Axel

Ride #3

by Megan O'Brien

More than a year ago, Sophie disappeared without a trace. When she turns up again, she's a different woman with one big secret and Axel will stop at nothing to make her his. Sophie was once afraid of the world. In her time away she's learned a hell of a lot except to rely on anyone other than herself. When Axel comes careening back into her life he demands just that and so much more. He won't take no for an answer. As the threats build from all sides Axel will stop at nothing to protect those he loves. This is the story of Sophie and Axel. The third installment in the Ride Series. Axel can be read as a stand-alone but it's recommended that you read the other two books in the series first. * Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Second Chance, Contemporary, Motorcycle, Adult, Second Chance Romance

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

Megan O'Brien is the best selling author of The Ride Series and the Talon Security Series. She has a passion for a good love story and most enjoys writing stories with an alpha male and strong female characters.
Megan was born and raised in Marin County, California where she still resides with her amazing husband and two lovely sons.

When she's not enjoying family time or burying her nose in her kindle she loves hiking, running and relaxing moments on the back porch with a glass of wine.

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fabulous read in “The Ride” series! This third instalment was about Axel and Sophie. I have decided this is my favourite book in the series so far! There were a few shocking moments that took me by surprise.. I loved being surprised during the story!

I continue to really enjoy this series and I am jumping right into the next book which is about Ryker... he is Axel’s little brother!! I can’t wait to see what he brings to the table!!!

[♡Tonya♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sophie (Sal from book 3's sister)fell for Axel when he was shadowing her brother while he was in New York for a funeral. They had an awkward one night stand that left them both confused. Sophie follows her brother back to his home in Nevada when things get tense for her with her parents. Before she and Axel are able to figure out what they are doing in terms of their relationship, she begins to get threats against the people she cares about. She feels the only way to keep them safe is to leave town, not telling Axel her life changing news. A chance encounter leads her to be face to face with the people she left behind, and they want answers. I enjoyed this book. It is not one of the grittier MC books and I like that. They have a thirteen month separation. She is celibate but it was implied that he had slept with one of the girls from the club. They didn't make a huge deal about it. Once he finds Sophie, he convinces her to give them a chance and he is 100% committed to her. I would consider it a HFN ending. There is a 4th book out that I assume will have more about these couples!

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 RATING- Better than the last one! This series doesn't have as much depth as a Sheehan or Fanetti story but from the biker series out there, I really like this one! Not everything totally added up with the story but overall it was a guilty pleasure read I enjoyed. Really looking forward to the next book!

Note: At the time this review was posted, this book was available to borrow through Amazon's Kindle Unlimited program.

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[B.E.Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars, I liked this one it is a very sweet read. I wished there had been a little more angst or grit or something, and I'm not sure what exactly. I love this series and I think this rating might just be me right now, I find books I like and a few I really like but through it I still feel like I'm in a funk. I especially think that because I love this author and her first two books blew me away. This isn't the only time, I just feel blah in general (not having anything to do with the books)making me think it's me and not the books/authors, also being crazy busy isn't helping either.

Maybe I need Calgon to take me away.

[Flavs is Mrs David Gandy♥~♥’ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just gets better and better with every book

Can't wait to read Ryker's story!!!

[Nova · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a kind of a second chance at love story, I really enjoyed Axle and Sophie’s story especially after you could see they had unfinished business in Sal’s book.

Sophie was raised in the lap of luxury, she had any material possession she could have wanted but emotional support and parental love was always missing but as long as she followed the rules everything was ok but Sophie needs to escape fast after her father tries to marry her off, running to her big brother Sal seemed like the best solution other than seeing Axle the man she spent one night with, one night she’ll never be able to escape. But after Axle pushes her away for the final time and a threat hanging over her head that could destroy everything she loves forces her to leave Hawthorne she finds herself living in Texas as a single mother raising her son Maddox. That is until Axle turns up looking for her and takes one look at her son and realises that they have a child. What will happen when she returns and will Axle be able to forgive her for running away?

Axle thought he had lost Sophie when she disappeared, knowing he pushed her away he tried to find her but had given up all hope but when he gets a call that she has been spotted in Texas nothing will stop him from claiming his woman, weather she knows it or not she was always his. But things aren’t as simple as he thought finding her in hiding with a threat over her head and her and his son in real danger there is nothing he won’t do to keep them safe. But can he show Sophie how he really feels for her or did he really lose her when he pushed her away? And how will Sal react to their previous relationship?

Great read with intrigue, danger and two people who find the love they never had. My only complaint was his sleeping with other women in her absence but I kind of understood his reasons.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could kick myself that I waited so long to read this series, I loved Axel and Sophie's story - give me a good second chance story any day :)

Still chock full of alpha hotness, with damsels in distress and lots of opportunity to meet with characters from previous books.

4.5 stars

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sophie had been spending time with her brother when she abruptly left town and no one had a clue where she ran off to. Axel discovers where Sophie is and he wants answers. They had spent one night together but when Sophie arrived in town, Axel had sent mixed messages of what he wanted from her. He had friend zoned her but there was no question he still wanted her.

Finding out Sophie has been hiding a secret, Axel steps in. He will do everything in his power to protect her, but is he a man who can hold on to forever?

Excellent read. Liked Axel, he definitely is torn on what he knows and what he wants to do where Sophie is concerned. The threat to Sophie is intense because you are not sure what will happen to her. Love all the characters in this series, well worth reading.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Need I post more? Read it!

[Wendys Wycked Words · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked this one, but it was pretty mild for an MC book. The hero and heroine were great, but I just missed something. Not a lot about the club either...it was more about their relationship and the relationship with the heroines fucked up parents.

3 stars from me

[Ivy Deluca · Rating 3 out of 5]

[2.5 -3 stars]
Axel and Sophie - to be fair, this covers a trope that’s not my favorite, the secret/hidden pregnancy. Add to that a lack of spark between them, and I was more bored than excited about their romance.

General Thoughts on Series
I was cleaning out my kindle (dealing with my TBR list, or as I like to call it, The Mountain) reinforces that I may be a bookhoarder, but on occasion I find some hidden gems on there. I’d gotten the first three books of this series just sitting there, and once I start, I’m compelled to keep going.


I think I’d recommend this series for those who are way into the romance, and just want a touch of the MC life. To paraphrase Wedding Crashers,

“I'm sure you'd love to be free, maybe go out and meet some biker guy that can … make you feel dangerous but also safe.”

THAT’s this series in a nutshell. Yes, there’s some questionable women and some danger, but overall, it’s a comfort kind of read. The WTF-ery level is a 2, at most. The downsides are that alot of the action that leads to the danger, the actual MC stuff, happens off-page because it’s strictly first person POV from the individual heroines. But if that doesn’t bug you and you mostly want some sweet loving with some tattooed bikers, you may enjoy this.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

FOUR 'BABY, YOU'RE MINE' STARS!

This is the third book in Megan O'Brien's The Ride series. I'm an unabashed MC romance fan. I like them dark and gritty, and I like them light and easy. This series falls more in mild category, but that is in no way a drawback.

Megan O'Brien has penned a great MC series in The Ride. While it is not wildly dark and violent, it's still everything you'd expect in a good MC romance. Over the top alpha male bikers? Check. Action packed drama drawing out said alpha male biker's fiercely protective side? Check. A steamy romance dominated by the biker using his somewhat overbearing ways to convince the woman that she is, in fact, his woman? Check, check!

These types of MC romances typically follow a "damsel in distress/biker and his club to the rescue" format, and this series is no different. But I'm fine with that. I like it, I enjoy it, and Megan O'Brien does it well. Her books are well written, her characters are endearing, and while she hasn't reinvented the wheel here, she has given her readers another great romance within an already great series. I'll definitely read more of this series and this author!

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favourite so far.

This is the third book in this series and for me it was the best so far, thirteen months ago Sophie left Hawthorne without a word to anyone, she left behind her brother Sal and Axel the man she can't forget.
The thirteen months have been hard on Sophie and while she's struggled she's come out the other side a stronger woman.
Axel may have been battling with himself over wanting Sophie but when she disappears he realises what he's lost.
I enjoyed this book and as always the characters were good I liked both Axel and Sophie plus the rest of the MC and as far as MC reads go this is on the softer side.
The next book belongs to Ryker and Piper and I'm hoping at some point that Cal gets his own book.

[Tzelina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[~Nichole~ Sizzling Pages Romance Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took a while to finish this due to lots of reasons not pertaining to the story. I loved a lot of it. But I also had issues with some. The time apart.. I blame the heroine for her part in her deception.. Although at the same time I understand. It doesn't negate the fact it wasn't fair to Axel. Then I don't like the double standard of Axel having sexually moved on.. And her not have. That's just so over done. I don't really rate safety the same on second chance stories but in this one I already know that the author is capable of believing her heroes can wait... So why not leave this element out? A man will not die if he doesn't have sex. I promise.
Now 3 stars to me means it's good not great.. But the good parts were great lol. Love the friendship, love the rock chick vibe. I adore the babies. I love the Alpha heroes who are so sweet and loveable to babies. Very light on club girls so that's awesome.

I'll definitely read more of this author and series. Ryker was a big manwhore and Piper and he knew each other years ago. So hoping she wasn't celibate although not sure if they even liked each other back then.

[Heroesinbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Awesome Axel Stars

I am so enjoying this series. Each book has been about a different couple ~ this one focussing on Axel and Sophie. I liked this one the best, partly because I feel like I have really got to know the other characters. Ryker and Piper are next but I'm really desperate for Cal and Jill to get a story. Great novel with a fab ending but the promise of more to come. Bit milder than some MC genre books but lots of heat, swearing and some violence so recommend over 18's only.

[Lynsey A · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I didn't dislike this book, I found I didn't love it. I liked the first book in the series, although, I don't recall much about it. Maybe that is why I am finding these additional sequels just not to my taste. Very simplistic writing and a fast moving story. Not a great deal of depth to the story. Decent story, but just not the pace I am looking for in a book.

[SamJ ★Needs a HEA★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like am just repeating myself with this series (indeed, please refer to review for book 1 and 2)

But I really liked this one. When Axel finds out what Sophie has been hiding from him. Well, that is it as far as he is concerned.

But again, an MC light, low angst enjoyable read.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Update: Definitely liking this better with this reread. For some reason this has become a great comfort read series when I'm laid up and Sophie is now one of my favorite heroines.

The Ride Series is one I’ve enjoyed. The first book, Cole, was a 4 star read that I really liked. Sal’s book wasn’t quite as good but I still thought it was a great way to spend a quiet day reading. I was excited about Sophie and Axel’s book since Axel has intrigued me since he was introduced in the first two books. As with the first two in the series, this one kept me interested but I did have a couple things that gave me pause.

Axel is the gruff silent type and he’s the enforcer for The Knights MC. As far as MC’s go, they are pretty tame but have no problem taking care of business when they need to and a good part of the time, Axel is the one handling that. At the end of Sal’s book, Axel was being kind of wishy washy when it came to Sophie and that always is a disappointment to me. I like my badass alphas to go after what they want, not wimp out and Axel seemed to be definitely wimping out. No worries though, since he does redeem himself. I do have an issue with Axel being one way (wishy washy) when Sophie disappears and 15 months later and he finds her he’s in looooooove. Cue my frustration.

Sophie is the extremely sheltered sister of Sal, also a member of The Knights MC. At the end of Sal’s book, Sophie showed up, obviously running from something. She seemed extremely shy, a little overwhelmed, and immature. Then she disappears for 15 months and The Knights can’t find her. When she reappears, she’s definitely matured but I really would have loved to have been along for that ride so we could see the transformation. She also has a surprise that I really wish I would have there for the ahem….first act. Sounds like it was intense.

This was a good book, but I can’t say it was great. Had we had the entire story without all the huge gaps, I may have upped that rating to great. My other complaint is more a series complaint than a book one. It bugs me that the h’s in this series are content to stay in the background and in the dark, while their men handle all their issues. I don’t like TSTL heroines, but I do like them to have some backbone and go-get-em-ness. I will read the next one because I do like the characters in this series but it’s more a “guilty pleasure that I don’t expect much from but still enjoy” series than a “OMG I have to read it now” series.

Laurie’s rating: 3.5 stars

For this review and more like it, check out http//edgyreviews.com

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story, kind of a second-chance romance, of a sort. Sophie & Axel met in the previous book, and we know there's something going on, but we don't really know what. While this can be read as a stand alone, I love this series lots & would recommend reading the first two.

So, the story starts out with Sophie needing to tell Axel something, but before she can, she's forced to leave. We're not sure what sent her running, but we're not in the dark very long. The pacing is very steady - things get resolved quickly & we're on to the next happening. I LOVE this about Megan's writing style. Also, Sophie & Axel communicate - sometimes not well, but again, things are resolved quickly & there isn't a lot of "wallowing."

There is some action, but mostly this is a relationships story. It's about healing and learning to live together and folding ppl into a family. Quick read, and will make a great recovery read, I think. AND I'm excited for the next installment, which will be Piper & Ryker. Yay!! : )

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice sweet romance. No grit, suspense, cheating, etc. I loved book 1 but by book 3 I felt like I had read book 1 and book 2 again with a few events and character names changed. Very similar plot and events in each book. The writing style is very reminiscent of Kristin Ashley and several events in the book seemed to be pulled directly from a couple of KA books to include phrases spoken by the H. If you like a sweet romance with a devoted, possessive H, then you will like the book. I would like to see this author write a story that is unique and different from the three books in this series. The writing did connect me with the characters but the book fell flat and kind of bored me half way through it.

[Auhmanduh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just me?

So many 5 star reviews I was excited to read this.

Maybe it was just me but I had a hard time staying interested in the book. It felt repetitive, like I kept reading the same "thoughts" and conversations over and over again... just worded differently. The main character Soph' I couldn't make up my mind on if I liked her or if she was annoying.

[**Tessa** (semi hiatus) · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 42%. There was no connection between the MCs. No love. No nothing. He made no effort once she was back. And I Don’t want to read about my H screwing other women during the separation. Don’t worry though he’s not sorry BUT -it’s ok because it was just sex. *huge eye roll*. The OW sex talk was my last straw. Think I’m done with this author.

[Michelle Porter · Rating 2 out of 5]

a good read, but

HonestlyThe Ride series would be so much better without all the constant pregnancies. Leave it at sexy bikers. Love how none of the women work just "stay under the roof" of their obviously well off bad ass biker babe. Gag

[Fatimama · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t like second chances and I don’t like it when the heroine does not tell the Hero that she’s pregnant. This book was both! There’s kinda no excuse for not telling a guy you’re pregnant unless he’s a psycho abusive man.

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/4 stars

[Tinabooklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books just keep getting better and better! This was an awesome read! Can't wait for the next one!!

[Eleanor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great instalment in this series. It was a very enjoyable read.

[Valentine · Rating 2 out of 5]

re-read

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

See my full review here https://readinaflash.wordpress.com/20...