Review by: Kate Garrabrant
Grade: 4.5 stars
Publisher: Penguin

Tamara Briggs is lonely and wants some male companionship. She may be a widow with two children, but that doesn’t mean she shouldn’t have some fun from time to time. It has been two years since her husband Peter died in a race car accident. However Tamara feels that at thirty-two, she is already middle aged and dumpy. While at a charity cocktail party she spills wine on another guest and sparks fly between them; but Tamara has something more important to deal with than flirting. Her priority is breaking up with the boring date she brought to the event.

Elec Monroe thinks Tamara is gorgeous and was glad they bumped into each other, literally. Elec recognizes Tamara as the widow of race car pro, Pete Briggs and has always had a bit of a crush on her. When Pete was alive all he could do was lust for her from afar. Yet, before the night is over his fantasies will become reality when Tamara wants to spend the night with him.

Tamara and Elec share a passionate night together and Elec doesn’t want just one night with his sexy older lady. Tamara doesn’t see it that way.  In addition to the fact that Elec has some of the most beautiful women in the world throwing themselves at him, Tamara thinks Elec is a kid, barely in his mid twenties. Tamara feels far from perfect, and between the stretch marks from her pregnancies and her lifestyle as a busy mother to her two children her insecurities get the best of her.  Elec doesn’t care about her ‘imperfections’ and wants to make it work out between them. He loves children and wants to spend time with Tamara and her family. While Tamara loves being with Elec, she questions if they will be able to find the time to be with one another. Elec also has concerns, he’s afraid his past may make Tamara turn away from him. And when an obsessed fan comes forward and says Elec is the father of her child, the question becomes if Tamara will stick by Elec or turn away?

Every single one of Erin McCarthy contemporary romances have been winners for me, and with Flat-Out Sexy, she has done it again. This is one flat out sexy book, just like the title states. Elec is a woman’s dream come true. The way he views Tamara made me sigh. This is a man who loves children, realizes the importance of family and is willing to do whatever it takes to keep Tamara in his life even though it means some big sacrifices on his part. I fell for Elec the moment he saw Tamara, and thought she was his ideal woman. He loves her body, even though she thinks she has major flaws, and he doesn’t care about the small difference in age.

The love scenes between Elec and Tamara are both naughty, but sweet and lusty. Tamara first assumes the relationship she has with Elec is just a scratch she has to itch, but soon he sneaks into her heart and she can’t give him up. Their story is everything I am looking forward to in a romance, and when it comes to Erin, she can do it so well. Not only is she a pro at writing witty dialogue and characters you sympathize with, but she takes real problems and gives realistic solutions. You know there will always be a happily ever after and a smile on your face when you finished reading.

It seems car racing romances are the next big thing and if Erin McCarthy can keep writing them, I will surely be there to read them, and I recommend you do the same thing.