Destination Moon: A memoir of fast cars, French pastries and finding purpose

by Kate Reid

Destination Moon is an open-hearted memoir about passion and finding purpose from the woman whose mid-career one-eighty led her from Formula 1 to opening the world-famous Lune Croissanterie.

At thirteen, Kate Reid already knew exactly where she was a career in Formula 1, a life lived at full throttle. Like a master cartographer she had drawn the map of her future – all she had to do was follow the course she’d charted.

But after earning a degree in aerospace engineering and taking up a coveted position at one of the top F1 teams in the UK, Kate discovered that the reality didn’t exactly live up to the dream. The pursuit of perfection that had once made her reach for the moon now sent her spiralling into a life-threatening battle against depression and anorexia.

From the grey skies of England and Monaco’s glittering, million-dollar harbour, to Melbourne’s trendy café scene and the spellbinding counters of Parisian patisseries, Kate searched for something that would bring meaning and passion back into her a destination worth driving towards at full speed.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Audiobook, Biography

Audible Audio

Published October 1, 2025

Reviews

[Rebecca Larsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a refreshingly honest and engaging insight into Kate Reid's life. From F1 dreams to devastation and a rebirthing as a pastry chef (extraordinaire!), I was completely invested in this story from beginning to end.

We travel the globe, we go to Grand Prixes, we fall in love and suffer heartbreak. But ultimately, what we learn through Destination Moon is that all goals are worth fighting for - it's just that some don't turn out exactly the way we had thought.

Great read.

[Keisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pastries, F1, and Melbourne is my whole personality so this book was a super easy 5 stars. Love your work Kate.

[Joanna Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute game changer of a book. Spoke to me. Will pay $8 for her croissants ANY DAY.

[Kerrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing story told in such a down to earth way. Loved reading about the behind the scenes of working as an engineer in F1 and also the history of the cafe scene in Melbourne. Definitely keen to go back to Lune for a croissant!

[Sus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be my favourite read of the year. Kate's memoir of her journey so far is well written and authentic. The length is enough to be meaty but not too drawn out.

It felt personally relatable on many levels which is probably why I enjoyed it so much. From chasing her dream job in F1 then finding it doesn't quite measure up, to mental health struggles, a daily narrative revolving around food resulting in anorexia, & then a burgeoning love of pastries - I saw myself in a lot of Kate's experiences (obviously with a very different set of circumstances and outcomes).

I'm really glad I was introduced to Kate and her crossainterie Lune by one of my fave YouTube chefs Andy Cooks, which is what led me to read this. Inspiring and recommended. Definitely want to check out Lune if I ever visit Melbourne.

[Ella Stoddart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. It’s such an honest and engaging look into Kate Reid’s life, and I was completely drawn in from the start. Following her journey from F1 dreams, through heartbreak and loss, to finding new purpose as a pastry chef was both inspiring and moving.

The book follows her experiences across different countries and stages of her life, offering insight into how her goals evolved over time. It’s a thoughtful account of ambition, change, and finding a new direction when plans don’t work out as expected.

[Rach · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked reading this, it felt like a sprint the whole way as Kate is someone who has intense passions and dives right in. Gotta admire that drive and determination. From her goal of working in F1 to Lune, and everything in between, she does everything at 100%. She speaks honestly and her sections about anorexia and her lifelong management of it are raw. I have a newfound respect for the simple pastry that is her signature croissant.

[Lizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this one and it was fabulous! Whilst made me a little hungry hearing about pastries and uncomfortable with the depths and depressions of anorexia I was so grateful for Kate sharing her insights into this illness. Also for sharing her story! As someone with many passions it really made me think of transferable skills and how it is not to late to achieve a dream!

[Satria · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest, I have no interest in F1 and baking is not my forte despite loving croissants but reading how these two intersect and shaped Kate’s journey was vey satisfying.


This book has a unique take on identity and how ones identity can evolve in the face of adversity.

If you love croissants, you definitely should read this and if you fancy a read on identity, adversity and perfectionism, you absolutely should definitely read this.

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d listened to podcasts where Kate was interviewed so I felt like a had a good idea of her story going into this, but I was pleasantly surprised with the amount of detail she put into this book. A really cool life story!

[Sammy Dalusag · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating and inspiring read. As an engineer myself, I related to Kate’s experiences, especially during her time in F1. This book also served as a valuable reminder to keep an eye on my own thought patterns and work-life balance.

[Alex Banjo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book- so thoughtfully written with care. Loved the consistency of the themes throughout - I felt like it was a conversation with Kate through the words on the pages.

[clare moggach · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was great actually. refreshingly honest and authentic. highly recommend the audiobook

[SophieRose Noble · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no idea who Kate Reid was before I started this book. I began reading it based on the recommendation of Zoe Forster Blake. Kate! What a story! Was totally intrigued from start to finish. I’m sorry to hear of your struggles, however I hope you lap up the praises of your success. You deserve them! I can’t wait to try my first Lune croissant! 🥐

[Jess Jowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this read! Warning - makes you hungry 😆

[UnrealAir · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m pro an easy read but one does have to wonder about the cognition and capacity of the average Australian reader sometimes. This felt like it was written for children, not adults

That being said the broad’s tenacity and story managed to make me, the guy who borrowed this out from the library for a hate read, respect her.

As a treat we’re gonna pop down to the Fitzroy joint to reconfirm just how mid the croissants are. Every time I’ve been there they’ve been room temperature and stiff lmao you go queen.

[Vipul · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Fast Cars to Flaky Pastry…
Kate Reid's Destination Moon is a high-octane, fast-paced memoir about finding your true purpose. Reid takes readers on her remarkable, mid-career one-eighty, moving from her high-pressure role as an aerodynamicist in Formula 1 to becoming the founder of the globally celebrated Lune Croissanterie.
For me, the F1 references were a total blast—as someone who has followed the sport for over 25 years, her insights into that world were fascinating! And as a Melbourne resident and Lune fan since 2020, reading the origin story of those amazing, lip-smacking flavour bombs was pure joy.
The book is incredibly honest, detailing her struggles with depression and anorexia after the F1 dream ended. It's an inspiring story of resilience and redemption, showing how she channeled her engineering precision into baking. If you need a quick, authentic, and deeply motivational read with great F1 and foodie insights, grab this book. Highly recommended!

[Yvette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Destination Moon is an enthralling and deeply inspiring read. Kate Reid tells her story with humility, honesty, and a generosity that allows you to truly hear her voice through every stage of her life, from the astonishing highs to the profoundly difficult moments. She writes with kindness both to herself and to the reader, which makes the book feel intimate and grounding rather than performative.

There is a special layer of appreciation for all foodie Melburnians. The book is a journey through the cafés and restaurants that have shaped our city’s food culture, past and present, and a reminder of how fortunate we are to have Lune, and Kate, as part of Melbourne’s culinary fabric. I am giving this five stars. Others might rate it lower, but read through a Melbourne lens, it pulled at deep and nostalgic heart strings that will always make this book truly memorable for me.

[Fedel Palmero · Rating 3 out of 5]

✅ I very much was looking forward to reading this book. I’m quite inspired by entrepreneurial pursuit and gaining insight into the author’s journey from F1 to owner a top tier bakery is very interesting. The business (from personally visiting) is outstanding, so leaning into the ‘how’ is what I searched for.

❌ For me, there was not enough focus on the business journey, lessons learnt in business creation or unpacking the technical aspects of F1. I think their would have been more value to deep dive into the design process of “Lune”, technical unpacking of creating a croissant, specific learning in aerospace design etc. Using this book as more of a business guide vs a somewhat self reflective journal.

[Rose Cousins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow…. Where to start with Destination Moon.
This memoir is an honest and entertaining insight into the dedication and focus of Kate Reid. I’m not a huge memoir reader, but I began reading this story as a huge fan of Kate, her croissants, and her story. A formula 1 aero dynamicist turned pastry chef, Kate Reid describes the ups and downs of her story in brutal, humble, and hilarious honesty. She discusses the development of Lune, as well as her lived experience of anorexia nervosa.
This book was a really powerful read and I am grateful for her honest insights into her recovery and her lived experience. 10/10 would recommend reading!!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't often read memoirs, but this was very enjoyable. It was fascinating to read Reid's roller-coaster of a career, including the varying little gigs here and there that don't get included in the usual aerospace engineer to croissant queen narrative. The dive into the years where her anorexia was at its heights was tough but interesting - her acknowledgement that she still struggles with it a sad but honest admission. I also had no idea of the origins of the cruffin, and that they started with Lune.

The final third honestly made me ridiculously hungry, and resulted in a Lune visit - for one of those bloody almond croissants. Sorry, Kate!

[BLAISE HENDERSON · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow wow wow! There are no words to truly explain the impact this book will have on me. Kate Reid tells her story in the most candid of ways. She dives deep into the worst parts of her life, and how, on the other side of these moments, they shaped her into the person she is today!

As someone who is so strongly directed myself, I felt so seen in this book - this fear of never making enough of an impact on lives, in moving away from childhood dreams and goals, of battling health conditions that seem never ending - I related time and time again to her challenges and her rises.

Well done Kate on writing what is truly an immovable story!

[Madelaene Barber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This feels like a catch up with a friend you haven’t seen for years. Kate details her strive for perfection, in this summary of how fortunate we can sometimes be for not getting exactly what we thought we wanted. I especially appreciate Kate’s very real discussion around illness, which is perfectly concluded with a very jarring epilogue. This is an important read, irrespective of the reader’s opinions around croissants.

[Liz Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate Reid has truly lived such an interesting life - from Formula 1 engineer to Lune croissant mastermind. This was a really well constructed memoir - raw, honest and reflective in its exploration of Kate’s relentless pursuit of perfection and purpose - both her biggest strength and greatest weakness.

Would definitely recommend!

[Fofi Meehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lune Croissants in Melbourne are legendary. Sadly due to a wheat intolerance I have been unable to sample them personally however my husband has consumed enough for both of us. I loved this book so much - it’s been a hell of a ride and despite the challenges Kate has triumphed. There may even be room for more pivots- never say never !

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. I couldn’t put it down. I new the story would be good but so was the structure and the writing. I’ve been recommending it to young and old alike.
Thank you Kate for sharing your personal journey through your life so far.

[Isabella Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very touching, intimate and easy to read … a fascinating story that makes us feel less alone in the world of careers, relationships and purpose. Thank you for sharing the deepest parts of yourself Kate!

[Renée Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate's story was so fascinating - my love and appreciation for all things pastry and Melbourne's cafe scene has been amplified x1000! Reading about some of Kate's experiences in the F1 world was also such a treat..!

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s hard to be disappointed with a book about two of my great loves - F1 racing & French pastries 🏎️🥐 Loved Kate’s writing & hearing her voice narrate the story on audiobook. It was especially interesting to hear about the insane early days of Lune opening in Melbourne over 10 yrs ago. 5⭐️

[Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible book & so beautifully written.