Still Standing

Wild West MC , Book 1

By: Kristen Ashley

Narrated by: Erin Mallon, Jason Clarke - epilogue

Length: 14 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's Summary

When Clara Delany walks into the Aces High Motorcycle Club's hangout, she's hit rock bottom. She's hiding her car from the repo man, she has less than two dollars in her bank account, and the only employment she can get is delivering messages for a criminal.

All because of a man. Therefore, she's sworn them off.

And then she meets West "Buck" Hardy, president of the Aces High MC.

Buck also meets her, and the minute he does, he makes it clear (to everyone but Clara) that they're starting something. Since Clara doesn't get that message, she decides to leave Buck and sort out her life in order to come back to him clean.

She's not gone but hours before life hits Clara with another blow. Which means Buck and his boys have to ride in and save the day. After that, Buck makes no bones about where they stand.

But does he?

Welcome to the first novel in the Wild West MC series, which will tell the stories of the brothers of the Aces High MC, the Resurrection MC, and the Chaos MC - and the women who love them.

©2021 Kristen Ashley (P)2021 Audible, Inc.

Big Fan of K.A. - this is just poorly redone Motorcycle Man unfortunately

I’m so sad to have to write this review. I anxiously await each and every one of her books, especially in audio because she chooses fantastic narrators, but this is just a recycled version of Motorcycle Man. And it’s not even well done. I’ve worked in editing romance for nearly ten years. I feel like she took the outline from her Motorcycle Man manuscript and tossed in a few new names and change the location. Then she failed to flesh out the story and her characters. Whoever worked with her on editing this should be fired. A good editor would have pointed out to her how obvious the overlap between these two stories are and would have suggested changes to break up some of the repeats and freshen up this story. I’m so bummed and even feel a bit tricked. I understand authors feel the need to publish fast and often in efforts to please their readers, but sometimes you need to slow down and take the time to make sure the story you put out is worthy of your brand and name as an author. Unfortunately for K.A., this one just ain’t it.

I just paid to reread Motorcycle Man- but worse

This is a recycled story, with less likeable characters than were in Motorcycle Man. I feel like I've been cheated out of a credit.

Didn’t we already do this story?

I’m a big fan of Kristen Ashely and have all of her other books in my library, but this one is a big miss for me. The story is recycled and the few differences that existed made this book a very poor rehashing of Motorcycle Man. I wouldn’t waste your credit on this one.

No... Just No!

This is so wrong. KA sold this as “a new series” when she actually just took a previously published story and changed the names and a few minor details. Anyone want to bet that the detective in this story will closely resemble Brock Lucas? She also manage to make the two main characters EXTREMELY unlikable. KA should’ve just titled the book The Doormat and The Douchebag. I‘ll definitely be returning this one!

Enjoyed it!!!!!

Ok. First, don't read all the negative reviews on this. Read this book for yourself. It does have some similarities to Motorcycle Man. But I think you could say that about a lot of books in the MC genre. Both books have trouble with the ex, both have boy and girl kids, etc....Another problem some reviewers do not like that 'physical abuse' scene. Yes, he does put his hands on her....to move her. Not to get into spoilers, but again. Read it yourself. Buck is the H and 'Toots' is the h. She is a librarian who is innocent to the MC world. Some reviewers complained about her being a 'door mat'. I don't agree. Everyone can see things their own way, but I enjoyed the fall of buck and toots. Its a good start to the new MC. I'll continue to get this series on audio. Erin did a fab job of narrating. My only complaint was the last chapter and epilogue was narrated by Jason. I prefer having both sides told through the story. Thats my preference. Get this book. Enjoy it.

What a great book

I haven’t listened to a Kristen Ashley book in a wile. Really good book and Erin Mallon is awesome as always. Thanks Erin for getting me back to Kristen Ashely books

SO, A MIXED BAG OF REVIEWS I SEE.. but I loved it

Firstly wow, I can see this book has got some negative reviews along with some positive ones.. we are all very different with different viewpoints, tastes, expectations, limits and criticism.. and each one is right - for that person. So here’s my penny’s worth too.. I love KA stories and an MC romance.. well yes, tick that baby twice. And I was also tempted with Jason Clarke but put a cross here because he was only used for the last chapter and the Epilogue (boo hoo).. however, Erin did a fantastic job and I was totally hooked from chapter 1. And yes, I listened to Motorcycle Man way back in 2014 with its ‘similarities’.. but it’s over six years on now and I just didn’t remember it or care because this, IMO, is a good MC listen. I fell in love with these flawed characters.. I drooled as Buck instantly becomes a possessive alpha MC President who hungrily protects his woman. I swooned at the visuals that went with those badass actions.. I took delicious delight in the well-written plot that involves a damsel in distress and the smokin hot thirty-eight year old President of an MC Club. A seasoned biker who’d been to Hell and back already and is AAAALL man as he slowly outmanoeuvres her enemies and keeps her safe. I sympathized with, and rooted for, Clara, the thirty-two year old penniless, homeless, sweet, naïve and innocent heroine who had to learn the hard way all her tragic life as she was past from care giver to care giver and trusted the wrong person.. a person who nearly ruined her life. I got caught-up in the family dynamics, disfunction and drama that Buck’s ex, his lifestyle and his difficult daughter causes and creates.. but I applaud her character growth during stressful times and learning to let go of her hostility. And to clarify.. but maybe not spoiler free - there was no cheating.. and Buck grabs Clara to lift and move her out of his way while he was angry, not thinking clearly and on-route to seek vengeance for his daughter’s attack, he didn’t realize he had hurt Clara in any way or intentionally did it. So I really liked this first taste of the colorful mixed bag of characters and Club workings in the Aces High MC 💕. WORTH A CREDIT? Yes, I loved every minute of it.. yes it was different, yes it has its wee imperfections.. but you know what, I personally still loved it nonetheless.

Don't buy this for Jason Clarke!!

I was so excited when I read that Erin and Jason were narrating this book, but it's really just Erin. Jason reads the last chapter and the epilogue. Erin was absolutely amazing as always. You can always tell the difference in which character is speaking without her having to say the name, which is awesome!!
Now the story, well it was just ok. If you're a KA fan then you will quickly realize this is almost the same as Motorcycle Man but the H in this does not have too many redeeming qualities. The h is a little bit of a doormat and is fine with just getting what she gets. The writing in this book is old style KA, but she did just kind of copy another one of her books, so it's expected.
I did not hate this book, but I can honestly say I was disappointed, but Erin Mallon saved it for me.

BAD PERFORMANCE - STOPPED LISTENING

I absolutely love Kristen Ashley books. I have all of her books and audiobooks. I listen to the audibooks over and over. I travel a lot and it's easy to start one of her books and listen to it for hours. The performers bring out the characters so well making the books enjoyable and fun to listen to.

Unfortunately not with this audiobook. I hate giving a bad review especially for a Kristen Ashley book. Please note this is not regarding the book itself but the performer. Please still read the book!

Not only did the performer lack giving her characters personality, it sounds like she is just reading the book outloud with little voice inflections and slightly changing her voice for different characters. At times her cadence is flat, monotone. I had to stop listening so she wouldn't ruin the book for me.

Disappointed

Ugh. When I started this, I was so hoping for a throwback to KA’s earlier works. That’s not really fair of me, I know it’s not. Authors are artists who have to write what is in their hearts. Many Kristen Ashley books are favorites of mine—this one is not.

The fact that this story and Motorcycle Man have MANY similarities did not bother me—MM is on my favorites list. One main difference for me was the lack of emotion. I hardly felt any romance and the storyline was just kind of “flat”. The couple was just together after a few pages—no real tension, no butterflies, just living together. Also, things that could have been pivotal or lead up to some kind of climatic scene were sort of brushed over—oh ya, I got kidnapped—and my friend got shot.

My main reason for me personally not enjoying this as much as I wanted were the characters themselves. The h seemed so down on herself. All. The. Time. She would just “take what she could get”. I get she had an extremely tough life—it just didn’t sit well with me. And then the H. God god—the H. My favorite type of H’s are alpha a-holes who are really great guys (hence me loving KA’s earlier works). This one wasn’t just an alpha. He was more of an abusive bully for a good part of the story. He literally bullied the h into almost everything she did—from drinking to playing pool to living with him—and the spineless h just kind of took it. And then he got physical. Literally threw her, hurt her, and threatened her life all because she “got in his way”. He then try to explain the why’s, and she just should not get in his way again. That’s a deal breaker for me. I read these stories to feel good. I personally stay away from “darker” romances. It gives a me chance to kind of live someone else’s life for a bit. To think “wow, I wish my hubby would do that”. My husband and I have been together forever. He’s not perfect, I’m far from perfect, but this book actually made me so thankful for all my husband moods and quirks—so I guess that’s a plus.

There did seem to be some character growth in the end which held my interest, so I actually upped my rating a bit.

I listened to the audible version. Main female narrator was very good. Male narrator toward the end was decent, but not one of my favorites. Maybe because she set the tone for the story, and I don’t feel their individual voices worked well together.

Not my favourite

But still enjoyed it. Yes it’s similar to Motorcycle Man, but the characters are very different to Tack and Tyra. Preferred the narrator used in the chaos and dream man books

Corker!!

Was a little dubious about this as am a huge Chaos fan but I was wrong. There are similarities but it’s still a really good story, a cracking listen. I love how Kirsten writes and this was a great start to a new series.

Kristen does it again

Loved this couple!!!!! Also great to see people from the other KA book series featured! Great read!

It felt longer than 14 hrs

Reviews are very subjective aren’t they? For me this book could have been told in half the time but maybe that’s because I really get frustrated by females that allow anyone to walk over her. And she does, a lot. And she’s incredibly self centred. I won’t be listening to this one again and I think I’ll KA a miss in the future.

Disappointed

I thought I’d give this book a chance despite the bad reviews because I just love KA but the reviews were right, this is a subpar version of Motorcycle man!

Love love love

Great story and performance. Can not wait for the next in the series. I love how there are references to other characters from others series in the story. A must read!!!!