Reviews

Losers: Part II by Harley Laroux

kait_17_'s review against another edition

dark emotional funny

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

ek_reads's review against another edition

5.0

What an amazing poly romance. I wasn't always into every kink, but I was always invested in every relationship. 

And this author is amazing at demonstrating that enthusiastic consent doesn't have to take away from the sexiness of a moment. It frequently adds to it. 

jessanicolesingh's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

For a categorically dark/taboo romance duet, these books were much more emotional than I had anticipated them being. I always love a good reverse harem, especially when the men play together too 😉

The series depicts a group of town outcasts in a polyamorous relationship that find themselves reconnecting with their old high school bully, Jess, whom they have all been obsessed with for years. After a chance encounter and car trouble, the guys propose a deal of sorts; if she agrees to join their quad for the time being they would fix her car in their shop. From there you can unsurprisingly expect a copious amount of spicy scenes, very heavy on the BDSM.

I absolutely LOVED these boys; Manson, the unofficial leader of the house and most forward towards bringing the FMC into the mix, Lucas, the hotheaded racer with a soft spot for cats, Vincent, the drug dealer turned romantic goofball, and finally Jason, abandoned by his religious parents that refused to accept him. Jessica on the other hand, I didn’t find myself all that crazy for, I felt like her plight was deeper than her personality at times.

I wouldn't really say there was too much of a plot outside of the payment arrangement that ultimately, and obviously, leads to Jess joining their “family.” There were some ghosts from their collective pasts slowly creeping in on them, namely Manson’s deadbeat father, Reagan, and a few stray bullies from high school still targeting them. From the first book to the second there was a fairly non-climaxal cliffhanger where the group was planning to take a vacation with just a touch of anxiety over the looming threats. Although the main antagonistic force wove in and out rather than a continuous buildup, this actually made the story more realistic.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, and Violence

Minor: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Abandonment

BDSM

feelinnocane's review against another edition

5.0

Part 2 was just as good as Part 1. The banter between all the characters while I am reading makes me laugh audibly out loud on various parts. I would high recommend this series the spice, drama and humor were all present.

bookishlychar's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This is the second part of the Losers duet. These characters came into their own in the second book. They became more sure of their relationships and I felt like Jess became less whiny and pretentious. I liked watching both the individual relationships and group dynamics with these five. The communication between them all was truly wonderful. 

This story is full of love and heart, but it is also dark. All of these characters have dealt with abuse and terrible situations. They have learned to cope with these in their ways, with the support of others. 

This book has a lot of sex, and it more erotica than romance. Though there is a lot of story there, with both feeling and emotion. I recommend looking into trigger warnings if you need them before going into this book. 

calliesbookrecs's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

hi_neva's review against another edition

dark emotional

4.75

spicccy773's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

maddiholk's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

ladyblayde's review against another edition

5.0

The Losers duet has risen to become one of my all-time favorite reads. I love the debauchery in it, the love, the drama, the intrigue. This series was made for me. Mind your trigger warnings— they are there for a reason. Five stars and five plus