Overall Rating: ★★★★☆
When It Ain't Me, Babe first released I was excited, I had never read a MC club book before. I loved Tillie Cole's other work so I was happy to snatch it up.
It Ain't Me Babe follows the story of Styx and Salome. Styx is the president of the gun running Hades Hangmen MC. The 26 year old president is known as the Hangman Mute, a biker so ruthless and cunning that he is feared by all despite the fact that he does not speak. As a young boy he meets Salome. A beautiful young girl, trapped beyond a fence hidden deep within the woods. After their brief encounter he obsesses over her yet is unable to ever find the location of the fence where they shared an innocent kiss. Fifteen years later, fate brings them together again.
Salome, raised on a commune run by a religious sect called The Order, she endures years of mental and physical torment. It isn't until she experiences such a devastating loss that is she able to find the strength within to flee the confines of commune and The Order. On the other side of the fence she find herself at the compound of the Hangmen MC, injured and near death. It is during her recuperation that realization soon dawns on both Styx and Salome, “Mae”, that their paths have crossed before. Soon they find themselves embarking on an adventure of self-discovery and love that is woven together with danger, deceit and suspense.
On the surface their story may seem transparent, but looking beyond their intense sexual connection, the bond between Styx and Mae is strong. For Styx it provides respite for his feelings of self-doubt and physical ailments. As for Mae their relationship allows her hope for a future in a world outside of the commune, allowing for a lifetime of self-discovery of which she was denied for so long.
Great writing again from Tillie Cole. I'm looking forward to future books in this series.
NOTE: At times this book is very dark and is not an easy read. Mae has been exposed to some very disturbing situations that many readers may have a difficult time reading.