Slow Ride: Bad Boy Autos

Drive Me Wild #3

by Bronwen Evans

Marcus Black, the ex-Formula One world champion, battles daily with the pain from the injuries he received in his career ending crash. The only way he copes is with a regular diet of booze, pills and women. Rich, charismatic, and hot as sin, to others his life looks perfect. But one woman knows better. His Stella. His sexy as hell, long-term friend with benefits. Only one problem… She’s put an end to their arrangement just when he needs her the most.

Stella Perry has it all. A trust fund large enough to last several lifetimes and men who flock to her at the bat of her eyelashes. With parents who have married multiple times, marriage has never been on her radar—until now. But she’s made a huge mistake. She’s fallen for Marcus, her friend with benefits, a man who thinks LOVE is a dirty word. Her sole option is to walk away. Only now he needs her help to beat his opiate addiction. She’ll help, but then it really is over. Although his sexy smile and sinful body make keeping her vow to walk away virtually impossible…

218 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 7, 2021

About the author

USA Today bestselling author, Bronwen Evans grew up loving books. She writes both historical and contemporary sexy romances for the modern woman who likes intelligent, spirited heroines, and compassionate alpha heroes. Evans is a three-time winner of the RomCon Readers’ Crown and has been nominated for an RT Reviewers’ Choice Award. She lives in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand with her dogs Brandy and Duke.

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Reviews

[Pilar S.C. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Es una novela ligera, entretenida. Te la lees en un suspiro, pero no tiene mucho más.

[Lisbeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

No es memorable pero se lee rápido.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marcus Black, the ex-Formula One world champion, battles daily with the pain from the injuries he received in his career ending crash three years ago. The only way he copes is with a regular diet of booze, bills and women. Rich, charismatic, and hot as sin, to others his life looks perfect. But one woman knows better. His Stella. His sexy as hell, long-term friend with benefits. Only one problem… She’s put an end to their arrangement just when he needs her the most. Stella Perry has it all. A trust fund large enough to last several lifetimes and men who flock to her at the bat of her eyelashes. She’s fallen for Marcus, her friend with benefits, a man who would never commit. Her sole option is to walk away. Only now he needs her help to beat his opiate addiction.
This is the third book in the series & whilst it’s easily read on its own to fully appreciate it I'd recommend reading this awesome series in order. I'd loved both Marcus & Stella from previous books & wondered what would happen when their secret FWB relationship came to light. It turned out to be an emotional roller coaster. Marcus lives with horrendous pain from the accident & it seems further surgery is the answer but he lives in fear of what could happen. Stella is one strong woman who will move heaven & earth for her man but only if he’ll commit to a relationship otherwise she'll walk. This story really tugged at my heart strings, I laughed, I cried & I wanted to shake Marcus. How does it pan out? Well that would be telling!
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[Jennie Fortna · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC for honest review with no compensation Received from BookSprout

Slow Ride: Bad Boy Autos: Drive Me Wild series by Bronwen Evan and what a great addition to this series. If you haven’t read this series you are missing out on some great books!

Up next is the owner of Bad Boys Auto, Marcus Black ex Formula One racer who was severely injured, never to return to racing and living in daily pain. Popping pills, drinking and women is how he survives.

Stella has been Marcus’s best friend, lover and all around fun person, who has always had strong feelings for him and wants more but he is not a committed type of guy so she decides they are better friends so she can find her Ever After guy. When she discovers his opiate addiction, a surgery he needs to help relieve his pain she is determined to be there for him and help through it all…

Well written, strong characters, laughter, tears, trust issues and hopefully they find their HEA together….

[Bobbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not having read any previous books in the Drive Me Wild series, I wasn’t sure what to expect, however, what I got was a very good story. Marcus and Stella were a couple with some real trust issues, and I have to admit, there were times when I just wanted to smack Marcus upside the head for being so stubborn, but I truly could see the conflict he had. He was used to being the hero, the guy with no problems, and he had been thrown a Big curveball. Stella was so patient and went about trying to love him. I was glad when they got their HEA, but boy, I wasn’t sure they were going to make it. I need to go back and read the earlier books and am looking forward to the next novella coming out in the fall.

[Anita Byars · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Wild Ride! This was everything I love in a story. These characters took my heart on a ride. I loved the chemistry between these characters and the storyline was just so touching. This was filled with emotion, passion and some steamy scenes. These characters and their emotions are so real. I couldn’t put it down. Another must read by this author.

Marcus Black has been suffering intense pain for three long years after suffering a terrible accident that ended his Formula 1 career. He is looking forward to his friends wedding in Maui with the hope that he will get time with his friend with benefits Stella Perry.

Stella Perry lives a busy life full of starting up charities and raising money for them, since receiving a large trust fund from her father. Intelligent and sassy she is all about having a great time until she realizes she has fallen in love with her friend with benefits. So when she shows up at her friends’ wedding she tells Marcus that she no longer can continue their relationship with benefits. But what Stella didn’t count on was that Marcus was willing to start a real relationship with her.

“Don’t be afraid to love, Marcus. I’ve realized that nothing is more important in this life than love. Not money. Not power. Without love the world is a very lonely place.”

But Marcus is new to sharing anything with anyone. This is his first relationship and he is hiding something that potentially could effect both of their lives. Will these two get their HEA? Or will Stella get her heart broken by Marcus? You will need to read to find out!

This can be read as a stand-alone but is so much better if you have read the entire series! Get your copy today!

Received a early copy for a honest review.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This is a bit of an odd one to review for me - I received the copy as part of a contest so I know the author’s nationality (that bits important later) and normally that wouldn’t impact the story, but here it does. So, I’m going to talk about this book in 2 pieces - the story and the voice.

The story: 3.75 maybe 4 stars
Marcus is a former Formula One champion forced to retire due to accident/injury. Stella is his long term friends with benefits who suddenly decides to end things.

I enjoyed both of these characters and their story arc of emotional growth and development (both individually and together). A strong secondary cast helps them along the way.

The one ding - this is part of a series and that strong secondary cast - there are lots of references to things someone starting here won’t know. It’s not overwhelming, but it does cause of a bit of feeling lost sometimes.

A few small editing and consistency issues also detracted from the story. (I mean the man almost stepped in dog pee, but no one cleaned it up!)

The voice: 3.25 to 3.5 stars
The setting of the book is a bit nebulous, but appears from inference to be California and characters in the book appear to be American. The problem is that our New Zealand based author uses New Zealand based terminology and speaking patterns for these American characters.

Why does this matter - well, to some it may not, but it pulled me out of the story.

Overall, this was an entertaining read. The things that pulled me from the story were probably small in the grand scheme, but they did keep this from being a full 4 star read for me.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stella and Marcus’ friends-with-benefits story in Slow Ride, book three in the Bad Boy Autos series by Bronwen Evans, is a sizzling, emotional, and amazing tale. Former Formula One world champion Marcus Black, battles daily with the pain from his injuries in a career ending crash. To cope with it he relies on a daily diet of booze, pills, and women; but lately, it’s been just one woman, Stella. Stella Perry is best friends with Marcus’ younger sister, wealthy, and can attack any man she wants. After seeing her parents marry and divorce several times, Stella didn’t think she ever wanted to marry; at least until now. After years of a friends-with benefit relationship with Marcus, she discovered she had fallen for him; a man who swears to never fall in love. Her only option is to walk away. Marcus needs Stella now, more than ever, and does not want to lose her. He needs her help to beat his opiate addiction. Stella agrees to help, but declares then they are really over. Spending time with Stella, relying on her help, just might change how Marcus views their relationship and his feelings toward her.

Ms. Evans wrote a wonderful, smexy, emotional, and heartwarming story that is not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with sizzling chemistry, amusing banter, and charming secondary characters giving Stella and Marcus a pain-free chance for happiness, love and a future together. I highly recommend Slow Ride to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chronic pain does strange things to a person and Marcus has had to live through not only the loss of an exciting career but the day in and day out debilitating pain that came from his injuries. Falling back on painkillers to see him through might have seemed a good idea, but when it gets out of control, he risks losing his family and those his loves, even though he is not aware of just how much they mean to him. Stella has had her fill with being Marcus' fall-back girl and friend with benefits. She wants the whole package deal but until Marcus comes to terms with his future, she realizes that she will always be on the losing end. Sometimes tough love is what it takes to get the message through and at others, it takes an unexpected encounter to put one on the right path. This story is sad in some ways, but in overcoming his addiction and pain, Marcus wins the right to Stella's heart. I enjoyed this romance and although Marcus was rather pig-headed, he did eventually become a hero. Stella's steadfastness is something many women can relate to, and one can only applaud her for her tenacity. I received a copy of this book as a gift through BookSprout and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 out of 5 stars!

The hero had a debilitating car accident that hindered his mobility and made him experience pain every day. During a friend's wedding, the hero was looking forward to having some quality time with the heroine, in which he has a friends-with-benefits relationship. Alas, the heroine has other ideas that made the hero question everything about his future.

This is the third book in the Drive Me Wild series. This book provided enough information about certain secondary characters that were prominent in the previous books of the series. I liked these secondary characters and their roles in this book. I liked the heroine more than the hero due to certain traits that the hero has. I also needed more details for better transitions in certain areas of the story. Overall, it was a nice story.

**Thanks to the author for the review copy. All opinions and thoughts in the review are my own.**

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marcus career as a Formula 1 race car driver came to and end with a crash those memories and his debilitating pain have him turning to pain meds more and more its his addiction and one of his vices its also going to cause him his friends and family if can't fight it his one bright spot Stella his bestfriend and lover but Etella has had enough now she has to tell Marcus in Maui at another friend's wedding.

Stella is good at her job her friendship with Marcus was good until there sometimes sleeping together became complicated Stella has fallen for her bestfriend so she ends things but Marcus who has never had a relationship with anyone dosen't want to let Stella go but his addiction may end it if he doesn't get control back in his life.

I was allowed to read and advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[Julia David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love Marcus and Stella although I would like to smack Marcus for being so dense. After his spectacular crash, Marcus is left with such back problems. He needs surgery but is reluctant to have it because of the possibility that he could end up in a wheelchair. Stella is ready to end their FWB relationship because she loves him but he wants nothing more. She realizes that she wants the white picket fence, the husband and the kids. She is sure Marcus would never make that kind of commitment. He might be ready for that, but with the back surgery looming, he doesn't want to saddle her with a cripple. Everyone tells him to let her make that decision, but he doesn't want her to stay with him out of pity. Can she convince him that she is there because she loves him? Will he believe her?

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book blurb explains the story perfectly: After years of sleeping together casually, Stella realizes that although she loves Marcus, she wants marriage and kids, something he is dead set against, so she tells him their friends with benefits arrangement is over.

In almost constant pain, from a career ending back injury, former world champion race car driver Marcus has been getting by with alcohol and pills but they are not working anymore. What he really needs is surgery - and Stella - but first he needs to overcome his fears of surgical risks and relationships or chance losing Stella forever.

Slow Ride is book three of the series and I enjoyed them all. Marcus and Stella are likable characters with great chemistry and their engaging, emotional story warmed my heart. I really like the author's writing style. Whether historical or contemporary, she writes great steamy romances.

[Penny Leidecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read by Bronwen Evans and I will definitely be reading more. Stella is best friends with Kendra, the sister of Marcus. Stella and Marcus have a secret friends with benefits (FWB) arrangement. When Stella wants more, she tells Marcus their arrangement has to end. Marcus is keeping a big secret from his family and friends. He’s in constant pain and taking way too many painkillers. Almost three years ago, Marcus was in a career ending Formula One racing crash. If you want a sexy read about how your friends and family will have your back, then I highly recommend this amazing story. Grab your copy and see if Stella gets her happily ever after.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my voluntary and honest review.

[GONZA · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually like Bronwen Evans, but maybe my mistake was starting to read this series from book n.3
I was not so involved in the other characters stories and in the end I had a lot of confusion in my head and wasn't really paying so much attention to this story.

Di solito Bronwen Evans mi piace, ma forse stavolta il mio errore é stato cominciare a leggere questa serie dal terzo volume e non essere particolarmente coinvolta dalle storie dei personaggi secondari, che anzi mi hanno creato un sacco di confusione, tanto che alla fine non ho letto poi il romanzo con grande attenzione.

I received from the Author a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

[Christyg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story. I hadn't read any books in this series before. The book was standalone so it wasn't necessary to enjoy the book. Marcus is an arrogant man. But he has some sweetness in him for the way he treats his sister and nephew. The feelings between Marcus and Stella are strong and I was rooting for them to get together from the beginning. The book moves at a good pace and the story is a good one. I liked the sense of family between the characters. I received an advance copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Avid Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had mixed feelings about Marcus based on the previous books and I really like Stella so I was looking forward to see how their relationship worked out. As always Bronwen has developed the character to completely fit their back story so all their feelings and emotions feel real. A great story with lots of emotion, genuine relationship and surgery fears for both Stella and Marcus. A brilliant well written book. Looking forward to the series continuing.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cheryl Drake johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marcus of Bad Boy Autos and Stella a wealthy socialite have an off and on relations but since they have come to Hawaii for the wedding of friends Stella finds that she wants more but he doesn't feel like he wants to commit considering he is a player. He hasn't told anybody about the intense pain he has been dealing with but Stella witnesses the crippling pain he has been enduring and is there for him but without friends with benefits anymore while she gets him back home she stays to help. Great storyline and the characters were intense. Suspenseful drama, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and love. HEA. I read an ARC via BookFunnel without obligation. I volunteered an honest review.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life Changes

Marcus and Stella's story was very well written. You couldn't help but have strong feelings for everything Marcus was going through. Stella was the perfect heroine for him. We learn how these two came to be and how they kept their secret from those close to them. Friendships are so important and the circle of friends these two have just add so much to their journey. The sparks that Marcus and Stella share will rival any fireworks out there! Great job, this author created such a tantalizing series that makes you want more.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this "Drive Me Wild" story! Bad boy Marcus, who was a Formula One race car driver, now suffers from pain from injuries. Everyone thinks he has it all but he tends to hide behind alcohol, pills and women. Stella has been his best friend with benefits and sees the real Marcus he keeps hidden. She has fallen hard for him because she knows he will not commit she walks away. However, he needs her bad. This is an emotional roller coaster read that really pulls on those heartstrings and keeps you hooked until the very end. I love the characters! What a journey!

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a good, and enjoyable romance read. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stella has decided she wants more then Marcus is willing to give. Marcus is afraid to tell her how bad in shape he’s in and what can happen to him. In the end their love for each other helps Marcus do what he has to do.

[Rhonda Brant · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really had a difficult time connecting with these two characters in this book. Same dialog over and over, just got tired of his same insecurities and machoism, along with her putting up with it. Just not for me unfortunately.

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish and highly recommend it. You’ll enjoy the mystery, adventure, and romance you find. The book is well paced, and you won’t want to put it down.

[Misty Romero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok

Well I liked this book , but the first 2 were great too. I would recommend this series to anyone who loves to read

[R · Rating 3 out of 5]

3

[Anabel Pinedo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marcus ha sufrido mucho luego de un accidente automovilístico. El dolor de espalda es insoportable, sin embargo, tiene sus dudas en operarse. Mientras toma la decision, lo que siente por Stella se va trasnformando de una simple amistad con derecho al amor. Será capaz de dar el paso requerido y derribar sus miedos?