Book Review – Happy Hour by Shey Stahl

I have a new *big time* book crush and a sudden fascination with Nascar. In fact I just indulged in a Nascar race yesterday. Can I *crush* over Jimmie Johnson a bit? Is that okay? ‘Cause he’s really cute. And he won! But I digress. He’s not the crush I was referring to. I have an even bigger crush and he’s the focus of this post.

I’ve never read any other “Nascar hero” books so I have nothing to compare this to, but I think I just might be hooked on this genre. And a few of our fellow readers would seem to agree!

Tiffany:  Well I did start Happy Hour by Shey Stahl and Im so into it but can not finish because IM tired…But if I had enough energy I would keep on reading because its Really…Really,,,,GOOD…Gonna finish it the Morning..Can’t wait !!! Its that GOOD!! :}

Takisha: I have been MIA, stuck in and taking it slow with all the books so far from Shey Stahl’s Racing on the Edge series. Such a good series!!!

Jillian: They look really good so I am glad to hear this!

Takisha: They are! Makes you wanna get into Nascar racing too! LOL

Tiffany: … Im into the whole Nascar racing thing ..It seems the Main Men are very angry HOT and sexy…YUM…LOL…

and then later….

Takisha: After reading the Racing on the Edge Series by Shey Stahl, I am currently watching today’s NASCAR race…Ha!

Right there with you, guys! In fact, after just reading book #1, I already feel like a Nascar convert. So good! And I know I loved it, simply by the fact that I remember almost every detail of the book (and I have so many favorite scenes). In fact, when I had to put it down for a bit (before finishing it) I literally moped for days, absolutely missing them. Him. Jameson.

I had unfinished business and the only thing that would make me better was more of him.

Jameson might just be my Nascar version of Dex.

And Jameson is everything I love in a book hero. Handsome, romantic, tender, polite, and patient? Wins everything with dignity, and never makes a scene? Respectful, and even-tempered?

HECK NO!

Jameson is sexy, arrogant, obnoxious and moody as all get-out! Cantankerous. That’s the word! Temper tantrums abound, and even-keeled he is NOT. Fair or unfair, he let’s his temper get the best of him, and while his woman is safe when he is on a warpath, restaurant tables, hotel rooms and other guys faces are not. He lets his racing and his fists do the talking, propriety be damned!

Jameson Riley was a gritty a$$hole, plain and simple. He was moody, childish at times and could easily put a toddler to shame with the fits he threw. He overreacted, has textbook aggression issues and was downright arrogant but that didn’t change the fact that I loved him despite his many flaws. Just like any single-minded athlete, he had a burning desire to race, and that’s all he did. That overreacting side and that single-minded athlete mentality was who he was and how he got to where he was now.

But never fear. There is a whole other side to the unbelievably swoon-worthy Jameson. I found myself enraptured by his charming and so very sweet side. His confidence and swagger made me weak at the knees. And yet, he’s a total goof! A brat!! And I loved every moment with him. Even his tantrums.

And here’s what I really loved (well… one of the things). The true family feel of this book. No, not the Hallmark version, but the real version. Equally obnoxious jokester brother, bratty younger sister, and exasperated parents that can’t believe they raised such troublemakers. And yet, I feel how close they all are. They act as if can’t stand each other and yet love each other to the ends of the earth and back. And while I was laughing at their hijinks, I felt warm and fuzzy, too.

But the best part of the book? Being the heroine. Being “Sway” (that’s her name). Being Jameson’s absolute best friend since childhood. Being more special to him than all of the “Nascar groupies” that he has his pick of, and being the one he calls and begs to come see him during his biggest, most important races. Being his good luck charm. Being the one he runs to and hugs in the winner’s circle, while all of the fans (and covetous “groupies” look on).

What sucks about being Sway? Being in love with him, and not having him 100%.

What kind of idiot dropped everything for a guy she knew didn’t feel the same way about her?

Me, I do that sh!t.

Occasionally watching from the sidelines, as hoards of gorgeous women hang off of his every word. Not being by his side, every step of the way, as his “rock-star fame-like” career takes off. Not being the one he loves, in the same way that she loves him.

But you see, this is the book that takes you on her journey. From best-friend to hopeful girlfriend. From flirtatious banter and extra long hugs…

Something seemed different about us. I couldn’t place it but it was there. Instead of taunting, he was teasing. Instead of fighting, he was flirting.

… to angsty heartache. From “I knew him back when…” to “who is he now?”.

I could feel the change in him. He was still the same Jameson but I was afraid of what he had to be on the outside and if he would be able to protect him and his dream.

Even with the pliant indifference he displayed tonight, I could still see the restlessness and the loneliness that this lifestyle had created for him over the past years.

And there’s so much more that I’ll let you experience for yourself. This is a nice long book, and what a treat it was! The attention to detail makes it that much more real, to the reader. This is not necessarily “eloquent and poetic” but it was completely relateable, and in all of it’s hilarity, was surprisingly and delightfully introspective. It made me feel like I could totally know these characters, and love them as much as they love each other. In fact, I found myself wondering, as life-like as they were, perhaps… they might actually exist?

And OMG the amazingly detailed race scenes. This book comes alive when they are racing. The tantrums, the tension… exciting and exhilarating!! Even if you weren’t a Nascar fan before, I bet you’ll be one after this. His races and his reaction to them are just as lovingly crafted as the potential love story itself. I feel like I’m right there with the pit crew, and feel every bit of his elation, anticipation and frustration as he fights for #1. And then there was the scene where he gave Sway  a taste of “racing”, letting her feel what he feels, in a speeding race car by his side.

Craning his neck to look over at me, he winked once.

*shivers* OH WOW. JUST WOW!!!!! Absolutely thrilled me. In real life, I don’t think I’d ever take that chance, but OMG how excitingly HOT was that entire scene??

HOT? Oh right!! This book is S-T-E-A-M-Y. Just sayin’

With a devious smirk, he slowly winked at me. “You don’t hate me honey, and you know it.” Pressed against his body, his lips dipped to my ear. “I have a surprise for you tonight anyways.”

If it involved his camshaft, I was all for it.

*blush* Tee hee!!! There’s a lot of … car part innuendos but they SO fit. I’m never going to look at car parts the same again. Umm. Well, I mean…. not that I ever really actually… looked at car parts or anything before, but you know. *shrug*

My only complaint? Some of the “hi-jinks” scenes were far-fetched, over the top and perhaps I could have done without (ie: her little devious step-brothers and her way-too patient cat, and a few others come to mind). But so many of the other “funny” scenes was perfectly paced, realistic and had me laughing out loud, seeing it perfectly in my head and loving them even more. Like this scene, when he catches his sister with someone from his crew (I could just SEE him perfectly, here and I swear I squawked with delight):

“Calm down.”

“No.” His arms crossed over his chest. “I’m mad.”

Emma and Aiden were still kissing so I needed to distract him.

I couldn’t believe I was resorting to this but I was. It was either this or poor Aiden wouldn’t be walking tomorrow.

“Would it helped you if I showed you my boobs?”

He was quiet for a moment before replying with, “Maybe.”

He motioned with a quick flip of his hand. “Show me and let’s see.”

*squeeeeeee* tee heeeeeee!!! <—– Oh I am HIGH-PITCHED here. *sigh* he is toooooooo freakin’ CUTE! And his reaction was ever cuter!

Pretty much loved it all!! This book goes to show that no matter how rich and famous you are, coming home brings you right back down to earth, and sometimes, where it counts, nothing really changes after all. I will absolutely continue reading the series.

Check out the reading order —> Shey Stahl – Racing on the Edge Series Reading Order

4.5 stars!!!

Tagged as: 4.5 stars, bad boys, contemporary romance, nascar, Shey Stahl