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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
I wondered if these characters would ever truly get together. Nice story, happy ending.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ugh. Cordie (terrible nickname) was alright (besides being weak-willed and a doormat), but Aiden was awful. Honestly, this was an example of a romance book that needed dual POV or at least a greater sense of interiority on Aiden's part. By the end of the book I wasn't convinced Aiden even knew Cordie existed beyond being gorgeous - let alone that he loved her enough to demand marriage. At least in The Ideal Man, the MMC was (internally) obsessed with the FMC from the outset. Aiden's been around Cordie for twenty years and has largely ignored her. If she would never have kissed him in her weird grief phase would they have gotten together? Highly doubtful. Honestly, I was rooting for Cordie to stick to her guns, move past her lifelong crush, and run away with Liam to Australia. All Aiden did - even after Cordie was hit by a car - was work and work from home. Attractive.
As far as the danger plot goes, this one felt both unbelievable and uninteresting - a deadly combination. Although dark family secrets and resurrected mothers with secret identities sounds interesting, she and her hoity toity rich family appear for a total of maybe four chapters, so there is absolutely no dimension to their characters or motives. Next!
As far as the danger plot goes, this one felt both unbelievable and uninteresting - a deadly combination. Although dark family secrets and resurrected mothers with secret identities sounds interesting, she and her hoity toity rich family appear for a total of maybe four chapters, so there is absolutely no dimension to their characters or motives. Next!
3.5 stars - My review cross-posted from Wit and Sin: http://witandsin.blogspot.com/2014/07/review-fast-track-by-julie-garwood.html
Secrets, danger, and family drama will take readers on a journey from Chicago to Sydney in Fast Track. I can always count on Julie Garwood to deliver an entertaining story, and Cordie and Aiden’s book is no exception.
Cordelia Kane’s life is turned upside down when her father reveals the truth about her mother right before he dies. Yet while Cordie is ready to let go of the past and start a new life in Boston, this revelation keeps her in Chicago…and in the sights of Aiden Madison, her best friend’s brother and the man she’s secretly loved for years. It’s Aiden who helps Cordie on her journey to Australia to learn the truth about the woman who gave birth to her. And when it becomes clear that someone is targeting Cordie, it’s Aiden who appoints himself her protector. The circumstances that draw them together are what finally opens Aiden’s eyes when it comes to seeing Cordie for the desirable woman she is. The two of them begin their love story with a solid foundation based on years of knowing one another, and I liked the easiness to their love story. That being said, their romance did lack the usual spark found in Ms. Garwood’s books, likely because we didn’t get to go very deep into Aiden’s character. Some of my all-time favorite love stories have been written by Ms. Garwood, so the extreme understated-ness of Cordie and Aiden’s romance was a bit of a disappointment, particularly since the two had so much potential. Still, I liked them together and I did finish Fast Track a satisfied reader.
Outside of the Aiden-Cordie romance, the biggest plot thread to Fast Track involved Cordie trying to learn more about her mother. There’s ample danger and a dash of suspense stemming from this storyline, and though I won’t spoil the book, I will say that my heart broke for Cordie. Her eye-opening trip to Sydney only makes me happier that she has such amazing best friends in Regan and Sophie. And speaking of Regan and Sophie, these two former Buchanan-Renard heroines (of Murder List and Fire and Ice respectively) along with their heroes, Alec and Jack, add warmth and humor to Fast Track. I loved seeing these four interact with Cordie and Aiden, and fans of the series will surely be delighted that they play such strong supporting roles. As someone who’s been reading the Buchanan-Renard series out of order, I can safely say that Fast Track can be read as a standalone. That being said, if you’re new to the series and don’t want to read Murder List and Fire and Ice after finishing this book I’ll be surprised.
I’m always eager to read Julie Garwood’s books, so you can bet I’ll be back for more Buchanan-Renard adventures, particularly if there’s a story in store for the sexy Liam Scott, a man so charismatic he threatens to steal the show from the Cordie and Aiden. Though Fast Track has its ups and downs, overall it’s a fast-paced, highly enjoyable read.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Secrets, danger, and family drama will take readers on a journey from Chicago to Sydney in Fast Track. I can always count on Julie Garwood to deliver an entertaining story, and Cordie and Aiden’s book is no exception.
Cordelia Kane’s life is turned upside down when her father reveals the truth about her mother right before he dies. Yet while Cordie is ready to let go of the past and start a new life in Boston, this revelation keeps her in Chicago…and in the sights of Aiden Madison, her best friend’s brother and the man she’s secretly loved for years. It’s Aiden who helps Cordie on her journey to Australia to learn the truth about the woman who gave birth to her. And when it becomes clear that someone is targeting Cordie, it’s Aiden who appoints himself her protector. The circumstances that draw them together are what finally opens Aiden’s eyes when it comes to seeing Cordie for the desirable woman she is. The two of them begin their love story with a solid foundation based on years of knowing one another, and I liked the easiness to their love story. That being said, their romance did lack the usual spark found in Ms. Garwood’s books, likely because we didn’t get to go very deep into Aiden’s character. Some of my all-time favorite love stories have been written by Ms. Garwood, so the extreme understated-ness of Cordie and Aiden’s romance was a bit of a disappointment, particularly since the two had so much potential. Still, I liked them together and I did finish Fast Track a satisfied reader.
Outside of the Aiden-Cordie romance, the biggest plot thread to Fast Track involved Cordie trying to learn more about her mother. There’s ample danger and a dash of suspense stemming from this storyline, and though I won’t spoil the book, I will say that my heart broke for Cordie. Her eye-opening trip to Sydney only makes me happier that she has such amazing best friends in Regan and Sophie. And speaking of Regan and Sophie, these two former Buchanan-Renard heroines (of Murder List and Fire and Ice respectively) along with their heroes, Alec and Jack, add warmth and humor to Fast Track. I loved seeing these four interact with Cordie and Aiden, and fans of the series will surely be delighted that they play such strong supporting roles. As someone who’s been reading the Buchanan-Renard series out of order, I can safely say that Fast Track can be read as a standalone. That being said, if you’re new to the series and don’t want to read Murder List and Fire and Ice after finishing this book I’ll be surprised.
I’m always eager to read Julie Garwood’s books, so you can bet I’ll be back for more Buchanan-Renard adventures, particularly if there’s a story in store for the sexy Liam Scott, a man so charismatic he threatens to steal the show from the Cordie and Aiden. Though Fast Track has its ups and downs, overall it’s a fast-paced, highly enjoyable read.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Boring
I love Julie Garwood books but dang this one was boring. It just dragged on and on. I found myself nodding off while reading it. What's so sad is I read Castles before this one and it's a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read.
I love Julie Garwood books but dang this one was boring. It just dragged on and on. I found myself nodding off while reading it. What's so sad is I read Castles before this one and it's a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read.
As much as I love Julie Garwood novels, this one was not up to the usual standard. I remember the first books of the Buchanan-Renard series - Heartbreaker, Mercy (oh man! Mercy - that one had me guessing until the last pages!).. Those were much, much better. I like the storyline of Fast Track - the bones were there. But I wish the story went deeper. I have not given up on Julie Garwood yet though, I'll still read her books.
I don't get how/why the arrogant, domineering male is supposed to be attractive. So unappealing. And the dialogue was weird: "... the sounds you make when you're writhing in my arms" and other similar nonsense. Do people talk like that?
3.8 stars!!!
I have been looking forward to read Aiden's story from the time I read "Murder List". There was a hint there that Cordelia liked Aiden but Aiden was oblivious to this. I was also curious to know more about Aiden and whether love would kindle between Cordelia and him.
And the circumstances did bring them together in this novel. The kiss was what started it all, made Aiden realize his feelings for Cordelia.
I really liked the story. Cordelia's dialogues and her fun banter with Aiden was refreshing. Her confidence and the way she handled her murder attempt not once but twice was commendable.
The friendship shown between Cordelia, Regan and Sophie was amazing. I really liked how Alec cared about Cordie.
The men in the story were quite possessive and acted "territorial" but the women held their own, sometimes that is, and some other times, the men kept quiet.
Fast Track was good but I expected more from Aiden's character and I felt the way the characters were defined and the way the characters acted was quite different.
All in all, it was worth reading.
I have been looking forward to read Aiden's story from the time I read "Murder List". There was a hint there that Cordelia liked Aiden but Aiden was oblivious to this. I was also curious to know more about Aiden and whether love would kindle between Cordelia and him.
And the circumstances did bring them together in this novel. The kiss was what started it all, made Aiden realize his feelings for Cordelia.
I really liked the story. Cordelia's dialogues and her fun banter with Aiden was refreshing. Her confidence and the way she handled her murder attempt not once but twice was commendable.
The friendship shown between Cordelia, Regan and Sophie was amazing. I really liked how Alec cared about Cordie.
The men in the story were quite possessive and acted "territorial" but the women held their own, sometimes that is, and some other times, the men kept quiet.
Fast Track was good but I expected more from Aiden's character and I felt the way the characters were defined and the way the characters acted was quite different.
All in all, it was worth reading.