Fast & Wet

Fast #2

by Kat Ransom

Everyone had dreams of making it big in Formula 1. Me? This is my F1 nightmare.

He was the broken bad boy. He dropped panties with one sexy smirk, a beacon to every girl desperate to land an angsty fixer upper.

My first love, my best friend--he stole my heart, my virginity, then obliterated my life when he moved to London to follow his race car driver dreams.

I've avoided him like the plague, but now I've been thrust into his world again.
He's not the same boy I fell in love with. Now he's all man--a millionaire celebrity athlete.
And I'm not the same quiet, nerdy girl he left behind.

Secrets are being kept.
Lives are on the line.
People are desperate to bury the truth.

It's raining on race day, and I'm about to get very, very wet.


Fast & Wet is a steamy second chance romance with a guaranteed HEA! It is Book 2 in The Fast Series but can be read as a standalone.

Genres: Sports Romance, Sports, Romance, Racing, Second Chance, Contemporary Romance, Second Chance Romance

283 pages, ebook

Published December 21, 2019

About the author

Kat Ransom writes steamy romances filled with strong, sassy men and women who bring them to their knees. She lives in the Southern US and is owned by two janky rescue cats. When she isn't writing, she's exploring isolated corners of the world or curled up with a wool blanket and a stiff whiskey trying to warm up her perpetually cold toes.

Kat loves to hear from her readers! Contact her at authorkatransom@gmail.com
Follow along at katransom.com or find her on:
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Instagram: @authorkatransom
Join her mailing list for the latest updates, sneak peeks and fun freebies: https://www.katransom.com/newsletter

Reviews

[Susan's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second, standalone book in the Fast series of books by Kat Ransom. I almost didn't read this one because of the title, but I'm glad I decided to give it a shot. It didn't disappoint - Formula 1 racing and all those interesting engineering tidbits made for a fascinating read.
I really enjoyed this fast-paced story: I was highly entertained, and even laughed out loud several times.
Emily is an engineering genius and Cole is a popular F1 champion. She is hired by his F1 team to solve some issues with the racing tires. But Cole has other uses for the girl he left behind when he entered the fast-paced world of F1 racing.
There were many intriguing passages describing the complex world of F1 racing, as well as all the engineering know-how. Cole is so supportive of Emily, and determined to win her back after six year apart.
Such a sweet story: I love it when the male lead does everything he can to make the heroine happy. Exactly as it should be!!! I'm going to read the first installment in this series, and I suspect Dante and Cole's sister Danica will have a story of their own, very soon!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. My thanks to the author, publisher and BookSirens for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[MerLuni · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️ 3,75

I think I liked this one more than the first of the series. The drama was definitely shorter which I loved but some parts were a bit cringe to me!

However it was F1 and that’s the most important!

[rosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

*blissfully ignoring the cover and the title*
Okay, so this book was on track to be five stars until the final 20 per cent - that act three break-up almost ruined the story, but overall this was still a really enjoyable read.

The book follows Emily, an engineering grad who’s just landed her dream job with an F1 team where her childhood sweetheart, Cole, happens to be a driver.

Second chance is my favourite trope in romance books, so I adored the dynamic between Cole and Emily - they knew each other so well and had a deep history, but they were still having fun getting to know these newer, more grown up versions of each other.

Just like the first book, I think the author did an excellent job with the F1 references and I enjoyed all those elements in the story.

As I mentioned, the third act break up is rough. It was mostly Emily’s reaction that rubbed me the wrong way. For someone so intelligent, she was starting to come across as very immature and belligerent. I’m also not sure they resolved anything - still, the spice was excellent—10/10 dirty talk.

Again, I’m choosing to ignore the cover and title and enjoy this book for what it is - a fun, spicy F1 romance that’s an easy and enjoyable read.

[Alaina]

rtc

[Jin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again perpetually embarrassed of the cover.


However this was so fun. Sucker for second chance romances and all the groveling, or “wooing” in Cole’s case :), is just chefs kiss !!!


Cole and Emily’s love was so beautiful to watch unfold … we could have done without that shocking little ending with her parents but whatever causes drama I guess 😂

[Suzyq (Battle_0f_the_b0oks) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm in the minority again.
I just couldn't with this one.

If you're not a F1 fan, then you could probably suspend your disbelief however, I just could not do that with this story.

Firstly, there is no way a F1 team would set up a factory in London! Good golly, where do you expect them to find the space? There is hardly any space for the river to run through the city. You expect them to have their factory, wind tunnel facility etc in a high-rise building?

The FIA would have stepped in ages ago with regards to the tyre issues. The teams would have definitely complained to the FIA ages ago. (We all remember the Michelin debacle back in 2005) So this storyline surrounding the tyres was so unbelievable. However, without it there would be no story. Also it's the teams' responsibility to return the tyres to the tyre supplier, not the other way around.
Also, if a wet race has zero visibility, it would definitely be red flagged. Believe it or not, safety is F1's top priority. But I will let that slide because we need the drama I suppose.

Alright, let's say you can suspend your disbelief or you've never watched F1 and don't care about the sporting aspects - this story was still horrible and the writing was not great. It was incredibly over-the-top and had a soapie, telenovela vibe to it. I don't usually mind that but in this story it came off as weak and, dare I say it, lame.

Here come the spoilers!

I don't care what you want to call it, Cole stalked Emily over the six years that they were not together. How is that romantic? How?!?!? That is creepy and would piss me off to no end.

He kept all of her mother's letters! Why?!? Who does that? And emails are mentioned as well. Did he go through the effort of printing them out and still keeping such vicious and malicious content like sentimental mementos? Why?! It makes zero sense.

The conflict made no sense, I don't get it. He stayed away to protect her, but the moment she started working with him, he showed almost no hesitation to starting things up again. No restraint whatsoever.

Don't get me started on the last race with those radio messages. It was terribly cringe. I got so much secondhand embarrassment from that.

Let's hope the next one is better!

[alina boop · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I’m gonna lick and taste until you’re begging to come on my face.”

THATS A LOT OF ACTION…

this book was so cute, I loved it. the end was kinda fucked… abt the family tree… but it was so happy and found family…

“You want me to fuck you up against this window, baby? In front of all those people out there?”

voyeurism deserves two hearts from me

“No,” she roars. “Parents don’t do this to their children. You were supposed to love me. All you’ve done is lie, manipulate, hurt. I never want to see you again, never!”

YES SOME PARENTS ARE JUST ASSHOLES…

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has to have some of the best written men I’ve ever seen

[Sim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I looovee iittt😍😍 Cole & Emily❤ top! Mega luxus, skvela porce smut, romantiky, drama i srandyyy😍😍😍😍 a F1 of course😇

[elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

i fear this was as bad as the cover suggests 💔 had so much potential too never again will i touch an f1 romance

[Adah · Rating 5 out of 5]

6️⃣word review
Spicy, fun, good f1 romance series
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Spice scale
🌶️🌶️🌶️
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Here’s the deal, if you are an F1 fan there will be some things the author gets wrong. It’s not perfect. But it’s fiction and it’s fun and it’s spicy so stop complaining about how “the fia would never” and just enjoy.

Second chance
Childhood sweethearts
Millionaire celebrity athlete
My favorite of the series

[Franny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay so here’s the thing: I love Formula 1 and everything about it, I’m a nerd for the workings and engineering and technical side of it as much as I support my fav drivers.
And whilst these books have moments were I’m like yeah but I don’t think this would be happening in real life, I still absolutely enjoy and love this series. Especially in times were there are no F1 races because of this stupid virus, I sure enjoy me so smutty F1 romance. Also the main characters and their sex scenes are so fucking on point and sexy, I love it. 10/10 can recommend.

[Kelcie Hixson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m gonna go jump off an overpass in front of a semi now

[josefina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried, I really tried to like it but it's something about this book that... just no. The first one was good but this... no.

[Christine · Rating 1 out of 5]

If i heard the line «gorgeus girl» one more time i might have dnf’ed.

[Paula]

"The guy everyone wants and he's mine." That's how Emily felt about Cole when they were still teenagers living In the Tampa, Florida, area. They have fooled around on his father's yacht before, but tonight was different. He calls her his "gorgeous girl" which she loves. In her mind she refers to him as "My savior, my best friend, my boyfriend, my lover." But tonight on the yacht it's different. They're going all the way, not just the heavy petting and foreplay they have done all those other times they were on the yacht.

She tells him she loves him. He doesn't say it back. His body stills and she knows he's is going to leave her. she calls herself a naive girl, but she thought they had something special, he didn't.

Six years later Emily is graduating from Cambridge University in England. She had already graduated from MIT with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. She's rooming with Klara, a Swedish student/barrista. Once her individual research project is completed her degree will be a Masters of Materials Science in Engineering . . . a 9 month program as compared to the 2 year program in the US.

Her student visa is only valid for 4 more months so she wants to get a job. Not in London, too close (I wonder what it is too close to?), but maybe Wales, Ireland and even Scotland would be nice. For 10 months she has hoed up in Cambridge, always making excuses to Klara to not go the 60 miles south to London.

Officials at Impericum have read her research paper and want an interview with her for a job tat has just become open. She doesn't want it. She is interested in working with a rubber company but not a Forula 1 racing company, even though most of her fellow students would do about anything to land a job there. They want her for a Tire and Performance engineer job.

She starts to argue with Tillman and he barks right back at her. She has insulted him, which she didn't mean to do. If some other racing team was offering a job it would be fine just not THIS ONE ! ! !







Emily Walker
1. 25 years old, had dull stick straight brown hair, brown generic eyes, figure has finaly started to fill out,
2. Lived in Tampa, Florida, when her father was stationed at MacDill AFB.
3. Went to Cambridge University for her Masters Degree.
3. Even though her parents are still in the US they hover over her, are authoritative with their discipline and constantly remind her failure is not an option.
4. Learned the hard way that mistakes were not a family option and the mistake lives in London.

Cole Ballentine
1. Lives around Tampa Florida.
2. Tall, cool, wealthy father, hot car, obscenely handsome.
3. right out of high school he accepted an offer to the Imperium Junior Driver Program and moved to Europe.

Klara Bergner
1. Emily's room mate from Sweden.
2. Also a student at Cambridge and works as a barrista.

Professor Tillman
1. He was her mentor in her individual research project.
2. Has connections with someone at Imperium that could make it easier for Emily to get the job.

McKenna
1. Emily's BFF from high school.
2. Her father was also stationed at MacDill AFB.
3. Now she lives in San Antonio, Texas.

[Angie Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kat Romson has written a 5=star book that has Emily dealing with her feelings for Cole that have come back after seeing him again after he broke her heart 6 years earlier. Emily has just gotten her Master in Material of Science in Engineering. Her Professor knows someone at Imperium, a Formula 1 racing company and has gotten her an interview for a job with them. She doesn't want to go to the interview due to the fact that Cole is one of their drivers and she has not seen him in 6 years. This is a dream job for Emily and even with Cole being with the company, she takes the job. She avoids Cole the best that she can. Emily can't trust herself because she still has feelings for Cole. Cole is doing everything he can to get Emily back but she can't trust him to not hurt her again and she knows she can't go through it again. As Emily does her research that is her job, she knows something is wrong with the tires the company uses on the cars. She has to work with Cole and the more time they spend together, the more her feelings start coming back for him. Things start to look up for them until she finds a box of stuff about her sent to Cole from her mother. She asks Cole why he had it and he tells her that he has been there with her the whole time. They get into an argument and with the more questions she asks the more Cole doesn't answer. She feels the betrayal and stupid for giving him another chance. She tells him that she is leaving and not to come to see her, or call her. She wants nothing else to do with him. She still works on the problem with the tires with her professor but she takes a leave of absence from work. She finds the answer about why the tires but she may not be able to get the news to the company before the race that is getting ready to start. Luck is with her, as the race has been delayed due to the rain. As they are waiting she is contacted by security that there is a couple that said that they were with her. She thinks that it is her friend, but it is her parents and she now finds out things that she never knew. They have done things that have kept her and Cole from each other, she tells them that they are the worst parents and she wants nothing to do with them.
Can Emily forgive Cole for his role in what her parents have done to her and give him another chance?
Will Cole prove to Emily that he did what he did to protect her or will she walk away from them all?
This was a wonderful book and I would recommend it to anyone.
I received an ARC of this book for my voluntarily and honest review.

[merapricot · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS REVIEW HAS SPOILERS

I really liked this story, it was fun, sweet, steamy (oh my) and easy, just what I was looking for. The chemistry between H&h was soo beautiful to read and I enjoyed the environment in wich the action takes place: you have this super smart, sassy, engineer woman, and this disciplined, heart of gold, F1 pilot who might look like an alpha but is as sweet as a cupcake once he is with the right person, HIS right person.

So, why didn't I give it 5 stars?
Well well, let's see...

1-Althought I actually liked Emily, she irritated me a few times because of her way to deal with the "truth" and her issues with Cole and her family. Even the same Cole said she was a runner, and that he didn't mind being the chaser but, dude, there were some chapters in which Emily deserved a slap in her face. Her way of dealing with shit was exactly that, shit.

2-The "truth": all the story about Emily's parents cheating each other with Cole's parents was... weird, highly unpleasant and actually kinda lame, mostly because all the events happened because of that "secret", like Cole being manipulated by Emily's parents, all those 6 years of separation between H&h, the letters, Emily's mom, Emily's reactions, etc.

3-The introduction of Danica (?), Cole's stepsister: this was out of the blue and, for me, so forced. First, because she was mentioned in the epilogue out of nowhere and I though that maybe I'd lost something in the last chapters, but no, Danica came at the very very end, turning out to be the daugther of Stan, a character that the reader learn to hate because of all he did to Cole, and even Cole hate him, so, suddenly, this stepsister is in the scene, visiting Cole for christmas and we have this insta-afection, insta-brotherhood, insta-link between Cole and a woman who have never seen in his entire life and also the daughter of the man he hates. This was really unnatural for me.


But, do I recommend this? YESS, you go girl, boy, person.
(You will fall in love with Cole)

Bonus: I LOVEEED the proposal and the fact that Emily made it.

[Cliona · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 at a push


I tried to like this - I really did. But the more I read the more I hated it. I had to force myself not to DNF as that was my New Year’s resolution but damn this one was hard. I thought this book would be better then the first in the series but I was wrong. I’ll be giving up on this series now though.

I’ve never disliked a protagonist more - he’s made out to be this charming romantic. But it’s all red flags - love bombing, stalking, gaslighting ……. Girl run! “This is the game we play” as Cole said.
Reading other reviews it’s a bit frightening that people are falling or excusing controlling behaviour like this.

I wouldn’t recommend this one to genuine f1 fans either as the inaccuracy’s / ridiculous plot lines linked to the sport ruin the “escapism” of the whole book. I think other reviews cover this well in more detail already.

SPOILERS:

The letters and printed out emails - this was published in 2019….. make it make sense 😅 and attacking the sex video in an “apology” text 🤢🚩and kissing and licking the camera 🤮

The part I did like of the “tyre degradation mystery” and smart/successful female lead, was just getting good and then we spent endless chapters going in circles of them fucking and mis communicating. Felt like they were teenagers not mid twenties - this was very frustrating. She became the weak damsel in distress that was hypnotised by his dick.

I hate to skim read the final race because the radio messages were one giant cringe that would never ever happen 🙈

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emily and Cole had a romantic history when they were teens, he left to follow his dreams and Emily was left broken hearted. Emily got her degree in Mechanical Engineering and has now hit the big leagues with her break through work. Their subsequent dealings with each other as adults seems to be stuck in the juvenile stage. Instead of having a heart to heart sit down to clear the air they both stalk each other for a good portion of the book.

Not sure if it was the writing style or their immaturity that made me not really get into either character. Thankfully while Cole admits he was a bit of a dog the author did not subject us to any of his past hookups. Honestly both characters were very likeable and once they started seeing each other there were many sweet moments, there was just something that made me not fully invest.

While I understand the danger of what was happening on the racetrack is what brought these two back together, it got more attention than the relationship between these two. Plus was having a serious case of déjà vu with the parent issues that had a similar flavor like in “Fast & Hard”. Finding a better balance of the relationship and the dangers, and maturing the characters dealings with each other a bit would have made this a much better story in my opinion.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amy Crull · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I gotta say it took me a little bit to get into this book. I wasn't the biggest fan of Cole in the beginning especially when I felt like he forced her hand in accepting the job. He was very pushy and demanding. Once I got more into the book, I was able to see why Cole is the way that he is. When you hear his backstory, your heart just breaks for him. Emily hasn't had it easy either. She fell hard for Cole back in the day and had a sweet romance with him until he upped and left her. She was devasated but was determined to move on and achieve her dreams. Her future was up in the air until the job of a lifetime came up. She is hesitatant about it cause she knows who she'll see. I liked Emily. She's a fighter in the true sense of the word. She fights for her job and the safety of it, fights to save her relationship with Cole and snaps ties when it's necessary. She seems like a very sweet girl. Just when I was starting to Cole, he goes and screws up. This is s a big one! I liked both characters Emily more though. I can't wait to read the next book!!

I received an advance copy for free and I am leaving a review voluntarily.

[Lexi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not the plot/romance type for me. It was relatively well written, the racing content was enjoyable and as always I would have liked more of it, and the spice was pretty solid. The plot aside from the romance was pretty good with the tire drama. What got me was actually the character’s romance. I did not enjoy the miscommunication/lies part of it even with the family drama and it was too obsessive for my liking. Cole was definitely stalkerish at the beginning and while there were moments where I found them endearing, the following her and going to things and watching her house were weird for me. It was well written but I caught myself cringey a bit too much with the exes to lovers trope and some of the more “she’s not leaving me or getting away” parts. He had some redeeming good feminist support moments but there was also too much of the shes so different from any girls and she’s crazy if she thinks she’s getting away from me. I did love the engineering and women in stem talk a lot as well.

[Lesley Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new author to me, and the second book in this series. I was worried that I would miss an element of the story due to this, but I believe the book can be read and enjoyed as a standalone novel. Although I will go back and read the first book as I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the authors writing style.

From the very start I was captivated by the story and by the characters. Told from dual POV's I loved experiencing the journey from both Cole and Emily's perspectives. I loved the characters, they had depth and were very likeable.

The book was full of emotion and I felt each one as I imagine the characters would. The destruction caused by those closest to the characters was astounding, and the outcome was perfect. I loved the strength that the characters gained when reunited and the resolve to work through their past. Many other characters in the book held my interest and I imagine a few of them will have stories of their own!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had so much fun reading Emily and Cole's story, although I was hoping for more of Mallory and Lennox. They showed up towards the end, so that was good, but I figured it would be more mixed in throughout. That doesn't take away from the back and forth banter between Cole and Emily though!

They met as teenagers before Cole was a famous F1 driver. He left to get his career started and stopped all contact with Emily leaving her brokenhearted. They both followed each other via internet and other means over the six years in between when they saw each other again as Emily started working as an Tire Engineer at the company Cole drove for. Everything came out eventually and there was more heartbreak for Emily as she realized how the years she spent cut off from Cole could have turned out much differently.

Lots of passion, lots of inappropriate comments over the radio during the races and tons of fun! Great series, can't wait for the next one.

[Adrianna Bernardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this, I feel like fast and wet is better than fast and hard. Firstly, this is my second book of second second chance romance and I have a Lee appreciated it because I liked how Cole never stopped loving Emily and that when she returned to engineering for F1, He knew he was gonna fight for her. Secondly, I couldn’t stop laughing at the gestures Cole would give Emily when she was a way. For example, he put her initials EW on his helmet and he kissed the camera when he won one of the Grand Prix races. What I also loved was the ending, because I am obsessed with Emily‘s proposal to Cole and how she did it on the comma for the whole world to watch😭. Both characters were super relatable especially Emily as we watch her learn how to grow into her own person and learn to not run away from her problems when times get tough. Finally, I loved the special guest appearances from Mallory, Lennox, Jack and Matty❤️😍.

[Mary Mutisya-Astin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow Emily and Cole have an epic story of love, secrets and betrayal

When Emily gets a dream job offer as an engineer with a top Formula 1 team, she is torn because it would mean finally coming face to face with her past, Cole Ballentine.
They were first loves and best friends and she experienced so many firsts with him before he ghosted her without a word. Can she face him again and finally get the answers to the mystery that caused the end of their relationship? Lies, deceit and betrayal all come to light and the answers she received are not ones she was expecting after all.

Loved this story and the cameos from book one as well. Well done! I can’t wait for the next one.

I voluntarily read this book for an honest review.

[Katt Pinewood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do I like a second chance romance? I do. But the beginning was a little too fast for me. I think the 6 years gap could have been more explored, and both of them should have "suffer" a little more in the presence of each other. As much as you love someone, what happened and the time that passed speaks volumes. But okay, speed apart, I liked the book. I love a powerful woman in the middle of the "men's world." I loved how she went against everything to make sure he (and the other pilots) would be safe. Him...I don't know what to say actually, I like him, he is a cutie pie and the reason he left and stood away from her sight all those years was...heartbreaking. And once again, we love a powerful woman because that was exactly what she was in the final confrontation. Good book!

[Jeraca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this free eARC novel from Booksirens. This is my honest review.

I am pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this novel. Emily is awesome. She's so smart and the more we go through this book, the more bolder and confident she becomes. Cole is also awesome in this book. He worked so hard to become an F1 racer and he's great at his job.

Watching these two reconnect was exciting and hot. It was like 6 years didn't pass by and they started where they left off.

I absolutely hate both Emily and Cole's parents. They are evil and deceitful and nasty people.

I am so glad I got a chance to read this eARC and I look forward to reading more books by this author!

[Smadma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book; it kept me interested from start to finish and I hated that work/life got in the way of my reading time. Cole and Emily fell in love in high school but then Cole thinks he's doing the right thing by leaving Emily but she is shattered and neither of them are truly happy until they meet up again and all of the skeletons fall out of the closet. There is so much crap that slowly gets revealed but is so satisfying once you get to the end and see it all. This is a story that will make you both laugh and cry and even though I'm not into F1 racing, I really enjoyed that part of the story.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Juana Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

"BOX! BOX! BOX!"

I love how the story tells us something about the one of the most important part of F1 car. "YOU NEED TO BOX MATE! CHANGE YOUR TYRE TO INTERS!" (side story, while I'm reading this book the Russian Grand Prix was just finished and it rains before the race ends. so tire management was a very big deal on those moments) So reading this story about Emily who is a Mechanical Engineer with Masters of Materials Science in Engineering in Cambridge UK and a project concept about Chemical Advances in the Compounds of Tire Manufacturing is just WOOOW!!! I can't even express how I enjoyed this book very much! and the drama, romance and emotions of Cole and Emily amazing! LO AMO!