| Title | : | Gallows Bridge (The Harlequin Crew, #5) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 660 |
| Publication | : | Published June 30, 2022 |
I was back in my hometown at last, surrounded by the boys I’ve loved for my entire life, and I’d finally had everything I’d ever wanted. But fate never was kind to this dead girl and we aren’t done fighting to claim our happily ever after.
This might not be a fairy tale, but I swear on all I am that I’ll defeat the villain of our story before it’s done. The only question left to answer is whether or not we’ll all live to see him die.
I’ll do whatever it takes to get revenge for everything Shawn has taken from us and claim the ending we deserve. But it’s gonna be one hell of a ride to get there.
This is the final book in the Harlequin Crew series. Beware of dark themes, devious villains and beautiful men with blackened souls. This series is part of the United States of Anarchy universe and there are some characters which cross over with other series in this world including Kings of Quarantine and The Death CLub but each dark and twisted tale can be read independently.
Gallows Bridge (The Harlequin Crew, #5) Reviews
-
3.5/5 ⭐
3/5 🌶️
Gallows Bridge is the fifth and final installment within The Harlequin Crew. What a way to end the series! 😍😍
I loved that ending! Ranger being with Tatums boys!
With that said - the book as a whole was unnecessary and majority of it was just fluff to get to the last 20%. Shawn could have played a much bigger role in the book as a whole. There’s many parts I liked, laughed with, spicy goodness, and some heart-racing moments. This one felt very wordy and like it had a lot of filler. Don't get me wrong, it's still written well, had some decent🔥🔥🔥 and a fair amount of character development, but personally. I think this should have been 4 book series. The first 75% of the book nothing really happened and then everything happen the last 25% of the book.
Quotes:
“Life is anarchy, and the moment you surrender to it, you’re free. Free of society’s rules and demands. Free of guilt, of regret.”
“We were meant to be together. And I was gunning for my happily ever after.”
“It was time to live again, time to reclaim our town and make the kids we’d once been proud of the adults we’d become at last.”
“learned that control is an illusion. That there’s no order in this world, no grand plans designed by something bigger than us. Life is anarchy, and the moment you surrender to it, you’re free. Free of society’s rules and demands. Free of guilt, of regret. Sure, it” -
This is probably one of the hardest reviews I've ever written because I still don't really know how I feel about the conclusion of this series. Did I love it? Absolutely. Did I dislike it? Very much so. This series is one of my favorite reverse harems and I don't know if I just had really high expectations for the final book, but it left me disappointed, I'm not gonna lie.
I love Rogue, she continues to be one of my favorite MFC's. And on a suuuper rare occasion, one of my favorite guys in the harem became my least favorite, and the guy I couldn't stand in the beginning became one of my favorites. Rick was my tippy top guy throughout the whole series, but Chase really turned it around for me. And Fox, who I originally loved, sadly just fell flat.
There were a couple teasers to what I think could be future works for the Twisted Sisters, like Luther and Carmen. I'm dying to see something between them. I loved her and I think her and Luther could be magic. There was also a possible nod to another reverse harem in the family that honestly looks like it could be far too similar to this series. But we shall see.
I also think that often chapters felt very disjointed, abrupt and rushed, especially towards the end. I typically love how the sisters do their many epilogues, but something just felt off to me with the execution of these.
So, why the 5 stars? It was still an incredible book. The revenge was very satisfying. The connection and friendship between the group was captivating. The beach vibes are everything. The spice was great. The banter, wit and dialogue was as always the best part. The humor the sisters bring to their characters is just next level. So if you're looking for your next RH read, you have to give this series a go! -
my favourite "real world" series from the twisted sisters, without a doubt. but did i love it? not entirely. was i disappointed? yes. the book as a whole was unnecessary and majority of it was just fluff to get to the last 20%. shawn could have played a much bigger role in the book as a whole. they turned the harlequin crew into an inadequate bunch of people who can't take care of problems in their own backyard, without the help from saint and niall. fox felt so disjointed and it's like they turned him into a totally different person. big advocate for fox, hands down my favourite male character, but i feel like he was done so dirty in this book. he was never there and when he was, he just wasn't himself. i feel like rogue always gravitates towards the other 3, especially jj and i feel like fox was very much left out of the story as a whole. 4 males is just too many.
the story as a whole felt rushed and like maybe they lost interest in it? 100% could have been better. a highly anticipated book that was majorly anticlimactic. my heart is hurting from the let down of this book, it's sad the the story of sunset cove ended the way it did. -
It pains me to have disliked this, as this was my favorite series. I feel extra bad because it was an arc and i cant write a glowing note. There’s many parts I liked, laughed with, spicy goodness, and some heart-racing moments. The ending really deflated me, as it just didn’t feel right. I know I will be in the extreme outlier opinion for this but trust me no one is more bummed about that than I.
I’ll need to sit on this for awhile before writing a real review. For now I will say that I don’t think I have ever wanted to DNF a book at over 90% read but this one almost landed there. The ending is so completely not fitting to the crew and there’s a gigantic missing plot hole in here that literally is the majority of the premise for the the first half of the book and then POOF no more mentions. Not even in the epilogue taking place 16 year laters. -
My favorite genre is the last book in the series by the Twisted Sisters and the incredible Epilogues you know they’ll deliver.
And this was no exception.
I’m still trying to assimilate that we got both Saint’s and Niall’s POVs in this book. I’ve never been happier to see some of my favorite characters back. Niall’s scene with JJ was pure genius. I’ve never been more glad to miss a birthing scene in my life lol
The way I laughed when Niall asked JJ for advise about stripping because he had knocked Brooklyn out for four hours by accidentally hitting her with his dick…
Fox trying to join in the orgies nearly killed me out of second-hand embarrassment. It was really hilarious but oh god, the shame.
Fox got so much better from the first book but to be honest, it kinda felt like he gave in and settled for Rogue, not because he was really into it.
I’m so glad they gave us real gay smut with Chase and JJ, but in the end it felt a bit shallow and fetishized when it turned out they only had sex with Rogue involved, like they weren’t real people with real emotions. But arguably, this is a lot more than they gave us in Ruthless Boys, which was 100% queer baiting.
The only time I cried was with the little dog and I’m not even worried about that says about me lmao
That being said, my biggest question is: WHAT HAPPENED WITH LUTHER???? They better give us his book with Carmen soon or I’ll riot!!!
And lmao I cracked up at Ranger (why every FMC has to have a stupid name??) being involved with four rich douches.
That’s totally karma, my dudes. Enjoy it.
I’m hoping we get their series, too. -
2/5
This book was a chunky boy for no reason. 600+ pages for probably 200 pages of plot, 300 pages of unnecessary filler and 100 pages of smut. This book felt like A CHORE to read. This particular series went downhill so quickly for me, I really only read this to see how it ended and I'm actually very disappointed.
For this book, firstly, it was purely the amount of filler that dropped this to a 2. Sure the chapter by one of our fave KOQ boys was great but even he became more of a Sheldon Cooper voice than his usual behaviour. The Shawn chapters added nothing. There was no value to having them in here. There was also a Niall chapter, which was obviously just a fan service and added nothing. The plot of this book was to find and kill Shawn. The amount of pages dedicated to that was disappointing to say the least. We could have wrapped up pages ago.
Coming in hot at second was the way the authors have added Fox into the harem and group sex situations. Firstly, why are we pressuring someone to be involved with that? Why are we shaming him? Where is the respect surrounding this? There is no rule book for these reverse harems so why MUST Fox be apart of group sex situations when you've so clearly written he's uncomfortable with it? He and Rogue can still do their own thing in their own time. Fox's inclusion at the end felt forced and the comments made about Chase and JJ (M/M) during the group activities made me feel awkward and uncomfortable about how it was written and how Fox especially reacted.
Thirdly, why was the funeral of a particular character 2months after they died?
Most importantly WHY are we changing characters minds about having children?! From my knowledge Rogue never wanted children, it was one reason Fox and Rogue fought. It honestly drives me insane when strong female characters make statements about not wanting things, then authors go an change it on a whim. Honestly not okay, and the baby's name was ......questionable. -
The final book in this addicting series and what a ride it was. As is usual with these authors I managed to race through this in record time and as this escalated to its eventual dramatic conclusion I was absolutely absorbed and transfixed by the unfolding drama. So after the shocking events of the previous book Fox has finally had an epiphany and is now more determined than ever to make the most of every minute and with just a few inevitable stumbling blocks he finally allows himself to succumb to the inevitable embracing the future with Rogue and his brothers.
There was so much going on here Shawn is still a thorn in all of their sides (man the dude has nine lives) but he’s having to also lie low hiding from the wrath that is certainly heading his way. He’s totally obsessed with Rogue and her downfall and is determined to snatch her happiness away also destroying her Harlequin boys in the process. We then get more bits from Tatum and her boys and also Brooklyn and Niall show their faces I loved catching up with them all and saint was completely on top-form as per usual.
This one ups the darkness and danger and definitely cranks up the temperature to scorching. It also had pockets of humour that definitely helped break the tension I was experiencing and got to say I bloody loved the finale it was magnificent and definitely worth the wait. Shawn got exactly what he deserved in my opinion. I also loved the breadcrumbs left for future stories set in this world.
This has been one hell of a ride and I’ve been glued to the unfolding events obsessively throughout. I definitely recommend this series it’s, as usual, well written and despite each book being lengthy I’ve never once been bored.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/63435390 -
Really? They couldn't just write a book without the MM? I saw the jokes about that in The Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac series but it didn't happen. It was enough that I had to definitely skim before reading to make sure I wasn't about to read that. But this series? I don't get why they had to go there. It throws the dynamic off. They just had to make Chase get screwed up the ass by JJ. It was disgusting and not anything I'm into. I get that MM is a thing many other people enjoy, to each their own. I don't want to read that and I'd have appreciated a warning beforehand. The fact that it was only in the 5th book was ridiculous. If it had of been in one of the others I wouldn't have bothered buying this book. DNF. I don't even care how it ended. Fox didn't die via Shawn at Gallows Bridge and that's good enough for me.
As for how was the book before that happened? Boring. Too much sex. A couple of conversations then sex. Deep inner monologue then sex. Spend the day doing fun things off screen, then sex. Fox doing the laundry? Orgy. Rogue gets attacked, attacker is beaten to death by Fox, then sex in the attacker's blood next to his corpse. It was mostly sex and that's not much of a plot. Chase's Dad dies being mauled by coyotes, then drinking, then gay sex. The authors are just dragging the conclusion out at this point. If there wasn't any sex there wouldn't be many pages.
Shawn gets shot in the chest by Travis? Lives. The 5 catch Shawn with his Mama? He gets away. To be honest there wasn't much about Shawn in the book before the MM scene. All the hype at the end of Paradise Lagoon was for nothing since he was a pathetic, mostly absent, villain in this book.
I felt bad for Fox. I didn't really like him in Paradise Lagoon but he was really trying in this book, and all he got for it was ridicule from the others. Not everyone is the same and I felt that Rogue could've handled it better, especially with Chase and JJ fucking and all. She accepted that easily enough, even though it threw off the group, but couldn't accept or even try for alone time with Fox to help him transition into the relationship. -
5 ✨
Tbh This was so good I could’ve Sat there and done nothing but read and finished this in 24hrs if I really committed, but I was trying to hold out because I wasn’t ready for the series to end yet. (Fyi I’m a super fast reader this is a pretty lengthy book)
But I just KNOW Tatum’s kids (KOQ) are going to get their own spin-off and we’re gonna get more of the Harlequin Crew, KOQ, and Society of Psychos.
My favorite part of these authors are that they write so well the characters personalities are so unique and actually enjoyable. Too many times you find a book with a good plot but the characters are literal trash and it’s never like that with Caroline and Susanne’s characters. I even like the villain in this series, and I’m not going to lie I hate myself a tad for actually liking Shawn, I’m so sorry to everyone who hates him I can’t explain why I wanted him to just join her harem. 🤡
AnywayyYyYyy, back to this book specifically. This book got good/happy way TOO QUICK, I should’ve noticed. I should have known it was too good to be true and I wasn’t just going to get a full HEA for a book, but ya know idk I’m naive or something.
The storyline was really good for this and there were multiple times I thought one thing was going to happen and then something totally different did, it’s rare I’m surprised when it comes to events in books.
The book also always kept my attention and closed all the loose ends for the series.
I looooooved how much KOQ characters we had in this. I do wish we could get more of their POVS, but I’m appreciative of the ones we got bc obv this is not their series. In addition to that we got to see Brooklynn and her harem again which is great too.
You know what sucks though? I read a lot, and I just know I’m going to be in a book slump now trying to find a book in comparison to this one 😐 -
ALL MY REVIEWS CAN BE FOUND ON MY BLOG:
ABSTRACT BOOKS
Star Rating : 5/5 Stars
POV : Multiple
Cliffhanger : None
Hero : Rick , Fox , Chase , JJ
Heroine : Rogue
Pace of the story : Moderate
Angst Rating : 5/10
Heat Rating : 6/10
Triggers Involved : Past Trauma , Kidnapping
Plot Summary :
Shawn was one man who had taken everything from Rogue. The man who had tried to kill her and was now after her family was their biggest enemy. His rage, his craziness, always affected them in the worst way and he left anguish in his wake. And now he had them all trapped. With Luther and Fox being gone, she had her boys and herself to make things right. But the trap Shawn had laid this time might be their biggest challenge of all because there seems to be no way out.
But they are street urchins. People who know how to fight dirty and Rogue will have her happy ending with her boys and family, no matter what she has to do for that. Shawn will pay. In one way or the other.
Overall Opinion :
OMG. Such a long wait lmao and that cliffhanger certainly made things so tougher 🤣🤣. That ending of the last book practically made my throat swell up with the need to scream and rant! Like omggggg. The moment I got this book on my Kindle, I was all over it!
You guys are not ready for the conclusion. It's everything you wanted and sooo freaking much more. I'll have to give it to our sister authors, yes they torture our soul throughout their series, they make us yearn for that happy ending but man when they actually deliver it?? Phenomenal. Like it's the best ending. The perfect revenge, it just gives me so much satisfaction!! Yes sacrifices were made and I still hurt because of them 😭 But I loved the ending so much!
Definitely recommending this series to all the RH loving people out there! The ride is crazy and amazing but so worth it.
Website |
Bookstagram |
Facebook Page |
Newsletter -
4.5 stars
This series is like a weighted blanket of hilarity and heartache. Super sad to see it end, but I think
this was the best wrap-up we could have hoped for.
I have been anti-Fox since book 1, but I have to say he finally started to grow on me after his near death experience at the end of Paradise Lagoon. He's still at the bottom of my ranking, but like a higher bottom. He's out of the Mariana Trench and now it's just the seafloor.
I think the most delightful surprise of Gallows Bridge was the development of an MM bond within the harem. I felt like it developed naturally, and the new dynamic fit in perfectly within the larger group. Other honorable delightful moments were Luther & Mutt's friendship, Luther simping over Carmen, Maverick & Luther & Fox having a moment, and literally any mention of Saint Memphis. -
Genre: Contemporary Romance, NA
Tropes: RH, revenge quest, childhood friends, enemies to lovers, gang wars, found family
Series: The Harlequin Crew #5
Cliffhanger: No, it's the series final
Trigger Warnings: death, violence, torture, explicit sex scenes
Rating: 4.5 ⭐
Spice: 5/5 🌶
"We don’t need to wield the power of the ocean; we only need to catch the waves and enjoy the ride.”
It was sweet, spice and everything nice. But mostly spice. I loved how much Kings of Quarantine and Society of Psychos content we had here, how we are definitely being set up for a future story with Carmen and Luther and ahhh, the banter, the feels, the smart-ass comebacks. A delight, as always.
》》The Plot《《
Wrapping up the series, the fifth book covers the final showdown between the Harlequins and Shawn, starting right where book 4 has ended, with Fox in the hands of the enemy and the rest of the group in deeeeeep deeeeep trouble (literally, because they are in a hole, rapidly filling up with water). We have connections being formed, bridges mended and some little help from Tatum and her boys as well as from Brooklyn and her boys.
“The great Fox Harlequin,” I whispered, running my hand down to the bandages covering his side, barely grazing over it in case I hurt him. “Still standing even when he’s seen the other side of death.”
“There was nothing waiting for me in hell, baby,” he murmured, the roughness of his voice making my heart pinch at the pain he must have been in. “When the Devil calls my name again, it’ll be listed right after yours.”
“I’m going to hell, am I?” I smirked and he slid his hands down my back, squeezing my ass with a look that was all filth.
“I think the angels might let you through the pearly gates, hummingbird, but the four of us are damned,” he said darkly, sending a shiver fluttering up and down my spine. “I guess we’ll be taking you with us, or breaking down those gates to come hunting for your soul.”
“Might as well pick hell, beautiful. There ain’t no orgies in heaven,” Maverick said."
The book was written in the typical style of the sisters, with multiple POVs, action combined with scenes with the only purpose of allowing us the enjoy the characters and, last but not least, plenty of spice.
》》Characters and Relationships《《
🌈🧑🏼Rogue and Fox
"But you, Rogue, you make sense to me. In fact, you’re the only thing that has ever made sense to me. The one thing I have never had to question or doubt. I may not exist for any particular purpose in this world, but I am choosing you as my purpose. I will make your happiness my meaning on this earth. I promise I will enrage you sometimes, and you will enrage me, and there will be days when we’re at each other’s throats like hungry wolves. But I don’t want it any other way, because it’s our truth, our raw love and hate for each other coming together as one. Maybe we’re the chaos of the universe given flesh. But isn’t there something fucking perfect in that? And in true Fox Harlequin fashion, I have to make a demand of you. Tell me you’ll have me, hummingbird, because I’m yours, every wretched piece of me.”
Finally, he's had some sense knocked into him after a near death experience. He connects with Rogue soooo beautifully, while continuing to be reserved about her other spicy moments, being his very badgery self for most of the book. Of course, he had to have a taste of everything in the end, but in typical Fox-fashion, we got there the hard way.
🌈🧑🏻💼Rogue and Maverick
“I love you,” I told her.
“I love you too,” she answered.
“I made a vow that I’d tried to beat Fox’s letter. I wanted to put into words how much I adore you, but I’m fucking shit at writing it down.”
“You don’t need to do that. I know how you feel.”
“I wish I could say it better,” I said in a growl. “I wish I could tell you that I love you as catastrophically as the loss of you broke me. That this kind of ruin is a far sweeter destruction to endure, and that I would never choose any other downfall but this.”
I was always in love with how well these two understood and patched each other up. Starting as outsiders, full of past trauma and insecurities and helping themselves heal along the way. They were a great fit and I loved this relationship from its very beginning.
🌈🧑🏻Rogue and Chase
“I love you, Chase Cohen,” I murmured into his mouth, wanting him to taste the words on my lips and feel the truth of them as he devoured every one of them.
“I don’t deserve your love. But I will. I’ll earn it every day that I have left to me and make myself worthy if it’s the last thing I do.”
“Stop,” I protested.
“The Last Time by Taylor Swift and Gary Lightbody. And I love you too.”
I'm sorry to still see Chase doubting himself, after all his redemption arc, but I've seen growth in that direction, especially with help from Rogue and JJ. And I still find it adorable how he gives her a song for every moment he wishes to say 'I love you'.
🌈🧑🏽Rogue and JJ
“I love you, Johnny James. And I’m not going anywhere. So stop looking at me like you think I might vanish if you dare to look away.”
These two have been sweetening this story from beginning, and we've had a lot of love between them for so long that it's not surprising anymore how lovey-dovey they are.
🧑🏼💼🌹Luther and Carmen
“Oh, chico tonto,” she tutted at him like he was a kid. “Perhaps God ran out of intelligence the day she made you, so she gave you extra strength and beauty to make up for it. Goodbye, Luther.”
I want a book with them. I need it yesterday. All the soft banter and teasing, all the glimpses we get of these two only make me want it with more urgency. Kind of like Rogue needing greasy French fries.
》》Favorite Scenes《《
🧑🏼🌈Fox and Rogue
🧑🏽🧑🏻💼🧑🏻🌈🧑🏼 The boys discovering Rogue in Fox's bed
“Well look what we have here,” Maverick said. “What the fuck happened to her clothes, Foxy boy? Damn mystery, that is.”
“Fuck off, Rick,” I ground out, my hand going to my throat and drawing Chase’s gaze.
“Did you two…” Chase started, looking weirdly hopeful.
“Of course they did,” JJ said, rounding on me with a wide smile. “I don’t even need to call on my sexth sense for this one, the truth is everywhere.”
💌 Fox's letter
🧑🏼💼🌹 Luther going to see Carmen
👀 Travis flirting with Carmen
🧑🏽🧑🏻JJ and Chase having a talk
"I love every piece of you, and so does Rogue, so does Rick, and Fox. So stop listening to the villains in your head and start listening to the people out here who matter.”
🧑🏼💼🧑🏽🧑🏻🌈Luther finding JJ, Chase and Rogue naked in the pool
🧑🏻🧑🏽🧑🏼🧑🏻💼🧑🏼💼🌈The guys explaining to Luther their relationship with Rogue
“On second thoughts, I don’t want to know,” Luther muttered
“It’s simple really,” JJ said anyway. “We’re in love with her. All four of us.”
“Always have been,” Chase added.
“And she’s in love with us, aren’t you, beautiful?”Rick added.
“Yes.”
“Well, I don’t really want to know how you figure out the mechanics of all that, but if it’s what was needed to reunite my family then I can’t say I have any objections to it.”
🧑🏻💼🌈💋Maverick and Rogue going to see Mia
🦑The squid emoji again
“Shoot me a text when he’s dead,” Mia called, and I smirked as I turned back to her.
“When you get a squid emoji from me, that means it’s done,” Rogue promised, and I sniggered as Mia smiled.
“That’s not what a squid emoji means.”
“Yeah, I know. That’s why it’s the perfect code.”
👀Texas spotting what Chase, Maverick and Rogue were up to in backstage
🧑🏽JJ asking Gwan for help
🧑🏽🌈JJ's mom asking Rogue to take care of JJ
🌈🧑🏽Rogue talking JJ into giving Gawn a real shot
🧑🏽🧑🏻💼JJ and Maverick talking about their dads
“So you’re Augustus Rosewood, huh?” I breached the silence.
“Yeah, and you’re Gwanny James Junior.”
“Fuck off."
🚘Chasing Shawn
🧑🏼🧑🏻🌈Fox finding Chase and Rogue
🧑🏻Chase's story for the cop
🎉The surprise birthday party for Fox
🧑🏼🌈Fox stealing Rogue away
🧑🏼💼🐶Luther talking about Mutt with Pepito
🧑🏽🧑🏼JJ teasing Fox about Dark Fae
“It’s five books and they’re huge,” I said.
“I gave them to you weeks ago. You’re such a slow reader, man.”
“Well maybe I stopped reading after book three.”
“What? You’re joking, right? Book three was a huge cliff-hanger.”
“She chose one of the guys. And not the one I was rooting for.”
“Oh my god,” he groaned. “You’re so stupid. This is why you’re not getting it.”
“Not getting what?”
“Us. We’re her harem.”
“Uhuh,” I said dryly.
“God, you’re such a Gabe.”
🧑🏻🌈Chase taking Rogue out
🧑🏼🧑🏻💼Fox and Maverick taking the charge from Luther
🦑Saint's chapter
"There was depth to the squid. Depth which I was as yet, still unable to fathom."
🚄Getting Rosie on the train
🧑🏼💼🌹Luther's phone call with Carmen
🧑🏼Fox being in the closet
🧑🏻💼🧑🏼Maverick talking to Fox
🌈🧑🏻💼Rogue waking Maverick up
🧑🏻💼🧑🏼🌈Maverick, Fox and Rogue
👵🏻Miss Mable being absolutely iconic + the mention of Kyan's grandfather was top notch
“Oh don’t worry about all that. I did plenty of dongle dancing in my day. Goodness, I even had an amorous tryst with an Irish mob boss once who really rocketed me to the moon, if you know what I mean. Liam O’Brien still visits my dreams to this day, I can tell you now.”
🎐The jellyfish
🦑Saint and Tatum coming to help
🔨Niall's chapter
🌈Rogue fighting
🦈The sharks
🧑🏼Fox wanting to start an orgy
“I wanna try group sex,” I said.
“You did not just announce an orgy,” JJ said, shaking his head at me as heat blazed up my spine.
“Well, I don’t fucking know how else to do this,” I growled.
“You need the orgy trumpet,” Chase joked. “Give it a good blow and our cocks will rise like an army ready to invade Rogue’s realms.”
🧑🏼Fox's first orgy, through his eyes, being possibly the most hilarious thing in this book
"JJ leaned in to lick and suck at both Chase and Rogue’s flesh while the others started moving, groaning, pawing at each other, and I just stood there like I was in line at the grocery store, dick in hand like a discounted sausage."
🧑🏽🧑🏼JJ and Fox talking about Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac again
🔨🧑🏽Niall giving JJ a ride
💚Ranger
🎉Tatum and Saint's surprise
》》Conclusion《《
“And there I was thinking that a girl with a verb for a name would be incapable of intriguing me,” Saint said, arching a brow as I gave him a shrug.
“Better than having an improper noun for one.”
Silence hung between us, and Saint barked a laugh suddenly, beckoning me after him as he started up the stairs.
Another series reached its end and, while I'm happy to see the characters all the way through, I feel like the Epilogue could have been better, with some more scenes and details. Also, did I see something being prepared there, at the end, between Ranger and the River boys ? -
Unfortunately for the Sisters, this fell very short. A great series overall but the last book left me thinking what was the point?? Shawn didn't create as much havoc and chaos as what you would expect considering the cliffhanger from Paradise Lagoon. He could have played a larger role through the book to keep you on the edge of your seat.
The big bad gang of the Harlequin Crew had a vibe of school kids again and needed Saint and Tatum Co. to save the day on multiple occasions along with Niall & Brooklyn.
Fox was a completely different character. He definitely needed a great character arc which he half got there but he was still lacking. He at times was still left out and didn't fit right at all. I felt quiet annoyed every time he was pushed to the back or ridiculed by the others.
Paradise Lagoon could have been extended into an overall fight scene with Shawn and then straight into Epilogues.
It sadly felt very rushed and an un-needed book in the series. -
Hot Holy Hell
Gallows Bridge was the perfect ending to the Harlequin Crew Series. Jam packed with action, new backstories, revenge and more spice scenes than I could count.
Rogue and her boys really go through it all in this book. In typical Caroline and Susanne style, moments of humour bring a lightness to the otherwise dark narrative that makes it incredibly easy to read and enjoy whilst maintaining a tension that make this book unputdownable!
F*cking Shawn is an excellently written villain who is truly terrifying and this book really highlighted this.
We also have some excellent crossover that saw some of my favourite characters return from Kings of Quarantine and the Dead Men Walking duology. (GIVE ME MORE OF THE KOQ BOYS PLS)
If you haven't read this series yet, I don't know what you're waiting for!
Thank you so much to the authors for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. -
Dont get me wrong I like the sisters books, but I feel like they're letting the compliments from their reading group get into their heads. I feel like they're more preocupied in making absurd situations then tell a cohesive story.
Rogue is added in my "only do things impulsively because somehow they think that it's smart to run in front of the guys who's dealing with this gang shit for a long time, but I (kind of a shattered girl) that never really had been in the thick of it, think that I know better than them" group along with Anya (From FMNB). In fact I think that they would be besties, as their characters became almost the same after they became the "Queen" of the gang. To me being a Queen is more than just sleeping with the guys who controls the gang, but whatever. These two girls think that they need to prove something to themselves, to me, them getting into the battlefield will only make the boys not concentrate enough, if they started to like practice fighting, I would be more ok with them doing these risky things.
While reading this book I kind of felt bullied in reading the authors other books, there was so much internal jokes, that I kind of don't understand what they're trying to achieve here, because if someone likes their book, they'll go after the others, but maybe the fact that there's so many inside jokes here (like everyone saying Fucking Shawn), it can put people off it, because I hate when I don't understand something on the book. Saint and Niall shouldn't had had a POV chapter here, they're not part of this story, why they're getting a chapter in this book? I tried reading KOQ and I hated it (I hated Saint so much that I couldn't get past the 2nd book) so why should I be reading a chapter from him here (that's not his story), when I couldn't stand him on his own series. Even if I hate KOQ I still read these authors other books, in fact Ruthless Boys is one of my favourite series ever (Leon, Dante, Ryder and Elise are some of my favourite characters ever). But after reading this book I don't know if I'll really keep reading their books if they don't know how to separate series like that, I love hearing mentions about characters and things like that, but whole chapters that doesn't add anything to the story other than reading time (which I don't have much) is absurd, they should had realized by now that page numbers doesn't make a good book.
Chase and JJ's "relationship" was added because it is becoming a trend to add MM in RH books (which to me make it polyamory, because the whole point of the RH is for the FMC to have the sole attention of the boys), because I couldn't see the chemistry between them.
Mabel's death didn't made me feel emotional or anything like that only angry at the authors, because it was such a senseless death, and Shawn once again won against them, because he took away the only woman that was kind of a mother to Rogue and Maverick's grandmother, whom he had only met.
Just my opinion, or you give a child for each guy in the harem, or don't give a child at all.
It was a dissapointing book, It took too long to be here that I forgot about some things that happened in the other books.
Everyone knows that Luther and Carmen are getting a series, just say it already, I hate when authors keep secrets, it is annoying, and I'm sure it causes their fans anxiety, they should think about it before trying to be so mysterious about things. -
*4.5 Stars*
The end for our Harlequin gang has finally arrived and to say that I had been waiting for this one would be putting it lightly. From the second I opened Devil's Pass back in 2020, I was immediately attached to these characters and became invested in their story so the fact that we've made it to the end now is a little bittersweet. This is by far my favorite of the sisters' United States of Anarchy series and one of the main reasons is because of how well the story was written. I felt so much emotion reading these not only because of all the crazy things that happen to the characters but also because the authors were able to capture every emotion they were feeling perfectly whether they were riding the biggest highs or were sinking into the lowest of lows. Even the in betweens felt like they were captured perfectly and there were never any inconsistencies with character personalities even as they faced their own traumatic events. Each one of these characters have been jaded in some capacity, some more than others, by their past experiences and it never felt like any of those experiences were brushed under the rug and forgotten for the sake of quick character development.
The character development over the last five books has been one of my favorite aspects of the series in general, watching the guys slowly make their way back to the steadfast group of brothers they were when they were kids, in a trope I will from now on refer to as enemies to bros, had my heart melting. I might also be biased cause that was also when all of the best banter came out to play and I am a huge sucker for banter.
Per usual for the sisters, this book has a great balance of seriousness, humor, and spice which definitely made up some of my favorite parts of this book since we finally got multiple group scenes. 😈 I was a bit upset and confused on why we didn't see more of Luther towards the end, I understand that he was busy doing his own thing but I guess I was just expecting to see something from him at some point in the epilogues even if it was just to check after everything was over and had calmed down. I also thought that the epilogues weren't as thorough as the sisters have done in the past but that might be because this won't be the last time we see them if you catch my drift. If we were teased in that last chapter only to have nothing come from it I might cry, but if we do... I AM SO READY! 😫👀 -
As much I as loved this series, it was time to say goodbye. The storyline with Shawn was getting old and he needed to die once and for all. One thing I will say, his death that I longed so hard for was the most epic I’ve probably ever encountered before. As someone who managed to always be one step ahead yet still stupid, his charades were tireless but often had me questioning the might of the guys and the gangs behind them. Even throughout this book we don’t see much of the Harlequin gang or Maverick’s yet the two are supposedly joined. After 5 books I still have questions but I have a feeling any lingering threads will be addressed by these ladies later on. The most important details are nailed down and while this was a long and hard road (and I’m still crying over Miss Mable) I’m glad with how everything worked out. Fox finally got the stick removed out of his ass and became a true part of the group. It sure took him a long ass time to admit his truth and man up. On that note, Chase and JJ was an unexpected and extremely welcome surprise. Both find peace in their lives and having their pasts wrap up I think sets them on a clear and stress free path. I truly wish Mutt was better respected in this book and the last. I swear every chapter the little hellion was being treated in some way and the few close calls I had to suffer through were wholly unnecessary 🤬 But I’m still glad he too gets a HEA in the end. Thank goodness the cliffhangers are done for this series but damn if I don’t wanna know what happened to dear daddy Luther. How come I already know he’s crawling on his knees at the heels of Carmen, I love it and I
hopeknow we’ll see them again. Now if anything I know without a doubt I need to read the Zodiac series. -
DNFing at 60%, and it took over a month for me to get that far which is unheard of for me!
Super disappointed because I was really looking forward to this one, but there was just too much sex and not enough story.
It also made me uncomfortable that Fox made his thoughts clear, yet he was still pressured to join in by the people who are supposed to be his family 🤷🏼♀️ -
This book legit starts of like a thriller. My pulse was going so damn fast and i couldn’t read quick enough to find out what happened to our guys and girl! It continues on from the gut wrenching ending of the last book. This lot will stop at NOTHING to protect each other and bring down that f****** Shawn 😂
“If he was dead then he had better be prepared for me to come rip him back out of hell, because I was done being nothing, a no one. I was ready for something more.” 🤍
I missed Mutt so much!! He cracks me up throughout 🙌🏼 the book legit wouldn’t be the same without him!! And his relationship with Fox is obvs still my favourite but is rivalled with Luther’s relationship 😂
Fox and Rick 🙌🏼🥰 a reunion I definitely needed. It’s bitter sweet… well, certainly more bitter than sweet 😂
“Fucking hell, we’re gonna hug, aren’t we?” 🤣
Daddy Luther!!! I’m so in love!!! I’ve loved watching the character progress with him throughout this series, it wouldn’t be the same without him.
Ricks one liners had me howling with laughter throughout, I wish I could list them all out. You’ll just have to read the book yourself. It’s so hard not to give spoilers!!!
“F*** my life, did we all just become besties again? ….BFF’s forever.” 🤣
I didn’t think I could adore JJ anymore but seriously I had tears in my eyes at his ice cream date 🥹🥹 but then I was crying with laughter because it’s actually hysterical!! 🤣🤣 “was that a friendly toe nudge?” Hahaha if you know, you know!! ❤️
P.S If your name is Gwan then try not to take offence 😂😂😜
Let me tell you guys… you aren’t ready for the 🥵🥵 moments in this book!! 69% through!! Fitting I know🤣🤣 but for real, OMG!! I died and went to heaven hahaha was THE hottest thing ever 😁🙌🏼
I was NOT ready for the explosion of action towards the end… I mean, I obviously knew it would be an amazing show down with f****** Shawn but it was so much more!!! I won’t say no more….
We get some surprise guests throughout!! They had me cracking up too… “Aw, I like that. Your momma liked ya so much, she named ya twice.” 🤣🤣
The ending of this book was everything and more 🥲🥲 my heart feels so full. Smashed it ladies!!! 🙌🏼🤍 -
Yes, this book is exactly what you're hoping for and so much more! The ending of a series is always a bit tricky as different readers are hoping for different outcomes, but the Twisted Sisters are masters at giving us readers exactly what we wanted and what we didn't even think to ask for. I've come to really love these characters--especially Rogue--and their journey in the past 4 books, and I absolutely devoured this one in between my work schedule. I don't want to say too much, but just know to expect Caroline and Susanne's signature humor, steam, and twists, and a great ending to another brilliant series!
*ARC provided by the authors, and I voluntarily reviewed it* -
This book was AMAZING! The twisted sisters brought everything they had to Gallows Bridge to finish this already epic series. Gallows Bridge was everything it needed to be - simultaneously hilarious, treacherous, terrifying, gripping and holy sh*t it was sexy. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
-
4.5/5⭐️
3/5🌶
This is a super hard review!
So it’s classic Caroline and Susanne, these two never fail to write captivating, funny, adventurous stories.
Now, I read about 40% then had to put it down. I almost considered not diving back in. I’m glad I did though. I loved this series from the beginning and really grew to love these characters so much.
Maverick, was my favorite.
This was a great ending to an awesome series. I loved the wild ride, and there were moments it was long and a little daunting to look at with how thick these books are, but I’m so glad I stuck with it.
I will miss Rogue and her boys.
This book is exactly what you expect from the twisted sisters,
- long chapters, deep plots, crazy story lines, funny moments, and seriously dragged out 😂
But again, I loved it for what it is and they didn’t disappoint me.
There is a bit of MM sprinkled in, now coming from a serious MM fan, I think they should stick to what they know and not try it again. The MM scenes lacked chemistry to me and felt like they were forced because that’s what they thought people wanted. -
It's hard to picture nearly finishing a marathon and deciding to quit in sight of the finish line. And yet... DNF @ 54%. I just don't care anymore, and I haven't cared for the last couple books now. At this point, I hope Fox never gets over his hangups. I want this pentangle to fail and effing Shawn to win.
For my money, the best angsty reverse harem serieses involving a gang of thugs having dirty sex with the same woman are written by C.M. Stunich. Personally, I can't stand the author. She's a flaming liberal that pushes her Portlandian views/hatred of all things Trump in every single novel. But if you can put up with it (or if you agree), they're so much better than this crap and available out on KU. -
Okay ya’ll WHAT A FRICKEN JOURNEY THIS HAS BEEN.
This series has put me THROUGH it, lemme tell you. We’ve had angst, action, romance, ✨SPICE✨ and fricken everything else under the sun.
This last book in the series was less angsty and more romantic and after everything that these characters have been through they deserved it and I DESERVED IT TOO DAMMIT. This book is where they finally got over all their bullhonkey and just accepted their feelings and dived right in and grabbed their happiness by the balls. It was so nice to FINALLY see them all get a chance to be happy together.
The banter between everyone was absolutely hilarious. There were so many moments where I was laughing out loud because they were being so funny. It was so amazing to finally get to see the kind of relationship they had when they were kids come out and it really highlighted the bond they all had as being more than just sex which was *chefs kiss*
The sex though…. Holy moly. This one was definitely the one with the most in it out of all of them and I was not mad about it. It was SO GOOD. 👍🏼
Overall, really really good series. I blew through all five books in less than two weeks so its safe to say, I had a tough time putting them down. They were all very fast paced and it always felt like something was happening to keep me interested the whole way through. Bravo with this series. Had a blast reading them. Would definitely recommend! -
Damn. I am a fan of the sister books normally and this series started out as one of my favourites..I loved the prequel and then the first couple books..
So it pains me to say that this book was very mediocre for me..
*MM development was too fast;
*Random jokes.. it seems that all series suddenly start to get these very psychotic/stupid character behaviours.
*they were all pretty much useless kids not powerful mobsters half the time
*Shawn...ahm..that plot dragged out way too much
*the epilogue was bittersweet...3 out of 4 guys panicked about *life changes* way too much, very character unfitting.. thought they would carry her on their arms :)
I think from starting out with real edge and a bit of darker edge, this series then took a turn to become chaotic character with a very specific humour.. which I normally don't mind but it feels like it became thematic across all the series, as the series develop therefore overused.
Don't get me wrong, it's still written well, had some decent🔥🔥🔥 and a fair amount of character development, but personally.. I would have much more enjoyed a more condensed 4 book version for this. -
Gallows Bridge is the fifth and final installment within The Harlequin Crew. For days, and days, I've been waiting for Fox to get the stick removed from his ass. Well, well, the time has finally come and I'm so happy. Well, sort of. Mostly because I'm not excited with what happened in order for the stick to be removed but happy nonetheless that it's out.
Other than that, I'm so happy that they finally dove into the reverse harem romance that I have been begging for. It was so freaking good. Even though the waiting period was not always worth it, I'm happy that they are all happy. Also, that Shawn isn't happy. That was the cherry on freaking top for me. His downfall. I wanted more bloodshed and tears, but I'll learn to accept what I was given.
Eventually. -
There's nothing like the end of a series and reading as all the loose ends are tied up, but...as much as I loved this series and the wacky characters and their silly antics, I didn't enjoy this as much and can't figure out why. I think the characters feel like caricatures of themselves or something. They just seem more over the top with ridiculousness? Maybe it's me, though. I seem to have trouble enjoying final books in any series recently.
Anyway, glad to see things resolved and am happy to have read the series overall, but maybe if I'd binged it all at once I'd have liked this final book more? -
Another epic finale from Caroline and Susanne, once again showing us exactly how to close out a series and giving these unforgettable characters the farewell they deserve.
One of my favorite things about this series is the unique setting of Sunset Cove, and the contrast of the sun and surf with the darkness and depravity of gang life. After the nonstop drama of the first four books these characters finally get a bit of breathing room and I enjoyed the moments of Rogue and her guys simply being together and living life. These characters have come a long way, their journey from jagged individual pieces to a wholly complete, loving family was truly transformative. Caroline and Susanne have the ability to completely draw you in with their writing, so much so you can’t help but connect deeply with their characters. And for these characters in particular, it will be especially hard to say goodbye.
Gallows packs just as much of a punch as the previous books in the series, alternating action and suspense with sexy AF moments, punctuated with the sisters’ signature humor.
Turning the last page of this book was a bittersweet moment. I’m going to miss these characters deeply, but I was ready for the Harlequin Crew to get their hard earned happily ever after. Another amazing series and I’m excited to see what the sisters give us next from this world! -
It's always wild ride in Sunset Cove!
The final book in The Harlequin Crew Series by Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti is no exception. It's dark and twisted and delicious!
The authors who are affectionately?! Notoriously?! Known as The Twisted Sisters put you through all the feels. I was on the edge of my seat, I was celebrating and cheering at parts, some tears were shed, fanning myself at other parts 🥵, laughing histerically and Definitely fist pumping one part: heck yeah!
Found Family is one of my favorite tropes in RH romance. The prequel novella, Devil's Pass, had set that trope up so well and made be fall in love with these characters. But, their journey back to creating their own family unit is anything but easy. Perhaps they are an even stronger unit now. All I know is these lovable criminals stole my heart quicker than Mutt can steal a burrito and French fries.
It definitely became harder to chose a favorite guy throughout the series (#whychoose), but Maverick still might have to be at the top; he is just Everything! I love how often JJ can crack me up and his story is endearing. I have so many feels about how Chase learned to embrace some of his vulnerability and grow stronger; he tugged at my heart. And, Fox wound up winning me over, he is so reliable and caring and he found the right outlet for his controlling nature.
I'm definitely hoping for some spin-offs!
Favorite quotes without spoilers:
"Would it make it better if I was wearing a hat?" 🤣🤣
'“Might as well pick hell, beautiful. There ain’t no orgies in heaven,” Maverick said '
'“Shit, we are terrible 🦆ing people,” I gasped though my laughter. “A bunch of utter 🍑holes,” JJ agreed. “Total c*nts,” Rick said proudly. “I couldn’t even give a 🦆” Chase laughed. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.” Fox grinned between us and right there and then I knew that I had my boys back again. The five of us. Just like it always should have been.'
