Riding Nerdy

by Adrianne Brooks, Barby Goodface (illustrator)

Dusty took over her father's biker gang, the Lost Legion, after he was falsely convicted of murder. With the promise of the death penalty looming over his head, Dusty is desperate to get him out of prison or die trying. So, when E.M Hayes - Millionaire and tech nerd - wanders into her bar after a failed bank robbery, Dusty is convinced her luck is finally turning around.

Dusty's always been a sucker for a man with dimples and a nice smile, but Edward might prove to be a weakness she can ill afford.

For Dusty, it's a subtle kidnapping with the promise of righting an old wrong. For Edward, it's a Mulan-esque boot camp on badassery. For the Chaos God that’s been hunting them both since childhood, it just might be the ride of a lifetime.

Old Gods and new are rising.

And soon?

There’ll be hell to pay.

We Are Legion is a prequel series for The Wild Hunt and the To the Fairest trilogies

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Contemporary Romance

303 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2024

Reviews

[Disgusted Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

I want to like this book. I really do. But I fear I did not understand wtf was going on half the time. Its so chaotic & unserious. Theres the paranormal aspect(?), the biker gang, a millionaire on the run because people are trying to kill him, theyre also trying to break someone out of jail… chile- 🫥

[Morgan Le Fay ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best part of this book is easily the characters. They all feel distinct and have their own pretty consistent characteristics throughout. Even characters that showed up just a handful of times were able to leave an impression. The dynamic between the love interests made me roots for them so early in this story, when Dusty was dragging him through some fun trouble.

It also had very high stakes, face pace vibes but that kept the story interesting and made it a fast read.

I did love the writing style of the author, with the fairly imaginative language, though during some of the more supernatural seeming moments I wasn’t always certain if it was happening or not at first. Not a bad thing though, kept me flipping back and forth on some pages to reread moments.

At other points the writing would drop you some info that it didn’t previously explanation but it would end up being explained in time that it always felt purposeful of the writing and a little mysterious.

The ending might have been a little rushed without explaining some of the details, but it’s also a very new release so it’s possible it’s on purpose and more is planned.

[Twins Reading Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riding Nerdy by Adrianne Brooks is one of the most entertaining and unputdownable books I've read in a long time, it's a marvelous chaos written in the ink of the heart, and pure untamed greatness! I was straight away riveted by the characters' uniqueness and personalities, even the not so important characters that appear rarely have some great heart details. However, Dusty and Edward were by far the most important characters in this book! Their relationship is crucial, she drags him through complete insanity, and he somehow rolls with it in the most gory manner imaginable, with gripping prose that kept me on the edge of my seat, the tension, the banter, and the slow-burning romance that boils beneath all the action were all FASCINATING and OUTSTANDING!!!
.
Riding Nerdy is a fever dream, it brings together elements of an action film and a love story to craft something mind-blowing. I adored everything that was crammed into the chaos, the FMC Dusty has an unconditional love personality and she bears an enormous burden, and our MMC Edward, who was raised in wealth but without affection, discovers what it is to pick your family, their stories are so beautifully and powerfully parallel that makes every moment so mind-blowing and intriguing!
.
Considering everything going on, it's really simple to become lost in the writing, the banter, the pace, and the conversation are all stunning and fabulous. I fell in love with Dusty because of her dry, sardonic humor, and Edward's clumsy, unintentional badassery was hilarious, to be honest, I highly recommend Riding Nerdy. It's energetic, bloody, humorous, wild, and just awesome, you don't read this kind of action-romance books very often. If you're looking for a novel that has the atmosphere of a dark romantic action film that includes magic, underground fight clubs, bank robberies, and a real Chaos God, this is a book not to be missed!!!

[Delightful Literary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is utterly intriguing and features elements of a dark romantic comedy and an action film. Riding Nerdy is a must-read for everyone who love unpredictable romance, ethically problematic characters, and stories that seem like they could blow up at any second. I already know that Dusty and Edward's crazy, fate-bound love story will be on my mind for long time because this was a wonderful book to read.
.
Adrianne Brooks's compelling prose melted my eyes and made me shiver in every chapter, I really liked how she designs the layers of the details and every single detail is very important, this book has so many elements that will explode your brain in the best way possible, I love how the Author came up with such a smart plot and the romance really was awesome!
.
Even the most tense moments are easy to follow because of the writing's elegance and dramatic quality. The language is vibrant the action scenes are pulsating with energy, and the humor is cutting-edge. The fact that Riding Nerdy is unpredictable in a way that keeps you interested, still is actually part of what makes it so addictive.
.
Edward is something of charm, intelligence, and just the perfect amount of inexperience, whereas Dusty is all survival instincts and sharp edges. Their chemistry was delicate yet powerful, and their banter was flawless. And their journey which was full of underground fight clubs, stolen cars, and divine forces tampering with their destiny—felt more like a story you lived than one you read. It's the type of book where you're so engrossed in the story that you fail to notice how quickly the pages are turning. The book made me stay very very late, I just had to finish it, I could never go to sleep without knowing the ending, and it was PERFECT, UNPREDICTABLE yet a MASTERPIECE, I wish Adrianne Brooks could write faster so we get to read more from her wonderful writing style!

[Daisy Cummins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like Robbers accidentally kidnapping Edward during a bank heist gone badly wrong, Riding Nerdy is the kind of book that holds you hostage and won't let go. And let me just add that I would gladly be kidnapped by this story again and again because I was completely feral by the way it delivered steamy tension, insane action, and utter cinematic craziness.
.
Dusty is our queen; she dominates a biker gang like a boss, and has the sharpest, most ironic mouth, which is why I fell in love with her right away. On top of that, Edward is wealthy, brilliant, slightly unhinged. They were providing grumpy x sunshine in the most savage manner imaginable. The finest thing Dusty ever did was pull him into her world of underground fight clubs, stolen automobiles, and real Chaos Gods because they had explosive chemistry. I laughed at their banter. The tension Made me wanna throw my Kindle across the room because the slow-burn teasing was so good it actually hurt.
.
My heart was racing all over the action moments, I was gasping aloud at the story twists, and the drama was delivering what it needed to. The comedy, too was also unrivaled. I love works which find a line among tension and that kind of beautifully timed chaos, and there were always one lines that made me laugh out loud in the midst of betrayal and bloodshed.
.
This book left me literally screaming for more. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to get more of Dusty’s morally corrupt, bad-girl energy and the way she owned every scene, alongside Edward, who is just one bad decision away from worshiping the ground she walks on. The energy, the passion, the pure adrenaline rush of this story this book was everything!!!

[Travel With A Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adrianne Brooks's high-stakes, action-packed novel RIDING NERDY is packed with suspense, danger and an unexpected romance. The ruthless leader of the Lost Legion, Dusty, is trying to liberate her father from an unfair conviction. They are thrown together in the most explosive way possible by fate when Edward, a billionaire IT genius with dimples too good to ignore, stumbles into her bar.
.
The novel features a wild, cinematic intensity to everything I adore about romance. A struggle for justice, survival, and possibly even fate, the story's unique plot structure and varied character viewpoints offer something novel to the genre and create an amazing atmosphere. The suspense was unbearable in the best logic, and the emotional level is off the charts.
.
Action and passion flourish in RIDING NERDY, and the fury of it all left me sweating. I had no idea what to expect from this, I only knew it was a romance novel. However, it was like watching the most thrilling action film, only this time, I was inside it, experiencing every heart-pounding scene, every grasped gaze and every muttered promise between Dusty and Edward, these two characters were almost giving me a heart attack! No other novel compares to Riding Nerdy, even if I read a thousand. It's raw. It's thrilling. It's the kind of story that accumulates in your heart, I really rate this ten stars and I highly recommend it to every reader, this was EPIC!

[a.compulsive_ reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m beyond speechless right now. My heart is racing, tears rolling down my cheeks, and my soul is crying out. Riding Nerdy by Adrianne Brooks is an absolute masterpiece urban fantasy - THE BEST I'VE EVER READ!!! I read A LOT of books and it is rare for a book to be so original, so well written, so incredible that I finish the last sentence and my heart is literally beating out of chest and I’m too stunned to think. This book. THIS BOOK!!!!
.
Dusty is our female main character, she is strong, capable, and unapologetically powerful, she is the kind of bold, inspirational heroine, and her banter with Edward is entertaining. I couldn't stop turning the pages. There were a lot of moments that left me begging for more as their dynamic ruptures with electricity more and more as I was in the last chapters! Edward is a brilliant genius with a golden heart and just enough chaos to keep up with Bella. The adventure is simply addictive, the suspense is delicious, and the banter is razor-sharp.
.
When you include the bisexual main characters, the grumpy x sunny energy, and motorcycle gangs, the book really comes to life. The plot is also helped by the scary, magical layer of Haitian voodoo legend. For readers who prefer romance with a good amount of danger, mythology, and attitude, Riding Nerdy is the novel for you. I gasped, I chuckled, and I read every page. This is a must-read.

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second the author described this as “idiots to lovers,” I was totally sold. And considering I ripped through this in two sittings, it’s safe to say the story lived up to my excitement.

-Stefan voice- This book had everything. Genius himbos. Badass female biker gang leaders. A dramatic recitation of the lyrics to “Lucky” while hanging naked out the sunroof of a stolen car and crying. It’s half love story and half action movie, and those two halves make up one incredible heart. Lining up Dusty’s story (a girl whose family loves her so deeply and the secrets she keeps to protect them) next to Edward’s (a boy who came from money and not love and the family he chooses in the here and now) really highlights the beauty and the flaws in both characters. But my favorite part was the thing I least expected: the humor. In spite of the blood, the drama, the loss, the betrayal, this book is utterly hilarious in places! But never at the expense of the real meat of the book. It’s just a delightful seasoning.

I do wish there had been more content about Eshu and the underlying supernatural elements to it all. But I know there will be more to explore later, so I’ll try and be patient and wait for more to be revealed!

[Jane Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

So very, very good! Such a compelling and brilliantly written novel, itbrings a lot of twists and turns along with all the emotions. The writing was terrific. It was clever. The story didn't bounce out of it or stumble over grammar speed bumps. It was entertaining and addictive!
.
I have never read a heroine like Dusty, a Black female biker gang leader who is tough and unforgiving. She is vigilant, sincere, and unafraid to get her hands filthy, but beyond her rough demeanor lies a deep respect for her family. Haitian voodoo folklore is also carefully folded iinto the book, lending the plot a mysterious, almost fate-touched aspect. Not to be ignored is the bisexual representation, which is present, natural, and perfectly brought into the plot, which was really hot!
.
This book includes mythology, romance, and action in an original style. Dusty is taking over her father's biker gang one minute, and next she's involved with Edward, a computer tycoon who has no idea what he's gotten himself into. It unfolds like an incredible road trip with a supernatural twist. Their relationship, which opposes the typical power dynamics in romance, is fascinating right away. Dusty lives in a cruel world, but the way she and Edward meet is strangely lyrical!

[Tito · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was 4.5 stars for me but I rounded up because I want to support this author so they can continue to write the next book of the series!

I had such great fun reading this book. The writing is easy to follow along even though there was a lot happening to bring both main characters into each others’ worlds. The dialogue and banter was hilarious and entertaining to me — Dusty had a dark, sarcastic sense of humor that immediately made me fall in love with her.

Only reason it wasn’t a full 5 stars for me was because there were times I couldn’t tell if the scene was set in reality or in a fever dream.

If you’re looking for a fun, dark romcom-ish book, then give this one a try! It also has:

- Haitian voodoo folklore
- motorcycle gangs
- grumpy x sunshine
- bisexual main characters
- slow-burn

[Tangible Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riding Nerdy is was way more serious than I expected. I thought it was gonna be light hearted and fun, but out the gate even with the wild opening scenario, it was talking about grief and family trauma. "It is better to be here with you than there with them." Wow. I didn't really get the chemistry between Dusty and Edward, but two broken souls deserve some companionship. I think Edward came off very broken then all of a sudden transformed (at the end). There are several unanswered questions and I can see the set up for a sequel. This book can definitely be read as a standalone if you choose not to continue the rest of the series. I think it's about to get Bonnie and Clyde after this.

[Shelby Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

This book was super goofy, yet serious at the same time, and there was so much going on I didn’t know where to look. I enjoyed the two main characters and the silliness at times, but the plot was everywhere. The supernatural element was too little and too unnecessary for the book on its own unless it’s going to be built on in future books, but even if so, I doubt I’ll continue this series.

[Zinnia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fast space supernatural intrigue, and unlikely romance. Dusty is a bold, determined heroine, and her clash, and chemistry, with tech genius Edward Hayes makes for a dynamic and engaging read. With Old Gods rising and chaos on their trail, this story delivers action, humor, and heart in equal measure.

[Olga Kamińska · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read 80% of the book and DNF. The whole story had potential, it really did. But it was so chaotic and unsettling that it was difficult to read.

The only emotions I felt were confusion, a bit of curiosity, but mostly exhaustion because it was just plain hard to read.

And I had such high hopes! The description sounded interesting, and the cover was really cool.
Not for me thou 2/5

[Ashley W · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it from the first page. The only downside to me was how abrupt the ending was and there's some plotlines that didn't get resolved but hopefully there will be a second book.

3.5 out of 5

[Orlanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yeah this was a mess. I was promised so much and given non of it. There was soooo much happening. Way too much. I have no idea what was going on.

[Shinyfluff · Rating 5 out of 5]

addendum: Oct 2024: just received the ARC and wow! such awesome changes making this story even more interesting and flowing cooler
I love this book and ther characters so much!!!! Hoping for some sequels <3

I’ve beta read this excellent heist fantasy. It’s such a fun romp! Love love love