The Recommended Fast Track Reading Order
Erin McCarthy’s Fast Track series is a high-octane, contemporary sports romance saga set against the backdrop of stock car racing in Charlotte, North Carolina. The series blends steamy romance, sharp humor, and the adrenaline-fueled environment of NASCAR pit crews and racetracks. To get the full experience of character growth, recurring family relationships, and minor overarching storylines, you should read the books in their order of release. There are eight primary novels in the series.
Here is the recommended reading order for the Fast Track books:
- Flat-Out Sexy (2008) — Featuring Elec Monroe and Tamara Briggs.
- Hard and Fast (2009) — Featuring Ty McCordle and Imogen Wilson.
- Hot Finish (2010) — Featuring Ryder Jefferson and Suzanne Jefferson.
- The Chase (2011) — Featuring Evan Monroe and Kendall Holbrook.
- Slow Ride (2011) — Featuring Diesel Lange and Tuesday Jones.
- Jacked Up (2012) — Featuring Nolan Ford and Eve Monroe.
- Full Throttle (2013) — Featuring Rhett Ford and Shawn Hamby.
- Final Lap (2014) — Featuring Cooper Brickman and Harley McLain.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
For the Fast Track series, the publication order and the chronological order align perfectly. Erin McCarthy wrote the books in a direct sequential timeline, meaning the events of each book occur in the order they were published. While some readers have occasionally pointed out very minor continuity hiccups—such as small character or event timeline inconsistencies in Slow Ride relative to The Chase—these do not affect the main plotlines. Following the publication order is the best way to watch friendships, family dynamics, and professional rivalries develop naturally over time.
Book-by-Book Breakdown
1. Flat-Out Sexy (2008)
The series kicks off with Flat-Out Sexy, introducing readers to Tamara Briggs, a 32-year-old widow who lost her husband to a tragic racing accident. Eager to rebuild her life, Tamara goes on a blind date with Elec Monroe, a rising, charismatic 23-year-old NASCAR driver. This steamy age-gap romance explores Tamara's fears of letting another driver into her heart and Elec’s determination to prove he is mature enough to care for Tamara and her young son, all while dealing with the intense pressure of the racetrack.
2. Hard and Fast (2009)
In the second book, sociology graduate student Imogen Wilson decides to write her thesis on the dating and mating patterns of professional race car drivers. To do this, she follows a set of "rules" designed to catch a driver's attention, targeting the notorious playboy Ty McCordle. Ty is initially baffled and then completely charmed by Imogen's literal, no-nonsense approach to relationships. As their bond deepens, Imogen discovers Ty’s vulnerable side, including a long-hidden struggle with dyslexia, making this an emotional opposites-attract favorite.
3. Hot Finish (2010)
Hot Finish brings a second-chance romance to the track. Wedding planner Suzanne Jefferson and her ex-husband, stock-car driver Ryder Jefferson, divorced years ago—or so they thought. When Suzanne tries to move forward with her life, she discovers their divorce paperwork was never officially finalized. Thrust back together to sort out the legal mess, the two find that the old flames of passion and unresolved anger burn hotter than ever, forcing them to decide if they want to cross the finish line together after all.
4. The Chase (2011)
This installment highlights a fierce competitor romance. Kendall Holbrook is a rare female driver fighting for respect in a male-dominated sport, while Evan Monroe (brother to Elec from the first book) is a top-tier rival. As the two go head-to-head on the track, their intense professional rivalry spills over into a passionate, off-track romance. The couple must navigate the media spotlight, team loyalties, and the high-speed dangers of their careers.
5. Slow Ride (2011)
Slow Ride shifts focus to Diesel Lange, a former racing champion who is trying to rebuild his career and find his grounding after a major life shift. He crosses paths with therapist Tuesday Jones, who is dedicated to helping her clients but finds herself drawn to the brooding driver. This book focuses heavily on healing, trust, and the slow-burn realization that some of the best victories in life are won off the track.
6. Jacked Up (2012)
PR professional Eve Monroe is used to managing the chaotic public images of drivers, but when a "wardrobe malfunction" video goes viral, she faces a major crisis. She has to manage the fallout alongside Nolan Ford, a rugged pit crew jackman. A business trip to Las Vegas turns personal, and the chemistry between the two explodes. This book highlights the unsung heroes of NASCAR—the pit crew—and details the high-pressure dynamics behind the scenes.
7. Full Throttle (2013)
Shawn Hamby is a 32-year-old racetrack owner who needs to marry to fulfill a clause in her grandfather's will and inherit the track. Enter Rhett Ford, a younger driver (and brother to Nolan from Jacked Up) whom she met under highly charged circumstances at a local club. Shawn proposes a marriage of convenience to Rhett. This age-gap, convenience-marriage story contains strong dominance and submission (D/s) dynamics, adding a spicy, intense flavor to the series.
8. Final Lap (2014)
The series concludes with the story of Cooper Brickman, a successful driver whose racing season is struggling because he has to care for his rebellious 13-year-old half-sister, Mary-Jane. Looking for a dependable nanny, he hires Harley McLain, a reserved and responsible woman. What Cooper doesn't know is that Harley recently swapped dresses with her outgoing twin sister, Charity, at a wedding to catch his eye, leading to a passionate one-night stand. The book explores the fallout of this mistaken identity and the couple's growing feelings as they learn to navigate family responsibilities together.
Practical Reader Advice
Where to Start
We strongly recommend starting with the first book, Flat-Out Sexy. It sets up the Charlotte racing scene, establishes the overarching tone, and introduces the Monroe family. Reading in order allows you to follow the lives of the Monroe brothers (Elec and Evan) and the Ford brothers (Nolan and Rhett) as they appear in supporting roles in other books.
Are They Standalones?
Yes, each book features a distinct couple and concludes with a definitive happily-ever-after (HEA). You can read them out of order if you are looking for a specific trope (such as second-chance romance in Hot Finish or marriage of convenience in Full Throttle), but you will spoil character updates and relationship progressions from previous books.
What to Know Before You Start
- Steamy Tone: The Fast Track series is highly sensual and features explicit, adult romance scenes. Full Throttle in particular contains D/s elements.
- NASCAR Setting: Erin McCarthy spent time attending NASCAR events and talking to insiders to bring authenticity to the pit crews, the garage talk, and the high-speed racing scenes.
- Humor and Heart: Despite the heat, the books are known for their laugh-out-loud Southern dialogue, strong female friendships, and emotional depth.