Reviewed by Donna

TITLE: Track Limits

AUTHOR: M.A. Ford

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH: 220 Pages

BLURB: Is motorsport ready for a gay driver?

As the opening race in the Global GT Challenge approaches, lead driver Mark Hunter struggles to regain his confidence after Randolph Racing’s last disastrous season. Mark hesitates when owner Randy says he’s found the perfect replacement for their arrogant previous teammate, Brad Wilkins. Former single-seater star Jordan Matthews is excited to join the crew and ready to put past troubles behind him.

Trust builds as Mark and Jordan become a fine-tuned team for the number 17 Saleen, earning a podium in Abu Dhabi at the season opener. Their friendship develops into more as they continue to earn prestige for Randolph Racing. But their success sparks jealousy, and people from their pasts threaten vengeance. Jordan is reluctant to ruin his fresh start in racing by exposing the secrets that almost cost him his career ten years ago. If he can’t take the risk, he’ll never realize his dream of kissing Mark on the winner’s podium. 

REVIEW:

I have to say, the best part about writing reviews for a blog is reading books I never would have considered choosing otherwise. Okay, sometimes it’s not such a success story but I started reading Track Limits thinking I was taking one for the team (motorsports? no thanks) and was completely shocked when not only did I not suffer through it, I absolutely loved it.

But, before the story begins you’re hit with a glossary of motorsport terminology followed by a history of motorsport in Europe. I read both and honestly, I don’t think I took in much of anything. There was a whole lot of letters and numbers and colors, and if I may suggest? Just skip it. It’s not part of the story and unless you’re actually interested in the history, it’s not something you’re required to know to enjoy the book. The glossary is so extensive there’s no way you’re going to remember a fraction of it anyway and if you feel the need, which I didn’t, you can always refer back to it if there’s a term that’s confusing you. It just sort of ruins your mood before you can start reading.

Track Limits has some great characters. Mark is probably my favorite. I liked that he isn’t the best driver or the fastest driver and he doesn’t win every race that he enters. Instead he’s experienced and competent and uses the skills he has to achieve the best possible result.

Jordan suits him perfectly. He’s more of a risk taker, he’s got a lead foot on the track and he has a more volatile personality.

When the two men meet they become instant best friends, so close that Mark’s relationship with his girlfriend begins to suffer. I love these stories where you have the clueless straight guy who gets so adorably confused when he starts getting the hots for his gay bestie. The books that have a slow build to romance always feel like they have the strongest relationships once the men do find their way to be together. And that’s how it is with Jordan and Mark. They both consider being outed as gay on the professional racing circuit to be pretty much the worst thing that could happen. They fear being dumped from their team, perhaps even put in danger by other drivers on the track. It could easily be the end of their careers. But once they get together, actually become a couple, they know that their love for each other is more important than their love of racing. “I finally discovered what it was all about. Before, motorsport was my world. I expected that I’d spend all my life at the track, drop dead one day in the pit lane when I was seventy or so. But now, all of a sudden, it’s just about Jordan.”

I should probably point out that there’s no sex scenes included in the book. The most the reader actually witnesses is kissing. Everything else is off page. I know that’s a deal breaker for some people but you’ll be missing out on a great story.

The big coming out reveal is a little anticlimactic but at the same time, the reactions of the other characters are great to read. Especially Sally, the ex girlfriend. The way the author handled her character was a pleasant surprise. And one of the villains, Sylvain, I sort of want the poor guy to get his own HEA but this doesn’t seem like the sort of book that will have a sequel.

I’m sure I’ve used this line before, and I’m sure I’ll use this line again but this book has the best ending ever! (For this week anyway.) The two drivers, winning their race and kissing on the podium for the world to see was so damned satisfying. I figured I wasn’t actually giving anything away by gushing over that bit because in the first half of the book Jordan says to Mark “I’ve always had this image, of standing on the top step of a podium, kissing another driver” and you just KNOW it’s going to happen.

I’m guessing not everyone will like this book as much as I did, but I peeked at some other reviews and odds are looking good. I would urge you to take the chance or you might miss out like I almost did.

RATING:

BUY LINKS: Dreamspinner Press  ::  Amazon  ::  Are