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In the Shadows Security #2
Guts & Glory: Ryder
Is saving another’s soul worth risking your own?
Former special forces operator, Ryder, has never backed down from an assignment, and he’ll be damned if he lets a blonde-haired, smart-mouthed, pain in the a** destroy that record. She’s going to get her life together even if he has to drag her kicking and screaming to do so, and he’s not opposed to using a firm hand to yank her from the darkness back into the light.
MC born and bred, Kelsea is on a one-way path to rock bottom. Determined to forget the horrible truths revealed about the man who fathered her, she’s drowning in a sea of booze, drugs and meaningless hookups. She has no desire to be “saved,” especially not by a bossy former Army Ranger with deep green eyes and a sexy southern twang.
Being locked away at his cabin, cut off from the outside world, deeply buried secrets are rising to the surface and lines between them are starting to blur.
The road to redemption is paved with heartache, though, and while Ryder wants to save her from the demons that haunt her, he’s not sure it’s worth the risk of losing himself or his heart in the process. But, in the end, will Kelsea finally learn to save herself?
Note: Ryder is the second book of the Guts & Glory series, a six-book spin-off from my Dirty Angels MC series. While it’s recommended to read both series in order, each book can be read as a stand-alone. As with all my books, this has an HEA, no cliffhanger or cheating.
Former special forces operator, Ryder, has never backed down from an assignment, and he’ll be damned if he lets a blonde-haired, smart-mouthed, pain in the a** destroy that record. She’s going to get her life together even if he has to drag her kicking and screaming to do so, and he’s not opposed to using a firm hand to yank her from the darkness back into the light.
MC born and bred, Kelsea is on a one-way path to rock bottom. Determined to forget the horrible truths revealed about the man who fathered her, she’s drowning in a sea of booze, drugs and meaningless hookups. She has no desire to be “saved,” especially not by a bossy former Army Ranger with deep green eyes and a sexy southern twang.
Being locked away at his cabin, cut off from the outside world, deeply buried secrets are rising to the surface and lines between them are starting to blur.
The road to redemption is paved with heartache, though, and while Ryder wants to save her from the demons that haunt her, he’s not sure it’s worth the risk of losing himself or his heart in the process. But, in the end, will Kelsea finally learn to save herself?
Note: Ryder is the second book of the Guts & Glory series, a six-book spin-off from my Dirty Angels MC series. While it’s recommended to read both series in order, each book can be read as a stand-alone. As with all my books, this has an HEA, no cliffhanger or cheating.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 3, 2019
About the author
Jeanne St. James
100 books2,278 followersJEANNE ST. JAMES is a USA Today and international bestselling romance author who loves an alpha male (or two). She writes steamy contemporary M/F and M/M romance, as well as M/M/F ménages, and has published over 60 books (so far). She also writes M/M paranormal romance under the name: J.J. Masters. Some of her books have been translated into French, German, Italian and Portuguese.
Want to read a sample of her work? Download a sampler book here: BookHip.com/MTQQKK
To keep up with her busy release schedule check her website at www.jeannestjames.com or sign up for her newsletter: http://www.jeannestjames.com/newslett...
Want to read a sample of her work? Download a sampler book here: BookHip.com/MTQQKK
To keep up with her busy release schedule check her website at www.jeannestjames.com or sign up for her newsletter: http://www.jeannestjames.com/newslett...
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August 14, 2019Didn’t get past 7%. I do not think alpha assholes are sexy. I honestly don’t like alpha males anymore. They come off as rude and controlling and I detest that. Threats of spanking the heroine if she doesn’t do what the hero wants come off as manipulative not sexy. She is not a child, she is a woman...it doesn’t matter how childish you might think she is acting. I do not care who the heroine has been sleeping with, it does not warrant how this hero is talking to her at all. He is treating her like she has the bubonic plague. When was the last time a heroine in a novel treated a man like a diseased animal because he slept around with anything that moved? Double standard bullshit.
He pretty much kid napped her and took her to this cabin so he could change her destructive ways.
This is the conversation that had me throwing in the towel....
He pointed toward the back of the cabin. “Go shower. Once you wash that stank and skank off you, come back out here with a better attitude. Make sure that shitty one goes down the drain. Make sure you scrub that motherfucker Slash off you, too. Hope you always used a wrap with him, darlin’.”
“That’s none of your fucking—”
“Right,” he cut her off.
“Don’t need the details. Go shower.”
“I have nothing to wear.” “Shower. Now. Before I drag you into the bathroom by your hair. There’s a bar of pumice soap by the sink. Use that to scrub yourself inside and out.”
“That’s not even funny.”
“You hear me laughin’?”
“Whatever,” she grumbled.
He pretty much kid napped her and took her to this cabin so he could change her destructive ways.
This is the conversation that had me throwing in the towel....
He pointed toward the back of the cabin. “Go shower. Once you wash that stank and skank off you, come back out here with a better attitude. Make sure that shitty one goes down the drain. Make sure you scrub that motherfucker Slash off you, too. Hope you always used a wrap with him, darlin’.”
“That’s none of your fucking—”
“Right,” he cut her off.
“Don’t need the details. Go shower.”
“I have nothing to wear.” “Shower. Now. Before I drag you into the bathroom by your hair. There’s a bar of pumice soap by the sink. Use that to scrub yourself inside and out.”
“That’s not even funny.”
“You hear me laughin’?”
“Whatever,” she grumbled.
August 5, 2019
Loved it! The plot, the characters, the sex, all of it. Ryder struggled with wanting Kelsea and realizing that she wasn't good for him because of past issues, but he was determined to get her on the right path. Afraid of triggers, they both had a lot to overcome before finding their happy ending. It was nice seeing Mercy again, though brief, and I hope each man in Shadows Security gets his own story.
July 4, 2022
Decent story about personal redemption and forgiveness of self...
What I have noticed with these 1st two books is that they aren't as intense as I was expecting. Considering the subjects and MCs involved. But they're just interesting enough to keep you engaged.. I do hope as the series progresses though, that this changes for the better.
What I have noticed with these 1st two books is that they aren't as intense as I was expecting. Considering the subjects and MCs involved. But they're just interesting enough to keep you engaged.. I do hope as the series progresses though, that this changes for the better.
June 13, 2022
This one was ok for me. A big part is because at the start Kelsea is a train wreck, bring havoc everywhere she goes. It would make sense if she was 10 years younger than she was, but at 27, it just gets old fast. I felt bad for Ryder, being the one tasked with pulling her out of trouble all the time. It was easy to see how he reached his limit and ended up taking her where he did.
I was surprised at how things ended up at the cabin. The start went about how I thought it would. It ended very differently. I think if they could have spent more time there, it would have been better for both of them. Having to come back to where everyone was made each of them have to face reality. Kelsea did surprisingly well, Ryder, not so much. I was glad that Mercy saw what was happening and gave him advice, advice that was much better than Steel's. I thought there might be a mini fight club between the 3 of them for a bit.
I liked how this one ended, both Kelsea and Ryder made very conscious choices, ones that the other knows about, which will make them stronger going forward.
I was surprised at how things ended up at the cabin. The start went about how I thought it would. It ended very differently. I think if they could have spent more time there, it would have been better for both of them. Having to come back to where everyone was made each of them have to face reality. Kelsea did surprisingly well, Ryder, not so much. I was glad that Mercy saw what was happening and gave him advice, advice that was much better than Steel's. I thought there might be a mini fight club between the 3 of them for a bit.
I liked how this one ended, both Kelsea and Ryder made very conscious choices, ones that the other knows about, which will make them stronger going forward.
January 21, 2020
5 star review of Guts & Glory: Ryder(In the Shadows Security #2) by Jeanne St James
Audio Review
The second book in the series and I loved it. From start to finish the author drew me in and I was riveted to the story. I listened to this in one go as I simply could not put this done.
J.F. Harding and Ava Lucas did a great job with the narrating and they certainly added to my listening pleasure.
This one is a more emotional story that Mercy, the first book in the series, as Ryder struggles to get Kelsea back on track and to stop wasting her life. Little does he know that her behaviour stems from horrendous acts which occurred when she was 14 years old. The subject matter was hard to relate to but the author handled it with respect and the narrators both did an amazing job with their raw and emotional performances.
This is my favourite so far and I think it will be hard to push Ryder off the top spot to be honest. As with other books from this author the story was extremely well written, raw and gritty.
There is so much to fall for in Ryder than you cannot help but be drawn in, not only to the relationship building between Kelsea and Ryder but the true sisterhood that is the women of the DAMC.
Audio Review
The second book in the series and I loved it. From start to finish the author drew me in and I was riveted to the story. I listened to this in one go as I simply could not put this done.
J.F. Harding and Ava Lucas did a great job with the narrating and they certainly added to my listening pleasure.
This one is a more emotional story that Mercy, the first book in the series, as Ryder struggles to get Kelsea back on track and to stop wasting her life. Little does he know that her behaviour stems from horrendous acts which occurred when she was 14 years old. The subject matter was hard to relate to but the author handled it with respect and the narrators both did an amazing job with their raw and emotional performances.
This is my favourite so far and I think it will be hard to push Ryder off the top spot to be honest. As with other books from this author the story was extremely well written, raw and gritty.
There is so much to fall for in Ryder than you cannot help but be drawn in, not only to the relationship building between Kelsea and Ryder but the true sisterhood that is the women of the DAMC.
July 11, 2019
10 star read and great follow up to Mercy's book. I absolutely love the world of DAMC and D's Shadows. These stories are amazing. They suck you in from the very beginning. I read Ryder and Kelsea's story cover to cover. I couldn't put it down especially with all the anticipation around Kelsea. This book did not disappoint and was super hot!! I loved how Ryder healed Kelsea and turned her back into her former, strong self and in turn sacrificed a bit of himself. I'm glad they found their happy ending in each other. I was surprised to see how much they had in common. I love these books!!!
September 26, 2020
Ryder is another of Diesel's crew. One of his special ops. who do things in the cover of darkness and nobody is to know about it. Only problem is Ryder is ready to throw in the towel and quit. Not because of his job but because of one certain job. Diesel's cousin Kelsea. After she found out who her father was she went off the deep end. Instead of acting her almost 30 yrs of age she was acting like a spoiled brat of a teenager. Every time she gets in trouble it's Ryder who is sent to get her and bring her back. He is sick of it. He finds her in some really bad situations. He tells Diesel it's the last time and he is taking her to his cabin out in the middle of nowhere and try to get through to her even if he has to drag her kicking and screaming and naked as the day she was born. He did too.lol
Soon they get closer but he won't touch her without a condom because of how wild she was. I want to go ahead and say that what is going on with her comes out so be careful of trigger warning. If you want to know I will post at the end but if not don't read the trigger warning.
Just because he finds out why she is doing what she has been doing doesn't mean she is fixed. Can he fix her or does it take the club. Can she even be saved?
It's a really great book and I do recommend it.
Trigger warning below 👇👇
Sexual content and incestuous memories,
Soon they get closer but he won't touch her without a condom because of how wild she was. I want to go ahead and say that what is going on with her comes out so be careful of trigger warning. If you want to know I will post at the end but if not don't read the trigger warning.
Just because he finds out why she is doing what she has been doing doesn't mean she is fixed. Can he fix her or does it take the club. Can she even be saved?
It's a really great book and I do recommend it.
Trigger warning below 👇👇
Sexual content and incestuous memories,
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2019
This book completely captured my attention from the first chapter and blew me away with the depth of emotions from Ryder and Kelsea.
I laughed, cried, swooned, and wanted to scream in frustration at times but in the end watching Kelsea finally overcome her demons and get her HEA made it all worth it. The growth in her character from the first chapter to the last is incredible, she starts out as a lost bratty girl but gains the confidence in herself to become a strong independent woman. Ryder is patient yet still has a firm hand, croons country songs like a boss, rocks his backwards baseball hat, and his unwavering support of Kelsea is truly heartwarming.
They are two broken souls that find understanding and courage in the other and while it may not be a perfect relationship, it is one based on deep love and respect.
If I could be part of any girl group it would be the DAMC sisterhood. Jeanne has created such an amazing group of woman with strong personalities that enjoy teasing each other as much as they love lifting each other up! I enjoy these parts of the book immensely along with the banter and good natured ribbing between the Shadows (especially their poker games!)
I laughed, cried, swooned, and wanted to scream in frustration at times but in the end watching Kelsea finally overcome her demons and get her HEA made it all worth it. The growth in her character from the first chapter to the last is incredible, she starts out as a lost bratty girl but gains the confidence in herself to become a strong independent woman. Ryder is patient yet still has a firm hand, croons country songs like a boss, rocks his backwards baseball hat, and his unwavering support of Kelsea is truly heartwarming.
They are two broken souls that find understanding and courage in the other and while it may not be a perfect relationship, it is one based on deep love and respect.
If I could be part of any girl group it would be the DAMC sisterhood. Jeanne has created such an amazing group of woman with strong personalities that enjoy teasing each other as much as they love lifting each other up! I enjoy these parts of the book immensely along with the banter and good natured ribbing between the Shadows (especially their poker games!)
July 14, 2022
A book I've been looking forward to!
Kelsea is the wayward cousin of Diesel, constantly getting into trouble that she needs to be pulled out of. Ryder is the unfortunate brother sent after her each time. He's finally had enough, and takes her to his cabin in Kentucky to try to clean her up from the addictions she craves.
Another emotional journey, giving us the back story of what Kelsea is trying to escape from and the hard decisions they both have to make.
A great book to keep the high standard of this series that we've come to expect. Full marks Jeanne st James, another well deserved hit on your hands!
Kelsea is the wayward cousin of Diesel, constantly getting into trouble that she needs to be pulled out of. Ryder is the unfortunate brother sent after her each time. He's finally had enough, and takes her to his cabin in Kentucky to try to clean her up from the addictions she craves.
Another emotional journey, giving us the back story of what Kelsea is trying to escape from and the hard decisions they both have to make.
A great book to keep the high standard of this series that we've come to expect. Full marks Jeanne st James, another well deserved hit on your hands!
December 19, 2020
I borrowed Guts & Glory: Ryder from the Kindle Unlimited Program.
Ryder is part of the In the Shadows Security group that is run thy D and he has been given the job to rescue D's cousin when she gets herself into trouble. Kelsey is using booze, some drugs and going to dangerous parties with motorcycle gangs that are enemies of her family's MC club. D always sends Ryder to extract Kelsey from the bad situations that she seeks to forget her troubles.
Ryder is tired of it and this time he takes Kelsey to his remote cabin on a mountain in Kentucky where she has not way to contact the outside world. This forced isolation with Ryder brings them closer and she tells Ryder the whole truth of what is bothering her so deeply. Sharing it helps her begin to find herself again.
Kelsey finds Ryder attractive and Ryder finds Kelsey with her smart mouth and bad attitude everything he never knew he wanted in a woman. The sex is hot, consensual and it brings them even closer.
They are alone at the cabin for over a week when he is ordered by D to bring her back to the family community and let her go to continue to find her way back to being a responsible part of her community.
The emotional level of the interactions between Kelsey and Ryder are deep and meaningful as they face getting out of a dark place and staying out. The community and family support is awesome and adds to the emotional level of the plot. In Guts & Glory; Ryder both Ryder and Chelsea face their demons and find the strength to change and lead a productive life with a happy ending for both of them.
Ryder is part of the In the Shadows Security group that is run thy D and he has been given the job to rescue D's cousin when she gets herself into trouble. Kelsey is using booze, some drugs and going to dangerous parties with motorcycle gangs that are enemies of her family's MC club. D always sends Ryder to extract Kelsey from the bad situations that she seeks to forget her troubles.
Ryder is tired of it and this time he takes Kelsey to his remote cabin on a mountain in Kentucky where she has not way to contact the outside world. This forced isolation with Ryder brings them closer and she tells Ryder the whole truth of what is bothering her so deeply. Sharing it helps her begin to find herself again.
Kelsey finds Ryder attractive and Ryder finds Kelsey with her smart mouth and bad attitude everything he never knew he wanted in a woman. The sex is hot, consensual and it brings them even closer.
They are alone at the cabin for over a week when he is ordered by D to bring her back to the family community and let her go to continue to find her way back to being a responsible part of her community.
The emotional level of the interactions between Kelsey and Ryder are deep and meaningful as they face getting out of a dark place and staying out. The community and family support is awesome and adds to the emotional level of the plot. In Guts & Glory; Ryder both Ryder and Chelsea face their demons and find the strength to change and lead a productive life with a happy ending for both of them.
July 12, 2019
JStJ excels in the character development department. Ryder and Kelsea are amazingly real and complex , flaws and all. I feel like I’ve actually met these people. I never liked Kelsea in prior books, but we get to flesh out her issues here. I love a heroine who knows what she wants but she’s made so many poor decisions that it’s hard to root for her. A lot of sexual stereotypes get challenged here and I loved it. Her character really does a 180 in the growth department over the course of the book and I even had a little tear in my eye at a certain scene. I credit that to the author. Kelsea’s in expert hands. Ryder is an amazing life -altering hero, right up there with Crow. He has a lot of similar issues to Kelsea but has dealt with them, and still deals with them. I didn’t think Kelsea would deserve Ryder, but JSJ proves me wrong. Am amazing journey of self-discovery and healing. Did I mention this book’s hot as hell too? I love this installment of the Shadows and meeting up again with some of my favorites from the DAMC. A read in one-sitting, auto buy for me.
August 3, 2019
Talk about intense!!! Right from the start this book starts off with a bang and doesn't let up until the very end.
This is book 2 in the Shadows Security Series and was definitely able to be read as a standalone. However, I loved these characters so much that I definitely need to get my hands on the first book ASAP!
This book follows Ryder and Kelsea as Ryder tries to stop Kelsea from spiraling out of control and self destruction. Sent to pull her out of a bad situation once again Ryder has decided that enough is enough and takes Kelsea away from everything and to a secluded cabin in the middle of nowhere. Not really sure why he feels such a strong need to save her, Ryder realizes that she may be becoming more than just a job to him.
Kelsea is trying to drown out her nightmares in drinking and sex. Unable to get over what has happened to her in the past she is on a mission to just forget everything. The problem is the sexy former special ops hunk that her cousin sent after her is refusing to let her do that. Locking her away in a secluded cabin is forcing Kelsea to come face to face with everything she has been trying to run from.
With serious chemistry between the two of them this book had me on the edge of my seat wondering how everything was going to work out. There were so many heartbreaking moments finding out what these characters had to go through. I was feeling so many emotions and definitely rooting for them to make it out on the other side of all of the hurt and pain.
This is a must read book for sure! I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in this series! By Alisa
This is book 2 in the Shadows Security Series and was definitely able to be read as a standalone. However, I loved these characters so much that I definitely need to get my hands on the first book ASAP!
This book follows Ryder and Kelsea as Ryder tries to stop Kelsea from spiraling out of control and self destruction. Sent to pull her out of a bad situation once again Ryder has decided that enough is enough and takes Kelsea away from everything and to a secluded cabin in the middle of nowhere. Not really sure why he feels such a strong need to save her, Ryder realizes that she may be becoming more than just a job to him.
Kelsea is trying to drown out her nightmares in drinking and sex. Unable to get over what has happened to her in the past she is on a mission to just forget everything. The problem is the sexy former special ops hunk that her cousin sent after her is refusing to let her do that. Locking her away in a secluded cabin is forcing Kelsea to come face to face with everything she has been trying to run from.
With serious chemistry between the two of them this book had me on the edge of my seat wondering how everything was going to work out. There were so many heartbreaking moments finding out what these characters had to go through. I was feeling so many emotions and definitely rooting for them to make it out on the other side of all of the hurt and pain.
This is a must read book for sure! I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in this series! By Alisa
August 21, 2019
Yes one Click
This story is so good, storyline is centered around addiction. Ryder the Shadows Security's Southern gentleman who plays the guitar is the leading man and Kelsea is the leading lady. If you have read St. James Dirty Angels MC then you have read about Kelsea. I had a feeling her backstory would not be pretty.
This story is heart breaking but St. James balances the heavy with laughter very well.
Overall another hit for this author!! Can't wait for Hunter!! Happy Reading!!
This story is so good, storyline is centered around addiction. Ryder the Shadows Security's Southern gentleman who plays the guitar is the leading man and Kelsea is the leading lady. If you have read St. James Dirty Angels MC then you have read about Kelsea. I had a feeling her backstory would not be pretty.
This story is heart breaking but St. James balances the heavy with laughter very well.
Overall another hit for this author!! Can't wait for Hunter!! Happy Reading!!
July 12, 2019
This book is my new favorite book of 2019! I loved it so much! Ryder has done so much help Kelsea while watching her self destruct. Such a great guy. Kelsea has been through a lot and the things she’s learned have been devastating. No one knows everything that has happened to her. She just needs the right person to help her sort herself out.
August 3, 2019
This book had me captivated from the beginning and I was left breathless at the end. The two MCs have a complicated relationship with many flaws between them but they are absolutely perfect for each other, when they stop fighting it. This story had me in its clutches from the moment Ryder decides to rescue Kelsea. Ryder is tested time and again when Kelsea does something harebrained. Ryder definitely has the patience of a Saint to put up with her, but underneath Kelsea is just screaming out for help. Will Ryder keep showing her tough love or will he just give up on her when she pushes him one too many times? I loved this story and can’t wait for the next installment!!
April 16, 2020
My Rating: 4/5 stars!
October 28, 2022
This series is amazing. A Broken soldier and a broken woman, a soldier who had gotten his shit together and a woman who was losing it. He found her and helped her find her way.
Narration was awesome.
January 11, 2023
Yeah. This one was a tough one to rate because, although it had an interesting romance and premise, it's theme and messaging was so off that it rubbed me the wrong way. Here's what I mean...
What I've come to gain from this book is that you have to have a "good enough" excuse to self-destruct. If you do, it's okay. People will actually give you real love and support. If you don't, they'll go the "tough love" route (a strategy developed in the 1960s for heroin addicts by a cult called Synanon that included putting people in diapers, shaving their heads, and hours-long berating sessions; these guys were, thankfully later disbanded but waaay later than you'd think). It's a strategy that's been proven again and again not to work because, if it was, recovery rates wouldn't be so pitifully low. But I digress...
Kelsea had a tough life and had been going through a downward spiral until Ryder was hired by her cousin to come and essentially dry her out and get her back on track. He treats her like dirt, commenting on the number of men she's slept with (and then goes ahead and has sex with her because...it's okay for him to sleep around but not for her? more bad messaging). She gets berated like this for a while until something about her comes out (which I won't spoil), and then it's like, "Oh, okay. I understand. You now have a perfectly good reason for all of this. Let me comfort you and change my attitude. And wow, your whole attitude changed too when mine did. But that had nothing to do with that. I'm a big, bad alpha male, and I saved you." Yeah, that's not exactly how it went down, but you get the picture.
It was like you have to reach a certain threshold of trauma for it to be acceptable to have substance use issues. He assumed she hadn't reached it initially, and when she "hit" that magic line later on, it was okay. It reaaaally irritated me. And people treated poor Kelsea like this the entire book. The only person who didn't was Rissa (a therapist and main character from the first book, Guts & Glory: Mercy), and I will admit that she had a good line about everyone processes trauma differently. But the thing was, she hadn't proceeded trauma differently in the situation Rissa was talking about. Someone in that conversation also didn't know about her past "real" trauma, so the whole idea of the book still held true.
Well, let me tell you, if no one has told you...If you read this book and felt off like I had, I want to tell you that you don't need to meet some "socially acceptable" excuse to have issues. You can't compare trauma nor do you "need" trauma as the reason why you have issues. Mental illness, disability, societal pressures, bad habits spun out of control, and so many other things can make things go downhill so quickly. Sadly, a good chunk of the population thinks the way these characters do, and I have a bad feeling the author does too (at least that's how it came out in the book). I'm not angry. That's just how people have been taught, and we need to do better.
In the Shadows Security
-Review for Guts & Glory: Mercy (Book 1)
-Review for Guts & Glory: Ryder (Book 2)
-Review for Guts & Glory: Hunter (Book 3)
-Review for Guts & Glory: Walker (Book 4)
-Review for Guts & Glory: Steel (Book 5)
-Review for Guts & Glory: Brick (Book 6)
What I've come to gain from this book is that you have to have a "good enough" excuse to self-destruct. If you do, it's okay. People will actually give you real love and support. If you don't, they'll go the "tough love" route (a strategy developed in the 1960s for heroin addicts by a cult called Synanon that included putting people in diapers, shaving their heads, and hours-long berating sessions; these guys were, thankfully later disbanded but waaay later than you'd think). It's a strategy that's been proven again and again not to work because, if it was, recovery rates wouldn't be so pitifully low. But I digress...
Kelsea had a tough life and had been going through a downward spiral until Ryder was hired by her cousin to come and essentially dry her out and get her back on track. He treats her like dirt, commenting on the number of men she's slept with (and then goes ahead and has sex with her because...it's okay for him to sleep around but not for her? more bad messaging). She gets berated like this for a while until something about her comes out (which I won't spoil), and then it's like, "Oh, okay. I understand. You now have a perfectly good reason for all of this. Let me comfort you and change my attitude. And wow, your whole attitude changed too when mine did. But that had nothing to do with that. I'm a big, bad alpha male, and I saved you." Yeah, that's not exactly how it went down, but you get the picture.
It was like you have to reach a certain threshold of trauma for it to be acceptable to have substance use issues. He assumed she hadn't reached it initially, and when she "hit" that magic line later on, it was okay. It reaaaally irritated me. And people treated poor Kelsea like this the entire book. The only person who didn't was Rissa (a therapist and main character from the first book, Guts & Glory: Mercy), and I will admit that she had a good line about everyone processes trauma differently. But the thing was, she hadn't proceeded trauma differently in the situation Rissa was talking about. Someone in that conversation also didn't know about her past "real" trauma, so the whole idea of the book still held true.
Well, let me tell you, if no one has told you...If you read this book and felt off like I had, I want to tell you that you don't need to meet some "socially acceptable" excuse to have issues. You can't compare trauma nor do you "need" trauma as the reason why you have issues. Mental illness, disability, societal pressures, bad habits spun out of control, and so many other things can make things go downhill so quickly. Sadly, a good chunk of the population thinks the way these characters do, and I have a bad feeling the author does too (at least that's how it came out in the book). I'm not angry. That's just how people have been taught, and we need to do better.
In the Shadows Security
-Review for Guts & Glory: Mercy (Book 1)
-Review for Guts & Glory: Ryder (Book 2)
-Review for Guts & Glory: Hunter (Book 3)
-Review for Guts & Glory: Walker (Book 4)
-Review for Guts & Glory: Steel (Book 5)
-Review for Guts & Glory: Brick (Book 6)
August 5, 2019
Ryder and DAMC born and bread Kelsea both have dark hidden secrets. Secrets only they understand. Being secluded together all comes out, but mostly a new understanding, respect and love, and not just for each other. Kelsea has to learn, what she wants. Ryder has to watch and regain his own wits.
Jeanne St. James wrote another soul crusing, but all consuming story of love and redemption. A fun ride, that ends in a happiness only she can write.
Jeanne St. James wrote another soul crusing, but all consuming story of love and redemption. A fun ride, that ends in a happiness only she can write.
August 23, 2019
Yet another shadow that totally melted my heart! Ryder and Kelsea jump straight off the page, fully formed and hit the ground running! This is such a strong story full of heart and chemistry it blew me away!
Jeanne St James if you keep making me fall in love with your characters my husband going to divorce me! Lol!
Amazing read as always!
Jeanne St James if you keep making me fall in love with your characters my husband going to divorce me! Lol!
Amazing read as always!
September 27, 2019
Kelsea may have been born and bred by the Dirty Angels MC life but her life is spiraling downwards with the secret that she carries. She's so lost and broken. Booze, drugs and even sleeping with the enemy.
Ryder works for In the Shadows Security, a group of former special forces military men. Time and time again he has rescued Kelsea from situations and brought her home. He's had enough. This time he will see that she heads down the road to redemption. Only his secret will help.
“Only way you’re gonna find out is if you put that quarter in the slot and take a chance.”
Ryder will make you swoon. The lyrics of the songs he sings touches Kelsea's heart. In order to help Kels from self destruction he has to have a firm hand and patience.
"she needed to rise out of those ashes and burn like a fire. Become strong again by growing thicker skin and wearing steel armor."
"she was ashamed, confused, broken and bruised but now she was a warrior and ready to take back her life."
Kelsea matured as she gained her confidence back becoming an independent and strong woman as she headed down the road of redemption.
Ryder works for In the Shadows Security, a group of former special forces military men. Time and time again he has rescued Kelsea from situations and brought her home. He's had enough. This time he will see that she heads down the road to redemption. Only his secret will help.
“Only way you’re gonna find out is if you put that quarter in the slot and take a chance.”
Ryder will make you swoon. The lyrics of the songs he sings touches Kelsea's heart. In order to help Kels from self destruction he has to have a firm hand and patience.
"she needed to rise out of those ashes and burn like a fire. Become strong again by growing thicker skin and wearing steel armor."
"she was ashamed, confused, broken and bruised but now she was a warrior and ready to take back her life."
Kelsea matured as she gained her confidence back becoming an independent and strong woman as she headed down the road of redemption.
July 13, 2019
Ryder is the perfect man. Sexy, strong, smart, funny and that southern accent with the backwards baseball cap will make your ovaries explode!
Kelsea is the problem child ( not so much a child but acts like one) of the family. Time and time again she has found herself in dire situations and as always someone is assigned to go and find her. That someone is Ryder, and he's fed up. He vows this is the last time.
Kelsea is in for a world of change, and eye opening lessons. At first it's so easy to not like her, and actions. Ryder is determined to save her from herself.
It's a roller coaster ride that you don't want to end. I love these two and the dynamics in this book are out of this world.
Phenomenal addition to a great series. It's great to get to see your favorites from the previous book, and from Down and Dirty Series ( If you haven't read this series, YOU MUST READ IT).
I am anxiously awaiting the next book in this series.
As always Ms St James did a fantastic job
Kelsea is the problem child ( not so much a child but acts like one) of the family. Time and time again she has found herself in dire situations and as always someone is assigned to go and find her. That someone is Ryder, and he's fed up. He vows this is the last time.
Kelsea is in for a world of change, and eye opening lessons. At first it's so easy to not like her, and actions. Ryder is determined to save her from herself.
It's a roller coaster ride that you don't want to end. I love these two and the dynamics in this book are out of this world.
Phenomenal addition to a great series. It's great to get to see your favorites from the previous book, and from Down and Dirty Series ( If you haven't read this series, YOU MUST READ IT).
I am anxiously awaiting the next book in this series.
As always Ms St James did a fantastic job
July 13, 2019
This was an amazing book from beginning to end. I absolutely loved the complex relationship between Ryder and Kelsea. These two have their own flaws but together are perfect for each other once they realize it. This book has you gripped from the minute Ryder goes in and rescues Kelsea to the very end. It had me on the verge of tears, wanting to scream in frustration, cheering and finally taking a deep breath of relieve at the end. I absolutely loved Ryder and how no matter what he would not give up on Kelsea and getting her fixed. Even when you learn something about him he still doesn't give up on her. He sees that there is something good inside her and that she can be a better person. I loved Kelsea. She is feisty strong and stubborn. But she needed someone to help her realize that. This was an amazing book. I have to say that I love her writing and this one proves why.
February 7, 2020
Ryder is now my favorite Shadow! The country boy is just what Kelsea needed to help her pick back up the pieces of her life after learning who her biological father is and already knowing him as a monster. The story has triggers for me, but they are handled by Ms. St. James so caringly that you want to feel the pain and move through it with Kelsea.
Ava Lucas and J.F. Harding do such a great job on the narration team! The two balance out their characters so well, that you can feel their past pains and current desires. Really love how J.F.'s voice fit the image of Ryder along with the passion & fight for control he carried throughout the story.
This is going on my recommendations list for strong female leads that can stand shoulder to shoulder with her MC / Veteran man.
Ava Lucas and J.F. Harding do such a great job on the narration team! The two balance out their characters so well, that you can feel their past pains and current desires. Really love how J.F.'s voice fit the image of Ryder along with the passion & fight for control he carried throughout the story.
This is going on my recommendations list for strong female leads that can stand shoulder to shoulder with her MC / Veteran man.
August 4, 2019
One of my favorite JSJ books so far. And definitely my favorite JSJ hero. Ryder is the perfect blend of hard and soft, with the perfect touch, temperament and patience to soothe the ache inside of Kelsea's battered and shattered heart. I fell in love with Ryder and his soulful voice, his twang and how much he truly cared about Kelsea's wellbeing and saving her soul. The romantic element was a total bonus, but really, what won me over completely was just how incredible a person Ryder was. 50 bazillion stars for Ryder. This is a JSJ book you DO NOT WANT TO MISS!
April 17, 2022
Great chemistry
Ryder and Kelsey didn't seem like a pair that would work or could work, but their chemistry was off the charts. Their issues were too.
How do you stop an out of control woman? You take her control away. You make her see what she has by taking it away and giving her a purpose.
How do you stop a man from coming unglued again? You give him the woman he helped to put back together. A woman who found her purpose, so that he could remember his.
Extremely meaningful, heartfelt and beautifully told.
Ryder and Kelsey didn't seem like a pair that would work or could work, but their chemistry was off the charts. Their issues were too.
How do you stop an out of control woman? You take her control away. You make her see what she has by taking it away and giving her a purpose.
How do you stop a man from coming unglued again? You give him the woman he helped to put back together. A woman who found her purpose, so that he could remember his.
Extremely meaningful, heartfelt and beautifully told.
February 7, 2023
5.0
Loved it! I really wanted to see what happened with Kelsea because I had a feeling why she was on a long bender. And I love Ryder. I love that he sings songs randomly, yet not random songs. I love this author, just like Renee Rose, she makes me laugh along with the knee squeezes and there is always an interesting story, and backstories. Going to read Mercy now, and probably the others too lol!
Loved it! I really wanted to see what happened with Kelsea because I had a feeling why she was on a long bender. And I love Ryder. I love that he sings songs randomly, yet not random songs. I love this author, just like Renee Rose, she makes me laugh along with the knee squeezes and there is always an interesting story, and backstories. Going to read Mercy now, and probably the others too lol!
July 13, 2019
OMG this book!! Ryder has been on the road to self destruction that he sees Kelsea struggling with. What starts out as just a job turns into so much more than he bargained when he finds out why she has been so determined to shut out the ghosts of her past. From the first paragraph to the last I was totally engrossed in the story.
March 11, 2022
My heart!!!
Wow, Ryder is such a great guy!!! Even when he's being all badass, he's got such a big heart! This book definitely had won tears, but it worked out for the best, even as rough as it was. Have to admit that I wasn't a big Kelsey fan at the beginning, but she won me over by the end!!! Great narration by Ava Lucas and J.F. Harding!! ❤❤
Wow, Ryder is such a great guy!!! Even when he's being all badass, he's got such a big heart! This book definitely had won tears, but it worked out for the best, even as rough as it was. Have to admit that I wasn't a big Kelsey fan at the beginning, but she won me over by the end!!! Great narration by Ava Lucas and J.F. Harding!! ❤❤
July 31, 2022
This was a bit dark at times but I liked this one even better than Mercy and Parris’s story.
I like the depth of the characters and their struggles, especially Kelsea’s because her self destructiveness wasn’t a superficial plot device.
Ryder might be my favourite.
Audiobook on Hoopla from my local library
I like the depth of the characters and their struggles, especially Kelsea’s because her self destructiveness wasn’t a superficial plot device.
Ryder might be my favourite.
Audiobook on Hoopla from my local library
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