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Kontra's Menagerie #21
Return To Biker Lane
Jethro Gunther has been servicing the motorcycles of his old pal’s gang for over a decade. When his buddy brings him a new customer, Wilhelm Smith, Jethro finds himself tempted to give in to his attraction for men for only the second time in his life. The first guy had left Jethro used and rejected, so he’d turned to one night stands with biker bunnies. It was just easier. Wilhelm, however, seems different. He’s straightforward in his attraction and direct in his desires—he also refuses to be a dirty little secret. One night, Jethro realizes just how different Wilhelm actually is. Shifters are real and Wilhelm is one. Can Jethro accept his new reality and figure out a way to openly incorporate a male partner into his life, or will he miss out on the best thing that could ever happen to him?
79 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 2, 2017
23 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 26, 2018
2.5 stars
This review and so much more can be found at The Novel Approach
As Kontra and his band of shifters travel across the country, they need to get a bike for one of the newer members of the pack, Wilhelm. They stop at Jethro’s bike shop. He has helped out the gang over the years and always seems to look forward to working with the guys. When he meets Wilhelm, though, he feels something different. He’s been attracted to guys before, but his biker gang is extremely homophobic, and the newest leader is the worst yet.
When Jethro accepts an invitation to dinner with the gang, he invites along one off his assistants at the shop. But there seems to be some trouble with a couple of the guys from his biker gang, and Wilhelm ends up saving the day. But, he does it by revealing a bit more about himself than he intended. And when he does, it shakes up Jethro’s world—to the foundation.
Return to Biker Lane was not a favorite in this series. Even though this series is formulaic, and with fated mates there isn’t necessarily a huge character building process before the fated mates get together, I still wasn’t feeling much of a connection between Wilhelm and Jethro. This one felt rushed and ended rather abruptly.
Note: While technically this is book twenty-one in this series, it can be read as a stand-alone.
This review and so much more can be found at The Novel Approach
As Kontra and his band of shifters travel across the country, they need to get a bike for one of the newer members of the pack, Wilhelm. They stop at Jethro’s bike shop. He has helped out the gang over the years and always seems to look forward to working with the guys. When he meets Wilhelm, though, he feels something different. He’s been attracted to guys before, but his biker gang is extremely homophobic, and the newest leader is the worst yet.
When Jethro accepts an invitation to dinner with the gang, he invites along one off his assistants at the shop. But there seems to be some trouble with a couple of the guys from his biker gang, and Wilhelm ends up saving the day. But, he does it by revealing a bit more about himself than he intended. And when he does, it shakes up Jethro’s world—to the foundation.
Return to Biker Lane was not a favorite in this series. Even though this series is formulaic, and with fated mates there isn’t necessarily a huge character building process before the fated mates get together, I still wasn’t feeling much of a connection between Wilhelm and Jethro. This one felt rushed and ended rather abruptly.
Note: While technically this is book twenty-one in this series, it can be read as a stand-alone.
March 19, 2018
~ 2.5 Stars ~
As Kontra and his band of shifters travel across the country, they need to get a bike for one of the newer members of the pack, Wilhelm. They stop at Jethro’s bike shop. He has helped out the gang over the years and always seems to look forward to working with the guys. When he meets Wilhelm, though, he feels something different. He’s been attracted to guys before, but his biker gang is extremely homophobic, and the newest leader is the worst yet.
When Jethro accepts an invitation to dinner with the gang, he invites along one off his assistants at the shop. But there seems to be some trouble with a couple of the guys from his biker gang, and Wilhelm ends up saving the day. But, he does it by revealing a bit more about himself than he intended. And when he does, it shakes up Jethro’s world—to the foundation.
Return to Biker Lane was not a favorite in this series. Even though this series is formulaic, and with fated mates there isn’t necessarily a huge character building process before the fated mates get together, I still wasn’t feeling much of a connection between Wilhelm and Jethro. This one felt rushed and ended rather abruptly.
Note: While technically this is book twenty-one in this series, it can be read as a stand-alone.
Reviewed by Sadonna for The Novel Approach
As Kontra and his band of shifters travel across the country, they need to get a bike for one of the newer members of the pack, Wilhelm. They stop at Jethro’s bike shop. He has helped out the gang over the years and always seems to look forward to working with the guys. When he meets Wilhelm, though, he feels something different. He’s been attracted to guys before, but his biker gang is extremely homophobic, and the newest leader is the worst yet.
When Jethro accepts an invitation to dinner with the gang, he invites along one off his assistants at the shop. But there seems to be some trouble with a couple of the guys from his biker gang, and Wilhelm ends up saving the day. But, he does it by revealing a bit more about himself than he intended. And when he does, it shakes up Jethro’s world—to the foundation.
Return to Biker Lane was not a favorite in this series. Even though this series is formulaic, and with fated mates there isn’t necessarily a huge character building process before the fated mates get together, I still wasn’t feeling much of a connection between Wilhelm and Jethro. This one felt rushed and ended rather abruptly.
Note: While technically this is book twenty-one in this series, it can be read as a stand-alone.
Reviewed by Sadonna for The Novel Approach
June 28, 2024
n a major re-re-read of the Stone Ridge world. I usually enjoy Charlies' short stories and novellas (the occasional one is a clunkier) but I have found that the best way to read them is to series binge and read them in the recommended reading order for the 'world' instead of by series. This gives a much more satisfying read with a more consistent plot line and world. Even the clunkers become acceptable as a small part of the whole. The characters are still good, and as usual Charlie uses stereo types with skill and develops characters indirectly. The only characters that develop depth are those who appear and then reappear frequently.
As individual reads? 2 or 3 - though 3 is more common.
As individual reads? 2 or 3 - though 3 is more common.
July 27, 2017
I was SO glad to see another Kontra’s Menagerie book! I love that crazy group of shifters – they’re so diverse and nutty! It was great seeing some of the old gang and we also get a glimpse of some upcoming romance – there’s a teaser near the end about a Fae!
My only complaint with this book is it’s so short! We get a brief intro in Jethro’s life and it feels like the author is assuming you’re following along because we don’t get much background on Wilhelm at all. I loved the chemistry between these two and that Wilhelm isn’t a typical “hard body”.
This was fun, sweet and sexy – but too short!
4 of 5 stars
My only complaint with this book is it’s so short! We get a brief intro in Jethro’s life and it feels like the author is assuming you’re following along because we don’t get much background on Wilhelm at all. I loved the chemistry between these two and that Wilhelm isn’t a typical “hard body”.
This was fun, sweet and sexy – but too short!
4 of 5 stars
March 21, 2019
Wil finds his mate, Jethro, which was awesome, except for the fact that Jethro was in the closet, so the mating took quite some time. There was danger and the usual eroticism with a few surprises about some hidden paranormals. I also appreciated the fact that most of Kontras gang came together to explain paranormals to Jethro, which just added to my delight. The author was also very helpful with explaining who the couples were, bringing their own stories to the forefront for the sake of memory (I sometimes forget who some of them are just by name, but I do remember their own stories) :) This was enthralling and I was definitely immersed in the story.
=)
=)
August 21, 2017
I been loving the series. The story was good and had a steady pace. The characters were likable and have chemistry. I like shifter books of all types, and the author has me favoring mostly all their books. I am a bigger stalker for the authors books on their shelf. Hope to keep reading more from them. Like most short stories had when they end, wanting it to keep going.
Thank you for sharing your book with me.
Thank you for sharing your book with me.
October 29, 2017
Love this series. Quick cute reads.
February 19, 2018
I like these quick little stories, small glimpses into Kontra's Menagerie of bikers.
They are always such fun reads.
They are always such fun reads.
October 25, 2019
Motorcycle Mechanic Jethro and Pygmy Hippo Wilhem
November 19, 2020
Wilhelm was slimy and insensitive. No chemistry with Jethro.
August 7, 2017
Whooo on a role. This one also did not have noticeable catch phrases abounding. This has been read right after The Strike of Hot Iron.
So new character introduced. Oh I don't mean Jethro since he's mate to the 'new' guy.. the one that just joined and is now store bound with his mate.. yeah that guy. Some Fae guy.. I'm wondering if he's this Adisa guy mentioned in one of the other 'series' recently but I haven't actually read any blurbs as my usual standard.
Back to this couple... More background or perhaps groundwork on the Diamondbacks gang or even this crap-ass Patrick would have done me good. Not sure about anyone else. That didn't really hold much in the way of action. There was no store stalking or house stalking noticed. And that coming to a head was in the woods on trail.. ya know, cus there's several shifters there and they are done some splaining so of course they aren't keeping watch and didn't catch on to witnesses until after the fact.
So new character introduced. Oh I don't mean Jethro since he's mate to the 'new' guy.. the one that just joined and is now store bound with his mate.. yeah that guy. Some Fae guy.. I'm wondering if he's this Adisa guy mentioned in one of the other 'series' recently but I haven't actually read any blurbs as my usual standard.
Back to this couple... More background or perhaps groundwork on the Diamondbacks gang or even this crap-ass Patrick would have done me good. Not sure about anyone else. That didn't really hold much in the way of action. There was no store stalking or house stalking noticed. And that coming to a head was in the woods on trail.. ya know, cus there's several shifters there and they are done some splaining so of course they aren't keeping watch and didn't catch on to witnesses until after the fact.
July 2, 2017
Good pickup for the series, or to read if you enjoy shifter romances
I stumbled across this book from a recommendation and figured I would give it a try even though I hadn't read any of the rest of the series. I hoped that it was the type where knowing the previous books would help, but not be essential. I was pleased to find this was true, and also delighted to find that I enjoyed the story and plan to look into the rest of the series.
While short this story manages to tell everything it needs without sacrificing anything in the length. The focus is on getting Jethro comfortable and together with Wil, getting him past the betrayals he experienced in his past. There is also a bit of a mix up with the gang he is currently with. It made for an easy read that kept me interested. I look forward to learning more about all of the pairs in Kontra's hang in the future!
I stumbled across this book from a recommendation and figured I would give it a try even though I hadn't read any of the rest of the series. I hoped that it was the type where knowing the previous books would help, but not be essential. I was pleased to find this was true, and also delighted to find that I enjoyed the story and plan to look into the rest of the series.
While short this story manages to tell everything it needs without sacrificing anything in the length. The focus is on getting Jethro comfortable and together with Wil, getting him past the betrayals he experienced in his past. There is also a bit of a mix up with the gang he is currently with. It made for an easy read that kept me interested. I look forward to learning more about all of the pairs in Kontra's hang in the future!
September 3, 2018
Just didn't work for me
*SPOILERS* I am a die hard Charlie Richards fan but I just didn't connect with this book. I felt like way to much was left open and unexplained and the romance was extremely rushed. For example, what exactly happened in Jethro's past? It was skimmed over as if it was nothing when I feel like it was a crucial part of the story line. What happened with the rest of th Diamondbacks? What happened with Crush? There was just to many holes in the story to ignore. I loved Charlie Richard's early books but lately it seems like they have no heart. I will continue to read her books but if they don't start to improve I may reconsider.
*SPOILERS* I am a die hard Charlie Richards fan but I just didn't connect with this book. I felt like way to much was left open and unexplained and the romance was extremely rushed. For example, what exactly happened in Jethro's past? It was skimmed over as if it was nothing when I feel like it was a crucial part of the story line. What happened with the rest of th Diamondbacks? What happened with Crush? There was just to many holes in the story to ignore. I loved Charlie Richard's early books but lately it seems like they have no heart. I will continue to read her books but if they don't start to improve I may reconsider.
January 11, 2020
I sort of liked this story, but some parts are just glossed over, like the gang and how much/little Jethro associates with them. The focus is on how fast the MC’s are going to end up doing the horizontal...
Finishing off all of Charlie Richards mastodont series is one of my goals for 2020. Not because these are the best, but because I’m a bit OCD about not finishing off series and they have been nagging at my conscious for a while now. So, whenever I feel like reading some relaxing (but rather mindless) stories I’ll dig in to my Charlie Richards pile.... I’m guessing there will be some more before I get back to work on the 8th....
Finishing off all of Charlie Richards mastodont series is one of my goals for 2020. Not because these are the best, but because I’m a bit OCD about not finishing off series and they have been nagging at my conscious for a while now. So, whenever I feel like reading some relaxing (but rather mindless) stories I’ll dig in to my Charlie Richards pile.... I’m guessing there will be some more before I get back to work on the 8th....
June 19, 2017
Absolutely LOVE this series!
Loved catching up with the gang and getting to know the new people.
Would I love longer books, of course, a great story is never long enough.
These stories are just long enough to read before bed and not stay up all night ;)
Enjoy the quick get a ways from reality the series provides.
Wil was just great, blunt yet caring and gentle. He and the guys helped
Jethro heal old wounds.
I really hope that there will be more in the future, when the guys start talking again.
Loved catching up with the gang and getting to know the new people.
Would I love longer books, of course, a great story is never long enough.
These stories are just long enough to read before bed and not stay up all night ;)
Enjoy the quick get a ways from reality the series provides.
Wil was just great, blunt yet caring and gentle. He and the guys helped
Jethro heal old wounds.
I really hope that there will be more in the future, when the guys start talking again.
dnf
July 23, 2020Rating: DNF
Charlie Richards is such a hit or miss with me lately. This one is definitely a miss. I'm not saying the book is particularly bad. It's just as I started reading it, I realized that I didn't care about either MC or what happens to them. I have plenty of other books to read without wasting my time on this one. Maybe I'll revisit in the future, but I'm not holding my breath.
Charlie Richards is such a hit or miss with me lately. This one is definitely a miss. I'm not saying the book is particularly bad. It's just as I started reading it, I realized that I didn't care about either MC or what happens to them. I have plenty of other books to read without wasting my time on this one. Maybe I'll revisit in the future, but I'm not holding my breath.
September 12, 2017
Sturgis enough said
Jethro owned a motorcycle shop and garage in Sturgis SD. Has known Kontra and his gang for years. Doesn't know about shifter. Wilhelm is is mate a pigmy hippo. They help Jethro out of a tight spot and explained about shifters and mates
Jethro owned a motorcycle shop and garage in Sturgis SD. Has known Kontra and his gang for years. Doesn't know about shifter. Wilhelm is is mate a pigmy hippo. They help Jethro out of a tight spot and explained about shifters and mates
June 10, 2017
Return to Biker Lane (Kontra's Menagerie Book 21)
I Liked it thought it was good but wished it could have been a little longer but it was still good...
I Liked it thought it was good but wished it could have been a little longer but it was still good...
June 10, 2017
Lovely Reunion
This is a great way to summarise the group dynamic, while enjoying the gentle playfulness among long time friends. The new characters adding to the group.
This is a great way to summarise the group dynamic, while enjoying the gentle playfulness among long time friends. The new characters adding to the group.
April 22, 2018
Liked Jethrow and Wil's story better the second time I read. On to the next...
November 15, 2020
Super fast
Super fast paced story of an in the closet human meeting his fated shifter mate. Nice story, old friends from the gang, sexy times and an HEA.
Super fast paced story of an in the closet human meeting his fated shifter mate. Nice story, old friends from the gang, sexy times and an HEA.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews