Wild Ride

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

​Title: Wild Ride
Author: Julie Ann Walker
Publication date: 04/04/2017
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Kindle Unlimited: No
Cliffhanger: No
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Blurb (from Amazon.com):
Ethan "Ozzie" Sykes

Former Navy SEAL

Underground operator for Black Knights Inc., the covert government defense firm disguised as a custom motorcycle shop.

In a black-on-black international mission that went seriously sideways, Ozzie was badly injured—now he's stuck at BKI headquarters in Chicago, champing at the bit to get out into the field again. 

To his disgust, he's tasked with distracting Chicago Tribune ace reporter Samantha Tate, who's been trying to dig up the dirt on BKI for years. Turns out Samantha's beauty, intelligence and sense of humor are a seriously big distraction, and Ozzie's losing his desire to keep her at bay.

Ozzie's tired of hiding, and Samantha may be the best-and worst—person to share his secrets with...

My review
If you’ve read the entire Black Knights series like I have, you’ve been waiting patiently (or, in my case, very impatiently) for Ozzie’s story. Who wouldn’t love a hot, badass ex-Seal who also happens to be a Star Trek geek and a computer genius? As usual, Julie Ann Walker doesn’t disappoint.

I’m a sucker for a romance hero who appears fun and sarcastic and laid back until the heroine is in danger, and then he becomes a one-man army to save the woman he loves. Ozzie fits nicely into that category. I love that he’s not just the muscle of the story, too. His brain is just as dangerous as his fists, and that adds a lovely depth to his character that I very much enjoy.

Samantha is a decent heroine, too. She’s smart and quick-witted, and doesn’t suffer from too  many bouts of annoying self-doubt. She knows who she is and what she wants, and she goes after it. Although, I will admit that there were two points in the story that I wanted to reach through my Kindle and smack her for straying too far from Ozzie’s side, even though she knew how dangerous it would be. But, I suppose if all heroines did the smart, responsible thing in every situation, the book would be pretty short and pretty boring, wouldn’t it? So, with that in mind, I’ll cut the author some slack on this one and not rake Samantha over too many coals for her decisions.         

As usual, the steamy scenes were VERY steamy without being smutty (it’s totally classy steam, if you know what I mean). Secondary characters are super interesting and serve as more than just convenient plot devices to move the story and romance forward. In fact, I can’t wait to read Christian’s story. (*Saying “Excellent” in my best Mr. Burns voice*)

All in all, this is just what I expect from a Julie Ann Walker read: lots of action, sexual tension, and great characters. Highly recommend! (Note: this can be read as a standalone, but it works best if read as part of the series)

Does this book contribute to or help crush the romance stigma?
As with all romantic suspense, it skirts dangerously close to the “unrealistic” part of the romance stigma, but it’s so well-written and enjoyable that my verdict is clear: no rehab needed for this one.   

Other reading suggestions
The rest of the Black Knights series is excellent. Start with book 1 and binge read until you’re all caught up. You won’t regret it. For another sexy series about a group of bad-ass, protective dudes, try Jasinda Wilder’s Alpha One Security series. Book 1 is titled Harris. ​

---