“Ride the Wind” Is A Story Of Firsts

“If someone’s life is not enriched by their time with you, then you’re not doing something right.” ― Osayi Osar-Emokpae

Alex Durant was a seventeen year old runaway when he was taken in by Augie, his not so wonderful boss. He has spent six years now working in Augie’s motorcycle shop and has become an exceptional mechanic and detail guy. When he finally takes his first vacation, he decides to head up to Sturgis for the annual motorcycle rally. The first night he arrives, he notices a nice looking biker while checking out Mt. Rushmore. Alex has never acted on his attraction to men, and his only real experience in sex was with a prostitute on his twenty-first birthday. He doesn’t know if this man is just being nice to him or if he is making a move on him, and this flusters Alex.

Jordan Baker is basically the polar opposite of Alex. Jordan travels all over the country racing motorcycles and is very outgoing and lives like there is no tomorrow. When he bumps into Alex at Mt. Rushmore, it seems he is instantly smitten. Jordan has a bright smile and a devil may care attitude that draws Alex to him like a moth to a flame. He realizes that Alex is inexperienced so he takes things slow and for lack of a better word, he courts Alex.

The two men strike up a quick friendship, and Jordan shows Alex things he has never seen before. Whether it was just stopping to look at the stars or motocross races or open field concerts, Jordan shares a lot of firsts with Alex. The most important first may have been their first kiss. After that first kiss, the two men spend an entire week exploring out of the way places in the Black Hills, motorcycles and each other.

Jordan is a man that has been around the block a time or two and is comfortable in his own skin, but Alex has hidden himself away all of his twenty-three years. Alex is scared down to his bones of anyone finding out that he likes men. This fear causes some major bumps in the road for he and Jordan. It seems both men have found exactly what they didn’t know they were looking for. The only thing standing in their way is Alex.

Alex has never stood on his own two feet. He has never had a place of his own to live and he has never had backbone enough to stand up for himself. Jordan wants Alex with him all the time. He tries to convince Alex to move from Springfield and come on the road with him. Jordan has a permanent place in Texas for the off-season and he does his best to convince Alex to join him. Alex however, feels he needs to be on his own two feet for a while before he settles into a relationship. Jordan does the hardest thing he has ever had to do: he sets Alex free and takes his word that they will get together in the future.

When Alex returns to Springfield, it seems Jordan taught him more than he thought he did. Alex opens up to his only friend at work, Zeke, and finds out they have more in common then he ever knew. Zeke helps Alex to start his new life. Alex opens a checking account, rents an apartment and stands up to his overbearing boss. At the same time, he explores is sexuality and realizes that maybe it isn’t the end of the world to be gay. It takes time to get all of this done, and he realizes it has been four months since he last spoke to Jordan. He doesn’t know if the man will still want him after all this time, but he has to take a chance. Alex has finally realized that no matter how many one night stands he may have, none of them pull at his heart strings like Jordan did. When he finally contacts Jordan will he still want him, or did Alex wait too long to contact him? Well, I am not going to ruin the ending. lol.

I can’t say how much I liked this book. It reminded me of a YA story, but with hot smexy sex scenes. Alex may have been twenty-three years old, but he had a lot of growing up to do. This book basically tells the story of Alex finding out exactly who he is and watching him become the man he wants to be. I respected the fact that he didn’t just jump into a serious relationship with Jordan. It takes a strong person to realize they have to take care of themselves before they can add someone else to the mix.

Alex and Jordan had some super hot scenes together, but there were also some very tender moments that just melted my heart. These two men certainly had their moments with temper tantrums and some pretty serious arguments, but they grew closer in one week than some people do in years. The author did a wonderful job of showing Alex’s transformation and it was realistically portrayed. There wasn’t any quick fix and Alex didn’t just “get over” his fear. He eventually learned to control his fear enough to live a happy life.

I highly recommend this book and I dare you not to cry in the last ¼ of the book. I double dare you!!!! :)

Reviewed by: Jackie

You can buy Ride the Wind here: