The Perfect Lap

(Racing Hearts of Serenity #2)

Sedona Hutton

AJ Ryan/Ella Fisher

theperfectlap-sh — **Published:** April 29, 2019

My Rating: 5/5

BookBlurb

His job is to drive fast. Hers is to put the brakes on him. When sparks fly, will love cross the finish line?

AJ Ryan is a publicity nightmare. After a questionable photo surfaces and his biggest sponsor threatens to pull out, the NASCAR champion admits it might be time to hit the brakes. Thankfully, his new no-nonsense image consultant knows just where to start… too bad she revs his engine so loudly he can barely think straight.

Ella Fisher’s career is a welcome distraction from her poor taste in men. Fresh off another easily avoidable heartbreak, rehabbing AJ’s career is just the diversion she needs. But when the pulse-pounding client actually listens to her advice, Ella wonders if there’s more to the man behind the hot mess.

When Ella is granted guardianship of three boisterous children under the misconception that she and AJ are a couple, AJ surprises her by going along with the charade. Before long they find themselves in a make-shift family that feels more real than pretend.

As their professional relationship takes a hard turn for the personal, a single overheard conversation could make it all go up in flames. Will Ella and AJ’s romance hit the wall, or will love take the checkered flag?

Review_RmA

The Perfect Lap is author Sedona Hutton’s second book in her debut series Racing Hearts of Serenity. This series focuses on Nascar drivers and the town and people of Serenity, Tennessee. This is the second book I’ve had the pleasure of reading from Ms. Hutton and it didn’t disappoint!

AJ Ryan has proven himself as a power driver, a part of the Nascar elite by winning his first Cup win. Unfortunately, he’s also good at getting negative press, and his sponsor and boss are not happy. So when his boss suggests an image consultant, he’s shocked but willing to do anything to continue racing.

Ella Fisher just got fired from her PR firm after making a big mistake. Deciding to go home to Serenity, her best friend Nora suggests some part-time PR work and volunteering with local kids at the shelter in town. What Ella doesn’t expect is to end up working with AJ Ryan to help him clean up his image…

I have been looking forward to AJ’s story since we first met him in the previous book! Both AJ and Ella were in the previous story, Nora’s Promise but their paths never crossed. So I was interested to see how these two would meet and find their way together! I have to admit I liked AJ in the previous story but absolutely fell for him in this story! He’s this well mannered southern boy who just seems to be a magnet for trouble. He was such a kind-hearted, loveable guy that you can’t help but melt when he puts on that southern charm. I liked Ella, she’s a sweet, caring, compassionate young woman who has a heart of gold. Together they were a sweet couple and one I really wanted to see get a HEA.

I really struggled to put this one down! What I love about Ms. Hutton’s writing is she fills her stories with fabulous characters. Besides watching AJ and Ella’s romance blossom into love, we have Clare and her three kids who AJ & Ella spent a lot of time helping to get back on their feet, Nora & Davey along with several other characters from the last book, and of course CC who is going to be starring in the next book in this series!

As with the previous story, The Last Lap was extremely well-written with an absolutely perfect ending! I am so happy to hear the next story is CC’s and can’t wait to return to this series. Highly recommend this author and series!