Tina's Reading Books

In [b:Motorcycle Man|13448656|Motorcycle Man (Dream Man, #4)|Kristen Ashley|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1337615202s/13448656.jpg|18968802], Tabby & Shy's first scenes together occur when a then 16 year old Tabby has just been beaten up by her 23 year old loser boyfriend. This occasion proves to be a seminal moment for Shy because, as we learn at the beginning of this book, it has become "the" thing about her that Shy has hung a lot of preconceived notions. Interestingly, it was also "the" thing I took away the most about Tabby as well from that book.

So as this book begins it seems as if we are supposed to be in that same place. A now 19-year old Tabby initially comes across as a bit of a wild child who hasn't grown up much in three years.

But we -- and Shy -- quickly find out we are dead wrong. Tabby has grown up. She is in college to get a nursing degree. Shy reacts rather badly to an early incident in the book and in the process comes perilously close to ruining what small relationship he'd had with Tabby.

I rather enjoyed these first few chapters of the book. They take us through an approximately four-year span of vignettes between Tabby and Shy that allow a deeper, better relationship to develop between the two characters. They are two very young people who at first do not really know how to handle their growing attraction. They simply don't communicate and they make assumptions about each other. I liked the this method of storytelling here that allowed Tabby to grow up in front of us in a small period of time. We check in with Tab and Shy every few months so it doesn't feel like an extended flash-back or a data dump. But rather a nice progression in the ebb and flow of their relationship. During that time, it also, wisely, allows Tab to enjoy a functional, loving, healthy relationship with someone other than Shy. We get to see her sow some oats, but the way that relationship plays out it doesn't take away from what she later builds with Shy.

When Shy and Tabby finally do get together as a full on couple the book kicks into vintage Kristen Ashley country. They argue, they love, he is over alpha, she is a baby biker babe -- all the stuff that KA fans enjoy in these books. But what I loved the most about this middle part of the book was the conflict that was set up. Since Tabby and Shy are in love, their conflict isn't internal. But because he has been promiscuous, has a a bit of a rep, and is a brother in the Chaso MC and she is daddy's little Princess, they are both aware that the relationship will not be welcomed. And how!

The romance is wonderful and Shy & Tab are great together. But those things are almost a given in a KA book. However, this books goes the next level, imo. The writing is tight and the story is focused. For me, this has always been the biggest problems with KA. But not this time. Tight and focused.

And this is why I am giving the book 5-stars. Shy and Tabby's romance is not a welcome thing to Chaos. The lifestyle of the brothers, coupled with the complex relationship Tabby has with them (she has to negotiate moving the from place of protected child to that of an "old lady"), added with Shy's reputation with women are all tangled up with feelings of betrayal on all sides, everyone felt let down or betrayed in some way. It also serves to rub a little bit of shine off of Tyra and Tack (the scene where Tabby gives Tyra a come-to-Jesus speech about Tabby being an adult was Ridiculously Awesome!!). I was gratified by that because it felt nice to know that as much as I love Tack & Tyra they are human and not perfect by any means.

Also while Tabby had been doing her growing up early in the book so was Shy. He had begun to learn how to create relationships and had tried to move on with someone else in a real and meaningful way. So when Shy and Tab get together this person is collateral damage. Better yet, she is not a bad person who deserves it. I liked that it felt real and I was sad for this person. So yes, there is some excellent story-telling nuance here. So much stuff is happening, but not in an everything-and-the-kitchen-sink plot type of way, but rather in a simmering, bubbling under the surface kind of way.

I had been anticipating this book ever since I closed [b:Motorcycle Man|13448656|Motorcycle Man (Dream Man, #4)|Kristen Ashley|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1337615202s/13448656.jpg|18968802]. So glad it lived up and even beyond my expectations.