Slay Ride (Saint Brothers Book 1) by Davidson King

SLAY RIDE introduces us to the Saint Brothers in this dark yet heartfelt holiday romance. Get ready for a past paced thrilling tale of two people fighting for love under not so easy circumstances. 

"Who knew that a book full of murder could also be full of love?" Davidson King's Slay Ride.

From the blurb:

Christmas is a time for joy, family, and friends to gather around the tree and fill their hearts with love. Unfortunately, there are some people who don’t deserve happiness during the holidays.

Mason keeps to himself. His best friend, JJ, is the only one he chooses to be close to, plus his job keeps him busy. Excitement isn’t something he needs or wants in his life. One night, that all changes when he’s cornered, and his life is threatened. His saviors? Well, they turn out to be just as dangerous, and the mysteries surrounding them soon flip Mason’s world upside down.

Gabe and his brothers spend their lives making sure those who deserve death get what’s coming to them. The one person they never see coming is Mason. What for them should have been a simple rescue turns into even more chaos than they ever thought possible.

Enter the Saint brothers’ dark and twisted world on a slay ride that will have you on the edge of your seat, swooning for the bad boys, and trying to survive the fall of revenge.

**This was originally a short story that was part of the Christmas Anthology O Deadly Night Vol 1. It has since been expanded to a full-length novel. No Cliffhanger!

Angel's Review:

When I started Slay Ride, I didn't know for sure what to expect, other than the fact that I have enjoyed Davidson King's other books. I wasn't expecting the feel good found family moments, nor the love that was poignant across the pages of this story.

Yes, it was full of vile people who hurt others, and took advantage of their positions in the town they lived in; but it was also full of revenge, redemption, found family, and most importantly love. And I don't just mean love between the two MCs, I mean love between the brothers, the love JJ and Mason share, along with the love and care that eventually develops between all the brothers and JJ and Mason. They became a family, and while the way they met, wasn't great, they still gave each other a chance. They let themselves get to know one another without the rumors completely clouding their opinions. 

I have so many things I could share about this book, like the writing for example. The pacing of this book was truly fantastic. It kept you wondering what was going to happen next, or if one of the characters you're going to get attached to is going to get hurt. I also found the pacing great because while Gabe and Mason had chemistry from the get-go, their relationship did slowly develop, it wasn't insta-love. Which I enjoyed. I really liked watching all the bonds and connections form between all of these men. Now onto the characters! All the brothers were great. The way Davidson wrote their characters, you could feel the bond, love, and protectiveness they all have for one each other coming right through the pages. JJ and Mason's characters were also great and well written. And even though I despise the evil men and women who are in this book, they were well written as well. 

Andrew and Heather's characters were a pleasant surprise. I did not expect them to be what they ended up being. If you want to know what I'm referring to, you'll have to read the book yourself. Or else it will spoil the story for you. 

While this book was full of tragedy, loss, grief, anger, abuse, and.. murder. It was also full of happiness, love, healing, and making the most of what you've got. These men were brought together by death and tragedy, but they didn't let that tear them down. They helped hold each other up and created a family all of them are proud to be a part of. 

I truly hope you read this book yourself. I couldn't recommend it enough. Also, I'm really hoping Shep's story is next!

Rating: 5 Stars

Molly Otto's Review:

When you are looking for an author to write morally gray characters with high paved action and unfathomable love when they find your person, Davidson King delivers every time.

The Saint Brothers are so caring for each other, it is no surprise that once they find their match, they will do anything and everything to protect them. They just have a deep, beautiful, caring bond. I need to see more from this family! Yes, there are still all the beautiful, dark, and twisted people. Non-stop action, but this story has an underlying sweetness to it as well.

Is Slay Ride your typical Christmas story? No. Is this a Davidson King style Christmas story? Yes. So just go in knowing its darkness mixed with love.

Rating: 5 Stars

Lori C's Review:

Mason is a loner, with the exception of his best friend JJ. After his parents died, JJ’s family took him in and cared for him. Now, as an adult of means, he owns his apartment and works at his favorite place: Books and Bistro. JJ convinces him to go out to a Christmas party, and that is where the story all begins. He meets Gabe at the bar and waits for him, but he never returns. As he gets to his car, he is accosted and dragged into an alley. Before the worst can happen, Gabe and his brothers rescue him. That saying out of the frying pan and into the fire, well, that gives you a hint of what is to come. 

Why did I like this story? What makes it worth reading if the trigger warnings make you pause? I liked the element of vengeance that Davidson King wove through the story. Mason was saved before he was raped and by Gabe, his hotty from the club. His would be attackers? Well, they won’t be doing that again. Did he know what this would bring him? Nope, he was not prepared for the ride that was to come. I think that intensity and suspense of what could happen is what drew me in. In real life, there is no tit for tat, the bad guys often get away with their awful behavior, and the innocent get squished and hurt. Yet in Slay Ride, we get the alternate version. The bad guys get what they deserve, and the Saint brothers? Well, you’ll just have to read for yourself. I’m glad I read past the tw’s, I found a gem worth reading and rereading. Slay Ride gave me a sense of peace by the time it was over.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Slay Ride is available to buy as an ebook or to read with Kindle Unlimited subscription.