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Madly Driven
An addictive, enemies-to-lovers romance about fame, power, and two people fighting to stay in control, even as they fall madly, recklessly in love.
Kensie Garrett turned her worst heartbreak into a bestselling brand. As a social-media influencer and author of a hit self-help book teaching women how to find love without losing themselves, she’s built a career on staying in command. But one reckless night threatens everything she’s created when she gives in to the magnetic pull of Canaan Jackson, the infuriating race car driver she’s despised since college.
When a private video from that night leaks, Kensie’s credibility and Canaan’s shot at racing glory are suddenly on the line. To save them both, he does the announces their engagement during a live press conference. What begins as damage control quickly spirals into a dangerous chemistry neither can contain.
Thrown together under the scorching Miami sun in the months leading up to his first Formula One race, Kensie and Canaan must outmaneuver paparazzi, past betrayals, and a passion that refuses to stay off camera. But as lies blur into truth and old wounds resurface, Kensie has to decide whether protecting her image is worth losing her heart to the one man who may know her better than she knows herself.
Kensie Garrett turned her worst heartbreak into a bestselling brand. As a social-media influencer and author of a hit self-help book teaching women how to find love without losing themselves, she’s built a career on staying in command. But one reckless night threatens everything she’s created when she gives in to the magnetic pull of Canaan Jackson, the infuriating race car driver she’s despised since college.
When a private video from that night leaks, Kensie’s credibility and Canaan’s shot at racing glory are suddenly on the line. To save them both, he does the announces their engagement during a live press conference. What begins as damage control quickly spirals into a dangerous chemistry neither can contain.
Thrown together under the scorching Miami sun in the months leading up to his first Formula One race, Kensie and Canaan must outmaneuver paparazzi, past betrayals, and a passion that refuses to stay off camera. But as lies blur into truth and old wounds resurface, Kensie has to decide whether protecting her image is worth losing her heart to the one man who may know her better than she knows herself.
- GenresRomanceSports Romance
Audible Audio
Published June 30, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
July 4, 2026
Cute fake dating… we love a successful Black woman trope and her insta Fiance baby with a bit of a scandal that forces proximity 🤏🏾🤏🏾🤏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 A winner!
May 16, 2026
This book was okay. It wasn’t a bad read, the storyline was actually very good. I love enemies to lovers tropes so it gave me that. The book as a whole just didn’t really pull me in that much. There wasn’t much excitement for me.
Canaan was interesting. He was described as an a**hole a lot but that wasn’t the energy I was getting from him. He seemed like a typical man who explored his options because he was focused on his career, and did not want to give himself to the wrong woman. With Kensie he was very intentional, though I’m sure he didn’t expect his feelings to get involved. I loved how he pushed himself to accomplish his goals despite the odds stacked against him and the people expecting him to fail.
Kensie I found quite annoying at first. The downside of dating a social media influencer was them always wanting to record something or go live instead of just being present in the moment. I understood Canaan’s frustration and distrust regarding that, especially given his status. She also kept being hot and cold with him when he really didn’t give her any reason to believe he would hurt her.
Eventually things aligned as they should and that was a nice thing. Overall i think the book was a decent palette cleanser.
Canaan was interesting. He was described as an a**hole a lot but that wasn’t the energy I was getting from him. He seemed like a typical man who explored his options because he was focused on his career, and did not want to give himself to the wrong woman. With Kensie he was very intentional, though I’m sure he didn’t expect his feelings to get involved. I loved how he pushed himself to accomplish his goals despite the odds stacked against him and the people expecting him to fail.
Kensie I found quite annoying at first. The downside of dating a social media influencer was them always wanting to record something or go live instead of just being present in the moment. I understood Canaan’s frustration and distrust regarding that, especially given his status. She also kept being hot and cold with him when he really didn’t give her any reason to believe he would hurt her.
Eventually things aligned as they should and that was a nice thing. Overall i think the book was a decent palette cleanser.
April 12, 2026
ARC provided by NetGalley and Black Odyssey Media. I loved this book from start to finish. Enemies to lovers. Fake relationship with real feelings!
July 5, 2026
2.5 ⭐️
Like others have said, this was just okay. I found both main characters to be insufferable for about 60%-70% of the book.
The FMC is supposed to be a semi famous author, writing positively about love and relationships. Except she’s only been in one serious relationship and doesn’t believe in love. Which tbh kind of sounds like an interesting plot for a book, but the execution of this particular plot point isn’t half as entertaining as it seems.
The MMC is low key misogynistic, blowing up at the FMC every time she wants to focus on her career instead of his. It’s attributed to his fear of abandonment due to his mom leaving him at ten to build another life and family without him. But again the execution fails.
The story also HEAVILY relies upon the miscommunication trope. The two MC’s makeup and breakup literally every few chapters due to some misunderstanding. It gets old quick.
Lastly, I didn’t care for how the book addressed treating ADHD. The MMC was diagnosed as a child, and his mother having him medicated was treated as a lazy way of handling it. As soon as the mother leaves him with his grandparents, the grandmother takes him off the adhd meds, and teaches him to handle it with breathing techniques. As someone who has ADHD and worked in the school system with kids who have ADHD, this is just so irresponsible. The idea that you can and should abruptly get off medication without consulting a doctor, and that breathing techniques and asmr alone is all you need (especially for a child) is just crazy and speaks to someone who doesn’t understand the realities of living with ADHD. I’m not suggesting medication is the only route, but the way it was handled in the book was so cavalier I almost dnf’d.
Like others have said, this was just okay. I found both main characters to be insufferable for about 60%-70% of the book.
The FMC is supposed to be a semi famous author, writing positively about love and relationships. Except she’s only been in one serious relationship and doesn’t believe in love. Which tbh kind of sounds like an interesting plot for a book, but the execution of this particular plot point isn’t half as entertaining as it seems.
The MMC is low key misogynistic, blowing up at the FMC every time she wants to focus on her career instead of his. It’s attributed to his fear of abandonment due to his mom leaving him at ten to build another life and family without him. But again the execution fails.
The story also HEAVILY relies upon the miscommunication trope. The two MC’s makeup and breakup literally every few chapters due to some misunderstanding. It gets old quick.
Lastly, I didn’t care for how the book addressed treating ADHD. The MMC was diagnosed as a child, and his mother having him medicated was treated as a lazy way of handling it. As soon as the mother leaves him with his grandparents, the grandmother takes him off the adhd meds, and teaches him to handle it with breathing techniques. As someone who has ADHD and worked in the school system with kids who have ADHD, this is just so irresponsible. The idea that you can and should abruptly get off medication without consulting a doctor, and that breathing techniques and asmr alone is all you need (especially for a child) is just crazy and speaks to someone who doesn’t understand the realities of living with ADHD. I’m not suggesting medication is the only route, but the way it was handled in the book was so cavalier I almost dnf’d.
July 5, 2026
Girl code should never be violated.
Are influencers really that annoying? Wow. I had no idea.
The FMC was insufferable. They couldn’t have sold this relationship to me if it was on clearance.
I love a good “enemies to lovers“ but this just seemed… Forced.
The FMC literally made the MMC her personality. I really really wanted to like the novel, but it fell flat to me.
I love Tiye’s work, & I love the knowledge of a black race car rider!
Are influencers really that annoying? Wow. I had no idea.
The FMC was insufferable. They couldn’t have sold this relationship to me if it was on clearance.
I love a good “enemies to lovers“ but this just seemed… Forced.
The FMC literally made the MMC her personality. I really really wanted to like the novel, but it fell flat to me.
I love Tiye’s work, & I love the knowledge of a black race car rider!
May 18, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Black Odyssey Media for the ARC.
I’ll admit—I’m biased because Tiye is an auto-read author for me, but this book reminded me exactly why. Give me enemies to lovers + fake dating and I’m already seated… and this one did both so well.
Enemies to lovers ✔️
Fake dating ✔️
Tension for days ✔️
I ate this up. The tension? Top tier.
I’ll admit—I’m biased because Tiye is an auto-read author for me, but this book reminded me exactly why. Give me enemies to lovers + fake dating and I’m already seated… and this one did both so well.
Enemies to lovers ✔️
Fake dating ✔️
Tension for days ✔️
I ate this up. The tension? Top tier.
July 12, 2026
Give me an accidental hookup, college enemies, two career-driven main characters, fake dating (or in this case, fake engagement), and forced proximity, and I'm already invested. One of my favorite things about this book was Kensie. She never shrunk herself, her goals, or her dreams while falling in love with Canaan. I love when a romance shows that you can have a successful relationship without sacrificing who you are or what you want for your future.
Kensie and Canaan had great chemistry, and I enjoyed watching their relationship evolve beyond their assumptions about each other. The story was light, fun, and easy to get lost in, making it the perfect summer read. I also have to admit that the Houston setting made this one extra special for me. Having just moved here, it was fun recognizing places and feeling connected to the story in a more personal way.
Overall, this was a sweet, entertaining romance with some of my favorite tropes and characters I rooted for from the beginning to the end.
Kensie and Canaan had great chemistry, and I enjoyed watching their relationship evolve beyond their assumptions about each other. The story was light, fun, and easy to get lost in, making it the perfect summer read. I also have to admit that the Houston setting made this one extra special for me. Having just moved here, it was fun recognizing places and feeling connected to the story in a more personal way.
Overall, this was a sweet, entertaining romance with some of my favorite tropes and characters I rooted for from the beginning to the end.
July 15, 2026
Madly Driven - when fake love becomes a real thing…
Yeah…Enemies to Lovers is FOR SURE becoming a favorite trope! This one….a fake dating is FABULOUS! This is my first read by TIYE. I loved every minute! There’s so much emotion built throughout with these two! Kenzie and Canaan both needled a little bit of therapy to work through their issues. I was so very glad to see the healing that happened during their story. I could not put this book down! I’m so grateful that I was introduced to this book via an author talk at my local indie book stores (Eagle Eye Books - Decatur, GA). I cannot WAIT to get more TIYE in my life!
Yeah…Enemies to Lovers is FOR SURE becoming a favorite trope! This one….a fake dating is FABULOUS! This is my first read by TIYE. I loved every minute! There’s so much emotion built throughout with these two! Kenzie and Canaan both needled a little bit of therapy to work through their issues. I was so very glad to see the healing that happened during their story. I could not put this book down! I’m so grateful that I was introduced to this book via an author talk at my local indie book stores (Eagle Eye Books - Decatur, GA). I cannot WAIT to get more TIYE in my life!
July 3, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ I enjoyed this book, it was entertaining. My only critique is that there was a lot of miscommunication in the forms of lack of clear communication, jumping to conclusions without discussion, lack of communication all together, making assumptions, etc. the communication between the FMC and MMC was trash and if I’m honest it only gets marginally better before the end of the book. If that is something you can deal with then give this book a try. It was cute and provided some entertainment.
July 20, 2026
Loved the chemistry. Loved the black rep in a sport that doesn't have that many people of color. I liked that our girl was working on her dissertation and taking her career seriously.
A lot of miscommunication, which was frustrating at times.
My guy, just tell her it's your birthday. Trying to keep her from traveling for her education was wild to me.
The characters were likeable, the plot was cute. An easy, quick read. I enjoy this author. Will be reading more of her
A lot of miscommunication, which was frustrating at times.
My guy, just tell her it's your birthday. Trying to keep her from traveling for her education was wild to me.
The characters were likeable, the plot was cute. An easy, quick read. I enjoy this author. Will be reading more of her
July 1, 2026
The story was amazing....
Did Not Finish
June 14, 2026I received an eARC from NetGalley for an honest review. I want to preface this by saying that there’s probably a lot of people who will enjoy this story because it's a really interesting premise, but I need to be honest with myself in the fact I don't have patience for the things I mention and that’s a me thing.
I had a couple issues with the writing style from the get go ("we sexed twice already") But that was something I can typically push through if I like the premise enough.
One of main issues actually came with the Formula 1 knowledge. I'm not a big sports person in any capacity, but as a budding F1 fan, the representation of the sport and language surrounding it left me wanting. You don't win a Formula 1, you win the Drivers Championship and/or Constructors Championship. And a person who already races in Formula 1 would not repeat the whole title in conversation every single time, they would simply say "I need to win the next race." I feel that when the book is centered around something, more research into these things make for a better story.
My other biggest issue is the heavy handed misogyny from the MMC and lack of emotional intelligence from both MC's. I assume his character arc is supposed to include him learning to respect women as a whole in some way but I have no interest in watching a grown man learn how to respect half the world's population because he finally found love. The FMC has made a whole career on speaking and teaching about Black love, a talent she gained from her sociology degree, but she doesn't see the value in relationships, has grudges against men, and actively pursued taken guys to sleep with (though she draws the line at married guys).
These are things I picked up in the first 3 chapters and it told me that this story wasn't for me.
I had a couple issues with the writing style from the get go ("we sexed twice already") But that was something I can typically push through if I like the premise enough.
One of main issues actually came with the Formula 1 knowledge. I'm not a big sports person in any capacity, but as a budding F1 fan, the representation of the sport and language surrounding it left me wanting. You don't win a Formula 1, you win the Drivers Championship and/or Constructors Championship. And a person who already races in Formula 1 would not repeat the whole title in conversation every single time, they would simply say "I need to win the next race." I feel that when the book is centered around something, more research into these things make for a better story.
My other biggest issue is the heavy handed misogyny from the MMC and lack of emotional intelligence from both MC's. I assume his character arc is supposed to include him learning to respect women as a whole in some way but I have no interest in watching a grown man learn how to respect half the world's population because he finally found love. The FMC has made a whole career on speaking and teaching about Black love, a talent she gained from her sociology degree, but she doesn't see the value in relationships, has grudges against men, and actively pursued taken guys to sleep with (though she draws the line at married guys).
These are things I picked up in the first 3 chapters and it told me that this story wasn't for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to the publisher & author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.
ARC Review | Madly Driven by Tiye
Tiye has become one of those authors I can always count on to deliver ambitious, successful Black characters, unforgettable romance, and stories that leave me thinking long after I turn the last page. Madly Driven checked every box for me and then some.
From the very first chapter, I was completely invested in Canaan and Kensie’s story. Their history, their undeniable chemistry, and the tension between what they wanted versus what they were willing to admit had me hooked. Every interaction felt intentional. Whether they were arguing, flirting, challenging each other, or slowly letting their guards down, you could feel the pull between them.
One thing TIYE does exceptionally well is creating characters who exist outside of their romance. Canaan isn’t simply the billionaire love interest. He’s a man carrying enormous expectations while chasing a goal no one has accomplished before. His drive to become the first Black man to win both NASCAR and Formula One races wasn’t just about making history. It represented legacy, sacrifice, and the pressure that often comes with being “the first.” I appreciated how the story explored the mental and emotional weight that accompanies greatness.
Kensie was equally impressive. I loved that she was intelligent, accomplished, career-focused, and never written as someone whose entire identity revolved around the relationship. She had goals, insecurities, passions, and convictions of her own. Watching her navigate love while refusing to lose herself made her such an easy heroine to root for.
The chemistry between these two deserves its own round of applause because… whew. It was electric from the start. The longing, the flirting, the banter, and the tension kept me smiling more times than I could count. TIYE balances emotional intimacy and steamy moments so well that neither ever overshadows the other.
Another standout for me was the setting. I honestly didn’t know how much I needed a romance centered around NASCAR and Formula One until now. The racing scenes were immersive, exciting, and written in a way that made me feel like I was right there watching history unfold. Even as someone who isn’t deeply familiar with motorsports, I never felt lost. Instead, I found myself completely invested in every race and every milestone.
Beyond the romance, I appreciated the conversations surrounding trust, vulnerability, healing after heartbreak, and what it means to truly support someone you love. This story reminds readers that love isn’t about giving up your dreams. It’s about finding someone who celebrates them alongside you.
I also loved seeing Black excellence represented in spaces where we don’t often get to see ourselves. Successful Black professionals, Black love, Black joy, Black ambition, and Black legacy are woven throughout this novel in such a beautiful and authentic way. That representation is something I’ll never stop celebrating.
If I had one tiny critique, it would simply be that there were moments where Canaan’s intensity had me wanting Kensie to make him work just a little harder before giving in. 😂 But even those moments contributed to their growth and made the emotional payoff worth the journey.
Overall, Madly Driven is a passionate, emotional, and exhilarating romance filled with unforgettable characters, meaningful conversations, and plenty of swoon-worthy moments. It’s a story about chasing impossible dreams while discovering that the greatest victory might just be finding someone who believes in you every step of the way.
If you enjoy:
🏁 Fake engagement
🏁 Second chance/reconnection romance
🏁 Billionaire hero
🏁 Alpha hero with emotional depth
🏁 Strong, intelligent heroine
🏁 Black love
🏁 High steam
🏁 Career-driven characters
🏁 Sports romance with a unique twist
🏁 Emotional growth and healing
…then Madly Driven absolutely deserves a place on your TBR.
ARC Review | Madly Driven by Tiye
Tiye has become one of those authors I can always count on to deliver ambitious, successful Black characters, unforgettable romance, and stories that leave me thinking long after I turn the last page. Madly Driven checked every box for me and then some.
From the very first chapter, I was completely invested in Canaan and Kensie’s story. Their history, their undeniable chemistry, and the tension between what they wanted versus what they were willing to admit had me hooked. Every interaction felt intentional. Whether they were arguing, flirting, challenging each other, or slowly letting their guards down, you could feel the pull between them.
One thing TIYE does exceptionally well is creating characters who exist outside of their romance. Canaan isn’t simply the billionaire love interest. He’s a man carrying enormous expectations while chasing a goal no one has accomplished before. His drive to become the first Black man to win both NASCAR and Formula One races wasn’t just about making history. It represented legacy, sacrifice, and the pressure that often comes with being “the first.” I appreciated how the story explored the mental and emotional weight that accompanies greatness.
Kensie was equally impressive. I loved that she was intelligent, accomplished, career-focused, and never written as someone whose entire identity revolved around the relationship. She had goals, insecurities, passions, and convictions of her own. Watching her navigate love while refusing to lose herself made her such an easy heroine to root for.
The chemistry between these two deserves its own round of applause because… whew. It was electric from the start. The longing, the flirting, the banter, and the tension kept me smiling more times than I could count. TIYE balances emotional intimacy and steamy moments so well that neither ever overshadows the other.
Another standout for me was the setting. I honestly didn’t know how much I needed a romance centered around NASCAR and Formula One until now. The racing scenes were immersive, exciting, and written in a way that made me feel like I was right there watching history unfold. Even as someone who isn’t deeply familiar with motorsports, I never felt lost. Instead, I found myself completely invested in every race and every milestone.
Beyond the romance, I appreciated the conversations surrounding trust, vulnerability, healing after heartbreak, and what it means to truly support someone you love. This story reminds readers that love isn’t about giving up your dreams. It’s about finding someone who celebrates them alongside you.
I also loved seeing Black excellence represented in spaces where we don’t often get to see ourselves. Successful Black professionals, Black love, Black joy, Black ambition, and Black legacy are woven throughout this novel in such a beautiful and authentic way. That representation is something I’ll never stop celebrating.
If I had one tiny critique, it would simply be that there were moments where Canaan’s intensity had me wanting Kensie to make him work just a little harder before giving in. 😂 But even those moments contributed to their growth and made the emotional payoff worth the journey.
Overall, Madly Driven is a passionate, emotional, and exhilarating romance filled with unforgettable characters, meaningful conversations, and plenty of swoon-worthy moments. It’s a story about chasing impossible dreams while discovering that the greatest victory might just be finding someone who believes in you every step of the way.
If you enjoy:
🏁 Fake engagement
🏁 Second chance/reconnection romance
🏁 Billionaire hero
🏁 Alpha hero with emotional depth
🏁 Strong, intelligent heroine
🏁 Black love
🏁 High steam
🏁 Career-driven characters
🏁 Sports romance with a unique twist
🏁 Emotional growth and healing
…then Madly Driven absolutely deserves a place on your TBR.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2026
One mind. One heart. One soul
Madly Driven was my first read by this author, and overall, I enjoyed this read.
Kensie and Canaan are exposed in a compromising position, which leads to them committing to one another for three months: you help me, I help you. I loved the fake dating aspect because you know that when fake dating is involved, feelings are eventually going to get mixed in, and then everyone has to figure out how to navigate that.
I felt as though both Kensie and Canaan struggled with communication, which stemmed from being guarded due to past relationships in their lives, whether those relationships were with family members or romantic partners. Kensie was more willing to take accountability than Canaan. He had a lot of challenges understanding that there is room for both people in a relationship to feel like they matter to each other. At times, I felt as though Canaan was selfish in how he handled certain situations, and his lack of understanding was frustrating. However, many of their reactions were rooted in their past hurts. Honestly, both of them threw tantrums when they didn’t get their way, LOL.
This is a read where you truly have to trust the process. Kensie and Canaan are two frustrating characters. Every time I thought they were finally on the same page, another hiccup would occur, and we were right back at square one, rooting for them to get it together. This was a constant throughout the entire book. It literally took them until 94% of the book to figure things out and learn how to communicate in a healthy, open way. I wanted to see what happened after they overcame those hurdles and reached a place where they could finally say, “I trust you wholeheartedly.” I wanted to see them shine in that stage of their relationship, but unfortunately, that wasn’t fully depicted.
I also loved the supporting characters, especially Ms. Murielle and her wisdom. Kensie’s friend/manager genuinely shocked me with their behavior. I did not see that coming at all.
One of my favorite aspects of the story was the reminder that while we are born into a family, we also have the ability to create and choose our own family. Sometimes that reality can be painful, but it does not mean we cannot experience love, support, and belonging throughout our lives.
Overall, this was an engaging read, and I would definitely recommend it.
Thank you Black Odyssey Media and Netgalley for the e-ARC.
Madly Driven was my first read by this author, and overall, I enjoyed this read.
Kensie and Canaan are exposed in a compromising position, which leads to them committing to one another for three months: you help me, I help you. I loved the fake dating aspect because you know that when fake dating is involved, feelings are eventually going to get mixed in, and then everyone has to figure out how to navigate that.
I felt as though both Kensie and Canaan struggled with communication, which stemmed from being guarded due to past relationships in their lives, whether those relationships were with family members or romantic partners. Kensie was more willing to take accountability than Canaan. He had a lot of challenges understanding that there is room for both people in a relationship to feel like they matter to each other. At times, I felt as though Canaan was selfish in how he handled certain situations, and his lack of understanding was frustrating. However, many of their reactions were rooted in their past hurts. Honestly, both of them threw tantrums when they didn’t get their way, LOL.
This is a read where you truly have to trust the process. Kensie and Canaan are two frustrating characters. Every time I thought they were finally on the same page, another hiccup would occur, and we were right back at square one, rooting for them to get it together. This was a constant throughout the entire book. It literally took them until 94% of the book to figure things out and learn how to communicate in a healthy, open way. I wanted to see what happened after they overcame those hurdles and reached a place where they could finally say, “I trust you wholeheartedly.” I wanted to see them shine in that stage of their relationship, but unfortunately, that wasn’t fully depicted.
I also loved the supporting characters, especially Ms. Murielle and her wisdom. Kensie’s friend/manager genuinely shocked me with their behavior. I did not see that coming at all.
One of my favorite aspects of the story was the reminder that while we are born into a family, we also have the ability to create and choose our own family. Sometimes that reality can be painful, but it does not mean we cannot experience love, support, and belonging throughout our lives.
Overall, this was an engaging read, and I would definitely recommend it.
Thank you Black Odyssey Media and Netgalley for the e-ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC Review
Kensie and Canaan were an odd pairing considering he dated her friend in college and she vowed to hate him after they broke up. However, an encounter together that neither of them can forget about flips the script. When they cross paths again the sexual tension is definitely still there and a situation that occurred had them trying to save face and agree to fake dating which changed things for both of them.
I enjoyed watching the relationship grow from enemies to lovers for Kensie and Canaan because both of them were adamant that they were only going to be together for their careers and for a period of time but of course the more they were around each other what started as a fake connection grew into something real. That said, there were some communication issues that got in the way of them developing something more at times because neither of them wanted to tell the other how they felt due to their arrangement but also in large part due to family issues. They both came from similar situations where they didn't see the healthiest relationship with their parents growing up which had an effect on how they viewed relationships for themselves as adults. This caused a lot of doubt with both of them and a sense of should I or shouldn't I when it came to expressing how they were feeling to the other. Canaan definitely fell first and I found myself telling Kensie you deserve the love so just let him in. I was so happy when we saw their more vulnerable side because that is when we were able to see a shift in them as individuals and a couple. However, right when I thought they were finally on the same page, a hiccup occurred that took us back to square one and I was saying to myself whyyyyy.. I was rooting for these two and I felt they complimented each other well so I had to see where their story was going to go
While we had the romance aspect of the book, we also had the racing with Canaan and as someone who doesn't know much about Nascar or Formula 1 racing, I felt Tiye did a good job of showcasing the racing in the book and the differences between the two. Overall, I thought this was a good read that kept me engaged and I liked how Tiye blended the romance, spice, family dynamics and the life of a racecar driver. Thank you to Black Odyssey Media for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Kensie and Canaan were an odd pairing considering he dated her friend in college and she vowed to hate him after they broke up. However, an encounter together that neither of them can forget about flips the script. When they cross paths again the sexual tension is definitely still there and a situation that occurred had them trying to save face and agree to fake dating which changed things for both of them.
I enjoyed watching the relationship grow from enemies to lovers for Kensie and Canaan because both of them were adamant that they were only going to be together for their careers and for a period of time but of course the more they were around each other what started as a fake connection grew into something real. That said, there were some communication issues that got in the way of them developing something more at times because neither of them wanted to tell the other how they felt due to their arrangement but also in large part due to family issues. They both came from similar situations where they didn't see the healthiest relationship with their parents growing up which had an effect on how they viewed relationships for themselves as adults. This caused a lot of doubt with both of them and a sense of should I or shouldn't I when it came to expressing how they were feeling to the other. Canaan definitely fell first and I found myself telling Kensie you deserve the love so just let him in. I was so happy when we saw their more vulnerable side because that is when we were able to see a shift in them as individuals and a couple. However, right when I thought they were finally on the same page, a hiccup occurred that took us back to square one and I was saying to myself whyyyyy.. I was rooting for these two and I felt they complimented each other well so I had to see where their story was going to go
While we had the romance aspect of the book, we also had the racing with Canaan and as someone who doesn't know much about Nascar or Formula 1 racing, I felt Tiye did a good job of showcasing the racing in the book and the differences between the two. Overall, I thought this was a good read that kept me engaged and I liked how Tiye blended the romance, spice, family dynamics and the life of a racecar driver. Thank you to Black Odyssey Media for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
General thoughts:
I was fortunate to meet Tiye at BRBF 2026, and in a fun twist of fate, I had just been accepted to read this book as an ARC on NetGalley. I love when a book finds its way to you at the perfect time and this one definitely delivered.
This fake dating romance takes you on a journey where pretending for the world slowly becomes impossible to separate from what’s real. The tension, the chemistry, and the emotional depth will have you completely invested, waiting to see when the lines between a fake relationship and genuine feelings finally blur.
There were definitely moments where I wanted to shake both characters because their inability to communicate their feelings properly was frustrating! But as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that their struggles come from deeper wounds, especially their relationships with their parents.
Both Kensie and Canaan carry the pain of being hurt by the very people who were supposed to love and protect them unconditionally. This story beautifully explores how our relationships with our parents can shape the way we view love, trust, and future relationships. It felt realistic, emotional, and a powerful reminder that healing is often a part of finding love.
Book overview:
A New Year’s Eve hookup in Jamaica turns enemies Kensie and Canaan’s lives upside down.
Canaan is a professional race car driver with a reputation that needs repairing, while Kensie is a social media influencer and self-help author known for giving incredible relationship advice despite being single herself.
When Kensie’s relevance in the social media world starts to depend on proving she has found love, her manager suggests she reconnect with Canaan and convince him to become her fake boyfriend. The arrangement is supposed to help them both fix their public images and nothing more.
But what they don’t expect is that spending time together will uncover feelings they never planned for. What starts as a fake relationship slowly turns into something real, as attraction grows into love and they discover their own happily ever after.
This story is packed with drama, chemistry, emotional moments, tension, and a romance that will keep you turning the pages until the very end. A perfect read for anyone who loves fake dating, enemies-to-lovers, and a journey of healing alongside a beautiful love story.
I was fortunate to meet Tiye at BRBF 2026, and in a fun twist of fate, I had just been accepted to read this book as an ARC on NetGalley. I love when a book finds its way to you at the perfect time and this one definitely delivered.
This fake dating romance takes you on a journey where pretending for the world slowly becomes impossible to separate from what’s real. The tension, the chemistry, and the emotional depth will have you completely invested, waiting to see when the lines between a fake relationship and genuine feelings finally blur.
There were definitely moments where I wanted to shake both characters because their inability to communicate their feelings properly was frustrating! But as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that their struggles come from deeper wounds, especially their relationships with their parents.
Both Kensie and Canaan carry the pain of being hurt by the very people who were supposed to love and protect them unconditionally. This story beautifully explores how our relationships with our parents can shape the way we view love, trust, and future relationships. It felt realistic, emotional, and a powerful reminder that healing is often a part of finding love.
Book overview:
A New Year’s Eve hookup in Jamaica turns enemies Kensie and Canaan’s lives upside down.
Canaan is a professional race car driver with a reputation that needs repairing, while Kensie is a social media influencer and self-help author known for giving incredible relationship advice despite being single herself.
When Kensie’s relevance in the social media world starts to depend on proving she has found love, her manager suggests she reconnect with Canaan and convince him to become her fake boyfriend. The arrangement is supposed to help them both fix their public images and nothing more.
But what they don’t expect is that spending time together will uncover feelings they never planned for. What starts as a fake relationship slowly turns into something real, as attraction grows into love and they discover their own happily ever after.
This story is packed with drama, chemistry, emotional moments, tension, and a romance that will keep you turning the pages until the very end. A perfect read for anyone who loves fake dating, enemies-to-lovers, and a journey of healing alongside a beautiful love story.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Fake Dating, Enemies to Lovers… and I Liked It??
📚 On Casey’s Bookshelf
Book: 76
Dates read: 04.14.2026 – 04.15.2026
Title: Madly Driven
Author: Tiye
Format: digital ARC
#caseysbookshelf
Baby one thing for sure, two for certain, I am Tiye Love’s number one fan. Even when she has me emotionally wrecked, I know she will put the pieces back together and build me up with a beautiful HEA. Now while this one did not have me crying in the corner, it absolutely gave me all the feels. And look… I ain’t even gonna hold you. If you see a Tiye book on my account, you ain’t even gotta read the review. It’s 4 or 5 stars every time. And yes, I check my bias. The ratings are truly earned.
It’s no secret fake dating is my favorite trope and enemies to lovers is my LEAST favorite. One thing you will never catch me doing is spinning the block. But somehow… Tiye slid both tropes in here and made me open my mind just a little bit. Because yeah… I liked it.
Kensie and Canaan start off in pure tension and bad decisions, and before they can even catch their breath, they’re in a fake engagement trying to clean up a mess that only gets messier. What I loved is that their chemistry doesn’t feel forced. It builds through conflict, through ego, through two people who are used to being in control realizing they don’t have control over this.
And the growth? That’s where the story really shines. This isn’t about fixing each other. It’s about confronting your own baggage and choosing to show up differently. Watching them break down those walls and actually do the work made the payoff hit.
This is messy, emotional, high-chemistry romance with characters that will have you talking to the book… but still rooting for them to get it together.
Another Tiye win, per yooj.
Thank you Black Odyssey for the NetGalley #giftedcopy in exchange for an honest review. This title releases June 30th. Be sure to add it to your preorder list!
Another book off the shelf. We keep reading with intention. 📚
📚 On Casey’s Bookshelf
Book: 76
Dates read: 04.14.2026 – 04.15.2026
Title: Madly Driven
Author: Tiye
Format: digital ARC
#caseysbookshelf
Baby one thing for sure, two for certain, I am Tiye Love’s number one fan. Even when she has me emotionally wrecked, I know she will put the pieces back together and build me up with a beautiful HEA. Now while this one did not have me crying in the corner, it absolutely gave me all the feels. And look… I ain’t even gonna hold you. If you see a Tiye book on my account, you ain’t even gotta read the review. It’s 4 or 5 stars every time. And yes, I check my bias. The ratings are truly earned.
It’s no secret fake dating is my favorite trope and enemies to lovers is my LEAST favorite. One thing you will never catch me doing is spinning the block. But somehow… Tiye slid both tropes in here and made me open my mind just a little bit. Because yeah… I liked it.
Kensie and Canaan start off in pure tension and bad decisions, and before they can even catch their breath, they’re in a fake engagement trying to clean up a mess that only gets messier. What I loved is that their chemistry doesn’t feel forced. It builds through conflict, through ego, through two people who are used to being in control realizing they don’t have control over this.
And the growth? That’s where the story really shines. This isn’t about fixing each other. It’s about confronting your own baggage and choosing to show up differently. Watching them break down those walls and actually do the work made the payoff hit.
This is messy, emotional, high-chemistry romance with characters that will have you talking to the book… but still rooting for them to get it together.
Another Tiye win, per yooj.
Thank you Black Odyssey for the NetGalley #giftedcopy in exchange for an honest review. This title releases June 30th. Be sure to add it to your preorder list!
Another book off the shelf. We keep reading with intention. 📚
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Tiye & Black Odyssey Media for offering an arc via NetGalley!
Madly Driven comes off the starting grid at full speed and doesn't take its foot off the gas. From the opening pages, Tiye drops readers into a romance that feels like taking the checkered flag after a thrilling race.
Now, let's talk about Canaan and Kenzie. These two are fake dating in the most technical sense because absolutely no one, including them, is fooled. The chemistry has been there since they randomly ran into each other in Jamaica, and they're both painfully aware of it. Yet they spend the majority of the book convincing themselves that pursuing something real would somehow derail their professional goals. The level of delusion on display? Certifiable. But somehow Tiye makes their self-control feel incredibly sexy, and I enjoyed every second of it.
What I loved most was how multifaceted these characters are. Canaan isn't just chasing his Formula 1 dreams as a Black driver in a predominantly white space; he's also a brilliant engineer. Kenzie is balancing the demands of completing her dissertation while building her platform as a content creator. They're both ambitious and trying to figure out whether there's room for love alongside their goals... all while they're supposedly "fake dating."
Of course, none of this would be complete without a healthy amount of emotional baggage and stubbornness. Canaan and Kenzie's fears around vulnerability are rooted in past relationships and complicated family dynamics, which makes their miscommunications feel frustrating but believable. You'll definitely want to yell at them to get it together, but watching them learn each other, challenge their assumptions, and unlearn old habits makes their romance feel authentic and relatable.
Madly Driven is sexy, frustrating, heartfelt, and packed with enough heat to make it the perfect summer read. If you love ambitious characters, undeniable chemistry, and a romance that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end, this one is worth the ride.
Madly Driven comes off the starting grid at full speed and doesn't take its foot off the gas. From the opening pages, Tiye drops readers into a romance that feels like taking the checkered flag after a thrilling race.
Now, let's talk about Canaan and Kenzie. These two are fake dating in the most technical sense because absolutely no one, including them, is fooled. The chemistry has been there since they randomly ran into each other in Jamaica, and they're both painfully aware of it. Yet they spend the majority of the book convincing themselves that pursuing something real would somehow derail their professional goals. The level of delusion on display? Certifiable. But somehow Tiye makes their self-control feel incredibly sexy, and I enjoyed every second of it.
What I loved most was how multifaceted these characters are. Canaan isn't just chasing his Formula 1 dreams as a Black driver in a predominantly white space; he's also a brilliant engineer. Kenzie is balancing the demands of completing her dissertation while building her platform as a content creator. They're both ambitious and trying to figure out whether there's room for love alongside their goals... all while they're supposedly "fake dating."
Of course, none of this would be complete without a healthy amount of emotional baggage and stubbornness. Canaan and Kenzie's fears around vulnerability are rooted in past relationships and complicated family dynamics, which makes their miscommunications feel frustrating but believable. You'll definitely want to yell at them to get it together, but watching them learn each other, challenge their assumptions, and unlearn old habits makes their romance feel authentic and relatable.
Madly Driven is sexy, frustrating, heartfelt, and packed with enough heat to make it the perfect summer read. If you love ambitious characters, undeniable chemistry, and a romance that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end, this one is worth the ride.
July 12, 2026
***ARC REVIEW****
Thank you to Black Odyssey through NetGalley for the ARC in exchanged for my honest review
I love when I read a character that I dislike at the beginning of a book and the author makes me fall in love with them by the end.
This story follows Kensie & Canaan, Canaan is a NASCAR driver chasing his dream of making it to and winning a F1 race. Canaan has some maternal abandonment issues and also dealing with wanting his father’s approval. Then there is Kensie, author and online content creator who prides herself on studying and giving advice on relationships. 2 people who couldn’t stand each other in college. A few years had pass and they end up in the same place on vacation, and decided to but their feelings aside and act on the physical attraction between them. Kensie is dealing with past trust issues as well as the relationship of her parents that affects her view on relationships . With both of them trying to change how they are viewed in the public eye, they decided to fake date and that is where the story takes off. The way the story kicks off had me invested because I wanted to know why they disliked each other and how they were going to work going forward.
Canaan is a MMC that is full of himself, arrogant and probably going to get on your nerves at the beginning of this book. Honestly both characters will frustrate you at times but if you stick with them, they are actually relatable and love the growth of both of them.One thing was undeniable was their chemistry and how both of them were fighting not to fall in love with each other. You get to see both main characters deal with their trust issues and work through family dynamics that has affected the way they view relationships. Kensie who is career driven is trying to chase her dreams, and Canaan is focus on the race of his lifE. Both of them bump heads and had to learn how to compromise, listen to each other, be vulnerable and change how they view past relationships, both in their own and in their parents.
I really enjoy the story, Love that this is a F1 sports black romance which also includes a character with Caribbean background. Love how it seems the author put research into the sport, and gave enough ‘on page’ sports.While I don’t know a lot about nascar or formula one, I didn’t feel confused with that portion of the story. I enjoyed the fake engagement, rather than just fake dating, it added a little more to the story and raised the stakes. The banter was good between them and it the chemistry was evident. While there was spice it didn’t take over the story. I love reading stories where the characters swear off love and you get to see them be vulnerable and become each other’s peace. I wish the conflict/miscommunications were resolved a little sooner between them and we got more of them actually dating and doing things before the HEA. I wanted more of them working on themselves individually on page outside of just saying they needed to.
OVERALL I REALLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK AND WILL DEFINITELY RECOMMEND IT ESPECIALLY AS A BLACK SPORTS ROMANCE
Thank you to Black Odyssey through NetGalley for the ARC in exchanged for my honest review
I love when I read a character that I dislike at the beginning of a book and the author makes me fall in love with them by the end.
This story follows Kensie & Canaan, Canaan is a NASCAR driver chasing his dream of making it to and winning a F1 race. Canaan has some maternal abandonment issues and also dealing with wanting his father’s approval. Then there is Kensie, author and online content creator who prides herself on studying and giving advice on relationships. 2 people who couldn’t stand each other in college. A few years had pass and they end up in the same place on vacation, and decided to but their feelings aside and act on the physical attraction between them. Kensie is dealing with past trust issues as well as the relationship of her parents that affects her view on relationships . With both of them trying to change how they are viewed in the public eye, they decided to fake date and that is where the story takes off. The way the story kicks off had me invested because I wanted to know why they disliked each other and how they were going to work going forward.
Canaan is a MMC that is full of himself, arrogant and probably going to get on your nerves at the beginning of this book. Honestly both characters will frustrate you at times but if you stick with them, they are actually relatable and love the growth of both of them.One thing was undeniable was their chemistry and how both of them were fighting not to fall in love with each other. You get to see both main characters deal with their trust issues and work through family dynamics that has affected the way they view relationships. Kensie who is career driven is trying to chase her dreams, and Canaan is focus on the race of his lifE. Both of them bump heads and had to learn how to compromise, listen to each other, be vulnerable and change how they view past relationships, both in their own and in their parents.
I really enjoy the story, Love that this is a F1 sports black romance which also includes a character with Caribbean background. Love how it seems the author put research into the sport, and gave enough ‘on page’ sports.While I don’t know a lot about nascar or formula one, I didn’t feel confused with that portion of the story. I enjoyed the fake engagement, rather than just fake dating, it added a little more to the story and raised the stakes. The banter was good between them and it the chemistry was evident. While there was spice it didn’t take over the story. I love reading stories where the characters swear off love and you get to see them be vulnerable and become each other’s peace. I wish the conflict/miscommunications were resolved a little sooner between them and we got more of them actually dating and doing things before the HEA. I wanted more of them working on themselves individually on page outside of just saying they needed to.
OVERALL I REALLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK AND WILL DEFINITELY RECOMMEND IT ESPECIALLY AS A BLACK SPORTS ROMANCE
May 10, 2026
Tiye absolutely ate with this one.
Madly Driven pulled me in fast and never really let me breathe. Between the tension, the secrets, the emotional walls, and trying to figure out what exactly was happening beneath the surface of these characters, I stayed locked in from beginning to end. This was my very first race car driver romance and honestly? I get the hype now.
Kensie and Canaan are messy in the best way possible. Their connection starts off sharp, complicated, and full of conflict, but the chemistry never feels forced. Every interaction feels loaded with something unspoken, which made the emotional payoff hit even harder later on. The fake engagement trope was done so well because it never felt overly cheesy or unbelievable. Instead, it felt like two people trying to stay in control while everything around them slowly spiraled.
What surprised me most was the suspense element woven throughout the story. There’s this constant feeling that something bigger is happening behind the scenes, and I found myself trying to piece everything together right alongside the characters. The emotional tension and the outside pressure balanced each other perfectly.
And let me just say this: Canaan? Whew. Stubborn, frustrating, protective, layered. Exactly the kind of character that will have you rolling your eyes one chapter and rooting for him the next.
What I appreciated most is that this story wasn’t about “saving” each other. It was about growth, accountability, trust, and learning how to let somebody in without losing yourself in the process.
This was emotional, dramatic, romantic, and surprisingly addictive. I flew through it because every chapter gave me another reason to keep going.
Huge thank you to Black Odyssey and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. Madly Driven releases June 30, 2026, and romance readers are absolutely going to want this on their radar.
Madly Driven pulled me in fast and never really let me breathe. Between the tension, the secrets, the emotional walls, and trying to figure out what exactly was happening beneath the surface of these characters, I stayed locked in from beginning to end. This was my very first race car driver romance and honestly? I get the hype now.
Kensie and Canaan are messy in the best way possible. Their connection starts off sharp, complicated, and full of conflict, but the chemistry never feels forced. Every interaction feels loaded with something unspoken, which made the emotional payoff hit even harder later on. The fake engagement trope was done so well because it never felt overly cheesy or unbelievable. Instead, it felt like two people trying to stay in control while everything around them slowly spiraled.
What surprised me most was the suspense element woven throughout the story. There’s this constant feeling that something bigger is happening behind the scenes, and I found myself trying to piece everything together right alongside the characters. The emotional tension and the outside pressure balanced each other perfectly.
And let me just say this: Canaan? Whew. Stubborn, frustrating, protective, layered. Exactly the kind of character that will have you rolling your eyes one chapter and rooting for him the next.
What I appreciated most is that this story wasn’t about “saving” each other. It was about growth, accountability, trust, and learning how to let somebody in without losing yourself in the process.
This was emotional, dramatic, romantic, and surprisingly addictive. I flew through it because every chapter gave me another reason to keep going.
Huge thank you to Black Odyssey and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. Madly Driven releases June 30, 2026, and romance readers are absolutely going to want this on their radar.
July 5, 2026
can’t fight the feeling
Right away, readers are thrust into the world of Kensie and Canaan. This sports romance has all the tropes of fake dating/engagement, enemies to lovers, and yes, even some forbidden romance and then, of course, the celebrity life trope. You’re in for a lot of spice as well as drama. This title is perfect for the story, and as you read it, you’ll see why. It’s a play on words for sure, with it being about a race car driver and a PhD Student/Relationship author. They knew each other in college and he actually dated her best friend and our FMC could not stand him because of how he treated her best friend in college . They run run to each other years later while on vacation and have a steamy encounter. Everything falls from there, But as you dive into the story, it really shows you how we find two very career-driven people who both are working towards a major goal while falling in love and what is supposed to be only a temporary arrangement for their careers. When feelings get real, how do they compromise does one’s career matter more than the other ? Feelings of abandonment from previous situations influence a lot too. Both our characters have trauma from their childhood that affects how they communicate and navigate their current situation. And I will say up until the epilogue, there was a back-and-forth with this couple, so I’m telling you their road to their HEA isn’t easy. I was exhausted at times with them, but yet honestly everything felt very real. Still I enjoyed reading this story and finished it in two days. We have two people who are very imperfect, and so there will be times where you’re rooting for one and then annoyed with the other and vice versa, but overall, I still really enjoyed this plot. Now, what I will say is that sometimes those closest to you are the ones you have to really look out for.
Right away, readers are thrust into the world of Kensie and Canaan. This sports romance has all the tropes of fake dating/engagement, enemies to lovers, and yes, even some forbidden romance and then, of course, the celebrity life trope. You’re in for a lot of spice as well as drama. This title is perfect for the story, and as you read it, you’ll see why. It’s a play on words for sure, with it being about a race car driver and a PhD Student/Relationship author. They knew each other in college and he actually dated her best friend and our FMC could not stand him because of how he treated her best friend in college . They run run to each other years later while on vacation and have a steamy encounter. Everything falls from there, But as you dive into the story, it really shows you how we find two very career-driven people who both are working towards a major goal while falling in love and what is supposed to be only a temporary arrangement for their careers. When feelings get real, how do they compromise does one’s career matter more than the other ? Feelings of abandonment from previous situations influence a lot too. Both our characters have trauma from their childhood that affects how they communicate and navigate their current situation. And I will say up until the epilogue, there was a back-and-forth with this couple, so I’m telling you their road to their HEA isn’t easy. I was exhausted at times with them, but yet honestly everything felt very real. Still I enjoyed reading this story and finished it in two days. We have two people who are very imperfect, and so there will be times where you’re rooting for one and then annoyed with the other and vice versa, but overall, I still really enjoyed this plot. Now, what I will say is that sometimes those closest to you are the ones you have to really look out for.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC Review Release Date: June 30, 2026
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Madly Driven by Tiye is a compelling and emotionally layered enemies-to-lovers romance that delivers on tension, chemistry, and character growth.
The story follows Kensie, a social media influencer, and Canaan, a professional race car driver, who enter into a fake engagement that neither of them expects to turn real. What begins as a strategic arrangement quickly evolves into something deeper as both characters are forced to confront their pasts, trust issues, and emotional walls.
Both Kensie and Canaan are strong-willed and guarded, which makes their dynamic feel authentic and engaging. Their banter is sharp, their chemistry is undeniable, and the tension between them carries consistently throughout the story. Canaan’s stubborn, alpha personality is balanced by the softer side he reveals over time, particularly in his interactions with Kensie. Kensie, on the other hand, remains grounded and firm in who she is, which adds depth to their connection.
One of the strongest aspects of this novel is its focus on growth. Rather than “fixing” one another, Kensie and Canaan challenge and support each other, allowing their relationship to develop naturally. Watching them break down their emotional barriers and build trust made the payoff especially satisfying.
Overall, Madly Driven is a well-paced, character-driven romance with strong emotional depth and an engaging storyline. Readers who enjoy enemies-to-lovers, fake dating/engagement tropes, and slow-burn relationships will find this to be a rewarding read. I read this in one day, which speaks to how engaging and well-paced the story was.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Madly Driven by Tiye is a compelling and emotionally layered enemies-to-lovers romance that delivers on tension, chemistry, and character growth.
The story follows Kensie, a social media influencer, and Canaan, a professional race car driver, who enter into a fake engagement that neither of them expects to turn real. What begins as a strategic arrangement quickly evolves into something deeper as both characters are forced to confront their pasts, trust issues, and emotional walls.
Both Kensie and Canaan are strong-willed and guarded, which makes their dynamic feel authentic and engaging. Their banter is sharp, their chemistry is undeniable, and the tension between them carries consistently throughout the story. Canaan’s stubborn, alpha personality is balanced by the softer side he reveals over time, particularly in his interactions with Kensie. Kensie, on the other hand, remains grounded and firm in who she is, which adds depth to their connection.
One of the strongest aspects of this novel is its focus on growth. Rather than “fixing” one another, Kensie and Canaan challenge and support each other, allowing their relationship to develop naturally. Watching them break down their emotional barriers and build trust made the payoff especially satisfying.
Overall, Madly Driven is a well-paced, character-driven romance with strong emotional depth and an engaging storyline. Readers who enjoy enemies-to-lovers, fake dating/engagement tropes, and slow-burn relationships will find this to be a rewarding read. I read this in one day, which speaks to how engaging and well-paced the story was.
July 5, 2026
July Read: Madly Driven by Tiye — 4.5⭐️From the very first chapter, I was completely invested in Canaan and Kensie's story. Their history, undeniable chemistry, and the tension between what they wanted versus what they were willing to admit had me hooked. Every interaction felt meaningful, whether they were arguing, flirting, challenging each other, or slowly letting their guards down.
One thing Tiye does exceptionally well is creating characters who exist beyond the romance. Canaan isn't just the billionaire love interest. He's a man carrying enormous expectations while chasing the goal of becoming the first Black man to win both NASCAR and Formula One races. His journey is about more than making history—it's about legacy, sacrifice, and the pressure that comes with being "the first." Kensie was just as compelling. She's intelligent, ambitious, career-driven, and never loses herself in the relationship. Watching her pursue love without sacrificing her own dreams made her impossible not to root for.
The chemistry between them was electric. The longing, banter, and slow-building tension made every scene together enjoyable, while the emotional and steamy moments felt perfectly balanced. I also loved the motorsports setting. Beyond the romance, this story explores trust, vulnerability, healing after heartbreak, and what it truly means to support the person you love. It's a reminder that the right relationship doesn't ask you to give up your dreams—it celebrates them alongside you.
One thing Tiye does exceptionally well is creating characters who exist beyond the romance. Canaan isn't just the billionaire love interest. He's a man carrying enormous expectations while chasing the goal of becoming the first Black man to win both NASCAR and Formula One races. His journey is about more than making history—it's about legacy, sacrifice, and the pressure that comes with being "the first." Kensie was just as compelling. She's intelligent, ambitious, career-driven, and never loses herself in the relationship. Watching her pursue love without sacrificing her own dreams made her impossible not to root for.
The chemistry between them was electric. The longing, banter, and slow-building tension made every scene together enjoyable, while the emotional and steamy moments felt perfectly balanced. I also loved the motorsports setting. Beyond the romance, this story explores trust, vulnerability, healing after heartbreak, and what it truly means to support the person you love. It's a reminder that the right relationship doesn't ask you to give up your dreams—it celebrates them alongside you.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Synopsis:
Kensie Garrett turned her worst heartbreak into a bestselling brand. As a social-media influencer and author of a hit self-help book teaching women how to find love without losing themselves, she’s built a career on staying in command. But one reckless night threatens everything she’s created when she gives in to the magnetic pull of Canaan Jackson, the infuriating race car driver she’s despised since college.
When a private video from that night leaks, Kensie’s credibility and Canaan’s shot at racing glory are suddenly on the line. To save them both, he does the announces their engagement during a live press conference. What begins as damage control quickly spirals into a dangerous chemistry neither can contain.
Thrown together under the scorching Miami sun in the months leading up to his first Formula One race, Kensie and Canaan must outmaneuver paparazzi, past betrayals, and a passion that refuses to stay off camera. But as lies blur into truth and old wounds resurface, Kensie has to decide whether protecting her image is worth losing her heart to the one man who may know her better than she knows herself.
Review:
Kensie and Canaan hated each other. Until one unforgettable night in Jamaica..Then, they suddenly couldn't keep their hands off each other.
This book started strong... but the miscommunication & holding on to past trauma between these two went on for far too long for me..
The story itself was good, I kept wanting to scream at these two, wake up and see beyond their own nose..
If you're looking for fake dating & messy romance.. this one's for you.
3 ⭐
*I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*
Kensie Garrett turned her worst heartbreak into a bestselling brand. As a social-media influencer and author of a hit self-help book teaching women how to find love without losing themselves, she’s built a career on staying in command. But one reckless night threatens everything she’s created when she gives in to the magnetic pull of Canaan Jackson, the infuriating race car driver she’s despised since college.
When a private video from that night leaks, Kensie’s credibility and Canaan’s shot at racing glory are suddenly on the line. To save them both, he does the announces their engagement during a live press conference. What begins as damage control quickly spirals into a dangerous chemistry neither can contain.
Thrown together under the scorching Miami sun in the months leading up to his first Formula One race, Kensie and Canaan must outmaneuver paparazzi, past betrayals, and a passion that refuses to stay off camera. But as lies blur into truth and old wounds resurface, Kensie has to decide whether protecting her image is worth losing her heart to the one man who may know her better than she knows herself.
Review:
Kensie and Canaan hated each other. Until one unforgettable night in Jamaica..Then, they suddenly couldn't keep their hands off each other.
This book started strong... but the miscommunication & holding on to past trauma between these two went on for far too long for me..
The story itself was good, I kept wanting to scream at these two, wake up and see beyond their own nose..
If you're looking for fake dating & messy romance.. this one's for you.
3 ⭐
*I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed Kensie and Canaan’s story. Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, and Tiye leans into it with sharp tension, simmering chemistry, and two characters who are far more drawn to each other than they want to admit. What starts as a fake engagement meant to protect their public images quickly becomes something neither of them can keep contained.
Kensie is determined to protect everything she’s built — her dissertation, her brand, and the message behind her bestselling book. The last thing she wants is to fall for another man who can’t commit. Canaan, laser focused on reaching Formula One glory, has sworn off marriage and keeps his guard high. But the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to maintain the walls they’ve both relied on for so long.
Their journey may begin with a lie, but the emotional stakes feel real. Tiye does a great job setting the stage for two people who need to learn how to communicate, trust, and be vulnerable if they want something lasting. Watching Kensie and Canaan navigate fame, pressure, and their own fears while trying to deny their growing feelings made this a compelling read.
Overall, this was a good, engaging romance with strong character development, a believable shift from animosity to desire, and a satisfying emotional payoff.
I really enjoyed Kensie and Canaan’s story. Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, and Tiye leans into it with sharp tension, simmering chemistry, and two characters who are far more drawn to each other than they want to admit. What starts as a fake engagement meant to protect their public images quickly becomes something neither of them can keep contained.
Kensie is determined to protect everything she’s built — her dissertation, her brand, and the message behind her bestselling book. The last thing she wants is to fall for another man who can’t commit. Canaan, laser focused on reaching Formula One glory, has sworn off marriage and keeps his guard high. But the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to maintain the walls they’ve both relied on for so long.
Their journey may begin with a lie, but the emotional stakes feel real. Tiye does a great job setting the stage for two people who need to learn how to communicate, trust, and be vulnerable if they want something lasting. Watching Kensie and Canaan navigate fame, pressure, and their own fears while trying to deny their growing feelings made this a compelling read.
Overall, this was a good, engaging romance with strong character development, a believable shift from animosity to desire, and a satisfying emotional payoff.
July 3, 2026
Thank you so so much to Black Odysessy and NetGalley for this e-Arc! Honestly if Black Odyssey publishes it, I wanna read it. This is my second Tiye book and I just absolutely love her writing style. Tiye writes characters that are driven, headstrong and imperfect in the most realistic ways! Canaan and Kensie were no different! I’ve been wanting to read more and more Black F1/nascar romances and this absolutely scratched that itch for me.
This book had all my favorite tropes:
Enemies to lovers ✅
Fake dating ✅
Tension and Yearning ✅
F1 and NASCAR ✅
I really enjoyed this story! I feel like it hooked me in immediately and I was locked in. Canaan and Kensie both annoyed me and charmed me! The pull and chemistry between the characters just lept off the pages and I could feel the angst in my chest when they were fighting. I love that both characters had their own lives outside of their relationship. Kensie was working diligently on earning her PhD and would not be overshadowed by Canaan’s driving career! So many time women, especially Black women are expected to concede their ambitions and goals for their partners. I love that Tiye explicitly addressed this and resolved it within Canaan and Kensie.
A perfect palate cleanser of a story with characters that are relateable and headstrong! I can’t wait to read what Tiye writes next.
This book had all my favorite tropes:
Enemies to lovers ✅
Fake dating ✅
Tension and Yearning ✅
F1 and NASCAR ✅
I really enjoyed this story! I feel like it hooked me in immediately and I was locked in. Canaan and Kensie both annoyed me and charmed me! The pull and chemistry between the characters just lept off the pages and I could feel the angst in my chest when they were fighting. I love that both characters had their own lives outside of their relationship. Kensie was working diligently on earning her PhD and would not be overshadowed by Canaan’s driving career! So many time women, especially Black women are expected to concede their ambitions and goals for their partners. I love that Tiye explicitly addressed this and resolved it within Canaan and Kensie.
A perfect palate cleanser of a story with characters that are relateable and headstrong! I can’t wait to read what Tiye writes next.
May 31, 2026
Madly Driven is exactly the kind of emotionally layered contemporary romance I’ve come to expect from Tiye. She has such a thoughtful way of weaving mental health, wellness, vulnerability, and emotional accountability into love stories that still feel sexy, entertaining, and real.
This is a grown contemporary romance with strong chemistry, complex relationship dynamics, and characters who feel like adults navigating love alongside ambition, pressure, and personal history.
I don’t always gravitate toward enemies-to-lovers romance, but I enjoyed the tension here. The push and pull in their dynamic had emotional weight, so the chemistry felt natural instead of forced. I appreciated that the conflict was not just banter or pride for the sake of it; there was enough history, pressure, and softness underneath for the tension to make sense.
The story explored fierce independence, especially when that independence is shaped by self-protection, past hurt, and the need to stay in control. There was care in how Tiye showed ambition and emotional guardedness existing beside vulnerability, desire, and the want to be loved well.
I also appreciated the contemporary racing world built around the romance. The story highlights Black racers, pit crews, and fans within NASCAR and F1 spaces in a way that felt specific and refreshing. As someone still learning the sport, I liked that the book gave enough inner-world context to make the racing culture feel accessible without slowing the story down.
Thank you to NetGalley and Black Odyssey Media for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
This is a grown contemporary romance with strong chemistry, complex relationship dynamics, and characters who feel like adults navigating love alongside ambition, pressure, and personal history.
I don’t always gravitate toward enemies-to-lovers romance, but I enjoyed the tension here. The push and pull in their dynamic had emotional weight, so the chemistry felt natural instead of forced. I appreciated that the conflict was not just banter or pride for the sake of it; there was enough history, pressure, and softness underneath for the tension to make sense.
The story explored fierce independence, especially when that independence is shaped by self-protection, past hurt, and the need to stay in control. There was care in how Tiye showed ambition and emotional guardedness existing beside vulnerability, desire, and the want to be loved well.
I also appreciated the contemporary racing world built around the romance. The story highlights Black racers, pit crews, and fans within NASCAR and F1 spaces in a way that felt specific and refreshing. As someone still learning the sport, I liked that the book gave enough inner-world context to make the racing culture feel accessible without slowing the story down.
Thank you to NetGalley and Black Odyssey Media for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you, Netgalley and Black Odyssey Media, for sending me an ARC. All thoughts are of my own.
MADLY DRIVEN shows how hate turns into love - so that I became “madly driven” to continue reading until I reached its end. What a great book this is!
I will state that it took me a while to hook into the story presented. The beginning was definitely a conversation starter. But once things began to click, I latched on like a tick to a dog. The author wrote a spicy and exhilarating novel.
Kensie is my favorite character of MADLY DRIVEN. She knew what she wanted and got it, too. But what impressed me the most was when she went on her redemption tour, starting with her parents. It showed readers the character’s massive growth over a few pages. I appreciated that.
The only problem I had with the book was the pacing issues. There were lags in places, and I found myself drifting away from the story. Thank God, I got back on track, though.
I was satisfied with the book’s ending. It went straight to the dilemma. As a reader, I was happy to read that.
I am giving this book a high 4-star rating. Highly recommended!
MADLY DRIVEN shows how hate turns into love - so that I became “madly driven” to continue reading until I reached its end. What a great book this is!
I will state that it took me a while to hook into the story presented. The beginning was definitely a conversation starter. But once things began to click, I latched on like a tick to a dog. The author wrote a spicy and exhilarating novel.
Kensie is my favorite character of MADLY DRIVEN. She knew what she wanted and got it, too. But what impressed me the most was when she went on her redemption tour, starting with her parents. It showed readers the character’s massive growth over a few pages. I appreciated that.
The only problem I had with the book was the pacing issues. There were lags in places, and I found myself drifting away from the story. Thank God, I got back on track, though.
I was satisfied with the book’s ending. It went straight to the dilemma. As a reader, I was happy to read that.
I am giving this book a high 4-star rating. Highly recommended!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book was vibe! I’m glad I pushed past my initial dislike of the MMC. He’s arrogant, spoiled and possessive (those are the author’s words, not mine, lol) but as the story goes along he really grew on me. The FMC is just as flawed - an introverted academic building her career by being extroverted on social media. They both have big childhood wounds and trust issues that flare up throughout the story. There’s quite a lot of drama along the way but it never crosses over into reality TV territory. They argue. They take cheap shots and fall back into defensive patterns. They talk and they make-up. The couple’s banter is top tier and their connection builds gradually as they learn to communicate and let their guards down. I enjoyed that the story was heavier on flirting and PDA, than actual sex/spice. The supporting cast of Ms. Murielle (personal chef/mother figure) and Malcolm (best friend/F1 crew manager) added a wholesome quality to the overall tone of the story.
Thank you to Net Galley and Black Odyssey Media for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to Net Galley and Black Odyssey Media for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Netgalley and Black Odyssey Media for the opportunity to review this ARC. This is my honest opinion.
This was such a touching and emotional story of two people deathly afraid to trust and love that stumble and fumble their way to a HEA. Enemies-to-lovers, fake dating and forced proximity are the perfect ingredients for a good time. Add in yearning and heavy sexual tension, I'm sold. The car racing theme gave it a little razzle dazzle as it's not commonly represented in black romance. Loved it.
I really appreciate that both of the MCs are successful, intelligent, and highly-educated with big dreams and goals. They navigate prioritizing each other and sharing the spotlight. No one had to shrink or relinquish their dreams for the other. They both had to navigate strained parental relationships and healing those wounds to make space for each other. They also found family along the way.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Canaan and Kensie's love story and healing journey. I would like to see his best friend, Malcolm's journey to love after hurt. It was teased throughout. I'll keep my eye out. 4.5 stars.
This was such a touching and emotional story of two people deathly afraid to trust and love that stumble and fumble their way to a HEA. Enemies-to-lovers, fake dating and forced proximity are the perfect ingredients for a good time. Add in yearning and heavy sexual tension, I'm sold. The car racing theme gave it a little razzle dazzle as it's not commonly represented in black romance. Loved it.
I really appreciate that both of the MCs are successful, intelligent, and highly-educated with big dreams and goals. They navigate prioritizing each other and sharing the spotlight. No one had to shrink or relinquish their dreams for the other. They both had to navigate strained parental relationships and healing those wounds to make space for each other. They also found family along the way.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Canaan and Kensie's love story and healing journey. I would like to see his best friend, Malcolm's journey to love after hurt. It was teased throughout. I'll keep my eye out. 4.5 stars.
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