The Hot Mess Express

by Stacey O’Leary

A Racing Legend. A Reckless playboy and a Love He’ll Burn the World For.

Maverick Carter—Formula 1 World Champion, media target, and the man every brand wants on their front cover. But none of that matters now.Because the only title I care about is husband—and I got that title in a drunken, impulsive wedding on a beach in Hawaii.

Sage is my chaos, my calm, my addiction.She’s also the only person who’s ever seen the man beneath the helmet.

We said we’d keep it secret.We said we’d take it slow.But secrets never stay buried—especially not when the past comes crashing back with a scandal that could ruin us both.

She thinks she has to run.I’ll do whatever it takes to make her stay.Even if it means giving up everything I’ve ever known—just to keep her.

A secret marriage. A tabloid scandal. A love story fast enough to break the speed limit.

magnified, and the greatest risk of all is giving your heart to the wrong person.

From Monte Carlo yachts to Abu Dhabi night races, The Hot Mess Express is a glamorous, high-stakes romance of passion, betrayal, and redemption. Perfect for fans of Drive to Survive and Colleen Hoover, it’s a story about love in the spotlight, where every move is watched, every mistake magnified, and the greatest risk of all is giving your heart to the wrong person.

Genres: Sports, Romance

420 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 24, 2025

About the author

Stacey O’Leary has combined her love of Formula One and books to write a laugh-out-loud romantic comedy packed with messy heroines, swoony heroes, and the kind of chaos that makes you feel right at home. She’s the author of The Hot Mess Express, a rom-com that proves love is never as simple as it looks—especially when life goes completely off the rails.
When she’s not untangling fictional disasters, Stacey can be found over-caffeinating, wrangling her kids like a pro (or at least like someone who deserves a medal), and pretending she’s on top of her laundry pile. She firmly believes sarcasm counts as a love language and that happy endings are non-negotiable.
Her next standalone rom-com, Off the Rails, promises more laughter, swoons, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting.
Find Stacey online on Instagram at @Staceyolearyauthor, where she overshares about writing, books, and life as a certified hot mess.

Reviews

[Paige]

I devoured this in 24 hrs. My rating is 4.5 stars, and that's only cause I couldn't handle the amount of spicy scenes in it and I skipped over them.... 🔥🥵

Okay but can we take a minute to appreciate Maverick the main character, hot, F1 driver, playboy and seriously cocky. But then along comes Sage, and he turns into this green flag guy, that holds space for her, completely and utterly falls head over heels for the chaos cyclone that is Sage.

Now Sage, she holds a piece of my heart, shes unhinged, chaotic, likes tequila and never falls into the same guys bed twice.... until Mav. 🥹 She has trauma, is used to running away and does multiple times and the thing was I never got over her running away because it was realistic and her thoughts were valid and made the thought of falling in love with someone after a few months, scary but beautiful.

This book captured me and I'm so surprised by it.

The found family aspects with Josie and Margot? I want unhinged friends who just turn up when you need them most!

Seriously, take a chance on this spicy F1 romance! you will not be disappointed!! 🫶🏻🫶🏻

[Rhiannon Jones]

love love love cannot wait for book 2!

[Stacey O’Leary]

Crazy that my debut novel is on good reads! I have so much fun writing this & i hope ya’ll have fun reading it. This was my first attempt at writing a novel & the characters were so much fun to write and create!!

Get ready for your next book husband!!

[Jordy Stanyer]

‘It’s hungry and hot and tender all at once. This isn’t just lust. Not tonight. This is what it feels like to be chosen, and I choose him right back.’

The Hot Mess Express was another hit that unexpectedly and completely pulled me in. As someone who has never watched a car race in her life, HME has made me do a 360 and now all I want is to see a Maverick in real life! The tension and emotional damage sneaks up on you, sucks you in, you just keep reading and can’t stop! The ending had me at the edge of my seat, and my head is still reeling! I cannot wait to get stuck into book 2!

[Sami Thomson]

This Formula one based romance is filling the void of a 5 week race break due to conflict in the Middle East, but don't think because it's F1 based that you have to watch the sport.. NO
I mean hell NO you don't BUT it definitely helps knowing who the MMC is based off 🙊🥵

Maverick Carter is a 9 time world F1 champion/playboy just scrolling through his phone drinking coffee and see's a headline calling him a "washed-up champion of the world" when his universe slams into him. Literally.

A startled gasp and hot coffee spilled on her silk blouse, Sage has been turned into a human latte ☕️
Sage is a runner, she doesn't stick around after a hook up and she doesn't want commitment but when Maverick and Sage meet again at a F1 after party they end up in Mavericks hotel 😉🌶🌶🌶

I'm loving that Maverick is doing the chasing because who fricken wouldn't want a sexy F1 driver chasing them

[333.slh]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

🏎️ F1 romance
🍷 black cat FMC / reformed playboy MMC
🏎️ he falls first & harder
🍷 found family
🏎️ British MMC
🍷 Set in Australia/Monaco

Was this my first F1 romance? Yes.
Has it convinced me to start watch the F1? Also yes.
Because Maverick Carter… OH.MY.GOD. What an absolute delicious MMC he is 🥵

I’ll be honest, all the signs that this was going to be a great read were there from the start for me…
Aussie indie author ✔️
Author and FMC love margaritas ✔️
6”5 MMC ✔️
Dedication that made me sob and feel seen ✔️

Okay now back to Sage & Mav…

Sage absolutely blew me away- I genuinely haven’t come across an FMC like her. She is so guarded because of past trauma that she detaches from emotion and has the “leave before being left” mentality (this was too relatable for me). Her confidence within her sexuality was such a breath of fresh air- she wasn’t insecure, she owned every inch of herself and wasn’t afraid to embrace the sex goddess that she is (absolutely queen shit!)

So who’s the perfect match for our sex goddess Sage? Why the sex god himself, Mr Maverick Carter… F1 champion, billionaire, British and major BDE (we all need a Mav in our lives). The way he was SO patient and loved every single side of Sage- the messy and chaotic parts especially was the highlight of their love story.

[BookBoyfriend]

​I AM SCREAMING. I AM CRYING. I AM OFFICIALLY DECEASED.
​The Hotmess Express by Stacey O’Leary hasn't just become my new favorite book, it has completely rewired my DNA. I am writing this from the floor because I no longer have the strength to stand. This story didn't just meet my expectations; it set them on fire and danced in the ashes.
​
Maverick is the blueprint. I am actually sobbing. Maverick’s unconditional love is so pure, so fierce, and so unwavering that he has ruined all men for me forever, yes including all fictional men.
He doesn’t just love Sage "despite" the mess, he worships her because of it. He is the ultimate protector, and I am hopelessly, tragically obsessed with him. And the mouth on him?! *fans self*

The Spice is Nuclear. I have no words. The chemistry isn’t just simmering; it’s a total inferno. The spice is off the charts, handled with a level of intensity that had me gasping for air.

The Ultimate Relief: No Third-Act Breakup! In a world of unnecessary drama, the fact that there is no third-act breakup was a godsend and made the romance hit ten times harder.

Relentless pacing. I loved that I didn’t have to wait for the heat or the heart-stopping moments. It was a non-stop, high-speed adrenaline rush of emotions and chemistry that never let me go.

​THE FINAL DEVASTATION...
​The ending didn't just rip my heart out. It shredded it, stomped on it, and left me for dead. I am physically vibrating on the edge of my seat, biting my nails into oblivion, gasping for air as I wait for the second book. I am in a state of total emotional paralysis until I can get the sequel and finally, mercifully, breathe again.

Stacey O’Leary didn't just write a book; she wrote a masterpiece that has left me emotionally compromised. Read it. Now.

[Kaitlyn]

As an F1 girlie, I love reading all the romances based off the sport so when Stacey reached out to see if I was interested in reading her debut novel The Hot Mess Express I was more than delighted too!

Maverick and Sage’s romance was a whirlwind from the moment they bumped into each other at a coffee shop, resulting in Sage having coffee all over her shirt. It was game over from there when it came to Maverick’s playboy vibe and Sage’s little black book of rules and one night stands.

There was a lot that happened throughout the book with the main complication happening at the end leaving you hooked and wanting book 2 immediately!

I really enjoyed that Sage was Aussie and that the story followed the F1 schedule. I loved the vibe that Maverick gave off (hints of Hamilton and Leclerc for me (that could just be because Maverick’s team resembled Ferrari)). It was also refreshing to read scenes throughout The Hot Mess Express that I haven’t read before in other romance books (yes I’m talking about chapter 43!)

So if you’re an F1 girlie or wanting to get into the F1 romance scene, I recommend that you add The Hot Mess Express to your ever growing TBR list. Same goes for if you’re wanting to support more indie authors!

Thank you Stacey for sending an author copy of The Hot Mess Express!

[Ashleigh Kennedy]

ARC REVIWE THROUGH THE NNC

I was lucky enough to receive a physical copy of this book as an advanced reader copy and I can honestly tell you I’m so thrilled to have it on my bookshelf.

What a read!!!
I would give it 4.5 ⭐️ and a 3 🌶️ level.

I need to start this review by saying I’ve never read a book where I have loved all of the characters so damn much.

First of all, Is Maverick even a real human? Men worldwide need to take note of this man! Green flags everywhere

Sage, well she is just an absolute vibe. Strong, determined but also vulnerable and soft. A whirlwind and a literal hot mess.

The best friends, Josie and Margot. The vibes these two give off are spectacular! I want them as my friends.

Even Mavericks parents are literal gems.

Aside from the characters, great story, I do wish there was a little more about race days but that’s just my opinion.
Fun, spicy, has good emotional depth and all in all a really good read. And I’ll never look at a margarita the same way again.

The ending though, that’s just cruel Stacey! I need to know what happened!

Cannot wait for book number 2 💜😈

[Karlee Hirt]

Great story, plenty of spice.

Sage and Maverick make a passionate and electrifying pair. Maverick is instantly obssessed with Sage, who avoids commitment at all costs. But she is captivated by the playboy race car driver and eventually breaks all of her rules for him.

A great story of love, recovery from trauma and passion.

Some grammar/spelling issues that annoyed me. Also, towards the end of the book the plot suffered for chapters of pure smut.

[Danielle Brewer]

TNN Arc review: This is quite a long story I initially found the story not grabbing me but I persisted and I'm glad I did. It was fast paced and the side characters make this story. The ending is not what you are expecting, leaves you wanting more. Thank you Stacey.

[Kim Lindsay]

For a 1st time author, Stacey did a great job. loved the characters but not the ending as now I have to wait for the next book.

[Caroline McCormack]

1/5 stars

This book was so bad 8 billion typos basically fanfiction and I read the whole thing 🙄.

[Tamara Warburton]

I enjoyed it! It made me laugh and it made me swoon! I finished it in two sittings!

[Kell 5wordsorlessbooks]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 STARS — Love at 300km/h

I was gifted a copy of this book after quietly following Stacey on Bookstagram, and honestly? I was already floored just to receive it. But let me tell you—this book does not disappoint.

I’ll be upfront: I know nothing about Formula 1. Other than the fact the men are divine. And trust me, you do not need F1 knowledge to be completely swept up in this story. From page one, I was hooked.

That opening? Sage’s Rule Book. I was gagged. So many of those rules were ones I lived by in my early dating years......so much so that I immediately messaged Stacey. No matter the time, even if it was 2am, I always had somewhere else to be 👀 No sleepovers, thank you very much. The parallels between Sage and my younger self made me connect with her instantly.

Sage is chaotic, slightly unhinged, fiercely independent, and completely irresistible. I loved her vibe, and her friendships were genuinely hilarious, no filler side characters here.

And then there’s Maverick Carter.
Green flag. Down bad. Possessive (the right way).
DELECTABLE.
Watching a racing legend who has the world at his feet fall hard was everything. Mav isn’t just a champion on the track; he’s emotionally present, obsessed, and willing to burn the world down for the woman he loves.

The pacing? Perfect.
The tension? Addictive.
The back and forth? Killing me.
Now. THE CLIFFHANGER. I need to talk about it. I must talk about it.
Just when you think you’re safe… when you think you can breathe… BAM. Stacey casually rips the rug out from under you and leaves you staring at the final page like: surely there’s more?? The way this book ends had me immediately flipping back, rereading, and then staring at the wall questioning my life choices. Emotional damage. In the best way.

And can we PLEASE discuss Josie and Drew??
Because excuse me??? The tension. The vibes. The crumbs we were fed. I have so many questions and I desperately need answers. Stacey, if you’re reading this: will they get a book? Because I am seated, buckled in, and ready. Their dynamic has so much potential and I need it explored immediately.

As a certified smut connoisseur, I must also say: the spice ratio was immaculate. Some may say too much, me? Never. Not once did it feel unnecessary; it only elevated the intensity and connection. Yes, it’s spicy—but it’s also layered, tackling grief and endometriosis with care, making this a romance with real plot, real emotion, and real-life relevance.

Bonus points for this being written by an Aussie author and set in Melbourne. It added such a grounded, familiar magic to an otherwise glamorous, high-stakes world.

This is love in the fast lane; reckless, passionate, chaotic, and impossible to forget. If you love F1 romance, powerful men who fall first and harder, and stories that leave you desperate for the next book… this is a must-read.

I inhaled it. I adored it. And I will not be shutting up about Mav Carter, or that ending anytime soon. 🏁💚

[cattorney's books]

I finished this purely for the sake of finishing it. It is mostly spice (far too much of it) with no plot. The main characters fall for each other instantly and want to do nothing but devour each other for the entirety of the book. The main conflict is basic and boring, and could have been easily resolved. Like... that’s it?

​To make matters worse, a forced plot twist was dropped into a brief final chapter just to stretch the story into a sequel, even though this book was already 200 pages too long for what it offered.

​The editing was equally frustrating. I found numerous typographical and grammatical errors, and narrative inconsistencies. I started copyediting early on, but there were so many of them that I gave up halfway through.

​The dual point of view added very little value. Repeating literal conversations from both characters' perspectives felt lazy and repetitive. There are far better ways to show internal thoughts without relying on raw redundancy.

​As a sports romance, I expected much more Formula 1-related substance, but the book severely lacked depth and was poorly researched.

​The characters were flat and thoroughly unlikable:
​• Sage (FMC) battled the exact same internal issues from start to finish, showing zero growth. She was just a complete mess (as the title implies).
​• Maverick (MMC) is smug, arrogant, and deeply annoying.
​• Josie and Margot lacked any real substance and only added to Sage's mess.

​All in all, I regret picking up this book. I got absolutely nothing positive out of reading it—other than becoming an informed hater.

[Adele Wright]

The Hot Mess Express is exactly what the title promises — chaotic, funny, spicy, and full of heart. Stacey O’Leary has a way of writing characters who are beautifully flawed and completely relatable, and the chemistry between them is 🔥 from the start.

I laughed, cringed (in the best way), and found myself genuinely invested in the emotional side of the story, not just the spice. It’s fast-paced, witty, and doesn’t shy away from the messiness of real life and real feelings.

If you love romance that’s equal parts humour, heat, and heart — and characters who feel like real people making real mistakes — this one is absolutely worth the read. A great example of why indie Aussie authors deserve more hype.

Highly recommend hopping on board this ride 🚂🔥

[Emily ✨]

This started off so so so good! If chapter after chapter of samey smut is for you, you will love this book. It unfortunately just…is not for me…

I feel this book could’ve been 200 pages shorter as half of it is filler smut and I really do not think the ending was necessary. It came out of nowhere and is literally just so a second book could be written. Like we could’ve had a book about Josie and one about Margot but noooooo.

Yeah, the ending irritated me. It adds nothing. I ploughed on because of the reviews freaking out over it and was left disappointed. It is genuinely the most annoying thing 🙈

[Kylz_TNN]

This spicy F1 romance was great.

Maverick evolves from cocky playboy to total green flag when Sage enters his life and their connection is intense and emotional.

Sage’s chaos, trauma and fear of falling fast felt raw and real, making their love story hit even harder. Add in a found-family vibe and plenty of spice and this book is absolutely worth the read. 🫶🏻

[Alice Bloomfield]

3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I wanted to love this, Australian main character and F1 driver should be right up my alley unfortunately the FMC is not just messy but unhinged in her approach to life (never met a tequila shot she didn’t down). If it was slightly less messy 18 year old with unlimited credit card energy it would have been fun.

[Siena Spanos]

The author of this randomly came up on my tiktok FYP and I’m glad she did I DEVOURED this. The cliff hanger at the end had me freaked though

[Helena Daley]

This was such a sweet, spicy and fun read! Give me a British F1 racer and an Aussie IT girl and I’m already sold! 🫣🏎️🇦🇺

I got about 30% in and was sitting there like… sooo, umm… they’re both extremely happy… when exactly is the other shoe going to drop? 👀😂

The spice was 🔥🔥🔥 and I absolutely loved it! Maverick’s instant attraction to Sage? YES PLEASE. 😏 And Sage believing she doesn’t deserve his love honestly broke my heart. 💔🥺 Watching her work through those feelings and let herself be loved was so good!

And then… yep. There it was. The other shoe finally dropped! 🫣👀 And RIGHT at the end too?! That ending had me staring at the page like… EXCUSE ME?! 😩😂

If you’re looking for a sweet and spicy F1 romance with great chemistry, this one is definitely worth adding to your TBR! 🏎️💕📚