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Backmarker Love Trilogy #1
Racing for Redemption
Colton Racing was once the crown jewel of Formula 1, a team that defined an era of dominance. But those glory days are long gone. Now a struggling backmarker on the grid, the once-great team faces ridicule, failure, and a legacy slipping through its fingers.
Violet Colton, a successful businesswoman, takes over the team as the new CEO and team principal, tasked with reviving her late father’s faltering empire against impossible odds. With her sharp wit and fierce ambition, she navigates a world of cutthroat competition and high expectations, determined to prove herself in a male-dominated sport where she’s been overlooked and underestimated.
Desperate for a spark to reignite the team, Violet takes a chance on William Foster, a fiercely talented but overlooked driver who ends up groveling for a seat. Charming and playful, he’s driven by ambition to prove himself after being cast aside by F1 teams branding him as "damaged goods".
As they face intense rivalries and high-stakes races, their dynamic starts blurring the lines of professionalism. William is captivated by Violet's strength and passion, while she struggles to keep her emotions at bay. Their initial annoyance evolves into a friendship that never was—and something deeper that threatens to unravel their carefully constructed barriers.
Together, they’ll take on the relentless demands of the F1 world, battling against the odds as underdogs in a sport that mocks their ambitions. Can Violet and William defy expectations to take Colton Racing one step closer to its former glory? And in the heat of competition, will they risk it all for a forbidden love that could change everything?
This is book #1 in a trilogy following the same couple - Violet and William - and Colton Racing. You can read this book as a standalone, but for a better and more complete experience, it is recommended to read all books in this series.
All books in this series are intended for mature audiences. Trigger warnings are listed in the author's note. Please read it because your mental health comes first.
Violet Colton, a successful businesswoman, takes over the team as the new CEO and team principal, tasked with reviving her late father’s faltering empire against impossible odds. With her sharp wit and fierce ambition, she navigates a world of cutthroat competition and high expectations, determined to prove herself in a male-dominated sport where she’s been overlooked and underestimated.
Desperate for a spark to reignite the team, Violet takes a chance on William Foster, a fiercely talented but overlooked driver who ends up groveling for a seat. Charming and playful, he’s driven by ambition to prove himself after being cast aside by F1 teams branding him as "damaged goods".
As they face intense rivalries and high-stakes races, their dynamic starts blurring the lines of professionalism. William is captivated by Violet's strength and passion, while she struggles to keep her emotions at bay. Their initial annoyance evolves into a friendship that never was—and something deeper that threatens to unravel their carefully constructed barriers.
Together, they’ll take on the relentless demands of the F1 world, battling against the odds as underdogs in a sport that mocks their ambitions. Can Violet and William defy expectations to take Colton Racing one step closer to its former glory? And in the heat of competition, will they risk it all for a forbidden love that could change everything?
This is book #1 in a trilogy following the same couple - Violet and William - and Colton Racing. You can read this book as a standalone, but for a better and more complete experience, it is recommended to read all books in this series.
All books in this series are intended for mature audiences. Trigger warnings are listed in the author's note. Please read it because your mental health comes first.
540 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 4, 2025
2 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Vanessa F. Silva
2 books4 followersVanessa F. Silva lives in a coastal city in Portugal and writes cinematic, action-packed romance novels with sports and music at their core.
She enjoys crafting strong, independent female main characters (FMCs) as well as driven and passionate male main characters (MMC) with a heart of gold that you will relate to and root for. Banter and foreshadowing are her bread and butter.
When she's not writing, she's either listening to music, reading, watching anime, playing video games, discussing Japanese voice actors, playing the guitar, or watching F1.
She enjoys crafting strong, independent female main characters (FMCs) as well as driven and passionate male main characters (MMC) with a heart of gold that you will relate to and root for. Banter and foreshadowing are her bread and butter.
When she's not writing, she's either listening to music, reading, watching anime, playing video games, discussing Japanese voice actors, playing the guitar, or watching F1.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 20, 2025
I’ve been an F1 fan since I can think so I LOVED seeing Vanessa not only get the lingo of F1 right but also capturing the feel of races. The balance between high adrenaline moments, communication and at times simple rattling off of facts felt so reminiscent of real races, just boiled down to a few pages.I haven’t seen it done like this before!
The dynamics between William and Violet felt even familiar, but more importantly real. Some conversations even felt like she was right there in the paddock. Violet being headstrong and dedicated to her team and proving herself fit right in with the sport. The legacy team struggling did as well. As others said it feels very reminiscent of Williams earlier years.
The couple feels strong and well rounded especially together. William immediately endeared himself to me, but there was an aspect I don’t necessarily like about him. But he not only addresses it but grows. I couldn’t help but root for William and Violet.
It’s at times quiet and cozy and dives into the adrenaline of the sport. With some of my favorite plot points open, I can’t wait for the next books to come!
If you’re looking for a good F1 romance, this one is going to fit nicely on your shelf.
Thank you Vanessa for the ARC
The dynamics between William and Violet felt even familiar, but more importantly real. Some conversations even felt like she was right there in the paddock. Violet being headstrong and dedicated to her team and proving herself fit right in with the sport. The legacy team struggling did as well. As others said it feels very reminiscent of Williams earlier years.
The couple feels strong and well rounded especially together. William immediately endeared himself to me, but there was an aspect I don’t necessarily like about him. But he not only addresses it but grows. I couldn’t help but root for William and Violet.
It’s at times quiet and cozy and dives into the adrenaline of the sport. With some of my favorite plot points open, I can’t wait for the next books to come!
If you’re looking for a good F1 romance, this one is going to fit nicely on your shelf.
Thank you Vanessa for the ARC
July 2, 2025
So being the massive F1 fan, I couldn’t put this down!
Appreciate the glossary and terms! For those who are not as familiar (my book club pals) this will be super helpful!
Right off the bat I got Williams Racing vibes and I loved where it was going. The legacy of Colton and the team struggles were so valid. Biolet has a tough road ahead ensuring the team is successful next season - this comes in the form of William Frost who is just that with her, frosty! Their beginning is truly enemies to Team Principal and driver but hey he made a big move in wanting to be on Colton Racing, and that team needed him.
Their story is a haul for both of them, personally and professionally. I loved their conversations, how strictly business Violet kept and how protective and kind William is. The comparisons to the actual team I think this was based on was fun to draw upon and read, especially the other drivers and team principals. When William makes it into Park fermé … well 🫣😭🤗
« I’m a business woman, not a poet » yeah that sums them up. William PINES but so does Violet.
Great start to this amazing trilogy and cannot wait to read the next! Thank you for the ARC! I’m really excited to read Racing for Love !
Appreciate the glossary and terms! For those who are not as familiar (my book club pals) this will be super helpful!
Right off the bat I got Williams Racing vibes and I loved where it was going. The legacy of Colton and the team struggles were so valid. Biolet has a tough road ahead ensuring the team is successful next season - this comes in the form of William Frost who is just that with her, frosty! Their beginning is truly enemies to Team Principal and driver but hey he made a big move in wanting to be on Colton Racing, and that team needed him.
Their story is a haul for both of them, personally and professionally. I loved their conversations, how strictly business Violet kept and how protective and kind William is. The comparisons to the actual team I think this was based on was fun to draw upon and read, especially the other drivers and team principals. When William makes it into Park fermé … well 🫣😭🤗
« I’m a business woman, not a poet » yeah that sums them up. William PINES but so does Violet.
Great start to this amazing trilogy and cannot wait to read the next! Thank you for the ARC! I’m really excited to read Racing for Love !
July 21, 2025
Racing for Redemptions by Vanessa F. Silva was such an amazing book. An F1 team on the brink of losing it all takes a wild chance on an F2 driver that is known for being a hot head and won’t even be considered by any other F1 team. The driver has dreamed of driving for F1 and when he sees an opportunity to help the team and join F1 he shoots his shot.
The FMC is ridiculously strong and an inspiration. She is living in a man’s world. She is constantly belittled and put down but she comes back fighting harder. All she wants to do is make her dad proud. She makes an incredibly risky deal with the board of the team that risks her position and might have her leave the team and her father’s legacy behind. Can this unlikely duo bring this team back to glory?
I love the raw emotion in this book. The author gets you to feel the chaos, the overwhelming need to achieve something. She expresses the thrill of the race and inner turmoil of the characters exquisitely. I truly have nothing negative to say about this book! It was an all around great read.
The FMC is ridiculously strong and an inspiration. She is living in a man’s world. She is constantly belittled and put down but she comes back fighting harder. All she wants to do is make her dad proud. She makes an incredibly risky deal with the board of the team that risks her position and might have her leave the team and her father’s legacy behind. Can this unlikely duo bring this team back to glory?
I love the raw emotion in this book. The author gets you to feel the chaos, the overwhelming need to achieve something. She expresses the thrill of the race and inner turmoil of the characters exquisitely. I truly have nothing negative to say about this book! It was an all around great read.
August 3, 2025
My first time reading anything F1-related, and I absolutely loved it! I appreciated the terminology, it helped a bunch throughout the story.
Violet quickly became my favorite character. She’s powerful and determined to continue Colton’s legacy. Honestly, she might be who I aspire to be: confident, assertive, and dedicated.
I was a little unsure about William at first, but he completely won me over. He’s so respectful and supportive, and the slow-burn romance between him and Violet was chef’s kiss. I found myself giggling more than once at their interactions. I just love their dynamic!
The side characters were also so well done, especially William’s parents and Blake, I loved them! Each one added something special and really helped with the main characters’ journeys.
Definitely made me want to research the F1 fiction world! I can't wait for the next book!
Thank you for the opportunity to be an ARC reader!
Violet quickly became my favorite character. She’s powerful and determined to continue Colton’s legacy. Honestly, she might be who I aspire to be: confident, assertive, and dedicated.
I was a little unsure about William at first, but he completely won me over. He’s so respectful and supportive, and the slow-burn romance between him and Violet was chef’s kiss. I found myself giggling more than once at their interactions. I just love their dynamic!
The side characters were also so well done, especially William’s parents and Blake, I loved them! Each one added something special and really helped with the main characters’ journeys.
Definitely made me want to research the F1 fiction world! I can't wait for the next book!
Thank you for the opportunity to be an ARC reader!
August 4, 2025
This was my very first book on F1 racing and boy did it hit. What I hands down loved was how strong the characters were, feeling as if I was going through the motions, my heartstrings were being pulled and I felt as if I was there in the moments.
Violet is a very strong character due to her persistence, determination, her strong will.
Honestly, I don’t want to give away the book but do expect a pretty steady paced book from start to finish.
Violet is a very strong character due to her persistence, determination, her strong will.
Honestly, I don’t want to give away the book but do expect a pretty steady paced book from start to finish.
July 7, 2025
Firstly, I just want to say a massive thank you to Vanessa Silva for making me an ARC reader for this first installment in the Backmarker Love trilogy!
As a huge F1 fan, it is really hard to find books that are accurate to the sport whilst creating reliable and realistic characters. Especially with the F1 movie coming out attention around female representation in the sport has become something so important and Vanessa Silva combats this so well through the character of Violet. At first I was concerned with her what her character arc would be, especially because this book is a romance, but OH MY GOODNESS, this was executed to PERFECTION!
William Foster *mwah chef's kiss*...that's all I have to say about him. Again PERFECTION
When I was reading the book, I couldn't help but draw comparisons to Williams F1 team, especially Claire Williams, whom Vanessa Silva mentions she draws inspiration from. This book made me emotional as it poses the question of "what could've been" for Claire Williams.
This book is on the longer side but don't let that deter you from reading! I cannot wait to see what Vanessa Silva has in store for Violet, William and Colton Racing in the next installment in the trilogy. This book is everything I wanted it to be and I am so grateful I got to read this early.
Please please please, READ THIS BOOK!
As a huge F1 fan, it is really hard to find books that are accurate to the sport whilst creating reliable and realistic characters. Especially with the F1 movie coming out attention around female representation in the sport has become something so important and Vanessa Silva combats this so well through the character of Violet. At first I was concerned with her what her character arc would be, especially because this book is a romance, but OH MY GOODNESS, this was executed to PERFECTION!
William Foster *mwah chef's kiss*...that's all I have to say about him. Again PERFECTION
When I was reading the book, I couldn't help but draw comparisons to Williams F1 team, especially Claire Williams, whom Vanessa Silva mentions she draws inspiration from. This book made me emotional as it poses the question of "what could've been" for Claire Williams.
This book is on the longer side but don't let that deter you from reading! I cannot wait to see what Vanessa Silva has in store for Violet, William and Colton Racing in the next installment in the trilogy. This book is everything I wanted it to be and I am so grateful I got to read this early.
Please please please, READ THIS BOOK!
July 28, 2025
3.5 Stars *
I found this to be more of an F1 story with a little bit of romance added rather than the other way around, but for me this wasn’t a problem. I’m an F1 fan anyway so I really enjoyed seeing this side within the book. It’s done realistically, and this makes you feel more connected with the characters in my opinion. Everyone loves a redemption story and this hits it on the head. I can’t wait to see where the growth of the team goes and also William and Violet's story in the next book of the trilogy. I hope they make it all the way to the top.
I think this book would be great for anyone who’s an F1 fan or not, and it will be great for anyone who’s thinking of starting to watch the sport as the team layout and the race weekends are represented really well. There’s also a description of each technical wording at the front of the book, so if a word comes up which you’re not sure on you can go back and see it there. It’s nice to see an F1 book done right and with all the right wording and technicalities.
If you’re after a full on love story with a little bit of sport added in, this isn’t for you but if you’re willing to have more sport than romance you’ll love this one.
I found this to be more of an F1 story with a little bit of romance added rather than the other way around, but for me this wasn’t a problem. I’m an F1 fan anyway so I really enjoyed seeing this side within the book. It’s done realistically, and this makes you feel more connected with the characters in my opinion. Everyone loves a redemption story and this hits it on the head. I can’t wait to see where the growth of the team goes and also William and Violet's story in the next book of the trilogy. I hope they make it all the way to the top.
I think this book would be great for anyone who’s an F1 fan or not, and it will be great for anyone who’s thinking of starting to watch the sport as the team layout and the race weekends are represented really well. There’s also a description of each technical wording at the front of the book, so if a word comes up which you’re not sure on you can go back and see it there. It’s nice to see an F1 book done right and with all the right wording and technicalities.
If you’re after a full on love story with a little bit of sport added in, this isn’t for you but if you’re willing to have more sport than romance you’ll love this one.
December 1, 2025
I wrote this book in my darkest time and have read it over 13 times - between writing, rewriting, self-editing and back-and-forth editing with my awesome editor -, and I still vibrate and feel immersed in the story and the characters.
I'm super proud of how Racing for Redemption turned out and I'm already excitedly working on book 2, Racing for Love!
For those of you coming across this book for the first time, I hope you have a ton of fun. These are the tropes that await you:
🏎️ Black cat FMC X Golden Retriever MMC
🏎️ F1 team principal and CEO X F1 driver
🏎️ He falls first and hard
🏎️ Slow burn
🏎️ Mutual pining (but they don't know it)
🏎️ Forced proximity
🏎️ Forbidden love
🏎️ Open door spice
🏎️ Found Family
🏎️ Underdogs teaming up
🏎️ Acts of service
I'm super proud of how Racing for Redemption turned out and I'm already excitedly working on book 2, Racing for Love!
For those of you coming across this book for the first time, I hope you have a ton of fun. These are the tropes that await you:
🏎️ Black cat FMC X Golden Retriever MMC
🏎️ F1 team principal and CEO X F1 driver
🏎️ He falls first and hard
🏎️ Slow burn
🏎️ Mutual pining (but they don't know it)
🏎️ Forced proximity
🏎️ Forbidden love
🏎️ Open door spice
🏎️ Found Family
🏎️ Underdogs teaming up
🏎️ Acts of service
August 6, 2025
** Thank you so much to the author for the review **
“Racing for Redemption” is the debut romance novel by Portuguese author Vanessa Silva and damn, girl! Vanessa brought a new pride in being Portuguese.
This is an F1 romance, and the focus is mainly on the F1 aspect, which I adored! William talking about improving the car, dialogues about technical stuff between characters are what made this romance very different from others. I know very little about F1, I watch it every once in a while years ago, and that’s it. I remember when Alonso was the new kid on the block (lol), and now he’s the grandpa of F1. So, yeah, I know a lot about F1, Schumacher’s time, but not so much now. Still, I love that F1 has found a new and younger audience to keep that spark of joy.
William is hot headed but overall he’s really sweet. He never feels intimidated by Violet, he actually really enjoys her being bossy. He loves metal music (already a bonus for me), he’s a perfect gentleman and he’s very interesting in improving the team. He’s also a little bit insecure and since he’s aware of his anger issues, he struggles a lot trying to do the right thing, but also ends up making mistakes.
Violet is the CEO and team principal of the team. She’s the daughter of the founder, and she inherits an already drowning team. They are struggling to survive due to some really bad decisions, and Violet wants to save her father’s dream. She faces a lot of scrutiny from every side: media, other teams and society for being a woman. Nicholas is constantly disrespectful of her behind her back, the other team CEOs are constantly provoking her. With William, she found someone who wants to share that mission to save her father’s team.
There are things that are very different from the current romances we read. Vanessa shies away from certain clichés, William is not huge, he’s actually kinda goofy, his first time with Violet, the build up is so much, the outcome was really funny. There are moments of frustration between them, but also sweet and relaxing ones.
This is the first of a 3 series book, but I’m looking forward to reading more about them. I also want to know more about the other characters.
“Racing for Redemption” is a really fun book and the beginning of a series I will follow until its end. It’s pretty much one of the best books I’ve read from a Portuguese author in a long time. Why aren’t Portuguese publishers publishing books like this here?
“Racing for Redemption” is the debut romance novel by Portuguese author Vanessa Silva and damn, girl! Vanessa brought a new pride in being Portuguese.
This is an F1 romance, and the focus is mainly on the F1 aspect, which I adored! William talking about improving the car, dialogues about technical stuff between characters are what made this romance very different from others. I know very little about F1, I watch it every once in a while years ago, and that’s it. I remember when Alonso was the new kid on the block (lol), and now he’s the grandpa of F1. So, yeah, I know a lot about F1, Schumacher’s time, but not so much now. Still, I love that F1 has found a new and younger audience to keep that spark of joy.
William is hot headed but overall he’s really sweet. He never feels intimidated by Violet, he actually really enjoys her being bossy. He loves metal music (already a bonus for me), he’s a perfect gentleman and he’s very interesting in improving the team. He’s also a little bit insecure and since he’s aware of his anger issues, he struggles a lot trying to do the right thing, but also ends up making mistakes.
Violet is the CEO and team principal of the team. She’s the daughter of the founder, and she inherits an already drowning team. They are struggling to survive due to some really bad decisions, and Violet wants to save her father’s dream. She faces a lot of scrutiny from every side: media, other teams and society for being a woman. Nicholas is constantly disrespectful of her behind her back, the other team CEOs are constantly provoking her. With William, she found someone who wants to share that mission to save her father’s team.
There are things that are very different from the current romances we read. Vanessa shies away from certain clichés, William is not huge, he’s actually kinda goofy, his first time with Violet, the build up is so much, the outcome was really funny. There are moments of frustration between them, but also sweet and relaxing ones.
This is the first of a 3 series book, but I’m looking forward to reading more about them. I also want to know more about the other characters.
“Racing for Redemption” is a really fun book and the beginning of a series I will follow until its end. It’s pretty much one of the best books I’ve read from a Portuguese author in a long time. Why aren’t Portuguese publishers publishing books like this here?
January 13, 2026
As a reader and also as a fan of Formula 1, I am very very happy I came across this book.
It is really hard to find books that accurately describes the sport while still creating characters that are realistic. The female representation also matters and Vanessa did that by making her main character, a Female Team Principal.
I was privileged to be granted access to an ARC of Racing for Love without knowing it was already the second book so I immediately read this one to be able to understand the second book better and I didn't regret it.
The theme of the story is no longer unique but there are only handful of books that gives the f1 side justice. I appreciate that terms were further explained for those who arent familiar with it. The characters were well written. It sometimes reminded me of real people currently in the sports. I originally thought of Claire Williams while I was reading this and how she reminded me so much of Violet. I loved how Vi and William found each other when they were both in rock-bottom and how they both tried to rebuild from there. It was also realistic because it showed that improvements doesnt happen overnight. It gave a very realistic timeline of things. The book was a page turner for me, I kept reading and reading until I didn't notice the time already. The story was a perfect mix of romance and technical aspects of F1.
I am looking forward to reading the rest of the trilogy.
It is really hard to find books that accurately describes the sport while still creating characters that are realistic. The female representation also matters and Vanessa did that by making her main character, a Female Team Principal.
I was privileged to be granted access to an ARC of Racing for Love without knowing it was already the second book so I immediately read this one to be able to understand the second book better and I didn't regret it.
The theme of the story is no longer unique but there are only handful of books that gives the f1 side justice. I appreciate that terms were further explained for those who arent familiar with it. The characters were well written. It sometimes reminded me of real people currently in the sports. I originally thought of Claire Williams while I was reading this and how she reminded me so much of Violet. I loved how Vi and William found each other when they were both in rock-bottom and how they both tried to rebuild from there. It was also realistic because it showed that improvements doesnt happen overnight. It gave a very realistic timeline of things. The book was a page turner for me, I kept reading and reading until I didn't notice the time already. The story was a perfect mix of romance and technical aspects of F1.
I am looking forward to reading the rest of the trilogy.
July 4, 2025
Thank you so much to the author for allowing me to be a beta reader. Disclaimer: This is a review of the final book, not the beta reader version.
Racing for Redemption is not your average F1 romance. You have realistic and detailed racing action that makes you believe you are actually seeing a GP onboard one of the drivers. You have equal measures of angst during the races, and longing off the track between the two main characters, William and Violet.
This is one of the few relationships in books that actually feel mature, on both ends, despite the age gap. You have good communication, banter that'll make you wish some characters were real and friendships that make sense. Blake is a good example of that. He's always present and sometimes ends up taking in a fatherly role to the Fmc.
Violet is not the stereotypical woman in a position of power. She may come across as that for some people, but those who know her will tell you a different version of her.
William is the perfect embodiment of a “golden retriever”. Always the mood setter in a work environment and the thoughtful friend when he's with Violet. William is relationship goals.
This is the first book of the trilogy, so I can't wait to see how the characters grow, even more, and which direction the story will take!
Racing for Redemption is not your average F1 romance. You have realistic and detailed racing action that makes you believe you are actually seeing a GP onboard one of the drivers. You have equal measures of angst during the races, and longing off the track between the two main characters, William and Violet.
This is one of the few relationships in books that actually feel mature, on both ends, despite the age gap. You have good communication, banter that'll make you wish some characters were real and friendships that make sense. Blake is a good example of that. He's always present and sometimes ends up taking in a fatherly role to the Fmc.
Violet is not the stereotypical woman in a position of power. She may come across as that for some people, but those who know her will tell you a different version of her.
William is the perfect embodiment of a “golden retriever”. Always the mood setter in a work environment and the thoughtful friend when he's with Violet. William is relationship goals.
This is the first book of the trilogy, so I can't wait to see how the characters grow, even more, and which direction the story will take!
August 3, 2025
⭐️ 5/5 | 🌶️ 2/5
Tropes: Boss x Employee, F1 Romance, Badass FMC, Golden Retriever MMC
Wow. I’ve read a lot of F1 romances... but this one? Takes. The. Podium.
As a die hard F1 fan, I’m always hunting for inaccuracies in motorsport books but Vanessa nailed it. The research? Impeccable. The technical details? Perfection. I felt like I was back in the paddock on race weekend.
Violet Colten steps in as CEO & Team Principal of her father’s struggling F1 team. It’s her legacy and her burden to fix. Enter William Foster: hot-headed F2 driver with a wrecked rep and nowhere else to go. When Violet takes a chance on him, sparks fly and the line between boss and driver blurs fast.
Their banter is flawless
The tension is absolutely delicious.
The spice was just the right amount; natural, intimate, and not forced.
Vanessa’s writing style is smooth, sharp, and full of heart. If you're even slightly into F1 or just love a slow-burn sports romance with great chemistry, grab this TOMORROW. You won’t regret it.
Tropes: Boss x Employee, F1 Romance, Badass FMC, Golden Retriever MMC
Wow. I’ve read a lot of F1 romances... but this one? Takes. The. Podium.
As a die hard F1 fan, I’m always hunting for inaccuracies in motorsport books but Vanessa nailed it. The research? Impeccable. The technical details? Perfection. I felt like I was back in the paddock on race weekend.
Violet Colten steps in as CEO & Team Principal of her father’s struggling F1 team. It’s her legacy and her burden to fix. Enter William Foster: hot-headed F2 driver with a wrecked rep and nowhere else to go. When Violet takes a chance on him, sparks fly and the line between boss and driver blurs fast.
Their banter is flawless
The tension is absolutely delicious.
The spice was just the right amount; natural, intimate, and not forced.
Vanessa’s writing style is smooth, sharp, and full of heart. If you're even slightly into F1 or just love a slow-burn sports romance with great chemistry, grab this TOMORROW. You won’t regret it.
August 6, 2025
Y’all know I’ve been in my F1 romance era recently, and this one was a great addition to the list! It’s the first in a trilogy and I can’t wait to see where we go with the rest of the series!
Violet’s dedication to the team and her family’s legacy was so admirable. She exudes confidence, despite facing numerous challenges, and I appreciated how this translated to her eventual success as a team principal. William’s desperation for a chance to prove himself and his all-in attitude were so enjoyable to read. He is vulnerable and realistic in a way that male characters are not always represented. I loved their dynamic together and felt they complimented each other really well. Their banter was unmatched and their chemistry was sizzling through the whole book!
Can we talk about how this is Vanessa’s debut?! It was incredible! If you’re an F1 or sports romance fan, I highly recommend checking out Racing for Redemption!
Thank you so much to Vanessa and Xpresso Book Tours for access to the eARC!
Violet’s dedication to the team and her family’s legacy was so admirable. She exudes confidence, despite facing numerous challenges, and I appreciated how this translated to her eventual success as a team principal. William’s desperation for a chance to prove himself and his all-in attitude were so enjoyable to read. He is vulnerable and realistic in a way that male characters are not always represented. I loved their dynamic together and felt they complimented each other really well. Their banter was unmatched and their chemistry was sizzling through the whole book!
Can we talk about how this is Vanessa’s debut?! It was incredible! If you’re an F1 or sports romance fan, I highly recommend checking out Racing for Redemption!
Thank you so much to Vanessa and Xpresso Book Tours for access to the eARC!
July 16, 2025
WOW! As a massive F1 fan, the details in this book were so accurate that I couldn’t put it down. There was the suspense and angst during races that made me feel like I was watching a race, and the romance between the main characters was *chef’s kiss*
William Foster is absolute perfection! He is THE most perfect golden retriever MMC. He’s so thoughtful with anything to do with Violet. His maturity really showed in his relationship with Violet, despite the age gap, and in volatile situations, where he transformed from a hothead into someone who handled himself with composure.
Violet was an amazing representation of a woman in this sport, and the support she receives from Blake, as a fatherly figure. Once she befriends William, she opens up, and we get to see who she really is without the stress of running an F1 team.
I am so excited to see what’s next for Violet, William, and the Colton Racing team!
William Foster is absolute perfection! He is THE most perfect golden retriever MMC. He’s so thoughtful with anything to do with Violet. His maturity really showed in his relationship with Violet, despite the age gap, and in volatile situations, where he transformed from a hothead into someone who handled himself with composure.
Violet was an amazing representation of a woman in this sport, and the support she receives from Blake, as a fatherly figure. Once she befriends William, she opens up, and we get to see who she really is without the stress of running an F1 team.
I am so excited to see what’s next for Violet, William, and the Colton Racing team!
July 29, 2025
Vanessa F. Silva pulls readers straight into the high-octane world of Formula 1—fast-paced, gripping, and vividly real with the exhilarating start of the A Backmarker Love trilogy, Racing for Redemption.
Even as someone new to F1, I didn’t find the glossary necessary. Silva’s seamless writing effortlessly explains the sport’s intensity, making every turn of the track easy to follow and hard to put down.
Violet’s fierce determination won me over instantly, and Blake? The ultimate wingman with just the right amount of calm to balance her fire.
Violet and Williams' dynamic is magnetic, and watching them grow—individually and together—was deeply satisfying. That said, I do wish there had been a bit more focus on the romance. With this being the first in a trilogy, I’m hopeful we'll see that emotional connection deepen.
Thank you NetGalley and Vanessa, I can't wait to see what’s next for our couple and the entire racing team.
Even as someone new to F1, I didn’t find the glossary necessary. Silva’s seamless writing effortlessly explains the sport’s intensity, making every turn of the track easy to follow and hard to put down.
Violet’s fierce determination won me over instantly, and Blake? The ultimate wingman with just the right amount of calm to balance her fire.
Violet and Williams' dynamic is magnetic, and watching them grow—individually and together—was deeply satisfying. That said, I do wish there had been a bit more focus on the romance. With this being the first in a trilogy, I’m hopeful we'll see that emotional connection deepen.
Thank you NetGalley and Vanessa, I can't wait to see what’s next for our couple and the entire racing team.
August 3, 2025
ARC reader review -
As someone who occasionally watches the F1/Drive to Survive, but often comes across the drivers on all social media platforms a lot - I’d say I know enough to be dangerous, but am by no means an SME on F1 🤣 nonetheless - I really enjoyed the use of terminology that kept on theme with the premise of the story.
You get an FMC who is a strong, driven leader and an MMC who whole heartedly admires her strength of character, with with a point to prove… what’s not to love 🥹 I enjoyed the pace at which Violet and William’s relationship develops throughout the book - it felt authentic given the circumstances and their dynamic. They share a mutual respect for one another’s talent that added depth to their relationship I appreciated.
Overall, this was a great read for those that enjoy F1, or if you are looking for a new sport sub genre to dive into.
Thank you to the author for sharing your book with me ahead of release 🙌🏽
As someone who occasionally watches the F1/Drive to Survive, but often comes across the drivers on all social media platforms a lot - I’d say I know enough to be dangerous, but am by no means an SME on F1 🤣 nonetheless - I really enjoyed the use of terminology that kept on theme with the premise of the story.
You get an FMC who is a strong, driven leader and an MMC who whole heartedly admires her strength of character, with with a point to prove… what’s not to love 🥹 I enjoyed the pace at which Violet and William’s relationship develops throughout the book - it felt authentic given the circumstances and their dynamic. They share a mutual respect for one another’s talent that added depth to their relationship I appreciated.
Overall, this was a great read for those that enjoy F1, or if you are looking for a new sport sub genre to dive into.
Thank you to the author for sharing your book with me ahead of release 🙌🏽
August 6, 2025
I received this book as an eARC from Xpresso Book Tours through NetGalley and this review is based on my own opinion.
Racing for redemption is a book about Colton Racing, once F1's glory but now just a backmarker team.
Violet Colton takes over as a team principal and CEO to save her fathers legacy.
William Foster, second in the F2 championship but determined to get an F1 seat.
The two of them make a great team, but can it stay professional?
I've read quite a couple of F1 romances but wow... this one is gonna be on the list of my favorites.
It's fast-paced, entertaining, has a unique F1 setting and the racing chapters are thrilling and so exciting, it makes you cheer for the team yourself.
You really will start to feel emotionally connected with the characters, the team and their building relationships.
This book is written for you if you like: Formula 1, thrilling and exciting racing parts, romance, slow burn, fast paced and a little bit of spice.
Racing for redemption is a book about Colton Racing, once F1's glory but now just a backmarker team.
Violet Colton takes over as a team principal and CEO to save her fathers legacy.
William Foster, second in the F2 championship but determined to get an F1 seat.
The two of them make a great team, but can it stay professional?
I've read quite a couple of F1 romances but wow... this one is gonna be on the list of my favorites.
It's fast-paced, entertaining, has a unique F1 setting and the racing chapters are thrilling and so exciting, it makes you cheer for the team yourself.
You really will start to feel emotionally connected with the characters, the team and their building relationships.
This book is written for you if you like: Formula 1, thrilling and exciting racing parts, romance, slow burn, fast paced and a little bit of spice.
July 22, 2025
I have never read a sports romance, so this book was a first for me. And let me tell you, I was BLOWN away! Vanessa's writing style, along with the characters and premise, sucked me in immediately. I still can't believe this is her first book!
Vanessa carefully crafts the Formula 1 world so that fans and newcomers alike can enjoy the action, drama, and world of racing. The lingo and technical aspects of F1 are so beautifully integrated into the story that I felt like I was watching Drive to Survive!
I'm a sucker for a forbidden love story, so this was right up my alley. The characters feel real, and their story is well-paced and doesn't overshadow the excitement of racing (which I can appreciate!). Unlike other romances I've read, this one is tasteful and can be enjoyable for everyone.
I highly recommend Racing for Redemption and look forward to the next books!
Vanessa carefully crafts the Formula 1 world so that fans and newcomers alike can enjoy the action, drama, and world of racing. The lingo and technical aspects of F1 are so beautifully integrated into the story that I felt like I was watching Drive to Survive!
I'm a sucker for a forbidden love story, so this was right up my alley. The characters feel real, and their story is well-paced and doesn't overshadow the excitement of racing (which I can appreciate!). Unlike other romances I've read, this one is tasteful and can be enjoyable for everyone.
I highly recommend Racing for Redemption and look forward to the next books!
July 30, 2025
Arc review!
I absolutely loved this book.
And what made it better for me personally was that I was reading this book while being at the Belgium Grand Prix waiting for the next thing to see.
It really captures the sport in a good way & you can feel the love the author has for the sport.
I really liked the characters and their growth through the book.
I adored the mmc, he just has that something I look for in books.
The storyline is amazing, and easy to read through.
The fact that there is a page with the terms for people who don't really know much about f1 or just want a remember page is amazing.
I can't wait for the next book in this series.
Thank you so much for everyone involved for the arc!
The author is really nice! (spoke to her on TikTok) which I just want to say. You are doing amazing!
I absolutely loved this book.
And what made it better for me personally was that I was reading this book while being at the Belgium Grand Prix waiting for the next thing to see.
It really captures the sport in a good way & you can feel the love the author has for the sport.
I really liked the characters and their growth through the book.
I adored the mmc, he just has that something I look for in books.
The storyline is amazing, and easy to read through.
The fact that there is a page with the terms for people who don't really know much about f1 or just want a remember page is amazing.
I can't wait for the next book in this series.
Thank you so much for everyone involved for the arc!
The author is really nice! (spoke to her on TikTok) which I just want to say. You are doing amazing!
August 3, 2025
This book gave me exactly what I didn’t know I needed. As a HUGE F1 fan, I really appreciated how the racing side felt real, not too simplified, not too heavy either. The energy of the races, the behind the scenes tension, even the team atmosphere, it all reminded me of what I love about this sport. William was a surprise. Total golden retriever vibes. Supportive, sweet, and quietly intense. Violet had her own fire. She was tough, focused, and trying to hold it all together, but also showed heart in quiet moments. Together, they just made sense. What I also loved was how mature their relationship felt. They had good communication and actual respect between them, even when things got messy. Honestly, I flew through this book and didn’t want it to end. So good. Thank you so much to the author for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving an honest review.
January 11, 2026
I absolutely devoured this oh my god!! I have never rooted so hard for a fiction f1 team. This is a proper underdog story, one of determination and hard work and passion. I literally almost cried when the driver came in a position that you would never normally cry over.
If you love the data, performance, mechanics and details of what goes into building an f1 car you will love this. If you love strong women, you will love this. If you love a tattooed golden retriever athlete who overcomes anger issues because he’s so dedicated to being in f1 and producing results for his boss who he is so down bad for…guess what - you’ll love this.
It captures the world of f1 so spectacularly- the good, bad and ugly. This can be read as a standalone but is going to be a trilogy and I truly cannot wait to see where the team and the relationship goes.
WOW.
If you love the data, performance, mechanics and details of what goes into building an f1 car you will love this. If you love strong women, you will love this. If you love a tattooed golden retriever athlete who overcomes anger issues because he’s so dedicated to being in f1 and producing results for his boss who he is so down bad for…guess what - you’ll love this.
It captures the world of f1 so spectacularly- the good, bad and ugly. This can be read as a standalone but is going to be a trilogy and I truly cannot wait to see where the team and the relationship goes.
WOW.
August 19, 2025
This story completely won me over. As both an F1 fan and a romance reader, I loved how seamlessly Silva combined the thrill of racing with a heartfelt slow-burn love story. Violet Colton is a fierce and determined heroine fighting to save her late father’s struggling team, and I admired her resilience in a sport that was stacked against her. William Foster, the so-called "damaged goods" driver, was such a surprise, charming, flawed, and deeply loyal all at once. Their dynamic felt real, full of banter, tension, and growth. What impressed me most was the accurate F1 detail, which made the racing scenes pulse with excitement while keeping the characters central to the story, an emotional and strong start to the trilogy.
July 21, 2025
So I got this off netgalley to do like a palette cleansing. I do a lot of the darker side but I also like to read other books. Going in I thought it would be heavily focused on just racing but it’s soooo much more. Finding love when you don’t expect it, keeping her father’s legacy and so much more. I would prefer to not give any spoilers but I’ll say this. The story was great! Being able to have racing themes going with the story and it all flow and make sense made it all the more better. That’s right people our author did some research and put real terms and what not out there. Anywho, if you’re into race car drivers and love give this a read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2025
This is what the F1 movie could’ve been.
I know this the first book in a trilogy with these characters so the romance was on the slower side. But all in all this was a good book. The knowledge and detail on F1 shows a lot of dedication which is very admirable. These are characters you want to root for. The fact that they don’t go from the very back to the very front of the grid adds, in my opinion to the realism. The fact there wasn’t really much in the way of conflict might not appeal to some but it works to show the long game the author is working to create.
I know this the first book in a trilogy with these characters so the romance was on the slower side. But all in all this was a good book. The knowledge and detail on F1 shows a lot of dedication which is very admirable. These are characters you want to root for. The fact that they don’t go from the very back to the very front of the grid adds, in my opinion to the realism. The fact there wasn’t really much in the way of conflict might not appeal to some but it works to show the long game the author is working to create.
August 14, 2025
If you like F1 and books, this is ABSOLUTELY the book for you! Unlike many of the others I’ve read in this subgenre, this book contained more racing and technical content, which I really enjoyed as an avid F1 fan myself.
The yearning from William, the personal growth from all characters, and the inspiring story of a team clawing its way back to success made this a 5 star read for me. I even teared up (more than once). Can’t wait to read the rest of the series in the future!
The yearning from William, the personal growth from all characters, and the inspiring story of a team clawing its way back to success made this a 5 star read for me. I even teared up (more than once). Can’t wait to read the rest of the series in the future!
January 3, 2026
Racing for Redemption has it all: forbidden romance, exciting races, F1 backstage, development of a team and driver, amazing characters (main and background)... I can't recommend this book enough for any romance and F1 fans.🏎😎😍
What an incredible first book from Vanessa F. Silva. She has such a promising author career. It will be hard to wait for Racing for Love.
The book can't come soon enough.🙏
What an incredible first book from Vanessa F. Silva. She has such a promising author career. It will be hard to wait for Racing for Love.
The book can't come soon enough.🙏
August 5, 2025
When I saw the troupe list and there is F1, I went for it.
I super love it and very intense and so good. Love the chemistry of the characters. Worth the read.
I super love it and very intense and so good. Love the chemistry of the characters. Worth the read.
November 26, 2025
This is a good Formula 1 Romance. The characters are well written and lovable. The story is sweet and spicy.
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