ACK! I started this post, and my brain interpreted that is “oh good, that’s done.” It was released on 17 July, so this post is grossly overdue. My apologies to Ellie Pond for my oversight!

However, I was thrilled to see that Emily’s story was next after I devoured the Adrift series! I also foolishly thought that it would be a standalone, despite multiple indications, so it was a real surprise when I got to the end and it was a cliffhanger – DUN DUN DUNNNNNNN!

If you have not read the Wrecked series (Ellie’s Website | Amazon), you do not have to read it before this, but I would recommend it. It is a delight.

On to the reason we’re all here: The Revenge and Surrender series, book 1 (Ellie’s Website | Amazon)!

Easton’s sister Emily, who was in the other life boat in Wrecked, crosses paths with her dangerous ex, Thayer, who she still pines for even though she doesn’t want to want him. This is complicated by her feelings for Anders and Ryder, not to mention Ollie. It gets even more complicated by her dangerous ex’s crime lord father, and their collective desire to take the bastard down.

The premise felt a little weak to me and the relationships feel flat. However, there is obviously a lot of set up for a series such as this, so I am hoping that as the series continues, we’ll see more dimension from the relationships. I also hope there are more flashbacks to the aftermath of the Rock Candy to help fill in some gaps in knowledge for the folks who read Wrecked first and entice those who haven’t, to read it.

The spicy scenes spiced, though I feel like there is some communication missing here. I know it’s a book and they can all be omniscient and know exactly what each other is wanting sex-wise, but realistically I think they need to have a conversation on the whole sharing situation to make sure everyone is on the same page beyond “Protect Emily” and “Fuck Thayer, he sucks”

I am looking forward to Book 2, which I hope will help make some of the things in Book 1 make sense retroactively. Find those breadcrumbs!

Oh, and um, heads up, this also ends on a freaking cliffhanger!

Thank you to Ellie Pond for the opportunity to read this ARC before publish!