Best of Motorcycle Romances

Best of Motorcycle Romances:

updated as of 1/2016

1. Number one is definitely Kristen Ashley's Motorcycle Man.

This won the Goodreads Reader's Choice Award for best romance a few years ago. I don't, as a rule, like Kristen Ashley's style. In fact, after loving this book I tried to read many, many of her books and failed because I just can't really stand the way she writes and drags things out. HOWEVER, this book was my first read of hers and it doesn't even matter that the prose is not what I want it to be. Tack and Red are a FANTASTIC couple, one of the best in romance. This is the book that got me started on motorcycle romances and there is a reason that people voted for it on the Goodreads Choice Awards. (my review)

2.  Undeniable by Madeline Sheehan

If you like this first in the Undeniable series you will most likely enjoy the others. They are all pretty explicit and offer nothing in the way of sweet and fluffy romance, but all are compulsively readable if dark. Sheehan's books are gritty and dark, but also sort of wildly romantic.

3.  Sweet Dreams by Kristen Ashley

I read this after Motorcycle Man when I was determined that I would read and enjoy Kristen Ashley's books. I did enjoy this one. The hero is no Tack, but this has a strong romance just the same and there are motorcycles involved. It is set in Colorado like a lot of her books and the setting is very strong and well-done.  (my review)

4. Unbeautifully by Madeline Sheehan

This is number two in the Undeniable series and, as stated above, if you like the first one you will probably like the rest. I think there are five of these out now. (my review)

5.  Floored by Ainslie Paton

Australian author and this story as a lot of flare-- very non-traditional. LOVED this author and can't wait to get some more of her books.

6.  The Traveling Man by Jane Harvey-Berrick

This has a such a unique premise and such great characters. I had read and enjoyed this author's The Education of Sebastion/Carolina duo, but this was even stronger. There are a lot of motorcycles, but not motorcycle clubs, rather Evel Knievel stunts and a circus, and a childhood to adulthood romance. It's pretty great. Sadly, the sequel: The Traveling Woman was a miss for me, but perhaps others will enjoy closer to the story. (my review)

7.  Truly Madly Yours by Rachel Gibson

This is an older, small town romance but it does include a man on a motorcycle. I had reservations going in but I ended up enjoying the bad boy, second-chance romance a lot. (my review)

8. One Summer by Karen Robards

This is more of an old-school romance. It was originally published in 1993. The hero is a convicted murderer, who drives a motorcycle. The story is set in a small town, so it has a much different feel from motorcycle club books. It's actually a pretty sweet romance. Rachel is older than Johnny, and was actually his English teacher in high school, which lends the story an illicit feeling without being creepy since they are both consenting adults at the time of the story. This book actually really stuck with me and is one of my favorite older romances because of how well done it is.

9. Reaper's Property by Johanna Wylde

This is a motorcycle club romance, which brings with it a whole differet set of criteria from other books on this list that just involve a hero who rides a motorcycle and may or may not have a criminal past. Like Sheehan, Wylde is not shy about including the dark and gritty in her works. This one is disturbingly realistic and is not for the fate of heart. The romance is steamy though. (my review)

10. Half Moon Hill by Toni Blake

This one involves an ex-biker gang hero who is hiding out. I did NOT read the other books in the Destiny series, but had no problem jumping in with this one. Here again, there is a small town, which I don't like in and of itself, but it works when a biker is thrown in the mix. This book is very well-written which goes a long way in my enjoyment of a story.

11.  Knight in Black Leather by Gail Dayton

Don't be thrown by the TERRIBLE cover (actually this updated cover is a bit better!), this is actually quite an enjoyable read. This book has a young man involved in some shady activities, who drives a motorcycle. It also has a older heroine paired with a younger man, which is a trope I really like. This one isn't that gritty, but it's not light either, sort of the perfect mix of heavy and light.