Hot Finish by Erin McCarthy (Fast Track #3)
August 3, 2010
Contemporary Romance
Paperback, 304 Pages
Berkley
Reviewed by Mandi
Suzanne and Ryder Jefferson have been separated and divorced for two years – or so they thought. A phone call from their lawyer however informs them that Ryder never signed the proper paperwork to finalize the divorce. Wedding planner Suzanne is surprised, but this is what Ryder does so it is not a total shock. This just confirms the reason they are getting a divorce to begin with. Having come from little money, and still not having a lot of her own, she is a little desperate for her current wedding client to work out well. The bride is young, very blonde, and annoys Suzanne to no end.
Stock car racer Ryder still looks upon Suzanne with much attraction. Since he is one of the groomsmen in Suzanne’s client’s wedding, he has the opportunity to spend some time with her. His interest lights up when he notices his casual flirting has an effect on her. Due to miscommunication and stubbornness, their marriage fell apart, but now that they are technically still married, he sees an opportunity to win her heart back.
Hot Finish is the first book I have read by Erin McCarthy, and she came highly recommended. I can see why. This book has some really hot and steamy romance scenes as well as a few times that had me laughing. I did want to understand why Ryder and Suzanne divorced in the first place. The history of their marital problems never seemed really clear to me. Maybe it was just miscommunication? Why now are they ready to reconcile? What have they been doing the past two years when they were separated? The explanation given is that Suzanne gets pregnant by mistake and she feels like that is the only reason why he married her. She always felt lower class than him. The reality of life just got in the way. I wanted to know more of the obstacles they had to overcome to make this relationship work.
What I did like about this couple is their playfulness and sparring in and out of the bedroom. They aren’t afraid to give each other a hard time, and tease relentlessly. Their humor came across as a couple that have known each other and knows the silly, corny things that can make the other laugh, like when they are getting ready to swim with dolphins:
As he fumbled with tying the strings, he told her, “I’m much better at undoing these.”
“Just pull it tight. I don’t want to flash the dolphins.”
“That’s not the porpoise, is it?” he joked.
“Oh my God. You are so ridiculous. Freak.”
And their romance scenes were very dirty indeed:
“Damn that feels good.”
“It does, doesn’t it?” she asked breathlessly. […]
“You don’t even know,” he said, eyes dark, jaw clenched. “Suz, I need to come soon.”
“Well that’s good.” Suzanne slid him in and out of her, her hips bucking, pace hard and determined. “Because I’m coming right fucking now.”
“You go, you sexy bitch.”
“You know it.”
At times Suzanne’s behavior felt immature to me, but overall the banter back and forth between this couple and their attraction, although at times unwanted between them is really fun to read. Although I have not read previous books in this series, the supporting characters play a big role in this couple’s life and the glimpses into their lives is smoothly interwoven into the story.
I really like the way Erin McCarthy writes and she does a great job with both humor and romance in this book. Suzanne is not my favorite heroine, but I can definitely see why this series is a favorite for so many. I will definitely be checking out more of Erin McCarthy’s work.
Rating: 3.5/5
Recent Reviews:
Goodreads
This series includes:
Flat Out Sexy
Hard and Fast
Hot Finish
August 2, 2010 at 2:47 pm
I'm chuckling a wee bit a this line –>“You go, you sexy bitch.”
“You know it.” Seems more funny than sexy.
August 2, 2010 at 2:50 pm
I've got book one in this series on the shelves and your quotes just give a very nice sample of how naughty & dirty this author can get *grin*
Just a bummer the heroine didn't work for you, immaturity isn't becoming of the kind of leading lady I'd like to see too.
August 2, 2010 at 3:21 pm
KC-it's a good mix of romance and funny. I like her style:)
Leontine- everyone raves about first two in this series…will definitely have to check them out.
August 2, 2010 at 3:52 pm
It sure sounds like a cool series, not to mention hot
Have seen much about them
August 2, 2010 at 4:26 pm
Great review Mandi. I like books like this. Funny & sexy=Happy Tori
August 2, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Oh, yay! I just got the first book (from PBS *winks*) so I'm glad to see you enjoyed it – I've heard a lot of good things about this series.
August 2, 2010 at 6:06 pm
Loved your review Mandi
You're so lucky – a whole backlist to read. Her books are sexy funny.
Mouth To Mouth is one of my faves -so sexy, sweet & touching as the heroine is deaf.I've read all her contemps & one of her vampire books which was funny enough that it didn't spook me.
August 2, 2010 at 6:07 pm
Woohoo! You liked it! You (kinda sorta) really liked it! I'm looking forward to this one even though you didn't love it. I don't have to only like what you like all the time…really I don't…it's okay… ;p Great review Mandi!
August 2, 2010 at 6:33 pm
i've read the first two books and i think you have to read them to really get Suzanne's character. I hope you'll read them and then see how you feel about Suzanne.
Can't wait to read this book.
Lisa
August 2, 2010 at 6:36 pm
Blodeuedd – I've heard great things about the series as a whole.
Tori – Funny and sexy is always a good combo
Patti – Oooh..I should use that to get the series too.
Mary – It is funny – I didn't realize she wrote other books..LOL. Bad Smexy. I have now heard great things about all her stuff.
Julie – I liked it…I swear! LOL. I love her style..I just didn't love Suzanne.
Lisa – I will! I definitely felt like I was missing some back story on her so maybe the first two books will help with that.
August 2, 2010 at 8:06 pm
I kind of felt the same way about Flat Out Sexy, although I liked it a little less. For some reason her books just don't really grab me, though.
August 2, 2010 at 8:11 pm
Really enjoyed the first book but haven't read the second. This book…I'm intrigued, but a little concerned about the behaviour of the heroine…
Thank you Mandi!
August 2, 2010 at 8:12 pm
Very nice review hon…. Love the honestly and love the snippets you shared with us!
Hope all is well!
Hugs
August 3, 2010 at 1:45 am
I also enjoy the first book as well- she does have a wicked sense of humour…
I'll catch up with this series one day…
E.H>
August 3, 2010 at 6:22 am
This was the least favourite of the 3 books for me. I didn't connect quite so well with Suzanne – I found her brassy and abrasive and I'm not a fan of the hero calling the heroine a "bitch" sexy or otherwise – but that's just me, I realise that.
The bigger issue, was that I felt that there wasn't as much substance to the story as had been the case in earlier books. I would have liked to have seen more of Ryder and Suzanne working on their marriage rather than just the teasers I got – it felt a bit like the literary equivalent of Chinese food – I was hungry again 1/2 hour later! I didn't hate it by any stretch but the others were better, especially the first one (IMO). I'll still be looking for more from this author though – I really like the writing style even though this one didn't work for me quite as well as others of hers I've read.
August 3, 2010 at 8:31 am
heidenkind – oh really….we shall see.
Orannia – Thanks!
Cecile – Snippets are a bit racy, but so is the book
EH – Love her sense of humor!
Kaetrin – Suzanne didn't work for me…I like your analogy..LOL.
August 3, 2010 at 2:03 pm
Not sure if I like that second snippet. The "You go, you sexy bitch" feels out of place to me, but the story sounds sweet overall. Will add to my TBR pile.
August 3, 2010 at 2:05 pm
His thing is calling her a sexy bitch through their relationship. It fit in context (to me.)
August 4, 2010 at 11:01 am
I was very much looking forward to this book. I loved the first two and it felt like forever before the release of Hot Finish. In comparison to the first two which were great, IMO, this one just wasn't up to par. I agree with Kaetrin's – it really just left me wanting…something. I'm still looking forward to Evan's book though.
August 4, 2010 at 7:27 pm
Lisa-I'm looking forward to more from her too. I've seen some mixed opinions but overall everyone seems to love this author:)