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Love is a powerful force, but it doesn’t compare to guilt.
And just like most people, my guilt eats me alive.

I went from being an irresponsible kid who didn’t know any better to an irresponsible man who does.
I make no apologies.
Don’t take my carelessness for strength.
My blood is as deadly as the bullet that killed my brother, and once I’m cut, there’s no stopping the river of rage.
My past is dead. I’m not like my MC brothers. Nothing is going to come bite me in the ass.
Or so I thought.

Because life gave me Mary, the little hellraiser who tries to be reckless.
She’s only looking to escape the nightmare of what happened to her in Atlantic City.
She’s a good girl. The kind to wear pearls and fancy cardigans. She doesn’t belong in this life.
Even if I know she belongs with me.
She paints her lips in red lipstick, but I know it’s an effort to hide the pain.
There’s more than the fact we are too different to be together.

Her past isn’t dead.
And mine has come back to life.

Unknown Binding

First published January 8, 2021

836 people are currently reading
1,039 people want to read

About the author

K.L. Savage

53 books1,638 followers

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5 stars
1,409 (64%)
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548 (25%)
3 stars
185 (8%)
2 stars
29 (1%)
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19 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 290 reviews
Profile Image for Crystal (Crystalreads2) .
945 reviews927 followers
July 29, 2021
K.L. Savage is now my new 1-clock author. She knows how to Play at your heartstrings.

Knives is one of my favorites from the series(Tongue is still jy number one ), and I am so happy to have finally read his book. He is crazy, not as bat shit crazy as Tongue but close. In past books, he seems less tame once the beast is unleashed; watch out.

We know Mary from when she was rescued from Atlantic City. However, we didn’t know her back story. All I am going to say was I might have been in a rage of hurting someone and making that person pay for their actions.

The chemistry and angst between the two are off the charts. You are just waiting for them to stop fighting, figure it out, rip their clothes off or kill each other. But that is what is so beautiful about it. Once they figure it out, well, you will see when you read the book.


I would have missed you if I never met you.


That is one of the deepest parts of the book, to me anyway; there are several. I loved this book and, My only constructive criticism as much as I liked the ending is it’s seemed a little rushed and too short. I still recommend this book and can’t wait to read the rest.

Profile Image for Syndi.
3,449 reviews986 followers
May 11, 2021
So so. It is not dramatic nor suspensful. A bit boring and cheesy in fact. I do not feel the enemy vibe from Knives and Mary. They were just playful.

The chracters only developed enough for the story to go on. The ending is abrupt.

Overall, OK read.

3 stars
Profile Image for Helen Power.
Author 10 books619 followers
January 20, 2021
Yet another great book by KL Savage! Strangely, Knives doesn’t come across as quite as insane as he seems in the books from other characters’ POVs (not like Tongue, who was just as, if not crazier in his book).
With this novel, we have a true enemies to lovers story, as Knives and Mary can’t stand each other at first. They get on each other’s last nerve, but when they’re trapped in a barn during a storm together, it becomes obvious that underneath their apparent dislike of each other is an undeniable attraction.
As with the other books in this series, there’s action, but it takes a backseat to the romance. I did feel like the action sequences were rushed towards the end of this book. The plot gets tied up a little too nicely far too quickly. I would rather have the book be a tad longer, so we could have a little more time seeing the couple happy at the end of the book, after all the dust settles.
4 stars!
Profile Image for Jessica Sargalski.
204 reviews5 followers
December 30, 2020
This book is amazing ! From start to finish knives takes you on a ride with your heart right open on your sleeve . He’s gritty but romantic . He’s emotional but strong . From sizzling sex scenes to a happy ending ! KL Savage does it again !
Profile Image for Suzi (Obsessive Reading Disorder).
2,190 reviews
January 12, 2021
4.5 Throwing Stars

I have been wondering about Knives from the start. So quiet and not very willing to hang with the rest of the MC. The author once again gives us a back story that is heartbreaking yet defines the man that Knives is today.

Mary has been with the club since they rescued her in Atlantic City. On the surface, she and Knives don't get along. However, they both doth protest too much. When they finally might be getting someone, their pasts blow up on them.

The story is a rollercoaster. Good, bad and ugly from all angles. Nice to see the other couples, especially the women, willing to boost the spirits of both of these characters. Brotherhood is all about that.

Not my favorite of the series but still a great read. Best to read this series in order so you understand the influence of the ongoing bad guys.

*Complimentary copy provided for an honest review.
Profile Image for Shirl.
1,024 reviews45 followers
January 26, 2021
Plenty of action, adventure, mystery, suspense and don't forget all the loving. Last book for a couple more months. Can't wait for the rest.

Knives finally gets his story. Why the ninja stars... how he came to be part of the club and why he has no emotions. These men always have such a rough past.

Mary or as Knives calls her Hellraiser. Mary was part of the group of women rescued back in Boomer's book. The members think she was a young rich girl who had it easy and don't understand why she doesn't want to go home. They think she is just basically going through a phase. Wanting to act as someone she is not. Thing is nobody knows what she went through or what's going on in her head.

Things from the past never seem to seem to stay in the past and this story has the past all over it.
Profile Image for Jenifer Briggs.
1,485 reviews179 followers
January 8, 2021
I can't say it enough -- this series is so fucking amazing!! Each installment is darker, grittier, intense, more emotional and more captivating than the last! I feel like these badass biker men and their amazing women are all apart of my family! I love them all so freaking much!!

Both Knives and Mary have traumatizing pasts that made them who they are today, and they are both just trying to survive in a world that know first-hand is unforgiving. They found themselves a home with the Ruthless Kings, and an unlikely home in each other. Though they fight it almost every step of the way -- though their love/hate banter was SO on point!! -- they can't deny themselves any longer. But when both of their pasts they thought they left behind them come back to haunt them, they are in a fight for their lives and their love as well.

I love how these brilliant authors take such horrendous and heartbreaking subjects and execute them so delicately and with all the grace in the world. Each one of their characters has had their own painful journey, and that's what makes them so real to me. And seeing them get their HEA when they all thought they never deserved happiness to begin with never fails to bring tears to my eyes. That's definitely the case with this book too! Knives and Mary went through the ringer, but their story couldn't turn out any other way! It was just so true to who they are, and I loved that so much!

This entire series has easily been one of my favorite parts of 2020, and I can't wait for all the other surprises these amazing ladies have in store for us!

**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions!**
Profile Image for J. Ockenhouse.
1,743 reviews16 followers
December 4, 2020
Knives story is a tragic case. Lost in the system only to find his "brother" has to teach him the hard lessons of dealing with bullies, love and loss.

Enter Mary. They are deep in bickering constantly, but it's the internal struggle of how two damaged people can find love. Each only knows pain that it brings. Together when they are literally stuck alone do they let the walls crumble and open their lives to let another in.

This one out of all the books had me emotionally drained. I couldn't look away. I shed a lot of tears, laughed, felt my heart hurt and couldn't stop my smiling when the past got theirs.

These men and women feel like family to me. I would ride and die for them. I love how though they were like broken glass, they managed to find the glue to give them a revised life. Because let's face it, broken glass can't ever be the same but it's what you do with your revisions that tell your story of going from brokenness to being a new stronger self that is being held tight by the glue of life lessons and honest love of family and friends. That's what I take away from getting to read the RUTHLESS KINGS series.

I received an ARC for an honest and voluntarily review.
Profile Image for Sandy S.
7,784 reviews195 followers
January 21, 2021
4.25 stars--KNIVES is the tenth instalment in KL Savage’s contemporary, adult RUTHLESS KINGS erotic, MC romance series focusing on the members of the Ruthless Kings MC in Vegas. This is Thomas ‘Knives’ Underwood, and Mary ‘Hellraiser’ St. James’ story line. KNIVES can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion as there is a continuing premise throughout. Mary was one of the women/children rescued from captivity in BOOMER (book 2).

WARNING: Due to the extreme violence, abuse and dark subject matter, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Knives and Mary) KNIVES follows several years in the life of Thomas ‘Knives’ Underwood. At the age of five, Thomas lost his family to a fatal motor vehicle accident, and spent the next ten years in the foster care system. At the age of fifteen, Thomas lost his foster brother Mason Fletcher, the only ‘brother’ he had ever loved, to police gunfire, and in a final push from Mason, found himself a new family with the Ruthless Kings MC. Fast forward to present day wherein Thomas, now known as Knives, for his penchant and use of the weapon of choice, finds himself struggling with his attraction to a rescued young woman who had been chained and imprisoned by the Atlantic City chapter of the Ruthless Kings MC. Enter preacher’s daughter Mary St. James. What ensues is the back and forth, acrimonious relationship between Mary and Knives, and the potential fall-out as Mary’s past comes back to claim our heroine as his own.

Mary St. James’ life had never been easy. On the outside, Mary was the perfect preacher’s daughter but behind closed doors Mary’s life was a life of nightmares and abuse. From the frying pan into the fire, Mary found herself from one captor to another but her rescue and subsequent life with the Vegas Ruthless Kings MC allowed Mary to free herself from a life of torture and abuse. Thomas ‘Knives’ Underwood had been biding his time before claiming Mary as the woman he loved but Knives knew Mary needed time to heal but their back and forth was just a prelude to what was to come.

Meanwhile, Maximo and Mateo Moretti, Vegas gambling and questionable hotel owners continue to make life miserable for the Ruthess Kings MC. Having recovered at the Ruthless Kings compound, from the hotel explosion that nearly took his life, Mateo Moretti, claiming no memories of the past, will discover that his brother Maximo, a man he does not remember, is the latest target of the RC MC, and he has news about another family member Mateo is desperate to find.

The relationship between Knives and Mary is one of immediate attraction but Knives doesn’t do relationship, and Mary is still recovering from her horrific ordeal but Mary refuses to be treated like a broken doll, and sets about to prove she is worthy of the Ruthless Kings MC. With one final flip of the finger to the MC, Mary finds herself in a local jail, having been arrested for breaking the speed limit, one too many times. With Mary freed with the help of a reluctant Knives, the couple endure fire, rain, tornado and gunfire in their endeavor to return home to the Ruthless Kings MC. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters including most of the Ruthless Kings MC, as well as Reaper’s old lady Sarah; several members of Demon’s Fury MC including Mercy, Whistler, and their Sargent at Arms One; Mateo and Maximo Moretti; Mary’s father Preacher Man; Mateo’s daughter Natalia; and Knive’s foster brother Mason Fletcher.

KNIVES is a tragic, dark, emotional and gritty story of family and loss; abuse and power; secrets, lies, revelations and love. The premise is dramatic and intense; the romance is erotic, spicy and energetic; the characters are sassy and wounded-the back and forth between Knives and Mary is caustic yet sexually palpable and tense.

www.thereadingcafe.com
Profile Image for Donna.
76 reviews
January 8, 2021
Once I recover, I’ll write some words.
Book #400 for 2020 y’all has left me speechless. Who knew it could happen. Holy hell.

Edited 1/8/2021: This book is still on my mind!
It is no secret that the men of the Ruthless Kings have led some HARD, I mean HARD lives. They are survivors, they are fighters and it is what makes them RUTHLESS. Add in the ladies they fall for...they are far from weak with their own tales to tell. I will be really honest. This one hit me hard. I set my book down no less than half a dozen times and just sighed, had to take a few deep breaths or flat out ugly cry. KL gave another 5 Start book to me in Knives and Mary's story. The chemistry between Knives and Mary has been building and boy when these two finally connect...holy hell! This book is full of emotions and will pull them all from your soul in the process!
Profile Image for Flo₂₂.
1,521 reviews118 followers
April 10, 2021
this was an ok read.
I just struggle lately because i'm just over the being raped and abused in the past trope , or sold by the father, etc. I think this is the 5th book like this. And if it's not like this then, it's having baby's with OW/OM ( at least it's all prior the relationship, but still) i'm so over it.
I keep reading only because i like this biker group and i live for their funny moments.
Overall, apart of this, i didn't like Mary.
1,064 reviews12 followers
January 4, 2021
I received a free ARC copy in exchange for my honest review. This is my own opinion and was not influenced by anyone.

Book 10 in the Ruthless Kings series is Knives. Each book in the Ruthless series is becoming harder to read and this latest one is no exception. Each book has so much anguish but it is the characters that keep me coming back.

No matter what has happened in the past all of the guys and women are accepted for being survivors. They have the love of a family that may not be blood but is genuine nonetheless.

Knives and Mary finally get their stories told. While both are gut wrenching, I'm not going to go into the details. K.L. Savage writes these characters with such empathy; it impossible to not be moved by the story. There are twists and turns that surprised me. I couldn't read the book quick enough. And then I had to go back and reread it.

To get full understanding of Knives it is best to have read the series in order but there is enough information given within the story so you won't feel to lost. After the emotional journey that is Knives there is a happy ending. Not a total wrap up of course there are still loose ends. One emotional read but well worth it.
Profile Image for Nikki Landis.
Author 132 books2,086 followers
January 8, 2021
A heart-pounding deliciously addictive ride!

Some books just speak to the soul ...

Love. Loss. Pain. Knives has known little acceptance or love in his life. The anguish of the past has stuck with him, forming the ruthless man he's become.

Mary isn't the innocent pearl-wearing, bible-thumping girl that colors her past. She's a strong young woman with her own secrets and the horrors of her experiences force her into choices no one should ever have to make.

Can a preacher's daughter and a hardcore biker find the strength to emerge from darkness together? Is one single kiss all it takes to know your own heart?

LOVE this story! Brilliantly written. Flawlessly executed. A love story of triumph, revenge, justice, and passion that will bring tears to your eyes, joy to your heart, and resonate deep in your soul. I think Knives is my favorite. Plenty of twists and turns in this story. Truly unputdownable from start to finish.
Profile Image for 2OCC Reviews.
3,487 reviews250 followers
January 3, 2021
Poor Knives! His past broke my heart and I was totally rooting for him. I loved Mary for him. He didn’t need a woman that was going to be too soft, and soft she was not. Her past was super sad too. What she went through before, what she went through in the book.... it made her really strong and the perfect woman to hand Knives. There was some awesome banter and I loved seeing past characters that I’ve loved through out this series. This ended with a OMG, what’s going to happen next feel. I can’t wait to see what’s to come. Not only for the single brothers but also for the central plot that has been spanning the series when it comes to secondary characters. 4 stars #2OCCJD
Profile Image for Kathyjacks.
Author 0 books144 followers
December 24, 2020
I’ve been waiting for Knives and Mary’s story and it was just as fantastic as I thought it would be . This entire series has some of the best characters that I’ve ever read .

This author weaves a story of pain with humor in a way that no one else can .

We get several things revealed in this installment and it’s a different style than the other books in the series . It’s just a different pace but still just as intense.

I devour every single one of these books and can never get enough ! This remains to be one of my top 3 series of all time !
Profile Image for Clare.
283 reviews5 followers
December 28, 2020
What begins as a young Knives in the prologue jumps to the guy we now know,still striving to be as strong as he needs to be.
The love/hate relationship he has with a certain lady brings him angst, madness,irritation and underneath it all, its all he wants,all he deserves.
His god awful experiences in his early years has made him the man he is today, and he thinks he's broken,beyond repair,but he has no idea how strong and wanted he really is.
Marys life before she met Knives was dark and devastating, and she "lived" in her existence until she came to the Vegas chapter. The battle of wills between the two left me so emotional,but I loved it yet again!
Again there are so many more questions,so many twists and turns that you never saw coming and even more emotions that I can't wait for the next book to see what happens!
Profile Image for Becca.
2,003 reviews26 followers
January 1, 2021
I have never been one to read MC books but I have fallen in love with the men from the Ruthless Kings. They love hard and they protect their family, no matter what.

This book deals with some pretty serious subjects (Human Trafficking and Rape among a few of the topics) I really felt for both the hero and heroine and they were just what each other needed to get past the awful childhoods they endured.

Another great read!
Profile Image for SaucyBishReads.
150 reviews12 followers
January 5, 2021
Knives was absolutely INCREDIBLE!!! His backstory and how he got his name pulls at your heartstrings and Mary’s backstory is absolutely heartbreaking. This book is an emotional rollercoaster with so many feels! I laughed, burst into tears, gasped and read through with baited breath (after getting to one certain plot twist). Knives and Mary learn about love and how to love and their journey was amazing!
Profile Image for R.
82 reviews3 followers
January 13, 2021
Beautifully Sweet

Oh this was the perfect blend of sweetness, heartache, pain, & joy. K.L.Savage does it again. You never know what the story will bring you, but you always knownits going to exceed any expectations you may already have. Love this story of Knives and his Hellraiser.
606 reviews1 follower
August 20, 2024
Knives and Mary were brilliant together and i love their dynamic in this book. Each book explains the MCs quirks so well, when they have been previously mentioned in other Mcs books. Another amazing read with a tough but sweet MC and a take no nonsense female
Profile Image for Alecia Schneider.
14 reviews
February 13, 2021
Always a fun read

Love this series. Keeps my fantasies on edge and look forward to the coming books in this series as well as other books by K.L. Savage.
Profile Image for Teresa Lara.
3,339 reviews49 followers
November 10, 2023
Love this series
Love the rbmc
Love Knives and Marys intense emotional broken heartstopping love story
Ready for Tongues target
Profile Image for Lucia Marano.
167 reviews3 followers
April 24, 2021
Too many character gaps and instabilities

Again, I’m so sorry but there are some serious issues I’m having with this series. Anyway, I hope K.L. Savage does NOT take my review as an insult but as a compliment because I am truly invested in this series and these characters. I’m honestly just offering an opinion on how I think the stories could be made so much better.

For example, (SPOILER) How is it possible that my favorite Prez/hero becomes less likable as each story unfolds? I mean his insensitivity towards his “brothers’” ol’ ladies??? He would never place Sarah in the same danger that he is usually willing to risk with them, when a serious problem occurs; Doc and Joanna, Joe was used as bait, Tool wasn’t even allowed to have relations with Juliette without getting a heart carved in his chest for disobeying Reaper, AND he practically sabotaged poor Tongue’s love life by being invasive and warning off (no... ordering) Daphne to stay away from him💥AND NOW even Knives admits to Mary how “the prez will kill me” if he goes against his wishes and doesn’t allow Mary to risk her own life for the sake of the club!

Reaper knows how much Mary means to Knives, especially after the misery of his own loss in the past with his family dying tragically, and then his “brother” Mason. However, because Knives ‘dared’ to snap at Maizy because he was frightened at losing Mary, by simply saying, “Not now Kid” to Reaper’s daughter, he takes a vote to put Mary in the line of fire, without Knives’ consent!??? I get we love Maizy and the club adores her but let’s face it, she’s a bit of a brat. There’s no stop button and she gets to ask members for money, if they curse??? Ummm nope. Not cute. And I’m kind of hoping she doesn’t turn out too spoiled.

But Reaper is being a jerk to poor Knives and willing to risk the most important person to him! And like many of the other members have admitted in the other books; as Prez, he would raise hell if it was Sarah’s life put on the line and he’d get away with it because he’s the leader. That just turns my stomach. And this ending was awful and just tragic for poor Knives! What a weird and disappointing plot!

I also find that Reaper chooses who he shows more mercy too, depending on their hierarchy and usefulness in the club; Tongue stabbed Sarah in the stomach and almost killed her! She’s now having difficulty in her pregnancy because her stomach muscles aren’t healing properly, as a result. Yet Tongue got NO punishment except a brief exile! He caused the most damage even if it was an accident! Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE TONGUE AND SARAH’s dynamic, but he is a true menace and unstable, yet Reaper gives him a pass??? What about all the other members??? They didn’t get away with even the lowest form of disrespect and they did far less harm to anyone! Honestly, I feel like this is because Reaper realizes as his enforcer, Tongue is a true asset to the club. But what about fairness, true loyalty and brotherhood to ALL MEMBERS! Otherwise, this is not a sign of good leadership, in my opinion. I mean Reaper usually redeems himself at the end of each story, but it’s just not enough to keep me from believing that he’s just a little too self-serving throughout the stories.

Finally, what is up with all these missing characters??? Reaper’s long lost sister, Delilah, who was just discovered in the previous story wasn’t even mentioned in this story at all. The two kids who were also saved in Skirt’s story are also conspicuously missing; you know, the ones that are usually kept in the basement??? At one point, Mary even admits that Sunny just disappeared and she doesn’t know where she is. And honestly, WHAT IS Patrick’s purpose in the club even??? Why is he even a patched member??? What has he proven; that he can drink like a sailor??? He and Sunny are more like ghosts who hover in the background. I get he was an alcoholic and the club loves and supports him; great cautionary tale about alcoholism blah, blah, blah. But for goodness sake give him a super power! Did he ever function at all? I mean, even Tank plays a part as a big, goofy, cuddly, yet scary looking Teddy Bear Biker! He at least lives up to his character, and he isn’t even patched.

Last but definitely not least, where is Poodle’s daughter Ellie and his woman Melissa??? We haven’t heard from them in ages. In fact, I’m starting to wonder if Poodle only has a relationship with his dog Lady, who I get is hanging on to life but WHAT IS IT WITH ALL THESE INCONSISTENCIES??? And I don’t care that they may be placed in another story. We read each story because we really want to be able to appreciate the ongoing dynamics of ALL the characters coming together and no consideration seems be given to that. I just feel like the family seems broken.

It’s just lazy work. And I’m very disappointed because I love the characters overall but I expect more from this author. However, I get let down every time I read another story. Oh well. Onward with the next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Amanda BikiBookworm Vermaak.
893 reviews9 followers
December 29, 2020
Knives is the tenth book in the series. The MC men is finding their old ladies one after the other. It's Knives turn now, but Mary is weary of love. Her past is awful. But Knives refuses to give up. Like in any MC story, murder and mayhem takes place. You have to wade through a lot of heartache to get the the HEA.
All the favorites appear in this book again. Even Happy in his own little car seat.
A wedding and an alligator as ring bearer. Yeah. This is MC life at its best
January 7, 2021
What is not to like about a man who goes by the name Knives???

Knives by K.L. Savage will not disappoint, from start to finish she had my attention. K.L. makes you feel like you are living the characters life. I have truly enjoyed this series from the first moment I picked up book one.

K.L. sure knows how to grab her readers attention and leaving them wanting more, their writing is like a drug, we go through withdrawals while waiting for our next fix.

I can not give enough praise for this book and series, if you truly enjoy reading MC books then I truly recommend you start reading The Ruthless Kings series by K.L. Savage
Profile Image for Mrs Jayne Rushton.
1,374 reviews1 follower
December 27, 2020
It was great to read a book with such a different pace, though it was no less intense. Knives and Mary were a partnership waiting to happen, and when they did - oh boy!

Mary, the daughter of a corrupt TV Preacher, and Knives the orphan moved from one foster home to another. Both found a solace of sorts with the Reapers.

There are many revelations in this book. There is also humour, dark humour as you would expect from this bunch.

Another great addition. Well done.
Profile Image for domestic_godess_reads.
720 reviews25 followers
December 31, 2020
Everyone who loves dark gritty MC romance is reading the Ruthless Kings series by K.L.Savage. Each book is about a new couple but also the entire MC so you get to know the characters and feel totally invested in their stories. Absolutely fantastic addition to the series.
One click this book now!
Profile Image for Danielle.
64 reviews1 follower
January 10, 2021
Seriously if you have made it this far on her series you know your in for something good. This one had a twist I was not prepared for, I also wasn’t prepared for a rape scene. Normally when I don’t get my graphic warning label on the about me and I get triggered I’m hella hella pissed. I’ll let you know that’s the only reason why it got rated lower then the rest of the series for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Pearl.
1,981 reviews17 followers
February 16, 2023
DNF!

I got half way through and just couldn't stand any more of this drivel. Just read the blurb or a Chinese menu instead cuz you'll get more out of it.
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