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Fast and Fastidious
Pride and Prejudice meets The Fast and the Furious in this rollicking, romantic Regency adventure in which a meticulous young woman must abandon the rules of propriety to save Britain—and perhaps even find love along the way. . . .
England, 1810. Lucy Elliot has often been described as fastidious, given her belief that there is an objectively correct and logical way to do things. And while she strives to be proper in every way, she does have one rather scandalous Lucy, the prim and gentle lady, is a frequent attendee of the entirely disreputable and illicit Night Races, where unchaperoned men and women from all social classes gather on dark country lanes to gamble on the outcomes of furiously fast carriage races.
But her secret might become more than just a danger to her reputation when her mysterious new neighbor, Captain Dashwood, begins partaking in the races. Lucy can’t help but feel there’s something more to the handsome Captain Dashwood than meets the eye, and she suspects that his arrival in the neighborhood in the midst of a spate of curious and alarming carriage robberies is no mere coincidence—something is most certainly afoot in the county, and it’s a mystery Lucy intends to solve.
Though Lucy prides herself on her preparedness, she never could have anticipated the web of lies, deceit, and espionage that she finds herself and Captain Dashwood entangled in; nor could she have known that the very fate of Britain would hang in the balance. But will her meticulous nature be the very thing that saves her, or will it be her—and England's—undoing?
England, 1810. Lucy Elliot has often been described as fastidious, given her belief that there is an objectively correct and logical way to do things. And while she strives to be proper in every way, she does have one rather scandalous Lucy, the prim and gentle lady, is a frequent attendee of the entirely disreputable and illicit Night Races, where unchaperoned men and women from all social classes gather on dark country lanes to gamble on the outcomes of furiously fast carriage races.
But her secret might become more than just a danger to her reputation when her mysterious new neighbor, Captain Dashwood, begins partaking in the races. Lucy can’t help but feel there’s something more to the handsome Captain Dashwood than meets the eye, and she suspects that his arrival in the neighborhood in the midst of a spate of curious and alarming carriage robberies is no mere coincidence—something is most certainly afoot in the county, and it’s a mystery Lucy intends to solve.
Though Lucy prides herself on her preparedness, she never could have anticipated the web of lies, deceit, and espionage that she finds herself and Captain Dashwood entangled in; nor could she have known that the very fate of Britain would hang in the balance. But will her meticulous nature be the very thing that saves her, or will it be her—and England's—undoing?
318 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 14, 2026
About the author
R.M. Caldwell
1 book36 followersR.M. Caldwell is based in Hamilton, New Zealand, and writes and directs theatre, as well as being on the board of an independent theatre.
source: Amazon
source: Amazon
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
November 13, 2025
I like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me a chance at reading the book.
I really, really enjoyed the plot of this. I love that it was a regency story where the girl was interested in cars... er, carriages? And I loved that she knew what she was talking about. On top of that, I love that she was paired with a gentleman who was just as into them as she was (and was akin to an undercover cop).
BUT THE ROMANCE. WHERE WAS IT? It was so hard to see it. Like sure, there was glances and brief touching, but there was literally no 'admittance' of feelings, flirting, hot moments of kisses (not asking for anything beyond that). It really sank the book down for me and given that she was a girl who was not quite following the rules and wanting to be unrefined in areas that most are not, I expected more. Since this co-labeled as a romance.
So if you go in thinking you're gonna get a romance you're really not. But if you like a clean story about a girl and a guy catching coach thieves, you'll get it.
I really, really enjoyed the plot of this. I love that it was a regency story where the girl was interested in cars... er, carriages? And I loved that she knew what she was talking about. On top of that, I love that she was paired with a gentleman who was just as into them as she was (and was akin to an undercover cop).
BUT THE ROMANCE. WHERE WAS IT? It was so hard to see it. Like sure, there was glances and brief touching, but there was literally no 'admittance' of feelings, flirting, hot moments of kisses (not asking for anything beyond that). It really sank the book down for me and given that she was a girl who was not quite following the rules and wanting to be unrefined in areas that most are not, I expected more. Since this co-labeled as a romance.
So if you go in thinking you're gonna get a romance you're really not. But if you like a clean story about a girl and a guy catching coach thieves, you'll get it.
December 27, 2025
The beginning is a lot of third person telling to set the stage and between that and the extremely short chapters, it felt like forever before anything happened. I almost gave up at %8. At some point, I just started skimming.
The concept is fun, but the third person dry narration was just too detached for me. I liked Lucy’s worldview and that she’s neurospicy coded. Her exactness and social challenges didn’t bother me. And while this is technically a romance in that they’re together happily at the end, there’s really no romance here. Carriage race descriptions? Yes? Interiority and chemistry? No.
This wasn’t for me, but if you like third person in a historical mystery and don’t want your romance to have romance, you might like this one
I received an arc from NetGalley
The concept is fun, but the third person dry narration was just too detached for me. I liked Lucy’s worldview and that she’s neurospicy coded. Her exactness and social challenges didn’t bother me. And while this is technically a romance in that they’re together happily at the end, there’s really no romance here. Carriage race descriptions? Yes? Interiority and chemistry? No.
This wasn’t for me, but if you like third person in a historical mystery and don’t want your romance to have romance, you might like this one
I received an arc from NetGalley
May 2, 2026
Great writing, likeable characters.
Lucy Elliot is different. Operating in her world means she needs guidelines to take her through social occasions. If all she had to do was fathom a mechanical problem or design a carriage, things would be fine. Walking into a ball has her heading to a quiet nook to acclimatize.
By accident Lucy discovers the Night Races. The egalitarian event is held near to the village, once a month when the moon is full at midnight. Lucy’s life is changed.
Two years later Lucy meets a cavalry Captain at the races. She’d already met the indisputable champions of the Night Races, Dante Torres and his crew.
Captain James Dashwood had arrived in the neighbourhood to stay at one of his father’s properties, Ellsworth Manor. Lucy suspects he’s been sent here to avoid gambling debts or something else.
Interestingly there’s been a series of government papers, coaches and men have gone missing.
This quiet village has been dogged by thievery and other incidences! Something’s definitely afoot!
Lucy and her sister Margaret are as different as chalk and cheese but supportive of each other.
A quietly contained thrilling regency novel with the threat of Bonaparte’s actions overhanging all.
A Harper Perennial ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Lucy Elliot is different. Operating in her world means she needs guidelines to take her through social occasions. If all she had to do was fathom a mechanical problem or design a carriage, things would be fine. Walking into a ball has her heading to a quiet nook to acclimatize.
By accident Lucy discovers the Night Races. The egalitarian event is held near to the village, once a month when the moon is full at midnight. Lucy’s life is changed.
Two years later Lucy meets a cavalry Captain at the races. She’d already met the indisputable champions of the Night Races, Dante Torres and his crew.
Captain James Dashwood had arrived in the neighbourhood to stay at one of his father’s properties, Ellsworth Manor. Lucy suspects he’s been sent here to avoid gambling debts or something else.
Interestingly there’s been a series of government papers, coaches and men have gone missing.
This quiet village has been dogged by thievery and other incidences! Something’s definitely afoot!
Lucy and her sister Margaret are as different as chalk and cheese but supportive of each other.
A quietly contained thrilling regency novel with the threat of Bonaparte’s actions overhanging all.
A Harper Perennial ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
March 29, 2026
Thanks to Harper Perennial for the gifted copy. All opinions below are my own.
This story is billed as The Fast and the Furious meets Pride and Prejudice. I'd agree that it is about racing horse drawn coaches in the regency era. You're going to really struggle if you're reading this one for the angst, banter or romance of P & P though. It has a loose structure that mirrors an affluent character coming to town but that's about it. Dashwood is a military man and no where near as enigmatic as Darcy. Lucy is more like the character she's modelled after, she's a woman with thoughts, opinions and skills out of her time. I'd go as far as to say she's on the spectrum and obsessed with engineering and coaches. She and Dashwood team up to race and solve the mystery of some local bandits terrorizing the town.
I enjoyed this story but am not really sure who it is for from a marketing standpoint. It has zero romance other than they end up together at the end. It's much more about the stuffiness of regency society with a little mystery at its center. I liked reading it but think it will need to find its audience.
This story is billed as The Fast and the Furious meets Pride and Prejudice. I'd agree that it is about racing horse drawn coaches in the regency era. You're going to really struggle if you're reading this one for the angst, banter or romance of P & P though. It has a loose structure that mirrors an affluent character coming to town but that's about it. Dashwood is a military man and no where near as enigmatic as Darcy. Lucy is more like the character she's modelled after, she's a woman with thoughts, opinions and skills out of her time. I'd go as far as to say she's on the spectrum and obsessed with engineering and coaches. She and Dashwood team up to race and solve the mystery of some local bandits terrorizing the town.
I enjoyed this story but am not really sure who it is for from a marketing standpoint. It has zero romance other than they end up together at the end. It's much more about the stuffiness of regency society with a little mystery at its center. I liked reading it but think it will need to find its audience.
May 17, 2026
4.5
This book is basically Fast and Furious fanfiction set in the Regency Era, and I'm 100% here for it! I realize the fandoms of both things may not necessarily overlap, but I am that niche demographic.
I loved how Caldwell balanced nods to Jane Austen characters (The Elliotts and Dashwood) and to multiple Fast and Furious movies from the franchise. I could distinctly pick out parallel scenes in the book to scenes in The Fast and The Furious, Fast Five, and Hobbs and Shaw. And the Regency version of NOS was bloody brilliant.
This book wasn't perfect--didn't love some of the "brutish" descriptions of Margaret--but it ended up being so much fun that I overlooked any anachronisms or slight historical inaccuracies.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for access to this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
This book is basically Fast and Furious fanfiction set in the Regency Era, and I'm 100% here for it! I realize the fandoms of both things may not necessarily overlap, but I am that niche demographic.
I loved how Caldwell balanced nods to Jane Austen characters (The Elliotts and Dashwood) and to multiple Fast and Furious movies from the franchise. I could distinctly pick out parallel scenes in the book to scenes in The Fast and The Furious, Fast Five, and Hobbs and Shaw. And the Regency version of NOS was bloody brilliant.
This book wasn't perfect--didn't love some of the "brutish" descriptions of Margaret--but it ended up being so much fun that I overlooked any anachronisms or slight historical inaccuracies.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for access to this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
April 8, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Perennial and Paperbacks | Harper Perennial, and R.M. Caldwell for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
What worked for me in this was definitely Lucy as a character. I loved that she was written with so many clearly neurodivergent traits, and I also loved having a regency era FMC whose special interests lie in engineering because hooray for women in STEM.
Despite the fact that I am sure nighttime racing of carriages, pulled by actual horses, at night on roads I am sure were not paved for speed is actually more dangerous than any kind of car racing, this just wasn't as exciting as I was hoping for it to be. The romance also wasn't really for me. This was well-written, though and is great if you are looking for a regency mystery.
What worked for me in this was definitely Lucy as a character. I loved that she was written with so many clearly neurodivergent traits, and I also loved having a regency era FMC whose special interests lie in engineering because hooray for women in STEM.
Despite the fact that I am sure nighttime racing of carriages, pulled by actual horses, at night on roads I am sure were not paved for speed is actually more dangerous than any kind of car racing, this just wasn't as exciting as I was hoping for it to be. The romance also wasn't really for me. This was well-written, though and is great if you are looking for a regency mystery.
May 16, 2026
meh
I had a hard time really caring about any of the characters. Lucy felt flat, James could have been so much more but nothing ever really happened
the mystery part seemed like a by the moment and started to get a bit more interesting then it was over
I had a hard time really caring about any of the characters. Lucy felt flat, James could have been so much more but nothing ever really happened
the mystery part seemed like a by the moment and started to get a bit more interesting then it was over
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book really said, what if Jane Austen watched The Fast and the Furious once and thought, yes, but what if everyone had bonnets and suppressed emotions. And honestly? I respect the audacity.
Fast and Fastidious drops us into 1810 England with Lucy Elliot, our resident precision queen, who believes there is a correct way to do literally everything and will absolutely explain why your wheel axle alignment is flawed. Lucy is described as fastidious, but what that really means is she is operating on a different, sharper frequency than everyone around her. She loves order. She loves mechanics. She loves the exact science of carriage construction. And secretly, she loves attending illegal Night Races like a Regency Vin Diesel in a bonnet.
The Night Races are exactly what they sound like, chaotic underground carriage competitions where people from all classes gather to gamble and speed down dark country lanes. It is scandalous. It is reckless. It is deeply impractical for maintaining a respectable reputation. Naturally, Lucy is obsessed. And frankly, watching her calculate risk while clutching her propriety by a thread is half the fun.
Then Captain James Dashwood arrives, mysterious new neighbor, alleged gambler, suspiciously competent, and very clearly not just there to sip tea and admire the hedges. The timing of his arrival alongside a string of carriage robberies that may involve stolen government information is, as Lucy would say, statistically improbable. So obviously she decides to investigate. Because if there is one thing more intoxicating than racing at midnight, it is solving a puzzle no one else can see clearly.
Here is where the book absolutely shines. The espionage plot? Genuinely engaging. The slow unraveling of lies, the web of deceit, the sense that something much bigger than local highwaymen is unfolding? Delicious. The action sequences during the races are vivid and tense, especially when Lucy herself is directly involved. You can feel the wheels rattling. You can feel the stakes climbing. The final act goes a little gloriously unhinged in a way that feels spiritually aligned with the franchise it is nodding to.
And Lucy herself is such a specific, thoughtful character. She reads as neurodivergent coded in a way that feels intentional and compassionate. Her meticulous nature is not mocked. It is her strength. She sees patterns others miss. She cares about fairness and logic and structure in a society built on vague social expectations. Watching her family, especially her sister Margaret, support her quirks instead of trying to sand them down was genuinely lovely. The found family vibes with the racing crowd and eventually with Dashwood add warmth that keeps the story grounded.
Now. We need to talk about the romance. Because this is technically marketed as one. And listen, I am not asking for rakes ripping bodices in a hayloft. I do not need steam. But I do need vibes. I need longing. I need at least one moment where someone stares too long and then pretends they were looking at a hedge. The connection between Lucy and Dashwood is sweet and respectful. They admire each other’s intelligence. They become partners. They choose each other’s side. But the emotional chemistry is so subtle it occasionally felt like I was squinting at it through opera glasses.
It is very much a clean Regency mystery with romantic undertones rather than a swoony romance with a mystery subplot. If you go in expecting yearning, you might find yourself tapping your fan impatiently. If you go in wanting clever plotting, carriage mechanics, and a heroine who solves problems with logic instead of flirting, you will have a much better time.
The pacing at the beginning is a little slow, very third person, very proper, and then suddenly you are in a high stakes espionage plot with midnight races and potential national disaster. It is a tonal shift that mostly works, but it does require you to settle in before the chaos hits.
Overall, I had a genuinely good time. It is inventive. It is funny in a dry, restrained way. It gives us a heroine who is allowed to be exacting and brilliant without being punished for it. I just wanted about fifteen percent more romantic tension and maybe one slightly reckless confession.
I am landing at 3.5 stars. Rounded up in my heart for sheer originality and for Lucy Elliot, patron saint of properly balanced carriage wheels and emotionally reserved chaos.
Huge thank you to Harper Perennial and Paperbacks and NetGalley for the ARC. Truly nothing delights me more than illegal carriage racing, mild treason, and a heroine who could outthink half of Parliament before breakfast.
Fast and Fastidious drops us into 1810 England with Lucy Elliot, our resident precision queen, who believes there is a correct way to do literally everything and will absolutely explain why your wheel axle alignment is flawed. Lucy is described as fastidious, but what that really means is she is operating on a different, sharper frequency than everyone around her. She loves order. She loves mechanics. She loves the exact science of carriage construction. And secretly, she loves attending illegal Night Races like a Regency Vin Diesel in a bonnet.
The Night Races are exactly what they sound like, chaotic underground carriage competitions where people from all classes gather to gamble and speed down dark country lanes. It is scandalous. It is reckless. It is deeply impractical for maintaining a respectable reputation. Naturally, Lucy is obsessed. And frankly, watching her calculate risk while clutching her propriety by a thread is half the fun.
Then Captain James Dashwood arrives, mysterious new neighbor, alleged gambler, suspiciously competent, and very clearly not just there to sip tea and admire the hedges. The timing of his arrival alongside a string of carriage robberies that may involve stolen government information is, as Lucy would say, statistically improbable. So obviously she decides to investigate. Because if there is one thing more intoxicating than racing at midnight, it is solving a puzzle no one else can see clearly.
Here is where the book absolutely shines. The espionage plot? Genuinely engaging. The slow unraveling of lies, the web of deceit, the sense that something much bigger than local highwaymen is unfolding? Delicious. The action sequences during the races are vivid and tense, especially when Lucy herself is directly involved. You can feel the wheels rattling. You can feel the stakes climbing. The final act goes a little gloriously unhinged in a way that feels spiritually aligned with the franchise it is nodding to.
And Lucy herself is such a specific, thoughtful character. She reads as neurodivergent coded in a way that feels intentional and compassionate. Her meticulous nature is not mocked. It is her strength. She sees patterns others miss. She cares about fairness and logic and structure in a society built on vague social expectations. Watching her family, especially her sister Margaret, support her quirks instead of trying to sand them down was genuinely lovely. The found family vibes with the racing crowd and eventually with Dashwood add warmth that keeps the story grounded.
Now. We need to talk about the romance. Because this is technically marketed as one. And listen, I am not asking for rakes ripping bodices in a hayloft. I do not need steam. But I do need vibes. I need longing. I need at least one moment where someone stares too long and then pretends they were looking at a hedge. The connection between Lucy and Dashwood is sweet and respectful. They admire each other’s intelligence. They become partners. They choose each other’s side. But the emotional chemistry is so subtle it occasionally felt like I was squinting at it through opera glasses.
It is very much a clean Regency mystery with romantic undertones rather than a swoony romance with a mystery subplot. If you go in expecting yearning, you might find yourself tapping your fan impatiently. If you go in wanting clever plotting, carriage mechanics, and a heroine who solves problems with logic instead of flirting, you will have a much better time.
The pacing at the beginning is a little slow, very third person, very proper, and then suddenly you are in a high stakes espionage plot with midnight races and potential national disaster. It is a tonal shift that mostly works, but it does require you to settle in before the chaos hits.
Overall, I had a genuinely good time. It is inventive. It is funny in a dry, restrained way. It gives us a heroine who is allowed to be exacting and brilliant without being punished for it. I just wanted about fifteen percent more romantic tension and maybe one slightly reckless confession.
I am landing at 3.5 stars. Rounded up in my heart for sheer originality and for Lucy Elliot, patron saint of properly balanced carriage wheels and emotionally reserved chaos.
Huge thank you to Harper Perennial and Paperbacks and NetGalley for the ARC. Truly nothing delights me more than illegal carriage racing, mild treason, and a heroine who could outthink half of Parliament before breakfast.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars
Fast and Fastidious by R. M. Caldwell is a refreshing, high-octane twist on the Regency romance genre. This debut novel manages to balance the delicate social structures of 1810 England with the grit and adrenaline of illicit carriage racing. It is a quick, well-written read that manages to be both a swoony historical romance and a compelling mystery, all while maintaining a lighthearted, romp feel that keeps the pages turning.
The story introduces us to Lucy Elliot, a protagonist who lives up to the "fastidious" of the title. Lucy is a meticulously organized, logic-driven young woman who finds comfort in the predictable mechanics of engineering and the correctness of how things should function. However, Lucy harbors a scandalous secret: under the light of the full moon, she escapes her prim life to attend the Night Races. Here, social hierarchies dissolve, and Lucy can indulge her passion for carriage design and speed. Lucy’s arc is wonderfully handled; she doesn't "fix" her meticulous nature to find happiness. Instead, she learns to integrate her need for order with the unpredictable chaos of life and love, realizing that her "fastidiousness" is actually her greatest strength in solving a mystery that threatens the very safety of Britain.
Then there is Captain James Dashwood, the mysterious new neighbor whose arrival at Elsworth Manor coincides with a string of alarming carriage robberies. Dashwood is the perfect foil for Lucy. While he initially appears to be just another handsome suitor, he is revealed to be a man of layers, deeply involved in the Night Races and potentially something much more dangerous. His arc involves moving from a man of secrets and solitary missions to someone who learns the value of a true partner. Watching him recognize and celebrate Lucy’s brilliance—not just her beauty—is a highlight of the romance. Their partnership evolves naturally from shared adrenaline to mutual trust, making their "smattering of romance" feel grounded and earned.
One of the most delightful elements of the book, however, is the relationship between Margaret (Meg) and Lucy. In a genre that often pits women against each other for the sake of drama, Caldwell chooses to showcase a bond defined by unwavering support. Meg acts as both a confidante and a tether for Lucy, and seeing them navigate their individual challenges while remaining fiercely loyal to one another adds a beautiful emotional layer to the story. Their friendship provides a sense of warmth that balances the colder elements of the espionage and mystery plots.
The mystery itself is well-integrated, revolving around the high-stakes world of carriage robberies and international espionage. It elevates the book from a standard comedy of manners to a legitimate page-turner. While the romance is sweet and understated (don't expect a lot of steam, but plenty of tension), the focus on character growth and the partnership between Lucy and Dashwood is incredibly satisfying.
Overall, Fast and Fastidious is a delightful debut. It’s a story about finding where you fit when you don't follow the "rules of propriety" and the thrill of finding someone who loves the gears and grease of your soul as much as your outward composure. If you’re looking for a historical romance that offers something a bit more adventurous and intellectually stimulating than the standard ballroom fare, this is a must-read. I'm already looking forward to seeing what R. M. Caldwell writes next.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
Fast and Fastidious by R. M. Caldwell is a refreshing, high-octane twist on the Regency romance genre. This debut novel manages to balance the delicate social structures of 1810 England with the grit and adrenaline of illicit carriage racing. It is a quick, well-written read that manages to be both a swoony historical romance and a compelling mystery, all while maintaining a lighthearted, romp feel that keeps the pages turning.
The story introduces us to Lucy Elliot, a protagonist who lives up to the "fastidious" of the title. Lucy is a meticulously organized, logic-driven young woman who finds comfort in the predictable mechanics of engineering and the correctness of how things should function. However, Lucy harbors a scandalous secret: under the light of the full moon, she escapes her prim life to attend the Night Races. Here, social hierarchies dissolve, and Lucy can indulge her passion for carriage design and speed. Lucy’s arc is wonderfully handled; she doesn't "fix" her meticulous nature to find happiness. Instead, she learns to integrate her need for order with the unpredictable chaos of life and love, realizing that her "fastidiousness" is actually her greatest strength in solving a mystery that threatens the very safety of Britain.
Then there is Captain James Dashwood, the mysterious new neighbor whose arrival at Elsworth Manor coincides with a string of alarming carriage robberies. Dashwood is the perfect foil for Lucy. While he initially appears to be just another handsome suitor, he is revealed to be a man of layers, deeply involved in the Night Races and potentially something much more dangerous. His arc involves moving from a man of secrets and solitary missions to someone who learns the value of a true partner. Watching him recognize and celebrate Lucy’s brilliance—not just her beauty—is a highlight of the romance. Their partnership evolves naturally from shared adrenaline to mutual trust, making their "smattering of romance" feel grounded and earned.
One of the most delightful elements of the book, however, is the relationship between Margaret (Meg) and Lucy. In a genre that often pits women against each other for the sake of drama, Caldwell chooses to showcase a bond defined by unwavering support. Meg acts as both a confidante and a tether for Lucy, and seeing them navigate their individual challenges while remaining fiercely loyal to one another adds a beautiful emotional layer to the story. Their friendship provides a sense of warmth that balances the colder elements of the espionage and mystery plots.
The mystery itself is well-integrated, revolving around the high-stakes world of carriage robberies and international espionage. It elevates the book from a standard comedy of manners to a legitimate page-turner. While the romance is sweet and understated (don't expect a lot of steam, but plenty of tension), the focus on character growth and the partnership between Lucy and Dashwood is incredibly satisfying.
Overall, Fast and Fastidious is a delightful debut. It’s a story about finding where you fit when you don't follow the "rules of propriety" and the thrill of finding someone who loves the gears and grease of your soul as much as your outward composure. If you’re looking for a historical romance that offers something a bit more adventurous and intellectually stimulating than the standard ballroom fare, this is a must-read. I'm already looking forward to seeing what R. M. Caldwell writes next.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Apr. 14, 2026
“Fast and Fastidious” by R.M. Caldwell is absolutely perfect for anyone looking for a mystery novel with Bridgerton vibes and a neurodivergent protagonist.
Lucy Elliott has always been described as meticulous and fastidious, a rule follower to the core. Due to this, she hasn’t always fit in in 1810 London society, until she finds out about The Night Races, clandestine carriage racing that takes place under the light of the full moon. Lucy has always had a fascination with carriages and she has a hard time saying no when her new neighbour, the elusive Captain Dashwood, asks Lucy to be his riding partner. Going against society is new for Lucy, but it’s fascinating and fast-paced, even more so because no one in her social circle knows about it. Then a group of unknown Highwaymen start robbing stagecoaches and Lucy decides to team up with Dashwood to find out who is behind the crimes.
“Fastidious” is a debut novel and it is fresh, smart and funny, with an admirable protagonist who readers can’t help but love. Lucy is accepted within her family unit, her loving parents and her older sister, but struggles to fit in outside of her estate, making it difficult for her to find a suitable marriage match. Then, of course, enter Lord Dashwood, and you can guess what happens next.
Caldwell’s novel has clandestine carriage races, uncommon romance and a band of murderous thieves, so there is something for everyone, and the fast pace kept me turning the pages. There are so many plot lines that are interconnected, but Caldwell blends them perfectly.
Obviously, the romantic aspect is predictable, but it is also delightful, and the other plot endings are unexpected and mysterious, making the final reveal a complete surprise. This particular novel wraps itself up perfectly, with no loose ends or questions, but I would not be surprised if we see Lucy Elliott again in future novels.
The neurodivergent protagonist is popular in many modern genres, but Caldwell puts a different spin on it, by bringing Lucy to the early nineteenth century. The mystery genre, too, is no stranger to women stepping out of societal expectations and roles placed on them to investigate a crime, but again, Caldwell’s story is a unique take.
“Fastidious” is a debut novel worth experiencing, and I hope to see more from Lucy in the future.
Expected publication date: Apr. 14, 2026
“Fast and Fastidious” by R.M. Caldwell is absolutely perfect for anyone looking for a mystery novel with Bridgerton vibes and a neurodivergent protagonist.
Lucy Elliott has always been described as meticulous and fastidious, a rule follower to the core. Due to this, she hasn’t always fit in in 1810 London society, until she finds out about The Night Races, clandestine carriage racing that takes place under the light of the full moon. Lucy has always had a fascination with carriages and she has a hard time saying no when her new neighbour, the elusive Captain Dashwood, asks Lucy to be his riding partner. Going against society is new for Lucy, but it’s fascinating and fast-paced, even more so because no one in her social circle knows about it. Then a group of unknown Highwaymen start robbing stagecoaches and Lucy decides to team up with Dashwood to find out who is behind the crimes.
“Fastidious” is a debut novel and it is fresh, smart and funny, with an admirable protagonist who readers can’t help but love. Lucy is accepted within her family unit, her loving parents and her older sister, but struggles to fit in outside of her estate, making it difficult for her to find a suitable marriage match. Then, of course, enter Lord Dashwood, and you can guess what happens next.
Caldwell’s novel has clandestine carriage races, uncommon romance and a band of murderous thieves, so there is something for everyone, and the fast pace kept me turning the pages. There are so many plot lines that are interconnected, but Caldwell blends them perfectly.
Obviously, the romantic aspect is predictable, but it is also delightful, and the other plot endings are unexpected and mysterious, making the final reveal a complete surprise. This particular novel wraps itself up perfectly, with no loose ends or questions, but I would not be surprised if we see Lucy Elliott again in future novels.
The neurodivergent protagonist is popular in many modern genres, but Caldwell puts a different spin on it, by bringing Lucy to the early nineteenth century. The mystery genre, too, is no stranger to women stepping out of societal expectations and roles placed on them to investigate a crime, but again, Caldwell’s story is a unique take.
“Fastidious” is a debut novel worth experiencing, and I hope to see more from Lucy in the future.
April 15, 2026
This was a bit of a slow start as it took time to introduce and develop the characters for the plot. It held my interest though going back and forth between ballrooms and late night racing.
Propriety and social rules drove Lucy’s actions through the day but gave way whenever carriages were the main topic. It was an interesting combination.
Lucy’s character presented as neurodivergent through her being described as fastidious, having trouble detecting social nuances, and among other things.
There were times I didn’t understand the working of the carriages they were discussing but it was easy enough to follow and go along with it.
The plot slowly builds until you realize how each piece fits together and the last quarter of the story is filled with the promised danger and exciting action that made it hard to put down.
I enjoyed this and appreciate that a trad publisher took on a debut author writing in the Regency period. Tagged as Fast and the Furious meets Pride and Prejudice in a romantic adventure. Centering around illicit Night Races that ignores class differences every full moon and filled with detailed mechanical workings of carriages - I agree with it’s relating to Fast and the Furious. Having never read P&P though I can’t speak to that specifically but am an avid HR reader with an idea of the concept of P&P. However, using P&P and romantic adventure as a guideline, I expected a lot more romance. There is a HEA but the romance is more of an underlying thread to the storyline. Lucy spends some time thinking of her feelings and admiring Captain Dashwood’s form but their interactions barely gives an inclination to romantic intentions.
We never get Captain Dashwood’s POV and while it added to the mystery and intrigue, it hurt the romance aspect. The story is mainly told in third person from Lucy’s point of view but occasionally changed to other side characters towards the end.
Readers that like historical mystery with a twinge of romance would enjoy this the most.
Fast and Fastidous is a standalone historical mystery with a side of romance set during the Regency period. There is a HEA and zero kisses or intimate encounters.
This was a new to me author.
I received an advance reader copy from the publishers via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Propriety and social rules drove Lucy’s actions through the day but gave way whenever carriages were the main topic. It was an interesting combination.
Lucy’s character presented as neurodivergent through her being described as fastidious, having trouble detecting social nuances, and among other things.
There were times I didn’t understand the working of the carriages they were discussing but it was easy enough to follow and go along with it.
The plot slowly builds until you realize how each piece fits together and the last quarter of the story is filled with the promised danger and exciting action that made it hard to put down.
I enjoyed this and appreciate that a trad publisher took on a debut author writing in the Regency period. Tagged as Fast and the Furious meets Pride and Prejudice in a romantic adventure. Centering around illicit Night Races that ignores class differences every full moon and filled with detailed mechanical workings of carriages - I agree with it’s relating to Fast and the Furious. Having never read P&P though I can’t speak to that specifically but am an avid HR reader with an idea of the concept of P&P. However, using P&P and romantic adventure as a guideline, I expected a lot more romance. There is a HEA but the romance is more of an underlying thread to the storyline. Lucy spends some time thinking of her feelings and admiring Captain Dashwood’s form but their interactions barely gives an inclination to romantic intentions.
We never get Captain Dashwood’s POV and while it added to the mystery and intrigue, it hurt the romance aspect. The story is mainly told in third person from Lucy’s point of view but occasionally changed to other side characters towards the end.
Readers that like historical mystery with a twinge of romance would enjoy this the most.
Fast and Fastidous is a standalone historical mystery with a side of romance set during the Regency period. There is a HEA and zero kisses or intimate encounters.
This was a new to me author.
I received an advance reader copy from the publishers via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
This book is incredibly funny and innovative! I’m a huge fan of period dramas, but this one offers a completely fresh perspective. We meet Lucy, who participates in underground carriage racing—can you imagine the SCANDAL that would cause back then? I absolutely adore Lucy; from the very first chapter, you truly understand her character and what drives her.
On another note, this is a "one-sitting" kind of read. The chapters are quite short, and before I knew it, I had already flown through 100 pages. Plus, I live for period-era gossip: the tea parties, the balls, and all the drama.
Then we have Captain Dashwood, who arrives to turn Lucy’s world upside down. He brings a mystery subplot that forces them together, and I loved watching their interactions unfold. And girl... by the end, he says something that left me absolutely swooning and head over heels for him!
Thanks to Harper Perennial for the advanced reader copy (ARC).
RESEÑA EN ESPAÑOL
Este libro es demasiado gracioso e innovador, yo disfruto demasiado los libros de época, pero este trae una propuesta totalmente distinta, donde Lucy quien participa en carreras de carruajes clandestina, imagínate el ESCANDALO de esto en esa época, amo a Lucy, desde el primer capitulo entendemos a su personaje, sus fijaciones.
Por otro lado, este libro se lee en una sentada porque los capítulos son bastante cortos, y yo sin saberlo ya llevaba 100 páginas leídas, y además amo el chisme de época todo lo relacionado con las fiestas de té, los bailes y los escándalos.
También tenemos al capitán Dashwood quien llega para alterar el mundo de Lucy, además con el viene una trama de misterio que los unirá mucho a el y a Lucy. Yo disfrute mucho leyendo sus interacciones y chica, ya al final hay una frase de el que me dejo loca y enamorada de este hombre.
Muchas gracias a Harper perennial por la copia anticipada del libro.
On another note, this is a "one-sitting" kind of read. The chapters are quite short, and before I knew it, I had already flown through 100 pages. Plus, I live for period-era gossip: the tea parties, the balls, and all the drama.
Then we have Captain Dashwood, who arrives to turn Lucy’s world upside down. He brings a mystery subplot that forces them together, and I loved watching their interactions unfold. And girl... by the end, he says something that left me absolutely swooning and head over heels for him!
Thanks to Harper Perennial for the advanced reader copy (ARC).
RESEÑA EN ESPAÑOL
Este libro es demasiado gracioso e innovador, yo disfruto demasiado los libros de época, pero este trae una propuesta totalmente distinta, donde Lucy quien participa en carreras de carruajes clandestina, imagínate el ESCANDALO de esto en esa época, amo a Lucy, desde el primer capitulo entendemos a su personaje, sus fijaciones.
Por otro lado, este libro se lee en una sentada porque los capítulos son bastante cortos, y yo sin saberlo ya llevaba 100 páginas leídas, y además amo el chisme de época todo lo relacionado con las fiestas de té, los bailes y los escándalos.
También tenemos al capitán Dashwood quien llega para alterar el mundo de Lucy, además con el viene una trama de misterio que los unirá mucho a el y a Lucy. Yo disfrute mucho leyendo sus interacciones y chica, ya al final hay una frase de el que me dejo loca y enamorada de este hombre.
Muchas gracias a Harper perennial por la copia anticipada del libro.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Rating: 4/5
Tropes/themes: found family, Regency era, romance, mystery, 'fast and furious' races, autism rep
In the Regency-era England countryside, Lucy Elliot is well known as 'peculiar.' Extremely logical, struggles with social context and social situations where it's loud, and fixates on certain things - like the engineering and construction of carriages. Every full moon, Lucy attends the Night Races where all social classes mix and come together to observe the races or race the carriages.
When a newcomer, Captain Dashwood comes to the neighborhood and starts ingratiating himself into the social circles, his tactical approach is observed by Lucy. When he shows up to the Night Races to race but doesn't have a 'messenger,' he asks Lucy to race with him. Once he discovers Lucy's proclivity for carriages, he invites Lucy over to help him custom-build a racing carriage, but he has another motive as well.
He has observed Lucy's attention to detail and analytic mind and asks for her help with his secret military mission. As Lucy and Captain Dashwood work together as racers and investigative partners, they get to know one another better and their attraction grows as well as their friendship.
I loved this book! The regency manners and rules, the murder and mystery, the engineering and hearing what's inside Lucy's mind! So good! The pace was a bit slow in the beginning, but developing Lucy's character and learning about her autistic difficulties was more than worth it. I liked the development of a found family element and the exploration of different social class experiences.
The action at the end was edge of your seat exciting! Lucy and Dashwood were very cute together - I liked how Dashwood instantly respects and highly esteems Lucy because of her excessive intelligence. He never sees her as a threat to his masculinity! This was a perfect blend of regency, mystery, and a little romance!!! Loved it!
Tropes/themes: found family, Regency era, romance, mystery, 'fast and furious' races, autism rep
In the Regency-era England countryside, Lucy Elliot is well known as 'peculiar.' Extremely logical, struggles with social context and social situations where it's loud, and fixates on certain things - like the engineering and construction of carriages. Every full moon, Lucy attends the Night Races where all social classes mix and come together to observe the races or race the carriages.
When a newcomer, Captain Dashwood comes to the neighborhood and starts ingratiating himself into the social circles, his tactical approach is observed by Lucy. When he shows up to the Night Races to race but doesn't have a 'messenger,' he asks Lucy to race with him. Once he discovers Lucy's proclivity for carriages, he invites Lucy over to help him custom-build a racing carriage, but he has another motive as well.
He has observed Lucy's attention to detail and analytic mind and asks for her help with his secret military mission. As Lucy and Captain Dashwood work together as racers and investigative partners, they get to know one another better and their attraction grows as well as their friendship.
I loved this book! The regency manners and rules, the murder and mystery, the engineering and hearing what's inside Lucy's mind! So good! The pace was a bit slow in the beginning, but developing Lucy's character and learning about her autistic difficulties was more than worth it. I liked the development of a found family element and the exploration of different social class experiences.
The action at the end was edge of your seat exciting! Lucy and Dashwood were very cute together - I liked how Dashwood instantly respects and highly esteems Lucy because of her excessive intelligence. He never sees her as a threat to his masculinity! This was a perfect blend of regency, mystery, and a little romance!!! Loved it!
May 12, 2026
Title: Fast and Fastidious
Author: R.M. Caldwell
Narrated by: Fiona Hardingham
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Length: Approximately 9 hours and 22 minutes
Source: Thank you, Partner @bibliolifestyle @harperperennial for the review copy of the physical book. Audiobook purchased from audible.
Do you like to watch any type of racing? My daughter is in track so I’m often at track meets these days.
Lucy Elliot strives to be a proper lady, but she secretly attends the Night Races. The Night Races are carriage races on country lanes where unchaperoned men and women gather from all social classes. When her new neighbor, Captain Dashwood starts racing, Lucy is afraid her secret will come out. As carriage robberies start to take place in the neighborhood, will Lucy and Captain Dashwood be able to find the culprit?
My thoughts on this audiobook:
• This a fun adventure story which was what I needed during a stressful week.
• This novel is set during the Regency time period.
• I loved how Lucy is a mechanical engineer at heart with her “fastidious” mind and she works on several item to make racing carriages go faster. I love engineers in novels – especially lady engineers as I am an engineer myself.
• Lucy seems like she is on the spectrum and it was interesting having her as a neurodivergent character.
• The audiobook was entertaining.
• I liked the unique concept of having racing in this novel.
• The description on this book cover was Pride and Prejudice meets Fast and Furious which is accurate.
• This is not really a romance even though it is labeled as one, it is more a mystery with espionage.
• The loved the relationship between Lucy and her very different sister, Margaret.
• This is a debut novel.
Overall, Fast and Fastidious by R.M. Caldwell was a light and fun regency historical mystery.
This review was first posted on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2026...
Author: R.M. Caldwell
Narrated by: Fiona Hardingham
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Length: Approximately 9 hours and 22 minutes
Source: Thank you, Partner @bibliolifestyle @harperperennial for the review copy of the physical book. Audiobook purchased from audible.
Do you like to watch any type of racing? My daughter is in track so I’m often at track meets these days.
Lucy Elliot strives to be a proper lady, but she secretly attends the Night Races. The Night Races are carriage races on country lanes where unchaperoned men and women gather from all social classes. When her new neighbor, Captain Dashwood starts racing, Lucy is afraid her secret will come out. As carriage robberies start to take place in the neighborhood, will Lucy and Captain Dashwood be able to find the culprit?
My thoughts on this audiobook:
• This a fun adventure story which was what I needed during a stressful week.
• This novel is set during the Regency time period.
• I loved how Lucy is a mechanical engineer at heart with her “fastidious” mind and she works on several item to make racing carriages go faster. I love engineers in novels – especially lady engineers as I am an engineer myself.
• Lucy seems like she is on the spectrum and it was interesting having her as a neurodivergent character.
• The audiobook was entertaining.
• I liked the unique concept of having racing in this novel.
• The description on this book cover was Pride and Prejudice meets Fast and Furious which is accurate.
• This is not really a romance even though it is labeled as one, it is more a mystery with espionage.
• The loved the relationship between Lucy and her very different sister, Margaret.
• This is a debut novel.
Overall, Fast and Fastidious by R.M. Caldwell was a light and fun regency historical mystery.
This review was first posted on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2026...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Outwardly, Miss Lucy Elliot fits the mold of the perfect Regency lady, but what drew me in was her secret passion for engineering that made her feel both relatable and refreshingly original to me. Watching her sneak into the Night Races was a highlight; it showed her curiosity and her willingness to challenge the expectations placed on her. Captain Dashwood, her neighbor, is an interesting character, as the story unfolds, I enjoyed seeing new layers to his character and how his interactions with Lucy brought out her strengths. Meg and the rest of Lucy’s friends were unwavering in their support. The story mixes carriage racing with a mystery involving robberies and espionage. There are action scenes and technical details about carriages, and while some readers might find these engaging, I felt that slowed the story down. The Night Races add excitement and help blur class lines, giving the book its unique twist.
Overall, this was a fun Regency adventure with some fresh ideas and entertaining moments. While I admired Lucy’s neurodivergent traits and the way her personality shines through, I sometimes wished the story gave a bit more attention to the other characters who also had so much potential and while Lucy’s perspective made the novel feel personal and heartfelt, I felt it lacked the emotional depth I was expecting and considering this was billed as a romance, I found the story completely lacking romance and ultimately it doesn’t deliver the emotional payoff I was hoping for. If you’re looking for a historical story with good character development and a mystery plot, this book is worth checking out. However, if you want a romance-driven read, this is probably not the story for you.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *
Overall, this was a fun Regency adventure with some fresh ideas and entertaining moments. While I admired Lucy’s neurodivergent traits and the way her personality shines through, I sometimes wished the story gave a bit more attention to the other characters who also had so much potential and while Lucy’s perspective made the novel feel personal and heartfelt, I felt it lacked the emotional depth I was expecting and considering this was billed as a romance, I found the story completely lacking romance and ultimately it doesn’t deliver the emotional payoff I was hoping for. If you’re looking for a historical story with good character development and a mystery plot, this book is worth checking out. However, if you want a romance-driven read, this is probably not the story for you.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *
May 10, 2026
Move over, Jane Austen there’s a new kind of fast lady in the Regency era! 🏎️💨
Let me tell you, Fast and Fastidious by R.M. Caldwell was the historical mystery-romance mashup I didn't know I needed. Imagine a heroine who is the literal definition of perfectionist by day, but by night? She’s at the Night Races, gambling on illegal carriage sprints. Lucy Elliot, you are a woman after my own heart!
📖 The Vibe
This book perfectly balances the prim-and-proper expectations of 1810 England with the gritty, adrenaline-pumping world of illicit racing. Lucy is fastidious to a fault, believing everything has a logical place until Captain Dashwood rolls into town.
🕵️♀️ Why I Loved It:
The Mystery: When carriage robberies start spiking right as the handsome Captain arrives, Lucy doesn't just swoon; she investigates.
The Stakes: This isn't just a will they won't they romance. We’re talking full-blown espionage and a plot that could actually topple Britain.
The Dynamic: The chemistry between Lucy’s meticulous planning and Dashwood’s mysterious energy is wonderful.
Honestly, I went in for the romance but stayed for the high-speed carriage chases and the fate of the nation tension. If you love a smart, capable heroine who can spot a clue as easily as she can spot a flaw in a dinner seating chart, you need to add this to your TBR list. It’s witty, it’s fast-paced, and it’s a total breath of fresh air for the Regency genre.
✨️Thank you, Bibliolifestyle, Harper Perennial, and R.M. Caldwell for sharing Fast and Fastidious with me!
Let me tell you, Fast and Fastidious by R.M. Caldwell was the historical mystery-romance mashup I didn't know I needed. Imagine a heroine who is the literal definition of perfectionist by day, but by night? She’s at the Night Races, gambling on illegal carriage sprints. Lucy Elliot, you are a woman after my own heart!
📖 The Vibe
This book perfectly balances the prim-and-proper expectations of 1810 England with the gritty, adrenaline-pumping world of illicit racing. Lucy is fastidious to a fault, believing everything has a logical place until Captain Dashwood rolls into town.
🕵️♀️ Why I Loved It:
The Mystery: When carriage robberies start spiking right as the handsome Captain arrives, Lucy doesn't just swoon; she investigates.
The Stakes: This isn't just a will they won't they romance. We’re talking full-blown espionage and a plot that could actually topple Britain.
The Dynamic: The chemistry between Lucy’s meticulous planning and Dashwood’s mysterious energy is wonderful.
Honestly, I went in for the romance but stayed for the high-speed carriage chases and the fate of the nation tension. If you love a smart, capable heroine who can spot a clue as easily as she can spot a flaw in a dinner seating chart, you need to add this to your TBR list. It’s witty, it’s fast-paced, and it’s a total breath of fresh air for the Regency genre.
✨️Thank you, Bibliolifestyle, Harper Perennial, and R.M. Caldwell for sharing Fast and Fastidious with me!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
*Thank you Edelweiss and Harper Perennial for the eARC*
I am a simple woman who loves regency era romance and Fast & Furious, so when I saw "Fast & Fastidious" available for request on Edelweiss, I knew I had to read it. And I was not disappointed! This book has the tension and romance of a regency slow burn, and the thrilling action of a Fast & Furious movie.
What I most appreciate from this novel was the care in writing the main character, Lucy Elliot. She is characterized as a woman with many quirks who thinks differently from those in good society; she is hyperfixated on coaches and racing, and she has a knack for engineering. I want to say she is neurodivergent (most likely Autistic). I like how her character, despite not being attuned to neurotypical ways of engagement, is never ostracized by society. She is often seen as blunt or awkward, but people throughout the novel consistently reassures her of her worth and her value, which is refreshing to see.
I'm glad that there is a mystery to be solved and that the idea of family was heavily focused on. If you are a fan of the Fast & Furious franchise, you know that it is "all about the family," and family comes in all shapes and forms, and isn't just about blood.
This is a ridiculously fun, extremely heartwarming, and excitingly fast-paced novel. I hope it receives a ton of praises because it definitely lifted my spirits.
I am a simple woman who loves regency era romance and Fast & Furious, so when I saw "Fast & Fastidious" available for request on Edelweiss, I knew I had to read it. And I was not disappointed! This book has the tension and romance of a regency slow burn, and the thrilling action of a Fast & Furious movie.
What I most appreciate from this novel was the care in writing the main character, Lucy Elliot. She is characterized as a woman with many quirks who thinks differently from those in good society; she is hyperfixated on coaches and racing, and she has a knack for engineering. I want to say she is neurodivergent (most likely Autistic). I like how her character, despite not being attuned to neurotypical ways of engagement, is never ostracized by society. She is often seen as blunt or awkward, but people throughout the novel consistently reassures her of her worth and her value, which is refreshing to see.
I'm glad that there is a mystery to be solved and that the idea of family was heavily focused on. If you are a fan of the Fast & Furious franchise, you know that it is "all about the family," and family comes in all shapes and forms, and isn't just about blood.
This is a ridiculously fun, extremely heartwarming, and excitingly fast-paced novel. I hope it receives a ton of praises because it definitely lifted my spirits.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Pride and Prejudice meets The Fast and the Furious. That's exactly what Fast and Fastidious is. Instead of cars, it's night races in carriages. And it's a lot of fun!
Along with the night races, there's several mysteries to be solved ... carriages showing up with no drivers or passengers, only the horses, burglaries, a ghostly night rider in white, a strange group of racers, and the mysterious Captian Dashwood, all set during the spring season of Regency England.
Seeing a neurodivergent MC on the page for a book set in the Regency era was really refreshing, I related to Lucy quite a lot.
Things to know: there is no spice or intimacy between Lucy and the love interest. The romance is more of a subplot. This is more of a historical mystery book. But I still enjoyed their banter and relationship.
This book is very detailed in describing the carriages. Think like taking cars apart and putting them back together and customizing them for racing, but it's carriages! It can be a lot at times.
Overall, I enjoyed this one a lot. I was super interested in figuring out the mystery and that got me to read through it pretty fast. I really liked Lucy and the sort of found family element with some of the racers.
I think most readers that like historical fiction will enjoy this book. Thank you so much to Harper Perennial for the gifted ARC!
Along with the night races, there's several mysteries to be solved ... carriages showing up with no drivers or passengers, only the horses, burglaries, a ghostly night rider in white, a strange group of racers, and the mysterious Captian Dashwood, all set during the spring season of Regency England.
Seeing a neurodivergent MC on the page for a book set in the Regency era was really refreshing, I related to Lucy quite a lot.
Things to know: there is no spice or intimacy between Lucy and the love interest. The romance is more of a subplot. This is more of a historical mystery book. But I still enjoyed their banter and relationship.
This book is very detailed in describing the carriages. Think like taking cars apart and putting them back together and customizing them for racing, but it's carriages! It can be a lot at times.
Overall, I enjoyed this one a lot. I was super interested in figuring out the mystery and that got me to read through it pretty fast. I really liked Lucy and the sort of found family element with some of the racers.
I think most readers that like historical fiction will enjoy this book. Thank you so much to Harper Perennial for the gifted ARC!
May 18, 2026
Okay so I want to start with the cover because there is a goat on it and I love a goat and that alone had me. 🐐😂
This one is set in England in 1810 and follows Lucy Elliott who is a woman who has always been described as fastidious, meaning she sees the most logical way to do things and just… goes with it, even when she can’t quite read the room.
She’s also got a secret. She sneaks out unchaperoned to the night races that happen every full moon, where people from all different classes show up and pretend they don’t know each other anywhere else.
At one of these races she meets her neighbor Captain Dashwood who is mysterious, a little suspicious, and she genuinely can’t tell if he’s good news or very bad news. And then carriage robberies start happening and suddenly things get a lot more interesting.
I genuinely liked Lucy and Dashwood both. They were well written characters. And the writing itself was good. But I’ll be honest, this one was slow for me. Like really slow. I almost gave it two stars but the ending pulled me back and I finished it actually invested, so three it is.
Patient with a slow burn? Historical fiction lover? This one’s for you.
🩵 Thank you to @harperperennial for the ARC!
This one is set in England in 1810 and follows Lucy Elliott who is a woman who has always been described as fastidious, meaning she sees the most logical way to do things and just… goes with it, even when she can’t quite read the room.
She’s also got a secret. She sneaks out unchaperoned to the night races that happen every full moon, where people from all different classes show up and pretend they don’t know each other anywhere else.
At one of these races she meets her neighbor Captain Dashwood who is mysterious, a little suspicious, and she genuinely can’t tell if he’s good news or very bad news. And then carriage robberies start happening and suddenly things get a lot more interesting.
I genuinely liked Lucy and Dashwood both. They were well written characters. And the writing itself was good. But I’ll be honest, this one was slow for me. Like really slow. I almost gave it two stars but the ending pulled me back and I finished it actually invested, so three it is.
Patient with a slow burn? Historical fiction lover? This one’s for you.
🩵 Thank you to @harperperennial for the ARC!
December 6, 2025
This book was such a fun surprise! This overlaps many genres including romance, mystery, suspense and historical fiction.
Lucy Elliot is a very intelligent young woman and enthralled with how carriages work. Captain James Dashwood moves to the property next to the Elliot's and recognizes and admires Lucy's intelligence and her knowledge of carriages. Lucy and James work together trying to piece together carriage robberies that have been happening in the district. This book started out a little slow for me, but as you get to know Lucy it speeds up an ended with a BANG!
This book has:
- a very intelligent FMC and MMC who admires her intelligence
- mystery/suspense
- a great sister relationship between Lucy and her sister Margaret
- found family with Lucy, James and their night racing family
If you love historical fiction and suspense you will love this book! The romance is subdued, but this fits the characters and anymore wouldn't be true to Lucy or James. I only wish we got to see their wedding or and epilogue of some kind!
Highly recommend- one of my favorite reads of the year! Thank you Harper Perennial and NetGalley for the ARC!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Lucy Elliot is a very intelligent young woman and enthralled with how carriages work. Captain James Dashwood moves to the property next to the Elliot's and recognizes and admires Lucy's intelligence and her knowledge of carriages. Lucy and James work together trying to piece together carriage robberies that have been happening in the district. This book started out a little slow for me, but as you get to know Lucy it speeds up an ended with a BANG!
This book has:
- a very intelligent FMC and MMC who admires her intelligence
- mystery/suspense
- a great sister relationship between Lucy and her sister Margaret
- found family with Lucy, James and their night racing family
If you love historical fiction and suspense you will love this book! The romance is subdued, but this fits the characters and anymore wouldn't be true to Lucy or James. I only wish we got to see their wedding or and epilogue of some kind!
Highly recommend- one of my favorite reads of the year! Thank you Harper Perennial and NetGalley for the ARC!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 17, 2026
📚 Think Fast & Furious, but set in 1810. This historical mystery adventure was an absolute joyride! Lucy is fascinated with engineering, midnight carriage racing and occasionally helping certain handsome gentleman solve a mystery.
💭 Regency romance isn't usually my go-to, but this debut was absolute perfection. I simply could not put it down. It’s the complete package: a clever historical spin on a modern story, genuine humor, exciting adventure, and a perfect cozy mystery.
The writing style is witty and sharp. I loved the dialogues! Lucy is an introvert who gets overwhelmed by social gatherings. I felt so seen by her character! The author handles her social awkwardness with such grace, making it feel like a superpower rather than a flaw. I also loved seeing her supported by a family that actually valued her inquisitive mind and engineering obsession instead of trying to stifle it. Which was probably quite uncommon in that day and age.
⚖️ I highly recommend this heartwarming read to anyone looking for a blend of mystery, romance, and adventure featuring a truly strong female lead. 5/5 ⭐ from me!
💭 Regency romance isn't usually my go-to, but this debut was absolute perfection. I simply could not put it down. It’s the complete package: a clever historical spin on a modern story, genuine humor, exciting adventure, and a perfect cozy mystery.
The writing style is witty and sharp. I loved the dialogues! Lucy is an introvert who gets overwhelmed by social gatherings. I felt so seen by her character! The author handles her social awkwardness with such grace, making it feel like a superpower rather than a flaw. I also loved seeing her supported by a family that actually valued her inquisitive mind and engineering obsession instead of trying to stifle it. Which was probably quite uncommon in that day and age.
⚖️ I highly recommend this heartwarming read to anyone looking for a blend of mystery, romance, and adventure featuring a truly strong female lead. 5/5 ⭐ from me!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Fast and Fastidious is a regency novel which gives off the vibes of Jane Austen and Fast and Furious. I will say that I was very intrigued with how this novel turned out. The main fmc wasn't going to let the rules of society get in the way she wanted to live her life. I will say that while sneaking out to watch high speed carriage races probably isn't the most ideal rebellion story but I guess for the time period it's enough for some.
Our main character Lucy is a gem who is but misunderstood. She has always believed in using common sense as a reasonable tool. She has decided to take her rebellion to a new level when sneaking out at night to watch high speed carriage races which people gamble on. Overall this routine has played out pretty well for her.
However, when it is discovered that her new neighbor Captain Dashwood partakes in these events Lucy fears that she will be revealed. But there are other thibgs to worry about as there start to be a string of carriage robberies. Lucy then decides to take up the hobby of investigating not knowing what it will lead her to.
Our main character Lucy is a gem who is but misunderstood. She has always believed in using common sense as a reasonable tool. She has decided to take her rebellion to a new level when sneaking out at night to watch high speed carriage races which people gamble on. Overall this routine has played out pretty well for her.
However, when it is discovered that her new neighbor Captain Dashwood partakes in these events Lucy fears that she will be revealed. But there are other thibgs to worry about as there start to be a string of carriage robberies. Lucy then decides to take up the hobby of investigating not knowing what it will lead her to.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
An enjoyable Regency romance that moves from the ballroom to secret carriage races that take place under the full moon.The characters and situations are unique and there is a mystery along with the romance.
Lucy is sensible, curious, believes that there is a certain way of doing things, and has a secret: she is a regular at the night races. Her orderly life is disrupted when Captain Dashwood moves to the neighborhood and discovers her secret. When a series of crimes occurs Lucy and Captain Dashwood work together to figure things out putting themselves in danger. I enjoyed the interactions between Lucy and Captain Dashwood and especially enjoyed that Lucy was able to use her unique brain to engineer updates for the carriages. I also liked the way that they were together and that he seemed to understand her in ways others didn’t.
The mystery was unexpected and added to the story. If you enjoy historical mysteries or Regency romances I recommend this book.
Thanks to Harper Perennial for the gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Lucy is sensible, curious, believes that there is a certain way of doing things, and has a secret: she is a regular at the night races. Her orderly life is disrupted when Captain Dashwood moves to the neighborhood and discovers her secret. When a series of crimes occurs Lucy and Captain Dashwood work together to figure things out putting themselves in danger. I enjoyed the interactions between Lucy and Captain Dashwood and especially enjoyed that Lucy was able to use her unique brain to engineer updates for the carriages. I also liked the way that they were together and that he seemed to understand her in ways others didn’t.
The mystery was unexpected and added to the story. If you enjoy historical mysteries or Regency romances I recommend this book.
Thanks to Harper Perennial for the gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 14, 2026
Fast and Fastidious by R.M. Caldwell is an effective blend of romance and historical mystery. Fans of mechanical engineering will find plenty to like in this novel. Lucy Elliott is the perfect Regency lady. But it's interesting that she is obsessed with engineering. As the book progresses, we watch her attend the Night Races. This brings her together with a friend named Captain Dashwood. The relationship between Lucy, Captain Dashwood, and her friend Meg is unpredictable yet hopeful. Action scenes abound, and the night races attempt to minimize the classism prevalent at the time.
Fast and Fastidious is entertaining and well worth reading. Lucy should be mentioned as possessing neurodivergent traits. And instead of being a detriment, they emphasize her unique personality. And produce empathy among readers. Perhaps the story could have placed more emphasis on romance and the high emotions that usually attend a romantic endeavor. But nonetheless. The character development and the plot make Fast and Fastidious a book well worth diving into.
Fast and Fastidious is entertaining and well worth reading. Lucy should be mentioned as possessing neurodivergent traits. And instead of being a detriment, they emphasize her unique personality. And produce empathy among readers. Perhaps the story could have placed more emphasis on romance and the high emotions that usually attend a romantic endeavor. But nonetheless. The character development and the plot make Fast and Fastidious a book well worth diving into.
April 29, 2026
Thank you to the author and @harperperennial for the #gifted book!
Set in the Regency era, this adventure blends carriage racing, espionage, and just a hint of romance.
Lucy stands out as the meticulous, slightly peculiar heroine, determined to do everything the right way. Her passion for night carriage races catches the eye of Captain James Dashwood, and their connection is immediate. He invites her into his investigation of carriage thefts, recognizing her sharp analytical mind and love of engineering.
I was captivated by the characters, the exhilarating carriage races, and especially Lucy’s brilliant approach to solving problems. What I appreciated most was that the romance took a backseat to the genuine friendship that developed between Lucy and James. The carriage thefts’ mystery sparked a larger scandal, adding depth to the story.
This book is a delightful read, featuring a strong female character with a brilliant mind. This wonderful debut novel is available now, don’t miss it!
Set in the Regency era, this adventure blends carriage racing, espionage, and just a hint of romance.
Lucy stands out as the meticulous, slightly peculiar heroine, determined to do everything the right way. Her passion for night carriage races catches the eye of Captain James Dashwood, and their connection is immediate. He invites her into his investigation of carriage thefts, recognizing her sharp analytical mind and love of engineering.
I was captivated by the characters, the exhilarating carriage races, and especially Lucy’s brilliant approach to solving problems. What I appreciated most was that the romance took a backseat to the genuine friendship that developed between Lucy and James. The carriage thefts’ mystery sparked a larger scandal, adding depth to the story.
This book is a delightful read, featuring a strong female character with a brilliant mind. This wonderful debut novel is available now, don’t miss it!
May 5, 2026
This Bridgerton x Fast and the Furious x detective cross over was a fun journey that I’m sorry that I slept on. I was granted an ARC copy of this book, but never got around to it until I found an audiobook on Libby through my library. We have a strong FMC who does not comply with her Regency Era society norms and an MMC who is not interested in containing or controlling her, but instead, encourages her to be herself and try new things.
This story is a fast paced adventure that keeps descriptions brief, which is such a breath of fresh air for a regency story. If more stories were like this, I’d read more regency. I will say I didn’t quite feel the chemistry between our two main characters, but I did enjoy the adventure aspect, which was definitely in the forefront of the story.
The audiobook was fast paced and excellent at 2x speed, which is my normal listening speed. I couldn’t but this audiobook down and when I had to pause my book, I was hitting play as fast as I could to continue the story.
This story is a fast paced adventure that keeps descriptions brief, which is such a breath of fresh air for a regency story. If more stories were like this, I’d read more regency. I will say I didn’t quite feel the chemistry between our two main characters, but I did enjoy the adventure aspect, which was definitely in the forefront of the story.
The audiobook was fast paced and excellent at 2x speed, which is my normal listening speed. I couldn’t but this audiobook down and when I had to pause my book, I was hitting play as fast as I could to continue the story.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
I received an ARC of this book.
I have seen this book being marketed as "Pride & Prejudice meets Fast and Furious" and a "rollicking romantic Regency adventure." The first part is INCREDIBLY literal, but yes, that is exactly what this book is--and the second part is patently false. If you think it will be a fun romp through Regency England while our two MCs juggle outwitting criminals while racing carriages and build a romance along the way, you would be wrong. This is literally like Jane Austen wrote a novel about carriage racing and spies. But Jane Austen was also a wonderful writer who incidentally created powerful romance while commenting on English society. This is not that.
The FMC is compelling. I am assuming she is on the spectrum, and has a deep connection to building things, especially carriages, and figuring out how they work. This leads her to attending midnight carriage races once a month (which calls for a suspension of belief, assuming such conduct could get her ostracized from society, if such races even occurred). There she meets a man who also has an interest in racing, and come to find out, he needs her help to build and race carriages in clandestine midnight races (that somehow, while adventuresome, hold no romantic tension and cultivate no chemistry or sparks between the two leads) in order to find out who is stealing from the government and possibly engaging in traitorous activity.
When I finished the book I was like, "oh. that's it..." and I couldn't quite figure out what the problem was, until I realized this "romance" novel had NO romance. I had spent the entire book expecting something to happen between the two MCs. But NOTHING DID. I don't have to have x-rated scenes in a romance novel, but some actual romance would be nice! This book had LITERALLY NO ROMANCE. AT ALL. They danced together once, she grabbed his hand once when he almost hurt himself, and she put her hand on his chest once. Even with so little physical contact, a good writer can certainly infuse a scene with tension and the reader can see a relationship building along with the characters. But there were not even any longing glances, and sadly there were not even any discussions between the two about their feelings.
This book could have been so good--an exciting, clean, and suspenseful romance between a unique and unconventional young lady and a mysterious but compelling young man who have to team up to keep traitors from aiding Napoleon in fast carriages. But it was not. It was like all the ingredients for a great story were not mixed together well enough. It was thoroughly unsatisfying. I cannot recommend it.
I have seen this book being marketed as "Pride & Prejudice meets Fast and Furious" and a "rollicking romantic Regency adventure." The first part is INCREDIBLY literal, but yes, that is exactly what this book is--and the second part is patently false. If you think it will be a fun romp through Regency England while our two MCs juggle outwitting criminals while racing carriages and build a romance along the way, you would be wrong. This is literally like Jane Austen wrote a novel about carriage racing and spies. But Jane Austen was also a wonderful writer who incidentally created powerful romance while commenting on English society. This is not that.
The FMC is compelling. I am assuming she is on the spectrum, and has a deep connection to building things, especially carriages, and figuring out how they work. This leads her to attending midnight carriage races once a month (which calls for a suspension of belief, assuming such conduct could get her ostracized from society, if such races even occurred). There she meets a man who also has an interest in racing, and come to find out, he needs her help to build and race carriages in clandestine midnight races (that somehow, while adventuresome, hold no romantic tension and cultivate no chemistry or sparks between the two leads) in order to find out who is stealing from the government and possibly engaging in traitorous activity.
When I finished the book I was like, "oh. that's it..." and I couldn't quite figure out what the problem was, until I realized this "romance" novel had NO romance. I had spent the entire book expecting something to happen between the two MCs. But NOTHING DID. I don't have to have x-rated scenes in a romance novel, but some actual romance would be nice! This book had LITERALLY NO ROMANCE. AT ALL. They danced together once, she grabbed his hand once when he almost hurt himself, and she put her hand on his chest once. Even with so little physical contact, a good writer can certainly infuse a scene with tension and the reader can see a relationship building along with the characters. But there were not even any longing glances, and sadly there were not even any discussions between the two about their feelings.
This book could have been so good--an exciting, clean, and suspenseful romance between a unique and unconventional young lady and a mysterious but compelling young man who have to team up to keep traitors from aiding Napoleon in fast carriages. But it was not. It was like all the ingredients for a great story were not mixed together well enough. It was thoroughly unsatisfying. I cannot recommend it.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
3.5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
I love this time period and anything even loosely adjacent to Pride and Prejudice, so the idea of carriage racing in Regency England immediately had my attention. I knew right away this was one I wanted to pick up.
Watching Charlotte step into spaces where society would say she doesn’t belong was one of my favorite parts. I always love seeing strong women in those roles, especially in this time period.
There aren’t a lot of nods to Austen beyond a few small touches, and I found myself wishing for just a little more of that.
This book made me laugh at times, and it was definitely entertaining, but I did find myself wanting a little more heart…especially when it came to the romance. It’s there, but it didn’t fully land for me. I also expected a bit more of that Regency charm and missed that here and there.
Still, a really enjoyable read and such a fun concept.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
I love this time period and anything even loosely adjacent to Pride and Prejudice, so the idea of carriage racing in Regency England immediately had my attention. I knew right away this was one I wanted to pick up.
Watching Charlotte step into spaces where society would say she doesn’t belong was one of my favorite parts. I always love seeing strong women in those roles, especially in this time period.
There aren’t a lot of nods to Austen beyond a few small touches, and I found myself wishing for just a little more of that.
This book made me laugh at times, and it was definitely entertaining, but I did find myself wanting a little more heart…especially when it came to the romance. It’s there, but it didn’t fully land for me. I also expected a bit more of that Regency charm and missed that here and there.
Still, a really enjoyable read and such a fun concept.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
January 11, 2026
This book is fun! Not quite as much Pride and Prejudice or Fast and Furious as the title led me to expect but enough racing and fastidious characters to keep my interest. Even with the (un)intentional Austen references (primarily in character names) other than general time-period setting there’s not much Austen here. I would love more of the classic Fast and Furious tropes (more talk about family) but I felt like the zaniness at this book conclusion was very Fast and Furious (complimentary). I greatly enjoyed Lucy and her fastidiousness and was glad to see her personality quirks embraced by her family and friends even if the aspects of carriage construction passed me by. Definitely a fun and fast read and perfect if you want something sweet and entertaining.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
February 16, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.
First off, I love the title. It’s a good title and gives you a little hint of what to expect in the book. Yes, there are races and fast cars, erm, coaches. And yes, our female lead is fastidious. Lucy is amazingly intelligent and I love how her family supports her.
This is a clean, regency love story that takes us on an adventure - a dangerous one - while solving a mystery. I enjoyed how the leads gravitated to each other and then later, become wholly on each other’s side, supportive and equal partners. The races were exciting, especially when Lucy particularly in it. Lucy, I think, is a bit neurodivergent and that just makes her extra special to me. And I like how great Meg is and how she’s (and their family and James too and a lot of their community really) so good with Lucy.
I’ll be on the lookout for this author’s works now.
First off, I love the title. It’s a good title and gives you a little hint of what to expect in the book. Yes, there are races and fast cars, erm, coaches. And yes, our female lead is fastidious. Lucy is amazingly intelligent and I love how her family supports her.
This is a clean, regency love story that takes us on an adventure - a dangerous one - while solving a mystery. I enjoyed how the leads gravitated to each other and then later, become wholly on each other’s side, supportive and equal partners. The races were exciting, especially when Lucy particularly in it. Lucy, I think, is a bit neurodivergent and that just makes her extra special to me. And I like how great Meg is and how she’s (and their family and James too and a lot of their community really) so good with Lucy.
I’ll be on the lookout for this author’s works now.
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