Cover Image: Running on Empty

Running on Empty

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Member Reviews

We finally get Linc's story. I have to admit when I started to read this I was so confused with the name Mercy. As his name was Gypsy in the other two books. From looking online I guess there was a lot of backlash on the name as it has derogatory meaning in different cultures. I personally think a note at the beginning explaining that the name wasn't meant to offend anyone and was a complete American reference would have made it easier to people of the series. As it took me awhile to figure out what was going on.

After I got over that I was back on board with Mercy and Linc. In Running Empty Linc was taken and Mercy didn't believe he was taken and didn't look for him. This hurt Linc and this is the aftermath of those choices.

Even though Linc banned him, he was always near. As Mercy stays close Linc's secret comes out and causes him more danger.

It had suspense, and love. I do like this series and these sexy men.

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Exploding into action, Running on Empty moves at a fast clip with action scene after action scene. This story focuses on Linc. Linc was the missing brother in the previous book. It is recommended to read this series in order for the best experience. With Linc now rescued, he needs to figure out what he wants to do next. When it comes to complicated work and life, Linc has all the bases covered. He may come across as a guy who isn't steady or stable, but that's all a cover for his real job. His deep cover as an agent will cause even his understanding brother to flip out. This doesn't even begin to cover the reaction from the motorcycle club he's part of via his lover, Mercy.

There are several tangled webs in this story and it seems to catch many of the men and hold them in a place they would rather not be. For them to work through and untangle themselves, it takes hard work both through alliances and mental healing. The mix of suspense and erotica is what pulls me into this story. Always a fan of SE Jakes, I know I can depend on her for sexy time. Even after Linc's abuse, SE Jake is able to differentiate the abuse from the kinky power exchange. The men in these story are appealing because they are all alpha males with a tender side. The sweetness may be rough but it is just how I like it.

The sexual tension between Linc and Mercy is drawn out due to Mercy's guilt. This prolonged denial only cranks up the heat when the two finally get together. When it comes to sexual escapades m/m flavour, SE Jakes certainly delivers. Not sure if gay readers find it accurate, but as a female reader, I'm riveted and turned on - always a good sign for an erotic novel.

This story is more than an erotic romance and the aftermath of Linc's kidnapping and torture. There is a plot which weaves in and out of the series. It opens up a couple of more questions which makes me hope for another book in this series. Perhaps Vann or Jethro will share their life in the next book. This erotic romance is recommended for readers who love the softer side of motorcycle club themes.

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No. 3 in the Havoc series, Running on Empty can be read as a standalone but continuity is better if read in order. Although this title wasn't my favorite in the series, I did enjoy Mercy and Linc's dynamics even if their communication (or lack of) left a lot to be desired. Jakes definitely delivered on alpha males and hot sex scenes.

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Linc is trying to recover after being captured by a rival MC and being brutally tortured. His boyfriend knows hes responsible for him being targeted and feels guilty for the secrets he kept from him. However, Mercy isn’t the only one keeping secrets. Highly detailed and twisting plot interspersed with steamy scenes. . I think it would help to start at book 1. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

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I liked Running on Empty, but to honest, this one was my least favorite in the Havoc series so far. I think it’s a “me” thing though and I blame it totally on my feelings toward Mercy. I’m not the only one who was less than impressed with the way Mercy was acting though and I’m not talking about fellow readers. His brothers in Havoc and even others weren’t real happy with him either.

I understand his hesitance, but he almost gave Linc too much time. After everything that Linc endured in Running Blind, he needed Mercy, even though he was trying to push him away. He had other people to be there for him. He was broken and it took him a while to start feeling anything close to normal. When Mercy finally made his move, Linc knew in his heart that it was only out of guilt, it couldn’t be because he actually cared. Mercy wasn’t ready to let Linc know how he really felt, mostly because he didn’t think he deserved Linc’s love. *sigh*

Things get even messier when Linc has to face letting people he’s closest to know that there’s a huge part of his life he’s kept hidden. Mercy isn’t the only one with secrets that have the potential to harm those around him. Needless to say, there was a lot happening in Running on Empty. Some of the danger is taken care of by the end, but it’s obvious that things are far from over. I have no idea what’s next for Havoc, but I can’t wait to find out.

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Linc was kidnapped and tortured for weeks. He was running out of hope when Mercy rescued him. Mercy wants Linc very badly but is afraid intimacy will be too much for him. Linc also want Mercy, but when his man won’t give in, he resorts to sneaking out and partying. Hoping to push Mercy into resuming their relationship.

I liked Linc and Mercy, however they reminded me of a couple of toddlers trying to decide who’s the boss. I did like their story though. They were actually sweet together once they got through the misunderstandings and posturing.

All the other Havoc members played a big part in this story, (lots of characters for future books?). I feel that you need to have read the other books in the series to get the most out of this one.

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When the going gets tough and there’s a hollow feeling behind your breast bone and you’re doing your level best to breath through the panic, running is easy, but staying and fighting for love and something to fill that hollow spot? Well… Linc and Mercy are about to find out. After the events and reveals of the last book, I was strapped in for this one to start rough and stay rough for some time. It was dramatic, dirty, and drove me wild. In a good way.
Review

Running on Empty is the third of the Havoc Motorcycle Club series and doesn’t standalone. It follows directly on the heels of the events in book two.

I don’t want to spoiler the series so let’s just say Linc went through the wringer in a horrible capture-torture scenario that Mercy, his lover, feels responsible for. Both had secrets that brought it all on and now both have some serious guilt and anger flying as they see if there is something worth saving in the after math.

Meanwhile, old enemies and new ones ally together and seek to move in on Havoc’s town with drugs, guns, and human trafficking. The ATF, the FBI, and others are operating against them and Linc is still part of that even if he was recovering. Havoc and the government agencies are trying to do the same job, but need to work together because of the strength of those ranged against them. It’s Linc who can be the connector if he’s willing to finally stop running and stand with Mercy for what he wants and needs.

I was prepared for a lot of angst after what was revealed about Linc and Mercy in Linc’s brother, Bram’s book. Good thing, too, because it was exactly that. Most of the book was Linc finding his way after extreme torture and Mercy’s careful hands off presence that was doing a number on Linc. It shook him up, shook him out of his habits, and forced him to confront a lot of things while he healed. It wasn’t pretty, but it was necessary.

Mercy had his fair share of issues to get on top of and he made mistakes, but, of everyone, Mercy saw Linc crystal-clear and always had. Unlike the others of their friends and family who thought Mercy should be glued to Linc’s side and giving him gentle touches and reassurances, I thought Mercy’s approach was the right one since Linc needed to get past blame, recriminations, anger, self-loathing, and all sorts of dark and ugly thinking before it was healthy for them to have anything physical or resembling a relationship.
See, Linc keeps his emotional walls up and he does it by manipulating situations while doing wild and crazy antics that keep people off balance. I thought it took more strength to wait quietly and take all Linc’s shenanigans than it would have if Mercy had charged in and taken control right away. Linc’s been in the habit of having it both ways for a long time.

Linc acted out a lot in this story. To be frank, he was a brat just like Rush in the first book. That was actually part of the sexual dynamics that have a wisp of D/s going with a Daddy/Bear type and his ‘boy’. It’s mild, but there. I’m not really drawn to brattiness so I tolerate it because I enjoy everything else about this series. There was a serious quantity of dirty, sweaty, kinky sex going on once Mercy took a more hands on approach after waiting Linc out, but it was in keeping with the plot.

The combustible romance was the main event of this book and it took the stage front and center for most of the book, but I liked how that conflict over turf finally culminated with Linc proving to himself that he was back and capable after the torture nearly broke him. He needed to have a big part in the mission and he did. I like where things are at for him and Mercy and the Havoc MC in this one. I am so curious about Vann and a certain undercover ATF agent after that teaser reveal Vann gave about their past.

So, this one was the adrenaline rush that all this author’s books are. Hot and dirty sex, dark and edgy suspense, and rough characters who live on the dark side of the line, but do it with honor and their own brand of duty. If that’s what you enjoy in your m/m romances, pick up the first in the series and let these guys rev you up.

My thanks to Riptide via Net Galley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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3.5* Best enjoyed as part of a series - not having read the previous tales, I had to piece stuff...

... together from hints and the synopsis.

This isn't the best-written SEJ tale that I've read, but at the same time, there's so much going on, so much readers and the author need to keep on top of, that it was bound to get a bit messy, so I kind of factored that in.

It's a tale set in a MC world where good guys seem to abound but are hidden and undercover, and from what I gathered, Mercy and Linc's tale actually started in book 2, where Linc's horrendous abduction and violation took place, and where Mercy felt guilty and the guys split. In this, it feels like Mercy is trying hard to get them to some semblance of normality, or at least what normality consists of for them, but Linc is resisting. I'd kind of understand the resisting if Linc blamed Mercy or felt he wasn't good enough for Mercy, but tbh, the guy only came across as being a brat and that behaviour continued for most of the tale until Mercy took charge and delivered his own brand of discipline.

The sex in this is hot and dirty and tbh, I wasn't sure how Linc would react given what had just happened to him, but the unexpected gentleness and loving from Mercy, combined with being gently forceful, was clearly the way to them getting back together. There was some background MC stuff happening, but amid the sex and the various characters that abounded, some of whom I gather are the previous leads and some will be future leads, it was a bit confusing to watch the guys' confusion. The standout character for me in this tale wasn't the leads, but Castle, Linc's ex-lover and current handler. I suspect he'll be a lead in a future tale.

I miss the author's HH series, and this doesn't come close enough on the intrigue front and the scheming front, but it's an entertaining enough lead, so much so that I'm tracking down the previous books in the series.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Riptide Publishing, for my reading pleasure.

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I loved the story between Mercy and Linc. I was taken on quite the rollercoaster ride with these two but things were so complicated because of everything they’ve been through…especially Linc. He was taken by the Heathens MC as a way to get back at Mercy for leaving their club for Havoc MC. Linc was mercilessly tortured for a long period of time with the last part showing Linc the grave of Mercy’s last man he claimed with his empty grave being dug right next to it.

Linc had so many sides to him that helped explain how he dealt as well as he did with the torture he received. He was in the military with special training and he was also an undercover agent. Now we have Mercy trying to live with his guilt over Linc being taken and with Linc trying to get back into Mercy’s arms. There are some tense moments and extremely hot scenes all the while dealing with cartels and other MC’s that want to take the Havoc MC down.

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Running on Empty by S. E. Jakes
Released: 29th of April

I am already a big fan of the first two books in this series, so I was super excited to have my Netgalley ebook approved for me to read and review! Thanks to Netgalley and Riptide publishing for this one!

I was not disappointed and it definitely lived up to the previous two, which you will need to read for this one to make sense.

while it was a five-star read for me, there were a few things that frustrated me and many things that I adored as well, of course.

Lets talk about the things I didn’t like all that much. Mainly it was just the way Mercy and Linc communicated. As in, they didn’t. Everything was a miscommunication of them saying one thing but meaning the opposite, to each other but also in their inner monologues. It was tiring and frustrating to say the least. I understand that this is used as a plot device to create tension and drama and it is also understandable that Linc, after all he went through in the last book, would be confused. But it went beyond that, it was just too much and instead of adding to the overall story, it took away from it.

Now on to the good. Bar some minor grammatical mistakes (I think I only saw one) the writing was as good as the previous work I’ve read from Jakes. Meaning, it was well written. The overall relationships between the characters, not just our main romance Linc and Mercy, but all the new and returning characters was just so well done. They were believable and depicted a close nit brotherhood indicative of most of these MM Biker MC stories, and it’s part of the reason I love this specific genre so much.

The sexy times scenes were also plentiful and incredible, well…steamy. There were a lot of them but lets be honest with ourselves, that’s half the reason why we pick these books up.

I also really enjoyed the central plot running throughout the story as well. It was intriguing and suspenseful at times. While there wasn’t much detail put into the mechanics of exactly how they pulled off what they did so smoothly, it didn’t really bother me. I didn’t pick this book up thinking I was going to get an action adventure so I don’t mind that the action side of things was a little…under described I guess would be the most accurate way of phrasing it.

Overall I had such a fun time with Running on Empty and I hope there are more to come from this verse!

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