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Full Throttle: The fast-paced new enemies-to-lovers Formula 1 romance for fans of Simone Soltani and Elle Kennedy
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
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
400 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 20, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 340 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 stars
࣪ ˖ ౨
the amount of butterflies i got while reading this 😩 i adored juliette and dominic so much it’s not even funny. the hate-to-love romance was executed perfectly and the formula 1 setting made it ten times better <3
what i loved most was how the emotional and physical intimacy were balanced — it was clear that our main characters didn’t just want each other physically, but genuinely cared for and loved one another. that kind of balance is so rare these days and made the story feel incredibly refreshing.
beyond the romance, this book also explores what it’s like to be a woman in a male-dominated sport and handles the struggles that come with it so thoughtfully. it’s a story that’s just as exciting as it is meaningful, and i couldn’t recommend it enough.
ⓘ thank you to netgalley and ballantine for the arc!
the amount of butterflies i got while reading this 😩 i adored juliette and dominic so much it’s not even funny. the hate-to-love romance was executed perfectly and the formula 1 setting made it ten times better <3
what i loved most was how the emotional and physical intimacy were balanced — it was clear that our main characters didn’t just want each other physically, but genuinely cared for and loved one another. that kind of balance is so rare these days and made the story feel incredibly refreshing.
beyond the romance, this book also explores what it’s like to be a woman in a male-dominated sport and handles the struggles that come with it so thoughtfully. it’s a story that’s just as exciting as it is meaningful, and i couldn’t recommend it enough.
ⓘ thank you to netgalley and ballantine for the arc!
June 9, 2026
the second I stopped going “that would never happen” and remembered this is the wattpad world of F1, I pulled out my wattpad degree I worked very hard on in my youth, put it to work, and had quite a fun time with this insane saga and these two idiots
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
thank you netgalley & ballentine for the eARC—all thoughts are my own!
✦ publication date: august 18, 2026
i enjoyed this more than i expected. 🤭 RTC!!
✦ publication date: august 18, 2026
i enjoyed this more than i expected. 🤭 RTC!!
March 11, 2026
ㅤㅤ── ★★★★★ .ᐟ
❛ i’m just jealous. i’m just furious. 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. ❜
⌗⠀، started: march 3 ⌗⠀، finished: march 10
📖┆ tropes:
⟶ second chance ⟶ f1 romance ⟶ rivals to lovers
────୨ৎ────
🏎️┆ review:
if i even remotely start thinking about this book again i will start sobbing but i have to write this review so…
the book overall was incredible. but the part that got me the most (and that also made me cry like a baby) were the quotes. “it’s a funny thing, grief. you don’t realize how much someone has of you until they’re taken away.” and “how terrible, she thought, to group up believing that love was only given as a reward for something.”
this is the authors debut novel but it doesn’t feel that way at all. the authors voice is advanced in a way. it feels as if she’s already found her writing style and i love it.
i was iffy on the fact that we found out the conflict so late into the book but it ended up working perfectly in the end and i wouldn’t change a thing about this book. <3
🏁┆ characters:
﹒ ୨ juliette marchmont — a badass bitch. i loved her so much!!! especially with her relationship with baz and cap (so when are their books coming out 😏)
﹒ ୨ dominic hastings — he loves her so much that it physically hurts me 💔 also loved dominic!!
﹒ ୨ baz — if he does end up getting a book (fingers crossed) i will be the most insufferable person alive. I NEED HIS BOOK.
📄┆ extras
⸝⸝ i won’t even lie right now… the racing aspect in the book had me on the edge of my seat so it’s safe to say im becoming an f1 fan very soon ⸝⸝ juliette also being the first female driver in f1 omg my queen
⸝⸝ loved that this was written in 3rd person pov as well
📌┆ final thoughts
i hope that everyone checks out this book once it finally releases because it is definitely worth the read!! august 18th 🏎️🖤
────୨ৎ────
୨୧ ﹒ ﹒ pre-read . ౿
— prediction ⋮ 5 ★
⌗⠀، an f1 romance?? i’m so in. thank you so much to ballantine books for letting me read this early <3
⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
❛ i’m just jealous. i’m just furious. 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. ❜
⌗⠀، started: march 3 ⌗⠀، finished: march 10
📖┆ tropes:
⟶ second chance ⟶ f1 romance ⟶ rivals to lovers
────୨ৎ────
🏎️┆ review:
if i even remotely start thinking about this book again i will start sobbing but i have to write this review so…
the book overall was incredible. but the part that got me the most (and that also made me cry like a baby) were the quotes. “it’s a funny thing, grief. you don’t realize how much someone has of you until they’re taken away.” and “how terrible, she thought, to group up believing that love was only given as a reward for something.”
this is the authors debut novel but it doesn’t feel that way at all. the authors voice is advanced in a way. it feels as if she’s already found her writing style and i love it.
i was iffy on the fact that we found out the conflict so late into the book but it ended up working perfectly in the end and i wouldn’t change a thing about this book. <3
🏁┆ characters:
﹒ ୨ juliette marchmont — a badass bitch. i loved her so much!!! especially with her relationship with baz and cap (so when are their books coming out 😏)
﹒ ୨ dominic hastings — he loves her so much that it physically hurts me 💔 also loved dominic!!
﹒ ୨ baz — if he does end up getting a book (fingers crossed) i will be the most insufferable person alive. I NEED HIS BOOK.
📄┆ extras
⸝⸝ i won’t even lie right now… the racing aspect in the book had me on the edge of my seat so it’s safe to say im becoming an f1 fan very soon ⸝⸝ juliette also being the first female driver in f1 omg my queen
⸝⸝ loved that this was written in 3rd person pov as well
📌┆ final thoughts
i hope that everyone checks out this book once it finally releases because it is definitely worth the read!! august 18th 🏎️🖤
────୨ৎ────
୨୧ ﹒ ﹒ pre-read . ౿
— prediction ⋮ 5 ★
⌗⠀، an f1 romance?? i’m so in. thank you so much to ballantine books for letting me read this early <3
⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
September 12, 2026
⋆🏆｡°🏎️⊹🏁⋆｡ 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
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
September 11, 2026
Full Throttle feels like a debut novel, and not in the ways I like.
A "she's not like other girls" MFC with a quirky name from her quirky parents in a "men's" career field.
A "he's not like other boys" MMC with daddy issues, a dead mom, and emotions.
A forced-proximity setup as both the MCs careers are spiraling out of their control and a mysterious past setting us up for a hate-to-love plot.
The problem? The characters are flat, the F1 bits feel unresearched, and I just simply cannot bring myself to care even a single iota about this book. Maybe F1 romances aren't for me? Maybe it's just this one? IDK, but I'm DNFing at 27%. There's not a single thing this far in that has me interested in what could happen in the remaining 73% of the book.
A "she's not like other girls" MFC with a quirky name from her quirky parents in a "men's" career field.
A "he's not like other boys" MMC with daddy issues, a dead mom, and emotions.
A forced-proximity setup as both the MCs careers are spiraling out of their control and a mysterious past setting us up for a hate-to-love plot.
The problem? The characters are flat, the F1 bits feel unresearched, and I just simply cannot bring myself to care even a single iota about this book. Maybe F1 romances aren't for me? Maybe it's just this one? IDK, but I'm DNFing at 27%. There's not a single thing this far in that has me interested in what could happen in the remaining 73% of the book.
January 29, 2026
I really wanted to like this one
Seriously.
The plot is an incredible idea, and I thought it all seemed very compelling.
However, the execution was… not for me.
I felt like I was reading about fourteen year olds reciting lines they saw in cool movies or read in rom coms.
I think the potential is definitely there, but I didn’t really feel the tension or depth in the dialogue that would have made it five stars.
Everything in the book felt copy and pasted from another book, like a plot of clichés and tropes already done before, which is really disappointing with such a unique idea like this one!!
However, this is just a debut, so it would be unfair for me to judge it super harshly, I hope her next books are better and I look forward to reading them!!
Seriously.
The plot is an incredible idea, and I thought it all seemed very compelling.
However, the execution was… not for me.
I felt like I was reading about fourteen year olds reciting lines they saw in cool movies or read in rom coms.
I think the potential is definitely there, but I didn’t really feel the tension or depth in the dialogue that would have made it five stars.
Everything in the book felt copy and pasted from another book, like a plot of clichés and tropes already done before, which is really disappointing with such a unique idea like this one!!
However, this is just a debut, so it would be unfair for me to judge it super harshly, I hope her next books are better and I look forward to reading them!!
Did Not Finish
August 23, 2026DNF after the first chapter.
I genuinely do not think I have ever tapped out of an F1 romance this quickly, but there is only so much motorsport nonsense I can take before my eye starts twitching.
If you are going to write a Formula 1 romance, I am BEGGING you to do the absolute bare minimum of research into Formula 1. I can forgive bending sporting regulations for plot purposes. I can forgive fictional teams, altered calendars, exaggerated rivalries, and even some strategically questionable decisions if they make the story more entertaining.
What I cannot forgive is writing about an F1 car like you have apparently never seen one.
Because why am I reading about the WINDOWS of a Formula 1 car???
The windows.
On an F1 car.
What windows, exactly??? Did we install a little sunroof too? Maybe some cupholders? Is he rolling the window down in parc fermé to ask another driver for directions???
And then we have the freaking DASHBOARD.
Again: Formula 1 car. Not a Honda Civic.
The steering wheel itself contains the display and controls the driver needs. This is such an incredibly basic, Google-it-in-thirty-seconds piece of information that encountering both "windows" and a "dashboard" basically back-to-back told me exactly how much research had gone into the sport this book is supposedly centered around.
But somehow the championship-deciding race was even worse.
Our MMC is fighting for the Drivers' Championship in the LAST RACE OF THE SEASON. He's running P3, manages to overtake into P2, and second place is enough for him to secure the championship.
Great. Fantastic. YOU'VE DONE IT. Now bring the damn car home.
So naturally... he decides he also needs to go after P1 with a risky overtake.
WHY???
SIR. YOU HAVE THE CHAMPIONSHIP IN YOUR HANDS. 😭
There are THREE LAPS LEFT. P2 is enough. This is the exact moment where the team should be screaming at him to hold position, manage the car, avoid unnecessary risks, and bring home the freaking Drivers' Championship.
I understand that racing drivers want to win races. Obviously. These men would probably race each other through the doors of a Tesco if given the opportunity. But there is competitive, and then there is risking an entire WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP for a completely unnecessary overtake with three laps remaining when you already have the position you need.
A crash? Contact? Damage? Penalty? Lock-up? Literally anything goes wrong and congratulations, you potentially just threw away the title for absolutely no reason.
And apparently his team is just... fine with this???
WHERE IS THE STRATEGY? WHERE IS THE "HOLD POSITION"? WHERE IS ANYONE WITH A CALCULATOR AND A FUNCTIONING SURVIVAL INSTINCT???
And while we're talking about team strategy, why weren't there team orders EARLIER when he was struggling and desperately needed positions to win the championship?
But perhaps my favorite part of this entire disaster is that all of this is happening in the FINAL THREE LAPS of the championship-deciding race and this man apparently has no idea what is happening around him.
WHY DOES THIS MAN NOT KNOW WHERE ANYONE IS???
He's asking his engineer what position he's in. Who is ahead of him. And then WHO IS AHEAD OF THAT DRIVER.
Excuse me???
This is the final race. The championship is on the line. There are THREE LAPS LEFT. You are telling me this championship-contending Formula 1 driver is apparently discovering the running order through a game of twenty questions with his race engineer???
"Who's ahead of me?"
"Okay, who's ahead of him?"
"And where am I?"
BABE. ARE YOU EVEN PARTICIPATING IN THIS RACE???
Obviously drivers rely heavily on their engineers for gaps, strategy, tire information, competitors' situations, championship permutations, etc. But the way this conversation was written made him sound like he'd just regained consciousness in the cockpit and needed someone to explain what event he was attending.
And then, because apparently I hadn't suffered enough, I realized the season finale was in LAS VEGAS.
Vegas.
As the Formula 1 season finale.
Why???
Of all the tracks on the calendar, THAT is where we're ending the championship? Vegas is a spectacle, sure, but putting it in the traditional season-finale slot feels like another decision made because "Vegas sounds cool" rather than because anyone actually thought about F1 culture, scheduling, or what makes sense for the sport.
And that's ultimately my entire problem. None of these things individually are tiny technical inaccuracies buried deep enough that only someone with an FIA rulebook permanently attached to their hand would notice. I'm not expecting a romance author to produce Adrian Newey levels of technical analysis. I don't need exact brake temperatures or a dissertation on aerodynamic load.
I just need the Formula 1 car to NOT HAVE WINDOWS.
The bar is underground.
Sports romances absolutely do not need to be documentaries. Authors can bend rules. They can simplify strategy. They can change things to serve the romance. But there is a huge difference between intentionally bending reality and seemingly not knowing the basics of the sport you're writing about.
And when basically the entire first chapter is screaming "no research was done here," I have zero faith that I'm going to survive an entire F1 romance without launching my Kindle directly into the barriers.
One chapter was enough.
I genuinely do not think I have ever tapped out of an F1 romance this quickly, but there is only so much motorsport nonsense I can take before my eye starts twitching.
If you are going to write a Formula 1 romance, I am BEGGING you to do the absolute bare minimum of research into Formula 1. I can forgive bending sporting regulations for plot purposes. I can forgive fictional teams, altered calendars, exaggerated rivalries, and even some strategically questionable decisions if they make the story more entertaining.
What I cannot forgive is writing about an F1 car like you have apparently never seen one.
Because why am I reading about the WINDOWS of a Formula 1 car???
The windows.
On an F1 car.
What windows, exactly??? Did we install a little sunroof too? Maybe some cupholders? Is he rolling the window down in parc fermé to ask another driver for directions???
And then we have the freaking DASHBOARD.
Again: Formula 1 car. Not a Honda Civic.
The steering wheel itself contains the display and controls the driver needs. This is such an incredibly basic, Google-it-in-thirty-seconds piece of information that encountering both "windows" and a "dashboard" basically back-to-back told me exactly how much research had gone into the sport this book is supposedly centered around.
But somehow the championship-deciding race was even worse.
Our MMC is fighting for the Drivers' Championship in the LAST RACE OF THE SEASON. He's running P3, manages to overtake into P2, and second place is enough for him to secure the championship.
Great. Fantastic. YOU'VE DONE IT. Now bring the damn car home.
So naturally... he decides he also needs to go after P1 with a risky overtake.
WHY???
SIR. YOU HAVE THE CHAMPIONSHIP IN YOUR HANDS. 😭
There are THREE LAPS LEFT. P2 is enough. This is the exact moment where the team should be screaming at him to hold position, manage the car, avoid unnecessary risks, and bring home the freaking Drivers' Championship.
I understand that racing drivers want to win races. Obviously. These men would probably race each other through the doors of a Tesco if given the opportunity. But there is competitive, and then there is risking an entire WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP for a completely unnecessary overtake with three laps remaining when you already have the position you need.
A crash? Contact? Damage? Penalty? Lock-up? Literally anything goes wrong and congratulations, you potentially just threw away the title for absolutely no reason.
And apparently his team is just... fine with this???
WHERE IS THE STRATEGY? WHERE IS THE "HOLD POSITION"? WHERE IS ANYONE WITH A CALCULATOR AND A FUNCTIONING SURVIVAL INSTINCT???
And while we're talking about team strategy, why weren't there team orders EARLIER when he was struggling and desperately needed positions to win the championship?
But perhaps my favorite part of this entire disaster is that all of this is happening in the FINAL THREE LAPS of the championship-deciding race and this man apparently has no idea what is happening around him.
WHY DOES THIS MAN NOT KNOW WHERE ANYONE IS???
He's asking his engineer what position he's in. Who is ahead of him. And then WHO IS AHEAD OF THAT DRIVER.
Excuse me???
This is the final race. The championship is on the line. There are THREE LAPS LEFT. You are telling me this championship-contending Formula 1 driver is apparently discovering the running order through a game of twenty questions with his race engineer???
"Who's ahead of me?"
"Okay, who's ahead of him?"
"And where am I?"
BABE. ARE YOU EVEN PARTICIPATING IN THIS RACE???
Obviously drivers rely heavily on their engineers for gaps, strategy, tire information, competitors' situations, championship permutations, etc. But the way this conversation was written made him sound like he'd just regained consciousness in the cockpit and needed someone to explain what event he was attending.
And then, because apparently I hadn't suffered enough, I realized the season finale was in LAS VEGAS.
Vegas.
As the Formula 1 season finale.
Why???
Of all the tracks on the calendar, THAT is where we're ending the championship? Vegas is a spectacle, sure, but putting it in the traditional season-finale slot feels like another decision made because "Vegas sounds cool" rather than because anyone actually thought about F1 culture, scheduling, or what makes sense for the sport.
And that's ultimately my entire problem. None of these things individually are tiny technical inaccuracies buried deep enough that only someone with an FIA rulebook permanently attached to their hand would notice. I'm not expecting a romance author to produce Adrian Newey levels of technical analysis. I don't need exact brake temperatures or a dissertation on aerodynamic load.
I just need the Formula 1 car to NOT HAVE WINDOWS.
The bar is underground.
Sports romances absolutely do not need to be documentaries. Authors can bend rules. They can simplify strategy. They can change things to serve the romance. But there is a huge difference between intentionally bending reality and seemingly not knowing the basics of the sport you're writing about.
And when basically the entire first chapter is screaming "no research was done here," I have zero faith that I'm going to survive an entire F1 romance without launching my Kindle directly into the barriers.
One chapter was enough.
February 23, 2026
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for this ARC and the opportunity to review this book early.
Cute sport romance! The story has a medium to slow pace, the contemporary world is easy to digest and there is character building intertwined in the plot with a bunch of tension and moderate spice. I really enjoyed how the author weaved the past and present together like a puzzle to tell Juliette and Dominic's story. The tension between the two pours from the pages just as much as the intensity of racing.
If you enjoy slow burn romances, a strong FMC, F1, sports, friend to lovers to enemies to lovers and second chances this book may be for you.
Cute sport romance! The story has a medium to slow pace, the contemporary world is easy to digest and there is character building intertwined in the plot with a bunch of tension and moderate spice. I really enjoyed how the author weaved the past and present together like a puzzle to tell Juliette and Dominic's story. The tension between the two pours from the pages just as much as the intensity of racing.
If you enjoy slow burn romances, a strong FMC, F1, sports, friend to lovers to enemies to lovers and second chances this book may be for you.
August 18, 2026
Full Throttle is a solid 4 star read about the first-ever female Formula 1 driver. She’s competitive and an incredible racer! She is now teammates with her biggest rival. I really enjoy the fact that this is an enemies to lovers story where the lovers are REALLY enemies first. LOVE IT! Such great banter. I liked the yearning a lot as well. The MMC is super protective and he can cook! Need I say more?
People who love Heated Rivalry, The Deal, and Icebreaker will love this book! I loved how grumpy the MMC was. And this was a TRUE rivalry. It’s a spicy-slow burn romance. But the story moves quickly just like these racers. J.K. Maclaren is a debut author with major success on Wattpad. She is from London, England.
Thank you Dell Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
People who love Heated Rivalry, The Deal, and Icebreaker will love this book! I loved how grumpy the MMC was. And this was a TRUE rivalry. It’s a spicy-slow burn romance. But the story moves quickly just like these racers. J.K. Maclaren is a debut author with major success on Wattpad. She is from London, England.
Thank you Dell Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First, thank you to Netgalley and author J.K McClaren for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. 🏁🏎
For lovers of Lauren Asher's F1 series 'Dirty Air', I would highly recommend this read.
This was filled with race knowledge, yet is even readable for those with no motorsports experience. I really liked the FMC and how strong she was, she has a tough exterior but still wanted relationships with those around her and wasn't closed off- somewhere right in between black cat and golden retriever vibes. Her main struggle was dealing with patriarchal issues in a men's dominated work-place. This isn't something we see often in romance novels.
As someone who often doesn't love the second-chance trope, this was honestly so well executed, and their first breakup when they were younger makes sense.
Of course there was plenty of miscommunication, so if that's not your thing, this might not be the one for you!
Over- all I was sucked into this world and really want more.
I would recommend this to friends!
For lovers of Lauren Asher's F1 series 'Dirty Air', I would highly recommend this read.
This was filled with race knowledge, yet is even readable for those with no motorsports experience. I really liked the FMC and how strong she was, she has a tough exterior but still wanted relationships with those around her and wasn't closed off- somewhere right in between black cat and golden retriever vibes. Her main struggle was dealing with patriarchal issues in a men's dominated work-place. This isn't something we see often in romance novels.
As someone who often doesn't love the second-chance trope, this was honestly so well executed, and their first breakup when they were younger makes sense.
Of course there was plenty of miscommunication, so if that's not your thing, this might not be the one for you!
Over- all I was sucked into this world and really want more.
I would recommend this to friends!
August 28, 2026
thank you to the publisher for the arc. all opinions are my own.
oh i wanted to love this so badly but it just fell so, so flat. i absolutely adore formula 1 and will always read an f1 romance, so i was very excited to dive into this one.
my first gripe: it felt very immature? the characters are supposed to be in their mid to late twenties but tbh it felt like i was reading about high schoolers. some of the dialogue was pretty cringey and felt very… practiced? just not natural at all. a lot of the writing was very tell instead of show, which is one of my pet peeves.
my second gripe: the romance!! when i’m reading a romance book, i want to be completely enamored with, well, the romance!!!! our two main characters did not have good (or believable) chemistry in my opinion and i just didn’t really feel any sort of connection between them. again, very tell instead of show.
my third gripe: while parts of the f1 aspect were certainly realistic, other parts… were so out of pocket it took me out of the story. a lot of the way the characters reacted to things DURING A RACE had me like ??????? and the outcome of the world driver championship, while good for the obvious reason, was so unrealistic it annoyed me so bad.
what i did enjoy: the overall concept? also some scenes were fun, a few of the banter moments had me giggling, and the beginning was promising.
all in all, i think many people will absolutely love this one, it just wasn’t for me.
oh i wanted to love this so badly but it just fell so, so flat. i absolutely adore formula 1 and will always read an f1 romance, so i was very excited to dive into this one.
my first gripe: it felt very immature? the characters are supposed to be in their mid to late twenties but tbh it felt like i was reading about high schoolers. some of the dialogue was pretty cringey and felt very… practiced? just not natural at all. a lot of the writing was very tell instead of show, which is one of my pet peeves.
my second gripe: the romance!! when i’m reading a romance book, i want to be completely enamored with, well, the romance!!!! our two main characters did not have good (or believable) chemistry in my opinion and i just didn’t really feel any sort of connection between them. again, very tell instead of show.
my third gripe: while parts of the f1 aspect were certainly realistic, other parts… were so out of pocket it took me out of the story. a lot of the way the characters reacted to things DURING A RACE had me like ??????? and the outcome of the world driver championship, while good for the obvious reason, was so unrealistic it annoyed me so bad.
what i did enjoy: the overall concept? also some scenes were fun, a few of the banter moments had me giggling, and the beginning was promising.
all in all, i think many people will absolutely love this one, it just wasn’t for me.
August 2, 2026
I was so excited to receive this ARC. As both an avid romance reader and a Formula 1 fan, this sounded like it would be right up my alley.
Unfortunately, I decided to DNF this book after the first chapter because I struggled with the Formula 1 details. From the opening pages, there were several descriptions that didn’t align with the sport, such as references to a windshield and windows on an F1 car. While those may seem like small details, they immediately pulled me out of the story because they are fundamental aspects of the sport. There were several similar examples throughout the first chapter that made it difficult for me to stay immersed. I normally wouldn’t rate a book I only read the first chapter of, but with these misses I am so others are aware going in.
I could have overlooked a few inaccuracies, but there were enough early on that I wasn’t able to continue. That said, it was clear the author had done some research. I recognized inspiration from longtime Formula 1 drivers in a couple of the characters, and I appreciated those nods.
This ultimately wasn’t the right fit for me, but readers without a background in Formula 1 may have a different experience.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. I read an uncorrected proof and understand that details may change before publication. All opinions are my own.
Unfortunately, I decided to DNF this book after the first chapter because I struggled with the Formula 1 details. From the opening pages, there were several descriptions that didn’t align with the sport, such as references to a windshield and windows on an F1 car. While those may seem like small details, they immediately pulled me out of the story because they are fundamental aspects of the sport. There were several similar examples throughout the first chapter that made it difficult for me to stay immersed. I normally wouldn’t rate a book I only read the first chapter of, but with these misses I am so others are aware going in.
I could have overlooked a few inaccuracies, but there were enough early on that I wasn’t able to continue. That said, it was clear the author had done some research. I recognized inspiration from longtime Formula 1 drivers in a couple of the characters, and I appreciated those nods.
This ultimately wasn’t the right fit for me, but readers without a background in Formula 1 may have a different experience.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. I read an uncorrected proof and understand that details may change before publication. All opinions are my own.
April 9, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(4)
Thank you Netgalley and Dell for this advanced copy of Full Throttle!
I completely loved this! I usually lean more towards fantasy romance instead of contemporary, but this kept me on my toes the entire time. I like the slight mystery we get with what happened in the past and the little bread crumbs we’d get every few chapters.
I really enjoyed the complex relationship dynamics between Dominic and his dad, and also Juliette and her brother. I really liked how the author portrayed yearning and forgiveness between Dom and Jules, and that epilogue was satisfying asf.
I am going to be picking up more Formula 1 romances after this, very suspenseful, it’s like everything is fine and then boom somebody crashes and all hell explodes.
Highly Recommend!
Thank you Netgalley and Dell for this advanced copy of Full Throttle!
I completely loved this! I usually lean more towards fantasy romance instead of contemporary, but this kept me on my toes the entire time. I like the slight mystery we get with what happened in the past and the little bread crumbs we’d get every few chapters.
I really enjoyed the complex relationship dynamics between Dominic and his dad, and also Juliette and her brother. I really liked how the author portrayed yearning and forgiveness between Dom and Jules, and that epilogue was satisfying asf.
I am going to be picking up more Formula 1 romances after this, very suspenseful, it’s like everything is fine and then boom somebody crashes and all hell explodes.
Highly Recommend!
February 4, 2026
A woman entering a male dominated field such as Formula 1? Sign me up! I’m always up for reading about women being such badasses in sports.
Full Throttle was a sports romance, second chance, he falls first, dual timeline romance that had potential. MacLaren does a satisfying job with setting the main characters up to have a rich second chance romance but ultimately doesn’t hit the mark completely.
Juliette Marchmont makes incredible his(her)story when she is brought up from academy to become the first female driver in Formula 1. Juliette was committed to being the best F1 driver, woman or not, and MacLaren does a phenomenal job at showing just how dedicated she was. She knew how tough it was going to be for her during her first year in F1 and sometimes even pushes herself too hard. It was empowering watching her take what everyone (even the owner of the team she was driving for) said about her not being enough and stopping at nothing to prove them wrong. She was a strong character and I loved her portrayal as a driver. I loved reading about Juliette and her twin brother, Capulet’s (who also happens to be an F1 driver) fun sibling rivalry they had growing up.
Dominic Hastings, the prince of F1, had a tough challenge ahead of him after his father booted him out of his F1 seat and suggested he retire. He was determined to get back in a seat and even went as far as joining what was considered the worst team on the grid. Dominic wanted to prove the everyone who doubted him, that he earned his seat fair and square, and what better way to show that then becoming World Champion.
We learn that Juliette and Dominic, who are now becoming teammates, have old history that took place when Dominic was a guest teacher who helped train Juliette at the academy. Things ended so terribly between them that they haven’t spoken in 2 years. MacLaren gives the reader a dual timeline and we get to witness their first meeting, them admitting their feelings for each other and ultimately what led to their break up.
Where the book fell a bit short for me was the miscommunication. I’m really not a big fan of miscommunication as it drives me crazy that the characters can’t just sit down and talk everything out clearly once and for all. I think it took way too long for the truth, about what ultimately led to their break up, to be revealed. I’m really just not a fan of miscommunication trope in general, especially when it takes almost until the very end when the truth is finally out in the open. And because of that I think the romance aspect in the book fell a bit flat as we really didn’t get a lot of Juliette and Dominic actually happy together instead of just the push and pull dance they did throughout the book.
Something I enjoyed and appreciated about Full Throttle was the diverse cast. I also hope the author makes this into a series as I saw a lot of potential of romance books with some of the side characters. Even some of the characters names were so unique and I loved all of them.
Overall, I had fun with this story. The epilogue was a cute ending to their story and thought it gave just enough of a peek into their lives. MacLaren made likable main characters and a world that was entertaining and I can only hope to read more of this world with a few of the side characters. I rate this book 3.25/5 stars.
Thank you to the author, Penguin Random House Publishing, and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Full Throttle was a sports romance, second chance, he falls first, dual timeline romance that had potential. MacLaren does a satisfying job with setting the main characters up to have a rich second chance romance but ultimately doesn’t hit the mark completely.
Juliette Marchmont makes incredible his(her)story when she is brought up from academy to become the first female driver in Formula 1. Juliette was committed to being the best F1 driver, woman or not, and MacLaren does a phenomenal job at showing just how dedicated she was. She knew how tough it was going to be for her during her first year in F1 and sometimes even pushes herself too hard. It was empowering watching her take what everyone (even the owner of the team she was driving for) said about her not being enough and stopping at nothing to prove them wrong. She was a strong character and I loved her portrayal as a driver. I loved reading about Juliette and her twin brother, Capulet’s (who also happens to be an F1 driver) fun sibling rivalry they had growing up.
Dominic Hastings, the prince of F1, had a tough challenge ahead of him after his father booted him out of his F1 seat and suggested he retire. He was determined to get back in a seat and even went as far as joining what was considered the worst team on the grid. Dominic wanted to prove the everyone who doubted him, that he earned his seat fair and square, and what better way to show that then becoming World Champion.
We learn that Juliette and Dominic, who are now becoming teammates, have old history that took place when Dominic was a guest teacher who helped train Juliette at the academy. Things ended so terribly between them that they haven’t spoken in 2 years. MacLaren gives the reader a dual timeline and we get to witness their first meeting, them admitting their feelings for each other and ultimately what led to their break up.
Where the book fell a bit short for me was the miscommunication. I’m really not a big fan of miscommunication as it drives me crazy that the characters can’t just sit down and talk everything out clearly once and for all. I think it took way too long for the truth, about what ultimately led to their break up, to be revealed. I’m really just not a fan of miscommunication trope in general, especially when it takes almost until the very end when the truth is finally out in the open. And because of that I think the romance aspect in the book fell a bit flat as we really didn’t get a lot of Juliette and Dominic actually happy together instead of just the push and pull dance they did throughout the book.
Something I enjoyed and appreciated about Full Throttle was the diverse cast. I also hope the author makes this into a series as I saw a lot of potential of romance books with some of the side characters. Even some of the characters names were so unique and I loved all of them.
Overall, I had fun with this story. The epilogue was a cute ending to their story and thought it gave just enough of a peek into their lives. MacLaren made likable main characters and a world that was entertaining and I can only hope to read more of this world with a few of the side characters. I rate this book 3.25/5 stars.
Thank you to the author, Penguin Random House Publishing, and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
February 3, 2026
Before reading this book I felt pretty neutral about racing as like, a sport. Now I think it’s really fucking stupid! Full Throttle is an aggressively heterosexual, icky read. I fear that mainstream publishing’s embrace of Wattpad IP is a plague on the culture. I actually don’t think we need to publish and adapt every novel that a teenager wrote in 2014, especially since the plot is always like: “I love the misunderstood bad boy, he’s the only guy in this story who won’t try to assault me, which proves he’s a GOOD GUY who LOVES me!” I say this as someone who had a major Wattpad phase in high school. Some things, I think, should be left wayyyyyyyyy back in the past.
August 6, 2026
I’m so bummed because I was so excited to read this book. The premise of the FMC being the first female F1 driver was so unique, and I absolutely loved the idea of it.
My biggest issue with this story was the main characters. They were both so impulsive and childish that I found myself continuously rolling my eyes while reading. There were multiple moments where they would literally rather die than acknowledge that there might be a bigger picture, that there could be more to the situation, or, you know, that maybe proving a point just isn’t worth dying over. Maybe it’s just me, but I genuinely cannot fathom an adult feeling that way.
I also couldn’t really feel the attraction between the main characters. I think their relationship could have been fleshed out more and given a few more layers. Most importantly, I wish their entire rivalry hadn’t been based on a miscommunication, because, honestly, that only added to the overall childish feel of the story.
So yeah, unfortunately, this just wasn’t my book. I flew through it because the writing is easy and very accessible, so I’d definitely consider it an easy read. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t a very enjoyable one for me.
My biggest issue with this story was the main characters. They were both so impulsive and childish that I found myself continuously rolling my eyes while reading. There were multiple moments where they would literally rather die than acknowledge that there might be a bigger picture, that there could be more to the situation, or, you know, that maybe proving a point just isn’t worth dying over. Maybe it’s just me, but I genuinely cannot fathom an adult feeling that way.
I also couldn’t really feel the attraction between the main characters. I think their relationship could have been fleshed out more and given a few more layers. Most importantly, I wish their entire rivalry hadn’t been based on a miscommunication, because, honestly, that only added to the overall childish feel of the story.
So yeah, unfortunately, this just wasn’t my book. I flew through it because the writing is easy and very accessible, so I’d definitely consider it an easy read. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t a very enjoyable one for me.
August 13, 2026
Thank you to PRH Audio for the ALC and Dell for the eARC!!
This was such a fun listen, the narrators, Ahmed Hamad and Rebecca Norfolk, both did an amazing job bringing these characters to life and their accents truly brought me so much joy.
As for the story itself?? LOVED. It’s a second chance romance between two F1 drivers, who have a very complicated relationship and I loved every messy, perfect second of it!! The tension was excellent and I loved the dual timeline, it was done so well!!
Definitely recommend adding this to the TBR if you’re looking for your next F1 romance 🏁
This was such a fun listen, the narrators, Ahmed Hamad and Rebecca Norfolk, both did an amazing job bringing these characters to life and their accents truly brought me so much joy.
As for the story itself?? LOVED. It’s a second chance romance between two F1 drivers, who have a very complicated relationship and I loved every messy, perfect second of it!! The tension was excellent and I loved the dual timeline, it was done so well!!
Definitely recommend adding this to the TBR if you’re looking for your next F1 romance 🏁
July 23, 2026
I went into this knowing almost nothing about Formula 1, but I ended up having so much fun with it. The racing was exciting without feeling too technical, and I was completely invested in the competition.
Juliette was such an easy character to root for. She was determined, resilient, and I loved seeing her prove everyone wrong. Dominic definitely grew on me too, and the tension between them was so good. Rivals, teammates, second chance… it was full of my favourite tropes.
If you love a fast-paced romance with plenty of chemistry, this is definitely one to pick up.
Juliette was such an easy character to root for. She was determined, resilient, and I loved seeing her prove everyone wrong. Dominic definitely grew on me too, and the tension between them was so good. Rivals, teammates, second chance… it was full of my favourite tropes.
If you love a fast-paced romance with plenty of chemistry, this is definitely one to pick up.
January 10, 2026
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.
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.
September 12, 2026
Review of e-arc from NetGalley and audiobook listening copy received from Libro.fm
This was such a fun read! The duet narration was a lovely touch!!
More female drivers in F1 please!! While this is a romance I love that it tackles the sexism in F1.
Be warned the racing is quite unrealistic so don’t have super high expectations of this - think F1 movie level inaccuracies at some points!
This was such a fun read! The duet narration was a lovely touch!!
More female drivers in F1 please!! While this is a romance I love that it tackles the sexism in F1.
Be warned the racing is quite unrealistic so don’t have super high expectations of this - think F1 movie level inaccuracies at some points!
March 15, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of Full Throttle in exchange for an honest review. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Juliette is a female racer hoping to make her name in a sport dominated by men. She is talented, but will her talent surpass the barriers that are currently holding her back from winning the championship? Not to mention her new teammate - a guy too hot to ignore, but whom she vowed to never get mixed up with…again. This book had me hooked, and I can’t wait to read the next one! Thanks again, NetGalley, for providing me with a copy of this book!
June 19, 2026
Thank you to Penguin Random House for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a honest review!
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.
Juliette is feisty and ready to prove people wrong. I absolutely loved and admired her tenacity and her desire to cast aside silly judgements and just do what she does best. That said, getting to see her vulnerable moments too really endeared me to her. It’s difficult to be a woman in any male dominated field but to be the only woman is incredibly hard. But Juliette excelled and I love that for her!
I wasn’t too sure what to make of Dominic initially. He seemed to carry this arrogance to him that I wasn’t a fan of. But then we dived deeper and it was clear that it was all a front. He cares a lot, maybe too much, yet he feels he can’t show it. With his controlling father and a carefully crafted image, the world he lives in is strict. That said, I did like seeing him let go around Juliette. It was rather sweet watching him get tongue-tied and flustered at times!
I may not like watching the sport but there is always something so run about reading sports romances centred around Formula 1! The enemies to lovers, banter ridden plot had me hooked from the very beginning and I demolished this book within only a few hours! I loved that the general tone was upbeat, sweeping the reader away into the world of Formula 1 and all it entails. But the fact this didn’t take away from the importance of misogyny, sexism and racism is the best thing! We’re witness to such vileness throughout the book, but it never felt too heavy to digest. Instead, we find ourselves outraged and rooting for our leads. It’s also very easy to root for their friends too and boo and throw popcorn at the villains! MacLaren did such a stellar job on the characters here. They all felt so real and I always found myself feeling one way or another about them - no one was there for the sake of it! Romance wise, ooo that was pretty good! If you know me, you’ll know enemies to lovers is my big love! I think this was executed perfectly- especially with the previous lovers aspect being added in! The tension, the yearning, the jealousy. Loved it! All made even better with the little spicy moments we were treated to as well! The ending felt pretty perfect for this story - I don’t think I could have asked for anything better. It closed everything very well and dare I say open ended enough with other characters that this could easily be made into a series?!
Overall, Full Throttle is a fantastic Formula One romance you’ll want to get your hands on!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you again to Penguin Random House for an advanced copy of this book.
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.
Juliette is feisty and ready to prove people wrong. I absolutely loved and admired her tenacity and her desire to cast aside silly judgements and just do what she does best. That said, getting to see her vulnerable moments too really endeared me to her. It’s difficult to be a woman in any male dominated field but to be the only woman is incredibly hard. But Juliette excelled and I love that for her!
I wasn’t too sure what to make of Dominic initially. He seemed to carry this arrogance to him that I wasn’t a fan of. But then we dived deeper and it was clear that it was all a front. He cares a lot, maybe too much, yet he feels he can’t show it. With his controlling father and a carefully crafted image, the world he lives in is strict. That said, I did like seeing him let go around Juliette. It was rather sweet watching him get tongue-tied and flustered at times!
I may not like watching the sport but there is always something so run about reading sports romances centred around Formula 1! The enemies to lovers, banter ridden plot had me hooked from the very beginning and I demolished this book within only a few hours! I loved that the general tone was upbeat, sweeping the reader away into the world of Formula 1 and all it entails. But the fact this didn’t take away from the importance of misogyny, sexism and racism is the best thing! We’re witness to such vileness throughout the book, but it never felt too heavy to digest. Instead, we find ourselves outraged and rooting for our leads. It’s also very easy to root for their friends too and boo and throw popcorn at the villains! MacLaren did such a stellar job on the characters here. They all felt so real and I always found myself feeling one way or another about them - no one was there for the sake of it! Romance wise, ooo that was pretty good! If you know me, you’ll know enemies to lovers is my big love! I think this was executed perfectly- especially with the previous lovers aspect being added in! The tension, the yearning, the jealousy. Loved it! All made even better with the little spicy moments we were treated to as well! The ending felt pretty perfect for this story - I don’t think I could have asked for anything better. It closed everything very well and dare I say open ended enough with other characters that this could easily be made into a series?!
Overall, Full Throttle is a fantastic Formula One romance you’ll want to get your hands on!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you again to Penguin Random House for an advanced copy of this book.
August 21, 2026
Okay… I think I had two very different reading experiences with this book 😂
Me as an F1 fan 🏎️…. I have QUESTIONS.
Me as a Romance girly… I had a really good time! 💕
Going into this book, I knew from other readers that the F1 parts were not really believable. And sadly, it’s very true… Look, I could go into every single detail that was strange or impossible. But what’s the point?
So, I reminded myself that this is fiction, and ultimately, Full Throttle is a light, fun and fast-paced romance. And once I put my F1 knowledge aside and just went with it, I really enjoyed it!
I basically read this in one day, and the fast-paced moments worked really well for me because they matched the whole F1 vibe. The dual POV + dual timeline were also really well done and helped with the buildup towards the end.
Dominic was definitely the one carrying the story for me though. His POV felt more genuine and mature, and honestly, I just wanted even more. In the beginning he came across cocky, but he won me over along the way. He is such a good man 🥹 Oh and my heart might have broken a bit with the scenes between him and his father near the end 🥺
Juliette was more of a mixed bag for me. I didn’t dislike her, but she sometimes came across as a little immature, which annoyed me because I don’t think that was necessarily the intention 🫣 I also wish the book had explored more of what it actually meant for her to be the first female F1 driver. That felt like such an interesting aspect of her story, and I think there was so much more that could have been done with it.
That being said, I did really like the focus on a woman making her way in such a male-dominated world.
The banter and dialogue between our MCs was also fun! More than a few times I might have snorted or gasped out loud 😂 And I definitely highlighted a few lines along the way.
The spice was also good, although there were a few moments where I questioned the timing and/or location of certain scenes. Like… “really, we’re doing this NOW?!” 😅
The side characters were also a fun addition! Cap and Baz were so much fun, and I wouldn’t mind a little story in their POV! 🤭
I did enjoy the ending, but I think I was expecting just a tiny bit more drama. The conclusion felt a little easy considering how fast-paced and high-stakes the F1 world is. I wouldn’t have minded a little extra drama before everything wrapped up 😂 (I love drama haha)
Overall, though, I had FUN with this book!! I ended up with a solid 3,75 ⭐️ rating!
There were definitely things that made my F1-loving brain want to scream, but the romance, pacing, banter and especially Dominic kept me invested.
So, readers who don’t know anything about F1, this is the perfect intro into F1 romances!
And if you DO have knowledge, don’t let it stop you from reading it. Just go with the flow and you’ll realise this is a fun ride! 🏎️
*I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion*
Me as an F1 fan 🏎️…. I have QUESTIONS.
Me as a Romance girly… I had a really good time! 💕
Going into this book, I knew from other readers that the F1 parts were not really believable. And sadly, it’s very true… Look, I could go into every single detail that was strange or impossible. But what’s the point?
So, I reminded myself that this is fiction, and ultimately, Full Throttle is a light, fun and fast-paced romance. And once I put my F1 knowledge aside and just went with it, I really enjoyed it!
I basically read this in one day, and the fast-paced moments worked really well for me because they matched the whole F1 vibe. The dual POV + dual timeline were also really well done and helped with the buildup towards the end.
Dominic was definitely the one carrying the story for me though. His POV felt more genuine and mature, and honestly, I just wanted even more. In the beginning he came across cocky, but he won me over along the way. He is such a good man 🥹 Oh and my heart might have broken a bit with the scenes between him and his father near the end 🥺
Juliette was more of a mixed bag for me. I didn’t dislike her, but she sometimes came across as a little immature, which annoyed me because I don’t think that was necessarily the intention 🫣 I also wish the book had explored more of what it actually meant for her to be the first female F1 driver. That felt like such an interesting aspect of her story, and I think there was so much more that could have been done with it.
That being said, I did really like the focus on a woman making her way in such a male-dominated world.
The banter and dialogue between our MCs was also fun! More than a few times I might have snorted or gasped out loud 😂 And I definitely highlighted a few lines along the way.
The spice was also good, although there were a few moments where I questioned the timing and/or location of certain scenes. Like… “really, we’re doing this NOW?!” 😅
The side characters were also a fun addition! Cap and Baz were so much fun, and I wouldn’t mind a little story in their POV! 🤭
I did enjoy the ending, but I think I was expecting just a tiny bit more drama. The conclusion felt a little easy considering how fast-paced and high-stakes the F1 world is. I wouldn’t have minded a little extra drama before everything wrapped up 😂 (I love drama haha)
Overall, though, I had FUN with this book!! I ended up with a solid 3,75 ⭐️ rating!
There were definitely things that made my F1-loving brain want to scream, but the romance, pacing, banter and especially Dominic kept me invested.
So, readers who don’t know anything about F1, this is the perfect intro into F1 romances!
And if you DO have knowledge, don’t let it stop you from reading it. Just go with the flow and you’ll realise this is a fun ride! 🏎️
*I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion*
August 17, 2026
2.5 stars. Thank you to Ballantine, Dell, and Random House Publishing Group for this advanced copy! You can pick up Full Throttle on August 18, 2026.
Much like an F1 race, this book started on an exhilarating high, and I got swept up in the fun and adrenaline of Dominic and Juliette's story. I loved the second-chance aspect, the teammates AND rivals dynamic, as well as the complicated relationships between Juliette and her brother, Capulet (what a naming convention for their Shakespeare-loving parents), and Dominic and his father. The romance seemed fun and sexy, plus the racing added a high-stakes element to the story where careers, dreams, and literal lives were on the line.
Unfortunately, about a third to halfway through, Full Throttle started to lose me. Aside from the blatant inaccuracies when it comes to F1 racing (as other readers have pointed out in their reviews when it comes to the worst cars on the track winning over better cars), I had a HUGE issue with Dominic and Juliette's miscommunication. We first got a hint of it at a casino in Monaco, when Dominic is trying to warn Juliette about another driver, Anthony Sinclair, but he can't get the words out about WHY Anthony's not a good person to date or flirt with. He's unable to articulate the literal thoughts we see play out in his head on the page, and as the reader, seeing those words in his mind and seeing what actually came out of his mouth, it just frustrated me beyond belief. And I might have given it a pass if the same thing hadn't happened LATER IN THE THIRD ACT when Dominic is trying to repair his relationship with Juliette, and again, he can't articulate his proper thoughts and feelings. The super important information he needs to disclose to her has to come from his best friend instead, and then she's able to move forward and forgive him. HUH?? How does that show any growth for Dominic? How will he and Juliette handle important conversations moving forward?
Aside from that, a large part of the story also revolves around the sexism and misogyny Juliette faces from literally everyone in the F1 world. And to be totally clear, I 100% believe that women in her position would face that type of scrutiny and that it likely is a giant boys' club. But at times, the writing felt almost cartoonish in its depictions of her interactions with other characters. It made these characters feel less developed and more like caricatures than people, even if they are supposed to mainly be bigoted.
And as for the romance... I was on board until they actually got together. The scene where they were actually intimate for the first time just felt so stupid because it was in a public place (this is a totally forbidden/scandalous relationship). It was hard to focus on the intimacy they were building when I was thinking about how dumb it was for them to be doing this here and now.
All in all, I know some people will absolutely eat this up. It's a light and easy read, with the F1 racing adding a sexy edge to it and Juliette busting people's balls 24/7 and Dominic being all broody and hot. But I just had too many issues that I couldn't see past to enjoy it for the fun ride it could've been.
Much like an F1 race, this book started on an exhilarating high, and I got swept up in the fun and adrenaline of Dominic and Juliette's story. I loved the second-chance aspect, the teammates AND rivals dynamic, as well as the complicated relationships between Juliette and her brother, Capulet (what a naming convention for their Shakespeare-loving parents), and Dominic and his father. The romance seemed fun and sexy, plus the racing added a high-stakes element to the story where careers, dreams, and literal lives were on the line.
Unfortunately, about a third to halfway through, Full Throttle started to lose me. Aside from the blatant inaccuracies when it comes to F1 racing (as other readers have pointed out in their reviews when it comes to the worst cars on the track winning over better cars), I had a HUGE issue with Dominic and Juliette's miscommunication. We first got a hint of it at a casino in Monaco, when Dominic is trying to warn Juliette about another driver, Anthony Sinclair, but he can't get the words out about WHY Anthony's not a good person to date or flirt with. He's unable to articulate the literal thoughts we see play out in his head on the page, and as the reader, seeing those words in his mind and seeing what actually came out of his mouth, it just frustrated me beyond belief. And I might have given it a pass if the same thing hadn't happened LATER IN THE THIRD ACT when Dominic is trying to repair his relationship with Juliette, and again, he can't articulate his proper thoughts and feelings. The super important information he needs to disclose to her has to come from his best friend instead, and then she's able to move forward and forgive him. HUH?? How does that show any growth for Dominic? How will he and Juliette handle important conversations moving forward?
Aside from that, a large part of the story also revolves around the sexism and misogyny Juliette faces from literally everyone in the F1 world. And to be totally clear, I 100% believe that women in her position would face that type of scrutiny and that it likely is a giant boys' club. But at times, the writing felt almost cartoonish in its depictions of her interactions with other characters. It made these characters feel less developed and more like caricatures than people, even if they are supposed to mainly be bigoted.
And as for the romance... I was on board until they actually got together. The scene where they were actually intimate for the first time just felt so stupid because it was in a public place (this is a totally forbidden/scandalous relationship). It was hard to focus on the intimacy they were building when I was thinking about how dumb it was for them to be doing this here and now.
All in all, I know some people will absolutely eat this up. It's a light and easy read, with the F1 racing adding a sexy edge to it and Juliette busting people's balls 24/7 and Dominic being all broody and hot. But I just had too many issues that I couldn't see past to enjoy it for the fun ride it could've been.
August 22, 2026
First of all, thanks to Netgalley for this book!
Now… How can this be a debut novel?!! Okay, okay, let’s start with the beginning: What would happen if a woman was hired as a member of the F1 grid? This is precisely what this book explores.
In my opinion, the plot is reaaally good. But it doesn’t mean that the aspects of the sport are correctly described. They aren’t. But hey, is there really someone reading sport romance for the sport? I don’t think so. We read sport romance because of the romance, the boys in race suits, and the scenery, which can perfectly raise the reader’s interest in the sport, and for me, that’s more than enough.
About the characters , the story repeats itself… Man meets woman or woman meets man. However, after a few chapters I reeeally found all the characters engaging and fun. Honestly, I would read a whole saga about the relationships of the rest of them.
Regarding the romance , I think this is the weakest point of this book. There is no communication and quite a lack of coherence between the actions of the characters and their thoughts (no spoilers!). Still, this is a debut and I don’t want to be harsh, since I liked the story overall.
Finally, I loved the writing ! At first, I can’t deny that the narrator feels a bit strange. But once you’re used to the pace of the writing, it’s clear and perfectly fulfils its aim: combining the point of view of the main characters.
To add some final considerations , I think the feminist part needs more polishing. The idea is good and original, but the reflections end feeling repetitive and shallow, especially when the character’s actions don’t match their inner thoughts. Again, this is a debut and it has surprised me for good, so I’m willing to read next books from the author.
Now… How can this be a debut novel?!! Okay, okay, let’s start with the beginning: What would happen if a woman was hired as a member of the F1 grid? This is precisely what this book explores.
In my opinion, the plot is reaaally good. But it doesn’t mean that the aspects of the sport are correctly described. They aren’t. But hey, is there really someone reading sport romance for the sport? I don’t think so. We read sport romance because of the romance, the boys in race suits, and the scenery, which can perfectly raise the reader’s interest in the sport, and for me, that’s more than enough.
About the characters , the story repeats itself… Man meets woman or woman meets man. However, after a few chapters I reeeally found all the characters engaging and fun. Honestly, I would read a whole saga about the relationships of the rest of them.
Regarding the romance , I think this is the weakest point of this book. There is no communication and quite a lack of coherence between the actions of the characters and their thoughts (no spoilers!). Still, this is a debut and I don’t want to be harsh, since I liked the story overall.
Finally, I loved the writing ! At first, I can’t deny that the narrator feels a bit strange. But once you’re used to the pace of the writing, it’s clear and perfectly fulfils its aim: combining the point of view of the main characters.
To add some final considerations , I think the feminist part needs more polishing. The idea is good and original, but the reflections end feeling repetitive and shallow, especially when the character’s actions don’t match their inner thoughts. Again, this is a debut and it has surprised me for good, so I’m willing to read next books from the author.
August 30, 2026
a woman tryna build herself up in a male dominated field will always have my attention🫡
•full throttle🏎️🏁- j.k mclaren•
this was my first f1 romance novel and it didn’t disappoint.
mclaren does well to bring to attention the stigma against women building up their careers in which males usually ‘take the lead in’.
juliette takes all that rage and bs that is spewed her way and let’s it be her driving force to prove to others that she deserves to be there just as much, that she BELONGS there. and you know what? we love a baddie who knows her own power.
dominic and juliette’s relationship is strained, fuelled by hate but not because of competition between the two, as they both know they’re very good at what they do- but due to outsiders influence, those who think they know better, using blackmail and manipulation to drive them apart.
i love the dynamics between all the characters and the obstacles they come to face whilst also allowing for that vulnerability to leak through.
•AVAILABLE NOW•
•thank you to @netgalley & @penguinrandomhouse for the arc approval💫
•full throttle🏎️🏁- j.k mclaren•
this was my first f1 romance novel and it didn’t disappoint.
mclaren does well to bring to attention the stigma against women building up their careers in which males usually ‘take the lead in’.
juliette takes all that rage and bs that is spewed her way and let’s it be her driving force to prove to others that she deserves to be there just as much, that she BELONGS there. and you know what? we love a baddie who knows her own power.
dominic and juliette’s relationship is strained, fuelled by hate but not because of competition between the two, as they both know they’re very good at what they do- but due to outsiders influence, those who think they know better, using blackmail and manipulation to drive them apart.
i love the dynamics between all the characters and the obstacles they come to face whilst also allowing for that vulnerability to leak through.
•AVAILABLE NOW•
•thank you to @netgalley & @penguinrandomhouse for the arc approval💫
January 16, 2026
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”
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”
August 24, 2026
I initially soft DNF’d this one because I was finding some of the characters and wording immature. But, I picked it back up later and, keeping in mind this is a debut novel, I ended up enjoying it.
This is a light and easy F1 romance featuring the first female driver, forced teammates and enemies to lovers, with a very committed enemies era.
Miscommunication is one of my least favourite tropes, and I didn’t realise it would play such a big role here. I also felt like there was a little too much focus on the past/flashbacks, which contributed to some of the juvenile vibes for me for some of the characters.
That said, I really enjoyed Dominic and Juliette. Once they finally got past the whole we hate each other phase, they were actually really sweet and wholesome together.
Overall, a fun and easy debut with plenty of potential, and I’m definitely curious to see what this author does next!!
Pick this one up if you like: F1 romance Second chance Enemies to lovers Flashbacks
This is a light and easy F1 romance featuring the first female driver, forced teammates and enemies to lovers, with a very committed enemies era.
Miscommunication is one of my least favourite tropes, and I didn’t realise it would play such a big role here. I also felt like there was a little too much focus on the past/flashbacks, which contributed to some of the juvenile vibes for me for some of the characters.
That said, I really enjoyed Dominic and Juliette. Once they finally got past the whole we hate each other phase, they were actually really sweet and wholesome together.
Overall, a fun and easy debut with plenty of potential, and I’m definitely curious to see what this author does next!!
Pick this one up if you like: F1 romance Second chance Enemies to lovers Flashbacks
June 29, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the advanced copy of Full Throttle!
I’ve never read an F1 romance before, but growing up in a household where Formula 1 was watched religiously, I was immediately interested. Even more compelling was Juliette, the FMC, becoming the first female Formula 1 driver and taking on the challenges of such a male-dominated sport.
She’s eventually paired with Dominic Hastings as her teammate, who’s a driver determined to prove his critics wrong as he is forced to join a new team. Their dynamic and tension made the story that much better.
I’m usually not a fan of the miscommunication trope, but it was handled well here, especially with being paired with a dual POV.
Overall, this was such an enjoyable read. Between the racing, the romance, and the characters, I’m already looking forward to reading the next book of the series!
I’ve never read an F1 romance before, but growing up in a household where Formula 1 was watched religiously, I was immediately interested. Even more compelling was Juliette, the FMC, becoming the first female Formula 1 driver and taking on the challenges of such a male-dominated sport.
She’s eventually paired with Dominic Hastings as her teammate, who’s a driver determined to prove his critics wrong as he is forced to join a new team. Their dynamic and tension made the story that much better.
I’m usually not a fan of the miscommunication trope, but it was handled well here, especially with being paired with a dual POV.
Overall, this was such an enjoyable read. Between the racing, the romance, and the characters, I’m already looking forward to reading the next book of the series!
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