Racing Hearts

by Grace Newman, Unknown Author

Racing was a solo sport. Until now.

Georgia is making history in the F1 world as the lead racer of the first all-female team. Already at the top of her game, she wants to win the World Driver's Championship but that means proving herself among the men.

Luca's racing career has been quite different; a whirlwind of fame and women, but his love for racing is starting to wane. After a reckless yacht incident, he now faces losing his precious Hermes seat.

While at a club post-race, Georgia and Luca fatefully cross paths. Although it was only a drunken, meaningless the paparazzi strike, and the fans love it. With the best PR either of them have had, their teams urge to continue a fake romance until the end of the season.

But how far will they go for their careers and reputation? And will they be crossing the finishing line together?

A spicy, rivals-to-lovers fake dating sports romance that fans of Simone Soltani and Tessa Bailey will love.

Genres: Audiobook, Romance, Sports, Sports Romance

Paperback

Reviews

[Kaylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Grace Newman and NetGalley for an ARC of this amazing book! Luca is most certainly being added to my list of book boyfriends. The spice in this book was next level, and I enjoyed the character dynamics.

Some things I enjoyed about the book are:
- its feminist take on F1 and its exclusion of women (I’d love to see female F1 drivers IRL)
- the fake dating trope (I eat it up EVERY time)
- the vulnerability of Luca, both with his relationship to Georgia and with his father
- a romantic connection that was palpable and powerful between Georgia and Luca

Definitely an amazing read- anyone interested in romance, F1/sports, and strong female characters would enjoy this book!

🏁 ❤️🏎️

[Melody (buenobooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW:

This was such a fun and easy read!

I’m a huge Motorsport fan, especially F1 so I am a bit of a critique and picky when it comes to my Motorsport romance!

My favorite thing about this book was its focus on the sport as well as the romance, sometimes it’s just a backdrop in the Motorsport romcom but I felt it was the opposite with this story. There was so much racing content and although it’s not term perfect in terms of sports jargon it was still very well explained and I did enjoy! Anyone could read it and pick up on what’s going on sports wise which I think is a great aspect to have.

The characters were great, Luca was such a dynamic and moody character, loved how cocky and broody he was and exactly what I expected for a sports romance.

The FMC Georgia was a fiery, hot headed and fun character, I enjoyed her moody personality and her fighting for females recognition in the sport!

There were some great rivals and side characters too which made the story all more interesting and fun.

Overall the romance was sweet and exactly what I expected. I really enjoyed this read and loved the female team aspect and would recommend to anyone who loves a sport romance!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Georgia and Luca are both F1 racers on competing teams who find themselves in hot water after being photographed getting a little too close after a few drinks. To smooth things over, their teams come up with a PR-friendly solution: fake dating to boost both of their brands. Suddenly, Georgia and Luca are spending way more time together than either expected, and the lines between fake and real start to blur.

This was a quick and easy sports romance with plenty of forced proximity and fake dating thrown into the mix. I really enjoyed the F1 racing backdrop and the behind-the-scenes glimpse into the sport. Georgia and Luca had solid banter and chemistry, but it never quite developed into the kind of emotional tension or depth I was hoping for, leaving me wanting more. The writing was also quite repetitive at times, with certain phrases and beats reappearing often, and the plot lost a bit of focus in the middle.

Overall, this was a light, fast-paced F1 romance featuring fake dating, sports drama, and a fun dynamic between two rivals forced into the spotlight together.

Thank you to Hera Books and NetGalley for the ARC. All reviews are my own.

[Kaija · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed this! I love F1 and so I’ve fallen down the F1 romance rabbit hole!
I am OBSESSED with Luca and Georgia! Luca has that funny slightly cocky charm, but also was the perfect blend for Georgia and her seriousness!

I’m not entirely sure how to review this without spoiling it but it was such a fun slightly light hearted (for me at least) good rival to lovers sports romance!!

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC!!

[Lisa_Book_by_Book · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

This book didn’t quite meet its potential for me, but I think there are readers that will really enjoy it!

I love fake dating and I love Formula 1, so the setup for this is right up my alley. The book does a good job of highlighting what it’s like to be a woman pushing to be accepted in a male dominated field. Georgia is both treated with less respect and held to a higher standard. When her and Luca’s relationship comes under professional scrutiny, the consequences for her are significantly worse and that felt realistic to me. I also enjoyed the contrast and comparison of Luca’s father and Georgia when it comes to their love of racing and the ways they both push Luca to be better (with mixed results).

The romance is fine. It has moments of great chemistry and fun banter, but the pacing feels uneven. The deeper intimacy between the two characters often feels unearned and out of character. If there had been more going on outside of the romance this might have felt less jarring, but there are very few scenes outside of the interactions between Georgia and Luca.

Overall, my impression is that I was left a bit wanting with the plot.

You get to join the story with a successful, female led racing team and the excitement and pressure that comes along with it, but you never really find out how they got to that point. I was curious how the all women team came together and would have loved a bit more detail.

I also wanted more description, both from characters and from the international settings. Aside from mentioning what city they were in for which race, the settings are virtually indistinguishably from each other. Main characters are described with the bare basics and other characters aren’t described at all. While this will be great for readers who are looking to self-insert or who don’t want to be limited by visual specifics, it left me feeling very unmoored in the story. F1 is full of people of different nationalities, and to not convey that by at least letting me know what flag each driver races under made it hard for me to connect to the characters.

And finally, I really would have loved to see a real conversation between Lily and Georgia about the challenges of being a woman in F1. Lily is there for comic relief and to help drive the momentum for the romance, but she is equally as affected by the things Georgia is struggling with. You do get hints of it, but I wanted more.

Overall the characters are likeable, the banter is fun, and I did enjoy my time reading it. I think this might best be suited for readers with a casual interest in Formula 1 who are looking for a romance that gets into the details of the unfair standards women are held to without a lot of world building or depth in the sport.

Thank you to DK, Hera, and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really excited to get into this book as I absolutely love an F1 romance and honestly there just aren't enough for me.
I liked the idea of this story and where I thought it could go. More women in Motorsport and in F1 especially is always good to see even fictional.
I especially liked the fact that this directly spoke about that issue and the misogyny that is still faced, it is a very pertinent discussion that definitely needs more publicity.
For the rest of the story, I did enjoy the romance development between them both but it did get to a point where it felt very predictable and a bit more of a basic romance plot line. It was still enjoyable but just not necessarily outstanding.
I also felt like it did a lot of explaining F1 terminology and set-up as well, which I can understand a few times but it did get a bit repetitive.
Overall, not too bad but not one of my favourites.
Favourite Quote - "If if known we'd be given handsome boyfriends if we sucked at media, I would have started swearing at reporters weeks ago,"
Favourite Character - Lily

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars ⭐️ Back-to-back-to-back F1 romances. In this one, we have two F1 drivers with a missed connection, who now find themselves in a fake dating relationship. While this was a fun read with good banter, it left me wanting more in a lot of ways.

Most significantly, the book did suffer a bit from white room syndrome. There was a level of over-clarification about how the sport works, but simple character and setting details were missing throughout.

What this book did really well was highlighting the struggles of being a headstrong female driver in such a male dominated field. It reminded me a lot of Hat Trick by Chelsea Curto in that way. So, if you are a casual sports romance fan looking for strong fmc representation, I would recommend Racing Hearts.

As always, thank you to Hera Books and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy, and for the opportunity to give my honest feedback.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grace Newman’s *Racing Hearts* is an entertaining and fast paced sports romance that delivers plenty of drama, chemistry, and high stakes tension, even if it does not fully reach the depth it sometimes promises. With its Formula 1 backdrop, rivals to lovers dynamic, and fake dating premise, the novel has all the ingredients for a standout read. While it is engaging and enjoyable throughout, some uneven character development and familiar plot beats bring it to a solid 3.5 star rating.

The story centers on Georgia, a groundbreaking driver leading the first all female F1 team. Her determination to prove herself in a male dominated sport is one of the most compelling aspects of the book. She is driven, focused, and under constant pressure, and these elements are portrayed in a way that makes her easy to root for. However, while her ambition is clear, her internal struggles are not always explored as deeply as they could be. There are moments where her character feels slightly underdeveloped, particularly when it comes to balancing her personal and professional identity.

Luca, on the other hand, starts off as the classic reckless and arrogant rival, but his character does gain more nuance as the story progresses. His waning passion for racing and the threat of losing his position add an interesting layer to his arc. That said, some aspects of his development feel a bit predictable, following familiar patterns often seen in this type of romance. While he is likable and has strong chemistry with Georgia, his transformation could have been more gradual and emotionally detailed.

The fake dating trope is handled in a way that is enjoyable, even if it does not always feel particularly fresh. The initial setup is fun, and the tension between what is real and what is staged adds a layer of intrigue. However, the transition from fake to real feelings happens somewhat quickly, which slightly reduces the emotional payoff. There are still plenty of moments of chemistry and tension, but they do not always feel as deeply built as they could have been.

The Formula 1 setting is one of the highlights of the novel. The racing scenes are vivid and energetic, capturing the speed, pressure, and competitiveness of the sport. Even readers who are not familiar with F1 will be able to follow and enjoy these sections. The behind the scenes elements, including media scrutiny and team dynamics, add to the atmosphere and help ground the story. However, at times the racing feels more like a backdrop than an integrated part of the characters’ emotional journeys.

Where *Racing Hearts* shines most is in its readability. The pacing is quick, the dialogue is engaging, and the overall tone keeps you turning the pages. It is an easy book to get through, with enough tension and romantic moments to stay invested. The banter between Georgia and Luca is often a highlight, bringing both humor and spark to their relationship.

At the same time, the novel does rely on some familiar romance tropes without fully subverting them. Certain plot developments feel predictable, and some conflicts are resolved a bit too neatly. While this does not take away from the enjoyment entirely, it does prevent the story from feeling as impactful or memorable as it could have been.

Overall, *Racing Hearts* is a fun and engaging sports romance that offers strong chemistry, an exciting setting, and an easy reading experience. While it does not fully explore its characters or themes to their fullest potential, it still provides plenty of entertainment and emotional moments.

For its enjoyable premise, dynamic leads, and solid execution, *Racing Hearts* earns a 3.5 star rating. It is a worthwhile read for fans of sports romance, even if it falls slightly short of being truly exceptional.

[Cathy Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A female F1 race winner, now this is what I call a book that can tell young adults that no matter what you can do anything you want! And that it isn't just for men to do these things, us women can do them just as better.

Georgia goes from racing on the track, to using Luka one night at a celebration to get rid of an annoying ex, to being put into a fake dating relationship for funding and press coverages with Luca. She also races along side her brother Henri and another female team member.

Georgia battles out racing to with her brother Henri, making sure that she is better than him and making him fight for a placing. While Luca has a complicated relationship with his parents, with having the impossible role model to keep up with and be better than. Why, because his father was once upon a time a world championship race driver himself.

While Georgia sits at the bar, Luca comes along to get a drink and then the ex (name) comes along being the annoying person that he is. Unexpectedly Georgia uses Luca and the same visa versa to play with his feelings and to get rid of them. What I didn't expect was that they would actually kiss, and what everyone else could see was they thought that it was actually a relationship happening and finally coming out in public.

The Valkirie and Hermes racing team PR come together with a plan, to use Georgia and Luca as a fake relationship to attract more funding and not loose the funding that they have already. While Georgia helps Luca realise why he loved racing, and help him to be a better person, while Luca helps Georgia with her issue with the media/press she has no control over her sassy comebacks, and the anxiety while being in front of the reporters and media outlets.

Well that was an unexpected turn of events, when I thought that this would be a fake dating relationship, but in reality it seems to be something more than what is expected. With feelings running wild, thoughts being there, and a friendship/relationship blooming.

Will this Love/Hate relationship between Georgia and Luca become something more than a fake relationship, will her family actually approve of it if anything does come between the couple, can Georgia overcome her anxiety and sassy attitude with the media and will Luca overcome his loss of love for racing? I guess I'll find out more in the last 50 percent of the book which is where I am at as I am reviewing as going along.

Racing wins, and racing mishaps, racing scandals, reporter scandals.

The reporters, finally she stood up for herself and told them what was what. The way that they treated her cause she was female racing (suppose to be mans place) was not ideal.

It took a race crash (Luca car on fire) for her to realise just how much he meant to her, what she wanted from him. The nerves that she had were high waiting to find out if he was ok.

And then a happy ending for everyone, and a perfect story written. This was amazing and I really did enjoy reading this book and cannot wait for more. And to see where Georgia and Luca get to in another book that is for sure.

[Clauds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spoiler: when an all women team wins the championship in F1, that's when you can really tell young girls they can do everything they put their minds to.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hera Books for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I feel like I need to start off by saying I love Formula 1. It is a big part of my personality, it controls my mood pretty much every weekend and makes me have very high expectations from F1 romances. I want racing, not just the love story, and this book had them both.

Firstly, the racing. I loved the idea of having a team run only by women. F1 is mostly a men's sport, and the representation here was great. I can only hope one day it will actually come true and there will be female drivers on the circuits. And not only was it there for the plot, it was a great team. Good strategies, great drivers and a fantastic car, capable of winning races and fighting for the championship.

I want to point out the fact that F1 was an actual big part of the story, not just a background for the drivers. There was Georgia, passionate and willing to prove that she can win. She lived and breathed racing. Then there was Luca, pilot prodigy whose dad was a living legend of the sport. Things did not suddenly start to go well for either of them, they had bad qualifying sessions and made mistakes that cost them wins; just like in real life, this is an unpredictable sport and anything can happen. I really appreciated that it felt real from this point of view. There were accusations of cheating in a race, which brought in the FIA (as it should have). There was drama and joy and tears and scary moments, just like in reality in Formula 1. So well done to the author for this, I could feel the passion for the sport on every page.

Secondly, the love story. I will always eat up fake dating. Georgia and Luca disliked each other a lot, but they needed each other, in true rivals to lovers fashion. The physical side apart, I enjoyed their connection and how they grew to care for each other. Don't even get me started on Georgia's love confession on the radio when Luca had an accident. It was simply lovely.

They both clearly had stuff they needed to work through and they really helped each other with that. She made him love racing again. He made her more care-free. Overall, they made each other better and it was nice to see them grow together.

That being said, the pacing dragged a little bit for me. There were times when things felt repetitive, and I would have liked to learn more about the side characters. I definitely could have grown to love them if they would have been a bit more developed.

Even so, this book is perfect to fill the void on a raceless weekend.

[Kate Laycoax · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, so I really wanted to love this one. An all female Formula 1 team? A fierce, talented woman racing alongside the men and winning? That premise alone was intriguing, interesting, and unique. Following Georgia’s journey as both a driver and a woman fighting to be respected in such a male dominated sport was definitely the highlight for me. Honestly, if this fictional team existed, Georgia would be my favorite driver on the grid, no question about it.

I also loved Luca. His character had such a fun, cocky charm that balanced Georgia’s intensity perfectly. From the very first fake dating scene, I was rooting for them, and their dynamic was one of the things that kept me turning pages. There were some genuinely cute, funny moments between them that felt straight out of a rom com.

That said… the story just didn’t totally click for me. It started strong but got bogged down by pacing issues and a lot of repetition. This book felt long, and not in a slow burn kind of way... more like scenes and dialogue that could’ve easily been trimmed without losing anything. There’s also quite a bit of info dumping early on (especially about the sport and the fictional team), and I found myself skimming a bit just to get to the good stuff.

The writing itself has potential, but it definitely reads like a debut. It had uneven pacing, telling instead of showing, and some grammar and formatting errors that pulled me out of the story. And while I liked Georgia and Luca separately, I didn’t fully feel their chemistry. Their relationship moved fast, and the miscommunication trope wasn’t my favorite here because it made things feel messy instead of angsty.

Still, I have to give credit where it’s due: the concept is awesome, the side characters were charming once I got to know them, and I could tell the author is a genuine F1 fan. The passion for the sport comes through on every page, and I love that she created a world where women can stand on the top step of the podium.

Overall, Racing Hearts had all the right things it needed, like a cool premise, a fiery rivals to lovers setup, and a refreshing focus on women in motorsport, but the execution just needed a bit more polish and a tighter edit.

Thank you to NetGalley, Grace Newman, and DK/Hera for the eARC of this book.

[Samantha Ki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace Newman’s Racing Hearts is an emotionally engaging romance that thrives on its vivid character work and energetic, fast-paced writing style. Rather than relying solely on the adrenaline of its racing backdrop, Newman roots the story in the interior lives of her characters, creating a narrative that feels grounded even when it’s fueled by high-speed momentum. Her prose is crisp and vibrant, with a rhythm that mirrors the pulse of competition—quick when it needs to amplify tension, and tenderly slowed during moments of vulnerability.

What elevates the novel is the strength of the two protagonists. Newman excels at writing characters who are both aspirational and unmistakably human. Their ambitions, insecurities, and flashes of stubbornness make them feel lived-in rather than archetypal. Their dynamic is built not only on chemistry, but on mutual challenge—each pushing the other to confront parts of themselves they’ve avoided. Newman portrays their growth with admirable restraint, allowing emotional shifts to emerge organically instead of forcing them to meet predetermined romance beats.

Another clear strength is the dialogue. Newman has a sharp ear for natural speech, and the banter feels warm, witty, and emotionally revealing. Interactions between characters carry subtext—unspoken fears, guarded hopes, and simmering attraction—which gives even quiet scenes a sense of electricity. The supporting cast is also well designed, adding dimension without overwhelming the central narrative. Each side character feels distinct and contributes something meaningful, whether through humor, tension, or quiet grounding.

Newman’s thematic sensibility shines throughout. Racing Hearts explores ambition, resilience, and what it means to trust others with the parts of yourself that are most fragile. These themes are woven in subtly, never overshadowing the romance, but enriching it. The balance between emotional intensity and lighthearted charm makes the novel accessible to readers who love character-driven stories with depth.

Overall, Racing Hearts is a warm, energetic, and skillfully written romance that highlights Grace Newman’s strength in crafting human, compelling characters. It’s the kind of book that makes you feel both exhilarated and unexpectedly moved—a standout entry in contemporary romance.

[Grace C · Rating 4 out of 5]

*A big thanks to Grace Newman and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book; this in no way affects my honest review*

I went into this book hesitantly as a big Formula 1 fan, as most F1 romance books on the market get so many details of the sport wrong; however, I was pleasantly surprised, and it showed that the author is an actual F1fan herself or has done lots of research while writing.

This book does a good job of highlighting what it’s like for a woman trying to succeed in a male-dominated field. George is treated with less respect than her male counterparts, all while being held to a higher standard. Luca, facing fewer consequences and scrutiny for his actions, felt very realistic to the current paddock and other motorsport series.

This was a quick and easy sports romance read, and the romance was fine. There were great moments of chemistry, but something felt missing that I can’t pinpoint.

The pacing feels kinda off, and that might be because I know so much about Formula One, so the lack of off-story progression during weeks felt weird to me. There seems not to be very much difference between the international cities, other than name drops to show that the season is progressing

The story opens with Georgia fighting for the championship in an all-female team, and I would have loved more details about how we got here. There are moments where she vaguely talks about her time in F2 and F3, but nothing is really mentioned about how she progressed to such a male-dominated sport (They also mention the F1 Academy, so did that play into her timeline to F1?). I would also have liked more about Lily, as it feels like she is just used as comedic relief, all while she faces the same challenges in the paddock as Georgia.


I did enjoy the book and will keep an eye out for any more of Grace’s releases; however, I think it would be better suited for people with a casual interest in F1.

[Lilly (Ilenia) · Rating 5 out of 5]

🏁

Thank you to netgalley , hera_books , and authorgracenewman for the ARC of this book!
#reacinghearts

Tropes:
•ENEMIES TO LOVERS
•FAKE DATING
•WOMEN OWNED & OPERATED TEAM
•FEMALE RACER
•SECOND CHANCES
•HE FALLS FIRST
•ONLY ONE ROOM


Let’s start with the protagonists: Georgia and Luca. These two had me laughing out loud with their constant bickering! The chemistry, the jokes, the fake-but-not-so-fake relationship — chef’s kiss.

Georgia Dubois is an absolute BADASS. In a sport dominated by men, she refuses to be underestimated. I loved the moment when the press asked, “How lucky do you feel to have finally won a race?” and she replied, “No luck. I earned this victory.” YES, girl, you did!

Georgia is determined to reach the Formula 1 podium and prove that women deserve their place in this world. It’s such a strong feminist message — that determination and hard work matter, and that women can break barriers in any field. I loved every second of it. It felt so relevant and empowering, showing how perseverance can truly change things. Her relationship with her brother was also amazing — I adored how they always have each other’s backs.

As for Luca Rossi, he struggles with his reputation as a playboy and party guy — the son of an F1 legend with all the expectations that come with it. When his performance starts to decline and his contract with Hermes is at risk, he really steps up. I loved seeing him focus, grow, and prove that he’s not just a spoiled rich kid but someone loyal, driven, and kind.

This book made MY HEART RACE! With a captivating writing and an electrifying story ,Grace Newman transported me to a new world full of determination, adrenaline, sacrifice, passion, and yes… the spice and the yearning is ON POINT.

I loved how it perfectly blends humor, love, family, teamwork, and ambition.

If you’re an F1 lover, YOU CAN’T SKIP THIS READ. Trust me.

[Dee_Lyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️ | 🏎️ Fake dating (until it wasn’t) in the F1 paddock, rivals to lovers a reformed playboy, and FMC breaking barriers

One thing I really appreciated is how clear it is that Grace Newman loves Formula One. The racing scenes felt authentic and exciting, and you could feel the energy of race weekends, the competition, and the pressure of the sport. Even if you’re not a big F1 fan, those parts are easy to enjoy.

Racing Hearts started a little slow for me, but once the fake dating storyline kicked in the book really picked up and I started having a lot more fun with it.

Georgia was easy to root for as an FMC. I loved seeing a woman breaking barriers in F1 and holding her own in such a competitive world. Her dynamic with her brother Henri racing on the same team was also one of my favorite parts — supportive, respectful, and still competitive.

And once Luca starts actually falling for Georgia? That’s when the romance really worked for me. The Mallorca trip, the yacht moments, and the charm bracelet were some of my favorite little relationship moments.

Overall this one was more of a slow warm-up for me, but the fake dating tension, racing vibes, and Georgia’s storyline made it an enjoyable read.

✨Tropes✨
🏎️ F1 romance
💋 Fake dating (until it wasn’t)
😈 Reformed playboy
🏁 Rivals to lovers
👩‍🏎️ Woman breaking barriers
👨‍👩‍👧 Racing family / siblings in the sport
🗣️ Dual POV

What I Loved
👩‍🏎️ Georgia breaking barriers in F1
🏎️ Racing scenes written by someone who clearly loves the sport
👫 Georgia & Henri racing together with mutual respect
💘 Luca slowly catching real feelings
🌴 Mallorca trip vibes
🛥️ The yacht scenes
✨ The charm bracelet

[Ramona Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mit Chasing Hearts habe ich mich an ein für mich völlig neues Setting gewagt und wurde wirklich positiv überrascht.
Das Thema Formel 1 war für mich bisher eher Neuland, aber genau das hat für mich den Reiz ausgemacht. Die Einblicke in die Welt des Motorsports wirken lebendig und authentisch, ohne übertrieben überfordernd zu sein. Man bekommt ein gutes Gefühl für die Dynamik, den Druck und die Atmosphäre hinter den Kulissen, auch wenn man sich vorher nicht damit auskannte.
Was mich allerdings sofort abgeholt hat, war der Trope Fake Dating. Ich liebe ihn einfach. In Kombination mit dem Rivalen-Aspekt sorgt das für genau die Spannung und Dynamik, die ich mir erhofft habe. Das Knistern zwischen den Figuren ist von Anfang an spürbar, die Wortgefechte machen Laune und die Entwicklung der Beziehung ist unterhaltsam zu verfolgen.
Der Schreibstil liest sich angenehm flüssig und locker, sodass man schnell durch die Seiten kommt. Es ist definitiv ein Buch, das man einfach so wegliest. Gleichzeitig hätte ich mir an manchen Stellen aber etwas mehr Tiefe gewünscht. Die emotionalen Momente sind da, aber sie hätten für meinen Geschmack noch intensiver ausgearbeitet sein können, um die Verbindung zu den Figuren noch stärker zu machen. Das macht für mich eine gute Sports ROMANCE einfach aus.
Trotzdem hat mich die Geschichte insgesamt gut unterhalten. Gerade die Mischung aus neuem Setting, bekannten Tropes und einer leichten, zugänglichen Erzählweise macht das Buch zu einem schönen Read für zwischendurch.

[Amanda Chartrand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an early copy of this book for review! 😊
Reading this was for the version of myself that gets giggly after watching one too many edits of Charles Leclerc on my TikTok FYP 🤭.
As someone who has gotten pretty familiar with F1 (this year is my first time watching a full season 😊) I found this pretty accurate. However, you can go into this knowing 0 about the sport. I enjoyed how this book focused on women in motorsports.. Because we don’t see them a whole lot and we need more women in F1! This made me desperate to see a woman driver on the grid someday! I loved the F1 drivers romance mixed with fake dating and thought the romance was well done. There were times the pacing dragged for me, and it kind of got repetitive at points. I felt like the characters could have been a little more developed and I wasn’t super connected to them, but was really invested in their story. This was one of the more enjoyable F1 romances I've read (shhhh 🤫 I haven’t read an embarrassing amount of F1 romances😅🏎️💕) and I would recommend this if you like sports romance.. Or you’re obsessed with F1 like me and need something to fill the void on a raceless weekend 😊.

Lol and funny story while I was reading this book Charles Leclerc got engaged💍.. This is the 2nd time a big athlete engagement has happened in the sport I'm reading about whilst reading. I know the right time to pick up a sports romance. 🤣

[Anneasse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating : 3.25/5 stars

"Maybe, in all my effort to seem composed and untouchable, I'd forgotten that love was messy, and wild, and brave."

Unfortunately, this one was a miss for me—partly due to my own lack of interest in PR/fake-relationship tropes and not being the biggest fan of the "I'm a playboy, but it all changed because of you" archetype. That said, I can absolutely see it being a huge hit for others !

If you're wondering "Why the miss?"—here's the breakdown.

The spice is undeniably strong: the descriptions are vivid, the sexual tension between the leads simmers perfectly, leaving you hanging and craving more. The moment the lines of their PR arrangement start to blur—when they actually get to know each other—you can't help but root for them. They genuinely bring out the best in one another and provide a safe space that feels earned.

My main issues were a few plot holes (in my opinion), especially around Georgia and her twin Henri's relationship. It felt underdeveloped—there are hints that could set up a sequel where it's explored more deeply, but it needed at least some acknowledgment in this book. How is Georgia not more open with her own twin? And what about Elliot's presence mysteriously vanishing the instant the big misunderstanding hits? Those loose ends nagged at me.

On the F1 side, the explanations are accessible and easy to follow for non-fans of the sport, though they do get a bit repetitive. I also found it a touch silly that a team on the brink of bankruptcy somehow has the fastest car—though, to be fair, real-life precedents like Jenson Button's WDC win in a similar underdog scenario show it's not impossible. The misogyny threaded throughout is palpable: the mistreatment, biases, and outright hostility toward Valkyrie's team come through clearly and add real tension to the story.

Overall, solid execution on the romance and heat, with some thoughtful commentary on the sport's issues, but the unresolved elements and personal trope mismatches held it back for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-copy of the book !

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to @authorgracenewman @hera_books and @netgalley for the eARC.

For most people today is Super Bowl Sunday. For me? It’s FOUR. MORE. WEEKS. UNTIL. THE. 2026. F1. SEASON. STARTS!!! And yes, I am counting aggressively 🏁

So obviously I’m here with an F1 romance because waiting is hard and books are coping mechanisms.

If you love rivals/enemies to lovers, fake dating, and high stakes tension both on and off the track, buckle up.

“Racing was a solo sport. Until now.”

Georgia is making history as the lead driver of the first all female F1 team. She’s already elite, but winning the World Driver’s Championship would mean proving, again and again, that she belongs in a sport dominated by men who would love to see her fail. No pressure.

Then there’s Luca. Hot. Famous. Messy. A racing career built on talent and bad decisions. After a reckless yacht incident, he’s suddenly at risk of losing his Hermes seat and maybe the spark he once had for racing.

One drunken, totally meaningless kiss after a race. Paparazzi say absolutely not meaningless. Fans are obsessed.

Cue a fake relationship their PR teams are thrilled about and neither of them are prepared for. Lines blur, feelings catch fire, and suddenly racing isn’t the only thing on the line.

Perfect if you’re counting down to F1 like I am and need something fast, flirty, and dramatic to hold you over.

[Lea Lutz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nette Geschichte

Ich hatte mich sehr auf das Buch gefreut, aber die Geschichte konnte meine Erwartungen nicht vollständig erfüllen.

Die Geschichte rund um Georgia und Luca war ganz nett, mehr aber leider nicht. Das Thema Formel 1 wurde zwar aufgegriffen, aber es gab immer wieder Dinge, die einfach nicht korrekt dargestellt wurden. Meiner Meinung hat da die Recherche über den Sport teilweise gefehlt.
Die Liebesgeschichte an sich fand ich sehr gut gemacht und auch die spicy Szenen waren meiner Meinung nach sehr gezielt und nicht zu häufig angelegt.
Die Charaktere blieben zum Teil eher flach, vor allem Georgia. Über Luca und die Beziehung zu seiner Familie hat man viel erfahren und seine inneren Konflikte waren auch gut beschrieben. Georgia dagegen blieb eher flach und der Fokus bei ihr war auf ihr Verhalten in bestimmten Situationen gelegt. Einzig die Beziehung zu ihrem Zwillingsbruder wurde ein bisschen tiefer beleuchtet. Ansonsten blieb ihr Charakter aber eher flach.
Der Schreibstil war sehr gut lesbar und hat sehr viel Spaß beim Lesen gemacht.
Die Szene mit dem Hamster mochte ich besonders gern und mich hätte es interessiert, was im weiteren Verlauf der Geschichte aus dem Tierchen wurde.
Insgesamt ein eher mittelmäßiges Buch mit wenig Fachwissen und einer schönen Liebesgeschichte.

[C B · Rating 5 out of 5]

‼️no spoiler review‼️

if you’re a Formula 1 girly, don’t walk, RUN to preorder this F1 romance! ❤️‍🔥

this book now firmly has pole position in my list of fav F1 books, from the get go I was dunked into the world of Formula 1, not only that, you feel like you’re right their in the car with Georgia.

getting a book that stays true to the sport is proving rather difficult now that F1 is on the rise amongst female fans, but this one, this one sticks to how the sport is ran and how difficult it can be for a woman in a male dominated industry! as well as explaining everything in a manner that even non F1 fans will understand! 10/10 in my eyes! 🤩

there’s drama, there’s spice, there’s romance (seriously the MMC Luca is a cutieee 🤩 and a bad boy 😉) there’s parts that make you grit your teeth and clench your fists.. absolutely loved this book! and yes, I did experience every other emotion too 😂

the perfect book for seasoned Formula 1 fans and for those who want to test the waters but also actually understand the sport! obsessed! and I am desperately waiting the next instalment of this series!

big thanks to @Netgalley & Grace Newman for sending me over a copy of this absolute banger ✨

[Julienne Thibodeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, you had me at sexy Italian Formula 1 driver. I mean, Luca Rossi is the literary embodiment of all my F1 boyfriends rolled into one. LeClerc's hair, Hamilton's swagger, and Ricc's, well, everything else, including sex appeal that was dripping off the page.

I've been a fan of F1 for a few years, and to say that I was thrilled to get my hands on this ARC is an understatement. So believe me when I say that Grace Newman delivered. I was not disappointed whatsoever and read through it faster than it takes to finish a Grand Prix. Racing Hearts is the story of F1 drivers Georgia and Luca and takes us on their journey to navigate the very fast-paced and unforgiving world of Formula 1. Starting out as rivals, they find themselves in a PR showmance of sorts that ends up being anything but fake. This book was spicy, oh-so-spicy, witty, sweet, and had you rooting for them every step of the way.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hera books for the advanced copy of Racing Hearts. This was my first book by Grace Newman but I'll definitely be looking for others, especially is she continues this storyline with a certain twin. Just putting that out there.

[KC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Racing Hearts follows Georgia, one of the first female F1 racers on an all female lead team, and Luca a former racing prodigy needing to improve least he lose his seat.

What I loved about this book was the F1 racing element. There was a good balance of being knowledgeable about the sport but also making sure that those who do not have any background would understand the plot and racing concepts. Georgia was passionate and knowledge. Because f1 is a hugely male dominated sport, there were great conversations about being women in a male dominated field and how everything they do is held under such scrutiny and to a different standard than the men.

Luca was an interesting character who was multiple faceted but complimented Georgia’s passion. They each could have been a little more developed, which I feel could have helped their chemistry which at time felt a little flat. This could be a result of the pacing, which dragged at times and felt a little repetitive. Overall, this is a fun intro read for anyone wanting to start more F1 romances.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Tiffany Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5
Racing Hearts was such a fun surprise! I loved the blend of F1 adrenaline, fake dating, and enemies-to-lovers energy. Georgia was so easy to root for—strong, determined, and constantly pushing back against the pressure and misogyny in the sport. We need more women-centered motorsports stories like this!

Luca was great too. He starts off feeling like your typical charismatic playboy rival, but he ends up being thoughtful, supportive, and totally swoony. Their chemistry was so good, and the banter made this such a fast, easy read.

The behind-the-scenes racing details were just enough to make the world feel immersive without bogging down the romance. Even if you’re not super into F1, this is still completely approachable.

My only small complaint is that I wanted a little more emotional depth in places—but honestly, I still flew through it and had a great time.

Fast, fun, feminist-leaning, and full of great chemistry. I’d absolutely read more in this world.

[Kenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC copy!!

This was super fun! I've read a few F1 romances, but never one with a woman driver. I was immediately in love with Georgia's spunky character and take no shit attitude. Her clapbacks at the reporters were honestly some of my favourite parts of the book!

I also really liked Luca. They had some great banter, and I thought the development of their relationship was very well done. The slow build and tension was great!

Luca and Georgia both had very intriguing storylines aside from their relationship as well. It made for some great angst and emotional moments.

There's a great cast of side characters, and a very strong found family vibe which is something I love! There were some hints thrown at future relationships and I can't wait to see how this world is expanded.

My only issue with this book was pacing. Even though it's a fairly standard length romance, it felt much longer and at times did feel as if it was dragging.

[The Little Death · Rating 4 out of 5]

The good: I loved this book and needed to get to the end. I thought that the development of these characters was done so well and I fell in love with both of them. I think the tension with the people around them was just right and spoke to why they needed to be fake dating, which is sometimes SO overdone or dumb. I really enjoyed this book and always wanted to know what was going to happen next!

The meh: Not many notes on this one, I really enjoyed it and felt the writing kept the story moving. Maybe a few plot holes that could have been fixed with people just talking openly to each other, but honestly, that's the nature of the beast!

The verdict: This is a must for sports romance lovers! The spice was good but not overkill; the guy just felt really hot and jumped off the page to me. I love a road to redemption along with strong females and this had both! It was also just nice to see that rivals can champion each other, too.

[Victory00 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wunderschönes Cover zu einem wirklich tollen Buch!

Chasing hearts hat mich wirklich begeistert. Das Cover stellt sehr gut den Handlungshintergrund, nämlich die Formel 1 sehr gut da. Beide Protagonisten wurden sehr zentriert aufs Cover gestellt und wirken sehr selbstsicher.

Georgia Dubois, als Protagonistin, welche ihren Traum verfolgt, als erste Frau Formel 1 Weltmeisterin zu werden, hat mich sehr überzeugt. Sie ist mutig und schlagfertig und setzt sich für Dinge ein, die ihr wichtig sind.
Luca, als männlicher Protagonist hat mir auch sehr gut gefallen, welcher mit Selbstzweifeln, aber auch einer schwierigen Sohn-Vater-Beziehung zu kämpfen hat. Beide haben dasselbe Ziel und verfolgen dieses. Die Fakebeziehung zwischen beiden sowie die aufkeimenden Liebesgefühle waren sehr überzeugend. Das Buch hat ebenso einen rundum gelungenen Abschluss gefunden.

[Hannah Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book in a blind date with a book. It said fake dating and enemies to lovers and I was IN. When I opened it I for some reason was upset. I think it was because the blind book was $40 when the book itself was $18. However, I do not regret spending $40 on this book. I had so much fun reading it, it was fast paced (makes sense bc F1 lol) but like the romance was not. I spent the first 200 pages forgetting that there was supposed to be spice in the book because I was having so much fun I genuinely did not care. For a first book from this author I think it was an absolute banger. I never thought I would enjoy an F1 romance but I think It might be a new genre I need to explore more of and I cannot wait for the second book.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you DK and NetGalley for the DRC of Racing Hearts! All opinions in this review are my own.

I love the all-female team and how it goes deeper into what being a woman means in the sport. While other F1 romances will cover the same topic, Newman expertly shows all facets of how Georgia is scrunitized in the sport.

I also like that Georgia is already a driver and wins from the first chapter. It is a refreshing plot line from just trying to get into the sport. Georgia already has a spot on the grid and is taking up space. She is fighting for championship and earns the triple crown in motorsport.

[HeadCanonHeadCase · Rating 2 out of 5]

Georgia is an F1 driver who constantly has to prove herself to the media despite her winning record. Luca is struggling to hold onto his position thanks to off-track drama. When a kiss is caught on camera, will harnessing all the attention that follows help them cement their place on the circuit?

Read if you like:
-Fake Dating
-F1 Romance
-Brother's Teammate

Racing Hearts just wasn't for me. There wasn't enough backstory/characterization for me to connect with either Georgia or Luca and I just couldn't get into the book. It might be for you if you are looking for fake dating vibes and you aren't picky about how much plot accompanies those vibes.