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Stronger Than This
Marie:
I married a monster -- a member of a motorcycle club. I was okay with him blurring the lines until the lines he crossed turned against me. He wasn’t always a monster, or he hid it well. I wouldn’t have married him if I’d known. By the time his true colors showed, I was pregnant with no way out. Until one day, years of planning paid off, and I was able to run away with my daughter.
I found my footing in the foothills of Pennsylvania, thinking I would be far from any MC. I was wrong.
Mickey:
As a member of The Devil’s Crusaders, not much escapes me in Wakeman. Especially not the tiny, fiery redhead who strolled into town, so obviously hiding from something. She made my blood boil in the best way possible. I’d avoided taking an old lady, instead, choosing to spend my years raising my daughter. Not anymore. Not since Marie. I was ready, and she was it for me. I just had to find out what she was hiding from before it finally catches up to her.
I married a monster -- a member of a motorcycle club. I was okay with him blurring the lines until the lines he crossed turned against me. He wasn’t always a monster, or he hid it well. I wouldn’t have married him if I’d known. By the time his true colors showed, I was pregnant with no way out. Until one day, years of planning paid off, and I was able to run away with my daughter.
I found my footing in the foothills of Pennsylvania, thinking I would be far from any MC. I was wrong.
Mickey:
As a member of The Devil’s Crusaders, not much escapes me in Wakeman. Especially not the tiny, fiery redhead who strolled into town, so obviously hiding from something. She made my blood boil in the best way possible. I’d avoided taking an old lady, instead, choosing to spend my years raising my daughter. Not anymore. Not since Marie. I was ready, and she was it for me. I just had to find out what she was hiding from before it finally catches up to her.
First published April 30, 2018
About the author
Abby McCarthy
12 books589 followers Abby McCarthy is an Ohio author. She is the author of over ten novels ranging from contemporary romance, motorcycle club romances, and Paranormal romance. She is a mother of three, a wife and a dog person. When she is not managing a full household or writing, she enjoys being on the water, in a park, or with friends.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
July 15, 2020
2 Meh Stars
I didn't hate this...I just didn't really connect with it too much.
The writing felt a little but...undone. And, like I said, I just didn't connect with the story or the characters that much as a result.
Oh well, no big deal.
I didn't hate this...I just didn't really connect with it too much.
The writing felt a little but...undone. And, like I said, I just didn't connect with the story or the characters that much as a result.
Oh well, no big deal.
May 1, 2018
4.5 - 5 Stars
"... the moment you start thinking that monsters aren't real, that's the moment they attack."
This is the first book I have read by this author and I felt as a biker story that does deal with physical abuse and a new love (a hot mature Irishman) she did a fantastic job!
"He was everything I wanted, yet knew I shouldn't have. Mickey was kind in a way I didn't know a man could be. He was teaching me that men, even when hard could be soft."
"... the moment you start thinking that monsters aren't real, that's the moment they attack."
This is the first book I have read by this author and I felt as a biker story that does deal with physical abuse and a new love (a hot mature Irishman) she did a fantastic job!
"He was everything I wanted, yet knew I shouldn't have. Mickey was kind in a way I didn't know a man could be. He was teaching me that men, even when hard could be soft."
April 17, 2018
Grab those tissues and get ready for a ride that will break your heart and put it back together in the best way. Stronger Than This is a beautiful story that touches on the worst of circumstances. Raw and real there was no sugar coating in this book and it hits you right in the heart. Marie and Mickey’s story is one that pack an emotional punch. Filled with heartbreak, healing, and ultimately love. Abby McCarthy’s incredible writing had me hooked immediately.
Marie’s story is utterly heartbreaking. The abuse that she endured and fled from was horrific and something no one should ever have to live through. But she’s a fighter and a determined mother. I loved how Abby didn’t write her without scars, Marie was so true to life it was easy to feel all she was going through and have that connection with her.
Mickey is a truly incredible man. Patient and gentle, yet still the tough alpha male biker. He has scars of his own that he has overcome. The understanding and gentle way he was with Marie and her daughter completely melted my heart. As Mickey and Marie slowly grow closer and fall in love I fell right along with them.
Marie’s story is utterly heartbreaking. The abuse that she endured and fled from was horrific and something no one should ever have to live through. But she’s a fighter and a determined mother. I loved how Abby didn’t write her without scars, Marie was so true to life it was easy to feel all she was going through and have that connection with her.
Mickey is a truly incredible man. Patient and gentle, yet still the tough alpha male biker. He has scars of his own that he has overcome. The understanding and gentle way he was with Marie and her daughter completely melted my heart. As Mickey and Marie slowly grow closer and fall in love I fell right along with them.
April 17, 2018
Stronger Than This is the first book that I have read by Abby McCarthy and I loved it.
So, this book kind of showed up on my kindle as an ARC. I must have signed up for it to review. But, I can’t find anywhere that I did. It isn’t on my calendar or spreadsheet. I thought I was tired of MC romances but, “Stronger Than This” was very good. And, I think it has gotten me back in the game of reading them.
I fell in love with Mickey. Marie had been married to a “monster”. She had to run away with her daughter or maybe the next time he will kill her. This is the 2nd book in less than a week that I have read with domestic abuse in it. Stronger Than This is a story that is well written. And, I felt it was a page turner. It held my attention all the way through it. Even though my head is a little fuzzy with a cold.
I will be following Abby McCarthy now. I loved the book and I give it 5 stars.
So, this book kind of showed up on my kindle as an ARC. I must have signed up for it to review. But, I can’t find anywhere that I did. It isn’t on my calendar or spreadsheet. I thought I was tired of MC romances but, “Stronger Than This” was very good. And, I think it has gotten me back in the game of reading them.
I fell in love with Mickey. Marie had been married to a “monster”. She had to run away with her daughter or maybe the next time he will kill her. This is the 2nd book in less than a week that I have read with domestic abuse in it. Stronger Than This is a story that is well written. And, I felt it was a page turner. It held my attention all the way through it. Even though my head is a little fuzzy with a cold.
I will be following Abby McCarthy now. I loved the book and I give it 5 stars.
May 2, 2018
‘Mickey kissed my hand he was holding.
I sighed, “Mickey?”
“Yes, love.”
“It has a happy ending?”
“Of course. The best love stories do, and ours is the best, love.”
Wow! How have we not read anything by Abby McCarthy before now? It’s been a long time between MC Romances for us and we’ve missed them. In our quest to find stories with older characters (as in past college age) Stronger Than This came up. As it ticked two must haves off our reading mood, we decided to dive in, and easily became swept up in this gritty, compulsive story.
‘I memorized every detail. She had a few silver scars that I just knew were from her ex. She had a few small silver stretch marks that I surmised were from Talon. They didn’t detract from her beauty. They just showed me how strong she was.’
Now, the first thing we didn’t expect was the grittiness of this story. Oh sure, the reason we pick up MC reads is for that element, but Abby McCarthy goes above and beyond by offering up a story that’s disturbing, uncomfortable, raw and positively heartbreaking at times. Honestly, what Marie went through would break the toughest of spirit. This lady certainly deserved any shred of happiness she could take from life, and Abby McCarthy didn’t shy away from telling Marie’s story.
Stronger Than This began with a riveting prologue that immediately drew in, as we met twenty two, Marie, the heroine of our story. Having left home at sixteen to escape her abusive father, Marie is smitten with a biker named Drake, who rolls into town, sleeps with her and makes promise of a better life than the one she is currently living if she leaves with him in the morning. At thirty four, Drake doesn’t mince words, is rough, crass and direct. Thinking she has nothing to lose, she leaves, quite literally, on the back of Drake’s bike.
‘Before Drake, I laughed. Before Drake, I loved. After Drake, I hurt. I wondered if it would always feel like that?’
For a while things are okay until the ‘real’ Drake emerges. High on drugs and alcohol, he is one nasty son of a bitch and his target is Marie. He begins abusing Marie after the birth of their child, Talon. Marie spends years scheming to leave Drake, and though fearful for her life and that of her daughter, she escapes to Wakeman, Pennsylvania, and though she settles in nicely, with everyone being so welcoming, the fear and threat of Drake finding her is never far from her mind.
“The moment you start thinking monsters aren’t real, is the moment they attack.”
It is here Marie meets Mickey McCafferty. But, as Marie finds out, Mickey is the Sargent in Arms of the Devil Crusaders MC Club, and Marie’s hackles and her fear level is instantly raised. But Mickey couldn’t be more opposite to her ex-husband, Drake. Mickey is kind, caring, a truly wonderful man with a beautiful soul who has seen his own share of pain, and his club is nothing like the MC Club Marie escaped from, in fact, for the first time in her life, Mickey and his brothers in arms, and their families, allow Marie to see a glimpse of a life she never believed she could have. A good life, filled with comfort, safety, friends, happiness and love. But sadly, danger is never far away.
‘I knew right then and there that Mickey was his own kind of danger to me. The kind where I had to worry about my heart.’
Abby McCarthy didn’t hold back in delivering a story that at times, felt unsettlingly real, taking us out of our comfort zone a time or two. Whilst Marie’s story was hard to read and it broke our hearts, we marvelled at the resilience and bravery of this beautiful lady. We hoped in our hearts that a caring and loving man such as Mickey, could give Marie the happiness she deserved. Mickey and Marie shouldered a lot of burdens, and amid the lawlessness, the ugly and the violence, Abby McCarthy brought us a beautiful story of healing, bravery and love.
Our only gripe in an otherwise fantastic story, was the Irish ‘lingo’ the author used to express Mickey’s heritage. This did grate on us after a while and as Mickey lapsed back into this vernacular when he became emotional, which had the tendancy to distract us from the story at hand which was a shame. However, in saying that, Stronger Than This was a great re-introduction into a theme we’ve sorely missed.
“I don’t know you Mickey.”
“Get to know me.”
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April 15, 2018
I'll be the first to admit I had the Wrecked series on my TBR list for sometime now. I sat and read the three books in less then 2 days time and absolutely loved them. But I'll tell you what I'm glad I waited until Stronger Than This. That reason is because I was able to get the full impact of Mickey and The Devil’s Crusaders. Mickey is such a strong, caring, some what sweet yet gruff Irishman that you can't help but to love him fully. Marie and her daughter Talon are such a strong duo of survivors. You can tell they both have healing from the life they once lived before coming to Pennsylvania. You can tell in the beginning that Marie is skittish but that doesn't stop Mickey at all. I love them together. I love how he helps heal Marie and show her not all bikers are bad. There love is so strong that not even the past that haunts them both can rip them apart. I love how Mickey never gives up on Marie through everything. Seriously Stronger Than This is my favorite book within the Devil's Crusaders world. If you haven't picked up the Wrecked series yet do so because this is an amazing biker series and Strong Than This is a fantastic read.
April 16, 2018
4.5 Stars!!!!
Stronger than this by Abby McCarthy was AMAZING. An MC romance and a true story of survival. It's steady flow of angst and emotions had me completely engrossed. I loved the touch of darkness and fear throughout. Mikey McCaffrey is the man! We first met Mickey in The Wreck You Series. He's Maura's dad and a member of The Devil's Crusaders. I loved him then, but I am completely in love with him now. If you haven't read the series yet. Trust me, It's fine. Strong than this is a standalone. (You will want to read the series after this though!)
This is Mickey & Marie's unconventional love story.
Marie has never had an easy life. She grew up in an abusive household and swore her life would be different. When she met a biker named Drake, he offered her the world. He vowed to love and cherish her.... Until he didn't anymore and that's when the abuse started. Like most abusers, Drake was very remorseful and swore it would never happen again. (Until it did, over & over) After time, he wore Marie down physically and mentally. Eventually getting her pregnant, further trapping her in a nightmare of a life that she was desperately trying to avoid. Abby totally captured the essence of the abuser and abused perfectly. As much as I wanted Marie to fight, I knew it was futile. Drake was such a bastard!! He disgusted me. My heart ached for Marie. How much can one person take?! While living in constant fear for not only herself, but now for her daughter, Marie planned their escape.... My heart was in my throat. I felt like I was on the run too. I loved Marie so much! She may have been broken, but she was not beyond repair. She never gave up and never lost her spirit! A true survivor....
When Marie met Mickey, she was beyond scared and extremely untrusting. Especially with him being a biker. When Mickey looked into her eyes, he saw just how damaged she was, but he also saw her everlasting fire! There was definitely a mutual attraction and lots of heat between them right from the start. They just both needed be ready for more.... After forming a solid friendship, Marie slowly began to trust Mickey and his crew. (Wait till you read just how special he is.) Mickey was just perfect!! Hard but soft. Patient but persistent. He's a total biker, but one with honor and complete loyalty. He cares and protects those he loves. Their love story is one not to miss!!
Stronger than this by Abby McCarthy was AMAZING. An MC romance and a true story of survival. It's steady flow of angst and emotions had me completely engrossed. I loved the touch of darkness and fear throughout. Mikey McCaffrey is the man! We first met Mickey in The Wreck You Series. He's Maura's dad and a member of The Devil's Crusaders. I loved him then, but I am completely in love with him now. If you haven't read the series yet. Trust me, It's fine. Strong than this is a standalone. (You will want to read the series after this though!)
This is Mickey & Marie's unconventional love story.
Marie has never had an easy life. She grew up in an abusive household and swore her life would be different. When she met a biker named Drake, he offered her the world. He vowed to love and cherish her.... Until he didn't anymore and that's when the abuse started. Like most abusers, Drake was very remorseful and swore it would never happen again. (Until it did, over & over) After time, he wore Marie down physically and mentally. Eventually getting her pregnant, further trapping her in a nightmare of a life that she was desperately trying to avoid. Abby totally captured the essence of the abuser and abused perfectly. As much as I wanted Marie to fight, I knew it was futile. Drake was such a bastard!! He disgusted me. My heart ached for Marie. How much can one person take?! While living in constant fear for not only herself, but now for her daughter, Marie planned their escape.... My heart was in my throat. I felt like I was on the run too. I loved Marie so much! She may have been broken, but she was not beyond repair. She never gave up and never lost her spirit! A true survivor....
When Marie met Mickey, she was beyond scared and extremely untrusting. Especially with him being a biker. When Mickey looked into her eyes, he saw just how damaged she was, but he also saw her everlasting fire! There was definitely a mutual attraction and lots of heat between them right from the start. They just both needed be ready for more.... After forming a solid friendship, Marie slowly began to trust Mickey and his crew. (Wait till you read just how special he is.) Mickey was just perfect!! Hard but soft. Patient but persistent. He's a total biker, but one with honor and complete loyalty. He cares and protects those he loves. Their love story is one not to miss!!
July 10, 2020
Stronger Than This was recently recommended in a group and lucky me it has been sitting on my Kindle for some time. Honestly, I loved this book from beginning to end. Was it perfect? absolutely not, it's not even original but it was perfect to me. Mickey is exactly what I love in my H's. He's strong, tough, dominate but super loving and sweet to those he loves. He was an amazing Dad who raised a beautiful daughter alone even while being part of the MC. Marie was also great, life has been hard from the beginning. As a young woman she found herself attracting the eye of an older man the President of an MC, unfortunately her life becomes a nightmare. Finally after almost 17 years she finally escapes with her daughter Talon and begins a new life. Although her past does catch up with her and she's left a different woman I loved that she was finally free.
April 18, 2018
Stronger Than This by Abby McCarthy is set in the same world like her Wrecked Series, but can easily be read as a standalone.
Marie is a woman who´s broken on body and soul. Together with her daughter she´s on the run from a monster. She´s hiding in a small town and for the first time she feels safe and secure. And her new neighbor is one of the reasons. Mickey is Sergeant at Arms at the lokal MC chapter, his daughter, Maura is happily married and he´s set in his ways. That is ´til he meets a feisty redhead waitress. It takes one look and he´s a goner. Now he has to be patient and let Marie work through her issues and everything is gonna be sunshine and unicorns - not.
Stronger Than This is a heartwrenchingly, raw and gritty read. The story made me cry, made me suffer and had me grieving. I can´t say how much I love the characters, their fire and their fight. I give 5 stars.
Marie is a woman who´s broken on body and soul. Together with her daughter she´s on the run from a monster. She´s hiding in a small town and for the first time she feels safe and secure. And her new neighbor is one of the reasons. Mickey is Sergeant at Arms at the lokal MC chapter, his daughter, Maura is happily married and he´s set in his ways. That is ´til he meets a feisty redhead waitress. It takes one look and he´s a goner. Now he has to be patient and let Marie work through her issues and everything is gonna be sunshine and unicorns - not.
Stronger Than This is a heartwrenchingly, raw and gritty read. The story made me cry, made me suffer and had me grieving. I can´t say how much I love the characters, their fire and their fight. I give 5 stars.
May 11, 2018
Loved it!
July 15, 2020
3 stars
For a long time now I have been searching for a new MC series to read. Lord knows I love a good biker book and for some reason the ones I haven’t read yet just don’t seem to appeal to me. So when I saw this one was recently read by a GR friend, Leigh, I thought I’d take a detour from my planned reading for this week.
This is an interesting one; the writing style is not my preferred style, it is very fast paced, very matter of fact and quite emotionless. Yet I found myself drawn in straight away and enjoyed the story.
This is about Marie and her traumatic life as an old lady. We meet her as a young woman, but as the story pans out we meet her again when she is 38. Mikey, our Hero, is a pretty sound guy. He wasn’t the broody bad biker we are accustomed to in these books, but he was strong and kind. This story shows us that no matter how bad life starts out there’s hope that better days are coming.
As I said above, the story is fast paced and there isn’t the emotional connection to the characters that I would have liked, but I read this in one sitting and enjoyed it. There were lots of secondary characters in this so I guess plenty of options for this author.
For a long time now I have been searching for a new MC series to read. Lord knows I love a good biker book and for some reason the ones I haven’t read yet just don’t seem to appeal to me. So when I saw this one was recently read by a GR friend, Leigh, I thought I’d take a detour from my planned reading for this week.
This is an interesting one; the writing style is not my preferred style, it is very fast paced, very matter of fact and quite emotionless. Yet I found myself drawn in straight away and enjoyed the story.
This is about Marie and her traumatic life as an old lady. We meet her as a young woman, but as the story pans out we meet her again when she is 38. Mikey, our Hero, is a pretty sound guy. He wasn’t the broody bad biker we are accustomed to in these books, but he was strong and kind. This story shows us that no matter how bad life starts out there’s hope that better days are coming.
As I said above, the story is fast paced and there isn’t the emotional connection to the characters that I would have liked, but I read this in one sitting and enjoyed it. There were lots of secondary characters in this so I guess plenty of options for this author.
April 18, 2024
3.75 stars
May 14, 2018
I wish I could tell you how much I loved this book. I somehow missed that Mickey was getting a book and that we were even getting another book from this amazing series. I was so excited to read Stronger Than This and then when I started it I did everything in my power to not have to put this book down. From word one I was hooked, Abby McCarthy did such a great job writing this story and pulling us into this world she created. The story is beyond words but it’s not even just that the story in this book. The Characters in this book(and the entire series) pull at you and connect with you and become very real when you are reading this book.
There’s something special about Abby McCarthy’s writing voice that makes you feel like you can never get enough, and after finishing one of her book the first thought is that you need another book by her. This book was so easy to read and get absorbed into, from beginning to the end I was right there with these characters while their story was being told. Not only did I love the main characters but also the entire cast in this book helped make this story.
Marie grew up in an abusive home and swore she wouldn’t be the same. Leaving at 16 Marie did what she had to make a life for herself. One night working at a bar Marie ran into Drake who was captivated with her since he laid eyes on her. His charm drew her in but fear is what kept her with him. In the blink of an eye Marie was everything she swore she would never be and with no way out Marie accepted this was her life until her daughter got too close to the fire.
Running Marie and her daughter found a way out and ended up in a small nowhere town and found a job making steps to get her and Talon her daughters life on track. And then Marie heard the motorcycle pipes and fear was her first reaction. When Mickey offers Marie help her first instinct is to say no but when she realizes she needs the help more than her fear Marie accepts. Now Mickey has placed himself into Marie’s life and has no plans of leaving. Mickey couldn’t deny the instant attraction to Marie but there was more and even though he can tell she has been hurt Mickey is willing to do anything to gain her trust and her love and help her heal.
This new life has brought so much joy to Marie’s life and she has also found love and friendship with a whole new world opening up to her and her daughter but fear is never far behind. While healing is slow but happening and love between Mickey and Marie is strong. nothing can last when your running from the past. When Mickey’s MC is being set up the MC sets about to fix it but that’s not the only problem coming to destroy everything these two love.
We met Mickey in the past books from this series and we got glimpses of him but after reading this book I see there is just so much we had no clue about. Mickey was a great dad and the MC was his family but Maura’s(Mickey's daughter) mom changed something in Mickey and since then he’s not had any woman in his life other than one-night stands till Marie. I loved Mickey he was so real to me I could picture him while reading this book, he was strong loving and so kind to Mare and Talon. Marie was broken and yet she pulled herself up to make a new life for her and Talon and found Mickey and though she was scared she learned to live and open up. I loved their story it was so perfect and just what these tow characters deserved. These two were meant to be together and it was so nice seeing them fall in love since they both deserved happiness so much.
Not only did I love Mickey and Marie and Talon but everyone in this book and it was so fun to see the previous characters. This book made me want to read this series all over again. I can’t wait to see what’s next for this MC I really hope Talon gets a book when she is older. I also love that the hero Mickey and heroine Marie were older. If I was picking I would say I wished this book had an epilogue(as many of you know, I have a slight obsession with epilogues) though I will always say that but honestly this book was dang near perfect if not perfect. I wish I could rate this one more than five stars but I will tell you whatever book I read next has some big shoes to fill
There’s something special about Abby McCarthy’s writing voice that makes you feel like you can never get enough, and after finishing one of her book the first thought is that you need another book by her. This book was so easy to read and get absorbed into, from beginning to the end I was right there with these characters while their story was being told. Not only did I love the main characters but also the entire cast in this book helped make this story.
Marie grew up in an abusive home and swore she wouldn’t be the same. Leaving at 16 Marie did what she had to make a life for herself. One night working at a bar Marie ran into Drake who was captivated with her since he laid eyes on her. His charm drew her in but fear is what kept her with him. In the blink of an eye Marie was everything she swore she would never be and with no way out Marie accepted this was her life until her daughter got too close to the fire.
Running Marie and her daughter found a way out and ended up in a small nowhere town and found a job making steps to get her and Talon her daughters life on track. And then Marie heard the motorcycle pipes and fear was her first reaction. When Mickey offers Marie help her first instinct is to say no but when she realizes she needs the help more than her fear Marie accepts. Now Mickey has placed himself into Marie’s life and has no plans of leaving. Mickey couldn’t deny the instant attraction to Marie but there was more and even though he can tell she has been hurt Mickey is willing to do anything to gain her trust and her love and help her heal.
This new life has brought so much joy to Marie’s life and she has also found love and friendship with a whole new world opening up to her and her daughter but fear is never far behind. While healing is slow but happening and love between Mickey and Marie is strong. nothing can last when your running from the past. When Mickey’s MC is being set up the MC sets about to fix it but that’s not the only problem coming to destroy everything these two love.
We met Mickey in the past books from this series and we got glimpses of him but after reading this book I see there is just so much we had no clue about. Mickey was a great dad and the MC was his family but Maura’s(Mickey's daughter) mom changed something in Mickey and since then he’s not had any woman in his life other than one-night stands till Marie. I loved Mickey he was so real to me I could picture him while reading this book, he was strong loving and so kind to Mare and Talon. Marie was broken and yet she pulled herself up to make a new life for her and Talon and found Mickey and though she was scared she learned to live and open up. I loved their story it was so perfect and just what these tow characters deserved. These two were meant to be together and it was so nice seeing them fall in love since they both deserved happiness so much.
Not only did I love Mickey and Marie and Talon but everyone in this book and it was so fun to see the previous characters. This book made me want to read this series all over again. I can’t wait to see what’s next for this MC I really hope Talon gets a book when she is older. I also love that the hero Mickey and heroine Marie were older. If I was picking I would say I wished this book had an epilogue(as many of you know, I have a slight obsession with epilogues) though I will always say that but honestly this book was dang near perfect if not perfect. I wish I could rate this one more than five stars but I will tell you whatever book I read next has some big shoes to fill
May 3, 2018
‘Mickey kissed my hand he was holding.
I sighed, “Mickey?”
“Yes, love.”
“It has a happy ending?”
“Of course. The best love stories do, and ours is the best, love.”
Wow! How have we not read anything by Abby McCarthy before now? It’s been a long time between MC Romances for us and we’ve missed them. In our quest to find stories with older characters (as in past college age) Stronger Than This came up. As it ticked two must haves off our reading mood, we decided to dive in, and easily became swept up in this gritty, compulsive story.
‘I memorized every detail. She had a few silver scars that I just knew were from her ex. She had a few small silver stretch marks that I surmised were from Talon. They didn’t detract from her beauty. They just showed me how strong she was.’
Now, the first thing we didn’t expect was the grittiness of this story. Oh sure, the reason we pick up MC reads is for that element, but Abby McCarthy goes above and beyond by offering up a story that’s disturbing, uncomfortable, raw and positively heartbreaking at times. Honestly, what Marie went through would break the toughest of spirit. This lady certainly deserved any shred of happiness she could take from life, and Abby McCarthy didn’t shy away from telling Marie’s story.
Stronger Than This began with a riveting prologue that immediately drew in, as we met twenty two, Marie, the heroine of our story. Having left home at sixteen to escape her abusive father, Marie is smitten with a biker named Drake, who rolls into town, sleeps with her and makes promise of a better life than the one she is currently living if she leaves with him in the morning. At thirty four, Drake doesn’t mince words, is rough, crass and direct. Thinking she has nothing to lose, she leaves, quite literally, on the back of Drake’s bike.
‘Before Drake, I laughed. Before Drake, I loved. After Drake, I hurt. I wondered if it would always feel like that?’
For a while things are okay until the ‘real’ Drake emerges. High on drugs and alcohol, he is one nasty son of a bitch and his target is Marie. He begins abusing Marie after the birth of their child, Talon. Marie spends years scheming to leave Drake, and though fearful for her life and that of her daughter, she escapes to Wakeman, Pennsylvania, and though she settles in nicely, with everyone being so welcoming, the fear and threat of Drake finding her is never far from her mind.
“The moment you start thinking monsters aren’t real, is the moment they attack.”
It is here Marie meets Mickey McCafferty. But, as Marie finds out, Mickey is the Sargent in Arms of the Devil Crusaders MC Club, and Marie’s hackles and her fear level is instantly raised. But Mickey couldn’t be more opposite to her ex-husband, Drake. Mickey is kind, caring, a truly wonderful man with a beautiful soul who has seen his own share of pain, and his club is nothing like the MC Club Marie escaped from, in fact, for the first time in her life, Mickey and his brothers in arms, and their families, allow Marie to see a glimpse of a life she never believed she could have. A good life, filled with comfort, safety, friends, happiness and love. But sadly, danger is never far away.
‘I knew right then and there that Mickey was his own kind of danger to me. The kind where I had to worry about my heart.’
Abby McCarthy didn’t hold back in delivering a story that at times, felt unsettlingly real, taking us out of our comfort zone a time or two. Whilst Marie’s story was hard to read and it broke our hearts, we marvelled at the resilience and bravery of this beautiful lady. We hoped in our hearts that a caring and loving man such as Mickey, could give Marie the happiness she deserved. Mickey and Marie shouldered a lot of burdens, and amid the lawlessness, the ugly and the violence, Abby McCarthy brought us a beautiful story of healing, bravery and love.
Our only gripe in an otherwise fantastic story, was the Irish ‘lingo’ the author used to express Mickey’s heritage. This did grate on us after a while and as Mickey lapsed back into this vernacular when he became emotional, which had the tendancy to distract us from the story at hand which was a shame. However, in saying that, Stronger Than This was a great re-introduction into a theme we’ve sorely missed.
“I don’t know you Mickey.”
“Get to know me.”
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April 18, 2018
An incredibly addictive suspenseful read loaded with angst, hate, adultery, rape and lots of love. It was also emotional and very gritty, real, and raw but sexy as hell.
I fell in love with Marie and Mickey. I enjoyed watching the relationship between these two develop despite the obstacles they had to overcome.
**possible triggers abuse and rape
I fell in love with Marie and Mickey. I enjoyed watching the relationship between these two develop despite the obstacles they had to overcome.
**possible triggers abuse and rape
Want to read
August 25, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/25/2019)! 🎁
October 3, 2019
I thought this was a well written book but I had issues with a few things.
After everything Marie had been through with her husband, her ridiculous, possessive jealousy for someone she hadn't even really started a relationship with was disconcerting and made me very uncomfortable for the way she interprets a loving relationship after all of her abuse.
But mostly I was not impressed with the non ending to this book. I was shocked when it ended because the story wasn't finished. In fact, it was in many ways just starting.
After everything Marie had been through with her husband, her ridiculous, possessive jealousy for someone she hadn't even really started a relationship with was disconcerting and made me very uncomfortable for the way she interprets a loving relationship after all of her abuse.
But mostly I was not impressed with the non ending to this book. I was shocked when it ended because the story wasn't finished. In fact, it was in many ways just starting.
May 1, 2018
3.5 stars
I enjoyed the story and Mickey was a great male lead! I think I will go back and read the Wrecked series to get to know the other characters more.
I enjoyed the story and Mickey was a great male lead! I think I will go back and read the Wrecked series to get to know the other characters more.
October 4, 2022
I don't know why I don't read more MC romance because I really love them! Mickey is so damn swoonie!! Marie is so strong and amazing.
This book had me on the edge of my seat. Great spice, fantastic plot, and great side characters. Now I'm off to read the Wrecked series, since it covers the other Devils Crusaders!
This book had me on the edge of my seat. Great spice, fantastic plot, and great side characters. Now I'm off to read the Wrecked series, since it covers the other Devils Crusaders!
April 26, 2018
An intense story, Stronger Than This was addictive from the first page. Marie and Mickey are great characters. Marie is a woman who fell in love with a man who hid his true colors. She endured it, but refused to let her daughter go through it as well. Resourceful and meticulous, she makes her escape and meets Mickey when she moves into a new home with her daughter. She's walled off and gun-shy, but Mickey has just as much grit and determination as she does.
Stronger Than This was a great read. While I found parts to be predictable, I was enthralled with the story. I enjoyed the MC members, and hope to see more of them get a HEA. Stronger Than This was paced a bit slowly, but that was true to the characters. This was my first read by the author, and I'm dying to check out her backlist, especially Mickey's daughter's story!
Stronger Than This was a great read. While I found parts to be predictable, I was enthralled with the story. I enjoyed the MC members, and hope to see more of them get a HEA. Stronger Than This was paced a bit slowly, but that was true to the characters. This was my first read by the author, and I'm dying to check out her backlist, especially Mickey's daughter's story!
April 21, 2018
After I finished this book I had to sit on it. I had to get my feelings straight and figure out how to write a review that can properly express. There is a lot that happens in the book but the feelings that the book evoke are huge. I had tears, I rooted for Marie to come out on the other side. I smiled at how Mickey was with Marie and how protective he was. I want to tell y’all how each darkish scene broke my heart a little more then the one before, but I won’t go into too much detail with that. I will say the author did an amazing job when it came to the sensitive subject matter. This is the first book I’ve read in this series and I plan to go back and read more because the secondary characters have such a large presence in it that I want to know them. I wish the ending had been more expanded. While it’s resolved in the sense of the word, I felt that it was too open ended for my personal taste. 4 stars #2OCCJD
April 27, 2018
Stronger Than This is the stand-alone story of Mickey McCafferty. His story will grab your heart strings and pull them right out of your chest! Mickey has been a major figure in the Wreck You series. He is Maura’s dad. I have not read Wreck You (yet), but was able to follow along fine. I devoured this story in one sitting!
Life is good for Mickey McCafferty. He is Sargent of Arms for the Devil’s Crusaders. He works, he plays, he has a tight knit “family” around him. He doesn’t need anything more.
Marie Bettinger is not so lucky. She was raised in an abusive house and left home at sixteen, never looking back. At twenty two she meets Drake, a member of the Raiders MC, and rides off on the back of his motorcycle never imagining how her life would change. By the time she realizes what a monster Drake is she is isolated and has a young daughter, Talon. But Marie is a fighter and finds a way to escape the abuse. She flees to a small town in Pennsylvania to start a new life with Talon.
A man’s word was nothing if he used his fist on you. Marriage vows of promising to honor and respect – obliterated.
Mickey and Marie’s story was amazing. It was heart felt and emotional. Marie tries to stay under the radar while starting fresh. But she just can’t seem to get away from Mickey. She tries to ignore him, but he can’t be ignored! Mickey is a combination of gentleman and roughly sexy. The chemistry between Mickey and Marie is explosive! The sexy time – HOT HOT HOT!
I don’t know yer story, but I know myself. I’m the type of man that if he sees a woman needs help, he doesn’t walk away. If a man’s any type of man, he helps.
Marie has scars both inside and out. She pays a high price for her freedom from Drake. But she is stronger than her hurt and stronger for her daughter. The road to freedom has many bumps and pot holes.
Abby McCarthy writes with her heart. She lays it all out there. And when “The End” is written we get a little piece of her soul.
5 stars
Life is good for Mickey McCafferty. He is Sargent of Arms for the Devil’s Crusaders. He works, he plays, he has a tight knit “family” around him. He doesn’t need anything more.
Marie Bettinger is not so lucky. She was raised in an abusive house and left home at sixteen, never looking back. At twenty two she meets Drake, a member of the Raiders MC, and rides off on the back of his motorcycle never imagining how her life would change. By the time she realizes what a monster Drake is she is isolated and has a young daughter, Talon. But Marie is a fighter and finds a way to escape the abuse. She flees to a small town in Pennsylvania to start a new life with Talon.
A man’s word was nothing if he used his fist on you. Marriage vows of promising to honor and respect – obliterated.
Mickey and Marie’s story was amazing. It was heart felt and emotional. Marie tries to stay under the radar while starting fresh. But she just can’t seem to get away from Mickey. She tries to ignore him, but he can’t be ignored! Mickey is a combination of gentleman and roughly sexy. The chemistry between Mickey and Marie is explosive! The sexy time – HOT HOT HOT!
I don’t know yer story, but I know myself. I’m the type of man that if he sees a woman needs help, he doesn’t walk away. If a man’s any type of man, he helps.
Marie has scars both inside and out. She pays a high price for her freedom from Drake. But she is stronger than her hurt and stronger for her daughter. The road to freedom has many bumps and pot holes.
Abby McCarthy writes with her heart. She lays it all out there. And when “The End” is written we get a little piece of her soul.
5 stars
April 30, 2018
Stronger Than This is the first book in Abby's new Devil's Crusaders series which is a spin-off of her Wrecked Series. I would imagine one would connect and enjoy this story even more if the Wrecked series was read first, but I have not read them and this book reads perfectly as a standalone.
The story begins with Marie being young and naive with the hot alpha biker, Drake, sweeping her off her feet and giving her a life that appeared so much better than the one she'd been living. Her reality turns into a living hell and the abuse she endures for years gets continuously worse. She finally finds the means to escape with her daughter.
"The moment you start to thinking monsters aren't real, is the moment they attack."
Once they start to settle, Mickey meets Marie and he must know her. He must have her. Mickey was so sweet. I loved his accent, and I loved that he showed Marie what a real man really acts like. Marie worked so hard to push Mickey away because she needed to stay under the radar to keep herself and her daughter safe.
"Mickey made me tremble because he was a promise of a life I'd always envisioned for myself but could never have."
Abby has written us another heartfelt love story with just a touch of MC. I'm not huge on MC stories, but I appreciate that it's never super heavy in her books. It felt just slightly slow in the middle, but the ending really made up for it. Mickey and Marie are destined for each other and the way she stitches the ending up was perfection.
The story begins with Marie being young and naive with the hot alpha biker, Drake, sweeping her off her feet and giving her a life that appeared so much better than the one she'd been living. Her reality turns into a living hell and the abuse she endures for years gets continuously worse. She finally finds the means to escape with her daughter.
"The moment you start to thinking monsters aren't real, is the moment they attack."
Once they start to settle, Mickey meets Marie and he must know her. He must have her. Mickey was so sweet. I loved his accent, and I loved that he showed Marie what a real man really acts like. Marie worked so hard to push Mickey away because she needed to stay under the radar to keep herself and her daughter safe.
"Mickey made me tremble because he was a promise of a life I'd always envisioned for myself but could never have."
Abby has written us another heartfelt love story with just a touch of MC. I'm not huge on MC stories, but I appreciate that it's never super heavy in her books. It felt just slightly slow in the middle, but the ending really made up for it. Mickey and Marie are destined for each other and the way she stitches the ending up was perfection.
May 2, 2018
I Voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book
Wow. I haven't read this author before and this one was freaking amazing. Heartbreaking, sad and so much more. And just what you need/want in a MC story.
I loved Marie she was a broken women but she was so strong for her daughter. And Mickey, Holy Smoke... All i can say is #sigh....
I really want more of this type of story line and will definitely be reading her other books.
Wow. I haven't read this author before and this one was freaking amazing. Heartbreaking, sad and so much more. And just what you need/want in a MC story.
I loved Marie she was a broken women but she was so strong for her daughter. And Mickey, Holy Smoke... All i can say is #sigh....
I really want more of this type of story line and will definitely be reading her other books.
August 27, 2019
Anxious. Anticipation. Waiting on the shoe to drop. THIS is what caused me to spend an afternoon and evening devouring the pages, because I just knew something big was going to happen. Only to have to force myself to go to bed without finishing the last 15%! This book does NOT disappoint. It's a really great story line with strength and great characters. It's different from other MC books.
This book can cause triggers due to the domestic violence.
This is the first book I've read by this author, but I'll be reading more from her!
This book can cause triggers due to the domestic violence.
This is the first book I've read by this author, but I'll be reading more from her!
May 1, 2018
Wow
This is deep,with dark raw pain but also healing and love filled...when the pasts collide with the present will it brake them all for good or will they fight even harder for the future?!? Amazing book!
This is deep,with dark raw pain but also healing and love filled...when the pasts collide with the present will it brake them all for good or will they fight even harder for the future?!? Amazing book!
April 27, 2018
This story will have your emotions tied up in knots. After Marie had been beaten down so much I was cheering for her to get her HEA. Mickey was just the right guy to help her heal, so kind and patient. I enjoyed watching the changing maturity in Talon and her budding friendship with Zeke (could there be a book somewhere in there?). Marie is just an exceptionally strong woman who didn't let life get her down, it was a great attitude to have and the story was beautifully written if not heartbreaking at times.
May 9, 2018
Mature characters, mature subject matter. As Marie struggles to escape an abusive husband, she meets Mickey. He an Irish biker that is sexy and strong enough to be what she needs. Very emotional read.
June 3, 2018
I love all of Abby’s books. This one is no exception. Mickey is everything I thought he would be. The story line is perfect.
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