Coming Second

Formation 1 #3

by Desiree Champagne

Sam Campbell has suffered from an unrequited crush on his teammate for years. When they find each other at the club, his desire finally feels reciprocated. Only, it isn’t his teammate’s ass he’s grinding against—it’s his biggest rival’s. Thomas doesn’t seem particularly happy about the mix-up either, but he has a plan to satisfy both of their needs. As long as feelings aren’t involved, no one will get hurt.

For fans x DriverRivals to LoversForbidden LoversFuckboy Falls FirstDriver's Room BJ's
🏎️ 🏎️ 🏎️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

The Formation 1 Series is a collection of stand-alone short romance novels. Each season spans one year of the fictional single-seater racing sport, Formation 1. The books can be read in any order, but they are interconnected by events that occur both on and off the track.

172 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 25, 2025

About the author

DESIREE CHAMPAGNE is a Sparkling Author, produced and fermented on the west coast of the United States. She pairs well with her wife and cats, but keep her away from social obligations and out of direct sunlight.

She is passionate about single seat racing series and the characters who bring the sport to life. She can only hope that her Formation 1 series does them justice.

Reviews

[Betty Loves Books Galore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a rivals to more racing sports romance, featuring Sam and Thomas, and is book three in the Formation 1 series.

Sam has suffered from an unrequited crush on his teammate for years. When they find each other at the club, his desire finally feels reciprocated. Only, it isn’t his teammate’s ass he’s grinding against, it’s his biggest rival. Thomas doesn’t seem particularly happy about the mix-up either, but he has a plan to satisfy both of their needs. As long as feelings aren’t involved, no one will get hurt.

This is a low angst, steamy rivals story with a great racing backdrop. The chemistry is great, and watching “no feelings” turn into all the feelings is fun to read.

Things to expect in this book are:
Book 3 in series
MM sports romance
Rivals to more
Driver x Driver
Rival teams
Mistaken identity
Secret hookups
Unrequited crushes
No feelings pact
Spicy times
Catching feelings
HEA hint

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

how do they get even better?

what started as a way to forget other people…well damn now they’re in love!

the banter was sooo good. sam and thomas have this connection .. a place where they are themselves but as always it’s not always coming in second place.

the angst, the hurt. gahhh my heartstrings. i absolutely adored their relationship. i think they’re my favorite in the series.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 rounded up to 4!

This was a fun, short, and super spicy F1 Romance! I loved that even though we were seeing the Romance unfold between Sam & Thomas, we also got to see soooo much racing and F1 action! You can definitely tell Desiree knows the racing world, because it was all portrayed so well!

If you’re looking for a new F1 Romance, definitely try this one yet! I’m also so excited bc this is only one of the books in the series, so now I’m excited to read the other two!

[Nicole Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Formation 1 series. This is also a forbidden romance between two rival drivers. Thomas and Sam both have feelings for their respective teammates, but it’s not reciprocated. The pair decides to hook up instead to blow off steam. What they don’t anticipate is catching feelings for one another. This book was so fun and fast paced. I loved have easy Thomas and Sam fell into a relationship. I especially loved the drivers rooms scene… ifykyk 🤭

[✨️AJ✨️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love me a good enemies to lovers, so this was *chef's kiss*

I have to admit, I do giggle every time I read the team names, I always imagine Charles in a ferrero rocher coloured race suit. Lowkey gives the Haas in the Rich energy era, which is.... a throwback.

[kali · Rating 3 out of 5]

everything is about the WDC except the WDC which is about the sex you're not having with your teammate

[Brooke Barnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was better than Switch Positions and equally as good as Dirty Air

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

hoping next year is ferarro's year

[Olive · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the midst of one of the steamiest books I’ve ever read, Sam’s redemption arc gives this book heartwarming depth.