I finished this book yesterday and since then i've been debating wether or not this book should be a 3.5 or a 4 stars rating.

I received this book as a free eBook ARC from NetGalley and HarperCollinsUK One More Chapter in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for approving my request.

In this story we follow two guys who are in the F1 world, it is a grumpy x sunshine kind of romance. Issues are being dealt with like abonnement issues, talks about the Parkinson illness,.. I do not want to get too much into it but i thought the way the author approach those subjects was done very respectfully.

In case, you do not want to get in the story because it is in the F1 world and you know absolutely nothing about it... fear not. Yes, there are talks about cars and whatnot.. I know nothing about this world and i had zero issues understanding this book.

The story in itself was very well done ; the plot, the writing style,... was very easy to get into.

I had a few issues with the Harper's POV (the sunshine). The first few chapters with his POV was very hard to get through but the more you learn about his past, and the more you read about him... You get used to his personality.
Halfway in the book, i started to love, LOVE, his jabs, his jokes... which at first thought were insufferable, they got endearing. Don't ask me how, it's the way it is.

Now my little grumpy... Kian. Omg. i loved him so much. He can do no wrong. His POV's were so easy to get into. For me, he carried to whole book on his shoulders. His relationship with his family were so cute and i was on his side the entire book.

The romance is slow. So so very slow. I usually hate when it's slow slow. But in the context of this book, it was necessary. And thank god it was. I would've hate the book had it been rushed. The romance is so cute, innocent and a bit awkward at times.

It was such a good book ! I can't wait for it's release to buy it and reread it !

Unfortunately the writing for this was lackluster as was the chemistry between the two leads. They had cute moments but not enough to make me root for them as a couple.

DNF

Was so excited for this one! But the writing felt clunky while the characters were frustrating! SO much going on, but not enough development of plot and characters. I just wanted more.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for gifting me this book. I really enjoyed it and couldn’t put it down.

Their story was entertaining and even though it was chaotic at times, I just wanted to keep reading.

I liked how even though they were total opposites, they fitted with each other quite nicely and their banter made it fun.

Throughout the book there were couple of plot twists which made the story more interesting. Some of it was predictable, but it made you feel all sorts of feelings.

It was a great quick read and I definitely recommend it.

Thanks to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter | One More Chapter, for my arc copy of Pole Position.

In this book, we are following Kain and Harper, who are both in the world of M1 formula racing. This year, Harpers has been called up to the champion, which Kain has been in for my years as a teammate of Kain Elijah’s injury, preventing him from participating in the sport. I love the angsty chemistry between these, especially how Kain is dismissive of Harper initially. As time passes, we see how the tension goes from that to forming relationships, and those scenes in the campervan are spicy.

I enjoyed having the dual POV and seeing how both Harper and Kain were brought up in very different environments, affecting the face they give to the outside world. I really enjoyed the racing element and seeing the competitve side of both of them.

I could not put this book down; I love every second of it.

#polepostion #romance #queer #bookreview #booksofintsa

I am loving sports romances, especially racing ones lately and this did not disappoint! A veteran racer gets paired up with a rookie and both are less than thrilled about it, but that's how all good romances start right? Great tension and banter. They both deal with a lot of personal baggage and I thought those aspects were written well. Lots of great racing/F1 info and knowledge and behind the scenes stuff. They both had wonderful character development and I really enjoyed this sweet and sporty romance.
I will post to my instagram on release day! @thatbookishteach
Review crossposted to Goodreads!

As a Formula One enthusiast, I just had to pick this book up! I thought this book was so cute! I loved the main characters and just had so much fun reading this book!

When four times formula1 champion Kian Walker suddenly finds himself partnered with cocky rookie Harper James he is extremely unhappy, especially as he sees Harper as a lose canon on the race track and who has a wreck of a partying tabloid grabbing life.
Compared to Kians uptight strictly professional attitude Harper is like an attention seeking puppy. Both though have a lot of personal luggage, with Kian constantly being compared to the father he hates who was a formula 1 champion and Harper having a childhood spent in different foster homes leading him unable to form any sort of relationships.
Slowly these two realise their mutual attraction, fighting it at first when they do give into it a real connection is formed, but not without problems.
A really well written story that ended too quickly as I couldn’t put the book down. The aspects of F1 was well described, dialogue was humorous and at times heartbreaking, both main characters had a great depth that developed beautifully. I’m hoping the next book will be Johannes story.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

Just seeing the cover and dreaming of CS55 running his fingers through his hair did it for me. I had to read this book. I'm a huge F1 fan and was desperately hoping to match up drivers in real life with the descriptions in the book, but I just couldn't. I did love the racing and behind the scenes in the world of motor racing. The romance was an added bonus.
All in all a good read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy. I give my honest opinion

I don’t even know where to start with this book. I’m still at a loss for words. Rebecca Caffery you absolutely killed it. I was hooked from the first page and couldn’t put it down. The tension between Kian and Harper was unreal and when they finally got together I was cheering out loud! This book was the perfect amount of sexy and sweet. Their relationship development was such a thing of beauty to watch and by the end I was crying right along side the characters. Thank you for this book I can’t wait until it releases to buy copies for everyone I know!

The new Formula 1 season is about to begin, and Kian Walker is ready to rise above the comparisons to his father and the rumours of his retirement, and win his fifth World Championship title. But then his longtime teammate and friend breaks his leg, and Kian finds himself racing alongside Harper James, a rookie whose off-track antics will prove even more of a distraction that Kian can anticipate…

I recently read my first F1 romance and vowed it wouldn’t be my last. Pole Position mainly unfolds over the course of a F1 season, and it provides enough on-track action to satisfy fans of the sport, but not so much that it will alienate readers who know nothing about it. I loved the way the heat between Kian and Harper is matched by their rivalry on-track, and the rising tension of the Championship battle. I also enjoyed some of the more mundane details that we get to see, such as the motorhome the teammates stay in for the European leg of their races, resulting in some of my favourite scenes.

Pole Position starts as a simmering, slow-burn enemies to lovers romance, with plenty of heat and flirtatious banter, before fulfilling its promise of spice, and even revealing a soft heart at its centre. I loved the characters of Kian and Harper, who felt so easy to visualise and empathise with, and I enjoyed the tantalising glimpses we get of other characters too, possibly (hopefully) hinting at a sequel. This one wasn’t quite a five-star read for me, but I found it a page-turning read that I couldn’t stop thinking about. Highly recommended!

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an advance e-copy of Pole Position, in exchange for an honest review.

Rebecca J. Caffery's 'Pole Position' is a fun novel that will immerse you in the thrilling world of Formula 1 racing, while weaving a heartwarming romance.
The novel's strength lies in its well-developed and relatable characters. Kian Walker, a rising star in F1, is a complex and driven individual. His determination and unwavering focus on success are balanced by moments of vulnerability and self-doubt. Harper James, his new teammate, is an equally compelling character. Strong-willed, intelligent, and fiercely competitive, she challenges Kian's established order both on and off the track.

Throughout the story, both Kian and Harper undergo significant character growth. They learn to confront their fears, embrace their flaws, and find strength in their connection. Their interactions feel authentic and believable, making their relationship feel both romantic and grounded.

The book maintains a steady pace, balancing the adrenaline-pumping action of race sequences with the quieter moments of character development. Caffery deftly captures the high-stakes environment of Formula 1, conveying the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. The story unfolds smoothly, with unexpected twists and turns that keep readers engaged and invested in the characters' journey.

While the romance between Kian and Harper is a central element of the novel, it could have been developed more fully. The romantic tension between them is undeniable, but it often takes a backseat to the racing action. As a result, the emotional connection between the characters feels somewhat underdeveloped.

'Pole Position' will leave you with a sense of anticipation and hope for more. The world of Formula 1 is rich with potential for future stories, and Caffery has created a cast of characters that are ripe for further exploration. Would love a sequel to revisit Kian, Harper, and the world of F1 racing.

Stop this was actually so cute & I'm kinda in love with this book!

F1 racing romance? Come on, who could ask for more! No but really this was such a cute plot and the characters were kinda adorable. Their story was fun, cute, and had me giggling the entire time!

This was a super easy book to get into and really just turn off my brain to enjoy this book. It was simple and sweet, such a quick and fun read to get me feeling summery. I had so much fun reading this book! Definitely one I'll be picking up in the future!

Thank you NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

pole position - rebecca j. caffrey
DNF

thank you to both netgalley and the author for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review.

if im being straight up honest, i read 48% of the book and then it gave me the ick. i love formula 1 romances don’t get me wrong but this one was just not it.

the writing was very stiff and felt like i constantly had stuff thrown at me. the main characters who were meant to be ‘romancey’ just kept head butting each other. the chemistry was just lacking in all sorts of ways. the miscommunication i had experienced from only being just under 50% in was just not it either.

This sports romance girly has only dabbled in F1, but after this ARC, I might need some more!

I knew very little about this book or author going into this, but the story sounded great, and it was! Kian and Harper are both lovable for so many reasons, but there's also a bunch of heartwrenching angst in this book that will have you screaming and crying for more!

Kian Walker is the lead driver for his team, and when his second driver is injured right before the season starts, Harper James is called up to fill in. To Harper, Kian is his idol! But to Kian, Harper is an annoying playboy who can't be expected to take anything seriously. Here's the thing though -- they don't actually know each other!

This starts off very enemies-to-lovers, with Kian acting very cold toward Harper and Harper unsure what he's done. But he's used to being on his own, so whatever, right? That is, until Harper becomes sick while they're traveling, and Kian is the only one around to care for him. This really is one of the sweetest parts and gets everything started!

The burn between these two is slow, and they've both got personal issues to work out as well. Kian is away from his family, who is going through a tough time, and he's not there to help. Harper really has no one in his corner and he's not using to trusting other people, which means he spends a lot of time pushing Kian away, despite their mutual attraction. There were definitely some moments that made me cry and moments I wanted to yell at both of them to get it together!

The push and pull between these two was incredibly enthralling, infuriating and beautiful all at the same time! Pole Position comes out June 6 and I definitely recommend it!

Actual rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐+0.5

Some of the tropes included:
- Sports romance: Formula One 🏎️
- Dual POV
- Gay/Bisexual MC's
- Rivals to lovers
- Forced proximity
- Family topics (siblings, parent issues etc)

When I saw "Red, White & Royal Blue meets Formula 1", I was sold immediately 😍
Although I didn't read RW&B but saw the movie, it is one of my favorites. And to have that kind of cute romance with a F1 theme... yes, that totally did it for me!

I think this might be one of the best F1 racing romance I've read actually! The racing aspects were seamlessly incorporated into the story and I really enjoyed how the races were described. Not everything was very realistic, but honestly it didn't bother me at all. It's fiction after all 😊

Kian and Harper were so cute together! They made me giggle so much 🥰 The switch of POV's throughout the book was also a very nice add-on, as it kept the pace of the story going. Loved the banter and tension buildup throughout the races too. Their story has once proven I'm a sucker for the forced proximity trope 😏
Some of the spicy scenes were a bit outside my comfort zone, but it's was just the first time I'm reading a book with a gay/bi couple - so it was all new to me.

I do have to say that the story line about Kian's family was one of my favorite things!
There were a couple of chapters where the tears just didn't stop from flowing, which caught me completely off-guard... 🥹 Didn't expect at all to be crying over their beautiful moments 💕

The only thing I disliked a bit was the choice of certain words/phrases, and that's why I'm not giving a full 5-star rating. It didn't happen that often that it was an obvious ick while reading. It was a few times were I had to reread a phrase, because I found it strangely written. As English is not my first langue, perhaps it was just some slang that I didn't get 😅 Anyway, like I said, it was a minor thing, and the overall book was amazing anyway.

So, if you love sport romances, Pole Position is highly recommended! 🏎️
I cannot wait to read more from this author. I hope there will be a sequel about Johannes because I definitely want more about his story.

Mein Leseerlebnis

In der m/m sports romance mit Formel 1 - Fahrern wird aus einem Rookie und einem erfahrenen Fahrer ein Paar. Dass sich die beiden Männer zunächst nicht gerade grün sind, kommt noch hinzu.

Die Umsetzung dieses im Genre durchaus verbreiteten Motivs hat mir phasenweise gut gefallen. Ich mochte den lockeren Schreibstil und war gespannt zu erfahren, was hinter dem Verhalten der beiden Helden steckte. Ich wollte vor allem Harper näher kennenlernen, um sein Verhalten besser verstehen zu können, da ich dieses teil verwirrend fand.

Dieses Kennenlernen der Hauptcharaktere hätte für meinen Geschmack gerne noch intensiver ausfallen können. In Bezug auf Harper hatte ich bis zum Ende ein paar offenen Fragen. Ich hätte auch gerne mehr Details zu seinem Wandel im Buch erfahren, dieser wurde eher in Nebensätzen erwähnt.

Beim Lesen konnte ich mich teils, aber leider nicht voll auf die Liebesgeschichte einlassen. Das lag vor allem an den Sprüngen in der Geschichte. Diese haben mich mehr als einmal aus meinem Lesefluss gerissen. Auch war ich kein großer Fan davon, dass erst ein trauriges Ereignis dazu geführt hat, dass sich die Beziehung der beiden Helden weiterentwickelt hat. Das hätte man anders lösen können.

Insgesamt fand ich die Liebesgeschichte ganz nett, man hätte meiner Meinung nach aber wesentlich mehr aus ihr und vor allem den beiden Hauptcharakteren rausholen können.

🖤🖤🖤 1/4

Für wen?

Wer m/m sports romances mag und gerne Liebesromane liest, in denen zwei Männer mit recht unterschiedlichen Persönlichkeiten zusammenkommen, für den könnte das Buch eine schöne Sache sein.

*ARC Book Review*
I love F1 romance so much especially with a grumpy x sunshine trope! This was my first MxM F1 romance and I ate it up! I loved the relationship Kian had with his family. The character development for Harper was amazing. I really didn’t like him at the beginning of the book but by the end I loved him. He was cracking me up. Also by the end I loved Kian and Harper’s relationship. The ending did feel rushed and would have wished for it to be longer but I still really enjoyed this book.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read this ARC! ♥️

I really loved the set up of this. The rivalry between the two of them was so good. The slow burn of them getting to know each other (and the care taking!) was such a good buildup to the forced proximity of it all.

From there I thought that the relationship development was really interesting and well written. Kian and Harper were really great characters and seeing their growth and their struggles as they learned to give and receive love was so nice to read. I do wish a bit more had been done with Johannes though as that felt like an unnecessary loose end (although if this is a series of interconnected standalones then I guess it be makes sense)

This is another one of those titles that delivers exactly what it promises. If you're going in looking for a fun, pacey, at times tense, at times sweet romance, this is THE book for you. The dynamic between the main characters was so interesting, and the underlying rivalry and ensuing mis-communications (aahh) make you keep turning the pages until you read the whole book in one sitting. I had a fantastic time, and if that's the kind of book you're looking for, I'd whole-heartedly recommend it.
(Because I can already see the criticisms, here a little caveat: do not buy this book if you are looking for literary fiction or detailed, accurate descriptions of the backworkings of an F1 team.)