Necessary Evil by Jamie K. Schmidt

In this steamy series opener from bestselling author Jamie K. Schmidt—whose writing has been called “hot and sexy, with just the right amount of emotional punch,” by Lauren Layne—a vigilante biker takes the power of love into his own hands.

Lucy Simmons comes from a rough family, but she’s a damn good public defender. Even though she hates to see criminals walk due to sloppy police work, the law’s there to make sure everyone gets a fair trial, and Lucy certainly doesn’t believe in the kind of justice meted out by the leather-clad ex-cop they call “Evil.” He’s stubborn, cynical, and out of control—but he plays her body like no man ever has. For once, both Lucy’s boss and her brother agree: The biker is trouble.

Evan Villiers took a sacred vow to let no killer, rapist, or pedophile go unpunished. When scumbags fall through the system, the Sentinels of Babylon clean up the garbage. Although the SOBs and their methods may not be to Lucy’s liking, the beautiful lawyer has become Evan’s light in the dark. But his next hit is Lucy’s own brother—a murderer who got off on a technicality. Now, with his loyalties split, Evan must turn his back on his sworn duties... or lose the woman who has claimed his reckless heart.

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
ARe  ~  B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
The Sentinels of Babylon are not your typical motorcycle gang, in that they are not really a gang at all. More like a bunch of friends who happen to ride motorcycles and who like to take justice into their own hands. Each one of the Sentinels has a reason to mete out justice on the wrong side of the law. For Evil, its many reasons. As a former police officer, Evil knows the ins and outs of police procedure, of knowing who are the bad guys but not having enough evidence to convict, or a lawyer who can rip a hole in police procedure big enough for a defendant to dance through.

Enter Lucy Simmons. She's one helluva a defense attorney who does her best to ensure that the people she represents gets a fair trial, and if bulldozing her way through the thin blue line, she doesn’t think twice. Her motivation? Her own father was implicated in a bad situation that ultimately led to him serving time in prison and ripping her family apart.

Evil, aka Evan Villiers, has had the hots for Lucy for a while and when a chance encounter brings her back into his life, he's determined to make the most of this opportunity. Lucy has similar feelings for Evil but is not sure she can do the whole "friends with benefits" thing, but when Evil declares her "his old lady," Lucy can't help but go all in.

The SOBs are up to something, but Lucy can't put a fine point on it and when something happens to her brother, she's not sure it’s something she can ever forgive.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars
M/F Mystery, romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

For me, this book created a lot of mixed feelings. Lucy was too naive for being a public defender. Having actually worked for that field, I have to say that even fresh out of law school, most students are not as naive as she was portrayed. So, while I liked her feisty attitude in her job, why that didn't carry to her personal life, I just don't know.

Evan is a hot protector, I'll give him that. But in his mind, what they are doing is "justified," but they don't seem to want to check their source or understand the reasoning behind their "orders." That too, for me, seemed so naive. Especially for a seasoned soldier, who Evan is supposed to be.

I also had a difficult time with the lack of emotion between Evan and Lucy, Lucy and her brother, and Evan and his "family." They had a relationship, but no heat and the development of their relationship was kind of weak. Lucy and Evan had a strained relationship, but to forgive him so readily, that also seemed unrealistic, despite the history behind Lucy and her brother.

Also, it seems that there needed to be more to the story – I hope we get more about the judge and the group in future stories.


Shannan – ☆☆☆☆
Necessary Evil is a mix of vigilante and sexy. Evan is a retired a cop who now owns a bar and runs the Sentinels of Babylon. The SOBs are a vigilante group of ex cops, ex-CIA, ex-military. They get rid of the bad guys that the justice system failed.

There has always been an attraction between Lucy, a defense attorney, and Evan. Lucy wasn't about to be a friend with benefits and she wouldn't date a cop. When Evan retired, all bets were off. Lucy gave into those feelings she had been denying herself for some time.

To everyone else, the SOBs were the bad guys, but Lucy couldn't believe the worst about Evan. He made her feel safe. When evidence is brought to Lucy's attention, can she deny Evan may be something else?

I enjoyed this read. Evan is sexy and possessive. My only complaint is that it really wasn't an MC book. Yes, they rode, but it wasn't your typical MC. Even without the MC aspect, there is enough interest for me to want more. I look forward to seeing what's next.

USA Today bestselling author Jamie K. Schmidt has published more than thirty short stories in small-press journals and e-zines. She’s an active member in the Romance Writers of America. When not writing, she relaxes with a mug of hot tea and knits or makes beaded jewelry.

Connect with Jamie

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Necessary Evil (Sentinels of Babylon #1) by Jamie K. Schmidt to read and review.