From the book cover (loved the cover!) and the blurb, I thought this would be a MC romance. While there is a romance with Crow who is part of a motorcycle gang, this takes a back seat to the suspicious death of Bronte’s family member.

Told solely in Bronte’s POV, (which is not my favorite vehicle of storytelling) we follow her story from being an unemployed assistant to a PI to getting a new job at a motorcycle shop where she meets Crow. There is also the mysterious events that happen to her family.

The motorcycle shop is the legitimate front for the club but that’s about all you get to see regarding the MC part of the story. Any references to other aspects of the club are glossed over or non-existent. Even the romance storyline seemed under developed. No romantic drama, no heart felt angst.

Maybe because Crow’s POV is not covered, I didn’t feel like I got an in depth read on him. He just seemed like a luscious but shadowy male character that got slotted as the romantic figure who was amenable to everything that Bronte wanted.

There are some unexpected twists regarding the mystery aspect but on the whole I was disappointed with this story.

This was a fantastic start to Chantal’s new MC Spin off. I hope everyone gets their story told.

Bronte is definitely put through the ringer in this book. Plenty of action and pain coming her way. Grumpy Crow was all kinds of yummy and I kinda wish I got a little more of him. He was your quintessential gruff biker who cares for his woman.

I really enjoyed this story and look forward to whoever comes next.

Custom Built by Chantal Fernando
Fast & Fury #1

The Knights of Fury MC has a new employee working in their custom motorcycle shop, Fast & Furty. Bronte Pierce needed the job and her cousin Abbie put a good word in for little. Little did she know that her boss, Crow, would become her partner in the future. This was a fairly tame MC romance geared toward the NA reader.

What I liked:
* Bronte: strong, independent, hard worker, good friend, loving, kind, and perfect for Crow
* Crow: strong, handsome, allied with his MC brothers, capable, loving, good big brother, and perfect for Bronte
* Bronte and Crow together…great chemistry and relationship
* The accepting and loving way Crow dealt with Bronte’s health issue
* The supporting characters
* The way everything came right for Bronte and Crow by the end of the book
* That the bad guy/killer was caught
* Wondering who will have their story told next

What I didn’t like:
* The murderer and his daughter…both were easy to dislike
* That Bronte lost so much through the story

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in the series? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Press for the ARC – this is my honest review.

3-4 Stars

Chantal Fernando has been an auto-buy for years. Earlier this year, she had another book released that made it on my Favorite Books of 2020 list! Sadly, this book has broke the 5-star book streak that she had with me. SPOILERS AHEAD, folks....

For starters, this really could have, and should have, been a novella. The romance was very straightforward with very little tension or conflict, making it seem way too easy. Sure, the main characters didn't get along for a hot second, but then very quickly things got heated and BAM they were a couple. I like a little more angst, and I'm used to that with this author's books. If I hadn't known this was written by Chantal Fernando, I would never have guessed it was. They were a cute couple, don't get me wrong, but it felt bland, a little vanilla for this author. And then everyone kept dying! I'm not kidding. First, the heroine lost her father, then she lost her best friend, and then her father's ex-girlfriend killed herself. And if that weren't enough, there was a multi-chapter epilogue. It wasn't called that, but really, the book should have ended once her father's killer was caught. But it didn't, and it created a lot of unnecessary drama. It felt like the publisher went to the author and said - it's too short, you need to make the book longer - and so she added a whole other conflict at the end. Then FINALLY there was an epilogue, but by that point, I had been done for several chapters, just waiting for it to end.

I will definitely continue reading this author's books, but I sincerely hope they return to how her previous books were written. This one didn't cut it for me.

OK

Not a typical MC story but it did have insta-love and lots of drama that kept the beginning moving. The plot was long and drawn out and I didn't really feel anything for the characters.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

It's been a minute since I've read a Chantal Fernando book. I enjoyed her Wind Gragons MC series and figured this would be a good series to try picking her back up.

Custom Built was definitely on the verge of being a instalove read. Both the main characters were likeable. Bronte has fallen on a bit of hard times but quickly finds herself on solid ground despite some family trouble. She's not whiney or wishy washy which is a huge plus. Crow is ok. I didn't like or dislike him. He seems like a pretty empty character. We know so much about Bronte, but next to nothing about Crow.

I will admit that I skimmed a bit because I had a hard time really getting into Custom Built.

Thank you to Net Galley, Chantal Fernando and Harlequin for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Heroine in this book, Bronte, seems to have the worst life. It finally gets better but she really gets put through the ringer. No spoilers but there is a lot of death in this book for a romance.

When Custom Built beings, Bronte has lost her job, just found out she may need to have a hysterectomy and finds out she has a cousin she knew nothing about. Think that is a lot? Just wait a week into the story! She gets a new job but it turns out her boss is less than kind and leaves her alone her very first day. This is only the beginning of her troubles.

It turns out her boss is actually in love with her and this was more of an insta-love romance than I am used to. I found Crow , as part of a MC, a little unbelievable. I felt the author didn't show his rough side enough. On the opposite end, I found Bronte very realistic in her grief and rage at the things happening to her. I also didn't quite feel the attraction between Bronte and Crow. The chemistry in the love scenes seemed off.

Chantal Fernando has written many books and I know she has a big following. While this book was not great for me, I would be excited to read her other books! I gave this book three stars as the writing is excellent but I felt the story lacked some key things I just couldn't get past.

Custom Built is the first book in the Fast & Fury series by Chantal Fernando. There are some familiar faces for anyone that's read the Knights of Fury series. A unique story with a bit of a suspenseful twist that was not expected but will keep your interest high with the flow of the story moving nicely. The characters are well in tune with each other, fun and friendships connect, and the support is amazing. Custom Built is a fast-paced read that flows at a smooth, steady pacing, keeping you hooked until the end.

Bronte has to be one of the strongest characters that I have ever read! This book starts out with her getting devastating news and then losing her job. I mean kick a girl when she's down! The book goes on and on from then on and this girl just can't catch a break. I give her major props because I think half way through this book I would have been a sobbing mess and would have pretty much given up. I loved her relationship with her dad that was adorable!! This book was about family and finding your way and never giving up and I loved it!

Custom Built is a yummy read. I love Bronte and Crow so much. The chemistry between them is amazing. They just bring a smile to your face. Bronte will take hold of your heart with everything she goes through and faces once the family secrets start coming out. Crow is the strength that Bronte needs. He is one of those bikers you want in your corner. I really couldn't get enough of this one. You need to experience this one for yourself and get to know Bronte and Crow.

so if you have ever read a review from me you know that I like Chantal and I looooove me some bikers, not dirty nasty biker, but the kind that you will fall in love even if the majority of them are man ho's, but come on people you cant forget that they are bikers they spread it around, still though that if they cheat, we are done. So we have love pretty quickly and let me tell you that all of the crap that the MC went thru, I was prod of her and cheering her because she was a tough cookie. I also liked him but did yell at him a couple of times because I was like what? So all in all I did enjoy, did I love it-nope but will continue with series..Enjoy!

This was pretty choppy. Insta love to the max, the MC was like a secondary story line more than anything. I felt like there wasn’t a lot of character building for Crow - he kinda just was who he is? if that makes sense.

i read this fairly quickly but it should have been done around the 75% not as drawn out as it was.

i probably won’t read on into this series - i don’t really feel any connection to the secondary characters.

3.5⭐

Custom Built is the first book in Chantal Fernando's new Fast & Fury series, and it was certainly a nicely written and quick read. That was full of likable characters.

However, I did find it a little too fast-paced and nothing felt very believable from Bronte losing her job, to finding out about her cousin and the deaths that follow it all just seemed a little far-fetched. Not to mention the romance between her and Crow didn't really excite me, although to be fair, there was a spark in the beginning, it just didn't ignite.

But there's no denying it was an engaging story, and there were some nice moments. And I'm sure fans of Ms Fernando's MC books will enjoy it, especially those who have read The Knights of Fury series as this story features those characters heavily.

Aah. Bronte pierce is such a sweetie, no matter what life throws at her, she always seems to look on the bright side of life. That was my first thought when I started this story. By the time I’d finished the book, I was amazed that the girl had any faith left. Losing her job, her family, her friends, what else can go wrong? Well, quite a lot actually. All the drama has in fact brought her to the attention of the Knights of Fury MC, and in particular Crow, and let me tell you, underneath that hard chiselled exterior is a soft, loveable and protective teddy bear. That’s a good job really, because Bronte needs all the support she can get. Action, drama, and a wonderful love story. Sweet and compelling. Not too heavy on MC drama, and I’ve got to be honest Crow doesn’t play the part of your regular tough, uncompromising biker. I loved him all the same. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest review.

A suspenseful steamy romance!

Bronte gets laid off from her job and she gets offered a job at a custom motorcycle shop. Her boss (Crow) is a hot tattooed biker ... not her normal type at all. Crow seems to be pleasant to everyone but her, so she just can't understand this attraction she has towards him. When it becomes clear that her life is in danger, Crow steps up to protect her.

This is a suspenseful steamy romance that had me rooting for Bronte and Crow to have a happily-ever-after. The book has a good storyline, but at times I felt that the banter was not realistic ... but the steamy scenes made up for it.

I received an early copy courtesy of Harlequin - Carina Press through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

I’ve heard praise of the author, so I was excited to read this book, thinking I’d finally read an MC romance that I’d really enjoy. It didn’t happen.

There’s always some suspense/action/mob stuff in MC romances. That means there should be a coherent, well thought out plot. But most of the time, I can’t see the logic behind the characters’ actions, and the villain’s plan makes no sense. That was the case here. So that part of the story was already a miss for me.

The romance part didn’t fare better. One moment, Bronte and Crow frown at each other, the next, they’re sucking face and announcing they are in a relationship. What? Where’s the seduction? Where’s the character development? I couldn’t get behind the couple.

I wanted to like them though. Because Bronte’s personal struggles felt real and important, and I wanted to read more about how she deals with them–spoiler alert, you read none of that. And I found Crow’s gentle protectiveness and utter devotion refreshing in a world where alpha males are the norm. But I never saw the spark. As for their intimacy, don’t expect too much: sex scenes are rushed and not very detailed, a wobbly mix between closed door and explicit.

Another miss for me.

Quickie

- Series: Fast & Fury #1 (can be read as a standalone, but connected to the Knights of Fury series)
- Hashtags: #MC romance #romantic suspense #instalove
- Triggers: a few deaths, some violence and threats, drug trafficking, miscarriage
- Main couple: Bronte Pierce & Crow
- Hotness: 2/5
- Romance: 2/5
- + women supporting each others
- – there was enough drama for a saga, but squeezed in one single book

Custom Built by Chantal Fernando, published by Carina Press, is the first book in the Fast & Fury Series. The book is a stand-alone.
Meet Bronte Pierce. She lost both her parents, and is devadstated. But she manages to keep up with her job, the investigation of her father's death, lets just say she has her plate full.
And then there's Crow. He's her boss at the motorcycle shop, grumpy cat-ish and devoted to her.
I liked the Bronte character, but somehow I found it difficult to connect with Crow. I found him, plain and colorless.
CB is a fast paced, high on drama read, well written with a good storyline, 4 beautiful stars.

He’s Custom Built....just for her😜

Bronte has just lost her job and has had some other sad personal news as well. Unfortunately, for her, her life is about to change drastically and even more so as he’s just started working for the Knights of Fury MC and she’s about to figure out who she really is but also who she can lean on when times get tough...Crow🤩

This story is the beginning of a spin off to the Knights of Fury and features Crow and Bronte❣️I loved catching up with old favourites and when I figured out who Bronte was related to from the previous series, it made this one so much more enjoyable as I had some background story already. I loved these characters and I can’t wait to see who’s story is next😍 I received an advanced copy via Netgalley and I voluntarily leave my honest review❤️

This book is the beginning of a spin off from the author's Knights of Fury series. The Knights are still main characters and there is a lot of crossover with the original so it's best to read the Knights series first. I'm not sure why the author felt the need to start a new series as it is an exact continuation with the same characters.
I loved the first series but this book didn't live up to it's predecessors standards. It felt boring and over long in comparison and the love interest s didn't have the same spark. If I hadn't read the others this book would have impressed me but I know the author can do better.

Although I hadn't read anything of Chantal Fernando before, the blurb made me think of Heather van Fleet's: Her Wild Ride. And indeed, it did have some similarities, both in hot-and-grumpy-man and cute-and-feisty-woman.
Bronte and Crow are funny and they have the opposites attract vibe going. Although in the story the insta-attraction is a bit unbelievable, I highly enjoyed it and the characters in the garage.
The drama around the murder of Bronte's father is intriguing and keeps you on edge througout the book. So, hold on to your panties and enjoy the rice. Four out of the stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.