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Going Nowhere Fast
The brakes are off in this sizzling-hot new adult romance from the author of the Hellfire Riders MC Romance series...
One promise.
Two hearts.
Three rules.
Four weeks to break them all.
When Aspen Phillips’ best friend invites her on a month-long road trip, she has serious mixed feelings. Sharing their tight quarters will be Bramwell Gage, overprotective brother and all-around jerk. Bram may be ridiculously sexy, but he’s made no effort to hide how he feels about Aspen—that she’s trash who’s no good for his sister. But Aspen is determined to get along with the uptight millionaire—and to keep her promise, concealing a secret about his sister that Bram can never know.
But after a scorching kiss reveals that Bram’s feelings toward her run much hotter than she believed, Aspen's emotions swerve into a complete 180. Suddenly the girl who has nothing has everything—but only as long as the truth about his sister remains hidden. Because when all the secrets and promises unravel, she risks losing it all...
One promise.
Two hearts.
Three rules.
Four weeks to break them all.
When Aspen Phillips’ best friend invites her on a month-long road trip, she has serious mixed feelings. Sharing their tight quarters will be Bramwell Gage, overprotective brother and all-around jerk. Bram may be ridiculously sexy, but he’s made no effort to hide how he feels about Aspen—that she’s trash who’s no good for his sister. But Aspen is determined to get along with the uptight millionaire—and to keep her promise, concealing a secret about his sister that Bram can never know.
But after a scorching kiss reveals that Bram’s feelings toward her run much hotter than she believed, Aspen's emotions swerve into a complete 180. Suddenly the girl who has nothing has everything—but only as long as the truth about his sister remains hidden. Because when all the secrets and promises unravel, she risks losing it all...
248 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 18, 2017
About the author
Kati Wilde
43 books1,641 followersKati Wilde is a tight-lipped, loose-hipped woman of indeterminate age and low breeding. Born into a very large family, she now has a very small family (no laws were broken in this transition), and she writes romantic fiction to assuage her darker urge to write Transformers erotica. She lives in Oregon, so most of you are safely far enough away, and has two old cats.
Kati writes the Hellfire Riders MC romance series and will be publishing her first New Adult novel, Going Nowhere Fast, with Berkley later this year.
About Our Series:
The Motorcycle Clubs series is for romance readers who want all the heat and emotion, but who don’t have all of the time. At this time, we are only publishing novellas — our intention is to provide readers with short (yet satisfying) MC romances. Sometimes we might continue one couple’s story over several novellas, but each individual novella will have a satisfying romantic resolution. Because they are short, we focus the stories on the eroticism and romance, and will be building the MC worlds as each series progresses.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me -- kati@katiwilde.com.
Kati writes the Hellfire Riders MC romance series and will be publishing her first New Adult novel, Going Nowhere Fast, with Berkley later this year.
About Our Series:
The Motorcycle Clubs series is for romance readers who want all the heat and emotion, but who don’t have all of the time. At this time, we are only publishing novellas — our intention is to provide readers with short (yet satisfying) MC romances. Sometimes we might continue one couple’s story over several novellas, but each individual novella will have a satisfying romantic resolution. Because they are short, we focus the stories on the eroticism and romance, and will be building the MC worlds as each series progresses.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me -- kati@katiwilde.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 549 reviews
Shelved as 'arc-to-read'
May 30, 2017Fingers crossed that this is as awesome as her Hellfire Riders books!
December 18, 2018
4 hate f*cking stars
AMAZING heroine! One of the best I read lately.
Sassy, strong, unapologetic, a bit aggressive, but also honest and vulnerable.
I didn’t like everything about this book. The money and “blackmailing” issues and also penthouse thing at the end were slightly over the top. Like unrealistic mix of Cinderella and Pretty Woman.
But the heroine saved this book. Every single time. I adored her!
I like my heroines strong, and I’d rather take a b*tchy one than a whiny forgiving “nice girl”. I loved how sassy and dirty-mouthy she was; I enjoyed their banters and even if the hero was often a real a*shole, she had always the upper hand. YES! My type of girl!
Well, the hero, I didn’t dislike him as much as I expected. He made me really mad only at the end – he was cruel by their last fight. Till that moment I could even relate to his insecure and doubts. He was harsh, but since the heroine always came back with a sassy comment and didn’t let him intimidate her I didn’t feel the carnal need to hurt him.
Hot hate f*cking! I love the heroines who can build meaningful sentences during and after the sex.
No hormonal brainless, no sexual stupidity. As I said, my kind of girl!!!
Safe. No OW/OM at all. Condoms were used, then none and – I couldn’t believe because it’s a rarity in the romance world today – but the heroine DIND’T get accidentally pregnant. The birth control worked! Yes! Finally! Thank you, Kati!
AMAZING heroine! One of the best I read lately.
Sassy, strong, unapologetic, a bit aggressive, but also honest and vulnerable.
I didn’t like everything about this book. The money and “blackmailing” issues and also penthouse thing at the end were slightly over the top. Like unrealistic mix of Cinderella and Pretty Woman.
But the heroine saved this book. Every single time. I adored her!
I like my heroines strong, and I’d rather take a b*tchy one than a whiny forgiving “nice girl”. I loved how sassy and dirty-mouthy she was; I enjoyed their banters and even if the hero was often a real a*shole, she had always the upper hand. YES! My type of girl!
Well, the hero, I didn’t dislike him as much as I expected. He made me really mad only at the end – he was cruel by their last fight. Till that moment I could even relate to his insecure and doubts. He was harsh, but since the heroine always came back with a sassy comment and didn’t let him intimidate her I didn’t feel the carnal need to hurt him.
Hot hate f*cking! I love the heroines who can build meaningful sentences during and after the sex.
No hormonal brainless, no sexual stupidity. As I said, my kind of girl!!!
Safe. No OW/OM at all. Condoms were used, then none and – I couldn’t believe because it’s a rarity in the romance world today – but the heroine DIND’T get accidentally pregnant. The birth control worked! Yes! Finally! Thank you, Kati!
August 27, 2022
4 A Good Ol’ Hate Fuck Stars ⭐
Going Nowhere Fast is a billionaire, best friend's brother romance. But don't go into this expecting a smutty romance because it is so much more. I also forgot how well this author writes matters of the heart and some seriously scorching scenes. Although a little slow around the beginning, once you're hooked it was pretty great.
In the four years she has known Bramwell Gage her college roommate and best friends brother, he's been a complete dick. Arrogant, controlling, antagonistic. However, Aspen takes it all in stride because her friendship with Bethany is far too valuable for Bram to ruin.
Bramwell Gage is going to do whatever the fuck Bramwell Gage wants to do.
But I swear I’m never going to let him make me cry again.
When the three of them are scheduled to go on a road trip together, it all goes awry. And after a couple of verbal altercations, it's Bram and Aspen going it alone. You know there are going to be serious fireworks and a possible bodybag! Considering the way the ridiculously wealthy Bram treats Aspen like a freeloader; it's ugly until he learns the truth...
I am turned on by the knowledge that his cock is hard for me. Even though he doesn’t want it to be. He doesn’t want to want me. Because I’m a trashy gold digger who’s bad for everyone.
I think the appeal is that this romance is insta nothing! There are no quick fixes to their 'relationship' just truces. It's uncomfortable, awkward and hurtful and they are travelling together for four weeks. There might be chemistry but it feels impossible that they will take that next step. And when they do, just yum!
“Maybe it will be hotter. Because we’re always pushing at each other. Maybe it’s a way for me to finally get the upper hand. Because you don’t want to want me but I’ll make you come so hard. I’ll fuck you so damn good—and then I’ll own you.”
This story is a perfect enemies to lovers. Two characters that remain true to their personalities. Their situation isn't romanticized or glossed over and much acceptance and grovelling is required. Well written, emotional and let's not forget hot. It's a shame this author hasn't released anything for a while considering how talented she is. I'll keep hoping!
Going Nowhere Fast is a billionaire, best friend's brother romance. But don't go into this expecting a smutty romance because it is so much more. I also forgot how well this author writes matters of the heart and some seriously scorching scenes. Although a little slow around the beginning, once you're hooked it was pretty great.
In the four years she has known Bramwell Gage her college roommate and best friends brother, he's been a complete dick. Arrogant, controlling, antagonistic. However, Aspen takes it all in stride because her friendship with Bethany is far too valuable for Bram to ruin.
Bramwell Gage is going to do whatever the fuck Bramwell Gage wants to do.
But I swear I’m never going to let him make me cry again.
When the three of them are scheduled to go on a road trip together, it all goes awry. And after a couple of verbal altercations, it's Bram and Aspen going it alone. You know there are going to be serious fireworks and a possible bodybag! Considering the way the ridiculously wealthy Bram treats Aspen like a freeloader; it's ugly until he learns the truth...
I am turned on by the knowledge that his cock is hard for me. Even though he doesn’t want it to be. He doesn’t want to want me. Because I’m a trashy gold digger who’s bad for everyone.
I think the appeal is that this romance is insta nothing! There are no quick fixes to their 'relationship' just truces. It's uncomfortable, awkward and hurtful and they are travelling together for four weeks. There might be chemistry but it feels impossible that they will take that next step. And when they do, just yum!
“Maybe it will be hotter. Because we’re always pushing at each other. Maybe it’s a way for me to finally get the upper hand. Because you don’t want to want me but I’ll make you come so hard. I’ll fuck you so damn good—and then I’ll own you.”
This story is a perfect enemies to lovers. Two characters that remain true to their personalities. Their situation isn't romanticized or glossed over and much acceptance and grovelling is required. Well written, emotional and let's not forget hot. It's a shame this author hasn't released anything for a while considering how talented she is. I'll keep hoping!
June 26, 2021
I read this book some months ago and saw a GR friend of mine just reviewed it, which had me going back to see what I wrote, only to discover that I'd failed to write a review.
THAT ALL CHANGES NOW! And thus, my review:
This book was delightful and a perfect example-- dare I say, perfection-- of enemies to lovers done right. I found myself smiling on occasion, wincing every so often, but mostly I held my breath while my heart twisted in my chest.
Aspen was a understandable character. Her feelings, motivations, and decisions all made complete logical sense. Bram had issues, but those issues were well explained and detailed, therefore his decisions all made complete logical sense. Man, I love it when characters make sense, you know? I love it when they don't leave me scratching my head. Inconsistent characterization for the sake of plot always pulls me out of a book.
I tell you, NOT ONCE was I pulled out of this book. I was thoroughly and totally sucked in from start to finish.
This is all to say, read this book. For the story quality, it's way underpriced (if you ask me) at only $2.99.
THAT ALL CHANGES NOW! And thus, my review:
This book was delightful and a perfect example-- dare I say, perfection-- of enemies to lovers done right. I found myself smiling on occasion, wincing every so often, but mostly I held my breath while my heart twisted in my chest.
Aspen was a understandable character. Her feelings, motivations, and decisions all made complete logical sense. Bram had issues, but those issues were well explained and detailed, therefore his decisions all made complete logical sense. Man, I love it when characters make sense, you know? I love it when they don't leave me scratching my head. Inconsistent characterization for the sake of plot always pulls me out of a book.
I tell you, NOT ONCE was I pulled out of this book. I was thoroughly and totally sucked in from start to finish.
This is all to say, read this book. For the story quality, it's way underpriced (if you ask me) at only $2.99.
June 29, 2017
4.5 Stars
“You’re so fucking wrong for me,” he grinds out. “But I can’t stop wanting you.”
Aspen Phillips and Bramwell Gage are like oil and water, they do not mix and they basically despise each other. Bram has never made a secret of the fact that he thinks Aspen is a bad influence on Bethany, his sister and her best friend, and for four years Aspen has tried to avoid the sexy jerk. Until Bethany invites her to join them on their month-long road trip. Normally Aspen would refuse, but she knows Bethany needs her. But then Bethany bails on them, leaving Aspen alone with Bram and she has no choice but to get along with Bram and keep her promise to Bethany of hiding the secret of where she really went and why.
As expected sparks fly between them like it usually does, but then an explosive kiss makes Aspen realise that Bram’s feelings towards her are very different than she thought they were and soon they are burning up the sheets. But Aspen is still keeping Bethany’s secret, a secret that could make her loose what she’s found with Bram.
I loved Aspen. She’s a bit hot-headed, independent, feisty and loyal. She’s also plenty vulnerable, especially when it comes to the people she cares about. I loved that she didn’t let Bram get away with his judgmental ways that she stood up to him when he was insulting her. She might be a bit too forgiving, but that just showed what a huge heart she had.
Of course I love broken heroes, so I loved Bram. At first he appeared so uptight and aloof, but it soon became apparent that there was a lot more to him. Bram has a wild and passionate nature that he’s been trying to keep buried, believing that being in control and responsible is the only way to make up for his past. But Aspen make him lose that control which in turn made him lash out at her and in was interesting seeing the different sides of him, how Aspen made the real him come forth.
Their romance was VERY intense and passionate, especially because they didn’t want to be attracted to each other. And the sexy times were scorching with Bram’s dirty-talk. I probably should have hated Bram because of the hurtful things he said to Aspen, and I definitely wanted to slap him, but you could see how crazy he was about her and how he didn’t know how to handle that. And I loved that in the end he loved her enough to want to get better.
This was my first book by this author and I loved every moment of it. I love the hate/lust trope and this was a definite winner and a must read.
January 7, 2022
4.5 stars
I bought this book sometime in the summer because I saw so much hype around it, but then I never picked it up. I’m glad I finally did- the hype is so real! I loved this one!
Bram and Aspen haven’t gotten along in the four years they’ve known each other. They first met Aspen’s freshman year of college while she was rooming with Bram’s little sister, Bethany. Bethany and Aspen became best friends and ended up rooming together for all four years. Now that college is over, Bethany planned a four week road trip for her, Bram, and Aspen.
Then Bethany can’t go on this trip for an important reason, but she’s instant Bram and Aspen still go. They both have their reasons for going, but it’s weird without Beth there. These two are so snarky and have the best banner. And you can tell there is so much tension between them. The slow burn was amazing. And when they were together… it was combustable.
I love a good best friend’s brother/enemies to lovers read. Those are two of my favorite troupes. Add in a road trip and I just absolutely loved it! I would love book based on Bram’s sister and Aspen’s best friend, Bethany! This is one I would highly recommend.
“You’re so wrong for me… but I can’t stop wanting you.”
I bought this book sometime in the summer because I saw so much hype around it, but then I never picked it up. I’m glad I finally did- the hype is so real! I loved this one!
Bram and Aspen haven’t gotten along in the four years they’ve known each other. They first met Aspen’s freshman year of college while she was rooming with Bram’s little sister, Bethany. Bethany and Aspen became best friends and ended up rooming together for all four years. Now that college is over, Bethany planned a four week road trip for her, Bram, and Aspen.
Then Bethany can’t go on this trip for an important reason, but she’s instant Bram and Aspen still go. They both have their reasons for going, but it’s weird without Beth there. These two are so snarky and have the best banner. And you can tell there is so much tension between them. The slow burn was amazing. And when they were together… it was combustable.
I love a good best friend’s brother/enemies to lovers read. Those are two of my favorite troupes. Add in a road trip and I just absolutely loved it! I would love book based on Bram’s sister and Aspen’s best friend, Bethany! This is one I would highly recommend.
May 24, 2022
Content Notes:
Reread on May 24, 2022: A perfect book. If someone wants to pay off all my debts and tuition in exchange for an all-expenses-paid camping trip in Oregon, I am available. 😭
First read on June 18, 2021: A friend described this as Michelin-star quality for my trash id. She was 100% correct.
Reread on May 24, 2022: A perfect book. If someone wants to pay off all my debts and tuition in exchange for an all-expenses-paid camping trip in Oregon, I am available. 😭
First read on June 18, 2021: A friend described this as Michelin-star quality for my trash id. She was 100% correct.
October 30, 2020
2.5 stars
Mild spoilers ahead.
I sometimes do this weird thing were I stay up all night to read a book, that I don't even really love. This is one of those times. It started off relatively promising (though how the whole road trip started in the first place was a bit off) and the angst was really good. But man, the hero is a massive jerk to her and so is her so called best friend and then she just forgives them both like it's nothing. The things he said to her are unforgivable and I don't see how you can come back from that.
Also, I get that most people who read this book love her motorcycle gang books. But I haven't read it and the motorcycle gang bit just came out of nowhere and doesn't really fit in the story at all. I get wanting to do a cameo for fans of other books, but it does still have to work in the context of the book.
In the end, I just wanted Aspen to find a new life and a new guy and a new best friend. As these obviously didn't deserve her.
Mild spoilers ahead.
I sometimes do this weird thing were I stay up all night to read a book, that I don't even really love. This is one of those times. It started off relatively promising (though how the whole road trip started in the first place was a bit off) and the angst was really good. But man, the hero is a massive jerk to her and so is her so called best friend and then she just forgives them both like it's nothing. The things he said to her are unforgivable and I don't see how you can come back from that.
Also, I get that most people who read this book love her motorcycle gang books. But I haven't read it and the motorcycle gang bit just came out of nowhere and doesn't really fit in the story at all. I get wanting to do a cameo for fans of other books, but it does still have to work in the context of the book.
In the end, I just wanted Aspen to find a new life and a new guy and a new best friend. As these obviously didn't deserve her.
January 20, 2019
4.5 stars
I'll admit that I thought long and hard whether I should round this up or down. But anyway, here we go.
It's been a while since I've read such an emotionally satisfying book that I couldn't put it down. And as it's always the case with books such as this one, having to get up early doesn't prevent me from reading till 5 a.m. This book is funny, clever, angsty, engaging and very, very, very steamy. A big thanks to Mandi's blog entry which led me to giving this book a shot. And, oh boy, am I happy that I did!
Actually Going Nowhere Fast has two elements I'm not particularly fond of in romance novels:
1. It's told almost exclusively from one person's PoV, the heroine, Aspen. Only the epilogue gives the reader the opportunity to get into Bram's head.
2. It's an enemies-to-lovers trope.
The first point is obvious, and I've stated it on multiple occasions why I don't like it. I'll come back to that later why it worked here.
I know that the enemies-to-lovers trope is a popular one. But I've read too many books with this premise to be wary of it. Too often these books end in a 'I have to hate you because that's the premise, and I hate you because I have to hate you. And because I have to hate you, I'm also as antagonistic towards you as possible' situation, leaving me wondering how and why I should believe in the characters' growing feelings and why I should care at all. Another problematic aspect is that not many authors can actually pull it off and usually resort to a 'we shagged and now my feelings have changed' scenario without giving the reader any other reason.
Well, this book from this new-to-me author pulls both elements off with verve.
After finishing college and before starting at different universities for their master's degrees, Aspen agrees to join a month-long camping trip with her BFF, Bethany, and her older, dead gorgeous brother, Bram. For Bethany it's a way to spend time with the two people she loves most before uni life takes over. However, on the day they're supposed to start their vacation, Bethany bows out. She has a drug problem and wants to go into rehab. She makes Aspen promise not to tell Bram. Bram's been brother and father to her ever since the death of their parents. She's too afraid of Bram being disappointed with her, should he hear about her problems.
The book could end right here. Aspen hates Bram, and Bram - supposedly - hates Aspen ever since they first met. They could part ways, seeing as they can't stand each other, but of course that's humbug. A few twists and turns later, Bram 'convinces' Aspen to go along with the initial plan and join him on the camping trip. I won't spoiler the How's and Why's. Just this: It's a little over the top but still very well done. Anyway, Bram thinks if they send Bethany - whom he believes to be at a writer's retreat according to Aspen - enough pictures she'll come and join them. It's obvious how devoted he is to his sister and he's more than worried about her, but Aspen stands by her promise to Bethany and lies to him. And off they go and deliver quite a few hilariously funny scenes and some truly angsty moments.
First of all, I was surprised by the many layers the author put into the plot as well as into her characters. It's categorised as NA but apart from Aspen wanting to do her master's degree but not really knowing which subject she should choose, this book didn't feel like NA at all. Both, Aspen and Bram, are multi-faceted which makes their encounters fascinating.
And this is where the enemies-to-lovers trope worked for me. But before I go into that, I'll explain how the usually limiting one-person-only-PoV didn't stand in the way of the story. Almost everything is open to interpretation. Aspen may think of Bram as a 'sanctimonious asshole', and oh my, that man is truly quite a judgemental idiot, but it's only one part of his personality. There are so many situations where Aspen is convinced he hates her, while I, as the reader, know he actually loves her. The author gives Bram enough opportunities to show me that there's more to him than meets the eye, even though I never leave Aspen's head. It's very well executed which leads automatically to the enemies-to-lovers trope.
These two really have reasons to resent each other. Bram resenting Aspen for supposedly being a bad influence on his sister; and Aspen resenting him for being a judgemental arsehole. The first is not true, the second only partly. But what's more interesting is how the author makes it work. Their dialogues are razor sharp, fluctuating between funny and serious so quickly that it's like watching a tennis match without getting whiplash. It's truly amazing to watch these two banter and argue, but more importantly, Going Nowhere Fast actually manages to build a believable basis for their mutual resentment whilst at the same time show the slow shift from enemies to lovers.
And here comes the major contradiction of my review: Did I mention that most authors resort to 'we shagged and now my feelings have changed'? Yes, I did. I also mentioned that this book is very steamy. Funnily, though, the first kiss doesn't happen until the 40% mark, and it takes another 20% until they actually do the deed. The sexual tension, though...When they finally have sex, I made a mental fist pump accompanied by a lowly murmured 'Yes!!' But that the author sets the pages on fire is one thing. The truly astonishing feat is that the sex is a major game changer without dominating the story. It brings Aspen and Bram emotionally closer. They name it as it seemingly is, hate fucking, but they also don't pretend not to care for each other. On the contrary, the longer their physical relationship lasts, the better they get to know each other. I know it sounds like a paradox but it's a step-by-step process, slowly sucking me into their story, rooting for their HEA.
Which brings me to the characters. Okay, I fucking loved Aspen. I'll add her (and this story) to my pile of books showcasing strong, funny, confident, vulnerable, imperfectly perfect heroines. I'm going to steal Mandi's quote here because it explains Aspen wonderfully.
Getting a grasp on Bram's character was obviously a little harder. At the end of the day, we only ever see Aspen's perspective. I wouldn't say that he wasn't fleshed out enough and we do get to know him quite well. It just takes a little longer. He does have his arsehole-moments (and one big one), and I know I'm repeating myself, but honestly, it was fascinating to watch his layers stripped off bit by bit. Nonetheless, I wouldn't consider him an arsehole-hero, but rather a person who has his arsehole moments, as has every person. If I have one complaint about the limited PoV then it is that we don't know why Bram's has these moments until a bit later. Having said that, it's at the same time not really a biggie as it's so very clear that he's in love with her and that there's a reason why he's the way he is. Oh, and I should mention this. He starts out as quite a starchy hero which I luuuuurve. Watching a stuck-up hero come undone is my catnip. And let me tell you, when he comes undone, I was fanning myself. Pun is fully intended here.
Going back to both, Aspen and Bram. Ms. Wilde made me understand them. Enemies-to-lovers, arsehole behaviour, misconceptions, none of these are simply thrown at me. I mentioned earlier that Bram's actions are open to interpretation but once he finally tells his story (and it's not too late when he does), it all made sense to me. No interpretation needed. Had I been in his shoes when I was 19, I would have carried the same guilt with me. Whether I would have behaved that way, is a whole different matter, but I don't have to behave like that to know that everyone deals with guilt differently.
I'm not excusing his behaviour either, though. That last dick-move was truly a dick-move of him and is actually the only real weakness of the book. I'm a little on the fence here. He finds out about Bethany's drug problem and lashes out, idiot that he is. Of course he's shocked to the core. It's his beloved little sister after all. On the other side, he hurts the woman he loves quite thoroughly. Does he redeem himself? Yep, but I would have wished for a little more grovelling because a) what he said was truly hurtful and b) more importantly, it wasn't the first time. Maybe not as hurtful as before, but still. We have a few wonderfully heartbreaking and angsty scenes in here. I think the most powerful one for me was when Aspen, desperately in need of cash, sells her computer to an elderly lady and that lady shows her the sort of kindness that you wouldn't expect from a stranger but is so needed in such moments.
As this is a road trip romance with only Aspen and Bram, secondary characters are few and far between. But Bram's best friend, Murphy, in particular was a great addition to the story. Bethany is only very shortly in play here, and she has a scene that made me cringe. I felt as heartbroken as Aspen did. She, too, redeems herself, though. Sadly, we don't get to see much of the brother-sister dynamic but it's there in the background.
Although, I'm giving this actually a 4.5 stars rating, I'm going to round this up. The one and only criteria I have for giving a book 5 stars is when I know that I will re-read it. Nothing else. It doesn't have to be perfect but perfect enough for me to pick it up again. Will I read a book that annoys me, bores me or I'm simply not in the mood for and then think of some of the scenes of Going Nowhere Fast, wanting to re-read this wonderfully funny book? Definitely.
Not perfect, but close enough.
I'll admit that I thought long and hard whether I should round this up or down. But anyway, here we go.
I just find a good mechanic now and then. You know, to keep all my parts in good working order. Like an oil change.” I sigh. “Except lately I usually just end up doing the job myself. Not as much hassle that way. Especially since most mechanics just poke under the hood a little and call it a day. I end up having to finish the work, anyway, so now I don’t even bother taking it to the shop.”I had to quote this again. It somewhat sets the tone of the book but it's only one component of it. There's a lot more.
It's been a while since I've read such an emotionally satisfying book that I couldn't put it down. And as it's always the case with books such as this one, having to get up early doesn't prevent me from reading till 5 a.m. This book is funny, clever, angsty, engaging and very, very, very steamy. A big thanks to Mandi's blog entry which led me to giving this book a shot. And, oh boy, am I happy that I did!
Actually Going Nowhere Fast has two elements I'm not particularly fond of in romance novels:
1. It's told almost exclusively from one person's PoV, the heroine, Aspen. Only the epilogue gives the reader the opportunity to get into Bram's head.
2. It's an enemies-to-lovers trope.
The first point is obvious, and I've stated it on multiple occasions why I don't like it. I'll come back to that later why it worked here.
I know that the enemies-to-lovers trope is a popular one. But I've read too many books with this premise to be wary of it. Too often these books end in a 'I have to hate you because that's the premise, and I hate you because I have to hate you. And because I have to hate you, I'm also as antagonistic towards you as possible' situation, leaving me wondering how and why I should believe in the characters' growing feelings and why I should care at all. Another problematic aspect is that not many authors can actually pull it off and usually resort to a 'we shagged and now my feelings have changed' scenario without giving the reader any other reason.
Well, this book from this new-to-me author pulls both elements off with verve.
After finishing college and before starting at different universities for their master's degrees, Aspen agrees to join a month-long camping trip with her BFF, Bethany, and her older, dead gorgeous brother, Bram. For Bethany it's a way to spend time with the two people she loves most before uni life takes over. However, on the day they're supposed to start their vacation, Bethany bows out. She has a drug problem and wants to go into rehab. She makes Aspen promise not to tell Bram. Bram's been brother and father to her ever since the death of their parents. She's too afraid of Bram being disappointed with her, should he hear about her problems.
The book could end right here. Aspen hates Bram, and Bram - supposedly - hates Aspen ever since they first met. They could part ways, seeing as they can't stand each other, but of course that's humbug. A few twists and turns later, Bram 'convinces' Aspen to go along with the initial plan and join him on the camping trip. I won't spoiler the How's and Why's. Just this: It's a little over the top but still very well done. Anyway, Bram thinks if they send Bethany - whom he believes to be at a writer's retreat according to Aspen - enough pictures she'll come and join them. It's obvious how devoted he is to his sister and he's more than worried about her, but Aspen stands by her promise to Bethany and lies to him. And off they go and deliver quite a few hilariously funny scenes and some truly angsty moments.
First of all, I was surprised by the many layers the author put into the plot as well as into her characters. It's categorised as NA but apart from Aspen wanting to do her master's degree but not really knowing which subject she should choose, this book didn't feel like NA at all. Both, Aspen and Bram, are multi-faceted which makes their encounters fascinating.
And this is where the enemies-to-lovers trope worked for me. But before I go into that, I'll explain how the usually limiting one-person-only-PoV didn't stand in the way of the story. Almost everything is open to interpretation. Aspen may think of Bram as a 'sanctimonious asshole', and oh my, that man is truly quite a judgemental idiot, but it's only one part of his personality. There are so many situations where Aspen is convinced he hates her, while I, as the reader, know he actually loves her. The author gives Bram enough opportunities to show me that there's more to him than meets the eye, even though I never leave Aspen's head. It's very well executed which leads automatically to the enemies-to-lovers trope.
These two really have reasons to resent each other. Bram resenting Aspen for supposedly being a bad influence on his sister; and Aspen resenting him for being a judgemental arsehole. The first is not true, the second only partly. But what's more interesting is how the author makes it work. Their dialogues are razor sharp, fluctuating between funny and serious so quickly that it's like watching a tennis match without getting whiplash. It's truly amazing to watch these two banter and argue, but more importantly, Going Nowhere Fast actually manages to build a believable basis for their mutual resentment whilst at the same time show the slow shift from enemies to lovers.
And here comes the major contradiction of my review: Did I mention that most authors resort to 'we shagged and now my feelings have changed'? Yes, I did. I also mentioned that this book is very steamy. Funnily, though, the first kiss doesn't happen until the 40% mark, and it takes another 20% until they actually do the deed. The sexual tension, though...When they finally have sex, I made a mental fist pump accompanied by a lowly murmured 'Yes!!' But that the author sets the pages on fire is one thing. The truly astonishing feat is that the sex is a major game changer without dominating the story. It brings Aspen and Bram emotionally closer. They name it as it seemingly is, hate fucking, but they also don't pretend not to care for each other. On the contrary, the longer their physical relationship lasts, the better they get to know each other. I know it sounds like a paradox but it's a step-by-step process, slowly sucking me into their story, rooting for their HEA.
Which brings me to the characters. Okay, I fucking loved Aspen. I'll add her (and this story) to my pile of books showcasing strong, funny, confident, vulnerable, imperfectly perfect heroines. I'm going to steal Mandi's quote here because it explains Aspen wonderfully.
I close my eyes and turn my volume up, way up, drowning out whatever he’s saying. He’s got robot brooding mode. But I’ve got “screw you” mode and I’m dialing it up to eleven.She isn't flawless, though. As it is revealed later, she has to deal with her own hang-up's that often lead to her own misconceptions. Nonetheless, she was refreshingly confident and if I were bi or gay, I'd definitely crush on her hard. But then, I always say that about a heroine I particularly liked.
Fuck him.
Getting a grasp on Bram's character was obviously a little harder. At the end of the day, we only ever see Aspen's perspective. I wouldn't say that he wasn't fleshed out enough and we do get to know him quite well. It just takes a little longer. He does have his arsehole-moments (and one big one), and I know I'm repeating myself, but honestly, it was fascinating to watch his layers stripped off bit by bit. Nonetheless, I wouldn't consider him an arsehole-hero, but rather a person who has his arsehole moments, as has every person. If I have one complaint about the limited PoV then it is that we don't know why Bram's has these moments until a bit later. Having said that, it's at the same time not really a biggie as it's so very clear that he's in love with her and that there's a reason why he's the way he is. Oh, and I should mention this. He starts out as quite a starchy hero which I luuuuurve. Watching a stuck-up hero come undone is my catnip. And let me tell you, when he comes undone, I was fanning myself. Pun is fully intended here.
Going back to both, Aspen and Bram. Ms. Wilde made me understand them. Enemies-to-lovers, arsehole behaviour, misconceptions, none of these are simply thrown at me. I mentioned earlier that Bram's actions are open to interpretation but once he finally tells his story (and it's not too late when he does), it all made sense to me. No interpretation needed. Had I been in his shoes when I was 19, I would have carried the same guilt with me. Whether I would have behaved that way, is a whole different matter, but I don't have to behave like that to know that everyone deals with guilt differently.
I'm not excusing his behaviour either, though. That last dick-move was truly a dick-move of him and is actually the only real weakness of the book. I'm a little on the fence here. He finds out about Bethany's drug problem and lashes out, idiot that he is. Of course he's shocked to the core. It's his beloved little sister after all. On the other side, he hurts the woman he loves quite thoroughly. Does he redeem himself? Yep, but I would have wished for a little more grovelling because a) what he said was truly hurtful and b) more importantly, it wasn't the first time. Maybe not as hurtful as before, but still. We have a few wonderfully heartbreaking and angsty scenes in here. I think the most powerful one for me was when Aspen, desperately in need of cash, sells her computer to an elderly lady and that lady shows her the sort of kindness that you wouldn't expect from a stranger but is so needed in such moments.
As this is a road trip romance with only Aspen and Bram, secondary characters are few and far between. But Bram's best friend, Murphy, in particular was a great addition to the story. Bethany is only very shortly in play here, and she has a scene that made me cringe. I felt as heartbroken as Aspen did. She, too, redeems herself, though. Sadly, we don't get to see much of the brother-sister dynamic but it's there in the background.
Although, I'm giving this actually a 4.5 stars rating, I'm going to round this up. The one and only criteria I have for giving a book 5 stars is when I know that I will re-read it. Nothing else. It doesn't have to be perfect but perfect enough for me to pick it up again. Will I read a book that annoys me, bores me or I'm simply not in the mood for and then think of some of the scenes of Going Nowhere Fast, wanting to re-read this wonderfully funny book? Definitely.
Not perfect, but close enough.
December 26, 2021
this goes downhill fast. the first third of the book is great! the tension is written so well. you sympathize with every character! the dialogue was kind of iffy at first but got so much better! and then it all went south. all they did was fuck and have the same argument over and over again. the love interest became the biggest piece of shit, the heroine became ridiculous for putting up with his shit when she refused to earlier in the book. nothing was resolved well and im upset that the heroine didn't end the book by cutting ties with both her bestfriend and her bestfriend's psychotic brother.
at some point i skipped to the last chapter and i swear one page ends with them meeting for the first time in a while and the next page starts with him inside her. the fuck is that about?? this man emotionally abused you to no end! can we get SOME sort of healthy dialogue going.
at some point i skipped to the last chapter and i swear one page ends with them meeting for the first time in a while and the next page starts with him inside her. the fuck is that about?? this man emotionally abused you to no end! can we get SOME sort of healthy dialogue going.
June 25, 2021
I have a confession to make: Ever since the pandemic started...actually, it was way before that, I struggled with finishing any contemporary romance books I have in my #tbr. I tried really hard to get back into the genre with mostly disappointing results. Then the pandemic hit and my love for romance seems to be the first to go until this book.
It has all the elements I've been craving for: slow burn romance, sizzling chemistry, well developed characters, snappy dialogue, and angst. A good heaping dose of it. It made me cry and it made me happy 'cause that means I wasn't dead inside yet! Lol!
Anyway, thank you, Kati Wilde for bringing me out of funk, now I need the second book. ;D
It has all the elements I've been craving for: slow burn romance, sizzling chemistry, well developed characters, snappy dialogue, and angst. A good heaping dose of it. It made me cry and it made me happy 'cause that means I wasn't dead inside yet! Lol!
Anyway, thank you, Kati Wilde for bringing me out of funk, now I need the second book. ;D
June 21, 2021
This book was HEAVILY recommended on Twitter yesterday and I'm here to HEAVILY recommend it to you!
Somehow this was a light and super angsty at the same time? Sweet, sweet angst that sneaks up on you. The snarky banter of enemies to lovers meshing into A+ dirty talk and blazing hot sex certainely had me going *there* fast.
More reviews and book talk at :
You can find me here too ☞
Somehow this was a light and super angsty at the same time? Sweet, sweet angst that sneaks up on you. The snarky banter of enemies to lovers meshing into A+ dirty talk and blazing hot sex certainely had me going *there* fast.
More reviews and book talk at :
You can find me here too ☞
August 22, 2021
this novel is a cautionary tale against having spontaneous road trip romances with men who went to private boarding schools
May 10, 2017
Oh man, I really liked Going Nowhere Fast. I love that this could have turned into a flashback fest yet there wasn't a single one. I love the enemies to lovers trope and this was done so damn well. The feels were there from the get go, yet through this the strength of Aspen and Bram's characters showed through. I loved the dialogue, it had me laughing so hard at times. And I absolutely LOVE how Ms. Wilde writes her characters. Aspen is strong, sassy, determined, supportive, loyal, takes no crap yet underneath all that has the biggest heart of gold. And Bram ... arsehole he may be but he's still everything I want to read in a hero.
The only tiny thing that didn't really work for me was Bethany's 180 reaction to Aspen and Bram's relationship. I didn't like where that took the story but that's just me I think. I got my happy in the end :)
Kati Wilde's MC series is just fantastic, and this standalone with a sneaky cameo of the Hellfire Riders ♥ proves I will read and love anything Ms Wilde writes.
4.5 stars
The only tiny thing that didn't really work for me was Bethany's 180 reaction to Aspen and Bram's relationship. I didn't like where that took the story but that's just me I think. I got my happy in the end :)
Kati Wilde's MC series is just fantastic, and this standalone with a sneaky cameo of the Hellfire Riders ♥ proves I will read and love anything Ms Wilde writes.
4.5 stars
July 3, 2021
*Reread Juli 2021. Immer noch ein Highlight.
4.5 Sterne - aufgerundet zu 5! ✨
Wow. Ich kann meine Gedanken gar nicht in Worte fassen. Selten lese ich einen so gut gelungenen New Adult - Roman, der mich einfach packt und in einem Rutsch durchlesen lässt! Das Cover ist einfach wunderschön. Schon ein paar Mal saß ich in der Buchhandlung und habe das Buch bzw. das Cover angestarrt... Soll ich es kaufen, oder doch lieber dort liegen lassen? Ich meine, dieses Cover will man doch automatisch im eigenen Regal stehen haben, oder nicht? Das Setting hat mir richtig gut gefallen. Man kriegt ein sehr gut gelungenes Herbst- und Sommerfeeling, dass man sich automatisch wohlfühlt und Fernweh nach Oregon, Kalifornien bekommt. Ich bin wirklich froh, dass ich das Buch schließlich doch gelesen habe, denn ich habe es so verdammt sehr geliebt. Wirklich. Dieses Buch wird definitiv nicht mein Letztes von Kati Wilde bleiben!
Das Buch wurde komplett aus der Sicht Aspens geschrieben. Viele mögen es ja bestimmt, wenn die Sicht der Protagonisten sich ändert, aber ich kann wirklich sagen, dass die Autorin hier sehr gute Arbeit geleistet hat. Der Schreibstil ist flüssig und leicht zu lesen - sodass ich es sogar in eineinhalb Tagen durchsuchten konnte. Der Einstieg ist mir auch sehr leicht gefallen, man war sofort in der Handlung drin. Kaum hatte ich das Buch in der Hand, fiel es mir schwer, das Buch wieder wegzulegen. Vorsicht: Das Buch bedeutet Suchtfaktor hoch Zwei!
Die Handlung und der Verlauf der Geschichte haben mir auch sehr gut gefallen. Die Geschichte hat mich von der ersten Seite an in ihren Bann gezogen und die Spannung bis zum Schluss aufrecht erhalten. Die Kapitellängen waren weder kurz noch zu lang. Da man eigentlich ständig wissen will, wie es weitergeht, schenkt man beim Lesen gar nicht so viel Aufmerksamkeit darauf.
Beide Protagonisten waren mir auf Anhieb sofort sympathisch. Man konnte das heftige Hass-Liebe-Prickeln zwischen Bram und Aspen deutlich spüren, es war die ganze Zeit eine Hochspannung drin, dass ich es gar nicht mehr weglegen konnte. Die Entwicklung, wie sich der "Hass" zwischen den beiden sich zu Liebe entwickelt, war wunderschön zu lesen. Die Gefühle kommen auf jeden Fall auch nicht zu kurz. Sie lassen die Leser miterleben, was gerade gefühlt wird. Ob Hass- , Zuneigung- oder Liebe ❤️ Die beiden unterschiedlichen Charaktere und die zwei verschiedenen Hintergründe prallen oft aneinander und geraten manchmal außer Kontrolle. Beide schließen Waffenstillstände, nur um nach kurzer Zeit wieder aneinander zu geraten. Die sehr interessante Kombination der beiden war einfach nur fesselnd.
"Das mit uns wäre nicht schlau"
"Warum?"
"Na ja... Wir hassen uns"
Aspen ist eine Protagonistin, die Stärke in sich trägt. Sie lässt sich (vor allem von Bram) nichts gefallen und schon gar nicht so behandeln, wie es ihm gefällt. Ich finde es ja sehr cool, wenn Protagonisten diesen Badass-Charakter in sich haben, deshalb habe ich sie auch schon vom ersten Moment an richtig gemocht. Bram ist ein attraktiver, egoistischer junger Mann, dem seine Schwester sehr am Herzen liegt. Obwohl er sich Aspen gegenüber oft wie ein Idiot benimmt, konnte ich ihn mir wirklich ins Herz schließen.
Als einzigen Kritikpunkt möchte ich die vielen, vielen Erotikszenen erwähnen. Sie haben mir zum Teil sehr gut gefallen, das Knistern war auch immer da, aber nach so vielen Szenen wurde es gegen das Ende hin auch bisschen too much.
FAZIT
Das Buch hat mir seeeeehr gut gefallen. Fesselnde Liebe mit knisternder Erotik, die mich so schnell nicht wieder loslassen wird. Ich weiß, dass ich das Buch auf jeden Fall noch einmal lesen werde, da es mich wirklich gut unterhalten konnte. Absolute Leseempfehlung!
4.5/5 ★
*An der Stelle möchte ich mich auch herzlichst beim Knaur Verlag für die Bereitstellung dieses kostenlosen Rezensionsexemplars bedanken! ❤️
4.5 Sterne - aufgerundet zu 5! ✨
Wow. Ich kann meine Gedanken gar nicht in Worte fassen. Selten lese ich einen so gut gelungenen New Adult - Roman, der mich einfach packt und in einem Rutsch durchlesen lässt! Das Cover ist einfach wunderschön. Schon ein paar Mal saß ich in der Buchhandlung und habe das Buch bzw. das Cover angestarrt... Soll ich es kaufen, oder doch lieber dort liegen lassen? Ich meine, dieses Cover will man doch automatisch im eigenen Regal stehen haben, oder nicht? Das Setting hat mir richtig gut gefallen. Man kriegt ein sehr gut gelungenes Herbst- und Sommerfeeling, dass man sich automatisch wohlfühlt und Fernweh nach Oregon, Kalifornien bekommt. Ich bin wirklich froh, dass ich das Buch schließlich doch gelesen habe, denn ich habe es so verdammt sehr geliebt. Wirklich. Dieses Buch wird definitiv nicht mein Letztes von Kati Wilde bleiben!
Das Buch wurde komplett aus der Sicht Aspens geschrieben. Viele mögen es ja bestimmt, wenn die Sicht der Protagonisten sich ändert, aber ich kann wirklich sagen, dass die Autorin hier sehr gute Arbeit geleistet hat. Der Schreibstil ist flüssig und leicht zu lesen - sodass ich es sogar in eineinhalb Tagen durchsuchten konnte. Der Einstieg ist mir auch sehr leicht gefallen, man war sofort in der Handlung drin. Kaum hatte ich das Buch in der Hand, fiel es mir schwer, das Buch wieder wegzulegen. Vorsicht: Das Buch bedeutet Suchtfaktor hoch Zwei!
Die Handlung und der Verlauf der Geschichte haben mir auch sehr gut gefallen. Die Geschichte hat mich von der ersten Seite an in ihren Bann gezogen und die Spannung bis zum Schluss aufrecht erhalten. Die Kapitellängen waren weder kurz noch zu lang. Da man eigentlich ständig wissen will, wie es weitergeht, schenkt man beim Lesen gar nicht so viel Aufmerksamkeit darauf.
Beide Protagonisten waren mir auf Anhieb sofort sympathisch. Man konnte das heftige Hass-Liebe-Prickeln zwischen Bram und Aspen deutlich spüren, es war die ganze Zeit eine Hochspannung drin, dass ich es gar nicht mehr weglegen konnte. Die Entwicklung, wie sich der "Hass" zwischen den beiden sich zu Liebe entwickelt, war wunderschön zu lesen. Die Gefühle kommen auf jeden Fall auch nicht zu kurz. Sie lassen die Leser miterleben, was gerade gefühlt wird. Ob Hass- , Zuneigung- oder Liebe ❤️ Die beiden unterschiedlichen Charaktere und die zwei verschiedenen Hintergründe prallen oft aneinander und geraten manchmal außer Kontrolle. Beide schließen Waffenstillstände, nur um nach kurzer Zeit wieder aneinander zu geraten. Die sehr interessante Kombination der beiden war einfach nur fesselnd.
"Das mit uns wäre nicht schlau"
"Warum?"
"Na ja... Wir hassen uns"
Aspen ist eine Protagonistin, die Stärke in sich trägt. Sie lässt sich (vor allem von Bram) nichts gefallen und schon gar nicht so behandeln, wie es ihm gefällt. Ich finde es ja sehr cool, wenn Protagonisten diesen Badass-Charakter in sich haben, deshalb habe ich sie auch schon vom ersten Moment an richtig gemocht. Bram ist ein attraktiver, egoistischer junger Mann, dem seine Schwester sehr am Herzen liegt. Obwohl er sich Aspen gegenüber oft wie ein Idiot benimmt, konnte ich ihn mir wirklich ins Herz schließen.
Als einzigen Kritikpunkt möchte ich die vielen, vielen Erotikszenen erwähnen. Sie haben mir zum Teil sehr gut gefallen, das Knistern war auch immer da, aber nach so vielen Szenen wurde es gegen das Ende hin auch bisschen too much.
FAZIT
Das Buch hat mir seeeeehr gut gefallen. Fesselnde Liebe mit knisternder Erotik, die mich so schnell nicht wieder loslassen wird. Ich weiß, dass ich das Buch auf jeden Fall noch einmal lesen werde, da es mich wirklich gut unterhalten konnte. Absolute Leseempfehlung!
4.5/5 ★
*An der Stelle möchte ich mich auch herzlichst beim Knaur Verlag für die Bereitstellung dieses kostenlosen Rezensionsexemplars bedanken! ❤️
Read
November 20, 2022Don't know how to rate this, writing-wise it's all good and what's better is how engaging the story is and the pacing. The chemistry is no doubt off the charts, absolutely palpable. The pain is crushing and present throughout the book.
What I cannot see myself doing is forgiving the H and his sister for especially that last massive fight they had with Aspen (h). She was a fucking punching bag throughout the book for Bram (H) and that last fight they had just took it out of me. Some pretty unforgivable things were said by especially Bram and also his sister who is Aspen's best friend. As a result of that, Aspen had to take things into her own hands, how terribly vulnerable and open to attack she was due to a situation they put her in.. it was brutal and unforgivable. I would have liked some serious time chunk in the book given to his thorough apologies, some glimpses into future fights that were better handled.
I like when characters get therapy, but it wasn't enough to warm me over. Ends in HEA. But I wouldn't recommend this to my sensitive friends, unless they're curious, in which case I'd say go in and brace for the pain.
No OW/OM.
What I cannot see myself doing is forgiving the H and his sister for especially that last massive fight they had with Aspen (h). She was a fucking punching bag throughout the book for Bram (H) and that last fight they had just took it out of me. Some pretty unforgivable things were said by especially Bram and also his sister who is Aspen's best friend. As a result of that, Aspen had to take things into her own hands, how terribly vulnerable and open to attack she was due to a situation they put her in.. it was brutal and unforgivable. I would have liked some serious time chunk in the book given to his thorough apologies, some glimpses into future fights that were better handled.
I like when characters get therapy, but it wasn't enough to warm me over. Ends in HEA. But I wouldn't recommend this to my sensitive friends, unless they're curious, in which case I'd say go in and brace for the pain.
No OW/OM.
May 20, 2019
NOW
I re read this, And DAYYYYUM!!! Still hot as ever! Love love loved this! Please give it a go!!!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
THEN
I dont know if I'm PMSing because I rarely give 5 stars, but this book was one helluva juicy ride.
Don't let the cover fool you! In any case, how many more headless torsoed book covers can we take? Seriously ladies? The headless torso covers are kinda getting rediculous and sorta creepy, don't you find?
Moving on... This is the ingredients found in this story.
Awesome Hero and Heroine with well crafted personalities.
Love to hate scenario throughout the story.
Fantastic banter.
Road trip!
Strong intelligent heroine with a great diologue.
Hot as hell hero that you want to bitch slap then throw in bed!
Sexual tension up the wazoo.
Scortching hot sex scenes.
Tear jerking moments.
Grovelling...
It was all there for me.
I have read Kati Wilde before Yet I can honestly say nothing from her MC series touches this!
Even though I thought the book cover doesn't do it justice, I really loved this story. One of my top reads of 2017.
Keep them coming Kati Wilde!
I re read this, And DAYYYYUM!!! Still hot as ever! Love love loved this! Please give it a go!!!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
THEN
I dont know if I'm PMSing because I rarely give 5 stars, but this book was one helluva juicy ride.
Don't let the cover fool you! In any case, how many more headless torsoed book covers can we take? Seriously ladies? The headless torso covers are kinda getting rediculous and sorta creepy, don't you find?
Moving on... This is the ingredients found in this story.
Awesome Hero and Heroine with well crafted personalities.
Love to hate scenario throughout the story.
Fantastic banter.
Road trip!
Strong intelligent heroine with a great diologue.
Hot as hell hero that you want to bitch slap then throw in bed!
Sexual tension up the wazoo.
Scortching hot sex scenes.
Tear jerking moments.
Grovelling...
It was all there for me.
I have read Kati Wilde before Yet I can honestly say nothing from her MC series touches this!
Even though I thought the book cover doesn't do it justice, I really loved this story. One of my top reads of 2017.
Keep them coming Kati Wilde!
May 9, 2017
Absolutely a fantastic romance.
The BEST sexual tension - holy crap. And the physical romantic payoff - holy crap.
Their fights are intense. Their loving is intense.
THE ANGST.
The pride and prejudice feel to it.
You MUST read this book if you are a romance fan. Must.
The BEST sexual tension - holy crap. And the physical romantic payoff - holy crap.
Their fights are intense. Their loving is intense.
THE ANGST.
The pride and prejudice feel to it.
You MUST read this book if you are a romance fan. Must.
October 31, 2024
I have a lot to write in this review but I’m just going to make it simple and straight to the point.
Fuck that bitch Bethany, she’s no friend to Aspen. Absolutely blew my mind how Aspen forgave her just like that; like she hadn’t just called her a wh0re and fuck that asshole Bram too. I’d never let a shitty guy like him to be around me ever again. I don’t get how people don’t see how mentally and verbally abusive he was towards Aspen. The little speech he had in the last couple of chapters when they met again after she left felt so shallow and empty because he had, in a way, said the same thing over and over again before but in the end he still hurt her anyway. Every single damn time.
He could worship the ground she walked on and still would never deserve her.
Fuck that bitch Bethany, she’s no friend to Aspen. Absolutely blew my mind how Aspen forgave her just like that; like she hadn’t just called her a wh0re and fuck that asshole Bram too. I’d never let a shitty guy like him to be around me ever again. I don’t get how people don’t see how mentally and verbally abusive he was towards Aspen. The little speech he had in the last couple of chapters when they met again after she left felt so shallow and empty because he had, in a way, said the same thing over and over again before but in the end he still hurt her anyway. Every single damn time.
He could worship the ground she walked on and still would never deserve her.
October 2, 2017
4.75 stars
REALLY, REALLY good! This is my first book by this author and I DEVOURED this in one day. Such a fantastic way to spend my Sunday! I laughed, I cried, I swooned, I hurt...
This is an enemies-to-lovers romance with awesome main characters. Rich billionaire hero Bram is the brother of poor and struggling heroine, Aspen's, best friend Beth. He thinks she is bad news and only after their money. Oh boy do they hate each other!
Story starts with Beth planning a road trip, just three of them, and suddenly Beth bails, leaving just Bram and Aspen to go on the journey. AWKWARD! What starts of as multiple truces while on the road trip, soon ends in tangles between the sheets and a unique love story.The hero was an ABSOLUTE douche...right till the end. The heroine held her own and spat out a good dose of her venom. They had moments of sweetness together and i loved that she made him grovel at the end. As much as they fought, they were meant for each other.
HIGHLY recommended! I'm off to check out this author's other books.
REALLY, REALLY good! This is my first book by this author and I DEVOURED this in one day. Such a fantastic way to spend my Sunday! I laughed, I cried, I swooned, I hurt...
This is an enemies-to-lovers romance with awesome main characters. Rich billionaire hero Bram is the brother of poor and struggling heroine, Aspen's, best friend Beth. He thinks she is bad news and only after their money. Oh boy do they hate each other!
Story starts with Beth planning a road trip, just three of them, and suddenly Beth bails, leaving just Bram and Aspen to go on the journey. AWKWARD! What starts of as multiple truces while on the road trip, soon ends in tangles between the sheets and a unique love story.The hero was an ABSOLUTE douche...right till the end. The heroine held her own and spat out a good dose of her venom. They had moments of sweetness together and i loved that she made him grovel at the end. As much as they fought, they were meant for each other.
HIGHLY recommended! I'm off to check out this author's other books.
February 23, 2019
If I were rating the first 40% of this book, I would’ve guessed 4 stars easily. Unfortunately, it didn’t maintain its humor. And while I enjoyed the end, it got a bit wrung out with repetitive problems and mistakes. They were good, which is why my rating leans to a 4, but just not meaty enough. The sex felt fresh and dirty, so that is a definite plus.
Man, I do love a road tripping story though! If you like a quick read about a heroine with a good head on her shoulders and a manipulative, cold at times cruel hero (it weirdly works), it might be for you. (And a plot that’s just thinly veiled reason to throw them together.)
Man, I do love a road tripping story though! If you like a quick read about a heroine with a good head on her shoulders and a manipulative, cold at times cruel hero (it weirdly works), it might be for you. (And a plot that’s just thinly veiled reason to throw them together.)
June 25, 2021
This wasn't as angsty as I was expecting it to be, but damn, that was one addictive read. The chemistry and the tension between Bram & Aspen were FIERY. I couldn't get enough. Bram is somewhat of an assholish character, but I was trash for him. Also, this is random, but it annoys me when heroines in romance novels decline gifts or payments that they desperately need, so I was pleased that Aspen accepted Bram paying off her mom's debts and paying for her tuition. I'm super tempted to check out more books in the series!
Content notes: substance abuse, addiction, past death of parents (accident), past death of parent from cancer, explicit on-page sex
April 20, 2017
5+++++ stars!
I really, really loved this book! So good!
Que livro maravilhoso!!!!!
Bem escrito, envolvente e daquele tipo que desperta vários tipos de sentimentos durante o desenrolar da história.
Bram&Aspen ganharam meu coração! ❤️
É o primeiro que leio dessa autora e com certeza ela me conquistou!
Amei, amei, ameiiiiiiii!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I really, really loved this book! So good!
Que livro maravilhoso!!!!!
Bem escrito, envolvente e daquele tipo que desperta vários tipos de sentimentos durante o desenrolar da história.
Bram&Aspen ganharam meu coração! ❤️
É o primeiro que leio dessa autora e com certeza ela me conquistou!
Amei, amei, ameiiiiiiii!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
January 13, 2024
Reread
He hurt her too many times with the same bs and the h mentioned the money situation too much but by the end it's clear he'd changed a lot with therapy soooooo hmmmm 3.5*
Reread, 4* because he really was a jerk at times 😑
Spoilers ahead
I adore this author and have loved every book I've read from her to date, this one is definitely her most angsty
Little sister's best friend
Enemies to lovers
h's pov until the very end we get the H's pov
He does quite a bit of pushing away and says some really hurtful things to her as he struggles with guilt over the death of his parents and how he thinks he "should" live his life
He was an asshole at times
She was strong and fiery, she took no shit from him and gave as good as she got. The money thing was an issue for me a bit as she referenced it so much
He was engaged but it ended, she's never had a serious relationship but she's had hookups
Good sexual tension translated into some well done sexy times
Not cool what the sister said to her
I believed he really had grown and changed by the end
I teared up a few times
No babies but they're living together and get engaged at the end
secondary character is in rehab for addiction
I'd like Murphy and Beth to get together!(yes I'm greedy like that)
He hurt her too many times with the same bs and the h mentioned the money situation too much but by the end it's clear he'd changed a lot with therapy soooooo hmmmm 3.5*
Reread, 4* because he really was a jerk at times 😑
Spoilers ahead
I adore this author and have loved every book I've read from her to date, this one is definitely her most angsty
Little sister's best friend
Enemies to lovers
h's pov until the very end we get the H's pov
He does quite a bit of pushing away and says some really hurtful things to her as he struggles with guilt over the death of his parents and how he thinks he "should" live his life
He was an asshole at times
She was strong and fiery, she took no shit from him and gave as good as she got. The money thing was an issue for me a bit as she referenced it so much
He was engaged but it ended, she's never had a serious relationship but she's had hookups
Good sexual tension translated into some well done sexy times
Not cool what the sister said to her
I believed he really had grown and changed by the end
I teared up a few times
No babies but they're living together and get engaged at the end
secondary character is in rehab for addiction
I'd like Murphy and Beth to get together!(yes I'm greedy like that)
August 29, 2022
This book fucking owned me. And that’s all there is to that. There’s nothing I could write that would do this justice. Isabella summarized this correctly. The reason this book is such a hit is because there’s no insta nothing.
April 19, 2017
Originally posted at Booklovers For Life
I’m a huge fan of Kati Wilde’s Hellfire Riders MC series, so when I heard that she was going to write a new adult book, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it! I didn’t realize there would be a connection between Going Nowhere Fast and the Hellfire Riders MC series, so that was a lovely surprise. Going Nowhere Fast is a sexy, intense, angsty enemies-to-lovers romance I completely devoured. I enjoyed it SO much. If you love dirty books with seriously hot chemistry in them, I highly recommend this one!
Aspen and her best friend’s older brother, Bram, do not get along. One could even say that they hate each other. But only for Bethany, Aspen’s best friend and Bram’s little sister, would they agree to go on a month-long trip together, just the three of them. But when Bethany cancels on the trip, dealing with issues that Aspen won’t let Bram be privy to, the road trip get a whole lot more intense… and tension-filled. Bram blackmails Aspen into continuing on the trip so that he can entice Bethany to join them from wherever she is. And despite their disdain for the other – Bram sees Aspen as a bad influence on Bethany and Aspen thinks Bram sees her as trash – there’s an undercurrent of sexual tension between them that they can’t ignore the longer they’re around each other.
The second I picked up Aspen and Bram’s book, I couldn’t put it down. It wrought with delicious, undeniable chemistry. These two are seriously HOT together, not that I expected anything less from Kati Wilde. Bram has one dirty, dirty mouth, and I loved it. These two take hate fucking to a whole new level… until the hate turns into something more.
I loved Aspen and Bram’s enemies-to-lovers romance. There was a fine line between love and hate between them, and I loved seeing both of them toe the line. If you’ve enjoyed the author’s previous books, I encourage you to give Going Nowhere Fast a try, because this new adult book is just as amazing as her adult books. Plus, there are quite a few cameos from the Hellfire Riders ;) I really hope Kati Wilde writes more NA books, because this was fantastic!
Thanks to the publisher for generously providing me an ARC to review.
Quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change in the final version.
Amazon Ebook: http://amzn.to/2i7HBPn
Liked this review? Subscribe to Booklovers For Life for more!
I’m a huge fan of Kati Wilde’s Hellfire Riders MC series, so when I heard that she was going to write a new adult book, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it! I didn’t realize there would be a connection between Going Nowhere Fast and the Hellfire Riders MC series, so that was a lovely surprise. Going Nowhere Fast is a sexy, intense, angsty enemies-to-lovers romance I completely devoured. I enjoyed it SO much. If you love dirty books with seriously hot chemistry in them, I highly recommend this one!
Aspen and her best friend’s older brother, Bram, do not get along. One could even say that they hate each other. But only for Bethany, Aspen’s best friend and Bram’s little sister, would they agree to go on a month-long trip together, just the three of them. But when Bethany cancels on the trip, dealing with issues that Aspen won’t let Bram be privy to, the road trip get a whole lot more intense… and tension-filled. Bram blackmails Aspen into continuing on the trip so that he can entice Bethany to join them from wherever she is. And despite their disdain for the other – Bram sees Aspen as a bad influence on Bethany and Aspen thinks Bram sees her as trash – there’s an undercurrent of sexual tension between them that they can’t ignore the longer they’re around each other.
“You’re so fucking wrong for me,” he grinds out. “But I can’t stop wanting you.”
Then he kisses me—despite the ragged hole he just ripped through my chest, I kiss him back, because I can’t stop wanting him, either.
The second I picked up Aspen and Bram’s book, I couldn’t put it down. It wrought with delicious, undeniable chemistry. These two are seriously HOT together, not that I expected anything less from Kati Wilde. Bram has one dirty, dirty mouth, and I loved it. These two take hate fucking to a whole new level… until the hate turns into something more.
…this isn’t hate fucking. With hate fucking, he only ends up owning me.
But what we’ve done this time . . . now he owns my heart, too.
I loved Aspen and Bram’s enemies-to-lovers romance. There was a fine line between love and hate between them, and I loved seeing both of them toe the line. If you’ve enjoyed the author’s previous books, I encourage you to give Going Nowhere Fast a try, because this new adult book is just as amazing as her adult books. Plus, there are quite a few cameos from the Hellfire Riders ;) I really hope Kati Wilde writes more NA books, because this was fantastic!
Thanks to the publisher for generously providing me an ARC to review.
Quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change in the final version.
Amazon Ebook: http://amzn.to/2i7HBPn
Liked this review? Subscribe to Booklovers For Life for more!
May 24, 2023
Okay so 51% the way through but what is going on, what is the need for these side stories. MOTORCYCLE CLUBS??? Playing SOME BALL GAME WITH THEM??? when did this story do a 180 bruh.
Okay so I decided to carry on reading, but not sure how I feel about that. Overall this book was pretty bland, neither characters were interesting, in fact they all pissed me off. The best friend calls Aspen a whore and is automatically forgiven like soryyy wtaf bitch hands would've been thrown if I was there. The MC didnt do much for me, plus remove that stick up ur ass, and why is Aspen so dumb. Like I understand being poor and not having luxuries but girlie went to college and she's acting like a 16 yr old.
2.5 stars from me
Okay so I decided to carry on reading, but not sure how I feel about that. Overall this book was pretty bland, neither characters were interesting, in fact they all pissed me off. The best friend calls Aspen a whore and is automatically forgiven like soryyy wtaf bitch hands would've been thrown if I was there. The MC didnt do much for me, plus remove that stick up ur ass, and why is Aspen so dumb. Like I understand being poor and not having luxuries but girlie went to college and she's acting like a 16 yr old.
2.5 stars from me
July 27, 2020
Really enjoyed this one. Both our characters are realistically flawed and grow with the help of eachother but not necessarily because of eachother. My biggest issue was with the storyline based around the money. It seemed basically like a weird knockoff of all those bad 90's movies where the girl needed a hot moneybags to make her see that she's worth loving.
I didn't hate this but I could have liked it so much more.
I didn't hate this but I could have liked it so much more.
April 25, 2017
4 stars....
Good one...
the beginning of the book is too good....but the middle is not that so better...however It is kati Wilde book so I loved it.....
the appearance of stone, Anna ,bull,sexon,zoomie while they all playing game,I just loved loved that portion very much....
and I am so looking forward for stone story in your next book kati Wilde....:-):-)
Good one...
the beginning of the book is too good....but the middle is not that so better...however It is kati Wilde book so I loved it.....
the appearance of stone, Anna ,bull,sexon,zoomie while they all playing game,I just loved loved that portion very much....
and I am so looking forward for stone story in your next book kati Wilde....:-):-)
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