Redline

by Amber Vant

A high-stakes Formula One romance about rivalry, proximity, and crossing the one line you can’t undo.

Rule one: don’t get involved with Formula One drivers.
Rule two: definitely don’t live with one.

Carter Hayes knows exactly what Formula One destroys.

She watched it take everything from her family once before, which is why moving onto the Valerio estate is supposed to be temporary. A deal. Nothing more. Her father gets a second chance as Dominic Valerio’s new head coach, and in return, Carter’s dream university is paid for. All she has to do is keep her head down, finish school, and stay far away from racing drama.

Dominic ruins that plan immediately.

He didn’t want her father as his coach.

He doesn’t want strangers in his home.

And he definitely doesn’t want a girl who sees through him faster than anyone ever has.

What starts as irritation turns into rivalry.

Rivalry turns into tension.

And tension becomes impossible to escape when they’re living only steps apart. Because the closer Carter gets to Dominic’s world, the more she realizes the real danger isn’t Formula One.

It’s crossing a line neither of them can come back from.

Some limits exist for a reason.

Others are meant to be pushed past the redline.

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

314 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 2, 2026

About the author

Amber Vant is an author specializing in romance, particularly Contemporary Romance and New Adult novels.

She resides in Kansas City, Missouri, with her husband and their lively cat, both of whom keep her laughing with their playful personalities.

When she's not writing, Amber enjoys traveling the world, exploring new destinations one plane ride at a time.

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Reviews

[Sim-fully Ever After · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75🌟, 3🌶️

This was a fun and enjoyable read!

The tension between Carter and Dominic was electric from the start, making every interaction feel like a high-stakes battle. Carter is such a fantastic lead because she is stubborn, sharp, and totally refuses to let Dominic’s arrogance intimidate her. Watching her stand her ground while he tried to hide his own emotional baggage behind a wall of control was pure, addictive chaos.

The forced proximity setting was handled perfectly, turning their shared home into a pressure cooker of resentment and undeniable chemistry. While the fast-paced Formula One world added a layer of intensity, the real hook was the slow burn between two people who were both just trying to survive their own pasts. They fought like they wanted to destroy each other, but the moments where their guards finally slipped felt deeply earned.

I am not quite okay after that ending and have been staring at the wall trying to process those final twists. It was an emotional rollercoaster that left me feeling completely wrung out, even if some parts felt a little bit frustrating along the way.

I am excited to see where the story goes next.

~~~~

Huge thank you to Amber Vant & Grey’s Promotions for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨

[xx.reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🌟

This had such a strong setup and I really liked the bones of it. Carter was sharp, grounded, and easy to root for, and the F1 backdrop actually added to the story instead of just being there for vibes. Some moments really landed for me, especially the beach race, the bowling alley ghost appearance, and that final crash chapter.

But the pacing felt uneven. Emotional moments kept getting cut short before they could fully hit, and some of the banter felt a little too performed. Dominic’s arc also kept swinging between compelling and too dramatic.

[paperandspirals · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

This book was an absolute emotional mess... and I mean that in the best way possible.

From the very beginning, there was always happening. Every time I thought we'd reached the big dramatic turning point, the author somehow managed to throw another bomb into the story. Especially towards the end, it felt like every ten pages another layer of chaos was added. By the time I reached the last 10%, I genuinely had no idea how everything was supposed to come together.

One of my favorite parts was definitely the dynamic between the main characters. While this is marketed as a bully romance, I'd personally call it ‚Enemies to Lovers’. To me, bully romance implies a much more one-sided power dynamic, whereas these two constantly went at each other. She gave as good as she got, sometimes even better. I absolutely loved that she wasn't a passive heroine who simply endured his behavior. She was sharp, stubborn, and had some genuinely brutal comebacks. There were multiple moments where I found myself thinking, ‚Damn girl, that was brutal’. I even felt sorry for him sometimes lol. She never let him walk all over her and that made their chemistry so much more enjoyable.

As for Dominic... he's basically a darker version of Lightning McQueen. Arrogant, incredibly talented and underneath all of that, completely self-destructive. Throughout the entire book, it felt like watching someone drive full speed toward a wall. It was frustrating, heartbreaking and honestly one of the most compelling parts of his character. Considering this is a Formula 1 romance, that comparison feels strangely fitting.

That being said, my biggest issue with this book was the writing.

It constantly pulled me out of the story because it often felt like the author was trying to make every single sentence sound profound or poetic, even during the most ordinary moments. Instead of adding emotional weight, many of the metaphors and comparisons felt forced or simply didn't make sense to me. A look is described as feeling "less like a memory and more like a warning," someone stirring sugar into their coffee somehow feels like "a personal insult" and a simple request for a drink is written as sounding like "an ultimatum." Rather than making these scenes more impactful, I found myself stopping to figure out what the sentence was even trying to say.

There were also several moments where the writing felt disjointed. Sometimes dialogue didn't flow naturally, with responses feeling like they belonged to something that had been said several lines earlier instead of the sentence immediately before. Other times, characters reacted in ways that didn't seem connected to the conversation at all. There was even an instance where the narration suddenly referenced an action, a touch, that had never actually been described, leaving me wondering if I had accidentally skipped a paragraph.

Another thing I noticed was that sometimes the same thought or emotion was repeated using different metaphors. Instead of trusting one strong image to carry the emotional impact, the narration would restate the exact same feeling several times in different words.

I also wasn't completely convinced by the romance. The tension between them? Absolutely. The chemistry? Definitely. The attraction? Without a doubt. But when she suddenly realizes she's in love with him, it felt like it came out of nowhere. I believed that she cared about him and I believed the attraction was there, but I didn't quite buy the leap to love yet. Especially considering this is only the first book in a series, I don't think there was any need to rush that realization.

There were also 2 plot developments that felt abrupt. One would be the Carnival (still don‘t know what that was about) and the other Dominic's decision to suddenly want her working for him. Up until that point, he'd made it very clear that he didn't want her anywhere near him. Their previous interactions certainly didn't suggest such a dramatic shift, so I found myself wishing for either more buildup or more insight into his thought process to make that transition feel earned.

Despite all of that, I still enjoyed this book! The characters kept me invested, the emotional chaos never let up, and I absolutely need to know what happens next after that ending. While the writing wasn't always for me, the story itself was entertaining enough that I'll definitely be picking up book two!

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

Dang Amber, you giving me this end for now ? 😭 it’s just Carter’s dad all over again

One side note: the sport could have been more present throughout the book and not just background noise until the end , and even in the end could’ve gone into more depth

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ ARC REVIEW ✨
📖 Redline by Amber Vant

Thank you to Amber Vant and Grey Promos for the ARC opportunity.

I am actually UNWELL after this ending because WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL WAS THAT CLIFFHANGER?!?!?! 😭🏎️💥

This book completely sucked me into the Formula One world from the very beginning. Dominic is the reckless young F1 driver everyone thinks has the talent to be legendary… if someone can get him under control first. Enter Carter’s father a former Formula One driver whose career is long behind him who gets hired to coach Dominic and help keep him disciplined. Part of the deal includes Carter’s university tuition being paid for, which means Carter and her father move onto the Valerio estate and straight into Dominic’s chaotic world.

And from the second these two meet?? TENSION.

Dominic is angry at the world, pushes everyone away, and acts like he doesn’t care about anyone besides himself. Carter is basically the only person who sees through all of it, and the more time they spend together, the more impossible it becomes for either of them to ignore what’s building between them. The chemistry, the arguments, the jealousy, the emotional walls… it was all SO addicting.

And then there’s the added tension with Dominic’s brother, which made everything even messier in the best way possible 👀

The drama in this book had me STRESSED in the best way. Secrets start coming out, emotions are running high, and by the end I was flipping pages so fast because I NEEDED answers. Instead Amber Vant decided to leave us emotionally destroyed with one of the most painful cliffhangers ever 😭

If you love:
🏎️ Formula One romance
🔥 enemies to lovers
🏠 living together / forced proximity
🖤 emotionally unavailable MMC
👀 brother tension
💥 angst & drama
❤️ messy complicated romance
📚 cliffhangers that ruin your peace

…this one will absolutely wreck you.

[Why Choose Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Redline is an F1 enemies‑to‑lovers slow burn that feels like being locked in a garage with two emotionally damaged people who would rather set each other on fire than admit they care. It’s dramatic, tense, and full of the kind of rich‑people problems that make you want to throw a spanner at someone. As a first F1 romance, it’s immersive enough to hook you, but chaotic enough to make you question whether you ever want to read about fast cars and faster emotional breakdowns again.

Carter Hayes is sharp, stubborn, and traumatised in the very specific way that comes from watching your father’s career explode on live television and then spending years cleaning up the fallout. She’s funny, defensive, and allergic to bullshit, which is unfortunate because the Valerio estate is built entirely out of it. Dominic Valerio is a spoiled, arrogant, medically‑fragile menace who hides his vulnerability behind anger, control, and the kind of hostility that should come with a health warning. He’s a bully, he’s a bastard, and he’s furious that Carter sees straight through him, which, naturally, only makes him worse.

Carter’s life is already a mess when her father is hired as Dominic Valerio’s new coach, a job he desperately needs after his own racing career went up in flames and dragged their entire family down with it. The deal comes with strings: Carter gets her dream university paid for, but she has to live on the Valerio estate, keep her head down, and pretend she isn’t surrounded by the exact world that ruined her childhood. She plans to stay invisible, but Dominic makes that impossible within minutes. He resents her father, resents her presence, and resents the fact that she doesn’t flinch when he tries to intimidate her.

Their dynamic spirals quickly into a rivalry built on proximity, resentment, and the kind of unresolved attraction that makes both of them behave like idiots. Dominic goes out of his way to push her buttons, petty, cruel, childish, and absolutely determined to make her leave, while Carter refuses to give him the satisfaction. Every interaction becomes a power struggle, every conversation a battle, and every moment alone together feels like standing too close to a live wire.

As Carter is dragged deeper into the Valerio world, she starts to see the machinery behind the glamour: the manipulation, the pressure, the family politics, and the suffocating expectations that have shaped Dominic into someone brittle and volatile. His medical condition adds another layer of tension, something he refuses to acknowledge, even as it threatens his career and his life. Carter becomes the one person who sees the cracks he’s desperate to hide, and that terrifies him more than any race ever could.

Their slow burn is messy, painful, and full of emotional whiplash. Dominic makes progress only to immediately self‑destruct, Carter tries to protect herself while falling anyway, and the two of them keep crossing lines they can’t uncross. Living under the same roof turns every argument into a standoff, every moment of softness into a threat, and every accidental brush of closeness into something neither of them knows how to handle. The tension builds relentlessly until the final chapters, where everything, the rivalry, the attraction, the secrets, the pressure, finally detonates, leaving them (and you) hanging off a cliff.

Redline is dramatic, chaotic, and emotionally feral in a way that’s compelling even when you want to shake the characters by the shoulders. Carter is easy to root for, Dominic is infuriating in a way that occasionally crosses into “sir, please seek help,” and their chemistry is undeniable even when the bullying element feels dialled up to eleven. The F1 setting adds pressure and spectacle, but the emotional turbulence may divide readers, especially if this is your first time venturing into the world of fast cars and slower emotional growth. It’s addictive, messy, and full of tension, but whether you continue the series depends entirely on how much psychological damage you’re willing to tolerate from fictional men with expensive helmets.

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am absolutely OBSESSED with this book. 🏎️🔥 Redline had me hooked from page one and never let me breathe properly again. The tension in this book was unreal. Every interaction between Carter and Dominic felt like sparks flying off exposed wires, dangerous and impossible to look away from.

Carter was EVERYTHING. Strong, stubborn, sharp-tongued, emotionally guarded, and completely unwilling to let Dominic bulldoze his way through her life no matter how rich, talented, or frustratingly attractive he was. I loved that she never folded easily. She challenged him constantly and made him WORK for every crack in her walls. Female characters like her are my absolute weakness because she felt so real. Messy, resilient, angry, vulnerable underneath all the armour. I adored her.

And Dominic??? God. That man was such a disaster in the best way. Moody Formula One driver with control issues and emotional damage? Sign me UP. Watching him go from irritated and territorial to completely obsessed with Carter was insanely addictive. The jealousy, the tension, the constant push and pull between them while living under the same roof??? I was losing my mind every chapter.

The Formula One setting added so much intensity too. The pressure, the media attention, the danger surrounding the sport, the legacy hanging over both of them… it made everything feel bigger and sharper. You could practically hear engines roaring in the background of every emotionally charged scene. The racing world wasn’t just there for aesthetics either, it genuinely shaped the story and the characters in such a good way.

And the chemistry??? HELLO??? These two fought like they wanted to strangle each other and kiss each other at the exact same time. Every argument was dripping with tension. Every small moment felt loaded. The slow burn absolutely tortured me but in the best possible way because when they finally started giving in to everything between them it felt EARNED.

I also loved how emotional this story was underneath all the rivalry and attraction. Carter’s fears around Formula One and Dominic’s complicated relationship with his world gave the romance so much depth. It wasn’t just “hot racing guy falls in love.” It was two people carrying pain and expectations and slowly becoming each other’s safest place despite trying so hard not to.

This book felt fast, intense, emotional, and dangerously addictive. Like being strapped into the passenger seat of a car going way too fast and loving every second of it. Amber Vant absolutely nailed the balance between romance, angst, tension, and emotional payoff.

Five stars EASY. Carter and Dominic completely own me now. 🖤🏁✨

[Darkromancearabia Jin · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐🌙

Redline surprised me. I expected a Formula One romance filled with rivalry, tension, and racing, and while it delivered all of that, it focused mostly on the characters and their raw emotions.

This was painful to read in an intriguing way because both Carter and Dominic dealt with their pain in similar ways. Carter doesn't care what people think of her after suffering, alongside her father, the repercussions of a mistake he made during a race years ago. She decided that people aren't to be trusted and that the world is out to get her. Honestly, she's not entirely wrong. She's thrown into the Valerio world, where manipulation, secrets, and wealth dominate everything.

The same goes for Dominic. He doesn't care either. He has closed his heart against more pain. He has a medical condition he almost refuses to acknowledge and hides behind layers of anger, control, and carefully built walls. I can't imagine something like that happening to an athlete. It doesn't justify his actions or recklessness, though. For much of the book, he's frustrating, arrogant, controlling, and determined to push everyone away. A bully!

Carter was easy to admire. She was strong, sassy, and funny. She gave as much as she took, stood her ground when necessary, and refused to let anyone mistreat her... except for the one person who shouldn't have mattered, but somehow did. All those years of indifference disappeared. They fell for each other in the most painful, strange way. At first, he just wanted her and her father gone, but she slowly grew on him.

The chemistry between them was undeniable despite everything he did. Their banter, rivalry, and constant tension made the slow burn worth every page. Living under the same roof only amplified everything and their relationship evolved into something much deeper.

And Luka? I don't trust Luka. He's too good to be true.

I also felt sorry for Carter's father. Falling from grace the way he did and believing the deal with the Valerios would redeem everything added another sad layer to the story.

A good book full of tension, family drama, and emotional baggage, with Formula One racing and all the risks and excitement that come with it in the background. This book ended in a tragic way and I can't wait for book 2... Recommended. (ARC)

[Nikki Dunlap · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW


This enemies-to-lovers F1 romance had me stressed, swooning, yelling, and completely obsessed the entire time. The chemistry between Dominic and Carter? Unreal. Every conversation felt like a battle wrapped in flirting, tension, and way too much unresolved attraction 😮‍💨🔥

Dominic is the kind of MMC that will drive you absolutely insane in the best way possible. Cocky, reckless, emotionally unavailable, but secretly so gone for her it hurts. The way he pushes Carter away while clearly craving her attention every second had me wanting to throw my Kindle and hug him at the same time . He’s got that “touch her and die” energy mixed with a whole lot of emotional damage and somehow it WORKS.

And Carter?? She was everything I wanted in an FMC. Strong, stubborn, sharp-tongued, and never afraid to put Dominic in his place. I loved that she refused to let him walk all over her while still letting those softer moments shine through. Their banter was top tier, but it was the quiet vulnerable moments underneath all the tension that really got me attached to them 🖤

The F1 setting made everything feel even more intense too. The pressure, the cameras, the fans constantly watching every move—it added so much emotion and realism to the story. You could really feel how lonely and overwhelming that kind of spotlight can become beneath all the fame and glamour.

And THAT ENDING?!?!?!?! 😭🤯 I genuinely sat there staring at the wall after finishing because I was not prepared for those twists or that cliffhanger. Amber really said “here’s emotional damage” and left us suffering until book two.

If you love:
🏁 enemies to lovers
🖤 explosive chemistry
🏁 tension-filled banter
🖤 emotionally messy characters
🏁 F1 romance with high stakes
🖤 cliffhangers that ruin your life

…then you need this on your TBR immediately. I’m already desperate for book two 😭

Thank you Amber Vant and Greys PR for letting me read and review this ARC. This is my honest opinion.

[Nickie Sale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Redline by Amy Vant is an enemy to lovers, forced proximity romance, set in the Formula One world and the first book in the duet, with a cliffy at the end which is insane. Carter Hayes grew up in the shadow of F1, and swore she’d never touch racing again. Dominic Valerio is a rising F1 star but emotionally locked down.

Carter’s father is offered a second chance as Dominic Valerio’s head coach. As a result, she has no choice but to move onto the Valerio estate. Dominic is not very happy Carter’s father was hired without his approval and even less happy to have Carter in his home. He doesn’t want her in his space or her seeing the cracks he hides from the world. They become the most delicious enemies, with plenty of sniping, zero boundaries but laced with chemistry neither wants.

There’s a lot of “mis reading intentions” Dominic thinks Carter is judging him, Carter thinks Dominic is a spoiled, arrogant driver who’ll ruin her father again, they clash constantly. But with the proximity comes a shift, the rivalry begins to turn into curiosity and they start noticing each other. Carter’s quiet strength and her ability to call Dominic out without fear shines through. Whereas Dominic’s discipline allows him to hide his vulnerability behind his arrogance. You can see they are heading for that line they shouldn’t cross.

Carter and Dominic’s journey is messy, angry, hungry and steamy. The conflict between them, flipping between hot and cold, the pressures of the F1 world, being in the public eye, the family drama and yes, the secrets that have been hidden all build up the tension in such a way that you’re just waiting for it to explode. The twists and turns will make you head spin as you realise you really don’t know what’s coming on the next page. I let out a very audible scream at the end; just how could the author leave us this way I have no clue but bring on part two now!!!

[Beckyc_the_bookaholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Redline is an emotional story as it follows Carter and Dominic, the FMC and MMC, as she relocates with her Dad so he can coach Dominic as a Formula 1 race car driver. Their story is a bully romance, the first one I've read, so it was a bit of a love and hate relationship for me in the beginning. BUT this is only because the author wrote Dominic's character and his antics so well that I couldn't get over how rude he was and the chaos he caused. I am so glad I stuck it out because there was a moment when the story shifted and I was hooked on finding out what happened!

Dominic is presented as his family's "golden child" in public, but we soon find out that things with his family aren't as pretty as they would like for everyone to believe. This only fuels his bully complex, along with a mystery medical issue he's facing based on clues that the author teases in the story. I was beyond curious about this, especially as we meet his Mom, and I started to feel compassion for his character instead of distaste as he is battling things that he's hiding from everyone.

As one can imagine, Dominic tries to push people away, but Carter is a strong FMC who does not back down from him which only fuels some of their tension. She struggles with her conflicting feelings about him as he seesaws back and forth between hot and cold, but it was refreshing to see them start to get closer as Dominic is more open and honest about everything. I hate that Dominic is still facing his issues and cannot comprehend that anyone could truly 'like him for him'. I cannot wait to see the next part of Carter and Dominic's story in book 2!

✨️ Book 1 so it ends on a cliffhanger.
✨️ The racing world and Dominic's profession, but it does not overtake the rest of the story.

Thank you to Amber Vant and Grey's Promotions for the ARC copy of this book!

[Kaylee Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

🖤🏎️🏁First off thank you so much Amber Vant for allowing me to be an arc reader for Redline 🖤I appreciate you more then you know!🖤🖤Please go show Amber some love 🖤🏎️🏁Now to the review! OMG😍🥵This was a true enemies to lovers ! The Banter and the playfulness between Dominic and Carter LOVED !!! Dominic is now definitely at the top of my book boyfriend list! Gotta love a HOTTT F1 driver with an attitude turned playfulness towards you that loves to make a cla!m 😋🖤A reckless bad boy to some but for you he definitely knows how to keep the burning desires even if he’s supposed to be the enemy 😏🔥🔥🔥Dominic will definitely keep you pulled in especially when your not like the other girls he’s encountered that firy spark you have and you don’t mind talking back 😉 definitely catches his attention ❤️‍🔥You even captured F1 perfectly and also what it all intells and takes to be in the spot light and pressure it can have on you and effects it can have . The cameras and the fans around you feel like they know you when your in the spot light due to seeing “your every move” but that’s not the case they don’t know what’s really underneath that helmet only those that you feel most c0mfortable with knows the real you🖤😭.🤬and some will even try to take advan+age of your fame! So you end up building your gard up to not get h*rt 😭Redline will gr!p you in from beginning to end with the banter , flirting, racing and more!And Once you get to really know these characters and their back stories and why they are the way they are it will pull on your heart strings I know it did with mine🖤🖤🥺also that cliff hanger at the end and the shock😭😱!?!😭😭😭😩I need book two asap! Definitely add to your TBR I highly recommend 🖤

[Krisseh · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMBER. HOW. COULD. YOU?!

That ending should be illegal... I need the next book immediately!

From the very first chapter, I was completely hooked! Redline is packed with tension, banter, drama and enough chemistry to set the entire Formula One grid on fire! Carter and Dominic's relationship is a masterclass in enemies to lovers tension. Their back and forth felt natural, the dialogue was believable and every interaction had me eagerly turning pages to see who would win their latest battle!

What I loved most was the emotional complexity. Dominic isn't an easy character to love. In fact, there were multiple moments where I found myself asking if Carter should ever forgive him for the choices he makes. He's frustrating, arrogant and at times a complete a**hole. Despite all of that, the chemistry between him and Carter is undeniable. I spent the entire book caught between wanting to shake him and wanting him to get his act together.

The Formula One setting was woven into the story exceptionally well. I never felt overwhelmed by technical details. The sport added excitement, stakes and atmosphere without overshadowing the characters or their relationship.

And the drama? Top tier. The kind of messy that keeps you glued to the page, not because it's chaotic, but because every conflict feels meaningful and emotionally charged. The tension never let up and neither did my investment in these characters.

If you love rivals to lovers romance, forced proximity, emotional angst, incredible banter, and a Formula One backdrop, Redline deserves a spot on your TBR.

Now excuse me while I impatiently wait for the next book because that ending left me absolutely wrecked.

[Briana Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review ✨
First I would like to say a big thank you to Amber for letting me be a part of this ARC Team!
Rate: 4/5⭐️
Spice: 2/5🌶️

What to expect when reading ;
-Sports Romance
-Bully Romance
-Enemies x Lovers
-Forced Proximity

This is book one of the Redline Duology Series! You get to follow Carter and Dominic! Carter is being uprooted with her dad in hopes this new job can be a fresh start for him. Dominic is a loose canon, a cocky F1 driver with no care of the consequences. She doesn’t want anything to do with drivers and he hates everything that has to do with her and her dad. When they finally started letting each other in will the secrets destroy them?

This book is full of intense, high stake moments that were giving!!! I could feel the hot, heated, chemistry in my bones. This was top tier mean, foreplay banter lol I think there was a perfect balance of the plot and racing aspect, for me especially with formula one related books that’s very important. I also love when a book can make me feel so many different emotions, this definitely did that, because like his Mom, what a beautiful moment. This book had me so hooked, and the way it left off, I can’t wait for book two to come out! I know the intensity that grows between these two is going to be crazy!

Fav Quote:
•”He’s just another engine. And every engine has a breaking point.”
•”If you’re that worried about the debt, you should probably know I’m a very expensive habit to keep, Shortcut.”

Make sure you get your copy of the book when it releases 🤍
#bookstagram #romance #review

[tash.bookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Redline was giving me serious Formula 1: Drive to Survive meets Gossip Girl vibes! High drama, rich people messiness, emotional chaos, and so much toxic tension, all taking place in the fast paced, high stakes world of Formula 1.

Carter and Dominic were literally dripping with tension and chemistry! They legit can't stand each other and I really felt it. Sometimes when enemies-to-lovers is listed as a trope, it lasts for like 20% of the book but there was some serious mean boy behaviour happening towards Carter (and her sweet dad) the entire book! Dominic is a prick. So many times I wanted to knock him out, but then he has like a few nice moments and I'm ready to jump ship. I would say this was a slow burn, with a blazing fire about half way through, and then it tapers back off.

Read if you love...
-true enemies to lovers
-high high tension and angst
-a hot formula 1 driver, but he bullies her
-a smart college girl, but her ex-Formula 1 driver dad is the bully's coach
-class differences (he's filthy rich and she's working at a diner)
-messy family dynamics
-drama and secrets

To the author: HOW DARE YOU WITH THAT ENDING!!! Ok so I know this is a duology, but COME ON!!! To leave us hanging on SEVERAL cliffs! RUUUDE!!! I am foaming at the mouth for the conclusion of this story, I immediately added book 2 - Overdrive - to my TBR. Luckily we only have to wait until August to get the rest of Carter + Dominic's story!

TYSM to Grey's Promos for this ARC in exchange for my honest review <3

[Fatena Amaru · Rating 5 out of 5]

Redline (Book 1) l Amber Vant


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


Well played, Amber Vant, well played...oh and rude (read on and you'll understand why)!!! 

I honestly could not focus on anything until I finished this book. That's the pull you feel when you dive into this. 

It's Carter v Dominic you guys...buckle up, this is not for the faint hearted.

You have a MMC that quite frankly is mean and a bully, toxic, emotionally damaged, so damaged, Daddy issues, the hugest ego with family drama for days!! BUT you get these small pockets where he can be so nice and sweet and caring, those moments where he lets his guard down and just be himself are some of the best...oh and he has huge amounts of sex appeal!! 😜

Carter is awesome! She is smart, sexy and sophisticated. She has been burnt by F1 in the past and through her Father lands herself right back in the heart of it!! The best part is she couldn't give a crap who Dominic is or how much money he has. She takes no shit from him - and it makes for some great banter 🥊 

This book is as fast paced as being in an FI car- with each page turn, my heart beat was moving at the same pace of the book!! I just needed more and more. The intensity reached levels never experienced before.

If you love sports romance, sexual tension, yearning, a slow burn but not, enemies to lovers, the anti-hero!! High drama, so much drama and levels of intensity you've never experienced before then read this!!! 

Oh and don't get me started on the cliffhanger - I need book #2 right this second. 

Redline by Amber Vant releases June 2nd! Add to your TBR NOW!!

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie's Book Reports.

This is the story of Carter and Dominic. Carter's life hasn't been easy. One day your family is on top of the world and your dad is one of the best F1 drivers out there. The next thing she knows, she is watching her father's entire career explode on live television. She has been helping cleanup of the fallout for as long as she can remember. She is tough as nails, had to grow up faster than she really should have and is a funny girl. But one thing she is excellent at is picking out the pretenders in a room. One such person would be Dominic Valerio. Spoiled, arrogant, a menace and medically fragile. He is the king of hiding behind his anger. The guy put the H in hostile and is a huge bully. I was not a fan at all. But don't give up on Dominic. He might just surprise you. He is also a guy that knows that Carter sees straight though all he puts out for the world to see like it's his full-time job. Now Carter's father has been hired to be Dominic's new coach. He really needs this job after all he has been through. But all deals are not string free and Carter, while getting to go to her dream college is having to move into the Valerio mansion and pretend she isn't in the same exact world that tore her family all to pieces. Her plan is to be invisible. But Dominic makes that impossible from the get-go. I have to hush or I will tell you more than I should. This was a good read. Even if Dominic made me want to slap him up the side of the head more times than one.

[Shelby Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amber. You really know how to write an angsty enemies-to-lovers romance because the amount of hot and cold moments in this book had me ready to throw my Kindle more than once. Every piece of tension, every push and pull, every moment where Dominic and Carter clearly wanted each other but refused to admit it? Agonizing in the best way possible. And then that ending? I’m still spiraling trying to figure out if everyone is okay because those last two surprises completely blindsided me.

Dominic. You are the definition of a man who “hates” everything that actually matters most to him. You hate how jealous and territorial Carter makes you, but secretly love that she’s the only one who can get under your skin. You hate the vulnerability, the tension, the chemistry, the way she challenges you at every turn, but you also crave it. You hate the fear of becoming your mother while still loving her through everything she’s facing. And honestly? Watching you fight against love while desperately wanting it at the same time was both infuriating and addicting. Now please stop getting in your own way.

Carter. Go off, honestly. Go off being stubborn and strong enough to never let Dominic fully win. Go off challenging him every chance you get and making him earn every second of your attention. Go off giving us all the small, intimate moments while still standing your ground and knowing exactly what you deserve. I loved how you pushed Dominic when he needed it and pulled away when he deserved it. And after that ending? I cannot wait to see what you do in book two.

I knew this was a duology, but I was not prepared for the way this book would end. Two massive surprises and absolutely no answers yet? Amber, you are killing me. But I already know I’ll be running to book two the second I can.

[Emmy Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had stakes as high as the sport of racing itself. I don’t often read f1 romances but this one was magnificent, a super intense plot, an mmc that you hate to love, and angry, lovesick banter that drives you crazy. Carter’s father is Dominic’s brand new racing instructor and she knows the risks of being in F1. They fight with each other 24/7 but it’s really just crushing in disguise. She can’t help being fascinated by him and has the inevitable “I can fix him” mentality for this bad boy. Dominic is an intense and complicated character. I’ll be honest I tried very hard not to like him because damn he seemed like such an arrogant ass, but what he truly is, is emotionally constipated and makes himself an ass to cope with it. Honestly after finding out his history, that I’m sure is only half of the story, and how scared he was of falling for Carter, I couldn’t not love him. This man may not show it but he needed Carter as much as he needed air. Their banter was intense and that “fuck it” moment when they both gave in to the sexual tension and their desires was worth the suffocating tension in the 150 pages before. They have this very on and off relationship, and it kept me on my toes. But those plot twists leading up to that brutal cliffhanger was freaking insane, I’m going mental right now. It was totally evil and now I cannot wait for what comes next. I give this a 4.5/5

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Redline was such an addictive Formula 1 romance.

Carter and Dominic had the kind of tension that keeps you turning pages because every interaction feels like it could explode at any moment. The chemistry between them was intense from the beginning, and being forced into each other’s space only made everything more complicated.

Carter was a strong FMC who refused to let people walk over her. She was stubborn, emotionally guarded, and determined to protect herself, which made her growth throughout the story even more rewarding to watch.

Dominic was exactly the kind of moody, emotionally damaged MMC that works so well in a romance like this. As a Formula 1 driver, he’s used to being in control, but Carter constantly challenged him in ways he wasn’t prepared for. Watching those walls slowly crack was one of my favorite parts of the book.

The Formula 1 backdrop added another layer of intensity to the story and made the stakes feel even higher. Between the rivalry, forced proximity, emotional tension, and undeniable chemistry, this was a romance that kept me invested from beginning to end.

⭐️ Overall Rating: 4.75/5
🔥 Burn Level: 5/5
🌶️ Spice Level: 4/5
💧 Emotional Impact: 4/5

Thank you to Greys Promo and Amber Vant for the opportunity to read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Ems · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carter Hayes and her former F1 driver dad is struggling after a crash ended his carrier. Now they have a second chance with her dad getting a job as the head coach for the Valerio family's F1 driver Dominic Valerio, a young arrogant, man with ego larger than the sun, and that has a tendency to get under Carter's skin. But Dominic hides more than he seems, and some secrets are better left unknown.

I give this book 4 out of 5 ⭐️ only because with a enemies to lovers bully romance, i expected more direct bullying of the FMC. But, its an amazing story about how thin the line between love and hate really can be. The struggle between the two main characters is so frustrating and sad, and I just want to smack their little heads at times. Carter's sass and comebacks are so sharp, and she had a tendency to get under Dominics skin, just as he has a way to get under her skin.

Amazingly written, there is a clear picture of each character in the book, and the start of introduction to some that will be very interesting to read later on. Oh and the cliff hanger totally broke my heart, i just must read the next book!

I can recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a young enemies to lovers romance.

[Jessica Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amber Vant’s Redline completely pulled me in from the very first chapter. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic was done so well — the tension, the banter, and the constant push and pull between the characters had me hooked the entire time. I loved how neither of them gave in easily, which made every softer moment feel earned and so much more satisfying.

The F1 setting added such an exciting edge to the story too. You could really feel the intensity, pressure, and adrenaline of the racing world, and it made the romance even more compelling. It wasn’t just background scenery — it genuinely shaped the characters and their relationships.

Dominic was probably my favorite part of the book. His stubbornness could be frustrating at times, but it also made his character arc incredibly rewarding. Watching him struggle with his emotions, his past, and the walls he put up added so much depth to the story. His storyline felt emotional and realistic, and seeing his growth throughout the book made me love him even more by the end.

Overall, Redline was the perfect mix of tension, romance, emotional growth, and fast-paced F1 drama. If you love enemies-to-lovers romances with strong chemistry and complex characters, this book is absolutely worth reading.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second F1 romance and it’s safe to say I need to read more 🤭 I love this sport so much and the fictional drama is just so good 😂

This story follows Dominic and Carter (Carter’s a she)
Dominic is a spoiled F1 driver and his dad hires Landon, Carter’s dad, as his coach. Dominic immediately hates them both because he’s a hardass who doesn’t know how to accept help - well he simply doesn’t want the help.

Carter has a little resentment for the sport because her dad used to be a driver and his career went up in flames. Her childhood was basically ruined because of that. But even though she resents the sport, she can't hide her love for it very well.

I secretly loved the fact that this was a bully romance 😂 I haven't read one in a while and I needed a fix. Dominic tried his hardest to get under Carter’s skin as much as she got under his without trying. If she breathed, it bothered him - because he wanted her, and he hated that. He also hated the fact that she was so close to his brother 👀

What didn’t meet the mark for me though was their romance/chemistry. It was almost over-exaggerating the bullying element. It felt like every time Dominic made progress, he took 5 steps backwards. Also, some chapters/scenes end in suspense and I'm left guessing or assuming what happened because the next chapter has already moved on a day or 2.

Regardless, I actually enjoyed reading this. I need book 2 soon though… Dominic has crimes to answer for.

Thank you to the author & @greyspromo for the ARC ✨

[Makenna McNaughton · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5☆ but rounded up to 4

Where do I even start? The synopsis for this book intrigued me. Its a Formula 1 racing romance instead of the usual sports romances of hockey, football or baseball (which I all love). Maybe I've just read too many sports romance books, but I personally wish that there were more F1 in the story. I felt like it was just thrown in at the end for an attempt at a big dramatic cliffhanger. You get tiny bits and pieces throughout the book that are maybe an attempt at keeping the sport aspect alive, but it just wasnt enough for me. I might just stick to football, baseball and hockey books from now on.

Carter was a great FMC. She didnt let Dominic steamroll her into anything and she stood her ground and gave him a run for his money. Dominic was a walking red flag that i loved to watch cause chaos. I love me an overprotective MMC. I will say that I am a sucker for snarky banter and the banter between Carter and Dominic was....disappointing. It felt way too forced and awkward. It felt as if it was just a trope being checked off of a list of things the author needed to have in their story but not something that naturally happened between the characters.

Overall, it was a decent book but im not sure if I enjoyed it enough to continue the series.
Thank you to Valentine PR and Amber Vant for letting me read and review this story.

[Katie Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I eat up every single one of Amber Vant’s bully romances. The tension she creates through banter and inner thoughts is genuinely addictive. Once the walls start cracking and the MCs finally collide? Absolutely worth the slow torture.

Carter and Dominic WORK for me. She sees straight through his inflated ego, and he hates how easily she gets under his skin. Meanwhile, he can’t stop thinking about her no matter how hard he tries. Their push and pull had me hooked the entire time because they are literally chaos together in the best way.

The only thing that held this back from being a higher rating for me was some scene clarity. There were a few moments where I felt like I accidentally skipped a paragraph and had to backtrack to figure out what was happening.

BUT THAT ENDING??? Actually insane.

What kills me is that the foreshadowing was there the entire time. Looking back now, I genuinely don’t know how I didn’t put the pieces together sooner.

Overall, I had such a fun time with this one and I’m already desperate for the conclusion.

Also… congratulations to this book for somehow making me care about F1.

[Amanda Hawley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
I’m reviewing an advanced readers copy

Redline is a Formula 1 enemies to lovers chaotic romance. I’ve read my fair share of F1 romance books. And I usually feel like I understand what’s going on-having only a surface understanding of F1 and cars- but this book truly made me realize that I don’t know anything about cars and racing. I did get a little hung up on trying to understand it all that when it came to other stuff happening in the story I would also get confused. The beginning of the book felt clumsy to me, but it eventually gained momentum. You could feel the tension between Dominic and Carter. Which made their secret hook ups even hotter. But Dominic’s hot and cold emotional rollercoaster was frustrating. When he was being caring and open with Carter, I loved it, then he completely shut down and did everything to push her away. I don’t know why Carter kept being drawn back. Then they would kiss and I would get it! This wasn’t my favorite F1 romance that I’ve read, but there’s enough going on that hasn’t be resolved that I will more than likely be coming back for book 2.

[Anna ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

🏎️ HAPPY RELEASE DAY!!! 🏎️
Rating: 5☆
Spice: 🌶️ 🌶️

Thank you @greyspromo for this ARC!

wowwwwww.
phenomenal.
F1 racing is terrifying.
@bookswithbritny you might like this one
10/10 recommend

ok but what if that was all I put for the book review? i don’t even know how to put into words how this story made me feel LOL. i’ve never wanted to push an MMC off a cliff as much as Dominic, but then also save him from falling simultaneously. and the FMC? somebody hold my earrings because i was ready to fight Carter lmao.

with all of that being said, in my opinion, Redline was written so well. i’ve only read like 4 F1 books, but this one made me feel like i was right there with Dominic, Luka, Carter, Landon and Marco. the tension between Dominic and Carter was something serious, but when you learn more about Dominic the puzzle pieces quite literally fall into place.

my heart aches for both of these characters, ngl. and i’m so sorry @ambervant but did you really have to break me like that at the end??? UGHHHH!!! i can’t even WAIT for Overdrive, i might puke. this is one i physically need on my shelves 😏🥹😳

[Illusory World Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Redline is one of those books that had me completely hooked from the start. The story has excellent pacing, and there's always something happening that makes you want to keep reading just one more chapter.
We have Carter as the protagonist, a strong woman who doesn’t let anyone walk all over her; we also have Dominic, who’s a jerk who made life miserable for Carter and, above all, her father; at times, he felt like a spoiled child who needs a good slap to stop being a nuisance.
I have to say I loved the tension, the back-and-forth between the main characters. Their interactions are full of emotion and moments that keep you on the edge of your seat, wondering what will happen next. I loved seeing how they evolve throughout the story and how every decision they make carries weight within the plot.
That ending drove me crazy
I don’t know why I thought it was a single book and not a duology. I was so engrossed in reading that I didn’t notice how much was left before the end, and then boom!
the ending hit, and I was left wanting more!
I’m eagerly awaiting the next book.
I received a free copy of this book and am posting this review voluntarily.

[Arnela · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart. My heart. MY HEART. ❤️🏎️
Thank you to @AmberVant and @greyspromo for the ARC because this was exactly what I needed.
The tension, the banter, and the adrenaline of an F1 romance took me on such an emotional ride. From the very first page, I was completely invested.
Dominic Valerio is the typical Formula 1 driver—confident, arrogant, and convinced he's untouchable—until he meets his match in Carter Hayes. What starts as pure hatred slowly evolves into something much more intense, turning every interaction into a battle of wills and undeniable chemistry.
Dominic may come across as nonchalant, but beneath the surface is a man yearning for someone to truly see him, understand him, and care for him in a way he's never allowed himself to need. Carter carries scars from her past in the F1 world, making her despise everything Dominic represents, even as she begins to see the man hiding behind the image.
I absolutely loved this book. It was fast-paced, emotional, and packed with enough tension to keep me glued to the pages. And that ending?! My jaw was on the floor.
Amber, where is book two?! Because I need answers immediately. 😭🏎️❤️

[CC · Rating 4 out of 5]

I dont know why it’s taken me so long to read a formula one romance because I LOVE F1 and sports romances so it’s perfect!
A grumpy, arrogant broody F1 driver and a stubborn, strong FMC. What could be better?
Dominic can be such an a$$ but I love how Carter never backs down and holds her ground against him.
This was an emotional rollercoaster and the way these characters frustrated me sometimes only because you are just rooting so hard for them. And they’re so real. I loved having mcs that have these internal struggles and wars they’re fighting within themselves.
Are they a little toxic? Oh yeah. Was the tension and banter so good? YEAH. Finding someone they feel safe enough to try and start to be vulnerable with even tho it’s so out of their comfort zone was so well done.
ALSO loved seeing Carter have so much technical knowledge of the sport (we love women in motorsports)! All the bits with the racing made me so happy and was so well done.
The cliffhanger ending was just rude bc I wasn’t ready to stop reading and now I will be so impatiently waiting for book 2 of this duology!