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High Side: A Short Story
Two brothers speed toward their fate in a tightly wound short thriller about the gritty underside of the American dream.
Billy Miller was supposed to be a champion. But his dream skidded away when he went over the handlebars of his motorcycle and barely learned to walk again. Now he’s stranded in a dying Texas town, running the garage his late father abandoned.
Then his outlaw big brother, Cole, comes home after years away to offer Billy a way out. Riding high-performance bikes and robbing banks across the Southwest promises money, freedom…the chance to have a brother again.
For the first time since his crash, Billy feels alive. Life on the open road turns Cole’s skilled crew into his family, and a mechanic named Emily promises the possibility of something more. But each job raises the stakes, straining old loyalties. The line between redemption and ruin is growing thinner by the mile.
As they hurtle toward an explosive final heist, Billy wonders—is he reviving his fire just to go down in flames?
Billy Miller was supposed to be a champion. But his dream skidded away when he went over the handlebars of his motorcycle and barely learned to walk again. Now he’s stranded in a dying Texas town, running the garage his late father abandoned.
Then his outlaw big brother, Cole, comes home after years away to offer Billy a way out. Riding high-performance bikes and robbing banks across the Southwest promises money, freedom…the chance to have a brother again.
For the first time since his crash, Billy feels alive. Life on the open road turns Cole’s skilled crew into his family, and a mechanic named Emily promises the possibility of something more. But each job raises the stakes, straining old loyalties. The line between redemption and ruin is growing thinner by the mile.
As they hurtle toward an explosive final heist, Billy wonders—is he reviving his fire just to go down in flames?
- GenresThriller
Audible Audio
Published September 29, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2.2 "started off very promising...." stars !!
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and Amazon Original Stories for an ecopy. This will be released end of September 2026. I am providing an honest review.
This is a longish eight chapter short story of 72 pages and is being made into a feature film.
The first two thirds are crisp, clear and promising. A narrative about brothers, bikes and bank heists.
The last third rapidly deteriorates into semi-sensical Hollywoodesque histrionic macho bullshit....
Egads so bloody disappointing....
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and Amazon Original Stories for an ecopy. This will be released end of September 2026. I am providing an honest review.
This is a longish eight chapter short story of 72 pages and is being made into a feature film.
The first two thirds are crisp, clear and promising. A narrative about brothers, bikes and bank heists.
The last third rapidly deteriorates into semi-sensical Hollywoodesque histrionic macho bullshit....
Egads so bloody disappointing....
October 16, 2026
❤️🔥 "𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖋𝖆𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖌𝖔, 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖍𝖆𝖗𝖉𝖊𝖗 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖈𝖗𝖆𝖘𝖍." ﮩـﮩﮩ٨ـ 🏍️ ﮩـﮩﮩ٨ـ
brothers x bikers x bank robbery
this was written by a filmmaker and it showed!! the audio was a movie for my ears, with high stakes, adrenaline-inducing scenes. the mc billy was easy to root for. i empathized with his tragic past and was endeared by his and his brother cole's bond. however billy was so naive that it pissed me off!! the only two or three robberies he did all went to shit because of his stupid ass!!
overall a classic bank robbery story with some predictable elements but ultimately unputdownable
brothers x bikers x bank robbery
this was written by a filmmaker and it showed!! the audio was a movie for my ears, with high stakes, adrenaline-inducing scenes. the mc billy was easy to root for. i empathized with his tragic past and was endeared by his and his brother cole's bond. however billy was so naive that it pissed me off!! the only two or three robberies he did all went to shit because of his stupid ass!!
overall a classic bank robbery story with some predictable elements but ultimately unputdownable
Did Not Finish
September 4, 2026DNF at 25%
Insufferable macho male protagonist.
The story is written like an ai generated text on threads. Not accusing the author of using ai, just saying it sounds annoying to read. Short sentences with too many breaks and repetition. Just get to the story damn.
The story itself sounds fun and adventurous but unfortunately, the characters and prose isn't for me.
Thankyou to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for the e-ARC.
Insufferable macho male protagonist.
The story is written like an ai generated text on threads. Not accusing the author of using ai, just saying it sounds annoying to read. Short sentences with too many breaks and repetition. Just get to the story damn.
The story itself sounds fun and adventurous but unfortunately, the characters and prose isn't for me.
Thankyou to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for the e-ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
High Side is a fast-paced, snappy novella about two formerly estranged brothers - Billy and Cole - who team up to take on an ambitious series of bank heists. Billy’s incredible skills on his motorcycle make him the perfect person for the job, and the rush of the high-speed getaways have him feeling alive in a way he hasn’t in years.
In short, this book tries very hard to feel like a Hollywood action movie, and has very little depth to it. The sharp, short sentences keep the pace going, which is good - it’s a quick read but feels as though it could somehow have been made even shorter. The cuts to the FBI agent’s perspective felt unnecessary and added little to the story.
The style of Oliveira’s writing lacks character and warmth - the blunt, staccato sentences grow old fairly quickly. There’s little to anchor you in the scene. The characters feel shallow and like stock characters, particularly the women. The main character’s love interest comes across a lot like the ‘Cool Girl’ from the monologue in Gone Girl - taking part of heists, zipping around on her bike, a tough girl. A cool girl! She wears (of all things) a sheer bra and thong under her motorcycle gear. This didn’t help with the overall feeling that this story is more wish fulfilment than a realistic heist drama.
Overall, I’m left with the impression this story was not written for me; it’s a male fantasy reminiscent of Grand Theft Auto V fanfiction. I do think High Side would translate pretty well to film (which is the intention) - just not the kind of film I’d be interested in seeing.
This book has been provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
In short, this book tries very hard to feel like a Hollywood action movie, and has very little depth to it. The sharp, short sentences keep the pace going, which is good - it’s a quick read but feels as though it could somehow have been made even shorter. The cuts to the FBI agent’s perspective felt unnecessary and added little to the story.
The style of Oliveira’s writing lacks character and warmth - the blunt, staccato sentences grow old fairly quickly. There’s little to anchor you in the scene. The characters feel shallow and like stock characters, particularly the women. The main character’s love interest comes across a lot like the ‘Cool Girl’ from the monologue in Gone Girl - taking part of heists, zipping around on her bike, a tough girl. A cool girl! She wears (of all things) a sheer bra and thong under her motorcycle gear. This didn’t help with the overall feeling that this story is more wish fulfilment than a realistic heist drama.
Overall, I’m left with the impression this story was not written for me; it’s a male fantasy reminiscent of Grand Theft Auto V fanfiction. I do think High Side would translate pretty well to film (which is the intention) - just not the kind of film I’d be interested in seeing.
This book has been provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 5, 2026
I received an audio copy of this book. The narrators were fine, voices I’d expect for the characters, portraying the right level of excitement. The story was okay, it didn’t feel like anything special. There was no character development or emotional descriptions, mostly just action. I had a hard time engaging because it just felt like a typical generic bank robbery gang story. It wasn’t a horrible story and I liked the brotherhood, just maybe not my genre. 3⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a complimentary advanced copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own and are in no way influenced by the author, publisher or NetGalley.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a complimentary advanced copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own and are in no way influenced by the author, publisher or NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Giving this 3 stars because the writing was good, but the story just wasn’t really for me. If you’re into action, crime, motorcycles, and general boy stuff™️, this might be the perfect short story for you! It just didn’t hit my personal interests, so I never fully connected with it.
Cute cover though! I love the font.
Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon for the ARC!
Cute cover though! I love the font.
Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon for the ARC!
October 14, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Original Stories and Jaime Oliveira for the opportunity to read this story early in exchange for an honest review, even if I did end up finding it on NetGalley after the release day!
This was a very fast-paced read (pun absolutely intended), and while I had a pretty good idea of what the big twist would be, that didn't necessarily make the journey any less entertaining. What did affect my enjoyment, however, was the lack of character development. The story started off with a lot of promise, especially with our protagonist getting into a motorcycle accident that completely shattered his racing dreams. I was genuinely interested in seeing where things would go from there, but unfortunately, the story started losing me as it progressed. I thought the idea of following morally questionable characters who genuinely believed they were doing the right thing was interesting. However, Cole's justification for robbing banks felt increasingly difficult to buy into, especially considering how the money was actually being spent.
One thing I did appreciate was the bond between the brothers. Their relationship added some heart to the story, but I wish the characters had been more fleshed out. While I enjoyed them individually, they often felt too similar, making it difficult for any of them to truly stand out. As for the ending, I had figured out the twist around halfway through, but I still thought it wrapped things up reasonably well. Predictability isn't necessarily a bad thing when the journey is enjoyable, and there were definitely moments when I had fun reading this.
Overall, this was a quick and entertaining read with a promising premise, but I was left wanting more depth from both the characters and the story itself. It had plenty of action, but I think a little more emotional development would have made it much more memorable.
This was a very fast-paced read (pun absolutely intended), and while I had a pretty good idea of what the big twist would be, that didn't necessarily make the journey any less entertaining. What did affect my enjoyment, however, was the lack of character development. The story started off with a lot of promise, especially with our protagonist getting into a motorcycle accident that completely shattered his racing dreams. I was genuinely interested in seeing where things would go from there, but unfortunately, the story started losing me as it progressed. I thought the idea of following morally questionable characters who genuinely believed they were doing the right thing was interesting. However, Cole's justification for robbing banks felt increasingly difficult to buy into, especially considering how the money was actually being spent.
One thing I did appreciate was the bond between the brothers. Their relationship added some heart to the story, but I wish the characters had been more fleshed out. While I enjoyed them individually, they often felt too similar, making it difficult for any of them to truly stand out. As for the ending, I had figured out the twist around halfway through, but I still thought it wrapped things up reasonably well. Predictability isn't necessarily a bad thing when the journey is enjoyable, and there were definitely moments when I had fun reading this.
Overall, this was a quick and entertaining read with a promising premise, but I was left wanting more depth from both the characters and the story itself. It had plenty of action, but I think a little more emotional development would have made it much more memorable.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Highside is a short story by American writer and filmmaker, Jaime Oliveira. Billy Miller’s highside puts an end to his motorcycle racing career. He spends years healing, burdened by medical debt, and by the time his father dies, is left with a pathetic garage. That’s when his older brother, Cole, absent for a decade, turns up.
Cole is getting together a team to rob banks, using motorbikes as getaway vehicles. The other six he has recruited have various talents and resources, and most are very fast. Their successes attract Special Agent Lennox of the FBI, and Cole begins to suspect they have an informant in their midst. Fast riding, sex, violence and gunplay: a story very much aimed at the male reader.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories.
Cole is getting together a team to rob banks, using motorbikes as getaway vehicles. The other six he has recruited have various talents and resources, and most are very fast. Their successes attract Special Agent Lennox of the FBI, and Cole begins to suspect they have an informant in their midst. Fast riding, sex, violence and gunplay: a story very much aimed at the male reader.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Highside is a short story by American writer and filmmaker, Jaime Oliveira. The audio version is narrated by Eddie Lopez and Tim Lounibos. Billy Miller’s highside puts an end to his motorcycle racing career. He spends years healing, burdened by medical debt, and by the time his father dies, is left with a pathetic garage. That’s when his older brother, Cole, absent for a decade, turns up.
Cole is getting together a team to rob banks, using motorbikes as getaway vehicles. The other six he has recruited have various talents and resources, and most are very fast. Their successes attract Special Agent Lennox of the FBI, and Cole begins to suspect they have an informant in their midst. Fast riding, sex, violence and gunplay: a story very much aimed at the male reader.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing..
Cole is getting together a team to rob banks, using motorbikes as getaway vehicles. The other six he has recruited have various talents and resources, and most are very fast. Their successes attract Special Agent Lennox of the FBI, and Cole begins to suspect they have an informant in their midst. Fast riding, sex, violence and gunplay: a story very much aimed at the male reader.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing..
September 30, 2026
Thank you Netgalley for the ALC for this book.
High side is a short story about a group of individuals who have an interesting hobby who ride motorcycles and rob banks, BUT they only rob the banks that are screwing normal people over, taking their customers money or are just doing down right shady things to their customers. It was a good story about brotherhood, betrayal, with a hint of excitement.
I rated this 3⭐️’s
It was a short story so of course we don’t get much as far of context, I did not find myself feeling confusing or as if I didn’t know what was going on, I wish there was more to the story, the relationship dynamic between the brothers, the brewing love story between some side characters and just more details in general about each character. But all in all it was still so enjoyable and a great listen.
High side is a short story about a group of individuals who have an interesting hobby who ride motorcycles and rob banks, BUT they only rob the banks that are screwing normal people over, taking their customers money or are just doing down right shady things to their customers. It was a good story about brotherhood, betrayal, with a hint of excitement.
I rated this 3⭐️’s
It was a short story so of course we don’t get much as far of context, I did not find myself feeling confusing or as if I didn’t know what was going on, I wish there was more to the story, the relationship dynamic between the brothers, the brewing love story between some side characters and just more details in general about each character. But all in all it was still so enjoyable and a great listen.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When I saw this book, the cover was 100% what brought me in, but the book itself...not that much.
It had a very promising beginning--our protagonist getting in a motor bike crash sending his motorcycle dreams crushed, but later, the story just down spiraled. We were reading the bad side of the POV, thinking they were the good ones. Cole saying robbing banks was for the good cause? Lies. They used that to gamble.
But, It did end as a decent ending...yes, I did see it coming halfway through, but still had a fun time reading it. I did like the brother bonding and the characters...but they all felt like they had the same personality as each other.
All in all, be prepared to know some motorcycle slang/terms (lol) 3/5 stars.
Thank you NetGalley for letting this be my first (digital)ARC!
It had a very promising beginning--our protagonist getting in a motor bike crash sending his motorcycle dreams crushed, but later, the story just down spiraled. We were reading the bad side of the POV, thinking they were the good ones. Cole saying robbing banks was for the good cause? Lies. They used that to gamble.
But, It did end as a decent ending...yes, I did see it coming halfway through, but still had a fun time reading it. I did like the brother bonding and the characters...but they all felt like they had the same personality as each other.
All in all, be prepared to know some motorcycle slang/terms (lol) 3/5 stars.
Thank you NetGalley for letting this be my first (digital)ARC!
October 3, 2026
“High Side” by Jaime Oliveira is high octane thrilling short story. Thank you.
October 8, 2026
Not recommended.
Review posted at Tzer Island book blog:
https://www.tzerisland.com/bookblog/2...
Review posted at Tzer Island book blog:
https://www.tzerisland.com/bookblog/2...
October 28, 2026
A quick, entertaining story with motorcycles, brotherhood, and a little crime! 🏍️ It kept my attention, but I would’ve liked more depth. Overall, a decent short listen!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a very fast paced novella that was easy to finish in one sitting, which I love. I feel like a lot of things happened in such a short amount of time that I couldn’t really connect with any characters. We also kept switching POV which made it hard to really keep up for me. There was action and betrayal (although that was easy to figure out). With this being made into a movie, I do think this story may be better suited for that type of media. It will be interesting to see the movie.
Thank you to Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley for an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley for an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
September 17, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me this audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review!
2.5 stars.
This wasn’t a terrible book, it just wasn’t for me. What drew me to this book was the fact that the two main characters were brothers. I love a sibling novel. Their bond was strong, but not overly. I also really like the show “Motorheads” so I thought I would enjoy this one.
It was a very quick audiobook to get through, and I thought the narrators did a good job.
That was part of the problem though. It was too short.
There wasn’t enough time to get to know the characters and build their connection to each other. I didn’t feel one way or another about anyone, since we didn’t have enough time with them to want to care about what happened or be upset about what was going on.
I didn’t realize this would be a movie, but honestly I think it will translate better on screen than it did on the pages, which I don’t say too often.
It is really short, so if it sounds like something you may like, it is worth trying! I wouldn’t really say I wasted my time reading it, even though I didn’t care for it as much, so it is worth a shot.
2.5 stars.
This wasn’t a terrible book, it just wasn’t for me. What drew me to this book was the fact that the two main characters were brothers. I love a sibling novel. Their bond was strong, but not overly. I also really like the show “Motorheads” so I thought I would enjoy this one.
It was a very quick audiobook to get through, and I thought the narrators did a good job.
That was part of the problem though. It was too short.
There wasn’t enough time to get to know the characters and build their connection to each other. I didn’t feel one way or another about anyone, since we didn’t have enough time with them to want to care about what happened or be upset about what was going on.
I didn’t realize this would be a movie, but honestly I think it will translate better on screen than it did on the pages, which I don’t say too often.
It is really short, so if it sounds like something you may like, it is worth trying! I wouldn’t really say I wasted my time reading it, even though I didn’t care for it as much, so it is worth a shot.
October 14, 2026
If You Like The Synopsis, Wait For The Movie
Billy Miller, a motorcycle road racer, lost his shot at competing in the AMA Superbike Championships in a high-side accident while trying out. Years later, he works at a small garage his dad left him in Alpine, TX. His brother, Cole, rides up on a superbike. He had not seen him for ten years after he and their father came to blows in the garage. He has a proposal for Billy to join his superbike gang to rob banks. He needs another person he can trust who can ride a superbike. It didn’t take much to convince Billy that the garage was a dead end, but he still has to prove he's a skilled superbike rider. Surprising even himself, he aces the test his brother sets for him. From there, Billy’s biker gang starts their bank-robbing spree.
The first thread follows Billy Miller’s bank-robbing crew from learning to rob banks to their big score. The second thread follows FBI Special Agent Lennox’s investigation of the crew. Lennox has unique insight into bike gangs’ illegal activity. Recently, he was undercover, running a biker club for 18 months, building trust and getting close to a weapons trafficker. He is a capable superbike rider, which plays into his thread. This novel is an easy, rapid read, mostly action. There is one major twist, but it is not well hidden. My interest was kept as I wanted to see the gang’s downfall. This reason is not compelling enough to read this novel.
As with all short stories, the background tends to be a little thin. Most of the background on Billy comes from the B-storylines with Cole and Natalie. It was enough to understand his actions up to the end, but for me, it wasn't deep enough to believe it.
Aspects that can cause readers to stop reading are present in this novel. There is one brief intimate scene. Inappropriate language is mainly restricted to the F-bomb. Rude and impious language is very minimal. This novella is an action-thriller. It starts with a dye pack and ends with a grand finale where the violence peaks. It is described as live-action violence.
This novel starts with a reasonable, if thin, storyline. The ending did not feel realistic to me. This movie was hyped as a soon-to-be major motion picture. To me, it seemed like an outline for a movie script, not even a novella. I have no prior experience reading this author. I do not recommend reading this novel. It meets my criteria for a three-star review. In my opinion, this novella has problems.
I received the free pre-publication e-book of this novel from Amazon Original Stories via NetGalley. My review is based solely on my reading experience. Thank you, Amazon Original Stories, for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
Billy Miller, a motorcycle road racer, lost his shot at competing in the AMA Superbike Championships in a high-side accident while trying out. Years later, he works at a small garage his dad left him in Alpine, TX. His brother, Cole, rides up on a superbike. He had not seen him for ten years after he and their father came to blows in the garage. He has a proposal for Billy to join his superbike gang to rob banks. He needs another person he can trust who can ride a superbike. It didn’t take much to convince Billy that the garage was a dead end, but he still has to prove he's a skilled superbike rider. Surprising even himself, he aces the test his brother sets for him. From there, Billy’s biker gang starts their bank-robbing spree.
The first thread follows Billy Miller’s bank-robbing crew from learning to rob banks to their big score. The second thread follows FBI Special Agent Lennox’s investigation of the crew. Lennox has unique insight into bike gangs’ illegal activity. Recently, he was undercover, running a biker club for 18 months, building trust and getting close to a weapons trafficker. He is a capable superbike rider, which plays into his thread. This novel is an easy, rapid read, mostly action. There is one major twist, but it is not well hidden. My interest was kept as I wanted to see the gang’s downfall. This reason is not compelling enough to read this novel.
As with all short stories, the background tends to be a little thin. Most of the background on Billy comes from the B-storylines with Cole and Natalie. It was enough to understand his actions up to the end, but for me, it wasn't deep enough to believe it.
Aspects that can cause readers to stop reading are present in this novel. There is one brief intimate scene. Inappropriate language is mainly restricted to the F-bomb. Rude and impious language is very minimal. This novella is an action-thriller. It starts with a dye pack and ends with a grand finale where the violence peaks. It is described as live-action violence.
This novel starts with a reasonable, if thin, storyline. The ending did not feel realistic to me. This movie was hyped as a soon-to-be major motion picture. To me, it seemed like an outline for a movie script, not even a novella. I have no prior experience reading this author. I do not recommend reading this novel. It meets my criteria for a three-star review. In my opinion, this novella has problems.
I received the free pre-publication e-book of this novel from Amazon Original Stories via NetGalley. My review is based solely on my reading experience. Thank you, Amazon Original Stories, for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
October 12, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Although I'm not often a fan of motorized escapades, this was a short but entertaining read. If a book—or, in this case, novella—can capture my attention long enough to finish it, then the author has succeeded to some extent.
That being said, the story leaves me wanting more. Which is a good thing! I want to explore the brothers' relationship with each other and their father, perhaps with. I want more opportunities to develop an attachment to the rest of the crew. We're just barely skimming the surface of the broader world of these motocross bank robbers. This could be expanded upon into a full-fledged novel. I think it would hit a little harder if I was more invested in these characters enough to truly root for them.
Another minor critique is the point-of-view jumps within the same chapter. If we're going to bounce around to what other characters are doing or thinking, I'd much prefer separation by chapters, parts, etc. We read about an FBI agent in third person, but then jump back to our main character in first person. It can be done successfully! Just with better separation. I also felt the reveal toward the end was predictable, or maybe I've just seen one too many films with a similar twist.
Speaking of, I did notice the final page mentions this being optioned for a film. It definitely reads like a hybrid novella-script that checks off a number of Hollywood boxes. I do think this is well suited for the movie treatment given its generic nature, and that doesn't take away from my enjoyment as a reader.
Although I'm not often a fan of motorized escapades, this was a short but entertaining read. If a book—or, in this case, novella—can capture my attention long enough to finish it, then the author has succeeded to some extent.
That being said, the story leaves me wanting more. Which is a good thing! I want to explore the brothers' relationship with each other and their father, perhaps with. I want more opportunities to develop an attachment to the rest of the crew. We're just barely skimming the surface of the broader world of these motocross bank robbers. This could be expanded upon into a full-fledged novel. I think it would hit a little harder if I was more invested in these characters enough to truly root for them.
Another minor critique is the point-of-view jumps within the same chapter. If we're going to bounce around to what other characters are doing or thinking, I'd much prefer separation by chapters, parts, etc. We read about an FBI agent in third person, but then jump back to our main character in first person. It can be done successfully! Just with better separation. I also felt the reveal toward the end was predictable, or maybe I've just seen one too many films with a similar twist.
Speaking of, I did notice the final page mentions this being optioned for a film. It definitely reads like a hybrid novella-script that checks off a number of Hollywood boxes. I do think this is well suited for the movie treatment given its generic nature, and that doesn't take away from my enjoyment as a reader.
October 5, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ (3/5 Stars)
I picked up High Side by Jaime Oliveira because it was a short read of only 56 pages. I was curious to see what could be done with such a short story and if it could keep me engaged. At that length, it is actually shorter than a novella, so it is definitely something you can sit down and read very quickly.
Because of the length, everything moves at a really fast pace—and for me, it was too fast. The ideas behind the story were family, betrayal, and fast money, but there wasn't enough room for a proper story to build, which kept me from caring about what happened. I found myself wishing there had been more time to develop the characters and let the story breathe a little. I could see the potential for this to be a movie if it concentrated more on the brothers, their past, and the trauma surrounding their crimes.
I think this is one of those books where the short length will either work for you or leave you wanting more. For me, I enjoyed parts of it, but I never became fully invested because it was over so quickly. So, I am one of those readers who wanted more.
That said, I appreciate that sometimes you just want something short and easy to get through, and High Side definitely fits that bill if you do not mind lacking much character development.
Overall, it was an okay read. I didn't dislike it, but it didn't leave a huge impression on me either.
⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ (3/5 Stars)
I picked up High Side by Jaime Oliveira because it was a short read of only 56 pages. I was curious to see what could be done with such a short story and if it could keep me engaged. At that length, it is actually shorter than a novella, so it is definitely something you can sit down and read very quickly.
Because of the length, everything moves at a really fast pace—and for me, it was too fast. The ideas behind the story were family, betrayal, and fast money, but there wasn't enough room for a proper story to build, which kept me from caring about what happened. I found myself wishing there had been more time to develop the characters and let the story breathe a little. I could see the potential for this to be a movie if it concentrated more on the brothers, their past, and the trauma surrounding their crimes.
I think this is one of those books where the short length will either work for you or leave you wanting more. For me, I enjoyed parts of it, but I never became fully invested because it was over so quickly. So, I am one of those readers who wanted more.
That said, I appreciate that sometimes you just want something short and easy to get through, and High Side definitely fits that bill if you do not mind lacking much character development.
Overall, it was an okay read. I didn't dislike it, but it didn't leave a huge impression on me either.
September 12, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, in exchange for an unbiased review. This review is 100% human-created, with NO AI slop.
This genre is something I almost never read: Male-centric, crime heist, and fast cars/bikes. But since this is a short story and not a novel, it sounded interesting enough to give it a try. I'm glad I did!
Synopsis: A redneck white guy from nowhere, Texas was on his way to being a champion superbike rider when he crashed out, and now spends his days in a dying car repair garage. His brother comes by to offer him a chance at a new life via a cash grab...by robbing banks.
Overall, the characters were solidly written, and the atmosphere was as depressingly created as you'd expect. Highly recommend for a quick, unique read.
Apparently this is being developed into a feature film which I am certain I won't watch.
This genre is something I almost never read: Male-centric, crime heist, and fast cars/bikes. But since this is a short story and not a novel, it sounded interesting enough to give it a try. I'm glad I did!
Synopsis: A redneck white guy from nowhere, Texas was on his way to being a champion superbike rider when he crashed out, and now spends his days in a dying car repair garage. His brother comes by to offer him a chance at a new life via a cash grab...by robbing banks.
Overall, the characters were solidly written, and the atmosphere was as depressingly created as you'd expect. Highly recommend for a quick, unique read.
Apparently this is being developed into a feature film which I am certain I won't watch.
September 21, 2026
*I received an advanced copy of the audiobook from Net Galley*
This was a fast paced short story. I enjoyed Oliveira’s descriptions and thought they did a phenomenal job creating a strong backstory in the short time frame. The main characters were fully developed and their motivation was clear and consistent.
Where this fell flat for me was in the conclusion. I thought the escalation happened too quickly and all at once and it could’ve used more of a build on tension. Some of the lack of build was from the predictability - if you’ve been in the same room when a heist movie was on you could’ve predicted the ending!
Overall, this was a fun listen and well done audio! I’d be intrigued to see what this author does next!
This was a fast paced short story. I enjoyed Oliveira’s descriptions and thought they did a phenomenal job creating a strong backstory in the short time frame. The main characters were fully developed and their motivation was clear and consistent.
Where this fell flat for me was in the conclusion. I thought the escalation happened too quickly and all at once and it could’ve used more of a build on tension. Some of the lack of build was from the predictability - if you’ve been in the same room when a heist movie was on you could’ve predicted the ending!
Overall, this was a fun listen and well done audio! I’d be intrigued to see what this author does next!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of advance listener copy received from NetGalley
I enjoyed this audiobook so much, it was so well done. As I was listening, I could feel the tension and I loved it, the narrators did a phenomenal job. I was honestly so pleasantly surprised by this book because it’s not something I would normally read. I enjoyed the main character, Billy and his brother, Cole. When we meet Billy, he’s a former professional motorcycle rider who is running his late father’s garage after an accident. Then his brother, a bank robber, shows up and chaos ensues. The end was predictable, but I think it was good as a short story. My only real complaint is that the other characters felt flat, which honestly could have something to do with the length of the story.
I enjoyed this audiobook so much, it was so well done. As I was listening, I could feel the tension and I loved it, the narrators did a phenomenal job. I was honestly so pleasantly surprised by this book because it’s not something I would normally read. I enjoyed the main character, Billy and his brother, Cole. When we meet Billy, he’s a former professional motorcycle rider who is running his late father’s garage after an accident. Then his brother, a bank robber, shows up and chaos ensues. The end was predictable, but I think it was good as a short story. My only real complaint is that the other characters felt flat, which honestly could have something to do with the length of the story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5
I received an advance audiobook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked the writing here. I don’t care about motorcycles at all, and the fact that I didn’t zone out during any of the motorcycle-heavy parts says a lot.
It’s a short story, but it kept me interested because I genuinely wanted to know how it was going to end. I also really liked the dual POV between the “good guys” and the “bad guys.” It made the story move quickly and gave you both sides of what was happening.
Overall, interesting, fast-paced, and I’d definitely read more from this author. Will make a decent film.
I received an advance audiobook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked the writing here. I don’t care about motorcycles at all, and the fact that I didn’t zone out during any of the motorcycle-heavy parts says a lot.
It’s a short story, but it kept me interested because I genuinely wanted to know how it was going to end. I also really liked the dual POV between the “good guys” and the “bad guys.” It made the story move quickly and gave you both sides of what was happening.
Overall, interesting, fast-paced, and I’d definitely read more from this author. Will make a decent film.
November 4, 2026
Brothers, Motorcycles, and Bank Heists!
High Side is a short crime thriller about two brothers, Billy and Cole, whose lives take an unexpected turn when they become involved in a series of bank robberies.
The story combines motorcycle racing, family loyalty, dangerous decisions, and the possibility of redemption. At just 72 pages, there’s a lot packed into this short story.
The relationship between the brothers is central to the plot, particularly Billy’s struggle to rebuild his life after a devastating motorcycle accident.
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
High Side is a short crime thriller about two brothers, Billy and Cole, whose lives take an unexpected turn when they become involved in a series of bank robberies.
The story combines motorcycle racing, family loyalty, dangerous decisions, and the possibility of redemption. At just 72 pages, there’s a lot packed into this short story.
The relationship between the brothers is central to the plot, particularly Billy’s struggle to rebuild his life after a devastating motorcycle accident.
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a short story about two brothers, Billy and Cole, who reconnect after several years to ride bikes and rob banks together.
I really enjoyed listening to this. The narrators' performance is really great and definitely pulled me into the story from the start.
I'm glad I chose the audiobook rather than the ebook.
I think listening to it made me like the story more than I would have if I read it.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ALC.
I really enjoyed listening to this. The narrators' performance is really great and definitely pulled me into the story from the start.
I'm glad I chose the audiobook rather than the ebook.
I think listening to it made me like the story more than I would have if I read it.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ALC.
September 24, 2026
2.5⭐️
This was a very niche and technical read in terms of terminology and motorcycle lingo and racing dynamics. I enjoyed the concept because I am involved in the motorcycle racing world, but I think those who aren’t, may struggle to get into it. This was a zippy fast bikes, fast cash bank heist story line. I enjoyed the racing components and lingo included. I would be inclined to watch the visual representation of the story.
Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Original Stories and the author for the e-ARC. All thoughts are my own.
This was a very niche and technical read in terms of terminology and motorcycle lingo and racing dynamics. I enjoyed the concept because I am involved in the motorcycle racing world, but I think those who aren’t, may struggle to get into it. This was a zippy fast bikes, fast cash bank heist story line. I enjoyed the racing components and lingo included. I would be inclined to watch the visual representation of the story.
Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Original Stories and the author for the e-ARC. All thoughts are my own.
October 5, 2026
Thank you to Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley for a copy of this book.
This packed a punch for such a short story. As a fan of the Fast & Furious franchise it's not hard to convince me to read about motor-fueled heists.
I did really enjoy this, but I think it suffered from a common downfall of short stories - I wanted more. I felt like I wanted to know more about these characters so I could connect more with everyone and see how they fit within the team dynamic. Honestly I feel like this would have benefitted from being a novella rather than a short story.
This packed a punch for such a short story. As a fan of the Fast & Furious franchise it's not hard to convince me to read about motor-fueled heists.
I did really enjoy this, but I think it suffered from a common downfall of short stories - I wanted more. I felt like I wanted to know more about these characters so I could connect more with everyone and see how they fit within the team dynamic. Honestly I feel like this would have benefitted from being a novella rather than a short story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Amazon Original Stories, author and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book.
This is a short story, clocking in at about 72 pages. Rumor has it that this might be made into a film, and I can totally see this. It's a fast paced story, leaning heavily on machismo. I am not the target demographic, but I could 100% see this is a gateway story to some guy who "just doesn't read" and convert them into a reader.
This is a short story, clocking in at about 72 pages. Rumor has it that this might be made into a film, and I can totally see this. It's a fast paced story, leaning heavily on machismo. I am not the target demographic, but I could 100% see this is a gateway story to some guy who "just doesn't read" and convert them into a reader.
September 23, 2026
3.5 stars
Started off very strong, but I wish there was more! More character development, more plot, just more of something. The ending also felt rushed and a little messy, this book would have been great if it was a little longer.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #HighSide #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Started off very strong, but I wish there was more! More character development, more plot, just more of something. The ending also felt rushed and a little messy, this book would have been great if it was a little longer.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #HighSide #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley for suggesting this book to me.
I liked this one a lot actually. I wasnt really expecting to like it too much because its out of my comfort zone and I dont usually read ones like this, but it was very entertaining and kept me drawn in!
I liked this one a lot actually. I wasnt really expecting to like it too much because its out of my comfort zone and I dont usually read ones like this, but it was very entertaining and kept me drawn in!
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