{"id":1269,"date":"2015-06-06T18:50:34","date_gmt":"2015-06-07T01:50:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/?p=1269"},"modified":"2025-06-14T02:49:35","modified_gmt":"2025-06-14T06:49:35","slug":"review-ride-steady-chaos-3-by-kristen-ashley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/?p=1269","title":{"rendered":"Review: Ride Steady (Chaos, #3) by Kristen Ashley"},"content":{"rendered":"

Buy: Kindle Ebook<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0\u00a0Paperback<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n
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\r\n <\/div><\/div><\/h4>\n
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Review\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n

LOVED IT! Absolutely fantastic.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is the third of Kristen Ashley\u2019s\u00a0Chaos<\/em>\u00a0books \u2013 set in the MC world, it\u2019s not as hardcore as other biker series, with these boys having pulled themselves off the dark path to now be completely legit, although some of the goings on are still a little shady. While each book is its own story and could probably be read as a standalone, I would definitely recommend reading these books in order so that you have an understanding of the world and the major players. I have loved each of the books in this series, and this one is no exception. If you\u2019re a fan of KA, then you\u2019ll pretty much know what to expect going in, but that doesn\u2019t make it any less enjoyable. The characters are wonderful, the love story is sensational, and all of the other awesomeness that KA puts into her stories all combine to make this a fantastic read! It\u2019s 600+ pages, but I couldn\u2019t put it down (so fair warning – this review is long, gushy and totally quote-whorey).<\/p>\n

Carson Steele was raised in hellish conditions by a drunk and abusive father. Some neighbours took an interest in him, ensuring that he at least had food, and a place to go when he needed one, but what he really wanted was the camaraderie and brotherhood that he saw when he looked through the fence at the Chaos Motorcycle Club. His situation didn\u2019t change much as a teenager, except that he discovered girls and developed an epic crush on head cheerleader and homecoming queen, Carissa Teodoro. She was the only one who didn\u2019t look down at him, and would smile at him whenever she saw him, and it was those moments that would brighten his day. And when Carson finally decided he\u2019d had enough of his father\u2019s abuse and left town, Carissa was the last person he saw. They shared a moment, and then he was gone.<\/p>\n

Seven years later and Carson is now a member of the Chaos MC, and is known as Joker. He is living his dream, designing and building custom bikes and cars, and is well respected by his brothers, though he remains closed off and unemotional.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Carissa has hit rock bottom. She married her high school boyfriend and was on her way to realising her dream of a family until she discovered him cheating on her and he kicked her out when she was pregnant. Now a single mother with an 8 month old baby boy, she is broke, living in a shitty apartment and working part time at a grocery store while trying to pay her bills and raise her son. Carissa\u2019s ex is a real piece of work. He\u2019s an asshole of the highest order with connections in high places, and he wants his son with him and his new fianc\u00e9e, so she is also in the middle of a legal battle with the threat of losing her baby constantly over her head.<\/p>\n

Carissa is by the side of the highway with a flat tire, when a big, muscled, bearded biker comes to her rescue. Joker instantly knows she is the girl he dreamed of for so many years, but though he seems familiar to her, she doesn\u2019t recognise him. She\u2019s drawn to him though, and it\u2019s only a few days later when she flounces into the Chaos compound with pie for Joker to thank him for helping her. And this is where it all beings.<\/p>\n

Joker is standoffish, of course. He doesn\u2019t let people in, and he\u2019s not about to start now \u2013 Carissa not recognising him hurt, and he\u2019s not about to open himself up to more of it. But when the Chaos family get wind of exactly what Carissa is dealing with in her personal life, they decide that sort of thing is not going to fly, so they all step up to take her back.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all fall on hard times \u2026 It\u2019s just lucky for you that you fell in the right direction.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Of course this means that Carissa is around the MC a lot. She makes it very clear that she\u2019s interested in Joker, and the scenes where MC boys and their women are witnessing their interactions and providing commentary are absolutely freaking hilarious! Joker is wary and doesn\u2019t feel like he\u2019s good enough for Carissa, but she continues to push, his brothers continue to push, and he decides to take a chance. And so Joker begins the KA alpha courtship. He\u2019s been there for Carissa when she\u2019s needed him, but he\u2019s decided it\u2019s time for more, and he starts to insinuate himself in her life, and it\u2019s sensational!<\/p>\n

\u201cHey,\u201d he whispered.
\nOh.
\nWow.
\n\u201cHey,\u201d I whispered back.
\nHe curled his fingers around the side of my neck and slid them up to my jaw.
\n\u201cYou good?\u201d he asked.
\nI swallowed. Then nodded.
\n\u201cWanna be better?\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It\u2019s not long before Carissa learns who Joker really is (OMG, that scene! So emotional!), and their relationship develops quickly, but it\u2019s so easy and natural, and it never feels rushed. They feel strongly for each other, they are entirely open with each other, and they fall into something incredibly special.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I might be falling in love with you,\u201d\u2026
\n\u201cThen quit thinkin\u2019, Carrie, because I know I\u2019m fallin\u2019 for you.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I love these two together! They both have personal issues that they are dealing with, but they are determined to be there for each other, giving the other exactly what they need in every way they can, and help each other to heal from the hurts of the past. Their shared past history makes their connection all the more intense, and their chemistry is absolutely sizzling! And they\u2019re so freaking functional! They talk to each other, they share what they\u2019re feeling, and even through there are pressures on their relationship, they never let them get in the way of what they are trying to build together.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Carrie \u2026 It\u2019s you. It\u2019s always been you. It\u2019ll always be you. Fuckin\u2019 always.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Carissa and Joker are fantastic characters! They have both been through so much, but they\u2019ve overcome it to get to a place where they can claim their happy. Carissa is light and bright, and a bit of a goofball (though not in an annoying way). She is exactly what Joker needs to draw him out and get him feeling again. Joker is a bit of a badass, and is committed to his brothers, but he has a vulnerability about him which is beautiful to see, and I loved seeing him come back to life as he starts to let people in. He openly and unapologetically loves his girl and her baby boy, and he is so beautiful with baby Travis. He is loving, affectionate, supportive and swoonily protective of both of them, and the way he defends Carissa and stands up for her with her ex had me swooning madly.<\/p>\n

\u201c I\u2019ve loved her since high school, man. She means everything to me. You gotta drag her down, that\u2019ll suck, but I\u2019ll pick her back up. You gotta rip her apart, I\u2019ll fuckin\u2019 hate watchin\u2019 it, but I\u2019ll put her back together.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

There\u2019s a really strong theme of family \u2013 the family you choose for yourself, the people that have your back without question, giving you what you need, when you need it. And that message is there over and over again throughout this book and as always, KA does it so, so well. Carissa is seamlessly welcomed into the fold with the rest of the girls, and I loved getting the chance to catch up with the girls from the other books, and seeing their time together. Of course, Joker has his MC brothers who are there for him without question, and seeing him reconnect with the people that were so special to him from his childhood was something really special. But the highlight for me was seeing his relationship with Club President, Tack, who is somewhat of a father-figure for him \u2013 their moments together were gorgeous.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat motherfucker, he taught you to think you were garbage. You took that on. You were a kid. You had no fuckin\u2019 choice. But he was wrong, Joke. And the only person who doesn\u2019t get that shit is you. Get it. Get over it. Get your head outta your ass. And find what you deserve. Find some fuckin\u2019 happy. If it isn\u2019t this girl, it isn\u2019t. But whatever it is, I want it for you. Your brothers want it for you. Their old ladies want it for you. The only one who isn\u2019t lookin\u2019 for that for you is\u00a0<\/em>you.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This book follows on really nicely from the previous ones in the series, with the Club\u2019s turf issues with a local drug lord continuing. It\u2019s not a huge part of the story, but it\u2019s definitely there, and Joker is dragged into the trouble. And as a bonus, it provides the perfect opportunity for series crossover!!!! The boys from the\u00a0Dream Man<\/em>\u00a0series, some of the\u00a0Rock Chick<\/em>\u00a0hot bunch, and even Knight Sebring are all part of the unfolding action, and I was in KA-fangirl heaven! These boys are made. of. Awesome, and damn, I need to move to Denver!<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was uncanny in an eerie way, Hawk calling you right when we started talking about him.\u201d
\n\u201cLee Nightingale is a supreme badass. Hawk\u2019s a bona fide superhero who doesn\u2019t wear a ridiculous suit. This is no joke. He probably sensed our discussion thought powers he got when his mom was pushin\u2019 him out and got struck by lightning or something. I don\u2019t ask. He\u2019s an ally. He\u2019s also a brother of Tack\u2019s. I\u2019m just happy he isn\u2019t an enemy.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

If you\u2019re a KA fan, you\u2019re gonna love it!<\/p>\n

I loved every moment of this book. I was completely swept up in Joker and Carissa\u2019s story, and thought it all played out beautifully. There is no angst, no stupid, just a beautifully unfolding romance which is sweet, funny, passionate and totally freaking hot. The MC and family stuff is blended in really well and, in true KA tradition, there are lot of the little moments that make you really feel everything that is happening. And there\u2019s even an epilogue – it\u2019s brief, but it\u2019s enough, and it left me with a massive grin on my face.<\/p>\n

I absolutely loved it \u2013 5 stars.<\/p>\n

An Advanced Reader Copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Chaos series<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The Chaos series<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"\"\u00a0 \"\"\u00a0 \"\"\u00a0 \"\"\u00a0 \"\"\u00a0 \"\"\u00a0\u00a0\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\" \u00a0\"\"<\/p>\n

Own The Wind (#1) <\/strong>(Shy & Tabby)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Amazon \u00a0<\/a>|\u00a0 Paperback<\/a>\u00a0 | \u00a0Audio<\/a><\/p>\n

Fire Inside (#2)\u00a0<\/strong> (Hop & Lanie)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Amazon<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a>\u00a0 | \u00a0Audio<\/a><\/p>\n

Ride Steady (#3)<\/strong> (Joker & Carissa)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Amazon \u00a0<\/a>|\u00a0 Paperback<\/a>\u00a0 | \u00a0Audio<\/a><\/p>\n

Walk Through Fire (#4)<\/strong> (High & Millie)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Amazon<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a> \u00a0| Audio<\/a><\/p>\n

Rough Ride (#4.5)<\/strong> (Snapper & Rosie)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Amazon \u00a0<\/a>|\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n

Wild Like the Wind (#5)<\/strong> (Hound & Keely)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Amazon \u00a0<\/a>|\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n

Free (#6)<\/strong> (Rush & Rebel)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Amazon<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n

Wild Fire (#6.5)<\/strong> (Dutch – son of Keely, Wild Like the Wind<\/em>)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Amazon<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n

Wild Wind (#6.6)<\/strong> (Jagger – son of Keely, Wild Like the Wind<\/em>)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Amazon<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

For more KA awesomeness, check out our Kristen Ashley Author Spotlight<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Buy: Kindle Ebook\u00a0 |\u00a0\u00a0Paperback Review\u00a0 LOVED IT! Absolutely fantastic. This is the third of Kristen Ashley\u2019s\u00a0Chaos\u00a0books \u2013 set in the MC world, it\u2019s not as hardcore as other biker series, with these boys having pulled […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1254,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","yasr_overall_rating":5,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[54,173,50,9,29],"tags":[102,22,48],"class_list":["post-1269","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bikers","category-epic-romance","category-favourite","category-romance","category-steamy","tag-chaos","tag-kristen-ashley","tag-review"],"yasr_visitor_votes":{"stars_attributes":{"read_only":false,"span_bottom":false},"number_of_votes":0,"sum_votes":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/23341855-e1456540147894.jpg?fit=150%2C242&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7gaNL-kt","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1269","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1269"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1269\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1254"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1269"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1269"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1269"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}