Thank you so much for the opportunity to review this book and to be an early reader via NetGalley! However, I will not be writing a review for this title at this time, as my reading preferences have since changed somewhat. In the event that I decide to review the book in the future, I will make sure to purchase a copy for myself or borrow it from a library. Once again, thank you so much for providing me with early access to this title. I truly appreciate it. Please feel free to contact me with any follow-up questions or concerns.

If you are looking for a book that features the typically tattooed bad boy then you'll be surprised when you read Test Drive. This book isn't your average gritty book about hard core alpha males covered in ink and full of attitude. Oh, don't get me wrong, this book has all that but there is so much more to the men who inhabit the pages!

Book three is all about Sam - Foley's brother from another mother and current roommate. When Foley meets his other half, Sam is left feeling alone and unwanted. In an effort to feel better, Sam takes in a stray puppy. The stray puppy, however, has another human rescuer named Ivy.

Ivy and Sam are wonderful characters. Moody and broody, Sam has a hard time connecting with people, yet the instant he laid eyes on Ivy he was struck. I enjoyed their interactions - Sam coming off gruff and potentially scaring Ivy. Ivy trying to work through the chaos of the her previous relationship while trying to dig through Sam's tough exterior. Their's isn't an easy relationship at first and the author does a great job building it up. They are sweet together and Ivy and Sam are exactly what each other needed. The secondary characters add different aspects to the book that help support Ivy and Sam.

We learn a lot about Sam's past in this book. He had a pretty hard childhood that could have ended with horrific adulthood. His meeting of Foley and Foley's mom is probably what single-handedly saved Sam. He's not exactly all straightened up as an adult and harbors some serious emotional baggage. His pain and suffering at the hands of something beyond his control is heart-wrenching. The author wrote this book full of emotional content that the reader will feel, connect with, and understand.

Sam's story is amazing! The story is engaging from the beginning and kept me captivated. The plot was well thought out and organized. The story was perfectly paced; not too fast or too slow. I loved reading about the emotionally scarred bad boy who finds his match.

Zero to Sixty had me going from the beginning to the end. You meet Sam and he is one character that I could really relate to. Then when you add in Ivy she just adds to the story. Both are different but yet have similar paths. When they are together there is a passion that ignites between them. It does take a little while for this to begin but it is worth it in the end. As the story goes along you realize some of the reasons why Sam does the things he does, you hope that Ivy can be the one person that can finally get him to settle all that is going on inside of him. You also see growth in Ivy when she starts to stand up for the relationship that they have and stands up to the one person who she believes is standing in the way, and fights for Sam. A very good book, the bedroom scenes between the two of them are hot and only adds to the story. A very good book.

After attempting to finish this book twice now, I am conceding defeat. Sam had a lot of work to do to redeem himself after the way he acted in Roadside Assistance, and while he made some great strides toward that goal, I just couldn't seem to find my mojo with this read. I loved that he saved stray animals though!

Marie Harte takes us back to the world of bad-for-you mechanics and the sexy woman that manages to tame and claim them for their very own. Fans of Marie, and these bad boys especially, will be overjoyed to see the gruff and sexy Sam finally falling under the spell of the sweet and sensual Ivy. Sam has had a hard time recently as the people around him are all falling in love and he is beginning to wonder if he will ever find a woman that can put up with him and fill his life like the women that have come into his friends’ lives. Just when he finds a little companion that seem willing to offer that love, if in a different manner, the pup leads the pretty blonde Ivy into Sam’s world and he is immediately drawn to her. It is obvious to just about anyone that Sam has some seriously deep-seated issues, but the more we learned about him and met people from his past, we come to see that it’s amazing how well adjust he is, all things considered. He tries so hard to not that those he cares about into the dark parts of his heart, but once Ivy pushes her was in, there’s no way he can deny that she is the only woman for him. Ivy has her own issues, but when she is around Sam she finds a piece of herself that has been missing and is willing to Rick it all to keep it—and him—in her life for a long time to come. Ivy’s personality was certainly unforgettable and I was thrilled to see that Sam met his match in a woman like her. Being around Ivy brings out a softer side of Sam (and a harder one;) sometimes) but the deep-seated emotional connection they formed was my favorite part of the story. I am very much looking forward to seeing what comes next in this series and getting to see glimpses of Sam and Ivy as their relationship continues to grow. As always Marie’s world and characters were interesting, fufilling, and captured a piece of my heart that will remain there forever. Another masterpiece, though I don’t quite know how she can top Sam’s story!

Ivy Stephens is trying to get her life together and care for her little puppy that she found and for some reason keeps losing.

Sam Hamilton is happy for all of his best friends and their new found love but he can't help but be a little lonely and sad that he will be on his own. Luckily for him a cute little puppy keeps finding it's way into his heart and leads him right to Ivy's door.

I voluntarily read an advanced review copy of this book

I had mixed emotions about this book at first but then I had a moment where a light bulb went off in my head and it all made sense to me. I want to take a second and say good job Marie Harte for daring to be different. Usually you get an alpha male that is ready to run the world while the woman is so soft and timid but it wasn't like that...it was...drastically the opposite but somehow they both had their moments where they both played both roles of strength and weakness.

Ivy was the goody two shoes and Sam was 100% the bad boy. While Ivy seemed like she had no back bone she was fierce when it came to those she loved, Sam on the other hand may have been strong on the outside he was so insecure on the inside (for understandable reasons).

Overall a pretty good book. Great job Marie Harte for daring to be different.

I love this series, and will post a review to Caffeinated in early May.

ZERO TO SIXTY is book three in Marie Harte's Body Shop Bad Boys series. Sam Hamilton, like the rest of the guys working at Webster's Garage and just about any other big guy with tattoos, often gets dirty looks and pegged as a potential troublemaker. The reality is that, although he likes to let loose on occasion, he is a guy who cherishes his adopted family and has a huge soft spot when it comes to animals. It's difficult to not fall for Sam as you read ZERO TO SIXTY, just as the heroine does. Massage therapist Ivy Stephens has niggling self-doubts just as Sam does, but she's smart enough to realize how lucky she is to have found Sam.

Like any good romantic comedy, it's a cute dog named Cookie that brings Sam and Ivy together. When Sam and Ivy embark on a romantic relationship, they are taking a chance because each is vastly different than what the other person is used to. I love how organically the relationship develops over the course of ZERO TO SIXTY. Marie Harte brings together a hero and heroine who are adorable together and yet smoking hot at the same time. Ivy is extremely easy to relate to and like, and Sam's internal monologue and the way he cherishes Ivy make this book so much fun to read.

Foley's biological mother is the villain in this piece and dark cloud on the horizon, but thankfully she doesn't really make her presence felt until near the end, and she's not around for long. ZERO TO SIXTY showcases the strong relationships that Sam has with Foley and his mom Eileen, as well as with the rest of the guys at the shop. These healthy and supportive relationships act as a nice contrast between that of Sam's relationship with his biological mom. Some parts of ZERO TO SIXTY will have you reaching for a tissue, while others will bring a smile to your face.

ZERO TO SIXTY is a blast and a half, and a sweet and spicy romance. Sam and Ivy's unexpected romance makes great therapy for Ivy and Sam as they get over the bad memories caused by her ex and his mother. I am crazy about this Body Shop Bad Boys series and can't wait for the next one!

I've been reading this author for a while now, and while most of her books have been great reads for me, something just felt off about this one.

Sam was a good character, but so much about him didn't add up! Why all the rage and underground fighting? Why was he so taciturn? What made him get into fostering and rescuing pets? Why not abandon his mom, even with his guilt that "this is my mom" evoked? We got little dribs and drabs of this, but not enough to satisfy me.

Also, the underground fighting ring was a missed opportunity for me. We get it mentioned, see one fight, then the cops raid it and shut it down and it is never mentioned again! I could see so much potential for plot threads and twists there!

I felt that Ivy was a bit of a doormat overall, with moments of standing up for herself and what she believed in. She also felt a bit too mousy to be a good fit for Sam and his demons. I did enjoy the fact that she worked at Bodyworks, as that is another series of the author's that she's just tied into this universe, and the series responsible for my introduction to the author in the first place.

The book's issues not withstanding, it was an entertaining and interesting read overall, and fit well into the series and universe as a whole.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary – ☆☆☆☆
Sam Hamilton is a bad boy, or that is what he appears to be to the outside world. But his best friend, Foley, and Foley's mom are his family and have been there for him for most of 10 years. While Sam's birth mother, Louise, only causes him pain, Sam fights to take the anger and pain away.

Ivy Stephens is a good girl that has had her share of bad boyfriends. She put her way through massage therapy school and is part owner in a business. Still, her family doesn't care that she even exists.

When Sam and Ivy meet looking for a stray puppy, the sparks fly between them. While Ivy is cautious about rushing into a relationship, Sam wants more of what he has never had before and he wants it with Ivy. They spend time together with Cookie, the puppy, and it just makes them want to be together even more.

Can Ivy date Sam without rushing in too fast? Will Sam let Louise ruin what is beginning with Ivy? Will Foley and his mom approve of Ivy dating Sam? What happens when Ivy learns about Sam's past?

This is the third book in this series and I am loving it and can't wait for the next one. It is about Sam and Foley's mechanic buddy, Lou, and the only woman that hasn't swooned at Lou's feet.


Lee’Anne – ☆☆☆
Sam Hamilton is a mechanic with a rocky past and though he looks and sometimes acts like an alpha bad boy, he’s definitely a sweet teddy bear deep down. Sam helps Willie, an elderly and hilarious woman, save stray animals and when a little puppy doesn’t seem to want to stay in one place, it leads Sam to Ivy Stephens’ door. Ivy is a massage therapist who has just gotten out of a rocky relationship. Though the two are attracted to one another, Ivy isn’t willing to get into another relationship. Then the two decide to “split custody” of the stray pup and things begin to heat up.

I didn’t much care for Ivy’s character and I think that’s been the strongest factor in my 3-star rating. The writing is good, however, the pace just isn’t there. Especially when scenes from previous characters are thrown in, this is the first book in the series that I’ve read and I think that had I read the previous books this wouldn’t have been so confusing. My favorite part of this book was Willie, each scene that has her in it had me cracking up – she definitely makes this a story worth reading.

Marie Harte just went on my "must read" list. Zero to Sixty is perfect. Sam is a rough man with a heart of gold, Ivy is the woman who makes her way into his heart. If you want a sweet love story you won't want to put down, this is the one. I kept reading through hunger pangs, bathroom needs, and surely became dehydrated- all because I didn't want to stop reading!

A tall brooding bad boy who has a soft spot for stray animals. SOLD! I adored Sam Hamilton and Ivy was the perfect compliment to him. Boy did he have a filthy mouth in the best way. Sam worked hard to corrupt Ivy into cursing as she didn't curse at all. The back and forth over being a good doggy parent to Cookie ( a boy dog). Adorable

Harte: The Beverly Hills Cop reference simply priceless

Leave it to Marie Harte to take a character that totally p*ssed me off in the last book and make me not only love him, but flay my heart wide open with the incidents that molded his character and shaped the way he looks at himself and life in general. Zero to Sixty could have been a heavy, angst filled story, but this author carefully crafted this story to not only clue us into the hero’s psyche but also guide us through his metamorphosis as he finds a woman who makes him want more than the half life he’s been living. She blends the perfect amount of wit, sarcasm, laughter, hurt, anger and lust into one fantastic romance.
Sam Hamilton wasn’t the best friend and did some not so nice things to his best friend and his friend’s girlfriend in the last book in this series, so much so I kind of hated him. I’ll be real honest, he acted like a spoiled brat and grade A a$$hole! Rationally, I understood there was something more going on with Sam, but I was angry at him. Thankfully, Ms. Harte gave us Sam’s story and helped us to understand what motivates him, helped us get inside his head, and helped us see him in a different light. Despite his flaws, we find out that Sam is a genuinely good person; he has a soft spot for neglected, homeless animals, he loves his friend Foley and Foley’s mom Eileen and guards them fiercely, he enjoys his job and the people he works with, and finds time to help the elderly in the neighborhood with the pets they rescue. Sam is a big man and looks menacing, but underneath lays a heart of gold.
After getting her heart stomped on and her self esteem taking a bit of a blow Ivy Stephens is proud of the life she’s built on her own. A massage therapist with a growing client list and co-owner of the studio she practices in, Ivy is happy in her life. She has a job she enjoys, an apartment she loves and a puppy she found that she hopes to keep just as soon as she gets permission from her landlord. What she doesn’t expect is the utterly handsome, bad boy, intimidating man who must “approve” of her adopting Cookie.
I loved the opposites attract angle of this book, Sam seemed like the epitome of a bad boy and Ivy was always considered the good girl, but it was easy to see that despite their reservations they were immensely attracted to one another. I enjoyed that their relationship was on a slow burn, that they spent some quality time getting to know one another before the progressed into the physical aspect of a relationship and I respected that Sam was adamant that Ivy make the decision as to when that happened. It was fun watching Sam dealing with feelings and experiences he had never had before and loved that his friends razzed him about his “love life” relentlessly. His protectiveness of Ivy and her ability to see all parts of Sam made it easy to love these characters and be invested in their story.
I was fully engaged in Zero to Sixty from the first word to the last; the plot was emotional, but fun, the characters intriguing, and the romance exciting and fulfilling.

Man, I’ve been totally loving this series! ZERO TO SIXTY is the third book in the Body Shop Bad Boys series by Marie Harte. It features a bad boy in Sam Hamilton and a nice girl in Ivy Stephens. Now this book feels slightly different to the other books in the series because it has a softer touch to it. Ivy is a more of a reserved character and I think that affects the book a lot. She is also a sucker for a cute puppy and this puppy is what essentially brings them together.

As more and more of his buddies are finding love, Sam feels a little bit left out. He’s spending a lot more time with other people and that includes Ivy. Their romance is a slow burn, but it does heat up pretty quickly as you can expect since the heroes in this series are all smoking hot.

If you’re not reading this series or Marie Harte in general, what’s wrong with you!? Harte to me is one of those authors who I think pulls off realistic relationships but still manages to make them fun and sexy. I was smiling all throughout reading this novel and I’m sure you will too! I don’t want to say this book is my favorite in the series because I really do enjoy them all but this is my favorite so far. It mixes sweet and sexy in a delicious way. I’m already dying for the next one!

Sam was at Webster’s garage and all kinds of cars had come in today and he had been working all morning into early evening. Then Sam had gotten Tyrant an old cat of Willie’s from under a car and got scratched before getting Tyrant back to Willie as she would take care of where Tyrant hurt his ear. Sam only cared that Willie helped the animals that were strays and made life interesting as she definitely a character. Foley was Sam’s best friend but now Foley had Cyn who he loved even though she did include Sam in their life. Foley’s mom considered Sam her son also and loved him as Sam loved her as she had practically raised Sam as her biological mother only put Sam down and told him he was unlovable and a loser and no good for anything. But she always called Sam every so often and as long as he did what she wanted she left Sam alone for months at a time. Foley and his mother had stood up to Sam’s biological mother so she was afraid of them and didn’t try to mess with them. Now Foley’s mother was remarrying and she was totally psychotic with her wedding plans. Sam was a little lonely now that Foley was with Cyn a lot. Sam had helped in a dogfight and had taken the pit bull to Willie to take care of as Willie loved taking care of animals and Sam found he liked helping animals. Sam was a very big man and had tattoos and looked scary. Every since the pitbull Sam and Willie worked together helping strays in the city. Ivy co owned a massage clinic with Shelby who was the original owner of the clinic. Ivy was a licensed massage therapist Sam asked her if she had seen a puppy and described Scruffy which Willie and he called the puppy. Ivy told Sam she had taken him in but then he got away and she was going looking for him Sam went with her.Ivy had not been on a date with anyone in over a year and when she and Sam both went to pet Cookie as Ivy called him she instantly felt an attraction to Sam. Ivy wasn’t looking for a man she didn’t want to be hurt again. Sam wanted Ivy to meet him for a beer and to talk about Cookie.Sam usually noticed a girl’s chest and butt but with Ivy it was her beautiful eyes as well as a beautiful smile. Ivy seems to have implanted herself in Sam’s brain. Sam has lost his taste for easy sex that didn’t mean anything Sam took Cookie until Ivy got the okay from her landlord to have the dog. Then Sam and Ivy went to get Cookie who was at Willie’s.Sam also gave Ivy a ride home as her car needed to be repaired. Sam had offered to check the clutch on her car for her. Sam kissed Ivy and thought he had gone to far and quickly left Ivy’s home and ivy felt like she had jumped Sam and scared him away. But everything got ironed out between Sam and Ivy. Sam and Ivy were actually going on a date. The physical chemistry was so off the wall for both of them. Ivy wondered what it would be like to be in a relationship with Sam. Ivy wasn’t a casual kind of girl when she fell for a guy she fell hard.
I absolutely loved this story, I didn’t want to put it down the plot was great. I loved how we seen Sam turn into a man who smiled and found some happiness. I hated his mother it wasn’t Sam’s fault for what happened and she had no one to help her . Sam tried to earn her love but between the drugs and her mental issues he just couldn’t reach her. I loved that Ivy wouldn’t give up on Sam and she stood up to his mother for them. Such a beautiful story to see the change in Sam once he found Ivy. A great read I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this story and I highly recommend.

I have been following Marie Harte's Body Shop Bad Boys series quite sincerely. That is why I was looking forward to reading Zero to Sixty which is Sam Hamilton's book. I like the tone of this series. It focuses on hard working men and their bonds of friendship and family. Overall, Zero to Sixty was a good read but it definitely did not blow me away or anything. It was enjoyable enough for me.

Okay, so let's start with Sam. Sam Hamilton is best friends with Foley Sanders who was the hero of the previous book, Roadside Assistance. Now that Foley is completely head over heels in love with his girlfriend Cynthia, Sam has been feeling left out. It doesn't help that he has a horribly abusive mother who always brings forth all of Sam's insecurities about people who love him leaving him. I liked Sam as a person. He had issues to deal with but he was a good guy.

Then we have Ivy. Ivy is a massage therapist. She is a good girl through and through. Ivy likes working and is quite happy with her life. Except for the part where she gets lonely at times. I really liked Ivy. She was open with Sam about her feelings. The way Sam and Ivy meet was really cute.

Zero to Sixty is a classic example of opposites attract. Sam is very much rough around the edges who doesn't think very highly of himself. Whereas Ivy is the more sorted one. But Ivy does have her own issues and insecurities to deal with. Ivy and Sam start off unsure about each other but they do get comfortable soon. I liked the way the romance progressed.

Marie Harte's writing is easy and engaging so it was easy to follow along Sam and Ivy's journey. I can't say that there was anything new or unique about either of them though. We also get to meet the remaining gang and it is always fun to catch up with everybody. We get hints of Lou in this book so I am very much excited for his book next. This was a good read.

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by the author/publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

Zero to Sixty book three of Marie Harte's Body Shop Bad Boys series. Mmmm, there is something about big strong silent bearded men. Sam, I knew he was going to steal my heart, he is such a lonely soul even with the love and support from his best friend, Foley, and Foley's mom not to mention the friendships he has forged at Webster's Garage especially now since Foley has found his one and only. Sam has a secret he's been keeping from everyone, he helps rescue strays and find them homes when one dog gets away and finds himself outside a massage studio and gets himself adopted by a woman Sam finds irresistible. Sam uses the dog as an excuse to meet Ivy. Ivy has had it with relationships she's concentrating on her business now but after she meets Sam as much as she wants to convince herself otherwise she's got it bad.

Sam is the bad boy with the soft side and Ivy is the good girl but these opposites have more in common then you may think they both love animals and cheesy sci-fi movies. They both are very shy and reserved around people until they get to know them better. Sam had a difficult childhood and still deals with his manipulative mother, as a result Sam has never felt that he deserves anything good. Ivy shows him he deserves a happy life and so much more without his hateful mother to bring him down.

Overall, this has to be my favorite of the series so far. I feel like I have more in common with these two then the other so far.

Leave it to Marie Harte to take a character that totally p*ssed me off in the last book and make me not only love him, but flay my heart wide open with the incidents that molded his character and shaped the way he looks at himself and life in general. Zero to Sixty could have been a heavy, angst filled story, but this author carefully crafted this story to not only clue us into the hero’s psyche but also guide us through his metamorphosis as he finds a woman who makes him want more than the half life he’s been living. She blends the perfect amount of wit, sarcasm, laughter, hurt, anger and lust into one fantastic romance.
Sam Hamilton wasn’t the best friend and did some not so nice things to his best friend and his friend’s girlfriend in the last book in this series, so much so I kind of hated him. I’ll be real honest, he acted like a spoiled brat and grade A a$$hole! Rationally, I understood there was something more going on with Sam, but I was angry at him. Thankfully, Ms. Harte gave us Sam’s story and helped us to understand what motivates him, helped us get inside his head, and helped us see him in a different light. Despite his flaws, we find out that Sam is a genuinely good person; he has a soft spot for neglected, homeless animals, he loves his friend Foley and Foley’s mom Eileen and guards them fiercely, he enjoys his job and the people he works with, and finds time to help the elderly in the neighborhood with the pets they rescue. Sam is a big man and looks menacing, but underneath lays a heart of gold.
After getting her heart stomped on and her self esteem taking a bit of a blow Ivy Stephens is proud of the life she’s built on her own. A massage therapist with a growing client list and co-owner of the studio she practices in, Ivy is happy in her life. She has a job she enjoys, an apartment she loves and a puppy she found that she hopes to keep just as soon as she gets permission from her landlord. What she doesn’t expect is the utterly handsome, bad boy, intimidating man who must “approve” of her adopting Cookie.
I loved the opposites attract angle of this book, Sam seemed like the epitome of a bad boy and Ivy was always considered the good girl, but it was easy to see that despite their reservations they were immensely attracted to one another. I enjoyed that their relationship was on a slow burn, that they spent some quality time getting to know one another before the progressed into the physical aspect of a relationship and I respected that Sam was adamant that Ivy make the decision as to when that happened. It was fun watching Sam dealing with feelings and experiences he had never had before and loved that his friends razzed him about his “love life” relentlessly. His protectiveness of Ivy and her ability to see all parts of Sam made it easy to love these characters and be invested in their story.
I was fully engaged in Zero to Sixty from the first word to the last; the plot was emotional, but fun, the characters intriguing, and the romance exciting and fulfilling.

Marie Harte’s Zero to Sixty is the third book in her Body Shop Bad Boys series and once again she delivers a steamy, sexy romance!
This novel features massage therapist Ivy Stephens and mechanic Sam Hamilton. The couple bond over a stray dog that Ivy has named Cookie. Sam’s friends have been fostering the same dog, who is constantly running away. The dog slipped his collar and is loose, so Ivy and Sam team up to search for him. The couple finds Cookie and Sam asks if Ivy wants to adopt him. The couple agrees to meet the next night after work to talk about Cookie.
I read Marie Harte’s novels because of their unique characters, clever dialogue and fast-paced plots. I was a bit surprised when the author paired career- oriented Ivy with Sam, the tattooed car mechanic. Their first date is a disaster. A few days later, Sam helps Ivy when she has car trouble. The couple bonds over Cookie, Sci -fi movies, tea and an unexpected kiss. The author creates excellent secondary characters. Foley and the crew at the car shop are Sam’s family and the intricate relationships add authenticity to the story. Ivy and Sam’s conversations were honest and heart breaking at times. Through the talks with Sam and his best friend Foley, the reader learns about Sam’s childhood and his relationship with his mother. Sam and Ivy are surprised by their intense and powerful attraction. Kudos to Marie Harte for Sam’s insistence for Ivy’s consent—and the importance of sexual consent—before they consummate their relationship.
The couple faces several challenges during the novel and the ending was perfect. I enjoyed the passion in Ivy and Sam’s story and am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Reviewed by Tori

Favorite Quote:
“Give her hell, Sam Hamilton. And try to look less serial killer and more solid citizen. Smile, why don’t you?”
He forced a smile at her.
Willie blinked. “Eh, maybe not.”

Sam Hamilton has been feeling about lonely since his best friend found his soulmate. When he meets Ivy Stephens, a young lady who is interested in adopting one of the strays he helps to rehome, Sam falls hard and fast. But Sam has some serious baggage in his life. Baggage that will do anything to make sure Sam’s attention stays firmly on them. As Sam and Ivy grow closer, Sam is worried Ivy may be too nice to fit into his life. But Ivy soon proves to Sam and everyone else that being nice doesn’t mean she can’t get down and dirty when she needs to.

Zero to Sixty is the third installment in Marie Harte’s sexy and humorous Body Shop Bad Boys. This series spins off her McCauley brothers series with its focus lasered on the Webster Garage and the four gorgeous, sexy, commitment-phobic mechanics who work there. There is some character/storyline crossover but it’s mild and not invasive. Each book can be read as a standalone though previous romance storylines carry over.

Harte introduces Ivy Stephens to Sam Hamilton with a bit of a meet cute. Ivy is out searching for a stray puppy (Cookie) she has been taking care of on and off. Sam is also out looking for Cookie. They run into one another and Sam agrees to keep Cookie at his home until Ivy can talk to her landlord about having a pet. Sam decides the best way to get to know this gorgeous woman better is to vet her for Cookie’s sake through a few “dates.”

“Ah, just so we’re clear, we don’t give dogs away to just anyone who wants them.”

“Okay.”

“I mean, puppies are popular. We’d have no problem getting him a good home. A friend of mine was asking about this little guy just the other week.”
She frowned. “I have a good home.”

“We’ll see.”

[…]

“If you’re not busy tomorrow night, we can grab a beer or something. Talk about plans for Cookie.”

I reviewed the first two books in the series- Test Drive and Road Assistance-and thoroughly enjoyed. Harte does a wonderful job of individualizing the characters and storyline so you don’t feel as if you’re reading the same romantic set up with just different names. This installment felt softer and less conflicted than the first two. The same engaging narrative, sexually enhanced romance and endearingly characters are present but Harte chooses to leave the dramatics by the curb and gently walk this couple to their HEA.

Sam is the best friend and roommate of Foley Sangers (the hero of Road Assistance). Also a mechanic at Webster’s Garage, Sam was pretty much raised by Foley’s mom, Eleanor, his own mother an abusive addict. Single, gorgeous, and ripped, Sam is honest to a fault and a total gentleman despite what his size and mannerisms suggest. A bit of a loner, Sam’s relationships with the opposite sex consists mainly of hook ups. The most important things in Sam’s life are Foley, Foley’s mom, and his job.

Ivy is a massage therapist who stays to herself. Intelligent, good looking, and a genuinely nice person, Ivy is also a bit of a loner as her family has all but abandoned her for reasons unknown and her last serious boyfriend used her to get through school then dumped her. Ivy doesn’t carry a chip on her shoulder like Sam does. She is content with herself and her life.

Harte takes Sam and Ivy’s relationship slow, allowing them the time to get to know one another using an appealing mixture of trepidation and awkwardness. Opposite attraction romances are the best and Harte does this one with justice. Fantastic dialogue, dry humorous wit, and a layered storyline allows readers to see beneath the surface and experience first hand the emotional issues they are dealing with. Ivy has pretty much laid her demons to rest but Sam is still struggling with his childhood, his time in prison, and general feelings of unworthiness. Ivy sees Sam and accepts him as he is because she understands the root of his pain. She is someone he has unknowingly been searching for. I love the humor she uses to help defuse his guilt and shame.

“So there you have it. You’re dating an ex-con.”

“Can I ask you something personal?”

“Yeah.”

“Is it true every prisoner makes license plates? Did you wear black and white striped uniforms? Have a ball chained to your ankle? Break up rocks with an Acme pickaxe?”

“You watch way too much TV.”

The sexual role reversal in here is interesting and works with the overall tone of story. Ivy is the one who not only sets the parameters of their relationship but also initiates the initial sexual aspect. She instinctively understands that Sam has some confusion between intimacy and sex and gives him all the power as she sets out to seduce him.

“You said I can touch you, right?”

“Yeah, don’t stop. Just keep petting me, baby.” He blinked at her once, then shut his eyes and groaned. “I’m gonna sit…right…here.” He shook, then sat unmoving, breathing hard.

“God, you’re gorgeous.” She stroked him from his chest to his belly button, never having been so close to perfection before. Then, because she figured the poor man had suffered enough, and her underwear would never be salvaged if she kept stringing this out, she unsnapped his jeans.

He started, his eyes remaining closed.

“You still okay?”

He swallowed. “Yeah.”

Barely a whisper, but he’d given consent.

Of course, no Harte book would be complete without the antics of the rambunctious Webster mechanics and various other characters from this series. They all step in, unasked, to help Sam deal with these new feelings of his and to explain why Rays wasn’t the right choice for a first date. Harte introduces a few new characters whose personalities fit right in with this bunch and I hope we see more of them in the future.

Zero to Sixty is a lightweight romance contemporary brimming laughter, love, and family. Perfect escapism for the romance lover in all of us. Looking forward to book four, Collision Course, which is Lou’s story. *fist pump* Release date is 10/27/2017.

Grade: B