Read if you like:
✨ childhood friends to lovers
✨ forbidden romance (brother’s ex)
✨ emotionally mature main characters
✨ F1 backdrop with soft drama
✨ protective hero + found family dynamics
📚 Formula Freedom is the third standalone in Sawyer Bennett’s Race Fever series, and while it’s set in the high-octane world of international racing, the story centers more on emotional stakes than podium finishes. At its heart, this is a tender, slow-burn second-chance romance between childhood friends Reid and Lara—reigniting years after a fractured trio and one very complicated family history.
👨👧 Reid is a star in Formula International, but success hasn’t come without scars—especially when his older brother Lance believes Reid “stole” his dream and, later, his girl. Lara, caught in the middle, has history with both brothers. But when her relationship with Lance becomes increasingly volatile, it’s Reid she turns to for protection—and that opens up the possibility of something deeper, long buried.
💞 I loved that this wasn’t full of unnecessary drama or miscommunication. Reid and Lara are adults—and they act like it. Their chemistry is genuine and grounded, with a shared history that adds weight to every look and touch.
✈️ While the F1 backdrop adds a fun, fast-paced edge, it doesn’t overwhelm the story. In fact, this is not a heavy sports romance—racing is the setting, not the plot. What does shine is the close-knit support system within the paddock and Reid’s team, as well as the family dynamics.
🎧 The audiobook, narrated by Sean Masters and Kit Swann, is excellent. The dual POV brings both Reid and Lara to life, and the narration captures the emotional beats, tension, and warmth between them.
👧 I will say, while Lara was strong and layered, I do wish we had a little more internal exploration of her past with Lance. The emotional trauma is handled gently, but I think a deeper dive would have made her personal arc even more powerful. Still, I appreciated that the story didn’t rely on melodrama to create stakes—the characters themselves brought the tension and tenderness.
🌟 Final thoughts? Formula Freedom is a heartfelt, grown-up romance with just the right amount of angst, warmth, and second chances. Sawyer Bennett continues to deliver love stories grounded in emotional intelligence, quiet strength, and yes—a bit of racing glam. If you enjoy stories where the drama feels real, not forced, and the love story grows from trust, history, and genuine care, this one’s worth your time.
📲 QOTD: What’s your favorite kind of second-chance romance: childhood friends, exes who reunite, or the “I’ve always loved you” kind? 👇
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