Penna and Cruz are 2 of my absolute favorites!   Theirs is a taboo relationship but it doesn't really feel like that because while she's in college, they're both in their 20's.  The author did an amazing job of writing this, frequently reminding you of the teacher/student connection but never cheesy or tacky.  

I love the gradual progression of the relationship.  They start out hot, move to friends while still simmering in the background, then on to scorching. They are definitely not lacking in chemistry!  Their relationship builds slowly and the anticipation just increases the feels of the story.  And oh boy, the feels!!

"He put my hand over his pounding heart. “This does not speak logic. This stopped working the minute you pulled the turn, and it didn’t begin beating again until I saw you standing safely...This will not listen to reason, because it’s too busy being terrified by how much of it you already own."

It's also got a great sub plot to it.  You could read this as a standalone but there were several times where I wish I would've re-read the previous books again before starting Rebel.   Nothing major, just references to some things that happened in the other books and I wish I could remember all of the details.  It doesn't take away from the story so I'd say it's more personal preference.

Overall this is another amazing story for my favorites list.  All the feels, great characters, great plot, amazing writing!  I definitely recommend it!

I loved Pax. I loved Wilder. But holy CRAP...I. LOVED. PENNA. Like, so incredibly much. She is everything I want my young daughter to be. She's strong, independent, smart, adventurous, rebellious, and kind. 

Cruz and Penna are PERFECTION. <3 Rebecca could not have written a better plot line for these two. I absolutely LOVED IT! I honestly cannot say enough good things about them. Cruz is so swoonworthy. He was so respectful and kind, but also brave and daring - every single thing that Penelope NEEDED. 

This book with the most perfect way to end the series. And that epilogue...GAH! I cried. My heart filled with love for the Renegade family. I'm so sad to see them go, but I'm so happy that I met them. 

Bravo, Rebecca. You are a writing Goddess!

I loved this story.

I don't want to rehash the plot because you might want to experience it yourself. This book had all of what I look for in a romance -- main characters that are sooo very good together, great action, good friends, with romance that has a touch of fairy tale. Yep, I may gush a bit. This book made me remember why I love reading romance. It hit all the right notes for me.

I loved Penelope. She's an awesome female lead. She's tough, strong and feminine. And she's struggling with much on her mind and heart after the accident in Dubai. When she meets Cruz, they just click right away. The book started out with a renegade version of Cindarella and just kept on getting better for me.

Cruz and Penelope are so good together, there was no way they were going to be able to stay away from each other on the ship. Their chemistry is off the charts. I liked how their relationship developed while they were trying to stay away from each other. When all that tension got released, there was some major steam between these two. Although there were a few times they were a little too gooey, it made for a great fairy tale love story.

The stunts were awesome and Penelope's journey back to her bike was a great story line. I think I really liked this part of the book as much as the romance. What makes the thrill seeker tick and how injuries mess up an athlete were very interesting parts of Penelope's recovery.

Another satisfying part of this book was how the originals interacted with each other and Rachel plays a significant role in the story. I thought Rebel wrapped up the series perfectly. (although I could go for a Brandon Wilder story... he's seriously in need of some romance!)

I really enjoyed this book.  Just writing the review makes me want to go back and re-read again. This is definitely on my Favorites of 2017 list.

An ARC was provided for review.

5+ ALL THE CROWNS I COULD EVER GIVE

It has been over a year since a novel has gripped me, and not just a novel but a series. The Renegades and particularly Rebel has enraptured me, heart and soul. I never want to leave these characters and this world Rebecca Yarros has created, and Rebel is just the shining star of an already beloved series.

What has made me love this series is the Renegades. This cast of characters are a real family, and the author writes about them in a way that you feel the love they have for each other. They will sacrifice and bleed for each other, provide endless, no strings attached support for one another, and give complete acceptance for what they desire and want. They are wild, crazy, and reckless, but at their core Pax, Nova, Rebel, and Nitro are passionate and live every moment to the fullest while they can, knowing they have each other's backs if they stumble and fall. Even as the Renegades grew with Rachel, Leah, and Cruz over the course of the series, their zeal for life never falters, pulling these new characters into the fold, and this group just became something special, something that is so hard to put into words. This family, not by blood but choice, is stronger than any I can remember reading about, and it is one that most would long to have as well.

Rebel is one of my absolute favorite heroines ever!! EVER! She is everything I would want in a role model for my own daughters. Rebel is fierce and a bada** athlete, dominating a male-centric sport. She works hard for her role on this world and never backs down from a challenge. She is passionate and goes after what she wants with abandon. Penelope is intelligent, loyal, and kind. She has a huge heart that wants to heal and forgive, and she works tirelessly to get back the parts of herself that she has lost. Rebel and Penelope make up who Penna is. These two different names represent the strength and vulnerability readers find in her character, and I found that I admired every single courageous part of her. There is not one aspect of her that I disliked, and there must be more Rebels not only in books but the world. 

Cruz couldn't have been any more perfect for Penelope. He is this strong alpha who understands what she needs. He gives her freedom yet speaks his mind when it comes to her safety, perfectly balancing what they both need. He is smart and loyal, and his dedication to Penelope and his family is beyond what readers would want in a hero. He is a man who would do anything for those he loves and does. They come first for him, and with each sacrifice he makes and with each word he utters to Penelope, I fell more and more in love with this man. I'm not sure if it is his accent or what but the chemistry in the sheets between this two is off the charts, and not because it is overtly sexual. It is the way he cherishes her body and soul and the way he protects her that makes even the simplest interaction between them so much more sensual. His honor and his heart make it absolutely impossible not to love this man. 

This story is PERFECTION!! From cover to cover, I was enthralled by Rebel's comeback. She has been broken by those she loved and trusted, and she has been lost since it happened. This book though is about her journey back, her path to becoming a Renegade again, and every single moment is fantastic because it becomes about more than being Rebel. It is about facing her demons, fusing together Penelope and Rebel, and seeking out what makes her a Renegade. Seeing her come back together with the Renegades and Cruz and confronting her past is exhilarating, and I was so proud of her as a reader for every single hurdle she overcome. Watching her open her heart and embrace love is so worthwhile, and readers want for it all to work out. Of course, there is the huge hurdle of their forbidden relationship and the expected conflict, but even though I knew it was coming, I was still gutted. Cruz's actions and Penelope's reaction broke my heart, just ripped me to shreds, but Rebecca Yarros gives them an ending they absolutely deserve. Not only do they get the ending they deserve, but all the Renegades get a life they have earned with that epilogue. I seriously couldn't have been happier as a fan of this series for how she chose to end this epic adventure.

What is so enticing about these books is the energy that emanates from this group. These books make you want to embrace life, take on challenges, and go on adventures. They make you want a family like this group, people who will love with full hearts and endless support. These couples make you want a love that consumes and that fights against the odds to stay together. It makes you want everything that life has to offer and to grip it with both hands. These characters and every single journey absolutely inspired me.

As I end this review, I have two emotions warring inside of me. I am so sad it is over. I don't want it to end. I want more Renegades, more love, more family, just more forever. I am also so elated with every aspect of Rebel and the series. Rebecca Yarros should absolutely be standing on the author podium with medals around her neck for this amazing story and series. It couldn't have asked for more as she delivered epicness, and I am forever a fan of this writer because of the Renegades.

My gods, this book. After years of reading everything Rebecca Yarros writes, I've become fairly well accustomed to her wrecking me (in the best possible way) with every new release, but I couldn't have predicted ALL THE FEELS she delivered with Rebel. It was absolutely perfect, one of my favorite books of the year so far. I wouldn't change a single thing about it.

Rebecca is one of those authors whose releases I don't even read the blurb for before deciding I want to read the book. Because of that, I had absolutely no idea the setup for this story. I knew it was Penna's book and that alone was enough to give me total grabby hands over it. Once I started reading and realized it was a forbidden romance with a hot teacher, I couldn't read it fast enough. It truly was a one-sitting read for me, as I devoured it in a matter of mere hours. 

Penna has always intrigued me. She's such a strong character, such a badass woman, but I always suspected there was more lurking underneath the surface. I wasn't wrong. I loved getting a chance to see a more vulnerable, less self-assured side of her during this book. She is amazing, point blank. And Cruz? Oh. My. God. I was all in on him from their first meeting and NOT just because he was hot AF. Something about him made me want to learn EVERYTHING about him. What a guy. Seriously. He's high up on my all-time book boyfriend list. 

I won't get into the nitty gritty about this story because you should experience it as I did — unspoiled. Rebel will take you places and give you plenty of feels along the way. Penna and Cruz's chemistry was so intense, so irresistible that I knew it was just a matter of time before they gave in and I WAS HERE FOR IT. Of course, I also appreciated the chance to get more from the characters I loved from books earlier in the series — and a bit of a cameo from beloved characters from ANOTHER series we're all acquainted with. I laughed, smiled, blushed and, yes, cried, during this one. Feels — of all varieties — for freaking days. 

Rebel is a gorgeous book. I love Rebecca's writing and the way she spins a story. I fall hard for her characters every single time and I'm with them for every experience, every feel. This book was no exception. Based on the epilogue — which was AMAZING — I think this is the last book in The Renegades series. I'd always kinda hoped to get more from Nitro, to be honest, but I can't be angry this series has come to an end. I loved it from the time I picked up the first book. I can't deny it went out on a strong note with Rebel. And that epilogue. *all the heart eyes*

FAVORITE QUOTES

Maybe I was damaged, a little broken, but I was still me.

Kissing Cruz made me feel borderline insane—every ounce of logic fled as he kissed my collarbone, and I became a creature of pure physical need.

"Your friends? All boys. Their little follower-Renegades? Boys. Jumping out of airplanes and flipping motorcycles doesn't make you a man. Serving something larger than yourself, sacrificing for someone you love, understanding the nature of true suffering and working to alleviate it in someone other than yourself—that's manhood."

"I'm not blind. You look at that girl like she is the first drop of sunshine you've seen after a lifetime of darkness."

Kissing Cruz brought me back to myself. No expectations. No stunts. No cameras. Just the one man who accepted me simply as I was.

"It's impossible. Impossible to be with you. Impossible to not want you. Impossible to stay the fuck away."

"You and me. It's not going to be easy."
"Nothing worth it ever is."

I tried to avoid this one but it just drew me in anyways. I had so many on my plate but Rebel or Penna has that charisma that wraps you up tied to the emotions she spews while Cruz too can not resist it would seem. Anticipation is more than big in this in all directions with the heat slowly rolling but it will build. Secrets also will have to be told then there is those that will have to unfold all the while with the action of the Renegades upfront too. Once you handle this one there is no letting go to it till you throttle it to the end.

Rebel is the final and best (in my opinion) book in this series. I've been waiting to know more about Penelope and what's going on in her head since the first book and I finally got it. I finally got to see her for what she was and not just the hard and tough exterior that she portrayed in the first two novels; she's truly a force to be reckoned with...in the best way. 

Penelope is such a great combination of traits--she's vulnerable and stubborn and adventurous and so very strong-- and the person she eventually would wind up with would need to be able to read her well and know when to give and when to take. Enter Cruz, one of the sexiest, mature characters in the series. I absolutely loved how their relationship developed. Their chemistry was sizzling and I enjoyed the way Yarros wrote their love story; it was intense and sweet and hot. I also liked the whole subplot of Cruz and his secret. 

This series has been a fun one from the start; it's so unique--a bunch of X-Game thrill seekers + a cruise ship + their adventures in love and life, what's not to enjoy? This final book was really a great blend of Penelope's story and a wrapping up of all of the stories that came before and it feels like a completed series. If you like adventurous thrill seekers meeting their match in love, you're going to love this series.

I didn't think there was any way that I would love a book more than Nova (book two of the Renegades series) but then I started Rebel and realized that this book was going to be EVERYTHING!! This book can definitely be read as a standalone but this series is so amazing that I think everyone should read all of the books of this series.

From the very first page, I knew this book was going to be a high-adreline, keep me on my toes, never put it down story. The chemistry between Penna and Cruz was intense and captivating. I was rooting for them from the second they met. But even more than I was rooting for them as a couple, I was rooting for them as individuals. For Penna to be able to find herself again after her sister's actions and for Cruz to be able to fulfill all of his dreams for his family. There is no two characters who are more perfect for each other than Penna and Cruz: they're supportive but independent, take risks, and have heat that blows up the page. 

I devoured this book in one sitting. I couldn't put it down but I never wanted it to end. I'm sad to see the end of the Renegades series but I can't think of an ending more perfect than Rebel.

Reviewed on behalf of The Book Boyfriend Addict (www.bookboyfriendaddict.com). A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 Stars

'Me, Penelope Carstairs, Rebel, the girl who never let a man own her, dictate to her, or even claim her, wanted to belong to Cruz. But what was I willing to risk for it?'

Yes! This is how you finish off a series! I’ll admit, I enjoyed Wilder and Nova, but I was a little lukewarm on them. I liked the characters, but as a whole there was something that didn’t totally click for me. I’ve been interested in learning more about Penna since we first met her, though. And considering what happened to her in the first book, I was very interested to see where her story went. I can easily say this was my favorite book in the series and just a great book in general! Penna did not disappoint and Cruz Delgado was all sorts of amazing and the two together were such a wonderful couple. Their chemistry was scorching and they were just the right combination of fire and sweetness. Add in the forbidden romance aspect, a touch of danger and even more exciting stunts and you have a read that’ll keep you flipping the pages! 

'How the hell was this possible? How was it that I’d found this extraordinary woman again only to have her completely off-limits? '

The night Cruz Delgado met Penelope Carstairs is not one he’d ever forget. Meeting in their hotel bar, illegally BASE jumping and then, after running from the authorities, taking things back to her penthouse suite at their hotel. After their wild night was put to an abrupt end, Cruz never expected he would see this intoxicating, complicated and addicting woman ever again so he is completely shocked when he sees her walk into his classroom aboard the cruise ship where he just began his first teaching job since finishing his doctorate. Penelope, a.k.a. Penna, has worked her butt off to be at the top of her game in a predominately male sport and she’s never met a man who she’d be willing to put her reputation on the line for. That is, until she spent that one incredible evening with Cruz back in Vegas. She’s also shocked and disheartened to find that the only man who has ever made her want more is the one man who is totally off limits. But Penna is not one to back down from a challenge and always goes after what she wants, and what she wants is Cruz. They are well aware of the risk they are taking being together but how long will they be able to maintain their secret and when it all comes crashing down, will saving their relationship be the one stunt that Penna is unable to pull off?

“I know you’re my teacher. I know I’m your student. I know that on an ethical level, this is wrong. But I’ve never felt right on any other level with anyone besides you.” 

I loved how Penna and Cruz first met, it was exciting, dangerous and passionate and really set the stage for the rest of their journey. I also love a good forbidden romance and this one was really good, their situation wasn’t sordid or taboo but it was against the rules and would carry serious consequences if they were found out. But their connection was so strong that they were willing to take the risk so that they could still be together. One thing I loved about their pairing was how honest they were about their feelings, there were no silly games and no misunderstandings. They saw what they wanted and they took it and they weren’t about to apologize for it. 

'This was a high worth chasing. He was a risk worth taking. '

Penna was a tough chick and that really came out during this book, with all that had happened up to the start of this book she was feeling sort of lost but it was great seeing her come back even better than ever over the course of the story. I really feel like Cruz was the best match for her. It’s true what he said, none of the “boys” that she surrounded herself with would ever be man enough for a woman like her. But boy was he man enough! That man had swoon for days and confidence to spare. I liked Paxton and Landon but Cruz was right, they were just boys, especially compared to him. I think that’s why I loved this story so much more than the other two. Cruz Delgado is the perfect book boyfriend and my heart melted time and again over this man and I think you’ll love him too! I think he’s my new favorite of Rebecca Yarros’ heroes and that’s saying a lot when she’s written someone as wonderful as Josh Walker! 

This book also had some really great moments between the entire Renegades crew. I loved that we got to see more of Nick in this one. It was fitting for him to return to the fold in some capacity as we closed out this series. We’re also treated to a really fantastic epilogue, that gave us a glimpse at what the future holds for this group and left me with tears in my eyes! You know the saying, always save the best for last, and I think that’s precisely what Rebecca Yarros did here with Rebel! 

'We’d laugh, we’d fight, we’d push each other to the point of insanity, and we’d pull each other back from the brink. We’d love harder than any other couple in the history of the world. '

REBEL is the third (and final) installment in Rebecca Yarros’ contemporary, new adult THE RENEGADES romance series focusing on a tight knit group of X-Games athletes, known as The Renegades, who are currently filming a year long, reality television program aboard an ocean cruise liner, getting an education from UCLA,  and touring the world (ala Ryan Gosling and ‘Breaker High’). This is twenty two year old  X-Games motorcycle athlete Penelope ‘Penna (Rebel) Carstairs, and twenty seven year old, former US army paratrooper Dr. Cruz Delgado’s story line.  REBEL can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading the series in order for backstory and cohesion as much of the series premise is revealed in book one.

NOTE: If you have not read the first two installments there may be some spoilers in my review.

SOME BACKGROUND: Months earlier, Penna’s sister Brooke Carstairs, in a rage of jealousy and anger, attempted to destroy the X-games group known as The Renegades. Penna’s leg was crushed, and fellow Renegade member Nick, one of the Renegade ‘Originals’, was paralyzed in the ensuing fall out. Most of the members of the Renegades come from well to do families, and have earned their own reputations and financial success on the X-Games circuit.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Cruz and Penna) REBEL focuses on the forbidden relationship between X-treme athlete Penna Carstairs, and professor Dr. Cruz Delgado. While on hiatus following months of down time recovering from a near fatal attempt on her life,  Penna convinced a total stranger to go BASE jumping off the High Roller, the  world’s tallest Ferris wheel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Enter former US army Airborne paratrooper Cruz Delgado, Penna’s partner in crime, and the man with whom Penna would fall in love. What ensues is the ‘almost’ one-night stand between our leading couple, and the building but forbidden romance between Penna and her new Latin American History professor Dr. Cruz Delgado.

Penna doesn’t do relationships but meeting Cruz Delgado sent all semblance of propriety out the window. It didn’t help that her sexy BASE jumping partner was several years older but to discover that her almost one-night stand is now the new Latin American history professor on board the luxury cruise liner placed a line in the sand (or water) not meant to be crossed.  Cruz Delgado knows that to get involved with a student, even a twenty two year old student, would be the death of his career but Cruz needs this job for reasons beyond anyone’s knowledge, and it is these reasons that Cruz is more reticent about getting involved.

The relationship between Cruz and Penna is one of immediate attraction ; a forbidden romance between student and professor  that continues to grow with each look, each encounter, and each secret rendezvous behind closed doors and vacation hideaways. The $ex scenes are intimate, romantic and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including all of the original members  of The Renegades (Leah, Pax, Rachel, Landon and Nick, Little John and Bobby), as well as an assortment of teachers, television crews, support workers and employees. Like the previous two installments REBEL follows several paths that intersect throughout the story.

Unlike the previous installment –NOVA- REBEL reveals some of the background information and history between the members of Renegade including a few details behind the not so accidental attempt on their lives. Because I did not have the opportunity to read the first installment –WILDER-I am still a little confused as to the how and why of the onboard cruise and UCLA connections to the team’s continuing education but thankfully the author chose to reveal some important background information, about the accident,  throughout the story. As a voracious reader it is always appreciated when the author ‘recaps’ the important events leading up to the current timeline and ongoing premise allowing new readers to the series a little more understanding and comprehension.

REBEL is a fast paced, entertaining story about family, friendship, the forbidden and love. The premise is energetic and dramatic; the characters are engaging, impulsive and animated; the romance is intense and passionate. The epilogue fast forwards the series approximately five years where the reader gets a glimpse into the lives and ongoing friendships of the original members of The Renegades.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

THE READING CAFÉ: http://www.thereadingcafe.com/nova-rebel-the-renegades-2-3-by-rebecca-yarros-reviews/


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CHAPTERS/ INDIGO: (Sandy_At_the_Reading_Cafe): posted

BAM: (Sandy Sch) posted

To say I was surprised with this book is an understatement. The pages of this novel were filled with pure passion and adrenaline, and it was impossible not to love it! Penna and Cruz were amazing characters. Both broken in their own way, but when they found each other something fell into place. Their chemistry is undeniable, the way their bodies answer to the other, but theirs isn't one easy path to happines. Their journey is full of rules, secrets and adventures. They will be tested again and again... will their love be strong enough to survive?

I had a fantastic time reading this book, discovering a new author (even though this book is part of a series it can be read as an standalone) and touring around the world with The Renegades. Those guys are always followed by drama, but what a way to live they have. I learnt a couple of things about Latin american countries thanks to the author, and visited my country (Venezuela) with Penna and her friends to practice BASE jumping in the most larger waterfall in the world. It was exciting to see that places through the characters eyes. I'm trully grateful with the author for sharing such special place as the Salto Angel with her readers.

The narrative rythm, the descriptive level and the chemistry between the characters made of this book an amazing experience. I'll be checking out the other books in the series soon. I hope you decide give a try to this story. If you're a romance lover and you fancy extreme sports, then this book is for you.

5 HOLY FREAKING REBEL STARS. 

If base jumping, cliff diving, snowboarding and every kind of insane stunts these Renegades pull off doesn't give you enough thrill, Penna and Cruz will definitely melt your panties with their hotter-than-Mars romance! 

Strap me onto a harness, because I can't wait to dive into the book again! (yes, I'm rereading this soon because, hell, it's Rebecca Yarros.) 

I have been a huge fan of Rebecca Yarros ever since I read her Flight & Glory series. She's my auto-buy author, the one who I massively recommend to all of my romance booknerdigans, the J.K. Rowling of contemporary romance and I literally shrieked when I was approved for an ARC copy of Rebel. 

Knowing her works, I took my time devouring and savoring every moment. Penna and Cruz's story was emotionally gripping, intense and extremely exhilarating, adding to the mix was the thrill of being secretive as Cruz was Penna's teacher. 

"With Penelope I'd been a moth drawn to the flame she was - wild, beautiful, and hypnotically irresistible." 

Penelope "Penna" Carstairs is called Rebel for a reason. She defies the gender stereotype of extreme sports by being a part of the Renegades, a group of highly skilled stuntman with a taste for challenge and courage made out of steel. But an accident had robbed her of herself and she struggled to find the "Rebel" part of her that was missing ever since. 

Until Vegas. 

And until Cruz. 

Cruz is hiding a secret of his own. A secret if discovered will put everything he ever worked for in jeopardy. But Penelope was the one, and she is worth every single risk. 

"At the period in my life when I needed to stay put together more than anything, that woman was doing her best to unravel me one nerve at a time." 

It was such a roller coaster ride right from the start. From reading Penna and Cruz fighting to respect their teacher/student boundaries to eventually caving into their desires, and the whole ordeal of regaining the "Rebel" confidence and the plot twist in the end, it wasn't the kind of read that you rush into. Three words. I'M. IN. LOVE. 

Yarros has a way of enchanting you with her writing. In that few hours of reading, I felt like a true Renegade, and it was so effing awesome! 

Thank you Entangled Publishing for the reviewing opportunity! I couldn't believe it!

Rebel is the book I have been both anticipating and not anticipating. Why? Penna, aka Rebel, is a difficult character. She is tough and bad ass, yet her injury makes her vulnerable. Honestly, I just wasn't sure I would like her when the focus of the story was on her and not the others. Add to that the hero, Cruz, was a total unknown in the series and I was apprehensive. So much so this book sat on my kindle for over 4 weeks. I just couldn't open the damn book.

Penna and Cruz meet in Vegas. Penna hasn't been able to get back into her 'Rebel' persona since the injury, even though she has been cleared. So, without Pax and Landon around, she plans a BASE jumping stunt. Cruz gets wrapped up in her plan and the chemistry between these two is explosive. After the jump they go back to Penna's room but are interrupted by the police. Penna makes sure Cruz isn't in any legal trouble, but then she is whisked away and sent back to the ship without a chance to even learn his last name! But, they meet again. He is her new teacher on the ship. Obviously, they can't pursue anything. Right?

These two sizzle when they are around each other! It literally jumps off the page every time they are near each other. I expected my kindle to actually smoke or something. This is such a slow burn! Cruz has something planned that he NEEDS this job in order to accomplish. Penna could cost him everything. However, neither of them can walk away from the other. Do they dare attempt a secret affair?

Seeing the very vulnerable side of Penna was strange and wonderful! She is dealing with her feelings of guilt and betrayal regarding Brooke, she is dealing with her fear of things she was never afraid of in the past, and now she is dealing with feels towards Cruz she hasn't felt for any other man. Penna, in the previous books, comes off as confident and badass so to see her deeper character was so amazing. I always liked her in the previous books, but I feel in love with her in Rebel.

Cruz is a perfect hero for Penna. He is a man, not a boy, as he repeatedly points out to Penna. The boys she hangs with are immature and not able to handle her. Cruz WANTS to handle her, but he cannot lose this job. At 27, he is very young to have a PhD, but his hard work and determination allowed him to achieve so much. He is determined to save someone, and who this person is to Cruz remains a mystery for quite a while.

The slow burn and build up between Cruz and Penna was delicious! I don't normally enjoy that type of burn, but oh my gosh it was perfect! Add in the need to save Elisa, Rebel's struggle to find herself as a 'Renegade', and you have an amazing book that quite literally took my breath away! Cruz has seriously become my #1 book boyfriend. Rebel gives us so much more than just the story of Rebel, but the story of Penelope as a renegade, a woman, and a sister. Perfection! And the ending....sublime.

I haven't had too many 5 star reads in 2017. Every book I read for the rest of the year will be held to the standard of Rebel...and I fear all will be lacking. Rebel has rocketed to the top of my Favorite Reads list!

The third book in an adrenaline filled story about a group of X game athletes. Their story will pull you in and leave you gasping and absolutely twisted for more. 

Would you risk everything for love? This story tackles friendships, family and death defying opportunities that will wrap around your heart and stay with you long after the last page. 

t’s time for one last adventure on the high seas to chase the adrenaline rush and complete another wild stunt. Do you have what it takes to be a Renegade? These characters have found a special place in my heart, they are wild, fearless and full of passion.

I binged on all three books in The Renegades series and would recommend this to anyone who is looking for the next great adventure!

“Well, this was either the beginning of an epic love story or a horror movie. Either way, I was committed.”

I was given this book as ARC by Netgalley and the Publisher (thank you!)

This was my second book by Rebecca Yarros, first being Full Measures which I have absolutely adored (I do recommend that book to anyone who hasn’t read it before!). I did not read the previous books of this series, but I found that it did not impact the storytelling as the author mentioned tidbits about everyone and what had happened before.

What interested me at first about Rebel was its synopsis. It had all the elements that I love:
	Forbidden romance, especially teacher/student    
	Sports related
	A group of tight-knit friends

So if you seek all of the above, look no further.

Our heroine, Penelope Carstairs, otherwise known as Rebel to the world because of her rebellious streak and demolishing every gender barrier known to sports and Penna to her close friends, is an X-treme sports athlete. She’s one of the four “originals” of a group called Renegade, who are internationally known for pulling stunts no one dares to do.

She was in an accident prior to this book, caused by someone close to her. So during this book, we see how she copes with the aftermath of this accident and betrayal and how she finds her true self again.

Our hero, Cruz Delgado, otherwise known as Dr. Delgado to his colleagues and half of his students – the male half - and Dr. Delicious to the other half – yes, you guessed it, to the female half. He, like everyone else in the world, has some skeletons in his closet. All his life, he had planned to save someone special to him. Every single of his actions were planned, until he met Penelope…

“I wasn’t reckless by nature – far from it. I played life like the chess game it was, more than aware of the consequences of my actions seven moves from now, maybe it was knowing that I was leaving tomorrow for the next few months, or I could have lied and told myself it was for the thrill. It wasn’t. it was for her – this phenom of a woman I’d barely met an hour ago.”

The hero and heroine meet at the bar of a hotel in Las Vegas. Quickly after they meet, Rebel convinces Cruz to illegally BASE jump of a Ferris wheel. Now, before this book I did not know what a BASE jump was. So I had to google some of the stunts pulled by the characters in this book and I found myself watching tons of videos related to x-treme sports on YouTube all night.

Less than 12 hours after the beginning of the story, a BASE jump, a heavy make-out session, and a trip to the police station later, our hero and heroine parted ways without a simple goodbye and not knowing each other’s last name.

As fate will have it, they meet again… In a classroom on a cruise boat, with him being the teacher and her being the student. There begins their adventure… What could happen on a boat with university students, a tight-knit group of friends prone to adrenaline and near-death experiences? Well, I will not giveaway the story, you should simply read it.

However, I have a few complaints. 

First of all, after they have been dating for 4 days, the hero tells his sister that he would risk his life for her. However, when his sister asks him if he is in love with her, he replies that it is too early to think about love. I don’t know about you guys but if I am willing to risk my love for someone, I sure as hell know that I love them.

“I would risk my life for her. Hell, I already have.”

Secondly, I loved the interactions between the four originals and we barely had any. I understand due to the backstory it might have been tough to work it in and maybe if I have read the previous books I would have had more chance to see the four together, but I bet I still would have craved for more in this book.

Finally, like I said I love forbidden romance novels. Unfortunately, I found this one a bit downplayed. Besides from all the needed secrecy and one scene, I did not feel the forbidden part of this romance. It felt like their status as teacher and student were just a background information and not a vital part of this story.


Overall, I give this book solid 4 stars. I had to take away one star because of not feeling the forbidden romance part. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a mild forbidden romance, with a sports background and a group of tight-knit friends.


PS: I absolutely adored the epilogue. I applaud the author for not immediately giving them the picture perfect life but making it resemble true life with all its difficulties and challenges.

The Renegade series was something special, but Rebel by itself is empowering, inspiring, and just plain H-O-T! Her journey (and Cruz’s) is something that will change you and make you think differently. 

“This was a high worth chasing. He was a risk worth taking.”
Rebel is my picture-perfect person of a modern-day feminist. She is tough, speaks out for herself or others, and able to accept help when needed. She is the only woman dominating in a mostly male led sport. She couldn’t be more powerful and inspiring if she tried. Despite her fall from being "Rebel," throughout she changes Cruz too I think.

“Everything about you is a revelation.”
Cruz surpasses any Renegades male ten-fold. He is all MAN. He is also Rebel's (his Penelope) soul keeper and probably the only person she could ever risk her reputation to be with. Despite him being taboo for Rebel, his heart, love, and listening are what make him stand out above all the other males in this series. His passion for culture and his loved ones is unmatched.

This book is the best of the series… and the two previous were still fives for me. This series/book is for the people who seek adventure in a book. This series/book is for the people who think that “love makes us do things we swear we’ll never do.”

A seriously sexy and action packed off-limits romances set mixed with extreme sport

Rebel is a seriously sexy and action packed, extreme sports, off-limits romance between a professor and his student. As with previous books in this series, Rebecca Yarros mixes a new adult theme with some surprising twists and unexpected curveballs that when paired with loveable characters makes this an addictive page turning read. As a huge fan of this series, I loved the epilogue ending that was perfect for both this book and series.

Penna (Penelope and Cruz have a seriously hot chemistry that just sizzles off the page as it steadily develops over the course of the book; the relationship that develops is set a good steady pace that is fitting with both characters and the difficulties both have to face. Both characters are strong and likeable characters that appeal to readers, with the dual perspective adding a good balance to both. The secondary characters are a strong support in developing the two characters further and for fans of the series, fun to catch up with.  

Finally, be reassured you do not have to be a fan of extreme sports to follow along because, while it is a part of the book, there is good and relatively easy to follow descriptions of the sports and actions involved for novices to understand. 

If you enjoy a sexy but action filled extreme sports romance, don’t hesitate to give this well written book and series a read! You won’t regret it!

ADORED THIS BOOK!! 

"The woman had a backbone of steel - I'd known that in the first moment I set eyes on her - but there was also something fragile about her, like all the armor she wore was held together by only a fraying string."

Penelope Carstairs AKA Penna AKA Rebel is one of the Original Renegades - daredevil extreme sports athletes with a clutch of X-Games medals under their belts. A traumatic accident has dented her supreme confidence, and she carries a truckload of guilt around on her shoulders for the way things happened. She's in Vegas looking to reclaim her mojo, away from her Renegade brothers, and in a fit of uncharacteristic faith, she ropes a hot, attractive stranger into helping her. She's never been so affected by any man before in her life. 

"Cruz's blatant desire made me feel powerful, intrigued, and turned on - humming with sweet electricity."

Cruz Delgado is in Vegas on a last hurrah before he starts his new job. Penelope is like no one he's ever met before, and there's something broken about her that calls to him. He's lived his life very carefully in recent years, striving towards a particular goal, and he's within touching distance of his plans. Nothing will derail him from his course. However, the beautiful, tempting enigma that is Penelope has him teetering into dangerous territory - in more ways than one.

"How the hell was this possible? How was it that I'd found this extraordinary woman again only to have her completely off-limits?"

They only knew each other for one night. They only knew each other's first name. They were ripped apart without warning. When they saw each other again, there was no way that they could pursue what they had started. 

"The anticipation. The war that silently rages in my body between what I want it to do and what it knows isn't safe. The way my stomach tightens and my heart starts to race. The moment the decision is still mine."

This was a stunning final book in this series. The first book, Wilder, won me over completely. Nova was well-written but I wasn't enamoured by the female character. However, Rebel, had my heart ABSOLUTELY MELTING!! Cruz and his Penelope were so connected and so damn gorgeous together! They had a soul-deep connection, and I loved the risks they were willing to take to be together. Their mutual desire was inexorable, passionate and tender. Penna is such a tough cookie - independent and stubborn, and more than capable of holding her own amongst the boys. I loved the way Cruz knew how to treat and handle her to bring out her softness. He understood her so well and was fiercely protective of her. He had so much on the line, yet he was willing to jeopardise all his plans to be with her. 

"Impossible to be with you. Impossible to not want you. Impossible to stay the f*ck away."

I found their forbidden love story heart-thumping, thrilling, irresistibly sexy, and just so beautiful and perfect that I didn't want this book to end. Can't say enough good things about it. A must-read for 2017!!

Wow, just wow.
Rebel by Rebecca Yarros is the third book in The Renegades Series. Rebel can easily be read as a standalone. There are only a few cross-overs. The other books in the series are Wilder, book one; and Nova, book two.
This is Penna and Cruz's book.
Penelope- Penna- Rebel- Carstairs is the only female meber of the original Renegades. After the horrible accident in Dubai she slowly puts her life back to gether. And then she meets Cruz. They have this crazy insta-connection and they're reckless, more reckless than Penna alone.
They separate but fate has other plans. He's her new professor at college. They date in secret and are happy together. But Cruz Delgado has his own agenda, a big secret.
This NA book has everything in it, drama, danger, adrenaline rush and much more.
I loved the characters and I loved the writing. I give 5 stars and recommend the the book and the series. Thank you Rebecca Yarros!