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Apex Racing Series #1
Crash Into Me
Fast isn't her thing anymore.
No one’s more surprised than Mia Rubie when she unexpectedly inherits her father’s elite auto racing team. Mia hasn’t been near a race car—or a certain Italian driver—since she walked away from a promising racing career fifteen years ago. But with the racing season about to begin and a letter from her father tugging at her heartstrings, she reluctantly puts her life on hold to travel the world with Rubie Racing … and Luca Toscano, the only man she ever loved.
But she can't slow him down.
Mia’s father Rob had lured Luca back to Rubie Racing with the promise of making his dreams of being world champion finally come true. One of the oldest drivers on the track, Luca was already running out of time on his lifelong quest to be the best of the best. But now Rob’s gone … and Mia—who once nearly took his career along with his heart—is back.
Mia can’t seem to avoid Luca, and he can’t stop thinking about her. But can they move past what drove them apart?
No one’s more surprised than Mia Rubie when she unexpectedly inherits her father’s elite auto racing team. Mia hasn’t been near a race car—or a certain Italian driver—since she walked away from a promising racing career fifteen years ago. But with the racing season about to begin and a letter from her father tugging at her heartstrings, she reluctantly puts her life on hold to travel the world with Rubie Racing … and Luca Toscano, the only man she ever loved.
But she can't slow him down.
Mia’s father Rob had lured Luca back to Rubie Racing with the promise of making his dreams of being world champion finally come true. One of the oldest drivers on the track, Luca was already running out of time on his lifelong quest to be the best of the best. But now Rob’s gone … and Mia—who once nearly took his career along with his heart—is back.
Mia can’t seem to avoid Luca, and he can’t stop thinking about her. But can they move past what drove them apart?
370 pages, Paperback
Published September 23, 2023
124 people are currently reading
8743 people want to read
About the author
Darci St. John
2 books49 followersDarci St. John’s love of romance began when she would sneak her mother’s Harlequin novels and read them late into the night. A writer and editor, she lives in the Midwest with her husband and rescue dog. Crash Into Me is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
May 24, 2025
I’d prefer to be in a car crash personally, thanks
January 17, 2024
“𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐢𝐚, 𝐡𝐞’𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬.”
The second-chance romance Crash Into Me by Darci St. John centers on race car driver Luca Toscano and team principal Mia Rubie.
If it weren't for the author's generosity in sending me a copy of her debut work, I would have dnf’ed this book around 20% of the way through. So just because I finished the book doesn't mean I liked it.
I found this entire book to be really perplexing. Like how easygoing it was for Mia and Luca to work together despite their past; as if there was no animosity between them.
The whole time I was reading I was waiting for Luca and Mia to have a moment where they realized they are deeply in love with each other, but that never happened. Simply put, they were boring, and it seemed like they had no chemistry.
Mia’s relationship with her brother was confusing. I never understood why he was such an asshole and actually thought it would be fine to injure Luca in a race.
To be honest, I had anticipated enjoying this novel, but instead of being a pair, the characters were just plain and had no romantic tension. They would have been better off as friends or as employer and employee.
*Thank you to the author, Darci St. John, for providing me with a paperback copy in exchange for an honest review.*
The second-chance romance Crash Into Me by Darci St. John centers on race car driver Luca Toscano and team principal Mia Rubie.
If it weren't for the author's generosity in sending me a copy of her debut work, I would have dnf’ed this book around 20% of the way through. So just because I finished the book doesn't mean I liked it.
I found this entire book to be really perplexing. Like how easygoing it was for Mia and Luca to work together despite their past; as if there was no animosity between them.
The whole time I was reading I was waiting for Luca and Mia to have a moment where they realized they are deeply in love with each other, but that never happened. Simply put, they were boring, and it seemed like they had no chemistry.
Mia’s relationship with her brother was confusing. I never understood why he was such an asshole and actually thought it would be fine to injure Luca in a race.
To be honest, I had anticipated enjoying this novel, but instead of being a pair, the characters were just plain and had no romantic tension. They would have been better off as friends or as employer and employee.
*Thank you to the author, Darci St. John, for providing me with a paperback copy in exchange for an honest review.*
December 22, 2024
I really enjoyed the writing style of this book and found it really quick and easy to read. This book continues to make me love car racing sports romances. I do wish I got more from the second chance romance as I felt like everything was a little too easy from that aspect.
Other than that, it was a good read.
Other than that, it was a good read.
October 20, 2024
crash into me @darcistjohnwriter
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
a fresh and extremely fun second chance romance, set in the exciting f1 world 🏎️
Mia has lost her father, who owned an elite racing team known as Rubie Racing. Mia walked away from this team years ago, but after the passing of her father she discovers that she has inherited the team and the company. As exciting as this is for Mia, she must come to terms with the reasons she left the company in the first place….her first love, Luca Toscano who is still a driver on the team.
As Mia is now Luca’s boss, there is no avoiding him and as emotions and angers rise so do old feelings. Can they work together to get the team first position or will it all crash and burn?
I really enjoyed this read, it was fun, easy to follow and exciting with the aspect of the second chance romance. It had rom com feels and I loved the character depth. Sometimes, books can fall short and the characters be very 2 dimensional, but I loved the detail within this book. It’s like they came to live and existed in the real world. I actually adored the side characters, they added a lot of humour to the book and helped break up the anger between Mia and Luca. However, I would’ve liked more tension between the two main characters, there were some parts that made them seem more like acquaintances rather than previous lovers.
Thank you to @bedfordsq.publishers for sending me a copy of this book to review in return for my honest opinion💕✨🏎️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
a fresh and extremely fun second chance romance, set in the exciting f1 world 🏎️
Mia has lost her father, who owned an elite racing team known as Rubie Racing. Mia walked away from this team years ago, but after the passing of her father she discovers that she has inherited the team and the company. As exciting as this is for Mia, she must come to terms with the reasons she left the company in the first place….her first love, Luca Toscano who is still a driver on the team.
As Mia is now Luca’s boss, there is no avoiding him and as emotions and angers rise so do old feelings. Can they work together to get the team first position or will it all crash and burn?
I really enjoyed this read, it was fun, easy to follow and exciting with the aspect of the second chance romance. It had rom com feels and I loved the character depth. Sometimes, books can fall short and the characters be very 2 dimensional, but I loved the detail within this book. It’s like they came to live and existed in the real world. I actually adored the side characters, they added a lot of humour to the book and helped break up the anger between Mia and Luca. However, I would’ve liked more tension between the two main characters, there were some parts that made them seem more like acquaintances rather than previous lovers.
Thank you to @bedfordsq.publishers for sending me a copy of this book to review in return for my honest opinion💕✨🏎️
May 17, 2025
Crash Into Me by Darci St. John
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.75/5)
Crash Into Me is one of those reads where you kind of see the plot coming… but you still want to go along for the ride. 🏎️💥
It was a bit predictable, but the character development made up for it. I enjoyed watching Mia and Luca evolve, even if their relationship felt like it moved a little too fast considering the circumstances. Like, shouldn’t we take a minute to breathe before falling head over heels? No? Okay.
Still, an engaging story with heartfelt moments and two leads you can root for.
______
Crash Into Me de Darci St. John
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.75/5)
Crash Into Me est un de ces romans où tu vois les choses venir… mais tu continues quand même, parce que c’est agréable à suivre. 🏎️💥
L’intrigue est un peu prévisible, mais le développement des personnages est bien fait. J’ai aimé voir Mia et Luca évoluer, même si, soyons honnêtes, leur relation progresse un peu rapidement compte tenu des circonstances. Un petit moment pour respirer, peut-être ? Non ? Tant pis.
Une lecture sympathique, avec de jolis moments d’émotion et un duo principal attachant.
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.75/5)
Crash Into Me is one of those reads where you kind of see the plot coming… but you still want to go along for the ride. 🏎️💥
It was a bit predictable, but the character development made up for it. I enjoyed watching Mia and Luca evolve, even if their relationship felt like it moved a little too fast considering the circumstances. Like, shouldn’t we take a minute to breathe before falling head over heels? No? Okay.
Still, an engaging story with heartfelt moments and two leads you can root for.
______
Crash Into Me de Darci St. John
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.75/5)
Crash Into Me est un de ces romans où tu vois les choses venir… mais tu continues quand même, parce que c’est agréable à suivre. 🏎️💥
L’intrigue est un peu prévisible, mais le développement des personnages est bien fait. J’ai aimé voir Mia et Luca évoluer, même si, soyons honnêtes, leur relation progresse un peu rapidement compte tenu des circonstances. Un petit moment pour respirer, peut-être ? Non ? Tant pis.
Une lecture sympathique, avec de jolis moments d’émotion et un duo principal attachant.
November 11, 2024
i don’t know what is up with me and books lately but i couldn’t connect to this book. considering the fact that this is a second chance romance, i expected to read about the pining, the angst, the 15 years worth of devastation of being apart from the love of your life but there was none of that.. it felt like there was no tension or animosity between the two main characters, mia & luca. there was no chemistry between them, they just fell straight into a friendship and didn’t seem to have any qualms about working together despite their history??
(this book was kindly sent to me by the publishers, bedford square. thank you for sending me a physical copy in exchange for an honest review!)
(this book was kindly sent to me by the publishers, bedford square. thank you for sending me a physical copy in exchange for an honest review!)
July 23, 2025
Very quick and easy to read. As someone who grew up in the world of racing, this was a fun subject since there are rarely sports romances centered around racing. I wish there was more tension between Mia & Luca. It might just be me but I did not get second chance vibes from this or that they were destined to be together. Everything romance-wise seemed very surface level.
February 7, 2024
LOVEEEE
It took me a while to read from personal life stuff but Darci is such a good author! I enjoy the different plot of her being thrown into a TP role-- I thought that was so clever. I even sent this to my friend for Christmas so she could enjoy as well.
It took me a while to read from personal life stuff but Darci is such a good author! I enjoy the different plot of her being thrown into a TP role-- I thought that was so clever. I even sent this to my friend for Christmas so she could enjoy as well.
March 19, 2024
I think that's the first F1 book I didn't like at all
July 13, 2024
i know this was a fictional view of F1, but i learnt so much my brother is gonna be so impressed with my knowledge! this was such a girlboss take, i loved mia’s character, she was hilarious and smart and funny and awesome and just downright COOL!! such a slay being an F1 driver hehee
March 1, 2025
I've been curious with this book for a while so I was really excited to start it but. . . yeah. . . thank you, next.
▬ 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬: sports (F1)
▬ 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬: sports (F1)
Want to read
May 25, 2025not a fan
October 10, 2023
If you're looking for your next best rom-com, look no further. If you liked Curtis Sittenfield's ROMANTIC COMEDY with its peek-behind-the-curtain sketch comedy setting, you'll like CRASH INTO ME for its peek-behind-the-curtain racing setting. This is a second chances romance, with great dialogue, family drama, and lovable side characters. Look forward to St. John's next romance!
September 28, 2023
thrilling!
You can feel the heat between these race-crossed lovers as surely as if you’re standing on a track with the motors revving. Darci St. John is a thrilling new voice in romance.
You can feel the heat between these race-crossed lovers as surely as if you’re standing on a track with the motors revving. Darci St. John is a thrilling new voice in romance.
November 6, 2023
This is my first ever book about car racing. I liked it a lot more than expected. I loved getting to see rules and how will really have to have to work as teammates or it just won't work. Very much a team sport.
Now I really love Mia. She had a lot to deal with- her father being gone, her belligerent and not nice twin brother Jordan, and becoming the lead of her dad's racing team... All while being in the presence of her former boyfriend, Luca.
Jordan I thought would not have a great character and he'd just be mean all the time, but he really surprised me at the end. I love watching Mia and Luca get to reacquaint themselves as adults and learn to love each other for who they are now.
Now I really love Mia. She had a lot to deal with- her father being gone, her belligerent and not nice twin brother Jordan, and becoming the lead of her dad's racing team... All while being in the presence of her former boyfriend, Luca.
Jordan I thought would not have a great character and he'd just be mean all the time, but he really surprised me at the end. I love watching Mia and Luca get to reacquaint themselves as adults and learn to love each other for who they are now.
April 25, 2025
This was a cute book. One of those I didn't want to put down. I liked Mia and Luca. I liked that they were older and there wasn't so much back and forth. The drama came from outside their relationship. They knew who they were as people and while Mia fought herself for a little bit, she gave in pretty quickly. I liked the idea of two people who are meant to be just fall into place easily without having to go through a whole bunch of trials and tribulations. There was enough going on in the outside world with the passing of Rob Rubie, Jordan Rubie's issues, Mia stepping in as Principle at the last second, etc. Clearly the racing is based on formula 1 and the author acknowledged that this was so far out of the realm of possibility, but it was still fun to imagine. Boss bitch with raw talent comes back after fifteen years and can just step back into the car and out drive the season pros. A girl can dream. I don't really have a lot of notes on this one. The constant accidental innuendos from everyone in the book was funny. The plot moved along. I would have liked a little more drama with announcing Mia and Luca dating and with Julia's departure, but that's just getting picky. I'd like to read more by Darci St. John.
Mia Rubie is thrust back into the life she walked away from fifteen years ago with the sudden passing of her father. In his will he gave her the reigns to his racing empire, Rubie Racing. There are just a couple of problems. First, she hasn't been in the racing world in fifteen years since the fateful crash that happed when she was eighteen and ended both another racer's career and her relationship with fellow racer Luca Toscano. Fifteen years ago, Mia, Luca, Jordan, and Scott entered a 24 race. After Mia's turn at the wheel, she and Luca snuck off. While they were MIA Scott told the crew he wasn't feeling well. Mia's dad went looking for Mia since she and Luca were the only ones who could take over. Instead he found Mia and Luca in a compromised position in the back of a SUV. He pulled Luca out and told him to leave and never come back. At the same time that was happening Scott crashed. He never returned to racing. Luca disappeared after that race and she never heard from him again. Mia blamed herself for that crash. So she got out of racing. Second, her twin brother who she has never really gotten along with or had a good relationship is giving her a hard time as one of the drivers for Rubie racing. And of yeah, the other main driver, he ex-boyfriend, Luca. He's got his sight set on being world champion, a title he's never held yet. Now with Mia at the helm as the Principle she has a lot to prove and a lot to catch up on. First she tries to keep Luca at arms length. Which would be much easier said than done if the man didn't keep popping up and being helpful. Things take a turn for the romantic very quickly when he volunteers to drive her back to Chicago so she could pack up some things since she left in a hurry and wasn't expecting to abandon her life there. Alone in her condo they end up sleeping together. Mia pulls away immediately and Brian, Mia's second in command, tells Luca not to pursue anything. So they keep a safe distance and vow to be friends. Inevitably things turn flirty and people notice. Mia is in denial. Luca is not but he's not pushing it. On the other side of the coin, Mia's twin brother Jordan is actively working against Rubie Racing. He's tipping off a tabloid reporter about the crash that happened fifteen years ago, he's talking to other racing companies, he blocks Luca his own teammate from passing even though he was already lapped, and most egregiously towards the end of the book he causes a catastrophic crash between him a Luca. Jordan comes out worse for wear from the crash and Mia demands his resignation which he gives without protest. It's on their dad's first birthday since his passing that the twins start mending things. They spread their parents' ashes on a peaceful lake on Jordan's property. Jordan starts letting Mia in by letting her know he always felt like he was in her shadow and that he was made at her about how she felt about their mom. Now down a driver because of the crash caused by Jordan they are scrambling to find a new driver. Brian came up with an idea in the hospital. While Luca was proposing to Mia while in the hospital bed, Brian also proposed the idea that Mia be the second driver. They get permission from Apex Racing, the governing body, and she takes over Jordan's car. At first she's driving well but not her best. She has a breakthrough that she needs to focus solely on driving. So she makes Brian Principle, convinces her boss to send over her best friend Star (Estrella) as a contractor, and Mia can solely be a driver. Now Mia starts landing on the podium. By the end of the season Luca is the world champion and Mia has beat him in one race. Luca retires and takes Brian's old position. Brian stays on as Principle, and Mia plans to be the main driver for the next season and go for her own titles and fulfill her dad's wishes and legacy. The next season kicks off a year later and Rubie Racing has two female drivers. The epilogue is Mia and Luca's wedding. Jordan is walking Mia down the aisle and everyone is happy. The day and night are magical and everything is as it should be.
Mia Rubie is thrust back into the life she walked away from fifteen years ago with the sudden passing of her father. In his will he gave her the reigns to his racing empire, Rubie Racing. There are just a couple of problems. First, she hasn't been in the racing world in fifteen years since the fateful crash that happed when she was eighteen and ended both another racer's career and her relationship with fellow racer Luca Toscano. Fifteen years ago, Mia, Luca, Jordan, and Scott entered a 24 race. After Mia's turn at the wheel, she and Luca snuck off. While they were MIA Scott told the crew he wasn't feeling well. Mia's dad went looking for Mia since she and Luca were the only ones who could take over. Instead he found Mia and Luca in a compromised position in the back of a SUV. He pulled Luca out and told him to leave and never come back. At the same time that was happening Scott crashed. He never returned to racing. Luca disappeared after that race and she never heard from him again. Mia blamed herself for that crash. So she got out of racing. Second, her twin brother who she has never really gotten along with or had a good relationship is giving her a hard time as one of the drivers for Rubie racing. And of yeah, the other main driver, he ex-boyfriend, Luca. He's got his sight set on being world champion, a title he's never held yet. Now with Mia at the helm as the Principle she has a lot to prove and a lot to catch up on. First she tries to keep Luca at arms length. Which would be much easier said than done if the man didn't keep popping up and being helpful. Things take a turn for the romantic very quickly when he volunteers to drive her back to Chicago so she could pack up some things since she left in a hurry and wasn't expecting to abandon her life there. Alone in her condo they end up sleeping together. Mia pulls away immediately and Brian, Mia's second in command, tells Luca not to pursue anything. So they keep a safe distance and vow to be friends. Inevitably things turn flirty and people notice. Mia is in denial. Luca is not but he's not pushing it. On the other side of the coin, Mia's twin brother Jordan is actively working against Rubie Racing. He's tipping off a tabloid reporter about the crash that happened fifteen years ago, he's talking to other racing companies, he blocks Luca his own teammate from passing even though he was already lapped, and most egregiously towards the end of the book he causes a catastrophic crash between him a Luca. Jordan comes out worse for wear from the crash and Mia demands his resignation which he gives without protest. It's on their dad's first birthday since his passing that the twins start mending things. They spread their parents' ashes on a peaceful lake on Jordan's property. Jordan starts letting Mia in by letting her know he always felt like he was in her shadow and that he was made at her about how she felt about their mom. Now down a driver because of the crash caused by Jordan they are scrambling to find a new driver. Brian came up with an idea in the hospital. While Luca was proposing to Mia while in the hospital bed, Brian also proposed the idea that Mia be the second driver. They get permission from Apex Racing, the governing body, and she takes over Jordan's car. At first she's driving well but not her best. She has a breakthrough that she needs to focus solely on driving. So she makes Brian Principle, convinces her boss to send over her best friend Star (Estrella) as a contractor, and Mia can solely be a driver. Now Mia starts landing on the podium. By the end of the season Luca is the world champion and Mia has beat him in one race. Luca retires and takes Brian's old position. Brian stays on as Principle, and Mia plans to be the main driver for the next season and go for her own titles and fulfill her dad's wishes and legacy. The next season kicks off a year later and Rubie Racing has two female drivers. The epilogue is Mia and Luca's wedding. Jordan is walking Mia down the aisle and everyone is happy. The day and night are magical and everything is as it should be.
December 9, 2023
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
❤️ love second chance romance
🏎️ enjoy watching Formula 1
✋🏻 want to read about relatable and fun characters
🤭 like to laugh
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
FAST ISN’T HER THING ANYMORE.
No one’s more surprised than Mia Rubie when she unexpectedly inherits her father’s elite auto racing team. Mia hasn’t been near a race car—or a certain Italian driver—since she walked away from a promising racing career fifteen years ago. But with the racing season about to begin and a letter from her father tugging at her heartstrings, she reluctantly puts her life on hold to travel the world with Rubie Racing … and Luca Toscano, the only man she ever loved.
BUT SHE CAN’T SLOW HIM DOWN.
Mia’s father Rob had lured Luca back to Rubie Racing with the promise of making his dreams of being world champion finally come true. One of the oldest drivers on the grid, Luca was already running out of time on his lifelong quest to be the best of the best. But now Rob’s gone … and Mia—who once nearly took his career along with his heart—is back.
Mia can’t seem to avoid Luca, and he can’t stop thinking about her. But can they move past what drove them apart?
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
This was such a fun second chance romance full of fun and interesting information about racing and race cars (which I honestly knew very little about before reading this book). I love to learn new things, so not only did I get to read a cute romcom with plenty of witty and funny dialogue, but I also got to learn about something new! The relationships all felt true and unique, and all of the character’s growth was a big plus for me. I definitely recommend this one to fans of cute but spicy romcoms or fans of racing!
❤️ love second chance romance
🏎️ enjoy watching Formula 1
✋🏻 want to read about relatable and fun characters
🤭 like to laugh
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
FAST ISN’T HER THING ANYMORE.
No one’s more surprised than Mia Rubie when she unexpectedly inherits her father’s elite auto racing team. Mia hasn’t been near a race car—or a certain Italian driver—since she walked away from a promising racing career fifteen years ago. But with the racing season about to begin and a letter from her father tugging at her heartstrings, she reluctantly puts her life on hold to travel the world with Rubie Racing … and Luca Toscano, the only man she ever loved.
BUT SHE CAN’T SLOW HIM DOWN.
Mia’s father Rob had lured Luca back to Rubie Racing with the promise of making his dreams of being world champion finally come true. One of the oldest drivers on the grid, Luca was already running out of time on his lifelong quest to be the best of the best. But now Rob’s gone … and Mia—who once nearly took his career along with his heart—is back.
Mia can’t seem to avoid Luca, and he can’t stop thinking about her. But can they move past what drove them apart?
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
This was such a fun second chance romance full of fun and interesting information about racing and race cars (which I honestly knew very little about before reading this book). I love to learn new things, so not only did I get to read a cute romcom with plenty of witty and funny dialogue, but I also got to learn about something new! The relationships all felt true and unique, and all of the character’s growth was a big plus for me. I definitely recommend this one to fans of cute but spicy romcoms or fans of racing!
December 11, 2023
This was a fresh and fun second-chance romance. I believe this was the first romance I’ve read set in the world of Formula 1 racing.
Mia Rubie has just lost her father. He owned the elite racing team - Rubie Racing - a team that Mia walked away from years ago.
Now Mia learns that her father has left the team and the company to her. It sounds amazing, but it comes with several complications. Although Mia has racing in her blood, she must face the reasons why she walked away - one being Luca Toscano, her first love.
Luca is a driver on the Rubie team, and there’s no way of avoiding him now that she’s his boss. Things get a little fast and furious as emotions get heated and old feelings arise.
I enjoyed this adrenaline-charged second-chance romance between Mia and Luca - it takes a strong, confident man to love the boss. But what I felt added great depth to the story was the family drama between Mia and her twin brother, Jordan. There has been family strife in the Rubie Team for some time, and watching Mia navigate it was both heartbreaking and inspiring.
𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑎 𝑣𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑙𝑎𝑝 🎊
Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @darcistjohnwriter for a spot on tour and a gifted book.
Mia Rubie has just lost her father. He owned the elite racing team - Rubie Racing - a team that Mia walked away from years ago.
Now Mia learns that her father has left the team and the company to her. It sounds amazing, but it comes with several complications. Although Mia has racing in her blood, she must face the reasons why she walked away - one being Luca Toscano, her first love.
Luca is a driver on the Rubie team, and there’s no way of avoiding him now that she’s his boss. Things get a little fast and furious as emotions get heated and old feelings arise.
I enjoyed this adrenaline-charged second-chance romance between Mia and Luca - it takes a strong, confident man to love the boss. But what I felt added great depth to the story was the family drama between Mia and her twin brother, Jordan. There has been family strife in the Rubie Team for some time, and watching Mia navigate it was both heartbreaking and inspiring.
𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑎 𝑣𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑙𝑎𝑝 🎊
Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @darcistjohnwriter for a spot on tour and a gifted book.
December 18, 2023
Thank you @darcistjohnwriter and @suzyapprovedbooktours for the #gifted book.
I have never read a sports romance involving car racing but after reading Crash Into Me I am all for them! This is a second chance romance set in the Apex elite car racing season.
Mia Rubie walked away from the family owned Rubie Racing team 15 years ago. When her father passes away from a heart attack, she is shocked to learn her father left her the the team and company. Mia now must face the reason she walked away and her ex boyfriend Luca Toscano.
Luca is a driver on the Rubie Racing team. He and Mia have a history. Can he handle her being his boss?
I enjoyed Mia and Luca's characters as they face both the past and the future. I could not help but hope that Mia is successful in fulfilling her father's dream and rekindling her romance with Luca. The secondary characters are fun especially Mia's best friend Star. There is also a realistic sibling rivalry between Mia and her twin brother Jordon. I enjoyed this story and am looking forward to Darci's next book.
I have never read a sports romance involving car racing but after reading Crash Into Me I am all for them! This is a second chance romance set in the Apex elite car racing season.
Mia Rubie walked away from the family owned Rubie Racing team 15 years ago. When her father passes away from a heart attack, she is shocked to learn her father left her the the team and company. Mia now must face the reason she walked away and her ex boyfriend Luca Toscano.
Luca is a driver on the Rubie Racing team. He and Mia have a history. Can he handle her being his boss?
I enjoyed Mia and Luca's characters as they face both the past and the future. I could not help but hope that Mia is successful in fulfilling her father's dream and rekindling her romance with Luca. The secondary characters are fun especially Mia's best friend Star. There is also a realistic sibling rivalry between Mia and her twin brother Jordon. I enjoyed this story and am looking forward to Darci's next book.
December 20, 2024
Thank you so much Romance.com.au for sending this book my way in exchange for my review.
I don't read romcom books often and most of them are usually dark, gothic stories. “Crash Into Me” was a fresh break from my fantasy and darkness, and I enjoyed it. It was light, fun and easy read everyone needs sometimes!
Mia and Luca's story is tangled in a world of car racing. He is an experienced driver, she is the new head of the Ruby Racing team her father left to her instead of her brother Jordan. This decision makes Mia put everything aside and join the team for the racing season, This also means staying in close proximity to Luca, Mia's love of her life. Things between them are not exactly ideal but he can't stop thinking about her and she is angry because the old feelings didn't disappear. They had history, but are they both ready to take a second chance?
I was impressed with author’s depth of knowledge about the car racing, she obviously did a great research to make this story captivating!
I don't read romcom books often and most of them are usually dark, gothic stories. “Crash Into Me” was a fresh break from my fantasy and darkness, and I enjoyed it. It was light, fun and easy read everyone needs sometimes!
Mia and Luca's story is tangled in a world of car racing. He is an experienced driver, she is the new head of the Ruby Racing team her father left to her instead of her brother Jordan. This decision makes Mia put everything aside and join the team for the racing season, This also means staying in close proximity to Luca, Mia's love of her life. Things between them are not exactly ideal but he can't stop thinking about her and she is angry because the old feelings didn't disappear. They had history, but are they both ready to take a second chance?
I was impressed with author’s depth of knowledge about the car racing, she obviously did a great research to make this story captivating!
December 8, 2023
I loved this romance/rom com. I haven’t read many with the second chance trope but I loved the way it was done in this one. The conversations and flashbacks helped fill in the blanks from their past relationship. The banter between Luca and Mia was so cute as well as between Mia and her best friend Star. It was cool to see some of the behind the scenes of racing and the work it goes into to get the cars ready. I liked the amount of spice and the emotional journey that the characters went on. Mia was my favorite and her sticker war with Luca had me laughing. I don’t re-read books often but I want to read this one again.
Thank you @darcistjohnwriter and @suzyapprovedbooktours for the gifted copy.
Thank you @darcistjohnwriter and @suzyapprovedbooktours for the gifted copy.
December 30, 2024
As a girl who loves watching F1 and the V8 Supercars year on year this apex racing novel was right in my lane (all puns intended 🤭). I absolutely loved following the story of badass FMC Mia (who I aspire to carry attributes of in my day to day from now on) in her journey of self discovery, love and chasing her dreams.
This book had some of my fav tropes;
🏎️ Sports romance
🏎️ Found family
🏎️ Second chance romance
I’ve not read Darci’s works before but will be looking to do so after reading this! It was such a well written, entertaining and well rounded read - would highly recommend to all the romance girlies!
Thank you so so much to Romance ANZ and HQ Australia for the gifted ARC - I bloody loved this one!
These thoughts are wholly my own.
This book had some of my fav tropes;
🏎️ Sports romance
🏎️ Found family
🏎️ Second chance romance
I’ve not read Darci’s works before but will be looking to do so after reading this! It was such a well written, entertaining and well rounded read - would highly recommend to all the romance girlies!
Thank you so so much to Romance ANZ and HQ Australia for the gifted ARC - I bloody loved this one!
These thoughts are wholly my own.
November 16, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up. I realized after finishing the book that it is the authors debut and in that case I’m giving it the round up instead of down because I think it was a good first novel.
My only real issue with the book was pacing. The first 50-60% moved really slow for me, but the last 30% had me hooked and I was fully invested in the ending. Overall I liked the characters (main and side) and the story line. I thought Luca and Mia had good chemistry and of course I loved that he was so supportive of her the entire time even when she hadn’t decided to trust him again. Don’t know if I’ll read the second book because Jordan was super annoying and selfish and the start of his redemption right at the very end didn’t really make up for it.
My only real issue with the book was pacing. The first 50-60% moved really slow for me, but the last 30% had me hooked and I was fully invested in the ending. Overall I liked the characters (main and side) and the story line. I thought Luca and Mia had good chemistry and of course I loved that he was so supportive of her the entire time even when she hadn’t decided to trust him again. Don’t know if I’ll read the second book because Jordan was super annoying and selfish and the start of his redemption right at the very end didn’t really make up for it.
November 1, 2023
Mia hereda de manera sorpresiva el liderazgo del equipo de la fórmula 1 de su familia, Rubie Team.
En este cambio de vida al que es sometida, se reencuentra con su antiguo novio italiano Luca Toscano, uno de los pilotos del equipo Rubie.
La historia se basa en Mia retomando su amor por las carreras, y como tuvo que dejarlas por culpa de su padre que la había sorprendido con Luca muchos años atrás, cuando apenas eran unos jovensuelos. 😅
Siento que la historia empieza un poco sin pies ni cabeza. Hay un punto en el que ya todo mejora y es 😍...
📖
He meant more to me than racing. Racing meant more to him than I did.
En este cambio de vida al que es sometida, se reencuentra con su antiguo novio italiano Luca Toscano, uno de los pilotos del equipo Rubie.
La historia se basa en Mia retomando su amor por las carreras, y como tuvo que dejarlas por culpa de su padre que la había sorprendido con Luca muchos años atrás, cuando apenas eran unos jovensuelos. 😅
Siento que la historia empieza un poco sin pies ni cabeza. Hay un punto en el que ya todo mejora y es 😍...
📖
He meant more to me than racing. Racing meant more to him than I did.
January 24, 2024
i must say i am disappointed. i went into this book expecting to love it or at least enjoy it because i am a huge formula 1 fan but unfortunately i did not. i just couldn’t bring myself to care about the plot or even the characters—i guess something just didn’t click for me with this book. mia and luca’s chemistry is nonexistent and although they’re a second chance romance, there wasn’t any tension present between them so i think that almost made them seem like acquaintances and there was just really nothing there for me to latch onto.
good premise, poor execution.
good premise, poor execution.
August 30, 2025
A Mel-level of smut***
I like several of the surrounding characters. It would have been nice to get a little more. I also really enjoyed “seeing” the race through commentator descriptions. It made picturing it much better than trying to read about the race through the author’s eyes.
The FMC is extremely emotionally immature. It’s pretty grating about her backstory and how long it’s allowed to go one and then suddenly she’s over it. But it could have been an easy fix if people just asked normal status questions.
It’s a good audiobook listen.
I like several of the surrounding characters. It would have been nice to get a little more. I also really enjoyed “seeing” the race through commentator descriptions. It made picturing it much better than trying to read about the race through the author’s eyes.
The FMC is extremely emotionally immature. It’s pretty grating about her backstory and how long it’s allowed to go one and then suddenly she’s over it. But it could have been an easy fix if people just asked normal status questions.
It’s a good audiobook listen.
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