Relentless by L. Dane

The second novel in Lauren Dane’s Federation series, Relentless is just as engaging as Undercover.

Since the first settlers came through the portals from Earth, fifteen Families have held the rule of the Federated Universes in their hands. There’s never been a better time than now to throw out the old and usher in a new order. Give voice to the unranked. Abbie Haws has spent her life battling the system. A fighter, she’s always been too busy and driven to pay much attention to finding love. But when she’s granted audience with Roman Lyons, the head of House Lyons, who stands for everything she hates, her instant attraction catches Abbie off-guard…

It’s common knowledge that the Known Universe revolves around Ravena—and that Ravena revolves around Roman Lyons, bred to lead since birth. Roman dreads his meeting with a defiant—if stunning—rabble-rouser. But, sometimes, headstrong personalities in the conference room make for hot-and-heavy, guilty trysts in private….

Now, Abbie will show Roman the parts of her world he wouldn’t otherwise get to see. And he’ll give her a glimpse of the Families’ age old tradition and unleash a sexuality he’d never given rein to before.

Dane brings us back to her Federated Universes and continues the political complications that arose in Undercover.  This time around, we’re not dealing with two wickedly handsome men lusting after the same woman, but the powerhouse of the Verses and a rabble rouser who is out to make a difference.  We finally get a closer look at the differences between the ranked and unranked individuals in Dane’s society and it’s a little grittier than before.  The character development for both Abby and Roman is great and the way Dane introduces them to each others worlds was done in a way I liked.  I enjoyed seeing more of the society of the Verses this time around and what makes the people within tick.

My only complaint with this novel is that it seemed like there was less of a plot than what there was in Undercover and our two characters fell into bed way more easily than they should have.  The chemistry between Ash, Brandt and Sera in Undercover worked with the plot they were involved in, it was complicated and all of them had to work for it; but for Relentless, it seems like getting Roman and Abby in bed was all that matter.  I’m not saying that this made the novel any less enjoyable, because I’m not.  I finished it in a day and I can’t wait to see what Dane gives us in a third installment.  However, I would like to have seen more in relation to the conflict between Abby’s group and the Ranked members of the Governance Council.

Overall, this was another great novel by Lauren Dane.  She is building a fabulous world and it’s one I eagerly escape to.  I would definitely recommend this series to anyone looking for a great romantic science fiction novel to pick up.

Read Order:
Undercover
Relentless

Also Reviewed By:
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About Jackie 3282 Articles
I am a 30-something SAHM with two adorable boys and a supportive husband who is very tolerant of my reading addiction. I love to read and easily go through about a dozen books a month – well I did before I had kids. Now, not so much. After my first son was born, I began to take my hobby of reviewing a little more serious and started Literary Escapism to help with my sanity. I love to discuss the fabulous novels I’ve read and meeting all the wonderful people in the book blogging community has been amazing.