The Dangerous Son

4.5 stars- THE DANGEROUS SON is the first instalment in Zoe Hill’s contemporary, adult THE COALITION dark, erotic, romance series. This is thirty-two year old, assassin Spenser ‘Trigger’ Ingram, and twenty-seven year old, police detective Poppy Tennyson’s story line. WARNING: THE DANGEROUS SON contains scenes of graphic violence, torture and murder with reference to child sexual abuse, sex trafficking and physical assaults. Told from dual first person perspectives (Poppy and Spenser) THE DANGEROUS SON follows Spenser Ingram as he is ordered by his superiors in the Coalition to take down Detectives Poppy Tennyson and her friend Detective Bella Archimedes in an effort to send a message to the Samaritan Soldier MC . Spenser Ingram and his family are members of the criminal organization known as the Coalition, and it is Spenser’s job to follow orders or face reprimands from the people in charge but Spenser is caught unaware when he finds himself wanting to protect his target, a target that stirs something deep within the man who believes there is no redemption for people like him. Detective Poppy Tennyson’s family controls the Samaritan Soldier MC but the recent murder of her eldest brother Oliver forces Poppy Tennyson on a leave of absence where she will come face to face with a killer, a killer sent to destroy what’s left of her world. Poppy’s return to work finds our heroine suspended without cause, and in the ensuing aftermath Poppy’s life will spiral out of control when she is forced to face the reality of what was, and what will never be. With her best friend Bella now in the hands of the Coalition, the Tennyson family enacts a plan where someone will be sacrificed for the good of the cause. What ensues is the life and death struggle of, and the push and pull between Poppy and Spenser, and the potential fall-out as the demons from the past take back what doesn’t belong. Spenser Ingram has suffered most of his life at the hands of a monster, yet said monster is still wreaking havoc on Spenser’s mind. Without the finality of retribution or revenge, Spenser uses his anger and his pain when the Coalition needs a man to get the job done. Like Spenser, Poppy Tennyson’s past is mired in abuse and pain. Hoping to get revenge against the man who destroyed her life, Poppy finds herself struggling with memories that have taken control. The relationship between Poppy and Spenser is one of immediate attraction but Spenser’s appearance in Poppy’s life is not by accident but by an order to kill. Poppy knows the dark and dangerous man is a killer for hire but that doesn’t stop Poppy from crossing the line into deadly territory. The $ex scenes are dramatic and intense. There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, disturbing and energetic characters including Poppy’s siblings-Oliver, Chester, Eli, Archer, Levi and sister Violet; their parents Bennett and Eloise; Poppy’s ex Sebastian, as well as Spenser’s twin Stirling, and their parents Zoran and Sophia. We are introduced to several high ranking members of the Coalition, and additional members of the Samaritan Soldier MC. THE DANGEROUS SON is a story of betrayal, heartbreak, and abuse; secrets, lies, vengeance, power, family and control. The premise is dark, gritty and often oppressive; the characters are broken and damaged; the romance struggles in the face of monsters, demons, memories and pain.

This is a debut author and from the blurb alone, I knew this would be an epic first book, and definitely an author I'll be keeping a close eye on. Straight away your mind is going a million times an hour trying to put all the pieces together, as the author purposely withholds certain details, most likely to drive the reader insane trying to figure it out. With twists and turns you won't see coming, I'm in awe that this is this authors first book baby. The skill of keeping the reader engaged from one page to the next takes some authors years to achieve. "I plan. God ignores. Lucifer laughs his ass off." This quote sums up the book and my life! Speaking of quotes, I loved the ones put at the beginning of every chapter, I could relate to most and complemented the book well. Definitely a must read, and I cannot wait for more!

I enjoyed the book. I wish that some of the other storylines would have wrapped up, for instance, her detective job and what happened with that situation. Otherwise I actually liked the book. I'm hoping there are more in the series and the author doesn't just leave it at this one book.