A totally hilarious friends-to-lovers, brother’s best friend romantic comedy
He’s the only person who can give me a ride to my brother’s wedding, and he’s also the one man I absolutely CANNOT have feelings for. My brother’s best friend is strictly off limits… Isn’t he?
I should have known my mom would go totally overboard packing for my brother’s big day. But much like my last break-up, I’d been optimistic (in denial) that it would all work out for me. Now, I can’t fit into the car. “Don’t worry,” my brother says, “I asked Theo to give you a ride.”
I flush all over and almost drop my phone. This is a BIG problem.
With his neatly trimmed stubble, fierce protectiveness and an affinity for plaid shirts rivalled only by his love of hiking, I’ve always had a crush on Theo. As a teenager, I’d even declared my feelings in a tragically bad poem. The rejection almost ended our friendship, and I’ll be taking that crippling embarrassment to my grave.
He’s the last person I want to be alone with on a six-day road trip; especially since I swore off men after my last relationship went up in flames. It would be a terrible idea anyway; he only sees me as his best friend’s little sister.
But as we fight over the playlist and are forced to share a night together when his car dies, it’s not distance that makes my heart grow fonder, it’s close proximity. Two thousand miles of flirting has my heart racing in the fast lane. Is it all in my head, or does Theo feel the same?
Will this be our second chance to go the distance, or will everything blow up in my face in the middle of my brother’s wedding?
An utterly hilarious and totally addictive road trip romantic comedy with sizzling but sweet chemistry and no third-act break-up. Perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Sarah Adams and Olivia Dade.
What readers are saying about Sharon M.
“INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!… HEART-WARMING… VERY,VERY SWOON-WORTHY!!!!!! Finished it in a couple of sittings. I usually like to make good books last, but I really couldn’t put this one down. Plot twisty? Funny? It’s all here.” Isabella, Journey to Pibe Creek ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“FANTASTIC!… A page-turner… incredible… Like a big hug… My favourite tropes are sprinkled through this book like grumpy/sunshine, one bed trope, celebrity/nobody, and fake engagement… Keeps you HOOKED!” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Topped the list of all the fake relationship stories… Hilarious… Laugh out loud… I stayed up at night to binge read this story… I am so happy I did that… I was hookedfrom the first line… Equal parts fun and emotional with tear-jerking moments.” @bookbyteswithkavita ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Definitely got this girl’s heart a swoonin’… Adorable!… Perfection… Filled with all my favorite grumpy
Sharon M. Peterson is a former middle school teacher and has the personality to prove it. One of her favorite quotes is from Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath: “It was her habit to build up laughter out of inadequate materials.” She strives to tackle life that way and create characters who do the same. She lives in Washington with her husband and four children, including two autistic sons. She has two cats, one dog, one Russian tortoise, one tattoo, and an intense fear of poodles (don’t ask). She can usually be found hunched over her computer, creating characters and stories she hopes you’ll love as much as she does.
I really enjoyed this one! -Clean rom-com -Friends to lovers -Road trip -Brother's best friend -Epilepsy representation -Many laugh out loud moments
Ali and her family are on this road trip for her brother's wedding. Ali rides with Theo, who she was crazy about when she was a teenager. Theo is her brother's best friend and feelings form along this wild, hilarious road trip!
I loved Ali because she was truly a strong, relatable and real character. We see her talk through the struggles with epilepsy over her life and her and Theo had great chemistry from the beginning. I loved he is her “comfort person” - just like my hubs is mine.🩷 The side characters were also great - her Grandpa and Mimi cracked me up! The Vegas wedding scene had me ROLLING!
This has some great family details and deeper topics but also is a funny, relaxing romance read. I absolutely loved the level of depth the characters have and they feel like real people with everyday interactions. My only complaint is this does have some mild language I feel like is unnecessary but I really enjoyed the story itself. I will say it was much less language than The Fake Out and I appreciated that.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Content: Mild language, 15-20 D words, 10-15 H words, 3-5 JA words. They break down and stumble accidentally upon a nudist resort but I found it hilarious and they were very uncomfortable--quote "I've never looked at so many foreheads in my life" lol. Romance was clean.
The Fast Lane is bursting with heart and humor! Ali and Theo are endearing characters and I fell in love with them as they did with each other! Ali is devoted and fierce, she is hilarious and independent, and she has had a crush on Theo since she was a teenager. Theo is a loyal friend to Ali’s brothers, and he is as charming as any character I’ve ever met in a book! This is a road trip story that is engaging and heartfelt; it’s a novel about love, it is a book about family and reconciliation—and I loved it all! I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher via Net Galley.
This book was so cute and entertaining. The characters were so fun and loveableee ! I recommend reading this book after The Fake-Out by the same author, as you first meet the main characters in that book. Also, I love how there’s little notes-to-self before every chapter. It’s like a little sneak peek into what’s going to happen in the chapter :)
Ali spent her whole childhood being in LOVE with her brother’s best friend, Theo. Years later, it’s her brother’s wedding. Everything is fun and fine, until Ali finds out that she has to share days worth of driving with Theo. Is Ali really over Theo, or will old feeling start to come back?
Ali is soooo fun. I love her energy and demeanor. The way she exacts revenge on people is hilariously deserved, and I love her for it.
Theo is such a sweetheart. His personality is so nice and the way he handles situations is so 😍😍 He gets along with everyone and his little side hustle (ifykyk me matey) gets me every time.
Theo and Ali are made for each other. The tension and flirting between them two kept me wanting more !! They just fit. Plus, you know I love a good brother’s-best-friend romance 😋
Overall, this book was awesome. I love Sharon M. Peterson’s books so much, and I’m happy to say that I’ve read all of them (to my knowledge) ! I highly recommend that you read this book if you’ve read The Fake-Out :)
*5/16/24 i'm so excited to read this book! and, its coming out in my bday month 🥳🥳 i rlly liked this authors past books, and, NO THIRD-ACT BREAK-UP??? omg, finally! i love romance books, but most times i can't STAND the unnecessary break-ups..
I'm not going to say Theo is my favorite hero (but he's my favorite hero). He's such a great foil for Ali's slightly unhinged energy. I loved watching their story unfold. I always have a strong idea of what's going to happen when I start writing a new project but the characters eventually take over. These two had IDEAS and I loved them all.
Also love that I was able to shed a bit of light on living with epilepsy. My oldest son was diagnosed four years ago. It took another two yeas before we found the right combo of medication for the seizures to be controlled. In the book, Ali was diagnosed at age sixteen. I was so grateful to find two women of a similar age and diagnosis who answered a bazillion questions from me.
Anyway. Read it for brother's best friend/friends-to-lovers road trip of it all; stay for the laughs, the swoons, and those candles Ali's mom makes that are shaped like... Well, just read it, okay?
I absolutely ADORE the amazing Sharon M. Peterson, and The Fast Lane is her best book yet! Ali and Theo’s relationship sparkles with chemistry, somehow managing to be romantic, emotional, and hilarious all on the same page. The situations the couple encounter during their road trip feel like scenes from classic 90’s romcoms in the best way. And the cast of side characters is so well-developed and adds so much warmth and humor to the story that I found myself wishing for a separate book for each and every one of them. This will be one of my all time favorite comfort reads that I’ll go back to again and again when I’m craving something funny and uplifting with a ton of heart.
This is her third book and it has already become an autobuy author for me. . Its protagonists are women who feel real, fun and with a very particular sense of the world. Sometimes I feel like there are a lot of topics, but I'm here for the good characters and she knows how to deliver them. . Alicia Ramos makes her entrance for the first time in the previous book of the series but in this one we get to know her better and she wins your heart from the first page. . activist for every cause, great friend, planner of unprecedented pranks, adored by every member of the town, even the sheriff who must threaten to arrest her from time to time. She is the baby of her family and tries to remind everyone that she is a big woman and can take care of herself despite having epilepsy and having to adjust her daily life. She loves her town, her friends, her family and does not keep alive her crush for her brother's best friend. . But for some reason when her mother makes too many floral and candles arrangements for the wedding and there is no room in the car, her brother arranges for his best friend Theo to drive her, all she can think is that is going to be very difficult for her to travel for a days with him, and how she can try to stop the awkwardness between them after the rejection when she was a teenager. Is going to be a long travel to his brother's wedding in Portland. . Several guests and unexpected situations make this road trip unforgettable, leading Alicia and Theo to share much more than they expected. . Heartwarming, warm and romantic with a great cast of characters that one wants to read again , this book is one of my favorites road trip ones. . . . Thanks to Sharon M. Peterson for give me a copy of this beautiful book in exchange for my honest and voluntary opinion
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this poignant book
meeting the main character of ali in this book is very enlightening and at times very funny.... shes the girl we all would love to be with her witty comebacks and her needs for revenge which always has very cunning ideas
but ali has a crush ..one that wasnt very secret when she was younger... she went all out for him to the embarrassment of everyone who told her to get over it... poor theo but he handled it with great humility
but now they are older and they are both on their way to alis brothers wedding and with no room in the car for ali with her parents she has to share a car journey with theo.... and boy is this journey a fun read....
but ali is on a mission set by one of her brothers....to bring back to the family the brother that walked away all those years ago and boy is this a journey fraught with tension.....
man there are some laugh out loud moments and there are times when there are tears running down your face....
this was a journey of discovery for me reading this book loved it... cant wait to read more from this author
This book is so incredible , it is fast paced and I read it within two days, I love that the chapters are shorter because it meant I could take my time reading the book, however I found that with The Fast Lane this wasn’t necessary because I was so hooked that I was up until 1am reading.
I absolutely adore Ali and Theo and their whole dynamic which is shown through the tropes of the book such as grumpy x sunshine and forced proximity so if you love these tropes then The Fast Lane is definitely for you. The plot is amazing especially when Ali looks back on her memories when she was younger with Theo and her brothers and the part with the reading in the car, it had me swooning. I love that Ali has a secret niece, I feel like she tidies up the plot and makes the reunion a lot smoother.
The only complaint I have with this book is that it feels like there are too many characters, I love the plot and how everyone is connected in some way but I feel like it was very confusing at times. Even upon completing the book I don’t know all of Ali’s brothers because it was a lot to take in but this would not stop me from reading this book again hence the ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Rom-coms can be fun and this is the case! It was a nice and light book to read! I read it most during the flight to my summer break, and it definitely matched the vibe. It’s fast paced and I like how the characters were relatable.
I loved this cute friends- to- lovers, brother's best friend romcom! Ali and Theo set off on a cross-country road trip to attend Ali's brother's wedding. The only problem is Ali's in love with Theo, and she can't be. One, he's her brother's best friend! Two, she confessed her love for him when she was 16, and he turned her down! Add in a feisty gramps, a loathsome dog appropriately named Karen, and some undeniable sexual tension between Ali and Theo, and it makes for a hilariously awkward adventure.
I really appreciated that the FMC has epilepsy. I haven't read about many characters that are epileptic and I'm glad I got to hear her side of it. It totally makes sense and offered perspectives I had not considered.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for an advanced readers copy of The Fast Lane by Sharon M. Peterson, in exchange for an honest review. ♡
📖 Ali and her family are taking a road trip to get her oldest brother married. Unfortunately her Mom has gone overboard on the decor that needs to be traveled, and Ali will need to hitch a ride with Theo. Theo, who she once confessed her love for when they were young. Theo, her brothers’ best friend. Theo, who she shouldn't still be in love with… should she?
📚 This romance was an easy read. Ali was a likable character who had some great character components that make her enjoyable to read about. Theo was charming and sweet, which made him a great main male character. Sharon M Peterson made this road trip feel eventful and too short! I loved the extra details involved, like a stopover in Las Vegas, Grandpa Mack, and and wayward brother who needed to be brought back to the family.
🌟 If you like Sarah Adams or Emilly Henry then you should give The Fast Lane a chance. This is a great book for any closed door readers out there!
This was my first book from Sharon M Peterson - and it was an Advanced Reader Copy! Thank you to Sharon and @netgalley for putting The Fast Lane in my hands early. You can look for it to be published this June 19th! …has anyone else read something by Sharon?
Are you in the mood for a slow burn, hilarious and heartwarming book that would be perfect for your summer/beach reading list? If you are, you have to add The Fast Lane to your list! The main characters, Ali and Theo, are so endearing. They have been friends for most of their lives. Each has hidden feelings they are scared to admit about. As they head off on a road trip the fun begins! I have to say the author had me laughing and crying more than a few times. I am so ecstatic to have found author, Sharon M. Peterson. I just added the rest of her books to my tbr list. Definitely pick up The Fast Lane as soon as you can! You will not regret it. Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. #shortbookthyme @shortbookthyme
Going on a road trip! There were surprises upon surprises!
Ali has been in love with her brother’s best friend Theo since she was fourteen and even confessed at some point. Ali has tried to tame her feelings over the years.
Her older brother Cal is getting married in another state. Theo ends up being the one who gives Ali a ride. It’s all going to be fine right? Keep to the status quo! Except for the fact Theo keeps reminding Ali that she’s not his sister, or his flirty moments. Along with some meddling family members comments, Ali and Theo have a lot of talking to do!
Read The Fast Lane immediately if you're looking for:
🍬SUPER SWEETNESS - a super sweet story but also sweet romance. There is zero spice in this book, the romance consists of lingering looks, hand holding, thigh touching and kissing.
💪STRONG FEMALE PROTAGONIST - Ali was such a great character. She was so strong and feisty!
🍭SWEET TROPES - friends to lovers and brother's best friend.
🍫SWEET LOVE INTEREST - Theo was such a decent, sweet and kind guy!
😌LOW STAKES - the stakes and tension are super low and the conflict is minimal which makes this a really easy chill read.
🏡BIG FAMILY - so many brothers and in-laws and this book featured FOUR generations!
🎭FAMILY DRAMA - but nothing too dramatic or traumatic.
👯♀️GREAT SIDE CHARACTERS - there are SO MANY great characters in this book! I loved Mack and had a huuuuge fictiony crush on ABE! Sorry, I know we were meant to be all over Theo (who was truly LOVELY) but ABE!!!
⚡️EPILEPSY REP - I love when books raise awareness in this way!
🚗 ROAD TRIP!! - Honestly one of my fave tropes ever!!
The Fast Lane was such a fun, easy and chill read.
A perfect read for those who like their romance sweet and their stakes low.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the ARC. 💞💞💞
I have really enjoyed Sharon Peterson's other books. This one took me a while to get into...I usually read books like this in a few days. This one took me several weeks. I almost DNF, but this got better toward the end.
I didn't always love how neurotic the main female was with her actions and thoughts. I did really like Theo as a male lead. I liked the family healing throughout the story. The ending was fun and different.
Content: Nothing descriptive. There's a little innuendo, but this is PG. There are triggers with health conditions, family rifts, and gaslighting. Language: Minimal language. No f-bombs. Religious: No
4.5⭐️ I really enjoyed this book and read it all in a day! The book felt well paced, jumped right into the action, and revealed parts of the back story as things unfolded rather than all at once which was nice.
The flirting and chemistry between Ali and Theo was great, and seeing them finally confess to each other was great (Ali is so brave and I wish I was more like her!!).
I do wish we got to see a few first-hand flashbacks/feelings of their interactions as they were growing up rather than them talking about things in the past, but those small recountings were good.
Note: There are some deeper familial/health topics that get touched upon in this book, but I think it was executed well.
The mayor plot line was a little unexpected and felt a little out of character for her when it was first introduced, but maybe I just didn’t understand her fully and was surprised (but not in a bad way).
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
There are some authors that I will read anything they write. Sharon M. Johnson is one of them.
Her book "The Do Over" is my favorite book. I also follow Sharon on Facebook. So when she announced she was coming out with a new book, I couldn't wait to read it.
I love this book so much. It is laugh out loud funny with some touching moments. Ali and Theo are perfect for each. Ali is spunky, outspoken, and stubborn. She is also delightfully oblivious about how Theo feels about her.
Theo is steady, predictable, and always there for Ali. I love the teasing and banter between them.
This book is full of likeable, quirky characters. They are far from perfect and it's easy to forget they are fictional characters. The book has a happy ending, but it doesn't tie everything up in a neat little bow at the end.
If you are looking for an easy summer read with humor, heart, and closed door romance, this would be an excellent choice. I also highly recommend Sharon's other books "The Do Over" and "The Fake Out."
I received a ARC from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
I laughed out loud to this hilarious friends to lovers romance. Theo and Ali were lovable characters who had each other’s backs in the good and tough times. I loved their dynamic. The love they had for each other was believable. I also enjoyed the subplots. I enjoyed reading about Ali’s epilepsy. It was nice to see some representation in today’s literature. This was an entertaining fast paced romance. I’m looking forward to more of Sharon M. Peterson’s work 3.75⭐️
The Fast Lane is my second trip through Two Harts, Texas and I loved it just as much as the first time! This go around Ali is the FMC and if you read The Fake Out you will remember Ali is a fan of getting even in extremely creative ways. I am excited to announce this is a road trip romance, which is one of my all time favorites because you never can guess what they will run into (*cough* nudist resort *cough*). And it is also a brothers’ best friend romance, so get ready to listen to Ali gush about her longtime crush Theo from the very start. Not that you can blame her because he definitely treats her well. I highly recommend you check out The Fast Lane which comes out June 19th, and while you are waiting you can read The Fake Out and The Do-Over which are also 5 stars reads!
Thank you Sharon M. Peterson and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book!
Thanks to the author for this amazing box of goodies and #gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.
Sharon is one of those authors I've been following and watching because of a friend. Mary made me do it! And, really, I'm so glad! The Fast Lane was a delight to read. If you're into road trips, quirky heroines, family drama and forgiveness, and a huge side of laughter, I recommend! Ali and Theo are suckered into a road trip and there are FEELINGS. Between stops and music choices and family antics, they can't help but draw closer. There's so much about this to love as previously mentioned, but, above all, I think Sharon did such a fantastic job with Ali's self-worth and disability rep. The themes of love and forgiveness speak loudly and I'm always here for forced proximity and brother's best friend romances.
Simply put, I LOVED it! It’s flirty & swoony! It’s also quite hilarious. There’s moments where I found myself cackling at Ali’s hijinks or sweet Mack’s escapades. It’s also so heartfelt and I may have gotten a little teary-eyed. When you wrap up a book with a cheesy grin, you know it’s a good one! Romance for the win! ❤️
DNF for me about 48 pages in. The premise of the story is the MCs go on a roadtrip together and the FMC has a crush and they’ve known each other since they were kids. I thought the FMC was very annoying. And I was confused why the first 5 chapters are even taking place. They barely mention the wedding and it’s not until chapter 5 that it’s mentioned she’s riding with Theo to her wedding. I get that this is book 2 in a series but you can allegedly read it as a standalone but I don’t agree with that. There’s so much going on and we don’t get a proper introduction to who Ali is. We just get the random bits of info and a vague allusion to some “accident.” There’s hardly any interaction with the MMC which, if them getting together isn’t the main story (which is totally fine) the book shouldn’t be described that way.
Anywho, I was too bored and annoyed to force myself to keep going.
This is my third book by Sharon Peterson and I’ve come to the conclusion that I will always enjoy what she writes. It’s witty, heartfelt, and just an overall good romcom.
I am totally a sucker for friends to lovers & roadtrip romcoms - so this was definitely an enjoyable read. I absolutely love the relationship between Ali & Theo.
I will always recommend Sharon Peterson’s books to someone who wants a cute & witty rom-com.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I loved this second chance road trip rom com. I laughed and I cried and I sighed at the happily ever after ending. The eclectic cast of characters drew me into the book and I appreciated the author’s use of multiple story lines. The chemistry between Ali & Theo was scorching and I loved the wit, the banter and zaniness of their relationship. I can’t wait for another book from Sharon M Peterson.
This book is for the Gilmore Girls fans I am convinced!!! I took an essay worth of notes on this book, so buckle up for a good review, but also beware of (mild ish) spoilers because I need to get into the details.
--- Okay, so I think the best aspect of this book is the characters. Peterson does a great job of setting each character apart with distinct traits (similar to a romcom movie) so that each one feels individual. The grandfather, Mack, was my favorite character. He just loved to have a good time and you know what, Mack deserves it!!
But going along with this, the book not just had great characters you could root for, but also there was such a sweetness built in the story because of how much they cared for one another. The small town was a great choice (fans of Lovelight farms by BK Borison would appreciate).
Now, onto our main character, the newest mayor of Two Harts, Alicia. I appreciated that there was complexity in her development. She is very close to her family and lives with epilepsy, which causes her to feel guilt about worrying her family. The way that Alicia's feelings were portrayed felt quite realistic, and many of her moments felt relatable to me.
Okay, but lets get to Theo! So much to say, where do I begin? We love a guy who has been in love with her for a long time. He saved the poem she wrote over ten years ago for him? Okay that's the move!! And he writes romance novels?? I know this man was written by a woman, but could he be put together any better?
A couple reasons why I didn't rate this book higher-first, I felt that there were many subplots that kind of took over the romance. I expected there to be more emphasis on the romance, and it seemed to take more of a backseat after the halfway mark of the book. While all of the characters were great, I believe that focusing less on some of their stories and more on Alicia and Theo would've kept my attention more.
And, some of these subplots didn't feel like they added to the overall arc of the story. Theo goes to meet his biological father, but then finds out he has a brother, which felt like it should have been more significant to the overall story, but wasn't mentioned again until the epilogue.
Also, just some of the drama needed to be heightened a bit. It felt as if the tension of the book would start to get heightened, but then the resolution came too quick. For example, the whole book talks about Alicia's ex, but then the confrontation between the two of them feels too quick for the buildup.
Overall though, this is a quick and fun read for the summer!
My last question for this book and Sharon M. Peterson: Will Alicia's brother Abe be getting his own book? Perhaps that could be arranged??
The Fast Lane was a very easy breezy read - the writing is bountiful, vibrant and so easy to get into from the get-go. The short chapters definitely helped but I highly commend Sharon Peterson's writing style and the story for The Fast Lane being a complete page-turner!
Ali and Theo are the most loveable characters. Where Ali is confident, unhinged, quirky and relatable - Theo is calm, composed, sweet, thoughtful- and resolutely supportive (side note: all the supporting characters are beautiful, in fact, with one obvious exception being Ali's ex, Alec) - the moments Ali and Theo share and the direction of the story too was unpredictable and so fun (Ali, and therefore the reader, being "introduced" to Theo's flirting - wowzas!) The equation between these two was electric!
At points, we revisit the past to show the history behind Ali and Theo's friendship which were lovely to read and did not confuse the storyline which was a relief. Everything just unfolded gracefully and I was invested in finding out more. The narrative is a mix of all your favourite tropes - think brother's best friend/friends to lovers/forced proximity - again, in the most bizarre setting (nudist (non descriptive) spa retreat) - if you enjoy those, then The Fast Lane is one for you! P.s. Theo's profession is another reason to read this!
The story is not just about the budding romance between Ali and Theo though - many major themes are dealt with and handled with sensitivity (almost effortlessly) by Sharon Peterson - I have to credit Sharon again, especially after reading the author's note at the end of the book, as representation really does matter. I hope many readers will feel seen when they pick this book up.
From what I understand when I finished the book, The Fast Lane is a part of a series however it can definitely be read as a standalone (I have not read the other books and did not find any issue in following this story....given how much I loved this book though, I will definitely be picking up the others!) What I would say is that the first few paragraphs do name drop alot which almost did put me off as I thought we were going to be dealing with multiple characters without context but the leads do become obvious as you get into the book - Peterson helpfully reminds us, where necessary, of the background within the story too if a character makes an appearance after a break, which I found helpful.
In summary, what you can expect: - Friends x Lovers/Brother's best friend trope - Epilepsy representation - Loveable characters (Mains/Side) - Engaging writing/pageturner - Banter and wit galore! - Wild road trip adventures - “I am not your brother” (Just wait for it - Lord, have mercy). - Dysfunctional/Functioning family - perfectly imperfect in every way.
Trigger warnings: minor reference to car accidents, injury detail, seizures, nudity (nondescriptive), and death of a family member.
Spice: kissing-only
Thank you to Netgalley, Bookouture and Sharon M Peterson for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest, unedited review.
Theo & Ali- all the green flags are waving! *ARC review
I would bet on them, too. Did their friends and family have a secret bet on their becoming a couple (finally)? yes they did, and I would as well. I loved that all of Ali's brothers accepted Theo as not only their friend, but didn't have that touch her and die or promise to never touch thing so many others have. Ali may have had it bad for Theo growing up, but she was able to smash it down over the years and be able to deal with it. Now, adult Theo and Ali were beyond cute. We experience a laugh out loud, unputdownable rom-com guaranteed to bring a smile to any face. The main characters are so relatable, real and people I'd want to sit at a diner and chat with.
Peterson has a way of taking what would be a normal cross country road trip and putting her own hilarious spin on it. There are plenty of deep moments that delve into complex family relationships. As with reality, this family has its share of strained family dynamics and it is dealt with in a variety of ways. Somehow we are able to connect with not only the MC's, but also the side characters as well.
The pacing is perfect and flows well. I also enjoyed how side characters were gradually added into the mix so I could keep track of them without being overwhelmed. The MC's were also portrayed as average, flawed people. The were not superstars or billionaires or model-like bodies. I can't say enough how much I loved the realness of them and how their fondness of each other grew.
Theo- sweet sweet Theo. He was nervous and he blushed. This was not the typical alpha over confident man and he had every right to be knowing Ali thought he walked on water for the last decade. Theo needs protected at all cost. Sweet pg-13 romance with only kissing, although the passion felt like much more.
Thank you Sharon Peterson for the copy of this book and the opportunity to read and review early. Please write more on these side characters and give them their own book!!
The Fast Lane by Sharon M Peterson is the second book in the Two Harts series. Alicia Ramos needs a ride to her oldest brother’s wedding in Portland after her mother went overboard and there is no room for her in her parents’ car. Family friend, Theo Goodnight, is the man to give her a ride. However, a big problem! Ever since she proclaimed her love for Theo many, many years ago, their relationship has been lukewarm. After a recent break up, she was taking a dating sabbatical. He’s the last person she wanted to be alone with on a six day road trip, especially when he only sees her as a sister. However, as the trip begins, they fight over the playlist, banter and flirt. The close proximity and two thousand miles has her heart race. With each mile, she can’t help but wonder if Theo feels the same? Sharon M Peterson has become my new auto-buy author. The Fast Lane is another hilarious friends-to-lovers, second-chance, brother’s best friend romantic comedy. I laughed. I sighed. I cried and I grinned ear to ear as I read well into the night. I could not put this book down. I loved Alicia and her antics. I loved the sibling banter between Alicia and her brothers. I also loved Alicia’s “note to self” notes at the beginning of each chapter. It added to the humor in the story. There was a bit of family drama as well. What is a wedding without family drama? I also loved Theo and his love for Alicia. He just gets her. You do not really need to read the first book, The Fake Out, to enjoy this story. However, I highly recommend reading it as it is another enjoyable story. I highly, highly recommend The Fast Lane.
The Fast Lane will be available in eBook on June 19, 2024
This story is told almost entirely in first person point of view from Ali’s perspective. I usually like having both POVs, however, as I read this novel, I realized that this is exactly the right way of telling this story. Only knowing the way Ali was viewing her interactions with Theo and seeing her try to figure out his feelings made it feel very realistic emotionally.
The set up of these two starting out on the road trip by themselves made for some great forced proximity. Then, adding in some of Ali’s family as side characters added some great depth and fun. I laughed out loud so many times during this book, but I also swooned at the connection that was becoming apparent between these two. I felt embarrassed for Ali as she remembered the way Theo had broken her heart as a teen and I felt compassion for all she had dealt with regarding her epilepsy and the overprotectiveness of her family.
I absolutely adored this sweet and swoony story and want to read more books by this author. A heads up for my blog and Goodreads followers. This is a sweet romcom that is hilarious and I loved it. However, it does have some mild language, words that would be considered light curse words.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
A home is the person who loves you on your worst days.
A home is the person you can’t imagine living without.
A home, my home, is you.”
___________
This is going to be firmly in my top 10 books of the year, no question.
I think there are very few couples that I love more than Ali and Theo at this point. Oh my goodness, Theo is a green flag in how he cares for Ali, respects her boundaries, empowers her abilities, and his hobbies are to die for!
Ali is the sweetest yet most calculating FMC you will EVER find. The pranks, the respect of boundaries, the way she adores her siblings…there are no words for how much I want to be Ali “when I grow up.”😉
Theo and her fit PERFECTLY together in how they support each others dreams while conquering each others’ insecurities.
(And a special note: I love Ali’s parents and Peterson depicted loving helicopter parents PERFECTLY)
Peterson handled Ali’s epilepsy representation in a non-graphic but still impactful way due to her oldest son’s history with epilepsy (read her acknowledgment in this book and bring tissues).
You need The Fast Land this summer. Don’t leave it on your TBR pile, or you will have huge reading regrets for how long you could have been loving (and laughing with) this book. Check it out!🌸
🌿 brother’s best friend 🌿 friends to more 🌿 epilepsy representation 🌿 road trip romance 🌿 forced proximity 🌿 second chance romance 🌿 no third act breakup 🌿 family reconciliation