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Tailwind
Not yet published
Expected 3 Sep 26DRAGONS - MEET F1 RACING!
Pre-order this full-throttle, fiery debut set in a rich new world of dragon racing - filled with scorching heat, breakneck speeds and white-knuckle thrills.
Pre-order this full-throttle, fiery debut set in a rich new world of dragon racing - filled with scorching heat, breakneck speeds and white-knuckle thrills.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 5, 2026
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
June 10, 2026
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
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
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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 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
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
So I did NOT expect to cry but here we are. I'm sitting with my feelings and a lot of regrets about starting this in public.
I've been lucky enough to know Olivia for a while now - agency sisters, which already made me predisposed to love this - but nothing could have prepared me for actually sitting down and reading it. I thought I knew what I was getting into: dragons, racing & a slow burn. It was so much more.
Let me start with the writing because it deserves its own moment. Olivia has this incredible ability to make you feel things without ever being heavy handed about it. the world building is woven in so naturally you don't even notice you're learning the rules, you're just… in it. On dragonback, cold air in your face, stomach dropping. and then there are lines that just HIT. Quiet little sentences that sneak up on you and by the time you realise what happened you're already crying on your sofa at 11pm on a Tuesday.
The racing sequences are genuinely some of the most thrilling writing I've read in ages. I don't even watch motorsport and I was stressed. I was INVESTED. I had opinions about strategy.
Lena is everything I want in a protagonist. funny and furious and so stubborn it's almost unreasonable except you understand every single decision she makes because Olivia builds her so carefully. You feel everything she's carrying before she even says it out loud. And Theo - okay I'm not going to say too much about Theo but I will say the slow burn is REAL and it is EARNED.
BUT... Even though the romance will make you hold your breath, it's the bond between a girl and her dragon that will break your heart.
Gottyk. I cannot talk about Gottyk without getting emotional again so I'll just say that the relationship between Lena and her dragon is the true centre of this book and it is so beautifully written that the ending did things to me I was absolutely not prepared for. I cried. Properly cried. The ugly kind.
Also Josie deserves her own series and I will be campaigning for that personally.
I am so proud of Olivia and so genuinely lucky to have her as my agency sister and my friend. this book is the real deal. It has everything - heart, humour, an absolutely devastating emotional gut punch disguised as a fantasy racing novel - and I think about it constantly.
Just read it. Clear your schedule, have snacks, maybe warn whoever you live with that you might be a bit of a mess by the end.
Worh every single second. Five stars, no notes, more please.
So I did NOT expect to cry but here we are. I'm sitting with my feelings and a lot of regrets about starting this in public.
I've been lucky enough to know Olivia for a while now - agency sisters, which already made me predisposed to love this - but nothing could have prepared me for actually sitting down and reading it. I thought I knew what I was getting into: dragons, racing & a slow burn. It was so much more.
Let me start with the writing because it deserves its own moment. Olivia has this incredible ability to make you feel things without ever being heavy handed about it. the world building is woven in so naturally you don't even notice you're learning the rules, you're just… in it. On dragonback, cold air in your face, stomach dropping. and then there are lines that just HIT. Quiet little sentences that sneak up on you and by the time you realise what happened you're already crying on your sofa at 11pm on a Tuesday.
The racing sequences are genuinely some of the most thrilling writing I've read in ages. I don't even watch motorsport and I was stressed. I was INVESTED. I had opinions about strategy.
Lena is everything I want in a protagonist. funny and furious and so stubborn it's almost unreasonable except you understand every single decision she makes because Olivia builds her so carefully. You feel everything she's carrying before she even says it out loud. And Theo - okay I'm not going to say too much about Theo but I will say the slow burn is REAL and it is EARNED.
BUT... Even though the romance will make you hold your breath, it's the bond between a girl and her dragon that will break your heart.
Gottyk. I cannot talk about Gottyk without getting emotional again so I'll just say that the relationship between Lena and her dragon is the true centre of this book and it is so beautifully written that the ending did things to me I was absolutely not prepared for. I cried. Properly cried. The ugly kind.
Also Josie deserves her own series and I will be campaigning for that personally.
I am so proud of Olivia and so genuinely lucky to have her as my agency sister and my friend. this book is the real deal. It has everything - heart, humour, an absolutely devastating emotional gut punch disguised as a fantasy racing novel - and I think about it constantly.
Just read it. Clear your schedule, have snacks, maybe warn whoever you live with that you might be a bit of a mess by the end.
Worh every single second. Five stars, no notes, more please.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars
A very interesting premise but lacks a well developed prose and - unfortunately - falls short on execution.
Overall, I felt as if the writing was dry outside of the racing and action scenes. The author also has a habit of telling and not showing; the largest example of this is the continuous reminders that Lena is “tough” through inner monologues and dialogue rather than direct actions themselves. I felt as though I was being feed information rather than being organically exposed to it.
I also thought some characters - individually - were lacking in depth; I didn’t find myself attached to any of them outside of her dragon. That said, I still appreciated the relationships around the characters, more notably between Lena and her dragon/Josie/Bach. I did find the rivalry/former friend aspect with Theo compelling as well but felt the romance was lacking in depth and execution; if this turns into a series, I would like to see more development between the two that isn’t as surface-level as we were given.
Now with all of my criticisms out of the way, let me get more into the positives.
As I said previously, I appreciated the manner in which the race scenes were written; they were paced well, skipping around the repetitiveness that comes with track racing. The same applies to the other action-based scenes. I truly think the author hits their stride when writing these sort of scenes; the in-between is where I am seeing struggle with flow and syntax.
I also really like the world the author created and the overall concept behind Tailwind; between the F1 dragon races, possible illegal wyvern drag races (please expand on this if this continues), and Drake races (which I pictured as ostrich racing lol), I feel as though there is a lot of unique, refreshing elements for an audience to enjoy. The overall execution just needs refinement.
Thank you Penguin Random House and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC!
Hopefully, the first of many to come.
A very interesting premise but lacks a well developed prose and - unfortunately - falls short on execution.
Overall, I felt as if the writing was dry outside of the racing and action scenes. The author also has a habit of telling and not showing; the largest example of this is the continuous reminders that Lena is “tough” through inner monologues and dialogue rather than direct actions themselves. I felt as though I was being feed information rather than being organically exposed to it.
I also thought some characters - individually - were lacking in depth; I didn’t find myself attached to any of them outside of her dragon. That said, I still appreciated the relationships around the characters, more notably between Lena and her dragon/Josie/Bach. I did find the rivalry/former friend aspect with Theo compelling as well but felt the romance was lacking in depth and execution; if this turns into a series, I would like to see more development between the two that isn’t as surface-level as we were given.
Now with all of my criticisms out of the way, let me get more into the positives.
As I said previously, I appreciated the manner in which the race scenes were written; they were paced well, skipping around the repetitiveness that comes with track racing. The same applies to the other action-based scenes. I truly think the author hits their stride when writing these sort of scenes; the in-between is where I am seeing struggle with flow and syntax.
I also really like the world the author created and the overall concept behind Tailwind; between the F1 dragon races, possible illegal wyvern drag races (please expand on this if this continues), and Drake races (which I pictured as ostrich racing lol), I feel as though there is a lot of unique, refreshing elements for an audience to enjoy. The overall execution just needs refinement.
Thank you Penguin Random House and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC!
Hopefully, the first of many to come.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Tailwind is a fun debut. I sped through this one once I was able to get past the first hundred or so pages. Lena, our main character, a hot-headed, impulsive dragon-keeper-turned-racer, is not unlike most female protagonists in modern fantasy novels. This doesn't discount the book at all, but don’t expect anything groundbreaking for the genre.
The dragons, (which, in my opinion, are the most important part)are written well, and funny enough described a bit like horses (fitting, given the racing genre) or some sort of other intelligent, domesticated animal. This was one beat that was strangely fascinating to me, and I hope it’s expanded on a bit more in future installments.
The races are fun and fast paced (though could be elaborated on a bit in some circumstances, and some of the best-written and most compelling parts of the entire book. The side-characters are believable; I especially liked Colly, but wish we would’ve gotten more from Quinn. The antagonists are, unfortunately, a bit bland. I wish I knew more about their motivations beyond...well, racing and money.
In general, actually, I wish we would’ve gotten more. I think Tailwind is suffering from a lack of prose. I completely understand the hesitance to overwrite, but there are some scenes that could’ve benefitted from elaboration and an addition of flowery language. Especially the finale. The ending felt far too abrupt to me, it could have dragged on for a couple more pages to build tension and I would’ve been just fine with it. Though I do think the final resolution was well-thought out and executed.
Overall, Tailwind is a fun, fast-paced book, but it has a few flaws keeping it from being a 5-star read for me. I think this would be great to pick up if you want an easily read fantasy to get back into reading or the genre, but for more seasoned readers it may fall short in a few places.
A sincere thank you Netgalley and Penguin for the chance to read this eARC.
The dragons, (which, in my opinion, are the most important part)are written well, and funny enough described a bit like horses (fitting, given the racing genre) or some sort of other intelligent, domesticated animal. This was one beat that was strangely fascinating to me, and I hope it’s expanded on a bit more in future installments.
The races are fun and fast paced (though could be elaborated on a bit in some circumstances, and some of the best-written and most compelling parts of the entire book. The side-characters are believable; I especially liked Colly, but wish we would’ve gotten more from Quinn. The antagonists are, unfortunately, a bit bland. I wish I knew more about their motivations beyond...well, racing and money.
In general, actually, I wish we would’ve gotten more. I think Tailwind is suffering from a lack of prose. I completely understand the hesitance to overwrite, but there are some scenes that could’ve benefitted from elaboration and an addition of flowery language. Especially the finale. The ending felt far too abrupt to me, it could have dragged on for a couple more pages to build tension and I would’ve been just fine with it. Though I do think the final resolution was well-thought out and executed.
Overall, Tailwind is a fun, fast-paced book, but it has a few flaws keeping it from being a 5-star read for me. I think this would be great to pick up if you want an easily read fantasy to get back into reading or the genre, but for more seasoned readers it may fall short in a few places.
A sincere thank you Netgalley and Penguin for the chance to read this eARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a sports-focused book about women breaking through in a male-dominated field, with a fantasy sport overlay. Plus a side plot of romance. And generally, it does this pretty well! I don’t care all that much for racing, but by the last race I was on the edge of my seat and shaking from the highs and lows of the race and its aftermath.
The start is a little clunky with all of the racing info thrown at you, but it picks up. There’s a lot of cool technology involved in the dragon racing, and the overall fantasy sport feels very fleshed out.
The FMC is fun to read. She’s self-aware of her faults, including her brashness and lack of brains, and acts within the bounds of her character even when I felt like shouting “no, don’t do that!”
The biggest flaw is how the relationship with Lena’s childhood friend is handled. They were as close as family, and her leaving after that last race 5 years ago without a word wasn’t enough to cause anyone to reach out to her? Even Theo’s family, who treated her like one of their own? And then when Lena finally starts talking to Theo again, he doesn’t ask or try to get her to talk about why she cut him out of her life up until this point. He actually never even asks! It takes until the end of the book for Lena to confront the subject. They’d been talking for months at this point, and it was really frustrating for the whole time that they never discussed the cause of the rift.
Also, she was a top-performing junior athlete 5 years ago, and thinks that none of the people from her past remember her. It doesn’t seem realistic, even if she’d removed herself from the public eye for the past 5 years.
Lena’s sister makes an occasional appearance, but I wish she’d been part of the plot more. Being the leader of an illegal wyvern street racing crew? How is that not worth expounding on??
The start is a little clunky with all of the racing info thrown at you, but it picks up. There’s a lot of cool technology involved in the dragon racing, and the overall fantasy sport feels very fleshed out.
The FMC is fun to read. She’s self-aware of her faults, including her brashness and lack of brains, and acts within the bounds of her character even when I felt like shouting “no, don’t do that!”
The biggest flaw is how the relationship with Lena’s childhood friend is handled. They were as close as family, and her leaving after that last race 5 years ago without a word wasn’t enough to cause anyone to reach out to her? Even Theo’s family, who treated her like one of their own? And then when Lena finally starts talking to Theo again, he doesn’t ask or try to get her to talk about why she cut him out of her life up until this point. He actually never even asks! It takes until the end of the book for Lena to confront the subject. They’d been talking for months at this point, and it was really frustrating for the whole time that they never discussed the cause of the rift.
Also, she was a top-performing junior athlete 5 years ago, and thinks that none of the people from her past remember her. It doesn’t seem realistic, even if she’d removed herself from the public eye for the past 5 years.
Lena’s sister makes an occasional appearance, but I wish she’d been part of the plot more. Being the leader of an illegal wyvern street racing crew? How is that not worth expounding on??
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book is an absolutely adrenaline inducing wild ride. F1 meets dragon riding was so much fun! How this is a debut is beyond me. Olivia Hayward has written a wonderful story that gripped me from the opening line.
It had me and the edge of my seat during the races, and I felt everything alongside the FMC Lena! It isn't just the love of her dragon and the thrill of the racing that's swept me off my feet, but the entire world building, the society and the characters.
Lena has raced on Drakes and Wyverns, so she has the skill for racing but it's a personal betrayal and the misogynistic establishment in dragon racing that has barred her from a career in dragon racing. So when the rider she works under is incapacitated moments before a race it creates a unique opportunity for impersonation. Lena jumps at the chance to race again on the dragon she has cared for, since Gottyk hatched.
This story is what I didn't know I craved from a book with dragon riders. Besides the racing, there's the politics, the unfair establishment, and Lena having to claw her way to even the tiniest shred of acknowledgement that male riders get without a second thought.
I can't wait to see where Olivia Hayward takes the story next!
Thank you to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for the ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Publication date 03.09.2026
4.25 stars
It had me and the edge of my seat during the races, and I felt everything alongside the FMC Lena! It isn't just the love of her dragon and the thrill of the racing that's swept me off my feet, but the entire world building, the society and the characters.
Lena has raced on Drakes and Wyverns, so she has the skill for racing but it's a personal betrayal and the misogynistic establishment in dragon racing that has barred her from a career in dragon racing. So when the rider she works under is incapacitated moments before a race it creates a unique opportunity for impersonation. Lena jumps at the chance to race again on the dragon she has cared for, since Gottyk hatched.
This story is what I didn't know I craved from a book with dragon riders. Besides the racing, there's the politics, the unfair establishment, and Lena having to claw her way to even the tiniest shred of acknowledgement that male riders get without a second thought.
I can't wait to see where Olivia Hayward takes the story next!
Thank you to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for the ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Publication date 03.09.2026
4.25 stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Before I dive into my review, I just want to take a moment to talk about the cover. Oh my gosh does this one have a gorgeous cover. I’m obsessed with the coloring, the way it’s laid out, and the art itself. Absolutely magnificent job there.
Now for the book itself, this was a struggle for me to get through. Not because I don’t frequently read sports romances. Not because the plot was slow or boring. Not because the romance was bad. The romance was absolutely incredible and the plot was quite exciting. In fact, you’re thrown directly into the action from page one and the pace stays up throughout the book.
What made me struggle was the telling and not showing. I found myself frequently lost because there were bits of information told to us that we were just supposed to understand and follow. There’s not explanation for why things are the way they are at times, and instead of being in the story while it happens, you hear about it instead. I’d much rather spend an extra 10 pages reading about what happened rather than trying to sort my way through being told the events.
I really hoped this one would be incredible because the idea itself is so cool. The rivals to lovers romance and the bond between our fmc and her dragon is everything. You can also really tell the author knows her way around F1 and used that knowledge to make thoughtful decisions. It was just the execution that didn’t quite work well.
Thank you so much to Michael Joseph, Random House, and NetGalley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Now for the book itself, this was a struggle for me to get through. Not because I don’t frequently read sports romances. Not because the plot was slow or boring. Not because the romance was bad. The romance was absolutely incredible and the plot was quite exciting. In fact, you’re thrown directly into the action from page one and the pace stays up throughout the book.
What made me struggle was the telling and not showing. I found myself frequently lost because there were bits of information told to us that we were just supposed to understand and follow. There’s not explanation for why things are the way they are at times, and instead of being in the story while it happens, you hear about it instead. I’d much rather spend an extra 10 pages reading about what happened rather than trying to sort my way through being told the events.
I really hoped this one would be incredible because the idea itself is so cool. The rivals to lovers romance and the bond between our fmc and her dragon is everything. You can also really tell the author knows her way around F1 and used that knowledge to make thoughtful decisions. It was just the execution that didn’t quite work well.
Thank you so much to Michael Joseph, Random House, and NetGalley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Read
May 24, 2026Tailwind is an exhilarating fantasy debut that combines the intensity of competitive racing with the awe and spectacle of dragons, creating a reading experience that feels fast paced, immersive, and incredibly exciting. Olivia Hayward introduces a fresh and imaginative concept that immediately stands out through its energy, atmosphere, and high stakes storytelling.
What makes the novel especially compelling is the adrenaline fueled worldbuilding surrounding the dragon racing circuit. The speed, danger, and fierce competition create constant momentum throughout the story, while the fantasy elements add depth and scale to the experience. The blend of thrilling action and emotional investment gives the narrative a cinematic quality that keeps readers fully engaged.
Beyond the excitement, the story also explores ambition, pressure, determination, and the emotional intensity tied to competition. The balance between action driven sequences and character focused storytelling helps the world feel immersive and emotionally grounded. Olivia Hayward captures both spectacle and tension with confidence, making the novel feel vivid and unforgettable.
Bold, atmospheric, and packed with momentum, Tailwind is a highly entertaining fantasy adventure that will strongly resonate with readers who enjoy dragon fantasy, high stakes competition, immersive worldbuilding, and fast paced storytelling.
What makes the novel especially compelling is the adrenaline fueled worldbuilding surrounding the dragon racing circuit. The speed, danger, and fierce competition create constant momentum throughout the story, while the fantasy elements add depth and scale to the experience. The blend of thrilling action and emotional investment gives the narrative a cinematic quality that keeps readers fully engaged.
Beyond the excitement, the story also explores ambition, pressure, determination, and the emotional intensity tied to competition. The balance between action driven sequences and character focused storytelling helps the world feel immersive and emotionally grounded. Olivia Hayward captures both spectacle and tension with confidence, making the novel feel vivid and unforgettable.
Bold, atmospheric, and packed with momentum, Tailwind is a highly entertaining fantasy adventure that will strongly resonate with readers who enjoy dragon fantasy, high stakes competition, immersive worldbuilding, and fast paced storytelling.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5/5
I got this one for the cover, if I'm honest, and the tagline "Dragons meets F1 racing" sealed the deal. Think pod racing meets Quidditch with a dash of Mario Kart, that's a bit derisive of what's actually a much richer book, but if that combo intrigues you at all, keep reading.
Tailwind follows Lena, a dragon racer who was snubbed and betrayed out of her shot at the sport, and now works as a dragon keeper, looking after her old racing dragon while someone else rides him, and poorly. Without spoiling anything, it builds into a genuinely good story about retribution and banding together against the odds, with a romance subplot woven through it, all set against a really well-realised dragon racing world.
I wasn't expecting this to be as good as it was. I figured the setting and premise would be doing most of the heavy lifting, but honestly this would've held up as a compelling story even if it had been street racing or chariot racing instead of dragons. The dragons and their personalities are a genuine bonus on top of an already solid plot.
It's shelved as fantasy and romance, but I wouldn't go in expecting the romance to be the main event. It's there, and it does real work deepening the characters and their relationships, but if you're after something steamy, this isn't really that, at least not yet. I suspect it'll take more of a front seat in future books.
Easy, fun read, and I'll be picking up anything else set in this universe.
Easy recommended.
I got this one for the cover, if I'm honest, and the tagline "Dragons meets F1 racing" sealed the deal. Think pod racing meets Quidditch with a dash of Mario Kart, that's a bit derisive of what's actually a much richer book, but if that combo intrigues you at all, keep reading.
Tailwind follows Lena, a dragon racer who was snubbed and betrayed out of her shot at the sport, and now works as a dragon keeper, looking after her old racing dragon while someone else rides him, and poorly. Without spoiling anything, it builds into a genuinely good story about retribution and banding together against the odds, with a romance subplot woven through it, all set against a really well-realised dragon racing world.
I wasn't expecting this to be as good as it was. I figured the setting and premise would be doing most of the heavy lifting, but honestly this would've held up as a compelling story even if it had been street racing or chariot racing instead of dragons. The dragons and their personalities are a genuine bonus on top of an already solid plot.
It's shelved as fantasy and romance, but I wouldn't go in expecting the romance to be the main event. It's there, and it does real work deepening the characters and their relationships, but if you're after something steamy, this isn't really that, at least not yet. I suspect it'll take more of a front seat in future books.
Easy, fun read, and I'll be picking up anything else set in this universe.
Easy recommended.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
***4.5 Star***
Thank you NetGalley & Penguin Random House for this eArc!
All I knew going into this was it was a dragon racing book- sign me up! (and look at that cover)
I've never watched F1 but I LOVED this world/sport- it was like F1 x pod racing x dragons.
The races were high intense action sequences, the dragons were unique and had character and I loved them, and the relationships between the characters (both good and bad ones) felt so organic and well developed.
This book did so many less-popular (over saturated things/tropes) and I hadn't realized how much I needed them until now.
The story was so fast paced I couldn't put it down.
Some parts felt choppy BUT I think it kind of worked with the fast paced world AND it may also have been weird formatting of the eArc (like it a page breaker was missing/glitched).
There was a lot going on- in a good way.
(I don't think this is listed as a romantasy- but the romance sub plot was *chef's kiss* - just enough to fit the story and the characters/nothing forced)
The only thing keeping it from being a 5 star favorite read would be the tell not show writing.
In the moment it kept the pacing fast and I didn't mind it BUT I love this world and would have enjoyed a bit more immersion.
I was SO excited to see this is a series and cannot wait to come back for book 2.
Thank you NetGalley & Penguin Random House for this eArc!
All I knew going into this was it was a dragon racing book- sign me up! (and look at that cover)
I've never watched F1 but I LOVED this world/sport- it was like F1 x pod racing x dragons.
The races were high intense action sequences, the dragons were unique and had character and I loved them, and the relationships between the characters (both good and bad ones) felt so organic and well developed.
This book did so many less-popular (over saturated things/tropes) and I hadn't realized how much I needed them until now.
The story was so fast paced I couldn't put it down.
Some parts felt choppy BUT I think it kind of worked with the fast paced world AND it may also have been weird formatting of the eArc (like it a page breaker was missing/glitched).
There was a lot going on- in a good way.
(I don't think this is listed as a romantasy- but the romance sub plot was *chef's kiss* - just enough to fit the story and the characters/nothing forced)
The only thing keeping it from being a 5 star favorite read would be the tell not show writing.
In the moment it kept the pacing fast and I didn't mind it BUT I love this world and would have enjoyed a bit more immersion.
I was SO excited to see this is a series and cannot wait to come back for book 2.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑫𝑬𝑹 𝑹𝑬𝑽𝑰𝑬𝑾
“𝘽𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙤 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙨 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙩, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙨 𝙜𝙧𝙪𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜.”
🐉⚔️📚
Tailwind is a very cozy, easy-to-read fantasy that combines lovable characters, an intriguing plot mixed with a little romance and action and, most importantly, a whole lot of inspirational quotes centered around feminism.
I could talk for hoursssss about all the things I adored in this book. I love how the characters are still easy to adore even though they have flaws, I love how things such as romance are still included but aren’t made into such a big thing that the initial message is forgotten and I especially love the clear message of women achieving their goals that was displayed throughout.
The worldbuilding was incredible and immersive, giving readers just the right amount of detail to fall in love with the world and its races and dragons just as much as the author did. I’m honestly so grateful I got to ARC read this and so angry that I did at the same time as I’m dyingggg for the next book.
If you love cosy, simple reads with amazing characters, dragons, competition, a sprinkle of love and feminism, this is absolutely for you! 🤍🤺
May Lena Paldon inspire us all 🙂↕️
“𝘽𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙤 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙨 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙩, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙨 𝙜𝙧𝙪𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜.”
🐉⚔️📚
Tailwind is a very cozy, easy-to-read fantasy that combines lovable characters, an intriguing plot mixed with a little romance and action and, most importantly, a whole lot of inspirational quotes centered around feminism.
I could talk for hoursssss about all the things I adored in this book. I love how the characters are still easy to adore even though they have flaws, I love how things such as romance are still included but aren’t made into such a big thing that the initial message is forgotten and I especially love the clear message of women achieving their goals that was displayed throughout.
The worldbuilding was incredible and immersive, giving readers just the right amount of detail to fall in love with the world and its races and dragons just as much as the author did. I’m honestly so grateful I got to ARC read this and so angry that I did at the same time as I’m dyingggg for the next book.
If you love cosy, simple reads with amazing characters, dragons, competition, a sprinkle of love and feminism, this is absolutely for you! 🤍🤺
May Lena Paldon inspire us all 🙂↕️
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
HOT TAKE: I liked this so much better than Fourth Wing!
Right off the bat, I was hooked. I loved the concept. I loved the main character; she was realistically flawed, and her motivations felt real. And I was immediately invested in the plot and was absolutely obsessed with how well the dragon-racing concept was integrated into the worldbuilding.
Like, I cannot explain how much more immersive this felt. Not only were the details and logistics of dragon racing laid out well, but it felt real. I absolutely loved the bond between the main character and her dragon. The fact that she raised her dragon from an egg, cares for him daily, and builds that bond feels so much more powerful than some “magic” bond that just happens. Hayward manages to make the dragons feel like their own characters, with depth and personality. Each dragon was different, and I loved them all.
I will have to knock out one star for the romance. Just not to my taste. It was fine, but I didn’t really care for the conflict. It felt a bit like a forced “miscommunication trope” just for the excuse to have the ‘enemies to lovers’ dynamic. But I did like how it balanced out in the end.
Overall, I loved this book so much. It was detailed and dynamic, while also balancing the character's emotions. Probably the best dragon rider book I’ve read. I had an absolute blast with it and would one-hundred percent recommend it.
Right off the bat, I was hooked. I loved the concept. I loved the main character; she was realistically flawed, and her motivations felt real. And I was immediately invested in the plot and was absolutely obsessed with how well the dragon-racing concept was integrated into the worldbuilding.
Like, I cannot explain how much more immersive this felt. Not only were the details and logistics of dragon racing laid out well, but it felt real. I absolutely loved the bond between the main character and her dragon. The fact that she raised her dragon from an egg, cares for him daily, and builds that bond feels so much more powerful than some “magic” bond that just happens. Hayward manages to make the dragons feel like their own characters, with depth and personality. Each dragon was different, and I loved them all.
I will have to knock out one star for the romance. Just not to my taste. It was fine, but I didn’t really care for the conflict. It felt a bit like a forced “miscommunication trope” just for the excuse to have the ‘enemies to lovers’ dynamic. But I did like how it balanced out in the end.
Overall, I loved this book so much. It was detailed and dynamic, while also balancing the character's emotions. Probably the best dragon rider book I’ve read. I had an absolute blast with it and would one-hundred percent recommend it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Penguin Michael Joseph and NetGalley for the eARC of this book!
This was such a fun read! The cover was initially what caught my eye and I’m so glad it did because this being Formula 1 but with dragons is such a cool concept. The story is fast paced and immersive, especially during the high-stakes racing scenes, which were definitely my favorite parts. The dragons’ distinct personalities also really shined through Hayward’s writing. Although some scenes at the beginning felt awkward and pulled me out of the story a bit, I felt the story grew stronger with each chapter.
The details regarding the teams, race circuit, and dragons were really cool to read through too. You can immediately see the passion and attention to detail the author put into each of those aspects. Especially as a fan of F1 it was fun to make those connections between the book and real life! Lena is such an authentic and strong FMC with an amazing group of supporting characters. Adding a fantasy element to the very realistic obstacles women face in such a male dominated field, tied with the corporate corruption, is such a great way to highlight these topics in racing to a larger audience.
Overall, such a great debut novel and I’m excited to see where the rest of this series goes!
This was such a fun read! The cover was initially what caught my eye and I’m so glad it did because this being Formula 1 but with dragons is such a cool concept. The story is fast paced and immersive, especially during the high-stakes racing scenes, which were definitely my favorite parts. The dragons’ distinct personalities also really shined through Hayward’s writing. Although some scenes at the beginning felt awkward and pulled me out of the story a bit, I felt the story grew stronger with each chapter.
The details regarding the teams, race circuit, and dragons were really cool to read through too. You can immediately see the passion and attention to detail the author put into each of those aspects. Especially as a fan of F1 it was fun to make those connections between the book and real life! Lena is such an authentic and strong FMC with an amazing group of supporting characters. Adding a fantasy element to the very realistic obstacles women face in such a male dominated field, tied with the corporate corruption, is such a great way to highlight these topics in racing to a larger audience.
Overall, such a great debut novel and I’m excited to see where the rest of this series goes!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Okay this was a fun read!!! Overall I'd give it 4.5 ⭐s
Did I request this book from Netgalley solely based on the cover and "dragons meet F1 racing"? Yes, yes I did! No regrets!
It's being marketed as a romantic sports fantasy where dragons meet F1 racing. But the romance really is a sub plot and isn't really expanded upon. if there's going to be a second book I'd love to see it explored more. I actually hope there's more from this series but from the different racer's perspectives and from different time lines.
I loved how this book explored the struggles women have in men dominated fields! Each woman that was shown in this book had their own struggles and again I hope each one gets their own book!
The author did a fantastic job writing the race scenes! I don't know a lot about F1, but I did watch NASCAR growing up so some of the terms used were familiar to me.
I think fantasy sports is going to be big in the fall of 2026 and this book will be at the top of my recommendation list.
Spice: 🌶️ -
Did I request this book from Netgalley solely based on the cover and "dragons meet F1 racing"? Yes, yes I did! No regrets!
It's being marketed as a romantic sports fantasy where dragons meet F1 racing. But the romance really is a sub plot and isn't really expanded upon. if there's going to be a second book I'd love to see it explored more. I actually hope there's more from this series but from the different racer's perspectives and from different time lines.
I loved how this book explored the struggles women have in men dominated fields! Each woman that was shown in this book had their own struggles and again I hope each one gets their own book!
The author did a fantastic job writing the race scenes! I don't know a lot about F1, but I did watch NASCAR growing up so some of the terms used were familiar to me.
I think fantasy sports is going to be big in the fall of 2026 and this book will be at the top of my recommendation list.
Spice: 🌶️ -
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Get this book on your radar! Dragons, banter, he falls first... What more could you want.
It starts with a bang and doesn't stop until the finish line is crossed. I was engrossed the whole way though, I barely moved until I flipped the last page.
Dragon racing is the key component and it's well thought through. There were so many aspects of it that I loved, the specialized race suits for the riders, that the dragons are logo branded, and the different race circuits to name a few. We get to spend a lot of time with the dragons but we also get a lovely found family of people too. The romance is a subplot, but it is oh so sweet, I'm absolutely rooting for Lena and Theo.
I rushed to clear my schedule to read this and now I desperately want to flip it over and restart it. I can't wait to get my grabby hands on the next book! In the meantime I'll annoy everyone with ears chattering about it non stop.
Thank you to Michael Joseph/Penguin and Netgalley for access to the ARC. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
It starts with a bang and doesn't stop until the finish line is crossed. I was engrossed the whole way though, I barely moved until I flipped the last page.
Dragon racing is the key component and it's well thought through. There were so many aspects of it that I loved, the specialized race suits for the riders, that the dragons are logo branded, and the different race circuits to name a few. We get to spend a lot of time with the dragons but we also get a lovely found family of people too. The romance is a subplot, but it is oh so sweet, I'm absolutely rooting for Lena and Theo.
I rushed to clear my schedule to read this and now I desperately want to flip it over and restart it. I can't wait to get my grabby hands on the next book! In the meantime I'll annoy everyone with ears chattering about it non stop.
Thank you to Michael Joseph/Penguin and Netgalley for access to the ARC. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC review for Tailwind by Olivia Hayward. Received by NetGalley.
What’s more exciting than a book about dragons? Dragon racing! The FMC, Lena, takes her chance of a lifetime as she assumes the identity of dragon rider right before a big race. This gives Lena the courage and the determination to become the first female racer in Volitant history, but she can’t do it alone. With the help of her friends, she is able to live out her racing dreams.
This book is perfect for high thrill fantasy lovers.
Found family
Hot-headed fmc
Overcoming oppression
Friends>Enemies>Lovers
Romance subplot- Slow burn (0.5🌶️)
I really enjoyed this book. However, there were a few chapters that seemed to be a little choppy. There could have also been more details and descriptions about the types of different tracts being raced on:
This book left me in a hangover, and with hope that Olivia decides to write a book 2.
What’s more exciting than a book about dragons? Dragon racing! The FMC, Lena, takes her chance of a lifetime as she assumes the identity of dragon rider right before a big race. This gives Lena the courage and the determination to become the first female racer in Volitant history, but she can’t do it alone. With the help of her friends, she is able to live out her racing dreams.
This book is perfect for high thrill fantasy lovers.
Found family
Hot-headed fmc
Overcoming oppression
Friends>Enemies>Lovers
Romance subplot- Slow burn (0.5🌶️)
I really enjoyed this book. However, there were a few chapters that seemed to be a little choppy. There could have also been more details and descriptions about the types of different tracts being raced on:
This book left me in a hangover, and with hope that Olivia decides to write a book 2.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
🩷 Book Review 🩷
📚 Tailwind
✒️ Olivia Hayward
💫💫💫💫
Thank you to Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
How to Train Your Dragon, meets Fourth Wing and F1?
Yeah, I said it and it was good.
Lena had the chance to change the rules of Volitant Dragon Racing: she had the chance to be the first female rider. But a betrayal has seen her sidelined as a dragon keeper until the chance comes again. When the washed-up rider of Gottyk, her charge, is unable to race, Lena dons his helmet and changes the rules.
Overall, a good book. I would have liked more worldbuilding at the beginning but the jumping straight in did help raise the stakes on what a huge moment it was for Lena to race dragon. I was however confused about the political side of dragon racing with the sponsors being displayed on wings and the lore of how it all began.
📚 Tailwind
✒️ Olivia Hayward
💫💫💫💫
Thank you to Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
How to Train Your Dragon, meets Fourth Wing and F1?
Yeah, I said it and it was good.
Lena had the chance to change the rules of Volitant Dragon Racing: she had the chance to be the first female rider. But a betrayal has seen her sidelined as a dragon keeper until the chance comes again. When the washed-up rider of Gottyk, her charge, is unable to race, Lena dons his helmet and changes the rules.
Overall, a good book. I would have liked more worldbuilding at the beginning but the jumping straight in did help raise the stakes on what a huge moment it was for Lena to race dragon. I was however confused about the political side of dragon racing with the sponsors being displayed on wings and the lore of how it all began.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book combined two of my favourite hobbies, fantasy books and a high stakes racing series like Formula 1.
Lena, the main character, was great - funny and a bit awkward but feisty too. The plot for this was really exciting, lots of racing action right from the start and you immediately know who the villain is in Thorne and his terrible behaviour.
The main reason this is 4 stars and not 5 is that it took me until I was about a third of the way through before I really got into the story as there was quite a lot of world building to get your head around up front. I also thought the romance element was a little rushed too, I wanted more grovelling from Theo before any of the will they, won't they but that's definitely personal preference.
Really enjoyed this book, was perfect for a lazy Sunday lounging in the garden.
Lena, the main character, was great - funny and a bit awkward but feisty too. The plot for this was really exciting, lots of racing action right from the start and you immediately know who the villain is in Thorne and his terrible behaviour.
The main reason this is 4 stars and not 5 is that it took me until I was about a third of the way through before I really got into the story as there was quite a lot of world building to get your head around up front. I also thought the romance element was a little rushed too, I wanted more grovelling from Theo before any of the will they, won't they but that's definitely personal preference.
Really enjoyed this book, was perfect for a lazy Sunday lounging in the garden.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Tailwind is exactly as promised - Fourth Wing meets F1 in a fun, action-packed romantic fantasy. The thrilling dragon racing scenes are the star of the book, and each one kept me on the edge of my seat. I enjoyed the exploration of the commercial side of racing, and I’m excited to see where the sponsorship plotline goes in the next book.
I felt the pacing drags a bit in between races - not because there was nothing going on (there was so much going on!), but because it just wasn’t as engaging as the everything surrounding the competition itself. I also didn’t find the MCs to be particularly fresh or interesting. Despite the two different multi-page speeches about how wonderful and great FMC Lena is, she comes off as your average rough-around-the-edges fantasy girl. Still, her romance with MMC Theo moves along naturally enough, and the one spicy scene bodes well for future books.
I don’t think it’s actually very similar to Fourth Wing beyond dragons, but I liked that it’s different. I enjoyed the skew towards F1, and it’s all the more fun done fantasy-style.
F1 fans absolutely shouldn’t miss Tailwind, but Fourth Wing fans and fans of action-packed romantasy in general should still check it out. It’s the start of what’s sure to be an exciting series!
I felt the pacing drags a bit in between races - not because there was nothing going on (there was so much going on!), but because it just wasn’t as engaging as the everything surrounding the competition itself. I also didn’t find the MCs to be particularly fresh or interesting. Despite the two different multi-page speeches about how wonderful and great FMC Lena is, she comes off as your average rough-around-the-edges fantasy girl. Still, her romance with MMC Theo moves along naturally enough, and the one spicy scene bodes well for future books.
I don’t think it’s actually very similar to Fourth Wing beyond dragons, but I liked that it’s different. I enjoyed the skew towards F1, and it’s all the more fun done fantasy-style.
F1 fans absolutely shouldn’t miss Tailwind, but Fourth Wing fans and fans of action-packed romantasy in general should still check it out. It’s the start of what’s sure to be an exciting series!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Netgalley for the arc!
Rated this 4.5 stars.
Tailwind is about a girl named Lena who spent her childhood learning how to race dragons, only for her shot to make it into the professional scene cut short by a betrayal from her best friend. The world in the story sets it up where women have it hard in the dragon racing industry - Volitant doesn't really leave room for women to race. Lena is the first to make it into a race, though disguised as another.
Lena faces trials and setbacks as she works her way into Volitant as a legitimate rider, along the way rekindling old friendships and making new ones. This features rivals to lovers trope.
If you enjoy F1 and fantasy, you will LOVE this book. Can't wait for book 2!
Rated this 4.5 stars.
Tailwind is about a girl named Lena who spent her childhood learning how to race dragons, only for her shot to make it into the professional scene cut short by a betrayal from her best friend. The world in the story sets it up where women have it hard in the dragon racing industry - Volitant doesn't really leave room for women to race. Lena is the first to make it into a race, though disguised as another.
Lena faces trials and setbacks as she works her way into Volitant as a legitimate rider, along the way rekindling old friendships and making new ones. This features rivals to lovers trope.
If you enjoy F1 and fantasy, you will LOVE this book. Can't wait for book 2!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Tailwind by Olivia Hayward was an enjoyable read with a compelling story and well-developed characters. The pacing kept me interested, and I appreciated the emotional depth and character growth throughout the book. The writing was engaging and easy to follow, making it a book I looked forward to picking up each day.
While there were a few moments that felt a bit predictable, the overall story was entertaining and satisfying. I would definitely recommend it to readers who enjoy character-driven stories with plenty of heart. A solid read and well worth the time.
While there were a few moments that felt a bit predictable, the overall story was entertaining and satisfying. I would definitely recommend it to readers who enjoy character-driven stories with plenty of heart. A solid read and well worth the time.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I don't think the marketing for this book is good enough. The story is amazing. One of my favorite books of the year. Excellent world-building and characters. Realistic struggle story. If I have any complaint, it would be that the best friend/ enemy doesn't truly grasp what he did or what she constantly deals with. His apology isn't good enough for me because he didn't mention the part where he ruined her entire career.
Still loved it and I cannot wait for the next one.
Still loved it and I cannot wait for the next one.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for this arc.
I love the idea of F1 but make it dragons which made me drawn wanting to read it. However I just felt I wasn’t finding the story immersive or driven into. Wish there was more building up to the scenes than here is this information.
If you are fan of Fourth Wing this is definitely a book you should read
I love the idea of F1 but make it dragons which made me drawn wanting to read it. However I just felt I wasn’t finding the story immersive or driven into. Wish there was more building up to the scenes than here is this information.
If you are fan of Fourth Wing this is definitely a book you should read
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
An action-packed tale of deception and endurance! I absolutely loved this book about dragon racing. I could not put it down, and I’m already wanting more from this universe!
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
#Tailwind
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
#Tailwind
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