ARC Review – Bikers and Pearls (Summerbrook #1) by Vicki Wilkerson

While the book could have been less preachy, it does send forth a good message one everyone can learn from. ~ Slick, Guilty Pleasures

Description:
Who said tempting a sweet Southern belle would be easy?

When rebel biker Bullworth Clayton gets tangled up with pastel-and-pearls-clad April Church, sparks fly. Sure, April would clearly rather work with anyone else, but if teaming up with Bull means a successful charity event for a sick little boy they both care about, then so be it.

April is baffled at how drawn she is to the leather-wearing, tattooed Bull—he just doesn’t fit with her simple, safe, country-club life. And as much as the handsomely rugged man tempts her, she still can’t shake the images of the tragic motorcycle accident from her past, which left her scarred and her father broken.

Bull tempts her to don a pair of leather pants and go for a ride with him, while April desperately tries to resist her attraction to the wild side and keep her exploits hidden from her small town. Will they be able to navigate their differences and find a middle road to love?

Review copy provided for an honest review

The last thing I was expecting when I saw the title of this book was a super tame romance, but that’s exactly what this book is. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it because for the most part I did, but it’s very much on the sweet side so keep that in mind if you pick it up to read. April Church and her father were left emotionally and physically scarred after a run in with a biker gang when she was just a child as she works to ensure a young boy’s family is able to pay his mounting medical bills she finds herself working with an ex-member of the same gang, Bull Clayton, and seeing a whole different side of herself and the men who ride the motorcycles she dreads.

April is one of those characters that drives me a little nuts. She wants to be something she’s really not and she’s got this grand plan to get there. She sees everything as either good or bad and there’s no in between. She judges people by their outward appearance and she’s often influenced by others. She’s not a genuine person and yes, I can kind of understand why she’s this way but I had a really hard time liking her character despite all the good she does for others.

Then you have Bullworth (Bull) who is pretty much an open book. He flat out admits he made mistakes in his younger days and but he chose to change and he’s made something of himself. Now a successful businessman he tries to find ways to help others in the community. Yes, he’s a biker but he’s no longer a criminal but unfortunately too many people are slow to forgive.

I did like that this author made the point that no one has the right to judge others and she’s right but it just seemed liked we kept getting hit over the head with this message throughout the book. Almost to the point where it became somewhat preachy which I could have done without.

I enjoyed the courtship between April and Bull; this is one of those romances that was on a very slow simmer from beginning to end. However given April’s hang ups, it was necessary. I give Bull a lot of credit for his patience and understanding and for sticking it out.

The book centered around the community rallying to raise money for a sick boy’s hospital bills and also made a point about being tested as a blood marrow donor, which gave April and Bull many activities to interact together and made a nice backdrop for this story.

I enjoyed Bikers and Pearls however I would have liked to see a little more between the last chapter and the epilogue. While the book could have been less preachy, it does send forth a good message one everyone can learn from.

3.5 Stars