~Review: Melancholy (Jokers' Wrath MC, #2) by Bella Jewel~

"There's never been a time I've cared about anything more than my club. Today that all changed. Today I got you." 

To truly understand a story; you need to start from the beginning, but to start from the beginning; you have to go back, further than just you. After all, our stories don’t start with us, do they? Our stories start with the person before us, and the person before them. We are created from the stories of those people - from their mistakes, from their achievements, from their love and their hate. 

No one’s story is ever truly their own. 

I tried to create my own story, my own path, and my own actions. I’ve seen things people only see in their worst nightmares, but I never let it beat me down. I never let it become who I was. I picked myself up, and I kept going. Everything was what it was. 

There was no point analyzing what it could be. 

Could be’s didn’t matter. 

Until Maddox came into the picture. He saved my life. He changed my world; giving me the second chance some of us only dream about. There was only one thing missing in my second chance, and she was the reason I fought so hard to survive. 

My sister. 

My sister who is supposed to be dead, well, at least, that’s what I thought. 

That’s what he told me. 

Now is where my story changes, but to understand this story, you have to start at the beginning…where it all began…and before. 

This story is the second book in a series. You can get the first book on all major retailers. (Precarious - Jokers' Wrath MC Book 1) 

This contains no cliffhanger and has a HEA. 18+

Overall Rating:  4.5 Rockin’ ★★★★☆

Bella Jewel has created another great story about a motorcycle club full of suspense, thrill, intensely erotic, and let's not forget passion with a whole lot of love.  In her newest book of the Joker's Wrath MC series, there is fantastic chemistry between the main players as well as the supporting characters.  The story is well developed and will leave you hanging on the edge begging for more.


Maddox is president of the Joker's Wrath MC.  Santana was taken off the streets five years ago by Maddox.  She was only 16 years old when Maddox found her, and he accepted Santana into his club and life knowing that there was something very special about her. From the moment she came into his life, Santana and Maddox had a love/hate relationship.  She felt he was trying to be her boss and Maddox was just trying to let her grow up in a safe environment, if a motorcycle club could be safe.  Although because of her age, he wanted to give her time, as his feelings for her would grow more intense day by day.

Santana’s POV:  I lived on the streets with my baby sister and tried to protect her from the ugliness of living as a homeless person.  She is all I have and I am all the family she has anymore.  Our life was wonderful until our parents were taken from us by an accident and we were put into foster care and the abuse started.  Left with no choice but to run away and try to survive on the streets; we are at the point that if we don’t find a warm place to stay and food to eat, we will die.  Taken in by a man that I thought was our savior soon became the pathway to our destruction.  This is where my story really starts, the beginning of my salvation and the dark knight that rescued me.  

Maddox’s POV:  When I found her, she was barely alive from a drug overdose along with being beaten, bruised and tossed away like trash in an alley.  Santana’s only thought and concern was her baby sister, she was a baby trying to take care of a baby.  It will take time to get her clean from the drugs and straighten out her life from the hell she has endured, but I will help her overcome the hand life has dealt her.  She is unique and worth the effort only time will tell if I have done the right thing by bringing her into my life, the life of an MC Prez.

It has been a battle at times between Santana and Maddox, a battle that was forged in the depths of hell.  They have both emerged on the other side stronger but now find themselves with an awareness of each other that causes confusion and uncertainty.  Maddox has wanted more from Santana since she turned eighteen but has not acted because of his feelings of not being worthy of her.  Santana is confused by the feelings that she is experiencing whenever she is around Maddox and doesn't understand them.  He has been her dark knight, savior and protector for years and the feelings that he is arousing in her are unfamiliar.  She finds herself wanting Maddox for herself and not wanting to share him.  

When Maddox saved Santana he kept a secret from her, a secret that may destroy a chance for their future.  Will Santana understand why?  Can she forgive him?  How can he protect her from those that want to harm her?  Prepare yourself for a ride that will leave you gasping for air and unsure of what will happen next!

What a beautiful story of passion and forgiveness.  It will blow you away how the author eloquently portrays the harsh reality of life and love.  

Hero: Maddox 4.5 stars
Heroine: Santana 5 stars
Plot: 4.5 stars
Steam level: 4.5 stars
Cliffhanger: No

Would I recommend this book:  Yes! This is an unbelievable book that deals with drug abuse, rape, violence and a hot MC Prez that lives by his own code of honor.  It is also a story of a woman’s survival and rebirth through the gift of love.

Would I recommend this author:  Yes!  This author is a hard hitting weaver of tales that’s not afraid to tell it like it is!  Her books reach out and touch all aspects of society with truth while including the beauty of lasting love.

***Received an ARC of this book from the Author in exchange for an honest review***