Stick Shift (Big Bull Mechanics #3) by K.M. Neuhold

Stick Shift is another fun addition to the Big Bull Mechanics series. There may even be a bear sighting or two 😉

From the blurb:

Is it possible my straight best friend had a sudden stick shift?

I made peace with my hopeless crush on my straight best friend, Journey, years ago. It helps that he’s never in the country long and our relationship consists of sporadic texts and video chats at odd hours.

Now Journey is back. Back in the country, in my space, sharing my bed, and something is changing between us.

Neither of us has a clue how to run the small farm his uncle left him, but I’m willing to be the idiot standing next to him, figuring it out. Learning how to shear an alpaca or keep a rogue mini cow out of the kitchen looks easy compared to navigating the sudden change in Journey.

Is he looking at me differently? Is he touching me more? Straight guys don’t normally kiss other men, right? I don’t know what’s happening between us, but I’ll put things in gear and floor it all the way.

Stick Shift is a bi-awakening, best friends to lovers story with farm animal shenanigans, nosy mechanics, and all the steam and sweetness you can handle.

Jacqueleen the Reading Queen's Review:

"Being idiots together is always a lot better than being an idiot all alone."

I really loved this best friends to lovers story about Red and Journey. There is something to be said about a romance that stems from so many years of friendship. There's already love and a close bond before the romantic aspect even begins. Such a strong foundation is one of the many things that makes this match such an amazing one.

Red and Journey were just so lovely together. When Journey inherited his uncle's farm and decided he wanted to make a go of running it, there was never a question if Red would be by his side. If this was what Journey wanted to do, then Red would be there to support him in any way he could. That's just the type of friend he was. It also didn't hurt that Red had been in love with Journey for what felt like his entire life.

It didn't take long for Journey to start noticing Red in a different light. I mean, they lived together, worked the farm together, spent their free time hanging out, and went to bed together every night. It was basically a domestic partnership. All that was missing was the sex... until that part wasn't missing anymore either. Journey was happiest when he was spending time with Red, and Red felt the same way back. Why shouldn't they make a go of not just the farm, but a life together? Fortunately, both were on the same page when it came to their romance and the ending left me no question that these two were solid as a rock and in it for the long haul. Great addition to the series!

PS: I have an idea based on Stick Shift about the remaining mechanics and their future beaus. I'm liking where Neuhold is taking this, even if it was just a tease. Also, the green-eyed flower shop worker totes needs a book. Just sayin'🤷🏻‍♀️

Rating: 5 Stars


SNik's Review:

Third in series (Big Bull Mechanics), best if read in order due to the continuing shared cast of characters. Childhood best friends to lovers. Mature main characters. Slow burn. Dual POV.

Red has been in love with his best friend Journey for half their lives, and Journey has no clue as he has traveled the world as a blogger for years, but always comes back to the support and unwavering friendship he has with Red.

When Journey inherits a farm, there is no hesitation from Red that he will be there to help, so along with being a mechanic Red is now helping Journey take care of a bunch of chickens, alpacas and a sweet cow.

A deep friendship is the basis of this story, with Journey slowly realizing that Red is the most important person in his life and discovers his slow building physical attraction to his best friend may mean more.

I really enjoyed the unquestioning commitment Red and Journey had with each other and that there was no drama associated with Journey wanting to grow their relationship into something romantic. All their interactions were sweet, patient, loving, caring and generous, something comfortable and swoony at the same time.

As is common in Neuhold’s books, the found family of secondary characters is always supportive, funny, helpful and accepting, which rounds out this entertaining book. Really enjoyed Red and Journey’s story of falling for your friend and knowing they are the one for you forever.

Rating: 5 Stars


Nedra's Review:

Best friends to lovers is normally not my first choice, but KM delivers a heartfelt novel that just may have changed my perspective. Red and Journey’s story was filled with humor, memories, and a solid foundation that there’s no doubt of their HEA. Even after we’ve been previously graced with specks of their history, witnessing their friendship take the dive to the next level was heartwarming.

“𝕐𝕠𝕦’𝕣𝕖 𝕣𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥, 𝕀’𝕞 𝕥𝕠𝕠 𝕣𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙 𝕠𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕔𝕜. ℂ𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕘𝕚𝕧𝕖 𝕞𝕖 𝕒𝕟 𝕖𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕥 𝕕𝕖𝕞𝕠𝕟𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕠𝕗 𝕡𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕣 𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕘?”

True to KM fashion, these guys were filthy, nasty, and downright drool worthy! Their chemistry was off the charts, causing constant chills throughout my body from the sexual tension between them. And what is it about a supposedly straight man being all in with their first same sex experience? Red’s patience with Journey was so sweet, contributing to their years of friendship. Absolute chefs kiss 💋!

“ᴡᴇʟᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ʙɪɢ ʙᴜʟʟ. ᴅɪᴅ ꜱᴛᴇᴇʟᴇ ᴛᴇʟʟ ʏᴏᴜ ʜɪꜱ ᴘᴏʟɪᴄʏ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ꜱᴇx ᴛᴏʏꜱ?”

All I ask is, can Riggs and Shep have their own book?? The sexual tension between them is filled with electricity that’s going to start a fire if they don’t find release soon! And, Auggie with our new front desk hire, Henry?? Love where this series is going!!!

Rating: 5 Stars


Sheena's Review:

Stick Shift is the third in the Big Bull mechanics series, and follows another of the group which we met in the first two books, Red, and his supposedly straight best friend Journey. Journey lives up to his name, traveling the world for his blog and is rarely back in the same country as Red, until he inherits a farm from his uncle and decides to stay and run it.

I took a bit to warm up to these two, at first I thought it wasn't really that healthy of a relationship, a bit co-dependent when Red immediately dropped everything he'd built in the years since Journey left to go and help him with the farm, and I thought Journey was taking advantage of Red. I still think it's maybe a little of that, but these two truly were soul mates, and I think they always would have been, even if they never became romantically linked. Journey's self-discovery of his sexuality was such a nice slow reveal, and I loved the development of that part of his relationship with Red. I was also happy Red finally got what he'd always wanted, and that there wasn't too much pining and angst. It was all open and healthy and just so damn fluffy; I loved it.

I loved seeing the Big Bull and Four Bears guys again. Stone is always welcome as a cameo. I am so loving this series and can't wait for the next. Riggs and Shep, and Auggie and Henry, please and thank you.

Rating: 5 Stars


Laora's Review:

I liked Red, mechanic, and Journey, travel blogger, their book so much K.M. wrote, my favorite so far in the 'Big Bull Mechanics' series. This is a great friends to lovers book with a lot of clever, fun and seemingly opinionated animals in the mix.

Their easy camaraderie, which was strengthened over many,many years of close friendship. Even when they did not meet up in person for a long time. They have kept have a strong bond. So Red does not think twice to help Journey out on his newly inherited farm.

Even if they have to sleep together as they often did when younger.

Journey starts to realize that Red might be his person and at forty he has to rethink his sexuality and make peace with being both bi- and demisexual. I liked that the author brought more emphasis on the being close and frotting e.a. than plain straight up and down intercourse. It fit the character and story development well.

And of course we can not forget all the appearances of the various men from this series and the others being their unruly, loyal and fun self and be present throughout.

I read this book in one go and absolutely enjoyed it, it felt so sweet and loving and it left me with the warm and fuzzies.

Rating: 5 Stars
 

Heather's Review:

KM Neuhold gives us her classically fun take on best friends to lovers as they move from mechanic and travel blogger to mechanic and farmer while enduring an only one bed situation and bringing on a bi-awakening and exploring demi-sexuality... 

Between the opinionated and often cock-blocking farm animals, meddling co-workers and other fun characters from both the Big Bull Mechanics series and Four Bears Construction series, you wind up laughing your way through this amazing story, with many touching and sweet moments too!

Stick Shift was a great read that I gobbled up in one sitting and is best read as part of the Big Bull Mechanics series and I'd venture to say you'll get more out of it if you at least read Stone's story from the Four Bears Construction series!

Rating: 5 Stars

KjnRose's Review:

I absolutely love this series and this book is was a great addition to it. It has wonderful characters and a great storyline that has you hooked as soon as you start. If you haven't read the first two in the series I suggest you do, not only are they great but there are characters that are shown throughout the series.

Rating: 5 Stars

ReedKaye's Review:

This is one of those books that just touched me from the beginning.  A friends to lovers and coming out.  

Red and Journey started as bff’s in school. After graduation Red stayed in town and works as a mechanic. Journey had travel fever and started  a successful blog about his travels. He has not been home for years. Journey believes himself to be straight and has a number of “dates” but none turned out to be a permanent relationship he wanted. Then Journey’s uncle dies and leaves him a farm. Journey and Red have remained in touch over the years so when Journey returns home to check out this farm the first person he goes to is Red.   

Red in the meantime has secretly been in love with Journey since his school days but he knows nothing can come of it and so he keeps his feelings to himself afraid to lose the friendship.

When Journey decided not to sell the farm but rather remain, Red is part of this decision and Red moves in to help Journey make the farm a reality.

Their path to beyond friendship is filled with so many incidents. There is a bull ride that really turns up the heat. There are animals that become more than farm animals to these two. There are friendships developed and parties that are entertaining.  

The whole story is just emotional and too fun to set down. This was to me a story I could sit back and just enjoy.  I’m anxious to see what the next in this series is.

Rating: 5 Stars

Stick Shift is available to buy as an ebook, paperback, or to read with Kindle Unlimited subscription.