like this author in general, but for some reason her MC series is very hit or miss for me – but this book is the best one in it so far, I think.
This is a second chance angsty story between Forty, who is the VP of an MC, an ex army guy, the strong silent type of hero, and Nevaeh (her name is ‘Heaven’ spelled backwards), who is a messy disaster type of heroine.
They were in love when they were teenagers, but then Forty went off to the army. While he was away, he heard that Nevaeh cheated on him (he heard it from many sources, so this isn't a case of "the hero listened to 1 person who was obviously lying, so he's an idiot"). He had valid reasons to believe she cheated. So, he cut off contact with her, and his entire MC gave her the cold shoulder. Now, it’s around 10 years later, he’s out of the army, and she’s come back to town.
I like that their misunderstanding wasn’t something stupid or overly contrived – both of their behavior made sense for their ages and emotional states at the time. It turns out I like that she admits her faults: she knows that her behavior in the past wasn't smart or good, but she did have a reason for it that makes sense. For Forty, he should have confronted her before cutting her out of his life, but it’s also understandable why he didn’t. He thought the love of his life cheated on him, while he was off risking his life!
They’re very much an “opposites attract” couple, since she's a scatterbrained chatterbox and he's a stoic type who is very neat and organized. But this story sells their connection and chemistry. They could feel mismatched in a lesser author’s hands, but this author is good at unlikely couples.
The reason I gave this 3.8 stars instead of a full 4 is that although the main story between the couple is good, the plot lines with the side characters is unsatisfying. Forty’s WHOLE MC was incredibly mean to Neveah – and she didn’t deserve it at all. At one point, it’s even said that several other members of the MC have cheated on their partners in the past. So, hypocritically, they’re mean to her for something that many of THEM have done! And, There are a couple scenes at the end where members of the MC make gestures to patch things up with her and make her feel welcome to the club again, now that she and Forty are back together. But to me, these gestures weren’t enough. A bunch of the girls beat her up, previously! And the club President manhandled her early in the story and also tried to bribe her to leave town! There isn't NEARLY enough comeuppance for how they all treated her, and enough acknowledgement from all of them that they were wrong.
Other than the unsatisfying resolution to the plot with the side characters, though, this is a solid second chance MC book with medium level angst.
This is a second chance angsty story between Forty, who is the VP of an MC, an ex army guy, the strong silent type of hero, and Nevaeh (her name is ‘Heaven’ spelled backwards), who is a messy disaster type of heroine.
They were in love when they were teenagers, but then Forty went off to the army. While he was away, he heard that Nevaeh cheated on him (he heard it from many sources, so this isn't a case of "the hero listened to 1 person who was obviously lying, so he's an idiot"). He had valid reasons to believe she cheated. So, he cut off contact with her, and his entire MC gave her the cold shoulder. Now, it’s around 10 years later, he’s out of the army, and she’s come back to town.
I like that their misunderstanding wasn’t something stupid or overly contrived – both of their behavior made sense for their ages and emotional states at the time. It turns out I like that she admits her faults: she knows that her behavior in the past wasn't smart or good, but she did have a reason for it that makes sense. For Forty, he should have confronted her before cutting her out of his life, but it’s also understandable why he didn’t. He thought the love of his life cheated on him, while he was off risking his life!
They’re very much an “opposites attract” couple, since she's a scatterbrained chatterbox and he's a stoic type who is very neat and organized. But this story sells their connection and chemistry. They could feel mismatched in a lesser author’s hands, but this author is good at unlikely couples.
The reason I gave this 3.8 stars instead of a full 4 is that although the main story between the couple is good, the plot lines with the side characters is unsatisfying. Forty’s WHOLE MC was incredibly mean to Neveah – and she didn’t deserve it at all. At one point, it’s even said that several other members of the MC have cheated on their partners in the past. So, hypocritically, they’re mean to her for something that many of THEM have done! And, There are a couple scenes at the end where members of the MC make gestures to patch things up with her and make her feel welcome to the club again, now that she and Forty are back together. But to me, these gestures weren’t enough. A bunch of the girls beat her up, previously! And the club President manhandled her early in the story and also tried to bribe her to leave town! There isn't NEARLY enough comeuppance for how they all treated her, and enough acknowledgement from all of them that they were wrong.
Other than the unsatisfying resolution to the plot with the side characters, though, this is a solid second chance MC book with medium level angst.
February 17, 2025
This book caused me a headache. Seriously I felt the writing was all over the place and not constructed. Or perhaps the Author tried to pass the way of how the heroine was thinking? She had ADHD. Maybe it was successfully represented as I thought I had ADHD the way I was reading (no offence to people with true ADHD). Besides having this condition the heroine was acting like a 5 year old and not a 27 (if I remember correctly) woman.
September 15, 2020
This book's premise reminded me of Kristen Ashley's MC book about Millie and High.
Basically the club feel the heroine wronged one of their own in the past and they all hate her, so much so they ran her out of town.
I liked that the actions of the heroine were wrong in the past, she admits she was foolish though she didn't cheat like the Hero thought.
The treatment of her in the past and present is harsh.
There is some pushing away from the Hero in the beginning.
The heroine has issues.
There are references to abuse from the past though not much detail.
No intimate scenes other than the Hero and heroine but the Hero does go on a date before he meets the heroine again.
Nothing happens.
I would have liked more conversation between the MC club men and either the Hero or the heroine to show the resolving of their issues rather than fighting it out.
There are breadcrumbs dropped for future books in series.
HEA.
Epilogue.
Basically the club feel the heroine wronged one of their own in the past and they all hate her, so much so they ran her out of town.
I liked that the actions of the heroine were wrong in the past, she admits she was foolish though she didn't cheat like the Hero thought.
The treatment of her in the past and present is harsh.
There is some pushing away from the Hero in the beginning.
The heroine has issues.
There are references to abuse from the past though not much detail.
No intimate scenes other than the Hero and heroine but the Hero does go on a date before he meets the heroine again.
Nothing happens.
I would have liked more conversation between the MC club men and either the Hero or the heroine to show the resolving of their issues rather than fighting it out.
There are breadcrumbs dropped for future books in series.
HEA.
Epilogue.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2023
I loved the entire story, and I literally devoured it. Neveah was a hot mess, and out of control, and Fourty was a total sweetheart. I loved the angst, loved the drama, and I loved their HEA in the ending. This story is another 5 star winner from CCW.
April 26, 2025
When a man cheats and is sorry everyone’s on his side so quickly like awww but he’s sowwy give him another chance 🥺😭🥺😭💖 but if a girl is even accused of cheating she’s a slut, skank, whore, bitch regardless of the circumstances and she’s shunned forever. The way no one gave a fuck about what was going on with Nevaeh when she was like 16/17 is unforgiveable honestly fuck everyone taking Forty’s side, fuck all her so-called “friends”, fuck Forty not knowing there was something going on at home he just wanted to fuck her, fuck his “brothers” intimidating Nev and Forty doing nothing, fuck every vile thing Forty says and does to her in this book. There is absolutely no grace for someone trying to get their life back together. If Nev was a man they would not have nearly this much smoke for her, just read Wall. fucking spare me 😒😒😒🙄🙄🙄🙄
“What am I doing? There’s not some long lost love to rekindle here. There’s only strangers who once upon a time were two kids who needed to grow up.”
“What am I doing? There’s not some long lost love to rekindle here. There’s only strangers who once upon a time were two kids who needed to grow up.”
January 9, 2022
I enjoyed this even though 2nd chance at love stories are really not my favorite. I always feel kind of sick that the couple wasted so much time. Here though I thought the break up was kind of inevitable and they both never got over each other and the reunion was pretty quick after the book started. They still had a bunch of stuff to work out though so the tension wasn't over by any means. Two quibbles though. I wish that the others at the MC or at least Heavy would have been let in on why the heroine acted as she did all those years ago. And I was concerned that the heroine had an ADHD diagnosis and prescription that it was casually mentioned once that she never filled. That seemed like a big hole to me.
March 8, 2022
I enjoyed the angst with this book. Neveah was a bit exasperating at times. I wanted to read this after reading Run, Posy, Run since Neveah was also in that book. That book is my absolute fave by this author. I really liked Forty. There was great chemistry between the MC’s. I was glad they got their HEA. I’m going to have to break down and read Shirlene’s story, though I know it’s going to break my heart. This series is great.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2024
I have read four of these in 5 days and they’re not good, but they’re really good. You know?
February 22, 2024
I really loved this one! I’ve read a couple of other titles in this series but I read them out of order. I’m going to go back to the beginning. This is a second chance romance. Neveah and Forty got together when they were 14 and 15. They were together for 3 years. Forty enlisted in the army against Neveah’s wishes. She’s ADD quirky. She tries to make Forty jealous so he will come back and rescue her from her abusive stepfather. They break up. Ten years later she’s in trouble with her mafia bf and decides to run back home and find Forty. Neveah is misunderstood by everyone. She’s sassy but still takes a tongue lashing from all the MCC. There’s a lot of angsty moments. I really felt for Neveah. Forty really loved her and when he finally found out the truth — he was one sorry man. Forty always loved her. He was quirky in all the opposite ways from Neveah. This one got me on the feels… and even though I just read Heavy I want to go back and reread it now.
April 21, 2023
2 stars ✿
❛He’s so beautiful. I’d go for him again, any day. I was right when I was fourteen, and I was right last month. He’s the one. I was made untethered, like a bird or a butterfly or a balloon that slipped its string. He was made steady and firm, like solid earth or a strong hand.❜
I didn't enjoy reading this as much as I did with book one. the protagonists in this one were really messy and they were both equally annoying, they deserve each other.
❛He’s so beautiful. I’d go for him again, any day. I was right when I was fourteen, and I was right last month. He’s the one. I was made untethered, like a bird or a butterfly or a balloon that slipped its string. He was made steady and firm, like solid earth or a strong hand.❜
I didn't enjoy reading this as much as I did with book one. the protagonists in this one were really messy and they were both equally annoying, they deserve each other.
Want to read
January 23, 2023🎁 FREE on Amazon today (1/20/2021)! 🎁
March 31, 2022
Quick(ish) Review
Fifth book in this MC series is a solid 3-4 on the WTFery scale, This is messy and painful and angsty and completely engaging. I tore through this in one day, and the things that draw me in may make others completely climb the walls, so let's suss out all my feels for this story.
First, for those who don’t know my scale, it’s 1 to 5, with 1 like (Kristen Ashley’s Chaos series - they just ride, yo) all the way up to a 5 (Madeline Sheehan’s Undeniable series, aka “oh dear Lord what the Holy Hell just happened, I need an adult"). This series has dealt with the messy interpersonal relationships between these bikers, their struggles to stay out of the one percenter life, but they're not afraid to thrown down when the situation calls for it. The sexual shenanigans are definitely of the "yall ain't got no place to judge" variety and I. Am. Here. For. It.
This story deals with the second chance romance between Nevaeh and Forty, who fell in love when they were teenagers until betrayal(s? there's a reason) by Nevaeh tore them apart. Now they're older, not exactly wiser and still just as stubborn (Nevaeh) and prideful (Forty) as ever. Mistakes have been made, their reunion is down and dirty, just like their sexual chemistry and everyone in the Steel Bones MC is treating Nevaeh like trash. But few actually know the truth, and that's the crux of this story - so many perceived betrayals, and very little explaining. It causes alot of angst and I felt badly for Nevaeh. I love that her manic pixie dream girl tendencies are legitimately brought on by her ADHD and personal trauma, so even when she screws up royally, I get it. I understand and that's half the battle. It's OTT, and I am an unabashed fan of the melo with my drama.
I would warn those that have triggers with past sexual abuse, domestic violence, shootings, some domination/spanking with their sex scenes, verbal abuse - this is probably not the book for you. But if that's not a problem, this is the book that really gives some meat to those bones they have to pick with the Rebel Raiders and we finally get exactly what Heavy's endgame is.
All I can say is, Steel Bones MC are some messy mf'ers, but they have been a helluva good read.
Fifth book in this MC series is a solid 3-4 on the WTFery scale, This is messy and painful and angsty and completely engaging. I tore through this in one day, and the things that draw me in may make others completely climb the walls, so let's suss out all my feels for this story.
First, for those who don’t know my scale, it’s 1 to 5, with 1 like (Kristen Ashley’s Chaos series - they just ride, yo) all the way up to a 5 (Madeline Sheehan’s Undeniable series, aka “oh dear Lord what the Holy Hell just happened, I need an adult"). This series has dealt with the messy interpersonal relationships between these bikers, their struggles to stay out of the one percenter life, but they're not afraid to thrown down when the situation calls for it. The sexual shenanigans are definitely of the "yall ain't got no place to judge" variety and I. Am. Here. For. It.
This story deals with the second chance romance between Nevaeh and Forty, who fell in love when they were teenagers until betrayal(s? there's a reason) by Nevaeh tore them apart. Now they're older, not exactly wiser and still just as stubborn (Nevaeh) and prideful (Forty) as ever. Mistakes have been made, their reunion is down and dirty, just like their sexual chemistry and everyone in the Steel Bones MC is treating Nevaeh like trash. But few actually know the truth, and that's the crux of this story - so many perceived betrayals, and very little explaining. It causes alot of angst and I felt badly for Nevaeh. I love that her manic pixie dream girl tendencies are legitimately brought on by her ADHD and personal trauma, so even when she screws up royally, I get it. I understand and that's half the battle. It's OTT, and I am an unabashed fan of the melo with my drama.
I would warn those that have triggers with past sexual abuse, domestic violence, shootings, some domination/spanking with their sex scenes, verbal abuse - this is probably not the book for you. But if that's not a problem, this is the book that really gives some meat to those bones they have to pick with the Rebel Raiders and we finally get exactly what Heavy's endgame is.
All I can say is, Steel Bones MC are some messy mf'ers, but they have been a helluva good read.
January 16, 2024
Spoilers ahead, 2.5*
Neveah and Forty were together for 3 years until he enlisted, she begged him not too but he wanted to earn money for his family. One week after he's gone he gets pics from ppl showing her apparently cheating on him while he's off fighting for his country. He hates her, the club hates her and she leaves town. Dirty returns home after being badly injured. Intent on finally having a future he tries to move on and Neveah returns with trouble on her heels
******
I did not get this one at all, Neveah wanted Forty to stay because her stepdad was a raping piece of shit but she couldn't tell Forty because he'd have killed him. She tried making him jealous enough to come home but she never cheated. He didn't know so when she comes back it's a drama
What I didn't get was Neveah....sis is a hot mess and nobody seems interested in getting her help. It seems as undiagnosed ADHD but I could've sworn at some point she said she had meds but she doesnt take them??? Idk but whatever the case she needed help
I didn't quite get the romance because once again the actual falling in love was in the past and we don't see it we're just told they were together
Everyone in the club hates her and while it's unfair I could understand why..... everybody hates someone who'll cheat on a soldier
All in all this one unfortunately didn't work for me
No cheating
When the h gets back the H is dating a woman but they haven't had sex yet
Both have been with others over the years
Her ex followed her because he wanted something that she took from him
Violence
Neveah and Forty were together for 3 years until he enlisted, she begged him not too but he wanted to earn money for his family. One week after he's gone he gets pics from ppl showing her apparently cheating on him while he's off fighting for his country. He hates her, the club hates her and she leaves town. Dirty returns home after being badly injured. Intent on finally having a future he tries to move on and Neveah returns with trouble on her heels
******
I did not get this one at all, Neveah wanted Forty to stay because her stepdad was a raping piece of shit but she couldn't tell Forty because he'd have killed him. She tried making him jealous enough to come home but she never cheated. He didn't know so when she comes back it's a drama
What I didn't get was Neveah....sis is a hot mess and nobody seems interested in getting her help. It seems as undiagnosed ADHD but I could've sworn at some point she said she had meds but she doesnt take them??? Idk but whatever the case she needed help
I didn't quite get the romance because once again the actual falling in love was in the past and we don't see it we're just told they were together
Everyone in the club hates her and while it's unfair I could understand why..... everybody hates someone who'll cheat on a soldier
All in all this one unfortunately didn't work for me
No cheating
When the h gets back the H is dating a woman but they haven't had sex yet
Both have been with others over the years
Her ex followed her because he wanted something that she took from him
Violence
November 22, 2022
I read this in one sitting, even if I did have to stay up until one to finish it. Her characters are so messy, they break my heart, and do the wrong thing over and over again, and yet it never annoys me or feels pointless. The main character has adhd, and I loved the way her thoughts were written. Forty received a medical discharge after his helicopter crashed, and has chronic pain, pins in his arm, and extensive burn scars. She’s chaos, he’s a soldier, they’re high school sweethearts getting a second chance. The way Harper is a villain in every one of these books but I’m still wanting to get her own book? Wild to me. The skill of writing that character I just can’t comprehend. CW for domestic abuse on page, underage sexual assault by a step father, repeatedly, historical.
June 4, 2021
I cannot begin to tell you what a joy it is to read an MC book with flawed characters, really flawed. This was brilliant.
I am not a person to give spoilers, drop trigger warnings or summarize a plot. I will tell you that this book is about mistakes and redemption. It's not about taking a character with problems, kissing them and making them all better. It gets ugly and it gets real. There is beauty in loving someone with their issues, even when you realize the issues are not going to go away.
I love every book in this series and I really love Forty and his Backward Heaven. ❤️
I am not a person to give spoilers, drop trigger warnings or summarize a plot. I will tell you that this book is about mistakes and redemption. It's not about taking a character with problems, kissing them and making them all better. It gets ugly and it gets real. There is beauty in loving someone with their issues, even when you realize the issues are not going to go away.
I love every book in this series and I really love Forty and his Backward Heaven. ❤️
December 3, 2022
Forty and Neveah's story has all the feels readers look forward to when settling in for a great afternoon read. This is my first book by Cate C. Wells, and I found it very enjoyable. It was a second chance romance, and while many of those are sometimes boring, I found their story heartwarming and a fun read. ** I was gifted "Forty" via Booksprout and also own a copy, leaving my review based on my reading.** 4.25 Stars
January 23, 2022
Accurate depiction of a character with undiagnosed ADHD and untreated sexual trauma
I admire the bravery this author shows in portraying main characters as less than perfect humans
I admire the bravery this author shows in portraying main characters as less than perfect humans
June 21, 2022
This one was ok for me. Part of it was how the past was for Forty and Nevaeh, both of them should have talked, it would have made for less hurt for them. I also was so so on Nevaeh for most of the book. I felt bad for her when her past came out, but Nevaeh seemed to be an agent of chaos, some she caused, some she stumbled into. I think these 2 are good together, a steadying force on the other and I was glad to see that things were mostly resolved with the MC, but feel that they need to know what really happened in the past to Nevaeh, it would really change their minds and give her better acceptance.
September 1, 2025
Another great heroine in this one, with a realistic and relatable portrayal of ADHD. The journey for Forty to get Neveah accepted by the rest of the club was really interesting, and I loved to see Shirlene shine too.
April 27, 2022
Okay this was not my favorite of the series. Too much drama LOL. I did like Navaeh though, and felt reallll bad for her. Miss girl needs some adderall tho. The end was sweet.
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December 30, 2021
As always with CCW’s books, the FMC made this book for me - Nevaeh is a complete and utter chaos demon, but a delightful one. I liked the little cameos we’ve had of her in previous books but getting to spend some dwell time with her here was great. She’s the perfect fizzing counterpoint to Forty’s stoic uptight soldier routine. I was pretty sold on their rightness for each other, and the way their teen romance had shaped their lives. I was heavily invested in their second chance.
The book handles some potentially problematic elements well, if not perfectly. Nevaeh has undiagnosed ADHD and is a survivor of child sexual abuse, while Forty has (what sounds like but is again undiagnosed) mild PTSD from his experience and injuries in the armed forces. I appreciated that these things were never used to drive the external plot, only the internal emotional arcs of the characters. Nor were they revealed or outed to others to up the tension. I would have liked to see some treatment or therapy for them both on page, but there is a promise of it towards the end at least.
CWs: sexual abuse of a teenage girl by her stepfather (flashbacks and described on page); descriptions of a helicopter accident and resulting injuries; gunshot injury; intimate partner violence
The book handles some potentially problematic elements well, if not perfectly. Nevaeh has undiagnosed ADHD and is a survivor of child sexual abuse, while Forty has (what sounds like but is again undiagnosed) mild PTSD from his experience and injuries in the armed forces. I appreciated that these things were never used to drive the external plot, only the internal emotional arcs of the characters. Nor were they revealed or outed to others to up the tension. I would have liked to see some treatment or therapy for them both on page, but there is a promise of it towards the end at least.
CWs: sexual abuse of a teenage girl by her stepfather (flashbacks and described on page); descriptions of a helicopter accident and resulting injuries; gunshot injury; intimate partner violence
February 1, 2023
.75 🌟
Absolutely hated this one. The last few haven’t been my faves which is a bummer.
I loved Forty in the previous books and was chomping at the bit to get to this one but the BULLYING of the FMC was off the charts, with no meaningful apologies or anything. I’m good. I honestly can’t even bring myself to want to know Heavy’s story anymore.
Absolutely hated this one. The last few haven’t been my faves which is a bummer.
I loved Forty in the previous books and was chomping at the bit to get to this one but the BULLYING of the FMC was off the charts, with no meaningful apologies or anything. I’m good. I honestly can’t even bring myself to want to know Heavy’s story anymore.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2023
the way nevaeh was back in town for a week and she had forty wrapped around her finger despite the fact he thinks she cheated on him with like 100 men a #real_woman
October 13, 2025
I was unsure of Nevaeh in the beginning because she seemed pretty flaky, but once we got her backstory, her mannerisms and thought process made more sense. I grew to adore her. Forty was super rigid, and he kept asking her for the truth, then dismissing it as lies, and she was not great at communicating to begin with. When he finally got the full picture, he tried to be all in, but it took a big push at the end to get him to put her first. The two of them were a perfect balance when they were in harmony.
Read
November 6, 2023I just realized that this is the Nevaeh from Run Posy Run.
September 3, 2020
A second chance novel by one of very favorite new authors. - it blows my mind how good it is. The characters are amazingly well written, angsty, intense, super flawed and damaged people but in such relatable ways. This isn’t your typical MC book - the Steel Bones MC have gone legit, have a multi million dollar construction business going on, but still remnants of their not so legitimate past come back to haunt them. Forty has been a minor character in other books and we know he and Neveah have a history. One that includes her cheating on him while he was deployed. What?! - ugh, no thanks. Neveah was never and would never, IMO, be good enough for loyal, straight shooter Forty.
Well...that’s where Cate Wells waves her magic author wand and these beautiful, tragic words come forth. Soooo maybe that’s not exactly what happened; maybe there are some other very horrific but very understandable reasons for her erratic behavior. Reasons that a teenager would have a very difficult time sorting through.
Neveah is a unique and tragic character. I loved her almost instantly, which is ridiculous because I really didn’t like her in previous books, but we get her perspective and she’s a ADHD basketcase (I say that with love and respect) that needs therapy and probably medication. She’s been completely left adrift for years without her anchor, Forty. And Forty without Neveah? Pretty much a joylous scold. Wounded in action, he came back a hero but is deeply unhappy. And the whole town plus the MC are against Neveah. The two of them together are explosive - the sex scenes are molten hot and wet and messy and everything I love.
And the secondary characters are amazing- shout out to my girl, Shirleen, a sixty-something biker chick still doing her thing and rocking it. I so miss Twitch. And I’m counting down the hours until Heavy, Harper and Dizzy get their own books.
Did I mention the humor? It’s so funny!!! - I laughed out loud so many times, my dog looked at me funny.
It can be read as a standalone but the whole series is incredibly entertaining. No cheating, a smidge of other woman drama, but that’s nipped off quickly and hilariously. I had a fantastic afternoon with Forty and Neveah - download this one as soon as possible.
Well...that’s where Cate Wells waves her magic author wand and these beautiful, tragic words come forth. Soooo maybe that’s not exactly what happened; maybe there are some other very horrific but very understandable reasons for her erratic behavior. Reasons that a teenager would have a very difficult time sorting through.
Neveah is a unique and tragic character. I loved her almost instantly, which is ridiculous because I really didn’t like her in previous books, but we get her perspective and she’s a ADHD basketcase (I say that with love and respect) that needs therapy and probably medication. She’s been completely left adrift for years without her anchor, Forty. And Forty without Neveah? Pretty much a joylous scold. Wounded in action, he came back a hero but is deeply unhappy. And the whole town plus the MC are against Neveah. The two of them together are explosive - the sex scenes are molten hot and wet and messy and everything I love.
And the secondary characters are amazing- shout out to my girl, Shirleen, a sixty-something biker chick still doing her thing and rocking it. I so miss Twitch. And I’m counting down the hours until Heavy, Harper and Dizzy get their own books.
Did I mention the humor? It’s so funny!!! - I laughed out loud so many times, my dog looked at me funny.
It can be read as a standalone but the whole series is incredibly entertaining. No cheating, a smidge of other woman drama, but that’s nipped off quickly and hilariously. I had a fantastic afternoon with Forty and Neveah - download this one as soon as possible.
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