Best Of: Lotus Motorcycle Club Series by Cala Riley
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If you’ve spent any time looking through my book recommendations, you’ve probably figured out that I love a good motorcycle club romance. Give me protective MMCs, found family, a little danger, and a club full of people who might not always do things the conventional way but will absolutely show up for their own.
That’s exactly what I’ve been getting from Cala Riley’s Lotus Motorcycle Club series. I’ve read five of the books so far, skipped one, and already have two couples competing for my favorite. And while I’ve enjoyed some books more than others, this series has definitely kept me reading. Want to check out the series?
Find the Lotus Motorcycle Club books on Amazon
A Little About the Series
Something worth mentioning is that while there’s an ongoing threat to the MC that carries through the books, the individual relationships don’t end on cliffhangers. Each couple gets their own happily ever after, even though the larger storyline continues into the next book. I really appreciate that balance. You get a reason to keep reading the series without being left hanging on the relationship you’ve just spent an entire book getting invested in.
The suspense gives the series some continuity, but the relationships are still the reason I’m reading.
Reaper — Where It All Started
Reaper gives us Natalie, who’s trying to escape an abusive ex, and a protective MMC who isn’t about to let her face everything alone. I love a good damsel-in-distress storyline. I know that’s not everyone’s favorite trope, but sometimes I want a heroine who needs help and a hero who’s more than willing to step in.
And Reaper definitely delivers on the protective side.
There’s suspense, danger, and that found-family feeling I love about MC romances. Natalie isn’t just finding a relationship; she’s finding people who are willing to stand behind her. This was a great introduction to the club and gave me plenty of reasons to keep reading.
Wrath — One of My Favorites
Oh, Wrath. This is easily one of my favorite books in the series. Based on my vast experience reading MC romances (and yes, I’ve read a few!), the transition from club sweet butt to old lady is practically unheard of. So I loved seeing that happen with Tara, especially considering the circumstances that brought her and Wrath together. Even within the book, it’s discussed that this is a little taboo in their world.
There’s forced proximity, a protective MMC, and a relationship that explores some pretty interesting dynamics. Wrath struggles with his feelings for Tara, particularly because of his interest in primal kink. This was actually my introduction to primal kink in romance books, and I thought it was handled really well. Rather than just jumping into things, we get to see them become more comfortable with each other, communicate about what they want, and establish that trust.
There’s also exhibitionism, so this one definitely brings the spice. But what really made it my favorite was watching their relationship develop from something that probably shouldn’t have happened, at least according to the club’s usual expectations, into something much more meaningful.
Colt — The One I Skipped
I haven’t read Colt, so I can’t give you a review of this one. From what I understand, it takes place outside the original club’s city. It also has a forbidden-love element, which isn’t usually my favorite trope. Some forbidden romances work for me, some don’t, and honestly, when I started this series, I just wasn’t in the mood for one.
So I skipped it. Maybe I’ll come back to it eventually, but for now, I’m perfectly happy continuing with the other books.
Midnight — A Different Side of MC Life
Midnight gives us something a little different: a single dad with kids. Unlike some of the other club members, Midnight spends more of his time outside the clubhouse because he has children. I liked getting that different perspective on MC life. He comes across the FMC when she’s in need of a job (I honestly can’t remember exactly how they meet), and he offers her a front desk position at his tattoo shop. Eventually, circumstances lead to her moving in with him and his kids, bringing in that forced proximity I enjoy.
There’s some back-and-forth in their relationship, which isn’t usually my favorite, but with kids involved, I could understand the hesitation a little more. There’s more at stake than just two people figuring out their feelings. I enjoyed the family aspect and the way this book showed a different side of the club.
Bullet — Finally Getting His Own Story
I really enjoyed Bullet and Harlee’s story. We actually met Bullet back in the first book, Reaper, when he was still Jacob, a prospect trying to earn his place in the club. By the time we get to his book, he’s a fully patched member, and after watching him throughout the series, I loved that he finally got his own story.
What really stood out to me was how supportive he was of Harlee. She’s dealing with life after a family tragedy, and Bullet is there for her through some really difficult moments. He’s not always telling her what she wants to hear, either. Sometimes she needs a little tough love, and he’s willing to give it to her. But it’s always clear how much he cares about her.
There’s something about watching a character grow in the background of several books and then finally getting to see him find his own happily ever after. I loved getting that with Bullet.
Hades — Giving Wrath Some Serious Competition
I loved this one!
Hades and Evelyn just fit so well together. They communicated, there weren’t any real secrets between them, and there weren’t trust issues. Just love and support for each other. Imagine that! I also really appreciated that we didn’t get a whole forbidden-love storyline. Reaper pretty much says early on, hey, if you’re going to do this, I support it. And that was that. Then it was just a matter of Hades and Evelyn realizing what everyone else already saw, and thankfully, it didn’t take them too long!
My biggest complaint? I wanted MORE!
This book was less than 300 pages, and I was genuinely shocked when I reached the epilogue. I wasn’t ready to leave these two. The spice was around 3.5–4 chili peppers for me. Not because it wasn’t good, but because there just wasn’t a whole lot of it.
Their storyline also ties into the ongoing threat running throughout the series. And while I won’t spoil anything, there was a particular conclusion that had me thinking, Well, yeah. Was that not literally the first thing we should’ve considered? Or are we just skipping the obvious today?
But honestly, that’s a pretty small complaint compared to how much I enjoyed their relationship. Final thoughts: Hades and Evelyn might actually give Wrath and Tara a run for their money as my favorite couple in the series. I loved their relationship, I loved the lack of unnecessary drama, and I just wish I’d gotten another hundred pages with them. Now, on to finding my next read!
So, Which Book Is My Favorite?
Before Hades, I would have said Wrath without much hesitation. I loved the unusual circumstances surrounding Wrath and Tara’s relationship, the kink exploration, and the way their trust developed. But then I read Hades. Hades and Evelyn had the kind of relationship I wish more romance books would give us. They communicated. They supported each other. They didn’t spend half the book keeping unnecessary secrets or questioning whether they could trust one another.
So now I have a problem.
I love Wrath for the relationship dynamics and the way Tara and Wrath found their way to each other. I love Hades because Hades and Evelyn just worked. For now, I’m calling it a tie. Ask me again after I’ve had a little more time to think about it.
Would I Recommend the Series?
Absolutely, especially if you enjoy protective MMCs, found family, MC romance, and some suspense mixed in with your love stories. Not every book has the same relationship dynamic, which is something I appreciate. We’ve got a heroine escaping a dangerous situation, an unconventional club relationship, a single dad, a younger couple finding their footing, and a couple who actually know how to communicate.
And I love that I can finish a book knowing the couple has their happily ever after while still having a reason to pick up the next one. Ready to start reading?
Browse the Lotus Motorcycle Club series on Amazon
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