Distilled essence of Kristen Ashley, chin lifting and all.
936724
This is distilled essence of Kristen Ashley.

The hero is a handsome, slightly bitter but caring alpha male that is great at sex, and the heroine is a quirky, feminine girly girl that has great shoes, big hair and is waaaayyyyy more understanding about men's frailties than I would ever be.

That said, I loved Izzy. I loved her shabby chic style; her joy in getting a really great bargain, her love of animals, her insecurities (given her backstory they were relatively realistic rather than annoying), and her devotion to the people she loved.

True wove?
A question that seems to pop up is the hero really in love with the heroine?

YES!

I HATED the other woman. She and the H were THE couple, and not only does she leave him to go on the lam with her brother, but she steals his dog! There is no coming back from that. Not to mention

Like so many of KAs egotistical OWs she wants to come back and pick up where she left off. The H wants none of it, nor does his extended family, and they let her know it. The OW may have been his hot, first-off-the-press love, but I bought his love and protection of Izzy in spades.

Second love:
Only only one man can express it best: Hercule Poirot in Sad Cypress.

In Sad Cypress, the accused murderess has been in love with a family friend for years and they are to marry. His eye strays to another woman who is murdered. The h is accused of the murder. Hercule Poirot and a besotted country doctor work to get her off.

At the end of the book after she is vindicated and moves to the country doctor rather than her old fiancee, the country doctor laments to HP that she will always love the first fiancee. Hercule Poirot tells him,
But mon ami, with you she can be happy.

I may have paraphrased, but not by much.
Words to live by.
2413073
Kristen Ashley did not disappoint with this one.  You just have to read and re-read all of her books.  Just can't get enough.
4887193
Kristen Ashley has done it again.  She made me laugh and cry with this book. She just keeps giving better and better stories. Thanks and I can't wait for the next and the next and the next....
283552
Absolutely stunning and loveable as is every Kristen album! Kristen's amazing talent shows once again that she can perform all kinds of music and in any setting. Her unique and one-of-a-kind voice is pure pleasure. Her voice is so beautiful that, even though I'm gay and have a partner, I would totally marry her!! :)
1205251
Obsessed. Yep, that would be the perfect word to describe how I feel about Kristen Ashley and seeing as Ive been on a KA book binge lately, all of which were inhaled and loved, I had absolutely zero doubt about how much I would love Ride Steady too. And in true Kristen Ashley form, she has once again left me dumbfounded. I keep asking myself each and every single time I finish one of her books, how can she ever do no wrong?! This author somehow writes the absolute best love stories about the most unconventional characters and scenarios where readers like myself are left wishing that they too could somehow, in some way experience even just a hint of that unconventional. It leaves us wishing this because Kristen Ashley writes in such a way that puts blinders around us; completely lost in her words until there are no more to read.

Ride Steady is no exception. The 3rd book in her highly addictive Chaos series this one left me smiling from ear to ear. I felt like Kristen took Carson Joker Steeles and Carissa Teodoros story in another direction compared to her other books. This was sweet and steady. I was cruising along, falling in love page after page. What is so wonderful about KAs books is that her characters come from dark places, experiencing gut punching losses and hurts but satisfyingly breaking through those barriers coming out of it with the best stories of redemption ever. Thats what makes this author so special. Carson and Carissa are no different. I heated over the SOB that raised him who never deserved such a one of a kind son. Over and over again, I wanted to reach into the digital pages of my Kindle and just hold Carson, save him from such a painful life. With an unimaginably decrepit home life, it is Carrisa Teodoro who becomes Carsons lifes goal. A cheerleader and the homecoming queen with honey ringlets she is sweet and real. I love that she wasn't blinded by the popularity that surrounded her it really shows you that she was just a genuinely good person who secretly wished that Carson Steele wanted her because she was just as smitten with him as he was unbeknownst to her. I loved that she had her own insecurities but was honest enough to admit to them without letting it weigh her down. A klutz and goofball that had me snickering away. She is by far, the most relatable character Ive had the pleasure to meet.

She was golden. Nothing beat her. She smiled through pain and made you believe it.

The love story that unfolds between Carson and Carissa was nothing short of romantic. They defied against their unfortunate pasts and came together even years a part. Years that molded them into completely different people but who still managed to never lose sight of how they secretly felt for one another. Unlike most other KA books, the hottie tottie scenes in Ride Steady were more subdued though just as intense and meaningful. They gave one another the very best that each could for the other. Carson and Carissa were a perfect harmony. His love for her and her son Travis so damn swoon worthy. Carson Steele will steal your heart and ride away with it on the back of his bike.

He wasn't amazing. He was flawless. He was every womans computer wall paper. He was three-story tall billboard ads. He was dazzling.

If you are as obsessed with Kristen Ashley and all her past works Ride Steady is an extra special treat not only because you're gifted with a new set of sensational characters but because this book is a full fledge reunion!!! We are talking the entire Chaos fam, Knight, Nightingale, Hawk, Indy, and the whole crew!!! It was AMAZEBALLS to see everyone. OMG, I about died every time we got a Tack POV (Goodness I love that motorcycle man!!!)

Ride Steady is a MUST read and you MUST pick it up today. Carson Steele will have you loving your weekend so much more.
3772217
In a world without predominate social prejudice, "Ammara Siripong" would be a multi-millionaire Hollywood International Box Office Star. Easy to speculate when this young Girl/Woman continously posts "Bruce Lee" like moves, cunning, and screen presence, and pulling all of this off playing a young Austistic Girl!

I sat down to stream a generic "B-Movie" with some notes of Martial Arts, and what I got was a cleverly designed plot-line; simple, easy to follow, slight Human Interest story, chocked--Chocolate--full of nuts corny, and loads and loads of extremely well choreographed Martial Arts fight scenes, virtually all with young "Ammara Siripong" getting hit, and flailing away. And she is excitingly good! Matter-of-fact, great, considering she was actually getting hurt, and performing while several guys got carted off to the hospital. A DVD may yield a better over-all picture, but honestly who cares? The young Woman's complete performance is magnificent... Check it out for yourself.  --GBJ
3655744
"Titanium is one of the strongest metals there is. it's unbreakable. You are unbreakable, Kat."

When everything looks likes things are going to go great, then reality just jumps in an messes everything up. Well that is what happens to Kat. Wanting to get out of her small town and off to college, Kat and her friend Conner have everything planned out. Until tragedy strikes and Kat is left a shell of what she use to be.

Fast forward a few years and Kat has developed into a career woman but something still isn't right. Deciding on taking up boxing, Kat tries to gain control of her life and put past events behind her. With a colorful cast of friends, Can Kat get over her hang ups? Or will they break her?

Some secrets will be reveled and intentions may not be what they seem, But can Kat come out on the other side?

This was a great book, where the main character was a quick whited, foul mouthed heroine who never lets her guard down. And lets just say who doesn't like a hero who can't no for a answer. Well done Ms. Jameson, Well Done!
2021202
I remember when the show was on and a few friends of mine raved. I kept thinking, it cannot be that good.

But then, I binged on it and when the movie came out, made that a birthday present for me. So, when I saw the book, especially audible with Kristen Bell, I just had to listen.

While it is not a literary masterpiece (there were some places that needed a bit of editing), it is a worthwhile listen for the fans.
The die-hard fans will lap this up, ignoring passive voice and the expectation of first person, especially in some scenes.

The mystery is nicely paced. Even when you think youve got it, there is still a bit more you need to know. The story even has a few surprises unrelated to the main plot line.

The audible version is completely worth it, although the next book has a different narrator. Having heard a sample, it really is disappointing not to hear Kristens voice, and I think when the time comes, Ill stick to the print.

If you're a fan, you should definitely listen to this one.
3267169
Anything that Kristen Ashley writes is great! Love them all.
559407
An easy read and empowering text. Ashley's voice and personality shines throughout the book. A great read for anyone who is interested in her body-positive message.
3224819
The movie moves that I did not expect.  Deepika's Maybellene replace is beautiful and did a great job.  I hope we see more of her.  Saif in a bra is quite a site!
3870408
Trish Ryder and Boone Stryker have it all: looks, talent, accolades and fame.  Acting has always been Trishs focus, and shes well loved by public and the industry alike.  A new film that has Oscar written all over it is her chance to stretch her skills.  If only her co-star would act like he cared about something other than himself.

Boone Stryker has attained rock-god status as the lead singer/songwriter of the hottest band around. His PR files are full of parties, women, good times and music.  On the set, after he shows up late however, hes wooden and surly.  When the director issues an ultimatum and sends the two off to the isolated house to be used as a set in the movie with the intention that Trish will run her own actors studio with Boone, the story takes flight.

I loved the growth of the relationship between these two  their attraction sparked off the pages, and when Boone finally realized that Trish was coming through the door he placed between himself and the world. Slowly she is able to see beyond his carefully crafted PR persona, and he starts to share moments. An acting exercise to make him feel the anger, frustration, helplessness and grief from a childhood friends overdose brings him to the realization that she won't walk away, or offer ridiculous platitudes.

Theres plenty to love in this story  their relationship, despite all of the potential pitfalls, never really hits a moment of tension that would have brought some of the necessary angst to the story. With a friend disappearing into his addiction, his mother ill and a younger brother who acts out and dances on the line of legal, were told that Boone has plenty on his plate. But shutting down and closing out seem to be his fallback position. And while Trish does push him, the expectations of conflict, that moment where I thought something BIG would happen and didnt, left me wondering about the lost potential. Sure, the story is engaging, and both Boones and Trishs family are adorable and supportive, if the Ryders are a bit invasive. While I personally believe in that kismet that mean two are meant for one another, and Boone and Trish are the poster children of soul mate, the story stayed lighter than one would expect with the issues of addiction and fame, and the need to worry about image and PR.  Its still a fun and lighter than expected story with a wonderful Cinderella-style ending that is everything a romance reader could want.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
51632
Shhhh. Kristen Ashley (KA) is the author that is my dirty secret guilty pleasure. Ive said this before and Ill say it again, I shouldnt like her books. The dialogue is sometimes ridiculous with clipped sentences, silly alpha gruffness and pet names. Often she includes extra character details of side characters that aren't necessary (more with The Burg series than her others) and she likes to describe clothes and setting BUTI love her stories. KAs blend of romance with uber alphas has this balance of angst, sweetness, drama and decent plots that I always get dragged in and I love it.

Raid is no different once I started I didn't want to stop until the end. Hannah is a cute small town girl that takes care of her grandmother and has had a crush on the same boy most of her life. Raid is ex-Military and really has no clue that Hannah existed. Hes dated some wild girls but never fathomed settling down until he met her. He has a dangerous not so legal job and a past to deal with, but once he sets his sights on the good girl next door there is no stopping him.

***Im tellin you, Hanna, you be careful. You go forward cautious. Hard to guard your heart from a man like that wholl do nothing and everything to win it in a way youll want him to own it forever. But mind this, child. Raiden Miller doesnt find a way to beat back the danger lurking within, hell go down and hell take you down right along with the blaze of hellfire hes got burning inside, he battles that and wins, you will know nothing for the rest of your life, no taste, no experience, not even the birth of your children that will be sweeter than the love hell have for you.***

Everything between them is more intense than Hannah ever thought it could be. But to keep him she will have to find a way to help him heal the hole he has inside him and learn how to stand tall against him when she pushes the walls he has built up around himself.

Hannah is easily likable and the relationship she has with her great-grandmother was so adorable. I always like the family relationships that KA includes in her stories. She likes to write about places with a small town feel to them where everyone knows everyone else and it is a place you would love to visit. Raid, well while for the most part I liked him he had some crap to work through and could be dick from time to time. But you never question what he feels for Hannah and how much he wants to be a good man for her and protect her.

The unfinished hero series isn't my favorite of the KA series but it is a good shorter fix in-between some of her longer books like those of The Burg or Fantasyland series and sometimes a girl just needs her KA fix.
1227583
For me, there's nothing better than curling up with a Kristen Ashley book, and Raid did not disappoint. After being recently engulfed with the Dream Man and Chaos series, it was nice to revisit the Unfinished Hero world. Raiden Miller and Hanna Boudreaux are a beautiful addition to that family of books, especially for me as a military wife who knows what it is to have a man come home from war.

Ashley does a wonderful job of addressing the aftermath of battle without pounding it into the reader's face, which I really appreciated. Raid's experience overseas made him into the man he is and, while Hanna helped him to heal, he didn't need to be fixed, and that's an important distinction. To do anything else diminishes the military person's experiences.

Hanna, like all of Kristen Ashley's heroines, is successful in business but not so much in her personal life. This is a running theme in Ashley's books, that, and the fact that while the hero needs his woman to heal, she needs him to fully accept who she is as a woman. Some might find that less than acceptable for a woman, but I believe we complete each other when we find the "one", so I'm okay with that too.

Five stars all the way for this Kristen Ashley book!
1960123
...And love it even more after reading the Chaos series and Rock Chick. This was the first Kristen Ashley book I read. I loved it then, but then I read the next in the series and nope. The alpha, alpha, alpha guy was just too much. I quit after three chapters. But then I read Rock Chick and Colorado Mountain Men and Chaos and I knew I had to revisit the series. So glad I did. I don't know how Ashley does it, but her books take these super alpha guys, pair them up with strong women and result is magic. Ive learned to trust that magic and KA is easily one of my favorite authors now. Mystery Man holds a special place in my heart because it was the first of the KAs I loved. Highly recommend.
2165242
If Kristen Ashley were to publish her grocery list, I'd read it and swoon and wonder where the hell to go to find such alpha alphas at the grocery store. Deacon is a beautiful story about a strong, determined woman and the mysterious guest that comes to rent her cabin a few times a year. And then, he's not. Then, he's more. So much more.
Ashley is a pro at drawing beautifully flawed, enigmatic heroes and plots that twist and turn and breath until you cannot walk away.
It is absolutely impossible to start a KA book and not finish in one sitting. There can be no boasts about reading "just one chapter" of her books. It's impossible.
4321321
I love Kristen Ashley.  Her books are all about the Alpha Males we wish existed and the idea the love (if right) will always win.  Not even remotely close to reality, but a wonderful place to go.......