The ride of her life… Once upon a time, Carissa Teodoro believed in happy endings. Money, marriage, motherhood: everything came easy — until she woke up to the ugly truth about her Prince Charming. Now a struggling, single mom and stranded by a flat tire, Carissa’s pondering her mistakes when a vaguely familiar knight rides to her rescue on a ton of horsepower.
Climb on and hold tight…
In … horsepower.
Climb on and hold tight…
In high school, Carson Steele was a bad boy loner who put Carissa on a pedestal where she stayed far beyond his reach. Today, he’s the hard-bodied biker known only as Joker, and from the way Carissa’s acting, it’s clear she’s falling fast. While catching her is irresistible, knowing what to do with her is a different story. A good girl like Carissa is the least likely fit with the Chaos Motorcycle Club. Too bad holding back is so damned hard. Now, as Joker’s secrets are revealed and an outside threat endangers the club, Joker must decide whether to ride steady with Carissa — or ride away forever…
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I love Chaos, they make me feel warm and fuzzy inside, like part of the family!
Carissa and Joker are just so different but there has always been something felt between them since they were kids. Now adults, Joker is filled with ice and Carissa is a single Mum who has been treated like total crap with 1 goal…..look out for her son. This book is beyond beautiful.
Tack and all the gang feature and I loved that! KA never fails to amaze me in these books, each one is a fantastic read. This book has so many feels, I know this will be on my reread list!
There are a biker romance series I would describe as addicting. Chaos would be one. There is hard biting danger, raw passion, sweet and tender moments, and above all, an ever increasing feel of family and brotherhood for this motor cycle club, its women, its friends, and its allies.
Each biker heals and finds his way to happiness through the love of a good woman and, in this case, it’s Joker’s turn. With steely eyes and an icy demeanor, nobody knows him well, but they do know he has their back and they have his loyalty, but then they are all in for a big surprise when a pretty, sweet woman from his past cracks through the unemotional distance and Joker comes alive and goes after what he wants with determination.
The books work best read in order particularly because there is a series arc and ongoing storylines for previous characters. Not that it is essential to have read the older series by the author set in Denver, but I did encounter crossover characters from other series. It was fun. Her books tend to assume that the reader has read her older series even if the plots don’t carry over from the other series. For instance, Joker and Carissa’s book has characters from Rock Chick, Dream Man, and Unfinished Hero.
The story starts in the past telling the heartbreaking story of the younger Carson Steele and Carissa Teodoro all from his perspective. Then jumps forward in time to where they are at in their lives now and begins telling the story mostly from their alternating points of view with a few others chiming in now and then. Their younger selves are long gone and in their place are people who have been battered by the world and just need the right chance to find their way together.
Carissa married her high school boyfriend and that led down a road of remorse and misery. She has hit nearly rock bottom as she lives hand to mouth, owes her lawyer as she fights for her parental rights, and is at the mercy of her wealth ex and his powerful family. She lives only for her son, her baby Travis. Her ex cheated on her, belittled her, and finally replaced her. Now she has a flat tire and it will go rough on her if she can’t get Travis to his dad’s for the custody exchange. Frazzled, she is surprised when a tough looking biker is the only one to respond to her breakdown on the side of the road. There is something about him that is familiar, but she doesn’t know anyone from that world. But now that she has met Joker, she wants to and she will start by showing her appreciation for his help and maybe grab his attention.
Carson ‘Joker’ Steele recognized Carissa right away even if she didn’t remember him. And why should she? The beautiful, cheerleader dating the most popular guy in their school was so far out of his league. But now, he can see that his lovely Carissa has fallen on hard times. It is a struggle to hold his distance, but finally, he gives in and decides to see where this thing between them will go.
They face her manipulative ex, the demons from their pasts, vicious drug lord setting up for a turf war against Chaos MC, and the building of something special between them. With the help of friends and the club along with the making of a new family, Joker and Carissa have a real chance if they don’t mess it up or let others break them up.
Like most books by this author, this one was plump and full of all sorts of goodness. I had a few moments toward the end when I got impatient for things to move along, but it was a mild irritant at best. I always have to adjust to the writing style, but once I do, it works for the world she has created.
It’s a blue-collar story and full of blue collar characters that are raw, gritty, and passionate. There is a lot going on in this one and a lot to tease out and tie up neatly at the end. The main issue with the drug gang pushing in and trying to take over Chaos’ territory is still ongoing even though there was some interesting action in this one that may or may not set fire to the situation. I loved seeing the club in action and conducting biker club business so that it feels like a real biker romance and not just in name only. There is lots of interaction at the club and with club characters, too.
The characters are my favorite part of the story. The people make mistakes, have tough lives, but they grow and get past it to have something special. Carissa tended to be impulsive especially when it came to Joker and her leaps made me cringe, but I was tickled to death when she womanned up and set things straight afterward. She also tends to get lost in her head with all the emotional garbage up there and be a self-sacrificing type which can complicate matters. Joker didn’t want her doing any more sacrificing specifically for him when he was in wonder and awe that he finally got the girl of his dreams and a cute little baby boy that would be his family. I liked that she stayed sweet, unselfish, and adorable Carissa even as she gained in confidence. She doesn’t suddenly turn into this bad biker mama.
As to Joker, his transformation once Carissa was in his life was as big as hers. Tack and the guys really had to jerk a knot in him to get his head on right and see the treasure and opportunity he had in front of him. He had such a hard life as that scared, broken abused and lonely kid that seeing him finally get all he wanted and needed was a rush. He could be angry and savage or murderously cold toward enemies, or tender and loving all for those few he let in behind his walls.
The romance builds as they get to know the adult versions of themselves. They have several barriers and I was impressed the way they handled it mostly with good communication and understanding. They team up and face all the hard stuff together and they share some sweet daily life stuff along with lots of hot sexy times. Joker is all male and rough around the edges, but he is also a gentleman knight for his lady. Carissa has been taught by her jerk of an ex that she is boring and isn’t good enough. Joker takes on the job of restoring her confidence and unleashing her passion. They were a lusty couple and got their wild on quite a bit. Good times…
All in all, this was a bit of everything good. I love the series and can’t wait to see what comes next or should I say, who comes next. If you’re looking for biker romance with a story full of raw action, passionate romance and characters who are strong and just a little wild, give these a try.
I made a horrible mistake when I started this audiobook, I planned to listen to it over a couple of weeks. It took me three days, would have taken me two, but I life things that had to happen. To say I loved Joker and Carissa would be an understatement. To say watching them fall in love had me in happy tears more times than I could count was accurate. To say watching the people around them, the family they each built separately and together made me smile in crazy happiness would be true. To say I cheered as old friends surrounded and loved and helped them and made me giddy at their appearance would be correct. To say I loved Tack even more with every appearance he makes, and especially in this epilogue, and my heart swelled as he did so good by Joker would be exact. I have had this book for years, I have seen these characters in other books, and now that I know their story, the lives they lived before, apart, and now together, to say I am kicking myself for not having this story before now, that would be truthful. But I now have them, I have their story, and I love them immensely now, that’s the most beautiful thing in the world <3
I love the bikers in Kristen Ashley’s universe. They are always the most emotionally evolved, honest people in the room. Her heroes know the meaning of loyalty. They take care of their women and offer them the security of a community to call home. They are truly all about the women they love, with an intensity that so many women wish they had in their lives. If you come to her books thinking you’re just going to find a growly alpha who likes it rough and that’s it, you’re mistaken. Her books are surprisingly sweet and emotional, but don’t lack for steam, either. It’s why her books are best sellers!
Wonderful Addition to an Amazing series!
Carson and Carrie stole my heart, took my breath away, made me cry, shake with laughter, and once again marvel at the extraordinary storytelling talent of Kristen Ashley.
I particularly like this book. I provides wisdom and insight into how we can recover and grow from past friendships.
Love the author and series
Another winner by Kristen Ashely. High school sweethearts separated by events beyond their control and coming back together. It’s vintage style Ashley who gives us a loveable alpha male who loves deeply and a strong heroine. The writing is brilliant and tells us that true love never dies. It doesn’t come easy once they are reunited but the author writes the story in such a way you really can’t pull away. The feelings jump out of the pages and strike you in the heart and leaves you cheering Carissa and Carson on, hoping they are going to get their much deserved HEA. If you are a Kristen Ashley addict you must read this book. This couple will remain with you long after you finish the last page
Can you believe this was my first ever Kristen Ashley read? But what a way to start! I got layered, dimensional characters, a story line that kept me guessing, and plenty of steam and sweetness. One of the most impressive things about Ashley’s style is her restraint. The dialogue is natural – the characters take verbal shortcuts we all take when speaking. The narrative includes what is needed and nothing more, and even without any excess verbiage, the world the author created is complete and absorbing. Now that I’ve finished the book, I’m going to miss Joker and Carissa (and little Travis).
Oy vey, the chin jerking. Please STOP KA!
Anyhoo, this was adorable. Yep, biker babes and their bad ass men aside, adorable. The relationship between Joker aka Carson and Carissa is …adorable, sweet, true love, etc… He’s your typical brooding not good enough hero, but for a change she’s a sweet cutie pie totally in love with her man. This chick may be sweet, but she actually has a spine.
Re-read
I’ve been doing a lot of re-reads lately. This is one of my favorites. The romance between Carissa and Joker is all that young love or just love should be. Yes, it’s a little silly and sometimes I’m a little “huh” with the jargon the MC characters spew, but who cares. Think a badass version of Gidget and Moon Doggie!
I am such a fan of the Chaos story line and this book was certainly not a disappointment. This writer is amazing. I have read many of her books, both this series and several others. She never disappoints. The characters are well written and always pull you right into the story. The story is realistic and moves smoothly. I would highly recommend this book and in fact the whole Chaos series.
This was my first, successfully read KA book and still holds a favorite spot. Carson and Carissa’s story was a sweet read the first time around, and I loved it just as much the second time. Their relationship wasn’t a total bed of roses because there were some pretty big thorns to pull out, however, their second chance was one that melted my heart.
Can’t get enough of Chaos. This series is a must read. This book made me laugh out loud, and tear up.
Seriously awesome story. I can’t really say more. I loved Carrie and Joker and even Travis. Just… awesome and brilliant.
Joker knows how to lay down the law when he needs to, “don’t matter . You walked in with homemade pie. You strutted your a** right onto Chaos with homemade pie for a brother who did you a good deed. Then you got kicked in the teeth by your ex. No good woman gets kicked in the teeth on Chaos without retribution. He’s gonna feel our displeasure, and that’s just the way it is. Again, don’t fight it.” He can be charming and considerate, “I’m here. It’s dinnertime. You need to eat. I need to eat. You feed your kid. I’ll make s*** to feed you.” I liked his mushy side even though he is a bada** biker, “her gaze caught his. “I want the beard back, sweetie. Will you grow it for me?” He’d walk through hell for her so it went without saying he’d grow his beard back for her.” I love the men in this series and I can’t wait for more.