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Val ⚓️ Shameless Handmaiden ⚓️

November 30 2019

3.75 - 4 Stars As a LONGtime lover of this series, reading this was like wrapping myself in a warm blanket and hanging out with some of my best friends around the fire. I love this series. I love these characters. And, somehow, I never get bored reading about them. That said, this book obviously cannot stand alone and I wouldn't recommend reading it out of order. Even attempting to read just Z's trilogy probably wouldn't be that great. But I digress. Off to start book book 15...

✰

✰ Liz ✰

August 18 2019

<blockquote> "Now I can focus on making Lilly mine. Permanently." </blockquote><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1568000373i/28120504._SX540_.jpg" width="" height="" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> Zero Apologies is the 14th book in the Lost Kings MC Series and the third book in the Z and Lilly trilogy. You would think I would be tired of all of this LOKI LOVE but the truth is this is one series (and one author), I will never get enough of. After Lilly and Z have been through hell and back, they now have the opportunity to prove the world wrong and find their happy ever after. The road has been beyond difficult for these two and yet, true love always prevails. <img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1466701540i/19510149._SX540_.gif" width="" height="" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><blockquote> "I'm all yours for the taking." </blockquote> Told in multiple POV, Zero Apologies is another work of art by my favorite MC Author! Lilly and Z continue to grow and transform together in the most imperfect ways! I love the rough edges on both of these characters and how together they are somehow able to work through the difficulties of life that continue to weigh them down. In true LOKI tradition, the brotherhood is strong. These LOKI Men and their Old Ladies continue to amaze me with the depths they will go to protect the ones they love. With action, passion, and MC style suspense, Zero Apologies is another LOKI winning read! <blockquote> " After the disappointment, betrayal, and hurt, we finally have each other and our family." </blockquote> Overall, Zero Apologies would appeal to any and all MC Romance Fans. If you haven't met the men of the LOKI, what is stopping you? This is one series that I will never get tired of. Bravo Ms. Lake! Bravo!!!!! ✪ ARC graciously provided in exchange for an honest review! ✪ For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit: <a href="https://craziesrusbookblog.wordpress.com//" rel="nofollow noopener"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1483747845i/21645810.jpg" width="320" height="160" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> <img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1450764696i/17467413.jpg" width="" height="30" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> </a><a href="https://twitter.com/CraziesRus" rel="nofollow noopener"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1450633462i/17450183.png" width="60" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"></a><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/craziesrus/" rel="nofollow noopener"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1450763751i/17467332.jpg" width="60" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Crazies-R-Us-Book-Blog-171506803016307/timeline/" rel="nofollow noopener"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1450633462i/17450182.png" width="60" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"></a><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/110273454171852792166/posts" rel="nofollow noopener"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1451963666i/17626541.png" width="55" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"></a><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1450764696i/17467413.jpg" width="" height="30" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy">

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NAT.orious reads ☾

August 08 2019

4.25 unapologetic * ?? ZERO APOLOGIES: Zero and Lilly, Part 3 by <a href="https://goodreads.com/author/show/5752457.Autumn_Jones_Lake" title="Autumn Jones Lake" rel="noopener">Autumn Jones Lake</a> is OUT NOW! One-click today!! ?? ⇝Preface. This review is going to be one of the longer ones. I understand you might want to get right down to the juicy part. As I was lucky to read this for free in exchange for an honest review and really wanted to prove how thankful I am, I made sure to take extra care with this review and give some details (Funnily enough, this version is now the 3rd update of one and the same review because again and again, I found tiny things that needed editing - and usually, I am not a perfectionist). Feel free to jump down to the ⇝What’s happening. section first and come back later after that section or even after you've read this book yourself (which I recommend. The entire series, that is, starting with <a href="https://goodreads.com/book/show/41726841.Slow_Burn__Lost_Kings_MC___1_" title="Slow Burn (Lost Kings MC, #1) by Autumn Jones Lake" rel="noopener">Slow Burn</a>) ⇝Overall Are you guys ready for the conclusion of the Ziren story (please credit me for my originality)? Because somehow, I haven’t been sure about this until I just finished it. The last book left me with somewhat of an uneasy feeling. Of course, I know that usually, the OTPs get their happy ending, but with <a href="https://goodreads.com/author/show/5752457.Autumn_Jones_Lake" title="Autumn Jones Lake" rel="noopener">Autumn Jones Lake</a> one can never be sure, haha Overall, I am very happy with how this story turned out. It was a pleasure to have been able to read the ARC of one of Autumn’s books for the second time. As I have come to love the LOKI family very quickly, I would love to be able to read about them for a long time. I already started my physical collection and will be completing them shortly ? I can’t believe it will be months before I lay my hands on the next book in this series, but to quote Lilly: <blockquote>Karma really is a cunt, isn’t she?</blockquote> I love that weed is the main LOKI business. I am very frustrated with the way most people treat weed; as if it were something straight out of hell. Mind you, many of them are happily chugging back questionable amounts of alcohol every weekend while doing so, and that is just ridiculous. The 21st century is way past the notion of red wine - or any kind of alcohol, for that matter - as a healthy evening drink. This outdated assumption actually relates to the micronutrients in grapes. Weed is not only a drug but also a medicinal substance, as opposed to alcohol (if you are not using it to disinfect a wound). I love how Autumn contributes to normalizing the dialogue about weed and also hints at the complexity and joy of growing (weed, or anything in general, really). I have this secret wish that future books tell more about the medicinal side of it! <blockquote> This book is for you if… you have a weakness for MC romances that do not objectify the female characters and give a thorough and (from what I can tell) well-researched insight into the reality of MCs. Extra points, when they contain ginger-bearded funny Irish lads you melt for every time they get on-page time? This is your book! Suckers for hawt covers will also be satisfied (someone tell me where she got that bodice from, pls, thanks):</blockquote> <img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1565262107i/27956030.jpg" alt="" width="268" height="404" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> Just like people who enjoy black humour: <blockquote>"I hold out my hands so he can cuff me and barely resist mocking him for acting like a scared little girl. What am I going to do, beat him to death with my jail-issued canvas slip-on sneaker?"</blockquote> LMAO. Love me some funny hawt bikers. Especially I can relate to the guard. Z probably could to just that. ⇝What’s happening. The nightmare has become reality: Z is in jail, facing serious charges, supported by a supposed eye-witness. If this gets serious, his son will be a grown-up with his own family, before he can even marry his Siren. Ever since he first met her he was certain Lilly was the woman he would end up with. But there was always the possibility of him ending in jail instead. Behind bars and unable to protect the family he loves, Z must do everything in his power to make it back to them. Considering his situation, there isn’t much apart from not getting into trouble with the guards or his fellow imprisoners. Lilly had feared that her man’s lifestyle would cost them the happiness it took them so long to find. Surrounded by the strong LOKI family, she tries to keep it together for her son’s sake. Ever since she made the step to come back to NY and introduce Chance to his father, she intended for them to never be separated again. But now it may be years until she can welcome him at their home again. As the judge is letting him out under the condition to not make a run for it, it seems like they are living on borrowed time while they navigate both their happy little family (and trying to add to it, hrhr) and make the downstate charter a functional club again. Between a lot of doubts and scary bikers, I was happy to once again have read a book full of <img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1565415322ra/27965688.gif" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> and <img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1565415322ra/27965687.gif" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> and <img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1565415322ra/27965689.gif" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> Oh, and <img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1515283191ra/24850187.gif" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> (Sorry for the gif-spam, y’all, but we all knew the day I figured out how to incorporate these into my reviews was the day I would start hitting you with them like with no chance to flee.) In case you crave a romance binge read, why don’t you start with Ziren’s story, as their particular romance found its conclusion with this enjoying read I got through in 46hrs despite studying full time and working 2 days a week. <img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1565414681i/27965636.png" alt="" width="418" height="209" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> ⇝Something that worried me. I just felt like I owed it to Autumn to be thorough, especially since I was lucky to get an eARC before. I am pointing this out this time because I’ve noticed it in previous books but never really knew how to express my uneasiness about this. IThe following quote from the book is exemplary only. <blockquote>"I lost my compassion for addicts and their bullshit…"</blockquote> 1) Addicts are sick. They are suffering from a severe condition. This statement seemed quite derogative although I’m pretty sure there is not as much behind it. The reality, though, however, is that at one point, all reason and logic do not apply to people with addictions anymore. Of course, the individual case always depends but this very harsh sentence highly disagreed with me. But just like I stated before, I am very happy that Autumn is contributing to a normalization of some sorts of weed. Of course, weed can be a serious drug and people can abuse weed just as many are abusing alcohol. It still seems the general public is missing out on the fact that weed does indeed have a positive side effect. (as opposed to alcohol, which has none). 2) As I said: alcohol is a drug too. And many people are abusing it. If we are being strict about the definition, everybody who drinks alcohol regularly is an addict. It seems perfectly fine to drink almost every day and get drunk every weekend although it has been proven over and over that, yes, even one beer does harm your body. I don’t see the LOKI guys calling each other out on that, but God forbid somebody would do something else than that. ⇝Short excursion that has nothing to do with the content of this amazing book: In general: that being said, it is never our place to judge others for something they do to themselves. To simplify: If you think that hot neighbour of yours wears too short of a skirt or is exercising too much, you should reconsider, because it is none of your business and probably rooted in the opinion other women are your competition. Spoiler alert: they aren’t. Not if you don’t know them and/or they haven’t done anything bad to anybody else. The only enemy are those who support structures that brainwash you into believing so. _____________________ Writing quality + easy of reading = 4* pace = 4* plot development = 3,5* characters = 4* enjoyability = 4* insightfulness = 4* _____________________ This eArc was provided by Wildfire Marketing Solutions and the author Autumn Jones Lake via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you very much!

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Malene

August 07 2019

Z and Lilly’s story has come to an end. For now cause the series will continue through other characters and thankfully I’ll still get more of these two amazing characters. Zero Apologies continues immediately where Zero Regret ended. The pace was a little slow for me to begin with but the story quickly got its footing and picked up its pace and I was immersed as I always am when I’m reading a Lost Kings book. Lilly showed how strong she truly is and if she’s capable of being an ol’ lady to a Lost King. I really enjoyed watching her grow over these three books and come to terms with what and who she wants in her life. Z and his Loki family is who she needs and wants to be a part of. Z once again made me swoon, ache and soar. All he sees is Lilly and their son Chance and will do anything to show the people and his club how devoted he is. To them and to his club. The old gang was there to support Z and Lilly. This tribe holds a special place in my heart. Murphy, Teller, Wrath, Rock and Z enjoy busting each other’s balls and there’s plenty of it in ZA. The ol’ ladies have their fun too. New faces such as Rooster and Jigsaw has made an impression on me. There’s still plenty of story left to tell. The epilogue is definitely proof of that! Next up is Murphy and Heidi’s wedding and I can’t freaking wait! 4 Mermaid Stars I received an ARC.

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Autumn Lake

July 09 2019

The sizzling conclusion to Zero and Lilly's story is here! Amazon: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://pxlme.me/CXF61tNO">https://pxlme.me/CXF61tNO</a> Apple: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://pxlme.me/5M9zv-5A">https://pxlme.me/5M9zv-5A</a> Nook: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://pxlme.me/AWUMAjcp">https://pxlme.me/AWUMAjcp</a> Kobo: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://pxlme.me/GHR47QRU">https://pxlme.me/GHR47QRU</a> GooglePlay: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://pxlme.me/_2LHzrxx">https://pxlme.me/_2LHzrxx</a> Universal: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://pxlme.me/n8ERrpaR">https://pxlme.me/n8ERrpaR</a>

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Lana Reads

April 02 2020

2,5 stars Quite an anticlimactic end of a lukewarm trilogy. Everything we needed to to know happened in the second one; here we basically got a recycled story from Rock and Hope, but cut out for Z and Lilly. And I get it that Ms. Lake wanted to spend more time with the older characters, but making us get through all of the MC politics was way too soap opera style for me. It was dragging, REPETITIVE and boring. So I guess I'm done with the series. PS. Why do authors keep dividing the stories of the same couples? I get it with a duet, sometimes it just makes sense. But three books? And a prequel as well?! Really? It wasn't such an exciting story to be dragged out that much, to be honest. Maybe I'll come back to the next books later, but right now I'm just pissed because of all the time lost.

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Heroesinbooks

August 15 2019

4 Z and Lilly Stars. This was the much anticipated third book focussing on Lilly and Z. It carries straight on from the previous book and although our couple are together, they are facing huge problems and Lilly in particular has to decide whether she is going to stay by Z's side or if the lifestyle and the risks it carries are too much for her. I did enjoy this story but it was a little bit slow to get going and for me it didn't really pick up until the 38% mark. The first part is important though and is pivotal to the story. The secondary characters are building in the LOKI world and some are more likeable than others. The Downstate Charter is different to our Upstate LOKI guys and I have struggled a little with the division. It felt very much like this book is a huge turning point in the series and I am excited to see what happens next. Loved how Murphy can still mess with Z .... It doesn't matter that he is the temporary Downstate President. I press the white button. “Please state your business.” Now I’m annoyed. “Are you fucking serious? It’s your president.” “What’s the password?” “Let me in or I’m going to shoot whoever this is.” “That was yesterday’s password.” The prankster laughs and I finally realize it’s Murphy fucking with me. HEA? Yes Cheating? No

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AussieMum

August 08 2019

Reread September 2021 Still love this series but I know it so well I skim a fair bit. Maybe it could have been 2 books…maybe not. ***spoilers ahead if you haven’t read any previous books*** 4.5 stars Usually when an author bombards me with potential plot bunnies for a handful of side-characters during a book I get ragey. But I’ve been reading this series for years now and I freaking love that I’ll be able to follow the LOKI family for years to come. This 3rd book in Z & Lilly’s trilogy was bittersweet for me. These two have been dancing around each other for years in this series. Lily disappeared and secretly had his baby...Z began whoring his way through the female population to forget about her...but finally they’ve got their HEA. And like all good authors Autumn has given us what we needed in his ending, not what we wanted. Well...what I wanted anyway. Because IRL people grow and change and it’s the same for fictional MC families. So I find myself reflective at the end of this one. Not quite feeling the complete satisfaction I’m used to with this series but instead feeling confident that everyone has still ended up where they’re meant to be.

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Shirl

October 05 2022

Same thing I always say when I start my review.... I'm loving this series...lol. Will Z or also known as Zero ever get to go home? Spoiler ahead .. If you have read the books ahead of this one you know Z is acting President at the down state Lost Kings MC. Will Sway take back over and ruin all the hard work Z and the other brothers of this club has done or will Z not getting to go home? Hate to tell you but we still don't know even after this book... Now I'm asking for a favor from anyone else who has read this series. I understand why at first Z didn't want everyone to know him and Lilly were connected.....it was because the lawyers were trying to make her testify in the political scandal . After the rapist political azzhole died I can't understand why they are still hiding it. What did I miss? I will admit I fell to sleep one night while reading and I went back farther than I needed to so I didn't miss anything but guess I didn't go back enough. Help me please

K