Razor's Edge

American Yakuza, Book 3

By: Isabella

Narrated by: Victoria Mei

Length: 5 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

Luce Potter lives by a code of honor. Push her, and she shoves back, harder. There’s only one problem: Luce has just found out that revenge is a knife that cuts both ways. Now that her lover Brooke has survived the attack on her life, Luce has only one thing on her mind, and his name is Frank. Unfortunately, someone walks into her life that she didn’t see coming.

Brooke Erickson has survived an attack so brutal it’s left a permanent scar on her soul. All she wants to do now is go home and finish recuperating with her lover, Luce Potter, by her side. An unexpected event puts Brooke at the head of the Yakuza family. Can she command the respect necessary to lead it through the crisis?

Luce and Brooke’s worlds are upending. Can each do what’s necessary to survive and return to a new normal?

©2017 Christine Svendsen (P)2019 Sapphire Books Publishing

The End

Completes the series well. I just wish it was a bit longer. I felt like more could've been said. Like where are Luce and Brooke in their relationship now.

Book #4?

Nicely done! It’s been great seeing Luce and Brooke’s relationship develop. Book 3 was action packed and I loved it! Hoping there’s a book 4 coming soon. I really enjoyed Victoria Mei’s narration. She really bring these characters to life!

An edge of your seat experience!

This third (and possibly final?) book of the American Yakuza series is filled with edge-of-your-seat angst - with Luce being in the most perilous position of her tenure as the head of the Japanese crime family. Much of the story is told in flashback. I am hesitant to give too much away in the review, but will say I wondered why she made certain choices to get herself into that predicament, considering what happened in book 2. But if she hadn't, I guess we wouldn't have had a story! Speaking of book 2, there were a few extended flashbacks of scenes from it that I felt could have been condensed. That said - I probably enjoyed this book/audiobook the most of the three. It was violent, yet exciting. And there was an interesting twist I didn't see coming. And Brooke's character evolves in a very positive, admirable way. Luce also makes progress in her feelings for Brooke, yet they are separated through the bulk of this book, so it's more "tell" than "show." This didn't have the abundant sex that the first two had, but that was due to what happens in the story. Victoria Mei seemed to have made some tweaks to her narration that her made her work a real highlight of this experience - it was the best I've heard from her! It seems like there was a door left open to continue the story and not sure if Isabella is considering that. If she is, I'm up for more! I'd like to see Brooke's character continue to develop and given the place of honor she deserves in Luce's life. It would also be interesting to see Luce grow further into her role, though I expect she will be considerably hardened after what has happened thus far. 

WOW

That was a real nail biter. I’m glad to see Brooke in charge. She a lot stronger than they give her credit for. I would love to know what happens to Frank the weasel. Luce needs to marry Brooke already. A fourth book would be amazing. Victoria Mei was superb as always. She really makes you feel the story.

Loveeeeeeee 100% recommend

There better be another book. Honestly what.
Victoria Mei is quickly becoming one of my favorite narrator!

Seriously enjoyable, but somewhat short.

I listened to this book immediately after finishing book 2, which I think definitely colors my opinion here. I would recommend letting things cool a little for you between book 2 and 3, otherwise you’ll hear some of the same scenes you’ve just experienced. There were a lot of flashbacks throughout this book that referenced things from both of the first two books. Those earlier scenes felt absolutely vital to where the story was going, but for me this was a slight negative. I also would've liked to see it be a bit longer, considering both of the first two were over 8 hours, but that's personal preference and had no bearing on the rating I gave this book.

With that said, the narration was once again fantastic. I feel like I’m repeating myself in the reviews from book to book in this series, but this type of story is absolutely not my usual preference. I only read the first one and didn’t care to continue them when I found out there was more to follow. That would have been a mistake, and I’m glad that I gave the audio a chance because I definitely see myself listening to this whole series again in the future.

All told, this book nicely wraps up the series enough that if it ended here I’d be happy. At the same time there were enough little trails left open that could easily continue the story, and I can’t wait to find out if we get to see more of Luce and Brooke in the future. Definitely recommend.

Victory

Sometimes revenge is best served in a box. The third of the book is the most exasperating of the adventure to be on the wild ride of what to happen or not. I love this duo of voice to writings and cannot wait for more.

Very abrupt ending.

I listened to all three audiobooks in one day. They were intense. However, the MA was horrible to her love interest/GF, emotionally abusive. I didn’t feel the love between at all, a very one sided committed love. The ending was super abrupt and felt like it needed a few more chapters to really wrap it up.

ok

Not as good as the 1st 2. Narration was good but it felt as if the author was trying to stretch material out for a 3rd book. I think the series should have been left at 2 books.

Too much foreshadowing from books 1 and 2

The book seemed short and most of it was copy pasted from books 1 and 2. Yet, I was invested in seeing what happen to the characters so I went through all the flash backs hoping to have a more tied up ending. I felt like as soon as everything started to get wrapped up and complicated the writer wanted to make a quick clear cut ending. I do love the twist she wrote and the birth of all her characters, but I felt the ending was a little of a let down. With all the flash back, really take your time between books especially, between books 2 and 3. Otherwise you will feel like you are hearing or reading the same book at times and will get frustrated. I suggest reading two other books between them so the flashbacks will become just a recap instead. Although the writing and description of what the characters went through was so good, you really didn’t need a reminder of what happened.
Victoria Mei, did an amazing job and is quickly becoming one of my favorite voice actress.