My Review
Holy shit! I just finished the follow-up to Boys of Brayshaw High, Trouble at Brayshaw High, by Meagan Brandy, and I am completely blown away! I absolutely ADORED book two, and I would go so far as to say that it’s even better than book one!
Sometimes it feels like the second book of a series – one that follows the same characters – is, in some ways, a fill gap to get to the next book, losing the momentum of book one, but that is definitely NOT the case here; every plot point, every scene, and every interaction among the main and secondary characters all play a role in moving the story forward, in illustrating the growth of its characters, in revealing answers to some of the questions asked in book one, and in adding more opportunities for readers to truly understand all the players involved in a game that continually changes based on the secrets and truths that are revealed.
Because Brandy continues to show readers new aspects of the Brayshaw brothers and their queen, Raven, we start to see who each of them is at their core, unveiling a depth to each one that has slowly been formed and reformed by other people’s presence in their lives. Each character’s growth is gradual and there are scenes where readers see hints of the ‘old’ versions, but then, soon after, we’re given key insights into who they’re becoming and what that means for those who work with them and against them.
Maddoc, Cap, and Royce have an unbreakable bond that was shaped by the fact that they chose to be brothers…to create a family that may not be blood related but have each other’s backs above anything else.These three bring both strengths and weaknesses to the Brayshaw moniker, but where one of them has a deficit, the other two more than make up for it, proving just how essential they are to one another. And even though readers only get Maddoc’s perspective throughout the course of the story, through their words and actions, it’s easy to understand who Cap and Royce are and what they’re willing to do for one of their own, and because Raven is now one of them and has planted herself in their lives, everyone around this foursome both fear and stand in awe of them, wondering exactly what Raven’s role is and how she managed to gain these boys’ respect and protection.
Raven continues to be the amazing badass who readers were introduced to, and based on the extreme situations she gets herself in as well as is forced to endure, she more than proves what she’s made of, what she’s willing to do to protect her guys, and why, regardless of her affinity to run, to not allow anyone close, and to not look or be weak, she’s exactly where she’s meant to be, where she belongs, and where her Madman and his brothers will keep her despite other people’s desire to bring them and her down. I’m in awe of Raven’s tenacity…her ability to tell it like it is…her ability to hold her head high no matter the situation. She’s truly one-of-a-kind, unmatched in every way, and that’s what will see her through the maelstrom circling around her…that and the three guys who won’t see her used as a pawn.
In Trouble at Brayshaw High, it becomes clearer the number of chess pieces that are in play in this high stakes game, but there remain a bevy of unanswered questions. Every character seems to have an ulterior motive when it comes to the Brayshaw Boys and Raven, especially those who believe they run this town and all of its happenings. But here’s the thing, nothing seems to be occurring according to a specific plan because there are too many variables to work around, which means that those who are supposed to be pawns are the real game changers, making everything unpredictable and illogical, and a primary reason for it is a trio of guys who are no longer boys but men who won’t be dictated to…who will not roll over and be pressured into something that they don’t want to do and when it comes to a certain sassy, strong, and independent girl who has come to mean everything to them, there’s nothing they wouldn’t do to protect her as she has protected them.
The continuation of Raven, Maddoc, Cap, and Royce’s story is everything I hoped it would be and more. Meagan Brandy seamlessly crafted and laid out the plot line, offering readers necessary revelations at just the right moments and holding back certain details that still need to be sorted and pondered before they can be brought to the surface. One aspect of the story that I appreciated the most was that Brandy didn’t add any unnecessary drama into the story line. Don’t get me wrong, this book is definitely angst filled but all of the dramatics are warranted and help to shed light on how manipulative some characters are and everything that Raven is up against in this new world she lives in and wants to remain in, proving that she belongs so much more than people are willing to admit.
It’s going to be a struggle waiting for book three to release, but knowing where Maddoc, Cap, and Royce stand at the end of Trouble at Brayshaw High will allow me to endure until Meagan Brandy takes her readers back to Brayshaw High.
5 Poison Apples
Read Chapter One here
http://bit.ly/ChapterOneTABH
Listen to the Playlist here
http://bit.ly/TABHPlaylist
Excerpt
“Hello, Raven.”
Unease washes over me, but I force my eyes back to the court, and sure as shit, amongst the crazy, Maddoc and Captain both spotted the piece of shit move my way.
“What do you want, Perkins?”
“I got a very interesting transfer slip on my desk this morning, Ms. Carver.”
I freeze, and I’m pretty sure my eyes widen, because Maddoc’s frown deepens, but he takes off, the ball now in his possession and I shift to see him better.
In the same second, Perkins lays his hand on my arm, and I spin, yanking away from him.
“Don’t fucking touch me,” I spit through clenched teeth and a mocking laugh leaves him.
The crowd groans and when my eyes flash back to the court, Maddoc’s hands are swiping down his face in frustration, the ball now with the opposing team as the final buzzer sounds.
“Thanks for all your help, Ms. Carver.”
“Don’t get it twisted. I’d never do a damn thing to purposely help you.”
He steps down, turning back to face me as he does. “You have a good night.
Start the Series with Boys of Brayshaw High
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2VXjwze
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2MdUuHH
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2Rv3WfY
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2HfbP4r
Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2Wrm4ZJ
iBook: http://bit.ly/iBooksBOBH
Nook: http://bit.ly/NookBNBOBH
Kobo: http://bit.ly/KoboBOBH
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