Joy Ride

By: Lauren Blakely

Narrated by: Sebastian York

Length: 6 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

A sexy enemies-to-lovers romance!

My former apprentice is the last person I want to work with. Ever. She still hates me since I fired her once upon a time. So when I’m forced to pair up with the wildly sexy brunette every day on the most important custom car build of my career, we spend our days firing snark and sarcasm at each other in the garage.

Too bad watching her work automotive wonders with a wrench is doing something to me. Only I can’t quite figure out if she wants to kick me in the lug nuts or beg me to give her a good, hard fuel injection. Until one night that question is answered on the hood of a sports car as she calls out my name three times. And we can’t seem to put on the brakes.

Soon, we’re doing more than working on a car. She’s enlisting me to take salsa dancing, bringing me monkey bread, and making me want more than hate bangs.

If sleeping with the enemy is a bad idea, how much more dangerous would it be to fall in love with her?

©2017 Lauren Blakely (P)2017 Lauren Blakely

WHAT A JOY THIS RIDE TURNED OUT TO BE

When I saw a new rom/com book by Lauren Blakey had been released and it was performed by Sebastian York.. I one clicked this baby because it seemed like a match made in Heaven.. and sure enough it was.

Max is the talented King of custom built dream cars.. but he is also the passionate King of pleasure and the lusty King of one night stands - with a no strings no rings policy Max is loving his life. But then a lucrative and challenging offer comes in from the host of a reality show which has Max working with his ex Apprentice Henley to pimp a very specific ride for the show. They had fallen out over a cocked-up paint job so Henley's boss/mentor Max had unceremoniously sacked Henley five years previously. However, present day Henley has made a name for herself in the custom-build market and has become a strong competitor for Max's business, a slick feisty business woman, a talented rival, a very knowledgeable and skilled Mechanic, a sassy temptation and a distraction for any man.. including, and especially, Max. Because, no matter how hard he tries to ignore and quash his lusty filthy thoughts about Henley by disagreeing, arguing and bickering with her, it only fuels his desires, amps up the combustible chemistry and it turns Max into a possessive, passionate, jealous and single-minded alpha. He's determined to learn from his past mistakes, deliver the perfect pimped ride, keep Henley sexually satisfied and make her happy - by being a trusted best friend, a passionate lover, a shoulder to cry on and an encouraging rival.. but can it really be that simple?

Max and Henley have so much in common - they are both passionate about making their client's fantastical auto dreams come true, are excited by high horse power cars and have the expertise, experience and energy to bring dreams to life. They are both determined not to sleep with their enemy.. however, under this particular hood, focussing on the job isn't easy when tensions rise and their hot sexy thoughts soon become their hot sexy reality. Their intense sexual pull and flirty humorous innuendos turn into an agreed one night stand.. a two night stand.. a three night stand - and suddenly it's impossible to avoid Cupid's arrow. After a rocky emotional start, they finally confess their feelings, clear the air and bond over their mutual love for anything with a spark plug. Their sexual hunger for each other and their total respect for one another has them fitting together sexually, personally, emotionally and mentally.. but holding back on a new business venture and keeping secrets lead to a bit of angst, torn thoughts, tears and a change of plans. An enemies-to-lovers story certainly isn't a new concept but the characters, humor and conflicts in this refreshing story meant I was never bored. Told from Max's POV but there was a glimpse of Henley's thoughts through a few very short 'to do' lists that detail her needs, her wants and the actions she needs to take to get her heart's desire.

Worth a credit? IMO, a Lauren Blakely book is always worth a credit.. and to have it expertly told by the talented Sebastian York is a delicious recipe for a 5 star enjoyable, entertaining, compelling and humorous listen.

Joy Ride will get your engine revving at MAX RPMs!

Joy Ride is definitely one of my very favorite Lauren Blakely audios, maybe even knocking out Big Rock from its top position, but I'll have to listen a few times to know for sure.

First, perfect casting. Sebastian York is amazing but like any actor, he has to be right for the part and he isn't right for every audiobook he's performed. *Gasp* (Put down the pitchforks. I am one of his biggest fans.) He is, however, IDEAL for Max Summers. Absolutely perfect. His gravelly voice hits all the points from comedic to cocky, snarky to sexy as sin.

Second, I love the enemies to lovers storyline. I loved the competition between Max and Henley, as it turned up the sexual chemistry in turn. I'm a car girl, so I loved all the fast, classic cars that spurred on their rivalry and let's face it, hot cars are SEXY. The fact that they're BOTH car builders sweetened the deal. Henley is a tough, skilled, get dirty and work woman with mad business skills and not to be outdone by anyone. I have a mad girl crush on her, obviously. In my next life, I want to be Henley.

Last, I love that Lauren creates characters with ideals. They're people you want to know in real life. Good people that are aware that the earth doesn't revolve around them and they need to do their part: volunteering, supporting causes, paying it forward. AND they have amazingly hot sex and beautiful loving relationships, so that's the cherry on top. You'll also hear appearances from other characters in these rom-coms by Lauren and if you haven't checked them out, I can't recommend them enough.

I LOVED Joy Ride hard. It will definitely get your motor running and your heart racing!

Joy Ride

I am a fan of Lauren’s these RomComs are a perfect way to pass the time.

Max and Henley are a great match only they don’t’ know it, enemies, who turn into lovers.

I love that Henley is in a male-dominated job yet she has this huge girly side.
She is fun and witty and I like that she could hold her own again Max.

Max is a yummy character you can’t help but fall for. He has so much love and respect for his craft that maybe just maybe he can’t see past his lust.

These two steam up the pages and it’s a page-turner that is for damn sure.

What can I say about the narration.? ONLY Fans self SebYo hits it out of the park again. Lush, Yum, Swoony.

Any book with Sebastian York as the narrator is an amazing book

I loved the story, the characters and I would re-read and listen to this book again.

Love this book &I love Sebastian York even more!

The love scenes were hot and steamy and there was a story line that was actually believable What a great idea

Great Ride indeed

Would you listen to Joy Ride again? Why?

I sure would.. b/c it was everything I wanted in a romance/comedy book.. romance... comedy.. good storyline.. strong characters... and a HEA ending..

What did you like best about this story?

I loved how characters from past books tied into the story...

Have you listened to any of Sebastian York’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Oh HELL YES! Sebastian is a master of narration. I read one review that said that his voice isn't suited for all books... and the reviewer was right.. I've heard him in some stories where the characters just weren't strong enough for such a powerful voice.. but he was absolutely PERFECT for this.. I typically prefer dual narration... female narrators for the female parts and male for the male parts but Sebastian knocked this one out of the park

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes but life just wouldn't let my listening be great..

✫✫ 4.5 Stars ✫✫

Another great male POV stand alone from Lauren Blakely! She is on fire with these fun sexy stories!
Joy Ride is a sort of enemies to lovers story except I'd say its more a enemies to friends to lovers story. Max and Henley were a great,fun & sexy couple who explode in this book". They have a rocky past and when they find themselves working together again they also find something neither of them thought was possible, they found a friendship and they found that liking or disliking each other never changed the attraction they have always fought against.

Max is a hot mechanic with lots of business sense and morals. He's not only sexy, he is also very passionate about many things. That was the best part for me, watching him go to war with himself about how to be with Henley and still keep business separate. He is the guy that makes a mistake an apologizes as soon as he realizes it, he doesn't try to weasel his way out of it, I love that in a man.

Henley is an awesome character because she has many layers! On one layer she is a bad ass car mechanic, the next she is a women trying to fight her way in a mans business and the next she is a women who likes girly things. She puts up with no crap and calls Max out every time he needs it. Personally I loved her girly side the best because she owns it!

Together these two have amazing chemistry and the sexy scenes are HOT HOT HOT but that is no surprise from this author. She always gives us a fun, sexy, emotional, sweet and heartwarming love story. How could you want anything more in a book! Lauren Blakely is a MUST buy author for me, I have to have all her Audiobook because adding the amazing narrators she always cast makes her great books amazing.

Great fun!

I always enjoy every book by Lauren Blakely and this one was just so entertaining!the characters of most of her recent books appear as cameos so you get a hint of what's going on in previous characters lives. This tale of two car customization mechanics was funny and sexy. The characters the author writes are so bright and likeable, you cant help but enjoy them. As always, Sebastian York is magnificent in narration! I highly recommend this audiobook!

hang on for one heck of a ride

joy ride is the story of two people that work in the car industry in New York customizing cars. Max is known as the King and Hennley well she's one heck of a talented woman and car builder. their past was rough and now years later they are back in each other's orbit and things are going to heat up. seriously loved it.

Loved it!

Absolutely adorable! True Love even trumps rivalries. Can't wait for the next! The narrator was spot on, wish for dual POV. But, still worth the credit.

5 Faultless Stars

Yep well, got to say I can't fault this book, I love everything Lauren Blakely and that includes Joy Ride, a romantically sexy 5 stars for me. Following on from Full Package and Big Rock we have Lauren's next standalone sexy, fun read. I have a full on Max crush (if I remember rightly I had a full on Chase crush in Full Package), maybe I have a thing for brothers ; ) The chemistry between Max and Henley was palpable, I loved being in Max's mindset, his dirty thoughts had me giggling. We then get slight insights into Henley's mindset with short chapters containing her to-do list. I love how their thoughts are the same at each point throughout the whole story. Friends to enemies to lovers, one of my favourites. Sebastian York, as usual, nails it. The perfect voice for Max.

Love Max & Henley!

Having already listened to the first 4 books in the Big Rock series, I was looking forward to moving on to this one, and it absolutely didn't disappoint.
Max & Henley's story is a little more chilled than the first 4, which was a great change of pace.
Lauren Blakely's writing and Sebastian York's narration really are a dream combination 😍

Simply panties melting story and voice!

I have received a free code from the author.

Omg. Omg. Omg. This story is simply hot. Amazing. Sexy. Funny. I loved it.

In here we meet Max. An owner of car customisation shop. He is handsome, sexy and he knows it. He liked to have good time with ladies but is honest about it so no drama from crazy ex which I liked. He always said not to mix pleasure with business and never sleep with the enemy but when he former apprentice comes back to his life, his lust and desire for her comes back with double strength.

I loved Max's and Henley's banter. It was sexy, funny and definitely hot. I liked that Lauren didn't create a huge drama here but kept it rather light. It helped me survive my first day after returning to work after maternity.

Ps. Listening at work might not be a best idea as Sebastian's voice is simply yum.

5 stars and it's definitely not the last book
I picked up by Lauren and not the last audiobook narrated by Sebastian.

SebYesPlease!

4.5 Star Listen

This review is not a synopsis of the book, but my opinion.

This was a fabulous listen, Sebastian York as per usual was a fantastic narrator and his voice was swoontastic as Max

Unusually this book is all done from one POV and not split which i really liked.

The banter between these two was so funny and had me laughing out loud on many occasions, especially when there was a monkey involved!
Lots of brilliant one liners, and even though i am not a car nut, it had enough explanation in it not to make me sit there thinking "what are they talking about"?

I loved Henley, she is one badass who doesn't put up with s**t from anyone, (especially a man) and can hold her own in an argument, and mostly win!

Lauren Blakely's style of writing is very easy to read (or listen to) and i can't wait to read more of her work.

I was voluntarily provided this review copy audio-book at no charge by the author, narrator, and or publisher.

Fantastic!

Joy Ride by Lauren Blakely is a total joy ride! One I loved from start to finish!! This story sizzles and shines and is perfectly played out by the narrator. Lauren's wit infiltrates and oozes from her characters creating laugh out loud and huge smile inducing moments. The characters are some of Lauren's best and as always Lauren nails their connection and spark.
I loved this book!! Another 5 star smash from Lauren!

Loved being a passenger with these two.

This was a delight start to finish, with substance, great humour, banter and chemistry. I really enjoyed getting the sole male POV in the form of Sebastian York, it didn't feel lacking for not having a dual POV.

The context for this audiobook was unusual, set in the up-market car customisation business. Max is the NY king in this business and his ex-protege returns to the city working with his rival. In some ways, Max and Henley were a second chance story, even though technically they'd never romantically connected when they first worked as mentor and learner. What made this story excel was the strong, full-of-spark heroine, Henley. She held her own in this male-dominated world and there was so much to like about her. The chemistry and dialogue between these two set off fireworks and at other times had me laughing in my car at their banter but there was respect; that sold me on these two. There was a realism to their connection and the storyline was fun but at times there was a serious story to tell.

The narration was perfect. Whilst I've listened quite a bit to Sebastian York's narration, he does have the knack of owning the characters and in this he captured Max's off-hand ways alongside the sinking into love side of Max.

These two were a stellar couple and there's a nice little set up for the next book. This series gives me that light, humorous and hot combination that works so well and I'm looking forward to going back and experiencing the ones I've missed on audio.

A copy of this audiobook was provided by the author in return for an honest review.

Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.

Joy Ride just got sexier!

I am a massive Lauren Blakely fan, I love this car building hero and enemies to lovers storyline and lauren knows how to weave all of this together to make an easy to listen to book that quenches my thirst for a bit of romance!

Henley and Max are a match made in heaven, she is back in town as a competitor, last seeing Max when she left his garage on a sour note. Time has not healed the wounds and with pride, hurt and no trust in the equation, it may take more than being forced to work on a project and some seriously hot cars to weld a friendship back together here.

Hot cars, made even hotter by what goes on, on top of them, swoon worthy moments, I tell you, Max is my perfect man. I am done. He made my perfect car, he does the most swoon worthy, sexy things and is just, well look at him, add to this the dulcet sexy smooth tones of all this being read to you by Mr Sebastian York, and the book just melts me.

From loathing to love!

I absolutely loved this book by Lauren Blakely! Sebastian York was the perfect voice for Max with his gravely confidence, as a lot of the book was his persective . (It was like melting chocolate to my ears.) I have read and listened to several books by Lauren Blakely and think this one is my favorite. The story moves along quickly and has humor, but definitely not an instant love. This book is a standalone listen, yet has characters from other books mentioned. I loved the story of Max and Henley, yet I look forward to hearing more regarding Mia. I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, narrator, and or publisher. My review is not a synopsis of the book, but rather my opinion of it. I highly recommend this book.