Review: Dare to Run by Jen McLaughlin

Dare To Run is the first book in this new series, Sons of Steel Row by Jen McLaughlin.  This book sucked me right in.  I love Boston and it provides a nice backdrop to this storyline.  The book begins with Lucas getting out of prison and returning to his gang: The Sons of Steel Row.  He seems closed off from everyone and leads a lonely existence.  He has a brother who is in the gang and a best friend Chris but he doesn’t seem to be close to anyone else.  The story opens with Lucas chatting with Chris about the fact that someone is trying to kill Lucas.  You have no idea who or why.

Heidi runs a bar, The Patriot, that she inherited from a nice man who took her off the streets and treated her as his daughter.  She is fighter through and through and honestly tough as nails.  Life has handed her tough knocks at every turn but she is still positive presence in a dark part of Boston.  Lucas comes into her bar because it is blocks from his apartment.  He doesn’t expect to meet Heidi and he certainly doesn’t expect to save her from the Bitter Hill gang.  He must claim her as his girl to keep her safe.  Lucas doesn’t save people and he certainly stays away from complications. Unfortunately, no one believes Lucas has a girl.  So they lie and their lies blur together and these two start to feel something for each other.  I don’t want to give away too much more but the story’s ending was unexpected.  I’m still pondering what is going to happen in the next Sons of Steel Row.

Heidi and Lucas are characters that you fall in love with.  You want more of them on the pages and they are supported by an interesting cast of characters that you hope future books give you more and fill in the missing blanks.  So much happened with the all the characters at the end, that you are dying to know more.  That is a good series. It pulls you in and will not let you go.  Well done, Jen.