Driving Wild

Driving #2

by Haley Cook

One Night
One Reporter
One Picture

That’s all it took for me to go from stock cars good time driver to doting husband.

She had to put that ring on my left hand now the media thinks we’re married.

With a young hot shot driver joining Mac Motorsports and my contract up for renewal I can’t afford a scandal.

Two months that’s how long I have to play the part of the perfect husband.

Only problem, we can’t stand each other.

She may have gotten us into this but I’m the one that’s gonna drive her wild.

210 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 24, 2024

Reviews

[Dino Queen · Rating 5 out of 5]

please note that the trigger warnings and topes/themes may contain spoilers
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
HEA: yes
POV: dual 1st person POV
spice: several open-door spicy scenes
TWs: n/a
standalone: book 2 in the Driving Series - Stock Car Racing Romance (can be read as a standalone, but recommended to read the series for the couple’s first interactions)
final thoughts: while you don’t have to read book 1 in the series to enjoy this book, I think it would be helpful to get more background on the characters.
Matt was gone on Grace from the beginning, and after a one night stand from book 1 he was hooked. After some shady moves on a night out, Grace drunkenly told the world that she was married to Mac not realizing she just said saved him from a reporter. Their frenemies-to-lovers relationship was sweet and spicy with plenty of laughs along the way.
After being forced to move in with Matt, there’s no way Grace can keep the walls up between them after she finds out who he really is outside the media.

read this book if you love
🏎️ sports romance (NASCAR)
💏 fake marriage
🤜 frenemies-to-lovers
🥰 nicknames
🏝️ forced proximity (same living arrangements)
🧠 “it’s always been you”
💍 “my wife”
😏 kinky (voyeurism, D/S)
🥵 dirty talk
⛓️ BDSM lite (brat/Dom dynamics)
🍪cinnamon roll MMC
2️⃣ 2nd(ish) chance romance
💔 no third act breakup

[Christina Rybka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matt drives stock cars for Mac Motorsports and is out celebrating with his friends. The next morning his best friend Ryan wakes him up and he has a wedding ring on and Grace who hates him sleeping in his bed. They have to pretend to be married for two months. The attraction is intense but so are the attitudes. Can they survive? Great characters and storyline Highly recommended Amazing Book. I absolutely love Matthew and Grace and their dynamic and character development. Great supporting characters. This book is sweet, sarcastic, and the spice is so good. Go grab this book. This is my first book by this author definitely not my last..

[Shani (Bttrflymama88) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Driving Wild by Haley Cook

Book two in the Driving series brings Matt, Ryan's teammate and Grace, Tinley's Bestfriend and Mac Motorsports newest employee together in this Fake marriage, enemies to lovers, racing romance.

On first page this book starts off good. The banter between them is hilarious. They're the perfect match. They give as good as they get! They're constantly fighting this attraction and chemistry that they aren't willing to give into. It's a race to see who will give into it first.

You know from the very beginning that once fake becomes real it'll be an absolute explosion and all the feels will set it. I loved the push and pull. The sass and quick wit of Grace. She's a firecracker! The underlying swoon that Matt gives off, that you don't see coming. He goes from playboy to perfect book boyfriend. Our southern boy! Or Cowboy as Grace calls him! (Absolutely adore their nicknames for eachother!) Watching these two fall in love and grow I'd amazing!

Also love the Miller connection tying some of my favorite authors together in one big world!

Can not wait for Mila's Book and to read the world of racing through a Female racers POV.

[Michelle Mastandrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fun and steamy enemies to lovers story certainly had my motor revved up and craving more from this fantastic new series!

Known as NASCAR's favorite playboy, Matt McCall is a smooth talker with plenty of southern charm that keep the ladies coming back for more. Only what's a guy to do when the one woman who happens to get under his skin considers him to be the bane of her existence and wants to throttle him at every turn....oh and for the next two months, she just has to pretend to be his adoring new wife...

Buckle up because this was one wildly entertaining ride that will race right into your heart! I loved watching the sparks fly between Matt and Grace as much as watching them falling for each other. Everything from the sass, snark, and sexy tension as this couple navigated the curves and roadblocks in their relationship was an absolute delight and so much fun to watch unfold!

What a fantastic addition to this entertaining new series! I loved taking this ride with Matt and Grace and can't wait for Mila's story next! Get this gem on your TBR now...it's a great read you won't want to miss!

[Amanda Davanzati · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an enjoyable read! Haley Cook is really bringing it with her writing!

Driving Wild is a fake marriage, frienemies to lovers that heats up the track! I love finally getting to know Matt and Grace more. Learning them from the first book was fun but seeing even more inside of them, really made their characters special. Matt and Grace together definitely know how to bring the heat and the banter. I love how it was like a push and pull between them. I really enjoyed this book and the banter from all the characters. Definitely a really good read in my book.

Haley Cook is definitely proving to write some wonderful stories. I can’t wait to see what she has next! I definitely recommend this book for others!

[KelsBookstagram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn... I devoured this book and honestly in awe that this is Haley's 2nd book! Haley, i think I'm addicted 🙈🥰

Gah, the second instalment had me swooning from the chemistry and frenimes feel. GRACE i am in awe of her, her sass, her drive, and how she shields her heart.

Gosh, Matt may have stolen my heart and left me swooning. I need a man who will sweep me off my feet and make me re-fall in love. My lips are sealed, but holyguacamole he is MINE. 😍🔥❤️

I love the plot of the stories and how the interconnected characters play such a pivotal role. I never thought the driving world would be my scene, but HOLYFRIGGINAMAZEBALLS it is!!!

Haley, you are phenomenal ❤️

[Chantal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matt & Grace ❤️‍🔥

“The media can step on a Lego barefoot for all I care..” 😂

“Cowboy, I can shop all day, but I know where I buy my groceries.” 🥹

I really enjoyed seeing this play out! The start of the book was so much edging! One trying to break the other to admitting feelings. It was the perfect amount of slow burn.
Matt was such a gentleman, totally reformed for his wife, even though it was fake. His dedication to the idea of a wife was just *chefs kiss*
Grace is a powerhouse and coming from an extremely wealthy family, has certain expectations on her image. She bows to no one! (Except Matt when he uses that deep deep voice IYKYK 😉)

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fake marriage, forced proximity, sassy woman and a southern cowboy. Sign me up for more nascar hotties. Good story with laughs and tears and lots of love

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was cute sarcastic and a fun read. I can wait to read more of her books.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

race car romance

This is my first race car romance. Such a cute story. Grace and Matts story is a fake dating PR romance.

[SherrecePQ Tanner · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the first book I had read from Haley, and it was a cute, easy read book. Matt is the race car driver who has quite the reputation with the ladies, and Grace is PR for the team, and comes from racing car royalty herself.

In a bid to save his reputation, she pretends to be his wife on a night out. This of course means that they have to create a relationship for the public eye. Grace and Matt have tangled between the sheets once before, and where they thought that that one encounter would be there only, being in close proximity ignites something within. There was alittle spice and is the easy read to go to, if you want a taste of what this genre has available.

[Teresa A · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how this author writes about a sport I know very little about but does it in a way that everyone can understand and enjoy.

Matt and Grace were fiery from the get go, and they’re both stubborn and opinionated. They somehow find a way to cohabitate during their fake marriage, but grow closer as the days go on.

We get to see some more of Ryan and Tinley, looking forward to Mila’s story.

4/5 stars
3/5 chilli peppers

[Rachel Dane · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can absolutely tell the growth the author had from the first book. Matt's mouth makes a woman feral haha. I enjoyed this and was a nice quick read (like a few hours to finish). Love a good fake marriage. Plot wasn't really there but I don't think you need one for this one👌 the banter was good, there was some swoon moments and the spice hit when it was there.

[CsBookstack · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

This is the second novel from Hayley Cook and my first experience in NASCAR racing!

It was an easy fun low angst read! I loved Matt.. he was such a lovely affable guy, who wasn’t afraid to show his romantic side. I’m a sucker for when he falls first and this book had it in spades. I loved the dynamic between the two of them, and would have loved to have seen more of that tension before they got together.
I also love the fact that you see the characters from
Book one appear, so I’m intrigued and need to go back to read their book now too!

I look forward to seeing what comes next and am so intrigued by the female driver!!

[Annmarie Sapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fast read and not drawn out. You knew there was chemistry between Matt and Grace from the first page. It wasn’t long before they were a done deal.

I liked that Matt wasn’t so “manly” he couldn’t immediately recognize that his feelings for Grace were more than annoyance and hatred! He is quick to be introspective and the added friends in Ryan and Tinley help move the story along.

This is a 2nd book in a series, and I hadn’t read the first one, but I will be doing that soon, so I am ready for the 3rd book. I am not a NASCAR girl, but I enjoyed the story just the same.

[AddictedToReadingRomance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matt and his Red

Awww this story was so cute! From a media stunt to Fake Marriage to a happily ever after. Frenemies to lovers, it was a good reading. I enjoy reading Cowboy and Red story. This couple is both fire and romance. Love how they fall in love with each other without their knowledge hahaha. Matt and Grace are perfect together and definitely wild. I love how their families are present and their friends too. Next book sounds promising with Mila.

[Brita Mackay · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Night
One Reporter
One Picture

Matt, the stock car driver, the one who was always ready to have a good time. But, one night was going to change his life, one picture was going to change the course of his life and suddenly he found himself not the single guy but suddenly the husband, the steady one.

Grace was just playing around when she'd put the ring on his finger, but someone had caught it on camera, and now the media circus thinks that they were married.

Now, a new younger driver who thinks they are better than Matt joins the Mac Motorsports team, and Matt knows that he can't afford any type of scandal. Especially with his contract being up for renewal, and he wanted that more than anything.

So Matt sucks it up and does what he has to do, he smiles and plays the part of the perfect husband, thinking he had to just play the part for two months, that was all he had to survive.

But in life, nothing is ever easy. There are always roadblocks standing in the way. In the case of Matt and Grace, their roadblock was that they couldn't stand each other. It was going to be a long two months.

Grace had gotten them into this mess, but Matt had the perfect plan. He planned to drive her wild.

Oh, the tropes in this book. They are the perfect tropes to just drive you crazy. Sports Romance (NASCAR), Fake Marriage, Frenemies-To-Lovers, Nicknames (Too Cute), Forced Proximity (Same Living Arrangements), It's Always Been You, “My Wife”, Kinky (Voyeurism, D/S), Dirty Talk, BDSM Lite (Brat/Dom Dynamics), Cinnamon Roll MMC, 2nd(ish) Chance Romance, No Third Act Breakup.

Driving Wild is the amazing 2nd book in the Haley Cooks Driving series. And man, oh man, what a great addition to the series is it. In this book, we see Ryan's teammate Matt being brought together with Grace, who just happens to be Tinley's best friend together. Grace also happens to be Mac Motorsports' newest employee, bringing an added twist to their dynamics. Personally, I absolutely love the fake marriage and enemies to lovers, and I am really starting to love the NASCAR tropes.

Driving Wild jumps off to this amazing start, and the banter is just too good. It's hilarious. Honestly, Matt and Grace are the perfect match, even if they don't know it right away. They both give and take equally, even though they each think they are going to eventually get the upper hand on the other. I absolutely love how they fight, and boy, do they ever fight the attraction that they feel for the other, and they refuse to give in to that attraction. It's like they are bound and determined to keep their independence and they feel like they think that if they give in to their attraction that means they are giving up their independence even though that is the farthest thing from the truth. The only truth is, is the race they are between the other. The race to see who is going to give in to the fate bound attraction they are fated to one day give in to.

From the very first page you know that this is going to be the perfect fake marriage but you also know that it is only a matter of time before it becomes a very real and very meaningful marriage and you can tell that this entire book is going to be an explosion of chemistry and attraction. I loved all the twists and turns this book gave off, but most of all, I absolutely loved all the feels you get, and the push and pull between Matt and Grace is just perfect.

Grace is so intelligent, strong, and quick-witted, and her sass is just perfectly crafted. She is the firecracker you want as the best friend, and you are always wondering when she is going to next pop off.

Matt is the kind of guy that has all the girls always falling for him and swooning over him. You can see him coming a mile away. He starts off as this playboy who you think will never settle down and will keep flitting from girl to girl, and you'll always wonder who he'll come in with next. Then suddenly he comes walzing in, and he's this picture-perfect husband, the perfect southern boy.. Or Grace will call him Cowboy. Oh, the nicknames that Grace and Matt have for each other. I absolutely love them. If that doesn't make them the picture-perfect couple right there, I don't know what would.

I can't wait to dive into book 3. This is going to be Mila's book. And I know having read the last 2 books by Haley Cook that it is going to be amazing. I am so excited to read about the world of NASCAR and just the world of racing itself through a female racers' POV.

[B.B. Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚BOOK REVIEW 📚

⭐️Goodread Rating: 4.12/ 5⭐️
💫My Rating: 3.5 /5 💫
***rounded up for Goodreads review***

⚠️Trigger Warnings ⚠️
descriptive sexual activities, some graphic language, roofie scene,

📝My Review📝

In Haley Cook’s second installment of her “The Driving Series”, the racing playboy’s life gets flipped upside down. What should have been a one night fling for him, has become an unrequited love for the daughter of one of the biggest names in the racing world. Unfortunately, they have had a difficult relationship with each other over the years. In fact, many would say they are enemies. Can one night change their relationship? Will the playboy sweep the daughter off her feet?

If you enjoy a racing world romance this just may be your book! In general, I do not know much about racing, so when reading the novel Cook provided the right amount of description about the ins and outs of racing that I could easily follow and understand the plot. The balance of settings was written quite eloquently throughout the story line. I never became too tired to hear about each setting and it appeared (to a non racing fan) like a realistic time/ schedule layout. While I enjoyed the book, I had hoped for more on the enemies storyline. I didn’t feel that angst of being enemies before coming friends and then more than friends. That process felt a bit rushed to me.

Overall I found the scenes to be enjoyable and found myself swooning for a southern man to dance with me! I can’t say that I would necessarily read the book again, but it was a fun ride for a first read.

🤍Thanks to Haley Cook for trusting me with their novel in return for my personal review🤍


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[Vikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Driving Wild by Haley Cook is an unexpectedly delightful read that keeps you hooked from start to finish. The chemistry between the main characters, Grace "Red" and Matt, is electrifying, providing the perfect balance of steaminess and complementary interaction that drives the story forward.

The premise is both intriguing and humorous: one night, one reporter, and one picture are all it takes to transform Matt from a carefree stock car driver to a supposed doting husband. One ring completely flipped Matt's life in the best way.

What follows is a two-month charade where Matt and Grace must convincingly play the part of a perfect couple, despite their mutual animosity. The dynamic between them is a rollercoaster of witty banter, heated arguments, and undeniable attraction. Haley Cook excels in portraying their evolving relationship, showing how their initial discord gradually transforms into a deeper understanding and affection.

Matt and "Red" are both well-developed characters with distinct personalities that clash and complement each other in the most entertaining ways. Their interactions are filled with tension and humor, making their journey from adversaries to lovers incredibly engaging. The way their relationship develops, grows, and molds throughout the story is both realistic and heartwarming.

If you’re looking for a romance novel with a fun premise, steamy scenes, and a heartfelt progression of love and understanding, Driving Wild is definitely worth picking up. It’s a delightful escape that showcases the power of love to transform even the most unlikely of relationships.

[Charlene Alana Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book two in the "driving series" both books can be read as standalones but I suggest reading them in order as they are interconnected. I feel in love with book one, I absolutely loved it. And this was just the same, these characters have my heart. I've been waiting for Matt and Grace's story ever since they where introduced in book one. And the author did not disappoint at all. Oh mama the spice, them, just everything was amazing. They had me kicking my feet with laughter, they are so freaking adorable.

“The media can step on a Lego barefoot for all I care..”

Once I picked it up I couldn't put it back down, I was hooked from start to finish. It was one wild ride that's for sure, but it was also sweet and spicy.

Matt and grace are frenemies, they get on each others nerves, but you can't have hate without love, the two secretly like each other, but won't admit it. Now after grace saying something , they must play the happy married couple, only for a little while. It's all fun and games. You can spot their chemistry burning from miles away, definitely made for each other.

“Cowboy, I can shop all day, but I know where I buy my groceries.”

The characters, side characters, world building, storyline and plot where beautifully written and thought out. It's filled with so much you can't miss it. It's definitely one to add to your TBR list. The spice is giving, the banter is top notch and the company is hilarious.

I'm absolutely loving this series and can't wait to read Mila and chase's story , highly recommend!!

[Kelchickbooklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fake marriages are books that you know things are going to get complicated and heated and one that you just can't put down. Driving Wild is one of those books. The best part of this book is that the two MCs hate one another but somehow end up in a fake marriage. Ms. Cook delivers a book full of great banter, angst, and funny times but also one of friendship and love.
Matt and Grace were introduced to us in Driving Force and I was excited to see they have their own book. The hate that they had for one another was so full of sexual tension, that you needed a knife to cut through it. Having to live together because of a situation that Grace started, they both get to see the real person, the other one, not the one out in public. I loved how Matt's character changed or should I say to see what and who he really is. Emma gave as good as she took and she made Matt stay on his toes around her. Their push/pull relationship was a joy to see grow into one that was steamy and full of love.
I highly recommend picking up Driving Wild and enjoying the HEA that Matt and Emma finally have.

[Merrit Townsend (always1morebook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 2 in the Driving Series by Author Haley Cook.

Matt and Grace heat up the track with this fake marriage story. Grace is the PR Associate for Matts Race team and her best friend is married to another racer on the team. When n unfortunate incident happens and Grace has to swoop in to save Matt from a huge mistake, all bets are off and the fake marriage is on. Can they survive the media scrutiny and not kill each other or will they find their happiness and discover how great they are together?

this was such a fun, fast paced read that is perfect for a summer day read. I loved Matt and Grace from the beginning and enjoyed their banter. Watching them figure out that they belong together was amazing and their relationship development through all of their roadblocks kept me engaged. my only complaint was that I wish we could have seen a bit more of them. I do wish I would have read book one the series as you see that couple quite a bit in this book so I suggest starting there. It is not necessary and you don't need any information from book 1 in order to understand this story but I do suggest it,

[Booksbystarlightandshadows · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a perfect read for when you want something low angst with some classic tropes. A little bit of forced proximity, fake dating and he falls first all hit the mark. I've never followed Nascar but I loved how it was a proper part ofthe storyline rather than something that happened off the page.

I haven't read book one and I plan on picking it up as I was a little confused about what had happened with Miles in the past which had made Grace so guarded. I would have loved a little bit more of that initial enemies to lovers tension between Grace and Matt as it started off strong and they didn't really have that explosive payoff moment. Matt is a total sweetheart; I absolutely adored him and his smooth country boy ways. I really liked Mila too so I'm looking forward to her book next.

My interpretation of the star system;
3 stars - I enjoyed it; would read the author again
4 stars - I really liked it; I am invested and definitely want more from this author/series
5 stars - I loved it; I engaged with this book completely until I finished it and it is one I will re-read

[Caitlin Loggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED every page of this book! It was so good and I couldn't put it down! ❤️

It's a really cute story with just the right amount of spice mixed in. One thing I loved was the nickname that Grace gave Matt. And it's a NASCAR romance so that makes it even better. 🙂

One of my favorite scenes from Driving Wild was when Matt cooked the roasted chicken and veggies specially for Grace because he remembered that she couldn't have fried food. I thought that was really sweet of him. Another favorite for me was when Matt danced with her in their living room. 🙂

My favorite quote from Driving Wild was this one from chapter three;

“Cowboy, you may have all the right parts that women want, but when you start to talk, it’s thrown right out the window,”

I've loved both books so far in Haley's Driving series and can't wait for the next one!

*I received an ARC from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jordan Fiest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Driving Wild is book two of the Driving Series.

Matt and Grace have intense chemistry but they both fight their feelings for the other quite hard. They do have some miscommunications and misunderstandings throughout their time together, but they both just needed to stop being so stubborn and they could've had less drama between them. They have a lot of banter between them which keeps the story quite interesting.

I enjoyed this story a lot. We know from the first book that something might've happened between these two and then we get it confirmed and see the stubbornness between the two which gets us to where we are in this book.

This was a very good read. It kept me interested from start to finish.

[Allison Comis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was about Grace and Matt. She started working for the racing company that Matt was a part of. She was in PR. One night Tinley, Ryan and Grace were out at a bar. Matt was there and she saw a reporter put something in his beer. She was trying to get a story out of him and then some. Grace couldn’t get to Matt in time and he drank some of the beer. She told the reporter that they were married and she needed to leave. So this started a whole new issue. Matt’s PR agent called them in the office and told them they were to be “married” for 2 months. They had hooked up before so it wasn’t like he was a stranger. They lived together for that time and really got to know each other and they got along great and both developed feelings.

[Theresa Lambe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy Moly, talk about sweet. I loved both Matt and Grace, affectionately called Cowboy and Red. Talk about absolute cuteness. Oh. And steam.

Because hate, with two people, is often fueled by lust and these two have it in spades. It's easier to deny it than accept it. Until you are forced too. And when the conclusion finally dawns, and the love is shown, it's totally swoon worthy. I loved how her sassy mouth was tamed (sorta here!) By that sweet southern charm.

So if you love racing and sweet, spicy ahem moments, then make sure to grab this because there really are all kinds of feels.

[Janet Rhodes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Driving Wild
Haley Cook
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Matt and Grace
Matt, the race car driver with NASCAR and is known as a playboy within the community! Grace works for the team of drivers and is a Spitfire when it comes to Matt! Both really like each other, but will things work out between them? You’re gonna have to read this book and when you do, you’re not gonna want to put it down once you start! Haley Cook does an amazing job with showing both sides and expressing their emotions. This is booked two of a series, but you could read this is as a standalone. I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next!

[Jamie Stahl · Rating 3 out of 5]

High Adrenaline Fun

This was a really fun read that went as fast as a NASCAR stock car! With all the adrenaline of racing at 200+ miles per hour, Matt and Grace burn as hot as those tires on the track. What started as an impulsive decision to save him from an unscrupulous reporter, threw them into a fake marriage that turned into a real relationship (this is a romance, this is not a spoiler). With the support of family and friends they learn to break down their walls and melt their hearts. Doesn't hurt that Matt has all the swoony Southern charm.

[Catherine Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great read, I haven’t read a book series with a similar storyline - I enjoyed the unique NASCAR aspect.
I read book one of this series, but it’s not totally necessary. This can be read as a stand alone.
I love their banter, the enemy to lovers elements along with the fake relationship.
The steamy scenes were deliciously spicy, with great BDSM touches.
It’s one of those books that you can’t keep a smile off your face as you read it.
Loved the ending- overall a fantastic sports romance read.