Resplendent Rage by Bella J
Series: Resplendence, #3
Contemporary Romance
March 28, 2016
Liquid Silver Books
Reviewed by Sheena
Favorite Quote: “Go try on what I bought. I’m sure you want to get out of those pants.” Those pants. Motherfucker, he hated those pants.
Jax Buchanan had a plan—a plan to start over, to somehow leave his past behind, and this plan sure as hell did not include her. But when Jax first laid eyes on the flaming redhead, he knew that Kim would be the one to tame him. She had the power to disarm him, to bring him to his knees, and to make him want something a man like him should never want … a future.
Since being with her was not an option, Jax desperately fought against his growing feelings for Kim. It was the only way he knew how to protect her. Yet the more he fought, the more he tried to keep his distance, the harder it became for him to deny his desire for her.
But somehow Jax screwed up … and now Kim is gone—taken by a psychopath with no conscience, who would do anything to get Jax’s cooperation in one of his twisted endeavors. Now it’s up to Jax to save her, to take back what has been taken from him…
Resplendent Rage is the final (gah!) book in the Resplendent series and it culminates a uniquely emo series with a bang! Packed with significantly more action and danger than its predecessors, Resplendent Ruin and Resplendent Rush, Rage is more suspenseful and fast paced. I could not stand to put it down. Jax and Kim were the series dark horses. They came out of nowhere to take the reins and turn what was a very sexy but safe series into a heart pounding game of cat and mouse where everything is at stake and nothing can be taken for granted.
Kim is off limits to Jax. She is his brother’s woman’s best friend for starters and he is ensnared in a criminal enterprise that refuses to let him go, despite his desire for freedom. Their chemistry was smoldering with promise in book two and in Rage, we get to explore as their lives collide and the absolute beauty in the wreckage. This third and final book is so different from the first two books, yet it fits as perfect as a puzzle piece. The balance of sexy romantic suspense is very well done, lucky me. I did not find myself wishing for more than one or the other as both themes had their prominence and supported the other in tandem.
A bone of contention I’ve maintained with author Bella J, is her “wait- what?” monkey wrench that inevitably finds itself lodged into each book. I can’t decide if it is genius or happenstance. However, I suppose it just be right to close the series without this chronic wrenching. In this case, the stupefying moments are flown in your face head on- with an inexplicable one-way yearning that made me rethink everything I thought I previously read into Jax and Kim’s relationship.
“How many men have you been with?”…A shiver moved down her spine as he placed a hand on her hip, squeezing gently. He rolled his hips, and her desire flared when she felt him press against her.
“I just wanted to know how many men have had you and were stupid enough to let you go.”
Soft lips glided against the skin of her neck and Kim started to fall deeper and deeper into him- into the moment.
“You need to know, Red, that once I take you…once I claim you, move inside you, you’re mine. I will drag you down to my hell, because I am never letting you go.”
And then both hands gently cupped her breasts… “Are you ready for that, Red?”
Poor Kim. She was courageous, smart, and used her wit and determination to survive a monster. Even after her rescue, she was strong for her loved ones who bore unbelievable guilt. Jax was a lucky man to have a woman expect much from him, only to match what he gave in return. She called him out when he wanted to hide and drown in his guilt and grief. I love a strong female and Kim was strength personified. Even if she were a little slow on the uptake when it came to seeing Jax’s feelings for her. Their HEA was a tough road but their determination to make it to the other side was admirable.
Ahh! There is a darkness to Rage that resonated. The author was not afraid to put her characters through unspeakable pain and loss. People hurt. People we grew to care for die. It is not pretty sometimes, but it is authentic and very gripping. It would be criminal to spoil more than to warn readers to expect the unexpected! Though we’ve seen glimpses Kim throughout the series and met the troubled Jax in book 2, I recommend reading books 1 and 2 to get the full impact of the series. Run the emotional gauntlet with me- it’s well worth it. That being said, I believe Resplendent Rage could be read as a standalone, though it may feel like a de-escalation to go from imminent threat and violence to the only danger being an emotional wringer.
I will miss this world, however, I look forward to what Bella J chooses to write next.
Grade: B
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