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Lights Out
Scoring Points
Can two warring team principals in the cutthroat world of F1 ever admit that there’s more to life than scoring points?
On the surface, Kurt Whitford has everything. A successful business. Good looks. Money. A famous popstar girlfriend hanging off his arm. And as the icing on the cake, he’s just been announced as Nebula’s new team principal. The downside? The opposition. It's seventeen years since Kurt has seen the infuriating and irresistible Gio Rossi, but the man hasn't changed a bit.
Whatever Kurt Whitford has, Giovanni Rossi can surpass. Well, except for the girlfriend. Despite needing to keep his sexuality on the down low, he’s not that far in the closet. And if Kurt thinks that Gio’s ready to let bygones be bygones, he couldn’t be more wrong. Gio hasn’t forgiven. Or forgotten.
As a long-rooted rivalry kicks off once more and sparks fly both on and off the track, can Gio and Kurt go head-to-head without the media getting wind of their true feelings? Or is their undeniable sexual chemistry about to prove their downfall?
This MM romance from H.L Day features enemies to lovers, opposing teams, secrets that go way back, and suppressed feelings. Set in the high-octane world of Formula 1, it features fast cars, spectacular crashes, heated rivalries, and of course, a HEA.
Each book in the Lights Out collection is a standalone story, and the books can be read in any order.
On the surface, Kurt Whitford has everything. A successful business. Good looks. Money. A famous popstar girlfriend hanging off his arm. And as the icing on the cake, he’s just been announced as Nebula’s new team principal. The downside? The opposition. It's seventeen years since Kurt has seen the infuriating and irresistible Gio Rossi, but the man hasn't changed a bit.
Whatever Kurt Whitford has, Giovanni Rossi can surpass. Well, except for the girlfriend. Despite needing to keep his sexuality on the down low, he’s not that far in the closet. And if Kurt thinks that Gio’s ready to let bygones be bygones, he couldn’t be more wrong. Gio hasn’t forgiven. Or forgotten.
As a long-rooted rivalry kicks off once more and sparks fly both on and off the track, can Gio and Kurt go head-to-head without the media getting wind of their true feelings? Or is their undeniable sexual chemistry about to prove their downfall?
This MM romance from H.L Day features enemies to lovers, opposing teams, secrets that go way back, and suppressed feelings. Set in the high-octane world of Formula 1, it features fast cars, spectacular crashes, heated rivalries, and of course, a HEA.
Each book in the Lights Out collection is a standalone story, and the books can be read in any order.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 13, 2023
32 people are currently reading
242 people want to read
About the author
H.L. Day
48 books493 followersH.L Day is a teacher and a writer. She enjoys writing far too many different sub genres to stick to one thing so writes everything from rom-coms to post-apocalyptic sci-fi. It's just the way her brain works. H.L Day lives in the UK with her elderly black cat that she accidentally stole from her next door neighbour.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
June 19, 2023
Trigger warning: really intense talk of sexual assault and how it’s represented in media, expecially this book. So please be careful when reading this one, this book was a really hard read for me for a reason and I don’t want that to happen for anyone else.
I will admit that nothing about my review will be talking about the romance, or what little of it there was or anything that I enjoyed in this book, because I feel like I have more important things to talk about and i’m not sure I can praise a book that has such a glaring issue to begin with.
This book has a scene, when Gio and Kurt are teenagers where Gio makes Kurt drink a lot of alcohol, with the sole purpose of getting Kurt to have sex with him as he knows that Kurt won’t want to have sex with him otherwise, and Kurt is pictured as saying no and refusing to have sex during the scene, but Gio coerces him into having sex with him. Gio even admits that he brought the alcohol with the sole purpose of getting Kurt drunk to convince him to have sex with him, so even Gio gets drunk too, his motive there was VERY clear.
And then Kurt reacts badly, which granted makes sense considering the situation and how he was still under the influence, they both have a fight, and meet up two decades later, where they have this exchange while discussing the "incident":
“Did you get me drunk deliberately?” I’d pondered that question for seventeen years. “Was it all some elaborate plan to get me into bed?”
Gio looked away, his expression conflicted. “Yes, and no.”
“What does that mean?”
He sighed. “I hoped that something might happen if I loosened you up a bit, but I never expected it to go that far. I guess you’re going to tell me that what happened was karma.”
Was I? “I wasn’t ready for whatever it was you wanted.”
Gio’s gaze locked on mine. “I wanted a relationship with you. I wanted to see what the chemistry between us might develop into if we had the guts to give in to it.”
I dropped my gaze, unable to cope with the raw emotion on his face that said I’d really hurt him.
“I’m sorry.”
I’m sorry, but seriously what the fucking hell is that?
One, there is some serious gaslighting going on here that we will talk about later on, but two, there is no way but to read this scene as the book making it seem like it’s totally alright to sexually assault someone (because getting someone to have sex with you by getting them drunk and then coerce them into it is sexual assault, point blank. Even if the person ends up agreeing to having sex with you, if they said no before and you had to talk them into saying yes to having sex with you, Tha. Is. Sexual. Assault.). And this is not even debatable, it’s point blank sexual assault and this book is somehow trying to justify it as a alright thing to do. Sexually assaulting your love interest is not romantic, even if you had a justification for it, there is no justification big enough to justify sexually assault something, there is nothing in the world that could make this an acceptable thing to do.
Also, can we talk about the gaslighting in this book and how Gio makes Kurt apologize to him for not wanting to have sex (and then Gio coerced Kurt into having sex with him and then Gio wanted a relationship but Kurt rejects him and says awful things, but Kurt says those things when he was drunk and has just been sexually assaulted by Gio, which to me is a good enough reason to justify being mean in this case), when Gio sexually assaulted him in the first place? I’m sorry but how is this in a romance novel? How is this romantic? This is an offense that would lead to someone going to prison in real life, not romance.
Also, to make it clear, this book isn’t a dark romance or anything, this is a contemporary romance, which is meant to showcase a perfectly healthy romance that is what one should strive for (I know that flawed relationships exist but this is a second chance and this scene happens when they are fixing their relationship into a healthy love affair for the both of them) and what one should want in a romance, I don’t know many people who wants to be forced into having sex and then having to apologize for being angry that they were sexually assaulted.
Also, Gio is super mad at Kurt for rejecting to have a relationship with him in the past and for being mean two decades ago (following an unacknowledged sexual assault, which i’m sorry but is good enough reason for me to be mean to Gio in the first place), that he literally almost outs kurt in a public party over something Kurt did when he was a 18 years old drunk kid (after he had been sexually assaulted, let's remember that). Who sure, was an asshole, but can we put things into perspective? Is being mean two decades ago really comparable to outing someone when you know it could cost them their life and entire livelihood? (Even Gio himself mentions plenty of times how they're often in places where being gay is PUNISHABLE BY DEATH, as they travel for work and visit a lot of places with these types of laws). Even if he luckily comes to his senses before he does it, the whole scene still says a lot about the kind of man Gio is, and that's not a very good one if we’re honest.
I don’t even know what to say about this book because I just can’t understand why this was done this way. There is nothing to me that justifies painting sexual assault in such a light and i’m just so bummed that I read it done this way.
I will admit that nothing about my review will be talking about the romance, or what little of it there was or anything that I enjoyed in this book, because I feel like I have more important things to talk about and i’m not sure I can praise a book that has such a glaring issue to begin with.
This book has a scene, when Gio and Kurt are teenagers where Gio makes Kurt drink a lot of alcohol, with the sole purpose of getting Kurt to have sex with him as he knows that Kurt won’t want to have sex with him otherwise, and Kurt is pictured as saying no and refusing to have sex during the scene, but Gio coerces him into having sex with him. Gio even admits that he brought the alcohol with the sole purpose of getting Kurt drunk to convince him to have sex with him, so even Gio gets drunk too, his motive there was VERY clear.
And then Kurt reacts badly, which granted makes sense considering the situation and how he was still under the influence, they both have a fight, and meet up two decades later, where they have this exchange while discussing the "incident":
“Did you get me drunk deliberately?” I’d pondered that question for seventeen years. “Was it all some elaborate plan to get me into bed?”
Gio looked away, his expression conflicted. “Yes, and no.”
“What does that mean?”
He sighed. “I hoped that something might happen if I loosened you up a bit, but I never expected it to go that far. I guess you’re going to tell me that what happened was karma.”
Was I? “I wasn’t ready for whatever it was you wanted.”
Gio’s gaze locked on mine. “I wanted a relationship with you. I wanted to see what the chemistry between us might develop into if we had the guts to give in to it.”
I dropped my gaze, unable to cope with the raw emotion on his face that said I’d really hurt him.
“I’m sorry.”
I’m sorry, but seriously what the fucking hell is that?
One, there is some serious gaslighting going on here that we will talk about later on, but two, there is no way but to read this scene as the book making it seem like it’s totally alright to sexually assault someone (because getting someone to have sex with you by getting them drunk and then coerce them into it is sexual assault, point blank. Even if the person ends up agreeing to having sex with you, if they said no before and you had to talk them into saying yes to having sex with you, Tha. Is. Sexual. Assault.). And this is not even debatable, it’s point blank sexual assault and this book is somehow trying to justify it as a alright thing to do. Sexually assaulting your love interest is not romantic, even if you had a justification for it, there is no justification big enough to justify sexually assault something, there is nothing in the world that could make this an acceptable thing to do.
Also, can we talk about the gaslighting in this book and how Gio makes Kurt apologize to him for not wanting to have sex (and then Gio coerced Kurt into having sex with him and then Gio wanted a relationship but Kurt rejects him and says awful things, but Kurt says those things when he was drunk and has just been sexually assaulted by Gio, which to me is a good enough reason to justify being mean in this case), when Gio sexually assaulted him in the first place? I’m sorry but how is this in a romance novel? How is this romantic? This is an offense that would lead to someone going to prison in real life, not romance.
Also, to make it clear, this book isn’t a dark romance or anything, this is a contemporary romance, which is meant to showcase a perfectly healthy romance that is what one should strive for (I know that flawed relationships exist but this is a second chance and this scene happens when they are fixing their relationship into a healthy love affair for the both of them) and what one should want in a romance, I don’t know many people who wants to be forced into having sex and then having to apologize for being angry that they were sexually assaulted.
Also, Gio is super mad at Kurt for rejecting to have a relationship with him in the past and for being mean two decades ago (following an unacknowledged sexual assault, which i’m sorry but is good enough reason for me to be mean to Gio in the first place), that he literally almost outs kurt in a public party over something Kurt did when he was a 18 years old drunk kid (after he had been sexually assaulted, let's remember that). Who sure, was an asshole, but can we put things into perspective? Is being mean two decades ago really comparable to outing someone when you know it could cost them their life and entire livelihood? (Even Gio himself mentions plenty of times how they're often in places where being gay is PUNISHABLE BY DEATH, as they travel for work and visit a lot of places with these types of laws). Even if he luckily comes to his senses before he does it, the whole scene still says a lot about the kind of man Gio is, and that's not a very good one if we’re honest.
I don’t even know what to say about this book because I just can’t understand why this was done this way. There is nothing to me that justifies painting sexual assault in such a light and i’m just so bummed that I read it done this way.
November 1, 2023
Oh, that was hawwwwtt…
I loooooooove Formula 1 books that go into all the details. It feels like watching a whole season, and that’s the best feeling ever!
The rivals turn lovers trope was very well done. The anger makes perfect sense and not shallow or wrongly done. Their relationship was rooted towards sex, however, it didn’t overshadow their connection. They have one of the hottest sexual encounters and best chemistry. There was heat and angst everywhere and despite all that, they still take their time before they actually get together. I really appreciate these thoughtful touches because this is what readers want.
Although I have to say, the end was rushed and it could’ve been better with another 50 pages :’))
And Kurt’s temper reminds me of Verstappen. F1 rider always a hot-tempered irl or not lmao
I loooooooove Formula 1 books that go into all the details. It feels like watching a whole season, and that’s the best feeling ever!
The rivals turn lovers trope was very well done. The anger makes perfect sense and not shallow or wrongly done. Their relationship was rooted towards sex, however, it didn’t overshadow their connection. They have one of the hottest sexual encounters and best chemistry. There was heat and angst everywhere and despite all that, they still take their time before they actually get together. I really appreciate these thoughtful touches because this is what readers want.
Although I have to say, the end was rushed and it could’ve been better with another 50 pages :’))
And Kurt’s temper reminds me of Verstappen. F1 rider always a hot-tempered irl or not lmao
August 22, 2023
This was really good and I really enjoyed it! Easily my favorite in the series so far. I loved #susieknows. Really enjoyed the transition from rivals to lovers. So close to being a five star but the ending was a bit unsatisfying, could have been better
June 17, 2023
Really entertaining and I love who it was inspired by. 😉 I actually liked the moodiness and dramatics of both MCs and the whole OTT rivalry, it was silly but really fun to read.
Have to say Susie was a standout side character and I'm totally with her, I can't watch a sport now without speculating about secret relationships #susieknows 😂
Also loved the argument over the crash, I remember this happening with Max and Lewis not that long ago #teammax ✌️
This series is exceeding my expectations so far and I definitely recommend reading, especially if you're a motorsport fan.
Have to say Susie was a standout side character and I'm totally with her, I can't watch a sport now without speculating about secret relationships #susieknows 😂
Also loved the argument over the crash, I remember this happening with Max and Lewis not that long ago #teammax ✌️
This series is exceeding my expectations so far and I definitely recommend reading, especially if you're a motorsport fan.
May 30, 2023
Oh I absolutely LOVED this book! It's a proper enemies to lovers with all the heat and the passion and the rage and the sexual frustration you'd ever want!
Kurt and Gio have been fighting and fratching for almost two decades, mostly because not only do they race and work within a notoriously unaccepting world of Karting and Formula 1, but also because Kurt's really not accepting of his sexuality.
For a lot of this book, Kurt really frustrates the reader with his hot temper and coldness towards Gio, but there's also a lot of understanding too for the position he's in and how much he's afraid because of his feelings for the Italian.
There's some really funny Tweet conversations at the beginning of each chapter which had me chuckling a lot, especially the insights of a certain @SusanDumpty222 who's got them pinned right down!
Tension throughout comes not only from the situation between the two men, but also from the threat of exposure from a former fuck buddy of Gio's, who's clearly determined if he can't get back in his bed, to ruin him instead, and it works well.
I loved Kurt's girlfriend Kristie, who he's just very good friends with and who steps in on a couple of occasions to rescue the situation when things get a bit hairy between the two men. She's just a genuinely lovely person who wants the best for her friend.
I also loved Aaron, a former Kart racer who Karl and Gio are both friends with from their younger days and who's been on the front line in their war ever since. He has some pretty funny interactions with them both, laying down some hard home truths that get Kurt thinking hard about his life.
This book had me laughing out loud quite a lot, both men really just need their heads banging together but once they actually talk, without the provocation and stirring that's been a hallmark of the past 18 years, it's clear to see the deep feelings that have never gone away.
With a light spanking (literally) of kink which I loved and seemed to fit perfectly in place, these two men navigate their way into something that's hugely emotionally connected and smoking hot.
Together with Charlie's Pole Position, this is my favourite of all the books in what's been, in the main, a truly outstanding F1 series.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
Kurt and Gio have been fighting and fratching for almost two decades, mostly because not only do they race and work within a notoriously unaccepting world of Karting and Formula 1, but also because Kurt's really not accepting of his sexuality.
For a lot of this book, Kurt really frustrates the reader with his hot temper and coldness towards Gio, but there's also a lot of understanding too for the position he's in and how much he's afraid because of his feelings for the Italian.
There's some really funny Tweet conversations at the beginning of each chapter which had me chuckling a lot, especially the insights of a certain @SusanDumpty222 who's got them pinned right down!
Tension throughout comes not only from the situation between the two men, but also from the threat of exposure from a former fuck buddy of Gio's, who's clearly determined if he can't get back in his bed, to ruin him instead, and it works well.
I loved Kurt's girlfriend Kristie, who he's just very good friends with and who steps in on a couple of occasions to rescue the situation when things get a bit hairy between the two men. She's just a genuinely lovely person who wants the best for her friend.
I also loved Aaron, a former Kart racer who Karl and Gio are both friends with from their younger days and who's been on the front line in their war ever since. He has some pretty funny interactions with them both, laying down some hard home truths that get Kurt thinking hard about his life.
This book had me laughing out loud quite a lot, both men really just need their heads banging together but once they actually talk, without the provocation and stirring that's been a hallmark of the past 18 years, it's clear to see the deep feelings that have never gone away.
With a light spanking (literally) of kink which I loved and seemed to fit perfectly in place, these two men navigate their way into something that's hugely emotionally connected and smoking hot.
Together with Charlie's Pole Position, this is my favourite of all the books in what's been, in the main, a truly outstanding F1 series.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
June 19, 2023
I thought I was going to love this at first, enemies to lovers is my favorite. It’s as if all the ingredients were there but once put together it just didn’t taste right. Weird food analogy but I don’t know how else to explain it.
I felt like so much of this book told a story without ever really immersing the reader in it. We know both Kurt & Gio are gay in a sport where they are not able to come out therefore when Kurt first finds he’s attracted to Gio he immediately goes on the defensive. This happens when he’s only 15. The book jumps between past and present in the beginning which didn’t bother me at all, I liked the way it was set up.
This is the second book I’ve read in this series and both books have a father that doesn’t pay attention to their son. The first book I read, the Lisa Henry book, centered more on that and had a real resolution. This book seemed to use it as a way to make Kurt feel jealous and unsure of himself but there was no delving into why his father acted the way he did. I felt like everything was half explained and then brushed off. The same way Gio’s ex-lover was portrayed. He was scorned when Gio broke it off and was going to exact revenge but with one conversion backed off and then that was all. It felt like there was going to be one major glitch for Kurt and Gio but then both of those glitches went away far too easily.
I felt like the physical relationship was supposed to be where the story was centered but even that didn’t live up to my expectations. The first time they have sex should have been full of pent up hate and aggression but instead it was them drinking too much, Kurt being coerced more than anything and then him running off and ghosting Gio. Once they meet up again, 17 years later, the sex is so boring. If you have enemies to lovers I feel like there should be major emotions and that was missing here.
Aside from them being physically involved we aren’t ever given anything about what makes them attracted to each other. We’re told but we’re never shown. There lies the problem with most of this book.
I am disappointed. There was so much potential but it fell flat on its face. I liked the book but after finishing it I like it less. Maybe I’d rate it less but when I finished it I felt like I liked it enough to rate it 3 stars. I usually enjoy this author so maybe this miss is because it’s not a book or series that is solely hers. When these series are set up with different authors in the same world sometimes I feel like the authors lose a little bit of their uniqueness.
I felt like so much of this book told a story without ever really immersing the reader in it. We know both Kurt & Gio are gay in a sport where they are not able to come out therefore when Kurt first finds he’s attracted to Gio he immediately goes on the defensive. This happens when he’s only 15. The book jumps between past and present in the beginning which didn’t bother me at all, I liked the way it was set up.
This is the second book I’ve read in this series and both books have a father that doesn’t pay attention to their son. The first book I read, the Lisa Henry book, centered more on that and had a real resolution. This book seemed to use it as a way to make Kurt feel jealous and unsure of himself but there was no delving into why his father acted the way he did. I felt like everything was half explained and then brushed off. The same way Gio’s ex-lover was portrayed. He was scorned when Gio broke it off and was going to exact revenge but with one conversion backed off and then that was all. It felt like there was going to be one major glitch for Kurt and Gio but then both of those glitches went away far too easily.
I felt like the physical relationship was supposed to be where the story was centered but even that didn’t live up to my expectations. The first time they have sex should have been full of pent up hate and aggression but instead it was them drinking too much, Kurt being coerced more than anything and then him running off and ghosting Gio. Once they meet up again, 17 years later, the sex is so boring. If you have enemies to lovers I feel like there should be major emotions and that was missing here.
Aside from them being physically involved we aren’t ever given anything about what makes them attracted to each other. We’re told but we’re never shown. There lies the problem with most of this book.
I am disappointed. There was so much potential but it fell flat on its face. I liked the book but after finishing it I like it less. Maybe I’d rate it less but when I finished it I felt like I liked it enough to rate it 3 stars. I usually enjoy this author so maybe this miss is because it’s not a book or series that is solely hers. When these series are set up with different authors in the same world sometimes I feel like the authors lose a little bit of their uniqueness.
November 11, 2024
Tropes: Rivals to lovers, second chances, secret relationship
Feels: 2.5/5
Steam*: 3/5
Kinks: spanking
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: homophobia, a dubcon scene between MMCs when they were teens, closeted MMCs until the epilogue, on page sex with an OM but it was before they get together in present time (and it was early in the book)
3.5 Stars (I really wanted to round down, but I feel like it's really my personal preferences so I shouldn't)
Kurt and Gio are 36 years old and they are principals of rival F1 teams. They haven't really been in each other's lives for 17 years but now they are competing together and in each other's faces. They have history. They have known each other since they were 15 years old. They were competing against each other as drivers back then. There was some sexual tension with them from the beginning. They fought largely because Kurt used their rivalry animosity as an excuse to hide his attraction to Gio. At one point they sure to kiss. When they were 19, they were each other's firsts with penetrative sex. Gio wanted to start a relationship after that, but Kurt lashed out, denied being gay, left and refused all contact with him. Gio was hurt by that, and it fueled their hate for each other.
Seeing each other in the present puts them at odds again, and their physical fights turn into hookups. For a while, they are hate f******. But they decide to be mature and talk a little bit more, and they began to realize that there's a thin line between hate and love and that they have always been pulled to each other. Their relationship has obstacles though, the sport is homophobic. Some of the countries they compete in - homosexuality is illegal or frowned upon. It would be career suicide for them to come out.
This was a decent story, I liked the tension between Gio and Kurt. They had a deep history. And there were moments where it wasn't just a sexual relationship, they were protective of each other and wanted to be there for them. They did have special connection.
I didn't find this an epic romance though. There were so many moments where it just wasn't romantic. This is probably more of a personal taste thing though, so I don't want to ding it in stars by much.
Things that didn't sit well with me/ didn't build the romance:
- Their relationship between the ages of 15 and 19 was purely about physical attraction. Neither of them really had romantic feelings at that time. Gio was the closest, but in present when they are talking about the past, he admits to himself that his past feelings were about sex only.
- Both characters had some negative intrusive thoughts of jealousy about who else the other person had been with during the 17 years apart. Just a little awkward.
- I hated that they stayed in the closet for 4 years after deciding to be boyfriends at the end. They had already wasted so much time, and they had to go 4 years of only seeing each other a couple days a month and even then it just being sneaking hours here and there. It was sad to me, that wasn't what I wanted for them.
- I had complicated feelings about them being in the closet the entire book except for the epilogue. I personally like there to be more honesty and authenticity in MMCs, because I think it shows a more positive queer example and selfishly, it makes the characters more endearing to me. Even when they came out publicly in the epilogue, they had to lie about their relationship and when it began. It doesn't sit right with me that they never could own the truth of their story.
Some notable moments:
"In truth, I didn’t really want the coffee. I just wanted her out of the way. When Kurt finished whatever he was doing that was making the session last three times longer than it should have, I wanted him all to myself. Like a moth pinned to a board with him having nowhere to escape."
"“I hate you,” he said between kisses, his fingers finding their way beneath my robe to bare skin, the action completely at odds with his words. “I hate you too,” I said as I maneuvered us across the room until Kurt’s back met the wall with a resounding thud, our lips still fused together. The next few minutes were about nothing but kissing, and clothes, or at least making sure there were less of them."
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
Feels: 2.5/5
Steam*: 3/5
Kinks: spanking
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: homophobia, a dubcon scene between MMCs when they were teens, closeted MMCs until the epilogue, on page sex with an OM but it was before they get together in present time (and it was early in the book)
3.5 Stars (I really wanted to round down, but I feel like it's really my personal preferences so I shouldn't)
Kurt and Gio are 36 years old and they are principals of rival F1 teams. They haven't really been in each other's lives for 17 years but now they are competing together and in each other's faces. They have history. They have known each other since they were 15 years old. They were competing against each other as drivers back then. There was some sexual tension with them from the beginning. They fought largely because Kurt used their rivalry animosity as an excuse to hide his attraction to Gio. At one point they sure to kiss. When they were 19, they were each other's firsts with penetrative sex. Gio wanted to start a relationship after that, but Kurt lashed out, denied being gay, left and refused all contact with him. Gio was hurt by that, and it fueled their hate for each other.
Seeing each other in the present puts them at odds again, and their physical fights turn into hookups. For a while, they are hate f******. But they decide to be mature and talk a little bit more, and they began to realize that there's a thin line between hate and love and that they have always been pulled to each other. Their relationship has obstacles though, the sport is homophobic. Some of the countries they compete in - homosexuality is illegal or frowned upon. It would be career suicide for them to come out.
This was a decent story, I liked the tension between Gio and Kurt. They had a deep history. And there were moments where it wasn't just a sexual relationship, they were protective of each other and wanted to be there for them. They did have special connection.
I didn't find this an epic romance though. There were so many moments where it just wasn't romantic. This is probably more of a personal taste thing though, so I don't want to ding it in stars by much.
Things that didn't sit well with me/ didn't build the romance:
- Their relationship between the ages of 15 and 19 was purely about physical attraction. Neither of them really had romantic feelings at that time. Gio was the closest, but in present when they are talking about the past, he admits to himself that his past feelings were about sex only.
- Both characters had some negative intrusive thoughts of jealousy about who else the other person had been with during the 17 years apart. Just a little awkward.
- I hated that they stayed in the closet for 4 years after deciding to be boyfriends at the end. They had already wasted so much time, and they had to go 4 years of only seeing each other a couple days a month and even then it just being sneaking hours here and there. It was sad to me, that wasn't what I wanted for them.
- I had complicated feelings about them being in the closet the entire book except for the epilogue. I personally like there to be more honesty and authenticity in MMCs, because I think it shows a more positive queer example and selfishly, it makes the characters more endearing to me. Even when they came out publicly in the epilogue, they had to lie about their relationship and when it began. It doesn't sit right with me that they never could own the truth of their story.
Some notable moments:
"In truth, I didn’t really want the coffee. I just wanted her out of the way. When Kurt finished whatever he was doing that was making the session last three times longer than it should have, I wanted him all to myself. Like a moth pinned to a board with him having nowhere to escape."
"“I hate you,” he said between kisses, his fingers finding their way beneath my robe to bare skin, the action completely at odds with his words. “I hate you too,” I said as I maneuvered us across the room until Kurt’s back met the wall with a resounding thud, our lips still fused together. The next few minutes were about nothing but kissing, and clothes, or at least making sure there were less of them."
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2023
I really liked this one! Loved the older characters - both mid thirties and the fast pace of this book. It was a quick, easy read and it flew by. There was a good mix of Formula 1 and romance, just enough mention of the other characters in the books to be fun but not spoilery and some great tension between the two MC’s. This is rivals to lovers and I felt it was done well, it was believable and genuine, there are some punches thrown but it didn’t feel like a bully romance and the UST was sizzling.
I loved the side characters here - Aaron and Kristie were both great value with SusanDumpty taking the cake #susieknows
*Spoiler*
There is a flashback to a scene when the guys are 19 and they have an alcohol fuelled sexual experience that is the catalyst for the whole 17year feud. This scene felt pretty relatable with my own personal experiences as a teenager and I was fine with it but I can see how this could potentially be triggering for some readers. Trigger warnings for teens making regretful decisions when drunk, poor choices involving alcohol, possible dubious consent due to the influence of alcohol, coming to terms with sexuality and casual violence (not in the same scene/not sexual).
I loved the side characters here - Aaron and Kristie were both great value with SusanDumpty taking the cake #susieknows
*Spoiler*
There is a flashback to a scene when the guys are 19 and they have an alcohol fuelled sexual experience that is the catalyst for the whole 17year feud. This scene felt pretty relatable with my own personal experiences as a teenager and I was fine with it but I can see how this could potentially be triggering for some readers. Trigger warnings for teens making regretful decisions when drunk, poor choices involving alcohol, possible dubious consent due to the influence of alcohol, coming to terms with sexuality and casual violence (not in the same scene/not sexual).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2025
I don't know whether to give it 4 or 4.5 stars.
It's alright, and it was a gentle nudge into the world of Formula 1, as I had zero previous knowledge of it - I even had to google what a team principal is.
However, it's a lot of back and forth, and when they finally get together, it's just - done? Sure, they have some things to work out and talk over, but it's more or less boring the whole way. Oh there's some excitement because they have to be in a closet, living in a very homophobic world of F1 racing and their sponsors and the countries they race in. I get it.
But overall, while it's a good book, I have a feeling I won't remember much of it in about a year.
It's alright, and it was a gentle nudge into the world of Formula 1, as I had zero previous knowledge of it - I even had to google what a team principal is.
However, it's a lot of back and forth, and when they finally get together, it's just - done? Sure, they have some things to work out and talk over, but it's more or less boring the whole way. Oh there's some excitement because they have to be in a closet, living in a very homophobic world of F1 racing and their sponsors and the countries they race in. I get it.
But overall, while it's a good book, I have a feeling I won't remember much of it in about a year.
August 4, 2023
I've given this a B- at AAR, so 3.5 stars rounded up
H.L. Day’s Scoring Points is part of a multi-author series set in the world of Formula 1 racing – which isn’t a sport I’ve seen featured in a romance novel before. (It must have been done – I just haven’t read it!) The series includes books by popular m/m authors including Lisa Henry, Charlie Novak and R.J Scott, and although there are crossover characters, each book is a standalone and they can be read in any order.
Scoring Points is an enemies-to-lovers story between two team principals (the boss of a Formula 1 team) that spans two decades. Kurt Whitford and Giovanni Rossi first met when they were fifteen and were both karting in Formula A. It only took one look at Gio for Kurt to realise he was in trouble; he’s known he likes boys rather than girls since he was twelve and is determined to remain in the closet, not only because he dreams of driving for a Formula 1 team some day (and, like many sports, F1 isn’t known for being queer-friendly) and because he fears his distant father’s reaction. Desperate not to give himself away, Kurt goes for immediate hostility, hoping that Gio will leave him alone if he’s rude to him – and later, at the end of the race (in which Kurt believes Gio deliberately sabotaged him), Kurt furiously punches Gio in the face.
This pattern of behaviour continues for the next few years on the karting circuit, Kurt prickly, uptight and angry, looking for every opportunity to throw a punch and conceal his attraction, and Gio calmly relaxed and trying to be friendly – which, he’s quickly realised – is the best way to push Kurt’s buttons. The thing is, Gio really would like to be friends – and possibly more – with Kurt, but every attempt he makes is harshly rebuffed.
When they’re both nineteen, and have both reached the conclusion that a distinguished career in motor racing isn’t going to happen for either of them, things change. At an end-of-season party, they both get a bit tipsy, one thing leads to another and they wind up in bed together. Their chemistry is explosive – it always has been – and Gio is pleasantly basking in the afterglow and thinking about how they can continue to see each other after this when Kurt leaps from the bed, showers (alone) gets dressed and heads for the door. Gio can’t deny he’d been expecting something like this given how uptight Kurt is, but he hadn’t expected him to accuse Gio of deliberately getting him drunk or to deny that he’s gay and tell Gio he was just a hole to fuck before walking out – of the room and Gio’s life.
Seventeen years pass. Two years ago, Gio achieved his dream of becoming the youngest principal in Formula 1, leading his Fibonacci team to victory the year before and intending to do so again. Then comes the news that Kurt Whitford has become principal of one of their closest rivals, Nebula, and Gio is surprised at how annoyed he is – that had always been his dream, not Kurt’s – and wondering how long it’ll be before their paths cross.
I liked a lot about Scoring Points, but it didn’t work quite as well for me as some of the author’s other recent work. I like enemies-to-lovers as a rule, and the love/hate animosity that flares between Kurt and Gio any time they’re in the same room is really well written and leaps off the page. When they do finally break their destructive pattern – with Kurt holding out an olive branch – and are able to admit they want to give things between them a go, their relationship turns honest and tender and kinda sweet, and I liked them as a couple. In addition to their always sizzling chemistry, there’s a real sense of affection between them together with some lovely good-natured teasing – but I couldn’t ignore the fact that up to this point, Kurt is such a dick to Gio pretty much all the time – and for no real reason other than his own selfish fears. The author tries to paint Gio as equally at fault, but doesn’t really succeed – Gio is farely the instigator of any of their arguments and mostly just reacts to Kurt’s spitefulness by pushing his buttons. I didn’t like that Kurt punches Gio in the face at least three times during the course of the story (Gio never retaliates); it doesn’t matter that they’re both men, that’s not okay. I did struggle a bit with the fact that their seventeen year separation hadn’t at the very least mellowed them a bit or taken the edge off their animosity – but maybe that’s because I’ve never believed in holding grudges, and hating someone for any length of time seems like an awful waste of time and effort. I did have to roll my eyes when Kurt tells Gio that he’s compared every sexual encounter he’s ever had to having sex with Gio when they were nineteen and found it wanting – that’s got to be one of the worst romance clichés.
I liked the way the story is structured, with Kurt and Gio’s past being gradually revealed in a series of flashbacks interspersed with the present day story. The high-pressure world of elite motor racing is really well portrayed and integrated into the story, and there’s a strong secondary cast, including Kristie – Kurt’s pop star (fake) girlfriend, who is also a really good friend to him – and Aaron, a former F1 champion and mutual friend of both Kurt and Gio, who is the one to talk some badly needed sense into both of them.
Scoring Points is a bit of a mixed bag, but its strengths – the unusual and nicely detailed setting and the terrific chemistry between the leads – outweigh its weaknesses, and I enjoyed it enough to offer a qualified recommendation.
This review originally appeared at All About Romance.
H.L. Day’s Scoring Points is part of a multi-author series set in the world of Formula 1 racing – which isn’t a sport I’ve seen featured in a romance novel before. (It must have been done – I just haven’t read it!) The series includes books by popular m/m authors including Lisa Henry, Charlie Novak and R.J Scott, and although there are crossover characters, each book is a standalone and they can be read in any order.
Scoring Points is an enemies-to-lovers story between two team principals (the boss of a Formula 1 team) that spans two decades. Kurt Whitford and Giovanni Rossi first met when they were fifteen and were both karting in Formula A. It only took one look at Gio for Kurt to realise he was in trouble; he’s known he likes boys rather than girls since he was twelve and is determined to remain in the closet, not only because he dreams of driving for a Formula 1 team some day (and, like many sports, F1 isn’t known for being queer-friendly) and because he fears his distant father’s reaction. Desperate not to give himself away, Kurt goes for immediate hostility, hoping that Gio will leave him alone if he’s rude to him – and later, at the end of the race (in which Kurt believes Gio deliberately sabotaged him), Kurt furiously punches Gio in the face.
This pattern of behaviour continues for the next few years on the karting circuit, Kurt prickly, uptight and angry, looking for every opportunity to throw a punch and conceal his attraction, and Gio calmly relaxed and trying to be friendly – which, he’s quickly realised – is the best way to push Kurt’s buttons. The thing is, Gio really would like to be friends – and possibly more – with Kurt, but every attempt he makes is harshly rebuffed.
When they’re both nineteen, and have both reached the conclusion that a distinguished career in motor racing isn’t going to happen for either of them, things change. At an end-of-season party, they both get a bit tipsy, one thing leads to another and they wind up in bed together. Their chemistry is explosive – it always has been – and Gio is pleasantly basking in the afterglow and thinking about how they can continue to see each other after this when Kurt leaps from the bed, showers (alone) gets dressed and heads for the door. Gio can’t deny he’d been expecting something like this given how uptight Kurt is, but he hadn’t expected him to accuse Gio of deliberately getting him drunk or to deny that he’s gay and tell Gio he was just a hole to fuck before walking out – of the room and Gio’s life.
Seventeen years pass. Two years ago, Gio achieved his dream of becoming the youngest principal in Formula 1, leading his Fibonacci team to victory the year before and intending to do so again. Then comes the news that Kurt Whitford has become principal of one of their closest rivals, Nebula, and Gio is surprised at how annoyed he is – that had always been his dream, not Kurt’s – and wondering how long it’ll be before their paths cross.
I liked a lot about Scoring Points, but it didn’t work quite as well for me as some of the author’s other recent work. I like enemies-to-lovers as a rule, and the love/hate animosity that flares between Kurt and Gio any time they’re in the same room is really well written and leaps off the page. When they do finally break their destructive pattern – with Kurt holding out an olive branch – and are able to admit they want to give things between them a go, their relationship turns honest and tender and kinda sweet, and I liked them as a couple. In addition to their always sizzling chemistry, there’s a real sense of affection between them together with some lovely good-natured teasing – but I couldn’t ignore the fact that up to this point, Kurt is such a dick to Gio pretty much all the time – and for no real reason other than his own selfish fears. The author tries to paint Gio as equally at fault, but doesn’t really succeed – Gio is farely the instigator of any of their arguments and mostly just reacts to Kurt’s spitefulness by pushing his buttons. I didn’t like that Kurt punches Gio in the face at least three times during the course of the story (Gio never retaliates); it doesn’t matter that they’re both men, that’s not okay. I did struggle a bit with the fact that their seventeen year separation hadn’t at the very least mellowed them a bit or taken the edge off their animosity – but maybe that’s because I’ve never believed in holding grudges, and hating someone for any length of time seems like an awful waste of time and effort. I did have to roll my eyes when Kurt tells Gio that he’s compared every sexual encounter he’s ever had to having sex with Gio when they were nineteen and found it wanting – that’s got to be one of the worst romance clichés.
I liked the way the story is structured, with Kurt and Gio’s past being gradually revealed in a series of flashbacks interspersed with the present day story. The high-pressure world of elite motor racing is really well portrayed and integrated into the story, and there’s a strong secondary cast, including Kristie – Kurt’s pop star (fake) girlfriend, who is also a really good friend to him – and Aaron, a former F1 champion and mutual friend of both Kurt and Gio, who is the one to talk some badly needed sense into both of them.
Scoring Points is a bit of a mixed bag, but its strengths – the unusual and nicely detailed setting and the terrific chemistry between the leads – outweigh its weaknesses, and I enjoyed it enough to offer a qualified recommendation.
This review originally appeared at All About Romance.
June 7, 2023
Enemies to lovers isn't my favorite prompt, but so far all the books in this series have been hits so it felt wrong not to give it a shot. It was good! It took me a bit to warm up to it, but by 35% the pin as to all the "whys" dropped and I was into it. Once they make sense of it, Kurt and Gio make a cute couple. It's like a spicy mango candy, a mix of hotness and sweetness that you doubt will work at times, yet it does.
It is rare to find a multi author series where all books are hits. There is usually at least one you don't get along with. Or one author that doesn't feel as connected to the general arc or trope as others, or one that feels like a last minute shoe-in with just enough connection to count. But, for all each book feels like a fresh gulp of water, they also feel connected. None feel out of place or out of sync with the others. The tones are different, the styles are different, the timelines are diferent... and yet they all belong wih the others. They're so deeply synchronized you see shadows of the others in whichever book you're reading. This rant ended here because this was the last book I read, but kudos to all the authors. I'm easy to please yet hard to impress, yet I'm certainly very impressed.
It is rare to find a multi author series where all books are hits. There is usually at least one you don't get along with. Or one author that doesn't feel as connected to the general arc or trope as others, or one that feels like a last minute shoe-in with just enough connection to count. But, for all each book feels like a fresh gulp of water, they also feel connected. None feel out of place or out of sync with the others. The tones are different, the styles are different, the timelines are diferent... and yet they all belong wih the others. They're so deeply synchronized you see shadows of the others in whichever book you're reading. This rant ended here because this was the last book I read, but kudos to all the authors. I'm easy to please yet hard to impress, yet I'm certainly very impressed.
June 14, 2023
We get a look into the lives of Kurt and Gio, alternating back and forth in time, who are both living for their F1 career.
They hate each other. And oh boy did they show it to the world! They fight, argue, kiss and fuck, the last two behind closed doors, wait, what? How did that happen?
It’s been seventeen years since they had contact and the hate, or was it heat, is still there.
Did I like Kurt? No, he was a dick, and Gio was a force too. They argue, hate fuck, radio-silenced, and fight, on repeat, until… someone tried to bring down the career of one of them.
While it was first mostly physical attraction, emotionally they got way better. Kurt even made it without punching Gio. It was a treasure to see them together talking honestly and really.
I love enemies-to-lovers stories, they are my favorite. This one was good, I love it when the main theme takes longer than just a few pages.
Overall a captivatingly written and nicely developed story!
They hate each other. And oh boy did they show it to the world! They fight, argue, kiss and fuck, the last two behind closed doors, wait, what? How did that happen?
It’s been seventeen years since they had contact and the hate, or was it heat, is still there.
Did I like Kurt? No, he was a dick, and Gio was a force too. They argue, hate fuck, radio-silenced, and fight, on repeat, until… someone tried to bring down the career of one of them.
While it was first mostly physical attraction, emotionally they got way better. Kurt even made it without punching Gio. It was a treasure to see them together talking honestly and really.
I love enemies-to-lovers stories, they are my favorite. This one was good, I love it when the main theme takes longer than just a few pages.
Overall a captivatingly written and nicely developed story!
June 14, 2023
It feels like Day originally wrote this as a second chances romance, before changing the MCs' history with each other. The result is a romance where the MCs slept together once 17 years ago and never got over it. Their overwhelming attraction to each other upon their reunion, their mutual fixation, even the ILYs at the end...none of it quite landed for me because I couldn't believe it. At one point, MC1 says that he compared every sexual encounter to his fumblings with MC2, but this was never shown in the book? I believe there's a better book at the core of this one, but unfortunately it's not what I got.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2023
Four and a half stars
SCORING POINTS by HL Day is part of the multi-author Lights Out series, set in the high speed, high stakes world of Formula One (F1) racing.
Kurt Whitford is the newly named principal for Nebula. Giovanni Rossi has been principal for Fibonacci for a couple years. But the two have a long history, most of it rather antagonistic and some of it deeply under wraps.
HL Day writes Kurt and Gio well, as they go from emotional teens to adults in the high pressure, public facing roles they’ve chosen in the sometimes insular racing community. They’ve fallen into a bit of a rut, and it’s thanks to some good friends who help them recognize this and their need to break free.
While Gio and Kurt first meet as competitors during their karting days, it is fascinating to see the racing season from the intense but slight remove of their roles as principals. Well done, Ms Day!
SCORING POINTS by HL Day is part of the multi-author Lights Out series, set in the high speed, high stakes world of Formula One (F1) racing.
Kurt Whitford is the newly named principal for Nebula. Giovanni Rossi has been principal for Fibonacci for a couple years. But the two have a long history, most of it rather antagonistic and some of it deeply under wraps.
HL Day writes Kurt and Gio well, as they go from emotional teens to adults in the high pressure, public facing roles they’ve chosen in the sometimes insular racing community. They’ve fallen into a bit of a rut, and it’s thanks to some good friends who help them recognize this and their need to break free.
While Gio and Kurt first meet as competitors during their karting days, it is fascinating to see the racing season from the intense but slight remove of their roles as principals. Well done, Ms Day!
August 7, 2023
A great read with plenty of steam and some wonderful characters. Intense passion and a good pace made this a thirsty read. One of the best of the series!
June 15, 2023
Who doesn't love the Grand 'Prix'?
Another great read from HL Day. The passion in this one is incendiary, together our MCs are hot, hot, hot 🔥🥵 Nevertheless there's also a saying which goes… that there’s a thin line between love and hate….
This book really grabbed a hold of me. Gio and Kurt are fierce, they are flawed, they are real, they also needed their heads banged together, but it really didn't take away from my enjoyment of a tremendous love story, which had a manic touch about it. I was breathless and uncomfortable with every stupid meeting between Gio and Kurt, however, it also made me laugh, at times they were totally ridiculous! Aaron, a friend of both MCs, was precious, talk about long suffering, he was a wonderful addition to the story, and repeatedly attempted to bring them to their senses. He really deserved a medal. I loved it when Gio and Kurt finally decided enough was enough, and got together, they were absolutely brilliant, their story was total magic. They had chemistry for miles, lots of banter with each other and a great love-hate relationship. Adored the whole story. Brilliant addition to this F1 series. Bravo Ms Day.
I received an ARC of this story, which in no way influenced my opinion.
Another great read from HL Day. The passion in this one is incendiary, together our MCs are hot, hot, hot 🔥🥵 Nevertheless there's also a saying which goes… that there’s a thin line between love and hate….
This book really grabbed a hold of me. Gio and Kurt are fierce, they are flawed, they are real, they also needed their heads banged together, but it really didn't take away from my enjoyment of a tremendous love story, which had a manic touch about it. I was breathless and uncomfortable with every stupid meeting between Gio and Kurt, however, it also made me laugh, at times they were totally ridiculous! Aaron, a friend of both MCs, was precious, talk about long suffering, he was a wonderful addition to the story, and repeatedly attempted to bring them to their senses. He really deserved a medal. I loved it when Gio and Kurt finally decided enough was enough, and got together, they were absolutely brilliant, their story was total magic. They had chemistry for miles, lots of banter with each other and a great love-hate relationship. Adored the whole story. Brilliant addition to this F1 series. Bravo Ms Day.
I received an ARC of this story, which in no way influenced my opinion.
June 15, 2023
The enemies part is true enough. There was definitely passion and chemistry. But I have no idea when they fell in love. I don't really remember them having many conversations at all. Neither Gio nor Kurt (especially Kurt) was very likable. Kurt treated Gio pretty badly, and I don't think he ever apologized enough for the things he said and did. Gio was always pushing for the connection and Kurt was either being a complete dick about it or coldly pushing him away.
The stakes were also very low. We're told they both have a lot of money--were born into it, in fact. They have investments and properties and never have to work another day in their lives. They've also achieved principal, which is what they wanted in their careers. Kurt doesn't talk to his father for years at a time, so who cares what he thinks, and Gio's family is very supportive of him being gay. I'm just not sure what the issue was with being together. They might not be able to be principal anymore, I guess. Holding on to a job you don't really need doesn't feel important enough to throw away the love of your life.
But my main problem with this book Kurt punching Gio...a lot. He gave him several black eyes over the years and it's classified as "passion". Imagine substituting Gio for a Gina and see if that still gives you the warm and fuzzies. One punch? Okay, I guess because he was young. But two times? Three? One time, he even needs a distraction to save Gio from being outed, and what does he do? Yeah. He punches him in the face. Like, what is even happening here? That's not passion, that's abuse, especially since Gio never punches him back. Kristie had already distracted Enzo, and all Kurt had to do was lead Gio out the door quickly.
I'm just...not ok with one MC punching the other repeatedly, and it ruined the book for me. I'm seriously wondering about everyone else who read this and was like, cool, I love it.
The stakes were also very low. We're told they both have a lot of money--were born into it, in fact. They have investments and properties and never have to work another day in their lives. They've also achieved principal, which is what they wanted in their careers. Kurt doesn't talk to his father for years at a time, so who cares what he thinks, and Gio's family is very supportive of him being gay. I'm just not sure what the issue was with being together. They might not be able to be principal anymore, I guess. Holding on to a job you don't really need doesn't feel important enough to throw away the love of your life.
But my main problem with this book Kurt punching Gio...a lot. He gave him several black eyes over the years and it's classified as "passion". Imagine substituting Gio for a Gina and see if that still gives you the warm and fuzzies. One punch? Okay, I guess because he was young. But two times? Three? One time, he even needs a distraction to save Gio from being outed, and what does he do? Yeah. He punches him in the face. Like, what is even happening here? That's not passion, that's abuse, especially since Gio never punches him back. Kristie had already distracted Enzo, and all Kurt had to do was lead Gio out the door quickly.
I'm just...not ok with one MC punching the other repeatedly, and it ruined the book for me. I'm seriously wondering about everyone else who read this and was like, cool, I love it.
June 16, 2023
I loved this book. It's my favorite in the series so far, and I've loved them all, big F1 fan that I am. The author did great work making both MCs sympathetic characters and creating excellent chemistry between them underneath all of the hating. The narration makes Kurt more likeable than he really should have been considering how awful he was to Gio; Gio did nothing but try to befriend Kurt when they were younger. The fact that Kurt was a confused young man doesn't excuse how mean and hurtful he was to Gio after their first encounter in Monaco. However, the other characters in the book like Kurt, which helps the reader believe Kurt is a good person overall and his spiteful behavior is solely aimed at Gio; and the author does a good job showing that his hostility toward Gio isn't really about Gio at all but rather that Gio represents the two things that Kurt is most conflicted about - his sexuality and his poor relationship with his father. But, my heart ached for Gio. He didn't deserve any of the shit Kurt threw his way.
The narration also tries to make Gio out as being a pompous ass and equally at fault for the bad blood between the two men, which I didn't buy, but which didn't affect my enjoyment of the book. Kurt is the problem, and Gio is just trying to deal with Kurt's rejection. Somehow, the author makes it all work, and the reader doesn't hate Kurt nor feel too angsty over Gio's broken heart, and the chemistry between them makes for a fabulous read.
There were some grammar errors - using "me" instead of "I" for a subject in a couple of places and some misspellings and missplaced words - and Kurt's lead engineer Henrik was called Hendrik in the second half of the book, and it would be nice if those could be cleaned up. But they didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the book, and this book will probably end up on my reread list. The MCs were a joy to read together, and Gio's snark contrasted with his gentle honesty stole the show for me.
The narration also tries to make Gio out as being a pompous ass and equally at fault for the bad blood between the two men, which I didn't buy, but which didn't affect my enjoyment of the book. Kurt is the problem, and Gio is just trying to deal with Kurt's rejection. Somehow, the author makes it all work, and the reader doesn't hate Kurt nor feel too angsty over Gio's broken heart, and the chemistry between them makes for a fabulous read.
There were some grammar errors - using "me" instead of "I" for a subject in a couple of places and some misspellings and missplaced words - and Kurt's lead engineer Henrik was called Hendrik in the second half of the book, and it would be nice if those could be cleaned up. But they didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the book, and this book will probably end up on my reread list. The MCs were a joy to read together, and Gio's snark contrasted with his gentle honesty stole the show for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2023
Check out our full post for SCORING POINTS on Wicked Reads.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is part of the wonderful F1 M/M series which I am enjoying greatly – thanks to all the talented authors.
Kurt and Gio are now team principals in F1; they knew each other in their early racing days – Gio had all the support from his family, something which Kurt certainly did not. They did not part on good terms, as young drivers, but now have to be in pre-race meetings together, and lead their teams in an honourable way. This could be a challenge when their feelings clearly still run deep, and the hurt has not entirely disappeared.
I loved the mixture of F1 team dynamics, and the need to consider the visuals of two opposing principals spending time together, but also the benefit of someone who understands exactly what you are going through – hugely engaging and deliciously romantic.
Another winner for me!
Shannan – ☆☆☆☆
SCORING POINTS is the fourth installment in the Lights Out series. Lights Out is a multi-author series that can be read as a standalone but characters from other books are sprinkled throughout. I do recommend reading all the books in the series to get the full effect of the series and characters.
Kurt Whitford is Nebula’s new team principal. It's his first season as the principal but he's been involved in racing almost his entire life. When he was in his teens, he was a kart driver, and his biggest nemesis was Giovanni Rossi. Kurt's had a lot of firsts with Gio, but he was so confused about his sexuality that he knew being gay wasn't something that was accepted by his father or racing. So, for seventeen years he's hid who he really was, and he's thought about Gio but never contacted him until they find themselves against each other on the grid.
Giovanni Rossi has always dreamed about being a team principal. He knew if he couldn't drive and be the best, he'd be a principal. When it's announced that Kurt Whitford will become the team principal for Nebula, all those feelings from seventeen years ago come rushing back. And if antagonizing Kurt and getting under his skin gets a reaction from than man, he's willing to do whatever it takes.
This is a new author to me, and I loved all the angst with this one. It was so well written. I loved seeing Kurt's walls come down until he felt comfortable with who he really was. Gio and Kurt were enemies, but the line between love and hate is thin.
I can't wait to see what's next in this series!
Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
June 12, 2023
This time, it's the bosses
Each book in this series features a different dynamic between the two main characters and now we spend some quality time with two team bosses that have a historical enmity, put on hold for seventeen years but no less fractious for that hiatus now. Kurt and Gio were teenage karting rivals but always simmering below the surface was magnetic attraction and lust. Fast forward seventeen years and now they're both team principals, rivals again with more at stake than just the World Championship.
The relationship between these two is never less than electric, whether they're sniping at each other to the press or trading reluctant but furious kisses in private. The tension whenever they're in the same space is palpable and you never know whether Kurt will punch Gio or kiss the life out of him. Hey, at least someone else is getting punched rather than Karl Neumann (who's up next in Black Flagged).
I loved the push and pull between them, set against the backdrop of how much stress team principals are under, with every interaction meaningful and every flashback making me love Gio more and want to smack Kurt for hurting both of them. I loved Aaron, Kurt's friend, and would love to read his story sometime, as I'm sure he would have a lot to say. This series is so good, and every book can be read as a standalone but they're far better read in order as they all take place over the same season and characters do appear in more than one book.
Each book in this series features a different dynamic between the two main characters and now we spend some quality time with two team bosses that have a historical enmity, put on hold for seventeen years but no less fractious for that hiatus now. Kurt and Gio were teenage karting rivals but always simmering below the surface was magnetic attraction and lust. Fast forward seventeen years and now they're both team principals, rivals again with more at stake than just the World Championship.
The relationship between these two is never less than electric, whether they're sniping at each other to the press or trading reluctant but furious kisses in private. The tension whenever they're in the same space is palpable and you never know whether Kurt will punch Gio or kiss the life out of him. Hey, at least someone else is getting punched rather than Karl Neumann (who's up next in Black Flagged).
I loved the push and pull between them, set against the backdrop of how much stress team principals are under, with every interaction meaningful and every flashback making me love Gio more and want to smack Kurt for hurting both of them. I loved Aaron, Kurt's friend, and would love to read his story sometime, as I'm sure he would have a lot to say. This series is so good, and every book can be read as a standalone but they're far better read in order as they all take place over the same season and characters do appear in more than one book.
June 27, 2023
The next installment in the Lights Out shared world. This time we get the story of two team principals. Which I liked because…I don’t know a lot about F1 so it was cool to read about what they do. Also, they can’t all be F1 drivers, right?
When I started reading this one, I immediately didn’t like Giovanni. Even at 15 he was cocky. The more I got to know him, the more I realized that he had some Big Feelings for Kurt going back to when they were 15.
Now they are the 2 youngest team principals with a rivalry that plays out in the media even though they haven’t seen each other in person in YEARS. Kurt wants to forget they ever had an issue and move on, but Gio. Nope. Those Big Feelings are in the way. But it takes us a bit to see it.
Kurt and Gio have the hate sex thing DOWN PAT. Like, they wrote the book on it. It’s pretty hot too. But that’s when we start to see that Gio wants more.
It isn’t until someone points out to Kurt some big signs that he realizes what a jerk he is. Kurt has some emotional damage from his dad that doesn’t help things. Oh. And a fake girlfriend. So that’s fun.
Watching them both open themselves up to each other was wonderful. They stumbled a bit, actually talked to each other and realized that they do belong together.
I liked the different view of the sport in this book. It was fun to get more of a behind the scenes thing.
When I started reading this one, I immediately didn’t like Giovanni. Even at 15 he was cocky. The more I got to know him, the more I realized that he had some Big Feelings for Kurt going back to when they were 15.
Now they are the 2 youngest team principals with a rivalry that plays out in the media even though they haven’t seen each other in person in YEARS. Kurt wants to forget they ever had an issue and move on, but Gio. Nope. Those Big Feelings are in the way. But it takes us a bit to see it.
Kurt and Gio have the hate sex thing DOWN PAT. Like, they wrote the book on it. It’s pretty hot too. But that’s when we start to see that Gio wants more.
It isn’t until someone points out to Kurt some big signs that he realizes what a jerk he is. Kurt has some emotional damage from his dad that doesn’t help things. Oh. And a fake girlfriend. So that’s fun.
Watching them both open themselves up to each other was wonderful. They stumbled a bit, actually talked to each other and realized that they do belong together.
I liked the different view of the sport in this book. It was fun to get more of a behind the scenes thing.
May 30, 2023
There’s a fine line between love and hate.
After a night together when they were teenagers Kurt and Gio have had nothing but animosity between them. Fate brings them back in each others orbit as opposing F1 Team Principals many years later and time hasn’t healed anything. Old hurts still feel fresh with anger, animosity and dislike their main way to communicate. The chemistry that sizzled years ago hasn’t abated at all leading to some volatile steamy scenes fuelled by hurt and anger.
Only when their destructive habits are pointed out are they able to navigate their way to a healthier relationship that includes some sweet tenderness with some very light newly discovered kink. It’s not easy as both need to remain closeted and continue the pretence of a feud between them but as time passes they concentrate on taking baby steps towards their HEA.
This was another enjoyable and engaging read from this author with two strong but flawed main characters that finally found their happiness together. The side characters help keep things interesting as does the F1 setting. I especially enjoyed the social media posts at the start of each chapter!
After a night together when they were teenagers Kurt and Gio have had nothing but animosity between them. Fate brings them back in each others orbit as opposing F1 Team Principals many years later and time hasn’t healed anything. Old hurts still feel fresh with anger, animosity and dislike their main way to communicate. The chemistry that sizzled years ago hasn’t abated at all leading to some volatile steamy scenes fuelled by hurt and anger.
Only when their destructive habits are pointed out are they able to navigate their way to a healthier relationship that includes some sweet tenderness with some very light newly discovered kink. It’s not easy as both need to remain closeted and continue the pretence of a feud between them but as time passes they concentrate on taking baby steps towards their HEA.
This was another enjoyable and engaging read from this author with two strong but flawed main characters that finally found their happiness together. The side characters help keep things interesting as does the F1 setting. I especially enjoyed the social media posts at the start of each chapter!
May 30, 2023
The animosity between Gio and Kurt started when they were teens. Kurt lying not only to himself and Gio but to everyone around them.
The back and forth between them made their story very hot.
The digs and angry words hid what was truly in their minds and bodies.
I felt so very sad for Gio since his emotions were always out there while Kurt hid himself, from himself as well as others.
However, when they did get together the heat was fantastic. The author certainly excels is ramping up emotions in the characters.
Everything about this story, even the sad parts, disappointing parts for Kurt were so well written that I felt his anger, then sadness and finally acceptance in regard to his dad's lack of connection.
I loved these two men and their long-time coming love.
I have to say, I loved the twitter posts at the beginning of many of the chapters.
Aaron was an amazing friend to Kurt throughout the story.
Dare I hope his story gets told?
Shoutout to Fred and Kristie. You'll understand as you read this book.
High five to @SusanDumpty222 GIRL! You KNEW!
I received an Advanced Readers Copy for my honest review.
The back and forth between them made their story very hot.
The digs and angry words hid what was truly in their minds and bodies.
I felt so very sad for Gio since his emotions were always out there while Kurt hid himself, from himself as well as others.
However, when they did get together the heat was fantastic. The author certainly excels is ramping up emotions in the characters.
Everything about this story, even the sad parts, disappointing parts for Kurt were so well written that I felt his anger, then sadness and finally acceptance in regard to his dad's lack of connection.
I loved these two men and their long-time coming love.
I have to say, I loved the twitter posts at the beginning of many of the chapters.
Aaron was an amazing friend to Kurt throughout the story.
Dare I hope his story gets told?
Shoutout to Fred and Kristie. You'll understand as you read this book.
High five to @SusanDumpty222 GIRL! You KNEW!
I received an Advanced Readers Copy for my honest review.
June 13, 2023
Another great book in this series!
Scoring Points is a bit different from the first three books in the series (the books can be read in any order) in that it’s not about two F1 drivers, instead it’s about two competing team principals.
Kurt and Gio have a long history and I liked how this book spanned the twenty years that these two had known each other. It wasn’t at all disconcerting to switch back and forth from the present to the past like happens in some books I’ve read. The chapters are clearly marked as to the time period they cover.
This is a really hot enemies-to-lovers story starting when Kurt and Gio are only eighteen. Gio knows that he’s gay but Kurt is deep in denial. Gio’s family is supportive and Kurt’s father basically ignores him. When Gio and Kurt both realize that they will not be Formula 1 drivers, Gio declares that he will become a team principal and he eventually achieves that goal.
Fast forward eighteen or so years and now Kurt has also become a team principal for a competitor’s team. Gio isn’t happy about this in part because Kurt never expressed a desire to do this job. Their rivalry heats up and tempers flare and leads to lots of hot sexy time.
I loved the epilogue set four years after the end of the story.
A copy of this book was provided to me at my request and my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***
Scoring Points is a bit different from the first three books in the series (the books can be read in any order) in that it’s not about two F1 drivers, instead it’s about two competing team principals.
Kurt and Gio have a long history and I liked how this book spanned the twenty years that these two had known each other. It wasn’t at all disconcerting to switch back and forth from the present to the past like happens in some books I’ve read. The chapters are clearly marked as to the time period they cover.
This is a really hot enemies-to-lovers story starting when Kurt and Gio are only eighteen. Gio knows that he’s gay but Kurt is deep in denial. Gio’s family is supportive and Kurt’s father basically ignores him. When Gio and Kurt both realize that they will not be Formula 1 drivers, Gio declares that he will become a team principal and he eventually achieves that goal.
Fast forward eighteen or so years and now Kurt has also become a team principal for a competitor’s team. Gio isn’t happy about this in part because Kurt never expressed a desire to do this job. Their rivalry heats up and tempers flare and leads to lots of hot sexy time.
I loved the epilogue set four years after the end of the story.
A copy of this book was provided to me at my request and my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***
June 11, 2023
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
This is part of the wonderful F1 MM series which I am enjoying greatly - thanks to all the talented authors.
Kurt and Gio are now team principals in F1 - they knew each other in their early racing days ... Gio had all the support from his family something which Kurt certainly did not. They did not part on good terms, as young drivers, but now have to be in pre-race meetings together, and lead their teams in an honourable way. This could be a challenge when their feelings clearly still run deep, and the hurt has not entirely disappeared.
I loved the mixture of F1 team dynamics, and the need to consider the visuals of two opposing principals spending time together, but also the benefit of someone who understands exactly what you are going through - hugely engaging, and deliciously romantic.
Another winner for me!
This is part of the wonderful F1 MM series which I am enjoying greatly - thanks to all the talented authors.
Kurt and Gio are now team principals in F1 - they knew each other in their early racing days ... Gio had all the support from his family something which Kurt certainly did not. They did not part on good terms, as young drivers, but now have to be in pre-race meetings together, and lead their teams in an honourable way. This could be a challenge when their feelings clearly still run deep, and the hurt has not entirely disappeared.
I loved the mixture of F1 team dynamics, and the need to consider the visuals of two opposing principals spending time together, but also the benefit of someone who understands exactly what you are going through - hugely engaging, and deliciously romantic.
Another winner for me!
June 11, 2023
Part of a multi-author series (Lights Out) but all are standalone stories. Enemies to lovers. Second chance. Dual POV. Everyone knows that Gio Rossi and Kurt Whitford don’t get along, they were rivals as teenage racers and now are both Formula 1 team principals competing against each other. The attraction has always been there since they first met, Kurt usually punching Gio in the face instead of kissing him, but now they are back in each other’s lives and the love/hate relationship is too passionate to resist. There are so many underlying feelings between them, even though Kurt has hurt Gio badly in the past, but Gio is just as invested in Kurt now as he was seventeen years ago and neither man has forgotten the other. Plenty of banter, anger, yearning, and some steamy hookups lead both Gio and Kurt to realize that perhaps they finally are mature enough to communicate their feelings and risk everything for a chance to be together. I would have loved to spend more time with them as an official couple and enjoyed every moment that they interacted. 4.5 rounded up
June 13, 2023
Kurt and Giovanni are F1 team principals, long-time rivals and enemies, and completely in lust with each other. Their story is another strong entry in the Lights Out series.
These men made me crazy with their lack of productive communication, which was almost all Kurt's fault. A cold, uninterested father left a mark on Kurt, and Gio had paid the price for that more than once since their teen years. Now there was bitterness on both sides, and the men had to work hard to break through the walls between them. I loved them when they finally started to do that.
The Formula 1 world is so interesting, and I enjoyed seeing things from men who ran teams. Both were confident and sometimes even cocky, which was fun to read. Aaron and Kristie were supportive friends and secret keepers, and I liked them. I also liked the social media snippets that started each chapter.
This was another very enjoyable read in the series. I liked these stubborn men, and I loved their hard won HEA. I look forward to the remaining stories in this world.
These men made me crazy with their lack of productive communication, which was almost all Kurt's fault. A cold, uninterested father left a mark on Kurt, and Gio had paid the price for that more than once since their teen years. Now there was bitterness on both sides, and the men had to work hard to break through the walls between them. I loved them when they finally started to do that.
The Formula 1 world is so interesting, and I enjoyed seeing things from men who ran teams. Both were confident and sometimes even cocky, which was fun to read. Aaron and Kristie were supportive friends and secret keepers, and I liked them. I also liked the social media snippets that started each chapter.
This was another very enjoyable read in the series. I liked these stubborn men, and I loved their hard won HEA. I look forward to the remaining stories in this world.
June 15, 2023
This is my favourite of the series, so far. The story takes a while before the relationship starts but the build up with snarky comments and illicit meetings gives enough to tease and feel the chemistry building. The thing that keeps their edging at boiling point is because these two have history dating back years and it feels like an itch that wasn't scratched, just slightly tickled and it is inevitable that they will not be able to stop once they properly get started. It's an enemy to lovers story which is intense arguing one minute followed by intense making out; It's steamy and hot. It is an ode to, not just, homophobia in sport, but the enormity of how being gay is almost a 'hassle' in this and other sports because of how many people and sponsors would respond with an opinion. Luckily, love was the champion and we got a happy ending. We get some classic funny lines, which I come to recognise from this author. I'm looking forward to the remainder of the series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 12, 2023
Though enemies to lovers isn’t my favourite trope at all, this book was very much a YES for me. It helps that I love Formula 1 and so this series is right in my wheelhouse, and also that I love H.L. Day’s writing style.
It may sort of be also a second chances trope, except their first time 17 years prior was not really a first chance, but a first clash – the first of many!
When Kurt and Gio are back in the same circle, still as opponents, as the team principals of two opposing teams, they obviously start clashing again, except their chemistry hasn’t waned in all those years, and more often than not their clashing ends up with them getting physical, either with Kurt punching Gio or with them in bed together. They seemingly have no idea, or even the will, of how to talk, but they also seem to be unable to stay away from each other. So much so that when they finally stop fighting long enough to actually talk, they find already pretty much in love!
It may sort of be also a second chances trope, except their first time 17 years prior was not really a first chance, but a first clash – the first of many!
When Kurt and Gio are back in the same circle, still as opponents, as the team principals of two opposing teams, they obviously start clashing again, except their chemistry hasn’t waned in all those years, and more often than not their clashing ends up with them getting physical, either with Kurt punching Gio or with them in bed together. They seemingly have no idea, or even the will, of how to talk, but they also seem to be unable to stay away from each other. So much so that when they finally stop fighting long enough to actually talk, they find already pretty much in love!
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