Crashing into You

by Rocky Callen

In this fiercely moving YA romance novel, Leti Rivera's love of street racing is put to the test when tragedy strikes her family and threatens to tear her apart from the boy she's falling for.

Seventeen-year-old Leti Rivera dreams of becoming a famous female street racer. Her brother taught her how to drive so fast that nothing can catch her.

But when Jacob Fleckenstein crashes into her life, Leti starts to think that running isn’t always the answer. Together, inside her car, they both feel like they’re flying, and Jacob’s gentleness and honesty threaten Leti’s vow to keep her heart tight in her fist and her grief locked away.

Yet after tragedy strikes following a race, Leti blames herself and swears an oath, a juramento, to give up driving. But will she be able to keep her promise when racing could be the very thing that saves Jacob . . . and herself? Perfect for fans of Netflix's Atypical and I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter.

Genres: Romance, Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary, Audiobook, Sports, Grief

288 pages, Hardcover

First published June 25, 2024

About the author

Rocky Callen, the daughter of an Ecuadorian immigrant, has long lived a life of service ever since she was a 13-year-old advocating for the undocumented immigrants in her community. She interned at NASA at 12 years old, started lobbying congress at 13, and wrote and produced student radio stories at NPR at 14.

A behavioral therapist for over ten years, she received an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts and lives outside of Washington, DC with her husband, daughter, and baby boy. Rocky is currently developing the Bleed Ink Foundation, a creative hub and resource center for writers, and the HoldOn2Hope Project, which unites creatives in suicide prevention and mental health awareness. A Breath Too Late is her debut novel.

Join her newsletter on her website to read the first few chapters of A BREATH TOO LATE.

She is most active on IG: @rockywrites

Reviews

[Nour (FREE PALESTINE) Books · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this arc in exchange for my review! -> Some quotes may be different!

⋆.˚✮ 🏎️ crashing into you 🚀 ✮˚.⋆

this book was so bad, that it was so friggin entertaining ⁀➴ 2.5 stars

‧₊˚✧🏎️ the plot 🚀✧˚₊‧

Leticia (or leti bc "people keep butchering her name"), a loner, dreams of becoming a famous female street racer and she wants to get into this big competition to prove girls are better than boys.
She befriends the other loner of the school Jacob, whose dream is to become an astronaut. AnD tOgEtHeR iN hEr CaR tHeY bOtH fEeL LiKe ThEy’Re fLyInG 🥹💗🙄

"These streets are mine and if they don’t wanna give them to me then I will take them "

‧₊˚✧🏎️ the characters 🚀✧˚₊‧

leti
So I’m gonna describe Leti by how Jacob described her, um have fun:

so basically she said: does this dress make me look fat
him: yes
her: you werent supposed to say that
him: its true, you fat and your thighs are so big they touch and your stomach jiggles and youre big ect, ect
her: *HORRIFIED*
him: but it makes you YOU and I love it and youre so soft and wtv

Him describing her like sweetish i guess, BUT NO. RUN LETI. PLEASE NO. I WAS DYING OF LAUGHTER ON MY BIKE THIS LITTLE BOY GAVE ME A WEIRD LOOK, I KID YOU NOT. I WAS ALMOST IN TEARS OML. AND THEN THIS OLD MAN GAVE ME THE SWEETEST SMILED AND I JUST TRIED TO SMILE BACK THROUGH THE TEARS

anyways…
‧ Ok, so Leti is Mexican right? and I respect that. but if you’re gonna talk in Spanish, GIVE ME A TRANSLATION PLEASE. I didnt understand half the book 😭
‧ I do have a lot of respect for Leti, she knows what she wants and tries her best to achieve it and won’t let anything or anyone get in her way and thats honestly something that I aspire to be like.

"I know where I’m going so you can either ride shotgun or get out of my way"

‧ Leti is probably the weirdest fmc I have ever read about. Want some examples? I got you
She wants to:
1. Nuzzle her nose into Jacob’s dimples
2. Kiss his eyelids (acceptable ig?)
3. Climb up his torso like a koala
4. Wrap him in a blanket and reattach her jaw???

jacob
‧ ok, I’ll describe him as the characters described him too.
Jacob is climbable, devour-able, he has a nuzzle-able dimple and talks like a robot…
words cannot describe how much I hate him with a passion dislike Jacob.
BRO RECITED HOW LOW THE CHANCES OF SOMEONE SURVIVING A CAR CRASH WAS WHILE SHE WAS IN TEARS BC SOMEONE SHE LOVED GOT IN A CAR CRASH LIKE WHAT THE HECKKKK

Listen, Jacob is about to lose his house bc his dad just died and instead of getting the money himself, he gets leti to give him her prize money. HES MANIPULATING HER AND I KNOW IT. SHE MIGHT NOT SEE TROUGH HIS PETTY ACT BUT I SEE THROUGH YOU JACOB.

and look I know, I KNOW hes autistic, but please stop trying to use this as an argument for me to like him. I just genuinely dont like him as a character and that has nothing to do with his autism so please stop attacking me in the comments 🙏

you know how I mentioned Jacob wanted to be an astronaut? Well you need to be specific height for it (to fit in the rocket), and Jacob grew a couple inches and well…

leti: JACOB ASTRONAUTS CAN ONLY BE 75 INCHES TALL.
…..
jacob: "AHHHHHHH" proceeds to hit his head trying to make himself smaller 😭

the crew
Obviously Leti has a crew and honestly, I loved them. They were so destructive and chaotic and just made the story a lot more fun. The nicknames were so cute and they were just the best part of the book

This is my crew always having my back. Reminding me they will always bet on me.

‧₊˚✧🏎️ overall 🚀✧˚₊‧

This was very bad yet I really enjoyed laughing at how friggin bad this was.
Like: "What were the last words I said to him 'I HaTe YoU’" I WAS HYSTERICAL, NO I’M ACTUALLY CRYING BC ITS TOO FUNNY I’M SORRY
And like I didn’t expect it…but I actually cried. Bro whattt

"When you start to lose yourself, everyone loses"

the cover tho? GORGEOUS, a bit chaotic, but I like it

in conclusion, if you wanna have a good laugh and cringe like crazy, I definitely recommend <3

“Don’t race leti bc you are afraid. Race bc you are leti Rivera. The queen of the streets. Now all you have to do is show them"

[Marieke (mariekes_mesmerizing_books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wild and beautiful ride!

Listen! A curvy Latina girl who loves street racing. An honest, sweet boy who’s on the autism spectrum. A wonderful friendship that eventually turns into something more. Doesn’t this sound good? I know because I read it and it’s fantastic!!!

You know when words just splash off the pages? Because you’re feeling like you’re in the car with Leti, and your back is pressed against the seat, and the surroundings are blurry because WOW, that car is flying!

Or when shivers run over your body? Because you want to hug that beautiful and sad boy, but you also know you’re not supposed to because that same boy doesn’t want to be touched. When tears form in your eyes because that same boy wants a pinky promise.

Leti is a fierce, badass girl, but the star of this story is Jacob. Jacob who’s called Freakenstein because he’s different. I wanted to slap those boys when they bullied this sweet, sweet boy, and my heart jumped up from joy when Jacob stood tall and came up for Leti. Those two were so wonderful together, and I loved the autism rep so, so much!

So listen! Crashing into You is an extremely powerful story and needs to be read!

Actual rating 4.5 stars rounded up to five.

Thank you so much, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and NetGalley, for this wonderful ARC!

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[Drache.... (Angelika) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 stars.
Raw and touching ya novel.
Very intense and gripping plot.
The romance isn't the main part of the storyline, at all. The MCs don't even touch for most of the book.
The focus is on grief, found family, resilience and friendship. Anger and forgiveness.

Leti and Jacob are both in high school, 17 years old. Leti is obsessed with her car Sombrita, she is chasing the feeling of flying while driving. She's a part of her "crew", her brother's and her car driving friends. She's in awe of her 32 year old brother Santos, who was her rock growing up, taking over Leticia's care from her long dead mother and a emotionally absent father.
Jacob is on the autism spectrum, recently lost his father, and is obsessed with stars, space, and his goal becoming an astronaut.

"I wave my hand to catch his attention. Being short, everyone is tall. But he is seriously tall. Like a tree has been planted in the hallway. His face reminds me of a deer. Open, doe-eyed, innocent. I’ve never seen such an unguarded gaze. Doesn’t he know that he needs to protect himself? He blinks at me as if confused by my fixed gaze on him and cocks his head to one side like a bird. So maybe he isn’t like a deer or bird or tree. Maybe this boy is the whole damn forest."

The story is told in single pov present tense, from Leti's pov.

After the first half of the book I feared the story would get too heartbreaking or melodramatic, but the author did a fantastic job with the plot, steering it in a believable direction, that felt right and genuine.

"Leti Rivera. Santo's Rivera's little sister. Racer. Fast y Furiosa. This is what people don't see. I'm worlds away when I'm on wheels. I am tripping over feelings when I am on my own two feet. But behind the wheel, I am pure flow."

[costitanza (onetoomanybooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Fast and Furious meets High School drama in this YA story.

Up until 68% I loved this book, I was really engaged and deeply involved with the life of the characters. The autism rep was done very well and I liked the way Leti, the protagonist, deals with the realization the boy she is in love with may have different needs.
Jacob was a precious precious character, definitely my favorite of the book.

Around 68% of something big happens plot-wise and I found the way teenager Leti deals with it very relatable, yet annoying. She is a teenager adrift, she never met her mother, lived with an absent father (whom I really hated), and now had to deal with yet another tragedy in her family. The accident was ok, I liked it, but the memory loss was too much.
And to take on her shoulder all the responsibility for Jacob´s house? What was Jacob´s mother doing? I don´t know, some things really gave me the ick.

Overall I would recommend it, mainly if you like cars and for the autism representation.

The audiobook was well narrated. The voice actress really did a great job with all the Spanish words. So applauses to her :)

[mystery girl &#x1f337; · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75⭐️
Thanks to Netgalley for this arc.
This was an interesting read, it was heartwarming yet heartbreaking at the same time. I liked the found family aspects. I liked the thrill of racing, that part was so fun. I liked jacob and how caring he is. I liked leti and how she doesn’t let people walk all over her. Heres what i didn't like: leti’s pick me tendencies; im not talking about her feeling left out and not ‘girly’ cause thats totally valid. Im talking about her saying she wants to drag a girl by her fake lashes, and calling her ‘fake lash girl’. I also dont think the autism representation was done well, you can write an intriguing and realistic autistic character without simply making him an awkward robot baby who just discovered earth. Others might disagree, and thats alright. I didn’t completely click with the main character, but she’s complex and interesting. I found the romance to be cute, but they’d probably just end up as friends in the end. Here’s a quote i liked: “I need to be someone, i need to be something. Otherwise, everything that was lost won’t be worth it, I won’t be worth it.” This book handles grief in a unique way.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars ✨

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced audio copy of Crashing into You, in exchange for an honest review.

In this moving YA novel, Leti Rivera’s love of street racing is put to the test when tragedy strikes her family and threatens to tear her apart from the boy she’s falling for.

*For Mature Audiences due to Language and some heavy themes. No Sex or Violence

I originally requested this book for two reasons. First, it had a racing theme, and second, because the love interest is autistic. This intrigued me so much. I had a feeling it would not be completely without faults, since you never know what you’re going to get these days when you pick up a young adult novel.

As a lover of cars and street racing, Fast and Furious and the fact that I just so happen to work with an autistic boy, this peaked my interest. Beyond the language and the typical teenage slang- a beautiful poetic story was told. It was a story about loss, dreams, love and ultimately sacrifice. I was able to look past the bad and see the good. The writing was fantastic, and the audio narration was perfection. I honestly think the narration was what drew me in the most.

Leti is a fiercely loyal, young Latina girl who was raised by her older brother who loves all things racing. She had her “crew” which gave me all the found family, Fast and Furious nostolgia. I absolutely loved her bond with her brother, it was beautiful. Then there was Jacob, who was on the autism spectrum, he was so honest and the sweetest thing. The author did an amazing job with the representation. These two characters could have not been more different, but they bond and end up developing a friendship that turns into more. They both go through tragedy and have to lean on one another with ups and downs. It was so awesome to read how their relationship bloomed over time.

This isn’t a typical read for me, and it will not be for everyone, but despite its flaws, I am glad I gave it a go. I would not recommend it for younger audiences due to some of the subject matter and language. I could totally see this becoming a movie someday, but Its definitely for more of a mature audience in my honest opinion.

[Ashley Book.markedbyash · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🏁YA Romance
🚀Found Family
🏁Street Racing
🚀Grief
🏁Diverse MCs
���Strong Family ties
🏁Opposites Attract

Thank you Dreamscape Media for the ALC.

This book was very good! So beautiful. I loved it from the start to finish. There is a lot of grief and healing in this book. Crashing into You follows our female main character Leti. She loves street racing. She feels like an outsider. The male main character Jacob, who is definitely an outsider, loner, is different, thinks in statistics and does not talk to anyone. Leti gets close to Jacob after finding out that his family might lose their home because his father has passed away. She decides to take some races to earn money to give to him and his mom. Hoping to save their house a friendship grows. She has her own struggles too. Never growing up knowing her mother due to the fact that she passed away while giving birth to Leti. Her brother raised her taught her how to drive and sacrificed a lot for her. She barely talks to her father because of the grief he is going through because they lost their mother. This book involves a lot of grief and healing five stars would recommend to everyone.
The narration was amazing. I absolutely thought this audiobook was so good so beautiful.

[Gordon Ambos · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5*

Was für ein schönes Jugendbuch mit unfassbar liebenswerten Figuren und toller Autismus-Repräsentation. 😍

[Julia Nash · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up
This book is emotional, funny, and a refreshing display of positive masculinity.

[Amanda at Bookish Brews]

a ya romance with street racing and tragedy that feels like it's going to absolutely destroy me

[Melissa (honeybee.reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crashing Into You is an emotional, fun, exciting, beautiful, addictive YA novel that will have you hooked from the start. The author has truly woven a beautiful tale with this book and it truly deserves to be recognized. It's honestly so well written, so poetic, the writing is a masterpiece in itself, but the story within it's pages is one that needs to be discovered. I felt all the emotions, so many times I just wanted to hug the characters. This book sheds light on the subject of grief, but in so many different aspects, how it affects people differently and how it can be in many forms.

Even with all the deeper themes of the story, the racing aspect took a good part of the book. I adored those scenes and how they were described, I felt like I was riding in the car with Leti. Rocky's writing was just beautiful, creating a vivid imagery of the scene happening.

Leti was such a strong protagonist, so resilient, stood up for herself, ambitious and went for what she wanted. I fell in love with her from the start, it was hard not to. The author created a phenomenally strong FMC that young girls and even women can look up to. The body positivity towards curvy girls was chef's kiss, I love a good representation, it was done with care. ! I loved the Latin heritage all over this book, all the Spanish words integrated between the pages and the hispanic traditions.

Jacob, my sweet Jacob! He was such a treat. The autism rep was perfect, amazingly done. I can't say how much I appreciate it when it is done with so much perfection. The author approached it with a finesse that was extraordinary. It was beautiful to see him grow, open up with Leti while still letting his own personality shine through. I absolutely adored this boy with all my heart. Seeing their love blossom through all the grief, the mistakes, the heartaches, the pain, the mishaps was truly the most beautiful thing.

I honestly could go on, but I could never do this book justice. It is just pure gold. It is beautiful. It's an amazing read, it needs to be read by teens and adults alike. The powerful message within these pages will benefit anyone that reads it.

🎧 The narration by Stacy Gonzalez was perfect.They chose the perfect narrator for this book. Her Spanish accent (loved listening to all the words voiced by her; it was perfect, it brought them to life), the tone of her voice, the way she expressed herself. She truly brought Leti to life. I felt all the emotions through her voice. The audiobook is definitely the way to go, her performance was amazing.

✨️Thank you to @netgalley, @dreamscapemedia & @rockycallen for my gifted ALC in exchange for an honest review.

[Ilana Banana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the free audiobook.

I'm kinda sad to say this, but it was a bit of a disappointment. I read Rocky's debut last year and loved it, so seeing as this followed similar themes, I was really excited to read it. Unfortunately, it felt a little short to me.

I never really connected with any of the characters. Both grief and healing as well as family dynamics are important aspects of the story, both for the main character and the romantic interest. The themes it explores are interesting and there are some things about the way the author wrote them that really struck me, but I never really got completely into the story. I liked the car racing aspect and everything around it, although some of the situations seemed a little sketchy. I don't have much to say, for the most part it was entertaining, but it's not something I'll really think much about.

As for the audiobook, while the narrator did a great job, I didn't think the voices/tones fit the characters and that might be a personal thing, but it also affected my overall reading experience because I felt like they didn't express the right emotions.

Not a bad book by any means, just not for me.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an extremely emotionally charged YA romance between a Latina teen street racer and a neurodivergent aspiring astronaut. Perfect for fans of the Fast & the Furious franchise, this book was beautifully written with gorgeous prose and magical lines that had my heart melting! It was also full of drama, found family, first love, grief, loss and lots of action. It was amazing on audio narrated by Stacey Gonzales and I can't recommend it enough!! Many thanks to Libro.fm and the publisher for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!!

[Tracy Shouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story of loss, sacrifice, making and keeping promises, and love. One of the best books that I have read all year! I loved both Leti (the street racer) and Jacob (the autistic hero). Their love story and dependence on one another is authentic and heartwarming. You will laugh out loud at times and hold your breath at others. It is fast paced and thrilling but it is also about acceptance and healing.

[isabella. · Rating 4 out of 5]

actual rating: 3.5 stars

[Alesandra: banter_or_bust · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leti: a curvy, fierce, Latina girl who loves street racing. Jacob: an ostracized, honest, autistic boy. who loves space. Acquaintances to friends to more.

This book has a YA Fast & Furious vibe to me - loosely since I've only seen 2 or so F&F movies. Leti and Jacob have such a beautiful story independently, but their story together is cosmic. Callen hits on some pretty heavy topics (parental loss, all consuming grief, living in a world not intended for you, etc) with this story and does it really well.

The narration was okay. Stacy Gonzalez's style of narration is generally geared to the dramatic. She often inflects in a way that indicates every sentence is of high anticipation/suspense. This goes both ways as for enjoyment/not my fave. I'm sure some listeners absolutely love it while some are more indifferent like me.

This was so good. I requested this book on a whim, and I love when whims pay off.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rocky Callen, and Dreamscape Media for a copy of this audiobook ARC.

[Dustin · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this fiercely moving YA romance novel, Leti Rivera’s love of street racing is put to the test when tragedy strikes her family and threatens to tear her apart from the boy she’s falling for.

From that sparse description, it’s clear that Crashing Into You isn’t my typical genre. Not by a long shot. To some extent, it was, in fact, outside of my comfort zone, and I’m proud of myself for taking a chance because change is always a good thing. It’s necessary for personal growth, and I’m at a point in my life where I’m trying to embrace growth and change.

At the same time, it wasn’t nearly out of the box as the blurb might suggest. There were significant elements of romance, sure, but in my estimation, they were relatively minor. Yet, saying that almost sounds wrong, as the budding romance played a big part of this coming-of-age novel as a whole, and in the inner workings of Leti’s arc in particular. More to the point, the romantic factors were thankfully never overdone. They were tastefully done. The author, Rocky Callen, did an excellent job of balancing their relationship with real-life situations, while simultaneously, addressing some very earnest issues, such as bullying, grief, and self-image.

I can feel the statement fall to the bottom of the sea, tethered to the tail of a comet, brightly burning too fast and too close like it is destined to strike us where we stand. And then, draaaaaagggg. The anchor steadies us… The anger, such a wild, vivid, bursting thing, settles into something heavier and far more uncomfortable in the stillness. Shame, disappointment, some twisted-up feeling that feels slippery and ugly, and yet I can’t look away from it because it is like it is sucking up all the oxygen in the car. I roll down my window.

Grief, in fact, was the most prominent theme explored here, and Callen took it to a whole other level. Grief with a capital G. It didn’t began that way, though. It was rather subtle in the early stages, but by the halfway point, it was painfully pronounced (by the culmination, I was on the verge of tears, and I rarely-if ever—cry while reading,) and their Grief was made that much more impactful and moving by certain revelations. Life-altering secrets brought to the forefront. Those discoveries were brutal, ugly, and frankly, devastating. I felt terrible for Leti. I felt….all the emotions.

Leti Rivera was such a great protagonist. I liked her from the start, and as I got to know her more intimately, my admiration and love grew and soared exponentially. For instance, seventeen-year-old Leti struggled with peer pressure, self-acceptance and love, the absence of a mother, and striving to become the best damn race car driver since her idol, Shelby Watson, clinched the win a couple years prior. That’s not everything, either. I’m holding back…a lot.

The racing scenes were some of my favorites, for reasons which should be obvious, and it was a real treat to watch Leti do what she’s so passionate about. I only wish there had been more of them, but given the setup of the story and everything that happened, it wouldn’t have been realistically possible for Callen to have included them.

I want to rearrange his face into something more palatable. Something a little broken.

Rage is a nitrous switch. I am about to cock my arm back to punch him in the jaw when I realize that some of the guys around him are shrugging or shaking their heads. My mouth drops open, disbelieving. They are taking his side.

And just like that, it happens. Whispers--

Another aspect of the novel that I thought was well-executed, and which I wholeheartedly appreciated, was the autism representation. It wasn’t a hundred percent clear at first, but following the surprising friendship between Leti and Jacob, I couldn’t help but recognize some of the more common traits, and I was fairly certain he was on the spectrum. The thing I loved most about it was that Callen never overdid it; nor was his neurotype underrepresented. Rather, there were just enough tell-tale traits. In addition, the author never used autism as a crutch. She diligently developed a character who wasn’t autistic for the sake of being autistic, or for the sake of representing something cool or popular. He was much more than his unique neurotype, and he never let it define him. I really love that.

I touched on this a bit before, but without saying too much, I thought the depiction of bullying was done with a deft touch, which was addressed in one of three ways: verbal, physical, and psychological. It was mostly verbal, and oftentimes, it’s those hurtful words that inflict the most damage. There was one character, in particular, whom I quickly came to loathe. If you’ve read it, you’ll know exactly who I’m talking about.

Callen did a superb job exploring the different cultures and subcultures. Leti and her family being Hispanic, obviously their culture was the most developed, including sufficient and seemingly randomly placed Hispanic words or phrases, though I doubt there was anything random about them at all. I got the sense that everything Callen did was carefully thought through and deliberate. This isn’t a criticism (merely a product of my ignorance,) but every now and then, I’d have to stop to Google what a certain word or phrase meant, which did take me out of the story temporarily, but I had to know what was being said.

The second most prominent subculture was that of street racing itself, for alongside the races themselves, the reader gets a lot of insights into cars and the necessarily hours spent inside their garage. It was more than just working on their vehicles, too. A lot of what made those scenes so fun and memorable was the back and forth conversations and jocular banter between the colorful characters. The scenes were executed so well, in fact, that I could practically smell the exhaust, hear the loud engines, the clank of tools, the sudden slamming of a hood. I could even smell the oil in the air. Those were easily some of my favorite scenes.

Lastly, Jacob Fleckenstein and his grief-stricken mother were Jewish, and it was interesting to get to see them in what should’ve felt like their most comfortable environment. It was fascinating to learn about the various cultural norms, particularly when juxtaposed against Leti and her family, as their coping mechanisms were different, but also similar.

I’ve never seen Cuchillo cry, but everyone else? The garage floor is oil and tear-stained. Casanova’s tears of heartbreak, for sure, but then there was when Monster’s dad walked out on his family and his mom went into rehab and we all pitched in for her care. There was the time when Fuego was harassed by people on the metro and he called us, and we all showed up at the next metro stop to let them know that no one in our crew is alone. Fuego was upright and taking swaggish confident steps until he passed the garage threshold, then he broke to pieces.

I genuinely thought this was going to be a solid, five star read. I really did. And up until the last quarter or so, I still believed that. I’m not kidding or exaggerating when I say that Rocky Callen had written a nearly flawless book. I felt that palpably through my being. Unfortunately, there were a couple things that happened just prior to the Big Showdown that seemed convenient, but I was willing to excuse those because they were relatively minor.

The biggest gripe I had revolved around Leti’s dream itself. It wasn’t the actual outcome (although, in complete transparency, everything was wrapped up a little too neatly and Callen delivered my least favorite type of ending,) but the execution itself. Maybe if it hadn’t been hyped up so much from basically page one, the letdown wouldn’t have felt so monumental. Callen could have even kept all the build-up, if she’d resisted the urge to wrap it up as quick as she did. Going into it, I was expecting a much more elongated, unpredictable, intense, and challenging display of wills. Alas, it was pretty much over as soon as it started, and she achieved it far too easily, in my opinion.

Nevertheless, I loved this book and highly recommend it. Crashing Into You was one of the best books I’ve read in such a long, long time. I’d be shocked if it doesn’t wind up being one of my favorites of 2024. I still highly, highly recommend it because the story was never just one thing. It was a creative hodgepodge of some of my most beloved things that books have to offer: the found family trope, autistic representation, an emphasis on mental health, street racing, and discovering your authentic self; embracing the beautiful and unique person that you are, following your passions, and believing in yourself.

DISCLOSURE: I was given a complimentary ARC from the author, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much, Rocky Callen, as well as NetGalley.

Crashing Into You is available on June 25th, but you can pre-order a copy for yourself now.

https://www.amazon.com/Crashing-into-...

[Corinne’s Chapter Chatter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book much more than I expected to! The opinions expressed are honest and my own but I am thankful to NetGalley and the publisher for the audio ARC of this title.

This was a unique YA story that has the typical tropes but in a creative way. The street racing aspect lends a different spin to the story. The relationship fostered in the book (don’t want to give spoilers) seemed organic and very “teen like” in how they interacted with each other and made decisions.

The book was definitely heavier than I expected even knowing there would be a tragic event, but it wasn’t “too much” as it was carefully balanced with the real world romance and other pressures a teen would face.

Lastly, it was a surprise neurodivergent bonus! I usually seek books that represent autistic characters but it’s a happy accident when they are included and I didn’t know going in.
The author handled the character very well and didn’t succumb to endless stereotypes.

This is a book I definitely recommend to my YA and NA loving friends. I think I may grab the physical book and give it a read too.

Oh! The audio narrator! She did a great job. So much that I forgot this was an audio book whilst writing this. I love when the reader has a great balance of emoting the material but not going overboard allowing the listener some creativity in picturing the world the author sets forth.




My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

[Jordyn Kieft · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good! I’m so lucky I was gifted an ARC for this story because I couldn’t wait to read it! Rocky does such an incredible job of tackling all of our toughest emotions. Her stories are inspiring; they remind you what it’s like to be alive and live. There is good and bad in this life, but Rocky reminds you that it’s worth it. Her characters are so perfectly imperfect in their grief and heartache and mistakes. Crashing Into You is the perfect story for readers to know that they aren’t alone in their bad times. There is hope and love and dreams worth chasing and promises worth keeping. This novel is awesome, and I can’t wait for it to help readers all over the world. Way to go Rocky!

[Haleigh Gravgaard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rocky Callen's "Crashing into You" is a fiercely moving YA romance that brilliantly intertwines the thrill of street racing with the emotional depths of love and loss. The story follows Leti Rivera, a seventeen-year-old with a passion for racing, instilled in her by her beloved brother. Callen masterfully captures Leti's exhilarating world of speed, skill, and adrenaline, painting a vivid picture of a young woman determined to carve out a name in a male-dominated arena. But the novel goes beyond the mechanics of racing to explore the complexities of Leti's heart, especially when Jacob Fleckenstein crashes into her life, bringing with him a sense of gentle honesty that challenges her resolve to keep her emotions tightly guarded.

Jacob's entrance into Leti's world is both literal and metaphorical. His presence sparks a transformation in Leti, who begins to question whether she has been running away from her grief and fears rather than facing them head-on. Callen deftly develops their relationship, creating a beautiful balance between the electrifying moments on the race track and the tender, introspective conversations that occur in the quiet of Leti’s car. The chemistry between Leti and Jacob is palpable, making their journey towards understanding and healing deeply compelling and relatable. Leti's internal struggle is portrayed with sensitivity and realism, making her a truly memorable protagonist.

The novel takes a heart-wrenching turn when tragedy strikes following a race, pushing Leti into a whirlwind of guilt and self-recrimination. Her oath to give up racing is a poignant moment that highlights the depth of her anguish. Callen's writing shines as she navigates Leti's tumultuous emotions and her ultimate realization that racing is not just a hobby but a lifeline. "Crashing into You" is a testament to resilience and the healing power of love. Leti's journey is a powerful reminder that while we may be shaped by our past, it is our courage to embrace the present and look towards the future that truly defines us. This novel is a must-read for anyone seeking a story that is as thrilling as it is heartfelt.

[The Book Nerd's Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A teen girl's love for street racing helps her through all the hard times in this touching romance novel.

Leti Rivera wants nothing more than to become a famous street racer. This may be a bit of an obstacle for a girl to do, but she is up for the challenge. Speeding through life, nothing can slow Leti down. That is, until she meets Jacob Fleckenstein, an odd boy who dreams of being an astronaut and seems to avoids everyone else but her. She swore to never give her heart away like her Papi did in the fear that her heart would be broken like his. When it seems that nothing is going Leti's way, it will take everything that Leti has to keep afloat as her greatest passions begin to consume her alive.

For some reason, I went into this one with super low expectations. This meant that I was greatly blown away by the quality of this story! It is such a heartfelt book with the sweetest romance and some stellar themes. I feel that since this book involved street racing, I just assumed I wouldn't be into it, but that certainly wasn't the case!

Leti's love for street racing is a really cool part of this book for many reasons. First, Leti is determined to defy the narrative and become a famous street racer despite it being a career that few women have broken into. Second, the confidence that Leti showcases behind the wheel is pretty kickbutt, which makes for a fun reading experience. And third, the bonds that racing allows her to have with her fellow crew members is so sweet. I adore the found family dynamic of their group, and it makes me so darn happy to see them all tease each other while supporting one another unconditionally all at the same time.

The family element in this one is another powerful piece. Leti's mother died in childbirth, so she often feels guilty for her mother's death. Her Papi has always been distant, which left her older brother, Santos, to raise her almost on his own. The way that Leti adores her brother is sweet, and the lengths Santos will go to protect her have no end. As the story progresses, Rivera family secrets begin to unravel, which adds quite a bit of drama to this story, all while deepening the familial bonds that this novel focuses on.

I guess I should probably talk about the romance sooner rather than later, especially because it was one of my favorite parts. Leti is a pretty hotheaded and fiery person whereas Jacob is a chill, down to earth sort of a guy that the entire school thinks is an utter oddball. It was pretty obvious to me that Jacob has autism pretty much from the moment I was introduced to his character, but it takes Leti quite a while longer to figure this out. His calm definitely balances out her fire, and I found it so cute experiencing their bumbling romance as it began to blossom.

Another thing this book really dives into is consent and healthy relationships. Leti's first foray into dating wasn't all that successful, because the guy she was with was a total jerk. The moment he was ready for sex, he tried to force her into the act despite her unwillingness and then started verbally harassing her after they inevitably broke up. This causes Leti to be very hesitant about future relationships, even though it is clear that Jacob is an absolute saint and would never do anything to hurt her. Due to Jacob's autism, the physical portion of their relationship is greatly decelerrated. Like many others with autism, Jacob is very sensitive when it comes to touching and making eye contact, so there was certainly a bit of a learning curve for these two. I am happy to report that Leti is very understanding with everything, which makes this a pretty wholesome romance.

There are other great messages such as those about feminism, body image, disabilities, and grief littered all throughout this book. There are so many small moments that were such big learning lessons, which I think that it's pretty awesome when a book can do this casually.

Overall, "Crashing Into You" is a great book that explores many interesting topics in unique ways. A neurodivergent romance featuring a girl who loves street racing is certainly a first for me, but I'm so glad that I took a chance on this one. The messages about grief, consent, disabilities, guilt, and family are amazing. I would love to check out more of Callen's work some day; I was pleasantly surprised by this one!

Audiobook Note: The narrator of this book, Stacy Gonzalez, did a fantastic job. She captured Leti perfectly, especially her fire and her hotheadedness. Her Spanish accent is also gorgeous, which I felt added immensely to the overall aesthetic of this book. I would definitely recommend this one on audio!

[Jessica Brown · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I didn't go into this with such high expectations because this is the book I would have DREAMED of having as a middle/high schooler, I don't think I would have been nearly as let down/disliked this as much as I did.
Leti wants to be a street racing star and spends a lot of her time working on her prized Civic. But she struggles with feeling like she only hurts people and will never be good enough; her mom died giving birth to her, her dad is emotionally absent, and her brother gave up a lot to care for her when he was 16 and she was born. In comes Jacob, a quiet boy who is also a bit of an outcast, and who Leti begins to fall for and bond with as they share their grief, since Jacob's father recently passed away as well. Leti brings Jacob into her world and she learns from him, and vows to win an underground race and give him the prize money to save his house from auction. But when an accident puts her beloved brother in a coma, things change and she doesn't know if she can keep her promise.
For this being realistic fiction, there is just so much unbelievable stuff that happens in this book. You're telling me that someone who adores their car as much as Leti will let a stranger who has never driven before LEARN HOW TO DRIVE MANUAL ON HER CAR?? THAT SHE USES TO RACE? Nope, never. We also don't hear of Santos ever having a job, or Leti, yet they seem to have unlimited money to work on their vehicles. They repair Leti's car repeatedly, once from being SET ON FIRE, so that she, a 17 year old girl, can pay to save a house for her newly met friend? First: why didn't they give Jacob's fam the money they used to repeatedly fix the Civic? Second: where the fuck is Jacob's mom in this? She can just curl up in a ball in her blanket and grieve and lose her house, then get super happy and start doing stuff when Leti gives them the first bit of prize money, then when Leti feels like she can't race or be with Jacob the way he needs because she crashed her brother's car, flipped it, was in a coma herself for days and then her brother is in one for MONTHS, Jacob's mom can just shake her head and close the curtains on her like it's all her fault?! What the FUCK? Where are the adults in this book???????? Trash, they're in the trash.
The ending just gets so unbelievably unrealistic (as if it wasn't already) that I couldn't take it anymore. I wanted to love this, and I was so, SO let down. I was the girl who loved cars and wanted so badly to have what Leti has (the garage, the car fam, the MONEY to do all that fun stuff), so I thought this would be the perfect book for me. I could get past the ultra cringe insta-love (which I don't usually like in YA but also expect because YA) if the book was less...disappointing in so many other ways. Was gonna give it two stars for uniqueness but nah, this pissed me off.

[Living My Best Book Life · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rocket ships, fast cars, and young love are all wrapped into this sentimental YA. Rocky Callen put the pedal to the metal and will leave readers loving these characters to the moon and back.

Leti Rivera may only be seventeen years old, but she is the queen of the streets. Everything she knows about racing and cars is because of her brother, Santos. She sets her sights on getting into a secret group of the most elite racers, The Underground. It's tough to get in and make a name for yourself, especially when you're a girl. But her determination, fiery personality, and crew will help her achieve any goal.

The new boy in school, Jacob, catches her attention. It's probably because he doesn't appear to care if he fits in, like Leti, and she won't stand around and watch people try to tear him down for who he is. Once they start talking and take a drive, it seems like they are meant to meet. He is unlike any guy she has ever met; he is nice, speaks his mind, wants to be an astronaut, and can pull out a statistic or factoid at the snap of a finger. Peers may see them as weird but I see them as what they are, extraordinary.

While Leti and Jacob begin to develop a deep friendship and even feelings for each other, the supporting characters are just as captivating. Santos, Leti's brother, really shines throughout the story. It's beautiful to read about their bond which goes way past a sibling bond. He is the father figure she never had. In both cases, each of their parents has faced a loss, and it's the people around them that have to step up. And I can't forget the crew there for Leti for everything. Sure they know cars but they bring so much more. They bring all the laughs, tears, and hard truths. Puro familia.

I always appreciate a Latinx author and appreciate characters who share a cultural background with me. I feel proud and it made the book relatable. The author also writes about a character with autism. The representation is delicately and beautifully written while not making the reader feel sympathy. Instead of pointing out the qualities of autism to make a reader feel sorry for the character, she makes the reader understand the struggles never diminishing their potential in life.

I'm excited to see what's next for this author because I can't wait to read more by Rocky Callen. I highly recommend this book to YA readers who enjoy romance, character development, and a wild ride!

[Kylee (themoodylibrary) · Rating 3 out of 5]

rocky callen's CRASHING INTO YOU is fast and furious x high school drama x living with grief

i went into this audiobook knowing next-to-nothing about what i was getting other than street racer romance. first of, i'd like to say that the narrator, stacy gonzalez, did a great job bringing the story to life. although she didn't necessarily have a different voice for each character, i think that she portrayed them well. i will say that there were times as i was listening where i wasn't sure if i was hearing inner dialogue or things that were actually being said out loud. i'm not sure if this would be a narration issue or a writing issue, but it wasn't so much so that i was completely lost.

leti was sassy and just wanted to prove that she was good enough and could be better than the guys. i think that she acted her age, though i'm not sure how she expected to fix everything on her own. her relationship with jacob was very sweet, and i love how they always met each other where they were at whether that was due to their grief or just personal preferences in relationships.

jacob was my favorite character. i really enjoyed how callen wrote him. i didn't realize i would be reading about an autistic mmc, but i was pleasantly surprised when i met jacob. i think he was portrayed in a way that was real and did not rely on harmful stereotypes. i really love how he always wanted to protect leti.

the side characters at the shop were entertaining and definitely helped to lighten the mood. i never fully got the gist of who was who, but that didn't have a huge effect on the story. they were leti's family and they were happy to help her and be there for her as much as they could,

i found the accident towards the end to be a little cliche and drawn out, especially with the memory-loss added after.

while this story didn't blow me away, it was a good read and i would recommend it to my fellow YA lovers. and if you enjoy reading with your ears, then you can definitely trust stacy gonzalez to bring it to life!

thank you netgalley and dreamscape media for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

[Hannah Manandhar Zwahlen · Rating 4 out of 5]

wow, i loved this little book.

this is a book that is completely different from what I read. it's a contemporary YA about a mid/plus size Latina fmc who loves racing (Leti). partnered with an autistic, tall, soft-hearted mmc who just wants to become an astronaut and loves the sky and stars (Jacob).

they're both dealing with parental loss in very different ways, they're both dealing with pain in different ways. but when they start to forge a friendship, they realize that being there for one another is a powerful magic all its own.

Leti's brother has given up everything for her after their mom dies and their dad loses himself to grief. not only has he raised her, but he's also taught her how to race, something that has helped her feel confident about outrunning the things that scare her. she's bullied at school because she's curvy, because she's Latina, because she's different. she realizes that Jacob is also being bullied because of his differences and vows to try and be friends with him. they realize the things they have in common, but Leti hasn't ever interacted with someone with autism and she doesn't realize that Jacob's facts and bluntness and refusal to be touched isn't him rejecting her, but is a part of who he is. as they grow closer, Leti vows to race to raise money for Jacob and his mom so that they don't lose their house after his dad dies. But even more tragedies strike, and Leti and Jacob have to figure out how to stay tethered to each other before they fall apart.

RC does a wonderful job with their writing. It's straight to the point, but also lyrical and the story was so engaging. Also, what a tastefully done romance between two young people who come from very different walks of life. Jacob is such a sweetheart and Leti is so relatable.

Anyways, loved this. It was a breath of fresh air. 4.5 stars.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crashing Into You by Rocky Callen
Henry Holt & Co/Dreamscape Media
Banned Books Week 2025 read

3.5 stars rounded to 4, this YA story of a curvy Latina street racer learning to believe in herself was a quick, entertaining read.

Leti, a high school student and street racer, is a fantastic FMC. She’s curvy, she’s brash and she’s not afraid to claim her space. I loved her confidence and convictions, especially in a world where teen girls are constantly being judged by media and their peers. Jacob, the love interest, is a strong character as well. I loved how good he is at expressing his needs and how Leti and her family accepted and never judged him for being autistic. We need more of that. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with him and he plays such a pivotal role in supporting Leti.

Strong themes of family are pervasive throughout the story, which I really enjoyed. There’s also a few laugh-out-loud moments amid the banter of the car crew.

*************

Why was it chosen? Likely for the strong female character representation and the strength Leti demonstrates overcoming challenges and standing up for herself. I honestly cannot imagine why this book was challenged. It’s pretty innocuous- maybe the illegal street racing?


* This book was originally included in the 2025 Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl high schoolgirl competition in the state of Georgia but was removed from the list after “numerous reconsideration requests” with no explanation from the steering committee. I’ll be reading and reviewing all 8 of the books for Banned Book Week with a focus on why each one was selected and why - in my opinion- it was challenged and removed.

[Willa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I straight up have not read a YA in a decade but this one crushed it. I blurbed it for my work's blind date with a book as Fast & Furious x Raven Boys and I think that's accurate. Leti, the teen daughter of Ecuadorian immigrants, goes to a private school in the DC area where she is an outcast for her race, class, and culture. But she has a whole world outside school - she is an underground street racer and mechanic, working and driving with her older brother and surrogate parent Santos. There is a very tender romance with an autistic boy in her class (though his autism is maybe a little bit generic in its representation? he's facts guy) and a cast of lovable side characters at the shop. It's about the racing, but the racing is also the vessel for exploring grief, and the mechanic shop is the site for found family.

It is stylistically interesting, with a mix of poetic sentences and bursts of Leti's wild anger or wild joy. Spanish is used liberally - but unlike another reviewer I found it very easy to parse in context. Also, if you took Spanish 2 in high school 15 years ago that's enough Spanish to understand it.

I doubt this book will take off, because the YA market these days is strange and over-saturated and being siphoned into BookTok/Romantasy/Icebreaker stuff instead of trad-pub Issues Focused YA. But it deserves to! Seriously, if you have never found anything that hit like The Raven Boys, read this book.

[Carolina Colleene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Language: R (96 swears, 56 “f” + Spanish swears); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG
Street racing is something that Leti (16yo) is good at, and she’s determined to prove that she deserves to be there by getting invited to the underground races. Her crew is fully behind her, even if her father isn’t supportive. But when Leti and Jacob become friends, she gains another reason to win—and so much more to lose if she doesn’t.
I love the metaphors that come to life from Leti’s view of the world, from how she describes Jacob as an entire forest in one being to how her car feels like a rocket to how the entire ocean can come between people. Leti’s and Jacob’s interest in flying and in the stars are different, and yet Callen uses imagery to bring them together in a beautiful way. The street racing is exciting and the aforementioned figurative language is amazing, but the core of this book is about grief and promises—when to let them define your life and whether any good can come from letting them go.
Leti and her family are implied Latinx, Jacob is Jewish, and a couple of side characters are gay. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, mentions of drugs and sex, illegal activity, innuendo, groping, and sexual harassment. The violence rating is for assault.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/

[TheLisaD · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You overwhelm me and I want to be overwhelmed by you”

Leti is a street racer who is still in high school, the school she goes to is very different since it’s private and they have all different groups as you see in movies and stories. Though there is a boy Jacob who she just feels drawn to and his drumming on the desk soothes her, when he missed a week she gets worried and the next time she sees him she checks on him. Jacob is different he is Autistic and there are a lot of things about him and the things he does that others call him names. Leti finds out Jacob and his Mom will be losing their home and so she decides to race for him in a tournament and give him the money so he can stay. Though the kids at school are horrible and there are a lot of obstacles that they encounter.

I read this thinking oh curse a YA Romance they are always cute and it will be a great break in the murder mysteries I usually read. It was a great break and it also had me so emotional all through the story. This is one of the best books I’ve read it shows family, love, loss, and determination. I think Rocky did a great job writing this and hope to see more from them.

[catelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

i definitely loved the way she wrote Jacob and portrayed how he was autistic, it made the story feel more real and diverse in a sense?? along with Leti’s Ecuadorian (i think) culture, the usage of Spanish with no translations, it made it seem like those phrases meant something to the author so she didn’t want to translate it for non-Spanish speakers.. which is interesting, and also the theme of family and connections because i know in hispanic culture, family means a lot—and the author portrayed that beautifully. i loved Leti and Jacob’s connection throughout the entire book, they were so open and understanding with one another and i really enjoyed that (that’s why i give it five stars ⭐️.) the only thing i was barely bothered by was when Jacob said Leti’s a** was fat, he meant it in a nice way and see that people in the reviews are saying it was MEGA weird when he said that.. which, he’s autistic and we can see throughout the book that because he’s autistic, he has no filter whatsoever, which he cannot control that—it’s accurate to his character. yes it was a little silly but it’s not something earth shattering in my opinion!