Joy Ride

Joy Ride was the fifth book in the Big Rock series by Lauren Blakely. It was also my favorite of the series.I’ve taken a break from formal reviews for awhile, but a couple quick thoughts: I loved everything about Max and Henley. I loved their banter, their snark, their humor and their storyline. I totally loved everything about them. I also loved Max’s sister and can’t wait to read her story in Hard Wood!

Lauren Blakely has done it again. She has crafted a book so fun, so flirty, so sexy, and so absolutely perfect that it I *had* to devour it in just one sitting. Buckle up tight, readers, and prepare to go on one hell of an amazing ride with Max and Henley.Max, oh my Max. He is such a deliciously sexy hero. There is a little extra fierceness to him that I really, truly enjoyed. I loved watching him fight his attraction to Henley so hard-only to lose the battle so spectacularly. He's intensely passionate about his work and about his life in general. He works hard, he plays hard and watching him try to balance that with having feelings for Henley had me on the edge of my seat. Seeing this "guy's guy" maneuver his way through the twists and turns of falling in love? Priceless.Henley Rose is positively perfect. She's tough, yet sweet. Strong, but vulnerable at the same time. I appreciated how she hustled to make her own name for herself in a business that is clearly male dominated. I loved that she could go toe to toe with Max and hold her own-I love seeing strong female characters and nobody writes strong and sweet heroines like this author can. The way we get to see what Henley is thinking is unique and fun as well.The tension between Max and Henley had been idling for years while they were apart, humming below the surface, just waiting for one of them to finally hit the gas and go for it. Their playful banter, their game of innuendo had me torn between wanting them to finally be together and drawing out the tension even more. I must say that their first kiss was quite possibly the hottest, sexiest first kiss I've read....and the rest of their sexy times live up to that first kiss.The pace of this book is perfect. The writing is sharp, witty and at times perfectly dirty. There was a really fun twist in this book that had me laughing as well-but I'll let you figure that out when you read it. However, what this author does so incredibly well here (and in all of her books) is showcase the realness of a relationship. It's not all sex, all the time-not even in the honeymoon stage of the relationship. It's taking the time to take care of the person you love-whether that means spending time soaking in a claw foot tub or taking dance lessons together. It's making mistakes and learning from them and choosing to move past things instead of dwelling on them.This is a standalone book but it does have moments where other characters from previous books make an appearance. I personally love, love, love when the author does this. (You definitely don't need to have read the other books to understand who these characters are or anything...but I do recommend them all) Seeing Chase and Josie again made perfect sense since Chase is Max's brother but I was delighted to see other favorites as well-Nick, Harper, Natalie, Wyatt and Charlotte and Spencer. I couldn't have wiped the smile off my face when they reappeared if I wanted to-and I really, really didn't want to. This also gives us an opportunity to meet some future feature characters as well which is great.Joy Ride is an absolutely perfectly crafted book. Max Summers and Henley Rose are royalty in the custom car business but it's Lauren Blakely who is the Queen of hot, sexy, funny and flirty writers. This book proves again why she's a one click author for me. If I could rate this book higher than 5 stars I absolutely would.

Max Summers is rugged, smart, charming, and can fix just about anything. He's the premier car builder in town. He likes things fast, hot, and easy on the eyes. He doesn't mind getting dirty. He keeps his clients happy, and his charisma makes the ladies' purr.He was not expecting a blast from his past, but all of a sudden Henley Marlowe is back in town and inserting herself into his world. She was his old apprentice and he is pretty sure she hates him. She's fiery, independent,stubborn as ever, and has become an amazing car builder in her own right. So good that she now works for his rival.They have a whole bunch of unresolved issues from their past. Some things they are aware of and some things they kept hidden. She struggled to feel respected and good enough to compete with the boys. He had a hard time keeping it professional since she obviously want not just one of the boys. And now those unresolved feelings and insecurities are still there, along with rivalry, jealousy, anger, and hurt. Their banter is feisty and antagonistic. Max doesn't need distractions, and is a bit paranoid about competition. She brings out jealousy and feelings in him that he does not want to deal with. She's constantly trying to prove herself, and is also keeping secrets.But when they end up on a project together, it is hard to avoid the intense chemistry between them. He knows he shouldn't fraternize, sleep with, and certainly not fall for the enemy. They both know mixing business with pleasure can be bad idea. But they get each other's motors running and soon they are full speed ahead into dangerous territory with a real threat to crash and burn.These two are so entertaining! I loved their banter, shared interests, and their smoking hot chemistry. The push and pull kept it interesting and dynamic. I liked seeing them begin to let down their walls to be more vulnerable and admit what they were hiding. There is a simmering attraction that just keeps boiling over and is so volatile that it is almost too hot to handle. But there are also points of sweetness, tenderness, and fun too.But how do you keep business and personal separate? Can you be rivals in business and partners in life?This was a fresh, fun, feisty, and sexy enemies-to-lovers story. There are some surprises and twists. It is told in Max's no-nonsense, sometimes growly, sometimes sweet, but usually humorous way. I laughed out loud at his self-talk especially when trying to convince himself that he didn't like Henley. I adored both of them. They were so passionate and truly likable. Max was burly, sexy, swoony, and such an alpha. And Henley was small, but strong with a big personality. And they were just so HOT together whether they were getting dirty in the garage or getting clean together.Max's siblings Mia and Chase were featured, along with some cameos from other friends in this loosely tied series. I liked his friend, Patrick, and mechanic, Sam. And Roger was a very unique side kick. The background with the car building was interesting and added a bit of an edge to the story.Each one of these standalone rom coms is unique, laugh inducing, hot, and sweet, with lovable and interesting couples. They just totally keep me entertained, and I cannot wait for more.

Joy Ride continues the sensational interwoven series - that is not a series - by the fabulous Lauren Blakely.Told predominately in male perspective, Joy Ride, showcases Max Summers, brother to Chase from Full Package. Max is at the top of his game, a highly sort after custom car mechanic and relationship free. When a career opportunity of a life-time forces Max to confront the ghost of apprentice's past and the only woman to have truly gotten under Max's skin.Henley is an amazing character, a force to be reckoned with in a male dominated career; Henley's passion for custom cars matches Max's. Only five years ago Max fired her from his garage due to one silly but costly mistake. Max and Henley did not part of the best of terms and the underlying attraction between them added to the friction. In fact, the mutual attraction can be blamed for the distraction leading to the rift in their working relationship.Working together gives them a chance to bury the hatchet and put the past behind them. While any relationship between Max and Henley is no longer taboo there is still the issue of their careers coming between them, essentially they are competitors in the same arena. Even though it is obvious from the start that Max and Henley have different specialities. Having to keep certain aspects of their careers hidden creates an air of distrust between Max and Henley that is difficult to overcome due to their past.While the story is told from Max's perspective it is Henley who really stands out within the plot. I completely adored how Henley embraced her feminine side outside of her job. It would be so easy to fall into the masculine role assigned to certain careers. Henley is a complete smart-ass and can banter with the best of them. The way in which Max and Henley needled and pocked at each other acted as an aphrodisiac to their already simmering pheromones.The way in which the plot played out swept you along with Max and Henley, it wasn't forced with only the minimum amount of angst but when the chips are down Max really came through in the sweetest of ways.Who else wants a Callimico Monkey?

The was a good easy read, pretty unproblematic as conflicts were dealt with in a mature way. I liked that despite the story being based in the male dominated field of mechanics and car customisation, Max wasn't a total tool, he was understanding and wanted to do the tight thing and Henley was head strong and honest with who she was. They were a good match and it was a fun book to read.

Max used to be Henley's boss so when they are forced to work together on a TV show, sparks fly. Turns out these two are majorly attracted to each other and secretly in love with each other too. Beautiful story that becomes extremely hot!! Well worth reading.

This was an enjoyable, fun, lighthearted story. That was extremely easy to read, drew me in from the start and kept me completely engaged throughout. As for the two main characters Henley and Max, I loved them both. They had bags of chemistry, shared a few hot moments and plenty of flirty banter. Which was so much fun to read and anyone who is a fan of this author will I'm sure enjoy this story too.

Lauren Blakely does it again. Brilliantly humorous book from male POV. Strong characters, loved the female lead, top of her game, bad ass but girlie in a male dominated world of cars. Loved it, although I did think it maybe interesting to see something's from Henleys POV at times, to get both sides.Could put this book down - Loved it.