Own the Wind (Chaos, #1) in Buddy Read Zone

Jan 30, 2013 Vikki ~ *squee* lite ~ rated it really liked it

Shelves: hawt, alpha-hero, angsty, sniffle, awesome-sauce, leave-me-with-a-smile, book-boyfriend, series, bad-boy-hero, swoon

4.5 stars

It’s always hard for me to review a Kristen Ashley book. They are some of the few books I actually tend NOT to review. I know part of it is that I love them so much. I almost hate to analyze them and pick them apart. It makes me worry that it will lose some of its magic. Because, despite the fact that she is without a doubt one of my top five authors of all time, I know her books aren’t perfect, but what they make me feel IS, so that’s where I like to stay.

So, I’m going to try and st
4.5 stars

It’s always hard for me to review a Kristen Ashley book. They are some of the few books I actually tend NOT to review. I know part of it is that I love them so much. I almost hate to analyze them and pick them apart. It makes me worry that it will lose some of its magic. Because, despite the fact that she is without a doubt one of my top five authors of all time, I know her books aren’t perfect, but what they make me feel IS, so that’s where I like to stay.

So, I’m going to try and stick to that (sorry, I know that hardly makes for an objective review) and tell you how this story made me feel.

The story starts three years after Motorcycle Man ends, so Tabby is 19, and Shy is 23. The first half of the book spans four years, and gives you the story of how Tabby and Shy fell apart, and then finally came back together again. For me, this was the most emotionally engaging part of the story. It was a roller coaster of anger, heartbreak, bittersweet happiness, despair, and hope. It didn’t take more than a few pages to fall head first into Tabby and Shy’s story, and for the first half of the book, I could barely take a breath. It hurt seeing them apart, and why. It hurt seeing what brought them back together. Oh, but once they were together, it was absolutely beautiful.

I’d like to know why you dialed my number tonight, but if you don’t wana share that shit, that’s cool too. I’ll just say, babe, I’m glad you did. You need a safe place to just forget shit and escape, I’ll give it to you. Tonight. Tomorrow. Next week. Next month. That safe place is me Tabby.

I can honestly say that it was, for me, the most beautiful “falling in love” story that I’ve ever read. Even at its most painful (and there were parts where I felt like I was sucker punched), it was amazing in its intensity. I felt every single pull that brought them together, and it was perfect.

I had a taste of you four years ago that I could never get off my tongue. Now, I’ve tasted more of you with more than just my mouth, and I know I wana keep it in a way I don’t want to think of it bein’ done. Not in a few weeks. Not in a few months. Maybe not ever.

I am sad to say, that the second half of the book, while I enjoyed it, lost some of that emotional intensity for me. I was excited to see some of my favorite people from other books show up (Tack, Tyra, Rush, and the rest of the Chaos family) and we even got cameos of Hawk, Lee, and Elvira, and a bunch of my other favorites which was an awesome surprise. I really like Shy’s brother (I see a book in his future – I hope). And the glimpses into Lanie and Hop’s relationship were a good set-up for the next book. (and I’m thrilled, because I can honestly say, previous to this, I was not excited about their book, at all.) I liked seeing Tabby and Shy learn to navigate their new relationship, and all that would mean for them, and their families.

Often, in a Kristen Ashley book there seems to be an overarching crisis which comes to a head in the second half of the book, creating the majority of the (external) conflict. (Serial killer, Russian mob, stalker drug kingpin etc.) For me this seems to create a feedback loop which increases the emotional impact of the story. You’ve just invested yourself into this new relationship (or rekindled an old one), and now it’s being test, in the most basic of ways. This story followed a similar pattern but the crisis, for me, fell kind of flat. In part, I’m sure because it is intended to extend beyond this book, into the next. It felt like the story lost some of its momentum, that it peaked early. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoyed it, a lot, but for me, it didn’t compare to the first half.

Sweet Dreams is my favorite Kristen Ashley book and it is on my list of my top ten favorite books of all time. I think I’ve probably read it 5 or 6 times (since reading it the first time last year). There are large chunks of it that I could probably quote verbatim. The first half of Own the Wind blew Sweet Dreams out of the water. Hands down. If the second half had followed through, I would have a new favorite. But for now, Sweet Dreams is safe. Even if it's not my new favorite, this is still a great story, with amazing charaters, and it will certainly make my re-read pile.

ARC was provided by Hatchett Book Group, Grand Centeral Pulishing, Forever via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ...more

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Mar 11, 2013 Steph rated it it was amazing

Shelves: kindle-read

I absolutely adore Kristen Ashley and have really missed her writing style. I have only read her Rock Chick series so far; and now this. But I like her work more and more with every book I read.
I am a serious sucker for a good biker guy, but I have been really disappointed with this kind of story recently. So I was relieved that I liked this book so much. KA has restored my faith.

I just want to start by saying that the first ~10% being completely from Shy's point of view was amazing. You don ...more

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Nov 21, 2012 Jenny - TotallybookedBlog rated it it was amazing

Gitte: YES Jenny…I want to fist bump and high five Kristen for this classic vintage KA crack!! This is why I love her so much and why she is one of my favourite Authors who automatically get one clicked. LOVED Shy & Tabby, LOVED the story and LOVED all the familiar faces!

I will say though that to get everything out of this story, the Dream Man series should be read first! I loved the character development of Shy and Tabby, we got to know them apart over a few years which had such an impact on th ...more

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Jan 16, 2013 ~V~ rated it really liked it

Shelves: contemporary-romance

Great start to the Chaos series! I absolutely LOVE bad-ass alpha bikers but i love that Chaos is a "clean" MC, although they do definitely teeter on that fine edge. Own The Wind included everything i soooo enjoy about ALL KA books, the emotional drama with a few angsty parts, some funny moments, some very sad moments, a little suspense thrown in here and there, some great steamy moments..although i will admit, after the first scene i was a little bit worried, it read more like a YA sex scene tha ...more

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Dec 29, 2012 Crazy for Books (Stephanie) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. What can I say? Kristen Ashley has done it again. I was so drawn into these characters that I couldn't put it down. I had read the first 32 pages of the book from a download on her website. When I got the book, I had to read it again. So much happens in the prologue, you just had to read it again to get the full experience of the book.

Today, while at lunch with a friend, who is fellow Kristen Ashley devote, I read the prologue to her, and she squealed ready to read the full book when it becomes What can I say? Kristen Ashley has done it again. I was so drawn into these characters that I couldn't put it down. I had read the first 32 pages of the book from a download on her website. When I got the book, I had to read it again. So much happens in the prologue, you just had to read it again to get the full experience of the book.

Today, while at lunch with a friend, who is fellow Kristen Ashley devote, I read the prologue to her, and she squealed ready to read the full book when it becomes available. As she's said to me before while reading the Rock Chick and Dream Man series, "I want to move to Denver and become friends with these characters. They must exist." If only they did.

I fell in love almost immediately with Shy and felt his pain when a lesson he tried to teach Tabby, went too far and cost him years of being around her and almost losing her to another man. The few times he sees her over the 3-4 years of their separation are palpable. Especially when he watches her with her guy on the steps of the DCPA. That moment, he knew he'd screwed up. And to discover months later she was engaged, you could read between the lines and know his heart was being ripped out.

But when they finally get together, which I loved about this book, and is most of the book, they have so many obstacles to get over. From her family of Chaos MC, to her father and even Tyra, her stepmother, to Landon, Shy's brother. I love how Shy has her back even against his brother, whom he loved and was the only blood left that he had he was close to. I love how he had her back when his brothers in Chaos were close to voting him out because of his relationship with Tabby. I love how he made sure her mother didn't give her any grief. He was just the best guy. Once he realized he had a chance with her and didn't want to mess it up, he went full out proving to her that he was the right guy for her.

I loved how Tabby took the time to listen to what Shy had to say to her, even though it was harsh and broke her heart. It allowed her to find love with Jason, though that was short lived. He allowed her to grieve and be her friend and she let him back into her life. I love how she gave her entire family what for when they railed at her and froze her out for being with Shy and not telling them about it. I love how when the chips were down she had his back in every case. She even stood by him when they ran into his ex and he realized that he'd crushed her like he had been crushed when Tabby was with Jason.

Every character had a place in the story, no one was dropped, every emotional string was strung. I almost hated for it to end.

Although, I think it could be a standalone for the beginning of the series, I would highly recommend reading the Dream Man series at least Mystery Man and Motorcycle man first, in order to get the full experience and know who all the players really are.

I want this to be a tv show so I can watch their lives every week.

Loved loved loved, Shy and Tabby. Looking forward to Laine and Hop!

_______________________________________________

May 15, 2017

Doing a Kristen Ashley redux until I get to "Walk Through Fire." ...more

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Mar 09, 2013 Anne OK rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013-reads

I had really high hopes for KA's latest release with the start of the Chaos Series. However, I'm not feelin' it overall -- it just fell flat and bland. I feel like the scenes are replays over and over again. Even though the heat in Ashley's books is and has always been super-sonic, it once again still comes across as same old-same old.

I liked both Shy and Tab. They had good chemistry and a fun-to-read romance. It was a welcome treat to revisit a few old characters -- especially just a tiny snea ...more

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Mar 27, 2013 Britney rated it it was amazing

Shelves: my-favs, my-crack, 6-stars, ka, 5-star-rating

***Revised***

Biker Princess meets Biker Boss

I loved this book!! So, so, so very much! It was raw, beautiful and simply perfection. More than a 5 star book!

I highly recommend reading the Dream Man series before this book. You don’t have to in order to read this one but you will not be able to understand the awesomeness of all the cameos without reading that series first. I read Motorcycle Man (Dream Man #4) before this one and I’d say that is most definitely a must. However, I had not read Dream ...more

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Feb 12, 2013 Sultan * Baby Mama Smut-a-teer* rated it it was amazing

A warning before I write. I have been feeling real lazy with writing reviews recently. I blame it on the bambino as we are still in the first trimester and all I wanna do is sleep. And read. And depending on the day devour sweets. Anywho that being said my reviews maybe boring and or short and sweet. Apologize now and blame it on the baby. Haha

I loved this book as I do any and all things KA. Shy was one sexy motherfucker and had me all kinda of worked up! He had his asshole moments as all hot ba ...more

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Dec 12, 2012 Jessica rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, kindle, ooo-la-la, 2013-reads

YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW EXCITED I AM FOR THIS STORY! ! ! !

GOOD LORD! Everything I wanted plus some I LOVE Kristen Ashley, not as much Drama and I expected but STILL AMAZING! Can't get over Shy I loved him in Motorcycle Man and loved him more in this one, although I never saw him as a sweet and sensitive guy but it just added to my love. I felt bad for Tabitha after the Jason thing but I couldn't see them together at all, they were not a match, her and Shy that works they compliment each other reall ...more

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Apr 10, 2013 SHALAMAR rated it really liked it

KA never disappoints! Loved Tabby's story, I can't wait for Rush! ...more

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Jan 09, 2013 Ellie rated it liked it

Shelves: contemporary-romance

Shy Cage never dreamed a dream.
Still, he knew, without a doubt since he was holding one in his arms, dreams were real.

Okay, so I had really big expectations of this book which may have worked against me.

Don't get me wrong - I enjoyed this book, I just didn't loooove it. I've been spending the last few minutes trying to pinpoint why and I think it comes down to the shorter length. KA's protagonists always seem larger-than-life and it feels like they almost need the longer books to contain t Shy Cage never dreamed a dream.
Still, he knew, without a doubt since he was holding one in his arms, dreams were real.

Okay, so I had really big expectations of this book which may have worked against me.

Don't get me wrong - I enjoyed this book, I just didn't loooove it. I've been spending the last few minutes trying to pinpoint why and I think it comes down to the shorter length. KA's protagonists always seem larger-than-life and it feels like they almost need the longer books to contain them. Obviously the longer books were not universally loved but I missed all of the details that would have made me feel like I was inside Shy's and Tabby's head.

I feel like a lot of the emotion that KA writes works so well for me because she shows it so clearly. In this book, I felt like I was being told what was happening instead. Something weird that I didn't notice until after reading this book was what a big role food and drink plays in KA books. I knew from Motorcycle Man that Tabby was hit or miss in the kitchen and that was brought up in Own the Wind but it wasn't shown a lot. She messes up some cookies and some burgers but later we're *told* that she and Shy go to the grocery store together but we don't get to see it. We're *told* that Shy does most of the cooking but we don't get to see it. I don't know what his best dishes are, or what he makes when Tabby's in a bad mood, and I really missed that.

In Motorcycle Man, Tack makes amazing fajitas, pancakes that can make you feel better even after you find out your fiance is involved with the mob, and will make you chops while you sit on the counter and keep him company and sip on wine. All those things made me fall in love with Tack and I didn't feel like I ever got the chance to fall in love with Shy and that disappointed me.

I also didn't like that it didn't seem like Tabby had any girlfriends in this book other than Tyra. One of the big plot elements is that Tabby has had a falling out with her best girlfriend, Natalie but I was surprised that we didn't get any scenes with her and other girlfriends. Another thing I've loved about KA books is the emphasis on friendships outside of the main romantic relationship. It makes the books feel real and I love how her heroines don't end up isolated even though they end up in intense romatic relationships. This book however didn't really have that and I missed it a lot.

That being said, this was a fun read and I loved the teaser chapter from Fire Inside. Hop is Bossy (in the best way) ; ) and Lanie is going to cause some serious drama in his life. ...more

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