3.5 stars

This is a spicy, drama filled bad boy romance, so it's right up my alley. The main character is Bronte, a woman who's just lost her job and is facing some terrible medical news. She gets a job at a motorcycle repair shop and immediately crushes on her new boss. Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to feel the same way and puts up a wall between them. When someone close to Bronte is murdered, Crow steps up and helps her investigate what actually happened.

I liked Crow and Bronte together, I thought they fit well together. I didn't understand why he pushed her away at first then changed his mind out of nowhere. I thought it seemed odd that he would change his mind that quickly and maybe it could have been a bit more drawn out. I also thought a couple times Bronte bugged me, flip flopping on her decisions. I did like that she cared deeply about her family and friends and kept searching for the truth of what happened.

The story was fast paced and went by quickly with no slow parts. There were some nicely written romantic scenes that I enjoyed as well.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Ive only read 1 book from Chantal and I loved it. So when I saw this bad boy I was like this sounds amazing.

This book didn't disappoint. It had everything suspense, amazing characters and a hot hero.

I can't wait to read more books from Chantal. Well done on an amazing book xx

This is the first book in a spin off series from the Knights of Fury MC. It really reads as more of a KOF book but it intro goes about introducing one of their business ventures, Fast & Fury. This series, I assume, will cover the employees of the custom build shop??? Regardless, there are lots of scenes with the KOF MC guys in this book. If you have read the series so far, we have met Crow as one of the MC members.

This book takes a completely down and out young woman and plops her right in the middle of Fast & Fury as a front desk person. Little does she know, but that connection is going to land her in the sights of some baddies. Her story line ties in to the KOF story line. Just a few more unsuspected twists.

I liked Crow more as the book went on. It was never really explained why he was so stand offish/mean to Bronte in the beginning. Because he was attracted to her?? I am not sure but as they got closer, he developed more of a personality.

Lots of highs and lows in this one. Some tears to be shed. A bit on intrigue. Overall, a great start to the series. I am looking forward to reading more about the mechanics/artists that work in the shop.

“You are mine. You were made for me, and as long as you want to be here, this is where you’ll be. Right by my side.”

What you’ll find:
✔️Romance Suspense
✔️MC Romance
✔️Workplace
✔️Twists & Turns
✔️Singular POV

Bronte needs a break. And a job. So her uncle sets her up at Fast & Fury- a custom motorcycle shop she knows nothing about. It doesn’t help that her boss Crow is a jerk. But when a murder turns into a conspiracy and danger for her- it’s Crow and his MC family, who are there for her.

I really enjoyed this read right up until the probably the last third and then it got a little off track for me. Bronte has this killer strong independent vibe going from the start that I enjoyed. Despite getting one curveball after another throw at her. And boy do those curveballs go wild. I did not see them coming.

But here is her new boss, Crow, stepping in to be there for her. At first you were sure he was going to be that alpha jerk biker but he really wasn’t that at all. He had a much softer side for a typical biker romance. And I didn’t mind it. It was also fun to see all the old crew from Knights MC and how they all connected.

It did feel rushed at times. And the twists in the end were just too much and too many for me personally. Thought I have to applaud Bronte for still standing after all that! It does still contain a sweet HEA. I think this will be a great book for those who enjoy a twist filled MC Romance, with a softer biker hero.

Thank you to @harlequin and @harlequinpublicityteam for this gifted advance copy for my honest review.

TW/CW: Violence, Miscarriage, Loss

"Custom Built" is the first book of the "Fast and Fury" series by the author Chantel Fernando. Told in dual Perspectives , get ready to meet Bronte and Crow!!

I have read all the damn books by this author. Now you must be thinking that I have really not read all of them since there are so many of them , but nope. You are wrong. I have literally read every book because I am just obsessed with this author. Her writing skills are flawless and don't even get me started on her MC books. The best ever!!!

Bronte Is the girl with a job and an asshole boss. After having her whole life ripped away from her, she thinks of this job as the break she clearly deserves but those thoughts go out of the window when she meets her new boss. Crow is a total douche bag. And apparently , his behaviour is only reserved for her. She doesn't even know what she did to deserve this but those dreams of taking a break clearly fly out of the window after meeting him .

They both have a complicated relationship and when things get tough and other stuff from her past resurfaces , this club might be the only thing that could save her. She has found her family here and she would do anything to keep it.

Crow and Bronte's story was epic and totally consuming. Just like every other MC book by this author , I loved this one too. There were times when I wanted to punch Crow so bad , but then that is the case with all of her heroes.
A definite recommendation to all the dark Romance lovers out there who would love themes like MC Romance and suspense in the mix!!

I tried picking this up twice and both times I wasn't hooked. The premise sounded interesting but the characters were annoying to me. The romance was awkward and felt forced and a bit over the tops obnoxious. I really wanted to like this, but sadly, I didn't. It was a DNF for me.

Chantal never fails to set the mood with every story bringing a slew of multidimensional characters and a in depth ever evolving suspenseful and action packed plot that has us all up in our feels.

Poor Bronte!. That girl honestly went though a shit show of disasters throughout her journey and my heart went out to her. The very fact she did not crumble under all that shit is a perfect show of the kind of character she is. Strong, resilient and sweet she really is a well rounded, likeable and relatable character.

Their journey starts off with some animosity giving that hate to love vibe creating tension that only fuels the chemistry between them and eventually leads to a undeniable connection they can't fight any longer. It's frustrating, sensual and sweet and it's heartbreaking, surprising and funny. Bronte and Crow do not have a easy journey both due to their personal situations and unforseen circumstances out of their control. Add in the fact they are stubborn and you have yourself a hot mess. It's not super heavy on mc drama but it definitely got it's fair share of drama. It's sweet and gripping and unpredictable in all the best ways and I'm so excited to see where this series goes. I love this author and the way she writes so effortlessly creating this world of wonder with characters that demand you pay attention. I think as far as a first in the series goes.. this is a great start!.

Bronte Pierce feels more than a little helpless when she loses her job. Thanks to a little help from family, she lands a new one working in the office of Fast & Fury Custom Motorcycles.

She’s looking forward to starting over and getting to know her new cousin. And then the most beautiful man that she’s ever seen walks into the office.

Crow is more than just the talent behind the success of Fast & Fury, he’s also a high-ranking member of the Knights of Fury MC. His intensity is both fascinating and frightening. So when sparks start to fly, Bronte knows that she’s in for the ride of a lifetime.

“We share a long, deep kiss, and it’s meaningful. It’s an acknowledgement that we’re both in this, together. This isn’t some relationship for convenience, or just for some sex. This isn’t a situationship, because I’ve heard Billie tell me this before: when you act like you’re in a relationship but you’re not.
We’re both here because we wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
And there’s peace in that.”

Custom Built isn’t your typical gritty MC romance. Chantal lays down a fast-moving plot with some seriously steamy scenes and it makes for the kind of romance that can easily be devoured on a lazy afternoon.

So if you happen to be looking for a sweet uncomplicated love story, this one just might fit the bill…

This was a fast moving book with a lot going on. There are a lot of characters that appear from an earlier series that I really want to go back and read now. I’m super intrigued by all of the back stories, but this is the first book in a series and can be read on its own.

The relationship between Crow and Bronte is excellent. While the attraction is pretty much instant, there is a slow burn to their actual romance and they take their time before taking the next step. Part of that reason could be everything that is happening around them!

I absolutely love Crow’s character. He has fast become one of my favorite romance heroes. He is utterly devoted to those he loves, stands up for what he believes in, and will do whatever it takes to protect the people in his life.

Bronte loves her friends and family and would do anything for them, she is incredibly strong in the face of loss and adversity. She makes up her own mind about things and has her own sense of what is right and wrong. I honestly don’t know how she survives some of the stuff she endures.

The other members of the motorcycle club are also great characters that I want to know more about! And then there’s Crow’s sister, Bronte’s uncle and father, best friend, and former employer. I really enjoyed all of the characters I met in this story.

There were two small things that kept this from being a 5-star read for me, though I definitely recommend the book! The first is the sheer number of things that happened to Bronte in such a short period of time. I kind of feel like the entire kitchen sink was thrown at her in this book. The second is a time jump that feels a little jarring. It was unexpected and felt a little abrupt to me. However, neither of these things would keep me from reading this book again or from reading the rest of the series.

I do want to add a few trigger warnings for this book as well: Loss of parent, fertility issues, miscarriage, loss of friend.

Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this book from Harlequin and Carina Press through Net Galley as part of a blog tour. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A surly hunk of a boss just might be her salvation when her world starts to crumble around her! With the first book in her brand new Fast & Fury series Chantal Fernando takes her reader on a roller coaster ride filled with heartache, turmoil and danger as passion overrides it all in this electrifying story.

Bronte is an easily relatable character as she gets hit with bad news after bad news and has to make life adjustments on the fly. Her story is attention grabbing and very enjoyable.

Crow is brusque, surly and bad boyish, but has a heart of gold and will protect her to the end of time.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a bit of MC, a bit of suspense and a passionate romance building throughout. I’m looking forward to more to come in the series.

AHHH! I have been obsessed with Chantal Fernando's books for years and was so excited to jump into her new Fast and Fury series! Crow and Bronte were just delicious! He was broody and sexy and everything I love in my MC heroes. Bronte likewise was strong and sassy and gave as good as she got!

Overall I loved their connection and banter and all the extended cast of characters. I can't wait for more books in this series! 4 stars! ~Ratula

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book for an honest review.

An enjoyable book 1 in this new series by Ms. Fernando. I loved the author’s style of writing in Custom Built. She gives us an action packed storyline and strong characters - especially the heroine. If I had one complaint, Crow's character is a bit soft. I love how he isn’t afraid to show his emotions, however I am used to bikers being a little more alpha protective (but that’s just me and it in NO WAY took away from my enjoyment of the book). Don’t get me wrong, in his own way Crow takes care of what’s his, just not in the over the top way I am used to in MC reads.

Bronte’s life is in turmoil. She’s lost her job among other things. Her uncle steps in and gets her an office job at a custom motorcycle shop. A shop run by Crow, a bull headed and mercilessly honest biker. Needless to say these two but heads a time or two.

The book has a great storyline with a suspenseful twist I wasn’t expecting. The Knight’s MC are present and a part of the book but Crow and Bronte are the main focus. Very good read and I look forward to more from the Fast and Fury Series.

Custom Built by Chantal Fernando is the first book in the Fast and Fury series. It is a spin-off of her Knights of Fury series. Readers familiar with her Knight of Fury series would recognise most of the characters featured in Custom Built.

This installment introduces the reader to Bronte and Crow, two likeable and relatable characters. The story began with Bronte experiencing major upheavals in her life. She lost her job as a private investigator’s assistant and she’s dealing with major health issues. The only good thing in her life is the relationship she shares with her dad. She had a breakthrough in her job search when her uncle arranged to get her a job at a motor cycle shop. The only drawback was her jerk of a boss who did not appreciate the way she secured the job.

Crow is a member of Knights of Fury motorcycle club. His attraction to Bronte took him by surprise and he tried covering it up by acting like a jerk towards her. However, when tragedy struck placing Bronte’s life in danger his protective instincts kicked in and soon these two will find themselves building a relationship that was passionate and sweet.

I had a great time with this book. I am fairly new to the author’s work having only read the last book from her Knights of Fury series. I can see why she is a favourite for readers of this genre. She pulled me into her story from the start and kept me entertained until the end. I enjoyed the mix of romance and suspense, which I found to be well balanced. It lacked the darkness and grittiness one would expect from a MC story. It was all around sweet and passionate story.

Bronte and Crow may have been complete opposites in terms of lifestyle but they were both strong willed and determined. An unlikely pair who made the perfect couple.

The secondary characters helped to make the story a fun read amid the unhappiness, danger and secrets that often surrounds Bronte.

Custom Built proved to be a well written story filled with secrets, heat, suspense and danger. I am looking forward to reading more from the author.

2.5 stars

While this book as listed as the first in the Fast & Fury series, it quickly became obvious this series is a spin-off of another series. Let me be clear, I was not lost while reading this story. Strictly speaking, you do not have to read the Knights of Fury series in order to read this series. But I did feel as though there was some depth missing. Now, whether that is because I hadn’t read the other series or because that is the style of this author’s writing, I don’t know. She is a new-to-me author.

I truly wanted to like this story. I actually love the concept and storyline. Yet I found the execution lacking. I felt there was a whole lot of telling and not enough showing. Bronte and Crow are both extremely likable characters. The tension between the two when they first meet is wonderful and fun. I’m not one for dragging things out, but the build-up in this one was over too quickly. There was every reason that Crow and Bronte should have been lighting the pages on fire, but I wasn’t feeling their connection the way I wanted.

Many readers have a problem with first person stories. I do not. In fact, one of my favorite authors writes in first person all the time. It never strikes me as odd or awkward. In this story, it was something I noticed throughout. The way it was written, along with the speed with which I read, often had me missing the end quotation marks. This often caused confusion as to what was being said out loud and what was in Bronte’s head. It just wasn’t working for me. And, quite frankly, the last few chapters (I’d say about 15% or so of the book) were really unnecessary. I really don’t need a climax, a resolution, more conflict, and another climax. Once I’ve had my resolution, my mind starts to move on.

Again, the actual storyline idea and the characters themselves I really enjoyed. The writing style, some very blatant inconsistencies throughout, and the lack of palpable chemistry made this a bit of a dud for me. I may eventually try another of this author’s titles. I don’t like judging an author off one book, especially when it seems I’m missing some back story. There’s definitely something there I like, I just need more overall.

I'm always on the lookout for another MC romance to enjoy, so I was excited to dive into this book. I have to say thought that I ended up feeling let down. There were some things that I liked about the book. Like the writing was good and there was always another shoe waiting to drop. However, the rest of it just didn't click with me. I liked Crow, I did but he was not my idea of a biker. Gruff, sweet and caring he was but alpha he was not. As for Bronte, I could not connect with her at all. I could never firmly decide if she was totally clueless or simply chose to be blind but either way, she kind of rubbed me the wrong way. If you are not really a hardcore MC romance fan, prefer a story and characters that are without an edge and can appreciate the never-ending avalanche of drama, drama, drama and even more drama, that will at the very least have you admiring the heroine's strength of will to not just curl up into a ball in the nearest corner you might enjoy this book. If however, you are looking for anything else I recommend that you keep looking.

Loving this new series from Chantal! I love that Chantal was able to continue writing in this MC world – after reading the first set of books in this book world I was so excited for it to go on! This book kept me guessing trying to figure out what exactly was going on and who was behind all the trouble and the answers were not a disappointment! After a slew of bad luck, Bronte finds herself single and without a job. Thankfully, her uncle is able to secure her a job and she is excited at the prospect, until she meets Crow and he acts like she’s entitled and unhelpful. Proving him wrong while also attracted to him, she struggles a bit trying to keep her feelings at bay, but once they give into each other the chemistry is amazing! But when devastation strikes in Bronte’s life, Crow proves that he is a great guy and really is there for her while also supporting her on finding out the truth of her father’s death. I truly enjoyed this book and loved the love story between these two. I can’t wait for the next book in this series!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Custom Built is the first in Chantal Fernando’s Fast & Fury series but has some of the characters from the Knights of Fury series. I have not explored too much in other MC stories, but this one definitely holds my attention and I’ve enjoyed all of them so far.

Our two main characters are Bronte and Crow. Bronte was really having a hard time with life in general. The book starts off with Bronte having some medical issues and then she had to be laid off of a job that she really loved. It was even harder because her boss was also a good friend. But I would say that it’s a realistic element to the story that may resonate with a lot of readers because life is tough right now. Bronte then has to tell her dad that she lost her job and is looking for something new. She doesn’t like asking for help. Fortunately, when she is visiting her dad, her Uncle Neville puts her in touch with a custom bike shop that needs some help.

Turns out Crow is her boss and he is not very nice at first. Crow is trying to keep a waaaay too distant professional relationship. Things start to pick up a bit because as she starts her new job, she meets a cousin that she never had. Motorcycle Club is a whole new world for Bronte and Abbie can help her a bit with the ins and outs of knowing men in a motorcycle club. She’s not really “in” but she just works for an affiliated business.

As Bronte begins to settle in, the drama goes up a notch. There is a murder, drug running, mysterious disappearances, and some shooting. Poor Bronte just can’t catch a break! But the flirty fun starts as Bronte tries to make the best of things. Turns out Crow is full of surprises and is quite charming. I think that Crow and Bronte do have some great chemistry. To me, one of the hottest things that Crow did was take care of Bronte when she needed it. *fans self* The story is fast-paced. It focuses on friendship, family, and helping each other out. There is a lot of action and I had to keep reading to find out who the bad guys were. The suspense will keep you up until you finish. If you are looking for your next contemporary romance or are new to MC books, give this one a try.

While I haven’t read any of Chantal Fernando's other books, it’s definitely good to have some kind of background about the Knights of Fury MC since they play heavily into Custom Built. But even without that, the book still works on its own. Because you get to meet all these characters and get a slight peek into the workings of the MC.

But it’s not as much of an MC romance as I thought it would be, which was my main issue with the book. There’s mention of the club and the hero is an important member of the club, but there’s only so much we get and I kept reaching for more. I did love Crow and I wish we got more of him through the book.

Told in Bronte’s voice, the book takes you through a rollercoaster of emotions and situations. There’s a lot going on that will keep you hooked and on the edge of your seat. From her losing her job to working at the garage, to her father and her uncle and her best friend. It’s a lot to wrap your head around, but it was definitely exciting and I like books that hook you in that way. Especially in romantic suspense, if the characters aren’t getting into all kinds of shenanigans, can it really be called suspense?

Bronte and Crow’s relationship went from being non-existent to being something really big and while I’m glad that Bronte had Crow through a lot of the tragedies that befell her, there were times when it felt like it was too convenient. It was a little rushed in places, but also slow at the same time. I’m always glad for some world building and some placement of characters and situations, but at the same time, I would have loved to have a little less about the inner workings.

Custom Built had its moments, but on the whole there was just so much that felt missing. Too many things fell into place too fast and there was just a lot of questions left unanswered. And I truly wish we got more of Crow, because the way it’s set up as somewhat of an MC romance, you expect more from the hero who is in the club.

An enjoyable read with drama and suspense. A great start to a new spinoff series. Loved the cameo appearances.

4 stars for Bronte. She went through a lot in this story and still stood tall in the end. Her character grew stronger as she realized that she could depend on others and still be an independent woman. Sometimes there was doubt but she picked herself up and pushed forward. Crow was the perfect partner for Bronte. He was there for her highs and lows; her knight in shining armor. As a member of the Knights, he was not always following the straight and narrow but he was good to her and his baby sister. When he claims Bronte, his club claims Bronte. She has him and the club at her back. When danger calls, they answer.
Fast paced story. The friendships and family she finds help lighten some of the tragedy. The camaraderie and love add to story. Family is not always blood.