Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

The Dutchmen MC #4

The Price of Atonement

Rate this book
Everyone has a breaking point-even me. Meet a darker breed of bikers in bestselling author ML Nystrom's gritty The Dutchmen MC series.
Abandoned by his club, Boots is trying to find a new place and new purpose in his life. His past plagues him with darkness, and if he faces it, there's no turning back to the light. The brightest spot in his black universe is another man's woman, Mama J.
Janice is by herself and struggling to make ends meet for herself and her children. Day after day, night after night, her life revolves around her identity as a mother and seldom as a woman. Then one day she meets Boots.
Mama J is discovering what it means to be Janice again, and Boots is desperately seeking to pay for his former sins. Is the price of atonement too high?

360 pages, Paperback

Published November 4, 2022

Loading...
Loading...

About the author

M.L. Nystrom

25 books420 followers
ML Nystrom had stories in her head since she was a child. All sorts of stories of fantasy, romance, mystery and anything else that captured her interest. A voracious reader, she’s spent many hours devouring books; therefore, she found it only fitting she should write a few herself!

ML has spent most of her life as a performing musician and band instrument repair technician, but that doesn’t mean she’s pigeon-holed into one mold. She’s been a university professor, belly dancer, craftsperson, soap maker, singer, rock band artist, jewelry maker, lifeguard, swim coach, and whatever else she felt like exploring. As one of her students said to her once, "Life’s too short to ignore the opportunities." She has no intention of ever stopping... so welcome to her story world. She hopes you enjoy it!

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
125 (67%)
4 stars
38 (20%)
3 stars
12 (6%)
2 stars
5 (2%)
1 star
4 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
Profile Image for Nadene  (Totally Addicted to Reading).
1,544 reviews219 followers
November 11, 2022
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.The Price of Atonement is a wonderful book and a fitting conclusion the Dutchmen MC series. Once again, Nystrom delivers a gritty, edgy, emotionally charged story that was heart wrenching and inspiring. The story highlights the horrors of abuse, the beauty of second chances, the pain of loss and the healing power of love.

At the beginning of the story, Boots is being released from prison after spending two years on a misdemeanor charge. His club, the Dark Horses, no longer exists, therefore he is in search of a new place and a new purpose in life. Railroad offered him a chance to prospect for the Dutchmen MC, giving him a purpose and an opportunity to atone for past mistakes. The darkness of his past haunts him, but he held tight to the light as turning back was not an option. Then he meets Janice aka Mama J and suddenly the future looks brighter.

I, for one, was happy to learn Janice aka Mama J would finally have the chance to be with someone who cares for and Boots was that man for her. Sparks flew the moment they laid eyes on each other. Boots admired Janice not only for her physical attributes but also for her caring and nurturing nature.

Although Janice stood her ground and dumped her ex and was doing well on her own, insecurities raised its head now and again. These moments mostly occur in her interactions with Boots. She had a hard time believing that someone as handsome as Boots would be interested in her.

Boots is a man with secrets. His past is mired in darkness and he came looking for atonement. Protective by nature, a trait which we highlighted throughout the story. At the point when he finally believed he could put his past behind him, he found himself in a position where he had to resort to his old ways. I loved how Janice stood by him after witnessing his brutal side and learning of his past. I also enjoyed seeing them together as a couple. He did things for both her and her children. He showed her that not only was she a mother, but also a woman deserving of love.

The story featured a secondary romance, which I enjoyed seeing develop. However, their happily ever after was shattered, leaving me feeling sad and disappointed. Not even the author’s reasons for that tragic twist and a promise of a second chance for one half of the couple could not appease me.

Overall, The Price of Atonement delivered a wonderful story. Perfect for fans of MC romance.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
133 reviews
November 2, 2022
This is yet another book in the Dutchmen Motorcycle Club (MC) and is a very gritty and powerful one. For those looking for a nice, friendly story without its share of nastiness and wrongdoing, this is not the book for you. It is a story of Boots, formerly a member of another MC who had a sordid past of doing what needed to be done. Boots was the enforcer and did whatever it took to protect his former MC, the Dark Horses. Both clubs had done the dirty as far as illegal things but Railroad, the new head of the Dutchmen, worked on turning that around and going straight. Of course, the club had to vote and have consensus, which happened. Those not in agreement left. In time, the Dark Horses were no more. Boots did a couple of years in prison, and decided to not follow that path again. He applied for membership in the Dutchmen’s and was accepted but he would no longer be the enforcer. Although he wasn’t really sorry for what he did to those preying on innocents and others, he vowed to atone for that by leading his efforts in a nonviolent direction, as much as he could. Boots had had an attraction to Mama J or Janice as he prefers to call her for some time, even before her relationship with Nutter. Though never married to Nutter, Janice had several children by him and also took in others that he had with other women. He liked his fun but not his responsibility. Boots admired Janice for the responsibilities she carried and her very caring nature. Janice had kicked Nutter out of her personal life but would have appreciated him showing up to shoulder some of the responsibilities with the children. Railroad and his wife, Gretchen, whom I met in the second book, The Price of Forgiveness, were in this story as well as previously met club members. This is a story of twists and turns and a flip on who the bad guys are. I highly recommend it for those who want to see more of a realistic tale of that side of life we might not otherwise know.
November 19, 2022

I really enjoyed these 4 books, each a story on its own.
What I didn't enjoy, was they are tagged as being "a new darker breed of bikers" Nope, sadly they aren't, what they are though, are very very similar to several other really gritty biker series I have read. I was disappointed by the similarities hence my low rating.
1,814 reviews13 followers
November 7, 2022
Another thrilling story in this outstanding MC series! Not really a lot of the Dutchmen in the story, just finishing old business with their mortal enemy. That’s the evil Tiger Clan MC that almost destroyed the Dutchmen and Prez Iceman. Might have worked if not for the undercover FBI agent, Angel and the club slave, Carrie. We get a few answers left over from Iceman’s story and I glad for the closure. This story is about years later when Carrie is now Jade and making a new life for herself. She is a terrific heroine both as the club slave that was slightly broken but still had a soft spirit and as the fierce young woman getting on with her life. And, oh what a hero we have to cheer for. Whether he’s the undercover rough biker Angel with a sweet spot for Carrie or the buff police academy instructor Cy, he is one perfection of hotness. Sexy, studly and swoon worthy! By the luck of the draw Cy and Jade land in the same city. Both are different people but their intense connection and steamy chemistry is still alive. But can she trust any man after all she’s been through? What woman could resist that big hunk? Not me! I’m all in with this love connection. But evil just won’t die and old enemies are back for answers. I love this author’s storytelling and that she doesn’t sugarcoat the MC life and the villainous acts of bad men. Some of the acts are cringeworthy and gruesome but so authentic to that lifestyle. It’s an exciting race to the end with a couple of vile acts, danger at every turn and a mad dash to save a loved one. Even though there wasn’t much of the terrific Dutchmen in the story this was still a fabulous addition to this series. I loved it and can’t wait for the next installment. A must read!
Profile Image for Kathy.
2,613 reviews44 followers
November 3, 2022
This is the fourth book in the series. I think they should be read in order. Boots has just gotten out of prison. The club he was part of doesn’t exist anymore. He is given the chance to patch over and become a Dutchmen. He accepts. He knows they are different from the club he was a part of before. This will allow his to be a different man. The man he wants to be. Mama J hasn’t had it easy. She fell for a man, Nutter and they had kids. Only he hasn’t stopped seeing other women. Now she raises two of his other children as well as the four they have together. She has been Mama J for so long she has forgotten what is like to be Janice. A woman not just a mother and care giver. Boots wants Janice right away. He can’t believe Nutter would ever want anyone else when he got Janice is crazy to him. Boots wants to show Janice that he sees her as a woman not just a mother. I was so happy to read about Janice finally being taken cared of and loved. She is always there for everyone else. Boots has been through a lot as well. He hopes to never be the man he was before. He doesn’t like himself when he has to do those things. He will do them though so protect those he loves. This book was a great read. ML Nystrom I love your books and I can’t wait for the next one. I think this one might be the last for this series. I am not sure though. I love the characters in this book and would love another one. Fantastic job ML Nystrom.
Profile Image for Kim.
Author 15 books245 followers
November 22, 2022
I really love this series. The author pulls no punches as she delves deep into the darker parts of life. The result is a deeply engrossing read that’s dark, edgy, emotional, and somehow both heartwrenching and inspiring at the same time.

Boots is a hard man with a rough past. His life has been upended more than once, and now he’s looking for a new purpose/place in life. And Mama J is a strong woman who’s perserved in ways and times that might have taken another woman down.

Their story together isn’t an easy one, but I like that. It feels real. It feels like something I understand. It makes their path a beautiful, as they push through and find a way to come together. I also loved the developing relationship between Opal and Camo, Opal a character that tore at my heart.

This book, and the series, are not for the faint of heart. It’s dark and not always comfortable. But it’s still a beautiful read!
Profile Image for Cali Gal’s.
1,230 reviews146 followers
March 31, 2024
WOW…

Wow… sooo good. I love Mama J. She is a no nonsense woman who has such heart. She is amazing mother and I can only admire the doo doo she put up with from her ex. Grrr. Who raises your man’s affair children? Mama J does… that is who. She did wise up and dump him thank goodness.

Boots… the beginning of the story is him being released from prison. His club no longer exists so he joins the Dutchmen. Who he is to Mama J and her kids is wonderful. Swoon.

Ugh this book has some crooked cops in it. I won’t say more, other than plan for some angst mixed with sadness. Oh also plan for some spicy mixed in this telling. It is just the perfect amount to have me fanning myself at the appropriate opportune moments. Yum.

Sooo yeah. Happy Reading Everyone.
Profile Image for MJ's Book Blog and Reviews.
3,124 reviews69 followers
November 1, 2022
Review by: Jennifer
(5 Stars)

I think this is my favorite of the series. I had really hoped that Janice (Mama J) would get a story, or at least we would get a glimpse of her finding happiness. After everything that Nutter has put her through, she deserved something. I will say you should read these in order, throughout the first two books we got Mama J and Nutter drama, and that way you aren't confused about any events that are mentioned. I inhaled this story and couldn't get enough of it. We get danger, drama, a few hot naughty moments, and we get a few moments that are heartbreaking. I give this 5 stars.
Profile Image for Sophie Ruthven.
2,387 reviews145 followers
November 3, 2022
This wasn't my favourite by this author and that's ok.
I think for me, the previous 3 books were so amazing that they were going to be hard to top.
Don't get me wrong, there were some really amazing bits, but at other times it felt rushed, especially when I realized that it was the last book in the series, so lots of things were trying to get tied up at once, instead of over several books.
Just because this wasn't my favourite doesn't make it a bad book in the slightest, with so many things happening there were a tonne of twists and turns to keep up with.
And some of the outcomes were so satisfying...
Looking forward to seeing what the author comes up with next.
Profile Image for Hearts Tea Cups .
200 reviews8 followers
November 4, 2022
I really like this series.
I'm happy to finally see Mama J get her happy ending.

However the ending was bittersweet because of Camo and Opal... I had so much hope for them... I don't understand why the author decided to close her story the way she did, and for that alone the book lost one star.

Opal went through enough, and she finally stated to fall in love and find happiness ... And BAM the author decided to bring her down once again... That didn't sit well with me and kind of ruined the end of the book for me.

Will I re-read this book? NO
Why? Because of what happens with Camo.

Will I read the next books? Depends on the MC and blurb.
1,047 reviews16 followers
November 7, 2022
4.75 stars. Was waiting for this one. So glad Mama J/Janice got her HEA with a new guy!! Boots was fantastic. Just wish she hadn’t suffered through all the shit Nutter put her through for years. It was sad Camo died but it was good Opal got to start over someplace new and had a stable career ahead of her. I took off .25 stars because I would have preferred to have Janice and Boots be the sole focus of the book. Also, the use “uff-da” and “don’tcha know” felt overdone. Overall though, a really great series that did not sugarcoat relationships or life in this MC that was trying to go legit.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Ana Armstrong.
1,612 reviews
December 8, 2022
Wow

I’m so so so happy that Janice finally gets a HEA with a man worthy of her. Boots is the bad boy with a softness for those he loves. I loved the character development in the one. We also see Opal grow and develop a relationship with Camo. There is a particular plot in the book that I hated ….absolutely hated. I understand why the author did it, it was the only way Opal was going to grow wings and flourish but I still feel it could have ended differently. Boots and Janice’s HEA does soothe the hurt as they are amazing together. I already am feeling the stage for a 2nd gen series is being developed.
797 reviews3 followers
May 13, 2025
Boots, Janice/Mama J, and children

This was one of the best stories that I've read recently.
Boots thought that he needed to pay the price for atonement, and he did in so many ways when it comes to helping Mama J.
Mama J and the children struggle with everyday life, and Nutter, the dad just can't seem to understand. He's all about himself and any other female.
Boots took one look at Janice and knew she was someone to value.
Quite a few twist and turns throughout, and you definitely will see how crooked and disgusting a couple of cops are.
Happy reading! Highly recommend!
559 reviews5 followers
November 17, 2022
the price of atonement ( the Dutchman MC book 4)

Boots and Janice were an older couple with a complicated relationship. Janice had four children and two other children that her ex boyfriend Nutter had with other woman. Their is a corrupt and rapist police officer,that causes terrible destruction to club members in this novel. I was sad that one of the main characters died. I would like that Janice and Boots had a child. The novel indicated that Janice had her tubes tied after her last child.
Profile Image for Tessa.
951 reviews94 followers
February 14, 2023
3 stars

I'm unsure how I feel about this book. On one hand it kept my interest and I read it fairly fast but I also kept waiting for the romance portion to start... they didn't get together until like 80%

I also didn't really like that that this was technically about 2 couples (blurb doesn't mention that) and one doesn't end with a HEA.

For her kids being so important to her, you would think there would be more on page of the H and her kids bonding...especially the oldest. Also does Nutter never step uo and be a dad?

216 reviews
November 17, 2022
The price of atonement ( the Dutchman MC book 4)

I enjoyed reading the next book in this series, it continues with mamma J or Janice. She meets Boots and starts a complicated relationship. Janice has four children with her ex boyfriend and raising two children that Nutter had with other woman. The storyline was excellent and hard breaking with some police officer being a murder and terrorising the community.
1,276 reviews18 followers
February 25, 2023
WOW!!

With every book I read from this author I fall more and more in love with her. I haven't read one book that I haven't loved. I am so excited to read Mama J story. It was so very good. This author couldn't have picked a better man for Mama J better known as Janice. She needed a man to stand up for her and protect her and not let her down and Boots was definitely that man. I absolutely loved this book. I highly recommend this book and series.
786 reviews
June 5, 2023
I didn’t want it to end. But so happy Janice got her Happily ever after! I wish I could say the same for Opal. I loved that this book had different point of views but wasn’t happy with how it ended for someone. This series is definitely different from other MC & was completely unexpected from how I thought the book would go much less this series. I’ll definitely keep reading more books by this author.
Profile Image for Becky Miller.
276 reviews
November 6, 2022
Love Boots

I enjoyed reading about Momma J and Boots. I love that Boots loves her imperfections and that he's faithful to her unlike how Nutter was when they were together.
I didn't like what happened to Camo. Him and Opal deserved a life together. He loved her and didn't care that she use to be a club girl.
I really enjoyed this series. I like this author.
Profile Image for Cynkris.
628 reviews
December 11, 2022
First..The Price Of books are intense but so very good! I don't have words for how much I love Boots and Janice (Mama J). Two souls who deserve everything happy, find each other. I cried and laughed reading Atonement. I was so deeply touched by the emotion...good and bad in this story. I loved getting to see old friends from the Dutchmen like Rail, Gretchen and Duke. What an amazing read!
1,880 reviews36 followers
February 5, 2023
The Price of Atonement

Loved The Price of Atonement ❤️ loved Boots and Momma J’s story, so happy she finally has a loving man who’s first thoughts are for her and her children’s well-being. Boots gets his HEA as well. Free from his tormented life he can now enjoy his family and the love of a good woman. 100% recommend this book to everyone ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Ashley Carr, LSoR.
5,085 reviews64 followers
November 6, 2022
I love that Mamma J gets her HEA with not Nutter but a new man that treats her right, Boots. He treats her like a woman and not a mother. While Nutter was never faithful to her and she is raising two of his kids from his many affairs along with the four they have together. I have a beef to pick with the author though… hasn’t Opal been through enough? I didn’t like the ending.
Profile Image for S.K. Soparkar.
Author 1 book
November 26, 2022
This was definitely my favorite of the Dutchmen MC series. Thank you, Ms.Nystrom, for giving Janice (aka Mama J) her happy ending. This was such a beautiful story of a hard working loving mother and made my cry several times throughout the story.
Profile Image for Jolene Huber.
878 reviews11 followers
January 3, 2023
A Very Amazing Series

I read all four books in this series. They are all absolutely fantastic. Highly recommend. This series has a bit of everything. And reading each of them I fell in love with the characters.
Profile Image for T'Odes.
1,141 reviews1 follower
November 5, 2022
If I read the words uffda one more amma lose ma shit ....
Profile Image for Elsie Pitt.
1,753 reviews13 followers
November 6, 2022
Another incredible story.

I walk away with sadness in my heart and joy for this inspirational character. Janice needs Boots and Boots needs Janice.
Profile Image for 2mmommy.
779 reviews
June 17, 2023
Boots

Wow, this one might be my favorite one of the series. Boots was such an interesting guy. He was so much deeper than you anticipated. And I loved how he loved Janice.
1,136 reviews
February 26, 2024
There are no words to do justice to this book. This is without a doubt my favorite MC series. Absolutely freaking fabulous.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews