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Big Bull Mechanics #3
Stick Shift
Is it possible my straight best friend had a sudden stick shift?
I made peace with my hopeless crush on my straight best friend, Journey, years ago. It helps that he’s never in the country long and our relationship consists of sporadic texts and video chats at odd hours.
Now Journey is back. Back in the country, in my space, sharing my bed, and something is changing between us.
Neither of us has a clue how to run the small farm his uncle left him, but I’m willing to be the idiot standing next to him, figuring it out. Learning how to shear an alpaca or keep a rogue mini cow out of the kitchen looks easy compared to navigating the sudden change in Journey.
Is he looking at me differently? Is he touching me more? Straight guys don’t normally kiss other men, right? I don’t know what’s happening between us, but I’ll put things in gear and floor it all the way.
Stick Shift is a bi-awakening, best friends to lovers story with farm animal shenanigans, nosy mechanics, and all the steam and sweetness you can handle.
I made peace with my hopeless crush on my straight best friend, Journey, years ago. It helps that he’s never in the country long and our relationship consists of sporadic texts and video chats at odd hours.
Now Journey is back. Back in the country, in my space, sharing my bed, and something is changing between us.
Neither of us has a clue how to run the small farm his uncle left him, but I’m willing to be the idiot standing next to him, figuring it out. Learning how to shear an alpaca or keep a rogue mini cow out of the kitchen looks easy compared to navigating the sudden change in Journey.
Is he looking at me differently? Is he touching me more? Straight guys don’t normally kiss other men, right? I don’t know what’s happening between us, but I’ll put things in gear and floor it all the way.
Stick Shift is a bi-awakening, best friends to lovers story with farm animal shenanigans, nosy mechanics, and all the steam and sweetness you can handle.
7 pages, Audible Audio
First published January 6, 2023
439 people are currently reading
843 people want to read
About the author
K.M. Neuhold
99 books3,272 followersK.M.Neuhold has long since been a romance junkie. When she’s not writing she’s reading or spending time snuggling with her husky or her husband. She fell in love with M/M romance last year and hasn’t been able to turn back. There’s nothing she loves more than love in all its forms.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 336 reviews
January 8, 2023
The good:
- Cute farm animals galore, including a one-eyed cat, a cow named Angie, chickens, and alpacas
- BFFs to lovers with almost no angst
- Sweet and easy, with a forever kind of HEA
The not so good:
- MCs are one-dimensional. Journey (could that name be any more cringe?) doesn't feel like a traveler; there's nothing eclectic or interesting about him.
And Red has no personality besides doing what Journey wants.
- Everything about the way Red and Journey fall into farm life is too easy, from feeding the animals and mucking the stalls to figuring out all the legalities of owning an actual business.
- There are some oddities in the story. For example:
Journey goes to buy a used car alone, even though his bestie is a mechanic, and Red, who supposedly lives and breathes cars, never asks him a word about it.
Why does Riggs have to come fix the truck if Red is a mechanic?
Does Red have any family? If so, they're never mentioned. Journey's sister pops up twice, but his mom is an imaginary figure.
These men exist only as part of the Big Bull group. There's no world beyond that.
I'm torn in how to rate this one because I enjoyed large chunks of the story, even if I could see the issues listed above.
I guess Angie the cow deserves an extra star.
- Cute farm animals galore, including a one-eyed cat, a cow named Angie, chickens, and alpacas
- BFFs to lovers with almost no angst
- Sweet and easy, with a forever kind of HEA
The not so good:
- MCs are one-dimensional. Journey (could that name be any more cringe?) doesn't feel like a traveler; there's nothing eclectic or interesting about him.
And Red has no personality besides doing what Journey wants.
- Everything about the way Red and Journey fall into farm life is too easy, from feeding the animals and mucking the stalls to figuring out all the legalities of owning an actual business.
- There are some oddities in the story. For example:
Journey goes to buy a used car alone, even though his bestie is a mechanic, and Red, who supposedly lives and breathes cars, never asks him a word about it.
Why does Riggs have to come fix the truck if Red is a mechanic?
Does Red have any family? If so, they're never mentioned. Journey's sister pops up twice, but his mom is an imaginary figure.
These men exist only as part of the Big Bull group. There's no world beyond that.
I'm torn in how to rate this one because I enjoyed large chunks of the story, even if I could see the issues listed above.
I guess Angie the cow deserves an extra star.
January 17, 2025
Oh dear, 17 books in 17 days, I think I need to slow myself down a bit, I'm going way too fast this year.
Anyway, this book falls under the project of finishing series to make room for new ones.
So I didn't go into this book with too much enthusiasm, especially as I liked the first two in the series but wasn't completely sold on them. This one, however, surprised me positively.
The background with the other characters and the farm animals was quite amusing. I had a lot of fun without being too annoyed by the interruptions. Other than that, the book focuses pretty well on Journey and Red, who have been best friends for ages.
I like how the two harmonize so naturally. It was all very fluffy, without any conflict. Even Journey's bi awakening was quite non-conflicted. That might be too boring for some readers, but it suited me just fine.
It's very nice how Red is patient and gives Journey all the time in the world to come to terms with himself. The spicy tension, the crackling was very, very nice.
Overall, probably not a particularly in-depth book, but I don't think that's the point here anyway, I was well entertained, that's all I needed.
“What do you like better?”
“Hmm.” He kisses along my throat as he seems to contemplate the question. “It’s hard to pick a favorite, they’re different. Getting fucked is like… full and electric. It satisfies something deep and hungry inside of me.” Red presses a little harder against my hole. Even with the water running between my ass cheeks it feels too dry, but that doesn’t stop the burning, fluttering feeling in the pit of my stomach, urging me to beg him to fill me up. “And topping is primal, it scratches that itch to dominate and take, to chase pleasure while being in control of someone else’s pleasure at the same time.” 😳😳😳
I think it can also be read as a complete standalone, the side characters are mainly background noise, you don't need to know them.
So and the best thing: a bear turns up at the end and one of the secondary characters is completely blown away ... I have to read it ...
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
Minor spoilers probably ahead
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
Content warnings: bi and demi awakening
Cheating between MCs: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
Kinks: both MCs are versatile, flip-flopping
Anyway, this book falls under the project of finishing series to make room for new ones.
So I didn't go into this book with too much enthusiasm, especially as I liked the first two in the series but wasn't completely sold on them. This one, however, surprised me positively.
The background with the other characters and the farm animals was quite amusing. I had a lot of fun without being too annoyed by the interruptions. Other than that, the book focuses pretty well on Journey and Red, who have been best friends for ages.
I like how the two harmonize so naturally. It was all very fluffy, without any conflict. Even Journey's bi awakening was quite non-conflicted. That might be too boring for some readers, but it suited me just fine.
It's very nice how Red is patient and gives Journey all the time in the world to come to terms with himself. The spicy tension, the crackling was very, very nice.
Overall, probably not a particularly in-depth book, but I don't think that's the point here anyway, I was well entertained, that's all I needed.
“What do you like better?”
“Hmm.” He kisses along my throat as he seems to contemplate the question. “It’s hard to pick a favorite, they’re different. Getting fucked is like… full and electric. It satisfies something deep and hungry inside of me.” Red presses a little harder against my hole. Even with the water running between my ass cheeks it feels too dry, but that doesn’t stop the burning, fluttering feeling in the pit of my stomach, urging me to beg him to fill me up. “And topping is primal, it scratches that itch to dominate and take, to chase pleasure while being in control of someone else’s pleasure at the same time.” 😳😳😳
I think it can also be read as a complete standalone, the side characters are mainly background noise, you don't need to know them.
So and the best thing: a bear turns up at the end and one of the secondary characters is completely blown away ... I have to read it ...
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
Minor spoilers probably ahead
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
Content warnings: bi and demi awakening
Cheating between MCs: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
Kinks: both MCs are versatile, flip-flopping
January 7, 2023
DNF ~65%
Exhausting. Has this author ever met a 40-year-old man? Why do they all act like the same variation of an incredibly immature 20-year-old? In theory I enjoy friends to lovers and late-in-life sexuality discovery, but in execution, I just did not enjoy this. I didn't particularly feel the connection, and in vibe this felt really similar to the latest Saxon James Divorced book that I also didn't like. The dynamics did nothing for me here, and the immaturity took away all possible depth.
Exhausting. Has this author ever met a 40-year-old man? Why do they all act like the same variation of an incredibly immature 20-year-old? In theory I enjoy friends to lovers and late-in-life sexuality discovery, but in execution, I just did not enjoy this. I didn't particularly feel the connection, and in vibe this felt really similar to the latest Saxon James Divorced book that I also didn't like. The dynamics did nothing for me here, and the immaturity took away all possible depth.
January 8, 2023
This was a miss for me unfortunately. This spin off series has only been ok so far and it's not getting better. The connection between the 2 MCs was weak. We are told they have been best friends all their life but I didn't really feel it. We don't get to know Red who remains one-dimensional: his only goal in life is to do whatever Journey wants or need which is unhealthy and weird. I mean Journey has been back in his life (physically they have never lost touch) for 24h when he moves in with him and is thinking about selling his house, that was OTT. As for Journey, he is a bit more fleshed out but something was missing: the guy has been travelling all over the world for 15years, during that time he's been back to the US 2 or 3 times to visit but he experiences NO reverse culture-shock? That was unbelievable. He also barely talks about his "travels" and doesn't seem to have learned anything from them or brought back any habits. The bi-awakening was also poorly done, it happened in a weird way to me. The premise was ok, Journey inherits a farm and decides to become a farmer, why not? But the idea that a professional traveller can settle down and become a farmer overnight was far-fetched and happened too easily for me. Jane was helping his late-uncle with the farm before he died but doesn't even stay 24h to show Journey and Red the ropes. Again weird. I'll probably continue with this series even though the immaturity of all the secondary characters is starting to grate me.
January 8, 2023
2.5 stars - Maybe I'm not in the mood for a best friends-to-lovers bi-awakening right now or maybe I just read too much, but I swear I've read this same story so many times before and I'm feeling a little bit over it. I don't mean to diminish Journey's journey (oh god) in any way because I love stories about people who discover things about themselves later in life, but the boredom I felt during the first 60% of this book was a living, breathing thing. The last 40% consisted of some fun and sweet moments, but it felt like too little too late. I liked Journey and related to him in a lot of ways. I liked Red even though he didn't have a ton of personality. I enjoyed all of the time spent with the Bears and Bulls because they're always good for a laugh or two. I loved Angie the cow, too. But I didn't love this book.
January 16, 2023
What a breeze of a romance with no annoying angst
I think what I love best about a K.M. Neuhold book is that I know I'm going to get a great romance without any stupid dramady.
Any tension that arises usually comes from external causes and not because the characters are having a moment of stupidity.
Here we get a lovely best friends-to-lovers romance which she marries alongside a bisexual awakening and a demisexual realisation.
All the rest of the gang is also on hand to dispense their sage advice and take the proverbial out of Red as he comes to terms with the fact his brat friend Journey might just be having feelings too.
It's a perfect blend of super sweet and smoking hot and throws in a few potential hints as to who might be up next and gives us a sneaky peek at what I believe is going to be another spin-off.
Can't wait!
I think what I love best about a K.M. Neuhold book is that I know I'm going to get a great romance without any stupid dramady.
Any tension that arises usually comes from external causes and not because the characters are having a moment of stupidity.
Here we get a lovely best friends-to-lovers romance which she marries alongside a bisexual awakening and a demisexual realisation.
All the rest of the gang is also on hand to dispense their sage advice and take the proverbial out of Red as he comes to terms with the fact his brat friend Journey might just be having feelings too.
It's a perfect blend of super sweet and smoking hot and throws in a few potential hints as to who might be up next and gives us a sneaky peek at what I believe is going to be another spin-off.
Can't wait!
March 7, 2023
I mean this book was alright. Pretty good but nothing special. I was really more into the farm and all the animals than the romance itself lol
December 19, 2022
"Being idiots together is always a lot better than being an idiot all alone."
I really loved this best friends to lovers story about Red and Journey. There is something to be said about a romance that stems from so many years of friendship. There's already love and a close bond before the romantic aspect even begins. Such a strong foundation is one of the many things that make this match such an amazing one.
Red and Journey were just so lovely together. When Journey inherited his uncles farm and decided he wanted to make a go of running it, there was never a question if Red would be by his side. If this was what Journey wanted to do, then Red would be there to support him in any way he could. That's just the type of friend he was. It also didn't hurt that Red had been in love with Journey for what felt like his entire life.
It didn't take long for Journey to start noticing Red in a different light. I mean they lived together, worked the farm together, spent their free time hanging out, and went to bed together every night. It was basically a domestic partnership, all that was missing was the sex...until that part wasn't missing anymore either. Journey was happiest when he was spending time with Red, and Red felt the same way back. Why shouldn't they make a go of not just the farm, but a life together. Fortunately both were on the same page when it came to their romance and the ending left me no question that these two were solid as a rock and in it for the long haul. Great addition to the series!
PS: I have an idea based on Stick Shift about the remaining mechanics and their future beaus. I'm liking where Neuhold is taking this, even if it was just a tease. Also, the green eyed flower shop worker totes needs a book. Just sayin'🤷🏻♀️
I really loved this best friends to lovers story about Red and Journey. There is something to be said about a romance that stems from so many years of friendship. There's already love and a close bond before the romantic aspect even begins. Such a strong foundation is one of the many things that make this match such an amazing one.
Red and Journey were just so lovely together. When Journey inherited his uncles farm and decided he wanted to make a go of running it, there was never a question if Red would be by his side. If this was what Journey wanted to do, then Red would be there to support him in any way he could. That's just the type of friend he was. It also didn't hurt that Red had been in love with Journey for what felt like his entire life.
It didn't take long for Journey to start noticing Red in a different light. I mean they lived together, worked the farm together, spent their free time hanging out, and went to bed together every night. It was basically a domestic partnership, all that was missing was the sex...until that part wasn't missing anymore either. Journey was happiest when he was spending time with Red, and Red felt the same way back. Why shouldn't they make a go of not just the farm, but a life together. Fortunately both were on the same page when it came to their romance and the ending left me no question that these two were solid as a rock and in it for the long haul. Great addition to the series!
PS: I have an idea based on Stick Shift about the remaining mechanics and their future beaus. I'm liking where Neuhold is taking this, even if it was just a tease. Also, the green eyed flower shop worker totes needs a book. Just sayin'🤷🏻♀️
January 6, 2023
“When we were thirteen and you made me pinky swear that we would always help each other when we were in need, that meant for life as far as I was concerned."
this is too cute. the pinkie promise is probably too cheesy but whatever, i enjoyed it too much.
i’m still sick so i’ll keep this very short and simple: good characters, happy story, cute friends to lovers.
i’ll never understand why this author uses these absurd names but that’s beside the point. if you use other names in your head it’s wonderful.
i want to see more of the florist, fingers crossed.
this is too cute. the pinkie promise is probably too cheesy but whatever, i enjoyed it too much.
i’m still sick so i’ll keep this very short and simple: good characters, happy story, cute friends to lovers.
i’ll never understand why this author uses these absurd names but that’s beside the point. if you use other names in your head it’s wonderful.
i want to see more of the florist, fingers crossed.
August 26, 2024
July 2024 - 4 stars
It was too soon to re-read this, that's my fault. The slump is slumpy. I'm definitely not marking this down and will re-read this again when the time is right, and the time is not right-now.
May 2024 - 4.5 stars
This whole story was like a warm hug.
Stories like this, nomadic MCs settling down, longtime friends, hold a special place in my heart. It's also a wonderfully small-scope, most of the time is spent on domestic scenes, pottering around the farm, working out how to care for the animals and balance their lives around this new development.
This was also much less plagued by side characters than some of KM Neuhold’s other stuff, and can definitely be read as a standalone. I personally didn't love book 1 and skipped book 2, and didn't feel like I was missing any context here.
Instead, the side characters in this are mostly of the 4-legged variety, and I liked Angie the cow, Cornelius the grouchy cat, and the menagerie of llamas and chickens better than most of the people anyway.
It was too soon to re-read this, that's my fault. The slump is slumpy. I'm definitely not marking this down and will re-read this again when the time is right, and the time is not right-now.
May 2024 - 4.5 stars
This whole story was like a warm hug.
Stories like this, nomadic MCs settling down, longtime friends, hold a special place in my heart. It's also a wonderfully small-scope, most of the time is spent on domestic scenes, pottering around the farm, working out how to care for the animals and balance their lives around this new development.
This was also much less plagued by side characters than some of KM Neuhold’s other stuff, and can definitely be read as a standalone. I personally didn't love book 1 and skipped book 2, and didn't feel like I was missing any context here.
Instead, the side characters in this are mostly of the 4-legged variety, and I liked Angie the cow, Cornelius the grouchy cat, and the menagerie of llamas and chickens better than most of the people anyway.
April 11, 2025
My favorite of the series so far, probably due to the bi/demi awakening. For some reason both of those tropes are so hot to me, it's like an element of forbidden romance even when it occurs in a wholesome setting/ plot.
February 19, 2023
I liked this book much more than the previous.
🟡 Best friends-to-lovers
🟢 Bi-awakening
🟣 One MC is Demisexual
🔵 No angst
🌶️ Great spice
In this book, one of the mechanics, Red, gets his amazing love story. And he gets it with his best friend of 30 years, Journey, whom Red has been hopelessly in love with since he was a teen.
Red never in a million years thought he'll get the chance to be with him, but Journey, a known travel blogger, inherits a farm from his uncle and moves back home, with Red helping him out at the farm and moving in with him.
This was my Journey, and the one on the cover is Red.
They're both in their 40's, Red being gay and Journey being demisexual, with his bi-awakening with Red happening after years of not seeing each other.
The bi-awakening was very believable, it wasn't just immediate sex, but it was a process and a long one, where they took the time to touch and get close, but not too far.
I really liked the development of their romantic relationship. And that's what this was, a very romantic love story, where Red gives Journey time to figure out exactly what he wants and leaves the timing of everything up to him . He brings him flowers, supports him in everything he does and lets him know they'll still be friends forever, even if this doesn't work out. I thought that was really mature and beautiful. True love.
So yes, I very much liked Red, I liked Journey and his newfound crazy love for his best friend and I loved their idyllic farm life with their cow, their cat, the alpacas and the amazing proposal and the future ahead of them.
I just simply loved this couple.
I'm hoping Shep and Riggs' story is next.
🟡 Best friends-to-lovers
🟢 Bi-awakening
🟣 One MC is Demisexual
🔵 No angst
🌶️ Great spice
In this book, one of the mechanics, Red, gets his amazing love story. And he gets it with his best friend of 30 years, Journey, whom Red has been hopelessly in love with since he was a teen.
Red never in a million years thought he'll get the chance to be with him, but Journey, a known travel blogger, inherits a farm from his uncle and moves back home, with Red helping him out at the farm and moving in with him.
This was my Journey, and the one on the cover is Red.
They're both in their 40's, Red being gay and Journey being demisexual, with his bi-awakening with Red happening after years of not seeing each other.
The bi-awakening was very believable, it wasn't just immediate sex, but it was a process and a long one, where they took the time to touch and get close, but not too far.
I really liked the development of their romantic relationship. And that's what this was, a very romantic love story, where Red gives Journey time to figure out exactly what he wants and leaves the timing of everything up to him . He brings him flowers, supports him in everything he does and lets him know they'll still be friends forever, even if this doesn't work out. I thought that was really mature and beautiful. True love.
So yes, I very much liked Red, I liked Journey and his newfound crazy love for his best friend and I loved their idyllic farm life with their cow, their cat, the alpacas and the amazing proposal and the future ahead of them.
I just simply loved this couple.
I'm hoping Shep and Riggs' story is next.
February 6, 2023
I kind of freaking loved this one. Hands down my favorite of the series. It just hit the spot and was exactly what I was in the mood for. Red is just precious and Journey and him where perfect together. A best friends to lovers romance between two men in thier 40s, low on drama, high on fun, a charming cow, farm life, steam and a happy ending.
Rep: Gay MC + Bisexual & Demisexual MC
Rep: Gay MC + Bisexual & Demisexual MC
January 15, 2023
As usual, this was amazing and I never want this series to end!
January 10, 2023
Stick Shift was a cute and steamy MM best-friends-to-lovers read but there was nothing that set it apart from ALL the other MM best-friends-to-lovers books out there right now.
Journey and Red have been friends for a very long time and when Journey inherits a farm, Red moves in to help him run it. Suddenly, Journey decides he has the hots for his bestie and they explore their new dynamic. This had some funny moments, heartfelt moments, and steamy moments. Several couples from other stories made an appearance and I got confused and couldn't remember half of them. There wasn't a whole lot going on outside of Journey and Red's budding romance but I wasn't entirely bored. Overall, I didn't hate this but mostly found it forgettable.
Journey and Red have been friends for a very long time and when Journey inherits a farm, Red moves in to help him run it. Suddenly, Journey decides he has the hots for his bestie and they explore their new dynamic. This had some funny moments, heartfelt moments, and steamy moments. Several couples from other stories made an appearance and I got confused and couldn't remember half of them. There wasn't a whole lot going on outside of Journey and Red's budding romance but I wasn't entirely bored. Overall, I didn't hate this but mostly found it forgettable.
December 24, 2022
Red and Journey were downright adorable. Two best friends who realize what they really wanted was right in front of them.
I loved Journey. He was so soft for Red even when he didn’t know it. Never having examined his identity before, he had no reason to think Red was the one for him. Turns out, they’ve been the only one for each other for years. Red has been in love with Journey for years. He never even sought out a real relationship with anyone else because he knew he’d never get over Journey. Watching them finally come together was just lovely.
I loved how natural everything was between them. Even though Journey had a few moments of panic, once he was in, he was all in. They were perfect for one another and I loved them. Watching them learn how to farm and fall in love with the animals with both hilarious and heartwarming. I really am loving this series and can’t wait for the rest of the guys to get their HEAs.
I loved Journey. He was so soft for Red even when he didn’t know it. Never having examined his identity before, he had no reason to think Red was the one for him. Turns out, they’ve been the only one for each other for years. Red has been in love with Journey for years. He never even sought out a real relationship with anyone else because he knew he’d never get over Journey. Watching them finally come together was just lovely.
I loved how natural everything was between them. Even though Journey had a few moments of panic, once he was in, he was all in. They were perfect for one another and I loved them. Watching them learn how to farm and fall in love with the animals with both hilarious and heartwarming. I really am loving this series and can’t wait for the rest of the guys to get their HEAs.
June 8, 2023
Incredibly sweet and low angst friends to lovers and bi and demi awakening.
The romantic progression was slow, but everything about this story just makes you feel good and it was nice knowing there wouldn’t be any unnecessary drama.
The romantic progression was slow, but everything about this story just makes you feel good and it was nice knowing there wouldn’t be any unnecessary drama.
August 21, 2023
Adorable
December 18, 2022
4.5 ⭐️
OH GOSH sooo many thoughts!
First off holy actual adult communication! While I do enjoy a big reveal moment when all miscommunication and secrets come out but it is beyond refreshing to have two adult men who don’t play games and actually talk to each other.
Journey and Red were so sweet together. Red’s undying love for Journey and willingness to accept friendship in place of what he really wanted without being jaded or cynical was so endearing and made me root for his HEA even more! But I have to say that Journey really stole my heart. From his excitement to fall in love with his best friend once he got over the shock to his concern for Angie the cow I was mesmerized by his sweetness.
This was a bit of a slower burn steam wise which fit the story but I missed a little of the holy hotness I’ve come to love in KM’s work. However I did find the steam between Red and Journey to be romantic soulmate love making which is beautiful in its own right!
On a slightly related note oh em geeee I am throwing some serious side eye at the tattoo artist in a rainbow loving motorcycle club! Pleaseeee KM I need a spin off series! PLEASE!
I am SO down for any story set in this world! Especially when I get cameos from so many of my favs. The bring your own pool party and Angie’s celebration were as hilarious as they were adorable! The car dent scene had me rolling and I seriously can’t wait for the other stories coming from Big Bull Mechanics!
OH GOSH sooo many thoughts!
First off holy actual adult communication! While I do enjoy a big reveal moment when all miscommunication and secrets come out but it is beyond refreshing to have two adult men who don’t play games and actually talk to each other.
Journey and Red were so sweet together. Red’s undying love for Journey and willingness to accept friendship in place of what he really wanted without being jaded or cynical was so endearing and made me root for his HEA even more! But I have to say that Journey really stole my heart. From his excitement to fall in love with his best friend once he got over the shock to his concern for Angie the cow I was mesmerized by his sweetness.
This was a bit of a slower burn steam wise which fit the story but I missed a little of the holy hotness I’ve come to love in KM’s work. However I did find the steam between Red and Journey to be romantic soulmate love making which is beautiful in its own right!
On a slightly related note oh em geeee I am throwing some serious side eye at the tattoo artist in a rainbow loving motorcycle club! Pleaseeee KM I need a spin off series! PLEASE!
I am SO down for any story set in this world! Especially when I get cameos from so many of my favs. The bring your own pool party and Angie’s celebration were as hilarious as they were adorable! The car dent scene had me rolling and I seriously can’t wait for the other stories coming from Big Bull Mechanics!
December 19, 2022
STEAM LEVEL: 🔥🔥🔥
𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚑𝚒𝚖 𝚝𝚘 𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚖𝚎, 𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚌𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚙𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚑𝚎’𝚜 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚒𝚖𝚊𝚐𝚒𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚜 𝚑𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚜𝚗’𝚝.
Man oh man, Journey and Red did not disappoint one bit. I loved every second of this book from the moment Journey comes on the page until the very last word. Filled with so much heat and heart, I found myself cackling at the unbelievable humor one minute (thanks Stoney) and swooning the next. This MM friends-to-lovers was incredibly sensual and beautiful.
So Red and Journey have been best friends since the second grade. When Journey comes back home and takes over the farm, Red naturally moves in to help. We have a cow who can open doors, an attack chicken, spitting alpacas, and only one bed. The tension was SO HIGH between these two for so long but when they finally came together it was amazing!
This series feels like home. I love catching up with all the couples and trying to guess who the next couple will be. There is just so much going on in this series it amazes me how the author can keep up. I adore this world and I can’t wait for more!
January 9, 2023
Things I loved:
- Red is my personal brand of autism (autistic-coded) and I found him very relatable and authentic. He was written kindly and not a caricature built of stereotypes or a regurgitated Sheldon (like almost every nerd in every nerd/jock romance). He’s logical, practical, pragmatic, a little confused by social subtext but not oblivious, not helpless, and in control of his actions, feelings, and future. Great rep in my opinion.
- These boys were LOVED UP. 10/10 the mushiest/sappiest boys.
- Farm life, not for me, but cute as hell.
- Reasonable, communicative, responsible adults.
- Love when grown men have friends. Such fiction but I live for it.
- Liked all the hints about future books, the setups sound fun.
Middling things:
- Slow paced/lazy Sunday morning vibes the whole book, not much tension of any kind which is honestly what I needed today.
- The steam was more like a hot cup of tea rather than a house fire.
Didn’t love:
- Journey wasn’t my favorite character - honestly nothing wrong with him, just kinda unremarkable and a couple of his storylines and backstory felt weaker than most of the other characters in the bears/bulls series. Not a bad guy, just not very memorable.
- Red is my personal brand of autism (autistic-coded) and I found him very relatable and authentic. He was written kindly and not a caricature built of stereotypes or a regurgitated Sheldon (like almost every nerd in every nerd/jock romance). He’s logical, practical, pragmatic, a little confused by social subtext but not oblivious, not helpless, and in control of his actions, feelings, and future. Great rep in my opinion.
- These boys were LOVED UP. 10/10 the mushiest/sappiest boys.
- Farm life, not for me, but cute as hell.
- Reasonable, communicative, responsible adults.
- Love when grown men have friends. Such fiction but I live for it.
- Liked all the hints about future books, the setups sound fun.
Middling things:
- Slow paced/lazy Sunday morning vibes the whole book, not much tension of any kind which is honestly what I needed today.
- The steam was more like a hot cup of tea rather than a house fire.
Didn’t love:
- Journey wasn’t my favorite character - honestly nothing wrong with him, just kinda unremarkable and a couple of his storylines and backstory felt weaker than most of the other characters in the bears/bulls series. Not a bad guy, just not very memorable.
October 20, 2025
Clearly, a lot of people love this, but for me it felt very padded and could’ve been cut by a good hundred pages. A lot of that is the inclusion of almost a dozen main characters from previous books, as well as several future main characters. Some of that is achieved organically, and some of it is really shoehorned in, but all of it crowds around the edges and dilute the main story. Admittedly, both the main characters can be a little flat. There are definitely some sweet moments and some fun scenes but overall it just got tiring.
Also, I have serious doubts about the long-term viability of this farm.
Also, I have serious doubts about the long-term viability of this farm.
December 17, 2022
Oh man I am so glad these two didn’t spend over half the book keeping the fact they liked eachother from the other!! Seeing them go from friends to more was a fabulous journey and enjoying their little farm life along the way was even better! I want an Angie of my own. I love the peaks in from the bears and how the other big bull guys are always around. These guys are quickly becoming my second favorite group of guys! I can’t wait to see who falls next.
August 11, 2023
STICK SHIFT features friends to lovers and a late in life bisexual awakening and while I enjoyed the no angst, high heat nature of this one I also found it boring. Some of this is just me, I didn't like the farm setting at all so that was a miss for me. But it was more than just the setting, Red has no personality outside of making Journey happy and there's very little of the MCs history ever mentioned or explored. STICK SHIFT was rooted firmly in the now and the farm and it made it feel a bit one dimensional. Overall, not as strong as Neuhold's other romances but I still plan to continue the series.
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Favorite Quotes:
“Being idiots together is always a lot better than being an idiot all alone.”
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Maybe it’s not about gay or straight. Things feel so much better with Red because I’ve loved him in one way or another since we were kids making up stupid games on the playground together.
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Favorite Quotes:
“Being idiots together is always a lot better than being an idiot all alone.”
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Maybe it’s not about gay or straight. Things feel so much better with Red because I’ve loved him in one way or another since we were kids making up stupid games on the playground together.
January 1, 2023
Best friends to lovers is normally not my first choice, but KM delivers a heartfelt novel that just may have changed my perspective. Red and Journey’s story was filled with humor, memories, and a solid foundation that there’s no doubt of their HEA. Even after we’ve been previously graced with specks of their history, witnessing their friendship take the dive to the next level was heartwarming.
“𝕐𝕠𝕦’𝕣𝕖 𝕣𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥, 𝕀’𝕞 𝕥𝕠𝕠 𝕣𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙 𝕠𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕔𝕜. ℂ𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕘𝕚𝕧𝕖 𝕞𝕖 𝕒𝕟 𝕖𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕥 𝕕𝕖𝕞𝕠𝕟𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕠𝕗 𝕡𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕣 𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕘?”
True to KM fashion, these guys were filthy, nasty, and downright drool worthy! Their chemistry was off the charts, causing constant chills throughout my body from the sexual tension between them. And what is it about a supposedly straight man being all in with their first same sex experience? Red’s patience with Journey was so sweet, contributing to their years of friendship, absolute chefs kiss 💋!
“ᴡᴇʟᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ʙɪɢ ʙᴜʟʟ. ᴅɪᴅ ꜱᴛᴇᴇʟᴇ ᴛᴇʟʟ ʏᴏᴜ ʜɪꜱ ᴘᴏʟɪᴄʏ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ꜱᴇx ᴛᴏʏꜱ?”
All I ask is can Riggs and Shep have their own book?? The sexual tension between them is filled with electricity that’s going to start a fire if they don’t find release soon! And, Auggie with our new front desk hire, Henry?? Love where this series is going!!!
“𝕐𝕠𝕦’𝕣𝕖 𝕣𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥, 𝕀’𝕞 𝕥𝕠𝕠 𝕣𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙 𝕠𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕔𝕜. ℂ𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕘𝕚𝕧𝕖 𝕞𝕖 𝕒𝕟 𝕖𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕥 𝕕𝕖𝕞𝕠𝕟𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕠𝕗 𝕡𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕣 𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕘?”
True to KM fashion, these guys were filthy, nasty, and downright drool worthy! Their chemistry was off the charts, causing constant chills throughout my body from the sexual tension between them. And what is it about a supposedly straight man being all in with their first same sex experience? Red’s patience with Journey was so sweet, contributing to their years of friendship, absolute chefs kiss 💋!
“ᴡᴇʟᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ʙɪɢ ʙᴜʟʟ. ᴅɪᴅ ꜱᴛᴇᴇʟᴇ ᴛᴇʟʟ ʏᴏᴜ ʜɪꜱ ᴘᴏʟɪᴄʏ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ꜱᴇx ᴛᴏʏꜱ?”
All I ask is can Riggs and Shep have their own book?? The sexual tension between them is filled with electricity that’s going to start a fire if they don’t find release soon! And, Auggie with our new front desk hire, Henry?? Love where this series is going!!!
April 13, 2023
Red has been in love with his straight best friend since he was 14. When Journey's uncle passes away and leaves his farm to Journey, Red jumps at the chance to help him run it.
Obviously a passably cute best friends to lovers romance. The romance was nice as this trope always is but it's ridiculously hard to believe either man is in their forties. A new guy, Henry, is hired at Big Bull Mechanics to work in a customer facing position as every employee is immature as hell and sex crazed as all gay men are *eye roll*, and immediately everyone sexually harasses him. So that's fun. Also (and here's where my useless textile design degree finally pays off) if they put fucking alpaca hair into a washer and then a dryer it would come out a horrible felted mess.
All-in-all a fine romance with a lot of things that irked me that never have before with this series/the connected Four Bears Construction series.
Obviously a passably cute best friends to lovers romance. The romance was nice as this trope always is but it's ridiculously hard to believe either man is in their forties. A new guy, Henry, is hired at Big Bull Mechanics to work in a customer facing position as every employee is immature as hell and sex crazed as all gay men are *eye roll*, and immediately everyone sexually harasses him. So that's fun. Also (and here's where my useless textile design degree finally pays off) if they put fucking alpaca hair into a washer and then a dryer it would come out a horrible felted mess.
All-in-all a fine romance with a lot of things that irked me that never have before with this series/the connected Four Bears Construction series.
January 8, 2023
This was a sweet friends-to-lovers, bi-awakening read. I liked Red and Journey and enjoyed seeing their friendship move to something more. I think the fact they'd been apart for years and maintained their friendship was great, it's not often a friendship can remain as close as Red and Journey's did with so much time and distance between them. Maybe if they had spent those years together Journey may have examined his sexuality before now, then again it might not have turned out as it did.
I enjoyed catching up with the other guys from Big Bull Mechanics and Four Bears Construction and I love the idea of having a BYO pool party, I might try that myself.
The farm was a fun learning curve for the guys and I liked how attached they became to the long-haired cow Angie.
While it might not be the most original story I found it fun and light to read and enjoyed the way that Red and Journey communicated and worked through things together. A very low angst read with a HEA for these two best friends.
I enjoyed catching up with the other guys from Big Bull Mechanics and Four Bears Construction and I love the idea of having a BYO pool party, I might try that myself.
The farm was a fun learning curve for the guys and I liked how attached they became to the long-haired cow Angie.
While it might not be the most original story I found it fun and light to read and enjoyed the way that Red and Journey communicated and worked through things together. A very low angst read with a HEA for these two best friends.
February 7, 2025
One of the better friends to lovers I've read in a hot minute, spoiled by the last 20% imo. Nothing but love and respect for the bi/demi awakening character who had half a finger inside him for a few minutes and decided he was ready to impulsively flipfuck and climb on to ride cowboy... and also ready to
And yes, reading this was in fact inspired by the cute guy at the Discount Tire I had to go spend $300 at because I hopped a curb and popped a tire yesterday, and had an hour to kill in their waiting area ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
And yes, reading this was in fact inspired by the cute guy at the Discount Tire I had to go spend $300 at because I hopped a curb and popped a tire yesterday, and had an hour to kill in their waiting area ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
January 2, 2023
Sigh. It's just perfect.
Honestly, I don't know how this author does it. But this is another perfect friend-to-lovers, bisexual awakening that absolutely doesn't feel cliche.
Red and Journey are since of the sweetest, most genuine characters I've had the pleasure of reading. And their romance is incredibly hot. I love a no-angst story and this nails it.
Honestly, I don't know how this author does it. But this is another perfect friend-to-lovers, bisexual awakening that absolutely doesn't feel cliche.
Red and Journey are since of the sweetest, most genuine characters I've had the pleasure of reading. And their romance is incredibly hot. I love a no-angst story and this nails it.
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