Joyride (Redemption Road Book 3) by DJ Jamison

JOYRIDE is the latest in the redemption road series from DJ. Can love open a path to forgiveness? Who else has been waiting for Joyride's story?? I know I have!! I'm so excited that his book is here, you cannot miss it!


From the blurb:

They call me Joyride because it’s what got me sent to prison. But it only reminds me of all the pain I’ve caused…

Two days after my eighteenth birthday I stole my parents car and went joyriding. I was mad at my dad, freaked out about my sexuality, and hurt that my best friend was dating someone who wasn’t me.

I was reckless. Driving too fast. Heedless of the rain. Crying.

The car spun out of control and crashed into another vehicle, changing the course of two lives forever.

Five years later, I’m out of prison and finally at peace with being gay. I’ve got a good group of guys at Redemption Road who are focused on moving forward. But I can’t. All I can see is Dakota Willis, the other driver, paralyzed because of my actions.

When I run into Kit, my hot hookup from Omaha—a physical therapist who seems interested—I think this might be my moment to look forward instead of back.

Then I discover he’s Dakota’s brother. It’s over before it started. But if I can’t be with him, I can at least face Dakota again. Tell her I’m sorry. Try to make amends.

If Kit hates me, I deserve it. If he uses me for his pleasure, I’ll serve as long as he wants. I’ve hurt these people, and I should hurt too.

Even if I’m starting to love them…


Molly Otto's review:

Bloody hell does DJ throw us through the ringer on this one. When Joey (Joyride) was eighteen he made a terrible mistake that not only sent him to prison but placed the other driver in a wheelchair. Back in his hometown he keeps running into those who remember what he did and keep reminding him about it. Kit a physical therapist who changed the course of his life to aide his sister who was paralyzed, doesn't expect to run into his hot hookup again, let alone it be the person who hurt his sister. Joey does all he is able to apologize and make it up to Dakota in hopes one day she may not hate him. Kit doesn't take finding out who Joey really is well and uses it against Joey, even when the two cannot stay out of each others orbits. Now you have Dakota, this girl stills the dang show, she is one of those people who just you want in your orbit, she will make you a better person for knowing her, and I believe if it wasn't for her either Kit or Joey would be able to get to this place of love and hope. This entire read is a journey of not only redemption for past mistakes but for all the characters to learn to accept and move forward from this event that changed everyone forever. Yes mistakes were made but with the help of the men of Redemption Road and Dakota they are able to communicate and seek the help they need to become better people overall. Such an amazing addition to an already amazing series! Now up Ghost and oh boy am I ready for this story!

SNik's review:

Third in series (Redemption Road), might be more fun if read in order. Small town. Found family. Hurt/comfort. Dual POV. 

Joey discovers that the man he had a one-time hookup with is the brother of the woman he injured years ago in the accident that changed all their lives. Now as he tries to make amends, he knows Kit will never forgive him, and maybe that’s his ultimate punishment. 

I can’t relate to the grief, anguish, regret and anger that surround Joey and Kit due to Dakota’s injuries, but this story really felt heart wrenching at times as you could understand every side of something that affected whole families. Joey and Kit had so much chemistry and connection, and it was certainly understandable that Kit struggled with forgiveness. I enjoyed the overall arc of this story, how a lot of people had to learn about themselves and come to terms with how their lives were changed and move forward with as much positivity as possible. There were tons of supportive family and found family, and Joey and Kit find a really sweet and steamy balance to their unexpected love.

Katriana Prey's review:

I have been patiently waiting for Joyride's book ever since I started this series. His character always made questions arise for me; what happened? Is he okay? Will he learn how to forgive himself? And plenty of other questions rolled around in my head as well.

And in this book, in his book, I got the answers to all of those questions. Joey's book, aka Joyride's book, at its core is about redemption, making amends, and learning how to forgive and atone. Joey didn't want to keep on living his life stuck in the same patterns, he wanted to apologize for what he had done and make amends with those he hurt the most. He didn't want forgiveness, but eventually he learned that he was worthy of it after all.

This story is quite a heavy book in terms of the angst level, I would say the angst level is high for this book, but honestly that is what made me want to keep reading. I wanted to figure out if Kit and Joey could find a way to make things work between them or if they were going to be a fling to each other indefinitely. I am happy to report they did figure their stuff out, yay!!

My favorite part about this series is how all these characters from all walks of life rally around each other. Even when someone makes a mistake, or misses a meeting, is being crabby, or anything else, they have each other's backs and consistently shoes up for each other and I love reading about that so much!

The reason my rating isn't a five star one is because I would've loved to see more romance between Kit and Joey. We got a lot of "hate" field steamy scenes, and then more steamy scenes, and i was just wanting to see these two being a couple outside of those scenes. We did get one where they were at the carnival, which I enjoyed, I was just wanting more of that.

Other than that though, I thought this book was fantastic!! I am so glad Joey found something and someone he's passionate about and I cannot wait for Ghost's, (aka Elias's) book!!!

Heather's review:

Kit and Joey's story was heart wrenching and so complex.  It hit hard as they worked through their grief, guilt and expectations separately and together. I thought that the strongest character was Dakota, Kit's sister and the person who was impacted by the 'joyride' that also altered Joey's life.  It was so interesting to watch as she brought healing to both MCs in such different ways.

This is by far the angstiest book in the series so far, and it truly impacts the pace and direction of the story, dealing multiple emotional blows before the characters progress to a really solid relationship. I love the way that the rest of the Redemption Road group support Joey and the way Dakota's friendship impacts the way he sees himself.

This book really is so much more than a typical love story and is all the better for it.

Joyride is currently available as an e-book and can be read as part of your Kindle Unlimited Subscription