'Broken Rebel' by Sherilee Gray is Book Two in the "Lawless Kings". This is the story of Neco and Ruby.
Neco and Ruby were childhood friends. Neco has tried to protect Ruby as much as he can. But now that they have grown things have become more complicated. They have seem to be fighting more but truly I think they were just fighting their attraction.
This has some emotional outline in their story but it was an overall exciting read.
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Book Two in the Lawless Kings series is Neco and Ruby's story. Both come from bad backgrounds, Neco has always been Ruby's protector and when she came to work at King's Security, Neco couldn't handle the thought that she would be putting herself in danger so she was forced to leave and work for another Agency, against Neco's wishes.

After being beaten by her roomie, Neco forces Ruby to live with him and it is now that he realises that she is more than a little sister figure, he is in love with her and will do everything he can to make sure she is safe, even if it is from himself.

Danger keeps presenting itself to Ruby and finally Neco can see that she can handle herself in these circumstances whilst keeping herself safe. He just has to accept that she needs to live her life without him thwarting her at every turn. Maybe then he can make sure they can balance work and their relationship and come to the realisation that they can truly be together.

Plenty of action both in and out of the bedroom, good story line and characters. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Broken Rebel
Lawless Kings #2
Sherrilee Gray
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is Neco and Ruby's story and it was so good. It's always awesome to see people with rough childhoods grow and become better from their experiences.

"We were written in the stars. We were inevitable. I belonged to him and he belonged to me. Nothing would ever change that."

Neco could only deny himself for so long before he realized he was what Ruby needed. He was her protector and always will be.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series. I can't wait for the next story to come out.

Thanks NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

This is the second book in this series by this author. This book can be read as a stand alone read but you will definitely want to read the first one after reading this one. The characters are amazing, they just suck you you right into the story. I just couldn't put this book down till I'd finished it. I cant wait to read more from this series and from this author in the future.
Highly recommended
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book

Ruby is a receptionist at King Agency/ P I business. . She is like family to all the men and thought of as a little sister. All but one - the one who used to be her hero- Neco. All the guys love her and would protect her any way they could. Neco and Ruby have known each other since they were kids. Neco had lived across the street. Ruby’s father had died when Ruby was young and her stepmother hated Ruby Ruby never knew why. But her stepmother let it be known how she felt about Ruby and she abused Ruby in many different ways: Ruby was put down. criticized, and abused her whole life. As a little girl Ruby’s only escape was to climb out her window and run across the street to Neco’s bedroom window and he pulled her into his room. Then he would dry her tears and hold her close until she felt safe again. He was Ruby’s hero. Neco’s life wasn’t much better. His mother loved him but sold her body to support him. By the time Neco was a teen he hooked up with a local gangster Neco was doing things that blackened his soul but he could support the family doing odds and ends and he would have to live with forever. Also Neco’s mother didn’t have to sell herself anymore. Finally Neco got out but Neco now felt he wasn’t good enough for Ruby. At one time Neco dreamed when he and Ruby were older they would be together no more. Nine years later Neco is still in Ruby’s life but nothing like when he was young. They now argue a lot. Ruby loved Neco but he treated her like one of the guys. Ruby tried everything she could to get Neco to notice her but nothing worked. Ruby wants to be a P I and she is determined to make that happen and get out in the field.Ruby had already taken defense classes to protect herself. Ruby also learned a lot about the business. Neco seems to sleep with every woman around except for Ruby. Neco always pushed Ruby away and even hurt hrt to keep her away from him. Another P I said he would give Ruby a chance as he felt she was ready so Ruby quit her job at King Agency and went to work for Harry. Neco didn’t like it but Ruby did what she had to do. Ruby is attacked one night and beat up pretty bad but she will heal with rest and time. Her friends and the P I agency and Harry are upset but things get worse when they find out what else her attacker was doing. There was a website exploiting women in their own home by planting hidden cameras and watch the women without their knowledge or consent. Ruby was in danger and neco felt he was the one to protect her. He always had. Neco then looks at his feelings for Ruby. He’s tired of not being with Ruby when he wants to be so much Ruby refuses to be a victim again and wants control over her life ruby and Neco would have to work hard for a relationship that fit both of them and who they were.
I really loved this story. It grabs you right from the start. I didn’t want to put this book down. I felt bad that Neco really believed he wasn’t good enough for Ruby for what he had to do as a teen to support himself and his mother so she didn’t have to sell her body anymore. I was glad she loved neco and did the best she could by him. I loved Neco and ruby together even as kids. There were a lot of twists and turns in this book and I loved it. I loved the intrigue, mystery and romance all thrown together in this book. I loved that this book gave us both Ruby and Neco’s POV. i loved the plot and pace. I loved the characters and the twists and turns of this book and i highly recommend.

This is much darker and gritter than I normally read, but I’ve enjoyed Sherilee Gray’s Lawless series. Her characters come from a much harder place, with traumatic backgrounds that dog them for life. But I love a beat-the-odds storyline, and Gray is a fabulous storyteller. Broken Rebel is the second book in the series, and we finally understand the sexy, brooding looks Neco Malik has for Ruby … and vice versa. Neco and Ruby grew up across the street from each other, and Neco was Ruby’s protector when they were children. When life was bad at home, she fled to him for shelter. He was her Superman. As adults, they have struggled to find a workable relationship that overlooks the searing passion simmering below the surface. But when Ruby is attacked by her roommate—a guy Neco hates—Neco his PI firm find evidence of Web cams broadcasting live footage of her room, and a perverted bastard who wants to buy her. The race is on to keep her out of the clutches of a madman, but in the end it “Turned out Ruby had her own red cape.” This not a sweet or easy love story, but it has one of the loveliest passages ever.

*This review was originally published at Heroes & Heartbreakers: https://www.heroesandheartbreakers.com/blogs/2017/10/romantic-suspense-roundup

3.5 stars
Fast paced, likable characters, some danger, some violence, some sex, perfectly dominant male. Only complaint is everyone had a beyond tragic story to justify everything they thought and did.

The characters in this book were well developed and interesting. The storyline kept me engaged and I enjoyed it from beginning to end.

Broken Rebel by Sherilee Gray was a fun read. The main characters of Neco and Ruby made me root for them and their love. Nico and Ruby had been together forever. Neco protected her from her crazy mom and Ruby helped Nico with her love. Both found a sense of family in the other one. However Nico thinks he is not worthy of loving Ruby because of all the bad things he has done. Ruby tries to get over him again and again. To top it off, Ruby wants to work with the King Agency where Neco works, but not as the receptionist.

The King Agency handles problems and finds out information. The employees are men who are a mixture of hard, bad, sexy and alpha. I enjoyed the bad guys to mostly good guys plot line. I enjoyed the twists and turns of the thriller aspect.The story certainly had some dark elements, but I did not find them to be overwhelming. Reading Broken Rebel by Sherilee Gray made me want to read the first book of the series and all the others that will come out.

Broken Rebel by Sherilee Gray was a good read.

Neco and Ruby had been friends since childhood and Neco always looked out for her. The friendship wans as they grow older but are still in each other’s lives. They fighting with each other constantly and finally they are unable to deny the attraction they feel. The story is fast-paced with loads of drama, mostly caused by Neco and Ruby. Both characters have been through a lot and their story is entertaining and emotional. I really liked it.

These two should never have been together but loves has a funny way of picking the right person at the wrong time in our lives. These characters were a little hard to like. Neco was not a good guy. He was a player that slept with random women while dreaming about the one he really wanted. Ruby was insecure and needy even when Neco made it clear that he was not interested but she refused to read the signs. Good thing because Neco never meant it. He felt protective but he also felt desire for her. This was a little rough to read because I was not optimistic about their chances at love. I am glad that I stuck with the book and followed how their romance turned out. The story flowed easily and it actually became a good story with a little angst that kept me reading until the end.

The relationship between Ruby and Neco, the main couple, was one complicated, hot mess, folks. It started in their childhood and morphed into a direction that many may label toxic, yet they admit to always having loved each other. Some may feel to have survived all the personal drama, insecurities, heart ache, misguided hurtful actions, and perilous situations made for an even more dramatic and well deserved HEA. I guess it all depends if you are a half-full, half-empty glass kind of person, and your personal code of conduct requirements/limitations for main characters.

This broken rebel had a cause. To take care of Ruby. It seems it has been his life mission since they first met as neighborhood kids from hard luck backgrounds. Unfortunately, this handsome, knuckle head, former mob muscle turned mostly legit manho’s misguided good intentions on how to do that were questionable to say the least and often backfired. In fact, how he initially pushed Ruby away when she was 16 was downright cruel and unforgivable. There are at least two smexy scenes involving OW that will likely make you question this guy's game plan.

Make no mistake, Ruby put up with a lot in her life. Evil abusive stepmom, Neco’s need to not return the love she had for him, then the drama that nearly gets her killed. Yeah, that backdrop plot was creative but, honestly, when you put all the pieces together, it was all rather bizarre. But I guess crazy is as crazy does. The culprits definitely were just that, plum crazy and devious to boot. Thank goodness, Neco’s posse of compadres were well equipped to deal with it.

Through it all, Ruby’s love for Neco seemed to never fully be extinguished, even when she tried to convince herself to completely give up on him. I did enjoy seeing her turn feisty and determined to learn how to defend herself. Despite Neco’s attempts to keep her out of his head and heart, he likewise always still wanted her. Avid romantics at heart, however, won’t be overly fond of “how” he kept her at bay over the years. Once it was clear Ruby was in real danger, the blinders came off and Neco finally knew it was time to stop living in the land of denial and claim her as his.

The author did keep me fully engaged, and I would love to see the other secretly dealing with demons of their own sub-characters get a HEA of their own. These good guy heroes each have a past you just know is about to catch up with them in the form of a leading lady love. This book is a hard one for me to rate, since I had some serious hero issues, but dang the author had my emotions all over the place. I have to give her extra credit for that. She also has me wanting to read more about the sub-characters, as well.

There are some brutal/violent scenes in this storyline, including an attempted rape and an actual one. So brace yourself for that along with a hero who finally comes to his senses and embraces what has always been right in front of him all along...Ruby.

Title: Broken Rebel, Series: Lawless Kings (Book 2), Author: Sherilee Gray, Pages: 286, stand-alone but part of a series, tragic pasts, very steamy scenes, lots of arguing, lots of relationship angst, no love triangle, not romance safe, always loved each other, afraid to love hero, some violence/rape, not a couple until closer to the end. Rating: 3 stars

Book 1 - Shattered King (Lulu & Hunter), Pages: 320, 6/27/17
Book 2 - Broken Rebel (Ruby & Neco), Pages: 286, 10/10/17

(I received a free advanced reader copy provided via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. No type of compensation was given to this reviewer. There is no relationship/affiliation between the reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)

I wanted to like this book, I really did but I found the characters incredibly immature. They acted like they were still in high school with the constantly I love you, I hate you back and fourth. They didn't know how to communicate with anyone (not just each other) and they put lives in danger because of their selfishness.

4 - "We will never be done…" Stars!

Broken Rebel; book two in the Lawless Kings series gives us Neco and Ruby’s story. They came across very much as ‘frenemies with chemistry’ in the first book; Shattered King, and the author gives them a great story following on from it.

I want to lick him from head to toe and kick him in the nuts at the same time…

I really enjoyed this book, all is not as it originally seems between our couple, what with them knowing each other since childhood, Neco has always seen himself as something of a protector towards Ruby, even though he is attracted to her and always has been he doesn’t believe that he is good enough for her, with the darkness inside him, and a less than legal past.

"I’ve finally got you where you belong. Nothing’s going to stop me from doing what I’m about to do to you."

Ruby actually feels the same attraction for him, and always had. Yes she definitely sees him as her greatest protector, but alongside that is a deep love and self-confidence that she is perfectly capable of looking out for herself, something Neco struggles to understand. The man may not think he is good enough for her but she definitely doesn’t agree. Her attempts at getting his attention, no matter how outlandish and risky have not produced the results she was hoping, in fact all they really achieve is anger and confrontation, so rather than spend her life waiting around for a man who she thinks doesn’t want her Ruby decides to move on with her life.

My protector. My best friend… My Lover.

The suspense aspect of this story was a little predictable in that I kind of worked out who the villain of the piece was very early on, but it was the motivation Neco needed to make the decision to move from ‘just friends’ into something more so I was fine with it.

"Hold on and don’t let go."

The author excels at building sexual tension, and then writing the actual sexy times themselves and Broken Rebel is no exception. Neco was dominant, dirty and growly, and Ruby gave as good as she got, so their couplings were pretty rough, ready and angry at points, which matched their personalities really well. As always the story was well developed, the secondary characters held their own, and the writing was easy to engage in. I hope to see more from this series in 2018.

"You’ve got me, you’ve always had me, even when you didn’t know it… I was yours… Always."

Another great one from Sherilee Gray! I love me a good anti hero and these broken men of the King Agency have quite the bad boy reputations. The intensity they all exude jumps out of the pages.

Broken Rebel is a story about a young boy and girl who turn to each other when their home life gets to be too much. Neco has always shielded Ruby as best he can but as he learns years later as an adult, he hasn’t always been able to. He takes the responsibility of her too seriously and pushes her away to keep her safe. Until, it no longer does. Neco is tired of fighting it and decides he can protect her better if he claims her like he’s always wanted too. Will he be in time when he finds danger lurking for her again?

Triggers for readers are rape, drugs and violence. ARC provided by NetGalley.

Broken Rebel by Sherilee Gray
Lawless Kings #2

A book you will either love or hate…and the reviews indicate this, too. Did I love it? No. Did I hate it? No. Did I understand it? Yes. I am up in the air about whether or not I would want to meet this group of characters but they do provide an action-packed, dark, gritty and turbulent read.

Ruby and Neco grew up in difficult circumstances. Neco’s mom sold herself to keep him safe and then later he sold his “abilities” to keep her safe. Ruby was stuck in a toxic situation with the stepmother from H*ll creating one difficult situation after another for her to contend with. Ruby’s only soft place to land was at Neco’s house where his mother was the mother-like presence she so needed and Neco was her protector. Over time Ruby grows up, situations occur that require her to be saved by Neco and to keep her at a distance he begins to be…nasty. There is a lot of angst and drama and meanness in words in the first almost half of the book but there is also an underlying caring that begins to show up more and more as the story moves on. Once the two twig to the fact that their relationship is meant to be and they truly do belong together they have to find the bad guys out to get Ruby. Ruby wants to participate but Neco wants to keep her safe – a point of friction. By the end of the book most issues had been resolved and there was a HEA for the two main characters although…I don’t think I would want to live the lives they have chosen for themselves.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press-Swerve for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars

Good plot with solid writing kept me reading "Broken Rebel". I really enjoyed it.

4 stars

Vacillated between intense and slow. Neco and Ruby have an intriguing relationship.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

Sherilee Gray has quickly become one of my go-to authors. This book is smokin’ hot, the chemistry is volatile, and the plot diabolically clever. <i>Broken Rebel</i> is an exhilarating thrill ride and oh so sexy! Don’t miss it!

Ruby’s had it bad for her next-door neighbor and friend, Neco. She calls him her superman after their tough childhood had them comforting each other. Years later, Neco’s a force to be reckoned with and he won’t give Ruby the time of day. But Ruby’s got her own future to plan and no one will stand in her way.

Especially when her safety net crumbles.

Phew! What a book! A bit of friends-to-lovers, a bit of eroticism, a whole hell of a lot of danger and menace. I read through this book so darn quickly, and I couldn’t stop! Neco’s had a hard life. He’s done things he isn’t proud of to keep his family safe. That extends to Ruby, but the little girl he knew is all grown up and putting herself into dangerous situations.

What’s a guy to do?

I really enjoyed Neco. He’s got so many layers peeling back. He wants to protect Ruby, he wants to shield her, he wants her. All of these things are conflicting inside him. Gosh, Neco has this possessive streak that just slays.

And then there’s Ruby. She can be soft & sweet, but she also doesn’t allow Neco’s BS. She wants to be a recovery agent, and she’s going to make that happen. But there’s another huge twist, an enemy that won’t quit, and all this sexual tension. Gah!

I want more. I need more. Anyone who loves their stories with chemistry you can see sizzle off the page, with internal struggles that yank at your heart, and reveals a part of your soul that may just be a little black are going to be enthralled by this series.

Buckle up, Buttercup, and enjoy the ride.

This was one of the most gloriously INTENSE books I’ve ever read!

Ruby and Neco grew up in the same neighborhood. He was her safe place when she needed protection. Even as children, Neco’s innate protective instincts led him to offer her the shelter of his arms. Eventually, decisions he made as a young man begin to darken his soul and he knows he must protect her from himself.

Fast forward nine years. Although they have remained in each other’s lives, they are no longer the friends they once were. They argue and bicker, always sniping at each other. And beneath it all is a simmering desire that will never be quenched.

I absolutely loved both of these characters! Ruby, once a broken little girl, pulls herself out of a past that taught her she was worthless and finds a place of strength literally and figuratively. Nico is the most protective hero I have ever read. Ever. He is so broken due to the choices he made years ago and the fact that he will never find solace in the arms he craves because he must protect Ruby at all costs. The beauty of their story is hidden in that protection.

The relationship between Ruby and Neco was heartbreakingly consuming. Their love is not the flowers and butterflies kind and it certainly isn’t a dark and twisted type either. And yet, it consumed them from childhood into their adult years even as Neco fought against his nature in order to protect Ruby. There really are no words to describe everything that encompasses their relationship. You must experience their story to comprehend the depth of their emotions.

I’m relatively new to the Sherilee Gray bandwagon but she has quickly moved up to favorite author status. Broken Rebel cemented that position. This is definitely a book you do not want to miss.

This is an honest review of an advanced copy provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press

Dual POV
Safety Issues
Possible Triggers