Loved this book have read all the others in this series always a good read there are all unique in there own way loved axle he was a bit sure of himself but he was lovable aswell helped Elena come out of her shell and have her confidence to stand up for herself don't agree with misleading people and the net started as a joke but in the end the joke was on axle as he didn't plan for falling for her loved the characters and plot was good can't wait to read more soon this is my honest opinion of this book and I leave it willingly was lucky enough to receive an arc from hidden gems

This is the prequel to book one of the War Brothers MC series by Bianca Lee Ward's Axle. I would recommend you start the series here as the rest of the series will make more sense with the sequencing of the plots. Bianca's writing style had me hooked with her balance of romance and MMC world. Told from dual POV's we follow the relationship between Axel and Elena. From the sizzling chemistry, intense drama, Elena's battle to break free from her past; to the ultimate fall out. Axel will keep you on your toes throughout.

The story follows Axle—a man shaped by a turbulent past and fiercely defined by his membership in his motorcycle club, which serves as both his sanctuary and a constant reminder of the life he’s trying to navigate. The club isn’t just a backdrop; it’s integral to understanding Axle’s struggles, his sense of honor, and the conflicts he faces as he searches for redemption.

Then there’s Elena—a resilient, multi-dimensional woman whose strength and vulnerability create a captivating counterpoint to Axle’s intensity. Their interactions crackle with tension, compassion, and the promise of change.

If you’re drawn to stories with well-drawn, flawed characters and a narrative that keeps you thinking long after the final page, Axle is definitely worth the read.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an ARC and allowing me to provide my honest review

I enjoyed reading this book. Bianca Lee Ward did a good job with the characters and story line. I wished for more of a character development, and more flow of writing. Overall, it wasn't a bad book. I was just left with wanting more. If you love protective MMC and some spicy romance, this is the book for you. I want to read more from this author because she has novel ideas.

Thank you Net Galley and Bianca Lee Ward

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
An Irresistible, Heart-Stopping Ride!

Bianca Lee Ward’s Axle is a deliciously captivating blend of passion, danger, and unexpected romance. From the first line, the story pulls you into Axle’s wild world—a man who lives on the edge and never takes life too seriously—until Elena. Sweet, innocent, and completely out of his league, she’s the one woman he should stay away from. But fate, a dating app, and a risky bet set the stage for a romance neither of them saw coming.

Axle’s internal struggle is raw and compelling as he tries to keep his heart guarded, but Elena’s charm and authenticity make it impossible. The chemistry between them is sizzling, and the stakes are high when his secrets threaten to unravel everything they’ve built.

Ward’s storytelling is vivid, emotional, and utterly addictive. The twists keep you on the edge of your seat, and the characters are so well-drawn that you’ll feel every moment of their journey. Axle’s transformation from a reckless player to a man willing to risk it all for love is deeply satisfying.

Perfect for fans of edgy motorcycle club romances with strong heroines, protective alphas, and a dash of forbidden allure. Axle is more than a romance; it’s a story of redemption, trust, and finding love in the most unexpected places. Highly recommend!

This book is the cringiest writing I have ever read, and if I had to read ol’ lady or baby girl one more time I was going to throw up.

3.75 ⭐️ I DEVOURED this book!!😍 it left me wanting more of all of the characters. (Why I’m docking .25 ⭐️) I felt like I was reading my own life (minus the MC) which I loved! Will be continuing the series ASAP!

Read if you love:
Protective MMC
MC romance

I don't have much to say... read it.... Good girl, bad boy, good girl open her eyes, goes naughty... Yeah it was definitly the good old cliché where the girl discovers that is okay to be a little bad.
there are some dark parts so please check the TW that is very important

There are moments that had potential, like the tension with Elena’s boss and Axle coming to her rescue, but these scenes weren’t enough to carry the story. The romance felt rushed—Axle and Elena fall in love almost immediately, and their relationship skips over the emotional build-up that makes a romance satisfying. Axle’s protective behavior often crosses into controlling territory, and Elena spends most of the story unsure of herself and afraid to stand up for what she wants.
The motorcycle club world had flashes of intrigue, but it felt like it was only there to prop up Axle’s character. The club’s dynamics, rules, and drama were underexplored, which was disappointing since they could have added depth to the story.
Overall, Axle had a few good moments, but it didn’t leave me with the warm, fuzzy feeling I want from a romance. The characters felt flat, the plot didn’t deliver much, and the ending felt rushed. If you’re looking for something quick and light, it might work, but don’t expect to be blown away.

I enjoyed the characters. I love MC books. A little angst, a little spice, and fast pacing. Overall a quick read.

3 stars
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

A good old, bad boy meets good girl. Makes a bet with fellow MC member. Falls head over heels for good girl, the bet comes out and breaks the good girls heart, enter angst and a dodgy creep she works for, he saves her, commences second chance. With a splash of catty girls everywhere and family problems too.
It was a good read but nothing earth shattering. I'd say this is a solid read fir when you need something familiar. When you need and want the comfort of that, this is the book to go for.

Good girl goes bad, sort of. When Elena meets Axle who was just playing a game for money though he didn’t expect to fall for this sweet and kind woman. I think this was a great quick read with just enough to hook you and give you a complete story.

A great read for the winter months. I was hooked on the first page and really loved the storyline. This was a great MC book without all of the darkness. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a little bad guy with an innocent woman relationship.

Axle by Bianca Lee Ward was such a sweet MC-themed read. At first, I wanted to kick Axle’s ass, but as the story went on, I found him endearing and so sweet toward Elena. I do wish there had been a bit more spice and more interactions between Elena and her family, but overall, it was a really smooth read. The ending had me laughing—what a way to wrap up the book!

This had a lot of elements I typically like in a book - bikers, opposites attract, spice, intrigue, etc. but I am not a fan of shorter novels/novellas because they always feel unfinished to me and this one was not the exception to that. I want to be immersed in the story and this one felt incomplete to me, not fleshed out enough. It was a quick read, which has its benefits, but I found myself wanting more. Even 100 more pages would have added so much more depth to the storyline and characters (there is SO MUCH more to unpack with both Elena and Axle!) and it's a shame because Bianca Lee Ward is a talented writer. For those who prefer shorter reads, this might just be the book for you, it's a matter of personal preference.

**Thank you to the Author & Netgalley for allowing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review**

For someone who this was their first biker romance, I enjoyed it. I wasn't really sure what to expect but I really loved Axle and Elena.

It was your classic bad boy, good girl trope with a modern day twist where they meet over an internet dating app. Elena has recently moved to town and doesn't really know many people and her work colleague signs her up to a dating app without her knowledge in the hopes she may be invited to one of the Biker Club's notorious parties.

Elena is very shy and anxious and just wants to succeed at her new job and live a quiet life. Meanwhile Axle a member of the towns Biker Club, being bored with life, agrees to a bet that he can make Elena, who for all intents and purposes looks like the most innocent girl in town with her Christian vibe, fall in love with Axle. Axle doesn't do dating so for him this is an easy bet right? Should he succeed he wins the bet.

Possessive MMC which I love. I love the fact that you got a dual POV with Axle and also you got to see relationships with the whole biker crew not just Axle and Elena. Elena was a strong independent FMC who stood up for herself which was also lovely. It was very fast paced, easy to read and you couldn't help but love Axle and the biker group crew. Really enjoyed the found family trope aswell.

I just wish it went a bit deeper than surface level. There wasn’t really much touched upon Axles army background or Elenas family background (apart from the fact of being lots of pressure on her). I also feel like the biker group was very tame and the spice scenes could have been spicier. Considering there’s lots of sex at the parties you’d think this would have been detailed more so just felt a little bit lacking.

One thing that put me off was how much Axle said "babe" but this might just be a me thing.

I enjoyed the book. I just wasn’t hooked or craved to know more. But still an enjoyable read.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC. This author knows how to get me to smile, and let me tell you thats a tuff task. I love the banter in her books and the sarcasm,. I smile and giggle like a teenage girl. these books are great! You're missing out if you havent started them yet!

I really enjoyed this one! I love MC romance and this book felt much lighter - sometimes the MC setting gets pretty dark.

If you’re in the mood for an MC romance but with a softer edge, Axle by Bianca Lee Ward might just be the book for you. The story follows Elena, an innocent yet determined heroine, as she moves to the coastal town of Crown Village, finding herself tangled with the local motorcycle club, the War Brothers. When she meets Axle, the club’s vice president with a mysterious military past, sparks fly in a slow-burn, opposites-attract romance.

While the chemistry between Elena and Axle is undeniably sweet, fans of darker MC romances may find this one missing the gritty undertones usually found in the genre. The MC elements are more of a backdrop than a central theme, and the club dynamics lean more toward personal drama than hardcore action. If you took out the MC aspect, this story could easily work in a different setting, like a college or small-town romance, without losing much of its core.

One unique touch was the dating app meet-cute—refreshingly different for the genre and a nice twist. Elena’s awkward, comical moments brought a genuine charm to her character, while Axle’s cocky, protective nature provided a nice contrast. Their banter felt organic, and each character grew through their relationship, with Elena finding her confidence and Axle discovering a softer side.

However, the book does leave a few storylines feeling a bit rushed and unresolved. Certain plot points, like the buildup of Elena's ex or the off-screen resolution of the final confrontation, felt like missed opportunities to delve deeper. And if you’re looking for a steamy romance, the spice level here might be on the lighter side compared to typical MC romances.

All in all, Axle is a fun, easy read with a lighter take on the MC world. Ward’s writing shines when it comes to capturing sweet, heartfelt moments, making this a great pick for readers who enjoy opposites-attract and a blend of romance with a dash of action. While it may not satisfy die-hard MC romance fans looking for darker elements, it’s a solid start to a promising series. If Ward ever pens a small-town romance, I’ll be the first in line!

Overall, this is a good MC romance with all the spice you're looking for. For me, I just couldn't fully get into the characters and some of the writing didn't land. It felt like some things were rushed and left unresolved. Read trigger warnings before reading and enjoy!