Thunder & Flare

Lock & Key #8

by Cat Porter

Their paths collide and chaos explodes.A brand new and wildly romantic novel in the Lock & Key MC Romance series

Trick, the Jacks’s Road Captain and chief mechanic thrives in the gritty world of his motorcycle club. Loyal to his brothers, loves his work, lives for speed. A trail of failed romances defines him, but who needs love? Not Trick. Not anymore.

Until the night his reckless charm ignites a fire he can’t extinguish.

At the one place he shouldn’t be, Trick does the one thing he shouldn’t do–at a rival club’s party he flirts with a forbidden woman.

The second he lays eyes on the stunning blue-eyed blonde with the feisty attitude, he knows she doesn’t belong at this wild and sordid biker blowout.

Nicole is a sheltered rich girl from the opposite side of the tracks, whose attempt at a good deed got her captured by the ruthless biker president.

Impulsive Trick can’t help himself, and he cuts her loose, erupting a firestorm of chaos.

Together this unlikely duo escapes and is forced into a fake relationship to keep themselves, the Jacks, and their allies out of danger.

Yet in the shadow of this danger, their smoldering attraction blazes.

Trick's icy control melts against Nicole's fierce spirit, and suddenly the line between fake and real blurs in a whirlwind of emotions and desire.

But another unexpected disaster lurks in the startling secrets Nicole keeps hidden.

Secrets that could shatter their fragile alliance and set off another firestorm that could blast through their club family and their small town of Meager, South Dakota, changing them all forever.

For both Trick and Nicole love is a treacherous gamble. Bold and reckless risks required.



The Lock & Key MC Romance Series Reading Order

1 - Lock & Key

2 - Random & Rare

3 - Iron & Bone

4 - Blood & Rust

5 - Fury (can be read as a standalone)

6 - Lock & Key Christmas

7 - The Dust and the Roar (can be read as a standalone)

8 - The Fire and the Roar

9 - The Year of Everything

10 - Thunder & Flare



The Lock & Key MC Romance series is a motorcycle club romance saga. These romantic suspense / romantic adventure / small town romance / biker romance / coming of age / steamy women's fiction / family saga novels are filled with dirty talking anti-heroes, bold strong women, organized crime, adult language, graphic steaminess, violence and are intended for mature audiences only

Genres: Romance

432 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 27, 2023

About the author

I daydream all the time, "what if" way too much, and am a lip-biting romantic. And I don't want to be cured of any of those. Ever. A New Yorker who now lives on a beach in beautiful Greece, I've been writing since forever because I need to. I have two children's books traditionally published and I've self-published my romantic suspense series, spinoff standalones, and a historical. Join me in my world!

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Reviews

[Bev · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not what I expected from Cat Porter. I've loved the raw, gritty angst from the other books in this series and sadly this one was missing all that. Instead we got caricature "bad guys" that were frankly downright cringy to read coupled with such a huge dollop of sickly, gooey sunshine and rainbows club life and characters that I did more than one double take. Then throw in the FMC that was such a pathetic doormat to her family and I had bruised eyeballs from all the rolling.

Not a fan of this one.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cat Porter is back and I am so happy. I love everything about this series, I missed being in Meager with characters I regard as family. In Thunder and Flare, Trick meets Nicole under extenuating circumstances. She is given a chance to go with him to Meager, South Dakota which she accepts. We will finally find out why. They both are opposites, Nicole comes from money and Trick doesn’t. They both have issues that they have to overcome from their pasts to get to the place where they want to be. Trick sees a strong , brave woman in Nicole and Nicole sees the protector in Trick. They fall deeply in love. Cat Porter’s writing style brings us back to a loyal family in the One Eyed Jacks MC. We get to see old friends that we have missed. This book was everything and it touched my heart. I look forward to more of this series!

[Carmela Dimattia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been so engrossed in this series from the very first page in the very first book and every book is exceptional. This was a very emotional story for all the characters involved but very emotional for Nicole when she discovers the truth about her family. Although she ends up with Trick due to escaping a kidnapping, their relationship develops and we discover that Nicole has a connection to the Jacks MC. The past is revealed and once again it is like a knife to the heart. Ms Porter is a beautiful author and all her books have left a mark in my heart and this is up there with the rest of them. Highly, highly recommend this entire series.

I received an arc copy from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Wendy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved and enjoyed every book in the Lock & Key series and Thunder & Flare was no exception. Once again Cat Porter has entertained me with her awesome storytelling abilities, this story slayed me. I absolutely loved Trick and Nicole’s story ❤️❤️❤️ both with heartache in their past. They gave each other a new reason to live, they brought each other out of the shadows and together were reborn from the thunder and lightning of the storm. The One-Eyed-Jacks faced chaos and drama whilst dealing with old enemies coming out the victors. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this new book in a very much loved series. 100% recommend this book to everyone ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ you will not be disappointed 😎

[Michele A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trick and Nicole meet by what one would think was divine intervention. She is literally on the run from her family and life. She winds up in the clutches of Dog and his merry men who have not great things planned for her. Trick is at first reluctant to save her, but finds himself doing the right thing. Nicole wants to go to Meager to see if she can find some more of her family. Why she keeps this a secret was kind of a wonderment to me. She had really no logical reason not to say why she wanted to go there. Instead she and Trick wind up playing ol' lady and ol' man to try and get Dog and his club to believe she is his. I will say some of it was beyond belief and I had to take a moment or two to gather myself to continue reading. I did like the book overall, but found that Nicole was just a bit too much sunshine to be real for what she went through. Trick was kind of insecure too so that did cause some problems that were easily avoidable by both of them.

[Googly55 · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Nicole seemed younger than 33 and made some really dumb choices. Willingly marrying the guy who took your virginity after drugging you- yeah, that’s possibly the most unfathomable decision ever. She was a complete doormat for him and her OTT manipulative family. Lots of other questionable decisions later…and she’s somehow transformed by Trick’s positive attention. She turns into an Uber confident biker chick who initiates sex onstage at the club’s strip joint (off hours, but employees there). Yeah, I’m not buying it. Trick’s character was more believable but as a couple they ended up being super corny and unrealistic.

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️AMAZING⭐️⭐️

Truly amazing as always from the amazing Cat Porter! Anything with even the mention of Dig or Wreck immediately brings tears to my eyes 🥺 I absolutely loved the chemistry between Nicole and Trick!! They are hot, passionate, loving, sexy, dangerous and romantic all mixed into one. I loved how all the characters made the perfect appearance at the perfect time. There’s just enough drama, heartbreak and love to make another perfect addition to the Lock and Key series 🤩

[Sherry Molock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful

So great to read Trick and Nicole's story. It was wonderful seeing b them fall in love, Trick was so sweet and supportive of Nicole. I found myself getting really annoyed with her for not telling Trick the real reason she came to Meager, especially when he was so open and honest about his own demons. It was great visiting with the heroes and heroines from prior book. I wish we could have seen a little bit more of Finger and Lenore because Finger is my favorite MC character. Hope there will be more books in this series!

[Denise Knox · Rating 5 out of 5]

♥️Trick and Nicole♥️

I love this series, and this book was just what I needed. It is different from some of the other books because it is not as graphic or violent as some of the others. I loved where the story began and where it ended. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed reading each and every word, I is refreshing to read a well worded story with a plot characters. Total plot development the works. Bravo. I cannot wait for the next book.

[LeAnnette Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best keeps getting better!!

I did a reread before reading Thunder and Flare!! The saga continues and it is awesome! Once started, I couldn’t put it down. Trick and Nicole’s story is hot! I loved the way the whole story included so many old characters from other stories in the series. Cat does such a good job of weaving the history of the Jacks in with the new story! This one is off the charts! Thanks Cat!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved being back in Meager!!

Trick and Nicole are adorable! Loved their story and the family connection with Wreck and Lock was so perfect! I really enjoyed the story and being back in Meager again! Might go back and do a reread which I almost never do but I’m feeling all nostalgic now lol! Oh and thanks to Cat Porter for the advanced copy! Life got in the way and I wasn’t able to read and review it before it was released, but better late than never!

[Joan Saladino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trick and Nicole

This is such a great story! Trick deserved this happy life. Nicole had already been through so much and Trick was the perfect one for her. He’s just swooney!
It was so good to go back to Meager. Such a perfect book

[wrkatreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️

I enjoyed the series and going back to Meager was great. Reading an knowing who everyone is and their back ground really made this story bloom. Tricky was a character that I was rooting for. Glad he got his HEA.

[Tana Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this series

Wonderful continuation of this series; I hope there will be more.
Cat Porter weaves a wonderful tale of longing, love, and growth with strong men and equally strong women. One of my favorite series!

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG... amazing 💖 💖💖👏

I have loved this series from the beginning, I hope this book isn't the end. I love these characters and their stories. Just so beautiful and heart breaking 💔 This author is amazing. Best MC series. 💖💖💖

[Tina Workman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yessss! Loved this one!

I so enjoyed the return to Meager and all our favorite players. The story of Trick and Nicole was so exciting. They met in the chaos and found their peace in each other. I enjoyed the bonus epilogue too!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific story and series

This was another fantastic addition to this series, and a story that you certainly won't want to miss.
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and outstanding author.

Hope to see more stories in this series!

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE LOVE LOVE this book. Loved that Dig and Wreck and Isi and Finger were so thoroughly entwined in this story. Thank you, Cat, for once again having me hooked from the first word.

[Jennifer Engle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read!

I do think they were love at first sight. Trick was slow and gentle and rough and passionate, yet not overbearing and caveman like most bikers. Solid plot, too.

[Shani · Rating 4 out of 5]

As this was my first book by this author, I wasn't sure what to expect. I love a good MC romance, so I went into it with high hopes.

The author did not disappoint! From the moment Nicole showed up on the page, I instantly liked her. When she has to literally fight for her life in more ways than one I found myself getting angry for her. I might have wanted to rough up a few characters before she even met Trick! I loved how strong-willed she was. Even when she's faced with hardship, her determination shines through. The truth about her past and how she got to where she's at when she makes it to Meager, hurt my heart for her. I wanted to do more than just rough someone up! Seriously, how did this woman go through as much as she did and hold strong? With that said, I really appreciated the vulnerability she showed too. She wasn't such a brave character as she put on, she was strong with emotional upheaval. Her determination truly impressed me.

I loved the insight into Trick's past as I hadn't read any of the books prior. You can see where he's grown as a man though because of what is shared. The guy had gone through some of the hardest things you could go through as a person. Still, his ability to overcome a lot of it made my heart melt. His own strength made him even more attractive than he was. Even though what started out with them was fake, I swear you can see and feel the difference just as short time made on page. When they started to fall, it was clear. It think the author did an awesome job of making sure that the characters were flawed, but so beautiful as was their love.

Another thing I really liked about how the author wrote about various couples' pasts. It wasn't a spec of information, but enough to make you appreciate where they're at in their journey. I didn't feel like Trick's story was taken away by theirs.

Overall, I really enjoyed this. I would totally go back and read more by the author. If you're looking for an MC read with flawed characters who overcome a great deal and with plenty of spice, this is a great one to pick up!

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thunder & Flare is the 10th novel in the Lock & Key series by Cat Porter. Anytime I can immerse myself into the fictional town of Meager, South Dakota, I am all in! Here we explore the love interest of Trick and Nicole. They come together where one has their walls up and sealed! The other carries feelings of unworthiness. There is a definite attraction from the beginning. But, both try fiercely to push the other away until they can no longer fight it.
For the hardcore L&K fan, you will be enlightened by the mention of all the characters we’ve grown to love over the years. Everyone has their place in the story. And at the core is “Wreck.” Porter has inserted his presence in key places to drive home his significance to this series.

What I noticed quickly is the difference between this novel from the others in the Lock and Key series. I couldn’t put my finger on it initially, but it came to me. In Thunder & Flare we enter Meager in a much different time from the early days of this town. Throughout the series Porter has transformed this sleepy, broken down town into a vibrant, bustling city. New businesses are thriving. But, old businesses like Pepper’s Boots are still going strong! ;)
Gone are the darker, edgier and battered bikers. We see instead an MC with a stronger, deeper sense of purpose and greater loyalty to the brotherhood.

Porter takes us on a magnificent joyride. We experience the scenes and locales that are forever etched in our brain. The Meager Grand for instance with the chance to rejuvenate our senses with the robust coffee scent. We cruise through the Black Hills of South Dakota on our Harley where the sweet smell of the Ponderosa Pines penetrates our consciousness. I’d gladly take this joyride any day!

Thunder and Flare could be read as a standalone. But, greater understanding and appreciation for the story will be greatly enhanced by reading the Lock & Key series first.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie's Book Reports.

Trick is the Jack's Road Captain and a mechanic. However in the motorcycle club world he really thrives. The guy is super loyal to his brothers, loves to ride his motorcycle faster than he really should and loved his job. He is also a man that has had a lot of failed relationships and really has decided that he does not need love in his life. However he is charming and that charm just might get him more than he bargained for when he meets at a rival club's party. He really shouldn't have been there in the first place, and she is for sure forbidden. It does not take him very long to figure out that Nicole doesn't belong at this MC blowout party. She is after all a sheltered rich girl from the opposite side of the tracks and was trying to do a good deed when she got captured by a very ruthless MC President. He is the only one who can save and being the reckless kind of guy he is that's exactly what he does when he cuts her loose. But in the process starts a firestorm of utter chaos. Now they find themselves in a fake relationship to keep themselves, the Jack's and their allies out of danger. However it isn't very long before the lines between fake relationship and real feelings begin to blur. However she is keeping some serious secrets and disaster is coming if those secrets are revealed. This could spell disaster for his club and the entire small town of Meager, South Dakota
I loved this book. I was hooked from the beginning and did not lay it down. It is so well written that you really are in the moment right beside these characters going through everything they do while clinging to the edge of your seat barely hanging on. You do not want to miss this book.

[MJLovestoRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's always a special kind of joy being back in Meager, South Dakota with those wonderful One-Eyed Jacks. Cat Porter continues the legacy that is this series with her latest, Thunder & Flare, which is an easy kind of read featuring an equally sweet kind of love story.

This time it's Trick's turn and his romance with Nicole, a woman who has surprising ties to the MC group from way back when in Wreck's time. We get to uncover all of her secrets and the unfortunate burdens she's had to carry wrt to her despicable husband and unsavory family with her new man, Trick as her forever protector. The biker and his Zip really do save the other in more ways than one and it truly is one wicked ride.

Long-time faves are there to welcome Nicole to Meager and she clearly fits in like she was born to be an old lady. It's always a pleasure to see Jill, Grace, Lenore and Tania and the tight bond they have despite all they have endured to get where they are today. And now with Nicole, their close-knit sisterhood has only gotten better.

Overall, I felt as if this book is a bit lower in angst than previous ones in the series, most incidents getting resolved somewhat quickly. The portrayal of the One-Eyed Jacks is one that is a lighter version of the hardened men I first came to know in book one, Lock & Key, as their lives are now settled with the women of their dreams firmly by their sexy sides.

Thunder & Flare is a great way to introduce yourself to Cat Porter's addictive writing style as you meet the loyal and memorable residents of Meager and you'll quickly learn why they will always own a piece of my heart.

[Agnieszka Sadowska · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finally figured out why I love Cat's books so much, and this series in particular. There are so many things to love here: the small town atmosphere, the amazing scenery, the rich stories of all the characters, the darkness intertwined with sweet moments. But what I love most is the way she writes her heroes. They are flawed but strive to be better, they know what they want but are not pushy or obsessive and - what's most important and sort of unique - they are champions of their women. They are not knights in shining armor promising to fix everything for their woman. Instead, they challenge them to realize that they can do anything they want. That they are strong enough to achieve their goals on their own. Sure, men will help here and there, but they are confident enough in their masculinity to play a supporting role in the relationship (Butler, Trick and Beck from Whisperwind Duet - they are all like that).
At first I was nervous when I learned that this would be a Trick's book. In "Fury" he was a bit of an asshole, but he's a great example of a hero who has grown up, wised up and now only wants to be happy with a strong woman. And Nicole... oh boy! She could be a random damsel in distress, but she's not, and the way Cat has connected her story to the previous books is just brilliant. I could write and write about many things I liked about "Thunder & Flare," but there's no point. I finished it one day and I already want to read it again. If I could give it 10 stars, I would, and I can't wait for more stories from Meager, South Dakota.

[Maria L · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars! I'm fairly new to Cat Porter, I've loved everything so far. This is a wonderful story about standing up for yourself despite losing everything in the process and putting yourself back out there after having your heart shattered into a million pieces. It was thrilling, heartwarming, and the ending put everything satisfyingly in their place.

Nicole saw an opportunity to get away from her suppressed life, and maybe a chance to find her long lost brother. Unfortunately, she jumped from the frying pan into the fire, into the hands of a dangerous MC. And Trick was there to rescue her. He was bowled over the moment he laid eyes on her. This starts a chain of events that has them in lockdown for a while, and then faking a relationship, which turns into so much more.

I love Trick and Nicole. They're so both easy to like, despite their hangups. I love that Nicole was accepted into the folds of the Jacks 'family' just because she needed someone on her side. I'm glad that in the end, Cat Porter chose to leave her relationship with her mom somewhat open ended with the potential for repair. All in all, an emotional book, with genuine dialogue, some touches of action / thriller / suspense, and lots of fun loving.

Thank you Cat Porter and Give Me Books Promotions for this ARC. The above is my own and personal opinion.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems like forever since I had the pleasure of reading a new Cat Porter book, so it was very exciting to be blessed with a copy of Thunder & Flare. Trick and Nicole seemed to be so different, complete opposites in every way. Nicole grew up in a life of privilege and wealth while Trick had his struggles to just fit in anywhere but made a home in his MC world. Both had faced tragedies in their pasts and were not looking for a relationship or even love after suffering through extreme disappointments with previous partners. How they came together though was a little bit of blind luck and probably a huge dash of fate and the whirlwind of danger and excitement made what they had even more rewarding. I loved getting to see so many characters from previous books and then the reveal of why Nicole desperately wanted to come to Meager in the first place made it even more exciting.
Trick and Nicole didn't necessarily have an easy time becoming solid, but the changes she made from weak, meek, abused woman to the strong fighter who deserved to be by Trick's side was so much fun to watch. I loved everything about this book...it started off with a shocking bang and finished with a beautiful love story for all. Highly recommend.

***** 5 ***** "family is EVERYTHING after all" stars

[Jen Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I lost my first draft of this review and I’m gutted because it was so much better than this one!

One of my favourites in the Lock and Key series. I loved how the Flare and Thunder story brought these two characters together and how Nicole and Tricks' pasts and present knit together throughout the book.

Nicole is a young woman from Oklahoma who is desperate to get away from her controlling family and estranged husband.
When her brothers gambling debts bring a bounty hunter (the Smoking Guns MC) into her mothers home, paying his debts to save their lives also gives her an idea as a cover story to run away and head to South Dakato in search of a long lost brother. Little does she know she has jumped out of the frying pan and straight into the fire when Dog (president of the MC) has other ideas.


Trick (Road Captain) for the One Eyed Jacks believes he doesn’t deserve love after an old hookup left him broken.
Trick stumbles across a gorgeous woman and a party he doesn’t even want to be at. After helping a rival MC with a broken down bike he is invited to a party at their club house where he finds Nicole zip tied to a fence.
To save her and get out they pretend to be Old Man and Old Lady and they have to keep up the lie when they return to Meager.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 10th book in this incredible series, and this is Trick and Nicole’s journey. Trick is the Road Captain and chief mechanic for the “Jacks”, and having been burnt by love in the past, he does not thing it will be in his future. Nicole is feisty, and is from a wealthy family, but when she was trying to do a good deed, she ended up being captured by a ruthless MC President. When Trick is at a rival club’s party, he is drawn to Nicole, and he takes her with him. To keep Nicole safe Trick claims her as his, but will that keep danger at bay?
This is a well written story which is an action packed, emotional roller coaster, which is raw, gritty, and intense, with a fake relationship, undeniable chemistry, danger, secrets, twists, trust, romance, and love, which leads to an entertaining and steamy page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[Timitra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rated 4.5 Stars

I loved Thunder and Flare. It was packed with action, suspense, twists and turns. It was also sexy, steamy and heartwarming. One of the things that really stood out to me was how sweet it was, so much more so than the other books in the series. It still had the darker and grittier elements like it predecessors but that sweetness was all Trick. I loved how he was with Nicole, so kind, caring and loving. I loved how they were together and watching the build-up of their relationship. I loved watching them experience each other and that which they had not known with anyone else. This series always leaves me steeped in emotions and Thunder and Flare was no different. It left my heart warm, squishy and steeped in swoon. I highly recommend.


Copy won in a contest hosted by author

[Nicola Thorpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being back in the Lock & Key universe is like being wrapped in a huge, comforting blanket. I was super excited when the announcement for Thunder & Flare’s release was made, and couldn’t wait to get my grubby little hands on this book.

Boy, I was not disappointed! Trick, Road Captain for the One Eyed Jacks MC, is a man burned by love. Despite aching for the commitment and security that comes with a forever relationship, he believes it’s not in his future. So when he rescues Nicole, and has to pretend she’s his Old Lady, he tries to keep his growing emotions towards her in check.

Cat approaches her craft in such a bold and sophisticated way, it’s truly captivating to find oneself immersed in her fictional world. I love these books, and these characters so much.

They will remain forever my most favourite books to read.