Reckless

Leather & Chrome, Book

By: Kiki Clark

Narrated by: John Solo

Length: 6 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

Ride hard. Love harder. Live recklessly.

Tank is done with his old life. All it's brought him is trouble and misery in the form of a four-year prison term. Though he did find one good thing while behind bars: Charles "CJ" Crane, pen pal extraordinaire.

After months of exchanging increasingly personal letters, Tank knows exactly where he's headed as soon as the prison gates open. CJ doesn't know he's coming, and he's not sure what he'll say when he gets there, but he knows one thing for certain.

The promises he and his boy made to each other in their letters may have been reckless, but he's willing to risk everything he’s got on finding out if what they have could be real.

Reckless is the first book in the Leather & Chrome series and features a motorcycle club's annual charity ride, a possessive biker whose new favorite color is pink, a 24-year-old overly eager to experience his first time, and an excessive appreciation for perfectly lined tattoos.

©2021 Kiki Clark (P)2021 Kiki Clark

A Sweet (and Kinky) Love Story

Last week, after seeing an enthusiastic recommendation for ‘Reckless’ in the M/M Audio Books facebook group, I high-tailed myself over to Audible to listen to the sample, I’ve been aware of Kiki Clark’s work for a while now, but hadn’t read anything of theirs at that point. The combo of the rec and listening to John Solo in the sample, I put the book at the top of my TBR list.

Tank, who has been a member of the Devil’s Hands MC since he was a teen, has spent 4 years behind bars for the club. Now that he’s out, he’s decided to leave the Louisiana chapter and check out the Michigan chapter. Besides, that’s also where his prison pen-pal CJ lives. The Club is not the focus here, but I love the portrayal of MC culture. One of the more rewarding aspect for me in MC stories is found family. Will Tank and CJ find their family with these brothers(and sisters)-in-arms?

The way Clark has structured the narrative of this story makes it more interesting. It begins at Tank’s release from prison. The letters that have been exchanged between CJ and Tank are interspersed as interludes between chapters, giving readers a non-linear timeline. I’m not a huge fan of epistolary storytelling, but it works to great effect here.

I don’t write about the sexy times of romances very often in my reviews, but they’re integral to the story, so deserve a mention. Clark writes these scenes to explore the dynamics of Tank and CJ’s relationship and how their kinks fit into that picture. They also serve to set up what’s to come in the next installment of the series.

John Solo is truly a gift to the M/M genre. I’ve loved every performance I’ve listened to him deliver. I’d say this is my favorite so far. His voice-acting helps me picture Clark’s wonderful characters.

Highly recommended.

Spicy and sweet

CJ and Tank have my whole heart.
They are so kinky, possessive, fiery, and tender all at once.

Everyone needs someone like Tank; fiercely protective, loyal, big-hearted and tender, all wrapped up in a sexy leather package.

CJ is just impossible not to love. He’s so vulnerable and sweet, and you just want Tank to give him the love he deserves, and beat down anyone who hurts him. I was seriously so angry at his parents and his shitty roommates.

I enjoyed the narration, but at first I found Solos narration style a bit over the top. But he’s definitely a great actor, and was able to twist my heart up during emotional moments.

Cannot wait for Six’s story!

Narrator is 🔥

The story was real good. Engaging, sexy (really sexyyy) and overall a heartfelt mm love story. But...Holy $h!+ the narrator brings this to life! All the emotions are authentic and the steamy times...Honey, listen to this in private bc you are definitely going to be squirming!! Teddy Hamilton and Aiden Snow are my favorites but I just found another one in John Solo. 💥 🔥 Worth the credit? A million times YES!

Unexpected and awesome

At first I didn’t like the “interlude” scenes because I thought it interfered with the story but I was very wrong. It added to the story. CJ is exactly what Tank needs. Some brightness and love and someone to care for. The relationship didn’t feel new when it book started and I LOVED that part the most. The MC club is different from most in what they stand for and who they accept. While Tank and CJ are the stars I also like the crew. I want to know more about the everyone.

John Solo was amazingly perfect as usual.

Hot and sweet MM MC romance

I usually avoid MC books because they are darker than I like to read. This book focused mostly on the relationship between Tank and CJ in present day and in the past through letters. The chapter Tank transfers to after getting out of prison is a dream come true for someone who had a bad experience with his old chapter. CJ and Tank are hot together and so totally in love.

A sweet MM MC tale

Motorcycle club is not usually my genre, but this one ticked a lot of other boxes of my likes, and added some boxes I didn’t know should be on my list. The narrator was fantastic, very emotional and expressive.

Smoking Hot But Also Sweet!

I really enjoyed this story a lot. Tank and CJ were so perfect together, both in how they connected emotionally and how sizzling hot they were together. This narrator is not always my favorite but he was great here, I really thought he captured both Tank and CJ perfectly. I liked the background story too and the siding with the DV victims, that was a nice added bonus to the story and gave more depth to the story.

Update: ended up liking it

It's hard to listen to this book. The narrator sounds like he's narrating a soccer game. It's not sexy, and he narrates too fast.

Update: I ended up liking the story, but the narrator could be "sexier".

Read this three times back to back to back

Throughly enjoyed.

I grew up in Huntsville, Texas, where there are several units of the Texas Department of Corrections. So it threw me a bit that two weeks out of prison Tank was described as having a short but full beard and an expensive haircut. Checked it out and it turns out my understanding of acceptable grooming standards for convicts were several court rulings out of date. She’s done her homework.

A lot of sizzle with a fizzle at the end

First off, this book isn’t meant to be anything more than steamy trash, so as long as you go in with those expectations, it’s a satisfying read. Is there a plot? Maybe. Does it matter? Not so much. This is wall-to-wall sexy times, a dabble of exhibitionism, some light daddy play, and a healthy dollop of possessiveness. Lol … it also takes place among members of the most wholesome motorcycle gang in the Midwest. I have a love/hate relationship with John Solo as a narrator — he’s the king of over the top narration — but he didn’t bother me much here as CJ and I really dug his gravelly Tank tone. I’ll probably check out another book in the series.

Tank and CJ - sweet and hot!

"Reckless" was my first book by Kiki Clark, but certainly not my last.
I really liked the story about Tank and CJ, which was due to both the storyline and the author's great and detailed writing style. Tank has to serve his time in prison and comes to the conclusion that he doesn't want to go back to his old club, because he was only tolerated there because he was the best friend of the leader's son.
He also already knows where to go, because he had started a wonderful pen friendship with CJ in prison. CJ has not had it easy so far, he had to fight for everything and even his roommates are not very nice people. When Tank then stands in front of CJ in Michigan, Tank saves CJ not only once from an explosive situation.
A small highlight was the correspondence between CJ and Tank interspersed in flashbacks.

The characters were authentically portrayed and I really liked how Tank cared about CJ, but also whether he was doing it right.
The romance between the two was really sweet and hot. There was also a bit of drama and it was fun to follow the two of them in the new MC club. And I really hope we hear more from this club and its members - I'd be totally interested in Six's story!

John Solo did a good job as always and he brought the story to life with his soulful voice.

Fantastic Story & Narration🎧 Sweet & Spicy🔥

I enjoyed this book immensely, the story is original with interesting storylines that captivated my attention from start to end. I am not sure how this is my first Kiki Clark book I can only say it will not be my last. She is a gifted author with a wonderful writing style, her descriptive details bring you right along side her characters giving you an inside view of what they are thinking, seeing and feeling. The characters are realistic, easy to relate to and connect with, I adored both lead characters Tank and CJ, I was also a fan of the MC she created and am looking forward to learning about more of their members. Tank was a member of the Devil’s MC in Louisiana, but after doing a stint in jail he had enough time to reflect and figure out he needed a change. The MC was not really a good fit for him, he had one good friend and the rest just tolerated him. Instead of starting over completely he decided to join the Michigan chapter of the MC, one in Michigan, it was not a hard decision since he had something to look forward to in Michigan or rather someone. He had been a part of a penpal correspondence program and he grew rather fond of his penpal CJ. CJ was adorable, he has not had an easy life, he struggles to make ends meet and lives with roommate who barely tolerate him. He volunteered to become a penpal to a prisoner and it was the best thing he ever did. He felt like he could be himself when he wrote Tank, actually he was more open with him than with anyone else. Was it the distance that did that or was it Tank that brought it out of him. When the letters stopped coming CJ was left wondering what happened. Tank not only surprises him in person but he rescues him as well, in more ways than one. I loved how everything played out in this book, the story is beautifully plotted with plenty of drama, light on angst, some heartfelt emotions, amazing steamy hot kink, pink panties included and a wonderful, meant to be, romance. I loved how well Tank fit into the new MC, took a bit for him to get accepted but it was definitely a better fit for him, CJ was welcomed as well. Kiki Clark thank you for this enjoyable and entertaining story, I am looking forward to checking out more of your work.

🎧📚🎧 Kiki Clark casted the perfect narrator to bring her story and characters to life. John Solo is a fabulously talented narrator and a versatile voice artist. He has a complete understanding of the characters he portrays, giving each a voice that suits that character’s persona perfectly, sounding believable and just as I picture the character to sound. He sets the perfect tone for the story, captures all the character’s emotions and projects them into his performance. He is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another awesome listen.

So good!!

unconventional, sweet and steamy, these two men will steal your heart!

I loved the depth of Tank, he's so much more than the muscles and CJ brings out his inner confidence and helps shape him into a man he can be proud of.

CJ really is a bucket of sunshine and his sunniness quickly wins over everyone. He's suffered through some hardship but Tank is his safe place to land.

I liked that Kiki didn't gloss over hard truths, reality of their relationship and use "money" to fix everything. These two had to fight for what they wanted and it was hard work but they became better for it and found the family they'd both been looking for!

This story is full of intriguing characters and I look forward to getting to know so many more of these bikers soon!!

Kinky and sweet

I like an story when an MC is not evil or just barely lawless, specially this author’s series, how she combines sweetness, sadness and naughtiness is so good. And hopeful.

The only thing that it’s not for me is the dirty talk—which is not specially hard, it’s just me—but I can gladly look past it and focus on the other parts. It’s what happens to me with some of Kiki Clark’s books, but when an author can make you enjoy a story with things you normally don’t like, that means it’s a good one.

The narrator is awesome, I could feel the emotions through his voice, much better than reading myself. The letters? The best.

«Tank was going to find a real family (…) Someone he could worship and protect and possess».

A favourite re read brought to life

Great story Great performance. a firm favourite brought to life by an excellent narrator

Motorclub with a big heart

It has been a while since I read ( or listened to) a book by Kiki Clark. And it was good to get back to her writings. I am looking forward to the other books in the series, be it in writing or audio.

CJ and Tank met through a pen pals scheme for inmates when Tank was incarcerated and CJ was roped into the scheme by his friend.
After Tank his release he went in search of CJ as they wrote about meeting up. Their writings are personal and became more spicy.
When they meet they hit it of and due to circumstances move in together quickly. They fit in really well with the inclusive Motorclub with a difference to which Tank transferred after being released from prison. They also explore and discover their kink side. The Motorclub turns out to have a a real social conscious and I love to see how that will cone to the fore in future books. Story 4,5

Narration:
I have listened to a fair few of the books narrated by John Solo, but I found him not as strong in this one 4-.

Overall 4*

Super hot!

Okay wow I'm really excited about this one. It was so sweet yet so freaking hot!

Tank and CJ

Really enjoyable, hot, gritty. Tank is part of a MC and served time. He gets a pen pal CJ. Throughout the story we get snapshots of their letters. I loved that. I felt for Tank, and loved seeing him thrive as he moved to be closer to CJ. I loved how CJ was all in - no games here. Poor CJ was surrounded by some terrible people so happy to see him get support from Tank. Hoping for some other books so we can see some other MC members find love. Especially Tomas and Six. John did a great job narrating.

Amazing

Such a well written book- great storyline with characters that are believable and easy to love. John Solo is as always so amazing in his performance. Really loved this book.

Good book

I enjoyed listening to this. Many scenes were much hotter than many other books in this genre, and more believable. Still a bit of light escapism overall, rather than a deep read, but enjoyable.