Vandal Unbound by S. Cole is live!

Oh, this is such an incredible read. A dramatic and emotional story about a broken man and a single mother on the run who find each other in the most unlikely of circumstances and create something amazing together. It’s both devastating and heartfelt with sweet moments, funny moments, action, and the most beautifully tender yet passionate romance. I loved everything about this book, and it’s a fave for 2026.

 

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Blurb

From USA Today bestselling author Scarlett Cole, writing as S. Cole, comes an electrifying small-town, opposites-attract, single mom, accidental-family romance.

DAISY
The day I ran, I left behind everything except my daughter.
I knew I couldn’t beat the men who wanted to take Elsie from me. Men with money, power, and enough lawyers to make sure she’d grow up visiting the father she never deserved. So I disappeared instead.
We’ve spent years looking over our shoulders. Never staying anywhere long enough to belong. Never trusting anyone enough to call them home.
Then one wrong phone call changes everything.
Vandal is a wall of tattoos, silence, and scars that tell stories he never will. The kind of man every sensible woman should fear.
Instead, I find myself wondering if the safest place I’ve ever been is in the arms of the most dangerous man I’ve ever met.

VANDAL
The men who took me thought they could break me, and maybe they did.
Physically, I get better every day. But my head is still so messed up, I can’t tell the difference between a memory and a nightmare. The club says I survived. Most days, it doesn’t feel like it.
Then a little girl calls my phone by mistake.
One wrong number puts Daisy and Elsie right in the middle of my wrecked life. Daisy with her gentle touch and guarded eyes. And Elsie clutching her teddy bear, looking at me like I’m someone safe.
I’m not.
I’m an Iron Outlaw. Damaged. Barely holding myself together.
But Daisy’s running from dangerous men. And I start wanting things I stopped believing I deserved; a home, a family, and her.
So, when Daisy’s past finally catches up to her, they’re going to learn exactly how dangerous a broken man can be when you threaten the only people keeping him alive.

 

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Review

5 huge stars!

Oh, this is such an incredible read. A dramatic and emotional story about a broken man and a single mother on the run who find each other in the most unlikely of circumstances and create something amazing together. It’s both devastating and heartfelt with sweet moments, funny moments, action, and the most beautifully tender yet passionate romance. I loved everything about this book, and it’s a fave for 2026.

This is the second book of the Iron Outlaws MC: Florida series. You can read this book as a standalone, but there is obviously a lot of character crossover. And don’t miss the first book in this series, it’s also a 5 star read.

Vandal is an enforcer in the Iron Outlaws, and in the last book of the series he was beaten, tortured and left for dead by the club’s enemy. He has had multiple surgeries and is physically healing, but emotionally, he’s a wreck, and is relying on alcohol and pills to help him cope with all that he’s dealing with.

A man who’s scared is no use to his club, and right now, I’m not a man worth keeping around. I’m too broken, too fucked up, too injured to be of any help at all.

Daisy is a single mother on the run from her ex, who is struggling to make a life for herself and her five-year-old daughter, Elsie. In the most fabulous first meeting, Vandal is dragged out of a stupor by a phone call from a very scared Elsie. She has dialled the wrong number, but asks for help for herself and her mother in dealing with a loud and abusive neighbour. Although he’s wrecked, he’s still a good guy deep down and Vandal drives to help them.

Daisy is overwhelmed but incredibly thankful when Vandal shows up on her doorstep to protect her, and is stunned when little Elsie instantly attaches herself to his side. Though he’s in rough shape, there’s something between them, and as they keep coming into each other’s lives, an undeniable attraction builds. But the timing is all wrong. Vandal is not who he used to be, and he knows that Daisy and Elsie deserve better.

“I spent years,” I whisper, “thinking that if I met someone…really met someone…it would happen at the right time. Like fate would somehow be kind.”
… “But maybe that’s not how any of this works. Maybe people just crash into each other in the middle of their messy lives and bad timing and grief and whatever…this is.”

It’s a cruel trick of the fates to have something so perfectly put into your grasp, only for your hands to be too weak to hold it.

Vandal’s journey is so well written. From a man at rock bottom, it’s a hard crawl back, but he has every reason to fight and his battle to reclaim his life really brings the emotion. From his own realisation, to his heartfelt talks with Daisy and his heartwrenching confessions to his brothers, I felt it all, and watching him go through it and find his way back to his girls had me completely invested in his story.

“I still feel broken.”
Doc leans forward. “That’s because you keep measuring yourself against the version of you that existed before. You’re allowed to become someone new.”

Daisy and Elsie are not only the catalyst Vandal needs to admit how far he’s fallen, they’re also the promise of a better life that he clings to as he finally faces his demons. And though the romance actually happens pretty quickly, it feels like the most delicious slow burn. The build-up is fantastic, and the chemistry and longing build a fabulous sense of anticipation. Their coming together works so well with the story and it’s a wonderful mix of sweet, sexy, emotional, fun and playful, and I loved them together so much.

“I’ve got some big feelings for you, Daisy. Not gonna lie.”

And not to be overshadowed by the love story, the bond between Vandal and Elsie is just adorable. She sees him as her protector and her safe place, and her instant love for him is so freaking sweet. Similarly, Vandal falls quickly for Elsie, and watching the big, tough, badass biker be so sweet and wrapped around the finger of an adorable little girl absolutely melted my heart.

There’s lots of time spent with the MC, especially with Vandal’s best friend, Havoc, and club President, Knox, and they are so amazing in their support of their brother. I loved catching up with the boys, and seeing all of the different personalities, and the camaraderie between the guys is such a highlight and has me so excited to continue on with the series.

The world of a one percenter MC club is a dangerous one, and this book has action, suspense and violence, but again, it all ties in well with the story, showing the strength of the guys and the women in their lives, and bringing intensity and excitement.

I devoured this book and struggled to put it down. These characters completely stole my heart, taking me on a wild emotional ride that balances heavy moments with plenty of sweetness, swoon and humour. It’s everything I wanted from Vandal’s story and more, and I absolutely adored every page.

5 huge stars.

An Advanced Reader Copy was generously provided by the author for an honest review.

 

Iron Outlaws MC:  Florida

 

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Meet the Author

Scarlett Cole is a contemporary romance and romantic suspense author who calls both Toronto, Canada and Manchester, England home. A born city dweller, she periodically quashes the urge to live in the country by hiking up a mountain to remind herself that living away from people would terrify the pants off her.

She believes everybody deserves their love story to be told and loves her heroes on the rough and rugged side…and usually tall (because she married one of those 6ft 6” men you read about in romance!). She’s an A-type personality and Scorpio star sign, so good luck getting her to do anything she doesn’t want to.

When she isn’t writing, she’s happy to talk hot men and expensive shoes while drinking a cold gin and tonic. Don’t bring up olives. As far as Scarlett is concerned, they are the devil’s food. As long as you don’t bring up olives, she’s happy to hear from any time.

 

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