REVIEW: Hard and Fast (Fortis #2), by Raven Scott

By Tqwana B.

3 out of 5 stars  ★★★☆☆

Synopsis:

With his tech brilliance, lethal physical abilities, and easygoing manner, Lucas Johnson is a triple threat. And that’s exactly what Magnus Motorsport needs to protect their game-changing engine design, and its engineer, Alex Cotts, from hackers and saboteurs. Lucas isn’t expecting any surprises—until he discovers Alex is actually a sexy, irresistible woman…

In a male-dominated industry, Alex has always tried to hide her alluring femininity. But Lucas has no trouble seeing her beauty—or her stubborn streak. Alex is convinced she doesn’t need him to babysit her—or distract her with his sex appeal. Yet when a suspicious fire destroys Alex’s work, she finds herself turning to him. In the face of increasing danger, soon Lucas must keep her alive, as his client—and as the only woman he’s ever truly wanted…

I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Hard and Fast (innuendo, anyone?) is the second book in the Fortis series by Raven Scott, about a team of former government intelligence workers who now own their own private security and investigation service. Though you don’t need to read the first to enjoy this one, I still feel as if I missed a few details, particularly in regards to the bad guy in this one. Was he mentioned in the first novel or did he come out of nowhere for this one? I suppose I’ll read it to find out (also liked the preview for book 3, so Raven Scott has found a new reader in me for this series).

I admired the heroine Alex for accepting who she is and being unapologetic about it. Well, she was at first and for most of the novel. Then things got muddy. She was carefree and totally happy with being the tomboy, but still confident in her sexuality and personality. And suddenly, she’s insecure about not fitting the typical feminine mold and men leaving her because of it. Where did that come from? And more importantly, why? Make her vulnerable and insecure about her feelings for the hero, but not about who she is as a person. Not this kick-ass engineer who kept her own and surpassed the boys in a male-dominated field. Let’s celebrate the Alexes of the world, because she was awesome just as is. Lucas was smart enough to see that.

I digress…

I enjoyed this book overall. Maybe a few clunky plot devices, and here I’m thinking of the maid service thing which was jarring in its introduction and fell flat in its resolution. Suspenseful, if not hard-poundingly so. Action, danger, intrigue. I was ready to accuse everyone from Alex’s boss to one of Lucas’ co-workers.

Most of the tension came from Luke and Alex’s chemistry, though, which is not a bad thing at all.