Customer Reviews

Hard and Fast (Fast Track)

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"Hard and Fast" by Erin McCarthy is the second book in the Fast Track series and an absolute hit. It's funny, sexy and hot, sweet and overall just great to read. I liked Erin McCarthy's books before this series but now I really love her work.
The book is about Imogen Wilson, a sociology grad student and stock car driver Ty McCordle (they met each other for the first time in "Flat-out sexy").
On the first glance two people couldn't be more different but still they are fascinated by each other. Imogen likes how relaxed but still focused and sure of himself Ty is and Ty is fascinated by Imogen's need to understand why people behave the way they do and her honesty. When they get to know each other more closely and discover that together they can relax, have fun (their camping trip is hilarious) and talk about Skakespeare they are suprised but also delighted by it. But after turning their relationship in a serious one they have to realize that the differences can be hard to overcome especially when Ty reveals his biggest secret (but don't worry, there will be a happy ending for them).
"Hard and Fast" is a great book and Imogen and Ty are an awsome pair. The way they treat each other is really sweet and I loved reading about them. This book has everything a good romance needs and Erin McCarthy's way to write makes this a fantastic read.
Another terrific point is that you get to meet Tamara, Elec, Evan, Suzanne and Ryder from "Flat-out sexy" (you need to read that one before "Hard and Fast") again. That's just great because it's not like it is with many other authors where characters from previous books just seem to disappear and are neglected. It's nice to see that Erin McCarthy really cares about her characters from "Flat-out sexy" and gives the reader more of them. Elec and Tamara are still are great pair and Suzanne and Ryder are definitely not over there relationship even though they are divorced for nearly two years. And don't worry about the future because there will be at least one more book in the series (about Suzanne and Ryder, coming in 2010 - yipieh!!!).
So get yourself a copy of this great book by Erin McCarthy (one of my favourite books of the year) and enjoy reading it.

Erin McCarthy is a keeper author for me and I was chomping at the bit for the arrival of Hard and Fast. This book, was worth the wait! We met Ty and Imogen in Flat-Out Sexy and this book continues immediately with their romance. Imogen is a delightful heroine. She speaks her mind, is very matter of fact, but all done in a sweet, innocent and endearing way. Ty is definitely an alpha-male but once or twice he his thrown for a loop by the seductive innocence of Imogen.
There was not as much car racing in this story as with Flat-Out Sexy, but Ty's background story of a successful man battling dyslexia was a better filler than the car racing would have been in my opinion. I loved that Ty listened to books instead of giving up completely on the "writing" world of story telling. I also loved how Ty a very strong man, was not too proud to let his assistant Toni Bodine in on his secret. I don't know what Erin has planned but I sure would love a story with Toni and Evan Monroe, Elec's brother.
The camping trip was a great side adventure! Imogen catching a fish and trying to camp in dressy casual was very amusing, but again just another thing that helps win you over with Imogen.
This story felt natural and seemed natural. The passion they felt for one another never seem forced upon the reader, and the circumstances in which everything suddenly spiraled out of control, was again, very believable.
Oh, and the cover isn't a hardship on the eyes either!
From the pre-teaser in Flat-Out Sexy, to the tale of Imogen and Ty I was never disappointed until the end when I realize, darn it, now I have to wait for Ryder and Suzanne's story!
Admirer's of Erin McCarthy will enjoy this story.
Anyone who's never read Erin I highly recommend you do! Start with Flat-Out Sexy and then lead the way to Hard and Fast, in no time you will be a fan.

Erin McCarthy first introduced her FAST TRACK series to readers with Tamara and Elec's story, FLAT OUT SEXY. Now those sexy race care drivers are back and it's time for bad boy Ty McCordle to fall in love and he does so quite HARD AND FAST.

Imogen Wilson is just minutes away from having her degree in Sociology. All she has left to do is research and turn in her thesis. Attending a stock car race with her two best friends, Imogen shudders having to sit next to Ty McCordle's latest blonde bimbo and listen to the woman talk. That is until the woman pulls a book out of her bag and Imogen realizes that in that one book, an instruction manual on how to catch and marry a racecar driver, is a gold mine of information for her paper. Now all Imogen has to do is complete the step by step guide and voila! Her thesis will be complete. She does not count on having to deal with Ty McCordle or the way he makes her feel and most definitely not the way he loves her.

Ty McCordle knows that his life is on the fast track to nothing. He is tired of dating women who have air between their ears instead of brains. He wants a family and that one special woman to come home to at night. Having met `Emma Jean' at a friend's house, Ty is secretly attracted to her. She is everything he has never dated and exactly what he wants. Convincing her to give him a chance, Ty does his best to make a good impression. When a misunderstanding threatens to divide them forever, Ty takes a chance on his `Emma Jean', a chance that just might lead to the loving forever that he craves.

HARD AND FAST hit me like a ton of bricks and didn't let up until I finished the last word. Having read FLAT OUT SEXY, I knew of Ty and fixation with women. I also knew that most of his fixation with them was from being bored. Imogen's character was such that she challenged the man behind the persona and I sat entranced reading their conversations. If their conversations were interesting, their love scenes were more so. Passionate and playful, they were hot enough to scorch my fingers. Each touch and caress made me blush and I loved every single hot flash!

HARD AND FAST is a great second installment for Erin McCarthy! I was captivated and completely enamored of both characters and the love they shared. Add in the facts and scenes dealing with car racing and I was set. HARD AND FAST releases in May and should not be missed!

Natalie S.

I really enjoyed the first book in the Fast Track Series & it made me really excited to read the next one.

Ty McCordle is a ladies man dating a complete, for lack of a better word, airhead named Nikki. Nikki's goal in life is to marry a driver - one that she takes so seriously she 'snacks' on bags of leafy green vegetables to remain skinny. The two of them, however, know that all they have is just a physical relationship.

Imogene Wilson is good friend to Tamara Monroe and a grad student at the University of North Carolina. Since she and Ty met she's been nothing but 'Emma Jean' to him. Prone to complete quirkiness and talking too much during inopportune times - she grabs you by the heart and doesn't let go.

They are complete polar opposites. She's northern, he's southern. She knows nothing about NASCAR, he's a NASCAR driver. She's a graduate student and the smartest women he's ever met. He has a secret about his own education that could completely change the way she looks at him.

When they finally get things going with one another, you can't help but route for these two. I literally laughed and cried - sometimes at the same time. Two real life concepts really put this book over the top for me: Shakespears and the book How to Marry a Racecar Driver. You'll also want Ty's assistant to be yours when all is said and done.

A very good continuation in what has quickly become one of my favorite series.

This is a great, light summer beach read. The story is about Imogen and Ty. Imogen is a grad student at the University of NC at Charlotte and Ty is a NASCAR driver. They meet through mutual friends and things heat up quickly. I liked the main characters and supporting cast. Their coming together was very sexy and sweet.

I was pleasantly surprised by this series. Even though it's not normally the type of book I go for, I tried it for a couple of reasons: 1) I like the author's Vegas Vampires series and 2) the story is based in the Mooresville/Charlotte area. I live in Mooresville, which is also known as 'Race City USA' because there are so many NASCAR teams based here. I'm not personally into racing, but I know a little about it since my hubby is a fan. I thought it'd be interesting to try story based where I live and about the sport that's so popular in this area. I'm glad I did!

I am looking forward to the next book in the series Hot Finish. If you haven't tried Erin McCarthy, she does a great job at writing humorous romance that will make you laugh. Her Vegas Vampires series is a fun paranormal romance. I also enjoyed The Pregnancy Test and You Don't Know Jack.

HARD AND FAST is the story of grad student Imogen Wilson and stock car driver Ty McCordle. While the two are total opposites, there is an instant attraction between them. Imogen accepts an invitation from her friend Tamara to go to a stock car race and ends up sitting next to a race bunny who's reading a book detailing how to snag and marry a race car driver. Imogen immediately knows that she has a topic for her thesis. She has had eyes for Ty McCordle for some time, but his dating said race bunny puts a damper on any hopes she has for attempting to check the courting rituals of drivers for herself. Before she knows it, Ty is available and undeniably interested in Imogen, but when he insists on a two-week "get to know you" courtship before taking their relationship to the next level, she is equally surprised and frustrated. When their relationship intensifies and Ty decides to share a huge secret with Imogen i.e. his dyslexia, she isn't turned off and doesn't find him pathetic or lacking as he had feared. Even so, her reaction isn't at all what Ty expects and after he makes some ugly accusations, he finds himself once again available.
Ty has battled dyslexia his entire life and while charm and an excellent memory have served him well, he's more than a little intimidated by Imogen's superior intelligence. When he discovers her thesis research, he quickly decides that he doesn't want her researching with anyone but him. As the two give in to their intense attraction and their relationship quickly turns serious, Ty knows that he's going to have to tell Imogen the truth about his dyslexia. While she is surprised, she isn't disgusted as he expects, but he's the one who reacts without thinking and Imogen's euphoria is quickly extinguished by Ty's accusations.
Imogen and Ty aren't your typical romance characters. Imogen might be bookish and totally lacks the artifice of many of the women who attract stock car drivers, but that is a rather minuscule part of her charm. She is a very sexual woman who knows what she wants and is unashamed in going after it. Ty may be smooth, but underneath the self-assured bravado he's vulnerable and especially uncertain of his future with Imogen. While the sensuality between them is abundant and intensely heated, they have real, heartfelt conversations and truly care for and respect each other. Imogen puts me in mind of Dr. Temperance Brennan on the television show "Bones" - brainy and beautiful, always speaking her mind, unable (and unwilling, besides) to hide her intelligence while remaining absolutely adorable. Erin McCarthy has once again given readers a beautiful love story that fits in its very own mold. I give this book (and this series) my highest recommendation!

Second in the Fast Track racing romance series revolving around a group of stock car drivers. The couple focus is on Imogene Wilson, a woman pursuing her master's in sociology, and Ty McCordle, a celebrity stock car driver.

My Take
It's about acceptance and appreciation. When Imogene loses Ty because of perceptions. And Ty's realization that she's not putting him down.

I just love how much Ty adores Imogene's straightforwardness; it's such a radical departure from the typical stereotype of what a man values in a woman. Even when he finds out about Evan's interest in her, he manages to hold back his jealousy knowing that he hasn't a hold on her...yet.

A very different, heartening romance.

The Story
Imogene knows it's pointless to fantasize about Ty McCordle. He's just not her type but Nikki's book, How to Marry a Race Car Driver in Six Easy Steps, just might hold the key to her sociology thesis: "Would the dating rules result in success when altered for a specific occupation?"

It's at a dinner party at Tammy and Elec's that Ty comes to realize how badly he needs to ditch Nikki and get to know Imogene better. A lot better. And the more he pursues "Emma Jean", the more he comes to realize just how much she means to him. Badly enough that he gets his assistant Toni to find him an audio tape of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing and a study guide for it. The deal is that Ty reads the play and the Manhattan-bred Imogene will come camping for two days.

Now the closest Imogene has ever come to camping is standing in line for a sale at Bergdorf's and yet it's a revelation to both of them as they learn and enjoy each other. As Ty appreciates more and more Imogene's honesty and matter-of-fact approach to communication.

The Characters
Imogene Wilson is Tamara Briggs' assistant at the university while she pursues her master's. A rather timid thing with an East Coast upper class persona, she is wildly attracted to Ty McCordle. Suzanne is friends with Tamara and has become one with Imogene.

Ty McCordle is one of the racing greats...and dyslexic. Accounts for his calling Imogene "Emma Jean". Meeting Imogene has made him realize what a pain Nikki Borden is to have around. Toni is his assistant.

Nikki Borden has her heart set on marrying a stock car driver. Doesn't matter which one as long as they have the money to maintain her in the style to which she wants to become accustomed. She even has a little book to help her achieve her life's goal.

Tamara is married to Elec Monroe (see Flat-Out Sexy. Suzanne was married to Ryder.

The Cover
The cover is tasty with the nicely-muscled hunk in his faded blue jeans trailing a jacket over one shoulder while he leans back against the side of a royal blue stock car, one elbow resting on the roof.

As for the title, yup, I'd say Ty was definitely Hard and Fast in bed and on the track.

I didn't enjoy this one as much as I did the first book. I just wasn't feeling Ty. He's not one of the race car drivers that stand out to me. Still a good read.

Nikki's character was so annoying! I wanted to slap her silly. She's a leech.

I found this book while perusing the library and I must admit the cover drew me in..hook, line and smoking hot man. I had no clue that this was a series, or that this wasn't the first in that series. Oopsie. It didn't take away from the book so it wasn't a deal breaker...but damn I hate when that happens LOL.

Imogen (and wow that an original name) is clinical, brutally honest, sexy lady that doesn't see herself in nearly the same light as those of the opposite sex. Does she have the body of a surgically enhanced female counterparts that are lusting after all the men at the racetrack? Certainly not, but what she lacks in the fake body parts department she makes up for in curiosity and an adventurous personality that allows her to do pretty much anything sexually. Except anal sex..and yes she actually says that out loud. No, I'm not joking. She reminded me over and over again of Temperance Brennan from Bones.Just saying whatever is on her mind. Zero filter between brain and mouth.

Imogen is writing a thesis on how to land a race car driver and if following the rules of the aptly titled book "How to Marry A Race Car Driver in Six Easy Steps" actually works. But when she herself starts to fall for Ty, the playboy of the race car world is the only thing on her mind.

Ty isn't the playboy he's depicted of being in all the books. It's not that he doesn't want to get married, just hasn't found the right woman. Imogen isn't the type he normally dates and that intrigues him thoroughly. At the height of his career he has nothing to fear, except having the rug swept out from under him by the smart, classy woman he is quickly coming to love. Showing Imogen the way to her sexuality is the best finish line he's ever seen.





Hard and Fast was a cushy romance that was endearing as much as it was sexy. It was the perfect book to read in between two YA's which is exactly why I did it. Imogen and Ty were totally cute together and had really good chemistry. There were a few sex scenes that had me going "wahhhhhhh?" As in how could that one be pulled off? But I guess that's what erotic romances are for right?

I found Ty to be very sweet and I loved the added complexity of the fact that he couldn't read because dyslexia. Imogen was a quirky loveable character herself, even if I said several times "omg why would she say that". Overall Hard and Fast was the perfect weekend getaway book. A book you pick up to escape the drone of your everyday life and in between more serious books. It's a book about release. And it accomplished that for me.


Nikki- Ramblings From A Chaotic Mind

i love the book since the first time i read it and when i brought i couldn't put it down and thank you for giving me the book it still is in the conditions it was in when giving to me