Love at First Ride

by Emma Rae

She’s everything he wants. He’s everything she can’t have.

When carehome nurse Hallie Palmer, eldest daughter of Canyon Bay’s mayor, discovers a young, injured boy hiding in the back garden of her workplace, her first instinct is to help him.

But when the police come knocking, she can’t bear to hand over the vulnerable boy. She denies any knowledge - and it changes everything. Little does she know, the young boy’s older brother is Ajax ‘A.J.’ Callaghan, a mechanic and a member of a motorcycle gang.

As her decisions sets her on a collision course with Ajax, and a runaway road trip, they realise they couldn't be more different. The caring, gentle nurse, with the oiled-up, rough-around-the-edges biker isn't the match the mayor would approve of for Hallie.

But as the American state-crossing road trip unfolds, could it be more than just engines revving..?

A spicy enemies-to-lovers biker boy romance, for fans of Ali Hazlewood and Penelope Douglas.

Genres: Audiobook, Romance

351 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 11, 2026

Reviews

[Tam Merry]

Love at First Ride by Emma Rae (Releasing June 11, 2026)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️️ 4.5 STARS

🏍️Wow — what a ride!🏍️

This book hooked me right from the start and delivered a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat ending 🔥. Even better? No frustrating, wishy-washy characters. You know the trope — where miscommunication and insecurity drag things out until the last-minute reunion? Thankfully, none of that here. These characters know exactly who they are, and it makes all the difference.

Here are a few of my favourite moments that perfectly capture the vibe:

“Relax, I won’t bite.”

“He’s holding his checkered shirt balled up in his fist, along with his leather jacket. His scent fills my nostrils — petrol, a hint of sweat, and something deeper, more earthy.”

“Stop drooling over a boy just because he wears shredded Levi’s and rides a motorcycle.”

And of course…

“But Daddy, I love him!”

Meanwhile, I’m over here yelling at the pages:
“Just tell him it was you in the closet!”
“Tell her you love her already!”

This was such a fun, addictive read from start to finish. I genuinely had a blast with it and can’t wait for others to experience it too.

Well done, Emma Rae! 👏

[The Little Library Witch ~ Nic]

⋆⁺₊⋆☽⋆ 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 ⋆☾⋆⁺₊⋆
ꔫ — ∘♡༉∘ — ✩ — ∘༉♡∘ — ꔫ
౨ৎ𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 ♥ 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲౨ৎ
౨ৎ28.04.26౨ৎ

— ∘♡༉∘ — 𝗔𝗿𝗰 ♥ 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 — ∘༉♡∘ —
Firstly thank you Netgalley & Hera Books for this Arc copy!

This was a different take on a MC themed book than I've read before and honestly I'm here for it, this was fluffy, cute and made me laugh a couple times. Our FMC is a British girlie so brit representation A+ and our MMC is American. (love this honestly as it reminds me of my own personal relationship as my fiancé is American and i am indeed British)

What starts as a stupid joke from bullies to try and embarrass Hollie with a drunken high school grad party game of 'blindfolded kiss in the closet and guess the girl' leads to Hollie and AJ sharing a very chemistry filled unforgettable kiss that neither of them every forgot, but he has no idea that it was actually her who he kissed... to make things more intense Hollie has the biggest crush on him.. while he is part of the group who bullied her 2 years of American high school.

5 years later they cross paths again when Hollie, unbeknown to her saves AJ's little brother, she has to finally face the crush she never got over... the kiss she never forgot and help him even more with his siblings troubles.

But the drama isnt only around AJ's little brother... Hollies stepmother is a B.... is doing all she can to get rid of the people in the township by her city she is mayor of... the township AJ is from.. Rapture.

I read this entire book in 5.9hrs and enjoyed it a fair bit, it really was a different take on a MC storyline, usually Mc's are dark romance for me atleast the ones i read are, this was fluffy and light and honestly a breath of fresh air to read for this trope

this one line made me laugh so much (you'll understand when you read the book)

'of course it is.'

I laughed more than i should of to that.

[Lisa Trodden]

This is the story of AJ and Hollie. Together, on paper, it doesn’t seem like they should work, but they are perfect together.
AJ came back into Hollies life by accident after Hollie, with a kind heart, saves a kid from the police after he stole a car. That kid, Noah, turned out to be AJ’s little brother. Together, they get Noah out and across the border to live with his Aunt so the police don’t find him. Whilst on their road-trip, they catch up, but neither are bold enough to tell each-other they were the ones who kissed each other at a party during school. The kiss that changed both their lives.
AJ is thankful to Hollie for saving his brother, they start to spend time together and get to know each other and soon enough, friends become more. They become a couple and when they have a fight, AJ even brings his whole biker squad to the nursing home she works at to fix all their problems to make it up to her (that melted my heart).
Hollies stepmom is the mayor of the town, and is trying to shut down where AJ lives, Rapture. Her dad is being pushed over by her and her step brother is a bully. When they find out about her and AJ she is not happy. Hollie sends AJ home whilst they talk and then goes home herself however is woken up by their friend saying AJ’s flat and the pub underneath is set alight and he’s had to jump from the window.
Turns out Hollie’s mum paid someone to do it. She was arrested. All of Rapture get rehoused and Hollie helps AJ rehab with 2 broken legs. All ends well and in love.
This was such a lovely book to read with kind of 2 stories in one. I absolutely loved it and would 100% recommend.

[Emily]

I was lucky enough to receive as an ARC 🥰

If you love small-town romance with a bad-boy biker, a road trip, and two people who absolutely should not work together but somehow do, this one is a fun ride from start to finish.

Hallie and Ajax come from completely different worlds. She’s a compassionate nurse and the mayor’s daughter, while he’s a mechanic with ties to a motorcycle club and a reputation that follows him everywhere. From the beginning, there’s a clash of expectations, assumptions, and lifestyles that creates plenty of tension between them.

What I enjoyed most was how their relationship develops during the road trip. Being forced into each other's space strips away first impressions and allows them to see the person beneath the labels. Ajax may have the rough exterior, but his loyalty and protectiveness quickly shine through. Hallie, meanwhile, has a quiet strength that makes her much more than the "good girl" everyone expects her to be.

The road trip setting keeps the story moving, while the emotional connection slowly builds alongside the attraction. There’s enough banter, chemistry, and heart to make their journey feel worthwhile.

TROPES:
✨ Enemies to lovers
✨ Biker romance
✨ Road trip romance
✨ Opposites attract
✨ Small-town romance
✨ Good girl x bad boy
✨ Forced proximity
✨ Protective MMC

A sweet and spicy romance packed with adventure, chemistry, and two characters who challenge each other's perceptions. If you love road trips, biker heroes, and opposites-attract romances, this is an entertaining escape.

[Alice]

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book!

Love at First Ride gave 1980's and 2000's coming of age, romance movies - an incredible read
This book is so good, and the characters are so real. I am not sure how Emma captured them so perfectly!

***SPOILERS BELOW***





Like AJ says, "I like my own company because I can think about Hollie" I like my own company so I can read this book

The Rapture crew, who we should all hate for what they did to Hollie, but somehow we don't, were so real. Not only did I not hate them, I felt so many different emotions for them. The redemption arc between this friendship group was one of my favourite parts of the book!

The spice was so realistic; moving cushions around and laughing felt so real and relatable, but it was still hot and swoony at the same time!
AJ's realisation that he is in love with Hollie because he would choose the road she was on over his dream bike was so realistic for a 23-year-old who has never experienced or been around love.

I really loved the fact they all call her Hollie Palmer, it had me creasing! We all still first name last name people from school, and it was such a nice touch!

When they went to the first motel, and there was more than one bed, as a romance girly I was so upset, but Emma brought it back and the wait was worth it - the longing!!

I love a predictable romance book, I love a happy ending, but this book never went the way I thought and I must admit that Emma had me at the end wondering if this was going to be a happy ending or not!

This book is my Coyote Maverick!

[Whittleton. Adventures]

Chilli rating - 🌶️🌶️
Plot - 4
Rating- 5⭐

Expect
📖 Enemies to lovers
📖 Forced proximity
📖 Good girl Vs bad boy
📖 Only one bed


"She's everything he wants. He's everything she can't have."

My thoughts of the book 💭

Firstly I want to thank Emma Rae, the publisher's Hera and netgalley for letting me read love at first ride.

I absolutely ate up this book. I absolutely loved Aj and Hollie, I loved the back story and the redemption arc.
I loved that opposite attracts, I loved how sweet AJ was. I feel they were both strong main characters. I just loved them together.

I loved their was no 3rd act break up or lack miscommunication.

I loved Emma's writing style and can't wait to read more from her.


My favourite quotes 🗨️

" I wanted it to be you,he said."

"But, daddy...I love him."

[☆Laura☆]

Hollie siempre fue la chica que pasaba desapercibida. La que nadie elegía, la que observaba desde lejoss, hasta que una noche terminó besando a AJ Callahan, el chico que gustaba. Él nunca supo que fue ella, pero para ella ese momento se quedó grabado.

Años después, su vida es mucho más tranquila, quizá demasiado. Pero todo cambia cuando se cruza con Noah, un chico herido que huye de la policía y que, sin querer, la mete en problemas. Ayudarlo parece lo correcto, hasta que descubre de quien es hermano.


___

Me costo ver porque le gustaba AJ.






Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Abbie Limmer]

My second book by Emma Rae and it did not disappoint!! The spice, the plot, the characters and AJ Callahan himself was just everything I enjoy in a romance!! I was rooting for Hollie and AJ from the moment I read the flashback to their high school kiss in the closet, and seeing AJ become so open to loving her had me kicking my feet with how cute he is to her! Both Hollie and AJ’s personal stories were so heartwarming, and I was so glad when Hollie was able to stand up to her awful step mother and she finally got what she deserved!

4 stars! ⭐️

Thank you so much to Emma Rae and Netgalley for allowing me to be an arc reader for this book!

[Nati]

‘Honey. You can’t live in the past. You can only go forward. You can’t change nothin’. So, there’s no point dwelling on the things that made you cry before now. But you can still shape the future.“ Five years ago they shared a kiss in a closet but he never knew it’s was her. Now, she just saved his little brother and is helping him take him to a safe place. AJ was his crush but also one of the boys that bullied her in HiGh School. Can Hollie forgive him and find happiness and true love in AJ’s heart? Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC copy. This is my honest review.

[. Biswas]

Good time...it was ya good time...there were serious things going on but still the author wrote it all as a low stake book and that made it more enjoyable for me...I liked both the main characters and I may have had some prejudice about the mls mother but it made me realise we are all different from one another as that's okk

The other took the ride theme very seriously I might add. Well it was all very enjoyable for me. Loved it

And the character arc of fl was great as well. I loved all her come backs..

And the why she deals with the bully thing was great. The authors did it wonderfully

[thetbrhoarder]

This book had me in a chokehold from the start, I loved the background snippets surrounding Hollie in high school with the Rapture lot making her days difficult, it definitely added depth to the story. The parallel story with the developers and Echo was a nice touch. It made you love the small town folks even more. Hollie and Aj are going to live as one of my favourite couples and I loved watching their story play out. The ending was perfect with the Rapture new beginning, her dad's new beginning and the start of the rest of their lives. I can't wait to read more from Emma.

[Bryony]

This was a fun and easy read! The chemistry between the characters was easy and believable. A very binge-able read overall.

My first read from this author but would definitely pick up their next book.

[Sophia Terry]

⭐️ 3.5

[Tashy]

I finished this book in one day and I’m a slow reader! I love Emma Rae books, there not too slow to get into and the right amount of 🌶️ a great read!

[Kels]

Emma Rae is a new author for me but I knew from the first chapter I was going to love this book. It was fast paced and I just kept wanting to read more and more to find out what happened!

Hollie is a volunteer at a care home when one night she finds a young boy hiding from the police. She can’t bring herself to turn him in so takes him home, where she finds out that he’s the younger brother of AJ, the biker guy she fancied in high school, despite his friends bullying her back then. As they spend more time together trying to get AJ’s brother somewhere safe, Hollie realises that she still likes AJ. And AJ begins to see Hollie in a new light. 💕

I think this book works so well as the characters are both very interesting and come from different places and lives. Hollie is kind and thoughtful and also likes AJ and his brother. But their history is still in her mind and that comes across in the book, even as they get closer. 

And AJ was popular at school but never really noticed Hollie. He is thoughtful though and you can’t help but like him - his character growth since then is noticeable.

Even his friends are so well written that you’re drawn into their world and want to support them despite what they did in high school.

In addition, Hollie is the mayor’s stepdaughter and AJ is from the part of the town that the mayor is trying to develop, and while there is conflict between the two sides, the people of Rapture don’t hold Hollie’s step family against her. The writing is so good and the characters so interesting.

I really enjoyed this book! As i say, it is fast paced and has a lot going on so you’re just desperate to know what happens next. It’s also very romantic and lovely.

So good! I really enjoyed it and i know Emma Rae also has a tennis romance book out which i now need to get my hands on (perfect for this time of year too! 💕).

Thank you to Emma Rae, Hera, and Novel Tours for having me on the book tour for this! 😀

[Danielle Lee]

Tropes:
🩺 Enemies to Lovers
🏍️ Forced Proximity
🩺 Good Girl x Bad Boy
🏍️ Only One Bed
🩺 Opposites Attract
🏍️ Biker MC
🩺 Found Family

I absolutely love Emma Rae’s books & Love at First Ride did not disappoint!!

“But Daddy, I love him”

Love at First Ride gave the best 90’s and 00’s coming of age romance movie vibes. With that you obviously have to throw in the bad boy x good girl trope and an evil step mother.

Hollie and AJ had amazingly believable chemistry and banter, and AJ had the best character redemption after being part of a group that used to bully Hollie in HS.

This was one of my fave reads of 2026 so far! ❤️

Thank you NETGalley and Hera Books for the E-ARC!