Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Hard and Fast by Erin McCarthy

Synopsis:  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!

My Thoughts: Overall a good book but not as good as the first book in the series which I absolutely loved.

What Worked: I loved the Opposites Attract theme. Imogen was so smart to the point of social awkwardness and Ty was a popular likable guy but suffered from a learning disorder. He is an outdoors sporting guy and she's an inside, nose-in-book gal.

Their interactions were amazingly funny. Imogen spoke exactly what was in her head without thinking that it might not something that one discusses in everyday conversations.
 “I was born without the flirt gene. It's truly awful for me." That was no exaggeration. " I mean, look at how I screwed up last night with Ty. He was flirting and tossing off sexual innuendos, and I just looked at him and said I would not have anal sex with him."

"You what?" Suzanne shrieked so loud that Imogen saw half a dozen other fitness patrons swivel their heads to look at them. "Did he ask you to? At the party?"

"No, of course not." Which was what made it all the more ridiculous. "We were in the car and he was hinting about positions, what was to come, etc., and I just blurted out that I wasn't doing that with him."

"Girl..." was Suzanne's though on the matter, her expression one of total horror. "Do not bring up the back door unless he's knocking on it.”

Did I mention how much I love Imogen?

Not to be undermined, Ty was also pretty amazing. Because of his reading issues he developed the taste for audiobooks. To get Imogen to go camping with him he agreed to read Much Ado About Nothing. Not only does he listen to the full play but he memorized quotes.

What Didn't Work: The first half was full of wit and humor which I loved but I don't think the second half was as funny. In addition, Ty's reading issues were played out a little over the top for added conflict as his reaction to Imogen felt a bit extreme. In addition I thought Imogen's thesis idea was pretty ridiculous and I can't believe she thought to try a flirting experiment when she admits she can't flirt worth a darn.

In A Nutshell: I loved Imogen so much and Ty really complimented her personality by being her complete opposite.The interactions, humor and sexy parts between Ty and Imogen were worth the read even if the plot was a bit silly.

One of my favorite quotes....
“Ty:"It sounds pretty when you say it, but I have no clue what the hell you're talking about."
Imogen:"It's Shakespeare," she said.
Ty:"Well, I was pretty sure it wasn't Kenny Chesney.”


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