Member Reviews
I thought that this was great!
It had a great storyline and some brilliantly developed characters that worked really well together. I loved getting to know them and to follow the friendships and relationships as the book developed.
It has intrigue, romance and was a sexy read that I devoured!
It is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended!
Custom Built is book 1 in the new series: Fast and Fury by Chantal Fernando. The book tells the story of Bronte Pierce and her developing relationship with Crow. Bronte is looking for a new job after she has to be let go of her previous one due to the company struggling financially. Finding herself in a bind, her uncle helps her get a job with the Fast and Furious Custom Motorcycles, where she meets the very grumpy Crow. From there we see the development of her relationship with Crow as Bronte’s life starts to spiral out of control and she tries to find answers to a lot of things.
There is certainly a lot going on in this book, especially from Bronte’s point of view. For a person whose whole world is crumbling down, she is a pretty strong character and has some great friends who help her along the way. I really enjoyed reading the development between herself and Crow. I would have liked to have known a little bit more about Crow or at least to see things from his POV as he was a great character and definitely ticked my boxes for a great book boyfriend! I do love that he was a grumpy jerk to begin with and we slowly find out why he was that way to Bronte.
The sass and joking between the two characters were great to read too. I loved that although Bronte was going through a lot emotionally, Crow could still make her smile and would being her lunch. He really was pretty perfect as a boyfriend!
If you have read the previous MC book by this author, you will see some familiar faces in this book which add some camaraderie to Crow and Bronte’s relationship.
This was a really good start to a new series with a lot of emotional angst thrown in, a hunky book boyfriend and a woman whose strength knows no bounds. I can’t wait to see what else the author has in store for other characters.
I do like MC books but... this didn't felt like one. There were a lot of inconsistencies within the story and some characters that i just didn't understood... but honestly, my main complaint is that Crow didn't felt like a MC member. He was just too cute and sappy and don't get me wrong, I adore men like Crow just not in my MC books.
Also, there was so much angst and drama in this book, it was ridiculous. Like poor Bronte, that woman needs a moon bath to clean her up of all that negativity in her life.
Overall the story was good just, sometimes it didn't felt like a Chantal Fernando book.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Fun, sexy, and great characters. I really enjoyed the play in this one and the twists that came along with it. A bit of action, drama, and love in this really quick read!
Bronte has had some terrible things happen in a short time. She came through it sad but stronger. I liked her character she's easy to relate with.
Crow is hard to read at first. Everyone was telling her what a wonderful man he is, she doesn't see it. When he finally shows her that side of him she's pretty much speechless. He's her rock from that moment on.
"You have me, which means you have my boys."
Where do I sign up for that? Having him or one of his boys, sounds like a win-win to me. I'm a fan of the author's Wind Dragon MC series and couldn't resist trying this one after reading the synopsis. Crow sounded like an alpha asshole who's also a badass biker and just what I enjoy reading. And I did...and he is...sigh.
I enjoyed the buildup as Crow and Bronte circled each other. He might be acting all gruff and standoffish with her, but their chemistry is sparking and I was excited for them to finally ignite. And, I was excited to work out my mental muscles as the suspense built as well.
While this is only the first book in the Fast & Fury series, there are characters that we've seen in other books by this author. As always, the MC family is strong and the women are fierce. I look forward to what comes next. The line forms here...
A new series following behind the Knights or Fury series. This one revolves around their custom bike shop called Fast & Fury and includes many of the Knights of Fury characters. I definitely enjoyed visiting old friends.
In comparisons to other Chantal Fernando books, this one fell below the mark. There just wasn’t an emotional connection to the characters to hook me in. Bronte endured so much devastation! Yikes. She decides to figure everything out on her own. Her uncle is the crime drug lord. And he lets her start to dig into his enemies with no game plan? Um, what? He has protection on him, but doesn’t put protection on her, even though he loves her and she’s getting threatened. Again…WHAT? There were so many parts that just didn’t add up. The uncle and his words versus his actions throughout the story is just one example of the inconsistencies and lack of realism that needs to be tweaked. I hate getting hung up on inconsistencies or unrealistic events. But I do.
Crow and Bronte were likable characters, but their relationship was a bit sappy for the usual romances Ms. Fernando creates. All in all, the supporting characters saved the book for me. A fun group you want to visit with!
This just wasn't for me, but I can see where it would be an entertaining read for a lot of people. Lots of good suspense and mystery, but the romance fell a little flat for me.
Custom Built is the first book in a new series, but it kind of follows The Knights MC, another series by Chantal Fernando. I don't necessarily think you have to read The Knights MC to enjoy this book, but I think you should to get the most out of the story.
While I did enjoy this book, I feel like it was a little to fast paced. I wanted more build up and more connections between the characters.
However, I will still read more from this series, because I love Chantal Fernando's writing style!!
Would I read more of this series? Yes
Would I recommend it yet? Yes , in fact I've already started doing just that.
Would I read more by this author? Yes
First off I want to thank the publisher Carina Press-HARLEQUIN - Carina Press for inviting to read and review this because their the ones who need a big thanks for always finding me as well as introducing me to these great romance series that I'm reading as well as NetGalley for letting me request others that I might find. So lets get on to what I thought of story .First off this the first time I've ever read anything by this author and had no idea she even had a other series out but I'm glad that I picked this one up to read because after reading this one I want to go back and read her other series when I can, because I loved the sass and joking between the two characters made me smile and laugh , and i loved the close of the Knights and how they felt like a family ,other thing I loved was how the story was of a mixture of heartbreaking moments as well as a nice amount of heat , a bit of intrigue with a twist. and plenty of interesting supporting characters .
Great book to start a new series, I really enjoyed this one. There was so much drama for Bronte, she lost so much, but with Crow there helping her she was able to overcome a lot of it and learned how to deal with all the pain. These two were the perfect match, they were so compatible. I loved watching them fall in love. I look forward to the next book.
I wasn't exactly sure what to expect from this book since this is my first time reading Ms Fernando's work. Gotta say, I was pleasantly surprised. Aside from that, I didn't now if this was going to be an MC story or loosely linked to the MC world since it mentions that Crow is part of an MC. It's not an MC story but a spin-off from an MC series by Ms Fernando called Knights of Fury. There's mentions of the MC, club business, and cameos from the characters from the story but can be read as a standalone perfectly well.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I had my concerns because I'm so used to seeing MC stories or MC-related stories that are hard core, violent, and filled with unsavory business. This had me pleasantly surprised since the characters are lovely, and the men are protective but sweet. I enjoyed the heck out of this story since the pacing and plot were exactly what I needed after the previous book I'd read.
I liked Bronte. She's strong, independent, and level-headed. She's likable and loving with solid relationships with the people in her life whom she cares for and loves. When tragedy strikes, she is smart enough to turn to those around her who care for her rather than going it on her own. Okay, she does kind of wallow in her own misery for a while, but I totally understand that. I'd do the same in her shoes. And then when she's in danger, she's calm and clear-headed when it comes to doing her best to get out of a rather awful situation. There's a lot to like about her.
Crow started off as a grump. I seriously couldn't figure him out since he was always so surly around Bronte and while Bronte found him attractive, Crow was grouchy and broody. I guess that's what happens to men who get hit broadside by someone they find attractive and don't know how to react to. It kinda reminded me of kids in a school playground where the boy would pull the girl's pigtails because he liked her but didn't want to show it. That had me giggling. Once Crow got over his snit, I love how charming and sweet he is. He's kind and courteous to everyone, he's dependable and protective, and he goes above and beyond when taking care of Bronte in her time of need and when she's not quite capable of looking after herself.
I must say I really enjoyed Ms Fernando's style and writing. Make me want to go back and read the Knights of Fury series and find out more about Temper and Abbie's story along with the other guys in the MC. Might just go ahead and do that.
Oh I love Crow!! Damn!
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This book seemed a little tamer than the others I have read in that we actually are seeing the characters in a place of business. The Knights are not stirring up too many issues but are definitely showing their true colors with their protectiveness and love for each other.
I just really got a different vibe from this book than some of the other ones but I love the change. This book focused more on the issues and relationships between Crow and Bronte than the actual running of the club with attached relationships.
Custom Built is unique with a bit of a suspense twist that was not expected. It keeps the interest high and the flow of the story moving nicely. And as always, the club members are well in tune with each other, fun and friendships connect, and the support is amazing.
This book is between a novella and a full-size story. It flows nicely, has an amazing connection between Crow and Bronte, with hot and steamy spice that will fire you up! Fernando kicks off this new series in a big way!
A great start to this spinoff series, this book has a bit of everything, drama, suspense, chemistry and pop ins by characters we’ve met in other books by this author. Overall, an enjoyable read.
Okay so I really, really wanted to love this book - the cover, the description - they gave me all the feels. But, sadly in the end it was just okay.
First, this poor heroine gets run through the f'ing ringer in this book…
I mean, no joke this girl just get tossed sh*t the entire book. So I really need to applaud her character for not completely crumpling. Even though she was literally handed blow after blow - she took her punch, dealt with and moved on. I actually applaud her character for surviving and remaining a good heroine.
Like several of Chantal’s other books that are MC books - they never hit the MC mark for me. The guys are to……. Nice….. I mean are you really an alpha biker if you cry twice in a book and speak in full sentences? No, no you aren’t.
These two start with some tension and I was really getting into thinking this was going to be the perfect enemies to lovers and then boom they were together, without anything really happening - yes it was explained, but the explanation was just meh. I think if we had Crow’s POV this would have been so much better.
My one big complaint was that even though Bronte had all this shit going on - not once did I feel like Crow was protecting her. He just kept leaving her, unattended and letting her go places by herself! Um Hello!! What the fuck are you doing!! You need to be over-bearing and over-protective!
I know, there I go being a picky b*tch,, I can’t help it! Now I will say - I have read a lot of Biker books - they are some of my faves so I would definitely take my opinion with a grain of salt, because once you have read some incredible Badass Alpha Biker Boys, its hard to meet those expectations. And I think I go into a MC book expecting drama, an asshole over protective asshole and I’m prepared and excited for it. So when you get a nice guy who listens to your opinion, talks about it and give the heroine her way - its kinda shocking and unsettling.
This is a great Biker book with Training Wheels for all you starters out there….
All in all, do not pass on this book just because I have extremely high expectations for my Bikers. I can definitely see this being a really enjoyable book for so many people. It has solid writing, very few errors (which is a rarity in and of itself lately), and some really great character.
This book was just as incredible as all the other books I have read from Author Chantal Fernando. She is one of my favorite and go to Authors of all time! Chantal knows how to draw you into her Stories to make you feel like your right there in it will them. #CustomBuilt #ChantalFernando
Pretty disappointing start to a new series. The tone of the book was just off to me
Not enough description and it felt not like a stand alone title.
Bronte is a survivor but it seems like the hits just keep coming. After losing her job, her uncle gets her a new one as a receptionist at a custom motorcycle shop. Her new boss, Crow, isn't too sure about dealing with a girl who pulled strings to get the job and doesn't know anything about motorcycles. Bronte has to win him over and she does. When the bottom falls out of her world and she's in serious danger, will Crow be able to keep her safe? Enjoyable quick read.
This book is difficult for me to review. Part of me liked parts of it and some it seemed a little mixed up or I missed something. Bronte has moved back to her hometown and needs a job and her uncle gets her one at a custom motorcycle shop. Her first day and the first person she meets is Crow. He does not like her or trusts her. I got part of his attitude but not all of it.
Later when she finds that extra parts are being ordered which is an extremely large amount of money that is going into someone’s pocket you never find out what happens with that part of the story. I get Crow being an asshole to most people but usually, if you like someone you don’t start off that way for the woman is not going to warm up to you, they are still going to think you are an asshole. For me, there were times when I connected with the story, and other times when I did not. Maybe it was just me. I did like the female character and some of the other ones. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave 3 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
A Sensational Suspense Romance .
I volunteered to read and review an advanced readers copy through Netgalley of Custom Built .
Bronte Pierce hasn't had a good year . Her health and now loosing her job her finances .
With help from some of her family . She lands a job at Fast & Fury custom motorcycle shop . hopefully she can keep it . Her boss Crow isn't very friendly to Bronte and he's also in an MC . When Bronte's life takes another big hit and she's falling apart . Crow comes to the rescue and Crow and the MC step in to be her new family . Bronte needs them when danger comes after her . This story is spectacular ! The story kept me captivated . I couldn't put it down . It's full of fantastic characters , well written , steamy , entertaining and so suspenseful . I highly recommend taking the time to read .