Beautiful Killer took my poor heart by sneak attack! I was not prepared for the feels!! Sunny has such a heartbreaking story; except on its face, it doesn't seem that heartbreaking. Reading her day to day life though made my heart hurt for her. You never realize how sad being alone can be. I mean, she literally has NO ONE. And frankly, she hasn't had anyone most of her life. At first, I was like "Meh that sucks, but not a tragedy". Sunny's experiences, even the mundane, made me realize what a tragedy being truly alone could be!

At first, the story reminded me a LOT of Mystery Man by Kristen Ashley. Except, I liked this story more. In Mystery Man I did NOT like Hawk. He was kind of douche-y. Zeke on the other hand, is sympathetic as a hero. Dealing with an ex-fiance who cheated on him and aborted their baby along with survivor's guilt from his time in the army, Zeke is an incredibly complex character. He certainly isn't looking for female companionship, but Sunny approaches him and he simply can't say no.

"Sunny had been a shooting star through my endlessly starless night. A flash of brilliant light in the darkness. Perfect, but fleeting."

See what I mean?! Zeke is a damaged hero, but still evokes sympathy! Since Sunny is just happy to have whatever broken pieces of himself Zeke is willing to give, they never share any info about their lives. He shows up at night then leaves once they are done. Sunny, lonely as she is, accepts this arrangement, telling herself that she will just enjoy this small bit of happiness while it lasts. She doesn't push Zeke for more and she doesn't beg when he leaves. I think that makes it so much sadder! Seriously, I cried so many times for Sunny!

"Later that night, as I got into my car and headed for home, knowing that Sunny would be there when I walked in the door, that emotion came over me again, the one I hadn't felt in a fucking long time. Happiness. I  hated myself for it."

Gah-Zeke...I mean, talk about guilt!! Its heartbreaking!

There is also danger. Someone attacks Sunny; the cops have no leads. This danger adds a lot of suspense to the story and totally kept me wondering what would happen (I will admit I thought it was PRETTY obvious who was behind it all, but it didn't dull that mystery of WHAT would happen, you know?)

Beautiful Killer is book 3 in the series but I have not read the previous books and it didn't affect my enjoyment of the story. However, you better believe I am grabbing those 2 books right away! Beautiful Killer was an emotional and authentic read that made me cry and hope for Sunny and Zeke!

"But one thing I was sure of: I was utterly, desperately, hopelessly in love with him."

So am I, Sunny. So I am.
(link live on 1/9/18)

Beautiful Killer is book three in the Lawless Kings series by Sherilee Gray and I have continued to enjoy the series with each new instalment, and intensely written storyline.

Tortured heroes are definitely my weakness, so there’s no surprise that Zeke appeals to my inner nurturer. The story is jam-packed with emotional upheaval and an abundance of inner conflict, that keeps the reader poised and waiting for the next shoe to drop.

An all-round enthralling read, but possibly could have been wrapped up in fewer pages.

Beautiful Killer is book three in the Lawless Kings series by Sherilee Gray. I’ve long been a fan of Sherilee’s books, I’ve read them all. But this book…after reading this book I am awed by this author. I loved it that much!

Zeke Stanton is an ex Navy Seal Sniper, the best of the best. But he came home from his deployment a changed man. He suffered from severe PTSD. He felt responsible for the deaths of two of his team. Then when he found his fiancé with another man, he fled his home town to New York to team up with his friend Van at his Private Investigation Agency. Zeke takes the worst cases. He wants to put himself in danger. He feels it’s his punishment for what happened. His debt to pay. But it’s hard to keep going every day when his buddies didn’t. And just when he was ready to give up, she walked in and sat beside him.

“I needed a pair of shades just to look at her, she was so bright. Like a light shone from within. Walking, talking sunshine.”

Sunny knew men saw her as beautiful on the outside. But on the inside, she never felt like she was good enough. Her now deceased father barely noticed her. Her step mother and step sister hated her. And when she was told she couldn’t have children, her ex told her she wasn’t enough for him. So she has accepted her life alone. When she went into the bar that night, though, she saw him sitting there and for some reason, she felt pulled to sit beside him. To talk to him.

“Everything about him pure, raw male. Like a warrior, or a knight from some story book.”

Zeke had no idea why this beautiful woman was even sharing her space with him. But he couldn’t let her walk away. He could give her one night. He had nothing more to offer. But he would share her light for just one night. But then he couldn’t get her out of his mind. Every day, all day, she was there, in his head. He couldn’t stay away from her. He knew he was a broken man, that she deserved so much more, but night after night, he found himself back at her door.

As Zeke gets to know Sunny, he realizes that she is the same as he is in that she keeps part of herself locked away. That she doesn’t expect anything from him, accepts whatever he gives her without believing that she deserves more.

“Sunny didn’t deserve what she’d been through, to feel like she didn’t matter, to go it alone. Well, that was over now. I’d make sure of it.”

When someone breaks into Sunny’s house and she is severely injured, Zeke’s agency gets involved when the police aren’t making any progress finding the culprit. Sunny finds herself falling more and more for this mysterious man but can he ever return her feelings? Dare she get her hopes up? Or is it like everyone else in her past, that she just isn’t enough?

This book! From the first page I was glued to this story. I woke up each morning counting the minutes until I could pick it back up again. These two had my heart from the beginning and didn’t let go. I have loved this series from the start but you can read this as a stand alone. The previous characters from the first two books are there but it wouldn’t detract from this story if you hadn’t met them. But, the whole series is amazing. As is everything else she has written.

“Thank God you found me.”
“We found each other.”

4 - "When I'm with you... I know I'm in safe hands." Stars!

The third book in Sherilee Gray’s Lawless Kings series gives us the reader, silent but deadly Zeke’s book.

A shooting star through my endlessly starless night. A flash of brilliant light in the darkness…

And Beautiful Killer on the whole is a pretty decent addition to the series, the author definitely kept the steam quotient high in this one and I really liked Zeke and Sunny as characters themselves, one very dark the other light.

I didn’t know where he lived, how old he was, where he came from, what he did for a job. Nothing… but I felt this connection to him I couldn’t describe.

The story line for me was extremely well written if somewhat predictable, insomuch as you could tell who the villain was from the get go, and although I liked the way the author tied Sunny to Zeke through certain things their story and connection lacked a little of the character depth that has been in abundance with the previous two books.

"I care what happens to you… I don’t get out of bed in the morning and forget you exist. I need you to goddamn get that."

Sex was definitely the mainstay of this book, but their relationship started out as a ONS so it’s not a huge surprise. And that’s not a bad thing as it was what I was in the mood for, but it just felt the background development as well as the connection deepening between them suffered a little because of it.

I was wanted. Something I hadn’t felt in a very long time…

Still a really enjoyable read. I have been with this author since the beginning, and one thing is for sure, she just keeps getting better and better.

I absolutely LOVED this story. It's filled with so much passion and emotion that it will stay with you for a long time. Zeke and Sunny are both incredibly flawed. She's looking for love, family, and connection. He's avoiding all of those yet when they are together it's explosive. This book made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me angry, and most of all it made me feel. The author did a great job of crafting a story and characters that grabbed my attention from page one and I couldn't put it down until I had the whole story of these two incredible souls. Definitely one for the must read list. I highly recommend it.

Sherilee Gray will keep you on the edge of your seat with this tender and steamy romance, and if you are a fan of tortured, angsty heroes, you will fall in love with Zeke. He’s broody, moody and quiet, and he’s also drop-dead sexy and swoony alpha-male. Sunny breathes life into him and gives him hope for the first time in a long time, and he does the same for her. There is so much feeling in this love story that there is no way readers will not be sigh with satisfaction and heart warmed by the end. There is an infusion of action and suspense into the romance that makes the story truly fascinating, and Beautiful Killer is one for the keeper shelf.

ARC provided, but this review was voluntarily and honestly written.

Wow! The Lawless Kings just get better and better. Sherilee Gray has the magic touch when it comes to the big, bad, broody Hero's.

After reading about Zeke in the previous two books of the series, I really had no idea just how much I was going to love him. Don't get me wrong, he wasn't perfect and I wanted to slap some sense into him a few times but oh man, I couldn't get enough of him. If you got a thing for tortured Hero's, Zeke's your man.

Our heroine, Sunny was just as awesome. This is going to sound crazy but I loved how careful and guarded she was. I'm just not a fan of reading about women chasing men. I want to see the opposite. When the woman is standoffish, it makes the man stop and take notice. It's such a rare find that I tend to enjoy these types of couples more.

The story itself had me sitting on the edge of my seat. Sunny is in danger. Zeke goes into over-protection mode. Something is fishy with her step-sister. All of this together meant that I just couldn't read this book fast enough.

I'm not sure how the author is going to top this one. Loved it! ARC provided by Netgalley.

Beautiful Killer by Sherilee Gray
Lawless Kings #3

Zeke, returns from war a changed man. He is filled with guilt, has PTSD and his fiancé did a number on him. Desperate and feeling there is little to live for he runs into Sunny at a bar…and for some reason she approaches him. Her smile, her giving, her warmth and everything about her begins to slowly thaw Zeke although he still feels he is not relationship material. Sunny has been on her own a long time. She knows that it is casual with Zeke but over time she starts caring for him and wonders if they could have more. The two have more than the non-relationship filled with sizzling moments to deal with when Sunny is robbed, harmed and fears what may happen next. Zeke feels strong responsibility for Sunny but can’t seem to move beyond responsibility to love and that drags for a bit with the push-pull and his unwillingness to sort out his problems. There is eventually a HEA for the two but there are many things that happen before the two get there.

I enjoyed the story and would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press-Swerve for the ARC – this is my honest review.

3-4 Stars

I received an ARC from Netgalley. I was entranced by this book right from the beginning. I could not put the book down and felt like I was in the story with the characters.
Zeke who is the strong and silent type-his storyline just drew me right in. Sunny was the brightness that saved Zeke and although they had a lot of previous issues in their life love was not to be denied for these two. A little Hope at the end helped too. :-) loved this book!

received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion. The opinions here are my own.

I love this series...Ms. Gray makes me feel for these characters. They are flawed and imperfect and trapped in their own personal issues and they are messy. THANK YOU! I love that they have issues and are obtainable, instead of perfect and un-relatable. (feeling poetic today)

This book is about Zeke, a renowned sniper who carries a butt load of grief over a decision made in Afghanistan. He is stuck in a self destructive cycle looking for a permanent way out when he meets Sunny. Sunny is a sweet spot of sunshine who unfortunately gives more than receives.

When Sunny becomes a victim of a crime and goes to Kings looking for help, she doesn't expect to run into Zeke. They find themselves becoming deeper involved and Zeke begins to feel lost in guilt over his happiness. Can Sunny help him see that moving past his barriers is not equivalent to forgetting those he left behind? Who truly wants Sunny out of the picture?

I loved Zeke and Sunny. I really enjoyed that Zeke enabled Sunny to grow and love herself enough to require give and take not just give. I liked that they acknowledged their barriers and while they had some obstacles, they kept chiseling them down. They burn hot in this book but as intense as Zeke is he still sees so much of Sunny's heart and protects her even from what he thinks is his downfall.

The plot was fast moving and there were second chances and forgiveness as well as redemption of several characters. I liked that there was layer to the story and while Zeke and Sunny was the focus I liked seeing the story between Julia and Sunny unfold as well as being introduced to Kade as well. I cant wait to continue this series.

I enjoyed this story line but have not read the other books in this series.

Holy hell what a book this is. WOW! Just one huge WOW! This is my favorite in the series thus far and will likely remain that.
This is Zeke's story starting from when he returns from his last deployment and after a quick trip home, takes Van up on his offer to come and work for them at the King Agency. Zeke was a master sharp shooter and during his last deployment two men on his team were killed. He blames himself and walks around with a sort of death wish. Damn good at his job, he keeps to himself and doesn't deal not dealing with his past. After a stressful night he hits a bar where he spots a woman who he keeps an eye on, a woman hasn't turned his head since....? He looks at her and she's all sunshine and light and of course the negative self talk is chattering away in his head. He's been there a while and suddenly someone sits down next to him and it's her. Her name is Sunny. I loved her right from the beginning. Her story is so real and so like so many people.
They go home together, he makes clear it's a one shot deal and she's good with that. It's all she can handle. After all, she always gets left. Better this way. She's got a nasty ass step sister who siphons money from her for her crappy husband. The girl has piddled away her inheritance and now hits up Sunny, using every manipulative trick she knows to get her to fork it over. Sunny who feels part guilty and lots of angry gives her the money, until the next time. She was a piece of work the step sister Julia. Ugh.
So the one off with Zeke turns into more than once and they have few words between them, it's all just sex and Sunny is okay with that. She knows he doesn't talk and she lets that rest. Slowly they get more involved. Let me rephrase, he starts making more late night visits to her bed, he never stays and when he tries to stay away he turns into his old self actually. Sunny is good for him, he knows it too. The guys notice it. No one says a word. When something happens to Sunny in her home, the guys get involved Ruby and Lulu are frequent visitors to Sunny's jewelry store. When they see her bruised and bandaged Ruby offers a card. She decides to go, not knowing that Zeke works there.
The guys have a new mission and that's to find out who did this. Zeke tends to overprotect and overbear. Sunny goes on the defensive at times. This story is woven so well. The emotions so close to the surface. I could feel myself frown at times. I never do that.
There are a few surprises tossed in and a wicked twist and again a huge wow!
It's a must read and each of these can stand alone although you'll want to read them all, this one just tops my list.
Must read this one!

**arc from NetGalley and publisher***
*I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book. The above is my honest review and all opinions are my own**

Sherilee Gray has become one of my favorite authors. This series has been amazing reads. Zeke and sunny had there hurdles to overcome. A must read.

"Rough, gritty perfection."

I found this author by accident, and this is now the third book I've read, but only the 2nd in the Lawless Kings series. I really enjoy her writing style, she ticks all my boxes.

I have a weakness for broken, bad boys and all of the Lawless Kings fit that description. And alpha is an understatement. As each of them finds a strong woman to bring out their caveman tendencies their close-knit group grows. Zeke is fond of the women his friends have found, but he has no desire to find one of his own. He's pretty much decided that love and family are not in his future. He doesn't deserve a future, at least not in his own mind.

Sunny is the perfect name for her. It amazes me that she has such a sunny disposition considering the lack of love in her life. All she's ever wanted is a family that loved her, but she's been denied that at every turn. She's been alone for a very long time. When she runs into Zeke, her response is, "Holy...wow." She just wants to not feel alone for a night, she doesn't expect more, which is a good thing since he doesn't have more to give.

According to Zeke, "I've been living off guilt and anger and a driving need to somehow balance the scales to take down as many lowlife pieces of shit as I could..." He was so damaged and self-destructive, it was heartbreaking. Zeke's PTSD guaranteed he was never well rested, the nightmares chasing him relentlessly. He knew he had nothing to offer but a few hours of pleasure, but she seemed okay with that. She didn't even seem upset when he left her.

They both went into it with the same expectations. And she came out with, " "I just had the best sexual experience of my life with a complete stranger, a scary, rough, growly scarred stranger." And his poetic interpretation was, "Sunny had been a shooting star through my endlessly starless night. A flash of brilliant light in the darkness. Perfect, but fleeting." Of course, it was impossible for me not to be doing some masterful mental matchmaking, willing these two damaged characters to find their way past their pain to forever. But what a lot of pain to overcome, and then throw in some of those lowlifes that needed to be taken down and what a suspenseful story Beautiful Killer is.

I'm totally addicted to this series and can't wait to spend more time with the kings and their queens in future installments. The line forms here...

Beautiful Killer is book three in Sherilee Gray’s Lawless Kings series. This one hit in all the right places!

Zeke is in a hard place when Sunshine walks into the bar and propositions him. There’s no hope for anything more between them—on his side or on hers—so it'll be just one night of sweaty, sexy fun, right? But Sunny’s got a lot on her plate and when she comes to Zeke’s security team for help, Zeke might just find that he’s in over his head.

This book doesn’t shy away from the emotional punches. Sunny’s been overlooked by her family and hasn't built the connections she's always been looking for. Finding Zeke at the bar with his quiet intensity shakes up her life more than she expected.

Zeke's dealing with severe PTSD, and meeting someone like Sunny seems too good to be true. When their fates become further entangled, both of them have to figure out where they stand and if more is possible.

I think Zeke has to be one of my favorite heroes yet in the series! I love how Ms. Gray’s heroes have the protective, possessive gene, but they still know how to treat a woman right and give her room to find her feet. Beautiful Killer is no exception. I just wish the ending hadn’t dragged as to get to that pivotal moment. There were a few moments as well I thought could have been expanded to really pull the reader in.

But I really, really just loved this book! There were swoony moments, plenty of laughs, and more than enough happy tears to keep me flipping pages. This book was smoking hot, too. Like, seriously.

If you want a gritty romance with dark and light moments, hot sex, and some suspenseful action, than look no further!

4 stars.

a compelling and truly interesting read. I enjoyed reading "Beautiful Killer" and hope to read more by this talented author.

My final thought on this story was how much I wanted to hug and comfort Zeke. His story is not flowers and cupcakes but feelings that destroyed him inside. He only needs a woman who loves him and gives him a reason to live. Sunny is the sunshine of his life. She has her own “unloved” problems and feels the same about relationships. But together they explode. The journey is full of angst, powerful emotions and love. I did not think Ms. Gray could top Broken Rebel but she does in this story. Yep, I cried because it was beautiful and understanding and wonderful.

This book will make you look into your own life. It isn’t only a second chance book, it also makes you question what holds you back. What I love about the book is it isn’t rush. It gives you 100% detail.

Zeke and Sunny both come from different paths but they have something in common, they both feel they won’t survive in this world.

What happens when they meet for the first time?

*That should have kept me away as well, but for the first time in a long time, I’d been driven to take a risk, because something in me said this man would be worth it—even if it was only for one night.*

I absolutely love the Lawless Kings series by Sherilee Gray. The previous novels in this series have been so so sexy and I honestly could not get enough of them. Beautiful Killer was just as fantastic but with the added punch of all the emotional feels dealing with Zeke's PTSD and guilt. I honestly loved them together and their HOT and STEAMY sexual atraction and the connection they both shared.

I loved Hunter and Neco's books. But there was something a little bit more special (to me) about Zeke's book. It was more emotional and raw and very honest. I felt his pain and residual guilt and the way he fought his demons. Grey also did a fantastic job highlighting Sunny's feelings of inadequacy and her.abandonment issues and married both these compmex characters so beautifully. I REALLLY hope we get Van and Jude's books as I'm not ready to let these characters go. They are perfectly sexy and sweet and love their women with all they have. I absolutely FLOVE them!

I would like to thank Netgalley and the SMP Romance team for an advanced copy of this book for an honest review. Bravo! 5 stars! ~Ratula

Oh Sherilee you made my year with this incredible book. I simply could not stop reading it. I loved both MCs, Sunny and Zeke were just made for each other. Zeke was so broken and in pain but then he meets his beautiful Sunny, I simply adored her and yes she was his "sunshine" throughout the book.
If you love a great fast paced full on feels story, with the most lovable characters what are you waiting for go and read this book you won't be disappointed!!! Thank you again and keep up the good work!
An ARC received from NetGalley for an honest review!