Member Reviews

This was one of my 1st f1 books and it was really good. Loved the descriptions of the f1 and the atmosphere of the races. Loved the romance.

Was this review helpful?

First thing first: love me an F1 book. I don’t seem to come across them much (any recs, let me know) so when I see them I gobble them up!

But, this one…. It took me a while to read. The writing was brilliant. So in-depth. But somebody it thought “was that necessary?”

Like I forgot our boy was engaged right at the beginning. To what seemed like a perfectly fine girl. I thought oh maybe he’ll grow from this… nope. Became a bit of an ass and then was back to his usual self. So what was the point of this?
And Dianna getting with one driver for him to turn into an ass & then that was it…
These two relationships didn’t seem to add anything to the story. Would’ve been better without them.

Then the main characters…. Diana & Miguel. Where was their chemistry? It didn’t come across on paper really. It was slow & dull.

74% in they finally kiss - talk about a slllooowww burn
78% (like two chapters later) - it’s their hot & heavy scene.
Then a 3rd act break up 😐 I hate a 3rd act break up.

BUT NOW THE F1 CONTENT.
100%
10/10
5 ⭐️

It’s truly just an F1 book with a bit of romance chucked in. I wouldn’t class it as a romance book. And the spice level … it would make Nando’s plain chicken taste spicy in comparison.
It wasn’t great at all. It was good but no kick.

It was a good book, I would read the next lot in the series for sure. But I think I came into it expecting… I don’t know.

Was this review helpful?

Perfect for F1 romance lovers! Doesn't stand out much from what is out there (a lot) but still very enjoyable!

Was this review helpful?

3.5 rounded up to 4.

I liked Offtrack, but I had a tough time getting fully immersed in the story. The premise is fantastic—an enemies-to-lovers romance set in the high-stakes world of Formula One—yet the pacing felt a bit off, which made it challenging to stay engaged. I really enjoyed the romance, but I wished we had more of it. It felt like we only got a glimpse of their chemistry instead of diving deeper into their relationship.

Diana Zahrani is the first female Formula One driver, determined to prove herself in a sport that often treats her as just a pretty face. Meanwhile, Miguel de la Fuente, a top championship contender, isn’t taking any rookies seriously, especially not Diana. Their dynamic is full of tension as they navigate the pressures of their teams and the racing season. As they keep crossing paths on and off the track, sparks begin to fly, leading to some intriguing moments.

Overall, while I appreciated the romance and the unique setting, I wanted more exploration of their relationship. With its exciting backdrop and strong characters, Offtrack has a lot of potential, and I’m glad I read it!

Was this review helpful?

3.5⭐, 2🌶️

Sooo this book had its strengths and its weaknesses for me. t wasn't a book I loved, but I'm choosing to focus on the positive!

Pro? LOVED the F1 drama! All the misogyny grossness is unfortunately accurate (and I can totally cast real life drivers/ principals as those guys - barf) I loved the diversity of the characters and how much of the drama is so realistic. This was a book I'm so glad I am an F1 fan when I read it or I dont think I would have been as invested and connected.

Con? I just didnt feel the love. I felt the friendship form for Diana and Miguel, but thats about it. There was one spicy scene that really didn't contribute to the story and UGH. With two drivers on the grid, I was excited for this book, but just, didnt fall in love with them (and honestly I never got much character connection with Miguel ever)

Thank you Netgalley and Harper 360/ Avon Books UK for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

My first F1 romance and I have to say I am not convinced!

The plot was there and it was a great idea but I think the writing style just wasn't for me!

I liked Diana and Miguels characters though

Was this review helpful?

gorgeous and beautiful romance with a lot of strong motifs and a lot of fun ideas and definitely something that's worth it.

Was this review helpful?

i’m so upset, i wanted to love this but it fell flat. This just felt
like 85% of f1 and the rest romance and I love f1 so i did like reading those parts but i feel like that’s why the romance fell flat I really didn’t care for the characters. The book was marketed as enemies to lovers and that wasn’t the case at all and there was somethings that just annoyed me such as not remembering racing together I just feel like someone would remember that sort of thing. Also for this being the FMC rookie year it was unrealistic I wish it could be like that but being on a podium basically every race just wouldn’t happen.

I did love that the book delves into the misogyny of motorsports that was amazing. It felt pretty accurate from what we can see in motorsports.

I wish i loved this but the romance just didn’t work.

Was this review helpful?

I DNF’d at 30% I couldn’t connect with the writing or the characters. I did like the f1 aspect but when she doesn’t want to overtake her competitors because they were “nice to her” (which we didn’t see) I couldn’t carry on. It was what broke the camels back.

Was this review helpful?

With its relatable characters, heartfelt romance, and thoughtful exploration of cultural and personal identity, Off Track is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant debut that will leave readers rooting for love and self-discovery. Esha Patel is a promising new voice in contemporary fiction.

Was this review helpful?

This is one of the better racing romance books! I am not sure if racing is not the sport for me but something fell flat on the romance.

Was this review helpful?

Offtrack by Esha Patel is a contemporary romance novel that dives into the high-speed world of Formula One racing. The story follows Diana Zahrani, the first female F1 driver in a century, and her journey to prove herself in a male-dominated sport. Alongside her is Miguel de la Fuente, a seasoned driver with his eyes set on the championship.

While the premise of a female F1 driver is refreshing and empowering, the execution of the romance between Diana and Miguel feels somewhat forced. The book shines brightest when it focuses on Diana's struggles and triumphs within the racing world, highlighting the sexism and double standards she faces. These elements make Diana a compelling character, and her resilience is truly inspiring.

However, the romantic subplot between Diana and Miguel doesn't quite hit the mark. Their relationship, though built on mutual respect, lacks the chemistry and depth that would make it truly engaging. The romance feels secondary to the more interesting plot of Diana's career and the challenges she overcomes.

Overall, Offtrack is a decent read with a strong female lead and an intriguing look into the world of F1 racing. If you're looking for a romance that also tackles themes of gender equality and perseverance, this book might be worth your time. However, if you're seeking a deeply emotional love story, you might find it a bit lacking.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you netgalley and esha patel for the advance copy of offtrack in exchange for my honest review.

This is a cute little story of Miguel and Diana who have to navigate their way through a few bumps in the road. There were lots of references to F1 and the racing, however I felt the story of the characters could have been stronger.

Was this review helpful?

I've been on an F1 romance kick since I read Simone Soltani's Cross the Line, and Offtrack gave me exactly what I wanted! I thought it added even more tension to have both MCs be drivers, and I'm incredibly proud of Diyana!

Was this review helpful?

"Offtrack" by Esha Patel is a riveting and introspective novel that takes readers on an emotional journey through the twists and turns of life’s unexpected detours. Patel’s writing is both sharp and deeply reflective, capturing the protagonist’s struggle to navigate the challenges of veering off the planned path. The story is rich with themes of self-discovery, resilience, and the courage it takes to embrace uncertainty. Patel’s characters are vividly drawn and relatable, making their personal growth and transformation all the more impactful. "Offtrack" is a compelling read for anyone who has ever felt lost or uncertain, offering a powerful reminder that sometimes the most unexpected routes lead to the most meaningful destinations.

Was this review helpful?

An amazing read!
Loved hearing about the F1 world and about woman who races in it!
Such gorgeous characters, the whole story was action packed and full of fun!

Was this review helpful?

Firstly I loved the F1 content in this book, it was so well researched and I really felt immersed into that world. It really touched on issues of women being in motorsport.
I really liked Diana, I think she had a great backstory and I was rooting for her the entire time.

However the writing felt a little clunky and the pacing was off in places, we would jump time periods without knowing how far we had jumped and I got a bit confused. I also actually thought the whole romance aspect didn't need to be in the books. Miguel and Diana really could have been good friends and Miguel could have been her support while she navigates being a female driver in the F1.

Overall though a good F1 romance with great representation, and a good story line about women in male dominated sports.

Was this review helpful?

Funny, lively and what a great easy read! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

Was this review helpful?

I'm really sorry I had to dnf this book. I read about 50% but I couldn't get into the characters or the writing style even though I love the F1 world and sports romances usually

Was this review helpful?

I mean for starters I’m already not a fan of sports romances, so I have a strong bias. This didn’t make me change my mind drastically in either a positive or negative way. Loved the concept though and I hope more people will write stories with a female F1 driver!!

Was this review helpful?