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Racing to Romance #1
Checkered Hearts: An F1 Love Story
Things heat up both on and off the track in this enemies-to-lovers romance set in the high-octane world of Formula One racing.
Rocco Vittori is desperate for a win. With nearly as many pileups on the track as in his personal life, his formerly illustrious F1 career is in a total spinout. But a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be the lead driver on the new Maverick racing team could be the answer to all his problems. He’s willing to go full throttle every second of the day to prove he deserves it more than anyone. Unfortunately, someone else on the team has her sights set on the same job, and she’s determined to drive Rocco crazy.
After leveling up from Formula Three, Nico Angelini knows she’s got just one shot to show the world she’s as qualified as any man on the circuit. Being the only female driver in the highest class of international racing puts a target on her back, and the fact that she’ll be not only racing against but forced into comradery with her one-time online nemesis raises the stakes. An ongoing rivalry with a sexy, arrogant teammate is the sort of distraction she can’t afford.
Fueled by competition and an attraction that grows stronger with every lap, Rocco and Nico are off to a bumpy start. If they can’t get a grip on their emotions, they’re both going to crash and burn this season. But finding common ground could cause a different sort of spark to ignite, and their romance might prove too hot to handle . . .
“A smart, sexy, and spirited love story that’s unafraid to embrace both grit and glamor.” —Kirkus Reviews
Rocco Vittori is desperate for a win. With nearly as many pileups on the track as in his personal life, his formerly illustrious F1 career is in a total spinout. But a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be the lead driver on the new Maverick racing team could be the answer to all his problems. He’s willing to go full throttle every second of the day to prove he deserves it more than anyone. Unfortunately, someone else on the team has her sights set on the same job, and she’s determined to drive Rocco crazy.
After leveling up from Formula Three, Nico Angelini knows she’s got just one shot to show the world she’s as qualified as any man on the circuit. Being the only female driver in the highest class of international racing puts a target on her back, and the fact that she’ll be not only racing against but forced into comradery with her one-time online nemesis raises the stakes. An ongoing rivalry with a sexy, arrogant teammate is the sort of distraction she can’t afford.
Fueled by competition and an attraction that grows stronger with every lap, Rocco and Nico are off to a bumpy start. If they can’t get a grip on their emotions, they’re both going to crash and burn this season. But finding common ground could cause a different sort of spark to ignite, and their romance might prove too hot to handle . . .
“A smart, sexy, and spirited love story that’s unafraid to embrace both grit and glamor.” —Kirkus Reviews
328 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 10, 2025
69 people are currently reading
775 people want to read
About the author
A.G. Starling
2 books40 followersA. G. Starling is a college professor who has lived in multiple cities and had a variety of jobs; from being an aerobics instructor to working in an art gallery in New York. She got her PhD in philosophy at Columbia University. She chose philosophy because her professors never expected any real answers from her and she discovered by asking the kinds of questions philosophers do she could sound erudite even when clueless. She is an intrepid traveler and lives in Monterey with Mr. Darcy, who, in this life, has four legs and a tail. She likes her martinis and her wit extra-dry. As for her heroes and heroines? She likes them to channel Mae West—when they’re good, they’re bad; and when they’re bad, they’re even better.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
June 2, 2025
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 2 stars ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
i really wanted to love this, but unfortunately i just didn't vibe with the book. the premise sounded so interesting to me, and the book had so much potential, but it just didn't live up to it.
i actually realised from early on that i wouldn't enjoy the book yet i pushed through. something that threw me off was that the book is written in third person, but that's not the reason i didn't enjoy it. i didn't like either the fmc or the mmc, and all their interactions and dialogue seemed so forced and it just didn't flow naturally. a lot of the conversations were repetitive and even childish sometimes, like i don't see how people would talk that way in real life.
although i didn't enjoy this, i think others might like the story if you're in the right demographic. a lot of the things i mentioned are my personal preferences of what i look for in a sports romance, and what didn't work for me, might work for you.
˗ˋˏ ୨୧ thank you to Valentine PR and A.G. Starling for the digital arc in exchange for an honest review! ୨୧ ˎˊ˗
pre-read:
just read an f1 romance like last week but who wouldn't want to read another?
i really wanted to love this, but unfortunately i just didn't vibe with the book. the premise sounded so interesting to me, and the book had so much potential, but it just didn't live up to it.
i actually realised from early on that i wouldn't enjoy the book yet i pushed through. something that threw me off was that the book is written in third person, but that's not the reason i didn't enjoy it. i didn't like either the fmc or the mmc, and all their interactions and dialogue seemed so forced and it just didn't flow naturally. a lot of the conversations were repetitive and even childish sometimes, like i don't see how people would talk that way in real life.
although i didn't enjoy this, i think others might like the story if you're in the right demographic. a lot of the things i mentioned are my personal preferences of what i look for in a sports romance, and what didn't work for me, might work for you.
˗ˋˏ ୨୧ thank you to Valentine PR and A.G. Starling for the digital arc in exchange for an honest review! ୨୧ ˎˊ˗
pre-read:
just read an f1 romance like last week but who wouldn't want to read another?
lost-interest
February 24, 2025An F1 book with both of them being racers? tell me more
June 20, 2025
I am LOVING all the Formula 1 racing romances this year and especially when they feature female drivers like this one!!
Checkered hearts is a spicy, enemies to lovers, F1 romance that sees two teammates falling for one another despite their best intentions.
I loved that it was dual POV, the narration by Charlotte Claremont and Anthony Palmini was excellent and it had a perfect balance of romance, action and emotional depth.
HIGHLY recommended for fans of books like Josie Juniper's Double Apex or authors like Simone Soltani. Many thanks to Valentine PR for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
I can't wait to read the next book in this new series by a new to me author!!
Checkered hearts is a spicy, enemies to lovers, F1 romance that sees two teammates falling for one another despite their best intentions.
I loved that it was dual POV, the narration by Charlotte Claremont and Anthony Palmini was excellent and it had a perfect balance of romance, action and emotional depth.
HIGHLY recommended for fans of books like Josie Juniper's Double Apex or authors like Simone Soltani. Many thanks to Valentine PR for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
I can't wait to read the next book in this new series by a new to me author!!
June 13, 2025
#Review: Checkered Hearts: An F1 Love Story - A.G. Starling - ALC [18+]
4.4/5✨
3/5🌶️
I saw this book and it's Formula 1 theme has convinced me to give it a chance. Of course, I couldn't have done it without the author's and Valentine Pr help, who accepted me for this ALC.
Racing in Formula 1 was Nico Angelini's dream, to be the only woman racing in F1, after being part of Formula Three. She has the opportunity to drive for Maverick racing team, but that's where one of her rivals might be accepted to. That would be Rocco Vittori, who had a pretty all over the place career and life in that moment and that opportunity was exactly what he needed. But their rivalry won't give them the best start with their new team and switching sides could be pretty dangerous, especially with the growing tension between them. Can they leave the animosities behind and have the right relationship as teammates? Can they ignore the chemistry and attraction they feel for one another?
The continuous bickering was so much fun to follow. It was a pretty slow romance, where Rocco and Nico where trying hard to ignore their feelings and not to fall for their respective rival. I was impressed by Nico's story, being totally surprised by it and how strong and determined she was. There were also present multiple racing parts, which gave me a boost of adrenaline, loving all the included details.
Regarding to the audio experience, it was pretty good, but I'm not a big fan of these types of audiobooks, where each actor/actresse is the only one who narrate in his chapter, transforming his/her voice to become a man/woman. It's harder to focus on the story when I'm constantly trying to differentiate the voice tone. But that's just me🤷🏼♀️.
Overall, it was a nice experience, always loving to interact with anything which includes Formula 1. Those details were pretty on point and they interlaced good with the enemies to lovers topic, which was the main focus of this story.
✨Tropes
#EnemiesToLovers
#Rivals
#WorkplaceRomane
#SecretRomance
#CloseProximity
#TragicPast
#Athlete
#SportsRomance
#Formula1
4.4/5✨
3/5🌶️
I saw this book and it's Formula 1 theme has convinced me to give it a chance. Of course, I couldn't have done it without the author's and Valentine Pr help, who accepted me for this ALC.
Racing in Formula 1 was Nico Angelini's dream, to be the only woman racing in F1, after being part of Formula Three. She has the opportunity to drive for Maverick racing team, but that's where one of her rivals might be accepted to. That would be Rocco Vittori, who had a pretty all over the place career and life in that moment and that opportunity was exactly what he needed. But their rivalry won't give them the best start with their new team and switching sides could be pretty dangerous, especially with the growing tension between them. Can they leave the animosities behind and have the right relationship as teammates? Can they ignore the chemistry and attraction they feel for one another?
The continuous bickering was so much fun to follow. It was a pretty slow romance, where Rocco and Nico where trying hard to ignore their feelings and not to fall for their respective rival. I was impressed by Nico's story, being totally surprised by it and how strong and determined she was. There were also present multiple racing parts, which gave me a boost of adrenaline, loving all the included details.
Regarding to the audio experience, it was pretty good, but I'm not a big fan of these types of audiobooks, where each actor/actresse is the only one who narrate in his chapter, transforming his/her voice to become a man/woman. It's harder to focus on the story when I'm constantly trying to differentiate the voice tone. But that's just me🤷🏼♀️.
Overall, it was a nice experience, always loving to interact with anything which includes Formula 1. Those details were pretty on point and they interlaced good with the enemies to lovers topic, which was the main focus of this story.
✨Tropes
#EnemiesToLovers
#Rivals
#WorkplaceRomane
#SecretRomance
#CloseProximity
#TragicPast
#Athlete
#SportsRomance
#Formula1
May 30, 2025
4.75 ⭐️ - I had such a great time reading this book - this is for the F1 girlies! 🏎️ Nico and Rocco are rivals who find themselves to be teammates on the newest F1 team on the grid. With complicated pasts, both individually and with each other, things heat up quickly. This is a fast-burn in terms of sexual tension, but slow-burn romance.
There was SO much good about this book - I really bought into both Nico and Rocco’s stories, and while at first I was definitely more invested in Nico than Rocco, who has a habit of putting his foot in his mouth when it comes to Nico, you quickly learn that there are layers that he won’t allow many to see and a good reason for his standoffishness, which allowed me to soften to him.
I LOVED having a female F1 driver as a part of this story. I also feel like this walks the line of giving you an idea of the intricacies of F1 while not overwhelming you with detail (or getting anything incorrect and taking you out of the story if you know and love the sport!)
Overall, I loved this book and think anyone who is interested in sports romance should put it on your TBR for when it comes out on June 10th!
Thank you to Valentine PR and A.G. Starling for the ARC!
There was SO much good about this book - I really bought into both Nico and Rocco’s stories, and while at first I was definitely more invested in Nico than Rocco, who has a habit of putting his foot in his mouth when it comes to Nico, you quickly learn that there are layers that he won’t allow many to see and a good reason for his standoffishness, which allowed me to soften to him.
I LOVED having a female F1 driver as a part of this story. I also feel like this walks the line of giving you an idea of the intricacies of F1 while not overwhelming you with detail (or getting anything incorrect and taking you out of the story if you know and love the sport!)
Overall, I loved this book and think anyone who is interested in sports romance should put it on your TBR for when it comes out on June 10th!
Thank you to Valentine PR and A.G. Starling for the ARC!
June 2, 2025
Definitely loved it!!!
*ALC version*
Rate: 5★'s!! Spice Level : 🌶🌶🌶
I enjoyed the entire book, I'll eagerly wait for book 2!! I thought it was very nice to have characters with a very different background. I loved the aspect of formula one, which I thought was very accurate to the real thing. The movie references being used throughout the book made me feel seen (I have a movie, book, and tv show obsession).
I enjoyed the enemies to lovers trope (it's my fave trope), and the formula one aspect made it extra special (huge f1 fan here 😅).
Aside from f1 and movie references, I really liked the way the characters were written, especially Nico. Nico was so bada$$, and I think her background really added to the flow of the story. (I still have so many questions 😅) Rocco was, um 🤔 dare, I say inspired by Carlos Sainz 👀 (correct me if I'm wrong), I like his character what I got mad about was how he acted towards the end 😭. I need more of them pls give me more!!!
Okay, now onto things I hated. I really disliked how short the last chapter was 😭😭 give me more 😫.
The narrators for the alc were absolutely 🤌 brilliant. Amazing job, Charlotte Claremont and Anthony Palmini 👏.
I need a physical copy like NOW!!
Thank you, Valentine PR and A.G. Starling for the gifted alc 🫶🫶
*ALC version*
Rate: 5★'s!! Spice Level : 🌶🌶🌶
I enjoyed the entire book, I'll eagerly wait for book 2!! I thought it was very nice to have characters with a very different background. I loved the aspect of formula one, which I thought was very accurate to the real thing. The movie references being used throughout the book made me feel seen (I have a movie, book, and tv show obsession).
I enjoyed the enemies to lovers trope (it's my fave trope), and the formula one aspect made it extra special (huge f1 fan here 😅).
Aside from f1 and movie references, I really liked the way the characters were written, especially Nico. Nico was so bada$$, and I think her background really added to the flow of the story. (I still have so many questions 😅) Rocco was, um 🤔 dare, I say inspired by Carlos Sainz 👀 (correct me if I'm wrong), I like his character what I got mad about was how he acted towards the end 😭. I need more of them pls give me more!!!
Okay, now onto things I hated. I really disliked how short the last chapter was 😭😭 give me more 😫.
The narrators for the alc were absolutely 🤌 brilliant. Amazing job, Charlotte Claremont and Anthony Palmini 👏.
I need a physical copy like NOW!!
Thank you, Valentine PR and A.G. Starling for the gifted alc 🫶🫶
June 6, 2025
The one thing that really annoyed me in this book is the FMC and MMC names are super identical so when listening to the ACL it was kinda hard to keep them separate and know who is who since both names can be used for either gender. Otherwise, the story was 10/10! I’m a big F1 fan and love any F1 romance!
June 5, 2025
4.5 rounded up
This was my first F1 romance and I'm definitely now a fan!
Rocco Vittori, a former champion, got sidetracked, but now he's being picked up by a new team and has a shot at the title again. Nico Angelini's moving up from F3 to F1, making her the only female racer—but guess what? Her nemesis, Rocco, is her teammate! She's needs to prove herself, but can she handle her feelings for him? Things are going to get intense between them, both on and off the track.
Told from the third-person perspective of Rocco and Nico, this was an incredibly entertaining book! It was engaging, and the drama between the two really kept my attention. They both had complicated pasts, making things more interesting. The slow burn romance was spicy and it did become sweet. I absolutely loved that Nico was a female F1 driver. I loved all the engine references! And, of course, let's not forget the racing! I loved how the author used conversations between the driver and the race engineer. I thought the descriptions of the races were excellent, too! This was such a fun read; however, I may have gotten a little emotional at the end, lol 😂 I enjoyed this book SO much! And if you love enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, and F1, this is a definite must read! I HIGHLY recommend it🩷
This was my first F1 romance and I'm definitely now a fan!
Rocco Vittori, a former champion, got sidetracked, but now he's being picked up by a new team and has a shot at the title again. Nico Angelini's moving up from F3 to F1, making her the only female racer—but guess what? Her nemesis, Rocco, is her teammate! She's needs to prove herself, but can she handle her feelings for him? Things are going to get intense between them, both on and off the track.
Told from the third-person perspective of Rocco and Nico, this was an incredibly entertaining book! It was engaging, and the drama between the two really kept my attention. They both had complicated pasts, making things more interesting. The slow burn romance was spicy and it did become sweet. I absolutely loved that Nico was a female F1 driver. I loved all the engine references! And, of course, let's not forget the racing! I loved how the author used conversations between the driver and the race engineer. I thought the descriptions of the races were excellent, too! This was such a fun read; however, I may have gotten a little emotional at the end, lol 😂 I enjoyed this book SO much! And if you love enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, and F1, this is a definite must read! I HIGHLY recommend it🩷
June 9, 2025
˗ˏˋ 2 stars ⟡ ݁₊ .
i feel like the concept was really good and i loved that both the fmc and mmc are racers cuz i rarely get to see books like this. however, the execution was a bit lacking that made me unable to fall in love with the book.
honestly, neither of the main characters were likable to me. the mmc, rocco, was so misogynistic for most of the book, it was REALLY HARD to like him. there were multiple occasions where i wanted to punch him in the face for what he said.
and the fmc, nico, was basically lying the entire time and never told rocco the truth. despite that, i liked that she was portrayed as a strong fmc and i liked that she stood up for herself against rocco's sexist comments.
one thing that was annoying so much throughout the book was how similar both of the mcs names. i kept on mixing the both of them up in the first 15% of the book.
anyways, i think i liked the side characters, dario and celeste, more. i wouldn't mind reading their book if they had one. i also really liked charles, finger crossing and hoping we get a book about him too.
⤷ thank you to the author and valentine pr for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶˗ˋ୨♡୧ˊ˗︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶
₊˚⊹♡ pre-read ♡⊹˚₊ ↴
07/06/2025 — also, just wanna say the cover is really pretty and i'm super excited to read this cuz i just realised both mcs are f1 racers!!
28/05/2025 — guess what!? i just got the ARC and it's another f1 romance
i feel like the concept was really good and i loved that both the fmc and mmc are racers cuz i rarely get to see books like this. however, the execution was a bit lacking that made me unable to fall in love with the book.
honestly, neither of the main characters were likable to me. the mmc, rocco, was so misogynistic for most of the book, it was REALLY HARD to like him. there were multiple occasions where i wanted to punch him in the face for what he said.
and the fmc, nico, was basically lying the entire time and never told rocco the truth. despite that, i liked that she was portrayed as a strong fmc and i liked that she stood up for herself against rocco's sexist comments.
one thing that was annoying so much throughout the book was how similar both of the mcs names. i kept on mixing the both of them up in the first 15% of the book.
anyways, i think i liked the side characters, dario and celeste, more. i wouldn't mind reading their book if they had one. i also really liked charles, finger crossing and hoping we get a book about him too.
⤷ thank you to the author and valentine pr for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶˗ˋ୨♡୧ˊ˗︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶
₊˚⊹♡ pre-read ♡⊹˚₊ ↴
07/06/2025 — also, just wanna say the cover is really pretty and i'm super excited to read this cuz i just realised both mcs are f1 racers!!
28/05/2025 — guess what!? i just got the ARC and it's another f1 romance
June 27, 2025
Checkered Hearts by A.G. Starling
Narrated by Charlotte Claremont and Anthony Palmini
Standalone (for now) F1 Romance.
3.5 Stars
Thank you to the author for providing me with an early copy for honest review. This post contains affiliate links.
I read a lot of Formula 1 romance books. As a huge F1 fan, I love combining two of my favorite things: racing and romance. (If you didn’t know, I keep a list of every F1 romance book I’ve found on my blog.) So when A.G. Starling approached me to read or listen to Checkered Hearts , I jumped at the chance.
I’ll start with my biggest issue, which might only apply if you’re listening to the audiobook. Nico (the female main character) and Rocco (the male lead) have very similar-sounding names. Because they’re both gender-neutral or masculine, and the story is told in third person, I kept mixing up who was speaking. I rarely check reviews before writing mine, but I looked this time just to see if it was only me. It wasn’t. Others had the same problem.
Nico and Rocco are rivals. They’ve never met in person but have built a fierce social media feud. Both jumped straight from F3 to F1 and carry some insecurity about how they got there.
What Rocco doesn’t know is that he has met Nico before. She grew up as a con artist, and their first in-person meeting was actually a sexy con—complete with a blonde wig—that left a lasting impression on him.
The next day, they discover they’re teammates, but he doesn’t realize she’s the woman who conned him.
There’s definite chemistry between them, but their rivalry simmers under the surface, creating good banter and tension in this slow-burn sports romance.
Likes:
•The F1 racing. I didn’t notice any glaring errors, but there wasn’t a ton of on-track action.
•I loved Nico’s best friend.
•It kept me interested and entertained throughout.
•I absolutely adored Rocco’s nieces, and the narrators brought them to life so well.
Dislikes:
•Third person combined with similar names made it confusing at times.
•Nico never really seemed like an F1 driver. Her thoughts rarely focused on racing or training.
•Neither character felt obsessed with the sport in the way elite drivers typically are.
•In real life, a female F1 driver would be a huge global figure. Her secretive, con-artist background would never fly under the radar.
The Narration:
Both narrators were fairly new to me, and overall, they did a great job. But in several early chapters, the male narrator had long, awkward pauses between sentences. I had an ALC, so maybe this was fixed in the final version, but it almost made me DNF. I pushed through, and thankfully, the pacing smoothed out later in the book.
The Down & Dirty:
Checkered Hearts by A.G. Starling is a solid addition to the F1 romance genre, though it wasn’t one of my top favorites. It seems to be a debut or close to it, as I only found a book from about 12 years ago from this author. I see a lot of potential in A.G. Starling’s writing, and would absolutely give the next book in the series a try.
Readers who enjoy sports romance without being immersed in the world of Formula 1 will probably get more enjoyment out of Checkered Hearts than I did, since they won’t be as focused on the details that don’t quite align with real-life racing.
Still, I’m glad I read it, and I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next.
Rating: 3.5 Stars, 3 Heat, 4 Narration
Purchase Checkered Hearts by A.G. Starling
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June 12, 2025
F1 Rivals to Lovers Romance
TW: parent de*th, ab*se, SA(not stated but it was absolutely there!), s*x for favors, DV, staIking, TOXIC past relationships on both sides
Nico is the only female drive in F1. The road to get there hasn’t been easy and then she realizes that her online rival will be her partner.
Rocco made the jump from F3 to F1 years ago and thinks he didn’t make the jump for his racing abilities so when he sees a tweet from Nico stating that female drivers get passed up for less talented males. He assumes she’s talking about him. So he starts an online feud with Nico over skill and comes out looking like a butt.
Both are less than enthused about working together.
When we meet Nico she’s a bada$$ who is going into F1 and will do anything to look serious. She can’t allow this feud with Rocco to continue and Rocco also needs this season to be better than his last few.
This book was funny and cute. It went over some heavy topics and I only wish it delved a little deeper into the scar issue. I felt that was very important to be said out loud and in the end it’s a little brushed over sadly. Maybe a good bonus chapter or something.
This book does contain a 3rd act break up and while I normally do not like them I did see this coming and wasn’t surprised by how it went down at all. (Little angry about words that were used during this fight)- would’ve loved some more grovel tbh.
Also the book has many homages to Princess Bride and I loved that.
The audiobook was 🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼
Both the narrators did an excellent job and I loved how they sounded together! The book is a dual narrated story but both did a good job reading the male/female lines! I am so glad I got to listen to this in addition to following along in the ebook!
The accents were fun too!
Tropes: enemies to lovers, workplace rivalry, workplace romance, forced proximity, they get locked in a room together, touch her and d!e
Sp!ce: 🌶️
Steäm: 🔥🔥.5
Sweetness: 💗💗💗💗(the fourth heart is for Rocco’s family only- because Rocco lost one with his actions)
Side characters I want more of: 👧🏻👧🏻(Sophia and Beatrice)
TW: parent de*th, ab*se, SA(not stated but it was absolutely there!), s*x for favors, DV, staIking, TOXIC past relationships on both sides
Nico is the only female drive in F1. The road to get there hasn’t been easy and then she realizes that her online rival will be her partner.
Rocco made the jump from F3 to F1 years ago and thinks he didn’t make the jump for his racing abilities so when he sees a tweet from Nico stating that female drivers get passed up for less talented males. He assumes she’s talking about him. So he starts an online feud with Nico over skill and comes out looking like a butt.
Both are less than enthused about working together.
When we meet Nico she’s a bada$$ who is going into F1 and will do anything to look serious. She can’t allow this feud with Rocco to continue and Rocco also needs this season to be better than his last few.
This book was funny and cute. It went over some heavy topics and I only wish it delved a little deeper into the scar issue. I felt that was very important to be said out loud and in the end it’s a little brushed over sadly. Maybe a good bonus chapter or something.
This book does contain a 3rd act break up and while I normally do not like them I did see this coming and wasn’t surprised by how it went down at all. (Little angry about words that were used during this fight)- would’ve loved some more grovel tbh.
Also the book has many homages to Princess Bride and I loved that.
The audiobook was 🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼
Both the narrators did an excellent job and I loved how they sounded together! The book is a dual narrated story but both did a good job reading the male/female lines! I am so glad I got to listen to this in addition to following along in the ebook!
The accents were fun too!
Tropes: enemies to lovers, workplace rivalry, workplace romance, forced proximity, they get locked in a room together, touch her and d!e
Sp!ce: 🌶️
Steäm: 🔥🔥.5
Sweetness: 💗💗💗💗(the fourth heart is for Rocco’s family only- because Rocco lost one with his actions)
Side characters I want more of: 👧🏻👧🏻(Sophia and Beatrice)
June 6, 2025
OMFG! 😨 What is this.... My first-ever F1 read... it was so good. I mean I love watching car racing. But reading a book on racing.... I'm done, guys... this was so good....🥹❤️🔥
Both Nico Angelini and Rocco Vittori were so good.. I mean, they were enemies and then lovers... that's my favourite trope (enemies-to-lovers).😁🤌 They were social media enemies. They didn't know how they looked until they met on the day of signing. After that, they fight many times, but the chemistry, the way they were flirting or teasing each other.... and not only this, the way they were feeling and falling for others.... both have their past regret. But with time, they are opening their heart to each other and understanding each other. But the night they play the never-have-i-ever game, they both reveal so many things about themselves. And then Rocco takes Nico to his home after knowing she will be alone at home during the breaks. There, he knew about her past, Mickey, and that led them to break up. But with enough courage, Nicoo faced and told the truth to his family. And then, when racing, Nicos' car crashed, he was shocked and not able to race. And then, suddenly hearing Nico's voice, he started again and won. The way he feels when he heard her voice..... omfg, they love each other so much....🫶⚡
.
.
.
.
.
Of course, nieces (Sofia and Beatrice) are the best.🫶🍀
.
.
plot:-🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Rocco:-💚💚💚💚💚♾️
Nico:-🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷♾️
spice:-🌶️🌶️
Overall:-🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Both Nico Angelini and Rocco Vittori were so good.. I mean, they were enemies and then lovers... that's my favourite trope (enemies-to-lovers).😁🤌 They were social media enemies. They didn't know how they looked until they met on the day of signing. After that, they fight many times, but the chemistry, the way they were flirting or teasing each other.... and not only this, the way they were feeling and falling for others.... both have their past regret. But with time, they are opening their heart to each other and understanding each other. But the night they play the never-have-i-ever game, they both reveal so many things about themselves. And then Rocco takes Nico to his home after knowing she will be alone at home during the breaks. There, he knew about her past, Mickey, and that led them to break up. But with enough courage, Nicoo faced and told the truth to his family. And then, when racing, Nicos' car crashed, he was shocked and not able to race. And then, suddenly hearing Nico's voice, he started again and won. The way he feels when he heard her voice..... omfg, they love each other so much....🫶⚡
.
.
.
.
.
Of course, nieces (Sofia and Beatrice) are the best.🫶🍀
.
.
plot:-🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Rocco:-💚💚💚💚💚♾️
Nico:-🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷♾️
spice:-🌶️🌶️
Overall:-🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
June 11, 2025
Checkered Hearts ARC Review
i was very fortunate to receive an ARC of Checkered Hearts by A.G. Starling from ValentinePr, thank you so much!! ❤️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️/5
“kiss me like it’s the last time your lips will touch mine. kiss me like you want to burn that kiss in my memory, so that even if i wanted to forget, i couldn’t. no matter how hard i tried.”
each time i read an f1 book, i fall more in love with the sport! and it was definitely plus having a female driver be part of the story! i absolutely devoured this book form beginning to end! once i started, i couldn’t put the book down. from the first line of the book, i was hooked and never wanted it to end. and i fell in love with both nico and rocco! they’re truly the definition of enemies to lovers, i just couldn’t get enough of them!
nico and rocco, oh how i loved them! everything about them and their relationship was perfection! however, nico absolutely stole my heart form the very beginning. she was such a strong fmc and i wanted to just give her the biggest big ever. as for rocco, i definitely did not like him at first, but as the store progressed, we got to see him slowly let his walls down and it so worth it!
i thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and am so excited to see what the author does next!! once again thank you so much to valentinepr and a.g. starling for providing me with this arc ❤️
i was very fortunate to receive an ARC of Checkered Hearts by A.G. Starling from ValentinePr, thank you so much!! ❤️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️/5
“kiss me like it’s the last time your lips will touch mine. kiss me like you want to burn that kiss in my memory, so that even if i wanted to forget, i couldn’t. no matter how hard i tried.”
each time i read an f1 book, i fall more in love with the sport! and it was definitely plus having a female driver be part of the story! i absolutely devoured this book form beginning to end! once i started, i couldn’t put the book down. from the first line of the book, i was hooked and never wanted it to end. and i fell in love with both nico and rocco! they’re truly the definition of enemies to lovers, i just couldn’t get enough of them!
nico and rocco, oh how i loved them! everything about them and their relationship was perfection! however, nico absolutely stole my heart form the very beginning. she was such a strong fmc and i wanted to just give her the biggest big ever. as for rocco, i definitely did not like him at first, but as the store progressed, we got to see him slowly let his walls down and it so worth it!
i thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and am so excited to see what the author does next!! once again thank you so much to valentinepr and a.g. starling for providing me with this arc ❤️
June 2, 2025
As my first dip into F1 romance, I’m glad I started it here! Rocco Vittori has had a career that’s made a splash in a big way. However, he currently is hurting for a win. And of course his new racing partner is none other than Nico Angelini. They’ve butted heads for years now over social media and now - meeting in the flesh - the disdain is mutual. This is Nico’s first time in the F1 circuit and she feels she has a LOT to prove as the only current female F1 driver. Being that they cannot even be in the same room together without fighting, how will they manage to support each other going high-speed?
A.G., you’ve written some veryyyy messy characters! Rocco and Nico are a complicated pairing and downright hateful to each other at first. They really start out rivals and it makes for some wild moments as they navigate working together. The messiness of both characters was fleshed out throughout the novel and what is learned about each characters background and cultural experience really added to the plot and overall character development.
I highly recommend this on audio, as the narrators have incredible Italian accents and provide realness to both main characters!
Thank you Valentine PR and A. G. Starling for providing a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
A.G., you’ve written some veryyyy messy characters! Rocco and Nico are a complicated pairing and downright hateful to each other at first. They really start out rivals and it makes for some wild moments as they navigate working together. The messiness of both characters was fleshed out throughout the novel and what is learned about each characters background and cultural experience really added to the plot and overall character development.
I highly recommend this on audio, as the narrators have incredible Italian accents and provide realness to both main characters!
Thank you Valentine PR and A. G. Starling for providing a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
June 1, 2025
✨ARC REVIEW✨
2.5✨
I wanted to love this, I really did. I think the concept, plot, characters, romance, and drama had SUCH POTENTIAL but I just didn't completely vibe with this book. We started off strong but it lost me around 20% in.
At first I thought maybe it was the fact that it was written in third person that threw me. But I really don't think that was totally it. I wasn't the biggest fan of the banter and overall dialogue between any of the characters; it felt a tad stiff and too scripted. Conversation didn't flow very naturally and I think it made the romance feel more forced. I feel like no one finished their thoughts, the conversation just moved on. I think some of the jokes went over my head and I just couldn't relate. There was just too many side storylines and personalities going on.
I think Nico and Rocco both together and separately had such potential to be great characters. I very much enjoyed their personalities and storylines. I DO HOWEVER, feel that Nico's con-artist storyline did not fit this story at all. Which lead to the 3rd act fight feeling a tad underwhelming. FOR ME. I also think Nico's name threw me off because I kept getting them confused for majority of the book 🙈
I do feel like this book will really do well for the right demographic. If you are a true F1 lover, you might definitely love this. This book is definitely more personal preference and it didn't quite have what I look for in a sports romance. And that's fine. I won't knock this book for the lack of originality and uniqueness. Unfortunately, I felt I had to skim a lot and for that reason, I can't say I loved it.
What might not work for me, might work for you. So if F1 is your thing and you love an enemies to lovers, then maybe pick this up.
Thank you to Valentine PR for the e-arc copy!
2.5✨
I wanted to love this, I really did. I think the concept, plot, characters, romance, and drama had SUCH POTENTIAL but I just didn't completely vibe with this book. We started off strong but it lost me around 20% in.
At first I thought maybe it was the fact that it was written in third person that threw me. But I really don't think that was totally it. I wasn't the biggest fan of the banter and overall dialogue between any of the characters; it felt a tad stiff and too scripted. Conversation didn't flow very naturally and I think it made the romance feel more forced. I feel like no one finished their thoughts, the conversation just moved on. I think some of the jokes went over my head and I just couldn't relate. There was just too many side storylines and personalities going on.
I think Nico and Rocco both together and separately had such potential to be great characters. I very much enjoyed their personalities and storylines. I DO HOWEVER, feel that Nico's con-artist storyline did not fit this story at all. Which lead to the 3rd act fight feeling a tad underwhelming. FOR ME. I also think Nico's name threw me off because I kept getting them confused for majority of the book 🙈
I do feel like this book will really do well for the right demographic. If you are a true F1 lover, you might definitely love this. This book is definitely more personal preference and it didn't quite have what I look for in a sports romance. And that's fine. I won't knock this book for the lack of originality and uniqueness. Unfortunately, I felt I had to skim a lot and for that reason, I can't say I loved it.
What might not work for me, might work for you. So if F1 is your thing and you love an enemies to lovers, then maybe pick this up.
Thank you to Valentine PR for the e-arc copy!
June 2, 2025
Checkered Hearts: An F1 Love Story
Racing to Romance, Book 1
By: A. G. Starling
Narrated by: Charlotte Claremont, Anthony Palmini
Rivals without having met, Nico and Rocco live for the insults of each other on social media. Never did they think they would be on the same Formula F1 team, but fate has something else in store for them. Rocco has something to prove. He needs to prove his worth, and there is no way he is going to let this woman come and mess up his chances. Nico is thrilled at the chance and knows she is ready to shine! She won't let Rocco get the best of her. But will their egos or attraction to each other get in the way? AG Starling pens a romance that goes through all the highs and lows, the secrets and deceit and the way to finding true love. I really enjoyed this first book in the series and look forward to more.
Charlotte Claremont and Anthony Palmini cross the finish line with their fabulous narration. Claremont gives Nico all the attitude, all the vulnerability and all the passion. Palmini gives Rocco the tense, aggravated feel, with emotions pouring out of him. I loved these two, bringing the story alive.
Racing to Romance, Book 1
By: A. G. Starling
Narrated by: Charlotte Claremont, Anthony Palmini
Rivals without having met, Nico and Rocco live for the insults of each other on social media. Never did they think they would be on the same Formula F1 team, but fate has something else in store for them. Rocco has something to prove. He needs to prove his worth, and there is no way he is going to let this woman come and mess up his chances. Nico is thrilled at the chance and knows she is ready to shine! She won't let Rocco get the best of her. But will their egos or attraction to each other get in the way? AG Starling pens a romance that goes through all the highs and lows, the secrets and deceit and the way to finding true love. I really enjoyed this first book in the series and look forward to more.
Charlotte Claremont and Anthony Palmini cross the finish line with their fabulous narration. Claremont gives Nico all the attitude, all the vulnerability and all the passion. Palmini gives Rocco the tense, aggravated feel, with emotions pouring out of him. I loved these two, bringing the story alive.
June 10, 2025
Checkered Hearts — ★★★★☆
ALC Review ❤️🏁🏎️
As soon as I found out Anthony Palmini was the male narrator, I was sold! I love his work—he always brings stories to life, and this one was no exception. Both narrators absolutely killed it!
Now, onto the story: I was hooked by the fact that both main characters are F1 racers. Nicco was such a badass, and honestly, Rocco had me swooning too! Since this is also an enemies/lovers - workplace romance, I appreciated that it didn’t rely on petty tit for tats between them. When the characters finally crossed the line 😏 I devoured it. And the found family element was perfect!
If I’d been reading instead of listening, I might have gotten confused by the similar names—Nicco and Rocco—but the audio helped keep things clear. Overall, I really enjoyed the story.
Huge thanks to VPR and AG Starling for the ALC! I’m already excited for the next book in the series and can’t wait to see how it all plays out.
ALC Review ❤️🏁🏎️
As soon as I found out Anthony Palmini was the male narrator, I was sold! I love his work—he always brings stories to life, and this one was no exception. Both narrators absolutely killed it!
Now, onto the story: I was hooked by the fact that both main characters are F1 racers. Nicco was such a badass, and honestly, Rocco had me swooning too! Since this is also an enemies/lovers - workplace romance, I appreciated that it didn’t rely on petty tit for tats between them. When the characters finally crossed the line 😏 I devoured it. And the found family element was perfect!
If I’d been reading instead of listening, I might have gotten confused by the similar names—Nicco and Rocco—but the audio helped keep things clear. Overall, I really enjoyed the story.
Huge thanks to VPR and AG Starling for the ALC! I’m already excited for the next book in the series and can’t wait to see how it all plays out.
June 10, 2025
This is the first in a new series, and this is Rocco and Nico’s story.
Rocco is desperate for a win, and he receives a once in a lifetime opportunity to become lead driver for the new Maverick team, but his rival is Nico, who is levelling up from F3, and desperate to prove herself in a male dominated sport, and she has her sights firmly set on the same position. The sparks fly between these two, but can they sort themselves out before they both crash and burn?
This is a well written easy to read story, with family, friendships, emotions, drama, angst, enemies / lovers, workplace romance, comradery, tension, rivalry, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, captivating page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this author whose work I recommend.
Rocco is desperate for a win, and he receives a once in a lifetime opportunity to become lead driver for the new Maverick team, but his rival is Nico, who is levelling up from F3, and desperate to prove herself in a male dominated sport, and she has her sights firmly set on the same position. The sparks fly between these two, but can they sort themselves out before they both crash and burn?
This is a well written easy to read story, with family, friendships, emotions, drama, angst, enemies / lovers, workplace romance, comradery, tension, rivalry, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, captivating page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this author whose work I recommend.
July 11, 2025
Horrible. Icky. Offensive to my favorite sport and the world of F1 and so very inaccurate. The way they talk about each other? Gross. The characters? Awful. I hated them. The writing? Not good. Pretty horrid actually. I wanted to throw up from the dialogue or talks about boners (WTF he doesn’t need to refer to them in car terminology) at least once a page on a phone ebook. I can’t even write them all down in a list there are so many. “I bet even his asshole is beautiful and the South Pole really didn’t want to(yes this is after she said to stop, he constantly assumes shit)” caused memorable facial reactions. The consent in this book is atrocious. I just love when a book tries to point out sexism and shit and yet relies on sexism to function and uses so many actually sexist micro aggressions to try and make the story sexy or funny. It’s cringe moment after moment and I’m a masochist who cannot DNF a book (my friend has suggested a lobotomy as a solution to my DNF problem. I would rather the lobotomy than to have read this book)
June 24, 2025
This was a harder read for me. I just didn't click with the characters, because they just didn't feel likable. I especially didn't like Rocco, he feels very sexist in his core.
In the beginning, I had a lot of trouble figuring out who was talking, because they had such similar names and I associate the name Nico with a male figure, and not a female. So I wasn't realizing she was the FMC.
Thank you A.G. Starling and Valentine PR for the e-ARC. All thoughts are my own.
In the beginning, I had a lot of trouble figuring out who was talking, because they had such similar names and I associate the name Nico with a male figure, and not a female. So I wasn't realizing she was the FMC.
Thank you A.G. Starling and Valentine PR for the e-ARC. All thoughts are my own.
June 18, 2025
*I listened to the audiobook*
Enemies to lovers, and they are teammates. They do feel the chemistry between each other. This is a slow burn. And check your trigger warnings.
Narrated by Anthony Palmini and Charlotte Claremont
Enemies to lovers, and they are teammates. They do feel the chemistry between each other. This is a slow burn. And check your trigger warnings.
Narrated by Anthony Palmini and Charlotte Claremont
May 30, 2025
It was a cute f1 enemies to lovers romance. Absolutely loved all sorts of movie references throughout the book. Definitely made me giggle a few times throughout it.
September 16, 2025
could barely even jack off 2 this shiz
June 2, 2025
Omg F1 GIRLIES THIS IS for us !!!!! This was sooo good !!!
Enemies to Lovers on the Grid ! 🏁🏎️
Enemies to teammates! & girlies on the F1 grid ! Hell yea to representation !!
This was spectacularly done ! Thoroughly enjoyed this book !!!!
Enemies to Lovers on the Grid ! 🏁🏎️
Enemies to teammates! & girlies on the F1 grid ! Hell yea to representation !!
This was spectacularly done ! Thoroughly enjoyed this book !!!!
June 10, 2025
Nico is a great driver making a name for herself in racing. She’s finally getting to achieve her biggest dream, making it to F1. While looking forward to her future, the shadows of her past are creeping in.
Rocco’s the three time champion looking to win another championship. He’s ready to take the season on with a fresh new team, no distractions. Just needs to meet his new teammate.
Thing is. Nico and Rocco hate each other and have had a longtime feud going online. Can they put everything aside for the season and be a team?
Checkered Hearts is a slow burning enemies to lovers that delivers with sassy humor, great characters, and plenty of drama. Nico is so bad ass and it doesn’t take long for Rocco to realize it with a little help from his hilarious little nieces, who are also very team Nico.
Thank you A. G. Starling & Valentine PR for the ARC
Rocco’s the three time champion looking to win another championship. He’s ready to take the season on with a fresh new team, no distractions. Just needs to meet his new teammate.
Thing is. Nico and Rocco hate each other and have had a longtime feud going online. Can they put everything aside for the season and be a team?
Checkered Hearts is a slow burning enemies to lovers that delivers with sassy humor, great characters, and plenty of drama. Nico is so bad ass and it doesn’t take long for Rocco to realize it with a little help from his hilarious little nieces, who are also very team Nico.
Thank you A. G. Starling & Valentine PR for the ARC
June 26, 2025
*ALC*
The enemies to lovers was STRONG in this book. Nico and Rocco absolutely hated each other, so much so that it was making their careers messy. I wish Rocco’s personality was a little more mature. If he took a moment to think before he acted/posted, I think I would have connected with him more. I also wished he would have had better communication.
I loved Nico’s strength. She had overcome so much to get where she is. In her career alone, she encountered a lot of misogyny and worked twice as hard to prove herself. She blazed a path for female F1 racers. It was refreshing to read about a female F1 racer. It’s rare that I see them represented in books.
Thank you AG Starling and Valentine PR for the audiobook and the chance to review!
The enemies to lovers was STRONG in this book. Nico and Rocco absolutely hated each other, so much so that it was making their careers messy. I wish Rocco’s personality was a little more mature. If he took a moment to think before he acted/posted, I think I would have connected with him more. I also wished he would have had better communication.
I loved Nico’s strength. She had overcome so much to get where she is. In her career alone, she encountered a lot of misogyny and worked twice as hard to prove herself. She blazed a path for female F1 racers. It was refreshing to read about a female F1 racer. It’s rare that I see them represented in books.
Thank you AG Starling and Valentine PR for the audiobook and the chance to review!
June 18, 2025
Book: Checkered Hearts Racing to Romance Book #1 ⭐⭐⭐.5 /5 STARS
Narrator’s: Charlotte Claremont & Anthony Palmini (DUAL)
A book being written in 3rd person is sometimes is a hard ‘NO’ for me. But I did not know that beforehand, soooooo I decided to give a chance. And I am glad that I did! NOW… I did listen to the audio version so that played a lot into the fact that it did not “feel” like it was in 3rd person. *If that makes any sense? 😅😂*
The narrators did a superb job on the reading. They portrayed the different characters very well and did great impersonations of the accents for each person.
The F1 trope was something new that I have a feeling I will be deep diving into… 🫣👀 Rocco and Nico both being F1 drivers was an interesting aspect. I love when women thrive in make dominated spaces, it just really does something to me! 🥰
I didn’t really like her name being Nico.. I know weird, but whatever… overall give it a chance you might like it! 🩷
Narrator’s: Charlotte Claremont & Anthony Palmini (DUAL)
A book being written in 3rd person is sometimes is a hard ‘NO’ for me. But I did not know that beforehand, soooooo I decided to give a chance. And I am glad that I did! NOW… I did listen to the audio version so that played a lot into the fact that it did not “feel” like it was in 3rd person. *If that makes any sense? 😅😂*
The narrators did a superb job on the reading. They portrayed the different characters very well and did great impersonations of the accents for each person.
The F1 trope was something new that I have a feeling I will be deep diving into… 🫣👀 Rocco and Nico both being F1 drivers was an interesting aspect. I love when women thrive in make dominated spaces, it just really does something to me! 🥰
I didn’t really like her name being Nico.. I know weird, but whatever… overall give it a chance you might like it! 🩷
June 3, 2025
Terrific Story & Narration🎧 Gripping & Emotional!
Checkered Hearts: An F1 Love Story
Racing to Romance, Book 1
By: A. G. Starling
Narrated by: Charlotte Claremont, Anthony Palmini
A.G. Starling brings you into the Formula One world and takes you for a wild ride in this enemies-to-lover sports romance. The story grabs your attention immediately and holds it captive the entire time. Rocco Vittori moved up to F1 fairly quickly, but his luck hadn’t been the best, which he plans on turning around as the lead driver on the new Maverick racing team, despite not know who else will be on the team. Nico Angelini has her work cut out for her competing in the racing world, a man’s world, and the competition is fiercer at the F1 level, and her leveling up to that means she has to work even harder to prove herself. She was not expecting Rocco to be the lead driver, her rival and it is not just the online rivalry they have going on, but unbeknownst to him, they ran into each other before, when she was incognito. Wow, there is a lot of angst going on between these two and an undeniable chemistry and energy, which does not fare well on the track, so they need to call a truce. They find some common ground, even getting a little help from his adorable nieces. It was great learning more about these two and watching their relationship shift and then turn into something so much more. Both come from completely different worlds, but she easily fits into his, that is until her past comes back to haunt her. This well plotted multilayered story has a perfect balance of drama, angst, witty storytelling and dialogue, heartfelt emotions and a slow on the burn, but so worth the wait, romance. A.G. Starling, thanks for the terrific story and emotional rollercoaster ride.
🎧📚🎧 Charlotte Claremont and Anthony Palmini did a fabulous job bringing the characters to life and did so with a complete understanding of who they were portraying, giving each a voice that was fitting. I loved how they took each role and owned it, sounding believable and just as I imagined the characters to sound. Claremont’s Nico was perfection, grasping every aspect of her personality, from her fierceness to her vulnerabilities and was a natural with handling the witty dialogue. Palmini was just as amazing as Rocco and did the same with showcasing his personalty and demeanor perfectly. Both were fantastic voicing the side/secondary characters too. They set the right tone for the story, captured all the characters’ emotions and had you feeling them all. These two made a great team, with voices and talent that complemented each other and a captivating performance that keeps you riveted to the story. They are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to.
Checkered Hearts: An F1 Love Story
Racing to Romance, Book 1
By: A. G. Starling
Narrated by: Charlotte Claremont, Anthony Palmini
A.G. Starling brings you into the Formula One world and takes you for a wild ride in this enemies-to-lover sports romance. The story grabs your attention immediately and holds it captive the entire time. Rocco Vittori moved up to F1 fairly quickly, but his luck hadn’t been the best, which he plans on turning around as the lead driver on the new Maverick racing team, despite not know who else will be on the team. Nico Angelini has her work cut out for her competing in the racing world, a man’s world, and the competition is fiercer at the F1 level, and her leveling up to that means she has to work even harder to prove herself. She was not expecting Rocco to be the lead driver, her rival and it is not just the online rivalry they have going on, but unbeknownst to him, they ran into each other before, when she was incognito. Wow, there is a lot of angst going on between these two and an undeniable chemistry and energy, which does not fare well on the track, so they need to call a truce. They find some common ground, even getting a little help from his adorable nieces. It was great learning more about these two and watching their relationship shift and then turn into something so much more. Both come from completely different worlds, but she easily fits into his, that is until her past comes back to haunt her. This well plotted multilayered story has a perfect balance of drama, angst, witty storytelling and dialogue, heartfelt emotions and a slow on the burn, but so worth the wait, romance. A.G. Starling, thanks for the terrific story and emotional rollercoaster ride.
🎧📚🎧 Charlotte Claremont and Anthony Palmini did a fabulous job bringing the characters to life and did so with a complete understanding of who they were portraying, giving each a voice that was fitting. I loved how they took each role and owned it, sounding believable and just as I imagined the characters to sound. Claremont’s Nico was perfection, grasping every aspect of her personality, from her fierceness to her vulnerabilities and was a natural with handling the witty dialogue. Palmini was just as amazing as Rocco and did the same with showcasing his personalty and demeanor perfectly. Both were fantastic voicing the side/secondary characters too. They set the right tone for the story, captured all the characters’ emotions and had you feeling them all. These two made a great team, with voices and talent that complemented each other and a captivating performance that keeps you riveted to the story. They are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to.
June 9, 2025
I just finished listening to "Checkered Hearts" by A. G. Starling, and if you're a fan of high-octane romance with plenty of spark, buckle up, because this one's a winner! Set in the thrilling world of Formula One racing, this enemies-to-lovers story truly revs up the excitement both on and off the track.
The plot centers around Rocco Vittori, a once-illustrious F1 driver whose career is in a bit of a spinout. He's desperate for a win, and the opportunity to be the lead driver for the new Maverick racing team seems like his last shot. He's ready to give it his all, but there's a problem: his rival for the position is Nico Angelini. Nico has just leveled up from Formula Three, determined to prove she's just as qualified as any man in the circuit. Being the only female driver in the highest class of international racing puts a target on her back, and the last thing she needs is a distraction in the form of her one-time online nemesis, the sexy and arrogant Rocco.
What unfolds is a deliciously tense rivalry fueled by fierce competition and an undeniable, growing attraction. Rocco and Nico's journey is far from smooth, marked by plenty of bumps and heated exchanges. The dynamic between them is fantastic; you can feel the sparks fly with every interaction. As they navigate the pressures of the F1 circuit and their own burgeoning feelings, the question becomes whether they can get a grip on their emotions before they both crash and burn.
The narration by Charlotte Claremont and Anthony Palmini is absolutely phenomenal. They both bring incredible energy and distinct voices to Rocco and Nico, making it easy to distinguish between their perspectives and fully immerse yourself in the story. Charlotte perfectly captures Nico's ambition and vulnerability, while Anthony nails Rocco's confidence and underlying struggles. Their performances elevate the story, especially during the more intense racing scenes and the steamy romantic moments. You can tell they had a blast bringing these characters to life, and that enthusiasm is contagious.
"Checkered Hearts" delivers on all fronts: a compelling plot, well-developed characters, and a romance that's genuinely "too hot to handle." If you're looking for an audiobook that will keep you on the edge of your seat with its racing drama and ignite a fire with its passionate romance, this is definitely one to add to your listening list.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The plot centers around Rocco Vittori, a once-illustrious F1 driver whose career is in a bit of a spinout. He's desperate for a win, and the opportunity to be the lead driver for the new Maverick racing team seems like his last shot. He's ready to give it his all, but there's a problem: his rival for the position is Nico Angelini. Nico has just leveled up from Formula Three, determined to prove she's just as qualified as any man in the circuit. Being the only female driver in the highest class of international racing puts a target on her back, and the last thing she needs is a distraction in the form of her one-time online nemesis, the sexy and arrogant Rocco.
What unfolds is a deliciously tense rivalry fueled by fierce competition and an undeniable, growing attraction. Rocco and Nico's journey is far from smooth, marked by plenty of bumps and heated exchanges. The dynamic between them is fantastic; you can feel the sparks fly with every interaction. As they navigate the pressures of the F1 circuit and their own burgeoning feelings, the question becomes whether they can get a grip on their emotions before they both crash and burn.
The narration by Charlotte Claremont and Anthony Palmini is absolutely phenomenal. They both bring incredible energy and distinct voices to Rocco and Nico, making it easy to distinguish between their perspectives and fully immerse yourself in the story. Charlotte perfectly captures Nico's ambition and vulnerability, while Anthony nails Rocco's confidence and underlying struggles. Their performances elevate the story, especially during the more intense racing scenes and the steamy romantic moments. You can tell they had a blast bringing these characters to life, and that enthusiasm is contagious.
"Checkered Hearts" delivers on all fronts: a compelling plot, well-developed characters, and a romance that's genuinely "too hot to handle." If you're looking for an audiobook that will keep you on the edge of your seat with its racing drama and ignite a fire with its passionate romance, this is definitely one to add to your listening list.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 11, 2025
thank you to Valentine PR and A.G. Starling for the arc! i really liked this book. i devoured it in a day. i loved rocco and nico and loved how they were true enemies for a long time while they inwardly felt sparks and a connection. they hated to love each other and i loved it lol. i love that we actually got to see them on the racetrack and how they went from being competitors to finding a common ground to being in love. I loved the tasmanian devils. they were absolutely fantastic and i also loved the story that nico told rocco. very spot on and i loved how it connected to everything that happened in the end. dario, celeste, charles, ceci and luke clarke were great additions and amazing side characters cause all i wanted to do was know more about them.
i wish we got to see them more as lovers. like we knew they liked each other but it was only in the last 80% of the book that they were truly a couple. i wish we got something more after the end of the book, like an epilogue of sorts to see where they were. the third act breakup was great but it was so close to the ending that it felt almost rushed when they got back together. i would have loved for rocco to beg on his hands and knees and grovel for a bit before they got back together. other than that, i also wish we got to see rocco with his family. we got to see nico with them when she told them everything and read through nico’s pov that rocco’s family went to some of his games. But i wanted to have him have conversations with his parents, grandparents about literally anything lol.
I also didn’t like the repetitiveness of Nico calling Rocco “annoying, arrogant, asshole, prick.” Like I got it the first four times, I didn’t need it after. I also didn’t like the repetitiveness of “I read that somewhere. Can’t remember where.” Like I get it was a running joke throughout the book but it got to the point where I was like “okay, okay I get it, enough.” There were also points where I felt like the characters weren’t talking like adults. It felt like they were little kids having conversations with each other. I also didn’t like how Rocco was constantly perceived as a mysoginist when he was not. He just didn’t like Nico and forcing that narrative made me dislike Rocco for half of the book.
overall, it was a wonderful read that i would definitely recommend if you wanted some cutesy romance. on to the more important question: when are we getting a clarke and ceci book??? cause i need it like i need to breathe. i can already taste their banter 😅
i wish we got to see them more as lovers. like we knew they liked each other but it was only in the last 80% of the book that they were truly a couple. i wish we got something more after the end of the book, like an epilogue of sorts to see where they were. the third act breakup was great but it was so close to the ending that it felt almost rushed when they got back together. i would have loved for rocco to beg on his hands and knees and grovel for a bit before they got back together. other than that, i also wish we got to see rocco with his family. we got to see nico with them when she told them everything and read through nico’s pov that rocco’s family went to some of his games. But i wanted to have him have conversations with his parents, grandparents about literally anything lol.
I also didn’t like the repetitiveness of Nico calling Rocco “annoying, arrogant, asshole, prick.” Like I got it the first four times, I didn’t need it after. I also didn’t like the repetitiveness of “I read that somewhere. Can’t remember where.” Like I get it was a running joke throughout the book but it got to the point where I was like “okay, okay I get it, enough.” There were also points where I felt like the characters weren’t talking like adults. It felt like they were little kids having conversations with each other. I also didn’t like how Rocco was constantly perceived as a mysoginist when he was not. He just didn’t like Nico and forcing that narrative made me dislike Rocco for half of the book.
overall, it was a wonderful read that i would definitely recommend if you wanted some cutesy romance. on to the more important question: when are we getting a clarke and ceci book??? cause i need it like i need to breathe. i can already taste their banter 😅
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