From the back of the book:

Not all marriages last forever…

Suzanne Jefferson is broke, which is why she’s given up charity work for wedding planning. Fortunately, she has a high-profile client - and best of all, he’s paid in advance. There are just two teensy problems: The bride is a bona fide bridezilla, and Suzanne’s ex-husband is the best man. At least she though he was her ex-husband.

…but this one might.

Two years after their marriage fell apart, stock car race driver Ryder Jefferson still can’t stop thinking about Suzanne. Which is why he isn’t too upset that, due to a glitch, the two are still technically married. Now he’s imagining easing Suzanne’s woes by satisfying her needs in the bedroom. After all, that’s the one room they never argued in. Besides,with wedding bells ringing all around them, Ryder is wondering if - even though they’d quit the race a few laps too early - they can still come strong with a big, romantic finish…

I was really looking forward to this book. In the previous Fast Track novels there had been glimpses of Ryder and Suzanne’s relationship, so I excited that they were finally getting their own book. I don’t know if my expectations were to high, but I just didn’t like this book. I felt like none of their problems were resolved at the end of the book. They were happy sleeping together, but anyone who has been in a long term relationship knows that isn’t the key to happiness. I just expected more emotional depth than was in the story. I’m hoping that the next Fast Track novel gets back to where the first two were.

the book girl gives HOT FINISH a 3/5

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From the back of the book:

Even a man on the run can enjoy the thrill of the chase…

After getting on the bad side of New York’s Irish mob, Liam O’Brien thought he could weather the storm back in Ireland. Working as a bartender in his parents’ old village of Ballycraig, he’s not looking for any trouble. But he could use a bit of fun.

Aislinn McCafferty has already been scorned once by a man at the wedding altar. Now, any man who tries to woo her is quickly and coldly dispatches. The unknowing Liam soon learns this the hard way - and is immediately intrigued.

Eagerly accepting a wager from the pub’s owner, Liam begins a determined pursuit of the stubborn and beautiful Aislinn, who in turn uses all of her wiles to rid herself of the charmingly determined Yank. But neither of them expects this donnybrook of the sexes to turn into love…

I was anxiously awaiting Liam’s story and I wasn’t disappointed. I loved the how this couple falls in love. Liam falls for the stubborn Aislinn and knows that he has his work cut out for him. I liked the way she made him work for her attention. Isn’t it almost every woman’s fantasy to have someone so captivated with them they will do anything to see them? My only problem with this story comes at the end. It’s hard to express without giving away a major plot point, but I can say that things happen rapidly at the end. It felt as though the story was moving at a good pace and then we hit Mach speed. STRAIGHT UP would have been perfect if not for this one thing, but it was a pretty big thing for me.

the book girl gives STRAIGHT UP a 3/5

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From the back of the book:

She thinks she’s Lois Lane…

Susan Collins always wanted to be a hard-hitting reporter, but there’s not much call for her talents in sleepy Glory, North Carolina. Then the Murder Mystery Club - a trio of enterprising octogenarians - decides to open their own CSI lab at the assisted-living center. And when strange “accidents” begin to happen around town, Susan senses she could be on to the news story of her dreams.

He doesn’t want to be her Superman…

Mark Tremayne has returned to Glory to take over as CFO of The Glory Examiner. His job is to keep the newspaper profitable, which means covering the annual Baptist Church Bake-Off and selling ads for the county fair - not allowing his too-sexy-for-her-own-good reporter to hare off after a wild story that could alienate some of the townspeople.

Together…they’re Kryptonite.

Mark’s and Susan’s viewpoints could be from different planets, but their mutual attraction is in total alignment. Despite their arguments, the indomitable redhead and the hot accountant are a sexual explosion waiting to happen. And when it does, Glory had better watch out!

This is the second book in the “Glory” series. I really liked the first book - TALK OF THE TOWN - but there was something missing in this one for me. I never could get into the story or Mark and Susan as a couple. There was something about the two of them that didn’t work for me, but I still can’t put my finger on what it was. I think I needed more attraction between the two of them. We are told over and over how attracted they are to each other, but to me it felt forced.

With any review it is best to remember that it is just the reviewer’s opinion. Lately I’ve gotten some “hate” mail about some of my reviews and a couple emails about how all of my reviews are too nice. The truth is I only read books that I hope I will enjoy - so most books get a good review from me. This book in particular didn’t work for me right now, but that doesn’t mean that if I re-read it in a year I won’t love it. I really hope that if the small-town contemporary romance is something you enjoy that you will give this book a chance.

the book girl gives LOIS LANE TELLS ALL a 3/5

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