When Ali pulls her first prank, she had steadfastly won me over. Like done, sold, we can 100% be friends. And if that wasn’t enough to hook me into the story, there was this quote: “Some people had comfort food; I had a comfort person. And I’d been two-thirds in love with him for half my life.”

Yes, I do want to know about your comfort person, and I will be rooting for you to win him over. This book was such a good time! The absolute lunatics that surround the MC and this precious family was thoroughly entertaining. I appreciated the complexity of Ali’s feelings in her relationship with those she loves. She feels guilty for them worrying about her epilepsy, but she also feels stifled by their constant concern. That made a lot of sense to me, and could only be written that well by a mother— in my opinion. (Accurate as it may be)

Theo the flirt! I knew he was sunk the second they loaded up in that car. There was a sense of watching from afar in their romance unfolding that I just really loved. Sometimes I would even whisper “aw, he loves that girl!” 😭❤️

I love a road trip romance, I love a found family, and I love a FMC that causes mischief unapologetically. I found those things here! The romance is rippling with tension, but is closed door.

Despite a bit of a slow start, The Fast Lane delivers on its promise of a small town, quirky family, brother’s best friend, pining romance.

Ali has always had a thing for Theo, the boy next door who grew up as part of the family, and for the last 11 years she’s been doing her best to move past it. Then she and Theo find themselves on a road trip to her oldest brother’s wedding (to her ex’s sister) picking up other family members along the way.

In the beginning of the book, Ali’s behavior seemed incredibly juvenile, but as the story plays out, it makes sense. Getting away from her small town gives Ali the opportunity to gain perspective, behave differently, and claim a new role within her family. What could have become raucous slapstick is instead a story of family healing wounds and adapting to a new reality.

Simply put, I LOVED it! It’s flirty & swoony! It’s also quite hilarious. There’s moments where I found myself cackling at Ali’s hijinks or sweet Mack’s escapades. It’s also so heartfelt and I may have gotten a little teary-eyed. When you wrap up a book with a cheesy grin, you know it’s a good one! Romance for the win! ❤️

oh this was the PERFECT summer read.

i love a rom-com and this was everything i love about rom-coms. i honestly knew from the first chapter that i would love this.

in particular, i loved literally all of the characters - everyone added to the narrative and i’m SO excited for more books with them.

thank you so much to netgalley, the publisher and the author for the arc 🫶🏻

Emotions are high when road tripping with an old crush and when dealing with family. Especially when dealing with family. Everyone has a backstory and Alicia Ramos’ family is no different. A lot is discovered while driving across the country with Theo, her brother’s best friend, and basically part of the family. The problem is, “Some people had comfort food; I had a comfort person. And I’d been two-thirds in love with him for half my life”. Obviously there are obstacles on the road and that just makes this heartwarming story more enjoyable. The chemistry is real and the more we learn about Ali, the more we understand so much of what has made her who she is. Sharon does a wonderful job of creating an investment with the characters and rooting for love to work out in the end. There is a little bit of everything scattered throughout the story and scene after scene that brings a smile to your face and some LOL situations. I’m looking forward to reading about Ali’s best friend Mae in The Fake Out.

Thank you Net Gallery and Bookoulture for this read. A perfect Rom Com book for the summer.

This is my first book I’ve read by Sharon M. Peterson and I can’t wait to read the other books by her. Ali & Theo’s road trip adventures and Ali’s inner monologue made me laugh out loud and I was completely immersed from the first chapter. I loved the brothers best friend, small town trope as well as the meddling family and friends.

Oh my god, I loved this book. Dear author, what did you put on this book? I couldn’t put it down, completed in a day. The friends to lovers, brother’s best friend, are you kidding me? I laughed with the book, I cried with the book(I’m a huge crier, I cry at anything and everything). I loved Ali and Theo, they were so cute. Can’t wait for you next book too, cuz you know I’m going to read all of your books. Thank you so much for providing me the arc, I really appreciate the gesture. It’s totally a five star read by me. I enjoyed the conversation of Mack. I loved the kinda dysfunctional family dynamic(??). And she got to become the mayor which is wonderful and I literally couldn’t hold my laughter at the gnomes part and I was in a public vehicle, people were staring at me like crazy😭. Anyway, I loved the book and the characters.

Hmmm, let’s see how I can quickly describe this book… a story about a road trip traveling with a teenage crush, who just happens to be her (estranged) brother’s best friend, who is estranged from the family due to an incident that stemmed from her that ripped her whole family apart. Mix in a meddling grandfather who owns an obnoxious dog and the fact that they are all headed to another brother’s wedding where the whole family will (hopefully) be together again after 11 years… yea, this book was so good!
Sharon M. Peterson has done it again and knocked it out of the park with this book! I loved revisiting the town of Two Harts, Texas and feeling those small town vibes and reading about some of the town’s characters once again. This story is hilarious (like laugh out loud funny) with pranks/interesting situations included (gnomes and nudists to name a few), but also touches on sensitive topics as well (epilepsy rep and family dysfunction).
Ali and Theo are quite the pair… with a long history. Ali has constantly tried to forget about her teenage crush/feelings for her brother’s best friend Theo by claiming “he’s just like a brother to her”… but does anyone really believe that?! Theo is as caring, kind, protective and has an amazing amount of patience that only the best book boyfriends can. Ali is a little quirky and feeling a little lost… but after this life changing road trip… anything can happen! If you enjoy hilarious romcoms with big messy, involved and meddling families/small town, I highly suggest you read this book as soon as it’s available! I know you’re going to want to figure out what happens… and let me tell you, you won’t be disappointed!
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for giving me the opportunity to read/review this book early!

Enjoyable chaste romance featuring a roadtrip and brothers’ best friend. Ali has been in love with Theo for forever. After a couple of brave confessions as a teen where she was shut down, feelings begin to emerge again during a road trip to her brother’s wedding. Theo is completely throwing mixed signals her way, making for an awkward and funny at times adventure. Story dives a little deeper into living with a chronic illness (epilepsy) and familial discord.
All leads are very likable and you are definitely rooting for this HEA.

Thank you Bookouture for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Sharon M. Peterson continues to write funny and rousing stories with sassy, lovable heroines and heroes that melt you into a puddle of goo, with a zany and hilarious side cast.

In The Fast Lane, she adds a dash of seriousness by giving her heroine epilepsy. Ali shows both the vulnerability of living with a condition that impacts all of life and the empowering truth that it doesn't have to hold a person prisoner. Ali's introduction comes to us as she has chained herself to a tree to try to keep the nefarious town mayor from ripping up an ancient tree in the park to put in a football stadium. All of us non-sports fans who have ever been annoyed by the way sports are treated as the center of the universe are already in Ali's corner, right there.

Ali gets cornered by Brother #1 into road-tripping from Texas to Colorado to strong-arm their estranged Brother #2 into attending #1's wedding in Oregon. The only problem? Her companion on this trip is the guy she's been half (or let's be honest, completely) in love with her whole life. What could possibly go wrong?

Everything, and nothing. The Fast Lane is a delightful romp and thoroughly enjoyable.

The Fast Lane was the first book I have read by Sharon Peterson, and it was a blast! Ali is a hoot and initially seems a little obnoxious, I loved her character development and seeing how her epilepsy, feelings for Theo and "the accident" have made her the person she is today. Theo is a cinnamon roll hero and I loved the little surprises we discovered about his life/past on this road trip. The town Two Hearts, where Ali and Theo is from is a little Stars Hollow-esque and is its own character in this story. I loved Ali's big family and seeing how Theo had been a part of it all along. The themes of love, family and being brave make this a butterfly-inducing heartfelt romance that I would highly recommend! Thank you Bookouture for this ARC!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Fast Lane is the perfect combination of rom & com. This story is brimming with laugh out loud moments and a meant-to-be connection that pulls at the heartstrings. I loved how spirited Ali was and watching her growth throughout the story was beautiful!

The charming and quirky characters in this friends-to-lovers romance are so full of heart and despite being fictional, their personalities shine through the pages so brilliantly that they felt realistic.

Ultimately, this is a truly rewarding and engaging tale filled with great chemistry, witty banter, low angst, and zero spice. It’s a quick, lighthearted story perfect for a beach read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

Oh my gosh I LOVED this book! It was so good. I couldn’t put it down. The tension and back and forth between Ali and Theo was sooooo good! Their chemistry was amazing. With no third act breakup, this book was absolutely amazing. You see Ali grow and set boundaries with people. You see Theo love and support Ali as a friend and also more.

The Fast Lane by Sharon M. Peterson
Rating:4/5
Release Date: 19 June 2024

Theo and Ali share a unique bond, having grown up as neighbors and with Theo being her brother's closest friend. Despite Ali's bold declaration of love for him in high school, Theo's response—or lack thereof—left her feeling embarrassed. However, as they embark on a road trip from Texas to Oregon, joined by unexpected family members, their journey becomes unforgettable in more ways than one.

I absolutely adored this book. It's filled with moments that will have you laughing out loud while also tugging at your heartstrings. Ali's spirited and outspoken nature contrasts beautifully with Theo's steady and reliable demeanour. Their banter and teasing add an extra layer of charm to their dynamic.

What truly sets this book apart are its lovable and eccentric characters. They're flawed yet endearing, feeling remarkably real despite being fictional. While the story concludes with a satisfying ending, it doesn't wrap up every loose end in a tidy bow, adding depth and authenticity to the narrative.

For anyone seeking an enjoyable summer read brimming with humour, heart, and a touch of romance, this book is an excellent choice.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Bookouture, and the author, Sharon M. Peterson, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-ARC.

4.5 stars. I absolutely ADORED this book. It just had everything you could ever want in a rom-com. Actually being funny? Check. A road trip? Check. A wedding? Check. A hilarious and lovable octogenarian with a so-ugly-it’s-cute dog named Karen? Check. An adorable 4 year old? Check. An accidental night at a nudist retreat? Check.

I could keep going but I probably should spoil anything.

I love a good friends-to-lovers/brothers best friend, and this just did not disappoint. This is single POV from Ali’s perspective, and I just loved her as a fmc.

What made this novel a step above other romantic comedies is the level of depth within the characters and Ali’s family. Everything was just done so well.

I was smiling like an idiot the entire time. I can’t wait to read more by this author.

Sharon Peterson's latest romance novel is an absolute delight! Featuring relatable characters, witty banter, and swoon-worthy romance, this book is a joy to read from start to finish. While it's a clean romance without spicy scenes, the captivating plot, and charming characters more than make up for it. The road trip setting adds an extra layer of fun to the story, making it a perfect quick read for fans of the genre.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This book was so cute and hilarious. It was so much fun to read, and I loved all of the characters! It was very well written and the plot was wonderful and captivating. The only downside, for me, was that this is a clean romance. Absolutely zero spice. The romance was amazing, though, and made it kinda worth it.

You will enjoy this book if you are looking for a quick, clean romance. Tropes include friends-to-lovers, brother's best friend, road trip, and two beds, but they make it into one!

It has been a little hard to get fully immersed in a book lately and finish it in one sitting like I used to do all the time. This book cured me of that REAL quick.

Ali is a fun, relatable, perfectly unhinged lead whom I loved immediately. There was so much about her to adore, like her wit, her creative pranks, her loyalty, and her sense of humor. She knows her brother’s best friend Theo like the back of her hand—and well she should, considering she’s been two-thirds in love with him for half her life.

Theo is a HEART THROB, okay? But not in the usual male lead ways. He doesn’t have abs of steel, nor is he six feet tall, but he’s thoughtful, funny, sweet, and has secrets even Ali doesn’t know… yet. Like his flirting abilities, for example. Or how he might feel about her. He will win your heart SO fast, until, before you know it, you’re also in love with him—and I am not joking about that.

The banter in this book is AMAZING. The settings are electric, and range from the sweltering Texas heat to the Colorado mountains to the Vegas lights to the lush forests of Oregon. If you’ve read any of Sharon’s previous romcoms, some of the characters make guest appearances in a delightful Easter egg sort of way. And if you haven’t, 1) you’re missing out, and 2) this book absolutely functions as a standalone.

In short, I LOVED this book. There isn’t a single thing I’d change or wish was done differently. And if you love the following things, this is the book for you, too:

- NO third act breakup
- Epilepsy representation
- Funny and loveable side characters
- Swoony romance with heart-pounding kisses
- Banter out the wazoo
- Crisp writing that fully immerses you in the story until it plays like a movie in your head
- Antagonists you’ll want to throttle (followed by creative revenge)
- Fun and wild road trip adventures
- “I am not your brother” (trust me on this one. You’re gonna be fanning yourself in no time after this phrase. Ooh, mama)
- FAMILY. Oh, the messy and imperfect but loving big family vibes. Be still, my heart.

I can. not. WAIT for Sharon’s next book!

Content warnings: mentions of seizures, car accidents, mild injuries, nudity (nondescriptive), and death of a family member

Language: infrequent mild swears throughout the book

Spice: kissing-only

Another delightful, fun read from Peterson, whose books are always guaranteed to make me smile. We're back in in Two Harts and now that Mel and Cal are together, we get to meet another couple, Ali and Theo.
Ali's undying love for her brothers' friend Theo when she was a teenager, and her subsequent declaration of those feelings at the age of sixteen, left her in a swamp of mortified embarrassment. She's determined to never experience that again. Ten years later, she's forced into a car with him for a long road trip with a few stopovers, and she has to pretend everything is okay. It's not.
Great wise-cracking, funny side characters, some serious moments, good vibes, and delicious kisses make me think this will gain Peterson an even bigger following, and for good reason. A perfect beach read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book and leave a voluntary review.

This one was so cute! I loved the road trip aspect. It added so many fun adventures and situations to occur. This one had tons of great banter and hilarious situations. Ali and Theo were so cute together. I was rooting for them the entire time.