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Formula Zero
Not yet published
Expected 7 Jul 26Romantic tension between ex–best friends rockets to new heights in this dazzling sports romance debut set in the fast-paced, interplanetary world of Formula Zero racing.
Madeline Clarke didn't think her life would be all fun and trophies after earning her spot in the solar system's most elite zero-gravity racing circuit, but she definitely thought it'd be better than this. Aside from being a female pilot in a male-dominated sport, her boss is a controlling jerk, her estranged father is a beloved figure from her team's past glory days (and an absolute ass), and she's performing so poorly she risks losing her contract. And worst of all, there's Julian Casperi.
Julian was Clarke's childhood best friend and is a rising star in the league. The dance between them has always been complicated, but when Clarke walked away from her feelings years ago and Julian didn’t stop her they became nothing more than competitors—until Clarke gets into a near-fatal accident on the track and Julian comes to her rescue.
Now back in each other’s orbits, the tension between them is at an all-time high. But navigating their relationship might be the least of Clarke’s problems. Things keep going wrong on the track, and she suspects there's something shady at play. If she wants to come out on top, she needs to move fast and make bold choices—about her team, her future, and her heart.
Madeline Clarke didn't think her life would be all fun and trophies after earning her spot in the solar system's most elite zero-gravity racing circuit, but she definitely thought it'd be better than this. Aside from being a female pilot in a male-dominated sport, her boss is a controlling jerk, her estranged father is a beloved figure from her team's past glory days (and an absolute ass), and she's performing so poorly she risks losing her contract. And worst of all, there's Julian Casperi.
Julian was Clarke's childhood best friend and is a rising star in the league. The dance between them has always been complicated, but when Clarke walked away from her feelings years ago and Julian didn’t stop her they became nothing more than competitors—until Clarke gets into a near-fatal accident on the track and Julian comes to her rescue.
Now back in each other’s orbits, the tension between them is at an all-time high. But navigating their relationship might be the least of Clarke’s problems. Things keep going wrong on the track, and she suspects there's something shady at play. If she wants to come out on top, she needs to move fast and make bold choices—about her team, her future, and her heart.
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Expected publication July 7, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 30, 2026
it wasn’t for me 🫠
── .✦ pre-read 𓂃˖ ࣪⊹
┆ ⤿ 🚀 ⌗ started: january 26, finished: january 29
book 5 and my last one of my 24 hour reading challenge!! i’m on my last 4 hours wow?! this was fun but exhausting. howeverrrr, wdym formula 1 but in space?! count me in 🙂↕️🙂↕️ can you tell i miss formula 1 so much?🤸 (update: i didn’t finish this in time for the challenge but i’m loving it still!)
thank you netgalley, berkley publishing group and meredith lanzen for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review
── .✦ pre-read 𓂃˖ ࣪⊹
┆ ⤿ 🚀 ⌗ started: january 26, finished: january 29
book 5 and my last one of my 24 hour reading challenge!! i’m on my last 4 hours wow?! this was fun but exhausting. howeverrrr, wdym formula 1 but in space?! count me in 🙂↕️🙂↕️ can you tell i miss formula 1 so much?🤸 (update: i didn’t finish this in time for the challenge but i’m loving it still!)
thank you netgalley, berkley publishing group and meredith lanzen for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
i absolutely cannot believe how much fun i had with this book, i binged it in less than a day because i just couldnt put it down 😩.
i will be the first to admit that i do not understand f1, i dont watch it and i dont see the appeal (PERSONALLY) howeverrrrr, f1/racing books in general just really do something for me — the constant location changes, the forced proximity, the competitiveness, etc. then you throw space into the mix and im even more sold on it.
this book brought a fresh unique experience to the romance/sports romance genre that (to my knowledge) we’ve yet to see, which can be extremely hard to do in such a saturated environment so like props to meredith for that on its own, even if i did not like this book whatsoever that would have added stars onto my rating simply because its impressive as hell.
this book was super engaging the entire time, there was a mystery element to it that has you yelling at clarke to open her eyes to whats happening right in front of her and also following her on the journey of trying to figure out who on her own team is trying to sabotage her and the way its written kind of felt like you were kind of an invisible sidekick solving it along side her.
julian and clarke we’re truly precious. i loved the way the way that they were forced back into each others orbit (haha see what i did there) and that even though theres the obvious small bits of drama that comes with being forced to spend time with someone you dont want or know how to be friends with anymore, the entire book didnt revolve around their drama if that makes sense? it felt more bantery than anything and it was nice reading a forced proximity book where the main conflicts laid elsewhere and didnt drown the MCs.
i am very much looking forward to reading more of meredith’s books in the future and i cannot wait to see what she does next!! i would do heinous things to return to this world in the future but im also curious to see if there are any other fresh spins on the typical romance book up her sleeve!!!
i will be the first to admit that i do not understand f1, i dont watch it and i dont see the appeal (PERSONALLY) howeverrrrr, f1/racing books in general just really do something for me — the constant location changes, the forced proximity, the competitiveness, etc. then you throw space into the mix and im even more sold on it.
this book brought a fresh unique experience to the romance/sports romance genre that (to my knowledge) we’ve yet to see, which can be extremely hard to do in such a saturated environment so like props to meredith for that on its own, even if i did not like this book whatsoever that would have added stars onto my rating simply because its impressive as hell.
this book was super engaging the entire time, there was a mystery element to it that has you yelling at clarke to open her eyes to whats happening right in front of her and also following her on the journey of trying to figure out who on her own team is trying to sabotage her and the way its written kind of felt like you were kind of an invisible sidekick solving it along side her.
julian and clarke we’re truly precious. i loved the way the way that they were forced back into each others orbit (haha see what i did there) and that even though theres the obvious small bits of drama that comes with being forced to spend time with someone you dont want or know how to be friends with anymore, the entire book didnt revolve around their drama if that makes sense? it felt more bantery than anything and it was nice reading a forced proximity book where the main conflicts laid elsewhere and didnt drown the MCs.
i am very much looking forward to reading more of meredith’s books in the future and i cannot wait to see what she does next!! i would do heinous things to return to this world in the future but im also curious to see if there are any other fresh spins on the typical romance book up her sleeve!!!
Want to read
December 22, 2025FORMULA 1 IN SPACE?! sat
January 18, 2026
3 stars 🌟 F1 mixed with space??? definitely something unique and it was a wild ride for sure 🏎️🪐🏁 julianclarke had a lot of chemistry and i really liked the childhood best friends to lovers trope in this 😇 they were super cute together and i loved how the book ended for them!
my main issue with this was how long it was, and honestly how dramatic that last 20% was 😭 like soooo much was going on i just wanted the book to wrap up. i also wasn’t the biggest fan of how long it took clarke to wake the fuck up and realize what was going on at elemental 😔 otherwise this was good!
a special thank you to netgalley and berkley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!
my main issue with this was how long it was, and honestly how dramatic that last 20% was 😭 like soooo much was going on i just wanted the book to wrap up. i also wasn’t the biggest fan of how long it took clarke to wake the fuck up and realize what was going on at elemental 😔 otherwise this was good!
a special thank you to netgalley and berkley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
I love a good formula 1 romance but in SPACE I couldn't download this fast enough. It was worth it. Definitely a 4.5 it got a little clunky in the middle but it came right back and had great second half and ending.
Want to read
December 22, 2025this seems so wacky can’t wait 😂
Want to read
January 24, 2026FORMULA ONE IN SPACE??!?!??! OH MY GOD GIMME
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘶𝘭𝘢 𝘡𝘦𝘳𝘰 is an exciting and heartwarming romance debut with a unique premise - Formula One set in space!
Childhood best friends Julian and Clarke allowed a chasm to swallow their mutual pining as to not interfere with their promising F0 careers. Their distance was further deepened by a painful loss, and years later their interactions are limited to bickering. When Clarke crashes her ship and Julian saves her life, their dynamic begins to shift once again...
I'm obsessed with the mix of a captivating sci-fi setting and addictive romance plot! It's well-written in an engaging voice, and I could not put this book down. The concept was executed brilliantly, conveyed in a fast pace to match the excitement I'd expect for interplanetary Formula One!
I adored the characters, especially Julian's unwavering support and respect, even from afar. The mutual yearning made for such a swoon-worthy read - exactly what this genre should be about!
I heavily related to Clarke and her struggles, easily seeing bits of myself at 23 in her. 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘶𝘭𝘢 𝘡𝘦𝘳𝘰 evaluates the sudden moments of pain following grief, especially grief made heavier by the weight of guilt. It examines the fractures grief can wedge in previously unbreakable relationships, and I appreciated how naturally this was developed. Her career challenges also encourage immense character growth, and the development is seamlessly balanced with other important plotlines. The prior conflict between characters was also sensical and realistic, building tension for readers from the start and allowing for a satisfying payoff by the end.
This is a debut to watch out for in 2026 when it races onto shelves near you!
Thank you to Berkley Romance and NetGalley for the advance reading copy!
Childhood best friends Julian and Clarke allowed a chasm to swallow their mutual pining as to not interfere with their promising F0 careers. Their distance was further deepened by a painful loss, and years later their interactions are limited to bickering. When Clarke crashes her ship and Julian saves her life, their dynamic begins to shift once again...
I'm obsessed with the mix of a captivating sci-fi setting and addictive romance plot! It's well-written in an engaging voice, and I could not put this book down. The concept was executed brilliantly, conveyed in a fast pace to match the excitement I'd expect for interplanetary Formula One!
I adored the characters, especially Julian's unwavering support and respect, even from afar. The mutual yearning made for such a swoon-worthy read - exactly what this genre should be about!
I heavily related to Clarke and her struggles, easily seeing bits of myself at 23 in her. 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘶𝘭𝘢 𝘡𝘦𝘳𝘰 evaluates the sudden moments of pain following grief, especially grief made heavier by the weight of guilt. It examines the fractures grief can wedge in previously unbreakable relationships, and I appreciated how naturally this was developed. Her career challenges also encourage immense character growth, and the development is seamlessly balanced with other important plotlines. The prior conflict between characters was also sensical and realistic, building tension for readers from the start and allowing for a satisfying payoff by the end.
This is a debut to watch out for in 2026 when it races onto shelves near you!
Thank you to Berkley Romance and NetGalley for the advance reading copy!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Formula One racing… in space?!
Clarke is in her sophomore year of Formula 0, and things aren’t going well. To make matters worse, her ex-best friend is consistently winning. With her reputation on the line, Clarke is forced to “fake a friendship” with Julian after years of distance—and maybe her reasons for avoiding him weren’t so good after all.
I didn’t even fully read the synopsis going in because I thought this was about formula one racing lol. Turns out this book is a sci-fi romance mystery masterpiece I didn’t know I was missing. The setting was so much fun! Clarke is from Mars, living on the Moon, and the story takes them from Earth to Mars to the Moon—and even to a separate interplanetary race track locations?!? I was absolutely here for it. I’m not usually a sci-fi fan, but if this author doesn’t write more books in this setting, I’ll be devastated. Please let me return to this world—I loved it.
The mystery was fantastic too. There was definitely foreshadowing, but the twist genuinely shocked me. Usually, I can figure these things out—or at least narrow the options—but I was completely blindsided, which made it even more fun and intriguing.
And of course, the romance! Julian was adorable. I loved the slow burn and tension between them, and Clarke’s reasons for avoiding him made perfect sense. Their chemistry was undeniable, and I found myself rooting for them every step of the way.
All in all, this book scratched an itch I didn’t even know I had. It beautifully weaves sci-fi, romance, and mystery into one story. It definitely wasn’t what I expected, but I loved it all the same.
Thank you, NetGalley, and a special thank you to Berkley for granting me access to the eARC—I always scream when a Berkley approval comes through!
Clarke is in her sophomore year of Formula 0, and things aren’t going well. To make matters worse, her ex-best friend is consistently winning. With her reputation on the line, Clarke is forced to “fake a friendship” with Julian after years of distance—and maybe her reasons for avoiding him weren’t so good after all.
I didn’t even fully read the synopsis going in because I thought this was about formula one racing lol. Turns out this book is a sci-fi romance mystery masterpiece I didn’t know I was missing. The setting was so much fun! Clarke is from Mars, living on the Moon, and the story takes them from Earth to Mars to the Moon—and even to a separate interplanetary race track locations?!? I was absolutely here for it. I’m not usually a sci-fi fan, but if this author doesn’t write more books in this setting, I’ll be devastated. Please let me return to this world—I loved it.
The mystery was fantastic too. There was definitely foreshadowing, but the twist genuinely shocked me. Usually, I can figure these things out—or at least narrow the options—but I was completely blindsided, which made it even more fun and intriguing.
And of course, the romance! Julian was adorable. I loved the slow burn and tension between them, and Clarke’s reasons for avoiding him made perfect sense. Their chemistry was undeniable, and I found myself rooting for them every step of the way.
All in all, this book scratched an itch I didn’t even know I had. It beautifully weaves sci-fi, romance, and mystery into one story. It definitely wasn’t what I expected, but I loved it all the same.
Thank you, NetGalley, and a special thank you to Berkley for granting me access to the eARC—I always scream when a Berkley approval comes through!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was such a fun read ! This book is exactly what you expect, F1 but with ships and on interplanetary circuits. In the future, humans have colonized the solar system. Clarke is a Formula 0 pilot, but she’s having trouble winning since her ship is not performing well. Julian, her best friend turned rival in Formula 0, keeps coming back in her life and meddling.
I’m a big fan of sci-fi and I loved the world the author had created. There’s a lot of explanations and context, so the world makes sense and as readers, we are not thrown into this without knowledge, which I really appreciate. This is marketed as a romance, and while there is a nice romance, it’s not full on romance heavy. This book is definitely more focused on Formula 0 races, strategies team politics, conspiracies and overall character growth, which I liked. That being said, I did really enjoyed the romance, it’s a slow burn and Julian is a dreamy MMC. The stakes were high, there were some plot twists I didn’t expect and the world building was extensive and well done.
Overall, this is definitely a must read for fans of formula 1. There’s some Easter eggs that fans will enjoy. Sci-fi lovers will also enjoy this book as it combines well sci-fi with romance. I really enjoyed this book, the concept was well executed and it delivered on what it promised! I hope to read more books in this universe !
Thank you so much to Berkley and NetGalley for an arc of this book, opinions are my own.
I’m a big fan of sci-fi and I loved the world the author had created. There’s a lot of explanations and context, so the world makes sense and as readers, we are not thrown into this without knowledge, which I really appreciate. This is marketed as a romance, and while there is a nice romance, it’s not full on romance heavy. This book is definitely more focused on Formula 0 races, strategies team politics, conspiracies and overall character growth, which I liked. That being said, I did really enjoyed the romance, it’s a slow burn and Julian is a dreamy MMC. The stakes were high, there were some plot twists I didn’t expect and the world building was extensive and well done.
Overall, this is definitely a must read for fans of formula 1. There’s some Easter eggs that fans will enjoy. Sci-fi lovers will also enjoy this book as it combines well sci-fi with romance. I really enjoyed this book, the concept was well executed and it delivered on what it promised! I hope to read more books in this universe !
Thank you so much to Berkley and NetGalley for an arc of this book, opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If there’s two things I love in romance books it’s friends to lovers and sports. Well, Formula Zero was right up my alley because not only did it have that but it also featured one of my favourite sports - F1 (with a twist)! This intergalactic romcom is suprisingly charming and just zany enough. It has a few moments that kind of remind me of the 1990’s game F-Zero X crossed with the real-life F1. It has nods to real tracks (like Monza and Monaco), and some easter eggs to some on-track drama, but is different enough to stand on it’s own.
The sci-fi setting was not especially deep (we don’t really see much of the world outside of the tracks) but it was intriguing - with tracks featured on Mars, and other planets. Everything is explained well, but does not feel like an info-dump, which is appreciated. And while the book really focused on Maddie’s career and the politics of said career, what really stood out to me was Julian and Maddie’s friendship, their budding romance, and their navigation of grief. I really enjoyed their growth, their support, and their competitiveness.
Thank you to Berkley for an ARC. All opinions are my own.
The sci-fi setting was not especially deep (we don’t really see much of the world outside of the tracks) but it was intriguing - with tracks featured on Mars, and other planets. Everything is explained well, but does not feel like an info-dump, which is appreciated. And while the book really focused on Maddie’s career and the politics of said career, what really stood out to me was Julian and Maddie’s friendship, their budding romance, and their navigation of grief. I really enjoyed their growth, their support, and their competitiveness.
Thank you to Berkley for an ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a 3.5 star read for me ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
It is like a space Formula One soap opera!! DRAMA!!
🤝⚔️❤️Friends to Rivals to Lovers
🚀🏁💖Sci-Fi Sports Romance
Single POV
Mystery
I wasn’t sure how I felt about this at first. I was a little thrown off by the futuristic setting. But once the drama kicked in, I was hooked and completely antsy for more. There’s so much happening behind the scenes: sabotage, ruthless rival team competition, attempted murder, and backstabbing. The tension is constantly at an all-time high.
This story follows Clarke, a Formula Zero racer fighting against all odds to come out on top. She has to face relentless adversity, not just on the track, but within her own family. Along the way, she ends up relying on the people she least expects, and it’s so rewarding to watch her truly come into her own. Once she realizes she has nothing to lose, she fully taps in. She becomes no-nonsense and self-assured, learning that no matter what others think of her, she knows her talent and her worth and that she has what it takes to win and to get the guy.
The spice was minimal, but the tension never wavered. 🌶️
I wanted to thank Netgally for this ARC
It is like a space Formula One soap opera!! DRAMA!!
🤝⚔️❤️Friends to Rivals to Lovers
🚀🏁💖Sci-Fi Sports Romance
Single POV
Mystery
I wasn’t sure how I felt about this at first. I was a little thrown off by the futuristic setting. But once the drama kicked in, I was hooked and completely antsy for more. There’s so much happening behind the scenes: sabotage, ruthless rival team competition, attempted murder, and backstabbing. The tension is constantly at an all-time high.
This story follows Clarke, a Formula Zero racer fighting against all odds to come out on top. She has to face relentless adversity, not just on the track, but within her own family. Along the way, she ends up relying on the people she least expects, and it’s so rewarding to watch her truly come into her own. Once she realizes she has nothing to lose, she fully taps in. She becomes no-nonsense and self-assured, learning that no matter what others think of her, she knows her talent and her worth and that she has what it takes to win and to get the guy.
The spice was minimal, but the tension never wavered. 🌶️
I wanted to thank Netgally for this ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you so much to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this release!!
I felt immense emotion and dedication for the first time out of all the books I've read so far in 2026... this was absolutely spectacular. The concept of F0 and interplanetary racing is the most original thing I've read in a long time, and the book was a great mix of explaining the world, concept, rules, etc. while also maintaining the storyline without it seeming daunting. I absolutely loved Clarke and Julian (though I'm not sure if I ever came to realize why she goes by Clarke, and not Madeline, just that she rarely goes by Maddie unless it's in JULIAN'S VOICE THAT I CAN HEAR IN MY HEAD.) I loved Julian and I could feel the YEARNING. I teared up multiple times throughout the read, feeling for both of them as they battled their... complicated relationship, to say the least. I ended up staying up until 1:30am (my bedtime is 10:30...) to finish the book and it was the best decision I've ever made. I can't wait to reread my favorite parts when I'm in an Angsty mood!!
I felt immense emotion and dedication for the first time out of all the books I've read so far in 2026... this was absolutely spectacular. The concept of F0 and interplanetary racing is the most original thing I've read in a long time, and the book was a great mix of explaining the world, concept, rules, etc. while also maintaining the storyline without it seeming daunting. I absolutely loved Clarke and Julian (though I'm not sure if I ever came to realize why she goes by Clarke, and not Madeline, just that she rarely goes by Maddie unless it's in JULIAN'S VOICE THAT I CAN HEAR IN MY HEAD.) I loved Julian and I could feel the YEARNING. I teared up multiple times throughout the read, feeling for both of them as they battled their... complicated relationship, to say the least. I ended up staying up until 1:30am (my bedtime is 10:30...) to finish the book and it was the best decision I've ever made. I can't wait to reread my favorite parts when I'm in an Angsty mood!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5/5
This was so fun!
I did find the chemistry to be a little flat at times. There were some moments that felt a little monotone, especially when they were getting into the minutia of the sport.
I really did love this twist on a Formula One romance. It's Formula One in space! Isn't that fun?!
I am always down to find a new sci-fi-esque romance situation. (There's also a childhood friends to rivals to lovers type of situation.)
I do think this would've benefited from a bit more world-building and character focus. But I had a good time reading this and think a lot of people will too!
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
This was so fun!
I did find the chemistry to be a little flat at times. There were some moments that felt a little monotone, especially when they were getting into the minutia of the sport.
I really did love this twist on a Formula One romance. It's Formula One in space! Isn't that fun?!
I am always down to find a new sci-fi-esque romance situation. (There's also a childhood friends to rivals to lovers type of situation.)
I do think this would've benefited from a bit more world-building and character focus. But I had a good time reading this and think a lot of people will too!
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Intergallactic F1 racing is such a concept that I was nothing more than excited when I got the ARC for this! The writing is also something special because it is so immersive and tantlizing I didn't want to put the book down even after realizing it probably wasn't for me. The chemistry was absolutely off the charts, and I felt like I was in the room with them and could feel the tension, and it was delightful. My only problem was the fact that it dragged on for a bit at the end and was a little longer than I felt was needed. I am extremely excited to read more from Meredith Lanzen!!
January 15, 2026
Sports sci-fi romance. Formula 1 racing BUT in space. Add in childhood friends-to-rivals-to-lovers!
With a sci-fi dash of world building, the racing on page is full of so much tension, I found myself speeding through it.
More focused on how humans live in space, the politics, and racing details versus romance. I still really enjoyed it. There was great character development throughout.
With a sci-fi dash of world building, the racing on page is full of so much tension, I found myself speeding through it.
More focused on how humans live in space, the politics, and racing details versus romance. I still really enjoyed it. There was great character development throughout.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you so much to netgalley for the opportunity to read this early!! I was so sat for this book. Galactic formula one are you kidding??? So so good. Very well written. I loved the chemistry so much, and the tension even more. Highly reccomend.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
A racing romance set in space! A cute story with lots of little twists. But the best part was the world building around it. Very cool.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews