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Overtake
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Expected 12 Feb 26A sexy Rivals to Lovers, Forced Proximity, Formula One romance from Amazon Top 50 and USA Today bestselling author S.J. Sylvis.
Rome Pierce is Formula One’s golden boy—reckless, ruthless, and wrapped in an ego as polished as his race suit. Arrogance isn’t just a trait; it’s his personal trademark.
As the daughter of Vanstone Racing’s chairman, I’ve spent my life loathing everything about him—and the family name he carries. The rivalry between our teams runs deeper than lap times and podiums. It’s personal.
So when my father steps back for health reasons and hands me a front-line role, I don’t hesitate to prove to the world that I’m more than just the pretty Halston daughter in the paddock.
I plan to beat Rome Pierce fair and square.
Except the promotion comes with a catch I never saw coming.
Rome Pierce isn’t driving for his father anymore.
He’s driving for mine.
Now I’m the crew chief for the one man I swore I’d never work with—the rival who knows exactly how to get under my skin. Every race is a power struggle. Every briefing feels like a war. And somewhere between late nights in the garage and two hundred mile an hour battles on the circuit, the thin line between hatred and heat starts to blur.
I think Rome Pierce came here to overtake my team.
I just never expected him to also alter the course of my heart.
Rome Pierce is Formula One’s golden boy—reckless, ruthless, and wrapped in an ego as polished as his race suit. Arrogance isn’t just a trait; it’s his personal trademark.
As the daughter of Vanstone Racing’s chairman, I’ve spent my life loathing everything about him—and the family name he carries. The rivalry between our teams runs deeper than lap times and podiums. It’s personal.
So when my father steps back for health reasons and hands me a front-line role, I don’t hesitate to prove to the world that I’m more than just the pretty Halston daughter in the paddock.
I plan to beat Rome Pierce fair and square.
Except the promotion comes with a catch I never saw coming.
Rome Pierce isn’t driving for his father anymore.
He’s driving for mine.
Now I’m the crew chief for the one man I swore I’d never work with—the rival who knows exactly how to get under my skin. Every race is a power struggle. Every briefing feels like a war. And somewhere between late nights in the garage and two hundred mile an hour battles on the circuit, the thin line between hatred and heat starts to blur.
I think Rome Pierce came here to overtake my team.
I just never expected him to also alter the course of my heart.
315 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 12, 2026
74 people are currently reading
562 people want to read
About the author
S.J. Sylvis
30 books2,739 followersS.J. Sylvis is an Amazon top 50 and USA Today bestselling author who is best known for her angsty new adult romances and romantic comedies. She currently resides in North Carolina with her husband, two small kiddos, and dog. She is obsessed with coffee, becomes easily attached to fictional characters, and spends most of her evenings buried in a book.
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January 27, 2026Releasing February 12th!
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https://a.co/d/gK7Lm0k
Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4rYHE3J
February 8, 2026
Overtake by SJ Sylvis eARC Review 💜
SJ Sylvis has entered for f1 era and I am so here for it!
The banter in this one is so fun. Rome and Tessa are rivals to the extreme and their back and forth had me laughing so hard. The sibling group chat is hilarious and I can already tell that this series is going to be a new favorite.
The slow burn is SO WORTH it and when Rome and Tessa finally give in to their tension, wow it is HOT. Rome is such a dang softie and I adore him. Their dynamic is so fun and this little glimpse into this new world made me so excited for what’s to come!
What to expect:
Enemies to lovers
Business rivals
Formula 1 racing
Secret romance
Slow burn
Thank you so much SJ Sylvis and VPR for the arc!
SJ Sylvis has entered for f1 era and I am so here for it!
The banter in this one is so fun. Rome and Tessa are rivals to the extreme and their back and forth had me laughing so hard. The sibling group chat is hilarious and I can already tell that this series is going to be a new favorite.
The slow burn is SO WORTH it and when Rome and Tessa finally give in to their tension, wow it is HOT. Rome is such a dang softie and I adore him. Their dynamic is so fun and this little glimpse into this new world made me so excited for what’s to come!
What to expect:
Enemies to lovers
Business rivals
Formula 1 racing
Secret romance
Slow burn
Thank you so much SJ Sylvis and VPR for the arc!
February 8, 2026
Danger Zone! You’ll speed through this adrenaline-inducing story, giving in to its enthralling mind games and rivalries. My first F1 read, and it had me zooming straight into the adventure and recklessness. Let this new obsession begin!
This was more than just a romance story—it gives you an inside look into two rival racing team empires. The opposing teams’ owners were once best friends and partners. Rome and Tess are meant to stay in their own lanes… until Tess’s dad steps down and hires Rome to drive for them. Rome’s toxic, cheating dad absolutely hates the move. Expect retaliation!
Now Tess and her four protective brothers run the empire. To prove Rome’s loyalty, her brothers enlist Rome to protect Tess, since she’s known for getting tangled up with the wrong men. As Rome’s head engineer, she’s constantly in his ear—and he cannot tune her out. I am a cheering hard for this!
This was more than just a romance story—it gives you an inside look into two rival racing team empires. The opposing teams’ owners were once best friends and partners. Rome and Tess are meant to stay in their own lanes… until Tess’s dad steps down and hires Rome to drive for them. Rome’s toxic, cheating dad absolutely hates the move. Expect retaliation!
Now Tess and her four protective brothers run the empire. To prove Rome’s loyalty, her brothers enlist Rome to protect Tess, since she’s known for getting tangled up with the wrong men. As Rome’s head engineer, she’s constantly in his ear—and he cannot tune her out. I am a cheering hard for this!
Read
February 8, 2026I don't come across many rivals to lovers books, but I love when I do! These two are everything! There's tensions, passion, spice, and racecars!
February 8, 2026
I LOVE Tessa and Rome. The banter and arguments are so fun and tense. The tension was palpable. Rome had walls so high but they never included Tessa. I think the way her brothers finally accepted him into the family and company when he watched her at the bar was great. The fact that Vince always knew they’d be together makes my heart happy. I love them. My only complaint was that I wanted another 300 pages of their story it was so good!
Review of advance copy received from Author
ok LOVED - full review to come but you're going to want to read this one
Review of advance copy received from Author
5 STARS
I cannot remember the last time that I read a book in one sitting. I've been firmly in my drag ass era for over 10 weeks now and I thought I would be there forever. And here comes this delicious BANGER of a book and I suddenly remember what it's like to be so engrossed with the characters that you can't help but read it cover to cover in one sitting. And this book deserves 5 stars just for that alone.
Now if you love an F1 romance, this one will hit all the spots you didn't even know you had. And if you've never read an F1 romance, prepare for this book to hit all the spots you didn't even know you had. It was rivals to lovers gold; the banter, the chemistry, THE SIZZLING CHEMISTRY! That and the family chat had me giggling and kicking my feet like a giddy teenager the entire time.
First we have Rome Pierce, a talented Formula One driver who suddenly joins Vanstone Racing, his father's biggest rival who also happened to be his father's best friend for years. There is definitely no love lost between these two families, but Rome is determined to make it work with Vanstone. It also brings him back face to face with Tessa, daughter of Vanstone Racing’s chairman and his new head engineer.
Tessa has just learned that her father is stepping back as chairman and giving his kids the chance to step up. So the last thing she needs is Rome and his arrogance getting in her way. But Rome is definitely not all that he seems, and still waters (and secrets) run deep with this man. And it doesn't take long before their banter rivalry begins to turn up the heat.
I loved this book. I genuinely found myself checking to see if it was a novella when I finished because of the way I devoured it so quick. But while it read quick, it was still wholly satisfying. The romance, the story, the family dynamics, the racing, all of it was woven together seamlessly to make one unputdownable read full of banter and heat.
I fell so hard for this family and can't wait for more in this series. Leave it to SJ to own hockey romance and then come in and make F1 her b*tch. Because ohmygawd was this so much fun! Can't recommend it enough!
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
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I follow after her, but before she leaves, I grab her from behind and press her back against my chest. My mouth hovers over her ear, “I expect you to be in my room after this race, Princess.”
Her voice is quiet. “I think that depends on how well you race, don’t you?”
I cannot remember the last time that I read a book in one sitting. I've been firmly in my drag ass era for over 10 weeks now and I thought I would be there forever. And here comes this delicious BANGER of a book and I suddenly remember what it's like to be so engrossed with the characters that you can't help but read it cover to cover in one sitting. And this book deserves 5 stars just for that alone.
Now if you love an F1 romance, this one will hit all the spots you didn't even know you had. And if you've never read an F1 romance, prepare for this book to hit all the spots you didn't even know you had. It was rivals to lovers gold; the banter, the chemistry, THE SIZZLING CHEMISTRY! That and the family chat had me giggling and kicking my feet like a giddy teenager the entire time.
First we have Rome Pierce, a talented Formula One driver who suddenly joins Vanstone Racing, his father's biggest rival who also happened to be his father's best friend for years. There is definitely no love lost between these two families, but Rome is determined to make it work with Vanstone. It also brings him back face to face with Tessa, daughter of Vanstone Racing’s chairman and his new head engineer.
Tessa has just learned that her father is stepping back as chairman and giving his kids the chance to step up. So the last thing she needs is Rome and his arrogance getting in her way. But Rome is definitely not all that he seems, and still waters (and secrets) run deep with this man. And it doesn't take long before their banter rivalry begins to turn up the heat.
I stop dead in my tracks, but this time, I make an effort not to pop my hip and cross my arms. I wouldn’t want him to call me a brat again. “Stop calling me that,” I say, voice chilled.
A few steps behind me, he asks, “What should I call you, then?”
I grin and peer over my shoulder. He’s waiting with his eyebrows raised high. “How about boss?”
His hot chuckle hits the back of my neck, and goosebumps rush to my arms. “Not a fucking chance.”
I loved this book. I genuinely found myself checking to see if it was a novella when I finished because of the way I devoured it so quick. But while it read quick, it was still wholly satisfying. The romance, the story, the family dynamics, the racing, all of it was woven together seamlessly to make one unputdownable read full of banter and heat.
I fell so hard for this family and can't wait for more in this series. Leave it to SJ to own hockey romance and then come in and make F1 her b*tch. Because ohmygawd was this so much fun! Can't recommend it enough!
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
Review of advance copy received from Author
"I thought winning would make me feel whole again," he admits.
..."It doesn't?"
..."Not unless I get to share it with you."
S.J. Sylvis is officially in her F1 racing era!!! After several years focusing (wonderfully) on hockey as her genre of sports romance, she has ventured out of her comfort zone into a new world and is taking us along for the ride. We're introduced to a brand new cast--centered around the 5 Halston siblings of Vanstone Racing--who will be so much fun to explore in the coming books of the series. Already there's inklings of the couples that are coming next and I'm ready to get completely invested in them.
The Halston sibling that is the protagonist of this first book is in the youngest of them all and the only girl--Tessa Halston. Independent, sassy, and with an addiction to Diet Cokes, she finds herself finally becoming head engineer for a driver at her family company only for that driver to be her childhood friend-turned rival-turned coworker-turned enemy, Rome Pierce. Arguing with each other at every chance while fighting sizzling sexual tension from the very start, their constant need to verbally spar and rile each other up creates an ever growing ticking time bomb that eventually explodes into steamy forbidden trysts and growing feelings for each other. They were so hot and sweet together. Rome's jealous and protective sides made him just the right amount of possessive and caring for a sweet MMC. I always love watching a man get angry because he needs his girl to be only his and to be ok. More than ok, really.
The banter and group texts between the siblings were hilarious and the second best thing about the book (Tessa and Rome being #1 of course). I'm eagerly looking forward for those chats to continue in every book. I can't wait to see what other silly group chat names we'll get to see in the future!
What I feel like is missing after reading that last page is I want more. More of these characters and their personalities/backstories, more of this world, more of the logistics of the sport (I really don't know anything about how it works so learning about using sims was new to me and I'd love to see more of the inner workings of racing!). These are all problems that can easily be addressed in the future of the series. Overtake had to both tell a love story AND establish this world from the ground up in just one book, so in the books to come this should continue to be addressed and fleshed out.
I received this ARC as a member of S.J. Sylvis' Patreon. I am not strictly required to leave a review, but I wanted to leave one anyway to encourage other people to check out her new series! Whether you've read her hockey romances or this is your first time reading her work, I guarantee you'll have a fun time and always have a couple you want to root for, steamy scenes to make you fan yourself, fun side characters to get invested in, and a mixture of humor with all the build up and angst to make it all a fun ride by the epilogue.
I gave Overtake 4 stars because I try to give out 5 stars very sparingly. This does not mean I actually have any major issue with it or don't think it's great.
..."It doesn't?"
..."Not unless I get to share it with you."
S.J. Sylvis is officially in her F1 racing era!!! After several years focusing (wonderfully) on hockey as her genre of sports romance, she has ventured out of her comfort zone into a new world and is taking us along for the ride. We're introduced to a brand new cast--centered around the 5 Halston siblings of Vanstone Racing--who will be so much fun to explore in the coming books of the series. Already there's inklings of the couples that are coming next and I'm ready to get completely invested in them.
The Halston sibling that is the protagonist of this first book is in the youngest of them all and the only girl--Tessa Halston. Independent, sassy, and with an addiction to Diet Cokes, she finds herself finally becoming head engineer for a driver at her family company only for that driver to be her childhood friend-turned rival-turned coworker-turned enemy, Rome Pierce. Arguing with each other at every chance while fighting sizzling sexual tension from the very start, their constant need to verbally spar and rile each other up creates an ever growing ticking time bomb that eventually explodes into steamy forbidden trysts and growing feelings for each other. They were so hot and sweet together. Rome's jealous and protective sides made him just the right amount of possessive and caring for a sweet MMC. I always love watching a man get angry because he needs his girl to be only his and to be ok. More than ok, really.
The banter and group texts between the siblings were hilarious and the second best thing about the book (Tessa and Rome being #1 of course). I'm eagerly looking forward for those chats to continue in every book. I can't wait to see what other silly group chat names we'll get to see in the future!
What I feel like is missing after reading that last page is I want more. More of these characters and their personalities/backstories, more of this world, more of the logistics of the sport (I really don't know anything about how it works so learning about using sims was new to me and I'd love to see more of the inner workings of racing!). These are all problems that can easily be addressed in the future of the series. Overtake had to both tell a love story AND establish this world from the ground up in just one book, so in the books to come this should continue to be addressed and fleshed out.
I received this ARC as a member of S.J. Sylvis' Patreon. I am not strictly required to leave a review, but I wanted to leave one anyway to encourage other people to check out her new series! Whether you've read her hockey romances or this is your first time reading her work, I guarantee you'll have a fun time and always have a couple you want to root for, steamy scenes to make you fan yourself, fun side characters to get invested in, and a mixture of humor with all the build up and angst to make it all a fun ride by the epilogue.
I gave Overtake 4 stars because I try to give out 5 stars very sparingly. This does not mean I actually have any major issue with it or don't think it's great.
Review of advance copy received from Author
🏎️ Formula One Romance
⚡ Rivals to Lovers
🔧 Forced Proximity
💼 Workplace Romance
👨👧 Boss’s Daughter Heroine
😤 Enemies with History
💬 Banter & Tension
🔥 Slow Burn
🏆 Competitive Dynamic
🧠 Strong, Ambitious Heroine
😈 Cocky Hero
❤️ Hate to Love
Star: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Overtake is the first book in the Vanstone Racing series by S.J. Sylvis, and it is such a fun, high energy start to a Formula One romance. The story throws you straight into the chaos, pressure, and adrenaline of the racing world and it honestly feels like you are standing in the paddock hearing engines roar in the background.
Rome Pierce is Formula One’s golden boy and he absolutely knows it. He is confident to the point of infuriating, cocky, competitive, and always pushing limits both on and off the track. At first, he comes across as arrogant and impossible to work with, but the more you see him around Halston, the more layers start to show. Under the ego is a driven man carrying pressure, expectations, and a surprising amount of heart.
Halston was a great heroine. As the chairman’s daughter she constantly has to prove she deserves her place in the sport and not just because of her last name. When she steps into a leadership role at Vanstone Racing, she is determined to be taken seriously, and being forced to work directly with Rome, the man she already dislikes, only makes everything harder. I loved how capable and stubborn she was. She refuses to back down from him, and their dynamic is full of tension, banter, and competitiveness.
The rivals to lover's element works perfectly because their conflict feels real. Their teams have history, their families have history, and neither of them trusts the other. Being thrown into forced proximity as crew chief and driver means they cannot avoid each other, and every meeting, strategy session, and race weekend is packed with friction. The chemistry builds slowly through late nights in the garage, arguments over race decisions, and moments where they start seeing each other as people instead of enemies.
The Formula One setting really shines here. You can tell the author put effort into making the racing believable without overwhelming readers who are new to the sport. The race weekends, media pressure, team politics, and constant travel add stakes and give the romance a unique backdrop. The competition mirrors their relationship as both Rome and Halston struggle with control, trust, and vulnerability.
The romance is a slow burn with plenty of tension. Their push and pull dynamic keeps the story engaging, and once the emotional walls start to crack, the relationship feels earned. Watching them move from resentment to respect and then to something much deeper was incredibly satisfying.
Overtake is a great choice if you enjoy strong banter, forced proximity, and high-tension chemistry set against a glamorous but demanding sports world. It sets up the Vanstone Racing series really well and definitely leaves you excited to see more from this team.
⚡ Rivals to Lovers
🔧 Forced Proximity
💼 Workplace Romance
👨👧 Boss’s Daughter Heroine
😤 Enemies with History
💬 Banter & Tension
🔥 Slow Burn
🏆 Competitive Dynamic
🧠 Strong, Ambitious Heroine
😈 Cocky Hero
❤️ Hate to Love
Star: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Overtake is the first book in the Vanstone Racing series by S.J. Sylvis, and it is such a fun, high energy start to a Formula One romance. The story throws you straight into the chaos, pressure, and adrenaline of the racing world and it honestly feels like you are standing in the paddock hearing engines roar in the background.
Rome Pierce is Formula One’s golden boy and he absolutely knows it. He is confident to the point of infuriating, cocky, competitive, and always pushing limits both on and off the track. At first, he comes across as arrogant and impossible to work with, but the more you see him around Halston, the more layers start to show. Under the ego is a driven man carrying pressure, expectations, and a surprising amount of heart.
Halston was a great heroine. As the chairman’s daughter she constantly has to prove she deserves her place in the sport and not just because of her last name. When she steps into a leadership role at Vanstone Racing, she is determined to be taken seriously, and being forced to work directly with Rome, the man she already dislikes, only makes everything harder. I loved how capable and stubborn she was. She refuses to back down from him, and their dynamic is full of tension, banter, and competitiveness.
The rivals to lover's element works perfectly because their conflict feels real. Their teams have history, their families have history, and neither of them trusts the other. Being thrown into forced proximity as crew chief and driver means they cannot avoid each other, and every meeting, strategy session, and race weekend is packed with friction. The chemistry builds slowly through late nights in the garage, arguments over race decisions, and moments where they start seeing each other as people instead of enemies.
The Formula One setting really shines here. You can tell the author put effort into making the racing believable without overwhelming readers who are new to the sport. The race weekends, media pressure, team politics, and constant travel add stakes and give the romance a unique backdrop. The competition mirrors their relationship as both Rome and Halston struggle with control, trust, and vulnerability.
The romance is a slow burn with plenty of tension. Their push and pull dynamic keeps the story engaging, and once the emotional walls start to crack, the relationship feels earned. Watching them move from resentment to respect and then to something much deeper was incredibly satisfying.
Overtake is a great choice if you enjoy strong banter, forced proximity, and high-tension chemistry set against a glamorous but demanding sports world. It sets up the Vanstone Racing series really well and definitely leaves you excited to see more from this team.
Review of advance copy received from Author
For context, I’m part of SJ’s Patreon, and one of the perks is receiving ARCs directly from her, which is honestly so cool. That said, I had never read an F1 romance before — it’s not a genre I thought I’d be into at all. But I spend a lot of time in Vegas, so that part alone definitely piqued my interest.
Rome and Tessa — first of all, can we talk about how perfect their names are? Secondly, they’re childhood friends turned racing rivals who now find themselves on the same team: Vanstone Racing. Both of their families have been racing forever, and the story opens with a flashback that quickly lets you know Rome has been in a serious accident. You can feel it on the page — and you know there’s more to the story, even though he’s incredibly tight-lipped about it.
Rome shows up at the Vanstone house and runs straight into Tessa again, who absolutely does not have time for him… except she’s insanely attracted to him, and he’s just as drawn to her. These two cannot stay away from each other.
SJ did say the text threads alone are worth reading this book for, and she was not kidding. If you skip this book, you’re missing out — the constant changing of the group chat name is absolutely priceless. Tessa has four brothers, and they are completely unhinged in the best way. They’re hilarious, and it all feels so real, especially if you grew up with siblings.
We also get to see Rome being fiercely protective of Tessa, even though she insists she can handle herself. One of the sweetest moments in the book is during a race after they’ve had a small tiff — Rome asks her, “Please don’t go silent on me. I need your voice in my ear.” I think that’s the turning point for Tessa, when she realizes he isn’t trying to sabotage her family’s racing legacy — he just needs someone on his side.
This book is heavy on banter, very boundaries-focused, and definitely a slow burn — but when the spice hits, it hits. Another standout is Vivian, Tessa’s niece, who honestly steals the show. What makes it even sweeter is watching Rome grow attached to her too.
Things you need to know:
• Rome’s dad absolutely sucks
• Tessa’s dad is incredible
• Tessa’s brothers are hilarious
• Rome would do anything to protect Tessa
• And my personal favorite: Race tent rules say “Do Not Disturb”…does not apply to Tessa.
This book needs to be on your TBR. Add it to your Goodreads. Read it. This series is amazing.
985/10
Rome and Tessa — first of all, can we talk about how perfect their names are? Secondly, they’re childhood friends turned racing rivals who now find themselves on the same team: Vanstone Racing. Both of their families have been racing forever, and the story opens with a flashback that quickly lets you know Rome has been in a serious accident. You can feel it on the page — and you know there’s more to the story, even though he’s incredibly tight-lipped about it.
Rome shows up at the Vanstone house and runs straight into Tessa again, who absolutely does not have time for him… except she’s insanely attracted to him, and he’s just as drawn to her. These two cannot stay away from each other.
SJ did say the text threads alone are worth reading this book for, and she was not kidding. If you skip this book, you’re missing out — the constant changing of the group chat name is absolutely priceless. Tessa has four brothers, and they are completely unhinged in the best way. They’re hilarious, and it all feels so real, especially if you grew up with siblings.
We also get to see Rome being fiercely protective of Tessa, even though she insists she can handle herself. One of the sweetest moments in the book is during a race after they’ve had a small tiff — Rome asks her, “Please don’t go silent on me. I need your voice in my ear.” I think that’s the turning point for Tessa, when she realizes he isn’t trying to sabotage her family’s racing legacy — he just needs someone on his side.
This book is heavy on banter, very boundaries-focused, and definitely a slow burn — but when the spice hits, it hits. Another standout is Vivian, Tessa’s niece, who honestly steals the show. What makes it even sweeter is watching Rome grow attached to her too.
Things you need to know:
• Rome’s dad absolutely sucks
• Tessa’s dad is incredible
• Tessa’s brothers are hilarious
• Rome would do anything to protect Tessa
• And my personal favorite: Race tent rules say “Do Not Disturb”…does not apply to Tessa.
This book needs to be on your TBR. Add it to your Goodreads. Read it. This series is amazing.
985/10
February 9, 2026
Overtake completely surprised me in the best way. What starts as a tense Formula 1 rivalry between Rome Pierce and Tessa Halston turns into something so much deeper — layered with betrayal, secrets, family pressure, and a love that grows in the middle of chaos.
Rome is not just the cocky rival driver everyone sees. Beneath the arrogance and sharp tongue is a man shaped by fear, manipulation, and a father who controlled him through threats and NDAs. Watching his walls slowly crumble — especially around Tessa — was one of my favorite parts of this book. His jealousy? Top tier. His protectiveness? Ferocious. But it’s the quiet moments — needing to see her before a race, sending her Diet Coke, trusting her over anyone else — that really define him.
Tessa is strong, sharp, and far from naive. She’s an engineer who refuses to be overshadowed in a male-dominated world, even while juggling family loyalty and a forbidden relationship. I loved that she wasn’t weak around Rome. She challenges him. Pushes him. Grounds him. And when she sets boundaries, she means them. She understands what’s at stake — their careers, their reputations, their families — and that tension adds so much depth to their slow burn.
The romance builds through stolen glances across the paddock, banter in meetings, secret kisses in race tents, and private texts that made my heart race. Their chemistry is intense, but what made it hit harder was the emotional foundation underneath it. Rome falling first and admitting he’s in love? That scene in her childhood bedroom? The vulnerability there was everything.
And the angst? His father illegally modifying cars. The NDA. Tessa being drugged as leverage. Noah getting hurt. The hospital scene. The almost-breakup because they think loving each other makes them liabilities. It hurt in the best way.
But the payoff? So deserved. Watching Rome choose integrity over his father. Watching Tessa realize he isn’t her weakness — he’s her center. And that final public kiss after his win? Perfect.
This book balances racing adrenaline, family drama, jealousy, slow burn tension, and emotional depth so well. It’s competitive, passionate, messy, and soft all at once.
Honestly? It was cute, intense, and so satisfying by the end.
A well-earned happy ending. 🏁💙
Rome is not just the cocky rival driver everyone sees. Beneath the arrogance and sharp tongue is a man shaped by fear, manipulation, and a father who controlled him through threats and NDAs. Watching his walls slowly crumble — especially around Tessa — was one of my favorite parts of this book. His jealousy? Top tier. His protectiveness? Ferocious. But it’s the quiet moments — needing to see her before a race, sending her Diet Coke, trusting her over anyone else — that really define him.
Tessa is strong, sharp, and far from naive. She’s an engineer who refuses to be overshadowed in a male-dominated world, even while juggling family loyalty and a forbidden relationship. I loved that she wasn’t weak around Rome. She challenges him. Pushes him. Grounds him. And when she sets boundaries, she means them. She understands what’s at stake — their careers, their reputations, their families — and that tension adds so much depth to their slow burn.
The romance builds through stolen glances across the paddock, banter in meetings, secret kisses in race tents, and private texts that made my heart race. Their chemistry is intense, but what made it hit harder was the emotional foundation underneath it. Rome falling first and admitting he’s in love? That scene in her childhood bedroom? The vulnerability there was everything.
And the angst? His father illegally modifying cars. The NDA. Tessa being drugged as leverage. Noah getting hurt. The hospital scene. The almost-breakup because they think loving each other makes them liabilities. It hurt in the best way.
But the payoff? So deserved. Watching Rome choose integrity over his father. Watching Tessa realize he isn’t her weakness — he’s her center. And that final public kiss after his win? Perfect.
This book balances racing adrenaline, family drama, jealousy, slow burn tension, and emotional depth so well. It’s competitive, passionate, messy, and soft all at once.
Honestly? It was cute, intense, and so satisfying by the end.
A well-earned happy ending. 🏁💙
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
🏎 Enemies-to-Lovers
🏁 Business Rivals
🏎 Formula One Racing
🏁 Secret Romance
🏎 Forced Proximity
🏁 Soft Burn
🏎 Found Family
🏁 He Falls First and Hard
🏎 He makes her 💦 on a bet
🏁 She lets him break down her walls
Another opportunity apart of @authorsjsylvis ARC/Content team and this one is the first installment of the Vanstone Racing series, "Overtake" releasing Feb 12th and let me tell you this slow burn DID NOT disappoint this SJ fan!
"Overtake" starts us off with Tessa and Rome and the first dive into formula one racing theme series by Sammi and started us off with your classic enemies to lovers(my favorite trope!) and as it starts us off, the book is electrifying and captivating. The first flashback sets the tone of what is to come with this book and enagged me from the start to know the real back story of these two and in my mind its best explained as; the girl who got away meets the boy who loved her first and always. What mystery starts with is the secrets behind Pierce Racing and make sure to keep that to the side of your mind and how Vince reminds Rome: silence is survival.
The Vanstone princess runs into the Pierce prodigy and with that brings news to Tessa and siblings she was not expecting; which to Rome's surprise only sparks more desire to be around her more and with thst the falls first and fast comes to light. The secrets behind Peirce Racing really come alive after an accident in the third act and all hell breaks loose and Rome does whatever it takes to not only protect Tessa but protect Vanstone Racing over his family legacy and that to me is loyalty you want to read.
"Overtake" is so much more than a title, it was titled the right way to bring this book alive and for the atart of this series, the fight for found fanily comes alive even more. I know that Peirce Racing is going to be a big part of this series so I know bad blood will be brought throughout and SJ wrote the sasrt of it so well that I can't wait for the next book.
Quick note as a reader but the group chats are a chefs kiss touch of the relationship of character's who I suspect with have future books and I'm here for Quinn and Noah.
🏁 Business Rivals
🏎 Formula One Racing
🏁 Secret Romance
🏎 Forced Proximity
🏁 Soft Burn
🏎 Found Family
🏁 He Falls First and Hard
🏎 He makes her 💦 on a bet
🏁 She lets him break down her walls
Another opportunity apart of @authorsjsylvis ARC/Content team and this one is the first installment of the Vanstone Racing series, "Overtake" releasing Feb 12th and let me tell you this slow burn DID NOT disappoint this SJ fan!
"Overtake" starts us off with Tessa and Rome and the first dive into formula one racing theme series by Sammi and started us off with your classic enemies to lovers(my favorite trope!) and as it starts us off, the book is electrifying and captivating. The first flashback sets the tone of what is to come with this book and enagged me from the start to know the real back story of these two and in my mind its best explained as; the girl who got away meets the boy who loved her first and always. What mystery starts with is the secrets behind Pierce Racing and make sure to keep that to the side of your mind and how Vince reminds Rome: silence is survival.
The Vanstone princess runs into the Pierce prodigy and with that brings news to Tessa and siblings she was not expecting; which to Rome's surprise only sparks more desire to be around her more and with thst the falls first and fast comes to light. The secrets behind Peirce Racing really come alive after an accident in the third act and all hell breaks loose and Rome does whatever it takes to not only protect Tessa but protect Vanstone Racing over his family legacy and that to me is loyalty you want to read.
"Overtake" is so much more than a title, it was titled the right way to bring this book alive and for the atart of this series, the fight for found fanily comes alive even more. I know that Peirce Racing is going to be a big part of this series so I know bad blood will be brought throughout and SJ wrote the sasrt of it so well that I can't wait for the next book.
Quick note as a reader but the group chats are a chefs kiss touch of the relationship of character's who I suspect with have future books and I'm here for Quinn and Noah.
Review of advance copy
I LOVE anything SJ Sylvis writes and now she is in her F1 era and I am here for it! Overtake is the first book in the brand new Vanston Racing series by SJ Sylvis centered around the 5 Halston siblings of Vanstone Racing. This was the PERFECT rivals to lovers, forced proximity, adorable family and chemistry and angst for miles and I LOVED it!
Rome Pierce is the arrogant bad boy of F1 racing. His family is rivals to Tessa Halston's. Known as the Vanstone Princess, but she is so much MORE! The only girl of four brothers, she is a fierce, sassy, independent and confident woman, the first female race engineer. These two once actually liked each other while growing up in the paddocks of the race circuit. Through a series of events, Tessa’s dad Vince, (who once worked for Rome’s dad’s team), signs him secretly to the Vanstone team and let the angst begin! The family is shocked by this and has no idea why this has happened. LET THE SLOW BURN BEGIN!!!!! As his race engineer, their banter on the radio and off is to die for. Hysterical, sexy and so good. His possessiveness, protectiveness and slow obsession with everything Tessa is fire. And when this man falls, he falls hard and fast and it was so perfect! And when these two finally give in and go all in, hot, hot, hot!
Add in all the side characters, Tessa’s family is chef’s kiss! The back-and-forth between the siblings in their group messages was absolutely hilarious and easily one of my favorite parts of the book. SJ always writes this so freaking good! I’m so excited to see those conversations continue throughout the series, and I already know the future group chat names are going to be pure chaos in the best way. AND, I already have some "couple pairings” I so want for these brothers!
You just need to go read this book! I devoured it in half a day! SJ has completely pulled me into this world and I can’t wait to watch it all unfold.
Rate: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 4/5🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🏎 Enemies-to-Lovers
🏁 Business Rivals
🏎 Formula One Racing
🏁 Secret Romance
🏎 Forced Proximity
🏁 Slow Burn
🏎 Found Family
🏁 He Falls First and Hard
🩷THANK YOU so much to SJ Sylvis and Valentine PR for my ARC!
Rome Pierce is the arrogant bad boy of F1 racing. His family is rivals to Tessa Halston's. Known as the Vanstone Princess, but she is so much MORE! The only girl of four brothers, she is a fierce, sassy, independent and confident woman, the first female race engineer. These two once actually liked each other while growing up in the paddocks of the race circuit. Through a series of events, Tessa’s dad Vince, (who once worked for Rome’s dad’s team), signs him secretly to the Vanstone team and let the angst begin! The family is shocked by this and has no idea why this has happened. LET THE SLOW BURN BEGIN!!!!! As his race engineer, their banter on the radio and off is to die for. Hysterical, sexy and so good. His possessiveness, protectiveness and slow obsession with everything Tessa is fire. And when this man falls, he falls hard and fast and it was so perfect! And when these two finally give in and go all in, hot, hot, hot!
Add in all the side characters, Tessa’s family is chef’s kiss! The back-and-forth between the siblings in their group messages was absolutely hilarious and easily one of my favorite parts of the book. SJ always writes this so freaking good! I’m so excited to see those conversations continue throughout the series, and I already know the future group chat names are going to be pure chaos in the best way. AND, I already have some "couple pairings” I so want for these brothers!
You just need to go read this book! I devoured it in half a day! SJ has completely pulled me into this world and I can’t wait to watch it all unfold.
Rate: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 4/5🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🏎 Enemies-to-Lovers
🏁 Business Rivals
🏎 Formula One Racing
🏁 Secret Romance
🏎 Forced Proximity
🏁 Slow Burn
🏎 Found Family
🏁 He Falls First and Hard
🩷THANK YOU so much to SJ Sylvis and Valentine PR for my ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I was lucky enough to receive as an ARC 🥰
If you love rivals to lovers, forced proximity, and high-stakes sports romance, Overtake is the kind of book that grabs you at the starting line and never lets you slow down.
Rome Pierce is Formula One’s golden boy—arrogant, reckless, and impossibly talented. He’s everything Tessa Halston has been raised to hate. Their families’ rivalry runs deeper than race results—it’s legacy, pride, and old wounds that refuse to heal.
So when Tessa finally gets her chance to prove she’s more than just the chairman’s daughter, she’s ready to dominate the grid. She just never expected her biggest rival to become her biggest responsibility.
Because now? Rome Pierce isn’t driving for his father anymore. He’s driving for hers.
Being forced to work together as crew chief and driver creates an electric tension that fuels every page. Their banter is sharp, their chemistry is explosive, and the slow-burn hatred-to-heat transition is chef’s kiss. Every race feels cinematic, every argument feels personal, and every stolen moment feels forbidden.
What truly makes this story shine is Rome’s emotional arc. Behind the cocky, reckless exterior is a man who is fiercely loyal, deeply wounded, and completely undone by Tessa. When he falls, he doesn’t hesitate—he falls first and he falls hard.
And Tessa? She is strong, driven, and determined to be seen for her talent—not her last name.
Watching her break down her walls while holding her ground in a male-dominated world made this romance even more powerful.
Tropes: 🏎 Enemies-to-Lovers 🏎Business Rivals 🏎 Formula One Racing 🏎 Secret Romance 🏎 Forced Proximity 🏎 Soft Burn 🏎 Found Family 🏎 He Falls First & Hard
Overtake is the perfect blend of heart, heat, and high-octane drama. If you’re craving an addictive sports romance with enemies-to-lovers tension and a hero who worships the woman he can’t have—this one belongs on your TBR.
If you love rivals to lovers, forced proximity, and high-stakes sports romance, Overtake is the kind of book that grabs you at the starting line and never lets you slow down.
Rome Pierce is Formula One’s golden boy—arrogant, reckless, and impossibly talented. He’s everything Tessa Halston has been raised to hate. Their families’ rivalry runs deeper than race results—it’s legacy, pride, and old wounds that refuse to heal.
So when Tessa finally gets her chance to prove she’s more than just the chairman’s daughter, she’s ready to dominate the grid. She just never expected her biggest rival to become her biggest responsibility.
Because now? Rome Pierce isn’t driving for his father anymore. He’s driving for hers.
Being forced to work together as crew chief and driver creates an electric tension that fuels every page. Their banter is sharp, their chemistry is explosive, and the slow-burn hatred-to-heat transition is chef’s kiss. Every race feels cinematic, every argument feels personal, and every stolen moment feels forbidden.
What truly makes this story shine is Rome’s emotional arc. Behind the cocky, reckless exterior is a man who is fiercely loyal, deeply wounded, and completely undone by Tessa. When he falls, he doesn’t hesitate—he falls first and he falls hard.
And Tessa? She is strong, driven, and determined to be seen for her talent—not her last name.
Watching her break down her walls while holding her ground in a male-dominated world made this romance even more powerful.
Tropes: 🏎 Enemies-to-Lovers 🏎Business Rivals 🏎 Formula One Racing 🏎 Secret Romance 🏎 Forced Proximity 🏎 Soft Burn 🏎 Found Family 🏎 He Falls First & Hard
Overtake is the perfect blend of heart, heat, and high-octane drama. If you’re craving an addictive sports romance with enemies-to-lovers tension and a hero who worships the woman he can’t have—this one belongs on your TBR.
February 8, 2026
S.J. Sylvis has officially entered her Formula 1 era, & what a strong start to this new chapter. After years of delivering top-tier hockey romances, she shifts gears into F1, introducing a brand-new world centered around the Halston siblings of Vanstone Racing & I’m immediately all in.
This first book follows Tessa Halston, the youngest & only daughter in the family, who’s smart, determined, & ready to prove herself in the male-dominated sport. Her long-awaited career milestone comes with a major complication: being forced to work with Rome Pierce, her childhood friend turned long-time family rival, with a whole lot of unresolved history between them. Their dynamic is electric from the start - sharp banter, simmering tension, & a constant push-and-pull that makes every interaction feel loaded.
Rome is the kind of MMC that makes enemies-to-lovers shine. Confident, cocky, & intense, but deeply loyal, he falls fast & hard, & when his protective side comes out... holy hotness. Their romance moves quickly, but it works. Add in real family drama & a clear villain, & the stakes feel personal in the best way.
The Halston family absolutely stole the show for me. The sibling banter & group chats were hilarious & made the family feel real, while also clearly setting up future books & pairings. I finished Overtake wanting more - more of this world, more of these characters, & more sibling chaos.
This is an addictive, high-energy launch to the Vanstone Racing series, & if this is just the beginning, I can’t wait to see where SJ Sylvis takes us next.
🏁 F1 Romance
💕 Rivals to Lovers
🏎️ Forced Proximity
🛞 Workplace Romance
🤫 Secret Relationship
🔥 Slow Burn
✌🏻 Dual POV
This first book follows Tessa Halston, the youngest & only daughter in the family, who’s smart, determined, & ready to prove herself in the male-dominated sport. Her long-awaited career milestone comes with a major complication: being forced to work with Rome Pierce, her childhood friend turned long-time family rival, with a whole lot of unresolved history between them. Their dynamic is electric from the start - sharp banter, simmering tension, & a constant push-and-pull that makes every interaction feel loaded.
Rome is the kind of MMC that makes enemies-to-lovers shine. Confident, cocky, & intense, but deeply loyal, he falls fast & hard, & when his protective side comes out... holy hotness. Their romance moves quickly, but it works. Add in real family drama & a clear villain, & the stakes feel personal in the best way.
The Halston family absolutely stole the show for me. The sibling banter & group chats were hilarious & made the family feel real, while also clearly setting up future books & pairings. I finished Overtake wanting more - more of this world, more of these characters, & more sibling chaos.
This is an addictive, high-energy launch to the Vanstone Racing series, & if this is just the beginning, I can’t wait to see where SJ Sylvis takes us next.
🏁 F1 Romance
💕 Rivals to Lovers
🏎️ Forced Proximity
🛞 Workplace Romance
🤫 Secret Relationship
🔥 Slow Burn
✌🏻 Dual POV
Review of advance copy received from Author
I AM OBSESSED WITH THIS NEW UNIVERSE!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
If there’s one thing you need to know about reading SJ Sylvis - it’s that she’s phenomenal at writing interconnected standalone series. I believe she is one of the most under recommended authors when people ask for sports romance recommendations. I am ecstatic every time I get approved for an arc and my reviews are not swayed by being given an early copy, I genuinely just love the books!
Rome & Tessa hate each other, but it wasn’t always that way! Due to some conflict with his father Rome changes F1 racing teams, joining Tessa’s family, the rival side. Tessa has been promoted to head engineer and who is her driver you may ask? Rome, of course. Rome is arrogant, cocky and loves getting under her skin. Tessa is goal driven, determined and sassy.
This book was HILARIOUS and had me laughing out loud multiple times. The group chat conversations, name changes and banter was top tier & really made the book. I can’t wait for all of the siblings books and the tropes that have already been dangled in front of us (hello party boy best friends brother & single dad x nanny) 🤭🤭🤭🤭
Rome’s mild childhood trauma was displayed so well in this book, especially when he then starts to soften toward Tessa & the family, slowly letting his walls down. Their chemistry was phenomenal & the tension was written really well!
The only thing that could have improved this book for me, was I wanted it to be a bit longer! I wanted slightly more push & pull throughout the middle before they decided to give it a proper go and I wouldn’t have minded a longer yearning period at the end.
Massive Thankyou to SJ Sylvis & Valentine PR for the arc copy to read & give an honest review on!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
If there’s one thing you need to know about reading SJ Sylvis - it’s that she’s phenomenal at writing interconnected standalone series. I believe she is one of the most under recommended authors when people ask for sports romance recommendations. I am ecstatic every time I get approved for an arc and my reviews are not swayed by being given an early copy, I genuinely just love the books!
Rome & Tessa hate each other, but it wasn’t always that way! Due to some conflict with his father Rome changes F1 racing teams, joining Tessa’s family, the rival side. Tessa has been promoted to head engineer and who is her driver you may ask? Rome, of course. Rome is arrogant, cocky and loves getting under her skin. Tessa is goal driven, determined and sassy.
This book was HILARIOUS and had me laughing out loud multiple times. The group chat conversations, name changes and banter was top tier & really made the book. I can’t wait for all of the siblings books and the tropes that have already been dangled in front of us (hello party boy best friends brother & single dad x nanny) 🤭🤭🤭🤭
Rome’s mild childhood trauma was displayed so well in this book, especially when he then starts to soften toward Tessa & the family, slowly letting his walls down. Their chemistry was phenomenal & the tension was written really well!
The only thing that could have improved this book for me, was I wanted it to be a bit longer! I wanted slightly more push & pull throughout the middle before they decided to give it a proper go and I wouldn’t have minded a longer yearning period at the end.
Massive Thankyou to SJ Sylvis & Valentine PR for the arc copy to read & give an honest review on!
Review of advance copy received from Author
received an ARC as part of the author's team.
Overtake by S.J. Sylvis
Vanstone Racing series
Expected release February 12, 2026
Rome Pierce is Formula One’s golden boy and Tessa Halston is the woman determined to beat him at his own game. When a bitter rivalry collides with forced proximity and professional power shifts, these two are thrown into the same garage with years of tension, unresolved feelings, and combustible chemistry. What makes Overtake special is how it blends high stakes motorsport, razor sharp banter, and emotional vulnerability while launching an entire new racing dynasty you can already tell will be addictive.
This is rivals to lovers done right, with workplace tension, forbidden attraction, and a MMC whose jealousy and protectiveness hit just the right note without overpowering the romance. Add in sibling chaos, group chats, and the adrenaline of F1 racing, and this book absolutely rips.
Tropes & Vibes
🏎️ rivals to lovers
🔥 forced proximity
💥 workplace romance
😏 elite athlete MMC
💬 sharp banter
🖤 possessive but sweet hero
👩🔧 competent FMC in a male dominated space
🏁 high stakes sports romance
Read this if you like…
Formula One romance
enemies to lovers with history
sports romance with real emotional payoff
strong career driven heroines
protective jealous MMCs
found family sibling dynamics
#Overtake #SJSylvis #F1Romance #SportsRomance #RivalsToLovers
Overtake by S.J. Sylvis
Vanstone Racing series
Expected release February 12, 2026
Rome Pierce is Formula One’s golden boy and Tessa Halston is the woman determined to beat him at his own game. When a bitter rivalry collides with forced proximity and professional power shifts, these two are thrown into the same garage with years of tension, unresolved feelings, and combustible chemistry. What makes Overtake special is how it blends high stakes motorsport, razor sharp banter, and emotional vulnerability while launching an entire new racing dynasty you can already tell will be addictive.
This is rivals to lovers done right, with workplace tension, forbidden attraction, and a MMC whose jealousy and protectiveness hit just the right note without overpowering the romance. Add in sibling chaos, group chats, and the adrenaline of F1 racing, and this book absolutely rips.
Tropes & Vibes
🏎️ rivals to lovers
🔥 forced proximity
💥 workplace romance
😏 elite athlete MMC
💬 sharp banter
🖤 possessive but sweet hero
👩🔧 competent FMC in a male dominated space
🏁 high stakes sports romance
Read this if you like…
Formula One romance
enemies to lovers with history
sports romance with real emotional payoff
strong career driven heroines
protective jealous MMCs
found family sibling dynamics
#Overtake #SJSylvis #F1Romance #SportsRomance #RivalsToLovers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book hits the ground running and keeps the tension tight all the way to the finish line. S.J. Sylvis stepping into the Formula One world feels natural and confident. She brings the same sharp banter, emotional pull, and addictive pacing that made her hokey romances so bingeable, just with a sleek new setting and a fresh cast of characters.
Rome Pierce is exactly the kind of MMC you love to hate at first. He's freaking cocky, reckless, and fully aware of his own talent. Tessa Halston, however, peels back that golden boy exterior to reveal a man weighed down by expecations, loyalty, and a desperate need to win on his terms. She's driven, smart, and determined to prove she belongs in a space that constantly underestimates her. Watching her step into power as a crew chief while refusing to back down from Rome made their dynamic on fire!
Rome falls hard, and when he does, it’s satisfying to watch him shift from arrogant rival to fiercely protective partner. The sibling banter and group chats add humor and warmth, giving the story a strong found family feel and setting up future books in the series in a way that’s genuinely exciting.
The reason this lands at four stars instead of five comes down to wanting more. I needed more depth and more time with certain emotional beats. That said, as the first book in a brand new series, Overtake is amazing. It's a great start to the Vanstone Racing series with great tension, strong characters, and a romance.
Rome Pierce is exactly the kind of MMC you love to hate at first. He's freaking cocky, reckless, and fully aware of his own talent. Tessa Halston, however, peels back that golden boy exterior to reveal a man weighed down by expecations, loyalty, and a desperate need to win on his terms. She's driven, smart, and determined to prove she belongs in a space that constantly underestimates her. Watching her step into power as a crew chief while refusing to back down from Rome made their dynamic on fire!
Rome falls hard, and when he does, it’s satisfying to watch him shift from arrogant rival to fiercely protective partner. The sibling banter and group chats add humor and warmth, giving the story a strong found family feel and setting up future books in the series in a way that’s genuinely exciting.
The reason this lands at four stars instead of five comes down to wanting more. I needed more depth and more time with certain emotional beats. That said, as the first book in a brand new series, Overtake is amazing. It's a great start to the Vanstone Racing series with great tension, strong characters, and a romance.
February 8, 2026
For being my first F1 book, I loved every single part of this. This book was fast paced and the banter was so delicious between Rome and Tessa, I finished this book in one sitting. I knew it was going to be amazing from the first siblings group chat.
Rome is just coming off a crash that, among other things, sends him from his own racing family to another, Vanstone Racing. Tessa just got promoted in her family’s business, Vanstone Racing, to head engineer. What she’s surprised to find out is that he is now Rome’s engineer. Will the tension make or break them?
From the first siblings chat, I was like, yes, I will be devouring this book. To have four older brothers and come out sane, Tessa is a strong woman. Tessa was fierce and independent in this book. She definitely held her own against Rome, but he just kept coming back for more. The tension buildup was so beautiful and I loved when it when it finally went off like a bomb between these two.
Rome was such a complex character but I loved how determined he was and as soon as he knew Tessa was it, all he saw was her. This man was absolutely delicious. Definitely up there with Theo and Emory for my top SJ Sylvis men. Every chin grab and sparring session where he just kept pushing her buttons, I was like this man is perfect.
Thank you to SJ Sylvis for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tropes:
✨Enemies to lovers
✨Business rivals
✨F1 racing
✨Secret romance
✨Slow burn
Rome is just coming off a crash that, among other things, sends him from his own racing family to another, Vanstone Racing. Tessa just got promoted in her family’s business, Vanstone Racing, to head engineer. What she’s surprised to find out is that he is now Rome’s engineer. Will the tension make or break them?
From the first siblings chat, I was like, yes, I will be devouring this book. To have four older brothers and come out sane, Tessa is a strong woman. Tessa was fierce and independent in this book. She definitely held her own against Rome, but he just kept coming back for more. The tension buildup was so beautiful and I loved when it when it finally went off like a bomb between these two.
Rome was such a complex character but I loved how determined he was and as soon as he knew Tessa was it, all he saw was her. This man was absolutely delicious. Definitely up there with Theo and Emory for my top SJ Sylvis men. Every chin grab and sparring session where he just kept pushing her buttons, I was like this man is perfect.
Thank you to SJ Sylvis for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tropes:
✨Enemies to lovers
✨Business rivals
✨F1 racing
✨Secret romance
✨Slow burn
February 9, 2026
Thank you so much to Valentine PR for the ARC!! 💗
I basically read this book in a day 🤭
It was my first time reading this author and she honestly surprised me, so it probably won’t be the last time I read one of her books!
She has a very addictive writing style. That, combined with the fact that the chapters are super short, it makes the book really fast to read.
It was also the first book I’ve read set in the F1 world, and I loved it!!
I thought it was really nice how the author included the female protagonist in a world that feels very male-dominated!
The relationship between the main characters develops slowly, with A LOT of tension, which I really appreciate 😌
Together they are so freaking cute. Their little “fights” and how Rome is constantly annoying Tessa was so much fun to read 😅
Watching them go from that to fully trusting each other is beautiful 🥹
Also, how obsessed Rome becomes with Tessa omgg. He fell so freaking hard for her and that’s just chef’s kiss 🙂↕️
Another thing I really enjoyed were the group chat messages with Tessa’s brothers. You end up loving all of them 😂
The only “negative” thing for me is that at the beginning I found it a bit hard not to get confused with the characters’ names, but that’s something that happens to me quite often when there are many characters 😩
I think it’s a perfect option if you’re looking for a light, fun read full of tension!! 😍
I basically read this book in a day 🤭
It was my first time reading this author and she honestly surprised me, so it probably won’t be the last time I read one of her books!
She has a very addictive writing style. That, combined with the fact that the chapters are super short, it makes the book really fast to read.
It was also the first book I’ve read set in the F1 world, and I loved it!!
I thought it was really nice how the author included the female protagonist in a world that feels very male-dominated!
The relationship between the main characters develops slowly, with A LOT of tension, which I really appreciate 😌
Together they are so freaking cute. Their little “fights” and how Rome is constantly annoying Tessa was so much fun to read 😅
Watching them go from that to fully trusting each other is beautiful 🥹
Also, how obsessed Rome becomes with Tessa omgg. He fell so freaking hard for her and that’s just chef’s kiss 🙂↕️
Another thing I really enjoyed were the group chat messages with Tessa’s brothers. You end up loving all of them 😂
The only “negative” thing for me is that at the beginning I found it a bit hard not to get confused with the characters’ names, but that’s something that happens to me quite often when there are many characters 😩
I think it’s a perfect option if you’re looking for a light, fun read full of tension!! 😍
Review of advance copy received from Author
Overtake by SJ Sylvis
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️
What to expect
🩷F1 racer x head engineer
🩷Sports romance
🩷Enemies to lovers
🩷Forced proximity
🩷Banter
🩷Delicious chemistry
🩷Dual PoV
🩷Group chats (so funny)
🩷Over protective brothers
🩷Spicy scenes
This is the first book in a new series by SJ Sylvis. I love F1 racing so I was excited to read this. There were definitely liberties taken for the storyline but it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story.
From the beginning, as children, Rome is protective of Tessa, but until recently they had become rivals. That all changes when Rome becomes her family’s new F1 driver. The sparks fly and their to and fro banter is full of snark and fire. Rome loves to rile Tessa up and she lives to sass him right back.
Their chemistry is delicious and I really enjoyed the slow burn of their changing relationship. The building of trust between them was special, how after years, Rome was able to let his guard down. Tessa’s family began to let him in and his relationship with the rest of her family was special. Especially as his father is an awful human.
The spice is moderate but well placed throughout their story and they definitely seem to like taking risks! The book ended with me wanting more, more, more! I hope we see more of them in the upcoming books. Possibly some bonus scenes? Please. 🙏
I highly recommend reading this book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️
What to expect
🩷F1 racer x head engineer
🩷Sports romance
🩷Enemies to lovers
🩷Forced proximity
🩷Banter
🩷Delicious chemistry
🩷Dual PoV
🩷Group chats (so funny)
🩷Over protective brothers
🩷Spicy scenes
This is the first book in a new series by SJ Sylvis. I love F1 racing so I was excited to read this. There were definitely liberties taken for the storyline but it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story.
From the beginning, as children, Rome is protective of Tessa, but until recently they had become rivals. That all changes when Rome becomes her family’s new F1 driver. The sparks fly and their to and fro banter is full of snark and fire. Rome loves to rile Tessa up and she lives to sass him right back.
Their chemistry is delicious and I really enjoyed the slow burn of their changing relationship. The building of trust between them was special, how after years, Rome was able to let his guard down. Tessa’s family began to let him in and his relationship with the rest of her family was special. Especially as his father is an awful human.
The spice is moderate but well placed throughout their story and they definitely seem to like taking risks! The book ended with me wanting more, more, more! I hope we see more of them in the upcoming books. Possibly some bonus scenes? Please. 🙏
I highly recommend reading this book.
February 8, 2026
WHAT TO EXPECT:
✔️ Enemies to Lovers
✔️ F1 Racing
✔️ Business Rivals
✔️ Secret Romance
✔️ Slow Burn
✔️ Protective Jelousy
✔️ He memorizes her routines
✔️ Watching each other across the room
✔️ “You’re Testing Me”
⚠️ Check trigger warnings; this dark content is for +18 readers
Overtake is the first book in the new Vanstone Racing series by S.J. Sylvis. Once close family friends and business partners, these two well-known F1 racing families are split by an argument, becoming rivals. Years later, Tessa and her brothers are running the family racing business when their dad surprises them with the new driver he hired. Rome is racing royalty until his recent crash and falling out with his father, which leads him to accept a new position driving for the Vanstone racing team, his father’s biggest rival. That is, if Tessa and her brothers can let go of old family grudges.
I loved Tessa, Rome, and their chemistry. I thought Overtake was a solid start to the series. I will admit that I have never been a big F1 racing fan, but I enjoyed the storyline and the adrenaline that comes along with it. I am giving Overtake a rating of 4.5/5 stars. I can’t wait to see who will be up next in the series!
✔️ Enemies to Lovers
✔️ F1 Racing
✔️ Business Rivals
✔️ Secret Romance
✔️ Slow Burn
✔️ Protective Jelousy
✔️ He memorizes her routines
✔️ Watching each other across the room
✔️ “You’re Testing Me”
⚠️ Check trigger warnings; this dark content is for +18 readers
Overtake is the first book in the new Vanstone Racing series by S.J. Sylvis. Once close family friends and business partners, these two well-known F1 racing families are split by an argument, becoming rivals. Years later, Tessa and her brothers are running the family racing business when their dad surprises them with the new driver he hired. Rome is racing royalty until his recent crash and falling out with his father, which leads him to accept a new position driving for the Vanstone racing team, his father’s biggest rival. That is, if Tessa and her brothers can let go of old family grudges.
I loved Tessa, Rome, and their chemistry. I thought Overtake was a solid start to the series. I will admit that I have never been a big F1 racing fan, but I enjoyed the storyline and the adrenaline that comes along with it. I am giving Overtake a rating of 4.5/5 stars. I can’t wait to see who will be up next in the series!
Review of advance copy received from Author
* 🏁F1 Romance
* 🏎️Rivals to Lovers
* 🏁Family Drama
* 🏎️He loves to get a rise out of her
* 🏁Slow burn
* 🏎️Family group chat
* 🏁Overprotective brothers
I ate this book up. Perfect series debut. I am all in on F1 and the Vanstone team.
I absolutely love Tessa & Rome. 🥰I love how their banter turned into foreplay. I love how Rome loved to get a rise out of her like a little kid teasing his crush. My heart went out to Rome and all he endured with his family. I loved the found family they gave him. If I had one critic is the book ended rather abruptly. I wanted more out of their HEA but this series has my full attention and you can bet I’ll be checking in to see what happens with daddy Van.
« The first wall I ever built around myself is starting to crumble, and Tessa is right at the center of it. I want a family and a home full of laughter. I want someone as worthy as Tessa to be there at the end of the day with soft eyes and a warm heart. I want our children to be exact replicas of her, and I want them to be able to count on me for encouragement and strength, not disappointment and fear. »
Thank you to Valentine PR & the author S.J. Sylvis for the advanced reading copy, all my opinions are my own.
* 🏎️Rivals to Lovers
* 🏁Family Drama
* 🏎️He loves to get a rise out of her
* 🏁Slow burn
* 🏎️Family group chat
* 🏁Overprotective brothers
I ate this book up. Perfect series debut. I am all in on F1 and the Vanstone team.
I absolutely love Tessa & Rome. 🥰I love how their banter turned into foreplay. I love how Rome loved to get a rise out of her like a little kid teasing his crush. My heart went out to Rome and all he endured with his family. I loved the found family they gave him. If I had one critic is the book ended rather abruptly. I wanted more out of their HEA but this series has my full attention and you can bet I’ll be checking in to see what happens with daddy Van.
« The first wall I ever built around myself is starting to crumble, and Tessa is right at the center of it. I want a family and a home full of laughter. I want someone as worthy as Tessa to be there at the end of the day with soft eyes and a warm heart. I want our children to be exact replicas of her, and I want them to be able to count on me for encouragement and strength, not disappointment and fear. »
Thank you to Valentine PR & the author S.J. Sylvis for the advanced reading copy, all my opinions are my own.
February 8, 2026
This was my first F1 romance read and it did not disappoint! I was hooked and could not put this book down!!
Rome comes off like a jerk at the beginning but in all reality, he just had a lot of walls to protect himself and he doesn’t let people in. Tessa is one of few females in F1 industry and she is such a bad ass. She definitely feels like she has something to prove but she is confident in herself at the same time. I did really love how supportive her family was. The family dynamics were chef’s kiss!
Rome and Tessa’s tension was absolute perfection and the banter between them was unmatched. I loved how they both tried to fight their attraction but Rome’s protectiveness and jealous moments gave him away pretty quickly. I truly loved their relationship and how it grew from understanding and bringing down their walls.
The groups were some of my favorite parts of this book and I love the Halston family. More of Rome’s softie side came out with Vivian and I just swooned even harder for him.
Can’t wait for what’s next for this series and just in case it’s not clear - Lucas is just the worst!
Thank you SJ and team for the ARC opportunity!!
Rome comes off like a jerk at the beginning but in all reality, he just had a lot of walls to protect himself and he doesn’t let people in. Tessa is one of few females in F1 industry and she is such a bad ass. She definitely feels like she has something to prove but she is confident in herself at the same time. I did really love how supportive her family was. The family dynamics were chef’s kiss!
Rome and Tessa’s tension was absolute perfection and the banter between them was unmatched. I loved how they both tried to fight their attraction but Rome’s protectiveness and jealous moments gave him away pretty quickly. I truly loved their relationship and how it grew from understanding and bringing down their walls.
The groups were some of my favorite parts of this book and I love the Halston family. More of Rome’s softie side came out with Vivian and I just swooned even harder for him.
Can’t wait for what’s next for this series and just in case it’s not clear - Lucas is just the worst!
Thank you SJ and team for the ARC opportunity!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Overtake is the first book in S.J. Sylvis’s new Vanstone Racing series, and it was such a fun ride.
It has two of my favorite tropes—enemies to lovers and forced proximity—and the tension between Rome and Tessa is constant. They’re competitive, stubborn, and pushing each other’s buttons from the start. You can feel that buildup the whole time, and when it finally tips over? So worth it.
Rome as a driver was honestly half the appeal for me. There’s just something about the confidence and control it takes to handle a car like that. I could picture the paddock, the pit wall, the energy of race day and it made everything feel more intense. I kept thinking, Tessa, girl… how are you still holding out? 😅
It’s a fast, easy read that doesn’t get bogged down. Good banter, strong chemistry, and just the right amount of spice without it taking over the whole story. I read it as an ARC and immediately needed other people to read it so I could talk about it.
If you want something quick, tense, and a little bit hot to pull you out of a slump, this is a solid pick. I’m really looking forward to the next one in the series.
It has two of my favorite tropes—enemies to lovers and forced proximity—and the tension between Rome and Tessa is constant. They’re competitive, stubborn, and pushing each other’s buttons from the start. You can feel that buildup the whole time, and when it finally tips over? So worth it.
Rome as a driver was honestly half the appeal for me. There’s just something about the confidence and control it takes to handle a car like that. I could picture the paddock, the pit wall, the energy of race day and it made everything feel more intense. I kept thinking, Tessa, girl… how are you still holding out? 😅
It’s a fast, easy read that doesn’t get bogged down. Good banter, strong chemistry, and just the right amount of spice without it taking over the whole story. I read it as an ARC and immediately needed other people to read it so I could talk about it.
If you want something quick, tense, and a little bit hot to pull you out of a slump, this is a solid pick. I’m really looking forward to the next one in the series.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
First off I want to thank S.J. Sylvis and VPR for the arc!
Once I started reading this book I literally could not stop! Everything about it made me keep saying ok one more chapter and then it was 20 chapters later. Rome and Tessa story is such a good one. Starting out as enemies who quite literally hate each other so much to then end up working together is just chef’s kiss. The banter back and fourth between them is so good it had me laughing multiple times. Also the family group chat with Tessa being the only girl with 4 brothers was so incredibly funny I found my self getting so excited whenever I saw the group chat on the page.
Rome and Tessa had a lot to overcome before they got together but once they gave into their tension it was well worth the wait! Trust me you want to pick up this book and read it! It was such a fun and easy read I was so sad when I finished it because I did not want it to end.
I’m so excited for this new F1 series from this first book alone I know the series it’s going to be amazing and I cannot wait for the rest!!
Once I started reading this book I literally could not stop! Everything about it made me keep saying ok one more chapter and then it was 20 chapters later. Rome and Tessa story is such a good one. Starting out as enemies who quite literally hate each other so much to then end up working together is just chef’s kiss. The banter back and fourth between them is so good it had me laughing multiple times. Also the family group chat with Tessa being the only girl with 4 brothers was so incredibly funny I found my self getting so excited whenever I saw the group chat on the page.
Rome and Tessa had a lot to overcome before they got together but once they gave into their tension it was well worth the wait! Trust me you want to pick up this book and read it! It was such a fun and easy read I was so sad when I finished it because I did not want it to end.
I’m so excited for this new F1 series from this first book alone I know the series it’s going to be amazing and I cannot wait for the rest!!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Overtake is a strong, high-stakes opener to an F1 romance series that blends rivalry, legacy, and slow-burn tension seamlessly. The racing world feels immersive and well-researched, and the family dynamics on both sides add real emotional weight to the story.
Rome Pierce is a compelling, morally gray MMC shaped by pressure, betrayal, and silence, while Tessa Halston is a standout FMC—intelligent, capable, and unwilling to be sidelined in a male-dominated sport. Their enemies-to-lovers dynamic is genuine, earned, and deliberately restrained, which makes the tension far more satisfying than a rushed romance.
I genuinely loved the pacing of this book and most of all, our MMC — ROME PIERCE!!!!
This man is the perfect fictional-boyfriend coded realistic boyfriend material a girl could ever ask for!
The ending leaves you invested rather than frustrated, and I for one, will religiously read S.J. Sylvis in the coming future!
Highly recommended for readers who enjoy sports romance, competent FMCs, rival families and slow-burn enemies-to-lovers with depth.
Rome Pierce is a compelling, morally gray MMC shaped by pressure, betrayal, and silence, while Tessa Halston is a standout FMC—intelligent, capable, and unwilling to be sidelined in a male-dominated sport. Their enemies-to-lovers dynamic is genuine, earned, and deliberately restrained, which makes the tension far more satisfying than a rushed romance.
I genuinely loved the pacing of this book and most of all, our MMC — ROME PIERCE!!!!
This man is the perfect fictional-boyfriend coded realistic boyfriend material a girl could ever ask for!
The ending leaves you invested rather than frustrated, and I for one, will religiously read S.J. Sylvis in the coming future!
Highly recommended for readers who enjoy sports romance, competent FMCs, rival families and slow-burn enemies-to-lovers with depth.
Review of advance copy received from Author
“I’ve never known Rome Pierce to stop racing for anything,” I whisper. Rome leans forward, elbows on his knees. “Well, then I guess you’re not just anything.”
Rome transitions from his father’s racing team to his rivals - Tessa’s family. The two of them can’t stand eachother at first, but since she is his head engineer they end up working very closely together. Will Formula 1’s golden boy find something that he loves more than winning?
What a warm hug that book was. 🥹🩵
We have Rome, who is very observant and protective which is everything 🩵
Tessa, who is a woman in a male dominated field and shows the me that she is better, is a woman who gos after what she wants. And when she wants Rome, he doesn’t argue 👸🏽.
This book has all the found family/family vibes, hilarious group chats and a very wholesome storyline!
If you enjoy rivals-to-lovers, workplace, team owner’s daughter, than this one is for you!
I can’t wait for the rest of the series 😍
Thank you S.J. Sylvis and Valentine PR for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! 🤍
Rome transitions from his father’s racing team to his rivals - Tessa’s family. The two of them can’t stand eachother at first, but since she is his head engineer they end up working very closely together. Will Formula 1’s golden boy find something that he loves more than winning?
What a warm hug that book was. 🥹🩵
We have Rome, who is very observant and protective which is everything 🩵
Tessa, who is a woman in a male dominated field and shows the me that she is better, is a woman who gos after what she wants. And when she wants Rome, he doesn’t argue 👸🏽.
This book has all the found family/family vibes, hilarious group chats and a very wholesome storyline!
If you enjoy rivals-to-lovers, workplace, team owner’s daughter, than this one is for you!
I can’t wait for the rest of the series 😍
Thank you S.J. Sylvis and Valentine PR for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! 🤍
February 8, 2026
Overtake is the first book in the new F1 Vanstone Racing series from SJ Sylvis.
Rome Pierce is a rival driver that comes to Vanstone looking to leave his family’s corrupt racing company. At first he comes across as a bit arrogant but as the story progresses you see just how much he cares and wants honesty.
Tessa Vanstone has just been promoted to engineer with Rome being her driver. The two are rivals from rival families and now forced to work together. They find out they have chemistry and attraction they can’t hide.
The story was told from both characters viewpoints learning about many of the issues from Rome’s POV since Tessa and her brothers were kept in the dark about the Pierce family dealings.
I loved the interaction and banter between Rome and Tessa and also the text chats between the siblings.
This was a fun, quick read and a great start to a new series. Can’t wait for more books in this series!
Rome Pierce is a rival driver that comes to Vanstone looking to leave his family’s corrupt racing company. At first he comes across as a bit arrogant but as the story progresses you see just how much he cares and wants honesty.
Tessa Vanstone has just been promoted to engineer with Rome being her driver. The two are rivals from rival families and now forced to work together. They find out they have chemistry and attraction they can’t hide.
The story was told from both characters viewpoints learning about many of the issues from Rome’s POV since Tessa and her brothers were kept in the dark about the Pierce family dealings.
I loved the interaction and banter between Rome and Tessa and also the text chats between the siblings.
This was a fun, quick read and a great start to a new series. Can’t wait for more books in this series!
February 9, 2026
S. J. Sylvis has quickly becoming a go to author for me!! I fell in love with her hockey boys and now I’m head over heels for the Halston family, and Rome 🤭
This was such a fun read! I don’t know much about racing but I feel like I learned quite a bit, and the enemies to lovers vibes was full force and so delicious in this one!! This was my first F1 racing romance and it definitely won’t be my last!!
Rome and Tessa but heads constantly. The sexual tension was crazy!!! But when they finally give in?? Fireworks!! I loved it so much!! The build up was just as fun as the actual romance!
If you love a good family dynamic, I was a sucker for the group chats with the family! Each family member was unique in their own way and I loved that!! I loved that racing was a family sport as well!
As always, Sylvis’ gave us a beautiful story and a couple to drool over!! I can’t wait to see what’s next, although my money is on Van 🤭
This was such a fun read! I don’t know much about racing but I feel like I learned quite a bit, and the enemies to lovers vibes was full force and so delicious in this one!! This was my first F1 racing romance and it definitely won’t be my last!!
Rome and Tessa but heads constantly. The sexual tension was crazy!!! But when they finally give in?? Fireworks!! I loved it so much!! The build up was just as fun as the actual romance!
If you love a good family dynamic, I was a sucker for the group chats with the family! Each family member was unique in their own way and I loved that!! I loved that racing was a family sport as well!
As always, Sylvis’ gave us a beautiful story and a couple to drool over!! I can’t wait to see what’s next, although my money is on Van 🤭
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