This was my first Rebecca Caffery book, as well as my first book involving F1!!! When I saw it was f1 + MM + rivals??? I was literally sold. Say no more. However this fell a little flat for me. I did have fun reading it, but I felt annoyed by the characters most of the time and feeling strung along at times and just wanted to be done with it… id even notice myself skimming. When their relationship was going, it was sweet and I truly wanted more of it! Overall, id give it a 3✨

-age gap (33/25)
- rivals to lovers (ish)
- teammates
- grumpy × sunshine
- secret relationship

Thank you for the ARC!

This was addictive and spicy and I cannot look a single person in the eye to talk about it. If you’re an F1 fan and down for a sexy read HELLO THIS IS IT

Pole Position was a fun and sexy read! F1 is a great setting for a m/m sports romance and honestly I've been dreaming of this type of sports romance. I wish the book had been longer and gone deeper into the character’s backgrounds and internal emotional lives. I’m hoping there will be a follow up about Johannas because that side story left me wanting!

Literally the cutest! Harper was my favourite character - I just love a character who comes across as super fun and carefree but is actually a sad lil soft boy who needs to be in therapy lol.

I'm actually not a big F1 girlie but I do like other motorsports and know a bit about cars. I felt like this was just the right amount of detail and focus on the sport. I've read other F1 romances that don't get the details right and it really takes me out of the story.

I loved the progression of their relationship and loved the side characters - especially Kian's sister. I liked that even though the main focus was on the relationship and the sport, there was a surprising amount of depth with family issues, childhood trauma and dealing with grief and guilt.

3.5 ⭐️

- age gap (33/25)
- rivals to lovers (ish)
- teammates
- grumpy x sunshine
- secret relationship

CW: Parkinson’s disease, dementia, parental death, familial abandonment, mentions of parent with alcoholism/drinking problem, panic attacks

With Kian Walker’s teammate out of commission for the season, hotshot rookie Harper James gets called up to take his place. Harper is known for being a bit reckless on and off the track, and the pair get on like oil and water.

Honestly, I didn’t like Kian’s character or treatment of Harper for a good 30-35% of the book. He just made assumptions about Harper based off what he thought he knew about him, and was a massive asshole. Sure Harper was wild at times and had a lot of growing up to do, but his character was actually really funny and sweet too.

The banter and chemistry between the two was great once Kian got over being a twat, but the constant hot and cold from Harper (thanks to his major abandonment issues) and his inability to really communicate with Kian became a bit repetitive. Once they work all their shit out though, their relationship is very sweet and I would have liked to seen more of it than what we got.

Overall though I can’t really complain. This is my first sports romance involving Formula 1, which isn’t a sport I know much about, but was enjoyable regardless. The story was fun, steamy, and a pretty quick read.

Queer F1 romance featuring opposing teammates, a golden boy who is a four time Championship winner out to prove he isn't ready to retire and this year's rookie who has a reputation for breaking hearts and setting new track records... forced to be teammates and yet despite how much they get under each other's skin there might be more to it. Kian Walker is the golden boy of motor sport, he's a four-time Championship winner with a father who was a legend on the track... just don't bring up his dad near him ever. Kian is determined to be nothing like his father who lied and cheated on his wife and destroyed their family, he wants to be reliable, to be amazing... yet he's getting older and everyone keeps thinking he is going to retire. Kian is determined to prove them all wrong and win another Championship, yet that all goes out the window when his teammate is injured and he is forced to work with a new driver, someone he absolutely dislikes, Harper James. Harper James is this year's rookie who is determined to make it big. Harper might have scandal after scandal, might be the most reckless, self destructive person who has abandonment issues ever since he was a child bouncing from foster home to foster him, but he is determined to chase his demons away, be it on the race course or with the various partners and parties he has. Harper has a reputation, yet he has always idolized Kian, yet to his shock Kian takes an instant dislike to him. Kian can't stand how reckless Harper is, they are complete opposites and yet the more the fight and argue the more they put themselves at risk and their team at risk of losing. Yet the more they argue and spend time together the more this underlining attraction between them begins to grow... yet can they make it work when they are complete opposites in every way??? With how Harper is afraid of being abandoned and is self destructive while Kian is dealing with family drama and seeing just where his future in F1 is or if this is his final year? Oh I had a blast with this one, as a fan of F1 this was such a delight to read. It definitely gave me Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid vibes and I had fun with it. I adored Kian so much and this book had me tearing up in the end with how much Harper grew and how he worked on his own mental health and getting the help he needed. This was a fun romance read and the romance was cute. It's definitely a fun book to add to your list if you love queer sports romances!

*Thanks Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter | One More Chapter for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review:

Release Date: May 30,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

This was my first f1 mm romance and man I’m ready for more lol. At first i didn’t fully love Harper but he really grew on me. Enemies to lovers is always a smash, plus an age gap, 10/10. The spice was nice also. Very well written. Overall I really enjoyed this book

Thank you to NetGalley and One Last Chapter for the ARC of Pole Position by Rebecca J. Caffery.

In Pole Position by Rebecca J. Caffery, readers are thrown into the high-speed world of Formula 1 racing, where the thrill of the track is matched only by the depth of the characters' personal struggles.

The story revolves around Kian, a seasoned Formula 1 veteran, and Harper, a cocky rookie with a troubled past. Their initial clash sets the stage for a captivating exploration of their differences and the unexpected bond that forms between them. Kian, grappling with the weight of his family history marked by his father's alcoholism and his mother's battle with Parkinson's Disease, finds himself drawn to Harper, who carries his own scars of abandonment.

What sets Pole Position apart is its portrayal of the complex dynamics between Kian and Harper. Their relationship evolves from animosity to camaraderie, as they learn to confront their pasts and support each other through the challenges of professional racing and personal demons. The banter between the two adds depth and humor to their interactions, making their journey all the more engaging for readers.

Kian and Harper's struggles feel authentic and relatable, drawing readers into their world and keeping them invested in their journey towards self-discovery and happiness. While they do get their happily ever after it is definitely a hard fought one.

Overall, Pole Position is a captivating blend of adrenaline-pumping racing action and heartfelt storytelling. This is perfect for readers who enjoy books with a perfect mix of humor and banter as well as more serious themes.

*3.75⭐️

I received an ARC from Netgalley and HarperCollins in exchange for an home review.

I actually really enjoyed this book and in my opinion the vibes were incredible. If you love formula one or just want to get a glimpse of the world of motorsport I highly recommend this book.
What I really loved about this book was the characters and their development. I felt every emotion for Harper and there were times where I teared up a bit. His journey was one of the most important ones in the story for me and his healing journey was beautiful. The relationship between him and Kian was strong and emotional. There were complications and issues but they figured them all out together and it only made their connection deeper.
I also love the tropes in this book. These are some of them:
• forced proximity
• nightmare trope
• enemies to lovers
• taking care of one of them when they’re sick

Overall I enjoyed this story and I highly recommend it.🫶

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for providing an ARC for me!

“𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭?”

The novel Pole Position by Rebecca J. Caffrey is an oppposites attract romance  between Harper James and Kian Walker, two drivers in Formula One.

The banter in M/M Formula 1 romances will always EAT! Because  of all the back and forth between them, their chemistry was made 10x better.

The intimate moments between Kian and Harper were also hot asf. They were so different from one another, but they got along great together. 

However, I find it weird that they went from not getting along to messing around so fast without any explanation. After then, everything simply got worse. Not only was Harper starting to irritate me, but the ending also felt hurried.

I was really excited about this because of the great cover and storyline, but my expectations were not met.

*Thank you to NetGalley, One More Chapter, and to the author, Rebecca J. Caffrey, for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.*

This book knows exactly what it is and it isn't trying to be anything else. It is light, fluffy, slightly smutty fun.

Kian and Harper were never going to get along. Harper is the 25 year old new kid in championship racing. He's brash, daring, and a little too fond of being papped with a drink in his hand and a hot guy on his ... arm. Kian' s a legend of the sport, 3 time world champ and gunning for one more title as the media speculates about his potential retirement. He also has a deep seated hatred for flighty playboys after the way his father, the blueprint for the type, treated him and his family. When these two polar opposite drivers end up as teammates they have to find a way to work together, and in the process realize they might hold the keys to one another's hearts.

This book is tropey, silly, and sweet. Kian and Harper make for a cute couple after they get through the obligatory ups and downs that characterize romance novels. That's really all I have to say about this one. It isn't going to change anybody's life, but it was a good time to read on a summer day.

I would keep in mind that the book has a narrative style that some might find off putting where the characters' internal monolog is very speechlike in structure (the characters often exclaim things to themselves or their thought process is otherwise written as statements). Also the characterization isn't the most consistent, with Harper especially seeming to flip flop fairly quickly on some pretty major issues in order for the happily ever after to work itself out.

For an actual issue I had with this book - there are a couple of instances in this book where fairly serious situations are sorta glossed over and never really revisited. Twice in this book somebody leaves their visibly upset and heavily drunk 'best friend' alone at a bar. One of these times there's a follow up "you ok?" text, the other time the friend never checks in again. And this is not a breaking point in the friendship, in fact neither instance is ever brought up again. Additionally, the first time our lovers become physical, one of them is so drunk that pages earlier the other had noted and commented on them being too drunk to consent. And yet when they start getting hot and heavy, this issue is not addressed and it's never brought up again. Neither of these issues crosses an unforgivable line (for me), but they are a bit weird and stopped me enjoying this book as much as I might have.

Thank you to ONE MORE CHAPTER and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

thank you netgalley for giving me an eARC of this book

so, this book is pitched as RWRB x F1 and as someone who didn't like RWRB i really enjoyed this one so take this as a big compliment!
I really liked the characters, Kian and Harper both had a precise personality and their actions always made sense. I liked how they tried to communicate and be close to each other through the book. The spice was well balanced with their cuddly moments and I really enjoyed it.
The epilogue was my fav part T.T

Kian stole my hear i will always remember him dearly <3

But i felt that we got so tiny focus on F1, i would have loved to know more about it. Also the Johannes situation was left unsaid and i hope this is just a clue that there will be a book 2.

red, white & royal blue meets formula 1.

please tell me why i, the least sportiest person on the planet, love learning about the intricacies of different sports through romance books? we can only hope they’re factually correct, because i’d honestly have no way of knowing if they’re not.

i found pole position a speedy (hah) read, with a good balance of humour and exploration of more hard-hitting topics. the two main love interests were great, although i wish we’d seen a bit more on page relationship development between them. when they were no longer ‘enemies,’ there seemed to be a lack of emphasis on the friendship part of their relationship which meant it felt lacking at times.

nevertheless, kian and harper were very charming together and i enjoyed seeing the complexities of their personal struggles here, especially as men in sport!

if you’re a lover of enemies to lovers, and sports romance, this is definitely a safe bet for you.

Thank you netgalley for this free arc in exchange for an honest review.

4 Stars ⭐

This book was advertised as Red White and Royal Blue meets F1 and that certainly delivered. This book follows 2 f1 drivers slowly falling for eachother. I liked how there wasnt an awakrd coming out scene. Both characters knew what they wanted and liked. There are also cameos from well known drivers.

If you want an easy to read f1 book during the off season this is definitely up there on my list of recommendations

3.5, rounded up.

I know less than nothing about F1, but if you tell me a book is rivals to lovers? I'm in. And I'm so glad I picked this one up.

I love a messy little guy, and Harper is very that. He grew on me very quickly, and I looked forward to his chapters and what ridiculous thing he would try to convince himself of next. I loved him being confident in his racing abilities but absolutely clueless in every other aspect of his life. It made me so relatable, and watching his confidence grow as the book went on was so lovely.

And Kian's grumpy to Harper's sunshine was just so damn cute. I loved him from the first page, and enjoyed him learning to let go a little and let the cocky little rookie in.

I don't know, I just really enjoyed this one. It was a fun, fast and engaging read that had me pretending to understand how races work and rooting for these guys to crush it on the track.

Thanks for the copy of Pole Position!! I was initially interested in this book because of the F1 meets Red White and Royal blue reference. I love a good sports romance and this is one of the first racing/ F1 stories I’ve seen. I enjoyed that aspect and thought it was a fun, easy and enjoyable read.

Oh, well, if you're looking for real enemies-to-lovers romance, or at least rivals-to-lovers, look no further. These two are so mean to each other and competitive as hell. And, not gonna lie, they both are a tad dickish, especially Kian, didn't like him at all at the beginning of the story, though later came to love him and empathize with him. Harper is another story, he was a little bit harder nut to crack, however, when it happened I found him soft and gooey inside. What I loved most about this story is F1 setting, it had everything - racing, technicians, qualifiers, record-breaking laps, podiums and so on, everything you need from a romance about F1 drivers. And most importantly, this F1 world was queer-friendly, loved it!

Thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

Thanks to One More Chapter for the opportunity to review this book!
LGBTQIA+ and F1? YES!
I have to start off by saying that the characters weren't my besties but the overall story line was adorable and very speedy (pun intended)
I enjoyed this read and i think if you like F1 this will be your tea!

Overall very nice, good dialogues, and great story!

I’d just finished the Boys of Tommen series (which I loved), but I definitely needed something a bit more light-hearted and this was perfect!

Both of the main characters are just really likeable, fun to read about, and their relationship just felt realistic. There’s no blown out of proportion drama so it was so nice to read. I also really liked that it wasn’t focusing purely on the romance - that you was also able to keep up with the F1 side of things as well, like what’s happening during the races, in the paddock and behind-the-scenes each weekend 🏎️

Overall, I really enjoyed this and I think it’d be a perfect book for the Summer or a nice replacement for when the race isn’t on that weekend 😉

DNF 36% - I wanted to love this book. I have been on a roll with MM sports romances and was excited to read an F1 romance. But these characters were unbearable. Harper is supposed to be 25 but it feels like he's 20. He's incredibly childish and I feel no chemistry between him and Kian. I thought that as the book went on I would learn more about him and he would grow on me but he kept failing to do so. The age gap makes this worse because 25 and 33 is not bad at all but a 33 year old with someone acting like a teenager feels yucky. Rivials to lovers is sometimes a hard trope to do well, it's sometimes hit or miss for me and here it was a miss.