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It meant war.

DUKE

The relative peace we have known for years was gone in one violent act. Then, among the ever-present and increasingly bloody unknown threat, I met her.

But when passions ignite, complicating an already impossible situation, I am left to wonder if there is a way to overcome the dark and twisted secrets of my past that would allow me to have any kind of future with her.

PENNY

I was just a normal girl. I swear. One moment, I was just living my usual boring life. The next, I found myself in the middle of some kind of underground war between an outlaw biker gang and some faceless enemy.

Trapped in a whole new world and in ever-increasing close proximity to the tall, strong, long blond-haired, deep blue-eyed biker named Duke, yeah, let’s just say things got even more interesting.

But Duke had secrets.
And when they came into the light, I realized they were the kind that I wasn’t sure I could live with…

279 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 5, 2016

344 people are currently reading
725 people want to read

About the author

Jessica Gadziala

156 books5,308 followers
Jessica Gadziala is a USA Today bestselling author who lives in rural New Jersey with her parrots, dogs, and an ever-growing collection of houseplants. A lifelong dreamer, she’s been writing stories since childhood and published her first book in 2015. When not at her desk, she’s usually feeding backyard birds, rewatching crime dramas, period pieces, and 90s supernatural TV shows, or adding to her towering stacks of unread books.



You can find her on
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/Jessica-Gadz...
Newsletter: subscribepage.io/K4GPfj
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicagadz...
Her Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/31454...
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jessicagadz...


xx

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 261 reviews
Profile Image for Sabrina.
4,125 reviews2,372 followers
October 17, 2016


I read this last week and I still can't believe what happened in this book! So many things were going on and the story just took such a shocking turn for this series. I really didn't think Jessica Gadziala would go as far as she did but just wow. Everything happening was crazy but it had me captivated from the first chapter and I loved how it all played out.

Duke was your usual JG Hero, and by that I mean sexy as hell and made me totally want to jump him. I loved getting to know all his secrets and finding out about his past. It shocked me way more than I thought it would, but I liked that I had no clue what was going on with him until that moment his past was revealed.

Penny was new to the MC world and didn't have a past like any of the other heroines in this series, but it worked for her. She wasn't completely clueless and was open to learning about the life she was thrust into, which I really liked about her. She had a toughness to her that was hidden, but was amazing when it made an appearance.

Overall, I loved this book but I had no doubt that I would. I don't think there's anything Jessica Gadziala can write that I wont't like. I'm dying to see what happens next in this series, and that little cliffy that she left it on about other characters has me going crazy.
Profile Image for ➦Paulette & Her Sexy Alphas❥.
1,136 reviews259 followers
July 30, 2018
Title: ➳ ❤- Duke
Series ➳ The Henchmen MC Series 5#
Author: ➳ Jessica Gadziala

Publication:, October 5th 2016
ღ I couldn’t wait to get to Duke’s book while reading Repo. But then life happen. Now I focus on finishing this series…I loved both Duke & Penny. And lord Penny’s grandma too ……. It was nice catching up with the rest of The Henchmen & their women. Duke & Penny Their chemistry was off the chart hot & it’s a little different than the other books, but of course Jessica made it work….

💕 it was so sad the tragedy that occurred… I hated how Jessica drop that bomb about the “Grassis." & just seem to leave as is
Oh I have a love hate with Renny , now sure about reading his book.. but at the same time I wanna see what Mina does to him

Trust me when I say I’ll be checking out the next book in this series…. I can’t get enough of this series.

📚 Hope you enjoy this read & also always keep in mind this is just my opinion & my honest review 💕
💕 ✎Paulette Review ❤💕
Profile Image for Maria....
428 reviews165 followers
August 4, 2018
"3,5 Needed more Duke stars"

Another book in The Henchmen series by Jessica! This time we have the pleasure to learn Duke's secrets that had us curious while we met him in Repo! He got me so intrigued being all mystery and keeping to himself.

And now all the secrets were out for the world to know!

This is how I pictured Duke while I was reading this book...

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I LOVE this man and Duke was a HOT one too with his man bun!

My God I dig a man with a bun so damn much!!!

Anyway let's focus on the book...

It was a nice reading and I liked that we get to see the previous characters from this series with their families and kids raising hell around the Henchmen compound. We get to know better Duke and Penny who was the new addition to the gang! I liked she was so innocent and naive and cute!

As I've said before I love Jessica's books and her writing style! This one was a good one and I enjoyed it, but I didn't love it as much as the others in this series...That being said it wasn't a bad book it was just focused on a lot of things so the main couple didn't stand out as it should.

I would like more Duke and Penny time together even in the middle of the chaos that was going on. We get a few moments here and there with them being together and then BAM they have to be apart for the time being...I mean I get that they had to be apart but at least give me a chance to enjoy them as a couple first. I loved these two together and I want more of them Jessica!

I loved that we read about Reign & Summer, Cash & Lo, Wolf & Janie, Repo & Maze and their crazy kids. I enjoyed them so much being still crazy after those years! Then something happened that had me shaking in my seat with the shit that was happening...Especially with Wolf...Oh my God my heart stopped beating for a second! Wolf is one of my favorite and until this moment I have questions about him...When will we know about him...???

Another huge deal for me was the fact that the bad guys of this book....Again to this moment we know shit about what happened to them...I mean they did some serious damage to the Henchmen and I expected for hell to raise and what I got....???A name...yeah you heard me just their name and nothing else...Where the hell was the revenge I was waiting for to be satisfied??? I hope we get it in the next book with Renny and Mina or something!

Overall a nice book but I wanted more to be satisfied...I needed a few more pages to cover the issues that were still answered until the very end...

I can't wait for Renny and Mina's book! It's gonna be interesting!

Enjoy!
Profile Image for Michelle.
1,623 reviews168 followers
September 30, 2016
*ARC provided by the author for an honest review*

Wow just wow



Omg what a book this was just AMAZING I really liked Duke in Repo's book but I LUV him in this he is such a great sexy amazing guy an he had to fight to b who he is now but the Henchmen MC took him in an now is in a much better place but there is still parts of him that thinks he isn't go enough but let me tell u he so is



This story starts of with drama straight away no messing about an my heart goes out to Penny she is a great girl an had licensed on her own in Florida since finishing school her parents don't really care but thank god for her grandmother but she isn't doin well so Penny decided she would move back home to b more near her an to make sure think r ok I don't think she planned on meeting Duke one day when she was lost there was instant attraction but she was just some girl lost an he didn't think he would see her again well he didn't expect to c her the way he did



I was actually really shocked in parts of this book I didn't see half of the drama coming an I think I actually screamed in a few parts cause I could actually believe what happen an the ending still as me thinkin am I angry it ended like that or just totally shocked an I still can't believe it



Again this author as done a really great job an this series just keeps getting better I really luv al the characters an Duke an Penny r a great addition to a great team but I think I luv this book the most there was just something about Duke that I really liked Cash as Bern my favourite throughout this series but Duke just topped an I actually think this is the best book in the series I would highly recommend it xxx



Profile Image for Jen.
1,655 reviews1,153 followers
October 12, 2016
***4.5 Stars****

Another action packed story about the "Henchmen MC.". This book not only focuses on Duke and his woman; but also the chaos that is taking place within the compound. All I can say, if you have been following this series, you will need to read this one. So much happens, and it will blow you away...(no pun intended) I will say this, there is a ton that goes on and it had me close to tears more than once.
The half a star I took off because some things were left unfinished, and it bothered me. I would have liked some answers about certain characters etc...I am assuming there will be more, which I will be awaiting eagerly for....I just hope I don't have to wait too long!!!

This is an excellent MC series...a must read for MC lovers!!! It is definitely up there with the best series!!!
Profile Image for Dusti Hanrahan.
298 reviews96 followers
October 4, 2016
First of all THANK YOU! Jessica for gifting me your ARC's time and time again. I have fallen in love with each and every foul mouthed biker your amazing brain has given me. I look forward to so much more and can't imagine ever getting my fill.

DUKE….Duke was, as with all of JG’s books, foul-mouthed, dirty, dangerous biker perfection.
I loved everything about this book.
Each time a new book comes out in this series I feel a pull to “favorite” the H and this was no exception.

Duke was dark, threatening and controlling but his protectiveness for Penny was panty melting. He was surprisingly sweet from the jump, ‘marking his territory’ even if subconsciously. The attraction was instant, the chemistry was hot and the end result left me seriously in need of a cold shower.

This book was a little different than the others in that we got to do a good bit of catching up with the other Henchmen and their families and I LOVED them being involved. There were some very emotional, nail biting moments that I did not expect and I am still left hoping and praying that…….ha! No spoiler’s here!

As always, I am surprised each time JG comes up with a new story…each one unique and keeping me enthralled until the last page. I fell head over heels with yet another Henchmen, leaving me w a serious bbf hangover and the need to jump into another ASAP!


thank you Jessica G -AS ALWAYS- for dropping this baby into my inbox!!
Profile Image for NMmomof4.
1,756 reviews4,912 followers
June 19, 2017
3 Stars

Overall Opinion: Well...I started this one in hopes to get out of my book funk, but unfortunately I don't think it helped much. I have enjoyed the books in this series, so I was sure this was a good one to do the job. It just felt like filler though. It progressed the overall mc storyline with their drama, and we get a lot of side stories from what's beeen going on with the previous characters -- but the story of the 2 mcs 🤷🏻‍♀️ Just felt lackluster tbh. I don't think we got as deep into the mc characters as much as we could've, and I didn't really feel their connection. I didn't hate it though because it was nice to see what was going on with the other characters, and I think it's going to be a necessary read for the books that follow it...but I really do think it should've been a .5 book or a novella and marketed for what it really was -- filler.

Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Penny and Duke's story. Penny just moved to the area, and she meets Duke when she is lost and walking by the mc compound. The next day Penny is dropped off as a message to the mc beaten up and with the Henchmen's H carved in her back. Duke feels responsible because he was one of the ones to talk to her, so he steps in as a protector for her. They are instantly attracted, but because of the current circumstances and Duke's past they don't start anything right away. There is some major mc drama, some big past secrets revealed, some sexy times, and a good bit of catching up with the characters from the other books...and they do get a HEA ending.

POV: This alternated between Penny and Duke's POV.

Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed, and I thought it flowed well.

Instalove: No, they take a while to develop stronger feelings.

H rating: 3.5 stars. Duke. I liked him a little better than Penny, but he was still a little...meh.

h rating: 3 stars. Penny. She was ok. I didn't hate her or love her...just ok.

Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed

Push/Pull: Not really

Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.

Descriptive sex: Yes

Safe sex: Yes

OW/OM drama: No

Sex scene with OW or OM: No

Cheating: No

Separation: Yes

Possible Triggers: Yes

Closure: This had a jump ahead epilogue with a HEA ending, but with a cliffy type ending to the mc drama.

How I got it: I got it with my kindle unlimited subscription.

Safety: This one should be Safe for most safety gang readers
Profile Image for Bev .
2,180 reviews477 followers
February 6, 2017
Loved the characters - Duke was really swoony even though we got that "I'm not good enough" trope, he got over himself so that wasn't a major issue and there wasn't any TSTL moments from Penny. What else worked for me is that there wasn't any ridiculous misunderstandings, these two actually spoke to and listened to each other, love that.

What didn't work for me was the gratuitous killing and maiming, I would rather have seen more resolution to what happened in THIS book rather than find out who the baddies are right in the last damn sentence leaving plot holes and unanswered questions. The book just didn't seem finished even though the epilogue went fairly far into the future. I sincerely hope this story is going to get done in Renny's book and not dragged on and on, else I'll just lose interest.

3.75 'I wanted more resolution' stars
Profile Image for Dianne.
6,810 reviews615 followers
October 13, 2016
I could probably sum up my review and my rating in three words...Jessica Gadziala-Henchmen...and need say no more, but...you know how I ramble...

Moving to Navesink Bank to be near her elderly grandmother, Penny was just a normal girl, in need of directions and the tough, but handsome bikers who helped her out put a target on her back to be used as a warning by a mysterious threat to the henchman that war is coming. Bloody, battered and bruised, Penny is now under the protection of the Henchman and one biker in particular will die before any more harm comes to her. Duke has sworn an oath to protect Penny, because there is just something about her that calls to his inner “family man,” a need to protect her, possess and make her his. But is the baggage he carries anything she needs to share in? Is the danger she is now in worth risking her life over?

Love can be a bitch when it comes at one of the worst times in Henchmen history, but Penny proves she is more than a match for the challenges she is faced with. And Duke? Under that rough and tough exterior is a man with a heart filled with kindness, who knew he could be owned, body, soul and heart by a mere slip of a woman with more inner strength than all of the Henchmen combined?

Jessica Gadziala has finally told Duke’s story, his way, including all of the darkness, the evil and the turmoil that comes with living on the edge, just shy of the rules of society. Who knew that anti-heroes like the henchman would have such a hold on my heart? I actually got a lump in my throat at one point and had to re-read that part to make sure I didn’t misunderstand! You’re killing me, Jessica, killing me! Once again, a strong woman, raw need and desires brings another Henchman standing right in the bullseye of Cupid’s arrow as the entire club fights for its very existence against an unknown enemy.

I received an ARC edition from Jessica Gadziala in exchange for my honest review.

Series: The Henchman MC - Book 5
Publication Date: October 5, 2016
Publisher: Jessica Gadziala
Genre: Contemporary Romance | Suspense
Print Length: 253 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

Profile Image for Janie.
873 reviews81 followers
February 2, 2018
I couldn’t wait to get to Duke’s book while reading Repo. And it didn’t disappoint. I loved both him and Penny. And catching up with the rest of The Henchmen and their women. I can’t get enough of this series.
Profile Image for ~Nichole~  Sizzling Pages Romance Reviews.
1,697 reviews624 followers
March 10, 2017
Duke was absolutely the best kind of hero. Give me protective, possessiveness, tender, affectionate and above all loyal. and you'll see me devouring that story.
Penny was the best mix of feminine and strength. I loved how she cherished Duke's love but thrived inside his affection and at the same time came out of her shell.
I love that 90% of this authors stories are safe for me. I will keep devouring every one that is. Love her "Universe" and cross over characters.
Safety info
Profile Image for The Sassy Bookworm.
3,948 reviews2,845 followers
September 5, 2018
I enjoyed this one for the most part. That said, it was missing "something" for me, and I really am not sure what. Spice? Romance? I don't know...I was just expecting a bit more "oomph" from Duke's character I guess.

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Profile Image for Deborah.
3,775 reviews489 followers
August 23, 2021
I’ve just completed my re-read and this is the first “new” book in this series for me. I enjoyed it and that ending ensured I wasn’t t going anywhere. I mean wow.

It’s a worry with any long series that the story drys up and it all becomes too formulated. But this is still going strong.

I liked both Penny and Duke and while I felt at times they took a slight backseat to the story here. I’m not going to complain about that.

So bring on Renny…
Profile Image for Christen.
275 reviews1 follower
October 7, 2016



I loved this book!!
The romance between Duke and Penny was absolutely beautiful to read but I was absolutely stunned with what happens with the Henchman in this book! Speechless, surprised, and shocked! If you follow the Henchman series you really have to read what happens to them! This isn’t just a story about Duke and Penny, but the Henchmen family as well.



Duke is another amazing character in the Henchmen MC, he’s plagued by the circumstances of his past, he’s ashamed and believes he is unworthy of love in his life. But Duke is very loyal and honorable and it takes the love of an amazing woman to help him realize his strength and value.



Penny has a quiet and calm personality to her, she is really sweet and compassionate. She is just a normal person that is totally taken by surprise when her life changes drastically after having moved to a new town. Though she is innocent and a little naive, she is definetly no pushover.



Duke and Penny have sizzling chemistry together. Most of the stress and angst in the book comes from what happens around them, not so much because of each other. Although, I really liked how understanding Penny was of Duke’s issue and was quick to forgive.



I am really, really looking forward to more in the series, can’t wait to read about Mina and Renny...that looks like a battle waiting to happen! I’m also putting in my vote for a Hailstorm spinoff because that place is just too intriguing not to!!
Profile Image for ~ Cariad ~.
1,921 reviews54 followers
October 3, 2016
Need time to think of better words for how blown away I am by this, because

COMPLETELY FREAKING 'GET ME A DEFRIBRILATOR,
I THINK MY HEART STOPPED TWICE' AWESOME

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just won't cover it!!!

~~~~~

Soooo!!.. ! had a think and want to say that without a doubt Jessica Gadziala has become my fav 'drop everything and read' author! Honestly, if she were a chess player, she'd be a Grand Master!!!

Flawlessly written, fast-paced stories with complete attention to life's little details don't get any better than this!!

The only author that I've had 14 consecutive five-star reads from - Just WOW!!
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Truly, for me, Duke is the best yet!! Beautifully flawless...
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So happy!!
SP HONEST REVIEW

@jessicagadziala THANK YOU!!!
Profile Image for Kiri Fiona.
279 reviews14 followers
November 22, 2016

What I loved:
DUKE

The relative peace we have known for years was gone in one violent act. Then, among the ever-present and increasingly bloody unknown threat, I met her.

But when passions ignite, complicating an already impossible situation, I am left to wonder if there is a way to overcome the dark and twisted secrets of my past that would allow me to have any kind of future with her.

PENNY

I was just a normal girl. I swear. One moment, I was just living my usual boring life. The next, I found myself in the middle of some kind of underground war between an outlaw biker gang and some faceless enemy.

Trapped in a whole new world and in ever-increasing close proximity to the tall, strong, long blond-haired, deep blue-eyed biker named Duke, yeah, let’s just say things got even more interesting.

But Duke had secrets.
And when they came into the light, I realized they were the kind that I wasn’t sure I could live with…

description

What I loved:
- Well.
Everydamnthing.
- Duke was everything I love about Ms Gadziala's heroes: OTT alpha-protective-caveman in a giant, tasty package. He was violent, he was agressive, he was blunt. He was loyal to his brothers. And goodGodDamn he loved his woman. Even when he tries to cook for her... I thought that was adorable.
Quote… "What are you doing over there?" I asked several minutes later, after all he seemed to do was shuffle items around.
To that, he half-turned to me, shaking his head with a somewhat boyish smile.
"Fuck if I know" he admitted with a grin.

Everything about him was just dirty delicious perfection.
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- If you've read the rest of this series you'll know this is going to be dark. And it is. Not Hades Hangmen MC or Black Dagger Brotherhood extreme, but closer to that end than your typical biker romance. A filthy, happy medium that JG treads so beautifully.
- The awesomeness that was all my favourite Henchmen and their women and their children in one place.
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- The storyline was excellent. So much action, suspense, tragedy, drama, and Penny was a great, resilient heroine who handled it all well. I really liked her.
- Ms Gadziala's writing (or editing... not sure which) is really developing. That was awesome.
Quote… He wanted more than to just sleep with me?
I wasn't quite sure if I was supposed to be delighted or absolutely terrified by that development.
So I went ahead and let myself be both.


What I didn’t love:
- First of all: Wolf. Really?
- I feel like this series isn't getting the recognition it deserves. Does that make sense? Like, I've read other books that have a crazy number of reviews and they're plastered all over my homepage even though they're nothing like what I read, and this one is way better. This is the series I would tell all my friends about. This is the series I push on everyone I know (like a JW with little pamphlets, but infinitely more annoying). Like, I don't know anything about marketing or advertising when it comes to books, but something is slipping through the cracks here. People need to know about Wolf & Repo & Reign & Cash & Duke.
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Seriously, just saying all those names together makes me sigh.

Overall…
Love this book, love this series, love these men. Hard.
So... I'm not a series reader. I read out of order, or pick the ones I want and ignore the rest, or just read the last. Story continuity can kiss my ass. And I didn't read this series in order either, but I think this is the only one that would leave you feeling a bit lost, because the things I loved about it: the reunion of all my favourite characters, the finally getting to see Duke get a HEA.. all those things have built slowly for me throughout the series.
Profile Image for Debbie.
2,676 reviews48 followers
November 22, 2021
Re-read 11-21-21: So good. There were so many things I had forgotten about this story, so I enjoyed so much being back in this book and watching Penny and Duke fall in love again. I adore the Henchmen and all these characters.

ORIGINAL REVIEW:
I was kindly gifted an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. But I’ll let you in on a little secret, I already had this book on pre-order with plans of reading it the minute it was released.

WOW! Just wow! I believe this is the best book in the Henchmen MC Series so far. There is more action and mystery surrounding those who are threatening the MC, and we are kept on the edge of our seat waiting to see what will happen next.

We meet Penny who has moved to Navesink Bank to take care of her grandmother. When Penny’s life is placed in danger, it’s Duke who finds her. The connection between them is instant and the need to protect Penny has Duke stepping up and showing us a side of him we haven’t seen before. A side, I might add, that melted my heart with how sweet this big bad biker man could be. I loved Penny and appreciated that she was not some weak annoying character. No, she’s strong and adapts well to the situation of what happens and is the absolute perfect match for Duke. But what will Penny do when she learns about Duke’s past?

I enjoyed getting to see some of my favorite characters from the previous books, and am looking forward to learning more about a new lady from Hailstorm that I’m thinking just might give Remmy a run for his money in his book that’s up next. As cocky and opinionated as that man can be, I think this chick might be the one to leave him speechless.

Bottom line, I loved it! We get great characters in a great story from a great author. I cannot wait to see what happens next.
Profile Image for Raine.
188 reviews28 followers
October 9, 2016
Pink tank, braided hair & blonde


In leather and that man bun!


Those blue eyes... swoooonnn
Profile Image for Snow.
2,318 reviews730 followers
January 6, 2018
Considering I m reading MC books...
This was actually an okay read...
A little bit over abundant with all the hype and drama, it still turned out quite an interesting story.
Profile Image for Cat H.
1,912 reviews211 followers
January 15, 2024
4.4 stars.
Not gonna lie. I read this only because I really wanted to read Renny’s book..🤷🏻‍♀️
Profile Image for Priya.
139 reviews
February 5, 2017
***5 smashing stars***
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Okay, I don't where to start, honestly there were some many things that shock me and connected me to the characters...
First of all, I love Jessica Gadziala because her book are incredible.....
My first instinct of Duke was that he would be very silent and doesn't have a great past, this was from the previous books. And most of the things that I thought of were true but the fact that he was sooooo care and loyal to his girl, it was an amazing moment.
I was really curious about his past and how he isn't able to tell anyone expect Reign, Cash, Wolf and Renny.
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I bet everyone would be curious, I mean who wouldn't be ....
But after finding out the truth, I was taken aback... I didn't really expect that sort of hidden secret
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But, hey the story has to continue and as well as me Penny was taken aback too, I mean who wouldn't be
Fortunately everything went good between them, which by the way was addddooooorraaabbblleee


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The chemistry between Duke and Penny was amazing, It was really cute.
At first I thought it may not work out but things went soooooo weird (in a good way though ;D) that Duke and Penny were always together and always helped each other out, no matter what..

it was a good book ;D
Now it's time for Renny
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Profile Image for Liz.
58 reviews3 followers
January 6, 2017
There is nothing better than to lose yourself in one of these Henchmen boys. God forbidden, one of them isn't badass and cocky and arrogant and the best man there is.
Like the other ones, i loved Duke all the same. I mean, can you really choose?

With a past he'd rather not share, he joined Henchmen MC to put it all behind and start a new life. One in which he gets to have brotherhood and stability. Loyal and respectful, Duke fits perfectly. And when the time comes - he's fighting along with the guys, proving his worth.
Enter Penny - new in town, lost between the streets of Navesink Bank, she meets Duke and the next thing you know she finds herself victim of an unknown enemy, who tries to destroy the MC.
In this book we got a little suspense going on.
Not knowing who the enemy is, one that is dead set on attack them at every oportunity.
So they are forced to hide the girls and kids up at the Hailstorm facility, while enforcing the compound to make it safe for everyone.
Duke and Penny's story was not a complicated one. No pushing away and no backing away, which i kinda loved.

"If there's one thing you need to know about these Henchmen, it's that when they pick their woman, they become like cavemen. They see you, growl "mine" and drag you off to their lairs to f^ck you until you can't see straight anymore. Ask any of us. We know. And when they claim you, you're their responsability. They want to protect and provide and take care of you. Much to the chagrin at times of people like me and Janie and even Maze at times. But it's kind of sweet. Who doesn't like an alpha?"

Who doesn't indeed?
I was so happy to know a bit about the other ones lifes. How are they and their kids.
I wish these books were endless.

Congratulations, Jessica! You're amazing.
Profile Image for MelissaB.
725 reviews343 followers
December 7, 2016
I have mixed feelings about this book. I liked the romance between the main characters for the most part but I felt like the second half of the book went downhill fast. The author kills off a bunch of people (I won't say who) but the lack of reaction to the deaths by the main MC characters who were still alive made the people who died feel like a plot device instead. In fact, the lead characters decided to go at it in a bunker right after a bunch of people died which I found to be in poor taste. Then I didn't even get a payoff of finding out about the bad guys and see them get their comeuppance, I am supposed to read the next book for that, no thanks.

So I would have given 4 stars for the romance but the other plot details that could have been handled better took away a star
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sivutha.
634 reviews79 followers
October 18, 2016
Sorry for the late review!!

5 I Love this Series Stars!!

Duke is a dirty mouth and down right a dangerous biker god!! He is officially my new book boyfriend!! (Don't tell my husband ;D)

Duke is very protective of Penny. This one is instant love/love at first sight vibe and I'm totally loving it. Their chemistry was off the chart hot and it's a little different than the other books. Of course we get to see other Henchmen and their families. Love that past characters are still a big part of the books.

Dramas, action and......read it.

So who will be next?
Will there be another book?
Only Jessica can answer that ;)
Profile Image for Colleen.
950 reviews43 followers
October 9, 2016
Things have been too quiet for the Henchmen for the past several years... it's time for personal attacks and a damsel in distress again.

Title: Duke
Author: Jessica Gadziala
Series: The Henchmen MC
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Romance Suspense



Plot Summary:

Duke takes place years after Repo, years of peace and prosperity for the Henchmen with their diversified interests in legitimate business. Everyone is settled down, or settling down, has kids, and life is going fine…. Until now.

Penny just moved back into the New Jersey area to be closer to her aging grandmother, the woman who pretty much raised her while her parents were busy building their careers. She left New Jersey to start her own life, but never really ended up living it. She has no real friends, and spends most of her free time reading and knitting at home. Her hope is that moving to New Jersey will giver her a chance to start over and make her life a little more interesting. Be careful what you wish for…

While looking for a job, Penny gets turned around, and ends up lost in front of the Henchmen compound. Lucky there is a sexy biker to giver her directions and send her on her way. But that simple interaction ends up with her being kidnapped, beaten, and dumped back on the front lawn of the compound later that day.

Feeling responsible, as well as on edge from the threat, the Henchmen take Penny in - particularly Duke. With Duke’s sketchy past, he knows that being with someone as straight-laced as Penny is out of the question - is she knew where he came from, she would never seek comfort from him. But as the threat levels to the Henchmen increase, the two will be forced together, and their connection won’t be denied.

Character Descriptions/Development: 4 stars

I’m going to come out and say Penny was not my favorite chick from this series. She just didn’t stand out for me. Part of it was just not having a tortured past - like Summer or even Maze. She had no special talent, like Janie or Alex. She just… was. She was the girl next door in every way and so she came across as lackluster for me.

That explained my boring life, I guess, I never took chances so nothing ever happened.


Duke however, was a standout. You knew from Renny and his argument in Repo that there was something twisted in his past, and now you know. I was surprised and it made a lot of sense given Duke’s own sense of self-disgust. He feels like he crawled out of that filth and it never really left him. But in mind, and Penny’s, he is even more of a hero for getting out of that situation, and saving people to boot.



Storyline/Conflict: 4 stars

So, like I said, there has been years of inactivity on the enemy front for the Henchmen. So now, a casual acquaintance of the club is attacked and left at their doorstep. And then, even on high alert, a mass attack happens. .

What bothered me about that conflict was that there was no resolution. You never find out who did it. I can only assume that is up in Renny’s book - which I cannot effing wait for let me tell you!!!!! Renny always intrigued me, but now that you see his potential partner… holy crap is that going to be hotter than hell.

Writing Style:5 stars

As always, JG does not disappoint. I was impressed with the dialogue, the pacing, the editing (especially considering how quickly she turns out books) and even the characters despite my reservations about Penny. I like that there is always character growth in her novels - Penny became stronger as the book went on, and Duke became more accepting of feeling loved.

Heat: 5 stars

Crazy hot. Sex in fallout shelters and bullet proof glass rooms… crazy hot. Did I mention crazy hot?

Favorite Quote:
“Orgasm to over-thinking in two-point-three seconds. That’s practically a superpower.”
Profile Image for Maria11.
1,987 reviews41 followers
October 9, 2016
Well 3 1/2 stars.

I liked the story and how the love grew. Duke was sweet and it was great to get his background info. I liked the peek into all the previous couples. Great.....and then

I get to the end. There wasn't any resolution to who was after them. We never got a true answer or a solution to everything that happened. I was like WTF! Did I miss something? I went back and read again, but I still stayed with the totally confused feeling.

I love this series and I loved this book until the end :(
Profile Image for Cindy.
2,342 reviews171 followers
October 5, 2016
Wow - with a few key strokes an author can just change everything. Some big stuff went down in this book. Fans of the series, hold on to your seats.. And that's all I gonna say about that..

Duke - I love that these big men come from such messed up families and past and yet end up being the greatest men who treasure and do anything to protect their women. Duke hadnt even known Penny 24 hours but when she is literally thrown out of car on the MC compound and his inner beast yelled MINE and that was all there was to that.

Penny Poor Penny all she wanted was directions to a job interview not knowing the ramifications that would have on her life. Loved how she started out mild and meek but with the help of Lo and Hailstorm was a pretty tough chick by the end (poor thing had to be with everything that went on in this book :) ) She and Duke were perfect for each other.

Bonus: Having read all the connecting books it was great getting to meet all the kids of the previous characters.. I think these couples have been going at it like bunnies in between books with all the kids there are now.

I love everything this author has written and look forward to whoever is next...



Profile Image for Krystyn.
153 reviews4 followers
September 27, 2016
*** Received an ARC for an honest review ***

This book broke my heart a bit and made me cry. Overall the story was great my only issue is we need to wait for, I'm assuming, Renny's story to get a conclusion on why they're being attacked.

I've always liked Duke but after hearing his personal story I like him way more. Is he my favorite henchman.......????..... I'm not sure. It's hard to pick a favorite when they are all so amazing in different ways.(I think my top is still Wolf.)
Duke's background and what he has overcome is so sad but shows what a great man he really is.

Penny is such a regular girl. She isn't a badass like most our girls, yet. She's very boring and independent, in need of some real love.
Poor girl was in the wrong place at the wrong time but in the long run was a small blessing to have Duke. The ending of Duke and Penny's story is very satisfying for their lives.
I love how Jessica let's us see into the other Henchman and companies lives. Their kids and their personalities it's amazing! I look forward to reading more of the Henchman and I hope JG doesn't make us wait to long for more.

WE NEED MORE HENCHMAN!!!


Profile Image for AlligatorSmith loves to read.
652 reviews
November 16, 2017
Duke was a probate the last time we saw him, but his book is set about seven years after Repo's. Duke inadvertently sets Penny up for a violent assault (trigger warning), and their story takes off from there. This is actually the trope seen throughout the Henchmen series as most of the women meet their guys this way, one way or another.

And, wow, Duke and Penny's story is something, but it is only part of Duke's book. There's a big change coming to the Henchmen MC, and this is where it all begins. No spoilers, though. Renny also has a pretty big part in this book - no surprise since his book is next.

I'm glad to be catching up on the Henchmen. I can always count on Gadziala for a well-written story - she's actually one of the authors I turn to when I need a guaranteed-good read.

Thanks for reading!
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