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.
Yes, Imogen, or as Ty fondly likes to call her in private Emma Jean or Engine, finds Ty extremely sexy and has been attracted to him from day one. Ty, according to Imogen, hasn’t noticed her at all. But Ty really has seen Imogen and he likes what he sees. A chance encounter during a rain storm on the porch of a friends house turns into something so much more.
Imogen finally decides on what her thesis should be but she’s finding that she’s not really into it – she’s more into Ty…and thank heavens he’s into her. Things get hot and heavy and Ty and Imogen end up in bed. They have some pretty hot sex, but Ty likes Imogen for way more than her body. Surprisingly it’s the same for Imogen. She expected to only like Ty’s body, but he has so much more to offer.
I liked this book, but I have to say I did have some issues with it. I very much enjoyed Imogen and Ty together, but there just wasn’t enough story. They were constantly in bed together…which wasn’t a horrible thing, but I thought the book needed more umph. Couple meets, has sex, professes love and yet, I’m left wanting more, more of their relationship. When the conflict in the book came near the end of the book it wasn’t unexpected but it was very harsh and very realistic – especially considering where their relationship had been. But when it was resolved I thought that even though the book was supposed to be a HEA it felt only like a HFN. They worked things out temporarily but the heated words that were spoken, to me, could not be forgotten so easily. They had a ton of stuff to work out in their relationship.
I really did enjoy the characters in this book however and I thought that even though they were flawed, it felt true to who they were. I think I enjoy that about most characters in Erin McCarthy’s books. She always write very true to life characters and I love that.
I hope the next book, hope, hope, hope, will be about Suzanne and Ryder – secondary character in both Flat Out Sexy and Hard and Fast. I very much want them back together (they’re currently divorced) even though we haven’t heard background on why they divorced in the first place. I can’t put my finger on my desire to see them hooked back up but I just do.
Overall a pretty good book.
Rating 3.5 out of 5
Good Morning Tracy:
Thank you for the great review of “Hard and Fast”. 🙂 I’ve heard so much about Erin McCarthy’s books, however have yet to read any. I do have “Flat Out Sexy”, on my list. I have to say the cover art alone of her books attracts the eye! lol
Regards
L
I liked this one, but have to agree it’s not as good as “Flat-Out Sexy”. Still, I saw the potential in their relationship. And I can’t wait for Suzanne and Ryder!
I have mixed feelings about Suzanne. I'm hoping that Erin will give her more depth than we've gotten in the last two stories. Right now she's fairly superficial to me, you know?
I really enjoyed H&F, but as everyone has said, not quite as much as F-OS. But the sex was unbelievably hot between the two characters.
Lea – This series is pretty darned good. I think you’ll like Flat Out Sexy. And yes the covers are scorching!
Stacy – I agree – they had a lot to work out. I guess when I get a true HEA I don’t doubt that they’ll be together for a long damned time. I just didn’t get that feeling here. I kind of closed the book with an awwwww….and boy are they going to have a lot of arguments in their life. lol
Kati – I think that Suzanne has been pretty superficial until now but I think it’s been a cover for her. She’s been surrounded by these couples who are falling in love and as much as she doesn’t want to admit it I think she still has pretty deep feelings for Ryder. Seeing these couples is making her darned lonely, imho, and that’s making her be overly loud and boisterous to try and cover.
I’m in the middle of this one. More to the chorus. Liking it, but not as much as FOS.
However, I didn’t have any expectations for FOS, but now, because I enjoyed it so much, I think I’ve set my bar really high for HaF.
Thanks for the review! 🙂
Hi, Tracy.
I enjoyed reading your interview. I remember seeing this book by Stacy and thinking it might be something I’d enjoy.
You’re not alone. I’m a fan of the relationship building as well.
Hey Tracy 🙂
I agree with you, it would have been better if there has been a bit more story. I also agree that how they reacted to the conflict was harsh. I mean, you just got engaged and suddenly, it’s over. The harsh words are hard to forget.
Ah well, still looking forward to the next one!
Two words- Wall Sex.
😛
Renee – That might have happened in this one to some extent for me as well. I’ll wait to hear your thoughts.
Barbara – Yeah that relationship building is really something I enjoy seeing and not something that’s too prevalent these days in so many books.
Nath – Yeah, that would have been a hard one for me to get over as well. It’s not like I felt they shouldn’t be together at the end but I really felt they had a tough road ahead.
KB – oh yeah. The Wall Sex was great. I’ve been reading a lot of wall sex and a lot of angry sex lately – not necessarily in the same books…but a lot.
Hi Tracy!
I’m going back and forth about about this novel. It has two things going for it that normally would make me buy it but I’m less enthusiastic about lots of sex without a bit of relationship building. Thanks for the review. 🙂
Taja – I don’t want you to think there was no relationship building at all, because there was. I just felt that it needed more.
I’m reading this one now too and have to say I agree with your review. I’m liking it but a little more character and a little less sex would make it better.
This book fell flat for me. It was missing something that the first book had. I wasn’t feeling Ty at all.