Tailwind

by Olivia Hayward

Dragons meets F1 in this full-throttle tale of dragon racing, full of fiery heat and breakneck speeds.

There has never been a female dragon rider in the Volitant Dragon Races. Until now.

Once, Lena’s flying talent promised a future for women in this sport. But after a betrayal ended her racing career, Lena now works as a dragon keeper for the washed-up racing tyrant Thorne. Cherishing the close bond she has forged with Gottyk, Thorne’s racing dragon, Lena still yearns to race.

But when an accident takes Thorne out of action minutes from a race beginning, Lena sees an opportunity.

Put on Thorne's racing helmet, and take his place in Volitant.

A chance for her, and women riders everywhere, to seize their victory from the skies...

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Romantasy, Magic, Romance, Adult

467 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 3, 2026

Reviews

[Iqra]

Formula 1 x dragons??? Best believe imma eat that shit upppp

[Andra-Mihaela]

Today is #review day!🥰

From me, Tailwind by Olivia Hayward gets 4.5⭐! 🥳

First of all, I want to thank the Netgalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read this eARC! Here's my voluntary honest review!

So👀…I only have this to say… GIVE ME ALL THE DRAGON RACING!!!!😆

General info : 1st in an adult fantasy series with dragons and racing!; a story about the struggles women face in sports, the systemic barriers against them and the power needed to take that first step; a great debut with a unique world that feels both modern AND with a rich history, so much dragon racing you'll think you've been in the saddle too. and a little bit of romance (I'm serious about this👀…this is very much about our MC and her journey in the sport);a book perfect for all the dragon-loving girls out there that want a story focusing on someone like them! I highly recommend if dragons and Formula 1 sounds great to you, but also if you enjoyed the How to Train Your Dragons series ☺️

CW: bullying, misogyny, class and gender discrimination, emotional manipulation, violence, abuse

BOOK THOUGHTS

I tell you 😤…if you ever wanted to be Astrid from How to train your dragon AND you loved the Pixar movies CARS ( 1st and 3rd ones😎) / are a fan of Formula 1👀… then you should immediately pick up this #book!😆

We follow Lena Paldon, a keeper for the Kiestral team, as she grapples with the loss of her dream🥲…to be a Volitant Dragon Racer. She worked tirelessly for that one chance…only for everything to be taken away from her when she least expect it…😔. Now…it seems her luck is about to change, but the racing world is full of discrimination and misogyny, and these people will not make her climb to glory in any way easy.🥹

As you can see by my rating, this book was fire👀🔥.
It's very much a story about fighting for your dreams while facing entire systems set against you😤.
It's about feminine rage, camaraderie, maybe found family and challenging tradition and prejudice.😆

It does contain a romantic subplot, but I highly believe you'll enjoy this one better if you pick it up for the actual sport and the main character's journey!☺️ ( in my opinion, the romance is around 10-15%, while the racing takes over everything else)
Yes…this IS very much FOCUSED ON THE SPORT!😆 Think about watching a race literally from behind the wheel 😎.
I get the comparison to F1, as fans of that sport are in not only for the actual racing, but also for the drama outside of it 😅…and yeah…we do have drama here😂🤭.(Fear not, I assure you it's the good kind 😉)

Sooo…let's begin with world building.☺️
I found this world easy to get lost into.👍 The author took the following approach : let the reader discover the world as the story progresses, focus on the aspects that matter for the narrative and avoid long exposition as much as possible! 😌
I applaud the decision made here, although I wasn't completely satisfied. ( Hence…4.5) I would have wanted more on arcanite and it's uses/ value for these people. We see it everywhere in our story...from simple uses to complex integration and almost otherworldly status; as it is the magitech of this world, I'm a little frustrated that I never fully grasped the hows and whys.🧐 I also wanted a little bit more on the history of it, those puppeteers, etc…but that may come in later books, and, frankly, I recognise it's not necessary 😅…I'm just very picky with my worlds🫣😂.

Besides that, I enjoyed the details put into the gear, racing rules and environments, the way in which info is spread into this world, even the arcan constructs!☺️ I also liked the descriptions of places our MC got to see( fave one: The Crescent Islands🥹, followed closely by the Pillar😏)…all of them felt vivid and they always complimented a new step in our girl's journey.
I want to add that some, like a certain household 👀🤭…we're truly masterfully written!😆 I felt transported at that table ☺️.

We cannot miss the dragons ( which aren't the only creatures here🤭😉)…they are magnificent!🥹🫶 Every time we spent time in the aviary…I was instantly thrown back to my first time watching How to Train Your Dragon 🥰. ( Don't ask me why😅…I honestly can't tell you 🤣)

Soo…before I move on…here's my top dragon list, obviously!😤: Gottyk, Ascil, Surquet ☺️

Writing and atmosphere! What can I say…the atmosphere is downright extracted from a tense, adrenaline inducing race!🏎️ The writing is clean, has it's moments of beauty , but I believe its greatest strength is the addictive quality to it🧐…it literally makes you turn the pages like tomorrow doesn't come.🤷‍♀️

The pacing is medium to fast; and the magic system is very much combined with the technology. We learn stuff about the creatures, some ancient history is hinted at, but besides being a tool, the magic system isn't the main focus…I would say this is very much a soft one🤔…it's there, it works, but we don't need to know more😗.

Plot: well…I loved it😂…who doesn't like the underdog narrative??👀 Especially when themes such as going up against the patriarchy is involved???🧐
The action is very cinematic, with lots of tension packed into it! Each section of the book brings us and Lena closer to understanding what she is and isn't, and how she should move forward. The basic structure of the plot is a little repetitive in the beginning, but the changes added each time adds flavour not only to Lena, but to the world we're in! You won't be bored o for a second, and you'll have plenty of things to highlight 👀. I also loved how in the second part we added additional dynamics via side characters, relationships, higher stakes and some humour ( my girl is a mega fan😅)…this made everything not only more complex, but more relatable!
I want to mention that, despite this being the start of a series, the first book does a great job to stand on its own.☺️…Soo…the major plot does wrap up nicely 🤭.

Now…characters! Lena is a brash, hothead, a little naive and totally allergic to numbers protagonist!😀 She's caring to those close to her and easily forgives them🥹. Well…with one very much understandable exception😤. But…if she doesn't like you…well😅…be prepared to fight!🤣 With words or fists, she's down either way!🤭
I really liked her! Not only we see various emotions from her, but to get to know her through her actions very well. Her friendship with Theo is extremely well done, especially as she's fighting with herself on what to do now, and what to think…she reminds me of myself…always questioning if her decisions are right, if she's not again taken advantage of.🥲 Before I move to someone else…I want to say that the slow reveal of bits and pieces of her past only make her more likable and easier to understand . That was, in my opinion, the right thing to do 😁.
Theo is such a playboy 👀🤭…but a true friend.☺️ He definitely has flaws, a giant ego that frequently gets in his way to express what he wants 👀, but he does see people for who they are and supports them!
Josie is the brain of this book😂…she asks Lena all the uncomfortable questions and gives her the support she needs, while also being her own person with feelings, issues and goals.
Cam was awesome! 🤣 The author used her very well in those key moments 🤭( her conversation with Bach still makes me proud!😤) and I really hope she gets her own personal growth 😁( I think I know who can help her there😉).
Bach…well…he's a good guy and a decent mentor, but he clearly doesn't know yet what to do😅, and being so important to Lena is also an added layer😂. My guy started obvious to the whole issue regarding this sport, but I'm glad he accepted and actually empathized with our MC.🥲 I didn't even realised what Ms. Hough offer actually meant, until he comforted Lena.🥹
Now…Thorne 👀…well, I actually hope we see more of him🤔…call me strange but he has potential, just as Bach had…after all, he's the guy's antithesis!😤 I would like to know more please!🥹
Other great characters were Quin( my guy is very observant), sweet Colly 🥹🫶, and Jay🤔.

That's it folks!☺️
I highly recommend you give this one a try 😆…remember : How to Train Your Dragon, F1 and CARS fans are welcome here!☺️
This is very much perfect if you want a fast paced adventure, an underdog story following, for once, a woman, and a beautifully unique world of dragons!🥰

[laur gluchie]

ohhhhh my Winged Game obsessed ass needs this rn!!!!!!

[Sophie]

4.25⭐️

“Did you really think you were the only woman being held back?”

F1 BUT WITH DRAGONS!!! 🐉🏁

Lena is a talented flyer working as a dragon keeper, but she dreams of racing in Volitant herself. She has an incredible bond with Gottyk, a dragon currently being ridden by her absolutely HORRIBLE teammate Thorne, while Lena is stuck watching from the sidelines.

I found the beginning a little slow. There’s quite a lot of world-building and setting us up to get through but once we started seeing Lena “become” Thorne, the sexism she was dealing with, the high-stakes dragon races and the friendships beginning to form, I was HOOKED.

And the feminine RAGE I felt throughout this book omg 😭 I wanted to squeeze the life out of Thorne and slap that man SILLY.

The world-building was probably one of my favourite parts. All the different locations and racetracks, the types of dragons and their riders, the flight suits, and the augments used for things like temperature and impact - there is SO much detail here.

Theo actually grated on me at the beginning too. I found him a little insufferable, but I ended up really enjoying his friendship with Lena. Their quick-witted banter was so much fun, and I loved watching that relationship develop.

And JOSIE!!! A ride or die kinda gal. Everyone needs a Josie in their life. I especially loved that Lena recognised how talented she was as a strategist and wanted Josie to have her own success rather than just existing as Lena’s support.

There are some really lovely found family themes throughout, and seeing our little group together by the end was so heartwarming 🥹

So yeah, if you’re looking for thrilling, high-stakes dragon racing with hidden identities, second chances, found family, female friendships and a LOT of feminine rage - here's ya book!

[Daniel Mullen]

Tailwind is a fantastic read if you’re looking for dragons, thrilling action, and high-stakes competition without the backdrop of an all-out war. Think Formula One meets dragons—fast-paced aerial racing, daring sword fights, and edge-of-your-seat excitement.

At its heart is Lena, a dragon keeper and former junior racer with one ambitious dream: to become the first woman to compete at the highest level of a male-dominated sport. As she battles prejudice, fierce rivals, and the dangers of dragon racing, you’ll find yourself rooting for her every step of the way.

Will Lena break barriers and make history? You’ll have to read Tailwind to find out.

[Anna]

For whatever reason, this book had such a hard time holding my attention during the first halt that I really didn't expect it to lurk & lock me in the way it managed to do in the second half.

If there’s one big theme in this book, start to finish, besides dragon racing, then it’s probably the good old misogyny in professional sport.
Every dragon rider, every professional on the respective teams and obviously everyone higher up: all men. Breaking into this sport as a woman is basically impossible.
Disguised as Thorne, the rider she works directly under, Lena is now finally part of the Volitant, flying alongside the best of the best and the rider she admires most, Bach. Once it’s known that the rider everyone thought is Thorne isn’t actually him but Lena, and a woman at that, she barely has a chance to prove herself before being kicked out again, not only as a rider but also as a keeper.

The biggest issue for me in this book and the part that I had the most trouble with were the races. I don’t know what it was, but I barely was able to keep up with what happened during those scenes and when suddenly weapons appeared, I was, uh, lost.

What I loved during the second half though and what really got my attention is seeing how Lena interacts with the people around her. Her growing friendship with Josie, the mentorship with her hero Bach, the reconnecting-friendship-that-will-probably-turn-into-an-actual-relationship with Theo, as well as her growing friendship with the other riders.
By the time the last race of the season & in the book was happening, I was totally invested in the outcome, even though the weapons still didn’t make any sense.

If you are looking specifically for a sport-romantasy, this book isn’t necessarily it. The romance, which is very nicely done, is a subplot at best, while the focus is on the dragons & the sport. Now, this is however book one in a series, so the romance might develop more intensely in the sequel.
(I will say that naming the good guy Theo and the bad guy Thorne was a *choice*)

There’s a glossary in the book and some stats about the riders, dragons and races, and I can see how this might come in hand for people while reading.

Will I be reading the sequel? Yes & I’m very intrigued in what direction the plot will go.

Thank you to Michael Joseph/Penguin UK for providing this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[lia ✩]

thank you Netgalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for this arc in exchange of an honest review!

DRAGONS x FORMULA 1! there has never been a female dragon rider in the volitant dragon races. until now.

lena’s flying talent promised a future for women in this sport. but after a betrayal ended her racing career, lena now works as a dragon keeper for the washed-up racing tyrant thorne. but when an accident takes thorne out of action minutes from a race beginning, lena sees an opportunity.

tailwind by olivia hayward is such a fun and refreshing take on dragon fantasy. the idea of combining dragons with the intensity of formula 1 racing sounds incredible (since i'm a fan of the sport) so it worked incredibly well. i especially loved the racing scenes—they’re exciting, fun and genuinely made me feel like i was right there alongside lena.

one of the things that i liked it the most was lena’s determination to prove herself in a world that doesn’t want women like her to succeed. the friendships, the dragons, the slow-burn romance, and the underlying feminist themes gave the story a lot of heart.

ofc it wasn’t perfect, the pacing occasionally slowed outside of the races, and some of the world-building could have been fleshed out more—but overall, i had a great time with it. if you like dragons, fantasy romance, found family, and a little bit of adrenaline, tailwind is definitely worth picking up!! 🐉🏎️✨

[Mela]

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

In this story we follow Lena, a dragon keeper that always dreamed of riding dragons. However her career got cut short due to Theo her old best friend. One day her rider cannot compete so she secretly takes his place. Will she be able to finally become the rider she always dreamed of being?

This is only my second sports fantasy so I don’t know a lot about the subgenre, but this book was just not for me. I really liked the concept and the dragon riding aspect and I did enjoy those scenes. However the rest was okay. I could not connect with the characters, which was quite upsetting because I really love when MCs tend to have a personality like Lena’s, but I could not be invested in her story. Also the first half of this book was really slow for me and while I enjoyed the resolution to some of the conflicts I wish we could have gotten more. I don’t think this is a bad book, but it was just not the right book for me, so if you’re a fan of sports fantasy and dragon riding I would still recommend trying this one out.

[Dee Hancocks]

I absolutely loved the high-stakes dragon racing in this book, and the cool inclusion of technology and weaponry layered into the competition added even more excitement to the action. The characters are incredibly fun to follow, and I particularly enjoyed the dynamics between the friends, especially the fantastic execution of the second-chance friendship arc. The narrative also includes highly intriguing feminist commentary, offering a compelling debate about the first woman trying to break into the sport. Ultimately, this is very good young adult fiction filled with dragons, racing, and genuinely gutsy characters that I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

[Maria P]

° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓛;𝓓𝓡 ✧˖°
A Formula 1 Inspired Romantic Fantasy perfect for readers looking for a sports anime vibe with an emphasis on strong, competitive friendships, hot romantic tension that escalates with the angst of their past, and heavy feminist themes softened by loveable dragons.

° ˖✧ 𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 ✧˖°
4.25 ⭐
1 🌶️

° ˖✧ 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
"We both know you only reach your potential when you're competing with me. But I'm not the same without you either."

"If you waste time after a loss, you're further away from the next win."

"Those young girls who saw you, they no longer have dreams - they have plans."

He was my dragon, he always had been, but now everyone else knew it too.

° ˖✧ 𝓢𝔂𝓷𝓸𝓹𝓼𝓲𝓼 𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂 ✧˖°
When washed-up racer Thorne has an accident minutes before a race, it’s up to dragon keeper Lena to rekindle her racing career and ride in Thorne’s stead. Can she maintain her hidden identity and win for team Kiestral?

° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
🏁 Formula 1 Inspired
🪪 Hidden Identity
💘 Rivals to Lovers
2️⃣ Second Chance
❤️‍🔥 Slow Burn
🫶 Found Family
🔗 Forced Proximity
🗣️ Feminine Rage
⚙️ Magitech

° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓰𝓮𝓻 𝓦𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 ✧˖°
♀️ Misogyny
🩸 Mild Violence
❤️‍🩹 Substance Abuse
💨 Absent Parents

° ˖✧ 𝓛𝓲𝓴𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
+ Sports Anime Vibe
+ Cocky MMC that's Soft on the Inside
+ Romantic Chemistry and Hot Tension
+ Tender Second Chance Moments
+ Genuine Racer Friendships
+ Pet-Like Dragon Dynamics
+ Action-Packed Racing
+ Twisty Ending

° ˖✧ 𝓓𝓲𝓼𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
- Complex Worldbuilding
- Writing felt Clunky at the Start
- Slow Pacing in Beginning
- Love Interest Confusion
- Adult Novel with YA Tone
- Heavy Handed Feminism Themes

° ˖✧ 𝓜𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼 ✧˖°
I couldn't wait to start this read - it felt right up my alley! And it was, though it took me a while to get there...

Admittedly, I did find it a little hard to get into at first though. While the opening scene is stunning, there's a lot of setup and backstory and technical terms that threw me initially. With the Magitech trope in a fantasy world there's a LOT of to learn quickly, though there is a glossary in the back to help.

Also, there's an air of mystery in the first few chapters that's trying to tease the reader. The main character keeps very obviously referring to something that happened in her past and then refusing to elaborate on it. It gets a little frustrating at times, and took me out of the story a bit from how clunky it felt.

I also was a little bit confused with who the love interest was supposed to be at first. The initial male introduction is Thorne, the grumpy misogynistic driver and who's dragon Lena looks after. He's incredibly harsh right off the bat and I was concerned he would be the MMC, with Theo (Lena's ex best friend) being in some sort of angsty triangle with them.

I'm pleased to tell you that that's not the case! All the romantic tension comes from Theo's betrayal 5 years ago and then being forced to work together in the tournament. Once I adjusted to this and the story settled into a more stable rhythm, I literally couldn't put this book down!

The book feels a little bit like a sports anime to me, with the same awkward moments, touching scenes, and competitiveness of the genre! I will say it does read a little YA as a result, which is initially a bit off-putting, but I soon settled in! I adored the friendships Lena starts to make with the other racers and keepers (Colly is so excitable and Quinn balances him perfectly!) and wanted more scenes with everyone together!

And Theo... he's the typical tough on the outside soft on the inside guy, which I love! His flirting and competitiveness with Lena was brilliant to read, especially how flustered he got when Lena flirted back! And their friendship coming to life after so long apart is beautiful to watch. When the tension finally snapped, I literally reread the scene several times (so hot!) and even with what happened after, I loved the unique approach!

I did think occasionally the feminist themes came on a bit strongly, but I also appreciated how it highlighted certain struggles in the sporting industry in general. And when they were on the track actually racing, it felt really well-done and I liked that Lena didn't just immediately blow past everyone. She had a lot to learn (still does!) and it shows.

Also, I know this is a long review, but I simply must talk about the dragons themselves! They act like pets in the best way, with Gottyk being like a dog and several others being cat-like in their behaviour! I loved the bond Lena had with her dragons, and the ending had me tearing up as a result! I can't wait to see more of them in the sequel.

I also can't wait to see how Lena and Theo navigate their dynamic (an amazing example of a slow burn series), and friendships with the other racers strengthen even more in the next book!

Thank you to Olivia Hayward and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for the opportunity to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Gabriela]

Dragones, carreras y sueños imposibles: una historia que sorprende

Puntuación: 4.5 ⭐️

Muchas gracias a Penguin Random House y NetGalley por permitirme leer una copia adelantada de esta historia. Las opiniones que leerán son mías y solo mías.

Si soy completamente sincera, debo decir que no esperaba que este libro me gustara tanto. El ritmo es trepidante como las carreras de dragones que narra, pero lo que más me gustó fue la idea de sororidad, de seguir adelante cueste lo que cueste por alcanzar un sueño, y por la originalidad del deporte que describe.

El libro está dividido en 3 partes y cada una tiene un desarrollo claro. Para empezar, NO es un romance. Sí hay una pequeña subtrama romántica que seguro tomará más protagonismo en el próximo libro, pero en este no es ni de cerca lo más relevante. Para mí es, ante todo, el viaje de Lena, la protagonista, para sortear todos los obstáculos que aparecen entre ella y su sueño de correr en las competencia de carrera de dragones Volitant.

De manera individual, tal vez Lena no sea una protagonista diferente a las que podrían aparecer en los libros de fantasía. Al fin y al cabo, tiene cierto aire de "elegida" con un carácter fuerte y temperamental y gran capacidad física. Sin embargo, dado el contexto creo que es exactamente la mejor caracterización que pudo tener su personaje.

Los personajes secundarios no son meros añadidos. Si me preguntan, son los que realmente conducen la historia de Lena y ayudan a mostrar, más que decir, el conflicto principal: las mujeres que se atreven a soñar cosas "imposibles" en un mundo dominado por hombres. No puedo dejar de mencionar a Josie (yo le hubiera dado su propio POV porque me encantó), otra mujer con grandes aspiraciones. La presencia de Josie hace que Lena no sea "especial" en su interés de querer más, sino que remarca las limitaciones y los obstáculos, y pone en contexto las distintas formas en las que estos personajes femeninos luchan por encontrar su lugar. Creo que esto la autora lo hizo con toda intención, porque por mucho que Lena tenga amigos hombres, incluso amigos que realmente se preocupan por ella, es en Josie, un espíritu afín en sus motivaciones, donde realmente se siente comprendida, incluso aunque lidien de maneras distintas con los obstáculos.

También siento que la autora, con un conjunto de personajes pequeño, supo describir distintas posiciones con respecto al lugar de la mujer en el deporte. Bach, por un lado, intenta hacer todo en su poder para redimir su actitud pasiva del pasado. Elias observa todo con indiferencia desde un punto neutral. Theo, tan centrado en su carrera y su propia competitividad, que ni siquiera se daba cuenta del doble trabajo que tenía que hacer su amiga para lograr lo mismo que él.

El "romance" que pueda haber es en realidad una subtrama de crecimiento, perdón y volver a encontrar el camino a una amistad casi perdida. La autora supo balancear estas escenas entre carreras y sesiones de estrategias muy bien.

Y, por supuesto, el meollo de todo el libro: las carreras. Aquí tengo que aclarar que mi conocimiento de la Formula 1 es nulo, así que muchas cosas puede que sean triviales para un lector más entendido en ese deporte. Para mí, todo el mundo es muy original, aunque tal vez haya alguno elementos que necesitaran un poco más de explicación. La autora creo que supo trasladar muy bien la idea de carreras a alta velocidad en la tierra, a las carreras de dragones en el aire, dándole un aire épico con combates contra obstáculos. Además, me quedé muy satisfecha con las respuestas que da a las preguntas usuales de "por qué no se rompe el cuello si va cayendo en el aire" o "con esa velocidad, por qué no se cae" o "por qué ve u oye algo de lo que le rodea con el viento que debe estar enfrentando".

A todo ese mundo dentro de las carreras, se le añade un poco de lore referente a los dragones, a cómo se crían, los distintos tipos, y cómo uno u otro es mejor en las carreras. Incluso habla de la evolución del deporte, cosa que me fascinó.

Si no los he convencido con todos estos elementos, pues creo que deberían leerlo de todas formas. Ha sido una lectura llena de acción, dragones y amistades épicas que me hicieron pasar disfrutar en todo momento. Estoy ya ansiosa por el próximo libro.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dragons, Races, and Impossible Dreams: A Surprising Story

Rating: 4.5 ⭐️

Many thanks to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for letting me read an advance copy of this story. The opinions you’ll read here are mine and mine alone.

To be completely honest, I have to say I didn’t expect to like this book this much. The pace is as fast-paced as the dragon races it describes, but what I liked most was the idea of sisterhood—of pushing forward no matter what to achieve a dream—and the originality of the sport it depicts.

The book is divided into three parts, each with a clear narrative arc. I want to start by stressing out that it is NOT a romance. There is a small romantic subplot that will surely take center stage in the next book, but in this one, it’s not even close to being the most important part. For me, it’s, above all, the journey of Lena, the protagonist, as she overcomes all the obstacles that stand between her and her dream of competing in the Volitant dragon races.

On her own, Lena might not seem like a protagonist unlike any other in fantasy books. After all, she has a certain “chosen one” vibe, with a strong, temperamental personality and great physical ability. However, given the context, I think this is exactly the best characterization she could have had.

The supporting characters aren’t just window dressing. If you ask me, they’re the ones who really drive Lena’s story and help to show—rather than just state—the main conflict: women who dare to dream of “impossible” things in a male-dominated world. I can’t help but mention Josie (I would have given her her own POV because I loved her), another woman with big aspirations. Josie’s presence ensures that Lena isn’t “special” in her desire for more; rather, it highlights the limitations and obstacles and puts into context the different ways these female characters struggle to find their place. I think the author did this intentionally, because no matter how many male friends Lena has—even friends who genuinely care about her—it’s in Josie, a kindred spirit in her motivations, that she truly feels understood.

I also feel that the author, with a small cast of characters, managed to depict different perspectives on women’s place in sports. Bach, on the one hand, tries to do everything in his power to make up for his passive attitude in the past. Elias, on the other hand, observes everything with indifference from a neutral standpoint. Theo is so focused on his career and his own competitiveness that he didn’t even realize the extra effort his friend had to put in to achieve the same things he did.

Any “romance” that may be present is actually a subplot about personal growth, forgiveness, and rediscovering the path to a nearly lost friendship. The author did a great job of balancing these scenes with the races and strategy sessions.

And, of course, the heart of the entire book: the races. Here I have to clarify that my knowledge of Formula 1 is nonexistent, so many things may seem trivial to a reader more familiar with the sport. For me, the whole world feels very original, although there may be some elements that could use a little more explanation. I think the author did a great job of translating the concept of high-speed races on land into dragon races in the air, giving it an epic feel with battles against obstacles. I was also very satisfied with the answers she provides to common questions like “Why doesn’t the rider break their neck while falling through the air?” or “At that speed, why don’t they fall off?” or “How can they see or hear anything around them with all the wind they must be facing?”

On top of this whole world of racing, there’s a bit of lore about the dragons—how they’re raised, the different types, and which ones are best suited for racing. It even discusses the evolution of the sport, which I found fascinating.

If I haven't convinced you with all these points, well, I think you should read it anyway. It was a book full of action, dragons, and epic friendships that kept me entertained the whole time. I'm already looking forward to the next book.

[Olivia]

Review of proof copy received from the Publisher.

Spectacular!! The Winged Game x She’s The Man x F1 but with dragons!

I absolutely adored this book. The commentary on feminism and women breaking through in male only sports was absolutely spot on.

The characters were loveable. Get you a friend like Josie is to Lena. The female friendship and bond between these two is what dreams are made of. Not a woman but special mention to Bach!

Gottyk the dragon 🐉- need I say more!

Needless to say I can’t wait for the next book!! And to be honest I will now be reading ANYTHING Olivia Hayward writes!

[Juli Rahel]

Sometimes a book hits you with all the things you enjoy, all at once, and the experience is an utter pleasure. That was Tailwind for me, which gave me not just dragons and dragon riders, but dragon racing! And then Olivia Hayward added more and made sure I had a great time. Thanks to Michael Joseph, Penguin, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Everything is a series these days, or a trilogy at the very least. While I love being able to stay in a world for multiple books, the questions that do frequently arise are: 1), is it that serious? and 2), are we still telling complete stories? I do feel that often stories are stretched beyond what they can carry, leading to repetition, added misunderstandings which frustrate rather than titillate, and a pace so slow universes have collapsed by the time we reach the conclusion. I knew Tailwind was the first in a series and so I was slightly worried going in, but Olivia Hayward is a champion. What you see in the blurb is merely the first part of the book and I am very confident that other authors would have split Tailwind itself into three books already. By not doing so, Hayward lets us really spend time with the characters for a good while but also keeps the pace high and the plot going. She also throws everything at this story and, for me at least, pretty much everything sticks. We have dragon racing, we have training montages, we have fisticuffs, we have glow-ups and media shenanigans, we're putting misogynists in their place and we're learning to express our feelings, we have found family and friendship, we have a slowly developing potential romance (which is pretty much a sub-plot here so get lost with the romantasy-label!) which I know will give us some excellent yearning in the future.

Lena has always wanted to race dragons and this is not a far-flung dream. She was astounding in the junior leagues, but as a woman in a male-dominated sport there have been countless hurdles in her way. Add to that a betrayal from a childhood friend, and now Lena is a keeper, raising her beloved dragon Gottyk from hatchling for another racer, Thorne, who happens to be a misogynistic ass. When the opportunity arises to take his place, Lena joins the Volitant in disguise and races. But how long can she keep up the ruse? I thought this would be the book but, reader, it is merely Part I! We have so much more! I don't really want to discuss any of it because as we moved into Part II and then Part III I just enjoyed going with the flow. I like Lena as a main character a lot. She is stubborn but deeply loyal, a bit of a brawler and definitely emotionally constipated. She knows her own skills and her own value, but with all the pushback she gets as a woman, her struggle to fully believe it felt realistic. I also loved Josie, a fellow keeper who becomes a friend and partner-in-crime; Cam, Lena's sister; Theo, the childhood traitor and current race competitor; as well as (most of) the other dragon racers. It felt like a broad cast of characters in which each had their own personality without overwriting it. The back-and-forth between Lena and Josie was really fun to read and the developing relationship between Lena and Theo was satisfying while leaving plenty of room for drama in the following books. I also adored the dragons, because of course I did.

From what I can tell, this is a debut novel and I can only give Olivia Hayward major props. Like I said, I enjoyed the characterisation, but the world-building also felt solid for a first book. We get enough background to understand the world we're moving in, with hints at more to come, from Lena's family history to background on the dragons. What I really appreciated, though, is the clear way in which Olivia Hayward highlighted the experience of women in male-dominated fields. Lena has to deal with a broad spectrum of disrespect, from Thorne who is a consistently threatening presence, to casual asides of "pretty good for a girl" to active attempts to keep her in her place. It makes her struggle feel more realistic, but Hayward also makes sure to not make Lena the Special One, the singular girl who can take on the men. Instead, she surrounds Lena with other female characters who experience the same, who recognise the struggle and want to help, and with male characters who are willing to recognise their own part in some of this and do better. For some these themes may feel too on the nose, but I think that unfortunately we're in a time where we once again have to make it clear that this nonsense is sexist. I'm so glad Lena is the kind of character who will punch a problem, rather than appease it. Was Tailwind absolutely perfect? No, sometimes the transitions between scenes felt a bit rough and here and there some world-building info was repeated, but hopefully this was resolved in a final round of editing. Sometimes the tone also veered slightly into YA, but I had so much fun with this! I will wait patiently, but longingly, for the next book because I adore my dragons and can't wait to see what Hayward does next!

Tailwind was exactly what I needed at this point, at once earnest about its message and a whole lot of fun! The characters are loveable, the world is fun, and the pace is more than solid. Come for the dragon racing and stay for the dragon racing and female empowerment!

URL: https://universeinwords.blogspot.com/...

[hannah ⊹ ࣪ ˖]

4.5⭐ (the more I think about this, the more I love it, so this might get bumped up to 5⭐)

"The mountain you are trying to scale, it is one I now stand at the top of. Being the first to do anything is difficult, but being the first woman is grueling."

Based off past experiences with books that include F1 and/or dragons, I knew I would probably enjoy this, but I loved this 10x more than I thought I would. I went into Tailwind expecting dragons and F1 (obviously), but I was not prepared for how genuinely entertaining the racing itself would be. Olivia Hayward takes the intensity, strategy, rivalries and spectacle of professional racing and gives it wings, scales and a whole lot more danger. The result is fast, fiery and ridiculously easy to get invested in. It took me approximately 1.5 chapters for me to be completely hooked.

The Volitant races were easily my favorite part. There’s so much happening during them (speed, tactics, teamwork, competition, obstacles, and the unique personalities of the dragons) and somehow they never felt like the same race repeated over and over. I don't follow F1 closely, but I never felt like I needed to. The sport is explained enough to make it exciting without turning the story into a rulebook.

And then there are the dragons. Gottyk absolutely stole my heart. I loved that the dragons felt like actual characters rather than glorified vehicles, and Lena's bond with Gottyk was one of the emotional highlights of the book. Their relationship gives the racing stakes beyond simply winning or losing, and some of their quieter moments were just as memorable as the action. Some of my favorite moments in Fourth Wing involve getting to know those dragons and their personalities, so it doesn't surprise me that I loved that part of this book so much.

Lena was another huge reason this worked for me. She's stubborn, passionate, impulsive and sometimes frustrating, but that made her feel much more human. Watching her fight her way back toward the dream she'd lost years ago was incredibly satisfying. The sexism she encounters is infuriating, but I really appreciated that the story doesn't make Lena the only woman capable of succeeding. The women around her have their own ambitions, strengths and struggles, and the emphasis on solidarity rather than competition between women was something I especially enjoyed.

The found family element was also fantastic. Josie in particular was a standout for me, and I loved watching Lena gradually allow herself to rely on other people again. There are so many characters here that I wanted more time with, which is a very good problem to have when there's another book coming.

I also really enjoyed the Lena/Theo dynamic. This is definitely a slow burn, and the romance is much more of a subplot than the premise might lead you to expect. Honestly, I think that worked in its favor. Their history adds a layer to every interaction, and the combination of old hurt, competitiveness, banter and lingering affection made their relationship one of the things I'm most curious to see develop. There is plenty of tension, but the story doesn't rush them into something just because it's expected to.

What surprised me most is that Tailwind isn't really a romantasy disguised as a sports fantasy. It's a fantasy sports story first, with dragons, ambition, friendship, sexism, second chances and a romance simmering underneath it all. And honestly? I loved that. It felt very different from similar books I've read in the past. I didn't pick this up wanting a romance with dragon racing in the background, I wanted the opposite, and that's exactly what this was.

Dragons racing through the sky at terrifying speeds, a woman finally getting the chance to prove she belongs, complicated friendships, an infuriating rival, and a found family I already want to spend more time with... this was an absolute blast. Now I just need book two! I'm already dying to get back to this world and these characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Michael Joseph/PRH for this ARC!

[Noni]

For a book with the premise of F1 but with dragons, I feel that the most important part would be the racing sequences, and Hayward thankfully writes scenes that are both incredibly vivid and thrilling. There were times where I could almost imagine what it would be like to be weightless in the air and I was always able to keep up with what was happening even when there was a lot going on at once. With the rest of the set up I thought I always had a pretty good idea of how the plot beats would hit but there was an unexpected turn at the halfway point for the story that did take it in a different that I really liked seeing and kept the story more interesting.

Lena, as a main character, felt fully realised. I appreciated she wasn't just the talent underdog who needed a chance but it went into how she had to learn how much harder pro-racing was the importance of a team behind her and her moving past her mistrust in other people. There were times when it did feel like she was a little too snappish in situations where she should have been smart enough to know better, but that's more of a nit pick than anything else.

Other than the dragon racing, the strongest element for me was the commentary on class and sexism in professional sports. I appreciate how it wasn't, we need one woman to be really good to prove them all wrong then its fine, its how this is a systemic issue where it doesn't matter how good women are men will always push them out and shut the door behind them. What was especially realistic to me a was the writing of Thorne's character as this misogynist bully who all the other men acknowledge his behaviour, apologise for it, but none of them ever step in or say anything about it. Then it falls to other women, ones who aren't in a safe position to do so, being the ones to do something about it.

Then, on the topic, I did struggle to like Theo as a love interest. Not getting into spoilers, but his remorse over what happened never came across as truly genuine for me, especially with how his apology actually ends up happening. I never got the idea he actually understood the gravity of what he had done when he was the reason Lena wasn't able to become a rider which as previously discussed was impossible for her otherwise when as a privilege wealthy man Theo would always have those opportunities handed to him. So it was difficult for me to come around on him to he a love interest who apparently has to be hand held through why what he did was wrong but then still not really get it then it the end it felt like it was almost brushed under the rug.

What made up for that was the female friendships. Yes there were also men Lena becomes friends with who help her but her friendship with Josie just felt special to me and how they always stay loyal to each other no matter what to contrast with her friendship with Theo see them always keep their word and have each others back is something I think is always important to see.

This was very strong as both a debut novel and first book in a series. I'm definitely looking forward to the next Dragon Rush instalment. If you're a fan of F1, or really just competing stories in general, dragons, and found family, you should 100% check this out.

Digital ARC provided by netgalley.

[Kimi]

4.25 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Micheal Joseph for providing a digital ARC in exchange for a review. This review contains my honest thoughts and personal opinions on the book.

Olivia Hayward’s Tailwind is a first in a series and an excellent alternative for readers who want dragons in a different environment from the classic fantasy or war-driven world. This book is very much F1 with dragons. From thrilling races to aerial combat, everything about this book is fast-paced and full of emotional stakes.

Lena Paldon dreams of being the first woman to race in Volitant, the highest level of professional dragon racing. As a result of betrayal five years prior when she was a junior racer, Lena was forced to give up her dream and become a dragon keeper in order to stay close to the sport she loves. When racer Huwin Thorne suddenly is unable to continue during the season, Lena seizes her opportunity and secretly races in his place. This is her one chance to fulfill her ambition and reignite her career or send what’s left of it crashing to oblivion. The catch? Lena needs a team of people to help her succeed, which means trusting the one person who stole her dream and betrayed her: Theo Vaspre.

I’m not overly familiar with Formula One, but thankfully my lack of previous knowledge did not hinder my enjoyment of this story. The world and technology was easy to get into and had enough detail without getting too bogged down. In some ways the book took the familiar structures of our world while shaping it with innovative ideas that made it still feel unique.

All of that aside, the true focus and stars of the story were the characters, dragons and racing.

Lena was easy to root for even if her stubborn and hot-headed nature often made her faults and failures glaringly obvious. However, it felt more relatable and balanced as a person, especially as a main character. She has to work extremely hard to achieve her goals which made all her wins feel earned. Her love for her dragons is as deep as her loyalty to those she trusts. Lena’s quick wit makes her interactions with other characters deeply amusing. The female friendships in this book were particularly well written in this book and something I really appreciated. Although there is a romance, it definitely is not the main focus in this story or a romance forward book.

The dragon races were written with heart-pounding excitement. On top of various environments and circuit challenges the aspect of aerial combat and obstacles made the races all that more engaging. It was more than just flying but a mix of strategy and rider-dragon synergy that makes or breaks each race. The rules, penalties, and social drama were seamlessly woven in alongside the tradition and history that made the sport not just a plotline, but an important cornerstone of this fictional world.

Everything considered, this was a fantastic debut and I’m excited to read more of Lena’s story in the future. Even though I will be picking up the eventual sequel I believe that Tailwind will also read well on its own if you’re not wanting to commit to a series at the moment.

[Ivi]

𝑨 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒐𝒃𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒗𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒂 🤩

Jokes aside, as a self-proclaimed slow reader I could NOT put this book down, @Olivia what did you put in this??! And it’s a debut WHAT

This book throws you in the middle of a fully fleshed out world and I was hooked from the first chapter! It’s exactly what I was looking for, a fun, fast-paced, high-stakes with character conflict fantasy with a slowburn romance and found family 🧡

𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒔
✨ F1-level Dragon Racing
✨ Slow burn
✨ Rivals to Lovers
✨ Secret / Mistaken Identity
✨ Found Family

You can immediately tell the writer’s love for the sport through the writing. The appreciation for the circuits, the teams, the suit as well as similarities in sport history and politics. If you love F1 and drive to survive as well as fantasy you will love this 🏁

The history and distinct personalities of the dragons were a highlight for me, I enjoyed learning about them and the relationship between Lena and her dragon so much. There was also a variety of characters, including antagonists, and as a sucker for a found family dynamic I adored that it was sprinkled in different parts of the book, not just in Lena’s relationships. I generally loved the side characters and hope we get to see more of them in the rest of the series.

Now the romance, a slowburn rivals-to-lovers is exactly what this is because we will have to wait until book 2 and I’m reeliiing !!! The setup for it is so good 🤩 the romance is definitely not as prominent as what I’m expecting in the rest of the series, there was a larger focus on Lena’s journey of becoming a rider and her experience as a woman 🧡 frankly this is exactly what I like in a book, the focus being on the characters journey with a slow buildup in romance.

I’d categorise it as more of a fantasy romance instead of a romantic fantasy, I kept wanting more but the slow is burning and I’m here for it. Also…he falls first…👀

And a special mention to the emphasis on the difficulties of having to try ten times harder and face ten times the obstacles as a woman to be able to achieve even a fraction of what men can in the industry (or any industry really).

Losing a star as I felt there was a lot of internal monologue with lots of telling us things instead of showing us. There were also certain repetitions of e.g. what the suits were capable of and their different features as well as being too descriptive in some cases and not enough in others.

Honestly, this is one of those books that I know I’ll be re-reading because I had so much fun. I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline and world building and cannot wait for books 2 and 3 🔥

Overall Tailwind is an unforgettable debut novel that bridges the gap between a beloved sport and fantasy.

Thank you @michaeljbooks for the e-ARC of Tailwind in exchange for an honest review.

#Tailwind #NetGalley

[jodie | theenchantedshelf_]

“We both know you only reach your potential when you’re competing with me. But I’m not the same without you either.”

“If you waste time after a loss, you’re further away from the next win.”

“He was my dragon, he always had been, but now everyone else knew it too.”

“The mountain you are trying to scale, it is one I now stand at the top of. Being the first to do anything is difficult, but being the first woman is gruelling.”

✨✨✨

Oh my god thank you so much to Olivia Hayward, Siren Book Club and Michael Joseph for a proof of this because wow.

This was everything I wanted it to be, and everything I didn’t know I needed.

✨ f1 style dragon racing
✨ slow burn
✨ secret identity
✨ found family
✨ second chance
✨ women in sport empowerment
✨ friends to rivals to lovers

I honestly cannot get over the fact that this is a DEBUT NOVEL because what do you mean?! It’s a completely immersive world, with characters that already feel established and grounded in their storylines. I was hooked from the first sentence, and the rest of the book kept me on the line till the end.

If you’re a fan of f1, you’ll love this. And if you’re a fan of dragons, you’ll love this! Olivia’s love for the sport of f1 is evident in the way she’s built the racing teams and the dynamics within them, as well as in smaller details like the fan service and sponsors. There’s so much to explore around the history of the sport and the teams, all with their differently bred dragons and lineage, and it’s woven into the main storyline so well.

This one definitely leans heavier into the fantasy side of romantasy than romance because the slow burn is burning and I’m actually so excited to see what happens between Lena and Theo in book two, like this is trulyyyy slow burn! Their relationship dynamic js also woven into the storyline really well because it’s like almost a sub plot, but then their rivalry and the loss of their childhood friendship is really a driving force in a lot of what Lena does in her racing career.

Gottyk. Oh my little heart, he is just the dragon sidekick every girl needs. My heart absolutely broke for him at points in the story, and I really felt the care and love Lena has for him. And vice versa. I need more Gottyk in book two, like I can’t go without that big orange baby any longer. His protective instincts and his love for Lena and his little sassy pants moments were just perfect and really tugged on the emotional heartstrings in a sporting world that doesn’t have a tonne of emotion in it.

Lena’s journey too was one that I loved reading, she’s stubborn and she’s aggressive but she’s determined and pure in her intentions. Her struggle to be able to ride as a woman in Volitant is one I think a lot of readers can relate to, not just when it comes to sport.

Honestly I want to reread this immediately I’m absolutely obsessed. When I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it and when I was reading I was just lost in the story! Thank you again to Olivia, Siren Book Club and Michael Joseph for gifting me a proof to read.

Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Spice: 🌶️

[Kathleen Hoffman]

Thank you Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. As I sit here collecting my thoughts about this book, two words are screaming in my mind: GIRL POWER. This was not at all what I was expecting. Based on the description, I was thinking this was going to be an F1 inspired dragon romantasy, (which is a fresh concept in its own right), but that’s not how it went at all. Ok, the F1 inspiration was there and the dragons…. Throw the rest of the cookie cutter romantic fantasies out the window. This book was super empowering!

Lena, a dragon keeper, (this is someone who is essentially the dragon’s handler), lost her racing career 5 years ago when betrayed by her best friend. When an opportunity presents itself to finally get back in the game, she takes her shot, even with all the odds stacked against her. As a woman in a male dominated sport and essentially a man’s world, the obstacles she faces are never ending. With the help of her friends along the way, her lifetime hero, and her lovable dragon, Lena may just realize a woman with something to prove may just have the heart to win it all.

This book was super fast paced even though it’s quite lengthy. The characters, the world building, the magic system, all really set it apart from many dragon stories out there today. I wouldn’t really classify this as a Romantasy as the romance, while subtly sprinkled in, is such a slow burn, that it’s not really a burn at all, (I’m hopeful this is prevalent in book two though as I really like the two of them… think rivals to lovers, friends to lovers… hell, you could even go enemies to lovers loosely).

Listen, anytime a woman is out there kicking ass and taking names, I’m here for it, and Lena, she was definitely doing all of that and more. Women don’t have it easy, especially in industries that are heavily male dominated… I know, I work in one. I really enjoyed how the author made Lena’s journey inspiring but then also surrounded her with a ton of support, (both male and female). It made for a powerful and exciting book that has me looking forward to the next installment.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one and I think had the romance been a little more prevalent… toward the end as I get the slow burn… it would have been a 5 star read for me. While it didn’t need that to be a great book, I like romance so, what can I say?

4 stars. I can’t wait for the next one!

[b]

In full transparency, I requested this book on NetGalley because the cover was pretty. I skimmed the blurb with a bit of hesitation because it didn't exactly sound like something directly up my alley but I am not immune to judging a book by it's cover and again. The cover is absolutely gorgeous.

I think I made it through about the first two chapters before I had the realization that I was going to love this book. It had the perfect blend of voicey narration and fast-paced scenes that kept me waiting to see what might happen next. The characters were compelling in their own right but it was the racing scenes that really got me. It hit all the right points that I love about sports scenes and Volitant felt fully fleshed out instead of just F1 with dragons pasted in place.

With that being said, I loved the dragon characters. They weren't just racecars with scales and wings, Gottyk and all the other dragons felt distinct, especially considering the main character's affection for them. Lena felt like a character in her own right which is crazy to have as a bare minimum but I fear some books don't even do that for their "fmc"s so it was a breath of relief.

The worldbuilding was interesting if a bit left to the imagination, but as long as I went along with it everything was fine. As with most stuff in the book, I was having such a blast on the ride I didn't really poke too much as long as it contributed to the overall experience.

The cast of characters was varied and I especially appreciated Bach and Colly, I do think the friendships could have been a bit less instant but 1) that's picking nits and 2) I will excuse almost everything because of how much fun I had reading this book. I will die on almost any hill. Fight me.

The one thing that lost me was how literally no one realized Thorne wasn't on the train. Like what. I promise no one is that unobservant considering he's both important and a notorious dick There were probably 2.5 paragraphs I wish weren't in the book because of how on the nose/awkward they were but out of 400 pages it was acceptable.

Anyway I am not a fantasy dragon romance girlie but I am a Tailwind girlie because of how much fun it was to read over the course of 24 hours, I will fight in the war for this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC

[Megan » Hello Book Bird!]

"Who needs numbers when you've got wings?"

All I went off was the beautiful cover and dragon racing...and boy howdy was this a fun ride!

Let me be clear that I had no idea what "F1" was before going into this...but I actually really liked how it was applied. Hayward is an obvious car racing fan and how she re-imagined that in the form of dragon racing was extremely well done.

The action scenes were packed, detailed, and well described. I felt I was in the middle of the action.

The dragons each had distinct personalities and I especially enjoyed Lena and her dragon's bond. Even seeing the keeper duties and the usage of copper pellets for bedding was interesting!

The struggle of being a woman in a man's sport while also having to use what subterfuge you can to get a real chance was impactful. The constant push pull of the sport's expectations, Lena's will to make her dream come true, and lifting other women along with her hit so hard for me. And then the allyship of friends she made in the circuit that helped lift her up when she was fighting against the machine.

Perhaps the biggest flaw this book has is how "the betrayal" with her childhood friend was handled. They were as close as family (more so than her own, actually) and they never, not once, tried to confront how it went down? They just cold turkey stopped talking? I understand this is a slow burn and they needed a reason to hate each other but...honestly, I think it was treated too extreme. Not only extreme, but dragged on way too long. And when they finally start giving in to each other and he says he's never going to let her go and she goes cold because she doesn't believe in long term relationships??? That wasn't even hinted at prior in the book. It feels like a totally contrived reason for a misunderstanding trope to put off them getting together for longer. Ugh.

Outside of that flaw, Thorne felt like a complete caricature...so you kinda just had to roll with his dialogue and how extreme he gets with her.

All-in-all, small nitpicks that don't take away much. I'm sad I can't preorder this yet!

Recommended for the dragon lovers and monster race fans!

Major thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Emily]

They weren’t kidding when they said high-octane.

Tailwind blew me away. After having read both Fourth Wing and the Winged Game (which I enjoyed both, respectively) I was kind’ve expecting the same formula with this one.

Boy was I wrong.

The dragon races were so incredibly well done. I absolutely am not in to F1 at all (unless its fanfiction, iykyk), but could tell that the F1 comp in the description was absolutely not exaggerated. Everything I know that people love about F1 was wrapped up into dragons and fantasy, and I think it worked incredibly well. I physically could not put the book down during a single one of the races, they were just that good.

The plot that occurs in Part 2 of the book I think complimented Part 1 one, and then left me incredibly hyped for Part 3. I know there is usually a template for this kind of story that involves a major event happening, a training arc, and then another major event happening. While Tailwind does kind’ve follow this pattern, I think that the main character felt less like she was going through a physical training arc and more like she was mentally learning to love herself enough to race. And not in a gushy, take away from the action kind of way, but in a way that makes her a stronger FMC and much more realistic character.

On characters, all of the characters in this book felt well-rounded. The camaraderie was my favorite part of The Winged Game, and I think Olivia Hayward gave me that same dose of teammates and friends that love what they do and love to mess around while they do it.

I did really enjoy the romance in this one, even though I saw it coming from a mile away, because I felt like it was so well developed. The romance tricks you into thinking it’s just going to be another romantasy plotline, and then *gasp* they talk their feelings out before any hooking up happens??? what??? A wild concept that made me really enjoy both characters even more.

A very well-rounded book, I wish I could get my hands on a physical copy in the US! Looking forward to the US release whenever that date is announced.

If you are looking for a high-stakes, fast-paced, well rounded fantasy where dragons race F1 style, this one is for you.

Thank you so much to Michael Jospeh, Penguin Random House, NetGalley, and Olivia Hayward for the eARC of this one!

[S.J. Higbee]

Formula One racing with dragons? Oh yes please! So long as it’s executed well enough that I care about the characters and really believe in the dragons. And it is.

Initially, I did think this might be a typical Cinderella-type story wherein the girl loses out due to a slightly manufactured problem, but I was prepared to let that slide for the sake of a cracking premise and some genuinely exciting racing scenes. However, as this longish book progressed – it’s some 467 pages – I realised I’d not given Hayward sufficient benefit of the doubt. The story was more nuanced and sophisticated in its approach than I’d initially assumed. Lena’s journey was more realistically difficult and while I’d found her forthright, confrontational manner a bit much at the start of the story, as it wore on I realised that someone capable of getting a vast dragon to do their bidding was never going to be backwards in coming forwards.

The racing is genuinely exciting – to the extent that my heart rate accelerated during the crucial race where everything is at stake. I could visualise the course and where everything is – a feat of writing in itself, as everyone is in the air, so it isn’t just a case of who’s left, right, in front or behind you, but also above and below. I love the relationship between Lena and Gottyk, the racing dragon she helped to raise and look after – despite not owning him. The dragon couldn’t communicate with Lena using speak or telepathy, unlike so many dragon stories – it was all about body language and the strong bond between them. But I absolutely believed in the draconic nature of the racers and the fact that there’s a great deal about them that is still unknown.

The romance within the story is also extremely well handled – which, frankly, it has to be as I wasn’t there for that, I was engrossed in the dragons. So it’s kudos to Hayward that I also became invested in the relationship between Theo and Lena. All in all, this is an outstanding read for me. It exceeded my expectations and ended the book at a place that has me keen to see where Lena’s adventure will take her next. Very highly recommended for fans of books featuring dragons. While I obtained an arc of Tailwind from the publisher via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
10/10

[Reese]

Holy I think this book healed something inside of me

I haven't really been enveloped in the other books I've read recently, been disappointed by a lot of them so tailwind really came at the right point. It had really different world building for a fantasy world, being more modern and kinda steampunk? I loved the feminist narrative and bringing up the barriers women face when getting into any male dominated sport. AND I LOVED THE CHARACTERS AND THEIR DYNAMICS OH MY GODDD I love that this book put a focus on the protagonist building friendships outside of her love interest.

Speaking of love interests, I think this book does enemies to lovers the right way. Having an incident which was definitely a betrayal and you can understand why the protagonist would be pissed, but also it's not something too evil that it's impossible to move on from?? Ugh I loved them

Anyways specific details I loved
I love that Lena isn't super smart? I feel like you rarely see a female character who's brawns over brains. She knows a ton about racing and the sport since she cared to remember, but it's made evident throughout that intellectual stuff isn't her biggest strength, and I really liked that.

also touching on the feminism again, a bunch of things stood out to me that made the story feel more empowering? First was Josie being the first to find out Lena's identity rather than Theo, second was Cam being protective over Lena when it came to guys and girls, nd then there was Josie calling out weird it would be if she flirted with an 18 year old as a 28 year old, just gets rid of the double standards that there can be. But the biggest thing for me is how Lena's figure is described? She has an athletes body, described as short and squat, but those characteristics are never treated like a negative? She's not beautiful in spite of being more muscular, she's beautiful because of it and I love that kinda body positivity. Lena isn't fit into that dainty or lithe figure you typically see

FINAL THING. THEO APOLOGISING FOR WHAT HE DID WAS EVERYTHING TO ME. after reading so many books where Theo helping Lena would've been treated as the apology, having him directly address what he did and own up to betraying her felt so GOOD and really makes me ship them so hard

[kyra s]

-Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for a fair review-

I just want to preference this review by saying that I am definitely not the perfect audience member for this book, so you should probably take this review with a grain of salt. While I love dragons and anything fantasy, I am not an F1 fan and have honestly never watched a complete race in my life, despite genuinely trying to. As a total novice I would have liked more explanation of the world, the riders, and the overall formating of the races. While there is some information provided I do feel like a lot of this book banks on the idea that its readers are already familiar with the world of F1 and general car racing to automatically understand how everything works. I definitely came into this book with the impression of it being more of an urban fantasy than a sports driven story, and that is totally on me.

The first 20% of this book is very much a massive information dump, with names, companies, brands and terms being quickly thrown at the reader. I do think we could have done a better job of easing the reader into this world, (especially for those of us that aren't super F1/racing experienced). I definitely would have preferred the explanations being spread out more so readers can feel more comfortable and take their time getting used to this world and sport.

However as a woman who does enjoy nearly every other sport, this book does an excellent job at describing the barriers that not female athletes, but any woman who wants to work in sports has to overcome. There was a detail in here about how the only role that is socially acceptable for women to have is raising/taking care of the dragons, and I just thought that it was a really clever comparison to how women in sports are automatically assumed to be in supporting roles. I also loved the supporting cast in this, although the love interest fell a little flat for me.

Overall, this is a solid debut with a lot of room to grow. I think as Hayward keeps writing and improving she will explore a lot more of the world and some elements that were mentioned but not fully fleshed out.

(P.S.- I agree with another reviewer that she should write a book about illegal dragon drag racing).

[Bea]

Happy publishing day for Tailwind!

Now say it with me: We want more! We want more! We want more!

A fast and fiery debut from Olivia Hayward that I could not read fast enough in two days. With incredible female characters that show us that giving up was never an option, this book is an incredible story of resilience and hard-work in a world dominated by men and money.

Though the protagonist is Lena, I cannot help but bring the character of Josie to the spotlight in my review. They are strong women in their fields, they know how hard it is to survive in their line of work, but they flourish and prove that women can do it too, if not better. I adore them and cannot wait to see where their dynamic duo goes in the next book.

I won't lie, if this was a sapphic romance between them, I wouldn't be able to handle the powerhouse that they would be. Alas, we have a rivals-to-lovers story that I wasn't particularly into, mainly because it felt a bit forced at times. I just didn't see enough moments of true connection between Theo and Lena to truly enjoy the idea of them together, but maybe the next volume will give us more in-depth moments between them and truly build a good foundation before the real romantic relationship begins.

As a racing fan, this book was super fun. All of the details of the sport that the author created were so much more interesting than I could have predicted. Marketing this with Formula 1 doesn't do it enough justice (and I say this as a massive F1 fan!). With the ARC there was no map yet so I am in dire need of one because the whole world seems so complex from the details at the end of the book that I am dying to see how it all comes together. And the team details?! Still shocked with all that the author created of backstory from the teams and drivers that we don't even read about in this first book, it was so incredible and I was thoroughly impressed (and thankful) with all of it.

I will most definitely be continuing this series and I am so so happy and thankful I got to read this before it came out.

(Free ARC from NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House | Michael Joseph that I chose to review after reading - Cross-posted on Goodreads on September 3rd, 2026)

[Kate Laycoax]

I really loved the concept of this because dragons + Formula 1 style racing is such a cool idea and I loved the dragon racing, the politics, the branding/logos on the dragons, the danger and stakes of the races. There are SO many genuinely cool components to this that I was intrigued by. But unfortunately, I just don’t think the execution was there.

This suffered a lot from telling instead of showing. I constantly felt like I was being told information instead of actually immersed in the world and story. We’re thrown into the action immediately with very little explanation, and for a large portion of the book I had no clue who was who, how the world worked, or what exactly was happening. Because of that, I struggled to connect to both the characters and the world itself.

I kept waiting for the worldbuilding to become more vivid and detailed because the foundation is SO interesting and not like something I have read before, at least the bare bones of it. I wanted more depth about the dragon racing itself, the political side of things, the culture, the stakes, and even the dragons themselves. There were so many moments where I could see the potential, but I felt like it was underdeveloped and because of that, I struggled to really care as much as I wanted to.

I also can’t ignore how similar this felt to Fourth Wing. I completely understand why authors are chasing that trend right now because it’s wildly popular, but this felt a little too familiar for me at times.

I do think the concept absolutely carries this book because dragon racing is such a fun and unique idea, but I really needed stronger execution, richer worldbuilding, and more immersive storytelling to fully love it. I do think those who love Fourth Wing or just those who love romantasy in general and maybe even those who love Formula 1 will probably like this but I feel like it was not for me, at least not the way I thought it would be.

Thank you to NetGalley, Olivia Hayward, and Penguin for the eARC of this book.

[✧ Beanie Reads ✧]

Read: June 15th - June 29th
Format: E-Book
Rating: 3.5 stars (rounded down)

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The rating on this book is a bit misleading, because unlike a lot of 3 stars, I genuinely want to read on with this series. I am genuinely invested in Lena and her dragon racer journey, and I want her to stick it to all the jerks who think less of her. Her adoration for the sport and for dragons really shines through, and I have recently realized just how much I adore characters who really just adore what it is they do. Also, I genuinely enjoyed the characters, even the ones that just got a few moments to be all stoic and cool. Even the characters I hated, I was excited when they appeared, because I was so ready to see Lena face them and show them up.

So why 3.5 star rating? Because I genuinely debated DNF-ing this book at a point. I did not like the 'betrayal' plotline for a good chunk of the book. I understood that the incident that happens hurt Lena deeply, and I understand what Theo did was wrong, but the delivery of it was just very shallow. I think the writing in general has a tad of shallowness and simpleness to it in a way that makes it feel like young writing (as in the writer still has room to grow, not as in it is meant for young readers and therefore somehow bad). Though at times this style did read almost like a YA, mostly because the protagonist could read like a teen, so I'd be thrown real hard when very adult things were felt/said/thought/whatever.

All in all, this is far from a bad book, which is why I want to continue. But I can't bump it up to a four star when the handling of the betrayal in the earlier parts bothered me so much (I ended up liking its resolution) and when the writing fell a bit too flat. Fingers crossed I'll enjoy book two with the betrayal situation done and over with... Maybe possibly. I think there's still healing to come, but not the actual issue itself.

[Bia]

4.5⭐

I had high hopes for this book based on the premise (F1 + dragons, say no more!), but it truly exceeded my expectations.

The plot got really interesting early on with Lena, who works as a dragon keeper but has dragon riding experience, having to participate in the Volitant Dragon Races, completely in secret. I will never not eat up a mistaken identity plotline.

The description of the adrenaline filled races really managed to keep me on edge, rooting for Lena and Gottyk to emerge victorious. It was a nice blend of F1 and fantasy elements, and honestly it felt refreshing to have all this action and dragon riding without the usual plot of war and political conflicts going on.

Feminine rage is the driving element of the story, but I have to admit that I personally did find Lena's character to be very hot-headed and bordering on insufferable at times, even though her rage and outcries against the injustices against women in a man-dominated sport were more than justified. But thankfully, she had friends and a mentor to support and help her redirect her anger, which was very much needed in my opinion to balance things out.

And if you think a slow burn, friends to rivals to lovers romance sub-plot can't possible provide anything new, think again. I was fully invested and also rather impatient to find out what will happen between Lena and Theo, but there's no doubt that their rivalry (made even more complex by a past betrayal) and banter was top notch, and a huge part of why I enjoyed Tailwind so much.

The dragons had their own personality and while they didn't play as big of a role as I assumed, that didn't affect my enjoyment of the story in the slightest.

I highly recommend this book to everyone, but especially to those who are looking to read about a women who will no longer step aside and let the men take center stage, when their skills are just as good if not superior.

Thank you to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and the author for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Naomi]

Thank you so much SirenBookClub for the lovely proof and Olivia Hayward for writing this. I honestly got goosebumps so many times reading it. This book is majestically feminist, smart and incredibly inspiring. It makes you want to change the world for better and root for women everywhere.
Women for the fucking win!!!!
I had so much fun reading about Lena Paldon and her adventures in the man-only sport of Volitant (F1 x dragons).
F1 is my favourite sport because of how multi-faceted it is: having engineers , drivers doing the best they can with what they have, and of course strategists. It's the best team sports to ever exist, and Olivia translated it so well into this dragon racing masterpiece❤️.
Lena is a very strong fmc holding herself back to keep under the radar and be able to stay in Volitant in whichever capacity she can, which currently is as a dragon keeper.
Once upon a time, Lena and Theo Vaspre (ex best-friend) use to train and race together to get a place in Volitant as a rider. But a terrible betrayal from Theo squeezed her out of the sport, so she became a breeder of dragons, then a keeper. She loves dragons to a fault and tries to spoil Gottyk who she's looked after since he hatched. Unfortunately, Gottyk's rider is an abusive mysoginist, but an altercation prompts the dragon to knock him unconscious to defend Lena.
With the race's imminent start, Lena decides to take his place as a rider , and the rest is history. Josie (another keeper) finds out about Lena racing, and becomes her strategist.
I loved:
- the found family
- how wonderfully feminist this book is
- how some men tried to right their wrongs
- how other women in male dominated fields helped make this particular world more inclusive
- the quotes ❤️
- Gottyk
- Bach of course. How could you not
- Josie
- Theo's parents
- and last but not least Lena ❤️
If you haven't read this book yet, you're 100% missing out, and you should read it ❤️ It's so inspirational!!! And I hope we'll have more of this lovely world 😊