Reviewed by Carissa
TITLE: A Grand Prix Romance
SERIES: International Men of Sports #7
AUTHOR: T.A. Chase and Devon Rhodes
PUBLISHER: Totally Bound
LENGTH: 147 pages
BLURB:
Two men who share a passion for speed find out what can happen if they slow down enough for a Grand romance.
Paolo’s more than just a football player—he plays at life. But underneath the party boy image, he’s well aware that his career is stagnating and a big move might be needed. Before anything like that can be decided, though, he’s going to enjoy his annual trip to Monte Carlo for the Grand Prix.
The only thing Johann loves more than his F-1 racing is gambling in the glittering casino of Monaco. He finds that high stakes applies to more than just cards—his heart is going all in and if he bets it all and loses, it could cost him everything.
Reader Advisory: This books contains characters from At First Touch, but can be enjoyed as a standalone.
REVIEW:
Paolo might just be growing up–and he hasn’t a clue what to do with that. Or with his life, really. His contract with his football club is coming up for renegotiation, he hasn’t had a real relationship in god knows how long, and all his friends seem to be leading lives that are no longer in sync with his own. He knows he need to do something, make some sort of decision about something–but he figures that can wait for two weeks. Because he is off to Monte Carlo for the Grand Prix, and his only plans are to watch some high-speed racing, gambling away some of his ridiculous salary, and hooking up with someone to pass the time in between.
It is a bit of fate (and poor planning) that lands him in the path of F-1 racer Johann. And it is a bit of luck that draws them together over their shared love of fast cars, high-stakes, and a desire for a good time–preferably sans clothing. But if Paolo is looking to keep Johann around for longer than a holiday fling, he might just have to man up and decide once and for all what he really wants.
Finally, a book that has no desire to torture my poor fragile heart. I am always ready to pick up the books in this series, because I know that I am not going to hit over the head with Angst-O-Rama. And after the week I have been having, that is such a freaking relief. Sometimes you just need a little loving without the risk of a broken heart.
I don’t know all that much about racing, other than it scares me right down to my little girly pants (high speeds are right up there with heights on my oh-no-you-didn’t list), but I enjoyed how it was written in this book. You get to experience some of the lingo and the world of racing, but you don’t feel like you are being overwhelmed with facts and stats. You get the feeling, I guess, instead of the full-immersion experience. And when you are really looking for a story that you can enjoy without getting a headache, that is a real nice thing. Not that it felt under-researched…just that the authors knew what to put what in, and what really wasn’t needed.
It was also nice to see Paolo again. He has a side role in the third book in the series, At First Touch, and with so many great secondary characters running around in this series, I was thrilled that we get to go back and get their stories as well. There is not much of the football in this book, since it focuses more on Johann’s world of racing, but you do get to see some of the guys from Germany in this one. And now I really need to have Sergio’s book (again, or still, or whatever).
This book may not dig deep into the angst vat, but there is plenty of romance and hot racer-on-footballer action going on in its place. I loved how the romance was built up in this story, and it just felt so natural. From the first moment you can feel the heat, but it takes a bit to work up to love. But when love does come into play I have no trouble believing it, even though they have known each other for such a short time.
I pretty much recommend this entire series, especially when you are looking for some well written romances that won’t try to break you. And, as always, I adore the fact that each book takes us to new countries and explores new sports. Add in all the wonderful side characters, and you are sure to have a hit no matter what you know about racing, football, cricket, rugby, hockey(!!!) or any of the many other sports that Chase and Rhodes have written about.
RATING:
BUY LINKS:
YES! I love NASCAR and F1 racing! right up my alley! thx
Glad you found yourself a “happy” book to review. You’ve convinced me that I need to check out this series but it’s being added to an already loooong to-read list
lol. yeah, i feel you pain. sometimes i come across on my tbr list that i haven’t even thought about in years…and probably will still be there in two years time. So many goods books to read, and so few TARDISs (TARDI? or is it like moose? though i still think it should me mooses. funner to say.) to go around.