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Big Bull Mechanics #2
Stroker
Is there an easy way to tell your lifelong best friend that you secretly married his brother eight years ago? Asking for a friend…
When Gates shows up needing a place to crash, I offer him my spare room. Whatever happened between us nearly two decades ago is water under the bridge. I don’t lie awake at night wondering what could have been. Nope, definitely not.
But Gates seems determined to get a rise out of me. He’s tie-dyed all my clothes, removed my bedroom door, and replaced my hand soap with lube. I’m not sure if he’s hoping I’ll kick him out or kill him, but he won’t break me that easily.
When he tells me his Stroker Rod is broken… What kind of mechanic am I if I don’t get hands-on with his problem?
We put our feelings behind us a long time ago, and there’s no way I’ll let Gates break my heart again. No amount of fiddling under the hood will fix everything broken between us. From here on out, it’s purely physical. Right?
Yup, just a couple of guys and their stroker rods.
***Stroker is a best friend’s brother, secretly married, super steamy MM romance.
When Gates shows up needing a place to crash, I offer him my spare room. Whatever happened between us nearly two decades ago is water under the bridge. I don’t lie awake at night wondering what could have been. Nope, definitely not.
But Gates seems determined to get a rise out of me. He’s tie-dyed all my clothes, removed my bedroom door, and replaced my hand soap with lube. I’m not sure if he’s hoping I’ll kick him out or kill him, but he won’t break me that easily.
When he tells me his Stroker Rod is broken… What kind of mechanic am I if I don’t get hands-on with his problem?
We put our feelings behind us a long time ago, and there’s no way I’ll let Gates break my heart again. No amount of fiddling under the hood will fix everything broken between us. From here on out, it’s purely physical. Right?
Yup, just a couple of guys and their stroker rods.
***Stroker is a best friend’s brother, secretly married, super steamy MM romance.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 2, 2022
552 people are currently reading
924 people want to read
About the author
K.M. Neuhold
99 books3,272 followersK.M.Neuhold has long since been a romance junkie. When she’s not writing she’s reading or spending time snuggling with her husky or her husband. She fell in love with M/M romance last year and hasn’t been able to turn back. There’s nothing she loves more than love in all its forms.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 357 reviews
September 8, 2022
I wasn't expecting to like this book because Gates drove me up the fucking wall in book 1.
But, shockingly, being in Gates' head was enlightening, and he really grew on me. His ADHD brain makes him restless, unfocused, and easily bored, so he seeks dopamine wherever he can find it: new places, hobbies, jobs.
Almost a decade ago, Gates broke Tallahassee's heart, and Tal is determined to keep Gates at arm's length. And that works ... but not for long.
Tal can't stay mad at Gates, even with all the crazy pranks Gates pulls to get Tal's attention. How can he when Gates calls him "Lassie," drags him camping in the rain, and is trying so hard to fix things.
Plus, Tal comes to understand Gates' insecurities, especially his complex about having only one testicle, following having the other one removed due to cancer. (Frankly, anyone who survives cancer is a damn hero, and any "imperfections" due to treatment are battle scars signifying strength.)
This story is as much about second chances as it is about earning forgiveness.
Neither Tallahassee nor Steele (Gates' long-suffering older brother) believes that Gates can change. Tallahassee comes around, but Steele is harder to convince, so the MCs keep their relationship (past and present) a secret.
The voices of the MCs are distinct, and there's plenty of romance, smexy times, and lighthearted banter to add to the fun.
This book is entirely relationship focused, which suited me just fine.
Thankfully, the author held back on setting up other potential series pairings, which I SO appreciate. Epilogues that don't focus on the couple make me frown hard.
But, shockingly, being in Gates' head was enlightening, and he really grew on me. His ADHD brain makes him restless, unfocused, and easily bored, so he seeks dopamine wherever he can find it: new places, hobbies, jobs.
Almost a decade ago, Gates broke Tallahassee's heart, and Tal is determined to keep Gates at arm's length. And that works ... but not for long.
Tal can't stay mad at Gates, even with all the crazy pranks Gates pulls to get Tal's attention. How can he when Gates calls him "Lassie," drags him camping in the rain, and is trying so hard to fix things.
Plus, Tal comes to understand Gates' insecurities, especially his complex about having only one testicle, following having the other one removed due to cancer. (Frankly, anyone who survives cancer is a damn hero, and any "imperfections" due to treatment are battle scars signifying strength.)
This story is as much about second chances as it is about earning forgiveness.
Neither Tallahassee nor Steele (Gates' long-suffering older brother) believes that Gates can change. Tallahassee comes around, but Steele is harder to convince, so the MCs keep their relationship (past and present) a secret.
The voices of the MCs are distinct, and there's plenty of romance, smexy times, and lighthearted banter to add to the fun.
This book is entirely relationship focused, which suited me just fine.
Thankfully, the author held back on setting up other potential series pairings, which I SO appreciate. Epilogues that don't focus on the couple make me frown hard.
September 8, 2022
Eight years ago, Tallahassee got married with his best friend's younger brother. It was a drunken mistake. There were friends with benefits only. Tallahassee and Gates had no reason to get married in Vegas. None. But they did anyway. And the next day...Gates ran away.
It took Tallahassee years to get over Gates. Now Gates is back in the town. And this time, he plans to stay. Tallahassee is reluctant to trust him with his heart again. And Gates is determined to win back the man he ran away from years ago.
I hate second chance romances. And secretly married? Sounds boring...
But for some unknown reasons, I was really excited to read this book since I caught a glimpse of the synopsis. I enjoyed the first book of the series. It was good but nothing special. "Stroker" though..it blew my mind away. I really really liked Gates and Tallahassee's story. Their chemistry was amazing. I loved the pinning. The humor was perfect. Gates was such a precious character. I was mad at him at first for leaving. But as I started to understand him better, I couldn't help but forgive him. He was so lovable. The romance was swoony. The smut was *chef's kiss*. Overall, I had a very pleasant time reading this book.
The alternative timelines confused me a bit. Other than that, this book was perfect.
It took Tallahassee years to get over Gates. Now Gates is back in the town. And this time, he plans to stay. Tallahassee is reluctant to trust him with his heart again. And Gates is determined to win back the man he ran away from years ago.
I hate second chance romances. And secretly married? Sounds boring...
But for some unknown reasons, I was really excited to read this book since I caught a glimpse of the synopsis. I enjoyed the first book of the series. It was good but nothing special. "Stroker" though..it blew my mind away. I really really liked Gates and Tallahassee's story. Their chemistry was amazing. I loved the pinning. The humor was perfect. Gates was such a precious character. I was mad at him at first for leaving. But as I started to understand him better, I couldn't help but forgive him. He was so lovable. The romance was swoony. The smut was *chef's kiss*. Overall, I had a very pleasant time reading this book.
The alternative timelines confused me a bit. Other than that, this book was perfect.
September 3, 2022
i hate second chance so i only read this because i usually love neuhold’s books so i had to give this a chance.
i’m so happy i did.
stroker is an amazing book. i didn’t like gates very much in book 1 but as soon as i got to know him i fell in love. he’s too precious. the second chance trope made so much sense because they had to go through all of that to finally fall in love forever.
i need riggs’ book right now.
i’m so happy i did.
stroker is an amazing book. i didn’t like gates very much in book 1 but as soon as i got to know him i fell in love. he’s too precious. the second chance trope made so much sense because they had to go through all of that to finally fall in love forever.
i need riggs’ book right now.
September 2, 2022
I KNOW i am just as shocked as you are by this outcome 😊
Gates was more than tolerable in this. in fact, it turns out i had more in common with this "man-child" secretly married to his older brother's best friend for eight years when it came to two major realizations: (1) changing your physical location won't miraculously make you feel settled and happy, and (2) overturning a long-established image of yourself in the eyes of others is both unexpectedly taxing and uncomfortable (though imagine if the 8-year long secret marriage was the mutual point of solidarity 😂).
getting a glimpse into his head re: his ADHD and insecurities post-surgery was valuable in understanding him as a character, and i appreciated that the depiction wasn't overdone in that they diminished or overshadowed the rest of what made Gates him.
this was a real sweet story, and i don't regret giving him a chance at redemption (sorry for doubting you 😭)
Gates was more than tolerable in this. in fact, it turns out i had more in common with this "man-child" secretly married to his older brother's best friend for eight years when it came to two major realizations: (1) changing your physical location won't miraculously make you feel settled and happy, and (2) overturning a long-established image of yourself in the eyes of others is both unexpectedly taxing and uncomfortable (though imagine if the 8-year long secret marriage was the mutual point of solidarity 😂).
getting a glimpse into his head re: his ADHD and insecurities post-surgery was valuable in understanding him as a character, and i appreciated that the depiction wasn't overdone in that they diminished or overshadowed the rest of what made Gates him.
this was a real sweet story, and i don't regret giving him a chance at redemption (sorry for doubting you 😭)
September 2, 2022
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.***
Stroker is the next entry in the Big Bull Mechanics series and is an absolute delight. Gates and Tallahassee have insane chemistry that pairs well with their complicated history, considering they have been married for over 9 years and due to a variety of reasons are only now in each other's lives.
I was so curious about this premise, and how Gates and Tal would find their way back to one another and was not disappointed. Stroker is full of heated moments, witty banter, which is a natural gold-standard from this author and great groveling from Gates.
Another great aspect of this story is the slower pace with the reconciliation of Tal and Gates. Trust had to be rebuilt and Gates does a great job of earning his way back into Tal's heart and with that comes a great second chance romance that I felt was well earned.
Overall Stroker is a great second chance romance that takes its time for both characters and when they finally reconnect the timing and pacing was so perfectly done. Love this series and cannot wait for the next one.
Stroker is the next entry in the Big Bull Mechanics series and is an absolute delight. Gates and Tallahassee have insane chemistry that pairs well with their complicated history, considering they have been married for over 9 years and due to a variety of reasons are only now in each other's lives.
I was so curious about this premise, and how Gates and Tal would find their way back to one another and was not disappointed. Stroker is full of heated moments, witty banter, which is a natural gold-standard from this author and great groveling from Gates.
Another great aspect of this story is the slower pace with the reconciliation of Tal and Gates. Trust had to be rebuilt and Gates does a great job of earning his way back into Tal's heart and with that comes a great second chance romance that I felt was well earned.
Overall Stroker is a great second chance romance that takes its time for both characters and when they finally reconnect the timing and pacing was so perfectly done. Love this series and cannot wait for the next one.
June 6, 2023
Well, as expected, Gates and Tal annoyed me quite a bit. I didn't expect anything else, so I was a little afraid to read the book. Puuuh, but then what makes the book very good by my reckoning ... I didn't put it down and pick up another one, as I so often do when a passage drives me mad.
So it is a good story with the proven good writing style of K.M. Neuhold. Fluffy with a bit of spice and a few good laughs.
Okay, I’m going to sit down and do some work in five, four, three, two, one… Nope, still not working. Fuck. 🤣😂🤣
It’s just a kiss, but it feels like so much more. It feels like something I’ll never be able to come back from, and I don’t think I want to. 😍😍😍
So much for the good part, and I'm really sorry about that, but I'm missing some crucial parts to Gates' character.
His condition is only briefly mentioned and I'm supposed to be satisfied with that, otherwise his behavior is flushed down as weird ... I'm not a fan to put it mildly. Of course, in a book that is obviously aimed at light entertainment, you don't have to go into depth about mental "issues", but you can make sure that the reader develops a better understanding of the character. Someone who knows little and reads about ADHD for the first time thinks that people with this diagnosis are just as flippant and not to be taken seriously as Gates. Not good ...
And I don't even want to talk about how his brother treats him .... Crap I'm starting to find the book worse and worse in retrospect. Sorry ...
So it is a good story with the proven good writing style of K.M. Neuhold. Fluffy with a bit of spice and a few good laughs.
Okay, I’m going to sit down and do some work in five, four, three, two, one… Nope, still not working. Fuck. 🤣😂🤣
It’s just a kiss, but it feels like so much more. It feels like something I’ll never be able to come back from, and I don’t think I want to. 😍😍😍
So much for the good part, and I'm really sorry about that, but I'm missing some crucial parts to Gates' character.
His condition is only briefly mentioned and I'm supposed to be satisfied with that, otherwise his behavior is flushed down as weird ... I'm not a fan to put it mildly. Of course, in a book that is obviously aimed at light entertainment, you don't have to go into depth about mental "issues", but you can make sure that the reader develops a better understanding of the character. Someone who knows little and reads about ADHD for the first time thinks that people with this diagnosis are just as flippant and not to be taken seriously as Gates. Not good ...
And I don't even want to talk about how his brother treats him .... Crap I'm starting to find the book worse and worse in retrospect. Sorry ...
November 3, 2022
This was incredibly sweet. Definitely sweeter and less angsty than I expected after meeting Gates and learning about all the ways he drove Tallahassee bonkers in Crankshaft. Like most other readers, I was not a fan of Gates in the first book, but I really liked him in this one. If anything, I enjoyed his POV more than I did Tallahassee's because, even though he had a lot of trust to build and issues to work through, he had this optimistic aura about him that was contagious and I caught myself smiling along with him several times. Tallahassee was a super solid guy who just kind of went through his days the way most of us do - lather, rinse, repeat. I loved the way he adjusted to the way Gates' mind and attention span worked. He never made Gates feel bad about his fleeting interests or how easily he was distracted. He just didn't want to be another thing that Gates found himself bored with. The way he gently handled Gates' insecurities after his surgery warmed my heart. But let's be real, the star of the show was Nigel.
I loved all of the dates and adventures that Tal and Gates went on and the times spent with all of the other Bulls and Bears. I have always appreciated the way this author writes about friendships and found families. This group keeps getting bigger and bigger and the names get even more confusing with each new addition, but I love reading about all of these gruff, blue collar men finding their forever people. I was hoping that Riggs would be next in line for a book, but I'm definitely intrigued by Red and his "straight" friend. I'm glad I remembered this book while on my murder mystery hiatus. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it if you're looking for a sweet, steamy second chance romance.
I loved all of the dates and adventures that Tal and Gates went on and the times spent with all of the other Bulls and Bears. I have always appreciated the way this author writes about friendships and found families. This group keeps getting bigger and bigger and the names get even more confusing with each new addition, but I love reading about all of these gruff, blue collar men finding their forever people. I was hoping that Riggs would be next in line for a book, but I'm definitely intrigued by Red and his "straight" friend. I'm glad I remembered this book while on my murder mystery hiatus. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it if you're looking for a sweet, steamy second chance romance.
dnf-or-hated
September 14, 2022DNF - once I started skipping chapters to try to get through this it was obviously unfair to rate this. Let's just say this didn't do it for me. Obviously, your mileage may vary.
September 4, 2022
This was ok, I liked it but didn't love it unfortunately. It was a quick and pleasant read. It has two main tropes: second chance and brother's best friend. On the second chance aspect , I really liked that Gate had to prove he had changed and grovel. But some things were missing: why reconnect now? During the 8 years they are apart, did they keep in touch at all? They don't really reconnect on page so the answer is probably yes but it would have been nice to know more. A lot of the relationship development rests on the fact that they've been in love for like 10 years but I didn't really get why or feel it. I really enjoyed how Tal supported Gates and I believed in their relationship even though something was missing.
The brother's best friend angle : for this trope, personally, I like to see that the best friends are best friend and to get a sense of why the brother is the partner and not the best friend. That was kind of missing here. We don't really see Tal and Steele being best friend, we saw it a bit in the previous book but not really here. I also didn't really get why Tal chose Gates and not Steele. The difference in the 2 relationship was not developed enough for me but I guess that's a personal preference.
Gate was well developed as a character even though he was a bit inconsistent for me. Why is he changing now? Tal was not developed enough for me.
The brother's best friend angle : for this trope, personally, I like to see that the best friends are best friend and to get a sense of why the brother is the partner and not the best friend. That was kind of missing here. We don't really see Tal and Steele being best friend, we saw it a bit in the previous book but not really here. I also didn't really get why Tal chose Gates and not Steele. The difference in the 2 relationship was not developed enough for me but I guess that's a personal preference.
Gate was well developed as a character even though he was a bit inconsistent for me. Why is he changing now? Tal was not developed enough for me.
September 28, 2022
This was good! Not sure why I love secret relationships so much but I just do
September 8, 2022
3.5 rounded down
I enjoyed this one a lot more than I expected. I found Gates a bit frustrating in the first book, and I'm honestly SO fucking over second chance romances--I don't know anybody IRL where the second chance worked any better than the first and I really wish every other book wasn't a getting back together storyline...
ANYWAY
Overall I thought this was sweet, and I appreciated getting more insight into Gate's head. I did feel a bit frustrated by the way everybody seemed to treat his free-spirit, wanderer personality as some kind of massive moral deficit--I don't think the author did a good job showing the actual bad behavior with this as it really felt like everybody was just pissed at Gates because he didn't live at home his whole life, which is super unreasonable tbh. I also found the weird pranks to be stupid and nonsensical. And, ofc, there were a number of weird scenes that added absolutely nothing to this book and were clearly designed to introduce characters/pairings for future books--this author is REALLY bad at doing this in a way that feels organic to the story, and it gets annoying.
Still, I *did* mostly enjoy this, and certainly more than I'd anticipated.
I enjoyed this one a lot more than I expected. I found Gates a bit frustrating in the first book, and I'm honestly SO fucking over second chance romances--I don't know anybody IRL where the second chance worked any better than the first and I really wish every other book wasn't a getting back together storyline...
ANYWAY
Overall I thought this was sweet, and I appreciated getting more insight into Gate's head. I did feel a bit frustrated by the way everybody seemed to treat his free-spirit, wanderer personality as some kind of massive moral deficit--I don't think the author did a good job showing the actual bad behavior with this as it really felt like everybody was just pissed at Gates because he didn't live at home his whole life, which is super unreasonable tbh. I also found the weird pranks to be stupid and nonsensical. And, ofc, there were a number of weird scenes that added absolutely nothing to this book and were clearly designed to introduce characters/pairings for future books--this author is REALLY bad at doing this in a way that feels organic to the story, and it gets annoying.
Still, I *did* mostly enjoy this, and certainly more than I'd anticipated.
September 5, 2022
Loved Gates which was as a huge surprise considering how annoyed I was with him in the 1st book. He was endearing and fun and his struggles felt genuine. Loved Tallahassee and the way he loved and accepted all parts of Gates.
August 24, 2022
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
Stroker is the second stand alone in the Big Bull Mechanic series by K.M. Neuhold. An MM romance between Gates and his older brother's best friend Tallahassee which includes a secret wedding and second chances.
Is there an easy way to tell your lifelong best friend that you secretly married his brother eight years ago? Asking for a friend...
Gates is a free spirit whose always looking for a place that feels right to put down roots. Along the way he fell for his brother's best friend Tallahassee, but never felt good enough for him. Eight years ago Tallahassee thought he could convince Gates to marry him, then it would keep him from constantly traveling away from him. Unfortunately, saying I do didn't change him. It's been nine years and after a medical scare, Gates' has found himself back home, and he realizes that this is where he's ment to be all along. Will being roommates with Tallahassee allow him to fix the relationship he ran away from and prove he wants to stay and build a future. But their past relationship and marriage is still a secret, and Tallahassee has to decide if he's ready to put his heart on the line again.
It's just a kiss, but it feels like so much more. It feels like something I'll never be able to come back from, and I don't think I want to.
Gates is a full of life character with his immaturity, pranks and urge to explore. He lacks communication skills and reverts to childlike behaviors to get reactions out of Tallahassee. He had his work cut out for him trying to prove to Tallahassee and his brother that he's matured and his ready to settle down. His insecurities and honest hopefulness made him endearing. Tallahassee is a big softie, and he has his wall up from Gates hurting him in the past, but he can't help but instinctively want to support him. They have a little slow burn to their romance because of his hesitation to trust Gates' claims of sticking around. Eventually they give in to their sexual tension and the intimacy is full of emotion from finally reconnecting and from fear of losing each other again. Gates' insecurities in the bedroom from his surgery hurt my heart, and the scene where Tallahassee helps him overcome them was perfect.
"I'm so unbelievably , stupidly, forever in love with you," I whisper again in between warm, wet presses of my mouth.
I seriously love the little book world K.M. Neuhold has created. It's the best seeing characters from the Four Bears Construction series alongside this new cast of rowdy mechanics. Stroker is a fun romance between middle-aged MCs filled with laughs, steam, one tent, a foul-mouthed parrot, laser tag, friendships and a fought for second chance.
Stroker is the second stand alone in the Big Bull Mechanic series by K.M. Neuhold. An MM romance between Gates and his older brother's best friend Tallahassee which includes a secret wedding and second chances.
Is there an easy way to tell your lifelong best friend that you secretly married his brother eight years ago? Asking for a friend...
Gates is a free spirit whose always looking for a place that feels right to put down roots. Along the way he fell for his brother's best friend Tallahassee, but never felt good enough for him. Eight years ago Tallahassee thought he could convince Gates to marry him, then it would keep him from constantly traveling away from him. Unfortunately, saying I do didn't change him. It's been nine years and after a medical scare, Gates' has found himself back home, and he realizes that this is where he's ment to be all along. Will being roommates with Tallahassee allow him to fix the relationship he ran away from and prove he wants to stay and build a future. But their past relationship and marriage is still a secret, and Tallahassee has to decide if he's ready to put his heart on the line again.
It's just a kiss, but it feels like so much more. It feels like something I'll never be able to come back from, and I don't think I want to.
Gates is a full of life character with his immaturity, pranks and urge to explore. He lacks communication skills and reverts to childlike behaviors to get reactions out of Tallahassee. He had his work cut out for him trying to prove to Tallahassee and his brother that he's matured and his ready to settle down. His insecurities and honest hopefulness made him endearing. Tallahassee is a big softie, and he has his wall up from Gates hurting him in the past, but he can't help but instinctively want to support him. They have a little slow burn to their romance because of his hesitation to trust Gates' claims of sticking around. Eventually they give in to their sexual tension and the intimacy is full of emotion from finally reconnecting and from fear of losing each other again. Gates' insecurities in the bedroom from his surgery hurt my heart, and the scene where Tallahassee helps him overcome them was perfect.
"I'm so unbelievably , stupidly, forever in love with you," I whisper again in between warm, wet presses of my mouth.
I seriously love the little book world K.M. Neuhold has created. It's the best seeing characters from the Four Bears Construction series alongside this new cast of rowdy mechanics. Stroker is a fun romance between middle-aged MCs filled with laughs, steam, one tent, a foul-mouthed parrot, laser tag, friendships and a fought for second chance.
September 6, 2022
Oh Gates, the misunderstood nomad with ADHD and wings that just needed to fly.. he needed to move, he needed experiences, he wanted to try every damn job and find his meaning.. unfortunately he failed in finding what was right every time. And every time his big brother Steele bailed him out and asked him one thing in return.. Don’t under any circumstances fuck around with any of my friends!
Butttt, Gates kinda married his big brothers best friend Tallahassee 9 years prior and then fled town leaving Lassie with a secretly broken heart and both men kind of lost.
This is their second chance, their time to build trust and have faith that just maybe everything Gates has been searching for was right back where he started all along 🥹
I love the big bull mechanic boys, the found family vibes are epic and I LOVE the banter every time they all get together.
Oh and this one has a very filthy mouthed parrot that will leave you in stitches every time the damn thing speaks 😂
Butttt, Gates kinda married his big brothers best friend Tallahassee 9 years prior and then fled town leaving Lassie with a secretly broken heart and both men kind of lost.
This is their second chance, their time to build trust and have faith that just maybe everything Gates has been searching for was right back where he started all along 🥹
I love the big bull mechanic boys, the found family vibes are epic and I LOVE the banter every time they all get together.
Oh and this one has a very filthy mouthed parrot that will leave you in stitches every time the damn thing speaks 😂
July 19, 2023
I liked this book much better than the first one. The prank thing was a little ridiculous and cringey but the reason behind it wasn't and Gates and Lassie had a great chemistry on page, so this was a win in my book
September 2, 2022
Really liked Tal and Gates but I wish there'd been more of them together where they weren't hiding!
Also, always love a Stone and Dare cameo 😂
Also, always love a Stone and Dare cameo 😂
September 21, 2022
K.M. Neuhold does not always work for me but I am very glad this book did. The MCs are a cute couple and I am happy for their HEA
January 14, 2024
November 2022: I love these books so much. Do they have the same set-up? Absolutely, but each one is different and the characters feel like family. KM Neuhold has created a “world” full of sexy men who Id drop my husband for… (Sorry, Babe!)
Tallahassee and Gates have been secretly married for 8 years. What happened as a spur of the moment prank turned into almost a decade of lying to Steele and hiding it from their friends. They aren’t together, but they aren’t not together? It’s a weird medium place where they could be something if only they wanted to.
When Gates moves back into town, he shows up at Tallahassee’s place and begins to torment him. It feels like a 2nd grader pulling on the hair of the kid in front of him. You know he wants to f**k him…. And so they do. They get it on like bunnies. And I ain’t mad at it one bit!!!
January 2024: I loved the Four Bears Contruction series and was so sad when it ended. Lucky for me (and all of us) KM Neuhold had a plan in place for a spin-off series with characters we had already met. And what’s almost hotter than sexy construction workers? Sexy mechanics!!!!
I wanted to reread the first two books (which I’d read in 2022), so that I can get caught up in the series. I haven’t gotten past here, so now it’ll all be new to me and I can’t wait!!!!!
This read of Stroker was even better than my first. I caught a lot more of the banter and the fun, as well as the smut😱🤤🫠. I knew the story already, so I could really sink my teeth into the intricacies of their relationship.
I love that in every book we get an animal sidekick. For this book, it was a foul mouth bird, but every single one is different. As an animal person, it makes me really happy to see which pet (or animal is saved or found) I’m going to read about in each book.
I can’t wait to get to the 3rd book and see who I get to meet next.
Tallahassee and Gates have been secretly married for 8 years. What happened as a spur of the moment prank turned into almost a decade of lying to Steele and hiding it from their friends. They aren’t together, but they aren’t not together? It’s a weird medium place where they could be something if only they wanted to.
When Gates moves back into town, he shows up at Tallahassee’s place and begins to torment him. It feels like a 2nd grader pulling on the hair of the kid in front of him. You know he wants to f**k him…. And so they do. They get it on like bunnies. And I ain’t mad at it one bit!!!
January 2024: I loved the Four Bears Contruction series and was so sad when it ended. Lucky for me (and all of us) KM Neuhold had a plan in place for a spin-off series with characters we had already met. And what’s almost hotter than sexy construction workers? Sexy mechanics!!!!
I wanted to reread the first two books (which I’d read in 2022), so that I can get caught up in the series. I haven’t gotten past here, so now it’ll all be new to me and I can’t wait!!!!!
This read of Stroker was even better than my first. I caught a lot more of the banter and the fun, as well as the smut😱🤤🫠. I knew the story already, so I could really sink my teeth into the intricacies of their relationship.
I love that in every book we get an animal sidekick. For this book, it was a foul mouth bird, but every single one is different. As an animal person, it makes me really happy to see which pet (or animal is saved or found) I’m going to read about in each book.
I can’t wait to get to the 3rd book and see who I get to meet next.
August 26, 2022
I loved reading about two MCs in their fourties. We get to experience all their quirks, the good and the bad of each one of them.
As always, Ms Neuhold can bring us funny moments, sexy times, all the feels. She showed us glimpse of a person with ADHD, and it was effin amazing living in that mind a bit. I really am in awe of how she present it.
The way Gates starts to realize his mistakes and make amends... I wanted to hug him in almost every scene. And Tal... His acceptance, his strength, his insecurities, oh boy, he needed hugs too!
I'm super thrilled they found their HEA. It is one of the most deserved HEA recently.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
As always, Ms Neuhold can bring us funny moments, sexy times, all the feels. She showed us glimpse of a person with ADHD, and it was effin amazing living in that mind a bit. I really am in awe of how she present it.
The way Gates starts to realize his mistakes and make amends... I wanted to hug him in almost every scene. And Tal... His acceptance, his strength, his insecurities, oh boy, he needed hugs too!
I'm super thrilled they found their HEA. It is one of the most deserved HEA recently.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
did-not-finish
October 10, 2022DNF @ 20%
I'm really not liking Gates and this is affecting my motivation to read STROKER. I didn't enjoy him in book 1 so I was already hesitant about this one but wanted to give it a try anyway. But Gates is too immature, especially for a 40 year old, and his pranks are more mean than funny. I get that some people are not great with their words and don't know how to express their feelings but this is giving serious grade school pulling on the hair of the kid you like vibes and I hate that.
Content Warning: recent surgery for testicular cancer, minor erectile dysfunction
I'm really not liking Gates and this is affecting my motivation to read STROKER. I didn't enjoy him in book 1 so I was already hesitant about this one but wanted to give it a try anyway. But Gates is too immature, especially for a 40 year old, and his pranks are more mean than funny. I get that some people are not great with their words and don't know how to express their feelings but this is giving serious grade school pulling on the hair of the kid you like vibes and I hate that.
Content Warning: recent surgery for testicular cancer, minor erectile dysfunction
August 29, 2024
No clue what happened to my original review but given the rating, I must have loved it!
August 28, 2022
Tallahassee: strong, caring, and a bit of a romantic who has been secretly in love with his best friend's brother for years.
Gates: an impetuous man child who has put his whims and desires above all else, including the people who care about him. Especially his brother and Tallahasse, the man he married, then walked out on 6hrs later.
For the past 20 years, Gates has been flitting in and out of their lives, showing up unexpectedly, needing help, then disappearing without a goodbye. When he shows up this time, it’s no surprise people don’t believe he’ll stick around. Especially Tal. But after months of living as roommates, it’s becoming harder and harder to keep the wall up and deny their feelings for each other.
This is a slow-burn second chance between one very patient guy and another who can’t sit still. Written in KM’s usual fun, sexy style, complete with a host of quirky colleagues/friends, it’s always a good time.
Gates: an impetuous man child who has put his whims and desires above all else, including the people who care about him. Especially his brother and Tallahasse, the man he married, then walked out on 6hrs later.
For the past 20 years, Gates has been flitting in and out of their lives, showing up unexpectedly, needing help, then disappearing without a goodbye. When he shows up this time, it’s no surprise people don’t believe he’ll stick around. Especially Tal. But after months of living as roommates, it’s becoming harder and harder to keep the wall up and deny their feelings for each other.
This is a slow-burn second chance between one very patient guy and another who can’t sit still. Written in KM’s usual fun, sexy style, complete with a host of quirky colleagues/friends, it’s always a good time.
September 7, 2022
Stroker was simply fantastic!! Gates and Tallahassee have fantastically, insane chemistry! The eight year marriage twist was great. I loved their banter and steam! Loved, loved, loved Gates and Tal sooo freakin much! I didn’t have a love of Gates in the first book but fell in love with him in Stroker. Overall, a fantastic second chance romance, well written with pacing that grabbed me and didn’t let go.
September 4, 2022
Didn't like gates that much in the first book, but completely loved him in this one. for some reason, the timeline of their relationship confused me at first but as the story progressed, I fell in love with the whole plot and even more wholesome characters!
Can't wait for the next book in this series❤️
Can't wait for the next book in this series❤️
August 21, 2023
At first I hated Gates.
Then I started to accept Gates.
At the end of the book I was channeling my inner Gates.
Then I started to accept Gates.
At the end of the book I was channeling my inner Gates.
August 27, 2022
This series is a damn delight. It’s funny, it’s charming, it’s hot. I love romances with large groups of friends and found family, and that’s definitely a big part of this series.
Gates and Tallahassee SECRETLY MARRIED for EIGHT YEARS lololol the best premise for these two ever
*slams book down* MORE PLEASE
Gates and Tallahassee SECRETLY MARRIED for EIGHT YEARS lololol the best premise for these two ever
*slams book down* MORE PLEASE
September 22, 2022
⭐ 5 Stars ⭐
Sweet and completely adorable 🥰 I loved the first book and this one was just as good!
~~ RTC~~
Sweet and completely adorable 🥰 I loved the first book and this one was just as good!
~~ RTC~~
September 10, 2022
Loved it
What a good book.. And always like books in a series.. Seeing all the other chapters come alive again....and you have the love Smexy times and a HEA
What a good book.. And always like books in a series.. Seeing all the other chapters come alive again....and you have the love Smexy times and a HEA
August 22, 2022
"I'm just a hell of a lot better at hellos than goodbyes."
Well ain't that the truth! When it comes to Gates, Steeles wayward brother, the man tends to beat feet without a trace. Traveling the country for new experiences is all well and good, but not when you leave the people you love behind to worry. Unfortunately, that's Gates MO. He calls Steele when he's in trouble and then dissappears again a short while later. It's this trait that causes the most angst (which is minimal) in the book between not only Gates and Tallahassee, but also with his brother. It's hard for them to believe Gates is planning to stick around, when the past has taught them different.
I LOVED Gates and Tal together. They are pretty opposite in a lot of ways, but the two balance each other out. Gates brings fun back into Tal's life, while Tal acts as Gates' rock. It's obvious both have never truly let the other go. The timing just needed to he right. Gates needed to wander. He needed to grow. And Tal had to let him, even if it broke his heart in the process. All that exploring proved to Gates exactly what Tal knew all along. That no matter how far he traveled, his heart would always stay behind with Tal.
"He's mine...I finally found home. It just turns out it's a person instead of a place."
Of course there are plenty of shenanigans with the Bulls. We even have a new mechanic and OMg Riggs is freaking epic. I think he might be my new favorite! Honestly all the boys are so much fun and I can't wait for the next one in the series!!!
Well ain't that the truth! When it comes to Gates, Steeles wayward brother, the man tends to beat feet without a trace. Traveling the country for new experiences is all well and good, but not when you leave the people you love behind to worry. Unfortunately, that's Gates MO. He calls Steele when he's in trouble and then dissappears again a short while later. It's this trait that causes the most angst (which is minimal) in the book between not only Gates and Tallahassee, but also with his brother. It's hard for them to believe Gates is planning to stick around, when the past has taught them different.
I LOVED Gates and Tal together. They are pretty opposite in a lot of ways, but the two balance each other out. Gates brings fun back into Tal's life, while Tal acts as Gates' rock. It's obvious both have never truly let the other go. The timing just needed to he right. Gates needed to wander. He needed to grow. And Tal had to let him, even if it broke his heart in the process. All that exploring proved to Gates exactly what Tal knew all along. That no matter how far he traveled, his heart would always stay behind with Tal.
"He's mine...I finally found home. It just turns out it's a person instead of a place."
Of course there are plenty of shenanigans with the Bulls. We even have a new mechanic and OMg Riggs is freaking epic. I think he might be my new favorite! Honestly all the boys are so much fun and I can't wait for the next one in the series!!!
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