Smooth Sailing

Wild West MC #3

by Kristen Ashley

When the Chaos Motorcycle Club came to call, Harlan “Hugger” McCain wasn’t ready to be welcomed into the fold. They said he was a legacy. He felt like an outcast.

But he patched in anyway.

And he was all in to be a part of their not-quite-outlaw missions.

This takes him down to Phoenix, right into the orbit of Diana Armitage, a beautiful, green-eyed woman with a heart of gold and a scarily honed tendency to sacrifice for pretty much everyone she cares about, and some people she barely knows.

Hugger has been existing. Life has never given him much, now, he expects even less.

Diana lives life to its fullest. And she doesn’t keep it a secret she wants to drag Hugger right along with her.

But Hugger is certain he’s got bad blood. He’s got one foot in Chaos, one foot out. One foot in Diana’s life, one foot out.

Diana and his brothers in Chaos have their work cut out to show Hugger who he is.

That he belongs.

And he’s worthy to be loved.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Audiobook, Romantic Suspense, Forced Proximity, Adult

458 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 4, 2025

About the author

Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA. She nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn't taken her first breath!).

Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.

Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).

Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.

And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.

Reviews

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

I did not expect this to be a Chaos book, but I was here for it! Honestly, I don’t remember Harlan from the other books, but I was happy to get his story and some of the club. It was great to catch up with the rest of Chaos. I loved all the Big Petey content!

Audio book source: Audible
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Full Cast
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Romance
Length: 12h 24m

[Flor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ENJOYED IT

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[Mel (whilemelwasreading) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Wind, Fire, Ride, Free."

I have been reading this author for years. And when I tell you I was not prepared for this story…

I am certainly not prepared to write this review.

I mean, how do you find the words to convey just how profound a story had an impact on you. How characters who are fictional to you, have a way of making you feel like they are somehow a part of your world too. I just don’t know if I can do it justice but I’ll try.

This story felt every word of its title Smooth Sailing for a huge part, despite its tough subject matter (seek out CW’s if needed). Diana waded in for a stranger, putting herself in danger. For their own reasons, local MC Clubs unite in protecting them both. Including Chaos- Hugger’s MC. And from first meet, it’s an instant attraction. Though their relationship slow burns. He’s quiet and broody. She’s sunshine and pure class. Opposites in many ways. But deep down, similar in many ways too. Givers. With pain from their pasts. But they make it work. And they just FIT. I was so giddy. Absolutely SMITTEN by them from the start.

But just like I knew it would (it was just TOO smooth to be true) this story takes a turn. And when I tell you I was so overcome by it… I mean, I threw my kindle. I THREW MY KINDLE. I didn’t know how I was going to be able to continue. But I did somehow. Absolutely SOBBING through it all. And suddenly the title for this book became something else entirely. And I am still just overcome by it all to be honest. All I can say is that the author took something so heart wrenchingly real and raw, and made it exceptionally beautiful. There are no words. I know I will never be able to convey just how exceptional the author wrote this.

I feel like the author really brought us full circle here. We got to spend time in a location where new books and series are set. See characters from those books. While also visiting with characters from previous books and series, that we’ve loved for years- like the Chaos MC. No one does found family like Kristen Ashley and it truly shines here. For that reason, I do feel this book is best read if you’ve experienced all that is the Chaos MC. But even so, and forsure within the Wild West MC series- it could be read as a standalone.

I truly don’t know how the author got through writing this. It was a reading experience I will never forget. Easy 5 stars. Don’t miss it!

* Thanks to the author and her team for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own and given freely.

[Ofwitchbrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

You don’t understand how deep my obsession is with this woman. From the minute I discovered her books till today, I knew for a fact I would dive deep into any of her books and would never come out disappointed.

To have her containing that series and bringing back all the memories we had with Tack and the Chaos MC. WHEN I TELL YOU I SCREAMED WHEN I GOT THE ARC FOR IT.

The amount of fucking sobbing I did reading this. Tears and snot. The character development of Hugger and the way he reached out to Di felt so real and raw as if I was living THE SCENES in reality.

The brotherhood that knows the bound, the LOVE?!?!? And I love me a grizzly man, Hugs is that kind of man hence me drooling over my kindle.

KA absolutely wrecked the shit out of me with this one. I can fucking wait to see what she’s up to next.

Adore you Kristen, always.

[kgm95 · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was Chaos so I had to read it. I made it to Ch 14 but thinking to DNF it. The writing is just not as well done as books like Motorcycle Man or Walk Through Fire or so many of her earlier books. Those books? The story unfolds through her writing, through characters’ actions & words. Her newer books? She just tells the story & it feels forced & surface level. Disappointed again.

[✨Rachael, Island Bookworm ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoilers ahead
I'm not sure why this is Wild west MC when Hugger was a member of chaos? There were members of wild west involved but the MMC is chaos.

The beginning was absolutely unbelievable, Diana wades in and offers shelter to a young woman who's been raped. Given that a few years before Diana was sexually assaulted she's very sympathetic to the young woman. She's named Imran Babic as her attacker and this draws the attention of chaos and wild west who send men to offer protection. Hugger is point man for chaos with Petey playing a big role. Secrets are revealed as the plot progresses and the MC members work on keeping the young woman safe.

******
Why would a young woman who's been raped choose to stay with Diana rather than accept police protection? How could Diana be going about her business while Babic's men are watching her home? They're just waiting,? Why didn't they grab her and force her to give up the young lady? 😂 it was completely unrealistic but I rolled with it.
There isn't much conflict between the mcs thankfully, Hugger wanted her from the beginning but he struggled internally with being good enough for her given his parentage. He's a loner by nature and doesn't like to be touched but with Diana he's all in. Eventually he realises she's important to him and then they're all in, no third act breakup.
Diana was typical KA FMC, quirky and cute in nice clothes etc, a maybe less feisty Tyra. She wanted Hugger and had no issues with him being in a mc.
There's family conflict as Diana reconciles with her dad and ends up estranged from her mom.
This book is long but if you've read KA that's to be expected.
On a reread I'd definitely lower this rating tbh but at this moment I was just relieved to to get hints of the old KA as I've DNF most if her latest releases.

********
Rape of a secondary character
h was sexually assaulted some years before, we live through that at the beginning thankfully she's able to fight him off. Her dad's reaction pmo so bad, i wanted to hear his thoughts on why he reacted as he did
No cheating
Hugger of course had a past 🙄 but no OW for him after meeting the h
Diana had 2 long term relationships
Lots of cameos from chaos and wild west members
Death of a beloved chaos member






Thoughts while reading

First time in years I've thoroughly enjoyed a KA book.....4.5*

RTC






Final thoughts.....I cried so hard at that ending....fuck you big Petey for making me think you were immortal 😭


Sometimes you have to switch your brain off to read KA


At exactly half way through I confess..... I'm really enjoying this! I'm equal parts scared and excited to continue because it's KA,this shit could be a 5 star read or a dumpster fire that'll make me smash my kindle 😭
Reminds me of old KA
The bromance in this has me grinning, big Pete has been in the background of every chaos book, it's good to see more of him
200 pages to go KA better not f my shit up because I'm digging this




Currently reading

[Renée · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

3.5 stars

It was fine, but a little slow going throughout. Also not as preachy as she’s been in other books lately (yay!).

Did not expect that gut punch in the epilogue.

[Amy Imogene Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's always like a warm hug, returning to Chaos. Strap in for the story of Harlan ("Hugger") and Diana!

Smooth Sailing is the third book in the Wild West MC series, which is in itself a spin-off series from KA's older Chaos MC series. Why am I giving you this much context? Because let's be honest, with these longer romance series + romance series spin-offs in the indie romance scene is honestly hard to keep it all straight—especially if you're a new reader!

So, first things first: if you're brand new to KA's motorcycle club romances, I recommend you pause here and investigate the Chaos MC series, which starts with Own the Wind. I promise you won't regret it!

But, if you're a wild card who likes to play it fast and loose with series order (it's me, I'm that person too) then feel free to keep on reading here and see if you'd like to try out the Wild West MC series by itself.

From the blurb...

When the Chaos Motorcycle Club came to call, Harlan “Hugger” McCain wasn’t ready to be welcomed into the fold. They said he was a legacy. He felt like an outcast.

But he patched in anyway. And he was all in to be a part of their not-quite-outlaw missions.

This takes him down to Phoenix, right into the orbit of Diana Armitage, a beautiful, green-eyed woman with a heart of gold and a scarily honed tendency to sacrifice for pretty much everyone she cares about, and some people she barely knows.

Hugger has been existing. Life has never given him much, now, he expects even less. Diana lives life to its fullest. And she doesn’t keep it a secret she wants to drag Hugger right along with her.

But Hugger is certain he’s got bad blood. He’s got one foot in Chaos, one foot out. One foot in Diana’s life, one foot out. Diana and his brothers in Chaos have their work cut out to show Hugger who he is. That he belongs. And he’s worthy to be loved.

My thoughts:
First off, it's honestly a huge surprise that I'm standing here at all, reading this story and telling you about it. (And it's to my utter shock that I liked it—a LOT!) Because, in total honesty, I hated the first book in the Wild West MC spin-off series. It actually turned me away from the entire concept, and led to me not reading the second book. (I don't feel this book deserves to be overshadowed by that story, so let's leave it at the fact that the MMC of that first book crossed some lines that all other KA love interests never cross.) But I'm on KA's arc team and it'd been a while... and I love Chaos... and I love KA. So I knew it was time for me to give this series another try.

Hugger and Diana's story hits the spot. It's emotionally resonant, it has a core plot that carries through the entire story in a satisfying way, and it's filled with all of those KA-isms that hit me right in the feels. In short, I loved it.

If you're a KA stan, obviously you're going to read and love this one. If you're new to her work, like I said at the top—start with Chaos if you're into all things MC romance, or start with this one knowing that you're entering a boisterous family of bikers, their women, and their good times. Y'all are welcome here.

Thanks so much to the author for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

Blog | Instagram | Libro.fm Audiobooks

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smooth Sailing was PHENOMENAL! There is something special in the way Kristen Ashley tells a story, immediately pulling me in and making me feel like I'm a part of it. I had chills! I loved Hugger and Diana and the incredible details of them coming together, it was filled with so much feeling and love. I felt like I was in a chokehold as it all unfolded, and I loved the way it broke me down a bit and built me back up. Within minutes I could feel this would be a five-star read and from there it exceeded my expectations. SIX STARS!

I loved meeting Hugger and learning about him, he was the perfect mix of alpha, bossy, sweet, and protective. I felt so much for him as he worked through things from his past and I was filled with anticipation to learn about his connection to Chaos. I adored Diana and how deeply she loved and took care of people, and how hardworking and determined she was. I liked learning her history even though some of it was hard. I loved Diana and Hugger meeting and the instant connection they had, I could feel their attraction and pull to one another in the middle of the intense situation they were in. There were so many wonderful scenes and interactions as they got to know each other and fall in love, it was the perfect blend of emotional and entertaining.

I thought this was a well-developed story with a fantastic build that had me hanging on every word. There were a lot of things happening, dramas unfolding, and emotional moments playing out. I loved all the different characters, connections, and cameos, seeing the bonds of the brotherhood and found families. I loved learning more about Big Petey, he's been such a presence in the Chaos series so I was thrilled that I really got to see what an amazing man he was with all the wisdom he shared. I also loved his relationship with Hugger and why he worked to bring him into the Chaos fold. I love the Wild West MC universe and seeing the different MCs working together as well as favorites from other series. I’m excited about where it all could go, the possibilities are endless.

There was some foreshadowing happening in the beginning so I was bracing for what was to come. I was glad I did because, by the time I got to the epilogue, I was a sobbing mess even though it was absolutely beautiful and touching. From the relationship that Hugger and Diana had to the love of all the brothers, and dealing with the drama surrounding them, as well as healing and loss, this was all brilliant. There were so many poignant moments throughout full of meaning, that I got choked up several times. Hands down this is a new favorite!

Complimentary copy received.

[ashlin.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This. Book! It is hard to gather my emotions in to words, so when I say this is a must read, I mean that with my whole heart. Especially for fellow KA readers. I could also come back and add more to this review to appropriately display the depth of my feelings for this book haha!

This story focuses on Hugger and Diana who have an odd meeting when Hugger shows up to help protect her while she's protecting another woman who has been assaulted. They have an instant connection they can't fight.

We get to visit her other MC members from previous books and I was ecstatic! Especially the Chaos members. I loved getting more history into their story with Hugger coming of age and joining the club after they protected his mother. Getting his and her story was a joy. I was crying throughout this book as well, which doesn't happen in many books. I was UGLY CRYING!! Kristen Ashley know how to truly bring out the emotions in her stories and will have you feeling everything the characters are feeling.

The found family aspect of this particular book of hers was outstanding. She is a queen of found family in my opinion but this time she really hit it out of the park. I loved getting glimpses at characters from other stories and how they all brought Diana into the fold so effortlessly. She fit right in and I can't wait to see more of she and Hugger as we go along.

If you haven't read Kristen's other MC books I would highly recommend before reading this one!

Thank you so much Kristen and team for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!!

[Cécile · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decided to give KA another chance,and since Smooth Sailing involved Chaos,it sounded like a safe choice.
It turned out to be what i’ve learned to expect from KA.
A damaged hero that seemingly lives on the wrong side of the track,but does all the right things.
And a sassy heroine that may live in a different world,but doesn’t judge a book by it’s cover.
There’s a LOT of detail along the way,as usual.
But deep down,this is a story with good bones.
And i’m glad to say i enjoyed reading it.
So….maybe i might be persuaded to try another….in a while.

[Jennifer Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars ⭐️

[Izzie d · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is really good.
You don't have huge conflict between the Hero and heroine that you usually get with KA at the start. The Hero struggles internally with having anything to offer the heroine but he's pretty much all in from the get go.
There is loads of family conflict and loads of Choas characters and history.

I was a bit confused why it's Wild West series when it doesn't really deal with the club like the previous books in he series but there is a merge of sorts in Phoenix.

No intimate details except with the Hero and heroine, very little history about previous relationships, its touched on briefly.

Huge emotional ending, I'd just reread Choas so extra impact of the story because of that.

Possible triggers there are references to sexual assault though no details.

HEA.
Epilogue.

[Formerly Known as Spoiler W · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a feeling in the beginning of a certain someone and what happens to that certain someone. I was expecting it and when I read it in the epilogue I didn't like it. LOL

TEARS! Big Petey was the heart of Chaos and what a beautiful send off it was.

I liked the MMC and FMC even together even though I didn't feel their chemistry. They made sense but then they didn't. I don't know how to explain it. Storyline was good. New characters are introduced and hopefully we get to read their stories.

[Nadine Bookaholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chaos MC joins forces with others in this third book in the Wild West MC Series.

Harlan “Hugger” McCain is Chaos through and through. He will do anything for his brothers, so when a job comes up in Phoenix, he's willing to go so those with families won't have to. What Hugger didn't expect was to find a woman who would steal his heart.

Diana Armitage has convinced a young woman who suffered a brutal assault to come and stay with her so she can protect her while she healed; the only thing is this isn't something Diana has experience doing. Diana suffered her own attack years earlier, and while vastly different, there is one common denominator: her father, the lawyer.

𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒚 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 ➡ https://bit.ly/NBReviewSS3

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**I have voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book for my Blog, Nadine's Obsessed with Books
**I also purchased an audiobook copy
You can find me here: Nadine Bookaholic's Links

[TJ *Book Twins Reviews* · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way I loved this book is NEXT LEVEL!

Diana and Hugger were everything, but the story goes so much deeper than just the love story. Kristen Ashley builds on to the family with each additional story, so the old and new seamlessly collide. Whether you’re new here or a diehard fan of Chaos, Resurrection, or Aces, you will love this story!

[Jennifer☠Pher☠ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished and since the end totally gutted me, I'll start there.

I see that some saw the end coming but I DID NOT. It killed me. And before that, the meeting at Chaos, the expansion and all that brought about for Hugger killed me too!! Quite an emotional last bit of this book for sure.

Ok, let's get it together. Whew. So yeah, this was really good. A lot better than I expected. KA is my favorite but I've not been head over heels for some of her more recent releases but this one really worked for me and I loved almost all of it.

The setup, how Diana got into all this, was a little far fetched but I just went with the flow. What she was doing and what happened though, was very, very upsetting. VERY. I had to read through a lot of that quickly and kind of push it out once I'd gotten the gist. KA has a way of smoothing the worst of it over that I very much appreciate. You get the level of bad but she definitely moves you thorough it so you don't get stuck there.

It's about freaking time we get a KA heroine who is mostly normal. So many lately are all about brand names and expensive this or that. Not that Diana wasn't into all that stuff, with mention of Nordstrom's and how she grew up, I'm sure she is, it just wasn't really part of the book and that was a nice change. She owned her home, had a mortgage, she focused on the real stuff. I liked that most about her.

Hugger. What a freaking perfect name for this man. It was truly lovely to see him get it. To really get it.

I'm going to rate this pretty high. I couldn't put it down and I really can't think of anything I didn't like about it.

Even the evil parents switcharoo was balanced well with the really freaking great parents.

Oh, and everyone was in this book. Everyone. I am in a desperate need for some re-reads, most definitely Chaos.

[Justadele · Rating 1 out of 5]

KA was and always will be one of my favourite authors, I’ve got pretty much every book she written and she’s the only author that I will reread certain books . All that said I’ve got to say this one just didn’t work for me. I think I’m over the Chaos crowd for me their story is told. Having every single character from every story line pop up just felt like walking down memory lane.

I kept waiting for something to actually happen in this book but nothing really did, sadly a disappointing 1 star.

[Sara [booksndjunk] · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ending to this just about did me in. I was sobbing. This story was so good and it was so fun seeing Chaos again! Can't wait for more!!

[Anas Attic Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smooth Sailing: Wild West MC, Book 3 by Kristen Ashley
Narrated by Stella Bloom, Joseph Discher & James Lurie
While the romance in this book stands alone, the rest of the book does not. 
4.25 Stars
Thank you to Kristen Ashley and her team for supplying a complimentary copy for review. Neither this or any ads EVER affect my reviews. Ana's Attic is part of the Amazon affiliate program.

“Wind. Ride. Fire. Free.”

Damn you, Kristen Ashley! I am SOBBING again while writing this! That epilogue was just so beautifully done. Smooth Sailing is the third book in the Wild West MC Series, and I think this is another one written for her die-hard fans. This series is an offshoot of the Chaos MC Series, which spun off from The Dream Man Series, which itself branched from Rock Chicks. It’s also tied to the Avenging Angels since we’ve got the main players in Phoenix, and we all know how Chaos works with Nightingale Investigations. (See my Complete Guide to Kristen Ashley for all of these series.)

Smooth Sailing was beautiful. Too beautiful for a traditional MC book, but absolutely perfect for those of us who’ve been along for the ride all these years. It’s a little corny, yes—but a lot of her recent reunion-type books are, and I am here for it.

Harlan, aka “Hugger,” has had a rough life. With a crappy sperm-donor father and a prostitute mom (who was wonderful and did what she had to do to keep her kid fed and housed), Hugger learned to take care of himself young. His mom was involved with Chaos and always wanted her son to join, but after she passed, Hugger never let himself get close to anyone. Rush and Big Petey finally convinced him to become a prospect, then a brother, but he never felt fully “in,” thinking his dad’s bad blood made him the same.

Diana lives in Phoenix. When she discovered a young girl had been sexually assaulted by a big-time local crime lord—and found out her own dad was defending the a-hole—she decided to step in. She rescued the girl from the hospital and guarded her, thinking the criminal wouldn’t come after his lawyer’s daughter. Chaos got wind of this all the way in Denver and sent Hugger and Big Petey to work with the Phoenix clubs to protect these women.

Well, you know how it goes in Kristen Ashley Land! That protection leads to more. Diana was another amazing KA heroine I’d want to be friends with. Harlan got the nickname “Hugger” ironically because he didn’t like being touched…but Diana changed all of that. I loved how she made him realize how much more life had to offer.

Smooth Sailing is the perfect name for this book because, honestly, for a story that starts off about protection, there wasn’t much action. But there was a LOT of family—both by blood and by cut.

“You went through the worst with us and it was a Rough Ride, but you Walked Through Fire with us, and finally, when we got Smooth Sailing, (…) Ride Steady, my brother.”

Likes:

•OMG, the emotions!
•I’ve always loved Big Petey, and I’m glad we got to know him even more.
•All of the crossover characters from other books and series.
•Even though so many characters were mentioned—including ones I barely remembered—I never felt lost like I did in previous books in this series.
•Visiting Chaos in Denver and seeing all the players and their kids (but seriously, how did Diana keep all those names straight?)
•I loved how Diana just accepted Harlan as a biker and never made it a thing.
•All the reminders of what a real family the club is, and how that brotherhood means everything.
•The songs. You NEED to listen to the two she mentions, really listen to the lyrics.
•The epilogue. It broke me. But it was written so beautifully, and the way Kristen worked in the book names was genius.

Dislikes:

•I was hoping for a little more romantic suspense. The reason Hugger and Pete went to Phoenix just kind of fizzled out.
•Chaos (and the other clubs) are too good now. The men are too wise. The women are too quick to accept anyone. It’s all wrapped up in a pretty little bow. I just felt like we needed a little more grit—it was all so healthy, sweet, and beautiful.
•I normally love how Kristen does 1st person for the female POV and 3rd for the male POV. I usually barely even notice it, but for this story, the 3rd-person narration felt more distant and removed than usual. Maybe it was meant to be because Hugger felt distant, but I don’t think so. It also just could have been the narration.
•The Kristen Ashley motorcycle slang felt goofy at some points.

The Narration:
Stella Bloom is always perfect for KA books. When I hear her narrate anything else, she immediately makes the book better because it feels like I’m listening to a Kristen Ashley book. Joseph Discher is a great narrator, but I don’t love him in romance. He acts well, but his voice just isn’t sexy. I started Smooth Sailing by reading an ARC, and I loved it, but due to eye problems, I had to switch to audio. I definitely liked this one better when I read it because of his voice—he just sounds like a teacher and just not gruff enough to be a biker.

The Down & Dirty:
There’s a feeling that a Kristen Ashley book gives me that nothing else compares to. There’s a reason she has been my favorite author since I started my blog 13 years ago. Smooth Sailing is such a fitting title because the club drama, turf wars, and all that crap are over. Now they just run a custom shop and make babies. It’s a sweet and slightly corny love letter to Chaos. While it seems like Kristen is getting ready to move the series to Phoenix, I honestly think Smooth Sailing would be the perfect end to the Wild West MC series. It’s perfect for any Kristen Ashley MC fan, especially because it has that reunion feel, but people who read a lot of other MC romances may find it a little too sweet and tidy for them.

Rating: 4.25 Stars, 2 Heat, 3.5 Narration (I think the male narration pulled my rating down a bit).

Purchase Smooth Sailing (Wild West MC 3) by Kristen Ashley
Kindle | Paperback | Audible

See the Wild West MC Reading order, but make sure you read The Chaos Series first.

See my Complete Guide to Kristen Ashley

[Lorraine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow, Kristen Ashley had really lost her way with her writing. Last I checked she wrote romance yet all of her latest offerings have been instant love. The two MC’s immediately decide they are in to each other. Within 30 minutes of meeting (during which time they are not alone) Diana decides she’s so into Hugger but thinks it’ll be difficult because they live in different cities and all of his friends have basically decided that Diana belongs to Hugger and that’s basically it. There are no ups and downs in the relationships. No dramas, no misunderstandings, no arguments, no danger, no push and pull as they establish each others boundaries. Everyone is just so perfect and so understanding that they have no flaws or personalities at all. It’s all just very one level and it makes it boring. I started do skim read at about 40% through and I can honestly say I didn’t miss anything because nothing happened that was vital to the main story and relationships with the main characters. An argument with Diana’s mum is about as dramatic as the entire book got. I miss the emotional investment that I used to get with all of her books.

Yes the ending is well written and emotional but it’s not about the two MC’s that this book focuses on so could have been a novella or short story on its own.

I really need to stop reading her books because at this point they are just a big disappointment.

[Pauline Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've come to expect that every series will produce a favourite that I will return to again and again. Smooth Sailing is right up there with what I personally consider the best! I will go back again and again until, like Tate and Laurie, Millie and High and Cher and Merry there will be whole portions of this novel that will be committed to my memory and will provide endless hours of peace, love and heartbreak.

Although officially a Wild West MC novel, I'm just going ahead with adding it to Chaos, too, as that is where, I believe, its heart lies.

The story of Hugger and Diana is quite simply sensational. Nothing is ever plain sailing or even smooth for that matter, but these two make it all seem soooo simple as we are there to watch over as they fall in love, and not just with each other.

Smooth Sailing is an epic tale about love of all kinds. The love for friends, familial love, heartbreaking love, found family love, and oh so much more.

This entire novel, which the reader initially believes to be about a bad duy doing bad things to good people (blurb not withstanding), very quickly moves to the true heart of what it's really about.

Do not go into this without tissues as you'll be a blubbering mess, and depending on how soft your heart is, perhaps more than once.

Anyone, and I mean anyone, who enjoys a Kristen Ashley book...and even those who don't, need to put Smooth Sailing right at the top of their tbr!

[✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰Janeane ✰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Copy received for an honest review

It has been a while since I have read a KA book - nothing stopped me other than time and a backlog of thousands of other books to read.

Then there was the scream I scrumpt when I got invited to be a part of her ARC team. I jumpe right on there. And I made sure I read the first book inthe Wild West series before I started with Smooth Sailing.

This book is a smooth interaction of Chaos and Resurrection, Denver and Phoenix, and mashes a lot of cameos from KA characters of the past into one amazing story.

The beginning and end are very drama filled/action packed, then in the middle we slowed down to more character/relationship driven stories. Not just with Hugger and Diana and a romantic relationship, but growing familial relationships amongst the bikers and Di and her friends.

I loved how it all tied things up for a lot of the OG Chaos guys and gals, and not going to lie, if this doesn't make you shed a tear or two at some stages, are you really a KA fan?

I now need to go back and read book 2, and looking forward will need to get back into KA mode.

Bring on whatever comes next.

[Petra Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO. GOOD.

The suspense subplot fizzles a little, but I don’t care.
Biker dudes probably aren’t this emotionally intelligent. But I don’t care.
There’s no way all the guys in a MC are smokin’ but I don’t care.

The story is just perfectly satisfying. By that I don’t mean it’s merely satisfactory, I mean that it spoke to my heart in a way I didn’t know I needed. I think most of all, to read the gruff sweetness that is Harlan. And Big Pete, holy cow, what a gift of a character.

Bonus points for the accurate Arizona rep (she has clearly lived here), and that the most beloved character has my last name.

I’m thinking Ashley must have an interesting life. She writes biker culture that is believable, but also gets art conservation right.

[Ivy Deluca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quickish Review

KA’s MC series has been hit or miss for me but I found this to be pretty standard KA fare. The romance is by fraught and the danger is mild at best. The off page SA of one of the characters is horrific but on page is relatively quiet. The extra star is for Big Petey, who made me cry ngl.

[Lyn *Nomadic Worlds · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was nice but barely any action scenes and conflicts were resolved too soon.

[Suzanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not in love with the story. Insta love and little happening to the characters. Most of the story was based on Di helping a random girl. I miss the old KA stories and their humor and build up to the falling in love. She wrote such in depth emotions and descriptions of people and places. The snowy arrival of Nina to the A frame is more interesting to me than this whole book. Disappointed.

[Jillsbooknook · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 💫

“I give you any indication at all I don’t love every inch of you?”
“No.”
“Get that shit outta your head, then…You look beautiful. You always look beautiful…”

Smooth Sailing is the third novel in the adult contemporary biker romance series, Wild West MC. Each novel follows a separate couple but is set in the same world and has an overarching story so it is recommended to read them in order. That said, if you have read any of Kristen Ashley's previous series like Dream Man, Chaos or Rock Chick you will have a decent enough background. Written in first person POV (FMC) and third person POV (MMC) the story follows Diana and Hugger as they find themselves brought together through an unlikely situation.

Hugger has spent his life keeping distanced from those around him. Even in his club he is always present but in the peripheries. When they get a call regarding a serious situation in Arizona he never expects that part of this situation will have him guarding a headstrong young woman determined to protect someone else would bring rise to feelings he long thought buried.

Diana may be an art restorer by day but she is also a firm advocate of protecting women and she refuses to back down when one is in need - regardless of the fact the abuser may be the head of a criminal organization bent on forcing the young woman to drop any and all charges by any means. So when a group of bikers show up offering aid, Diana realizes she may be in over her head...except one of those bikers catches her eye and she refuses to walk away.

Will Hugger give this a chance or will Diana be left wondering what if?

Kristen had me crying in this book in a way I did not expect and I LOVED it.

First off, this book does have a focus on abuse so please be kind to yourself.

Diana has a heart of gold. She literally has her life thrown upside down and asks for nothing in return because all she wants to do is the right thing. She has such a capacity for life and vitality that draws people in, including our MMC.

Hugger is a man used to not having anything or believing he deserves it. His past is sad but you can see through each and every action how much he has to offer and give if he just realizes it. He is alpha but he is also incredibly supportive.

As always Kristen infuses her story with rich side characters that liven the story and this one is just the same. I loved how they motivated the characters, supported them, and challenged them to find their path forward. I also appreciated how dynamic these characters are, especially when considering Diana's tumultuous relationship with her father. This gang will move you to tears at points.


“And damn, it felt good to stand strong when his woman needed to lean on him”

In terms of spice I would place this book at 2 spicy peppers out of 5 spicy peppers. It is a slow burn in the spice department given what is happening. Yet the connection between the characters is felt from the beginning and I enjoyed being able to see them fall further and further before the spice. So I would say spice is around the 60% mark and it is detailed and explicit. I mean, Hugger is a biker, so he has no qualms exploring spice with Diana and it is hot!

The story is character driven for the most part as we see Diana, Hugger, and company learn to work together to help bring down a crime lord while also helping a young woman heal from trauma. I felt the first couple chapters were a bit rough because of the time jumps but I understand their importance to laying down the ground. Once we move past them we get good pacing that is easy and effortless to dive into, given the subject material. Once again this book deals with SA as the woman Diana is protecting was brutally attacked and Diana herself has been attacked in the past (one of the flashbacks addressed it). I felt it was handled with humanity and helped emphasize the importance of having a good support group when healing. Outside of that, the camaraderie, friendship, and banter truly is something Kristen always excels with and this book is another prime example. The ending is incredibly moving and you will be in tears.

Overall, another amazing book by Kristen I adore. I cannot wait to continue!

Thank you to the author for this arc!

[Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this one dealt with some heavy things, it was cute. I loved watching Diana and Hugger get to know each other, loved seeing Diana with all the guys and how welcoming she was to them when she realized the words they said were true and she accepted their help. Loved how Diana and the guys were with the wounded girl. Even Big Petey and Hug's talks were great as he worked Hug through seeing things.

But I was gutted with how this one ended. Even listed to that part twice and cried just as much the 2nd time around. I hate that this had to happen, even as it made sense in the larger picture of things and like life, life happens. It was nice to see that after all the sad, there was still moments of happy, as evidenced by Hugger's last visit.

Also, do yourself a favor and when the two songs are talked about in the book where they are, stop reading/listening the book, to listen to the songs. They are perfect for what is going on in the book and really leave a vivid picture of the people the songs are ode's to.

[Julie Stark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, my. This book gave all the feels. First, Hugger is an amazingly complex character. I believe he is now my favorite Chaos MC member. He’s the silent, strong type and utterly dependable. Diana is the perfect match for him. There were lots of guest appearances that made me want to reread all the Chaos books. I knew what was coming in the book but was still unprepared for how emotional it all would be at the end. As always, Ashley creates characters that feel like friends by the close of the book. Hugger and Diana are still with me a month since finishing the book.