Love in the Fast Lane

by Tyra Prince

Hannah Grace for YA readers, this is a motor racing romance
revving with tension on and off the track!
Cody has the next few years of her life all planned get top
A-level results, attend Cambridge University with her gorgeous
boyfriend Rob and find her dream job on a motor racing racing team.
But on results day, one phone call changes everything.
A top motor racing team have headhunted her and need her ready for
the upcoming season! Rob is less than pleased that the plan has
fallen apart, and Cody arrives in Melbourne heartbroken and single,
ready for the first race.


Cody is introduced to her team's 19 year old nepo baby
Carl, whose dad was a racing prodigy, and Austin, who grew up riding
dirt bikes and has an astonishing natural aptitude for racing.
On screen they play it friendly, but behind the tracks they are
fierce rivals, made only worse when they both start falling for
Cody. There's also Leo, the leader driver of their main rival team,
who seems set on winning the season no matter what...


Who will ultimately win the race for Cody's heart?



A high pressure, high drama romance filled with tension that
sizzles on and off the track!
Perfect for BookTok and Bookstagram, it's a swoony love triangle
against the adrenaline-fuelled backdrop of motor racing
Fans of Icebreaker and Game, Set, Matched will
fall head-over-heels for this!

Genres: Romance, Sports Romance

278 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 12, 2026

Reviews

[Nessa’s Book Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Give me motor racing, gorgeous drivers, fierce rivalries, a love triangle, and enough romantic tension to rival the final lap of a Grand Prix. I’m buckled in, thank you very much!

Meet Cody, a girl who has her entire future mapped out. A-levels, Cambridge University, gorgeous boyfriend Rob, and her dream job working with a motor racing team. Nice and predictable, right?

WRONG.

One phone call later, her carefully planned future goes flying out the window when a top racing team headhunts her for the upcoming season. Suddenly she’s off to Melbourne, single, heartbroken, and about to enter a world of high-speed competition.

And then we meet the drivers…

There’s Carl, the nineteen year old nepo baby with racing royalty in his blood, and Austin, the dirt bike raised natural talent with an astonishing ability behind the wheel.

On the track, they’re teammates. Off the track? Fierce rivals. And naturally, because apparently one complicated driver wasn’t enough, they BOTH start falling for Cody.

But wait… there’s also Leo, the lead driver for their biggest rival team, who seems determined to win the season at absolutely any cost.

GIRL. HOW MANY DRIVERS ARE WE DEALING WITH HERE?

I love the premise of this one! The motor racing background gives the romance such an exciting setting, and I’m always here for ambitious FMCs, competitive men, forbidden distractions, and a little romantic chaos.

The love triangle adds another layer of tension, especially when you’ve got rivalries happening both on and off the track. Because apparently the only thing more dangerous than racing at ridiculous speeds is catching feelings for the people you’re supposed to be competing against!

And can we appreciate Cody stepping away from the future everyone expected her to have and taking a chance on something completely unexpected? Sometimes the best detours lead to the most exciting destinations.

I’m here for the fast cars, faster heartbeats, and fictional racing boys who clearly need to learn how to communicate their feelings.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read for someone who enjoys formula one as well as a romance

[Tabitha jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute! Very YA but good plot and enjoyable characters. Hoping for a second one to carry on the storyline.

[Elis · Rating 2 out of 5]

The blurb really caught my attention, but while reading I quickly realized I’m probably just too old for the target audience. The plot was interesting and I liked the romance twist at the end, although it was quite predictable for me. Around halfway through, I started losing interest and had to push myself to finish it. Not for me, but I think younger readers could really enjoy it! 🏎️❤️

[Zoë · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 ⭐️
Je merkt heel erg dat dit haar eerste boek is. Vond het plot middelmatig. Ook dat ze op dates ging met beide race coureurs en vervolgens gaat date met de tegenstander en dat gebeurde op de laatste drie pagina’s. Het kwam pas op gang aan het einde van het boek. Dit was het niet waard.

[Beclovestoread · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

[Joanne Eglon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐

[Fem · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story, it was a very sweet YA sports romance with my favourite sports: formula 1. I enjoyed the strategic aspects that the FMC was interested in. The love interests were somewhat unrealistic but it was enjoyable.

There was nothing really bad perse about the book, but it was not the best book I have ever read.

[Kirsty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun romance and insight into the world of F1. Teen friendly sports romance

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

“They’re both gorgeous. Carl – the stern jawline of an Austen hero and the arrogance to match. Not to mention the romantic family history…” “And the accompanying emotional baggage,” Cody said, thinking of his call with his dad at the restaurant. “Then there’s Austin,” her sister mused. “Made it all the way to the top from the wrong side of the tracks. Wow, Cody – you couldn’t have picked a better pair of men to fight over you. All you need is Leo Sullivan to get involved and—”

Love in the Fast Lane is a Young Adult F1 sports romance written in third person. With plenty of angst and teen drama - all set in the backdrop of formula one.

The vibe of F1 was done really well here! From interactions between engineers and drivers, to the circuits, to the races and the travel. I had a fun time reading this!

Cody is the FMC. She has an opportunity to follow her dream, to be a motorsport engineer, when a call comes in from Falcon Racing. She’s on their radar for their junior program since she got exceptional exam results - University at Cambridge will have to wait. I loved how she shared that dream with her Grandad and was going for what she wanted most in life.

Her opportunity gets a tad more complicated, however, when all the F1 men she meets seem to want to pursue her. Cue teenage drama and angst, and the typical YA love triangle.

“Each driver had their own reasons for racing. Carl had his famous father, Austin had his tough childhood – and who knew what demons drove Leo? But it was clear they all wanted the top spot on the podium and they would do whatever it took to get there.”

Carl is the nepo baby of the team. Clearly struggling under the weight of his father’s expectations and just wants to make him proud.

Austin has worked hard to be in the team. Started in dirt bike racing and progressed to motor racing. Wants to prove that he’s better than his co-driver - that he wasn’t just handed his seat, but he’s worked for it.

Leo is the current champion and one to beat. Drives for a rival team. Can he maintain his place at the top?

Overall a fun fast paced read! A YA spin on F1 romance.

ARC copy provided by Scholastic UK & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

[priarchivesss]

Book review!!

Thank you @scholastic_uk for sending me this copy!!

This was a third person YA book! I hadn't read a YA in third person for a while and so I was not used to it at first but then I realised that was why and I got used to it quickly!😂

I don't like drama in real life but in a f1 romance book? it's addictive. The plot was quite interesting!

There was actually a love square? I didn't mind it as
much as I thought I might only because it was obvious who the fmc was going to end up with because of the blurb!😂

Only thing is I would've liked more scenes with the main mmc and Cody - I feel they would've had more chemistry and it would have been nice seeing them together since he only appeared after the 50% mark (Because there is a love square and a lot of the start was to set up the story it's understandable but I would've loved to see more of the couple themselves!! - they were so sweet in the scenes they did have together)

I liked that it focused on the garage side of F1 - it was fun to read about!

As it's set during the world championship our main characters were travelling a lot and even as a reader it felt fun like I was the one traveling🤣

Overall a fun, cute YA book and a quick read!

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a fast-paced read that kept me engaged, especially with its Formula 1 setting. One of the highlights for me was getting a glimpse into the interactions between engineers and drivers. That behind the scenes dynamic added an interesting layer and gave the story a bit of authenticity. I also really appreciated seeing a woman in the racing world it’s refreshing and something I always want more of in this kind of setting.

That said, I did feel like the racing aspect itself could have been stronger. While the environment was there, it didn’t always feel fully developed or immersive, and I found myself wanting more depth when it came to the actual racing side of things.

My biggest issue, though, was the romance. The story leans heavily into drama, and while that kept things moving, it meant the relationship didn’t get the development I was hoping for. Since they only really get together in the final chapter, it felt a bit rushed, and I would have loved to see more of their connection and growth on page.

Overall, this felt like the beginning of a story rather than a complete one. I’d be interested in reading a second book to see their relationship properly develop and get the romantic depth that felt missing here.

[shar · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars 🌟

A quick fast read, filled with tension and an addictive plot with twists turns. I never saw it coming but then i did as well.

The story follows the FMC Cody, who finished school dreaming of becoming an engineer, she thinks she has it all figured on but her life is derailed by an offer she can’t refuse. working for a top racing team, she takes on the offer to work on the track alongside the best engineers. Stuck between the two racers and their conflicts she find her stuck in the love triangle and some dirty tricks happening behind the scenes.

I loved reading and following cody’s journey working as women in the racing world. i think the coming of age aspect of this what i loved the most as honestly i didn’t feel the romance. However the romance does seem to be almost a backstory focusing more on the drama. making it interesting story and different from what i’ve read before.

if you want a quick YA racing story i recommend this!!

[Beca · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the premise of the book is amazing, a fresh out of school math genius is asked to work for an F1 team, the book is said to be a romance novel, it is unclear till the end of the book who the love interest is, and even then the interactions between the 3 men who it could be have little romantic connection or interactions, that make you want it to be them, the interactions felt rushed and played little part in the plot until the end of the book. The book ends with the couple ending up agreeing to a first date and a kiss, all of which appeared out of nowhere and feels like there should be another chapter or at least an epilogue to tie up all the plot points up as so many things were left on a bit of a cliffhanger

As someone who knows a lot about F1 this book was making me annoyed with how little the Author knows about an F1 season and how a race weekend works, I have read other F1 romance books that do a much better job at portraying the sport accurately.

[Niamh · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Fast paced and interesting YA read that I flew through. The F1, motor racing setting made the book feel exciting and I loved reading about the behind the scenes of the racing team, with the pressures that they face throughout the book. The motor racing aspect added energy to the story and kept the story progressing.

The main characters were super easy to get invested in, and the mix emotions throughout created plenty of tension. I was genuinely curious to see how everything would play out, which made it hard to put down in parts.

Overall, it’s a fun, addictive YA read that combines romance and motorsport, perfect for fans of BookTok romances who want something a little different but just as bingeable. 🏁📖

Thanks to Scholastic UK for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Olivia Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for my advanced copy.
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- I was a nervous but also excited for this book. I had only read one F1 romance book before and I really struggled with it, but this, such a fun little read! It felt like the perfect easy read to either get you out of a reading slump or just wanting something simple. I enjoyed the feelings of worry as she was a young girl in her career job navigating her way, and enjoyed following along. Further, I really liked that she was an engineer and not the cliche in these books of being a model or social media influencer- she’s an all round motor sport girl. What took this shy of 5 stars was there was a lot of comments around how she improved the team etc but not much on her job role, I’d like to have known HOW she made the team better as only a junior with no F1 experience compared to a well respected engineer she shadowed.

[CharlaRose · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ultimate Palette Cleanser! 💖🏎️

❤️ If you are looking for a fun, breezy read, look no further! I initially picked this up expecting a purely romance-focused story, but it pleasantly surprised me. Instead, it leans more into an addictive, small-town-style drama with just the right amount of flirty banter to keep things exciting.

🏎 Even though it wasn't what I originally had in mind, I completely devoured it and actually really enjoyed the shift in pace! It is an incredibly easy, low-stress read that serves as the perfect palette cleanser between heavier books.

💋It is a great fit for the YA genre, and as a huge bonus, I absolutely loved the motor racing backdrop. It is so refreshing to dive into a completely different, adrenaline-fuelled setting for once! Highly recommend if you want something light, sweet, and bingeable.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher Schoolastic for sending me an advance copy!

I love F1 and F1 romances are right up my street and folks, this was such a great read! It was clear the author had done their research as we had a lot more about the sport and it felt authentic. Additionally, we love to see women in STEM and our female lead is an engineer! I thought the characters were likable and the rivalry between teammates believable. I would have been obsessed with this book if I had read it back when I was a teenager and I hope some teenage F1 fans pick up this book because it is so fun. It's a real f1 fantasy and pure escapism but I had a great time and honestly, that's all that matters.

[Elisha Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This YA Romance is all things Formula 1 focused! Whilst it does have similarities, I personally feel that the F1 universe built in the book is a work of fiction and not overly similar to real life F1 - so do bear this in mind if you’re interested due to the motor sports factor of this novel.

It’s a very fast paced and witty book with lots of humour throughout. The characters were very likeable and overall it’s such an easy read.

The book is on the smaller side so if you’re looking for a quick and easy read, this might just be it!

Thank you to Scholastic for my advanced copy of this! Roll on its publication in Feb 2026🧡🏎️

3⭐️

[Alec ⟠ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was fantastic! It’s rare to see F1 romance aimed at a younger age range, but it was just as good as the others I’ve read, because the characters and writing style really spoke for themselves and created a fantastically gripping book. I loved Cody as a protagonist, and her close friendship with Hana. Cody’s investigations into corruption after a race accident were really interesting and I was shocked to find out who was behind it! I only wish it had been longer because i really didn’t want it to end! A fantastic book for any fans of F1 or F1 romance, or those wanting to get into the sports romance genre.

[Nicole Kellam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is this realistic? No. I’m not an F1 nerd, so someone please correct me if I’m wrong, but would a world-class F1 team really hire someone straight out of school with no real qualifications? Also, can a junior engineer, with no real qualifications or experience, be so instrumental to the team and their success? But to top it all off, not one, not two but three F1 drivers take an interest in the FMC… so it becomes a love square? Just ridiculous. I do recognise that I’m probably too old to be reading something like this, so take my review with a pinch of salt.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really fun motor sport romance with a few plot twists. Reaching the end I was so stressed but glad with the way it turned out, Leo and Cody make the perfect couple. At the beginning I was thinking that Cody would end up with Carl but I am so glad it was Leo in the end, very cute but wish there was more to the ending of an explanation with what happened to Carl and what’s going to happen to his dad

[_aimsreads_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel this book had so much potential but didn’t utilise it. I enjoyed the drama, although the plot twist was very obvious, but also the fact it’s a romance book - i understand it’s quite short, but she interacts with the main love interest (Leo) halfway through the book, and barely interacts what so ever on page. If you want readers to engage and feel for the characters you need to give them more attention, because I couldn’t fully be invested when we hardly knew his character.

[Lizzie Marsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVED this book. Such a fun, fast paced read. With a love square, literally. Not a love triangle…. A square.

Competitive on and off the track quite literally.

One of the main reasons why I didn’t give it 5⭐️s is that I felt there could have been more character development. Yes it was a short book, under 300 pages, but still.

I quickly fell in love with some of these characters and Tara’s writing!

I’d so recommend this book so my sports romance and F1 girlies out there!!

[Sami Coxhead · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for anything F1 related, so the racing element definitely pulled me in! I read this in a day, which says a lot. it was fast-paced, easy to read and didn’t drag things out unnecessarily.

Some parts did feel a little far-fetched and had me questioning things 😂, but overall I still really enjoyed the ride. Hana was probably my favourite character and definitely one of the highlights for me.

Fun, quick and entertaining, just not quite a podium finish! 🏁

[Lucy Surtee · Rating 1.5 out of 5]

This is F1 fanfiction which I’m pretty sure was written by an angsty 14 year old. It’s unrealistic at every turn, the plot lines are stupid and the “romance” in it is extremely mild suggestions at flirting with 3 different lads at the same time.

I couldn’t have given less of a damn if she ended up with any of these 3 lads either, they were all unappealing, and out FMC Cody was a drama-magnet herself. I don’t think there was a single likeable person in this and that wasn’t the intention.

[Aiysha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was so cute!

A fun YA F1 romance, perfect for a younger audience who are f1 enthusiasts or just learning the sport and want a fun action filled romance. It was very YA for me personally but I would recommend it to younger audiences if they ask for a good F1 book (younger me would’ve loved this book).

[Lottie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be a really easy read. While I will say there was nothing particularly stand out special to me, it was exactly the right time for me to read this book and I managed to read it all in one go. While I did like the characters, I felt like at times they could have had a greater development but overall, and enjoyable read.

[Alexandra Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the best thing I’ve ever read. It advertised a love triangle, there was barely a romance between two people never mind three.
The book was very fast paced, so much so that there was any real story building to it and the whole point of F1 got a bit lost really.
I didn’t enjoy the book but was grateful for the large text and short chapters that made it a relatively quick read!

[Katy Gilroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is sooooo cute - my first motor racing romance :))) if you're looking for a realistic depiction of F1 this isn't it but it is ADORABLE, funny, fast paced and interesting. enjoyed immensely! very clean YA also x