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Dangerous Curves
NASCAR photographer Lacy McGowen never thought she’d capture the moment of death. Unable to watch another race after a fatal crash, she flees Pittsburgh to shoot weddings and capture the images of LA’s young, fashionable, and oh-so-spoiled. She’s desperate to get back to the racetrack but has no idea how to overcome the images that haunt her.
Up-and-coming NASCAR driver Kip Sellars has a death wish. At least that’s what Lacy thinks when her best friend convinces her that cleaning up the young rookie’s image will be a breeze. Kip’s rude, arrogant, and unprofessional, not to mention scruffy, which shouldn’t be nearly as sexy as it is.
What Lacey doesn’t know is that Kip’s penchant for trouble masks a secret she can never tell and a deal with the devil she never should have made. When love waits at the finish line, dangerous curves are a risk worth taking.
Up-and-coming NASCAR driver Kip Sellars has a death wish. At least that’s what Lacy thinks when her best friend convinces her that cleaning up the young rookie’s image will be a breeze. Kip’s rude, arrogant, and unprofessional, not to mention scruffy, which shouldn’t be nearly as sexy as it is.
What Lacey doesn’t know is that Kip’s penchant for trouble masks a secret she can never tell and a deal with the devil she never should have made. When love waits at the finish line, dangerous curves are a risk worth taking.
219 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 16, 2019
8 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Larkin Rose
10 books78 followersLarkin Rose lives in a “blink and you’ve missed it” town in the beautiful state of South Carolina with her partner, Rose (hence the pen name). Her writing career began some years ago when the voices in her head wouldn’t stop their constant chatter. After ruling out multiple personalities, and hitting the keyboard, a writer was born. The voices continue. The clatter of keys continues. The birth of erotic creations carries on.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
March 22, 2019
2.50 Stars. Larkin Rose is a new author to me. For whatever reason, I never read her older books when many others lesfic readers did. I was excited to see her writing again so I could experience her newer work. The first book I read by her didn’t blow me away, but I thought it showed promise. And because of that I went into this book with reasonably high expectations. I’m bummed to say this book flat out didn’t work for me.
If you have read my reviews before you probably know I’m a character driven reader. I can forgive some poor plot points if I love or even really like the characters. This was my biggest issue with this book; I could not stand the two main characters. I can’t even tell you which one was worse, they were both so bad. And because I didn’t like either character, I just didn’t care what happened. I could not connect at all to the story and I found myself wishing the book was over.
The romance, if you could even call it a romance, was pretty poor in my opinion. You have two people who hate each other and treat each other like crap. It was basically character #1 calling character #2 a worthless loser, and character #2 calling character #1 a hooker and slut… and then they have sex together. This is so romantic I’m practically swooning here just thinking about it.
I don’t like ripping on a book, but I have to be honest that this was just blah. Maybe it was my tastes. Maybe this will work for others but it sure didn’t work for me. I think what I need to do is read some of Larkin’s back library. So many people really like her so I feel like I should give her older books a shot. I’m not ready to give up on Larkin over one disappointing book.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
If you have read my reviews before you probably know I’m a character driven reader. I can forgive some poor plot points if I love or even really like the characters. This was my biggest issue with this book; I could not stand the two main characters. I can’t even tell you which one was worse, they were both so bad. And because I didn’t like either character, I just didn’t care what happened. I could not connect at all to the story and I found myself wishing the book was over.
The romance, if you could even call it a romance, was pretty poor in my opinion. You have two people who hate each other and treat each other like crap. It was basically character #1 calling character #2 a worthless loser, and character #2 calling character #1 a hooker and slut… and then they have sex together. This is so romantic I’m practically swooning here just thinking about it.
I don’t like ripping on a book, but I have to be honest that this was just blah. Maybe it was my tastes. Maybe this will work for others but it sure didn’t work for me. I think what I need to do is read some of Larkin’s back library. So many people really like her so I feel like I should give her older books a shot. I’m not ready to give up on Larkin over one disappointing book.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
April 4, 2019
'ARC provided by both NetGalley and The Publisher in exchange for my unbiased review'
**'Writers are desperate people and when they stop being desperate they stop being good writers...Don't shortchange yourself by sending off work that isn't any good..'
1.5 stars!
'DANGEROUS CURVES' is a moderate tale of a professional race car driver (Sellars) who's trying to curtail her many inner demons but was forced by a caring friend who intern set her up with his best friend (Lacy) herself a professional photographer -- to try marketing Sellars because of her uniqueness and talent to attain a level of accomplishments that some of her male counterparts could not fathom.
Readers are made to have this belief that Sellars was both this extraordinary driver and athlete with good championship skills whenever she got on the race track or roadway -- and also tried defying many of those typical conventions and expectations from many naysayers. Her motto was 'it's not what she has accomplish -- it's what she overcome to accomplish it that sets her apart from everyone' Sellars life was also very complex. On the one hand, she had the fame,fortune and status in NASCAR circuit. On the other, and as is so often the case her personal life was less than ideal. While Lacy herself had many scars she was battling on a daily basis: an unhappy home life as a youth and a distressing incident of her past.
The many traumatic revelations from both main characters' past was a source of focus because it expose all their flaws,sexual fetishism,womanizing and family drama.
Overall, this was an inundated and undeniably sad story that had an okay premise but then ended up being just a terribly written book: unimpressive dialogue, strange & questionable P.O.Vs and no surefire chemistry.
**'Writers are desperate people and when they stop being desperate they stop being good writers...Don't shortchange yourself by sending off work that isn't any good..'
1.5 stars!
'DANGEROUS CURVES' is a moderate tale of a professional race car driver (Sellars) who's trying to curtail her many inner demons but was forced by a caring friend who intern set her up with his best friend (Lacy) herself a professional photographer -- to try marketing Sellars because of her uniqueness and talent to attain a level of accomplishments that some of her male counterparts could not fathom.
Readers are made to have this belief that Sellars was both this extraordinary driver and athlete with good championship skills whenever she got on the race track or roadway -- and also tried defying many of those typical conventions and expectations from many naysayers. Her motto was 'it's not what she has accomplish -- it's what she overcome to accomplish it that sets her apart from everyone' Sellars life was also very complex. On the one hand, she had the fame,fortune and status in NASCAR circuit. On the other, and as is so often the case her personal life was less than ideal. While Lacy herself had many scars she was battling on a daily basis: an unhappy home life as a youth and a distressing incident of her past.
The many traumatic revelations from both main characters' past was a source of focus because it expose all their flaws,sexual fetishism,womanizing and family drama.
Overall, this was an inundated and undeniably sad story that had an okay premise but then ended up being just a terribly written book: unimpressive dialogue, strange & questionable P.O.Vs and no surefire chemistry.
April 9, 2019
While I am very pleased that Rose is writing again, this is not one of my favourites. Lacy hates being a wedding photographer but she can’t bring herself to return to Pittsburgh and NASCAR circuit where she was a race photographer. When her best friend, Billy, calls and asks her for a favour her love for him and his family has her heading back to Pittsburgh. Kip Sellars, a self-destructive NASCAR rookie, is the favour but not in the way Lacy would want. Billy wants to alter public perception about Sellars while she sits out her suspension.
This is a good read in that it has a nice fast-pace and two strong and independent women with brokenness in their pasts. There were also quite a few things in it that I didn’t enjoy. Lacy is foul-mouthed and her contributions to the swear jar could pay for three college degrees. I don’t mind swearing but I really don’t like it when it’s directed at a person, particularly one you’re vaguely attracted to. It felt unnecessarily crass and course and didn’t add to either of them as characters.
The racing aspect was very much a backdrop to their anti-romance. They really didn’t like each other much or treat each other very well. The both had preconceived notions of the other and instead of it adding tension to the unravelling story it came across as judgemental with a vast lack of communication. I hope the next one will be better.
Book received from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
This is a good read in that it has a nice fast-pace and two strong and independent women with brokenness in their pasts. There were also quite a few things in it that I didn’t enjoy. Lacy is foul-mouthed and her contributions to the swear jar could pay for three college degrees. I don’t mind swearing but I really don’t like it when it’s directed at a person, particularly one you’re vaguely attracted to. It felt unnecessarily crass and course and didn’t add to either of them as characters.
The racing aspect was very much a backdrop to their anti-romance. They really didn’t like each other much or treat each other very well. The both had preconceived notions of the other and instead of it adding tension to the unravelling story it came across as judgemental with a vast lack of communication. I hope the next one will be better.
Book received from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
March 20, 2019
ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I don’t think I’ve read anything else by this author, and am reasonably sure I won’t be reading anything else. This was very nearly a DNF, only the fact that it was an ARC made me finish.
So, Sellars is a race car driver with a bad image and Lacy is a NASCAR photographer who is tasked with helping make Sellars look better.
The story starts with both characters having sex with someone else, and neither of these scenes paints either character in a good light, especially the scene with Sellars and the cop, which may have even been illegal. I almost gave up then.
The characters pretty much hate each other on sight (which I found understandable, since I didn’t like them either) and this continues for a fair portion of the book, even though they are attracted to/sleeping with each other. This is an excerpt from one of their sex scenes:
Sellars’s insides clenched as Lacy threw her head back with a hiss. She pulled out to the knuckles and drove inside again, eager to keep Lacy in this state of mind where her tongue wasn’t sharp and her eyes didn’t despise her. She hated that the most. Lacy’s hatred floating on the surface at all times.
I always find it hot when authors mention the word ‘hate’ in relation to how the characters feel about each other while they’re having sex. Good times.
I could have also done without the seemingly endless use of the ‘f’ word (mostly by Lacy), it was way overused. The author also uses terrible descriptors, like:
Lacy could only stare, feeling awkward and hot. Yes. Hot. Heat was crawling across her crotch like a phantom fog.
I’m sorry, but a phantom fog crawling across someone’s crotch doesn’t sound hot, it sounds painful.
The two characters also each have mountains of baggage/trauma to deal with and this is brought up endlessly, but is miraculously resolved towards the end of the book when they let go of their ‘demons’, but by then I’d long since given up caring.
If you like love/hate relationships, endless amounts of angst and some graphic sex scenes, then you may enjoy this more than I did. 1 star.
I don’t think I’ve read anything else by this author, and am reasonably sure I won’t be reading anything else. This was very nearly a DNF, only the fact that it was an ARC made me finish.
So, Sellars is a race car driver with a bad image and Lacy is a NASCAR photographer who is tasked with helping make Sellars look better.
The story starts with both characters having sex with someone else, and neither of these scenes paints either character in a good light, especially the scene with Sellars and the cop, which may have even been illegal. I almost gave up then.
The characters pretty much hate each other on sight (which I found understandable, since I didn’t like them either) and this continues for a fair portion of the book, even though they are attracted to/sleeping with each other. This is an excerpt from one of their sex scenes:
Sellars’s insides clenched as Lacy threw her head back with a hiss. She pulled out to the knuckles and drove inside again, eager to keep Lacy in this state of mind where her tongue wasn’t sharp and her eyes didn’t despise her. She hated that the most. Lacy’s hatred floating on the surface at all times.
I always find it hot when authors mention the word ‘hate’ in relation to how the characters feel about each other while they’re having sex. Good times.
I could have also done without the seemingly endless use of the ‘f’ word (mostly by Lacy), it was way overused. The author also uses terrible descriptors, like:
Lacy could only stare, feeling awkward and hot. Yes. Hot. Heat was crawling across her crotch like a phantom fog.
I’m sorry, but a phantom fog crawling across someone’s crotch doesn’t sound hot, it sounds painful.
The two characters also each have mountains of baggage/trauma to deal with and this is brought up endlessly, but is miraculously resolved towards the end of the book when they let go of their ‘demons’, but by then I’d long since given up caring.
If you like love/hate relationships, endless amounts of angst and some graphic sex scenes, then you may enjoy this more than I did. 1 star.
April 9, 2019
Photographer Lacy McGowen works the NASCAR scene. Everything is going just the way she wants but when she shoots a picture of a accident involving the death of a race car driver she decides it’s too much. She can’t handle it so she packs her bags and heads to LA where she works taking wedding pictures of some of LA’s fashionable but spoiled young up and comers.
When Kip Sellars was younger her first and only love was killed in a accident while Kip was driving. Since that time she hasn’t done anything to try and overcome the horror she feels she’s responsible for. But she has the talent and skills to be one of the top race car drivers in NASCAR. But she keeps making mistakes that can cost her that dream.
Lacy’s job is to try to clean up Kips image so she has that chance but when the two meet it doesn’t go as well as others had hoped.
One thing I do know from reading some of Ms Rose’s works is the fact that she does erotica very, very well. So if you want to read a books with lots of hot, steamy love scenes this is the book for you. The plot, like most of Ms Roses books appears to be a afterthought. Just a way to bring the two women together but not the main draw. So, all in all not a bad book. A nice read.
ARC via NetGalley
When Kip Sellars was younger her first and only love was killed in a accident while Kip was driving. Since that time she hasn’t done anything to try and overcome the horror she feels she’s responsible for. But she has the talent and skills to be one of the top race car drivers in NASCAR. But she keeps making mistakes that can cost her that dream.
Lacy’s job is to try to clean up Kips image so she has that chance but when the two meet it doesn’t go as well as others had hoped.
One thing I do know from reading some of Ms Rose’s works is the fact that she does erotica very, very well. So if you want to read a books with lots of hot, steamy love scenes this is the book for you. The plot, like most of Ms Roses books appears to be a afterthought. Just a way to bring the two women together but not the main draw. So, all in all not a bad book. A nice read.
ARC via NetGalley
April 14, 2019
I thought I had worked out what I wanted to say about Dangerous Curves, but as I start this review I am not so sure. This is the second book that I have read by Rose. At the time of that review, I said I would take a closer look at some of her other books. When I had the opportunity to read Dangerous Curves I jumped at the chance. I have to admit that I was disappointed.
So the MCs Lacey and Sellers are not very like able characters. Initially I thought I was going to like Lacey because she is a tell it like it is sort of character. After a few chapters of her foul mouth (especially in front of a child), I became turned off. I thought I was going to really dislike Sellers but she sort of grew on me by 75% because she at least seemed to be a human being. Another turn off was how they insulted each other continuously but as they are telling each other off they are thinking about how they would love to have sex with the other person. That just wasn’t realistic. I have never seen two people who hate each other have sex or want to have sex. I admit I am a slow reader , but I kept putting this down because the character grated my nerves.
Now this book was not all terrible. The sex scenes were hot (even though I could not understand why they were having sex) and I liked the interaction between Lacy and her homeless friends. Deep down she seems like she is a good person, but you really only get to see it when she trying to help the homeless community. I also liked the turn around that Sellers made.
I will rate this one 2.25 stars.
This ARC was provided by Netgalley and the Publisher for an honest review.
So the MCs Lacey and Sellers are not very like able characters. Initially I thought I was going to like Lacey because she is a tell it like it is sort of character. After a few chapters of her foul mouth (especially in front of a child), I became turned off. I thought I was going to really dislike Sellers but she sort of grew on me by 75% because she at least seemed to be a human being. Another turn off was how they insulted each other continuously but as they are telling each other off they are thinking about how they would love to have sex with the other person. That just wasn’t realistic. I have never seen two people who hate each other have sex or want to have sex. I admit I am a slow reader , but I kept putting this down because the character grated my nerves.
Now this book was not all terrible. The sex scenes were hot (even though I could not understand why they were having sex) and I liked the interaction between Lacy and her homeless friends. Deep down she seems like she is a good person, but you really only get to see it when she trying to help the homeless community. I also liked the turn around that Sellers made.
I will rate this one 2.25 stars.
This ARC was provided by Netgalley and the Publisher for an honest review.
June 27, 2023
2,5/5
As much as I wanted to love this book I just couldn't.
This book is about a photographer and car racer(something like that ),both have a common friend and he gets them to work together but they can't seem to do that without fighting.
Here's what I disliked :
Kim Sellars.I'm serious. I disliked her character sooooo much,her only good trait was being funny,but I was soooo done,most of them she was only sexualizing and objectifying women,she had the audacity to say she hated cheaters chapters after she herself couldn't see the problem in fucking someone's else wife.I hated the way she was dealing with Sarah's death.I hates how immature she was acting and so reckless, there's no reason for me to understand what did Sarah or Lacy saw in her.
Also there are a lot of cringe moments, like using the petname "sexy" ,just no.
As much as I wanted to love this book I just couldn't.
This book is about a photographer and car racer(something like that ),both have a common friend and he gets them to work together but they can't seem to do that without fighting.
Here's what I disliked :
Kim Sellars.I'm serious. I disliked her character sooooo much,her only good trait was being funny,but I was soooo done,most of them she was only sexualizing and objectifying women,she had the audacity to say she hated cheaters chapters after she herself couldn't see the problem in fucking someone's else wife.I hated the way she was dealing with Sarah's death.I hates how immature she was acting and so reckless, there's no reason for me to understand what did Sarah or Lacy saw in her.
Also there are a lot of cringe moments, like using the petname "sexy" ,just no.
Read
April 7, 2019Dangerous Curves by Larkin Rose had the potential to be a really good story. It has all the elements that you would expect to find in a story written by Ms. Rose. You have two strong women set in a mostly all male, good-ol-boy, insular, red-neck setting (NASCAR). Both main characters are brash, in-your-face, foul mouthed, but like-able women who would fit well in this setting. I could easily see these characters hanging around or working in the racing pit. In fact, Sellars is a professional racer in the story and Lacy was at one time a photographer specializing in racing. Both characters are dealing with traumatic pasts that affect their present day lives, and both women initially dislike each other, creating the enemies-to-lovers theme Larkin Rose is so good at writing.
This sounds like a perfect Larkin Rose novel, and it should have been. Something happened though, and I’m not sure where. I believe there should have been more editing, both content and line editing. There were some sentences and phrases that I found confusing, and I can remember one place where I wasn’t sure where a certain action had happened.
I know the above sounds bad, but I actually ended up enjoying the story. For me to like a story, I have to connect with the main characters, and I did connect with Sellars and Lacy about a third of the way through. After that, I was able to put aside the bumps in the road and just enjoy the ride. I seriously considered giving this book four stars, but in the end I couldn’t ignore those road bumps and ended up giving it three.
If you are a die-hard Larkin Rose fan, you will like this story. If this is your first Larkin Rose novel, I suggest you read some of her older works first. Ms. Larkin is a very good author, and I look forward to future novels of hers.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
Rainbow Reflections:
https://rainbowreflections.home.blog/
This sounds like a perfect Larkin Rose novel, and it should have been. Something happened though, and I’m not sure where. I believe there should have been more editing, both content and line editing. There were some sentences and phrases that I found confusing, and I can remember one place where I wasn’t sure where a certain action had happened.
I know the above sounds bad, but I actually ended up enjoying the story. For me to like a story, I have to connect with the main characters, and I did connect with Sellars and Lacy about a third of the way through. After that, I was able to put aside the bumps in the road and just enjoy the ride. I seriously considered giving this book four stars, but in the end I couldn’t ignore those road bumps and ended up giving it three.
If you are a die-hard Larkin Rose fan, you will like this story. If this is your first Larkin Rose novel, I suggest you read some of her older works first. Ms. Larkin is a very good author, and I look forward to future novels of hers.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
Rainbow Reflections:
https://rainbowreflections.home.blog/
June 9, 2019
Lacy McGowen and Kip Sellers both are trying to avoid facing their demons but somehow with the help of each other, they are able to face them.
The premise of the story intrigued me but although I didn't hate this book, I didn't love it either. Overall, it was just okay as I didn't believe in their romance, no matter how much I wanted to. They were always either arguing or having sex, besides having one real conversation in the whole book. Their character progression was stagnant until three quarters of the book.
I did like the ending more as I thought it was a nice one.
Review also posted here: https://wp.me/p4Pp9O-M8
I was given a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The premise of the story intrigued me but although I didn't hate this book, I didn't love it either. Overall, it was just okay as I didn't believe in their romance, no matter how much I wanted to. They were always either arguing or having sex, besides having one real conversation in the whole book. Their character progression was stagnant until three quarters of the book.
I did like the ending more as I thought it was a nice one.
Review also posted here: https://wp.me/p4Pp9O-M8
I was given a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 25, 2019
I hate to say I could not finish this book. I kept starting and stopping and in the end I'm at 75% and I just can't do it. It's so negative and even the attraction between the MCs is negative. I couldn't take the way they speak to each other all the time. Totally did not work for me.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 5, 2019
I wanted to like this book more. It wasn't awful, but there were a few things that I personally didn't like.
I wasn't a fan of BOTH of the main characters having a similar "sex helps me brood" personality. On that note though, while they both behaved that way they did have other personality difference that made them a bit unique from each other. I have to admit, I didn't exactly enjoy either of them. I understood why they were hurting and I don't want to downplay that, but for me personally they weren't very likeable characters.
My biggest concern though came from the perspective. There were moments when the perspective would shift from following the thoughts of one character to another so suddenly I wasn't sure who was the focus for a moment. It would just flow back and forth.
Overall I liked the subject and the tension was a bit thick, but not unpleasant.
I wasn't a fan of BOTH of the main characters having a similar "sex helps me brood" personality. On that note though, while they both behaved that way they did have other personality difference that made them a bit unique from each other. I have to admit, I didn't exactly enjoy either of them. I understood why they were hurting and I don't want to downplay that, but for me personally they weren't very likeable characters.
My biggest concern though came from the perspective. There were moments when the perspective would shift from following the thoughts of one character to another so suddenly I wasn't sure who was the focus for a moment. It would just flow back and forth.
Overall I liked the subject and the tension was a bit thick, but not unpleasant.
April 7, 2019
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
This is the first book by this author that I have read. Although, I have got some of her earlier work on my kindle I just haven't got around to reading any of it.
It was a refreshing change to read something that I actually enjoyed. I loved the characters of Lacy & Kip and the chemistry between them both was off the charts. I also loved the secondary characters, especially Gabby (Billy's daughter). The story line was good, the pacing was just about right. It would have been nice if there was more about the NASCAR racing seeing as one of the main characters was a racer but the story centered around the time before the racing started. It didn't take away the enjoyment of the book.
If you enjoy enemies to lovers books then I would highly recommend giving this book a read.
This is the first book by this author that I have read. Although, I have got some of her earlier work on my kindle I just haven't got around to reading any of it.
It was a refreshing change to read something that I actually enjoyed. I loved the characters of Lacy & Kip and the chemistry between them both was off the charts. I also loved the secondary characters, especially Gabby (Billy's daughter). The story line was good, the pacing was just about right. It would have been nice if there was more about the NASCAR racing seeing as one of the main characters was a racer but the story centered around the time before the racing started. It didn't take away the enjoyment of the book.
If you enjoy enemies to lovers books then I would highly recommend giving this book a read.
April 7, 2019
An honest review thanks to NetGalley. I am a huge fan of Larkin Rose, and was so excited to see this book. I was unable to put this book down, it most definitely lived up to my expectations. Rose does a wonderful job turning dislike between two characters into passion that you cant look away from. The tragic story of Sellars past as well as the demons Lacy went through brought the two characters together as well as made them more relatable to the reader. This was an outstanding read from Rose and I cant wait for any more new work!
December 28, 2019
Ah finally, this great romance reconciles me with Larkin Rose whose last book was not up to what Ms Rose can produce.
Here we have two protagonists, Lacy and Sellars, whose chemistry is obvious.
It is a book about resilience, overcoming traumatic situations, stressful situations and for Lacy and Sellars to be able to move forward leaving behind a dramatic and painful past.
The writing is fluid and of quality.
For once we have here a story very interesting psychologically speaking and a very credible romance, with very complex characters but quite credible and kind.
The cover, on the other hand, does not reflect the story that is going on in the book, and is unnecessarily seductive.
So a quality book, which I sincerely recommend.
Here we have two protagonists, Lacy and Sellars, whose chemistry is obvious.
It is a book about resilience, overcoming traumatic situations, stressful situations and for Lacy and Sellars to be able to move forward leaving behind a dramatic and painful past.
The writing is fluid and of quality.
For once we have here a story very interesting psychologically speaking and a very credible romance, with very complex characters but quite credible and kind.
The cover, on the other hand, does not reflect the story that is going on in the book, and is unnecessarily seductive.
So a quality book, which I sincerely recommend.
May 11, 2019
I received an ARC of this novel from Bold Strokes Books, Inc. through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The story follows two women who both love everything and anything to do with NASCAR and racing. Lacy,a photographer and former fan of the NASCAR races, has decided to pull back from the racing world after witnessing an accident that has left her in a permanent shock. But when her best friend gets her the job of a lifetime, one that will give her enough money to help jump start a passion project she has been thinking on for quite some time, it seems like things are starting to fall into place with her. The catch? She has to clean up the image of up and coming racer Kip Sellars, who is known to get on the bad sides of many people within the racing world and has some secrets of her own. Sworn to never involve herself with racing again, Lacy must decide if this is something she wants to do, but her attraction to Kip is making it harder for her to say "no".
This novel was honestly not what I had expected in the least. I went into this novel thinking that it was going to be nothing but smut, which is honestly what I go into thinking about anything that is dubbed as a "romance" story. The F/F romance was a good part of the story, but thankfully was not the entire crux of the story, which made me incredibly happy.
The novel focused on the building of the relationship between Lacy and Kip, who both have some dark secrets to hide and are afraid of letting people see the real them because of them. This novel is not a "love saves all" story, but more of a "love can sometimes push you to be the best and move past your demons" story. I really enjoyed that, because it gave more substance to both Lacy and Kip, who without them would just be some angry, horny women that want nothing more than their next fix. This story, along with many other romance-based adult contemporaries I've been reading, have greatly surprised me by having so much more depth to them than expected.
Lacy and Kip as individuals truly make this story come alive. Each one has their faults and their quirks, and the rubbing against each other in the wrong ways makes the sexual tension in this novel expand so much that it is suffocating. It's great! I love it, because it feels real. There are definitely some people that I have met over the course of my life that I have both hated but also been ridiculously attracted to, and the entire time I read about Lacy and Kip, the more I just want them to get together so the sexual tension is released. But aside from that, their individual characters are deep and complex, which in a 242 page novel can be incredibly hard to do, but is done well here.
Larkin Rose really created a story that I was involved in and felt happy with the outcome. The characters were dynamic and spunky, and the romance was built well enough to keep me on the edge of my seat but far enough to where I could still observe the intricacies of each character and pick apart why they are being they way they are in this relationship. This story made me think and made me involved, which is what I want from every story.
Rating: 5/5 stars
The story follows two women who both love everything and anything to do with NASCAR and racing. Lacy,a photographer and former fan of the NASCAR races, has decided to pull back from the racing world after witnessing an accident that has left her in a permanent shock. But when her best friend gets her the job of a lifetime, one that will give her enough money to help jump start a passion project she has been thinking on for quite some time, it seems like things are starting to fall into place with her. The catch? She has to clean up the image of up and coming racer Kip Sellars, who is known to get on the bad sides of many people within the racing world and has some secrets of her own. Sworn to never involve herself with racing again, Lacy must decide if this is something she wants to do, but her attraction to Kip is making it harder for her to say "no".
This novel was honestly not what I had expected in the least. I went into this novel thinking that it was going to be nothing but smut, which is honestly what I go into thinking about anything that is dubbed as a "romance" story. The F/F romance was a good part of the story, but thankfully was not the entire crux of the story, which made me incredibly happy.
The novel focused on the building of the relationship between Lacy and Kip, who both have some dark secrets to hide and are afraid of letting people see the real them because of them. This novel is not a "love saves all" story, but more of a "love can sometimes push you to be the best and move past your demons" story. I really enjoyed that, because it gave more substance to both Lacy and Kip, who without them would just be some angry, horny women that want nothing more than their next fix. This story, along with many other romance-based adult contemporaries I've been reading, have greatly surprised me by having so much more depth to them than expected.
Lacy and Kip as individuals truly make this story come alive. Each one has their faults and their quirks, and the rubbing against each other in the wrong ways makes the sexual tension in this novel expand so much that it is suffocating. It's great! I love it, because it feels real. There are definitely some people that I have met over the course of my life that I have both hated but also been ridiculously attracted to, and the entire time I read about Lacy and Kip, the more I just want them to get together so the sexual tension is released. But aside from that, their individual characters are deep and complex, which in a 242 page novel can be incredibly hard to do, but is done well here.
Larkin Rose really created a story that I was involved in and felt happy with the outcome. The characters were dynamic and spunky, and the romance was built well enough to keep me on the edge of my seat but far enough to where I could still observe the intricacies of each character and pick apart why they are being they way they are in this relationship. This story made me think and made me involved, which is what I want from every story.
Rating: 5/5 stars
July 13, 2019
Previously reviewed on The Good, The Bad, and The Unread:
I find motor sports romances hard to resist – even knowing how cross I get if I spot plot-holes or inaccuracies – especially when the heroine is a driver. Throw in a second heroine who’s a photographer – and a former motor sport photographer at that – and there’s no way I’m going to refuse a review copy, regardless of my pre-existing reservations. Lacy McGowen turned her back on NASCAR after her bad luck meant she was the closest photographer to the scene of a fatal crash. Since then, she’s restricted herself to making money taking portraits and society wedding pictures, staying close to the money in LA rather than to the track and all her former friends in Pittsburgh. Except, that is for the one month of the year when there’s no racing: then she spends a much deserved break with her racing driver best-friend, his wife, and their daughter. This year, however, Lacy’s friend has a job for her. One of his fellow drivers has an image problem, and he’s sure Lacy is the one person able to fix that issue.
Kip Sellars always wanted to be a NASCAR driver, but an adolescent crash robbed her of her girlfriend and sent her off the rails. After a short career in Formula One, she’s finally in with a chance of competing in the series she loves most. Unfortunately, her behaviour off the track has already led to her being banned once, and it looks like another ban is looming after she’s caught street racing on a night out. Fortunately, the older driver who already took her under his wing has a friend who can help her out, and her grandfather – and main sponsor – is always willing to shell out money for whatever Sellars might need.
Lacy is unimpressed with Sellars before they even meet – more so after – and takes an instant dislike to Sellars’ grandfather. She takes the job anyway, never one to refuse her best-friend or the opportunity to funnel funds into a beloved project with the potential to help some really deserving people. As the pair begin the rounds of high-profile media events that have been lined up for them, it becomes clear that not only is Sellars her own worst enemy, but also that what she needs isn’t what her grandfather has planned for her. Lacy soon has Sellars meeting up with the volunteers and beneficiaries at a local homeless shelter. The two women start to grow closer and open up to each other about their respective pasts. Confronting the deaths hanging over both their memories brings its own set of traumas, then they both have stumbling blocks to confront before they can achieve their respective ambitions and potentially reconnect with each other after a little time apart.
I found a lot to like about this book, but also a few niggles. I have my doubts about the very sketchy backstory of Sellars having raced in Formula One with no apparent seasons in the more junior series of international motor sport to bring her to the attention of even the most junior of teams. I would have liked to see more about her actual NASAR races too and something about her relationship with the pit crew and other members of her racing team wouldn’t have gone amiss. On the other hand, I really liked all the characters and enjoyed watching Lacy at work on her day-job photography and on her project to help the homeless through publicising their artistic endeavours. While there was a fair amount of sex – obviously – it didn’t feel nearly as gratuitous as those scenes sometimes do in romances – erotic or otherwise. All in all, this is an author I’m going to look out for again.
I find motor sports romances hard to resist – even knowing how cross I get if I spot plot-holes or inaccuracies – especially when the heroine is a driver. Throw in a second heroine who’s a photographer – and a former motor sport photographer at that – and there’s no way I’m going to refuse a review copy, regardless of my pre-existing reservations. Lacy McGowen turned her back on NASCAR after her bad luck meant she was the closest photographer to the scene of a fatal crash. Since then, she’s restricted herself to making money taking portraits and society wedding pictures, staying close to the money in LA rather than to the track and all her former friends in Pittsburgh. Except, that is for the one month of the year when there’s no racing: then she spends a much deserved break with her racing driver best-friend, his wife, and their daughter. This year, however, Lacy’s friend has a job for her. One of his fellow drivers has an image problem, and he’s sure Lacy is the one person able to fix that issue.
Kip Sellars always wanted to be a NASCAR driver, but an adolescent crash robbed her of her girlfriend and sent her off the rails. After a short career in Formula One, she’s finally in with a chance of competing in the series she loves most. Unfortunately, her behaviour off the track has already led to her being banned once, and it looks like another ban is looming after she’s caught street racing on a night out. Fortunately, the older driver who already took her under his wing has a friend who can help her out, and her grandfather – and main sponsor – is always willing to shell out money for whatever Sellars might need.
Lacy is unimpressed with Sellars before they even meet – more so after – and takes an instant dislike to Sellars’ grandfather. She takes the job anyway, never one to refuse her best-friend or the opportunity to funnel funds into a beloved project with the potential to help some really deserving people. As the pair begin the rounds of high-profile media events that have been lined up for them, it becomes clear that not only is Sellars her own worst enemy, but also that what she needs isn’t what her grandfather has planned for her. Lacy soon has Sellars meeting up with the volunteers and beneficiaries at a local homeless shelter. The two women start to grow closer and open up to each other about their respective pasts. Confronting the deaths hanging over both their memories brings its own set of traumas, then they both have stumbling blocks to confront before they can achieve their respective ambitions and potentially reconnect with each other after a little time apart.
I found a lot to like about this book, but also a few niggles. I have my doubts about the very sketchy backstory of Sellars having raced in Formula One with no apparent seasons in the more junior series of international motor sport to bring her to the attention of even the most junior of teams. I would have liked to see more about her actual NASAR races too and something about her relationship with the pit crew and other members of her racing team wouldn’t have gone amiss. On the other hand, I really liked all the characters and enjoyed watching Lacy at work on her day-job photography and on her project to help the homeless through publicising their artistic endeavours. While there was a fair amount of sex – obviously – it didn’t feel nearly as gratuitous as those scenes sometimes do in romances – erotic or otherwise. All in all, this is an author I’m going to look out for again.
April 10, 2019
It has been several years since I have read any of Larkin Rose’s books. Although I am not a big fan of erotic-romance novels, I was looking forward to reviewing her latest book to see how her writing style has progressed.
The book is set around two main characters. Lacy McGowan is a photographer who covered the NASCAR circuit until she witnessed a tragic accident. She switched genres and now photographs weddings on the west coast. Kip Sellars is a up and coming race car driver who is trying to get the privilege of racing on the circuit despite her behavior and antics.
Lacy returns to Pittsburg to visit her good friend, Billy. During her visit she meets with Kip’s grandfather who asks her to help clean up Kip’s image. Although Lacy and Kip are instantly physically attracted to each other, they immediately butt heads. Working together seems to be impossible, but they try.
Although this book is listed as an erotic romance, I did not find much romance. The interaction between the two characters was based primarily on sex. In addition, there is a lot of swearing in this book and I found it difficult to read. It seemed whenever Lacy opened her mouth, the F-word was being used. The sex scenes were rough and not romantic at all.
Upon reading the description of this book, I thought the plot would be interesting. It would have been good, but Ms. Rose did not develop the story. Instead, she got caught up in the interaction between Lacy and Kip. In my opinion, if the plot was developed fully, readers would find this book more enjoyable.
For those readers who are interested in erotica, this book might meet their needs. I can only give Dangerous Curves 2 out of 5 stars.
I was given this ARC in return for a fair and honest review.
The book is set around two main characters. Lacy McGowan is a photographer who covered the NASCAR circuit until she witnessed a tragic accident. She switched genres and now photographs weddings on the west coast. Kip Sellars is a up and coming race car driver who is trying to get the privilege of racing on the circuit despite her behavior and antics.
Lacy returns to Pittsburg to visit her good friend, Billy. During her visit she meets with Kip’s grandfather who asks her to help clean up Kip’s image. Although Lacy and Kip are instantly physically attracted to each other, they immediately butt heads. Working together seems to be impossible, but they try.
Although this book is listed as an erotic romance, I did not find much romance. The interaction between the two characters was based primarily on sex. In addition, there is a lot of swearing in this book and I found it difficult to read. It seemed whenever Lacy opened her mouth, the F-word was being used. The sex scenes were rough and not romantic at all.
Upon reading the description of this book, I thought the plot would be interesting. It would have been good, but Ms. Rose did not develop the story. Instead, she got caught up in the interaction between Lacy and Kip. In my opinion, if the plot was developed fully, readers would find this book more enjoyable.
For those readers who are interested in erotica, this book might meet their needs. I can only give Dangerous Curves 2 out of 5 stars.
I was given this ARC in return for a fair and honest review.
April 20, 2019
This was one of the lest enjoyable books I have read in a long time. I was going to give up on it, but it was really short, so I read the entire thing. I have several issues with the book the first being Lacy's potty mouth. I actually don't mind tasteful cursing, but I felt like all of the cursing in this book was unnecessary and it also felt a little forced. The premise of the book is that a photographer sees a tragic event and gives up on life, and a racer driver experiences/is the cause of an incident and gets angry at everyone for bailing her out and so she continues to get in trouble. Overall both characters were incredibly annoying to read, they spent the majority of the time whining and the rest of it having pretty disturbing sex with each other. I ddi not think they had chemistry and I did not like the romance in this book. This is my first book by Larkin Rose, and it was not a very good read for me. The plot was pretty nonexistent, and neither character had redeemable characteristics. Also why would Lcy go visit Billy to go on vacation with him, if he then leaves her alone at his house while he goes to visit his parents. It was a really weird part of the overall plot that made zero sense. Not my favorite book, but it was a quick read, and even though I hated the characters the love scenes were actually not that poorly written.
I received this ARC In exchange for an honest review from Netgalley and BoldStrokes books.
I received this ARC In exchange for an honest review from Netgalley and BoldStrokes books.
March 18, 2019
This could have been such an interesting book. Rose, however, gets bogged down in the angst of the demons each of her main character carries around with her so much so that the reader may get bored and begin skimming the pages. Perhaps less telling and more showing might have helped with this issue. That angst goes on and on and on until near the end when both women have epiphanies and within two months have completely changed and come to terms with the stuff they’ve hauled around with them for more than a dozen years in the case of one of the characters.
There were more times than necessary when I had to stop and try to figure out which character was speaking. Eventually, it didn’t really matter because it was the same old angst and I was already tired of it.
For those of you who care about such things, there is graphic sex (between the characters Rose has told the reader over and over dislike each other intensely) and the characters thinking about sex.
There were more times than necessary when I had to stop and try to figure out which character was speaking. Eventually, it didn’t really matter because it was the same old angst and I was already tired of it.
For those of you who care about such things, there is graphic sex (between the characters Rose has told the reader over and over dislike each other intensely) and the characters thinking about sex.
April 14, 2019
I rec'd an ARC from NetGalley/Bold Strokes Books for an unbiased review.
A storyline set in the "macho" world of auto racing with leads Lacy (photographer) and Kip (race car driver). The speed and adrenaline rush coupled with heavy angst, emotional baggage and (naturally for Ms. Rose) steamy sex makes this a good escape from everyday life.
Almost up to Larkin speed, I look forward to her next book and once more I'm happy she's writing again!
3.5 stars
A storyline set in the "macho" world of auto racing with leads Lacy (photographer) and Kip (race car driver). The speed and adrenaline rush coupled with heavy angst, emotional baggage and (naturally for Ms. Rose) steamy sex makes this a good escape from everyday life.
Almost up to Larkin speed, I look forward to her next book and once more I'm happy she's writing again!
3.5 stars
June 5, 2020
This is an erotic love hate romance with a Nascar theme. Lots of drama with the main characters because of some significant baggage they're both carrying. It makes for some intensely descriptive scenes. It is hard to fathom how so much hostility can lead to such hot sex scenes, but to each their own. A solid book from a great author. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 15, 2019
Quick read. Foul-mouthed femme lead meets egotistical butch race car driver. Both running from their pasts to an explosive union. Lots of hate-lust, some hate-sex...
Free from the library it was okay. I will probably not read it again.
Free from the library it was okay. I will probably not read it again.
October 10, 2019
Not only this book is hot, but also full of deep issues both characters have. It is also full of swear words, so if you don't like that it won't be for you, but in this book it all fits perfect. Funny that I am never disappointed with any of Larkin books!
June 17, 2022
It would have been more interesting if the POVs weren't mixed like that. That just gave me a headache, always trying to figure out whose feelings I was reading.
December 29, 2019
Loved it!
This is another fast paced don't want to put it down until you finish read from Larkin. I easily fell in love with all of the characters especially little Gabby. She had me laughing out loud and I had to re-read some of the passages to laugh some more.
This book was so much more than a romance and I was I was here for it. Both Lacey and Sellers had demons of the past that haunted them. Their meeting brought those demons to the forefront and like a fork in the road each had to choose their paths. Sit in the past or deal with them in order to move on with their lives so that they could both reach their fullest potential. There are some hard lessons learned by both of them and it was a joy to see it all unfold. I definitely recommend this and this will definitely go on my list of re-reads.
This is another fast paced don't want to put it down until you finish read from Larkin. I easily fell in love with all of the characters especially little Gabby. She had me laughing out loud and I had to re-read some of the passages to laugh some more.
This book was so much more than a romance and I was I was here for it. Both Lacey and Sellers had demons of the past that haunted them. Their meeting brought those demons to the forefront and like a fork in the road each had to choose their paths. Sit in the past or deal with them in order to move on with their lives so that they could both reach their fullest potential. There are some hard lessons learned by both of them and it was a joy to see it all unfold. I definitely recommend this and this will definitely go on my list of re-reads.
February 4, 2021
2.5 stars
Immediate dislike with immediate uncontrollable attraction is the basic premise of the ‘romance’ in this one.
Read the full review @https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...
Immediate dislike with immediate uncontrollable attraction is the basic premise of the ‘romance’ in this one.
Read the full review @https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...
April 10, 2019
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
This was a ok read.
Lacy is a former NASCAR photographer and after another fatal crash she can't doing it anymore so she decide to be a wedding photographer even though she doesn't like it.
Kip is up coming NASCAR racer with a bad attitude and a death wish.
When Lacy best friend Billy call and ask her favor to return to help clean up Kip image she decide to give it a chance to see if she can return to what she loves and overcome why she left in the first place.
Kip doesn't think she needs her image change she like being self destructive but what people don't know she is haunting by accident that is consuming her.
When they both meet they can't stand each other and even though they had great chemistry and sex scene was hot they was better off as friends as the way they treated each other I will say this was like anti romance then a love story. I do wish we got to learn more about NASCAR racing.
This was a ok read.
Lacy is a former NASCAR photographer and after another fatal crash she can't doing it anymore so she decide to be a wedding photographer even though she doesn't like it.
Kip is up coming NASCAR racer with a bad attitude and a death wish.
When Lacy best friend Billy call and ask her favor to return to help clean up Kip image she decide to give it a chance to see if she can return to what she loves and overcome why she left in the first place.
Kip doesn't think she needs her image change she like being self destructive but what people don't know she is haunting by accident that is consuming her.
When they both meet they can't stand each other and even though they had great chemistry and sex scene was hot they was better off as friends as the way they treated each other I will say this was like anti romance then a love story. I do wish we got to learn more about NASCAR racing.
April 14, 2019
Oh, the twists and the turns. What fun this book was. You will have trouble putting this title down. Everything was in here, sex, speed, trauma and finally LOVE.
April 15, 2019
Dangerous Curve is a good book if you're looking for that hate-love romance, with a little erotica thrown in.
Lacy and Sellars are both likeable characters, I like the fact that they are not your usual one soft one, one strong opposites, these are both strong personality that clash, which is great to read.
Great book, good to read, good story and like=able characters. Once started I found difficult to put down
Bonus points....I love that author LR isn't afraid to use bad language.
Lacy and Sellars are both likeable characters, I like the fact that they are not your usual one soft one, one strong opposites, these are both strong personality that clash, which is great to read.
Great book, good to read, good story and like=able characters. Once started I found difficult to put down
Bonus points....I love that author LR isn't afraid to use bad language.
April 16, 2019
Larkin Rose has always been a favorite author of mine and after a few years of not writing or publishing she is back better than ever. Larkin Rose acclaim is the eroticism she puts into her stories. She is an author who clearly does not ‘fade to black’. While there is incredible heat in Dangerous Curves there is also a storyline that is complete, intriguing, and very well developed.
Billy, a race car driver, befriends an upcoming and very dangerous race car driver , Kip Sellers, who is suspended from driving Because of her reckless activities. Billy asked his good friend Lacy McGowen to come to Pittsburgh and help Sellers improve her image in the media and tried to keep her out of trouble so that she can return to racing. Both women have deep affection for Billy and his young daughter Gabby, but sparks fly with these two women meet for the first time.
Because Lacy is working on a project with the homeless people in Pittsburgh she reluctantly takes the job to try to work with improving sellers image Because she needs money for her new project working with homeless people. Both women have demons which have overtaken their lives and makes it impossible for anyone to break through their barriers. Yet given what’s at stake both Sellers and lacy do try to work together, they are just as attracted to one another sexually as they are repulsed by the other. The sexual heat between the two is off the pages however neither of them seems to be able to unravel the demons and unravel the damage each woman has.
As Sellers begins to show some improvement the frustration that Lacy experiences makes her throw in the towel and leave the job and go back to our home in California. Will these two find ways to heal themselves and find a way back to each other? Will Lacy’s project with homeless people ever get off the ground?
This book is so well written, I hated to get to the end of the story. I highly recommend this book as it has incredible HEAT and is a terrific story line.
Billy, a race car driver, befriends an upcoming and very dangerous race car driver , Kip Sellers, who is suspended from driving Because of her reckless activities. Billy asked his good friend Lacy McGowen to come to Pittsburgh and help Sellers improve her image in the media and tried to keep her out of trouble so that she can return to racing. Both women have deep affection for Billy and his young daughter Gabby, but sparks fly with these two women meet for the first time.
Because Lacy is working on a project with the homeless people in Pittsburgh she reluctantly takes the job to try to work with improving sellers image Because she needs money for her new project working with homeless people. Both women have demons which have overtaken their lives and makes it impossible for anyone to break through their barriers. Yet given what’s at stake both Sellers and lacy do try to work together, they are just as attracted to one another sexually as they are repulsed by the other. The sexual heat between the two is off the pages however neither of them seems to be able to unravel the demons and unravel the damage each woman has.
As Sellers begins to show some improvement the frustration that Lacy experiences makes her throw in the towel and leave the job and go back to our home in California. Will these two find ways to heal themselves and find a way back to each other? Will Lacy’s project with homeless people ever get off the ground?
This book is so well written, I hated to get to the end of the story. I highly recommend this book as it has incredible HEAT and is a terrific story line.
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