Ryker

Bad Boys for Hire Series, Book 1

By: Rachelle Ayala

Narrated by: Chris Abell

Length: 3 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

Florist Terri Martin lives a calm and peaceful life. Maybe too calm and too peaceful because she can't remember the last time she was in a relationship.

Terri calls Bad Boys for Hire to book herself a date for her thirtieth birthday party, but before she can hire one, she meets Ryker Slade, a biker hiding from his motorcycle club.

Old vendettas resurface and soon, Terri has more than she can handle when she learns that her and Ryker's love is as doomed as Romeo and Juliet's.

Ryker thinks he has a way out, but can Terri escape her fate, or will she find her lover dead before she wakes?

Bad Boys for Hire are fun and exciting stories where love is unexpected, but always delicious. They can be listened to standalone, but for greater enjoyment, please be sure to check out the other books in the series.

Bad Boys for Hire Series was awarded the 2016 Beck Valley Books Reviewers Choice Award.

©2015 Rachelle Ayala (P)2017 Rachelle Ayala Publishing, LLC

Ryker

What did you like best about this story?

This iaudiobook is fun and sexy read that will have you laughing with them, and hoping that Ryker can be a hero. Very entertaining to listen to.

I asked for more and I got it!

I asked for more and I got it!

This is the 1st in the Bad Boys for Hire Series. I previously listened/reviewed book #2 Ken.

♥ Story ♥
Terri “Terr” Martin is turning 30 and needs a date! She calls the Bad Boys for Hire agency to hire a biker to accompany her to the party her mother is throwing for her. She wants to make a ripple in the pond, not show up with a respectable date. Terry runs her own florist shop to her mother’s dismay who is always trying to set her up with someone that will raise the social status of the family.

Ryker is a marine, who just so happens to be a biker, sidelined by a war injury trying to find a job, and it’s not going well. After an awkward if not embarrassing standoff, Ryker ends up working for Terri. Their chemistry is on fire, but when the meddling mother comes to visit/coerce her into a date, Ryker recognizes a woman from his past and all the pieces fall into place.

Secrets start pouring out, and they are juicy! Seems they have a lot more in common than once thought, and their pasts coming roaring back with a vengeance. The story ends so far from where you think when you first start, but trust me, It’s so worth it!

♥ Author ♥
This is my second read by Rachelle Ayala and I am so not disappointed! I can’t wait for the 3rd book to make it to audio!

♥ Narrator(s) ♥
Chris Abell also narrates this title. My opinion of who his voice reminds me of still stands, but I was so enthralled with the story and what was going to happen that I cannot say much more about his performance which should say everything about the job he did!

Ebook obtained through Kindle Unlimited
Audiobook obtained for free at my request and I am voluntarily leaving this unbiased review
More Reviews @ GoodReads Id: AudiobookRomance

Bad guy biker & good girl biker?

Ryker is ex-military, born & raised by a 1% MC...but he isn’t comfortable with that life and has been homeless and panhandling since his return home. Terri feels something for to panhandler, gives him $20 and offers him a temp job at her flower shop. She sort of expects him to take her $$ and run and is surprised when he shows up for the job. The pair start a fling...then later on realize that their families are in rival MC. Think Westside Story but with bikes. Great story! Moving on to the next book in the series.

So many twists!

I felt like my head was constantly spinning. As soon as I thought I figured out what was happening, something else happened and I couldn't wrap my head around it. I spent a good 20 minutes after finishing still trying to piece everything together. Here is a little sample of what is currently going on: "That was him?" "They don't know who she is?" "Her dad dad what?" "How did her mom do that?" "What is his mom doing?" "What the hell just happened?" "They all knew?" "What?" "Why?" "How?"

The narrator, Chris Abell, did a fantastic job with the characters. His gravely voice fit this book perfectly!

Laughed myself silly!

Injured, Ryker is out of the Marines and home again. He meets Terri while Panhandling. She offers him a job at her Flower shop and desperate he accepts. Instant flames ignite between them but Terri is a tad insecure. She feels there's too much meat on her bones for a man to take her seriously. The story progresses and they discover their own families who have the death vendetta against each other. Ryker joined the Marines to escape the vendetta his family (biker gang) has for the other gang who changed their names for protection.

The story flows quickly without stalling anywhere. The writing is solid and had me rolling in laughter. The banter between Terri and her friends was absolutely hilarious to me. The author really tagged what could be true conversations between women. Terri's private thoughts are just as ridiculous and true. And there are a few other parts that are just silly and light-hearted even through the drama. I enjoyed that.

I've lived in a military city for two decades, my friends are military or were military and a medical discharge isn't quite what's explained in the book. It depends on the severity of the injury. I can understand the author simplifying it for sake of the story but Ryker panhandling and penniless was too much. He wouldn't be rich by any means with an injury to the thigh but should have some type of monthly compensation. I also wondered about his medical care and therapy. I overthought this part of the story but do think the author could have made this part more realistic.

Chris Abell was fantastic. He really nailed it. I'm not always fond a male narrators, depends on the story. I cringe when they attempt to do female voices but a few men can pull off female voices and he did.

Overall, it's a cute story and had me laughing from one scene to the next.

bad boys

characters needed to be devolped more in the story. Didnt get a emotional connection at all. Overall it was a good book for a short story. I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator through Audiobook Boom.

Let's fall in love ....

Would you consider the audio edition of Ryker to be better than the print version?

The audio version has an abundance of personality. Mr. Abell revs up the excitement factor with his delivery of the dialogue, but I do wish he had slowed down and allowed listeners to take in the moment a bit more. That is the draw of the print version, reading at a more balanced speed.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ryker - There is something so sexy about a man that is not afraid to take control, but has a sensitive side when it counts most.

What does Chris Abell bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Mr. Abell gives personality of course, but his delivery paints an image of the man. You hear the voice and imagine the scenarios, the interactions as if you were in the middle of a movie.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

What I love most about Ms. Ayala as a writer is her ability to make me laugh at moments when it would be so easy to burst into tears. She balances great fun storytelling with easy to identify with characters, even in the most heartbreaking of moments her optimistic humor shines through.

Any additional comments?

Whether reading or listening to Bad Boys for Hire: Ryker, a reader runs the risk of losing their heart.

Awesome book!

I loved this book! It is amazingly well written. The characters and the storyline were well developed and complex! There are so many twists the story keeps you engaged from the first page to the last! This is my first book by this author and it will not be my last!
Narration is very much personal preference but I think this was very well done, very professional, I enjoyed every minute!

I Want A Bad Boy For Hire!!!

This Bad Boy For Hire audiobook was a pleasure to listen to with an awesome narrator. I didn't read the story prior to listening, but I think if I had, it would have added to the story. I never realized listening to someone tell me a story could be so exciting, especially one like this. it's incredibly hour and I recommend having a listen.

AMAZING!!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Ryker to be better than the print version?

I absolutely love reading books, but having it read to me by a nice male voice, is wonderful...and I can still get things done around my house and with my kids and not have to stop reading.

What other book might you compare Ryker to and why?

I don't think there is a comparison to this book. It's an incredible romance that captured you and keeps you to the laSt word.

What about Chris Abell’s performance did you like?

Chris Abell did an amazing job. He has a voice that is very easy to listen to.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Bikers in a past life find love with each other

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend anything written by Rachel Ayala. I have read many of her books, and they never disappoint.