Bones

The Factions of Red River #3

by Shelby Manuel

~ Bones is book three in the interconnected Factions of Red River series, but can be read as a standalone. ~
Nora:
The absolute last thing that I want to do with my faction, is the only thing I can do to save it. Aligning with Fog means risking the peace that we’ve created here in Bones. It means exposing us to those controlling, omnipotent, monsters! Fog will forever be my enemy, but I’d do anything to get through this war with as few casualties as possible. And I’d do even more to be close to my sister again. Even if that does mean working with the man that I loathe the most. The controlling, lethal, captivatingly intense leader of Fog.

Theo:
This is the worst case scenario for me. I lose the trust of my faction, or align with the people who murdered my parents, attacked my home, and tried to kidnap my family. Not to mention, she shot me! Everyone seems to have forgotten that. I’ll go along with this. But I won’t trust her. I won’t give her an inch of leeway. And I won’t take my eyes off her as she stalks around her prey like the lioness that I know she is. Deadly. Maybe I just can’t take my eyes off her.

Bones picks up right when Wasteland ends, but can be read as a standalone. War has finally broken out in Red River. Lawlessness, chaos, the death of both his parents, the weight of this war, and the welfare of millions of people all sit heavy on Theo’s shoulders. Nora is thrust to the front of her faction, completely unprepared, but utterly determined not to let anyone stand in the way of winning this war and getting her sister back.

Can they both put aside their history of hate to win this war? Can two people who practically explode every room that they’re in, focus their hate to take down their adversaries? Is it the smartest decision to keep your enemies close when they keep trying to kill you? When passion starts to bloom in the violence, can Nora and Theo accept it, or will the weight of Red River crush them both?

Author’s Note: This is a dark, dystopian romance, meaning the world they're in is gritty, dangerous, without the structure or laws we're familiar with, and the romance is violent and chaotic, but somehow sweet.

Warning: Please be aware that there is mature and graphic content that is not suitable for people under 18. Drug use, panic attacks, PTSD, fighting, abuse, smoking, excessive swearing, gun use, depictions of torture, murder, and physical assaults. There are pregnancy depictions in the Epilogue.
This book contains graphic sexual scenes, including BDSM-related activities. This is not to be used as an information guide.
Degradation/Praise kink, MFM scene, spanking, edging, slapping, knife play, blood play, choking, spitting, fearplay, painplay, orgasm denial.

Genres: Dark Romance, Dystopia, Slow Burn

Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2022

About the author

Reader & Writer of twisted love stories and haunted hearts.
May all villains be obsessed, and all heroines be spoiled.
HEAs...eventually.

Reviews

[Lilylou426 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not read the first two books in the series and I was able to follow along with the storyline. (I'm sure I would have loved it more had I read the first two, first.) This book is a fantastic mesh up of hunger games/divergent set in a modern day, on the verge of being dystopian society. I absolutely adored the characters and the quirks/flaws within them made them so incredibly real! The spice is there but the PLOT is what takes the cake!

[Heather Creeden · Rating 5 out of 5]

10 stars

Type: Dark Fantasy
Ease of read: 5/5
Spice: 4/5
Age range: Adult, please read TWs

This series is so HOT and amazing that I have to make sure I'm not reading it when I need to be paying attention to cooking or anything else, not that you could drag me away once I started reading this. Theo is drool-worthy and Nora is a bada$$ with talents beyond imagination!

You could cut the sexual tension in this story with a stick it's so...T.A.U.N.T...

Bones (book #3) picks right up from Wasteland - If you have not read Fog and Wasteland, read them first, thank me later...check out my reviews on them. However this story is about Theo, Jax's older brother, the demons he battles, and where his life goes. The intimacy struggles he has make you want to wrap him in a hug and whisper it will be alright, love.

I am beyond wrecked to see what happens in book #4 and who's story we will learn next...I'm hoping for Ace because that man has my attention like no other!

I'd love to see your reactions to this book on TT @ heathers_garden

Tropes:
Dark fantasy
BDSM
MMF
Sons of Anarchy vibes
Hidden Romance
Touch her and die
Enemies to Lovers
Slow burn to melt your clothes off
Close proximity
Found Family

[Kyara Gevers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shelby saved the best for last! This series is INCREDIBLE!! I loved Jax and Ally, loved Mick and Riley but Theo and Nora take the cake. This insane tension between them, the hate i could absolutely feel coming off the pages, all their bickering and fighting. How she makes him question his very upbringing, how he lifts her up and sees her for the incredibely strong woman that she is. Ugh this was EVERYTHING! Their heartbreak, their growth is amazing! And when the spice truly hits and they say FF it, that one scene ( i won't spoil but ...) Holy .... i might've reread it a couple of times. It was FIRE! Once they finally give it, it makes it even more worth it! Theo is .. I love him, i love him, I LOVE HIM! Everytime we got his pov, yeah it always hit the right spots!

Also this is what i love when reading series where the books are about different couples and they are related or know eachother, is that we still get glipses into their lives together. The banter between all the couples and their friends was so much fun.

Now i'm just waiting on Ace, he deserves his own story aswell, mister charming!

[Selena Murillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finally finished this series, and I’m glad I spread it out a little bit because the fact that there aren’t 10 more books of this city is a tough pill to swallow.
I want a story for every single character that was written in here, even the side ones like Owen at the docks. I LOVED this world! I felt like I was a part of this growing family, and this book truly sealed my love for Red River.

I said that Fog was my new favourite dystopian book, and I said it again for Wasteland, but I think Nora and Theo are my favorite couple. The fact that she’s a woman doesn’t make her less of a boss than Theo, and while they test each other, they end up making each other so much stronger.
I’m obsessed with this story 🖤 I need at least 17 business days to recover from the scene in the safe house mfm IYKYK
I can’t express how much I need to read Ace’s book, and just see who he ends up with.
Please give us more 🙏🏽

[Lizzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

We love a good dark romance over here. This however is a dark dystopian romance and I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again I’ve only had 2 authors this year who did dystopian right, C.A Campbell and Shelby Manuel. I have personally never been attracted to dystopian worlds because I feel as though I’m reading what could happen in the future and, personally, they’re boring but these books were absolutely amazing they suck you in and don’t spit you back out into the real world and I absolutely loved that. This book follows Nora and Theo and the faction bones. I love that each book is it’s own story line and explains each faction in a way that is easy to follow and understandable the world building is absolutely amazing. I cannot wait for the 4th book!

[Kelani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theo the alpha-hole and Nora the warrior. my god. i loved them! these books just keep getting better and better! the spice. the story behind each faction and the evolving of them and the characters! The spice was great! i loved getting to see Theo come into himself with realizing that it's okay to feel things and rely on someone else to help him. my boy Ace though! my god. i need more of him! that chapter with them all *chefs kiss* i loved the later on chapter with seeing how things have come to be for all of them and still getting Jax and Ally and Mick and Riley. i love all them!

[Katnip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bones is the third book in the Factions of Red River series. And what a great series! This story dives into the heart and minds of Theo and Nora. It’s a complicated and volatile relationship. But they need to make it work to save their people. But can they??

Another great book by Shelby Manuel. The writing is well done. There is drama and sexual tension that keeps you on your toes. The spice is top notch. Chapter 30…🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️. That’s all I’m going to say. You will have to read the book to find out! It’s worth the read.

[April Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into reading this book completely blind. I haven't read the first two and I always jump on an opportunity to read an ARC. Most definitely going to be reading the first two now. This was a slow burn book. It definitely explains things in great detail and I loved that about it. I really loved reading about Theo and Nora. How they were able to open up to eachother and find things about eachtother to help them grow. I definitely recommend reading this book. Maybe read the first two unlike me and don't go into it blind.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved Theo and Nora’s story and how they truly evolved as individuals and came together to save their fractions from war. The chemistry was amazing and the push and pull they had with each other was just top notch!

I read this as an ARC but wasn’t able to review right away due to external factors. But this book was my second favourite of the series.

The beginning middle and end kept me so enraptured I couldn’t put it down and I found myself reading it at every chance I could throughout my way day.

[Mrs A · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author was new to me last year and I have thoroughly enjoyed how her writing always hooks me in. This book was no different, fantastic storytelling. Both the male and female characters are likeable and have their own flaws too. Love the push pull they have towards each other. Their chemistry is hot!! Part of a series but can be read as a standalone. If you enjoy dystopian romance with a good plot and plenty of steamy times you’ll love this.

[Sherri S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Theo and Nora's story so buckle up. I would consider Bones an enemies to lovers, dark, dystopian, romance. There is the action of the other books and the spice is, chefs kiss. The tension was so high at some points I swear I held my breath for entire chapters. No spoilers, so if you haven't read Fog or Wasteland, you have time to catch up on this addictive series before Bones comes out!

[Tremaine MacGregor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this entire series and all the characters!!

This one pulled more emotion and angst than all the others in a suspense like on the edge of my seat shouting at the characters kinda way lol

[Brittany Hayley Fraser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg I loved this book!
I loved the build up to Nora and Theos relationship. I know need to know what happens to Ace and his story.

[Debra Johnson]

Amz Purch. Aug. 18, 2023