Abby Gaines - Back on Track

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Member: Tamara Evans
Location: California
Reviews written: 226
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About Me: Masters degree owner,avid reader,library employee,sometime gamer,occasional photographer,extremely sarcastic/cynical.

Back on track takes readers through the paces

Written: Jul 16 '08
Pros:Realistic dialogue; strong relationships between the characters
Cons:None.
The Bottom Line: I'd recommend "back on track" because it shows that appearances can be deceiving and that it takes a stranger to change your life for the better.

NACAR fan and sports psychologist Kelly Greenwood is excited when her friend is able to get her a TV spot on the a national NASCAR show. When Kelly is asked about the chances of Trent Matheson (NASCAR pretty boy) winning the Nextel Cup, she is brutally honest in stating that he's a brilliant driver but unreliable and has no chance to win.Kelly further states that Trent's race record isn't good and that in the next race, he won't make it past lap 200.

At Trent Matheson's garage, Trent is fired up at the statements made by Kelly and laughs it off with his pit crew. Kelly's keeping a low profile the next day after her interview on TV and watches the race from home. She is completely surprised when on lap 201, Trent's car collides with another car and he's out of the race. Kelly gets a phone call asking how did she know that Trent wouldn't finish the race.She says in no uncertain terms says that he lost because he's not consistent and he's an airhead. She's embarrassed when she realizes that the guy was a TV reporter and her phone called was played live at the race. Her phone rings again and she's shocked when she finds out that it's Trent's brother Chad wanting her to work for Matheson Racing.

As Trent's older brother and his boss, Chad decides that Trent needs Kelly to help him concentrate. Trent strongly disagrees so him and Kelly make a bet; Kelly has a week to convince Trent that he needs her and if not, she'll be fired. Although Kelly initially tries to trick Trent into saying that he needed her,he does end up needing her help him and so she wins the bet. From here on, Kelly works with Trent to figure out what things lead to his success and failures on the track.Eventually Kelly realizes that there is more to Trent than meets the eye that under that airhead persona is a man determined to show his father that he can be responsible and useful.

While Kelly pushes Trent to stand up to his father Brady and express his interest in things other that racing, when it comes to Kelly and her family, she does the same thing. Kelly comes from a family where everyone is an athlete and is good at their sport. Once Kelly tried to impress them by participating in a sport but after she lost,she felt like her family saw her as a failure and she would never be able to measure up to their achievements.As Kelly helps Trent open up and stand up to his father, Trent helps Kelly gain respect from her family.

Will Kelly ever stand up to her family? Can Trent show his dad that he can do more than drive a race car?Are Kelly and Trent able to work together long enough for him to win the cup?


I liked the development in the relationship between Kelly and Trent. Although Trent was initially against Kelly helping him, eventually he realizes how much he values her opinion and how much he needs her. I also liked how although this book was about NASCAR, the reader wasn't lost in a lot of racing terms which could confuse you if you aren't familiar with NASCAR. Instead the reader is given great story about a woman trying to prove herself and a man who finally gets the courage to stand up to his father.

Recommended: Yes

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