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Thompson & Sons #1

Ride Baby Ride

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From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author VIVIAN AREND the first book in the bestselling THOMPSON & SONS series.

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He wants all her tomorrows

Small town mechanic Gage Jenick’s been waiting for this moment ever since his best friend’s little sister transformed from annoying tagalong to desirable woman. When sweet Katy Thompson kicks her boyfriend to the curb, Gage makes his move. In spite of an assignment that will take him completely off the grid for five long months, he steals her away for one night of steamy passion with the promise of more in the future.

She can’t remember yesterday

When a freak accident on a storm-swept road leaves Katy with a memory full of holes, she can’t remember her own email password, much less how the little pink “positive” on the pregnancy stick got there. She’s at a loss to explain what happened, or when…or with whom. Suddenly she’s got two men claiming to be her baby daddy: her redneck ex, and her long-time crush, Gage.

But what the mind forgets, the heart remembers. Still, it’s going to be a long, hard ride to a happily-ever-after for two, plus one.

*This book was previously published as BABY, BE MINE.*

191 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 25, 2014

1640 people are currently reading
2175 people want to read

About the author

Vivian Arend

157 books2,623 followers
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Vivian Arend loves to share the products of her over-active imagination with her readers. She writes contemporary, western, and light-hearted paranormal romances. The stories are humorous yet emotional, usually with a large cast of family or friends, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after. Vivian lives in British Columbia, Canada, with her husband of many years—her inspiration for every hero and a willing companion for all sorts of adventures.

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5 stars
1,267 (34%)
4 stars
1,252 (34%)
3 stars
874 (23%)
2 stars
230 (6%)
1 star
56 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 279 reviews
Profile Image for Anja.
722 reviews15 followers
March 21, 2015
Meh. Nothing original or special about this story. The external conflict was ridiculous. The relationship development was non-existent. They went from zero to done in a turn of the page. Very boring.
Profile Image for Emily.
5,865 reviews546 followers
January 6, 2018
Mechanic Gage Jenick is about to leave town for five months and finding out that Katy Thompson is now single, he doesn't want to miss his chance with the woman who he knows he wants a future with. Katy has either been involved with her ex jerk and their is the little problem of her being his best friends little sister. When Gage tells Katy how he feels, he is thrilled to find out she feels the same. They have one night together and he comes back months later to find that Katy has lost her memory and she is pregnant. Can she remember Gage and what they were building together or will her ex help tear them apart?

Great read. This had an interesting twist with Katy and then the pregnancy. I thought Gage was a wonderful character who is put through the ringer but he stands by Katy's side through thick and thin. What a way to kick off a new series.
Profile Image for Kristen Johnson.
1,173 reviews48 followers
February 26, 2014
When we get our first glimpse of Katy in Rocky Ride, she's re-learning things after a devastating wreck. I was so glad that her book was next in the series, because I couldn't wait to find out more about her.

Gotta say that I love how Katy pretty much gets to a certain point and then takes no crap from anyone. Not her brothers, not her father, and not her baby daddy/love of her life! She was definitely sick and tired of being coddled and "protected" by all the men in her life and she wanted to get on with her own life and prove to everyone she could be strong again.

I felt so bad for Gage, so desperately wanting to reconnect with Katy and essentially walking into somewhat of a nightmare situation. But I loved how he handled it, never giving up and fighting for a relationship with Katy and their baby.

I could not love these characters more, and I absolutely cannot wait for more of this series. Vivian Arend always writes families so well, making each member so compelling I cannot wait to get to know them better and see what has changed with other characters too.
Profile Image for Chloe Reads Books.
1,210 reviews497 followers
August 16, 2020
Definitely not the best thing I've ever read, but it was cute, smutty and dramatic at the same time. Read in one sitting and would recommend for a comfort read!
Profile Image for QuinnReads.
3,713 reviews204 followers
May 6, 2024
Memory Gaps

Vivian Arend Thompson and Sons bk 01 Ride Baby Ride

I totally enjoyed everything about Katy Thompson and Gage Jenick. From the very beginning, I was all in with these two. I love the way things start, the twists, and the fight for what they both want, need.

“I’m here for you. Like this, if nothing more. My commitment has no agendas, no deadlines. Just one moment after another until we make it through.”
-- Gage Jenick

I just 💙LOVE💚 Gage. Even when he's worried that he's in over his head, he finds a way. He's incredibly sweet and so stinking HOT!

When his past comes up, I can appreciate the different aspects of it. I may have gotten a bit angry on his behalf when an unauthorized release of minor information was used in court. I can't say more, but I was ready to throw down. ⚖️🥊

I read along while listening to the audio book. The narrator is the lovely Tatiana Sokolov. She's easy to listen to. 🎧😊

Story: 5 stars
Narration: 4 stars
Listening Speed: 1.6x
Profile Image for QuinnReads.
3,713 reviews204 followers
May 6, 2024
Memory Gaps

Vivian Arend Thompson and Sons bk 01 Ride Baby Ride

I totally enjoyed everything about Katy Thompson and Gage Jenick. From the very beginning, I was all in with these two. I love the way things start, the twists, and the fight for what they both want, need.

“I’m here for you. Like this, if nothing more. My commitment has no agendas, no deadlines. Just one moment after another until we make it through.”
-- Gage Jenick

I just 💙LOVE💚 Gage. Even when he's worried that he's in over his head, he finds a way. He's incredibly sweet and so stinking HOT!

When his past comes up, I can appreciate the different aspects of it. I may have gotten a bit angry on his behalf when an unauthorized release of minor information was used in court. I can't say more, but I was ready to throw down. ⚖️🥊

I read along while listening to the audio book. The narrator is the lovely Tatiana Sokolov. She's easy to listen to. 🎧😊

Story: 5 stars
Narration: 4 stars
Listening Speed: 1.6x
Profile Image for Darcy.
14.4k reviews543 followers
March 4, 2014
This looks like another one that is screwy with how the books are numbered, it shows #5, but when I was reading the first book there were glimpses of what happened in this one and I was confused, thought I was missing something. Also in this one, all the brothers are single, maybe Mitch has started things with Anna, it seems so. Part of me thinks that maybe it runs concurrently with the middle books, guess we'll have to wait for the others to see.

So even with the odd/unclear placement I liked this one. I thought the start was sweet, loved that Gage and Katy decided to start something even with Gage leaving for 6 months. From their night, I knew that they would be able to withstand the time apart. I loved when it turned out that Gage took a different job and was only going to be gone for 2 months. The e-mail he sent to Katy was so sweet, it's just too bad that she never got to read it. I hated that Katy was hurt, that the accident made her loose such a special night, and made things worse for her when the big surprise came up. Katy couldn't depend on her memories, leaving her with even more confused.

I loved that Gage took everything in stride, that he used the time to win over Katy again. Katy learned that she could trust Gage, it was that trust that lead her to find proof of the time that she lost, giving her back something so special.
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews130 followers
Want to read
April 16, 2020
💝 FREE on Amazon today (2/22/2018)! 💝

Blurb:
He wants all her tomorrows

Small town mechanic Gage Jenick’s been waiting for this moment ever since his best friend’s little sister transformed from annoying tagalong to desirable woman. When sweet Katy Thompson kicks her boyfriend to the curb, Gage makes his move. In spite of an assignment that will take him completely off the grid for five long months, he steals her away for one night of steamy passion with the promise of more in the future.

She can’t remember yesterday

When a freak accident on a storm-swept road leaves Katy with a memory full of holes, she can’t remember her own email password, much less how the little pink “positive” on the pregnancy stick got there. She’s at a loss to explain what happened, or when…or with whom. Suddenly she’s got two men claiming to be her baby daddy: her redneck ex, and her long-time crush, Gage.

But what the mind forgets, the heart remembers. Still, it’s going to be a long, hard ride to a happily-ever-after for two, plus one.

*This book was previously published as BABY, BE MINE.*
Profile Image for Tanielle.
Author 0 books38 followers
January 5, 2016
Katy and Gage started off with a bang, literally. She had an accident and Gage didn’t find out until he returned two months later. Of course her ex tried to use her memory lapse against them but her feelings for Gage were still there although her accident did change her personality a bit. I was really looking for a twist with the child's paternity though. Seemed like Gage took a real good beating most of the story, I thought he’d do a bit better on holding his own as much as he seemed to go after Simon. Good read though.
Profile Image for Jacqueline J.
3,565 reviews371 followers
July 28, 2018
Decent read. Competent writing. Not the best I've read by this author. I think somehow it felt like it was too short and just skimmed the surface in a way. Why for example was the ex boyfriend such an ass? What was up with him?
Profile Image for Simply Love Book Reviews.
7,046 reviews870 followers
February 25, 2014
Slick‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

Review copy provided for an honest review

4.5 STARS

Author Vivian Arend starts off her spin off series Thompson & Sons with a bang! Baby, Be Mine is award a sexy, complicated story of friendship turned to love with a bit of amnesia thrown in for good measure. It was hard to put down story that had as many twist and turns as the roads do in Rocky Mountain House. Yes, you heard right this series takes place alongside Arend’s beloved Six Pack Ranch (Coleman family) saga. (Thompson & Sons bk 1 can be found in the MARKED anthology but does not have to be read before reading BABY, BE MINE).

Gage Jenick has been a part of the Thompson family ever since his best friend dragged him home at age 13 and until a little over a year ago he’d always thought of Katy with brotherly affection. But, one hot day and a busted water hose changed all that and now that’s she’s dumped her loser boyfriend he aims to make up for lost time. Katy’s been biding her time as well so on the night before Gage leaves for a job up north in the oil fields; they act on their attraction to one another. Unfortunately, a serious accident leaves Katy with no memory of their time together.

It’s pretty rare a book takes me by surprise anymore, but this one did it in spades. Every time I thought things were going to smooth out and be okay another wrench was thrown at Gage and Katy. I loved the way they worked through it all and the mutual respect and friendship helping them waver the obstacles in their way.

The supporting cast added a lot of excitement and some quite interesting moments throughout the book. Katy’s brothers are a loud and enticing group and I’m sure there will be more stories to come featuring them. We also see a few of the Coleman’s running around which bridges the two series together nicely.

There’s so much more I’d like to say but I can’t without giving away some of the big secrets in store for the reader. Baby, Be Mine is an excellent start to what promises to be another fine family series from author Vivian Arend.
Profile Image for 2OCC Reviews.
3,487 reviews254 followers
December 25, 2016

The description drew me right in. Being my first book by this author I wasn't sure what to expect. But in the end I fell in love with this authors writing style.

Gage was such a smooth talker. He was sweet yet hard. I really like how his feelings for Katy evolved. She forgot what they share and my heart broke for him because he was fighting his own demons with out adding memory loss.

Katy was lost. That's the best way to describe it. She was stubborn but at the same time she had feelings for Gage and wanted them to evolve despite her accident.


This story was unique and had some unbelievable steam! I liked the flow of the story. It was fast, but at the same time I didn't feel like it went to fast.

Overall I really liked this story. We meet a lot of characters and one from past books by this author and I plan on reading other books by her. It was a cute quick read. 4.5 stars #2OCCJD
Profile Image for Paula Legate.
Author 17 books25 followers
January 21, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. It had a great plot, suspense, action, romance, a crazy ex boyfriend. This book had it all.

Katy, and Grant had admired each other for awhile. Grant waited until she broke up with her boyfriend before he made his move. it stinks that it was the night before he was due to leave for 6 months. After he left, Katy had a car wreck that left her with parts of her memory gone. He wrote while he was gone, but she couldn't remember her pass words to check her email.
She later found out she was pregnant, but couldn't remember how she got that way.... her friends and family told her she had she broken up with her ex, and that he was a jerk. No one knew she had gotten together with Grant the night before he left. When he got home... he filled in the blank space...so the father could be either Grant, or the Jerk. I loved how supportive Grant was. I also loved Katy's big supportive family.
Have to say her ex was half crazy.
Profile Image for Grace.
251 reviews15 followers
March 16, 2014
The book had a lot of potential for me, but in the end it was just an okay read. It was a little bit too much of a soap opera with the heroine getting amnesia and not knowing the baby daddy. That was a little bit annoying because as the reader we knew exactly who the father was. Every time she did something stupid I ended up cringing. There were two things which I really hated in the book. First, the Katy was a TSTL character. When your family and all your friends tell you your supposed ex is a creep and that you dumped him, you should believe them! Especially if he makes you feel uncomfortable. The book would have been better if she was not so wishy washy with her ex. In the end, there was also a WTF moment that was just too ridiculous. Overall, an okay read but could have definitely been improved.
Profile Image for Sarah.
2,130 reviews30 followers
March 15, 2024
Book one of the New Thompson series which is a spin off from Rocky Mountain series.
Katy loves Gage since she was little but Gage has tried very hard not to be attracted to her because she's his besties little sister.
Katy breaks up with her dick boyfriend and is on a night out when Gage is celebrating his last night in Rocky before he goes to work on oil rigs in middle of nowhere for 6 months.
When Gage fines out Katy is single and free he makes his move.
He goes off to oil rig and Katy ends up in a car accident which leaves her with a brain injury that affects her memory, which makes things very interesting when Gage comes back to hopefully start something with Katy.
Love VA and series she so far has developed. Great HEA.
Profile Image for DawnMarie  Carpintero.
Author 2 books19 followers
April 21, 2017
Nice

4 stars

There comes a time when certain books just don't do it for you this but did it but didn't continue to do it the blurb caught me but that was about the only thing that was able to keep me in the book. The characters for me so distant and when I read a book I like to be able to feel a connection with them but this book I didn't feel anything of a connection I felt like the story could've went on in a different direction and could've been more in others just when I thought the story was getting good part of a dropped but still this was an amazing book.

Happy sexy reading
Profile Image for ⚜️XAR the Bookwyrm.
2,341 reviews17 followers
August 20, 2017
This was set in the same town as the author's Six Pack Ranch series, and actually foreshadows some of the events of that series, making it more of a spin off, rather than its own independent series. The story wasn't bad, but wasn't great either. I didn't care for the changes that got explained away by Katy's accident. I hated how she kept involving both men, even though she'd been told that she had broken up with Simon. Why wasn't her intuition working after the accident?!?

I might read the next book in this series, but I'm not in any hurry to do so.
Profile Image for Christine.
742 reviews9 followers
May 29, 2018
The premise of this book is rather silly - the heroine breaks up with her asshole boyfriend and soon after sleeps with her childhood crush, which lucky for her, reciprocates feelings. Only problem is hero is going to out of town for work the next day. So he leaves and in the meantime, heroine gets into an accident which causes her amnesia. Sure, Jan.

A positive about this is I did like the characters and the writing was pretty good. I just wish they weren't put into such dumb circumstances. And if you're thinking what I wrote isn't that bad, trust me, the plot gets worse. I won't spoil anything but if you're looking for a quick and easy read and maybe a laugh afterwards, go for it. But given that I got this as a freebie I certainly would not advise anyone to pay to read this.
Profile Image for Judy Karsh.
50 reviews
August 2, 2017
Gage and Katy are hot hot hot and I could not put this book down. What started out as friendship for Katy Thompson and Gage Jenick, turned into something beautiful, even though Katy's ex did all he could to destroy what was happening. I recommend you one-click this book and find out how these two lovers find their HEA.
Profile Image for Sarah.
3,358 reviews1,236 followers
April 13, 2014
Gage has had a thing for Katy for a long time but working alongside her protective older brothers, who he also considers his best friends, makes it hard for him to put the moves on her - especially when she already has a boyfriend. He's just about to leave town for six months when he finds out that she's dumped her boyfriend, the timing is terrible but he just can't walk away without making his feelings for her clear. Katy has had a crush on Gage forever but never thought he'd look twice in her direction so she couldn't be happier when she finds out how he feels. After spending one amazing night together they reluctantly separate, planning to let everyone know they're a couple once Gage returns. That would be fine if Katy didn't suffer a serious head injury just after he left and lose all memory of their night together. When Gage returns early he's gutted to find out that Katy has forgotten everything that happened between them but he's determined to prove to her just how much he loves her and win her heart all over again. Especially considering she's carrying a baby that could be his.

I really enjoyed the first story in this series, Rocky Ride, (which currently only available in the Marked anthology but coming soon as a separate ebook) so I was looking forward to getting to know Mitch's younger sister Katy a bit better in Baby, Be Mine. The timeline for this story actually runs alongside events in Rocky Ride but don't worry it can easily be read as a stand alone and would work well as an introduction to the series if you haven't started it yet. This is a great contemporary romance series full of hot sex and it has a great small town feel to it. I love series that follow a family so you get to revisit previous characters as the story continues and I'm also a sucker for the friends to lovers trope so it's no surprise that I really enjoyed this book.

Katy has been through a lot in the last few months, the accident has left her with short term memory problems and she now has trouble doing things that she used to find easy. Her family was always protective but they're now even more so and it's driving her crazy but then she realises she's pregnant and she can't even be sure who the father is - her ex boyfriend or Gage who has come home claiming they spent a night together. She had a crush on Gage for such a long time but she is worried that he is just trying to look out for her because of the accident and even if they did start something what will happen if it turns out that her ex boyfriend is actually the father? I really liked Katy, she's had it tough but that hasn't stopped her wanting to be independent and she is determined to stand on her own two feet. I enjoyed the relationship she had with her brothers and was pleased that she stood up to them and made sure they knew exactly what she wanted.

Gage is a really sweet guy who would do anything for Katy and the baby, even if it does turn out not to be his. He's upset that Katy has forgotten their night together but he knows he can win her heart again by showing her how good they are together. They actually make a really cute couple and I loved seeing them work through their issues together. A lot of potential problems are thrown at them but they stand by each other throughout it all and I loved that about them.

Baby, Be Mine is a really sweet romance and another great instalment to the Thompson & Sons series. This is a spin off from Vivian Arend's Six Pack Ranch series which I have to admit I haven't read yet but that one is definitely going to the top of my wish list now. I'm looking forward to finding out more about these characters and getting to know the rest of the Thompson brothers better as the series continues.
Profile Image for Kim.
228 reviews3 followers
February 6, 2017
Right away the chemistry was steaming off the pages between Gage and Katy. The night before Gage needs to leave for a 6 month job, they finally act on their attraction. The next day he leaves and has no idea Katy has been in a car accident that leaves her with memory gaps. One of the gaps is from the days leading to the accident.

Gabe returns 2 months later, only to find out she has no recollection at all of the night and that she is pregnant. He is determined to be there for her and the baby, even if turns out he is not the father. Dealing with her ex would have driven a saint crazy.

Gabe broke my heart when his past gets revealed. He is so determined to break the cycle from his past. I loved him from the start, but kept falling harder as the story progressed. A fantastic story, definite winner for me!
Profile Image for Michelle Quintana.
1,854 reviews7 followers
September 18, 2016
I liked the story, I liked the characters, I liked the premise of the book, I just didn't care much for the ending. Gage finally has his chance with Katy, only to have it come at an inopportune time. Katy is excited to finally have her chance with Gage, only to be in an accident and not have any memories about it. Her ex capitalizes on the situation which ends up making things harder for Gage and Melissa when Gage returns. Being pregnant doesn't help the situation for Katy. She ends up more confused and doesn't know who to believe. I can understand the restraining order that Katy put against her ex, but the restraining order he puts into place didn't make much sense. I just wish the ending had been different because it didn't leave me satisfied.
416 reviews2 followers
September 30, 2017
oh yea gage is a hot one.....he works for the thompson boys and falls their sister katy...after her breakup with simon...he has a one nite stand (all nite long) but he has to work oil fields for a couple months;;;he leaves early next morning and katy high tales out to say good by...she has an accident and loses her memory of that sexy nite...he comes home and she doesn't remember that hot nite well she is pregnant and simon says they got back together but gage tells her he could be the father he takes it slow with her and finally he is in her life and of course the baby is his...really great love story and can't wait to read the next one...phew...these guys are so alpha males..only in books......
Profile Image for The Book Junkie Reads . . ..
5,010 reviews153 followers
December 31, 2019
best friend's little sister

Overall 3 out of 5 stars
Performance 4 out of 5 stars
Story 3 out of 5 stars

Gage has a thing foe his friend little sister. She has been in a relationship, so he has kept his distance. Just when he's about to leave town he gets his chance, but when he comes home she remembers nothing of their time together. There was drama in their lives and obstacles put in their way. This was a nice little quickie romance. You get a look at secondary characters you want to k ow more about.

Tatiana adds a little flavor to this quickie romance.
Profile Image for Ambrosia.
512 reviews14 followers
February 9, 2017
It's short, cute, and sweet. Not a lot of relationship development. But I guess it might help to have read earlier books by the author with these characters.

Neither the H and h do anything TSTL (which was a relief). I'm very skeptical that the judge would have made the ruling he did, especially considering the plaintiff. But I guess it was needed for the plot.
Profile Image for Lovingbooks1.
1,187 reviews24 followers
September 11, 2017
A sweet little gem of a story, one night leds to surprise baby but mother don't remember making baby.....

In true Vivian Aren spirit this was easy and enjoyable to read.

No unnecessary descriptions of surroundings and lots of dialogues and emotions.

If you want a light, hot, easy read I recommend this for a rainy day inside.
Profile Image for MountainKat.
2,334 reviews107 followers
September 29, 2016
Such a sweet story! I loved Gage and Katy was so happy to read their story. What a terrible ex though, he was such a jerk!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 279 reviews

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