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Fast Track #2
Hard and Fast
An experiment in romance...
New to Charlotte, stock car racing country, graduate student Imogen Wilson meets Ty McCordle, a driver who inexplicably has her pulse racing. After an encounter at the track with a woman whose main goal in life is to marry a driver, Imogen realizes she’s hit on the perfect thesis for her Sociology degree. If she follows The Rules on how to get a man, can she steer her way to into the hearts of the drivers and establish their dating—and mating—patterns?
That’s testing the limits of passion.
Although sexy and reckless Ty is the ideal test subject, she knows she can’t pursue him for the sake of science. Yet he’s the one who’s chasing after her, and Imogen realizes that she actually wants to be caught. A southern gentleman like Ty won’t fail to disappoint, will satisfy all her curiosity—and make all the risks worthwhile...
New to Charlotte, stock car racing country, graduate student Imogen Wilson meets Ty McCordle, a driver who inexplicably has her pulse racing. After an encounter at the track with a woman whose main goal in life is to marry a driver, Imogen realizes she’s hit on the perfect thesis for her Sociology degree. If she follows The Rules on how to get a man, can she steer her way to into the hearts of the drivers and establish their dating—and mating—patterns?
That’s testing the limits of passion.
Although sexy and reckless Ty is the ideal test subject, she knows she can’t pursue him for the sake of science. Yet he’s the one who’s chasing after her, and Imogen realizes that she actually wants to be caught. A southern gentleman like Ty won’t fail to disappoint, will satisfy all her curiosity—and make all the risks worthwhile...
306 pages, ebook
First published March 30, 2009
44 people are currently reading
4707 people want to read
About the author
Erin McCarthy
215 books4,822 followersUSA Today and New York Times Bestselling author Erin McCarthy sold her first book in 2002 and has since written over a hundred novels and novellas in teen fiction, new adult, and adult romance. Erin has a special weakness for high-heeled boots, beaches and martinis. She lives in Ohio with her family, two grumpy cats and a socially awkward dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 518 reviews
May 22, 2017
More miss than hit.
I'm torn between 2 and 3 stars. To tell you the truth, I partially liked this book but didn't love it. The first half was ok but dragged on a bit. There was not much happening and nothing particularly brilliant or memorable in this half. However, the second half got much better. Around midway through this half, I really thought this book would definitely get 4 stars from me. Damn, was I wrong! The last 10% of the story was a train wreck. Both Ty and Imogen (mostly Imogen) made me extremely frustrated! Urgh, I’d never expected this kind of drama. It was awful and stupid! It totally ruined many good things that I liked and really enjoyed about this story.
I have to tell you that this book wasn’t up to par in comparison with this author’s other works I’ve already read. I didn’t enjoy the story as much as I expected. There was no mind-blowing moment, not enough crack humor, and most of all, no chemistry between Ty and Imogen! None. Nil. Naught. Zero.
For me, the lack of chemistry between the main couple is bad, but it’s even worse when it feels forced, especially throughout the whole story. And the sad thing is that the above-mentioned problem just happened in this book… It was very disappointing. I still don’t understand why he felt so attracted to her. Well, I have no idea, really.
Nevertheless, since there was no pushing away, no love/trust issues here, plus Ty was also amazing (except near the end when he acted childishly) and endearing, I think I’m going with 3 stars instead of 2.
I'm torn between 2 and 3 stars. To tell you the truth, I partially liked this book but didn't love it. The first half was ok but dragged on a bit. There was not much happening and nothing particularly brilliant or memorable in this half. However, the second half got much better. Around midway through this half, I really thought this book would definitely get 4 stars from me. Damn, was I wrong! The last 10% of the story was a train wreck. Both Ty and Imogen (mostly Imogen) made me extremely frustrated! Urgh, I’d never expected this kind of drama. It was awful and stupid! It totally ruined many good things that I liked and really enjoyed about this story.
I have to tell you that this book wasn’t up to par in comparison with this author’s other works I’ve already read. I didn’t enjoy the story as much as I expected. There was no mind-blowing moment, not enough crack humor, and most of all, no chemistry between Ty and Imogen! None. Nil. Naught. Zero.
For me, the lack of chemistry between the main couple is bad, but it’s even worse when it feels forced, especially throughout the whole story. And the sad thing is that the above-mentioned problem just happened in this book… It was very disappointing. I still don’t understand why he felt so attracted to her. Well, I have no idea, really.
Nevertheless, since there was no pushing away, no love/trust issues here, plus Ty was also amazing (except near the end when he acted childishly) and endearing, I think I’m going with 3 stars instead of 2.
May 9, 2009
5+ stars – Contemporary Romance/Erotica
This is one of those books where I doubt a review is really necessary because considering how fantastic the first book in the ‘Fast Track’ series, “Flat-Out Sexy”, was and given the sexy-as-sin cover; it’s a no-brainer that even if it received bad reviews, I’d still have read it anyway and attempted to keep from drooling over the hunk-a-licious stud on the cover in the process.
But, it’s actually a great read and has lots going for it besides the hottastic book jacket. Like for instance great characters, Erin McCarthy’s clever and funny dialogue, sweet romance, and numerous touching, tender moments that actually make you sigh out loud.
“Flat-Out Sexy” is one of my all time favorite contemporary romances, so I’ve been waiting impatiently for “Hard and Fast” and had high expectations, and it didn’t disappoint. The romance between Ty and Imogen is cute, yet scorching hot. Although Elec is still my #1 favorite, Ty is swoon-worthy in his own right and runs a very close second. Imogen is fresh and funny and a truly original heroine. The two of them together are pure, combustible magic.
So, go ahead, indulge guilt free and read “Hard and Fast” because there’s more to it than just the perfect pecs and abs....you know you wanna! 5 stars!
This is one of those books where I doubt a review is really necessary because considering how fantastic the first book in the ‘Fast Track’ series, “Flat-Out Sexy”, was and given the sexy-as-sin cover; it’s a no-brainer that even if it received bad reviews, I’d still have read it anyway and attempted to keep from drooling over the hunk-a-licious stud on the cover in the process.
But, it’s actually a great read and has lots going for it besides the hottastic book jacket. Like for instance great characters, Erin McCarthy’s clever and funny dialogue, sweet romance, and numerous touching, tender moments that actually make you sigh out loud.
“Flat-Out Sexy” is one of my all time favorite contemporary romances, so I’ve been waiting impatiently for “Hard and Fast” and had high expectations, and it didn’t disappoint. The romance between Ty and Imogen is cute, yet scorching hot. Although Elec is still my #1 favorite, Ty is swoon-worthy in his own right and runs a very close second. Imogen is fresh and funny and a truly original heroine. The two of them together are pure, combustible magic.
So, go ahead, indulge guilt free and read “Hard and Fast” because there’s more to it than just the perfect pecs and abs....you know you wanna! 5 stars!
February 15, 2021
I loved this book. Ty was a very sexy, wonderful and realistic hero. I loved his names for Imogen (Emma Jean, Engine). I really liked Imogen as well, as I could relate to some parts of her personality. I thought they were wonderful together, I loved the idea of the smart, shy, scholarly New York city girl with the manly North Carolinan race car driver. The love scenes were very hot! I enjoyed every second of reading this story and loved the romance so this is a five star for me!
May 4, 2009
Here's a book that lives up to it's title! The characters in this story definitely fell hard and fast for each other, that's for sure. This second book in the 'Fast Track' series about stock car drivers was another extremely 'fast' paced, easy to read winner by Erin McCarthy. I found this one 'hard' to put down, and I knocked it out in one afternoon. This was a fairly simple read in regards to plot, but it was just smokin' in the romance/sex department. It's listed as a contemporary romance, but the love scenes between the H/H were downright erotic. Have a fan ready and plenty of ice, especially when Ty takes Imogen camping, because you'll need it!
Imogen Wilson is a graduate student in sociology, working on her thesis. She works in Charlotte, NC (racing country) as a teaching assistant to her good friend and sociology professor, Tamara Monroe (Flat-Out Sexy), and is searching for a topic for her thesis project. She's thinking about something to do with the culture of stock car racing in the South, but she needs something a little more specific. When she stumbles upon an unusual book called How To Marry a Race Car Driver in Six Easy Steps, she thinks she may have found her answer. Imogen figures that the basis for her thesis should be--do dating rules result in success when altered for a specific occupation (racing)? So her initial plan is to follow the rules of the book and see if she can find out.
But there's a kink in the plan, and his name is Ty McCordle. Ty is a stock car racer, good friends of the Monroes, and ocassionally his and Imogen's paths have crossed. Ty's not sure what to make of her, can never get her name right (calls her 'Emma Jean'), but something about her interests him. He's never gone for the brainy, studious type, but he's getting tired of 'his type'. His current bedmate, bimbo-ish Nikki, has marriage on her mind, and Ty can't see himself married to a woman that he can't even have a decent conversation with. He wants a woman who wants him for himself, and not one who is influenced by his fame and fortune. He finds himself fascinated by Imogen's honest, always curious personality, and as he looks closer, he sees that she's actually quite beautiful too, in an understated way. The time has come to break up with Nikki, and maybe pursue a more meaningful type of relationship--might Imogen be interested?
Well, Imogen's had the hots for Ty for months now, but there's no way she can complicate her thesis by flirting with him and trying out the 'rules'. She needs to try out the rules only on race car drivers that she has no interest in so she can stay in control and be objective. And there's no way that she can stay in control of herself if she has a relationship with Ty--the guy just oozes charm and sexuality. So what will it be--Ty or her thesis? What if there's a way to have... both?
I have to say, the dialogue between Ty and Imogen is top-notch and is part of the reason I enjoyed the story so much. It's witty, thought-provoking at times, downright funny, and laced with sexual tension and innuendo. Ty has a secret that he feels he can't tell anyone about, and it causes him a few anxious moments doubting his self-worth and intelligence, but you can see that he's a smart man, and so can Imogen. I loved when Ty told Imogen that he wanted to be a woman's 'work boots' and not her 'high heels', and his whole explanation of what that meant. I think that opened up Imogen's eyes to what kind of a man Ty really was. I really fell for Ty (as I'm sure most readers will)--I loved his whole beta on the outside, alpha in the bedroom personality. He got a little bossy at times, but Imogen (or 'Engine' as he sometimes called her) loved it, and it definitely worked in their relationship.
There were no big misunderstandings in the book, and nothing to really get in the way of Ty and Imogen realizing that they were each falling in love for the first times in their lives as they spent more and more time together. There were plenty of swoon worthy moments, especially when Ty took the time to memorize some Shakespeare (Imogen's favorite) even though it was difficult due to his 'problem'. Besides being a fantastic lover, he did lots of thoughtful things for her, and it didn't take him forever (like some romance heroes) to realize that Imogen was the one for him. I loved how he got Imogen to try new things and start participating in life and not be just an observer, and I appreciated his willingness to try things that Imogen was interested in. This guy was a keeper! They did have a bit of a bad period when Ty got overly defensive and Imogen was a little insensitive when he finally revealed his big secret to her. Each started to wonder that maybe they didn't know all they needed to know about the other, and started to doubt the relationship. Maybe they moved too fast?
Nah, not to worry. These two were made for each other, and I never had a doubt that they would patch things up. They had a beautiful reconciliation, and then true to form, they sexed it up. Ty and his 'Engine' were one sexy couple.
So for anyone who thinks you have to be a racing fan to enjoy this--don't worry. I'm not really a fan at all but I did learn a few interesting things about the racing scene in general, and it made an interesting backdrop to the story. Ty and Imogen were one of the most likable, hottest couples that I've read about this year, and there were many moments when my heart skipped a beat in this book (just like Imogen's) due to some of the things that Ty said or did. This was one hot hero! Maybe not quite as hot as Elec Monroe from "Flat-Out Sexy", but then who is? This was a very worthy addition to the series, and I look forward to many more to come. 4 1/2 stars.
Imogen Wilson is a graduate student in sociology, working on her thesis. She works in Charlotte, NC (racing country) as a teaching assistant to her good friend and sociology professor, Tamara Monroe (Flat-Out Sexy), and is searching for a topic for her thesis project. She's thinking about something to do with the culture of stock car racing in the South, but she needs something a little more specific. When she stumbles upon an unusual book called How To Marry a Race Car Driver in Six Easy Steps, she thinks she may have found her answer. Imogen figures that the basis for her thesis should be--do dating rules result in success when altered for a specific occupation (racing)? So her initial plan is to follow the rules of the book and see if she can find out.
But there's a kink in the plan, and his name is Ty McCordle. Ty is a stock car racer, good friends of the Monroes, and ocassionally his and Imogen's paths have crossed. Ty's not sure what to make of her, can never get her name right (calls her 'Emma Jean'), but something about her interests him. He's never gone for the brainy, studious type, but he's getting tired of 'his type'. His current bedmate, bimbo-ish Nikki, has marriage on her mind, and Ty can't see himself married to a woman that he can't even have a decent conversation with. He wants a woman who wants him for himself, and not one who is influenced by his fame and fortune. He finds himself fascinated by Imogen's honest, always curious personality, and as he looks closer, he sees that she's actually quite beautiful too, in an understated way. The time has come to break up with Nikki, and maybe pursue a more meaningful type of relationship--might Imogen be interested?
Well, Imogen's had the hots for Ty for months now, but there's no way she can complicate her thesis by flirting with him and trying out the 'rules'. She needs to try out the rules only on race car drivers that she has no interest in so she can stay in control and be objective. And there's no way that she can stay in control of herself if she has a relationship with Ty--the guy just oozes charm and sexuality. So what will it be--Ty or her thesis? What if there's a way to have... both?
I have to say, the dialogue between Ty and Imogen is top-notch and is part of the reason I enjoyed the story so much. It's witty, thought-provoking at times, downright funny, and laced with sexual tension and innuendo. Ty has a secret that he feels he can't tell anyone about, and it causes him a few anxious moments doubting his self-worth and intelligence, but you can see that he's a smart man, and so can Imogen. I loved when Ty told Imogen that he wanted to be a woman's 'work boots' and not her 'high heels', and his whole explanation of what that meant. I think that opened up Imogen's eyes to what kind of a man Ty really was. I really fell for Ty (as I'm sure most readers will)--I loved his whole beta on the outside, alpha in the bedroom personality. He got a little bossy at times, but Imogen (or 'Engine' as he sometimes called her) loved it, and it definitely worked in their relationship.
There were no big misunderstandings in the book, and nothing to really get in the way of Ty and Imogen realizing that they were each falling in love for the first times in their lives as they spent more and more time together. There were plenty of swoon worthy moments, especially when Ty took the time to memorize some Shakespeare (Imogen's favorite) even though it was difficult due to his 'problem'. Besides being a fantastic lover, he did lots of thoughtful things for her, and it didn't take him forever (like some romance heroes) to realize that Imogen was the one for him. I loved how he got Imogen to try new things and start participating in life and not be just an observer, and I appreciated his willingness to try things that Imogen was interested in. This guy was a keeper! They did have a bit of a bad period when Ty got overly defensive and Imogen was a little insensitive when he finally revealed his big secret to her. Each started to wonder that maybe they didn't know all they needed to know about the other, and started to doubt the relationship. Maybe they moved too fast?
Nah, not to worry. These two were made for each other, and I never had a doubt that they would patch things up. They had a beautiful reconciliation, and then true to form, they sexed it up. Ty and his 'Engine' were one sexy couple.
So for anyone who thinks you have to be a racing fan to enjoy this--don't worry. I'm not really a fan at all but I did learn a few interesting things about the racing scene in general, and it made an interesting backdrop to the story. Ty and Imogen were one of the most likable, hottest couples that I've read about this year, and there were many moments when my heart skipped a beat in this book (just like Imogen's) due to some of the things that Ty said or did. This was one hot hero! Maybe not quite as hot as Elec Monroe from "Flat-Out Sexy", but then who is? This was a very worthy addition to the series, and I look forward to many more to come. 4 1/2 stars.
May 11, 2009
OH MY GOD! I sat down on Saturday evening and didn’t get up until I finished this one 6 hours later!. I’ve been anticipating reading it since I read Flat Out Sexy a few months ago. I loved it.
Imogen is a friend to Tamara, the heroine from Flat Out Sexy. She is also a grad student working on her thesis. She gets sudden inspiration while at a stock car race, and sitting next one of the driver’s bimbos. The girl was reading book called “How to marry a race car drive in 6 easy steps” (or something like that). However, the bimbo’s current flame is Ty McCordle, the driver that Imogen has an impossible crush on. She decides to ignore her urges, and focus on her thesis. She wants to study the culture of stock car racing, and how the drivers and potential wives meet, and endure a life together.
Ty is tired of empty relationships with younger women. He has met Imogen a few times previously and though she is not his normal type, he is extremely attracted to her. She’s studious, over analytical, not at all the silicone pumped bimbo he usually dates. She even wears glasses!
Ty’s pursuit of Imogen is very sweet. I could not put this book down. Oh—the sex scenes!! The first between them has got to be one of the sexiest I’ve ever read. Ty is any woman’s dream in that department. The ending is a total fairy tale. *sigh*
If you’ve not picked this one up yet, you need to. What are you waiting for? You won’t be disappointed!!
Imogen is a friend to Tamara, the heroine from Flat Out Sexy. She is also a grad student working on her thesis. She gets sudden inspiration while at a stock car race, and sitting next one of the driver’s bimbos. The girl was reading book called “How to marry a race car drive in 6 easy steps” (or something like that). However, the bimbo’s current flame is Ty McCordle, the driver that Imogen has an impossible crush on. She decides to ignore her urges, and focus on her thesis. She wants to study the culture of stock car racing, and how the drivers and potential wives meet, and endure a life together.
Ty is tired of empty relationships with younger women. He has met Imogen a few times previously and though she is not his normal type, he is extremely attracted to her. She’s studious, over analytical, not at all the silicone pumped bimbo he usually dates. She even wears glasses!
Ty’s pursuit of Imogen is very sweet. I could not put this book down. Oh—the sex scenes!! The first between them has got to be one of the sexiest I’ve ever read. Ty is any woman’s dream in that department. The ending is a total fairy tale. *sigh*
If you’ve not picked this one up yet, you need to. What are you waiting for? You won’t be disappointed!!
June 8, 2009
Rating: 4.5 / 5
Did anyone else keep flipping back to the cover while reading this book to ogle the stud-muffin on the front? I know I did! But seriously, enjoyable book that's sort of a borderline erotic romance. Very steamy with interesting characters and a nice romance.
Hard and Fast is the second book in Erin McCarthy's Fast Track, NASCAR-centered series. I don't think you have to read the first book in the series to understand this one, but I do think it would be beneficial to read them in order.
Imogen Wilson and Ty McCordle first met in the previous book, Flat-Out Sexy. Imogen is a graduate student in sociology working on her thesis and is friends/associates with the heroine of the previous book. She met Ty threw Tamara and was instantly attracted to him, despite the fact that he could never get her name right. But Imogen assumed Ty was a shallow, typical sex-centered man because of the airhead he was dating.
At a party one night, they end up having a conversation together and end up enjoying it. When Ty breaks up with his girlfriend, he turns his attention to Imogen. She's nothing like his normal taste in women, but her intelligent, over-analytical brain intrigues him. Imogen, for her part, is equally intrigued, but she's torn between working on her thesis and getting to know Ty. Her logical side says there's no point in letting him pursue her, but she can't help herself. He's just so sexy and fun to be with. She realizes he's not at all what she thought. It isn't long before they're falling head over heels in love despite their differences. But the quick progression of their relationship and a secret Ty is keeping almost derail them.
What an odd interesting character Imogen was! Kind of a weird cross between uptight, proper lady, and curious, open, sensual woman. And some of the things she said! I was laughing out loud over some of the things that popped out of her mouth. She definitely made for an intriguing, atypical heroine to read about.
It was kind of hard initially to imagine her ending up with someone so manly and salt-of-the-earth like Ty. But they made a good opposites attract match. Ty was honestly attracted to her intelligence and enjoyed her analytical mind. And Imogen, for all her occasional griping, I think enjoyed the new experiences Ty brought to her life. They were fun to read about and the romance was definitely very steamy.
The book borders on that thing line between hot romance and erotic romance. It's much more graphic than your average contemporary book, but not quite as outthere as an erotic one. But it does have its graphic moments. So if you prefer things on a more PG level, then this is probably not the book for you.
As I usually do, I liked the fact that past characters (main and supporting) played a good-sized role in this book. I'm a big fan of continuity and it's nice to see how the past H/H and future H/H's (Suz and Ryder have to get back together!) are doing. It really adds a more well-rounded feeling to the universe the author creates.
Ty's secret was also a nice addition to the story. It's always nice to have the big, strong, sexy hero have a serious "flaw" that makes them seem more human. And it played a good role in the story considering the type of character Imogen was. It just added an interesting aspect to the overall story and relationship.
If I had one minor complaint about the book it's that sometimes Imogen's over-analyzing and the quirkiness that resulted went a little over the top sometimes. More than once I wished she'd just shut up and go with the flow. There was a lot of talking during some of the sex scenes and it got to be a little silly. Nothing major, but I thought that area could have been toned down a smidge.
Fun book to read, though. A nice romance, some steamy sex, great characters. It all adds up to another solid book from McCarthy in her Fast Track series. I will definitely be looking forward to the next installment...which I hope will be Suz and Ryder, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was for Elec's brother, Ethan.
Did anyone else keep flipping back to the cover while reading this book to ogle the stud-muffin on the front? I know I did! But seriously, enjoyable book that's sort of a borderline erotic romance. Very steamy with interesting characters and a nice romance.
Hard and Fast is the second book in Erin McCarthy's Fast Track, NASCAR-centered series. I don't think you have to read the first book in the series to understand this one, but I do think it would be beneficial to read them in order.
Imogen Wilson and Ty McCordle first met in the previous book, Flat-Out Sexy. Imogen is a graduate student in sociology working on her thesis and is friends/associates with the heroine of the previous book. She met Ty threw Tamara and was instantly attracted to him, despite the fact that he could never get her name right. But Imogen assumed Ty was a shallow, typical sex-centered man because of the airhead he was dating.
At a party one night, they end up having a conversation together and end up enjoying it. When Ty breaks up with his girlfriend, he turns his attention to Imogen. She's nothing like his normal taste in women, but her intelligent, over-analytical brain intrigues him. Imogen, for her part, is equally intrigued, but she's torn between working on her thesis and getting to know Ty. Her logical side says there's no point in letting him pursue her, but she can't help herself. He's just so sexy and fun to be with. She realizes he's not at all what she thought. It isn't long before they're falling head over heels in love despite their differences. But the quick progression of their relationship and a secret Ty is keeping almost derail them.
What an odd interesting character Imogen was! Kind of a weird cross between uptight, proper lady, and curious, open, sensual woman. And some of the things she said! I was laughing out loud over some of the things that popped out of her mouth. She definitely made for an intriguing, atypical heroine to read about.
It was kind of hard initially to imagine her ending up with someone so manly and salt-of-the-earth like Ty. But they made a good opposites attract match. Ty was honestly attracted to her intelligence and enjoyed her analytical mind. And Imogen, for all her occasional griping, I think enjoyed the new experiences Ty brought to her life. They were fun to read about and the romance was definitely very steamy.
The book borders on that thing line between hot romance and erotic romance. It's much more graphic than your average contemporary book, but not quite as outthere as an erotic one. But it does have its graphic moments. So if you prefer things on a more PG level, then this is probably not the book for you.
As I usually do, I liked the fact that past characters (main and supporting) played a good-sized role in this book. I'm a big fan of continuity and it's nice to see how the past H/H and future H/H's (Suz and Ryder have to get back together!) are doing. It really adds a more well-rounded feeling to the universe the author creates.
Ty's secret was also a nice addition to the story. It's always nice to have the big, strong, sexy hero have a serious "flaw" that makes them seem more human. And it played a good role in the story considering the type of character Imogen was. It just added an interesting aspect to the overall story and relationship.
If I had one minor complaint about the book it's that sometimes Imogen's over-analyzing and the quirkiness that resulted went a little over the top sometimes. More than once I wished she'd just shut up and go with the flow. There was a lot of talking during some of the sex scenes and it got to be a little silly. Nothing major, but I thought that area could have been toned down a smidge.
Fun book to read, though. A nice romance, some steamy sex, great characters. It all adds up to another solid book from McCarthy in her Fast Track series. I will definitely be looking forward to the next installment...which I hope will be Suz and Ryder, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was for Elec's brother, Ethan.
May 15, 2009
After deciding to create her doctoral thesis on the dating and mating rituals of stock car drivers, Imogen Wilsen wonders if she should test out her theories on the drop dead gorgeous Ty McCordle. He's hot, he's available, and best of all, he's looking at her as if he wouldn't mind if she tested out a few of her theories on his willing body. He sets her pulses racing, which unfortunately ruins her objectivity, but that's okay because hot sex is her reward. While no longer able to test out her thesis on him, she's more than willing to sample whatever Ty has to throw at her and then some. This mismatched pair soon has a hot passion that is blazing towards the finishline (sorry, couldn't resist) but will their love survive til the end? Or will their rushed romance end up crashing and burning (I can feel you rolling your eyes) before it ever really started.
Ty McCordle was a hot, dominating, adrenaline junkie of a man. He was perfect, almost too good to be true, but he was still not good enough to knock Elec Monroe from his top spot in my heart. I loved this book, but in comparing it to Flat Out Sexy, it comes up a little short. Even though I love alpha males and should by rights like Ty over Elec, something about Elec's sweet beta personality just hooked me. *sigh*
But enough about that.
Ty and Imogen were really great together. They were extremely compatible and were very well suited to each other in bed and were also communicative out of it. I liked Imogen's quirky behavior and while she was extremely intelligent and logical, she never came across as cold or mechanical, or at least in my humble opinion. Some of the things that came out of her mouth was pure gold. She was warm and compassionate and a perfect foil to Ty's boundless energy. This is one of those opposites attract type romances and Ty and Imogen knew it. Eager to share in new experiences, Ty drags the city girl out into the woods for a little 'get back to nature' camping trip and Imogen introduces the brawn over brains race car driver to William Shakespeare.
This was incredibly sweet and sexy, and an easy to read, fast paced contemporary romance. It even had a little bit of racing history sprinkled about which was really nice since I know squat about racing. This book was a little lite on the drama and substance, but it was very enjoyable and a lot of fun. I sped through this story with a happy smile on my face almost the whole time while laughing out loud at other parts. And even if you don't like it, you should still keep it around if only for the eye candy aspect of it. :) 4.5 stars.
Ty McCordle was a hot, dominating, adrenaline junkie of a man. He was perfect, almost too good to be true, but he was still not good enough to knock Elec Monroe from his top spot in my heart. I loved this book, but in comparing it to Flat Out Sexy, it comes up a little short. Even though I love alpha males and should by rights like Ty over Elec, something about Elec's sweet beta personality just hooked me. *sigh*
But enough about that.
Ty and Imogen were really great together. They were extremely compatible and were very well suited to each other in bed and were also communicative out of it. I liked Imogen's quirky behavior and while she was extremely intelligent and logical, she never came across as cold or mechanical, or at least in my humble opinion. Some of the things that came out of her mouth was pure gold. She was warm and compassionate and a perfect foil to Ty's boundless energy. This is one of those opposites attract type romances and Ty and Imogen knew it. Eager to share in new experiences, Ty drags the city girl out into the woods for a little 'get back to nature' camping trip and Imogen introduces the brawn over brains race car driver to William Shakespeare.
This was incredibly sweet and sexy, and an easy to read, fast paced contemporary romance. It even had a little bit of racing history sprinkled about which was really nice since I know squat about racing. This book was a little lite on the drama and substance, but it was very enjoyable and a lot of fun. I sped through this story with a happy smile on my face almost the whole time while laughing out loud at other parts. And even if you don't like it, you should still keep it around if only for the eye candy aspect of it. :) 4.5 stars.
May 15, 2009
I suspected this book was all about insta-lust and a throbbin' man ham, so I was pleased to find that there was a storyline involved too. A pretty good storyline even though there was no suspense, mystery, or romantic subplots.
Some of the things that popped out of Imogen's mouth didn't sound believable and the whole gist of her doctorate "thesis" (dissertation)was kind of dumb. I liked how Ty was willing to do anything and everything to win her, including dealing with his dyslexia and learning to read.
But like a few others, I had no problem putting the book down and picking it up later. It was pretty good, but I wasn't super involved in the story. It just wasn't a keeper for me.
Here are the top 5 things I learned from the book:
1. Hiking will make you horny
2. Camping will make you horny
3. Fishing can lead to the big "O" (won't my hubby be happy to hear that one?)
4. Race car drivers like to quote Shakespeare
5. It is possible to have sex with skinny jeans shoved to your knee caps so long as you are leaning up against a tree or in the backseat of a car
Some of the things that popped out of Imogen's mouth didn't sound believable and the whole gist of her doctorate "thesis" (dissertation)was kind of dumb. I liked how Ty was willing to do anything and everything to win her, including dealing with his dyslexia and learning to read.
But like a few others, I had no problem putting the book down and picking it up later. It was pretty good, but I wasn't super involved in the story. It just wasn't a keeper for me.
Here are the top 5 things I learned from the book:
1. Hiking will make you horny
2. Camping will make you horny
3. Fishing can lead to the big "O" (won't my hubby be happy to hear that one?)
4. Race car drivers like to quote Shakespeare
5. It is possible to have sex with skinny jeans shoved to your knee caps so long as you are leaning up against a tree or in the backseat of a car
September 1, 2017
Ágil y sencilla lectura. Le doy un 3,5. Me he divertido bastante con la historia de Ty e Imogen, dos personajes que parecen no tener nada en común pero que acaban siendo el vivo ejemplo de que los opuestos se atraen y se complementan. Por si eso fuera poco, la química entre ellos es... Wow
May 23, 2015
4 Stars - Easygoing, hot and cute - a goodfeel!
Is there anything better than a smart, hot and sexy, sweet book about adults (experienced and mature) people who fall in love, get together and let me go with them to the expected Happily.Ever.After. May I also laugh, smile, meet their nice friends (new and old book-friends in the stock car word) and avoid baddies, pesky intrigue and a lot of unnecessary anxiety, I'm fortunate. Just straight on towards big love! Is that what you want, it's atleast what I often want, then this book and the Fast Track series will suit you perfectly.
Imogen Wilson, a grad student, sees a do it yourself book with advice to women on how to succeed in getting a wealthy and young unmarried race car driver to the altar. Imogen finds this catching a man advices a little funny and sees a topic worth some research for her sociology thesis.
The women's charmer and racer Ty McCordle have had a good eye for this beautiful and smart looking woman (with glasses !!) for some time. One rainy evening, at a couple of friends' patio (now happily married Elec's and Tamara's from book #1), he gets the chance to get to know Imogen little closer.
Ty is sexy, easy going, cheerful, a fairly common and simple guy. Imogen is neat, scholar, think about the details and analyze your questions. She finds it difficult to see why an attractive man like Ty would see something special in her. He feels a certain degree of uncertainty due to his dyslexia and her NY look. She follows along on a camping trip and he reads (listens) to Shakespeare. And as always, I fall for a charming man, an intelligent woman, sex in tent, against walls etc etc. Cute, sweet, nice...
... anyway liking arises and it’s hot and fun all the way
and Ty is a really romantic guy.
I really enjoy these books. Maybe it could be called trite - I don't need to think about how this will end - but that's what's half the pleasure of this kind of "light" contemporary romances. I want a cute and funny adult romance - and that I get.
Hooray for talented the Ms. McCarthy, I will definitely keep reading about her hot racers, her mature women and their sweet love stories.
I Like - fun, hot and so sweet
Is there anything better than a smart, hot and sexy, sweet book about adults (experienced and mature) people who fall in love, get together and let me go with them to the expected Happily.Ever.After. May I also laugh, smile, meet their nice friends (new and old book-friends in the stock car word) and avoid baddies, pesky intrigue and a lot of unnecessary anxiety, I'm fortunate. Just straight on towards big love! Is that what you want, it's atleast what I often want, then this book and the Fast Track series will suit you perfectly.Imogen Wilson, a grad student, sees a do it yourself book with advice to women on how to succeed in getting a wealthy and young unmarried race car driver to the altar. Imogen finds this catching a man advices a little funny and sees a topic worth some research for her sociology thesis.
The women's charmer and racer Ty McCordle have had a good eye for this beautiful and smart looking woman (with glasses !!) for some time. One rainy evening, at a couple of friends' patio (now happily married Elec's and Tamara's from book #1), he gets the chance to get to know Imogen little closer.
Ty is sexy, easy going, cheerful, a fairly common and simple guy. Imogen is neat, scholar, think about the details and analyze your questions. She finds it difficult to see why an attractive man like Ty would see something special in her. He feels a certain degree of uncertainty due to his dyslexia and her NY look. She follows along on a camping trip and he reads (listens) to Shakespeare. And as always, I fall for a charming man, an intelligent woman, sex in tent, against walls etc etc. Cute, sweet, nice...
... anyway liking arises and it’s hot and fun all the way
and Ty is a really romantic guy. “But the truth is, I want to be some woman's work boots, not her high heels."
"Work boots?" What was sexy about that? And did women have work boots?
"Yeah. You know, the boots she pulls out when she wants to get down and dirty, hiking or gardening or boating or painting the kitchen. The ones she relies on and trusts and lives her life hard and good and on her terms in. Her favorites.”
I really enjoy these books. Maybe it could be called trite - I don't need to think about how this will end - but that's what's half the pleasure of this kind of "light" contemporary romances. I want a cute and funny adult romance - and that I get.
Hooray for talented the Ms. McCarthy, I will definitely keep reading about her hot racers, her mature women and their sweet love stories.
I Like - fun, hot and so sweet
October 23, 2013
**May Contain Spoilers**
Story Rating 3.5 Stars
Character Rating 4 Stars
Romance Rating 3.5 Stars
Heat Level 4 Stars
Overall Rating 3.75 Stars
When I started this book, I knowingly skipped book one of the series. I skipped it because it didn’t sound like I would really like it, but I did like the idea of the series (being set in the car racing world). I mean, who doesn't like a hot guy in a fast car? Am I right??
Anyway, with that, I gave this book a go, and...it was okay. I was able to read it in one day, and I liked the story, but it was a little too sweet for me. I still liked the H/h…I liked the supporting cast. But I was just in like with the book…never in love with it.
First, what I didn’t like…
The insta-love…GAHHHHH.
I hate that.
And I really hate when it happens after ONE WEEK.
Now, I know every book is not going to be a 5-star read, and I’m not going to love every book. BUT, I loathe insta-love. I’ve read very few books where insta-love seemed to work...and this one wasn’t one of them. Unfortunately.
So, boo to that.
OH! I almost forgot.
The wrap-up on the book was wayyyyyyy rushed. They had a HUGE fight...and then BAM! all is forgiven. Granted, it was supposed to be like two-weeks went by from the time of the fight to the kiss and make up situation, but it just didn't work for me. It was too neat and clean, then wrapped up in a bow and presented to the reader. I didn't like it.
Boo to too quick wrap-ups...take your time and come up with a realistic reconciliation.
What I did like...
I liked Ty and Imogen.
I looooved Imogens name. If I had a baby, I’d seriously consider that name.
But I won’t, so I digress.
Its unique and cool and fit her perfectly.
I liked that she was nerdy.
I liked that she was always 100% honest.
I liked that she was smart.
And I liked that she seemed like a real person.
Ty was a very realistic character as well. He saw the beauty in Imogen, and always made sure to be completely honest with her.
The story also had alternating POVs from Ty, Imogen and some of the supporting characters that helped keep the story fun and unique.
I heart alternate POV’s, so this made me happy.
So, with all of that said, I decided to give this book 4-stars.
I debated giving it 3, but the writing was really well done, and 3 stars wouldn’t be fair just because I didn’t care for the insta-love betwixt the characters of the book.
So…4-stars for you book.
Brava.
Here’s my casting for Ty…
March 28, 2010
Well this turned out to be surprisingly better than what I thought it would be and considering that I didn’t particularly love the first book in this series that made it all the better. I wasn’t going to pick this one up because I didn’t like the whole NASCAR backdrop from the first book and I didn’t really like how the two main characters came together but I did like how that book finished by starting the story between Ty and Imogen –two very unlikely people to have any kind of relationship let alone a romantic one.
Both the h/h are attracted to each other right off the bat but neither is too sure if the other likes them. Things start to steam up quickly and the relationship gets off to a good start without stupid misunderstandings considering how different they are. The story is pretty much just about them and how they get together. No annoying sub-stories or unnecessary filler.
The sex in this story is very hot without getting into any weird and kinky erotica. I wouldn’t call this erotica just a spicier than normal contemporary. It sort of reminded me of the level of steam in McCarthy's paranormal My Immortal. The writing style is good and I found it overall better than book one. Ty is a bit of a gentleman but not too much. Imogen makes for an annoying heroine sometimes with her insecurities and snobbishness plus the way she talks is a bit unnerving but there’s something about how she is with Ty that still makes her a likeable brainer. She’s sort of Miss Prim and Proper/soap and water and then suddenly she throws caution to the wind and lets it all hang out which makes for much more mellow and likeable character.
There are appearances from some of the other characters from book one, the best being Suz and Ryder. Elec and Tamara are back again as are their oh so lovely “get in the way” kids :-/ I didn’t like any of the parts with them – too schmaltzy.
What I also liked was that Ty’s dyslexia wasn’t a huge part of the story and when it was revealed it didn’t take precedence and define the hero as someone who needed saving which was nice to see. Ty’s a guy’s guy, a cool and sexy alpha who knows what he wants and pretty much goes after it.
Overall it was an enjoyable read, you felt a series continuity and the story came together well. If you like a good opposites attract kind of story this should definitely be one to check out. A solid 4 stars.
Both the h/h are attracted to each other right off the bat but neither is too sure if the other likes them. Things start to steam up quickly and the relationship gets off to a good start without stupid misunderstandings considering how different they are. The story is pretty much just about them and how they get together. No annoying sub-stories or unnecessary filler.
The sex in this story is very hot without getting into any weird and kinky erotica. I wouldn’t call this erotica just a spicier than normal contemporary. It sort of reminded me of the level of steam in McCarthy's paranormal My Immortal. The writing style is good and I found it overall better than book one. Ty is a bit of a gentleman but not too much. Imogen makes for an annoying heroine sometimes with her insecurities and snobbishness plus the way she talks is a bit unnerving but there’s something about how she is with Ty that still makes her a likeable brainer. She’s sort of Miss Prim and Proper/soap and water and then suddenly she throws caution to the wind and lets it all hang out which makes for much more mellow and likeable character.
There are appearances from some of the other characters from book one, the best being Suz and Ryder. Elec and Tamara are back again as are their oh so lovely “get in the way” kids :-/ I didn’t like any of the parts with them – too schmaltzy.
What I also liked was that Ty’s dyslexia wasn’t a huge part of the story and when it was revealed it didn’t take precedence and define the hero as someone who needed saving which was nice to see. Ty’s a guy’s guy, a cool and sexy alpha who knows what he wants and pretty much goes after it.
Overall it was an enjoyable read, you felt a series continuity and the story came together well. If you like a good opposites attract kind of story this should definitely be one to check out. A solid 4 stars.
May 10, 2009
Another hot hero from Erin McCarthy. "Hard and Fast" is book two in her series about stock car racing drivers and their rocky road (yes, I couldn't resist) to romance. Ms. McCarthy knows how to write heroes and heroines that readers can relate to and identify with. This time she's provided a bad boy driver and a cerebral graduate student in search of a thesis. Now there's two stereotypes you don't usually see together!
Imogen is sure she's finally found something new and different for her sociology thesis. Visiting the racing track with her friend, she ran into a woman with a book titled "How to Marry a Race Car Driver in Six Easy Steps". Now all she'll have to do is follow the steps to see if they work...not that she intends to actually marry a driver, but she's pretty sure nobody else has ever done research on this social group.
Ty is happy to be driving race cars and bedding pretty fans. Not too shabby for a man with dyslexia who had so much trouble in high school! Of course he's always careful to break it off with his flavor of the month before things get too serious since he's not ready to settle down. Is he? Well of course not. Otherwise he sure wouldn't be attracted to the brainy woman whose name he can't even pronounce correctly. She's not his type...right?
Erin McCarthy delivers her romance with heat, humor, and scads of laughter. The interaction between the hero and heroine will have you sweating and fanning yourself, and then laughing out loud. The relationships between her characters build steadily and readers always get to figure it out before the hero or heroine...which leaves readers (well, me anyway) happily smug. There's always a barrier to overcome and character growth which leaves me smiling. And her secondary casts of characters provide humor, relief, and tantalizing hints for future heroes and heroines.
"Hard and Fast" was a fun read for me. After reading the first book in the series, "Flat-Out Sexy", I didn't think I would like the hero of this book. But Erin McCarthy came through (as usual) by providing a closer look at what lurks behind the social mask this hero wears...and I fell a little in love with Ty myself. There's no danger (well, other than being a race car driver), no mystery, no intrigue; just pure southern romance that'll leave you with a big ole grin.
Imogen is sure she's finally found something new and different for her sociology thesis. Visiting the racing track with her friend, she ran into a woman with a book titled "How to Marry a Race Car Driver in Six Easy Steps". Now all she'll have to do is follow the steps to see if they work...not that she intends to actually marry a driver, but she's pretty sure nobody else has ever done research on this social group.
Ty is happy to be driving race cars and bedding pretty fans. Not too shabby for a man with dyslexia who had so much trouble in high school! Of course he's always careful to break it off with his flavor of the month before things get too serious since he's not ready to settle down. Is he? Well of course not. Otherwise he sure wouldn't be attracted to the brainy woman whose name he can't even pronounce correctly. She's not his type...right?
Erin McCarthy delivers her romance with heat, humor, and scads of laughter. The interaction between the hero and heroine will have you sweating and fanning yourself, and then laughing out loud. The relationships between her characters build steadily and readers always get to figure it out before the hero or heroine...which leaves readers (well, me anyway) happily smug. There's always a barrier to overcome and character growth which leaves me smiling. And her secondary casts of characters provide humor, relief, and tantalizing hints for future heroes and heroines.
"Hard and Fast" was a fun read for me. After reading the first book in the series, "Flat-Out Sexy", I didn't think I would like the hero of this book. But Erin McCarthy came through (as usual) by providing a closer look at what lurks behind the social mask this hero wears...and I fell a little in love with Ty myself. There's no danger (well, other than being a race car driver), no mystery, no intrigue; just pure southern romance that'll leave you with a big ole grin.
April 30, 2009
I enjoyed this erotic sequel to Flat-Out Sexy and look forward to more. The series should be read in order because the characters look to be overlapping and updating. Neat.
Hard and Fast had two neat characters (Imogen and Ty). There wasn't any bickering, but a nice budding romance that went from zero to sixty in a few pages. Imogen and Ty first appeared in Flat-Out Sexy: Imogen is Tamara's assistant and Ty was Hunter's godfather (Hunter is Tamara's child). The plot of the story morphed a few times as the book progressed, but I went with it. Started out that Tamara was researching how to date and marry a race car driver for a thesis...
Both Ty and Imogen were complete opposites, but the chemistry was strong and they steamed up the pages--often. There wasn't any suspense, but a nice easy-to-read erotic romance. Imogen reminded me of the character Temperance Brennan on the t.v. show Bones. The things that came out of her mouth...
I enjoyed it, but there was something lacking for me in the plot and characters and I wasn't compelled to keep reading for long periods of time; hence, the 4 stars.
Hard and Fast had two neat characters (Imogen and Ty). There wasn't any bickering, but a nice budding romance that went from zero to sixty in a few pages. Imogen and Ty first appeared in Flat-Out Sexy: Imogen is Tamara's assistant and Ty was Hunter's godfather (Hunter is Tamara's child). The plot of the story morphed a few times as the book progressed, but I went with it. Started out that Tamara was researching how to date and marry a race car driver for a thesis...
Both Ty and Imogen were complete opposites, but the chemistry was strong and they steamed up the pages--often. There wasn't any suspense, but a nice easy-to-read erotic romance. Imogen reminded me of the character Temperance Brennan on the t.v. show Bones. The things that came out of her mouth...
I enjoyed it, but there was something lacking for me in the plot and characters and I wasn't compelled to keep reading for long periods of time; hence, the 4 stars.
May 18, 2009
4.5 stars. Sexy, fun and great writing - just what I love about an Erin McCarthy book. This is an opposites attracks book, a favorite theme for me. The chemistry between Ty and Imogen was fun, and you never doubt for a moment why they want to be with each other despite their differences. Cant wait for the next in the series. Hope it is Ryder and Suzanne's story!
May 9, 2017
3 stars
I loved Ty, he was such a sweetheart and I loved that he called Imogen “Emma Jean” and “Engine”, it was so cute. Although I like awkward and quiet heroines Imogen was a bit too insensitive for me, especially near the end. Despite my issues with Imogen I enjoyed the romance, the sexy times were scorching and a lot of fun, but I must say the love declarations and marriage proposal was way too sudden, even for me.
I didn’t love this one as much as the first one, but it was still a very sexy and entertaining read.
May 7, 2016
I really disliked the heroine in this one. She's a biatch.
August 11, 2021
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May 5, 2017
This book was much better than the first one, Flat-Out Sexy. I liked Ty in FOS, and he and Ryder are the reasons that I continued the series because I wanted to read their books. Well, I'm glad I stubbornly continued the series because I really, really loved this book.
I love Ty. Love him. He is so sweet and cute and sexy and special. It sounds lame but he really was special. He was a hero I never came across before and I just love him so much! Annnd...I wanted to hug him so badly when he was embarrassed about his dyslexia and that he couldn't read! Poor thing *sad face*. And I loved Imogen too. I've been having issues with heroines lately in the books I've been reading, but I completely loved her. She was honest and brilliant and funny. "Emma Jean" and Ty were so damn cute together!
I still love Ryder, Hunter, and Petey in this book. And, surprise, surprise, I was actually able to tolerate Tamara in this one! And Elec (Ugh, that name!) was a cutie, too. Suzanne was the only character that I really had any issues with. Ever since Flat-Out Sexy, she has annoyed the hell out of me. She just...ugh. Yeah. So, I wonder how that is going to turn out for me when I read the next book of the series since it's about her and Ryder...
I have an unhealthy obsession with the cover of this book. The hips and the body and adorable smirk and the jeans low on the hips...*drools* I don't know how many times I flipped the book over when I was reading just to stare at it. The guy is totally lickable!
So, like I said before, I'm really glad I decided to continue this series. I'm hoping that the first book was a horrible anomaly and that the rest of the series is really great. So far, so good. Here's to hoping it continues that way!
I love Ty. Love him. He is so sweet and cute and sexy and special. It sounds lame but he really was special. He was a hero I never came across before and I just love him so much! Annnd...I wanted to hug him so badly when he was embarrassed about his dyslexia and that he couldn't read! Poor thing *sad face*. And I loved Imogen too. I've been having issues with heroines lately in the books I've been reading, but I completely loved her. She was honest and brilliant and funny. "Emma Jean" and Ty were so damn cute together!
I still love Ryder, Hunter, and Petey in this book. And, surprise, surprise, I was actually able to tolerate Tamara in this one! And Elec (Ugh, that name!) was a cutie, too. Suzanne was the only character that I really had any issues with. Ever since Flat-Out Sexy, she has annoyed the hell out of me. She just...ugh. Yeah. So, I wonder how that is going to turn out for me when I read the next book of the series since it's about her and Ryder...
I have an unhealthy obsession with the cover of this book. The hips and the body and adorable smirk and the jeans low on the hips...*drools* I don't know how many times I flipped the book over when I was reading just to stare at it. The guy is totally lickable!
So, like I said before, I'm really glad I decided to continue this series. I'm hoping that the first book was a horrible anomaly and that the rest of the series is really great. So far, so good. Here's to hoping it continues that way!
August 2, 2012
Finished this a few days ago. Fantastic! Even sexier than the first one in the series.
Lots of humor, and great characterization. Loved it!
- This is the 2nd book in Erin McCarthy's "Fast Track" series. I'll be picking up the third soon!
Lots of humor, and great characterization. Loved it!
- This is the 2nd book in Erin McCarthy's "Fast Track" series. I'll be picking up the third soon!
October 10, 2017
si digo que Ty es fkljaskljfañiruañilñk me quedo corta... madreeeeee
May 5, 2015
Contemporary romance. 5 stars.
Wow! I'm amazed by this hilarious, sappy and very steamy story. Where have you been and why haven't I read you before? There are few things better than trying a new author and finding a new favorite book. I laughed so much, you know really laughing my ass off, and grinning so much that my cheeks hurt. I want to read it again!
I could so relate to Imogen (maybe because I'm also a PhD student, a bit of nerd, not pretty-pretty and straightforward). She cracked me up with her blunt honesty and sharp observations. I want to wear my glasses more after seeing how sexy Ty thought they were (not mine, but Imogen's).
"She is beautiful, sexy as hell, and smart. I mean, we have great sex and great conversations. Who know this was possible?"
Ty falls head over heels in love with her and he makes her feel so special. And boy, Ty is one hot race car driver *fanning myself*
And I tiny little bonus, Imogen uses one of my favorite words ginormous - yeey for that!
Wow! I'm amazed by this hilarious, sappy and very steamy story. Where have you been and why haven't I read you before? There are few things better than trying a new author and finding a new favorite book. I laughed so much, you know really laughing my ass off, and grinning so much that my cheeks hurt. I want to read it again!
I could so relate to Imogen (maybe because I'm also a PhD student, a bit of nerd, not pretty-pretty and straightforward). She cracked me up with her blunt honesty and sharp observations. I want to wear my glasses more after seeing how sexy Ty thought they were (not mine, but Imogen's).
"She is beautiful, sexy as hell, and smart. I mean, we have great sex and great conversations. Who know this was possible?"
Ty falls head over heels in love with her and he makes her feel so special. And boy, Ty is one hot race car driver *fanning myself*
And I tiny little bonus, Imogen uses one of my favorite words ginormous - yeey for that!
October 31, 2012
I upped the stars on the re-read...loved their walk in the woods and lovin' up against the tree...been there, done that!
Ty and Imogen were great together. I really loved their chemistry and their banter. The smexing was steamy and I loved Ty's dominant tendancies.
Imogen is a character that has lingered with him. I often forget the heroine's names in books (perhaps inserting myself instead of them???) but I found her hilarious and her lack of "game" was just too funny in the NASCAR world of "playa's".
Ty earned her love through his charm and romance, but he fought to get her love back with his honesty and perseverance.
Great read!
Ty and Imogen were great together. I really loved their chemistry and their banter. The smexing was steamy and I loved Ty's dominant tendancies.
Imogen is a character that has lingered with him. I often forget the heroine's names in books (perhaps inserting myself instead of them???) but I found her hilarious and her lack of "game" was just too funny in the NASCAR world of "playa's".
Ty earned her love through his charm and romance, but he fought to get her love back with his honesty and perseverance.
Great read!
December 20, 2015
DNF@18% ~ I just didn't hit it off with these characters. The instant chemistry wasn't believable. I was already a little uncertain about the series after book1 so I guess this puts it to rest! So many more books to read!!
April 23, 2015
You would think this line, “you’re the hottest biscuit this side of the gravy boat” said by the hero to the heroine after an extreme hot and heavy session of sex would sound very corny. But coming from Ty McCordle, Erin McCarthy’s hero in Hard and Fast, is exactly what you would expect him to say. Ty has a way with words, as does his lover Imogen Wilson. The discussions and conversations between these two is what makes Hard and Fast one of the most enjoyable books I have read so far this year. It is so great to have a book where the main characters are up front with one another. They communicate perfectly with their frank discussion about sex and what they are looking for in a significant other. Ty and Imogen have a no holds bar relationship and is exactly the one I would love to have if and when I meet Mister Right. Erin McCarthy really does push the limits with the intimacy and sex between these two. All the sexual cards are on the table and Imogen is willing to do whatever Ty wants because he understand her like no one else does.
We first met Ty and Imogen in Flat Out Sexy. Imogen is a born and bred New York City sociology grad student who is trying to decide on her thesis project. She feels that stock car racing in North Carolina is a great jumping-off point but she needs to be a little more specific in what she wants to write about. Imogen is much like a fish out of water in this environment. She wears glasses and is the perfect model for Ann Taylor clothes. Plus she is brainy and a bit stiff. She is a bit out of sorts because she has it bad for Ty McCordle, the sexy race car driver who is a good old down Southern boy. He seems to be the total opposite of Imogen. Poor Imogen is very attracted to Ty even though he likes to date the track bunnies such as his latest girlfriend, airhead Nikki whose goal is to marry a race car driver. Nikki even has a how to book in landing one and from that Imogen finds the perfect topic for her thesis.
Ty tends to date the same type of woman over and over and when Nikki hints at marriage, he decides to end things. Actually Nikki ends things first in a hilarious scene while Ty and Imogen are talking to one another in Imogen’s car. Ty is not the marrying kind. He is not sure why marriage is so appealing to others like his friend Elec who just got hitched. Now that Ty knows things between him and Nikki are over, he zones in on Imogen. There is something he finds so attractive about Imogen. He thinks her intelligence is sexy. He admires her in every way and would love nothing better to soak her up, just like a biscuit does with gravy (sorry, I had to throw that in there). Ty is up front with what he wants from Imogen. Imogen seems to respect that in Ty and instead of just jumping into bed with one another, they talk about the steps they will take to get there. Imogen is in the mood for a no thrill love affair and because she is hot for Ty, so why not enjoy what he has to offer? And what Ty offers Imogen or Emma Jean as he calls her is unlike anything she has ever experienced.
If you thought Flat Out Sexy was sexy as all get out, Hard and Fast puts that book to shame. Erin really stretched the limits with the sex she writes. This is one of the hottest books I have ever read. This is definitely more erotic in nature that Erin’s past books. The first sex scene between Ty and Imogen is on fire. These two are so combustible together. I was wide eyed as I read and for the first time in a very long, long time I couldn’t stop blushing. The things Ty does to Imogen are so incredibly intimate. He pulls out all the stops and nothing between them is taboo. The man loves oral sex. He is the most oral sex happy hero I have ever read! And it is so great that Imogen is so open with Ty. Other than not being too keen on anal sex, which she says up front, she welcomes Ty’s administrations with open arms and legs.
These two also have fun together out of bed. Ty introduces Imogen to new things such as camping, fishing and the fun of sleeping bag sex. Imogen wants Ty to try some Shakespeare, which he does, but learns the Bard in his own special way. (Ty has a little secret about reading that if it got out would bring him shame)
Ty and Imogen click in such a way that is so very special. They have a meeting of the minds that all men and women should have both in fiction and in real life. Hard and Fast shows that attraction may start with a person’s looks, but in order to keep it lasting, it is how they use their noggin that matters most.
We first met Ty and Imogen in Flat Out Sexy. Imogen is a born and bred New York City sociology grad student who is trying to decide on her thesis project. She feels that stock car racing in North Carolina is a great jumping-off point but she needs to be a little more specific in what she wants to write about. Imogen is much like a fish out of water in this environment. She wears glasses and is the perfect model for Ann Taylor clothes. Plus she is brainy and a bit stiff. She is a bit out of sorts because she has it bad for Ty McCordle, the sexy race car driver who is a good old down Southern boy. He seems to be the total opposite of Imogen. Poor Imogen is very attracted to Ty even though he likes to date the track bunnies such as his latest girlfriend, airhead Nikki whose goal is to marry a race car driver. Nikki even has a how to book in landing one and from that Imogen finds the perfect topic for her thesis.
Ty tends to date the same type of woman over and over and when Nikki hints at marriage, he decides to end things. Actually Nikki ends things first in a hilarious scene while Ty and Imogen are talking to one another in Imogen’s car. Ty is not the marrying kind. He is not sure why marriage is so appealing to others like his friend Elec who just got hitched. Now that Ty knows things between him and Nikki are over, he zones in on Imogen. There is something he finds so attractive about Imogen. He thinks her intelligence is sexy. He admires her in every way and would love nothing better to soak her up, just like a biscuit does with gravy (sorry, I had to throw that in there). Ty is up front with what he wants from Imogen. Imogen seems to respect that in Ty and instead of just jumping into bed with one another, they talk about the steps they will take to get there. Imogen is in the mood for a no thrill love affair and because she is hot for Ty, so why not enjoy what he has to offer? And what Ty offers Imogen or Emma Jean as he calls her is unlike anything she has ever experienced.
If you thought Flat Out Sexy was sexy as all get out, Hard and Fast puts that book to shame. Erin really stretched the limits with the sex she writes. This is one of the hottest books I have ever read. This is definitely more erotic in nature that Erin’s past books. The first sex scene between Ty and Imogen is on fire. These two are so combustible together. I was wide eyed as I read and for the first time in a very long, long time I couldn’t stop blushing. The things Ty does to Imogen are so incredibly intimate. He pulls out all the stops and nothing between them is taboo. The man loves oral sex. He is the most oral sex happy hero I have ever read! And it is so great that Imogen is so open with Ty. Other than not being too keen on anal sex, which she says up front, she welcomes Ty’s administrations with open arms and legs.
These two also have fun together out of bed. Ty introduces Imogen to new things such as camping, fishing and the fun of sleeping bag sex. Imogen wants Ty to try some Shakespeare, which he does, but learns the Bard in his own special way. (Ty has a little secret about reading that if it got out would bring him shame)
Ty and Imogen click in such a way that is so very special. They have a meeting of the minds that all men and women should have both in fiction and in real life. Hard and Fast shows that attraction may start with a person’s looks, but in order to keep it lasting, it is how they use their noggin that matters most.
February 27, 2010
I found this second book in McCarthy's Fast Track racing series an easy read, but not as compelling for me in the romance as "Flat Out Sexy." Imogen and Ty were an "opposites attract" romance, and they indeed were: Imogen was a serious Upper East Side NY girl working on her doctorate in sociology, and Ty was a sexy party-boy racecar driver working on how many women he could nail. They were introduced via the H/h in "Flat Out Sexy," and I have to say that there second meeting in this book was smokin'! I felt the chemistry between the two like a lightening bolt, so I had no doubt of their own mystified feelings of how could two such different people be so drawn to each other. In that way, the book was really engaging and the author got the story off to the good start.
Unfortunately, I found it did sag a bit in the middle as Ty and Imogen were discovering each other. A few of the love scenes in the middle of the book were just unnecessary and followed each other too closely, while I could have used a good one at the end instead. Imogen's personality-type was also a bit too stuffy/dorky at times for me to believe Ty would have been so drawn to her (or thought it was as "cute" to him as the author portrayed it), but I suppose that's the premise of the "opposites attract" theme the book was written around. It just felt a little TOO orchestrated at times, and I got the feeling the author was "forcing" Ty's reactions in that regard -- just didn't feel convincing. I found myself easily distracted from reading around the middle of the book. Still interested in their romance, but just not overly compelling, and found it easy to put the book down to do other things.
Fortunately, things got much better in the finale when the author added some conflict between the H/h, which this love story definitely needed to give it some "oomph." The H/h were just TOO (almost boringly) sympatico during their discovery of each other. So when they finally came up against their "opposites" causing conflict, it gave there love story a "jolt" and I realized (like they did) just how well McCarthy had actually written that chemistry she had set up along the way (and reminded me how strong it was in the beginning of the book, as well as the first book in the series). Good job there! My heart ached all over the place for both of them toward the end, and I sucked down the ending of the book.
Lastly, I was really disappointed in the way the author ended the story. It was way too abrupt, and, as I previously noted, it could have used an infusion of at least one good sexy but loving make-up sex scene toward the end. The H/h do have their moment, but there's no real detail or "feeling" to the scene (more of a "telling"), and it also drops off the edge with a cliffhanger for our couple in the first book - AARG! I personally HATE that, but if you're a reader who doesn't mind waiting for the next book to reveal all (hopefully!), I guess you won't mind it.
My final opinion: This story has lots of highs, a few lows, but overall is worth the effort.
K.
Unfortunately, I found it did sag a bit in the middle as Ty and Imogen were discovering each other. A few of the love scenes in the middle of the book were just unnecessary and followed each other too closely, while I could have used a good one at the end instead. Imogen's personality-type was also a bit too stuffy/dorky at times for me to believe Ty would have been so drawn to her (or thought it was as "cute" to him as the author portrayed it), but I suppose that's the premise of the "opposites attract" theme the book was written around. It just felt a little TOO orchestrated at times, and I got the feeling the author was "forcing" Ty's reactions in that regard -- just didn't feel convincing. I found myself easily distracted from reading around the middle of the book. Still interested in their romance, but just not overly compelling, and found it easy to put the book down to do other things.
Fortunately, things got much better in the finale when the author added some conflict between the H/h, which this love story definitely needed to give it some "oomph." The H/h were just TOO (almost boringly) sympatico during their discovery of each other. So when they finally came up against their "opposites" causing conflict, it gave there love story a "jolt" and I realized (like they did) just how well McCarthy had actually written that chemistry she had set up along the way (and reminded me how strong it was in the beginning of the book, as well as the first book in the series). Good job there! My heart ached all over the place for both of them toward the end, and I sucked down the ending of the book.
Lastly, I was really disappointed in the way the author ended the story. It was way too abrupt, and, as I previously noted, it could have used an infusion of at least one good sexy but loving make-up sex scene toward the end. The H/h do have their moment, but there's no real detail or "feeling" to the scene (more of a "telling"), and it also drops off the edge with a cliffhanger for our couple in the first book - AARG! I personally HATE that, but if you're a reader who doesn't mind waiting for the next book to reveal all (hopefully!), I guess you won't mind it.
My final opinion: This story has lots of highs, a few lows, but overall is worth the effort.
K.
October 21, 2012
Erin McCarthy's characters have to have sex after the first eye contact. I am not new to a term called 'one night stand' or sizzling chemistry, or what body wants body gets but cut the crap with social analysis connected with chat and trap innuendos. It's obvious that each sentence, each word could be an innuendo for something so don't play all cute and innocent and surprised because did he really say that. No, even better, did he really say what he was actually thinking deep down (in his case - very shallow).
Lets analyse word - Ai. It's more like a sound, so even better. 1. Innuendo for what do you want? 2. With lifted eyebrow gets 'how you doin'?' connotation. 3. A statement. 4. A surprised question. Just play with intonations and accents a bit and I'm sure that the list with AI is endless.
So if AI is so wonderful and rich, imagine what word HOT hides. Probably even word leek, if I think deeper, can have something sexual in it. Long as leek, smelly as leek, get off of me you lecherous leek (for those who are not into this vegetable).
If I ever reread this review again and if I confuse myself with the bullshit that I wrote up in the beginning, this is a reminder to how bad this book is: ''Are you aroused?'' She wasn't sure although she saw his immense bulge in trousers. ''Are you aroused?'' she asked again. ''Yes,'' he said ''can't you see my bulge?'' And I drive cars.''
''Wow.'' said Imogen or Emma Jean.
''Well, fuck me, join the Nicole Scherzinger club'' said Jana for the review.
Lets analyse word - Ai. It's more like a sound, so even better. 1. Innuendo for what do you want? 2. With lifted eyebrow gets 'how you doin'?' connotation. 3. A statement. 4. A surprised question. Just play with intonations and accents a bit and I'm sure that the list with AI is endless.
So if AI is so wonderful and rich, imagine what word HOT hides. Probably even word leek, if I think deeper, can have something sexual in it. Long as leek, smelly as leek, get off of me you lecherous leek (for those who are not into this vegetable).
If I ever reread this review again and if I confuse myself with the bullshit that I wrote up in the beginning, this is a reminder to how bad this book is: ''Are you aroused?'' She wasn't sure although she saw his immense bulge in trousers. ''Are you aroused?'' she asked again. ''Yes,'' he said ''can't you see my bulge?'' And I drive cars.''
''Wow.'' said Imogen or Emma Jean.
''Well, fuck me, join the Nicole Scherzinger club'' said Jana for the review.
November 26, 2010
This is such a great series! I had no clue it would be this good, if I had I definitely would have started it much sooner.
This book was not as good as the first but still an amazing read. What I liked the most about the series is that you get to care for the characters and their lives. I love it when an author is able to give different personalities to each of their characters. Some series I read have started to be very predictable because all the characters behave the very same way (specially in paranormal romance) so this was an amazing change, at least for a while. I'm having an amazing time reading contemporary romance right now.
I liked the two main characters, didn't loved them but really enjoyed reading about them. The heroine was just weird but funny and the hero was hot as in all this typer of romances. But what I love the most about this series is how the author writes it! She really knows what she's doing. And you NEED TO KNOW that even though this is contemporary romance, it REALLY has some mayor hot scenes in it, well plenty of them,lol, which makes it even better than other contemporary romances out there. Still, my fav thing in this series is the plot, you just gotta love books about car racers, I never though I would but I can't seem to help it. I really have a HUGE CRUSH with this books about sports.
Can't wait to read book 3!!!
This book was not as good as the first but still an amazing read. What I liked the most about the series is that you get to care for the characters and their lives. I love it when an author is able to give different personalities to each of their characters. Some series I read have started to be very predictable because all the characters behave the very same way (specially in paranormal romance) so this was an amazing change, at least for a while. I'm having an amazing time reading contemporary romance right now.
I liked the two main characters, didn't loved them but really enjoyed reading about them. The heroine was just weird but funny and the hero was hot as in all this typer of romances. But what I love the most about this series is how the author writes it! She really knows what she's doing. And you NEED TO KNOW that even though this is contemporary romance, it REALLY has some mayor hot scenes in it, well plenty of them,lol, which makes it even better than other contemporary romances out there. Still, my fav thing in this series is the plot, you just gotta love books about car racers, I never though I would but I can't seem to help it. I really have a HUGE CRUSH with this books about sports.
Can't wait to read book 3!!!
January 3, 2011
This is your typical smart girl falls in love with the unattainable hot shot athlete.
Ty McCordle was introduced to us in 'Flat Out Sexy'. He came across as a laid back, ladies man, but in this book becomes more much 3 dimensional. Ty is dyslexic and never learned how to read.
The romance between Imogen and Ty was very sweet. I found myself frustrated by Imogen and her lack of being able to be discreet, but that is part of her charm. Ty's insecurity was examined and I found it heartbreaking, but I also found him extremely courageous. He was the best part of this book.
I recommend this series. The next book up is Suzanne and Ryder's. Suzanne is my favorite character of this series. Her sense of humor is priceless, and I am counting the days until their story arrives in the mail!
Ty McCordle was introduced to us in 'Flat Out Sexy'. He came across as a laid back, ladies man, but in this book becomes more much 3 dimensional. Ty is dyslexic and never learned how to read.
The romance between Imogen and Ty was very sweet. I found myself frustrated by Imogen and her lack of being able to be discreet, but that is part of her charm. Ty's insecurity was examined and I found it heartbreaking, but I also found him extremely courageous. He was the best part of this book.
I recommend this series. The next book up is Suzanne and Ryder's. Suzanne is my favorite character of this series. Her sense of humor is priceless, and I am counting the days until their story arrives in the mail!
May 8, 2009
WOW, WOW, WOW!!!
This is an amazing book. Never before have I liked every aspect of a book, but that is no longer the case. Ty and Imogene were fantastic! He was so good to her and she was not full of insecurities that some books are filled with. It was just such a great book!
This is an amazing book. Never before have I liked every aspect of a book, but that is no longer the case. Ty and Imogene were fantastic! He was so good to her and she was not full of insecurities that some books are filled with. It was just such a great book!
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