Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team


Mary – ☆☆☆☆
Bronte Pierce is having the worst year of her life. She has lost her job, saying goodbye to a lifelong dream, and might have to move back in with her dad if she doesn't find a job soon. While visiting her dad, her uncle tells her about a job at a local motorcycle shop needing someone to answer phones and do paperwork. Although she knows nothing about motorcycles, she is a fast learner and needs a job.

When she meets her new boss, Crow is not what she was thinking her boss would be. He is stubborn, hard-headed, honest, and gorgeous.

Crow wasn't looking for Bronte to walk through the door, she pushes all his buttons and he just wants to strip her bare and have his way with her. But he has to keep his distance, so he will pile the work on her and see what she is made of.

There is someone after Bronte, and Crow is there to protect her, but can he save the day? Who is after her and why? Will Crow give in to his feelings for Bronte? Is there a chance for a relationship? Can they have a future together?

I really liked this story; with the suspense aspect I was trying to figure out who was after Bronte and it never crossed my mind. I didn't realize this was a new series and I am so glad it has some of the characters from the Knights of Fury series in it too. If you are looking for a really good story with romance, suspense, laughter, tears, and a happily ever after, then this one is for you. I can't wait for the next one.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the first in a new series, but it follows straight on from Knights of Fury, so you might want to step back and read those first – or if you enjoy this, do go back afterwards. I really enjoyed the return to this fabulous MC and was very happy to catch up with how things are progressing.

In this installment we meet Bronte, who gets a job in the custom bike shop owned by the Knights. She is immediately attracted to Crow, but he behaves in a very odd, distant manner. Amusingly, this is because he does not want to acknowledge his interest in her – and certainly doesn't want to follow his friends Saint, Temper, and Renegade and fall in love!!

The twist in this story is that Bronte's family is not exactly what she thought it was – and this leads to a tragedy and danger which she would never have envisaged. I have to say I thought she dealt with the whole revelation far better than I would have done. I think I would have been much less relaxed as things progress, but I am a bit of a wuss. I chose to suspend disbelief and go with it a few times, where I wasn't sure that everything really fitted together, because I was happy that she gets to sort out her feelings and move on into her new future. She does just get on with her life and seek out the truth as she can find it. She also makes her feelings clear to Crow and it is definitely great fun watching them enjoy each other's company. It is particularly amusing given Crow's resistance.

A good start to a new series. I look forward to finding out what will happen next!


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆
What do you do when your whole world collapses around you? You turn to your family. But what happens when your family turns out to be something you don't recognize?

Bronte's fixation on the abnormal cells hiding in her cervix has been her sole fixation for months. Will they or won't they come back? Now, out of a job, she reluctantly accepts her uncle's helping hand in getting a job at a local motorcycle shop.

Crow's hiring of Bronte is not something he really wanted to do, but family is family and you do favors for family. Not sure how the businesslike Bronte is going to fit in his shop, he nevertheless leaves her to figure it out.

Just as Bronte's life begins to turn itself around, the ground beneath her dissolves and she's floundering once again. Crow knows that there is more than meets the eye to the recent upheaval in Bronte's life, he's more than willing to be her shoulder to lean on.

This series is a spin-off of the previous series by this author and can be read as a standalone – and while not necessary, I feel that reading the first series will give you insights into the characters you might not otherwise have.

This was a lovely read, as far as a crime, MC romance novel can be :)

It's the story of Bronte and Crow. A woman who gets into a new job and fells in love with her - initially very grumpy- boss, while her life takes so many unexpected turns.

The grumpiness of Crow lasts very little and the whole story focuses on the beauty of their flourishing relationship as a lot of drama unfolds. Bronte discovers her family has some big hidden secrets that will greatly affect her life.

Surprisingly, there is little darkness coming from the MC and a lot more coming from her connections. It's a pretty easy to read book, filled with lovely moments and a lot of good people to support both Bronte and Crow but also a lot of suspense and on-the-edge moments. The whole story is not as much focused on the MC as it is on normal problems, like illness and loss, it has a "rea feel" to it.

What I loved the most about this book is: first - how the repercussion of Bronte's illness are developed in the book. The author spins the story of this new type of family with such warmth and beauty. And second: how the story keeps on going and going. At one point you feel like: here's the happy ending what more can it be? And then it all keeps going until Bronte emerges not only fully happy, balanced and loved, but also strong and independent. Loved this!

Custom Built is the first book in the spin off series Fast & Fury but alot of the Knights of Fury are seen in this book. I liked it. There was alot that went on in it. I don't even know how Bronte is still sane! Bronte and Crow were really great together. I loved how he took care of her. Looking forward to reading more.

This is this author‘s first book of the series but it is a spin off of her Knights of Fury series. This just didn’t feel like an MC book, and we all know how I love MC books. I just felt the MC aspect was second in the overall scheme of things.

Bronte is having the worst year of her life-she loses her job and her dreams and she might have to move back in with her father if she can’t find a job quickly. Crow owns the motorcycle shop in town looking for a receptionist and someone to do light paperwork. Bronte knows nothing about motorcycles but she needs a job and she is a fast learner. Crow isn’t what she expected as a boss, he is hardheaded, stubborn and absolutely gorgeous. He needs to keep his distance from Bronte because he doesn’t want any entanglements but she pushes his buttons. Will Crow give in to his feelings for Bronte? When someone is after Bronte will Crow be there to protect her?

Chantal Fernando writes some romantic biker romances! As bad as her bikers and their MC is once they find their lady love they will do anything to keep her.

Crow is running the motorcycle shop Fast & Fury. Bronte is at a point in her life where surprises are being thrown at her left and right and her life is changing fast. When her uncle and father's surprise lands her a new job working at Fast & Fury she quickly butts heads with Crow. When things take a major turn for the worse Crow ends up stepping up for Bronte and sparks fly.

I love MC romances and while I like my MC clubs with a bit more hardness to them this story was still good.

This past year has been a complete nightmare for Bronte Pierce, between some medical issues she's having and losing her job she feels like everything is stacked against her. But her family steps in and offers her a helping hand in the form of a job at a local motorcycle shop. She is thankful for the job but a little uncertain about her broody new boss Crow. He doesn't seem to care for her, and is often quite rude, but she suspects there is a nice guy under all that broodiness... she just has to find a way to bring it out.

When danger comes knocking and her life is threatened, she tries to do what she has always done and handle things on her own, but Crow isn't having it, and steps in. No good can possibly come from this... or can it?

Custom Built is a sultry and edgy little page-turner that will have your eyes glued to the pages from beginning to end! This one brings us into the lives of Crow and Bronte who are complete opposites on the outside, but internally they both carry an indomitable inner strength and stubbornness that sometimes gets in the way, but also unites them. These two may have not been a likely pairing at first glance, but the more pages you turn the more you will realize they were perfect for one another, the light to the other's dark, the one missing piece they never knew they needed. I adored these characters, they banter they shared made me smile, and the unexpected sweetness they shared touched my heart. And then of course there is the sparks, now those set the pages aflame quite a few times! Between the pages of this one readers will find a well penned love story packed with action and danger, slow simmering romance, and moments that will put a vise-like squeeze on your heart... it's downright amazing!! Highly recommend!

I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.

3.5 - 4 I'm thinking...

So, as far as I can tell, Fast & Fury isn’t as much of a spin off of the Knights of Fury series as it is a continuation. At least that’s my take on it. That’s not a bad thing or even a complaint. Just an observation. It’s also not necessary for you to have read the Knights of Fury series to start Fast & Fury, but most of the characters in Custom Built were first introduced in Saint, Renegade and Temper.

The description of Custom Built is a pretty good setup for Bronte and Crow’s story. The connection between them didn’t take too long to develop though.

Looking back on my review of Saint, I kind of had issues with that book too. Although with the first book in the Knights of Fury series, I couldn’t pin point exactly what my issue was. This time, I’m not quite so on the fence. Although I can’t give you details because I refuse to give spoilers in my reviews, I can tell you that it felt like Bronte was put through way too much. I’m all for conflict in a story and a bit of danger and heart break is tolerable, but with Bronte? I think I would have been okay with the story ending WAY before it did and even then it was almost too much. *sigh*

That doesn’t mean that I’m ready to give up on the series, because I’m not. It also doesn’t mean that I think that Custom Built isn’t worth the read. Despite what the author put them through, I really liked Crow and Bronte’s story. And since Cam’s story is next in Custom Made and I can’t wait for her to get her HEA.

Custom Built by Chantal Fernando is book One in the Fast and Fury Series. This is the story of Bronte and Crow. Poor Bronte hasn't had it easy from the first chapter of this book and she kept taking the hits. When a family member gets her a job as a receptionist in a motorcycle shop she tries to do her best with the job and to move forward. But, she finds her boss...Crow not a easy man at least not to her. Crow of course seems to be fighting his attraction to her but he finally knows he needs to be there for her when she ends up in danger. I am a huge fan of this author's writing. I love her alpha male who dominate the strong heroine...although in this book it didn't seem like her regular male character I still found it to be a page turner.

A Great Start


Bronte has had some really bad luck lately including getting fired from her PI work and she thought that bad luck was following her when she landed another job with the help of a relative. How could someone who look so good and treat people so nice be such a grouch to her?! Not only that but the guy ran the Fast & Fury custom bike shop and was a member of the Knights MC. She tolerated his dirty looks and his standoffishness until she couldn’t stay away anymore.

Crow has been trying to keep the stunning admin out of his mind but that just keeps getting harder to do. He and Bronte have been dancing around each other until that night at the night club and things heat up from there. It is Crow who is there for her when her world begins to fall apart. The secrets, deceptions and her health are all life altering and it’s with Crow’s help that she tries to make her way through this maze. Nothing like having a hot as sin biker with true compassion in your corner.

I loved the Wind Dragons MC series and Fast & Fury is lining up to be just as good.

Hmmm, I didn't really feel this.
I usually love a good biker gang/MC romance, but I just wasn't it here. I like my stories a little more elaborate if you know what I mean. I feel like the author skipped over parts of this story which made me feel very disconnected from the characters.
I did like the storyline, but it all felt very rushed to be honest. One moment she starts working for the bike shop and thinks Crow's an ass, and the next moments she's been working there for weeks and Crow's done a 180.. I don't like being told, I want to experience it myself!

Gonna start this off with the fact that this will be so much better of a read, if you read the Knights of Fury MC books beforehand. Crow is a part of the MC and those characters are all over this story as well. Bronte is not having a good time with life at the moment, having some health issues, then she loses her job, and right before the holidays. Of course getting a job now is harder than ever, and when her uncle gets her job she is not going to look a gift horse in the mouth and accepts the job. Getting the job at the garage opens a whole new world for Bronte, and things in her life are starting to look up, until all of a sudden this new found happiness takes a turn for the worse and once again Bronte's life is a huge mess. Good thing for her that Crow is right beside her to help her along the way, but will the mess she found herself in have her pulling back, for his safety?

I have been such a HUGE fan of Chantal Fernando, since the Wind Dragons MC. I feel like this was not up to Ms. Fernando's usual caliber. I am not sure what was missing in this story for me, there just was something. Maybe because the MC didn't have anything to do with solving the problem and Bronte did it mostly by herself... idk. The naughty bits were also just ok. I will say that I did shed a tear or two for what the h had to go through, pulled on my heartstrings a bit. I give this 4 stars.

This is the 1st on a new series and is Crow and Bronte’s story. Bronte is not having the best of years and to top it all she loses her job and has to move back in with her dad while looking for another job. When Bronte’s uncle tells her that a custom motorcycle shop is looking for a receptionist she applies for the position. Crow is her new boss, and he is stubborn, hard-headed, brutally honest, and belongs to an MC, and he certainly knows how to push her buttons. The chemistry between these two is undeniable, but can Crow protect Bronte when she is in danger? This is a well written story which is filled with danger, suspense, emotion, and is a humorous and all-consuming read. I look forward to reading more from this author whose work I recommend.

I was super excited for this book, because MC romances are my favorites. I love the rawness and intensity of this genre. And while Custom Built was a pretty nice read, I missed everything I love biker books for. It was a really good read, for a contemporary romance. The only thing that really connected this story to MC in my opinion is that the main character rode a motorcycle. Yes, we have the actual club here, but somehow it was too tame... I just expected something more dark-ish. What I got was sweet.

Therefore, I have the impression that all the terrible situations that the heroine experienced were forced here to give this book 'character'. I also couldn't quite connect with Bronte, because her reactions felt a bit robotic to me. Surprisingly I liked Crow, although he didn’t live up to my expectations as a biker. Sure, he was a jerk at first, the frowning, growling alpha, but he lost that roughness very fast. Sure, he was protective and all that jam, but in a charming and adorable way. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some sweet hero, but again, not in a MC book.

All in all, this book is good. But don’t expect here flying bullets or bikers smelling of smoke and bad decisions. Expect a rather sweet insta-love like story with a bit of suspense.

Custom Built, the first the Fast & Fury series from Chantal Fernando. You will recognize some characters from the Knights of Fury series, it’s always so much fun to catch up some or your past favorites.

This was such a easy story to get lost in, I really loved both characters, Bronte and Crow. Bronte is not living her best life, the hits just keep coming for her until her Uncle gets her a job at a motorcycle shop, she finally feels things are looking up. Crow is her new boss, he’s surly and grumpy, albeit drop dead gorgeous, she soon learns he has a kind heart. He doesn’t want to fall for her, he’s stubborn and hard headed, but he soon realizes he can’t keep his distance. She experiences so many tragic times in her life, Crow becomes the love and support Bronte needs

Their story will pull you in right away, lots of laughs, quite a few tears.

Book one in the new Fast & Fury Series and Custom Built is a great start to the new series from Chantel Fernando. This is Bronte Pierce and Crow’s story and boy do they have a tale to tell.
Bronte has just got a new job at a local motorcycle shop and this is where she meets Crow the owner of Fast & Fury, even knowing nothing about motorcycles Bronte is hoping this is the new start she has been searching for what she didn’t expect was to fall for her biker boss.....
Crow is how I imagine a typical biker to be, strong, tough and a man who does what is needed to get what he wants but Bronte seems to bring out the softer side to him and that made him loveable. This is one of those reads that keeps you on edge as the suspense and twists and turns unfold, the chemistry is sizzling and the characters adorable and I’m excited for where Ms Fernando will take us next in this gripping series.

I can’t believe this is the first story by this author that I have read, I have been meaning to explore her books for ages. I now want to go back and read the three Knights of Fury MC books as soon as possible because I thoroughly enjoyed the characters. I enjoyed this fast-paced story and the interesting storyline hooked me from the beginning right until the end.

This story is centered around Bronte who gets a job at Fast & Fury, a custom-built motorbike business the Knights of Fury MC owns and runs. Crow, one if the patched members of the MC, manages the business and this is basically his and Bronte’s story. Together with other great characters at the business we are treated to some fun times, not always exactly fun haha but great for readers!

I liked Crow as a character even when he was a bit standoffish toward Bronte in the beginning. He proved his worth over and over throughout the story though and let’s just say you could certainly have some sweet dreams with him as your focus. Bronte is another likable character, really likable because she is basically very honest and that includes with herself.

My only issue with this story was there were some small inconsistencies, like when Bronte says she hadn’t seen her father since the barbecue at his place yet he dropped into her new workplace to see her. There were a few and they did niggle and annoy me unfortunately while I was reading.

The suspense element is good, as it unravels more things occur, some complete twists that take you by total surprise. I enjoyed how it isn’t a situation where once things are sorted that’s it done and dusted, sneaky things happen too. 😄

All in all an entertaining and enjoyable read.

Well, I am not sure what to say. While I have loved most of Chantal’s MC books, this one just fell flat for me. It started off promising with enemies to lovers feel but then bam they are falling into bed together and into love almost instantly. I was so looking forward to the snarky comments and a little bit of angst. While there is a bit of a mystery going on, it seems that Crow and Bronte are just floating through it. Absolutely no tension whatsoever. While in real life that is preferable, in books I like to read tension-filled, edge of your seat romance.

Amount of sex – 3 / 5
How explicit are the sex scenes – 2.5 / 5
Story – 4 / 5
Overall – 4 /5

Custom Built is the first book in the Fast & Fury series written by author Chantal Fernando. It’s also a spinoff of the author’s series, The Knight’s of Fury.

Custom Built tells the story of Bronte, who worked as an assistant for a local PI. Sadly, she was let go at a difficult time in her life. Luckily, her cousin was nice enough to help her get a job at a custom motorcycle shop called Fast & Fury. The shop is owned by the Knight’s of Fury MC, and Crow manages the shop. When Crow meets Bronte, he’s pretty cold to her. But that doesn’t deter her. Bronte’s determined to work hard, even though she doesn’t have any knowledge of motorcycles.

Then tragedy strikes, and it’s like one horrible event after another. Crow takes care of Bronte and helps her through the difficult time. That’s when she discovers a shocking truth about her family. How will Bronte handle it, and can she deal with the fallout?

Voluntarily Reviewed an Advanced Copy

I haven't read any of Fernando's other MC books so that may have some impact on my review since I felt a little lost with some of the characters that crossed over from the previous series. It also seemed a little bit of a mashup of genres - I got the suspense, which was OK but maybe a little too much drama, but the MC portion of it seemed a little lost. While we got to meet some of the members, Crow (as a member of the club) just really didn't have much to do. He came across as pretty flat, just there to support Bronte in whatever she wanted.

I also felt like their romance was a little too insta for my taste. They had a good enemies to lovers thing going but after just a couple of meetings went straight to in a relationship without much discussion or growth of feelings. And much of their dealings were given to us as musings from Bronte instead of actually playing out on the page.

I'm leaving out the illegal activities because that was on me when I chose to read a MC romance. I think I got a little too used to some other authors whose MC have a club but they are there for the brotherhood and not for illegal activities. So the sly mentions of their dealings, as well as Bronte's family drug trade, really are not my cup of tea. But again, that is on me for choosing a book that isn't usually something I would read.

Overall, I found Crow not to have much depth, the romance to be too superficial, the drama a bit over-the-top (how much can one girl handle?), and the timing a little off. It might appeal to fans of MC romances, but as that's not something I enjoy I can't really confirm.

***4 Stars***

Hello, landmines.
Lots of landmines…

But outside of that, this was a fun read ~ not only because of Bronte and Crow, but also getting to catch up with some favs from the Knights of Fury (Yes, this is a spinoff/interconnected series ~ I didn’t realize this until a few chapters in *shrugs*)

I loved Bronte and Crow. Bronte is sweet, sassy and has a good heart. She’s one of those people that finds a way to roll with the punches, even if those punches break her heart. Crow is ~ to quote the synopsis ~ “hardheaded, stubborn and brutally honest” but this isn’t just when he’s being all kinds of broody and grumpy. He is a good man who, once a decision is made, is all in.

Their journey to their HEA was an interesting, but fun one. The start was definitely less than stellar, but the attraction was there and I enjoyed watching as they danced around each other until they had no choice but to dance with each other. The angsty-ness was on the low end, which I enjoyed because the drama that surrounded them was pretty intense, but I liked how it brought them closer and how it had their HEA mean so much more in the end.

This author always takes me on a ride and this one was a crazy one. The aforementioned landmines had me going “Da fuq?” and “really!!” but I cannot deny that they made sense and all of them were resolved in the end. And then there are the secondary cast of characters. I loved catching up with Saint and Skyler, Renny and Izzy, and Abbie and Temper as well as Uncle Neville and seeing how they are all doing in their relationships, but it was a lot of fun meeting the newbies: Billie, Cam, Chains, Dee and Nadia. I adored Cam and cannot wait to get to know Chains better. So here’s to looking forward to the next book in the series!