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The Garrisons #1
No Holding Back
SHE HAS ONLY ONE WEAKNESS...
Isabel Turner knows how perilous the professional racing world can be--on and off the track. As a PR executive representing NASCAR's top drivers, she spent years proving her worth. Now, as she's about to take over her uncle's high-powered position at the firm, Isabel stands to lose her reputation, job and her uncle's respect--just to have racer Cade Garrison in her bed once more.
There's no denying the combustible yet forbidden attraction between the two. Cade is more than tempted, but the last thing the bad boy of the Garrison family racing team needs is another scandal jeopardizing his career. Are they foolish enough to risk it all?
Isabel Turner knows how perilous the professional racing world can be--on and off the track. As a PR executive representing NASCAR's top drivers, she spent years proving her worth. Now, as she's about to take over her uncle's high-powered position at the firm, Isabel stands to lose her reputation, job and her uncle's respect--just to have racer Cade Garrison in her bed once more.
There's no denying the combustible yet forbidden attraction between the two. Cade is more than tempted, but the last thing the bad boy of the Garrison family racing team needs is another scandal jeopardizing his career. Are they foolish enough to risk it all?
384 pages, Paperback
First published October 23, 2007
5 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
About the author
Liz Allison
15 books10 followersLiz Allison is the widow of NASCAR Legend Davey Allison - who passed away July 13th, 1993 after the helicopter he was piloting crashed at Talladega Speedway in Alabama.
Since his death, she has authored and co-authored several NASCAR related books. She recently broke into the Romance genre by co-authoring the book "No Holding Back."
She also does TV and Radio work
Since his death, she has authored and co-authored several NASCAR related books. She recently broke into the Romance genre by co-authoring the book "No Holding Back."
She also does TV and Radio work
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 27, 2021
Isabel Turner was taking the fast lane to career advancement, hoping to take over her uncle's company within the next few years. What she didn't expect was a road bump the size of Cade Garrison!
Isabel Turner represents NASCAR's top drivers in public relations-making sure everything runs smoothly and looks even smoother. She works for her uncle and will soon be taking over her uncle's company. Her career is very important to her; she has worked hard, hoping to live up to her uncle's expectations, and will do anything to make him proud of her. That may include giving up the love of her life.
Cade Garrison belongs to the great Garrison racing family. Since his father's retirement and his brother's crippling injury, he is now the only one in the family able to maintain the great Garrison name. Cade Garrison wants to race more than anything in the world-except for winning. Until he meets Isabelle Turner that is. Meeting Isabel turns his life upside down.
After a night of forbidden love more than a year ago, Isabel bumps into Cade, and old feelings resurface. But it is against NASCAR's rules for the PR representative of a competing team to become involved with a competitor. Despite this, Isabel and Cade cannot control their feelings for each other and find themselves wrapped up in a secret relationship, putting strain on both of their careers. At first, Isabel feels secure in the fact that Cade has never found himself in a serious relationship. After all, if their relationship isn't serious Isabel can't get hurt. But she soon finds out that her feelings are very serious, which puts her career in jeopardy.
At first, I didn't think I was going to like this book because it is set on the back-drop of the NASCAR racing circuit. And I will be the first to admit that I am not a NASCAR fan. But I was pleasantly surprised and soon became quite enraptured in the story of Isabel and Cade. This is a story that we see everywhere. A woman falls in love with a man whom it is against the rules to love. Despite all obstacles, Isabel and Cade manage to find a happy ending. It is a tribute to Liz Allison and Wendy Etherington that despite not being a fan of NASCAR, I became quite enthralled with this story. This goes to show that anyone can read this book and love it. But NASCAR fans will especially love the storyline and the characters.
Isabel Turner represents NASCAR's top drivers in public relations-making sure everything runs smoothly and looks even smoother. She works for her uncle and will soon be taking over her uncle's company. Her career is very important to her; she has worked hard, hoping to live up to her uncle's expectations, and will do anything to make him proud of her. That may include giving up the love of her life.
Cade Garrison belongs to the great Garrison racing family. Since his father's retirement and his brother's crippling injury, he is now the only one in the family able to maintain the great Garrison name. Cade Garrison wants to race more than anything in the world-except for winning. Until he meets Isabelle Turner that is. Meeting Isabel turns his life upside down.
After a night of forbidden love more than a year ago, Isabel bumps into Cade, and old feelings resurface. But it is against NASCAR's rules for the PR representative of a competing team to become involved with a competitor. Despite this, Isabel and Cade cannot control their feelings for each other and find themselves wrapped up in a secret relationship, putting strain on both of their careers. At first, Isabel feels secure in the fact that Cade has never found himself in a serious relationship. After all, if their relationship isn't serious Isabel can't get hurt. But she soon finds out that her feelings are very serious, which puts her career in jeopardy.
At first, I didn't think I was going to like this book because it is set on the back-drop of the NASCAR racing circuit. And I will be the first to admit that I am not a NASCAR fan. But I was pleasantly surprised and soon became quite enraptured in the story of Isabel and Cade. This is a story that we see everywhere. A woman falls in love with a man whom it is against the rules to love. Despite all obstacles, Isabel and Cade manage to find a happy ending. It is a tribute to Liz Allison and Wendy Etherington that despite not being a fan of NASCAR, I became quite enthralled with this story. This goes to show that anyone can read this book and love it. But NASCAR fans will especially love the storyline and the characters.
July 15, 2017
I could have done without all the references to Isabel's and Cade's former one night stand (that serves to fuel their lingering attraction for each other). I wish the authors had used a different scenario for getting these two main characters together (as well as not having them sleeping together while secretly dating). I also didn't like that Cade seemed to turn to alcohol fairly often--something that seems odd for a race car driver to be imbibing in--though to be fair, he never drove his race car while under the influence.
I did like the two main characters: Cade, a hard charging NASCAR driver who always thought his brother would be the one to carry on the family racing legacy, and Isabel, a marketing representative who has mostly focused on her career and who has had several family disappointments that have built a fence around her heart. I liked that both had family ties to their work and that their families seemed, underneath it all, to be supportive.
I did like the two main characters: Cade, a hard charging NASCAR driver who always thought his brother would be the one to carry on the family racing legacy, and Isabel, a marketing representative who has mostly focused on her career and who has had several family disappointments that have built a fence around her heart. I liked that both had family ties to their work and that their families seemed, underneath it all, to be supportive.
January 24, 2016
I am giving this a solid four stars for a couple of reasons.
First, I enjoyed this significantly more than I thought I would. I enjoy reading contemporary romance novels, but I wasn't expecting to be too excited about this one mostly because it was about NASCAR. I don't like NASCAR and therefore had never read a NASCAR book. It's the reason why this has been sitting on my bookshelf for 5 years and I hadn't read it yet. I was expecting little to no interest in the book.
I was wrong.
It's always exciting to find an author who has written a believable world - one where you really feel like you're escaping. The authors of this book give you a peek into the lives of NASCAR insiders - from drivers to PR reps to sponsors. They made this world believable and exciting, even for someone who has zero interest in NASCAR. I was ready to watch a race and go find a hot driver somewhere. I mean, that's impressive.
Second, I felt as though the relationship between Cade and Isobel unfolded in a very realistic way. The emotions, the drama, the conversations, etc all felt very natural and real to me. Typically in romance I don't find characters or their relationships to be 100% believable. Falling in love in three days? I mean, that just doesn't happen. Those emotions take time to develop. But I've always overlooked it because I'm not necessarily looking for reality when it comes to romance.
What Allison and Etherington did in this book was draw the relationship out. It was several months that these two were dating in secret. The tension, the fear of being caught, the overwhelming attraction that leads to deeper feelings - they were written so well and I felt like I was reading about real people, not characters.
There were a few instances where I felt like the character's thoughts or dialogue were a touch unrealistic. But that happened all of four, maybe five, times in the entire book. I can completely overlook that considering how well the rest of the book was written.
Moral of the story: These ladies surprised a romance reader in a very, very good way.
First, I enjoyed this significantly more than I thought I would. I enjoy reading contemporary romance novels, but I wasn't expecting to be too excited about this one mostly because it was about NASCAR. I don't like NASCAR and therefore had never read a NASCAR book. It's the reason why this has been sitting on my bookshelf for 5 years and I hadn't read it yet. I was expecting little to no interest in the book.
I was wrong.
It's always exciting to find an author who has written a believable world - one where you really feel like you're escaping. The authors of this book give you a peek into the lives of NASCAR insiders - from drivers to PR reps to sponsors. They made this world believable and exciting, even for someone who has zero interest in NASCAR. I was ready to watch a race and go find a hot driver somewhere. I mean, that's impressive.
Second, I felt as though the relationship between Cade and Isobel unfolded in a very realistic way. The emotions, the drama, the conversations, etc all felt very natural and real to me. Typically in romance I don't find characters or their relationships to be 100% believable. Falling in love in three days? I mean, that just doesn't happen. Those emotions take time to develop. But I've always overlooked it because I'm not necessarily looking for reality when it comes to romance.
What Allison and Etherington did in this book was draw the relationship out. It was several months that these two were dating in secret. The tension, the fear of being caught, the overwhelming attraction that leads to deeper feelings - they were written so well and I felt like I was reading about real people, not characters.
There were a few instances where I felt like the character's thoughts or dialogue were a touch unrealistic. But that happened all of four, maybe five, times in the entire book. I can completely overlook that considering how well the rest of the book was written.
Moral of the story: These ladies surprised a romance reader in a very, very good way.
January 16, 2016
No Holding Back by Liz Allison & Wendy Etherington
The Garrison’s Book 1
Isabel Turner had a rough life until her uncle took her into his home when she was fifteen. She owed him for everything, especially her job. Isabel followed the rules and did well at her PR job until one night she broke one of the rules. She couldn’t be involved with any NASCAR drivers, especially not one endorsed by a competitor.
Cade Garrison was the youngest in his family and after an accident that removes his brother from racing, the burden of carrying on the Garrison name fell on his shoulders. His….the playboy, fun loving, rule breaking one of the family. And with the choice of any woman he wants, why is it he wants the one he can’t have?
This first book of three introduces the reader to the Garrison’s; Bryan, Rachel and Cade.
The Garrison's have a long history of racing from grandfather to father to sons. Cade’s lifestyle is tarnishing that history and he’s the only one who can step up and polish it up once again. Come on an exciting and high speed ride within these pages. The books continue with Rachel and Bryan’s stories, Risking Her Heart and Winning It All.
**Mild language
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
The Garrison’s Book 1
Isabel Turner had a rough life until her uncle took her into his home when she was fifteen. She owed him for everything, especially her job. Isabel followed the rules and did well at her PR job until one night she broke one of the rules. She couldn’t be involved with any NASCAR drivers, especially not one endorsed by a competitor.
Cade Garrison was the youngest in his family and after an accident that removes his brother from racing, the burden of carrying on the Garrison name fell on his shoulders. His….the playboy, fun loving, rule breaking one of the family. And with the choice of any woman he wants, why is it he wants the one he can’t have?
This first book of three introduces the reader to the Garrison’s; Bryan, Rachel and Cade.
The Garrison's have a long history of racing from grandfather to father to sons. Cade’s lifestyle is tarnishing that history and he’s the only one who can step up and polish it up once again. Come on an exciting and high speed ride within these pages. The books continue with Rachel and Bryan’s stories, Risking Her Heart and Winning It All.
**Mild language
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
July 6, 2014
No Holding Back is set in the NASCAR world with Isabel being PR rep. and Cade a driver. They work for rival sponsors so should not be seen together but they wanted to be together so decided to have a secret affair.
The authors presented life on the race track realistically and believably so I could picture the scenes clearly, like I was watching the race at times. Cade and Isabel's relationship was not typical but written in a way that made it work, clearly showing their attraction and feelings for each other.
I love and HEA and got that in this book helping me to want to recommend this story.
The authors presented life on the race track realistically and believably so I could picture the scenes clearly, like I was watching the race at times. Cade and Isabel's relationship was not typical but written in a way that made it work, clearly showing their attraction and feelings for each other.
I love and HEA and got that in this book helping me to want to recommend this story.
May 13, 2015
This book fulfills requirement 9 ~ sports for the 2015 eclectic reader challenge. (could also count for #5 ~ Contemporary romance)
This book is the first in a trilogy of NASCAR based romance novels written by Liz Allison and Wendy Etherington. As a NASCAR fan, I felt the racing-related parts of the novel were very accurate. This is largely due to the fact that Liz Allison was a driver's wife, so she would have been involved in the sport. I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I just wish the character of Isabel would have been a little less wishy-washy. Cade, the driver, was pretty interesting. I will be reading the second book.
This book is the first in a trilogy of NASCAR based romance novels written by Liz Allison and Wendy Etherington. As a NASCAR fan, I felt the racing-related parts of the novel were very accurate. This is largely due to the fact that Liz Allison was a driver's wife, so she would have been involved in the sport. I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I just wish the character of Isabel would have been a little less wishy-washy. Cade, the driver, was pretty interesting. I will be reading the second book.
July 16, 2008
This book was insanely good. I reread it every couple months, thats how much I love it. And the good news is the next book in this series is due out soon and will be availible in days! YEY! This book is an awesome read. It ties into the other Harlequin stories but isn't dependent on them anymore than they are dependent on it.
April 9, 2010
I'm not a Nascar fan, but I do love fast cars and hunky athletes so the book has definite appeal. The characters had good personalities and the chemistry between them was good.
"No Holding Back" is an enjoyable read with plenty of action, and details to make the story not just a fluffy romance. The plot had real life complication and drama added to the romance, which was great.
"No Holding Back" is an enjoyable read with plenty of action, and details to make the story not just a fluffy romance. The plot had real life complication and drama added to the romance, which was great.
March 29, 2009
This book in the Nascar series was a fast, good read. Perfect for taking on vacation or reading at the beach. I learned more about NASCAR sponsorhips and the difference between the Nextel series and the Busch series.
July 1, 2015
Found that I am truly hooked on this series of books. FINALLY!! Harlequins that are smut free. Any true NASCAR fan will appreciate that each and every author in the NASCAR Library has taken the time to get every last little detail of the sport precise and accurate.
January 10, 2010
Read this trilogy backwards so I was a little bored reading this one last.
February 20, 2012
Very good.
January 14, 2013
it not a heavy read, nice and light with just enough struggle...I think this is the 5th or 6th time I've read it, great when I need a smile and heck there's even some NASCAR tossed in!
December 15, 2014
gosh very lack luster for a romance
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews