Three Tricks

Hidden Empire #2

by Elizabeth Knight

Remember when I said Two Tricks doesn’t work with MC gangs… Well I might have jumped the gun on that.

The leaders of the Phantom Saints MC kidnapped me in order to broker a deal with Tricks. Jokes on them when they find out the truth. But that is the least of my worries right now after saving my best friend from getting taken by a rival MC.

Fun fact— turns out I’m now number one on everyone’s hit lists. Someone out there doesn’t like me, or the fact that I joined forces with the Phantom Saints. They are pulling out all the stops to make sure I don’t last the week breaking up this alliance. Too bad for them I’m just not that easy to kill. F*ck with my family and I’ll end your life, simple as that.

Problem is, with so many players on the field I can’t figure out who is calling the shots. Looks like I’m gonna need to pull another trick out of my sleeve…

Book 2 of the Hidden Empire series

This is an adult MC romance where the leading lady doesn't have to choose who she loves or how many. Book contains 18+ content—swearing, sexual situations, and aggressive assertive alpha-hole men and pint-sized woman.

Genres: Reverse Harem, Romance, Why Choose, Contemporary, Dark, Dark Romance, Crime

234 pages, ebook

First published November 30, 2021

Reviews

[G · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
I love this series soooo much. DAX IS SUCH A BADASS!!! Three Tricks continues straight after the previous book. It's filled with humour, action, drama and passion.
Wes and Void are probably my favourite and this book solidified that choice. I liked the addition of Cam's character. It will be great to see how he plays into things in the coming books.
Idk how long I can wait for Four Tricks after that last chapter.....I'm soo excited to read the upcoming books!!!!

[Daisy Delfin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pages: 265
My rating: 3

This was a br with the #cakeeaters - always a pleasure.

I liked the first book better than the second. But I also could not put the book down most of the time. I enjoyed reading this one and I am eager to read the next one. Will book three be the last book, or will there be Five Tricks?

Here are some of my thoughts about this book, please only read them, if you have read Three Tricks, because there are spoilers here.
I start with the future ending - the six guy harem:
I personally think a smaller harem is more realistic to me. When I read Hemlock Academy the FMC ended up with 11 guys. And for my liking everything over seven guys is to much, because a week is already long and if you have to wait seven or eight days until the first one gets his one on one time, that's a long wait and a lot of cold showers. (*lol) Or you have only multiple guys days, which would not be fair to them. I like three to five guys harems.

The other thing I like is a slow burn. Mostly because I like to see the relationships develop. And in this book I did not see the relationship building. It was more like the MC guys decided that Dex is theirs and Wes was accepted into the rh. But the individual relationships were left alone the most time. And when Eagle f***ed up, the relationship of the group ended. Because nobody went after her and Wes.

Harper needs her own story, I agree. But I miss her, now that she was shipped off with the Triplett Hitmen. I think scenes with Tilly, Harper and Dex could have been awesome.

Dex: I actually liked Dex in the first book very much. But in this book she looses some of my sympathy! She was not such a badass as in book 1 and even though she does see that the guys are smothering her, she lets them often times. I did not like that. Also her inability to cope with emotion was something I could not really understand.

The guys: All of them have a history and they had a hard life. And they did not cope with their trauma so well. Like Eagle who pushed Dex away without really knowing her and seeing her. And we will see much more of this I think.

Inbetween I had a phase, where I thought that the story dragged a little, but at the end, there were some reveals. I expected much more revelations, like some of the snitches or something like that. But we only got Dex revealing that she is Two Tricks and the ex and future boyfriend Cam, a student turned FBI guy turned to be Dex's protector. Oh and the third player the Mexican cartel beside the Mad Dogs (?) and the Di Leon Cartel.


The Characters: Names and descriptions of the persons

Dax Rose : FMC, hates Motorcycle Clubs, because one got her brother killed. Likes fast cars and bikes, owns a Tattoo shop, is an enforcer for Two Tricks, whom she helped to grow his underworld business while two tricks helped her to get her revenge on the Blackjax MC, a MC she obliterated. She has two best friends, Wes and Harper and a dead twin brother Devlin.
Wes aka Weston: Dax’s best friend since Wes was 12 and Dax 10. He loves Dax and is only loyal to her. He is her right hand man but also is she his boss in their illegal businesses. The Tattoo shop belongs to both of them.
Harper: Best friend of Dax since freshman year. Both were majoring in arts, but Harper was into fashion. She only knows of Dax’s and Wes’s legal life, the tattoo shop. Gets to see the real Dax.
Jeff: Dax little army, part of her enforcer team, newly Dad, gets killed in an revenge act of the De Leòn Cartel.
Brian: Dax little army, part of her enforcer team
Kimber: Daughter of Blackjax MC, married Devin, Dax’s twin brother, doesn’t like Dax and tries to sell her out.
Devin: Dax’s twin brother, joined Blackjax MC to be with Kimber and did not tell Dax until she graduated College. He kept a lot of secrets from Dax which eventually caused his death. He went into jail for his MC but they did not look after him so he had to work for a rivaling organization to survive jail. When he came out, they did not take him back so he had to try to survive and was shot in a drug deal gone wrong.
Silver Bullet Ink: Tattoo shop owned and run by Dax and Wes
Gabriella: sister of Eagle and Picasso, who run the Phantom Saints MC, lawyer. She helps her brothers to track Dax.
Phantom Saints MC: Motorcycle Club, President is Eagle, they are protective of their members and want to do business with Two Tricks
Eagle: President of the Phantom Saints MC, brother of Gabriella and Picasso, neat freak, very possessive. Takes a liking to Dax and wants to keep her.
Picasso: Vize President of the Phantom Saints, very protective of Eagle, tries to be rational, he is an artist
Cognac: Leader in the Phantom Saints, gets in trouble with Dax because he touches her without her consent so she retaliates. He is a player, who is after Dax, because she said that she is not interested in him.
Void: Head Enforcers of the Phantom Saints, fights Dax, but even though Dax looses, he is impressed because she did try to fight a MMA fighter.
Sprocket: Road Captain of the Phantom Saints, rough childhood, good in people watching, throws Dax of her Game by not being predictable.
De Leòn Cartel: Drug Cartel, which wants to have Two Tricks businesses.
Mad Dogs MC: President Mastiff, they took the Blackjax MC into their fold. Want to work with Two Tricks but when they do not get the attention they join the De Leòn Cartel. Now they are hunting Dax down.
Mastiff: President of Mad Dogs MC. Build them up and grew them. His father was the President of the Blackjax MC and was killed by Dax.
Doc: Enforcer of the Mad Dogs MC. He is a fan of Dax but he does not survive their meeting.
Diego: Guy who stirs things up. He is trying to throw Dax under the bus for killing a Son of the De Leòn Cartel, a deed she never did. But he has trouble in his own Cartel and so he tries to keep it down by lying about the killed guy. :
Cam: Ex-boyfriend, who never got over her, when she left him to build the Hidden Empire. He studied something with crime, caught the eye of the FBI on purpose while studying and got a job with them. Then he got a special unit, because he thought he needs to save Dax. He is the son of a con artist, raised to be a con artist.



Summery: detailed, lot’s of spoiler

The story starts, where Two Tricks ended: It’s the morning after the Di Leon Cartel tried to take Harper. Harper is the house of Dex’s guys at the MC compound still unhappy with Dex. Dex has to talk to the guys about their relationship and also make up with Harper. But it’s too emotional for her. But Wes hands her food for herself and Harper and she goes to her room to talk it out. Dex explains Harper that she never told her about Two Tricks, to keep her out of this life. And some of the things she tell Harper starts to repair their relationship. Then Dax takes Harper to meet Tilly. Tilly is very happy to meet Dax’s best friend. They hit it of and then the three decide that they want to go to the beach. They snuck out of the compound after Dex calls in Helicopters for a diversion. But on their way to the beach she stops at a building which belongs to the Hidden Empire. There she takes weapons and Ammo with her. They go to the beach. Meanwhile the guy think that Dex will leave the compound and Wes has a plan how to keep Harper safe. He calls three Hitman, who are interested in Harper for a long time. Even though Wes knows that Dex won’t be happy, he tells the triplets to go to the beach where the there women went.
Dex went to get food for them and gets into trouble. She has to threaten the barkeeper and calls in the police. When she comes back to her friends the triplets have arrived and are flirting with Harper. They go to a restaurant where they get a private room. But that’s a rouse, because they are attacked there and the two hitman try to kill Dax. But they can flee and Dex tells the tripletts to take Harper somewhere safe, treat her well and guard her. We will not hear from them for the rest of the book.
Dex and Tilly go back to the compound, but before they arrive, Tilly wants to make a break at a nearby diner (where the MC go regularly). Dex is greeted by her six guys, who want to talk about their relationship. While there a waitress is flirting with Eagle, and that doesn’t sit well with Dex. Shortly after they are attacked and after killing the attacker, the waitress throws herself at Eagle and cries and snuggles him all over. Dex is pissed. But instead of removing the waitress, Eagle pushes Dex away. She tells them that she is out and will go back to her place. Wes goes with her. Dex steals Eagles Bike and disables the other bikes, so the guys can’t follow.
Wes tells her to hear them out but Dex don’t listen. Instead she plans meeting with the underbosses of the Hidden Empire to tell the who Two Tricks is. The five guys hear about this and snuck into the meeting with Weston’s help. After revealing that she is Two Tricks, the Mad Dogs, who also snuck in attack and shoot Dex. While the guys try to get to her another Mad Dog tries to shoot Dex but Eagle is in the way. She shoots the guy but is hit by another bullet.
All guy work to get her out to an ambulance as her lung was punctured by one of the shots. She has to stay in the hospital for several day, because her heart stopped beating twice while surgery and the injuries are severe.
But the rivalling cartel and MC try to kill her in the hospital again. The guys guard her well and the attackers aren’t successful. But for Dex’s safety they hire the nurse to care for her and take her to house they just rented.
After a few days at the house, Wes has to go to the Hidden Empire. He is captured by the FBI and they won’t let him go, until Dex turns herself in. Turns out that Dex’s ex-boyfriend is the leader of the special unit. Only three guys are at the house and Void takes her and Dani and brings them to a car and all five of them drive away. But Dex tells them that her Ex Cam won’t give up. And they are taken by the FBI. The Nurse is allowed to go. Cam wants that Dex rats her clients out, but she does not fall for his ploy. They have to stay at a safe house for the night and the next morning Cam comes back. Dex demands to know what is going on. Cam tells her that she is the girl for him. And so he did a big con, just to keep her safe. She calls his Dad and he fill her in on the details , because he helped his son.
At the end they find out that a mexican cartel is after her, because they want their former territory back and Dex blocked them all along.

[Tiff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dax is back and she’s still not taking crap from anyone.

This book throws us right back into the Hidden Empire world and we see Dax deal with more bad guys and running her Empire. We learn more about the guys pasts and some of the traumas they have been through. The guys are a little stupid while they work through things in this book but overall the relationships develop nicely. A new character is introduced that I was iffy about at first but I'm excited to get to know him more in book 3. After that explosive ending, I'm excited to see where Elizabeth goes with the next book.

No MM, very slight OW drama, cliffhanger but nothing brutal, on-page steam, & twists and turns. Great addition to the Hidden Empire world.

[rosa · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 30 per cent.
Three Tricks is book two in the Hidden Empire series, and I’m pretty sure I only started it because I didn’t have the energy to pick another book, but this was just bad.

Everything was so cheesy and cliche… I couldn’t take it.

[Sabrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Get it here:
Amazon US * Amazon UK

[Cat H · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.6 stars.
Fuck. Things are really heating up.
Plot wise And relationships wise.
I’m so here for it.
I can’t wait to see what kind of chaos happens next.
So good!

[Cat the bookworm (semi hiatus ish) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dnf at around 40%. The things that annoyed me in the previous book got even worse here, and while I still think it’s well written, Dax is too much of an OTT Harley Quinn character for me to come to like her. No one is smarter, tougher, snappier and stabbier than her. And ofc, every guy instantly knows she’s the only one for him, now and forever, no matter what she does.

It’s… just too much. I even put it to the side for a few days and started it again, because I really wanted to like it, but it didn’t work out for me. Not sure if it’s just me or the book itself, so it still gets 2 stars instead of one.

[Bex (Beckie Bookworm) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I definitely preferred the previous book more and this one isn't quite working for me there is nothing really wrong with this it's just not a good overall fit for a few reasons that I'll attempt to elaborate on further. So first it's very fast burn and for me that seems to be at the detriment of the developing connections, there's no build-up here everything feels instantaneous I prefer a more slow burn gradual bond for me it just feels more authentic. 

There are too many men in this harem and one more was added here. I prefer a smaller harem again for reasons of connecting to the characters to many men I always feel that there isn't enough time to individualise them enough for them to fully stand apart

It's extremely over the top and feels very soap opera case In point the Cam inclusion I know this is fiction but i still like to feel some realism in my fiction and some of the plot twists and actions in this series just don't feel that possible or even probable and yes I get its fiction but the elaborate scenarios just felt highly improbable and somewhat ridiculous.

The relationships are extremely cheesy cliche and OTT the men despite claiming to be big bad criminals come across as Beta males all vying for the attention of their alpha which is Dax in this scenario. The flowery sentiments and heartfelt declarations just made these men seem whipped none of them want to upset their queen at the risk of being rejected hence she holds all of the power and she's well aware of this. I also found Dax extremely irritating here much worse than in book one.

Unfortunately, it's the end of the road for me guys if you like a fast-paced fast-burn reverse harem with a sense of family this may be a fit as I mentioned earlier the writing here is fine this one is just not for me.



Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com

[Cee · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @ 76%

The suspension of disbelief was needed sooooo much in this one. SUCH a bummer since I loved the first book. But also the whole slapping her to get her to stop hysterics just did not work for me.

[JL Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dax, Wes, Eagle, Picasso, Cognac, Void, and Sprocket are back! Yes, if you're looking for a reverse harem with a sassy BA boss lady her tech-savvy bestie/lover, Wes, and her five BA bikers then this is a book for you.
I love Dax she is so strong, even when she's fighting for her life. Now, she also has six sexy men who love her and want to help her fight and take down her enemies. Well, maybe seven men. Cameron (Cam), Dax's ex from college, who she hasn't seen in eight years comes crashing back into her life in a big way. To win the coming war she's going to need all of here guys.

[Princess J. Antoinette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well DAYUM!!!!

OMG! I have no words for this book! E. Knight, you are one hellvua writer and storyteller! Girl! Just damn where's book 3?
For all that come across this review and contemplating on reading this book, all I can say is read the damn book you won't be disappointed!

Overall Rating:
5* ~ A Damn Good Read

[Zen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great follow up

This book kept me enthralled just as the first one did. There is a lot happening as things come to light. Identities are being revealed as well as the long con of some of the players. Can't wait to see what comes next.

[Thickgirlthickbookss ▪︎Manda▪︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️Review 1 works for book 2 ❤️
.
▪︎Two tricks- Elizabeth Knight
▪︎Reverse Harem, Motorcycle / Gang
▪︎I might start to feel like a broken record but you already noticed my love of strong, fiesty, badbutt female leads and Dax is that and more. Add some handsome as sin bikers and one loyal handsome bestfriend and we are cooking. This is multiple POV, fast paced, fast burn with a great plot!! I love when I can't see things coming, when I'm surprised and left thinking what the hell comes next?? We really get a strong backstory, looks at each character and their personality and we get to fall hard and fast for each member of the harem. I also appreciated how Dax wouldn't take any disrespect towards women and her quick temper made me relate to her on a whole new level 🤣 Every time I finished one book, I started the next. I finished the first 3 books in 24 hours and i don't regret it. I'm obsessed with this series and the characters 😍 and I cant wait to keep going. This is a new author for me and I'm so excited to check out what else she has published. If it's anything like this series then she definitely has a new stalker 🤣✌️

[Daisy Sauceda · Rating 5 out of 5]

YES!! I have been eagerly waiting on this book and I finally got it. So you love tough Alpha chicks who can kick butt. Yes Dax aka Two Tricks is back. So we pick up where we leave off from book one. However, this book is even more interesting! So is everyone ready for Dax's secret. What will be the fallout. Lord are her men possessive af. I love the banter between her and the guys, I was either cracking up or making faces. So that is what my hubby was telling me. Anyways, lets not forget about the action that occurs in this book. Oh did this sate my fighting spirit. Now this is no slow burn for sure. Oh geez did the temperature rise around me when things started to heat up. We are also trying to figure out why Dax is being targeted. Then bam here comes a plot twist, and dang I did not see that coming. Like really, a guy from her past wants in on her harem just to be with her. Literally at this point I was floored. Then when I got to the end I was mad. Only cause I was not ready for the story to end. Now we gotta wait for the next book.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been dying to read this book since I finished the first one and boy did it not disappoint!

At the end of the last book we found out what we had all been thinking that Dax was in fact Two Tricks and after taking the alliance with the Phantom MC she is now a target of a cartel and a rival MC who want her empire. One after another Dax gets hit with some pretty tricky situations along with still trying to keep up her day job and figure out 5 new relationships. Now she seems to have caught the attention of the FBI. How is she going to get herself and her empire out of this war?

[Rebecca Norvitz Norvitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely My Newest Obsession

Yep, it’s official. I just started this series yesterday and I’m already done with book 2 and trying to write this review as fast as possible so I can start book 3. It’s already downloaded on my kindle. I wouldn’t say this book is dark per se, but my dark is really really dark. It is a why choose romance, yet I can’t figure out how many guys will be in the relationship. As of right now its 7 with no mm involved and one bad mama jama FMC

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read This Book!!

Elizabeth Knight is a fricking genius!! Honestly this story is amazing. I love the whole idea of this book and omg Dax is such a badass and gets to surround herself by some hunky men. If you love your books with action and plenty of reveals you won't see coming then pick this up

[Tashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh yes

Omg I love this series !! But I hate this cliff hanger arghhhh why I need more now !! 😫

[Ria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not me being super excited for Cam to join AHHHHH

[Kaylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bit cringe with the "queen" and "knight" talk but the smut made up for it. Off to the next book 🏃‍♀️

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

.

This second book in the Hidden Empire series was full of unexpected action and surprises. Eager doesn’t even begin to cover my excitement to dive into the next book.

[Lemon 🍋 · Rating 4 out of 5]

how tf are we going to add more to our 6+ harem?! it’s too much dick with too many POVs. it’s starting to get jumbled.

[tanvi ✧ · Rating 3 out of 5]

two and a half stars, rounded to three.

i really wish there was a way to give half stars on goodreads, because it would save my ass from so much indesicion and confusion when sitting down and writing a review.

this book was asinine in a good way, but it could've been better. dax was crazy, reckless, badass, and just a little more emotionally vulnerable, but i wish there was more to the plot than just "my little demon looks so hot when she's handling a gun" or "we really underestimated her" every three seconds. Knight does a somewhat good job establishing that dax is badass, but too much of anything does more harm than good. i couldn't really connect to the book as well as i would've liked and wished there was a little more substance and character development, despite knight's good attempts, and this knocked off a star for me.

it also leads me to my next little issue with this novel. i'll admit, i didn't do a reread of the first book and it's been months since i last read it, so part of this could be my fault, but it felt like there was a lot of "tell" instead of "show" when it comes to character personality in general. in some situations, like tilly, i can barely differeniate her from harper. dax seems to be attracted to the same kind of female friends (shown with the nurse - i think her name is dani) and i wish and hope that Knight expands all of the characters to make them more multi-faceted in all aspects, secondary or main.

i do love me some westy-boy though.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dax is back in Three Tricks the second book in the Hidden Empire series and it was fucking amazing, Elizabeth Knight is genius. I was entertained from beginning to end. This book had me cracking up (literally cackling), then it had its emotional moments, a few shocking surprises, backstories on a couple of the guys, some really hot scenes, a plot twist in the freaking plot twist that totally blew my mind, and of course Dax being Dax. Seriously you have to read this book.

The story pretty much picks up where things left off in Two Tricks, Dax is has a lot of explaining to do to her best friend Harper, the guys have decided that Dax is theirs, and apparently, Dax has finally pissed off enough people because it looks like a rival MC and a cartel is making it their mission to end Dax, talk about drama. Ok, so I forgot how crazy Dax is combining that with her intelligence and Dax is sort of an evil mastermind (without too much evil, she lands in the grey area for sure) with a knack for violence and yet I love her. Dax goes through some things in this book but her organization has hit a rough patch because some things are not what they seem and the outside forces are coming at her for unknown reasons, things with Harper aren't that great and the guys were going good until they weren't. Dax takes things as they come, formulate plans but she isn't infallible and things do go wrong. However, that doesn't mean she doesn't have a couple tricks up her sleeves and is crazy enough to pull off most of her plans with the Phantom Knights by her side.

I said it before and I'll say it again, why do I fall for the crazies? Dax has found herself the center of attention of some pretty hot guys (that includes Wes) who are devoted to her even if they did screw-up in this one and had to fix things. Void, Eagle, Sprocket, Cognac, and Picasso are all more or less pretty much just as crazy as Dax and have some pretty traumatic backstories of their own. Cognac's, Eagle's, and Picasso's past is revealed in this book, and in that way, they understand Dax more than anyone could. Eventually, the guys wear down Dax's walls and things are looking pretty good, even with Wes things are good. Dax has finally let Wes all the way in and he and the guys seem to get along fine for the most part and becoming like a family.

This book is filled with excellent side characters. Harper responded pretty much how I would expect and she is not okay with Dax's life as a criminal but she hasn't turned her back on her. Harper's life is still in danger, enter three brothers that are a part of Dax's world and have certain feelings for the blond best friend. Looks like Harper is getting her own story soon. Then there is Tilly, the wife to a couple of members in the Phantom Saints and she's starting to become another close friend to Dax who needs all the female friends she can get. Tilly is someone who understands the life, can take care of herself, and most of all gets Dax's weird personality quirks, I love her. Speaking of female friends, Dani is new to the picture, she's a nurse and her strong personality reminds me a lot of Dax and they seem to get along just fine. Finally, I have to mention Cameron Black... there are no words. I can't even say anything, just read it.

Three Tricks was just freaking epic. Elizabeth is the real mastermind because there are all these MCs, criminal organizations, cartels, criminal partners, and it's an intricate web of who knows who and who does what for who in what territory. Plus there's the fact that you don't know who is after who, or how things are connected, the real reason behind some things, past grievances, Elizabeth makes me work to keep the story straight and to put the pieces together. The story keeps me compelled while the characters keep me invested, and I'm so invested. How am I supposed to stand the wait for the next book? What's gonna happen in the next book? One thing is for sure, Dax is the queen of the Hidden Empire and things are gonna be even crazier if that's at all possible. Four Tricks is the next book in the Hidden Empire series and I can't wait to see what the queen does next.

[Books A-Brewin' · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Dax realizes that working with the Phantom Saints is the only choice she can make for the betterment of the Hidden Empire and their own MC, she is far from happy about it. She still doesn't fully trust the men who are leading the MC even though her body and heart crave them more than she's comfortable admitting. Someone out there is gunning for her and they are willing to do whatever it takes to protect her from certain demise. But she can't cower behind their MC's power. She is the enforcer of the Hidden Empire and Two Trick's eyes and ears. The only thing she can do is try to find out who is after her, why, and stop them in their tracks. With the help of her deliciously handsome and equally deadly men, she hopes she can save all of them before it is too late.

The second installment in the Hidden Empire series was a little lackluster compared to the first. When I put down the first book I was anxious to read the next and find out what happened to Dax and her men. After the second I am wondering if I will continue the series or if I will move on to something else. Don't get me wrong. The story is full of intrigue and action but the romance is starting to feel less of an aggressive woman keeping her men in check and more like a woman who is willing to abuse her men whenever she decides they deserve it. There was one scene which doesn't spoil the overall story that made me feel off about their dynamics. Picasso and Eagle were on Dax's shit list and in a stupid act to see if she still cared about them they staged a break in and lay on the floor like they had been attacked. She saw right threw it and instead of yelling at them for acting fools during a time of tension she threw chili oil in their eyes which could have potentially blinded them. When she learned that she could have blinded them she only shrugged it off. She is always punching and kicking and hurting them so that they are aware she calls the shots. They are all waxing on poetically about how much they care about her and the extent they would go to for her and she's just like, "uh, cool, cool, cool, can you get me a coffee?" I have grown to not really care for Dax.

While the first book was a high 3 star book (almost a 4) this one was borderline a 2 star book simply because the twists and turns of the mystery were starting to become more complicated than it really should be and the main female protagonist has become vastly unlikeable for me. I might finish out Dax's trilogy just to fulfill my completionist personality trait but I am still on the fence. Which is where this book overall stands with me.

The one saving grace for me, was starting to see a bit of the backstories for the men of the Phantom Saints. Learning where they came from and why they joined the MC made them a lot more well rounded and personified them so they felt more real. Cognac's story was absolutely terrible and my heart broke for him. I do so hope that before the wrap up of the series that he finds some sort of revenge for the loss of his family at the hands of the men who are part of the overall conspiracy against Dax.

If this book wasn't imperative to the overall series, I would say skip it. But, muscle through it and lets hope together the next one is a bit better.

[OneDayI'll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do not anger the pixie

Dax the dynamo not only survived her kidnapping by the Phantom Saints, she took hostages of her own: the hearts of the 5 leaders. Not her usual bloody, pain filled, through the ribs way, either. Her temper, coffee addiction, and independence won them over. Now it's all panic mode. They realize how much she matters, and how dangerous her life is, same from her end. Caring for someone paints a target on their back and leaves you with a weak point. And she's got 6. Mad Dogs are circling, De Léon is sending hits, and a cartel with ties, their name just popped up as part of this war. And just when she thought 3 gunshots and a graze were bad, a face from the past pops up.

Spoilers ahead.
Ok, lots of warnings for readers. There's mention of human trafficking, drug cartels, previous blood play and teeth marking, breath play, a name gets added to a body via blade, threats of dismemberment, a lot happens. Dax isn't a shrinking violet and pain works for her. What she participates in is consensual, no dub-con/non-con. Now, her temper and what it does to the guys, that's a different story. They know better than to play tricks to "prove emotions" and while I think it was harsh, she's prone to stabbing and shooting so it could have been worse. I thought the argument over (not saying name) was a little forced, unnecessary angst. She could have walked away, taken a break, panicked, could have had an argument over business styles, any number of valid reasons. A temper is one thing, but an underworld queen popping off is going to labeled dangerous because they'll draw too much attention. Beyond that 1 complaint I love these stories. Dax is such a perfectly stabby mess. The brothers are all distinct individuals and their relationships are progressing at different paces. Which fits. Wes is fitting right in, although he makes an all too convenient shield to hide behind. I like that he reaches out to the others, for her, instead of using it to his advantage. Ok, so maybe the warehouse thing was a little foolhardy, too. If she was going to come out, she needed some guards. Ok, so 2 complaints lol. But still a great read and with all that happened in the last couple chapters...talk about going out with a bang. So many revelations, new characters (3 of which I hope to see at the very least in a novella), a new dynamic, new bad guys from the past, and a crap ton of things thrown at us right before the cliffy. Oof. I can't wait to see Dax and her crew unleashed in book 3.

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Possible Spoilers Ahead*

I didn't like this one as much as the first. Mostly because the dialogue in some places seemed cringy or unrealistic. I hate reading a line and being pulled out of the moment thinking, "no one talks like that."

I still am a fan of our main girl Dax. Though she was definitely more of an idiot in this book. I couldn't quite figure out why she was making the decisions she was. She so concerned about protecting Harper but then takes her out in public and flaunts around while causing a major scene. She is super lucky the assassin's showed up when they did because she would have been fucked trying to get herself out of that situation.

Then after remaining in public and getting shot at again, she get's into a huge fight with Eagle. I didn't' understand her rage here. She's suppose to be in her 30's but reads like a 19 year old. Eagle is comforting his friend after she almost got shot and Dax freaks out about it. Then is all butt hurt because they "didn't choose her". Whomp whomp. Stop being such a needy baby. You've literally known these men for 2 weeks. You haven't even become "official" yet. Calm down.

Then Dax holds this big meeting to announce she's Two Tricks. She knows people might be pissed and she knows someone is trying desperately hard to kill her and yet she doesn't wear fucking body armor?? Honestly she deserved to be shot.

Then the worst and most unforgivable thing, the author ADDED ANOTHER FUCKING MAN. UGH. I was overwhelmed with the six she had. It all ready feels a little forced. I mean they've known each other 5 seconds and are not just lusty for each other but in love... Ehhh.

Thus Wes is my favorite. I love his relationship with Dax. He just gets her and never tries to stifle her like some of the other men do.

Second best is Void and Sprocket. Though they don't get nearly enough screen time. Also for a reverse harem there has been surprisingly little spice. I mean for a good chunk Dax was angry at the MC guys and then she was shot. But still, shocking.

We'll see how new guy FBI agent Cameron falls into everything. He's so annoyingly obsessed with Dax. It's a huge turn off. I hate a guy who too big of a simp. Like come on. Also this book ended with the house blowing up but didn't mention if anyone was inside. I also got confused because I thought Dax was sitting on the porch

[Carol Rupprecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three Tricks has got to be one of the books that I've been looking forward to the most this year. Two Tricks literally blew me away so I knew the next book was going to be even better. Dax and her guys are back and I couldn't be happier! There was so much that happened in this book. Mistakes were made, feelings were hurt, new rivals were revealed, connections from the past (both romantic and traumatic ones) make themselves known, and Dax is still stabbier than ever! What more could you want?!

I will say that the mistakes in this book probably could have been avoided. Communication could easily have fixed one while the other was just Dax getting too cocky and not thinking things through as carefully as she had been in previous years. However, instances like these are so pivotal in books. The actions that happened may have not been the greatest, but the results were what needed to happen. Mistakes are learned from and the characters know better for the future. The character growth that these events provided was amazing! Walls were broken down and there were so many emotional connections being established when they allowed themselves to show their vulnerability. It may have been something terrible to go through, but this group is better off because of them. 

I think one of my most surprising events in this book was the new male character that Knight introduced. I wasn't quite sure about him at first, but he slowly grew on me and I think I can learn to love him just as much as the other characters. His dedication to Dax over the years and the well thought out planning was unexpected. I have really high hopes for his character. Plus, his kinks seem like they'd be fun, so there's that. I look forward to seeing him much more in the next book. I feel like his involvement will be a game changer in their fight against the people who are trying to take Two Tricks down. 

The third book in this series can't come fast enough. I want to see Two Tricks some out on top and show everyone why she isn't someone to mess with!

[Kaylee Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I enjoyed this installment of Dax's story despite some common minor issues I have with the story overall.

First of all, I really like RH and read almost exclusively RH stories, but that being said if it's a contemporary romance (vs paranormal/sci-fi) I have a tough time with the believability of a harem with more than 3-4 guys. With the late addition of Cam we are now looking at a 7 man harem for our girl But as with the previous book, I had to suspend my disbelief extra hard with Dax's story in order to enjoy it properly.

Secondly, there were some weird typos going on. Each chapter has the character's POV name at the top and one of Wes's chapters had his name spelled wrong. Like that's a big one and I'm surprised none of the ARC or Beta readers caught it. Another chapter had the wrong character's name at the header (it was one of the guys when that chapter was actually Dax's POV). Random stuff like that. I feel like misspelling character names is a big oopsie.

Lastly, I didn't like Dax as much this book. Her badass/snarky attitude started to border on her just being kind of a bitch which I don't feel like is the intention. She did a LOT of glaring at the men over everything and couldn't ever let them joke with her without her snarking rudely back at them. But, that being said, she forgave Eagle WAAAY too easily IMO.

I'm invested enough to continue to the next book, and hopefully it gets back to the tone of book 1. We'll see, though.

[Linda Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I think this is the best meal I’ve had in weeks. I’m not really that complicated, you know.” Weston let out a bark of laughter at that. “What?!” “Shortcake, I love the shit out of you, but that is so far from the truth. You are like a Chinese puzzle box that has a ticking time bomb strapped to it that will explode if it’s done wrong.”

Three Tricks picks up where Two Tricks left us. It is action packed, with life and death situations as more players come out of the woods. Dax has a target on her back and several adversaries are revealed. An intricately woven tale about criminals with lots of allies and enemies around the globe. Deciphering between those who can be trusted and those who cannot isn’t an easy task. Dax demands respect, pushes buttons to get a reaction, is simple but complex as she tries to protect her heart.

Dax did everything she could to keep Harper close but protect her from the truth of who she was. Now the cat was out of the bag and Dax had some decisions to make to keep Harper safe. However, she wants to spend some time with her before tucking her safely away. She should know nothing in her life is ever simple and easy, enemies were always waiting to strike. When push comes to shove, Dax turns her back on the men she thought cared. She’d rather chew off her arm than admit her true feelings. Someone from her past comes crashing back into her life, but why?