Full Throttle

by J.K. MacLaren

Brought to you by Penguin.

A fast-paced, enemies-to-lovers romance set against the glamorous and high-pressure world of Formula 1 racing, perfect for fans of Hannah Grace, Simone Soltani, and Netflix’s Drive to Survive.

She’s the first-ever female driver. He’s her biggest competition. They broke each other’s hearts. Can they survive a cutthroat Formula 1 season . . . as teammates?
When Juliette Marchmont becomes the first female driver in F1, she knows it’s her one shot to prove she has what it takes to win. She has sceptical managers, rivals, and fans to prove wrong, all while driving the worst car on the grid...and her teammate is the man who broke her heart.

Dominic Hastings is the Prince of F1, but all his composure and accolades couldn't stop his own father from firing him after a disastrous performance last season. He's desperate to show his distant, secretive father and the rest of the racing world that he's far from finished...but can he survive working with the woman who destroyed his life?

Forced to train in close quarters, Dominic and Juliette butt heads on and off the racetrack. As the competition grows ever more heated, and their connection undeniable, they start to wonder if the bruised love between them might be repaired after all...but they can't afford distractions. Teammates or no, only one driver can emerge as world champion, and each is willing to do whatever it takes to cross the finish line first.

J.K. MacLaren 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026

Genres: Romance, Sports Romance, Sports, Adult, Contemporary

Kindle Edition

Expected publication August 20, 2026

Reviews

[Hannah⸝*.☘︎ ́˖ · Rating 5 out of 5]

⋆🏆｡°🏎️⊹🏁⋆｡ First, thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an ARC of Full Throttle in exchange for an honest review. 💖
That being said… buckle up, because I LOVED this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars, no hesitation)

I was immediately drawn in by the premise — enemies to lovers, elite sports, and a “first-ever female driver” FMC? Say less. I’ve never read an F1 romance before, but as a girl who loves driving fast and deeply believes in women taking up space in male-dominated worlds, this felt right up my alley.

And wow… it delivered.

🏎️. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ The World: Formula 1 Without the Confusion

Even going in with zero knowledge of Formula 1, I never felt lost. The author does an excellent job grounding the story in the high-stakes, cutthroat world of F1 without overwhelming the reader with technical jargon. The racing is exciting, relevant, and woven seamlessly into the emotional and character arcs rather than overpowering them.

The pressure of sponsorships, media scrutiny, team politics, and generational expectations all feel real — and the stakes are high on and off the track.

⋆.ೃ🍾࿔*:･ Juliette Marchmont (FMC)

Juliette is the first female driver in Formula 1, and she knows this is her one shot. Her parents are Shakespeare aficionados, she doesn't come from racing lineage. She’s strong, determined, deeply talented, and constantly underestimated — by strategists, rivals, fans, and the system itself. She’s also human: anxious, stubborn, emotional, and trying desperately not to let the weight of expectations crush her.

She was such an easy FMC to root for. A true girl boss without being written as invincible or unrealistic.

Also, side note— her choosing to walk up 250+ stairs instead of taking the elevator? I felt SEEN. (Intense, irrational fear of elevators here.)

.⋅˚₊‧ 🜲 ‧₊˚ Dominic Hastings (MMC)

Dominic Hastings is the “Prince of F1” — incredibly talented, dangerously charming, and the son of Vance Hastings (daddy ISSUES) aka owner of Duro Stallion. After a disastrous season end and being fired by his own father, Dominic is desperate to prove he still belongs at the top.

He’s complex, emotionally guarded, and quietly wrecked by expectations — and his unresolved history with Juliette adds so much tension to every interaction. Also, canonically: incredibly good kisser. Thank you.

ׂ 𓈒 🏁 ／ ⋆ ۪Supporting Cast (AKA: People I Loved & People I Loved Hating)

Capulet Marchmont – Juliette’s twin brother and originally Dominic’s teammate. Protective, layered, and emotionally impactful. He has his moments, both good and bad, but I would definitely be interested in a book from his perspective about his racing career.

Anthony Sinclair (F1 Enemy #1) & Fredrick Von Galen (Academy Arsehole) – Easily the most hateable characters. Absolute cornballs. I cheered every time they got humbled. I hated them so much, I loved it. The rivalries felt sharp, personal, and relevantly motivating — exactly what this story needed.

˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗ The Romance: Enemies to Teammates and Looovers

Juliette and Dominic’s relationship is layered with shared history, heartbreak, rivalry, and unresolved tension. Forced to train together as teammates, their dynamic is explosive — full of sharp banter, jealousy, resentment, and lingering desire.

This is very much an enemies-to-lovers romance rooted in mutual respect, competition, and emotional growth. While I expected more romance going in, I ended up appreciating the balance. This story prioritizes Juliette’s journey, her ambition, and her place in the sport — and that choice absolutely works.

It reads less like “literary porn” and more like a feminist, high-stakes sports romance with heart.

⊹₊✎⋆. Editing Notes (ARC Transparency)

There were a two minor typos in the first half — “cannae” (assumed cannot) and “dinnae kne” (assumed did not know) — but nothing that pulled me out of the story, and I’m confident these will be smoothed out before publication.

⋆｡°·☁︎ Final Thoughts

Full Throttle completely surprised me with how quickly I fell in love with it. I devoured it in one day and felt everything — stress, triumph, heartbreak, hope. It’s been a while since a book elicited such a strong emotional response from me.

I loved the writing, the British euphemisms and terminology, the pacing, the enemies to lovers pt. 2, the character development, and the way the romance enhanced rather than overshadowed Juliette’s story. I will be purchasing a physical copy the second it becomes available.

༝༚༝༚ If you enjoy:
- elite sports romances
- enemies-to-lovers tension
- powerful FMCs breaking barriers
- emotionally complex MMCs
- high stakes and higher ambition
I ABSOLUTELY recommend you read this book!

Tropes / What to Expect:
🔥 Enemies to Lovers
🏎️ Formula 1 / Sports Romance
👩‍🚀 First Woman in a Male-Dominated Field
💔 Second Chance / Past Heartbreak
👩‍🤝‍👨 Forced Proximity / Teammates
🖤 Feminist, Character-Driven Story
⚡ High Stakes, High Pressure
💫 Emotional Growth & Redemption

[Sarah Kemmerer · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I would like to thank NetGalley for the ARC! I am so lucky to be one of the first to read this amazing novel.

Full Throttle is a second chance romance between two drivers who ended things on not the best of terms, to say the least. Juliette is the first female F1 driver, hired by a team with the worst car in the league (I'm assuming that's the word for it, I don't really know anything about the sport). Dominic used to drive for the top team before a bad race led him to being fired. Now, he has to work for the only team that will hire him, as Juliette's teammate.

I am OBSESSED. This book completely blew me away. Not only is the romance between them beautifully done, but also hard topics such as sexism and more in the sport. Juliette deals with a lot from competitors and even her own coworkers. It's not hard to believe in the accuracy of what she endures, knowing what we do about male-dominated fields. Dominic also has his own struggles. He feels disconnected from his own culture and identity, and experiences anti-immigrant sentiments from others. I thought these were important topics that were handled with care. Even though it isn't always fun to read about, it's even less fun to experience and I think it is crucial to represent these issues in media.

Everything about this book is done well. The characters have depth and they learn and grow throughout the story. The dual POV really helps the reader get to know them and their struggles in their own individual way. They are both likable from the beginning, even when they act in frustrating ways. Everything they do is understandable and called for. I LOVE the flash backs to the past. I feel like they add a lot to the story and the glimpses into their relationship are so UGHH. Made me want to cry.

Dominic is a MAN. He is literally everything I would want in an MMC. Juliette is an icon. I want to be her. They are perfect together, and for each other. Besides the main characters, the book also displays intricate friendships and family relationships. The layers in this book were unexpected and just amazing. I could gush on and on how much I loved it, but I don't even know if I have the words to accurately express myself.

Just trust me and read this book. It deserves every one of those five stars.

[book.obsessed.jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 ⭐️
2/5 🌶️

My first F-1 romance and it did not disappoint! I think I’m obsessed to be honest. Full Throttle not only delivers on an action packed high stakes sports plot but also a romance steaming with tension. I was on the edge of my seat and didn’t want to hit the brakes! (Tee hee, see what I did there 🤭).

Also, debut novel where?! I loved the writing style, the characters, the plot, etc. The spice was written well. 🔥 &The tension between FMC and MMC - obsessed, #givememore . I loved every second and I looked forward to the next interaction between them. The sports aspect?! I know barely anything about F-1 but I could follow along in this book it was executed so well - I could not put it down.

Overall, I loved it. I am so excited to see what this author writes next and will 100% be adding it to my tbr!

Thank you so much to Ballantine, Random House Publishing Group, Netgalley, and the Author for the eARC! 🥹🫶🏻

What to Expect:
🏎️Formula 1/Sports Romance
🏁Second Chance
🏎️Enemies to Lovers
🏁Action Packed/High Stakes
🏎️Dual POV
🏁Flashbacks in Time
🏎️Forced Proximity
🏁”Fxck It”

[EeeJay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5/5

Trope: Female racer, woman-in-man's-world, enemies-to-lovers, 2nd-chance, chemistry.

The FMC and MMC are both young-ish ( old in racing terms, but youngish overall). The story has flashbacks, but it's tasteful and does not give a whiplash.


I liked the camaraderie between the drivers ( and the competitiveness). It's a novel novel (heh), if only because I have not read about female racers ( my kids love racing, wish I were the same!). There was strong chemistry between the leads even though the ending is Cars ( Disney movie) level of cheesy.

I still had a smile on my face when I finished reading it so there's that.

Thanks to Netgalley for the E-ARC

[hopeful romantic . ۫ ꣑ৎ . · Rating 4 out of 5]

ᯓ✦ “love was—for all its shortcomings—the only thing worth living for.”

thank you so much to netgalley and random house publishing group for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

it has been FAR too long since i last read an f1 romance novel (haven’t read one since lauren asher’s dirty air series). and let me just say, this did NOT disappoint!!! i really enjoyed the plot of this one. full throttle follows dominic hastings, prince of formula 1, and juliette marchmont, the first female f1 driver. it was so intriguing to read a novel where the fmc is a driver herself! there were aspects of forced proximity, second chance, rivals, and so so so much tension! you could actually cut it with a knife.

-- “i remember everything, when it comes to you.”

personally, dominic grew on me with every chapter. for years, he’s worn the prince crown of formula 1. he’s admired by so many, ending up on podiums countless times. however, when a reckless decision on the track costs him the championship, his trajectory is thrown out of wack. his father pulls him from their team and attempts to stop him from joining any other team in the circuit. eventually, he ends up on the worst team of the 10, but it’s a team nonetheless. at the beginning of the novel, i couldn’t really connect with dominic. the reckless, beloved persona he put off was kind of hard to see past in the beginning. but as we see him reconnect with juliette, that persona begins to shed. and his real colors shine through. dominic was so sweet and caring with juliette. he was utterly infatuated with her, but what i admired the most was how he always had HER best interest in mind. despite so many people belittling her for being a woman, he never ever doubted her abilities. from the first day they met at the racing academy, he saw her grit and potential. it was so sweet to see him believe in her so fiercely. i also really liked watching him grow as an individual. it was clear through his interactions and relationships that he began to better himself throughout the novel. when his priorities became more clear, his intentions and actions did too. i would’ve liked a little more depth with him as a person, but overall i think his character was really well done!

-- “i’m just desperately in love with you, and it seems impossible to me that anyone who knows you wouldn’t be in love with you too.”

juliette marchmont was a force to be reckoned with. there’s a reason she’s the first female driver in f1. not only due to her talent, but her sheer determination and refusal to lose. she was so dedicated to the sport, to proving everyone wrong. something i really enjoyed about this book was how they didn’t sugarcoat the amount of sexism that juliette received. as a woman in a male-dominated sport, she was constantly exposed to people undermining her due to her gender. when she succeeded, people attributed it to the other racers taking it easy on her. when she failed, they assumed it was because she wasn’t cut out for such a sport. somehow, everyone around her had something to say. yet juliette never let it hurt her, only motivate her. it was so inspiring to watch her handle those situations and put herself first. however, i did notice that with dominic, she was very distant due to being hurt in the past. understandably so, she couldn’t really let herself get close with him again or let him in. i personally felt like there was a bit of an abrupt change of heart on her part. i could see it, but her yearning didn’t feel quite the same as dominic’s. i only wish there had been a little more buildup to her thought process on a relationship with dominic.

-- “he might’ve come to give the rookies the same leg up that he’d had, but so far she’d been his reason to stay.”

juliette and dominic are a power couple if i’ve ever seen one. besides the fact that they are two of the best racers in f1, they are so perfectly balanced. they balance each other so well and don’t fail to show up for each other in every way. their banter and tension were truly the cherry on top. it made their relationship feel so much more real. i also loved the flashbacks in this novel! they helped me better understand their past and history in a way that allowed me to fall in love with their love. overall, i really enjoyed full throttle and would recommend it to anyone looking for a short and sweet f1 romance! it honestly flew by for me after the first 25%!! i’m looking forward to the rest of the books that maclaren writes, especially considering this is a debut romance novel!

if you like:
🏎️ f1 romance
🏎️ second chance
🏎️ forced proximity
🏎️ lovers to rivals to lovers
🏎️ high stakes
🏎️ yearning and tension
🏎️ he falls first

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A huge thank you to Net galley for this ARC!

In a compelling new Motorsport romance, old flames are revived when circumstances force Juliette and Dominic, two drivers with a complicated romantic history, to reunite under the same team banner. As the two navigate an intense F1 season and the old feelings their reunion brings forth, they must decide what’s most important to them, and what sacrifices must be made in service of reaching their dreams.🏁🏎️

I think a common issue I find with most sports romances is that one element, either the sports or the romance, is sacrificed in service of the other. In this case, it felt as though both of these components lost some of their power.
With the F1 setting/atmosphere, it felt like the novel set up a lot of really high stakes that it never followed through on. Being the first female driver should have been a huge deal, and at many times it was, but there were also moments when it seemed to lose importance. For instance, with the way time passes in the book, we completely skip over some of Juliette’s first podium finishes, which would be a major accomplishment for anyone. Additionally, a major fuss was made over their team having the worst car on the grid, but all of the sudden they are both in contention for the WDC with almost no adjustments being made to the car? Overall, it was hard to feel invested in the stakes set up in the book when they felt neglected or unrealistic.

I did love a lot of the characters Maclaren created. Dominic and Juliette were incredibly compelling protagonists that you couldn’t help but root for. Juliette has a strong voice and perspective throughout the novel, understanding the significance of her position and responding to external pressures with simultaneous strength and vulnerability that is admirable. Dominic I feel was slightly less developed, and there were times where it was hard to understand some aspects of his personality or motives, but I love the connections between him and his mother/his heritage throughout the novel. And his yearning for Juliette?! LOVED. I also had a soft spot for Baz and Cap and would like to learn more about both of them! Despite my enjoyment of these characters, the portrayal of Vance Hastings really frustrated me and took me out of the novel at times. He was built up to be this sort of supervillain type figure, firing his son, dating inappropriately young women, threatening to expose private images to the press to ruin a young woman’s career, etc. but then at the end we are supposed to believe he did it all for his son? And that he’s remorseful and suddenly ready for redemption? The ending fell flat for me at this part.

As for the ROMANCE, despite some of my frustrations with the miscommunications, I really believed in Juliette and Dominic’s connection. I felt as though they challenged and complimented each other very well throughout the novel, as teammates, friends and romantic partners. I do wish we got a little more plot devoted to their romantic development the first time around, because there was a clear deeper history I felt we missed out on a little bit. Overall, though, their love and chemistry was vividly depicted throughout the novel, and part of what made this read so fast paced was my want to see them happily together !

For fans of sports romance, this new book is a fun, adrenaline spiking read with a diverse cast of nuanced yet lovable characters !

[Shauna · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a world full of sports romances I always have been a sucker for an F1 Romance so I was very excited to read Full Throttle as soon as I read the description.

Juliette signs a contract that means she will be the first ever female driver on the F1 grid. The only problem? Her team mate is also her greatest competition. Dominic Hastings journey to F1 couldn't be more different from Juliette's. He grew up in an F1 family and was always destined for a seat on his father's team where as Juliette had to work hard to prove her value, even after getting her seat.

But Dominic is desperate to show his father and the world that he has earned his place in F1. The best way to prove their worth? Becoming the World Champion.

Things are only complicated by the fact that this isn't the first time they have crossed paths. Dominic trained Juliette back when she was training for F1. Things didn't end so well the last time they parted ways, so why would things be different this time around?

Who doesn't love an enemies to lovers story with drama and tension filled moments? The duel timelines slowly reveal the past that Dominic and Juliette share, making the present become clearer and clearer.

The only reason I took away a star is that there were some pretty vital mistakes within the structure of the sport. As an F1 fan, this bothered me as they were fairly crucial to particular plot points - in particular the way Qualifying is described or the performance of drivers in a car described as the worst on the grid.

That being said, if you don't watch a lot of F1 or are able to overlook these inconsistencies, this was a fantastic book! Definitely one to add to your TBR upon its release!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Like was such a trivial word. He liked steak. And photography. And the smell of bonfire. But liking Juliette Marchmont? It was like asking if someone liked oxygen; there was no point determining its appeal. You can't live without it. Simple as that."

"Every winner has started out as a loser. You lose and you lose, and it lights a fire in your belly. And one day, when you win, it'll feel better for all the times you've lost"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC for this book in return for a honest review.

[Kelsie Bowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

“the world isn’t ready for ambitious women”

Is F1 romance the new hockey romance? For me, the answer might be yes… This one is a great intro to F1 romance. You don’t need to know the intricacies, and the intricacies that are brought up are introduced in an approachable way. Summer break, well that is easy to understand! DRC is introduced and utilized so we as readers are “in” on the terminology, but aren’t having it jammed down our throats, as examples. And it doesn’t take a genius to know that racing isn’t an arena where women have been given a chance to excel.

Juliette Marchmont is trying to make her way in F1 as the first female driver. She isn’t set up to succeed. She’s on a team, but she doesn’t have the best car and she’s pitted against her teammate, who happens to be Dominic Hastings, successful F1 driver who comes from a racing family and who happens to be a ghost from her romantic past. They both have something to prove to themselves and the world as a whole.

Both of these characters held a special spot in my heart as I kept reading. I was torn between who to root for. Juliette is out there with the weight of all women on her shoulders but never is she insufferable about it. And Dominic deserves a big hug 100% of the time. As characters on their own, I really liked their development. I wanted some more development in their romantic relationship. I was excited when they were able to work through things, but when I work to describe their relationship I can tell you it is very supportive, but I wish that I had more to say and to gush about, I love to gush.

“See, the difference is, Marchmont, that I don’t actually hate you. I want to hate you.” An odd light burned in his eyes. “But mostly I just despise myself for wanting you.”

Overall, this is worth the read if you want a bit of romance, and a badass woman and you are ready to join the Formula 1 bandwagon. Women belong in sports, be it as participants or as spectators.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Maya · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was provided to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Long story short I would not recommend this book. If you are interested in the F1, this book has infuriating inaccuracies. If you are interested in the romance, this book has all of the falling in love happening off the page. Spice? To call it mid would be a compliment. Plot? Unbelievable in a bad way. Writing? I regularly had to reread pages because I felt like I was missing important context and content. I genuinely found myself questioning if AI had a hand in writing this book or if perhaps it was poorly translated from a different language.
I am a big sports fan which often causes issues with my enjoyment of sports romances. I have learned to suspend some amount of disbelief in the name of a fictional romance book but this book started page one with egregious inaccuracy. On page one an F1 car is twice described as having a window/windshield, which they just very much do not have at all. I’m willing to forgive light inaccuracy because I know I am an intense sports fan but having that on literal page one did not set the tone well for the rest of the book and I have a large highlights section of racing inaccuracies. It’s odd, there is a lot of super accurate racing lore type information but the actual stuff you glean from watching and understanding racing is often off.
Juliette and Dominic have some sort of prior entanglement that the reader does not gain the details of until about 60-70% into the book. So it kinda feels like flying blind because you don't have the context necessary to understand their animosity towards each other. Neither of them come off particularly endearing and it paints Juliette in a bad light because she just seems so so stubborn and resentful for no reason.
It gets two stars because I was able to finish it, but if I had not received it as an ARC I probably would've DNF’d it.

[Vans · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read a LOT of F1 romance novels and my main complaint is that they get the F1 part right or the romance part right, but never both at once. This novel chose a third path.

F1 setting: it was fine. You can handwave away some of the fluffy bits and enjoy it. Other than the initial sabotage (hardly a spoiler, it happens like 5 pages in) that for some reason A) was possible and B) was not investigated immediately despite the FMC's protests.

Romance: Why does everyone smell like citrus and the woods and taste of strawberry in romance novels? Hastings' efforts not to fall for Marchmont, despite the inevitable conclusion of a romance novel, were kind of endearing in a hopeless sort of way.

Marchmont's competency and realistic outlook on her career as a woman in motorsports was refreshing. She is an incredibly hard worker but also knows that the deck is stacked against her - F1 is a boys club. Her unwillingness to give in through harassment, sabotage, and tabloid news creates a story that lets you feel proud of Juliette at the end, even if you completely ignore the entire romance. It's cute!

Spoilers ahead, there was one character whose arc almost ruined the book for me: Vance Hastings. He threatens to ruin Marchmont's career before it even begins with gossip, pictures, and rumours that she's only anywhere because she slept her way to the top. This is what creates the ENTIRE ROMANTIC CONFLICT. And yet at the end, we find out that Ranya's career was ruined because she was "caught" with Vance, who of course felt terrible etc etc. But somehow!!!! Instead of learning from this and BEING BETTER, he continues to be a PIECE OF CRAP and threaten Juliette's career. And then we're supposed to believe that actually, he meant well with most of this and he realizes he was wrong and he's going to fund the F1 Academy. Naw man, absolutely not.

[Chrissy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Makes sense this was a wattpad author. Not super well written but the spice to plot ration was good. The biggest thing was that there were so many times I thought, that would never happen in F1. Maybe someone who knows less about the sport would like it. I also wanted Cap and Baz to get together

- there is an inconsistency between some saying that Dom and Juliette’s car is the worst on the grid and is mid-range. Which is it? There is a big difference between being a feeder/lower level team with the worst cars and mid level teams fighting for points and money in the championship
- For a mid level car to be placing in the top 5 is amazing not at all common no matter who is driving it doesn’t make sense for Dom to be doing so well so often
- drivers on the same team are each others biggest competition so there wouldn’t be one team member training another. Each driver would have their own team to train them. The premise would make more sense if Dom was brought on as a consultant or something specifically for Juliette
- F1 drivers to me seem very focused and self consumed that it doesn’t seem likely that they would waste time taunting each other but if there is a mental component to driving I’m sure some are exploiting that
- Baz says dios mio WAY too much
- For being a nepo baby, Dom should understand why Juliette wants to keep things private
- Wouldn’t Juliette prefer to have lessons with Dom to dating him?
- how did no one notice Dom and Juliette spending so much time together? Why bother not having sex when even spending time together would make people think she was getting special treatment?
- After all that build up the spice scene was lackluster and even their other encounters weren’t well written

Net Galley ARC

[Briana Hogan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine books for the ARC!

First, I would really rate this more of a 3.5 if I had the option. Second, this was my first dive into Formula 1 racing, so I can't say much about how accurate it is to the sport, but now I want to learn more!

I particularly enjoyed how the book focused on the role of women in Formula 1 and the challenges female drivers face. It effectively shows that the lack of women in F1 is not due to ability, but to long standing barriers and stereotypes within the sport. This emphasis made the book more impactful and thought provoking. Although the novel is primarily a romance, it stands out for how effectively it highlights the challenges faced by women in Formula 1. Juliette is not defined solely by her romantic relationship with Dominic, but by her ambition and determination to succeed in a male dominated sport. The book shows how Juliette must constantly prove herself, facing doubt, stereotypes, and pressure that her male counterparts do not experience. Although I enjoyed those pieces of the book, I felt like there were some pacing issues throughout. One chapter jumps 3 months ahead at one point when all I wanted was more race scenes. I will say my biggest critique is that I found the decision to name the characters in reference to Romeo and Juliet off putting. This was a distraction from the modern issues presented in Full Throttle and did not feel necessary.

With all the tertiary characters, I could see this series continuing if the author chooses and I will be a reader for sure! For a debut novel, it was solid.

[Eryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full Throttle was an interesting read, especially coming from the perspective of someone who follows Formula 1. The premise is fun and the book definitely leans into drama and romance, which I think many readers will really enjoy.

For me, some of the pacing and tonal choices didn’t always align with the high stakes of the F1 world. A few conversations felt either more casual or more dramatic than I expected for the situations the characters were in, and there were moments that required a bit of suspension of disbelief when it came to the technical side of racing. That said, readers who are less familiar with F1, or who enjoy a more romance forward take on the sport, may not find this distracting at all.

The romance and tension weren’t entirely my personal preference, as some of the transitions between conflict and attraction felt a little disconnected, particularly with how the flashbacks were integrated. I also had mixed feelings about Vance’s character arc, though I can see how this element would work well for readers who enjoy unexpected character development.

Where the book really shines is in the drama. A garage scene in particular was a standout and genuinely scandalous in the best way. I also appreciated the author’s effort to explore the challenges of being a woman in a male dominated sport, as well as the nuance added to Dominic’s character through his upbringing, cultural background, and relationship with his father.

Overall, I think readers who like high drama sports romances, emotionally charged storylines, workplace tension, and romance forward narratives set in the world of Formula 1 will enjoy this book.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book! Below is my honest review.

Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5 stars

I think one of the strongest points of this book was the world-building. As someone who knows very little of F1 and car racing in general, I felt like this was pretty easy to understand. There were very few times I felt confused, but otherwise, a lot of things were explained. (Although, one gripe I do have is how so many people got into accidents but no one got seriously injured. Juliette is rushed to the hospital at one point, but she gets cleared within a day to race in the tournament the next day... Even though she has a concussion?)

Another strong point was the conflicts outside of the romantic relationship. Dominic has family issues with his father (though the solution to it felt a little too easy at the end of the book). Juliette has to deal with sexism in the racing world, along with some family issues as well. We don't get much explanation of what happened to her parents, but not a big deal.

But, as much as I love a good enemies-to-lovers, this one felt a little cringe to me. There are so many instances where Juliette finds herself in a not-great situation, and lo-and-behold, Dominic is there to save the day. But oh no, she hates him with all her guts because he won't apologize for that mysterious thing that he did in the past. I think the romance should have focused more on "if they date, it might be career ending for her" rather than the hating part.

Overall, this was a fun read!

[Elisha Reads For U · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this arc!

This was a solid 3.25 stars.

I'm not into any type of sports so I barely know anything about F1, but I really enjoyed that element in the book! I was fully intrigued by the premise. Our fmc Juliette is a driver but the odds are stacked against her because she is a woman. I knew by the end she would somehow win and her spot would be secured.

The romance; There were times where I was okay with it and then I started rolling my eyes. Juliette is firm on wanting to prove her position and didn't want anyone to think that she climbed her way to the top using Dominic. But then she turns around and constantly begs him to kiss her and when she gets what she wanted she goes and says this was nothing more and that she would never forgive him. GIRL. Then why?! She dug her own hole though. Because that interview came to bite her in the butt. At this point it felt like Dominic feelings were being used more by Juliette than the other way around. She keeps thinking the worst about him before he can explain things and it was extremely annoying and ruined the book for me.

And not to mention the words Dominic would say to Juliette out loud gave me second hand embarrassment. And the fact that Juliette continued to think he only cared about his own career after he just poured his heart out made me feel like she had some comprehension issues....

Some warning content: lot of language here and some spice..

Spiritual content: There was a mention of praying to Allah (islam.)

Overall solid read.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝘍𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 is a full-speed sports romance debut set in the competitive landscape of Formula 1.

The story follows the first female driver, Juliette, as she is forced to partner with Dominic - the man who broke her heart years ago.

I loved the writing style from the first page, and I couldn't put this book down. I'm unfamiliar with F1, and while this was my first exposure to its addictively competitive world, I never felt like I couldn't follow along. I enjoyed the storytelling and pacing in the present-day timeline, and the few flashbacks were appropriately placed and not overdone as to maintain the reader's interest.

The characters are well-developed with entertaining banter and complex relationships that I was highly invested in. Not only did I develop interest in Juliette and Dominic, but I cared for Juliette's growth in her relationship with her brother. In the interest of avoiding spoilers, I won't highlight names, but I did appreciate closure provided for another important, and very complicated, relationship.

As a woman in STEM, it was easy for me to relate to Juliette's struggles to earn respect in a boy's club environment, and the author didn't shy away from diving into this reality. The exploration of success and sacrifice was well-written, and I love the positive message as the characters figure it all out in the end.

Thank you to Dell and NetGalley for the advance reading copy!

[Mal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for the advanced reader copy

Juliette Marchmont should be ecstatic. She's just become the first women to drive a Formula 1 car and not as a reserve driver. The only problem? Her teammate is the man who broke her heart years earlier, Dominic Hastings. Dominic, considered the golden boy of F1, was recently dropped from his team--the team his father owns--and is looking for redemption. As the two have to work together to prove that they belong on the grid, they realize that old feelings they thought were put away might have been there all along. Can they trust each other enough to find success on and off the track?

This was a good addition to the F1 sports romances. I really appreciated the twist on the typical story with having a female driver trying to prove herself. Juliette is a confident and fully fleshed out main character who you root for from the beginning. And the fact that her parents are Shakespeare lovers who've named their children after Shakespearean characters added a fun detail to the story. FULL THROTTLE felt like the most international of the F1 books I've read and it's a great book to pick up if you like:
-lovers to enemies to lovers
-forced proximity
-workplace romance
-women in the driver's seat (literally and figuratively)

Full Throttle is out August 18, 2026

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

DNF at 83% -- Really well written, I just didn't like the miscommunication trope which was the major driving (hehe, pun intended) factor in this book.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy.

This is a second chance romance with two timelines, and their past storyline breadcrumbs what happened that made them breakup, which sets the pace for their present day romance. The drawback to this though is at 83%, the climax felt more tied to their relationship which loosely tied to the racing storyline. I was really interested in the racing though because when I learned she was placing 4th and Dominic was 3rd on mid tier cars I was shocked. Like when did that happen? Dominic had a car made for him when? What was happening with Cap to have him drop? What other acts of sabotage did Juliette have to overcome to get to 4th etc.? This was more of the story I wanted woven in. But ultimately I bowed out so late because I couldn't stand every time she begged him to hook up how she acted immediately afterward. And every time they got close to talking about what happened in Paris, something would interrupt and she chose Cap over Dominic who was trying to have a heartfelt conversation with her. IN THE LAST 20% OF THE BOOK WHEN WE REALLY NEEDED TO SORT THIS ISH OUT. Just too frustrating for me and I didn't care enough to finish.

[Melissa]

Thank you NetGalley & publishers for an advanced review copy of this book!

F1 books are going to be all the rage with it trending IRL. Things I liked: I love the cover; seems trivial, but I miss compelling covers on my books! I like that the F1 elements felt good for those who know the sport but not so deep to turn off people who may not be familiar with the sport. I liked the dynamic between the two leads and wanted them to work out their issues to be together.

Things I didn't like as much: The pacing felt off. It was meant to be a second-chance romance and *something happened* to made them break off initially, but you don't find out what that is until way too late, which left this weird pall over their second-chance (should I be rooting for them? Should I be hoping they come to their senses and stop? Who knows.) Also the characters felt inconsistent: her entire personality read like, "I don't know if I can do the thing even though it's all i've dreamed and worked towards forever, but now that this other person said I couldn't do it, I'm going to do it - oh, but also, let me take these random *super risky* actions that could jeopardize the whole dream." Idk, it felt.. exhausting.

That said, it was a quick, generally fun read with a fun take on a second chance, sports romance and I'd give it 3/5 stars.

[Jordan Ruzicka · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews...

4.25/5

Thank you NetGalley & publishers for an advanced review copy of this book!

I am a sucker for a sports romance and this is the first I have picked up in the F1 world. I don't really know much about the sport, but I find it more enjoyable to suspend belief than picking apart the ins and outs of how things actually work. There were a few moments where it seemed off but overall I feel like I was able to grasp the sport despite knowing basically nothing going in.

I appreciated the writing and pacing for the most part and was only slightly frustrated at times where I felt things were a bit forced.

At first I was savoring a few chapters at a time but before I was even half way through I couldn't put it down. The characters were mostly really compelling. I found myself wanting to know more about the side characters so I hope to see more in the future. Juliette and Dominic were both outsiders in the world of sports and while I appreciate their struggles some felt over dramatized and forced. The villain of the story, I don't want to believe that there are people like him and it feels like a caricature of hate, however, in this day and age its getting harder to believe they don't exist.

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and hope to read more from J. K. Maclaren in the future.

[Kate Laycoax · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, that cover. It’s stunning, artsy, and immediately pulled me in. But what really sold me was the story itself. As a huge Formula 1 fan who’s always on the hunt for a truly good F1 romance, I can confidently say this was IT.

This book felt fresh, exciting, and genuinely different. The tension and angst were top tier, and the chemistry between Juliette and Dominic was palpable from the start. Every interaction crackled, on and off the track, and the enemies tolovers dynamic worked so well within the high stakes world of Formula 1.

I absolutely loved the premise of Juliette being the first female driver on the grid, and the execution was flawless. The story doesn’t shy away from highlighting the realities of being a woman in a male dominated sport. I love that the scrutiny, the pressure, the constant need to prove herself were shown, and that layer added so much depth and authenticity. It never felt gimmicky, but very raw and real and true to what women experience.

This was a fast paced, emotionally charged, sweet read that fully delivered. If you love Formula 1, then this is for you! 🏁💖

Thank you to NetGalley, J.K. MacLaren, and Dell for the eARC of this book.

[Leyla · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I don’t care what other people think. Not if it means I get to have you.”
“We bleed for the things we love”

Thank you so much to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with an arc for this book.
I had such a great time with this book. I couldn’t believe it was a debut novel.

I always love an F1 romance and I’m always itching for more of them. This book felt like a breath of fresh air. I loved the concept of rivals to lovers and also second chance.
Juliette the fmc was such a strong character. The first female f1 driver full of determination and a personality that never gives up.
I loved Dominic more and more as the book went on. A driver that everyone thinks has been handed everything on a silver platter but has hurt by more than one person in his life. He was so supportive and caring always wanting to protect the people he cared about.

I also enjoyed the race scenes always felt full of adrenaline. The side characters were fun and the author really made me hate the bad characters I really wanted to punch them myself on multiple occasions.
A very enjoyable fun book through and through. Quite fast paced and an easy read. Also it’s in third person which is something I always like to know too.
I’m definitely excited to read more from this author in the future!

[Samantha Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group for giving me an ARC.

I absolutely ate this book up!! I read it in less than 24hrs. I could not put it down. I loved both the FMC and the MMC. The tension OMG the tension had me kicking my feet and turning pages to see what was going to happen. The story is so good!

This book is about two F1 drivers who are fighting for their seat on their team. The FMC Juliette is one of the first female F1 driver’s and is trying to keep her seat but also battling the scrutiny of being a female in the sport and navigating her feelings for the MMC who broke her heart while she was in academy. She is smart, witty, and takes no shit, but also isn’t over the top about it which I loved!

The MMC Dominic is a few years older and was driving in F1 on his father’s team but gets into a nasty wreck with another driver. Afterwards his dad kicks him off the team and he ends up scrabbling to find another and the only one that will take him is the team with the worst car on the track. He has to navigate trying to prove himself while battling feelings for the woman he never quite got over.

[zoe klein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this ARC!

I thought this book was really good. At the beginning, I thought it was a little slow, and I was confused about the switching timelines, but overall, I would give this book 4.25 stars.

This story follows Juliette, who's an up and coming Formula One driver. When she finds out who her teammate is on her new team, she doesn't know how she'll make it through the season without throttling him. Dominic Hastings, the guy with his daddy's money, who happens to also be her ex-boyfriend from when she was in the Academy, and he was a guest teacher.

The story is about Juliette being the only woman on the track, and her struggles that come along with that. There's a subplot of familial ties, both when it comes to Juliette and Dominic. I also really loved Ranya. It was some good disability representation, where it was there, but it wasn't over-explained or focused on too much.

Again, thank you Netgalley for providing me with this ARC! I loved it.

[Cristina Faz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advanced copy received from NetGalley

*e-ARC Reader 

Being the only female in a male dominated sport has its ups and downs, and Juliette Marchmont must show everyone, even her ex-boyfriend Dominic Hastings, that she  has was it takes to be on the track. 

Juliette and Dominic must navigate the fast-paced, and often cutthroat environment of F1, while dealing with feelings from the past. And you know what they say, the past always has a way of coming back to haunt us.

Juliette had the odds stacked against her but she was determined to show everyone that she was more than capable and deserving of her spot. 

I really enjoyed this book, especially the Dual POVs. I loved getting to see what went through both their heads during tense situations, how the past influenced the present, and how there is always two sides to a story. 

P.S. Absolutely hated Sinclair. J.K. MacLaren  did such a good job writing this stuck up character. I could feel how sleazy he was throughout the book.

*I was given early access to an e-ARC for honest feedback

[Myrrowyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

’Because I can’t forgive you for what happened, but I can’t seem to let you go either.’

I’m a sucker for enemies to lovers especially when the banter, tension and drama delivers and this one was on point!

I sat down for a moment to read a little bit and accidentally finished the entire thing in one sitting. It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you completely neglect all your responsibilities. Oops.

When I saw this book I instantly thought about Jean Girard (😂 IYKYK) and the line, “if you’re not first you’re last” being thrown out in the first race got a snort laugh that I’m not gonna admit might have happened….

The author made the races tense, action packed and adrenaline fueled I almost felt like I was at an actual race.

Good, solid debut by this author. I would absolutely check out future novels by her.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. Opinions are my own.

[Kenna Bosen · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, thank you NetGalley for allowing me this ARC!!


I loved this story! I’m always a sucker for an enemies to lovers but I don’t follow F1 so I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to follow along. The author did so well at describing things within the book that I felt like I could imagine everything on the track!

Also, i love how much this book focused on women’s success and how it differs from a mans. It touches on so many struggles that appear in professional lives for women. One of my favorite quotes from this book is: “You must never believe the things that men write about women. Only half of it is true, and none of it is kind.”

Now back to the characters ❤️‍🔥
I fell in love with their banter, their tension and their secret feelings for each other!!👀
They remember small details about eachother ❤️‍🔥
He’s protective of her ❤️‍🔥
She uses him as a distraction ❤️‍🔥

I cannot wait to continue to read these as the author finishes this series!❤️‍🔥🏁

[Zoe Lipman · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5 rounded up.

This was fun! If you're looking for a fun sports romance, check this out. It did what I needed and wanted it to do.

This follows two rival F1 drivers (who have a complicated and unresolved past with unresolved feelings).

There's tension, drama, and lots of conversation on the double standards in motorsports.

I do have to say that the "she's the first female F1 driver" thing did bother me, because that's factually incorrect. There have been five. But I'm not sure if this is supposed to be an alternate universe where our FMC would've been the first. I don't know.

But I had a good time with this book! And I would recommend it. And I will be looking out for more from this author.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

[Heather Bunch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full Throttle completely wrecked me in the best way possible! 🏁💔

If you love the forced proximity trope where exes have to work together (hello, F1 teammates!), this book is EVERYTHING. Juliette is such a badass for being the first female driver, but Dominic?? Ugh, he made me want to scream! I was so frustrated with him for half the book because he was being so stubborn about their past. Just TALK to her, Dom!

There’s this one scene in the garage where the tension was so thick I literally had to put my Kindle down and pace around the room. I love when an author makes you work for the happy ending, but wow, these two really tested my patience.

Despite the angst, the payoff was totally worth it. The ending had me grinning like an idiot. It wasn't perfect, but I honestly couldn't put it down. If you need a high-speed romance that will make your heart race, this is defintely it.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

HELP!! Why did I enjoy this so much?! Both of the main characters – Dominic and Juliette – are badass and bold, and I couldn’t really connect with them, but their story was great! The absolute shit Juliette gets in the F1 world for being a woman is completely undeserved, and Dominic’s devotion to her is unmatched. I mean, this poor woman goes through it, but finishes (nearly) every race stronger than before, with Dominic cheering her on in his own way. The reason this isn’t a 5 star is simple: I couldn’t connect to their story. The racing parts were exciting, but their romance was, in a way, out of touch. One second they’re telling each other they can’t stand one another, and in the next second, they’re all over each other. I suppose the arguing is emotionally charged, but it didn’t really read that way. This however, is my opinion. Other than the disconnect, this was a really good book!
All thoughts are my own. Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Penguin Random House for sending me this arc in exchange for an honest review.