Formula Dreams: Race Fever, Book 4

Race Fever #4

by Sawyer Bennett, Sean Masters (Narrator), Kit Swann (Narrator)

Things heat up on and off the track when the first female driver in Formula International history goes head-to-head with one of the sport’s biggest names. Formula Dreams is a high-speed enemies-to-lovers standalone romance.

Francesca Accardi is rewriting the record books at Titans Racing. With the first female team owner in her corner and the weight of history on her shoulders, she knows the only way to silence doubters is to win. Every lap. Every race.

Ronan Barnes dominates on Sunday and dares the world to judge him on Monday. Arrogant, electric, relentless, he has no time for niceties—or for the rookie who refuses to yield. Forced together for press tours and charity laps, their sniping becomes a spark neither can shake. But rival teams don’t tolerate distractions, sponsors spook fast, and one misstep could cost Francesca her seat and Ronan his shot at the championship.

When Ronan’s private life—and his mother’s addiction—become an issue he can no longer avoid, Francesca is there as his emotional support. Compassion cracks his armor. He defends her in the paddock; she stands beside him when it matters. Enemies become allies. Allies become something no rule book can define.

With a title on the line, they must her hard-won seat, his crown, or a future together—if they dare cross the line.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Enemies To Lovers, Contemporary, Sports, Sports Romance, Contemporary Romance

Audible Audio

Published November 14, 2025

About the author

New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Sawyer Bennett uses real life experience to create relatable stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From contemporary romance, fantasy romance, and both women’s and general fiction, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

A former trial lawyer from North Carolina, when she is not bringing fiction to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to her very adorable daughter, as well as full-time servant to her wonderfully naughty dogs.

If you’d like to receive a notification when Sawyer releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter (sawyerbennett.com/signup).

Reviews

[Anas Attic Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Formula Dreams by Sawyer Bennett
Narrated by Sean Masters and Kitt Swann
4th standalone in an interconnected series.
4.75 Stars
Thank you Sawyer for an early copy for review. Full disclosure: I do some PA work for Sawyer, but I try very hard to not let that affect my reviews. Still, there may be unconscious bias. This review contains affiliate links.

We’re back with Titans Racing with Formula Dreams by Sawyer Bennett. Formula Dreams stands alone perfectly, but we met Francesca Accardi in earlier Race Fever Series books when Brienne Norcross, owner of Titans Racing (and the Pittsburgh Titans hockey team), hired the first female Formula International driver.

“I don’t want to be a symbol. I most certainly don’t want to be a gimmick. I want to drive—fast, focused and feared. I want them to talk about my cornering, my braking zones, my times—not my chromosomes. Or my mascara.”

Francesca is feisty, focused, and determined to prove she belongs on the track with the guys despite the press and publicity. If only people cared about her driving as much as the makeup underneath her helmet.

We already knew Ronan Barnes, and I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure he was redeemable after how he behaved in Formula Fling, the first book in the Race Fever Series. He even started Formula Dreams as the asshole who impeded Francesca’s first qualifying.

“Ronan Barnes. Too gorgeous for his own good and the cocky attitude to match. I’ve known him for years—karting, FI3, FI2. Always the same swagger, the same smirk beneath dazzling blue eyes. He’s brilliant, fast and never plays nice.”

But if you know Sawyer, you know she can redeem anyone. Ronan’s mother is an out-of-control alcoholic who regularly checks herself out of rehab and often publicly embarrasses him. His father leaves the fallout for Ronan to handle, so he carries way more than most people see.

When the Crown Velocity team and the Titans team are paired up for sponsor promos, Ronan and Francesca are thrown together for a series of competitive challenges. Francesca slowly saw what was behind Ronan’s walls, and I loved how she knocked those walls down brick by brick and softened him in all the right ways.

There was some solid on-track racing, though not as much as the first two books. But one scene absolutely destroyed me. I was listening alone on a plane and bawling my eyes out. Thank goodness there wasn’t anyone next to me.

Likes:

•I love Sawyer’s writing style. She sucks you in and never lets go.
•Seeing previous characters from the series.
•Francesca’s Italian family and how much she treasured them.
•The scenes of them doing promos.
•How hard Francesca pushed to knock Ronan’s walls down.
•They really developed the relationship with honest communication.
•Of course the racing.
•I love seeing Brienne Norcross from the Pittsburgh Titans Series.

Dislikes:

•After Sawyer ripped our hearts out, she didn’t spend enough time repairing the damage. It wrapped up too quickly.

The Narration:

Kitt Swann was so fantastic switching seamlessly between an Italian accent and American. I loved her performance. Sean Masters was a great MMC voice. The dual narration audiobook brought the story to life, and I’m glad I listened instead of reading.

The Down & Dirty:

I’m heartbroken that Formula Dreams appears to be the last in the Race Fever Series. I’ve loved this racing romance world so much. This fourth book hit the perfect blend of racing, romance, spice, and emotion, and it reminded me exactly why this series has been such a standout for me. I appreciated how Sawyer acknowledged the challenges a woman faces in motorsports without making it the whole storyline.

The first two books in the series (Formula Fling and Formula Chance) leaned much heavier into the racing, which is what originally hooked me. The more recent books (Formula Freedom and Formula Dreams) balanced the racing with more romance and character depth, but as a huge F1 fan, I still miss that earlier, more intense on-track focus.

Even so, Formula Dreams delivered what I love most about a good racing romance, and it left me feeling so attached to these characters. High stakes, high heat, and high-speed emotion made this the kind of story that stays with you long after you’re done listening. I still think the Race Fever Series is best read in order, though every book stands alone easily.

Rating: 4.75 Stars, 2.5 Heat, 4. 5 narration

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The Race Fever Series by Sawyer Bennett

My Review


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My Review

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[Sorina · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Formula Dreams" by Sawyer Bennett is part of the "Race Fever" series.
 
Thank you The Author Agency for the digital and audio copy of the book.
Opinions from this review are completely my own.

Francesca Accardi is the only female driver at Titans Racing and Ronan Barnes is one of her arrogant rivals.

I listened to the audiobook narrated in dual style by Sean Masters and Kitt Swann.
Sean does a good English accent and he is great as Ronan.
Kitt manages to switch very well from Francesca's italian accent to multiple other accents during the story.
They both manage to bring out the personalities of the main characters.

I enjoyed the interactions between Francesca and Ronan, from the enemies vibes in the start, to the emotion connection that links them.
We get to know more about Ronan's life and he is a more complex character than you would thing in the start.
Francesca is such a inspiring woman that manages to find Ronan's sweet side.

This is a fast read, filled with adrenaline, emotion, love and friendship.

My issue is with a very emotional moment towards the end that I do not think is was needed.
I do not want to give any spoilers, but it made me very sad.

[Eden rose]

just won this 👅

[Kasey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been eagerly anticipating Francesca’s book ever since she was mentioned in the previous books, and this one certainly lived up to the hype. It successfully lifted me out of a three-book reading slump, so thank you, Sawyer! This series has been an absolute delight, especially the strong and brilliant female protagonists.

In this story, Francesca makes history as the first female driver in Formula International. As a rookie, she faces numerous challenges, including external pressure, judgment, and her own inner demons. Fortunately, she has her supportive friends, family, and even Ronan, a renowned Formula 1 driver who she is getting close with.

Francesca is a formidable force to be reckoned with. She embodies strength, determination, positivity, and a touch of forcefulness in pursuing her goals. Her primary objective is Ronan, and she refuses to be deterred by his brooding nature. Despite his initial resistance, Francesca’s persistence gradually softens his icy exterior, leading him to open up to her.

Ronan’s character undergoes a remarkable change throughout the book. He realizes that he doesn’t always have to be alone, and his warm welcome into her family proves to be a transformative experience for him.

I thoroughly enjoyed Francesca and Ronan’s relationship. While they initially started as friends with benefits, their bond evolves into exclusivity, making their relationship a constant source of excitement. Their chemistry is electrifying, and the tension between them is palpable.

The plot is meticulously crafted and flows seamlessly. The concept of a found family adds depth to the story, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing familiar characters from the previous books. The inclusion of Formula 1 races elevates the narrative to a sports romance, making it an exhilarating and enjoyable read.

This series continues to captivate and impress, and I can’t wait to see where it takes us next. I want to express my gratitude to the author agency for providing me with an ARC, allowing me to provide an honest review of this remarkable book.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in this impressive series, and this is Francesca and Ronan’s story.
Francesca is the first female formula driver and has to prove herself in a male dominated world, while Ronan is arrogant and relentless, and they are forced together for press tours and charity laps. When Ronan can no longer avoid issues in his personal life, the sparks fly, and it is Francesca that is there for him when he needs her.
This is a well written easy to read story which has found family, friendships, emotions, drama, heartbreak, tension, bickering, enemies / lovers, compassion, redemption, humour, witty banter, palpable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, addictive page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was terribly slow to start, I think it was chapter 11 before anything of significance happened. I wanted more romance and less car racing. But once the two characters started interacting the story took off finishing strongly. The narration was enjoyable complete with accents.

[Kim Whitehead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Formula One and achieving formula dreams. A heart felt story, of the highs and lows of racing with a great support system and the perseverance against the norm. An unexpected relationship filled with banter and an undeniable chemistry. Such a wonderful read!

[Linda Ketter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Formula Dreams is book 4 in the Race Fever series and follows competitors Ronan Barnes, team Crown Velocity, and Francesca Acardi, team Titan as they muddle through competition, family drama and a marketing campaign that will test anyone's patience.

Ronan was born into a wealthy family. Sadly, his mother is an addict and his father has basically checked out of their lives. Whenever his mother is a problem for his father, Ronan is tasked to deal with her. He is a successful driver for Crown Velocity Racing, but he has managed to alienate his teammates. He does not let anyone get close to him for fear of them learning his "dirty little family secrets".

Francesca also comes from a well off family, but she has always been taught to earn her way. She has worked hard over the years in the racing world and when she finally gets her chance to shine for Titan Racing, she is ready to show everyone what she is made of. Her teammates are fantastic to work with and very supportive. She is not looking for love, she is looking to win.

During qualifying for one of their races, Francesca has a run in with Ronan that costs her in her starting position. She is furious. I still do not understand what his intent was, but there had to be a reason why he did what he did. Is it because she is a woman in a man's sport? Who knows.

When the race draws near that is on their home turf, Titan Racing and Crown Velocity decide to do a joint marketing campaign. Ronan is not happy about it, but he does not have a choice in the matter. But Francesca is on a mission to lighten him up. So during the first commercial shoot, she is out to win. But things change between them during the competition. And Ronan does not want to feel these things, so he reverts back to his grumpy self.

Francesca keeps trying to get Ronan to open up. One day, he finally gets fed up and he takes her home to meet his mother. Ronan is expecting her to be shocked and disgusted, but she is not. Nor does she view him as less than because of his mother's addiction issues. If anything, she is understanding and accepting of what he is dealing with.

These two start spending more time together, but it is only friends with benefits. Because of his family issues, and history, Ronan is adverse to getting into an relationship. Plus they are competitors. What would that look like if he is cavorting with the enemy?

But when disaster strikes, it is Ronan who will lay everything on the line for Francesca. He will be the one who is there for her and who supports her. And he will be the one who reignites that spark in her.

Let me start by saying, make sure you have tissues on hand when you read or listen to this book. Author Sawyer Bennett gutted me and I am still trying to recover emotionally.

I found Francesca softened Ronan in this book. She understood what he was going through with his mother and the fact his father was so ambivalent and left everything up to his son to deal with. She understood how he felt when he talked about what happened with Lex and Posey. She understood why he was not willing to be in a relationship and instead it was just friends with benefits.

But then there were the funny moments. The absolute laugh out loud scenes. All I will say is, hold on to your pants. You will laugh so hard at the shenanigans the four drivers get up to during teh joint marketing campaign.

Sean Masters and Kit Swann do such a fabulous job with this series. He has become one of my absolute favorite male narrators to listen to. He can conquer any character, any accent, any emotion. She is always a dream to listen to, but hearing all of the different accents she has done in this series has been amazing. But I loved her as Francesca the best. The accent. The strength of the character. Absolute perfection.

[Three Chicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review by Trinette Dungee

Brienne Norcross is truly bringing The Titans franchise to the forefront. Not only did she rebuild an entire hockey team and make them Stanley Cup Champions, but she bought a Formula International racing team. The Titans’ racing team is slowly but surely making a name for themselves and now they have the first female FI driver, Francesca Accardi.

Francesca knows she has her work cut out for her. She has to prove she not just a media publicity stunt or a DEI addition to the sport. She has to prove she earned this spot, and she’s made it this far due to her hard work and talent. Her biggest challenge doesn’t seem to be proving herself on the track but getting to know her colleague Ronan Barnes who has made a name for himself as a playboy, and who has been the cause of tension between him and other drivers.

While he’s a known party boy and no stranger to the tabloids and media, friendships aren’t what Ronan Barnes is known for especially considering he ruined the one real friendship he had with Lex Hamilton. His private life and family dynamic has taught him to erect walls and keep them firmly in place. When the powers that be decided to use a few drivers in a media promo Ronan is paired with Francesca. Forced proximity has put him on her radar and determined to get to the root cause of his standoff-ish ways.

Throughout this series I have not been a fan of Ronan Barnes. I was curious about him, but not a fan….he hasn’t been the most savory character. Starting Formula Dreams, I still wasn’t a fan and to be honest, it took me almost halfway through the book to like him even a little bit. Getting his backstory and his family dynamic, I understood him more and as his walls were starting to be chipped away, so did my disdain for him. Dual POVs typically have both characters struggling with something and developing. For me, this storyline was more about Ronan that Francesca. That’s not to say she didn’t have her moments, but it was Ronan who took us along for the ride. That also doesn’t mean she important, she definitely was she was that support Ronan needed. She was the person who helped to bring his story to life. Francesca was kind of like a bull in a China shop when it came to getting to know Ronan, LOL. She’s pushy, nosey, and persistent. Once she decided she wanted to get to know him, and understand him, she did not give up. She was all up in his business and poor Ronan didn’t stand a chance!!

This was a quick enjoyable read, low on angst and an average amount of spice. I don’t know if I would classify this as enemies to lovers because they weren’t really enemies, more like misunderstood colleagues. If you are like me and know nothing about F1 driving, going into this series there’s some very technical verbiage around racing that can lose you, so I’ll give you some advice that came straight from the horse’s mouth. Watch Formula 1: Drive to Survive on Netflix. There are seven seasons of this docuseries, and I watched them all in two weeks. It’s very addictive and very informative.

[Dali · Rating 4 out of 5]

🔥 Fast cars. Fierce rivals. One line they can’t afford to cross.

Read if you like: enemies-to-lovers · racing romance · strong heroines in male-dominated fields · found family in the paddock · emotionally layered heroes

📚 Francesca Accardi is breaking barriers as the first female driver in Formula International. Every lap is a battle—for respect, for victory, for her place in the sport. Ronan Barnes, the reigning star with a reputation for arrogance, is her fiercest rival on and off the track. When press tours and charity laps force them together, sparks ignite where rivalry used to live.

👨‍👧 Ronan is more than the confident, untouchable driver everyone sees. Behind the fame lies a man carrying the weight of his mother’s addiction and the fear of letting anyone in. Francesca, bold and unflinching, becomes the one person who sees past his armor. She’s fire and control; he’s chaos and charm. Together, they’re combustible.

💞 Their chemistry is pure adrenaline—sharp banter, reluctant respect, and slow-burn passion that turns into something neither can deny. When the world demands they choose between love and legacy, they have to decide if crossing the finish line together is worth the fallout.

👧 The supporting cast—from the Titans team to Francesca’s mentor and crew—adds warmth and realism, creating a found-family dynamic that balances the intensity of competition.

✍️The writing is sharp and cinematic, pulling you into the tension of every turn and every emotion that follows. The pacing builds beautifully, though the final chapters hit harder and slower than expected—leaving a bittersweet ache that lingers after the last page. The audiobook narration by Sean Masters and Kitt Swann brings extra depth—his smooth British accent and her deft switch between Italian and English make the story pulse with authenticity.

🌟 Formula Dreams is an adrenaline rush of heart, heartbreak, and hope. It’s bold, empowering, and deeply emotional—a story that celebrates resilience as much as it explores love in the spotlight.

📲 QOTD: Would you rather have a rival who challenges you—or a partner who believes in you?
Alternate QOTD (for non-romance readers): What’s your favorite sports movie or book that gets competition right?

👇 #BookReview #FormulaDreams #SawyerBennett #RomanceBooks #EnemiesToLovers #SportsRomance #RacingRomance #WomenInSports #Bookstagram #RomanceReader #AudiobookReview #ReadersOfInstagram #BookishLove #SlowBurnRomance #BookRec #RomanceReels #BookLovers #BookTok #BookCommunity

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

FORMULA DREAMS is the fourth instalment in Sawyer Bennett’s contemporary adult RACE FEVER erotic, F1 racing romance series. This is Titans Racing driver Francesca Accardi, and Ronan Barnes’ story line. FORMULA DREAMS an be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. For fans of Sawyer Bennett there is a slight cross over with the author’s Pittsburgh Titans Hockey series.


Told from dual first person perspectives (Francesca and Ronan) FORMULA DREAMS focuses on the building romance, and racing rivalry between our story line couple. Questionable actions on a qualifying race place Ronan Barnes in Francesca Accardi’s orbit. Competitors and rivals, our couple are forced to work together on a racing promotion wherein Francesca is determined to understand why Ronan is unable to face to people he once loved but all is not well in Ronan’s world, and Francesca finds herself on the offensive to protect the man with whom she is falling in love.


The world building focuses on the life of a race car driver: the thrill of the race, and the dangers on the track. As Ronan and Francesca agree to keep their relationships a secret, Ronan’s dysfunctional family dynamics continues to eat at our story line hero, as the competition on the track forces Francesca to reconsider her future going forward.


The relationship between Ronan and Francesca is an enemies to friends to lovers relationship between competing drivers, and sponsors but Francesca is determined to understand what makes Ronan tick, and the deeper she digs, the more she finds herself falling in love. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.


The energetic secondary and supporting characters include drivers Ronan’s former best friend Lex, and his significant other Lex, Nash and Bex, Reid Hemsworth and Carlos Moreno. We are introduced to Francesca’s parents Giulia and Luca, and Ronan’s embattled parents Vivienne and Michael Barnes.


FORMULA DREAMS is a story of family and relationships, competition and acceptance, grief and loss, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is edgy and captivating; the romance is seductive; the characters are determined and charismatic


copy supplied for review

[Trish- Late Knight Luna Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Audiobook Review**

From the moment this was announced, I couldn’t wait for this story. “Formula Dreams” is an emotional, swoony and action packed rivals to lover F1 inspired sports romance that was a fantastic addition to the series.

Francesca Accardi is making history by being the first female race car driver for a female owned race team in the FI series. She’s got a lot to prove but she’s worked her way up the circuit and deserves to be there. Ronan Barnes is a seasoned racer and doesn't have time to be nice when he’s on the track and that includes Francesca. However, she ends up becoming an ally and emotional support when dealing with his mother who has an addiction. And as the two spend time together, they have an attraction they can’t ignore.

From the start of this audiobook, I couldn’t stop listening and I loved Francesca and Ronan. When we got a sneak peek of Francesca in the previous book, I was so ready to cheer for my new favorite racer. Francesca is smart, driven, loves racing and proving everyone that she deserves to be there. She’s worked her whole life to get in the top league and her drive is so admirable. I loved her parents and how they were so supportive of her and her dream. Ronan has all the confident swagger as a champion racer but he is battling some private demons that broke my heart. Instead of having a supportive family behind him, he had to keep their private lives secret so they wouldn’t come after his mother. Francesca and Ronan had great interactions in the beginning and the banter had me when they were shooting their commercial together. I could feel the chemistry beginning and I couldn’t wait for them to realize their feelings for each other. The emotions in this story really got to me and had my heart breaking. The ending had me in happy tears and I loved this story so much.

Sean Masters and Kit Swann narrated as Ronan and Francesca and I loved listening to them bring this audio to life. Sean’s British accent was great and he brought the vulnerable and confident Ronan alive perfectly. Kit had me on the edge of my seat as I listened to her bring Francesca alive. Her Italian accent was amazing and her narration was passionate and driven just like her.

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I am by no means a fan of racing. In no iteration have racecars appealed to me. Somehow, throughout this series, I’ve become fascinated by F1 racing. The author does such a fantastic job of describing what it takes behind the scenes to deliver a good race. The science of it all has me intrigued. You would think the descriptions could get heavy-handed and bog down the narrative of the story, but they don’t.

Ronan is a character from previous books that I despised. I trust Sawyer Bennett, so I knew I wouldn’t dislike him by the end of this story. I didn’t really expect to love him, though. His actions in the past are not to be dismissed, but they are now more understood. It’s a wonder he’s a functioning adult with the upbringing he had. Being thrust into the world of Francesca, a woman with a super supportive family and a positive outlook on life, is a shock to Ronan’s system. It’s also exactly what he needs.

This couple is fire. Unlike other people in their racing world who have known Ronan for years, Francesca is viewing him with a clean slate. Instead of writing off his past misdeeds as him just being a jerk, she delved deeper. Deeper than was comfortable for Ronan, yet it was just what he needed. Ronan discovered his caregiving side didn’t just extend to the burden of his family and their expectations that weighed him down, but that caring for someone could also heal his soul.

When it comes to this couple, their growth as a duo and their individual growth, this story hit all the right notes for me. There are some things that happen in the story that devastated me. Things that I don’t want to give away, but I also want to mention because they upset me. There is another time, in recent memory, this author yanked the rug out from under me with an event that was a gut-punch. I don’t understand the reasoning, but I’m also not a writer. I try to give authors I trust the benefit of the doubt that events happen to serve a purpose in their worlds down the line. But I was yelling. Literally gasping and yelling at my book.

Don’t let that deter you. I still loved this story and these characters. I am fully invested in this imaginary racing world.

[Ria Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Francesca and Ronan ... high octane romance

*ebook & audio review*

Sawyer Bennett's Race Fever has been an addictive series from the beginning. FORMULA DREAMS, book #4, was just as fast paced and emotional as the previous three.

Titans Racing has just announced the first female driver in Formula International (FI) racing, Francesca Accardi. She's had to battle taunts, sexism, and disbelief, and she's determined to let her driving do the talking. Ronan Barnes drives for a rival team, he's arrogant and cocky, yet also charming. The banter, chemistry, and evolving friendship between them was sublime. They are definitely a case of opposites attract, different family backgrounds have shaped who they are. I loved Francesca's determination to break down the walls Ronan had built around himself. They had an amazing emotional connection, offering support and encouragement at every turn. When tragedy strikes will Ronan be able to help Francesca the way she helped him?

🎧Audio Review🎧

Sean Masters and Kitt Swan narrated in dual style, and they did so to perfection. Sean's English accent was superb, music to my ears. Kitt Swan's narration was incredible, her ability to swap from an Italian accent to others was faultless. Their delivery of the humour, pain, passion, and drama ensured the audio only enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

FORMULA DREAMS was a fabulous story, heartfelt, emotional, and passionate. Francesca was such a fiesty, detrmined woman, while Ronan was a man who hid much of himself, I couldn't have loved them more. I loved the return of pervious characters, especially Lex and Posey after the events of book #1 Formula Fling. Definitely not a book, or series, to be missed.

Read and Reviewed for Reading Is Our Satisfaction

✨✨✨✨✨ FIVE STARS

[Paris Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 Stars

I LOVED THIS BOOK. I know I wrote that in bold, but I felt I needed to yell it from the roof tops. The writing was beautiful. Sawyer Bennett handle the topics of addiction, death, and mental health very elegantly here. The writing for Ronan's character showed the affects a family members addiction can have on them. Ronan is completely closed off, he does not open up easily to people due to what has happened in the past. The mention of death does not happen directly to the two main characters, but to a character known within the series, it was done gracefully. Thus, came mentions of the MC's mental health and how therapy was attend, it was not the main point of the storyline, but I am glad it was mentioned and brought to light as to not brush over the struggles people have during difficult times.

This book included plenty of banter, friendships (both good and those being repaired), and CHEMISTRY. The two main characters are Francesca Accardi, the first female racing driver, and Ronan Barnes, arrogant, electric, relentless.

This is a high-speed enemies-to-lovers standalone romance. Francesca feels the weight of history on her shoulders, she knows the only way to silence doubters is to win. Every lap. Every race. Only that does not stop her from becoming curious about what lurks behind the mask Ronan shows to the world.

From a two team promotional video, to press tours, and charity laps, Francesca beings to glimpse behind Ronan's mask. Ronan is unable to keep his private life private. He finds himself wanting to open up more, to show her his mom's addiction, to have someone to talk to about it. Francesca is there as his emotional support. Compassion cracks his armor.

Will they be able to overcome the drama sure to follow onto the paddock? Will they become more than allies, but something no rule book can define? You will have to read to find out what happens between these two! Let's see how the world reacts to a female formula driver.

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is pure high-octane romance—speed, sparks, tension, heat, and emotions revved so high I thought I’d combust right along with them. Sawyer Bennett came for my soul and she WON.

Francesca!! My new religion. The first female driver in Formula International history and she is fire. Focused, fierce, carrying the weight of a hundred doubters and STILL tearing up the track like she was born to do it. Every lap with her felt like a victory. Every setback? I was ready to throw hands.

And Ronan Barnes… good LORD. Arrogant, legendary, blisteringly talented, and absolutely insufferable in the most addictively compelling way. The man walks into a room and the air changes. And the way he immediately clashes with Francesca?? Sparks. Straight sparks. Their sniping is Olympic-level. Their chemistry is nuclear.

Forced press tours? Forced charity laps? Please. The way these two bickered, glared, and circled each other like rival predators had me screaming into a pillow. Enemies-to-lovers GOLD. You could feel the shift—the irritation turning into awareness, the banter turning into longing, the rivalry morphing into something deeper and so much sweeter.

But what absolutely slayed me was Ronan’s vulnerability. His mother’s addiction, the grief he carries, the walls he’s built so high no one gets in. And then there’s Francesca—fierce on the track and heartbreakingly gentle off it—showing up for him when he needs it most. When she stands by him? When he defends her publicly? When they choose each other over pride and pressure?? I MELTED.

The stakes are HUGE—her seat, his championship, their entire futures—and the tension had my stomach in knots in the BEST way. Watching them navigate ambition, fear, attraction, and loyalty while the whole world watched… it was intoxicating.

By the time they crossed that final emotional finish line, I was a goner. Completely in love.

[FionaBluesBookCafe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Formula Dreams was a fantastic installment in the Race Fever series by @sawyerbennett123 . I loved reading about a female F1 driver, and Sawyer made Francesca a character to love. Thank you, Sawyer, for a wonderful book.

~~~~~

Why you need to #ONECLICK this book…
🏁Enemies to lovers
🏁Family Drama
🏁First Female Formula Driver
🏁A**hole redeemed
🏁Found Family

Things heat up on and off the track when the first female driver in Formula International history goes head-to-head with one of the sport’s biggest names. Formula Dreams is a high-speed enemies-to-lovers standalone romance.

Francesca Accardi is rewriting the record books at Titans Racing. With the first female team owner in her corner and the weight of history on her shoulders, she knows the only way to silence doubters is to win. Every lap. Every race.

Ronan Barnes dominates on Sunday and dares the world to judge him on Monday. Arrogant, electric, relentless, he has no time for niceties—or for the rookie who refuses to yield. Forced together for press tours and charity laps, their sniping becomes a spark neither can shake. But rival teams don’t tolerate distractions, sponsors spook fast, and one misstep could cost Francesca her seat and Ronan his shot at the championship.

When Ronan’s private life—and his mother’s addiction—become an issue he can no longer avoid, Francesca is there as his emotional support. Compassion cracks his armor. He defends her in the paddock; she stands beside him when it matters. Enemies become allies. Allies become something no rule book can define.

With a title on the line, they must choose: her hard-won seat, his crown, or a future together—if they dare cross the line.

#newbookalert #formulaoneracingromance #sawyerbennett #bookstagram #booktok #spicyromance @theauthor.agency

[Karin D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Formula Dreams is the 4th Book in Sawyer Bennett’s, “Race Fever” series.

First off, I couldn’t put this book down!

This story introduces Francesca Accardi, the first woman race car driver in the history of the sport to ever qualify and become part of a F1 Racing Team. There’s a lot of focus, attention and pressure on her because some people are still questioning whether a woman, “has what it takes” to be participating in a male-dominated sport. For the most part, the guys from the other teams that are ranked within the Top Ten in this sport are really supportive of Francesca, except for one particularly grumpy driver, named Ronan Barnes.

I loved how Francesca & Ronan are placed in a situation they’re both obligated to do but neither seems thrilled about. But what happens from their one encounter proves that just because you’re wealthy, gorgeous, and seem to have it all, doesn’t mean your public persona mirrors what’s going on after the crowds disappear and the parties are over. Ronan has a huge responsibility weighing on his shoulders that he tries to keep as “under the radar” and “out of the public eye” as possible. When Francesca learns what Ronan is dealing with, she tries to be nothing but supportive to Ronan, however, Ronan is very wary about trusting Francesca (or anyone new, really), as he only confides in very few people.

Can Francesca convince Ronan to let her in? Will he let his guard down enough to actually trust her? This book also has a twist in it I did not see coming. It’s sad, but so important to Ronan & Francesca’s storyline.

I loved this book for so many reasons. The secondary characters are, again, fantastic & it just had all the feels for me. It might just be my favorite one in this series so far! ❤️

[Angels · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is a departure from our usual comfort zone. This year, we are exploring new authors and genres, branching out from our usual sports romances, particularly hockey ones. We took a chance on this story, and we are glad we did. Despite my personal history of dating a hockey player for years, my husband has always been a big fan of racing. We found ourselves instantly drawn to Francesca's character and thoroughly enjoyed the read.

Ronan comes from a family with wealth, yet he struggles with his mother's addiction and his father's neglect. Francesca, from a privileged background, works hard to earn her place in the racing world.

When a clash with Ronan affects her race position, tensions rise between them with unexpected feelings. Despite their initial reluctance, Ronan and Francesca grow closer, but their relationship remains casual due to Ronan's competitive rivalry and his family's secrets..

When a crisis happens, Ronan steps up to support Francesca, revealing a deeper connection between them. The book combines emotional depth with humor, offering poignant moments alongside laugh -out -loud scenes. The story captures the characters' complexities and brings the story to life with skillful performances. Masters' versatility and Swann's portrayal of Francesca add depth to the narrative.

The cast of characters was interesting. Ronan's mom is a piece of work, not a fan. The chemistry between Ronan and Frankie was palpable. We loved them as a couple. Frankie was good for him; it was a shame he fought the connection and what was between them so hard.


This story is a compelling blend of romance, drama, and humor, showcasing the growth of its characters amidst the challenges they face.

[Khadìdja Boulahbal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A spicy, sarcastic, Mediterranean woman competing in a male-dominated field? Sign me up. In fact, that is exactly what hooked me about this ARC and ALC.I balanced between reading and listening to it for more immersion; to highlight memorable moments.

Who doesn't love a strong, independent, yet very in touch with her emotions FMC? That was the case for Francesca Accardi, our female lead. She managed to change the course of her life with just one race. This earned her a seat as a rookie in F1.

What I personally loved about Francesca is that she is not your average female lead hiding behind a façade. Stripped from nonchalance and all significant markers of modernity, she was a woman who embraced vulnerabilities, her rawness, her shortcomings. This, to me, was a breath of fresh air, as in novels, FMCs are either too compliant and easily pliable. Francesca was neither. She was irrevocably herself.

Now, meet her insufferable competitor, Ronan Barnes. Your average cocky, unlikeable enemy that was every bit of a playboy. Or, was he? Ronan was the one wearing the mask, hiding behind the façade of perfection, the ice prince who embraces nonchalance as a second skin. However, that could not be farther from the truth. Ronan was a reliable man with burden, plagued by a family that calcified both his heart and temper.

Together, they melted one another. Francesca's fiery spirit met Ronan's hardened heart. Slowly, they grounded one another.

Overall, I absolutely loved this book, its characters, and their banter. However, what derealized my reading experience is the time skip. I would have preferred seeing how Ronan became Francesca's anchor after what occurred at the end of the book. The sudden time skip set as an Epilogue de-immersed me entirely.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to The Author Agency for my audiobook copy of Formula Dreams by Sawyer Bennett narrated by Sean Masters and Kit Swann in exchange for my honest review! I also had an ebook copy, but I couldn't pull myself away from the audio!

The accents are top notch in this audio, and true to the drivers in F1. Sean and Kit did a fabulous job, so much so when I tried to read a chapter of the ebook instead of listening, I couldn't. I had to live through them!

We have Francesca, rookie driver and first female Formula International driver, trying to make a name for herself. Then there's Ronan, ahole extraordinaire who can't be bothered with anything and just drives on Sundays. Their race teams take on a joint sponsorship and Francesca and Ronan are paired together as rivals (no stretch there) and have to film together. Francesca can't let how much of a jerk Ronan is go so after the shoot she follows him...

Ronan, it turns out, has a sad, not so great home life. Will he let Francesca in or will things be kept strictly business and only when they have to be?

This is book 4 in an interconnected standalone series and the first I read of the series. I didn't feel I missed out on too much, but now that I know I can get more of some of the other characters stories, I'm all in and will be reading the others, but don't fret if you haven't, it's ok!

Oh...this book will also absolutely pull your heart out, possibly destroy you...I had tears. I was shook. I still don't think I'm over it. 👀 Sawyer, how dare you tear me down like this!

5 stars from me. Not a Formula 1 fan? This is a great book to get your feet wet in. Formula 1 fan and love F1 romances? Get this in your hands ASAP!

[Theresa L · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ 2.5🌶 4.5🎧

This book had me hooked fast. The pacing is perfect and Ronan and Francesca start with great banter as rivals. These two will keep you on your toes. This story is very character driven and I loved that. The plethora of emotions that are experienced by Ronan and Francesca made this more then a sports romance. I haven't read any of the previous books and I fallowed along perfectly, enough context was provided when needed. I will be going back to read the rest i really like the way Sawyer Bennett wrote this story and her character depth.

Francesca is one of my favorite FMC's. She is strong, whitty, sassy in the best way, independent, sarcasti, and funny but what stands out most is her heart and empathy. I love her for Ronan. Her understanding and strength towards Ronans feelings and his life circumstances is impressive.

I love Ronan, the perfect cocky, insufferable, whitty, topnotch athlete but he is so layered and broken. I loved that he wasn't an easy to win over the bad boy, he took work and understanding. His growth and acceptance was beautiful. He was a pleasure to watch fall in love with Francesca.

I liked that the heavy topics arnt glossed over. They gelt more impactful and waching Francesca and Ronan navigating them together shows you how well suited and integral they are to one another.

This duel narration audiobook was read by Kit Swann and Sean Masters. They worked beautifully together. They both also have a beautiful ability to make you feel all of the emotions being portrayed. Kit has the accent game down, she has a beautiful Italian accent but she gave many others in this book and they all sounded great. Also her male voice is amazing. I cant wait to listen to more by her. Sean has a great British accent. His voice is pure sin. He portrayed Ronan perfectly as described. They kept me intrigued and invested. it was an absolute pleasure to listen to.

Thank you to Sawyer Bennett and The Author Agency for this ARC and ALC. These are my honest opinions and feelings.

[Luisa Rivas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book isn’t just about racing—it’s about the sparks that fly when two fiercely determined people collide. Francesca Accardi, the first woman to break into FI racing, is bold, talented, and unwilling to be defined by anything other than her skill. Yet beneath her steel exterior, she wrestles with doubts and the weight of expectations. Enter Ronan Barnes, the cocky rival whose charm is as magnetic as it is infuriating. Their chemistry is undeniable, even when it comes wrapped in banter, clashes, and stubborn pride.

What makes this story so captivating is how the romance pulses alongside the roar of the engines. Francesca and Ronan’s connection is fiery, tender, and deeply emotional. Every interaction—whether it’s playful competition, heated arguments, or moments of vulnerability—adds fuel to their attraction. Watching them push past walls of resistance and fear to discover trust, intimacy, and love is as thrilling as any race on the track.

The novel beautifully balances passion and vulnerability. Francesca’s determination to be seen for her talent, not her gender, mirrors Ronan’s struggle to let someone into his guarded heart. Together, they create a romance that feels both exhilarating and heartfelt, proving that sometimes the most powerful victories happen off the track.

By the end, you’ll be swept up not only in the adrenaline of FI racing but in the emotional journey of two people learning to love fiercely, despite the odds. It’s a story that celebrates ambition, resilience, and the kind of romance that makes your heart race as fast as the cars. Sawyer Bennett never dissapoints!

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Formula Dreams may be the fourth book in the Race Fever series, but it can be read as a total stand alone. Sure we have prior characters in the book, but not enough to really give away their stories. This is also my favorite in the series.
Francesca Accardi is the first female driver in Formula International and she has a lot to overcome in this man’s world. She may know the drivers from her years in the racing while working her way up to FI, but racing against them is an entirely new world.
Ronan Barnes did some not so nice things previously and it cost him friendships. He now has this arrogance about him and really doesn’t have time for the other drivers. Even though this is individual racing, the drivers are like family. Plus, he has enough going on in his personal life to not be bothered, but that changes when he is required to participate in a publicity promotion.
Francesca and Ronan have so much to work out and what starts out as dislike slowly grows into a friendship. They have chemistry so a friend with benefits relationship begins but will that work out?
The narrators do a very good job with bringing the emotions of the characters to life. Sean Masters is the male narrator and he brings Ronan’s English accent to life. Kitt Swann is the female narrator and she also does well with Francesca’s Italian accent. The author has some shocking surprises that will take you on an emotional ride. My only issue with the book is the ending felt rushed and a couple things left unanswered, which it pains me to not give this book the five star rating it deserves but instead a 4.5.

[Pamela Lilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been so excited for Francesca Accardi’s story - the first female FI driver ever!! That’s a huge accomplishment, and it’s my hope that this will happen one day in the real world. Francesca’s story starts with a bit of run in on the track with the main man of the story - Ronan Barnes, he’s not on the track to make friends, he’s on it to win it. He soon realises that maybe there’s more to his new rival, than just a very pretty face. Opposites most definitely attract both on and off the grid. Francesca has a loving family who support her throughout, Ronan on the other hand has no one he can depend upon, his mother pushes him to his limits with her alcohol abuse, something he keeps under raps, not even his friends know what he has to put up with. In fact he doesn’t share anything about his personal life with anyone, until Francesca comes and starts breaking down his walls, brick by brick. Something neither of them expected to happen. No matter how hard Ronan pushes back, both on and off the track, Francesca pushes him back twice as hard, she doesn’t scare easily. She won’t let him push her away, no matter how hard he tries. And when the unthinkable happens and Francesca is at her lowest, Ronan shows he really does have a heart and turns the tables on her. Addictive, sexy, and heartbreaking, what a story, I absolutely loved it. The audio book is narrated by Sean Masters and Kit Swan, two of my favourites, who never fail to entertain in the best possible way. I received an advanced copy of both the ebook and the audio book. This is my honest review.

[Sue Galuska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Francesca Maria Accardi has finally become the first female in the world of Formula International Racing thanks to Brienne Norcross, owner of the Titans Racing Team as well as the Pittsburgh Titans NHL team. Nervous Francesca is ready to prove herself and most of the other drivers are accepting and nice to her. Everyone except for 26 year old Ronan Barnes, one of the stars in the series. These two seem to have more of an enemies type relationship. Too bad their chemistry is just waiting to explode.

The more time Francesca and Ronan spend together, the quicker the steaminess starts to boil over until they finally cross that line. Francesca starts to learn more about what makes Ronan tick especially after she meets Vivienne Barnes, his mother. Vivienne has a drug problem and causes all kinds of issues for Ronan but now with Francesca by his side, he finally has help in dealing with her issues.

Just when everything is starting to look up in Francesca and Ronan's lives, a terrible tragedy happens that has one of the two of them reconsidering their racing career. In the end Francesca and Ronan will find their happy ending after a lot of soul searching and it will be all worth it.

I really enjoyed this enemies to lovers racing story. Ronan had a tough life with the way his mother is. Francesca had an ideal typical Italian family life style. Together these two just meshed very well and balanced each other out perfectly. I really enjoyed their chemistry....very explosive. Overall another fun book in this series.

[PFL · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Formula Dreams, the fourth book in Sawyer Bennett’s Race Fever series, readers are introduced to Francesca Accardi, a trailblazing driver determined to make her mark as the first woman to compete in Formula International. Backed by the sport’s first female team owner, Francesca knows she carries the weight of history on her shoulders. Every lap is not just about speed—it’s about proving she belongs in a world that has long been dominated by men.

Her fiercest rival is Ronan Barnes, a seasoned champion with a reputation for arrogance and charm in equal measure. Ronan thrives on being the sport’s bad boy, dismissing rookies and refusing to yield an inch on the track. When Francesca challenges his dominance, their rivalry quickly escalates, sparking fireworks both on and off the circuit. Their sharp banter and constant clashes make them the center of attention, but beneath the hostility lies an undeniable attraction neither can ignore.

Forced together for press tours and charity events, Francesca and Ronan discover that their chemistry is as combustible as their competition. What begins as verbal sparring slowly transforms into passion, though both know the risks—distractions could cost them victories, reputations, and the careers they’ve fought so hard to build.

With its high-octane racing backdrop, Formula Dreams delivers a thrilling enemies-to-lovers romance that balances adrenaline with heart. Francesca’s resilience and Ronan’s intensity create a dynamic, fiery love story that proves sometimes the fiercest rival can become the most unexpected partner.

[Jasmin · Rating 3 out of 5]

**ARC/ALC REVIEW**

Formula Dreams by Sawyer Bennett is book four in the Race Fever series and my first read by this author. The writing is sharp, and the pacing builds beautifully, making it easy to fall into the world of high-pressure racing and even higher emotions. I especially enjoyed the audio version, where dual narration by Sean Masters and Kit Swann brought Francesca and Ronan to life with believable tension, vulnerability, and chemistry. Their performances added depth and really elevated the listening experience.

Francesca is a fierce, determined heroine in a male-dominated sport who absolutely holds her own. I loved her strength, discipline, and the fact that she’s a badass race driver who never backs down. Ronan, with all his swagger and rough edges, becomes far more compelling as his walls start to crack.

Watching Ronan and Francesca support each other through personal and professional struggles was genuinely enjoyable. Their connection felt raw and earned, the banter was fun, the tension delicious, and the chemistry off the charts. Their enemies-to-lovers arc is satisfying, especially as Ronan’s vulnerabilities come into focus and Francesca steps into her power.

Despite these strengths, the story didn’t fully click for me in a way that made it a standout. Still, it was enjoyable enough to finish, and I think fans of racing romance and strong-character dynamics will really love it.

Thank you to Sawyer Bennett and the author agency for the ARC/ALC in exchange for my honest review.

[Lauren Nesic · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐ it was good but overall it didn’t fully grab me. needed a bit more character development or plot. (average not a standout)
🌶️🌶️: mild spice, around 2 to 4 scenes, still tame sex scenes with a slight touch of kink and still romance focused

francesca accardi is fighting to prove she belongs at titans racing, knowing every race could make or break her future, while reigning star ronan barnes is focused on winning at all costs and keeping his personal life locked down. forced into close quarters, their rivalry turns into undeniable chemistry just as pressure from sponsors, teams, and the championship intensifies. when ronan’s carefully controlled world begins to unravel, francesca becomes the one person he trusts, and standing together changes everything. as ambition, loyalty, and desire collide, they must decide whether chasing victory is worth risking their careers and their hearts.

Francesca was such a strong, disciplined fmc and i loved seeing her confidence and she is so easy to root for. ronan was a typical playboy but then we see more depth and vulnerability to his story. the banter and tension between them were fun, and i loved the f1 sport but the romance itself felt a bit lacklustre for me. the chemistry was decent but i never fully felt that emotional pull i was hoping for. it’s a fast paced fun romance and a good fun read.

tropes: sports romance (f1), enemies to lovers, reformed playboy
triggers: death of a loved one, bad accident

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story will have you in it’s grip throughout the whole book!
This is the fourth book in the Race Fever series and man is it an incredible story! Francesca Accardi is the first woman driver in the FI1 series and drives for Titans Racing. She has been working her way up in the ranks with her driving and has finally earned her place with the big boys. I loved watching her interact with not only her Titans team but also the other drivers. She just seemed to have that personality that pulled people to her. Then we have Ronan Barnes, who is a driver for Crown Velocity and a very private person. His life is a mess thanks to a mother who has a drinking and drug problem and a father who won’t help her and dumps everything on Ronan. You can’t help but feel for Ronan. Needless to say Francesca and Ronan butt heads during a practice run and their chemistry takes off from there. She sees things in Ronan that no one else does and he slowly lets her into his life. These two are perfect for each other. She listens to him and helps him with his mom while he listens to her when she talks about her fears of failure. I absolutely loved these two together. There is a part in the story that had me in tears and couldn’t believe what I was reading, but I loved how Ronan was there for Francesca and wouldn’t let her walk away from him. This is a great story and will keep you entertained throughout the whole book.