Book Review | ‘A Fast Woman’ by Laralyn Doran

A Fast Woman
By: Laralyn Doran

Series: Driven Women Series
Book #: 1

Genre: Sports (Racing) Romance
Trope: Enemies To Lovers

Publisher: A Three Dogs Day, LLC
Release Date: September 16th, 2020
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
Format: Kindle ARC (Netgalley)

Blurb:

CJ Lomax

People called me a fast woman—not because I slept around—because I broke men’s hearts on the racetrack when I beat them.

While climbing up stock car’s highest level of racing, I learned three truths: Adrenaline was my drug of choice, wearing a pair of heels was a form of torture, and I didn’t have time for distractions—especially from men.

I had one goal—a Cup Series contract—and it was within my reach. Until Grady McBane cut me off—sending me, and my dreams, into a tailspin.

His damn smile, his charm, his talent… his touch. Damn hormones overrode my focus.

Grady McBane

The moment the beautiful, spitfire CJ Lomax tripped into my arms, it felt right.

Then Karma stepped in and laughed—Redeeming my reputation meant ruining her dream.

Even though I needed the contract to salvage my career, I found myself chasing her instead of racing her. Her focus, her sass, her grit…her passion. I wanted it—I want her.

Could we cross the finish line without wrecking each other’s hearts?

Strap in… it’s a hell of a ride.

Have a need for speed?
Buckle up and hold on tight,
It’s bound to be a bumpy ride!

In My Own Words:

A Fast Woman is the first book in the Driven Women series by Laralyn Doran.

CJ is the only woman in Stock Car racing, and she’s not about to let the men and the big guns in the industry push her to the side or overlook her. She’s been the best since she was a little girl, and she’s going to continue being the best. She’s the top prospect driver for Merrick Motorsports and nothing is going to stand in her way, this time.

Once upon a time, Grady McBane was the best, and the one to beat. Until he found himself in the middle of public controversy and banned from open-wheel racing. But racing is in Grady’s blood and he’s not about to quit over a bruised ego and miscommunication. When he gets a call from Merrick Motorsports asking him to race Stock on their team, he can’t refuse. Stock may be the only way to achieve his dreams and he’s not about to let the dream of racing go so quickly.

Now CJ and Grady are in for the fight of their life. There’s only one spot for one racer on Merrick’s team…. They have one season to prove themselves. They have only one season to rightfully win the seat in that car and that’s all that matters….

Well that’s all that mattered…

Until fate steps in and takes their hearts on a little joy ride of her own….

My Thoughts:

When I first read the synopsis for A Fast Woman, I felt a thrill unlike any other. A woman dominating in a typical all male sport… HELL YEAH! I legit had grabby hands and needed this book on my kindle as soon as possible. Laralyn Doran being a new to me author was and is a happy bonus. As you all may know, or don’t know, this year I am making it my mission to experience as many new to me authors as I possibly can.

Enemies to lovers has quickly made a rise in my top trope chart. I love the playful banter and the emotion that tends to portray itself in novels with the enemies to lovers vibe. There’s a certain level of fragility that underlines these novels. There is also, at times, a forbidden vibe that comes along with this trope… My attention is instantly grabbed whenever the ‘Forbidden Romance’ label comes into play. What can I say, I’m a sucker for angsty moments.

Within the first few chapters of this novel I discovered Laralyn Doran has a way with words. She captured my ‘emotional’ attention from the start. CJ and Grady’s story was hard for me to put down. I stayed up way too late to finish this bad boy!

The more I saw of him, the more Grady’s character surprised me. The story goes, he was banned from his team for being a womanizing asshole. He got mixed up with a woman, who had played him in the worst way possible. Little did he know this woman was married to one of his biggest sponsors…… If that doesn’t tarnish a reputation, I have no clue what will. So at the start of this novel, he’s rated as the bad boy of racing. And in a way, I wanted to see that bad boy appeal a bit more. But this man is too nice and sweet to be a bad boy. In my mind, I pictured him more as the boy next door. I actually really loved his swoon and sweetheart vibes underneath all the sex appeal.

If we’re talking about rebellious characters, we’re talking about Charlotte Jean ‘CJ’ Lomax! At the beginning of this novel, this woman was FIRE! She had the spitfire appeal that comes with an abundance of independence. I love when a heroine speaks her own mind and doesn’t let anyone stand in her way. This woman bulldozed her way to the top spot in Stock Car racing, she made a name for herself and a reputation as being the ‘not so sweetheart’ of racing. With all the publicity and the proof that she can make it as one of the best racers. I loved her feisty spirit throughout the first half of this novel.

I have to say, in my opinion, CJ lost a bit of her spark throughout the second half of the novel. I didn’t like the fact that she lost that spark as soon as she and Grady became involved romantically. I lost sight of the strong chemistry these two had between them in the first half of the novel. I lost that connection with all the back and forth, I want you but I shouldn’t want you, moments. I wanted these two to be the force that drives home the fact that women can still be strong and stand on their own whilst being in a relationship.

Another reasoning behind my rating…. This novel revolves around this huge competition between Grady and CJ. The winner gets the one seat on Merrick’s racing team…. That means there are two dreams and only one person is literally going to be left in the dust with their head hanging. Now, don’t get me wrong, I loved the fact that Grady stepped in and did what he did on the track to protect CJ. He literally put his life on the line to save her from a Talledega nightmare…. I felt a tad bit cheated on this ending. I needed a true competition between these two. I wanted CJ to come out as the true champion, not a champion by default. I guess when matters of the heart are concerned, CJ did come out as the true champion, she got the guy and a love that has the potential to last forever. What can I say? My selfish side has a way of showing sometimes.

Overall, The first half of A Fast Woman was spot on! I loved the vibes, the competitive nature, and the friendships. But the second half felt a bit rushed. I needed more from CJ and Grady’s relationship on all aspects. I can’t deny, though, the romance aspect had my heart fluttering and my soul smiling. Which made this review really fucking hard to write. There were facets I enjoyed and situations I found less enjoyable. I’m currently in a wishy washy state of mind.

Do I recommend this novel?

I have to chalk my rating and review up to my own selfish needs. So yes, if you love racing, strong heroines, and an enemies to lovers vibe, I say go for it and check this book out.

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Peace Love and Happy Reading,

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