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Wild West MC #1
Still Standing
When Clara Delany walks into the Aces High Motorcycle Club's hangout, she's hit rock bottom. She's hiding her car from the repo man, she has less than two dollars in her bank account, and the only employment she can get is delivering messages for a criminal.
All because of a man. Therefore, she's sworn them off.
And then she meets West "Buck" Hardy, president of the Aces High MC.
Buck also meets her, and the minute he does, he makes it clear (to everyone but Clara) that they're starting something. Since Clara doesn't get that message, she decides to leave Buck and sort out her life in order to come back to him clean.
She's not gone but hours before life hits Clara with another blow. Which means Buck and his boys have to ride in and save the day. After that, Buck makes no bones about where they stand.
But does he?
Welcome to the first novel in the Wild West MC series, which will tell the stories of the brothers of the Aces High MC, the Resurrection MC, and the Chaos MC - and the women who love them.
All because of a man. Therefore, she's sworn them off.
And then she meets West "Buck" Hardy, president of the Aces High MC.
Buck also meets her, and the minute he does, he makes it clear (to everyone but Clara) that they're starting something. Since Clara doesn't get that message, she decides to leave Buck and sort out her life in order to come back to him clean.
She's not gone but hours before life hits Clara with another blow. Which means Buck and his boys have to ride in and save the day. After that, Buck makes no bones about where they stand.
But does he?
Welcome to the first novel in the Wild West MC series, which will tell the stories of the brothers of the Aces High MC, the Resurrection MC, and the Chaos MC - and the women who love them.
15 pages, Audible Audio
First published February 2, 2021
1377 people are currently reading
3549 people want to read
About the author
Kristen Ashley
134 books39.5k followersKristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA. She nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn't taken her first breath!).
Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.
Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).
Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.
And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.
Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.
Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).
Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.
And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,319 reviews
April 22, 2023
Reread because apparently I'm a glutton for punishment as I probably hated it more the second time around😂
Oh boy the five star reviews are already pouring in 😂😂😂😂 based on the blurb I can already tell how this is gonna go down!
Spoilers ahead
The first book I ever read from KA was Motorcycle Man, after that I fell in love with others that led to me ALWAYS picking uo this author's works but even with my love for some of KA's deliveries I've never hesitated to be honest about the horrid behavior of her mmc's and the stuff she lets them get away with. Yes it's fiction but the same things I've seen other authors bashed for is the same things I see 5 star reviews on KA's books. We can LOVE an author without loving everything an author delivers, it's ok to have negative thoughts about a book without being negative about the author herself.....basically it's ok to be honest......and I definitely don't shy away from expressing MY honest opinion.
1) I've seen authors bashed for having similar plots in their books but lots of 5 star reviews for this book which is basically a regurgitation of Motorcycle Man!!!!! It's a friggin carbon copy, with very VERY minute differences!!!!!!!!!!!!! And this is coming from someone who loved MM! But this was ridiculous!!!!!!! How is this justified??? I knew what was coming before I even turned a page! It was eye roll worthy!embarrassing!!!
2)Tyra lite however put up with even more disgusting behavior than the original did. She was a foolish thirty two year old ruled by her hormones! No grown woman comes out of a disastrous relationship with a man who wrecked her life and reputation but yet goes off to have unprotected sex with a man she just met! Over and over unprotected sex..... While she firmly believes he's sleeping WITH someone else!!!!!!! I mean is it me alone who cannot relate to these h's KA consistently delivers?? This woman is my age but acts like a teen!!!! Yes yes it's fiction but jeeze it's way past time for the heroines to grow a backbone! This is ridiculous!
3)Every single female in this book acted a fool!!!! ALL! I don't care! Imagine these women of the mc telling Tyra lite to accept the fact that her old man WILL stray.....but that's ok because ya know he's worth it!!!! If any of my friends offered me such shit advice I'd be having new friends I'll tell you that! Then when they're confronted with evidence of the cheating they flip the script!!!
5)None of this is as bad as the fact that the Hero throws the h across a room. She attempts to calm him down during a serious drama and he throws her!!! Which leaves BRUISES on her body!!!!!!!! And in typical KA bs it's explained away!!! He basically tells her well don't get in front of me during a rage!!!! It's not until almost the very end that he even says he'll attempt to change! And the h doesn't leave his ass in the dust!!!!!!!!!! Are people reading the same book as me?????????? Yet still 5 stars??????????? WTF??!!
Stop this shit!!!!! Stop it!!!!!!!!
I've got lots more but I'll end by saying the already high rating of this book is so unfair! Which other author would've been able to get away with this nonsense?!!! What's good for the goose is good for the gander!
I'm entitled to my opinion so don't try me if MY truth offends your fangirl sensibilities because I really couldn't care less!
*****ETA no cheating
Oh boy the five star reviews are already pouring in 😂😂😂😂 based on the blurb I can already tell how this is gonna go down!
Spoilers ahead
The first book I ever read from KA was Motorcycle Man, after that I fell in love with others that led to me ALWAYS picking uo this author's works but even with my love for some of KA's deliveries I've never hesitated to be honest about the horrid behavior of her mmc's and the stuff she lets them get away with. Yes it's fiction but the same things I've seen other authors bashed for is the same things I see 5 star reviews on KA's books. We can LOVE an author without loving everything an author delivers, it's ok to have negative thoughts about a book without being negative about the author herself.....basically it's ok to be honest......and I definitely don't shy away from expressing MY honest opinion.
1) I've seen authors bashed for having similar plots in their books but lots of 5 star reviews for this book which is basically a regurgitation of Motorcycle Man!!!!! It's a friggin carbon copy, with very VERY minute differences!!!!!!!!!!!!! And this is coming from someone who loved MM! But this was ridiculous!!!!!!! How is this justified??? I knew what was coming before I even turned a page! It was eye roll worthy!embarrassing!!!
2)Tyra lite however put up with even more disgusting behavior than the original did. She was a foolish thirty two year old ruled by her hormones! No grown woman comes out of a disastrous relationship with a man who wrecked her life and reputation but yet goes off to have unprotected sex with a man she just met! Over and over unprotected sex..... While she firmly believes he's sleeping WITH someone else!!!!!!! I mean is it me alone who cannot relate to these h's KA consistently delivers?? This woman is my age but acts like a teen!!!! Yes yes it's fiction but jeeze it's way past time for the heroines to grow a backbone! This is ridiculous!
3)Every single female in this book acted a fool!!!! ALL! I don't care! Imagine these women of the mc telling Tyra lite to accept the fact that her old man WILL stray.....but that's ok because ya know he's worth it!!!! If any of my friends offered me such shit advice I'd be having new friends I'll tell you that! Then when they're confronted with evidence of the cheating they flip the script!!!
5)None of this is as bad as the fact that the Hero throws the h across a room. She attempts to calm him down during a serious drama and he throws her!!! Which leaves BRUISES on her body!!!!!!!! And in typical KA bs it's explained away!!! He basically tells her well don't get in front of me during a rage!!!! It's not until almost the very end that he even says he'll attempt to change! And the h doesn't leave his ass in the dust!!!!!!!!!! Are people reading the same book as me?????????? Yet still 5 stars??????????? WTF??!!
Stop this shit!!!!! Stop it!!!!!!!!
I've got lots more but I'll end by saying the already high rating of this book is so unfair! Which other author would've been able to get away with this nonsense?!!! What's good for the goose is good for the gander!
I'm entitled to my opinion so don't try me if MY truth offends your fangirl sensibilities because I really couldn't care less!
*****ETA no cheating
February 3, 2021
HOLY SHIT...KA has really crossed the line now
The Hero physically assaults the heroine BY THROWING HER ACROSS THE ROOM!!!!!!! This leaves bruises on her
And then he proceeds to GASLIGHT her to the point that she questions her own RATIONAL thoughts...she has the right response of wanting to leave him and knowing that it wasn't right for him to assault her no matter how angry he was but he talks over her, tells her to shut up and then says she knew what she was getting into
THIS
IS
NOT
ROMANCE!!
I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH
THIS
IS
NOT
ROMANCE!!
It is goddamn 2021...KA needs to have her head checked
I hate how this book can potentially perpetuate real life domestic abuse by teaching young girls/women that its ok to be assualted/abused by their love/partner
I feel sick to my stomach that this SHIT is being made to sound normal or even romantic
https://mizzlatte.medium.com/the-psyc...
The Hero physically assaults the heroine BY THROWING HER ACROSS THE ROOM!!!!!!! This leaves bruises on her
And then he proceeds to GASLIGHT her to the point that she questions her own RATIONAL thoughts...she has the right response of wanting to leave him and knowing that it wasn't right for him to assault her no matter how angry he was but he talks over her, tells her to shut up and then says she knew what she was getting into
THIS
IS
NOT
ROMANCE!!
I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH
THIS
IS
NOT
ROMANCE!!
It is goddamn 2021...KA needs to have her head checked
I hate how this book can potentially perpetuate real life domestic abuse by teaching young girls/women that its ok to be assualted/abused by their love/partner
I feel sick to my stomach that this SHIT is being made to sound normal or even romantic
https://mizzlatte.medium.com/the-psyc...
February 18, 2021
1.5 stars ✩⋆
im sorry but this is literally the off brand version of Motorcycle Man frfr.
listen, listen. i liked the beginning of this especially since it reminded me of Motorcyle Man because Buck (H) is the leader of an MC, he and Clara (h) slept the same night they met, Buck also has 2 kids, etc. BUT the only difference is that Buck didn't sleep with another woman the next day, forgetting Clara (yes, i'm still salty Tack did that).
KA wrote some of my all-time favorite comfort reads and there's so many things i love in KA books like the side characters, ridiculous rock chick situations, and yes, i even like the overly macho man behavior (most of the time not all the time) but this was just... problematic and a little concerning. there's just SO many situations here where i just go
so anyways, i'm just gonna rant and talk about the things that irked me here cuz i gotta let my feelings and frustrations out so
《 SPOILERS AHEAD 》
⇢ worst girl friends i've ever read in a book
what the fuck.. no seriously. what the fuck. these "friends" of Clara are quite literally the worst girl friends i've ever read. i- IM SO SALTY right now because seriously?? are y'all dumb?
ok so for context,
⤷ after Clara and her "biker babes" went shopping for the day, they went back to the MC compound where Clara sees Nails (OW) and Buck look comfy because he has his hands on her waist and it looks like they're kissing from her view so she thinks he's cheating on her because basically they're "together" since she lives with him (yes Buck pulled a typical KA H move where he forces the h to live with him because she's in danger).
and then after she sees this horrible scene, do you guys think her girl friends aka biker babes helped her and told her to leave him? told her that he's not worth it and she doesn't deserve this especially when she just divorced her cheating husband of 10 years?? huh? HUHHHH? nope. this is what they said instead:
i- ma'am,,, come again?
i've come across some very stupid advice from KA heroine's friends
see? those are some headscratchers right? well the advice here was just plain stupid.
i swear if my friends gave me this advice, i will give them the nastiest side-eye ever and never talk to them again. they just lost my trust if they said this to me because seriously? COME ON. these biker babes are really excusing the "cheating" and is basically on the cheater's side because that is their "way of life" and she should just smile and stfu about it and just let the men do whatever tf they want.
ma'am. PLEASE ✋🏼 not in 2021.
also im just very annoyed with this because i'm used to the rock chicks type of sisterhood where the rock chicks are literal ride or die and they would do ANYTHING to help their fellow rock chick escape if they find out that their man might be cheating. and it just annoys me here because they're telling her to shut the f up and let her man do whatever they want and just let them be and everything is fine and dandy because at least they don't do it in front of them and shove it in their faces. right? RIGHT?? asdlgsdjkl UGHHH
⇢ me to Clara: MAKE IT MAKE SENSE GIRL
no seriously though. Clara, girl, make it make sense please. it's time for you to sit down, drink some wine and listen to some tough love and not the bs that came out of your biker babes ok? ok.
ma'am, what do you do when you just got out of a marriage because your husband was cheating on you and then when you see your new man possibly kissing someone else and your biker babe friends telling you that he WILL cheat on you because that's just how their way of life is but you just gotta shut up about it and just let them be because they just wanna get off but they don't love them they love you? you do NOT stay with him or continue having unprotected sex with him thinking he might be fucking other girls. PERIOD.
i'm sorry i'm getting Mystery Man flashbacks right now i can't.
also, what annoys me about this the most is it just doesn't make sense for her character to put up with this shit. yes, we know Buck didn't actually do anything and he's not the kind of man who would cheat on Clara, but again, it's out of character for her to not do or say anything to call him out on his shit especially when we know her background story.
⇢ um isn't that... gaslighting? (TW)
ladies and gentlemen, here's the worst of all... so around 55% Buck's daughter, Tatie, came home and it was obvious she got beaten up. Buck finds out, emotions are high, Clara "gets in Buck's way" because she's calmly explaining they should go to the police... and then... in a not so gentle manner, this man- this HUGE ass man grabs his woman and throws her aside and she hit the wall really fucking hard and as he was leaving he says, "You call the cops, Toots, I break your fuckin' neck."
um.
umm..
UMMM....
¿¿ aca-scuse me??
and then the next morning when Clara was looking at her NINE bruises, it was so heartbreaking!! and when she finally confronted him, yeah he was appalled but then...
ha haha.. what? soo after telling her he's sorry for hurting her like that and he didn't "mean" to because emotions were high and that it was kinda her fault because she was in his way, he just wants to move on because she's being a "pain in the ass" and she should get "over her attitude"? you just- move on.. just like that? like it was nothing?? and Clara just goes with it too and moves on? um no.
he just didn't feel remorseful enough UGH what an asshole. like, really? yeah he said sorry in one page and then the next page, when Clara wanted to leave him, he started gaslighting her?? inferring that it was her fault and telling her she's being a pain in the ass? SIR BYE.
also, speaking of those idio- i mean biker babes, they BLAMED HER TOO!! they said
honestly, what kind of friends would infer blame on their friend who got hurt? if i told my friends my man threw me against the wall and i have bruises and he practically told me i was being a pain in the ass because i wanted to leave him but he wouldn't let me, they would go all KEANU REEVES ON THEM OK. they would never treat me how these "friends" treated Clara. i don't even think they asked her if she was ok.
* * *
i like Motorcycle Man and i don't even mind that this book is similar because i miss old KA books but even though this was similar, the good things i liked in MM weren't really here. Tyra's backbone? Clara doesn't have it. Tack knowing his boundaries and the fact that i know he would rather cut his own arm off than throw Tyra against the wall, no matter how stressful a situation is? yeah, i don't trust Buck not to act in a physical way if there's another situation like that again.
and even though the writing did remind me of old KA which i like, i just couldn't even enjoy anything because the whole "OW cheating" situation happened around 30% and we don't find out it was fake and a misunderstanding until 75ish%.
if Clara thought the whole time Buck was "straying", which makes me think he was also straying (not fun), and she's not saying anything about it, is still in love with him, AND still have unprotected sex with him, of course that would derail any enjoyment i had left. and then that whole throwing against the wall thing happened and they just got over that so easily? yeah, nope. i was done.
Wild West MC
#1: still standing ↠ 1.5 stars
im sorry but this is literally the off brand version of Motorcycle Man frfr.
listen, listen. i liked the beginning of this especially since it reminded me of Motorcyle Man because Buck (H) is the leader of an MC, he and Clara (h) slept the same night they met, Buck also has 2 kids, etc. BUT the only difference is that Buck didn't sleep with another woman the next day, forgetting Clara (yes, i'm still salty Tack did that).
KA wrote some of my all-time favorite comfort reads and there's so many things i love in KA books like the side characters, ridiculous rock chick situations, and yes, i even like the overly macho man behavior (most of the time not all the time) but this was just... problematic and a little concerning. there's just SO many situations here where i just go
so anyways, i'm just gonna rant and talk about the things that irked me here cuz i gotta let my feelings and frustrations out so
《 SPOILERS AHEAD 》
⇢ worst girl friends i've ever read in a book
what the fuck.. no seriously. what the fuck. these "friends" of Clara are quite literally the worst girl friends i've ever read. i- IM SO SALTY right now because seriously?? are y'all dumb?
ok so for context,
⤷ after Clara and her "biker babes" went shopping for the day, they went back to the MC compound where Clara sees Nails (OW) and Buck look comfy because he has his hands on her waist and it looks like they're kissing from her view so she thinks he's cheating on her because basically they're "together" since she lives with him (yes Buck pulled a typical KA H move where he forces the h to live with him because she's in danger).
and then after she sees this horrible scene, do you guys think her girl friends aka biker babes helped her and told her to leave him? told her that he's not worth it and she doesn't deserve this especially when she just divorced her cheating husband of 10 years?? huh? HUHHHH? nope. this is what they said instead:
"They do what they wanna do when they wanna do it with who they wanna do it. You're his woman, babe, you gotta know that's the way and you gotta keep your mouth shut and put up with it. You do not give him shit, even if he comes home smellin' of her. You just keep your mouth shut."
i- ma'am,,, come again?
i've come across some very stupid advice from KA heroine's friends
↳ Exhibit A: The Golden Dynasty
Circe's friends told her that she should sleep with Lahn the whole night before they pillage a town so he's all "sexed up" and wouldn't be tempted to r*pe someone during the pillage because god forbid they can't control themselves.
↳ Exhibit B: At Peace
Violet's friend, Cheryl, told her she should use Mike (OM) and string him along even though he recently divorced his wife who also used him but i guess it's alright to use and string this poor man along because she's "innocent" and "naive"
see? those are some headscratchers right? well the advice here was just plain stupid.
i swear if my friends gave me this advice, i will give them the nastiest side-eye ever and never talk to them again. they just lost my trust if they said this to me because seriously? COME ON. these biker babes are really excusing the "cheating" and is basically on the cheater's side because that is their "way of life" and she should just smile and stfu about it and just let the men do whatever tf they want.
"Babe, you gotta know you can do this. I know it sucks, and it does. It sucks. But it is the way it is. You ask no questions, they tell no lies. They need to be free and you gotta let them be that way."
ma'am. PLEASE ✋🏼 not in 2021.
also im just very annoyed with this because i'm used to the rock chicks type of sisterhood where the rock chicks are literal ride or die and they would do ANYTHING to help their fellow rock chick escape if they find out that their man might be cheating. and it just annoys me here because they're telling her to shut the f up and let her man do whatever they want and just let them be and everything is fine and dandy because at least they don't do it in front of them and shove it in their faces. right? RIGHT?? asdlgsdjkl UGHHH
⇢ me to Clara: MAKE IT MAKE SENSE GIRL
no seriously though. Clara, girl, make it make sense please. it's time for you to sit down, drink some wine and listen to some tough love and not the bs that came out of your biker babes ok? ok.
ma'am, what do you do when you just got out of a marriage because your husband was cheating on you and then when you see your new man possibly kissing someone else and your biker babe friends telling you that he WILL cheat on you because that's just how their way of life is but you just gotta shut up about it and just let them be because they just wanna get off but they don't love them they love you? you do NOT stay with him or continue having unprotected sex with him thinking he might be fucking other girls. PERIOD.
i'm sorry i'm getting Mystery Man flashbacks right now i can't.
also, what annoys me about this the most is it just doesn't make sense for her character to put up with this shit. yes, we know Buck didn't actually do anything and he's not the kind of man who would cheat on Clara, but again, it's out of character for her to not do or say anything to call him out on his shit especially when we know her background story.
⇢ um isn't that... gaslighting? (TW)
ladies and gentlemen, here's the worst of all... so around 55% Buck's daughter, Tatie, came home and it was obvious she got beaten up. Buck finds out, emotions are high, Clara "gets in Buck's way" because she's calmly explaining they should go to the police... and then... in a not so gentle manner, this man- this HUGE ass man grabs his woman and throws her aside and she hit the wall really fucking hard and as he was leaving he says, "You call the cops, Toots, I break your fuckin' neck."
um.
umm..
UMMM....
¿¿ aca-scuse me??
and then the next morning when Clara was looking at her NINE bruises, it was so heartbreaking!! and when she finally confronted him, yeah he was appalled but then...
“I apologized, and I explained, and you need to let it sink in, babe, and you need to do that fast. You’ve seen me mad and you’ve made me mad, and you know, Toots, you fuckin’ know you got nothin’ to fear from me. Now don’t play this game. Not now. Not this mornin’. You aren’t good at games, babe, and doin’ it now, you’re only pissin’ me off.”
ha haha.. what? soo after telling her he's sorry for hurting her like that and he didn't "mean" to because emotions were high and that it was kinda her fault because she was in his way, he just wants to move on because she's being a "pain in the ass" and she should get "over her attitude"? you just- move on.. just like that? like it was nothing?? and Clara just goes with it too and moves on? um no.
he just didn't feel remorseful enough UGH what an asshole. like, really? yeah he said sorry in one page and then the next page, when Clara wanted to leave him, he started gaslighting her?? inferring that it was her fault and telling her she's being a pain in the ass? SIR BYE.
also, speaking of those idio- i mean biker babes, they BLAMED HER TOO!! they said
“He scared me last night, Min, and he hurt me,” I whispered.
“You shouldn’t have stood in his way,” she whispered back, and I closed my eyes when she confirmed Buck’s assertion. “Our boys, they get pissed, especially about something like that, you step back and let ’em do what they gotta do.”
honestly, what kind of friends would infer blame on their friend who got hurt? if i told my friends my man threw me against the wall and i have bruises and he practically told me i was being a pain in the ass because i wanted to leave him but he wouldn't let me, they would go all KEANU REEVES ON THEM OK. they would never treat me how these "friends" treated Clara. i don't even think they asked her if she was ok.
* * *
i like Motorcycle Man and i don't even mind that this book is similar because i miss old KA books but even though this was similar, the good things i liked in MM weren't really here. Tyra's backbone? Clara doesn't have it. Tack knowing his boundaries and the fact that i know he would rather cut his own arm off than throw Tyra against the wall, no matter how stressful a situation is? yeah, i don't trust Buck not to act in a physical way if there's another situation like that again.
and even though the writing did remind me of old KA which i like, i just couldn't even enjoy anything because the whole "OW cheating" situation happened around 30% and we don't find out it was fake and a misunderstanding until 75ish%.
if Clara thought the whole time Buck was "straying", which makes me think he was also straying (not fun), and she's not saying anything about it, is still in love with him, AND still have unprotected sex with him, of course that would derail any enjoyment i had left. and then that whole throwing against the wall thing happened and they just got over that so easily? yeah, nope. i was done.
Wild West MC
#1: still standing ↠ 1.5 stars
January 23, 2021
Kristen Ashley's writing is very special. There are many repetitions, many sentences with words missing, many descriptions, and very neandertal heroes. Alpha heroes who like to give orders, who are possessive and more or less crude.
Sometimes it works for me because the story is great, the heroine is badass and the hero is respectful.
But sometimes... It doesn't work. Still Standing is just not for me.
This review is not spoiler free because i don't know how to explain myself without giving details.
When Clara meets Buck, he makes her drink beer and tequila, so much she's drunk and he takes advantage of the situation by having sex (unprotected) with her. Of course, just by playing pool and having sex with her once, he decides she's the one for him, she will live with him and she will work for him. Yes he decides for her. He's the chief of a MC gang, she doesn't know him, just thinks he's dangerous and she says yes yes yes! He tells her several times to shut up, he barks orders... But he's hot and it seems that's all that matters to her. After one week, he finds she doesn't take the pill and they don't use protection... She didn't think about that! She didn't think "i don't take birth control, we don't use condoms, so maybe i can get pregnant". Nope! Never! AND she surprised him kissing another woman and accepts the fact he has mistresses (of course he's the chief, he has sex with a lot of women but if she's his old lady that's ok, but still no condoms !!!). Her ex-husband, who's now in jail, cheated on her with many prostitutes... She seems to be ok with infidelity. I'm not, sorry.
Something awful happens, Buck is angry, Clara tries to stop him from leaving and he takes her by her ams and throw her against a wall... She has NINE BRUISES! When he realizes what he did, he says he was angry and when he's like that she can't try to stop him. So basically, it's her fault, he doesn't grovel and you know what? She forgives him immediately! Later he says something she doesn't like, she runs away, he finds her, tells her she can't leave him and she forgives.
Her ex cheated on her, he was a thief, he destroyed her life and... She forgives him.
And Clara spends her time complaining everyone think she's stupid. Spoiler Alert: Clara you are stupid! You let a man you don't even really know get you drunk, tell you to shut up, control your whole life, cheat on you, hurt you physically, you don't think about your health or the possibility of getting pregnant... You are stupid!
I'm not opposed to forgiveness when there is redemption and a loooot of grovelling. I need to know the sinner feels guilty and i need to see him working for forgiveness. I'm not opposed to heroines with flaws and sensitivity but she needs to use her brain and to refuse any abuse.
I give two stars because i liked Buck's kids and friends.
I received an ARC in exchange of an honest review.
Sometimes it works for me because the story is great, the heroine is badass and the hero is respectful.
But sometimes... It doesn't work. Still Standing is just not for me.
This review is not spoiler free because i don't know how to explain myself without giving details.
When Clara meets Buck, he makes her drink beer and tequila, so much she's drunk and he takes advantage of the situation by having sex (unprotected) with her. Of course, just by playing pool and having sex with her once, he decides she's the one for him, she will live with him and she will work for him. Yes he decides for her. He's the chief of a MC gang, she doesn't know him, just thinks he's dangerous and she says yes yes yes! He tells her several times to shut up, he barks orders... But he's hot and it seems that's all that matters to her. After one week, he finds she doesn't take the pill and they don't use protection... She didn't think about that! She didn't think "i don't take birth control, we don't use condoms, so maybe i can get pregnant". Nope! Never! AND she surprised him kissing another woman and accepts the fact he has mistresses (of course he's the chief, he has sex with a lot of women but if she's his old lady that's ok, but still no condoms !!!). Her ex-husband, who's now in jail, cheated on her with many prostitutes... She seems to be ok with infidelity. I'm not, sorry.
Something awful happens, Buck is angry, Clara tries to stop him from leaving and he takes her by her ams and throw her against a wall... She has NINE BRUISES! When he realizes what he did, he says he was angry and when he's like that she can't try to stop him. So basically, it's her fault, he doesn't grovel and you know what? She forgives him immediately! Later he says something she doesn't like, she runs away, he finds her, tells her she can't leave him and she forgives.
Her ex cheated on her, he was a thief, he destroyed her life and... She forgives him.
And Clara spends her time complaining everyone think she's stupid. Spoiler Alert: Clara you are stupid! You let a man you don't even really know get you drunk, tell you to shut up, control your whole life, cheat on you, hurt you physically, you don't think about your health or the possibility of getting pregnant... You are stupid!
I'm not opposed to forgiveness when there is redemption and a loooot of grovelling. I need to know the sinner feels guilty and i need to see him working for forgiveness. I'm not opposed to heroines with flaws and sensitivity but she needs to use her brain and to refuse any abuse.
I give two stars because i liked Buck's kids and friends.
I received an ARC in exchange of an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2021
***5 STARS***
Kristen Ashley knocked it out of the park with this one. Reminiscent of her earlier works this book gave me all the alpha feels.
KA’s books are what first introduced me to the true alpha hero. Strong, commanding, possessive and having a heart of gold and West “Buck” Hardy exceeded these qualities and more. I loved reading his and Clara’s story. From their first interaction to the last it was ohh so good. I loved how West saw what he wanted, went after it and claimed it without any games and hesitation. I loved how Clara was able to let her guard down to embrace the unconventional and find a true loving family.
This book is why I read romance novels. The HEA Is just the icing on the cake...the journey is what is so beautiful. I Highly Highly recommend this one especially if you are a fan of KA’s earlier works. She’s back!
Kristen Ashley knocked it out of the park with this one. Reminiscent of her earlier works this book gave me all the alpha feels.
KA’s books are what first introduced me to the true alpha hero. Strong, commanding, possessive and having a heart of gold and West “Buck” Hardy exceeded these qualities and more. I loved reading his and Clara’s story. From their first interaction to the last it was ohh so good. I loved how West saw what he wanted, went after it and claimed it without any games and hesitation. I loved how Clara was able to let her guard down to embrace the unconventional and find a true loving family.
This book is why I read romance novels. The HEA Is just the icing on the cake...the journey is what is so beautiful. I Highly Highly recommend this one especially if you are a fan of KA’s earlier works. She’s back!
February 14, 2021
There's good news and bad news
The good news is that Still Standing isn't the crossover hell of KA's last several books. Throw in a lack of awkward anal sex and a reader would be tempted to think that perhaps KA was returning to the more successful style of her earlier work, right? Maybe even feel a little excited?
Settle. There will be no miracles here.
The bad news is that if you've read Motorcycle Man you've read the slightly better, less misogynistic version of Still Standing. It's like KA wasn't even trying. Buck/Tack and Clara/Tyra have ridiculously similar stories with minor differences. The main one being Buck is just a touch closer to a full-on domestic abuser complete with victim blaming than Tack ever dreamed of being. In lieu of awkward anal the reader is served dodgy consent as well as condom free sex with no advance discussion. As always, grovel and apology free romance. Unless, of course, it's a KA heroine apologizing and making excuses for making the hero mad.
Am I disappointed? Undoubtedly. For an author that speaks frequently about female empowerment and women supporting other women it's almost whiplash to read the polar opposite.
Am I surprised? Not even a little. The last several reads by this author have left me feeling many things and surprise isn't one of them. I can remember a time I looked forward to a KA new release.
Note to superfans and reviewers that are just a bit too generous with stars:
It's books like Still Standing that inspired me to create a Don't Trust the 5 Star Reviews shelf. Because even within the ridiculous number of 5 starred reviews are legitimate complaints about the problematic issues this story is loaded with yet this book and many others still receive 5 stars. I wonder again and again if the "Automatic 5 Star" reviewers understand they are contributing to the very real decline in quality from multiple authors? The excess of 5 stars remove any incentive for authors to improve or even pay attention
The good news is that Still Standing isn't the crossover hell of KA's last several books. Throw in a lack of awkward anal sex and a reader would be tempted to think that perhaps KA was returning to the more successful style of her earlier work, right? Maybe even feel a little excited?
Settle. There will be no miracles here.
The bad news is that if you've read Motorcycle Man you've read the slightly better, less misogynistic version of Still Standing. It's like KA wasn't even trying. Buck/Tack and Clara/Tyra have ridiculously similar stories with minor differences. The main one being Buck is just a touch closer to a full-on domestic abuser complete with victim blaming than Tack ever dreamed of being. In lieu of awkward anal the reader is served dodgy consent as well as condom free sex with no advance discussion. As always, grovel and apology free romance. Unless, of course, it's a KA heroine apologizing and making excuses for making the hero mad.
Am I disappointed? Undoubtedly. For an author that speaks frequently about female empowerment and women supporting other women it's almost whiplash to read the polar opposite.
Am I surprised? Not even a little. The last several reads by this author have left me feeling many things and surprise isn't one of them. I can remember a time I looked forward to a KA new release.
Note to superfans and reviewers that are just a bit too generous with stars:
It's books like Still Standing that inspired me to create a Don't Trust the 5 Star Reviews shelf. Because even within the ridiculous number of 5 starred reviews are legitimate complaints about the problematic issues this story is loaded with yet this book and many others still receive 5 stars. I wonder again and again if the "Automatic 5 Star" reviewers understand they are contributing to the very real decline in quality from multiple authors? The excess of 5 stars remove any incentive for authors to improve or even pay attention
February 4, 2021
3 stars
Kristen Ashley’s Chaos series is one of my all-time favorite series, so when I saw she was writing a new biker book, I was all in. I picked up the audio on release day and started it with a few friends. We were sooooo excited. Unfortunately, this wasn’t what I was expecting…
I am conflicted about this for many reasons. The biggest reason is that I loved so much of it. And the things I loved I really loved. The heroine’s relationship with the hero’s kids, how she found her own family after never having that, and of course that epilogue. No one writes an epilogue quite like KA.
Now to the things that didn’t work for me. I had two pretty big issues, and I’m going to put them in spoilers because some might want to know and others might not…
It always pains me to rate my favorite authors on the lower side, but you can’t love every book by every author and this one was just a little too problematic for me. I can see why a lot of others loved it, but it had too much I couldn’t overlook. I’m still willing to try another book from this MC series (depending on who the next hero is of course) and see if it’s any better x
Kristen Ashley’s Chaos series is one of my all-time favorite series, so when I saw she was writing a new biker book, I was all in. I picked up the audio on release day and started it with a few friends. We were sooooo excited. Unfortunately, this wasn’t what I was expecting…
I am conflicted about this for many reasons. The biggest reason is that I loved so much of it. And the things I loved I really loved. The heroine’s relationship with the hero’s kids, how she found her own family after never having that, and of course that epilogue. No one writes an epilogue quite like KA.
Now to the things that didn’t work for me. I had two pretty big issues, and I’m going to put them in spoilers because some might want to know and others might not…
It always pains me to rate my favorite authors on the lower side, but you can’t love every book by every author and this one was just a little too problematic for me. I can see why a lot of others loved it, but it had too much I couldn’t overlook. I’m still willing to try another book from this MC series (depending on who the next hero is of course) and see if it’s any better x
Audio book source: Audible (purchased)
Story Rating: 3 stars
Narrator: Erin Mallon
Narration Rating: 5 stars
Genre: Romance (MC)
Length: 14 hours and 10 minutes
February 6, 2021
DNF @72%
kristen ashley
I was actually glad when I saw my Goodreads friends who read this before me comparing it to her earlier work and especially Motorcycle Man...little back info.. I have read over 60 books by this author and it is easier to name what I didn't read..which is the Honey series and this latest fantasy series( as book one in that series wasn't for me) so going back to old school KA was a positive thing despite the deja vu and Tack/Buck and Tyra/Clara vibes and mc world, and whole two teen kids and my ex is awful plotline...
but this book is not it!! it is not old school KA!!is not even a romance book!!
or at least a romance book I want to read..
To be 100% honest with you I didn't like these two from the start but I thought it was an okay book...there were some questionable things happening regarding 32 yo heroine having unprotected sex multiple times with a stranger and not even occurring to her she might be pregnant..and hero getting her drunk and sleeping with her..so talk about meet cute..
so my first impressions weren't great...
but what pissed me the hell off is what happens in chapter 18...
"He stopped, wrapped his hands around my upper arms, picked me up and threw me aside.
I hit the wall of the hall with such force, the blow to my shoulder caused pain to radiate out, up and down.
Everywhere.
It hurt so much and was such ashock, I stood there, leaning against the wall, my other hand to it for added support as I stared after Buck, who didn’t break another stride and disappeared into his room."
what I find what is the word- hypocritical is that at the time "hero" is going to beat up three guys that assaulted his daughter.
and then...
"I blinked my shock away and this took a while. Four, livid purple bruises had formed on my inner biceps. On each arm. Four imprints of the pads of an angry man’s fingers.“
and then there was groveling and redemption...yeah right..
HELL NO!!
what we got is this...
“You were standin’ in my way.”
“When I get like that, which, I promise you, darlin’, isn’t often, but it happens, you cannot stand in my way.”
“Clara, baby, I’m not lettin’ you go. We’ll get past this. You just gotta learn not to stand in my way.”
and then I read another seven chapters and nothing of this was addressed and resolved..and I can't be bothered to continue to wait for an improvement..
DO NOT RECOMMEND!!
kristen ashley
I was actually glad when I saw my Goodreads friends who read this before me comparing it to her earlier work and especially Motorcycle Man...little back info.. I have read over 60 books by this author and it is easier to name what I didn't read..which is the Honey series and this latest fantasy series( as book one in that series wasn't for me) so going back to old school KA was a positive thing despite the deja vu and Tack/Buck and Tyra/Clara vibes and mc world, and whole two teen kids and my ex is awful plotline...
but this book is not it!! it is not old school KA!!is not even a romance book!!
or at least a romance book I want to read..
To be 100% honest with you I didn't like these two from the start but I thought it was an okay book...there were some questionable things happening regarding 32 yo heroine having unprotected sex multiple times with a stranger and not even occurring to her she might be pregnant..and hero getting her drunk and sleeping with her..so talk about meet cute..
so my first impressions weren't great...
but what pissed me the hell off is what happens in chapter 18...
"He stopped, wrapped his hands around my upper arms, picked me up and threw me aside.
I hit the wall of the hall with such force, the blow to my shoulder caused pain to radiate out, up and down.
Everywhere.
It hurt so much and was such ashock, I stood there, leaning against the wall, my other hand to it for added support as I stared after Buck, who didn’t break another stride and disappeared into his room."
what I find what is the word- hypocritical is that at the time "hero" is going to beat up three guys that assaulted his daughter.
and then...
"I blinked my shock away and this took a while. Four, livid purple bruises had formed on my inner biceps. On each arm. Four imprints of the pads of an angry man’s fingers.“
and then there was groveling and redemption...yeah right..
HELL NO!!
what we got is this...
“You were standin’ in my way.”
“When I get like that, which, I promise you, darlin’, isn’t often, but it happens, you cannot stand in my way.”
“Clara, baby, I’m not lettin’ you go. We’ll get past this. You just gotta learn not to stand in my way.”
and then I read another seven chapters and nothing of this was addressed and resolved..and I can't be bothered to continue to wait for an improvement..
DO NOT RECOMMEND!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2021
Update: 6/2/2021
Yes, I've decided to rate it. No, I did not get to the part where The Douche is physically violent towards the heroine but I read about it in my friends' reviews. So I decided to see for myself.
I'm speechless.
****************************************
Original review: 2/2/2021
DNF 15%
Yes, I've decided to rate it. No, I did not get to the part where The Douche is physically violent towards the heroine but I read about it in my friends' reviews. So I decided to see for myself.
I'm speechless.
****************************************
Original review: 2/2/2021
DNF 15%
January 26, 2025
This book goes against so many things that I was under the impression the author stood for, no abuse and girls stand up for each other and themselves.
The normal pattern for KA books are the Hero and heroine usually have some sort of falling out at the start before the Hero decides to go for it.
In this one, the heroine visits the Hero with a message and they end up having a ONS.
During this the Hero and heroine talk about the heroine's situation and he basically offers her a safe place, a job, a home and it seems to imply sex with him too.
The sex part is a bit vague, obviously he intends that but he's not clear on the relationship status exactly.
'The part that didn’t feel nice was that he wanted to do it until it wasn’t so much fun anymore.'
So he expects her to trust him, a man she's just met, rely on him for her safe place and not feel like a whore, payment for her safety.
It's all a bit vague and unclear as to future expectations and he wants a decision.
She decides to leave and flee town as a safe place instead.
One thing that really bothered me is there is no talk of her being on the pill or using any protection during sex at all.
He's a biker.
The other man in the club says " He grinned through that sock to the gut (Buck can always pick ’em?)".
" Hon, he’s a man and he likes to have fun, but once he’s done havin’ fun, his girls go. They don’t spend the night. He doesn’t wake up with them. "
She has no idea of his sexual history.
She doesn't sleep around normally but going on what we sort of know of him we can assume he has his fair share of women.
And neither of them mention protection.
The whole ONS start felt a bit to me like Tack in Motorcycle Man though obviously different.
Also as I said this behaviour is very not the norm for the heroine and she is quite drunk when he takes her to his room.
She has said she is drunk a few drinks back, he isn't.
She even says she doesn't think it's a good idea when he takes her to his room but his response is to kiss her and then things go from there.
So I was a tad uncomfortable with him possibly taking advantage of a partially drunk or drunk woman, in other books the Hero has proved himself a Hero by specifically not taking advantage of a woman who obviously isn't in full control.
At first I liked it but there was a huge issue for me which is his temper.
There were a few things you gave to accept as KA writing style.
Long winded paragraphs of a speech from the Hero, I'm not sure men actually speak that much and certainly not at once.
Also this Hero tells the heroine to " shut your trap" a few times.
I know previous KA Heroes have said ' Quiet' but this shut your trap really, really annoyed me.
Personal preference I suppose but that expression didn't work for me.
Secondary characters introduced for possible future books in series.
Possible spoilers ahead....
Other woman drama.
He's divorced with 2 teenage kids.
After he's moved her into his house for protection and she's sleeping in his bed
'Buck was sitting on the end of one, his legs spread wide, a tall, ultra-curvy biker babe with long, lush, wavy dark hair standing between his legs. His hand was at her waist, his head tilted back. Her hands were resting on his shoulders, her head tilted down.
Her back was to me.
I also had a partial view of their sides, and it wasn’t a clear view, but it looked like they were kissing.'
'
“Buck’s out there and Nails has got her tongue down his throat.”'
It hurt because he knew I’d be there any minute and he obviously didn’t intend to hide the fact that he had others, not only me.'
'
“She’s Buck’s,” Lorie explained. “Not like you’re Buck’s, but,” she shrugged, “she’s Buck’s.”
“He needs to get off, he makes a call, she traipses in,” Pinky explained.
Oh God.
I’d been shopping all day, learning how to look like a biker babe, and Buck had been spending the day, or part of it, screwing curvy, lush, dark-haired Nails.'
At this point he has said they'd give it a go and see how it goes so in my mind they are in a relationship, the Hero and heroine.
Heroine is very hurt, the biker ladies encourage her to not mention it and put up with it.
'In my life, I had to settle for as good as I could get.
So West “Buck” Hardy wanted me for…whatever…and he might not always want me. And in the meantime, he was going to have more than just me.
But, for now, it was as good as I could get.'
He comes out to meet the heroine then and tries to kiss her.
'The minute his lips left mine (lips, I might add, that not ten minutes before I was pretty certain had been locked to another woman’s), I turned my head and pulled away.'
He later says he wasn't, he was covering for someone else, as in the club they don't tell on each other and help hide cheater friends activities from their wives.
He says the other woman has been around too much for him to even consider it, even to kiss.
The other women believed it as their partners and husband's are saying she is with the Hero.
But before she realises he isn't sleeping around she still hasn't sorted out protection for pregnancy or STDs, she does at some point but it goes on for a while.
Another issue is the Hero has a temper.
'“Get your hands off me, babe.”
“Buck! Please! We have to—”
I didn’t finish.
He stopped, wrapped his hands around my upper arms, picked me up and threw me aside.
I hit the wall of the hall with such force, the blow to my shoulder caused pain to radiate out, up and down.
Everywhere.
It hurt so much and was such a shock, I stood there, leaning against the wall, my other hand to it for added support as I stared after Buck, who didn’t break another stride and disappeared into his room.'
Later
'Four, livid purple bruises had formed on my inner biceps.
On each arm.
Four imprints of the pads of an angry man’s fingers.'
This is about the Hero.
His reply is he's sorry but she was in the way, next time don't get in the way.
"It also sucks, and huge, that someone touched my girl with the intent to do her even worse harm. And Clara, baby, you know that in my world, that means payback, instant, swift, painful. And you were standin’ in my way. Next time, you’ll know not to stand in my way.”
“So that’s it?” I asked.
He grinned and gave me a squeeze, his hand leaving my hair so he could wrap his arm around my waist. “Yep, that’s it.”
“So when you get angry about something else, I don’t stand in your way but somehow get in your way, do you get to put your hands on me?”
His grin died and his eyes narrowed.
“Babe,” he warned low."
She receives 9 bruises from that episode.
Worst of all it's made clear that the club handle any issues in-house, this is explained in a discussion of a teenager traumatized by attempted rape, the women will sort her out, she doesn't need professional counseling.
I seriously think Buck needs professional counseling and so does the heroine for staying.
He's so controlling I wanted to slap him and although he's protective and treats her well, his temper is a huge big no. It's the heroine's fault because she couldn't 'read' him.
This is sending a serious wrong message.
I think she's tried to have the flawed Hero but it's a step too far.
Its his temper and it's ironic that he saves her from a beating only to give her 9 bruises himself.
In a Q and A with the author she compares him to Tack, Motorcycle Man, who moved Tyra around, pinned her against a wall and held her in place at times. BUT Tack asks did I ever hurt you? He never left bruises or hurt Tyra physically. I'm not saying his behaviour isn't OTT but this Hero is not Tack.
HEA for the main couple but enemy threat still to be dealt with and lots of loose ends.
I assume the author has further plans to write more and resolve these.
I'd advise reading a sample first before purchasing.
Sample chapter.
https://bookandmainbites.com/bite/50276
Read chapter 1 here.
https://www.kristenashley.net/titles/...
The normal pattern for KA books are the Hero and heroine usually have some sort of falling out at the start before the Hero decides to go for it.
In this one, the heroine visits the Hero with a message and they end up having a ONS.
During this the Hero and heroine talk about the heroine's situation and he basically offers her a safe place, a job, a home and it seems to imply sex with him too.
The sex part is a bit vague, obviously he intends that but he's not clear on the relationship status exactly.
'The part that didn’t feel nice was that he wanted to do it until it wasn’t so much fun anymore.'
So he expects her to trust him, a man she's just met, rely on him for her safe place and not feel like a whore, payment for her safety.
It's all a bit vague and unclear as to future expectations and he wants a decision.
She decides to leave and flee town as a safe place instead.
One thing that really bothered me is there is no talk of her being on the pill or using any protection during sex at all.
He's a biker.
The other man in the club says " He grinned through that sock to the gut (Buck can always pick ’em?)".
" Hon, he’s a man and he likes to have fun, but once he’s done havin’ fun, his girls go. They don’t spend the night. He doesn’t wake up with them. "
She has no idea of his sexual history.
She doesn't sleep around normally but going on what we sort of know of him we can assume he has his fair share of women.
And neither of them mention protection.
The whole ONS start felt a bit to me like Tack in Motorcycle Man though obviously different.
Also as I said this behaviour is very not the norm for the heroine and she is quite drunk when he takes her to his room.
She has said she is drunk a few drinks back, he isn't.
She even says she doesn't think it's a good idea when he takes her to his room but his response is to kiss her and then things go from there.
So I was a tad uncomfortable with him possibly taking advantage of a partially drunk or drunk woman, in other books the Hero has proved himself a Hero by specifically not taking advantage of a woman who obviously isn't in full control.
At first I liked it but there was a huge issue for me which is his temper.
There were a few things you gave to accept as KA writing style.
Long winded paragraphs of a speech from the Hero, I'm not sure men actually speak that much and certainly not at once.
Also this Hero tells the heroine to " shut your trap" a few times.
I know previous KA Heroes have said ' Quiet' but this shut your trap really, really annoyed me.
Personal preference I suppose but that expression didn't work for me.
Secondary characters introduced for possible future books in series.
Possible spoilers ahead....
Other woman drama.
He's divorced with 2 teenage kids.
After he's moved her into his house for protection and she's sleeping in his bed
'Buck was sitting on the end of one, his legs spread wide, a tall, ultra-curvy biker babe with long, lush, wavy dark hair standing between his legs. His hand was at her waist, his head tilted back. Her hands were resting on his shoulders, her head tilted down.
Her back was to me.
I also had a partial view of their sides, and it wasn’t a clear view, but it looked like they were kissing.'
'
“Buck’s out there and Nails has got her tongue down his throat.”'
It hurt because he knew I’d be there any minute and he obviously didn’t intend to hide the fact that he had others, not only me.'
'
“She’s Buck’s,” Lorie explained. “Not like you’re Buck’s, but,” she shrugged, “she’s Buck’s.”
“He needs to get off, he makes a call, she traipses in,” Pinky explained.
Oh God.
I’d been shopping all day, learning how to look like a biker babe, and Buck had been spending the day, or part of it, screwing curvy, lush, dark-haired Nails.'
At this point he has said they'd give it a go and see how it goes so in my mind they are in a relationship, the Hero and heroine.
Heroine is very hurt, the biker ladies encourage her to not mention it and put up with it.
'In my life, I had to settle for as good as I could get.
So West “Buck” Hardy wanted me for…whatever…and he might not always want me. And in the meantime, he was going to have more than just me.
But, for now, it was as good as I could get.'
He comes out to meet the heroine then and tries to kiss her.
'The minute his lips left mine (lips, I might add, that not ten minutes before I was pretty certain had been locked to another woman’s), I turned my head and pulled away.'
He later says he wasn't, he was covering for someone else, as in the club they don't tell on each other and help hide cheater friends activities from their wives.
He says the other woman has been around too much for him to even consider it, even to kiss.
The other women believed it as their partners and husband's are saying she is with the Hero.
But before she realises he isn't sleeping around she still hasn't sorted out protection for pregnancy or STDs, she does at some point but it goes on for a while.
Another issue is the Hero has a temper.
'“Get your hands off me, babe.”
“Buck! Please! We have to—”
I didn’t finish.
He stopped, wrapped his hands around my upper arms, picked me up and threw me aside.
I hit the wall of the hall with such force, the blow to my shoulder caused pain to radiate out, up and down.
Everywhere.
It hurt so much and was such a shock, I stood there, leaning against the wall, my other hand to it for added support as I stared after Buck, who didn’t break another stride and disappeared into his room.'
Later
'Four, livid purple bruises had formed on my inner biceps.
On each arm.
Four imprints of the pads of an angry man’s fingers.'
This is about the Hero.
His reply is he's sorry but she was in the way, next time don't get in the way.
"It also sucks, and huge, that someone touched my girl with the intent to do her even worse harm. And Clara, baby, you know that in my world, that means payback, instant, swift, painful. And you were standin’ in my way. Next time, you’ll know not to stand in my way.”
“So that’s it?” I asked.
He grinned and gave me a squeeze, his hand leaving my hair so he could wrap his arm around my waist. “Yep, that’s it.”
“So when you get angry about something else, I don’t stand in your way but somehow get in your way, do you get to put your hands on me?”
His grin died and his eyes narrowed.
“Babe,” he warned low."
She receives 9 bruises from that episode.
Worst of all it's made clear that the club handle any issues in-house, this is explained in a discussion of a teenager traumatized by attempted rape, the women will sort her out, she doesn't need professional counseling.
I seriously think Buck needs professional counseling and so does the heroine for staying.
He's so controlling I wanted to slap him and although he's protective and treats her well, his temper is a huge big no. It's the heroine's fault because she couldn't 'read' him.
This is sending a serious wrong message.
I think she's tried to have the flawed Hero but it's a step too far.
Its his temper and it's ironic that he saves her from a beating only to give her 9 bruises himself.
In a Q and A with the author she compares him to Tack, Motorcycle Man, who moved Tyra around, pinned her against a wall and held her in place at times. BUT Tack asks did I ever hurt you? He never left bruises or hurt Tyra physically. I'm not saying his behaviour isn't OTT but this Hero is not Tack.
HEA for the main couple but enemy threat still to be dealt with and lots of loose ends.
I assume the author has further plans to write more and resolve these.
I'd advise reading a sample first before purchasing.
Sample chapter.
https://bookandmainbites.com/bite/50276
Read chapter 1 here.
https://www.kristenashley.net/titles/...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2021
First, and I mean this from the bottom of my heart: What in the actual fuck is this?
I am a longstanding reader of KA. I've had ARCs and purchased books, it doesn't matter, I call it like I see it and if it works for me, it works for me. THIS did not work for me in a huge way. I've seen comparisons to Chaos series, and I'd agree - if you just take the horrible bits and don't bother with building a romance until the last quarter of the book. This is a faded copy of a copy, with some pasting from other series as well. There is nothing original here, and what there is, is highly problematic. I'm still irritated, so let's discuss shall we? But skip the spoiler tags if you don't want those kind of details.
Bottom line - Still standing never got off the ground and when it attempts to soar, it just falls flat. I can't recommend it.
I am a longstanding reader of KA. I've had ARCs and purchased books, it doesn't matter, I call it like I see it and if it works for me, it works for me. THIS did not work for me in a huge way. I've seen comparisons to Chaos series, and I'd agree - if you just take the horrible bits and don't bother with building a romance until the last quarter of the book. This is a faded copy of a copy, with some pasting from other series as well. There is nothing original here, and what there is, is highly problematic. I'm still irritated, so let's discuss shall we? But skip the spoiler tags if you don't want those kind of details.
Bottom line - Still standing never got off the ground and when it attempts to soar, it just falls flat. I can't recommend it.
February 3, 2021
Kristen Ashley is cannibalizing her young.
If you love Motorcycle Man then you’ll love Still Standing because Still Standing is Motorcycle Man’s skeevier little sister.
Clara aka Toots is still a pencil skirt, FABULOUS blouse and ballet-pink stiletto wearing girly-girl, but compared to Tyra in MM, this heroine is a tad ethically challenged. Skipping out on your rent and car payments is not cute. Nor is being a bagman forBenito Esposito because he is pimping out your BFF a wise move. Please, can the next bad guy be some other ethnic group? French-American, Japanese-American, Anglo? I think the Russians and Hispanics have suffered enough.
KA phoned in a minimal ten chin lifts, but she didn’t leave her unique brand of sentence construction behind.
“They are what they are. They are where they are because they are what they are. And they’re with others who are like they are.”
The following commercial resonated with me throughout the book.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KawjY...
If you love Motorcycle Man then you’ll love Still Standing because Still Standing is Motorcycle Man’s skeevier little sister.
Clara aka Toots is still a pencil skirt, FABULOUS blouse and ballet-pink stiletto wearing girly-girl, but compared to Tyra in MM, this heroine is a tad ethically challenged. Skipping out on your rent and car payments is not cute. Nor is being a bagman for
KA phoned in a minimal ten chin lifts, but she didn’t leave her unique brand of sentence construction behind.
“They are what they are. They are where they are because they are what they are. And they’re with others who are like they are.”
The following commercial resonated with me throughout the book.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KawjY...
February 15, 2021
2 Stars
Overall Opinion: This is a really hard one to rate. I liked that it felt reminiscent of KA’s earlier works. I liked the h. I also liked the h’s interactions with the H’s kids. I didn’t, however, like a lot of other things. I didn’t like how hurtful the H was with his words. I didn’t like his “snake” temper. I didn’t like that he abused the h by roughly throwing her against a wall. I didn’t like how he verbally attacked her when she believed the other old ladies that he wanted her to bond with. But! More than anything else, I didn’t like how he justified his act of abuse by saying “you were in my way” — seriously?! And then when she gets advice from another old lady she gets told again to make sure she’s “not in his way!” What? Not okay. At. All. My heart broke for her at this point and I don’t think that there was any redeeming the H or the book after that. I hate giving KA such a low rating 🙈
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Clara and Buck’s story. Clara is trying to save herself and her best friend when she is sent to give a message to Buck from her friend’s drug dealing husband. Buck knows all about Clara and doesn’t make it easy for her but he also decides that she is going to be his and starts his strong pursuit. Clara finds herself in major trouble and has no choice but to rely on Buck for protection. There are a few suspenseful scenes, some sad moments, and some sexy times...and they get a HEA ending.
Point Of View (POV): This was told in Clara’s POV with a few parts focusing on Buck in 3rd person narrative.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.
Instalove: Not really (though they claim at the end that they did feel that way)
H (Hero) rating: 2 stars. Buck. I struggled with him, a lot.
h (heroine) rating: 4 stars. Clara. I liked her. I appreciated how she cared for others and how she had strong morals in spite of her circumstances.
Sadness level: Low/moderate. I shed a few tears but never needed any tissues.
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: Not technically
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This had a cute epilogue and what I would call a HEA ending but it wasn’t quite up to par with many of KA’s epilogues.
Safety: This one should be either Safe with exception or Not Safe for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences
Overall Opinion: This is a really hard one to rate. I liked that it felt reminiscent of KA’s earlier works. I liked the h. I also liked the h’s interactions with the H’s kids. I didn’t, however, like a lot of other things. I didn’t like how hurtful the H was with his words. I didn’t like his “snake” temper. I didn’t like that he abused the h by roughly throwing her against a wall. I didn’t like how he verbally attacked her when she believed the other old ladies that he wanted her to bond with. But! More than anything else, I didn’t like how he justified his act of abuse by saying “you were in my way” — seriously?! And then when she gets advice from another old lady she gets told again to make sure she’s “not in his way!” What? Not okay. At. All. My heart broke for her at this point and I don’t think that there was any redeeming the H or the book after that. I hate giving KA such a low rating 🙈
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Clara and Buck’s story. Clara is trying to save herself and her best friend when she is sent to give a message to Buck from her friend’s drug dealing husband. Buck knows all about Clara and doesn’t make it easy for her but he also decides that she is going to be his and starts his strong pursuit. Clara finds herself in major trouble and has no choice but to rely on Buck for protection. There are a few suspenseful scenes, some sad moments, and some sexy times...and they get a HEA ending.
Point Of View (POV): This was told in Clara’s POV with a few parts focusing on Buck in 3rd person narrative.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.
Instalove: Not really (though they claim at the end that they did feel that way)
H (Hero) rating: 2 stars. Buck. I struggled with him, a lot.
h (heroine) rating: 4 stars. Clara. I liked her. I appreciated how she cared for others and how she had strong morals in spite of her circumstances.
Sadness level: Low/moderate. I shed a few tears but never needed any tissues.
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: Not technically
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This had a cute epilogue and what I would call a HEA ending but it wasn’t quite up to par with many of KA’s epilogues.
Safety: This one should be either Safe with exception or Not Safe for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences
April 17, 2021
Still Standing by Kristen Ashley
1st book in the Wild West MC (motorcycle club) series. Contemporary romance with strong alpha he man. Warning with abuse triggers.
Clara’s life has been on a downward spiral but she’s not ready to give up. Buck takes an interest in her, and pulls her into the life within a motorcycle club.
I’m torn. I’m not fond of overbearing alphas who don’t give reasons for what they demand. At the same time, if you can get past that, there is romance and love here. There are a lot of misunderstandings that take too long to clear up, mostly because she doesn’t know key words that have meaning to Buck within the club. And abuse should never be tolerated.
I did really like the heroine and was cheering for her every time she fought for a belief, especially with his children.
The epilogue is romantic.
1st book in the Wild West MC (motorcycle club) series. Contemporary romance with strong alpha he man. Warning with abuse triggers.
Clara’s life has been on a downward spiral but she’s not ready to give up. Buck takes an interest in her, and pulls her into the life within a motorcycle club.
I’m torn. I’m not fond of overbearing alphas who don’t give reasons for what they demand. At the same time, if you can get past that, there is romance and love here. There are a lot of misunderstandings that take too long to clear up, mostly because she doesn’t know key words that have meaning to Buck within the club. And abuse should never be tolerated.
I did really like the heroine and was cheering for her every time she fought for a belief, especially with his children.
The epilogue is romantic.
shelf-of-shame
February 4, 2021I've been reading KA since almost the beginning of her career. I have read over 40 of her books and loved many despite the long-winded descriptions, excess page filler, and cloned characters. After a while the stories start to sound too similar. The characters blend together. You get halfway through the book and we're just watching the characters go through their mundane daily activities, have sex, rinse/lather/repeat. There's. Nothing. Happening. You start to skim to get to the end. It's why I mainly only do re-reads of my old favorites now. Even though her early books are imperfect, they have heart and that's why I love them. This book is going on my shelf of shame because I will never be reading it. And yes, I'm judging it even though I haven't read it. (Insert 'come at me bro' gif here. lol)
There are some things that cross the line, and that is glamorizing/romanticizing ABUSE. For a man to put his hands on a woman in anger, bruise her, and then make her believe SHE is at fault is WRONG. Let me say it a little louder for the people in the back:
Physical abuse is wrong and should not be justified because it's doled out by a "sexy" alpha biker living a biker life.
I'm also not a fan of a character (man or woman) who hurts their partner by "straying" and then expects them to just brush it off and be fine with it.
So this is a hard pass for me.
There are some things that cross the line, and that is glamorizing/romanticizing ABUSE. For a man to put his hands on a woman in anger, bruise her, and then make her believe SHE is at fault is WRONG. Let me say it a little louder for the people in the back:
Physical abuse is wrong and should not be justified because it's doled out by a "sexy" alpha biker living a biker life.
I'm also not a fan of a character (man or woman) who hurts their partner by "straying" and then expects them to just brush it off and be fine with it.
So this is a hard pass for me.
January 15, 2021
FIVE STARS! FIVE STARS!!!!! FIVE TRILLION STARS!!!!!! THIS WAS EVERYTHING! I cried a million times. THE FEELS! Holy hell! I just... these characters slayed me! Full thoughts to come, but this is a MUST READ! I LOVED EVERY WORD!
December 28, 2023
4 All For the Affection Stars
* * * * Spoiler Free
Because I have this KA Addiction, I will read almost everything she writes. Lately, I feel she has been on a positive roll, harking back to the feel of her Vintage Books in her new ones. This has been a good thing as some of her writing had not felt like the dynamic KA we know and love.
So with Still Standing, I got the KA Vibe immediately and was all in.
Now I want to write this review spoiler-free so anyone can read this review and not have the book ruined by learning about all of it before they start.
With that said I will share this, our main characters are complicated.
Clara was a child of the foster system. This colored her view of herself and what she thought life was. In many ways, she was smart, savvy, and able..but in other ways, she has this serious naivete where she needs to have things laid out for her. This will impact the story and can make the reader take a moment.
West "Buck" Hardy is a classical MC. He has a bit of the Tack flavor for me. He is the president and he comes from the MC life. He is affectionate, cares about his kids, and is devoted to his brothers at Aces High. He is fully into Clara.
Lots happen, lots of sexy times, lots of Clara's inner dialogue, and not an excessive amount of description of places, clothes, or food. It wasn't overboard.
Overall, after I took a moment to allow miscommunication/mc behavior to happen, I did enjoy this book and the way Clara and Buck were. They were solid for each other and that was what mattered.
KA works into all of her tales, beautiful nuggets of life lessons. Things told or said that will hit you in your heart while reading. This is her gift and the reason I am addicted to her writing.
Mark my word, this is not the only Wild West MC book. There are many characters to care about, bad people who need to be taken out, and couples to share their love stories with us.
Still Standing (Wild West MC #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
Fingers Crossed, Going In
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
December 17, 2020
If You Looked For The Definition Rock Bottom...
The Road Clara Delany Is On...
Would Have That Sign Post...
She Has Found Herself
Front And Center In That Spot...
Known As Rock And Hard Place...
Naturally, She Can Thank A Man...
For Her Having To Hide...
Her Car From The Repo Man...
Oh, And Hats Off To That Man...
For Her Shady Job...
Of Being A Messenger...
For A Criminal...
Which Brings Her In Front Of...
West “Buck” Hardy...
President Of The Aces High MC...
West “Buck” Hardy...
Liked What He Saw...
So He Made Sure The Club...
Was Informed Clara Was His...
The Club Brothers Understood...
No Problem...
Clara, Not So Much...
Clara Is Looking To Sort Herself Out...
But She Just Can't Seem To Get Clear Of Danger...
Once Again She Is Front and Center...
With West “Buck” Hardy Bailing Her Out...
These Two Are Once Again Face To Face...
It Is Only A Matter Of Time To See Who Will Be...
Still Standing (Wild West MC #1)- February 2, 2021
A gifted copy was provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * * Spoiler Free
Because I have this KA Addiction, I will read almost everything she writes. Lately, I feel she has been on a positive roll, harking back to the feel of her Vintage Books in her new ones. This has been a good thing as some of her writing had not felt like the dynamic KA we know and love.
So with Still Standing, I got the KA Vibe immediately and was all in.
Now I want to write this review spoiler-free so anyone can read this review and not have the book ruined by learning about all of it before they start.
With that said I will share this, our main characters are complicated.
Clara was a child of the foster system. This colored her view of herself and what she thought life was. In many ways, she was smart, savvy, and able..but in other ways, she has this serious naivete where she needs to have things laid out for her. This will impact the story and can make the reader take a moment.
West "Buck" Hardy is a classical MC. He has a bit of the Tack flavor for me. He is the president and he comes from the MC life. He is affectionate, cares about his kids, and is devoted to his brothers at Aces High. He is fully into Clara.
Lots happen, lots of sexy times, lots of Clara's inner dialogue, and not an excessive amount of description of places, clothes, or food. It wasn't overboard.
Overall, after I took a moment to allow miscommunication/mc behavior to happen, I did enjoy this book and the way Clara and Buck were. They were solid for each other and that was what mattered.
KA works into all of her tales, beautiful nuggets of life lessons. Things told or said that will hit you in your heart while reading. This is her gift and the reason I am addicted to her writing.
Mark my word, this is not the only Wild West MC book. There are many characters to care about, bad people who need to be taken out, and couples to share their love stories with us.
Still Standing (Wild West MC #1)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
Fingers Crossed, Going In
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
December 17, 2020
If You Looked For The Definition Rock Bottom...
The Road Clara Delany Is On...
Would Have That Sign Post...
She Has Found Herself
Front And Center In That Spot...
Known As Rock And Hard Place...
Naturally, She Can Thank A Man...
For Her Having To Hide...
Her Car From The Repo Man...
Oh, And Hats Off To That Man...
For Her Shady Job...
Of Being A Messenger...
For A Criminal...
Which Brings Her In Front Of...
West “Buck” Hardy...
President Of The Aces High MC...
West “Buck” Hardy...
Liked What He Saw...
So He Made Sure The Club...
Was Informed Clara Was His...
The Club Brothers Understood...
No Problem...
Clara, Not So Much...
Clara Is Looking To Sort Herself Out...
But She Just Can't Seem To Get Clear Of Danger...
Once Again She Is Front and Center...
With West “Buck” Hardy Bailing Her Out...
These Two Are Once Again Face To Face...
It Is Only A Matter Of Time To See Who Will Be...
Still Standing (Wild West MC #1)- February 2, 2021
A gifted copy was provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
April 17, 2022
A month ago, I posted a review saying that I had learned my lesson and would stop jumping into books completely blind…
Clearly, I have not learned my lesson. 🤡
And that’s basically my "excuse" for having read this book.
If you’re contemplating whether or not to pick this one up… don’t. The hero is straight up ABUSIVE to the heroine. Stick with Motorcycle Man and forget this book every existed.
Rating: 1/5
Clearly, I have not learned my lesson. 🤡
And that’s basically my "excuse" for having read this book.
If you’re contemplating whether or not to pick this one up… don’t. The hero is straight up ABUSIVE to the heroine. Stick with Motorcycle Man and forget this book every existed.
Rating: 1/5
July 6, 2022
Loved it... Really took me back to Motorcycle Man.. which obviously rocks
February 3, 2021
What kind of f*cked up version of romance is that?
The Hero throws the heroine across a room so hard she gets bruises, then proceeds to tell her it was her fault the next morning and that she should just deal with his temper...
How in the hell did the author think « ooooh I think he’ll just assault her then blame her for it and then they’ll live happily ever after , because that is what a woman looks for in a man »🤬
The Hero throws the heroine across a room so hard she gets bruises, then proceeds to tell her it was her fault the next morning and that she should just deal with his temper...
How in the hell did the author think « ooooh I think he’ll just assault her then blame her for it and then they’ll live happily ever after , because that is what a woman looks for in a man »🤬
February 5, 2021
“I don’t know where we’re goin’, darlin’. What I do know is I want to find out.”
Still Standing is an action-packed MC Romance by one of my go-to authors Kristen Ashley. It has been a hot second since I have enjoyed a KA read and this one certainly did not disappoint! Clara Delaney is a good girl who has been caught in the crossfire of some very bad people. When she goes to deliver a message to West “Buck” Hardy, President of the Aces High MC, a spark is ignited between the two and West decides he isn't letting her go. With passion, romance, and rowdy MC drama, West and Clara will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire read.
“You stake a claim, you stake it, because you want what you’re claimin’. Then you keep hold, no matter what you gotta do to keep it. I claimed you and I’m keeping hold.”Still Standing represents somewhat of a happy return to KA LAND for me! The Wild West MC Series is definitely a close cousin to KA's Chaos MC! The characters are rough and the stakes are high for them to fight for what they believe in. There were certainly a few aspects of West's character that caused me to pause but not strong enough to make me love him any less. Clara is truly delightful. As always, the relationships are complex, the dialogue is witty, and the Wild West MC promises to be another blockbuster series!
“Are you gonna get on the back of my bike?”Overall, Still Standing will appeal to MC Romance fans who like a little grit and a lot of rowdy in their love stories! I am happy to have some of my old KA feels back and I look forward to more Wild West to come!
“Yes, West. Of course, I am. I love you.”
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
February 4, 2021
STILL STANDING had me more or less feeling like I was on a teeter-totter. One moment I'm enjoying the book and the next I'm side-eyeing what is happening in the book. There were some low points I just couldn't get behind even after an explanation was given. I know in the mc world things work differently but the hero .
I've read a little over a dozen of KA books and I just felt there were parts that didn't seem to fit with her style.
I was hoping this would have been a 5 star read for me but the highs didn't outweigh the lows. And as for reading the next book in the series - I'll probably read it before I decide if this mc series is for me or not.
I've read a little over a dozen of KA books and I just felt there were parts that didn't seem to fit with her style.
I was hoping this would have been a 5 star read for me but the highs didn't outweigh the lows. And as for reading the next book in the series - I'll probably read it before I decide if this mc series is for me or not.
Audiobook source: Audible
Narrator: Erin Mallon & Jason Clarke - epilogue
Length: 14H 10M
February 20, 2022
I wonder what went through KA’s head when she was writing this book cause this... she was basically plagiarising her own old release. This is literally
Motorcycle Man
(in so many aspects that it feels like it’s exactly that book from front to back), but worse. Not that
Motorcycle Man
is bad. No, it’s one of the best book she’s ever written and one of my favorites. But Still Standing is like
Motorcycle Man
’s 💀evil twin💀. This book deserves all the hate it’s gotten because there were things that people found loathsome and unacceptable, and I could understand why. The thing is, I didn’t hate it. 🙈 In fact, I quite enjoyed reading it. Though I did feel exasperated at times. If asked whether I liked it or not, I think I’m indifferent?
(SPOILERS) The one thing that I agree was unforgivable was the physical abuse. Tack (H of MM) is scary, and his temper is intense, but he never went physical when he lost it. Meanwhile, I didn’t find Buck (H) scary. He was just straight up an asshole, and not the kind that you’d wanna jump. When he lost it, he lost it so completely that he forgot his surrounding. In one scene, he *accidentally* shoved Clara (h) away that he left bruises. he was remorseful about it and explained the reason he did it was because she was “in the way.”
The other thing people complained about that I also agree on (but didn’t bother me as much) was that Clara was a doormat. I feel like she didn’t have a problem standing up to people, but she was a pushover with Buck. I could understand that she’d want to be passive and let Buck “control” her because she was used to being alone and independently take care of herself in all facets of her life that it felt nice to let loose for a change and let Buck take charge and make decisions for them. But GAH, I just wanted to shake her sometimes.
(SPOILERS) Especially when she thought Buck was cheating on her, and she never confronted him about it. That was the one thing about her being a doormat that grated on my nerves the most. The silver lining (or I guess small victory?) is that she was a doormat with limits. That’s because the issue about the cheating finally caught up to them and they had a huge fight that led to Clara running away. It was a misunderstanding, and they obviously got back together. It’s the fact that she did leave him (even if briefly) that counted.
The biker world in the Chaos MC was pretty backwards, but in this book it was even more so. The brothers were cheating on their wives, and they helped each other cover it up. So, that was disgusting. Despite all the negatives, there were a couple side characters who caught my eye and whom I’d love for them to have their own books written. One of them reminded me of Mitch from Law Man. I also liked the family dynamics and the relationship between Clara & Buck’s kids. All in all, this book was justifiably despicable cause the romance was pretty messed up; but outside of that, the book had its moments. I’ve had my experience with it, and I’m ✨still standing✨. I’m neither a fan nor a nonfan. I’m just ready to put it behind me.
(Read as an Audiobook)
(SPOILERS) The one thing that I agree was unforgivable was the physical abuse. Tack (H of MM) is scary, and his temper is intense, but he never went physical when he lost it. Meanwhile, I didn’t find Buck (H) scary. He was just straight up an asshole, and not the kind that you’d wanna jump. When he lost it, he lost it so completely that he forgot his surrounding. In one scene, he *accidentally* shoved Clara (h) away that he left bruises. he was remorseful about it and explained the reason he did it was because she was “in the way.”
The other thing people complained about that I also agree on (but didn’t bother me as much) was that Clara was a doormat. I feel like she didn’t have a problem standing up to people, but she was a pushover with Buck. I could understand that she’d want to be passive and let Buck “control” her because she was used to being alone and independently take care of herself in all facets of her life that it felt nice to let loose for a change and let Buck take charge and make decisions for them. But GAH, I just wanted to shake her sometimes.
(SPOILERS) Especially when she thought Buck was cheating on her, and she never confronted him about it. That was the one thing about her being a doormat that grated on my nerves the most. The silver lining (or I guess small victory?) is that she was a doormat with limits. That’s because the issue about the cheating finally caught up to them and they had a huge fight that led to Clara running away. It was a misunderstanding, and they obviously got back together. It’s the fact that she did leave him (even if briefly) that counted.
The biker world in the Chaos MC was pretty backwards, but in this book it was even more so. The brothers were cheating on their wives, and they helped each other cover it up. So, that was disgusting. Despite all the negatives, there were a couple side characters who caught my eye and whom I’d love for them to have their own books written. One of them reminded me of Mitch from Law Man. I also liked the family dynamics and the relationship between Clara & Buck’s kids. All in all, this book was justifiably despicable cause the romance was pretty messed up; but outside of that, the book had its moments. I’ve had my experience with it, and I’m ✨still standing✨. I’m neither a fan nor a nonfan. I’m just ready to put it behind me.
(Read as an Audiobook)
February 5, 2021
I’m sorry I really tried because there was a time I really loved Kristen Ashley but maybe I’m getting too old or too annoyed at the same writing. It’s like in all the books she writes she has to portray the ex-wife as a bad b***h like she loves to say it, the ex wife is either neglecting her kids and being a bad mom or acting like a fool anyway. Then we have the hero in this book being violent with the heroine, he bruised her by pushing her into a wall because he needed to take care of a situation while she was trying to calm him down. Then he said sorry and thought it was totally normal for her to forgive him like she didn’t have the right to be angry more than 24 hours. How disgusting, I’m sorry but trying to justify abuse isn’t okay. I was just angry at the whole scene.
February 4, 2021
If you've been dissatisfied with Kristen Ashley's more recent offerings, I suggest you sail on past this Motorcycle Man rip-off because it's a hot damn mess. It starts out with a dubious consent sex scene, borrows heavily from numerous plot points and characters from Motorcycle Man, completely removes the heroine's spine, and ramps up the violence against women. Basically, it sucks.
At first, I was sort of hopeful because it felt a lot more like Motorcycle Man than Ashley's more recent MC books. Little did I know that if felt that way because it is essentially a Motorcycle Man rip-off. The similarities are too many to name and there are more than a few scenes that are just straight lifted from the original. I've already read Motorcycle Man numerous times, I didn't need to pay to read a redux version.
The violence in this book is really off-putting. Spoilers:
This damn book can rot in hell.
At first, I was sort of hopeful because it felt a lot more like Motorcycle Man than Ashley's more recent MC books. Little did I know that if felt that way because it is essentially a Motorcycle Man rip-off. The similarities are too many to name and there are more than a few scenes that are just straight lifted from the original. I've already read Motorcycle Man numerous times, I didn't need to pay to read a redux version.
The violence in this book is really off-putting. Spoilers:
This damn book can rot in hell.
February 3, 2021
As someone who has read all that this author has written some stories stuck with me and those happen to be my favorites. With Still Standing there were many elements from her other books that were in it...and it was not to my liking.
If you've read Motorcycle Man and Mystery Man and her Chaos series then you will not be surprised with this story. When I read the first chapter on her website I was happy with what I read. As I continued with the story when I purchased it my happiness started to dwindle down because it was like a retelling of the books I mentioned.
There is a certain scene in the book that happen and I've read some reviews that the people were not okay with. By no means I'm okay with what happened but I forgave Dax Lahn when he did what he did. If you know you know. There was nothing that stood out except chapter 33 that I really cried at. The epilogue was not one of the best.
I will still continue to read this series and Kristen's stories but I would love if she would change up her formula.
If you've read Motorcycle Man and Mystery Man and her Chaos series then you will not be surprised with this story. When I read the first chapter on her website I was happy with what I read. As I continued with the story when I purchased it my happiness started to dwindle down because it was like a retelling of the books I mentioned.
There is a certain scene in the book that happen and I've read some reviews that the people were not okay with. By no means I'm okay with what happened but I forgave Dax Lahn when he did what he did. If you know you know. There was nothing that stood out except chapter 33 that I really cried at. The epilogue was not one of the best.
I will still continue to read this series and Kristen's stories but I would love if she would change up her formula.
February 5, 2021
I recently read someone’s review for a Kristen Ashley book that asked is it Blind Faith or KA Magic that makes us look past so many things and still fall in love with a KA Alpha. Other authors try so hard to do the same thing as her. And some can do it, but most fail miserably. But, sadly I don’t think we will ever know the answer to this question.
This book is a perfect example of why that question even exists. I will start this review by telling you, this book had me on the edge of that line a couple of times. But in true KA fashion, even though she took me to my absolutely limit..... She did it.... She still made me fall in love with her characters, their story and look past a couple of things that made me not so happy.
Blind faith? KA Magic? Or is it just that this woman has the ability to write a book that makes you feel like you are in that fucking story, sitting on the couch next to her characters, and living through every moment with them. Make you be able to put yourself in an uncomfortable place and have to make a choice that you might not normally make. Look at someone’s action and possibly be able to see how forgiveness can be necessary. And truly make you feel that even though it’s hard, you can feel the regret and know that while it isn’t right what happened, you can’t live without them.
Guys, this is an old school Kristen Ashley MC book. This will bring you back to Tack and Tyra, but with with little difference you are in love with this new story. Motorcycle Man is and will forever be my top KA book (right next to Sweet Dreams), so in the end this did not beat it for me, but it was still an incredible ride. If you are one of those people who hate when authors repeat a storyline/plot, you will get frustrated, because yea, there are a lot of similarities with Motorcycle Man (even down to the tattoo explanations). But I'm among the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" and it didn't bother me at all!
This book will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions. It will pull at every string you have. It will make you laugh, it will make you cringe, and if you are a crier, you will definitely cry.
At this point, I have no idea where she is going in this series. There are a few side characters I can see having a book, but I’m not 100% sure what is coming for the Aces High MC.
I can see it, there are going to be a lot of mixed emotions in review for this one. Mine are definitely there, but in the end even if I didn’t think it was possible I still loved every single minute of this book, especially the ones that tested me. If you pick this book up make sure you take it to the end, make sure you have an open mind and please make sure you are a lover of everything Kristen Ashley Alpha or just go ahead and pass on it now.
NOW, I have to say..... This book hit me a little different than it will most, because I’m from Phoenix and I can picture the roads, where he lives, the fucking Safeway! And this is bad guys, because now I have a new mission in life - to find the Aces High MC in Arizona. KA - please tell me this is based on a real MC you have seen here.
Thanks for another wild ride KA!!
*Update - I of course had to listen to the audio and see if like most KA books if its better the 2nd time around and it was.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
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This book is a perfect example of why that question even exists. I will start this review by telling you, this book had me on the edge of that line a couple of times. But in true KA fashion, even though she took me to my absolutely limit..... She did it.... She still made me fall in love with her characters, their story and look past a couple of things that made me not so happy.
Blind faith? KA Magic? Or is it just that this woman has the ability to write a book that makes you feel like you are in that fucking story, sitting on the couch next to her characters, and living through every moment with them. Make you be able to put yourself in an uncomfortable place and have to make a choice that you might not normally make. Look at someone’s action and possibly be able to see how forgiveness can be necessary. And truly make you feel that even though it’s hard, you can feel the regret and know that while it isn’t right what happened, you can’t live without them.
Guys, this is an old school Kristen Ashley MC book. This will bring you back to Tack and Tyra, but with with little difference you are in love with this new story. Motorcycle Man is and will forever be my top KA book (right next to Sweet Dreams), so in the end this did not beat it for me, but it was still an incredible ride. If you are one of those people who hate when authors repeat a storyline/plot, you will get frustrated, because yea, there are a lot of similarities with Motorcycle Man (even down to the tattoo explanations). But I'm among the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" and it didn't bother me at all!
“You stake a claim, you stake it, because you want what you’re claimin’. Then you keep hold, no matter what you gotta do to keep it. I claimed you and I’m keeping hold.”
This book will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions. It will pull at every string you have. It will make you laugh, it will make you cringe, and if you are a crier, you will definitely cry.
At this point, I have no idea where she is going in this series. There are a few side characters I can see having a book, but I’m not 100% sure what is coming for the Aces High MC.
“I wasn’t on shaky ground. I was in the middle of an earthquake.”
I can see it, there are going to be a lot of mixed emotions in review for this one. Mine are definitely there, but in the end even if I didn’t think it was possible I still loved every single minute of this book, especially the ones that tested me. If you pick this book up make sure you take it to the end, make sure you have an open mind and please make sure you are a lover of everything Kristen Ashley Alpha or just go ahead and pass on it now.
NOW, I have to say..... This book hit me a little different than it will most, because I’m from Phoenix and I can picture the roads, where he lives, the fucking Safeway! And this is bad guys, because now I have a new mission in life - to find the Aces High MC in Arizona. KA - please tell me this is based on a real MC you have seen here.
Thanks for another wild ride KA!!
*Update - I of course had to listen to the audio and see if like most KA books if its better the 2nd time around and it was.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
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February 7, 2021
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★Book Basics★
Genre : - Cont. Romance
Series : - 1st in the series
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Would I read more by this author/or in this series? - Yes
Rating - 1
★Review★
I finished this and originally was thinking between an 2.5 and a 3 but after a couple of days have settled on a 1 star.
For starters - this just felt like a poor copy or Motorcycle Man!
The similarities were eerie!
The night they meet involves Tequila. ✔
The Hero has a teen Son and Daughter with his ex wife. ✔
The ex wife is of course a bitch and overly fond of knives. ✔
The hero has a tattoo of an animal that his wife used to call him and is described as that animal whenever he loses his temper. ✔
The Heroine is overly fond of a pencil skirt and heels and gets a job in the office of the hero's business in which she has not a clue about what they actually do. ✔
Heroine has a best friend with an ex who gets them into trouble. ✔
Heroine gets to prove how much of a better mother figure she is to the teen daughter of hero when the teen gets herself into trouble. ✔
Hero and Heroine neatly split up after the night heroine had been epic mother figure as the hero had been a dickhead. ✔
There were too many similarities for it not to be a distraction and for me to actually be able to get into the book.
And where is the connection - they meet, get drunk have sex and that is it - into a relationship with the heroine being claimed by the hero.
Never mind the whole issue when the "Hero" physically hurts the heroine - So he didn't "mean" to but not sure what he thought would happen when he picked her up and threw her aside. Somehow this managed to be the heroine's fault for not reading him and getting out of his way.
I have long thought that unless you are a specific type of woman - (The hair out to there type/Sex kitten librarian type/Faye "quiet" type) then you are bitch ex wife/slut type/drunk/Hanger on who deserves no respect type - yet we have male characters who get redeemed - case in point being the husband of Ava's friend in Rock Chick who attempted to sexually assault/rape her - (lets face it that was that it was) and she was saved by the shop keeper guy - this being the only reason he stopped - yet her friend takes him back, and he is in the "fold" albeit on the outskirts and suffers no consequences. That fella in the Chaos books that beat the shit out of Rosalie is redeemed. Carissa's ex in Ride Steady is redeemed. The MC members in this very book - wh0 are portrayed as good guys, the heroine likes them - they have girlfriends - but they are big cheaters - yet portrayed as decent men other than that - because what? they don't want to live by the rules and if they want a blow job they should be able to get one?
You know - I did finish this going "aw....he redeemed himself" but then I was thinking on it, and actually, I feel manipulated into that. The hero is not a hero - he is a manipulative, gaslighting autocratic knob. The heroine is weak and will take anything as she thinks that is all she is good enough for - and I am not convinced she will not spend the rest of her relationship making sure she gets out of his way when he is mad!
★Book Basics★
Genre : - Cont. Romance
Series : - 1st in the series
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Would I read more by this author/or in this series? - Yes
Rating - 1
★Review★
I finished this and originally was thinking between an 2.5 and a 3 but after a couple of days have settled on a 1 star.
For starters - this just felt like a poor copy or Motorcycle Man!
The similarities were eerie!
The night they meet involves Tequila. ✔
The Hero has a teen Son and Daughter with his ex wife. ✔
The ex wife is of course a bitch and overly fond of knives. ✔
The hero has a tattoo of an animal that his wife used to call him and is described as that animal whenever he loses his temper. ✔
The Heroine is overly fond of a pencil skirt and heels and gets a job in the office of the hero's business in which she has not a clue about what they actually do. ✔
Heroine has a best friend with an ex who gets them into trouble. ✔
Heroine gets to prove how much of a better mother figure she is to the teen daughter of hero when the teen gets herself into trouble. ✔
Hero and Heroine neatly split up after the night heroine had been epic mother figure as the hero had been a dickhead. ✔
There were too many similarities for it not to be a distraction and for me to actually be able to get into the book.
And where is the connection - they meet, get drunk have sex and that is it - into a relationship with the heroine being claimed by the hero.
Never mind the whole issue when the "Hero" physically hurts the heroine - So he didn't "mean" to but not sure what he thought would happen when he picked her up and threw her aside. Somehow this managed to be the heroine's fault for not reading him and getting out of his way.
I have long thought that unless you are a specific type of woman - (The hair out to there type/Sex kitten librarian type/Faye "quiet" type) then you are bitch ex wife/slut type/drunk/Hanger on who deserves no respect type - yet we have male characters who get redeemed - case in point being the husband of Ava's friend in Rock Chick who attempted to sexually assault/rape her - (lets face it that was that it was) and she was saved by the shop keeper guy - this being the only reason he stopped - yet her friend takes him back, and he is in the "fold" albeit on the outskirts and suffers no consequences. That fella in the Chaos books that beat the shit out of Rosalie is redeemed. Carissa's ex in Ride Steady is redeemed. The MC members in this very book - wh0 are portrayed as good guys, the heroine likes them - they have girlfriends - but they are big cheaters - yet portrayed as decent men other than that - because what? they don't want to live by the rules and if they want a blow job they should be able to get one?
You know - I did finish this going "aw....he redeemed himself" but then I was thinking on it, and actually, I feel manipulated into that. The hero is not a hero - he is a manipulative, gaslighting autocratic knob. The heroine is weak and will take anything as she thinks that is all she is good enough for - and I am not convinced she will not spend the rest of her relationship making sure she gets out of his way when he is mad!
February 1, 2021
4 STARS
This was such a great beginning to a new series.It's intense, emotional, and sweet. It has the great amount of drama to keep your interest.This reminds me a lot her old books and this is why I loved it so much!The characters were fantastic, even the secondary.
Buck is the president of a MC Club, he is definitely an alpha male.I loved him , he is definitely a swoon worthy hero.He isn't your typicaly sweet hero but he has a way with Clara that you can't stop yourself from falling in love with him!Clara is kind and sweet.Together they make a great couple.
This was another fantastic read, it has the perfect balance of drama,romance and full of emotions.
This was such a great beginning to a new series.It's intense, emotional, and sweet. It has the great amount of drama to keep your interest.This reminds me a lot her old books and this is why I loved it so much!The characters were fantastic, even the secondary.
Buck is the president of a MC Club, he is definitely an alpha male.I loved him , he is definitely a swoon worthy hero.He isn't your typicaly sweet hero but he has a way with Clara that you can't stop yourself from falling in love with him!Clara is kind and sweet.Together they make a great couple.
This was another fantastic read, it has the perfect balance of drama,romance and full of emotions.
February 2, 2021
NOW LIVE
Amazon US * Amazon UK
First thing first, for people that DNF books I'm going to warn you that you may hit a point in this book that makes you question the characters. But here is my reassurance that you need to push through because by the end you will love Buck and Clara. Really, I think the best way I can describe this book is complex.
The best thing about the story was how intriguing it was. I started this book late and thought I'd just read a few chapters. But nope, like I should have expected from a KA book it captivated me and had me reading the rest of the night until I finished. And even then I wasn't done, I was ready for more and could have read it all over again if I wasn't about to pass out from exhaustion.
Buck and Clara were fun together because of their differences. Clara was down on her luck and not living in the best situation but even then nothing prepared her for for Buck and his MC lifestyle. And Buck was used to women falling all over themselves to get to him, not someone like Clara who was independent and not ready to rely on anyone. It made for some very interesting moments between them and all the tension that came with it was amazing.
Overall, this is a good start to a new series and I'm already looking forward to seeing what else will happen in this world.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon US * Amazon UK
First thing first, for people that DNF books I'm going to warn you that you may hit a point in this book that makes you question the characters. But here is my reassurance that you need to push through because by the end you will love Buck and Clara. Really, I think the best way I can describe this book is complex.
The best thing about the story was how intriguing it was. I started this book late and thought I'd just read a few chapters. But nope, like I should have expected from a KA book it captivated me and had me reading the rest of the night until I finished. And even then I wasn't done, I was ready for more and could have read it all over again if I wasn't about to pass out from exhaustion.
Buck and Clara were fun together because of their differences. Clara was down on her luck and not living in the best situation but even then nothing prepared her for for Buck and his MC lifestyle. And Buck was used to women falling all over themselves to get to him, not someone like Clara who was independent and not ready to rely on anyone. It made for some very interesting moments between them and all the tension that came with it was amazing.
Overall, this is a good start to a new series and I'm already looking forward to seeing what else will happen in this world.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
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