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Custom Ride #1
Custom Ride
"A Midsummer Night's Steam" story.
Life s not always about the journey, but who takes you on the ride.
A stint in the Air Force left Ryan MacRae with a bitter memory of life in the closet. Jeff Allstein is a mechanic who has too much to lose if his private life becomes public. The heat of their attraction boils over on a stormy summer night, but satisfying that need only makes them both crave more.
Their searing connection makes it hard for Ryan to understand the road blocks Jeff continually puts down. Ryan will have to buckle up if he s going to find love at the end of his custom ride.
Warning: This title contains the following: explicit male/male sex, graphic language."
Life s not always about the journey, but who takes you on the ride.
A stint in the Air Force left Ryan MacRae with a bitter memory of life in the closet. Jeff Allstein is a mechanic who has too much to lose if his private life becomes public. The heat of their attraction boils over on a stormy summer night, but satisfying that need only makes them both crave more.
Their searing connection makes it hard for Ryan to understand the road blocks Jeff continually puts down. Ryan will have to buckle up if he s going to find love at the end of his custom ride.
Warning: This title contains the following: explicit male/male sex, graphic language."
74 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 17, 2007
5 people are currently reading
283 people want to read
About the author
K.A. Mitchell
48 books1,112 followersK.A. Mitchell discovered the magic of writing at an early age when she learned that a carefully crayoned note of apology sent to the kitchen in a toy truck would earn her a reprieve from banishment to her room. Her career as a spin-control artist was cut short when her family moved to a two-story house, and her trucks would not roll safely down the stairs. Around the same time, she decided that Chip and Ken made a much cuter couple than Ken and Barbie and was perplexed when invitations to play Barbie dropped off. She never stopped making stuff up, though, and was surprised to find out that people would pay her to do it. Although the men in her stories usually carry more emotional baggage than even LAX can lose in a year, she guarantees they always find their sexy way to a happy ending.
http://www.facebook.com/authorkamitchell
http://www.facebook.com/authorkamitchell
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
May 12, 2013
Yowwwwwzzzzzaaaaa!!!!
Now THIS is exactly the “sprinkle-in-a-story-between-all-the-smut” kind of book I’m talking about!
I think there’s some guy named Ryan.
There’s definitely a handjob…in a club, in a garage, in a muscle car, in a bedroom, in a shower, in a kitchen. With a handjob here and a handjob there, here a handjob, there a handjob, everywhere a handjob…
There might be another guy named Jeff.
Jeff tops. And then bottoms like a champ. And is hung like a horse. And talks dirty like a porn star.
Oh yea, and there’s an 8-yr old girl thrown in for some angst and a potential custody battle with a druggy ex-flame...but that's beside the point...
And there’s lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of sex.
Which should make me HAPPY…except I got to the 70% mark of the book…and it ended. Yup…right into the “About the Author” and then a bunch of random crap afterwards.
So despite being thrilled by the porn-on-page, I was grouchy by being shortchanged. Grrrrr…when will publishers learn…?
March 26, 2013
Damn you, K.A. Mitchell! For making me like these characters so much and then not giving me enough story. Jeff and Ryan were so right for each other. Not to mention how scorching hot they were together. Why didn't you make this a novel? Why? *shakes fist*
This Christmas short helped some, but not much: http://www.kamitchell.com/free/custom...
This Christmas short helped some, but not much: http://www.kamitchell.com/free/custom...
December 8, 2012
Ooooookay.
First of all, this story has an amazing potential. But...
It's just too short, lacks proper development, and ends in a way that makes you keep flicking the pages because you're sure that can't be it.
That said, the characters are likable, there's more than enough drama, and... it's predictable all the way.
One (hot) ex-military guy, one (sexy as hell) tattooed mechanic, one hysterical ex (yep, a she)...
All in all, it's one hell of a draft, and I'd really love to read a longer version of it.
Sadly, that's so not gonna happen. :/
First of all, this story has an amazing potential. But...
It's just too short, lacks proper development, and ends in a way that makes you keep flicking the pages because you're sure that can't be it.
That said, the characters are likable, there's more than enough drama, and... it's predictable all the way.
One (hot) ex-military guy, one (sexy as hell) tattooed mechanic, one hysterical ex (yep, a she)...
All in all, it's one hell of a draft, and I'd really love to read a longer version of it.
Sadly, that's so not gonna happen. :/
March 30, 2009
I am a confirmed K.A. Mitchell fangirl, so it was kinda cool to discover a book of hers I had not actually read. It is a part of an anthology called Temperature’s Rising, but you can purchase Custom Ride on its own.
The book is seriously hot right from the get go, so not for those who don’t like it a little bit dirty. Fortunately, I do and that first scene warmed the cockles of my grubbly little pron heart. I liked the idea of a big, well muscled mechanic with tattoos all over this ex military boy in a bar. They’re both so overcome with lust and Ryan can’t help but give in to this brick wall of a guy. Noice! I think this is one thing that K.A. does particularly well, that immediate sex. No pissing about and waiting for chapter 4.
Once I moved on from the pron though, the story while ok, was perhaps not as meaty as I am used to. Yes, I can hear you now telling me it’s an anthology, it is supposed to be short and succinct, but it felt like it lacked the depth of character that I’ve come to expect from one of her books. They were still likable and the the story was good, but it lacked some of the polish her later books have. And, the end, what on earth? I had a bit of a moment at the end. I kept flicking back and forth through the pdf to see if I had skipped some pages, but no. That really was the end and it was rather abrupt. (I want my happily ever afterly please. Kthnxbye)
So, sexy read with abrupt ending.
http://sharrow.wordpress.com/2009/03/...
The book is seriously hot right from the get go, so not for those who don’t like it a little bit dirty. Fortunately, I do and that first scene warmed the cockles of my grubbly little pron heart. I liked the idea of a big, well muscled mechanic with tattoos all over this ex military boy in a bar. They’re both so overcome with lust and Ryan can’t help but give in to this brick wall of a guy. Noice! I think this is one thing that K.A. does particularly well, that immediate sex. No pissing about and waiting for chapter 4.
Once I moved on from the pron though, the story while ok, was perhaps not as meaty as I am used to. Yes, I can hear you now telling me it’s an anthology, it is supposed to be short and succinct, but it felt like it lacked the depth of character that I’ve come to expect from one of her books. They were still likable and the the story was good, but it lacked some of the polish her later books have. And, the end, what on earth? I had a bit of a moment at the end. I kept flicking back and forth through the pdf to see if I had skipped some pages, but no. That really was the end and it was rather abrupt. (I want my happily ever afterly please. Kthnxbye)
So, sexy read with abrupt ending.
http://sharrow.wordpress.com/2009/03/...
January 14, 2014
This is a story the Ms. Mitchell really has/had a chance to develops. It is right up there with the hot, emotional reads that make her so good, when she puts her all into a story. This, being a novella, is just a taste. It makes me sad that it could be so much more. Maybe she will get it together on this story and make it a full blown book and give it the time and attention it deserves.
September 9, 2009
Grrrr - I hate shorts!
This story was awesome, but I need more! There's another 8 page story to read, but that's just not enough. K.A., I need a full length with these characters!
This story was awesome, but I need more! There's another 8 page story to read, but that's just not enough. K.A., I need a full length with these characters!
January 6, 2013
3.5 stars, rounded up.
Why I read it: I was shocked (SHOCKED!) to realise that I had not read this early KA Mitchell book and rectified that error after a round of shopping in the recent ARe sale.
What it's about: (from Goodreads) A stint in the Air Force left Ryan MacRae with a bitter memory of life in the closet. Jeff Allstein is a mechanic who has too much to lose if his private life becomes public. The heat of their attraction boils over on a stormy summer night, but satisfying that need only makes them both crave more.
Their searing connection makes it hard for Ryan to understand the road blocks Jeff continually puts down. Ryan will have to buckle up if he's going to find love at the end of his custom ride.
What worked for me (and what didn't): Oh there was so much to love about this one. It is one of KA Mitchell's earlier works, first published in 2007 so it could have been of lesser quality but I didn't find that at all. Two hot men? Check. Hot sex? Check? An interesting story, a believable conflict? Check. Yes, the story had a lot of sex in it, as is standard for a KAM novel, but it also has a story. Jeff shares custody of his daughter with her mother (a real piece of work) and can't risk coming out openly because it might lead to him losing his daughter. The connection between the 2 men was palpable and it was really only the custody issue threatening their relationship. I've no doubt that it is a very real concern for people in Jeff's position (sadly). I loved that Jeff's priority was his little girl. The problem for me came when the book ended suddenly. I felt I'd only just got the first part of the story.
*
*mild spoilers*
*
Yes, they had decided to be together but they were hiding their relationship because of Psycho Val. It felt like Part 1 but there was no Part 2. It was a HFN ending but I really wanted a HEA. Mainly because I really enjoyed reading about these characters and I wanted to find out what happened. I wanted to witness what happened. With rare exception, I love KA Mitchell books, so when I get to read a new (to me) one, I want to spend time doing it. It wasn't even an hour *cries* and my experience was over. *cries more*
There are no doubt other things wrong and right with the story, but the main issue was its abrupt and premature end. I needed moar!
What else? I immediately read Custom Christmas which I believe was a freebie I picked up ages ago but hadn't read because I like to read in order. This story gave me the ending I wanted but as it was only 10 pages long, there was still a large gap in the middle. Reading about Ryan, Jeff and Anna's journey to the HEA from the end of Custom Ride to the beginning of Custom Christmas would have made me a very happy girl. Seeing it summarised in a few sentences was just not as satisfiying. I did however find out what Ryan did for a living, something that was strangely absent in the main story.
Favourite Quote:
"You rode over? I thought it was supposed to rain tonight."
"It's going to clear up by morning, and I didn't plan on being done before then."
Rowr.
Grade: B-
http://kaetrinsmusings.blogspot.com.a...
Why I read it: I was shocked (SHOCKED!) to realise that I had not read this early KA Mitchell book and rectified that error after a round of shopping in the recent ARe sale.
What it's about: (from Goodreads) A stint in the Air Force left Ryan MacRae with a bitter memory of life in the closet. Jeff Allstein is a mechanic who has too much to lose if his private life becomes public. The heat of their attraction boils over on a stormy summer night, but satisfying that need only makes them both crave more.
Their searing connection makes it hard for Ryan to understand the road blocks Jeff continually puts down. Ryan will have to buckle up if he's going to find love at the end of his custom ride.
What worked for me (and what didn't): Oh there was so much to love about this one. It is one of KA Mitchell's earlier works, first published in 2007 so it could have been of lesser quality but I didn't find that at all. Two hot men? Check. Hot sex? Check? An interesting story, a believable conflict? Check. Yes, the story had a lot of sex in it, as is standard for a KAM novel, but it also has a story. Jeff shares custody of his daughter with her mother (a real piece of work) and can't risk coming out openly because it might lead to him losing his daughter. The connection between the 2 men was palpable and it was really only the custody issue threatening their relationship. I've no doubt that it is a very real concern for people in Jeff's position (sadly). I loved that Jeff's priority was his little girl. The problem for me came when the book ended suddenly. I felt I'd only just got the first part of the story.
*
*mild spoilers*
*
Yes, they had decided to be together but they were hiding their relationship because of Psycho Val. It felt like Part 1 but there was no Part 2. It was a HFN ending but I really wanted a HEA. Mainly because I really enjoyed reading about these characters and I wanted to find out what happened. I wanted to witness what happened. With rare exception, I love KA Mitchell books, so when I get to read a new (to me) one, I want to spend time doing it. It wasn't even an hour *cries* and my experience was over. *cries more*
There are no doubt other things wrong and right with the story, but the main issue was its abrupt and premature end. I needed moar!
What else? I immediately read Custom Christmas which I believe was a freebie I picked up ages ago but hadn't read because I like to read in order. This story gave me the ending I wanted but as it was only 10 pages long, there was still a large gap in the middle. Reading about Ryan, Jeff and Anna's journey to the HEA from the end of Custom Ride to the beginning of Custom Christmas would have made me a very happy girl. Seeing it summarised in a few sentences was just not as satisfiying. I did however find out what Ryan did for a living, something that was strangely absent in the main story.
Favourite Quote:
"You rode over? I thought it was supposed to rain tonight."
"It's going to clear up by morning, and I didn't plan on being done before then."
Rowr.
Grade: B-
http://kaetrinsmusings.blogspot.com.a...
March 4, 2015
El principal problema con el libro no tiene que ver ni con la historia ni con la autora, quien ofrece una novela concreta y precisa, muy entretenida, con una genial y excitante química entre los protagonistas, y un ritmo ágil. De hecho, me parece que el final es perfecto, bien abierto, dejando que el futuro de los personajes sea definido por la imaginación del lector. Me encanta esa clase de tramas, que no se nos entregan cerradas y empaquetadas. Y el pequeño extra es muy interesante para saber cómo les ha ido a los muchachos.
Ahora, la editorial me ha engañado y robado. Me quiere vender un libro con 100% de páginas, que es una completa mentira, porque Custom Ride solo ocupa un 67% del archivo. El resto es relleno, publicidad. No me interesa, quiero tener la seguridad de que si compro una manzana, voy a poder comerme la totalidad y no sólo 3/4 partes.
Es una completa y absoluta estafa. Como imagino que la autora no tiene nada que ver, voy a comerme esta irritación y juzgar por el material real.
Gracias a Len por otra exitosa recomendación.
Ahora, la editorial me ha engañado y robado. Me quiere vender un libro con 100% de páginas, que es una completa mentira, porque Custom Ride solo ocupa un 67% del archivo. El resto es relleno, publicidad. No me interesa, quiero tener la seguridad de que si compro una manzana, voy a poder comerme la totalidad y no sólo 3/4 partes.
Es una completa y absoluta estafa. Como imagino que la autora no tiene nada que ver, voy a comerme esta irritación y juzgar por el material real.
Gracias a Len por otra exitosa recomendación.
July 26, 2016
I love Mitchell and really liked these characters but I needed more!!!!!
December 29, 2016
I re-read this book in August 2013 after reading it in 2011. I didn't remember anything about it. While I enjoyed it and kept my rating at 4 stars, the abrupt ending really, really frustrated me. It cut the story off at the legs and we didn't get to see a HEA, which is always a must in my M/M romance reading. But this is K.A. Mitchell so she gets a pass and I'll fill in the blanks myself because it was a sweet, sexy story. Two smoking hot boys falling into lust with one another until things become a little to real and they need to back off for the good of MC Jeff's 8 year old daughter.
I can recommend this short story for M/M romance lovers who are satisfied with a HFN ending.
I can recommend this short story for M/M romance lovers who are satisfied with a HFN ending.
September 12, 2011
Very sexy but ultimately frustrating. I would have rated this so much higher if it weren't for the abrupt ending. I usually don't mind short stories and novellas, as long as the pacing is handled skillfully. Just when I was really getting invested in these characters, the story ended with nothing much resolved at all. (Adding insult to injury, I thought I still had a third of the story left to go -- damn you, Samhain, for padding the ends of your ebooks with excerpts!)
May 13, 2012
Good m/m romance about a guy who has an anonymous encounter with a mysterious stranger at Pride (in Minneapolis!), then keeps encountering the guy again back home in St. Cloud.
February 20, 2017
I really liked this short story about Ryan, who's ex-military and doesn't want to live his life according to DADT anymore, and Jeff, who thinks that he needs to stay in the closet for specific reasons given in the book. Ryan and Jeff are truly a match mad in heaven, they fit perfectly, and the sex is sizzling hot, but that's not all.
I really liked that these guys knew the true meaning of sexual consent! I wish that more books had that in them.
I would have given this book five stars if it hadn't been for the abrupt ending that felt rushed and very unsatisfying. When the book ended like that I even considered giving it three stars, but since I really enjoyed it up until that disappointing ending, I decided on four stars.
I really liked that these guys knew the true meaning of sexual consent! I wish that more books had that in them.
I would have given this book five stars if it hadn't been for the abrupt ending that felt rushed and very unsatisfying. When the book ended like that I even considered giving it three stars, but since I really enjoyed it up until that disappointing ending, I decided on four stars.
October 22, 2015
Really? The ending SUCKED. Like a major cliffhanger? There's nothing resolved, not even sure they qualify for a relationship although the feelings are there. And I think Ryan had a RIGHT to be upset and 'running'.. according to Jeff... from a guy that's basically in the closet at least part of the time. I get the WHY but that doesn't excuse Jeff's attitude from Ryan's reaction. Why would you want to hide yourself and put yourself through that? And basically the ending SUCKED.
August 22, 2011
A very short review: too much sex, too short story, abrupt ending. Still, if you are looking for hot sex & not much plot, this is for you ;-). It is a pity though, because it is well written and the potential for some depth was there.
Please notice:
- For my rating I'm not taking into account the fact that I bought a 110 pages-PDF and found out the story was exactly 66 pages: the blame for that lies with Samhain!
- I've read almost everything by K.A. Mitchell and she usually gets 4 stars from me
Please notice:
- For my rating I'm not taking into account the fact that I bought a 110 pages-PDF and found out the story was exactly 66 pages: the blame for that lies with Samhain!
- I've read almost everything by K.A. Mitchell and she usually gets 4 stars from me
August 4, 2011
Here's how the story goes: Hot, sexy attraction, lets try this thing, wait I dont know if I can and then ok I cant stay away lets try. The end. The story was great. I liked the characters and was way involved and then right when it was going to get really interesting boom, the end. I dont want to call this even a HFN ending. Its like a great dream and then some one wakes you up on accident.
November 20, 2013
This story actually packs a punch considering how short it is. We got some background and also what's going on with their lives outside the romance. The MCs are good guys so it wasn't hard to care about them and the sex was passionate and steamy.
This was a pleasant surprise! I love it when that happens.
This was a pleasant surprise! I love it when that happens.
September 20, 2013
I fell for these two, like, immediately. How is it possible to get a character so quickly, much less two of them? Well, it happened here. And just when it was getting really interesting, it stopped. Ended. I nagged more. Need to know what happens next. More dammit!
February 5, 2015
This has the setup for a much longer, more character-driven story, but it ends abruptly with the main conflict still hanging over the MC's heads. It was one of those books where the ending confused me because it shouldn't have ended there.
December 12, 2008
I loved this story. Frankly, I would have rated it a five, if KA would have had a little more wiggle room in her word count for a better ending.
January 7, 2013
Lovely, well written novella. FYI - there is a lot of sex :)
March 26, 2013
Stupid boys. Ghhhh.
February 10, 2014
I love K.A. Mitchell, this is no exception, but just as I was getting into it , "Bam!" it was over. I could have used another 60k in this story. It's a fast read, so go read it.
November 7, 2014
A quick short read. I wish there was more, but as is it feels shallow, not fully fleshed out.
July 28, 2017
2.5 stars
February 19, 2012
It was an ok read.
Compared to her other books, this seemed more of a draft.
Compared to her other books, this seemed more of a draft.
April 9, 2010
Ryan doesn't normally do random hook ups. But when he hooks up with Jeff in a bar during Gay Pride Week, he discovers he wants more. But Jeff isn't out, and Ryan isn't interested in going back into the closet again.
First thing I didn't like was the lack of a lot of plot. 90% of this story was sex, sex, sex. There was a little bit of plot, but it could've been fleshed out a lot more. I wanted to see how their relationship evolved and developed over time. Instead, once they finally start working things out, the story ends. It was really disappointing.
Also, there is no way in hell two six foot plus guys are going to be able to have sex in the back seat of a Camaro. I drive a '94 Camaro and I can barely fit in the backseat by myself and I'm only 5'11.
K.A. Mitchell's writing is flawless though. She kept me interested and wanting to read more. Everything was well written and grammatically correct. I've love the way Mitchell describes everything so that you can picture it.
I recommend this story for people who enjoy erotic romance without a whole lot of plot. If you prefer a lot of plot and less sex, this story certainly isn't for you.
** Warning ** This novel contains sex scenes and may not be appropriate for readers under the age of 18.
First thing I didn't like was the lack of a lot of plot. 90% of this story was sex, sex, sex. There was a little bit of plot, but it could've been fleshed out a lot more. I wanted to see how their relationship evolved and developed over time. Instead, once they finally start working things out, the story ends. It was really disappointing.
Also, there is no way in hell two six foot plus guys are going to be able to have sex in the back seat of a Camaro. I drive a '94 Camaro and I can barely fit in the backseat by myself and I'm only 5'11.
K.A. Mitchell's writing is flawless though. She kept me interested and wanting to read more. Everything was well written and grammatically correct. I've love the way Mitchell describes everything so that you can picture it.
I recommend this story for people who enjoy erotic romance without a whole lot of plot. If you prefer a lot of plot and less sex, this story certainly isn't for you.
** Warning ** This novel contains sex scenes and may not be appropriate for readers under the age of 18.
November 15, 2015
4.5
Custom Ride is another great short story by K.A. Mitchell.
The main characters here are Ryan MacRae and Jeff Allstein. They meet when Jeff works on Ryan’s brother’s vehicle and the draw between them is instant. It doesn’t take long for them to fall into bed and man oh man is it hot. The banter and dirty talk between the two men is positively electric.
“How hard’s your ass gonna squeeze me when you come?” Jeff hooked his leg higher, pulled on his shoulder and rolled him onto his side.
Ryan is ex-military and has no desire to go back into the closet. However, Jeff, a single father, has good reason to want to keep his sexuality a secret. Their conflict is strong but with the help of Jeff’s daughter they are brought back together. This helps Ryan to understand why Jeff made the decision to stay closeted.
This was a well-written story with a strongly executed plot and realistic conflict.
Custom Ride is another great short story by K.A. Mitchell.
The main characters here are Ryan MacRae and Jeff Allstein. They meet when Jeff works on Ryan’s brother’s vehicle and the draw between them is instant. It doesn’t take long for them to fall into bed and man oh man is it hot. The banter and dirty talk between the two men is positively electric.
“How hard’s your ass gonna squeeze me when you come?” Jeff hooked his leg higher, pulled on his shoulder and rolled him onto his side.
Ryan is ex-military and has no desire to go back into the closet. However, Jeff, a single father, has good reason to want to keep his sexuality a secret. Their conflict is strong but with the help of Jeff’s daughter they are brought back together. This helps Ryan to understand why Jeff made the decision to stay closeted.
This was a well-written story with a strongly executed plot and realistic conflict.
December 25, 2011
This story had more depth than the short summary describe. I went from "uh huh, that's a valid point, Rye." to "I completely understand where you're coming from, Jeff." and back again. Both characters have his own encumbrances that affecting their actions (and decisions) to one another.
And while readers get the expected ending for both the heroes, I wouldn't say it as a happy ending. Instead, by the time the story ended I get the picture (in my head) how the real story actually began (the hardships, the struggle, balancing between roles (as a couple and father/son).
In a way, I'm kinda happy this is a short story. I can imagine the angst and drama should this have had continued as a long one, I didn't think my heart could take reading it. ;-)
And while readers get the expected ending for both the heroes, I wouldn't say it as a happy ending. Instead, by the time the story ended I get the picture (in my head) how the real story actually began (the hardships, the struggle, balancing between roles (as a couple and father/son).
In a way, I'm kinda happy this is a short story. I can imagine the angst and drama should this have had continued as a long one, I didn't think my heart could take reading it. ;-)
December 3, 2011
Short, but hot. This is what I love about ms. Mitchell. She has a great and compelling build for her characters, either slow or fast, the story always comes out right. Strangely if I say this, but it suits the character that we read about so perfectly.
Ryan wasn't difficult and I appreciated that about him, he was understanding. I know some people might say that things were left out but that was necessary because I appreciated this being as short and sweet as it was.
Jeff encompassed all manner of the word HOT..I MEAN THAT TATTOO! HOT DAMN! (I'll stop shouting now) I want me a piece of him to display!
Ryan wasn't difficult and I appreciated that about him, he was understanding. I know some people might say that things were left out but that was necessary because I appreciated this being as short and sweet as it was.
Jeff encompassed all manner of the word HOT..I MEAN THAT TATTOO! HOT DAMN! (I'll stop shouting now) I want me a piece of him to display!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews