Spin Control

by Bethany Brunelle

She's never met a crisis she couldn't control. Until him.

Elizabeth Jacobs has built her reputation on turning crises into comebacks. So when Martine Racing’s charismatic team principal and star driver are arrested at the start of a race week, she’s brought in to contain the damage.

Formula 1 may be unfamiliar territory, but restoring order is what she does best.

Then she meets Wes Grant.

Martine’s fan-favorite driver is used to cameras, chaos, and charming the paddock. But with his teammate under arrest and his own contract hanging in the balance, he needs a winning season to maintain control of his career—and he's not convinced Elizabeth can help the team survive the cutthroat world of F1.

She can’t stand him. He can’t stop challenging her. And yet neither of them can look away.

As Elizabeth and Wes work to steady the team, professional friction gives way to hard-earned respect—and a connection that has nothing to do with headlines.

He thought he understood power. But she makes him want to give it away.

As the investigation deepens and the championship tightens, one wrong move could cost Elizabeth her career, and Wes the title he’s spent his life chasing.

They’ve built their lives around control. But sometimes, the only way to win is to let it go.

Genres: Romance, Sports

324 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 18, 2026

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Martine Racing hires Elisabeth, a crisis strategist, to handle the scandal surrounding drivers Elio and Stas after they’re arrested for drug trafficking. In the wake of the news, We becomes the team’s main driver and decides to use the opportunity to focus all his energy on racing. But Wes is also Stas’s best friend, so Elisabeth has to control the narrative and make sure Wes doesn’t get dragged into the mess. Except things between Wes and Elisabeth aren’t going to stay strictly professional.

I will always love seeing a strong, powerful FMC, and Elisabeth takes that to another level, both professionally and personally.
And Wes is your typical cocky guy who knows how to flirt, knows he’s hot, and definitely enjoys being wanted, but he’s also the greenest flag. I loved how naturally Elisabeth and Wes talk to each other, how they can discuss literally anything without a single ounce of awkwardness, how they can read each other without having to say a word, and how they accept each other without a second thought. It’s impossible not to root for them.

And the Jane Austen thing? Loved it! I’m always down for a Jane Austen reference, especially when it’s Pride and Prejudice.

As for the secondary/minor characters, I absolutely loved Chalondra, and Jane was a bit frustrating, but I would’ve loved to see more of them both. Freddie, on the other hand, felt kind of pointless to me, and I would’ve much rather had Hyunjoon. And Lu? I absolutely loved her! I would love for her to get her own book too.

The story definitely keeps you hooked, and personally, even more so because F1 sports romances are my absolute favorite. But once everything started turning into a mafia romance, things kind of went off the rails for me. Those chapters were still interesting, but they were definitely my least favorite part of the book.

Overall, this was a really enjoyable read with two protagonists who make the story even better. I just wish some of the secondary characters had gotten more page time because so many of them were genuinely interesting.

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC - I love an F1 romance! This book follows Wes who has unknowingly tangled himself in some crazy F1 PR nightmares (and possibly dangerous ones?) and Elizabeth who is the person called in to handle a crisis. Well she handles him alright.

I thought this did a good job trying to juggle a heavy romance trope book (most fiction f1 I’ve seen is romance) and make it suspenseful. I thought Elizabeth’s character was badass and I liked trying to add some feminist spins to such a male heavy field. I think at times I had a bit of trouble following the suspense through line but overall I had a really fun time with it!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This new F1 romance brings the heat! You get all the glitz, glam and drama of the F1 world, mixed with the high stakes and mystery of Scandal. Top it off with feminine rage, all the Jane Austen nods, and a driver who is so down bad for his media fixer, you're in for a fun time!!

In all seriousness, the characters are written with care and depth, and are quite compelling. I love the power dynamic flip between Wes and Elizabeth. She is intense, Type-A, strong and confident, yet she also has soft and tender moments. He is charismatic, with just enough confidence to be charming and not cocky, and while he comes across as a party boy athlete, he is actually quite layered.

It's refreshing to read a strong female character who calls the shots, as we don't see that often in romance books. Not only does Elizabeth take control, but Wes respects it. There's very little pushback on his end, it's more of a playful pushing of boundaries. But when he realizes what Elizabeth needs, he locks in and is a total goner because of it. Their banter is so much fun to read, the tension is palpable, and the chemistry is off the charts.

And because this is an F1 based romance, we have to talk about the actual sport. F1 knowledge is sprinkled into the story so that it doesn't feel overwhelming or like an info dump. But rather, the reader is educated along the way as the story progresses, with facts and details naturally incorporated to scenes where it makes sense. As a big fan if the sport, I'm always hyper critical of this in books, but with this book, no notes! An extra bonus is that the story also digs into the organized chaos of drama, celebrities, media and drivers that actually happens with Formula 1, that non-race fans may not be aware of.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. We get so much; as if sports, drugs, and organized crime weren’t enough, celebrity gossip is included in the mix too, plus the romance!! My attention was captured from start to finish!

Pub day is 9/18, so add it to your TBR now!

A big thank you to the author, Bethany, for trusting me to beta read for her, as well as ARC read with this final version!

Tags:
Black cat × Golden retriever
Reformed playboy
Forced proximity
Power exchange
Sports romance (F1)

Spice: 3/5

First person
Dual POV

[Brittney | brb.binding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much for the eARC of this book that I received on NetGalley.

This book was such a fun read! It was my first F1 romance, and it surpassed my expectations.

I loved the depiction of feminine rage that the author conveyed. Our FMC had a billion music playlists for every mood, and they all had the best titles. It made the whole book more relatable.

The pacing was well done, and it was fun to have the dash of mystery. I’m so curious about what happens in some of the other drivers lives, I hope we can find more out about them in the future!
CONTENT WARNINGS
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Vomit, Kidnapping
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Car accident
Minor: Alcoholism, Infidelity*, Alcohol, Sexual harassment
*Infidelity is not between the FMC/MMC

[Danielle Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

📖 Spin Control - Bethany Brunelle 📖

⭐️ 2.75/5 ⭐️

Tropes:
🏎️ Formula 1
👠 Sports Romance
🏎️ Workplace Romance
👠 Forced Proximity

I have found a love for F1 romances, and I really wanted to love this one, as it was described as scandal meets formula 1. But unfortunately the characters were a bit wishy washy, and it felt like there was some misogynistic feminism and degradation in the dialogue. I understand what Brunelle was trying to achieve and the premise of the book was fab, it just wasn’t for me.

Thanks Netgally and Victory Editing for the opportunity to read this arc!

[Steph]

Review of advance copy received from NetGalley. Thank you NetGalley and Bethany for the ARC!

DNF'ed this at the 61% mark.

I do love a good sports romance. It's one of my favorite type of books to read when I just want something lighthearted and easy to read. And I did initially like the first 20% of this book. I liked the initial meet between Wes and Elizabeth. But around the 40% mark, I just didn't love the way the book was heading. And after reading for a bit more, I just didn't want to read anymore.

First the writing is ok. It's not my favorite. There were some odd word choices I think that really took away from the immersion of reading. I also felt like I wanted more description in the book. I wanted this world to be built up a bit more. Like Wes' parents house. I think just describing that more could really paint the picture of how Wes was raised. Was it really neat? Was it sterile? Or were there books everywhere? I just think this story needed more of that.

And lastly Wes and Elizabeth. I didn't really understand why they liked each other. It felt forced in a way. Or too quick. I wanted more deeper moments. Not just things happening. I wanted connection and yearning. I didn't get the build up which is what I love reading in sports romance.

Not the book for me. But this would be for someone who just wants a super easy read.

[Isabella Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5
SPICE: 🌶️ 1/5


🏎️ I WOULD LIKE TO SUMMON THE FIA STEWARDS IMMEDIATELY.

BECAUSE WE HAVE A PROBLEM.

AN F1 ROMANCE.

THREE STARS.

THREE. STARS.

BETHANY BRUNELLE, MA’AM. I WANTED TO LOVE THIS.

I REALLY DID.

You gave me Formula 1, a handsome driver, a fiercely independent crisis manager, paddock scandals, and enough professional tension to make the entire pit wall uncomfortable.

ON PAPER? I WAS READY TO WAVE THE CHEQUERED FLAG.

Unfortunately, somewhere between the racing, the romance, and some increasingly questionable plot decisions, this book started losing positions.

Three stars. One pepper. And one motorsport-loving reader experiencing several deeply concerning moments of internal screaming.

Let’s begin with Elizabeth Jacobs.

Our girl is a crisis-management specialist.

Scandals?

She handles them.

Public relations disasters?

She’s your woman.

Powerful people making spectacularly stupid decisions?

BABES, THAT’S PRACTICALLY HER JOB DESCRIPTION.

So when Martine Racing’s team principal and star driver are arrested during race week, Elizabeth gets called in to save the team’s rapidly deteriorating reputation.

EXCUSE ME?!

A TEAM PRINCIPAL AND A DRIVER ARRESTED?!

AT THE START OF A RACE WEEKEND?!

SOMEONE GET THE PRESS OFFICER A PAPER BAG. WE’RE HYPERVENTILATING.

I genuinely loved the concept.

Formula 1 is already an incredibly high-pressure environment, with media scrutiny, team politics, contracts, sponsors, and careers that can change in an instant.

Add a serious criminal investigation?

There’s plenty of room for a compelling story without even introducing the romance.

But, of course, we have Wes Grant.

Martine’s charming, fan-favorite driver.

A man fighting to protect his future in the sport while his team attempts to survive one enormous public relations catastrophe.

And he is NOT convinced Elizabeth is the woman for the job.

OH, HERE WE GO.

Because nothing says potential romance quite like two stubborn professionals convinced the other is personally responsible for ruining their day.

Elizabeth wants control.

Wes wants to win.

Neither particularly enjoys being challenged.

BABES, THE PADDOCK IS NOT BIG ENOUGH FOR BOTH OF YOUR EGOS.

I enjoyed the possibilities of their dynamic.

An outsider learning to navigate the complicated world of F1 while a driver struggles with the pressures of his career?

That’s an interesting foundation for forced proximity and enemies-to-lovers tension.

But the execution didn’t always convince me.

Their behavior occasionally felt inconsistent, and some of the sharper interactions made it harder to understand how their relationship was developing.

I like banter.

I LOVE banter.

Give me two intelligent people verbally sparring while secretly finding each other irresistible.

BUT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DELICIOUS TENSION AND TWO PEOPLE WHO JUST NEED TO STOP BEING RUDE.

And I wanted a little more emotional groundwork to bridge that gap.

Elizabeth is clearly meant to be strong and formidable, which I appreciate.

But strength doesn’t have to mean constantly being abrasive, just as a confident male lead doesn’t need to undermine the woman working alongside him.

I wanted their professional respect to feel as convincing as their attraction.

Now, let’s discuss the actual F1 element.

OH, DEAR.

Because here’s the thing.

I can suspend disbelief for romance.

I can accept fictional teams, fictional drivers, and enough dramatic paddock nonsense to make Netflix consider commissioning another season.

BUT THE SPORT STILL NEEDS TO FEEL LIKE THE SPORT.

And there were F1 discrepancies that pulled me straight out of the story.

When you know the rhythms, rules, and realities of racing, certain details become incredibly difficult to overlook.

And once something makes you stop reading to mentally question the accuracy?

BABES, WE’VE LOST THE RACING LINE.

It doesn’t mean every F1 romance needs to read like a technical manual.

GOOD HEAVENS, NO.

But understanding the sport is part of making the fictional world believable.

The strategic pressure, the team structure, the championship stakes, and the way decisions unfold all contribute to that authenticity.

I wanted to lose myself in Martine Racing’s world.

Instead, I occasionally found myself wanting to raise my hand and ask whether anyone had checked the sporting regulations.

RACE CONTROL, I HAVE QUESTIONS.

And then there’s the spice.

OH, THE SPICE.

Or rather, the somewhat disappointing attempt at it.

Because listen.

I don’t need every romance to be outrageously spicy.

I’ve happily enjoyed books with almost no spice whatsoever.

But when intimate scenes ARE included, I want them to feel like a natural extension of the characters’ relationship.

The tension.

The vulnerability.

The chemistry.

THE DELICIOUS LITTLE MOMENTS THAT MAKE YOU FORGET YOU’RE HOLDING A KINDLE.

Unfortunately, those scenes didn’t quite work for me here.

The physical connection felt less compelling than the professional friction that initially drew me into their dynamic.

And I found myself wishing the intimate moments had a little more spark.

THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, BUT WE WERE NOT EXACTLY SETTING PURPLE SECTORS.

THERE. I SAID IT.

But my other significant issue?

The storyline’s escalation.

The initial criminal scandal was already interesting.

The pressure on Elizabeth to salvage the team’s image, Wes’s championship ambitions, and the investigation surrounding Martine Racing provided plenty of material.

I wanted that conflict explored thoroughly.

Instead, the suspense eventually expands into a much bigger situation, including a kidnapping subplot that felt disconnected from the story’s earlier direction.

MA’AM. WE STARTED WITH PADDOCK POLITICS. HOW DID WE END UP IN AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT THRILLER?!

I love suspense when it complements the romance.

But when major developments arrive so quickly that earlier storylines don’t have enough room to breathe, the result can feel overwhelming rather than exciting.

And that’s what happened for me.

The final portion felt crowded with dramatic events, leaving me wishing the story had focused more tightly on the compelling premise it already had.

WE DID NOT NEED TO ADD EVERY POSSIBLE DISASTER TO THE RACE STRATEGY.

Sometimes fewer complications allow the existing stakes to hit harder.

That said, I did appreciate the ambition behind this story.

An F1 romance with a substantial criminal investigation and a heroine whose expertise is crisis management?

That’s an interesting approach.

I liked that Elizabeth had a defined professional role rather than existing solely as the driver’s romantic interest.

And the pressure surrounding Wes’s future gave him something meaningful to fight for outside the relationship.

The ingredients were absolutely there.

I simply wanted more consistency in the characters, greater motorsport authenticity, and a more focused resolution.

FINAL VERDICT:

Three stars and one pepper for an ambitious F1 romantic suspense that had a fantastic premise but didn’t quite deliver the experience I’d hoped for.

Spin Control offers workplace tension, paddock drama, a high-stakes criminal investigation, and two professionals learning to navigate a complicated relationship.

But the inconsistencies in the F1 world, uneven romantic chemistry, underwhelming intimate scenes, and increasingly crowded suspense plot prevented this from becoming a favorite.

Bethany Brunelle had an intriguing idea, and I can appreciate what she was trying to achieve.

It just wasn’t entirely successful for me.

And that hurts a little.

BECAUSE YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT FORMULA 1.

Now, Wes Grant?

I sincerely hope your race engineers are better at managing strategy than you and Elizabeth were at managing your feelings.

Because this relationship had potential.

The book had potential.

BUT UNFORTUNATELY, THIS ONE DIDN’T MAKE IT ONTO MY PODIUM.

THREE STARS. ONE PEPPER.

AND AN OFFICIAL REQUEST FOR A POST-RACE INVESTIGATION INTO WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SPICE. 🏎️🏁💀



Tropes: Formula 1 Romance • Workplace Romance • Enemies to Lovers • Forced Proximity • Crisis Management • Motorsport Suspense • Professional Rivals • Slow Burn

[Bessie Hebar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4⭐️

Format: Ebook

Coming into this book, I was expecting an F1 romance with a side criminal mystery. I was not expecting to get F1 romance meets Fifty Shades of Grey meets Scandal. The criminal mystery isn’t just there to make things interesting, it’s genuinely part of the whole plot, and the action and drama of it are palpable throughout the story. Plus, the spicy scenes… I was not expecting that.

📚 What is the book about?

When Martine Racing’s team principal and number one driver are arrested, they bring in a crisis specialist: Elizabeth Jacobs, who has built a successful career helping high-end clients come out of crises just like this one. Working in a Formula One team comes with its own challenges, since she is not familiar with the sport.

Then she meets Wes Grant, the press’s golden boy and fan-favourite second driver of the team. And now that his teammate has been arrested, he needs to step up and start winning races to secure his seat for the future.

Wes isn’t convinced Elizabeth can help, and Elizabeth isn’t comfortable working with him, but the crisis plan forces them to work together. Their proximity turns their professional relationship into an attraction neither of them can shake, but as the investigation deepens and pieces of the truth start coming out, both her safety and her job end up on the line.

😍 What worked for me?

As a Formula 1 fan, this story was highly exhilarating. It’s action-packed, with all the drama and high stakes of the sport, the highs of highs and the lows of lows, and everything that goes in between. Pair that with a slow enemies-to-lovers romance that starts sweet and builds into some serious black-cat dynamic, and you’ve got a winner.

😞 What didn’t work for me?

A good part of the scenes come to us after the fact, with the characters recapping what just happened instead of us living it in real time. It works for the dual POV to understand their emotions and perspective on it when the POV was the other’s character, but I wanted to actually be there in the drama of the race, the tension of the media pen, the rush of a win and the sting of a loss, as it was happening, not hearing about it afterward.

The book also digs into the misogyny Elizabeth has to push through in a male-dominated industry and family dynamic, and while her confidence and determination are admirable, the inner monologue around it sometimes felt a little forced instead of genuinely empowering.

💕 Tropes & Themes:

- Sports Romance
- Workplace Romance
- Forced Proximity
- Enemies-to-lovers

For my sports girlies, this one’s a good one. Between the high-adrenaline speed and the criminal drama going around, it’s gonna keep you on the edge of your seat.

⚠️ This is an ARC review. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for trusting me with an early copy. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own, based on my own reading experience.

[Vanessa · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

I want to thank the author and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
So, I have mixed feelings when it comes to this book. There were definitely aspects I truly loved, however, there were a few things that overshadowed the good, keeping me from giving this book a higher rating.

Firstly, I’ll give it to Bethany Brunelle; she knows how to write some damn good characters. I genuinely loved every character in this book (except for Todd and Elio for obvious reasons), they were well thought out, they had compelling character arcs, and even the secondary characters were given the perfect amount of attention, being well fleshed out without stealing the show. I truly loved Elizabeth and Wes, and watching their relationship grow and withstand the chaos of the F1 circuit was entertaining, leaving me wanting for more Brunelle books set in the world of F1.

Now, where the book began to fall short was with the smut. Don’t get me wrong, I like a good smut scene as much as the next person, but unfortunately the steamy scenes in this book just did not do it for me. Although I loved the dynamic between Elizabeth and Wes, it didn’t seem to extend into the bedroom. I found the scenes a bit stagnant. They lacked the extra bit of tension and excitement that smut scenes have, making it that their relationship did not seem to translate into their intimate interactions.

However, my biggest issue with the book was the kidnapping subplot. I honestly don’t know where it came from. I understand that such plots are often used in books depicting organized crime, but I don’t believe it automatically warrants it within the book. The drama in the book was compelling as it was, and the conflict could have been resolved in a manner that kept the story’s beat instead of introducing an unnecessary plot twist that completely derailed the writing style. Unfortunately, it felt forced and took away from the natural progression of the conflict.

All that being said, I still enjoyed Spin Control. Bethany Brunelle's writing was engaging, and the characters, especially the supporting cast, were definitely the highlight of the book for me. As someone who loves Formula 1, I also appreciated getting a romance set against the backdrop of the sport and all the chaos that comes with it, especially given that many F1 romance books don’t give much insight into the sport itself. I just wish the intimate scenes had been given a little more attention and that the conflict stayed true to the flow it had previously established.

Overall, Spin Control was an enjoyable read falling just short to its full potential in my opinion. There was much to appreciate, and despite the issues I had regarding certain aspects of the story, I am still open to picking up more from Bethany Brunelle in the future, especially if its set within the world of F1.

[Mallory Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Bethany Brunelle for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. (All the em-dashes in this review are for you). I also would like to congratulate her on her debut sports romance novel! It was really good and my review is to follow.

First things first, as an AVID F1 fan (yes I did wake up at 6am this morning to watch my favorite papaya take home the win in Zandvoort #iykyk), this book had the PERFECT amount of details. I loved getting to learn new things about the sport, and I loved some of the details that fans of F1 would notice and appreciate. F1 in romance novels is a critically under-explored genre and when it is done it struggles to find the balance between accuracy of the sport and the plot of the book and I think this book NAILED it. Did I also mention there is a really cool mafia/mystery angle that acts as a sub-plot in the book?

Secondly, much like Wesley Fitzwilliam Grant, I too would let Elizabeth Jacobs walk all over me in her smart heels and high pony tail because this woman is AMAZING. She is unflappable and unwavering in such a demanding job that often times has to stare down the worst parts of the relationship between humans and the media. She has connections, she is powerful, she is well off and she looks gorgeous doing it, and I for one would like to meet her and/or be her and/or marry her. Possibly all of the above. The dominance she carried in both her personal life and professional life introduced me to so many new possibilities and allowed me to experience something new, and for that I am so grateful for this book.

As all eldest daughters and powerful women know, sometimes we don't want someone to take care of us, sometimes we want control. Of course sometimes it is the opposite too, and I think Wes and Elizabeth built a very well-communicated relationship based around where one could fit into the other's life without infringing on what was already present. It was an extremely adult and refreshing romance.

I gave this book 4 stars because I thought the stage between dating and "I love you" was a tad rushed especially given that the book was trying to wrap up the mystery angle at the same time. It was such a slow burn romance that I think I wanted the book to explore a little more about how the relationship would work when they accepted what they both wanted. TLDR I wanted a little mundane, cute-date, moment in between to round out their relationship.

As always, you can find me eagerly praying that there will be a second book in this series and it stars who I hope it will. All the while wearing my orange with pride and continuing to wake up at an ungodly hour to watch cars go really fast : )

[Ari · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a motorsport fan, I am always curious about the depiction of the sport in books. I've read my fair quota of romance books set in the F1 world but this one has something the others don't: a mystery/crime plot. We follow Elizabeth Jacobs, a crisis management specialist as she is called to work with Martine Racing, a F1 team who are in the middle of a scandal as their Team Principal and Number 1 driver are arrested ins suspicion of drug trafficking. Elizabeth finds a team which is building what is promising a good season and the other driver, Wes Grant, who is struggling to keep his contract and to prove he still has what it takes to remain in his seat.

The book is a good story, there were some things here and there related to the sport who make my eye twitch a little (the realness of how ruthless this sport is is real) but overall it was handled pretty accurately. The characters were great although it took some time to warm to Elizabeth. I get she's all about female rage but she doesn't really talk about where does her behavior come from, which makes her just be an asshole. Same goes to Wes, he's not very nice to Elizabeth in some parts at the beginning and then that's just almost swept under the rug. I like there was communication after 60% of the book but to get there, it was a bit of a back and forth and I didn't like that a lot.

There are other characters that are great too, the team in particular was fantastic and Chalondra is so refreshing but I wish we had more of her. Jane got me on my nerves but I get where she was coming from so I feel for her. I do want to mention though, the storyline of Lu. I think we need more women in F1 spaces, period. But I think that her story was just... flat. And on top of that, and as sad as that sounds because it is infuriating, it was a bit unrealistic. I wish it wasn't (if you can, google Maya Weug and you'll see how women with F1 aspirations get treated). However, I do wish Bethany maybe wants to share more of her and Stas, who is by far one of the most compelling characters and he's still somewhat a mystery so that's a good thing so the story goes on. And Etienne too!

F1 aside, it was the mystery side that caught my attention, I was with one eye on F1 and the other on what was gonna be the next move around Elio and Stas. Even if the ending felt a bit rushed, I was at the edge of my seat. I truly enjoyed it just as much as I enjoyed this book overall. It definitely makes me want to read whatever Bethany writes next!.

[Diah · Rating 4 out of 5]

digital ARC was provided by Netgalley and publisher

It's good, what can I say?

Synopsis
Elizabeth is hired to do a damage control on an F1 team that's in crisis. Also enter, Wes, a driver who's too charming for his own good. They need to work together and since their personalities clashes, what will be of them?

Commentary
Alright, buckle up, folks!

What makes a good book? Some might argue it's the plot. But to me, it's the characters. As long as they can sell themselves to me, everything else is secondary at best.
And so, I dived into Spin Control, wanting to forgive its error or mistake if any, and like, leaning into its creativity. Basically, suspending my disbelief.

And it was rewarding.

It's not my place to fact check, although I do enjoy watching the races on the weekends. And in a competitive sport filled with billionaires? Well, anything could happen tbh. Even if the spoiler in this book is hard to believe (maybe, or maybe not?).

Spin Control won me over with their characters. Elizabeth, to me, might not be likeable at first and Wes was so typical your famous male who's cocky and think he's God's greatest gift to mankind. But of course, they're more.

Elizabeth was filled with female rage, seeing as the world favor males and didn't help that in her line of work, she mostly deal with entitled manchild. Dig deeper, and we have her with her family issues. And it was, oh, so so relatable. I don't wanna do a tell-all here, but let's say I understand both Jane and Elizabeth's point of views. Especially if you're a burn out female who's trying to do it all and do them all well.

And Wes was such, can't believe I'm writing this, endearing. Such a golden retriever energy who might need some pointers and directions from someone who clearly could help him and tell him what to do (coughElizabethcough).

If I can say what I don't really like from the book is that it has a lot going on. And coincidences. Not saying it doesn't need depth, it's great actually, but then I need longer. Longer to develop the crime theme, longer to develop more on Elizabeth and Wes, and longer on the race so it doesn't get to be shoved behind now that we're focusing on romance and or the criminal thingy.

But I did have a great time reading it and I didn't expect it at all lol.

[Zoe]

Thank you to NetGalley, Bethany and the publisher for the ARC of this book. Unfortunately, I decided to DNF at 50%.

Firstly, I love the idea of mixing mystery/crime with a sports romance, especially Formula 1, and I was so excited to read this. Elizabeth was a crisis specialist called in to help the Martine Racing team control it's image after it's star driver and team principle get arrested. She meets Wes, the other driver trying to control his career after the drama.

It's Reverse Sunshine x Grumpy, with Elizabeth being a no nonsense woman who will get her job done no matter what.

If you don’t know anything about Formula 1, you’ll never be lost. The author makes sure everything is explained at the relevant moments so you know what’s happening, which makes it very accessible.

As a F1 fan, I do think I would have liked to see a bit more of the sport in this. While it is mentioned, and they do attend race weekends, I feel like the actual driving doesn’t feature a big role and this book is definitely more about the media/pr/F1 politics side of things, which is still interesting.

As you read more, Wes definitely has good book boyfriend qualities, and is a good balance between being sunshine, but still being serious.

Unfortunately what ultimately made me DNF was that the relationship just wasn’t for me.

I felt that they got together rather suddenly (only sexually at this point, although he definitely had feelings for her) without allowing the chemistry to build as much as I probably would have expected by this point. To be honest, I also wasn’t a fan of the way this was done and the morning after is where I decided to DNF.

The bedroom dynamic was not for me, although it may be for others, and it also bled into the story even before they got together, so I knew it would be an even bigger part as the book continued.

Unfortunately, I wasn't invested in the story/characters enough to continue despite this, knowing that my rating would be affected due to the romance not working for me.

[Sophie | sophies.worldofbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spin Control by Bethany Brunelle
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What to expect:
- F1 romance
- Workplace romance
- Badass fmc
- Sunshine mmc
- A bit of suspense
- He falls first
- Good spice 🌶️

Did I want to read this simply because it has F1 in it? Maybe. Was it totally fricking worth it? Hell yeah! I love a good race and I love when a book makes my heart race!

I’ve read a few F1 romances before but not quite like this! Thank you to the author for bringing actual racing into this! Like not only the thrill of it but everything else too! The technical stuff, the behind the scenes, the overall rules. I was very pleased to actually have the feeling of being in the F1 world!

While I did have my struggles getting into this at first and understanding where the characters are coming from, I’d say in the overall story it made sense. But once I passed that hurdle, I flew through this book. It was so exciting and well written, I couldn’t stop.

And it’s not every day I come across such a kickass fmc that won’t take any mans bullshit. I adored Elizabeth for her attitude and determination! She’s an icon, really! And while she’s not soft, she’s entirely herself and happy with it. That was the most inspiring.
The softness came from Wes. She’s a black cat whereas he’s a golden retriever. His sunshiney nature and optimistic personality made me smile on several occasions. It’s really a match made in heaven.

And I was also entirely grateful for the suspense. It was a great move to combine racing and the fickle world behind it. A world where the next scandal is just waiting to happen. I thoroughly enjoyed how that all came together and kept me reading without pause. There were twists I couldn’t have guessed but appreciated all the more.

So this was definitely a good one! I’m very glad to have had the chance to read an arc and get to know this author‘s work! I’m definitely intrigued to see what Bethany Brunelle will write in the future!

[ thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review ]

[Randi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was really excited to read Spin Control, and for most of the book it absolutely delivered.

One of my favourite things about this book was how authentic the Formula 1 setting felt. It was clear that Bethany Brunelle knows the sport, both on and off the track. The racing, the teams, the politics and everything happening behind the scenes felt like a real part of the story rather than just a backdrop for the romance. As someone who follows Formula 1, I really appreciated all the details that made the world feel believable.

I also really liked the relationship between Elizabeth and Wes. I loved the reverse grumpy/sunshine dynamic, with Wes being the charming one while Elizabeth refuses to be won over by his personality alone. Elizabeth was a great female main character. She was confident, competent, and never let herself be overshadowed, which made her a perfect fit for her role as the team's crisis manager. I also really enjoyed seeing a female dom, which was a refreshing change from what I usually read.

Unfortunately, the ending didn't work as well for me. I really enjoyed the story surrounding Elizabeth's role as the team's crisis manager and everything that led her there, but when the author tried to wrap everything up, the story suddenly became so much bigger in scale that it felt like I had started reading a completely different book. There were so many major events packed into the final part of the story that none of them had enough room to breathe, and I was left thinking, what did I just read?

Overall, I still had a great time with Spin Control. The Formula 1 aspect was one of the strongest I've read in a sports romance, and I really enjoyed the characters, the romance and the authenticity of the sport. I just wish the ending had stayed closer to the tone of the rest of the book, because I think this could easily have been a much higher rating for me.

3.5 ☆

[Bookbubble · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved the premise for this story, but the author spent way too much time building the F1 world and not nearly enough building tension in the romance. There’s just too much F1 stuff, and the romance gets pushed to the back burner.

By around 30%, the main characters aren't appealing and have no chemistry. The first half of the book is basically them fighting and him getting inappropriate boners. Doesn't work. There’s not much to like about either of these two MCs. They fight and disrespect each other, and not in a fun enemies-to-lovers way. They mostly just come across as two people who don't like or respect each other.

I've read a few F1 romances, and some get it right by focusing on the romance and building it chapter by chapter. The sport can still be a huge part of the story without taking over the actual relationship. By the halfway point, this should probably be shelved as adult/sports fiction, not romance.

The romance plot came across as an afterthought since the author is a big fan of F1 and put way too much detail and “realism,” aka sexism, into the book. If she wanted a realistic F1 representation to be the priority, I think she should have left out the romance and just written an adult sports novel about F1. Instead, the F1 narrative gets all the development while the romance is just kind of sitting there. I think it's misleading for the marketing to call this a "high-octane romance."

There were also too many characters to keep up with. It wasn't as intense as another F1 book I read where the author put a multi-page character and team list before the story started, but there were still too many people taking up space when the two main characters weren't getting enough development to begin with.

The author does write in some non-white characters, so that's useful.

This is her debut, and if she does a second book, hopefully she'll arc the romance ahead of the F1 narrative instead of treating it like an afterthought.

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and Bethany Brunelle for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.


Synopsis

Elizabeth Jacobs is a crisis-management expert who knows exactly how to take control when everything falls apart. So when Martine Racing’s team principal and star driver are arrested, she’s brought in to save the Formula 1 team from complete disaster.

The last thing she expects is Wes Grant.

Wes is Martine Racing’s charismatic driver, and he isn’t convinced Elizabeth has what it takes to navigate the ruthless world of Formula 1. She sees him as arrogant and infuriating; he sees her as someone who needs to be challenged. But as they work together to keep the team afloat, their professional rivalry slowly turns into something neither of them can ignore.

With an investigation threatening to unravel the team and a championship hanging in the balance, Elizabeth risks her career while Wes fights for the title he’s spent his entire life chasing.

They’re both used to being in control but sometimes winning means knowing when to let go.

Review

5 stars! 🏎️🔥

I absolutely loved Spin Control! Formula 1, workplace tension, scandal, romance and plenty of spice, it had everything I wanted.

Elizabeth and Wes were such fantastic characters. I loved their chemistry and the constant push and pull between them. The female dom/male sub dynamic was definitely one of my favourite parts, and I thought it added such an interesting layer to their relationship.

The pacing was fantastic, with enough going on outside of the romance to keep me completely invested. The F1 setting, the team drama and the unfolding investigation gave the story plenty of tension, while the romance and spicy scenes kept me turning the pages.

Overall, this was such a fun, fast-paced and addictive read. If you love F1, enemies-to-lovers tension, strong female characters, workplace romance and a seriously spicy dynamic, definitely add Spin Control to your TBR!

[LANA VERITY · Rating 5 out of 5]

After hearing so much about this debut, I jumped in with high expectations, and it truly delivered on so many levels!
The central dynamic between Wes and Elisabeth is easily the highlight. Elisabeth is absolute perfection: powerful, brilliantly capable in her high-stakes job, and commanding in every room she walks into. Watching Wes—who has that classic arrogant, charming athlete energy on the surface—turn out to be an absolute green flag who respects her authority and communicates like an adult was so refreshing. Their banter flows effortlessly, the unspoken understanding between them is top-tier, and the cheeky Pride and Prejudice nods made their dynamic even better.
As a sports romance, the F1 background hits the sweet spot. The author clearly respects the sport, balancing the authentic trackside details with the romantic plot without letting one overshadow the other.
The plot takes a darker, mystery/mafia pivot in the second half. While it keeps the stakes high, that transition felt a bit rushed alongside the romantic progression, making the final stretch feel slightly chaotic compared to the slow-burn buildup. I would have loved just a few extra quiet, everyday moments of them as a couple before the high-drama wrap-up.
The side cast is fantastic (Lu and Chalondra need their own spin-offs immediately!), even if a few background characters stole page time from those I wanted more of.
All in all, a phenomenal debut F1 romance. The strong PR heroine, the healthy communication, and the racing adrenaline make this a total win. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for whatever comes next in this world!

[Kassie Scribner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from NetGalley. Thank you NetGalley and Bethany for the ARC!

This might be one of my favorite F1 romances I’ve read? The more I think about it, the more I like it.

Elizabeth and Wes are VERY black cat x golden retriever, which is a trope I will eat up every time. But what I especially loved was actually feeling the trust grow between them. At first, I was frustrated by just how closed off Elizabeth was, but when she finally started opening herself up, I had this moment of, “OH. Yeah, this is perfect.” We had to earn getting to know her, just like Wes did. She ended up being such a strong, well-written FMC.

One of my biggest pet peeves with sports romance is when it’s obvious the author doesn’t really know the sport beyond the surface level. Bethany KNOWS F1. This goes way beyond Drive to Survive knowledge. The strategy, terminology, team dynamics, and paddock drama all felt right, and as a big F1 fan, I was so happy.

There’s plenty of drama because, obviously, it’s F1, but it still felt like its own story rather than a fictionalized version of whatever is happening in the paddock right now. And adding crime into the mix? So much fun. Far-fetched? Sure. Did I care? Absolutely not.

I also loved the way the book handled sexual orientation, preferences, consent, and communication. Add in a little Pride and Prejudice and the playlists, and there were so many little details I loved.

Spin Control will absolutely be one of my new recommendations for anyone looking for a fun F1 romance. And Bethany, I really hope there’s more coming because I need a Stas book next.

[Rey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahh I had such a nice time with this! Also picking this up during the Bahrain GP in Malaysia, a coincidence? hehe anyway I'm not an F1 girl myself, but this book was quite literally unputdownable. I kept trying to put it down and somehow found myself reading again 5 minutes later. Everything was really easy to follow (even the F1 jargon) and fun to read.

Elizabeth! I will alWAYS be behind a strong, powerful FMC and her feminine rage was so satisfying. She's a force to be reckoned with both professionally and well personally too heh. And then there's Wes!! The resident cocky playboy who of course turns out to have the biggest heart. I loved how attentive he was with Elizabeth and how natural their relationship felt. They could talk about literally anything, completely accepted each other as they were, and that man was so down bad (what do you mean when his life flashed before his eyes, all he saw was Elizabeth!!) Safe to say, I was smiling at my Kindle like an idiot. Also the little Jane Austen sprinklings throughout were such a cute touch too!

The mystery was probably the weakest part for me and felt a little like it was there just to add some drama, but honestly? I was having too much fun to care.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

4⭐️

[ma_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Bethany Brunelle, Victory editing and Netgalley for this eArc in exchange for a honest review.

What a solid debut romance novel from Bethany Brunelle! I ate it up in less than 24 Hours.
The story follows Elizabeth and Wes, an uptight yet fierce crisis specialist and a Bi playboy F1 driver. Elizabeth is hired by the team after the team principal and the other driver is arrested.
In the beginning Wes might seem a bit annoying, but that definitely picks up along the way. Together they are the opposites that stabilize each other.

And don’t worry you don’t need to know about F1 to read the book! Though as an F1 fan myself I was positively surprised about how the sport was described and used throughout the novel.

The writing was very descriptive, which made it very easy to read and understand.
Now I would like to say that I thinks it is visible in some places that this is a debut. I don’t think it’s a bad book by any means but some places felt maybe a bit rushed towards the ending.

But overall I really enjoyed this formula 1 Romance and would definitely read other stuff from this author in the future.

[Maddie Corder · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC received in exchange for an honest review

4.5 stars 🌟

Oh I just adore this book! It has the perfect amount of twists and turns while also showcasing a beautiful relationship that starts in one of the most forbidden ways but by about halfway turns into something so beautiful you will just want to keep reading!!

This was not your average F1 romance book. It has everything one loves about a romance book centered around formula one but also has a subplot that made this one of the most interesting and memorable books I’ve read so far this year. And as a new to me author? I am so excited to continue reading books in this universe & by this author.

Females in male dominated roles is such a tricky topic to do well writing and she absolutely knocked it out of the park. Elizabeth was strong, knew what she believed in and stuck with it no matter what. The author created an FMC that is so strong in knowing what she wants and how to ask for it and how to not feel embarrassed about knowing what one likes. Spice can feel light and fun but sometimes there is a deeper feeling to it and this is one of those books. It was so well done.

Comes out September 18th!

[Haley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book follows Elizabeth, a crisis specialist, and Wes, an F1 driver, while they work together to manage several crises the Martine Racing team faces.

I liked Elizabeth a lot. She was very confident in herself and came off as a strong, independent woman, who also showed her softer side towards the end. I also really liked the mystery within this story, I think it may have actually been my favorite part, the romance being a close second. The only thing I really didn’t like is that Wes spends the first 40% of the book being kind of a jerk towards Elizabeth, saying rude things or not respecting her boundaries. He does get better, it was just rough at first.

I think this was a really good debut novel and I’m looking forward to whatever else this author writes next!

Tropes/details:
* First person dual POV
* Black cat x golden retriever
* Forced proximity
* “Forbidden” relationship

Thank you Netgalley, Bethany Brunelle, and Victory Editing for a copy of the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Elia Winters · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been really enjoying F1 books lately and Spin Control did not disappoint! I loved Elizabeth, she was strong, independent, fierce and confident. She was great at her job and knew it but wasn't cocky about it. Wes was a bit of an unknown at first but he was truly a lovable guy that had his faults but was honest about them and was truly a great listener and worked to understand others. Elizabeth had her issues with control after growing up with a misogynistic father and she has found a way her life works without letting men in but Wes breaks those barriers while making sure Elizabeth knows she is in control and he supports her, truly a sweetheart! The scandal vibes with Elizabeth working to control the narrative was a fun addition to the F1 sports romance and I enjoyed seeing the layers of the scandal slowly peel back and reveal how it all came together. All in all, this was a fun and quick sports romance that had fantastic banter, sexy scenes, lovely moments, and mystery and intrigue that made it impossible to put down! I hope to see more from Bethany Brunelle and this F1 team!

[Steph Sunderland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Advanced Reader Copy received from Net Galley.

WOW! I absolutely devoured this book, I got distracted by other reads but once I was on holiday & started this properly I didn’t want to put it down.

The only other F1 books I’ve read is the throttled series… well F1 romance might be one of my favourites. I loved everything about it once I fully got into it! 🤭

The spice is top tier, the storyline is top tier, everything about it was just so well written & feel good and had some comedic one liners .. ‘you have a salad now’ 🥗 you can everything F1 behind the scenes, I’m not into F1 so I couldn’t tell you if these things are accurate but I LOVE reading about it fictionally. You get the glamour, the scandals and the rumours. All the good & the bad in this book plus more! Team Wes all the way & I hope we get to see more from Stas 👀

I have a suspicion this will NOT be the only book in this series and I can’t wait to see where the other characters go & see them develop!

Thank you for the opportunity to read this as an ARC✨

[shelbyreadsbooks · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

This book was such a good ready, easy to follow and I loved the aspect of Formula 1 racing mixed with outside drama.

The tension between Elizabeth and Wes was easily one of my favourite parts of this book. I loved watching their relationship develop, especially with Wes being so cheeky and not taking anything he needed to seriously, until he was put in his place enough times by Elizabeth.

I also really loved the Elizabeth. She was strong, independent and hardworking, and it was so refreshing to have a female main character who stood her ground and knew exactly what she wanted.

This book had such a good balance of everything for me! Plenty of plot, amazing tension, a little bit of spice, and a storyline that kept me interested from beginning to end. I genuinely had such a great time reading this.

If you're after an F1 romance with a sprinkle of spice & a whole host of drama, I'd definitely give this a read 💙

[Kerry Glynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Bethany Brunelle for the eARC of this book.

This was a great first book for this author. I really liked her style of writing, especially the banter between all of the characters.
I liked the overall romance plot along with the drug trafficking crime subplo where the suspense that really got going about midway through the book had me really hooked. The only part that was a little slow for me was the beginning 10% of the story, where I felt like there was a lot of push and pull between Elizabeth and Wes. But it was good chemistry that really got going once they figured out their feelings.

The only thing that I think should be highlighted is the control kink that took place throughout the book. I don’t think that that is really called out anywhere through the summary of the book or the tropes. That piece might make some readers a little uncomfortable.

[Nicole Webster · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spin Control follow Elizabeth, a crisis specialist, and Wes, a Formula 1 driver, on their mission to fix the race teams image after a huge scandal with the manager and Wes's best friend and teammate being arrested. Wes is a bi playboy and Elizabeth craves control.

I liked both characters but them getting together felt rushed to me. I also don't love when someone can't admit their feelings so that annoyed me a little bit. I felt like getting into the book was a little hard for me but I did fly through the last 30% and enjoyed that bit of suspense a lot more than the beginning of the book. Once Wes and Elizabeth were able to admit their feelings I had a lot more fun with it.

Overall it was a fun book and if you're into the inner turmoil when it comes to dating someone, I think you'd love it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy!

[Urbudgetreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Bethany Brunelle, Victory Editing and Netgalley for this arc of Spin Control.


One thing about me is I love a sports romance and F1 has become one of my favorite type of sports to read. I love this dynamic between the MFC who deals with crises falls for a F1 driver in a powerful way. I love the female rage and the girl being in control. Love the grumpy/ sunshine (the MFC being grumpy) is always a great trope. I liked the little suspense mystery aspect we got with this plot. I’m excited to see what’s next for this author.

Tropes:
🏎️ Sports romance (F1)
🏎️ black cat x playboy
🏎️ she can’t stand him, he challenges her
🏎️ she is in charge
🏎️ dom/sub roles in the bedroom
🏎️ little suspense mystery aspect
🏎️ crises manger / f1 driver
🏎️ workplace romance
🏎️ forbidden romance

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

[Katie 📚🩷 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a bit neither here nor there on this read. It’s my first F1 book so I really enjoyed exploring a new kind of sports romance, but I just wasn’t in love with the story itself. I just kept waiting for more to happen. I kinda felt like a lot is happening but also nothing is happening. There were a lot of side characters and places that I struggled to keep up with, and not a lot of depth or romantic/sexual build-up. I didn’t find myself connecting with the characters- except for Elizabeth’s feminine rage. I was absolutely able to relate to her on that level. It’s definitely a slow burn, though I didn’t feel much romance from Elizabeth and Wes.
I do want to add that I LOVE the cover. It’s vibrant and stands out.
Thanks Netgalley and publisher for early access!