Madly Driven

by Tiye

An addictive, enemies-to-lovers romance about fame, power, and two people fighting to stay in control, even as they fall madly, recklessly in love.

Kensie Garrett turned her worst heartbreak into a bestselling brand. As a social-media influencer and author of a hit self-help book teaching women how to find love without losing themselves, she’s built a career on staying in command. But one reckless night threatens everything she’s created when she gives in to the magnetic pull of Canaan Jackson, the infuriating race car driver she’s despised since college.

When a private video from that night leaks, Kensie’s credibility and Canaan’s shot at racing glory are suddenly on the line. To save them both, he does the announces their engagement during a live press conference. What begins as damage control quickly spirals into a dangerous chemistry neither can contain.

Thrown together under the scorching Miami sun in the months leading up to his first Formula One race, Kensie and Canaan must outmaneuver paparazzi, past betrayals, and a passion that refuses to stay off camera. But as lies blur into truth and old wounds resurface, Kensie has to decide whether protecting her image is worth losing her heart to the one man who may know her better than she knows herself.

Genres: Romance

272 pages, Paperback

Expected publication June 30, 2026

Reviews

[MzIvy · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC provided by NetGalley and Black Odyssey Media. I loved this book from start to finish. Enemies to lovers. Fake relationship with real feelings!

[BookinWithNik · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay. It wasn’t a bad read, the storyline was actually very good. I love enemies to lovers tropes so it gave me that. The book as a whole just didn’t really pull me in that much. There wasn’t much excitement for me.

Canaan was interesting. He was described as an a**hole a lot but that wasn’t the energy I was getting from him. He seemed like a typical man who explored his options because he was focused on his career, and did not want to give himself to the wrong woman. With Kensie he was very intentional, though I’m sure he didn’t expect his feelings to get involved. I loved how he pushed himself to accomplish his goals despite the odds stacked against him and the people expecting him to fail.

Kensie I found quite annoying at first. The downside of dating a social media influencer was them always wanting to record something or go live instead of just being present in the moment. I understood Canaan’s frustration and distrust regarding that, especially given his status. She also kept being hot and cold with him when he really didn’t give her any reason to believe he would hurt her.

Eventually things aligned as they should and that was a nice thing. Overall i think the book was a decent palette cleanser.

[CT · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Black Odyssey Media for the ARC.

I’ll admit—I’m biased because Tiye is an auto-read author for me, but this book reminded me exactly why. Give me enemies to lovers + fake dating and I’m already seated… and this one did both so well.
Enemies to lovers ✔️
Fake dating ✔️
Tension for days ✔️
I ate this up. The tension? Top tier.

[Vonetta Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review

Kensie and Canaan were an odd pairing considering he dated her friend in college and she vowed to hate him after they broke up. However, an encounter together that neither of them can forget about flips the script. When they cross paths again the sexual tension is definitely still there and a situation that occurred had them trying to save face and agree to fake dating which changed things for both of them.

I enjoyed watching the relationship grow from enemies to lovers for Kensie and Canaan because both of them were adamant that they were only going to be together for their careers and for a period of time but of course the more they were around each other what started as a fake connection grew into something real. That said, there were some communication issues that got in the way of them developing something more at times because neither of them wanted to tell the other how they felt due to their arrangement but also in large part due to family issues. They both came from similar situations where they didn't see the healthiest relationship with their parents growing up which had an effect on how they viewed relationships for themselves as adults. This caused a lot of doubt with both of them and a sense of should I or shouldn't I when it came to expressing how they were feeling to the other. Canaan definitely fell first and I found myself telling Kensie you deserve the love so just let him in. I was so happy when we saw their more vulnerable side because that is when we were able to see a shift in them as individuals and a couple. However, right when I thought they were finally on the same page, a hiccup occurred that took us back to square one and I was saying to myself whyyyyy.. I was rooting for these two and I felt they complimented each other well so I had to see where their story was going to go

While we had the romance aspect of the book, we also had the racing with Canaan and as someone who doesn't know much about Nascar or Formula 1 racing, I felt Tiye did a good job of showcasing the racing in the book and the differences between the two. Overall, I thought this was a good read that kept me engaged and I liked how Tiye blended the romance, spice, family dynamics and the life of a racecar driver. Thank you to Black Odyssey Media for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Casey R Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fake Dating, Enemies to Lovers… and I Liked It??

📚 On Casey’s Bookshelf

Book: 76
Dates read: 04.14.2026 – 04.15.2026
Title: Madly Driven
Author: Tiye
Format: digital ARC

#caseysbookshelf

Baby one thing for sure, two for certain, I am Tiye Love’s number one fan. Even when she has me emotionally wrecked, I know she will put the pieces back together and build me up with a beautiful HEA. Now while this one did not have me crying in the corner, it absolutely gave me all the feels. And look… I ain’t even gonna hold you. If you see a Tiye book on my account, you ain’t even gotta read the review. It’s 4 or 5 stars every time. And yes, I check my bias. The ratings are truly earned.

It’s no secret fake dating is my favorite trope and enemies to lovers is my LEAST favorite. One thing you will never catch me doing is spinning the block. But somehow… Tiye slid both tropes in here and made me open my mind just a little bit. Because yeah… I liked it.

Kensie and Canaan start off in pure tension and bad decisions, and before they can even catch their breath, they’re in a fake engagement trying to clean up a mess that only gets messier. What I loved is that their chemistry doesn’t feel forced. It builds through conflict, through ego, through two people who are used to being in control realizing they don’t have control over this.

And the growth? That’s where the story really shines. This isn’t about fixing each other. It’s about confronting your own baggage and choosing to show up differently. Watching them break down those walls and actually do the work made the payoff hit.

This is messy, emotional, high-chemistry romance with characters that will have you talking to the book… but still rooting for them to get it together.

Another Tiye win, per yooj.

Thank you Black Odyssey for the NetGalley #giftedcopy in exchange for an honest review. This title releases June 30th. Be sure to add it to your preorder list!

Another book off the shelf. We keep reading with intention. 📚

[Vanessa Herrera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Tiye & Black Odyssey Media for offering an arc via NetGalley!

Madly Driven comes off the starting grid at full speed and doesn't take its foot off the gas. From the opening pages, Tiye drops readers into a romance that feels like taking the checkered flag after a thrilling race.

Now, let's talk about Canaan and Kenzie. These two are fake dating in the most technical sense because absolutely no one, including them, is fooled. The chemistry has been there since they randomly ran into each other in Jamaica, and they're both painfully aware of it. Yet they spend the majority of the book convincing themselves that pursuing something real would somehow derail their professional goals. The level of delusion on display? Certifiable. But somehow Tiye makes their self-control feel incredibly sexy, and I enjoyed every second of it.

What I loved most was how multifaceted these characters are. Canaan isn't just chasing his Formula 1 dreams as a Black driver in a predominantly white space; he's also a brilliant engineer. Kenzie is balancing the demands of completing her dissertation while building her platform as a content creator. They're both ambitious and trying to figure out whether there's room for love alongside their goals... all while they're supposedly "fake dating."

Of course, none of this would be complete without a healthy amount of emotional baggage and stubbornness. Canaan and Kenzie's fears around vulnerability are rooted in past relationships and complicated family dynamics, which makes their miscommunications feel frustrating but believable. You'll definitely want to yell at them to get it together, but watching them learn each other, challenge their assumptions, and unlearn old habits makes their romance feel authentic and relatable.

Madly Driven is sexy, frustrating, heartfelt, and packed with enough heat to make it the perfect summer read. If you love ambitious characters, undeniable chemistry, and a romance that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end, this one is worth the ride.

[The Urban Book Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tiye absolutely ate with this one.

Madly Driven pulled me in fast and never really let me breathe. Between the tension, the secrets, the emotional walls, and trying to figure out what exactly was happening beneath the surface of these characters, I stayed locked in from beginning to end. This was my very first race car driver romance and honestly? I get the hype now.

Kensie and Canaan are messy in the best way possible. Their connection starts off sharp, complicated, and full of conflict, but the chemistry never feels forced. Every interaction feels loaded with something unspoken, which made the emotional payoff hit even harder later on. The fake engagement trope was done so well because it never felt overly cheesy or unbelievable. Instead, it felt like two people trying to stay in control while everything around them slowly spiraled.

What surprised me most was the suspense element woven throughout the story. There’s this constant feeling that something bigger is happening behind the scenes, and I found myself trying to piece everything together right alongside the characters. The emotional tension and the outside pressure balanced each other perfectly.

And let me just say this: Canaan? Whew. Stubborn, frustrating, protective, layered. Exactly the kind of character that will have you rolling your eyes one chapter and rooting for him the next.

What I appreciated most is that this story wasn’t about “saving” each other. It was about growth, accountability, trust, and learning how to let somebody in without losing yourself in the process.

This was emotional, dramatic, romantic, and surprisingly addictive. I flew through it because every chapter gave me another reason to keep going.

Huge thank you to Black Odyssey and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. Madly Driven releases June 30, 2026, and romance readers are absolutely going to want this on their radar.

[TendaiisNarrative]

I received an eARC from NetGalley for an honest review. I want to preface this by saying that there’s probably a lot of people who will enjoy this story because it's a really interesting premise, but I need to be honest with myself in the fact I don't have patience for the things I mention and that’s a me thing.

I had a couple issues with the writing style from the get go ("we sexed twice already") But that was something I can typically push through if I like the premise enough.

One of main issues actually came with the Formula 1 knowledge. I'm not a big sports person in any capacity, but as a budding F1 fan, the representation of the sport and language surrounding it left me wanting. You don't win a Formula 1, you win the Drivers Championship and/or Constructors Championship. And a person who already races in Formula 1 would not repeat the whole title in conversation every single time, they would simply say "I need to win the next race." I feel that when the book is centered around something, more research into these things make for a better story.

My other biggest issue is the heavy handed misogyny from the MMC and lack of emotional intelligence from both MC's. I assume his character arc is supposed to include him learning to respect women as a whole in some way but I have no interest in watching a grown man learn how to respect half the world's population because he finally found love. The FMC has made a whole career on speaking and teaching about Black love, a talent she gained from her sociology degree, but she doesn't see the value in relationships, has grudges against men, and actively pursued taken guys to sleep with (though she draws the line at married guys).

These are things I picked up in the first 3 chapters and it told me that this story wasn't for me.

[Ebony Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review Release Date: June 30, 2026

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Madly Driven by Tiye is a compelling and emotionally layered enemies-to-lovers romance that delivers on tension, chemistry, and character growth.

The story follows Kensie, a social media influencer, and Canaan, a professional race car driver, who enter into a fake engagement that neither of them expects to turn real. What begins as a strategic arrangement quickly evolves into something deeper as both characters are forced to confront their pasts, trust issues, and emotional walls.

Both Kensie and Canaan are strong-willed and guarded, which makes their dynamic feel authentic and engaging. Their banter is sharp, their chemistry is undeniable, and the tension between them carries consistently throughout the story. Canaan’s stubborn, alpha personality is balanced by the softer side he reveals over time, particularly in his interactions with Kensie. Kensie, on the other hand, remains grounded and firm in who she is, which adds depth to their connection.

One of the strongest aspects of this novel is its focus on growth. Rather than “fixing” one another, Kensie and Canaan challenge and support each other, allowing their relationship to develop naturally. Watching them break down their emotional barriers and build trust made the payoff especially satisfying.

Overall, Madly Driven is a well-paced, character-driven romance with strong emotional depth and an engaging storyline. Readers who enjoy enemies-to-lovers, fake dating/engagement tropes, and slow-burn relationships will find this to be a rewarding read. I read this in one day, which speaks to how engaging and well-paced the story was.

[skia_reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Synopsis:

Kensie Garrett turned her worst heartbreak into a bestselling brand. As a social-media influencer and author of a hit self-help book teaching women how to find love without losing themselves, she’s built a career on staying in command. But one reckless night threatens everything she’s created when she gives in to the magnetic pull of Canaan Jackson, the infuriating race car driver she’s despised since college.

When a private video from that night leaks, Kensie’s credibility and Canaan’s shot at racing glory are suddenly on the line. To save them both, he does the announces their engagement during a live press conference. What begins as damage control quickly spirals into a dangerous chemistry neither can contain.

Thrown together under the scorching Miami sun in the months leading up to his first Formula One race, Kensie and Canaan must outmaneuver paparazzi, past betrayals, and a passion that refuses to stay off camera. But as lies blur into truth and old wounds resurface, Kensie has to decide whether protecting her image is worth losing her heart to the one man who may know her better than she knows herself.


Review:


Kensie and Canaan hated each other. Until one unforgettable night in Jamaica..Then, they suddenly couldn't keep their hands off each other.

This book started strong... but the miscommunication & holding on to past trauma between these two went on for far too long for me..

The story itself was good, I kept wanting to scream at these two, wake up and see beyond their own nose..

If you're looking for fake dating & messy romance.. this one's for you.

3 ⭐

*I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*

[Tay Amo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madly Driven is exactly the kind of emotionally layered contemporary romance I’ve come to expect from Tiye. She has such a thoughtful way of weaving mental health, wellness, vulnerability, and emotional accountability into love stories that still feel sexy, entertaining, and real.

This is a grown contemporary romance with strong chemistry, complex relationship dynamics, and characters who feel like adults navigating love alongside ambition, pressure, and personal history.

I don’t always gravitate toward enemies-to-lovers romance, but I enjoyed the tension here. The push and pull in their dynamic had emotional weight, so the chemistry felt natural instead of forced. I appreciated that the conflict was not just banter or pride for the sake of it; there was enough history, pressure, and softness underneath for the tension to make sense.

The story explored fierce independence, especially when that independence is shaped by self-protection, past hurt, and the need to stay in control. There was care in how Tiye showed ambition and emotional guardedness existing beside vulnerability, desire, and the want to be loved well.

I also appreciated the contemporary racing world built around the romance. The story highlights Black racers, pit crews, and fans within NASCAR and F1 spaces in a way that felt specific and refreshing. As someone still learning the sport, I liked that the book gave enough inner-world context to make the racing culture feel accessible without slowing the story down.

Thank you to NetGalley and Black Odyssey Media for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Netgalley and Black Odyssey Media, for sending me an ARC. All thoughts are of my own.

MADLY DRIVEN shows how hate turns into love - so that I became “madly driven” to continue reading until I reached its end. What a great book this is!

I will state that it took me a while to hook into the story presented. The beginning was definitely a conversation starter. But once things began to click, I latched on like a tick to a dog. The author wrote a spicy and exhilarating novel.

Kensie is my favorite character of MADLY DRIVEN. She knew what she wanted and got it, too. But what impressed me the most was when she went on her redemption tour, starting with her parents. It showed readers the character’s massive growth over a few pages. I appreciated that.

The only problem I had with the book was the pacing issues. There were lags in places, and I found myself drifting away from the story. Thank God, I got back on track, though.

I was satisfied with the book’s ending. It went straight to the dilemma. As a reader, I was happy to read that.

I am giving this book a high 4-star rating. Highly recommended!

[Oni Banks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was vibe! I’m glad I pushed past my initial dislike of the MMC. He’s arrogant, spoiled and possessive (those are the author’s words, not mine, lol) but as the story goes along he really grew on me. The FMC is just as flawed - an introverted academic building her career by being extroverted on social media. They both have big childhood wounds and trust issues that flare up throughout the story. There’s quite a lot of drama along the way but it never crosses over into reality TV territory. They argue. They take cheap shots and fall back into defensive patterns. They talk and they make-up. The couple’s banter is top tier and their connection builds gradually as they learn to communicate and let their guards down. I enjoyed that the story was heavier on flirting and PDA, than actual sex/spice. The supporting cast of Ms. Murielle (personal chef/mother figure) and Malcolm (best friend/F1 crew manager) added a wholesome quality to the overall tone of the story.

Thank you to Net Galley and Black Odyssey Media for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Brownskinnedreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eniemes-to-lovers + Fake Dating + Educated Individuals + Fast Cars + Rich Black Men= A book I didn't want to put down.

Cannon and Kensie pulled me in with their enemies-to-lovers banter. They have both had a rough childhood and have been done wrong by people who should have been there for them. Their past left them with a guarded heart and trust issues. When they happen to stumble into each other in Jamaica you wouldn't have thought these frenemies would have a fiery spark and undeniable chemistry.

When one of their private moments goes viral for the world to see. They must find a way to not let it harm both of their careers. During their journey, they go through ups-and- downs because that's what happens when two strong willed stubborn people start falling for each other. This book will have you cheering at the finish line, hoping this couple will the race to a happily ever after!

[Tunrayo Lumpkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy courtesy of NetGalley.

3.5 stars out of 5, rounded up.

This book was really cute!!! It had me kicking my feet, squeaking more times than I can count. I love that the main male character, Canaan, is absolutely dominating in a sport where black people are severely underrepresented. I also love that he’s more than just a professional athlete, he’s a highly educated and successful business man.

There were times where the story telling was clunky, rushed, and had too many time skips. I really enjoyed the enemies to lovers trope, but it definitely felt a bit rushed. I wish the story was better paced so that we couldn’t thoroughly enjoy and truly feel the transition from enemies to lovers. I did enjoy reading the dynamic evolve between Canaan and Kensie and seeing them process and work through their own familial trauma. Overall, I did enjoy reading this!

[Aliya Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! The storyline and plot felt so fresh compared to the typical romance reads I’m used to. It gives frienemies to lovers with a sports twist, and I was completely here for it.
Kens and Canaan are easily my favorite couple of 2026 so far. Their dynamic was everything. What really stood out to me was how the story highlighted the importance of not carrying past relationship trauma or even things we’ve picked up from our parents into something new.
I also loved how it showed that real connections can come when you least expect them. Watching a forced fake relationship slowly turn into something genuine and full of love kept me hooked the entire time.
Beautifully written and such a refreshing read, especially for my first time reading this author.

[Read2_escape · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of Madly Driven. Tiye is one of my favorite romance writers! You know the characters and their stories are going to be REAL and complicated!

The messiness of this story kept me intrigued and the angst and chemistry between Canaan and Kensie was 🔥

I would have liked to see Canaan have some professional help to deal with his childhood scars, and trauma he experienced but overall you could see his growth and that was important.

If you love messy romances, with angst and big chemistry….perfectly imperfect friendships and relationships….that make you want to scream at the characters while rooting for them to get it together this book is for you!

[Edwina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madly Driven is a beautifully written sports romance that is the perfect summer read. It delivers on every front, blending sharp banter and high-stakes celebrity drama with a deep, slow-burn tension that will keep you turning pages way past your bedtime. While the fake relationship between Kensie and Canaan brings plenty of fun and excitement, the story also dives into relatable, emotional themes like trust, past heartbreaks, and family drama. Ultimately, it balances a glamorous lifestyle with real, raw feelings, making it incredibly easy to root for this couple to find true love.

Thanks to NetGalley, Black Odyssey Media, and Tiye for the ARC.

[China · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the Publisher and the author for allowing me to ARC this book.

When I say TIYE did her thing on this one! I just loved the banter and chemistry between Canaan and Kensie! At time they both had me screaming at my Kindle like why are you messing up!? The book flowed so well and I could feel every emotion that Kensie and Canaan were experiencing. I love the fact that you explored how childhood trauma can be passed in the relationships that you create with others.

I’m anxious to see if Malcolm gets a story too! I would love a grumpy x next door girl love story.

[AshleyDenise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for ARC. Canaan and Kensie drove me mad with their back and forth with liking each other one minute then unsure the next. The book was appropriately titled. I did love their backgrounds and chosen careers which is different for contemporary romance. I thought Tiye did a great job with making Daytona, Miami the main settings. Ms. Murielle was a cheerleader for these two and though they both irritated me, I was happy they came to their senses and found a love they both stop running from. Tiye is a top writer for me.

[Camillia E · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first time reading a Tiye novel and it won't be my last!

Don't let the cute cover fool you because this book is spicy! This is a good addition to the enemies to lovers trope and it is well written. The main characters had to do a lot of messy work to find their happy and yes you will want to shake some sense into them in some chapters 🤣.

I will say that I wish that we had more scenes with some of the background characters. Overall, this was a good stand alone and I'm looking forward to reading more from Tiye.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC on behalf of Netgalley.

Still new to reading romance books but this one did not disappoint. I loved the characters and how it showcased so many different types of love - friendships, relationships, marriage, family, kids!. It hit all of these different struggles in one book. Life is messy and navigating it is always complicated and we may not always make the right choices, but as humans, we do what we can depending on what we have at that moment in time and hope it turns out.

[Crystal Demby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good enemies to lovers trope! For Kensie and Canaan to cross paths again the way they did was something else. It was indeed a twist to find out he's had his eye on her much longer than anyone realized. One thing that I just can't get past is how Kensie let Saraj get by with the stunt he pulled. Aint no way! I'm glad Canaan finally realized he's driving on a two way street with Kensie... and that he needs to be there for her just as much as he expects her to be there for him.

[Dania | DanisBookDen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Advanced Reader copy received from NetGalley/Black Odyssey Media

This was my first time reading a novel written by Tiye and I can say I was not disappointed. This enemies to lovers/fake relationship romance about love guru Kensie and NASCAR racer Canaan earned a 4 ⭐️ rating from me. We get immediately swept into Kensie “falling” into Canaan in the worst way imaginable…naked! What should be a complete moment of embarrassment turns out to be an encounter they don’t see coming. Filled with lust and passion and desire that the both of them can’t stop thinking about even after Kensie escapes into the night. Canaan and Kensie’s back and forth in this book make for great entertainment. However, the only thing that bothered was the constant questioning of intentions regarding the relationship. Can’t wait to read the next book by Tiye and see what she has in store for readers next!

[LaKenya Robertson-Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an ARC from Netgalley. Two head strong people fighting an emotion that will always win. Canaan and Kensie were made for each other.

[Jayla Poin05 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Pamela B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one took me on a journey. The chemistry, the back-and-forth, the passion, and the undeniable desire between Canaan and Kensie completely pulled me in. What started as a one-night stand turned these college enemies into fake lovers, creating a whirlwind of developing feelings while both tried to keep their distance.

Two career-driven people trying to navigate a relationship is never easy, and Canaan and Kensie were no exception. There were so many moments where I wanted to scream at both of them because they were so stubborn. This story delivered all the feels.

It was also packed with family drama, friendship, and characters you couldn’t help but love especially Mama Murielle. This was a fast-paced, no-fluff story that gave me such a good damn time. I'm ready for a Formula 1 race in Miami.